Person Page - 2

     Vergie May Bailey was born on 29 March 1887 at Monroe Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3 She married Harry Bitner, son of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 23 June 1923 at Dundore, Snyder Co., PA.^2,4,3 Vergie May Bitner and Harry Bitner were a the operators of a grocery store at Independence for 13 years. Vergie May Bailey died on 25 September 1960 at Geisinger Memorial Hospital, Danville, Montour Co., PA, at age 73.^2,5,6 She was buried on 27 September 1960 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,5 Her estate was probated on 10 January 1961 at Snyder Co., PA; Tax papers filed, Snyder Co. courthouse.⁶

     Jennie Eve Bitner was born on 18 February 1879 at PA.^2,3,4 She married Jacob Howard Brubaker on 27 March 1898 at Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Jennie Eve Bitner died on 16 November 1958 at age 79.^2,3 She was buried at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Jacob Howard Brubaker was born on 13 March 1873.^2,3 He married Jennie Eve Bitner, daughter of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 27 March 1898 at Snyder Co., PA.⁴ Jacob Howard Brubaker was a farm laborer between 1900 and 1910. He was a carder⁵ in woolen mill in 1920. He was a farmer in 1930. He died on 10 December 1945 at age 72.^2,3 He was buried in December 1945 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Dollie May Bitner was born on 1 August 1883 at Chapman Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 She witnessed the probate of the estate of Martha Jane Bitner on 25 February 1920 at Snyder Co., PA.⁶ Dollie May Bitner was a hotel servant at the Neff Hotel, Sunbury in 1930.² She was employed by the Lewisburg Chair Factory.² She died on 13 July 1956 at Rathfon Convalescent Home, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA, at age 72.^2,3,4 She was buried on 16 July 1956 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3

     Elmer Bitner was born on 30 August 1886 at PA.^1,2 He died on 5 January 1890 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 3.^1,2 He was buried in January 1890 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^1,2,3

     John Herrold Sechrist was born on 17 January 1825 at Union Co., PA.^2,3,4 He married Sarah Sholly before 1854.^5,6 John Herrold Sechrist was a farmer between 1860 and 1880. He married Juliann Dengler after 1863; The marriage must have occurred sometime after the death of Sarah Sholly. John Herrold Sechrist left a will on 6 May 1893 at Snyder Co., PA.⁷ He died on 23 May 1896 at age 71.^2,3,4 He was buried in May 1896 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3 His estate was probated on 7 June 1897 at Snyder Co., PA. Franklin Oliver Bitner were the executors of John's estate.⁸

     Sarah Sholly was born on 30 October 1833 at PA.^2,3,4 She married John Herrold Sechrist before 1854.^4,5 Sarah Sholly died on 12 October 1863 at age 29.^2,3 She was buried in October 1863 at Witmer's (West) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3

     William Irwin Sechrist was born on 11 October 1858 at Chapman Twp., Snyder Co., PA; His tombstone records his birth date as 1859.^2,3,4,5 He married Elmira Matilda Bitner, daughter of George Bitner and Susan Brensinger, on 15 December 1879 at Snyder Co., PA.^6,4 William Irwin Sechrist was a railroad laborer in 1900. He was a laborer doing odd jobs in 1910. He was a dye worker⁷ in 1915.² He died on 13 February 1919 at age 60.^8,3,9 He was buried in February 1919 at Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA.^8,3
     According to notes from Jo Simpson, George and Elmira moved to Northumberland Borough in 1893. It is possible that her mother, Susan Bitner, moved with them at the same time, since she died there.

     Juliann Dengler was born on 24 October 1839 at PA.^2,3 She was baptized on 6 July 1851 at Botschaft Lutheran Church, Chapman Twp., Snyder Co., PA.⁴ She married John Herrold Sechrist after 1863; The marriage must have occurred sometime after the death of Sarah Sholly. Juliann Dengler died after 1900.³ She was buried at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA; Note that her tombstone does not have her birth and death dates, or it is unreadable.⁵
     John's will allocated $200 and one third of his real estate for his wife Juliann. His daughter Mary Minnie was given $200 and her cow. Son Charles was given $200. John also named a grandson, Emanuel Sylvester Bordner and gave him $100. He was a child of daughter Phoebe. The will names his eight surviving children, but does not mention the married names of his daughters.

     John Bitner, son of Johannes Böttner and Anna Dorothea Wagner, was born on 5 December 1812 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany; His tombstone records his birthdate as 3 December.^2,3,4,5 Johannes Böttner was baptized as Johannes Böttner on 13 December 1812 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.³ He was confirmed on 25 December 1824 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany. He married Anna Martha Kilmer, daughter of Johann Justus Külmar and Anna Sophia Magdalena Schelhase, on 8 February 1835 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^6,4 John Bitner was a Maurer (mason) on 23 August 1835 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.⁷ He was a Maurer (mason) on 22 October 1837 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.⁷ He was a Maurer (mason) on 30 August 1840 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.⁷ He was a Maurer (mason) on 4 January 1846 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.⁷ He immigrated on 11 May 1848 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁸ He was a laborer in 1850. He was a mason in 1860. He was a farmer in 1870. He left a will on 2 January 1872; Disposition of his estate as follows:
To wife Martha - $300 worth of personal effects and live in house for her lifetime. To granddaughter Elmira, daughter of George - $200 at age 21 (c. 1884). To son George Bitner - 129A farm for $8000, 1/3 as dower for wife Anna Martha with interest annually. $8000 to be divided equally, $300 each year to one heir, rotated annually to: daughter Elizabeth, wife of Gottleib Schrey, son George, son Casper, son Christian, son Adam. Executor, George Bitner. Inventory and appraisal - $1527.70.⁹ He died on 13 March 1872 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 59.^2,10,5 He was buried in March 1872 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,5,11 His estate was probated on 18 March 1872 at Snyder Co., PA. George Bitner was the executor of John's estate.⁹

     Anna Martha Kilmer, daughter of Johann Justus Külmar and Anna Sophia Magdalena Schelhase, was born on 9 May 1809 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^3,4,5,6 Anna Martha Külmar was baptized as Anna Martha Külmar on 12 May 1809 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.⁴ She married John Bitner, son of Johannes Böttner and Anna Dorothea Wagner, on 8 February 1835 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^7,5 Anna Martha Kilmer immigrated on 1 May 1849 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁸ She died on 13 March 1878 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 68.^3,6 She was buried in March 1878 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,6,9
     I have not been able to find any evidence of where John Bitner lived between the time he arrived in May of 1848 and the time of the federal census in June 1850. At that time they lived in Penn Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. John does not appear to have owned land yet. By observing people who lived close to the Bitners in the census, and comparing those names with an 1861 land owners map of Penn Township, I can conclude that the family lived just east of the village of Bernville, probably on Swissdale Road. The two older children were living nearby with neighboring families, probably as hired hands. Elisabeth was with Isaac Dundore and George was with Adam Dundore.
     According to Berks County land records, John purchased a small farm in 1854. It was located on Bloomsburg Road in the far eastern part of Penn Township, near the border with Centre and Bern Townships. The entire family was living together in 1860, including Adam, who was born late in 1850.
     Several other Reichensachsen families were found living near the Bitner family. George Pfeil (Fail) owned property adjacent to John Bitner, until he sold it in 1864. George was a mason. In 1850 he and his young son were living with William and Anna Roth (Rhode). William was a laborer. John Kilmer appeared on the 1861 land owner map just across the township line in Bern Township. Adam Krug (Krook) lived in Bern Townwhip with his wife and several children, and was listed as a laborer.
     In March 1866 John Bitner bought a larger farm in Chapman (now Union) Township in Snyder County and the following month sold his property in Berks County. It is obvious that he moved his family there. By the time of the 1870 census, Adam was the only child still living with his parents on the farm. Elisabeth Bitner had married Gottlob Schrey by the time of the census, and they were still living in Bern Township, Berks County. George was living in nearby Washington Township and Casper was living next to his parents, most likely working his father's farm.
     Christian Bitner does not seem to be enumerated in the 1870 census. However, on the next farm down the road from the Bitner farm, J. P. Gemberling's daughter M. J. (Martha Jane) was listed as married within the past year (at age 17). Since we know this to be Christian's wife, we might assume that he was in the county. Perhaps he was living at both his parents' and his in-laws' house, but neither listed him in the census as living with them.
     John Bitner made his will early in 1872 and died within a few months. A transcription of his will can be found in Appendix X. He requested that his wife Anna remain on the farm and retain a one-third interest in it as her dower. The farm was given to their oldest son, George. An inventory of John's possessions was conducted soon after his death. A copy and transcription can be seen in Appendix X. It is interesting to note the items that were of the most value at that time. For example, the eighteen hams and six honey bees (hives) at $18 were more valuable than the carriage at $15. Five barrels of vinegar and a supply of wooden shingles were the most valuable items. It appears as if John had also lent a substantial amount of money to other people.
     Within two years of John's death the Bitner siblings decided to sell their interest in the farm to Casper. In 1875 Casper sold half the farm to Gottlob and Elisabeth Schrey, and the following year the remainder was sold to them by the county sheriff. The farm remained in the Schrey family until 1947.
     I did not find any evidence that John and Anna attended any church in Berks County, although their son Adam was baptized there. I also could not find any evidence of a church affiliation for them in Snyder County, although they were buried in Fairview Cemetery, which is associated with Keiser's (now St. Paul's) Reformed Church, in Verdilla, near where they lived.

     Anna Elisabeth Bitner was born on 17 August 1835 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany; Beers, her death certificate, and her tombstone record her birth date as 18 August. The cemetery minutes record her birth date as 6 September.^2,3,4,5,6,7 She was baptized as Anna Elisabeth Böttner on 23 August 1835 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany; The baptism record states that the child was born in house #105. The remarks column says "America".⁴ She immigrated on 1 May 1849 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁸ She married Gottlob Schrey, son of Johann Jacob Schrayh and Louisa Barbara Baisch, on 23 August 1870 at Berks Co., PA.^3,9 Anna Elisabeth Bitner died on 2 December 1907 at PA at age 72; The cemetery minutes record her birth date as 1 December.^2,7,5 She was buried on 5 December 1907 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,10,5

     Gottlob Schrey was born on 29 December 1837 at Hedelfingen, Neckarkreis, Württemberg, Germany; His birth date is listed as 20 Dec 1837 in the IGI. His birth date was recorded as 11 Dec 1839 in his obituary.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} He was baptized on 31 December 1837 at Hedelfingen, Neckarkreis, Würtemberg, Germany.⁴ He immigrated on 2 February 1852 into New York, New York Co., NY, on the ship Trumbull.^2,10 He married Rebecca Strauss, daughter of William Strauss, on 8 October 1859 at Berks Co., PA.^2,11 Gottlob Schrey was a tanner between 1860 and 1870. He married Anna Elisabeth Bitner, daughter of John Bitner and Anna Martha Kilmer, on 23 August 1870 at Berks Co., PA.^2,11 Gottlob Schrey was a farmer in 1880. He left a will on 23 March 1898 at Middleburg, Snyder Co., PA; Will proved 3 Apr 1916. Disposition of estate as follows: to wife Elizabeth - household goods. To son Charles W. Schrey - 129A farm, with $400 to be paid to son James W. Schrey, of first wife. To daughter Lizzie Schrey - $325 (same he gave to Sallie, Katie, and Charles W., his other children). Remainder divided equally between: daughter Sallie, wife of James Rathfon, daughter Katie, wife of Ammon S. Sechrist, daughter Lizzie. Executors Charles W. Schrey, Ammon S. Sechrist. Inventory and appraisal - $11,293.48.¹² He was a retired farmer in 1900. He died on 14 March 1916 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 78; The church book recorded the year of his death as 1915.^{5,13,7,14,8,9} He was buried on 19 March 1916 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^5,14,15,8,9 His estate was probated on 3 April 1916 at Snyder Co., PA. Charles William Schrey was the executor of Gottlob's estate.¹²
     Elisabeth was 13 years old when she immigrated with her mother and siblings. She lived with her family in Berks County. At the time they moved to Snyder County, she would have been 30 years old. Since she married four years later in Berks County, it is possible that she remained there instead of moving with them.
     An extensive biography of Gottlob Schrey can be found in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, published in 1900. I have transcribed a copy on page XXX. Gottlob was an interesting and rather wealthy man for his time. This article provided the initial critical clues that helped me to find the passenger lists for John and Anna Bitner. Those lists noted their village of origin.
     At some time in the late 1860s Gottlob's first wife died, leaving four young children. Although the published biography stated that they only had two children, there were four living with Gottlob and Elisabeth in 1870. His obituary only mentioned two children by his first wife. The other children must have died in Berks County.      It was probably about the time his first wife died that he relocated from the Hamburg area of Berks County to Bern Township. He worked for a tanner, Benjamin Parvin, who owned a tannery on Grange Road less than three miles from John Bitner's farm. It is most likely that he met Elisabeth about that time.
     Gottlob owned a sizeable tract of land on Grange Road in Bern Township, but he and Elisabeth remained there for only a few years. Gottlob and Elisabeth were listed as residents of Berks County in a quit claim deed of 10 December 1873. After her father died, they bought a portion of his farm from her brother Casper in March of 1875. They eventually acquired the entire Bitner farm in Snyder County.
     Gottlob made his will at age 60, but he lived until 1916, outliving Elisabeth by almost ten years. His will is transcribed in Appendix X. The appendix also contains a transcription of the inventory of his estate. Again, it is interesting to note the items of value. Three cans of lard at $12.50 were more valuable than most of the household furniture. The farm animals and harvested crops appear to be the most valuable items in the inventory. Gottlob had also lent quite a large sum of money to many people. Compare the total value of his estate with that of John Bitner and you will see how wealthy Gottlob was in comparison.
     Gottlob's obituary was published in The Selinsgrove Times. It contained much of the same information that was in the biographical article. However, it related an additional story. In 1912 the husband of a grandchild of Gottlob's sister Caroline visited Germany. Quite by chance he discovered Gottlob's brother Wilhelm, who subsequently visited America. I discovered his name on the passenger list for the ship Pennsylvania, which arrived from Hamburg in New York on 7 April 1912. His destination was listed as Selinsgrove, PA.
     After Gottlob's death the farm passed to his son Charles. The will stated the size of the farm as 129 acres, almost exactly the size of John Bitner's original purchase.      Gottlob had several children from his first marriage, and he and Elisabeth had several more. Presumably the older ones moved with them to Snyder County. I discovered that the oldest son, James, relocated to Arkansas and Texas, where he was a railroad engineer. Sarah (Sallie) married James Rathfon and they owned a farm next to John Bitner's land in Union Township. I did not find any further evidence of the two young girls who were listed with Gottlob and Elisabeth in the 1870 census. According to the biographical article, a fire destroyed their home in 1874, taking the life of Gottlob and Elisabeth's oldest child. Their barn burned in 1895, so neither the house nor the barn on the John Bitner property in Union Township are original.
     I researched church records in both Berks and Snyder County, but have not been able to find baptism records for any of the children of Gottlob and Elisabeth Schrey. Gottlob was very active in Keiser's (now St. Paul's) Reformed Church at Verdilla and the associated Fairview Cemetery. His name was very prominent throughout the church records that I was able to obtain, and he was a contributor to both the church and the cemetery. But no baptism records from the 1870s appear to have survived. I was not able to determine whether the Schrey family were members of a church in Berks County.

     Rebecca Strauss was born circa 1840 at Strausstown, Berks Co., PA.³ She married Gottlob Schrey, son of Johann Jacob Schrayh and Louisa Barbara Baisch, on 8 October 1859 at Berks Co., PA.^3,4 Rebecca Strauss died before 1870 at Strausstown, Berks Co., PA.³

     Katie Louise Schrey was born on 29 July 1873 at PA; Dressler has 1872 for her birth year.^2,3,4,5,6 She married Ammon Sylvester Sechrist, son of Henry G. Sechrist and Catharine Haines, on 30 December 1894 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.^7,2,5 Katie Louise Schrey died on 8 October 1954 at age 81.^3,5,8,6 She was buried in October 1954 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,6

     Lizzie Schrey was born circa 1871 at PA.¹ She died circa March 1875 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.¹

     Charles William Schrey was born on 29 September 1875 at PA.^2,3,4,5 He married Agnes Amelia Reinard, daughter of William Reinard and Catharine (?), on 17 March 1896.⁶ Charles William Schrey was a farmer between 1900 and 1930.⁴ He was the executor of Gottlob Schrey's estate on 3 April 1916 at Snyder Co., PA.⁷ Charles William Schrey left a will on 14 October 1948 at Middleburg, Snyder Co., PA.⁸ He died on 2 July 1950 at age 74.^3,9 He was buried in July 1950 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,10

     Lizzie C. Schrey was born in August 1878 at PA.^2,3 She married Benjamin Franklin Rhymestine, son of John W. Rhymestine and Laura J. (?), circa 1903.^4,3

     Ammon Sylvester Sechrist was born on 30 December 1870 at Verdilla, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 He married Katie Louise Schrey, daughter of Gottlob Schrey and Anna Elisabeth Bitner, on 30 December 1894 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.^6,7,4 Ammon Sylvester Sechrist was a worker in a general store in 1900. He was a merchant in a general store between 1910 and 1930. He witnessed the probate of the estate of Gottlob Schrey on 3 April 1916 at Snyder Co., PA.⁸ Ammon Sylvester Sechrist died on 20 July 1952 at age 81.^2,4,5 He was buried in July 1952 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,5
     From notes of Fred Zimmer at the Snyder County Historical Society, we find the following quote. "This couple kept a general store opposite the church at Verdilla, which was locally known as 'Gimbel Bros'. They had only two children, one died in infancy."⁴

     George Bitner was born on 24 August 1840 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^2,3,4,5,6 He was baptized as George Böttner on 30 August 1840 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany; The baptism record states that the child was born in house #157. The remarks column says "America".² He immigrated on 1 May 1849 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁷ He married Susan Brensinger on 24 May 1862 at Berks Co., PA.^5,8,6 George Bitner was a farm laborer in 1870. He was the executor of John Bitner's estate on 18 March 1872 at Snyder Co., PA.⁹ George Bitner was a farmer in 1880. He died on 16 March 1883 at age 42.^4,3,6 He was buried in March 1883 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,4,10

     Susan Brensinger was born on 17 February 1841 at Berks Co., PA; The Riverview Cemetery record of son Ammon Bitner states this as the name of his mother. However, the cemetery record of John A. Bitner states his mother's name as Susan Carl. Of the three marriage records for Harvey Bitner, two say Susan Carl, one says Susan B. Bitner.^2,3,4 She was baptized on 11 July 1841.⁴ She married (?) Carl before 1860.⁵ Susan Brensinger married George Bitner, son of John Bitner and Anna Martha Kilmer, on 24 May 1862 at Berks Co., PA.^5,6,4 Susan Brensinger died on 25 April 1898 at Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 57.^2,7,3,4 She was buried on 28 April 1898 at Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA.^2,3
     George was almost eight years old when he immigrated with his mother and siblings in 1848. At the time of the 1850 census, he was living with the Adam Dundore family, probably hired out. By 1860 he was living with his parents on their farm in Penn Township, Berks County. He was married two years later in Berks County and by 1870 was living with his wife and several children in Washington Township, Snyder County.
     Although George inherited his father's farm when John Bitner died in 1872, it appears as if he relinquished that right by selling it to his brother Casper. Then in 1875 he bought a tract of land just north of his father's farm in Union Township. However, by 1881 he lost that property for failure to pay the interest due on the loan.
     I cannot determine what happened to George between the time he lost the farm and when he died two years later. His wife Susan and their children eventually moved to the town of Northumberland, but I have found no evidence to prove when they moved from Snyder County.
     There are outstanding questions about the identity of George's wife, Susan. The marriage records of several children show her name variously as Susan Brensinger and Susan Carl. In her marriage record extracted from the Reading newspaper she was listed as Susan Carl.
     Census records do not provide conclusive evidence. In the 1850 census I was able to find a Susan Brensinger of the correct age (9), living with William Spayd in Penn Township, Berks County. By analyzing the census, I can determine that they lived in an area just south of John Bitner's farm. The 1850 census gives no indication of the relationship of Susan to this family. There was at least one other Brensinger family in the same township.
     In 1860, there is a Susan Carl, age 18, living with the same family. One other Brensinger family was living nearby. It is obvious that this was the same neighborhood by the association of family names in both censuses. And since we already have the association of the Brensinger and Carl surnames for Susan, this is almost definitely the same person.
     The best explanation I have is that Susan was married before age 18 to a man named Carl. I can't offer another reason why she would have changed her name. But I found no record of this marriage in Berks County records. Perhaps her husband died soon after their marriage, or just left her. I could not find anybody with the surname Carl living in Penn or nearby townships in the 1860 census of Berks County.
     I can't say for certain when George and Susan went to Snyder County. They could have gone when John Bitner left in 1866, or perhaps they went there before him. I found no evidence that George bought land in either county before his father died, so that does not provide a clue. The marriage record of their daughter Helen, born 1864, indicates that she was born in Berks County. Their daughter Anna Bitner's marriage record stated that she was born in Snyder County in 1869. Their infant son William was buried in Union Township in 1867. So that narrows the time frame for the move to between 1865 and 1867, which is about the time John Bitner moved.
     A Carte-de-Visite photograph (see page XXX), reportedly of George Bitner, came from the Adam Bitner family in Illinois. It has a hand-written label on the reverse - "Harves Dad George Bitner". The revenue stamp on the reverse dates the photograph between 1864 and 1866. The photo was taken by a company with headquarters at Fortress Monroe, near Hampton, Virginia. I cannot be certain that the photo was taken there, though.
     The man in the photo appears to be in uniform. George would have been of an appropriate age to serve in the Civil War. However, the front of the photo was apparently signed "Truly Yours, Geo. H. Peters". With some difficulty one might be able to interpret the spelling of the last name as Bitner.
     There are only a few Civil War records for a George Bit(t)ner from Pennsylvania. I analyzed the available service and pension records to determine whether I could positively identify one as George Bitner from Berks County. I could not. I reached the following conclusions about the records.
     George Bitner, Company E, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. This man enlisted at Carlisle, Pennsylvania in June 1863 and served until January 1864. But his record indicates that he was age 43 at enlistment, which is much too old for our George, who was born in 1840.
     George Bitner, Capt. Faltz's Independent Cavalry Regiment. This group was briefly called up to defend Pennsylvania from imminent attack by the Confederate Army in September 1862. But following the battle at Antietam later that month it was immediately disbanded. I doubt that they would have had uniforms for that short time, and the time frame is not right for the photo. However, it is possible that our George Bitner could have briefly joined this regiment.
     George Bitner, Company C, 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry. This man was born about 1838. He enlisted at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in September 1863. He failed to report for duty until April 1865 and served only until June of that year. He was recruited in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. We have no information that George and Susan had located there after their marriage.
     George Bittner, Capt. Schrock's Company (later Company H), 1st Battalion Pennsylvania Infantry. This man joined at New Centerville (probably Somerset County) and mustered in at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania in June 1863. He served until January 1864. No age was recorded for this person. While the dates are plausible, again we have no knowledge that George lived in Somerset County.
     Based on the available evidence, I cannot reliably prove that George Bitner of Berks County served in any of these Civil War units. However, I must accept that possibility that he might have fought in the war. We just don't have any evidence to prove that.
     George's first two children were born in September 1862 and November 1864. The next Bitner child was born in January 1867, so it is very possible that George could have been away at war for several months at various times. We have to consider those time frames when trying to determine when he could have served.

     Elmira Matilda Bitner was born on 29 September 1862 at Berks Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 She was baptized on 4 December 1862.⁵ She married William Irwin Sechrist, son of John Herrold Sechrist and Sarah Sholly, on 15 December 1879 at Snyder Co., PA.^6,3 Elmira Matilda Bitner was a domestic in 1915.⁷ She died on 8 January 1925 at age 62; The family Bible has her death date recorded as 11 January 1924.^8,2,5 She was buried in January 1925 at Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA.^8,2

     Helen Amelia Bitner was born on 1 November 1864 at Berks Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6 She was baptized on 8 April 1865.⁶ She married George Allen Swartz, son of David Swartz and Caroline (?), on 26 July 1888 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.^3,5 Helen Amelia Bitner died on 6 April 1923 at age 58.^2,4,6 She was buried in April 1923 at Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA.^2,4

     Anna Maria Elizabeth Bitner was born on 2 August 1869 at Snyder Co., PA; The family Bible records her birth date as 1 Aug.^2,3,4 She was baptized on 29 September 1869.⁴ She married Jacob A. Goodyear, son of Jacob Goodyear and Susan (?), on 8 November 1886 at Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA; Married with the consent of Susan Bitner.² Anna Maria Elizabeth Bitner died before 1930.³

     Ammon Bitner was born on 1 August 1872 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 He married Clara May Kistner, daughter of Martin L. Kistner and Sarah Catharine Moyer, on 3 May 1895 at the M.E. parsonage, Kingston, Luzerne Co., PA.^6,4 Ammon Bitner was a nailer⁷ in 1900. He was a laborer in railroad yard in 1910. He left a will on 28 October 1919.⁸ He was a car repairman for railroad company in 1920. He was a car repairman in 1921.³ He died on 2 November 1947 at age 75; The cemetery record transcribed his death date as 3 Nov 1947.^9,2 He was buried in November 1947 at Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Northumberland Co., PA.² His estate was probated on 12 January 1948 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA. Catharine May Hollenbeck was the executrix of Ammon's estate.⁹

     George Oliver Bitner was born on 18 May 1878 at PA.^2,3,4,5 He died on 2 August 1880 at age 2.^2,3,5 He was buried in August 1880 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,6

     Casper Bittner was born on 4 March 1843 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^2,3,4,5 He was baptized as Caspar Böttner on 12 March 1843 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany. Casper Boettner sponsored the baptism.² Casper Bittner immigrated on 1 May 1849 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁶ He married Mary Amanda Gemberling, daughter of John Peter Gemberling and Catharine Schlegel, circa 1864.⁵ Casper Bittner was a farmer between 1870 and 1880. He was a brick mason between 1889 and 1890.⁷ He was a coal operator between 1890 and 1891.⁷ He was a farmer in 1900. He worked at the Mohawk Rubber Company between 1916 and 1920.⁷ He left a will on 1 June 1922 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.⁸ His estate was probated in 1926 at Akron, Summit Co., OH. William S. Bittner was the executor of Casper's estate.⁹ He died on 16 October 1926 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 83.^9,3,4 He was buried on 19 October 1926 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.^4,3

     Mary Amanda Gemberling was born on 9 August 1850 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.^3,4,5,6 She married Casper Bittner, son of John Bitner and Anna Martha Kilmer, circa 1864.⁶ Mary Amanda Gemberling worked at the Diamond Match Company between 1889 and 1890.⁷ She died on 13 April 1929 at City Hospital, Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 78.^8,4,5 She was buried on 16 April 1929 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.^4,5 Her estate was probated in 1929 at Akron, Summit Co., OH. Laura May Zimmerman was the executrix of Mary Amanda's estate.⁸
     Casper was five years old when he immigrated. He lived with his parents in Berks County until the family moved to Snyder County in 1866. By the 1870 census he had married a woman from Snyder County, and they had one child. The only source available for their marriage date is the census, which places it about 1866. So either Casper married soon after his arrival in Snyder County, or he had preceded his family's arrival there.
     Casper and Mary Amanda were enumerated as a separate household next to his parents in 1870, but he owned no real estate. So either they shared the house or lived in a different house nearby. He most likely helped his father with the farm. Their first child, John, was erroneously listed in Wagenseller's book as a child of George. But the fact that he was listed in the 1870 census with Casper and Mary Amanda, and that the child's tombstone appears to show his parents as Casper and Mary Amanda, seems to verify that he belongs to Casper.
     The year after John Bitner died, Casper bought his farm from his siblings. The next year he bought another 30-acre tract adjacent to that farm. He sold roughly half the farm to Gottlob and Elisabeth Schrey in 1875, when they moved to the county. In 1876 his remaining property was sold by the county sheriff to Gottlob Schrey. I cannot determine whether Casper and his family continued to live on this property.
     Casper was still farming in Snyder County in June of 1880, but their next child, Mason, was born in April 1884 in Summit County, Ohio. I have no more precise information to indicate when the family moved to Ohio. It is difficult to determine where Casper and his family first settled after arriving in the Akron area. The first indication of their presence was the record of Mason's birth in Green Township. Then in 1888 Casper purchased a lot in the village of East Liberty in the same township. A township landowner map of 1891 shows the lot on a map of the village. See Figure XXX on page XXX. When Margie and I visited Akron, we stayed at a hotel within a mile of this village. We were able to identify the house, which is most likely the original one in which they lived.
     Note that another related Snyder County family migrated to the Akron area about the same time. Isaac Faust and his son Wellington, along with their families, were in Snyder County in 1880 and Stow, Ohio in 1900. Wellington was married to Matilda Sechrist, daughter of John Herrold Sechrist. Analysis of the birth dates of Wellington's children suggests that they moved to Ohio between June of 1881 and August of 1883. So they and the Bitners probably came to Ohio about the same time. See page XXX for more information about the Faust family.
     A year after he bought the house in East Liberty Casper sold that lot. The 1889 - 90 Akron city directory placed him at 1188 South Broadway in Akron. The next year the directory showed the family living at 108 McCoy Street. From then until 1909 Casper was not found in the city directory. His children born in 1891 and 1895 indicate their birthplace as Tallmadge, which is just east of the city. Laura, who was born in 1896, claimed her birthplace as Merriman Road in Portage Township, on the western boundary of Akron.
     There are no land records indicating that Casper owned property between 1889 and 1908. While he might have tried several occupations during the few years he lived in the city, it appears that he farmed while living in the outlying townships. The 1900 census listed his occupation as a farmer, and indicated that he was renting a house on a farm. Merriman road can be found on the 1891 landowner map, just outside the city line (at that time). See Figure XXX on page XXX. By analyzing the relation of other families in the census to the Bitners, I can suggest that they lived not very far from where Merriman Road intersects with West Market Street. They were probably living somewhere between the property of J. F. Miller, S. Koplin and the Summit County Infirmary. These names are all shown on the map, and were found on pages surrounding Casper Bitner in the census. While looking at nearby families in the 1900 census, I noticed that the Trumphour family also lived nearby. William Bitner married Elva Trumphour in 1942 after they had both been married before.
     In March of 1908 Casper purchased a house at 399 Pearl Street in Akron, where he lived for the rest of his life. As of the 1910 census, he had no occupation. We visited Pearl Street, now renamed Grant Street, in 2003. The location is on the southern edge of the campus of the University of Akron. The houses that would have been there in 1920 are now gone, replaced by university housing.
     Casper wrote a will several years before he died. It is transcribed, along with his estate papers, on page XXX. The papers named his living children and grandchildren at the time of his death, which provided the married names of some daughters. It also confirmed where his children were living about the time of the 1930 census.
     Mary Amanda purchased the house from the estate. She only lived a few years longer, and her address at the time of death was Cuyahoga Falls, near where her daughter Laura Zimmerman lived at the time. She might have been living in a nursing home or some other place where she could be cared for. The house was sold in 1935 as part of her estate.
     As with the rest of the Bitner family, I did not find any church records of baptisms in Snyder County, or any indication of what church Casper and Mary Amanda might have attended in Akron. In the several days that we had available for research in Akron, we did not discover any church records or identify any church that the Bitner family might have attended.
     Casper and his wife, along with several of their children and spouses, were buried in a cemetery in Brimfield, a village a few miles east of Akron. The village is in Portage County, not too far from Tallmadge, where they lived for a few years. We did not find the final resting place of several of their children.
     We obtained a few photographs of Casper Bitner, mostly in his old age. One is a four-generation picture of his son George Royal, grandson Royal Edward, and great-granddaughter Beverly Jane Bitner. Another picture includes members of his extended family. (See Figures XXX and XXX). There is a house in the background, which might have been Casper's house on Pearl Street.

     John Morris Bittner was born on 27 January 1869 at PA; Wagenseller records his birth date as 20 January.^2,3,4 He died on 24 March 1871 at age 2.^2,5 He was buried in March 1871 at Fairview (Keiser's) Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,5,6

     Mary Ann Catherine Bittner was born on 12 June 1870 at PA.^2,3,4 She worked at the rubber works (probably Goodrich) between 1890 and 1891.⁵ She married Gust. D. Schultz, son of Frederick Schultz.² Mary Ann Catherine Bittner died on 28 December 1928 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 58.^6,3 She was buried on 31 December 1928 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.^2,3