Jacob Conrad Edelmann of Reinrod
Near Darmstadt, Germany, 1847

R. G. Edelman - "Edelman(n)Genealogy Project" - primarily researching Edelman(n) and derivative spelling(s). This web site displays genealogy reports (some with photos inserted at appropriate points in the report) on selected branches from the Edelman(n) Genealogy Project master data file. A Master Surname list can be found by accessing the Report page. Information compiled from approximately 16,000 individuals (including data records about many of those individuals) is worked with by Project Personnel (sections of the data file make up the online reports). Inquiries requesting information on other data is usually available by simple email request). There are 9 generations of Edelman(n)s in the file. We do not deliberately list living persons in the online reports, nor do we deliberately give out information we hold on living individuals We are continually expanding the data file adding any legitimate branch or person that I or my fellow researchers find. We reference all sources as we have them and can refer the researcher to those individuals (not all are listed online). ALL the persons listed are related by Blood Line, Marriage or Adoption. There is a moderated Public Message Board and complete site contents listing accessible to all persons accessing the site.

There are many photos (mostly Edelman but some others) throughout the site.  The data file size is now well over 100 mb which makes it too unweildy to put on line intact (disregarding the privacy issues of doing that). 

EGL plans to have a map in 2000 show the location of Reinrod near Darmstadt. I will be interesting to determine whether Jacob Conrad Edelman is related to the Edelmann lineage Dr. Weber found near Darmstadt. Weber's Darmstadt Lineages are being entered.

JACOB CONRAD EDELMAN was born in Bavaria, May 8, 1835 and emigrated to the United States in 1847 when he was twelve years of age. He first settled in Maryland and after living there for two years he moved to North Carolina. Seven years later he came to West Virginia to make his home."

*** Newspaper Obituary of Jacob Edelman ***
 JACOB EDELMAN DIED AT THE AGE OF 84 YEARS. WAS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN MEN IN BOONE COUNTY AND HAD RENOUNCED ALLEGIANCE TO GERMANY. J.C. EDELMAN, one of the best known men in Boone county died at his home in Peytona last week at the age of 84 years. He was well known among the elder inhabitants of Charleston and was a frequent visitor to the city up to about a year ago since which time his health failed gradually until his death. He suffered from complications incident to advanced age. Although a native of Germany, Mr. Edelman renounced his allegiance to the Government of the Fatherland early in life and his loyalty to the United States has never since she declared war on the country of his nativity, been questioned. He often expressed a wish in the days of his declining health, that he might be spared to see American arms triumph over Prussian militarism. JACOB CONRAD EDELMAN was born in Bavaria, May 8, 1835 and emigrated to the United States in 1847 when he was twelve years of age. He first settled in Maryland and after living there for two years he moved to North Carolina. Seven years later he came to West Virginia to make his home. Mr. Edelman was one of the most influential men in Boone County politics in his earlier life. He served two terms as the representative of that county in the House of Delegates in the nineties. Previous to that time he was Country Commissioner and held other offices of trust. He was a lifelong Democrat. Besides his wife, Mr. Edelman is survived by three sons, Jacob C. Edelman, Jr. of Winifrede, J. G. Edelman of Peytona and John Edelman of Cannelton. Three daughters, Mrs. Robert Smith of St. Albans, Mrs. W. J. Bolin of Montgomery and Mrs. Lewis Long of Peytona. J.C. Edelman Born May 8, 1835 Died May 17, 1918

*** Second Newspaper Article of Jacob Edelman's Death ***
*** Although this article is similar to the 1st (above) it has additional detail about Jacob's Childhood ***
"Jacob Conrad Edleman Born May 8, 1835 Died May 17, 1918 Jacob Edleman died at the Age of 84 Years. He Was One of the Best Known Men in Boone County and Had Renounced Allegiance to Germany J.C. Edleman, one of the best known men in Boone county died at his home in Peytona last week at the age of 84 years. He was well known among the elder inhabitants of Charleston and was a frequent visitor to the city up until a year ago since which time his health failed gradually until his death. He suffered from complications incident to advanced age. Although a native of Germany, Mr. Edleman renounced his allegiance to the fatherland early in life and his loyalty to the United States has never since she declared war on the country of his nativity, been questioned. He often expressed a wish in the days of his declining health, that he might be spared to see American arms triumph over Prussian militarism. Jacob Conrad Edelman was born in Bavaria, May 8, 1835, on the Rhine River in Germany. His family in Germany was of high nobility, which came about from the procurement of the tremendous fortune resulting from the manufacture of nails. He immigrated to the United States in 1847 when he was twelve years of age. He first settled in Maryland and after living there for two years he moved to North Carolina. There he studied Engineering, which was to be of success in life. Seven years later he obtained employment on a steam boat coming to West Virginia. The boat docked at Peytona, West Virginia in approximately 1856. This is when he was to meet and marry Letha Snodgrass, born 1841, died 1923. Their first child was born in 1860, Jacob C., Jr. In 1861 while still working on the steamboat the war between the states broke out. This provided an opportunity to make more money by the grinding of grain for the Confederate soldiers. He was arrested by Union Soldiers in 1863 at the old mill chimney and put in jail in the little Red Church on the hill in Brownstown, now called Marmet, for three days. Jacob, not being a naturalized citizen, pleaded for foreign protection. He was quickly released but his body was covered with lice. He was happy here and became a United States Citizen. Mr. Edleman was one of the most influential men in Boone County politics in his earlier life. He served two terms as the representative of that county in the House of Delegates in the nineties. Previous to that time he was County Commissioner and held other offices of trust. He was a trustee of schools for several years, postmaster at the Peytona Post Office, and Land Agent. He was a lifelong Democrat. Besides his wife, Mr. Edleman was survived by three sons, Jacob C., Jr., Jordan G., John William. Three daughters, Mrs. Bertha Smith, Mrs. Virginia Bolin and Mrs. Carrie Long. Mr. Edelman died May 17, 1918 never knowing what happened to his brother or sisters that came to the United States with him or what happened to his parents left at home in Germany." Original source unknown. Submitted by R. S. Koo

*** From the book 'Prominent Men of West Virginia
*** "PROMINENT MEN OF WEST VIRGINIA Biographical Sketches of Representative Men in Every Honorable Vocation, including Politics, the Law, Theology, Medicine, Education, Finance, Journalism, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture. The Growth and Advancement of the State as Shown in the History of her Distinguished Representatives. A Succinct but Comprehensive Statement of the Advantages, Resources and Development of the State A Compendium of Returns of Every Election: National, State and Congressional. A RECORD OF EVERY STATE OFFICER: EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL Illustrated with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Citizens of the New Commonwealth BY GEO. W. ATKINSON, LLD AND ALVARO F. GIBBENS, AM PUBLISHED BY W. L. CALLIN, WHEELING W, VA 1890 >From Page 675
*** JACOB COONROD EDELMAN ***
FEARS were lately expressed by some citizens, and some statesmen, when the Samoan difficulty was aggravated by Bismarck’s interference and a (7) rupture of the relations between the United States and Germany was imminent, that a dangerous proportion of our German-American citizens would side with Faderland. The expression of such a fear proved Ignorance of the character of that class of our people. No more patriotic citizens, none more true and loyal to this Government than those who came here from Germany to better their fortunes Our glorious freedom compared with the cramping restrictions of the government they left made them fall in love with our country and its institutions: and to-day they would step as lively to the music of "Hail Columbia" as to any they knew in their old home across the sea. A fair representative of that class is the Delegate from Boone county in the Legislature of 1889. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 8, 1835; emigrated in 1847, first to Maryland, thence to North Carolina, and finally settled in Boone county, West Virginia, in 1856, where he engaged in engineering and farming. He had attended the schools of his native land six years; in this country he only had ten months of schooling. He was a member of the Boone County Court from 1880 to 1886, two years of which time he was its president 1885-6. He was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat, by 168 majority. In that body he was on the following committees: Military Affairs, Mines and Mining, Roads and Internal Navigation, Executive Offices and Library. In 1859 Mr. Edelman married Miss Lethe Snodgrass, of Kanawha County, by whom he has three sons and three daughters."

In an interview with Letha (Edelman) Kidd concerning the Edelman Family by R. G. Edelman, Mrs. Kidd said the Edelman family dropped the last 'n' from the Edelman name.  This means Jacob's name when he arrived in the USA was EDELMANN. He was supposed to have come over with this brother (or brothers) and a sister. The sister's name is believed to be Maria Edelman. His parents apparently stayed in Germany but there is no real proof of this (except family word of mouth). Source-Letha Kidd (92 years old) July 1996 by R. G. Edelman

 Information found in the main data record from: West Virginia State Archives The 1870 Census of Boone County West Virginia by Olafson The 1880 Census of Boone County West Virginia by Olafson Families of Boone County, West Virginia, The 1910 Census, Annotated, By David Turner Anderson Jacob Conrad Edelman is always listed as an Engineer. The name Edelman is almost always misspelled EDLEMAN.

In West Virginia State Archives Records Jacob Conrad Edelman is listed as a member of The House of Delegates on Page 60 In Volume VIII of Kith and Kin of Boone County, West Virginia, Boone County Genealogical Society, Madison, West Virginia

Jacob is buried at Drawdy Creek Cemetery, Peytona, Boone County, West Virginia Edelman Family Records & Joe Adams

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Jacob C. Edelman and Delitha Snodgrass were married in 15 May 1859 by George W. Griffith, at Lens Creek, Virginia Marriage record (book 1, page 17, line 25) at Kanawha County West Virginia.  His last name was mispelled "Jacob Edgeman".   One of the facilities built in connection with the coal operation at Peytona, Virginia (now West Virginia) was a large stone building, used as a commissary and offices for the Western Mining and Manufacturing Company. The "Old Stone Building" stood until 1954, when it was destroyed by fire. The building was constructed about 1850 and Jacob Edelman occupied the building from 1877 to 1917, and his son, Jordan Edelman, the former assessor of Boone County, West Virginia occupied the building from 1917 to 1941. Part of the building was used as living quarters, part was used as a church and public school, and part as a general store and restaurant. The town of Peytona, Boone Co. was established 22 Oct 1849 and discontinued 20 Nov 1872.  It was re-established 11 Dec 1872.   Jacob C. Edelman was appointed the Postmaster at Peytona, Boone Co., West Virginia, 29 Feb 1884 he served until his son John William Edelman was appointed 7 Dec 1888. THE GENTLEMAN FROM BOONE COUNTY Jacob Conrad Edelman, b. 8 May 1835, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany d. 17 May 1918, at Peytona, Boone Co., West Virginia, was a member of the House of Delegates of West Virginia, in the 19th and again in the 27th Legislature. Listed in the "Journal of the House of Delegates" for the 19th 1889 and the 27th 1905 Note From Joe Adams: In the Obituary for Jacob C. Edelman, b. 8 May 1835 d. 17 May 1918, Mrs. Robert Smith was Bertie O. Edelman ( I show her born 1873), Mrs. W. T. Bolin was Virginia M. Edelman (my G-Grandmother 1864 - 1924) (W. T. Bolin's first name was William. William, his wife Virginia, his Parents and other family members are all buried at the Dumm Cemetery, London, Kanawha Co. West Virginia. There are a variety of spellings of the surname Bolin). Mrs. Lewis Long was Carrie Lee Edelman ( I show her born Jan 1875 married 19 Jun1907, Boone Co., West Virginia Joe Adams).

Jacob Conrad Edelman was born in Bavaria, May 8, 1835, on the Rhine River in Germany. His family in Germany was of high nobility, which came about from the procurement of the tremendous fortune resulting from the manufacture of nails. He immigrated to the United States in 1847 when he was twelve years of age. He first settled in Maryland and after living there for two years he moved to North Carolina. There he studied Engineering, which was to be of success in life. Seven years later he obtained employment on a steam boat coming to West Virginia. The boat docked at Peytona, W.Va. in approximately 1856. This is when he was to meet and marry Letha Snodgrass, born 1841, died 1923. Their first child was born in 1860, Jacob C., Jr. In 1861 while still working on the steamboat the war between the states broke out. This provided an opportunity to make more money by the grinding of grain for the Confederate soldiers. He was arrested by Union soldiers in 1863 at the old mill chimney and put in jail in the little Red Church on the hill in Brownstown, now called Marmet, for three days. Jacob not being a naturalized citizen pleaded for foreign protection. He was quickly released but his body was covered with lice. He was happy here and became a United States citizen. Mr. Edelman was one of the most influential men in Boone County politics in his earlier life.

He served two terms as the representative of that county in the House of Delegates in the nineties. Previous to that time he was County Commissioner and held other offices of trust. He was trustee of schools for several years, postmaster at the Peytona Post Office, and Land Agent. He was a lifelong Democrat. Besides his wife, Mr. Edleman was survived by three sons, Jacob C. Jr., Jordan G., and John William. Three daughters, Mrs. Bertha Smith, Mrs. Virginia Bolin and Mrs. Carrie Long. Mr. Edelman died May 17, 1918 never knowing what happened to his brother or sisters that came to the United States with him or what happened to his parents left at home in Germany. This is retyped from an news paper article submitted by Rotha M. Edelman, a granddaughter of Jacob C. Edelman. Note from Joe Adams (Containing more Information on who Jacob was with when he arrived in the USA - From Rotha M. Edelman): Jacob C. Edelman Jacob C. Edelman was born in 1835 on the Rhine River in Germany. He came to the United State in 1847 with his parents. They settled in New York State near the St. Lawrence River. Several years later they moved to Maryland where he studied engineering. Later he came to Peytona, West Virginia, Boone County where he operated the steam engine that powered the Marianna Milling Mill located near the Coal River at Peytona. He also operated the small engine which hauled timber out of Drawdy Creek. He was the only man in the area that was capable of operating steam engines. He piloted steam boats on the river. It is assumed he taught others this skill as time passed. Also, he operated a ferry across Coal River. He said he liked the area and decided to stay. One incentive for staying was that he met a girl on Lens Creek (Kanawha County now). She was Letha Snodgrass. Many years later, she told me how she had a dream about meeting a dark handsome man. One day she went to the spring for water and Jacob was there getting a drink. As soon as she saw him, she knew he was the man in her dream. These two were my grandparents. I remember how I enjoyed hearing her tell about her life. They lived in a little house near the mill he operated. He was working here when the Civil War broke out (1861-1865). He ground grain for the Confederate soldiers and the Union soldiers arrested him and confined him in a little red church in Marmet. It still stands there. At this time he was not a legal citizen of the U.S.A. and he sought foreign protection, so they had to free him. Sometime later he became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. As time went on, he was elected to the West Virginia Legislature for two terms, served as trustee of schools in Peytona District and was postmaster for several years. He was land agent for Western Mining and Manufacturing Company, who owned possibly three thousand acres in this area. At his death his son, Jordan G. Edelman, my father, became the land agent. Jacob Edelman was a very influential man in this area. With his position as land agent, he was a reliable source of information for the Philadelphia Capitol Interest which was headquarters of the Western Mining Company. When he became the land agent, he moved into the Stone Building and lived there until his death in 1917. My grandparents had seven children, all are now deceased. Also they, raised two negro children. I do not know how this came about, but the girl, Laura, stayed with them until she married and lived at Peytona until her death. She is buried at Round Bottom. The other child was a boy and he went away to get work when he was in his teens.  Note from Joe Adams

A message from RG Edelman follows: Subject: eg902 Eddleman surname Date: 5 Dec 97 08:04:54 From: re850826@edelman-rp.com To: Indbio

Greetings from the Edelman(n) side of the family.

My gg grandfather Jacob Conrad Edelman(n) came from Reinrod in the 1800's. He probably immigrated with at least part of his family, possibly a brother and 2 or more sisters.  Since this is a common story we don't know how true it is. We are currently working on this. We have names  to 1600-1700 Germany, all appear to be from the Hesse Darmstadt area of Germany.

Jacob dropped the second 'n' from his name after he traveled south (before the civil war) for whatever reason. The oldest living Edelman remembered being told he did it but she didn't remember why or if she was ever told why.

There is some speculation Jacob's arrival name may have been Julius and was changed to Jacob, possibly by an immigration official who couldn't understand him.

I have been actively researching possible connections between Edelman and Eddleman(n) for some time and feel eventually I'll find the key. My research shows at least two clearly distinct groups that parallel each other (or appear to) at various points.  Please understand, I don't think all Edelman(s) (or other spellings) are related. I simply believe that many more are related than would be suspected by most folk.

Let me know if you have questions or might be interested in other data I have.

Blessings
RG Edelman
re850826@edelman-rp.com
http://www.edelman-rp.com