Yoder Newsletter Online

Issue Number 32 -- OCT. 1998

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Martin Yoder (OH112) Line Found!

(picture "Martin" stone - Gravestone of Susanna "w/o Martin Yoter")

The Puckety Presbyterian Church Cemetery rests on a roadside outside of New Kensington, Westmoreland County, Pa. It is in the far western part of the state, adjoining the county which holds Pittsburgh. It was a burial stone in that cemetery which provided the YNL the final link to tracking a Yoder line (much like another stone gave the link in YNL 29 on Jacob Yoder of Heidelberg Twp.).
The Oley immigrant Hans Joder (1672-c1742) had a son Hans (1700-1779) who had a son Hans (c1726-by 1785). This third Hans was referred to as "John Yoder Jr.". His family life was not a happy one as wife Sarah Shankle deserted her husband and children. Sarah is said to have had an illegitimate child in Reading, and was buried in Peter de Turck's plot in Oley. John Jrs' family is listed below:

OH11- John Yoder Jr. (c1726-by 1785) m. Nov. 1746 Oley Twp., Berks Co. to Sarah Shankle ( - 1789 or 98--letter of admin 6/13/1797 to eldest son Daniel) Sarah taxed by herself in Reading 1762,64, 79. Known children:
+OH111- Daniel b. 4/22/1748 m.1773 Maria Margaretha Oyster (May 4,1753-Dec. 23,1833) d. 8/21/1820 age 72y-3m-29d , m 47yrs
bur. Pleasantville Union Cemetery)
+OH112- Martin b. c1757 m.5/21/1782 Sussanna Weitner
+OH113- Jacob b. 8/11/1758
OH114- Samuel b. ?
OH115- Barbara b. m. Jacob Barr res. District Twp as of 1785 (reference to a settlement between Barbara and her brother Daniel on 12 Jan 1785 of payment owed her based on transfer of plantation and 11 acres to Daniel by his father John on 27 July 1775. Father John deceased as of 1785) (see correction elsewhere in this issue)

Of the sons, Daniel remained in Oley and was a prominent citizen. Jacob traveled to the west and became known as 'the first man to ride a flatboat down the Ohio river to New Orleans (see YNL 12) before settling in Kentucky. Until now, we knew little about Martin or Samuel. Well, for Martin at least, we've just pieced together a fairly good summary.
Oley Township tax records list Martin from 1779 to 1781 as a "single freeman".

1779 Oley (single freeman) Marteen Yoder tax 15 shil.
1780 Oley (single freemen) Martine Yoder tax 9.0.0
1781 Oley (single freemen) Martine Yoder tax 3.0.0

In 1784 he is taxed as "Martine Joder, turner" (lathe operator) with 25 acres of land, 1 horse, 3 cows, 4 sheep and with a family of three people (matching the marriage date to Sussanna Weitner). He appears again in the 1785 record.
He disappears from the Oley tax records, but about the same time, in 1788 a Martin "Yowther" first appears in Mt. Joy Twp. of York (later a part of Adams County) with 196 acres, but no horses or cows- suggesting perhaps he had not taken residence on the property. Beginning in 1789, Martin Yother is shown with 4 horses & 2 cows. The 1790 Pa census for Adams County shows a Martin Gatter/Yatter with one male over 16, 1 male under 16, and 5 females.
According to the York County Abstract of Wills, this Martin Yodder died 9/7/1798 leaving a wife - Susanna Yoder, a son John, and six other children whose names were not given. The executors for the will were Abraham Lichtenwaiter and Jacob Diehl.

"In the Name of God Amen ..I Martin Yodder of Mountjoy township in the County of York- Pennsylvania being sick & weak in body but of sound mind & disposing memory (thanks to God for the same) Do this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety eight make & publish this my last will and testament in manner & form following that is to say my just debts being well & truly paid--
"firstly) I give & devise my farm where I now dwell to wit the use thereof, also two horses--creatures, three cows & one Ox, and all the hogs, and a sufficiency of household furniture to my wife Sussannah Yodder for the use of bringing up & maintaining my Children, untill the youngest shall arrive to the age of 14 years--the residue & remainder of my personal estate I order to be sold at venue by my executors, and the money arrising from the sale thereof to be appropriated to the payment of my Debts as farr as the same will reach.
"secondly) I order will & allow that at the expiration of the term aforesaid my executor shall sell all & singular what my Estate then remains as well _ea_ as personals at public venue or otherwise for the best price that can be gotten for the same, my land to be sold for yearly payments at the discretion of my Executors and upon good security being given for the same, I Empower my said Executors or any one of them, in case of death or other Emergency, to convey to the purchasor the Right I hold therein which conveyance shall for ever barr my heirs.
"thirdly) the money arrising from the sales aforesaid (my Debts being paid) I order will & allow to be divided as follows, towit my eldest son John the sum of twenty five pounds, the residue to be divided e qually in nine shares, two shares of which I bequeath to my wife Sussannah, and one share to each & every one of my Children as well daughters as sons, provided always if any of my seven children be dead at the time the Divis takes place, without lawful issue, that their share be equally devided amongst my other Chidlren, but if they leave lawful issue to survive them, then such isse shall equally inherit their parents share, provided also if my wife be dead before such divide take place, her two shares shall be equally divided amongst my surviving children and the representatives of only taking their parents share, provided also if my wife marry either before the Expiration of the use aforesaid towit before my youngest child is fourteen years of age, or before the divide aforesaid takes place, if before the use is determined, that then she shall leave my land, & the use bequeathed to her shall be vested in my other Executors, for the bringing up my children aforesaid until the end of said term, and if she marry before the divide aforesaid takes place, the legacy herein bequeathed to her shall be void, and in both cases she shall receive no more of my estate than is allowed by the laws of Penna to widows of Intestate Estates, and the overplush bequeathed to her in any, shall Descend equally to my children & the Representatives of those dead as aforesaid, provided also if my executors finds that my wife & children is not able, oe does not gfarm my land as they ought to do, that then they may lett the same on shares or rent, to provide for my children as aforesaid, and provided any of my Debts should be likely to distress my family, before the time of sale, in that case I empower my Executors to borrow money to discharge the same on mortgage on my land, or otherwise at their discretion.
"Lastly) I do constitute & appoint my wife Executrix & Abraham Leightewalter & Jacob Diel Executors of this my last will and testatment in trust to Execute the same according to the true intent & meaning thereof, and in testamony of this being my last will & testament I have hereunto set my hand & affixt my seal Dated as first above written--"

(signature)
(filed 1 Oct 1798)

In the 1799 tax assessments for Mt. Joy Township, York Co the assessed value for property of the "Widow Yother" was $1,110. Adams County was formed Jan.22, 1800 and the 1800 Adams Co Census shows:

Susanna Yetter Adams Co. p508 age 45+
male female
age 45+ 1
26/45 1
16-26 2
10/16 1
<10 3

The Tax records for the county show that after Martin's death, the widow is taxed on her own (sometimes for 200 acres and sometimes for 170 acres). Through 1810 she is taxed with horses and cows shown (which implies she was still living on the place). The youngest child (born in 1797) having reached 14 in 1811, the property was sold, as had been specified by the will. In 1812 the tax list says her real estate was transferred to George Trostle and Susanna no longer appeared in the records.

<Map of Martin Yoder Property>

The survey document said "Situate in Mountjoy Township Adams County. Surveyed Nov.23, 1767 by Archd. McClean & by warrant to John Gibson dated August 25th 1767 & said to contain 280 acres. Surveyed and divided as above, James Smiths part Oct.9th 1809 and the heirs of Martin Yoders part April 5th 1810-By Saml Sloan"...
When the Martin's estate was finally settled in 1813 the record (which spells his name as both Yodder and Yoder within the document) provides two essential components of information. First, it gives the names of all of Martin's heirs (and totals the 7 children referred to in the will):

Payments made to heirs of Martin Yoder are shown:
Hannah $81.00
_____ (illegible) guardian for Benjamin and Daniel $262.00
Martin Yoder $81.00
Sussanna Yoder Widow $162.00
John Yoder $147.67
Elizabeth D----(illegible) $81.00
Mary $81.00

Secondly, it shows debts repaid to two Berks County Yoders whose names help establish this Martin as the disappearing fellow in Oley Twp. Daniel Yoder was paid 56 pounds to discharge a bond and interest. George Yoder was paid over 159 pounds in discharge of two bonds. The Daniel in Oley at this time was OH111.. older brother to Martin. The George in the township was OH132...a first cousin to Martin. Following the estate settlement, the family disappears from Adams County.
Where did the descendants of Martin go? We started our investigation by studying the Pa. census records. In both 1820 and 1830 our attention is drawn to entries far across the state in Allegheny Twp. of Westmoreland County:

1820 lists:
"Widow" Yeoter 1 female >45, 2 females age 26-45
Daniel Yeoter 1 male age 16-26, 1 female 16-26

1830 lists:
Daniel Yeoter 1 male 30-40,1 female 20-30,2 males <5,1 female 5-10
Susanna Yeoter 1 female 70-80, 1 female 40-50

The spelling "Susanna" is an unusual one, and made us more curious about this family. County tax records for Allegheny Township are available from 1820, and show:

1820 thru 1822--Daniel Yoter/Yotter 300 acres 2 horses 1 or 2 cows
1823 thru 1828- Daniel Yoter/Yutter 408 acres 2 horses 1 cattle
( from 1825 only the cow)
1830 thru 1835- Daniel Yoter/Yotter 100 acres 1 cow
(1 yolk oxen in 1831 only)
1837 thru 1842- Daniel Yotter/Yuter/Yutter 50 acres,
Hannah Yotter/Yuter/Yutter 50 acres
1838- Daniel Yuter 50 acres, Hannah Yuter 50 acres

A review of the land and estate records at the Westmoreland county courthouse in Greensburg showed that on 4 May 1819 a Letter of Administration was issued on the estate of Benjamin Yoter to Daniel Yoter. The next record on file for the family is an 1829 purchase by Daniel Yotter of 100 acres in Allegheny Township of land originally warrented by Samuel Coates in 1774. (Daniel was married to Agnes McKallip whose relative "John McKillopp" appears in the 1799 Mt. Joy Twp, York County assessment list with the "Widow Yother"). We see from the 1830 census that his mother Susanna is still living. In 1832 Daniel and Agnes sold half of this land to his sister Hannah Yoter. This tracks with the tax records above, but gives no clues to where the earlier 300 and 408 acres tracts might have been. The 1832 split of the property could have corresponded with the death of their mother.
Hannah Youter's will was made 19 May 1842 and signed with her mark. It was filed 3 Oct 1842 and left the use of her land to her brother Daniel for four years, at the end of which time it was to be sold and proceeds divided in four parts between- "Nancy Youter, Susan Clark, Mary Phillips, and Susannah Youter." ("Nancy" is believed to refer to Daniel's wife, aka "Agnes"; "Mary" possibly ? to a sister, and the other two not guessed).
Daniel lived until 1854. The censuses show:

1840---Daniel Yoter--Westmoreland Co., Allegheny Twp.
males- 1 age <5, 2 age 5-10, 2 age 10-15 and 1 age 40-50;
females- 1 age 5-10, 1 age 15-20, 1 age 30-40.
- - - - - - -
1850---Daniel Yolter--Wes--Alle--331--(OH1127)
Daniel -52-farmer,Nancy-47,Susanna-26,John-22, Henry-20,
Catherine-17,Daniel -15, David-13, James-7, Mary-4
- - - - - - -
1850-Benjamin Yolten --Wes--Alle--331
Benj.-24-farmer, Louise-21, Jane-9/12
----------------------------------------------------------

It is disappointing that we did not yet find earlier land records, or a will or estate record for the "Widow Susanna". It is clear that the known names of children match exactly (Susanna, Daniel, Benjamin, Hannah, possibly a Mary). The approximate ages also match, partiularly that of son Daniel (know to have been born in 1797) which corresponds exactly to the property sale when he reached fourteen as specified in Martin's will (1811-12) . These points alone present a firm case that this Westmoreland County family is that of Martin Yodder of Adams County. One further element provides the final "proof" to the conclusion that this is indeed the family of OH112. In 1970, Mrs. Frank C. Fischer (nee Della Reagan) compiled the cemetery records of Puckety Presbyterian Church Cemetery outside of New Kensington, Pa. Among the inscriptions she made out from the weathered stones was a partial one which said:

"Susanna w/o Martin Yoter"

In a May 1998 visit to the cemetery, her stone was laying flat and only the words "Martin Yoter" were still visible. It is immediately beside the roadside and we uprighted it before our departure. Her son Daniel and his wife Agnes (nee McKallip-whose Scot line is apparently the root of the family Presbyterianism) rest close by. Daniel (2/28/1797-3/9/1854) and Agnes (1801-12/28/1867) and their families all have their last names spelled on the stones as "Yetter". This is the first time we have actually confirmed that a line of known Yoder origin has changed their names to Yetter, and it may have some meaning as we continue our assessment of different branches. It's interesting that children of Daniel and Agnes in the 1880 census still use the spelling "Yoter".

CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARTIN YOTER FAMILY

We summarize our documentation on Martin's family in the family chart contained within this article. The female in the family who was born before 1774 in the 1800 census is a mystery, possibly someone to help with the children. Hannah appears to have remained single and dies in Westmoreland county in 1842. Mary could be the Mary Phillips mentioned in Hannah's will. Benjamin died in 1819...with no apparent heirs. And Daniel is well defined with progeny in Westmoreland County at the time of his death.

<chart here>

The Westmoreland records make no reference to the other two sons: Martin and John. Only one son (Daniel) appears from 1820 onward in Westmoreland county. No unlinked Martin is visible in the 1820 or 1830 Pennsylvania censuses. Perhaps he died young, like brother Benjamin? But John is another matter, and the subject of further speculation.
The spelling of our family name as "Yoter" is a rare one. As we've seen above, this spelling was used early on after the family arrived in Westmoreland County. The only other on-going place where this spelling appears (and the only line where we know that the spelling is used today) is in the descent of John Yoter of Cumberland County, Pa (11/13/1785-5/27/1847) who is buried at the Dunker Cemetery in Huntsdale, Pa. This John Yoter married Charlotte Chritzman in Gettysburg, Pa. which is the county seat of Adams County. The age and location certainly match that of John, eldest son of Martin and Susanna, but his story will be reserved for another day....and for more evidence.

photo- Herbert Hoover in center, with Otho & Ruth Yoder to his right, his wife Lou Henry Hoover to his left (partially hidden). The only person noticing the camera is Mildred Helen Yoder, age 4.

I am Peg Yoder Anderson born Oct. 21, 1932, the daughter of Helen Margaret Hoover & Otho Otis Yoder.... My Mothers father (George Hoover) & President Hoover were 1st cousins & boyhood friends. My Grandfather was an attorney here in West Branch & Herbert Hoover got him a job in the Commerce Department in Washington, D.C. in the 20s where he worked until his death in 1932.
Herbert Hoover started his campaign in 1928 here in West Branch, Iowa & in fact, he & his wife Lou Henry stayed over night at my parents home in West Branch. My Dad always liked bread & gravey & would laugh remembering Herbert Hoover dousing Mothers fluffy home made rolls with gravy (much to her chagrin) & he would say "If Herbert Hoover can do it, so can I".
My Dad graduated from W.B. high school & had worked in a clothing store in W.B. but then was offered the job as Post Master. I'm not sure if Herbert Hoover had any influence in that or not--it's very possible. However, back then the postal employees were not Civil Service, but appointed by political affiliation & so when Hoover lost the election to F.D.R. in 1932, being a Republican, he lost his job. It must have been a very difficult time for both of my parents thru the depression as they were expecting me, & had an older child, Mildred Helen (10-28-23). It was because of that situation, my dad bought into a grocery store, also here in west Branch, which he opearted successfully for some 20 odd years til he was forced to sell out. I suppose it was a natural thing for him to go into the grocery business as his father (Ezra) had owned & operated a grocery store in Sharon Center (near Iowa City) before moving to West Branch-then later he travled (by horse & buggy) with the Baker Co.
My Dad was a very generous, kind & loving person. He was everybodys friend, in fact his logo on his advertisements was ""Yoder Grocery' Your Friend @ Mealtime."

<PHOTO-Ruth (Hoover) Yoder and Otho Otis Yoder (YR239eb2)>

He loved people, & telling stories- & was always joking & laughing. He loved to eat too, which showed in his girth later on, opposed to the slim trim young man he had been when working in the clothing store.
He loved clothes & loved to take us 2 girls shopping. He had good taste & was always admiring some pretty garment that would "look like a million dollars" on us.
He also loved cats, as did my Mother and her Mother. We Yoder-Hoovers have always had a house cat. Dad always had a cat in the grocery store. They certainly wouldn't allow that today.
He was very artistic, & his penmanship was a work of art. He always drew his own ads for the newspaper. He wanted to go to art school as a boy, but his parents talked him out of it, saying he would be a poor starving artist. My sister & her daughter however, inherited that special talent & both are art majors, so that ability was passed on. He would be so proud.
My husband & I live on a farm 6 miles south of West Branch. He is retired & ironically, I am a ranger at the Herbert Hoover Historic Site at the National Park in W.B. My folks would be so tickled to know that!
I have not had time to look for a suitable picture, but I promise I will work on that. I didn't want to delay this response to your kind letter any longer. I find it very unusual that there were 2 Otho Yoders! (There was a King Otho in the bible, I'm told). I always felt sorry for him stuck with such an awful name! Otho Otis! What a name to stick on a poor little baby! But dad never seemed to mind it, joked about it in fact. Some people nick named him "Double O--" or just called him "Yode". His wife, children & Grandchildren meant all the world to him, & he left us with the fondest memories & heritage more precious than the finest gold. Yes, I am very proud to be Otho Yoders daughter.
We have a copy of the 1st edition 1912 Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler. Benedict Yoder, who would be my Great-Grandfather did not come into the picture until he married Sarah Miller who was a Granddaughter of Jacob Hochstetler.
Sincerely, Peg Yoder Anderson
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YNL Editor Chris Yoder is also the son of an Otho Yoder...making only two Yoders with that name in the known history of the family.

(copy of text extract)

A handwritten sheet of paper found in the Daniel Beachy Family Bible, gives the birth records for children of Somerset County settler Henry Yoder (YR261) and his wife Catherine Detweiler. This data allows update of what was previously known and published for this family. Mrs. Beachy was the daughter of Jacob Yoder, 7th child of Henry. The record, in German, gives the following names and dates:

Jost Joder born 1784, 25 January
Christian Joder born 1785, 10 (or 16) March
Henry Joder born 1787, 1 May
Liese Joder born 1789, 7 March (Elizabeth)
Maria Joder born 1790, 28 October
Baevi Joder born 1792, 7 December (Barbara)
Jacob Joder born 1795, 20 January
Gertraut Joder born 1797, 17 March (Gertrude)
David Joder born 1799, 22 April

This marks the end of the page. Amish and Amish-Mennonite Genealogies co-author Rachel Kreider remarks that they never knew about daughter Gertraut. The date for Yost matches that known from other sources. Dates for Christian, Elizabeth, Mary, Jacob, and David (now confirmed as a son) are new. Dates for Henry and Barbara are slightly off from those previously shown. Rachel believes that Henry and Catherine had other children. AAMG shows a Salome Yoder who married John Yoder (YR25111) as a possible daughter. One date of birth for this Salome of 6/15/1799, if correct, would seem to eliminate this possibility. A Catherine Yoder, born about 1804, was definitely another daughter. Catherine was the wife of Daniel Schlabach (brother of Barbara's husband) and there is a story of Henry Yoder getting land for both couples in Holmes County.

From Kentucky Land Grants by Jillson, pub 1925, listed under "Old Kentucky Grants" are the following for Capt. Jacob Yoder (see YNL 12 for feature on this intrepid pioneer):
acres book page date survey Co. Watercourse
Yoder, Jacob 300 8 109 9-3-1797 Hardin Rough Cr.
Yoder, Jacob 800 8 271 4-5-1795 Jeff. Pond Cr.
Yoder, Jacob 200 11 336 9-17-1798 Nelson Roling Cr.
Yoder, Jacob 100 12 657 9-27-1798 Nelson Coxes Cr.

From a Pittsburgh Newspaper, Saturday, June 6, 1795:
"Whereas I gave a bond to a certain Jacob Yoder in December in the year 1791 for upwards of 50 pounds, in consideration for a tract of land, and whereas said Yoder was to make me a good and sufficient title to said land which he has not done, I hereby forewarn all persons from taking an assignment on said bond as I am determined not to pay it unless compelled by law. /s/ Jacob Witezel, June 6."

Dear Editors
My great-grandfather, James Marion Yoder, son of Francis Marion Yoder, is the one who took the picture of Miss Edna Yoder in Shell city, MN, in 1884. Shell city was founded in part by Francis M. Yoder. James M. Yoder married Margaret Etta Doran in Shell City in Aug 1882. The Yoders then moved to Menahga, then to Fargo, North Dakota in 1886. We never knew where our great-grandparents came from (after Iowa), until a few years ago when our father, Donald Yoderwas looking at property less than 5 miles from the original Shell City site, and was asked by the Wadena County Historical society if he was related to the Yoders who founded Shell City!!!! The county owns the property of shell city now, and there are signs locating all of the original buildings, such as the Yoder House hotel, school, etc. For more info, please contact my sister, who has done all of the research,!
and needs the credit--Nancy Yoder email--Cats Paw@aol.com
Patricia (Yoder) Cheney <Patandda@aol.com>
Bulverde, TX USA - Monday, March 16, 1998 at 18:50:36 (PST)

I am the Great-Great Granddaughter of Christian Zook Yoder (1845-1939) of Wayne County Ohio. That last newsletter was chock full of stuff interest to us, that, the Wayne County article, the Wes Yoder item (he was my land lord for a while when I lived in Nashville) and the Yoder Brothers Flowers (my mom grew up working one of the old Yoder Brothers Farms growing Tomatoes in glass green houses).
And we just sent in our subscriptions for 3 more years.
Eleni M Sims (sam), Sims@kafb.aero.org

The village of Lyons in Berks County, Pa is where Solomon Yoder (OH11132) moved after leaving the Oley valley and built a steam operated grist mill about 1860. He later moved to Nebraska. A devastating tornado hit the area, but spared Solomon's mill.
In Somerset County, the small cabin of Jacob Hochstetler (ancestor of many in the Amish Yoder lines) had been restored several years ago. A June 2nd tornado uprooted it and it appears past saving.
( Thanks to Dick Yoder and Hochstetler Newsletter )

<picture -- House of Jacob Yoder and Maria Keim>

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. For further information contact:
Lynn Lorah, RD2, Box 144, Oley, Pa 19547.

Mystery!!

An Indenture made 20 Apr 1805 between Jacob Goodman of North Huntington Twp and his daughter Marey Yoider of the same place, then the wife of Abraham Yoider presents us with a large mystery. During our visit to the Courthouse we found nothing further on this couple, and no likely Abraham makes himself known in our Yoder records. Who can offer any clues to this mystery? Write the YNL..

photo- Panorama of Old Yoder Cemetery-located in center of Zubek Mine, north of Brotherton, Pa

PHOTO- Right to left: Participants Bruce Yoder, Mayla and Mark Yoder and Morgan Dickey of Berlin, Jack Walker of Somerset, Tom Yoder of Coraopolis, Pa, Elwood Yoder and Miss Courtney Pryal of Friedens, and Christian Yoder of Clarksville, Tn. (Not pictured Harvey Yoder of Belleville, Chris Yoder of Battle Creek, MI )

We had a very productive clean-up day at the site of the Old Yoder Cemetery on the Zubek strip mine in Somerset County, Pa. This is the known site of burial for John (YR239) and wife Barbara Yoder (YR1251) and believed burial place of John's father "Schweitzer Christian". The volunteers raked, trimmed, cut, reset stones, and planted. Everyone was quite pleased with the result.
We discussed plans for the permanent marking of the site. Will initially save up for a brass marker mounted on a marble headstone. Have about $425 put aside or pledged at this point... a longer term objective agreed to (suggested by Army Band member Michael L. Yoder) was a vinyl fence...with prospects of making it's installation an Eagle scout project a couple years off.
Descendants particularly owe Bruce Yoder our gratitude. After returning home from WWII, he started work at the mine in time to prevent the cemetery from being stripped over. Later, in 1980, he called in the State Mine Inspector to document the cemetery and to insure it's boundaries are honored.
Thanks to contributors Gordon and Michael. Thanks also to Zubek, Inc. for their cooperation in assuring weekend access to the site. Send your contribution to this project to: Old Yoder Cemetery Project, c/o 203 Lakeshire Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015.

On July 18, 1998, the Oley Yoder Association held their third annual family reunion at the Oley Fire House in Oley, Pennsylvania. Approximately 70 family members enjoyed the social/historical event highlighted by the abundance of socialization, family renewals and a review of "some of" the latest historical family research information.
The Oley Yoders are direct lineage of Johannas and Yost Joder, who as early as 1714 settled in the Oley Valley, Berks County. Descendants of Hans and Yost, established settlements throughout the Oley Valley, with the original family located in what is today called the village of Pleasantville.
The association has been actively devoted to the care and maintenance of the family cemetery (Pleasantville Union Cemetery). The reunion attendees visited the cemetery where both Hans and Yost are believed to be buried. The cemetery is also the location of the oldest Yoder tombstone in America (Daniel Yoder died 1747-OH14).
The days activities was accented by a presentation by Eleanor Trout Shaner, an executive committee member, who reviewed the origins of the Yoder family dating back to the 1500's, the religious persecution taking place at that time in Switzerland and the immigration of Hans and Yost to America. She discussed the tribulations and uncertainties of the boat trip across the Atlantic Ocean, their marriages in America and the ensuing land purchases in the Oley Valley region. Richard H. Yoder, the association's historian, showed slides of the land grants, map locations and subsequent purchases, homes and buildings, and cemetery burial locations of the early Yoder immigrants.
Joseph Yoder, president-elect, announced the Association's plans to host a "national level" reunion in the summer of 2001. Over 400 people attended the 1996 national Oley Yoder family reunion. Joe Yoder also presided as the auctioneer of a "white elephant sale", where proceeds were donated toward the cemetery maintenance fund.
The oldest individual attending the reunion activities was Maude Yoder Hoch, 86 years young, from Oley, with the youngest attendee, Rebekah Hymes, age 16, from Colorado. Rebekah is the granddaughter of Mary Jane Gofus.
The association meets regularly at the Old Historic Pleasantville Inn, Route 73 and Covered Bridge Road, in Pleasantville, throughout the year and encourage all who want to join us, write to the Oley Yoder Association, 415 State St., Pottstown, Pa. 19464 for the dates.
The fourth annual reunion will be held July 17, 1999. Details will follow in later issues of the YNL--plan now to attend--place the date on your '99 calendar.--submitted by Rich Yoder, President

Peter YODER (ca 1260) sp. Verena MABEGGAR
Casper JODER (ca 1300) sp. Veronica TREYER (DEYER)
Ulli JODER (1340) sp. Elsi ZAUGG
Heini YODER (1365) sp. Leni GERWER
Jost YODER (1387) sp. Madlen SCHLUECHTER
Caspar JODER (1435) sp. Ana MEYER
Caspar JODER (1484) sp. Margret MOSER
Peter JODER (1538) sp. Trini EYMANN
Jakob JODER (1567) sp. Els NEUENSCHWENDER
Daniel JODER (1605)
Henry JODER (1645)
Frances (Vroni) YODER (1685-1735) sp. Michael DENLINGER
I would very much appreciate any feedback on the above lineage as to if it is proven and to what extent. Reply to: Mike Judd, 21623 Nesting Ct, Lutz, FL 33549 (Elaphe2 <Elaphe2@aol.com)

The third annual meeting of the House of Yoder will be held at Penn Alps in Grantsville, Maryland on Saturday, November 14, 1998 from 10:00 a.m. through mid-afternoon. Agenda items include: sharing a brunch at the Penn Alps Restaurant, a tour of the Yoder House under construction, a business meeting and input from our guest speaker, Virgil Yoder. According to the Yoder Newsletter web site, Yoder is noted for his "well-researched, wonderfully photographed, and exceptionally scripted slide show of Yoder Heritage in the old world.". Construction on the Yoder House continues with a goal of having it under roof by late fall. For further information, contact Lonnie Yoder, Publicity/Membership Coordinator, Yoder House Project, 1066 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, 540-432-6467, ltby@shentel.net.

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