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by Helen V. Yoder
Jacob Joder, son of the Immigrant Jost Joder and wife Elizabeth, was born in 1735 in the Oley Valley , Berks County, Pennsylvania. He was only seven years old at the death of his father. At the age of 22 years, Jacob enlisted in the Provincial service of Pennsylvania on November 6, 1757. He was a saddler for three years in Captain John Nicholas Weatherholt's Company. He was stationed in Heidelberg Township, Northampton County in March and April, 1758. (PA Archives, 2, ser., vol.II)
Jacob served in the American Revolution as a private in Peter Nagle's Company and later in Captain Charles Gobin's militia, Colonel Joseph Hiester commanding, August 10 to September 9, 1780. He was in a detachment of the Sixth Battalion to guard prisoners of war from the Hessian camp, Reading to Philadelphia. (Source of information - Keim and Allied Families.)
Jacob Joder married Maria Keim who was born in November, 1734 in the Oley Valley of Berks County. Maria was the daughter of the Immigrant Johannes Keim and his second wife, Maria Elizabeth. Johannes Keim, the pioneer of the Huguenots to the Oley Valley, was born about 1675 near Speier, Rhine Valley in Germany and came to America around 1707. Excellent sources of information on the Keim family can be found in KEIM AND ALLIED FAMILIES by DeB. Randolph Keim; and the HISTORICAL REVIEW OF BERKS COUNTY, Volume XLIX, Number 3, Summer, 1984, published by the Reading, PA Historical Society. Also Dr. Don Yoder, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, published "THE ORIGINS OF THE OLEY VALLEY YODERS" in the Yoder Newsletter, Issue No. 5, April, 1985. Of the immigrant brothers, Jost and Hans, Dr. Yoder is a descendant of Hans.
From tax lists in the Pennsylvania Archives, Jacob Joder was found living in Rockland Township of Berks County in 1767. In the third series, Volume 18, page 10, Jacob owned 74 acres of land. In 1768, Jacob owned 160 acres, 2 horses. 5 cattle, and three sheep. In 1784, he owned 200 acres, 4 horses, 8 cows, 11 sheep and 8 persons were living in the household.
Jacob and Maria Keim Joder had 12 children. The births or baptisms have not been located but the children are listed in Jacob's will in Volume 4, page 214 in the Reading, PA Courthouse. The date of the will is March 12, 1803, probated on March 14, 1804. The wife, Maria, is not mentioned so she must be deceased in 1803. His estate is divided into twelve equal portions. The children were l Daniel; 2 Peter; 3. Johannes; 4 Abraham; 5 Jacob; 6 Elizabeth Graeber; 7 Catharine Anstat; 8 Magdalena Anstat; 9 Esther Barto; 10 Mary Mensch; 11 Grandchildren of my deceased daughter, Susanna Herner; and 12 Grandchildren of my deceased daughter, Barbara Oyster. It was through obituaries that the dates of birth were found on some of these children.
The son, Daniel was born in 1758 and died May 1, 1822 He married Esther Hoch (High), daughter of Rudolph and Marie Hoch of Maidencreek Township. In the 1790 and 1800 Census of the United States, Daniel Joder was living in Rockland Township. Their children were 1. Jacob; 2. Maria, married Daniel Ziegler; 3. Samuel; 4.Elizabeth, married Johann Reppert in 1809; 5.Esther (1789-1873); 6 Susanna, married William Weidner; 7 Catharine (1792-1858) married Martin Landis in 1821 - died in Waterloo, Michigan; 8. David, married Catharine Weidner - in 1850 census was living in Varick Town, Seneca County, New York with children David, Jr., Caroline, Hanna, Isaac, Nathan, Daniel, Ellen J., William H , Oliver, and Henry; 9 Hannah (1802-1879) married Jacob Weidner (1796-1884) 1 son and 3 daughters. Daniel's (1758-1822) will is dated May 22, 1820 and probated in 1830 The executors were son, Samuel, and son-in-law, William Weidner. The 130 acre farm was sold to Jacob Veidner for $2,600.
Peter of Rockland Township married Anna Oyster on August 17, 1784 by Rev. John William Boos, pastor of Schwartzwald Reformed Church in Exeter Township, Berks County, PA. Peter died intestate according to the Orphans Court of Reading, PA, dated January, 1818. He left a farm of 156 acres in Pike Township, his widow, and the following children: 1 Daniel, born on July 15, 1789 in Berks County, moved to a place near Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, PA in the year 1825. In 1850 he went to Pottsville, PA and died there on December 3, 1871 Daniel married Mary LaRosa in 1815; 2. Hannah, married Abraham Mensch; 3. Esther, married Daniel Focht; 4. Elizabeth, married Abraham Strohm; 5. George; and 6. Mary; and 7. Sarah were minor children at the death of their father. There was also a deceased son Benjamin.
The son, Johannes was born in Rockland Township in 1763 and died October 26, 1847 in Richmond Township. He married Fronica Emmerich (daughter of Herman and Hana Baral Emmerich) on December 23, 1788 by Rev John William Boos of the Schwartzwald Reformed Church. The children born to this marriage were: l. Hanna, born June 30, 1789; 2. Maria, born August 27, 1790; 3. Jacob, born June 27, 1792 married (1) Lydia Brown and (2) Catharina Ernst. The children of Jacob and Lydia were Maria (1815-1849) married Benjamin Kelchner; Amos (1816-1893) married Elizabeth Moyer; William (1820-1890) married Susanna Strunk; Johannes (1821-1871) married Elizabeth Schmehl; Isaac died in infancy; and James (1824-1865) died in the Civil War. The children to Jacob and his second marriage to Catharina Ernst were Sarah, Daniel, married Susanna Gerhard, Catharina, Esther, married Thomas Wenrich and Benneville. Jacob moved to Heidelberg Township (Wernersville) around 1840, died there in 1861 and is buried in Hain's Cemetery. 4. Johannes was born June 19, 1794 and died June 12, 1854, married Magdalena Breyfogel and had 12 children (Mrs. Robert Yeatman, 627 Flamingo St , Philadelphia, PA 19128 is a descendant and her husband has done considerable research on the Yoder lineage. The author is grateful to Bob for his faithful correspondence and valuable information ) 5. Catharina, born November 15, 1796; 6. Abraham was born in 1799 and died in 1826; 7 David (1804-1851) married Mary Levan - 11 children - Daniel Yoder, M.D. Of Catasaqua, Lehigh County, PA; Alfred; Thomas Biery Yoder; Hannah; William Henry; Sarah; Elizabeth Rebecca; Mary Jane (married William Faulk); Jacob; Peter John (1849-1885); and Margaret Alice. David and Mary Levan Yoder moved to Lehigh County (Whitehal1 Township) in 1834, and are buried in Christ Church Cemetery, Shoenersville, Lehigh County. (Richard Yotter of Lititz, PA contributed the lineage of David and Mary Levan Joder. Dick is a valued genealogical friend. Also Mrs. Florence Gordon of Walnut Creek, California is a direct descendant of David and Mary Levan Yoder's daughter Sarah and is a sharing genealogist). The 8th and last child of Johannes and Fronica was Christina, born February 7, 1807 and died August 30, 1889 and was married to Peter Merkel.
The son, Abraham - there is no documentation on Abraham. An Abraham of Rockland Township married Elisabetha Breyvogel on September 26, 1802 by Rev Boos. Since the family of Jacob and Maria Keim Joder are the only Joder's living in Rockland Township at census, this is probably the correct Abraham.
The son, Jacob was born November 6, 1772 and died July 30, 1837. He married Anna Maria Bertho (Barto)(1777-1838), daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Barbara Maurer Bertho. On May 5, 1815, ten of their children were baptized at Christ Mertz Lutheran Church in Dryville, PA. Maria was born March 12, 1798; Johannes was born August 8, 1799 and died August 29, 1800; Sara was born November 26, 1800, died November 1, 1856 and married Henrich Heffner; Reuben was born May 6, 1802; Jakub was born February 2, 1804 and died April 26, 1826, age 23; Christina was born November 13, 1805; Lea, born May 29, 1807; Elisabeth, born May 8, 1809; Gideon B. was born March 28, 1811 and died February 18, 1893 (buried in Spies Church Cemetery); and Catharina was born July 1, 1813, died August 13, 1875, married her first cousin, Benjamin Angstadt - 18 children, 8 sons and 10 daughters. The last child born to Jacob and Anna Maria Bertho was Benneville on December 19, 1821. The author's source of information other than the baptisms at Christ Mertz Lutheran Church was the death notice by Rev. Isaac Roeller of Sarah Joder, wife of Henrich Heffner and daughter of Jacob Joder and Maria Barto. Also the Reading Historical Society lists a run down cemetery on a private farm at Lobachsville with the tombstones of Jacob and wife Maria and sons Johannes (1799-1800) and Jakub (1804-1826).
The daughter, Elizabeth was born on February 18, 1755 and died in January, 1842. Evidently Elizabeth was the first born child of Jacob and Maria Keim Joder. Elizabeth married Ludwig Graeber (born November 29, 1752), son of Andreas Graeber at New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, Montgomery County, PA on July 21, 1779. Two known children of this union were l Andreas, born July 2, 1780 and 2 Elisabeth, born June 25, 1783.
The daughter, Catharine was born in 1766, Rockland Township, and died May 12, 1837. She married Abraham Angstadt on February 20, 1787 by Rev. Boos. Abraham was born on December 5, 1764, the son of Johannes and Anna Maria Kolb Angstadt. He died on October 5, 1842. Catherine and Abraham were the parents of five children: 1. Elisabeth, born July 30, 1787 and died on April 2, 1877 and married John Moser on September 1, 1816 (microfilm #31, Reading Historical Society); 2. Susanna, born on January 26, 1790, died in 1850 and married Jacob Hertz; 3. Magdalena, born October 19, 1799 in Rockland Township, died May 23, 1857, married Johann Hamsher; 4. Hannah, born October 14, 1803, died December 26, 1865, married Jacob Frederick; 5. Benjamin, the only son, was born March 8, 1807, died August 30, 1879, married his first cousin Catharine Joder, daughter of Jacob (Catharine Joder Angstadt's brother) and Maria Bertho (Barto) on March 23, 1831. EIGHTEEN CHILDREN were born to this marriage. The lineage of Catherine Joder and Abraham Angstadt has been researched and contributed by Elayne E. Rickmers (Mrs. Harold James Rickmers) 436 E. Walnut St., Kutztown, PA 19530.
The daughter Magdalena was born in 1764 and died on September 25, 1857. She married Jacob Angstadt (1760-1821) of District Township on April 23, 1788 by Rev. Boos. Magdalena was the author's clue that Maria Keim was the wife of Jacob Joder as they were stated as the parents of Magdalene in her obituary by Rev. Isaac Roeller. When Magdalena died in 1857, she was survived by six children, 88 grandchildren and 126 great grandchildren. The children born to Magdalena and Jacob Angstadt were as follows: 1. Jacob Angstadt; 2. Henrich, born May 20, 1789 in Rockland Township, married Catharina Scheurer, died May 6, 1856 and had six children (Elayne Rickmers of Kutztown, PA is a direct descendant); 3. Maria, born November 12, 1792, died September 19, 1868, married Dewalt Bieber and had 11 children; 4. Catharina; 5. Sarah; 6. Elizabeth, born December 22, 1798, died November 20, 1884 and married John Hilbert; 7. Christina, born August 6, 1806, died April 26, 1883 and married Johan Berter (Barto) - 16. children were born to this marriage all in Rockland Township; 8. Barbara (or Deborah); 9. William Angstadt; 10. David Angstadt; and 11. Nathan Angstadt. Again, this ancestral tree was supplied by Mrs. Elayne Rickmers)
Jacob and Maria Keim Joder's daughter Esther married Isaac Bertho (Barto), son of Isaac and Elizabeth Barbara Maurer Bertho on January 14, 1794 by Rev . Boos at Schwartzwald Reformed Church in Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. No further information is available.
Daughter Maria (Mary) married Hans Nikel (John Nicholas) Mensch of Oley on February 27, 1798 by Rev. Philip Pauli of the First Reformed Church of Reading, PA. The transcriber of Rev. Pauli's records seemed to have all of the Joder names misspelled as Gotter. There is no further research available on this marriage. It was found many times in this generation of Joder's that the name was spelled Jotter as well.
The daughter Susanna married Henrich Horner (or Herner) of Exeter Township on April 23, 1782 by Rev. Boos. Susanna was deceased at the time of her father's death in 1803. The names of the grandchildren were not given in the father's will. A second marriage was found on Henrich Horner on June 4, 1798 at Schwartzwald Church to Catharina Bohm of Amity Township. A son, Henrich Horner, was baptized by Rev. Boos at 11 weeks of age on November 24, 1800 - the sponsor was Johann Wilhelm Boos .
Daughter Barbara was also deceased at the time of her father's death and will. Again the names of the grandchildren were not listed in the will. Barbara married Johannes Eister (Oyster) on January 7, 1784 by Rev. Boos. A descendant of Johannes and Barbara Joder Oyster is Mrs. Ann Cunin Hillis, 191 W. Bayton St., Alliance, Ohio 44601. Mrs. Hillis has made many fine contributions to the Yoder Newsletter. Johannes Eister (Oyster) was married a second time to Esther Beckli on April 10, 1796 by Rev. Johann Vilhelm Ingold. Two known children born to Johannes and Esther were 1. Hana, born July 19,1798 and 2. Daniel, born December 20, 1799.
Researching the Yoder ancestry has been comparable to a giant puzzle. It was exciting. The repetition of first names was most frustrating. It was absolute Joy when the mother's maiden name was used for the middle name of a newborn child. The author specifically remembers searching for the will of the direct descendant Johannes (1763-1847) in the Reading Courthouse From the German script, I was able to decipher the names of Johannes and Fronica. How many people could there be with those combined names? It was pleasing to find what I thought to be a different name for Fronica Emmerich who married descendant Johannes. After having the German will translated at the Lancaster, PA Mennonite Historical Society, it was not our Johannes and Fronica at all It turned out to be Johannes and Fronica Rickenbach Yoder of Amish lineage but from the Oley Valley.
Through the Berks County Genealogical Society, Box 777, Reading, PA 19603, I have made many valuable contacts in researching the family line. An index of members names is published along with the surnames being researched. And the Yoder Newsletter is an asset, as well. My husband, Daniel white Yoder and I retired to Venice, Florida (1232 Pine Needle Rd.) three years ago after having lived our entire lives in the Reading-Lancaster, PA area The research in genealogy never ends as there are constant corrections and additions.
What Me write a YODER Genealogy?- A Recipe for Home Consumption
All it takes is a typewriter, dedication, and a xerox machine. Are cousins of your grandfather still living? You'll be surprised how easy it can be (with a little elbow grease and some postage) to put together a descendant directory which covers five or six generations (be sure to gather addresses as well so you'll have a market when you are through). Mix in some anecdotes from your senior Yoder members (don't be sorry later you didn't tap the memories of these family treasures). Add some old family photographs, diary extracts, and family records (you'll find these grow as others become interested in what you are doing). Then track back the ancestry of your beginning Yoder couple--YNL can help if you are serious). Be prepared to take a year or so of patient and persistent effort. Stir it all together and you'll end up with one of the nicest dishes anyone can provide their family -- a piece of its heritage preserved and lasting for generations!
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"CAFE YODER" in Montbeliard, Alsace,France. Anabaptist Yoders were in Alsace by the 1690, fleeing persecution in their native Switzerland. Carol Stauffer of New Breman, OH (barely visible in front of the cafe) kindly shared this photo from her 1985 trip.
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Reprinted with permission of the author and "The Budget", 1984.
Excerpts from the History, Life, and Faith of the Amish and related groups by Leroy Beachy
Nearly every person who pursues a particular interest for any length of time uncovers an object or remembers an occasion which merits preservation after the chaff has been winnowed away. The Samuel Yoder letter is such an item, and may be of special interest to the thousands of his descendants.
Samuel Yoder was the Bishop of an Amish congregation in Germany at the turn of the Eighteenth Century. He is most readily identified to many as the father of Michel Yoder who immigrated to America with wife and two small sons in 1825. The letter, dated February 19, 1806, was written from Ramersberg, a village in the German state of Hesse to Samuel's relative, Christian Yoder, in America. An English translation of the German letter follows.
"Grace, Peace and Mercy in Christ Jesus, his beloved Son, who has called us to his Heavenly Kingdom. I wish to my beloved cousin, Christian Yoder, and to his beloved children and siblings (brothers and sisters), a friendly greeting and it is my heart's desire that you will request in your prayers to the Beloved God that he may, in Grace, forgive and remit our many sins. I am also minded to prevail for you in as much as the Lord lends me grace in my great weakness.
Further, my beloved cousin, that which you wrote to me on November 10,1804 we received on July 8, 1805, and I and my children greatly rejoiced that we received news from our beloved cousins, At the most I rejoiced that my letter I found alive my two dear old cousins who showed their love in sharing the news of loving friends.
I learned from your letter that there is still a large family of Yoders, for which I rejoice. In Germany, here in Hesse, I am the only one. I have two sons and five daughters. The sons are still single. Three daughters are married. Two are yet single, with whom I keep house. My loving wife died nearly three years ago and in March I will be sixty-five years old. Of my father's brother, John, one son is still living and lives in the Palatinate yet. So near has the family of Hans Yoder died out in the Palatinate.
For all those under French control it looks bad since the non-resistant church is severely oppressed. Because of the evil war they must be included in the lot and if one is struck he must furnish a man or he must go to war himself. There are many changes taking place in Germany and the rent situation is so bad that we can scarcely rent a farm and hardly know where to go.
I wish that my children were with you. For myself it is no longer worthwhile as I hope my pilgrim journey is near its end. Also the passage fare is too high for us to pay.
If you wish to write to me again sometime, make the address to George Yutzi on the Mitteldorf in Hesse Cassell and the Felsberg community, then to Samuel Yoder, then I will receive it sooner. I think I will finish now. Have patience with my poor writing; it was done in love. I had the misfortune of dislocating my shoulder and my right arm is lame, which you can see. I and my children again extend a friendly greeting, with the Lord's peace. Also I greet the ministers and elders in the church of God, which stand with us in one faith, in baptism, the Lord's Supper and footwashing, herewith obeying God and his rich word of grace, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Written the sixteenth of February, 1806 by your loving friend, Samuel Yoder, of Remersberg in Hesse."
The letter poses an interesting question: who was the Christian Yoder to whom the letter was addressed? Samuel's use of the word "cousin" ("Vetter" in German) was probably used much like we would use the word " Freundschaft. " It is common in Germany to use "Vetter" as a colloquial expression to denote a reasonably close relative, including first cousin but not as near as brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece. Samuel did not use the word to describe his father's brother's son; his true first cousin. So then the Christian Yoder may not have been a first cousin of Samuel's, but still a rather close relative. A second clue concerning this Yoder relative is that he was one of "two dear old cousins," old enough that Samuel seemed mildly surprised that he was yet found alive." One may think immediately of the two Christian Yoders who arrived.on the ship Frances and Elizabeth, on September 21,1742, but the older of these two would have been about 100 years of age if he had been alive in 1806, which is quite unlikely and the younger Christian had died by 1781 so it could not have been him. Perhaps the most likely candidate is the Christian Yoder (OAG 1298) who had Barbara Holly for his second wife and is believed to have been the son of the older immigrant Christian. This Christian Yoder lived until 1816 and was around eighty years old at the time of Samuel's letter in 1806, which for those days was certainly a ripe, old age. There is no real clue as to who the other of the "two dear old cousins" may have been, but one would suspect the two were brothers. This Christian did have three brothers, all of which were younger than he, and one whose death date is known, lived until 1813.
Since the discovery of this letter in 1977, both European and American experts on Amish genealogy have tried to determine the exact relation of Samuel Yoder and his "beloved cousin Christian" but there seems to be no conclusive solution at this time, only a number of possibilities. In one such possible solution, this Christian appears to be a second cousin of Samuel Yoder's father, Jacob.
The letter, which was found near Charm, Ohio in a shoe box full of collected papers, is a copy from the original, made in 1886 by Samuel's grandson, Jacob M. Yoder (OAG 3055). If the original was available to be copied a hundred years ago, it may be that it still exists in some other collection among Yoder descendants in the Charm area. If so, we would be glad to learn about it.
The over 200 year-old Bible of first generation Amish Yoder immigrant JOHN YODER is owned by his descendant Ben Yoder of Mohrsville PA. We are very grateful to Ben for sharing copies of the old family records contained within it. An extract is presented below followed by the description of the family as recorded in the Amish and Amish Mennonite Genealogies by Gingerich and Kreider .
John Yoder (1732-1804) m. Anna (Berkey?), 1740- ? ) parents of:
Barbara 6-28-1763-6-11-1798
Veronica 8-9-1764- ?
Anna 10-26-1765-12-29-1843
David 9-5-1767-?
Elizabeth 6-29-1769- ?
Magdalena 8-2-1771-3-13-1850
John 12-22-1773-1853
Sarah 3-1-1776- 1812
Catherine 2-25-1779-7-15 1807
Jacob F. 4-13-1782- ?
FROM THE EDITORS
Ben F. Yoder, Goshen,IN Managing Editor, Chris Yoder, Battle Creek,MI Historical Editor, Rachel Kreider, Goshen,IN, Contributing Editor
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LAZINESS!! We mentioned in the last YNL that we would be working on the second index of submitted Yoder history sheets. Well, we haven't finished it and are still in that condition.."working on it".
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED!! If you have access-to the US Census records and some time to contribute, we could use your help in two basic ways. First, there are several ancestral queries each month that require some census digging to try to piece folks' heritage together. Second, we want to gradually compile a full set of Yoder census data among our on-hand records. We have made an excellent start in this with the work of Dorothy Coffman on the early Pennsylvania records (see ad elsewhere in this issue) and through our own on-going efforts. We are only infrequently able to visit an archive to continue this work, however. If you can help out, please write: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015.
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YODER PENNSYLVANIA CENSUS EXTRACT AVAILABLE: -- All Yoder names and records, including variant spellings from 1790,1800,1810,1820, & 1830 Pennsylvania census compiled into a single extract. Over 60 pages, at cost for copying and mailing $7.50. For 1840 Pennsylvania and Ohio (15 pages) for $3.50. Order from Mrs. Dorothy Coffman, 30 Grouse Road, Malvern, PA. 19355
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TINA YOTHERS (of the TV show FAMILY TIES) was presented a "Girl Hero" award by the Girls Club of America on Feb.27. This award was in recognition of presenting a "positive and appropriate role model" for American girls. Ms. Yothers is a descendant of a grandson of "Hans Joder of Great Swamp" who applied the spelling "Yothers" which remains in that line to this day.
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"Macon County's original 11 Mennonite families are now 83, with 350 to 400 members. More than 80 percent are dairy farmers, and more than 60 percent are named Yoder."
From an article in the July 27,1986 "Atlanta Weekly" about the Mennonite settlement in Macon County, Georgia.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
"This summer we visited the community of Yoder, Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley. The house originally built by my grandfather is still there, as is the sawmill (still operated by Yoders) which was built by my grandfather's brother Jonathan. He also built the Yoder Store in 1915, and it is still in operation as a genuine country store (they have nice "Yoder Store" T-Shirts)
"Since moving to Florida in 1970 I have found quite a clan of Yoders in the Sarasota area... they operate a couple of restaurants guaranteed to fill you up with Pennsylvania Dutch fare."
--Douglas Yoder,Coral Gables,FLA
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"I really had some chuckles over the article on 'Yoder in Japanese', Issue #5,p.2, Apr.85. Ours is essentially an Oriental culture here and whenever, invariably, I talk to someone on the phone, they get YODA out of it. So when I walk into the shop they are surprised to see a Haole (Caucasian) instead of the Japanese they were expecting. I have found out that is, in a very real sense, an icebreaker and there is a closer feeling between us. The Japanese get a kick out of it too."
--Paul E. Yoder, Waneohe,HI
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" There is one place that I do not agree with book "PA Amish and Amish-Mennonite Genealogies". It gives the birth and death dates for Mary Sommers (Summers) (wife of YR1462) as 29 Sep 1786- 21 Mar 1861. On the grave marker at the Yoder Cemetery between Bellefontaine and West Liberty, OH where they are buried it reads 1785-1864."
-- Betty V. Yoder, Sanford, FLA
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STORY OF A STARK CO.,OHIO ALSATIAN YODER FAMILY
My great-grandfather Christian Yoder had two sons. One died when 16, kicked by a horse. My grandfather, Peter Yoder, had four sons. Forest C. was my father. I was the middle one of 6 boys and 3 girls. My wife and I have 3 sons and 1 daughter, 16 grandchildren, and 11 great-grand children. My father Forest was killed by lightening on a load of hay, July 1,1913 at age 38, leaving my mother a widow. She continued to run the farm, raise the family... all turned out successful in their lives. One older brother, Joe, was Stark Co Auditor for 32 years. I started my own business Mar.1,1930 with 2 used cars and body and paint shop in Louisville. I acquired the Oldsmobile dealership 1935 and sold out in 1980. I still continue to operate the (Yoder) airport as a retirement hobby. In the future if you visit the R E Olds Museum in Lansing, MI you will see two fine old cars with the Yoder name on as the donor. (1940 Olds Hydromatic Coupe and 1904 Oldsmobile Runabout)---Russell W. Yoder, Louisville
OH (Editors note: See YNL#7 Article on Stark Co Cemetery... It appears that Mr. Yoder's g-grandfather (1811-1897) may have been preceded by two other Christian Yoders. One mentioned in the cem. article (1787-1869) and another whose 1824 will (Stark Co Rec.A p75) left his property to John Gerber and Christian Yotter Jr.)
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You can obtain a map of Amish Immigrant Land Grants of Berks County PA. A large 37 x 66" map of all known immigrant Amish homesteads in Berks County has been produced by John M. Slabaugh who has supplied maps for the Yoder Newsletter several times.
This map is available for $7.50 postpaid from:
Abner F. Biler
176 North Hollander Road
Gordonville PA 17529
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Yoder Popcorn Company was begun in 1936 by Rufus T. Yoder (1899-1977), when he was encouraged to sell popcorn to the produce markets in Chicago and Indianapolis. Contacts in these markets had resulted from delivering produce grown on the family farm near Shishewana, Ind., owned by Rufus's father, Tobias V. Yoder (1870-1969). Since 1969, when Rufus retired, the responsibility of the business was assumed by his children, Larry R. Yoder, now President, and Pauline Yoder, and a corporate partner, Leonard Penner who serves as Vice-Pres.
Since Yoder Popcorn began, nearly all of its popcorn has been ear-harvested with a corn picker--the "old fashioned way". Whole ears are picked in the field, stored in a crib to dry naturally during the winter months and then shelled in the spring after the kernel has had time to harden and the moisture level has dropped. This method is in contrast to harvesting with a modern combine which picks and shells the popcorn in the same operation during the fall harvest when the kernel is still wet and soft. Harvesting popcorn by combine greatly increases the risk of kernel damage which may result in partially popped and unpopped kernels. To insure uniform moisture, Yoder popcorn is conditioned in large bins with moisture levels controlled by computers which use only natural air in the conditioning process. The kernels are then graded, cleaned by air, polished by special brushes, and electronically sorted to enhance the appearance and achieve an optimum pop. Yoder's careful choice of hybrids, their constant supervision of the growing process, harvesting methods, conditioning, cleaning. and packaging produces a product that will pop consistently and leave very few unpopped kernels.
For many years, the company was primarily a supplier of popcorn to repackers and to the concessions trade. In 1972, Yoder Popcorn began packaging popcorn under its own name and servicing the retail grocery trade by its own delivery system in northern Indiana and central and western Ohio. In Michigan it has been marketed through brokers. Marketing however has been very regional--primarily northern Indiana, Michigan and parts of Ohio. Even today, the packaged popcorn sales is less than half of the sales and the remainder is sold in 50 pound bags by truckload lots. Effort is now being made to expand the packaged market in both volume and geographic areas. To complement popcorn, additional popcorn related items such as special salts and savory flavors, popping oils, home and commercial poppers have been added to Yoder's product line.
The popcorn processing plant is located in the center of the large northern Indiana Amish community four miles south of Shipshewana. Over the years local residents came to the plant to obtain their supply of popcorn which resulted in maintaining a small retail outlet. As northern Indiana tourism has grown over the last fifteen years so have the number of customers to the small retail outlet that has now been expanded into a "Country" Popcorn Specialty Shoppe. Featured in the shoppe is a free sample of "Tiny Tender" popcorn which has become Yoder's specialty item. "Tiny Tender" is the small grain popcorn that comes from the tip of the ear and has gained popularity with the local residents as a very tender popcorn with less hulls. In addition to popcorn. the shoppe features popping oils special salts and savory flavors popcorn poppers plus Indiana produced products including hard candies, pickles, honey, corn husk dolls special popcorn recipe books, etc.
In February. 1986, Jane and Michael Stern released a nationally syndicated article entitled "A Taste of America" featuring Yoder Popcorn that appeared in the food section of approximately 100 newspapers from coast to coast. They had visited the popcorn shoppe as tourists, but had not identified themselves to the owners. Nearly 2,000 inquiries were received from the publicity, which prompted the expansion of the mail order business. Popcorn and related items are now being shipped daily to all parts of the country,
If you are interested in YODER POPCORN please write for the mail-order information which includes a complete product and price list. Write to the YODER POPCORN CO., INC ., RR#1 Box 126, Topeka IN 46571 or call (219) 768-4051.
The Swiss Reformed Church in Steffisburg Switzerland. It is here that the Joders worship as did many generations before. This church was renovated during the last years for Steffisburg's 850th anniversary. Carol Stauffer of New Bremen OH was kind enough to share this for our readers.
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The man who has not anything to boast of but his illustrious ancestors is like a potato, --the only good belong to him is underground. --Sir Thomas Overbury
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An attractive 8xl0 inch colored photo of the Jost Joder (1428) coat-of-arms would make an attractive wall item. The colors are blue and gold. The cost is $8.50 and can be ordered from A & M Enterprises RD#1. Box 231-A Pequea PA 17565. (This crest is present in the Swiss Reformed Church in Steffisburg).
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Who were the parents of JACOB YODERS, (?1805-1881) who married Phoebe Gordon and resided in Greene and Washington Cos. PA? Please reply to John E. Yoders Jr., 521 Hahaione St 2-18H, Honolulu, HI 96825
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ALFRED CHARLES YODER (9/13/1850- 12/25/1915) b. in Coal Brook Twp,Berks Co,PA ml. Katie B. m2. Harriet Ann Roth. Resident of Shamokin, PA. What was his ancestry? Had siblings John b.3/6/1857 Douglas Twp, Jeremia b.4/ 28/1861 Exeter Twp, and Messiah b. 10/22/1863 Spring Twp, Berks Co.Reply to Wm.E Yoder, 380 High St., Souderton, PA 18964
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Any info wanted on family of JACOB JODER m.l685 Verena Kauffman, PETER JODER m 1684 Miss Stahli and CHRISTIAN JODER m.1684 Barbara Gerber... 1690 suspected Anabaptists. Sons of Yost Yoder and Anna Trachsel of Steffisburg. Their children's residences, etc. John M. Byler, Rt 4, 16137
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A quilt was inherited from the Jacob Eschbach Yoder estate. The quilt was handmade and contains the following inscription in one corner "made by W. Steiner in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, 1849" Can anyone identify this W. Steiner? --Reply to: Col Robert A Yoder, 2451 Brookshire Dr., Schenectady, NY 12309
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DAVID YODER, b. about 1830,Amish farmer and carpenter, married Elizabeth in Logan Co.,OH. Moved to Holmes Co. where his first wife died about 1865. He m2. Martha Kendall and went to Milford Ind. There he m3. Mary J. Drake on l/10/1878 in Stark Co.,IN. Then moved to Nappanee,IN. Children: Anna, Malinda, Sena, John, & Nehemiah. Reply with ancestry to : Janet Meservy, PO Box 704, Mira Loma, CA 91752
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READER CHALLENGES
In a prior issue we presented a number of Indiana marriage records and challenged our readers to identify the ancestry of the folks involved. Grace (Mrs. Ora) Yoder and Keith E. Yoder won the challenge by identifying Elizabeth Yoder who married Henry Smeltzer and the Jacob H. Yoder who married Barbara Shriner as the children--of Samuel and Margaret (Holdeman) Yoder. Samuel was a great-greatgreat grandson of Hans Yoder of Great Swamp: (see YNL#3). This issues' challenges are based on the 1850 Census records for Yoders not presently identified within our records. If you can establish the ancestry of these folk, please respond to- YNL Challenge, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek, MI, 49015:
OHIO-(foreign born Yoders listed in YNL#4 are not repeated)
Carroll Co-William Yoder age 60b.PA:Mary age 50b.PA;James age 18b.0H;Joseph age 16b.PA.- son Wm.
------age 23 listed separately
Coshocton Co.-Josiah Yoter age 36b.PA;Elizabeth age 23 b.OH
Fairfield Co.-Drusilla Yeoder age 28b.PA
----------------David Yeoder age 28 b.OH,Nancy age 25b.PA.
Holmes Co.-Christian Yoder age 65b.PA;Mary age w 55b.Germany
Huron Co-Margret Yutter age 18b.PA (res. with Daniell Farkner & wife Margaret both b.PA ages 24 &20
Knox Co.-Christopher Yoder age 27-Margaret age 25; Joseph J. age 9; Elizabeth M. age7; jacob M. age
----------5; Lucinda age 2. w.Margaret Cannon age 56; all b.PA
Medina Co.-Wm.Yuder age 30b.PA-Catherine-28 b.PA;Mary age 6b.0H;Barbary age 4b.0H;?Amos age 2 ----------b.OH.
Mahoning Co.-Henry Yutter age 42b.PA- Susanah ago 39b.PA; Abraham age l9b.OH; Elizabeth age ---------------16 b.OH Nancy age 13b.OH;John age 9b.OH;Henry age 7 b.OH
Miami Co.-Abraham Yatter age 17 b.OH (in fam. of Joseph Bombgardner age 65 b.PA)
Seneca Co-Adam age 32 b.PA (see entry in queries)
Stark Co.-Elisabeth Youter age ll or 14 b.German in family with Gus Schreader age 50b.GY and wife -----------------Catharine age 52 b.GY
Van Wert Co.-Jospeh Yoder age 24 b.PA carpenter; Charlotte age 20b.0H
Wayne Co.-Zephaniah Yoder age 33b.PA; Elizabeth age 30 b.PA (with Margaret Bollinger age 26b.PA)
ILLINOIS
Stephenson Co-Joseph Yodar age 26b.0H; Polly age 25b.0H; Sarah 3b.0H;Jerimiah age 2b.0H; Christian -----------age 2/12 b.ILL (believed the Joseph Yoder who married Polly Robinson in Stark Co,OH in 1846
Winn Co. -George Yoder age 21b.PA cabinetmaker
Sangamon Co-John Yoder age 24 b.PA blacksmith; Ann age 24 b. Germany
Madison Co.-Henry Yoder age 74 b.PA; Elizabeth age 51b.KY Silas age 15 b.IN;with Lewis Lynch 15 -------------KY
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Survey, dated Aug.26,1763, of Berks Co.,PA land (54 1/2 acres) given by John Yoder (1700-1779, son of immigrant Hans of the Oley line) to his son Samuel (died by 1774). This and other property records supplied by Glenn F. Yoder, E. Greenville, PA, helped clarify several points within our early Oley records. These records appear to confirm that the Peter Yoder (d.1809) who married Eve Levan (on 12/7/1762) was apparently the brother of the above Samuel and held this same acreage in trust for Samuel's minor son George after Samuel's death.
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HENRY YODER CEMETERY
There are a good chunk of YNL readers who are descendants of Henry Yoder (1756-1829) and his wife Catherine Detweiler. The son of Yost Yoder of Lancaster and Mifflin Co, PA (the Yost who m2. Maria Sevier),Henry purchased land in Elk Lick Twp., Somerset Co.,PA originally warranted to his father on Oct.18,1785. His cemetery and location of his old homestead north of Salisbury, are shown on this map provided by John Mark Slabaugh. The original gravestones have been replaced by descendants, but it is understood that Mr. Bender, present owner of the property, has them in safe keeping. ****************************************************
Yoder Estate on the island of Kauai, Hawaii
--photo contributed by David and Cindy Schultz.... taken during their honeymoon visit to Aloha state.
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THE JACOB ESCHBACH YODER FAMILY
After the Civil War, Jacob E. Yoder (1838-1905), the 8th of 16 children of a Mennonite family, went from the state normal school at Millersburg,PA to superintend the establishment and operation of schools for the negro in the Lynchburg, VA area. This position was a difficult one requiring a person of exceptional character and spirit. His wife, Anna Whitaker, a descendant of Roger Williams, was also a missionary sponsored by the Northern Baptist Church. The black schools were incorporated into the city system in 1871, and Jacob served as their supervisory principal until his death. The Yoder building on Jackson Street in Lynchburg, now a recreation center, was named in his honor. (Jacob E.- Jacob M.(1804-1854) -Abraham (1761-1836) -Casper (1720-1781)-Hans of Great Swamp (ca. l680- C1753) (see YNL#3) Portrait complements of Col. Robert Yoder, Schenectady,NY.
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INJURED IN RUNAWAY.
Two Young Ladies of Kutztown Hurt On Saturday
Miss Rebecca Barto and Miss Tillie Yoder,both of Kutztown, were considerably injured in an exciting runaway which took place near there Saturday evening. They were returning from Dryville Church and riding in a carriage drawn by a horse owned by William D. Yoder, proprietor of the Washington House. Between Lyons and Kutztown, the horse took fright at a small wagon used by boys in gathering walnuts, and ran away. Both the young ladies made desperate attempts to check him. Miss Yoder fell out and was dragged about a square, and when she was released one of the wheels passed over her body.
Miss Barto pluckily held to the reins. Retaining her presence of mind she let go one line and pulled hard on the other. In this way she ran the horse into an embankment along the road kicking and demolished the dasher. He also kicked Miss Barto on the right arm fracturing it. By this time assistance arrived and the horse was subdued. Miss Yoder was cut and bruised all over the body from being dragged along the road. Both the young ladies were assisted to their homes.
"Allentown Morning Call", Oct.13,1903
contributed by Ken Hottle
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