Susan Newman and George W. Cunningham, photo circa 1930

Balthasar Neumann (Americanized to Balsar Newman) was born circa 1811 in Waldeck, Hesse Cassel, Germany. According to family tradition, Balsar emigrated from Germany in 1828, when at the age of 17 he hid in a large bin of potatoes on board a ship bound for America. Several days out to sea, he revealed himself, but it was to late for the ship to put him off or turn around, so Balsar found himself in Pennsylvania, America. Balsar married Eliza Eifort born May 16 1818 in Neustadt, Hesse Cassel, Germany, the d/o Henry (Henrich) and Catherine Eifort, and sister of Sebastian Eifort (see picture herein below).   Eliza died Jan 23 1884 at Mt. Savage and was buried in Olive Hill.  Balsar, like many of the German immigrants was trained in the iron furnace trade and followed the development of the iron furnaces along the Ohio River.

The children of Balsar and Eliza were:

1) Henry b. Mar 20, 1840 in Lancaster, PA d. Nov. 19, 1926 in Carter Co., m. 1st Apr 13, 1871 Elizabeth Petry b. 1848 in Prussia, ch: William W., Eliza, Sophia, and Charles; m. 2nd Apr 7, 1887 Mary Stewart;

2) Margaret "Maggie" b. Oct 15, 1848 in Pennsylvania m. 1st Aug 26, 1874 John Maddix, m. 2nd Leroy "Lee" Burnett. Maggie's children were: Henry m. Lucy Jane Wicker (see picture herein above); Balsar "Boss" m. 1st Gevena ?, 2nd Amanda H. Ross, 3rd Maude C. Elliott Clevenger; Eliza m. John W. Clutter; Nick m. Myrtle Eden; and Herbert, who never married.

3) William M. b. Jan 21, 1849 in Ohio d. Apr 11, 1923 m. Dec 23, 1873 Elsa Prichard. William's children were: Augustus "Gus" m. Frances Click; Edward m. Lillie White; Alice m. Calvin Fults; William Jr.; Laura m. James Colley; Maggie m. John A. Colley, Charley m. Ada Carper, and Eliza Ellen m. Richard Grizzell.

4) Malkret b. 1849 in Ohio.

5) John William "JW" b. 1849 in Kentucky m. Laura ? JW's son was John W. Newman

6) Susan b, Jul 8, 1856 in Greenup Co. d. Apr 10, 1926 m. George W. Cunningham. Susan's children were Bertha Mae b. 3/23/1882 m. 12/21/1901 Ora Steel Boggs; Henry L. b. 1887 m. 10/26/1922 Ruth Durham Abbott; L. B. b.1896 m. 1/27/1917 Elizabeth Mathews; Eliza b. 1878, and Matilda b. Feb 1880.

7) Kassie Newman m. ? Elk.

8) Caroline Newman m. ? Echtenocht.

In addition to other lands Balsar owned in Carter Co., he purchased two adjoining farms at Charlotte Furnace (a/k/a Iron Hill). After his death, Balsar's daughter, Maggie, bought out the other heirs for the 53+ acre farm. His son, William, bought out the other heirs for the adjoining 100+ acre. In 1885, when Balsar bought the property, he paid $50.00 down in cash and signed a promissory note for the remaining $65.00 with his son, William, as co-signer. The farm Maggie purchased
has continued to be passed down through her descendants. Seven generations of Balsar's descendants have now walked the hills of that farm. Today it is the home of Ruby Davis Burnett (d/o Elbert and Dovie ErwinDavis pictured herein), widow of Willie Burnett, Maggie Newman's grandson.
 

Submitted by  Garrett and Sherry Lowe