Bios: Conrad, Franklin Gesford, Indiana Co, PA SUBJECT: CONRAD, Franklin Gesford SUBMITTER: E.K. Warner EMAIL: wgene@twd.net DATE: Mar 28, 1999 SURNAMES: Conrad, Conards, Conraths, Dill, Disert, Evans, Hileman, Mattern, Nippes, Rowland, Sanderson, Schwartz, Shank, Stephens, Swearington, Tomb as recorded by Prof. J. T. Stewart in ;Indiana County, Pennsylvania - Her People, Past and Present. Published by J. H. Beers & Co., 1913 Reformatted by E.K. Warner, March, 1998 FRANKLIN GESFORD CONRAD, a farmer of Buffington township, was born there Oct. 29, 1859, in a log house owned by his father, William Stephens Conrad. The earliest Conrad of which there is any definite record, was Conrad Conrad, who came to Lancaster county, Pa., from Germany, long prior to the Revolutionary war. He had twelve sons, and from them have descended practically all the Conrads, Conards and Conraths in Pennsylvania, and many in other States. Daniel Conrad, one of the twelve sons of Conrad Conrad, married Elizabeth Shank, and moved to Huntingdon county, Pa., where there is yet an extensive family connection. Samuel Conrad, son of Daniel Conrad, became a Baptist minister, and also followed farming to a considerable extent. He left: Huntingdon county for Indiana county, in 1838, bringing his family in a covered wagon, and driving his cattle in front. Settling first on what is now the Stephens farm, at Dilltown, he later traded it for one owned by William Stephens, now known as the Conrad farm. Before leaving his old home Rev. Mr. Conrad had married Catherine Mattern, of  Huntingdon county, and they had the following children : Elizabeth married George Dill; Jane married John Rowland; Mary Ann married James Evans; Daniel married Lydia Dias; Catherine married Adam Altimus; Rebecca married James C. Dill; William S. is mentioned below; Alvira married Sampson Stephens; Harriet married Samuel Schwartz; Samuel, who married Annie Disert, became a physician, and,lived at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. William Stephens Conrad, son of Samuel H. Conrad, was born April 27, 1832, and died Jan. 22, 1911. He married Lucinda Evans, born March 6, 1833, daughter of John and a Eliza (Sanderson) Evans, who survives him and makes her home with her son, Franklin  Gesford Conrad. Children as follows were  born to William S. Conrad and wife: Flora, born July 27, 1857, married G. W. Nippes,  and resides at Johnstown, Pa.; Frank G. is mentioned below; Ella C., born June 9, 1862,  married Charles Swearingen, a farmer of  Brushvalley township; Lucy Adelia, born  July 21, 1865, married Hugh Tomb, and died  June 15, 1897; Emma C., born Aug. 3, 1868 married Charles Hileman, of Brushvalley township, and died Feb. 24, 1889; Lizzie B. born Oct. 15, 1871, married Benjamin D. Hileman, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. William S. Conrad moved to Buffington township with his parents when but six years old, so that he was practically reared there. Although the schools were somewhat primitive and conducted upon the subscription plan, he learned rapidly and made good progress, and at the same time made himself useful about the homestead. While at home with his parents he helped to clear off the land, the timber being made into barrel staves, sometimes called shooks. As he grew older he took an active part in the work of the Baptist Church, which he had joined, and became a deacon in that body, holding that office for forty years in the church of that  faith in Brushvalley. Later he was one of the founders of the Dilltown Baptist Church, and became one of its first trustees. From the formation of the Republican party, he gave its principles his hearty support, and was often called upon to represent it in different offlces. For many years he served on the election board, was a school director for fifteen years, and a justice of the peace for five years, and in every way sought to do his full duty as a Christian citizen. On Aug. 20, 1906, Mr. Conrad and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding, and the occasion was a most enjoyable event, attended by a large concourse of relafives and outside friends. It was then hoped that the aged couple might be spared to celebrate their diamond wedding, but these hopes were destined not to be realized, as Mr. Conred died within five years. Franklin Gesford Conrad, son of the late William S. Conrad, was sent to the local schools and those of Dilltown. He remained at home with his parents until the death of his father, when he bought out the other heirs and has since conducted the farm of 130 acres, devoting it to general farming, stock raising and dairying. Without doubt he is one of the most progressive agriculturists of his township, and one who stands high in the estimation of his neighbors. On Sept. 28. 1909, Mr. Conrad,s home was destroyed by fire, but before the first of the following year he had erected a new one, built upon modern plans, and supplied with conveniences that make it rank with any city dwelling. Mr. Conrad was married to Emma Elizateeth Tomb, daughter of Washington and Mary (Ling) Tomb, and she died Aug. 24, 1907. They had the following children: Mary Lucinda, born Sept. 15, 1891; William Washington, born Aug. 31, 1893; Charles Spergin, born Jan. 4, 1896; Elizabeth May, born June 19, 1899; and Russell Franklin, born Nov. 6, 1902. Mr. Conrad has been active politically, having served on the election board for years, for fifteen years as school director and for five years as supervisor. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, which he serves as trustee. ----------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.