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MAJOR CHARLES T. YODER
PROMINENT WASHINGTONIAN AND YODER HISTORIAN
Birth and Childhood
Major Charles Theodore Yoder was the highest ranking Yoder to serve in the Civil War. For the YNL and its readers, an equally significant distinction is that over 100 years ago, he was actively engaged in researching the branches of the Yoder family . . . contacting Yoders across the breadth of the nation and gathering information on their heritage.
Charles Theodore was born in Allegheny City, Allegheny County, PA on Jul. 15, 1843. His father, Charles Thomas Yoder, was born in Schuylkill County, PA on Nov. 24, 1815. His mother Anna Eliza Kennedy, was born in Baltimore, Md on Aug. 1, 1823, the daughter of Thomas Kennedy Jr and Ruth Wright. She is said to have been a descendant of Bishop Kennedy of England.
Charles Thomas and Anna had been married in Pittsburgh by a Reverend Mr. Brown on Sep. 1, 1842. Their other children were: Hamilton Wright Yoder (1844-1876), Lorenzo Thomas D. Yoder (1847-1926), and Frances Ann (c1848-).
Son Lorenzo penned a history of his family in Pittsburgh, and it is the source of information on their life there. By trade, Charles Thomas was a watchmaker and engraver of some repute. After training under skilled workmen in the East, he gained a reputation for his art, and started a business for himself. Jewelers throughout Pittsburgh brought delicate work for him to do.
The initial business in Pittsburgh was in a two-story log house, on 5th Avenue between Wood and Smith Street. This represented the business center of the town at the time. The building was veneered with weather boards, and the family kept house in it as well.
On Apr. 10, 1845, there was a major fire which destroyed about three quarters of the city. The family then moved to the corner of Smithfield and Sixth Ave. The business continued to prosper and Charles Thomas spent long hours at his work bench. In 1849, he had a paralytic stroke which made him incapable of work. Over the two years until his death in 1851, their savings were fully depleted. The family was forced to move to lesser quarters.
Anna accepted the full burden of family needs and supported it as a seamstress. Later, she opened a notions store and sold snuff and other items to the girls working in the Eagle Cotton Mill across the street.
Service in the War
In a biographical sketch of Major Yoder which appeared in Volume 8 of the Union Army, it states that over 100 members of the Yoder family served in the Civil War, twenty-seven of whom were on the side of the Confederacy.
Charles Theodore Yoder was teaching at a country school when the war broke out. He quickly enlisted as a private in company C of the 4th PA Cavalry. His enlistment occurred 26 August 1861 at Latrobe, Pennsylvania in Westmoreland County, PA (today known as the home of golf great Arnold Palmer). When he later applied for a pension, he described himself at the time as having been: "Height, 5ft 6in (I think); complexion, fair; color of eyes, hazel; color of hair, brown." It is recorded that he took part in the following Civil War battles:
Mechanicsville, Gaine's Mill, Glendale, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam, Hedgesville, Union, Haymarket, Upperville, Manassas, Gap, Snickers Gap, Gaine's Cross Roads, Waterloo, Fredericksburg Number 1 and Number 2, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station and Gettysburg.
To quote from his biographical sketch: "He was wounded severely in the knee at Beverly ford, VA., and was captured by the enemy three times but made his escape being locked up once in a tobacco warehouse in Richmond, VA., with fifteen of his comrades, all making their escape by tunneling, but were run down by bloodhounds and all but the Major recaptured. On another occasion he was captured and given in charge of a cavalryman, who in kindness of his heart permitted his prisoner to ride behind him part of the way, with the result that the cavalryman was left in the woods, Major Yoder getting back into Federal lines with the Confederate's house, bridle and saddle. A third time he was surprised and captured by a squad of the enemy while eating dinner at a farm house, but while he captors were finishing his dinner they were in turn surprised by a company of Union soldiers who released their comrade."
Youngest Major and Paymaster in the Army
A newspaper clipping in a family scrapbook reports the claim that Charles was "the youngest major and paymaster ever appointed in the Army." He was reported to have received his commission under the signature of President Lincoln on Mar 11, 1864 . . . four months shy of his twenty-first birthday.
According to the records of the Military Secretary's Office in 1905, this was not quite correct. On Sept. 4, 1863, he was transferred to accept a clerkship in the Paymaster General's Office in Washington, DC. On Mar. 11, 1865, he was appointed "additional paymaster" U S Volunteers with the rank of major. Still a very young man, but one year older than the news article states. July 29, 1865, he was honorably mustered out of the service.
His Life in Washington
At the end of the War, he was mustered out of the service with the rank of Major and went into business in Washington, DC. In the census of 1870, he is shown (a mature 25 years old) with his wife Anna E. Wardner, age 20, who he had married Mar. 26, 1867. She was a Washington native. Also in the census listing was their daughter Clara, who had been born in 1868. His occupation at that time was listed as being a "wood and coal dealer."
His first wife Anna died Nov. 17, 1876, of Pulmonary Apoplexy compounded by pneumonia, and was buried at the Glenwood Cemetery. On August 20, 1877, Charles married Emma Louise Berry in the District. She was recognized as a talented pianist and was the daughter of Washington O. Berry and Amy Hart. Rev. C. C. Meador of the Fifth Baptist Church performed the ceremony at the bride's home in the District. Emma, then 21, had lived since birth in the nation's capital. She and her husband were to have three children: Edith (b. 8/11/1878); William Berry (b. 3/20/1880); and Frank W. (b. 3/1/1883).
After being successful in his business life, Major Yoder took a course in law at the National University. He graduated with degrees of Bachelor and Master of Laws, and is said to have been at the head of his class.
After applying through a competitive examination, Charles took a clerkship in the General Land Office. He advanced over the course of his career to the office of Principal Examiner, receiving an initial salary of $2,000 per annum. A news clipping at the time maintained:
"This is a well merited promotion and one that gives general satisfaction. Mr. Yoder entered the office through a competitive examination, August 7, 1879, and was soon promoted for his efficiency until he reached the highest grade. He has been engaged most of the time in adjudicating contested cases affecting both agricultural and mineral lands, and some of the best decisions of the office emanated from his pen. . ."
He held this position until May 1, 1893, when he resigned to engage in private practice. He was later asked to return to his executive position with the Land Office and did so in June of 1898.
Major Yoder served as secretary of the American Home Life Insurance Company of Washington, DC. His fraternal memberships included the Washington Commandery Military Order of the Loyal Legion, past commander of the Burnside Post No. 8 GAR, a member of the Columbia Lodge No. 3 and A.M., and of the Lafayette Chapter. He was also a member of the Board of Trade.
Granddaughter Rita Dean, now a resident of California, relates:
"I was one year old when Grandfather died. So unhappily, I have no personal anecdotes to recall. My father was proud of him. He set a fine example to his children. Honest, truthful, industrious. My mother upon meeting him was impressed by his charm, poise and quality.
"He had many distinguished friends including General Grant. He admired and owned famous race houses. When General Grant was president, Grandfather and Grant took occasional rides together. One particular time, they decided to race. While racing, Grandfather saw the policeóhe quickly turned leaving President Grant. President Grant was arrested for speeding. Grandfather escaped.
"Grandfather, besides his major's commission from President Lincoln, later received another commission signed by Stanton, Secretary of War, as Brigadier General. A title he never used, preferring his title of major."
C. T. Yoder Ancestry
We do not know the ancestry of this Yoder line, although it can be assumed that the Schuylkill roots point to an Oley Valley Yoder heritage. This Oley Valley origin is supported by several allusions to his family history, but additional ancestry is not specifically identified.
His Research into the Yoder Family
One reason Maj. Yoder has been of particular interest to the editors of the YNL is that one hundred years ago he was intensively involved in researching different branches of the Yoder family. He was a close personal friend of Congressman S. S. Yoder of Ohio (not a near relative) and among his present day effects are photographs of other Yoder families from Pennsylvania and of the historian of the North Carolina Yoders, George M. Yoder.
He is also known to have collected data from Amish Yoder families. Included in his correspondence was Reuben Yoder of LaGrange County, Indiana, great-grandfather of YNL editor Chris Yoder. Reuben is said to have sent him an extensive report on the descendants of his grandfather, Bishop Christian Yoder Sr. of Somerset County, PA.
Major Yoder at one time planned to publish a book on the Yoder family. By the early 1890s he had given up on that idea. The data he collected was not completely wasted. In the monumental 1912 work Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler at note 9185 (pg 961) it states "Mr. Charles T. Yoder, Washington, DC., for some years has been collecting data for a history of the Yoder family in America, He has kindly loaned some of his material for this work."
Death and Burial at Arlington National Cemetery
Charles died at his home, 1650 Park Road, N.W. Washington, on Sep. 30, 1915, at the age of 72 years. Cause of death was cited on his death certificate as "Arterio Sclerosis." His burial at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 4th was accompanied by full military honors. The War Department provided an honor guard of 10 mounted men and an artillery caisson to convey the casket to the cemetery. An entire troop of Cavalry from Fort Meyer paraded with the cortege. . . a significant distinction normally reserved for service members who die in battle. The Major's grave site is reported to be near that of General of the Army William T. Sherman.
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The Trail to Charles T. Yoder
Our readers may have noticed over the course of many YNL issues, that we have been searching for the papers of C. T. Yoder. The connection with his family was finally achieved with the help of may folks, and we'll describe the rather circuitous path it took.
First, Mrs. Hazen B. Shea of Williamsburg, VA contributed information collected by Congressman Samuel Yoder's family. In a scrapbook was an obituary clipping for C. T. Yoder's widow. It mentioned that son Frank was living in Albuquerque, NM as of 1927.
Next, reader Harry Yoder of Albuquerque did some investigation for us, and located Frank's widow. She directed us to Frank's sister, Rita Dean, who lived in a small town in Kansas. When we tried to call her, the number had been disconnected. Thanks to the Public Library and a local Realtor, we tracked her down in California through her daughter's address.
Rita filled in with much detail, and contributed the photographs which appear in this story. The location of her grandfather's Yoder papers has been a mystery in the family for about 60 years. Rita's father had left some clues to where these papers may have gone. He had been told that a member of a certain Yoder family of the Oley valley Line was given the papers and they were not returned.
We have tracked down current day members of the family (and that is another long story), but so far no answers have been unearthed. The search continues. . . .
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(Rachel Kreider has furnished an information reminder and background for next year's 250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Amish Yoder immigrants to America.)
TWO HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Next fall, in 1992, will be the 250th anniversary of the coming of the first Amish Yoders to America. The country is making plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's discovery of America, but for more than half of our readers the date of Sept. 21, 1742, is just as significant. On that day the ship Francis and Elizabeth arrived in Philadelphia with 223 (!?) souls aboard, according to Captain George North. In the list of those signing the Oath of Adjuration were three of special interest to us: Christian J(tter and Christian Joder, who wrote their names in German script, and Jacob Yoder, whose name in English was apparently written by a clerk. He must have been ill and absent at the time, for Jacob surely knew how to write his name.
Who were these men and where did their journey start? The late Karl Joder of Germany told us that they had lived in the same area of the Palatinate as did his ancestor. We can accept this and the fact that they were somehow related. ñThe subject was discussed at length in our YNL issues of 1988.-- and we all agree that all Joder Anabaptists seem to hark back to the wealthy Caspar Joder who in 1600 was in Steffisburg, Switzerland. However, Karl Joder has been proved wrong in some of his specific claims, so that more research is needed to close a two-generation gap with certainty. It does seem definite that our Amish Yoders stem from one of Caspar's grandchildren, who were obliged to flee from their homeland at the end of the 17th century because they had joined the Anabaptists. The reason for this persecution and the resulting migrations has been told frequently elsewhere and dare not take space. We notice that Erlenbach, were lived Jacob Amman who founded the Amish wing of the Mennonites, is in the Tunersee region as is Steffisburg, and we can only guess how it happened that this particular branch of Yoders followed the stricter Amman rather than remain with the majority of the Swiss Brethren.
For generations American Yoders had been confused about the identity of these three Amish immigrants. Eventually, after long tedious effort, Dr. Hugh Gingerich was able to establish not only their identity but also that of their sons with the same name. We are now convinced that Jacob was indeed "Strong Jacob", but he was a younger man than supposed. He and Christian Joder were sons of the Widow Barbara, whose husband (name unknown in spite of several good guesses) died at sea. Although there is no documentation of this couple, the persistent oral tradition seems to be correctó-that Barbara did arrive as a widow with nine children, but only four of these were sons, not eight. Christian J(tter, whose name is spelled much as it is pronounced in Pennsylvania Dutch today, has been proved to be an older man, the father of the second and slightly younger immigrant family and likely a brother to the man who died at sea. For many years he was thought to be the younger "Christ Der Schweisz" or "Schweitzer Christ", but this man was his son, who bas born in 1728 and too young to have signed the ship list. We wonder why the son should have had this nickname, for it is improbable that he was born in Switzerland. Might later descendants have confused him with his father since they were unaware that Christian Sr. had come to America? (It is interesting to note that in both families the oldest son was named Christian, suggesting that the grandfather had the name. There is such a Christian of the right age bracket on record in the Pfalz who "dropped out of sight", but we have no evidence of a connection.)
We have every reason to believe that these immigrants endured the same hardships and dangers as did others on similar journeys who left a record of their experiences. Those journeys usually began in May and proceeded slowly as they went through the many custom houses along the Rhine River and then in Holland, and then on to an English port. This time the captain reported sailing from Rotterdam via Deal, where there could have been another delay while awaiting more favorable winds. The ocean voyage usually lasted for seven to twelve weeks, a time full of danger from storm and disease. Passengers, in very crowded conditions, often suffered enough from the lack of enough food and good water. Even in Philadelphia there was often considerable delay, but at last the travelers had at least reached the land of freedom.
Other Yoders, even of the same stock, had preceded the Amish to America; for example, the Reformed and Lutheran in the Oley Valley and the Mennonites in Bucks County, but these men may not have known them. At any rate they felt closer ties to their spiritual brethren. The Amish like to do things "in community" and they usually traveled in groups rather than singly. We recognize the names of a dozen other Amish families on board and it is natural that they should have promptly sought out other Amish, who had preceded them and were living in what is now northern Berks County, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jacob Hochstetler and the Widow Stutzman had both arrived in 1738 and were located near Shartlesville, Amish Kauffmans near Hamburg and there were a few scattered Amish farms in between. On a southern arc, between Shartlesville and Centerport another cluster was growing. Here Christian Jotter and his shipmate, Ulrich Staehli, perhaps more, chose land, --not far from where the present townships of Upper Berne, Penn, and enter come together. According to Paul V. Hostetler, one of the few who have visited the site of this original Yoder farm, it is located º mile east of the intersection of the present Boundary Road and Focht Road. The younger Yoder men settled near Hamburg. According to the maps of John Slabaugh, their land was bounded on the west by Kauffman brothers of their own generation and on the east by the farm of Bishop Jacob Hertzler, who had been sent in 1749 to shepherd the new flock. These scattered farmsteads, however, were considered as one community and they joined together in 1752 in signing a petition asking to be allowed to affirm their loyalty in connection with naturalization rather than to take the oath of allegiance.
We have evidence that those Yoders were men of means and ability. Like their neighbors they cleared the land, tilled the fields. They banded together in community effort and for worship in their homes. They lived under strict Amish discipline and stressed simple life. With the community well established and on the way to prosperity, why did it happen that it began to brake up even in the lifetime of these immigrants?! The Hochstetler massacre by the Indians in 1752 shocked the residents and caused great anxiety. Later the threat of the Revolutionary War became even more ominous and imposed heavy fines and other hardships on some of the familiesÖ Then too, our Yoders, for example, knew an economic opportunity when they saw one, and so all those motives may have worked together to encourage to moving to other locations.
Strong Jacob as early as 1761 moved south to the present Lancaster County line, where in the Morgantown area he established a substantial and prosperous farmstead. The YNL of Oct. '84 carried stories about his reputation and activities. It is possible, even likely, that he and his brother Christian married sisters, daughters of immigrant Jacob Beiler. Strong Jacob and Anna raised three sons and six daughters, most of whom stayed in Lancaster County. Best known in later Amish circles was son Christian ("Dick Christel"), who raised his family further west in Mifflin Count, Strong Jacob's brother Christian remained in the Hamburg area until his death in 1772. He had eleven children, six of whom had already moved as far away as Bedford (Somerset) County by 1787, and the others settled in Mifflin. The Widow Barbara's son, Michael, who had fewer descendants, also lived there, and the children of her son John, who have been harder to trace, went into newer Amish communities as well.
Immigrant Christian Jotter, who soon became Yoder, had four sons and four daughters. The daughters seem to have married into other Amish families, but we have lost all trace of the youngest son, Jacob. Sons John and Yost moved into Lancaster County and later took land in Mifflin. Thus we see that "Schweitzer Christ", the oldest son, stayed in the home community the longest. His father had deeded the home farm to him in 1760. By that time he was married and had four children, but his wife died soon after that. Her name is unknown; like so many Amish wives in her generation, there is no record as to where she belonged. Christian's second wife was Barbara Hooley, daughter of immigrant Hans, and with her he had eleven more children. His father died in November, 1775, and the next spring the whole family moved to the Glades in Somerset County. There was no road to his property and the nearest neighbor lived five miles away. Here he accumulated plot after plot until by 1794 he was able to transfer 400 acres to each of three of his sons all on the same day. When Stony Creek Township was organized the Yoders in it were Schweitzer Christ and his sons.
From Somerset County the various Yoders moved on to Holmes County, Ohio, to northern Indiana, and a few directly to Iowa. Migrations from Mifflin County were likely to choose Wayne and Logan counties in Ohio, but in either case they kept spreading ever westward. The families exemplified sturdy intelligent stock and very often were large. They produced long lines of farmers, preachers, and teachers. Many forsook the Amish church and life-style but were still inclined to keep their value-emphases and to be active in the churches of their choice. They often held responsible community positions and wielded considerable influence. They occasionally founded towns or received special recognition in their professions. In a quiet way they, like many other Americans, have made a marked contribution to American life in these 250 years and we do well to appreciate and commemorate their achievements.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I wanted to tell you about the pictures from Ross Baughman that you sent me. I went through them and found one of my great grandmother Sarah Yoder and her sister Lizzie which I kept....I have sent the rest to LaMae Perez...Annandale, NJ.. She has all the children of david Yoder and Mary Levan so she was delighted to have the photos to accompany the outlines. I have talked with her on the phone and hope someday to meet her... I never expected to have a Yoder connection "above ground" and find this quite facinating.--Florence Gordon, Walnut Creek, CA, 94595
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An Interesting Court Case, Gilmer Co., GA
". . .a copy of a bench warrant dated 1880, calling for the arrest of Daniel Yother on the charge of malicious mischief. A bond in the amount of $50.00 was passed and contains the name of Alfred H. Colquitt, Governor of Georgia. . .
"The charges against Daniel Yother were: he did, with force of arms, willfully and maliciously lead and ride a horse through the courthouse in the said county. Horse being the public property of John C. Allen, as the ordinary of Gilmer County and of the people and citizens of said county, contrary to the laws of the said State and good order, peace and dignity thereofÖ the defendant pleaded not guilty. The jury found him guilty.
"In term No. 188 dated May 19,1881, with James R. Brown, judge of the Superior Courts of the Blue Ridge Circuit, the sentence was that Daniel Yother pay a fine of $1.00 and the fees of witnesses, if any. Failure to pay the fine would mean one month on the chain gang. He paid the fine.
(From A Little History of Gilmer County, by Lawrence L. Stanley)
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From the August 1, 1991 "Stars and Stripes" newspaper: Congrats to Laurie Anne Yoder for earning her A.A. degree from the University of Maryland.
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Thanks to John Yoder in California for identifying the location of the Agua Frio mines mentioned in the last issue.
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Book Report
TRADITIONS & TRANSITIONS, by Paton Yoder is a study of the 1800-1900 term of the Old Order Amish and the earlier Amish Mennonites and what developed during the time span causing the Old order to remain the same, while the "new-thinking" Amish Mennonites moved toward the Mennonite Church.
This book relates the effect of freedom in America had on the Amish, giving them the right to worship, labor and grow into a group that, to this day, can serve God as they conscientiously apply their lives and beliefs.
The causes of separating from the Old Order by the Amish Mennonites are discussed fairly. The June 1, 1865, conference of faith was a factor in stating articles of practice such as assurance of faith, participating in worldly fairs and conventions, reliance on insurance companies, wearing showy garments, etc., set the rules for the faithful to follow. These practices would weaken the "community structure" that holds the Old Order together. This resulted in The Great Schism.
Exposure to other denominational preachers also affected the Amish Mennonites. Was it the Quickening or Awakening that caused a change? From 1865 to the earlier years of 1900s changes affected a union to the Mennonite Church.
The Old Order, Amish Mennonites, and the Mennonites today hold together in the spirit to witness for peace and conscience against war. There is opportunity to learn the adverse results of disagreeing to agree.
Recommended to any reader interested in the culture and heritage of Anabaptist changes during the 1800s and later.
Books may be ordered from the Herald Press, 616 Walnut Ave., Scottdale PA 15683 or Provident Book
Store, 119 East Lincoln Ave., Goshen IN 46526
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The snapshot is Paton Yoder, author of the above book, wearing the blue and gold T-shirt on which it says "Yoder Dame---The Fghting Amish".
To explain, the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, is known in atletics as "the Fighting Irish". Haven't the Amish been "fighting the good fight" for the past several hundred years?
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John Yoder and Magdalena Stutzman Cemetery
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
(details compliments of Leroy Beachy)
In 1812, John Yoder and wife Magdalena Stutzman moved to Tuscarawas County, OH. They were each about 60 at the time of their arrival, and as such were the most senior of the Yoders in this new Amish community. They are the earliest generation of Yoders known to have been buried in the area cemeteries.
Settling in Sugar Creek township with their married sons, Daniel and Stephen, John and Magdalena initially bought the southwest quarter of section two (now the center of the town of Sugar Creek). Son Daniel bought the southeast quarter of section 23 on August 1, 1813 and adjoining property two years later. The plot which became the family cemetery is situated on the north boundary of Daniel's land on the farm more recently owned by Noah Coblentz (one mile north of Shanesville Square.)
In their epic volume Amish and Amish Mennonite Genealogies, Dr. Hugh Gingerich and Rachel Kreider present the belief that this John Yoder was likely the John (YR125) who was the son of Christian Yoder (YR12) who was the son of the Widow Barbara. He would have been born about 1753 in Berks Co., PA. By 1790, it is known that John and Magdalena were settled in Somerset Co., PA. There they lived in Stony Creek Twp. over 20 years until their move to Ohio.
Magdalena Stutzman (1753 Berks Co., PA - 1825 in Tuscarawas Co., OH) was the daughter of Christian Stutzman and Barbara Hochstetler whose descendants were outlined in the classic DESCENDANTS OF
BARBARA HOCHSTETLER (1938) BY Harvey Hostetler.
The graves of this couple are marked in German as "Johann Yoder" and "Magdalena/frau von/J. Yoder."
Their sons Daniel (YR1253) (1777-1854) and his wife, Barbara Yoder (YR2361) (? ?) are beside them. Barbara was the daughter of Yost Yoder and Magdalena Richenbach, and was born in Somerset Co., PA. Yost was the son of "Schweitzer Christian" and his second wife, Barbara Hooley.
Many generations of descendants also rest in this cemetery and burials are still occurring up to recent times. Other earlier Yoders include:
Daniel J. d. May 3, 1921 age 80y 4m 17d (YR261261)
John S. d. Mar. 12, 1912 age 85y 8m 27d (YR12577)
Christian H. d Oct. 17, 1934 age 84y 10m 21d (YR234481)
Barbara d. Aug.28, 1908 age 54y 3d (YR125771)
Levi J. b. Oct. 6, 1856 d. Aug 18, 1939 (YR1253c6)
Joseph d. May 9, 1897 age 72y 6d (YR1253c)
David J. d. Sep 3, 1862 d, Mar, 6,1953 (YR1253c9)
Mary Ann b. Nov. 22, 1864 d. Sep 6, 1937 (YR125676) (wife of David)
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Note: Cemetery plot and township are reproduced from CEMETERY DIRECTORY OF THE AMISH COMMUNITY IN EASTERN HOLMES AND ADJOINING COUNTIES IN OHIO, by Leroy Beachy with permission of the author. This excellent hardback, oversize book of 200 pages isthe result of over 2000 hours of effort. Address your orders to: Leroy Beachy, Box 87, Star Route, Millersburg, OH 44654. It is a true bargain and the YNL strongly recommends it for anyone with ancestors among the Amish of this area!
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***********************QUERIES*********************
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Who were the parents of JOHN YODER (1836 OH-c1922 Dayton, OH). He married Marcy C. Swander
(1839-c19l3). A possible brother was Jacob W. Yoder. Both had children born around Harshmanville, Ohio. Reply to: David M. Yoder, 3537 Eastwey Ave., Dayton, OH 45410.
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Wanted information on DAVID YODER (1804-1851) and his wife Mary Levan and their offspring. I'm tracing all descendants and would like to eventually have a reunion. Reply to: LaMae Fegely Perez, 6 Woodstock Lane, Annandale, New Jersey, 08801
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JOHN YODER, 1860 Census, Oley Twp., Berks Co Pa. Age 28, wife Lucetta, age 26, children Sarah-8, James-4, Emma 1 month. I'm a descendant of daughter Emma. Can anyone confirm who his parents were? Was his father Isaac Yoder of Pleasantville? Respond to: Mrs. Adajune Tait, 13111 Charloma Drive, Tustin, CA 92680
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What were the origins for JOHN YOTTER, will 2/14/1843 -7/ 23/1844, Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., PA. He was b. c1760-70. His will mentioned 7 children including daughter SARAH YOTTER, my ancestress. Sarah married Abraham Mast (MS327) as discussed in AAMG. Patricia Dyson, 0678N State Rd 9, Albion, IN 46701
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Who was Enoch E. Yoder, enlisted in Union Army at San Francisco, California. According to his disability discharge he was born in Fulton Co., KY about 1831. Send any answer in to Chris Yoder, address above.
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For an UPDATE ON Conrad son Daniel Yoders family (see YNL #16 Article, Con619) - Calvin... see note under Calvins pension in this issue for additional data....
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Thanks to Janet Yoder of Oxford, PA for sending in a copy of a 1896 letter written to Mrs. J E Yoder of Lynchburg, VA. It had been found in the attic or storage room of a school near Elkton, Maryland. We've identified the recipients (see YNL 9 back page) and present day family addresses for her.
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READER CHALLENGES: Who can identify any of these folk? (send your reply to the YNL Queries address.. Thanks!)
Illinois- LOUISA YODER m. 23 Jan 1845 Sampson Casaday, Montgomery Co., IL
Virginia- MALACHI YOTHER of Montgomery Co, bought land of Samuel Kennedy and wife Jane of ----
----------Hampshire Co. 408 acres recorded 10/16/1788
---------- CATHERINE YOTER b. 12/15/1766 m. Hampshire Co., VA to Joshua Younger
Male Inhabitants of Delaware Co., OH 1835
-----CHRISTOPHER YODER #122 pg 37 Delaware Twp
------WILLIS YODER #253 pg 42 Delaware Twp
Richland Co., OH Marriages
------WILLIS YODER to Elizabeth Plunk, Nov.21,1843
------CHRISTIAN A. YODER to Eve Ryder, Nov.5,1858
------WILLIS YEATER to Celina Ruth, Sep.8,1859
Holmes Co., OH- HENRY YODER (1845-1922) married Maria
Metzger (1861-1935) buried E. Chippewa Church of the Brethren, Green Twp.
West Virginia- JOSEPH YODER b. c1809 MD, wife Mary b c1810 MD. Res. Preston Co. -1840, Marion 6Co.- 1870. Children- Samuel b. 1834 PA; ? Jackson M. b 1837 WVA; Emanuel E. b. c1849 WVA; Mary b c1848, Jane b c1854 WVA, Missouri b. c1855 WVA.
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M. Fred & Dorothy Coffman
30 Grouse Road
Malvern PA 19355
ANNOUNCING YODER CENSUS RECORDS FOR OHIO 1820 - 1860
A greatly expanded third edition of the census records for tt various YODER families in Ohio is now for sale. The complete records for census years 1850 and 1860 have been added to the earlier volumes. The addition of two computer sorted indexes for each year by given name and by county will help the YODER researcher find the person he is looking for easier. All possible spellings of the name YODER have been included. The 120 pages include 579 YODER families as they traveled west through Ohio.
Price $17.00 softbound postpaid ORDER FROM ABOVE ADDRESS
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YNL#17 mentioned Hon. S. S. Yoder's effort to get a new postoffice for the city of Lima OH. The above photo of that postoffice was graciously sent to YNL by Anna B. Selfridge, Curator, Arch. & Ms., of the Allen Co Historical Society, including other data of interest. Photo of 1-1-1950
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Family Gathers At Area
HICKORY DAILY RECORD
Focusing on a theme that revolved around the centennial activities at Lenoir-Rhyne College and the school's founding in part by a prominent native son, the Yoder family gathered recently for its 41st annual reunion.
Outgoing president Ted M. Yoder of Rt. 12, Hickory, delivered the invocation before a group of 106 people. They met in the parish hall of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church south of Hickory.
After lunch, a business meeting began with the reading of a financial report by treasurer Gerald M. Yoder. An offering was collected to help defray operating and mailing costs. A contribution will be ear-marked for a memorial fund, which was established at the church several years ago to honor the Yoders, who were among the congregation's early members.
Special guests included Paul and Peg Yoder of Lake Lure, who represented the line of early 18th century Pennsylvania pioneer, Yost Yoder. Martha Hoover Whisnant and family members Mary Lee Whisnant, Brenda Whisnant and Michelle Chapman attended their first Yoder Reunion.
Harry and Rob Yoder of Fort Worth ,Texas, traveed the greatest distance.
Erika Diane Hoyle, 14 months, was the youngest person present . She is the daughter of Michael and Regina Yoder Hoyle, Margretta Seagle, 87, of Lincolnton was the oldest person in attendance.
The minutes of the last session were recounted by Neal D. Wilfong, secretary. A tally of Yoder and Reep statistics showed that 11 births and 14 marriages had occurred during the last year. Forty seven deaths were reported in the extended lines. Dr. J. Larry Yoder offered a prayer after the reading of the names.
Tables showcasing various Yoder memorabilia were prepared by Helen Yoder Hahn, Michael B. Huffman and Neal Wilfong. A special exhibit included a large German Bible that belonged to Conrad Yoder, a Swiss immigrant who lived in the Mountain View area from the late 1740s until his death in the spring of 1790. The Bible is now in the possession of Mrs. Hahn, a lineal descendant.
A scale model of the old David Yoder log house and detached log kitchen, which date to 1830, was
shown by Huffman.
Wilfong showed his collection of scrapbooks which contain births deaths marriages, obituaries and general news articles about the Yoder family and related key families as far back as 1896.
President Yoder called attention to an oil portrait of the late Robert Anderson Yoder, a co-founder of Lenior-Rhyne College. The portrait was on loan to the reunion through the generosity of L-R president John Tramer. A picture of the now-defunct Yoder Science Building, which was erected in 1912 in memory of the institution's co-founder, was also acquired for the day.
Dr. Larry Yoder, a professor of religion at Lenoir-Rhyne, related how various plays, lectures and concerts had been offered by the college during the host year to spotlight the centennial of the institution.
Richard E. Yoder of Hickory, who headed the Yoder clan from 1978 to 1981, remarked how a Yoder memorial fund came to be established at L-R. Envisioned as a means whereby funds might be raised to help finance a memorial to Dr. R.A. Yoder in place of the razed science building, the resulting armillary sundial that stands on the grounds of the Belk Centrum was purchased in part by the Yoder family out of respect to the life of the famed Lutheran pastor, teacher, mathematician, surveyor and cartographer, who also served 10 years at the first president of the college.
Officers were elected. Rachel Hahn Kennedy of Charlotte will head the group for the next three years. Mrs. Kennedy is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. L. Clement Hahn of Arden. She's a legal secretary.
Michael B. Huffman was elected vice president. The Hildebran resident is actively involved in genealogical research and cemetery preservation. Huffman currently serves as an officer in both the Poovey and Cline reunions.
Re-elected secretary and treasurer, respectively, were Neil Wilfong of Cleveland and Gerald Yoder of Rt. 12, Hickory.
Ex-president Ted Yoder was designated by nominating committee chairman Richard Yoder as "special assistant to the president." The former will advise the president and work closely with the executive committee in laying plans for the years ahead.
The reunion adjourned with the group joining hands within a circle and singing the "Doxology." The next reunion will be Aug. 9,1992.
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Yothers Family Holds Reunion
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran picnic grove, Spinnerstown, was the site for the 88th annual Yothers Reunion June 2,.. with 58 people present.
Hans Joder (John Yoder) was the pioneer ancestor probably born in Germany about 1680. He purchased 99 acres in Lower Milford Township (then known as "The Great Swamp") from Joseph Krowden of Trevose in 1720 for 15 pounds.
The Yoders were Mennonites and John Yoder and his wife, Anna, and son, John, Jr., donated the land to the Saucon Mennonite Meeting House, which was erected circa 1738.
It was a log building, and was located a short distance north of Coopersburg. This building was replaced in 1847, by a stone meeting house that is still used today. Many of Hans Yoder's decendants are buried there.
Hans Yoder's son, Casper, moved to Doylestown Township. Casper Yoder sold his farm to his son Jacob Yoder, who changed his name to Yothers.
All the Bucks County Yothers families are his descendants.
In the absence of the Pesident, Dan Hunsberger, Vice President awarded the following prizes: the oldest person, Naomi Yothers Souderton, age 86 years, the youngest child was Caleb Luther Kiefer, age 9 months, son of Jonathan and Shirley (Yothers) Kiefer, Perkiomenville, the family who drove the farthest was William and Esther Deamer, 50 miles from Trenton, N.J.
Henry Atkinson, Quakertown, was the winner of the traditional guessing game.
David Miller, Quakertown, asked the blessing before the 5 p.m Pennsylvania Dutch meal.
The death was reported of the Yothers family historian Richard J. Yothers, Jr. of Boston. Mass., 42, died Feb. 16. He was the son of Richard J. and Ruth (Landis) Yothers .
The 1991-92 0fficers are: President Bob Yothers, Sellersville. Vice President Dan Hunsberger, RR1, Perkasie; Secretary Treasurer Alverna (Yothers) Hunsberger, Apple Butter Road, R. 1, Perkasie.
The 1992 reunion will be held at St. John's Lutheran, the first Sunday in June.
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Richard James Yothers Jr.,
Richard James Yothers Jr., 42, of Boston, Mass., formerly of Bedminster, was stricken suddenly Saturday
while shopping in the Center of Boston and taken to Beth Israel Hospital of Boston, where he died in the
emergency room.
Born in Doylestown, he was the son of Ruth Landis Yothers of Souderton and the late Richard J. Yothers Sr., who died in October 1985.
A resident of Bedmister most of his life, he had resided at his current address in Boston since 1972.
Mr. Yothers was a 1966 graduate of Pennridge High School.
Since 1972 he was employed as a cook and chef in the Boston area. For the last 10 years, he worked for the Layola House of Boston, a residence for priests of the Society of Jesus.
Mr Yothers was a member of Deep Run Mennonite Church East of Bedminster .
In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sisters, Ruth A Yothers of New Britain, Eleanor wife of Eric G. Myers of Warriors Mark, Pa, and Mary Jane Moyer of Sellersville a brother, David of Souderton; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Thursday Feb. 21 at 7:30 pm in the Deep Run Mennonite Church East . Keller's Church Road Bedminster. Interment at the convenience of the family on Friday in the adjoining cemetery. Family will receive friends at the church prior to the service 6-- 7 15pm.
Arrangements are by the Sommers-Sadier Funeral Home. Telford.
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