The Families of Joseph Bradford Lancaster and Amanda Amelie Doerr Lancaster:
Genealogy in Chronology:
by
Christian P. Garcia
Amanda Doerr Lancaster’s Family
Charles J. A. Doerr, Amanda Doerr Lancaster’s father
Charles was born in May 1844 as Carl Johann Augustus Dörr.
Charles came from Landau, a town in the Black Forest region of Germany.
Charles emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1859.
Family lore has Charles Doerr leaving Germany to avoid conscription in the German army, but the more mundane reason may have been financial stress. The 1850s were a period of industrial capitalism in Germany. New investment banks provided venture capital to railroads and factories. The bubble burst in 1857 in a financial crash. Many investors were forced into bankruptcy. Yet wealth continued to be shifted from farming to manufacturing and from the country to the city. By 1859, there was a new struggle in Germany – between forces pushing for a redistribution of political power to match the new economic reality and forces wanting to maintain aristocratic rule. When Austria lost a war against France in 1859, popular unrest increased. Prince William of Prussia had begun some reform with parliamentary elections. Those reforms would end when Prince – now King – William made Otto von Bismarck prime minister. King William and Bismarck consolidated power among Germanic states in the German Reich. King William became Kaiser Wilhelm upon becoming emperor in 1871.
Charles may have arrived in New Orleans from Baden (home port) aboard the Pequot from Le Havre, France, on December 3, 1859. There was a 16-year-old passenger listed as Carl Dörr on the manifest, but the Census of 1900 shows that, with a birth in May 1844, Charles would have been 15, not 16, in 1859. However, the ship may have required him to be 16 to sail without his parents.
The man who accompanied him to New Orleans from Germany taught him the jewelry business.
Charles married Amanda Hoffmann in 1868.
Charles and Amanda had a son, Charles Doerr, Jr., on February 15, 1869. Curiously, his mother’s name was listed as “Emma” in the New Orleans, Louisiana, Birth Records Index.
In 1870, Charles worked as a clerk in a grocery store while living in the 10th Ward in New Orleans. Living in his household are his wife, Amanda, “keeping house”; Kate Rooney, 26, a servant; Charles Doerr, age 1; Bertha Hoffman, Amanda’s sister, age 12, who was “attending school.”
Charles and Amanda had a daughter, Amanda Amelie Doerr, born April 9, 1877.
Charles and Amanda had a daughter, Bertha Doerr, born December 9, 1878.
Charles and Amanda had three other children that did not survive. I vaguely remember that they died of yellow fever.
By 1890, Charles and Amanda lived at 354 Constance St. He was a jeweler.
Charles worked for M. Scooler as a jeweler.
Charles became the manager and chief designer of M. Scooler Jewelry.
Charles and Amanda move to Covington after June 1900, but before December 1901. According to Nan – Bertha Doerr Aubert – the move was made because Charles was threatened with tuberculosis.
Charles and Amanda bought property and built a large, two-story house on what was then called Monroe Street in Covington. The idea was to operate a boarding house, a common enterprise in Covington at the time. The boarding house was not a great success, but they continued to take in boarders.
Charles returned to work at Scooler, commuting to New Orleans on Sunday evening and returning to Covington on Saturday.
Charles retired for good, perhaps in 1904 or 1906, and set up a small shop in his house to do contract work for several jewelers.
In 1910, Charles and Amanda Doerr lived at 1415 Monroe Street in Covington. Living with them was Bertha Hoffmann, 50.
Charles J. A. Doerr died in Birmingham, Alabama, while visiting his son on December 29, 1911.
Amanda H. Doerr, Amanda Doerr Lancaster’s mother
Amanda Hoffmann was born March 12, 1848, the daughter of Julius Lorenz Hoffmann and Fredericka Lange Hoffmann. Julius Hoffmann was born in Germany; Fredericka Lange was born in Louisiana. Yet Nan reported that her mother was born six weeks after her parents arrived in New Orleans from Germany. Chances are good that the census taker got the information wrong or that Amanda misreported it to him and that Fredericka was indeed born in Germany.
Amanda had three sisters: Emily Hoffmann Lilienthal, who moved to Houston; Bertha “Birsh” Hoffmann, who lived with Amanda, at least since age 12, possibly earlier; “Sweety” Hoffmann, who moved to St. Louis. Her full name and marriage status is unknown.
Julius Lorenz Hoffmann (born December 25, 1819; died June 30, 1867) and Fredericka Lange Hoffman are buried in the Covington cemetery.
After Charles Doerr died in 1911, Amanda stayed in the house on Monroe Street with her single sister, Bertha Hoffmann. In 1916, after Joseph B. Lancaster died, Amanda Doerr Lancaster moved in with her five children.
In 1920, Amanda Doerr was the head of household at 1415 Monroe Street that included her daughter, listed as Mrs. J.B. Lancaster, 42, and her five children: Bradford J. (sic) Lancaster, 16, Amanda M. Lancaster, 14, Charles D. Lancaster, 11, Mary C. Lancaster, 8, and Edith C. Lancaster, 4. Bertha Hoffmann, 55, was also in the household.
In 1930, Amanda was the head of household at 1415 Monroe Street that included her daughter, Amanda Doerr Lancaster, 53, and her three daughters, Amanda, Catherine, and Edith. Amanda M. Lancaster was 24, single, and a stenographer in a law firm. Catherine was 17, single, and a stenographer in a law firm. Edith was 15. Bertha Hoffmann, 65, was also part of her household.
Amanda Hoffmann Doerr died in Covington in 1934.
Charles J. Doerr, Jr., Amanda Doerr Lancaster’s brother
Charles J. Doerr, Jr. was born February 15, 1869.
Charlie married Lucie Ellermann on May 28, 1892. He was 26; she was 23.
Charlie and Lucie had a daughter, Lucie Doretta Doerr, born February 5, 1893.
Charlie and Lucie had a daughter, Hazel Amelia Doerr, born September 21, 1894.
By 1910, Charles J. Doerr, Jr. had moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He and his family lived at 3411 Highland Drive. He was an agent for Birmingham Rail. He and Lucie had three children, Hazel, 15, Charles, 13, and Lucille, 7. Also living in the household was Frank Ellermann, Lucie’s brother, age 36.
Charles J. Doerr, Jr. died March 1937 in Jefferson County (Birmingham), Alabama.
Bertha Doerr Aubert, Amanda Doerr Lancaster’s sister
Bertha “Nan” Doerr was born December 9, 1878.
Bertha dated Julian Smith for more than a year at the same time that her sister Amanda began dating Joseph B. Lancaster.
Bertha married Robert L. Aubert, born June 24, 1884. He was a cousin of Dr. Henry Gautreaux, the physician who delivered Edith Lancaster.
In 1910, Bertha and Robert lived at 1490 America Street in Covington. Robert, 26, was a bank cashier. They had two children, Marie, age 2, and Robert, Jr., age 1.
In 1920, Bertha and Robert lived at 1214 Arabella Street in New Orleans. Robert, 35, was an automobile salesman. Bertha and Robert had five children: Mary A., age 11 (Marie in the 1910 Census), Robert L., 10, Marie L. (Louise), 9, Charles K., 7, and Richard J., 5.
Robert L. Aubert died in March of 1973 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Bertha “Nan” Doerr Aubert died in December of 1978 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Joseph Bradford Lancaster’s Family
William Blair Lancaster, Joseph Bradford Lancaster’s father
William Blair Lancaster was born in 1826 in St. Augustine, Florida, the son of Joseph B. Lancaster and Ann Blair Lancaster.
William graduated from St. Joseph College in Bardstown, Kentucky, the home of his father.
William studied in Europe and mastered Spanish, French, Latin, and Greek. He studied art and music at the University of Paris. His favorite instrument was the flute.
In Paris, William met Frederic Ozanam who converted him to Catholicism and introduced him to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. When he came to New Orleans, William founded the New Orleans chapter of the society with Father Delacroix.
William served in the Mexican War (1846-1848).
In 1858, William married Josephine Morgan (born 1830), the daughter of General William B. Morgan and Marie Constance Baham Morgan of Madisonville, Louisiana.
Around the time of his marriage, William studied law and began to practice it.
In 1859, William and Josephine had a daughter, Mary Catherine.
In 1861, William and Josephine had a daughter, Ann Blair.
In July 1862, William and Josephine had a daughter, Mary Edith.
During the Civil War, William served as the captain of Company C in the 4th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of the Louisiana Militia.
On April 10, 1865, William and Josephine had a son, Joseph.
Between 1865 and 1870, Josephine died.
Also during that period, William taught at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
In 1868, William became editor of the Morning Star publication in New Orleans.
Between 1865 and 1870, William married Ellen Wells (born August 11, 1848).
In April 1870, William and Ellen had a daughter, Laura.
In 1870, William and Ellen had five children in their home: Mary Catherine, born 1859; Anna, born 1861; Mary Edith (born 1862), Joseph, born 1865, and Laura, born April 1870. Also part of the household were two servants, Catherine Devine, 50, and Mary Johnson, 23.
In 1872, William and Ellen had a daughter, Maria (Maisey).
On June 14, 1873, William and Ellen had a son, William Blair, Jr.
In 1876, William and Ellen had a daughter, Mary Ellen (Nellie).
In February 1879, William and Ellen had a son, John (John Robert).
Ellen Wells Lancaster died July 15, 1879.
In 1879, William was elected to the Louisiana Legislature from the 10th Ward. He served four years.
In 1880, William and his family lived at 507 N. St. Charles Street in New Orleans.
In 1880, William’s household included Mary Catherine, age 20; Ann Blair, 19; Mary Edith, 17; Joseph Bradford, 15; Maria, 8; William B. Jr., 7, Mary (Mary Ellen – Nellie), 4; John (John Robert), 2. In the ten years between the two censuses, William and Ellen’s daughter Laura died.
Between 1880 and 1887, when their first child is born, William married Marie Delery. Considering her age (she was born in 1864), their marriage was probably after 1882.
In December 1887, William and Marie had a daughter, Elizabeth.
On February 22, 1890, William and Marie had a daughter, Cecilia.
On June 10, 1892, William and Marie had a daughter, Armantine.
In November 1894, William and Marie had a son, Armand Delery.
In 1895, William and Marie had a son, John, who died at birth.
On March 15, 1895, Marie Delery Lancaster died.
In 1896 or 1897, William and his family lived at 1724 Baronne Street in New Orleans.
William Blair Lancaster died December 27, 1897. He was interred in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, number two.
Josephine Morgan Lancaster, Joseph Bradford Lancaster’s mother
Other than the facts given above, very little is known about Josephine Morgan. Here is a Morgan/Baham family tree prepared by Mary Catherine (Aunt Kate) Lancaster for her niece, Amanda Lancaster (date unknown).
Jean Baptiste Baham (born early 1700s) of France married Francesca Guillory.
Their son, René Baham (born 1766) married Isabella Millore in 1796.
Their daughter, Constance Baham, married David Bannister Morgan in 1819.
Their daughter, Josephine Morgan (born 1830), married William Blair Lancaster.
Their son was Joseph B. Lancaster.
Miles Morgan of Wales married Prudence Gilbert in 1636. They had nine children.
One son, David Morgan (born 1646), married Margaret Clark in 1672. They had six children.
One son, David Morgan (born 1679), married Debora Colton in 1703. They had eight children.
One son, Joseph Morgan (born 1705), married Margaret Cooley in 1729. They had seven children.
One daughter, Margaret Morgan (born 1730), married John Mighall in 1749.
Their daughter, Margaret Mighall (born 1750), married a cousin, John Morgan.
Their son, David B. Morgan, was born in 1773 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. David married Elizabeth Middleton, around 1810. They had one son, Charles Hatto Morgan (c. 1811-1880). Elizabeth Middleton Morgan died January 22, 1816. David B. Morgan married Constance Baham in 1819.
Their daughter, Josephine Morgan (born 1830), married William B. Lancaster.
Their son was Joseph B. Lancaster.
Sisters and Brothers of Joseph Bradford Lancaster
Children of William Blair Lancaster and Josephine Morgan Lancaster
Mary Catherine Lancaster (born in 1859), known as Kate, taught school, traveled widely, and was interested in family history. She died December 6, 1928. She is buried in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans.
Ann Blair Lancaster (born in 1861) became Sr. Saint Pierre, OC. She died April 27, 1915. She is buried in the Carmelite tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans.
Mary Edith Lancaster (born in 1862) married September 1, 1885, to Thomas Wharton Collens (born 1846 or 1847), descendant of the founder of Covington, John Wharton Collins. They had four children, two girls and two boys. Both girls, Marie Edith (born in 1888) and Marie Orphea (Fay, born in 1889), became Daughters of Charity. The sons were Thomas Wharton Collens Jr. (July 26, 1886-1947) and William Lancaster Wharton Collens (Lancaster, born June 12, 1891). Thomas Wharton Collens died February 7, 1892. Mary Edith (elder) may be the woman dressed in black in the family picture of circa 1909. She died in December 1938.
Joseph B. Lancaster (1865-1916) married Amanda Amelie Doerr on October 29, 1902. They had five children: Joseph Bradford Lancaster (1904-1989), Amanda Marie Lancaster (1905-1976), Charles Doerr Lancaster (1908-1974), Mary Catherine Lancaster Sharman (1912-1974), and Edith Constance Lancaster Garcia (1915-1981).
Children of William Blair Lancaster and Ellen Wells Lancaster
Laura Lancaster (born in 1870) died in childhood.
Maria (Maisey) Lancaster (born in 1872) died in childhood.
William B. Lancaster, Jr. (born in 1873), known as Willie, married Lillie Knight of Philadelphia on December 26, 1894. They had three children, William B. Lancaster III, Earl Lancaster, and Ralph Lancaster. Willie Lancaster died in Mandeville, Louisiana, August 3, 1925.
Mary Ellen Lancaster (born in 1876), Nellie, became a Daughter of Charity, Sister Appoline. She died March 17, 1954. She is buried in Marillac Provincial House Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
John Robert Lancaster (born in 1879) served as best man at the wedding of Joseph B. Lancaster and Amanda Amelie Doerr in 1902. He was married briefly. He became an attorney and lived in Covington. He died March 27, 1945.
Children of William Blair Lancaster and Marie Delery Lancaster
Elizabeth Lancaster (born in 1887) never married and helped raise her brother Armand’s children (see below). She was secretary to the judge of the Federal District Court. She died in 1980.
Cecilia Lancaster (born in 1890), known as Celie, also entered the religious life as a Daughter of Charity, Sister Mary Austin. She died May 17, 1977. She is buried in the Daughters of Charity Cemetery at the Marillac Provincial House in St. Louis, Missouri.
Armantine Lancaster (born in 1892), known as Tena, followed her sisters into the Daughters of Charity as Sister Vincentine. She died July 16, 1986. She is also buried in the Daughters of Charity Cemetery at the Marillac Provincial House in St. Louis, Missouri.
Armand Delery Lancaster (born in 1894) was married in 1917 to Catherine Denechaud, with whom he had five children, Armand, Kathleen, Marie, Henry, and Elizabeth. Katherine was later a captain in the Army and died in 1964 and is buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Armand later married Florence Nuss. They had one daughter, Carolyn. Armand died April 11, 1968.
John Lancaster (born in 1895) died at birth.
1910 Census, taken in Third Ward of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana
Alabama Deaths, 1908-59, Vol. 11, Certificate 499, Roll 1
New Orleans, Louisiana, Birth Records Index, 1790-1899, Vol. 9, Page 1132; the 1900 Census has her birth date as January 1850, the 1920 Census has her birth year as 1847; the most reliable source of her birth date is the Birth Records Index – that information is recorded at the time of the event; Interview of Bertha Doerr Aubert by Joseph Bradford Lancaster, March 13, 1977
Interview of Bertha Doerr Aubert by Joseph Bradford Lancaster, March 13, 1977
Census of 1930, Covington Town, Ward Three, St. Tammany, enumerated April 15, 1930
New Orleans, Louisiana, Marriage Records Index, 1831-1925, Vol. 15, Page 979
New Orleans, Louisiana, Birth Records Index, 1790-1899, Vol. 96, Page 1050
New Orleans, Louisiana, Birth Records Index, 1790-1899, Vol. 102, Page 1088
Alabama Deaths, 1908-59, Vol. 13, Certificate 6140, Roll 3
