Hi, this is Stephen DeWitt...I am now sure that the George Votel in the 1860 shown as "George Fodel" is my GG grandfather. He is George, Gerhard, Gerhardt, and George J Votel/Fodel in the various records. In his family in 1860, is "Barney" who is actually Bernard H. Votel, my G grandfather, born in 1858. In the various records and censuses, he has been called Barney, Bernhardt, Benjamin, Ben, and Bernard. Later in life he was called Bernard. Also, the various spelling of Fodel, Votel, Votear made it hard to track.
George J. Votel died in 1916 in Covington, and Bernard H. died in 1914 in Covington. George J Votel states on the 1900 census that he has been in the county 53 years. I also noted another thread where there is mentioned some "Schoborgs" who came to Baltimore via brig Hermitage in Oct 1846, from Germany. Perhaps the George Votel (Fodel) was on that ship also, if I can fina and view the passenger list. There is a marriage record in Covington for George Votel and Mary Sassan (Sassen?). The first George Votel I was talking about back in 1999 was the son of Bernard H. Votel. He was the only son of Bernard H. Votel, and had no issue himself.