My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH YODER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Versailles, Ohio; was born in France June 5, 1807; lived with his parents, working on the farm during the summer and attending school during the winter months, obtaining a good common-school education; after arriving at his majority, commenced farming on his own responsibility, paying $400 rent per annum for 100 acres of land, and meeting with fair success; embarked for America March 19, 1833, and after a long and tedious voyage of three months—being lost at one time—landed in New York in May; moved near Utica, N. Y., bought a farm of 20 acres, where he continued to farm for about two years, sold out and moved to Stark Co., whore he resided for a period of nine years on a farm; and, in 1844, he moved to Darke Co., Wayne Township, Sec. 5, where he has resided ever since; he bought 80 acres first, after which he added 92 acres, but has since sold 35 acres, leaving 137 acres in a good state of cultivation; when Mr. Yoder moved on his land, it was almost covered with water, and not an acre cleared; he built a log cabin, covered it with clap boards and used a puncheon floor, which he split with maul and wedge out of white-oak timber; he has, by his industry, and the help of his amiable wife, accumulated a sufficient amount of this world’s goods to keep them the rest of their days. Mr. Yoder has taken a very active part in politics, and has always voted the Republican ticket; his religious impressions are mainly due to his mother, who was a pious, thrifty and hard-working woman, given to saving and devoted to her family. Was united in marriage to Miss Anna Klopenstine, in France, Oct. 5, 1829; she was born in France Oct. 9, 1810; eight children were born to them, of whom four are living, viz.: Catharine, born March 7, 1832; Christopher, March 1, 1835; John, Feb. 10, 1847; Mary M., July 7, 1849; Joseph, died Feb. 13, 1848; Barbria, May 18, 1852; Eli, Feb. 26, 1861; Anna, June 9, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have passed through the many struggles, incidents and dangers so common to the pioneers of the Great West, and are today hardy and robust, at the advanced ages of 72 and 69, an aggregate of 141 years—having shared the joys of connubial life for more than 50 years.