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JOSEPH WARREN YODER
(Sept. 22, 1872-Nov. 3, 1956)
By H. Harold Hartzler
Although best known as the author of Rosanna of the Amish, J. W. Yoder wrote three other
books, as well as a number of booklets in the music field. He always created a good impression as
he led many classes in learning how to sing. I well remember him as the leader of a singing class at
my home church, the Maple Grove Mennonite Church at Belleville PA. This was also his home
church.
Brother Yoder, born in Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin County PA, was the son of Christian K.
Yoder and Rosanna McGonegal. His father was the son of Yost Yoder and Catherine Zook, Yost
being the son of David Yoder and Sarah Zook, while his mother was the daughter of Patrick
McGonegal and Bridgett O'Connor, the latter being Irish-Catholic immigrants. The above
mentioned Catherine Zook was the daughter of Christian Zook and Catherine Hertzler, (Hertzler-
Hartzler Familv Historv #3748). Rather late in life, Feb. 18, 1932, he married Emily A. Lane,
daughter of Fred A. Lane and Lydia Cooley. After their marriage they made their home in
Huntington PA, where he he had taught at Juanita College and the location of the Yoder
Publishing Company.
J. W. Yoder was the youngest of four sons and grew up in the home of an Amish minister. The
oldest, Yost M., married Barbara Peachy, daughter of Bishop Christian K. and Nancy (Hostetler)
Peachy. The second, Levi M., married Amanda Anna Hartzler, daughter of Menno S. Hartzler
and Mary M. G. King. The third, John M., married Sarah Hooley, daughter of David K. and
Fannie (Hartzler) Hooley. Only the oldest son remained a member of the Old Order Amish
Church, at that time called the Peachy Church in Big Valley. The others became members of the
more liberal Amish Mennonite Church, known as the Maple Grove Church, where my father,
John M. Hartzler, was later the pastor.
In his book, Rosanna of the Amish, J. W. Yoder, makes the statement that with one exception,
every character mentioned was a real person, most of whom lived in Big Valley. I have written an
article, verifying this statement, which appeared with the title: "Rosanna of the Amish Brought up
to Date" in the July 1984 issue of Mennonite Family History. Rosanna, mother of J.W. Yoder,
after the death of her mother, was cared for by Elizabeth Yoder, who first married Christian
Kauffman, and later married the Amish Bishop Shem Yoder. She wanted to become a school
teacher, but was not permitted to become one, due to strict church regulations. But later
two of her sons did teach school. J. W. Yoder attended Juniata College and graduated from
Northwestern University. He taught school in Big Valley and later at Elkhart Institute.
I can recall how John Umble, former Goshen College Professor, told the story of his teacher in
Greek, J. W. Yoder, who stated at the close of the class: "Now you know all the Greek that I
know."
Yoder was also interested in athletics. Early in the fall of 1900 he was elected President of "Elkhart
Institute Athletic Association". During the winter two classes a week were instructed in light
gymnastics by Professor J. W. Yoder. He was also instrumental in organizing "the Elkhart Institute
Tennis Association". Always interested in music,Yoder composed the Elkhart Institute song. The
first stanza follows:
The-fathers-of-old-toiled-with-patience-and-prayer
To-leave-us-a-heritage-dear:
Now-with-gratiitude-deep-with-their-kind-loving care,
We-their-names-and-their-mem'ries-revere.
From-the-field-and-the-farm-with-our-brawn-and our-brains
They-have-sent-us-to-learn-wisdom's-ways,
And-in-knowledge-and-culture-and-art-to-attain
That-which-brightens-and-cheers-all-our-days.
Later at Juniata College, J. W. Yoder was athletic director from 1901 to 1904. From 1920 to 1941
he was employed as High School Visitor and was very popular due to his singing ability. He gave
addresses and interviewed prospective students. For many years he was a popular singing teacher
in Pennsylvania,Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. From the Gospel Witness of October 17, 1906, I found
this news item: "Brother J.W. Yoder fulfilled his promise to return to our county this summer to
continue his work of teaching vocal music. He returned on July 10 and began organizing classes.
He had a total of 345 pupils in the Kinzer, Paradise, Stmptown and New Providence churches
of Lancaster County. There were 300 pupils present at Strasburg for the closing with an audience
of 1200 present. Brother is a leader of unusual force and enthusiasm."
J. W. Yoder served as President of the Pennsylvania Yoder Reunion every year from 1934 to
1954 . This reunion was held near Lebanon at Mt. Lebanon every other year and at Kishacoquillas
Park near Lewistown on alternate years. A number of Yoder songs composed by Yoder were
sung at these reunions. The first verse and chorus of one of these songs follows:
We're gathered friends from near and far,
For fellowship and praise;
May this reunion be a star
To brighten all our days.
Chorus:
Then let us sing the Yoder name,
Let's lift its virtues high;
Defend it e'er from wrong and shame,
When sore temptations nigh.
In addition to teaching at the Elkhart Institute and at Juniata College, J. W. also taught at Lock
Haven State Teachers College in Pennsylvania. He was a versatile author, singer and song writer.
His singing classes were conducted with remarkable success, being universally loved and respected
by patrons and pupils. He enjoyed the confidence and esteeem of a wide circle of devoted friends.
Brother Yoder always wished to be known as an Amishman. When he went to Juniata College he
mentioned the matter of church membership to the President, M. G. Brumbaugh. The advice of
M. G. Brumbaugh was that he should stay with his people. This he did and remained a member of
the Maple Grove Mennonite Church located near Belleville PA. There his funeral was held
November 15, 1956, conducted by Jacob F. Weirich, assisted by Aaron Mast, A. J. Metzler and J.
Raymond Powell. His body was buried in the Locust Grove Cemetery.
His second book, Amish Leider, was published in 1942.From boyhood he had heard many Amish
hymns sung from the Ausbund, the song book without notes which had been used by the Amish
people for hundreds of years. Wishing to preserve these hymns for future generations J. W.
decided to write the music for these songs. From the foreword, he makes the statement: me writer
was raised in the Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin County PA. With his father and mother he
attended the Peachy Church which still uses this music entirely. Since the singers of the valley feel
that they still have these hymns as near or nearer the old ways of singing than any other
community,it was only natural that the writer should go back to the valley to get these songs and
hymns in the warty form. So this is what he did. He had experienced members of the Old Order
Amish Church sing these songs. As they did, he wrote the notes to accompany some of these
songs.
Later in 1948 he wrote a sequel to Rosanna of the Amish. The title was: Rosanna's Boys. In this
book he relates further details concerning the four sons of Rosanna and Little Christ. A few
excerpts follow: First from page 67: "As stated in a previous chapter, the one thing which Amish
parents delight is obedience and especially when children are willing to join the church to which
the parents belong and are submissive to the ordnung of the church. In this respect Yost was the
favorite son." Second from page 88: "If Yost was the good boy of the family,the bad boy, was
Levi, but only in the Amish respect that he would not obey the ordnung of the church. In every
other way he was the equal of Yost and as a worker he probably surpassed him. But he objected
to wearing long hair and going without suspenders, and letting his beard grow. but in
unrighteousness of character no fault could be found in Levi." From page 344: "Rosanna's boys
owe a great debt of obligation and gratitude to a Godly father and a devout mother. If these boys
could be here, I am sure they would join me in expressing our devout gratitude that our parents
instilled in us, the abiding principles of love of work, self-sufficiency, honesty and love of God and
fellowman."
In 1950 he wrote "Amish Traditions". To me, this book should not have been written since it was
disrespectful of some Amish customs. However I will allow J. W. to speak for himself: "I have
slowly come to the conclusion that the Amish people are missing much of the joy of fellowship
that Christians should have and it seems to me they are bearing useless burdens and making
sacrifices that do not add to their righteousness. I praise the Amish people for many things. The
sincerity and devotion and obedience of the Amish people cannot be questioned. For many years I
have had an inward urge to try to shed some Scriptural light on some of the practices of the Amish
people. Let me say in closing this book, that what I have said in every chapter was said from a
sincere desire to find a better way of life for the Amish people."
Brother Yoder wrote about a practice found not only among the Amish but also among certain
groups of Mennonites and of members of the Brethern churches. This concerns the wearing of the
Prayer veil by female members. In 1954 he wrote a small book with the title: "The Prayer Veil
Analyzed". "Being bound only by the will of God to find and tell the truth, and being under
obligation to no man but his creator and without fear of anyone, or favor of anyone, the writer has
written what he firmly believes to be the truth. If anyone is disposed to disagree with his findings,
he is willing to meet any such one in a friendly discussion of the Christian merits of the so-called
Prayer Veil."
Titles of some of the books of music by J. W. Yoder are: Red Bird, The Triumph, The Scepture,
The Banner, Public School Songs, The Diadem, The Cardinal Sonqster, The Voice,The Lyric,
How to Begin Reading Music, The Leader, The Pennant, Bluebird Revised, The Music Reader,
Christmas Carols, The Crown, The Jewel and The Lute.
In the preface of the Music Reader, J. W. Yoder states: "It is the hope of the author that the
simplicity of the Music Reader will appeal to many and that it will deepen the interest in good
singing so that churches will be organized in many communities and the appreciation of good
music greatly advanced."
Born, the son of an Irish-Catholic mother and an Old Order Amish minister in the beautiful
Kishacoquillas Valley, J. W. Yoder will long be remembered.
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H. Harold Hartzler is a retired mathematics professor of Goshen College. His address is 901
College Avenue, Goshen IN 46526. His above article is appreciated.
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200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF CONRAD YODER
SOUNDER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA LINE
1990 marks the 200 years since the death of Conrad Yoder, founder of the North Carolina Yoder
line. His descendants constitute the Southern branch of our family and continue to hold annual
reunions on the second Sunday during the month of August each year. miS year it will be on
August 12, 1990. All interested parties should contact: Neal D. Wilfong, Rt. 2 - BOX 231A,
Cleveland NC 27013 (Ph. (704)278-4922 for full particulars. All descendants are urged to attend
this annual get- together.
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Z ION LUTHERAN CHURCH RECORDS
ON EARLY NORTH CAROLINA YODER BIRTHS
Thanks to H . A. Yoder of Charlotte , N . C., we are able to share the following
information on early Yoder births. These records are from the Zion Lutheran Church near
Hickory, N.C. and were published in Catawba Cousins.
"Daniel Yoder and his wife Elizabetha a daughter Saloma, born 14 May 1809 baptized (no date).
Sponsor Utilla Yoder.
"Adam Yoder and his wife Sally a son John George born 9 July 1811.
"Daniel Yoder and his wife Elizabeth a son Daniel born 27 July 1811.
"Elias Yoder and his wife Utilla a son Simeon Jonas born 2 l September 1812 .
"Adam Yoder and his wife Sally a son Adam born 12 December 1813. "
As with all bits and pieces of the Yoder genealogical jigsaw puzzle, these items need to be
evaluated in light of facts known or points speculated. From these few dates, there are several
items worth bringing to the attention of students of this line.
First, regarding Adam Yoder . . . the " lost" son of Conrad... In YNL #11, beginning on
page l, an analysis was presented of the data then at hand regarding Adam and of the plausible
connection with the subsequent Yother records in Georgia and points West.
These church records cite two sons for Adam and his wife Sally (Davis). The son John
George (b. 7/9/1811) roughly corresponds to the George Yother (b.c 1809) shown on the Georgia
Yother chart (page 6, YNL 11). The son Adam (b. 12/12/1813) roughly corresponds to the Adam
Yother (aka Edmund) from that chart. While certainly not a proof, these birth records further
support the Adam Yoder/Georgia Yother speculations.
For Daniel and Elias, both early immigrants to southern Indiana, a full family record has
only recently be located for Elias (thanks to Mr. Lula Vaughn, Bunker Hill, IL --- see YNL #l0
page 7). The above record for son "Simeon Jonas" , "born 21 September 1812" is off by a few
days from the family record obtained by Mrs. Vaughn (Sept.18,1812).
For Daniel, the 1820 Indiana Census gives sex and approximate dates of birth for seven
children. No listing of these children has come to light, although with further study, it may be
possible to present some analysis in a future YNL. For now, it is sufficient to say that the record of
Bartholomew Co., IN show a marriage for an otherwise unlinked "Sally Yoder" on 22 Nov. 1825
to one Labein Banister. Was this Daniel's daughter Saloma (b.5/14/1809) who was sponsored by
"Utilla Yoder" (Elias' wife.. Utilla Hahn)? The 1820 census showed three male children born
1810-1820... was Daniel (Jr.?) one of them?
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YODER NEWSLETTER INDEX
Ken Heeter, of Bel Air MD, has graciously indexed all issues of the YNL from #1 to #14.
At this time approximate estimated cost of mailing, printing, etc. is judged to be somewhere
between $3.50 and $4.50 to any interested reader. In any event, we do not intend to have any
profit on selling it to interested parties. We would like to know how many of you would be
interested in order that we might know how many copies to have prepared.
Let us know if you are interested.
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Ken Heeter, of Bel Air MD found the following in THE SOMERSET COUNTY (PA)
OUTLINE, John C. Cassady, 1932, p. 243:
"The Yoder Falls, in Conemaugh Township near Paint Creek, is one of the most beautiful falls in
the county. The water of this small stream plunges over a precipice of about fifteen feet."
Does anyone know if the falls still exist and is so, are they still called Yoder Falls?
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l02nd BIRTHDAY OBSERVED
On Friday, Oct.13, 1989, Mrs. Mahalia Yoder Gerig had a birthday party at the Miller's Merry
Manor. Here parents were Yost and maggie Yoder. She was born in Nappanee, IN and is the last
surviving member of her family. She attends church each Sunday with her grandaughter, Frances
Carnahan of Aubern."
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We can recommend anyone interested in their Holmes County OH ancestry to purchase the
Cemetery Directory of the Amish Community in Eastern Holmes Co., OH. The cost is $12.00
ppd. and can be ordered from: LEROY BEACHY, Box 87, Star Route, Millersburg OH 44654.
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READER CHALLENGES Can any of our readers identify the parties involved in the
following???????????? ?
Owen County, Indiana Marriages
Christiana Youtter m. James Culver- Dec 15,1861
Mary Yoder m Philip Gonser- Oct 27, 1859
Magdalena Yotter m John Burger- May 18, 1871
DeKalb County, Indiana Marriages
Christopher Yoder m Sarah Hartman- Sep 11, 1866
Decatur County, Indiana Marriages
Mary Ann Yetor m. Clemens Goetz- Feb 10, 1868
From 1900 Indiana Census
Who was JOHN HENRY YODER b Jun 1835 Maine
Res Hammond, Lake Co, IN m to Rosettie M Nelson b May 1850 IN
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A TALE OF THE OLEY YODER HOMESTEAD AND OF JOHNNY APPLESEED
My grandmother, Margaret Mauger Hays, was born in Reading, PA and lived there until 1924
when my grandfather brought the family to Riverside, CA. My grandmother' s grandmother was
Margaret Bitler Yoder who married George Kline LeVan in 1845.
My grandmother had pleasant memories of visiting her maiden aunts Mary and Hannah at the
Yoder home in Pleasantville. This, I believe, is the same house you have pictured in the YNL #10.
I passed through there in 1987 and saw this house and met Anna Yoder who has lived in part of it.
She told me stories about my grandfather Hays' visit and said that this was the house where
Margaret B Yoder was born.
I am enclosing a letter from my grandmother (written in 1932). This includes a plan of the house
as my grandmother remembered it. -Sarah Hays Succa-Cambridge, MA Jun 1989
" Our grandmother... was Mary Bitler Yoder. John Yoder, the f irst settler, came from
Switzerland about 1720 and took up land, a "William Penn" grant along the Little Manatawny in
Oley township. "Oley" is from the Indian word "olink" meaning "within the bowl". The old Yoder
home is built on land John Yoder cleared and George and I still own part of that land.The first
house was built on the site of the present "wash house" and here the family was several times
attacked by Indians.
" John Yoders' son Daniel,married Margaret Oyster, of Hereford township, built the present
house in 1803. (Log house built by Hans, John, son of Hans, built half of the present house in
1737, Daniel, son of John built the other part in 1777). At that time, the room that is now used as
a kitchen by the farmer, was the central hall of the house with open stairway and very large open
hearth. There are seven bedrooms upstairs and five bedrooms and central hall downstairs, also a
back stairway from the kitchen.
"The 'wash house' was built on the side of the first house the first floor opens on the creek and has
a large open hearth. This room was used for washing. Upstairs are several bedrooms for itinerant
journeymen and hired men, storage rooms, & carpenter shop. I do not know by who or when the
mill was built.
" Daniel Yoder and Margaret Oyster had son David, my grandmother's father. They had several
daughters and I well remember Grandmother talking about Aunt Peggy, Aunt Polly and Aunt
Katie who lived to be 99 yrs. The son David married Hannah Bitler of Catawissa. He built a mill at
Catawissa and my grandmother and Aunt Mary were born there. Grandmother was born in 1820.
When she was a little girl, her parents returned to the ancestral home and always lived there
afterwards. David Yoder and Hannah Bitter had one son,Daniel, and five daughters. Margaret, the
oldest, our grandmother, Mary, Hannah, Sarah, and Catherine. Mary and Hannah never married
and lived in the old home until their deaths. Aunt Mary (95) out lived Aunt Hannah (74) many
years and George and I had many happy visits with her in the old home. It was furnished, and
Aunt Mary lived just as she had when a girl.
--Letter by Margaret Mauger Hays 1932
--added notes ( ) by Rosa Mauger during her visit
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THE SHOP EAST OF THE HOUSE
ATTIC- for storage and quarters for itinerants Johnny Appleseed stayed here frequently. He came
for apple seeds There was a fine apple orchard on the farm and a cider press My grandmother
often told me about him She said he was "queer" but very kind to the children- she was a child
telling them long and interesting stories Also the attic was in part a smoke houseI have drawn the
plan as the house was when I visited there as a little girl, but I think it had been changed when
Aunt Mary and Aunt Hannah made room for their farmer on one side of the house I think the
partitions 1 & 2 were put in then, a fireplace 3 closed and a door 4 put where a window had been
After the change- Aunt M & H occupied the house on the left side of the hall The farmer the hall
& right side It was this way as George and I remember it.
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The following note of interest was received from Carolyn K. Hartman, of Harrisonburg VA. "The
lady who paid for my subscription (Carol D. Yoder of H'burg) and her husband Dr. Paul Yoder
trace back to the same 'Yoder' ancestors 46 times between the two of them. This 'Yoder' ancestor
is YR in the Gingrich-Kreider book."
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FIVE GENERATIONS OF THE YODER FAMILY--ANCESTORS SETTLED AT PUGH IN YEAR 1776
(Article which appeared in a Somerset County, Pa. Newspaper- sometime in the early 1900s)
-- Large Picture here --dk
starting from right to left--Ralph W. Fritz, Katie Hullter Fritz, Lizzie Yoder Hunter, Samuel B.
Yoder, Benedict Yoder.
FIRST GENERATION--Mr. Benedict Yoder, an aged citizen who resides in the
neighborhood of Pugh, Pa-, was born in the year 1818; in Stonycreek township on what 's known
as the Uriah Lehman farm, in an old house the picture of which is printed below, being now in his
93d year. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Lehman on April 24, 1842, and lived happily
with her for fifty-eight years, when she expired on May 30, 1900. Mr Yoder is the father of
fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. He also has living 38 grandchildren, 33 great
grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.
SECOND GENERATION--S. B. Yoder, Pugh, Pa.; D. M. Yoder.,___, Kansas; C. C.
Yoder and J M. Yoder. Iowa City, Iowa.; J. Yoder and S. T. Yoder, Washington, Kansas; E. L.
Yoder, West Brancli, Iowa; Mrs. Hiram Rhoads, McPherson, Kansas; Mrs. Valentine Lehman,
Berlin, Pa.; Mrs. George Mostoller and Mrs. N. E. Mostoiler, Listie, Pa; Misses Mary and
Gertrude Yoder, who reside at home.
THIRD GENERATION--S. B. Yoder, to whom three children were born, as follows:
Mrs. Alex. Hunter, Mrs. Ephram Coleman and Mr. Harvey G. Yoder.
FOURTH GENERATION--Mrs. Alex. Hunter, to whom three children were born, as
follows: Mrs. Robert Fritz, Miss Mabel Hunter and Mr. Morten Hunter.
FIFTH GENERATION-- Mrs. Robert Fritz, to whom one child is born, namely, Ralph
Fritz.
Benedict Yoder, who appears on the right in the picture printed above, is a representative
of a family which was founded in Pennsylvania by Christian Yoder, a native of Switzerlanld who
emigrated about 1745 to the province of Penn and settled in Berks.county. In the spring of
1776-he removed with his family to Bedford, now Somerset county, where he had previously
bought a large tract of timber land situated where Pugh now stands, about seven wiles east of
Somerset, in Stonycreek township. The deed for this property was dated October 9, 1775, the
consideration thereon being $968. There were no roads and the nearest neighbor was five miles
distant. There was a small clearing where Christian erected a log house and barn, a picture of the
house being printed in connection with this sketch. He then began his battle with the wilderness,
wild beasts and occasional Indians. Field after field was cleared and cultivated, until he had one of
the largest and best farms in the county.
Christian Yoder married in Berks county Barbara Hooley, and they were the parents of fifteen
children, among them being John Yoder, the grandfather of Benedict Yoder.
Benedict Yoder was the son of John and Barbara (Yoder) Yoder, his mother and father, however,
being in no degree related before marriage. He was born in Stonycreek township in the old house
erected by Christian Yoder, his great grandfather, a picture of which is printed on this page, and
until marriage worked for his father. He then bought a tract of timber land two miles west of
the homestead and began wresting a farm from the forest. On the night of May 9, 1853, the home
be had built caught fire and burned to the ground, no property being saved and the family barely
escaping with their lives. Four of the boys, small though they were, saved themselves by jumping
from the second-story windows.Mr. Yoder at once began rebuilding and erected the residence
which still stands on the farm-and in which he makes his home.He has always been an ardent
Republican and is a member of the Amish church. He was one of a family of thirteen children,
several of whom gained much prominence. His mother died December , 1856, aged 81 years, and
his father died October 4,1860, having lived 84 years on the homestead and leaving behind him
the memory of a religious and conscientious man.
Samuel B. Yoder, son of Benedict and Sarah (Miller) Yoder, was born May 15, 1843, in
Stonycreek township, and received his education in the Schrock school. He worked for his father
until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty second Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteers, being severely wounded at Gettysburg July 1, 1863. After his return
from the war he married, purchased a farm of one hundred acres, and as well as his
weakened condition would allow, directed the agricultural labors for thirteen years. At the end of
that time, in consequence of ill health, he sold the property and engaged in other pursuits. For
three years he served as assessor of Stonycreek township, and for the same length of time was jury
commissioner of Somerset county.
He belongs to Post No. 210, G. A. R., of Somerset, and. is a Republican in politics. He and his
wife are members of the Mennonite church.
Samuel B. Yoder is the father of Mrs.. Alexander Hunter, grandmother of the representative of the
fifth generation, her daughter having married Robert Fritz, and to whom was born the child
whose picture is on the extreme left of the cut printed above.
(Log cabin Photo)
OLD LOG HOUSE ERECTED IN I776, WHERE BENEDICT YODER WAS BORN.
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The Reuben Yoder Family and Its Ancestry- The story of Reuben Yoder (1831 Somerset Co, PA
-1912 LaGrange Co IN) Son and grandson of the Bishops Christian Yoder of the Glades
congregation in Somerset Co, PA. Many photos, maps, family history information on part of
"Schweitzer Christian" Yoder line. Softbound. Large descendant directory $6 75 Post Paid. Order
from Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd. Battle Creek,MI 49015
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A YODER CHALLENGES ROCKEFELLER MILLIONS
Yoders have been politicians throughout the history of the family. Centuries ago in Switzerland,
a Joder was governor of Thun. In YNL # 8 we reported on Cong Samuel Yoder of Ohio, who
served at the end of the l9th century.
This year another member of the Yoder clan is reportedly taking the electoral plunge. According
to the Feb 17 edition of the Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report, Harpers Ferry West Virginia
lawyer JOHN YODER, 38, is the expected Republican nominee to challenge US Senator John D
Rockefeller IV.
Rockefeller is an heir to great wealth and will be a tough nut to crack < even for a Yoder>
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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MENNO S. YODER
The Story of a Mennonite Family-( as described in YNL #14)345 pages, paperback, spiral
binding, pictures,maps and illustrations. Second Edition priced at $35.00 plus $2.00 p&h. Order
from:Mrs. Margaret K. Yoder,14620 Timberedge Lane,Colorado Springs CO 80921
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****************QUERIES************************************
WANTED.. Descendants of JACOB YODER and Nancy M. Yount of Daviess Co.,IN. Had son
named Grover. Reply to Shirley Platt, 1052 Darling St., Ogden, Ut.84403
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Fellow descendants wanted of LaFayette Yoder m. Susan C. Resident of Crawford Co., MO as of
1880. Lafayette, son of Adolphus of the Conrad line, was b. 1840. Reply to: Barara Myatt, 4000
Glenrose Dr., Columbia, TN 38401
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Ancestry wanted for John Yoder (bc1798) and wife Mary. 1830-1850 residents of Wayne Co.,
OH. Both born inGermany. Daughters Barbara (bc1820 OH) and ? Son Joseph Yoder, b.
12/4/1828 OH m. 12/3/1863 Wayne Co., OH to Mary Aschbacher. Res. Of MO by 1871. D.
4/10/1904. Buried Paradise Cemetery, Clay County, MO. Joseph and Mary had son jake, dau.
Sally and Elizabeth who married William Smith. (Buried Arley Cem.). Reply to: YNL Queries,
203 Lakehire Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015
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Who was the Mr. Yoder who was the second husband of catharina (Pfautz) Grumbacher. She
married first Peter Grumbacher who died Apr. 1, 1778 age 37. Catharina was 35 at that time. Both
were members of the Coventry Church of the Brethren in Coventry Twp., Chester Co., PA. She
had remarried by the settlement of her 1st husband's estate on 3/23/1787. By the time of her 1811
will, she was using the name Crumbacher again. Send any information to: Paul S. Frick, P.O. Box
2492, Arizona City, AZ 85223.
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Ancestry of John F. Yoder (b. 1/-/1853 OH) m. Minerva Schiller, ch. Ralph (b.1882 IN) and
Bessie (b.1885) and George Yoder b. 4/1851 OH m. Mary Jane Sheller, ch. Charles (b.1873 IN),
and Ray (b.1883 NE). Charles m. Cora Calvin, Gage Co.,NE on 5/22/1893). Both residents of
LaPlata Co., CO-1900 Census. Reply to:YNL queries, 203 Lakeshire Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015
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Who were the parents of AARON YODER b 1817PA? Shown in 1860 census, Xenia OH with
Hannah b 18130H, children (all b OH) - Ellenora b 1842, Mary A E b. 1845, Rachel R b 1847,
Emanuel b 1849, George b. 1851, John b 1852, Aaron b 1854, Hannah b 1856.Also present one
BEACHEL YODER b 1812PA Reply to: Barbara Yoder, 4495 Arba Pike, Richmond, IN 47374
(Editors note Can anyone prove or disprove the hypothesis that this Aaron may have been the son
of David Yoder (1765-1826) of the Oley Yoder line and Catherine High who resided in Union
Co.,PA.???)
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What was ancestry of MARIA YOUTER b 1-10-1827 Wayne County, IL m 1887 to Christian
Clay d. Ridott, IL.Bur Gund's Cemetery Reply to Nancy Ann Hartman, P O Box 74, Rising City,
Neb 68658
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I am using Personal Ancestral File on an IBM clone and am interested in exchaging Yoder family
information (any line) with anyone else that uses a computer program which supports the
GEDCOM file format. I am a descendant of CONRAD YODER and have all the genealogical
information in PAF from the book about him...History of the Yoder Family of North Carolina. I
also have information on the descendants of Conrad's son Jacob which was not included in this
book. I would also like to exchange information in any form, printed or otherwise on the Conrad
Yoder line. Contact: Rob Yoder, P.O. 170717, Arlington, TX 76003.
ALSO
Looking for Evertt Yoder b. Ca 1887, son of William J. (Probably Jacob) Yoder b. ca 1884 all
born Indiana. Married Maud _____, childrere: Bessie and other; brothers John Max and Purtle.
Evertt left Chandler, OK and area after 1920 going to California. Maud was at John Max's funeral
in Chandler in 1968 and had a daughter or grandaughter in Grapevine, Texas at that time; name
unknown. Contact Rob Yoder, P.O. Box 170717, Arlington, TX 76003.
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ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!
If you don't have a handle on your Yoder ancestry and haven't written toF see if we can help,
PLEASE DO. This is what we are here for. We continually are surprised to hear from folk who
have been long-time readers. We have a high hit rate in linking folk. When we don't immediately
succeed, each missing link helps fill the large puzzle and offers future success. If you have not
already done so, please send in your questions to YNL queries at the cited address Thanks!
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Many Thanks to Nancy Ann Hartman, P O. Box 74, Rising City, Nebraska 68658 for the
following info on Yoders of Freeport, Stephenson Co, ILL Anyone having descendant or ancestral
info on these folk, please advise Ms Hartman
PETER YODER, res 1848 Dakota Twp m2 Mrs Eliza Elliott, Apr 23,1866 (son of JACOB
YODER, Lewisburg, PA )
GEORGE YODER d Jan.30,1870 age 85yr 10mo 3ds, bur Liebhart Cem Loran Twp. West of
Freeport
JOSEPH YODER b 18240H m Jan.18,1846 Summitt Co , OH
to Polly Robinson res 1849 Loran Twp Children
GEORGE YODER b 1842PA m Mary A Miller b.1846 VT, children Maggie C b 1861; and
Effingham Lincoln b.1864 res Freeport,IL
GEORGE YODER b 18310H lD. Polly Bodenmoyer <d/o George Babenmyer) res 1860 Mercer
Co.,OH. GAR. Both buried Grand View Cemetery Children- George Andrew b 1857 m. Melvada
Smith res Freeport; Martin b 1863 res Woodstock,IA; Robert Wilson b 1865 res Ft. Collins, CO ;
Ida m Mr Hibbard res Dubuque,IA; Minnie m. Mr Belo and Mr. Smith res Lake Worth, Fla by
1931; Mary Ella m. Franklin Hochman; Catharine m Lemuel Hochman res. Waterloo,IA
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Can anyone add to the following puzzle?
1830 Hamilton Co , OHIO
Henry Yoder -wife-- dau---- son----- son------ son----dau
c1770-80-- 80-90-- 10-15-- 15-20-- 20-25-- 25-30-- 25-30
1840 Bond Co., ILLINOIS
Henry Yoder --wife
c1780-90------90-00
---------son--- son-----dau------ son
-------20-25-- 25-30--25-30-- 35-40
Henry F. Yoder (m 5/31/1838 Henry Co,IN-Mary Wishon)
---------------1820-25---------------------------1820-25
(in family another male b. 1825-30)
1850 Madison Co , ILLINOIS
Henry Yoder---- Elizabeth
bc 1776 PA-----bc1799KY
Silas
bc1835IN
(also in family Lewis Lynch bc 1835KY)
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YODER BROTHERS INCORPORATED
BARBERTON, OHIO
In 1911, Menno and Ira Yoder, two Mennonite brothers, founded Yoder Brothers, Incorporated.
As sharecropper partners with Mr. Ohio Columbus Barber, organizer and president of the
Diamond Match Ccmpany, who felt his business principals could be applied to farming and help in
facing the world hunger problem. This farm was 3000 acres and had 102 farm buildings, many of
which were designed by Mr. Barber.
Barn No. 1 was built in 1909 costing $8000 and it took 90 days and 250 masons to erect the
28,000 square feet building. It housed his cattle project. In 1920 Mr. Barber died, leaving the farm
to Western Reserve University, but due to liens on the project, Western sold it. After setting vacant
for a number of years until 1982, the Yoders purchased it and began restoration which later
became their world headquarters in 1985 as the new office building.
The Yoder headquarters is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the center of
their vast operations. From 80 years ago when Menno and Ira Yoder started, Yoder Brothers
today employs 1600 people and offers almost 1000 chrysanthemum varieties, besides over a dozen
other species.
Yoder leads the world in creating new varieties in centers in the U.S., Canada, South and Central
America and most of Europe, protected by patent and licensing programs. This growth has been
augmented by generation after generation of devotion by hard-working Yoder employees into the
steady growth of making the mum the number-one flower in our country. This also along with the
faithful overseeing and leadership by Harold F. Yoder, Cloy M. Miller, William Duffet and
Conrad Olson which brought company security. In the last 25 years, seven new locations such as
Florida, California, South Carolina, Canada, Kenya Africa, Canary Islands, West Germany and
England. All this and the company, due to many competent young people entering the company's
service, Yoders will be....something to grow on!
A grandson and the firms chief service executive, G. Ramsey Yoder, gives the following message:
"Yoder Brothers, Incorporated is something to grow on. Our clients and customers around the
world have become accustomed to consistently high-quality flowering and foliage products. In
fulfilling those expectations and our stated business purposes--to be the leading developer,
producer and seller of quality ornamental plant products--we offer our customers something to
grow on. But "something to grow on" has deeper meaning. The plants we cultivate are the final
product-the end result of a long process of development. We are proud of our product, but to find
the real essence of Yoder, we must look further....to the people and events that have shaped our
company. Years of commitment and teamwork, exhaustive labor and intensive research have made
Yoder what it is today....hundreds of people have had a hand in this company's success. The result
is a collective spirit, a shared set of values and priorities that make Yoder a family in a very real
sense. And that, as much as the value of our product, is what we mean by "something to grow on."
Yoder offers both professional and personal growth....from the hearts, from the hands, and from
the minds of people who hve built Yoder and who, day after day, guide its continued success."
G. Ramsey Yoder
Mum sales are made through various nurseries and garden centers throughout the country. One
place to order Prophet Mums is:
Spring Hill Nurseries Box 1714
Peoria IL 61655
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One Yoder who became disenchanted with his name, changed it to Doyer. D-O-Y-E-R. Another
Yoder spelling?
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The annual Reunion of the descendants of ADAM YODER (2/28/1818-5/26/1858) and Harriet
Ann Isenhart (6/20/18215/30/1911) will be held in Pioneer, Ohio on 26 August l990 at the
Community Center Contact : M S Sickmiller, Rte. l, 17396, RD 8, Montpelier, OH 43543 for
additional information.
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ELMER YOTER.. Major League Baseball Player
From the files of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, comes the record of
Elmer Ellsworth Yoter, born in Carlisle, PA in 1900. Elmer began his first year of professional
baseball in 1921 and led a varied career, to include the role of Minor League Manager with the
Boston Red Sox organization.
The Yoter line of the Carlisle, PA area was introduced previously in the Yoder Newsletter Number
11 on page 5 (entitled "Partial Answer to Reader Challenge"). (Thanks to David E. Yoder for
contributing this material).
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