Documented History
According to the United States Federal Census, in 1870, Clara was 11 years old and lived with her parents which puts her birth year about 1859. Her parents were Valentine (35) and Wilhelmine (33) Porr in Tiffin Ward 2, Seneca County, Ohio.
1870 United States Federal Census
Also living there was Emma (9), Amanda (7), Ida (5), Hannah (3), and Lizzie Porr (4 mo.).
1870 United States Federal Census – Clara
Valentine was a Cabinet Maker and Wilhelmine was a House Keeper.
1870 United States Federal Census – Clara
By 1880, Clara had married Edward Black and they lived at 104 Pleasant St. in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.
1880 United States Federal Census – Clara
She was 21 years old at the time and a House Keeper. Her parents were born in Germany, as were Edwards.
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Marriage
Clara Black married Jacob N. Zimmerman on 13 August 1890 in Hamilton, Ohio, according to Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993.
1896 Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952
But there’s also a record showing that they married on 10 September 1896 in Michigan.
1896 Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952 –
It’s weird to have two marriages this close together, but it’s not unheard of to get divorced and then get back together.
According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, Clara (41) lived with her husband Jacob Zimmerman at 715 25th St., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana and their children: Edward, Albert, William, and Emma & Otto Streibeck. Clara was born in October of 1858.
1900 United States Federal Census
Jacob was born in November of 1858. They had been married 10 years by this time. Edward was born in September 1882, Albert in December 1884, William in January 1887, and Emma in December 1880.
1900 United States Federal Census – Clara
Emma’s husband Otto was born in June 1878. Otto and his parents were born in Indiana, everybody else was born in Ohio. Their parents were born in Germany. Jacob was a Saloon Keeper. Edward and Albert were Day Laborers. William was at school.
1910 United States Federal Census
In 1910, Clara was head of household living in Marion County, Indiana. She was a widow at the time and lived with her son, Albert, and her mom. Clara was 51 years old at the time. Albert was 25 and Wilhelmina was 72 years old and also widowed.
1910 United States Federal Census – Clara
Wilhelmina was born in Germany as were her parents. Albert and Clara were both born in Ohio. Albert’s father was born in Pennsylvania. Clara’s parents were both born in Germany. Albert was a packer of tiles.
1918 Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 – William
Clara’s son, William, passed away on 25 October 1918 in Jackson, Brown County, Indiana of pneumonia brought on by influenza. He had been born 12 September 1885 and passed at 33 years, 1 month, and 13 days old. His wife was Anna Black and he was a Farmer. His parents were listed as Edward Black and Clara Porr. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
1930 United States Federal Census
Clara lived with her son Edward and his family in 1930 according to the United States Federal Census. They lived in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio at 1614 Leo St.
1930 United States Federal Census – Clara
Edward J. Zimmerman (41) was the head of household. His wife was Ida M. (44). Their children were: Marvin A (18), Willis E (15), and Helen E (11). Clara was 72 years old at the time. Edward and Marvin worked at a Meat Market.
Death
An obituary was printed for Clara Black on 16 April 1932 in the Crawfordsville Journal Review on page 2, column 3. So she had to have passed away shortly before the printing of the Obituary.
I found several Census records for Clara and two marriage certificates. Unfortunately, I didn’t find much information prior to her marriage to Jacob N. Zimmerman which is what I was hoping to find. As always, I’ll update this post as I find additional information for this ancestor.
Take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
Clara’s Family Tree
