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Hamburg Christian Yoder
(Article by Rachel
Kreider and Chris Yoder)
For years the story was handed down that one Barbara Yoder, whose
husband died at sea, landed in America some time before 1720,
with nine small children-- eight sons and a daughter--and that
they settled in the Oley Valley, where sons Hans and Yost became
well-known. Eventually an alert descendant publicized a discrepancy
in the story and family historians began to chip away at this
garbled mixing of two lines of Yoder immigrants.
Although there has never been any documentation available about
the "Widow Barbara", it is agreed that she did exist.
We know that "Widow Barbara" arrived not prior to 1720,
but on September 21, 1742, on the Francis and Elizabeth. Three
Yoder men signed the ship list upon their docking in Philadelphia.
Through the efforts of Dr. Hugh Gingerich, we now know there were
eight Amish Yoder men of the first generation, and we know that
two of these 1742 signatories (Jacob and Christian Joder) were
sons of "Widow Barbara" . We now know that Barbara did
indeed have nine children (see YNL 2, Oct. 83), but only four
of those sons were hers. The other four belonged to the other
Yoder family aboard ship. This second Yoder family was once said
to have been that of "Strong Jacob" Yoder, but now we
know the head of the second family was the Christian Jotter on
the ship list . For some reason a clerk wrote Jacob's name for
him and it appears directly above that of his older brother, who
wrote his name Christian Joder (See YNL 20). It is interesting
to see this mix of spelling---Joder, the spelling used by their
Swiss forebears, and Jotter, a spelling adopted by some of the
family in Alsace and also in Eppstein, Germany (YNL 10)
The older Christian Jotter located in Berks County on land situated
where the present day townships of Upper Bern, Center, and Penn
come together, but Barbara's family settled closer to the village
of Hamburg, which is no doubt the reason that her son was known
as "Hamburg Christian" to distinguish him from the others.
As these sons became of age they took farms of their own, Christian
"on the twenty-ninth day of the eighth month, 1743"
and Jacob on October 28, 1747. One old diagram in the archives
at Harrisburg shows Christian's land bounded by the farms of Isaac
Kauffman, Stephen Kauffman, Hans Hertzler and vacant land. Soon
afterward the map shows that the farms of his brother Jacob, and
Christian Fisher (apparently a brother-in-law), adjoining his.
The Hertzler property was now in the name of Jacob Hertzler.
By 1767 Jacob Yoder was living farther south, in Lancaster County,
but as far as we know, Christian stayed on his original farm as
long as he lived.
Hamburg Christian's wife was named Barbara. Dr. Gingerich felt
it was probable that Barbara was the daughter of Jacob Beiler
and that her sister married his brother Jacob Yoder. There is
no proof of this, but it seems possible given the known connections
and proximity of the families. Christian and Barbara reared eleven
children in this home, but as time went on most of them left the
community. The chief reason was probably the lure of more and
cheaper land, but the tensions of the American Revolution no doubt
exerted an influence as well.
"Hamburg Christian" died in his fifties (probably in
1772, although some records say 1771). His will was dated December
10, 1771. The scribe wrote it out in beautiful English script.
From the details in this will, in which Christian reflected his
concern that his beloved Barbara be well-cared for after his death,
we can get a glimpse of how the pioneers in his time were living.
************************************************************
Berks County Wills, Volume 2, page 110
Will of Christian Joder Decd
May 4th 1772
Ltr Administra____Testaments
_____/granted to Barbara
Joder, Widow &c ___Bond
In the name of the Holy and High Praised Trinity God Father Son
and Holy Ghost be our Beginning Mean and End! As I Christian Joder
Senior through daily Experience have conceived that as all mortal
Men, so I Christian Joder, yet in good and sound Reason have principally
to take Care and Concern for myself about the incorruptable Inheritance
and native Country when the Almighty God according to his paternal
Will shall require me from the Temporal and receive me in his
heavenly Kingdom of Honor and Joy, But my inanimated Corps shall
become incorporated with the Earth. So of the earthly Estate where
with I am blessed and leave behind me, this is my last Testamentary
Will. Viz. That my one dear and worthy Wife, Barbara Joder, shall
have my said Estate under her Care and manage the same as long
as it is agreeable to her and the children shall be obedient according
to their Duty, but in case they shall be disobedient and disagree,
then my dear Wife Barbara Joder may choose five impartial Men
of the Community and by them cause as well the Place as the Moveable
Estate to be valued and appraised, and cause the moveable Estate
to be divided among the children, But the Road Wagon with four
horses and gears, plough and harrow shall be left on the place
and the price estimated accordingly and the monies thense arising
for like Manner shall be divided among my Children which I leave
behind to whom I wish Godís rich blessing if they walk
in the Ways of the Lord and lead a life well pleasing to God.
I bequeath to my dear Wife Barbara Joder whom I leave behind all
yearly and till this happy Departure according to the Will of
God, if it is agreeable to the Mother to remain in the Dwelling
Room with the Son that takes the Place to himself, but in Case
the contrary shall happen the said son or who has the Place in
Hand must build her a separate commodius Dwelling with a Cellar
Floor, Kitchen, and Windows, Doors and all necessary Articles
to compleat the same on his Costs as also cut and deliver the
necessary Firewood before the Dwelling the Keeping and the Benefits
of one Cow and in Case of Age or Infirmity of Body she may not
be able to milk and fodder the said Cow then the said Son or Son-in-law,
or in want of either, the Possessor of the Place shall do and
perform the said Service for the Mother, five Bushels of Rye five
Bushels of Wheat these the aforesaid must on request cause to
be measured and taken to the Mill for my dear Wife Barbara Joder
and the Meal and Bran thereof made to be brought to the Place
where she shall desire a Horse to ride must be given to her at
any Time. Of the present Kitchen Garden a piece must be cut off
and enclosed and the necessary Dung must every Year be carried
on it. One fat Hog of a hundred Pounds with fifty Pounds of Beef,
ten Pounds of good hatchelled Hemp and ten pounds of Tow or Flax.
The one third Part of Eggs laid by the Hens on the Plantation
The Wool of two Sheep All these above mentioned Articles must
all be provided yearly. That which my descended to my Dear Wife
Barbara Joder from her happy Fatherís Inheritance is reserved
to her free and uninterrupted Disposition. For the Confirmation
of this I have with my own hand in the Presence of Witnesses subscribed
and I ratify it with my Seal and Death So done and given in Bern
Township Berks County the 10th December Ano one thousand seven
hundred and seventy one---
_________________ Christian Joder (Seal)
Two rows of apple trees
from which the Owner of the
Place must make the best
apples into Cyder and deli-
ver in the Cellar to the Mother.
Hannes Yoder
Benedict (x) Lehman, his mark
Jacob Gindelsbpreger
*****************************************************
Here we have a "Widow Barbara" who is documented, in
the tax records of Berks County. She outlived her husband by about
nine years-her name appearing on the tax roster through 1781.
BERKS COUNTY TAX LISTS- From
PA Archives Series
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -acres
horse-cattle
1779 - Bern - Barbara Joder -200 - -2-6 - - - -tax 1,360 w/oYR12
- - - - - - - John Yoder, tory --- - - - ---- tax ---YR17
- - - - - - -(single freemen)
- - - - - - - Jacob Yorder - - - - - - - - - -tax 15 shillings
YR121
- - - - - - - Christian Yorder - - - - - - - -tax 15 shillings
YR122
- - - - - - - Yost Yorder - - - - - - - - - - tax 15 shillings
YR127
- - - - - - - - -
1780 - Bern - Jno Joder - - -100 - -3-6 - - - tax 26.0.0 YR17
- - - - - - -Barb'a Joder - 100 - -1-4 - - - tax 15.0.0 w/o YR12
- - - - - - (single freemen)
- - - - - - - Yost Yorder - - - - - - - - - - tax 15.0.0 YR127
- - - - - - - - -
1781 - Bern - Barbara Joder -100 - -2-4 - - - tax 4.15.0 w/o YR12
- - - - - - - John Joder - - 100 - -3-5 - - - tax 4.19.2 YR17
- - - - - - -(single freemen)
- - - - - - - Jost Joder - - - - - - - - - - -tax 2.5.0 YR127
- - - - - - - Jacob Yoder - - - - - - - - - - tax 2.10.0 YR121
- - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - horses
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cattle
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - sheep - No. people
1784 - Bern - -Jost Joder - -150 - -1-3-4 - - 2 YR127
- - - - - - - -John Joder - -150 - -2-3-3 - - 11 YR17
- - - - - - - - -
1785 - Bern - -Yost Joder - - - - - - - - - - tax 1.10.0 YR127
- - - - - - - -John Joder - - - - - - - - - - tax 2.0.0 YR17
- - - - - - - -Henry Joder - - - - - - - - - -tax 1.10.0 YR128
- - - - - - - - -
-
The Hertzler genealogy of 1885 says that by 1789 six of Christian's
children were living in Somerset County (Bedford then).
BEDFORD (Somerset) COUNTY TAX LISTS (Partial)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - acres - horses/cattle/sheep
- Comments
1779 - Quemahoning - John Yoder - 150 - - -2-2- - - - - - - -
-YR125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1783 - Quemahoning - John Yeother -200 - - 2-2-2 - - tax 2.0.0
- YR125
Brothers Valley -single freemen
- - - - - - - - Christian Yoeder - 200 - - - - - - - tax 2.3.0
- YR122 (?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - houses whites
1784 - Quemahoning - John Yother - -200 - - - 1 - - -7 - - - -
- - YR125
Brothers Valley
- - - - - - - - - - -Christian Toder - - - - - - - - 1 - - - -
- - YR122 (?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We find that four
of the others later moved to Mifflin County. This was much closer,
but the land had not been opened for settlement until the 1790's.
YR121- Jacob, the oldest, married Franey Hochstetler and in 1785
he bought 360 acres in Somerset County--land that was situated
on both sides of the Casselman River. Three of his children moved
on to Holmes County, Ohio. His son Joseph, known as "Axie",
was featured in YNL 10, Oct. 87.
YR122- Christian, according to AAMG, is said to possibly have
been the fellow who purchased land in Brothers Valley Township
of what would later be Somerset County. From the tax records shown
above, unmarried "Christian Yorder" vanishes from Berks
County after the 1779 tax year. A single Christian Yoder appears
in Brothers Valley in 1783. But by the 1790 Census this man has
gone. What became of him?
We believe the answer to this question lies in an early will record
from Stark County, OH. Stark County Will book Record A p 75, Written
on Sep.7, 1824:
"In the name of God Amen I Christian Yotter of Canton township in the County of Stark in the State of Ohio.... I give and bequeath unto John Gerber and Christian Yotter Jr. all and singular my goods and chattels and personnel estate...."
( signature )
For many years, we tried to make an Alsatian Yoder link with this
entry, as Stark County was where many of these immigrants settled.
It did, however, seem earlier than they were known to be there.
By the 1830's one Christian Yotter (YA7) from Alsace was living
in the county. The research by Huckel (see YNL28) now establishes
the father of this Christian as John (Jean) who married Catherine
Klopfenstein and died in France..not a "Christian".
So who are the parties in the 1824 will???
In the 1820 census, Christian Yoder (identified by AAMG as YR1256),
a nephew, is living in Canton Twp. The John Gerber in Stark County
at this time is the husband of Anna Yoder (YR173) who would have
been a first cousin of our Christian. It now seems obvious that
this is the will of our bachelor Christian leaving his estate
to two kinsmen, including nephew Christian Jr (meaning "the
younger"-not son).
YR123- Elizabeth was the first wife of Christian Hertzler, son
of Jacob, the Bishop. Three of their children married Zooks and
three of their daughters married men with the name of Christian
Yoder---"Butcher Christ", "Cooper Christ",
and "Keifer Christ"! The seven children grew up in Berks
County, but scattered into five other countries.
YR124- Barbara married Christian Hertzler's older brother Jacob.
They remained in the Hamburg neighborhood and are buried in the
original Hertzler burial ground - also known as the cemetery of
the original Northkill Amish Congregation- just west of Hamburg.
Seven of their twelve children died as infants. The one surviving
daughter, Barbara, married John Stuzman and moved to Fairfield
Co., Oh.
YR125- John (Han's) married Magdalena Stutzman. He bought land
in Somerset County on the same day as did his brother Jacob (Feb.
4, 1785) but in 1812 he moved on to Ohio. They and apparently
a son settled about a mile north of Shanesville, on the west side
of the present Highway 93. A white fence encloses the well-kept
cemetery on the hill behind the house, where it overlooks the
farmstead and the road below (see YNL 18 article). This homestead
was still in the hands of the family as late as 1957 and still
may be. Of Han's eight children, five married Yoders from three
distinctly different branches.
YR126- Franey married John Miller, son of "Indian John"
or sometimes called "Wounded John". Franey's John was
known as "Annas" and their eleven children lived in
Holmes County.
YR127- Joseph married Elizabeth Iutzi from a pioneer family, and
he died in Mifflin County on about Oct. 28, 1823 (a correction
from AAMG date)(see YNL14- page 5).
Five of Joseph's children stayed in Mifflin County (Christian, Hannah, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph). John and Catherine, who married Stutzmans, moved to Lagrange Co., Indiana. The 1824 Orphan's Court petition showed eldest sons George (b.c1782) and Jacob (b.c1784) listed as living (See YNL 14, page 5). Neither could be found in Mifflin County, however. Family histories and related genealogies do not show what became of them, and for years we've had to search for clues on where they eventually settled.
George, the oldest, seems likely
to be the fellow found in 1820 and 1830 in Wayne Co,OH; in 1840
in Summit Co,OH; and later in Stephenson Co,IL. The whereabouts
of the second son, Jacob, has also been in question for may years.
Speculation at the YNL has focused on Jacob Yoder (1784-4/11/1864)
who is buried in Lewisburg, Union County, Pa. His oldest son Peter
was living in Stephenson Co, Il at the settlement of his father's
estate in 1864. We hope to eventually produce a major article
about these families.
YR128- Henry married Barbara Kauffman. Their six children lived
in Mifflin County except for the two who married Riehls... Levina
in Chester County and Solomon in Maryland. Solomon, a bishop,
was active in "church planting" (YNL 8, Oct.86).
YR129- Anna married Jacob Stutzman, a brother to Jacob's wife
Magdalena. They too moved to Holmes County and had five sons.
The family burial plot near Walnut Creek was destroyed when Highway
39 was improved and the stone markers were taken away. Son Jost
Justus went back to Somerset County, where he was Justice of the
Peace for many years and he served for a short time in the Legislature.
YR12a-. David married Jacobina Esh who arrived from Switzerland
in 1780. In 1811, they settled in Mifflin County, where he died
in 1820. He had financial difficulties and at the time of his
death was insolvent. Four of his children married Yoders and the
youngest daughters maried three Yoder brothers! Son Jonathan and
Joseph settled in Illinois, and Leah, the youngest child, whose
children were both born in Juniata County, moved to Kansas.
YR12 b- Catherine also married a John Miller, as did her sister
Franey. Catherine's husband was known as "Broad Run John",
and the two men are believed to have been cousins. J. Virgil Miller
found the location of the two Miller homes, side-by-side, in Holmes
County. Leroy Beachy discovered the marker for Catherine's grave,
an "unusually large fieldstone slab, which now is used as
a cover for an enclosed spring in a ravine....near the center
of the farm. The graveyard was destroyed to make room for the
plow." All but one of the nine children remained in Holmes
County.
Article by Rachel Kreider and Chris Yoder
See
chart of Christian (YR12) Yoder family - first 3 generations
The Ortbuhl-a Steffisburg
Estate
Steffisburg, a Swiss origin place for the Yoder (Joder) family,
is divided into an "Upper Town" and a "Lower Town"
by a picturesque stream with a dog-walk along side part of it.
The Ortbuhl farm is a major block of land to the west of the "Upper
Town". The birth registeries of Steffisburg show Joders connected
with this farm over many years. In the 1670s and 1680s Jost Joder
"im Ortbuhl" witnessed the birth of children to Anabaptists
: Christian Blank and Anna Joder; Jakob Joder and Verena Kaufmann;
and Hans Joder and Kathrin Russer. In 1687 Casper Joder "Im
Ortbuhl" and his wife Anni Zaug (Zook) record the birth of
their son Casper. As late as 1758, a Jakob Joder is marked as
"Ortbuhl" in the record of the birth of his daughter
Anna.
The records of European Yoder researchers Karl Joder and Ottmar
Jotter show the estate of Ortbuhl as being among the "The
residences (literally 'dwelling places.') of the Joder Family
in Steffisburg". The following families are associated with
the holdings (estate) of the Joder family in Ortbuhl:
Caspar Joder I.; Jost Joder, the magistrate of Thun; Caspar Joder & Margret Moser; Peter Joder & Magdalene Zaugg (Zook); Peter Joder & Trini Eymann; Caspar Joder III. & Anni Meyer; Pauli Joder & Francis Hennig; Caspar Joder & Margret Hennig; Hans Joder & Magret Bronnimann; Caspar Joder & Barbly Burky; Niclaus Joder & Anna Trachsel; Jost Joder & Anna Trachsel.
In Dr. Don Yoder's Jan. 1983 Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage
article "The Kung- Gnagi Connection", he mentions that
Adam Joder (son of Niclaus Joder and Anna Trachsel above) lived
on the Ortbuhl farm. The Ortbuhl is therefore a point of origin
for all the Oley Yoders, as Adam was the father of immigrants
Hans and Jost. The Anabaptist links also tie many of the rest
of us back to this estate.
Dr. Michael Stettler, retired director of the Bernese Historical
Museum, is the present day owner of the large farm house on the
Ortbuhl property. In August, 1995 he wrote that he had no knowledge
regarding the Joder family link to the estate, and described its
history as follows:
"Our house, Bern patrician style, was built in 1794 around an older house which belonged to Pastor Samuel Yersons (?) who gave it to his nephew Bailit (?)Gottlieb Emanuel Wagner + 1814, he gave our house his beautiful form with 4 huge columns in front. Nextby was a 17th century wooden farmhouse which burnt down and was rebuilt by Wagner in 1825, with the biggest roof of Steffisburg. It may be that the Yoders were living in that older farmhouse before they left (1751?) for the USA for confessional reasons, the Bern government persecuted the Anabaptists. I have a drawing of the older farmhouse of which I join a photograph." (photo on cover of this issue)
"It may also be that your origin is in the farmhouse in "outer Ortbuhl" (while we are in "inner Ortbuhl") built in early 15th century belonging to a Reusser family. Could your family not be as offspring of that outer Ortbuhl? "
Dr. Stettler goes on to speak of his visit many years before from
Dr. Don Yoder, and the year before by Richard B. Yoder (see Oley
Reunion article). In November he wrote again to mention an August
95 visit by Judith S. and David A. Gurka from Yoder family of
Berks County Pennsylvania. We are certainly greatful to Dr. Stettler
for sharing this information and interesting photo with us.
------------------------------------------
photo -THE ORTBUHL FARM- BIGGEST ROOF IN STEFFISBURG
The Yoder Newsletter- Founded 1983 by
Ben F Yoder (1913-1992); Chris Yoder & Rachel Kreider
FROM THE EDITORS
Chris Yoder, Editor, Battle Creek, MI; John W. Yoder, Circulation
Manager, Middlebury, IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing Editor,
Goshen, IN; Esther E. Yoder, Mail Manager, Goshen, IN; Donald
Kauffman, YNL Homepage Webmaster, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Other
Contributors: Richard H. Yoder, Bechtelsville, PA; Hubert A. Yoder,
Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder Coffman, Malvern, PA; Dr. Don Yoder,
Devon, PA; Neil Wilfong, Cleveland, NC; and Dr. Delbert Gratz,
Bluffton, OH
SEND YNL CORRESPONDENCE:
-FOR CIRCULATION ISSUES ONLY such as new or renewed subscriptions,
changes of address, orders for back issues to: Yoder Newsletter,
P.O. Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527-0594.
- ALL OTHER- Dealing with ancestral queries or contributions for
future YNLs or archives (such as reunion notices, letters to the
Editor, copies of Bible records or other historical information)
to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015 (or
by electronic mail to "75757.3371@compuserve.com").
YNL PRICE INFORMATION
$$$$
-The YNL subscription is on an annual basis-two issues for $3.
-BACK ISSUES of the YNL are $1 per issue.
-Yoder Newsletter Issues 1 Through 25 - bound 240 page volume
includes a topical index of major articles, an "every name
index". (Price $25 plus $3 postage and handling for each
book). Order from: The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen,
IN 46527.
To The Editor--Yoder
Dairy, Norfolk, VA
It was with interest that I read your article on Yoder Food Mixer
in the last YNL. Then I really perked up when I read about the
Yoder Dairy Milk Bottles.. My father and uncle, Eli and Elmer
Yoder, started a retail route in the city of Norfolk in 1929.
The announcement was on about Jun 19th, 1929- "We propose
to establish a Daily Retail Delivery System in Norfolk City Proper
for sale of Pure Sweet Grade A Milk, Cream, Butter, Cottage Cheese,
Eggs and other products of our farms. Quality will be such as
you have been getting from the Mennonite Market Stands Years Past."
Signed by my father, Eli M. Yoder.
They went on to sell on their first day of delivery 12 qt of milk
on June 19, 1929. The name is still being used but none of the
original owners are living any longer. They are still making Home
Deliverys and bottle in glass and paper. The only dairy in the
state doing so. The business started small bottling by hand and
capping the bottles by hand. It soon outgrew the samll 16 x 20
and they built a larger facility, the later built a larger at
another location and still operate there.
There was another dairy selling milk by the name Yoder in Newport
News along about the same time, but has long been out of business.
Sincerely- Ernest E. Yoder
YODER SKETCHES BY LYNN
LORAH
sketch
Talented area sketch artist Lynn Lorah created a number of original
works to commemorate the Oley Valley "Heritage Tour".
These beautiful sketches are still available. The following themes
and prices apply:
--11x14s prints are $16: Hans Yoder Homestead; Hans Yoder Jr. Homestead; Griesemer's Covered Bridge; Lobachsville Mill.
--8x10 prints:
the 8x10 are $12: Jacob and Marie Yoder Homestead; Sawmill at
Hans Yoder Homestead; Pigpen at Hans Yoder Homestead; Hans Yoder
Homestead.
--Note Cards (four different designs/ eight cards total) and Lobachsville Mill Note Cards (four different designs/ eight cards total) at $8 for set fo 8 cards plus envelopes. All prints are unframed.
Add $2.50 postage and handling
for one print (or card order). Add $1 for each additional. Order
from: Lynn Lorah, RD2, Box 144, Oley, Pa 19547. Phone (610) 987-6175.
YODER HOMEPAGE GROWS
Thanks to the technical Magic of "YODER Webmaster" Donald
Kauffman, our Homepage continues to prosper. Since the last issue
of the YNL scores of cousins have come in contact with us for
the first time through the wonders of the Internet. Added records
incorpoarted include: 1900-OH census (Thanks to Dorothy Coffman),
several Iowa Censuses (Thanks to William Johnson); 1900-IN census
(Thanks to Keith Yoder); an assortment of smaller state cenusues;
and selected other county records. Donald Honeywell, a premier
researcher of the "Yoders" line of Southwestern Pa,
has also provided an extensive update of descent for that family.
The "every name index" from the hardcopy compilation
of YNL 1-25 has also been added..with "links"to the
text of each issue.
Our Web address is: http://www.genealogy.org/~yoder/
If you have not come and visited yet, please do so!!
Over 80 Members on the
YODER LISTSERVER
A "listserver" is an electronic mail discussion group.
This one is focused on the Yoder family. If you have "email"
you can subscribe by means of a simple process. To SUBSCRIBE to
the list, send a message to "yoder-l- request@rootsweb.com"
and put "subscribe" on the first line of the body of
the message (not the subject line - anything you put in the subject
line is ignored). THERE IS NO CHARGE to be on this mail group.
Its purpose is to exchange family information of either current
or historic interest.
Thanks to "ginseng" for helping setup and administer
our listerserver function. Period messages sent have included:
Reminders to celebrate St. Joder's Day (August 16); Historical
Notes ("On This Day in Yoder History"); and requests
for help on family inquiries.
YODER COOKBOOK LAUNCHED!
-Submitted by Richard B. Yoder
The Oley Reunion Association is announcing plans to publish a
cookbook of "Yoder Family Recipes". The effort will
be chaired by Alice Yoder of Soudertown,Pa. Alice and her committee
of Nancy Yoder, Rose Yoder, and Mary Jane Gofus are soliciting
Yoder Family recipes that have been favorites over the years.
So, we are asking "all" Yoder's everywhere to dig up
Aunt Nora's, Aunt Ada's and Aunt Sarah's favorite dish and submit
for printing, so that we all might enjoy the traditional Yoder
Family cuisine. If interested in participating, please send all
recipes, with your name, address and origin of the recipe to:
Alice Yoder, 433 Manor House Lane, Soudertown, Pa. 18964.
The authors of the submitted published recipes will be properly
acknowledges in the text. Upon publishing, the cookbook will be
sold as a fundraiser for the Pleasantville Union Cemetary fund.
This burial ground of the original family cemetery of Johannas
and Yost Yoder, the first Yoders to come to the new Continent
and the site of the oldest known tombstone in America. (Daniel
Yoder, 1747, designation OH4).
MATHEMATICAL FORMULA
FOR GENEALOGISTS
Have you ever found a cemetery record which says something like
"Died June 7, 1888 age 81 yr 4 mo 12 days" and wondered
how to find the date of birth? There is a mathematical formula
which will help you do
this. It works as follows:
1888 06 07 (year-4 digits, month-2 digits, day-2 digits)
- 81 04 12 (age in years, months, days)
1807 01 95 (subtract the 2nd line from the first)
- 88 70 (always the same numbers-"8870")
1806 13 25
+1-12 (13 months = 1 year and 1 month, carry the year)
1807 01 25 Answer= date of birth was Jan. 25, 1807
Henry Yoden married Elizabeth
Snudee on the 28th day of November 1833 by Silas Andrews.
The John S.Yoder Home
Restoration
-Status Report by Blaine Miller, Treas
Progress in revitalizing the Old Yoder Homestead at its new location
in rural Sugarcreek is proceeding more slowly than planned, due,
for the most part, to the lack of funds (See YNL 26). However,
since the house was moved across town in May of '95, the Amish
Heritage Foundation has installed a beautiful basement, using
the original cut foundation stone, with a solid red brick floor.
The house has been painted, a new front porch with a slate roof
has been added and landscaping and sidewalk building has been
done.
Our next endeavor will be the restoration of the kitchen and "parlor".
We hope to make solid strides in those rooms this fall and be
ready to open in the spring.
Our spring fund raiser, "The Fussganger Fest" in May,
was disappointing. The wind nearly blew our vendors away and attendance
was not good.
We currently have for sale: beautiful woodcut replicas with brass
inscription for $20.00; 4 x 6 Yoder Home throws for $45.00; wood-framed
prints of the Yoder Home, painted by local artists Tom Miller
and Mahlon Troyer, are $75.00 and up. Add $5.00 for shipping and
handling.
Tax deductible contributions can be made to The Amish Heritage
Foundation, Box 704, Sugarcreek, OH 44681. (orehill@mail.tusco.net)
SPECIAL NOTE: Thanks to the continuing support of our readers,
the YNL is in good financial condition and has just contributed
$500 toward the furtherance of the House of Yoder Project.
**************************Queries**************************
The YNL will publish Yoder related inquiries or exchanges at no
charge.
Please limit as possible to include a full return address. All
inquiries are checked against our records to see if we can help
too. If you receive added info, please share it with the YNL for
our files. Send to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek,Mi
49015
Adelheid Jauther born in Dussldorf about 1849-1850 and was about
3 when she emmigrated. Her family and her husband's family were
Catholic. She settled in New York City at least until my gmother
was born because her birth certificate is dated April 4, 1887.
By this time she had married CHARLIE MAHN, also said to have emmigrated
from Dussldorf. We have lost contact with both the MAHN and the
JAUTHER families. Christine Wallace (wallace@wwnet.com)
Have a Yoder with no information or first name. My Yoder married
a Pattie Epehimer around 1800 give or take a few years. Pattie
was the daugther of William Epehimer and Ann Campbell. If any
of this makes a light come on please let me know.Wesley A. Leiser,722
Jura Way, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94087, Wesleiser@aol.com
Looking for William Eli Yoder, born about 1922 around Hartville,
OH. Son of David Yoder and Catherine Sommers. Wm. m Ruby Shortridge.
William has a sister who lived at one time around Sugar Creek.
He and brothers at one point drove trucks out of Detroit area.Donna
Leaser, 10516 Burrows Rd, Berlin Heights, OH 44814
Have been searching for info about a Yost Jotter/Yotter, d. Bushkill
Twp Northampton Co Pa 1800-1810. Wife's given name Eva Catharine.
Had dau Anna Maria m. Henry Werner. Jost warrant 65a Moore Twp
1785. Member Moorestown Reformed Cong. Harry Werner, 940 Cortz
Dr, Denver,CO 80221
My Great grandmother Mary Trommeter m. Jacob Faust Neifert. I
believe Mary had a sister named Celcia who married a Samuel Yodar.
They lived in Liberty, Pa. Ultimately am trying to find Celcia
which may lead me to Mary's parents. I would be happy to know
more about Samuel as he and his kin are mentioned in my GGrandmother's
diaries. Can you help? I don't know Samuel's parents or anything
like that. Barbara Lavin, 393 Kent Lane, Perkasie, Pa 18944,
Folks submitting Family
Group Information:
Jeff Yoder, Farmington, Pa--David Yoder (YR26119)
Robert Rees, Bertlesville,OK- Abraham D. Yoder (YR2337475)
Karolyn Roberts, Jasper, IN- Noah Yoder (YB134532)
Peggy Yoder Stauffer, Willow Grove, Pa - Reuben Yoder (OH1331b)
D. Handalong, deanneh@post.cis.smu.edu- Saml Yoder (YR235646)
Lloyd M. Kelly, Auburn, WA- Elizabeth Yoders Sharp (M24)
Marge Puka, Twin Falls, Id- John Yoder (YR14234)
Laurie Dyche, lauriedyche@juno.com- Levi John Yoder (YR233335)
Marvin Ogburn, Arlington,VA- (YR15,19,252,1463,YRB1,YRB14)
Julann L Dunn, Bay Village, Oh - Mary Yoder (YR2345151)
Alan Adrianson, AAdrianson@aol.com- Moses Yoder (YR235446)
Rhoda Howard, Eugene, Or- John Yoder (YA4)
Katie Sessler, Mansfield, TX - Frederick and Maria Shartle Yoder
(B)
Some Rhoads Descendants
of Yost Yoder of Oley, Berks County, Pa.-by Rodney F. Rhoads
Elizabeth Yoder was the granddaughter of Yost Yoder of Steffisburg,
Switzerland who settled in Oley, Berks county,PA wa. She was born
to his son John Yost Yoder and Catherine Euster (Oyster) in Oley
township on December 26, 1751. Elizabeth married Matthias Roth
(Rhoads) of Amity Township, Berks County,PA . The exact date of
marriage is not currently known. Seven children were born to this
union, of whom six are known.
The Rhoads family who became linked to the Yoders arrived in America
in 1717 at Philadelphia. In Wuerttemburg, specifically in Bonfeld,
the family surname was ROTH. Johann Jacob Roth (Jr) was a first
settler in Amity township, Berks county, PA and purchased land
there immediately upon arrival in 1717. His second son, Johann
Jacob Roth (III), born in Bonfeld in 1711. remained in Amity and
married Anna Elizabeth ________ prior to 1738. Their son Matthias,
b. 1742 married Elizabeth Yoder and had children: Mary, Esther,
Jacob, Joseph, Abraham, John.
It is interesting to note that by this time all parties were using
their surname of RHOADS ,although in the church they still continued
to be recorded as ROTH. For example, the church records of the
German Reformed Church -Schwartzwald -Rev. William Boos - has
a burial ...ROTH, Matthias, his wife-December 21,1751-December
6, 1790 39 years,less 20 days... (Elizabeth Yoder Rhoads). and
also had a baptism of note: Parent-Matthias Roth- Joseph,born
Nov. 12,1785, baptized October 21,1787. Sponsor, the father.Matthias
Rhoads served as Lt. Col. in Col. Jacob Weavers's battalion, 5th
Battalion Berks County Militia in 1777 and was present at the
battle of Brandywine and probably at the route in Paoli, serving
on duty in the Great Valley afterwards. Matthias died in 1804,
some 14 years after his wife Elizabeth Yoder. The siblings were
then scattered to the environs of a neighboring county. Joseph
Rhoads, the author's antecedent, was still minor technically,
at this time and Jacob Griesemer, his sister's husband was appointed
guardian at his request. Joseph had followed, with the death of
his father, several of his brothers and sisters to Northumberland
county. Note also, that Matthias Rhoads had George Yoder and son
John Yoder, "trusty friend" appointed as executors to
his will dated 1804.
Joseph Rhoads was known locally
as "the German Major" because he served in the War of
1812 and finally achieved the rank of Major with the local militia.
Joseph was mentioned in the will of his grandfather John Yost
Yoder which was probated April 13,1812 in Reading. The Yoder family
history has touched that of the Rhoads family in many ways and
we are the better for it with the inspiration of those rugged
"Schweizers" and their travails and accomplishments
cited lovingly in the Yoder newsletter for the benefit of all
of us.
RESTORATION OF SCHWEITZER
CHRISTIAN YODER CEMETERY
Beginning with a contribution by Gordon Yoder of Dallas, Texas,
the YNL is launching a project to restore and mark the "Old
Yoder Cemetery" north of Brotherton in Somerset County, Pa.
Although most of the headstones are unmarked, the cemetery is
believed the likely resting place of "Schweitzer Christian"
Yoder (YR23).
Plans call for a weekend clean-up crew sometime in the spring
or summer of 1998, and the setting of a brass historical marker.
If your would be interested in helping out, contact Chris Yoder,
203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49105.
PASSINGS:
Raymond James Yoder-Sep.6, 1996 (p8, YNL17)(YR233746c line)
Richard Kinsey Yotter- May 26, 1995 (unlinked line A)
Edie Yoder Godfrey- Dec. 19, 1996 (OH145261 line)
Rebecca B. Yoder- Aug. 1996, age 96
Ruthie (Stutzman) Yoder- 9/4/1997 (wdw of Clyde, son of OH133841)
Item from the "Reading Adler"- Peter Yoder of Oley twsp.
suicide Oct.24, 1817
********************************************************
Pickway Co.,Oh. Marriage Records through 1820:
Catherine Yoder m. May 20, 1819 Andrew Dill/Deill/Dull (M32?)
Marhta (Martha?)Yoder m. ???? Daniel Somers (?Who was she?)
Hickory Daily Record -- Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997
At a family gathering held recently in the Hickory area, plans were given by a prominent educator regarding how one of Catawba County's oldest churches is celebrating throughout 1997 its 200 years of Christian ministry.
Speaking before the 47th annual convention of the N.C. Yoder family at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, Dr. J. Larry Yoder talked at length about the special events that are transpiring this year in Grace Lutheran Church to mark the bicentennial of the Newton area congregation. Established in 1797 as a union church by members of the Lutheran and reformed denominations, the original Grace edifice was a two-story log building situated on property acquired from Samuel Jarrett for $8.
Yoder, a member of the faculty at Lenoir-Rhyne College and pastor of Grace since 1992, mentioned that the anniversary year, dubbed "200 years of Grace" got under way on Jan. 12 with a welcome from the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church. Five former pastors of the congregation are scheduled this year to return to the area and preach from the Grace pulpit. Yoder commented that in two centuries only 20 pastors had led the Lutheran church. The first minister, the Rev. John Godfrey Arndt, established the congregation together with a Swiss Reformed cleric, the Rev. Andrew Loretz. The Reformed element (now a part of the United Church of Christ) ceased to worship at Grace Church in the early 1970s. At that time, the Reformed interest in the Grace property was turned over to the Lutherans "with a suggestion that the latter take care of it until such time as it (the 1856 brick church) fell down," Yoder said.
Rather than allow the landmark to deteriorate, the structure is marked for restoration or repair. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, the Grace sanctuary will be rejuvenated partly with private funds. The congregation expects to raise one-half of the estimated costs of repairs. The undoing of a circa-1940 renovation, which involved the alteration of the original double front entrances into a single access, is among changes planned by the congregation to the historic structure.
Rachael Hahn Kennedy of Charlotte presided over the business session. Ms. Kennedy recognised guests with the July and August birthdays, which included Hubert Yount and Dan Yoder, 91, and Louis Baker and Levi Yoder, 90.
Myra Elizabeth Yoder, the daughter of MR. and Mrs. Jeffrey Reed (Rhoda) Yoder of Hickory, was the youngest guest. "Beth" was born on Nov. 25, 1996.
W. Edward Harper, Jr., the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, offered a blessing and invocation. A picnic followed in the parish building. Approximately 126 people attended the reunion, which is on the second Sunday of August.
First time visitors to the Yoder reunion were Nellie P. Settlemyre, Larry Huffman, John Yoder and daughter, Shannon. Also attending their first Yoder reunion were Mr. and Mrs. Ed (Lane) Graves and their daughters Amanda and Alyssa. Residents of Lawrenceville, Ga., Mrs. Graves is a direct descendant of Jacob Yoder, the second son of Swiss immigrant Conrad Yoder.
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. "Bill" (Marilyn) Yoder of Hickory were recognised for cleaning and mowing the old Yoder private cemetery.
Ted M. Yoder delivered a monologue recounting early Yoder history. Portraying a renowned Catawba historian of the 19th century, Col. George Monroe Yoder (1826-1920), he also talked about the founding of Zion Church in 1790 and a union Sunday School at Grace Church over which Col. Yoder acted a superintendent.
Bill Yoder, Vice-president, reported that last October, 17 members of the local family were hosts to Dr. Don Yoder. Affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, Don Yoder was in the area at the invitation of the Weidner (Whitener) clan, which was holding a three-day national reunion. The Yoder family met at a local restaurant for food and fellowship.
Bill Yoder reminded the Yoder clan that Aug. 16 was observed in the Swiss Reformed Church as St. Joder's Day. The patron saint of the early European Yoder family, Theodorus or Theodor, had a devoted following, many of whom adopted his name as their own family name.
A national reunion of the Mennonite Yoders will transpire in 1999 in Bucks and Lehigh counties of Pennsylvania, the vice president announced. The 50th annual reunion of the N.C. Yoder family is slated for the year 2000 as a special feature of a national reunion of the Yoder clan to occur in the Hickory area on the dawn of the 21st century.
A former president of the Catawba County clan, Richard E. Yoder of Hickory, encouraged people to contribute liberally to Yoder-related causes. Rachael Kennedy, president,, asked visitors to share their family photographs. Secretary Neal D. Wilfong of Cleveland promoted the House of Yoder, a planned archives and museum complex now under construction i the Spruce Penn Alps. Individual, family, and life memberships are available.
Fourteen births, 14 marriages, and 37 deaths were announced in the extended Yoder and Reep families since the last homecoming.
The next meeting of the N.C. Yoder clan is set for the second Sunday in August 1998 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hickory.
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