Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

YOCOM,
ALBERT S.

p. 935

Surnames: SPOHN, ZACHARIAS, MOSSER, ERNFIELD, FISHER, NUNNEMACHER,
MONDAY

Albert S. Yocom, of Sinking Spring, the well-known and popular
auctioneer, was born in Cumru township, Berks county, Oct. 31,
1855, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Spohn) Yocom.

Samuel Yocom, born Feb. 4, 1817, followed
farming as an occupation and by industry and good judgment, won a
comfortable competency. He died Jan. 25, 1890, aged seventy-two
years, eleven months, twenty-one days. Mr. Yocom was twice married.
His first wife, Elizabeth Spohn, daughter of William and Catharine
Spohn, was born July 22, 1819, and died Feb. 26, 1864, aged
forty-four years, seven months, four days. His second marriage was
to Mrs. Susan (Zacharias) Yocom, widow of Samuel, born Aug. 17,
1822, died Oct. 3, 1903, aged eighty-one years, one month, sixteen
days. Samuel Yocom’s children were: Nicholas, William S., Samuel,
Henry, John (deceased), Charles (deceased), and Albert S.

Albert S. Yocom passed his youth on the farm,
and gave his services to his father until he had attained his
majority. In 1884 he began farming for himself on the homestead,
where he continued for eight years in 1892 purchasing a lot and
building a brick house, in which place he made his home until he
became proprietor of the “Central Hotel,” which he conducted with
great success for two years. He then sold it and bought the home in
which he now resides, on Main street, Sinking Spring. Mr. Yocom was
formerly assessor of Spring township, serving as such for eighteen
years, his long continuance in that office being good evidence of
the perfect satisfaction he gave. He is at present roadmaster. He
began crying sales in 1882, and since then has been the auctioneer
at nearly three thousand sales. During the months of February and
March he is in daily demand, and his popularity and wide
acquaintance–to say nothing of his ability, which is far above the
average–insure him success in his work.

Mr. Yocom is a Democrat, and is an active worker
in the ranks of his party. In the spring of 1907, at the earnest
solicitation of his friends he ran for the office of high sheriff
of Berks county, for which there were nine competitors; he received
the fourth highest vote cast. Fraternally he is a member of the
Knights of the Golden Eagle, Castle No. 334, Sinking Spring; the
Sr. O. U. A. M. Council No. 77, Sinking Spring; Knights of Pythias,
Lodge No. 66, of Reading; and the Sons of America. He is a Lutheran
member of St. John’s Church.

On Jan. 10, 1874, Mr. Yocom married Lydia B.
Mosser, born Oct. 24, 1856, daughter of Franklin Mosser, of
Ontelaunee township. To this union came twelve children, as
follows: Irene, who married F. P. Ernfield; Gertrude, who wedded
Cortland Fisher; Jennie, who died young; Sallie, who married John
E. Nunnemacher; Maggie, who married Thomas Monday; Clayton, who
died young; Alvin, of Green Bay, Ill.; Ellen, who died young; and
Nora, Edward, Emma and Cora, at home.

YOCOM,
CHARLES S.

p. 1351

Surnames: YOCUM, FAUST, SHALTER, REESER, HUYETT, SPOHN, HEMMIG,
POTTEIGER, MANERY, HEFFER, GRAEFF, MILLER, FOX, BEECHER, DECHERT,
BIEBER, HILL, SCHEETZ, BROWN

Charles S. Yocom, who entered into rest, Feb. 6, 1901, aged
fifty-five years, was a lifelong resident of Spring township. By
occupation he was a carpenter, and for many years also carried on
farming. In political faith he was a Republican and in religious
connection a Lutheran member of St. John’s Church at Sinking
Spring, serving on the building committee when the present edifice
was erected in 1897. he was twice married. By his first wife,
Catharine Faust, he had one son, William H., of Sinking Spring. He
married (second) Mrs. Kate A. (Shalter) Reeser, widow of Cyrus
Reeser. She was born Oct. 19, 1848, and by her first marriage had
four children, namely; J. Pierson, a coal, grain and lumber
merchant at Sinking Spring; George G. employed by his brother, J.
Pierson; Cora E., wife of Thomas Huyett, Sinking Spring; and Kate
L., who died in infancy.

The early history of the Yocom family will be found in the sketch
of Harry Y. Yocom, grandson of Nicholas Yocom.

George Yocom, son of Nicholas, was born in Cumru
township Oct. 3, 1803. He was an iron worker by trade, and he and
his father bought the old Spohn estate in Lower Heidelberg
township, consisting of 101 acres of the best land in the county.
Here he engaged in farming until his son Benjamin took charge, and
he then retired to Sinking Spring, where he died Aug. 17, 1881,
aged seventy-seven years, ten months, fourteen days. He is buried
in the cemetery at Sinking Spring. His wife Catharine Hemmig,
daughter of John and Susanna Hemmig, was born Dec. 23, 1805, and
she died April 21, 1874, aged sixty-eight years, three months,
twenty-nine days. Their children were: William, a farmer near
Stouchsburg, married Mary Potteiger; Aaron, a flour merchant in
Reading, married (first) Hannah Manery and (second) Kate Heffer;
Sarah married Frederick Graeff; Amanda died unmarried; Amos, a
shoemaker and farmer, married Isabella Miller (1843-1885); Benjamin
is mentioned below; Lizzie married Aaron Fox, a butcher at Sinking
Spring; Anna married Reuben Beecher, formerly at Wernersville.

Benjamin Yocom, son of George, was born on the
Yocom homestead Nov. 7, 1836, and was reared upon the farm, working
for his parents until after he was twenty-one years of age. He then
began farming on his father’s farm in Lower Heidelberg township,
where he lived six years, after which he moved to the old Daniel
Dechert farm, where he lived nineteen years. At the end of that
time he bought a tract of eighty-one acres in lower Heidelberg.
This was an exceptionally fertile tract, with fine water and good
substantial buildings, and was in every way a comfortable and
commodious place, where Mr. Yocom made his home for sixteen years.
In the spring of 1907 he came to Sinking Spring, where he now lives
retired, making his home with his son-in-law Charles E. Potteiger.

In politics Mr. Yocom is a stanch Republican. He
and his family are Lutheran members of St. John’s Church, in which
he has served as deacon and elder. On Oct. 7, 1858, he wedded
Catharine Huyett, born Dec. 16, 1838, daughter of Jacob and
Magdalena (Hill) Huyett. To this union have been born four
children, namely: Benjamin F. born May 2, 1860, married Alice
Bieber, and is a farmer in Jefferson township; Mary M., born Oct.
12, 1865, married August Scheetz, of Denver, Pa.; Kate, born Dec.
31, 1868, married Charles E. Potteiger, a farmer and cattle dealer
at Sinking Spring; and George W., born Aug. 17, 1871, married Katie
Brown, and is farming the old home farm.

YOCOM, HARRY
Y.

p. 1350

Surnames: YOCOM, JOCUM, YOCOMB, YOKHAM, JONES, YOCUM, FRITZ,
RAGSIZE, WEAVER, KLINE, LORAH, THOMPSON, SPOHN, YOST, SEIDEL,
ALTHOUSE, HORNBERGER, HOLLENBACH, BOAS, AMMON, YETTER, SMITH

Harry Y. Yocom. The name of Yocom has been long familiar to the
inhabitants of this section of Pennsylvania, and the family is
particularly prominent in the lower end of Berks county. The
earlier generations were identified with Oley township, but
Nicholas Yocom, grandfather of Harry Y., who founded the family in
Cumru township, settling there about the beginning of the last
century, came from Douglassville.

Late in the seventeenth century a colony of
Swedes settled at the Wissahickon, near Philadelphia. In 1701 a
number of these Swedes, among whom were three “Yocom” brothers,
settled along the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, in the locality
of Douglassville, Berks county. Surveys for land for these pioneers
were made on Oct. 21, 1701, and patents were issued between 1704
and 1705 for these lands. One J. Jonas “Jocum” (then “Yocomb”), the
youngest of their brothers, had a patent granted him by the Penns
for 350 acres in Amity township. On the eastern bank of the
Schuylkill where the Douglassville bridge spans the river, is an
historic stone house erected in 1716 by Mounce Jones. he was the
son-in-law of J. Jonas Yocum, and was an executor with Peter Yocum,
of the will of J. Jonas Yocum. This document was made Aug. 8, 1757,
and was witnessed by these Quaker people of Union township:
Mordecai, Thomas and Joseph Millard. The will was entered in Berks
court house for probate Dec. 27, 1760, and is on record in Will
Book I, page 89. This noble ancestor left a large estate, which he
equitably divided among the following children: Peter, who obtained
one of the homesteads; Judith Mary; Margaret, and John. At the
making of the will the “beloved” wife of the ancestor was still
living. The son, John, who had died prior to the making of his aged
father’s death. The ancestor amply provided for his widowed
daughter-in-law. An item of the will states “and should she give
birth to a son–he shall have an additional inheritance.”

Moses Yocom, of Douglass township, a descendant
of J. Jonas, made his will May 20, 1823; it was probated Feb. 28,
1824, and is recorded in Will Book D., page 449. His wife Susanna
survived him. The executors of the will were: Daniel Yocom and
Jacob Fritz. His children were: Moses, John, Peter, George, Mary,
Ann and Hannah.

The will of Maria Yocom, of Douglass township,
probated in 1829, provides that each of the legatees of her will
shall buy a large family Bible for each of their children. her
children were: Ann, who married Jonas Yocom; Rachel Ragsize, who
had a daughter Mary; and Daniel Yocom. Daniel Yocom, son, and Jonas
Yocom, son-in-law, were executors of the will.

John Yocom (son of John, and grandson of J.
Jonas) was born in 1749, and died Oct. 14, 1823. He had a son
Moses, born on the homestead in Amity township Oct. 11, 1786, who
died Aug. 30, 1850. Moses Yocom was married to Susanna, a daughter
of Jacob and Anna Weaver, who were the parents of Peter Weaver, who
was the father of Col. Jeremiah Weaver. Susanna (Weaver) Yocom was
born Aug. 18, 1791, and died May 19, 1872. Moses and Susanna Yocom
had a son William, born Jan. 23, 1817. He married Mary B. Kline, a
daughter of George Kline, and they had a son, William B. Yocom, a
prominent man of Amity township.

Nicholas Yocom, a descendant, probably a
grandson of J. Jonas, was born in Oley township, Sept. 3, 1776. As
a young man he went to Lancaster county, and he learned to make
gun-barrels. When ready to begin for himself he chose Cumru
township as hi location, bought the old Seidel forge, and there
prepared his own iron for the manufacture of his gun-barrels,
following this calling many years with great profit, but he was of
so generous and sympathetic a disposition that he was remembered
for his benefactions rather then his wealth, and many were the men
in financial straits whom he helped. In person he was tall,
powerful and of commanding presence. He died April 23, 1857, aged
eighty years, seven months, twenty days. His wife, Catherine
(Lorah) Yocom, to whom he was united March 14, 1801, was born Oct.
3, 1783, and died Feb. 13, 1851, at the age of sixty-seven years,
four months, ten days. They had four children, as follows: Daniel,
born in 1805, who married Miss Catharine Thompson, and died in
1864; George, born 1803, of Sinking Spring; Moses; and Samuel, who
married a Miss Spohn and settled in Sinking Spring.

Moses Yocom, father of Harry Y., was born in
Lancaster county, Aug. 12, 1815, and died at Grill Oct. 25, 1886,
aged seventy-one years, two moths, thirteen days. he was an iron
manufacturer, following his father’s line, and after the latter’s
death became the owner of Yocom’s forge. he, too, was successful
financially, while he found time tin addition to his business to
assist in the educational progress of his section. A man of keen
intelligence himself, he was much interested along educational
lines and for nearly twelve years was school director. He was
likewise prominent in church work, was an elder and treasurer of
Yocom’s Church for many years and one of the three substantial
contributors toward its erection in 1854. Of devout spirit and
regular in his attendance, the sincerity of his worship was made
manifest in his daily life.

Moses Yocom married Miss Lydia Yost, who was
born Oct. 6, 1821, and died Oct. 24, 1888, aged sixty-seven years,
nineteen days. She was a daughter of Nicholas and Susanna (Seidel)
Yost. The children born to her and her husband were three in
number. (1) Nicholas is a farmer and also proprietor of one of the
two licensed places in Chester county, outside of Chester. he has
as bondsmen citizens whose aggregate wealth is at least $8,000,000.
he married Miss Sarah Althouse, now deceased, and has one child,
Emily. (2) Harry Y., whose life follows, was the second son. (3)
George Y. married Miss Susan Hornberger, by whom he had two
children, viz.: Carrie M., wife of John Hollenbach, a builder in
Reading; and Arthur, at home. Mr. George Yocom resides in Reading
and is the real estate agent of the Pennsylvania Trust company.

Harry Y. Yocom was born on the Yocom homestead
April 26, 1849. He was given a good education, especially for those
days, as he went first to the public school in his immediate
vicinity, and then to the C. N. Farr Business College in Reading,
from which he was graduated in 1869. Later he resumed his literary
studies in the Weaversville Academy near Bethlehem. At the age of
twenty-five he began his business career in the office of A. S.
Boas and Company, lumber merchants at the corner of Eighth and Elm
streets, with whom he remained as bookkeeper for four years. From
there he went to E. S. Ammon, a dealer in dry-goods and notions at
No. 354 Penn street, and worked with him as a clerk for four years
more. With this experience Mr. Yocom went into business for himself
in the same lien, opening a dry-goods store at Lincoln, Lancaster
county, and ran it from 1882 till 1889 with great success and with
the capital thus accumulated he embarked in the latter year upon
the manufacturing enterprise with which he is still identified.
Returning to Cumru township he erected his factory on the
Wyomissing and began the manufacture of seamless half hose, of a
high grade. His goods have a market all over the United State, and
the business has prospered from the first. The plant is twenty by
fifty-eight feet, two stories high, and twenty-five people are
employed. Mr. Yocom possesses all the qualifications for success in
business and well deserves his present assured position.

Since 1899 Mr. Yocom has served as justice of
the peace for Cumru township. So, efficient did he prove during his
first term that he was unanimously re-elected. In the course of his
incumbency there has been not a single case sent to court nor one
discharged.

On May 14, 1885, was solemnized the union of Mr.
Yocom to Miss Louisa Yetter of Lancaster county. She was a daughter
of Michael and Louise (Smith) Yetter, who came to Pennsylvania from
Germany. Mrs. Yocom is a woman of many accomplishments and for ten
years before her marriage was one of the most popular and efficient
teachers in Lancaster county, having begun her career when only
seventeen years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yocom are devout members of
Christ Union (or Yocom’s) Church, of the Lutheran persuasion. Mr.
Yocom was a deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school for many
years, while his wife is usually assiduous in the latter
department. To her untiring efforts and skill in training the
children, the church and Sunday school festivals owe much of their
success. Their present home, “The Briarmere,” was built by Mr.
Yocom in 1903, and is located on the old State road leading from
Reading to New Holland, at the corner of the cross road from
Yocom’s Church to Mohnton. It is one of the handsomest residences
in the section, is surrounded by a beautifully kept lawn, equipped
with every modern improvement and is furnished in a style fully
commensurate with its attractive exterior.

YOCUM, JAMES
W.

p. 342

Surnames: YOCUM, POTTEIGER, FISHER, SCHAFFER, WEAND, NEWMARK,
SCHLASEMAN

James W. Yocum, late of Reading, was one of the most successful
business men of that city for a number of years before his death.
He was a member of the firm of Yocum Brothers, the largest
manufacturers of cigars in Berks county, and the business is still
conducted under that name and ranks among the leading industries of
this prosperous section of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Yocum was born May 24, 1854, in Spring
township, Berks county, and was descended on both paternal and
maternal sides from old Berks county stock, being a son of William
and Mary (Potteiger) Yocum. George Yocum, his grandfather, was born
at Yocum’s Forge, this county, and there passed all his life, dying
at the age of seventy-eight. He was an iron manufacturer, and a man
of substance and standing, highly respected in his community. His
family consisted of six children, four sons and two daughters.

William Yocum, son of George, was also born at
Yocum’s Forge, and was reared at his native place. He received his
education in the local public schools, and learned the milling
business, but he soon went to farming, in which he found a
congenial and profitable field for his energies throughout his
active career. He died in 1905 at Stouchsburg, this county. Mr.
Yocum was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, in which he
had held all the official positions. In political matters, he was,
like his father, a strong Republican. He married Mary Potteiger,
and to them were born five children: Clara; James W.; William H.,
who was in partnership with his brother James for many years;
Velaria; and George J.

James W. Yocum was reared in the locality of his
birth and received his education in the common schools of that
section. He was an ambitious student, and succeeded so well that he
was able to teach, being thus engaged for six terms during his
young manhood. His first business venture was as a general
merchant, in partnership with S. F. Fisher, with whom he did
business at Stouchsburg under the firm name of Fisher & Yocum,
for two and a half years. On Jan. 1, 1885, he entered into
partnership with his brother, William H. Yocum, under the name of
Yocum Brothers, and they continued together in the manufacture of
cigars until the death of Mr. James W. Yocum, building up their
business until it became the most extensive of the kind in Berks
county. Five hundred skilled workers found employment in the
immense factory at the corner of Walnut and Seventh streets, the
yearly product amounting to as much as 20,000,000 cigars, disposed
of in various markets throughout the United States.

At the time of his death no business man in
Reading enjoyed better standing than James W. Yocum. His integrity
had stood the test of many years of business success, and his
ability was unquestioned. He had the true business instinct,
understanding the art of making business, and he had the basic
honesty which always proved sufficient to hold trade after it had
been won, his product being exactly as represented. He was
reliable, conservative, considerate of all his associates, and a
man of earnest public spirit, and he won the unfailing respect of
all who knew him, whether in business or personal relations. His
rise in the manufacturing world was due solely to merit, and he
enjoyed universal good-will. His death, which occurred at his home
in Reading, Dec. 22, 1903, was widely mourned throughout the city.

On Oct. 14, 1875, Mr. Yocum married Agnes G.
Schaffer, and six children were born to them: Charles; John, who
married Alice S. Weand; Frank, who married Nettie Newmark and has a
daughter Frances E.; Paul; Ralph; and Sadie. The family reside at
No. 619 North Fifth street. Mrs. Yocum is a daughter of John and
Gustana (Schlaseman) Schaffer, the former a native of Pennsylvania,
where he carried on agricultural pursuits. In later life, however,
he removed to Indiana, where he died. He was twice married, first
to Gustana Schlaseman, by whom he had two children: James, of
Brook, Ind.; and Agnes G., who became Mrs. Yocum. His second
marriage was to Sarah Schlaseman, sister of his first wife, and
there were two children born to this unionalso, Melinda and Wilson,
both residents of Indiana. Mr. Schaffer was an industrious,
hard-working man all of his life, and died in 1891, aged about
seventy years.

Mr. Yocum was a 32d-degree Mason, belonging to
Williamson Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M., and he was also a member
of Camp No. 237, P. O. S. of A. His religious membership was in the
Lutheran Church, and in political faith he was a Republican.

YOCUM,
WILLIAM S.

p. 1717

Surnames: YOCUM, SPOHN, ZACHARIAS, MERKEL, KLOPP, SAYLOR, REED,
BECHTEL, WENRICH, SOHL

William S. Yocum, a well-known business man of Reading, Berks
county, for many years, and retired from active life since 1900,
was born May 13, 1843. near Sinking Spring. His father. Samuel
Yocum, was an agriculturist of Spring township, where he carried on
farming operations until he died, Jan. 25, 1890, aged seventy-three
years. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Spohn,
daughter of William and Catharine Spohn, of the township named,
born July 22, 1819, died Feb. 26, 1864. After her decease he
married Mrs. Susan (Zacharias) Merkel, born Aug. 17, 1822, died
Oct. 3, 1903. His children were: Nicholas S., William S., Samuel
S., Henry, John, Charles and Albert S. In religious belief the
family were Lutherans.

William Spohn Yocum was educated in the local
schools, and early in life went to Reading, entering Birch’s
drygoods and grocery store at the corner of Fourth and Penn streets
as a clerk. After serving in that store for several years, he
engaged in the dry-goods business for himself and carried it on
with much success for ten years. He then engaged in the scrap-iron
business, which he carried on until his retirement in 1900. He was
married to Catherine Klopp, daughter of Samuel Klopp, of Reading,
and they have two children: Bessie K. and Mary S. The daughters are
graduates of the Reading Girl’s High School, entering it with the
highest average and graduating with highest distinction; and
afterward they attended Vassar College, and then made an extended
tour through Europe for eighteen months, visiting many points of
interest in fifteen countries, studying music and painting and
becoming proficient in the French, German and Italian languages.
While in Germany, at Berlin, they were domiciled in an apartment
house, and there became very much interested in the subject of
apartments, so that upon their return to Reading they improved
properties on Third street, south of Penn, which they owned,
converting them into fifteen apartments, which were some of the
very first apartments in Reading; and in 1908-09 they and their
parents made a second extended tour through Europe, covering eleven
counties during the summer months. The family are members of St.
Paul’s Reformed Church. In politics Mr. Yocum is a Republican. He
is a lineal descendant of J. Jonas Yocum, a Swede, one of the first
settlers in Amity township in 1701.

The father of Mrs. Yocum, Samuel Klopp, was
engaged in the coal, flour and feed business at the corner of Third
and Cherry streets, in Reading, for thirty-six years. During this
time he and his family were devoted members of the First Reformed
Church, and in the re-building of the church he served as one of
the building committee. He died Dec. 16, 1883, aged seventy-two
years. He was married to Elizabeth Saylor, a daughter of John and
Catharine Saylor of Heidelberg township, and they had four
children, Charles, John, George, and Catharine, the first three
dying in youth. His wife died Dec. 20, 1889, aged sixty-eight
years.

Mrs. Yocum’s grandfather was John Klopp, a
farmer of Heidelberg township, and had nine children; Daniel,
Peter, Richard, Samuel, Reuben, Jemima (m. Adam Wenrich) and Hannah
(m. Frederick Sohl).

YOCUM,
WILLIAM

p. 1633

Surnames: YOCUM/JOCUM/YOCOMB/YOKHAM/YOCOM, LORAH, THOMPSON, SPOHN,
HEMMIG, HEFFER, GRAEFF, MILLER, FOX, BEECHER, POTTEIGER, MINNICH

William Yocum, who died at Stouchsburg March 26, 1905, was living
retired after many years engaged in farming. He was born in Cumru
township, Jan. 29, 1830, son of George Yocum.

The name Yocum is quite common in the lower end
of Berks county. Late in the seventeenth century a colony of Swedes
settled at Wissahickon, near Philadelphia. In 1701 a number of
these Swedes, including three Yocum brothers, located along the
eastern bank of the SchuyIkill, near Douglassville, Berks county.
Surveys of land were made for these settlers Oct. 21, 1701, and
patents issued between 1704 and 1705. The name is variously spelled
in the early records, being Jocum, Yocomb, Yokham, Yocom and Yocum.

Nicholas Yocum (Yocom), the founder of the Cumru
branch of the family, was born in Oley township, Sept. 3, 1776. As
a young man he went to Lancaster county, and learned to make
gun-barrels. When ready to begin for himself, he chose Cumru
township, Berks county, as this location, bought the old Seidel
forge, and there prepared his own iron for the manufacture of his
gun-barrels. He followed this calling many years with great profit,
but he was of so generous and sympathetic a disposition that he was
remembered for his benefactions rather than his wealth, and many
were the men in financial straits whom he helped. In person he was
tall, powerful and of commanding presence. He died April 23, 1857,
aged eighty years, seven months, twenty days. His wife, Catherine
(Lorah) Yocum, whom he married March 14, 1801, was born Oct. 3,
1783, and she died Feb. 13, 1851. They had four children: George,
born 1803; Daniel, 1805, who married Miss Catharine Thompson, and
died in 1864; Moses; and Samuel, who married a Miss Spohn, and
settled in Sinking Spring.

George Yocum, son of Nicholas, was born in Cumru
township Oct. 3, 1803. He was an iron worker by trade, and he and
his father bought the old Spohn estate in Lower Heidelberg
township, consisting of 101 acres of the best land in the county.
Here he engaged in farming until his son Benjamin took charge and
he then retired to Sinking Spring, where he died Aug. 17, 1881. He
is buried in the cemetery at Sinking Spring. He married Catharine
Hemmig, who was born Dec. 23, 1805, daughter of John and Susanna
Hemmig. She died April 21, 1874. Their children were: William, a
farmer near Stouchsburg, is now deceased; Aaron, a flour merchant
in Reading, m. (first) Hannah and (second) Kate Heffer; Sarah m.
Frederick Graeff; Amanda died unmarried; Amos, a shoemaker and
farmer, m. Isabella Miller (1843-1885); Benjamin, born Nov. 7,
1836, now lives retired at Sinking Spring; Lizzie m. Aaron Fox, a
butcher at Sinking Spring; Anna m. Reuben Beecher, formerly of
Wernersville.

William Yocum grew to manhood in his native
place, there in the local school receiving his education. He first
learned the milling business and for some years was in Kissinger’s
Mill, but he afterwards went to farming, a vocation he followed
with unfailing success until his retirement. He passed the last
fifteen years of his life in Stouchsberg, and there in the old home
his two daughters Misses Clara and Valeria, still reside. On Oct.
21, 1851, at Reading, Mr. Yocum married Mary M. Potteiger, born
Jan. 2, 1830, died May 17, 1905, daughter of Jacob and Catharine
(Minnich) Potteiger. Their children were: Clara E.; James W.
(deceased), member of the firm of Yocum Brothers, largest cigar
manufacturers in Berks county; Ellen M., deceased; William H., in
partnership with his brother James W., many years; Valeria; and
George J. Mr. and Mrs. Yocum died just six weeks apart, and both
are buried in the family plot in the Charles Evans cemetery,
Reading. They were members of the Lutheran Church, in which Mr.
Yocum held office many years. In politics he was a firm believer in
Republican principles.

YODER, ADAM

p. 1088

Surnames: YODER, RUTH, BROWN, KELCHNER, ERNST, FISHER, WENRICH

Prominent among the agriculturists of Berks county, Pa., who
deserve mention in this publication, is Adam Yoder, a substantial
farmer and self-made man of Lower Heidelberg township. My. Yoder
was born April 10, 1847, in Lower Heidelberg township, son of Amos
and Elizabeth (Ruth) Yoder.

Jacob Yoder, grandfather of Adam, was born in
Oley township, June 27, 1792, and when a young man learned the
shoemaking trade, which he followed in Oley township until past
thirty years of age. At this time he came to Lower Heidelberg
township, where he became the owner of thirteen acres of land, on
which he died Sept. 23, 1861, being buried at Hain’s Church, of
which he was a Reformed member. He was married (first) to Lydia
Brown, of Rockland township, by whom he had children: Polly, m. to
a Mr. Kelchner; Amos; William, who lives in the vicinity of Lower
Heidelberg; John, who lived at Wernersville, where he followed the
trade of Wheelwright (he was the father of Frank and grandfather of
Leonard G. Yoder, both of Wernersville); and James, of Adamstown, a
soldier in the Civil War, who was killed while in action. Mr. Yoder
m. (second) Catharine Ernst, born Dec. 8, 1800. and died Jan. 11,
1875, and to this union there were also born five children: Sarah,
Kate, Daniel, Hettie and Benneville.

Amos Yoder, father of Adam, was born in Oley
township, March 23, 1816, and died at his own home in Wernersville,
May 22, 1892 and was buried in the east cemetery at Hain’s Church,
of which he was a deacon and elder. He was a hard-working,
industrious man, and followed agricultural pursuits all of his
life. Mr. Yoder married Elizabeth Ruth born Oct. 31, 1811, and died
Nov. 21, 1878, daughter of Philip Ruth, and they had two children,
namely: Adam and David (who died aged twelve years), Adam Yoder was
reared to agricultural pursuits, and he has followed this
occupation all of his life with much success. For many years after
his maturity he worked for his father, but later he purchased for
himself a fine farm of twenty acres at Hain’s Church, on which he
has resided since 1901, and on which are located good buildings. In
addition to this property, which is in excellent condition, Mr.
Yoder owns a house in Wernersville, which was formerly his
father’s. Mr. Yoder is a good and substantial citizen, and is
highly respected in his district for his many sterling traits of
character, and for the fact that he has acquired his possessions
through thrift and economy. In politics he is a Democrat, and his
religious affiliations are with Hain’s Church, of which he was a
deacon and elder for a number of years.

In May, 1869, Mr. Yoder married Margaret Ruth,
daughter of Joseph and Susan (Fisher) Ruth, and to this union there
have been born eight children: Ella m. Reuben Wenrich of Grand
View; David is of Wernersville; James died aged seven years;
William is of Wernersville; Amos died aged four years; Harvey is of
Wernersville; Lizzie died aged eighteen years, being buried on her
birthday; and Freddy died in infancy.

YODER,
AMOS

p. 1088

Surnames: YODER, GERHART, ERNST, FISHER, VAN REED, LIVINGOOD,
LEISS, HAIN, LAUER, KEIM

Amos Yoder, manager of the Lauer farms of Spring township, and one
of the most thoroughly practical and successful farmers in the
county, was born at the Wool factory, near Wernersville, June 1,
1857, son of Daniel and Susanna (Gerhart) Yoder.

Daniel Yoder, son of Jacob (born June 27, 1792)
and Catharine (Ernst) Yoder, was a lifelong farmer. He began work
for himself on the old Reily Fisher farm in Lower Heidelberg, at
the woolen mills, where he made his home many years. He then moved
to the Van Reed farm, which he tenanted four years, and then moved
to Womelsdorf, to a farm belonging to Dr. Horace F. Livingood,
where he resided for thirty years. He was an excellent farmer, and
ranked as one of the best in his district. He owned a tact of
twenty-eight acres in Marion township, and at his death was
possessed of much personal property. He died June 10, 1901, and was
buried at Hain’s Church. He married Susanna Gerhart, of
Wernersville, and they were the parents of four children: Henry and
John, of Wernersville; Amos; and George, of Womelsdorf. All are
engaged in farming, the first two having now practically retired,
while the last named is still at work and in very comfortable
circumstances.

Amos Yoder was reared under his father’s care
and he worked for him until he was twenty-four years old. He then
began for himself on the Joseph Leiss farm of 120 acres in Lower
Heidelberg township, and there he lived for two years. He then
moved to the Henry Hain farm, where is now located the State Insane
Asylum. He remained there and farmed for himself four years, then
sold out, and when in 1891 the Asylum was established there he was
made superintendent of the farm connected therewith, overseeing the
cultivation of some five hundred acres. He had a most responsible
position, which he filled with credit for thirteen years. He
possess good executive ability and was able to produce good crops
on the State lands. It was his intention to retire to Wernersville,
but Mr. Frank Lauer persuaded him to take his present place in
Spring township, where he has charge of two hundred acres of the
best land in the county. In politics he is a Democrat. With his
family he attends Hain’s Reformed Church. His fraternal conncion is
with the I. O. O. F. of Wernersville.

On Sept. 25, 1885, Mr. Yoder married Candace
Keim, born Feb. 19, 1869, and died Oct. 27, 1899, daughter of
Abraham Keim, of Strausstown. Five children blessed this union:
Minnie, born Sept. 26, 1886, was educated in the Reading Classical
School; Mabel, born March 15, 1890, graduated from the Spring
township high school; and Hattie, born June 9, 1893, Daniel, born
Dec. 27, 1896, and Helen, born April 10, 1898, are still in school.

YODER,
AUGUSTUS

p. 1225

Surnames: YODER, KEIM, YERGER, ROHRBACH, BOWER, WELLER, DE FRANE,
YERGEY, RENNINGER, REIDER, MENSCH, ANGSTADT, MOYER, RUPPERT,
BECKER, ROADS, BEHM, KERN

Augustus Yoder, a well known hotel man of Berks county, who is
engaged in conducting a popular hostelry at Henningsville, Pa., was
born Sept. 27, 1851, in Pike township, son of Solomon and Elizabeth
(Keim) Yoder.

Abraham Yoder, the great-grandfather of Augustus
K., was of German descent, his parents having come from Wurtemberg,
and was located in Catawissa, SchuyIkill county, where he followed
milling until his death. One son, Abraham, was born to him. Like
his father this son carried on milling at Catawissa. He married
Elizabeth Yerger, of Pike township, Berks county, whence he removed
to his wife’s home, and conducted the farm there to such advantage
that he became the owner of five farms and a gristmill. He died at
this place aged eighty-six years, and his wife passed away when one
year older. They had nine children, namely; Nathan m. Esther
Rohrbach; Benneville m. a Miss Bower; Solomon; George m. (first)
Miss Weller, and (second) Miss De Frane; Abraham, ex-treasurer of
Berks county, m. Mary Yergey; Eliza m. Charles Renninger; Sarah m.
Jacob Reider; Catherine died unmarried, aged thirty-three; and Mary
m. Benjamin Rohrbach.

Solomon Yoder was born March 9, 1818, in
Catawissa, and there learned the trade of milling , but later
engaged in farming, which he followed until the time of his death,
May 7, 1894. He married Elizabeth Keim, born Aug. 27, 1821,
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Mensch) Keim, and she died in
1904, the mother of these six children: Franklin m. Catherine
Angstadt; Manias m. Mary Moyer; William m. Sally Ruppert, deceased;
Irwin m. Eliza Becker; Augustus K.; and Elmira m. Augustus Moyer.

Augustus K. Yoder was reared and educated at his
native place, and learned the trade of tailoring, which he followed
for nine years. Following that he entered the hotel business, and
continued therein for eight years. He then worked at mounting
engines for some time, but subsequently re-entered the hotel
business, and is now conducting a well patronized place at
Henningsville, Berks county.

On Sept. 12, 1874, Mr. Yoder married Judith
Roads, born Sept. 19, 1851, daughter of Joel and Leanda (Behm)
Roads, and three children were born to them: Solomon Edwin, born
June 5, 1875, died Dec. 10, 1881; Cora Estella, born in Amity
township, May 13, 1883, married Elmer Kern, of Longswamp township,
and they have three children-Lester Granville, Flora Minerva and
Earl George Washington.

YODER FAMILY

p.
620

Surnames: YODER/YODDER/YOTTER, BAUER, BERTOLET, BITLER, BOGH/BOCK,
BRUNNER, CHRIST, CUNIUS, DeLONG, DeTURK, EGOLF, ERMENTROUT, GEORGE,
GERBER, GOBIN, GULDIN, HAAG, HEFFNER, HERBEIN, HERTZOG, HIESTER,
HILL, HOCH, KAUFFMAN, KEIM, KEMP, KING, KLINE, KNABB, KURTZ,
LANDENSLAYER, LEE, LESHER/LYSTER, LEVAN, LONG, McKNIGHT, MERKEL,
NAGLE, OYSTER, PETER, PIERSON, REPPERT, RHODE, RICKENBACH,
SCHAEFFER, SHINGLE/SCHENKEL/SHANKLE, SMITH, SPATZ, STEPP, VINEGI,
WALBERT, WEATHERHOLT, WILLIAM, YOCUM

The first of the Yoder (sometimes spelled Yodder and Yotter in the
German) name in America were Yost and Hans (or Hance), brothers,
who sought refuge in England from the religious persecutions
suffered in their native Switzerland. They brought little with them
to America besides their Bible. Upon their arrival in the New World
they pushed on into the wilderness beyond Oley hills, and finally
settled on the Manatawny. Yost Yoder was one of the most active of
the early frontiersmen of Pennsylvania. His chief occupations were
hunting and trapping, which he always combined with farming, or
rather with the “clearing and cultivation of a plantation.” It is
certain that he and his brother were located in Pennsylvania before
1714. Nine children were born to Yost Yoder, and of seven of these
the record is as follows: (1) Johannes Yoder, often called Yost,
was born in 1718. After 1752 he removed to Reading, where he died
April 7, 1812, and his remains were interred on his father’s land
at Yottersville (Yodersville), named after his family, now
Pleasantville, in Oley township. The following inscription marks
his grave: “Hier Rhuet Johann-es Yoder. Erwurde geboren 1718.
Verelichte sich mit Catharina Lyster (Lesher) 1747 und zeughte 4
sohne und 5 tochtern. Starb den 7th April, 1812, nach seiner 66
yahr in der ehe gelebt hatte war alt warden 94 yahr und 14 tag.” In
1747 he married Catharine Lyster (Lesher), and her tombstone
records “b. 1730, d. 1812, having lived married 66 years and aged
82 years.” (2) Jacob Yoder removed to the western side of the
Schuylkill. On Nov. 6, 1757, at the age of twenty-two years, he
enlisted in the Provincial service of Pennsylvania, and was a
saddler three years in Capt. John Nicholas Weatherholt’s Company.
He was stationed in Heidelberg township, Northampton county, in
March and April, 1758 [Pa. Arch., 2d Ser., Vol. II]. He served in
the American Revolution as a private in Peter Nagle’s Company, and
later in Capt. Charles Gobin’s Company, 6th Battalion, Berks
county, Pa. He was in a detachment of the 6th Battalion to guard
prisoners of war from the Hessian camp, Reading, to Philadelphia.
He married Maria Keim. (3) Samuel Yoder settled on a “plantation”
near Lobachsville. about one and one-half miles from Pleasantville,
which he received from his father. He had children: John, Jacob,
Samuel and Catharine. (4) Mary Yoder married Daniel Bertolet. (5)
Catharine Yoder married John Reppert. (6) Elizabeth Yoder was the
wife of Mathias Rhode. and they had children: Jacob, John, Joseph,
Abraham, Catharine, Maria and Esther. (7) Esther Yoder married a
man named Cunius.

The wolves in Oley were a great injury to the
sheep and hogs of the settlers. It was customary to make pitfalls
and thus trap them. Many stories are told of Yost Yoder’s efforts
at their extermination. He sometimes disposed of five in a single
night. He was a man of remarkable strength and powers of endurance,
and possessed famous courage. He made customary hunting trips every
fall into the Blue Mountains with his trusty rifle and faithful
dog. On his trail at different stages of his journeys he had places
of deposit for supplies in hollow trees.

The Yoder Bible, dated 1530, was printed during
the lifetime of Martin Luther. It was held continuously by the
family until as late as 1860, and is now the property of Mary B.
Yoder, daughter of David, son of Daniel. It is well preserved,
though unfortunately the lid and date are torn away. This priceless
treasure of their faith from the Fatherland was “as a lamp unto
their feet” in their flight to America. The Yoders of Berks
extended into New York and the West. In the list of representatives
in the Fiftieth United States Congress was S. S. Yoder: of Lima,
Ohio.

(I) Hans (or Hance) Yoder, the emigrant brother of Yost, was the
builder and owner of what is now known as Griesemer’s Mills (burned
in 1847, and rebuilt the same year). This property in the early
days was the homestead of the Yoders of Oley. The survey of the
plantation under proprietary warrant to Hance Yoder was returned
March 25, 1714. At that time Oley township was the haunt of
Indians, wolves, bear and other wild game. The wives of the German
settlers also bore their part in the subjugation of the wilderness.
One day while at work, extending their clearing in the forest, they
having shut their children in the cabin as a protection from the
beasts which roamed over their land, they were suddenly aroused by
the report of a rifle in the direction of their cabin. As it was
not unusual for predatory bands of blood-thirsty Iroquois from the
North to roam over the country they hastened in the direction of
the shot to see their cabin surrounded by a party of drunken
savages, who having been refused admittance by the terrified
children within retaliated by firing through the closed door. Mr.
Yoder at once made an attack with a singletree, and soon put them
to flight with threats of revenge. Returning with increased numbers
they demanded satisfaction, but Mr. Yoder’s coolness won him
friends among them who forced the others to desist. Hans (Hance)
Yoder was the father of four sons: Hans (2); Samuel; Peter; and
Daniel, born in 1718, who died Aug. 21, 1749, aged thirty-one
years, eight months, and was buried in the cemetery at
Pleasantville.

(II) Hans Yoder (2), son of the emigrant, married in November,
1746, in Oley, Sarah Shingle (or Schenkel or Shankle). She died at
Reading in 1789, and was buried during Whitsuntide in Peter de
Turck’s plot at Oley. They had sons: (1) Daniel, born 1748, died
1820, married 1773, Margaret Oyster, born 1753, died 1833, and both
are buried at Pleasantville. (2) Martin was a lieutenant of the 4th
Company, 5th Battalion, Berks county, May 10, 1780. (3) Jacob, born
in Reading Aug. 11, 1758, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in
1777 and 1778. In 1780 he moved to western Pennsylvania, and in
May, 1782, descended the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi rivers
from Fort Red Stone, Brownsville, Pa., in the first flat-boat
(built by himself) that ever descended the Mississippi river,
landing at New Orleans with a cargo of flour. He traded with
Havana, Cuba, and also in the sugar market in Philadelphia. He was
a man of national reputation at the time when Louisiana still
belonged to France. His grave at his home in Kentucky was marked
1834 by an iron tablet. He died in Spencer county, Ky., April 7,
1832 (?). (4) Samuel, a Revolutionary soldier, died from a fall off
a horse near Oley Church.

(III) Daniel Yoder, son of Hans, born in 1748, died in 1820. In
1773 he married Margaret Oyster, who was born May 5, 1753. and died
Dec. 23, 1833, and both are buried at Pleasantville. He was a
farmer, and he made frequent trips to Philadelphia, taking down
grain and bringing back merchandise. The early settlers had but few
crops at first. Finally they introduced apple trees and Mr. Yoder
built a distillery and a flax oil mill, and in time, as the land
became more cultivated, he made weekly trips to Philadelphia to
dispose of his product. He cut down trees, cleared land, and made
many pitfalls for the wolves. Some of these holes or traps are
still visible in the pastures and woods. Daniel Yoder loved the
free life of the woods, and was on friendly terms with the Indians,
often taking hunting trips with them. He was a very powerful man
physically. Before 1800 he built his home, which is well preserved
and still in use. He had nine children: Hannah, born April 17,
1775, married Jacob Knabb, and died Aug. 23, 1825; Daniel, born
Dec. 7, 1777, died Nov. (or Dec.) 27, 1826; Martin, born Oct. 19,
1780, died Jan. 10, 1837; Catharine. born Oct. 12, 1783, married
William William, and died Aug. 20, 1882 aged ninety-eight years,
ten months, eight days; Maria, born in Bern township April 22,
1786, married Philip De Turck, and died Jan. 19, 1864; ]ohn, born
April 22 or 23, 1788, died unmarried May 3, 1868, and is buried at
Pleasantville; Margaret, born Aug. 4, 1790, married Solomon Peter;
Samuel, born Nov. 23, 1793; David, born Feb. 8, 1795, is mentioned
below.

(IV) Martin Yoder, son of Daniel, was born in Oley Oct. 19, 1780,
and died upon his own fine farm Jan. 10, 1837, aged fifty-six
years, two months, twenty-one days. He was a tanner at
Pleasantville, and also had a store and hotel on his farm,
employing a number of people. He was one of the prosperous men of
lower Berks county. The merchandise and general freight in the
early history of the country were carried in big Conestoga wagons
between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and the road between these two
points passed by the homestead of Mr. Yoder, through the woodland,
thus making his hotel a popular stopping place. This roadway is
still plainly to be seen, but no longer in use. Frequently so many
guests appeared the same night that all the beds were filled,
compelling the later comers to sleep on the floor, rolled up in
blankets. In 1830 he built the barn, and in 1831 the house that now
stands on the farm, the latter now the property of his grandson,
Henry H. He married Susanna Peter, born Nov. 29, 1783, died March
13, 1844, aged sixty years, three months, fourteen days, and they
both are buried in the Yoder lot at Friedensburg. Their children
were: (1) David, who died in Union county, Pa., first married
Persoda Yoder, born Dec. 16, 1816, died July 23, 1844, who is
buried at Pleasantville. His daughter Priscilla, born May 7, 1838,
at Pleasantville, died there Dec. 17, 1857. (2) Solomon, who died
in 1905, at West Point, Nebr., first married Mary B. Yoder, born in
Oley, June 24, 1818, died May 10, 1845, who is buried at
Pleasantville. They had two sons and two daughters. Her mother,
Charlotte (Bertolet) Yoder, was born in Oley, Feb. 10, 1778, died
Sept. 8, 1868, and is buried at Pleasantville (she may have been
the wife of Jacob Yoder, born Jan. 2, 1778, who died Aug. 18,
1826). (3) Maria (Polly) married George Kemp, of Lyons, Pa. (4)
Martin.

(V) Martin Yoder, son of Martin and Susanna, was born at
Pleasantville May 24, 1819, and died Feb. 7, 1888, aged sixty-eight
years, eight months, thirteen days. He was a farmer and implement
dealer, and owned the farm mentioned above as the home of his
parents. In politics he was a Democrat, and for many years was
interested in the schools of his district, serving efficiently as
school director. He was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated
by a small majority by Daniel S. Ermentrout. He was a man of
affairs, and popular and influential in his district. He married
Catharine Hoch, born June 20, 1821, who died June 1, 1879, aged
fifty-seven years, eleven months, eleven days. They had four
children: Mary, who married Joseph De Long, of Topton, Pa. (her
children, Rev. Calvin De Long, his brother and two sisters, are the
only living grandchildren of Martin Yoder; there is one
great-grandchild, Erma De Long Hertzog); Ezra, born Sept. 7, 1848,
who died Sept. 16, 1868; Henry H. and Susanna, born Oct. 24, 1860,
who married Oliver Landenslayer, born April 13, 1870, of Fleetwood,
Pennsylvania.

(VI) Henry H. Yoder, son of Martin and Catharine, was born on his
grandfather’s farm Jan. 5, 1850. His early intellectual training
was obtained in the common schools, and later Mr. Yoder attended
the Oley Academy. He was licensed to teach in the public schools by
Prof. D. B. Brunner, but he never cared for the profession. He was
reared upon the home farm and this vocation he has, off and on,
followed ever since, beginning for himself in 1874. This was his
chief occupation until 1900. In connection with farming Mr. Yoder
and his father were engaged in the implement business, and this he
has continued, making a specialty of iron and wire fences. He owns
the old homestead farm of 236 acres of valuable land, well located
and very fertile. It contains valuable magnesia iron ore, and is
considered one of the most desirable pieces of property in Oley
Valley. On a board in the front of the barn below the cornice is
the following: Martin Yoder Susana Yoder 1830. And on the house is
the same, only the year is 1831 instead of 1830. Besides the home
farm he owned eighty acres of good timberland. Mr. Yoder has the
old military bugles which belonged to his father. In politics he is
a Democrat, and he was school director of his township for three
years, and since 1892 has been auditor, having been re-elected in
the spring of 1908 for the fifth time. In 1907 he became one of the
organizers of the First National Bank at Oley, of which he is now a
director. He belongs to Friedens Lutheran Church, which for four
years he served as deacon, and since 1902 he has been an elder. Mr.
Yoder resides on Main street, Friedensburg. He has been twice
married. In 1883 he wedded Andora Merkel, born Feb. 15, 1857,
daughter of Elias Merkel, of Maxatawny. She died Jan. 15, 1903, and
is buried in the Yoder lot at Friedensburg. On May 14, 1906, he
married (second) Ella L. Hertzog, daughter of Jacob E. Bogh, of
Frankfort, Clinton Co., Ind., and widow of Dr. William F. Hertzog,
of Oley township, by whom she had two children: Marion S., of
Kutztown; and Solis C., of Oley. From 1833 to 1838 there lived on
the Moon farm in Oley, now owned by Benneville Herbein, Jacob
Frederic Bogh, or Bock. He was born in Schorndorf, Wurtemberg,
Germany, March 4, 1791. At the age of twenty-six, April 17, 1817,
he married Barbara Bauer, then aged twenty. He was a general in the
army under Napoleon, and won seven medals of honor. While shot nine
times and badly scarred he was not crippled, yet the open wounds at
times caused him trouble. He claimed he was fireproof. When
Napoleon was exiled he refused to serve the new rulers, was
arrested and thrown into prison, but friends liberated him and
secretly placed him on board an American-bound ship, where he found
his wife. He landed in Philadelphia Sept. 11, 1818. He was highly
educated, and quite a linguist, speaking and writing seven
different languages. For a living he engaged in school teaching,
while in Berks county teaching at the Spies’s church, and at the
same time did what legal work he could get, writing deeds,
mortgages, etc., and settling disputes. He also did some surveying.
He took but little interest in his work in this country, being
despondent over the downfall of his commander. He was the father of
ten children, six of whom lived to honorable old age. He died Nov.
11, 1844, and is buried at Weissport, Carbon Co., Pa. His only
descendants now living in Berks county are: Mrs. Louisa Hill, wife
of Jenkin Hill, of Reading. and her three sons, Ralph, Layton and
Harold Hill; and Mrs. Ella L. Yoder and her two sons, Marion S.
Hertzog, of Kutztown, and Solis C. Hertzog, of Oley, and her
granddaughter, Erma De Long Hertzog, of Kutztown. Among the Yoder
family relics are zinc dishes made and used before the days of
china. Some of the first china in this section found its way to the
Yoders. An old sword used in the Revolution, and two bugles made in
the old country and bought by Martin Yoder when a boy, are the
property of Henry H. Yoder. Martin Yoder was taught to use these
bugles by an escaped slave, and was the first man in Berks county
to attain that accomplishment, and naturally he was in great demand
at the old battalion drills. Old spreads and quilts, four
generations old, are preserved in old chests with rare old books.

(IV) David Yoder, son of Daniel, was born Feb. 8, 1795, and died
Oct. 26, 1881, aged eighty-six years, eight months, eighteen days.
He was a lifelong farmer and was assisted by his brother John who
never married. David Yoder was a millwright by trade, and made many
blacksmith’s bellows and windmills, which he sold throughout Berks
county, especially in Bern township, where some of his relatives
had settled. He owned the farm in conjunction with his brother
John. He was county commissioner in 1846-49. This branch of the
family are all buried at Yodersville, now Pleasantville. David
Yoder married Hannah Bitler (daughter of Michael Bitler and his
wife Hannah Yocum), born July 13, 1797, died Oct. 15, 1852. Their
children were: Margaret, who married George K. Levan, of Maxatawny
township; Miss Mary B.; Hannah, born July 27, 1824, who died Jan.
11, 1896, and was buried at Pleasantville; Daniel, born in April,
1827, who lived at Pleasantville; Catharine, born July 16, 1832,
who married Nathan Schaeffer, of Fleetwood; and Sarah, born Aug. 5,
1840, who married Abraham Guldin.

(V) Mary B. Yoder, daughter of David, was born Oct. 19, 1821, and
now resides on the homestead, which she owns, containing
ninety-four acres. She has rented the land. Miss Yoder is liberal
in her support of all the churches, but is, herself, affiliated
with no particular denomination. She has been educated both in
English and German. Among her cherished possessions is her
grandfather’s clock, made by John Keim for Daniel Yoder before the
war of the Revolution. Miss Yoder is deeply interested in local
history and the history of her family, and she carefully preserves
everything that pertains to the early days. The original house on
her farm was the log cabin which stood in the corner of the garden
in front of the present house; this was the cabin through which the
Indians shot at the children. Of two ancient pear trees standing on
this farm, which Miss Yoder says must have been nearly two hundred
years old, the taller one died during the winter of 1907-08, but
the other is still alive and bearing fruit.

(V) Daniel B. Yoder, son of David, and late a resident of Oley, was
born near Catawissa, along the Susquehanna river in Columbia
county, in April, 1827. He attended a school conducted in a private
house belonging to Jeremiah Lee, a Quaker, and his first teacher
was Sarah Pierson, who like the Lees was a Quaker. In his young
manhood he learned the millwright’s trade from Levi J. Smith. He
was a soldier in the Civil war in Company M, 5th U.S. Artillery,
under Capt. James McKnight, for three years and three months,
serving as a sergeant. For some years he followed farming in Oley.
After the war he built a paper-mill in Oley township, on the
Manatawny creek, and he manufactured paper for a number of years,
selling out finally to the Reading Paper Company. He built the
house at Pleasantville where he lived retired until his death,
being in very comfortable circumstances. For three years he farmed
in Pike township, and retained the ownership of his farm there,
which consists of some ninety acres; he erected the present house
and barn thereon. In politics he was a Republican, and served as
school director of Oley township. Practically his entire life was
passed in Oley, as he was but a small lad when he accompanied his
parents from Columbia county. He married Amelia Yoder (daughter of
Jesse Yoder, of Oley township), who died in 1895, leaving no
children, and is buried at Hill Church. Mr. Yoder died Oct. 11,
1908, and is also buried at Hill Church.

John Yoder, great-grandfather of Absalom S.
Yoder, of Reading, was born in Oley township Berks county, and
there became an extensive farmer. He made his last will and
testament Aug. 24, 1804, and it was entered for probate Nov. 7,
1807, being on record in Will Book A, page 528. He left a large
estate, and was survived by his wife Anna. Their children were:
David, “who shall have my property located in Mifflin county, Pa.,
on which he now lives”; Johannes and Jacob, who “shall receive my
plantation in Oley township, consisting of 343 acres”; Freny; Anna,
wife of Christian Gerber; Magdalena, who married Abraham Gerber;
Elizabeth, who married Stephen Kurtz, of Marion township; Sarah,
wife of David Kauffman; Catharine and Barbara, who died the wife of
Jacob Vinegi.

Jacob Yoder, third son of John, settled early in
life with others of the family in Bern township and he is buried on
his farm in Centre township, now owned by Garean Y. Christ, his
grandson. He married into the Rickenbach family, and his children
were: Jacob, Reuben, Elizabeth (who married a King), Nancy (who
lived with her brother Reuben, and later with her nephew David, and
died unmarried), and Sarah (who married Daniel Christ).

Reuben Yoder, son of Jacob, was born in Centre
(then Bern) township, and he died at the age of seventy-eight
years. He owned four farms, the one on which he lived consisting of
180 acres, another in the same township of 190 acres, a third in
the same district of about ninety acres, while the fourth was
located near Schaefferstown. He built the present set of buildings
on the farm now owned by his son Jacob in Centre township. He was a
man of influence, and was a stanch Republican in politics. For many
years he held the office of school director, and was treasurer of
the board. In those days teachers were obliged to go to his home to
collect their pay. He donated the land on which the German Baptist
Church and schoolhouse stand, and he is buried in the German
Baptist graveyard, midway between Centreport and Shoemakersville.
He married Susanna Stepp, and their children were: Ellen, who
married Thomas Egolf, of Bernville; David S., of Kutztown; James,
of Lititz, Pa.; Emma, who married Harry F. Long, of Lititz; Israel,
Tamsen, Harrison and Mabry, all deceased; Jacob, of Centre
township; and Absalom S. The wife and mother died in 1867, and Mr.
Yoder married (second) Elenora Hiester, and the only son of this
union is Nathaniel, of Centreport, Pennsylvania.

David S. Yoder, son of Reuben, was born in
Centre township, Oct. 14, 1862. He was reared to farming and
remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he
began work on his own account on a farm in Centre township, on
which he remained twenty-six years. On his last place he lived
eighteen years–this was the homestead of Johannes Yoder, who had
come up from Oley township. Mr. Yoder was a successful farmer and a
man of high reputation in his district. He sold out in the spring
of 1901, and going to Kutztown built a fine brick home in 1903 on
Normal Hill, where he has since resided. He has been employed at
the Keystone State Normal School since his removal into Kutztown.
He is a consistent member of Grace United Evangelical Church at
Kutztown. Mr. Yoder has been twice married. In 1874 he was married
to Emma Kline, only daughter of John Kline of Centreport, where she
died and is buried. To this union was born one son, Mabry K., who
graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1898, and is now
teaching at Northampton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Yoder married (second)
Feb. 3, 1883, Ida Spatz, daughter of Dr. John Spatz of Centreport,
though formerly of Reading. The only son of this union, Clarence
H., is a student in the Keystone State Normal School.

Mabry K. Yoder, son of David S., was born Sept.
16, 1874, in Centre township, Berks county. He received his early
education in the public schools of his native township. Later he
attended select school at Centreport. When seventeen years of age
he was appointed as one of the teachers of his township, in which
he taught eight years. During vacation he completed a business
course in the Reading Business College. In the spring of 1896 he
registered as a student at the Keystone State Normal School, at
Kutztown, from which institution he graduated in 1898. He taught
six years in Lehigh county, after which he resigned and accepted a
position as teacher of one of the schools in the borough of
Northampton, and to this position he has been elected for the third
time. He is a faithful member of the United Evangelical Church.

On July 23, 1908, Mr. Yoder married Laura L.,
only daughter of Phaon S. and Ida (Walbert) Heffner. Absalom S.
Yoder, son of Reuben, was born in Centre township, Berks county,
Nov. 5, 1866. His early education was obtained at home and in the
public schools of his district. Later he attended the select school
at Centreport, the Millersville State Normal School, at
Millersville, and the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown,
graduating from the last named institution in the class of 1899.
Mr. Yoder began teaching in the fall of 1885, in Centre township,
and there he taught two terms. In the spring of 1887 he went to
Lancaster county, and for four terms was engaged in teaching in
Warwick township. He lived at Lititz, where his wife died, and he
returned to his native township, teaching the following term in
Centre township, where he was located for eight more terms. Mr.
Yoder has been a most successful teacher, and he has continued to
study and advance ever since his graduation from Normal, by taking
a special course in mathematics and ancient classics in the Reading
Classical School under Rev. Dr. J. V. George. On Oct. 6, 1903,
under civil service rules, Mr. Yoder was appointed to a clerkship
in the post-office at Reading, and he has since continued to hold
this position.

Mr. Yoder is a member of the United Brethren
denomination. He married Sallie H. Yoder, daughter of Alfred and
Mary (Haag) Yoder, of Centre township, and granddaughter of Fred
Yoder, of near Belleman’s Church. She died Feb. 12, 1893, the
mother of children as follows: Herma R., a graduate of the Keystone
State Normal School, class of 1907, and now a successful teacher at
Centreport; J. Russell, a graduate of the Keystone State Normal
School, class of 1908; and Daisy E., a student in the Keystone
State Normal.

YODER
FAMILY

p. 1295 Surnames: YODER, SCHALL, DIEROLF,
FEGLEY, HERTZOG, HAFER, CLEAVER, SNYDER, CLOUSER, KNABB,
MARSTELLER, MILLER

Yoder. The Yoder family name is worthily borne by three young
business men, Samuel D., Frank D. and Frederick D. Yoder, brothers,
all engaged in the tinsmithing business.

Isaac Yoder, grandfather of these young men, was
born July 3, 1805, and was the founder of Yodertown (now
Pleasantville) in Oley township, and built many houses at that
place, being a man of considerable prominence and influence. He was
actively identified with the Evangelical Church of his section, and
was a man of progress and enterprise, owning much land and being a
large tax payer. He was twice married. His first wife is supposed
to have been a sister to the second. His wife, Lydia Schall, was
born Sept. 14, 1809, and died Feb. 28, 1893. He died April 27,
1878.

Mayberry S. Yoder, son of Isaac, now a resident
of Pleasantville, was born in 1844 in that town. He has been a
life-long tinsmith, and from his youth up has been prosperous. He
owns his residence and shop, located on an acre of ground, and also
has nineteen acres of good farm land which he cultivates. In
politics he is a Republican and for many years was school director
of Pleasantville Independent district. He and his family are
consistent members of Pleasantville United Evangelical Church, of
which he is an official. Mr. Yoder married Matilda Dierolf,
daughter of John Dierolf, and to them have been born these
children: Frederick D., a tinsmith, plumber and stove dealer at
Friedensburg, m. Mary Fegley; Samuel D.; Amanda m. Albert Hertzog,
a miller and merchant at Pleasantville; Frank D.; Lydia m. William
Hafer, a public school teacher at Reading; and Rebecca died at the
age of ten years.

Samuel D. Yoder, son of Mayberry S., has for
some years engaged in tinsmithing at Reading. He was born in
Pleasantville, Oley township, Nov. 8, 1869, and he was educated in
the public schools of his native township, attending until he was
seventeen years of age. For one year after leaving school he
clerked in a store at Pottstown, and then, returning to the farm,
assisted his father until he was twenty. That year he came to
Reading, and for one year worked for the tinsmithing firm of Yoder
& Ruckstool, and in 1901 returned to Pleasantville, where he
was employed by F. F. Cleaver, proprietor of the Oley Creamery for
six years. In 1896 he again began working at his trade which he
followed for two years with his brother, F. D. Yoder, of
Friedensburg, and in 1899 he again engaged in the creamery
business, being employed as manager by Hertzog & Yoder, at
Pleasantville. Their building was located at the site of the old
Oley paper mill, and here Mr. Yoder was engaged for a period of
five years, in 1904 again engaging at his trade which he has
followed ever since with his brother, Frank D., of Mount Penn. Mr.
Yoder resides in his comfortable, well-furnished brick residence at
No. 1846 Perkiomen avenue.

In political matters Mr. Yoder is a Republican,
and he has been active in the ranks of his party, serving in
numerous minor township offices and frequently being a delegate to
county conventions. He was a director of Pleasantville Independent
school district for a period of nine years, and served very
efficiently as secretary of the board during his entire incumbency.
He is a charter member of the Manatawny Castle, K. G. E., No. 461,
and passed all the chairs in his order, serving as master of
records for fully four years, being noble chief of the degree team
for seven years. He is a member of Washington Camp, No. 480, P. O.
S. of A., of Pleasantville, in which he has passed all the chairs
and has acted as a financial secretary for five years.

On Dec. 1, 1892, Mr. Yoder was married to Alice
C. Snyder, born June 18, 1868, only daughter of Albert and Amelia
(Clouser) Snyder, and granddaughter of Lando Udree and Mary (Knabb)
Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have no children.

Frank D. Yoder, son of Mayberry S., and now an
enterprising and energetic young business man of Mt. Penn, was born
at Pleasantville April 21, 1875. He attended the public schools,
and when a mere lad learned the tinsmiths trade from his father,
becoming an excellent mechanic. This he has followed ever since at
Pleasantville, Friedensburg, Reading and Mt. Penn, locating at the
latter place in 1902 and there purchasing a comfortable residence.
He has built up a large trade, extending through the surrounding
country, his work and that of his brother, Samuel D., who is
associated with him, being most satisfactory. In his store on
Perkiomen avenue he carries a good stock of tinware and stoves. In
politics he is a stanch Republican, and frequently has served as
delegate to county conventions, and he has also been on the school
board of his borough. He is fraternally connected with Manatawny
Castle No. 461, K. G. E., and Pleasantville Camp No. 480, P. O. S.
of A. He and his family worship in the United Evangelical Church of
Pleasantville.

Mr. Yoder was married March 10, 1894, to Jennie
Marsteller, daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Miller) Marsteller, and
to them have been born these children: Mayberry, Rebecca, Edwin and
Frank D., Jr.

YODER FAMILY

p. 1423

Surnames: YODER, BREYFOGEL, SITLER, GASS, SWOPE, WEIDENHAMMER,
MERTZ, KEYSER, BAER, HOCH, DUBSON, HAINES, GANTER, SNYDER, SCHMECK,
ROTHERMEL

The Yoder family, so well known throughout Berks county, is
represented in Ruscombmanor township by Amos S. and John S. Yoder,
brothers, both engaged successfully in farming.

John Yoder, the great-grandfather of the
brothers, is said to have come from Oley township, the original
American home of the family, who were French Huguenots.

John Yoder, grandfather of Amos S. and John S.,
was a farmer in Richmond township, where he died. He married
Magdalena Breyfogel, who, when one week old, was so small that she
was placed in a quart measure, and a saucer placed over the top.
She lived to be sixty-two years old, and at her death weighed about
155 pounds. To John and Magdelena (Breyfogel) Yoder were born ten
children, as follows; John B.; Solomon; George; Seneca; Obeah;
Catharine, who died young; Elizabeth, m. to David Sitler;
Charlotte, m. to James Gass; Hannah, m. to John Swope; and Hettie,
m. to Amos Weidenhammer. All are deceased except Charlotte, who is
nearly eighty years old.

John B. Yoder, son of John, was born in Richmond
township Feb. 8, 1833, and died at Lyons, Pa., Oct. 14, 1905, aged
seventy-two yeas, and is buried at St. Peter’s Church in Richmond
township, of which he was a Reformed church member. He was a farmer
and owned a farm of twenty-five acres in Richmond township, on
which he lived. He also had a farm in Maiden-creek township of
fifty-one acres. For twelve years before his death he lived
retired. He served three years as a school director in Maiden-creek
township. His wife, Sara Ann Sitler, was a daughter of Conrad and
Catharine (Mertz) Sitler. Their children were: William, who died
young; Amos S., of Ruscombmanor township; Jacob, who died young;
John S.; Solomon, who died aged fourteen years; and Sallie, m. to
Franklin Keyser of Topton, Pennsylvania.

Amos S. Yoder, son of John, is a farmer in
Ruscombmanor township, Berks county. He was born Nov. 19, 1857, and
was educated in the common schools of Maiden-creek township. When
nineteen years old he was licensed to teach by Prof. S. A. Baer,
and taught his first term at Leitheiser’s School in Muhlenberg
township. He taught in all nine terms in that township; Three terms
in Maiden-creek, and three terms in Richmond township, and was one
of the successful teachers of the county. He worked on the farm
during the summer months. In 1891 he became an employee of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company as trackman, which position he filled
three years, and then for nine years he worked in the freight
station, and for a number of years had charge of the track scales.
He was in the continuous service of the company twelve years, and
was on of the efficient and trusted employee. From 1903 to 1906 he
was in the employ of the United Traction Company as conductor on
the Womelsdorf Division. In 1906 he came to Ruscombmanor township,
where he owns a farm of fifty-eight acres in the southeastern
section of the township, near to Oley township line. Mr. Yoder is a
truck farmer, and is very successful. He attends the Reading street
market once a week.

Mr. Yoder is a Democrat and takes an active
interest in his party’s welfare. He was registry assessor in
Muhlenberg for six years and he is the secretary of the road
commissioners of Ruscombmanor township. He and his family are
members of the Reformed congregation at Friedensburg Church. His
daughter Joyce (Mrs. Daniel R. Hoch), is the leading soprano in the
Friedens Reformed Church choir and has an excellent voice.

On Jan. 29, 1891, Mr. Yoder was married to
Sallie H. Dubson, daughter of Martin and Hettie (Haines) Dubson, of
Maiden-creek township. They have had four children: Gertrude
Esther, a musician of talent, m. Robert Ganter, of Oley, Pa.; S.
Joyce m. Daniel R. Hoch, and lives in Ruscombmanor township; Miss
Florence I., is at home; and John M.

John S. Yoder, son of John and brother of Amos
S., is the most extensive farmer in Ruscombmanor township. He was
born in Richmond township, March 20, 1861, son of John B. and Sarah
A. (Sitler) Yoder. He received his education in the common schools,
and when seventeen years old was licensed to teach in the public
schools of Berks county, by Prof. S. A. Baer, then county
superintendent, in 1878, and taught he first term at Kirbyville. He
taught four terms in Richmond township; nine terms in Maiden-creek
township; two terms in Muhlenberg township; one term in Ontelaunee
township and three terms in Ruscombmanor township, a total of
nineteen terms. He was reared to farm life, and during the summer
months worked on the farm, with the exception of several summers,
when he attended the subscription schools.

He began farming in the spring of 1892, in
Maiden-creek township, where he continued four years, and in 1896
he came to Ruscombmanor to what is known as the Snyder homestead.
The farm is located near Snyder’s Hotel, in the western part of the
township, and consists of some sixty acres. In 1903 he purchased
the farm on which he now lives.

This tract is the old Schmehl homestead, and
consists of 130 acres of land. The house on this property is one of
the landmarks of this section, having been built during the
Revolutionary War. Mr. Yoder is a successful farmer, and is modern
in his methods. He is a member of the Reformed denomination, while
his wife is a Lutheran, belonging to the church at Blandon, in
which he has been a deacon.

On Dec. 24, 1883, Mr. Yoder married Andore L. R.
Schmeck, daughter of Valentine and Louisa (Rothermel) Schmeck. They
have four children: Irene L., Ira, Nelson, and Wayne J. V.