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BISHOP SOLOMON YODER (1800-1880) By H. Harold Hartzler, Mankato, Minn.
Solomon Yoder, the only resident Amish bishop of the congregation at Long Green, Baltimore Co., Maryland, was born in Berks County, Pa., Nov. 18, 1800. He was the son of Henry Yoder, an Amish minister, and Barbara Kauffman. Henry Yoder was the son of Christian Yoder and Barbara Beiler, who lived on a farm in Berne Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. This farm was granted to them by John and Richard Penn, October, 1743.
Christian Yoder ( 1722-1772) was a son of the Widow Barbara Yoder while Barbara Beiler was a daughter of the immigrant Jacob Beiler. The above mentioned Barbara Kauffman was the daughter of Stephen Kauffman and Barbara Yoder, she being the daughter of Christian Yoder.
Soloman married Frances Riehl (Mar. 5, 1804-Aug. 20, 1868), the daughter of Jacob Riehl and Veronica Zug. (See Fisher Family History #4692). Jacob Riehl was the son of Lewis Riehl and Veronica Fisher, daughter of Christian Fisher. Veronica Zug was the daughter of John Zug, son of the immigrant Christian Zug.
Solomon and Frances had nine children: Levi, b. 12-8-1829, d. at age of 8; Noah, b. 9-301831, d. 11-5-1887; Lydia, b. 3-29-1833, m. Peter Nafzinger, d. 9-13-1919; Jonas, b. 4-2-1835 m. Annie Mast, d. 7-31-1906; Moses , b. ll-l1-1839, m. Mattie Neuhauser, d. 1-9-1880; John, b. 12-4-1841, d. 7-281868; Eli, b. 2-6-1844, d. 7-28-1905; Lewis, b. 4-18-1846, m. Sarah Rebecca Mast, d. 6-16-1893.
Soloman came with his father Henry Yoder to Mifflin County before 1829. His first four children were born in Mifflin County near Mattawanna, Pa. Before 1837 he moved to Union County where his last five children were born. He signed the will of Jacob Beiler in 1849 as a witness. He was evidently ordained a bishop in Union County and likely ordained Elias Riehl as a bishop. In 1854 he moved from Union County to Baltimore County, Maryland. There he bought a farm of 111 acres which is still in the possession of the Yoder descendants.
Bishop Solomon Yoder was devout in his faith, always courteous, kind and affable. His life was exemplary in all respects and he always supported those interests which were calculated to uplift and benefit humanity. He was highly thought of by his contemporaries. He was an active participant in a series of Amish conferences known as the Diener-Versammlungen, held annually (except 1877) from 1862 to 1878. A brief description of these conferences is found in Vol. 2 of the Mennonite Encyclopedia.
At the first meeting, held in Wayne Co., Oh., Bishop Jonathan Yoder of Illinois nominated Solomon Yoder as chairman. He declined but did serve on three committees. Again in 1863 he served on three committees when the meeting was held in Mifflin Co., Pa. As was true of most Amish leaders, he was opposed to photographs. In the 1868 meeting held in Mifflin County, he served on two committees. After that he did not attend the meetings of the Diener-Versammlungen. With the close of those meetings in 1878, there arose the division in the Amish church. The more conservative group became known as the Old Order Amish. The more liberal group became known as the Amish Mennonites. Soloman Yoder chose to follow the Amish Mennonites,
As he grew older, after 1870, Soloman was assisted in his work as bishop by John P. Mast of Lancaster Co., Pa. He made his will in 1877. The will is as follows:
Solomon Yoder's last will and testament: I, Solomon Yoder Of Baltimore County in the state of Maryland being desirous to settle my worldly affairs before it shall please almighty God to call me hence, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner as follows: Item, I will, devise and bequeath that all my property and such personal possessions that I my own at the time of my decease shall be divided by my executors, hereafter named, and the proceeds of said sale (after my debts and funeral expenses have been paid) to be equally divided between my seven children share and share alike, vis, Noah, Jonas, Solomon, Moses, Eli, Lewis and Lydia. Item, I do hereby appoint Peter Nafzinger and my son Lewis Yoder to be my executors of this my last will and testament with power to sell and convey any or all such property before mentioned and I do hereby appoint the said Peter Nafzinger and Lewis Yoder trustees to take care of and manage my son Noah's share of my estate and to use the same for his benefit and I do hereby will and direct that my executors of this my last will and testament shall sell all the property as soon as convenient and to be all sold within one year of my decease. In testimony of which I have set my name and applied my seal this eighteenth day of August in the year eighteen hundred seventy seven.
Solomon Yoder Seal
Signed, sealed and declared by Solomon Yoder, the above mentioned testator, as his last will and testament, who signed our names as witnesses. Charles L. Fleside, Jos. Hertzler, Isaac D. Hertzler.
After making his will in 1877 Solomon Yoder became quite feeble and was unable to leave his home. On the first of February 1880 he took to his bed. After three weeks of suffering he was called home by his heavenly Father. He died Feb. 22, 1880 at the age of 79 years, 3 months and 6 days. His funeral services were conducted by John Yoder in English and Elias Riehl in German.
The writer has known descendants of Solomon Yoder since he lived in Long Green in 1916. An interesting story concerns Eli Yoder, son Of Bishop Solomon Yoder. He was born Feb. 6, 1844 in Union Co., Pa., then went with his parents to Baltimore Co., Md. in 1854. Some time later as a young man, he decided to go west and forget his Amish background. He bought land in Kansas, was married there and started the town known as Yoder, Ks. On one occasion when visitors were present, his wife brought out his Amish suit of clothes to show them to the visitors. This displeased Eli very much. The most interesting part Of this story is that many Amish families have moved to the vicinity of Yoder, Ks. Thus Eli Yoder has not been able to be isolated from the Amish. He died July 28, 1905.
The Yoder family I remember best is that of Lewis Yoder who was a minister after the death of his father. The youngest son of Bishop Solomon Yoder, he was born in Union Co., Pa., April 18, 1846 and married Sarah Rebecca Mast, the daughter of Daniel Mast and Elizabeth Zug. Daniel Mast was the son of John Mast and Elizabeth Kurts, while Elizabeth Zug was the daughter of Jacob Zug and Anna Summers. Lewis Yoder died June 6, 1893, but his widow Sarah (Mast) Yoder did not die until 1920. Thus I well remember her and her children: Elizabeth, Solomon, Lydia, Emery, Ada and Morris. My family has kept in contact with that Of Emery Yoder to this date. He married Anna M. Gerbrick and had children: Edith , Elizabeth, Ruth and Sarah. Edith married Carroll Wilhide. Their present address is Detour,Md. Last year my brother John, his wife Helen and I had the pleasure of being entertained in their home. This was on the occasion of the annual Long Green inspirational meeting when former residents of Long Green and their friends gather together to renew acquaintences. At this last meeting in Long Green, I felt inspired to write the story of the life of Solomon Yoder.
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1596 STEFFISBURG MARRIAGE RECORD
---------Caspar Joder------------------ >4 July
---------Margret Hennig------------------96
Complements of Ottmar Jotter of Grunstadt, West Germany, and his late co-researcher Karl Joder, comes this early marriage record from Steffisburg Switzerland. It records the Marriage of Caspar Joder and Margret Henning on July 4, 1596. These folks are the known ancestors of the Yoders of the Oley Valley (Hans and Yost), and the grandparents of a number of Joder families known to have been Anabaptists. Although none of the Amish/Mennonite Yoders who immigrated to America during the 18th century have had their European roots documented, it appears highly likely that they sprang from this couples descendants. In the article by Lois Ann Mast presented on page 7 of YNL #2 (entitled "European Yoder Research") they appear as family number 8. Several l9th century immigrants can be traced back to them , and we'll provide more details on these in a future issue.
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A YODER IN CONGRESS-----S.S. YODER
Samuel S. Yoder was born in Holmes Co., Ohio on Aug.16,1841. He was the son of Yost Yoder and Nancy Hochstetler, and a great-grandson of Amish Bishop Christian Yoder Sr. of Somerset Co., PA (first Bishop of the Glades congregation).
Samuel's father died in 1850 and his mother married Tobias Miller, a widower with 11 children. This made a total in the joined family of 24 (the last child being that of Tobias and Nancy and died as an infant). Since this was too many youngsters to handle, the older ones (Samuel included) were put out with other families.
Although his parents were Amish, Samuel became Methodist and moved to Allen County in the western part of the state. He and four brothers enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. Samuel's enlistment on Apr.19,1862 was in Company K of the 178th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, where he served as a Second Lieutenant. His next younger brother Moses was wounded in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain and is buried in the National cemetery at Chattanooga,TN. Brother Jacob died in Louisiana.
After the war Samuel worked in the pharmacy of his older brother Noah, who had earned his M.D. before the war and lost one leg during the course of it. In 1867-8 he attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to study medicine, and then settled in Bluffton, Ohio where he continued his studies with a doctor. In Bluffton, his political interests were sparked and he was selected to serve as Mayor of that city.
On Oct.6,1870 he married Minerva Maxwell of Berlin in Holmes County. Three children were born while they lived in Bluffton, unfortunately one son died in infancy. Their home there is shown in a photo taken at the time of it's construction in 1875. It was a substantial brick two-story surrounded with an ornate wood fence.
Although Samuel did practice medicine, he became increasingly interested in politics and decided to study for the law. In 1878 he moved his family to Lima to do so, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, when he was close to 40 years old. In Lima he was active in Democratic politics and served as probate court judge for Allen County 1882-1886. He also served as a member of the State Democratic Committee.
Samuel was elected in 1886 to the first of two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the 50th and 51st Congress. Another member of the Ohio delegation at the time was William McKinley Jr of Canton, who 10 years later was to become the President of the United States. After two terms in the House, Samuel was selected by his colleagues to be the Sergeant At Arms, a position which he held from 1891 to 1893. One of his functions in this role was to oversee the payment of Congressional salaries, paying out over $3,000,000 as disbursing officer for the U.S. Treasury.
Washington agreed with Samuel and he decided to remain in the area. He moved out to Berwyn, Md. When Congress was not in session, no one stood the heat of the District over the summer. Samuel was convinced that Washington would grow out into the Maryland suburbs and as a business venture decided to gamble on this. He founded an electric railway and served as its Vice President. He acquired the access rights to and constructed a stretch of track between the District and Berwyn (a matter of some 25 miles). The electric cars were ridden out to Berwyn and then had to be charged all night for use the next day. This investment did not prove a commercial success and Samuel lost much of his fortune as a result.
---(photo)
Hon. Samuel S. Yoder.
Samuel's three children who lived were Early (1875-1924), Elfie Ada (1878-1966 ), and Samuel S. (1886-1945). Daughter Elfie eloped with the Road Commissioner for Berwyn, Edward T. Shea, in 1908 and had a rocky marriage at times. She frequently returned home to her parents and, as a modern working woman, her son Hazen was raised by his grandfather during much of his childhood.
Samuel was a member of the I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows), and active in the Union Veterans Union serving as Commander-in-Chief in 1893. He was an enthusiastic chess player and member of a chess club. His grandson recalled friends dropping by frequently to play. Samuel was also a prolific reader, reading often to his grandson, and had sets of Tennyson and Goethe, many in German.
In her later years, Minerva was an invalid with heart trouble, and could not do much around the house. She died in 1919. Samuel also suffered an extended illness with cancer of the bladder. on May 10, 1921, he and grandson Hazen went by themselves out to the circus. At that time he was living at Maryland Ave. at 2nd Street near the Capital. The circus was out at H and 15th St.N.E. , about a mile and a half distance. After their jaunt he and Hazen walked the full way home. This was the last adventure for these two good friends. Samuel died the next day, a few months short of his 80th birthday. Grandson Hazen was 9 years old at the time.
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(Editors note: Yoders have contributed in many ways to the development of our country, holding positions of responsibility in a variety of fields. To date, however, only S.S.Yoder has been a member of the United States Congress. With the assistance of Mrs. S. Hazen Shea, the widow of Congressman Yoder's grandson, we are pleased to present never before published family photos and anecdotes on this renown cousin". Another aspect of this story, which we lack the power to do justice to, is the love and special relationship between a boy and his grandfather. Few remember the political and commercial accomplishments of S.S. Yoder. But for as long as he lived, there was a 9 year old boy who never forgot him.)
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FROM THE EDITORS
Ben F. Yoder, Goshen,IN Managlng Editor
Chris Yoder, Battle Creek,MI Historical Editor
Rachel Kreider, Goshen,IN Contributing Editor
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The pictures of St. Joder's chapel interior were taken by JoAnn Yoder, daughter of Glenn S. Yoder of Millersburg IN. We had given Glenn credit for these fine pictures and found out that JoAnn had taken them. She is a 4H photographer and has received honors for her work. We must not let Dad receive all the credit. He was most generous in letting us use them.
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Funny thing-- Janet Yoder Lamberson of Elkhart IN was our first official subscriber back in 1983. She also happened to be our first resubscriber in April of this year.
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Thanks to Opal West, of the Missouri Conrad Yoder line, for a very interesting article in the St. Joseph Gazette about fellow-YNL-reader Dr. Emerson Yoder of Denton, KS. The article was entitled "Small-town doctor treats with humor". Dr. Yoder, a former Kansas Citizen of the Year, is a descendant of two Amish bishops of Somerset County, PA.
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The Albrechts,1836-1936, just published chronicles the descendants of Christian Albrecht (1779-1843) and his wife Elizabeth Engel (1780-1842). These 1836 immigrants settled in Bureau County,Ill. and brought along with them son-in-law Joseph Ioder and his family. This book provides a descendant directory of 8 pages in length for Joseph, mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter, and includes a number of family stories and photographs. The book is 154 pgs in length, hardbound, and may be ordered for $10 per copy (postage included) from: Floyd Albrecht, 1186 Maytown Rd., Amboy,IL. 61310. Checks should be made payable to "ALBRECHT BOOK".
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EXCERPTS FROM READERS' LETTERS
"It is likely that among all the Yoders you have researched I am the only harp builder. I began this work as a hobby and have been doing it full time since June 1982. I have made over 150 harps. They are located in 23 states of the Union plus Canada and South Africa and Hawaii. I also regulate and repair and restore all makes of harps. I truly enjoy my work. A current brochure is enclosed." From Lee Eugene Yoder, 1444 Calle Place, Escondido CA.
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"I am currently residing in Freeport, Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, but my home address is still...Florida. My grandparents were Adam and Sally Yoder,,.My father, George Sr. was born in Berks County and also my mother, Kathryn Pearl "Behrle" Yoder. My parents and all my children were born and raised in the Reading-Berks area about 12 miles from Manatawny and Lobachsville. We all attended and were baptized at Trinity Reformed Church in Mt. Penn. My sister and brothers (now) live in California.
"My wife Charlotte (Deitrich) and I were married Jan. 10, 1941. Entered the service in June '43, flew 35 missions as a Toggelier in a B17 bomber based in England--Came home one of the lucky survivors." From George D. Yoder in Lake Worth FL. George is the father of Coralee shown in the previous "Believe it or Not" item.
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"I am a granddaughter of Eli S. Yoder and Esther (Brenneman) Yoder. My father was Lyle E. Yoder. Just this spring we found the grave of my great grandmother Miriam Eash who died at the age of 26.,.Eli S. was raised by another family which was a common story during that time. Miriam was married to Samuel D. Yoder. The cemetery has all but been abandoned so we were excited to find the grave." from Phyllis Yoder Litwiller of Washington IA.
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"I heard about Yoder Popcorn through an article sent to my wife by her life-long friend living in Alabama. I ordered a lot of popcorn..... it is delicious'" from Von Yoder, Seattle WA
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"I certainly appreciate the good work that you are doing with the YNL, & also your personal notes to me. With your help, I have located two of my father's cousins..John,Jr. in Fla. & George W. in Shoemakersville,PA....Thanks again for your help. --Morris L Yoder, Havertown, PA
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This article by David Luthy is reprinted with his permission.It originally appeared in the Aug-Sep 1973 issue of 'Family Life'
TOWNS NAMED YODER SERIES
YODER, ARKANSAS
About three miles southeast of Stuttgart, the county seat of Arkansas County, Arkansas was the village of Yoder Station. It was named for Jacob Yoder who was born on Dec.4, 1838 at Huningue, France just across the border from Basel, Switzerland. Jacob's parents were Amish. In 1858 at 20 years of age Jacob immigrated to America, settling at the Amish settlement (now extinct) in Fulton, County, Ohio. He married there on Dec.16,1860 to Susan Nofziger and lived there until 1869 when he and his wife moved to Hickory County, Missouri.
It was in 1882 that a number of Amish-Mennonites from the church in Hickory County, Missouri investigated land in Arkansas County, Arkansas. One family moved there that year and several other in 1883, including Jacob Yoder.
Soon after the Amish-Mennonites settled in Arkansas County, a railroad was built from Stuttgart to Gillett in the south part of the county. The tracks ran across the Jacob Yoder farm. A station was built and named "Yoder Station. " Soon the community around the station began to grow. There was a train depot, a post office, and four general stores. Two blocks from the station the Amish-Mennonites built a frame church house. And the country one-room schoolhouse not far away was named the "Yoder Station School. "
YODER SCHOOL--This picture was taken in 1904 by the teacher. This same building (with improvements) is still standing today and is used as a community center.
The Amish-Mennonites of Arkansas were a progressive group and later joined the (Old) Mennonite Church. Jacob Yoder was their leader, being a bishop. In 1912 he moved to Pryor, Oklahoma. Two years later he died and his body was returned to Arkansas for burial beside his wife who had preceded him in death.
By 1920 the Amish-Mennonite congregation at Yoder Station, Arkansas became extinct when the families moved to Albany, Oregon and Pryor, Oklahoma. The church house was torn down board by board, loaded on a railroad car at Yoder Station, and shipped to Pryor, Oklahoma where it is still being used today by the Mennonites there as an educational building.
The reasons why the Amish-Mennonites left Arkansas are not easily discovered today. It is believed that when rice was started to be grown in the area and required Sunday work, the Amish-Mennonites decided to move away. The rice required water pumped from wells 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the irrigating for rice came the unwelcome mosquitoes. Some say that drove the Amish-Mennonites away. Records also show that there was inter-marriage with the German Lutheran neighbors. This was likely one reason why the Amish-Mennonites sought a new location.
When the Amish-Mennonites left Arkansas they sold their beautiful prairie land for probably $50 an acre. Today it is worth close to $1,000 an acre--if it can be purchased at all. Today a train passes through the Yoder Station community once a day, but it no longer stops. All the store buildings have been torn down except one which is used as a furniture upholstery shop. The Yoder Station School still stands as it was built around 1885 and is used as a community center.
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MORE OLD WORLD LINKS FOUND
Joseph Ioder of Bureau Co, IL.
In YNL #5 we described the immigration and identified the parents of Joseph Ioder who settled in Bureau Co, Illinois in 1836. Due to the research of Karl Joder and his compatriot Ottmar Jotter in West Germany and Switzerland, we are now able to complete his ancestry, back to its origins in Steffisburg.
Joseph Ioder (1805-1857) was, as previously stated, the son of Josef Joder (b.7/15/1776 auf den Horbacherhof, Gemeinde Hinterweidenthal) and his wife Maria Katherina Germann. Josef was the son of Christian Joder (b.1732 auf den Salzwoog), an Amish-Mennonite preacher in Annweiler Tal, and his wife Maria Steinmann (who died 4/18/1808).
This Christian Joder was in turn the son of another Christian Joder (b.2/15/ 1691 in Steffisburg) who married Anna Maria Clauss. In the YNL #2 article by Lois Ann Mast, entitled European Yoder Research, he can be seen among the family listings of Steffisburg Joders as 9.I.(4).
You'll notice that two generations back is the Caspar Joder and Margret Henning whose marriage, record is included in this issue. (Note: did you all notice the coincidence of their marriage being on our country's birthday...4th of July, albeit 180 years early?).
The descendants of Joseph Ioder are, to our knowledge, the only Yoder cousins in the US today who spell their name Ioder. Do you ,our readers, know of any others?
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WILLIAM WESTFORD YODER (1860-1928)
(Photo)
From Camille Yoder of Houston TX comes this photo of her husband's ancestor, William Westford Yoder who immigrated from Brown Co., IN to "Indian Territory", OK before the turn of the century. William was a great-grandson of the founder of the North Carolina Yoders, Conrad Yoder.
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LATE NOTICE: A Joder (Jost) coat-of-arms picture, in color, 8" x 10". of good quality and suitable for framing. $8.50. Order from A&M Enterprises, R D #l Pequea PA 17576.
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NEW YODER BOOK AVAILABLE
"I Shall Pass This Way But Once" is the name of the 256 page paperback book written about the Enos M. Yoder (1883-1966) family. It includes their direct line of ancestors, their descendants, and excerpts of letters written by Anna Beschy Yoder, second wife of Enos. These letters, arranged in chronological order, give us a glimpse of what life was like during the Depression of the '30s and how they handled it. It covers a span of 50 years, sharing their joys, sorrows, humor, travel, etc. The price is $7.00 plus $1.00 mailing costs, Martha Schlabach, P. 0. Box 230, Kalona, Ia. 52247
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"Allentown Morning Call", Jan.12,1903 contributed by Ken Hottle
STEINBURG STUBBS
STEINBURG- Jan. 10, -William Mory and H.A. Yoder of near here caught four raccoons last Saturday in J.D. Eberhard's grove. They took three out of one tree.
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Christian Yoder (Aug.18,1833-Aug.2,1888)
From Shirley Collins of Matamata, New Zealand, came this photograph of her great great Uncle Charles Christian Yoder taken in Ootacamund, India. His wife was Mary Symons of Cornwall, England. From our birth records of Switzerland Yoders, the newsletter found a Christian Joder, born in Steffisburg on Aug.18,1833 to Christian Joder and Elisabeth Heil of Thungschneit. Sounds likely... can any of our readers confirm this was he?
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FREE HOW-TO BOOKLET ON FAMILY REUNIONS
This 26 page booklet covers research and organization, planning, and in general touches on everything you'll need to know about holding a family reunion. Great for the beginner and plenty to offer those who have more experience with reunions. For a free copy of "Gathering the Generations' write to Family Reunion Guidebook, Better Homes and Gardens Family Network, P.O. Box 10237, Department P. Des Moines, Iowa 50336
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ANOTHER YODER FAMILY HISTORY
David V. Yoder and Katie J. Schrock Family History by David S. and Polly D. Borntrager. The book is about 140 pages and the price is $4.00. Copies may be ordered from Lester P. Graber, Route 2, Pinewood Road, Nunnelly TN 37137
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LANDS OF JOHN YODER OF BERKS COUNTY. Parcel A contained 178 acres and 138 perches. It was warranted to John Yoder 24 Nov 1784. Parcel B contained 76 acres and 140 perches. It was warranted to John Horn 4 Aug 1750. Parcel C (not drawn) to the northwest contained 5 acres and 75 perches. It was applied for 1 Oct 1766 but no name is indicated on the survey. These parcels are found on Survey No. B-2152, dated 8, 9 Dee 1784. A previous survey (A-53-295) exists for Parcel B and another (D-53-171) exists for Parcel C.
Andrew Lytle, the Surveyor, noted that Parcel A had very poor land. It is manifest John Yoder bought Parcel B from John Horn and warranted Parcel A just prior to this resurvey.
This is the John Yoder who was the believed son of Widow Barbara. (See the article in YNL #2, Revelations From Barbara Shirk's Wills for discussion).He was born in 1732 and died in 1804. He married an Anna who was born about 1740, and they had ten children born between 1763 and 1782. This family was one of the few Amish families to remain in Berks Co, when others moved away.
We are again indebted to John Mark Slabaugh, Uniontown,OH for this map and the research into these property records.
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DANIEL J. YODER AND LOUISA MILLER REUNION
Received a report from Ray A. Yoder, of Arizona City, AZ, of the annual reunion of the Daniel J. Yoder and Louisa Miller descendants was held on July 19, 1986, at Canby OR. There were about 70 attending.
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**********************QUERIES*********************
FRENI JODTER m. Peter Klopfenstein 1/14/1768 in Montbeliard, France. Who were her parents, brothers and sisters. Any info appreciated. ROY C PRESSLER, 1107 W 3rd , North Platte, NE. 69101
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Ancestry wanted for KATHERINE YODER (3/6/1831- 6/4/ 1893) ml. Henry Oakley. m2 Joseph C. Zehr of Lewis Co, NY. Moved to Ontario, East Zora Am-Menn congregation. ALSO would like ancestry of Susan Miller wife of DAVID C. YODER, son of Bish. Christian Yoder Jr. of Somerset Co. PA. Reply to: Bruce W. Jantzi, RR#2,Wellesley, Ontario, Canada, NOB 2TO.
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SAMUEL FRANKLIN YOTTER- b. Germany 1864. m. Emma King. d. Kansas City, Mo. 1889. Who were his parents and siblings. Does anyone know something about this family? Patricia G. Watkins, 104 Melody Lane, Slidell, Louisiana 70458
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Ancestry wanted for ANDREW B YODER b. 5/16/1843 PA. m.Ada L Morton d. 5/28/1916 St. Louis,Mo. Reportedly broke off with family (Am./Men.) after going to fight in Civil War. One brother in PA known to have been named Levi. Any info or clues to: Allen L. Yoder, 1608 E Republican #4, Seattle, WA 98112
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Who was SAMUEL YODER of Berks Co. PA. married Hannah Cleaver. A son Walter C. was born 1880 in Pleasantville, PA. Need family history & ancestry. Leonard Yoder, 107 Balsam Dr., Waynesville,NC 28786
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Info wanted on DAVID YODER m. Lavina Lesher in OH had children Dallas, Willis, Lottie, Vera. Please reply to D R Yoder,1745 Wilson Ave,Arcadia,CA 91006
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LEVI BRIDES YODER b.10/12/1849 in W.Va. m. 5/16/1867 in Markleysburg,PA to Emma Rilla Reckner. Children Thomas, Milton, Olive, James Walter, Albert,Ben Franklin, Wm. Lee,& Sidney Harvey Patterson Yoder. Any information would be appreciated. Reply to John W. Yoder, RD#3, Box 370, Cogan Station, PA 17728
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Who were ancestors of ADAM DANIEL YODER b. 1868 in Berks Co. PA. m.1887 Sallie Ida Emes in Berks Co. Reply to Mrs. Mary Gofus, 1424 Friedensburg Rd. Reading, PA 19606
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What was ancestry of ADAM YODER,b. 28 Feb l818 in Pa. d.26 May 1858. Married 1843 Harriet Isanhart (1821-1911). Residents of Seneca Co, OH 1850. Please reply to: Warren Yoder, 314 Maple Dr., Schertz,TX 78154
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What was ancestry of ABRAHAM YODER d.8/1/1879 Locust Twp, Columbia Co, PA m. Catharina Troutman. A son Daniel Yoder (?1847-1929) m. Sarah Ann Long 1871. Jean L. Newell, 660 Boas St.Apt. 1708,,Harrisburg,PA 17102. Same info wanted by Charles Yoder Jr,RD#3 Box 441A,Bath NY 14810
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My grandparents JACOB H. YODER (b.Oct.1857) and wife Louisa of Boyertown,PA...appear there in 1900 census. What was his ancestry??- Harry D. Yoder, 200 - Orchard Hills Dr., Boyertown,PA 19512
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ELIGA YODER, b.Ju1.9,1803 d. Jacobs Church, PA m. Anna M. (1811-1885). Resided in Pine Grove,PA. Son Abraham (1833-1909) who m. Amanda Sterner. Who were Eliga's Yoder ancestors?? Reply to Robert J. Yoder, 69 Amherst Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005
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ELI REED YODER b. Sep. 1850 resident of Pine Grove Twp, Schuylkill Co.PA. Possible son or grandson of Elijah Yoder b.l800 shown in 1850 census for Pine Grove Twp. Can you help with info?? Reply to John L. Yoder, 721 Frann Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753
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Needle in a haystack? CATHERINE JADRY (listed as daughter of Chretien Joderen and Louise Clement) b. 1782 in Florimont. m. Jean Rich of Liebsdorf or Liebenstein, France. Catherine d. March 1862 at Liebsdorf. Any info OR advice on how to proceed?? Reply to Marylou von Rotz Byrd, 1367 Kintyre Way, San Jose ,CA 95129.
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What was the ancestry of FRANKLIN YODER (b.Oct.1853) who m. Elanore Gable and resided in Hegins, Schuylkill Co.PA??? Reply please to: Ruhl W. Yoder, Valley Stream Apts G-103, Lansdale, PA 19446
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Who was Magdalena b 9 July 1761 and m. Christian Yoder, b. 3 Dec. 1761. Christian was son of Yost Yoder and Catherine Lyster. Willis and Doris Yoder, 4349 SW Lakeview Blvd. Lake Oswego OR 970Y4
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Seek birth, marriage, death dates & places for Casper Yoder who was father of Annie Yoder (who married Jacob Kulp 29 June 1768) and son of Hans (John) & Anna Yoder. Reply to Mrs. Ellen Chestnutt, 718 Pioneer Lane, Colorado Springs CO 80904,
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Everyname indexes are available for two publications by Paul V. Hostetler Of Hamden CT, BISHOP JACOB HERTZLER and His Family published in 1976,THE THREE ZUG (ZOOK) BROTHERS Or 1742 published in 1982 .The indexes, $3.00 each, are photocopied and can be taped to the back cover of Mr.. Hostetler's publications. Order from Ken J Heeter, 711 Beretta Way, Bel Air VD 21014.
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BISHOP CHRISTIAN YODER JR CEMETERY FUND ...In YNL #6 we described the progress of the effort to restore the cemetery of Bishop Christian Yoder Jr. of the Glades congregation in Somerset Co, PA. This plot has come a long way... from a farmed over piece of ground destined for the strip mine, to a nicely kept grave site with a new marker flanked by two dwarf evergreens. The final touch planned is an enclosing stone wall. Thus far, 75% of the estimated cost for the wall has been raised.
As an inducement to contributors, a copy of The Reuben Yoder Family and its Ancestry (a $6.75 value) will be sent to anyone donating $15 or more to the effort. This 157 page booklet contains full descendant information on the youngest of Bishop Christian's sons, and much historical data and family documents on this Yoder line going back to the arrival of "Schweitzer" Christian and his father in Philadelphia on Sept. 21,1742. The remaining copies of this booklet, by YNL editor Chris Yoder, will only be available in this manner until the goal for construction is reached.
Contributions by persons wanting the Reuben Yoder booklet should be sent to: Christian Yoder Cemetery Fund, c/o 203 Lakeshire Rd.,Battle Creek, MI 49015. This will assure prompt shipment of your copy.
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CHRISTIAN V. AND MATTIE J. (MILLER) YODER REUNION
On July S. 1986 the reunion of the descendants of Christian V. Yoder and Mattie (Miller) Yoder was held at the farm of William Yoder on the County Line Road southwest of Nappanee IN. Christian V. was the son of David C. Yoder who went to KS and David C,. was the son of the third Christian from the Amish immigrant, Christian Yoder of 1744,(sic-1742)
Attending the reunion were from AL, CO, PL, IL, IN, MI, OH and KS. Rachel Kreider and Ben F. Yoder, of the Yoder Newsletter, attended as guests. Rachel presented a chart showing the lineage of Christian V. and Mattie which supplemented the chart made by Enos D. Yoder of Sarasota FL who also was in charge of the affair.
A book of the family record of Christian V. and Hattie Yoder's descendants was compiled by Levi and Elva Knepp and Alvin and Adelaide Fry, all Of KS. It was distributed at the reunion. Good food, hospitality and enjoyable fellowhip was enjoyed by over 150 in attendance.
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PETER AND NANCY YODER REUNION
130 descendants gathered at the Crossroads camp at Rolla North Dakota on July 22-25. Expenses were paid by an auction which consisted of items made by the members. Time was spent swimming, horseback and pony riding, fellowship, trips and singing and was enjoyed by all.
States represented were Iowa, Indiana, Arizona, North Dakota, Montana, Florida, Colorado, Kansas and Minnesota.
Peter Yoder came to North Dakota in 1895 at age 21 by train to his homestead southeast of Mylo which was later built in 1906. Nancy came from Bertrand in 1894 in a covered wagon. They were married in 1897 on November 7 and raised twelve children. They celebrated their 50th and 60th anniversaries with all children present.
This family is thankful to have been blessed with good health and were able to get along with what was provided and can still enjoy good times together. (this information was provided by Sylvia Martin, one of the daughters, who sent a letter)
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SEVENTEENTH MOSES H. YODER REUNION HELD IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN
The seventeenth reunion of the Moses H.Yoder family was held Aug. 8-10, 1986, at Camp Fort Hill near Sturgis, Michigan. or the possible 910 living Yoders on the family tree (by birth, adoption. marriage) only 82 made it to at least one session. They came from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas.
Old photos, etc. were on display. Several family albums and scrap books provided acquaintance with absent ones. Orpha Cooprider Hershberger, Mrs. Ezra, of Goshen is continuing her search into the past as one of the older grandchildren of Moses H. Yoder and she was responsible for the most of the memorabilia. The oldest living grandchild, Steven Yoder, now at Greencroft, Goshen, was not able to attend. His son, Harold Yoder, Goshen, was the Master of Ceremonies for all the sessions.
On Saturday afternoon an auction of donated items, handmade and otherwise, was lots of fun, providing activity indoors while it rained and funds to pay for the camp facilities. Few folks took the talent show in the evening seriously but everyone enjoyed the singing of Terry and Judy Yoder, he from a wheelchair.
In the Sunday forenoon fellowship, Homer Yoder, a great grandson and pastor, gave an appropriate devotional meditation on the family. His father, Clarence Yoder, of Middlebury, informed us of his parents, Ezra and Susan Yoder. J. Otis Yoder Of Breezewood PA had done considerable research in the Indiana-Michigan area where his father was born and in Somerset Co., PA where his mother was born and presented a paper on Levi and Ella Yoder, his parents. Time did not permit the histories of two other Moses H. Yoder children to be given, so they were turned into seed for the next reunion set for 1988 at Midland MI.
The third updated revision of the Moses H. Yoder Genealogy was on sale. Cassettes Of the historical presentations from the previous reunions are still available.-- Mrs J. Otis Yoder, Breezewood PA
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NEWS HERALD- Perkasie, Pa June 25, 1986
YOTHERS FAMILY HOLDS 63RD ANNUAL REUNION
The Yothers Family 63rd Annual Reunion was held Sunday, June 15 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Spinnerstown, with 76 family members in attendance. John (Yothers) Hunsberger of Smith's School Road, Perkasie, president of the group opened the business meeting.
Pastor David Miller, Quakertown, asked the blessing before the 5 p.m Pennsylvania Dutch meal.
The president then awarded the following prizes to the couple married for the longest--Pastor Abram W and Mary (Trauger) Yothers of Perkasle, 59 years.
The youngest child was David L Yothers Jr., 8-months old, son of David L . and Arlene ( Geissinger) Yothers, Soudertown.
Jim Yothers, Hatboro and Leisle Benner, Perkasie, were the winners of the traditional guessing game.
Jerry and Sue Hunsberger and family of Liberty, PA, drove the greatest distance to attend the family gathering.
The immigrant of this family was Hans Joder or John Yoder, Sr., and 1717 is likely the year in which he settled at the Great Swamp near Coopersburg. Many of his descendants are buried in the Saucon Mennonite Cemetery, Coopersburg.
The earliest record of John Yoder, and his wife Anna, state that on January 17, 1720 he bought 99 acres from Joseph S Growden at Great Swamp in Richland adjoining Jacob Clemmer and George Bachman. The land is located north of Route 663 at Portzer Road.
John Yoder, Sr. had two sons, John Jr. and Casper. They may have had more children, but records were not kept of women's maiden names so they were hard to identify.
John Yoder Jr's farm was located next to the Saucon Mennonite Church., Upper Saucon Twp, Lehigh Co.
Casper Yoder bought his father's 99 acre farm in 1750 in Richland Twp.
In 1772 he bought a 131 acre farm in New Britain Township, later known as Vauxtown. Casper Yoder sold his farm to his son Jacob Yoder in 1781 for 467 pounds.
Jacob Yoder changed his name to Yothers (year unknown) and all the Bucks County Yothers are his descendants.
Jacob Yothers and his second wife Barbara (Fretz) Yothers are both buried in the Doylestown Mennonite Church's Cemetery, where they were members.
The following officers were elected to the association: President, Jacob Hunsberger Perkasie; Vice President Bob Yothers, Glenside; Secretary - Treasurer, Alverna Y. Yothers; Historian, Richard J. Yothers, Jr., Boston Mass.
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ANNUAL FAMILY REUNION HELD-Aug.13, 1996 Hickory Daily Record
The 36th annual reunion of the Yoder family was held recently in the fellowship building of Zion Lutheran Church at Rt. 1, Hickory.Albert F. Yoder of Conover presided at a business meeting which followed a covered dish meal attended by several hundred guests.
A memorial service was held for 30 members of the family and allied branches who have died during the year. Six births and nine marriages were also noted.
Daisy Yoder Lantz, 86, was recognized as the oldest person. Kurt Sheridan Yoder who was born June 9 was the youngest member of the clan present. He is the son of Mr.and Mrs. Ted (Dona) Yoder of Hickory.
Copies of a map of Catawba County, which were surveyed and designed by the late Dr. Robert A. Yoder in 1886 , were distributed. Dr. Yoder (1853-1911) served as the first President of Lenoir-Rhyne College. An index to the "History of the Yoder Family in North Carolina" by Dr Fred R. Yoder was also available for sale.
"Yoder's Popcorn," a brand of corn which is raised and marketed commercially in Topeka, Ind., was exhibited. Samples of the gourmet product were on hand for sale.
The Rev. Frank Yoder of Decatur Tenn., delivered the benediction. A retired Baptist minister, Yoder is a grandson of Eli Yoder who emigrated to Tennessee from Lincoln County in the 19th century.
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