Catherine Amanda Diffendorfer was born on May 23, 1842, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Silvers) Diffendorfer. She was born Wayne County, Ohio. In the 1860 Federal Census, Amanda is found with her parents Henry and Elizabeth in Wayne County, along with her siblings; George Wm (1839), Hiram (1841), Henry (1844), Melissa (1846). Her father Henry’s occupation is listed as Cooper.

She married Robert Clark on September 9, 1864 in Wells County, Indiana.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Robert and Catherine Amanda have two children; James C (1868) and Minnie V (1869). Robert’s occupation is Harness Maker. They live in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana.  Catherine Amanda is found as Amanda in the remaining census records.

By the 1880 Federal Census, Robert and Amanda are living in the town of Zanesville, Indiana. They have six children; James C (1868), Minnie (1869), Theodore (1871), William H.(1873), Charles (1875), Markley U. (1878). Robert is a harness maker. In the 1900 Federal Census, Robert and Amanda remain in Zanesville. Living with them are three of their children; Charles, Chase (1882) and Alma (1884), a grandson, Glenn Culf (1891) and Amanda’s brother Hiram Diffendorfer (1841) who is 59 years old. The record states that Amanda has had ten children and eight are still living.

By the time of the 1910 Federal Census, Robert is now the Postmaster for the Zanesville post office where they still live. Hiram Diffendorf lives with them. The record states that Amanda has had ten children and that seven are living.

In the 1920 Federal Census, Amanda is seventy seven years old.  She is a widow who lives with her daughter in Union Township, Huntington County, Indiana. Her daughter is Alma Smith, married to Bert Smith. They have four children; Merrie (1911), Robert M. (1913), Martha V. (1918), Verlin M. (1920).

Ninety four years ago today, Amanda died in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is buried with her husband in Hoverstock Cemetery located Zanesville, Indiana.

There is a bit of confusion about the years that she died. Her tombstone says 1924 but the Death Certificate says January 1925. The death certificate is signed by Mrs. Minnie Wagner, her oldest daughter.

Rest in peace, Amanda!

Love, Jan

Amanda is the wife of my first cousin four times removed.