Person Page - 1

     David Hardenstine Jr. was born on 22 December 1925 at East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA; His baptism record states his birth date as 22 Oct 1925.^2,3,4,5 He was baptized on 22 April 1926 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.² He was a printer. He died on 5 May 1988 at Farmington, Hartford Co., CT, at age 62.^3,4,5 He was buried on 9 May 1988 at Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^3,4,6
     Dave grew up in the family house at 1230 West Main Street in Stroudsburg. He had to help out in the family greenhouse business next to their home while he was still in school. When he turned 18 years old in 1943, he left high school to enter the Navy for service in World War II. He was married while on leave. After returning from the service in 1946 he attended a floral design school in New York City. He returned to reopen his parents' florist shop for a while and lived in the family house. The next year he began a job as a pressman with Hughes Printing in East Stroudsburg. Soon after their daughter Margie's birth Dave and Phyllis rented a house at 1054 West Main Street. In July, 1951 Dave and Phyllis moved to Bristol, Connecticut to work in another Hughes plant, which later became Hildreth Press. After living in an apartment on Upson Street for a while, they bought a house at 40 Topview Terrace where they lived from that time on. Dave continued to work as a pressman at various small printing shops until he retired on disability due to health problems. After retirement he continued to enjoy his hobbies of golf, fishing, and ham radio.
     Phyllis grew up on Rolling Green Road in Hummels Wharf, Pennsylvania living next door to her mother's parents. In 1941 she moved with her parents to Stroudsburg. She completed high school there and married Dave the next year. During high school Phyllis worked at Woolworth's and Wycoff's department stores as well as Martin Buck's soda fountain. Phyllis worked for a number of companies during her career as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1992. They included Pocono Textile in East Stroudsburg, General Electric, Hildreth Press, Superior Electric, and Edmund's Manufacturing, all in or near Bristol, Connecticut.

     David Henry Hardenstine was born on 27 January 1895 at East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA; His baptism record states that he was born at Stokes Mill.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11} He was baptized on 9 May 1899 at Grace Lutheran Church, East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.³ He was confirmed on 16 April 1911 at Grace Lutheran Church, East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.⁴ He married Sophie Anna Meichner on 29 December 1917 at Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^12,7,10 David Henry Hardenstine entered military service on 25 May 1918 at Camp Meade, MD.¹³ He ended military service on 9 June 1919 at Camp Dix, NJ. He was a railroad engineer and a florist. He died on 30 March 1952 at Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, Hudson Co., NJ, at age 57.^{14,15,8,11,10} He was buried on 4 April 1952 at Stroudsburg Cemetery, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^16,8,5,15

     Sophie Anna Meichner was born on 14 November 1895 at Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA; Her birth date is recorded as 1896 on her tombstone.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8} She was baptized as Sophia Anna Carrie Meichner on 15 December 1895 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.² She was confirmed on 20 March 1910 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.⁹ She married David Henry Hardenstine on 29 December 1917 at Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^10,6,11 Sophie Anna Meichner died on 26 June 1976 at East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA, at age 80.^4,3,5,12,7,8 She was buried on 30 June 1976 at Stroudsburg Cemetery, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^3,7,8
     David was only 14 years old when his father William died. He was 22 when he entered World War I at Camp Meade, Maryland in September of 1917. He fought with the 311th machine gun battalion of the 79th division, American Expeditionary Forces. This battalion fought at many places in France. (From the book "History of 311th Machine Gun Battalion, 79th Division A.E.F.", by Russel C. Hughes, Press Publishing Company, East Stroudsburg, PA, 1919.) He apparently married Sophie just before leaving for Europe.
     After he returned from the war in 1919, David and Sophie moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey, where he worked on the railroad as an engineer. Their first two children were born there. By 1924, when son Edward was born, they had returned to Stroudsburg. Since they lived in the house Sophie's father built at 1230 West Main Street, they probably returned after his death in 1922. David continued working on the railroad, but also opened a greenhouse next to their house to supplement their income. In 1943 they moved to Grace Street in Jersey City, New Jersey to work on the railroad. They remained there until his death.
     Sophie remained in Jersey City after her husband's death until her retirement in 1960. During the time she lived in Jersey City she worked as a saleslady in a Loft's candy store there. She then returned to her house on West Main Street in Stroudsburg. After selling the house for development (about 1967) she moved to an apartment at 80 Bridge Street, where she remained until her death.

     Lee Oliver Bittner was born on 18 May 1907 at Penn Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6 He was baptized in May 1907.² He married Marjorie Elizabeth Shafer, daughter of Charles Eugene Fisher and Angeal Woodside, on 3 March 1926 at Frederick, Frederick Co., MD.^7,8 Lee Oliver Bittner was a dye mixer⁹ in a dye works in 1930. He was a textile printer for Beacon Pierce and Die Company in Beacon Hill, New York between 1940 and 1972. He married Elizabeth A. Cobb, daughter of Frank Cobb and Lillian Repsher, on 25 July 1979 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.¹⁰ Lee Oliver Bittner died on 9 December 1989 at Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA, at age 82.^11,5,4,12,6 He was buried on 12 December 1989 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.^5,4,12

     Marjorie Elizabeth Shafer was born on 10 May 1907 at Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6,7 She married Lee Oliver Bittner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 3 March 1926 at Frederick, Frederick Co., MD.^8,9 Marjorie Elizabeth Shafer died on 7 February 1972 at Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA, at age 64.^3,4,5,6,7 She was buried on 10 February 1972 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.^5,6,7
     As a young man, Lee worked with his father Frank and brother Carl on barges on the Susquehanna River dredging for coal. He worked during the 1920's and 1930's at Sunbury Converting Dye Works and Lebanon Dye. In 1941 he moved his family to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and began working at Pocono Textile in East Stroudsburg. During this time he twice worked for extended periods in Drummondville, Canada learning the new trade of textile roller printing. About 1954 he and Marjorie moved to Cold Spring and later Hopewell Junction, New York. He worked for Beacon Pierce and Die Company. In the mid 1960's they returned to 36 Bridge Street when he took another job in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He later returned to work at Beacon until his retirement. He remained in the house on Bridge Street with his second wife Betty until his death.

     Marjorie worked at one time as a waitress at the Susquehanna Country Club near their home in Hummels Wharf. While living in Stroudsburg she also worked as a sales clerk at the JCPenny and Sears catalog department in Wycoff's department store. This was before they moved to New York.

     Elizabeth A. Cobb was a saleswoman. Elizabeth A. Cobb also went by the name of Betty. She was born on 15 March 1918 at East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^2,3,4 She married Ralph L. Shively before 1970.⁴ Elizabeth A. Cobb married Lee Oliver Bittner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 25 July 1979 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.⁵ Elizabeth A. Cobb died on 9 October 1994 at Bartonsville, Monroe Co., PA, at age 76.^2,4,3 She was buried on 13 October 1994 at Stroudsburg Cemetery, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^3,4

     Ralph H. Christman was a physical education teacher in an elementary school. He was born on 16 April 1929 at East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^2,3,4 He died on 13 June 1998 at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, Springville, Erie Co., NY, at age 69.^2,3,4 He was buried on 17 June 1998 at Stroudsburg Cemetery, Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., PA.^2,3,5

     Franklin Oliver Bitner was born on 19 March 1873 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6 He married Minnie Mary Sechrist, daughter of John Herrold Sechrist and Juliann Dengler, on 28 August 1892 at Snyder Co., PA.⁷ Franklin Oliver Bitner was an executor of John Herrold Sechrist's estate on 7 June 1897 at Snyder Co., PA.⁸ Franklin Oliver Bitner was a farmer between 1900 and 1910. He was a laborer in 1914.⁹ He was a laborer and thresher¹⁰ on 12 September 1918.² He was a laborer in 1920.¹¹ He was a laborer in a dye works¹² in 1920. He witnessed the probate of the estate of Martha Jane Bitner on 25 February 1920 at Snyder Co., PA.¹³ Franklin Oliver Bitner married Sadie Marks, daughter of Cyrus Marks and Anna Grace, circa 1929.^5,14 Franklin Oliver Bitner died on 31 January 1938 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA, at age 64.^15,4,14 He was buried in February 1938 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^4,6,16 His estate was probated on 23 May 1940 at Snyder Co., PA.¹⁷

     Minnie Mary Sechrist was born on 18 November 1877 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 She married Franklin Oliver Bitner, son of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 28 August 1892 at Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Minnie Mary Sechrist died on 8 May 1927 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 49.^3,4 She was buried in May 1927 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.³
     There has been much confusion about Minnie's name. Some people have said it was Mary Minnie. That is the name that her father used for her in his will. I have also seen it written as Minnie Mae. However, when Frank Bitner filled out his draft registration card for World War I, he named his wife as Minnie Mary. Her name on her tombstone is Minnie M.
     Frank and Minnie Bitner initially lived next to his parents' farm on Roosters Road. Frank probably farmed his parents' land with his father. The couple appeared in the 1900 census with their first four children: Bessie, Herbert, Allen and Earl. By 1910 one more child, Lee, was born. They had moved to a farm in Penn Township. According to his son Carl, this farm was located on Greenridge Road, about one mile west of Selinsgrove. Carl said that by the time he was born, they had moved to a home on the Susquehanna Trail just below Selinsgrove.
     By 1920 Frank and Minnie were living in Hummels Wharf, just below Shamokin Dam, with their younger children, Carl and Edna. This house was on the east side of the Susquehanna Trail near the intersection of Park Road. Frank was working as a laborer in a dye works⁶ at that time. The dye works was located in Sunbury.
     After Minnie died in 1927 and Frank remarried, he lived with his second wife Sadie. The younger children were living with their married siblings. Carl was with his sister Bessie and Grant Miller. Edna was with her brother Herb.
     Frank had an interesting occupation in addition to those listed in the census. He dredged coal from the Susquehanna River. I found several articles about this occupation, which was common in that area, in The Snyder County Historical Society Bulletin.^7,8 Please see them for a more detailed description of the operation.
     The coal mining regions north and east of Sunbury along the Susquehanna River and its tributaries dumped many tons of rock containing coal. The rock and waste coal was washed into the streams and floated downstream until it lodged in low points in the river. After many years of mining, the coal could be harvested from the river bottom by bucket or long-handled seives. People would use a barge to work from and to load the coal onto. As methods improved over time, steam and gasoline motors were used to operate the dredging machinery.
     According to the articles, many families dredged coal simply to supply their own needs, while others probably sold what they could. We have no way of knowing whether Frank worked for a profit or not. We also don't know when he began working on the river. However, Lee Bitner said that he and Carl worked with their father on the barge. If they were in their teens at the time, it must have been in the 1920s. We have one photo of Minnie Bitner and her sister Matilda Faust sitting on the barge. (See Figure XXX.) Based on other photos of Matilda visiting from Akron, Ohio, the date must have been about 1923.
     The administration of Frank's estate in 1940 indicates he had no valued possessions. He owned one 30-acre tract of land in Union Township that was vacant. I don't know if this is the same tract owned by Christian Bittner and then Jennie Brubaker.

     Sadie Marks was born circa 1880 at Jackson Twp., Snyder Co., PA.³ She married an unknown person before 1925.³ She married Franklin Oliver Bitner, son of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, circa 1929.^4,5 Sadie Marks married Harvey Adam Bitner, son of George Bitner and Susan Brensinger, on 24 September 1939 at Dundore, Snyder Co., PA; Note that Franklin and Harvey Bitner were cousins.³ Sadie Marks and Harvey Adam Bitner were legally separated on 27 November 1945 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.⁶ Sadie Marks and Harvey Adam Bitner were divorced on 25 September 1955 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.⁷

     Bessie Toledo Bitner was born on 22 June 1893 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 She married William Grant Miller on 4 July 1911 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.⁴ Bessie Toledo Bitner died on 31 March 1978 at Doctor's Convalescent Home, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA, at age 84.^2,3,4 She was buried on 3 April 1978 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3

     William Grant Miller was born on 15 March 1889 at Freeburg, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 He married Bessie Toledo Bitner, daughter of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 4 July 1911 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.⁶ William Grant Miller was a worker in a converting works⁷ in 1917.⁴ He was a fireman on the railroad in 1920. He was a conductor on a street car in 1930. He died in 1973.^2,6 He was buried at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Herbert Dallas Bittner was born on 30 May 1895 at Dundore, Snyder Co., PA.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8} He was a worker in a shoe factory in 1914.⁹ He married Nova Utah Schrawder, daughter of William Schrawder and Minnie Houser, on 16 September 1914 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA; Married with the consent of F. O. Bitner and Minnie Schrawder.^9,10 Herbert Dallas Bittner was a steel chain maker for the Pennsylvania Railroad on 5 June 1917.³ He was a car repairman on the railroad in 1920. He was the owner and operator of the Plymouth and DeSoto Garage and Gas Station on North Market Street in Selinsgrove.^11,12 He died on 10 September 1982 at Doctor's Convalescent Home, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA, at age 87.^2,6,5,7,8 He was buried on 14 September 1982 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,7

     Nova Utah Schrawder was born on 24 April 1896 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,4,5,6,7 She was a worker in a shoe factory in 1914.⁴ She married Herbert Dallas Bittner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 16 September 1914 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA; Married with the consent of F. O. Bitner and Minnie Schrawder.^4,8 Nova Utah Schrawder died on 17 June 1989 at Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 93.^3,5,7 She was buried on 20 June 1989 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,5

     Allen Sylvester Bitner was born on 23 January 1897 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6,7 He was a laborer in a dye works⁸ between 1920 and 1930. He married Eleanor W. Wert on 15 June 1929 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA.⁹ Allen Sylvester Bitner was a road supervisor for Monroe Township in 1942.⁷ He died on 21 February 1981 at Doctor's Convalescent Home, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA, at age 84.^3,5,4,6,10 He was buried on 25 February 1981 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.^5,10,3

     Eleanor W. Wert was born on 10 September 1891; The SSDI records her birth date as 1894.^2,3,4 She married Allen Sylvester Bitner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 15 June 1929 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Eleanor W. Wert died on 30 January 1975 at age 83.^2,3,4 She was buried in February 1975 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Earl Franklin Bitner was born on 16 September 1898 at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8} He was a weaver⁹ in a silk mill on 12 September 1918 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.³ He was a silk weaver⁹ between 1920 and 1930.^4,10,3 He married Edna Elizabeth Walter, daughter of Charles W. Walter and Emma Bailey, on 19 March 1920 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.^4,11 Earl Franklin Bitner was employed by Sunbury Textile Mills for 52 years as a weaver.⁸ He died on 6 August 1987 at Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 88.^6,8,2,7,5 He was buried on 9 August 1987 at Shreiner's Baptist Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,6,8

     Edna Elizabeth Walter was born on 23 December 1897 at Monroe Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,4,5,6 She was a silk warper⁷ in 1920.⁴ She married Earl Franklin Bitner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 19 March 1920 at Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA.^4,5 Edna Elizabeth Walter died on 14 April 1986 at Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 88.^3,5,6 She was buried on 17 April 1986 at Shreiner's Baptist Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,5

     Carl Christian Bittner also went by the name of Dinah. He was born on 24 April 1911 at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 He was a motorman and conductor on an electric street car between 1930 and 1936.^5,6 He married Miriam Catherine Wochley, daughter of Charles A. Wochley and Catherine E. Botdorf, on 26 December 1931 at Frederick, Frederick Co., MD.⁷ Carl Christian Bittner was a bus driver for B.K.W. Coach Lines. between 1936 and 1973.^5,6 He died on 23 December 1993 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA, at age 82.^2,6,3,4 He was buried on 27 December 1993 at Evergreen Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder Co., PA.^2,6,3,8

     Miriam Catherine Wochley was born on 24 January 1911.^3,4,5 She married Carl Christian Bittner, son of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 26 December 1931 at Frederick, Frederick Co., MD.³ Miriam Catherine Wochley died on 13 November 2001 at Union Co., PA, at age 90.^2,5 She was buried in November 2001 at Evergreen Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder Co., PA.^2,6

     Pearl Loraine Bitner was born on 20 December 1912 at Snyder Co., PA.^1,2 She died on 31 December 1912 at Snyder Co., PA.^1,2 She was buried in January 1913 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.¹

     Edna Mae Bitner was a school cook. She was born on 30 June 1914 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 She married Charles Edward Roush, son of Daniel Roush and Dora Anderson, on 12 August 1937 at Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.³ Edna Mae Bitner died on 1 May 1996 at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA, at age 81.^2,6,4,5 She was buried on 3 May 1996 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.^2,6,4

     Charles Edward Roush was born on 28 September 1914 at PA.^2,3,4,5 He married Edna Mae Bitner, daughter of Franklin Oliver Bitner and Minnie Mary Sechrist, on 12 August 1937 at Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.³ Charles Edward Roush died on 13 December 1978 at age 64.^2,3,5 He was buried in December 1978 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Christian Bitner was born on 1 January 1846 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany.^2,3,4,5 He was baptized as Christoph Böttner on 4 January 1846 at Reichensachsen, Hessen, Germany. Christoph Klebe sponsored the baptism; The baptism record states that the child was born in house #157. The remarks column says "America".² Christian Bitner immigrated on 1 May 1849 into Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA, on the ship Louise Marie.⁶ He married Martha Jane Gemberling, daughter of John Peter Gemberling and Catharine Schlegel, on 12 March 1870 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^7,5 Christian Bitner was a farmer between 1880 and 1920. He died on 27 January 1921 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 75.^3,4 He was buried on 1 February 1921 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^3,4

     Martha Jane Gemberling was born in June 1853 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3 She married Christian Bitner, son of John Bitner and Anna Martha Kilmer, on 12 March 1870 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^4,3 Martha Jane Bitner was the executrix of Catharine Gemberling's estate on 1 August 1884 at Middleburg, Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Martha Jane Gemberling left a will on 30 December 1911 at Middleburg, Snyder Co., PA.⁶ She died on 18 February 1920 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 66.^7,2 She was buried in February 1920 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.² Her estate was probated on 25 February 1920 at Snyder Co., PA. Minnie B. Reinard was the executrix of Martha's estate.⁶
     Christian was born in Germany and immigrated with his mother and siblings in 1849. In 1850 and 1860 he was living with his parents in Penn Township of Berks County. By 1870 his family had moved to Union Township of Snyder County, except for his sister Elizabeth Schrey, who was still in Berks County. I have not been able to find Christian in the 1870 census. His wife, Martha J. Gemberling, was living with her parents, but one of the census columns indicates she was married in March of 1870.
     1876 is the first that I found Christian purchasing land in Snyder County. He bought a 30-acre tract next to John Bitner's original farm. This is the same piece of land that Christian's wife Martha gave to their daughter Jennie Brubaker in her will. At Martha's death she also passed a 168-acre farm to her heirs. This was originally the Peter Gemberling farm, passed by Catharine Gemberling (after her death in 1884) to her daughter Martha Jane. The land was always in Martha's name and not Christian's.
     By 1880 Christian and Martha were together in Union Township with four children. Although the next census was not until 1900, a book by Wagenseller gives marriage dates for Harry, Jennie and Franklin Bitner during those twenty years. The 1900 census indicated that Christian and Martha had eight children. Only five were living at that time. One son, Elmer, was born in 1886 and died in 1890, according to his tombstone. I have not been able to identify the other two missing children.
     Several related families lived nearby in 1900. Franklin and Minnie Bitner were next door. Peter Sechrist, Minnie's uncle, was close by and her mother, Juliann Sechrist was living with Minnie's brother Charles Wesley Sechrist.
     The 1910 census showed one daughter, Minnie, living with Christian and Martha. In 1920 two children, Harry and Dolly, were living with their parents.
     Martha's will specifyied that her children could not sell the farm she left them during their lifetime except to one of themselves. She also stipulated that it could not be sold until five years after Christian's death. Cattle and farm implements could be sold. The house and lot in Selinsgrove could be sold. Her husband Christian Bitner was to get room and board on the farm until his death. Her surviving children were: Minnie B., Franklin O., Harry, Dolly May, and Jennie E. Brubaker. Jennie received a 30 acre tract, to revert to her children only. Minnie, Franklin, Harry, and Dolly were delcared executors. The inventory and appraisal of her estate was $7280.31.

     Minnie B. Bitner was born in 1871 at PA.^2,3,4 She married Phares Reinard, son of Henry W. Reinard and Elizabeth Meiser, on 30 June 1912 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.³ Minnie B. Reinard was the executrix of Martha Jane Bitner's estate on 25 February 1920 at Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Minnie B. Bitner died on 12 November 1951.³ She was buried in November 1951 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Phares Reinard was born on 22 December 1872 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 He was a carpenter between 1900 and 1910. He married Minnie B. Bitner, daughter of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 30 June 1912 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Phares Reinard was a coal dredger between 1918 and 1920.³ He died on 12 October 1928 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 55.² He was buried on 16 October 1928 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.²

     Harry Bitner was born on 24 November 1875 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5,6 He married Emma Jane Foltz, daughter of Henry Foltz and Polly (?), on 2 February 1898 at Snyder Co., PA.⁷ Harry Bitner married Catherine E. Bierely, daughter of Harvey Q. Bierely and Alice (?), on 20 March 1913.⁴ Harry Bitner was a farm hand for Chris Bitner on 12 September 1918.³ He was a farm laborer in 1920. He witnessed the probate of the estate of Martha Jane Bitner on 25 February 1920 at Snyder Co., PA.⁸ Harry Bitner married Vergie May Bailey, daughter of Harrison Bailey and Juliann Brunner, on 23 June 1923 at Dundore, Snyder Co., PA.^9,4,5 Harry Bitner was a laborer at odd jobs in 1930. He and Vergie May Bitner were the operators of a grocery store at Independence for 13 years. Harry Bitner died on 16 May 1957 at Community Hospital, Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 81.^2,4,6 He was buried on 19 May 1957 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^2,6

     Emma Jane Foltz was born on 21 April 1877 at Port Treverton, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3 She married Harry Bitner, son of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 2 February 1898 at Snyder Co., PA.⁴ Emma Jane Foltz married Samuel Stroup circa 1905.³ Emma Jane Foltz died on 9 September 1942 at West Perry Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 65.² She was buried on 13 September 1942 at Richfield Union Cemetery, Richfield, Juniata Co., PA; Findagrave.²

     Catherine E. Bierely was born in May 1883 at PA.² She married Harry Bitner, son of Christian Bitner and Martha Jane Gemberling, on 20 March 1913.³ Catherine E. Bierely was an assistant cook at Susquehanna University in 1920. She was a cook in a hotel in 1930.