We travel in small circles. :) Frank, age 10, is listed in Samuel Garst's household in 1880, Madison Co. Iowa. He was the son of Samuel's first wife, Nancy Ann Fowler.

Samuel was the son of Philip Garst (Jacob and Magdalena) and Mary Hartman. I've never tried to figure out how Mary was related to the rest of the Hartmans, but sooner or later, we'll get them all connected!

So you and your friend have a common ancestor in John Nicholas? She and I share Jacob.