Family Reunions: The Kistler Family

Family Reunions: The Kistler Family

Source: Morton Montgomery, p. 318

Surnames: KISTLER, FETHEROLF, BROBST, DIETRICH

Kistler.- The Kistler family is numerous in Albany and Greenwich
townships, Berks county, and especially in the
upper end of Lehigh county. The family traces its ancestry to George
Kistler, called Jrg or Hanjrg (that is, Hans
Jrg)-John George Kistler. He was from the Palatinate. In 1737 he came
to the New World, and located in the
Falkner Swamp, or Goshenhoppen, Montgomery Co., Pa. No doubt he brought
his wife, Anna Dorothy, and his
oldest children with him from Germany. In 1747 he settled in Albany
township, Berks county. He died in 1767 and
is buried at the New Jerusalem Church, in Albany township, where many of
his descendants are buried. He left nine
children, as follows: Jacob, John, Samuel, George, Philip, Michael,
Barbara, Dorotha and Elizabeth. Nearly all of
these moved to Lynn township, Lehigh county. Like the seed of Abraham
of old, they multiplied, and soon
populated the fine valley extending from Kempton, in Berks, to
Lynnville, in Lehigh county, a distance of six miles.
This valley is called Kistlers Valley.

John Kistler, son of the pioneer, in 1768, lived in Albany, and it
appears remained on the homestead. He had sons,
John William, born 1757, and Abraham, born 1761. The Kistlers have
intermarried with the Dietrichs, Fetherolfs,
Brobsts, and other old families of that section.

The family has been holding successful reunions since 1899. It held the
fifth annual meeting at Neffsville, Pa., in
1904. The officers of the association, besides an executive committee
of eleven members, are:

President, Henry D. Kistler.
Vice-President, Edwin D. Kistler.
Corresponding Secretary, Dr. W. P Kistler.
Recording Secretary, Elmer C. Kistler.
Assistant Secretary, P. W. Kistler.
Treasurer, C. K. Kistler.