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--by Joel Daniels, grandson of Nellie Yoder Eyman and resident of the Yoder area
YODER STORE
Located in the North Willamette Valley midway between Portland
and Salem, Yoder today consists mainly of gently rolling farmland,
wooded areas, and a sprinkling of residences. It is not a town
or city but a rural center with a general store, a garage, two
churches and a private school. It was not always so. When the
first white settlers reached this area, they found mostly evergreen
forests of huge old growth fir trees and an occasional "prairie"
burned off by the Native Americans to provide pasture. The land
was given out in land grants of 640 acres and settlement began
in earnest in 1850. Forests were cut down, burned and the land
cleared for farming. When the first Yoders arrived, the land grants
had been broken up into smaller parcels and it was common to buy
60 to 120 acre tracts.
In about 1873 the Gideon and Catherine Yoder Lantz and their family
became the first of the Yoders to move to this area.. Catherine
was the daughter of Bishop Jonathan Yoder (YR12a3) and grew up
near Bloomington, Ill. after her family moved there from Pennsylvania.
She and others of her Yoder relatives first moved to Dade County,
Missouri before coming to Oregon. Included were her brother Asa
J, and her nephews, Jonathan S., Levi D, and her niece, Mary (
Mrs. Joseph) Schwartz(endruber). After years of drought, the family
began to look westward and sent Will Yoder (Asa's son) and Joe
Schwartz to scout out the Dakotas. They did not look promising,
so Mary Schwartz wrote to her aunt Catherine Lantz to inquire
about the possibilities in Oregon.
According to an essay by Orlando Perry Yoder (Jonathan's son)
written about 1950, Catherine's letters to Missouri gave the folks
there "Oregon fever". More letters were exchanged and
in the summer of 1887, Joe Schwartz and Dave Yoder (another son
of Asa) came to Oregon and visited with the Lantzes who were located
near the present Yoder Store. Joe Schwartz sent back glowing reports
of the wonderful Oregon to his wife and family in Missouri and
told them to pack up and come to Oregon. He had already found
a farm of 80 acres for them to move onto and he wrote that he
would stay there and wait for them to come by train as soon as
they could arrange things.
Mary complied and in November made the trip with her 4 daughters
and Asa's son, Ed Yoder. She wrote extensively to her family back
in Missouri about her trip west and what she found after she arrived.
"I never saw such heavy frost in my life, and I guess you
won't believe it, but it is true, the lettuce and cabbage are
not hurt a particle. At first I thought there was too much timber
here, but I like it better all the time. We have such good water
I'll will tell you in what Mo. is ahead of Oregon. That is growing
weeds. Here the gardens are so clean. Joe is just in his glory
when he can work around his stumps and logs. Some of the trees
are fearful, 150 ft. high and as straight as an arrow."
To her brother, Jonathan Yoder who already had a sawmill, these
must have been magic words. He traveled out west to visit in June1888,
bought land and arranged for a house to be built by newlyweds
Will Yoder, who had come in March of that year with his new bride
Jennie. Mary did mention:
"The greatest drawback I have seen is that I can't bake good
bread. You can scarcely believe it but the bread of such wheat
that Joe sent is not good. The millers say they let it get too
ripe. We will try it and cut some green next year."
No doubt she was missing the hard red wheat she was used to back
home, not the white soft wheat grown in Oregon. By 1889, the rest
of the Yoders had sold their farms in Missouri, moved to Oregon
and the community of Yoder was begun. These families were especially
close since the wives of Asa, Jonathan and Levi were sisters,
daughters of Elias Yoder's (YR12a33) second wife Catherine Stucky
Fry. In July, 1893, John Plank Yoder, another of Elias Yoder's
sons moved his family to Oregon from Illinois where he was superintendent
of schools in Marseilles. In a letter dated August 10, 1893 to
his brother Isaac (Ike), who remained in Illinois:
"The days are pretty warm , but the heat is not so stifling
as in Ill., and the nights are always cool and one awakes refreshed
and rested in a way that is astonishing to one who has the experience
for the first time."
It is remarkable now to realize that this large extended family
was able in a fairly short period of time to purchase acreages
nearly contiguous with one another. Since the land was mostly
covered by dense forest and brush, some so thick that one had
to crawl to get through it, it was not very productive until it
was cleared. The new settlers were determined to clear the land
so they could produce the crops they were used to in the east.
John P. Yoder describes the process in another letter to Ike April
14, 1894:
"I suppose we have told you before of the big pine tree that
stood near our house .during holidays the boys in the neighborhood
sawed it down .No wagon in the neighborhood could haul the logs
and no sawmill could saw them for it was 187 long and nearly 6
ft. across the stump We hauled some of the best of the limbs for
firewood and the other day Louis [Jonathan's son] and Arthur [John
P.'s son] bored it with the ship augur and burned it up. The way
this is done is to bore holes at intervals of ten or fifteen feet
from the top down to the heart then bore corresponding holes in
the sides to intersect these. Then drop some live coals down from
the top . The fire will do the rest."
The enterprising Yoders with their neighbors set about to organize
a variety of activities in the community in addition to clearing
the land and building their houses. Evergreen School was built
in 1889 and classes were held that winter with Asa Yoder as schoolmaster.
(That school lasted until Christmas vacation 1923 when the school
was moved to a new two-room building a quarter-mile north.) According
to a Smyrna Church history compiled by the Sunbeam Sunday School
Class taught by Gungadene Mitts in the 1950s: Dec. 25, 1889--The
Yoder children moved into their new schoolhouse, and on Dec. 28
the people congregated at the new schoolhouse to organize a Sunday
School and to elect officers. Mr. A. J. Yoder was chosen Superintendent
with Mr. John Taylor assistant. Mr. J. J. Yoder secretary. Mr.
Tom Yoder and Miss Elsey Taylor organists. The classes were formed
and the lessons for the next quarter were discussed. A vote was
then taken on a name for the school. The house majority was in
favor of Evergreen. After that the Evergreen Sunday School had
services at 10:00 A.M.
Evergreen School
On January 29, 1890, the Rev. F. W. Parker, minister of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in Woodburn, preached the funeral sermon of
Dr. Byland of Woodburn. His brother, O. H. Byland, who lived near
what is now Smyrna Church in Yoder, was present and invited the
Rev. Parker to come and preach at the Needy Schoolhouse, 2 miles
northwest of Yoder, whenever it might be convenient.
The Rev. Parker was busy with his duties, but he promised to come
and was able to preach on May 11, 1890. After the services the
people asked him to come again, but he was not able to until June
22 after which they had a basket dinner. According to Asa Yoder,
who wrote the "official" history of Smyrna Church in
1892, the service was pleasant and a large crowd gathered for
a basket dinner in the grove. The people asked why he did not
organize a church at Needy and he said of course he would if there
were enough in favor of it. The fifth Sunday of the month was
chosen as the day to hold a meeting. The Rev. Parker, assisted
by the Rev. T. H. Small, met with the people on June 29, and a
membership of twelve became known as the Needy Congregation of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
It was decided that the Rev. Parker would preach on the first
Sunday of the month at both the Needy and Evergreen Schoolhouses.
Soon after, the people of both neighborhoods decided to build
a church halfway between the two schools, and it was begun on
January 31, 1891. According to Asa Yoder,
The people were poor, but they went to work with a will. They
cut the logs, and hauled them to J. S. Yoder's sawmill, then hauled
the lumber to the place of building, and with their own hands,
put up the building on a piece of land given for that purpose
by Bro. Benjamin Rupe [Roop]. The church was enclosed and Rev.
Parker preached the first sermon in the house on the 5th day of
April 1891.
The people probably sat on planks placed on chunks of wood, but
soon some of the lumber was fashioned into pews by Will Yoder
and his cousin Iddo Hein. Those same pews are in use today, and
one can marvel at the clear wide planks that must have come from
some very large trees. Evidence that there must have been a number
of large trees on the site remain under the church today where
one can still find a large stump that for many years provided
part of the foundation.
The Rev. Parker expressed a wish during the first service that
because the congregation was poor financially, but rich in zeal
and spiritual life, it should be henceforth known as the Smyrna
[from the book of Revelations] Congregation of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. Soon after a decision was made to unite with
the Congregationalists. The story has been handed down through
the years that one of the reasons for the change of affiliation
was that Congregationalists allowed women to vote and hold office.
Asa Yoder reflects on the first years, Since its organization,
the church has prospered as well as could be expected. The church
has now a membership of 47, most of whom joined on Confession
of Faith. The house was finished and dedicated on the 1st Sunday
of December 1892 by the Rev. Cephas Clapp, assisted by the Pastor
Rev. Parker.
It is interesting to note that although the Yoders, who came to
Oregon were raised as Amish-Mennonite, John P. wrote to his brother
Jonathan in Missouri from Marseilles, Ill., Sept. 10, 1886, that
"The influential church here as at Danvers [Illinois] is
the Congregational & I am inclined to think they form about
our best and most intelligent communities." It is not known
if there was any discussion about forming a Mennonite church although
many others of that faith lived nearby.
As soon as Jonathan Yoder and his family were settled, land was
cleared to erect the sawmill. It was built over a large stump
used to anchor the grain grinder. The mill was powered by a 10
horse power steam engine bought in the French Prairie area near
Fairfield. Besides cutting lumber, every Friday was grain grinding
day. Jonathan's daughter Nellie Eyman remembered in a "History
of the Yoder Area" published in 1959, "that many times
her mother had extras for the noon meal if the customer's grinding
wasn't finished."
YODER SAWMILL
Another activity around the mill was making bricks. Kilns were
improvised by placing cull bricks and mud around dome-shaped piles
of green brick stacked in such a way to leave an opening in the
center for a fire. A shingle mill was incorporated with the other
activities in a second mill erected after a disastrous fire in
1901. Jonathan's son, Aaron took over full management of the mill
in 1907 the year he married Edna Conrad. The mill burned again
in 1915 and a third time in 1934 always to be rebuilt using the
original parts that had been salvaged. It is still in operation
run by Aaron's son Russell and his grandson, David.
An event of great and fleeting importance to the Yoder community
was the coming of the Willamette Southern Electric Railway in
January 1915. To coincide with this new opportunity, Jonathan
Yoder erected a building consisting of a general store and warehouse.
Louis and Edda Wrolstad came from Barlow to run the store and
the stop on the train became Yoder Station. The Yoder Warehouse
Co. was formed to facilitate the handling and shipping of 50 to
60 cars of potatoes each year in addition to cars of cider apples,
cordwood, piling, eggs, cream, poultry, dressed hogs, veal and
other commodities to Oregon City and Portland. Students were able
to use the train to go to high school in Molalla. The railway
was the source of its own demise. On the return trip it often
hauled rock used by crews of local citizens to build roads. The
first paved road through Yoder was laid in 1925-26, the year the
train discontinued service.
With the exception of cleared land and newer houses, Yoder remains
about the same as it was a hundred years ago. Oregon's strict
land-use laws do not allow the population to increase very rapidly.
The roads are all paved and growth of the Portland and Salem metropolitan
areas cause an increase in traffic on the major highways in the
area. All of the original Yoder houses are gone or in ruin except
for the Will Yoder house, but Yoder descendants number about one-third
of the approximately 75 residents of the area. A great-grandson
of Jonathan Yoder, Paul Yoder and his family own and operate the
store. Other families part of Yoder through the years include:
McCormick, Taylor, Jackson, Kropf, Wyland, Sconce, Brockert, Owen,
Watson, Feenie, Roesch, Conkling, Schriever, Wrolstad, Dybvad,
Sinclair, Sether and more.
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(photo) The Yoder Mill, probably from about 1895. There are both low and high wheel bicycles. I suppose it was on a Sunday since everyone is dressed up. Most of them are Yoders no doubt, but it is almost impossible to make anyone out.
(photo) The Jonathan Yoder Family picture was taken about 1893 judging by the age of my grandmother who would have been 7 yrs old, and her mother Barbara had a paralytic stroke in 1901. Back row: Aaron Livingston, Orlando Perry, John Jay, Louis Bertram, Rosa Bonheur. Front row: Albert Grant, Ralph Emerson, Jonathan Samuel Yoder, Nellie Beatrice, and Barbara Fry Yoder. J. S. had quite a flair for names. He pretty well had the careers planned for his children: Aaron went to Oregon Agricultural College to learn blacksmithing and machine work so he could come back and run the mill, Perry went the same school to study horticulture, John Jay became a bookkeeper, Louis and Albert farmed. Rosa married early and had a large family and Nellie took painting lessons.
(photo) The Evergreen School
(photo) Yoder Store when it was newly opened in 1915. Although it was enlarged, it looks pretty much the same today.
(Photo) Is this the earliest picture of a Joder? We know of
none earlier. The following article appeared in "LaVocce
Delle Valli", San Vittore, Mar. 12, 1993. It was found and
contributed by Dr. Delbert Gratz, and we are grateful to Fred
Gaines for the translation.
"The clan of the Joders, patricians of Mesocco, is already
documented in place in the seventeenth century. In 1701, according
to the 'Status Animarum' of that year, three Joder families (one
at Crimeo, one at Cebbia, and one at Andergia), a total of twelve
people, bore the surname.
"In the Grigioni the Joders were already documented at Maienfeld
in 1475, in the sixteenth century at Fuldera, Disentis, Andiast,
Vella, Davos, Prez, Sagogn, in the seventeenth at Ilanz, Thusis,
Rueun, Pleif, Sarn, Lumbrein, Vaz, et cetera. [Translator's note:
I believe all these places are in Switzerland rather than the
Italian Grigioni.]
"They probably came from one of these places to settle at
Mesocco. They disappeared from there in the second half of the
eighteenth century. In fact, the 'Status Animarum' of 1773 noted
only one surviving member of the clan: Maria Domenica, living
in the district of Andergia. Maria Margherita Joder had died only
a little before, at Mesocco, on May 7 of that year.
"Several emigrants emerged from the Joder family of Mesocco,
men who were principally active as merchants in Germany, where
they probably continued to exist after the clan died out in Mesocco.
For example, in 1701 one Pietro Maria Joder, then in his twenties,
was carried as 'resident' at Mesocco although he had emigrated.
In 1750, at Ratisbone, a Society of Merchants of Mesocco was founded
by the widows of Giacomo Toscano, Domenico Fantoni, Alberto Maria
Joder, Pietro Maria Toscano, and Giovanni Antonio Fantoni. This
society, risen from the ashes of a similar one which existed at
the beginning of the seventeen hundreds, was eventually dissolved
in July of 1752 (Archive at Marca, Mesocco, documents II 12 and
II 13).
"We show a sketch of the coat of arms of the Joders of Mesocco,
taken from an oil painting now in private hands, of two married
Joders of the eighteenth century - also a brief family tree of
the family, taken with the consent of owner from a photograph
of the records.
"I can't tell what the name of the newspaper is, Something of the Valleys, but bills itself as a progressive weekly of the Italian Grigione (a region bordering Switzerland, if I'm not mistaken). The family tree shown is more or less readable as is. 'Nell Frazioni di . . .' means 'In the district of . . .' 'Gia defunto' means 'already dead. 'Assente' means 'resident' or more properly 'seated at.' The lower, disconnected part of the tree is noted 'Probably born abroad, which makes it difficult to ascertain to which of the three brances [above] it belongs.'
(map) ( family tree) (coat of arms)
EARLIEST YODER SIGNATURES IN AMERICA!?!
Yoder Signatures from 1720 Oley Township Petition
-information contributed by Richard H Yoder
Are these the earliest Yoder signatures to appear in America?
They well may be. In 1720, a petition was filed by early residents
of the present day Oley Township of Berks County seeking to establish
the area as a separate township. Signatures for "John Joder"
and "Jost (his X mark) Joder" are shown above. Interestingly
enough, the signature for Jost is directly beside that of one
"George Boon", grandfather of the famous Daniel Boone,
who was to be born in Berks County in 1738.
No action was taken at that time, but another petition was filed
years later. This was also signed by "Jost Joder" and
his brother "Johannes Joder", and led to the formation
of the township in 1740. "Oley" reportedly comes from
the Indian word "olink", meaning "hemmed in like
a kettle"...a reference to the local geography. The original
Oley township was later divided into Oley, Earl, Pike, Rockland,
District and Exeter townships. Both petitions can be seen today
in the Philadelphia Archives.
Through the last 30 years of researching Hans and his brother
Yost of the Oley Yoders, it becomes very evident that their personalities
were quite different. This is shown by records as well as by my
interviews with the oldest Yoder blood relatives 30 years ago
when many of them were in their 70s and 80s. They grew up in a
time before television, when each village such as "Yoderville",
Pikeville, Oley, etc. each had its own baseball team, band, etc..
Life was then focused around family, friends and community. Each
child on the farms had their chores to do and by the time they
were in their late teens they had a very extensive background
of experience. The stories of their ancestors were passed down
from one generation to the next. Many of these stories can be
verified through independant records.
Hans and his family were very family team oriented and very organized
as evidenced by the numerous deeds and documents. These show their
progress by their grist mills, vertical saw mills, oil mills,
tannery, cloverseed mill, etc. In the true Germanic tradition,
Hans left the homestead to his youngest son Daniel since his oldest
son John had already been provided for. Hans and his family had
also learned to write, as evidenced by the signatures on the township
petition, deeds and his will.
Yost was evidently a powerful and agile man as shown by records
of his love of wrestling with the local Indians and beating them.
They did not appreciate this so he would occasionally let them
win to maintain their pride, which was very important to them.
He was also known for taking frequent lengthy hunting trips westward
to the Blue mountains. He is recorded as trapping as many as five
wolves in a night. Yost never learned to write. He had his "X"
witnessed on his will and also on the petition of 1720 to form
Oley township. His oldest son John also had not learned to write
because when he made out his will in 1812 he made his "X"
which was witnessed by his oldest son John (OY11) who had learned
to write. Yost's property is very difficult to trace since few
of their deeds were ever recorded. In fact, four and five generations
never bothered to record their deeds. In his will, the homestead
was to be appraised and the oldest son was to pay the other children
the prorated rate.
Yoder Signatures from 1740 Petition
INSIDE:
-MARTIN YOTER FOUND? (OH1125) b. circa 1790.
-EARLY PA. YODER REUNION-WHO CAN YOU NAME?
-PHIL YODER-"CHAMPION COWBOY OF THE WORLD"
*********************************************************
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 D. 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 CORRESPONDENCE- 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 $$$$ (Price unchanged since 1983!)
-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, and an "every
name index". (Price $28 post paid). Order from: The Yoder
Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527.
********************************************************
YODER DATA ON DISK PRICE RISES- As we now are dealing with 5 disks
worth of information, we are forced to increase our price for
our "Yoder Data on Disk" to $10 (postage included).
Anyone interested can get the files AT NO CHARGE by file transfer
from the Yoder Newsletter Homepage (www.yodernewsletter.org)
.********************************************************"
(photo) Phil Yoder--Champion Cowboy of the World" This 1918
photo from the Pendleton, Oregon rodeo shows Phil Yoder, a son
of Jess Yoder, on whose land Yoder, Wyoming was built. Phil was
written about in YNL 24, by Florence Schultz of Torrington, Wyo.
, who was taught horseback riding by him when a young girl. Florence
discussed his days as a rodeo star and his being give the title
"Champion Cowboy of the World". He reportedly passed
away in the 1950's, without descendants.
********************************************************
Letters to the Editor:
Hello, I am rather new to this "frindshaft" (?sp) business. I have been filling in an ancestral fan chart which has space for 1,023 ancestors. Living in Panama I have no access to books so was thrilled to find all this info. via the internet. In your Yoder site I am a granddaughter of YR2611927, my maiden name was Yoder. My husband, Jacob Tice, is a grandson of YR26119124 and a great grandson of YR2611523. --Marlene S. Tice Chiriqui, Panama (delete following) j_m_tice@cwp.net.pa phone/fax: (507)770-6542
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I'm a "Yoder-Yoder". My parents were Owen J. & Verda
Yoder From Topeka, In. Dad's dad was Jacob J. Yoder from LaGrange
Co. In. & Mother's Dad was Eli D. Yoder from Logan Co. OH.Dave
Yoder <yipsyode@webtv.net> Ottawa, Oh
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Hi, Chris, Just a note to thank you for your work on this. I am
an"Oley Yoder." My family owns a farm that is on part
of the original Hans Yoder property along the Manatawny. It is
bounded by the Crooked Dam. As far as we have been able to discover,
it has always been owned by someone with Yoder roots, but not
in a direst line of descent. I have really appreciated your efforts
in tying together the Anabapatist and Reformed or originally Reformed
or "New Born" parts of the family. It has been in help
in my nuclear family because I married into a Mennonite family
that has lots of Yoders, too. We deal with both perspectives on
Christianity in the extended family. Sincerely, Ruth Umble <umble@ccconnect.com>
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I have been receiving the Yoder Newsletter for almost 20 years
and have never seen or read anything about my husband's Grandfather
Lewis Delong Yodder born 1845 and died 1925 in Hegins, Pa. Buried
in Lutheran Cemetery in Hegins and was married to Elizabeth May
Miller who is also buried in that Cemetery Jan. 1944. I have no
more information on either one of them. Any information you can
give would be greatly appreciated.- Mrs. Sylvia Heim, 32 Grandview
Ave, Middletown, Pa 17057-2115 (Editors Note: We are just SO sorry
Mrs. Heim didn't write YEARS ago. We have sent her a full ancestral
record on Lewis (OH132813)...and pointed out various YNL article
which reported on his direct ancestors.... including one which
includes His Father William's birth certificate (YNL 14). IF YOU
ARE LIKE MRS. HEIM and just have not seen anything on your family
heritage...PLEASE WRITE or email Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd,
Battle Creek, MI 49015 (cyoder@mail.tds.net) and we'll try to
pin point your Yoder family roots for you!!)
------------------------------------------------------
I came across a reference to this page as I was searching for
genealogy sites. I wasn't expecting to find such an in-depth collection
of information devoted strictly to Yoders. I will definitely visit
this page again. Thanks. Eric D. Yoder ericdyoder@yahoo.com Mill
Creek, Pa
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Wonderful site! Found my gg grandparents, Fanny Yoder (YR23b47)
and Samuel King. I can provide extensive info on their descendants,
most of which reside in Illinois. Thanks to all of you who have
added the Census and other info. It is very much appreciated!
BTW, I lived in Switzerland for 5 years without knowing I had
Swiss forbears (assuming, of course, that "Schweitzer"
Christian (YR23) didn't get that name for some other reason).
Stan Wrobel <Stan.Wrobel@compaq.com> Groton, Ma USA
I have enjoyed getting to know my relatives in Yoder, Oregon.
My great aunt, Ada Sinclair (Yoder) celebrated her 90th birthday
in November, 1999 in Yoder, OR. I had a fabulous time! Thank you
answering my initial inquiry......it was my first connection....thank
you very very much. SueMather
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YODER DESCENDANT BECOMES AMBASSADOR TO BURUNDIMary Carlin Yates
has been appointed ambassador to Burundi. She is a descendant
of John Plank Yoder (YR12a332, 1846-1894,). Her husband is already
ambassador to Guinea. John P. Yoder's fourth child was Hattie,
who married McDonald Potts, and Mary is their granddaughter. ---
Thanks to Jim Yoder and Joel Daniels
********************************************************
(photo) PENNSYLVANIA YODER REUNION WHO CAN YOU NAME?
This wonderful Yoder reunion photo was copied and supplied
by Peggy Stauffer of Willow Grove, Pa. Her great-grandfather Albert
L. "Al" Yoder (OH1331bb) (1860-1923) is the gentleman
with glasses and a dark suit in the rear row, directly left of
the central tree, and to the right of the boy with tie and cap.
Peggy estimates that this photo was taken sometime between 1914
and the death of her great grandfather in 1923. Many years ago,
prominent historian Dr. Don Yoder provided the YNL a xerox of
this same reunion photo. His own grandmother is the lady in the
dark dress seated in the from row beside the man in the dark suit.
He describes her as "surrounded by various aunts and great
aunts and cousins of mine". Dr. Yoder recalls spending happy
childhood summers on his grandmother's Schuylkill County farm,
in the Hegins Valley. Are there enough family members out there
who recognize people to help us name ALL the people at this early
Pennsylvania reunion? Al Yoder was a well driller. He married
Saloma Arnold (1863-1945), and is buried at Salem United Methodist
Church cemetery in Mabel, PA.
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Some Recent Yoder Contacts:
--Irvin Thomas Yoders (M25231) Kristie Sands-Kuzniar <laurensma@yahoo.com>
--Eliza C. Yoder (Con375), Barry Taylor 226 N Bost St Statesville,
NC 28677 (704) 873-6204
--Pricilla Yoder (Con28) who was married to Jackson Lentz. Diana
(Lentz) Young "diana young" <hoyoung@indiana.edu>
--Anna Yoder (1768-1843) (YB121) was married to my ancestor Abraham
Meyer. Great Swamp Ruth Moyer goforjoy@erols.com
--Alonzo Yoder (Con3921) Glenn Templeton <wtempl1999@aol.com>
Tornado, WV USA and
--(?YR25765) Hannah Yoder m Nicholas Strubhar - squinn@ptinet.net
--YB131- Anna Yoder Moyer (1771-1862) -Weldon Schloneger,
ws04035@navix.net
--YR2365212- Melvin J Yoder.. Melvin John Yoder III
<SAILYOYO@AOL.COM> Maryville, Il USA
--YR146277- John C. Yoder, O Slush, INTERNET:ojfwb@webtv.net
--YR2357261- Dehlia "Dally" Yoder - Gustav A. Smith
Smittygd@aol.com --YR23567 Jacob Yoder -- Dennis E. Yoder, yoderddtw@juno.com
--YR14223121 Harry Ellsworth Yoder --Ed Yoder ecyoder@crossville.com
--YR17712- William Yoder - Overlook Farm, overlookfarm@mindspring.com
--Con614- Calvin Yoder -Georgia Collins, gcollins@mato.com
--YB113293- After investigating my tree more I found that Maryett
Zigler, (Wife of Joseph H Yoder born February 01, 1853), is the
first cousin to Earl Charles Sigler, (Husband to Viola C Yoder
born March 17, 1889). Dave Smith "SMITH,DAVID" <dsmith24@neo.rr.com>
--?Con871- William D. Yeother/Yoder- budnancy@glccomputers.comYR235443-
Noah Yoder - Nancy Yoder, yodernan@voyager.net
--YR2351-Barbara Yoder who m. John Schrock, Julie Quinn <jsquinn@cts.com>
San Diego, CA USA
--YR23443423- Edna J. Yoder-- Mark Matthews markem2@email.msn.com
--YR12124- Susannah Yoder-- Susan Ann Hoffman, Route 3, Williamston,
MI 48895 windseye@acd.net
*******************************************************
YODER HOTEL, PITTSBURGH
The following infomation was located about a "Yoder Hotel"
in Pittsburgh. Can anyone tell us more about it?
"Hotel Yoder on Forbes Street is one of the best hotels of
its kind in the country.It is strictly for men only. It serves
meals at a reasonable figure, and was established by the man whose
name it bears, not for the purpose of making money, but to help
solve a problem that confronts every large city, namely the housing
of a large number of men, who are unable to find shelterage in
the larger hotels & inns of the city. Religious services are
held nightly in this house.This is city mission work of the best
sort....100 rooms for men only, 25 cents to $1.00 per day".
********************************************************
News Briefs from the House of Yoder
The exterior stonework has been completed on the House of Yoder
(the 1750 era style house being built on the grounds of Spruce
Forest Artisan Village in Granstville, MD) and the stone masons
are now finishing the interior stone fireplace and chimney. Over
$70,000 has been raised over the last six years to make the Yoder
House a possibility. Another $25,000 is needed to complete the
house.
The House of Yoder will be open for tours during the 23rd Annual
Summer Festival and Quilt Show of Grantsville on July 13-15, 2000.
Last year's popular corn chowder and corn bread will be served
again. House of Yoder is built in the style of a house in an area
of Germany where Yoders have lived since 1703. The interior floor
plan for the Yoder House is patterned after two Yoder houses in
Berks County, Pennsylvania. Many of the building materials for
House of Yoder have come from barns, houses, and a church house
which was torn down in the Grantsville area. Much of the new lumber
used in the construction has come from trees blown down by the
tornado which went through the Grantsville area in 1998.
The fifth annual House of Yoder meeting will be held November
11, 2000. All persons are welcome. Any questions or donations
to the project (payable to House of Yoder) may be sent to: Lonnie
Yoder, 1066 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Lonnie Yoder
<ltby@shentel.net>
********************************************************
NEW YODER BOOK AVAILABLE
The Book I wrote on the Descendants of my great-grandparents Samuel K. (YR25393) and Leah (Yoder) (YR26814) Yoder, Jonathan N. (YR25362) and Leah (Yoder) (YR25712) Yoder, and Eli Z. (YR26735) and Susanna (Yoder) (YR257a3) Yoder is finished. They all go back to YR2. I enjoyed doing it I hope the people like it. If you would like a book you may send your order to Ruth F. Baker 316 Oak Tree Rd. Manheim, Pennsylvania 17545-9403. The cost is 16.95 + 3.00 shipping. The book is hard cover with 286 pages.
-- "Ruth Baker" <rfbaker@desupernet.net>
********************************************************
NEW DATA IN YODER ARCHIVES SINCE LAST ISSUE:Christian Yotty family
of Woodford County, Ill.Census Records- 1860-Ark; 1870-Ala; 1880-
Ill, Mo, Mich; 1900-Mo.
********************************************************
YODER DOWER CHEST ON "ANTIQUE ROADSHOW"
The Jan. 2000 season opener of the popular PBS TV program "Antique
Roadshow" was broadcast from Columbus, Ohio. Among the items
brought in for appraisal was a Pennsylvania Dutch "dower
chest" with the initials "J.Y." on the front. Two
frakturs (birth certificates) were pasted inside the lid...one
for "Johannes Yoder" born 1815, and the other for "Anna
Zook" born 1816, both in Mifflin County Pennsylvania.
This couple was John D. "Red John" Yoder (YR14611) (born
6/28/1815 Huntington County, Pa and died 3/16/1895 Logan County,
Ohio age 79y 8m 18d) and Anna Zook (born 7/13/1816 Mifflin County,
Pa and died 1/2/1892 in Logan County age 75y 5m 19d). They were
married on 12/22/1836 (about the date estimated for the manufacture
of the chest---which was given an appriased value of from $10-12,000).
Both John and Anna are buried in the Alexandria Cem., Union Twp.,
Logan County, Ohio.(Thanks to readers Shirley M. Brown and Julie
Getter for both contacting us about this show)
*******************************************************
**************************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 Queries to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire
Rd., Battle Creek,Mi 49015 or email at 75757.3371@compuserve.com.
********************************************************
Who was John J. Yoder, 2nd husband of Emma C Null who married
1st YR239582- John Yoder (died 1896 Somerset County, Pa). My address
is: Catherine I. Yoder, 255 Cypress Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15902.
<pfkennedy@webtv.net> (Catherine has since found that John
J. is YR233d23- son of Moses Yoder and Susanna Shaffer-- she's
looking for information on his first wife Amanda Layton)
********************************************************
Searching for Jonas Yoder, res. Green Twp of Wayne Co. in 1860,
near Smithville, OH. He took in a boy, William Montgomery Brown,
age 6 in the summer of 1863. I'd like to learn more about him
from a member of his family. (YNL Note: We believe Jonas was YR26181).
Ron Carden, South Plains College, Levelland, TX 79336
********************************************************
Have been working on YODER genealogy for about 25 years. Ancestor,
John Yoder, son of Jeremiah Yoder. John m. Hannah Reed. They died
of typhoid fever prior to 5 Nov 1856. Want more info regarding
them. Reply to: Donald C Reed , 76 Glen Moore Circle, Lancaster,
PA 17601 <rdonald@desupernet.net>
********************************************************
Am very interested in what you have researched on the Christian
Yotter Family in Lee County, Iowa. He was my husbands great grandfather
by son John. My husbands is John Wm. Yotter and we live in Louisa
County, Iowa. Have been to the cemetary in Lee County where we
found all of the Yotters graves. Lola Yotter, 4283 40th Street,
Oakville, Iowa 52646 <loday@netins.net>
********************************************************
My Henry Beuchler YODER was born 10-23-1881, died 4-8-1956. In
1905 he married Sally Louise SPITTLER b.9-19-1881 d.1-21-1957.
They had one child: William Henry YODER b.6-1-1906 in Pine Grove,
PA, d.5-30-1975, who was my uncle. See my YODER page at: http://members.aol.com/meu1143/genealgy6/index.htm
(per YNL - He may have been AC93- Harry in our "unlinked"
file) Mary Lou (Fahl) Kline, 27 W 8th St., Media, PA 19063 , email:
Meu1143@aol.com
********************************************************
Sarah Yoder, born PA, married Tobias Fike on August 12, 1832 in
Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Baughman Twp., Wayne
Co., OH. Living in Paulding Co., OH at 1850 census. Children:
Caroline-14, Hannah-12, Cyrus-10 (my gg-grandfather), Sarah-9,
Tobias-7, ?-5, Frances-3, and George-1 mo. Also with them was
Peter Fike age 66. Peter, Tobias and Sarah were all listed as
born in PA. All children were born in OH. Looking for birth places
and ancestors of these folks. Jean Mayes, 4056 Mt. Hope Road,
Carson City, Michigan 48811. <MaMayes@centuryinter.net>
********************************************************
My gggrandfather, John Yoder was born in Hooversville, Somerset
County, Pa on 4/29/1845. Company I, 1st Maryland (US) Volunteer
Cavalry during the Civil War after enlisting at age 16. Was injured
when his horse stumbled while jumping a wall. Fought at the East
Cavalry Battlefield at the Battle of Gettysburg. Discharged in
1865. Married Malinda Lohr (born 12/18/1845 in Buckstown, Somerset
County, Pa) in October 1865. Parents of 9 children, including
my ggrandfather, Edward Augustus Yoder (born 2/12/1882 in Somerset
County). John died of his war wounds on 11/4/1904. Buried in Otterbein
United Brethren Church Cem., Shade Township, Somerset County.
John was YR23781. --Debra Orner, 203 Metzler Street Apartment
# 3, Johnstown, PA 15904-3457 DOrner1065@aol.com
********************************************************
Have not seen much research on the Yoder's in North Dakota. My
grandmother is Edna Mary Yoder b. 13 Mar 1902, Pierce Co., North
Dakota, m. Richard Marcus Zilla, d. 22 Apr 1992, Missoula, MT.
Parents John & Lydia Yoder. Mark Matthews, markem2@msn.com
********************************************************
Looking for information on my ggrandfather John Yotter married
to Ada Lane Yotter. Last known address Topeka Kansas around 1928.
No other info available. Thanks, my email add: is "Glen Yotter"
<yogle@earthlink.net>
********************************************************
My grandfather John Yoder married Leona Navojovsky. They lived
in Alliance, Oh. He had two sisters and a brother. Their names
were Ruth, Clara, and William (Bill). Their parents were Charles
Yoder and Jink Fogle. We know that Charles's mother was named
Catherine Malone, but do not know his father's name. Please reply
to: Jennifer Faulconer <jeremynjenny@theinnet.net> Shelbyville,
In
********************************************************
I am a descendant of the Yoder family that settled in Yoder, Oregon.
My great grandmother was Florence Yoder and married Ernst Guddat
in the early 1900's. I am unable to find at link to the Guddat
side through the Yoder's. Can you help me? Please reply. Thank
you. Susan Mather, 13415 SE 125th Avenue, Clackamas, OR 97015.
I Clackamas, Oregon. remo@dsinw.com
********************************************************
Looking for Barbara Yoder who married a Joseph Forney for Somerset
Co., PA. In one of the GenForum's I found a comment that there
was some dispute about if Joseph married a Barbara Yoder, or that
it was another Barbara. I have descended through the Forney line
as follows: Joseph ~ John, Sr. ~ John, Jr. ~ Samuel ~ Nora Belle
~etc. Reply To: Lance D. Loomis, DrWho_Tardis@msn.com
********************************************************
I'm looking for information on Yoder's. I have a framed Marriage
Certificate from Edward Yoder and Amandy Lucas dated June 29,
1898 and issued in Paulding County Ohio. I believe she is related
to Governer Lucas after whom Lucas county was named Robert A.
Yoder, Jr. <ryod613@centuryinternet.com> Mountian Home,
Ar
********************************************************
My mother's maiden name is Helen Marie Yoder. Her mother Nova
Marie Barton left the Amish community in the early 40's. Before
she left she was married to Leroy Yoder. His father I believe
was an Amish Minister in Ok but I don't have his name. Helen Marie
Yoder married James Edward Phillips my father. My mother had a
brother named Jachie Lee Yoder and his wifes name was Agnes _____.
I was told he died in a logging accident out west somewhere. I
do know that her mother lived in Michagan after she let the Amish.
If any of this helps please let me know.-- Clint Phillips, ClintP39@aol.com
Multiple Yoder Tour Offers Yoder European Tour-June 2001.
As we have highlighted in many previous YNL issues, DR. DELBERT GRATZ, a renown Amish-Mennonite historian, has been directing Mennonite Heritage Tours for over 25 years. He has lived in Switzerland several years and has extensive contacts throughout the areas from which the Yoders originated and migrated. He offers to arrange a Yoder-specific family tour for 2001, should sufficient interest materialize. Several individuals have already expressed an interest based on an announcement in the Yoder listserver. For more information contact: Dr. Delbert Gratz, 8990 Augsburger Rd., Bluffton, Oh. 45817. Email: dlandtdgratz@hotmail.com.HOUSE OF YODER- sponsoring a 22 day tour of Yoder sites as well as many other heritage sites is June 5-26, 2001. Organized by Covington Meeting Management with Jan Gleysteen, native of the Netherlands and veteran European tour guide. Places available on first-come, first-served basis. Estimated cost $3400+ (double occupancy). Non-refundable deposit of $200 per person (payable to "House of Yoder Tour") to: Doris Ours, Rt. 2, Box 106 B, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. $1000 pp due by November 10, 2000, Balance due by March 2, 2001. Any questions, please contact Doris Ours at 304-726-4321 or Lonnie Yoder at 540-432-6467 or ltby@shentel.net.Mennonite Heritage Tours- For further info: write: Lois and Lemar Mast, Mennonite Family History, P.O. Box 1717, Elverson, Pa 19520.
********************************************************
THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!
And thanks to Keith Yoder for sharing this photograph of the newly
placed commeoration stone at the Old Yoder Cemetery in Somerset
County. (See YNL 34 page 8)
********************************************************
What Happened to Martin, son of Martin Yoter?
In YNL 32 we featured the discoveries about the family of Martin
Yoder (Yoter) (OH112). At that point we were not able to report
on the disposition of his son Martin (OH1125) b. circa 1790. Thanks
to Leslie McCrary, a researcher with the Missouri Genweb Project,
we were able to follow-up on a lead from New Madrid County, Mo.
A "Martin Yoter" appears there in 1830. The age seems
right, the unique last name spelling ("Yoter") seems
right, and for a family that moved to western Pa, right near the
headwaters of the Ohio river, a emigration pattern down to a Mississippi
river town seems right as well.
There were only three townships in New Madrid Co. in 1830... Martin
Yoter lived in New Madrid Township which included the town of
New Madrid: Yoter, Martin
1 male under 5 years 1 female under 5 years
1 male 30-40 years 1 female 20-30 years
A check of the 1840 thru 1860 census records for the county shows
no Yoder/Yoters. Neither do the marriage records and the cemetery
records in Ms. McCrary's possession. But a possible link may exist
in some other information we at the YNL have had for some time
from 1850 census for Kauffman Co., Texas. This shows a "D.B.
Yoter" age 22 born Mo. (c1828). The date, birth place, and
name spelling match would fit exactly to the male child of Martin
(the only Yoder/Yoter in the 1830 Missouri census).
********************************************************
NATIONAL YODER REUNION AUGUST 11-13, 2000 IN NORTH CAROLINA
The Yoder Family in North Carolina, in conjunction with our 50th
Annual Reunion, will host our second gathering of the entire Yoder
Clan on August 11-13, 2000, in Hickory and Newton, Catawba County,
North Carolina. This event is co-sponsored by the Yoder Newsletter.
Weíre invitiní all yíall Yoders from all
lines to celebrate our wonderful common heritage. The Quality
Inn Hickory, NC (828-431-2100, fax 828-431-2109), will serve as
our host accommodation. The cost is $66/night, double occupancy.
Call them to make reservations ASAP-and remember to tell them
youíre cominí down for the YODER REUNION! Program
Plans include:
-Friday evening reception, entertainment, and registration at
the Quality Inn;
-Saturday-- motor coach Yoder tour; presentation by Gary R. Freeze,
Ph.D, a Morehead Scholar at Catawba College; dedication of the
reprinting of the "History of the Yoder Family of North Carolina"
by children of the author; banquet in the Zion Lutheran Church
parish building with Dr. Don Yoder, professor emeritus at the
University of Pennsylvania as featured speaker
Sunday- ecumenical Yoder clan worship service will be held in
the 1886 chapel of Zion Church led by Rev. Dr. J. Larry Yoder;
Sunday dinner and program.
Costs for the weekend events are: $15 registration/overhead; $17
bus tour and lunch, $18 banquet; for a total of only $50 per person
for the whole weekend (excluding the hotel cost, of course)! Further
information and a registration form will be mailed to all YNL
subscribers soon after you receive this issue. Registration deadline
is May 15, 2000. We can be contacted at-Yoder Family in North
Carolina POB 10371 Mtn View Station Hickory, NC 28603
**********************************************************
NEWS FROM THE OLEY YODERS
The Oley Yoder's are planning a second National Reunion on July
21, 2001. Over the past four years, the association has sponsored
an annual reunion on the 3rd Saturday in July.
The annual Oley Yoder reunion for 2000 will be held July 15, 2000
reunion at the Oley Fire Company, Oley, PA. All interested parties
are welcome. For more information contact the Oley Yoder Family
lineage. Mailing address: 415 State Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.
E-mail contact: < jyoder@bellatlantic.net > A family reunion
has been held sporadically since 1920.
We would also like to mention our July 21, 2001 "National
Reunion." This will be an officially sponsored event by the
Yoder Newsletter and will include an Anabaptist Yoder Tour of
the Berks County area conducted by Lemar and Lois Ann Mast, editors
of Mennonite Family History magazine in Elverson, Pa.
Our Yoder Heritage Cookbook is sold out. Thank everyone for buying
them. The restoration and maintenance of the historical family
burial ground is the main focus of the present Oley Yoder Heritage
Association. Several activities, such as the publication and sale
of the Yoder Cookbook and the establishment of the 1996 Oley Yoder
National Reunion were instituted to raise endowed funds for the
cemetery. ---Sincerely, Phyllis Yoder
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