w YODER NEWSLETTER - Yoder Family Information

wIssue Number 25 594. Goshen,IN 46527 

YODER NEWSLETTER 

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ANCIENT YODER BIBLE FOUND 

Frederick Yoder and Maria Shartle 

of Centre Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania 

Around the turn of the century, it was popular to produce county 

histories which were full of biographical sketches of prominent 

local citizens (all of whom were expected to be customers for the 

final product). Often these counfy histories saved information of 

great value to the modern genealogist. In 1909, Morton L 

Montgomery published his History.of Berks County. This work 

gives us our first clues to origins of Frederick Yoder, the subject of 

this article. In an item about his grandson, Frederick F Yoder, the 

older Frederick is introduced as having been a prominent farmer: 

"Frederick Yoder... was a native of Berks Counfy, born in 

Oley, and he died in Centre township, From a tender age he was 

reared by his kinsman, Daniel Yoder, of near Pleasantville. His 

mother's name was Hill. Frederick Yoder became the owner of a 

farm by Belleman's Church, where he is buried, and at one time 

owned three farms. He was very active in church work and was a 

church official for many years. " 

DID YOUR ANCESTOR OWN THIS BIBLE 

In the 1940's, a reunion was held in the midwest. The booklet 

published after the session mentioned that the (.Widow Barbara 

Yoder" family Bible had been brought across country for the event. 

Where was this treasure today WeIl, the YNL decided to find out. 

Using a modern "CD/ROM Phonelist', and some clues from the 

reunion booklet, we located the present owner and learned more 

details. 

Frederick was born Nov. 13, 1813 and in the mid 1830's married 

Maria Shartle, who had been born Apr. 13,1815. By the 1840 

census, he and Maria appear in Upper Bern township, Berks 

County. The record shows a boy and girl under five years of age 

(apparently the couple's first children: Amelia and Alfred S). Also 

in the household are an older woman (born 1780-90) and another 

young male, age 5 to 10. 

The Bible itself is a "Froschauer', Bible, printed in Zurich 

Switzerland in 1580, over 160 years before the 1742 emigration of 

the major Amish Yoder group. The earliest names in it are those of 

a son of "Widow Barbara" and his family. 

If this Bible had been in Yoder hands since its publication, it would 

certainly seem to have been owned by the common progenitor of 

most Amish Yoder lines, as well as of the Oley Valley (given the 

common known and speculative origins among the Steffisburg 

Yoder families). 

FROSCHAUER BIBLES 

The Mennonite Encyclopedia (1956, Mennonite publishing House, 

Scottsdale, Pa) provides some detail about the Froschauer Bibles 

and about the publishers who gave them their name. The original 

publisher was Christoph Froschauer, who was born in Neuberg 

near Oettingen (Bavaria). He acquired citizenship in Zurich on 

Nov.9,1519 as "a gift for his art". His earliest dated books were in 

1521. He was a supporter of the Reformation and in 1522 was 

recorded as one of the chief transgressors against the fasting laws. 

Froschauer published many of the works of Zwingli and his 

beautifully executed Bibles won great renown. As there was no 

printer in Bern until 1537, most of the Bernese writing were also 

published by him' 

continued on page 7 

Family Photo of Frederick and Maria 

continued on page 4

************** ****** ************* ************* rr ********** 

The Yoder Newsletter- Founded 1983 by 

Ben F Yoder (1913-1992); Chris Yoder & Rachel Kreider 

********************************************************* 

FROM THE EDITORS 

Chris Yoder, Editor, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; John W. Yoder, 

Circulation Manager, Middlebury,IN; Fred C. Yoder, Distribution 

Manager, Goshen,IN ; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing Editor. 

Other Contributors: Fred C Yoder; John W. Yoder; Richard H. 

Yoder, Bechtelsville, PA; Hubert A. Yoder, Charlotte, NC; Dorothy 

Yoder Coffman, Malvern, PA; Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA.... 

And Welcoming Dr. Delbert Gratz, Blufton, OH 

********************************************************* 

SEND YNL CORRESPONDENCE: 

-Dealing with circulation issues such as new or renewed 

subscriptions, changes of address, orders for back issues to: Yoder 

Newsletter, P.O. Box 594, Goshen' lN 46527-0594. 

-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, Unit 

61306, Box 56, APO AE 09803-1306 (allow 3-4 weeks for reply) (or 

by electronic mail to "75757.3371@compuserve.com"). 

****************************************************** 

YNL PRICE INFORMATION $$$$ 

The YNL subscription is on an annual basis and the rate is $3. 

BACK ISSUES of the YNL are $1 per issue ($25 for a complete set 

of issues l-25). These may be ordered from the Goshen YNL 

address.- (NOTE: We are considering a hardbound reprint of 

issues 1-25 and will keep you posted with the next issue.) 

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UPDATE OF FAMILY GROUPS 

We'd like to thank Mrs David (Alpha Yoder) Miller and Pat Yoder, 

both of Goshen, for offering to help out with our research project. 

We have over 400 Yoder family groups in our Amish Yoder update' 

and will likely expand this to include Mennonite, Oley, and Conrad 

lines as well. MORE HELP is needed! Write Chris Yoder at the 

APO address. Goshen volunteers can contact Rachel Kreider at 

1320 Greencroft Ave, Goshen,IN 46526' 

A VISIT TO STEFFISBURG... 

A small country town, with small industries surrounded by farms 

on beautiful hillsides, Steffisburg was impressive. On the day of 

our arrival, we attended an annual town festival... conversation, 

food, laughter and native music. We were obviously ,,outsiders", 

but felt a warm, friendly atmosphere. 

Several people, some English speaking, inquired about our 

attendance. We joined the locals in some of the best beer and 

knockwurst we ever tasted. Mrs. Marie Galli, the coordinator of 

the festival, even enrolled me as a new member of the Steffisburg 

Chamber of Commerce.... 

We ate so much, we decided to skip a formal dinner and drove to 

the cify of Thun approximately two miles away. We wanted to get 

a closer look at the Castle of Thun where Nicklaus Joder, the 

owner of the Ortbuhl farm, was imprisoned for religious 

differences along with many other Joder Anabaptists. 

After lodging in a Steffisburg hotel thaf nighf, we enjo-ved a Swiss 

style breakfast and started driving northeast in search of "Joder 

Hubel". (see YNL 11) , The scenes were breathtaking. ... green 

meadows, beautiful flowered homes and barns....We drove for 

approximately a half hour, up and up. During a stop in Eggiwill, ... 

my son Rick was able to extract some information of the location 

of Joder Hubel from a bearded old man... We continued to ascend 

until vehicles were prohibited. Then we walked up a trail for 

another 30 minutes until we reached the crest of what we believed 

at the time to be Joder Hubel or in the vicinify of Joder Hubel. 

The panoramic view was breathtaking 

After lunch.. wereturned to Steffisburg in search oflocal 

a residents with the name of Joder. Following a review of the local 

phone directory, we went lirst to Walter Joder's house, then to two 

other Joder residents, Iinding no one at home. We finally 

discovered a teenager named Ernst Joder, who knew nothing of 

the local Joder history and so we decided to return to the mansion 

house situated on the Ortbuhl farm. We were welcomed by Dr. 

TO SUPPORT THE YODER HOUSE PROJECT 

Michael Stetler, his wife and adult daughter, who was visiting her 

write care/of Spruce Forest Artisan Village 

parents. What a delightful visit. Dr. Stetler, a scholar and former 

Route 2, Box 5 

director of the Bernese Historical Museum, gave us a great insight 

Grantsville, Maryland 21536 

of the historical idiosyncrasies, customs and practices of the 

Phone & Fax (301) 895-3332 

region. After a tour of the old mansion on the Ortbuhl Farm, we 

************************************************************* departed for Kaiserslautern, as Rick had PT, 5am, on the ncxt 

"series By Yoder"-- Can anyone shed some light on this The terln morning. 

appears on a identification stick for a flowering plant purchased by a 

Richard B Yoder, West Chester' PA 

YNL subscriber in the Bel Air, Marylan-d area. Reply to: Chris Yoder.]*****+* ******************************************************** 

unit 61306, Box 56, so we can give the explanation in a ruture yxl-. i This 

5 

chart.will allow you to find, quickly and easily, the relation of 

************************************************************, i ! persons with a common ancestor. Starting from the common fore- 

SENECA CO,OH CEMETERY- MysTERy GRAVES i father (cP) go down the side to the relation of one person to the cP 

The Coffman Cemetery in Seneca County, Ohio includes 

i E 

""0 across the top to the relation the other person has to the cP. 

graves for the following yoTTER children: " ttren follow the column and row to their intersection, which shows 

E 

Electa, d/o J. & E., d. Jan, 17 , lgs4 age l3y gm a 

22d * 

th. relation between the two people. See the example in which a great 

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osborn, s/o J. & E., d. Jan.2l, lE55 age ly 7m 6d I : E grandson and a 3 greats grandson are second cousins twice removed. 

Reuben, s/o J. & E., d. sep.3, lg54 age 3y3m 2gd i 

E Abbreviations S: son or daughter, B= brother or sister, N: nephew 

F 

can any of our readers identify this family The cemetery is 

or niece, 

'grand' 'great', 

c:cousin, G: or R: times removed 

i E c 

|nnororl-fA'|omsTwnPr||19&CoRd1flSnmcnnssih|e*!9 

located at Adams Twp Rd 178 & Co. Rd. 38. Some possible i CP s 2GGS 4GGS 5GGS 6GGS AGGS 

F E 

B GN GGN 2GGN 3GGN 4GGN 5GGN 6GGN 

clues: 1840 census in Adams Twp- Melchior Yeter; Seneca 

TGGN 

i t 

GS N tc lc tR I C2R I C3R I C4R I C5R I C6R lcTR I C8R 

Advertiser-7 Jun 1850 announces death ofA.Y. Yotter- Agua i E : 

GN lctR 2C 2C\ P 2C2R 2C4R 2C5R 2C6R 2C7R 

Frio Mines, Ca- killed by a bear, age22- formerly of Bellevue (in 

2GGS GGN I C2R 2Cl R i(] R 3C2R ic3R 3CaR 3C5P 3C6R 

i ; ! 

2GGN I C3R 2C2R 3ClR 4C lClR 1C2R 4C3R {c{R tc5R 

Sandusky Co, near borderwith Seneca Co.; Jacob Yotter, b 1836 i 

m. Amanda Frances Williams in Seneca Co in 1855. Son Jasper I 'i : : 

3GGN I ClR 2C3R 3CR 4C lP sa 5ClR 5C2R 5C3R 5C1R 

.E 5GGS 4GGN I C5R 2C1R 3C3R 1C2R 5Ct R 6C 6Cl R Aa)2 6CiP 

b. rifflin in 1857 

******************************************************* 

i g SGGN c5R 3C4R 1C3R 5C2R 6Ct R 7C TClR 7 C'R 

i /GGS 6GGN I C7R 2C6R 3C5R 4C1R SCiR 6C2R 7Ct R 8C 8CIR 

SGGS TGGN 

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I C6R 2C7R 3C6R 1C5R 5C4R 6C3R 7C,2R actP 9C 

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Who is ready for a climb of the Joderhorn 

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> LONIX)N, Ohio 

Baby born 

at gas statlon 

Agasoline station near this 

cenhal Ohio city received a special 

delivery that had nothing to 

do with fueL 

Stacy Yoder, 21, of london 

gave birth early Wednesday to 

a Gpound boy in tlre parking 

lot of a Speedway gas station on 

Ohio lt2. 

Ms. Yodels mottrer was driving 

lrer to the hospital when 

she pulled into the station's 

parking lot, said Ll Suzanne 

Morris of tlre Madison Einerpncy 

Sewice. 

Her motler called 911 at 6:36 

arrr By the tirne medics arrived 

nine minutes later, the baby 

had been deliveted by his 

in tlrc fiont seat of 

her car, Ms. Morris said 

THE LIr'A 

(Ohio) NEWS 

Oct" 13, 1994. 

+++*+++T+++#++++*+++++++++l 

..,,. 265 

JODERHORN 

by Dr Delbert L Gratz 

Who is ready for a climb of the Joderhorn To be sure there is such 

a mountain! It forms a segment of the boundary between the 

countries of Switzerland and Italy. 

@ls'the-htghesf-peak 

in Switzerland with an 

elevation of 15,203 feet. Joderhorn is considered its "little brother" 

and has an elevation of9,960 feet. 

Before you imagine that one of your ancestors lived on this peak 

you must be reminded that none of the chapels or places having 

Joder as a part of its name have any connection to our (or any 

other) family with the name J(Y)oder. It is rather the way the name 

Theodor is spoken in our Bernese language. Theodor was made a 

saint by the Roman Catholic church after his death because of the 

miracles that he performed. August 16 was set aside as St. 

Joderstag (St. Joder day) and has been celebrated especially in a 

few remote parts of Switzerland. In certain dominant catholic areas 

of Switzerland he was especially honored and it was thought that 

by praying to him he would intervene on their behalf and bring 

them good fortune. 

The family name is patronymic. That is, a father was named 

Theodor and his son used it as an added name to distinguish him 

from the other fellows who may have had such a common name as 

Jaggi (Jakob), Christen, Hans (Johannes), Uli (Ulrich), Klay 

(Niklaus) or Peter. This was likely in the l5th or early 16th century 

when surnames came into common use. 

But, getting backto theJoderhorn! Who of you is ready to climb it 

with me some nice summer day The climb takes most of a day. 

Good hiking shoes are necessary, also a pair of strong legs and 

lungs- and a ticket to Switzerland! Climbing from the Swiss side, 

one needs to drive to Saas-Fe and on to the end of the road by a 

dam. Then it must be about 8 miles of hiking and about 2300 feet 

elevation gain. From the Italian side on can drive to Domodossola 

and then into a little valley clear to the end to a place called 

Macugnaga. from there one can take a cable car to the crest- 

during certain seasons- and then it should be a walk of about one 

mile and 700 feet elevation gain. 

Of course, if anyone is serious about this definite information 

would need to be obtained before starting out on such an 

adventure, There are marked routes and mostly paths so that no 

special equipment for climbing is necessary. 

(Note: Dr. Gratz, 8890 Augsburger Rd., Bluffton' OH 45817-9513' 

is directing a Swiss Mennonite Heritage Tour to Switzerland, 

France and the Palatinate from Jun 12-Jul 3 this summer. and has 

another tour planned for September 1996'1. 

********************************i************************ 

COMING TO 1995 YODER REUNION 

**************************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, Unit 61306 Box 56, APO AE 09803-1306 

********************************************************* 

Parents wanted for Samuel Yetter, b c1760 m Maria Yocum. Sgt in 

Phila militia 1777 and in New Hanover Twp (Philadelphia area) in 

early to mid 1780s, Found in Berks Co in 1791 and then Columbia 

County, Pa. Reply to: Bruce S Yetter, ll Mitchell Rd, Hackettstown. 

NJ 07840 

********************************************************* 

Descendants wanted for Henry Yoder (10/31/1832 Bavaria-411811900 

Ashland Co.,OH) m Elizabeth Rees (9/2611832-7/10/190S) buried 

Vermillion Cemetery, Hayesville, OH. Reply to: Chris yoder, Unit 

61306, Box 56, APO AE 09803-1306 

********************************************************* 

From Hatten S Yoder Jr, comes a listing of the fallen whose names 

appear on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, 605 E 

Street NW, Washington, DC. One such honored individual is 

HARVEY A YODER of the Bay Village, Ohio Police Department, 

killed in the line of dufy on 712011926. Can anyone tell us about this 

gentleman Reply to Chris Yoder, Unit 61306 Box 56 APO AE 09803 

*********************************************************

continued from page I 

Centre Township was formed out of Upper Bern in 1843. The 1850 

Census of Centre Township shows the same family: 

Frederick Yotter 

Mary 

Amelia 

Alfred 

Mary 

Jacob 

Cyrus 

Wm (sp) 

age 36 farmer born Pa 

3 4 " 

1 3 " 

ll " 

10 .. 

7 " 

5 - 

9/12 (female) " 

For the last child in this group, the record is hard to make out. The 

name appears to be "\ilM", an abbreviation for William, but the 

gender seems to show as female. 

In 1860, this last child is gone. The record shows: 

Frederick Yoder age 47 farmer born PA 

Mary 45 

Alfred 

2l 

Mary 19 

aa 

Jacob 17 

Cyrus 15 

Whelington 8 

Vallaveleria 5 

Sarah 

I 

Caroline 11 

Cemetery stones at Belleman's church shorv that Sarah only lived 

from 1859 to 1862. A son William was born in 1860 and died in 

1864. Another son ,James (1847-1849), died before being capyured 

by the census records. The eleven year old Caroline Yoder was not 

a daughter of Frederick and Maria. She does help link him with an 

apparent brother, and I'll explain this later in the article. 

Frederick died Mar. 18,1884 and his widow on Dec.26'1891. Both 

are buried at Belleman's Church, 

*KINSMAN" 

DANIEL YODER NEAR PLBASANTVILLE" 

Neither the Berks County history or family tradition gives the 

names of Frederick's parents. For many y'ears, his ancestry has 

been pretty much of a mystery. Frederick is not a common name in 

the Yoder line, and you would think that his name might be visible 

in wills or estate frles at the Berks Courthouse there. It is not' The 

only mention is when a Frederick is listed as being issued a Letter 

of Administration for a Sarah Kauffman in 1838. 

So we start with the clues in the County History.'. that he was 

reared by his "kinsman" Daniel Yoder. Daniel Yoder (1748-1820) 

(OHlll) was a wealthy and prominent citizen of Pleasantville. He 

lived on the homestead of his great grandfather, the immigrant 

Hans Yoder. When Daniel died, in 1820, his large family and 

widow continued to live on the property. Let's see what the census 

record shows us about the residents of this homcsfcad: 

male 

male 

male 

male 

male 

male 

male 

male 

male 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

female 

Oley 

1810 

>45 

26-45 

26-45 

r6-26 

t0-16 

45 

t6-26 

16-26 

10-16 

Oley Oley 

1820 1830 

t6-26 

16-26 

>45 

t6-26 

t6-26 

l0-16 

Daniel d 1820 

Daniel b1777 

John b 1788 

Samuel d 1813 

30-40 David b 1795 

15-20 (FRBDERTCK) 

5-10 ....(Daniel) 

WHO WERE FREDERICK'S PARENTS 

So what do we have We have a Frederick Yoder who was born in 

1813, and who seems confirmed as living at the Daniel Yoder home 

near Pleasantville by 1830. To find his parents, we need to look for 

a male Yoder who died someplace between 1813 and 1830' Further, 

this person must be someone whose family is not well established in 

the estate and other relevant records of Berks County' The 

mother's name was "Hill", according to the story. 

After analyzing the 1810-1830 censuses (and considering what we 

already know of Oley Yoder family groups) there is one particular 

fellow who stands out as the most likely candidate. Samuel Yoder 

(OH132l) of Pike Twp. wrote his will in June of 1828 and it was 

frled in September of that year. His wife Elizabeth had apparently 

died by that time. The court records mention sons George and John 

and daughter Elizabeth. A slip of paper in his file seems to also 

identify another son as Jesse Yoder. Here is the speculative family 

group from census and other records: 

District TwP 

l8l0 

Samuel 26-45 

male 10-16 

male

continued from page 5 

Or6!ds, rd So{focir 

Dkfd llokr €|.ltlttt df : 

r.irll* 

-*.fth* 

lbl*Ba*l 

rbd.rtsl{ 

r$H.rah 

| l{-b-a 

uth-iEr' 

t l-aa-r 

rrtsF-l* 

Baptismal Certificate for Amelia Yoder, daughter of Daniel 

Baptismal Certificate for a child of Frederick and Maria 

It is interesting to see how similar the baptismal certificates for 

Fredericks family are to those used by Daniel. 

on July 3, 1864. Among the paperwork submitted by his widow and 

children to prove their claims for a pension are the original hand 

colored German baptismal records for several of the children. The 

paper for Amelia (born to Daniel and his first wife Elizabeth 

Berger on Aug.15,1858) gives Frederick and Maria Yoder as the 

sponsors "die tauf=zeugen" for this child. This function was often 

undertaken try aunts or uncles of the child, and it seems likely that 

Daniel was a brother of Frederick (the one who is age 5-10 in the 

1830 cesus record). 

Another clue which supports this Frederick-Daniel relationship is 

the Caroline shown with the Frederick family in 1860. We 

mentioned her earlier, and this is where she comes in.'. Caroline, 

daughter of Daniel and apparent niece of Frederick, was born 

Nov.26,1848. Her mother Elizabeth had died Aug 20' 1859' 

(Note: I would like to thank Dr. Morris Yoder, Mr' Edward Yoder' 

and Mr John Balthasar Yoder Jr for providing information and 

photographs to support this story and the family sheet' Morris and 

bdward were the organizing force for the family reunion last year 

at Belleman's Church. It will be repeated this year') 

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Yoder Popcorn Co., Inc. 

P.O. Box 147 

Shipshewana, IN 46565 

1-800-537-1194 

Shipshewana Phone: 219-768-4051 

F AX:2'19-76a-4997 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++f +++++++f {f f f +f +++++Tf ++++++++++ 

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Business card for S.S. Yoder. M.D. of Bluffton, Ohio 

Later Congressman (1887-1891)(see YNL #8 for his story) 

+T+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++T+++++r+++++++++++* 

r I 

add $2 postage/handling for each address 

SY"ite 

6 

"/ , Bo S" YoDtrBe Ef" D.e 

for a full catalog 

-YODER 

- 

POPCORN COLLECTOR'S ITEMS 

'YODER 

POPCORN" T-SHIRT-Be a trend settcr. No onc 

i n your lown will hrve one I ike it I { Unlers you choose lo re\ eal 

your source!) Wear a "Yoder Popcom" T-Shirt with the words 

"Yoder Popcom" printed boldly on the front. sunounded by 

popping kemels with the inscription, "From Indiana Amish 

-ountry Where Quality is a Way of Life." Cream' nedium blue 

and yellow and in sizes small, medium, Iarge and extra-largc. 

Designate color and size when ordering. 

T-Shirt................. ......-.... each $10.95 

YODER POPCORN HATS-Add anothercap lo t-hat collection 

with $e front pmel printed "Yoder Popconr'" Also witlt popping 

kemels md the inscription, "From lndiana Amish Country Wlere 

Qualitf is a Way ofl-ife."Thecap is drk green md comes in different 

front pmel colorsi beige, yellow or gold. The cap is adjustable for 

size. Be sure to note the color of the front panel when ordering. 

I1at.............---..... --....... sch $6.95 

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The article on him indicated he had no children, but rather took 

his brother and two nephews into his business. He died April l, 

1564, and his nephew Christophoffel Froschauer carried on the 

business until 1590. The 1580 edition of the Bible which we 

highlight here is listed as the third from the last of a long series of 

editions published by the firm. 

ABOUT THE BIBLES THEMSELVES: 

"The Froschauer Bibles were originally reprints of 

Luther's translation, altered in word order and vocabulary, more 

rarely in the text itself. Until 1525 they have Swiss vocalisation.... 

Since the Prophets were still lacking in Luther's translation, the 

Zurich preachers in 1529 issued this part of the Old Testament in 

a special translation, based on the translation of Ludwig Haetzer 

and Hans Denk, which had been published in Worms in 1527 and 

which the Zurich preachers considered a faithful translation from 

the Hgbrey>Thus-ft-lrne about that in 1529 a complete 

- translation of the entire Bible appcared. From the continual 

revision of this combined Bible rose the actual "Zurich Bible" 

whose text deviated more an-d mort from Lrrther's without' 

however, losing all traces ofits original dependence." 

The Anabaptists in particular are said to have loved the earlier 

editions of this Bible and it was reprinted several times over the 

years, including in Basel. The Mennonite Encyclopedia states: 

"All of these reprints were forbidden in Bernese territory as 

Anabaptist testaments, and wherever they were found they were 

confiscated. Repeatedly the Bern council appealed to the Basel 

authorities to punish the publishers and printers of these 

Testaments," 

SUMMARY 

This edition is certainly a treasure whose history is closely related 

to the intellectual and theological history of our family and its home 

region. Was it was purchased new by our ancestors and did it 

come with them to America Or was it later obtained from the 

estate of another family in Colonial days These are questions 

which will likely remain unanswered. 

***************************************************** 

YODER RELATED BOOKS 

Edward Kintner and Gladys Snyder, Ancestral Genealogv and 

Tour Guide, hardback by Elgin Kintner, M.D' 1314 Turnberry 

Lanc, Mary'ville, TN 37801-6725. 320 pages 8 l/2 by 11". The 

Ancestral lines of Rudolph Yoder (YR14647) and wife Elizabeth 

Detrick are dealt with in this book $24.50 plus $2 Postage and 

Handling. 

Classic Reprints Available- 

Descendants. of Jacob Hochstetler by Harvey Hostetler, reprint of 

1912 edition- $24.95 & $3.50 P&H 

Descendants of Barbara Hochstetler' by Harvey Hostetler, reprint 

of 1938 ed. $30.95 & $3.50 P&H 

order from : Dan A Hochstetler,4185-S 500-W, Topeka, IN 46571 

-Union-Cemeiery-1, 

i'teasantvilte 

Photgraptric Review f.o. 

Richard H Yoder, 47 Bause Road, Bechtelsville, pA 19505. $6 plus 

$l for postage and handling. 

Amish and Amistr Mennonite Genealogies, O, O.. Hugtr Gingerictr 

and Rachel Kreider. $60 Order from : Mr. Gideon Fisher, AAMG 

Treasurer, 61B Old Leacock Road, Ronks,Pa 17572, 

******************************************************* 

[:a\xt\]...,'€{$H 

Coverplate for "Widow Barbara Yoder Bible" 

YODER NBWSLETTER IN "CYBERSPACE"! 

The YNL has joined "The Information Highway". 

For genealogical correspondence and queries, the YNL can 

be reached at the following electronic mail address: 

" 75757 .337 | @co m pu s erve.com 

" 

"Yoder Data On Disk" has also been placed at 

GENEALOGY ON-LINE, host address "emcee.com" and can be 

reached over Internet with an anonymous ftp or telnet access. for 

copying. from directory :"pub/genealogy/surnames/YODER'. 

At the same host, an "upload" directory has been 

cstablished.You may load your Yoder files into this directory to be 

shared with others. "pub/genealogy/surnames/YODER"/incoming" 

We are also considering establishing a Yoder "list seler"- 

(a distribution list of email addresses---when anyone sends in 

correspondence, copies would go to all other addresses on the list). 

The focus would be on Yoder genealogy and family happenings. 

Qucries would be reviewed against our records and information 

shared to the extent possible. It would also be a source 

information for future YNLs. If you have "email" and are 

interested, please drop a line to Chris Yoder at the CompuServe 

address above. 

NOTE!!! "Yoder Data on Disk" can still be ordered on floppy disk 

from John W Yoder,57195 Counfy Rd 35, Middlebury'In 46540

8 Saturday, January 7' 1995, The Goshen News 

Former Shipshewana teaeher 

celebrates l00th birthdav 

A 8o-year regident of 

Greencroft, Iva Yoder Burkbard 

uras joined by 5O of her 

relatives and fliends for her 

l00th birthday p&rty Dec. 28 

at the Meeting Place in Greenoroft 

Nuraing Center, 

A graduate of Goehen College 

in 1921, Ivs tausht 

eohool in Nebraske. Iowa and 

a number of schools iJr the 

Shipshewana a.rea before her 

retirement in 1980. She sraduated 

from Shipshewina 

Eigh School in 1912. 

, 

z 

o 

o 

Jqintng her in the celebration 

were eons Mahlon Burkhard 

of Cha,rles Town, W.Va.. 

and James Burkha,rd of Fort 

Worth, Teran. Another son, 

Eldred Burkhard of f'orr 

Worth, Texas, was unable to 

attend. Aleo attendins were 

her brother Reuben-Yoder 

(9O) of Chesterton, nieces 

Anne Denpsey of Fort Wayne, 

Arlene Holdreed of Goehen 

and Dorie Wori,inger of MiIlersburg, 

and nephews J. 

Olen Yoder ond Ralph O. 

Yoder, both of Goshen. John 

M. Yoder of Elkhart. and William 

Dores Yoder of Fort 

Wayne. Also, eeveral grand- 

children, grostgrandchildren, 

grani-nieces 

a-nd grand-nephews were 

there to pay tribute to Iva on 

her lfi)th birthday. 

Daughter of Menno and 

Ca,rrie Yoder, Iva was born on 

the fa,rm with the round concrete 

Brown Swise dairy barn 

just west ofShipshewa;a. She 

narried Nosh Burkhard, also 

a 1921 graduato of Goshen 

College, and lived in Nebraska 

until 1952 when she ond 

Noah moved to Shipshewana. 

She moved to Greencroft in 

1964 after Noeh's death. 

When asked if she was looking 

forward to her lOlst 

birthday, she chuckled and 

said, "I already have the liret 

day." 

In addition to Iva Yoder Burkhard (YR2337a55), featured in the 

clipping, birthday greetings are also due to Nellie Yoder Kuttruff of 

Blythe, California. Nellie was born Dec.24, 1893 and is a daughter 

of the late David Yoder (YR2SI 1c5) and Armenon Yoder (YRB675) 

who lived in Ohio. Nellie's brother, John L., had a high school 

named after him in West Liberty, Ohio. 

Jr***************************************************** 

Ive Yoder Burkhard, aoated, was the osdter of attention at her 

ltxlth birthday party Dec. 28. From left are Ma,holon Burkhard, 

her oldest son; Roubon Yoder, her brother; and Jnnes Burkhard, 

her youngeet eon, 

Ahish 

**********************t 

Yoder's Amish Shoppe 

Mlde 

Oak Fumiture 

Ceds Chqts 

188 Main Sreet 

GEenville, PA 16125 

Bentu'md R@ke6 

Gifts md 

Collectibles 

Terry Yoder 

4t2-588-2575 

ALL YODERREUNION!!!! 

(possibly a once in a life-time event) 

AUG. 11-13,1995, Hickory' North Carolina 

--hosted by the Yoder family of North Carolina. 

You and your family are invited! The reunion will include both 

social and historic activities. Slide show ofEuropean Yoder 

locations, local tours, speakers on different Yoder lines, 

a Yoder store stocked with Yoder items (including a special reunion 

T-shirt). (Exact schedule is still tentative). Events will culminate 

with a Sunday evening pot luck dinner (the North Carolina Yoders 

will bring all the food for those attending as guests from outside the 

local area.) THIS WILL BE A HISTORY-MAKING EVENT in the 

course of our family! 

MAKE YOUR PLANS I\OW! 

We'll see you there (the YNL plans to be in attendance). 

Contact: Ted Yoder. P O Box 10281, Mountain View 

Station, Hickory, North Carolin a, 28603. PHONE (7 0 4) 29 4-00 5 4 

,.,.. 

ts*\ 

,t\ 

$ 

Thanks to Mildred Erb 

Plumb,Omaha. Neb.. for Bible 

record and photo of her greatgrandmother, 

Charity Ann Yoder 

(OY4318)(1839-19t9) daughtcr of 

lcfu.U'eWSpalrr 

i q e 6 o te ru d ewl /Y'^ 0 cful).e t /rV iri .Wt c! r110r.J, 

l"01otls0 Tq c(n.ffdcu /4$erirrn r.- /ttQ 

gh 

1''o l,;;i,.:, q,f' dlq .. ry 

1 

{ 

1 

$omiticn, Sldgificr. 

.$cltotl2c n. 

Sar.rrs @o[i j m."i[ C]iar.ity 

X.*.gc[.otrre 3o)er ftrir Z|te.t 

J0e.(.'rt[c'r- | shLA,] : ruurJer 

JJ uc r (1, log 

.r.

I[[ 

llt 


w- 

lssue Number 26 P.O. Box 594. Goshen,IN 46527 October 1995 

"southern Hospitality" Greets Yoders at 

National Reunion 

Yoder Bus Tour Visits Grace Church Cemetery 

As the Saturday program inside the Catawba County 

Courthouse came to An end, the assembted crowd of around 250 

people joined in a heartfelt and moving chorus of "Faith of Our 

Fathers". They sang As one voice, with an emotion which was evident 

and noted by many. Earlier, Virgil Yoder had presented his slide show 

of Joder historical sites in the Old World and America. A panel made 

up of members of different branches of the family had given an 

historicat overview of the major Yoder immigrant lines to America' 

This wns but one o[ several events which took place when over 

one hundred Yoders from around the country, almost all of them 

YNL readers, were welconred and feated by the "Yoders of North 

Carolina" in Hickory, NC frorn 11-13 August. 

It had all begun the day before. Cnr by cnr, Yoders began to 

check in to the Econo Lodge in Hickory' Few of these folks knew 

anyone else present. Soon people were congregating in the lobby of the 

motel, getting acquanited and sharing Yoder lore. Over the space of 

the next two days, these strangers shared bus tours, programs' 

barbeques, and songs. They worshiped with their North Carolina 

cousins in the Grace and Zion Lutheran Churches. They celebrated 

their fanrilies, the love which binds one generation to the next, and the 

related blessings they have received in their own lives. What began as 

a gathering of strangers moved with surprising speed to a warm and 

deeply felt fellowship. 

After the pot luck menl on Sunday, there was a tinge of 

emotion in the voices of many of the the speakers. When Eva Mae 

Crist of York, Pa and her 92 year old ntother Eva Yoder Barton 

paired to sing several devotional sotlgs, many were nroved to tears. 

It was a wonderfirl event, universally appreciated and 

treasured by those of us who joined in it. God Bless the leaders of the 

North Carolina Yoders for their dedication and efforts which brought 

the "Gnthering of the Yoder/Joder Clan" to such a successful 

::::';:'1".1 

;..!i:: ff :::::ii:::: lff.': i;:*11 :1..... * * * * * * 

Yoder House Groundbreaking Scheduled !! 

& John Yoder House Restorotion see page 3 

Steffisburg Joder Emigr6 Clues in France! 

In the January 95 issue of Mennonite Family Life, J' Virgil 

Miller of Sarasota, Florida introduced his translation of a list of early 

Anabaptists who were buried in the Alsace at Fortelbach (the 

German name for the town)/Fertrupt (the French town name)' This 

listing had been discovered by Erwin Hochstattler of Cologne, 

Germany in the Archives du Haut-Rhin in Colmar' France' 

For a student of the Otd World Joders, this listing had clues 

which begged to be explored. The focus of this community of Swiss 

Anabaptists was the village of Ste. Marie-aux-Mines. They settled in 

this area under the leadership of Jacob Ammann himself, founder of 

the Amish sect. Jacob Amman and his followers left Switzerland in the 

early 1690s and soon settled in the Alsace. Joder's from Steffisburg' 

Switzerland were known to be followers of Jacob Amntann, but the 

details of their migrations are rrot well established' 

The burial records of Fortelbach (Fertrupt) include direct 

references to Joders and related Stellisburg families living at the town 

of Rappoltsweyler (Ribeauville in French). Over a period of decades, 

most of the Amish teft this area due to persecution, and the 

tions to America occurred from these further settlements. This 

//.#r,&j'g.r

********************************************************* 



********************************************************* 


Chris Yoder, Editor, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; John W. Yoder, 

Circulation Manager, Middlebury'IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior 

Contributing Editor. Other Contributors: John W. Yoder; 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 

************************************************************ 




Newsletter, P.O. Box 594, Goshen, lN 46527-0594. 

-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, Unit 61306, 

Box 56, APO AE 09803-1306 (allow 3-4 weeks for reply) (or by 

electronic rn ail to " 75757 .337 l @,co m ptr serve.cont 

" ). 

Thanks to: David Yoder of Evanston, Il for helping with the typing of 

the Yoder Data Update; Ruth Miller for helping with mailings in 

Goshen; Dorothy Yoder Coffman for offering her Yoder census data 

for addition to Yoder Data on Disk; Rich Yoder of West Chester for 

sending YNL group sheets with the 95 Oley Yoder Reunion mail-outs. 

***tt*****t************************************************* 

YNL HARDBOUNDSET PUBLISHED 

*************************************x********************** 

w@ 

gtu 

YODERSASSEMBLE IN II.IYADH. SAUDI ARABIA 

(left to right) Ron Yoder (of Y1i"23975 line), Lt. Rick Yoder (of 

01114526 line), Mrs. & Mr. Dnvid Yoder (of Frederick Yoder line 

described in YNL 25), and Chris Yoder (of YR2337a line) get together 

for an Arabic meal in Riyadh. Rick, who was in Riyadh to command 

a Patriot missle battery, showed a video from his family visit to 

Switzerland. Missing from this photo is Tim Yoder from Ft. Wnyne, 

also of Riyadh, who could not attend. 

**********************x*************************************l 

Letters: 

To The Prrticiplnts of the 1995 Clan Gathering in 

************************************************************ Hickory/Ncwton, NC- Thank you for honorirrg rrs with your presence. 

YNL PRICE INFOR}TATION $$$$ 

The YNL subscription is on an nnnual basis and the rate is $3. 

BACK ISSUES of the YNL are $l per issue. A bound set of back event was a highlight of my life. I'm so glad I'm a Yoder! 

issues l-25 is available for $25 plus $3 postage and handling). These ***** ***** ***** ***** ****. .... ti 

- Jo. I -.".ti 

:"-t-: J:i y; t-: J.o-l ...- 

may be ordered fronr the Goshen YNL address. 

************************************************************ Victor Yoder is celebrating his 94th birthday on Oct.l5. He is the 

youngest and only living child of Isaac C. and Hannah (Tee) Yoder, 

and grandson of Henry S. and Hannah Yoder, Victor married 

Elizabeth Townsley of Reading, Pa. in 1927 and they had six children. 

Victor moved the family fronr Pennsburg, Pa to Phoenix, AZ in the 

late forties and he now resides there. He is hnle and hardy and enjoys 

hearing from kin-folk near and far. His address is: c/o Sweet 

Yiil llll lif lJ;.:i:: :ill'ill I i:::::'*'* * * * * x * * * * * In August 1995, the YNL 

Special Offer for YNL Rcnders- Anrish Inrnrigrants of Waldeck and 

published a hardbound 

Hesse. 23lpgs. 263 Anrish inrnrigrlnts-including several Yoders, 52 

compilation of our first 25 issues. y( )t)t tt Ntil,v.slE 1'r Ert 

different surnrmes. Regular price $22 (inc. P&H)...for YNL readers 

This nttractively bound 240 Page 

only $17.50. (in quantity- 6 for $75-postpaid).Order from John M 

volume includes a topical index of 

,!r.. L,,,r,S, l'; 

Byler,5845-8 CR 80 Rt 3, Frederickstorvn, OH 43019. 

major articles at the front, and an 

***********************x************************************ 

l8 page "every nalne index" at the 

l\itL ilr 

h\'ry'N.iltr trlr\ 

back. 


Copies may be ordered from: 

Descendants of Frederick Srvartzendnrber 1825-1895 and 

The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 

Sarah Yoder 1829-1867 by Esther S. Glick nnd Carolyn S. Nafziger. 

594, Goshen, IN 46527. (Price $25 

This nicely done hlrdbnck gencnlogy includes both an ancestral 

plus $3 post:rge and h:rndling for 

history for this early Johnson Co., Ia Nlerrrronile chur.ch leirder and 

each book). 

his wife, nnd theia dcsccmln-fiTif:ITn-SJlTflrlvtrSTfffiignrfrTT-Bhhop 

************************************************************ Christian Yoder Jr of the Glades in Sornerset County, Pa (YR2337). 

"series By Yoder"--Thanks to : Helen Slrerck of Wooster and 544 pages, indexed. The book ctn be ordered fronr: Esther S. Gtick, 

Mary Stutzman of Peebles,OH for identifying "Series by Yoder" as a 1414 Hampton Circle, Goshen, IN 46526 for $29.95 plrrs $5 for 

product of YODER BROTHERS, INC of Barberton,OH. 

postage and handling. 

Is orrr face red! We outlined this firm in YNL #15. 

Yoder Newsletter Issues I Through 25 - bound 240 page 

*******************************i****x*********************** 

(CORRECTION TO DATA IN YNL 24 article- Dates of birth for 

volume includes all YNL issues, a topicll index of nrajor articles and 

Jacob and his wife Elizabeth are shown on the chart on page 5 as l78l 

for Elizabeth and 1775180 for Jacob. These should be l77l for 

Elizabeth and c1770 for Jacob.) 

***********************x**;k********************************* 

L 

An "every name index", Order fronr: 'fhe Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 

594, Goshen, IN 16527. (Price $25 plus $3 posttge and handling for 

each book). 

Plensantville Union Cenreterv-A Photogrnphic Review from 

Richard H Yoder,47 Bnuse Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. $6 plus $l 

TYPING HELP NEEDED- Do you type and hnve a computer We 

are continuing to enter data for the next issue of YODER DATA ON 

for postage and hrndling. (The old cenretery of the Oley Valley 

DISK. We expect to double the amount of informntion with the spring 

Yoders). 

release. If you'd like to help, contact Chris Yoder ! 

Black SDider Over Tiegenhof. A nerv historical novel by James 

************************************************************* D. Yoder, involving the experiences of a N,lennonite family living in 

Present version of Yoder Data on Disk (1.2 meg)-can be ordered from flitler's Gernrany. (Price $10.95 plus $2.50 P&H. Order from: Heratd 

YNL for 55.50. (3.5" High Density unless otherwise specified). 

Press, 616 Wnlnut Ave., Scottd:rle, Pa 15683). 

************************************************************************************************************* 

)

WELCOME YODER FAMILY 

July 20, 1996 

Hans and Yost Joder (Yoder) Family Heritage 

Trail 

Oley Valley-Pleasanfville, PA 

"We started here" in 1714 

Visit and hear the history at the original sites: 

-Hans' Joder Homestead (YNL #1, 5, 14, 15, l6) 

-Yost Joder Hamestead (YNL #1, 5, 16, l7) 

-The Yoder Family Cemetery (YNL #16,19,23) 

-Hans Jr's Original Honre- Covered Bridge 

-Jacob and Maria Keim Yoder llouse (YNL #9, 16) 

-Lobachsville Mill-Last Opernted by Clarence Yoder 

-Daniel Yoder Papernrill 

-The Crooked Dnm 

-Oley Forge Site (YNL #16) 

-Hans Jr's/Griesemer's Mill/Covered Bridge (YNL#If , 16) 

-Samuel Yoder/ Zook Farm (YNL #14, 16, l7) 

Guided Bus Tour, Picnic Lunch, Evening banquet. 

Are You Interested Complete and return flier 

' 

to: Yoder Reunion Assoc,. 415 State St.. Pottstown.PA. 19464 

************************************************************ 

Elizabeth B Yoder Celebrntes 90th On Sunday, July 16, 1995, family 

members attended the 90th birthdly party of Elizabeth B. yoder, of 

West Chester, PA. Mrs. Yoder is the wife of Walter Reuben Yoder 

(f899-1978), son of Henry Cleaver Yoder nnd Grnndson of Henry S. 

Yoder of Pleasantville, PA. In attendance were I I of Mrs. Yoder's 13 

children (2 deceased), 35 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 

Neatly stacked and Begging to be Used 

their sporrses. 

************************************************************ 

Earlier this year, several dozen 

JOHN YODER HOUSE RESTORATION 

yoders met to clean. remove 

nails, and in true Yoder fnshion stack neatly this beautifully 

weathered wood to be used in the project. The National yoder 

Reunion in North Carolinl provided the spark for increased fund 

raising successes, Over $12,000 in mnteri:rl has been gathered and 

hopes are to have $30,000 in cash by the date ofthe ground breaking. 

Spruce Forest is a 501-C-3 orgnnization and will provide a tax 

exempt receipt for donations. Memberships are being taken in various 

amounts, ranging from $25 (individual for one year) to $1,500 (couple 

for life). For a fund-r:rising and informational brochure, write: yoder 

Ilouse Project, Spruce Forest Artisnn Village, 177 Casselman Road, 

Grantsville, MD 21536. (The project has been incorporated under the 

title "House of Yoder, Inc" - Contact Kenneth L yoder (301) 89S- 

5687 with any questions you may have about these impressive efforts. 

******** ******************Queries** *** r* **************** i ** i 

The honre of John S Yoder (\'R12577), built in 1869, is believed to be 

the first built in rvhat is norv thc villagc of Suglrcreek. It was moved 

from its originll site to its nerv locltion on May 9, 1995 by the Mast 

Construction Co.(lssisted by n synrbolic terrm of seven Belgian 

horses). Efforts by the Anish l{eritlge Foundation are underway to 

restore it as :r llsting menrorill to the vill:rge of Sugarcreek and its 

Amish community. Tax deductible gifts should be sent to: Amish 

Heritage Foundation, Box 70,1, Srrglrcreek, OH 41681. (A $250 gift 

entitles donor to l 

"Yoder 

I{orne Scrapbook" documenting the 

relocation and restoration. Sponsors: Gold-$1000; Silver-$750; and 

Bronze-$350 will receive n plnqrre nnd their nanre will be included on 

i*ll: il il:J:::: I:ll';l. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

thanks to f,sther Strock for telling us about this 

YODER HOUSE Ground Breaking Ceremony 

Oct. 21, 1995 

The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Yoder House is 

scheduled for 2pnr Saturday, Oct. 21, 1995 at Penn Alps, Spruce 

Forest Artisan Village, Grantsville, Md, Representatives from each 

Yoder immigrant family are expected to take part. EVERYONE IS 

WELCOME at this exciting, informatiorral and inspiring program. 


charge. Please limit as possible to include a full return address, Alt 


you receive added info, please share it with the yNL for our files. 

Send to: Chris Yoder, Unit 61306 Box 56. ApO AE 09803-1306 

******************************************************** 

WHERE IS H.A. Yoder Jr ln 1985 we ran a query by H A 

Yoder Jr of Washington, D.C. Does anyone know how we may reach 

him or any member of his family We have Civil War pension 

information to share with hinr which helps anwer his questions. 

**********************x******x****************************** 

Seeking information on William Yoder born late 1700's or early 

1800's. married Mary Longacre. Son Daniel b. 1819/1820. m Sarah 

Clark. Willinm was in Carroll Co, OH in 1840.- Clyde Pinkley, 2063 

Springhill Dr., Columbus, OH 43221 (see article ttris issue for answer) 

***********x************************************************ 

Wanted: Information on family of David H. Yoder (b. 3/2811859), son 

of Absalom, m Amanda Barkman. Contact: Marvin J Yoder, RD 1, 

Box 195, Salisbury, Pa 15558. (Per YNL-YR26182) 

*********************i*t***************************i******** 

3

Events At The 

While Yoders enjoyed a barbecue supper olr the east side of the Catawba 

County Courthouse, the travelling Vietnam Wall was on the west side-',- 

bearing the names of Bruce A, Yoder, Larry E. Yoder, James S. Yoder. 

Visiting Yoders Welconred at Lodging 

Dr. J. Larry Yoder 

As ttConrAd" 

Yoder History Panel and who each covered, from left: Kenneth Yoder (YR2), Paul 

Marshall Yoder (YRl, YRC), Neal Wilfong (Conrnd), Chris Yoder (Melchior, 

YRB); Terry Yoder (OIey); Carl Yoder (Mennonite Yoders); Ted Yoder (Conrad) 

I 

0o 

I 

Eva Mae Crist and Eva Yoder Barton Sinq 

L 

9a 

q 

Ted Yoder and sister 

Joyce Cockman 

Virgil Yocler with Yoder Fanrily of 

NC President, Rachel Hahn Kennedy 

rg 

d ** 

.!s $s 

s fi 

fkn 

l f . ; 

_s 

Attentive Audience Watches virgil yo6er,s Excellent Slide Shorv 

crist Yoder of B:rltic, ohio lool

Yoder Reunion 

Delicious Pot Luck- Complenrents of The North Carolirra Yoders 

Stone of Col. George M. Yoder (1826-1920) at Grace 

Church Cemetery. First historian of the North Carolina 

Yoders, the present Rerrrrions grew up al'orrrrd his 

"ttt"t"t birthday celcbralion' 

gra .. 

"--":#.-\ il 

(s@ "r- *"" 

^&' ^*ro'e* 

.+$' o-,- $"" 

.J.d {o+ "€ 

{" ^s^\ 

c.,is" 

"to" 0"" 

.oC ^Jt 

$ ' v 

U 

Reunion Goers Joined in Srrndny Worship at Grace 

Church (above) and Zion Clrurch. 

Shirts (both forest green). Limited quantity left of National Reunion 

T-shirt $13 (Large or XL only). lVill take orders for Polo shirt with 

Jost Joder Crest. Shirts rvill be ordered if sufficient demand. 

Otherwise yorrrcheck will be returned. Indicnte Size Desired- adrrlt 

S,M,L,XL,XXL. Polo Shirt $22. Write to: Yoder Frmily in NC, P O 

Box 10281 Mountain Vierv St:rtion, Hickory, NC 28602 

Gerald M. Yoder presents a check for the yoder House to 

Kenneth L. , Gerald A., and Esther yoder 

Dr. J. Larry Yodcr, lllrs. Barlon, Edith Godfrcl, Mrs. Dr. Yodcr, Eva l\lxc Crist, 

Mrs. and Mr. l{anin J. Yodcr. Mrs. Clcnlcnt Hahn. Evclvn Buchholtz

Jost and Nicolas Joder, sons of Caspar Joder and Margret Henning of Steffisburg, Switzerland 

JostJoder bll/2011607 m. Oct.l4, 1642 Anna Trachsel 

Hans 

Anna 

b.4l2tll641 b.4/1911616 

m.7ll71167l 

Catherine Risscr 

Vcrena Peter 

Jakob 

b.9lr2ll617 lr.1649 b.1111t652 

m. N. Rupp m. 1211311684rn. l/9/1685 

stahli () Verena 

(s) 

Kaufmann 

(s) 

Anna 

Barbara 

b.7n7n653 b. 10/28/1655 

m. 12113/1680m. N. Berger 

Christian 

Blank 

(sx6)(8) 

Christian 

b. s/l0/1657 

m.3/10/168,1 

Barbara 

Gerber 

(sx7)(10) 

Caspar 

b. cI664 

m. ll2ll168l 

Verena 

Stauffcr 

(1)(sx11) 

Catherin 

b.71811666 

m. l/9/1685 

Hans RupJr 

Nicolas Joder b31251L609 m Oct.14, 1642 Anna Trachsel 

Barbara 

b.31811644 

m. 113011666 

Hans Rupp 

Anna 

Caspar 

b. {/13/1645 b.614l161a 

m. 1l7l167D m. ll711670 

Hans Bcrger Anni Zaugg 

Adam Hans 

b. 7 t2211650 b.7/2211650 

m. 1191167l m. 3/9/1688 

Barbara Anna Eicher 

Ochsenbcin 

(2) 

Magdalene 

b.212911652 

m.412611689 

Pctcr Me)cr 

Annegrct Jost Salomca 

b.4/r0/1653 b.l/13/1655 b.4/13/1656 

m.211011673 m.l/9/1685 m.3/7/1678 

Utli Risscr 

Barbara Rupp Hans Gcrbcr 

(4X6Xl2) 

(3Xe) 

(1)- Great gran4father of Michacl yorlcr, 1825 immigrant to Somcrsct county, Pa rvhosc father Samucl rvrole in 1806 from Germany to his "Dcar Cousins" (YR23 

and yR25);(2)- parcnts of Hans and yost yodcr, Rcformcd Church scttlers to thc Olcy Vallcl of Berks Co., PA- first Yoders in America; (3)-Labclcd as Ababaptist 

in 1691; (4) suspccted as baptist in 1690; (5) id€ntificd in 1690 court records as suspectcd Anabaptists; (6) Staatltsarchivs of Bcrn record of 7/16/1690 

"lhe 

govcrnmcnt orders the provincial governor of Traschselwald to find out whether the Anabaptists Jost Joder and Christian Blank of Stciffisburg' as havc becn 

Ieportcd, are sta)ing in Schangnau and rvhethcr thel,took their capital with them..."; (7) Thc Staadtsarchivs of Bcrn rccord'l/8/1695 "The Anabaptist Christian 

Joder of Stcffisburg, has left the country. For rhe property hc took along he must pay t 5o/o iee of 10 lbs()"; (8) A Christian Blank was one of the ministers 

accompanl,ing Jacob Ammann during his lour of 1693 to seek support for his ideas; (9) A Hans Gerber rvas knorvn to be with Jacob Ammann at Heidclsheim' 

Alsace in rTlr; (10) Their son Christian who marricd Margret Cerber settlcd in Eppstein, Gcrmany (sec YNLI0); (11) Their descendants lived in the Spfalz.' 

Germany; (12) Possible parents of Barbara Jotter, d. 1750' bur. Fortelbach' Alsacc. 

continucd from page I 

importnnt finding, however, does help demonstrate a part of the 

migration pattern for the Steffisburg Amish (Joders apparently 

included) as they left their Swiss honreland. In this article we'll 

identify some of the most significant of the burial records and then 

list some of the related records which are grounds for a speculative 

tinking Steffisburg Joder fnmily of around 1690. 

SIGNIFICANT FORTELBACH RECORDS: 

"Christian BI:rnk, siltgle, miller nt the Schlundennruhl by 

Rappoltsweyler, was buried Aug.12, 1760, age about 69." (b. c1691) 

Other names in the Fortelbach records include ones prominent in 

American Amish circles or which appear in the birth records of 

Steffisburg: Hochst:rttler, Gerber, Solnnrer' Rupp, Risser (Russer)' 

Zinrmerman, Gungerich. There is even n Blrbara Amnrin 

(Ammann), wife of Ulrich Sonrnrers, bool

LISTING OF JODER FAMILIES WHO STOP RECORDING 

CHILDREN IN STEFFISBURG BY THE EARLY 1690 S: 

Jal1860

l- 

Fomily 

ol 

Hos Notionql Reunion ffi 

".il;"*",'1";;"'lidli,$"it*iiJ ,,..,1*i1,,, ,:":H :;il:tJl*ijl"':jfutil"iilf:* I"*li' frj"::TJi':'5!l l,L";n i"l,:::';:t'""it'' tt 

fn"Jif.ll""I1"*""$"::,n:i;"'',.j;.m:".*,"ll,$rl*y":l{liio\l.f}:.t;1;"::*';;.,"-",,,",''" 

resentingmajor|inesoftheSwiss;f#;;i;"ht1Jcusjont"mity,Mt|',chairmanoftheYoderHousetlnuedr'r,",i,""".ir"T.ii, 

family attended. 

TheNorthcaro|inaYoderswere:l3lj.:tl"i:j'liil";i.Tii!lil']iifl,1i";.f3i'i.,Hl":'o;j".",..fi*:.';.l*:,;lii,1'"Yii;'1 

hosts at the event, which was br 

ar rhe Ercono Lodse on , t. to tiiL" #,lll1 

tl.""l:i"" 

Attendinganorientationmeetiii:iifY"fJ"";;i;fii.!!{*ti:""',|1li",o}1".]."1f"li3l,.1l-.:1"!i'"lii|H'\'..:'T 

werepeoplerrom23statesandone 

wascornb,anrtmiiirnaitromunion 

foreign country. 

ii-ii"J-Jottio"r,n"o.ra...""i-ir,ri that thlnS a.i io orir"renit.d;i ;;i"yoderfamily. 

--îmmigrantIinesincludedth"3l:j'Dr.J'Larry.\'oder,professor.ofi"o".lIdi,J"i,r*"i-.-'--'--.."lon8.88ottretarirttyl"";!;i;f 

Descendants of the main y crnve,operatedlhegeneral-store. 

he had made and Jonated to grg compared-.wlth ptoneer times; thai 

Valley(RerksCoUnty'Pa.).Ha;:.;irc|igionândphi|osophy.*:::::'-Agenea|ogypaneloffered j* 

rhe creat swamp lMennonitei li Rhvne college. op"n"d 

.tj:--':':i3: s.;;,i,i'i;i;;il"ii;;-;il';"t' ;;il :1!-1!1!-a bouquet of llowers 

Lehighandnu"i.,.ounti",,l,li;.il"T'3;#;,'lfi't1i-Y:-h:l1ii;;f.Y.".#,;ii:.'.".ti 

was 

WidowBarbaraYoder.ctrrist|ansecondfIoorofthe,n,n*if["l'.n"i;.;l;"Ji;.1";";;;ii;;'....' 

ff;lruilf:ffTtrul*r ",ili1::i:;il:'J,Jrii""si*k ,iff",',",*r;:[f"is:: fliiii:l,TiJl3il dfJ."" i: llxl"xii}: li"Tixilf#l 

and-ConradYoder(therounderofiH;i;';;i;,ii"i"hi.-i;;fP'".ltI:y"^dI'J1--:ii}i:i'g;1io'*:"'l.:''*f;*;*il;l*n:{;* 

the North Carolina family). 

-.Rafhael.lIahnKennedy.ofl[IJ'fil.t'"[x.J";jil,:'lj,f"..;;""":i^'f".i,;]:::i#d;'.;dP-T1j :T!$. 

Clrar|otte,whoispresident,of.thepa.rtthattheearlyctai'rreiped,tofarmer.promisej;;;;";f;.;;f,*9.s^""inf*.flilr:*'*:i 

N.C.Yoders'we|comedthegrouPi,"iro.t".t.'iu".iii.'"i;.',i'.;;:|;:I:::lIl.'!tS+,T:],",,,."lxx""'l 

iqi-T,:;{ni'1ri$i*."'i".:.i!:fl.'L,-.#t1;.1iui;"*lm''"*f:iilq1*:iiîTtj-8.T*yl9li:'J[.*,*H#: 

l.#}lli,Ji,ff5.ll,!1"j'.!"".1i::l,",j:ni":*;.n:""l*l:li.rl'liiiH,JJ::li;''1'.'"J"{'I$:*::;-;*ir'ql-!* 

l'Tl'J':.itJH..xili'""';"fliTil1:'l':lli*':."*,;;;;:l..:."'"d1#tW:,:l"..j.li;,*Es:Hn$ 

vocauon. 

.Approximately90people€njoyed|,f."il'"'l;*|.1,ooj,ii."Jl-3f;il.:-%"}1'i'!,H"T:.i#;[Tj$;"i..'''"i,sp.'iiqg 

horsb'oeuvresprepaied,andservedii|tr'.'i1'sii]i"'rr"i#'.,ai'i"t"ilibyiireWoodies' 

by the host family, The food committeeincludedHarotdM'yo3l}.;':.,.;i;'";#,;i'i1;i#',.;;i;;i;bind,Jamdangol-a]I[rl":i:l*::;"i'l;i'"'J.iJ$:1 

'il:,1'":i"*.tlrjn:,1"":;il,l"l"lll 

sarah yoder correy. Regina ylodeJr sreetinsstothea.ssemblv. 

il;'r'";;;;. 

N.c.rreasury 

lloyle and Ellen YodeiCranford, Asound.md.slrdeProgrem l'rl- .---'-'.'-''- "Eii;""'ii;il; 

Secretary Neal D. Wilfonr clted 

membersof1heIamilyofRahh",;:grimageo[Faith,theJoirneyofan.i;;:;:,JiiT:1l.. 

Yoder of Hildebran. 

Anabaptis! [g1ily,". ya.. p':."'ll$ ;;;r"1i';;fffi'J";;["i;"" ];i;;;iii rea M. yoder recosnlzed 11r edition r-shirts monosrammed 

" 

with 

A Capella Fellows, an area bar- by Virgil E. Yoder of lrwin, Pa..The s;#";;;'^''" father, Gereld M. Yoder 5f Hlckory, the, crest of Swiss official Jos 

bershop quartet, entertained the documentary.was-produced in 1992 

crowd. 

ro cerebrare the 2b0th ,";i".;;;; ;r ...{.t,.,.u"rinq 

r:qlicl,,9r jl'e vr"t,.' ;}"*hi.',:!|:#;jfi,T:'ri 

JtiL:: I'Sf iTlt n',Tf'i#"li,t"|lJ, 

Ms, Kennedy introduced speciat the rirst Amish Yoders in Amerlci wall Memorial 

ltJ:in]l)*t:, ]fl i;;;iiiil;b;:'i'h;;ffi;i.i[ir nationar conventiin. Bccause cj 

guestChrisYoderofRiyadh,SauoiThe..Yoder''nameis.derived:::|]'1fl""1i'':Bwestsideofthe;;;.Jer;"ii"'"rfii""" 

Arabia. As editor of the Voder News- from Theodorus, a fourth-century '":'."'1:": "qY't .. 

unions'. He is elso the ceretaker 1qr taken for additional shirts. 

letter,printedinGoshen, Ind.,Yoder monkwhocrossedtheAlostocarrv rne rooer ''T:Y-tlt.1_:L9qp9l tt'e l8th-century 

.famlly burlal Etdest members of the 

broughi greeting. rrom tne piiii- the. christian yode 

.gospel. 

td, souther-n tunity to attend one of two worshlp -"H. 

tiouni. r6called 'nelghbore 

,.jl 

cation'CopiesoftheIirstzsissuJs"irSwitzer|and.Afier.hisdeath,.theservlceslnchurchesdeartotheclan.i;#;; fi 

the newsletter, which have u."n..J" missionary was..canonized and be- ;i;;;fi;;;*tce held at crace unlo^n included 

Hamilci .lir*, *'rro"...'i""i;;. 

Eve Yoder Barton 

bound,wereunveiled'ueoicatJiicamemoiefamiliar|yknownasst..i"ti"."-'i--6r'"i"hsouthwest.."fi;;.;|i;;1 

co.editorBenF.Yoder,wr,oai"iiiJoder'.The.Anabaptistmovement'N;;f'b'.G;.yYoderofferedtheir."lii"'.i.ezo'andeariy 

t992, the book as well a* .uu."iio- begun in 1.525: 

w.a: the.spiritual.an' l.ord's Preyer ln both German and H1qksry buslnessman, 

nlcxorY 

James served 

tions to the Yoder Newsletter -:- cestor ol tne Amlsh and Mennonltes Encllsh ln testlmony to the ljurop€- severai vean rs. presldent o{ the Ruth Lall of Hickory displayed the 

beorderedby-contaclingth.pJ;iiTl:^l"].:h_d:|:|,t|ej113mefrom"i"ii1irii.oitr"*oa"'.famlly..A"N:b:.TJ;' 

;;rt'';i.Po1d;;";,i:d";h;":li'1sTo,iT.Tf;.',"if'ii:"#.JlHli:*'-T:"x;f-tl!"'ij":..i"'f:'iii:;:l.'* 

onAug'12,charteredb[ssestook-Ted--Yoder.commentedthattheLutheranChurch.;,l"\i"$""..iHl; 

the groui on a tour of historic sitis Rev -, R Paul-stroup oI Orrville' nual reunlon.of 

' 

of special importance t" th" Ito'::i ijti", g*i,r.*-;i tr.-iil;;i *,.t"tt"dut"Oe''- 

" 

homecomrngs 

Hahn'MlchaelB lluffmanandNea 

-iin 

-yoder, 

yoder family. cu".t. ..* Anderson a co-founder and Michael B. H;;;", vlce presl' revealed the gift o( D wilfong The bedstead of lgth' 

.."-tilllJ"o"t 

weidner.wilIong..no"r.uou,u,,,ll!iil;'i."pi".ii"ii.'oiiiioircottegedent,welcomedi 

'r-"""ii-nrrin"-coilege), 

conrad yoder family cemeteTi: i"; 

tis the'yoder f"ilir;''it;il;;;;t;;. 

reunion in honor of his three I*9r 

Yod€r and a chest of drawers and 

GraceLutheranchu."t',nootl."1'loanedtotheCaiawbacou"niit'tu.itutt.,n.rntrooucei 

Paul,sChurch,..ongott,..t1.".l]l"oi-iiili.i".vii"J'ituotu'i'e.otThemoderator;;;;p;;Jt'igt'tigt'isFH.;;}:1l1";H 

T;:*i"$;1n":.1"*.i:i.... j::i':::'.'.":::1T:::T:::T:....:i:".::"i:"' 

*r*{*{*,*...1'lii".rj.:ll".l".,lT.xJ:xx"f,u***** 

CHARLES FISHBR YODER REUNION HELD 

The descendants of Charles Fisher yoder nncl his wife Emma 

Jane Yoder suspended holding regularly scheduled yoder family 

reunions after the death of N{rs. yoder in 195g. Following the 

completion and distribution of the booklet "The Ancestors and Fanrily 

of Charles Fisher Yoder" by N{ae yoder Moore and Walter E Moore 

in late 1994, it became appnrent the 32 living first cousins were 

scattered and many did not know each other. 

After a period of about 35 ye,lrs, A reunion of this family was 

held Sundny, June 18, 1995, at the Conrnrunity Park in McEwensville, 

PA. Ninety-five people attended, coming fronr California, Texas, 

South Carolina, FIorida, Michignn, Connecticut, New York and 

Pennsylvania. 

Following the invocation by Hope Yoder of California, 

everyone enjoyed a delicious picnic dinner. This w:ts followed by time 

for fellowship and picture taking. Verna Mne Yoder l{artranft was 

presented with a corsage in celebration of her 94th birthday which 

was to take plnce on July 9th. Vern:r ['Iae is the oldest living menrber 

of the family and the last surviving child of Charles and Enrnra Jane. 

The 1996 Charles Fisher Yoder Family reunion will be held 

June 23, 1996 at the Conrmunity Park in McEwensville, Pa,-For 

information cont:rct: N'lr & lVIrs Walter E Moore, 300 Willow Valley 

iI:3 ::, |I.t.T ;iii;Yl']::.: i .'.'i I lf;.Yi.t.'. * * * * * * * * * * * 8

w YODER NEWSLETTER w- 

lssue Number 27 P.O. Box 594, Goshen,lN 46527 April l996 

Tobias YodE(, 

Civil War hero 

Tobias Yoder 

(Pholo submitted by Donald lke Wrlker 

of Somerset) 

By SANDRA LEPLEY 

Staff 'l'he Writer 

lile of Civil War vcterirn 

'fobias Yoder could rlrrrost rrc 

nrrdc inlo r lclc\i\ii\il rrrini.erics 

'['he Sorncrset Countv soldicr not 

irnlv scn,cd in thc LJnion Arnrr' 

*ith lenor lrut rrlsrr tlru,rtrd tlcrtir 

0n more lniln onc occtston. 

Born in Shadc lirunship rn 

lll27, Yodcr was onc of four brothcrs 

*ho crrlirtcd irr tlrc Uiliiln 

Arnry. John was killcd; llenry died 

of disease, and I! oses returned 

from the war and took up residency 

in Stonycreek Township. 

' Growing up on a [rrm ;rnd hcing 

a woodsman ultimately caused 

Yoder to develop strong muscles 

and a powerful staturc. Jle was well 

known in Ihis arer as the champion 

wrestler of Sonrersel County. 

According to Yodcr's derth notice 

in 7lc .\onra slt 11crrrftl. Nlarch 

ll. lR';7: 'Nrr tttrrtr l'(tlc(l 

.lr(( i 

men ol phvsical nrrnhrxrd or brrvcr 

warrior cvcr shouldcrcd a rnuskct.' 

Befbrc hc evcr bccarne a soldier. 

Yoder cheated death two times. lle 

was run over by a hand car on the 

railroad one time, rvhich rcsultcd in 

several brokcn ribs. On anothcr 

occasion, a coal nrine collapscd on 

him, killing the dog alongside of 

him and requiring unbelievablc 

strength on his part to dig lo thc 

surface. 

Al thc tinru t;f his cnlistnrcnt in 

July l116l, hc measured 42 inches 

across thc chest and was 3.1 years 

old, an unusual age to hecome a 

soldier because manv who serued 

rvere in lheir teens. llc enlisted in 

the Co. A. l0th Rcgiment. thc vcrv 

first conrpanv lrom the count)'lo 

march off to rvar. 

On June 30. 1u62. at Ncw Mrrket 

Crossroads near Richmond. 

J 

a 

Q 

c 

a.l 

r- 

FI 

= 

F 

3E 

, a 

d a E 

E o l 

2z e 

f i : 

E E c 

= a 

E :. 

E i 

O " * 

r..2 e 

bo; 

> tr.- 

e r:'i 

2 .< 

c . = ; h 

FCaa 

Va., Yoder's conrpany got caught 

in a crossfirc from reginrents belonging 

to Stonewall Jackson and 

A.P. Hill and once again, Yoder 

cheated death. 

Seven bullets hit hinr in rvhat hc 

termed "less than a man could 

count to five," (Sonrcrsu Iltnrlll. 

Two balls went through his chcst, 

one of * hich crushcd his le[t shouldcr 

bladc. Onc lrit hinr in the side 

and larrded under the hip bone and 

thc other hrdged ckrse to the spilre 

ncar his kidnevs. l'hrce other bull!l\ 

dl\r) $'ouildcd hiln. All thts 

ncvcr krrockcd the rnrn down but 

e!cnturllv lwo conrrades pulled 

hinr to the rear of battlc. 

Alteruards, he and other wounded 

Union soldiers were left in the 

hands of the Confederates, who 

tendcd to thcir own rvoundcd first 

and occasionally gave Yoder water 

from a nearby brook. Three days 

after he rvas wounded, a Confederate 

wagon drove within 20 feet of 

him. They rold hirn if he could get 

up and gct on the wagon, they 

rvould wait. "l'nr a little sliff," said 

Yodcr. who was cventually grabbed 

bv the inrpatient Conlederatcs and 

pitched into the wagon (Sonwset 

Itcialt{). 

Hc bccame a prisoner at Libby 

Prison but rcfused nrcdical ailention. 

Fearing that maggots would 

irtlcst his uouttdc, he used a rvindo\\' 

stop rvith a nail in it to rcach 

out his ccll window and pull srrntc 

tol)acco Icrvcs ltxrsc so he could 

plug up hs bullct holes. 

llowever, thc tobacco thclt was 

discovcred and he was rcported to 

thc ruthorities. lle spent l{r dayr irr 

solitary confinenrenl at Bclle lslc. 

Ile spent 40 days in prison 

albgether. going fronr lt30 pounds 

to | 16. Hc was then exchangcd and 

scnt to Clrrstcr llospital ncilr I'hilndclphia, 

$ ltcrc doctors gavc hirn .1ll 

hours to livc.'l'hose doctors, howcvcr. 

\!erc not ilware of Yttder's 

unbclicvable rcsiliencv. llis recovery 

aslounded the mcdical comnrunity 

so much that the surgeon-inchief 

in Washington D.C. made a 

special trip to Chester to study his 

case. 

In January l1163, Yoder returned 

home to Somerset County. Bul 

aftcr hearing in March that his 

regiment was recruiting again, he 

was rcady lo go hilck k) serytcc, 

trrvcling to Washington D.C. to 

join up. Even though officials rcfused 

to lct him join. he lbught 

rnvway and was at thc Battle of 

Gcttvsburg on July l, 2 and 3 of 

il16-]. 

When his cnlistrnent was up, 

doctors wcre not going to approve 

"Afler 

his rcquest lbr re-enlistnlent. 

I had stripped for ex;rnrinalion. I 

kicked up nty hcels and exccuted a 

Continued on page 3 

Yoder House Groundbreaking Draws a Crowd 

Burr!!l Looks Cold Out! 

The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Yoder House was held 

Saturday, October 21, 1995 at the Spruce Artisan Village/Penn Alps, 

Grantsville, Md. A goodly crowd from several states assembled for 

this event. The opening ceremony was moderated by Lowell Bender. 

and remarks were made by ,f ack Dueck and Kenneth L.Yoder. Pastor 

Johnny Crist -a l2th generation Yoder from Atlanta, Ga. gave the 

Ground Breaking message. Singing was led by Doris Ours. 

Ray Yount, Carl Yoders, Doris Ours share the shovel 

while Kenneth L. Yoder "supervises" 

This was followed by the actual ground breaking, in which 

representatives of three different Yoder families jointly performed thc 

honors: Ray Yount from the Conrad Yoder line of NC; Carl Yoders of 

the "Yoders" family of SW Pa (YNL 24), and Doris Ours of the Arnish 

line which settled in the Somerset County, Pa-Grantsville, NId area 

(YR26l Line). They used n "Rutter Spade" made for the occasion by 

l0th generation Yoder descendant Dwight Yoder. 

Reports were given on the progress, vision, and financial status 

of the Yoder House. An ndded report was furnished on the Yoder 

Reunion in held in Hickory, North Carolina last August. The "\\'idow 

Barbara Yoder Bible", n Yoder rocker & coverlet, and a hinge and 

stone from the ,loderhubel(l'oder Itill) in Srvitzerland were olr displa'r 

along with other Yoder memorabilia. 

F'or firrther information contact: Yoder House Pro.iect, Spruce 

F'orest Artisarr Villaee. 177 Casselman Road, Grantsville, Md 21536.

************************************************************************************************************** 


Swiss Joder Miss Wants Pen-Pal 


Dear Sir. 

********************************************************* Our daughter Ursula is now fifteen years old and she is very 


interested in other peoples life. So she would like to have a girl friend 

Chris Yoder, Editor, Battle Creek,MI; John W. Yoder, Circulation or a boy friend in the age of fifteen to eighteen years to write letters in 

Manager, Middlebury,IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing English. lt would be very nice if you could write some words in the 

Editor, Goshen,IN. Other Contributors: John W. Yoder; Richard H. Yoder Newsletter to find anybody who would like to answer her. We 

Yoder, Bechtelsville, PA; Hubert A. Yoder, Chnrlotte, NC; Dorothy are looking forward to your answer and wish you a Merrl, Christmas 

Yoder Coffman, Malvern. PA; Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neil and a happy New Year.-- rrith best wishes, K. Joder 

Wilfong, Cleveland, NC; and Dr. Delbert Gratz, Bluffton, OH 

(Write this address: 

Ursula Joder, Astrastrasse l, 3612 Steffisburg, Switzerland) 




Newsletter, P.O. Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527-0594. 

-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, Ml 49015 (or by electronic mail to 

. I i I i I ;'.'J.tf--I ll:: 1."; :: r':)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * YNL PRICE INFORMATION $$$$ 

The YNL subscription is on an annual basis-two issues for $3. 

BACK ISSIIES of the YNL are $l per issue. A bound set of back 

issues l-25 is available for $25 plus $3 postage and handling). These 

l. ::.".:1".'.":.i1"fl Jlf .:.": 

I J I: l.it.l": i * * * * * * * * * * Hatfield Township Mystery 

NancyEmery of Spoknne, Washington is trying to determine if 

Margaret, wife of Joseph (Yost) Wiles (Will), was a daughter of a 

,facob Yoder who died prior to 1780. Yost Will was on the 1780 tax 

list charged for Jacob Yeoder's estate in Hatfield Township, 

Philadelphia County. An original tax assessment microfilm, undated 

(ref: Hist. Soc.Of Montgomery Co) shows in one section ..Yost Wile 

(Nancy thinks these words are ..Yeador Jacob", but they 

are unclear! do not match the lettering for the later.Jacob Yeoder' 

text and on other records on the page this place following the name is 

held by the occupation of the person) occupat-6,000, 2 horses-960, 2 

cows, 240; Payed 20 rent hard to Jacob Yeoder and for Jacob Yeoders 

Est. 100 acres & Dwelling-6,000". 

It's interesting to note that several records away on the same 

microfilm page is "Melchior Yeoder, l3l acres,2 horses,4 cows". (See 

YNL 16 page 6 for discussion and speculation on this early line). 

Melchior is also only several entries awav in the 1780 tax record. 

Joseph Wiles was born about l7:{,1 in German-v, crme to 

America in 1754, married N'Iargaret/Nlargarethn _ about 1775. 

Around 1785 he moved to Westmoreland Co, and in 1796 he 

purchased land in Armstrong Co., Pa where he died in 1826-- 

survived by 9 children. 

Anyone with further information on this family or its Yoder links, 

*".^.':JIT:;Ili:'.:T:xri::1i..ii'.1|;.';l:t.":llf;)1.11:1:;-- 

WANTED----YODER Family Information to share in future issues 

of the Yoder Newsletter. Send your input to Chris Yoder: 

203 Lakeshire Rd.. Battle Creek.Mi 49015. 

************************************************************ 

YODER HtTMOR- While waiting with my daughter and 

granddaughter at the doctor's office, my 4 year old granddaughter, 

.fillian Yoder, wanted pencil and pnper to practice her ABC's. 

Writing down letters at random , she showed her Mommy 

"Mommy,what does this say". 

"Nothing", her mommy replied. 

Excitedly, ,Iillian huried to me to show her work saying "Look 

grandma, mommy says I spelled 'nothing'!" I couldn't help but 

laugh.-submitted bv June Yoder of Bonne Terre.Mo. 

2 

Esther Yoder Lambertson, Elkhart, Indiana- the First Strbscriber to 

the YNL (see YNL 2, page 2) and also the First to Resrrbscribe, died 

Oct.4, 1995, following a stroke. Her husband Frank wrote that Esther 

had n serious earlier stroke in .fuly of 1994: 

"l know she enjoved the letters she received over the years and 

would tell me about things she found in them. She spent a lot of time 

on her families genealogy and lvould read fronr lhem as part of her 

way of trsing time. 'fhank you. (lontinue the good work w.ifh tlle lefter. 

":",. 

Enos Yoder, descendant of David (l Yoder (YR23374),drives one of 

the trains he brrilt and runs on track in the yard of his Sarasota, 

Florida home. Enos and his wife were attendees at the National 

Yoder Reunion hosted last Augrrst by the Yoders of North (.'arolina. 

\ ou \Iighf lle .\ \'odcr 11... 

As a part-of his message for the Yoder House groun*'bre*kin3-'* 

Pastor Johnny D. Crist gave the following quiz, patterned after the 

"TOP TEN LIST" of David Letterman: 

You mieht be a Yoder if: 

... yorr meet a stranger from Ohio, Indiana, or Virginia and spend 20 

minutes trying to figure out if vou're related. 

... you serve your most eleganl nreal to vour guests in lorrr home:rnd 

conclrrde with chern' pie, rlther than chern tort. 

.,. you've ever subscribed to the Gospel Herald. 

... you can spell Stoltzfus, Gingrich, Hosletler or Smucker without 

thing twice about it. 

... if yotr know that coverings were made for women's heads before 

they were made for floors. 

... if you've ever eaten smearcase and apple butter on bread. 

... ifyou know that a u,et bottonr is better on Shoflr pie than kids. 

... if the words MDS. ENI('and VS are terms of endearment. 

.,, ifyou've ever corrected someone for calling Lancaster, [,ancloster. 

.. if it somewhat bothers you that a ('rist from Atlanta is offering this 

Ground Breakine addrcss rather than a Yoder from Ohio.

Moses H. Yoder Familv Historv Published 

PLANS FOR HANS AND YOST YODER RETINION 

FINALIZED 

Julv 20.1996, Olev Vallev.Pleasantville.Pa 

Over 400 Yoder cousins, from 25 different states, responded to 

the Hans and Yoder Family Trail Reunion announcementhat 

appeared in the October YNL. In March, registration packets were 

mailed to all who responded. lf you have failed to register as yet, and 

wish to do so, write to the Yoder Reunion Association.4l3 State St.. 

Pottstown, PA, 19464. 

The heritage trail tour will visit I I historical sites in the Oley 

Valley where, as early as 1714, the brothers Hans and Yost Yoder 

settled. Hans Yoder, the first Yoder to come to America in 1709, built 

and settled in what is today "The Yoder Homestead". The current 

building's oldest section was constructed in 1737. The day-long bus 

tour will also visit the sites of the original Yost Yoder home, Hans 

Jr.'s original house, the Jacob Yoder (Yost's son) and Marie Keim 

home, and other historical locations, including: the Oley Forge, 

Griesemer's Mill, the Samuel Yoder house, the Lobachsville Mill, the 

Crooked Dam, Daniel Yoder's Papermill, and the original Yoder 

Family Cemetery, 

At the end of the day, there will be a Yoder F-amity banquet 

program examining the historical significance of the tour sites and 

the, later opportunities for Yoder Clan meetings, 

During the Yoder Cemetery visits, there will be an unveiling of 

a marker to honor Hans and Yost Yoder and their families. 

For those interested and not registered, the deadline for 

registration is June I,1996--NO REGISTRATION during the day of 

the event- write immediatelv. 

Moses H. yoder ( 1833_1912)(yR25149) 

By Ernest and Willa yoder 

Moses H.Yoder, the ninth child and youngest son of Christian 

"Keefer Christ" and Esther Hertzler, was born in Mifllin County, PA 

on May 27, 1883. 

Mose's first marriage was to Barbara Kauffman, the daughter 

of Christian Kauffman and Martha Krrrtz. After Barbara's death in 

1874, Moses married Elizabeth Slabaugh, the daughter of John 

Slabaugh and Susan Nisley. 

Mose suffered from what the family terms as ,.itchy feet", he 

and Barbara moved from Lawrence County, pA to Cass Co., MI 

around the mid 1860's. By l87I they had moved to LaGrange 

County, lN where Barbara died in October, 1874, 

After his mRrriage to Elizabeth Slab:rugh, he rnoved his fnmily 

to NlcPherson (iounty. KS where he is said to h:rve had one of the 

best farms in that area. But lbout 1890, I\lose's feet began to itch 

gain and he took his family mineral prospecting in Missouri. After a 

couple of bad years, he returned to Kansas. 

His last move was to Oklahoma, He and two of his sons, Ezra 

and Hiram, took part in the Cherokee Run. He homesteaded near 

Manchester, OK. He and Elizabeth are buried in the Mennonite 

Cemetery near Manchester. 

We are still searching for Barbara's grave but can only 

Assume that it is one of the many unmarked graves in LaGrange Co., 

In. We are also searching for Mose and Barbara's marriage record, 

which we feel was about 185,1 or 1855 in Pennsvlvania, If anvone has 

further information aborrt this familr. we would be happy lo hear 

from them. 

The Moses H. Yoder Familv Historv, 3,10 pages including 60 pages of 

pictures. $35 postpaid. Order from: Ernest & Willa Yoder,5lJ Jean 

Ave.,Stursis, MI 19091. 

SWISS MENNONITE HERITAGE TOTiR 

DO YOTI WANT TO CLIMB THE ,IODERHORN 

Noted historian Dr. Delbert Gratz will be leadine another of his Swiss 

Mennonite Heritage Tours from t6 Sep to 7 Oct 1996. lf there is 

sufficient interest, he has offered to add a special visit to and..climtr" 

(up walking paths) of the Joderhorn. (See yNL 25 for more details on 

the location and naming of this 9,960 ft Alpine mountain). Dr. Gratz's 

tour will arrive in Zurich and include visits to the Oberland, Thun, 

Bern, Basel, Geneva, the Jura, Alsace and the German palatinate. Dr. 

Gratz would need to hear by mid May to arrange the special 

Joderhorn climb. For information about a Joderhorn adventure or 

just to get more information about the tour, Contact: Dr. Delbert 

Gratz, phone (419) 353-7431, 8990 Augsburger Rd., Bluffton, OII 

458 I 7-9513. 

****************************************************** 

Who cnn tell us about GIIORGE YODER-VENANC;O Co,pl 

(Writc to ('hris Yodcr rr ith :tn\ inlirrnation-eucrics addrcss) 

BP- Gcorgc Yolcr (Yodcr) b c l0/l/18{){) pA lI lvl:trg:trcl (pcgg\ ) 

(cl79l or ltt(X)- ) dlll2ll8l2 lgc 7lr 5nr I ld firrutcr 

Vcnitngo Co.PA- l13i0- Chcrn Tlp: l8+o SLtg,ilr Crcck Trrp: lli50 und 1860- 

Ouklirnd. PA (Rcfcrcrrccs: EIilrs's Vclcrans pcnsion: Vcnango Gcncalogicll 

Socic(\ ) 

BPI-nralc b lt3l-5-20 

BP2- n}itlc b l1J2()-25 

BPI- fcrnalc b ltt2t)-25 

BP{- nralc b ltt25-10 

lTlronras b clltl2 d 7l12/1851 irgc 22 on Salnton Rircr. CA of 

congcstiolt of thc bo\\cls) 

+BP5- nurlc b ll{:10-3-i 

Elias b I ltl(r nl -+/ I I/ llt60 Dcrnpscrlol n. PA br Rcr Jrcob Wcrkcl 

to Man A Wcrkcl rcs Gulloslr. Suglrr Crcck T\\p ln Illl{0 

d 2/21{/ 1905 Florcncc. C'(l 

BP5 l- Ellit V b l2l3/11t66 rrr J G Joltnstorr rcs llJljo Glrllorrrr. 

Vcurngo Co. PA 

'.)'.)gntnddaughtcr'.)'lBP(r- 

Slrah Ann b l/7/ltil(r rn l/l/ltt67 Tnonlas 

Thcodorc Cartcr d l9 IIJ bur Bcthcl Mctlr Church Ccnr. Oukland Ts p. 

Vcnlurgo Co 

3

Daily American, Somerset, Pa., Tuesdav, May 16, 1995 

n- 

l&"ur' 

Continued from Page I 

;ry&r;rw&'ab, i*l{t*.wr- .r'"6N , 

f -*3:4:4'2 ""4 . "trffi, 

rl ",i ;':"'1,1 

'l-,"*,::", 

,:f:' 

i. t{ C" :.:::4, , ,,' 

)re,:Y:'*"&tN*'- 

For Ancestors 

little dance on my way out of the Walerloo, lowa; Francis, Somerset 

roonr to show them how lively I Township; Susan (husband's name 

was," said Yoder, who did not want unknown) and Mrs. Ida Haunt. 

to bc left hchind lSulrerser //cralrl). Somerset. 

lle stayed in the arnty unlil the eild One of Yoder's clescenoanrs, 

of the war and was there the day Clark Brocht of Rocku,ood RD 3, 

Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenderetl it rvho is rlso rn arer historian. be- 

Appomaftox, Va. 

Iieves his greal-great-grett grand- 

Yoder died on March 24, 1897. fathcr -l-obias Yoder iuruivcd inwhile 

visiting his son, Grant, in surmountable circunrstanccs for a 

..- - .. Waterloo. Iowa. He and his wilc purpose. 

-. " ..t!i 

'r.li 

rre arebtried h'rri.,l i. in Husband 

H".k.-,l a---'-.., 

Cemetery. "A normal person would have 

.l tte Oied rr 70 ycar\ ot age anrJ 

' 

died from .rih an ordeal bur I 

&'t t h..l hr,r. l^.r ,. i^^,r :- .,^ ',.^ 

: had n('ver lost a toorh in hls. lile- suppose it just wasn't his tinre yet," 

time. Hc stature remained "hali: and said llrocht. who is dcscended fronr 

hearty," (Scrmerse t I I ear I d) 

Yoder's daushtcr Mrs. Sarah Fish- 

For some years prior to his death, er. "lt's a wondcr the minnie balls 

he was having sonre problems wilh never hit any rnajor arteries and that 

lhe bullet near his kidney but l'obias did not die frorn infection." 

because ln operalion to rcmove it Another descendant of Yodcr's 

was too risky, he carried it and wls his dauqhtcr lda's son. the latc 

. 

anothcr bullet to the gravc. 

Dr. Earl O. Haupr, wno wts a 

, 

. According to his dcath notice in gcncral practitir)t)cr jn Sonter\ct 

thc Sonersct Hertld: "C)nc of the ind also a rvell,knorrn historirn. 

strangcst fcatures of this remurk- Ar.c()rdingrol]!ocht.l)r IlrrrrIr.. 

rble nran's experience is thrr he Icll $,if(,. Elizr[cth ..1]ctrr.. llirrrpi. rr 

. t 

no pain whatsocverduring lhe time frtrnrer dircctor ol tlle S()ntcr\(t 

that he receivcd the wounds and Ilistorical C'el)tcr. t()ld hiDr rhrrr 

tl:cir subscqucnt healing, and was 'l'obias yoder's inrrce \\ir\ u\.o r)r 

-*lbl€,.ts.ert ^-y aTd thd h- ârtd-.t4rc,-Giui,l,r''Jes nrriumer\t ut rhc 

sccure, Hc secmed literally a man Somcrset Count\, Courthousc. llcr 

devoid of newes or the sense of mother-in-lrw Ija (onc of lobias' 

fceling. IIe u,as a thoroughly up- youlgcr claughtcrs) told her rlris 

right, conscientious, Christian marr lanrilv storv. - 

Clark Brocht of Rockwood RD 3 displaysome of back to Tobias Yoder, Civil War veterarr(li1ir{ lrld was highly cstcemed by all elihoueh Brochl bcliclcs tlrc 

the lamily photographs that lrace his lineage photo by sandra Leprey) 

tho knnv hinr." 

soldier orithc n)()rlunrelt |r.ks like 

*********************************************************** lle rvas nrarried to the fornler Tobias Yodcr. hc hrs ncrcr lountl 

Marv Catheran Whipkey. They hrd anv docurnclrlation orr lhe sulricct. 

I I children 

'Once 

Yoders Dowsing 

1'ou slarl slu(l\ing rorrr 

Henry il. of Brolhcrsvrllcv 

'lirrvnship: 

r(xrts. it nrirxes vou rt)prc(.litrc \()llr 

Mrs. F.ll. Coltrorn of orvn lilc. Our ri,re 

c.ri,i. lr,.rl i e n 

Rayard, W.Va.t Jacob ol Colum- hard livcs. l nr proud lirhirs \ ,rdcr 

bus, Ohio: Mrs. John Fishcr of is a prinrc cxantDlc ol I e()rrrirqeou\ 

Garrelt; Ceorge. Ilayard. W.Va.; Arnericansoltlier-" llroclrt:ritl. 

Nlilton, Somcrsct Township; Nlrs. 

hnrnra llurkett of Solncrseti Crrnl, 

x*ax*xx{*xxx+8*{{***x*x$*x*x$sxx{****xx**xxxxxx*x8x*xxx*x{{* 

Dick Yoder Dowsing 

Dowsinq Rods Crossed 

Come to the Rerrnion 

and 

Try Dowsing Yourself 

Rich B, Yoder, of West Chester, and Dick H.Yoder. of 

Bechtelsville, President and Vice-president respectively of the yoder 

Reunion Association, have been dowsing for their ancestors in the 

Yoder Family Cemetery, Pleasnntville, Pennsylvania. 

Dowsing is an activity that has played a part in the everyday 

life of people for a very long time. Historically, ancient drawings and 

sculptures have been found scattered throughout the world. The 

world dowse means lrto locate, to find". The difficulty in the case of 

dowsing is that there are no ready-nrade or readily understood ways 

to answer the question, "What makes it work". 

[]sing dowsing rods (L-rods), thc Richard's ftrund I9 places in 

the rear._of the cenretery where 'the yods crossedi. irrdj,cating possibl€ 

locations of grave sites. The individual sites' locations are in perfect 

alignment with the oldest permanent grave markers, which are facing 

due-east. 

It is presumed that the immigrants Hans and Yost Joder, the 

first Yoders to settle in America from Switzerland. and their families 

are buried in the Pleasantville [lnion Cemetery, (Original ]'oder 

Family Cemetery). Hence, we feel fairly certain that these sites are the 

burial places of Hnns and Yost Joder and their farnilies, 

The Yoder Reunion Association is hosting a national reunion 

on July 20,1996. During the tour, registrants will have the opportunity 

to dowse for the grave sites when they visit the original Yoder 

Cemetery, 

Richard H, Yoder has written Pleasantville [Jnion Cemeterv-A 

Photosraphic Review. This book contains photographs of all 

remaining Yoder stones and considerable research on the descendants 

of Hans and Yost who are buried there, Copies witl be available 

drrring the reunion or write Richard at: 47 Bause Road, Bechtelsville, 

PA 19505. ($6 plus $l for postage and handling). 

4

An Oley Yoder Reunion---about 90 years ago 

Yoder Family Retrnion, Friday Aug. 19,1905/6 or'10/ll,Pleasantville,Pa at the Home of Mr. & NIrs. Henry 

S.Yoder(OH14526). Henry S. \'oder (1s39-1917) was married on Mar.24,1960 to Hannah Cleaver (1843-1930). They had a 

family of l7 children born between t86l and 1887. (Thanks to Mrs. Evelyn Buchholtz of Santa Fe, New Mexico for this high 

quality photo and to Richard H. Yoder of Bechtelsville, Rich B. Yoder of West Chester and Holly Griffith for help in 

identifving the folks included). Back rolr': l-William Yodcr (s/o l3); 2-Ralph Stout (h/o 8); 3- Walter Greisemer (h/o 23); 

.l-\larie Storrdt;5- Edu'ard Yoder;6-Anna Yoder;7-c'harles Swa'elv (h/o l.l); g- Kate (\'oder) Stoudt;9-[Ienr-r 

Yoderl l0- ; ll-.Iim Stoudt); l2-Annie (Yoder) Jackson; lJ- lsaac I'oder; t,l-Laura (\'oder) Swavely; l5-\lillianr 

Yoder; l6-Debbie (\'oder) Drrnlap; l7-Walter Yoder; l8-Mayme (w/o l7); l9-Cleaver yoder;20-Virgie (w/o I9);21-Jim 

Yoder. Second row:22- Margie (d/o l3 orl2);23-Florence (d/o l3);2,1-Roy; 25-Stella;26-Naomi;27- Norma (d/o lJ); 28- 

Jennie (d/o l3);29-Grandfather Henry Yoder;30-Grandmother Hannah Cleaver Yoder;31-Aunt Hannah; 32-Nora (u/o 9); 

33-Olga (w/o lS)(she was Swedish); 34-Hannah Tea (w/o l3). First row: 35-Clarence (s/o l3); J6-David (s/o l9); 37-Raymond 

(s/o l6);38-Sue (w/o 5);39-Victor (s/o l3); 4O-Elizabeth (d/o l5); 4l-Carl; 42-Edith (d/o lJ); ,tJ-Willie,Jr(s/o l5); ll-eila lOio 

5); ,I5-Earl(s/o l3); rl6-Arnold; 47-Jtm (s/o 2l); ,18-Ada(d/o 9); 49-Walter (s/o 9); 50_ Charles (1901_died age l7); Ira (s/o 9; _ 

faint image in lap between 3l and 32 (as lra was b. 1906-and is no more than 2 yrs old... this appears to help date the photo), 

Who can tell us about Aaron Yoder-River Styx, Oh 

(Write to Chris Yodcr *ith an1 information-Qucrics addrcss) 

AH- Aarort Yodcr b. lll2(r Bucks to.PA rn.('l ltt5l Wavnc Co..OH) to Katherirrc 

('1 Trastcr)( I 832- | I 26 I l88l Rir cr Sl\ r.OH) d.9/9/ | ltglJ River Str r.OH 

(Refcrcncc: Ralph B Thontpson Cht: IGI Microfichc. Wavnc Co Marriagcsl 

AHI- Srrsan b. I l/l{/lll-i6 m 1216ll87t) Mcdina Co Wrn B Good d.l).1811t126 

AH2- Rcubcn b. llt5li rn 2/21/11,i1,t2 Mcditra Co Mitn S Rickcn 

AH3- Sarah b rn I l/2/lti79 Mcdina Co Jcffcrson McFadden 

AH{- John b 

Who can tell us about Christopher Yoder-Marshall Co,lN 

(Writc to Chris Yodcr $ith nnl inlormation-Querics addrtss) 

BK- Christophcr Yodcr b c1802 nr I l/l(r/ll{10 Muskrngurn ('0. OH 

Ann:t M:triit Hal nlakcr (c 180-+- ) rcs l San) Mrtrshall Clo. IN 

BKI- Esthcr A b cltilll OH rn l0/9/lli5t3 Marshall Co. IN 

Pctcr Q Nichols 

f

Tennessee Yoders Surface from Around the US 

From far and )on, :rcross the []S w,e've received a variety of items about the Eli Yoder famill of Tennessee. \\'ith the exception 

of the contribution of Hrrbert Yoder, which arrived in 1990, the rest of these items have all come in over the course of the past 

l'ear. \\'e have heen so struck by the timing of these arrivals that we've decided to dedicate a whole prge to them. Hope you 

find the coincidences as interesting as we do. 

Eli Yoder, (l8l0-1891) 

Grandson of Conrad 

Y .w4 

" b 

#." {. 

r . f 

'% 

-t 

WIIO ARE THESE FOLK 

Becky Perkins, l.l0{ R.v-an St., Flint, Nlich,18532, sent this family group of her relatives in 

Tennessee. IIer great Arrnt Alice Adams Wilson had them and now that she has passed on, 

the identitv of the grorrp is also lost. From the photo submitted separately by NIrs. Nlinter 

in Maraland, it looks fairlv certain that the patriarch in the middle is the same Eli Yoder. 

:i:::.1:::i:'.::".tTJ::lil.'.'.".:".T:lll1*.i".'IJ.....********** 

-fennessee 

Yoder Chairs 

Eli Yoder (1810-1891) (Con35). A grandson of Conrad 

Yoder who moved to Tennessee. Ruth Adams Minter of 

Maryland, a descendant of Levi's Tennessee children, 

sent this photo by Priority Mail to the Yoder Reunion 

in Hickory last August. It arrived.iust in time to be 

shared with Leon Yoder. a descendalrt of l-evi's son's 

Calvin who moved to West Virginia after the Civit War 

and whose line lives there still. 

****************************************** 

"\lr \irrrre is R. ,|'oder, lllT{" 

is what's caned into the cross-piece on this chair. The chair was 

;rurchased at a |)ea ntarket in Alabama bv William yoder. 505 

\\ootll:rnrr Arr... Srlircurrg:r.,\l 35150. William w:rs told by lhe seller 

that the chair had conre fronr Tennessee ancl would like to know who 

this "R. \'oder" was,'l'he YNL has checked the lgg0 Tennessee 

census lnd a prinre canditlate seems to be Con393l. Robert yoder.b 

NIay 1861, s/o i\tarcus s/o Eli and the only R. yoder visible (besides 

an I I nrontlr old). Interesting enough, in 1900 this Robert (then in 

Knox ('o.)is listed ls being a carpenter. Can anyone tell us more 

Chair Made bv Eli Yoder in 1838 

and still in his familv, Presently owned by Donald Adams of 

Cleveland, TN. Thanks to Hubert Yoder of Charlotte for furnishing 

this photo several years ago. Who would have thunk we'd have 

featured this photo with that of a possible grandson 

6

**************************Queries*************************** 





Send to: (lhris Yoder. 203 Lakeshire Rd.. Battle Creek.Mi 49015 

Zella Hielman (Hileman) married a RICHARD YODER about 1923 

perhaps in Wayne or Ashland (lo. in Ohio. She may have come from 

Lanclster Co.,Pa- I{er I'irther wns Harvey Heilman (Hileman). Can 

anyone tell me abotrt this ladv Reply to: Eva Nlay Yoder, 220 Tioga 

l:."; illi'll 3 I 1 il 13;i1'.1:l 

T I : l:l :l.'.':,1 i I 1; ...... .* * * * 

Helping Pat (Simmers) Bondic of Columbia, lll find her friend Tris 

Yoder (Nlrs. Ed. ()pinsky) 68 of Ohio- daughter of Rosie Justice and 

lra Yoder of Southern,Il, lfyou have info, reply to- June Yoder, 1484 

::i'i.:-y.* iil i I Jll'."; y :;:::.'.t. 

..* * * * * * x * * * * * * 

Seeking any info on: Katherine Yoder b. t782-5 d. Juty 10,1859 

Searching for the parents of Anna Maria yoder b.9/19llg22 Basel, 

Switzerland, m.4/1711842 in Stark Co.,OH to Christian Conrad, 

d. 10122/1875 Green Twp., Wayne Co., bur. Oak Grove Mennonite 

Cemetery, Wayne Co.,OH. Her sisters were Francis (Veronica) 

(1826-1876) who m. Peter Schmucker and Barbara (1g29-1903) who 

m. Michael Schloneger Jr. Replv to Mrs. Glenn Mitchell, 5239 Taylor 

Rd,, Norton, OH ,1.1203 (\'n-L Note- see YA8) 

*****************************x***x********xx*************** 

Folks submitting Familv Grourr lnformation: 

Linda Bacon, Carmel,lN- Abraham y./Catherine Troutman (X) 

RobertW. Yoder, Aristes,Pa- Abraham y./Catherine Troutman (X) 

Allen E.Yoder, Eureka,lVlo- Wm.Brown yoder (OHl34l4) 

Wm.E,Yoder,Kutztown,Pa- Wm,D. yoder (Oy,13,156) 

Edgar Yoder, Harrisbrrrg,pa- Alfred yoder (82) 

Samuel G.Yoder, Shoemakersville,pa- Jacob S,yoder (84) 

Man'in W. Yoder, Reading, pa- Manias K. yoder (OHlJ2542) 

Margaret E. Stnnley. Lewistown,pa-Joseph p.yoder (yRll7722l 

Eva Nlac Barton & Eva Nlae (-rist,\'ork,pa- Solomon Yoder 

(\ R26t lel )&(\'Rt 21736) 

Joan T. Herbanek.lacksonville,til- Henry S Yoder (OH 14526) 

Gordon Yoder, Dallas, TX- Amos Yoder (\'Rl2a36) 

Fred A. Yoder, Fountain Hills, AZ- Denis p.yoder (yR2512,{61) 

Max L. Dinges, Marietta,Pa- Elias yoder (OH 13J34) 

Alvan L.Miller, Aragon,Ga.-Reuben yoder (yR2337a) 

Sarir \'.Sharadin, lVlcClure,pa- Henry S. yoder (OH14526) 

Hatten S.\'oder ,lr.,Bethesda, MD- Andrew Klock yoder (OH 132352) 

Robert E.Keller, Temple, pa- Adam yoder, (OY4JJ2l) 

Carl Yoder, Wilton,(lt-.fohn yoder (yBl372b) 

La NIae Perez, Annandale, NJ- ,lacob Yoder (Oy4379) 

Gwen Yoder, Rahway, N,l- Abraham y./Catherine Troutman(X) 

Charlcs B. Yoder, Douglasville,pa- C-ommodore K. yoder (y8256b) 

Maynard A.\'oder. Norristow,n,pa- Henry K. yoder (yBlJ5l34) 

Ilarill n \larkler'. Pennshurg. pa- Benja min Yoder 

m. Brigitta Hausnran (AR) 

Ruth Yoder DeLong, Fleetwood,pa- Henry S. yoder (OHl,1526) 

I\Iary Beth Banning,Ankeny, lowa- George D.yoders(M23) 

1996 Yoder Data On Disk Update Announced! 

The Yoder data on Disk has grown to 85 documents totalling 

over 2.7 megabytes of family group, baptismal, courthouse and other 

Yoder records from the tlS and Europe, Our 1996 update adds one 

generation of family group data for Oley, Mennonite and Amish 

Yoder lines, expanding the families to include those who had their 

first child by 1880. lt also updates the corresponding spousal index, 

adds C-ourthouse information from Berks Co,Pa and Elkhart and 

LaGrange Co.,In., and two new directories with yoder Census data 

from: PA- I790 thru 1850, 1870; OH- 1820-1860; lN- 1820-18601 

and with Yoder Newsletter text and index from issues #20-26, 

Thanks to David l'oder of Evanston,ll. for help with the 

typing, rnd to Dorothy Yoder Coffman, whose Census work was the 

major source of the new census subdirectory. 

The two disk set may be ordered from the YNL for $5 (postage 

included: 

Will you help in a YODER "Gutenberg Project 

married John Baker b. 1775, applied for a marriage license on May 8, 

The "Gutenberg Project", named after the first mass printer 

17981798 in Lincoln Co, NC. His parents were: John Becker and the Bible, is a "cyberspace" project started by a professor at Illinois 

Elizabeth-no known dates. Please reply to: Carrie Mixon, 162 Benedictine College. His goal is to convert 10,000 of the most used 

cl:rssical rr'orks from paper into 

I..'ll':*lj;;*:".lllli.lllli;'.'.-.'.J1.):)."i:.'.'i:i:*ri*l'*l***** 

"digital" form (meaning to rnake thcm 

readable on a computer) by the year 2001. 

Who was Catherine Yoder (1720-1798) u'ho married Anthony Sell 

The Yoder Newsletter has taken great and continuing efforts to 

(1712-3 Feb 1792 in Huntington Co., Pa). On ,f un.7,l75l he applied to assenrble reference inforrnation about the Yoder familv and to make it 

the land records of Frederick Co..Md for a deed to the land of his available (virtually for free) to one and all. We intend to continue 

deceased father, Hendrick Sell. Some of their children reportedly born these efforts in data gathering and conversion. The "Yoder Data on 

in York Co, Pa. in 1740's and 50's. Reply to: Shawn Gray, lllg W. Disk" represents a large amount of information, but it is only a 

lOth St.. Muncie, IN ;17302, email O3slgrayldbsuvc.bsu.edu. 

fraction of what could be made available from our files should we 

************************************************************ 

have more volunteer help to do the typing/ or scanning. In order to 

expand these Yoder files, the YNL is launching the "Yoder 

Gutenberg Project".... it's success will be directly proportional to the 

level of assistance which rises from you our readers. 

To offer your help contact Chris Yoder, 203 l-akeshire Rd., Battle 

C reek, M I,l 90 I 5 o r 75757 

.$7 fd co m p u s e rv e. c o m. 

VOLT]NTEERS WANTED: DO YOU TYPE 

ADVENTT]RES IN C]\'BERSPACE ... 

The Yoder Archive at "Genealogy On-Line" continues to 

thrive. The Yoder Archive is located in directory 

"/pub/genealogy/surnames/YoDER". 

All 85 files found in the "Yoder 

Data On Disk" are available to be accessed and copied at no charge. 

In addition. we have established two sub-directories "fr"NL" and 

'YCENSUS". Internet access is available either by www, or by 

anonymous ftp at emcee.com. There is also a 

"/incoming" 

subdirectory established into which Yoder researchers can upload 

their own Yoder research documents. 

'l'hrough the nronth of February I996, over 2700 individual file 

copies have been downloaded by people around the world. People 

have accessed the archives fronr the United States, Canada, Japan and 

Denmark. 

YODER NEWS NOTES: 

-Michael L.Yoder is Executive Assistant to tndianapolis 

Mayor and Gubernatorial candidate Stephen Goldsmith.(Contrib.bv 

Galen Yoder) 

-Heidi Yoder, San Francisco, displays an African Sr.nburst on 

her lower back, in an Associated press story on the new fad of..bodv 

branding". 

-The Yoder addition to the Music Hall at Bluffton College will 

be dedicated before long. lt was the result of a large contribution bv 

Allen Yoder Jr. Mr. Yoder (YR2338362a), former president of Jayco 

Inc,, was 1993 Recreational Vehicle Industry..Executive of the Year,' 

(contrib, by Rachel Kreider) 

x******************************************xxxxx********r* 

7

;ffi;*J ;;;ffi ffi ffi il "*";., ffi;il;. 

lv:r Yoder Burkhard, age 100, died Nov.6, 1996 (a month and 

22 days short ofher l0lst birthday). Reuben Yoder, her brother died 

in Texas, aged 91,later that same month while visiting his daughter. 

(See photo in YNL 25, page 8). Reuben has been a strong supporter 

of the Yoder Newsletter since it's founding and contributed to the 

restoration of the Bishop Christian C. Yoder Cemetery in Somerset 

C-ounty, Pa. 

The son of their cousin Ray S Yoder and Lettie Dillon, Otho B. 

Yoder of Saugatuck, Michigan, died Dec. 6,1996 at the Holland 

Michigan Community Hospital, age 87. Otho was the father of Yoder 

Newsletter Editor Chris Yoder, and the husband of Phyllis Pamperien 

Yoder. He worked for ALCOA as a metalurgist for 43 years, serving 

in Pa., Tn., lowa, Japan, and Netherlands. He was a member of the 

state record setting Elkhart High relay team of 1926 which held the 

Indiana record for over 40 years. He was an avid golfer who shot a 

hole in one nt the West Shore Golf Course, Douglas, Mi, He shot a 

hole in one in life. as well. 

Yoder Reunion to Honor Ancestor 

On July 20, 1996, the day of the Oley Yoder Family Heritage 

Trail Reunion, a permanent marker will be unveiled at the rear of the 

Pleasantville [Jnion Cemetery in honor of immigrants Hans and Yost 

Joder. This bronze plaque will be mounted either on an old mill stone 

or a field stone. Donations for the erection of the plaque will be 

accepted during the unveiling. Any surplus will be applied to the 

cemetery maintenance and preservation. Individual and group 

photos, with the marker, will be available during the cemetery tour, 

xf *{xx*xsxxsxxxxxx*{x{*{**$xx*xxx{xxxxx***xxxxxSx**xxx+**** 

YODER NEWS NOTES: 

-Michael L,Yoder is Executive Assistant to Indianapolis 

Mayor and Gubernatorial candidate Stephen Goldsmith.(Contrib,by 

Galen Yoder) 

-Heidi Yoder, San Francisco, displays an African Sunburst on 

her lower back. in an Associated Press storv on the new fad of "bodv 

branding". 

-The Yoder addition to the Music Hall at Bluffton Colleee will 

be dedicated before long. It was the result of a large contribution by 

Allen Yoder Jr. Nlr. Yoder (YR2338362a), former president of Jayco 

Inc.. was 1993 Recreational Vehicle Industrv "Executive of the Year". 

(contrib. bv Rachel Kreider) 

LORENZO THONIAS YODER CANDY CRIMPER 

by Elcy D. Brooks 

I'm enclosing a copy of an ad for n candy crimperwhich was 

invented by my grandfather, Lorenzo Thomas Yoder. Today we call 

the confection made by the machirte "ribbon candy". Grandfather 

sold his candy is a store in Pittsburgh and mother remembered him 

distributing his wares by horse and buggy in smaller communities 

surrounding Pittsburgh. 

(irandfather had a sweet tooth and loved fresh coconut. 

Derby hats were also a passion, and he wore one whereever he went. 

()n a particularly windy and rainy day, he had purchased a coconut 

which he carried in a bag in one hand, holding an umbrella in the 

other to protect his favorite hat. A gust ofwind threatened to remove 

his Derby, and throwing his hand up to catch it- forgetting the bag 

with the coconut- he knocked himself out at the corner of Smithfield 

and Fifth Avenues in Pittsburgh! Mother always said her father was 

a bit absent minded u.hen he was thinking about an invention, and I 

have often wondered if it was the candy crimper which precipitated 

the incident. 

By the way, Lorenzo T. Yoder was the younger brother of 

Major (lharles Theodore Yoder who was featured in YNL #18 

(Oct.9l). His picture appears on page 4 of that issue, seated on the 

right. 

x***************************x******xxx****************** 

8 

***************************************************** 

YODER NAME ITEMS WANTED! 

I'm looking for ANYTHING which has "Yoder"on it for display, 

ordering, or items for sale at our ,l6th NC Yoder Reunion in Arrgust. 

Contact: Bill Yoder,2'707 Zion Church Rd.,Hickon, NC 28602- 

9732. Phone 104-294-3186 

***************************************************** 

The 45th Isaiah Yoder Family Reunion was held ,lun.24-25, 1995 at 

the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church in Garden City, Missouri, 

People interested in future events should contact: Margie & Dick 

Ross, l00l Terry Rd., Augusta, MO 63332, phone (314),182-,1885 

*********************************************************** 


Yoder Newsletter lssues I Throush 25 - bound 240 page 

volume includes a topical index of major articles, an "every name 

index". Order from: The Yoder Newsletter. P.O.Bor -s9,1. Goshen. IN 

46527. (Price $25 plus $3 postage and handling for each book). 

Reuben Yoder Family and it's Ancestrv by Chris Yoder, 1983. 

Reuben Yoder was the son of two generations of Anrish Bishops irr 

Somerset (iotrnty,Pa... both named Christian Yoder. Copies have 

recently come out of storage and are again available. $7 each postage 

pnid from: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Bnttle Creek.MI 49015. 

Amish Immisrants of Waldeck and Hesse by John Byler. 

Special Offer for YNL Readers- Amish Immigrants of Waldeck and 

Hesse, 23lpgs. 263 Amish immigrants-including several Yoders, 52 

different surnAmes. Regular price $22 (inc. P&H)...for YNL readers 

only $17.50. (in quantity- 6 for $7S-postpaid).f)rder from John M 

Byler, 5845-8 CR 80 Rt 3, Frederickstown, OH ,13019. 

6.9 L.T. 

i; SllIl{t!lfl}lft l} S1'., 

YODER. 

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*********x***************************** 

NEVS-HERALD, Perkasic, Pa.' 

IVednccday, July 5, 1995 

PIlpt'f,ilUR(iF, I'fl. 

Yothers Famil 

t 

Holds Reunio 

The Bucks County Yothers family 

held their Tlst Reunion on June 4 at 

the Haycock Mennonite Church 

Grove, Quakertown, with 54 p€ople 

present. 

Dan Hunsberger, Perkasie, 

president of the Yothers femily, 

awarded the following prizes: the 

oldet person pr€sent was Naomi 

Yothers, Souderton, age 90 yeers. 

The youngest person was Rebekab 

Hackman, age 1l months, daughter 

of Dennis and Ketrins (Miller) 

Hackman, Quakertown. 

Chad Benner, Silverdale and Kelly 

Deily, Bath, were the winners of the 

traditional guessing games. 

The immigrant of this family was 

Hans Yoder and 17U is likely the 

year in which he *ttled at the Great 

Swamp, near Coopersburg. He 

purehased 99 acres lrom Joseph 

Krowden of Trevose in u20 for 15 

pounds. 

Ttre Yoders were Mennoniles and 

Hans Yoder, his wife Anna and son 

Hans Jr. donated the land to the 

Saucon Mennonite Meeting House 

which was brected circa u38. Many 

of Hans Yoder's'decendants are 

buried there. 

Yoder's grandson, Jacob Yoder, 

changed his name to Yothers. AII of 

the Bucks County Yothers families 

are his descendants. 

The officers are as follows: 

President-Dan Hunsberger 

Perkasie; Vice Pr€sident-John M. 

Hunsberger, Perkasie; Secretary- 

Treasurer-Alverna (Yothers) 

Hunsberger, Apple Butter Road, 

Perkasie and Secretary of 

Hlstorical Records, Zenta Benner- 

Perkasie. 

Pastor David Miller, Quakertown 

asked the blessing before the 5 p.m. 

meal. The next reunion will beleld 

the first Sunday in June 1906.

lssue Number 28 


P.O. Box 594, Goshen,IN 46527 October 1996 

Olev Yoders Host National Reunion & Tour 

New Alsatian Research Links American Yoders 

On July 20th, the Oley Yoders energetically hosted over 300 

proud cousins from 25 different states. The day long "Hans and Yost 

Joder Heritage Trail Reunion" had as a theme "where it all started". 

Seven buses took the attendees to I I historical sites in the Pleasantville 

(Yodertown/Yoderville) area, Oley Valley, Berks Co., Pa. 

The feature tour event was the unveiling of a stone marker in the 

historic Pleasantville Union Cemetery, honoring the Swiss trrothers 

Johannes and Yost Jodder, who as early as l7l4 settled in the Oley 

Valley. The brothers and their families, first Yoders to come to 

America, are logically buried in the rear of the cemetery in unmarked 

graves. The cost of the memorial was raised by donations solicited 

during the unveiling ceremonies, plus revenues produced by sale of bus 

group photos during each cemetery visit. The Yoder reunion 

Association has dedicated all proceeds from the reunion tour toward the 

maintenance of the cemetery property. 

At the cemetery the attendees were given the opportunity to use 

devining rods and "douse" for unmarked graves. On previous visits, l7 

burial sites were discovered using the dousing method, and these 

findings were a guide in placement of the marker. The cemetery 

contains the headstone of Daniel Yoder, youngest son of Hans the 

immigrant, which is the oldest (1747) known Yoder gravestone in 

America. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *.... :::::till :l.lii:,:. - -. 

House Of Yoder Annual Meeting Called 

The House of Yoder steering committee has announced their 

annual meeting to be held at Penn Alps, Grantsville, Maryland, Nov. 16, 

1996. The meeting will open at 1030 am and close no later than 3 pm. 

There will be a business meeting, an election of officers, a "dutch treat" 

brrrnch, and a noteworthy guest speaker. 

.fohn Mark Slabaugh, a noted historian of Amish immigrant 

lines from Uniontown, OH will speak about the different lines of 

immigrants, of their origin, of missing generations, of Christian Yoder 

(YR2) and his son "Schweitzer Christian". John Mark has published 

two books on his paternal grandparents (both Yoders), numerous 

articles, and detailed work on early Amish homestead sites. 

The excavation of the Yoder House will begin after Labor day. 

To register for the annual meeting, write by Nov.l, 1996 to: Paul H. 

Yoder, 507 Hemlock Dr., Grantsville, Md. 21536. Local lodging 

includes: Holiday Inn (301) 895-5993 and Casselman (301) 895-5055. 

Thanks to the efforts of Robert Geiser of Apple Creek' Oh and 

his father, Roger Geiser, three research data bases compiled by French 

Genealogists the late Jean Huckel and his wife Renee are now available 

over the Internet at : 

"http://www.gendex.com: 1002/"-then go to the surname index. 

The Huckels extensively researched the Anabaptist families near the 

French and Swiss border. 

We at the YNL have for years had Alsatian Yoder data collected 

by the late Edith Joder and others. The Huckel data generally matches 

and adds to this and goes farther with establishing linkages between 

different identified families. An analysis of this data allows the YNL to 

connect a number of additional Alsatian Yoder lines to their origin 

points, and to identify previously unknown (to us) relationships 

bctween tJrese lines- The Huckels also trace two branches in Alsace back 

to their Swiss origins... which is likewise a revelation. Without seeing 

the basis for all their conclusions, we at the YNL have a few 

reservations about some of the earliest information' however, and will 

explain these reservations as we discuss the data. 

Tra nsutl u ntic co n nectio n s 

In YNL 4 (page 5) we reviewed the foreign born Yoders of the 

1850 censuses in Ohio, Indiana and lllinois' This presents a fair starting 

point to reference against this article. You should also take some time to 

review the accompanying chart and to refer to it as you read through 

this discussion. 

In YNL 7 we delved into the Alsatian Amish Cemetery in Stark 

Co., OH and introduced Capt. Joseph Yoder (YAl) and a Christian 

who we soeculated might be his brother (YA7). The Alsatian data has 

firmlv identified the origin of "Capt. Joseph" AND identifies a known 

brother Christian of the exact age to be YA7. 

Christian Yoder (YA3) and his wife Marie Yoder, immigrants of 

1828 were covered in YNL 5 (page l) along with identified parental 

connections. The Huckel data restates what we knew before and 

continues the links back several more generations. 

On page 2 of YNL 4 we refer to the Adams County, IN 

immigrant Jonathan Yoder (YA4) (b.s/ll/1795 Fr) and his wife Mary 

"Schmucker". Family records referio his wifJas having died 

"on the 

ocean" in 1841. 

"John" hasn't been found in the 1850 census, but is 

shown in the 1860 census with no wife, As we try to see where this 

Jonathan fits within the Alsatian datr, rve find a "Ienn", the onlv one 

born 1795, son of Joseph Yoder and Marie Stucky. lt is also identified 

that Jean married a Marie Conrad in 1822. The children of Jonathan 

were born beginning in 1823. Do the children match Not quite' but'... 

Only one child is listed for the Huckel records of French "Jean"' a son 

Christian b. 1830. The American John has known children born 1823' 

1825, 1826 and l828...then there is a gap until a son Christian born 

1838. Joseph, father of Jean, was in turn listed as the son of a "Hans 

Yoder and Vreni ZimmermAn". 

Jacob Yoder (YA8) found in Stark County with wife Barbara, 

cRn be matched to Jacques (Jacob) of Grandvilliers, husband of 

Barbara Liechty and son of Joseph Yoder and Marie Stucky (thus a 

brother the "Jean" compared against the Adams County Jonathan). 

There is no speculation here, however. Jacob has daughters Barbara' 

Mary Ann, and Feronica who match exactlv the children and their 

birth dates ofJacques in Hirtzbach, Fr. 

Another lirm link is to Joseph Yoder (YA5) who married Anna 

Klopfenstein, lnd who we've presented in an article on page I of YNL 

,1. French records fullv match the birth and marriage of of this son of 

continued on page 6

The Yoder Newsletter- Forrnded l98J bv 

Ben F Yoder ( l9t3-1992); ( hris Yotler & Rle hel Kreider 

F RO]\I -IHT: EDITORS 

(lhris Yoder, flditor, Battlc (lreek, Nll; .lohn W. \'oder. Circulation 

Nlanager, l\{iddlebrrrr, lN; Rachel Kreider. Senior Contrib.ting Editor, 

Goshen, lN. Other (lontributors: .fohn\\'. \'oder; Richard H. yoder. 

Bechtelsville. PA; Hubert A. \'oder, (tharlotte, NCi; Do16lhy y,sdsp 

(lol'linan, Nlalvern, PA; I)r. Don yoder, l)evon, pA: Neil Wilfong, 

Clevelnnd, NCI and Dr. Delberl (iratz, BlufTton. OH 

SEND YNL CORRESPON D},N('T,: 

-FOR ClRCltlL,\TION ISSItES ONl,\' suclr as new or renew,etl 

subscriptions, changes 'f address. 'rders Ibr hack isstres to: l,otler 

Nervsletter, P.O. Box 59{, (Joshen. lN t6527-059.1. 

- ALl, ()T'llltR- Dcaling n,ilh ancestr:rl q.eries or corrlribrtinns f'r 

firture YNLs or archi'es (such as rerrnion notices. leflers lo thc Editor, 

copies of llible recordq or other hisrorical infornration) 1o: Chris Yotler, 

203 Lakeshire Rd., Baltle ('reek, l\ll J9015 (or by clectronic nrail to 

"7 575'7.337 

l@compusen'e.conr" ). 

YNL PRIC]E INFORMATION $$$$ 

The YNL srrbscription is on an annual basis-trvo issues for SJ. BACK 

lSStlES of the YNL are $l per isstre. A bound set of back issues t-25 is 

available for $25 plus $3 postage and handling). 'I'hese may be ordered 

from the Goshen YNt, nddress. 

***************************x****x*****x***************x***** 

Lefter to the editor: 

We conquered ,Ioderllorn (well almost). 

Since mv son Douglas has been living and working in 

Switzerland for nearlv three years, we decided to visit him and pay a 

pilgrimage to our ancestral honreland. We, of course! made the 

mandatory stop at the village church in Steffisberg wherein a giant 

decalogue is appended to thc northern inside wall of the church. This 

decalogue was attached a year after the renovation and reconstruction 

of the church in 1681. The names ol'Casper Joder nnd ynst Joder and 

their respective coats ofarms appear on left and lower periphery ofthe 

giant decalogue as they \ryere apparently among the leaders of the 

church at that time. The chrrrch was again renovated in 1980-198J and 

today appears as a very rnodern, but scanlly firrnished. church. As is all 

things Swiss, it is imrnaculately neat lntl clcan. 

,foderhorn is:t tnountlin that nrarks the border betrveerr 

Southern Switzerland and northern ltnly. We read in the yoder 

Newsletter that there is no known Yoder ancestor on or near this 

mountain, brrt we decided to see it anywav. Departing Steflisburg by 

auto, we traveled south to Speiz and continued south to Kandersteg 

where we boarded nn auto train south to Goppenslein. The tunnel 

through which the electricallv propelled..auto train lraveled was not a 

ventilated tunnel, so the air was not fresh; nrrto exhausts would havt, 

been intolerable. At Goppcnslein we had to nrake a decision as to 

whether to continue south to Saas Alnragell (aborrt l2 kilometers from 

JoderHorn) or to approach .foderHorn from the ltalian side where a 

cable car takes one to within 1.2 kilometers of JoderHorn. Since the l2 

km trek requires about a dav by foot each w,a1,and *e hacl no cumping 

gear, we decided to approach lionr the ltalian side. 

We entered ltall north and west of [)onrotlossola.;\bout I I krrr 

south of Domodossola, we headed w,est towar.ds the ltnlian village of 

Macugnado. 'I'his is the Ossola section ol'ltalv, or ntore specifically, the 

Valle Anzasca. Along the 80 knr route through ltlly we ;rassed through 

many typical ltalinn villages -- ever-rthing brown or gre.v- and chnllenged 

for cleanliness. Arriving ut Nllcrrgnado .just south of the Swiss border 

(and Joderllorn), we thorrght at lirsl lhat \r,e had re-entered 

Switzerland as everything w:rs irnnraculatelt' clern and very colorful -- 

the people here are knon,n as \\'alser. \\'e arrited there on 27 ,lul-v-- 

just before the tourist season and $,ilhout any hotel resen.ations. 

Fortunately, we found a nice, clean, and nrodestly priced hotel. We 

continrred liom previous column 

were told that had we arrived a week later, there would have been no 

roonr in the Inn as Augrrst is prime tourist time. 

The cable car to the base of ,loderHorn is in two segments as the 

rise is from the 1000 meter elevation of Nlacugnado to 2900 meter 

elevation near ,loderHorn. At the foot of the cable car is a small 

(latholic church and an old cemetery wherein are buried many wouldbe 

conquerors of .loderHorn and surrounding peaks -- most of which 

met their dernise much before the advent of the cable car, At the tourist 

infornration house in Macugnado lle inquired as to the naming 

ol' .loderl{orn, brrt there seemed to be no explanation. [Jnfortunately, 

very felr' people in Nfacrrgnado speak English or German, so we were 

never quite certain if we were being understood with our two semester 

J0-vear-ago-studt' knou'ledge of the ltalian language. Near the entrance 

to the cable car was Joder Bar. I'he bartender. was able to 

comnrunicate a bit better, and we were told that the lirst person to 

conquer ,loderllorn lr,ns r mnn name Joder. We were unatrle to 

delernrine when this happened or ,Ioder's first name. The Swiss list 

.loderllorn as being 30,10 meters above sea level and the Italians list it as 

3036 meters above sea level. To the immediate west of JoderHorn is 

NIonto lloro rt 298.1 mcters nnd to the vyest of th:rf is Mt. Corno Roso 

at 3230 meters. lt is this peak that shows on most major maps -- not 

,loderHorn. Within sight is Monte Rosa whcih at 4635 meters is one of 

the highest of the Alps. While dwarfed by Monte Rosa, JoderHorn is 

taller lhnn nrost Americln mountains. We marvelled at these 

rnaster;rieces of nature fronr our cable car as we approached the 

summit. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side. Within 30 

minutes ol' our arrival at the cable car summit, the clouds completely 

covered ,loderHorn and hid it from view. In another 30 minutes the 

clouds were beginning to surround us and we were cautioned that if we 

did not return lo the cable car soon. we could be stuck there in dense 

fog until the weather cleared in two days. Since we had no camping 

genr or provisions, we heeded the advice and returned for the cable car 

descent. During July, one must pass throrrgh snow that can be over a 

foot deep on the route between the cable car summit and JoderHorn, 

There is no palh and the route is not steep, but nevertheless difficult. 

Drrring August, the prices of lodging soar in Macugnado. For those 

intent on conquering .loderHorn, the best time would appear to be early 

SeJrtember when most of the snow has melted and the tourists have left 

the areit. A coat and hat are necessary At any time. 

-Nlax N. \'oder, Falls Church, Virginia 

(native ol'Berne,lndiana, descendent of the Alsacian Yoders. and 

Sth generation american) 

Dear Editor. 

l'11' fanrily is the OIey Yoder group, I have married into a 

l\{ennonite famih *'hich hns-Amish ro@ 

to rnc 

lo lelrn of the many family groups with the Yoder name. Last year an 

Oley Yoder, rny daughter Kristin, was co-president of the Eastern 

Ilennonite Iiniversity graduating class. Sometimes the connections with 

this are lnrtzing. 

-Ruth H. []mble, Coatsville, Pa. 

:r$a+x*a&FFXSAX{AX{*X*f }*+s{x*x+xxxxxxx:i*8x+*s+xxxxxxxxxf Y+8* 

Yoder Popcorn Company Closes lts Doors 

\\'e have lrequently mentioned the Yoder Popcorn Company over the 

vcars, and lre sad to Announce that it closed its doors this past 

sunrnler. 

'l'he Yoder Store in Oregon (YNL 2J) and Yoder Hardware in 

lndiana (l'NI- 21) lnd Yoder Feeds in lowa (YNL 22'y are still open for 

business and the source of Yoder nAme memorabilia. 

****************************************************** 

****************************************************** 

,{mish (Jenealogies recommended by Michael L. Yoder: Masthof Book 

Store. Rorrte l, Box 20, N,lill Road, Morgantown, PA 19543- 

970l,Masthof offers extensive catalog (70+pages) of Amish/Mennonite 

genealogical books :rnd publications. Would highly recommend anyone 

interested to check out their catalog, Phone is (610)-286-0258. 

******************************************************

************************************************************ 

GREAT FIND IN NORTH CAROLINA! 

Ted Yoder has recently notified us that the original deeds and grants to 

Conrad Yoder have turned up in a box of papers which formerly was 

held by the North Carolina Yoder historian Col. George Yoder. Watch 

for more news on this in a future issue of the YNL. 

************************************************************ 

Beautiful Sketches of Olev Yoder Sites Available 

' . '; 

Sawmill at the Hans Yoder (OHl) Homestead 

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: 

I lxl4 prints: Hans Yoder Homestead 

Hans Yoder Jr, Homestead 

Griesemer's Covered Bridge 

Lobachsville Mill 

8xl0 prints: .f acob and Marie Yoder Homestead 

Sawmill at Hans Yoder Homestead 

Pigpen at Hans Yoder Homestead 

YODER POLITICIAN SEEKS ADVANCEMENT 

State Senator John C. Yoder of West Virginia (see YNL 2l) is the 

Republican nominee for one of two state Supreme Court seats up for a 

vote this October, In a four man race, the top two vote getters from 

either party will be elected. John led the balloting in his party primary. 

Donations are welcome at: Yoder for Supreme Court Committee, P.O. 

Box I I180. Charleston. W.Va. 25339. 

*************************x*******************************x*** 

CHARITY CONTINUES-The Lowell Yoder Family continues its 

efforts (see YNL l9) in churchbuilding and stewardship. Those 

interested 

learning more about their excellent work should contact: 

I:i:li:::.'l::i'i:i:::r*l;9;i:1.'.l;Ii'jil*.".1*n* 

Oley- continued from page I 

Highlights at the Hans homestead were: the actual location of 

the original log cabin; the first section of the primary house built in 

1737; wash house; cold cellar; pig barn; and the mill (saw, grist, linseed 

oil). Other stops were the homesteads of: Hans Jr. (OHl); Samuel 

Yoder (OHl3); and the Marie Keim/Jacob Yoder (OY4) . 

At the beautifrrtty restored Lobachsville Mill, owner Steve 

Kendig, a nationally recognized mill historian, hosted each busload of 

visitors. He traced how water power was harnessed by the early millers 

opernting their Grist Mills, Saw Mills, Paper and Linseed Oil Mills in 

the Berks County area. The mill was last operated by a Clarence Yoder. 

Another special "thank you" is due to Fred J. Moll, historian of the 

Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, for his 

presentations reviewing the significance of the Griesemer Covered 

Bridge, on the Great Road to Philadelphia in Pleasantville, one of the 

most unusual covered bridges in existence. 

Over 275 people celebrated an evening banquet at The Inn at 

Reading, Virgil Yoder of lrwin, Pa. narrated his marvellous slide show 

of the religious evolution, development and history of the Joders in 

Steffisburg, Switzerland prior to their Migration to America. Also, 

Joseph Joder entertained the audience with a humorous monologue of 

the language and idiosyncrasies of the traditional "Pennsylvania Dutch" 

speech. Lastly, a panel headed by Dick H.Yoder, the tour historian and 

All prints are unframed. The llxl4s are $16, and the 8xl0 are $12, Add scriptwriter, took questions about Yoder history from the audience. 

$2.50 postage and handling for one print. Add $l for each additional. Panel members included: Chris Yoder, Richard A. Yoder, Alice 

Order from: Lynn Lorah, RD2, Box 144, Oley, Pa 19547, 

Griesemer Trout, Laurel Miller and Helen Yoder. 

************************************************************* At the end of the dinner, a large mounted collage of etchings of 

the tour's historicat sites, by artist Lynn Lorah, was presented to Dick 

Greetings from ours Swiss Cousins! 

H. Yoder of Bechtelsville for his dedicated historical documentation of 

the Oley Yoders and the Oley Valley geographic region. In addition to 

the formal program, memorial displays were shared by the attendees. 

Finally we want to thank the present day property owners, who 

without their cooperation the tour would have been impossible. We owc 

an indebtedness to Steve Kindig, Jeff Gorrin, Susan Fetteroff, Richard 

A. Yoder, Joseph Griffin, Ken Levan, Lloyd and Ruth Zook, and Paul 

Lechner. 

The tour and program was the culmination of one and a half 

years on preparation and planning by the Yoder Reunion Association's 

Advisory Committee. This group is made up of over 25 dedicated 

Yoders and cousins from the Oley region and nearby communities. 

President Richard B. Yoder gives special ncknowledgemento- Dick H. 

Yoder, vice-president and historian; Nancy Yoder, secretary; George 

Yoder, treasurer; and committee chairpersons- Robert Keller, Eleanor 

Shaner, Alice Trout, Joseph Yoder, Grace Yoder and Donald W. Yoder. 

Other committee members include: Mary Jane Yoder Gofus, Alice E. 

Yoder, Edna Yoder Dierolf, Glenn F. Yoder, William E. Yoder, Rosalia 

Yoder, Wiliam E. Yoder Jr., Mollie Yoder, Dr. Morris L. Yoder, Kay 

In YNL 27, Swiss teen [Jrsula Joder invited English correspondents of Yoder, Stanley Trout, Sarah Dengler, Daniel A. Yoder, Fay Yoder, 

her :rge group, She has sent us this photograph of herself {lanked by Frances M. Yoder, and Walter S. Yoder. 

parents Mr. rnd Nlrs. Karl Joder of Steffisburg. Switzerland. (Ursula Coffee mugs commemorating the reunion are still available (for 

.foder, Astrastrasse I, J6l2 Steffisburg, Switzerland) 

$5.00) by writing: the Yoder Reunion Association, 415 State St., 

************************************************************ 

Pottstown. Pa. 19464. 

3

Hans and Yost Joder (Yoder) 

Family Heritage Tour 

Oley Valley- Pleasantville' PA 

JulY 20' 1996 

"We Started Here" in l7l't 

hosted bv the Yoder Reunion Association 

Inn At Reading Welcomes Yoders- Flag Mourns TWA 800 Crnsh 

President Richard B. Yoder Speaks To Friday Registrants 

Seven Buses Load In Readiness For Tour 

.lacob Yoder/ Marie Keim Homestead 

HomestendOf Hans Yoder The Immigrant 

.f ohn Yoder Jr. Homestead 

Samuel Yoder Homestead

Bus Two 

A Walk To The Pleasantville Union Cemeterv 

It 

Bus Three 

& 

h 

I 

Judy Yoder Howe Of Allentown Goes Dowsing 

ilx iF 

Bus Four 

Bus Five 

Youngest and oldest- Eva Mae Barton,93, and Devon yoder, 2. 

Bus Six 

Bus Photos BY David A. Yoder 

Bus Seven 

"Uncle Joe" The Dutchman 

Joe Yoder 

Historian Dick Yoder and 

President Richard B Yoder

ALSATIAN JODER IN,INIIGRANTS TO THE TI.S 

.\ 

-+{' 

^q! 

gs' .Iost.Ioder b. ll/20/1607 m. Oct.l{, 16.12 Anna Trachsel of Stelfisburg 

at\ .\ 

HlnsJttclerm.TllTlltl7l CatherineRisser ClsDlrJodcr m. l/2|ll(rtllVerenrrStrullcr 

-,"eO$' 

lO',C _ i 

r$ ^$at- 

G' 

Jost Jodcr b. l(r75 Jotlers in thr Plrrltz Christiln Jodcr m. H:rns Joder 

^s- ^S' ml. Magdalena Gerhcr Annl l\laric Klaus 

-\t" >' 

.ct- -$' 

m2. Ilrrlcleinc Rciss 

\\-.a'c l l 

'Oy 

Christian Joder m. 

H:rns Jorlcr h.l7l{ Jost Jode r m. Christain Jode r m. Christian Jorlcr 

b. 17(17 d. 1795 Bcllttrt res. Grrnd Charmont b. l7l7 d.l79.l Etobon h.1732 ---same--- b. clTJ{ 

Anne Hochstetler m.Frcni Zimmorman Anncli Kropf Elizabcth Gunt Anne Gcrig 

r t t t l 

s:rme Madclcine Jorlcr m. Jcan 

| | Yost Yodcr b1753 Joahnncs Licchtl 

l-._ 

s/o Hrns Y & Verni Z. m. Eliz, Gucmann I 

_t_ | t--------t I 

Jcrn Jodcr h.1750 m. Christ Jodcr h.175(l m. J acques Joder h.l76l m. Joscph Jodcr b.l75ll 

Christ Joder 

Joscph of l\f0ntbeliard 

Cathcrine Kloplenstcin Elizabeth Lehman M:rrie Annc Gucnrlnn Marie Stuckcr 

ElizrrbcthKloplensetin AnneStutker 

_ t ^ l r _t_ I 

Joseph Yoder Christian Yodcr Christ Joder m. Mariah Joder JeanYoder J;rcqucs Yodcr Joscph l oder 

h. I 79r) 

b.1 789 h.1ll6ll196 Charmois b. lll25ll79lt Bcllirrt b.lT95Stcinbach b. lTT9Grandrillars b.lll0tl Bellorl 

m. ltllli Esscrl m.t8lt) Mczic nt. l2l23ll1l22 Drn.ioutin 

m.ltl22 Pflrstntt m. ltl2l Hirtzbarh m. lll29 Bcllirrt 

BarbaraWciss CatherineKlopfenstein 

Marie Conrad Barhara Liechtr Anna Kloplenstein 

-Europr/US d:lt:t dir idr- 

YAI YA7 YAJ n/oYAJ YA] YAIi YA5 

Capt. Joscph Yorlcr Christian Yoder Christian Yodcr m Maria Yodcr Jonrthan Yoder Jacoh Yodcr Joscph Yo

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Queries* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The YNL will publish Yoder retated inquiries or exchanges at no 


inquiries are checked against our records to see if we can help too. lf 

you receive added info, please share it with the yNL for our files. 

Send to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek,Mi 49015 

t*********************************************************** 

Seeking parents ofGeorge D. Yoder b. ca t832 pA d. lgTl Freeport, IL 

m. 1852 Mary Ann Miller children: Maggie C. b. lg6l m. Wm. 

Cronkrite, Elfingham Lincoln b. 1863 m. Minnie A. place, After 

George's death, his widow m. Wm, Lloyd 1873. Had son Erving Lloyd 

b. 1875 d. l90l Hunt County, TX. Left widow Bettie and 2 young sons. 

Any info greatly appreciated. Terry R. yoder, 8242 potter Rd., Davison. 

MI 48423 

******************************************xxx*************** 

Who were the prrents of Christopher Columbus yoder who m. Ann 

Cannon. Had son .fohn Reed Yoder b. 30 Nov lB59 near Columbus, Ohm. 

5 Jul 1882 Mary Elizabeth Lauer in Winterset, la. Another son 

George Washington Yoder b. l6 Oct 1853, Columbus, Oh- m. pauline 

Lauer 2 Oct 187_ in Mo. Reply to: Willianr A. Johnson, g85 NE 52ntl 

Ave, Des Moines, la 50313-1942. (yNL note- seems a possibility that 

this C,C. could have been a son of John Luther yoder of the SW pa 

Yoders- see YNL 24, 1849 tax list for Morgan Twp) 

Lucas 

************************************************************* 

Fred Haines, acSl3fdlafn.org,Thomas J. yoder (Con297l 

Who were parents of Gideon N.Yoder (7l24llS7l-413l1930) bur. Steam Brian K. Yoder, byoder/arnetcom.com, peter M. yoder (yR26l162) 

Valley (Trout Run) ,Pa.m. Mamie Naylor on 9ll7llg95 Reply to Bernice Yoder, BYoder.Midsrrmmerfu)worldnet.att.net . Solomon 

Patricia A. Clark, 1840 Settle Road, Newark Valley, Ny l38l l. 

Yoder (YRl464b) 

************************************************************* 

I'm looking for information on 3 of Cyrus yoder's (OHl33lbc) 4 sons. 

They are Norman, Clinton, and Earl. I believe Norman moved to CA in 

the '50's. Norman's wife's name is Myra and I betieve she is still living. 

They had a daughter who I think was named Maraya or Marya. I 

don't know if there were any other children. Reply to : 

James Huratiak, 969 Rt. I13, Sellersville, pA 18960 

******************************************x****************** 

Who were parents of Morgan Yoders, b. c1860 found in Greene Co, pa 

in 1870 census in family of Morgan Tilton, Center Twp. Reply to: 

Don Yoder, l9 Sharilyn Dr., Shalamar, Fl 32579-103S 

Carole Yoder Gabel, Independance, Or- Henry 

************************************************************* 

S. l'oder (OH14526) 

Ancestry wanted for Joseph Yoder b. Alsace m. Maria Beaverson. Had 

children: Amos (b 1873 Fulton Co., Oh) m. paulding Co., Oh and died 

WORK IN PROCESS 

in Sandsprings,Ok; Samuel; Edward; Mary and Rose. These children 

Pending Input to the Yoder 

moved 

Archives 

to Oklahoma. Reply to: Wm. Ream Jr., l166 Bay Circle Dr., - Medina C-ounty, 

Lima, 

OH Yoder 

Oh 45801. Per 

Courthorrse 

1880 

records -submitted 

Census: Joseph b. 4/1848 Gy (see 

by Dianne 

comment 

C.Peterson 

in the Alsatian article). 

************************************************************ - 1860 and 1880 Pennsylvania 

My g-grandfather Edward Yoder from Germanv or France- settled in 

Ohio, married Amanda Lucas and moved to Tulsa.Ok. where he 

became Chief of Police at the turn of the century. (per yNL possible 

Edward in 1880 Williams Co, OH listed as 5 year old grandson in 

family of John and Elizabeth Yoder-both born in France)Reply to : 

Mark S. Yoder, email at: msyoder@prairienet.org. 

************************************************************* 

Want information on family of John Grieser/Greaser who married 

Mary, daughter of Peter Yoder (YRB6). Reply to: Nancy Rike, 2308 

Chetwood Cir. #303, Timonium, Md. 21093. 

************************x****************************x******* 

Would like to hear more details on Maria yoder m. 1216/1768 to Daniel 

Bertolet, son of Abrahnm Bertolete and Esther de Turk. (Maria was 

OYl2). reply to: Ralph L. Fry,2734 Edgewood Dr., Rockford, Il.6lll4. 

******************************************xx***************** 

Annuaf Zachariah H. Yoder Reunion held, July 2t, 1996 in the Civic 

Center, North Canton,Oh.Z.H. was a grent grandson of Jacob yoders 

of Southwestern Pa (see YNL 24) through John y who m. Martha 

Whitlach. For more information on this family and it's gatherings, 

contact: Cheryl Thokey, 50 Chaplen Dr., Trotwood,OH 45426. 

IVlichelle 

************************************************************* 

x*x****x*8*****tsxxx***xx***+***+x{*x**yx*{xxx{xx*+8+*x**x*xx 

Reunion held 23 June,l996, Harter park, ttnion City, IN by family of 

Forrest and Ellie Yoder. For info on this family contact:Linda yoder, 

463 park Ave., W.Milton,OH 215383 or Ruby Edgar, 67,13 New 

Madison-Coletown Rd.. Greenville, Otl 45JJl. 

******************************************************** 

Esther Yoder Van Pelt of Columbiana, OH writes to tell of the verv 

enjoyable reunion last December of the descendants of John yoder 

(1771-18661(YBl31) who moved to Ohio in 1817. The event was 

organized by Randy and Tim George and the meal was catered by a 

local chrrrch group. Many folk met each other for the first time, and 

have been exchanging old pictures and family information ever since. 

******************************************xxxxxxx************ 

Sterling N. Yoder,Ir, Norfolk, VA- Jacob Eschbach yoA". IVB2.SOS) 

Eugene F. Yoder, Easton, pa- ,foel yoder (\,R261l3,l) 

William A. .fohnson, Des N,loines, la- Christopher C.yoder (M22_,) 

Richard A. Yoder, Lady Lake, F-l- llenry Samuel yoder (OH14526) 

James Huratiak, jhuratiakrritp3.net- Cyrus yoder (OH lJJl bd) 

Jim Yoder, Tracv, Ca- Jacob H, yoder (yR2344971 I) 

Mrs.Harveen Hockman, Sprague River, Or-lsaac yoder (OHl33gl) 

Mark S. Yoder, msyoderrDprnirienet.org, Edward yoder.m. Amanda 

Irene Yoder Best, libraryra)sedonl.net- lra N. yoder (yRl1627l l) 

Jim Yoder, JEYoderra)worldnet.att.net- Zachariah H. yoder (M263t) 

Andrew Yoder, ayoderfdandrew.cmu.edu, Levi yoder (\ Rl253c6) 

Barbara McCleneghan, riverrun/a)colorado.net, Bertolette I'oder 

(oH I I 1324) 

Michael L. Yoder, 71020.l603Gttcompuserve.com, 

Solomon yoder 

(YR869) and Gideon yoder (yR239b8) 

Eugene F. Yoder, Easton,Pa, Joel yoder (yR26l 134) 

Pam Yoder, NY,NY- Joseph C. Yoder (YR21412) 

Jacqueline Kay Yoder, Salem, Or- Jonathan Samuel yoder (\,Rl2a33l) 

Xl:k.ll::';J.".'lllxli:ll;illl:I.".t.".'.lt.g1t.'.i'.1 

Census- being validated and proofed by 

Dorothy Yoder Coffman 

- Oley !'allev l'ocier historicai rexts- being typed by NIarli yoder 

- Berks County History-Biographical Sketches- being typed by _ 

- Hans and Yost Wills- submitted by Richard B. yoder 

Other Efforts 

- Virgil Yoder is working to turn his wonderful slitle show of yoder 

origins and immigration into a video which will be avnilable to all. 

- Dick Il. Yoder, with sJronsorship fronr the YNL, is n,orking to develop 

his "Oley Tour" script into a formal prrblication, with photos. 

The YNL will keep yorr posted on the plogress ol'all of these efforls. 

VOI,T IN'I'EER STI I, I, NET]DED 

-'I'rnists, with a computer. 

-Data Collectors for local Yoder info (courthouse, cems., obits., etc) 

-Listsen,er- \/olunteer wanted to adrninister a yoder ,.listserver" 

-Webmaster/Author- We'd like to convert our present text based 

Online archives to a formal Web Page. Need technical help!! 

**************************************************x**x******* 

In Heartfelt Sympathy'- 

'fo the familv of : 

Yoder of Webster Grove, Nto. -died April 28, 1996 age 17. 

******************************************************** 

7

Yp"g,R [."lgmi lv G q=lh,g,.i's.."", 

Developed around the theme, 'A as members of the sixth generation finds were described by the former 

Celebration of Life and Life Eter' vere Ralph E Yoder of Hildebran president. Ted Yoder showed a fragnal,'' 

the annusl reunion of the N.C. and Btanche Yoder Her)ig of China ment of an original deed dated Dec. 

Yoder famill' was held recently at Grove. 

3. 162. which records the transfer 

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Floral tribuies were oresented 16 of land from Heinrich Weidner 

southof Hickory rh; ;rd";i'";; i;;;;;J-;;;; 

(.17r7.1s2) to conrad Yother. rhe 

Rachael Hahn Kenncdy, president Senior members q.ire H"ubertiounl. llickorv man called the relic 

of the N.C. Yoder clan, welcomed 

"mJlhe 96r. and Louie D. Baker.89 both of the earlrest (written) artiapproxinr3telv 

l4n people to the illskori,l"a"glr#i"'v ff"tii".'e"9. factiextant,inCatawbaCount). 

lbih annual g,tnenng An invmarion 'f 

;;'il;; c;;";. ;;;;s;J;;;il;; 

be speaker also recentty redisand 

prayer were offered b,v the Rev. of the famiiy were -Caroline E.C. covered portjons of two deeds that 

W. Edward Harper Jr.. pastor of the Wilfong of Cl"eveland and payton T. describe reai estate sold by David 

church. Hildebran of Hickon' Both ar;4. and Jacob Yoder to their older 

During a covered-dish luncheon jn Dr. J. Larrv Yoder. professor of brother, John Yoder. The men were 

the parish hall Ihe loderlers per- religion ar Lenoir-Rhvne College. sons of proneer Conrad Yoder by his 

formed severai nusical selections. read a scriptural selection from the first marriage to Christina Klein 

The ensemble included Rachael H. 10th chapter of the Gospel of John. (Cline), a daughter of Sebastian 

Kenned]', Neal D. Wilfong, J. Larry and delivered a prayer. Klein and his s'ife, Elizabeth Bieber 

*****x{xx{xrJ*{x{*{xx*{{xxx*xr{x**xx**xxx*x{x+{x*t+{*{xt*x*** 

The N.C. family was host Iast Year 

to the first national reunion at whicll An abbreviated memorial service 

descendants of more than seven dis- was held at dusk Aug. 10 at the old 

tinctll' diverse Yoder groups united Yoder cemetery Situat€d on a knoll 

forces in the Hickory and Newton above the waters of the Jacob's Fork 

areas for a three-day conventjon. In- River about two miles south of Zion 

itial plans were disclosed al the re- Lutheran Church, the cemetery 

cent reunion to sponsor another dates tc about 1771 I'he program 

nationaj reunion of the Yoder family was opened with scrjpture and 

in the year 2000. Th€ local family prayer by Ms Kennedy. Ted Yoder 

will observe its 5oth annual reunion. offered remarks about the proneer 

Recipients of outstanding 5glvigs founder of "he famjly and delivered 

awards were recognized. A former the benediction Secretary Neal 

president of the N.e. clan, Hubert A. Wilfong recited the German hymn 

Yoder of Charlotte. who now serves "Nan Danket Alle Got.l" as a prayer. 

as a genealogical contributing editor The group sang "Amazing Grace" in 

to the national "Yoder Newsletter," unrson 

was presented a service award by Cotrad Yoder immigrated to 

Rachael Kennedy. Other honorees Pennsylvania from Switzerland in 

included Michael Huffman, a former the 1750s He settled briefiy in the 

vice president; Ralph Yoder, a mem- Oley Valley near Reading, Pa On 

ber of tbe board bf directorsi and the urging of fellow adventurer 

Louie Baker, a retired poultry man Heinrich Weidner, Yoder moved 

from the Reynolds estate in Winston- south to Carolina where he later 

Salem who returned to live in his bought property. built a small home, 

native Cataqba County several married and startEd irjs family A 

Yoder, Regina Y. lio-v-.le. \\'.A. "Bill' Ted yoder offered remarks about (Beaver). 

Yocier, Ted M. Yoder and Joyce the origin of the familv name. The A color sl,de program narrated by 

Yoder Cockman on guilar. An. a speakei said the clan adapted its Neai Wiltong, giif Vorier and Ted 

cappella rendition of Amazin{ name from that of a beloved^fourth- Yoder, who were among the local 

Grace" was performed by'.Michaei centurv monk. Theodorus. *rr" t""l people who attended the oley Valley years ago. 

stone mason and farmer, Yoder died 

B. Huffman and dedicated to irs 

,5"'ljro"i'r.i"ii-ili.-'ei", l"ii ire.ltage Trail Reunion in Aeadinj, 

mother, Nellie P. Settlemyre of,ouftZiri-Sui;;;;ir,,l.- 

A;6ie'r'hr; 

Hildebran. 

ea.,onJuty19-20,wasshowntoth; 

Observing their 5Oth weddrng in a,nd was buried,in the cemanniversary- 

this past yeat *e.i 

the graveg of 

]799 

:.1:^t)^""1,1':,1'^ld.-rear 

ini.t ,io Floience- nntirony 

an inrant 

Journeying the srearest 0,,o,.. 

!lo-o,r.llt llt:^" Il,Y::.^1d 

flflfljl"il:'A(T"::"""H1#f: '.h*l;iui 3lil;,""i!Xli,1,iXfiffi:'ffiiJ#: Gallimore of Newton. Mr;. 

d3ughler. lt is believed that probcallimorc 

servcd as vrce prestdenl 

were Kendall and Bonnie Yoder of Cir"i"n." Il^' .;;"";;; 

ity to setile in America around 110 

Largo,FIa..andSterlingYoderand "*"i,iilf"i"Sil'j"O"r"ffr.i".oou_ iti:trOearlehomesiresofbrorhers 

the :l]i-l:::,10-,3t:.""-'a'.e.cortarnedin 

children. Marissa and Todd. of Long ars fto'i;"k-,;;;;;.';i'r;;;; 

Johannas (Hans) 

-j. 

and yosr yoder. of the Yoder famil]'many 1*rrr rno Sraveyard.None of the plots are 

A 

o, n r,,a rlarga rei seuir" vooei t';i: 

Island. N.Y A testrmony was shared "ercC saini ;;.;;;- k";;.; bronze and srone memorjal was unby 

WiUis R. Yoder of Hickory. Joders. The surna,ro o".u.r-tlOr' ii verled durrng the-tour and dedicated 

;-l-:-i of*"a 

\eq ton i;&Jt"Jj::"tJ;;r'iJ"Tii:;* 

'rod -"-- -- 

re('ntl\ ce l( brlted ij{l 

years of marnage 

Representatives of the sixth Ben- a nrrmber of varjations, ,nctrd,ne to the ntemort of-the pioneers. Nine 

c:atlondes('erdrntsof theS$lssim- \.orho, Vorirprc \'^rro,..t r,,a"."' members of the N.C. branch of the 

The iamily recorded 38 deaths 

uui'r5 Lrc pdsr 

migrant. Cc'nrad \oder rvere i. ;;;;ir'r.i;;;.;;;;;;;.,jinn ''-" 

voa"r family attended the second 

-!Edr. 

knowledged. AttendinS the gathering " 

"i VoO.i. 

national reunion of the clan. 

DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS *YODER FOOD MIXER'' 

I 

I 

Who can tell us about this familv 

BI- Jacob Yuter b c1783 PA farmer m 

( 1850 Knox Co,O-Pike Tu,p) 

Bl--David b c1822 PA m Elizabeth (c1828 OH- ) 

children- William b c18,18 lVlargaret b c1850 

Bl--.Iohn b c1824 OH 

to: Chris Yoder, 20J Lakeshire Rd, Battle Creek. Nll ,t9015 

SARAH H. \'ODER DAY DECI-ARED 

IN LINCOLNTON, NC on NIay 26,1996 

Richard A. Yoder, 47 Bause Rd., Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, bought this 

food mixer at an area flea market. It was made by the Yoder 

Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles. Can anyone tell us about this 

mixer or aboilt this company (Photo is complements of Richard's 

brother David Yoder). 

************************************************************* 

Mentioned at the Oley reunion- A statue at the Fairbanks Alaska 

Visitors Center lists on a bronze plaque the names of the Founders of 

Fairbanks. Names include: Dale and Gene Yoder 1898. Can anyone 

con{irm this and tell us about these folks 

******************************x***************************** 

Yoder Newsletter Issues I Throush 25 - bound 240 page volume 

includes a topical index of maior articles, an "every name index". Order 

from: The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen, IN ,16527, (Price $25 

plus $3 post,rge and handling for each book). 

***********************************x************************ 

Sarah H. Yoder, 86, daughtel of William Nlichael and Sarah Ross 

Yoder was the second recipient of the Lincoln County Historical 

Association "Heritage Award". At a special ceremony, the Mayor of 

Lincolnton read a proclam:rtion from the City Council declaring it her 

"day" in appreciation for her contributions to the cultural and 

historical heritage of Lincoln County. Ms. Yoder taught science and art 

for 28 years at the local High School and is an active volunteer in many 

: Tr ::i:'. 

ff :'Jt: ::.:':lFI11: 

I::; :.1T:; i n I l: J. ):'** * * * 8

FN 

***************************xx*********x**********x********* 

. 

Col. George M. yoder 

age about 75 

(from Hist. of Yoder Family of NC) 

-Photo complernents of Dick Yoder, Bechtelsville,pa. 

A lonely' litrm cenretery marks the resting place for lnenrbers 

of what has for years been a somewhat mysterious Berks County, pa. 

Yoder family. Jacob Yoder of this line had a familv which ran to 

girls and sonrewhat died out in the area. No known genealogies 

speak to his ancestry, While the family has a couple of identified links 

to Anabaptist families in the area, it has not been documented to any 

extent rrntil this point. Now the ancient stone markers have 

furnished n clue which olTers an Answer to the mystery and seems 

likely to have identified a new inrmigrant yoder line, 

I 

Jncob Yoder appears in the 1840 census for Heidelberg 

Township, :rnd can be traced backward through earlier censuses in 

Tulpehocken township.: Jacob died in lS4j and his lamilv is 

docrrmented by combination of courthouset, census, and Marion 

Township cemetery records as follows: 

Jacob Yotter (10/t5/t752-9125/1S42 (sic)) wife Barbara Rupp 

{10121/1757- 4l18/1822 age 6zty 5m 25d). 

l- Anna (3/19/1778 d.8/7/185'7 age 79y 4m l9d) Marion Twp., Berks 

Co. single. 

2- Catherine b. nr. John Snavely (Schnabb) res. Lebanon Co, 

Heidelberg Twp. as of Jul 44 d. (2i Apr 1859 Berks Deeds, Vol 12, 

p 44- shows (latherine and John Snavely in lVlcLean Co, Iil.. heirs to 

Anna deceased) . 

3- Elizabeth (Anna Elizabeth) b. m. Benjamin Nloyer res. Annville, 

Lebanon Co., PA as of ,Iul 184,1 d. 

4- Sarah (S:rtome) b.ct783 m. Abrrhnm Masr (Nt5327) d. by lS43 

res. of Leblnon Co 1820. children incl John, Barbara. Elizabeth and 

Abraham lVlast res. Mont. Co..OH as of ,ful 1844. 

5- David (12/5/1787-9/6/t9t} 22y 9m ld). 

6- .fohn Yoder b. 8/3/1192-2/7/lB6J 70y 6m ,ld) m.Catherine 

(cl812PA- ). inherited lhthers land , res. Marion Twp, 

Fra.nkLee Yoder. Jr. of Newton. NC- has furnished a tyned 

version he found of notes by North Carolina Yoder historian George 

M. Yoder, originally written about 1901. These notes include 

previously unknown correspondence with Pennsylvania Yoder 

families that break new ground in eliminating some of orrr "Yoder 

missins links". 

JACOB YODERS A]!D SON WILLIAM CONFIRI\LE-I) 

In YNL 21 we introduced the 

"Yoders" 

family of 

southwestern Pennsylvania and discussed evidence that the Jacob 

Yoder who founded that line was the possible son of Nlelchior yoder 

(YNL3). In YNL26 we presented inforrnation which confirmed that 

William Yoder of Carroll Co., OH was the eldest son of this Jacob. 

The George Yoder notes not only restate that William was the son of 

Jacob, but also CONFIRM that Jacob Yoders WAS the son of 

Melchior. These notes appear to be based on correspondence with 

the Yoders of Globe Mills, Pa at a time when a grandchild of 

Melchior was still living on the family homestead. 

fY;t/ YODER NEWSLETTER 

- !r/ 

")il Issue Number 29 P.O. Box 594, Goshen,lN 46527 April 1997w- 

************************************************* 

JA(]OB YODER OF HTIIDELBERG TWP. 

GEORGE YODER OF NORTH CAROLINA 

SPEAKS ACROSS THE AGES 

Jacob Yoders-Melchior-Charles T. Yoder-George Yoder of Venango 

* *** *** *** *** * *** * *** * ** *** ***.-..99lli1it-{ 

-"I-PlF:i- 

ANCIENT INSCRIPTION FOTIND 

IN HANS YODER HOT]SE 

by Lynn Lorrrh 

Berks Co., PA 1850 and 60 census. Will written lg6J ll7 acres. 

Marion Twp' 

The inscription above wRs found carved into one of the lintels in the 

7- Veronica (9/29/1795-12/13/1867 age 72y 2m l4d single) res. Hans yoder Jr home (see Oley reunion photos in yNL 2S, page 4 

Tulpehochen Berks Co res. Marion Twp 1860. 

bottom left) by it's present owner, Mr. Joseph Griffin. It says: 

8- Leah (312911802-4120/1887) m. philip Brown Jr. res. Bethel Twp, "JOHANNES 

Berks as of ,lul ,1,1. d. before 22 Atig 1859. (per Shirley Brown- 

JOTTER JMIAIIP () tiND EINE HAIISFRAU 

Leah b, bur lllcrkeys cem Bethel.Pa) . 

continued on page rbur 

x+rxx{xa*+{x**x{x*+x{ax+xxxxxx*+xx{x{*x*+x*{*s*Tx+x{*{a*xxx 

RaChel Kreider Presents 50 yeaf Old Mystery the 

(inside on page 7) 

ANNA ROSINA I74I'' 

In l\{r' Griffints own words: 

"..You certainly have my permission to use Lynn Lorah's sketch of 

lintel. I commissioned the drawing to acknowledse the kindness 

shown me by members of your family during their reunion lnst year 

and expected it to be ofinterest to Yoders far and near. '.. 

Continued on page three


Ben F Yoder (1913-1992); Clhris Yoder & Rachel Kreider 


Chris Yoder, Editor, Battle Creek, Ml; 'lohn W' \'oder' Circrrlation 

Manager, l\{iddlebury, lN; Rachel Kreider' Senior Contributing 

Editorl Goshen, IN; Esther E. Yoder' NIail Manlger' Goshen' lN; 

Donald Kauffman, YNL Homepage Webmaster' Ednronton' Alberta' 

Canada. Other Contributors: Richard H' Yoder' Bechtelsville' PA; 

Hubert A. Yoder, Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder (loffman' Nlalvern' 

PA: Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neil Wilfong' Cleveland' N(l; and 

Dr. Delbert Gratz, Bluffton, OH 

******************xxx*************************************x 


-FOR CIRC[ILATION ISSUES ONLY such rs new or renewed 

,ubr.ripti-r, changes of oddtttt, orders for back issues to: Yoder 

Newsleiter, P.O. Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527-0594' 

- ALI- OTHER- Dealing with ancestral queries or contributions 

fo. frrt-.]ITNU, or archivei (strch as reunion notices, letters to the 

Editor, copies of Bible records or other historicrl informltion) to: 

Chris Yoier,203 Lnkeshire Rd', Battle Creek' MI 49015 (or by 

:';'::".1':.1'll i il . lilil"t"li'rl:1": n':: I l;'l r I );. ..* * x * *'3 * * YNL PRICE INFORNIATION $$$$ 

The YNL subscription is on an lnnual basis-two issrres for $3' 

BACK lsstlES of the YNl, are $l per issue' Yoder Newsletter Issues' 

I Throueh 25 - bound 240 page uolutt inclurles a topical index of 

,*1* orti.l"s, an "every name index"' O1!er fronr: The Yoder 

Neisletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen, lN '16527'(Price $25 plus 53 

post,rge lnd handling for e:rch book)' Order frorn the Goshen YNL 

address. 

*********************************************************xx 

LOOKING for LEE YODER- college trackteanrmlte ('r) I-Sl'l in 1953- 

54. Lee Yoder. Lee had been on the 1952 |JSA Olympic team ns^l 

il;';";;;'i."* ,i" u of A'konto'' woultl like to make contact' R' 

Paul Adams

Greetings From France! 

From Jeln ,Ioder of .lorre Les Tours, France, and his fathcr Rene, 

both YNL readers, comes the above photo of a reunion of the 

descendnnts of his great grandfather Emil Joder (1866-1939) and his 

wife Marie Ettienne. The last of Emil's children, Henri, and his wife 

Maria are at the center front...both died a few months after this 

photo was taken, Reunions such as this have been held by the family 

several times over the last ten vears. either at Rohrbach les Bitche or 

at Noncorrrt. 

The ancestry of this family back from Emil is as follows: Peter ( 1838- 

l9l0) m. ,f acobine Guth; Peter (1803- ) m. Magdalene Esch; 

Daniel ( l 760- I 8221 m. Katherine Eicher; Christian ( 1732- ) m. 

Maria Steinmann (Am.-Men. Bishop in Annweiler, Germany); 

Christian (1691- ) m. Anna Maria Clauss (Am.-Men. Bishop of 

Fronschburg area); Casper (1660- ) (See Chart in YNL 28,pg 6). 

Jean's grandfather Lucien moved from Rohrbach les Bitche in the 

Lorraine region, l0 miles from the German border, to the 

Champagne region in the small village of Noncourt. Jean moved to 

the center of France to Tours in 1989, for employment, He has 

worked for American companies for 20 years, first International 

Harvester/J I Case, and more recently with Aeroquip (Trivona). 

YODER ARTICLE IN Mennonite Familv Historv, appearing in the 

Oct. 1996 issrre, pages 146-150- "Water Crrres and Two Yoder 

Ancestors" by Mabel V. Brunk. This concerns her grandfather S.P. 

YODER :rrrtl grc:rl-unelc EZRA YODER (thildrerr of YRBlll), tlre 

first a patient and the second a practitioner ofthe water cure. 

****x***************************************************** 

Jacob Eschbach Yoder (YB256S) publications 

First, the summer 1996 lssrre of ,.Virginia Cavalcade" has a l0 page 

article on him and another 12 pages on his son Adon. Order this 

back issue for $,[ from: Circulation Clerk, The Library of Virginia, 

I lth St. at Capital Square, Richmond, VA 23219-3,191. 

Second, The Fire of Libertv ln Their Hearts -The Diary of Jacob E. 

Yoder of the Freedmen: Bureau Schoot, Lynchburg, Virginia, lg66- 

1870. Ed. Samuel L. Horst. 1996. Pp. xlvii + 192. $2d.95.---Add $1.50 

for one book and 50 cents for each additional. Virginia residents add 

4.5rZr sales tax. Make checks payable to The Library Shop, address 

to: Circulation Clerk, The Library of Virginia, llth St. at Capital 

Square, Richmond, VA 23219-3491. 

xx******************************************************** 

Continued from page one 

"The lintel arches over a doorway through the foundation of 

the oldest section of the horrse, To see it, you enter a door in the 

present kitchen and descend some old stone steps into the basement. 

When my wife and I first noted the inscription on the lintel, it was 

partially obscured by old plaster. This lends credence to Dr. 

Herman's notion that the lintel has been relocated. On the other 

hand, competent observers (such as Bob Bucher) have suggested that 

some features of the original structure's first floor are consistent with 

a construction date of 1741." (Editor's note- Dr. Herman is one who 

has studied the architectural construction of the house and believes it 

likely that the lintel was part of a section made from earlier parts in 

about the 1790s) 

"Personally, I prefer to have no opinion. It seems likely that 

this architectural element is from the hand of Johnnes Yoder himself, 

wherever it was originally placed. I am grateful to have it here and 

find some solace from my loneliness when I regard it. lt is my house's 

tongue and it speaks of inevitable change, Just as Johnnes left this 

world soon nfter the lintel was carved, so did Anna Rosina and, 

several hundred years later, my own wife Mary Ann. Johnnes' lintel 

hids me to accept all change and prepare for my own demise. lt is the 

soul of my home. 

"l am pleased tha! you plan to reproduce the lintel. This old 

piece ofwood which hovered over the heads ofthis nation's very first 

Yoders deserves proper celebration."----Joseph Griffin 

OTHER SKETCHES BY LYNN LORAH 

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: --l lxl4s prints are $16: 

Hans Yoder Homestead; Hans Yoder Jr. Homestead;Griesemer's Covered 

Bridge; Lobachsville Mill.--8x10 prints: the 8xl0 are $12: Jacob and Marie 

Yoder HomesteadlSawmill at Hans Yoder Homestead;Pigpen at Hans Yoder 

Homesteadi 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., and. Add $2.50 postage and handling for one print (or card 

order). Add $l for each additional. Order from: Lynn Lorah, RD2' Box l'14' 

Oley, Pa 19547. Phone (610) 987-6175: 

{xxxaxx**xxxxx***{*xsx+x+{t+*s+T{**x++x+*t**+f 

8x{**x{x*x{x 

Preserve The Pleasantville Union Cemetery 

As a result of the summer "96 Johannas and Yost Yoder Family Trail 

Retrnion", the Yoder Reunion Association became aware of n critical 

situation' in regards to the funding ofthe Pleasantville Lrnion (Yoder 

Family) Cemetery. The reunion activities generated a profit. 'I'hese 

funds were donnted to the Cemetery account. []nfortunately, the 

firnding for the long-range maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery 

has been depleted over the yeRrs. The cemetery facility requires 

continuos maintenance, lawn care and general preservation. M:rny of 

the historical grave sites are in need of repair and restoration' The 

cemetery entrance is in need of reconstruction and/or replacement. 

All funds are held in trust by the Core States Bank of Reading. 

How to raise the necessary funds - is the question! Over the past 

year! n committee of interested Yoders and Yoder relatives have been 

meeting and brainstorming, seeking resolutions of this dilemma. Both 

immediate and long-range funding is necessary to resolve this 

predicament. DO YOU have any ideas HAVE YOLl, the Yoder 

Newsletter subscribers, had any experiences with this tvpe of 

issue/circumstance HELP tlS with this meaningful problern. Please 

SHARE WITH US your ideas and make suggestions/proposals that 

the committee can use to increase the funding and enhance the 

crrrent appropriations, 

Please send your suggestions to : Yoder Reunion Association, 'll5 

State Street, Pottstown, Pa, 19164, or e-mail to : ryoder@wctrpa.edu 

The committee will be meeting throughorrt the spring, so forward 

your propositions and recommendations as soon ts possible. On 

behalf of the Oley Yoders, and Yoders everywhere, we thnnk you for 

yorrr participation and cooperation. 

3

Continued from Page one 

Orieins of this Jacob 

To get to the .f acob Yoder cemetery, you turn off of Route 422 

onto Route rll9 and go west for 2 ll4 miles, Then you turn right on 

Marion Road (at Risser's Restaurant) then right on School Road l/2 

mile to a sharp right turn. The cemetery is located along a fence row, 

100 ynrds from the road at the end of a farm lane on the left. The 

farm is now owned by Curtis Beidlerwho bought it in 1940. Thc key 

bit of information to link Jacob was provided by the stones 

themselves, which give Barbar:r's maiden nAme as Runrr....the only 

place this information is recorded. A query to the Yn-L many years 

ago by !'irginia and George Jansen of Richland, Washington 

senrched for a ,facob Yoder. the son of Barbara Shallenberger, and 

hushand of one Barbara Runrr. 

;a'{! 

'& 

!a,' 

I 

1.:, ipsa &rtttlyt':" 

i T"';&*:*&rt..Y 7: 

xalr,t &dwz{'. 

i.\:{tt t;rY*t,'P'\ : : 

'fhe.lansens began their search for a Jacob Yoder, son of 

Barbarl Shallenberger, who was appointed th€ executor for the 

Llncaster County will of his his uncle, .fohannes Sllallenberger. 

.lohannes(b. cl73l) died 4/8/1814 and is brrried at the Lehn 

Cemetery in Mnnheim Twp, Lancaster Corrnty' His will mentions 

children of his brother Nlichael, Sisters Barb:rra and Catherine. 

Nephew ,ltcob Yoder, son of his sister Barbara, was appointed 

executor.l 

An added picce of their puzzle was the will of John Rupp 

(identified in Amish and Amish Nlennonite Geneirlosies by Gingerich 

and Kreider (AAMG) as "RP") written and liled l783ll'781 of Earle 

'Twp, Lancaster County mentions brother Christian Rupp' friend 

I\lichael Shallenberger, and a daughter Barbara m. to ,lacob Yoder.' 

Based on some of the estate settlements, this .f acob was suspected to 

be in the Lebanon (lounty area (which is adjacent to Heidelberg 

Twp). The known relationships between these fanlilies make it 

npparent that the two .lacob Yoders are one and the same, and 

thanks to the .lrnsens. the firllowing ptttern of relationship cmergcs: 

Shrllcnhcrge r siblings- 

-Rupps-- 

t t l l l l l 

\odrr Ilrrhrrr l\lithacl Cilthcrinc Jr)lrn AnnN n. Christinn .tohn Ruppd lTfi-l 

I tl.1192 tr.( hr' ('tirrlril 

| tl.l,Jlllt I 

l t l l 

.lacob Yodtr--------------------adnin tr) ll'tl{ nill 

Dru. Brrbnrr m..lactth Yodcr 

Swiss lmnrigrants to \\'omelsdorf. Pa Aretr 

'['he storl to be told here is n rather contplicirted one, brrt we'll 

proceed hoping the pieces will become clear. Veteran YNI' readers 

will know the .loder lanrily cl|nre lionr the Swiss town of steflisburg. 

Christirn Rrrchtv and his son-in-law (lhristian Deppen, known 

Nlennonites lionr StelTisbrrrg arrived in Anterica on Sep'16,1736' On 

the sitnte ship clnte believed Arnishnlcn Hnns Siever (age 3l)' lnd 

I\lelchior Detweiler (tge J7)". itlrd one Dttrs Thonlmen, whose letter 

to the Burgonrasters of Basel in 1738 mentions how well the vlriotts 

sects got along logether in the..new, land" incltrding the "lVlennonites 

an6 the Onrish"." AAi\lG lists this Christian R*chty as origin:rlly of 

Homburg and that on 4/1311103 he married Anna Kauffnrann 

(2/8/r680- ). 

Rrrchty and Deppen settled near Womelsdorf in [leidelberg 

Twp., Berks Co, Pa. Christian Rrrchty's 1739 warrant was jrrst north 

of town and thnt of Christian Deppen was a few farms firrther north. 

Just two farnrs to the west of Deppen was the farm ol'Dr. Hans Blank 

(PKB in AAMG) settled in 1755. Directly between Deppen and 

Blank was lnnd bought in-1763 by Jacob Yoder, previotrs of Earle 

'I'wp, ' Lancaster County. Jacob prrrchased his land from Henry 

N'lartin. heir to one Nicolas I\'lartin for the srrm of 450 nounds.n 

This .lacob appears in variotts tnx lists for the township " 

including: 

1779- .lacob Yoder 100 acres 2 horses 7 cattle Tax 700 

1784- .lacob Yoder lzl0 acres 4 horses 4 cattle 4 sheep 

1785- ,f acob Yoder 1.5.0 

'Ihe Berks County Will Book shows that when Jacob died' his 

son Jacob was named administrator of his estate in l8l5'"' The 

Recorder of Deeds indicates that "Land warranted to Nicholas 

Martin Nov. 1746 & 25 Oct 1751, conveyed to Jacob Yoder in 1763 

who died intestate..leavins ttnto his heirs...J:rcob Yoder and Barbara 

Yocler."t' 'I'hat this tsarbarir was itn ulrntarried d:rrtghter is ill(ested 

by the record of her estate in 1822, when Jncob Yoder her brother 

was charged with its administrntion,tt lStrangely enorrgh, the same 

year Barbara (Rupp) Yoder died.) 

lf the location wlsn't enough to link the youngcr and older 

,facob with orrr husband of Barbara Rupp, there is another item 

which seems to do so. The 1822 appraisal for sister Barbara Yoders 

estate wns performed by a Christian Hertzler and a Philip 

Troutman. AAMG indicates that a grnndson ol' .f acob and Barbnra 

(Rupp) Yoder, by daughter Sarah (who m' Abraham.Mast), married 

Catherine Troutman, a daughter of Philip Troutman''' 

So it seents that Jacob Yoder who married Barbara Rupp and 

whose mother's name was Barbara Shallenberger wfls the son of 

another Jacob Yoder who botrght land near Womelsdorf in 1763 andl 

lived rrntil l8l4/5. Where did the senior Jacob conre from 

.lncob Yoder of the Queen of Denmark. Oct,4. 

Dr. Hans Blank. beside whom Jacob Yoder moved in 1763' is 

known to have arrived on the ship "Queen of Denmark" Oct.'I, 

1751. Interestingly enough, the following names appear in seqttence 

on that ship: ".lacob (X) Jodert Hans Shallenbergi and Hans 

Blank," 

l*- 

,) 

u ' /'q 

r{ 

* Jart+ 

b-f {X'/}'&"1 

/ 

t r t - 

la'-( [l*t1{ 

Sltip Queen of Denmark, Octr.rber {, t751, 

List r7.1 C (continued)' 

n 

Other names of interest: Christian Blank, Friederich Rtrthy' two 

Heinrich Stehlis, Jacob Stehli and several Mnrtins- Baltzer Martin' 

,lohnnnes Martin, Hans (ieor Martin. '' The Blank and Ruthy entry 

are pointed out because of the surname connections lbove. The 

M:rrtins becarrse of the original warrantee on the land Jlcob Yoder 

borrght in 1763. The Stehli's are interesting from both a New World 

and an Old World perspective and we'll disctlss these in a nlolnerlt. 

Could it be possible that Dr. Hans Blank, the Jrcob who 

settled beside him and the head of the Shallenberger firnrily in the 

chart above :rll arrived on lhe Qtreen of Denmark That Jacob 

married Barbara , a daughter of his fellow immigrant Hans 

Shallenberg (er), and after spending tinte in Lancaster county with 

his in-laws, then settled nerr Womelsdorf beside his other fellow 

ship-mate, Dr. Hans Blank. This could all be coincidence..'.but seems 

lo be too much of one not to beg these conclusions. 

U 

4

Additional Sneculations: 

STAHLEYS: First off, there is a Stahley connection to the Amish 

Yoder immigr:rnts of 17,12---nanrely the Christian Yoders YR2 and 

YR23 settled on property in Berks County directly beside land of onc 

Henry Stahley. And interestingly enough, unlike other of their 

immediate neighbors, Stahley is one whose children did not 

intermrrry with the Yoder family. Does this imply a prior fanrily 

relationship 

Secondly, among the various Joders known to have been 

Anabaptists and to have left StelTisburg, two are known to have 

married Stehlisr'. In different versions of text, the Etrropean 

resenrchers conflictingly identify Jacob, son of Jost and Anna 

Trachsel to hrve been either the one who ntarried Verena Knttfmann 

on l/9/1685 or who married Margret Stahli on 5/30/l684..lost'son 

Peter is known to have married a _ Stehli....marked one place as 

the "sister" of the wife of.lacob .foder.(see disctrssion on Jacob in 

YNLI2 page l). 

SHALLENBERGERS: 

Shallenberger is not a common name among the Amish 

Yoders of America. The Shallenberger family most closely linked to 

the eariy Imis-h is in U*lrlch Shallenfergeiwhodieil in I767-in Berks 

County."'His son Nlichael took his father's land and his minor 

children were placed in care of their llncle Joseph Shallenberger 

(Solleberger)(1745, Bern twp, Berks Co). Appearing as security was 

Christian Yoder (probably YR23) and Henry Stahle (SAB2Xof the 

l75l ship's list), This appears to estnblish a connection between the 

Shallenberger family and the Amish families of the times. The n:rme 

"Mrs, Nlary Sollenberger" appears in A-mish Alms Book of the early 

Berks (Northkill) congregation in 1793." lt isn't known how or if this 

Berks Shallenberger family fits in with the Lancaster lamily we are 

relating to the Queen of Denmark passenger. 

There are interesting connections between Yoders and 

Shallenbergers in the Old World among the followers of Jacob 

Amman in AlsRcer" in 1703 nnd 1708: 

"Ccrtificut 

les Anahaptistcs reccu cn l'unncc 1703" and "l,iste des 

Anahuptistcs de ,ltc-murie-uux-Mines en 1708"- lists the following 

surnAmes at Ste-Marie-aux-Mines which are relevant to the above 

speculations: 

1703 List 

Jacob Aman 

Niklaus Blanck 

Hans Rupp 

Christian Joder 

Jacob Rupp 

Hans Shallenbar 

Ulrich Rupp 

1708 list (partialist) 

Jakob Aman 

Niklaus Blanck 

Hans Rupp 

une fille chez Hans Rupp 

Ulrich Shallenberger 

Also the added surnames which are families relevant to the Northkill 

Amish settlement in Berks Countv: 

Samuel Koenig (King) 

Hans Koeng 

Christen Hostetler 

Jakob Hostetler 

Hans Hostetler 

Hans Muller 

widow of Samuel Koenig 

children Jean Koenig 

Christ Hochstetler 

Jakob Hochstetler 

Hans Hochstetler "pere et fils", 

Peter Hochstetler 

and other surnarnes! many familiar within srrbsequent Anabaptist 

generations in Europe and the US: 

Hans Reisser 

Hans Russer 

Peter Garber 

Peter Gerber 

Christen Bachman 

Benter Zehr 

Hans Zimmerman 

Hans Zimmerman 

Niklaus Zimmerman 

Nickl. Zimmerman 

Hans Liginbull 

Hans Loquebille 

Hans Shartz (sic-Tschantz) 

Christian Linder 

Christ Linder 

Hans Linder 

Christian Kropff 

Christ Kroff 

Niklaus Farny 

Christ et Niklaus Farni 

Kaspar Linden 

Gaspar Lindre 

Samuel Witmer 

Jakob Her 

Hans Roth 

Hans Rott 

Peter Lini () 

Peter Lutti 

Christian Schwartz 

Sdow Klaus Schwartz 

Christian Keihacher 

Michell Murer 

Michel Maurer 

Jakob Murchus 

Ulhrich Simon 

Hans Vongenel 

Hans Vongonl 

Michell Sherer 

Michel Zuchleir 

U I h rich K_i_l,lXrrtf er 

Ulrieh Kilighoffer 

Hans Wolk 

Hans Wolf 

Niclaus Murer 

Davidt Shartz 

David Schwartzer 

Christian Grama 

Hans Gerig 

Hans Gorig 

-----.-.-----------other 1708 names:Ulhrich Engel, Benedict Eyer, Christ 

Danner, Christ Gorig, Jakob Schwartz, Antonin Kroff,Peter Stritt, Maurice 

Lut$, Peter Roth, Mathias Ulrich, Barbara Mourer, Froena Hertig, Anna 

Hirschy, Barbara Valtinn, Catharina Recher, Elisabeth Farny.... 

The Christian Joder here was apparently the son of ,lost 

Joder and Anna Trachsel. He married Barbara Gerber. His son 

Christian settled in Eppstein in the Palatinate and married his cousin 

Magarete Gerber. Their descent is well documented at this location. 

Of the two children recorded in the StelTisburg records, sponsors are 

as follows: 

8/2/1685- Peter Joder--- son of Christian Joder 

and Barbara Gerber 

sponsors: Hans Martin 

Peter Gerber the younger 

Saloma Joder 

3/20/1687- Christian Joder* son or Christian Joder soonsors: Hans Moser 

and Barbara Gerber Hans Rupp 

Kathrin Krebs 

(Side Comment:--- Re: the Martin Connection--see ships list and the 

land warrant transferred to Jacob Yoder in 176J. No sign of IVlartins 

with the Alsatian Amish ...or the Palntinate Yoder records at hand,. 

Martins do continue to nppear in Stelfisbrrrg church records. 

Nicholas Martin in Berks appears to have been active in the l{ost 

Reformed Chrrrch, four miles north of Womelsdorf. ) 

The Anabaptists vanish from Steffisburg birth records by 

1691. lt is very likely that Christian and Barb:rra had rnore 

children...who were they and where did they go- CKY. 

Thanki to Di;k \ oder of B-echtelsiille: George arrd \ iryirrirr ,lausen: 

Richard R. Weber; Dorothy Coffman, & Rachel Kreider for critical 

input and reference material to support this article. 

l.- A survey of the Berks County Cemeteries by Laurel Nliller 

2..- 1840 Pa. Census-Berks County, page ,145- Heidelberg Twp; lE20 

Berks Co., page 221 & 1830 Berks Co. page 69- Tulpehocken Twp. 

Continued on page six

Continued from page 5 

3.- Berks country wills- for .Iacob Yoder, Will made 2/14/1843, 

proved 7/23/1844. 

4.- Lancaster County Wills, ,fohannes Sh:rllenberger, written 1812, 

filed l8l,l. 

5.- Lancaster County Wills, ,f ohn Rupp, written 1783, filed 178,1. 

6.- The Three Zus Brothers of 1742 Paul V. Hostetler, , page 6 

7.- lbid, page 63-63 (Blanks land was later taken over by his son-inlaw 

Joseph Hochstetler in 1770 when Blank moved to Salisbury Twp, 

in Llncaster County.)(NOTE: Another interesting point about these 

families is that one Peter Zimmerman, believed son-in-law of 

Christian Deppen of Heidelberg twp., Anglicized his name to Peter 

Carpenter and moved to NC in the mid 1700s ...along with a nrrmber 

of Swiss immigrants of Mennonite connections. This southern 

movement is one which is familiar to Yoders, and the reason we have 

a Conrad Yoder line of descent throughout North Carolina lnd the 

South today. At the same time two of Conrad's sons nroved to Clark 

County, lN--- Kauffmanns, Carpenters and others also nroved there 

from North Carolina.) 

8. - Berks County recorder of deeds, Deed Book 27 ptge 276 dated 22 

March 1763 9,- Pennsylvania Archives, Tax Lists. 

10.- Berks County Wills, Jacob Yoder- 26 Jnn 18l5 Will book 7-369, 

and Estate settlement, 1815. 

ll.- Berks County Recorder ofDeeds, Prtcnt Il-12 page 599- 20 I{lr 

1815. 

12.- Berks County Reg. of Wills, Barbnra Yoder- l5 Sep 1822 Admin 

Book 8-472, and Inventory. 

13.- AAMG- family MS3292- page327. 

,14.- Pennsvlvania German Pioneers..., by Strassbtrrger, ed' Wm. 

John Hinke (Norristown,Pa.; Pa. German Society, l9J4) 

'15.- @, 

1971 bY Karl 'loder and 

Ottmar Jotter. 16.- AAMG page 215. 

17.- The Three Zug (Zook) Brothers... , page 203. 

18.- fi.gcherches Hist@ par (--harles 

Mathiot and Roger Boigeol, 1969, 

YODER ARCHIVES UPDATE!-32 new Files and growth in size from 

2.7 mb to 4. I mbl--Thanks to the help of Diana Peterson, Tim Conrad, 

Dave Yoder, Fred Haines, Marli Yoder, Richard B. Yoder, Dorothy 

Coffman. New files include: Yoder Censuses from 1860 & 1880 Pa' 

1880 Ind.; Yoder Newsletter text from lssues l-28; Cemetery records 

from Howerters & Medina County; a new file of French Joder 

research; n variety of Oley related records; and translated text from 

the European research of Karl Joder and Ottmar Jotter. Download 

these FREE from our homepnge, or order disk: Chris Yoder'203 

Lrkeshire Rd. Battle Creek. MI 49015 ($6-three disks set) 

tinued from page one *{8{xss{axx**{*{*t{**{x{*t*{*t{*f 

He writes of Melchior's son Jacob: 

" Jacob had taken a great interest in getting up subscriptions to 

rebuild St. Peter's or Seiber's church, near Globe Mills. He subscribed and 

paid $12 for material for the church. In a few years he left there with his 

family, and moved to Greene county, in the southwestern portion of the 

State. He had nine children- John, William, George, Elizabeth, Daniel, 

Joseph, Malan, Lindsay and Jacob. The descendants of these sons are 

scattered over Greene and Washington counties. John, the oldest son, went 

to Ohio; William also went there. One of his sons married Elizabeth 

Marsteller, The descendants in Greene and Washington counties, of Jacob 

Yoder, numbered about 40; and these have married and increased in 

number considerably." 

MELCHIOR YODER NOTES: 

The George Yoder notes on Nlelchior are a bit confusing, and 

suspect in several respects, but provide an interesting bit of "oral 

tradition" which seems based in part on his correspondence with 

family members, 

"l have a history of Freesburg charge in my possession. That charge 

is composed of six churches and all are Union churches which were built 

*xx 

over a hundred years ago. The constitution for the government of the 

different congregations is a joint one. In this history lfind some Yoder's had 

taken a very conspicusous part. I find that Melchor Yotter (Yoder) had two 

brothers named Jacob and Daniel, and a sister named Eve, who left 

Switzerland and landed at Philadelphia and seftled in Montgomery county. 

One of them settled at a place called Drop, where he erected a factory of 

some kind, which he afterwards sold and went to Northumberland county. 

"About 

1765 Melchor Yoder, Sen., in Snyder county bought a large 

tract of land on a creek that extended several miles. About 1799 Melchor 

and John Yoder, Peter Godshalk and Samuel Moyer were elected Trustees 

to solicit subscriptions to rebuild St.Peter's or Seibers church and a school 

house which was the custom in those days in Pennsylvania. 0n this list I 

find John Yoder, Peter Yoder,Jacob and Henry Yoder and Melchior Yoder, 

Jr. 

"Melchor 

Yoder, Sen., came to Northumberland county with his wife, 

Anna, in 1649 (sic) and bought 103 acres of land from Judah Roberts. His 

children were Melchor, John Peter and Abraham. John married Catherine 

Hart. Their children were Nancy, who married a Mr. Woodland; Elizabeth, 

who married George Shack, and Samuel, who married Sarah Helbish. John 

Yoder died 0ct.20th, 1832. Peter lives in the old homestead. Melchor Yoder, 

Sen., was the father of Melchor, Jr., George Shack, who married Elizabeth, 

came in possession of the upper part of the farm. 

"The sister, Eve, who came with them, married a man named 

Longacre and remained 

Montgomery county. So did Jacob and Daniel. 

Some of their descendants live in Lancaster county." 

CHARLES T.YODER ANCESTRY CONFIRMED 

In YNL l8 we presented a detailed article on Maj, Charles T, 

Yoder, an individual who did significant research on the Yoder 

family at the end of the last century. Strangely enough, his own 

ancestry was not known to his descendants. His research notes were 

said to have been given to one Howard Yoder, son of William L. 

Yoder of Mahanoy City, Pa. This Howard Yoder is now confirmed as 

being a cousin of Charles T. and his coding within the Oley Yost line 

is OY,l24l: 

"Here 

is what William L. Yoder, of Matatawny City, says....., 

"He further states his father came to Schuylkill county over 60 years 

ago. He had four sons---Charles, Joseph, William and James.- and three 

daughters. Two died young. The oldest married John S. Weber. Charles 

and James are dead. The later died childless at the age of 68. The oldest 

brother, Charles, died in Pittsburg, leaving four children- Hamilton (dead), 

Charles, a lawyer, and Lorenzo, a sucessfull merchant at Piftsburg, who is 

said to be a millionaire." 

GEORGE YODER OF VENANGO COT]NTY 

One of the "incidental" Yoders hanging out in the 

Pennsylvania census lists has been a George Yoder of Venango 

County, Pa. This fellow died d 3/12/1872 age 7ly 5m lld rnd was a 

farmer. The father of William L. Yoder was Daniel Yoder b. 

.Irrl.l5,l789 who married Feb.22,l8l5 to [lnit T,iiRbsa. \]illiam 

writes of his father's siblings: 

".....He 

had two brothers --George and Beniamin-- and three sisters. 

They migrated to different parts of the country; George to Orange countyr 

Pa., Benjamin to Columbia county, Pa, one sister to Snyder county, Pa., who 

had married a Mr. Mench; one married a Mr. Strohn and went to Columbia 

county, and the youngest sister married and went to ohio." 

What does this tell us There is no Oranse Corntv, PA, btrt a 

handwritten version of the word "Venango" could easily have been 

interpreted as "Orange" by a subsequent typist of the notes....there 

is no other Pennsylvania county name which approximates this word. 

This seems verv likelv, nnd fits this George into one of the places 

previous suspected for him.... As A son of OY42- Peter Yoder who 

married Ann (Nancy) Oyster. This Peter died intestate and his 

probate record dated,lan.lS18 showed him leaving a farm of 156 

acres in Pike Twp, Berks County. Peter is known to have been a 

farmer, merchant & hotel keeper.

**************************qUefies*************************** 

The YNL will publish Yoder related inqrriries or exchanges at no 

charge. Please linrit as possible to inclutle a full retttrn irddress. All 

inquiries are checkcd against ortr records to see if we c'ln help too' lf 

you receive added info, ;rlelse share it with the YNt- for our files' 

Send to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd', Battle (lreek'Nli '19015 

Clare YODER m. Mercedes DETANDT, daughter of l,orris (llara 

(LERNIINEAtIX), of Belgium. Her parents enrigrated to Phila' PA 

about 1897. Theirfirst child Albert. b.c1903, I think, so Mercedes was 

probablv born after that. Clare and Nlercedes had 2 dau. that I believe 

are still living in Johnstown, PA: Alice and Nlabel YODER. One 

other thing that might help is that Clnre wlls decapitated in a coRl 

mining accident, in Nanty Glo or Johnstown.(Dona Avery, 

Ii I I i;.T:ll:::i l.ll'; J:lr.';. l: .t.t.t... * * * * * * * * * * Worrld like to cornmunicate with :lnyone rvho has knowledge of Yoders 

and Kauffrnans who lived in Shnron Center, lowa (near Kalona) in the 

years 1850-1910, or who knows about the general history of thtt area' 

3; I I :[l : I iill; I I ] 11 .1 I ; 3*$i I I ; i.l l.' ;'; I li; :;^.T]1' .... 

1 

My g-g grrndfather ,foseph came to lllinois in the mid-1860's to 

Forrest, lt in {-ivingston eou$ty nld he di€d in 1888-' tuc-ef his soss 

nanred Joseph wrs nry g-grandfather born approx 185'l died in dec 

l9l5 married Lena Yancey from Beltbrt area of New York' she died in 

1932. One of their sons my grandfather Wesley wns born in 1888 in 

lll::;.i."iIk)33iT;I;9;3."J.i1;.":'ill';lf .f il11********* 

Looking for the parents of Johannes ".fohn" 'foder b' 26 March 1795 

in Alsace Lorraine, France who md Marl Schmtrcker b' abt 1800' 

Johndied26AprlSTsrrndharlfivechi|dren.Anyinformationwould 

The time has come when I must pass on to younger 

researchers a problem that has troubled me for over fifty years. 

When I was young we had information from Reuben Yoder 

(YR2337a) about our Christian Yoder family, coded under YR2J in 

Amish and Amish-Mennonite Genealosies (p.a95). He had the 

names and birth years of the fifteen children and spouses for some of 

them. The name of the oldest on he gave as Fanny (surely 

pronounced Franey in her day) , born 1753, and he knew nothing at 

all about her. The second one was Barbara, born 1756, and he said 

she married Christian Troyer. Ever since then I have tried to find out 

where these sisters lived and whom they married. 

First I began to study the Troyers and discovered that 

Christian Troyer had gone {o Canatla. As soon as I was able to do so, 

I went to Toronto to find out about his wife and family. Descendants 

there told me he had married Elizabeth Becker but they could soon 

see that she had been too young to be the mother of his otder 

children. On the other hand we could find no evidence that the first 

wife was named Barbara. When Eber Cockley from the Somerset 

Historical Society inquired about this Barbara, I reported whnt 

Reuben had written but said I could not prove it either way. 

Nevertheless word got to Canada, and Troyer literature since has 

claimed Barbara as Christian Troyer's lirst wife. 

A number of years later an inqrriry came from a Mr. Forney 

in Nebraska, asking what I knew about theimncestress Bnrbara 

Yoder, born 1756, who had married Joseph Forneyl I immediately 

sought evidence but could get no further information. At about the 

same time Dr. Hugh Gingerich had found a record in Somerset 

County, showing that one lsaac Nliller had married a Bartrara and 

by the time the estate was seltled in 1802 she had married Joseph 

Forney. Her lbur daughters and their htrsbands were named and I 

****************x*x*************************************xxx 

Albert Yoder (June 23, 1856 - September 12, l9l5) who married m1' 

great-grelt aunt Margaret Frye (1873-1963). T'hey are btrried together 

rvith their son Albert G. Yoder (1900-1971) in the llt. (larrnel PA 

(Protestant) cemetery. Denise Wells, D.f LWellsra)aol.cont 

Am interested to note the possibility of relations still living in Nlcl-ean 

County, lL. Does anyone know of Yoders from the line of Jonathln.l. 

Yoder (YR127322) living in the area Thanksl .lonathan l-' \'oder' 

701 N Nebraska Ave. Nforton, Il, 61550-1715' email- 

DoctorY ldaol.com 

******************************************************** 

Search for my husband's ggrandmother, Caroline Yoder' She was 

born l3 Nov 1859 in Berks Co. PA to Joseph S. Yoder alld Anna 

BLOCH/BLOCK. She married John Frederich Drumheiser, 2 .fune 

1879 in Shamokin, Northumberland, PA. She died in Shamokin ll 

.luly 1938. Gryphon" 

* * * * * * * * * * * * x * * * * * * * * r! *j&!!!k * x * * * * * * * * * e q * * tj tj!l! x * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I am looking for a (older) gentleman named Albert Yoder,who resided 

in Mnnhattan New York City in t947. Last known place of residence 

was Long lslnnd, N.Y. It is also believed that he might have been in the 

arnretl forces. He might also hRve been known by nickname Steve' lf 

yor lrave nny infornratidn regaidirlg this person, please respond. I( is 

very intportant. Thank you Virginia llkhan,47-30 59th Street, 

Woodside NY, I 1377,S0LAZfa)aol.com 

******************************************************** 

Was Barbara YODER wife of Joseph FORNEY ,foseph Forne-v b. 

c1747 PA d. 1802 Elklick Twp, Somerset Co, PA + Barbara l'oder b. 

1756 m. bef 1774 d. . Reply to: Kay Wilson,Bremerton WA tlSA 

,kwwilsonra)silverlink.net; and Carol Miller,P.O. Box 551,(lreen 

yi:i'xi.11t.11.t;t.'1.!t.T,:'i:r1"3J."1'*'*o*n*'I***** 

be apprciated. X.Xlward' PO Box '10758,Errgene.Ore 97404 

*************************************************************************************************************** 

noticed with special interest that the only son was named Christian' 

50 Year-OId Yoder Challenges 

It seemed quite clear that this Barbara was not the mother of the 

by Rachel Kreider 

Forney children. I assume that both families were then connected 

with the Church of the Brethren but I could find no further 

information. lts seemed. however. that this claim seems as good as 

the Canadian. 

Reuben Yoder was a sharp and astute man. Where did he get 

the idea of a Troyer-Yoder marriage in that family There was 

reason to pursue this matter further. I could not lind nearly as much 

about Christian Troyer in Canada as about his colorftrl brother 

John, who married a Sophronia (variation of Franey, which in 

Switzerland is written as Verena and it has a number of other 

variants--Frohnia, Fronica, Frances, Fanny-- This Sophronia was 

born in t753 and they named their dnughter Barbara! However, the 

Canadian Troyers say her name was Sophronia Reichenbach. | first 

found this in a slim little volume when one could still browse through 

the stacks in the Toronto Historical Library, but when I went back to 

"weigh the source" and get any other kind of evidence of a Franey 

Reichenbach, I could not find anything helpful. Dr. Gingerich' who 

knows more about the genealogy of the those first Amish families in 

America than anyone else I know, could not find any place in the 

Rickenbacher/Reichenbach outlines where she seemed to belong. 

There was another Troyer-Reichenbach marriage---Corrld the two 

have become confused 

I expect the younger "eager beavers" in genenlogy, some nol 

even interested in Yoder research, to discover the priman' sources 

that can shed light on the problem. Can someone prove. one way or 

the other. that Franie Yoder, born 1753, married John Troyer nnd 

that Barbara Yoder, born 1756, married lsaac Miller and then 

Joseph Forney 

Mrs. Kreider. co-author of the Classic AAMG--the nation's premiere 

genealogical work on the Amish generations through 1850. 

7

OLEY MINI-RETINION TO BE HELD. 

On.Iulv 12. 1997, the Oley Yoders are scheduling their annual Family 

Reunion in Pleasantvitle, Berks county , pa. The reunion will start with 

a social,rrncheon' followed by a progr:rm updating some of the latest 

research by OIey Yoder historian Richard H. yoder, The luncheon 

program will emphasize the opportunity to socialize and reunite family 

ties. Following the Iuncheon, a grrided walking tour will be given by 

Dick in the Yoder Family cemetery (pleasantviile union cemetery). Ail 

who wish to attend, or receive information lbout the event, shoultl 

contact the Yoder Reunion Association, 425 State street. pottstown. 

Pa. 19464 or e-mail RYoderrD wcupa.edu 

1890 CENSIIS -From a compendium by John Blair Linn ol. the l E9t) 

CENStIS for 25 townships of Centre Co.,pa--which preserved this 

portion of the census otherwise lost from Federal Records in a fire. _ 

Miles Township- David Yoder-48, Amanda, Katie. Livoni:r 

Huston Townshirr- Daniel yothers-57 farmer, Thaddeus C-._25. farmer. 

lrene, Annie, Julian. 

******************************************xxxxxx*****r!****** 

From The Reading Eagte, Aug. 2,1,1996-REBECCA B. YODER, 96, 

formerly of Morgantown, died,.Coatsville, Chester County foilowing a 

brief illness...Born in caernanon Torvnship, she was a daughter of the 

late .facob Z. and Srrsie (Beiler) yoder. (sent by R.H.yoder) 

Alma Hopkins Kitchell Yoder Dies, age 103 

The Associated Press l7-Nov-1996 announced the death in Sarasota, 

Florida of Alma Kitchell Yoder, a pioneering radio singer who 

became one the medium's earliest talk-show hosts before switching to 

television. She was 103 years old. She was Born Alma lrene Hopkins, 

June 29, 1893, in Superior, Wis. After studying music she moved to 

New York in l9l2 and married her voice coach Charles W. Kitchell 

in 1915. Mrs. Yoder wns: involved in experimental radio 

brondcasting in l9l7; began her concert career in l92l; .ioined the 

NBC Opera Co. in 1926; emceed one of the original radio tnlk shows, 

"Let's Talk It Over." in 1938; was later hostess of one of the first 

commercial TV series. 

"ln The Kelvinator Kitchen," an instructional 

cooking show. She left public life in 19,19 and moved to Florida in 

1965, the year she married Joseph Yoder. (sent by Neal Wilfong) 

****************************************************x***** 

Yothers Family 

Holds Reunion 

The Yothers Family from Bucks 

County held its 72nd Reunion June 

2. at the Hayck Menaonite Churth, 

Quakertom, with 33 people present. 

The oldest menber present was 

Naomi Yothers, Souderton, 91- 

yem+ld md daughter of the late I. 

Emin md Nora (Ruh) Yothen. The 

yomgest member was Megm Dam 

Conley, 2 V2-yearsold, daughter of 

Ireslie (Benner) md Dave Conley, 

Perkasie. 

Chad Bemer, Sellersville, wm the 

winner of the traditional'guessing 

game. 

NEW9HERALD, 

***********************************************x********** 

Perkcie, Pa., 

WedresdaY, Jutv 3, 1996 

Pastor Dave Mi.ller of Quakertom 

reked the blessing before the 5 p.m. 

meal. 

The officers are: President Dm 

Hwberger, Perkasie; Vice hesident 

John M. Hunsberger, Perkasie; 

Secretary-Tleasurer Alverna Y 

Hunsberger, Apple Butter Road, 

Perkasie and Smetary of Historical 

Records Zenta Benner, Perkasie. 

The next reunion will be held the 

first Sundav ofJune 1997. 

YODER FOODMIXER IDENTIFIED 

"l 

found your YNL online and was scrolling through it 

looking for familiar names for my genealogy research when I saw the 

headline about the Yoder mixer. I was so excited and couldn't wait 

to tell my hrrsband. 

"His father, Stanley Weber Yoder, b.l9l0, d.1988, designed 

*********************x*************:t******xxxx*****it******** 

and manufactured this mixer, as well as other products, in his Los 

CORRECTION: YNL 28 page l --Jonathan Yoder who is shown as Angeles plant in the 1940s. 

b. 5/l l/1795 was reallv b either 3/l I or 3/26/1795 Alsace. 

"He moved the plant operation to Little Rock, AR in l95l and 

*********************************************************** 

closed it in the mid-eighties. The company also manufactured 

GHOSTS AT PLEASANTVILLE INN- Folks who are familiar marine accessories, lawn sprinklers, cabinet hardwnrc, all kinds of 

with the Plensantville Inn in Pleasantville, Pa. (see cover photo on horns (plastic and metal), as well as the "Aqua Bat" (a seat on 

YNL28) will be interesting to know there are ghosts there! A recent waterskis that lets you "sit 

article in the 'Boyerstown and ski"). Stanley was a very creative 

Times', describes a visit by n psychic who inventor, 

identified 

"At 

two ghosts who reside in this prrblic house. 

the time, it didn't seem important to keep samples of the 

********************************************************** products the company produced but, after he died, they became very 

NEW ALSATIAN LINK IDENTIFIED 

important to my husband and his sisters and no one had any. 

Katherine 

"So 

Yoder (1812-6/1/1883 Fulton Co., OH) who m. 

you cnn imagine my excitement at finding a mixer!!! 

Peter 

"My 

Stuckey has been identified as being the sister of Michael 

husband immediately called Richard Yoder, who had 

Yoder (see YA6 on chart at page 6 of YNL28). Alsatian records say found it at a flea market in Pennsylvania and posted the note in the 

thnt Catherine Yoder( l8 I I Morvillars,F- ) rn. 3/17 /1831 YNL. We received it in the mail this week and was pleased to find 

Morvillars,F Pierre Stucky (1809- ) was the daughter of that all of the attachments were included and it was in the original 

Joseph Joder b. 1788 who m. Anne Stucky b.1788. 

box. We are very grateful to Mr. Yoder for his thotrghtfulness, This 

*********************************************************** one will be ours, but Bruce has four sisters thflt would love to have 

one. 

"lf anyone hns any of the Yoder products, we will be glad to 

Who Can Tell tls About the Yoder Racehorse 

We had such good luck with the "Yoder Food Mixer" in the l:rst issrre 

thnt we thought we'd try out the lO-year old mystery of the Yoder 

racehorse. "Lucky Yoder" bred at Bendabout Farms,lnc, Ky'--his sire 

was "Mr. Redoy" (Yoder backward). Several attempts to learn nrore 

from owner or stable htve been unsuccessful. Can anvone fill us in 

Ddld P.8rnk. 

Silvea. bluo blek3 oo sldes, sllv€r cap. 

LUCK YoDER (K) 

R_L 

8 

pay n reasonable price for them as well as the cost of shipping. The 

nnme "Yoder" is imprinted on most of them. 

"A few years ago, a friend was moving and found some old 

milk bottles from "Yoder Dairy" in VA. She gave them to me 

because of the name Yoder on them. If these mean as much to 

someone else as the mixer means to me, please let me know. 

"Here is some of the genealogy for Stanley. I would 

appreciate any information someone might have on Ida Weber: 

"Jonas C, Yoder m, Veronica Kanagy, son l.Jonas D. Yoder 

m lda Weber, gson 2. Stanley Weber Yoder, b.l9l0, d.1988" 

----Sharon Turner Yoder-sky@pcola.gulf.net 

And in response to a query from Charles Yoder: "Yes, the 

Yoder tooter wAs one of his products. It was a bicycle horn. He also 

had great success with the "Wolf Whistle" horn that mounted on 

exterior of the car. 

"tlnfortunately, the success of the horns was the downfall of 

Yoder Mfg. Co, The comp:lny had over 100 employees by the 70s. 

In the early 80s, Pres. Carter allowed the Orient to ship their 

products to the US drrty-free. They were nble to manufacture 

identical horns at a lower cost because oflabor, then shipped them in 

to the US. The products were then sold at retail for a price rrnder the 

:::::ili::.".*lll:::::::... *******x 

*************

w 


Issue Number 30 P.O. Box 594' Goshen, IN 46527 October 1997 

Hamburg Christian Yoder 

The Ortbuhl-a Steffisburg Estate 

Steflisburg, 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 Steflisburg 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 (Zookl 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 

Stelfisburg". The following families are associated with the holdings 

(estate) of the Joder family in Ortbuhl: 

R.ooL ' 

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 wellknown. 

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 sori5 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 [Iamburg, 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, 1147. One old diagram in the archives at Harrisburg shows 

Christian's land bounded by the farms of Isaac Kauffman, Stephen 

('onlinued on Page,l 

Caspar Joiler L; 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 & Mgrgret Hennig; Hans Joder & 

Magret Bronnimann; Caspar Joder & Barbly Burky; Niclaus Joler & 

Anna Trachsel: Jost Joder & Anna Trachsel 

ln 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. 

41 

,$, 

,.,: . 

,.&9 

q,:. 

t, 

u# 

1,: - 

, 

t 4.,2 .r: 

THE ORTBUHL FARM- BIGGEST ROOF IN STEFFISBURG 

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 

(lontinued on Prtge 6

ti*i******it*i*ii***************************************** 

The Yoder Newsletter- Founded t983 by 

Ben F Yoder (1913-1992h Chris Yoder & Rachel Kreider 


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 llomepage Webnraster, Edntonton, 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 

tt***t*tttt***i*t***tti***************atii*******i***tt*** 


-FOR CIRCULATION ISSUES ONLY such as new or renewed 


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 " 75751 .337 l@compuserve.com 

"). 

t*i*t***t***********************************ti************ 

YNL PRICE INFOR]T{ATION $$$$ 

-The YNL subscription is on aIr annual basis-two issues for $3. 

-BACK ISSUES of the YNL are $1 per issue. 

-Yoder Newsletter Issues I Through 25 - bound 240 page volume 

includes a topical index of major articles, an "every name index". 

(Price $25 ptus $3 postage and handling for each book). 

Order from: The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527. 

t*******ii********************************i*************** 

YODER HOMEPAGE GROWS 

To The Editor--Yoder Dairv. 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 

Yodcr Dairy Milk Bottles.. My father and uncle, Eli and Elmer 

Yoder, sttrted a retail route in the city of Norfolk in 1929. 

The announcement \ilas on about Jun l9th, 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 yorr 

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 l2 qt of milk 

on June 19,1929. The name is still being used but none ofthe 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 bottleing by hand and capping the bottles 

by hand. It soon outgrew 16s sntall 16 x 20 and they built a larger 

facility, the later built a larger at arrotlrer location and still ol)erate 

there. 

There was another dairy selling milk by the name Yoder in 

Newport News along about the same tinre, but has long been out of 

business. 

* * * * * * * * * * * **.-- -.. l:it.t:"lt; 3rff ::.1::::: *... 

YODBR SKETCHES BY LYNN LORAH 

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 Iloneywell, a premier researchcr of the 

"Yoders" line of Southwestern Pa, has also provided an extensive 

update of descent for that family. The "every nanre index" from the 

hardcopy conrpilation of YNL l-25 has also been added..with "links" 

to the text of each issue. 

Our Web address is: 

http://www.genealogy.orgl-yoder/ 

1l I ::.11.". 

l:i .':ff ll.t. Il'i :'.t. I: l'.1 i':: :.o-o- 

::'i.. ....* * * * * 

Over 80 Members on the YODER LISTSERVER 

A 

"listseryer" 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. lts purpose is to exchange family information of 

either current or historic interest. Thanks to "ginseng" for helping 

setup and administer our listerserver function,Periodic messagesent 

have included: Reminders to celebrate St. Joder's Day (August l6); 

Histor ical Notes ("On This Day in Yoder IIistor.v"); and requests for 

help on family inquiries. 

***t*it*t**t*t***l*it*************************i*********** 

---:: - __: 

.*.,*.ft- 

Talented area sketch artist Lynn Lorah created a number oforiginal 

works to commemorate the OIey Valley "Heritage Tour". These 

beautiful sketches are still available. The following themes and priccs 

apply: --llxl4s prints are $16: Hans Yoder Homestead; Hans Yoder 

Jr. Homestead; Griesemer's Covered Bridge; Lobachsville Mill.--8x10 

prints: the 8xl0 are $12: .f acob 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 of 8 cards plus envelopes. All prints are 

unframed. Add $2.50 postage and handling for one print (or card 

order). Add $l for each additional. Order from: Lynn Lorah, RD2, 

Box 144, Oley, Pa 19547. Phone (610) 987-6175. 

****************************************************** 

Columbiana Co.. Oh. Marriaees. 1800-1870 

Yoder, Henry & Susannah Wisler m. 15 June 1830 by Jacob Crola, 

Society of the Mennonist (2/394)(YBl323)--formerly unlinked ttBL'r 

Catharine Yoder of Salem Twp m. Samuel Heaton of Fairfield Twp, 

on 18 Sep 1828 by John Keller MG (Who was she) 

*t******i*********************************************** 

Ilanrillon ('ounl\' Ohio Proh:rte (-orrrl Record:llcnrr Yoden nrar.rietl 

l-lizullelh Snudec on lhc 28lh d:rr' ol Nor crnbet. ltlSJ ln sil:rs 

.{ nd reu's. 

************************************************t *

Activities of the "House of Yoder" 

-Report by Carl Yoders 

Newly Elected olficers & The House of yoder Executive committee 

(From the left: Doris Ours, Pres.l Harvey L. yoder, Vice pres. (not 

pictured); Phylis Weaver; Kenneth Yoder, Bldg. Supt.; Loonie yoder, 

Publicity/lVlembership; Paul H. Yoder, Secretary; Edgar Yoder, 

Treasurerl Gerald Yoder. (not pictured- Lowell Bender & Carl M. 

Yoders). 

ll++trY{rr+rrttlltratlrttTl+{ttl{+TT}rrlltrr+T}Ytlllllllltll 

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: behutiful 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 4468f. 

1"-:t"til9iTl:: :t.".'l-tll ..-* * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * 

S'I'ATTIS OF FAIlI IL\' (;ROTTP IiPD,\TE 

The update ol orrr l:rnrilv group infornurtion to add corrples 

with a first child b1, 1900 is well under wly. Work is in process on 

ahout 300 :rssembletl fantil,r' grotrp sheets. Rachel Kreider is reviewing 

lhe.\nrish line against her noles. \\e ltope lo huvc these records typed 

and incorporatcd u'ithin our Dat:r on Disk lnd our Homepage 

,\rchives br, the spring YNl,. 

This photo was taken at the Mar.l2, 1997 meeting held in the Great 

Hall at the Spruce Village, Grantsville, Md.. The Committee requests 

that all Yoder-Yoders help to make this most worthwhile project a 

success through financial support or volunteering their labor, 

materials, etc."Please Give Your Support". The Next Annual Meeting 

is scheduled to be held Nov, 8, 1997. "You are Encouraged to 

Attend". 

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 ofthe House of Yoder Project. 

***ti*t***ii*******************i******************tt****i* 

YODER COOKBOOK LAUNCHED! 

-Submitted by Richard B. Yoder 

The Oley Reunion Association is announcing plans to publish a 

cookbook of "Yoder Family Recipes". The efTort 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 Cemetara 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 

-orTll;.... .. * * * * * * r i * * * * * * * * * * i * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * r * * * * * * * * * * * 

MATH E NI,\'I(',\L FO RNI Ti I,,\ F0R G EN EALOGISTS 

Have you ever found :r cenreten' record which says something 

like "Died .f trne 7, 1888 :rge 8l vr { mo l2 tlavs" and wondered how 

to find the dirte of birth There is a nrathennticnl formula rvhich will 

help vou do this. lt works ls follnws: 

188806 07 (r'eur-{ digits, nronth-2 digits. dar'-2 digits) 

: ll I 0.1 ! 2 (agc in velrs, months, davs) 

18070l 95 (subtruct the 2nd line from lhc first) 

: 88 Z0 (llu'at s lhe sitnre nunrbers-"81170" ) 

1806 l3 25 

lLl2 ( l3 nronths : I vear and I lnontlr. carry the vear) 

18070l 25 '\nswer- date ol'birlh wls .lan. 25. 1807

Continrred from Page I 

Kauffman. Hans Ilertzler and vacant land. Soon afterward the map 

shows that the farms of his brother Jacob, and Christian Fisher 

(apparentty 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 ofJacob 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. 

"flamburg Christian" died in his fifties (probably in 1772, 

although some records say l77l). 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. 

*t***i****************************************************** 

Berks County Wills, Volume 2, page lf 0 

Will of Christian Joder Decd 

May 4th 1772 

Ltr Adm inistra _Testame nts 

/granted to Barbara 

Joder, Widow &c Bond 

ln 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 daity 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 lnheritance and native Country 

when the Almighty God according to his paternal Will shall 

reguire me frcm 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 rt rs 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 ailsing for like Manner shall be divided 

among my Children which I leave behind to whom I wish God's 

rich blessing if they walk in the Ways of the Lord and lead a 

life well pleasing to God. 

I begueath 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 Cosf.s 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 lnfirmity 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, tfe 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 Miil for my dear Wife Barbara 

Joder and the Meal and Brcn 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 caftied 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 thid Paft of Eggs laid by 

the Hens on the Plantation.The Wool of two Sheep Ail these 

above mentioned Articles must all be provided yearly. That 

which my descended to my Dear Wife Barbara Joder from her 

happy Father's lnheritance is reserved to her free and 

uninterrupted Disposition. For the Confirmation of this I have 

with my own hand in the Presonce of Witnesses subscribed 

and I ratify it with my Seal and Death So done and given in 

Bern Township Berks County the lOth December 

Ano one thousand seven hundred and seventy one--- 

Christian Joder lSeal) 

T*i ,o*s of uppt" tr""t 

from which the Owner of the 

Place must make the best 

apples into Cyder and deliver 

in the Cellar to the Mother. 

Hannes Yoder 

Benedict (x) Lehman, his mark 

Jacob Gindelsbpreger 

*****ii**********i***********************n**********i 

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 ATchives SeTies 

1779 Bern Barbara Jodcr 

John Yodcr, tory 

(singlc frccmen) 

Jacob Yordcr 

Christian Yordcr 

Yost Yordcr 

1780 Bcrn Jno Jodcr 

Barb'a Jodcr 

(single freemen) 

Yost Yorder 

l78l Bcrn Barbara Jodcr 

John Joder 

(single frecmen) 

Jost Jodcr 

Jacob Yodcr 

1784 Bcrn Jost Jodcr 

John Joder 

1785 Bcrn Yost Jodcr 

John Jodcr 

Hcnry Jodcr 

acres horsc-cattlc 

200 2-6 tax 1,360 w/oYRl2 

tax -- YRIT 

100 3-6 

100 l-'t 

100 

100 

2-1 

3-5 

tax 15 shillings YRl2l 

tax l5 shillings YRl22 

tax 15 shillings YRl27 

tax 26.0.0 YRIT 

tax 15.0.0 w/oYRl2 

tax 15.0.0 YRl27 

tax 4.15.0 w/o YRl2 

tax ,1.19.2 YRlT 

tax 2.5.0 YR127 

tax 2.10.0 YRl2l 

horses 

-cattlc 

-shcep No. pcople 

150 1-3-4 2 YRl27 

150 2-3-3 1l YRl T 

tax 1,10.0 

tax 2.0.0 

tax 1.10.0 

YRI27 

YR17 

YRI28

CHRISTIAN YODER (\'Rl2) "Hamburg Christian" 

Christian Yoder 

( c1722 Errrope- ll- /l'772 BP) 

Barbara _ 

(c1723 Europe- fZSf ne; 

Jacob 

b cl7-15 BP 

m Franl 

Hochstetlcr 

d cltlJ2) 

Christian 

b cl7{7 BP 

d. f82{ SO 

Elizabcth Barblra 

b ct7{9 BP b cl75l BP 

m Christian nr Jacob 

Hertzlcr Hcrtzlcr 

t !tvl'791BP b rri2r NrP 

John 

h cl75J BP 

Magdalcna 

Stutzmrn 

d T o 

Fannl 

h cl755 BP 

m John 

Nlillcr 

.loseph Hrnrl Anna 

h cl757 BP b c1759 BP b cl7(rl BP 

m Elizahcth m Lerh m Jacob 

Jutti Hcrlzler Stutzman 

d t0/28/18J3 i\IP b lu2l MP 

Dar id Cathcrine 

b cl76J BP b c1765 BP 

m Jtcobina m John 

fsh 

Nl iller 

{l lll2l) NIP d"J"/25/tli{{l Ho 

Jacob 

John 

Joseph J Danicl 

h 5/Jl/1782 BP b l2ll l/r7n8 SP b {iJll7eJ SP 

m l\lrr1 Sipc ml Gcrtnrtle m Susannl 

d t/Jt/ltl67 HO Schroclt Rrmsbergcr 

nt2 Julianr d l/ /ltlJg SP 

Rlmshergcr 

d J/l/186J SP 

Elizahcth Anna 

h t2l_lr79t sP b {/2611798 BP 

m Yost Schrock m Frcderick 

d l(l/2/lti52 HO Hclmuth 

d l/lsil8{l Ho 

Sarah 

b 

si nglc 

d 

Henry 

Solomon Catherine Lctina 

b 5/r/ln(l{ sP h 1787 BP b 5/rJ/r790 BP 

ntl Eliz. Kcim m Christian m John Richl 

m2 *tar1 Wif trout KaulTman d 6l2llltl79 UP 

d l2lJ(l/ltl7l SP d cltl(r6 NfP 

Henrr 

b 

single 

d 

ctd 

John 

b 1U27n793 BP 

m fliz. Zook 

d J/t2ll87ri MP 

John 

Birrbarl Sarah Dlnie| Cuthcrinc Elizubcth Christian Stcphen J Susannir 

b 2l2l1111P b 911111116 P b 1777P h h 1l28lt1ut sP h 2i7lr782 sP b 6/t0/178-l sP b {/7/179t sP 

m John m Yost Yoder m Blrhlra singlc m Y()st H Yoder m Cathetinr nr Vcronicl m Nlicharl 

\irdcr(YR2J9) (YR25ll) Yoder (YR2J6l) d 

(YR26l l) Wingard Yodcr (YR23{6) Schroclr 

d l2ll/ltl5(, CP d 5/f,/lnJ-l JP d [r5.[ TO 

(l J/15/1856 SP d l/29i l1169 SO d l2llJllfl(,7 TO d lti55 \\'O 

Danie| 

b lltll797 BP 

ml Lcah Yodcr 

m2 Phoebe Hcrtzle r 

d l/15/ltl(rtl l\tP 

Solomon 

b I l/16/ltllxl BP 

m !'cronica Riehl 

d 2/22lltiti0 BM 

Joseph 

Gcorge Jatob 

h B P h B P 

John Christian H:rnnlh Sarah Cutherine 

h lTtl(r BP h cl7tl9 BP b ll)/J/I791 BP h 212211193 BP b 7/9/1795 BP 

m Sus:rnn:r nr Nlarl Richl m Nlichacl m Abrahrm m Ahraham 

Stutzmirn d 2l_llu6o MP Stutzmnn KnulTmln Stutzman 

tl l2ll7lltl6l Ll tl lttl2llU2l lVlP d 7/7/ltJ75 MP d 6/27i ltl(rS Ll 

Eliz:rbcth Joscph 

h ll3l1197 BP b ll)/l('/lll7(l BP 

m Wm She:rrcr m i\largaret Shc:rrcr 

d 2/(,/ltltl{ NIP d {/l(l/ltl7(l l\IP 

David 

Dlniel Rchrcca 

b 179t BP b l(l/18/179J BP 

(m B:rrbarl m Jacob Zook 

Yodrr'(YR25l(r) d 

Jonllthrn J0sc;lh 

b 91211793 BP h 9n7 n797 BP 

m l\f ag. Wagncl m C:lth. Lilntz 

tl llzltllrJ69 l\tL d l2lJl/llltlT l\IL 

N{:tgtlllcna Vcronicl l\lar1 Lcah 

h +lZJll199 BP lt lllllltttt2 P h {/l l/ltll)l P h l2ltt/ltll)6 P 

m John Lantz m Jocl l'orlcr (\'R2571) m John Yodcr (YR257J) m Yost Yodcr (YR257(r) 

d ltlJ{ l\rP d J/25/ltl5(r JP d d l/2llltlll9 XK 

The Hertzler genealogy of 1885 says that by 1789 six of Christian's 

children were living in Somerset County (Bedford then). 

BEDFORD (Sonerset) COUNIY TAX LISTS (Pattial) 

acres hors€s-cattle-sheepComments 

1779 Quemahoning John Yoder 150 2-2- YR125 

1783 Quemahoning John Ycothcr 200 2-2-2 tax 2.0.0 YR125 

Brothers Valley -single freemcn 

christian Yoeder 200 -- tax 2,3.0 YR122 () 

1784 Quemahoning John Yother 

Brothers Valley 

Christian Todcr 

200 

houses whites 

| 7 YRr25 

- l YR122 () 

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 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: 

"ln 

the name of God Amen I Christian yotter of Canton 

township in the County of Sta* in the State of Ohio.... t give 

and begueath unto John Gerber and Christian yotter Jr. all and 

singular my goods and chattels and personnel estate...." 

We find that four of the others later moved to Mifllin County. This 

was much closer, but the land had not been opened for settlement 

until the 1790's. 

YRl2l- Jacob, the oldest, married Franey Hochstetler and in 1785 he 

bought 360 acres in Somerset County-Jand 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. 

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 

( ontinued on Page (r 

5

(-otrlilrtrt'tli'onr P:rge 5 

In the 1820 census, Christian Yoder (identified by AAMG as 

YRl256), a nephew, is living in Canton Twp. The John Gerber in 

Stark County at this time is the husband of Anna Yoder (YRl73) 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). 

YRl23- Elizabeth was the first wife of Christian Hertzler, son of 

Jacob, the Bishop. Three oftheir 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 

counties. 

YRl24- Barbara rnarried Christian Hertzler's older brother Jacob. 

They remained in the l{amburg 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. 

YRl25- 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' 

YRl26- 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' 

YRl27- Joseph married Elizabeth lutzi from a pioneer family' and he 

died in Mi{Ilin County on about Oct. 28, 1823 (a correction from 

AAMG dateXsee YNLI4- Page 5). 

Joseph W. Yoder, a descendant (YNL 15' Apr.90) in his book 

Rosanna of the Amish, refers to a tract of 2000 acres in Mifllin 

County acquired by captain Armstrong for his services in the Frenchand-Indian 

War. He built a stone house' which was on the 700 acre 

plot sotd to Joseph Yoder on April 2, 1796. Built in 1770, the house 

was still in good repair a century and a half later and still owned by 

descendants. Five of Joseph's children stayed in Mifllin County 

(Christian, Hannah, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph). John and Catherine' 

who married Stutzmans, moved to Lagrange Co., lndiana. 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 Mifllin 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 (1784-4l1111864') 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 fanrilies. 

YRl28- Henry married Barbara Kauffnran. Their six children lived in 

Mifltin 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 buriai 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. 

YRl2a-. David married Jacobina Esh who arrived from Switzerland 

in 1780. In 1811, they settled in Mifllin County' rvhere 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 lllinois, and Leah, the youngest child, whose children were 

both born in Juniata Countv. moved to Kansas. 

YRl2b- 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 

:i: H :."911'1. 

:'.T:i: :: il.T"":T."::: :lil;.* * * * * * **,* * lJi :'::J. 

::.'1.'l 5 :'J1."1.".11 :1:':"l: I ::...* * * * * * * i * * * (lontintred fronr Plge l 

knowledge regarding the Joder family link to the estate, and described 

its history as follows: 

"Our house, Bern patrician style, was huilt in 1794 around an older 

house which belongel to Pastor Samuel Yersons () who gave it to his 

nephew Bailit ()Gonlieb Emanuel Vl/agner + 1814, he gave our house 

his heautiful fornt witlr 4 huge coluntns in front. Nextby was a lTtlr 

century woolen furmhouse vhich hurnt lotvn and wts rehuilt hy 

Wrgner in 1825, with the biggest rorf rf Stffisburg. It nny be that tlrc 

Yoders were living in that olderfarmhouse before they left (1751) for 

the USA for confessional reasons, the llern government persecuted the 

Anabaptists. I have a drawing of tlte older farmhouse of vlrich I join a 

photograph " (photo on cover ofthis issue) 

"Il may also be that your origin is in the farnircuse in "outer Ortbuhl" 

(whilewe are in "inner Orthuhl") huilt in early ISth century belonging 

to a Reusserfamily. Coultl yourfamily not be as offspring of that outer 

Ortbuhl " 

Dr. Stettler goes on to speak ofhis 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 intersting photo with us. 

Pickwav Co..Oh. Marriase Records throueh 1820: 

Catherine Yoder m. May 20, l8l9 Andrew Dill/Deill/Dull (M32) 

Marhta (Martha)Yoder m. Daniel Somers (Who was she) 

Original Land Entries. Adams Twn.. Seneca Co..Oh. 

Melchior Yotter. s.w.l/4 s.w.l/4 sec. 21, Jan.25'1833 

Melchior Yotter. s.e.l/4 s.e. l/4 sec. 20, March 25'1833 

Montqomerv Co.. Oh. Marriage Records: 

Elizabeth Yoder m. Aug.20,1857 to Charles Kilian 

*******ii************************************************* 

6

*lr* * *** *** *******t**Queries* * **** ir****i**it* *rr * *** * 



inquiries are checked against our records to see ifwe can help too. If 


Send to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek,Mi 49015 

********t*******t****************************************** 

Adelheid Jauther born in Dussldorfabout 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 CIIARLIE 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) 

****tt******i*********i************************************ 

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 Epehinrer and Ann Campbell. If any of this 

makes a light come on please let nre know.Wesley A. Leiser,722 Jura 

Way, Sunnyvale, Calif. 9'1087, Wesleiser@aol.corn 

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, OII 44814 

Have been searching for info about a Yost Jotter/Yotter, d. Bushkill 

Twp Northampton Co Pa 1800-1810. Wife's given name Bva 

Catharine. Had dau Anna Maria m. Henry Werner. Jost warrant 

65a Moore Twp 1785. Member Moorestown Reformed Cong. Harry 

Werner,9'10 (lortz l)r, Denver.Clo 80221 

My Great grandrnother 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 anr 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. 

**i*t*****t**************************************r********* 

RESTORATION OF SCHWEITZBR CHRISTIAN 

YODER CBMETERY 

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 nre unmarked, this 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 surnmer of 1998, and tlre setting of a brass historical marker. If 

you would be interested in lrelping out, contact Chris Yoder, 203 

Lakeshire lld., Battle Creek, NII 49105. 

*********************************************************** 

Groom Bride tlate oflicial 

Adam Yoder Mary Hollingcr lll2/1843+ 

remark--" Iady preferring another, 

Adam Yoder Ann lcenhart l/22/1843 Clark. S.B. JP 

John Yotter Elizabeth Beigh ll23/lS4g Nicholas Noel JB 

Jacob Yotter Amanda F. Williams l0/l l/1855 Michael Long MG 

Anthony Huber Susanah Yotter 3/20/lS56 Wm,Jones,MG 

(Adam-A D; John, Jacob and Susanah- belived children of "M31,') 

****i*********************************i***r************i** 

t***tt******t*********i*********************t**********t**i 

Some Rhoads Descendants of Yost Yoder of Oley, 

Berks County, Pa.-by Rodney F. Rhoads 

f,lizabeth Yoder was the granddaughter of yost yoder of 

Stelfisburg, Switzerland who settled in Oley, Berks county,pA , She 

was born to his son John Yost Yoder and Catherine Euster (Oyster) 

in Oley township on Decenrber 26, 1751. Elizabeth nrarried 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 l7l7 at Philadelphia. ln 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 immediatety upon arrival 

in 1717. His second son, Johann Jacob Roth (III), born in Bonfeld in 

l7ll. 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 alt parties were using 

their surname of RHOADS ,although in the church they still 

continued to be recorded as ROTII. For exanrple, the church records 

of the Gerrnarr Refornted Church -Schwartzwald-Rev. William Boos - 

has a burial .,.ROTH, Matthias, his wife-December 2l,l75l-December 

6,179039 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. 

Mntthias Rhoads served as Lt. Col. in Col. Jacob Weavers's 

battalion, 5th Battalion Berks County Militia in 177'l 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 

authorrs antecedent, was still a 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 lvill dated 1804. 

Joscph Rhoads was known locally as "the Gernran 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 witl of his 

grandfather John Yost Yoder which was probated April 13,1812 in 

Reading. 

The Yoder farnily 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 

.il'"X l".'.'l'.ell il.,l..,Yl.d..J"x."y:tfl:."'"1x'.,.1.. f :l:ii :i.rJi:l l:;, .,, 

Folks submitting Family Group Information: 

^*** 

Jeff Yoder, Farmington, Pa--David Yoder (YR26l l9) 

fi,obert Rees, Bertlesville,OK- Abraham D. Yoder (YR2337475) 

Karolyn Roberts, Jasper, lN- Noah Yoder (Y8134532) 

Peggy Yoder Stauffer, Willow Grove, Pa - Reuben Yoder (OHl33lb) 

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 (YRl4234) 

Laurie Dyche, lauriedyche@juno.com- Levi John Yoder (YR233335) 

Marvin Ogburn, Arlingtort,VA- (YRl5,l9,252,l463,YRBl,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, Manslield, TX - Frederick and Maria Shartle Yoder (B) 

Edward S. Yoder, compuserve.com- Jacob Yoder (YR14223) 

Marvin Yoder, Summerville, SC- Norman C Yoder (YR26f l81)

\/ ' 

Yoder I 

Clon Unites At Historic Areq Church 

lltcKolY 

D lLY_RtCORD-Sot., Augugt 23r|'99f 

Bi[ yorler. vice prcsi(lcnt, rc- 

Ar a tanrlty gatherlng held.re' sithp.ri\:ate1::ds:Jl:,1":Fl:i"l:,1 

l,oito,l thnt lrst.oet,rir.r, I morrt 

centlv in the llickory area, plansexpActstoralseone-nallollne.tlt''he.s,,illrelocalfarnilvw^rcllostslo 

Oley YOdef RgUniOn 

were8irenbyaprominentedUcatornlatcdcostsofrcpaIrs.lheunoolngDrr)nnYdcI' 

l""'"""'.lili,,::l.,:li"l'.,".;,.!1i"Tl:i"$.i;.':l.xi;l]i"j[ii""|iiil 

inf|rri.rghmrrsszit5200yearsofdoub|efrontentrancesintoasingle[stionortheWc|r|ncr(wh1tln:ll 

Cliristi"n-.inistty. 

access, is arnong changes planned 9l ctan. whtch wqs holrtirrg n lll 

.":l::[,J","i,nT"*$""fo.l,i#]iiJi'.".;,:i:ii:;,,ii".tii".iiit;;,"*l"rTEi':l";H;iirij",.*i[:Ii.T:.,:J,i"j,' 

at zion Evangelical Lu$reral Racbael tlahn Kennedy. ot and fellowship 

(ihnrch in lllckorY, Dr. 

J 

'todcr t.lkcd 8t lcnBth slloul lhc snssion Ms Kennody recognrz9o 

clan that Arrs l6 wrq elsnlvnl in ValleV Settlements. 

ifl..fJ";T"3,".::.'i[;"::iti'Jif5:i::,-;i$.i;liJij$'"fJ.'JItli:l1"llt."lql*:1':llliIi 

'4rH.*,",luu';,li"ode.r,.the 

ii:ii"1"'l;;, ix"5'ifi"'""in"l'n'"l, 

rraugh. 

i:i$T"l'",}1f,i 

Graceedificewasatwo.S|orylo8}'oungestguest'..Beth.'wasbornonAnationalreunion0[th"N1:::'l: 

huildinsituated on propertv ac- Nov 25' 1996' 

ite Yoders lvill translire '",ll;to 

;tl president Richard B. yoder 

quired irom Samuel Jarrelt for $8. 

introduced olllcers and committee 

w. Edward Ilarper Jr., the pastor the Bucks and. LehiFh coul 

Yoder,amemberofthefacultyatotzim-t-uttrran;t'u."h.orri'"j"l"".il:Il i|:.#:: 

lilii:&ili ii"li"'#ijJJjl,n:,j i:;';'i", i' "1""*";:"Jl.f 'lT,i:,i"; 

ii: .y"i "t""ltTi 

lhat the anniversa 

;:T"'":iT;i,tT"j;'"'"";:il:;"ii:$;,["i'lli 

[l*:l{l*l.:":l::".'"rl*;;.;;;;;"*'l".!*,Idj. = 

i","iJ,""r,,",'li 

",":.:1:r""';:J';1:::; 

L:",';",ilffii;:"iJ" vii'r, ]",!! f,X,ll 

.,1i,'",ii,.il111 ':Tl;111"_,1, se(rlers. 

lrom the crace pulpit. Yodei com- daughter' Sbannon Also attendinll pooplc to contribuie lihcrrlly t,r 

-o"t"j GiL in t*lo denturies only 20 their-Jirst yoder reunion *er.e..MI yoricr-relatcd ciuscs. ttachrel 

rra"tors had led the Lutheran "hui.6 and Mrs Ed (l,ane).Craves and.their Kennerty, presitlont, aske(l visitors l,l 

i-f,"'iirit .i"-i.i.i, il" n"r. John dauglrters. Am-anda anrl... Alysa sh;;e tdni'r timitu photo.rat,trs SFc 

i;"ari"l:,liiiJr.".irbtirh"oth"con-Rtsidents 

of. [,awrenceville, 

$"; iotatyNeato.rvitiongoicjle"clana 

tt"griion tog"itr"r Fith a Swiss 11s- Mrs Graves is a direct des-cengall proirrot",l the llorrse of Yo(ler, a 

ioii.eA cteiic, the Flev. Andrerv of .lacob Yoder' the second son of iianned archivcs rnd muscurn coDrl,orctz 

'l'he licfornled element (norv SwissimmisrantConradYoder' olcx now untler constrrrction in lhc 

a part ot the United Church of N,lr and Mrs. W.A. 

,,Blll" sprucel,cnnAlps.lndividurl,hrlily 

clrrist) ceased to worship at-crace (luarilvn) Yodcr of llickory were andlifemembershipsareavailable. 

Church in the earl,' 1970s. 

.A! tllat iecoen'izerl for cleaning and mowing 

lirne. Ihe neformed interest it, tf" th"oi,jyod"rprivatec"emetery. 

r;race 

Fourteen births, l4 marriaBes anu 

pt.l crlJ sas turncd over lo 

,.with 

tt,o Luit,"i"ni a suggestion Ted M. Yoder delivered a mono- 37 deaths were announced in the exthat 

the tatter take care ot it untit logue recounting early Yoder his- tended Yoder and Reep families 

.i,.h iinre as it (the 1856 brick tory Portraying a renowned.Ca'sincethelasthomecoming. 

.hurch) fcl! do{n. 'Yoder said. tawba hislorian of the lgth century, 

Rather lhan allorv the landma,, ( cnl. ceor8e Monroc Yoder rhe next meetins of the N.c. 

(1826-1920), he also talked abNt the 

to deleriorate, the structure 

Yoder clan is set for the scond Sunnrarked 

for restoration o. ."plii 

founding of Zion Chutch.in 179.9-iit] a"y in August 1998 at zion Lutheran 

Adcl.d to ilre Natioral Register oi 

a.. ttnlon sun(hv.s(ltilol. "] (111"1 

Churchrn"Hickory. 

Itjsroric Fta(es in 1990, rhe "r".-i {'hurch {i'l 

-"-'-" 

Yodor artcd 

1"i] Tlll:h 

sJncluar) will be rejuvenated paltly assupollnlenqenl 

*+x*Y++{++a****{r{Yt+{{{++{***{+++illtYt*r+*{rl**rr}l}{++{} 

POSSIBLE FTJTURE NATIONAL REUNIONS 

2000- The Yoders of North Carolina have asked thnt the year 2000 be 

reserved for them to host another National Yoder Reunion (see YNL 

26). This year will be in concert with the celebration of their 50th 

annual reunion. 

1999- The Yothers Family of the Bucksfuehigh County, Pa Mennonite 

Yoder Line (see Hans of Great Swap) are evaluating whether they 

have the resources to host a National Reunion in 1999. Members of 

the Mennonite (or any other) Yoder line who are willing to offer their 

help are invited to contact: Mrs. Alverna Hunsberger' 4389 

Applebutter Rd., Perkasie,PA,l 8944. 

*********************************i********i***************** 

PASSINGS: 

Raymond James Yoder-Sep.6, 1996 (p8, YNLIT)(YR233746c line) 

Richard Kinsey Yotter- May 26, 1995 (unlinked line A) 

Edie Yoder Godfrey- Dec. 19, 1996 (OIIl4526l line) 

Pleasantville 

l.'.'li:J::*1T:llJ:i::;'.'i::lJri:.".:!ili:::""1:i3y.'.1'.*") 

Who can identify: 

G.W. Yoder who m. Hannah G. Cearon, res. Eaton, Preble Co., Oh. 

': ::;::::::".*: 

I.::: Il.llli. xr: ::l........ { r { + 

(Kathy Schlusser, Rich Yoder, Nancy Yorler, & young paul T. 

Schlusser) 

Maps were also distributed for a "drive by" car excusionm to 

several sites with historic Yoder significance. These inctuded: the 

Hans Joder Homestead; Cleaver Fulling Mill; the Odd Fellows Hall; 

Pleasantville Innl "Common School of Oley Township"; locations of 

the Yost Joder and Solomon Yoder homestead; and the llans Yoder 

Jr Homestead which is next to the covered bridge on Toll House 

Road. The tour ended at the Pleasantville Union Cemetery where 

Dick, author of a booklet about this site, discussed its historical 

significance. 

The reunion was enjoyed by all in attendance. The committee 

solicited reactions to determine future frequency of these events. In 

1996, the Association sponsored a national reunion attended by over 

300 people from 25 states. Planning meetings are held at the historic 

Inn. Anyone interested in particpating in planning and 

activities are encouraged to attend. Contact the secretary, Nancy 

Yoder, (610\ 323-7737 for further details. 

The Oley Yoders are announcing that the 1998 annual family 

reunion will be held July 18, 1998, somewhere in the Pleasantville 

area. Put it on your calendar NOW! -Submitted by Richard B. Yoder 

******************************************************* 

al


w- 

,ifi, Issue Number 3l P.O. Box 594, Goshen, IN 46527 April 1998 

ABRAHAM N. YODER 

MONTANA SECRETARY OF STATE 

In earlier issues of the yNL, we've shared information about 

several Yoder politicians. The only yoder Congressman (to date), the 

Hon. Samuel S. Yoder of Ohio, was featured in yNL g. US Senate 

candidate John C. Yoder of West Virginia, was introduced in yNL 

17. Montana is another state which had it's own yoder politician. 

Abraham N, Yoder was elected Montana Secretary of State in 1904. 

The Yoder Settlement of Wayne County, OH 

Wayne County, Ohio became an assembly point for a diverse mix of 

Yoder lines. The book Creative Consresationalism, a history of the 

Oak Grove Mennonite Church by James O. Lehman, is an 

exceptional source of information on the Anabaptist settlement of 

Wayne county. It describes how the first white settlers came to Green 

Twp. in lSll and to neighboring Milton Twp. in 1813. The Amish 

congregation of Somerset County, Pa. sent out land scouts in the 

summer of 1807. These folk traveled down the Ohio river and up to 

Iowa, returning overland through Ohio, It is believed they brought 

back word about lands in Wayne and other Ohio counties. 

;l 

# 

By l8l3 and 1814, Yoders from MiIIlin and Somerset Counties in 

Pennsylvania and from neighboring Tuscarawas County in Ohio filed 

for land grants in Wayne County. 

From Somerset Co,, Oh. 

I l-12-1813 Jacob Yoder 

I l-12-1813 Joseph Yoder* 

5- l9-l8l 4 Christian Yoder 

5-19-18{4 John Yoder 

From Tuscarawas Co. Oh. 

l2-l-1813 Stephen Yoder 

From Mifllin Co, Pa. 

I 0-2 l- l8l4 Christian Yoderx 


********************************************************* 

A Yoder Indian Massacre 

,\. N. \'()tt0I. 

for Sccrclnry of Strtr. 

Abraham w:rs born July 8, 1856, into the Mennonite Yoder line 

which originated generations before with immigrant "Hans Yoder of 

Great Swamp" (See YNL J). Abraham attended school in Lebanon, 

Ohio and in 1877 Mount [)nion College, near Alliance,Oh. For two 

years after that he taught school, and then clerked eighteen months in 

Columbiana, Oh. 'I'he biography written of him in Prosressive Men 

of Montann tells: 

"ln 

1881, ut the nge o.f' ttrcng,.fh,e lte venl lo Denver, Colo., 

vhere ltis.first cntplos,menl was thut of a helper in a muchine shop.for u 

I'e(r. ,lnhsequentll, he t'ent to ,\alt Luke L'it1,, enguged in the livery 

husiness unil ulso workal in u snrclter. I)uring his trip .fntm Denver to 

,lalt Luke they huil to lonl thc Pluttc rit'cr, then overfltnting its hunks. 

The party lost cvcrfihing evept the teants und wflgons, uni were.fitrccd 

b sleep vitlutut hlunkets on the hura ground. TIre rest of tlrc vny, 200 

milcs, tvus traversed u.frxft." 

"Llr. hxlcr went./ntnt ,lnlt Luke to lllackftnt, Irluho, vhere.fttr 

si-u rnonths he wus emplol'ed in ruilnrutl ynrk und in tlre spring of'1883 

Ire cunrc to (ilerulale, Mont., and thcnse to thc ,lihccp Mountnins, vtherc 

.fir severtl months lrc pntspct'tul und vrtrked in various rttxnl canrps. 

L'oming to llutte, ./br ten months he y,us entployed in the grocery o.f 

Ale.runilcr Lithen. Folhnting this he x'ns emltloyeil in the gntcery of 

York und Anilerson unil vas then with .lohn ,ltanle1, anil he then 

cngngul in thc loan husiness with .1. M. Alhiez, us his pnrtner. On 

Fchruu4,24, 1898, Mr. Yulervas united in murriage to Miss Hnttie C. 

I.ihhv, who t,us culled.from thc earth on .lune 10, 1899. 

"In 

1895 he y,ns electel trcusurcr ofllutte, und sened hw 

yenrs.During thc 1890s Mr Yuler wus interested in mining operntions 


-= THE HOCHSTETLER MASSNCRE 

F- 

Many Yoders of Amish ancestry share a connection to the 

Hochstetler family. The most famous immigrant ancestor of that 

family has to be Jacob Hochstetler, subject of the l9l2 classic 

Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler2, O"lH documents the exciting 

saga of the Hochstetler family as it was visited in 1757 by a hostile 

band of 8 or l0 Delaware Indians3. Mrs, Hochstetler, one son Rnd 

one daughter were killed and scalped. Jacob and sons Joseph and 

Christian were taken into captivity. 

An obscure reference offers a curious tale of an early Yoder 

family wiped out by Indians. This record was first pointed out to the 

YNL by reader C. J. Kurtz who identified Annals of the Penn 

Square{ by' J. Bennett Nolan, Keirh Yoder of Ft. W"y* *"r "bl- t" 

review a copy and provide details of the content, he writes: 

The vork is u series of set'en: "episodes in the romantic history 

ol un olil Pennsyltnnfu ,.iquue. The Square, Iike the historic tovn qf 

tinued on page 6

******************x**************************************x 

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includes a topical index of major articles, an "every name index". 

(Price $28 post paid). 

Order from: The Yoder Newsletter, P,O.Box 594, Goshen, lN 46527. 

*********************************************************** 

YODER LTSTSERVER UP TO 108 MEMBERS: The Yoder 

"listserver" is an electronic. mail discussion group focused on the 

Yoder family. If you have "email" you can subscribe by sending 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). 

*xx******************************************************* 

YODER DATA UPDATE- Updated to the Homepage and data Disk- 

1) Several hundred family group sheets for Yoders married and with 

children between 1880-1900. Special thanks to Rachel Kreider for 

hours and hours of review and annotations! 2) Yoder Cemetery data 

from Wayne Co., OH-thanks to Jackie Mitchell of Norton' OH. 3) 

Sever:rl new files of Karl Joder and Ottmar Jotter works-- 

Translations thanks to Fred Haines. 4) New and Detailed files from 

Bruce Yetter on the Desc. of Samuel Yetter of Columbia Co.' Pa. 

******************xx********************************* 

NIAJOR CORRECTION!!!: In the YNL 30 feature on the 

"Hambrrrg Christian" line, we made a maior error! Under YRl28- 

.loseph Yoder who married Elizabeth Jutzi we listed 'foseph W' 

Yoder,authorofRosannaoftheAmishasadescendant.Thiswasan 

error! He is really a descendant of the line of Yost Yoder (YR26)' 

(Thrnks to Jess Yoder of Akron, OH for catching this!) 

*****************xx************************************** 

NEW OLEY YODER IDENTIFIED:! 

A real estate settlement dated t2 Jan 1785 identifies Barbara 'foder' 

wife of Jacob Barr, residing in District Twp' Berks County, Pa' as 

being the daughter of OHl. It cited the settlement between "snid 

******************************************************** 


Letter to the Editor 


...1 am also sending along photos and negatives of our 


namesake St. .f oder wine which we discovered last yenr while traveling 

Chris Yoder. Editor, Battle Creek, MI; John W. Yoder, Circulation in Switzerland not far from the St. Joder Chapel at Grafenort' We 

Manager, Middlebury, IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing picked up several bottles at a local grocery store. The label carries the 

Editor, Goshen, lN; Esther E. Yoder, Mail Manager, Goshen' lN; story of St. Joder saving the grape harvest, certainly a sound basis for 

Donald Kauffman, YNL Homepage Webmaster, Edmonton, Alberta' sainthood. We would characterize the w'ine as an unpretentious 

Clanada. Other Contributors: Richard H. Yoder, Bechtelsville' PA; (judging from the fact that it has a screw top rather than a cork) yet 

Hubert A. Yoder, Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder Coffman, Malvern, stalwart white table wine befitting the handwork and dedication of 

PA; Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neil Wilfong, Clevelnnd, NC; and Dr. our forebears. Following the instructions from a past issue of YNL' 

Delbert Gratz, Bluffton, OH 

we ascended the winding road from Grafenort through the bearrtiful 

********************************************************** farms to the St. Joder Chapel. The road is now fully paved, thorrgh 


still quite nRrrow. The Chapel is an absolute jewel' in many ways no 

-FOR CIRCULATION ISSUES ONLY such as new or renewed less grand, notwithstanding it's small scale, than the great cathedrals 

subscriptions, changes of address, orders for back issues to: Yoder we were nble to visit in other parts of Europe. Those cathedrals are 

Newsletter, P.O. Box 594, Goshen, IN ,16527-059,f. 

monuments to wealth and power while the Chapel is a monument to 

- ALL OTHER CORRESPONDENCE- Dealing with ancestral the conrmon people who still farm that exquisitely beautiftrl I'alle1' Nly 

queries or contributions for filture YNLs or archives (such as reunion father, Joseph B. \'oder of the Yoder, Oregon, Yoders, would have 

notices, letters to the Editor, copies of Bible records or other historical relished the vierv from that hillside for its simple beauty as well as its 

information) to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle Creek' MI 

,t9015(or by electronic mail to "15151,337l@compuserve.com"). significance to the Yoder heritage. I would encourage anJ"one 

traveling in that part of Switzerland to make the pilgrimage. And it's 

********************************************************** 

right on the way to Mt. Titless with some of the most spectacular 

mountain vistas in the Swiss Alps.--Douglas Yoder, Coral Gables'FL 

Se|:n tnr rt 

$ton {l l';lrnlr 

Itr rr{orir,, 

ft.dni iit.i' T6iiili ".ffii ;;. il ; I' ; .;';.;;rf ; I .iJ,';:.; Jf t;; i il i T " 

mention heritage tours which are planned for this year..'both from 

very reliable and well reputed folk. --Chris Yoder, Editor,YNL 

The first is by Lemar and Lois Ann Nlast of \'lennonite Family 

Historv nragazine accompanied by Leroy Beachy. This yearly 

Nlennonite Heritnge 'I'our visits Switzerland-, Gqrmalry, Fr:rnce, 

Holland, and Belgium. For information call (610) 286-0258. 

The second tour is by Dr. Delbert Gratz. retired from Bluffton 

(iollege and YNL Contributing Editor. \'ou can learn the dates and 

itinerary, or reqrrest a brochure bv calling l-800-635-0963 and asking 

to spelk to Tar:r Slaven. Dr. Gratz, like the Masts, has led heritage 

torrrs yearly and has developed excellent conlacts and schedule. He 

also has offerred that if enorrgh folks are interested in a "\'oder 

Tour"...s:rv a group of 25 to 35 people, he corrld orchestrate a special 

torrr which concentrates on the points of Yoder herilnge. He has done 

Daniel Joder" (OHl2) "and this lu,ice for the Smrrcker familv and once for the Hochstetler, 

his sister Barbara (Daughter of the said 

Rnmsever and Kreihbiel families. 

above nRmed John Joder now deceased)"-(John Yoder who d' 1119 

(will nrade 3lSl1119 proved 10120/1779\ -Thanks to R'H'Yoder for the 

news nnd also for i "new" marriage record: Isaac Yoder (OH1452) 1900 PA I'oder Ccnsus by Dorothy Coffman 

married widow Lydia Yeager 5/6/1835 by Rev. Roller. 

Dorothy suntmarizes: 

"In 1880 there were 42 pages of entries. In 1900 

***************************************x******************* 

there lre 861 And here I felt all the Yoders had "gone west". Shows 

what I know. .fust for your info, there were 152 listings in Berks Co. 

BELATED ELECTION RETURNS: West Virginia State Sen. John C. and 138 in Nlifllin C-o. For the given names of heads of households,. 

Yoder (see YNL 17 & 2l) ran last November as a Republican ,IOHN is the winner with 51. William had 40. and Simuel was next 

Candidate for State Strpreme Court. In this heavily Democratic state, 

with.l0. One of the Willianrs nr:rrried a gal born in Sweden--Her nAme 

,f ohn received 112,'7'76 votes to 290,J90 for his opponent. 

*********************************************************** was Olga, what else," (Added to Yoder Data & Homepage files). 

****************************************************** 

2

WWII HISTORY BY HATTEN S. YODER JR. 

The U.S. Navy MOKO expedition was sent to Siberian in 

August of 1945 to forecast the weather in support of the planned 

invasion of Japan. In his book Planned lrwasion of Jaoan. 1945: The 

Siberian Weather Advantage , Hatten S. Yoder Jr (see yNL 3) 

presents his personal memoirs of this important and unique 

expedition. Dr. Yoder served as a meteorologists on this expedition 

and was its designated historian. He is currently an active research 

scientist at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, after serving as 

Director ofits Geophysical Laboratory for fifteen years. 

Order from: American Philosophical Society. P.O. Box 40098, 

Philadelphia, Pa 19106. ($25 post paid is U.S.) 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *t,* tttr**JrJ9!9lrlr)rrr***** * * * * * * x 

Parents of THf, IOWA SEPTUPLETS have signed with Wes yoder of 

the Nashville Ambassador Agency as their agent for commercial 

endorsements. Seven in college at one time! Wow! Good luck! 

*********************************************************** 

The Diaries of R,A,Yoder, founder of Lenoir-Rhyne College are 

featured in the Fall 1997 issue of the college magazine "profile" , 

*********************************************************** 

*********************************************************** 

********************************************************** 

YODER MTIMS EXCEL! 

From the Toronto Star, Sat Oct 4, 1997--"yoder Brothers Inc of 

Barberton, Ohio, a little south of Cleveland, must be happy, though. 

Ithat few gardeners propagate future mums from those on handl 

Of the millions of garder-l mums sold across North Americn every 

fall, more than two thirds, including all of the top l0 bestsellers, are 

from the Prophet series that Yoder introduced just a little more than 

l0 years ago. (A Yoder operation in Leamington, Ont., breeds for 

Canada.) Their Number I bestseller is an early-September blooming 

red mum called Helen. 

-* . , " contrib by-ekjohnson@worldnet.att.net 

********************************************************* 

YODER SKETCHES BY LYNN LORAH 

THE "YODERS" OF SOUTHWEST, PA. & 

THE "YODERS" C)F WAYNESBURG, PA. 

This nicely edited family work by Carl Miller Yoders and wife Mary 

Alice Suydam Yoders focuses on the portion of the Melchior Yoder Talented area sketch artist Lynn Lorah created a number oforiginal 

family which settled in Southwestern Pa. and which we featured in works to commemorate the Oley Valley I'Heritage Tour". These 

YNL 24. Carl and Mary lovingly include photos, clippings and family bearttiful sketches are still available. For further information contact: 

group sheets on his immediate and extended family and also the Lynn Lorah, RD2, Box 1,t4, Oley, pa 19547. 

********************************************xx************* 

known Melchior descent as of his compilation. Many family photos 

and 

Folks 

details particularly 

submitting family 

on the family 

information: 

of M234 George W. Yoders who 

married 

William 

Elizabeth (Zehring) 

F Yoder, 

Pendleberry. 

Jr, Paso Robles, 

Copies of this 

Ca,-Wm F.Yoder, 

attractively 

Sr (Oy433816) 

James 

bound hardback 

Miller --Barbara 

may be ordered for $55 (post paid) from: Carl 

Yoder (YR2343) 

Yoders,Flemington 

Anna Belle Yoder f,mery - 

Gardens Apt. #4A, Flemington, NJ 0SS22. 

Rev. Edwin 

*********************************************************** Stanton Yoder (Y813994) 

Marian Y Payne -John E Yoder -yR253613 

SWISS DATA THANKS TO HUBERT A. YODER 

Barbara Taurinsky -Catherine Yoder (yRl I ) 

Andreas Joder of Bumpliz , Canton Bern, married Lucia Gerig in Shirley Platt Jacob Yoder (YR233S52) 

Muri March 21, 1721 , The following children were baptized in Muri: Jean Scarlett Thornton L. Yoder (YRB69J) 

Niklaus 

04 Feb l73l 

Dale Nafzinger, Adrian, MI- Christian Yoder (yA2) 

Johanna Esther 07 Jan 1735 

***************************************************** 

Jacob Hochstetier Descendants plan Big Gathering 

l-o.t,111 .-....... -.. I :,-'.".L *t l::* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks to DALE NOFZINGER of Adrian, MI for sending in a copy 

of his Fulton Countv Ancestral Charts which outlines the descent of 

Alsatian Christian Yoder (YA2) & Barbara Schott. Excellent Work! 

******************************************xx****x********** 

Highlights from the House of yoder-uy Lonnie yoder 

Thirty-one persons from Maryland, pennsylvania, West 

Virginia, Virginia, and Indiana gathered-.on Nov. g, 1997 at penn Alps 

in Grantsville, MD for the second annual meeting of House of yoder, 

Inc. Those who attended were treated to an update on the yoder 

House project (pre-1750 style house), a tour of the building under 

construction, and an informative slide presentation by Jan Gleysfeen 

on Yoder origins in Europe. The tour of the building under 

construction was highlighted by exploring the unique root cellar on 

the lower level of the house which wiil serve as the archives for yoder 

genealogical materials, 

It was decided to set a fund-raising goal of $125,000 to 

complete the construction and contribute towards the ongoing 

operation of the Yoder House. There are currently 73 active -.-b.", 

of House of Yoder, Inc. The next (3rd) annual meeting will be held 

Saturday, November 14, 1998. persons interested in contributing to 

this effort are encouraged to contact: Lonnie yoder, nubliiity/ 

Membership Coordinator, yoder House project, 1066 Smith Avenue, 

Harrisonburg, VA 22802, phone (540_432_6467), e_mail 

(ltby@shentel.net). One year, five year, and lifetime memberships are 

available ns well as several other ways to contribute to the building of 

:iTJi'.'ff ::l::i....J::l:1i:Jl:J:3::.1T:*1i:i:i11******l 

3 

The third continent-wide gathering ofthe descendants ofJacob 

Hochstetler is planned for July lB, 1998, For a free copy of the 

quarterly family newsletter and more information about the pldnned 

gathering, write H/H/H Family Newsletter, l00g College Avenue, 

Goshen, lN 46526, or e-mail DHochstetlerfa)CompuServe.Com . 

********************************************************* 

RECIPES WANTED! PLEASE SEND NOW ! 

The Oley Yoders have launched a .,new" project of collecting, 

editing and publishing a Yoder Cookbook of favorite recipes. We are 

requesting Yoders and family members everywhere, to send us your 

cherished culinary specialties. The responses to date has been limited, 

hence we are asking for your direct help. 

The Cookbook edition will be sold as a fund raiser for the long 

term maintenance of the Pleasantville Union ( yoder Family) 

Cemetery. This historic cemetery is the original burial grounds of the 

Hans and Yost Joder (Yoder) family, who came to America as early as 

1709 and settled in the Oley Valley. 

So, we are soliciting your help now! Send us your 2 or 3 special 

recipes for publication. The committee of Alice yoder, Nancy yoder, 

Rose Yoder and Mary Jane Gofus will ensure that the name of the 

author/sender will appear in the publication. The deadtine for 

submission of recipes will be July l8 th, the day of the annual Oley 

Yoder 1998 Reunion. The cookbook edition will be completed in time 

for purchase as a Christmas gift. The fall edition of the yNL will 

contain purchase details. 

Please mail all recipes with your name and address to : 

Alice E. Yoder, 433 Manor House Lane, Souderton, pa. 1g964- 

2802 or e-mail to: ryoder@wcupa.edu or jyoder@bellatlantic.net.


Although some of these applicants did not follow t'hfough on their 

grants (marked as *), several Yoder purchAses flre recorded before 

lE20 and the census lists four Yoder families in the county: 

1820- Ohio Census 

Wayne Co., Page 147, Wayne, Jacob Yoter (YRl62) 

Wayne Co,, Page 159, Greene, John Yoter () 

Wayne Co., Page 160, Greene, George Yoter ( believed YRl27l) 

Wayne Co., Page 160, Greene, Solomon Yoder (YR23b) 

In the summer of l8l7 a group of Amish came from Switzerland to 

Somerset County, Pa. In l8l8 they settled in Wayne County, where it 

is specutated that there may already have been a congregation of 

American Amish in place. David Zook of Mifllin County is reported 

as the first bishop in this community. From this early date, members 

from diverse backgrounds joined this community and brought a 

special flavor unique from many of their more insular brethren in 

Pennsylvania and other locations. Over the next 30 years, members 

were to come here from MiIIlin and Somerset Counties in Pa, Holmes 

and Stark Counties in Ohio, the Alsace, Canton Bern in Switzerland' 

the German Palatinate, and from "Prussia". 

Yoder farms in Green and bordering Milton Twps. as of 1826 include: 

- 

F 

f 

F 

Christ 

Sol-YR2Jhur"r 

Mich.-YRl626 

Yost-YR2Jb2 

Wayne County where the congregation accepted him without 

condition. This act led to open conflict. Somerset County bishop 

Christinn Yoder Sr. (YR233) twice came to the cortnty trying to effect 

a peace, to no effect. Ministers meetings were held in 1826 and 1827, 

and accomplished little. A large conference of ministers was held 

l0/3/1830 hosted by Bishop Yoder's congregation in Pa. Although this 

agreed that Mennonite baptism corrld not be recognized, the Wayne 

County delegates were not able to effect this decision within their 

community. In 5/25/1831 another conference was held in Wayne 

County, recorded by Hannes Yoder "an elder minister of Ohio" 

(YR25l), which resulted in concessions on the point of baptism. 

This broader tolerance for ideas which was forrnd from the 

beginning of this congregation was a natural outgrowth of the 

diversity of its members. The early disprrte appears a natural 

precursor to the split into Amish and "Amish-l\lennonite" which 

occurred several decades later. ,lacob D. Yoder (YRl624l) who came 

from Mifflin County, Pa. and married in Wayne Cotrnty around l84l 

held a strong belief in favor of streanr baptism. When he was selected 

by lot as bishop of the Oak Grove Congregation in 1850, a great 

controversy arose. John Yoder (YRl62l) and Emanrrel Hochstetler 

withdrew with a small group from the congregation. After.lohn Yoder 

died in 1855, the rest ofthis group gradually retrrrned to fellowship. 

The congregation began to erect tombstones in the l8J0's, 

another sign of their "progressive" nature. Thanks to the help of 

Jackie Mitchell of Norton, Ohio, we've added a listing of Yoder 

burials to our web archives. Sorne of the more senior i'oder brrrials 

are highlighted below: 

Paradise Cemeterv. Green TwP: 

YODER, Magdalena I l-7-1878 74-'7-27(yRl628) 

Jacob died March 1837 A ed 75 yrs.(YRl62) (Jacob Yoder wife 

Barbarn Hooley--received assessments in 1820 in 3 twps' settled in 

Stcphen-YRl 257 Wayne but nlso had land in Green and East Union') 

Chr YRl256 Barbar.y. d. Dec. 1832 65 yrs.(w/o YRl62) 

fi,Hen11-YR2613 Jncob Jr. d. Feb. 1846 aged 5l yrs'(YRl625) 

Christian 9-6-185054-l-0 (YAJ) (Alsatian immigrant) 

John 6-23-185569-9-8 

(YRBll) 

'76-4-26 

Mary w/o John 8-29-1866 (w/o YRBI l) 

YOIJDER, John l2-17-1849 aged 75.yrs. (YRl62l) 

l=:---- 

ll;:"li sot-yR2rb 

Jrc.-YR25 l 2 

Geo-YRl27l 

iii,l: Petcr-YR23b{ 

q: .. 

'' ' a'- 

î, ";.i;"* 

O 

r'1 

Pet.YRB6 

lsaac-YRB{ 

t 

''.r&d 

/.4,,.; 

Maria (Yoder) Yoder w/o Christian Nov. 25, 1790--Apr. 9 lgg2 

9ly (w/oYA3) (husband at Paradise Cemetery) 

Simon, d. May 21, 1870 80 yr. ( prob. bro. of yA3) 

Maria, w/o, Simon, d. Dec. 20, 1865 62-3-l0d (w/o above)(per 

Huckel- Marie Ann Stucky, ml _ Schlatter, d/o Barbara Stuckv) 

Peter, d. Oct. 29, 184945-3-7 (YR23b4) 

Fanny, d. Jan. 10, 1855,16-6-l,l 

Sarnuel, d. l\Iay 31,187870 y.(YRl62a) 

Samrrel D. s/o I.S. & (1. Yoder, d. June 

l'ost, d. Oct. 13, 1878 (YR2Jb2) 

Rachel, d. l\lirr'. ), l87l (w/oYR23b2) 

experience in public affairs, I have never met a man who was so 

intensely loyal to his concept of duty....l have never known a man 

who I regarded as so steadfastly honest, especially with regard to the 

little things which many of us, regarding them as of minor 

importance, sometimes do not like to hear about." 

Abraham left a wife, but no children. Testament is born him 

however by a memorial plaque in the ..new" wing of the Montana 

State Capital building in Helena which was completed in 1912. 

THE ]VIENNONITE YODER FAMILY IN OHIO 

Abraham (Y813721) came from a prominent and 

distinguished Ohio Mennonite family. His father and namesake 

Abraham Yoder was born in ttpper Saucon Twp, Lehigh Co., pa, on 

July 7, 1819, the child of Peter Yoder and wife Eliznbeth Brunner. ln 

1826 the family moved to Ohio, settling in the western part of Beaver 

township, Columbiana County. On Oct. 6, lB42 Abraham senior 

married Elizabeth Nold, and by 1856 or 57 became the owner of a 153 

rcre farm near Leetonia where he was to live the rest of his life. ln 

nddition to farming, Abraham senior also mined and sold coal from 

deposits on his property. 

Simon Yoder and his wife Marie Ann Strrckv yoder 

President's (-lemeterr'. Wayne Twn (also called Plank's cemetery): 

YODER,Anna d.6/ 18 I 1877 9 I y3rn8d (Y R25 I 5-w/o yR26 l J) 

Ilarbara, d.l/6/1870, age 8ly l0m 26d (YR2Sl6- w/oyRl2al) 

Barbara Yoder, no date (w/o.Iohn Yoder) (w/o yR25l) 

Cntherine, rv/o Stepen Yoder, d.7 /12/1850 age 25y 7d (w/o 251 I g) 

Henry , d/ 3/21/1866 nge 78y 9m 2ld (yR26l3) 

,f ohn, h/o Barblra d. 1839 (no other info available) (yR2Sl) 

-fwo interesting revelations ilppear from these records: t) In yNL 28, 

page 6 we speculated that the Simon Yoder found in the 1850 Adams 

Corrnty, Ind. census could be the brother of YAJ. This appears 

srrpported b1' finding that Simon and his wife left lndiana and are 

buried with the family of YA3. 2) Dates of death appear to have been 

found for.lohn Yoder (YR25l) (born c1754) and his wife Barbara 

Rickentrach (born cl 755). 

'I'hanks to .Iackie Ntitchelt of Norton, OH for sharing information and 

photos to support this article. 

" 

1;;ii;;;d'tiom page t x * x { ** x x { x * x x x { x { x { { + * x { x x **** r r * r x x x x 

und in 1900 nrule u trip to L'apc Nonrc, Alusku. Ileing a steudlast 

Rcpuhlicun, he huil continucil his politit'ul a


Reading which it ilomiruttes, oves its origin to Thomts Penn' son of 

thc Pntprietor, who .iourneyed up through the wilderness .from 

Phitalctphitt in the .fbrgotten dtys of' King George II und selected the 

sitc. " (luote.lrom the introtluction). 

In the.first of these unconnected 

"epixtdes" , tilled "The dty 

of v,nilh", the author, tuithout git'ing nny dates, tells of a 

prerevolutionnry military compony who cnptures a .french lieutenant 

.from the regiment of Rousillon whose party comprisetl of half French 

soldiers anl hdf Onondaga wnrriors had heen out six weeks ond "hul 

taken many scalps and hurned many htellings." This officer had lost 

his party iluring a nunnlight crossing of the '\usquehanno (ruI tuos 

captured hy Cnptain Busse's men. 

During intetogilion, the French officer vtrned the cnptors 

that ".ftr any indignity thil I mny su.ffer my countrymen who come 

a.fter me will etact retrihution. Vl/e tre (s numerotrs ts the leaves on 

the trees, and the .fhte of Bruddock will he that of those vho seek to 

gninsay us. At Quehec our regiments flre ntustering - I'u* ! There is 

,,u, ,tnr." Mti drumntic gesture he pointed through the wiruknv to 

tilrere greut Arcturus hung in the western sky' red, mnlet'olent' arul 

mcnncing. " 

The councillors und militia 

'were sohered hy this threat nnil 

suhsequcnt cont'ersrttion ensuel vtherein they decided they vould not 

"uboirlrn this ttnvn of Reuling' us it t+nuld not likell ever q{tin be 

rchuilt". One of the leuders, Henry Haller spoke: " If you ure all hent 

upon this nrrulness it shall rutt be strirl thd I ilre$' hlck .fttr.fear of my 

r)vn skin. If'you vill iruleed ahiile, then let the ahle-hodied men he 

n^stered. Serul n nressenger fll once to (iovernor Morris ttt 

Philudelphirt. As.fir ummunition--------" 

"His iitport wrls lost in shrill outcry .from the street, tnd the lights qf 

the candlis puled in a stiltnge sudden glure as a .fiightenel sen'tnt 

rushed into the council chtmber shrieking, 

"LIp! Vour vorships! The Mohavks are upon us!" 

llitlutut |,(s ( scene of vikl olarm. The villagers vere gilhered in 

the nriildle of the Squure, gesticuliling towards the .further sile of 

Schuytkilt ,ulhere lurld bngues of .flrmte sho ugrtinst the skyline' 

Thcre wus u tluuvering clutrus: 

"It is the hTrrn of Caspnr Yoder on the Tulpehocken' The red det'ils 

hu,e hurned his home nnd scalped the .fnmily' Woe to us thflt we 

remuin here.ftr n likc -fate!" 

The glotl ol the distunt confltgration lit up the greot Squarc' 

shining uptrn the group ol ilismayed councillors' upon the wed .faces 

of'thc nilitin escort tnd the lerisive sneer of the French lieutentnt. 

iiil:tt in thc vintry heslens burneil the a'il unogont stnr' nrul the 

Intcrlreter gltncing ./iom it to the hlu,e on thc western horiz"on knat 

that the Dq, tf' Wrath vas come. (End of thc episole') 

what could we decipher from this text Penn Square is in the center 

of the town of Reading. Tulpehocken Creek runs into the SchuyCkill 

River just north of Reading. Gen. Braddock died in 1755, so for 

Nolan to say "thc.fite of Brnddock vill he that o.f those" must menn 

this episode took place later than that. There was a Governor 

Morris---in New Jersey, not PR, and he served from 1738 to 1746' 

We turned to our expert in Berks County land and estate records' 

Mr. Richard H. Yoder of Bechtelsville, Pa. He writesS: 

"l hat'e heen unahle to.finl the name of Casper Yoder in uny 

il^tuments. I looked in the index of the wills and odministrations unl 

theckcd a nuntber of them looking./itr Ctrsper hut no luck""I've 

L'hcckclthelettcrsl,l,Ylbrt'oriousspelling.Ifllsousenttothe 

Recoriler o.l'I)eeds und went thru the gruntor nrul gruntee indexes and 

ulso thc misc. indeves hut.ftturul nothing, Ileing thot the locntion vns 

on thc y,est siile of thc sthu^l,kill Riyer it is p|ssihlc thil thc records 

muy' he in I'uncuiter sincc tirnt is rhc county that the vest side ctme 

.[/0nt. 

"Pcnn 

,liquare (in Reading) is the section of Penn street 

hebvcen 4th and 6th street. Fourth St' is only 4 hlocks.from the river 

urul ut thut periul ttf time I louht that milny huillingt, ve.re,.tull 

cnough to ilock the t'ielrlr' o.f u .fire tcntss the river' The irulians 

nturtlerul uhout I 50 in northern Rerks county and the nuntcs of nnny 

of the victinrs ue listeil in Morton Montgomery's 1909 edition of 

ilerks County History and no Yoder nnmes are listed but that doesn't 

say they teie not victims since xtme (re nol identified There were 

sivenil Indian trihes in the general area hut the Mohavks were not 

one of them. There tvus a section in rutrthern Berks that w6 

uhunioncd.fttr approximilely 20 years (nott 'lchuylkill County) due to 

the inilianii;, in'fict there 'rvere 6 or 7 .forts erected -ftr the settlers 

protection if they had enough time to esctpe to there stfely' 

"There ,w, o ma.iii, indian trail crossing the Schuylkill 'iust 

south o.f the Penn Street iocation and there vtfls some concern that the 

indirtns might rtttrck the Villqe of reoding vhich was firundeil in 

1747 so it coultl wfi hat'e heen large tthen this prohlem took phce'" 

There were three known Caspers in colonial America' but 

these were in the Mennonite line, living further east in Bucks 

County. Casper Yoder of Milford Twp', Bucks Co" Pa' (YB2- 

c1720-1781); his son Casper Jr of Milford Twp' (Y823-c1750- 

4/1843); & Casper Yoder of Northampton Co (YBl l-cl7'15-9/1798)' 

Casper is a name which appears frequently among the Joders 

of Steffisburg. One Casper which makes for interesting speculation 

is the brother of Oley immigrants Hans and Yost' 

c74- Adam Joder m l/g/1671Barbli Ochsenhein 

c74l- Hans b 311011672 (see OleyHans) 

c742- Niclaus b l0/5/1673 

c743- Barbara b 41911616 

c744- Jost b l0/5/1679 (see OleyYost) 

c745- CasPar b 91911683 

Karl Joder and Ottmar Jotten write of this Caspar and the 

brother Niclaus as both going east to Romania' but present no 

documentation on this. Bylhe late 1750s, being over 70 by the time 

of this episode, you would expect that this Caspar would have left a 

grown and dispersed family. It would have been natural for either 

Hans or Jost to name a chi|d after their brother, but as both died by 

1742 and left wills, one would think such a living Casper would be 

mentioned. 

A linal possibility, and one we'll tend to believe until some 

evidence arises that there may be a Casper Yoder at that location' is 

that the whole story is a bit apocryphal and that a fictional name 

was selected for some reason we'll never learn' That there are other 

items in the story which appear not to be factual, may give some 

credence to this conclusion. It' s fun to speculate about this, however. 

:: :: i f ::.1'. 

: 1 :):.Ti.o.'J: 

X i i lli. ::Tf .l lo*o*T* * * * * * * * * l. Sketch from a flier on the Hochstetler massacre published years 

ngo by "Roadside America", in Derks Co, Pa' 

2] Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, by Rev' Ha.vey Hostetler' 

l9l2 (reprinted several times). 

3. Various dates Rre given for the Hochstetler to include Aug' l7' 

l'757 and several dates in September 1757' YNL editor Chris 

Yoder's g-g-grandReuben Yoder, whose grandmother was Anna 

Miller, grandaughter of Jacob Hochstetler gave the August l7 date' 

4. Annals ofthe Penn Square by J. Bennett Nolan ' pl5' 

;:hffi 

;liik*]i jii];113* 

1880 OHIO YODER CENSUS by Keith Yoder"Thanks to Keith 

Yoder of Ft.Wayne for his hard work collecting and typing this 

':YnlT:l;J)".Y.iIi'lil'i.'J.y.".l":li::l*i::.T:ff 

lit'.).... 

SCHWEITZER CHRISTIAN YODER CEMETERY in Somerset 

Co.,Pn.- Collection started for plaque & restoration' Send 

Conribrrtion or Volunteer for early summer "clean-up weekend": 

:}fi.".".*:34:*i::ll'.1*.":.'l';.:ff 

:'-xl:::::...****** 

JOHN S YODER HOME- Sugarcreek, OH. Falling behind on 

fundraising. Your support appreciated. Tax deductible' Write: The 

Amish heritage Foundation, Box 704' Sugarcreek, OH 41681'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Queries* x * * * * * * * * * * * * x x * * * * * * * * * * 





::::.'."if ::l'.Y.".0."J133i.ll}::il':.Ti;::l'i::1".'.1,y:1::::.... 

Still seeking info. on Casper Yoder Sr, born 1720, died 1780's or 

1790's and mnrried a Bnrbara. Lived in the Great Swamp areh, 

Pennsylvania. Ellen J. Chestnutt, TlS Pioneer Lane, Colorado 

Springs, CO 80904 

*****x*************************************************** 

Trying to locate Warren Yoder, who was working as an engineer in 

Iran in the 1960's. The Peabody Museum currently holds a collection 

of lranian antiquities made by Mr. Yoder between approximately 

1963 and 1977. We would like to locate Mr. Yoder or his heirs in 

order to resolve questions of ownership to this collection. Can be 

reached by phone at 617-195-4298 or by e-mail at 

gfisher@husc.harvard.edu.--Genevieve Fisher, Registrar, Peabody 

Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 

I I Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 

Oan you post a query and see if anyone knows where Jacob nnd 

Barbara Yoder (YA8) are buried I do not believe they died in Stark 

(iounty. They do not have a record and the records are really quite 

complete for that time period. Thanks Jackie Mitchell, 5233 Taylor 

Rd., Norton, Oh 44203 

*****************x**************************************** 

Frances (Vroni) Yoder, b: abt 1680, d: abt 1735, daughter of Daniel 

Yoder, m: Michael Denlinger, b: abt 1685, d: Feb. 1735 in Lancaster 

Oo., son of .lakob Denlinger (). They came from lbersheim, 

Germany, to America. I am desrended from Michael and Vroni's son 

Jacob Denlinger, married to Anna Schenk. I would also appreciate 

hearing any frrrther information. Joe Miller, P.O. Box 885. 

Southeastern. PA 19399 

******************************************************* 

******************************************************** 

Trying 

My g-grandmother-Emily Kitory Evelyne Yoder married Alexander 

to locate any information about the above named Veronica 

YODER 

Pounds September 15, 1899 but I don't know where. She was born 

and Michael DENLINGER. Supposed parents of Mary 

DENLINGER 

April 6, 1879 and died on February 10, 1925. I think maybe iri the 

b 1728 Lancaster Co,pA who mar Jacob HOCKMAN. 

Corning, Arkansas area. She was buried in Nelson Cemetery in 

Joseph FIINK and Michael KLlppLE in Shenandoah Co, VA per 

Datto, Arkansas so I am totd. There is no marker on her grave, and 

From the Rhine to the Shenandoah by Daniel W. BLy. Mike ,Iudd 

no one seems to be able to find it. Any information on how I can go 

,2162J Nesting Court, Lutz, FL 33549 

**************************x********rt****xxxx************** 

about finding this information out. Emily's father's name was 

lVIy grandmother was Lillie May yother m. John McAdams. They 

lived in Texarkana, AR all of their married lives, I believe that Lillie 

was born in Little River Co, AR. in lgg9, Lillie's father was Isaac 

Yother m. Mnrtha Adeline Williams. He was born in GA about lg65 

nnd Martha was born in MO. around 1868. Isaac's mother was Nellie 

Melinda (last name unknown). Nellie Melinda must have been 

widowed by 1888 becarrse she is listed in AR land records in lggg. I 

do not know the county though. lsaac left Martha when the children 

were very young so I my grandmother didn't know much about him. 

WStripa4laol.com, ,foan Striplin, 1236 Thornhill St.,Alma, AR 72921 

x***************************************xxx*************** 

My Grandmother wns Barbara Yoder out of Franklintown, pa. I was 

born in Harrisbrrrg, Pa to Robbie parker. Lost all contact with my 

father's family (Yoders) about 7 years ago. Would like to know about 

my relatives. --.lamie Bonnett,40l9 N.60th St, Omaha. NE 63104 

*************x***x***********x**********x*x*************** 

Would like to hear from anyone who knows origin oi Heien ioJei'of 

Liberty, Pa..rnarried to a Bailey--Robert yoder 

Duquesne, pa 

xx***************************x**********xxxx*************x 

QITERY: Ref. 1860 Census; Jackson Twp., (Andrew) MO, #714: 

Conrad YODER (66/NC); wife, Mary (60/NC)& sons, David (374N) 

& Phillip (20lIN). Need info for Rebecca "DWYER" DUIRER 

(14lIN) who was also living in household. Other DWYER children 

lived with nearby families of John and Melinda (ROBERTS) 

TOWNSEND; Peter & Luannie WELLS; and Marion and Sarah 

WELLS. ls YODER family related to the DWYER, ROBERTS, 

TOWNSEND or WELLS families F. M. Miller, 8500 Evanston Ave., 

Rnytown, MO 64 I 38-3347 

******************************************************** 

G-Grandfather Harvey Yoder m. Maraget Shepley, had son Claude 

Yoder b. 1922, Claude & wife Charlotte lived in Detroit, Ml. Would 

like to trace back my Yoder ancestry. Write: Josephine Leone 

Clinton Twp, MI 

******************************************************** 

Seeking info re John Yordy who md Catherine Reeser, sister of my 

3GGF, born 8 Feb. l80l- d. 12 July l87l- Lower Augusta twp. 

Northumberland Co. PA. and any descendants. Thanks !! 

Marshall W. McCoy Seattle, WA USA 

*********************************************x*********** 

********************************************************* Descendants of Christian Mueller b. Switzerland and lived in 

Looking for living (and derd) relatives from Allentown PA, Father Berks Co. PA include: Anna Yoder who married Jacob Stutzman 

was fitfrIe5Tlferi Yoate:i (BI0l-18-08, his farher was Ira S Yoder born nnd Madgalena Yoder who married Abraham Gerber. Any 

sometinre in 1886 | believe, married Grace Haines from Fleetwood information on these Yoders would be greatly appreciated. I am 

PA. Last known address was Allentown PA. believe there was most interested in information about the MILLER family from 

another son, possibly Robert who moved to Florida. Jaydine Yoder Westover. Somerset, MD & Holmes Co, OH. Nancy Schiebert'9O0 

Knight, 4982 Jasper Rd, Springfield OR 97473 

N. Lilac Lane, Midwest City, OK 73110.

E Uto" antl Nellie (Hostetler) 

-9 Yoaer, 408 N. Main St', P.O' Box 

! 9e, fup"la *iu celebrate thsir 75t'h 

Tffi 

Yoder 75th 

,! ffiZn€-p--. Jan.4 at Topek.a 

Y Mennonite Church. TheY were 

! ma.rried Dec.24, 1922, bY the R€v' 

I Ernest Eostefler, brother of the 

! b"ia", at the home of the bride's 

5 parents, west of Em-rre. 

'i 

: gosting the uPcoming celebra- 

'l 

Hon witt be the Yoders' children 

i snd their spouses' The children 

t i.cluae Ilwight Yoder of Hemet' 

g Calif,; Joan Hughes of Hamilton; 

.E Maurice\ Yoder bf ToPeka; Ja,mes 

! Yode" of Newton, Kan.; and GarY 

Yoder of Akron. One son, Willia'm' 

is deceased. In adtlition' they have 

20 grandchildren, 29 grest'grandchildren 

and two gre&t-greatgrandchildren. 

Elva and Nellie Yoder 

Yoder is retired from farmi:rg 

a,tld Mrs. Yoder is a honemaker' 

****************xxxxx**x**********x******************x**** 

GLENN O & ALLIE CARPENTER YODER REUNION 

The Glenn O. and Allie Yoder family had their fifth bi-annual 

reunion in Coconully, Washington on Jul 25-27, 1997' In 1920 Glenn 

and Allie biought their four older children (Carl, Grace' and lrma) 

from the Holden, Mo. region to this community in north central 

Washington state, forty miles from the Canadian border' Glenn 

worked on the construction of the two Concoully dams while 

awaiting the birth of their fourth child, Von, in July of 1920' In l92l 

the family settled in the town of Riverside where Glenn established a 

dairy with home delivery in 1923. The company continued under the 

Yoder name into the 1960s. Two more children, Ena and Joseph' 

were born in 1928 and 1930. 

Fifty-two members of the family attended a potluck supper on 

the 26th, folllowed by an evening exchange of memories over s'mores 

and camplire. On Sunday, 30 members of the family expanded the 

Rttendance of the local chtrrch' to the amazement of the pastor' 

The next reunion will be in 1999. Anyone wishing to share 

with this Yoder family is invited to contact: Joe Yoder' 15430 S' W' 

.111 9r;f l1 *llil9J; lJ.t.1 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

ERIC YODER FAMILY TREE--SOLID YODERS! 

EVERY ONE A YODER!! Yoders married to Yoders on both sides. 

front row: Harley, Letha, Eric, Maude, Wendy, Ola, lra; back row: 

Merv, .loAnn, Judy, Randy, Lois, and Robert---photo submitted by 

Roger Slagle, of Shipshewana, IN-- Definitely a "Yoder Capital of the 

Worldl" (With Thanks to Leonard Kreider) 

t************************************* 

Death of Lester Leo Yoder 

Marjorie Yoder Mitchell of Wallington, Pa has sent word that 

her father Lester Leo Yoder passed away in Leesburg, Florida on 

July 21, 1997. He was 96 years of age. Lester was born on Sep.13, 

1900 and was the son of Enos Yoder (1861-1944)(Y813729)of East 

Palestine,OH and Rose Ann Greiner. Lester had done extensive 

research into the Ohio Mennonite Yoders...in his own words, written 

in 1983: 

"Al the time our children vere horn tnl ve got huby hutks.fttr them in 

which we hul to .lill in ntnrcs of tncestors, nry .fitther, Enos Yoder, 

could not gite ntc any inlinmation Lycept that his .futher and mother 

had isited relntives in Pennsylvtnia when he vas still ut lnme...." 

That was the beginning of his efforts...over a period of years 

he gathered family data including information which was 

subsequently made into a family descendant tree on a blueprint 

stock, by his cousin l,eonard A. Yoder. Other cousins, Harvey and 

Carl Yoder sponsored family reunions for many years for 

descendants of their grandparents Abraham and Elizabeth (Nold) 

Yoder (Abraham b.l8l9 d. 9/8/1888 Midway,OH- YBl372). 

The work by such folks as Lester has provided the foundation 

we Are building upon today.,.we join his family in their sorrow, and 

I:'."i :: ll l.': i 1t:.11 li : ::li i*J.':".:'.'. .****** x x x x x * 

JOHN HOWARD YODER lN 1928 with five generations of his family' 

Christian Z. Howard C, John S. & Mrs. John K. Yoder 

t ' n n ,t./ rll 

.lohn H' Yoder 'l l\r: tr"'' guest professor of graduat€ schools 

of theology in Argentina and 

ELKIIART Iad. - Memorial services 

for John Howard Yoder, 70, He was a widely published author 

Fra,nce. 

31Oo Benham Avenue, who died 

! and was i-nvolved with a nunber of 

Tbesday, ldll be at 3 p.m. Satuday C orEanizations, among them Aneriz 

cai Aca.demy of Religion, World 

at College Mennonite Church, 

Goshen. The Rev Da,:r Miller will 

officiate. Private graveside services 

will be at the church cemetery 

trliends ruy cali at Prairie Street 

Mennonite Church, Elkhart, today 

from 6 to I p.m. and from 8:30 to 

10:30 a.m. Saturday. 

He was born Dec. 29, 1927, in 

Smithville, Ohio, to Hornard C. and 

Ethel (Good) Yoder. He received his 

undergraduate degree from 

Goshen College and hjs doctorate in 

theology from tJre UniversitY of 

Basel. Switzerland. in 1962. 

He directed relief efforts in 

Eu.roDe for Mennonite Central Comnittpe 

atter World lfax tr. There he 

married Aute Marie Guth JulY 12, 

1952, in F'rance. 

A noted Mennonite scholar, 

Yoder was a professor at the Uni' 

versity of.Notre Dame at the time of 

his death. He was a pmfessor of 

theology at Goshen Biblical S€mi' 

nary from 1965 to 19846nd sented 

as Dresident tJrere from 1970 to 

197-3. He was named a Fellow of the 

Notre Dane brstitute of Interuational 

Peace Studies, and had been a 

! CounciJ of Churches, Society for 

E CDj'lstirn Etnicrs fol*wnFh tre 'tsas 

.{ president in 198), the Feilowship 

\J of Reconciliation and FacuJty Sen- 

! ate of the University of Notr€ Dsne, 

.- of which he was chairman, He a.lso 

E served on tJre boa,rd of the South 

E Bend Consumer Credit Couseliag 

'! ag"o"y and theYoder Fou:rdation. 

. Surviving are his wife; four 

F d&ught€rs, Rebecca (Mrs. Thomas) 

b Yoder-Neu-feld, Waterloo, Ontario, 

c Canacla, Martha (Mrs. Rodney) 

'i € Yoder-ltiaust, Indianapolis, ElisaletU 

lttlrs. Wahba) Ayyad, Cairo, 

Egypt, and Esther (Mrs. Jeffrey) 

Yoder-Strahan, Ilfflin, Ohio; two 

sons, Daniel, Kloxville, Tbnn., and 

John-David, Bluffton, Ohio; 12 

grandchildren; and a sister, Mary 

Ellen (Mrs. Aibert) Meyer, Goshen. 

A daughter, Rachel Yoder, and a 

brother, Charles, preceded him in 

death. 

Memorials may be directed to 

John floward Yoder Memorial 

Fund in care of Menlonite Foun' 

dation/Mennonite Mutual Aid, 

1110 N. Mail St., Goshen, Ind. 

46526.

tut llt) 


Issue Number J2 P.C). Ilox 594, (ioshen, IN -16527 ()ctoher l99ti 

Martin Yoder(oH rr2) Line Found! 

1928--Herbert Hoover Kick'i Off' 

Campaign for Presidenr 

From a Yoder Doorstep 

t 

$ 

Gravestone of Susanna "w/o Martin Yoter" 

The Puckety Presbyterian Church Cernetery rests on :l 

roadside orrtside of New Kensington, Westmoreland (lounty, Pa. lt is 

in the lirr western part of the state, adjoining the county which holds 

Pittsbrrrgh. lt rvas a brrrial stone in that cemetery which provided the 

YNL the linal link to tracking l Yoder line (rnrrch like another slone 

g:rve the link in YNL 29 on ,f acob Yoder of Heidelberg Twp.). 

T'he Oley immigrant Hans .foder(16'72-tl742l had a son Hans 

(1700-1779) who had a son Hans.(cl7l6-by 1785). This third Hans 

was referred to as "John Yoder Jr.". His family life was not a happy 

one as uile Sarah Shankle deserted her husband and children. Sarah 

is slid to have hird an illegitinrnte child in Reading, and was buried in 

Peler de Turch's plot in Oley. ,lohn.lrs' family is listed below: 

OH11- John Yoder Jr. (c1726-by 17851 m. Nov. 1746 Oley Twp., 

Berks Co. to Sarah Shankle ( - 1789 or 98--letter of admin 

611311797 to eldest son Daniel) Sarah taxed by herself in Reading 

1762.64. 79. Known children: 

+OH111- Daniel b. 412211748 m.1773 Maria Margaretha Oyster 

(May 4,1753-Dec. 23,1833) d.812111820 age72y-3m-29d , m 47yrs 

bur. Pleasantville Union Cemetery) 

+OH112- Martin b. c1757 m.512111782 Sussanna Weitner 

+OH113- Jacob b. 811111758 

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 lnd wls a prontinent 

citizen.,lacob traveled to the west and became known as'the first 

rn:tn lo ride a llatboal down the Oihio river to New Orleans (see YNL 

l2) before settling in Kentrrcky. []ntil now, we knew little about 

Ilartin or S:tnruel. Well, for ltrlartin at least, we've jrrst pieced 

together :r lirirly good srrmmary. 

Oley 1'ownship tax records list Nlartin from 1779 to l78l as a 

"single freemln". 

1779 Oley (single freeman) l/larteen Yoder 

1780 Oley (single freemen) lMartine Yoder 

1781 Oley (single freemen) l/lartine Yoder 

tax 15 shil. 

tax 9.0.0 

tax 3.0.0 

In 178{ he is taxed as "\'lartine,foder, trrrner" (lathe operator) with 

25 acres of llnd, l horse. 3 cows, 4 sheep and with a family of three 

people (nratching the m:rrriage date to Sussanna Weitner). He appears 

rtgain in the 1785 recortl. 

crtntinuad on puga I 

his wife Lou Henry Hoover to his left (partially hidden). The 

onf y person noticing the camera is Mildred Helen Yoder, age 4. 

I am Peg Yodcr Anderson born Oct, 21, 1932. the darrghler of 

Helen Nlargaret Hoover & Otho Otis Yoder,... lll Nlothers father 

(George Iloover) & President Hoover lvere lsl corrsins & bovhood 

friends. My Grandfather lvas lrn rttorney here in \\'est llmnch & 

Herbert Hoover got hinr a job in the C-onrrnerce Dep:lrtnlent in 

\\'ashington, D.('. in the 20s where he worked until his death in 19J2. 

llcrbert Hoovcr started his cam;raign in 1928 here in \\'est 

Branch. lowa & in fact, he & his wife Lou Henry stal'etl over night at 

mv pxrents honre in West Branch. Nly Dad alu'a1*s liked hreatl & 

gravev & would laugh remembering llerbert Hoover tlousing Nlother.i 

fltrffy honre made rolls with grnvy (rnuch to her chagrin) & he *ould 

sly "lf Herbert Hoover cln do it. so cln 1". 

Nlv Dad graduated frorn W.B, high school & had worked in a 

clothing slore in W.B. but then wls offered the job as Post \lrster. I'm 

(-ttntinuad on ltuga -l 

**********************************************************x 

HENRY YODER FAMILY RECORD! 

A handwritten sheet of p:rper found in lhe Drniel llenrhl lrnrilt 

Bible gives the birth records lbr children ol'Sornersel ( ountl settler' 

Henry \'oder (\'R261) and his rvife Catherine l)etweiler. I'his tl:rtl 

allows update of whal was previously known nnd published lbr this 

lhmily. Nlrs, Beachl'wns the daughter of .lrcob Yoder. 7th child ol' 

Henry. I-he record, in Gernran, gives the follou,ing nlnrcs irnd d:rles: 

.f osl ,f oder born 178,1, 25 ,lanuary 

(lhristian,loder born l785. l0 (or l6) Nlalch 

Henry.foder born 1787, I }lay 

Liese Joder born 1789, 7 Nlarch (Elizabetht 

Nlarir .loder born 1790. 28 October 

Baevi Joder born 1792.7 Decernber (lJnrlrara) 

Jacob,loder born1795,20.lanuarv 

Gertraul .f oder born l797, l7 N'larch ((iertrrrde) 

Davirl Joder born 1799, 22 ,\pril 

l his nrarks lhe cntl ol' thc page. 

Arnish ;rn

************************************* 

'fhe Yoder Newsletter- Founded 1983 by 


FRONI THE EDITORS 

('hris Yoder. Editor, tlattle (lreek. NIII John W, Yoder. Circulation 

)lanager, Nliddlebun, lNl Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing 

Editor, (ioshen, lNl Esther E, \'oder, Mail Manager, Goshen, IN; 

l)onald KaulTman, \'Nl, llonrepage Webmaster, Edmonton, Alberta, 

(-anada. Other (lontributors: Richard H. Yoder. Bechtelsville. PA: 

llubert ,{. \'oder, Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder Coffman, Malvern, 

P'\; l)r. Don Yoder, Devon, PAI Neil D. Wilfong, Cleveland, NC; and 

l)r. Delbert Gratz. Bluffton. OH 

************************************************X********,tt, 

S[-N I) \'N L (]ORRT]SPON DENCE: 

-FOR CIRCTILATION ISSIIES ONLY such Rs new or renewed 

subscri;rlions, changes of address, orders for back issrres to: Yoder 

r..ewsletter. P.O. Box 594, Goshen, lN ,16527-0594. 

- ,\1.1. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE- Dealing with ancestral 

rlut'ries ur contributions for future YNLs or archives (such as reunion 

nolices, letters to the Editor, copies of Bible records or other historical 

inlbrnralion) to: (lhris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Battle (lreek, Ml 

"190 | 5 (or lry electronic mail to,, 75757.33j lA).compuserve.com" 

*ti********************************************X*********** 

\ NI, PRI(]E INFOR]\IATION $SSS 

- l he YNL srrbscription is on an annual basis-two issues for $J. 

-llA('K lSStltlS of the YNL are $l per issrre. 

-\'otler Newsletter lsstres |'l'hrorrgh 25 - bound 240 page volume 

intludes :r topical index of major articles, an "every name index". 

( I'rice $2ll post paid). 

()rder liorn: 'l-he Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen. lN 46527. 

x********************************************************* 

(IORRI.I('TIONS TO YNL 3l: lst-The "CORRECTION" on page 2 

llhich savs to scratch the "Rosanna of the Amish" descendant from 

\ Nl, J0 paragraph nbout "YRl28"...it's really the "YRl27" para. 

nlticlr applies. hd,- in the Wayne Co. article...the Henry Yoder on 

lhe nrlp nrarked as "YR2613"--couldn't have been...he stayed longer 

in Pennyslvania. And then the John Yoder who died in 1855 is labeled 

irt lhc paragraph on pnge 4 as (YRl62l)...it was really (YRBll)..3rd- 

'l'he"New Oley Yoder" identified on pg 2--is NOT dau. of OH12, but 

lllher of OHl l. 

xx********************************************************* 

CAPT. JACOB YODER IN KENTUCKY 

lirorn Ker,.--- ,,rd Grants by Jillson, pub 1925, Iisted under "Old 

hentuck.v-- (lrants" are the following for (lapt..facob Yoder (see YNL 

12 lor leuture on this intrepid pioneer): 

acres book page date survey Co. Watercourse 

Yorler, .I:rcob J00 8 109 9-3-1797 Hardin Rough Cr. 

i oder.,lacob tl00 8 271 4-5-1795 Jeff Pond Cr. 

Yrrder, .f acob 200 I I 336 9-17-1798 Nelson Roling Cr. 

Yrrder. .f ncob 100 12 657 9-27-l'798 Nelson Coxes Cr. 

CAPT. JACOB YODER IN PITTSBURGH 

l'ront rr Pittsburgh Newspaper, Snturday, June 6, 1795: 

"\1 hcrcas I gule a bond to a cert:rin Jacob Yoder in December in the 

rcar l79t for upwards of50 pounds, in consideration for a tr:rct of 

luntl. :rnd rvhereirs said Yoder was to make me a good and sulficient 

title to said land which he has not done, I hereby forewarn :rll persons 

li'unr litking :rn assignnrent on snid bond as I am determined not to 

l: I Jl ill'::: : Ir'-'5'. :I.:'x.':1 

il: : iJ.'i ::1 I i ll:'.'. * * * * * \'ODER I,IS'ISERVER tlP TO 144 MEMBERS: The Yoder 

"listsener" is an electronic mail discussion group focused on the 

Yoder fanrih'. lf vorr have "email" you can subscribe by sending a 

nressilge to "yoder-l-requestldrootsweb.com" and prrt "subscribe" on 

the lirst line of the body of the message (not the subject line - 

i : I 1: i1l I::.1 :::i i l': i:':i:: :'j'i.':.'..::I:il; * * * * * * * * * 

1 

Dear Editors 

My great-grandfather, Janres Marion Yoder, son of Francis Marion 

Yoder, is the one who took the pictrrre of Nliss Edna Yoder in Shell 

citv, NlN, in 188.1. Shell citr was founded in part by Francis I\{. 

Yoder. .f:rmes Nl. Yoder married Nlargaret Etta Doran in Shell City 

in Arrg 1882. The Yoders then moved to Nlenahga, then to Fargo. 

North Dakota in 1886. We never knew where our great-grandparents 

canre I'rom (after lowa), until a few years ago when our father, Donald 

Yoderwas looking :rt property less than 5 miles from the original Shell 

(litr" site, :rnd was asked by the Wadena C-'ounty Historical society if 

he wls rehted to the Yoders who forrnded Shell City!!!! The county 

owns thc property of shell city now, and there are signs locating all of 

the originll buildings, such ls the Yoder House hotel, school, etc. For 

nrore info, plelse contact my sister, who hns done all of the rese:rrch,! 

and needs the credit--n-ancy Yoder email--Cats Pnw@aol.com 

Patricia (\'oder) (-'heney < PirtanddnrDaol.com> 

Bulverde, TX tlSA - Monday. lVlarch 16, 1998 at l8:50:36 (PST) 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * g 

Letters to the Editors: 

I am the (ireat-(Jreal Granddarrghter of (--hristia n Zook Yoder ( 18,15- 

l9J9) of Wayne Corrnty Ohio. That last newsletter was chock ftrll of 

strrff 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 nronr grew up working one of the old 

Yoder Brolhers Farrns growing'fonratoes in glass green houses). 

And we irrst sent in orrr subscriptions for 3 nrore years. 

Eleni NI Sims (sanr), Sinrsrdkafb.aero.org 

******************************************************** 

New Data on YR25l I 18 

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z4 "ac.li6',- rlo/ 

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(referred to as "Zanneh") 

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Joseph T' Yoder of Federal Way, Washington, submits the 

family grorrp written by his grandfather Joseph Yost Yoder about his 

pnrent's lirrnily. This addo much to the AAMG records on this family 

irnd is sunrnrarized as follows: 

Hannes lnd Salonre Yoder rvere nr. ll/27/1825. Hannes 

b.l/12l1800 and Salonre b. l0/24lI8Ol and d. 8/31/1837. Had children: 

Veronica b.9/2011826: Tobias b. 12/1311827; Catharinn b. 2/20/1830; 

Sara b.5/12l1831; Noah (\ 9/13/1832; Barbara b. 6/2411834; Esaias 

(lsaiah) b.l2l28/18J5; Snlome b. 8l2l/1837. 

Hannes m. Frene Kauffman 91211838, Frene b. l/26118lJ. Had 

children: Nlose b.8/1711839; Maria H. () b. 5/28/1841; Elizabeth 

b.7l'7 11812; Lidia (Lydia) b. 1/2311811: lsaac b. 8/2311845; Joseph 

Yost b. llll1847: Susana b. 1/1111818:' Johannes Marcus () 

b.5/23l18,19; Nanzi (Nancy) Delila b. l0/16/1851; Rebecca Lea (Leah) 

b. l/22l1855; Salina Frene b. 5/25/1860. 

(German translation with assistancr: of Rachel Kreider) 

******************************************************** 

TORNADOS DAMAGE HERITAGE SITES 

The village of Lyons in Berks County, Pa is where Solomon 

Yoder (OH I t 132) moved after leaving the Oley valley and built a 

steam opernted grist mill about 1860. He later moved to Nebraska. A 

devast:rting tornado hit the area, but s;rared Solomon's mill. 

In Somerset Corrnty, the small cabin of Jacob Hochstetler 

(ancestor ol'many in the Amish Yoder lines) hrd been restored several 

yerrs rgo. A June 2nd tornado uprooted it and it appears past saving. 

( Thanks to Dick Yoder and Hor:hstetler Newsletter ) 

""""""""" 

++++++***************)k**************************

('ontinual lrttm pui:a I 

G"r* ;.**,,t,ifi :i f:{ ^ L 4 

rt 

f)o. 

i':* uty*'tr7, 

l._, 

';,ry;7ry';''r:f:/r' 

1l ,jft; l+7- 4^,,ry/r /r, 

(lene:tlogies co-irutlror Rachel Kreider renrarks thtt lhey never knew 

about duughter (lertraut.'l'he date for Yost matches that known fronr 

other sourccs. Drtes for Christian, Elizabeth, Nlarv, .lacob, and David 

(nou' confirnred as a son) are new. f)irtes for Henry and Barbara lre 

slightlv oll' fronr those previotrsly shown. Rachel believes that Henry 

and ('atherine had other children. AANIG shon,s a Salome Yoder 

who married,fohn Yoder (YR25lll) as a possible daughter. One date 

of birth for this Salome of 6/15/l'799. if correct. would seem to 

elinrinate this possibility. A Catherine Yoder, born about 1804, was 

definitely another daughter. Catherine was the wife of Daniel 

Schlabach (brother of Barbara's hrrsband) and there is a story of 

Ilenn' \'oder getting land for both couples in Holmes County. 

Just lvanted to let the Yoder families know :rbout a book recently 

published Nlasthof Press; RR I Box 20; Nforgantown, PA lgS,lJ. 

Title: "\\'here's Nlomnra, The Story of Mabel (Smucker) \'oder. 

Written bv her daughter Marion Delgrange of VA. This is a 

wonderful book. I received a copJ- ns a gift from one of Nlabel's 

granddnughters. lt spelks well of the love and caring that is present 

in the Yotler furnilies. This is not an ldvertisement for the book. I 

hrve no connections to N,llstof publishing, nor the Yoder family. I 

simplv enjoyed the book and thought Yoder families might also cnjoy 

it. 'l'hank you. Betty Burdan Betty Burdan--Boyertown, PA t.tSA 

xx********************************************************** 

\'ODER SKETCHES BY LYNN LORAH 

Ilouse of Jacob Yoder and NIaria Keim 

Talented area sketch artist Lynn Lorah created a number of original 

works to commemorate the Oley Valley "Heritage Tour". These 

beautifirl sketches are still available. For further information contact: 

l-ynn Lorah, RD2, Box 144, Oley, Pa 19547. 

v 

J 

('rtntinuad.fittrrt pugc I 

nol srlre if Herbert Iloover had nnl influence in that or not--it's very 

possible. Holr,ever, bark then the postal enrployees lvere not Civil 

Senice, htrl appointed bt political al'liliation & so u'hen [Ioover lost 

the election to F.D.R. in 1932, being a Republicln. r:i losl his.job. lt 

nrust have bcen :r very difficult tinte for both of my p.trenls thru the 

depression as thev werc cxpecting me, & hld an oldel chikl, Nlildred 

Helen (10-28-23). lt was becausc of that situation, my dad borrght into 

,t groccry slore, also here in west Branch, u,hich he opearted 

successfirlll' for sorne 20 odd years til he was forced to sell out. I 

sul)pose it was a nntural thing for him to go into the grocerv business 

as his lirther (l-zra) had owned & operated a grocern store in Sharon 

('enter (near lou'a (iitl) before rnoving 10 West tsranch-then later he 

travled (b1-- horse & buggy) with the B:rker C'o. 

Nlv l)ad \r'ils a very generous, kind & loving person. He was 

evervbodvs liiend. in f:lct his logo on his advertisernenls wits 

(irocerl' \'orrr Iriend lal lVlealtime." 

lle loved people, & telling stories- & wus alw'avs joking & 

laughing. He loved to eat too, u,hich showcd in his girth later on, 

opposed to the slinr lrinr yorrng nrln he had been when ll'orking in the 

clothing store. 

He loved clothes & loved to take us 2 girls shopping. tle had 

good tlsle & ll'as ulw'avs admiring sonre prctt\ g,trntent that would 

"look like a nrillion dolllrs" on us. 

llc also loved cats. as did nry Nlother lnd her Nfother. We 

Yodcr-Hoovers hlve always had I horrse cat. D:rd always had a cat in 

the grocery slore. 'fhey certainly wouldn't allow that todal'. 

ry 

t 

'*.* 

,e' 

Ruth (Hoover) Yoder and Otho Otis Yoder (YR239eb2) 

He w:rs very artistic, & his penmalrship was a work of art. He 

always drew his own ads for the newspaper. lle wanted to go to art 

school as a boy, brrt his plrents talked hint out of it, saying he would be 

a poor starving artist. My sister & her daughter however, inherited 

that specill talent & both are art majors. so that ability was passed on. 

He would be so proud. 

Nl-v husbnnd & | live on it fArm 6 nriles south of West Branch. 

He is rctired & ironicallv, I anr a ranger at the Herbert Hoover 

llistoric Sile lt the Nntional Park in W.B. N,ly fblks would be so tickled 

to knou' thlt! 

I huve not had tinre to look for a stritable picture. buf I prontise 

I will work on thitt. I didn't want to delay this response to 1.our kind 

letter anv longer. | find it very unusu:rl that there were 2 {}fho Yoders! 

('I'here was a King Otho in the bible, I'm told). I always l'elt sorry I'or 

hirn strrck ll'ith srrch an nwfirl name! Otho Otisl What il nAnle to stick 

on a poor little bab\': But dad never seenred to ntind it. ioked aboul it 

in fact. Sonrc people nick named him "Double O--" or just called hint 

"Yode". llis wil'e. children & Grandchildren me:rnl lll the world to 

him, & he lcft us u,ith the fondest menrories & heritage nrore precious 

than the Iinest gold. \'es, I anr verl'proud to be Otho Yoders daughter, 

\\'e have a copy' of the lst edition l9l2 Descendants of ,facob 

Hochsteller. Benedict Yoder, who w,ould be nry Great-(irlndfather did 

not conle into the picture rrntil he nrarried Sarah Nliller who was :r 

Grantldarrghter ol ,f acob Hochstetler. 

Sincerel-v, Peg Yoder Anderson 

YNL Editor ('hris Yoder is also the son of an Otho Yoder...making 

onlv trvo Yoders lvith that n:rme in the known historv ol'the fanrilv.

('ttntinuad.f rrtttr ltugc I 

lle dislppe:rrs fronl the Oley tax recordst but abotlt the slnte 

tinrt', in 1788 a llartin 

"\'owther" first appears in Nlt. Joy Twp. of 

York (Lrter a pnrt of Adanrs ( ountv) with 196 acres, bttt no horses or 

co$s- suggesting perhlps he had not taken residence on the property. 

lleginning in l7lt9. N'lnrlin Yother is shown with 4 horses & 2 cows. 

'l'he 1790 Pn census for Adanrs Cotrnty shows a Martin Gatter/Y:rtter 

uith onc nrale nver 16. I nrale rrnder 16, and 5 females. 

,\ccording to the York Cotrntv Abstract of Wills, this Martin 

\ orlrfcr dfttl ()l'l 11798 lelving a wife - Suslnn:r Yoder, a son John, 

:rntl six othcr children u'hose nanles wcre not given. The executors for 

the uill n,ere Abraharn Lichtenwaiter and .facob Diehl' 

"ln the Name of God Amen ..1 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 

tlrousand 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) | give & devise my farm where I now dwell to wit the 

rrse 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 

:;arne will reach. 

"secondly) | order will & allow that at the expiration of the 

term aforesaid my executor shall sell all & singular what my Estate 

ihen remains as well -ea- as personals at public venue or otherwise 

ror 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 ofthem, 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 

Jebts being paid) | order will & allow to be divided as follows, towit 

:ny eldest son John the sum of twenty five pounds, the residue to be 

rlivided e qually in nine shares, two shares of which I bequeath to 

,ny wife Sussannah, and one share to each & every one of my 

,.ihildren as well daughters as sons, provided always if any of my 

-.,even 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 

3e clead before such divide take place, her two shares shall be 

:qually divided amongst my surviving children and the 

:epi'esentatives of only taking their parents share, provided also if 

.r-ry wife marry either before the Expiration of the use aforesaid towit 

'.iefore my youngest child is fourteen years of age, or before the 

Jivrde aforesaid takes place, if before the use is determined, that 

ilren she shall leave my land, & the use bequeathed to her shall be 

,rested in my other Executors, for the bringing up my children 

,rforesaid until the end of said term, and if she marry before the 

iiv'ide aforesaid takes place, the legacy herein bequeathed to her 

,hrll be void, and in both cases she shall receive no more of my 

,,";tate than is allowed by the laws of Penna to widows of Intestate 

"'states, and the overplush bequeathed to her in any, shall Descend 

,,qually to my children & the Representatives of those dead as 

,rforesaid, 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 

i.:hildren 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 

iny Executors to borrow money to discharge the same on modgage 

on my land, or otherwise at their discretion. 

"Lastly) I do constitute & appoint my wife Executrix & 

r\braham 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--" 

(filed 1 Oct 1798) 

In the 1799 t:rx assessments for Mt. Joy Township, York Co the 

lssessed value for property of the "Widow Yother" was $l'110. 

Adnnrs County was formed Jan.22, 1800 and the 1800 Adnms Co 

(lensus showsl 

1 

Susanna Yetter Adams Co. 

male 

age 45+ 

26145 

16-26 

10/16 1 

Secondly. it shous debts repaid to lu'o Berks ('ountl \'oders 

whose nlmes help establish this llartin as the disappearing fellow in 

Oley Twp. Daniel Yoder was paid 56 pounds lo discharge a bond 

rund interest. George Yoder was paid over 159 pounds in dischnrge of 

two bonds. The Daniel in ()ley at this linre was OHlll.. older brother 

to lllartin. l'he (ieorge in the township was ()H132...4 first cousin to 

Nlartin. Following the cslale settlenrent, the family disappears from 

Adanrs ('ourrt-v. 

Where did the descendants of lllrlin go We started our 

investigation by strrdying the Pa. census records. In both 1820 and 

1830 our attention is drlu'n lo enlries fhr across the slate in Allegheny 

Twp. of Westrnoreland (-orrntt: 

partiularly that of son Daniel (know to have been born in 1797) whiclr 

corresponds exactly to the ;rroperty sale when he reached fourteen as 

specified in Martin's will (l8ll-12) . These points alone present a firrrr 

c:rse that this Westnroreland C-ounty family is that of Nlartin Yodder' 

of Adanrs Ciounty. One frrrther elernent provides the final "proof' to 

the conclusion that this is indeed the family of OHll2. In 1970, Nlls. 

Frank (-. Fischer (nee Della Reagan) compiled the cemetery records ol' 

Puckety Presbyterian Clhurch Cemetery outside of New Kensingtor; 

Pa. ,\mong the inscriptions she made out from the weathered stone.r 

was a partial one which said: 

"Susrnna w/o Nlartin Yoter" 

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

A -.at-,t * 

...:6r., 

"fl7rr{; 

t 

Punoranra of Old Yoder'( cmeterr'-lrltrtt{-'(l in cetttt'r ol Zubek }linc' north of Brotherton' l'a 

Report fromThe Yoder Cemetery Clean-up 

We had a very productive clean-up day :rt the site of the Old 

Yoder Cemetery on the Ztrbek strip mine in Sornersct ("ounty, Pn' 

This is the known site of burial for .lohn (YR239) and wife Barbara 

Yoder (YRl25l) and believed burial place of John's father 

"Schweitzer Christian". The volunteers raked, trimmed. cut, reset 

stones, itntl planted. Everyone wls quite pleased with the resrrlt' 

\\'e discussed plans for the permanent marking of the site' Will 

initially sitve up for ir br:rss marker nrounted on a mirrble heldstone. 

H:rve:rbout $,125 put itside or pledged at this point"' :t lolrger ternr 

ob.iective agreed to (suggested by Army Band ntenrber llichael L' 

Yoder) was :r vinyl fence...with prospects of nraking 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 

cnlled in the State Mine Inspector to documerrt the cenreterY and ttr 

insure it's boundaries are honored. 

Thanks to contributors Gordon and Nlichael. -I'hanks llso to 

Zrrbek, Inc. for their cooperation in assuring weekend access to the 

site. Send your contribtrtion to this project to: Old Yoder Cemetery 

i::{l'i; :i". 33:.:i :::i'I:il; 31'i l'.91::l x i 133i i; .* * * * * * 1998 OleY Yoder Reunion 

:' ,lJee" 

Rrqht to l-eft: Bruce Yoder, Mayla and Mark Yoder and 

vtoigan Dickey of Berll-n, Jack walker of somerset, Tom 

Yoder of Coraopolis, Pa, El-wood Yoder and Mi:ss 

courtney Pryal of Friedens, and christian Yoder of 

Clarksville, Tn. (Not prctured Harvey Yoder of 

Bel-.Ievil-1e, Chris Yoder of BattJ.e Creek/ MI ) 

********************x************************************** 

plans lo host a "nttionll level" reunion in the summer of 2001' Over 

{00 pt'ople attended the 1996 national Oley }'oder family reunion' Joe 

On July 18, 1998, the Oley Yoder Association held their third 

\'oder also presidetl as the auctioneer of a "white elephant sale"' 

annual family reunion at the Oley Fire House in Oley, Pennsylvania' 

where proceeds werc don:rted toward the cemetery nlaintenance fund' 

Approximntely 70 family members enjoyed the social/historical event 

-l'hc oldcst individual attending the reurtion activities w:rs 

highlighted by the abundance of socialization, familv renewals and a 

review of "some \lautle Yoder Hoch, 86 years young! liom Oley' $'ith the youngest 

of' the latest historical family research information. 

The Oley Yoders are direct -lineage rttendee, Rebekah Hymes, age 16, from Colorado. Rebeknh is the 

of Johannas and Yost 

gr:rndtlaughter of Mary Jane Gofus. 

Joder, who as early as l7l4 settled in the Oley Valley, Berks County' 

-l-he association meets regularly at the Old Historic 

Descendants of Hans and Yost, established settlements throughout the 

'73 

f'lelsantville Inn. Route and Covered Bridge Road' in 

OIey Valley, with the original family located in what is today called 

l'leasantville, throughout the year and encourage all who want to join 

the village of Pleasantville' 

us, u'rile to thc olel'Yoder Association,'ll5 State St" Pottstown' Pa' 

The association has been actively devoted to the care and 

l9{6.1 lbr the dates. 

maintenance of the family cemetery (Pleasantville[lnion Cemetery)' 

'l'he fourth lnnull reunion will be held July t7, 1999' Details 

The reunion attendees visited th€ cemetery where both Hans and Yost 

$,ill lbllow in later issues of the YNL--plan no$' to attend--place the 

are believed to be buried. The cemetery is also the location of the 

date on lour'99 calendar.--submitted by Rich Yoder, I'resident 

oldest Yoder tombstone in America (Daniel Yoder died 1747-0Ht4)' *****************xxx*******x******************************** 

The days activities was accented by a presentation bv ()lel' \'oders announce .fulv 20, 2001 as the date of the next national 

Eleanor Trotrt Shaner, an executive committee member, who reviewed rerrnionM 

the origins of the Yoder family dating back to the 1500's, the religiotts x*************x*xxxx*********************xxx**************xx 

persecution taking place at that time in Switzerland and the \ ODIIR COOKBOOK- Sorry for the Delay-- Still Collecting Recipes 

immigration of Hans and Yost to America. She discussed the ('onrpiling rccipes for the Yoder Cookbook continrtes' Printing date 

tribulations and uncertainties of the boat trip across the ,A.tlantic (finli srrbnrission of recipes) is NOW targeting for the annual Oley 

Ocean, their marriages in America and the ensuing l:rnd purchases irl Yoder ReuDion scheduled for July 17, 1999. The Yoder Clookbook rvill 

the Oley Valley region. Richard H. Yoder, the association's historian, he reldl' for distribution for the Christmas season '99' Details on 

showed slides of the land grants, map locations and subsequent ordering rvill appear in the next YNL. For those who haven't 

purchases, homes and buildings, and cemetery burinl locations ol'the srrbnritted your fal'orite recipe--so so nowll Send to: Alice Yoder' 433 

earlv Yoder immigrants. 

Ilitnor House [,ttre, Souderton, Pa. 1896'l-2802' 

Joseph Yoder, president-elect, announced the Association't **************x**xxx**************************************** 

(,

;;. r:n.; il, ;iil; ".,;..",'ili::, ;;fi".;-.;il;;., 

; ;" 

charge. Please lirnit as possible to inclrrdc il full retrlrn address. All 

inquiries are checked agirinst our records lo sce ifne cnn help too. lf 

you receive added info. please shnre it with thc YNL for our files. 

Send to: Clhris Yoder. 20J Lakcshire Rd.. Battle (lreek.i\'li,19015 

Veronica (Francis) Yoder wife of N'lichael Denlinger. Wns her father 

Henry of Daniel Yoder Veronicr b. c 1680 d. c l735. Need infbrmation 

on Jncob, father of Ntichael Denlinger. I{epl.r* lo:.lohn Davis Jr, 10859 

Racetrack Rd, Sonora, (lA 95370-9431. (209) 533-2101. 

Looking for info on Wiillianr Shernran Yotler and Dorl )'oder who 

was adopted by n Percy farnily after their parents died. William was 

born in Trrrtle, Dent (iorrnty, IIo in 1891. Reply to:craftpadlir)aol.com 

M Patton 8l-106 hwv I I l suite ,1Il-15 Indio ('a 92201 

I\ly Great Grandmother was Hannah Yoder (6/16/l8,ll-1219/1901) m. 

c1866 to lsaac Zellers (ll/30/1838 lJnion Co, Pa-2l2lll902l lived near 

New Coltrrnbia, lJnion C-o, Pa. Believed dau. of Benjamin Yoder of 

Union Co as of 1850 & 1860. Can anyone confirm this family Reply 

fo: Wiffiam Zeller,2lT Brainard Ave., Fayetteville, NC 28301-3803, 

Trying to locatc inform:rtion on my grandplrents. Nlartin Yetter of 

lll. and Nellie tluddelson of Pa. Only infornration that I have at this 

tinre. Donna Chaikin, Sll0 Red Willou [)rirc, Austin.-tx 787J6. E- 

mail nddress Il NlClDRS l l O.araol.conr. 

******************x*x**************************xx*********** 

Barb:rra Yoder who nrarried Jacob Stutsnran. This couple are my 

wife's gggg-grandparents. \\'e have found reselrch on the Stutsman 

Fanrily published in the Nlarch 1978 edition of the Franklin County 

(Arkansas) Historical Association OBSllRVllR. The article is written 

by Shirley P. Demere of Franklin County and details the decendents 

of Jacob lnd Barblra who she says \r'ere rnarried in 175J. Since we 

did not do thc research and have not been able lo speak to Mrs. 

Dentere, we would be interested to know' if lorr htve infbrnr:rtion on 

Barbara Yoder and .facob Strrtsrnan. Do 1ou knou who her parents 

were Any help worrld be appreciated. Ronnie ('ox. {700 Dean Pl:rce, 

Springdale, Arkirnsas'72'761. Enrail: rlcoxtardicksonstreet.com 

************************************************xx*x*xx***** 

I'm looking for any information about Orie (iordan Yealer, 

West Virginia. Born 1890. 

Salem, 

Melinda H:rrris. enrail:

The Hickory (N.C.) News / Thursday, August 20, 1998 

History professor 

is keynote speaker:l 

Dr. Gary Freeze, professor of 

history at Catawba College and 

author of a county history book 

commissioned by the local historical 

association, was keYnote 

speaker at the 48th reunion of the 

ionrad Yoder descendants held recently 

at Zion Lutheran Church in 

Hickory. 

Dr. Freeze, who lives in Salisburv. 

discussed the arrival of 

Conrad Yoder in Catawba CountY 

alons with Heinrich Weidner and 

otheipioneer German settlers in the 

South Fork valley. 

He said Col. George M. Yoder 

may have been the county's first 

historian as a czurier of traditions. 

Dr. Freeze described the l9th century 

scribe as a chronicler of stories 

passed down from earlier generatlons. 

A county commissioner, surveyor, 

justice of the Peace and 

county coroner, among other duties, 

Col. Yoder inspired a grandson, 

Fred Roy Yoder, to research 

and write a history of the N.C. 

Yoder family. 

The reunion included a memorial 

service honoring familY members 

who died in the Past Year and 

exhibits included a rare Gerrnan 

Bible of immigrant Conrad Yoder. 

Also on exhibit were surveYing instruments 

and other items belonging 

to Col. Yoder and Enloe M. 

Yoder, along with PaPers and documents 

from the collections of Lee 

Yoderof Newton andTbd M.Yoder 

and Louie Baker of Hickory. 

Several couples were honored 

for having celebrated 50 Years of 

marriage and others were honored 

as newlyweds. 

Officers were elected for the 

next three years: Willie A' (Bill) 

Yoder, president; Regina Yoder 

Hoyle, -vice president; Rhoda 

Maynard Yoder, tre-asurer; and Neal 

D. Wilfong, secretary. 

Ted M. Yoder will continue to 

serve as special assistant to the 

oresident and Rachel Hahn 

kennedy, this year's president, will 

chair a cbmminee to hold a national 

convention of Yder families in the 

year 2000. 

3rd Annual House of Yoder Meeting in November 

'I'he third nnnual meeting of the House of Yoder will be held at Penn 

Alps in Grantsville, Maryland on Saturday, November 14, 1998 from 

l0:00 a.m. through mid-afternoon. Agenda items include: sharing a 

brunch lt the Penn Alps Restnurant, a tour ofthe Yoder House under 

construction, l business meeting and input from our gtrest speaker, 

Virgil Yoder. According to the Yoder Newsletter web site, Yoder is 

noted for his "well-researched, wonderfrrllv photographed, and 

exceptionally scripted slide show of Yoder Heritage in the old world.". 

(-onstruction on the Yoder House continues with a goal of having it 

under roof by late fall. For firrther informltion, contact Lonnie 

Yoder, Publicity/l\lembership Coordinator, Yoder Horrse Project, 

1066 Smith Avenue, Harrisonbrrrg, !'A 22802. 540-132-6167, 

Itbv/arshentel. net. 

Passings: 

Onal West, Oct.2;t, 1997, Savannah,NIO (Con3la4 Line... 

.f anuary 1986 letter from Ms. West: 

"Cause of Conrad Yoder's Death" (Con3l) "When my father, 

Albert Conrad Yoder (1811-1957) wRs a baby, Conrad Yoder (1793- 

1879) his grandfather. came from the barn with a rat, he had caught 

in a trap. to show my father. The rat bit him, and a short tinre later he 

died from the infection caused by the bite." 

(lf eo D. Yoder , died Sep. 22, 199'7 . Raytown,MO (YN[, reader #58) 

'fheodore O. Yoder, Feb. 18,1998- 3 days short ofhis 93rd birthday, 

Prreblo, Colorado (A leader of the Dennis P. (YR251246) and 

Pearl Fay (Bertram) Yoder family rerrnions) 

Harrv B. Yoders, Jrrn.8, 1998, Waynesbrrrg, Pa (Jacob Yoders family) 

Rev. Harrr Walter Yoder,(Belated), Feb. 16, 1995- An active 

genealogist, early YNL supporter and publisher of info about 

YR23493-John P Yoder (3131/183'7 SP-l/8/1917 Vistula El) 

REtIBEN YODIIR l.'ANlll-Y BOOKLET FREE! ('l'o contributors of 

$25 or nrore to the Old Yoder Cemetery Pro.ject. (See page 6 article). 

Reuben, (YR23374, D.fH381l) (1831-1912) w,rs an earll cnllector of 

Yoder genealogy. Send -r'our contribution to this project to: Old Yoder 

(lemelerv Proiect. c/o 20J Lakeshire Rd. Battle Creek. NII ,19015. 

Hll -:t 

39 people 

otfend reunion 

of Yothers fomily 

"--l 

l 

>I 

cl 

ol 

€l 

@l 

3l 

sl 

0l 

al 

JI 

il 

c.l 

CJ 

ll 

l 

ft 

The 74th Yothers Reunion was 

held June 7 at the Haycock Mennonite 

Church Grove with 39 people 

present. 

Trvo distant cousins attended: 

Carl and Elfrieda Yoder from 

Wilton. Conn. and Sterlrng N. 

Yoder Jr., flom Norfolk, Va. 

Hans Joder/John Yoder Sr. is 

the pioneer ancestor, born about 

1680 rn either Germany or 

Srvitzerland. ln 1720, he bought 

99 acres in ]lilford Torinship. 

*******************************************x**************** 

Many ol'the Yoders in Bucks and 

Nlontgomery counties, and all the 

Yothers families are his decendants. 

The following fanrily members 

won prizes: Naomi Yothers, 93, of 

Souderton, was the oldest person 

present and the 7-month-old twin 

sons (Ryan and Gabriel I of Mr. 

and Mrs. Chad Benner. Sellersville. 

were the -\'oungest persons 

present. 

)iew officcrs of the rcunion are: 

President John iVI. Hunsberger, 

Perkasie: Vice President Lavern 

rYothers) Benner. Perkasie: Secretary-Treasurer 

.\lverna Y. Hunsberger. 

Perkasit' and Ilistorical 

Secretary Ze'nta Benner. Perkasie. 

The next l cuni{)r) is st't firr the 

first Sundav in June 1999. 

The n-ewport News, VA community is re-mounting the "folk opera" 

PIECED TOGETHER, based on a hundred years of Mennonite 

history in the aren, in the preserved structure called the YODER 

BARN, November 6,7,8, and 13, 14, 15, 1998. For tickets or more 

infornra{ion, call Christine Yoder at (15"/l249.4187 

********************************************************* 

90+ \ ear old \ oder A r Wins (bntest 

Ll &'v,'- - 

I b*r ,Yi sp l|(ts 

1,.'"' 

L to R: Captain N{ike Hausman, George Yoder, and }Ioward Yoder. 

-with Permission of "The Outdoorsman", Jul. 7, 1998 

Wcdnesday, June 17th, George Yoder caught a 26.1.11b. king salmon putting 

him in first placc in that division in w;tvrte County's Crand SLun I)trtry. 'I'hat is 

quito a lurgc salrrron to catch this cdrlv in tlre year, howcver lnore intcresting than 

the fish itselfis the "numbcr game" associated rvith this Pcnnsvlvlnia angler. 

Yoder has been fishing Lake Ontario for over 20 ycars. That js :r very impressive 

record. Now, add 90 years old and you have an exccorional record. Was it 

rncntioned hc fishes with his 92-year-old wife, Marv, and his (r8-1,ear-olrl son, 

Howard. I doubt thal these numbers can lte replicatcd anvu'lrere.. 

l-hc Yoders have won cight diflcrcnt prizcs during tltc LSI_O Dcrby d:rys. 

l hey took grand prize in the 1989 | nvirational Tournarncnr of Champions, f ish thc 

Thc LOC Dcrby, and now our in quest of winning T'he Grand Slam. They have 

"[-inril 

been fishing aborrd Captain N'likc I Iausnran's bcrat Catchcr" firr the past 17 

"They 

.years. fish approximatcly 

" 5 or 6 times a vcur," Hausrnan said. I expect them 

back in July, August, and Scptember. I really cnjoy taking lhenr fishing." 

The "young anglers" live in Shoemakersvillc, Pennsylvania and are ready to celtbrate 

their 69'h wedding anniversary this October. In thosc 69 ycars together they 

Irave huntcd:rnd fishcd in Alaskl, Nova Scotia, Grcut lleirr I-rrkc, Yucatirn Peningula 

in Mexico, and their home state. 

Whilc not hunting and fishing the couple trave I to Atlantic Citv to clo sonte "danc- 

,ng." Tlris is a monthly ritual that keeps thenr in shape Ibr dcrtrics, likc Waync Ctunty's 

ilrand Slanr. Tlrc dcrby runs till Scptcnrber 7'r'and rcgislrirtions are available at all 

trca bait and tacklc shoos. or on-line at \\,w\v.torlrisnt '{).\vlt\ Lrs'l'he contcsl 

updatc pagc has a picture of George and his 2(r-lb. king. 

Ll;'


w- 

lssue Number JJ P.O. Box 59,1. Goshen. lN -16527 April l999 

l\'Ielchior YoderLine 

In Ohio, Indiana andNlontana 

Who Was "Schweitzer (lhristian" \'oder (\'R2J) 

Have you ever looked back at vorrr lirnrilt lree and wonderetl 

rvh:rt kilrd of person :rn imrnigranl ulrceslor.rrrav have been \\,ell. 

here's your chance to nleel one ol' thern llrrough the wonders ol 

handwriting analysis! In YNL l,l, we prrblished lhe follouing nolc. 

found on :r small scrup of p:rper ilnronq lhe pages of an Arrrish 

family's old Ua11y$-[!j!'0l : 

Slonc of Nlelchior l'otter ( 1799-1859) (Nl3l ) Claypool' lndiana 

Over a periotl ol'vcxrs, tlle poorlt docttnrented Melchior 

Yodcr lirnrill has been slonlv revertlilrg itsell in a variety of ways. The 

nlost notcworthl' of these u'its llte conlirrnitlion thrlt the "Y-o-d-e-r-s" 

line of southwestern Pennsvlvnnirt (trniqrre in thnt spelling fronl any 

ofhers in the rvorld). wits the off-spring of Nlelchior's second son 

.lacob, a potter. (See \ Nt. 2{, 26, and 29). His immediate family 

grorrp lirllou s: 

.11-,lltlthior f'olcr (c17.15(inl'/St'it7.-(1822 in thttt (tnion ( ount.v,Pu). 

('ilrJr(nt(r. nt. t l76J in Philulclphiu ( rtuttt.1', P.'l t(, Annu (iulshulk (horn 

t l7-19 in linrunrcnitin 'llntnship, Philuldphiu ('('untl', PA: d/o (iodshulth 

(iolshulk unl his vifc. Erc ( u\t( - l. lTlJh). .\'trturuliz,cl ll/17/1765 ut 

Pcrquiotttirtg, I!utliall I'otnship, Philultlphiu ('rtutrt.'1 in l77t-1782 v'hen hc 

trttnail to Linrcritk lutnship thcrc he rus tu-rul through 1796; huught luttd 

in Pcnn Irnrnship, Sn.t'lcr ( rtunl)', Pl, 1796: tu-ttl jor -150 utrcs in 1799: 

utrJrcnto. ll'ill prrthutLtl .IIu.l 1tl22. 

lll- .lohn I'olar (l 1/)7i1761t-10/)0/1ll.l.l) m I l/ll/1790 A. ( uthcrinc Hurl 

(Hcrt/llirr) (1/17/1769-tlt|.l) lxth hur. lluslr ( cnu:ttr.t', Olohc Mill.s, PA. , u 

ll)- .luLtth I'rulcrs (L t770-t./10ilSl5) nt Eli:tthctlt - (1771- 2/6/18J5) 

brth httr. .'lntit.t', ll ushinKt(,n ( ().,P..1. 

,ll-1- ll

L 

'l'he Yoder Newsletter- Founded l98J b.r. 

lJen F Yoder (1913-1992);(lhris Yoder & R:rchel Kreicler 

l,ettcrs to the Editor 

F'RO}I TIIE EDITORS 

('hris \.oder, Editor, Battle Creek. Nll; .lohn \\'. \'oder. Circulation 

\llnager, Iliddlebury, lN; Rachel Kreider. Senior Contributing 

Editor, (ioshen. lNl Esther E. \'oder, Mail i\l:tnlger. Goshen. tN: 

I)onald Kauffman, YNL Ilomepage Webmlster., Etlnronlon, Alberta. 

('lnuda. Other C-ontributors: Richard H. \ odt'r, llechtelsl.ille, pA; 

lluhert ,\. \'oder, ('harlotte. NC; Dorothy Yoder ('ol'linan, N,lalvern, 

PA; I)r. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neil D. Wilforrg. ('ler,eland, NC; and 

Dr. Delbert Gratz. Bluffton. OH 

SEN D YNL CORRESPONDENCE: 

-FOR (-lRCtiLAT|ON lsstiES ONt,\' srrch rrs new or renewed 

subscriptions. changes of lddress, orders for back issues to: yoder 

Ne\r'sletter, P.O. Box 59;1, Goshen. lN ,16527-0S9J. 

- ,rl,LL OTHER CORRESPONDENCE- Dealing with ancesrral 

queries or contributions lbr future YNLs or lrchives (srrch as reunion 

notices. letters to the Editor, copies of Bible recorcls or other historical 

inforrnation) to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd., Blttle Creek. MI 

{90I5(or bv electronic mail to "TsTST.3JTlrDconrpuserve.com',). 

********************************************xx*x************ 

\ NL PRICE INFORNIATION $$$$ 

-The YNL snbscription is on an annual basis-two issues for $3, 

-8,\CK lSStlES of the YNL are $l per issue. 

-\'oder Newsletter lssues I Through 25 - lrorrnd 2.10 page 

inclrrdes a topical index of major articles, ,ur "evrrr volume 

rr:tmeindex". 

(Price $28 post paid). 

Order from: The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 59,1, Goshen. IN 16527. 

***********x*********x***************x********************** 

CORRECTION TO YNL 32: "Johannes" I's "Zlnneh"- On page 2 of 

YNI- 32. we presented an on YR25lll8, with the bible record 

provided b;* .loseph T. Yoder of Federal \\'av. \\'ashington. We 

included an annotation which deciphered the Gernran script as saying 

"Zanneh"--thanks to Rachel Kreider for correcting our interpretation 

of this script---it really says 'tJohannes", 

xxx*x****x*********************x****************xxx********* 

YODER HONIEPAGE NIENTIONED IN 

STEFFISBTlRG PT] BLICATION 

The "Burger-Post 

der 

Burgergemeinde Steffisbrrrg" 

highlighted our Yoder Newslefter 

honrepage and its internet address 

(www.yodernewsletter.org) in the 

November 1998 issue. 

In September, \'N L 

\\'ebmaster Donald Karrffmnn 

pllced a 

"counter" 

on the 

homepage, and we're proud to say 

that by mid February, we had 

alreadv been visited over {.500 

times! 

Burgergemeinde 

Steffisburg 

Request for Help on Disease Research 

The Beth Israel Medical Center is seeking people 

Amish/Nlennonite descent who suffer any of the following symptoms; 

"involuntary 

muscle contractions, abnormal movement or 

twisting ofany part ofthe body, uncontrolled blinking, neck and head 

pulling, distorted speech, deteriorating handwriting, or a turning 

inward of the foot. These are characteristics of a neurological disordei 

which most often does undiagnosed, called Dvstonia". 

Through a large familv in the Goshen, Indiana area! the cause 

has been linked to a gene mutation somewhere on chromosome g. 

Nolr'. nrore families are needed to pnrticipate. participation is 

voluntary, and would involve, at lenst, the donation of blood samples. 

All expenses paid. Please contact: Snlly Brown, 1325 Greencroft, Apt. 

366. Goshen, lN 465261 or August Baetsle, 224 E Grove St., 

I\lishawaka, lN 165,15 (219) 256-2058; or Deborah Rnymond, NlS, 

Dept. of Neurology, Nlovement Disorders Center, Beth lsrael N{edical 

('enter. l0 Union Square East, N\.N\, 1000J (212) 841_g7lJ 

Dear YNL. 

..m) immigranl ancestor .f ohannes \ oder (J/l l/1795_ 

1/28/18781 nr. Nlary Schmrrcker. 'l'here is sor.e bc.l inlbrnrarion that 

his sister Barbara married his wifes brolher l):rniel Schrnrrcker. ..\fter 

Daniel died in 183{, she immigraled in lllJ5. llcr children then 

nrarried local Swiss farnilies. 

'I'he Berne Witness obilulry of ntl. greal-gr:llrdfathcr .flcob 

(J/26/1828-llll/1904\ (son of .lohannes) gur'e his pl.cc of birth as 

Altkirk. Alsace. 

This last Sept. I was privledged to be on the Suiss Ilennonite 

heritage tour with escort Delbert Gratz. \\'e had nrore lteoJrle on the 

torrr with Yoder ancestrv than any other n:rnre. \\e u.ere not sure the 

brrs would make it up the wind) road to {he St. \'oder (.hapel as the 

electric l'encing for the animals was close to the road and nhen the bus 

ntade some of the turns the fencing was close. After sonre backing up 

we mnde it OK.--Car R. l'oder, Berne. In 

To The Editor. 

,\ big thank you for mnking it elsier to lind flnrih. :rnd lriston.. 

| first got into mv search in Feh of this \.eur.,l 

"qreerr." 

n,ricc:'ttl ren 

No* | ha'e located J fi..t co,,riu.. r'rtl ;rlr,rrt t secon.l 

cousins. I know nry heritage back 1o the l6(X)'s :rrd h:rr'e leirrned 

where I come from. My dad, James Allen yoder ratr :rw:rv from pA as 

a teen and never went back or tnlked about his f:rnrilr,. I didn't know 

what it meant to be a Yoder. Nolv I count nrl.sell'luck.r. to tlc lntong 

your numbers. I plan on attending the National reunicn and look 

fonvard to hearing more about it. -- .laydine Yodt,r-Knight 

YODER SKETCHES BY I-\ NN LORATI 

House of Hnns Yoder ,lr.(OH I I ) 

Talented area sketch nrtist L"vnn Lorah crelted rl number of original 

works to commemorate the Oley Vnller' "Heritnge Tour". 'fhese 

beautiful sketches are still available. For frrrther informntion contact: 

Lvnn Lorah, RD2, Box 1,14, Oley, Pn 19547. 

Fragments of the Past- Reprinted 

"Frlgments 

of the Plst" bv Dr, Peter Bertolet has been reprinted by 

the Oley Valley Heritage Association. P.O. Box {01. Oley, Pa. t9547. 

It cnn be ordered from that nddress lbr S18.00 (postage included). 

This important work on the earlv settlers ol' the Olev \ialley, is a 

"ntust" 

for anyone with flncestors in the :lret. ,tnd has a separale 

chapter on the Yoder family . Act qrritkh. :rs copies are limitedll 

*******x*******************************************x******** 

.IOHN S. \'ODER HONIE 

The Amish Heritage Foundation in Sugarcreek. C)hio plans to 

open the John S.\'oder Home (o the public this summer. \\'e h:ne 

spent three years working to preserve:rnd preprre this originnl 1869 

Amish Honre as authentically as possible for the crrrious tourist. lt hls 

been landscaped and painted and will be firrnished with antiqrre 

Amish furniture mirroring the 1869 er:r. fhe village of Srrgarcreek 

was platted fronr the,fohn S. \'oder F:trnr.-l]l:rine F Nliller. Sec. Treits.

_:,,iJiYJi. 

si.{ 

,.'ri ,i,-..';,.+. 

From History of 

Venango (iounty 

Pennsylvania- 1879 

by J. A. Catdwelt. 

Colunrbrrs. Ohio 

*:.jjr$ffi 

RES&fARM0rtLI ASY0TER.struATE00trRAirxLrN&TlrusvrLrERoAD,pMrLEsFRoMFRANKuN.vENANco 

co.pA.+2rrAcRts. 

('ontintred fronr page I 

Yoder (()\'.{2), ulso knou, as "lrish Pete". He was a grandson of 

inrnrigrant Yost Yoder, through son Jacob who nrarried Maria Keim. 

Peter is said to have been a fitrnrer. a nrcrchant and I hotel keeper. He 

nt:trried '\nna (N:rncl) ()vster. Arrg. 17, lTlt{. ,\1 tlre tinte of his death 

in llil7. he o*,netl two tracts ol'propcrtr. in pike'I'ownship, Berks 

('orrntl- one ol'156 lcres.:rnd llno{her of5l acres. The Orphans court 

record dated .fanuary 1818, cited widow Annl and listed son Georse 

:rs:r rrrirror :tl lhitl lime. 

Richard H. Yoder reports thilt ltler land records showed that 

,\nnl olvned propertv in ('olunrbia ('ounty directly beside her son 

George, ('olumbia (lountv Deed Book. No.4. pnge 338, lS May 1820 

shorvs Sabastian FOttST & wil'e Elizabeth of Albany Twp, Berks Co, 

deeding propertv to George Yoder ---nressrrlge & tract in Catawissa 

Tu p. conlainiltg 152 l12 tcres, beginning :tt a corner of Nancy yoder's 

llnd. 

"in and out of 5 equll and undivitled thirteenth parts, parts of 

ll00:rcres of land in Schuvlkill (lo. which rvere taken up in the name of 

('onmd Nlartz und (Jeorge Flower---patent dated ,l ,fan 1788 and 

cor eved unto a ccrt:rin ,f lcob FOIrS'[ ls in and by said patent 

enrolled in the Rolls officc for thc stitte ol'P:r. in pnt. Bk #12 pages 90 

& 9l---. Relution being thereunto h:rd nrore fullv al large appear 

\\hereas the said,facob Foust being so scizerl irnd possessed thereof 

died intestilte leaving l.l children one of who died intestate nnd 

uithout issue lnd whereas fite ol'the children ofthe said Jacob Foust 

deccitsed in lnd bl their sever:rl dtrtl execrrted did grant and convev 

runto Slbist:rirr F-ousl lnd to his heirs---nnd the slid Sabistain Foust 

and Elizabeth his uife by their deed ol lnclenttrre bearing date of lS 

April 1820 did convev the abor,e nrentioned S/lJ of the g00 acres of 

land in Schuvlkill Co. afirresaid (inter :rlifl) rrnto George yoder--- 

recited indenture recorded :rt l):rnville in thc o{fice for recording 

di'.erls in and lbr Colrrntbia Co. in the Deed llook D pages 33g,339". 

Accor

(lontinued fronr page I 

Snvder Countv (part of Northumberlnnd County from 1772_lgl3). 

sever,rl grandchildren who died as irrfunrs were buried there. on 

Mny 17, 1858, "M. Srn,ivors Yotter" 

were his 

sokl 

wife: Elizabeth, 

his two 

:rnd 

lrncts 

chiltlren 

of .10 

Melchior, acres each 

Catherine, 

for 

$980 nnd 

Eliznbeth. 

$1300 respectively. 

all under I,r. r\rathins 

On the 

Schoch 

snnre dny. "C. yotter" 

wrs ilppointed guardian for 

sold 

rnother 40 

the acre tract 

voung children. 

for $1J00 (perhlps his uife ( atherine selling an 

The name "Ntelchior" is l very rflre one among the yoder inheritance). On Nov. 3 of the same 

line 

).ear. their son John Yotter sold 

(onh the 80 

knon'n 

acres he 

to 

had purchased 

h:rve been used 

7 years 

three 

previoush, 

times in the for 

tJ,S. 

52300. 

and found 

once in Alsace)' 

The 

lt 

family 

is thanks moved 

to this uniqueness 

on to Koscirrsko (.ount\.. 

that we have been abre 

Indiana. settling 

to tr.ck the nro'enrent of Nrerchior,fr. (lr5) and arso of Merchior 

(NlJl). son of Benjanrin, on into Ohio. l'll .se their numbers to try 

nrake clelr in the text which one I'nr falking about. 

l\,lelchior Jr. (Nl5) is listed in rhe l8l0 Northumberland 

('ount1. Pl. 

3m census, 

25d) age 26 to 

and 45, 

was with 

buried a wife 

in nncl 

the Nlt. pleus:rnt 

one son under l0 

Ccmeten,. State Route 

l'ears of irge. 

15, 

In 

l5 

18r6. 

miles 

he is risted 

north 

as 

of 

one 

Claypool, 

of the regates 

in Rou, li. 

in 

I_ot 

the 

6. 

wiil of his 

runcle .llcob Yoder, bachelor of Centre Twp. trnion County, pa. He is 

gone from that county by the lg20 census. The History of Franklin 

and Pickaway Counties, Ohio , page 302, tells of an early settler to 

\\'ashington Township, picknway Co., Ohio nametl 

"George Heise,,. 

.{t the age of l7 he came from pennsyh,ania in lglg, 

"drivins 

the 

teanr of llahlon Yetter and famiry", u,ho:rrso settled in the town'ship. 

Interestinglv enough, there wns no "Mahlon yetter", but the lglg 

titr record for the township shows the addition of 

" Melher 

Yoder"....obviouslv the same person. 

l-he 1820 listings shows two entries for j\lelchor yoder...one 

for l .ll acre plot, the second for a 25 acre plot 

"taylor" 

with the occupation 

written beside Merchor's name. Drrar Merchor yoders 

:tppear up through 1829. In that yeir the name is spelled "yotter,, 

and the propert]' owners nre risted as xrerchor yotter with l horse 

and ,l cattle, and the other lllelchor Yotter . this trme shown Rs 

,,Jr ,,. 

with 2 cattle. lt was not crear from the lg29 record which one rerltes 

to the 4l acre plot, and which to the 25 ucre plot, 

iiit' '' 

but it would seem 

that a tradesnran (the tavlor) would need 

ffi;ig&.r' 

less livestock than n farmer. 

Early marriage records for pickaway ('ounty show: 

-M(! 20, lBI9, L'ntherinc yulcr m. Anilrctt Dill 

iVlt. Pleasant ('hurch and Centetery, north of Cl,ll.pool, In. 

-.lun. 22, Itl26, Mclchor ytrcdcr nt (.uthcrine pontious. 

-Feh. 24, 1U28, llfurthu yoeilcr Widow nr. I)uniel ,\omers 

Catherine survived him by 

The "Metchior man]. years. She is seen in 

Yeoder" 

the 1860, 

in 1870 

this marriage and 1880 

list is known 

Censuses 

to hnve of 

been 

Koiciusko iountr., and in t886 

wRs born in 1799, trx 

and 

assessment 

therefore matches list. In 

lhe 

lg60 

son of Benjamin (M3l). 

Census, 72 vear old Susunn pontius (her 

Catherine matches the 

mother 

name 

perhnps). 

and approxinrate resided 

age of 

\r,ith 

one of his 

her. Caiherine died Jun. 2. 1892, age 

known sisters. The 

84v 

identity 7m 

of Martha 

ld, and 

is in question...she 

is buried with 

could 

her 

have 

husband. 

been the other sister (risted ns "Erizabeth" in the estnte of Benjamin) 

or an unrecorded daughter of Merchior .f r. 'I'he pontius 

Their family group is outlined fnnriry had 

as follows: 

come to Washington Township from Centre (.ounty, pa in Ig06. 

M-ll- Llclthior 

Index 

httcr (.i/2g/1799 

entries show 

pcrhups 

that in 1g29, itt pcnn 

tn executors bond was 

linrnsltip, Sn.ttler (.rtunt.t,, 

recorded in Pickaway County, for a ',llelchior Pu-.-|/21)/1859) nr. t/26/1826 pitjkun,u.i Co, Oh. to Cuthcrina ponrius 

Yoder". (brtrn 

Letters to the 11/2/1807 

- licd 6/2/tt)92). lt thitdren h. 

co'ntv 

Ohio. 

courthouse have not s.cceeded in locating the details of this llf-ll l- .lohn Yotu (t827 pit.knrt41, (.o, OhiulBBt 

record. It 

Ko.stiusko (.o,ln) 

is certain that 

ttt. 

this was the senior of the two Melchior l/2-l/1819 in ,lcntcu (ount.1,, Ohio h.1, Nic.holu; Nrtcl ttt Etizuheth 

Yoders (!15). BciNh 

The 1830 Pickawny Countv Census, shows his widow (Murch 18.10 PG>1g00) Hul thrcc rhii,lrcn huricd in thc (.tlfntun 

('atherine Llcthorlist 

Yoder, nge 40-50, with only a girl in the household age 5 to 

Epistttpul (-cnrctcr.1,in Adttns'tinLnship, Scncttt (rtuntl. ()ltitt; 2 slttt.s untl u 

10. on p:rge,ll in Washington Township. On page 46, the younger 

tluughtcr ol ,l.

\lJl5- Hrnrr \ utrtr 

Lb. D, 0llie r 

IIJIJ- ,llcob Yotter ( 1836-1860) 

t:rken in f il'flitt. ()hio 

A.m:rndl Ft'ances \\'illiarns Yotter 

\ oDr,-R \IONt'Ntt-\ l' \\'ORKS 

.. "rffl:t qtllt-t I f . {! | 

Y0UER i'lcnumf.f,rr *,f xs. 

-,L\lt\,R\ 

! 

|"lttt3QlAt I g, 

I-his lent and r:xhihit front the 1923 Elkh:rrt ('rrtrnt\'lirir 

"Yoder 

lists: 

Ilonuntent \\ ks. (.ernete 11 N'lenrorials. 205 ll. t.inc. ,'\r'e, Goshen, ln"' 

'fhe photogr:rph wls lound nt ln iltrlique slot'o in sotttlrern (lalifornil' 

\\'ho c:rn tell rrs irbout this lirnt and it's ogncrs 

C'ontinued from pnge I 

80 nt this time, and it is known that he hnd plnyed 1l respected and 

lelding role in the Amish church lbr rnrtnl' yenrs' The text w'ls 

interesting, in itself, but recently we provided a copy to a well 

respected;uthority in hnndwriting an,rlysis. Nlr. Malcom Sndler' \'lr' 

S:riler. who reads no (iernran, wls told nothing lborrt tlre writer' llis 

person:rlity assessment' made directly fronr feitlttres rel'ealed in (he 

hnndwriting itself is as follows: 

"ENiOTIONS: 'fhe writer ol'this sJrecimen is 'l person \D'ho is 

inclined to be very inrprrlsivc. brrl all intlications point towirrd him 

keeping his entolions well rrnder control most of the tinle' [le drives 

hiniseli extremcll' h:trtl :tnd Inily tire before lhe dir'v ends becitttse 1re 

uses so ntuch energv otl every projcct. lle likes good times, excitentent' 

travel, antl lll good things thnt pert,lins to his social life which I would 

not nrenlion.'fhere:rre indications thnl this pcrson likes rich food tltttt 

is highlv seusoned l|nd lnav be il little xle to put in his t:rnli in case he 

or slrc nrighl rtttt ittlo :t virtts. 

"FEELINGS: 

His feelings nre deep and enduring .rnd life 

cxperiences :rre written upon his person1llitl'. 

"MENTAL: 

In dealing with this writer's mental c,rpacit) l 

find him to be sharp Rs a tack. He is vcry analytical tnd hrs the 

capacity of sifting facts and selecting essentials. (l do not know wlrlt 

sex I rm delling with...since we cannot tell from the writing...so in 

this case I nssume this is a man). He has a good menrory and pNys 

close rttention to small details. His writing points to an inquiring 

rnind. along rvith an interest in new things. His thinking appcnrs to 

be carefirl and he has lhe capacitv to chltnge from one lhought to 

rnother with ease and rnpidity. His mind works like a snrooth 

tritnsntission in a new automobile. With fluiditv in speech nnd deed 

he hus the ability to adjust to a group or situltion, 

"IMAGINATION: 

In the abstract fields of imaginntion 

(Philosophical, Theoretical and spiritual fields) this author appears to 

hlve roamed these hills in search for mnny ol his nnswers. In the 

materill field he searched, but according to his writing he did not 

bring much to reality. 

"F-ORCES TO ACHIEVE: Fronr whrt I can see, this writer 

set his golls rnther high. He enjoyed :rnd phnned for distant things, 

feeling that what he wished for in life was u'orlh u'orking and $'ltiling 

for. His will power was rather strong rnd enduring, In nll likelihood, 

it rvould take many obstacles to discorrrage him once he made up his 

nrind. His determination was a ladder to success. and he felt when 

vou stop climbing your only way lyas down. This wriler vt'as verv 

lggressive and with his persistent nature he indicated he wanted to 

go on repeating his effort to gnin his ob.jective. 

"FEARS: 

In dealing with his fenrs I feel he had a desire for 

flttention, or a flnir for doing things in fl mAnner that focuses 

nttention to himself. Another fear this writer had was a fear of being 

left out, and this may be a need to excel orer others or a fear ofbeing 

rejected. We definitely know he was ienlous. ,\nd there is repression. 

Repression is when we have rejected from your consciorts mirrd 

unhappy incidents, thoughts, memories and feelings, thereb.v-' crrrbing 

orrr lbilit-v to be freely self-expressive. This writer had a fear of 

exprcssing his undesired feelings and thel were brrried in his 

runconscious mind, fear of expressing thent cltttsed hinr to rcpress 

them. 

"DEFEn-SE: 

In his defenses this writer had the abilit.l-- to 

communicate with ease and this helps hinr swing others to his point 

of view. Objections would seem to melt hefore his smooth florl' ol' 

well-chosen phrases. Also. this writer had a little temper that tended 

to sputter and that drives people awal'. A poor dcfense since it 

exposes a prime weakness. 

"INTEGRITY: 

This writer has rnany characteristics that 

display his integrity. He is very zealous and determined in whltever 

he undertnkes to do. He has a straight forward approach to nratfers 

thal concern him and generous toward others in n controlled wuy. He 

is very stable and this is supported bv his dignity and poise. There 

are indications ofhis understnndings and appreciations in fine arts ol' 

life and this is a contributins forcc to his social lit'e. 

"COMMENTS: 

There is no dorrbt thnt this person had nrrrch 

going for hinrself. He had strong determination. goals set rather high. 

very persistent, rhythm stable, will power strong and with that high 

powered emotional engine to drive him. success was bound to hnve 

been his destination." 

f

D.(1. \'ODER Al' ANDERSONVil_t.tr pRISON 

".p;Jr*s ' r--l 

'I'hlnks to 

gr:tve ol' "l).( . \ otler of lndilna" who dicd in lhe Andersonville 

llrisorr c:trrr1l. .\ rcrielr of ltll nrale Yoders of l3 yelr5+ as of 1860 

census with a lirst initial of "D", seems lo eliminate all trut David 

Yoder (('on67 ) age -12--whose whereabouts after the w,tr is not 

knoun. l'earh lJ.{X)0 prisoners dietl during the l.l ntonths the prison 

w:rs oper:rted. belore its libcration in.\pril of 1865. Over {5.000 llnion 

soldiers had been held prisoner there. inclrrtling pennsvlv:rnian 

Sanruel Yoder (()HlJJlt6) who sun'ived the wnr lnd died in 1880 at 

lristbrrrg. (-llrion ( o..PA. ,\lso, I)avid Yoder (ltt.l2-1897) who is 

buried in tht'llelornred ('enretery. (ireenbrrrr. pa,, is known to hilve 

spent { lreeks in.\rrdcrsonville drrring his period ofinr;rrisonnrent. 

Noah Yoder (\'Rl{6:t) 

The Pennsylvania Gazette-,f uly' 9, 17 17 

"Philadelphia. July 9. 17,17. R[:N awa]'the 5th of this instant, 

from .lohn Yoder, of Olel township, Philadelphia cotrnl]', trvo 

lrislr serr,,lnt men: the one nanred Daniel l)onahcw. .lbotlt 40 

years of aqc, of middling size. long tlrin vislge, rnrrch pock 

nrark, has a large scar on his lelt cheek" :rnd another on his 

neck, black h:rir. if not cut off, by trade a nriller. Illd on 

u'hen he went lway, a felt hal. hontespttn shirt. rr light brown 

linsey iacket. with brass buttons. two trowscrs. \'arn 

stockings, and half worn shoes. 

'fhe other nttntes fhonras L-r"nch' 

ilbout 20 vears of age, well set, muclr freckled in his litce, 

black hair, if not cut off. Had on whelt he \r'enl il\\'ilvr il 

chestnut colotrrlinsey jncket. l fine hlt, :tn ozenbligs 

shirt. tow trowsers, and neu' shoes. 

'fhe1' look sonle other 

clo,rths with thenr. lnd Jrerhaps nlav thitnge those describ 

lbole. \\'hoever trkes up,lnd brings thc srlid servilnts to their 

mlster, or seclrres thent in :tnY goal, so lhitt he nl;tv hlve thenr 

:rgain, shrll have TtIREE PISTOLES reurtrd lirr eilch. and 

reitsonable charges, plid bv .f OHN \'ODllR." 

('fhks lo.lelT Reimert lirr sharing this) 

Moses Yoder andEliza Mullen (YR2393) 

CanadianYoder Cousins 

u&:, 

l htnks ro David l-rrtht of the Heril:rse llistorical I_ibrtry. 

,\r'lnrer. Ontario, lbr sh:tring this l)hologrltph ol lhe qr:rvestone of 

Nloses Yoder and his wife. \lost's(\'R2l9J and l)BllJltt). wns the son 

of the .f ohn and Barbara Yoder mentioned in the Sonrerset Count-v, 

Pn. ccmelen' cleln-up appearing elseuhere in this issue. 

Nloses (1799-1880) and his uife lre brrrit'd in the Springfield 

('enreten. rvhich is 5 miles norlh of ,.\r'lnrer. .\ccording to a 

('entcnnial nrticle appearing in the ,lune lS, 1977 issue of the Avlnrer 

Express. Springlield got it's nlme fronr the frcl lhlt the original 

buildings lvere in a field in llhich there lvere:r nulnber ol'springs. The 

n:lnlo \l':ts reportedh, proposed uhen Nloses ou.ned tlre larnr bv his 

daughler Suslnna (Nlrs..fehill Nlnnn). .\t Iloses' dc:rth, the property 

passed his son,lohn (1835-1890) uho oJrerated the "('lovcrlv Apiarl" 

nnd I llell equipped cheese faclon.. 

'l lr:rnLs to I];rrllara link lirr sh:rring this plroto. liruird in the piclures 

ol'her nrolhcr. lt t.as nrarked "(lr:rndd:rtl \ otlcr". l.'rrrnr thc age ol' 

thc photo it sct'nrs clcar that this is ol' \o;rlr \ oder (\'Rl{62a) 

(Jil0/llt27 \ll'-2l1ll1)l'7 L.og:rn ('o. ()) r:rther tlr:rn his son.lohn 

\\...uho liverl rrntil 1933. No:rh und his first \\ile are brrried in tlrc 

Yoder cenrelo'\'" L()g:tn ( ountr', O). Ilar.bar:r l.'ink. 50115 Springbank 

R

;* T';;';ffi.''"*.t'ilfi';J;'.1. "*.hong", "t no 

clrarge. Plense limit as possible to inclrrde rt full rctttrn address. All 

inquiries are checked tgainst ottr rccortls to see if we can help too. lf 

you receive added info, please share it with the YNL for orrr files. 

Send Queries to: C--hris Yoder, 20J Lakeshire Rd., Battle (lreek'l\'li 

t9015 or erniril at 73'l 57.33'7 lta\conrprrsene.coln. 

Lookirrg for infornration on llannah Yodcr ((r/l(r/18'll-12/9/1901) m. 

c1866 to fsirac Zellers (lll30/1838 [inion ('o. Plt-2/2lll902l resided 

near ),lew C-olumbia, Union (lo, Pl. \\'as the dnrrghter of Benjanlin 

Yoder and his wife Hlnnah ( the sante who nl:rrried [Iannah Klein in 

1825, near Reading) (see Yoder unlinked. code "BX").ls,llc was 

buried in Forest Hill (-emeten'. Don'l know u'here lianna was buried. 

Reply to:rddress is: Bill Zeller.2tT Brrinnrd Ave., Fayetteville. NC', 

28301 at: peterzelaarfoto.infi.net 

I'r'e.just started resenrching m1- l:rnril"v.rnd h:rve very little 

informntion. NI1- father was Lewis Ernest (nee Ernestus) Yoder, born 

in 1915. He had a brother Hnrry Leroy Yoder. His fatherwas Robert 

Kinderdine Yoder and his ntother was Gertrude Hoffman' His 

grandfuther was Lewis Nl. \'oder rlnd cnnle from Germnny' Thnt is 

lll I h.n'e. Cnn anyone help me l\11* address is: Jerrie Yoder Stover' 

2327 Hill Ave" Middleto*'n' ohio {50{4 

My name is Ferrin Flicks, I live in Lakeland, Florida, and went to 

Lakeland Senior High School, class of 1958. Am trying to find n 

womnn named Susan Yoder. She went to school with nre and we were 

close friends. We lost totrch nfter school and I would love to find her. 

J. Ferrin llicks. 10,16 Cherry Lane, I-akeland, FL 338l l-2626, (911', 

6,18-5096 Phone. FH icksT455fdaol.conr 

Looking for John Yoder. We went to school in Cherry Hill NJ . 'I'he 

Iust I knew he lived on Rt. 73. I believe the to\,vn was Berlin. NJ. 

There were 2 schools that we nttended together: an elementry school 

(Archway Elenrentn School),the second was a high school named The 

Alternative School. Nlv mailing address is: Bonnie MacKenzie (aka 

Bonnie Cole);528 E. Imperial Hw-v Apt F; Frrllerton, CA, 92835-l120 

******************************************************** 

Looking for I\IYRA YODER of Charlotte, NC- Nly name is Willianr 

Parnell. Looking for an old friend--her name is Myrn Yoder, \te were 

in Harding High school in Charlotte, N.C. together. I believe she said 

she and her folks were from Lincolnton NC--William Pnrnell. c/o 

R&T Auto Sales.2626 Wilkinson Blvd.. Charlotte. NC 28208 

Some Recent Yoder Contacts: 

YRl2aJS- Elias Yoder- cfluharty@mednet.ucla.edu 

AY,l- Emantrel Yoder rvho rnarried Sarah Crist- Esty Childress 

Con296l- Edward Evertt l'oder- Daniel L. Yoder,Dlyoderra''aol.corn 

YR2337:13-Valentine D.\'odert Karen English 

YR23443,1- Aaron T. Yoder. Keith Yoder. (lentreville. VA

(lhristian Yoder (\'R23) Cemeferv Status 

l he brass nlarker htrs been ordered... 

Old Yodcr Cemctery 

Thls c.d.tcry ll.. o! thc oriSinsl hotue!teid of "Schwei(rcr" Chrirtian Yoder 

(cr728.r8r6). HG pu.ch$ed r 606 rcre ptot in Some.s.t Co. on Oci 9, 1775 

for 8968. Ch.irtl.n bro!ght his 1..6e femily hon 

8erL, Co., and wls ! fouoder 

ol ".h€ Gl.dc.'Anl.L cod!..9e(ioo. H. odginelly trived il Phil.d€lpbi{ otr th€ 

.hlp "lrrncl. lod tlidb.rh" on Sep.21, 1742. 

So! JohD Yod.r purchrt.d the hoderteld i. r796. John rDd hi. r'ifc Brrb,rr 

re.t udder two of th. only darled trrve6 lD thi. cemerery. It l! Iilely thit 

'Schw.ltter" 

Cbd!tt.! &d oany of hls other descend.nt. lie lnd€t the um.rked 

1999 

\\e'll necd to raise ndditional firnds to pal for tlre stone on which to 

nlounl il. lnd for tlre actual;rlacenrenl at the qrnvesite. As indicilted 

in (he Inst YN[,. anr'one contributing 52S or nrore u,ill receive a free 

copt of " l'he Reuben Yoder Farnih and lts l)cscendlnts" (he wls a 

great grnrrdson of YR23, and his own lunrily number is YR2JJ7:I). 

l'leuse send contributions to "(lhristinn Yoder ('entetcrl fund-Yoder 

\eusletter".20J Lakeshire Rd. Battle ('reek. Ill {9015. 

\OI{I H ( ,\R()l.l\,\ \ Ol)[]ltS rrill hold lheir {9th itnntt:tl rettnion 

:rl thcir n0r'rtlltl tirttc itt .\trgttsl 199()' I'':ttllilv ntentbers :trt' lt'elcottle. 

For rlet:rils cont:rct: l'ttl IL \ orler. ['.(). I]or l(]281. Nlountain View 

Sl;rtion. llickort. \( 2lt(r(lJ. 

WILLIAM BALI, DI[,S 

WISCONSIN \'S YOD[,R,\T'tORNE\' 

Willianr Bentley Bnll, a nationalh'- knou chantpion of religious 

freedom tlied .Ian. 10. 1999 at the age of 83' He was a teilching fellow 

in Nolre Dame's (lernran deplrtment: iln 'lttol'nev with W' R' Grace 

runtl ('o. in New York and lvith the drrrg lirnt l'lizt'r lnc' lle also 

tlrught law lt Villanova ['niversitl* antl ttas the general cottnsel for 

the Pennsylvania Catholic (lonl'erence' lle is best rcrnenrbored for his 

efforts lo preserve the Arnish wa.v-' of life' On Decerrtlrer 8' l97l Ball 

argueci n mnjor case before the Srtpreme ('ottrl on religiorrs freedonl 

in "Wisconsin vs Yoder". St:tte officills h:rd tried to force '\nrish 

chiIdrento,lttendpublicschooluntiIl6l'earso|.llge'.|-hecorrrthe|d 

in his flvor on N'lay 15, 1972. (News provided br (':lrl \l' \'oders) 

******************************************************* 

Passings: 

-Hatten Yoder lll 

(5/7/1960-ll/l'll1998) Burtonsville' Pa' 

beloved son of Dr. and Mrs. Hntten S. Yoder.lr 

-lVIilton Blatt. 88. historian Snlem (Belleman's) Union (lhurch' 

lnd retired teacher, Mohrsville. P.t. died I l/l l/1998. 

\rryest !irginia lgder Irpdate 

I'l:rns art' slill ttttdcrrr';tr' lirr hoslirtg :t \lttiolt:tl Yotler Retrnion in 

\rrgusl ttl 200(l (:rlso(he occ:tssiott of'tlreir 50lh nnnulll rcrrnion)' 

\\:rtch tlre ner( \ Nl, irstrr:s lirr nrore delails. 

,\NN[ ,.\I, OLEY RETINION 

-l-he Olel \'oders itre having lheir anntrll regional reunion on ,lulv 

lTth:rt thc ()lel Fire llouse. cotnntcncing itt l0 arn. Details:lnd preregistralion 

cln be obtttined bv contacting: \'oder Rettnion 

'\ssoci:rtion. {15 State St.. Potlsto$'Ir. PA l9'16'1. \\'e will nrlil-oul 

individrral invitltions lo lhose on our mailing list, later this spring. 

()ur lnnull reunion lbr 2000 is scheduled for 'lrrlv l5th. 

\ ODI'I{ ('00KBOOK REPORT 

Yodt'r ( ookbook ('ornnrittec l{el)ort: No nrore recipes needed. The} 

are re:tdv to go to print. "now".: ('ookbooks will he available for sale. 

:tf thc srrnrnrer' Olev re union .(7l17 l99l: Price-Sl0.{X) e,lch, plus postage 

:tnrl handling of S2.50. (this is also the cost for mrrltiple purchases) lve 

c:rn onh pllce one cookbook in euch errvelope.tSend S12.50 to Alice 

Yoder. {JJ Nlanor llorrse [-ane. Souderton. I'A 1896,1-2802. Nlake 

checks out to: \'oder ll.errnion .\ssociltion 

N.\'t' l ()\...\ t. Rt. t'N IoN-200 I 

I he tllte lbr lhe next Nittionrtl ()te1 \'oder Rettnion is .lrrlv 2l' 2001 

l'lanning inclrrrles a Fridal the 20th.."rtdd-on" corrsisting of a "\'oder 

\nrish llcriluge -four ol' Ilerks ('ounty". conducted by Lois rnd 

l.enrlr \last. prrblishcrs ol' "Ilennonite Fanrill History". 

3rd .\nnual \Ieetine ol'llouse of Yoder 

-lJ persons gathered on :r bearrtilirl irutllnln Saturda.v 

(Norcnrber l{. 1998) at Pcnn,\lps in (,rirnrsville. Nll) lbr the third 

'l 

irtrnual rrtcetirrg ol' Horrse of \ oder. lnc. he prograrn included ln 

inspiring tour of the Yoder House undcr construction. 53ll0 in 

cort(ribulions carne in drrring tht'dlv and lhis lnrount was nrntched 

li'ont lirnds in a rnatclring grant. \'ireil Yoder gave rn inforrnative 

nrultinredia presentxtion ol'tlre Yoder slor\' (lxting back to Europe:rn 

rurigins. ,\ reportcr and plrotographt'r li'onr the (lunrberl:rnd Tinres 

\1tre l)reselll:tnd nn arlicle on the lnnu:rl nreeting;tnrl the Yoder 

llrtusc appeared in the Novenrber l5 issuc ol'thut rrewspaper. T'he 

Yotler Ilouse is rlnrosl under roof ,tt this point \r'ith the rrfters in 

lllitcr and onh the cedur shnke shingles needing to be instllled. For 

lirrther inlirlnralion, conlacl Lonnie \ oder', Publicit\'/Nlenrbership 

( oordinator. \'oder llorrse Proiect. l0(16 Snrith Avenue, 

llarrisonbrrrg. \'.\ 22802. 5{0-.132-(r{67. ltbv n shentel.net. 

8 

Thanks to (lonnie lllosteller (email:Nlikcortrttost'c'itol.coln) lirr the 

rupdatc on this famill': 

('on392-(-rlvin E. (A.) \'oder b. 612611836 llickorr', (latnwbr 

('o.. N('nr. l0/13/1867 Hickory. ('t$'1t.. N('. Sara Fulbright 

(5/22llS3S-8/1/1919(or 8/'ll1918-per ('.N|.) d. t/19i1909 St.Albans. 

Klnawhit ('o.. \\'V both bur. Ntosteller/\'oder ( enl. 'forn:rdo. 

Kanau'lra Co..\\'\' ("take Coal River Rd fronr St ,\lbans to Fnllis 

('reek Rd, go I mile turn right on gravel Rd) ('iril \\'nr- (lo D.36th 

VA lnf ((ionnie Mosteller-9/98) 

(lon392l Nlartin Alonzo b.1ll2ll867 Hickon. (-t\lb'. N(l d' 

5/15/1953 Tornado, Kan., WV Buried I'Iost./\'od. ('em. Tornado. 

Knn..\\'\/ nr. .lane Elizabeth Nlosteller ( 1872-1912) 

(-on3922 l'-idelia (Delle/Delia) b. 8/13/1870 d' (tl19l1921 

Torn:rdo. Kln.. \\\' bur. Most/\'od (lem. rn. \lichael []. Nlosteller 

nt.8l7l1887 Lin. Co.. NCI 

(1on3923 Nlan E. b. 5/18/1S72 d. 1920 bur. \\ood/Oxlev Cenr', 

Browns ('k.. S.A..Kan..Wv m. .f ulirrs Robert Snrith 

(lon392,l lda E. b. 1ll2ll871 d. J/10/1942 brrr. \ll.Tabor ('hrrrch 

of God (lem. S.A.,Kan.,WV m. William l. Hall 

'l'ornado, 

('on3925 Thomas Alexander b. 1l19ll877 d. l9(r2 

Kan. ('o.. WV m. Delia Butcher (1881-19J9)(g{nther of Eloise 

Nicholls. Box 527, Whitesville,WV 25209) 

(1on3926 Nlintv Mae b. 1l16l1897 d. 9l'!ll9ti Knn. ('o.. \\'\' 

bur. ('unningham Cem., S.A., Kan. (lo.,WV nr. '\.11. l.lnrberl 

NOTE: two other Yoders at this Cenretery- Elizabeth Yoder 

(,1/8/lS3l- 7l16l19l9l and Nlartha Yoder (3/J/t8'll)- trnknown

-wlssue\unrber J-l 


P.C). Bor 59'1. Goshcn. lN J6527 

()ctobcr l9()9 

IttI I OIII() \ ODI'II I,,\ND (;RAN-I'FOT'NI) 

SIGNI.-D I}\'I'\\'O PRESIDI-\-I'S 

Joder Instrument 

Guides Historic Balloon Trip 

C)n Dec. 13. l8l lC orre (lhristian Yodcr received an Ohio land 

patent sitned hv the President of the Ilnifed States and also hv the 

nran destirred lo be his successor, 

TIris docrrme nl Irls recentl) been rescued fronr the hands of :rn 

itutograph dealer. All lh:rl is knou rr of ils origins is thut it lvas 

purchased li'ont a prior dealer in lJoslon. Nlasslchrrsetts about fir'e 

\ eilrs 1lgo. 

('ontinrred on page 6 

S(]H\\'ARTZ\\',\ I,D (]II T I R(]H PRO\,'I DES 

INTERESTING NIIX ,\ND NEW INFORNIATION 

,\chwuriwulil (initul L'hur('1, ol ('hrist, Iluilt in It170, Exetcr'futnship, 

Ilerks (.o.,I\t (Photgntph with permission of .lustine lfulter ) 

Illrrilge recortls lbl the Sclrrvarlz*'ald congregntions of Berks 

['ountr lrere keJrt bv the ll.er. \\'illiam Boos bctween l78l and l8l l. 

Included rre rcrords of a rrunrber of Oler'!'llle1 \'oder. but 

surprisingh'enough a couple ol their Anabaptist cousins as !r'elll 'fhe 

Schwartzn'ald l-utherarr and Itetbrnred chtrrch is in llxeter'frvp., 

located 5 milcs eirsl ol' l{t'lding on ll.l. 562. ,\ccording to the Berks 

('ount1, Pa GEN\\LB site. these congregalions probabll date front 

the etrly l710s. A l7-15 dirrr entrr and r l75J letter br' H. ll. 

Nluhlenberg st:lte thnt he dcdicated this "rrnion church" (nreaning 

shared bctwcen [-rrtherln irnd lteforntetl ( ongregations) in the e:trlv 

leirrs ol'his serrice.,\ cornnrunion t;rnkard drled l7{l irt thc church 

supports Nlrrhlenbelg's \1:rtorler)t.,\ sturdr building serred lhe trvo 

congregltions until IllI I whcn :l new one $^s elccted. 'l he photo 

lbove shows the present slructure uhich l'ts lluilt in I870 as I Ilnited 

( hrrrr:h of ('lrrist church, l)uring nruch of lhe tirnc bctlveen its 

lbrrnding :rnd I -193, it ll,ptur':; llirslors li'unr Reading sen'gd 

Schrvlrrtz*nltl 

('ontinued on page 5 

Conrpanies owned by Swiss cousins Andrels :rnd Peter .lodcr 

provided the altinreter (r'ariometer) and pressure sensor llhich helped 

the hot air balloon "Breitling Orbiter 3" beconre the first to s:ril nonstop 

lround the u'orld. Captained by the Swiss-linglish teanr of 

Bertrand Piccrrd and Brian Jones, the balloon broke all previous 

records fordrrration and distance, traveling l9 da1s,2l hours and 55 

nrinrrtes bcfirre l:rnding in Eqypt on Nl:rr.2l, 1999. The teitnr lvon a 

:11.000.000 prizc was :rwarded bl Anheuser-Busch. The balloon is 

l'eatured on the Sept. 1999 cover of Natiorral (ieographic maglzine. 

\\'e thlnk ,lohn Bieber, for the detnils of his recent trip to Srvitzerland 

and his visit with fhe Joder fanrilv lvhich appenrs belot. 

Yoder Steffisburg Web Links 

brlohn 

\\'. llieber 

Nly work sonretinres takes nrc to Switzerllnrl. lnd on several 

occasions I've takerr the opportunity to visit Steffisburg, lrrcestral 

home of the Yoder family. After rnr' first trip, I put some photos of 

Sleffisburg and the nearbv castle torvn of'fhun on thc lnternet, Iinked 

lo thc Yoder Hornepage. whcre,{ndreas,loder. a distant cousin from 

the Old (lountn, (arne upon thenr. \\'e correspondetl bv e-mail and 

lrranged to meel during nry latest trip to Snitzerland in Illrch 1999. 

ln this wn"v nrodern technologl helped restore lirrnih connections that 

u ere hroken lhree ceuturies ago. 

"Andv" 

.{ndreas .loder 

to his linglish-speaking 

acqttaintances --- is a friendlr'. energetic nrln. Nll first night in Thun 

he picked nre up nt nrv hotel. :rnd rve drove to it resl,lurant on the 

shores of Lnke'fhun. I had l delicious mell of "Niissli" srtlld and 

local lake fish. I don't knorv the llnglish lranslation of "Niissli," if 

there is one. but it becanre a lavorite ofnrine the first time I tasted it. 

Andf is an Electrical Engineer who spent a nunrber ol'1ears in 

the [:nited States. in [-nfnlette (lndirna), Nlinneapolis. and Srn 

Francisco. \\'hile irr the [:nited Slales, he once paid a visit lo Ben 

Yoder. co-founder of this Nelvsletter. 

Since relurning to Switzerland, Andl has been an 

entrepreneur invoh'ed in several high-tech conrpanies. including one 

that builds 1rressure sensors used on balloons trnd hang {liders. -fhe 

recent Sl1iss-English team that achieved the lirst non-slol), troundthe-uorld 

balloon flight flelv lvith instrrrnrentation nr:rnullclured by 

this,loder conlp,tn\'. Currentlr Andy is lbcusing his energv otr r new 

compnnv providing Intcrnel sen iccs. 

'l-he next nrorning '\ndv. noll acconrpanietl bv his lirther Hans- 

,lakob(llans).foder. picked nre up for l da.v tour of the local area. We 

lirst tritveled up thc lovelv "Sirnmental" (\':rllel ol'the Sirnnre River) 

to llrlenbach. lhnrcd for llre lrescoes paintetl on lhe nalls of its church 

irr I J20. ( ontinrred on Page ,l

*******************xx*************************************** 


Ben F Yoder ( l9l3-1992)l Chris Yoder & Rachel Kreider 

FRO]\I THE EDITORS 

Chris Yoder. Editor, Battle Creek, N{I; John W' Yoder' Circulation 

llanager. N'liddlebury. IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing 

Editor. Goshen, IN; Esther E. Yoder, Nlail Manager' Goshen' lN; 

Donald Kauffman, YNL Homepage Webmaster, Edmonton' Alberta' 

Canada. Other Contributors: Richard H' Yoder, Bechtelsville' PA; 

Hubert A. \'oder" Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder Coffman' Malvern' 

PA: Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neil D. Wilfong' Cleveland' NC; and 

Dr. Delbert Gratz, Bluffton' OH 

***************x**xxx*************x************************* 

SEND YNI- CORRESPONDENCE: 

-FOR CIRCIILATIO)i ISSUES ONLY such as new or renewed 


Newsletter. P.O. Box 59,1, 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' NII 

;19015(or by electronic mail to "75757.3371@compuserve.com"). 

**************x****************x****x********************x*x 

YNL PRICE INFORNIATION SS$$ (Price unchanged since 1983!) 


-BACK TSSUES of the YNL are $l per issue. 


includes a topical index of major articles' and an "every name index"' 

(Price S28 post paid). 

Order from: The Yoder Newsletter, P.O.Box 594, Goshen' IN 46527. 

CORRECTION TO YNL 33: The photo of the West Virginia Yoder 

couple on the back page was not identified. It is of Fidela (Delia) 

Yoder and her husband Nlichael llosteller. 

**************x**************x****************************** 


YRl2l3723- Rufus Yoder- Randy E. Yoder , randy.yoder@eds.com 

ConJ925l- French Robert Yoder- warlock666-69@webtv.net 

MUH I l- James Yoders- Rose Cowan, Van Burean, Ark 

OHl3387- Amos Yoder- Carol (Nlyers) Brown, cdbrown@wesnet.com 

and Paul Myers 

YR25l26- Barblra Yoder -Gerald L. Smith, St. Joseph' lVlO 

YA33- (-hristian J Yoder--Nathan l'oder 

Fort Wa1'ne. IN tiSA 

YR2l{.lJ,ll- Rudolph A. \'oder--Carol }lcGraw, Hutchinson, Ks 

.jeferarmidusa. net 

YRI{629,1- Christian B. \'oder-- }lariean Stnndridge 

 

YR2337523- .lanres Il. \'oder-- J'Bill Yoder, Jr. jbilljcft'juno.com 

YR23{{3'185- John A. \'oder--\/ictor Yoder

The John Yoder Homestead 

A Mifflin County Appeal 

ARTICLE BY: lVlabel V. Brunk. 1325 Greencroft Drive #383, 

Goshen. ln 16526 

.\n original Yoder home still stands in Big !'alley, N{ifflin 

(iounr1, Pa. Buitt bl John (\'R251) & Barbara Yoder, this probably 

earliest home of Amish settlers in Big Valley deserles preseruation, A 

ntetal porch roof across the front end has already disappeared, Action 

is needed to save the structure before it is either razed or crumbles to 

nrins. Descendants ofJohn and Barbara Yoder need to act. 

i\lennonites interested in Valley history could spearhead an 

effort to presert'e the house. The Nlifflin County Historical Society 

could accept this challenge. Descendants of John and Barbara yoder 

could be asked to contribute the costs of purchasing the structure, 

Current President of the Historical Society is Paul [. Bender. 

Interested descendants can contact him at the Historical Society, p.O. 

Box 560J. Belleville, Pa 1700.1, phone 717-935-557,1. 

.Iohn Yoder YR25l. 

"\'otter 

Hannes" was born in 1754 in 

Berks Country, Pa and married Barbara Rickenbach RB3l (AANIG 

p.500). .fohn irnd Barbara u,ere probably the first Amish settlers in 

the Big Vallev (Nlifllin County)PA, coming in the spring of l79l from 

Elk Lick Tounship, Sonrerset (iounty, PA. Their son, "Keifer Christ", 

ancestor ol' manv Big vallev residents, was born in Somerset County 

in 178{. 

In l79l John purchased 212 acres ofland fronr Henry lIilro,1, 

in .\rmaugh Tou'nship, Nlifflin County, Pa. near Nlilroy. purchase 

price rvns 710 pounds. Henry Nlilrov and family reserved the "right to 

occulrv until death one roorn and parl ofanother in teh mansion and a 

weaver shop" and could harvest the "crop of rye and what is to be 

solvn and the grass now in the neu meldow" (Mifllin Corrnty Deed 

recnrds. A-319,1792). 

,lohrr and Blrbara's two-slory house, northeast of Milror,, hnd 

"l lnd B\' 180,1" inscribed in the top store. The 

"t" in German is the 

srnre rs the ".1" in English. 1'he log barn was probably built by the 

Yoders. (Ezra Knnag,r'. Kanagy Roots and a Branch, 1987, Sugarcreek 

t)h. p. 23). Newer siding now, covers the logs, but through cracks in 

the deteriornting barn, some of the original logs are visible. 

.fohn llso purchased land in Half NIoon 'I'ou,nship, Centre 

('ount\'. Pa where various relatives lived. In l8l3 John and Barbara 

sold their 222 acres (npparentll'they had added l0 ncres) in Armaugh 

Ton'nship for 2500 pounds to Jacob Kenagy. ,fohn and Barbara 

nroved to \\'Avne Countv. Oh where,Iohn died. 

ln 1984 Bob C'lose ou.ned the Armaugh Township land, 

including the house. The burial plot on the NlcCoy farm is back ofthe 

bnrn. 'Ihe farm wns divided on the west side nnd in 198:l was owned 

bl Llnev NlcCo.r-'. l'he deed to this farm. No.2. has a clluse about the 

right to la.r'n lead pipe to the spring on farm #2. "Boh Close said 

severnl velrs ago irn apple tree blevr.or.er und lhe rools came up, 

runcovering the lead pipe." (Ezra Kanagy, p,2J) 

.f ohn Yoder's parents rvere immigrants .lohn 

'l'his yoder and Anna 

__. .f ohn's father w,as Christian Yoder (\'R2). 

Barbara Rickenbach's parents, John and Anna, immigrated 

from Switzerland. John died in 1782 in Berks County, pa. The 

Rickenbach line can be traced five more generations to a Michael 

Rickenbach who lived in Switzerland in the sixteenth century. 

While the stones are still in place, John and Barb:rra's original 

Yoder House asks to be saved! 

******************x***************************************** 

Christian Yoder (YRl22) 

Date of Death Discovered 

In the classic Amish and Amish Mennonite Genealosies, by 

Gingerich and Kreider, the children of "Hamburg Christian" (yRl2) 

are listed by name, but the "order of issue" is uncertain. Approximate 

birth dates are shown beginning in 1745 and ending in 1765. The 

second child in this order was A son named Christian yoder, born 

"about 1747". AAMG indicates he was believed to have treen living in 

Somerset County (then Bedford) by 1790. 

In our YNL 30 feature on the descendants of yRl2. we revealed 

evidence that the unmarried Christian later lived in Stark County, 

Ohio and wrote his will their on Sept, j,lt24. We now can add more 

information. thanks to the local paper "The Ohio Repository" dated 

Sept. 30, 1824, page 3, column 3: "DIED...In Canton township, of the 

l6th inst. Mr. Christian Yoder, age 80 years", 

Assuming the age at death is correct, Christian was apparently 

born about l7,l4.,..This might make him the oldest of the children in 

his family. 

*x******************************************xx***x********** 

llappanee community 

honors Gentenarian 

I Former teacher, 

farm wife receives 

congratulations 

NAPPANEE, Ind. - The Nappanee 

cornmuniby gave a special 

resident a special birihday parby 

Sunday at the Stump Homestead 

at C.R.s 5O a.nd 15. 

A crowd of famiJy members, 

former students,. neighbors and 

friencls joined in the celebration 

of \['ilma Yoder George's 1o0th 

birthday at the homestead where 

her father was raised. 

George is a lifelong resident of 

{appanee and became welllicrown 

in the community as an 

educator and as a hostess at 

Amish Acres. Mayor Larry 

Thompson read a proclamation 

Sunday designating Wedaesday 

as Wilma George Day in honor of 

her bir-thday. 

Wilma Gertrude Yoder was 

born on Ju.Ire 9, 1899. at the 

Jonatha.n Yoder home on C.R. 52 

YR239a65 

Goshen News, 

Jun.7. 1999 

ia Locke Township, one mile 

north and two mi-les west of Nanpanee. 

She was the youngest of 

fdur daughters born to Jonathan 

Yoder a.nd Ma"r'y Ja.ne Michael 

Yoder. She was brought up Presbyteria.n, 

but spoke only German 

at home until she went to school. 

Most of her neighbors were 

Amish. 

Wilma remembers that the 

farrily always maintained strong 

ties with the Stump family, When 

her father was orpha.ned ai the 

age of 14, he was taken in by his 

ulcie Solomon Stump. son of 

Bishop Daniel Stumpi an early 

church leader irr Union Tbvrn- 

Ship. 

Her first memory was the 

death of President William 

McKinley in 1901 when she was 

only 2. She remembers her 

father's somber discussion of the 

president's assassination. She 

also remembers an eariy Christmas 

where the tree stood to the 

ceiling and was decorated with 

real candles - 

sl:e recalls. 

Celebrating 100 years 

"most glorious," 

J


Another reason for mv interest in Erlenbach is that it was the 

birthplace (1612) of ,lakob Amman, a religious leader whose followers 

came to be c:rlled "Amish." f'oday, no Amish remain in Switzerland. 

They all enrigrated long ago --- including some bearing the nanre 

Joder/\'oder --- and thev flourish todav in parts of the linited States 

and Canada, 

,1;tuffishu rK I u n I murk t h c " II ot h h u u s " 

Andl'. .lohn, unl Huns ut St:huiltu Ctrstle "'Schloss '\chuduu" 

We continued on to the quiet village of Amsoldingen and 

visited its beautiful Romanesque chrrrch, practically unchanged from 

the time it was built in the I lth century. We then drove to Thun for n 

quick lunch of coffee and cake in Schadau Castle. 

These dal's \latter's Htichhuus has a restaurant on its ground 

floor and aprrtments on the upper floors. Hans's family actually lived 

there for a time when Andy was a child. Andy recalls that he and n 

frientl w'ould play tricks on their neighbors b1' tossing a wallet 

attached to a string from one of the openings in the Hiichhuus's attic. 

\\'hen .r passerby bent to pick up the wallet. thel- would snatch it 

away. 

My visit with my Swiss cousins concluded with a trip to 

Stelfisburg church. lts present form dates from 1681, though portions 

of the strtrcture survive from the llth century, the same era as the 

church in Amsoldingen. Dominating one wall of the church is the 

"Nloses tablet," an artistic rendering of the Ten Commandments 

painted on wood and dated 1682. Around the periphery of the tablet 

are shields naming prominent citizens of Steffisburg of that day' 

Among them we find the names Caspar and Jost Joder. Hans related 

that this trensure was recovered from a local farmhouse where it was 

sen'ing as a wall between two rooms. We should thank that farmer for 

presen'ing it in this way. After repair and restoration, it looks almost 

ls good as new. 

Ytxler Crests uppearing in the "il[oses Tuhlet" 

Itxtking soutlt ovcr thc citt'tl ,Steiffishurg, t'hurch lo thc right 

The afternoon was spent in Steffisburg, where members of the 

Joder family have lived for centuries, and where Hans Joder still lives 

today. Hans took early retirement from the Swiss telephone company 

in order to pursue more actively his myriad interests. Among these are 

sailing. heekeeping, tree pruning. local history, and historical 

presen'ation. Hans was involved in the renovation and archaeological 

investigation of the Stell'isburg church, and he is active in efforts to 

preserve another Steffisburg landmark: the "Hijchhuus" built by the 

knight Heinrich Matter in 1449, 

4 

'l'he folloning day was mv last full day in Switzerland during 

this lrip. I was on mv own, and I wandered through Stelfisburg and 

the surrounding countryside snapping photos and taking notes. I was 

collecting material to rdd to my Internet Webpage on Steffisburg and 

'l'hun. \'ou crn view the results if you have Internet access. Go to the 

Yoder Newsletter site (http://www.yodernewsletter.org/). and click the 

"Steffisburg and Thun" link on the main page. 

x*********x************************************************* 

YODER NIONTIMENT COMPAN}' IDENTIFIED 

The owners of the "Yoder Monument Wks" mentioned in 

YNL 33 have apparently been identified. Daniel R. Yoder (YR2337a3) 

and his son LeRoy E. (Toby) Yoder, the business in Goshen, Indiana, 

during the 1930s &.10's. The picture shown in the YNL was found in 

Southern California and one of LeRoy's sons (Daniel) lived in the 

Sorrthern California area during the 1940s to the 1950s' --Thanks to 

Nlrs. Richard 1.. \ oder for this information

Andreas Joder Recalls Visit with 

YNL Founder Ben Yoder 

Since I was a child my family was in tight contact with Karl 

Joder from Karlsruhe in Germany. Karl was already retired when we 

were in contact, He was doing most of the ancestral work here in 

Europe and he spent quite some time in Steffisburg. Through him we 

received the first Yoder News Letters which were written by Ben. 

Karl and Ben work tightly with each other. I am sure that Chris 

Yoder knows more about the relationship between Ben and Karl. 

Of course when we, my wife and myself, moved to Lafayette in 

1982 we wanted to visit the firmous Ben in Goshen and we also were 

very excited to visit the Amish country. Over a long weekend we drove 

from Lafavette to Goshen were we met and stayed with Ben and his 

wife. At that time Chris was not at home since he wns 'stationed' in 

overseas with his family. 

Ben and his wife were great hosts and we were impressed 

about the energv and dedication they were putting into the Yoder 

familr. \'ou have to understand that this was completely new to us 

since in the old country we are not so conscious and aware of our 

rncestors as the people in the new world. 

During our stay in Goshen we went to a real Amish shop where 

I wrs try-ing to spenk in Swiss German with the local people. I was 

surprised to understand most of it but not all. lsn't it amazing to see 

the cultural root after so many years of separation between the Amish 

and the Swiss/Germans. I felt like watching and living in an old 

movie. 

I don't know if this makes up for a good story but this is what 

hnppened.----Best regards,Andy. 


-Jotter, Esther of Oley Twp (OY49) m. l4 Jan 1794 Isaac Bertho 

-Jotter, Catherina of Oley Twp. (OYl74) m.2l Jan lj97 m. Daniel 

Weitner 

-Jotter, Jacob (OY45) m.28 Feb 1797 Anna Maria Bertho, Oley Twp. 

-Jotter, Samuel (OHl32l) m 2l Apr 1799 Elisabeth Wahl () Oley 

T*p. 

-Jotter, Hannah of Oley Twp. (OHllll) m.27 Dec l80l Jacob Knab 

-Jotter, Abraham (OY14) m. 26 Sep 1802 Elisabeth Breyvogel of 

Rockland Twp. 

-Jotter, Esther of Oley Twp. (OH1323) m. 2 Dec 1802 Henrich 

Schreckengast 

-Jotter, Johannes (OHl45) m. I Sep 1803 Catharina Levan Oley Twp. 

-Jotter, David (OHl34) m. 8 Jun 1805 Catharina Hoch of Oley Twp. 

-Jotter, Hannah of District Twp (OY42l) m. 4.fun 1805 Abraham 

Nlensch 

-Jotter, Johannes (YRl77) m 20 Jul 1805 Frany Rickebach,Bern Twp. 

-Jotter, Catharina of Bern Twp. (YRl79) m. 28 Jul 1805 Johannes 

Hertzler 

-Joder, Elisabetha,Oley Twp. (OHlJ26) m. 24 NIav 1807 Samuel 

Nlever 

-,f otter, Samuel (OY4l3) m. 6 Nov 1808 Esther Robert Oley Twp. 

-Jotter, Susanna (OY1l6) m. 23 Apr 1809 Wilhelm Weitener 

COMMENTS: 

One surprise in this list is the 1805 appearance of two chrildren 

of John Yoder (YRl7). John was the only Amish yoder of his 

generation to remain in Berks County through the Revolutionary War 

period and into the next century. Much of this family became Church 

of the Brethren,..as the Amish had all left the area. 

The Samuel Jotter who married Esther Robert (Reppert) in 

1808 is also new information. It is increasingly apparent that we've 

worked this fellow out as the Samuel who settled in Union County, pa 

and died there in 1870. 

Samuel Jotter who married "Elisatreth Wahl ()" in 1799 is the 

fellow we identified in YNL 25 as probably being OHl32l....and a 

likelv father for Frederick Yoder of Centre Twp., Berks County. The 

question mark in the record beside the spelling of the wife's name 

indicates the copier had difficulty making out the handscribed text. 

*************xx****xx***************************x*********x* 

171 readers currently on the Yoder "listserver" 

x*********************************************************** 

"Book of Golden Deeds" Award Presented to Cecil and Helen Yoder 

(YRB178265) by the Crystal Valley Exchange Club of Middlebury, 

Indiana, The award recognizes "a worthy person or group that 

continuously donates time, talent, and energy to help those in need". 

In 1992, Helen won the "Senior Queen"contest in the Middlebury 

Summer Festival.--Contributed bv Rachel Kreider 

YODER TEEN IS NATIONAL RUNNER-UP 

Brio Nlagazine, published by Focus On The Family for 

Christian teenaged girls, sponsored a world-wide "Get Organized" 

contest. Girls were to improve what they considered a mess, such as 

their room, closet, attic, their neighbor's barn, their brother's 

bedroom or their Dad's workshop, etc. Before and after photos were 

to be submitted. There were more than 500 entries. The contest was 

won by Kimberly Collins of Kingsport , Tn, but Wendy YODER of 

Shipshewana, Indiana is one ofthe ten (10) runners-up 

-- contributed by Don Honeywell, Baltimore County, Maryland 

House Built by Jacob Yoder (YRl423) 

Photo by ,lim Pugh and article by Ken Pinkley 

This Jacob Yoder stone house is east of Millersburg, Ohio 

aboul 3 miles on Route 39, then left on Twp, Road 351 a short 

distance and down the first lane on the right. .facob (\'R142) built the 

house in 18,15. Oxen were used to haul the stones in. As the house was 

built higher a ramp was made from the old orchard to the house and a 

two wheel wheelbarrow was used to haul the stones up. When Jacob 

got old he built a "Grandpa House" next to the stone house. It is to 

the left as vou are looking at the picture, and off-camera.The small 

building in the lower right corner is an outdoor bake oven which were 

common in the early 1900 and before, but is not usable at the present 

tinre. 

His son John Yoder Sr. lived in the stone house til later in life 

then also moved into the "grandfather's house". His son John Jr (my 

great grandfather) & my grandfather NIilo were born in the house. 

When my grnndfather and his siblings lived in the stone house, they 

would go to the attic windows to blow bubbles and watch them float. 

At this time Fannie & Noah Schlabach live in the Grandpa 

House & up to sel,eral years ago their brother,.Iohn lived in the stone 

house. Thev are the children of: John Y. Schlabach & Mary yoder; 

.lohn Y. wts the son of Mary Yoder & John Schlabach; Mary was the 

daughter of ,fohn Yoder Sr & Sussanna Mast; John Sr. was the son 

of; ,lacob Yoder & Elizabeth Kurtz; Jacob(l779LP-1850 HO) was the 

son of; Jacob Yoder & Christiana Blank; Jacob was the son of; Jacob 

(Strong) Yoder & Anna . 

Infomation about the house is taken from the book A Memorial 

Historv of John Yoder Sr and Susanna Nlast. Information was 

collected by Sovilla J. Yoder, Mr and Mrs, Joe L. yoder. paul & 

Ardis (Yoder) Pinkley, and Mr and Mrs. Atlee yoder 

f,

from Page I 

_Contin_ued 

_ 

JAMES MADISON, President of the United States of America 

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING: 

*****************x**x*************************************xx 

Yoders' Awarded For Military Service 

Know Ye, Thnt Christian Yoiler' ttf '\onrerset Cyunty' Pcnns't'lvuniu' 

i"ning O"porited in the Treasury a certificate o{ the Register of the 

land o{fice at Steubenville whereby it appears that he has nuule lull 

'i,'iirron, 

t:,,, the Sttuth half'o.f '\cction.N'!t!*.thirt1' one of Tox'nship 

'nurrhu, 

ien, in the Rttnge'Numher eight of the land directed to be sold 

at Steubenville by act of Congress' entitles "An act providing for the 

sale of tfre lands of the United States in the Territory north west of the 

Ohio, aboue the mouth of the Kentucky river"' and of the acts 

amendatory of the same' There is granted' by the tJnited States' unto 

t-he saiO Ciristian Yodcr the hntftit section of land above described: 

io han. and to hold the said half lot of section of land' with the 

"fp,,.,*"n..s' unto the said Christitn Voder his heirs and assigns 

forever. 

In testimony whereof I have caused these l'etters to be made 

PATENT, and the Seal of the Llnited States to hereunto aflixed' 

Given under my hand at the City of Washington ' the thirtcenthday 

of Decenrher in the year of our Lord' one thousand eight hundred 

"ni .l.u.n, and of the lndependence of the United States of Americir' 

the thirtY-six. 

BY THE PRESIDENT: 

'Iames Mulisor' 

.lus. Monnte 

Secretary of State 

- 

Wt... was thl land jocated Gary Vincent' a student of Ohio 

llands in the opposite tnO-oi the state indicates that it appears this 

;;;;'; in ,rt. brtio River Survev' which places it in Stark Count-v' 

iiry-".^t C.nton, OH' This is the only case he could find that 

simultaneously satisfies tf" tonAitlon' of iownship l0' Range 8''and 

within the jurisdiction'"i iftt Steubenville Land Office' This is 

con{irmed by a Stark Couttty marking dated.1909 found on the 

r€verse of the document when it was taken out of its matting' 

There are two Christian Yoders who lived in Stnrk Cottntl' 

,tto,.^.f,t. The first is the apparent Christian Yoder (\'RI22) (see 

YNL 30 and the oOitttar.y o'title elsewhere-in this issue)' The second is 

his presumed nephew oii f"it Christian Yoder (YRl256)' The elder 

Christian died in f SZl' ii" younger one had his first known child in 

April of 1812, reportedlv orLÂV'irr C:l^lt-v' Further studv is 

ltark 

needed to confirm which of these gentlemen received this patent' An'ranalysis 

or clrtes from our renders 

**** ***************x x x* ********M 

Andrew Yoder (YA14) 

b. l0/16/1825 

d. 8/5/191S St' JosePh Co" In 

t'Born on the Ocean" 

Carl and Nlarl 

Alice Yoders 

Nlarried 56 Ye 

last February 

Carl NI. Yoders, a Sgt' in Co' !I l2th Infnntry Regiment' 'lth 

tnrnntnl'oinision, W\\'Il, ifts awarded. the Distinguished Seruice 

l\lednl of the State of New Jersey' The honor' signed by Governor 

Christine, was presented on llla-v 20'1999 in a ceremony held at the 

\\estfield, New Jersey National Guard Armory' 

Carl joined tfre 'l'rmf in tS'tO and June 6' 1944' D-Day' he 

ôn 

was pnrt of the NormanJn into'ion France"'landing on [ltah 

-of 

bench. Carl. the leader of .r heavy machine gun squad.' *^t l:1:1:1 

after a week of lighting, on 'lune 14' 1944' He spent the next year rn 

frnrpitort --both iri England and the United States' 

(lnrl is the son ol;;;taie Sgt' Clarence E' \'oders' Co K llOth 

lnf. 28th Dir'., \\'\\'1. Clarence Yoders was awarded the State of 

p"""riir""i" Distinguished Service }Iednl for his militarl' senice in 

\\'\\ L 

Readers of the Yoder Newsletter will recall Cnrl's critical role 

"\'oders" 

in estlblishing the Jotion'ftip of the family of 

- 

Southwestern n.nn'1t''onio to the Nlelchior Yoder family (YNL21) 

and his active participotio"-in the development of the "\'oder House" 

:rt Penn AlPs. 

In !la;* 1999 Carl was also the subject of an article in an 

English t,rbloid "Exprt"'g Ettt"" entitled ';pENstONER'S HOPES 

oF A GI RE|-,NION OisHn.n". The srory rells of Peter Nelson" a 67 

lenr old pensioner. *rt"''"tiSgt' Carl Yoders.when he wns stationed 

in Exnrouth in pt"po'otlo" tit ttt" D-Day landings in 194'{' The 

grnndftlther of nfr' Xefson had been from New Jerse-v' and he asked 

among the .\merican'olditt' until he found one from that location as 

rvell. Following tht i"";;;;;' ttt *ut told that Carl had been killed and 

onh, recently le:rrned ilr" ,rutt. A planned late IIay tribute b"v the 

vill:tge to their wnr-tinre guests' almost b.roughthe two together once 

more. Poor health kept C7rrl from lttending- thus the headline' 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *..... I lf,l;'liJi;i;ifi;i;iJJ;;:;;,:;JiJfJfJ;;;ii;J 

*******************x 

BOOK AIiTHORED: "Last falt I finished the Nelson Family History'- 

_nrv Irusband,s mother,s familv--from Emmytown (LaGrange, In 

;;;;).';l;ot.""p il'"-o"'i.i c eti'anetn (Eastr) I'oder ramilv several 

,"".1" ;"';- * L. l i :"1-'; 

1. : l: lt l i i l: :l1l:.'ff 

llill:l.ii'.: i r 1 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * x 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Greatwebsite!Ihavebeensearchingforinformationon 

.lo."pf, VoJ., who was born in Switzerland in 1789 and fought in 

N;;;;""'t army in Russia and also Waterloo' sun'ived and lrter ---Hans of Grent S*'lmp rr[ eb Site' bv Karolyn Rae Roberts 

,.,it.O in Maximo Ohio' He married Barbara Weiss' Believe it or not 

http://www'fullnet'com/u/gkrob/yoder'html 

-l"tttltt*eiier' 

Rheinpfalz' Germanv 

my Nlother has a large topaz ring thatwas warn on a fob on Joseph's ---John Yetter b'1835'it 

Nlary Spurgeon, 

unifo.rn in the Nloscow war and Waterloo"' 

x * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Queries* * * * * * * x * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 



inquiries are checked against our records to see ifwe can help too. If 


Send Queries to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd.. Battle Creek.Nli 

il90l5 or email at 75757,337 l@compusen/e.com. 

Nlv GGfather was Gidion Yoder Steam Valley Pa., my gfather was 

Harold Albert Yoder Sr. His sister Miklred Naomi had polio, My 

gfather told me their parents believed her middle name had something 

to do with it so they took her middle name away from her! My 

grandfather nlso had polio, He died in 1973. He had a brother named 

Ted. who lived in New York. Reply to: Kathryn Y. Yoder Cowher, 

1222 W. 3rd St.,Williamsport Pa. 17701 ,Email : JN4AKT7'7@aol.com 

Seeking descendants of following Washington County, lowa families: 

\}lanin (1. Yoder (1917-l and his wife, l\fildred M. Shebeck 

(19t9_); llenn,T, yoder (no dates) and his wife, Louisa M. 

.lacobs (1907-1988);Mable D. Yoder (1931) and her husband, Chester 

R. Nliller ( 192,t), David L. McMonigle, 800 Riverbend Lane, 

\'liddfevifle, MI 49333 616/795-'7818, davemcmo@voyager.net 

***********************x************************************ 

Looking for James Yoder of Newton, NC, my gggrnndfather who 

rrtarried NIlry ,\lice Catherine(maiden name Sigmon or Jarette) 

Nell-nry ggrandnrother, m.Frank Whitworth & lived in Clover. SC. 

N,|v ggrlndparents had about 5 children, res. York, SC. India Hodges, 

226 E. Liberty St, Apt,#3 York, SC 297,15 

*******************x******x*******************************x* 

Came across some Yoder's that I can't find in my Yoder data. Can 

:rnyone identify Henry Beuchler Yoder (1881-1956); Henry's 

son:William Henry Yoder (1909 Pine Grove,PA-1975); William's 

children: Nlary Alva Yoder (2-11-1928 Pottsville,PA-12-7-1989), 

Sarah Louise Yoder (8-27-1930-), W.H. Yoder Jr. (6-6-1931 Schuylkill 

Haven, PA-) James Huratiak, 969 Rt. I13, Sellersville. PA. 18960 

**x***************x**************xxx************************ 

Nlt' grandmother was Hester Catherine Youter, (born in White Deer, 

PA July of 1866 - died 19,15 at Conrad, Montana) her father was 

Benjamin (1815 in Holland, died 1893) and her grai-d-fnther *as 

Samuel (dates, places not known). If the above fits in with what you 

hirve I would appreciate more information. Bernard Guy, ,192 

Country Hill Rd., Anaheim, CA 92808-1353, email: badguy@ibm.net. 

************************************************x*********** 

G-grandfather is Ira Yoder..,.Gfather is Ido yoder who lived in 

Nlifflinburg, Pa- had a restaurant there. Am very interested in 

renching others from this family line. Various family information has 

been compiled regarding the ldo Yoder family. I have read that from 

mv grandfather lra Yoder approx 1,500 people have been bornl 

...(lltherine Yoder" 10401 Grosvenor Place. #62J. N. Bethesda. MD 

20852, 30 I . 670. 3 J 25 

x************************x********************x***********xx 

Am compiling descendanls of Bishop Jonathan yoder (yRl2a3) and 

rm trving to find the complete names of all 3 men that were married 

to his voungest dnughter, Anna M. Yoder, (YRl2a3b). In poss. Illinois 

or Nlissouri she married a NIr. Hein, and years later- nfter Mr. Hein's 

death. she married a Mr.Plank. After Plank's death. she moved to 

Oregon b.r" 1909 and about l9l3 or l9l4 married a Nlanasses 

Hershberger, of Hubbard in Nlarion County. Anna d. l9l,l bur. 

Smvrna Cem., Yoder, OR. Some of the Hein descend:rnts still live in 

Oregon, but I live in Canada, and do not have contact with them. 

Repll' to: ,Iim Yoder, 10060 Aintree Crescent, Richmond. B.C. V7A 

3T8, Ca n ada; or by e- nr a il : j voderta,r [q.5yn1 patico. ca> 

********************************************************** 

Looking for ANY connection to Austin Yetter .He moved to Arizona 

as a young man. His father's nAme was Joseph who was born l8l8 

and married Charlotte Eaton.. His siblings: Elvira, Abbie, Royal, 

Laure & James Arthur. (The original nRme was Gurtin changed to 

Yett, \'etta then to Yetter. Does anyone knows of a Harold Yetter, if 

so, what info do they have. Thanks, Shirley Logue, 22 Patton St., 

King City, Ontario. Canada. ,L7BlG4,. 

Brown County, IN Yoder families:Generation l- Jacob Yoder & wife 

Mary. Generation 2 James Marion Yoder (b. 1843) m. Eliza Jane 

Baughman. Generation 3 Daniel Boone Yoder (b. 1886) married Ada 

Eberle on 2/ll/1914. (YNL note- Daniel B is Con29l9)-Tom Hooker,2 

W h ippoorw ill Lane, Palmyra, V A 22963 THooker9T 4@aol.com 

******************x************x**********x**********x****** 

'\m beginning research for my cousin-by-marriage, Debby Klose. Her 

parents were Joseph Comly Klose Jr. and Edith Irene Yoder, 

daughter of Melvin Lee Yoder Sr. and Wilda Ream of Pennsylvania. 

If anyone knows of these folk, please reply: Terry Lane, P O Box 

5275, Lancaster. PA 17606-5275 

*******{*x+*f *{x**s****s*xf *x+}+f **{+******f 8***x*xa*****{f* 

MISSING YODERS--- IMPORTANT NOTICE- IF YOU KNOW 

THE PERSON BEING LOOKED FOR, PLEASE CONTACT THEM 

AND LET THEM BE THE ONES TO INITIATE CONTACTII 

THANK YOU:I 

I am Iooking for information for my daughter, She is wanting 

information on her father. His name was Daniel Lee yoder, We were 

told he is deceased. He would have died between 1989-1996. She 

\\'ho were the parents and siblings of BARBARA YODER (b, 175416 wants 

Berks Clo., Pa- d. l0 Apr 1838, N{ontgomery Co., Oh) married in pa. 

to know something about his family. Any help would be 

appreciated. Lisa Linder; 25 Grace St., Tiffin, OH 44883, phone 419- 

(l) ISAAC NIILLER (b. - d. 1785 Somerset Co., Pa) married (2) ,143-1554. Tiffin, OH 

.IOSEPH FORNEY, widower with children. Any hetkp on this ********************************************************** 

flmily will be much appreciated. Dorothy Crabb, 4315 Long Grove Looking for lost Siblings-- Have tried extremely hard to find 3 lost 

Dr., Seabrook, TX 77586-,1309, email: dotcrabb@juno.com 

siblings. Father Terry Lee Yoder had: Tony Lee yoder, 

************************************************************ 

Shawn 

Over l0k visits to Yoder Newsletter Hnmepage.Since 9/98 

7 

Thomas Yoder, and Beatrice Gene Yoder. All my dad told me was 

that they had moved to California and their ages are J0-35. I just 

found out my father isn't doing too well. He is the only blood relative 

of mine left on his side. I just recently got married and have a 7 month 

old son that I would love to have someone to call aunt and uncle. If 

anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Danielle (yoder) Harris 

35 Winery RD. Fulton,Ms 38843 AmhdadrOintop.net 

********************************************************** 

Seeking TAJSHA YODER. My best friend in 8th grade. Last I heard, 

she lived in Stafford, VA. Getting ready to graduate from VCU. Want 

her to come. Danielle Marsteller ,108 N. Lombardy St., Richmond VA 

23220. Phone (804) 355-9251 

House of Yoder Update 

Work continues apace on the construction of the Yoder House 

in Grantsville, Nlaryland. Nearly 53 tons of stone are being laid on 

the exterior walls and almost as much stone is being used to construct 

the interior walk-in fireplace. Over ,100 persons toured the Yoder 

House on July l0 during the 22nd Annual Summer Festival and Quilt 

Show of Grantsville. The root cellar and walk-in fireplace were clear 

hits \,vith the guests. On Saturday, November lJ from ll a.m. 

through mid-afternoon the 4th Annual Nleeting of House of yoder 

will be held in Grantsville. A guided tour of the yoder House, 

business meeting, genealogy display, and a possible speaker on Amish 

dimensions of the Yoder story are on the agenda. Everyone is 

welcome! Funds are needed to complete construction of the interior 

of the Yoder House. Inquiries or contributions can be directed to 

Lonnie Yoder, House of Yoder, 1066 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg, 

VA 22802, ltbyrDshentel.net, or 5il0-,132-6467. 

(NOTE: The YNL hns contribrrted a second $500 from our kitty to 

this effort. Nlttching funds bring our contributions to $2000 to date:) 

PHOEBE YODER FEATtiRED:'I'hanks to Don & Par Reed for 

pointing out the July 99 "Pennsylvania Ilennonite Life" article on 

Phoebe Yoder. I Knnsas Nlennonite girl who served her adult lil'e as a 

missionary in Africa. She was the daughter of Charles D. Yoder.

NORTH CAROLINA YODER RET.]NION 

.I-hC 

HiCKOT (NC) NCWS, AtIgUSt 19, 1999 

catawba county native Nea, wi,rons, who l[*UX*i:;.i8f.ifi;-':l,i1,P:aii!W, d,l3,']'i',:1j:"il]hH]Hf"Jfiqif 

now lives in Clev6land - the one in Rowan Fayly iltNorlh CArotina,wh,:!ti!:t!9,I-" 91 il;;';li;;i;;y;i;JM;r;ua Yoder. As with 

County - had a busy day on a recent Sunday patriaich Conrad Yoder. a German .immigrant ii"'r"nu clan ieunions in Catawba, the Yoders 

when the pioneer Yod6r clan held their 49th yearly io this area in the mid-18th century The late Dr. i;;i'i-: i"l""-J"trr"t" tne JJest relatives at 

reunion.HeandBill Yoderof Hickory,thefamily Fred Roy Yoder, a university professor, wrote il;';;ih;;]"" d'-v;ii-oid Hubert Yount of 

group president, and other relatives are aiready the original work in 1970. Neal, who has been ffi"t6..nO Si2-veai-old Dan Yoder of NeMon, 

flanning to host in August 2000 a national con- secretary of the_Yoder famlly.tot.21 years and q ;;;;ii; fvf"*6ttinO Cerald Yoder of Hickory. 

vention of Yoder families. The three-day event descendant of Conrad. ts going to edit.a.revised wno naO observed lheir 6oth wedding annrveiwill 

followtheclan'sfirstnational conventionheld version{orpublication.Thischof,l:T_t!ilS-l-qy JaiV in -lrtV. 

Lenoir-Rhyne "College 

here in 19_95. Keynote speaker next year will be lor Neal, wh9 l-r1s luthored Tombstone Inscrip-. n-ibssor-clergy';an Larry Yod6r led a memohistorian 

Dr. Dori Yoder, formerly of the Univer- tions of the Otd St. Paul's Church Cemetery,and- Iui i"*i." tnd'"vening b6fore at the old Yoder 

sityof Pennsylvania.accordinqtoHickory'sTed L1Vt,./As and Ploughshares, A Hlstory ot Ine .ametery where anceitors are buried. He deyo'der. 

The big news at this y6ar's gath6ring is Bldckburn Family olCatawba.County. NC. Both 

Iiiin"O in" family heritage as a treasure and a 

those works were publishe^d by the Catawb" 

Iiiif"nge." 

County Historical Association. 

*y**xxIx*xxxxx*+I*xx****x{x$xx**xx++xxsxx*xxx*xx**x**x**x* 

EZR'\ T" \'ODER RETh.-ION 

We hnd the third:rnnull Ezt'il'1 . \'oder (\'l{256211) this past Sundal' 

(Sl2glgg\. I r'isited Ezr:r's grave to find otrt cx,rctll when he died. 

l.infortunatell his stone wls marked uith the ntonth and vear onl]" 

My aunt checkctt his obit:rnd called nte the next da1, he died \larch 

10, 1973. She is going to send nre a copt' Ezra is buricd in the 

cenreterl'behind the Ltttheran ('hurch in Petersburg PA. 

----Dnn Yoder (\'R2562'l{23) 

CONRAD YODER BOOK T1PDATE 

The Histon' of the Yoder Familv in North Carolina' by I)r' Fred Roy 

Yoder, was published in 1970 and reprinted in 1976. lt focuses on the 

two sons of Conrad Yoder who remained in North Carolina' ll'Iou 

are interested in helping the effort to update and republish this work. 

contact: Bill Yocier, 2'79T Zion Chtrrch Rd., Hickory' NC 28602. 

Oregon Yoder Reunion 

Nlore than 75 persons from the western [lS and British 

Columbia gathered in Yoder, Oregon, for the 6'lth annual reunion on 

August l, 1999. Nlany family members still live in this Willamette 

Valley communitl', named for several descendanls of Bishop Jonathan 

Yoder (\'Rl2a3) who moved to Oregon during the late 1800's. The 

Smyrna tinited Clhurch of Christ (Congregational), where the reunion 

wns held. listed several Yoders ils charter members when it uts 

established in 1891. During the business meeting following a potluck 

dinner, historian Ada Sinclair, a great-granddaughter of Bishop 

Yoder, reported two clan marriages, two births and five deaths in the 

preceding year. 

.Ioel Daniels described a recent trip to Nlclean County, Illinois 

sites mentioned in the lgth cenfury journal of llnhala I'oder 

(YRl2aJ3,1). Her original notebooks have treen placed in the archives 

of the Ntennonite Historical Society ll Nletamorir. Professor Kvle 

Sessions of ISU at Normal plans a series of essal's based on the 

journal. Persons interested in joining a heritage tour to Illinois and 

Missouri next t'ear should contnct Joel for details. 

As "millennium projects," collections of fanrilv recipes and 

traditional stories or reminiscences rvill be compiled. Nlidyear 

reminders u'ill be sent so these can be completed b-v tlre 6Sth reunion' 

::::::: 

.: .::::::-: I.'i: ir: iriif*."r |r ; l I r.Yff I. . 

YODER HERITAGE C]OOKBOOK-A GREAT CHRISTTIAS GIFT 

A composite of traditional fanrily recipes 

sent in b1 \'ODERS across the countr]. 

Reasonabll Priced - Buv C)ne for each 

famill rnember. ONL\' $10.00 each. Over 

175 pages of RE('IPES and other valuable 

cooking infornrnlion, Proceeds to be used 

to maintain the Pleasantville Union (\'oder) 

Cenretery'. Send check or nlonev order to: 

Heritage (lookbook. \'oder Rerrnion 

Associalion. {15 Stnte St. Pottstoll'n. P,\ l9{6.1. 

Please include 52.S0 per copl for postage lnd handling (regardless of 

Immediate deliven in linre lbr (lllRlS'[II'\S 

**x**+x**x*x*x**x**I**X*XA**A+*S**{111******{**a***t**xxx*** 

Y2K NATIONAL YODER REUNION 

AI-I, \'ODERS AND YODER DESCENDANTS ARE INVITET) 

....to lltend lhe National reunion ol'the Yoder Family, to be held in 

North (-trolina. 'l'his lhree dat event will be hosted the weekend of the 

2nd Sundrtl in Atrgrrst bl the Yoders of North Clrolina' This event 

itlso contnrernoril(es lhe 50th annual reunion of the North ('arolinn 

Yoder fantill, NInke 1'our plans Nowlll 

Noted Penns\llttni:r histori:rn and :rttthor Dr. Donald Yoder 

the kel note speilkerl I 

\\'e'll orovide lots nrore infornrltion nbout this in the April YNL. 

8 

will be 

Christian Yoder (YR23) Cemetery Status 

(photo will appear in YNI- 35) 

'l'hanks to the efforts and contributions of nrany, a brass 

rn:rrkcr has recentlv been placed rt the Old Yoder Cemeten' in 

Sonrerset ('orrnt1. Pl. 'l'his cenreter] is on the originul honreste:rd 

propertv of l7J2 '\nrish inrnrigrant "Schweitzer ('hristiun" \'oder 

(\'R2i). 

.\ sanrpling reported in YNL6 (Oct 1985) showed that over 

30'2, of our readers ,lt thrt time were descendants of "Schneitzer 

( hristian". This enrlv founder of the Clades congregltion in Somerset 

tount'r' hitd a large fitntih rvhich has continued to multiplv, 

\\ e'd like to recognize the follou'ing folks who made this goal rr 

le:rlitr': (iordon Yoder. Ililton ll. Walker. Ilichael Yoder, Elelnor 

\\ illilrns, T'onr O. \'oder, Nl. \\'. \'oder, Karerr Okeson, Henry Erb. 

(':ttht'l'ine [-urrcusler. ('harles Yoder. Rachel Kreider. Anna ]larl 

Yodcr. Keith Yoder. ('hris Yoder. Lonnie Yr-rder. Ellrood Yoder. 

NA-I-IONAL RETINION-2OO I 

I'he datt'lbr the next Nationrl Oley Yoder Reunion is July 21.2001 

Planrring inclrrdes l Friday the 20th ".rdd-on" consisting of r "\'oder 

,\nrish He ritage 'l'orrr of Berks Count1 ". condrrcted bl Lois :rnd 

l-e nlrr Il:rst" publishers of "\lennonite Familv Histon". 

:t * * tr * * J: * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

1999 Olev Yoder Annual Reunion 

lleld .ful. 17, 1999 at the Oley Firehouse. Approxinrtteh T5 attended 

:rnd evervone seemed lo have a good time. 

PASSING 

--Former Elkhart superior (lourt Judge Worth Yoder" age 73' died 

.fln. 3, 1999 at the Elkhart general Hospital nfter an illness. Judge 

Yoder is sun'ived by his wife Dixie and two sons. He u'as a long-tinte 

supporl of the Yoder Newsletter. 

--ll.K. (Reuben) \'oder died N|ar.29,1998. He was the son of Levi S. 

lnd .{nna Hette Yoder. 

--Nlarv l{ose Yoder }lorris died Aug.22,1999:rfter l lettr long 

struggle uith clncer. ,\n accomplislred nrtrsicitrn. she lnd her l,lte 

husband perlirrrtretl 1tt the 1995 )tirttional Yoder Rettniotr. .

w 

YODER 

Issue Number 35 

.IODER FANIILY IN THE ITALIAN SWISS 

PROVINCES 

Historical News from Moesane 

The Joder Familv of Nlesocco 

NEWSLETTER 

w- 

P.O. Box 594, Goshen. lN 46527 April 2000 

THE HISTORY OF YODER, OREGON 

--by Joel Daniels, 

grandson of Nellie Yoder Eyman 

and resident of the Yoder area 

Located in the North Willamette Valley midway between 

Portland and Salem, Yoder today consists mainly of gently rolling 

farmlnnd, wooded areas, and a sprinkling of residences. lt is not a 

town or city but a rural center with a general store, a garage, two 

churches and a private school, lt was not alwavs so. When the first 

white settlers reached this nrea, 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 conrnron to buv 60 to 120 

acre tracts. 

18th Century Portrait of a Joder Family of Mesocco 

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 Haines for the translation. 

"The 

clun ol thc .lulers, putriciuns of Mextcco, is olreudy 

tlocumented in place in tlre screntcenth century. In t701, ttccording to 

the 

'Sttrtus Animarum' of that yeor, three .loder .fttntilies (onc at 

L'rimett, one at Cehhiu, ond one ut Andergiu), u totul of tttelve people, 

Yoder Store when it was newly opened in 1915. Atthough it was 

horc thc surnente. 

enlarged, it looks pretty much the same today. 

" In tlte (irigioni thc .lulcrs n,ere ulrcuh, Iot.utrtottail ut 

In nbout l87f the Gideon and Catherine Yoder l_antz 

llluie 

and 

nf ald in 1175, in tht :Luttcnth t.cntur.1, ttt Fuldcru. Di.sentis, their f:lmily became the first of the Yoders 

.1niliust. 

to move to lhis area.. 

l'cllu, I)uwts, Pret,,lugogn, in the.sclentcenth al Ilanz., ('ntherine was the daughter of Bishop.,fonathan 

Thusis, Yoder (yRl2aJ) 

Rucun, Pleif', ,lurn, Lunthrcin, lir;., ct t.ctcru. lTrunslutor,s lnd grew up near Bloomington, lll. 

nolc: 

after her familv 

I hclieya 

moveti there 

ull thcsc plot'es ure in ,h,itz.erlonI rathcr rhan thc fronr Pennsylvania. She and others of her Yoder 

Itrrliun 

relatives first 

origioni.l 

(.ontinued on page 6 

nroved lo Dade County, Missouri before coming to f)regon. 

gb{,**;*trp, 

lnclrrded were her hrother Asa.f, and her nephew,r,.lonathrn S., 

EARI,IEST YODER SIGNATT]RES IN 

Levi D. lnd her niece, Mary- ( Mrs. .foseph) Schwnrtz(endruber). 

r\fler years of drought, the family began to look westward 

ANIERICA:! 

antl sent 

Will Yoder (Asa's son) and ,loe Schu,artz to scout orrt the Dakotas. 

l'her did not look pronrising, so Mary Schwartz wrote to her aunt 

('atherine Lantz to inquire about the possihilities in Oregon. 

According to an essay by Orlando perry yoder (.lonathan's 

son) written about 1950, Catherine's letters to Nfissouri gave the 

folks there "Oregon fever". Nlore letters were exchanged and in the 

sunlmer of 1887, Joe Schwartz and Dave Yoder (another sorr ofAsa) 

came to Oregon and visited with the Lantzes who were located near 

Yoder Signatures from 172O Oley Township Petition 

-information conlributed bv Richard H Yoder 

Are these the earliest Yoder sign:rtures 

'fhev 

to flppeir in America 

well may be. In 1720, l petition was tiled by crrly residents of 

the present day Olev Tou,nship of Berks Countv sceking to establish 

lhe area as a septrale township. Signatures for ,'.lohn .foder" and 

".lost (his X rnark) .loder" are shown above. Interestingly enough. 

lht' signature for ,fost is directlv beside thal of one "(ieorge Boon", 

grandlirther of the lirnrous Daniel Boone. who was to be borrr in 

Berks (lounty in 1738. 


the present Yoder Store. Joe Schwartz sent bnck gkrwing reports of 

the wonderful Oregon to his wife and fanrilv in Nlissorrri:rnd told 

them to pack up and come to C)regon. He had already lbund a farnr 

of 80 acres for them to move onto and he wrote that he would st.t1. 

there lnd wait for them to come bt train as soon as thev coultl 

arrange things. 


I)iSIDE: 

-Nl1\RTIN YOT'ER FOtIND (OHll25) b. circa t790. 

-E,{RI,\ PA. YODER RETINION-WHO CAN YOTI N.\I\IE 

-PII IL YODI]R-''CHAMPION C]OWBOY OF' TH E \\ ORI,D''

'fhe Yoder Newsletter- Founded 1983 by 



('hrisYoder,Editor.BrttleCreek,NIl;JohnW'Yoder'Circulation 

Ilanugcr. Ntiddletruq. lN; Rachel Kreider' Senior Contributing 

Erlitor.Goshen.lN:EstherE.Yoder,NtailManager'Goshen'lNl 

Donald Katrffnritn. \'NL Homepage Webmaster, Edmonton' Albertfl' 

(-rnatiir.Other('ontribrttors:RichardH''t'oder'Bechtelsville'P'\; 

Ilubert A. \'oder. Clhilrlotte, NC-l Dorothy Yoder ColTman' Mnlvern' 

PA: Dr. Don Yoder. Devon. PAI Neil D' Wilfong' Cleveland' NC; and 

Dr. Delbert Gratz, Bluffton. OH 

SEr- D \'\ L (IORRESPON DEN(IE: 

-FOR CIRCtTLATION lSStiES ONLY such as new or renewed 

subscriptions, changes of acldress, orders for back issttes to: Yoder 

Newsletter. P.O' Box 594, Goshen, l5'i 16527-0594' 

- .\LL OTHER CORRIISPONDENCE- Dealing with ancestral 

qrreries or contributions for future YNLs or archives (such as reunion 

iotices. letlers to the Editor, copies of Bible records or other historical 

infornration) to: ('hris Yoder, 203 Llkeshire Rd', Battle Creek' Ml 

.190I5(or bl electronic mrrit to "75757.337ltarcompuserve'com")' 

* * x * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * x xx t: * ::r J: * ** X * * ** * * * * * x x * * * * x x ** *** * x * *x* * * x 

YNt. PRI(IE INFORI\IATION $S$$ (Price trnchanged since 1983!) 

-The\'\t, subscription is on an annual basis-two issues for $3' 

-8.\( K lSStrES of the YNL are $l per issue' 

-\'otler Newsletter lssrtes I Through 25 - bound 2'10 page volume 

includes a topical index of major articles, and an "every name index"' 

(Price 528 posl p,rid). 

Order fronr: 'fhe Yoder Newsletter, P.O'Box 59'1, Goshen' lN 46527' 

YODER DATA ON DISK PRICE RISES- As we now are dealing 

with 5 tlisks worth of information, we :rre forced to increase our 

price for our "\'oder Dlta on Disk" to $10 (postage included)' 

Anvone interested can get the files AT NO CHARGE by file transfer 

from the Yoder Newsletter Homepage (www'yodernewsletter'org) ' 

{ii{ 

"Phil Yoder'-Champion Cowboy of the World" 

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 l'023 

rncestors. Lining in Panama I have no lccess to books so was thrilled 

to find all this info. vin the internet' In your Yoder site I am a 

granddnughter of YR26l1921 , my maiden name wRs Yoder' My 

iiusband, Jacob Tice, is a grandson of YR26ll9l24 and a great 

grandson of YR2611523. --Marlene S' Tice Chiriqui' Panama (delete 

iollowing) j-m-tice-dcwp.nel.pa phone/fax: (507)770-6542 

l'nt rt "Yoder-Yoder". My parents were Owen J' & Verda Yoder 

From Topekl, In. Dad's dad was Jacob J' Yoder from LaGrange Co' 

ln. & lVlother's Dad wns Eli D. Yoder from Logan Co' OH' 

:l-::-:T.::l-:T]-:1-:1ll:::::l-l1l--.l11lf-: 

Hi, Chris, Just a note to thank you for yotrr work on this' I nm 

an"Oley Yoder." My family owns n farm that is on pnrt of the 

originni Hnns Yoder property nlong the Manntawny' lt is boundtd-by 

the Crooked Dam. As fnr as we have been able to discover' it has 

always been owned by someone with Yoder roots' but not in a direst 

line ofdescent. I have really appreciated your efforts in tying together 

the Anabapatist and Reiormed or originally Reformed or "New 

Born" parts ol the family. lt has been in help in nty nuclear lamily 

because I mlrried into a Mennonite family that has lots of Yoders' 

too. We deal with both perspectives on Christianity in the extended 

family. Sincerely, Ruth [Jmble

PENNST'LVANIA I'ODER REUNION. WHO CAN }'OU NAME 

This wonderfirl Yoder reunion photo was copied and supplied by Peggy Stauffer of Willow Grove, Pa. Her great-grandfather 

'\'oder 

Albert L. "Al" 

(OHl33lbb) (1860-1923) is the gentleman u'ith glasses and a dark suit in the rear row, directly left of the central tree, and to the right 

of the bor' \rith tie and cap. PeggY estimntes that this photo was taken sometime between 1914 and the death of her great grandfather in 1923. 

l\lanl lears 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 

corrsins of nrine". Dr. Yoder recalls spending happy childhood summers on his grandmother's Schuytkill County farm, in the Hegins Valley. 

,{re there enough family members out there who recognize people to help us name ALL the people at this early pennsylvania reunion Al yoder 

nas a well driller' He married Saloma Arnold (lE6J-1945), and is buried at Salem United Methodist Church cemetery in Mabel, pA. 

x t + a * * * x x * * $ * x * * * * x x x x * * * I * x * * * f * * x I { * x x x I * x * * * x * * * x * * + x * x * r + r + { * * f { x * * * f * * * * * x { *f * * f s * * x { * * { rx x * * { { s x f * * f * x x { x x x { * * * * * * * 

Sonre Recent Yoder Contacts: 

--yR116217- John C. Yoder, O Stustr, iNrriniii"ji*na*ebtv.ner 

--l anr a descendant of the Melchior Yotter line that ended up in --YR2357261- Dehlia "Dally" 

Yoder - Gustav A. Smith 

Greene (1o., Pa. My grandmother is Dolores Jean Yoders; her father Smittygd@aol.com 

was In'in Thom:rs Yoders (M25231)(1909-1981; 

bur. Hewitt's Cem.; --YR23567 Jacob Yoder -- Dennis E. yoder, yoderddtw@juno.com 

wife Clarn Endya Hostetler); Kristie Sands-Kuzniar -YRl4223l2l Harry Ellsworth Yoder --Ed Yoder 

 

ecyod e r@ c rossv ille, com 

--('onrad thru David, Solomon. and Eliza C. (Con375). via Eliza C's --YRl77l2- William Yoder - Overlook Farm. 

second hrrsband Robert Michael Petrie. Barry Tnylor 226 N Bost St overlookfarm@mindspring.com 

Statesvilfe. NC 28677 (7041873-6204 --Con6l4- Calvin Yoder -Georgia Collins, gcollins@mato.com 

--Pricilla Yoder (Con28) who was married to Jackson Lentz. Diana --YBll3293- After investigating my tree more I found that Marye1 

(Lentz)\'oung 

"diana young" 

Zigler, (Wife of Joseph H Yoder born February 01, lS53), is the firsl 

--Anna Yoder (1768-1843)(YBl2l) was married to my ancestor cousin to Earl Charles Sigler, (Husband to Viola C Yoder born March 

Abraham Nleyer. Great Swamp Ruth Moyer goforjoy@erols.com 17, 1889). Dave Smith "SMITH,DAVID" 

--Alonzo Yoder (Con392l) Glenn Templeton --Con87l- William D. Yeother/Yoder- budnancy@glccomputers.com 

Tornado, WV tlSA and 

YR235443- Noah Yoder - Nancy yoder, yodernanrOvoyager.net 

--(YR25765) Hannah Yoder m Nicholas Strubhar - --YR235l-Barbara Yoder who m, John Schrock, Julie Quinn 

squinn/dptinet.net 

San Diego, CA USA 

--\'Bl3l- Anna Yoder Moyer (1771-1862)-Weldon Schloneger, --YR234,13423- Edna J. Yoder-- Mark Matthews 

ws0,10J5fd n avix. net 

--\'R2365212- Nlelvin J Yoder.. Melvin ,Iohn Yoder lll 

markem2@email.msn.com 

--YRl2l24- Susannah Yoder-- Susan Ann Hoffman. Route 3. 


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 nnd what she found 

after she arrived. 

"l net,er sav such llsnvy.frost in my life, ond I guess you 

tutn't hcliet,e it, hut it is true, the lettuce arul cohhagc arc not hurt a 

purticle. At.first I thought there was too much timher here, hut I like 

it hctter nll the time, Vl/e huve such gootl vater I'll teill tell you in 

t'hot Mo. is ahead o.f Oregon. That is grotving weeds' Here the 

gardcns ure so cleon. ,loe is .iust in his glory vhen he can work 

untund his stunrps and logs. Sonre of the trees are.fearful' 150.ft 

high und us struight as an srrov," 

To her brother, Jonathan Yoder who already had a sawmill' 

these must have been magic words. He traveled out west to visit in 

Junel888, 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 dravbtck I hat'e seen is thot I can't hake good 

hrcad. Vou can scarcely believe it but the hread of such vhedt thot 

,loe sent is not goorl The millers sr4) the! let it get ho rtpe lle vill 

try it flnl cut slnrc green ncxl Yeor," 

No doubt she was missing the hard red whent she rvas 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, dnughters of Elias Yoder's (YRl2a33) second wife Catherine 

Stucky Fry. In July, 1893, John Plank Yoder, another of Elias 

Yoder's sons moved his family to Oregon from lllinois where he was 

superintendent of schools in Marseilles. In a letter dnted August l0' 

1893 to his brother Isaac (Ike), who remained in Illinois: 

"The iloys ilre prety wnrnr , hut the hent is not so sti.fling as in 

Itl., urut the nights are slwoys cool nnd one atsnkcs refreshed tnd 

restel in u vay thnt is astonishing to one vho hts the experience.for 

the .first tinic. " 

It is remarkable now to realize that this large extended family 

was able in a fairly short period of time to purchase ncreages 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 lke April 14, 1894: 

"l suppose t'e have tolil you hefore of the hig pine trce tlrat 

stooil ne(r our house .during holidoys the hoys in the neighhorlnotl 

snt'eil it dotvn .No wagon in the neighhorhood could houl the logs nnrl 

no savmill couhl sav them.fttr it:rluas 187 long tntl nearly 6.ft. across 

the stunrp ly'e hauled some of the best o.f the linrhs .for.firapood and 

the other ilny Louis [.lonathnn's sonJ and Arthur [.lohn P.'s sonJ 

horel it vith the ship augur ond burned it up. The vay this is done is 

to hore holes ul intcn'tls of ten or.fifteen .feet.from the top funvn to the 

heart then hore corresponding holes in the sides to intersect these. 

Thcn dntp some live coals dov'n .from the top . The .firc till 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 wRs moved to a new two-room building a quartermile 

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 Rt the new 

schoolhouse to organize a Sunday School and to elect officers. Mr. 

A. J. Yoder was chosen Superintendent with Mr. John Taylor 

assistant. Nlr. 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 Sundav School had services at l0:00 A.M. 

The Evergreen School 

On January 29, 1890, the Rev' F. W' Parker, minister of the 

Cumberlnnd 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 l'oder' was 

present and invited the Rev. Parker to come and prench 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 wns able to prench on May ll, 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 "olficial" 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 R 

church at Needy and he snid 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, nnd a membership of 

twelve became known ali 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 

n piece of land given for that purpose try Bro. Benjamin Rupe 

IRoopl. The church was enclosed and Rev. Parker preached the 

first sermon in the house on the sth day ofApril 1891. The people 

probably sat on planks placed on chunks of wood, but soon some of 

the lumber wns fashioned into pews by Will Yoder and his cousin 

lddo Hein. Those same pews Rre in use today, and one can marvel 

at the clear wide planks thal must hRve come from some very large 

trees. Evidence that there ntust have been a number of large trees 

on the site remnin 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 

thlt 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 Revelationsl Congregation of the Cumberland 

Presbyterian Church, Soon after a decision was made to unite with 

the Congregntionalists. 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 ollice. 

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 

Fnith, The house was finished and dedicated on the lst 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, lgg6, 

thnt "The influential church here Rs at Danvers [Illinoisl is the 

Congregational & | am inclined to think they form about our best 

and most intelligent communities." It is not known if there was any 

discussionbout forming a lllennonite church nlthough many others 

ofthatfnithlivednearby. 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 Rnchor the grain grinder. The mill 

was powered by a l0 ho_rse 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 n "History of the Yoder Area" published in 1959, 

"thnt many times her mother had extras for the noon meal if the 

customerrs grinding wasn't finished." 

highways in the Rren. All ofthe originat 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 grent-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, 

Wylnnd, Sconce, Brockert, Owen, Watson, Feenie, Roesch, 

Conkling, Schriever, Wrolstad, Dybvad, Sinclair, Sether and more. 

*t****xti*iitt**t****tf, f i*i*f *(i****i**{***i***tiit**ti*** 

ll 

The Yoder Mill, probably from about 1895. There are both low and 

high wheel bicycles. / 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. 

Another activity around the mill was making bricks, Kilns 

were improvised by plncing 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 milr erected after a diiastrous 

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 

lgain in 1915 and a third timc in 1934 always to bc 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 railwav 

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 tralfic on the major 

5 

The Jonathan Yoder Family picture was taken about lBgg judging 

by the age of my grandmother who would have been T yrs-otJ, 

and her mother Barbara had a paratytic stroke in 1901. Back rowi: 

Aaron Llvingston, Orlando perry, John Jay, Louis Beftram, Rosa 

Bonheur. Front row: Atbeft Grcnt, Ralph Emerson, Jonathan 

Samue/ Yoder, Nellle Beatrice, and Barbara Fry yoder. J. S. had 

quite a flair for names. He pretty weil had the iareers planned for 

his children: Aaron went to Oregon Agricuttural Cottege to learn 

blacksmithing and machine work so he coutd come back and run 

the mill, Perry went the same schoo! to dudy hor.ticutture, John 

Jay became a bookkeeper, Louis and AIbeft farmed. Rosa 

married early and had a targe famity and Nellie took painting 

/essons. 

*************************************************xx******* 

YODER DOWER CHEST ON 

"ANTIQUE ROADSHOW" 

The Jan. 2000 season opener ofthe 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 Mifllin County Pennsylvania. 

This couple was John D. "Red John" Yoder (YRl46ll) 

(born 6/2811815 Huntington County, Pa and died 3/16/1895 Logan 

County, Ohio age 79y 8m l8d) and Anna Zook (born 7/13/1816 

Mifllin County, Pa and died ll2/1892 in Logan County age 75y 5m 

l9d), 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) 

****************************************************** 

YODER DESCENDANT BECOMES 

AMBASSADOR TO BTIRUNDI 

Mnry Carlin Yates has been appointed ambassador to Burundi, She 

is a descendant ofJohn Plank Yoder (yR12a332, 1846-1894,). Her 

husband is already ambassador to Guinea. John p. yoder's fourth 

child wns Hattie, who married McDonald potts, and Mary is their 

grnnddaughter. --- Thanks to Jim Yoder and Joel Daniels 

xx******************************************xx************

Continued from page I 

"Thel'prohnhly ctnrc./iom onc of'thcsc plrces to settle il 

Nlesot'co. Thcl' disuppeured .fiom there in the secorul haff' of' the 

eightecnth ('cntun'. In.fttct, the ',ltutus Aninrtrutn' of' 1773 notul onll 

one sun,iving nrcmher d the clan: Mnriu Donrcnicu, lifing in the 

listrit't of'Anilergkt, Marit Morgheritt ,Ioder hail ilied onlv- n little 

hefitrc, at Mesocco, on Mq 7 of'that l'ear. 

",\cvernl e migrunts enrcrged ./iom the 'loder.fimrily o/ Mesocco, 

ilrcn t,ho v,crc principttlly ttctive us merchunts in Gcrntany, vhere tlrcy 

pnthuhlr t'ontinued to eist nlier thc clan dieil out in Mesocco. For 

a-runrylc, in 1701 one Pictro Mtrio,Iodcr, then in his fiventies, wos 

t'nrriul us 'rcsiilent' ut Mesocco ulthough he had entigruted. In 1750, 

ut Ratishone, u ,Sotietl' of' Merchunts ol Mextcco tt',l'l.f ounleil h)' the 

tilows of' Giocomo Toscnrut, Domcnico Fantoni, Alherto Maria 

.luler, Pietro Marin Toscuno, nnd Girn'anni Antonio Funtoni. This 

ux'iet1,, riscn .fiom thc ashes of u similnr one which Ltisteil d tlre 

hcginning of'thc setenleen hurulreds, trms evcntuall! tlisxtlveil in .luly 

of'1752 (Archit'e ut Marct, Mesocco, rlocunrcnts II l2 and II l3). 

"We shotv n sketch ol' the coat o/' arms of' the ,loders of 

Mcsot't'o, tukcn .frunt on oil pflinting nott in priwte huruls, ol ttvrt 

mtrried .lolers of the eighteenth century'ilso n hriel'.fhmil)' tree d 

the.ffumil.t', tuken vith the conscnt o.f owner.fiom a photogruph o.f the 

recorls, " 

I can't tell what the name ol'the newspaper is, Something of the 

Valleys, but bills itself as a progressive weekly of the Italian Grigione 

(n region bordering Switzerland, if I'm not mistaken)' The family 

tree shown is more or less readable as is. 'Nell Frazioni di , ' ,' means 

'ln the district of . . ,' 

'Gia defunto' meRns 

'already dead. 

'Assente' 

menns 'resident' or more properly 'seated at'' The lower' 

disconnected part of the tree is noted 'Probably born nbroad, which 

makes it difficult to ascertnin to which of the f hree brances [nbovel 

it belongs.l 

SCHEIlA GENTATOGICO DEGTI 

J 0 D t R dl l'lesocco 

r4.l 

I 

nel lr fraalone dl Cebbld 

I 

ffi ( -ltl 

9S Abb) 

ocj'lE {6.I6$lrla) 

nel l! fr.rlone dl Anaergl, 

@ 

16,l@lla) 

@cj'r''d {6,lAF 

I 

ggalg (d.!6er- I Elggg 

€ltfu|>d6@ I6.l@lt€) 

I 

|g t6,l6q. ) 

!9.]98I| 

(rr@ ) 

E3g_E3Cg ]lga_sc4!5 

[ I t s ) ( - ) 

6 lta! 

l,t!E@ 

Mllo 91oh. alltuauo, 

alAulra a duo at(hi)lâ 

d,] l4a 4ML gpqttuga 

p6.uL 

^ qutla 

I 

I 

@M|@( 

6TE.@E( 

or. lrl|sffi@( 

-Iru) 

-rru) 

-t751) 

lE&Mm 

{r&Iru) 

(-.1n7- 

M 

(ral-lm) {lr+lm) 0r4rB) 

6 U6|nfu kgHb 

MDb.|6 

ll x *** * ** * x* * ** * *** * ** *** 

I Continued from page I,i*********x*************x*********** 

No action was taken at that time, but ftnother petition was 

filed years later. This wRs also signed by "Jost Joder" and his 

brother "Johannes Joder", and led to the formation of the township 

in 1740. 

nreaning "hemmed in like a kettle"...a reference to the locll 

geography. The original Olev township was later divided into Olev' 

Enrl, Pike, Rockhnd. District and Exeter townships. Both petitions 

cln be seen today in the Philadelphia Archives. 

Through the last 30 vears of researching Hans and his 

brother Yost of the C)ley Yoders, it becomes very evident that their 

personalities were qrrite different. This is shown by rgcords as well as 

by mf interviews with the oldest Yoder blood relatives 30 years ago 

when many of them were in their 70s and 80s. They grew rtp 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 familv, friends and community. Ench child 

on the firrms hnd their chores to do and by the time they were in 

their late teens they had n very extensive background of experience. 

The stories of their ancestors were passed down from one generntion 

to the next. !lany 

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 

rnills, tannery'. cloverseed mill, etc' In the trtre Germanic tradition' 

Hans left the honrestead to his youngest son Daniel since his oldest 

son .fohn hld already been provided for. H:rns and his family had 

also lerrnetl to write, as evidcnced by the signatures on the township 

petition" deeds and his will. 

6 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * x * * * * * * * * * * r * x * r * x +ii* xlllilllil x x x x x x + x * { x x + x * N x * ) 

Yost was evidently a powerful and agile man as shown bv 

records of his love of wrestling with the local Indians and beating 

them. They did not appreciate this so he would occnsionnllv let them 

u,in to m:rintlin their pride, which was very important to them. He 

u'as also known for taking fretltrent lengthy hunting trips westward 

to the Blue mountains. He is recorded as lrapping its many as five 

wolves in a night. Yost never lenrned to write. He had his "X" 

witnessed on his will and also on the petition of 1120 to form Oley 

township. His oldest son.lohn also had not learned to write bectuse 

when he made out his will in l8l2 he m:rde his "X" which was 

witnessed by his oldest son John (OYll) who had learned to n,rite. 

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. ln his will, the homestead was to be appraised 

and the oldest son was to pa) the other children the prorated rate. 

fr'/ 

Yoder Signatures from 1740 Petition

-' " + * x e'. - * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * x * *QUef 

ieS* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

lhe YNL will publish Yoder related inquiries or exchanges at no 

chnrge. Plense linrit as possible to include a full return address. All 

inquiries nre checked against our records to see ifwe can help too. lf 

1ou receive added info, pleirse share it with the YNL for orrr files. 

Send Queries to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd.. Battle Creek.Mi 

{90 | 5 or email at 7 57 57 .331 | rd compuserae.com. 

Who was John J. Yoder, 2nd husband of Emm:l C Null who married No other info available. Thanks. mv email add: is "Glen Yotter" 

lst YR239582- .fohn Yoder (died 1896 Somerset County, Pa). My 

address is: Catherine L Yoder. 255 Cypress Avenue, ,Iohnstown, 

********************************************************* 

PA 

15902.

\.ATIONAL YODER RET'N ION 

,\t'GtrST I l-13.2000 IN :\,IORTH 

CAROLINA 

The Yoder Family in North Carolina, in conjunction with 

our 50th ,\nnull Reunion, will host our second gathering of the 

entire Yoder Clnn on August ll-13,2000, in Hickorv and Newton, 

('atnlrba (-ountr', North (-arolina. This elent is co-snonsored bv the 

Yoder \err sletter. 

\\'e're intitin'all 1"all Yoders front all lines to celebrnte our 

u'orrderfirl comnlon heritage, The Qualitl' Inn Hickory, NC' (S2g- 

{31-2109, fax 828-4Jl-2109), will serve as our host acconrmodation. 

The cost is S66/night. double occupancv. Call thenr to make 

resenations ASAP-and remember to tell them vou're comin' down 

lbr the YODER REt':t*IONI 

Progrnm Pllns inclrrde: 

-Fridal evening reception, enterllinment. und registrntion at 

the Qualitv Innl 

-Suturdul-- motor conch Yoder tour; presentttion b1, Gar1. 

R. Freeze. Ph.D. a llorehend Scholar at C,ltawba College; 

dedication of the reprinting of the "History of the yoder Family. of 

\orth (larolina" by children of the ituthor; bnnquet in the Zion 

Lutherun C-hurch parish building with Dr. Don Yoder. professor 

erneritus at the ['niversitl of Pennsyhania Rs featured speaker 

Sundal-- ecumenical Yoder clan worship sen,ice lvill he hekl 

in the l8lt6 chapel of Zion Church led bl Rer'. Dr. J. Larn.\'oder; 

Sundll dinner and progritnl. 

(-osts for the weekend events tre: $15 registration/overhe.rdl 

Sl7 bus tour :tnd lunch, Sl8 banquet; for a totnl of onl1, $50 per 

person lbr the nhole ueekend (excluding the hotel cost, of cotrrse)l 

Further information nnd a registration form will be mailed to all 

YNL subscribers soon tfter. I'ou receive this issrre. Registration 

dendline is Nlav 15.2000. \\e can be contacted at-\'oder Famill.in 

North (larolinn POB l0J7l IItn View Stltion Hickon. NC 2S60J 

\Iulfiple \"oder Tour Offers 

,\s rle have highlighted in manl previous YNL issues, DR. DELBERT 

(;R.{TZ. a renown Anrish-l\lennonite historian. has been direcling 

Ilennonite Heritage Tours for over 25 years. He has lived in 

snitzerland se'eral lears and has ertensire contacts throughout the 

arers lionr rvhich the Yoders originated and nriqrated. He offers to 

:rrrlnge u Yoder-specific fnnrih tour for 200i. should sufficient 

interest nraterialize. Se'er:rr indi'idrrars ha'e .lre:rdl expressed an 

interest based on an itnnouncenrent in the Yoder lisl sen,er, For nror.e 

infornration contitct: Dr. Delbert Gratz. g990 Augsburger Rd.. 

Blrrffton. Oh {stl I 7. tjnrail : dlandtd grttzra. hotnra il.conr 

IlOtrSE OF \ODER has infornred rrs that thel are uorking to 

sl)onsor a 22 dav lour of \'oder sitcs as u,ell as nrlnl, other herittrge 

sites frorn .fune 5-2(r. 20{}t. ()rglnized br. (.ovington }leeting 

Ilanagenrent u'ith.fan (ilevsteen. n'ti'e of the ){elherla'ds and 

\eter:rn Errnrpe:rn tour gui(le. places lvailable on first_conre. first_ 

sened basis. Estimlted cost $.3{00+ (dorrble octrrpanct.). Non_ 

refirndable deposit of $200 l)er person 

'l'orrr") 

(pa1,:rble to "[forrse of Yoder 

ro: D.ris ()urs. Rt.2, Box r06 B. Kelser. \\est Vireinia 2672(r. 

\l{l{l{l pp rlrrc hr \orerrrber lt).20t}0. B:rllrice rlue hr \l:rr.ch:.2t}{)1. 

.\n' r;treslions. Jllt'ase contrtcl Doris Orrrs :rl J0{_726-{J2 I .r l_onnie 

Yotlrr at 5J0-,1J2-61(17 or llbtic,shentel.net. 

Ilcnn'nilc lierilage Tours- For firrther info. u,rite: Lois and l,er.tr 

Ilast" \lennorrite F:rnrilr'lliston" p.O. Box lTl.lllrerson. pa 19520. 

NE\\ \'ODER BOOK A\'AII-ABLE 

'l-he Book I urote on the Descendants of nry great_grandparents 

Slrnuel K. (\ R25J9J) & I_eah (\'oder) (\.R2681J)\'oder,.lonaihan N. 

(\ R25362) & l.eah (\'odcr) (\'R25712) \'oder, and Eli Z. (\.R267J5) 

& Suslnna (\'oder) (\'R257aJ) \'otler is finished. I enjored doing it I 

hope the people like it. If vou would like a book lolt rnily send rour 

.rder lo Ruth 

'r-ree 

F. Ilaker Jr6 oak Rd. Nranheim, pennsyrr'nia 

175-f5-9103. 

l ht' cosr is r 6.95 + 3.00 shipping. The book is hard co'er 

nith 286 pages. -- "Ruth Brker', 

*********************x*****************x****xxxx************ 

THANKS TO AI-L WHO CONTRIB(ITED: 

Sonrersct ('ountt'. (See YNt- 3J page tl) 

* * ::: tr t * t; ;! * r; * * * * * * * * * * x * ** t: x * * ** * * * * * * * * ** * * * * x x x x * * **** ** x x 

\elvs Briefs from the House of Yoder 

The exterior stonework has been completed on the House of 

Yoder (the I750 era stl'le house being built on the grounds of Spruce 

Forest Artisan Village in Granstlille, MD) and the s(one masons are 

now finishing the interior stone fireplace and chimney. Over 

570,000 has been rnised over the last six years to make the Yoder 

Horrse a possiDilitv. Another $25,000 is needed to complete the 

house. 

The House of Yoder will be open for tours during the 23rd 

Annual Summer Festival nnd Quilt Show of Clrantsville on ,f ul.v.' l3- 

15. 2000. Lnst vear's popular corn chowder and corn bread will be 

served again. llouse of Yoder is built in the stvle of n horrse in :rn 

area ol'(lernranl' n'here Yoders have liled since 1703. The interior 

floor plan for the Yoder Hotrse is patterned after two Yoder houses 

in Berks Countv, Pennsvh'nnia. \lan1' of the building materials for 

House of Yoder hlve come from barns, houses, and a church house 

which was torn down in the Grantsville area. Nluch of the new 

luntber nsed in the construction has come from trees blown down b1 

the tornldo \},hich went through the (;rnntsville area in 1998. 

'l-he lifth annull llorrse of Yoder nreeting will be held 

Novenrber ll, 2000. All persons lre uelcome. Ant questions or 

donltions to the project (payable lo House ofYoder) mlv be sent to: 

l.onnie Yoder.1066 Snrith Alenue. Harrisonburs. \'A 22802. 

l,onnie Yoder 

NE\\'S FRO\I TIIE OLE\'\'ODERS 

'l'he Olev Yoder's are pllnning a st,cond National lleunion on 

.lult 2l.200l. Over lhe pilst lbur rears, the association has 

spolrsored lrr rnrtrutl reurrion on the Jrd Satrrrdav in .lrr!r.. 

fhe:rnltu:rl ()lcr \ oder reuniolr for 2000 uill hr irettl .lrrlr 15. 

2000 reunion :tt the Ole' Fire ('onrpan1.. Olel. p.\. _\ll interestetl 

p:lrties ltre uelcorne. lior lnore infornrlli,n cont:tct the Oler. \'oder 

I''anrih linr::rge. Ilailing atlrlress: {15 S(alr S{reet, poilst.*.. p.\ 

l9l(r{. E-rn:ril conlitcl: < jvotler,;n bellutltrntic.ncf > A f:tnrih 

reunion hus been held sporadicalll.since 1920. 

\\c *orrld also like to nrenlion our.fulr 21.2001 "\alionll 

Reunirn." l'his * ill be :rn .ffici:rll*Jron.,,..,l e r errl br the \.otler 

Nensletrer and *ill inclrrde ,n Anabaptist Yoder'f.ur ol'the Bcrks 

( ounl\ areu conducfed bv l,errurr lnd Lois .{nn ilasl. editors ol 

i\lennonite F:rnrilv llistorr nt:rglzine in Eh.erson, l,u. 

Our Yodcr lleril:rge ('ookbook 'fhlnk is sold oul. even.one 

ftrr lturing lhenr. 'Ihe reslor:ttion :rnd nrlinlenance of the historicll 

litntil' buri:rl ground is the nrain lbcus ol'the present ()ler. \'oder 

llerit,ge .\ssociation, Se'eral acti'ilies. such us tht publicalion arrd 

sitle ol'lhe \ odt'r ('ookb..k und the esrrrblishnrent ol'thc 199(r ()le' 

\ oder' \ation:rl Rcunion \r'er.e instilute(l to raise errdol'etl lirnds lbr 

the centeter\. ---Sincerelt.. phr'llis \ oder 

8

Issue Number 36 


P.O. Box 59,{, Goshen, IN 46527 

October 2000 

NORTH CAROLINA YODERS HOST WONDERFTII- 

GATHERING - ''YNC IN Y2K'' 

DAVID YODER of NC 

-Contributed bv Michael Billv Huffman 

From Aug. ll-13, the "Yoder Family in North carolina" (YNC) hosted their second 

National Reunion of the Yoder family. This event coincided with their own 50th annual 

reunion, and the beginning of the new miltenium (Y2K-Year2000). yoder family members 

came from 22 states to attend, and represented not only the Conrad line, but also the Oley 

Valley Yoders, the Mennonite Yoders descended from "Hans ofGreat ****************x*** 

Swamp", the Melchior Y_oder line, and the Amish Yoder lines. I 

For a memorable array of photographs from the events, see the 

"centerfold" 

i 

on pages 4-5, and for an overview ofthe activities see the I 

press release on page 8. 

{ 

::THANKS TO THE NC YODERS FOR THEIR HOSPITALITYII X 

* *:3 * * x * rt:t t! * x:: * * * * * * * * x x * * * * * x, * * * * * * * * *, * * * * * * * * x * * * rt ** r.. *,i * * 

YODER IMMIGRANTS TO AMERICA 

Over the last l7 yenrs. the YNL has presented detailed articles 

on different lines of our family. Not since our first issue (yNLl) have 

we provided nn overview of ALL the major lines, We've learned quite 

a bit since that initial issue and decideri that it's about time to do so 

again, During a session at the Yoder Reunion, editor Chris yoder 

handed orrt and discussed a graphic overlierv of the various yoder 

immigrants. A copy of this chart is included with this article. This 

summarv was subtitled "A Rose hy Any Othcr Ntme,,and went on to 

list of thr diffcrent spcllings r.hich aJrpty lo living Yoders in the 

United States todav. These include: yoder. l oders. yother. yothers. 

Youther, \'otter, Jotter, ,foder, loder, yetter. 

We break the Yoder family into eight major groups! roughly 

listed in the sequence of their arrival. These begin with the yoders of 

the Olev Valley (Berks Co., Pn.). followed b1,the JVlennonite yoders 

led bv Hans Joder of Great Swamp (Bucks/I_ehigh Co, pa), then the 

Amish Yoders of the l8th and early lgth centurJ, then Conrad yoder 

(founder of the North Carolina clan); the family of Melchior yoder 

(natrrralized in 1765), a variety of Alsatian immigrants (also often 

Amish) who arrived from the 1820s up to the civil War, German 

YoderA'otters who arrived from the 1820s through the end of that 

centurv. lnd severll miscellaneous lblk. 

An asterisk (*) appears beside those immigrants whose 

ancestry can be traced to the Joders of Steffisburg, Switzerland. The 

Old World links on the rest remain to be fieured out. flnder each 

column flrc some dates and major el,ents for the line, major states in 

nhich descendants live today, and the spellings of the surname which 

are represented today. The code for the family as it is appears in the 

files of the Yoder Homepage is also shown in parentheses (e.g. ".\L"). 

!la.ior YliL articles on cach line are also identified. 

L:ONTINUf.I) 0N PAGE 6 

* 

David Yoder (1799-1S96) 

David Yoder, son of David and Elizabeth Reep yoder, was a 

grandson of the North Carolina pioneer Conrad yoder.. He was born 

Sept.22, 1799, one of l0 children. He married the former Ruth 

Wilson, (Feb.26,1794-Aug.l4,l87l) daughter of Nathaniel and 

N{argaret Wilson. To this marriage were born five children: Elisha 

(1827-1858); Franklin (1830-lS,l0); Ruth Elizabeth (Berty) (1832_ 

l92l); Letitia (1835-1860); and Jutian (Jutie) Ann (l8J8_1926). 

Darid died Sep.s. 1896. He. his wife and alt live children are 

buried lt the Old Thessalonicn Baptist Church Cemeterv in the 

Blackburn Section. The church no longer stands, but the cemeterv 

renla lns, 

CqNTIAIL,IED ON PAGE 3 

YODER VIDEO IS NOW AVAILABLE!II 

"PILGRIMAGf 

OF FAITtt: THE YODERS IN SWITZERLAND 

AND ANIERICA FROM ST. JODER TO YOST YODER AND 

BEYOND'' 

Richard Yoder of Bechtelsville, Pa. buys a Video from Rita Yoder 

Virgil Yoder's slide show and its inspiring story of our yoder 

Heritage have been a centerpiece at national yoder gatherings since 

l99il. We are pleased to announce that this approximately 45 minute 

long story has now been reproduced and is available on video. Hold 

vorrr own Yoder familv reunion. large or srnall, anyplace around the 

world and make the video the cornerstone for your program. 

Get vour own cony of this family treasure for $25 (post paid). 

Order from Virgil E. Yoder, ll0 Northumberland Rd.. Irwin. pa. 

156,12. Ifvou have 

ions, write Virgil at: V

Letters to the Editor 


I grently enjoyed the recent nrticle on the history of Yoder, 


FROM -tHE Oregon. I have nruch of that information in a hand written letter sent 

EDITORS 

to me b-v my "cousin Perr1," (Orlando Perry) Yoder when I was 

Chris Yoder, Editor, Battle Creek, MI; John W. Yoder, Circulntion working on n family tree in the 5th grade (slightly before the YNLI) 

Mrnager, Middlebury, IN; Rachel Kreider, Senior Contributing Our last visit to Yoder for the annual reunion at the Smyrna Church 

Editor, Goshen, IN; Esther E. Yoder, Mail Manager, Goshen, IN; (lst Sunday in August) two )ears ago revealed that the house of Levi 

Donald Kauffman, YNL Homepage Webmaster, Edmonton, Alberta, D. Yoder, nelr the Yoder Store, where nry father, Joseph 8,, grew up, 

Cannda. Other Contributors: Richard H. Yoder, Bechtelsville, PA; had finally succumbed to age and neglect and is no longer there. But 

Hubert A. 't'oder, Charlotte, NC; Dorothy Yoder Coffman, Malvern, we do have photos from previous visits. Keep up the good workl 

PA; Dr. Don Yoder, Devon, PA; Neal D. Wilfong, Cleveland, NC; and ----Doug Yoder. Florida 

Dr. Delbert Gratz. Bluffton, 0H 

************************************************************ I had nn opportunity last month to again visit Ohio Rnd have 

S END Y;r- L CORRESPONDIINCE: 

-FOR CIRCULATION ISSIJES ONLY such as new or renewed 


Newsletter, P.O. Box 59.1, Goshen, lN 16527-0594. 

- ALI- OTHER CORRESPONDENCE- Dealing with rncestral 

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, Ml 

zl90l5 (or by electronic mail to "75757.337l6iDcompuserve,com"). 

YNL PRICE INFORMATION SS$S (Price unchanged since 1983!) 


-BACK lSStlES of the YNL are $l per issue. 

-Yoder Newsletter lssues I Through 25 - bound 240 page volume 

includes a topical index of major articles, and an "every name index", 

(Price S28 post paid). The YNL, P.O.Box 594, Goshen, lN 46527. 

YODER DATA ON DISK PRICE RISES- As we now are dealing with 

6 disks worth of information, we Rre 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 

I:1 : l l".l'J:lt 

"J.T:fi :l l g: l Hy;v.{ :11".y :Ti l1'; g il).'* ** * * ** 

FROM " THE YODER STORE" . CANBY,OREGON 

T- SHIRTS lN SIZES: Adult- 

,\ c tl'Fl-1R-,q ft)i{F; r: 

S-M-L-$9.95 ea.; Adult- XL- 

I 

$10.95 ea.; Adult- XXL-$11.95 

ea. (colors - Black, Purple, 

Green, Blue, Burgundy); 

Youth-S (8)-M (10-12)- L (r2- 

l4)- 56.95 ea. (colors- Blue, 

Black. Green) 

SWIATSHIRTS IN SIZES: Adult S--$15.95 ea. (Lt. Blue, Pink); 

Adult M-$15.95 ea. (Lt. Blrre, Green); Adult L--$15.95 ea. (Navy); 

Adult XL--$20.95 ea. (Navy, Purple); Adult XXL-$20.95 ea. (Purple, 

Red); Youth S--M - L -- $11.95 ea. (Gray, Lt. Blue, Pink); Toddler S- 

M-L----$9.95 (Pink, Lt. Blue) 

COFFEE MIJGS hand-crafted by a local potter (dishwasher and 

microwave safe): Mugs- $5 each 

For shipping add $3.50 in continental US for one item, add $1.50 

for each additional item shipped in the same package. (On 

colors...please state your preference and another acceptable choice) 

(From: TheYoder Store,324,tl S. Kropf Rd., Canby, OR 97013-9573) 

developed some new informnlion and have other updates..,. Perhaps 

the most import:rnt piece of info I found was the death certificate for 

Homer E. \'oder (YR1,12238). In that document his mother's maiden 

nnme is listed as Hannah Ridge. This confirms that the Jacob H. 

Yoder was the same Jacob Yoder that you listed as being married by 

the Rev. .fohn Wallace in your General Courthouse and Area Records 

from Litnclster, PA. Hopefully this helps confirm that he was the son 

ofJohn Yoder (YRl422). lt appears that they both moved from PA to 

OH about the same time and perhaps together. ,Iacob H, moved 

sometime between 1817 - 1849 and John nppears to have moved 

between the tinte his wife died in Juniata Pa in 1846 and 1850. John's 

two brothers (Jacob and Nicholas) were already there. 

I was always concerned about the information on Homer E, 

Yoder--mainly because his nnme was so different ...and the fact thnt 

census records have an NR in the relationship column (was that Not 

Related or Not Recorded). After I found his death certificate and 

saw his firll narne (Homer Eddie), it dnwned on me that minister thrt 

married his brother John (my great great grnndfnther) in the sanre 

year thnt he was born was named Homer Eddy. Perhaps a close 

friend of the family 

You had an article in the YNL on the Jacob Yoder stone hotrse 

near Berlin, OH. I visited it an met two wonderfirl Amish people 

(Fanny lnd Noah Schlabach). Thev were very cordinl and gave my 

father ancl I fantastic tour of the horrse and surroundings. Sure was 

nice to nleet sonre unknown relations (their g-g-grandfather and my 

probable g-g-g-g-grandfather were brothers) even if somewhat 

distant. They were very interested in the lineage that I could show 

thenr from your and ,{A1\lG efforts. They are both in their 70's nnd 

still farm a 100 acre spread. Ed Yoder, Croswille, Tn 

.--Rega_rds, 

From a descendant of OHI I 1325 Bartolette Y Yoder (18{3 PA-1906 

NM).."1 lbrrnd out that Bartolette C Yoder 3rd was named after his 

Grandfllher in his middle name Coolidge (as in the president). And I 

found out that his wife's Great Grandfather is Aaron Burr.XNote 

from : " vin cen t827,1" 

Ili,-- Don't know how interested you are in rncing but I've been a big 

fan for many years. Following are 2 links to some more prominent 

Yoder nnmes in racing -- I a driver and I a team owner. 

http: //www.yoderracing. hornestead.eorr#index;lrtnrl i 

http://www.shaneyoder.com/ Keith Yoder-- Centreville, VA 

t was so happy to get lhis last copv with the story abour the 

C)regon Yoders. I was beginning to think you lvere ignoring us......1 

was in C)regon two years ago and stopped at the Yoder store looking 

********************x*************************************** 

for pictures of the store but they didn't hnve any. When I was a voung 

NEW FILES AT THE YODER HOMEPAGE: 

girl one of mv uncles ran the store and I spent quite a trit of time 

YODER CEN,SU,! RECORD,S: IL-1e20;WVA-1900;WY-1910;WY- 

1920;Wl-1900; NE-1880; NE-1900; KS-1880; MI-1900. GENEf,-4l, 

F/aL',!-BERNCENS- 1790 Joder Census of Bern Switzerlandr GAthere. 

My father taught school at Neeley in the 1920's and then we 

moved to Washington. ln 1947 | moved to Alaska and have remained 

here ever since.--Eileen Schneider, Anchorage, AK 

MISC- misc records of Georgia; and Excerpts from the 

CALIFORNIA DEATH INDEX (1905- 1994) (YODER and like Chris-lt seems to rne that you wanted names of people that lived to 

family nanres) contributed by Jim Yoder (see file named cal-recs.doc) 

100+.lfere's one: [,mma E. Yoder (YR23b454) b. ll/lltB6'7 

************************************************************ Waterford(), Ind. m. Hiram Eugene Wiltfong 6/911892 N{itchell, Ks 

Lut'y' of thc Truil of Tears- l,atest novel by .Iames D. Yoder, is nou, 

available. Dr. Yoder, a graduate of Goshen College, Cent. Mo. State, 

and [] of N'lo-KC, and resides in Hesston, Ks. This gripping 347 pnge 

novel is based on the Cherokee Trail ol'Tears, and tells the story of 

Cherokee Lucy Drake. It can be ordered from Xlibris Toll-Free l-888- 

795-4274 or Books@Xlibris.com . paperback $18, hardback $25. For 

more infornration contact the author at email: JNLYaa)Southwind.net 

*********************************x**************x******x*x**, 

.1. 12/1511961 Cordell, Ok (t00-l-14) Note: Her oldest, daughter pearl 

Wiltfong, b.9/711893 KS, d. 7/19/1995 KS (l0l-t0-12)-Jim yoder 

My gr:rndlirther was Ch:riles Fr:rnces yoder, and he came as a 

missionary to Argentin,r in the year 1912. My Mother w.as Eleanor 

May Yoder, married to Egydio Romanenghi. I was born in Argentina 

and have recently retired from the National University of Tucum6n. 

where I tnught Philosophy of History for 20 years. 

----Elsie Romanenghi Yoder, edpowell.dpunillanet.com.ar

CONTINUED FR0M PAGE 1 

David Yoder Main House Right' Kitchen to the Left 

Ruth Wilson Yoder inherited land from her father's estate on 

Potts Creek, and later she and her husband bought the shares of other 

members of the Wilson family, who had moved to Tennessee' David 

Yoder was a farmer nnd a cooper. He lived quietly with his family' 

somewhat remote from the main highways. and "off the beaten 

tracts". The fine oak woodland on his farm supplied him with the 

timber for staves used in his cooperage shop. 

The Yoder log homes, built by David himself were built in the 

enrly 1820s. There were two separate buildings, one known as the 

main house and sleeping quarters and the other was the kitchen. 

Two of his daughters lived at the homestead until their deaths 

in the 1920s. Ruth Elizabeth (Aunt Betty) and Julian Ann (Aunt 

Julie) both lost their sweethearts in the Civil Wnr, so they never 

married. 

****************************t*********ii********i*********** 

YODERS OF NORTH CAROLINA 

BOOK REPRINTED! 

The Historv of the Yoder Familv in North Carolina by Dr, Fred Roy 

Yoder has been reprinted and is available once more!! Dr Yoder's 

family arranged for this to be done, just in time for the National 

Yoder Reunion, Daughter, Elaine Yoder Zakarison of Pullman, WA 

and granddaughter Dr. Elizabeth Hall of LA attended the Book 

Rededication on Aug.l2, 2000. "Credits" for the reprint were given 

to Dr. J. Larry Yoder, NC Yoder Chaplain for "having the vision" 

and to NC Yoder Family President Willie A, "Bill" Yoder for being 

the "activist" to implement the project. Funds raised will be used to 

restore old Yoder gravestones and up-keep of cemeteries at Churches 

significanto the Yoder Family and the ancestors of the Author. Price 

is $25 (postage included). Address checks to : "Yoder Memorial 

Fund" and mail to: Yoder Fnmily in North Carolina, c/o: Bill Yoder, 

27O17,ion Church Rcl. Hibkory, NC 28602 

********x***************x*********************************** 

ATTENTION CONR{D YODER CLAN:! 

NC YODERS LATINCH T]PDATE PROJECT!!! 

Ruth Wilson Yoder (1794-1871) 

********************************************************* 

RJCHARD ENLOE YODER, SR. I9I9-2OOO 

Richard Enloe Yoder, Sr., 81, of 

Hickory, died August 26,2000 at 

his home after a period of 

declining health. Born in Catawba 

County on May I, 1919, he was the 

son of the late Enloe and Hettie 

Dietz Yoder, grandson of Col. 

George M. Yoder, Catawba's l9th 

century historian, and a 

descendant of the pioneer Conrad 

Yoder. He was n civilian flight 

instructor in South Carolina 

during World War II, and spent 

his entire cAreer As a senior flight 

engineer for American Airlines 

based in Chicago. He was the pilot Fti;hardYod€r,theclan's"ald€istatesman'...,.. 

for the Adali Stephenson Democratic presidential campaign planes in 

1952 and 1956, and became acquainted with Bobby Kennedy and 

future Secretary of Agriculture Willard Wirtz with whom he carried 

on a lifelong correspondence. He flew many cargo missions from 

Hnwaii to DaNang and Saigon during the Vietnam War. He served as 

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yoder 

F:rmily in North Ctrolina nnd ensurcd thc continuance of thc annual 

family reunion. Like his grandfather, he corresponded with yoders 

from many family lines across the linited States. Reports president 

Bill Yoder: "He wasn't able to attend the Reunion this year because 

his legs were weak and he was taking therapy. I met with him 

Neal D. 

the day 

Wilfong, Secretary of the Yoder Family in North 

after our Reunion and he was in good spirits." 

Carolina, has accepted to charge to update the family genealogy. For 

* ** * * * * * * . sr ;! * * * * * rt * * * * x * * * * * * * x * * * x x * x x x x x x x * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * i 

many years, Neal has tracked and reporting on births and deaths at 

the annual reunion, Now this multi-year project will bring things 

PLAN 

up 

NOW TO ATTEND THE 2OOI YODER 

to present day, and will add lines of the family omitted in the initial RET]NION. BERKS CO., PA- 2O-2I.ITJLY 2OOI 

work. To succeed, Neal needs the help of all Conrad family members 

in sending the current information about their lines. 

When originally published in 1970, the Yoder Book only Yoder Spouse Leads WWII Memorial Effort 

followed the two sons of Conrad Yoder, who remained in North Col. Kenneth S. Pond (USA Ret), husband of the former Miriam 

Carolina (John and David ). Since 1983, the YNL hns played a major Yoder of Pittsburg, Pa is the Executive Director, American Battle 

In just the last two months, new data has been received from: Anita Monuments Commission. In this position he is playing a leading role 

Nail and Richard H. Elliott of the Adam Yoder line; Lynne Blanscet in the raising of funds for the new World War II Monument in 

of the Elias line; and Barbara Waller on the Daniel Yoder line. 

washington. For information on Col. Pond, refer to: 

lf you have updates to share with Neal Wilfong, send them to 

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/whoswho/index.htm 

him at: 310 Cook Road; Cleveland, N.C.; 27013;or to Bill Yoder, N.C. For information of the WWII memorial. see: 

Yoder Family President, 2707 Zion Church Road; Hickory, N.C. 

http: //www.wwiimemorial. co m/ 

28602 or email: (byoderncrOyahoo.com) 

Miriam is a member of the YR2337a line (Reuben Yoder- l83l-1912) 

************************************************************ 

3

t 

Albert Yoder VideotaPes 

Buses Readv for the Tour 

Edwnrd Nil. Yoder and Family 

r 

j 

\ 

old 

t 

St. Paul's Church 

St. Paul "Recital" by 

Neal Wilfong and Ted Yoder Lead Tour 

Arrdience al Crt:lwba Corrnll lluseum of Histoq' 

Elaine Zakarison 

Redediclrtes Her Flther's 

N(l Yoder Book 

Dr. Don Yoder and Rachel Kreider 

Grnce [,nion Church C 

1 

r' 

t: 

I 

.1 

'a- 

fi 

r !" 

T;,,,.,*r*SgW 

Ntemori:rl to [)r. Robert Anderson Yoder at [,enoir-Rhyne College

A FamilyLine Up in front of the Grace Lutheran Church 

The Sigmon Stringers Bluegrass Band 

Kennedy und Huffman 

Clog Dance 

fi1,*.r..h'* 

*'"**o;!Sl** 

l he Conrad Yoder Bible 

, 

Hubert Yount- Age 94 

Ralph f,. Yoder Family Staffs the Kitchen 

Pres. Bill Yoder and 

Chaplnin ,I. Larry Yoder 

Donald Honeywell and Family Discuss 

Melchior Research with Bob Burns 

Zion Lutheran Church and Cemeterv 

Gerald Nl. \'oder & F-anrily, YNC Treasurer for 20+ Yrs 

Daniel Yoder - '\ge 94 

f 

Carl Yoder of Ct, and Keith Yoder of Ind. 

Discuss Ancestor Hans Joder of Great Swamp

L 

t_ 

coNrINaED FR,M PAGE t 

Summary of Yoder rmmigrants to America 

("A ROSE By ANY OTHER NAME": Yoder, Yoders, Yothero Yothers, Youther, Yotter, Jotter, 

Joder, Ioder, Yoter, Yetter) 

Oley valley 

Yoders 

- lblz & tott 

Hans (OH)r & 

Jost (OY)* b. 

Steffisburg' Swiz. 

- 1709 Hsns Joder 

leaves 

Schwetzingen, Gy 

- l7l t- Hsns in 

Chester Co' Pr 

- l7l4- Hans in 

Oley Twp, Berks 

Co, Pa 

- t720- Hans & 

Jost sign townshiP 

p€tition 

- l41/2 Hans & 

Jost both die 

- 1777-8- Jscob 

Yoder -Rev. War 

- t762- Jacob 

Yoder- t" Flrt 

Boat down Miss.- 

New Orlesns 

Pa- Berks, Sch.' 

other Cosi Ky 

Yoder, Yoter, 

Yetter 

YNLlrtr),llrl{,zJ 

rr 11 1( 

Hans ol 

Great Swamp 

- clTl / Hsns 

Yoder (YB) in 

Gr€rt Swsmp' 

Bucks Co, Pa 

- Hrns Yoder 

buys lsnd 1720 

- Jrcob Yothers 

bt142 

- c1753 Hans 

Yoder dies 

- 18l7 John Yoder 

to Leetonia' Oh 

Bucks, L€hign 

Cos,PsiOh;ln, Ne 

YOOer! YOrnCrS 

Amish Yoders 

- l74Z "WrdOW 

Barbrrr " & 

Christian Yotter 

families arrive 

(YRl & 2) on 

"Francis & 

Elizabeth" 

- 1776 Yoders to 

Somersct Co, Pa 

- Yost Yoder 

(YRB) 

- 1790 Yod€rs to 

Mifflin Co, Ps 

- l8l0s Yoders to 

oh 

- Michael (YRC)*- 

1825 to Som€rset 

Co,Pa 

ra, un, ln! lar Nl 

Conrad Yoder 

in N. C. 

- Lonrlo ! ooer 

(Con) affives 

1746/1751, Berks 

Co, Pa 

- To NC with 

Henry Weidn€r - 

c1753/63 

- 1763 Conrgd 

buys 200 acres in 

NC 

. Conrsd Yoder 

dies 1790 

- l8l2 gsons in 

War 

- c18t5 sons Jacob 

& Elias to lnd. 

- l8l7 Elias dies 

- t820 son Adam - 

Haywood Co, NC 

- I830s Yotheri 

Yoder line in Ga, 

- descs. in Confed. 

Army 

NL, Gat In, [lO, 

Ok, Tx 

It is interesting to speculate on the relationships between the 

different families. As described in YNLt6, letters were written from 

the Melchior Yoder family in Pa. to Conrad Yoder in North Carolina' 

Melchior lived in a Mennonite community during his initial years in 

Pa. The Historv of the Yoder Familv in North Carolina reports that 

Conrad "Utought n Mennonite Hymnbook" with him when he came 

from Pennsylvania. Were these lines interrelated and connected to 

the Mennonite Hans Joder of Great Swamp Will the origins for all 

three families in the Old World be found together someday 

The Oley Valley (Reformed) Yoders are connected through 

European .".o.dt back to the family of Adam Yoder of Steffisburg' 

This iine was the first to be so identified' due in large part to the 

efforts of Dr. Don Yoder of Dev-on, Pa. 

Samuel Joder, the father of the last of the immigrants in the 

Amish column (Michael Yoder-YRC), wrote two letters to his "dear 

cousin" Schweitzer Christian" Yoder (YR23) in Somerset Co' Pa. 

The Samuel Joder link to Steffisburg is known. That of his " cousins" 

remain speculative, 

Due to recent research in France and Germany, several of the 

Alsatian and German Yoder immigrants (many of whom were Amish) 

can now be linked back to thc Steffisburg families. How do these lines 

relate to those of the l8th century Amish immigrants We don't yet 

know. But it would appear certain that they do so---the original 

Amish groups were rather small. 

Under the "Other" hending, Jncob the immigrant of 1753 

would nppear likely to have been related to some of the Amish lines' 

sue to some of the families he associated with (See YNL29). 

************************************************************ 

Young. 

STIPPORT FOR ADAN{ YODER-YOTHER LINK 

ln 1988 (YNLIl), we presented our speculations on whai 

became of Ad:rm Yoder, youngest son of NC immigrant (lonrad 

Yoder. Family tradition was that he "moved to Tennessee and nll 

rraces ol'him were losl". Census records show him only once, in 

Haywood County, NC near the TN border. We constrttcted a variety 

of bits and pieces which hint that the "Yother" family of GA were his 

descendunts. Haywood Co. marriage records show "Yoder, David nt. 

05 Apr 1826 Guilliams, Fanney". This matches the age and name of 

Melchior 

Yoder 

- I /Ol ryletcnlor 

Yoder (M) 

neturalized 

- 1114 taxed 

Hatfield Twp 

Montgomery Co 

- l7t4 cousin 

Daniel Yoder dies 

- to 1796 Snyder 

Co, Pa 

- lEl0 Jacob 

Yoders to Greene 

Co, Ps 

- Melchior Yoder 

dies 1820, Union 

Co, Pa 

- cl8l8 Yoders to 

Pickaway Co, Oh 

elsewhere 

Yoder, Joder' Yoder, Yolnerl Yoder, Yottert 

Yotter 

Youther 


YNLI,3,lZ,l7 YNLl,l.v,rr,JU YNL 1.3.4.10.15.16r l\ LJ, to, z{t 

to 1t 

the apparent oldest male of the Georgia Yother line. 

Alsatirn 


- C8pt. Jos,Yoder- 

1825 -stsrk Co, 

oh (YAl)* 

- Christian Yoder- 

1828-Wsyne Co' 

oh (YA3)* 

- Christisn Yotter 

c1833-Stsrk Co, 

oh (YA7)* 

- Joseph Yoder- 

1833 (YA5)* 

- Jrcob Yoder- 

(YA8)* 1840 

Strrk Co, Oh 

- Jonathtn Yoder- 

1845 to NY 

- John Yoderc1855 

Williams 

Co, Oh (VAg)r 

- Michael Yoder- 

1856- Fulton Co, 

oh (YA6) 

German 


- John Yoder, 

Wayne Co, Oh < 

r820 (AX) 

- Joseph 

1836 to (D) 

loder- 

NY/Bureau Co,ll 

- Petter Jotter-by 

1840 Butler Co, 

oh (Az) 

- Christian & 

Henry Yotter - 

1850 NY,la (AQ){ 

- Yotters - to W. 

Point, Ia (AP,AM, 

AO)* 

- Jacob Yoder 

clE66 to ll (AC) 

- Peter Yotter- 

Galizien to Neb,- 

by le00 (AN4)* 

Pa, Oh, ln, Mt ,ltr un NY, lA, 11, KS, Un 

Yoder, Yotter 

YNLt,{r!ri,lo, 

21,28 

Yoder, Yotter, 

Jotter. loder 

YNL4,5,IU 

i*******t***********t**************************i*********rl 

ELI M. YODER 

FOTINDER OF YODER KANSAS 

Thnnks to Cllyde Nafzinger of Wilmington,Dtlnwnre for this 

photograph of Eli M. Yoder (1844-1905) (YRI2868) founder of the 

town of Yoder, Kansas. We featured this town in a YNLS article by 

David Luthy. Eli was the son of Bishop Solomon Yoder of the Long 

Green, Maryland Amish congregation- who was covered in a sketch 

by H, Harold Hartzler in YNL8, Eli left the Amish, and went to 

Kansns where he met and married a non-Amish girl named NIary 

Among the young men who followed him there was his 

nephew, John Nafzinger, who met and married Mary's sister Emma. 

Yoder, Kans:rs is located in Reno County, a few miles southeast of 

Hutchinson, A small park in Yoder's main square contains a granite 

marker that gives some of the history of the town. 

Other 

- Jacob Yoder- 

(AL) 1753 on 

"Queen of 

Den msrk" 

- 1764 Daniel 

Yoder, York Co, 

Pa (AF) 

- Dsniel Yothers' 

C€ntre Co, Ps (F) 

- Jost Jotter-Pa, 

NJ (BZ) 

- Johnannes 

Jscob Yeater 

(CC) (Yoder)- 

1141 

illisc. 

YNL29 

Death of Dr. Delbert Gratz 

Dr. Delbert Gratz, renown Anabaptist historian for over half a 

centrry, rlied August 24, 2000 at the hospital in Lima, Ohio' after 

suffering several strokes. He retired from Bluffton College' Bluffton' 

Ohio, and for many years had led Heritage Tour grotrps to historically 

important sites in Europe. Over many years he has shnred Yoder 

materials with the YNL, most recently in the llst issue. His support 

and his expertise will be sorely missed.

* * r r * * * * * * * * * * * * * t * * * t * * * * * *QUefieS* * * * * * * t * t * ii * * * * ii * * * *i * 


charge. please limit as possible to include R full return address, All 

inquiries are checked against our records to see ifwe can help too' If 

you receive ndded info, please share it with the YNL for our files' 

"Send 

Queries to: Chris Yoder, 203 Lakeshire Rd', Battle Creek'Mi 

490 I 5 or email at 15'757,337 

ltd compuserve.com' 

******************x**x************************************** 

I have found the graves of two Yoders in the city cemetery in 

Union,Mo. They are Louis A.20 Feb 1889--14 Aug 1889 and Rosn l4 

Mar 1869--7 Aug 1889 (wife of V.A.) Do you have any idea who these 

people might be Teresa Yoder Sands, 510 Central, Union' Mo' 

63084 tns4t3@webtv.net (terri) 

*******************x**************x************************ 

NIy g-grandfather, Joseph Yoder, married Anna Fnrney in 1886 in 

l.lticr (), NY. The-v moved from Lowville or Croghan NY to lllinois' 

Had 6 children. Who were Joseph's parents JoyceYoder Thornburg' 

P.O. Box 87811, Vancouver WA 98687, Thornburgii@aol'com 

****x***x*********xxxx************************************** 

My g-gmother Lillian K. Yoder d'1899 in Phila' Pa from Typhoid' m' 

.loiiott C. Nlartin, Jr. in Ashland, Pa. Had Earle William Allen Martin 

b.9/2111896(myg-father)RoylrvinMartinb'll/3/1897'Lillianwas 

raised by Grune() family. Her mother d. when she was 6 mos old' 

Was raised as a sister to Lizzie Gruber. Had a sister Anna who m' 

Jacob Schucker they had two children Frank and Hornce' Horace m' 

Cora Hubler. .lude Banks, S. 6016 Pittsburg, Spokane, Washington 

99223. ernail: JudeBanks(Dworldnet.att.net 

*******************xx************************x************** 

My grnndfather was Emerson Yoder (1904-1993) b'Boonville' NY' His 

Son of Joseph and Katherine (Zehr)(des. of Jacob Zehr)' His Parents 

were both b. in the US, in Lewis County, Crognn, NY (I believe)' His 

grandparents were b. in Alsace-Lorraine' His father (Joseph)' died 

around l9l0 after falling from a horse. His grandmothers name was 

Anna/Annah and is buried just outside of Boonville'Joseph wns 

Amish antl Emerson left the faith in his late teens' Chris Yoder 

' 99 Tyler Street Bulfalo' NY 14214 

********x*******xxxxx******************x**************x****x 

Would like to hear from our extended family' John E' Yoder - 

YR2344b6. Moses Yoder- YR2344b' Christian Yoder YR2344' John 

E. Yoder evidently had only one child --RomRnus(Romnn)' who was 

my wife's father, ls well as the father of l2 sisters & brothers' 

Roger M. Crassi, 9170 Sheridan Drive #41, Clarence, NY 14032 

************x*********************************************xx 

\ODER STONE NEEDS REPAIRS- 

Shirley Nl. Brown wriles "l am currently 

recording the tombstones of Royer's Nleeting House Cemetery' 

.lackson 'fwp,, l,ebanon (lo. PA. I found a stone of Sarah Hummel' 

w/o Levi Yoder. that is brokt'n offthe base. Sarah was born Dec' l8' 

1355. d. Dec. 2. 1908. Levi K Yoder, b. Nlar. 15, 185't' d' Mar' 24' 

1935 sets next to Slrah and is OK. ".. Are there any descendants 

of YRl7a53- t-evi K Yoder and Sarah Hummel out there who would 

like to help fund repair Contact Shirley at the above address' 

x**f *8*xx+{***s+8*s*{x*}l*8*lx****x*aa*8* 

GRANDDATiGHTER OF ELIAS YODER 

Nancy Yoder Yoder Suddeth (Con533) 

(r2/221 rS34 IN-4/l 8/l9o5IL) 

Thanks to Lynne Nlelchior Blanscet (Littlc Rock' Ark' 

) for providing this wonderful 

photogra;rh of her ancestress Nancy Yoder Yoder Suddeth' (Con533)' 

'Xon.f 

ln,,t the granddaughter of Etias Yoder who died in l8l7 in 

Clark Co., Indiana. Elias was the fifth child of Conrad Yoder of NC' 

Nancy's father John Yoder married Nancy Jane Suddeth in l85l as 

his second wife. Nancy then, in 1852, married Wm' James Suddeth' 

her step brother by this marriage. She died at the County Home in 

Marion Cotrnty, tL and is buried in "county Home Cemetery"' 

*********************************************************** 


--Nancy Yoder Yoder Suddeth (Con533)(12/2211834 

lN-4/18/1905) 

Lynne Blanscet 

- Polly Yoder Roes (YR233741)- Marion Roes' Waterloo' Ontario 

m I ro es@ sy m Pa t i co ' c a 

--Marga.et Yotter (AOlXf 830 Gy-1894 la) m' 1848 John A Hopp--- 

Ed Moodie 

--Fannie S Yoder (YR1253233) m Manasses D Schmucker lrene 

Clement 

- William John Yoder (YR23b446) -Kay Strause' Muscatine' Ia' 

Researching the Samuel Lutz family of White Deer' Union Co' PA' 

and Benton County Ohio. Samuel Lutz d. c1858 in Shellbeburg' Oh'' 

Wife was Mary Rank also of White Deer' Samuel's pension papers' 

showaMrs.D.A.YoderofToledoOhio,whowrotetoWashington 

D.C. April ll, 1930 requesting information on Samuel Lutz' This 

leads me to believe that there may be a relation connection for her' 

Does Rnutone know something on this family Thanks Jan Taylor' --Martha Mary Yother (Con846) m William Elliott' Charlotte Elliott 

3004 Wilkie Rd., !.ouisville, KY 40216 jinxjan@aol'com 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * 13 * * * * x x x x * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * -- John C Yoder (YR23446)-"Paul W. King"

50th annual event to be held in Catawba CountyAug. 1l-13 

Yoder reunion to feature meeting of noted researchers 

The Yoder F"-ily in North A::derson Yoder, where his por- at 6:15 p.m. will be held in the 

Carolina, in conjunction with trait, his 1886 map of Catawba Zion Lutheran Church Parish 

their S0thAnnual Reunion,will County, his diaries, and other Center, located on Zion Church 

host a gathering of the entire items will be displayed in the Road off of N.C. 127, south of 

Yoder Clan on Aug. 11-13 in Belk Centru:n, which features Hickory in the Mountain View 

Hickory and Newton. a memorial to Dr. Yoder at its community. The Sigmon 

Similar events occurred in entrance. Virgil Yoder of Stringers bluegrass band fron 

Catawba County in 1995 aod in Pittsburgh, Pa. will present his Newton will open the session. 

Readiag and Pleasantville, Pa. slideshow'PilgrimageofFaith: Don Yoder, Ph.D., professor 

in 1996-. Yotlers from a number The Yoders in Switzerland and emeritus at the University of 

of fanily lines representing at America from St. Joder to Yost Pennsylvania, will be the fealeast22stateswillcometogeth- 

Yoder and Beyond" in the tured speaker. Dr. Yoder is a 

er to celebrate their common Centrum auditorium beginning contributor to the Yoder 

"The 

heritage. 

Yoder at 9:15 a.m. Iocal family mem- Newsletter and one of the 

Newsletter" based in Goshen, bers and friends are urged to world's foremost scholars on 

Ind. is again sponsoring this attend this session. Pennsylvania Dutch folklore 

event, and edilor Chris K. The group will then proceed and the immigration of 

Yoder of Battle Creek, Mich., through the old "Yodertown" Germanic-speaking people to 

and co-founder and noted area (including the homesite the New World. He has 

Anish genealogist Rachael andfina.lrestingplaceofNorth authored and edited many 

Ifteider of Goshen will be in Carolina progenitor Conrad books and articles and has 

attendance. Yoder); Grace Union Church traveled and researched exten- 

Dr. Don Yoder of Devon, Pa. (founded 1795 by Yoders and srvely in both Germany and 

will be the featured speaker for the burial ground of many Switzeriand. He is a co-founder 

the event. He is perhaps the Yoders, including Conrad's sons of the Kutztown Folk Festival 

world's foremost authority on John and David, and CoI. and of'Pennsylvania Folklife" 

German and Swiss immigra- George M. Yoder, Catawba's magazine. He is descended 

tion to the New World. Also 19th-century historian); aud from the earliest Oley Valley 

making presentations or in Old St. Paul's Church (founded Yoder immigrants, and counts 

atteudance will be Amish- 1760, first church in Western at least three separate lines of 

Mennonite Yoder researcher N.C.). Yoder descent in his genealogy. 

Virgil Yoder of Pittsburgh, OIey At 1:30 p.m. the session will Only a few tickets remain for 

ValleyresearcherDickYoderof begin at the Catawba County the meal, but interested per- 

Bechtelsville, Pa. and Neal MuseumofHistoryinthe1924 sons are invited to hear the 

Wilfong an{ Hubert Yoder, his- Courthouse on the square in music and Dr. Yoder's talk. 

torians and'researchers for the Newton. Many Yoder artifacts, On Sunday morning at 10 

North Carolina branch. These including the Conrad Yoder a.m., an ecumenical Yoder clan 

participants will make up the family Bible and a remnant of worship service will be held in 

first and largest personal meet- Henry Weidner's deed to the 1886 chapel ofZion Church. 

ing ever of these noted Conrad Yoder, are in the muse- The Rev. Dr' J. Larry Yoder, 

relearchers. um's permanent collection. professor of Religion at Lenoir- 

Other special guests this DiekYoderofBechtelsville,Pa. Rhyne College and pastor of 

year include Greensboro native wiil present a slide show on the Grace Church, will lead the serbdwin 

M, Yoder, Pulitzer Frize- earliest Yoder settlers in vice. Marcus Yoder (first mayor 

winning journalist from The America, brothers Hans and of Hickory) provided some of 

washington Post, and the chil- Yost, who came to the oley the original fundsto build this 

dren and grandchildren of the Valley ofPennsylva-nia in 1710. chapel, and its bricks were 

late Fred Roy Yoder, professor Also at the Museum on hand-molded at the Conrad 

of sociology at Walhinpon Saturday, the childreu and Yoderhomesiteandatthenear- 

State University and author of grandchildren of Fred $. Yoder, by Reuben Yoder nills. 

"History of the Yoder F"mily in Ph.D., who have geqerously After the service in the Zion 

North carolina.. returned many Yoder drtifacts Parish center will a picnic 

The weekend will begin to North Carolina an{ funded lunch for the 50th Annual 

Friday night at 7 p.d. at ihe the history's reprinting in Yoder Reunion and a chance to 

Quality 1nn with a get- memory of Dr. Yoder ard his view the many Yoder displays 

acquainted aad orientation les- work, will be present to help brought for-the reunion, includsion. 

On Saturday morning dedicate both the Yoder collec- ing Conrad Yoder is original 

beginning at 8 a.n.,'busses will tion and his book. AIl local fam- Bible (ca. early 1700s). The 

trinsport participants on a ily members, friends and inter- Yoder Store wili feature comguidei 

gufded tour tOUf of Ol lhe tne City Urty of OI ested esteo persons pefSOnS are cordially corqlarry memorative DcouraLrvs T-shirts r-srurLs illustrat' 

urusurau' 

Hickotv and Lenoir-H.tvne invited,to this session.' ing many variations of the 

'The 

College, fouded by Dr. Robert bdlQuet Saturday night speiling of the Yoder name 

x***************************************************i'***x*** 

ABE S YODER FAMILY RETINION 

At the 2000 reunion of the Abe S. Yoder family (YR257l8l)' 

attendance was down to about 200. As usual the food & Praise 

Singing were excellent The next reunion will be the last Saturday in 

July 2002. The reunions are held at the Greenlane School Reedsville' 

Pa. For more information contact: Abe S Yoder Jr, 217 Pebley Lnne' 

Belleville. Pa 17004.711935-2947 

*******:t***********************************************x**** 

PASSINGS-- 

--Edwnrd P. \'eater, of Cedar Rapids, lowa, died Christmas Eve, Dec. 

24" 1999. He had been born Jul.l8,l923, and had been ill for some 

tinre. Eduard was an early subscriber to the Yoder newsletter and 

was for many years editor of lhe Yeater Newsletter. 

--Clylea ('. Yoder, (M22281l) Marysville' Oh. d. 3/18/1999 

--Lnis llf arie (Yoder)Yoder, (YR2337a656) Shipsehwana d. 8l 11 l20O{. 

--Kenneth E. Yoders. 84. d, 1ll'7/2000 , Gravsville, Pa 

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY QUESTION, OR DATA TO SHARI' 

WRITE: CHRIS YODER AT': 75757.337lroCOMPUSERVE.COM 

8 

WIS(IONSIN 

superimposed with a map went to Georgia. Elizabeth died 

showing Yoder immigratiol in infancy. John and David 

routes. Knit golf shirts featur- married sisters of the Reep 

ing an authentic Yoder coat-of- family. 

arms will also be available. Conrad Yoder and his close 

The North Carolina Yoder neighbors, Henry Weidner, 

Reunion traces its origins to George Wilfong, John Hahn, 

birthday dinners held in and others were patriots during 

August for Catawba County's the Revolutionary War, supfirst 

historian Col. George M. porting the American cause for 

YoderoftheBlackburncommu- independence by making a 

nityduringtheearlypartofthe 

"covenant under the oak," an 

20th century. 

event which influenced Lincoln 

Yoders in the United States and Catawba County society 

are of Swiss origin. The name and politics for over a century. 

Yoder (Joder in Swiss German) Through family marriages, 

is derived from Saint Theodore Conrad Yoder is the direct 

(later abbreviated to Saint ancestor to the Yoder, Baker, 

Joder), one of the Christian and Blackburn families and 

missionaries who brought the many members of other 

Christian message into the Catawba County famiiies 

Swiss Alps in the Middle Ages. including the Blackwelder, 

August 16 is still celebratea r" D"1tt:, Hahn' Huffinan' Reep' 

St. Joder's Day in the Swiss Shuford families' and have 

fnd 

Reformed Churth. 

Iong standing close family ties 

Only Conrad Yoder migrated tl9 

lo T3.T"t"ur, Iilhitener, 

to theiouthern colonies iiVorth Jarrett' .w-irfo.l.c' -Seitz and 

Carolina), bringing a 

loca families ln addition 

9th9r 

Mennoniie hymnat "wiifr him. 

those mentioned.above' other 

!9 

His children later joinecl Conrad,Yoder.family members 

Lutheran and ReformeJ 

earned distinction: Hy.le Yoder, 

Churches. 

city manager; Monroe Craig 

North Carolina Yoders are of biology at L- 

Jod-er,.nro!.s.1or 

descendants of Conrad yoder. Ri Julian-Clifton Yoder, profeswho 

came to America aroud sor ol -geogral)h\- at 

1746 md probably iived in the -AP-Palachian State University; 

Oley Villey region of Ctn M. Yoder, teacher and 

Pennsylvania. He - followed political leader; Frank Yoder, 

Henry Weidner (Whitener), dermatologist and cancer 

Catawba County pioneer, to lesearcher; -and Paul van 

this area around 1747. In1762, Buskirk Yoder, band music 

he purchased 200 acres of land composer. 

from Weidner and married All Yoder family and friends 

Christina Klein (Cline), daugh- re urged to attend the reunion 

ter of Sebastial Klein, wh-om events and encouraged to bring 

he probably met while attend- to bring mementos, phoing- 

serviies at the "Dutch tographs-or artifacts to share 

Meeting House," later known !n 

display either at the 

as Old Saint paui's Church. Catawba County Museum on 

They had three children. 611". Saturday o1 at -Zion Lutheran 

her -death, he married 3 l,4iss Church on Sunday. Designated 

Seitz from Germany, and then family staff members will be 

Catherine Huffman, *115 seruing to secue and protect 

whom he had five other chil- the historic items while on disdren. 

play. Dveryone is asked to bring 

Three of those children. a large picnic to share with the 

John, David and Catherine out-of-town guests on Sunday. 

(who married John Baker) The descendants of Hans 

remained in the area. 1'1u.ss and Yost Yoder of the Oley 

otherbrothers.Jacob.Eliassn4 Valley are planning another 

Daniel, moved in 1g15 to the national reunion next July in 

new state of Ind.ima. aadAdam Reading, Pa. 

OLEY YODER TIPDATES 

Our annual Yoder reunion was held on July 15, 2000, at the 

Oley Fire Company and it was a huge srrccess. We had seventy people 

in attend:rnce. The lunch was delicious and enjoyed by all. lVe 

followed lunch with a talk on "lndian Lore of the Oley Valley" which 

was very interesting. We also had a short course on "How to Get 

Started in Genealogy" followed by an auction ofdonated itents. 

Orrr next big project is planning the National Reunion which 

will be held.luly 20 and 21,2001. Some of the highlights will be an 

Amish tour of Berks Countl', an Oley Valley tour, a Revolutionary 

militia encampment depicting Yoder involvement, Pennsylvania 

Dutch food and more. We will have available for sale: golf shirts, T- 

shirts, hats and memory books. Watch for more information in the 

next issue of the newsletter and on the web 

vs YODER-not a research project, t'm hoping 

to nrlke contact with the Jonas Yoder who liled in New Gllrrrs. 

Wisconsin (l:rte 1960's-1970's). Was involved in the Historic Supreme 

Court decission "Wisconsin vs Yoder". Anyone hnving informltion 

regarding .f onas and his family can contact me at: Shawn F'. Peters" 

1306 Eberhardt Ct. Madison, Wl 53715 

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w YODER NEWSLETTER - Yoder Family Information

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