Laura Elmina Beecher ^{1 3 4 5 6 7 8}

   FamilySearch ID: 9VH5-RMC.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Census in 1860 in Manheim Twp., Lancaster, PA. ³ William C. Beecher, age 33, master machinist, is listed in the 1860 Census in Manheim Township in Lancaster County having real estate valued at $4,000 and personal possessions worth $1,000. Living with him is Henrietta, 40; and Laura, 4. Also in the home are David Groff, 13; Louis Groff, 10; Henry Hornstraw, 17; John Stouder, 25; Jacob Landis, 19; Joseph Heuber, 21; and Caroline Sutz, 17, servant. Henry was born in Germany, everyone else in Pennsylvania. We presume these are live-in employees, although the Groff children could be Henrietta's from a first marriage? The post office listed is Oregon.

Also on this census page is Mary Beecher, age 35, occupation "lady". Her real estate is valued at $7,000 and possessions at $400. Living with her must be her son or brother, John Beecher, 16; Ellen Reese, 11; Mary Brown, 22, servant; and Samuel Grube, 55, plasterer. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

Living nearby is Samuel Beecher, who is likely the father of William and Mary.

2. Census in 1870 in Manheim Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹² Wm C. Beecher, machinist, [age unreadable], was living with wife Henrietta, 50; Laura, 14; and Bertha, 9. Also with them is David W. Groff, 23, machinist; Benjn Barr, 18, machinist; and Henry Lasity, 18, machinist. All were born in Pennsylvania. His property is valued at $23,000, a large value compared to others. Her personal estate is $6000.

3. She was confirmed on 7 Jun 1878 in Lancaster: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA. ¹

4. Census in 1880 in Manheim, Lancaster, PA. ⁹ William C. Beecher, age 53, farmer, is living with wife Henrietta, 58; Laura E., 24; and Bertha, 18. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

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5. Newspaper: The Semi-Weekly New Era, 7 May 1887, Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. ² Married: RANCK-BEECHER. Wednesday morning, May 4th, at the bride's home, in Eden, this county, by Rev. Charles L. Fry, of Trinity Lutheran Church, Jacob Ranck, of East Earl township, to Miss Laura, daughter of William C. Beecher.

6. Residence: on 1 Apr 1895 in East Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA. ^{7 8}

7. Census in 1900 in East Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹³ The 1900 census recorded Jaocb Ranck, farmer, 65 born Aug 1834, living with wife Laura, 44, Apr 1856; and daughter Bertha, 10, Jan 1890. Also in the home is Franklin Ghirk, hired farm laborer, 27. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

8. Cause of Death: Laura died at Country Club Heights cerebral hemorrhage, 14 Dec 1946, Manheim Twp., Lancaster, PA. ⁵

9. Obituary: Lancaster New Era on 14 Dec 1946 in Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. ¹⁰ MRS. LAURA RANCK SUCCUMBS AT 90
Mrs. Laura E. Ranck, widow of Jacob Ranck, East Earl Twp., ninety, died this morning at 8:20 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Vogel, Lancaster R5, of a complication of diseases. She was born in Eden, a daughter of the late William C. and Henrietta Wortz Beecher, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She is survived by one daughter, H. Bertha, wife of Andrew H. Vogel, Lancaster R5; and one grandson.

Laura married Jacob Ranck, son of Jacob Ranck and Lucy Diller, on 4 May 1887 in Eden, Lancaster, PA.^{1 2} (Jacob Ranck was born on 16 Aug 1833 in New Holland, Lancaster, PA,^{14 15} died on 31 May 1913 in Eden, Lancaster, PA ^{14 16 17} and was buried on 3 Jun 1913 in East Earl Twp.: Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lancaster, PA ^{14 16}.)