Reader Samuel Fuge sent in this picture of one Johnstown's best known figures - Joseph Johns (Schantz). He was Sam's 6th great grandfather and he is a direct blood relative of Joseph and have come around to discovering some different items of his and a few pictures. I look forward to seeing more on one of Johnstown's Most Famous.
Would anyone know the year of this picture? I did not know that cameras existed that many years ago.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Johns -- the founder of Johnstown -- lived from 1749-1813. That means this cannot be a pic of him. The first real pictures possible would have been around 1840 and even then rare. Not even close to the time necessary.
ReplyDeleteSure looks like him, though--according to some online records he had a son named Joseph born 1792 died 1868. Perhaps this is Joseph Johns Jr.?
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a photograph of Joseph Johns III, whose photograph was used as the model for the bust that is now in Central Park.
ReplyDeleteBeing Amish, Joseph Schantz would never have had a portrait made, nor a photograph taken (if photography had been available during his life. He was my fifth-great grandfather through my paternal grandmother.
ReplyDeleteDna tests confirm that I am a direct male descendant of the Joseph Johns/Schantz line. However, my last name is neither Johns nor Schantz. I am not Mennonite and I don't have any family members who were either. I am interested in finding the parents of my grandfather born in 1813 in NY. If anyone would have any relative family information contact me at rtfrancis@hotmail.com
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