John Lambert

The Lamberts were among those who encountered and endured the trials and hardships incident to all early settlements, paving the way for advancing civilization and progress. About 1789, three brothers, John, George and Jacob Lambert, came from York county and took up lands in Stony Creek and Shade townships.
John, who settled in Stony Creek, married Mary Statler, and was the father of Samuel, Jacob, John, Moses, Mary and Catherine (Kimmel)— the latter still living. Samuel, who was born in this township, died here in 1869, aged seventy-five. He married Sarah Goot, and was the father of Josiah, Aaron, Rebecca and Sarah (deceased); Abraham, John, Samuel, Moses, George and Mary (Berkebile), living. George served throughout the late war. Josiah passed his days in this township. He was the father of William and L. C. Lambert. The latter is living at Lambertsville, engaged in farming and sawing lumber. He served in the late war; enlisted in August, 1863; discharged in July, 1865.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

John Lambert, Jr.

John Lambert was born in Shade township, where he lived and died. He kept hotel at Buckstown for a number of years; his son, Z. T. Lambert, is a farmer in Stony Creek township and the owner of six hundred acres.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Abraham Lambert

Abraham Lambert was born in this township, where he still resides. He married Louisa Mostoller, and is the father of seven sons and seven daughters. James is a cabinetmaker; he is also engaged in the mercantile business at Lambertsville with his father. He is postmaster at Lambertsville, where an office was established in 1881.

Lambertsville is a small village named in honor of Abraham Lambert, who owned the land on which it is built. He erected the first house here in 1855. His son James is postmaster and storekeeper.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Samuel Lambert

Samuel Lambert was born in Stony Creek, where he still lives; he is a wagonmaker by trade, and has followed the business for thirty-two years. He is also the proprietor of a sash factory. His eldest son, E. M. Lambert, lives at home, and is engaged in the lumber business.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Josiah Long

Josiah Long, who now resides in Quemahoning, was born in Summit township, and removed to Stony Creek with his parents in 1827. He has been married three times. His children are Daniel, Calvin, Mary and Martha. Daniel has a farm of two hundred and sixty-six acres, which contains considerable coal and limestone. The land was formerly owned by his father.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Nicholas Long

Nicholas Long, one of the early settlers of this county, came from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Elk Lick township. He married Susan Hoyman, and was the father of Joseph, Jacob, John, Mary, Susan and Elizabeth. Joseph was born in Elk Lick, in 1793. He moved to Stony Creek in 1831, and died in this township in 1867. His wife was Catharine Walker. Children: Levi, Josiah, Mary (Weigel), Lydia (Trent), Harriet (Maurer), Charlotte (dead), Susan (dead), Catharine (dead) and Mary (Coleman). Mary is living on the place formerly owned by her husband, now deceased. Her son William carries on the farm.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 517.]

The Longs were early settlers in Elk Lick township. Nicholas Long, from Eastern Pennsylvania, settled in that township and died there at the age of sixty-five. He was the father of four sons and four daughters, of whom one, Susanna (Deeds), of Fayette county, is still living. Joseph, son of Nicholas, was born in Elk Lick, in 1793, and removed to Stony Creek in 1827. He married Catharine Walker, and was the father of Levi J., Josiah, Mary, Lydia, Harriet, Charlotte (deceased), Catharine (deceased) and Sarah. Levi J., who owns about seven hundred acres, is living on the homestead. On his farm there are several veins of coal, one of which is eleven feet in thickness.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Christian Miller

Tobias Miller

Peter T. Miller

George Mosholder

George Mosholder, son of an early German pioneer, was born in Somerset county. He was a farmer, and died in Stony Creek township.
His children were: George, Jacob, William, Margaret and Susan, deceased; John, Anna (Landis) and Mary (Walter), living. John served in the late war one year. William was born in 1805 and died in 1877. He married Sarah Foss. John, who lives on the old homestead, is the only surviving child. He owns a farm of four hundred and twelve acres, one-third of which is timberland.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 514]

William Mosholder

John Mosholder

John Mostoller

John Mostoller was an early settler, who lived and died in Somerset township. His son George, who was born in 1803, died in Stony Creek in 1872. He was a cabinetmaker by trade. He married Elizabeth Shank, who bore one son, Edward G. Mr. E. G. Mostoller follows farming, and also owns and operates a sawmill.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

Edward G. Mostoller

Josiah Mostoller

John Musser

John Musser, who was born in Lancaster county in 1753, was a mailcarrier during the revolution. He moved to Stony Creek, where he died in 1828. His wife was Barbara Grider. The names of his sons were Tobias, Peter, Henry and Abraham, Abraham was born in Stony Creek township in 1790. He followed tanning a number of years, then engaged in farming. He died in this township in 1874. He married Veronica Cable. Children: Benjamin, Christian, John, Abram, Philip (deceased), Elizabeth (Walker), Margaret (Miller) and Mary (deceased). Philip died in the late war. Benjamin has been engaged in operating a tannery since 1865. Abram is in the same business in Roxbury, where he began in 1868. Christianis a farmer, and John a blacksmith in Berlin.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. pp. 514-515.]

Gottleib Rayman

Gottlieb Rayman was born in Germany, in 1747, and died in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He was a pioneer settler of this county, and came here from Berks county in 1773. By trade he was a tailor. Like many of the early settlers, he lived mainly by hunting, and wore garments made of deerskin. His children were: John, George, Charles, Mary (Sweitzer) and Elizabeth (Shank). John went to Canada. George and Charles lived on the homestead. George was the father of eleven children. Many of his grandchildren reside in this county.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 518.]

Albert E. Rayman

Jeremiah Reiman

James Ross

James Ross, a Scotchman, was an early settler of this county. His sons were Michael, Joseph, Adam and John, all of whom are dead. Joseph was born in Stony Creek about 1795. He was a carpenter, and died at the age of forty-four. Elizabeth Rush was the maiden name of his wife. Children: David, Ephraim and Julia A. (Boyer), living ; Sarah, Mary, Leah (Oldfather) and Elizabeth, deceased. David was born in this township in 1805, and is still living. He is a carpenter and began working at the trade when eighteen years of age. He married Sarah Ziegler, and is the father of Joseph, Jacob, Charles and Catharine. David Ross and his sons are the proprietors of a planing-mill in Shanksville, which they built in 1874. Jacob enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. D, 133d regt. Penn. Vols., and was discharged in June, 1863. Re-enlisting in Co. I, 52d regt. Penn. Vols;, he was discharged in June, 1865. In his first enlistment he served as musician.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 521.]

James A. Scott

James A. Scott was born in Mifflin county, in 1814. He removed to Bedford county in 1850, and died in 1877. He married Rachael Hurley, who now lives in Meyersdale. Children: J. C., William B., Albert N., Missouri J., Berthelda. J. C. Scott came to Stony Creek in 1873, where he has since resided, and followed farming.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 518.]

Conrad Sease

Conrad Lease* came from Germany to Brother's Valley in 1834. He moved to Stony Creek in 1845, where he still resides. He follows shoemaking, and has worked at the trade since he was fourteen years old. He married Sarah Hoyl. Children: Oliver, Levi, Julia A. (Gindlesperger), Mary, Eva (Schrock), Sarah (Miller) and Amanda (Ringler). Both sons were in the army. Oliver enlisted in September, 1861, and was discharged in December, 1864; Co. C, 53d regt. Penn. Vols.; wounded in the head at Gettysburg and also at Mine Run. He is now farming in this township.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 518.
*Ed. Note: This book has a bio for Conrad Lease, with an "L." It is assumed that this is a typo in the original publication.]

Christian Shank

The first gristmill in this township was built in 1798, at Shanksville, by Christian Shank. The original structure burned in 1830, and Jacob Shank erected another on its site the same year. It is related that Henry Troyer once came to Shank's mill early in the morning to get a bag of flour. He had no money and Shank refused to give him credit. He then asked if he could exchange a bearskin for flour. "Certainly," replied Shank; "but when did you kill the bear? " "I haven't killed him yet, but if you give me the flour, as sure as I'm alive I'll bring the skin here before evening." The miller trusted to Troyer's word and gave the flour. Troyer lived up to his agreement and returned with a bearskin the same day, exclaiming, as he handed it over to Shank, "Now Betsey and I are all right! We have a good supply of bread and bear meat." Christian Shank erected a woolen mill aboutthe same time that he built the gristmill, and to it the early settlers for miles around resorted for carding and cloth-dressing. At present the only woolen factory in the township is operated by J. B. Hill on Calender creek.

Christian Shank, the founder of Shanksville, came from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland, prior to 1798, bringing his family. When they had arrived on the spot he had selected for a home, they encamped under the shelter of a pine-tree for several days, until a more comfortable habitation could be constructed. The first house within the limits of the village was erected by him. Shanksville was laid off into lots in 1829. A few buildings had been erected prior to that date.

Bringing machinery with him, Mr. Shank, in 1798, commenced the construction of a gristmill, and soon had it in operation. This was the first mill in Stony Creek township. Christian Shank, Jr., came to this county with his father. He remained a few years, then went to Canada. He served in the war of 1812, and afterward went to Ohio. His son Daniel was born in Canada in 1810, and came to this county when seven or eight years old. He was a minister of the United Brethren for a number of years. He moved to Nebraska, his present home, in 18'73. Daniel Shank married Eve Keller. Children : Charles, Alexander, Herman, David, Mary, Catharine and Sarah. Charles is a millwright. In 1871 he built the first planing-mill in Shanksville. It burned and was rebuilt in 1883. Herman works with his brother at the trade.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 518 & 520.]

Adam Snyder

Adam Snyder, a native of Germany, settled early where the town of Somerset now is, and laid out the north part of the town. By trade he was a tailor. His children were Jacob, Adam, Henry, John and Joseph. Henry followed farming in Stony Creek. He died in 1856, at the age of seventy-one, having lived in this county from the time when he was three years of age. He married Christina Mowry, and was the father of six children: John H., Jacob, George (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Michael and Sarah (Coleman). John H. married Lydia Reiman, and has six sons and one daughter living. His sons, M. J., David and John, are farming in this township.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 517.]

Daniel Sorber

Daniel Sorber settled in Brother's Valley in 1805. He was born in Northampton county in 1782. [Ed. Note: His tombstone says he was born in 1777, and it was his wife Elizabeth who was born in 1782] He moved to Stoystown, and followed the millwright's trade, helping to build the first mill at Sprucetown. He afterward kept tavern on the turnpike; two and one-half miles east of Stoystown. He died in Shade township, aged seventy-six. His children were : Joseph, Jonathan (deceased), Adam, Daniel, Anna (deceased), Elizabeth (Blough) and Sophia (deceased). Joseph was born in Brother's Valley, in 1805. For twelve years he was a wagoner on the Pittsburgh pike. He has been living in Stony Creek for several years. He married Mary Brant, and is the father of Martin, John, William, Daniel W., Orange, Elizabeth, Emeline and Margaret (deceased). Martin was a captain in late war. John was also in the service. William and Daniel W. are farming their father's place.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 518.]

Joseph Speicher

Joseph Speicher came from York county to Brother's Yalley about the close of the revolution. He settled in Stony Creek early in the present century, built a gristmill, and for several years was engaged in milling. He moved to Conemaugh township and died. His children were Christian, Joseph, Jacob, Solomon, Tobias, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Solomon, the last survivor of the family, died in Stony Creek in 1882, aged eighty-two years. He married Elizabeth Blough, and was the father of Daniel, John, Henry, Joseph, Tobias (who died in the late war), Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Catharine. John, the second son of Joseph Speicher, Sr., has been living in Shanksville since 1847. He followed carpentry eighteen years, and is now leading a retired life.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 521.]

Adam Stull

Adam Stull, who removed from Lancaster county, settled where Berlin now is at a very early date. At that time people in this county went to Hagarstown --seventy-five miles-- for flour. Mr. Stull was a blacksmith, and worked at his trade in Berlin. He died at the age of eighty-five. His children were George, John, Catharine and Susan. George, who was born near Berlin, was also a blacksmith; he settled in Stony Creek township in 1833, and followed his trade until his death. He married Mary Landis, and was the father of six children. His son Joseph served as first lieutenant of Co. H, 171st regt. Penn. Vols.; enlisted in October, 1862; discharged in September, 1863. He kept hotel at Roxbury three years, at Berlin two years, and has been in the same business in Shanksville since 1861. Mr. Stull has been township constable since 1864.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 516.]

John Stutzman

John Stutzman lived in this county and died in Stony Creek township. He was the father of Abraham, Jacob, Christian and Elizabeth, all deceased. Abraham was born in Brother's Valley in 1817; moved to Stony Creek, where he died in 1836. He married Mary Schrock, and reared six children: J. A., John, Peter, Abraham A., Christian and Magdalena, all of whom are living in this county. J. A. occupies the homestead. Abraham A. is the present register and recorder of Somerset county.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 515.]

Benjamin Stutzman

Benjamin Stutzman was born in Somerset county in 1808, and is now living in Somerset township. He married Mary Layman, and is the father of eleven children: Jonas, Elias, John (deceased), Henry, Sarah, Mary, Susan, Elizabeth (deceased), Julia A., Anna and Amanda. Elias and Henry were in the late war. The former enlisted in August, 1862, and was discharged in May, 1865; served in Co. C, 142d regt. Penn. Vols. He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and was confined at Belle Isle about three months. He is now farming near Shanksville.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. pp. 516-517.]

Jacob Walker

Jacob Walker was a native of Germany, who settled in what is now Summit township prior to the revolutionary war. He was accidentally killed while riding. His children were Philip, Peter, John and Elizabeth. Peter died in Summit township in 1851, aged sixty-six. His children were John, Jacob, Peter, Perry, George, Frederick, Daniel, Jonathan, Mary and Catharine, of whom Perry, Daniel and Catharine are living. Perry was sheriff of the county one term. John was a soldier of 1812. Daniel came to Stony Creek township in 1843. He is a German Baptist preacher. His sons, Cyrus, William H. and H. D., are farmers in this township. All have been school teachers.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 515.]

Frederick Walker

Frederick Walker, grandson of Jacob, lived and died in Summit township. His children were Alexander, Samuel, George, Peter, Susan (Keller), deceased, Caroline (Suder) and Elizabeth (Heckard). Frederick served in the late war as colonel. Alexander served as sergeant. He is now engaged in the mercantile business in Nebraska. His eldest son, E. C.Walker, has been following carpentry since 1873. E. C. served in Co. C, 2d Md. Yet. bat.; enlisted in March, 1863, and was discharged in the fall of 1865.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 515.]

Jacob Walker

Jacob Walker was an early settler of this county. He was a native of Germany. His son Jacob was born in this county, and died in Ohio. Jacob, son of Jacob Walker, Jr., was born in Summit township, Somerset county, in 1799. In 1832 he moved to Stony Creek township, where he died in 1881. He married Catharine Fritz, and was the father of twelve children: Moses, J. J., Levi, Alexander, Harriet (Speicher), deceased, Matilda (Musser), Caroline (Glessner), Elizabeth (Speicher), Dinah (Glessner), Mary (Glessner), Lavina (Schrock) and Catharine (Woy). J. J. Walker is farming on the homestead, one mile east of Shanksville.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 517.]

Josiah J. Walker

Alexander Walker

Rev. Daniel Walker

Moses Walker

John Weigle

John Weigle came from New Jersey to Brother's Valley in 1787. In 1804 he removed to Stony Creek,, and settled near Shanksville. He married Mary Brubaker, and was the father of Jacob, John and Susan (Boaz), living; Daniel, Mary, Sarah, and Rosa (deceased). Jacob, who was born in this county in 1806, is the oldest native resident of the township. The children of Jacob Weigle and his wife Sarah (Rayman) are : Josiah, John, Jacob, Hiram, David, Elizabeth (Schrock), Lydia (Schrock), Anna (Wambaugh), Louisa (Poorbaugh), Caroline (Cable) and Mary, all living. John and Jacob served in the late war. Josiah married Lavina Will, and has nine children living. His eldest son, Charles E., is a school teacher.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 517.]

Albert Wright

Albert Wright, a native of Bedford county, came to Somerset county in 1865, and has since been engaged in farming, although by trade he is a carpenter. Two of his brothers, Edwin and Darwin, served in the late war. Mr. Wright's father, Thomas G., was born in Adams county,and settled in Bedford county about 1829. He followed shoemaking, school-teaching and the nursery business until his death, in 1865. He married Jane Gordon, and was the father of eight children.

[Source: History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, 1884. Waterman, Watkins & Co. p. 519.]

Benedict Yoder

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