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David Schultze was a surveyor in Montgomery County PA active for more than 60 years in the 18th century. He kept extensive diaries which are now in the possession of the Schwenkfelder Historical Library at Pennsburg. Schultz travelled widely among the Germans of eastern Pennsylvania and his diaries are a wealth of information abut that community. He wrote letters for many of his fellow Germans who had not the education to do so themselves. Interestingly enough, the diaries show Schultz was in contact with each of four separate immigrant Yoder Lines . These are the Lutheran Yoders of Oley Township (YNL#5, p.1), the Mennonite Yoders of Bucks/Lehigh Co. (YNL#3, p4), Melchoir Yoder (see YNL#3, p. 1) of Montgomery County, and Conrad Yoder who had moved to North Carolina.
The specific entries give clues to the links between these families and add several important facts about them. We'd like to thank Yoder researcher Dorothy Coffman of Malvern PA for providing copies of this information. We'll list the applicable entries (merged from excerpts printed by both the Schwelkenfelder Library and the Montgomery Co. Historical Society)
20 Nov 1750- Went to Great Swamp and surveyed for Herwick Ackerman, Zwiewitz & HAMSEL YODER in Saucon Twp.
8 Jun 1756- Went to Oley, laid out 2 private roads. Ran lines for Knapp, Lesher and John YODER.
13 Feb 1769- Wrote letter to Germany for I. Jacob YODER, wrote, letter to Germany for Melchoir YODER, Melchoir Yoder aderat.
26 Feb 1769- Jacob YODER was here.
27 Feb. 1769- Melchior YODER was here.
28 Sep. 1774- John Jacob YODER was here and I wrote a letter to Conrad JODER in Carolina.
29 Sep. 1774- John Mayer arrived from Carolina on the 6th after 20 days march with a letter from Conrad JODER.
13 Jun 1780 Johann Jacob JODER from the Schulkill was here.
24 Jun 1780- Letter to Conrad JODER and John Eckel via Heileg via Lobwesser via J. Wyant in Carolina
25 Jul 1782- Sent letter to Conrad YODER in Carolina with Michael Weidener
25 Jul 1782- Old Hansel YODER on Upper Saucon, d. earlier this year, in March or April.
1783- Abraham YODER buys land Douglas twp., Montgomery Co.
22 May 1786- Surveyed 10A of John Heists land on the "Manor" for Abraham YODER.
26 Jul 1786- Jacob Hittel brought a letter from Conrad YODER in Carolina.
1790- after the entry for March-Conrad YODER in Carolina also died this year in April or May
--- sent letter to Johann Jacob Yoder beyond Skippak.
COMMENTS: The Hamsel/Hansel Yoder of Upper Saucon is the immigrant forebear of the Mennonite line, and the data on approximate date of death is new to us. The Abraham is a grandson of his who is buried in Bally, PA.
The John Yoder mentioned in the 1756 Oley reference is of the Oley Lutheran line, probably the son of the son of the immigrant Hans Joder.
The timing of the entries implies a relationship between Melchior and the John Jacob Yoder. The entries which show both sending letters to Germany imply their point of immigration may have been Germany.
The entry which links a letter to Conrad to a visit by John Jacob implies a relationship between these individuals (we have had notes from the North Carolina family which claim Conrad first visited with a brother in PA named Jacob before moving to NC.(Have no real details or substantiation at the YNL)
The entry on Conrad's death has been the source of the approximate date of his death for the NC Yoder family.
Daniel Yoder Will Provides Clues to Origin
(Thanks to Richard H. Yoder, Sr., of Bechtelsville PA comes an important early will (also from the Schwenkenfeler Library)
Signature & seal of Daniel
"Daniel Yoder of Upper Hanover (Montgomery Co.), but now of Hereford Twp. in the county of Berks, Batchelor" Heirs include his beloved cousin John George Lahr";"my fathers sister Mary Sturtzmann; Philip Lahr"; "and to Elizabeth, the wife of Davide Schultze" (the surveyor?); "to my beloved Cousins, John Jacob Yoder and Melchoir Yoder and John Herblein (sp); Magdalena Rauchin (sp); and Rosina Shelton (sp). John George Lahr was the executor. The will was written 20 Apr 1783, and witnessed by Johannes Roeder and Abraham Mayer. It was translated by David Shultz June 7, 1784.
One interpretation of this will would be that Melchoir and John Jacob Yoder were brothers. (Dorothy Coffman has supplied a Union Co., PA will dated 8 Apr 181 3 by Jacob Yoder of Centre Twp. In this will, Jacob leaves his estate to his nephews Peter, Jacob, Melchoir and John, the surviving sons of Melchoir Sr. Jacob made his mark in front of the witnesses, which is consistent with his having to have had Schultze write letters to Germany for him. The will was filed 5 Aug 1816)
The will leads to defining a family group which can be drawn as shown below. It is very possible that finding the Old World origins for one of these non-Yoder "cousins" will mark the origins for Yoders as well.
--------------------____Yoder
--------------------m.-____________________
--____________________________________________________
--|-----------------------|----------------------|----
--Mary-Yoder----------____-Yoder-----------_____Yoder
--m.-Mary-Stutzman---m.-?Lahr-?Hirblein-----------|
------------------------------|------------------____-|______
--------------------Daniel-Yoder-------------|----------------|
--------------------b.-?---d.-c1784----------Melchoir----John-Jacob
---------------------------------------------b.c1735
--
cousins: John Geo.Lahr, John Herblein,Other heirs: Peter Lahr, Eliz. W/o David Schultze.
In the early immigrant ship lists there is a Daniel Joder shown who "qualified" Oct. 27, 1764, arriving on the ship "Hero" from Rotterdam. He's not otherwise identified among the early Yoders.Could he be our "bachelor" of this will? Very possible. Our Daniel "Yoeder" showed up in the tax lists of Upper Hanover Twp., Philadelphia Co. in 1769. He is listed again in 1774. Both times he was charged with no tax.
Thee 1790 census shows Melchior Yoder and Jacob Yoder in Montgomery Co. about 25 names apart in the listing.
Research into the Lahr line shows several points of interest. In PA, members of the Lahr family moved into Northumberland Co. at about the same time Melchoir Yoder's family moved there. By 1850, there were Lahrs in Tifflin, Seneca Co., OH matching where some of the Melchoir's descendants appear to have settled.
Further research by Richard H. Yoder reveals that Maria Yoder Stutzman was the wife of Martin Stutzman and s resident of Hereford Twp. The estate of Martin was dated Feb. 21, 1759 and mentioned children: Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherina, John George and Philip. Richard believes that Maria remarried Philip Lahr. A 1794 Register of Wills entry for Martin Stutzman identified George Lahr, stepson, as sole executor. Philip Lahr is shown as die intestate in a record dated 13 Apr. 1801 . His children were not named. A 21 Apr. 1800 administrative index for Philip Lahr of Hereford Twp. was issued to George Gaub and George Steinman, sons-in-law.
The 1790 census shows Philip and George Lahr one after the other in Hereford Twp. Directly before them is "Widow Steinman". A George Steimnan is several names down.
The 1784 registry of Registry of Wills for Henry Rauck of Hereford Twp. named his wife e Magdalena (Rauchin is the feminine German for the Ranch surname). It also gave George Lahr as executor and brother-in-law.
A YNL correspondent of several years ago wrote about her ancestor Jacob Stutzman (believed to have married a Barbara Yoder) who came to PA on the ship Nancy in 1752. He settled in Chester Co., then moved to NC and his sons went to Clark Co., IN by 1802. This course of migration follows closely that of Conrad Yoder's family. One John George Lahr is shown in the immigrant books as having arrived in PA in 1752.
Will these clues lead to breakthroughs??? Time will tell.
FAMILY STRINGS A HARMONIOUS TRADE
By Kathy Bold
Lee and Dorinne Yoder's living room is so filled with harps you ' ll think you ' ve died and gone to heaven . All that ' s missing are the angels. There are huge harps that tower 63 inches high and bear a wooden carving of the head of Michaelangelo's David. There are smaller harps, such as the 45-inch Leprechaun. There are assorted harp-shaped vases, ceramics and curios lining the walls and window sills.
"You might as well meet the whole tribe," says Dorinne, leading you past the rows of harps.
This is the unofficial showroom of Hidden Valley Harps. The Yoders make folk harps in the sawdust-filled garage of their large Escondido home.
Lee, 56, and his son Scott, 29, build the harps by hand. Lee designs and stains the instruments and Scott carves, sands and gilds them. Kristy, his wife, handles office and bookkeeping duties.
Dorinne, 54, a professional harpist for 32 years, has had a lifelong passion for harps that she has passed on to her family and her students.
"I was four years old when I first laid eyes on a harp" in a concert orchestra, Dorinne says. "I was the runt of my class and the harp was the biggest thing I ever saw. It towered over me. Right away I decided, I'm going to be a harpist."
She was so tiny, however, her parents could not find a harp small enough for her to play.
She took piano lessons until she was eleven years old, then re began playing the pedal harp while sitting on a stack of pillows.
A chronic heart and lung condition has made her fingers so numb that she can no longer feel the beloved strings. She can only play slowly, if she watches where her fingers move.
Dorinne first approached Lee about making harps for their three children in the early 1970s. Lee turned to Roland Robinson, an expert on the folk harp to find out where to buy materials and how to construct the instrument.
Lee made the harps and Dorinne taught the family how to play. The Yoders gave concerts as a quintet for several years.
When people saw the harps that Lee built, they wanted one, too. In 1975, the family officially went into business as Hidden Valley Harps.
That first year we went solo, he made and sold six harps."I said, "Lord, we can't live on six harps," Dorinne says, "The year after that we sold 26. So I laughingly asked Lee if he was ready for 52, and last year our order was for 60."
Scott, a carpentry major in college, tried five jobs in two years before he decided to help his father.
Father and son spend 50 to 150 hours making a single harp. They've built more than 250 harps and have a waiting list of three months.Their top-of-the-line is the Minuet, with its carving of David (a harpist in his day) wearing a gilded crown. The harp sells for about $3300.
The Yoders keep track of who buys their harps by sticking pins in a map of the United States. Their harps have found their way all over the nation and foreign countries, including Kenya, Mexico, West Germany, South Africa and Canada. "It's just as easy as piano. Both use two hands," she says. In addition, harps have colored strings so it's easier to identify the notes.
Adults as well as children come to her for lessons. "All the adults ask, "Do you think this is stupid?' when they show up for their first lesson," Dorinne says.
Most want to play for therapeutic reasons. One woman wrote "Mary's therapy" when she filled out the check for her lesson.
Her oldest student recently took up the harp at 78. "She loves music and wants to keep her fingers moving."
The wife of a millionaire from Rancho Santa Fe arrives at the Yoder home in a Rolls-Royce for her lesson and a pharmacist learns to play while on his lunch hour.
At Christmas Dorinne rounds up all her students- about 20 of them-- for an evening of harp music that draws people from all over southern California.
Dorinne also touts her ensemble of eighth-grade girls, who play their harps three or four times a month at public engagements all over the country.
They sound heavenly.
c. 1989, Escondido, California, Times Advocate. Used with permission.
INTERESTED IN A HARP
Possibly some of our readers might be interested in being a harpist. It could become a promising instrument for a child blessed with musical talent.
Anyone curious in this rare field of music will be pleased to receive full information by sending $1.00 and a SASE (business size) to:
Dorinne Yoder Hidden Valley Harps Inc. 1444 Calla Place Escondido CA 92027
Interesting information about Lee & Dorrine Yoder
Lee is the eighth child and seventh son of Felty D. Yoder and Amanda Beachy Yoder of Yoder, Kansas. His grandparents were David V. and Katie & Shrock Yoder on his father's side. Noah S. and Catherine Plank Beachy were his maternal grandparents. Lee has traced his family line back to Somerset Co. PA to early Yoder families on both his mother's and father's side. Isn't that called a double Yoder?
When we visited Yoder KS in June we went to a small family reunion in the Yoder School. Lee's father was one of ten children. Of these three are still living. His Aunt Edna who is 81 and his Aunt Ada who is almost 88 were there along with several cousins.
Lee's father Felty took his family from Marshall MI (where Lee was born) to Sheridan OR in the early 1940s. After high school Lee came to Los Angeles Pacific College. As my brother's classmate he came to our home to study. On seeing my concert harp in the living room he asked me to play for him. As time went by he kept coming to our home saying he would set the table and do the dishes for my mother if I would keep playing the harp. We dated for a year. During the summer he returned to OR to work in the lumber mills. When he came back to Los Angeles for his next year of college he was driving his 1949 two-door Ford. Knowing my harp would never fit in his car he had built a box trailer to the measurements of my harp. He took me out to see the trailer and then proposed. It was an offer too good to refuse! We will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary on Sept. 2, 1990. Our three children all play the harp. Our five grandchildren are all preschoolers, but one has played her first harp solo in church.
Lee's sister Zoella Yoder Hubble also works for Hidden Valley Harps, Inc.
THE MYSTERY OF CONRAD'S SON DANIEL BEGINS TO UNRAVEL
The YNL is glad to announce that, with the help of Hubert A. Yoder of Charlotte,NC, we have managed to "find" some more members of our family (who never realized they were lost). As mentioned in previous articles, three sons of Conrad Yoder of NC moved to southern Indiana in the 1810's.
Son Jacob and his descendants stayed around that spot for some time and are fairly well documented.
Son Elias (b. 31 Oct.1777) died not long after arriving in the state (estate admin 1817, Clark Co.,IN) Thanks to Lulu Vaughn of Bunker Hill, IL, the YNL has been able to share the birth dates of his children (YNL#10, pg 7).
Son Daniel, however, has remained pretty much of a mystery. According to the Conrad Yoder family Bible, he was born Jun.18, 1780. He appears in the Census for Indiana over several decades. Up to the 1850 census, only the ages and gender of household members are shown. No listing of the family members has been found to date.
Research into records in Indiana and Iowa have recently made it possible to sketch an outline of Daniel's family. Much remains to be discovered, but facts and speculations are presented below. Question marks are used when a placement is an educated guess.
(Data not presented here- See Daniel's family in Con2.doc- in Archival records for latest data)
Obituary for Paul V. Yoder, 81 as printed in the Hendersonville NC TIMES NEWS, April 6, 1990
Dr. Paul V. Yoder, 81, of Hendersonville and Edgewater, Fla., died Wednesday, April 4, 1990, at Lakewood Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. A native of Seattle, Wash., he had lived in Hendersonville County for five years. He was the son of the late Albert and Susan Griggs Yoder and husband of Roselyn Yoder, who died in 1977. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He earned a master's degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill., and received an honorary doctorate from the University of North Dakota. He was a composer and arranger of music, and composed more than 2,000 works for bands, including "Tiger Rag" for Clemson University. He also composed tunes for Walt Disney Movie Studios. He was instrumental in promoting band music in the Orient, which earned the title of "Father of the Japanese Band Movement". He was a member and past president of the American Bandmasters Association. He helped establish the American Bandmasters Research Center at the University of Maryland and the Journal of Band Research for which he was managing editor. He was presented the Commanders' Award of Public Service from the Army at an all "Paul Yoder Concert" on July 4, 1985. He was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame for Distinguished Band Directors at Troy State University in Troy, Ala., on Feb. 3. (1990) Survivors include a daughter, Lynette Berry of Hendersonville, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial service will be held at a later date in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Memorials may be made to the American Bandmasters Association, Dr. Richard Thurston, 111 Wyanoke Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78209; or Capa Capa Psi, Troy State University, Troy, Ala. 36091. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Director is in charge of local arrangements.
Genealogical lineage of Paul Van Buskirk Yoder
1. Conrad Yoder ( ?-1790) m. Christina Cline (2nd w.) ( ?-1772)
2 .Jacob Yoder (Dec. 13, 1767-1834) m. Catherine Dellinger (Mar. 6, 1782-1863)
3.Henry Yoder (Aug. 15, 1804-Dec. 17,1871) m. Ruth Ann Rader (May 24, 1813- Nov. 27, 1873)
4. William Henry Yoder (Mar. 22, 1845-August 17, 1921) m.Catherine Addie Buskirk (Feb. 9, 1846-Jan. 17, 1924)
5. Albert Henry Yoder (Feb. 15, 1866-Sep. 25, 1940) m. Susan Norton Griggs (Aug. 3, 1895-8-20-1953)
6. Paul (Van) Buskirk Yoder (Oct. 8, 1908-Apr. 4, 1990) ... Roselyn Niestradt Pease ( ?-Sep. 30, 1977)
The following item is presented with the permission of the LOUISVILLE (OH) HERALD, which appeared during 1988.
LOCAL OCTOGENARIAN IS PAINTER, SCULPTOR
By Rita Allen
When Jacob Yoder was growing up Amish, in Holmes County, 87 years ago, there was not much notice given his artistic talents. He did do some drawing on the blackboard in the one-room schoolhouse, but there was no opportunity to develop his ability in art. (To my surprise I heard that what he did develop was the best racing horse in the area pulling an Amish buggy!)
All his life he had a love of everything in nature--the hills, the trees, the flowers and the animals. These were the subject of his drawings from the age of six. Much later in life he began to work with oils and has won prizes at the art shows in Greentown and the Canton Art Institute. Ten of his most interesting oils depict scenes of the early days in Hartville, and these hang in The Pantry restaurant in Hartville for many years. Now, Jacob's son, Wilbur would like to have some of these oils as a matter of family history.
An art instructor at Kent State University recognized Jacob's talent and promoted sales of his work for several years. Later, Jacob became interested in sculpture - forming his figures in cement. He has done amazing likenesses of animals. In 1969, the Canton City Recreation Dept. asked him to help with figures at Mother Goose Land, where his sculptures can still be seen.
In addition to his love of art, Jacob has also developed skills in music - he plays the accordion, the harmonica, and "rattling bones" (or spoons). He has travelled and lived in several states, built his own house, worked at Congress Lake and drove a supply truck for the Canton City Schools.
Locally, some of Jacob's art work is displayed by his son, Wilbur Yoder, at Yoder's New Bulk Foods at 11097 Louisville St. NE (at the corner of Parks Rd. and State Route 153). Outside, some of Jacob's sculpture is evident, and inside there are paintings, an 8 X 11 mural, and sculptures of a raccoon, an eagle, etc. In everything,Jacob's love of the outdoors and its creatures can be seen.
Also do any of you have pictures, articles of furniture or tools that were used by our early forebears (Yoders)? Item printed in newspapers of old usually have many interesting experiences of events and things that should be shared by all of our readers. Send them in and we can have them printed for all to see. Such items used will be returned to you. Perhaps you might be able to write items of interest that would give all of us a lift--or a laugh-from incidents that happened years ago. Time has proven that the Yoder family is not without humor and tomfoolery, as well as being able to handle the more serious aspects of this life and meeting problems, as they arise, with a grin, wisdom, and tolerance. Try your hand and see if you can't give us a new look.
YNL LOSES A FRIEND -- KEN HOTTLE PASSES AWAY
Ken Hottle, one of the early friends of the YNL, died on Nov 21, 1989. His daughter Dorothy reports that he had a massive heart attack while drinking his morning coffee in his living room chair. Ken was a leading researcher of the Mennonite community in eastern Pennsylvania and has contributed several articles for the benefit of our readers. He remained on the look out for Yoder related items and periodically forwarded old news clippings which he felt would be of interest. Ken was a very careful researcher and his work is noted for its exceptional degree of documentation. Over the years of our acquaintance,Ken helped not only the YNL, but also many of our individual readers with their efforts He will be greatly missed
Richard H. Yoder of Bechtelsville, PA., and his sons, Richard A. and David, have done a yeomans job in assembling an excellent group of photographs of residences and ancient tombstones of the Oley Valley Yoders. With this issue, we will begin to share these and accompanying narrative in what will be a continuing series.
The map and key introduced here will be referred to over the course of many future issues.
OLEY VALLEY YODER SITES
provided by Richard H. Yoder
47 Bause Rd, Bechtelsville,PA 19505
Key of Locations on Map
A. Yoder School
B. Home of George Y. Yoder (1825-1896),sold to son Amos F., who sold to his sister Emma F. Yoder who married Benjamin Reichert
C. Home of Deborah Yoder who m. Peter Carl (dau. Of Abraham Y. Yoder 1827-1895)
D. Home of Manias Yoder(1845-1931) son of Solomon Yoder
E. Home of Augustus M. Yoder (son of Manias -D)
F. Home of Benjamin Yoder (son of Manias -D)
G. Home of Nathan Y. Yoder (18161892), his son Nathan R, his son Guilden G. Yoder (still in family)
H. Jacob Yoder/Maria Keim homestead (See YNL #9)
I. Home of James F. Yoder (son of George Y.- B)
J. Hans Yader (immigrant) homestead (see YNL# 10)
K. Home of Adam Yoder (son of George Y. -B)
L. Pleasantville Cemetery
M. Yost Yoder (immigrant) homestead
N. Home of Samuel Yoder (French and Indian War) his son George Yoder Sr. (1752-1833), his son William Yoder
O. Home of Margaret Yoder (1790-1880) (daughter of Daniel) m. Solomon Peters
P. Home of Sarah B. Yoder (1840-1908) (dau. Of David) m. To Al Guilden.
Q. Griesmer's Mill- built by Hans Yoder Jr. in the 1700s, rebuilt after 1847 fire (see YNL #11)
R. Oley Cemetery- Salem Reformed & Christ Lutheran Church
S. Site of the Oley Forge (originally built by Lesher, Yoder, Ross)
T. Hill Church Cemetery, Pike Twp.
Jacob Yoder and Maria Keim Homestead
The YNL #9 presented an article by Helen V. Yoder which outlined the family of Jacob Yoder .(1735-c1804) and Maria Keim (1734-by 1803). Jacob was a son of Yost Yoder the immigrant.The site of their homestead is identified on the Berks County Map as the letter "H".The farm originally contained 217 acres. The original house on the Jacob Yoder/Maria Keim property is at the far left in this photo. The Middle building was added when their son Jacob Yoder Jr. was married to Anna Maria Barto. The building at the far right is the last addition and is shown in a separate photo.This is a front view of the newest of the three buildings shown in the previous photograph. The property is on the road from Lobachsville to New Jerusalem, PA. The stone over the doorway says "Jacob Yoder, Mary Yoder, 1829" (which apparently is the date it was constructed). This building, now the main residence, has a wood shingle roof (unlike the other buildings which all have "Oley tile" roofs).These buildings are to the right of those shown in the last two photos. The one at right is the Spring House, and at the left is the Tanning House (Jacob was a tanner by trade). Further right and below the tanning house are four pits filled with stones. The surrounding ground is still colored orange and purple from the chemicals used in tanning.These "Hoists" are underneath the eves of the "spring house". Another set is below the eves at the rear of the original house (shown in the first photo).
QUERIES
SAMUEL YODER (2 Sep1826-13 Sep 1900) son of Caleb Yoder and Susanna Hochstetler. I was told that Samuel operated a store in Nappanee, IN but to date have no proof of this. If anyone knows more of this line, please reply: Gladys Eloise Cunningham,35237 Mt. View St., Yucaipa,CA 92399
Information wanted on a Frederick F. Yoder who was wounded in an Indian War. He was married to Annie Kalbash, and may have been born about 1870 (?sic) in the Berks Co., PA area.Reply to Richard A. Yoder, 47 Bause Rd, Bechtelsville, PA 19505
Who are the Parents of Mary Ann Yoder, b. Basel, Switzerland ,1822, emigrated to Stark Co.,OH 1840. m. Christian Conrad died 1875 in Wayne Co., OH. Sisters? Barbara m. Bishop Michael Schloneger and Fronica m. Peter Schumacker. Reply to Mrs.. Glen Mitchell, 5238 Taylor Rd., Norton, OH 44203
Anthony Dearduff, probated 9/7/1804, wife Mary, son Benjamin, daughters Christine Stelebarger,Mary YETTER, Catherine Fry, Agnes Fry, Margaret Dearduff, Elizabeth Dearduff, Exec. Son Benjamin, Mathias Lecinteler. Mary Dearduff, probated 2/11/1826, daughter Catey Fry, Grandson Benjamin Yoder,granddaughter Dinah Fry, Exec. Grandson BENJAMIN YODER, Both lived in Greenwood Twp.Mifflin Co., PA. WAS Mary YETTER above the wife of Ludwick Yetter/Yeater Jr. ? Who was Benjamin Yoder, and what was his ancestry- Reply to: Edward P. Yeater, 188-19th Ave S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 5559
Want info on NOAH YODER (born 1862 to Michael Yoder & Francs Keim) Married to Mary Jane Kaiser (or Kaser). Had daughters Laura,Irene,Grace, and Lillian. Reply to Eileen Yoder, Box 41, Berlin, OH 44610
Wanted ancestry of BENJAMIN YODER, b.8/29/18l7 d. 5/21/l899, husband of Brigitta Hausman, buried at Friedens, Oley, PA. Children: Frank, Wm.,Thomas, James, twins David and Jacob, Sarah, Mary Ann, Louisa, Emily & Amanda. Contact Marilyn Markley, School House Rd,MR 1, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Seeking Info on CASPER YODER.All l know is he married a Barbara, they had a daughter Annie,he died 1781, and was the son of Hans/John Yoder who was b. 1680. I believe the family was from around Great Swamp. Mrs. Ellen Chestnutt, 718 Pioneer Lane, Colorado Springs, CO80904 (Ed. note: we've sent her a copy of the YNL # 3 article on Hans of G.S. by late Ken Hottle.)
My great-great grandfather was GEORGE YODER (b.1842 PA) who married MARY A. MILLER and resided in Stephenson Co., II... Had son Effingharn Yoder. Can a anyone confirm or refute that George's father was PETER YODER who came from PA to Stephenson Co.? Reply to:Terry R.Yoder, 8242 Potter Rd., Davison, MI 48423
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! This marks our SIXTEENTH issue of the Yoder Newsletter. Many of you have been with us from the first. Others have come to know us more recently. Thank you for your continued patronage. We hope that the newsletter continues to earn your support with interesting content.We work hard to do so and to conduct the research which helps find ancestors for our "lost" Yoder sheep. Sincerely--Your editors.
Thanks to Edward H. Yoder of Scottdale, PA for this photo of the re-engraved tombstone of his great-grandfather Tobias D. Yoder (YR23972) who died Mar.24, 1897. (A different date is listed in the AAMG). Tobias was in the Civil War (Co A 10th Regmt PA Volunteers)
HICKORY DAILY RECORD Thurs., August 23, 1900
Yoder Meeting At Area Church
Approximately 180 people heard two former clan presidents recount traditions and lore associated with the family name at the 40th annual Yoder family meeting. The group assembled recently at Zion Lutheran Church .
Hickory native Richard E Yoder, who served as head of the group from 1978-81, related how the Yoder family came to gather each year on the second Sunday in August. According to the retired airline pilot the Christian message was taken across the Alps into Switzerland from Germany by St Joder whose feast day is celebrated as Sept. 16 on the Swiss calendar. Yoder suspects that the Yoder reunion may have been organized by its early promoters to parallel approximately the time of year associated with the patron saint. Yoder also spoke of a celebration which occurred in April 1894 at the John W. Robinson farm near Newton. Attracting between 2 500 and 3,000 people on horseback and in buggies and wagons, the event commemorated the contributions and sacrifices of early Catawba Valley pioneers. One of the featured speakers on that day was Col George M Yoder a noted public official, amateur historian and Richard Yoder's grandfather. A booklet which contains transcripts of the talks delivered by Col. Yoder and Judge Matthew L. McCorkle was obtained recently by Richard Yoder. An update on the descendants of Jacob, Elias and Daniel Yoder, who were among the younger sons of patriarch Conrad Yoder, was shared by Hubert A. Yoder Also a past president of the Yoder reunion, the Charlotte florist has devoted much of the last several years to the investigative study of several of the lesser-known family lines, particularly that of Jacob Yoder, who settled first in Clark County and later, in Monroe County, Ind. Ted M. Yoder, who has served as the current family leader for the last three years, will extend his term an additional year until a successor can be located. Other officers scheduled to continue for another year are L. Clement Hahn Jr, vice president Neal D. Wilfong, secretary; and Gerald M. Yoder, treasurer. In other business there were eight births, 11 marriages and 36 deaths noted in the various Yoder and Reep lines. Observing 50th wedding anniversaries during the year were Oliver T. and Joyce Jacqueline Yoder, Guy and Helen Yoder Cress and the Rev. L. Clement and Helen Yoder Hahn. Hahn was noted, also, for the 50th anniversary of his ordination Into the Lutheran Church ministry. Erica Diane Hoyle was recognized as the youngest person attending the weekend event. Born June 12, Erica is a daughter of Michael and Regina Yoder Hoyle. Florence Yoder 88 was the oldest guest participating. Hugh and Mary Rose Morris of Houston, Texas, were recognized as having travelled the greatest distance. Others from out of state included the Rev Frank Yoder of Decatur, Tenn., a retired Baptist evangelist who was accompanied by several family members. Mrs. Cecil Jones, 82 of Mobile Ala., marked her first visit to North Carolina by participating in an entourage to area homesites cemeteries and churches, including Grace, Daniels, Zion and Thessalonica. Michael B. Huffman, a Hildebran resident who is a lineal descendant of David Yoder, an early Plateau area cooper, was commended for his efforts in restoring the Thessalonica Baptist Cemetery located on Potts Creek near Grace Lutheran Church. Huffman also exhibited photos personal items and research data pertaining to the Yoder and Hoover families. The Rev. Larry Yoder professor of religion at Lenoir Rhyne College, delivered a prayer in tribute to the deceased members of the family. Later, Yoder spoke briefly about the centennial activities slated to occur at L-R adding that on Aug.31, an opening convocation will feature representative members of the four founding L-R families. One of the co-founders Dr. Robert Anderson Yoder, an area pastor and teacher, became the first president of the Hickory institution. He remained president for 10 years. The afternoon business session opened with a quartet composed of Hugh and Mary Rose Yoder Morris of Houston, Texas, Joyce Yoder Cockman of Troy, and Karen Perry Norris of Roanoke, Va., all members of the Gerald M. Yoder family of Rt. l, Hickory. J. Larry Yoder delivered the Sunday morning message from the Zion pulpit. A children's sermon which used puppets named "Mr. History" and "Jacob Yoder" stressed the significance of the Yoder family contributions to the work and ministry of Zion Church. A former church member, Marcus Yoder, who also served as the first mayor of Hickory Tavern, bequeathed a portion of his estate to the church. The narthex in Zion's old sanctuary was constructed in 1886 using Yoder's funds. Saturday evening, approximately 50 people attended a memorial service at the old Yoder cemetery to mark the bicentennial of the death of Conrad Yoder. A Swiss immigrant who settled in Catawba County around 1762, Yoder died in 1790 and was buried near his home overlooking the Jacobs Fork River. The patriarch was thrice married. By his first marriage to Christina Cline, Yoder fathered three sons: John, Jacob and David. No children resulted from a brief union with a Miss Seitz. Then Yoder had four sons and two daughters by his marriage in 1775 to Catharine Huffman. The next Yoder family reunion will occur Aug. 11, 1991, at Zion Lutheran Church
NEWS-HERALD, Perkasie. Pa., Wednesday. July 4, 1990 Yothers Family Holds 67th Reunion
The Yothers family from Bucks County held its 67th Annual Reunion on Sunday, June 17 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Picnic Grove, Spinnerstown, with 41 family members present.
Dan Hunsberger, RR 1, Perkasie, vice president of the family, awarded the following prizes: the eldest person present, Pastor Abram W. Yothers, Souderton, age 87; the youngest child present was James Bryan Yothers, 7"2 months son of Mr and Mrs. David L. Yothers, Souderton.
La Vern (Yothers) Benner, Perkasie and Shirley (Yothers) Kiefer, Green Lane, were the winners of the traditional guessing games .
The immigrant of this family was Hans Joder or John Joder 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 Sr. and his wife Anna, state that on Jan. 17, 1720, he bought 99 acres from Joseph Growden at Great Swamp in Richland adjoining lands of Jacob Clemmerand George Bachman. The land is located north of Route 663 at Portzer Road.
John Yoder, Sr. had two sons John Yoder, Jr. and Casper Yoder. John Jr.'s farm was located next to the Saucon Mennonite Meetinghouse, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County. Casper bought his father's 99-acre farm 1750 in Richland Township.In 1772, Casper bought a 131-acre farm in New Britain Township later known as Vauxtown. Hesold the farm to his son, Jacob Yoder, in 1781 for 467 pounds.
Jacob Yoder changed his name to Yothers and all the Bucks County Yothers are his descendants. Jacob (and his second wife Barbara Fretz ) Yothers are buried in the Doylestown Mennonite Cemetery, Doylestown Township. Garrett Benner, Sellersvile, asked the blessing before the 5 pm Pennsylvania Dutch meal.
The officers are: president, Bob Yothers, Sellersville; vice president, Dan Hunsberger RR1, Perkasie; secretary-treasurer Alverna Y Hunsberger, Apple Butter Road, Perkasie; and historian,Richard James Yothers Jr., Boston, Mass.
(Oley) YODER FAMILY REUNION
The annual reunion of the descendants of Dr. Paul D. Yoder and Kittie Huff Yoder took place at the residence of Paul and Peg Yoder at Lake Lure NC on the weekend of Aug. 10-1112. There were eighteen people attending of which eleven are direct descendants ranging in age from 15 months to 78 years. Paul and Peg Yoder were most gracious host and hostess and provided plenty of activity for the clan. Highlights were visits to Chirnney Rock, local craft shops, mining for semi-precious gems and eating plenty of good food. Paul D. Yoder and Kittie Huff Yoder had six children, all of whom are living and get together annually for the reunion which has been held also at Myrtle Beach SC, the summer home of Sallie Elizabeth Yoder Brockman. Our branch of the Yoder family is descended from Yost Yoder, who settled in the Oley Valley of Berks Co., PA in the early 1700s. (This report was furnished by S. A. Yoder of Pequea PA)
The Third Annual Reunion of the YODER-COBLEY-ELLIOTT-ADAMS family was held Sunday, May 20, 1990 at the Harrison Bay State Recreation Area, outside of Decatur TN. Rev. Frank Yoder as President of the family association. The family is descended from Eli Yoder (1810-1891) and Sarah Detter, who moved from North Carolina to Tennessee by 1850. Guests included Hubert Yoder, a member of the North Carolina branch who has done considerable research into the Yoders of North Carolina and their western cousins.
ANCIENT SIGNATURE --- "Christian Je Joder" which stands for Christian "Junge" (junior)Yoder. This signature appears in the only known copy in existence of the original edition of"kleines Handbuchlein" an Anabaptist devotional Booklet. Thanks to Amish historian and columnist for "The Budget" Leroy Beachy for providing us with this copy. Which of the many Christian Yoders owned this book??
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