Eleanor immigrated on the ship “Henophen” that sailed from Amsterdam and arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., with her parents, on Aug 18, 1817.

Charles “viewed life as a high adventure and actively sought new experiences in his late teens, he ‘walked all over France’ simply to see how the people of that country lived. When he was twenty-one, he left his family and native land for good; he took passage on a ship which would carry him to America.” He was accompanied by sisters Barbara and Mary, and arrived in America between 1830 and 1832.

Charles settled initially in Bedford, Pa. He took up the weaving trade and about two years thereafter removed to Munster Township near Loretto, where he met and married Eleanor Myers on March 7, 1835. In 1853 or 1856, Charles moved the family to Clover Creek, near Williamsburg, and leased a large wool factory. He produced coverlets and had large contracts from the government for army blankets. After 15 years he relocated within Williamsburg and carried on a mercantile business with one of his sons, and then occupied a hotel that he purchased. He retired to Loretto in 1875. It was reported that he died there of a long and painful illness.