Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Imler, Jonas C.
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


JONAS C. IMLER, one of the leading citizens of King 
township, Pa., is well known throughout Bedford County as 
chairman of its Board of Commissioners.  Born in this 
township, October 13, 1844, he is a son of the late Joseph 
Imler and the descendant of one of the original settlers of 
this part of the State - namely, George Imler, who came to 
Bedford County from Adams County, Pennsylvania, when this 
region was in its primitive wildness.
  Clearing a space in the forest, the pioneer erected a log 
cabin, and on the homestead that he improved reared his 
family, which included a son Peter, who became the 
grandfather of Jonas C. Imler.  Peter Imler was a lifelong 
resident of Bedford County, and performed his full share of 
the pioneer labor required to develop the town.
  Joseph Imler, son of Peter, was born and lived and died in 
King township, where he for many years occupied a place of 
prominence.  Energetic and ambitious, he labored unceasingly 
during his active years in his efforts to improve a farm, 
meeting with such success that he was enabled to spend the 
later years of his life in pleasant leisure.  Born in 1803 
and living to be about ninety-four years of age, he noted 
with gratification, one after another, the wonderful 
discoveries and invention of the nineteenth century.  In 
January, 1897, he passed to the life immortal.  Of the 
children born of his union with Rachel Croyle, who also was 
a lifelong resident of King township, five are now living, 
as follows: Peter, of King; Elizabeth, wife of A. H. Ickes, 
of Barry County, Michigan; Jacob, of King; Adam H., of 
Sandusky County, Ohio; and Jonas C., the subject of this 
sketch.  Both parents were members of the Reformed church, 
which the father served for years as Deacon, Elder and 
trustee.  He was originally a Whig in politics, and he 
became one of the most loyal adherents of the Republican 
party when it was organized.
  Jonas C. Imler was bred and educated in King township, 
where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, with the 
exception of the time he was in the army, ever since he was 
old enough to work.  While the Civil War was in progress he 
enlisted, in August, 1864, in Company C, Two Hundred and 
Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which subsequently 
formed a part of the Army of the Potomac.  With his brave 
comrades he took part in the two battles of Hatcher's Run, 
the engagement at Fort Steadman, and the siege of 
Petersburg, and was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. 
After receiving his discharge on June 7, 1865, he returned 
home, and at once resumed his former occupation as a farmer. 
 He manages his two-hundred-and- fifty-acre farm with 
admirable judgment and skill, and by his persevering energy 
has made it one of the most valuable pieces of property in 
this vicinity.
  Mr. Imler has ever taken much interest in public matters, 
and has given much time to the discharge of the duties of 
the various offices which he has been called upon to fill.  
In King township he has served as Assessor, Auditor, and 
School Director, and has held other positions of minor 
importance.  In November, 1895, he was appointed County 
Commissioner of Bedford County; and in November, 1896, he 
was elected to the same office for a term of three years.  
In January, 1897, he was made chairman of the board, a 
position for which he is eminently qualified.  Politically, 
he is a stanch Republican; and fraternally, he belongs to E. 
S. Wright Post, No. 333, G.A.R., of Pleasantville, Pa., in 
which he has held all the offices, including that of 
Commander of the post.  A prominent member of the Reformed 
church at Imler in King township, he has served as Deacon 
and is now an Elder.  He is also secretary and treasurer of 
the joint consistory of the St. Clairsville charge, and for 
nearly a quarter of a century has been superintendent of the 
Sunday-school.  The Imler family have long been active in 
the industrial and political circles of King township, and 
both Imler Valley and Imler postoffice were named in honor 
of one of the ancestors of Jonas C. Imler.
  On January 20, 1867, Mr. Imler married Elizabeth, daughter 
of James Smith, of East St. Clair, Bedford County.  Of their 
union five children have been born, namely: Lincoln S., 
Postmaster at Imler; Jennie, wife of Lloyd Fickes, of Kimmel 
township; Edwin S., of King township; Joseph W., also of 
King township; and Minnie, deceased.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa