Family History: The Sitler Family Fortune (part 2) Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Devlin. JaneDevlin@netquest.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ________________________________________________________________________________ Second Day – Morning Session Lockport, N. Y., August 22nd, 1901 The meeting was called to order by the President, Rev. Dr. J. R. Dimm. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. George. The minutes of the previous session were read and approved. The meeting was now inspiringly addressed by the President. Dr. George W. Weaver, of Lockport, N. Y., addressed the meeting, suggesting that two men be sent to Germany to investigate the alleged Sitler estate. Addresses were now delivered by Dr. George, Rev. Stark, Mrs. Mary Cross, Mr. James Fry, Mr. Jeremiah Dunkelberg, Mr. Meily, George Pl. Shane, Mr. E. F. Straw and Mr. M. Steinhilber. The president put the question: "Shall two men be sent to Germany?" It was unanimously decided to send but one man. An address was then delivered by Mr. W. J. Sitler, President of the Mathias Sitler German Society. Rev. Dr. J. V. George, of Reading, Pa., was then nominated to be recommended to the sister society for approval to go to Germany and make the desired investigation. His election was unanimous. It was unanimously decided to secure a Charter for the society. It was suggested that every member be asked the sum of five dollars or more to assist in defraying the expenses of the ambassador to Germany. Mr. S. S. Pomeroy, the Corresponding Secretary, was instructed to ask the members for such aid. On motion, the society adjourned to meet at 2 P. M. Second Day – Afternoon Session The society met and was led in Prayer by the Rev. Dr. J. R. Dimm. The minutes of the morning session were read and adopted. On motion, a vote of thanks was given to the friends of Lockport, for their kind hospitality. On motion, it was unanimously decided that the next meeting be held on the second Tuesday of August, 1902, at Meadville, Pa. On motion, it was decided that the expenses to Lockport of the President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Jacob S. Kiser and H. D. Sitler, members of the Executive Committee, be paid. The young friends of Lockport entertained the society with excellent music. The ladies' of Lockport set before the society a fine banquet. Dr. George asked the blessing. Mr. S. S. Pomeroy was chosen as toast master. Toasts were delivered by Mr. E. F. Straw, Mr. Jacob Kiser, Rev. H. R. Stark, Mr. George W. Shane and Mr. W. J. Sitler. After singing and prayer, the society adjourned. (signed) J. V. GEORGE, Secretary. REPORT OF Prof. J. R. DIMM, D. D. ON THE TRIP TO INVESTIGATE EARLY SITLER HISTORY Made at the request of Heirs of Dietrich Sitler Having been urgently requested, we consented to make a trop of some weeks, in search of the earliest facts in the history of the various branches of the Sitler family in Pennsylvania. In doing so we deemed it our duty to those who bore the expense, to so plan the trip as to make it most profitable and satisfactory to all concerned. These facts lay scattered over the counties of York, Lancaster, Berks and Lehigh, and demanded to be taken up in their logical order, and according to the importance of their sequence. 1. WHENCE THEN AROSE THE SITLER FAMILY? Jacob Sitler of Hittenthall P. O., Schartznau, Westphalen, Germany has found the name of Mathias Sitler in the church record of the Ellsoff church as being born in 1651. The record when translated reads as follows: "Baptized Mathias Sidler, son of Frederick Sidler and his wife Elizabeth, born June 4th, 1651: Sponsors – Hans Ludwich Theis of Hoffe, and Anna Elizabeht wife of John Casper Miller." This child was in position to become the Baron Von Sidler, who is the reputed German ancestor of the Sitler family in America. He was baptized, raised, educated and continued a devoted Roman Catholic till his death. 2) THE CAUSE OF MIGRATION TO AMERICA Two of his sons changed their faith, left the Roman Catholic church and became Lutherans. It appears that this act of his children so incensed the father as to alienate them for life and was probably the cause of the emigration of the two, out of three sons of Mathias Sidler, and their coming to America. The older of these two sons, according to the law of primogeniture then extant in the fatherland, was called Mathias, after his father – the Baron; the younger was named Dietrich – and ancient and classic sound in the German Language. By some it is claimed that a third son, Abraham by name, arrived in this country. At this stage of our progress we have not enough information either to affirm or deny; and we may take up and sift the evidence on both sides of this question at an after-stage of advancement. 3) THE ARRIVAL IN AMERICA According to the untied testimony of the third generation of their descendants, the Sitlers arrived in America in 1736. This was in the midst of the Colonial period, fifty-four years after William Penn had founded Philadelphia. It was before the organization of the counties in the State of Pennsylvania and forty years before the declaration of Independence. The settled on lands now comprised in the counties of Lancaster and Berks and with others from the fatherland largely determined the characteristics of the population there, even up to the present time. Dietrich Sitler remained a citizen of Berks county, raised there his family of six children and was buried at Moselem church, Richmond township, where his body now rests. Mathias Sitler settled in Lancaster county, owned a house in the city of Lancaster in 1764, then moved west into York county, where he owned large landed property, and finally moved to Baltimore, Md. Here he purchased land, let it out on ground rents in parts, for 99 years; helped to develop the city and left a large estate unsettled when he died in 1787. Some of his family moed back to York county, where descendants now reside and others went into Southern states. 4) PRESENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THEIR EARLY HISTORY IN AMERICA The sources of information are six in number. 1st. The Colonial Records. These are found only in the State libraries. Also in the Archives of Penna, 3rd series now published. It is since found by record that Detrich arrived in 1744. No record of the arrival of Mathias has been found. 2nd. County records; these are found at the County seats as far back as the date of the organization and in the case of the Sitlers do not reach back to the time of their coming to America. 3rd. The records of the churches. These, if extant and full, are most valuable, because reliable. But unfortunately for us these were so imperfectly filled up, the chirography so defective, the ink so pale and the books themselves so often neglected and lost or destroyed, that we find this source of information only fragmentary. Besides, these bear no witness at all as to those who neglected the Christian religion. 4th. Tomb-stone inscriptions. We must visit the grave yards and cemeteries. Here too we find many deficiencies. Many were buried in the woods where they never can be found even in their conventional burying grounds, the earliest graves are without tomb-stones and many that have stones have no inscriptions, for want of engravers. This induced the more wealthy to bring the stones engraved from foreign countries But most of all, a majority of the inscriptions have been so effaced by time as to be entirely illegible. 5th. Old Family Bibles. It would seem that this most sacred relic of past generation should be most carefully treasured by posterity and yet only here and there can a fact be obtained. Few very old family Bibles can be found. 6th. Family Tradition. These are legion; they are very valuable but no so reliable as the old records made by the fathers. We determined to draw upon all these sources for information before we started on our trip. We leaned many things made of parts of truths picked up here and there. Whe have given the most important of what we learned. 5) SEARCH FOR A WILL From the earliest history of the Sitlers in America, a tradition existed among them that large estates were possessed by their ancestor - Mathias Sitler – in Germany and would some day await them as claimants. The report took the shape that Mathias Sitler, highly incensed at the change of faith by his two sons, as before said, had made his will with directions to be opened only at the end of 100 years after his death. As trustee to take charge of his estate during the intervening 100 years, he appointed the King of Prussia, the sovereign of all there was then of Germany. To discover the truth of falsity of this story of the will, we conceived to be the first and most important of objects of our trip through the state. 6) OUR VISIT TO HANOVER In accordance with this logical principle, we went, first, to Hanover, York County, Pa., where resides a lady, who, we had heard, was acquainted with the history of the said will of Baron Von Sitler in Germany. She is a daughter of Abrahm Sitler – grandson of Mathias who died in Baltimore in 1787. She is the fourth generation from the Baron in Germany. She is seventy years old, has a good natural mind, developed by early educational advantages, and entirely unimpaired by age. She is by every element of her personal appearance, development and character, entirely reliable. We spent three hours in close conversation with this lady in which she told us many things besides, but these things in particular: 7) THE HUNDRED YEAR WILL She said, from the earlies childhood (born in 1830) her father spoke in his family of the will of his great grand-father Mathias Sitler of Germany, who had died in 1745 and of large estates that would come to the Sitlers in 1845. He confidently expected this and it was the expectation and subject of conversation among their relatives wherever they went visiting. This was her instruction from childhood up to 1845, when she was fifteen years old. To this testimony we can add the belief of others that such a will existed and their confident action arriving out of this belief. This brings us to notice: 8) THE EFFORT MADE TO FIND OUT WHETHER THESE ESTATES ACTUALLY EXISTED. After 1845 and the failure of the expectation to be realized a certain lawyer was sent to Germany by the Sitlers to inquire into the existence of the estates and the possibility of their attainment by the American claimants. We met, in Berks and Leihigh counties, the sons said that their fathers after 1845 had paid toward the expenses of said attorney, ant that he returned to report the existence there of millions for the Sitlers, but that himself was not equipped with the genealogies and other papers necessary, successfully to lay claim to the millions. In America, the matter then rested till about 1850. 9) NOTICES SENT FROM GERMANY We were informed by Mr. J. S. McLane, of Lancaster, Pa., that in the meantime, in York county there resided two grandsons of Mathias Sitler of Baltimore, and these men received several notices, written from Germany, informing them of the existence of these estates and that they were awaiting American heirs. Not attention was paid to these kindly notices and the matter again slept for the time. We are also informed by various Sitlers that, about 1850, a messenger was sent from the German Government to the Government at Washington, D. C., to inform them officially of the estates awaiting American claimants. Thaddeus Stevens was at that time the representative in congress from the Lancaster, York and Berks district, which contained the Sitlers. The messenger from Germany was referred by the authorities at Washington to Thaddeus Stevens who took him in charge to introduce him to the Sitler heirs in York county. It is related that he arrived at the house of a wealthy grandson of Mathias Sitler, living near the city of York. But their arrival was about nic o'clock at night. Sitler having retired, was asked to get up and see Thaddeus Stevens them member of Congress and a messenger from Germany. He refused to appear. They were then by request lead up to his room. They announced the substance of their message, and, when done, he told them to go, collect the estates, take out their pay, and give him his share. Thus repulsed, Thaddeus Stevens made one more effort by offering to collect the whole estate and bring it to America for twenty-five percent. Of this fact there is no doubt. But the grandsons of Mathias Sitler said the percentage was too much; Thaddeus Stevens passed away and thus the matter rested until now. 10) THE RENEWAL OF THE SITLER INTEREST In 1897 there appeared in a New York newspaper, a notice, purporting to come from the American consul at Berlin, and reading as follows: "Wanted. Heirs to inherit a vast estate left in Germany by Mathias Sitler, Sr." This brought the live Sitlers and their wide-awake descendants to their feet and resulted in the whole present movement to present claims. 11) THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY From Hanover we went to York to meet the President of the "Sitler German Society". This Society we understood, was organized in 1897 among the descendants of Mathias Sitler only – none of Detrich's branch of the family being in the organization. Our object was to obtain answers, if possible, to two questions very important to the movement: 1st. What are the objects of the Sitler German Society, to represent the interests of the heirs of Mathias Sitler alone; or those of all the American heirs of Baron Von Sitler in German? The President took us to a room by ourselves and treated us courteously. We spent near two hours in conversion. The answer to the above question as received from him and afterwards from the Secretary of the Society at Lancaster, was – that the object of the Sitler German Society was primarily to assert and enforce the claims of the heirs of Mathias Sitler of Baltimore to the unsettled estate and the interests in certain grounds whose leases had expired in Baltimore, to which the heirs of Dietrich Sitler could lay no claim; and that accomplished, to use the proceeds to prosecute their claims to the estates of Baron Von Sitler, which are awaiting the American Sitler heirs in Germany. 2nd. Our second question – Whether the Sitler German Society was confined in its membership to the descendants of Mathias Sitler only – or, was open for the admission to membership of all branches of the family of Baron Von Sitler in America? To this the reply from the President, and afterwards from the Secretary at Lancaster, was that there was no constitution nor any charter of the Sitler German Society; and hence the way was open for reorganization with constitution and charter and the full participation of all branches of Baron Von Sitler's family in America; with this proviso however, that the heirs of Dietrich Sitler should lay no claim to any proceeds from the estates of Mathias Sitler of Baltimore; and if they contributed anything to the prosecution of the Baltimore claims of the heirs of Mathias Sitler, they (the heirs of Dietrich Sitler) should receive their money back on realization with interest from the date of contribution. This is certainly fair and honorable to and from all parties concerned. 12) INTERVIEW WITH MR. J. S. MCLANE, SECRETARY OF THE SITLER GERMAN SOCIETY. From York we went to Lancaster to meet the Secretary who is the most important center of intelligence on the subject under consideration. We found him very affable and intelligent. With him we spent 36 hours of constant discussion of questions of vital importance in regard to the matter in hand. Of these questions there were twelve which we here present for consideration: 1st. Do the estates of Mathias Sitler of Germany amounting to $60,000,000 to $75,000,000 really exist in the care of the German government? In the discussion of this we went over every particular of evidence that is contained in the beginning of this report to which we refer the reader. Our conclusions were: a) Our evidence is all traditional and neither documentary nor official. b) We mush have a copy of the will of that Mathias Sitler, Sr., i.e. Baron Von Sitler. c) We must have a copy of the records of baptisms from the church in Germany, by which to prove who are the heirs of Mathias Sitler of Germany. 2nd. If the said estates did exist, are they still subject to the claims of the Sitler heirs in America; or have they, as reported, been escheated to the French or German State long ago? a) To this we had no reliable answer, but agreed that the answer could and must be had from the records in Germany before we could successfully present our claims. b) Arrangement were made by Sec'y McLane to have the records examined on the subject. 3rd. How many sons of Baron Von Sitler came to America and what were their names? a) On this question it was agreed that two sons came to America and their names were Mathias and Dietrich. b) Some hold that there was an Abraham who was one of the immediate sons of Baron Von Sitler; but on this we could not agree till further information. 4th. What account of each of these sons has the Sitler German Society in its possession? To our great surprise this information in reliable form in our possession was very meager. What we have of it is recorded on page 1 of this report. 5th. What records of German origin in regard to the family have been obtained. These were left blank for the answer from Mr. J. S. McLane who was expecting the same from Germany every day. No reply from Mr. McLane has arrived up to this writing. 6th. Whom is it proposed that the Sitler agent about to go to Germany shall represent – the descendants of Mathias alone, or all the American Sitler heirs? a) It was agreed that anyone going should represent all the American heirs of Baron Von Sitler, and that all branches of the family should contribute to his expenses. 7th. If rightful claims to existing millions be found extant, what plans are proposed to carry on the prosecution of these claims? It was agreed --- a) To fill out the Sitler family trees in this country. b) To copy the baptismal records in the fatherland and compare, to see if they correspond in names, dates and numbers of son. c) These records are now being collected. 8th. What agencies in Germany are employed to represent the Sitler heirs before the German authorities? a) It is recognized that American legal talent is not legal in Germany. b) It was agreed that the best German legal talent must be employed to push our claims before the agents of that state. 9th How overcome the reluctance of the German government to transfer of these millions to America? a) That there will be resistance is to be expected. b) If resisted successfully, after trial of German fairness and honesty, the Sitler heirs must ask the Sec'y of State of the U. S. to appoint a commission to examine the justice and legality of the claims. c) Wise and able representative of the Sitlers must appear before the commission thus appointed, with their genealogies, family trees and other evidence of heirship clearly proven. d) This commission must then report to the Sec'y of State their decision on the justice or injustice of our claims. e) If this decision be in our favor, then it becomes the duty of the Secretary of State of the U.S. to the thousands of Sitler citizens and the U.S. itself to make their claims a matter of international diplomacy. f) That will make the U.S. the agent to collect from the German government the Sitler millions. In no other way can we approach the German State on an equality and with sufficient power to command payment. Nor need we doubt that the machinery of the U.S. government will be put in motion, even on its own account, to collect our dues as soon as it is made plain to the proper authorities that the claims are just. For at this present writing the powers of State are being exerted to collect a claim for damages of $90,000 due from the Turkish government for properties of missionaries destroyed among the Armenians. How much more readily would those same powers be employed to bring to the U.S. the Sitler three score millions. 10th. Should not the Sitler German Society contain some equal representation from all branches of the Sitler family in America. On this question a decided affirmative agreement existed without discussion between the Sec'y and ourself. 11th. Should not there be a meeting of such delegates, at as early a date as convenient, to adopt a constitution, obtain a charter and formulate plans of co- operation in the prosecution of our claims? To this proposition there was immediate agreement; and it was decided to call such a meeting in Harrisburg, Pa., on the 13rd of Oct. 1900 to which all interested should be invited by card in due time. 12th. Where are the estates of Baron Von Sitler located and what consul represents the American interes there? It was understood that the wealth is mostly employed in banking institutions in the province of Alsace, the chief cities of which are Strasburg and Frankford on the Main. This is a brief outline of the discussion of these twelve questions in going to the bottom of which we spent nearly two days at the house of Mr. J. S. McLane, in Lancaster. It was our desire to set before all who may read this report a clear statement of the case we have in hand, because the Sitler German Society must be regarded as the center-post in this formulation of all plans to collect the millions. 13th From Lancaster we went to Philadelphia to visit a certain Lawyer, who was engaged to start up a sporadic effort at investigation and collection, and to invite the parties to unite with the Sitler German Society in the general movement for that purpose. After explanation on our part they gracefully fell in with our views and will not doubt contribute to our strength when the Society is in action. 14th From there we went to Reading the county seat of Berks co. Here we spent three days in the work of investigation, in which the officers of the court rendered us all necessary assistance. We have found and copied a deed conveying a large lot of ground in the town of Hamburg to Christopher Dim, our own paternal ancestor, date Aug. 20th, 1784. Our main object was to find the history of Dietrich Sitler, for which we examined the records of wills as well as lands. We went through the Commissioner's records of taxables – went with the clerk to the fourth story, with the heat at 100 degrees in the shade and examined the township assessors' books of the township in which Dietrich attended church. We fond none of those records dating back of 1800. We spent one-half day in the City Library, examining Montgomery's History of Berks Co. Read over the names of the taxables at the organization of the townships, but found no Dimm or Sitler of a date anterior to the 19th century. We called on and had an interview with Mr. Montgomery himself – the author of the history – and asked him whether his searches for historical facts he had met with the name of Dietrich Sitler. He replied that he had not. 2) OUR VISIT AT HAMBURG Heat 100 degrees in the shade. This was the home of Christopher Dimm and his with Margaretha Sitler. We first walked along one side of the lot of ground, once owned by our paternal ancestor and then went to the oldest cemetery in the borough. This was that of the Lutheran church – burned a few years since with all its records and now finely rebuilt. It was first dedicated in 1790, but the grave-yard is older. We wandered through the oldest part. We found perhaps 100 graves marked by no tombstones with inscriptions, but with some rude stones from the fields and very many with nothing at the head or foot to indicate the location of the body. From here we drove to St. Paul's, two miles out in the country. This church was dedicated in 1756 and is the most likely the place where Christopher Dimm was baptized and confirmed. Here again the oldest graves were without any tombstones with inscriptions. We could find no records in the church older than 1833. We drove a mile further to the Secretary to learn that there were two older books of records, but locked up in the house of the pastor and he off on a trip to Europe. No traces of Dimms or Sitlers were found; but we will have those two older records searched on the return of the pastor in September. 14 AT THE COLONIAL BOROUGH OF KUTZTOWN We here found our friend, S. L. Harkey, D. D. He had done much to aid the cause by his translations of German records and he did not hesitate to offer us assistance. We went through the graveyard of the oldest church in town, where the village fathers lie. The same thing is repeated. The oldest graves are without tombstones or inscriptions. The next day, accompanied by the pastor, we drove to Moselem church, the oldest sacred structure in all the country. It was located on a tract of land presented to the German Lutherans, by the son of William penn, 103 acres in extent, and was the first church which Dietrich Sitler helped to build in 1745. The structure, which was of logs, was burned by the Indians. It was rebuilt of stone in 1761 and Dietrich was a member and an officer in it until 1778. His son Henry was an officer from 1785 to 1816. We were almost certain that Dietrich was buried there and hence we determined to examine every tombstone in that cemetery until we should find him, if possible. By a slight survey of the whole ground, we immediately saw the ancient burial spot had but few tombstones to mark the scores of graves, as before. The few that stood there were, of foreign origin, of brown sand and of peculiar, but of very artistic configuration. On closer examination, we found several stones that once had clear inscriptions which were now so effaced by the atmosphere and time as to be entirely illegible; some were broken and lay flat on the ground. But we found one standing upright, about 18 inches wide, 6 inches thick and three feet high, on which we saw clearly the word "Sitler". This was legible, but on examining the first we could not read any of the letters but the first which we made out to be the German D. The other wording was all worn off, except the dates. Of these the months were doubtful, but the years were plain. Finally with another party, that had preceded us by a few months, we deciphered the inscriptions to read: "Dietrich Sitlor, born Sept. 13th, 1716, died Oct. 20th, 1775." The date – 1716 troubled us, because it is the year of the birth of Mathias Sitler, as we heard from his descendants. But still we thought we must have Dietrich's tombstone found till we returned home. He we examined records to see if those dates could correspond with others when we found that Dietrich Sitler certified to a settlement of church accounts on Jan 22nd, 1777, and communed in Moselem church with his wife on June 27th, 1778. This destroyed our confidence in that stone being Dietrich Sitler's. We still believe he is buried at Moselem church and that there is either no stone with inscription to mark his grave, or, if there is one, the inscription is so obliterated by the elements as to be entirely illegible to the present generation. 15 ALLENTOWN, TREXLERTOWN, MAUCH CHUNK AND HOME At Allentown, we spent an evening and morning with James S. Sitler, merchant; found him intelligent, much interested and ready to help the investigation to the finish. At Trexlertown we found Henry Sitler, son of William, he is able and willing to assist in the solution of the great problem when called upon to do so. At Manch Chunk we spent the day in exchange of thoughts with Daniel W. Sitler, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney of Carbon co. He is a very intelligent man, a graduate of Lafayette College, and treated us with great kindness. He is thoroughly interested in the great questions before the Sitlers. He will assist, with information, the Sitlers in the vicinity of New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., to become acquainted with the situation and elicit their interest and their family trees. We were kindly treated and rby all everywhere; and all became intensely interested when they heard what was going on, and promised to assist in having the great question settled at once and forever. 16. WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE 1st. A copy of Baron Von Sitler's will must, if possible, be gotten from Germany. 2nd. A complet copy of the baptismal records of the sons of Baron Von Sitler from Schwartzenau, mucst be obtained. J. S. McLane is at work on this now. 3rd The outline of Dietrich Sitler's history in this country must be found. On this we are now engaged by inquiry into records contained in the archives of Pennsylvania. 4th The two volumes of records from St. Paul's church near Hamburg, if found, must be examined. We will endeavor to have this done. 5th We must have all Dietrich Sitler's offspring, including all the Dimms, make up their family trees and send them to Mr. S. S. Pomeroy, No. 1685 Fulton St., Chicago, Ill., to form the complete genealogy of the Dietrich Sitler branch. 6th We should hold that reunion at Harrisburg, on Oct. 23rd, 1900, if possible. 7th We should have as many of Dietrich's descendants present as possible and a complete combination of all heirs of Baron Von Sitler in this country. 8th We should then and there adopt a constitution for the "Sitler German Society" and take immediate measures for obtaining a charter. 9th After thorough reorganization we should make provisions to send a vigorous, active and intelligent man, able to speak German, to Germany to co-operate with our consul in finding and bringing the collection of the estates to a fair trial. 10th As all hope to participate in the results so all should contribute freely to the expenses, to carry on the international trial. These are our humble suggestions. We will forward a supplementary report as soon as we obtain what we can of the history of Dietrich Sitler. We have made our report so full, because we have found so many of our people in need of the information herein contained, and because we need their contributions to bear the expenses, while we are carrying the case through the international court. Very respectfully submitted, (signed) J. R. DIMM (grandson of Margaretha Sitler Dimm.) Sept. 4th, 1900 NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SITLERS AND DESCENDANTS OF SITLERS Wm. H. SITLER, York, Pa. Wellazetta KENDIG, York, Pa Laura K. RUBIE, York, Pa. Rebecca SCHANTZ, York, Pa. Mrs. Dr. BAHN, Spring Grove, Pa. Mrs. Ellen SHULTZ, Washington Borough, Pa. Mrs. Sarah WALK, Washington Borough, Pa S. S. SHULTZ, Washington Borough, Pa Lillie SHULTZ, Washington Borough, Pa Louise HOOVEN, Washington Borough, Pa Wm. B. HOOVEN, Washington Borough, Pa Henry HOOVEN, Washington Borough, Pa Caroline HOOVEN, Washington Borough, Pa Mrs. Susan DELLINGER, Harrisburg, Pa. Mrs. Ella LEFEAVER, York, Pa. Mrs. Catherine CHRIST, Columbia, Pa. Mrs. Joseph SITLER, Long Level, York Co., Pa. Wm. SITLER, Long Level, York Co., Pa. Mary SHULTZ, York, Pa. Russell SITLER, Long Level, York Co., Pa. Abraham H. SITLER, York, Pa. Edw. J. SITLER, E. Prospect, York Co., Pa. Moses R. SITLER, E. Prospect, York Co., Pa. James B. SITLER, Washington, D. C. B.S. SITLER, Lancaster, Pa. W.S. Sitler., Lancaster, Pa. J.S. McLANE, Lancaster, Pa. Wellszetta PRACHT, 2131 Linden Ave., Baltimore, Md. Cath C. WILT, 2131 Linden Ave., Baltimore, Md. Stephen A. ADREON, 2105 Oak St., Baltimore, Md. Mr.s Emile C. ADREON, St. Louis, Mo. Joseph L. ADREON, 1009 Hopkins Place, Baltimore, Md. Dr. C. C. ADREON, 1126 Penn Ave., Baltimore, Md. Mrs. James H. ADAMS, Lexington, Iowa Melvies S. CRANTZ, Williamsport, Pa. Lavina S. CANTNER, Minersville, Pa. Henrietta STAIR, Hanover, Pa. David STROMAN, Hampton Rhodes, Va. Susan J. HAYES, Baltimore, Md. Wm. STROMAN, Morgantown, Pa. Wm. STROMAN, Lancaster, Pa. Cyrus STROMAN, Morgantown, Pa. Marcellus STROMAN, Jefferson, Green Co., Pa. Mary STROMAN, Harrisburg, Pa. Jeremiah STROMAN, Lebanon, Pa. Margaret S. FRONK, Harrisburg, Pa. Margaret S. Beaty, York, Pa. John STROMAN do Henry STROMAN do Chas. STROMAN do Isaac STROMAN do George STROMAN do Dr. John AHL do Louise AHL do Catherine AHL do Geo. W. STROMAN do Mrs Emma STRINE do Miss Clara LANDIS do Miss Mary E. LANDIS do H.E. LANDIS do Frank STROMAN do Anna LOVE do Emma STROMAN do Annie QUCKEL do Angeline LACY, Phoenixvill, Pa. Jacob STROMAN, 2229 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.. Louise GILLISPIE, Chamberburg, Pa. Mr.s J. W. KOONS, Lebanon, Pa. Albert CANTNER (?), Williamsport, Pa. Emeline S. BEICHLER, Willow Street, Pa. Bunevista STROMAN, Carlisle, Pa. Mrs. Ann Keady BRIDGETON, York Co., Pa. Dr. H. Z. LANDIS, Memphis, Tenn. Oliver D. SHOOK, 130 Spaulding St., Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. Jacob GARNETT, Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. E. J. BEBE, Lockport, N.Y. Charles W. TODD, 27 Erie St., Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. William GUNDRUM, Muncy, Pa. Martin SHOOK, Wilson, N.Y. Mrs. C.A. DYSINGER, Royalton, Niagara Co., N.Y. Mrs. Daniel FRANTZ, Lockport, N.Y. Miss Sallie ROUGH, Nanticoke, Pa. Mrs. SMITH, Scranton, Pa. Mr. Harter, Nanticoke, Pa. D.B. REINARD, Nanticoke, Pa. Florie GOLDSWORTH, Ashland, Pa Eliza GOLDSWORTH, Ashland, Pa Margaret B. KINSMAN, Burr Oak, Mich. Mrs. Mary GOODMAN, Lockport, N.Y. H.C. WILLARD, Vine St., Lockport, N.Y. C.A. BARNES, Washburn St., Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. M. A. TODD, 27 Erie St., Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. Hiram A. SNYDER, Lockport, N.Y. David SNYDER, Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. Henry STAHLER, Lockport, N.Y. I.C. DIMM, Lewistown, Pa. John W. BRINK, Milltown, South Dakota Jacob DORMAN, Parkston, South Dakota S.E. KIGHELLINGER, Meadville, Pa. Isaac S. KIMER, Meadville, Pa. Frank MOSINGER, Meadville, Pa. Mrs. Jennie HARRINGTON, Wyandotte, Mich. Harvey H. WEAVER, Wilson, N.Y. Ellen M. SHOOK, Lockport, N.Y. Ida SCHERAR, Lockport, N.Y. Mrs. J SHIMER, Lockport, N.Y. J.S. SITLER, Meadville, Pa. Miss Fannie B. LANDIS, Selma, Ala. Wyatt STROMAN, York Haven, Pa. Lizzie RYAN, Lancaster, Pa. Mary E. ZAHM, Lancaster, Pa. Harry E. ZAHM, Lancaster, Pa. Archibald JOHNSON, Bethlehem, Pa. George STROMAN, Bethlehem, Pa. Joseph STROMAN, Bethlehem, Pa. Martha JOHNSON, Bethlehem, Pa. Martha STROMAN, Bethlehem, Pa. Angeline WILSON, Patterson, N.J. Elsie CLARK, Patterson, N. J. Mrs. Margaret E. BARNHART, York, Pa. Mrs. Marie BETHEL, Hinderson, Ky Augusta WOOD, 5 Newland St., Boston, Mass John BANCHERT, Noblesville, Ind. W.W. BUTTS (?), Lebanon, Mo. Rev. E. B. BAGBY, Washington, D.C. Susan BARNES, New Derry, Pa. V.J. BROWN, 404 Exchange Place, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. H. L. BOWERS, Tenafly, Bergan Co., N.J. Mack BOSE, 218 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Myriam BUCHANAN, Stafford, Kan. Mr. F. A. BARR, Tidioute, Pa. Mrs W. BEAM, 2224 28th St., Chicago, Ill. Isaac BAKER, Seneca, Crawford Co., Wis. Wm. BAKER, Ellenboro, Granby Co., Wis. Ranson BAKER, Boone, Boone Co., Iowa Lawson BAKER, Lancaster, Wis. Almon BAKER, Ellenboro, Wis. Nelson BAKER, Ellenboro, Wis. Susanna BAKER, Hawkeye, Iowa Theodore F. COOK, Carrolton Hotel, Baltimore, Md. Mary E. CANFIELD, Lebanon, Mo Henry C. COOK, 106 Saratoga St., Baltimore, Md. Charles R. COOK, 500 Carlton Ave., Baltimore, Md. Wm. L. COOK, 304 Atlantic Ave., Baltimore, Md. Martin CRAMER, N. Salem, Ind. Mrs. L. A. DODD, Lack City, Columbia Co., Fla. S.L. DAVE, Tower Hill, Ill. Mrs. Sidney DAVIS, Richland, Mo. Chas E. DICKEY, Cor North & Sarato Sts., Baltimore, Md. Lot ENSEY, Cor Hanover and Lombard Sts, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Henry FORD, 1605 Park Ave., Baltimore, Md. Mrs. J. G. ELLISON, Greenville, Ky. George EUSEY (?), Stark, Fla. Mrs. Eliza F. FORD, 4710 Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. A. FEAR, Assumption, Miss. Mrs. M. GALL, 76 A. Cooper St., Brooklyn , N.Y. Thos. G. GRIFFITH, 1135 Lemont St., Manayunk, Pa. Ers Cath GRAVES, Ellenboro, Wis. M.T. HAGAN, Nashville, Tenn. Joseph D. HENRY, Sturges, Union Co., Ky Eleazor HENRY, Morganfield, Ky. Mrs Letitia HENRY, Sturges, Ky. Bonaparte HILL, Henderson, Ky. Mrs. Frances HORNADAY, Fort Scott, Kan. Chas. HOOD, 320 E. 29th St., New York City, N.Y. Mrs. C. L. HUSTED, 1933 McCulloh St. Baltimore, Md. Martha M. HALL, 748 S. Second St., Phila, Pa. Mrs. Louisa HILLEANY, Stark, Fla. Mrs. Maria HARRISON, Montclair, Ind. S.P. HENRY, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Mrs. Mollie HOLT, Sullivan, Union Co., Ky. R. New JOHNSON, Pilot Point, Texas Mrs. J. W. KOONTZ, Greenville, Ky Mrs. Wm KLEINLE, 1933 McCullough St., Baltimore, Md. Andrew F. LYETTE, 935 Milton Place, do Andrew H. MITTEE, 607 Forrest Ave, do Milton H. MITTEE, 712 E. Biddle St., do Miss. Emma MILLS, 1009 E. Monument St.., do Dr. C. C. RICHARDSON, 1616 Edmonson Ave., do Mrs. RICHMOND, 2508 Madison Ave., do Mrs. Helen LYNN, Seven Guns, Union Co., Ky. O.E. LAUKFORD, Pumke City, Worcester Co., Md. John T. LOOKABAUGH, Parkersburg, Ind. Jacob LOOKABAUGH, 1706 Freemont St., Crawfordsville, Ind. Mrs. Jonathan MARS, Shelbyville, Ills Mrs. Elizabeth MCMANUS, Newark, Ohio Mrs. W. M. McALLANANEY, 1434 Poplar St., Phila., Pa. Mrs. Gertie SITLER, Norman, Carterville, Mo. Mrs. Harriet OMER, Seven Guns, Ky. A. POWERS, Wellman, Washington Co., Iowa Mrs Harriet PIZETTE, Weir City, Kan. Mrs. Nancy L. PARSONS, Leon, Iowa Amos D. ROOK, Montclair, Ind. Samuel ROOK, Cherryvale, Montgomery Co., Kan Thomas ROOK, do Sherman ROOK, do Mrs. Martha G. ROWE, Greenville, Ky. Mrs. Wm. M. REGAN, 3101 Second Ave, S. Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. J. K. SITLER, Minneapolis, Minn. Lawson RENO, Owensboro, Ky. Elias SITLER, Erie, Lawrence Co., Ind. Mrs. Eliza E. SMITH, 738 N. Grove Ave., Oak Park, Ills. Clark SITLER, Washington, Iowa F.G. SITLER, Axtell, Kan. D.C. SITLER, Wellman, Iowa Mrs. Sidney SITLER, Shelbyville, Ills Thos SITLER do J.H. SCHOOLEY, Effingham, Ills. Wm. SITLER, Cambridge Springs, Pa. H.C. SITLER, Brownstown, Fayette Co., Ills. Edw D. SITLER, Columbia, Tuolumne Co., California A.D. SITLER, Taylorville, Ills. Henry L. SITLER, Dodge City, Kan. Miss Augusta M. SITLER, Jefferson, Iowa Wm. H. SITLER, Bedford, Ind. Geo SITLER, 636 Halsey St. Brooklyn, N.Y. Chas R. SITLER, 514 W. 51st St., New York City, N.Y. Henry D. SITLER, 450 E. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Isaac W. SITLER, 922 E St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Joseph SITLER, 415 E. 15th St., Joplin, Mo. Wm. SITLER, Granby, Newton Co., Mo. John SITLER, Carterville, Mo. Kate STROHE, Marshall, Texas Morris SITLER, 708 Madison Ave., Baltimore, Md. Miss Rebecca SITLER, 1210 McCullough St., do Martin SITLER, Harmony, Pa. Samuel SITLER, Latonia, Ohio John SITLER, Congruity, Pa. Miss Stella SITLER, Greenfield, Dade Co., Mo. George SITLER, Springvalley, Ills. Joseph SITLER, Deshler, Thayer Co.,, Neb. Franklin P. SITLER, Trexlertown, Pa. F.T.E. SITLER, Sitler, Schuylkill Co., Pa. Dr. Wm. SITLER, 128 W. 23rd St., New York City, N.Y. D.W. SITLER, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Cyntha SHEPPARD, 1803 Campbell St., Springfield, Mo. John T. SAPP, 408 W. Streektre St., Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Frances SITLER, 27 Ogden Place, Chicago, Ills. Harry SITLER, do do Geo B. SITLER, 1104 E. Columbia Ave, Phila, Pa. Seth S. SUMMERSON, Baltimore, Md. A. Hubbard Sikes, 226 Fayette St., N. Baltimore, Md. John F. SMITH, Shreve, Wayne Co., Ohio R.S. Stilts, Homstead, Pa. A.F. SITLER, Oregon, Ogle Co., Ills. Henry O. SITLER, Lincoln, Neb. Anna M. SWANK, 1815 6th Ave, Altoona, Pa. Isaac STAINBROOK, Millton, Hutchingson Co., S. Dakota Walter M. SMITH, 239 S. 5th St., Steubenville, Ohio Josephine TOMPKINS, Greencastle, Ind. Virginia VICK, Sturgis, Ky. Joseph WARD, Margaret Ave., Altoona, Pa. Buenvista ZELL, Carlisle, Pa. Mrs. Martha FRY, Greenville, Ky. A.H. KREIDER, 9 W. Vine, Lancaster, Pa. Richard MEILY, Lebanon, Pa. Jacob A. DeHUFF do Mrs. Dr. KOCH, 315 W. Market St., York, Pa. Wm. Edw. KOCH, do Lyman D. GILBERT, Harrisburg, Pa. Spencer C. GILBERT, do Geo McDANIEL, Crochranton, Pa. James H. SITLER, Antes Fort, Pa. Telfair MARRIOTT, Cor Chas & Lexington Sts., Baltimore, Md. Mrs. S. E. MARRIOT, 12 E. Mt. Royal Ave., do C.B. MARRIOTT, 11 Broadway, New York City, N.Y. Mrs. Wiley CUSHING, Woodbrock, Baltimore Co., Md. Wm. M. MARRIOT, Richmond, Va. Wm. KEYSER, Baltimore, Md. L.J. STEINHILBAR, Caper Charles, Va. Michael STEINHILBAR, Ashland, Pa. Mrs. Clifford RICH, do Mrs. Joseph C. MILLER, 321 E. Luther St., Carlisle, Pa. Wm. J. SITLER, Robinson, Ills. John FOULK & son, Groversville, Col Co., Mich. George CARD do Levi RHINARD, Homer, Mich. John RHINARD do Bowman SMITH do George RHINARD, Van Camp, Mich. Daniel RHINARD, Nanticoke, Pa. Iasiah RHINARD, Shickshinny, Pa. Alfred IRWINE, Stillwater, Columbia Co., Pa. Samuel RHINARD, Berwick, Pa William ZEIGLER do do Wallace STOUT, do do Mrs. Minerva BRODER, Danville, Montour Co., Pa. Samuel SMITH, Forty Fort, Pa. Mrs. Mary Ann GRODNER, Scranton, Pa. Addison SITLER, Cabin Run, Pa. Simon SITLER, do Clarence SITLER do Freeman SITLER, do Emanuel SITLER, Light Street, Pa. Dr. T.C. HARTER, Bloomsburg, Pa Wm HENRY, Sulivan, Union Co., KY. Tom HENRY do do Letitia HAGAN, Nashville, Tenn., Mrs Elizabeth BARNES, 390 Washburn St., Lockport, N.Y. Geo W. WEAVER, Main St., do Henry WiILLARD, Vine St., do Mrs. Mary GOODMAN, Washburn St., do Mrs. Morilla TODD, Erie St., do Mrs. Mame BLOUNT, South St. do Mrs. Martha BEATIE, High St. do Mrs. Alice ZIMMERMAN, cor Erie & South St., do H.S.. WEAVER, 244 Walnut St., do H.F. WEAVER, do do O.B. WEAVER, 82 Waterman St., do Edward Fry, South St., do Mrs Lauria SHAFT, Lockport, N.Y. James FRY do Peter FRY, do Mrs. Jacob GARNETT do John WILLARD, Gasport, N.Y. H.H. WEAVER, Wilson, N.Y. Mrs. Hulda RIGGS, 20 Thorndale Terrace, Rochester, N.Y. Mrs. J.S. PIERCE, 185 S. Fitzhugh St. do Miss Mattie WEAVER, 117 Mariner St., Buffalo, N.Y. Miss Loraine WEAVER do do William WEAVER do do Howard WEAVER do do Louie WEAVER do do Eli F. DEAL, Fayette, Senica Co., N.Y. Jacob KISER, Bousson, Pa. I.S. KISER do J.H. WHISTLER, Meadville, Pa. G.J. WHISTLER do H.H. BATTLES, Carlton, Pa. O.D. KIGHTLINGER, Coneaut Lake, Pa. Mrs. F. A. BARR, Tidioute, Pa. B.E. KARSHNER, Almedia, Columbia Co., Pa. Samuel S. SITLER, Berwick do Mrs. Elizabeth ROUGH, E. Nanticoke, Pa. Rev. J.R. DIMM, Selina Grove, Pa. Rev. A. STAPLETON, Carlisle, Pa. James SITLER, New Tripoli, Pa. Mrs. Ella HAYES, 382 Clairmont Ave., Chicago, Ills. Elias SITLER, Erie, Ind. Dallas C. SITLER, Columbiana, Ohio, P.O. Box 363 Sarah Ann DUCHANOIS, 38 W. Woodlawn Ave, Youngstown, Ohio Soloman EDIE, Glencoe, Ontario, Canada J.P. HAYMAN, Berwick, Columbia Co., Pa. Mrs. E.H. MEIDING, Ohio Capt. H. S. DIMM, Port Royal, Pa. Irwin C. DIMM, Lewistown, Pa. G.W. DIMM, Muncey, Pa Harvey DIMM do Mrs. Martha J. RHINEHART, Martha, Piatt Co., Ills. Miss Martha SIDLER, Bloomsburg, Pa. Columbiaco? Dr. H.G. GRAHAM, cor Halstead & Harrinon Sts., Chicago, Ills. Jacob SITTLER, 583 S. Port Ave., do Igneetz SITTLER, 233 Cottage Grove Ave., do John T. DIMM, Dimmsville, Juniata Co., Pa. Martin SITTLER, Wheaton, Ills. Oswald SITTLER, do Albert SITTLER, Bode, Humbold Co., Iowa Joseph SITTLER, Merna, Custer Co., Nebraska Tilghman DeLONG, Topton, Berks Co., Pa. John SITLER, Rothrocksville, do Moses SITLER, Mertztown do Soloman AHN do do John SPOHM, Grimsville, do Maria DUTT, Lenhartsville do William KUTZ, Kutztown do Mrs. Margaret STEINHILBAR, Ashland, Pa. Mrs. Mary HEATH, Fairview, Pa. Mrs. Sarah MOSINGER, Meadville, Pa. George SITLER do George CUSTARD do H.L. KIGHTLINGER do Louisa KIGHTLINGER do Catherine SITLER do E.A. DEVORE do P.A. WEIGHTMAN do Charles E. Miller do E. Mosinger do J.C. KIGHTLINGER do John W. MILLER do Arthur MILLER do E.L. DEVORE do D.J. KIGHTLINGER do W.A. PATTERSON do Charles O. KISER do Mrs. Harriet BUXTON, Batavia, N.Y. Mrs. A. F. STRAW, 7035 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Dr. SITLER, 15 Wilkinson Block, Main St., Binghamton, N.Y. William SITLER, New Tripoli, Pa. Ephraim FOULK, 415 S. Market St., Shamokin, Pa. Mrs. L.B. RHINE do do Mrs. H.A. SPOTTS do do John FOULK do do Mrs. A. McINTYRE do do Mrs. Jennie WINTER do do George FOULK do do Raymond FOULK do do Joseph R. SITLER, 522 W. McDonald St. Newton, Iowa. Daniel W. SITLER, Mauch Chunk, Pa. (District Attorney) John SITLER, Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa. James S. SITLER, Allentown, Pa. Solomon SITLER, Stony Run, Berks Co., Pa. Rev J.V. GEORGE, Reading, Pa. Arthur L. WHEDON, cor 11th & Germain Ave, E. Saginaw, Mich. Edward WHEDON, Taw City, Mich. Martin SHOOK, Wilson, N.Y. Mrs. Polly HILDEBRANT, Howell, Mich. Elmer SITLER, Danville, Montour Co., Pa. Mrs. Cornelia WHEDON, 1685 Fulton St., Chicago, Ills. Mrs. S. S. POMEROY, do do Henry SITLER, Trexlertown, Pa. Henry SITLER, Newton, Iowa. F.G. SITLER, Axtell, Kansas Daniel LONG, Royalton, Niagara Co., N.Y. Phillip S. DICKEY, 107 W. Monroe St.., Chicago, Ills. Mrs. Ida WRIGHT, Newton, Iowa Alpheus SITLER, 2519 Carson St., Pittsburg, Pa. Morris SITLER, 708 Madison Ave, Baltimore, Md. Henry D. SITLER, 934 E. N. W. Washington, D.C. Henry G. SITLER 1204 do do Isaac W. SITLER do do James B. SITLER 1577 N.E. do Michael SITLER, 443 Elk St., Albany, N.Y. George SITLER, 653 Hancock St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Lettie SITLER, 377 Gold St. do John J. SITZLER, 141 Abbot Road, Buffalo, N.Y. Charles SITTLER, 1227 Market St., Denver, Col. Daniel E. SITLER, 3446 Franklin St. do Oris H. SITLER do do Charles R. SITLER, 324 E. 29th St. New York, N. Y. Henry D. SITLER, 450 E. Girard Ave, Phila, Pa. Geo B. SITLER, 734 N. 42nd St., do Harry SITLER, 1113 St. John St., do Richard SITLER, 869 Perkiomen St., do William R. SITLER, 810 N. 21st St. do