I am trying to track down the family history of my maternal grandfather. His name was Arthur Howard Green. He was born on 25 May, 1894 and died on 12 January 1930 at the age of 35. Because he died so young and so long ago, we know very little about him and his ancestors. What my cousins and I do know was told to us by our maternal grandmother, Arthur's widow, Annette Fayette Green nee: Keeler "Nana" and our oldest cousin Bruce. This is what we have been told:
1. The family name was originally Greenzweig and/or Grunzweig. The name was changed around the time of the Civil War.
2. The family originated in south western Gremany and was devoutly Lutheran.
3. The family came to Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. Nana jokingly told us that the Greens were here in Pennsylvania when the Indians got here and had fresh donuts and coffee waiting for them.
4. The family settled in the vicinity of Palmerton in what is now Carbon County, Pa and along the northern slope of the blue mountains in neighbering Monroe County.
5. Arthur's father was possibly named David. David's wife was a member of the Serfass family and a dirrect decsendant of Capt Adam Serfass, A soldier in the Pensylvania militia during the Revolution. Nana seemed to think that this would have qualified her daughters to be members of the DAR.
6. The most integuing story that Nana use to tell was that Arthur's grandfather or great uncle served in the US Army during the Civil War, deserted and was never heard from again. My cousin, Bruce adds that the last this unknown ancestor was heard from was in a letter from South Carolina.
7. I have learned that three men named Greenzweig mustered into Compmany A of the 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (PVI) Regiment on 28 Aug 1861. They were named Thomas, Joseph and William. These men were in there late 20s and early 30s. I have been told that they were brothers. Although I have not seen it, I am told that the postmaster's book for the village of Stemlersville, Carbon County, dated 1860 gives instructions to give any mail for Thomas, Joseph or William to their mother, Catherine.
8. I thought it would be a simple matter to find the one who deserted and that one would probably be Arthur's grandfather. However, I see that all three deserted. William and Joseph re-enlisted on 1 January 1864, took veteran's forloughs and never repaired to duty. Thomas deserted less than six months after mustering in and before the company left Philadelphia. His military service would not have brought him near South Carolina. William Greenzweig is burried in a cemetary near Jim Thorpe, Pa. His grave is marked with a Grand Army of the Republc (GAR) marker. William reportedly had 11 children, however his grave seems strangely alone.
9. Arthur and Annette were married in 1914, raised four children and resided on South New Street in Bethlehem, Pa. Arthur was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Corp. According to my mother's account, Arthur came home from work on 12 January 1930, complained that he was not felling well and streched out on the couch until dinner. He went home to the Father while he slept.
I am hoping to find a connection through my grandfather to Greenzweig family. Any clues or hints would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Neil Green Eifert
