BIOS: Peter Miller SAYLER, Summit Township, Somerset County, PA

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History of Bedford & Somerset Counties, PA; v.3; Bedford County by E.
Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; Lewis Pub. Co.,
NY/Chicago 1906; ppg. 271/2

Peter Miller SAYLER.

Peter Miller Sayler, a retired farmer of Summit township, is a descendant
of early Somerset county pioneers, his grandfather, John Seiler (the early
spelling of the name), having been born in Summit township near the present
farm of Peter M.  He was a member of the Mennonite church and lived to an
advanced age.  Among his children was a son, John, born in Summit township,
a farmer and a Mennonite.  His wife, Sarah (Miller) Sayler, a daughter of
Peter Miller, of Summit, was also a Mennonite.  John and Sarah (Miller)
Sayler were the parents of five children, all sons: Jacob, deceased; Peter
M.; Samuel M., who lives near Somerset; Edward, now of Missouri; and
Christian, now of Iowa.  John Sayler died in 1844.  His widow, Sarah,
became the wife of Joseph Sayler, and died in 1888. 
Peter M. Sayler was born in Middle Creek township, November 16, 1838.  He
was the second son of John and Sarah (Miller) Sayler.  He received his
early education in the township school.  At the age of six years his father
died, and a guardian was appointed.  At the age of fourteen he entered the
school in Summit township and continued therein for a few terms.  His
guardian did not see the necessity of education, so Peter's school days
were numbered.  He began working for the farmers of the neighborhood, and
was thus employed until 1861, when he began farming on his own account in
Greenville township, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to
Summit township and rented a farm, which he cultivated until 1885. 
Industry and economy had brought Peter deserved success, and he was now in
a position to become a land owner as well as a land worker.  In 1885 he
purchased the farm on which he has ever since resided.  It contains 190
acres of cultivated and timber land, including a sugar camp of 700 vessels,
situated about one and one-half miles from Meyersdale.  The buildings are
good and of ample dimensions.  Mr. Sayler has now practically given over
active labor and has rented the farm to his son John.  On one corner of the
estate he is erecting a neat country home with barn, to which he will
retire permanently when completed.  Peter M. Sayler is a man of strong
religious conviction.  He is a member of the Summit Mills congregation of
the Brethren church, which he serves as deacon.  His political sympathies
are with the Republican party, but he never craved or sought political
office.  He has held some of the township offices, but not from choice. 
Mr. Sayler married Barbara, daughter of Samuel Hochstetler, of Greenville
township.  They were married March 7, 1857, and are now nearing the golden
anniversary of their wedding day.  Eight children have been born to Peter
M. and Barbara Sayler as follows: Amanda; Lydia, deceased; Anna (Mrs.
Alvin Handwark); Sarah, deceased; Ida; Harvey, married Nettie Shelbear; he
is a teacher in the schools of Washington county, Pennsylvania;
John, married Alice Peck; he works the home farm; Eliza (Mrs. Jeremiah Yost).