Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Stoler, David M.
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


DAVID M. STOLER, a former Representative to the State 
legislature from Bedford County, is junior member of the 
enterprising mercantile firm of S. B. & D. M. Stoler, of 
Saxton, Pa.  He was born September 18, 1839, in Liberty 
township, Bedford county, which was also the place of birth 
and the lifelong residence of his father, Daniel Stoler, and 
of his grandfather, David Stoler.
  The Stoler family is one of the oldest and most respected 
of Liberty township, the emigrant ancestor having been 
Martin Stoler, who came from Switzerland to America in 1770. 
 He at once located on a tract of unbroken land in Liberty, 
Pa., and by heroic labor transformed it from its primitive 
wildness into a valuable farm, capable of yielding support 
for himself and family.  He was a fine type of the early 
pioneers who held their ground against the Indians and 
withstood the ravages of the beasts of the forest.
  Daniel Stoler, who was born in Liberty, Pa., eighty-nine 
years ago, is one of the oldest inhabitants of the township, 
and is held in high esteem as a citizen of sterling worth.  
He has been influential in local affairs, and formerly 
served his fellow-townsmen in various official capacities.  
He married Maria McDonald, a native of Liberty township.  
Children were born to them as follows: David M., Mattie A. 
Entrekin, Samuel B., Annie L. Enyeart, Jacob C., Matilda K., 
Lydia S., Livingston, Mary E. Enyeart, Sally C., and George 
W. (deceased).
  David M. Stoler received his elementary education in the 
common schools of his native town, after which, being more 
favored than most boys of his time, he attended a seminary 
at Rainsburg and a collegiate institute at Martinsburg, Pa.  
Being then well qualified to take his place at the teacher's 
desk, he subsequently taught school with good success for 
several terms.  During the Civil War he served in the 
Quartermaster's Department at the cavalry depot in 
Washington, D.C., for a year and a half, being then 
transferred to Syracuse, N.Y., where for several months he 
was in the purchasing department of cavalry horses.  From 
there he was again sent to Washington, and he was connected 
with the Quartermaster's Department until the close of the 
war.  Mr. Stoler subsequently spent a short time in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, in the oil business; but not being 
pleased with the result of his investment, he returned to 
Pennsylvania, and in 1867 established himself in the 
mercantile business as a partner of Isaac K. Little, under 
the firm name of Little & Stoler.  A few years later, Mr. 
Stoler retired from the firm, and going West spent a short 
time in Colorado.  The present firm of S. B. & D. M. Stoler 
was formed in 1875, and has since carried on an extensive 
and profitable business in general merchandise at Saxton. 
  Mr. Stoler has been very active and influential in town 
and county affairs, having rendered efficient service as 
Burgess of Saxton and as a Director of the Saxton borough 
School Board.  He has also been Postmaster, and in the fall 
of 1880 he was elected to represent Bedford County in the 
Pennsylvania legislature for a term of two years.  
Politically, he earnestly advocates the principles 
promulgated by the Democratic party.  Fraternally, he is a 
member of the Saxton Lodge, I.O.O.F.  A man of true 
Christian principles, he belongs to the Reformed church, 
toward the support of which he contributes liberally and in 
which he is an Elder.
  Mr. Stoler married, May 28, 1868, Margaret Snider, who was 
born and reared in Bedford County, a daughter of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Steele) Snider.  Mr. and Mrs. Stoler have two 
children - M. Gertrude and Rufus R.


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