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TOPPER, John M. : Deep in the heart of the Allegheny mountains, in Allegheny township, about one mile from the line dividing Somerset from Bedford county, lies the little borough of New Baltimore. Here, on the old Topper homestead, now within the borough limits, John M. Topper was born. The Topper family came from Virginia and first settled in Bedford county. After a very short residence there they came to New Baltimore. Grandfather Topper later removed to Ohio, where he died. The family were mostly farmers and communicants of the Catholic church. In politics the voters of the family were Democrats. Peter A. Topper, father of John M. Topper, was a man of considerable influence in the community. He was a Democrat and held a number of the township offices. He died November 9, 1865, at the age of fifty-one years. He married Mary A. Lucken, born 1814, died 1893, and had children: Annie, deceased, married William Webber; Mary, widow of Francis Suhie; Elizabeth, deceased, married Luke Brittlebum; Sylvester, deceased; John M., see forward; Ambrose, deceased; Francis, resides in New Baltimore; Rosalie, married Thomas Mattingly, of Cumberland, Maryland; Margaret, widow of John Straub; Joseph, a resident of New Baltimore.
John M. Topper, second son and fifth child of Peter A. and Mary A. (Lucken) Topper, was born September 29, 1844. He grew up on the farm and received such school advantages as the time and place afforded. This he supplemented by study at night until he had acquired a good common education. At the age of seventeen years he had so improved himself that he began teaching in the public schools during the winter months; this he did for six terms. Determining then upon a business life, he opened a general store at Roxbury in partnership with his brother Sylvester. This was continued for three years, when they removed the business to New Baltimore. After one year there, John M. sold out his interest and was out of regular business for about four years. He then bought the general store business of his brother Francis in New Baltimore and retained it until the spring of 1906, when he sold it out to his son, Francis V. In addition to his mercantile interests he associated himself with his brother Sylvester in 1870, and built and operated a distillery near New Baltimore. After ten years of this partnership, he became the sole owner, and in 1880 bought the Suhrie distillery in Stony Creek township. He still owns and operates both plants, making a superior grade of pure rye whisky. His home in New Baltimore is a commodious, modern residence, with beautiful surroundings, and there he is living practically a retired life, having delegated many of the cares and responsibilities of his large business interests to his sons. He has large property interests in different localities and is an extensive land owner. He is a loyal adherent to Democratic principles, and, though having no desire for public office, has been councilman of the borough and member of the school board. He is much interested in educational matters, and has always labored in the cause of advancement and better opportunities for the young. In religion he adheres to the faith of his ancestors, as do all the members of his family.
While engaged in business in Roxbury he met Hattie J. Miller, born and educated in Stony Creek, daughter of Tobias and Margaret (Kimmel) Miller (see sketch of Miller family), whom he married, January 13, 1868, and had children: Francis V., who commenced assisting his father in the store of the latter at the age of ten years and grew up with the business. He became the owner of the same in the spring of 1906. Annie, deceased. Jennie, married James Gardill, yardmaster of the Duquesne Steel Works. They reside in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and have five children. Emma, deceased. Cecilia, married John F. Werner, a carpenter and builder of New Baltimore. They have four children. Norbert, bookkeeper and traveling salesman in the employ of his father; unmarried. John A., graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1904, and is now a practicing physician in Philadelphia. He married Sarah Butler. Urban, deceased. Gertrude, married Frank Gardill, electrical inspector at the Duquesne Steel Works. The reside in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Zita, married Frank Ruhe, transfer agent at Duquesne, where they reside. Mark, now (1906) attending the Berlin Normal School. These children all received an excellent education in well known institutions and are thoroughly equipped to fill the various positions they occupy." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 121/2

TRUXAL, Cyrus W. : Cyrus W. Truxal, one of Meyersdale's foremost merchants and leading citizens, was born near Greensburg, Westmoreland county, May 14, 1850. He is a son of Elder William Truxal, who was born about 1812. William Truxal was a framer. He was twice married; by his first wife he had two children: Simon P. and Sophia. His second wife was Annie Rugh, and to them were born children, as follows: Albert E., whose sketch appears on another page; Lucinda (Mrs. David B. Fisher), William J., Cyrus W., see forward; Almira C. (Mrs. Mitchel Horn), Jacob R. and Edward F. William Truxal was a member and an elder of the Reformed church. In politics he was a Democrat.
Cyrus W. Truxal received his early education in the common schools of Hempfield and Unity townships, which he attended until 1868. After leaving school he engaged in agriculture until 1875, when he removed to Somerset county and engaged in a general mercantile business with C. A. Walter at Gebharts, Milford township. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Truxal removed to Glade, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the same line of business until 1883, when he located in Meyersdale and opened a retail grocery, which business he still retains. In the spring of 1901, with others, he organized the Second National Bank of Meyersdale and became its first president, an office he still holds. This has been an exceedingly successful institution and ranks as one of the solid financial houses of this section. Mr. Truxal is also president of the Meyersdale Sheet Steel Company and a director in the Mahoning Coal Company, the Somerset Telephone Company, and has large interests in various coal and other enterprises.
While Mr. Truxal is an eminently successful and practical business man, this trait shows only one side of his nature. He is essentially a great reader and a deep thinker. All through his business life he has cultivated his intellectual nature and his well stocked library of metaphysical, theological and scientific books shows the depth of his research and the wide range and scope of his reading. He is well versed in philosophy and in the various sciences, political economy, theology, aesthetics, anthropology and psychology. Although still active in the conduct of his business, Mr. Truxal has thrown off many of its cares and gives more time to his favorite books and subjects of thought. He is a strong debater and delights in friendly controversy with well informed and congenial minds. Mr. Truxal is interested in all subjects pertaining to his city and her betterment and development and can always be found working with those who have this end in view. He is a member of the Reformed church of Meyersdale and is closely identified with the interests of that body. He has represented his church in the county conferences and both his time and purse are largely contributed from. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Mr. Truxal married, May 5, 1877, Martha J., daughter of William Zimmerman, of Somerset county. William Zimmerman was one of the influential men of the northern part of the county. He was a farmer. He was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In church fellowship he was of the Reformed faith. Martha J., his daughter and wife of C. W. Truxal, was reared in the same religious faith and has never departed there from. She received her education in the public schools. While a young woman of twenty she became deeply interested in primary Sabbath school work, and in this line of church work she has been engaged for the past thirty-two years. At the present time she has one hundred and seventy-five children under her care in the Sabbath school of the Reformed church of Meyersdale, of which she and her husband are members. Although no children of their own have ever gladdened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Truxal, they have ever been the friends of children and have taken to their hearts and reared three, two of whom were taken from them by death. Mr. Truxal is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Meyersdale." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 138-140

VICKERS, ISAAC : ISAAC VICKERS, a citizen of Colerain township, was born in Chester, Penn., son of Jesse K. and Margaret (Penrose) Vickers. The father was born in Chester, Penn., son of Thomas Vickers, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and a son of Peter Vickers, a native of England. Our subject's father was born in 1795, died in 1889, and all were members of the Society of Friends. The mother, born in Montgomery county, Penn., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Roberts) Penrose. Our subject was raised in Pennsylvania till thirteen years of age, and came to Ohio with his father's family, crossing the mountains in wagons. He received a good common school education. In 1842 he married Rachel, daughter of Isaac and Deborah (Wiseman) James. To this union six children have been born, five living: Leander, Albert, Morris, Edwin, Samuel and Willis. Morris died when three years of age. The mother
was born and raised in Belmont county. They are members of the Society of Friends. He is a man that began life without, anything, but by hard work and good management he has done well, now owning 115 acres, besides a store house in Morning View, where he does a general mercantile business. In 1856 he established his store and has done an honest and lucrative business since that time. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster at Morning View, a position he has held since that time, but when Cleveland was elected they tried hard to find some irregularity in the office, but failing he was allowed to retain the same. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

WALKER, Rev. Daniel H. : The family of which Rev. Daniel H. Walker, of Somerset, pastor of the German Baptist Brethren church, is a representative, was founded in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, by his great-grandfather, ______ Walker, who came from Wittenberg, Germany, about the year 1777. His son, Peter Walker (grandfather) was born near Pine Hill, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was a farmer, teacher and preacher, married Elizabeth Horner, and their children were as follows: Sarah, Dinah, Rebecca, Cyrus H., Carlotta, William H., Elizabeth and Daniel H. Walker.
Daniel H. Walker was born in Stony Creek township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1850. His early studies were pursued in the common schools adjacent to his home, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by attendance at the Berlin Normal School. He first turned his attention to the vocation of teaching, filling this position for five terms, after which he engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing the same up to the present time. He also serves in the capacity of minister of the German Baptist Brethren church, and throughout the community is highly honored and respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He has charge of the Brothers Valley congregation, consisting of about two hundred and seventy-five members.
Rev. Mr. Walker married, December 10, 1868, Mary A. Knepper, born June 9, 1850, died June 15, 1883, daughter of Lewis J. and Magdalene Knepper. Their children are as follows: William P., superintendent of a telephone company in Cedar Falls, Iowa; he married Sophia Graff and they are the parents of two children, Edna and John D. Miller L., married Kate Walker; issue, Harold and Pauline. Ira D., unmarried, serves as cashier of the Berlin Bank. Galen K., unmarried, principal of the Berlin high school. On July 3, 1884, Mr. Walker married for his second wife Ella R. Knepper, born March 12, 1840, near Berlin, Pennsylvania, daughter of Lewis J. and Magdalene Knepper. Their children are as follows: Dillie V., wife of Mahlon S. Reiman and mother of two children, Ralph and Ruth. Carla E., wife of Norman Miller, resides at Mt. Morris, Illinois. Emma E., wife of George S. Reiman and mother of one child, Gay. Myrl J., resides at home and follows farming. Mary, Charlotte, Allma and April May, all of whom reside at home." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 65/6

WARNE, HIRAM : HIRAM WARNE, one of the representative self-made prosperous agriculturists of Franklin township, is descended from a stalwart family who came from eastern Pennsylvania, settling in Allegheny county, same State, at an early day. Maj. James Warne, father of Hiram, was born in Allegheny county, and when yet a young man moved to Washington county, locating in Monongahela City, then called "Parkison's Ferry" (years before Joseph Parkison had laid out part of the town and named it "William's Port" ), where he was married to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Parkison. Here he was engaged in various pursuits, being connected among other industries with ship-building, glass-blowing and in general merchandising, in all of which he was eminently successful. Some time in 1825 or 1826 he retired from business, and moved onto a farm near town, where he died in 1856, and his wife in 1865. The children born to them are as follows: Amuzette, Margaret, Joseph P. and James (both in Washington county), David, Mary and Susan (all three deceased), and Hiram and Eliza J. (the latter living in Missouri). Major Warne was a loyal Democrat of the Jeffersonian stamp, and was a fearless as well as an able exponent of the party. From his youth he had been connected for many years with the Presbyterian Church, but in advanced life he united with the Methodist Episcopal Society. Hiram Warne was born February 16, 1822, in what is now Monongahela City, Washington Co., Penn., and was a small boy when the family moved into the country. His education was more of business than a literary nature, and the success he has made in life is due entirely to his own natural abilities, brought into active play by indomitable energy and perseverance. On December 2, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Rebecca (Devore) Nichols, of Allegheny county, Penn., the latter of whom was a daughter of Moses Devore, of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were parents of the following named children: Mary, Lucinda, Samuel, William, Catherine, David, Harvey, Sarah, James, Nancy, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Martha J. Politically Mr. Nichols was a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian. After marriage our subject and his wife located on a farm in Somerset township, thence moved to Nottingham township, and finally came to their present pleasant home. Their union has been blessed with the following named children: James C., Florence, William W., Allen C., Boyd E., Howard F. and Mary Etta May. Mr. and Mrs. Warne and daughters are all members of the Third Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he is an elder, and he assisted in the building of the Second and Third Presbyterian churches. In his political connections Mr. Warne was a Democrat until 1860, when be united with the Republican party, of which he has since been a consistent member. "Beers, J. H. & Co., Commemorative Bio. Record, Washington Co., PA (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Transcribed Feb 1997 by Neil & Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL, part of Beers Project.

Warne, James : JAMES WARNE, son of James and Mary Parkison Warne, was born in William's Port (now Monongahela City), in the frame house now standing on the corner of Main street and alley, opposite the Episcopal church (St. Paul's), where he lived until the age of fourteen, when his parents moved to the farm on which Joseph P. Warne now resides in the First Ward Monongahela City. He continued to live there until he was thirty-one years of age. He was educated in the common schools of the day. In 1836 he was married to Casandra Nichols, a daughter of James and Mary Nichols, of Allegheny county, Penn., who died in the year 1856, without issue. For his second wife, James Warne was married in 1858 to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of James Dunn, of Allegheny county, Penn., a woman especially noted for her Christian piety and lofty moral character. She was reared in the strict faith of the Covenanter Church, and the precepts of her adopted creed were fruitful of good and worthy deeds in her after life. Mrs. Warne became connected with the church to which her husband belonged, the Methodist Episcopal, after her marriage to Mr. Warne, and continued ever after, until her death, August, 1868, a true and earnest worshiper of God, and a lovely example of a follower after truth and righteousness. She died in the midday of life, but, having measured full up in the life of a true Christian wife and mother, she lives in the hearts of those who loved her. Their children were: William Parkison, James J. (deceased 1874), and Mary Eliza (wife of Dr. George S. Stathers, of Monongahela City). James Warne settled on a farm in Fallowfield township, in the year 1843, where he resided until 1884, then returned to Monongahela City, his former and present home. He was a lieutenant in the old Jackson Guards, when a young man, holding his commission under the then governor of Pennsylvania; and throughout his life has been actively interested in public matters. By industry and frugality he has amassed quite a competency in this world's goods. He owns one of the finest Washington county farms of 235 acres, and also several valuable properties in Monongahela City, and is one of the heaviest taxpayers. Although at the advanced age of eighty years, he laid out and expended in building some $5,000 in 1891, in the place of his nativity and present residence. From early life he has been a leading member and very liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, and he was for many years a member of the board of trustees, and in 1869-70 an active member of the building committee for the erection of the handsome church of the Edwards Chapel congregation at Ginger Hill, this county. Although never having enjoyed the advantages of an education such as is now afforded the youth of this State, under the magnificent public-school system, he was fully alive to the necessity of an early training and a liberal college education for his children, that they might be prepared to grapple with the advanced ideas and broader civilization of the age. He therefore made it his aim in life to give his children a complete education. His daughter was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood, and finished her studies at the Washington Female Seminary, at Washington, Penn. She is now the accomplished wife of Dr. George S. Stathers, of Monongahela City, Penn.

Warne, Joseph Parkison : JOSEPH P. WARNE was born and reared in Monongahela City, and his first literary training was obtained in a subscription school kept by Widow McKeever, in a frame house near the present depot. The only text books then in use were the U. S. Speller, English Reader, and Western Calculator. At the age of fifteen years he came with his parents to the farm where he is yet living, and remained there until his marriage, February 20, 1844, with Eliza J., daughter of James Irwin. Her father was born and reared in Lancaster county, Penn., where he was married to Miss Jane Morton, and their children were Eliza, Harriet, Mary A. and William. In an early day this family moved by wagon to a farm on Mingo creek, near Monongahela City, where the father followed the trade of cooper. In politics he was a Democrat and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. Joseph P. and Eliza J. (Irwin) Warne began wedded life on the home farm, where he worked for several years in partnership with his brothers James and Hiram, but they finally separated. He is now retired from active life. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and has served as class-leader and in other prominent positions. In politics he has always voted with the Democratic party. Mrs. Warne was laid to rest August 1, 1891, leaving the following children: Hiram A. (on the home place), Theodore (married to Anna Long, and living in Greene county, Penn.), Emma J. (wife of S. B. Kernan, in Wichita, Kans.), James I., Wilbur, William and Albert (all four deceased), Ella V. (at home), Matthew S., Joseph P. (married to Louisa Hayes, and living in Sedgwick. Kans.), and Francis M. (married to Alberta Staib, and living in Greene county, Penn.).

WARNE, MATTHEW S. : MATTHEW S. WARNE was born December 16, 1859 on the home farm near Monongahela City. He received his education at the public schools, and was one of the first graduates from same; later he attended Allegheny College at Meadville, Penn. In early manhood he opened a hardware store in Monongahela City, afterward moving to Wichita, Kans., where he continued in the same business. In 1891 he returned to Monongahela City, and has since resided on the home place. On November 25, 1884, he was married to Mattie, daughter of Lewis Staib, of Monongahela City, and she has home him three children, viz.: Lewis, Edith and Blanche. Mr. Warne is a member of the Democratic party.

WATSON, JOSIAH : JOSIAH WATSON, one of the pioneers of Colerain township, was born in New Jersey, December 23, 1798, son of William and Sarah (Ackley) Watson. The father was a native of New Jersey, and was a militiaman during the Revolutionary war, belonging to what was known as the Jersey Blues. He was of English descent. Our subject came to Philadelphia when a boy about sixteen years of age, where he grew to manhood. He received a limited education and was bound an apprentice to a tailor, where he served five years, and he then entered the post-office at Philadelphia, as letter carrier, where he remained twelve years, when he resigned his position and came to Ohio in 1837 and settled on the farm in Colerain township, which he had bought in 1835. This he cleared and converted into a beautiful farm. In 1833 he married Julia E., daughter of Edward Parker. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years was engaged in the publishing business. Two children (twins), have blessed this union, only one living, Charles H., who has been connected with Weather & Bro., in the manufacture of white lead, where he has been engaged for over thirty years. He is a man that began in this world without anything, but by close economy he did well and at one time owned 106 1/4 acres of good land. He is now in the ninety-second year of his age and in good health. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

WEAVER, Jonas A. : Jonas A. Weaver, of Windber, Pennsylvania, is a great-great-grandson of Jacob Weaver, the first of the Weaver family to come across the ocean. Jacob Weaver, in company with eleven other men, came to this country from Bavaria, and located in Juniata county. Jacob Weaver was married, and became the father of seven children as follows: Abraham, Jacob, Christian, John, Samuel, David, Peter, all of whom lived in this section of the country.
Abraham Weaver lived near Davidsville, Conemaugh township, was a farmer and a member of the Mennonite church. He married a Miss Coughman and was the father of six sons and two daughters, as follows: Jonas, Christian, Manuel, Abraham, see forward; Daniel, Christina, Lucinda and David. Mr. Weaver, the father, died about 1860.
Abraham Weaver, son of Abraham Weaver, was born May 1, 1818. About 1840 he settled on the farm now owned by his son, Jonas A. Weaver, and devoted himself to its cultivation in connection with the lumber business. He owned several other farms, bought stock to supply the Johnstown markets, was a stockholder in the Scalp and Johnstown pike, of which he was the treasurer, and served several times as supervisor of Paint township. His political principles were those advocated by the Republican party, and he was a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Weaver married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Stutzman, and their children were: Lucinda, born 1841, married Noah Miller, died about 1865; Steven B., born 1843, married Elizabeth Custer, had ten children; Mary, born 1845, wife of Henry Hostetler, had seven children; Samuel, born 1847, married Mary Berkey, has seven children; Jacob, born 1849, married Lavina Hoffman, has nine children; Abraham, born 1851, died 1853; Hiram, born!
1853, married Frances Reed, has eight children; Susan, born 1856, wife of Isaac D. Shaffer, has eight children; Jonas A., see forward; Elizabeth, born 1866, died 1870. The mother of this family died in 1877, and the death of Mr. Weaver occurred May 31, 1895.
Jonas A. Weaver, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Stutzman) Weaver, was born September 22, 1860. He settled on the homestead, where he has since lived as a farmer. For the last seven years he has supplied milk to the inhabitants of Windber. He is a stockholder in the Scalp and Johnstown pike, the Windber National Bank, the Johnstown Trust Company, the Citizens' National Bank, and the Hooversville National Bank, in which he is also a director. He is a Republican and a member of the German Baptist church.
Mr. Weaver married Mary J., daughter of Hiram and Frances Shaffer, and granddaughter of David Shaffer. The marriage took place November 4, 1883, the issue being as follows: Milton, born July 27, 1884; Charles, November 16, 1885; Abraham, December 23, 1887; Hiram, September 25, 1889; Quinter, October 14, 1891; Fannie, January 27, 1893; died March 12, 1900; and Joseph, March, 24, 1902. To these children Mr. Weaver has given the best educational facilities within his power, and Milton, the eldest, is now a teacher in one of the public schools." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 386/7

West, Morgan : MORGAN WEST, one of the successful carriage builders of Fayette county, is a native of Redstone township, Fayette county, Penna. He was born June 8, 1842, and is a son of James West and Louisiana Ball West, the former was born in Redstone township, Fayette county, Penna June 5, 1805 and died July 6, 1888. Morgan West's grandfather, Samuel West, lived and died on the farm now owned by Thomas Simpson in the same township. Morgan West was married to Martha H Hubbs, a daughter of W G Hubbs of Bridgeport. To their marriage have been born two children: William J West, born July 19, 1878, and Allen G West, born in Redstone township, Fayette county, Penna, December 9, 1882. Morgan West, on leaving the common school, attended Dunlap's Creek Academy at Merrittstown. Early in life he learned the trade of carriage builder and is at the present time successfully engaged at his trade at Sandy Hollow on the National Pike ½ mile east of Brownsville. He is a democrat. Where he now resides he owns thirteen acres of land containing valuable deposits of coal and sandstone. He holds at present the collectorship of Brownsville township, the office to which he was elected in the spring of 1889. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County, Pennsylvania

YODER, Samuel B. : Samuel B. Yoder, of Berlin, is a representative of a family which was founded in Pennsylvania by Christian Yoder, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated about 1745 to the province of Penn and settled in Berks county. In the spring of 1776 he removed with his family to Bedford, now Somerset county, where he had previously bought a large tract of timber land situated where Pugh now stands, about seven miles east of Somerset, in Stony Creek township. The deed for this property was dated October 9, 1775, the consideration named therein being nine hundred and sixty-eight dollars. There were no roads and the nearest neighbor was five miles distant. There was a small clearing where Christian erected a log house and barn, a picture of which is owned by his great-grandson, Samuel B. Yoder. He then began his battle with the wilderness, wild beasts and occasional Indians. Field after field was cleared and cultivated, until he had one of the largest and best farms in the county. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite church. Christian Yoder married, in Berks county, Barbara Hooley, and they were the parents of fifteen children, namely: Fanny, born in 1753; Barbara, 1756; Christian, 1758; Jacob, 1760; David, 1763; Yost, 1765; Jonathan, 1766; Magdalena, 1769; John, of whom later; Elizabeth, 1774; Solomon 1776; Gertrude, 1778; Jephthah and Esther [twins], 1780; and Henry, 1782. Mrs. Yoder died March 6, 1812, at an advanced age, and Mr. Yoder expired November 20, 1816, being then about ninety years old. Nearly all their children settled in the immediate neighborhood and founded a community known as the Yoder settlement. They all reared large families and lived to advanced ages, and the Yoder settlement was, at that early period, the best cultivated and most prosperous section of the county.
John Yoder, son of Christian and Barbara (Hooley) Yoder, was born February 8, 1772, in Berks county, and was four years old when his parents came to Somerset county. Until his marriage he assisted in clearing the farm, which was then sold to him by his father, the deed being dated July 13, 1796, and the consideration being fourteen hundred and twenty-nine dollars and forty-four cents. In addition to the homestead he acquired a large tract in Cambria county, where the city of Johnstown now stands. This was divided into four farms, which were afterward owned by four of his children, one of these farms being the site of Grand View cemetery, where sixteen hundred and twenty victims of the Johnstown flood are now buried. Part of this tract is now Yoder township, having been named in honor of the family. John Yoder was a Whig and a member of the Amish Mennonite church.
John Yoder married, in 1796, Barbara Yoder, to whom he was in no degree related, and their children were: Salome, wife of John Miller, had ten children, died May 21, 1877, aged eighty. Jonas, married Sarah Schrock, had nine children, accidentally killed June 15, 1860, aged sixty-two. Moses, walked from Pennsylvania through the wilderness to Canada and settled on a tract of timber land twenty miles north of Toronto. He died in Canada, March 26, 1880, at the age of eighty. Daniel, married Kate Kaufman, had four children, died June 24, 1879. Samuel, married Elizabeth Lehman, had nine children, died April 8, 1872, aged sixty-eight. Gertrude, wife of Henry Hershberger, had seven children, died May 11, 1880, aged seventy-five. David, married Sarah Lehman, had seven children, died January 8, 1856, aged fifty. Fanny, wife of Michael Schrock, had three children, died October 23, 1890, aged eighty-three. Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Kaufman, had thirteen children, died May 16, 1865, aged forty-three. Joshua, at twenty-two went to Canada, engaged in McKenzie rebellion, and on defeat of the rebels fled through the forest to Niagara river, where he crossed to New York. thence he went to Ohio and later to Union township, Elkhart county, Indiana, where he took up and patented a large tract of timber land, which he cleared and on which he made his home. He married, Maria Stump, had six children, and died March 28, 1867. Abner, taught in the schools and was a preacher of the Amish church, noted as an eloquent speaker and an able writer, the most gifted and intellectual member of the family. He married Fanny Schrock, had eleven children, and died December 12, 1883, at the age of seventy. Barbara, died in childhood. Benedict, of whom later. Lena, died in childhood. The mother of these children died December 1, 1856, at the age of eighty-one. She was a member of the Amish Mennonite church. Mr. Yoder, the father, died October 4, 1860, having lived eighty-four years on the homestead, and leaving behind him the memory of a religious and conscientious man.
David Yoder, mentioned above, was the father of a son, Tobias Yoder, who served in the Union army during the Civil war. He participated in the fight at Charles City Cross Roads, where he was shot three times through the body and had his shoulder shattered by a charge of buckshot. After lying three days on the battlefield he was found by the enemy, taken to Libby prison and shortly afterward released on parole. He finally found his way into the Union lines, recovered and re-enlisted. Moses Yoder, his brother, served in the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. His son, John Yoder, served in the Fifty-fourth Regiment and died in a field hospital. Jonas Yoder, son of Samuel, brother of David, served in the Thirty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Benedict Yoder, son of John and Barbara (Yoder) Yoder, was born August 20, 1817, in Stony Creek township, and until his marriage worked for his father. He then bought a tract of timber land two miles west of the homestead and began wresting a farm from the forest. On the night of May 9, 1853, the home he had built caught fire and burned to the ground, no property being saved and the family barely escaping with their lives. Four of the boys, small though they were, saved themselves by jumping from the second-story windows. Mr. Yoder at once began rebuilding and erected the residence which still stands on the farm in which he makes his home. He has always been an ardent Republican and is a member of the Amish church. "Mr. Yoder married, April 24, 1842, Sarah Miller, and their children are: Samuel B., of whom later; Daniel, born May 2, 1845, farmer and merchant in Kansas, married Maggie Yutzy, February 2, 1870, and has two children; Cornelius C., born September 21, 1846, educated in common and normal schools of Somerset county and in Iowa State University; taught four years and then moved to Amish, Iowa, where he engaged in mercantile business; postmaster since 1871 and director in Wallman Savings Bank. He married, September 7, 1873, Margaret Palmer, and they have one child. John M., born November 22, 1847, was a farmer and was killed by a train in Iowa City, Iowa, January 5, 1894. He was a well educated man and had collected material for much of the family history. Mary, born November 21, 1849, at home. Simon T., born May 3, 1851, educated in common and normal schools, and at the age of sixteen began teaching in the schools of Pennsylvania, later removing to Iowa and becoming an instructor in the schools of that state. for ten years he was a merchant in Iowa City, Iowa, and for three years in Haddam, Kansas, where he was postmaster and editor of the 'Haddam Clipper.' He is now cashier of a bank in Washington, Kansas, where for six years he held the office of county clerk. He married Hattie E. Rhoades, who died November 23, 1884, leaving four children. Joseph H., born September 6, 1852, taught in Iowa schools; merchant and postmaster at Haddam; now merchant at Washington, Kansas. He married Tina Shaft and has two children. Sarah, born March 12, 1854, widow of Valentine Lehman, lives in Brothers Valley township, has eight children. Nancy A., born May 1, 1856, wife of Hiram Rhoades, of McPherson, Kansas. Gertrude, born December 9, 1857, at home. Ezra, merchant of Sharon Center, Iowa, postmaster for the last fifteen years; married Jennie Bowman and has two sons. Kate A., born April 13, 1862, wife of N. E. Mostoller, living on the homestead. Florence M., born May 4, 1869, wife of George Mostoller, of Lister, has one child. A daughter, who died at the age of two weeks, was the only member of the family who failed to reach maturity. Mrs. Yoder, the mother of the family, died May 30, 1900, in the seventy-sixth year of her age, having been born November 20, 1824. She was a member of the Amish church and for fifty-eight years was a devoted wife and mother. Benedict Yoder, now in his eighty-ninth year, has never had a day's illness and is as sound and active mentally, as physically, his prolonged vigor being, no doubt, the result of his habits of temperance and healthful toil.
Samuel B. Yoder, son of Benedict and Sarah (Miller) Yoder, was born May 15, 1843, in Stony Creek township, and received his education in the Schrock school. He worked for his father until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was with his regiment in all its battles until July 1, 1863, when he received at Gettysburg two severe gunshot wounds, one passing through the left arm and the other through the right breast, penetrating the lung and paralyzing the right arm. For six months he lay in the hospital, and in 1864 was honorably discharged from the service. He has no use of his right hand and arm, but has learned to use the left with perfect dexterity. After his return from the war he married, purchased a farm of one hundred acres, and, as well as his weakened condition would allow, directed the agricultural labors for thirteen years. At the end of that time, in consequence of ill health, he sold the property, and after taking two years for recuperation obtained a position as salesman for the Susquehanna Fertilizer Company, selling to the farmers of Somerset and part of Cambria county. This position he retained twelve years and in 1894 was appointed postmaster of Pugh, where he conducted a grocery store in connection with the post office. The property of twenty acres on which he now lives was purchased in 1883, and he has built thereon a pleasant home and made other improvements. January 14, 1905, he resigned the office of postmaster. For three years he served as assessor of Stony Creek township, and for the same length of time was jury commissioner of Somerset county. He belongs to Post No. 210, G.A.R., of Somerset, and is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Mennonite church.
Mr. Yoder married, June 8, 1865, Catharine Mummau, and they have been the parents of the following children: Lizzie, born January 15, 1866, married, July [sic] 1, 1886, Alexander Hunter, of Shanksville, has four children, Mabel, Nannie, Kate and Morton. Saide, born March 2, 1869, married, December 6, 1888, E. L. Coleman, of Shanksville. Margaret, born December 13, 1871, died October 29, 1882. Harvey G., born October 12, 1874, farmer, living with his father; married, June 27, 1895, Emma Walker, who had two children, Fred W., born October 3, 1895, and Russel S., December 16, 1899. After the death of his wife he married, June 5, 1902, Abbie Miller. John H., born January 25, 1879, died October 25, 1882. Annie K., born March 11, 1881, died October 27, 1882. Mrs. Yoder is a daughter of Jacob Mummau, who was born in 1814, and married, October 1, 1837, Elizabeth Miller, born August 17, 1819. The following were their children: Edward; Annie; John, killed in one of the battles of the Civil war; Maria; Catharine, born May 15, 1843, educated at Glade school, wife of Samuel B. Yoder; Caroline; and Sarah. Jacob Mummau died February 2, 1887, and the death of his widow occurred October 23, 1889." History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania" Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, pg. 116-121

YOST, MILTON : MILTON YOST, a prominent agriculturist of Colerain township, and a descendant of an old and influential family, was born and raised in Harrison county, Ohio, the son of John and Mary (Wilson) Yost. The father was born near Winchester, W. Va.; his father, Michael Yost, was born November 3, 1766, died in January, 1865, was the son of John Yost, a native of Germany, who first settled in Chester county, Penn., from there going to Frederick county, Va., now W. Va. Mary (Wilson) Yost was born in New Jersey, the daughter of John and Sarah (Atkinson) Wilson. John Wilson was born in New Jersey, the son of Alexander and Nancy (Kennard) Wilson. Alexander was an Irishman by birth. To John and Sarah Wilson five children were born, named: Charles, George, William, Mary and Sarah. They all reared families. Charles had one child: William C. George was the father of four children: Charles, Sarah, George and Jane; Mary had four children: Rachel Ann, John W., Lemuel A. and Milton; Sarah was the mother of three children: Emily, John W. and Catherine. Michael Yost was the father of the following named children: John, Elizabeth, Fannie, Elisha, Isaac, Hannah, Mary, Elias, Elijah, Sarah and Margaret. John Yost emigrated to Ohio, in May, 1806, and settled in Harrison county, where he remained until his death. He was prominently identified with the educational and general improvement movements of the county, having served for two terms as a county commissioner, and was a representative member of the whig party. When the family moved to Ohio they bought land which was at that time in its natural state. From this they made fine farms and became prominent in agricultural circles. Milton Yost received a common school education, and in October, 1874, was united in marriage to Ellen C. Hall, daughter of David and Amy (Smith) Hall. David was the son of Thomas and Mary (Patterson) Hall. To Milton and Ellen Yost seven children have been born: Mary Rachel, Sarah Amy, Edith Lora, Myra Kate, Florence Wilson, Clara C. and Frederick Michael. Mr. Yost came to Belmont county in 1886, and located where he now lives. His farm, consisting of 106 acres of land, is one of the most improved farming properties in the county. It is finely stocked, and under the highest state of cultivation. Mr. Yost makes a specialty of the dairy business. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Young, John F. : John F. Young, an enterprising farmer of Richland township, was born inMorgan county, Ohio, November 14, 1842. His father, James Young, was bornin Pennsylvania, in December, 1813, and came to Ohio with his parentswhen nine years of age. James grew to manhood on the farm of his parents,John and Catherine Young, of German descent, and was then married toLydia A. Hulse. After this event he and his wife moved to Morgan county,where they remained ten years. Subsequently he returned to Pennsylvania,where he died in 1880. John F. Young, in 1862, when twenty years of age,responded to the call of his country, and enlisted in Company F, FiftiethOhio volunteer regiment. He served gallantly until his honorable discharge,in July, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati. He served with his command inall its engagements, and was in the field continually, except about fourmonths, when disease and accident compelled him to remain in a hospital. On returning home he determined to apply himself, first to obtaining agood education, and entered Washington and Jefferson college in 1865,where he was graduated in 1868, in the scientific course. He then turned his attention to the profession of law, and read law for three years in the office of Alexis Cope, being admitted to the bar of Belmont county in 1870. From 1870 to 1872 he taught in the country schools to aid him in his progress, and in the latter year he began the practice at Bellaire. He was admitted to the bars of West Virginia and Kentucky, and had good success in his chosen calling until 1877, when he retired from the same. In December, 1877, he was married to Mary, daughter of Amos and Charity Fawcett, elsewhere mentioned, and in the same year Mr. Young removed to the old homestead farm where he now resides, a place of 130 acres, handsomely improved, where he enjoys a comfortable and happy home. He is one of the influential men of the county. "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.