Person Page - 3

     William S. Bittner was born on 18 December 1871 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 Another source indicated that William S. Bittner was born on 18 December 1869 at Snyder Co., PA.⁵ He worked at the Diamond Match Company between 1889 and 1890.⁶ He married Susie Poules, daughter of George Poules and Susie Caventer, on 17 September 1901 at Summit Co., OH; This was the third marriage for the bride.^5,4 William S. Bittner was a farmer in 1910. He was a teamster⁷ on road works in 1920. He was the executor of Casper Bittner's estate in 1926 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.⁸ William S. Bittner worked at the Goodyear Company in 1940.⁶ He was a landscaper on 25 June 1942.³ He married Elva Trumphour, daughter of David Trumphour and Thurza A. Smetts, on 25 June 1942 at Warwick, Summit Co., OH.³ William S. Bittner died on 30 April 1960 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 88.^2,9 He was buried on 4 May 1960 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH; The tombstone is unreadable, per sexton records.² His estate was probated in 1960 at Akron, Summit Co., OH. Elva Bittner was the executrix of William's estate.¹⁰

     Cyrus Bittner was born circa 1874 at PA.² He worked at the Diamond Match Company between 1890 and 1891.³ He married Effie Cameron on 15 October 1896 at Summit Co., OH.⁴ Cyrus Bittner worked at the rubber works between 1898 and 1901.³ He died before 1902.⁵

     Phares C. Bittner was born on 9 August 1875 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4 He worked at the Diamond Match Company between 1889 and 1890.⁵ He worked at the Star Drill Company in 1900.⁵ He was a teamster⁶ between 1901 and 1902.⁵ He worked at the Klages Company in 1903.⁵ He married Mamie Inez Whitcraft, daughter of Joseph Whitcraft and Adeline Miller, on 3 January 1903 at Summit Co., OH.^2,3,4 Phares C. Bittner was a driver between 1906 and 1907.⁵ He was a bartender in 1909.⁵ He was a saloon keeper between 1909 and 1918.⁵ He was a janitor in a public school in 1930. He witnessed the probate of the estate of Mamie Inez Whitcraft in 1944 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.⁷ Phares C. Bittner died on 30 July 1962 at Green Cross Hospital, Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., OH, at age 86.^3,8,9 He was buried in 1962 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.³ His estate was probated in 1962 at Akron, Summit Co., OH. Milo John Zimmerman was the executor of Phares's estate.⁹

     George Royal Bittner was born on 8 June 1877 at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA.^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8} He worked at the Akron Hardware Company in 1896.⁹ He worked at the rubber works in 1897.⁹ He worked for G. J. Renner in 1898.⁹ He married Myrtle Zelnar, daughter of George Zelnar and Mary Moulton, on 7 April 1898 at Summit Co., OH.¹⁰ George Royal Bittner worked at Brenner's Brewery in 1899.⁹ He worked at B. F. Goodrich in 1901.⁹ He married Elizabeth Lemke, daughter of William Lemke and (?) Schuller, circa 1902.^6,11 George Royal Bittner and Myrtle Zelnar were divorced on 10 June 1904 at Portage Co., OH.¹² George Royal Bittner was a teamster¹³ in 1907.⁹ He worked at the D. Rubber Company between 1909 and 1912.⁹ He was a tire maker in the rubber plant in 1910. He worked at the Goodrich Company in 1914.⁹ He worked at the Mohawk Rubber Company between 1914 and 1920.^7,9 He was an inspector for the rubber works in 1920. He was a construction truck driver in 1930. He was a dispatcher in 1939.⁵ He married Martha Carpenter, daughter of Jackson Carpenter and Margaret Burkey, on 18 March 1940 at Uniontown, Stark Co., OH.⁵ George Royal Bittner died on 4 April 1952 at Akron City Hospital, Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 74.^2,3 He was buried on 7 April 1952 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.^2,3

     Lillian Sadie Bittner was born on 26 December 1879 at Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,4,5 She was a stenographer for C.H. & S.E. Jones in 1901.^6,2 She married Charles Britton Pike, son of William I. Pike and Electa A. Thorndyke, on 22 July 1901 at Summit Co., OH.² Lillian Sadie Bittner died on 21 February 1945 at Brimfield Twp., Portage Co., OH, at age 65.^3,4 She was buried on 24 February 1945 at Restland Cemetery, Brimfield, Portage Co., OH.^3,4

     Mason Charles Bittner was also known as Mason Sylvester. He was born on 11 April 1884 at East Liberty, Summit Co., OH.^3,4,5,6,7,8 He was a motorman⁹ between 1906 and 1916.^10,3 He married Florence Maud Stouffer, daughter of Frank W. Stouffer and Caroline Zinn, on 1 December 1913 at Summit Co., OH.³ Mason Charles Bittner was a motorman for the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company between 1918 and 1920.^7,10 He was an inspector for traction company in 1920. He was a train man for traction company in 1930. He worked at the Akron Transportation Company between 1935 and 1942.^8,10 He left a will at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹¹ He died on 3 June 1953 at Resthaven Rest Home, Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 69.^12,5 His estate was probated in 1953 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.¹³ He was buried on 5 June 1953 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Bellaire, Belmont Co., OH.⁵

     Walter Ray Bittner was born on 18 December 1886 at East Liberty, Summit Co., OH; The WWI draft registration recorded his birthdate as 1885.^2,3,4,5,6 He married Jennie Jo Ann Collier circa 1910.⁶ Walter Ray Bittner was an excavating teamster⁷ in 1911.⁵ He was a teamster⁷ in 1912.⁸ He was a grocer in 1913.⁸ He was a well driller between 1918 and 1935.^6,8,3 He worked at the Works Progress Administration in 1940.⁸ He died on 10 February 1962 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 75.^9,10 His estate was probated in 1966 at Akron, Summit Co., OH. Bessie Irene Bittner was the executrix of Walter's estate.¹⁰

     Laura May Bittner was born on 1 July 1896 at Merriman Road, Portage Twp., Summit Co., OH.^2,3,4,5,6 She was an assistant to Drs. McMaster in 1912.⁷ She was a clerk with F. Selzer in 1913.⁷ She was an assistant with Dr. W. S. Chase in 1914.⁷ She was a phone operator with O. S. Telephone Company between 1915 and 1916.⁷ She was a phone operator with Akron R. M. & M. Company between 1917 and 1920.⁷ She married Milo John Zimmerman, son of Lewis Zimmerman and Elisabeth Andrews, on 2 November 1922 at Zanesville, Muskingum Co., OH.⁸ Laura May Zimmerman was the executrix of Mary Amanda Gemberling's estate in 1929 at Akron, Summit Co., OH.⁹ Laura May Bittner died on 3 January 1986 at Akron, Summit Co., OH, at age 89.^2,3 She was buried in January 1986 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Montrose, Summit Co., OH.¹⁰

     Adam Bitner was born on 17 September 1850 at Penn Twp., Berks Co., PA; His birth date as calculated from his funeral card would be 7 Sep.^2,3,4 He was baptized on 20 October 1850 at Frieden's Lutheran Church, Bernville, Berks Co., PA.⁴ He married Rebecca Sholly, daughter of John S. Sholly and Catharine Stahl, on 31 March 1872 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^5,6,7 Adam Bitner was a farmer between 1900 and 1920. He was baptized on 10 November 1901 at Zion Lutheran Church, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.^8,2 He died on 1 June 1936 at the home of Filmore Bittner, Route 3, Murphysboro, Jackson Co., IL, at age 85.^2,9 He was buried on 4 June 1936 at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.^2,9

     Rebecca Sholly was born on 27 June 1851 at PA.^2,3 She married Adam Bitner, son of John Bitner and Anna Martha Kilmer, on 31 March 1872 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.^4,5,6 Rebecca Sholly was admitted to the membership on 10 November 1901 at Zion Lutheran Church, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.⁷ She died on 29 September 1917 at Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL, at age 66; She died from Bright's disease.² She was buried in October 1917 at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.²
     Adam Bitner was the only child of his family to be born in the United States. Although he was born in 1850, he was not recorded in the census of that year, since his birthday occurred after the official census date of 1 June. He was living with his parents in Berks County in 1860 and in Snyder County in 1870. (Although his name was recorded as Edwin in 1870, it is obvious that the census taker misheard the name. The age is consistent with Adam's and there is no indication that John and Anna Bitner had any other children.)
     By the time of the 1880 census, Adam had married and was living in the southern end of Chapman Township, Snyder County, near the village of McKees Half Falls and the border with Juniata County. An 1891 landowner map shows families who were enumerated near Adam in the 1880 census. I found no record that he owned land in Snyder County, so he probably rented a farm.
     It is unclear exactly when Adam left Snyder County, but it was probably in the early 1880s. According to the 1900 and 1910 census, his son Stewart was born in Pennsylvania in January 1882. The 1920 and 1930 censuses give his birthplace as Illinois, but those are more likely to be incorrect. He registered for the draft in World War I in 1918, but unfortunately the form did not ask where the person was born. So perhaps they left Snyder County some time after the birth of Stewart. Note that Adam's brother Casper left for Akron, Ohio about the same time. Perhaps one brother chose to stop in Ohio and the other continued on to Illinois. Isaac Bitner's funeral card states that he was born in Ohio. Although that is probably not the case, it might be an indication that the family stopped there for a while on their way to Illinois.
     Adam and his family first settled near the town of New Athens in Saint Clair County, Illinois. Their youngest child, Filmore, was born there in 1888. Their oldest child, Minnie, married there in 1890, had a child several months later, and died. Adam and Rebecca raised her daughter, Ida Mae. Her husband, Frederick Albert, later remarried and remained in the new Athens area for the rest of his life.
     About 1890 Adam relocated his family to Somerset Township, Jackson County, in the southwestern part of Illinois. He farmed there for the remainder of his life. His son Filmore continued on the farm after Adam died.
     Adam and Rebecca became members of Zion Lutheran Church of Somerset Towhship in 1901. Isaac was baptized there earlier, just before he died. From the way the records were transcribed, it appears as if Adam was baptized, but the rest of the family was admitted to membership. I did not find any church records for the children born in Pennsylvania.
     We have several photographs of Adam Bitner's family. There is only one that shows his wife Rebecca, who was heavy and suffered from Bright's disease. One includes Adam with his brother Casper. Another includes a nephew, Harvey Bitner, son of George. In fact, Adam's family was the source for the only photographs we have of John and Anna Bitner, as well as their son George. See the photos in the chapter entitled Visiting Bitners on page XXX.

     Minnie Bitner was born circa 1873 at PA.^2,3 In her marriage record Minnie Bitner was identified as Mina Buettner. She married Frederick Albert on 28 January 1890 at St. Clair Co., IL.⁴ Minnie Bitner was buried at St. Clair Co., IL.² She died after June 1890 at St. Clair Co., IL.²

     Sarah Bitner also went by the name of Sally. She was born on 10 April 1874 at PA.^2,3 She married John Lafayette Roberts, son of Alex Roberts and Sarah J. Durham, on 15 March 1894 at Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.² Sarah Bitner was baptized on 14 November 1903 at Zion Lutheran Church, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.⁴ She died on 11 December 1942 at Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL, at age 68.² She was buried in December 1972 at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.²

     Isaac Bitner was born on 28 June 1876 at PA; Note his funeral card states he was born in Ohio, but in the 1880 census says he was born in Pennsylvania, which is more in line with the birth of the other children.^2,3 He was baptized on 27 February 1898 at Zion Lutheran Church, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.^4,5 He died on 14 May 1898 at the home of Adam Bitner, Murphysboro, Jackson Co., IL, at age 21.^5,2 He was buried on 29 June 1898 at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Somerset Twp., Jackson Co., IL.^5,2

     John Peter Gemberling was born on 26 December 1815 at PA.^2,3,4 He married Catharine Schlegel.^2,3,4 John Peter Gemberling was a farmer between 1860 and 1870. He died on 30 December 1872 at age 57.^3,4 He was buried in January 1873 at Union Cemetery, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA.^3,4 His estate was probated on 18 April 1876 at Snyder Co., PA. Catharine Gemberling were the executors of John's estate.⁵

     Catharine Schlegel was born on 5 February 1819 at PA.² She married John Peter Gemberling.^2,3,4 Catharine Gemberling was an executrix of John Peter Gemberling's estate on 18 April 1876 at Snyder Co., PA.⁵ Catharine Schlegel left a will on 14 February 1879 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.⁶ She died on 3 July 1884 at Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA, at age 65.^7,3,4 She was buried on 6 July 1884 at Union Cemetery, Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., PA.^3,4 Her estate was probated on 1 August 1884 at Middleburg, Snyder Co., PA. Martha Jane Bitner was the executrix of Catharine's estate.⁶
     Peter's estate papers contain an inventory of his personal possessions as well as the list of the items sold at public sale. Several family and associates who purchased items are named. Those people include George, Casper, Christian, and Adam Bitner, his son Alfred Gemberling, and son-in-law Gabriel Wise. William Pfeil, a fellow immigrant of the Bitner family from Reichensachsen, was also on the list. Peter's real estate was also sold, although his wife Catharine maintained possession of the property. Peter's son Alfred renounced his right to administer the estate.
     In Catharine's will she left $800 each to her three daughters Mary Amanda, Martha Jane, and Josephine, plus an extra $300 for Josephine. Her real estate was to be sold to pay her debts. Although her farm was sold to Sophia Haas, Martha Jane Bitner bought it back soon thereafter. Alfred Gemberling, her only son, renounced his right to administer her estate. Both named executors, Casper Bitner and David Neitz, also renounced their role. I suspect this is because they had already moved to Ohio by that time. Christian Bitner had to explicitly give his approval for his wife Martha Jane to serve as administrator.
     Catharine's estate papers contain an inventory of her personal possessions and a list of items sold at public sale. The names of her son Alfred and son-in-law David Neitz appear on the list.

     Angeal Woodside was born on 31 May 1892 at PA; Woodside family notes; census; Zion Lutheran Church records.² She was baptized on 15 August 1892 at Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA; Zion Lutheran Church records, DCHS. She died on 5 March 1943 at Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA, at age 50; Woodside family notes; tombstone.² She was buried on 9 March 1943 at Lykens Cemetery, Lykens, Dauphin Co., PA; Lykens cemetery.²

     Terry Carl Bittner was born on 13 January 1939.^1,2 He was a research and development contracting officer with the U. S. Government. He served in the U. S. Navy. He retired from the U. S. Postal Service as a city letter carrier. He died on 14 March 2017 at West BuffaloTwp., Union Co., PA, at age 78.² He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Freeburg, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Nancy Jane Bittner was a nurse supervisor.¹ She was born on 5 July 1932 at Hummels Wharf, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3,1,4,5 She died on 26 July 1996 at Montpelier, Washington Co., VT, at age 64.^1,4,5 She was buried on 30 July 1996 at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Randolph Center, Orange Co., VT.¹

     Carson Walter Bitner was born on 28 August 1920.¹ He died on 9 September 1920.¹

     Marie F. Brubaker was born on 11 September 1898.^2,3 She died on 30 August 1901 at age 2.^2,3 She was buried in September 1901 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.²

     Ray R. Brubaker was born on 29 January 1900.^2,3 He died on 3 December 1902 at age 2.^2,3 He was buried in December 1902 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.²

     Warren Adam Brubaker was born on 25 September 1902.^2,3 He died on 5 May 1916 at age 13.^2,3 He was buried in May 1916 at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.²

     Harry F. Brubaker was born on 16 February 1905.^2,3 He was a spinner⁴ in woolen mill in 1920. He was a farm laborer in 1930. He died on 22 September 1973 at age 68.^2,3

     Marguerite Irene Brubaker was born on 30 September 1907.^2,3 She married Ray Johnson Anderson on 15 November 1924.³ Marguerite Irene Brubaker died on 15 October 1991 at age 84.²

     Gary Foster Brubaker also went by the name of Guy. He was born on 18 November 1910.^2,3 He was a farm laborer in 1930. He married Maudie Elizabeth Aucker, daughter of Emanuel Brubaker Aucker and Fannie Florence Brown, on 3 March 1932.³ Gary Foster Brubaker died on 11 October 1965 at age 54.^2,3 He was buried at Witmer's (East) United Methodist Cemetery, Union Twp., Snyder Co., PA.

     Helena Martha Brubaker was born on 21 July 1915 at Port Trevorton, Snyder Co., PA.^2,3 She married Norman T. Noll before 1942.³ Helena Martha Brubaker died on 17 March 1995 at Watsontown, Northumberland Co., PA, at age 79.³ She was buried on 22 March 1995 at Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Union Co., PA.³

     Stewart E. Brubaker was born on 7 October 1918.^2,3,4 He married E. Marie M. (?)² Stewart E. Brubaker died on 18 April 1981 at age 62.^2,4 He was buried in April 1981 at Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam, Snyder Co., PA.²

     Elva E. Brubaker died on 17 October 1922.¹ She was born on 17 October 1922.¹

     Goldy Arlene Brubaker was born on 3 April 1926.¹ She died in July 1926.¹

     Ray Johnson Anderson was born on 26 August 1901.^2,3 He married Marguerite Irene Brubaker, daughter of Jacob Howard Brubaker and Jennie Eve Bitner, on 15 November 1924.³ Ray Johnson Anderson died on 17 January 1997 at Lewisburg, Union Co., PA, at age 95.²