Hiram Hagenbuch’s Farm Rediscovered Near Milton, PA

The following article was originally published after finding the site of Hiram Hagenbuch’s (b. 1847) home in 2015. It opened a new chapter in our understanding of Hiram and his family, as well as their connection to his cousin Peter Hagenbuch (b. 1818). This updated article includes new details about Hiram renting the property instead of buying it.

The exact location of Hiram Hagenbuch’s (b. 1847) home and farm were recently rediscovered just north of Milton, Pennsylvania. Besides solving a family mystery, their discovery has helped to uncover an important relationship between Hagenbuch cousins.

Hiram Hagenbuch was born in 1847 and died unexpectedly in 1897 of typhoid fever. His line is: Andreas (b. 1715) > Michael (b. 1746) > Henry (b. 1772) > William (b. 1807) > Hiram (b. 1847). Hiram was born near Hidlay Church in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. In 1853 his father, William, moved the family to a farm near Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Liberty Township, Montour County, PA.

Hiram and Mary Ann (Lindner) Hagenbuch, c. 1872

Hiram married Mary Ann Lindner (b. 1853) in 1872. It is likely that they stayed in Montour County for several years after marrying. By 1880, they had relocated their young family to Turbot Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. This is confirmed by the 1880 census which shows Hiram and Mary Ann (Linder) Hagenbuch living there along with their children: Joseph William, Henry Bruce, Francis Eugene, and Kathryn Jane.

Hagenbuch family historians have long known that Hiram owned a farm just north of Milton, PA near the present day Wynding Brook Golf Club. Though the exact location of the farm was forgotten, one tantalizing clue remained—a photograph labeled as the home of Hiram Hagenbuch.

House of Hiram and Mary Ann (Lindner) Hagenbuch shortly after being built, c. 1897

Another clue, while not immediately understood, came from an 1874 map showing the location of a farm owned by Peter Hagenbuch (b. 1818). Peter was married to Julia (Landbach) Hagenbuch (b. 1819). His farm was located just north of Milton along the Susquehanna River in Turbot Township, Northumberland County, PA.

Peter and Hiram were first cousins once removed. In other words, Peter Hagenbuch was a first cousin to Hiram’s father, William (b. 1807). Peter’s line is Andreas (b. 1715) > Michael (b. 1746) > Andrew (b. 1786) > Peter (b. 1819). Peter Hagenbuch was born in Columbia County, PA near Hidlay Church. All evidence points to him being well off. He owned several farms in Northumberland and Union Counties, as well as a home in Milton. Peter and his wife, Julia, never had any children of their own, although they adopted three into their family.

Peter Hagenbuch’s home and land are listed on this 1874 map

Peter Hagenbuch died in 1875. Without any biological children, one would assume that his farm was immediately sold out of the family. Evidence, however, suggests a more convoluted series of events. In June of 2015, the Hiram Hagenbuch house was rediscovered on the eastern side of the land once owned by Peter. Initially it was believed that Peter’s widow, Julia, may have sold the farm to his cousin, Hiram. This is now thought to be incorrect.

Before going any further, it is worth noting that Hiram Hagenbuch’s house does not appear on the 1874 map. This begs the question: why would Hiram build a new home when one already existed on the property? The answer to this most likely comes from the proximity of Peter’s original house to the Susquehanna River.

In the last few hundred years, there have been a number of disastrous floods along the Susquehanna. One of these occurred in 1889. In fact, that flood is the third largest on record for Milton! Any house near the Susquehanna River during the 1889 flood was likely waterlogged, if not destroyed.

Using Peter’s information, census records, and flood data, we can begin to construct a clearer picture of events. In 1875, Hiram Hagenbuch—who was in need of a farm of his own—rented Peter Hagenbuch’s farm from his widow, Julia (Landbach) Hagenbuch. Hiram and his growing family moved there and were recorded in Turbot Township for the 1880 census. In 1889, a massive flood struck, damaging the farmhouse and barn that were located by the Susquehanna River.

Former home of Hiram Hagenbuch (b. 1847) just north of Milton, PA

As a result, the family relocated to a home on Church Lane (now 4th Street) in Milton and continued to farm the property rented from Julia. Yet, according to an April 17, 1896 article in the Miltonian, Peter’s land north of Milton was eventually sold to a “Mr. Everitt of Watsontown.” This appears to be Enos Everitt (b. 1829).

As noted in the Miltonian in on July 10, 1896, Everitt built a home on the eastern side of the property, away from the river, and onto higher ground. He later built a barn nearby too. An article from the December 11, 1896 edition of the Miltonian describes how Hiram Hagenbuch and his family moved into the new house in December of 1896. In other words, Hiram never owned Peter’s farm or the homes he lived in there. He rented the property—first from Peter’s widow, Julia, and later from Enos Everitt.

Newspaper clipping about the Hiram Hagenbuch house from the July 10, 1896 edition of the Miltonian

During the winter of 1896–1897, a photograph was taken of the home where the Hagenbuchs lived. In the picture, the new home can be seen covered with snow and surrounded by saplings. Today, some of these trees are still there. They are fully grown and prevent anyone from viewing the house from the road. A gallery of images of the house can be found at the end of this article.

Sadly, Hiram Hagenbuch and his family would not enjoy their new home for long. Hiram and his son, Henry Bruce, both died of typhoid fever in 1897. Three years later his widow, Mary Ann (Lindner) Hagenbuch, moved the surviving family members back to the farm of Hiram’s youth in Liberty Township, Montour County, PA. The house on the hill and its connection to Peter Hagenbuch were soon forgotten.

From this story, there are two other pieces of family history worth discussing. The first pertains to the appearance of the name “Julia” within the Hagenbuch family. Seeing Hiram’s connection to Peter Hagenbuch, it is likely that Hiram named his daughter Julia Rebecca Hagenbuch (b. 1884) in honor of Peter’s wife, Julia.

The second relates to the close proximity of Peter and Hiram’s land to the old Milton Fairgrounds. Hiram’s 1897 obituary mentions that his home is found just east over the railroad tracks past the Milton Fairgrounds. In fact, both the railroad tracks and the remains of the Milton Fairgrounds can be viewed in the satellite imagery below.

Current map showing the former locations of Peter Hagenbuch’s house, Hiram Hagenbuch’s house, and the Milton Fairgrounds. Credit: Google Maps

An oval-shaped depression can be seen just west of the house and the railroad tracks. Today this is a golf driving range. However, in the late 1800s, it was the location of the Milton Fairgrounds.

Without careful preservation, family histories and stories fade with time. Thanks to a labeled photograph, a map, and an obituary, the location of Hiram Hagenbuch’s house has been rediscovered. And, for those who call Hiram and Mary Ann (Lindner) Hagenbuch family, it means they can now put those names with a real place.

Below are some additional images of Hiram Hagenbuch’s house as it was in June of 2015.

Hiram Hagenbuch house looking northeast

Hiram Hagenbuch house looking northwest

Hiram Hagenbuch house looking southwest

Hiram Hagenbuch barn looking southeast

View from Hiram Hagenbuch’s house looking west towards the Susquehanna River

This article was updated on July 1, 2026 to include improved imagery and new information about Hiram Hagenbuch renting the house from Enos Everitt.