Notes:

Niagara Gazette - Abt 7/1957

By CLARENCE O. LEWIS
Niagara County Historian
IN 1810.JOHN WITMER and
his family consisting of his wife
and eight children left Lancaster,
Pa., in a Conestoga wagon with
a four horse team. AM their worldly
possessions were in that wagon.
They were bound for the
Niagara Frontier. The trip was
made in late August and early
September and required 18 days.
The route was circuitious until
they reached Batavia from whence
they followed the Buffalo road
to Black Rock and thence down
the river to Devil's Hole where
they took a road which had been
chopped out by Isaac Swain. This
led to his clearing where the Military
road crosses Gill Creek, close
to the northern boundary of the
Town of Niagara.
Mr. Swain had. partially cleared
the timber from about 40 acres
and erected a good-size log house.
John Witmcr had purchased this
100 acre farm of Mr. Swain who
then moved to the Town of Porter
and settled south of Youngstown.
At this period (1810) there was
only one other clearing on the
Military road in the present town
of Niagara.
A short time before John Witmer
brought his family from Pensylvania,
he had ridden through
on horseback and purchased his
land. When he left his old home
he had cut a slender branch from
a Locust Tree to use as a switch.
When he reached his new home
he planted the switch in the rich
soil in front of the log cabin. The
switch, so the family tell me, took
root and today one may see as I
did, on the east side of the military
road some 25 odd feet north
of the Gill Creek crossing, a large
gnarly old locust tree that has
every earmark of being old enough
to verify the family legend.
* • *
WHEN THE TOWN of Niagara
was organized in April 1812.
John Witmer was elected one of
the "pathmasters." In 1817 he
built a small sawmill on Gill
Creek near his home and in 1818
began to saw and sell lumber.
"A great many of the first frame
houses in that part of Niagara
and adjacent towns were built of
lumber from his sawmill. Last
week I called on Mrs. Theresa
Morrison and Miss Serena Witmer
of 1024 Grove Ave., who are great
granddaughters of John Witmer.
They were most hospitable and
very willing to help me complete
this story. One incident they told
me was about Benjamin Witmer
son of John, and their great uncle
who as a boy of 17 during the
War of 1812, ventured down to
the bank of the Niagara opposite
one of the teaters of battle on the
Canadian, side and as he peered
through the bushes a four-pound
cannon ball came whizzing across
the river and took hit hat off his
head. When be had recovered
from the shock he found the cannon
ball imbedded in the earth
and took it home and it is still
kept by these ladies as a memento
of those troublous times of long
ago.
Abram Witmer, a brother of
John, came to the Frontier in
1811 from the same place in
Pennsylvania. His wife and four
children came with him. Their
trip was similar to John's. They
settled on a tract of land purchased
from the Holland Land
Co. It was on the Saunder's Settlement
road just east of Sugar
Street, and on the west abutted
on the Mile Reserve. He built,
a log house and began to clear
his land. At the first town meeting
in 1812 he was also elected
a pathmaster. When the War
broke out he took his family back
to Pennsylvania. The Witmer brothers
were Mennonites and had
religious scruple against war.
« » *
OUT OF AN estimated total of
337 homes along the Frontier, the
English and Indians looted and
burned all but a few that were
somewhat isolated! Fortunately
Abram Witmer's was one of these,
so that when they returned everything
was just as they had left it.
When the weather was too bad
to go to Porter's Grist, Mill at
the Falls they used a hollowed
out stump and a spring pole with
a stone tied to it for a pestle to
grind their grain.
In the spring of 1836 Benjamin
Rathbun came to Niagara Falls
to invest in real estate and erect
buildings. He heard that Abram
Witmer Jr., had a brick kiln
where he was making brick for
his house. Mr. Rathbun entered
into a contract with father and
son to make 300,000 brick for
him which he would pay for on
delivery. They had made and delivered
about two-thirds of the
contract when Rathbun's business
empire founded more or less on
credit, failed — partly, on account
of the financial panic of
that year and partly because of
unscrupulous deals.
The Witmers lost heavily but
made the best of a bad deal, selling
the bricks left on their hands
wherever they could find a market.
Abram Sr., was a carpenter
and cabinet maker as well as a
farmer.
Among documents found in the
old Court House attic were two
legal papers dated 1853 containing
the signatures of Abram Witmer
and Tobias, another son.
Abram, Sr., died Sept. 4, 1851.
Christian H. Witmer, the oldest
of Abram's seven sons operated
Judge Porter's Grist mill near the
present River end of First street
He also had a mill of his own
somewhat later, on the high bank
of the River near the Whirlpool
Bridge. On Sept. 17, 1859 while
working on the raceway he fell
into the water and was carried
down into the River and to his
death in the Whirlpool.
,* • *
TOBIAS WITM'ER was born in
1816 at Bellvue, (Suspension
Bridge). He was one of the first
surveyors of that region, his maps
being still the main reliance for
lot lines, etc. He was quite a
genius, being an inventor, author,
poet and a preacher besides a
Civil Engineer. One of his inventions
was the bicycle wheel. He
made the spokes of the wires from
an old hoop skirt. He also invented
a corn sheller, an automatic
rairoad switch,- pile driver,
portable signal tower for use
in the Army, fire escape, etc.
He taught school for a time
In 1861 although he had a family
of 12 children he enlisted in a
Civil War Regiment He died in
1897 in Williamsville, Erie Co.,
leaving a record of accomplishments
that seldom is equalled.
Elias Witmer, twin brother of
Tobias, finished his schooling at
the Lewiston Academy after which
he learned the tailor's trade. Later
he taught school, but finding his
health impaired he stuck to farm-
ing the rest of his long life.
Practically all the advancement
of the Niagara Frontier, from its
wild state to the highly developed
status of 1918, was. encompassed
in his life. In his youth oxteams
were a common sight along Portage
road. He was in Buffalo on
Oct 26, 1825, to see the official
opening of the Erie Canal and saw
DeWitt Clintonon the "Seneca
Chief and heard the cannon
"telegraph that carried the notice
of the starting of the Seneca
Chief on its voyage to the Atlantic
Ocean.
# • •
ELIAS WITMER was greatly
interested in the Niagara County
Pioneer's Assoc, organized in 1877
and was one time vice president
He was a regular attendant at
the Olcott Pioneer's Picnics. In
1914 when he was 98 years old
he planned to attend the picnic,
writing, a card to the Secty., George
S. Gooding in advance signifying
his intentions. He died Feb. 23,
1918, aged 102 years, in the
homestead built by his father in
1821.
On the 1852 map of Niagara
County there are shown nine
families of Witmer's living at different
points in the Town of Niagara.
The two first Witmers,
John and Abram, reared 17 children,
most of whom survived and
married.
A few moved out of Niagara
County, but the majority of them
lived and operated various types
of business in this County. The
Witmer road connecting Hyde
Park Blvd. with the Military
road perpetuates the family name.
There are today in Niagara
Falls six families descended from
the two pioneer brothers, .John
and Abram. They are Orlando
B. Witmer, 2215 Pierce Ave.; M.
T. Witmer, 1301 Ferry Ave; Miss
Emma A. Witmer, 1600 Cleveland
Ave.; Christian H. Witmer. 1174
Haeberle Ave.; and my collaborators,
Miss Serena T. Witmer and
Mrs. Theresa Morrison, 1024
Grove Ave. Also a great great
grandson, Robert C. Witmer,
2913 Michigan Ave.

Johannes married SCHALLENBURGER, Maria about 1755. Maria was born about 1735; died between 1774 and 1840. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 7/1957

IN 1810.JOHN WITMER and
his family consisting of his wife
and eight children left Lancaster,
Pa., in a Conestoga wagon with
a four horse team. All their worldly
possessions were in that wagon.
They were bound for the
Niagara Frontier. The trip was
made in late August and early
September and required 18 days.
The route was circuitious until
they reached Batavia from whence
they followed the Buffalo road
to Black Rock and thence down
the river to Devil's Hole where
they took a road which had been
chopped out by Isaac Swain. This
led to his clearing where the Military
road crosses Gill Creek, dose
to the northern boundary of the
Town of Niagara.
Mr. Swain had. partially cleared
the timber from about 40 acres
and erected a good-size log house.
John Witmer had purchased this
100 acre farm of Mr. Swain who
then moved to the Town of Porter
and settled south of Youngstown.
At this period (1810) there was
only one other clearing on the
Military road in the present town
of Niagara.
A short time before John Witmer
brought his family from Pensylvania,
he bad ridden through
on horseback and purchased his
land. When he left his old home
he had cut a slender branch from
a Locust Tree to use as a switch.
When he reached his new home
he planted the switch in the rich
soil in front of the log cabin. The
switch, so the family tell me, took
root and today one may see as I
did, on the east side of the military
road some 25 odd feet north
of the Gill Creek crossing, a large
gnarly old locust tree that has
every earmark of being old enough
to verify the family legend.
* ° *
WHEN THE TOWN of Niagara
was organized in April 1812.
John Witmer was elected one of
the "pathmasters." In 1817 he
built a small sawmill on Gill
Creek near his home and in 1818
began to saw and sell lumber.
"A great many of the first frame
houses in that part of Niagara
and adjacent towns were built of
lumber from his sawmill. Last
week I called on Mrs. -Theresa
Morrison and Miss Serena Witmer
of 1024 Grove Ave., who are great
granddaughters of John Witmer.
They were most hospitable and
very willing to help me complete
this story. One incident they told
me was about Benjamin Witmer
son of John, and their great uncle
who as a boy of 17 during the
War of 1812, ventured down to
the bank of the Niagara opposite
one of the teaters of battle on the
Canadian, side and as he peered
through the bushes a four-pound
cannon ball came whizzing across
the river and took hit hat off his
head. When be had recovered
from the shock he found the cannon
ball imbedded in the earth
and took it home and it is still
kept by these ladies as a memento
of those troublous times of long
ago.
Abram Witmer, a brother of
John, came to the Frontier in
1811 from' the same place in
Pennsylvania. His wife and four
children came with him. Their
trip was similar to John's. They
settled on a tract of land purchased
from the Holland Land
Co. It was on the Saunder's Settlement
road just east of Sugar
Street, and on the west abutted
on the Mile Reserve. He built,
a log house and began to clear
his land. At the first town meeting
in 1812 he was also elected
a pathmaster. When the War
broke out he took his family back
to Pennsylvania. The Witmer brothers
were Mennonites and had
religious scruple against war.
« » *
OUT OF AN estimated total of
337 homes along the Frontier, the
English and Indians looted and
burned all but a few that were
somewhat isolated. Fortunately
Abram Witmer was one of these,
so that when they returned everything
was just as they had left it.
When the weather was too bad
to go to Porter's Grist, Mill at
the Falls they used a hollowed
[out stump and a spring pole with
a stone tied to it for a pestle to
grind their grain.
In the spring of 1836 Benjamin
Rathbun came to Niagara Falls
to invest in real estate and erect
buildings. He heard that Abram
Witmer Jr., had a brick kiln
where he was making brick for
his house. Mr. Rathbun entered
into a contract with father and
son to make 300,000 brick for
him which he would pay for on
delivery. They had made and delivered
about two-thirds of the
contract when Rathbun's business
empire founded more or less on
credit, failed - partly, on account
of the financial panic of
that year and partly because of
unscrupulous deals.
The Witmers lost heavily but
made the best of a bad deal, selling
the bricks left on their hands
wherever they could find a market.
Abram ST., was a carpenter
and cabinet maker as well as a
farmer.
Among documents found in the
old Court House attic were two
legal papers dated 1853 containing
the signatures of Abram 'Witmer
and Tobias, another son.
Abram, ST., died Sept. 4, 1851.
Christian H. Witmer, the oldest
of Abram's seven sons operated
Judge Porter's Grist mill near the
present River end of First street
He also had a mill of his own
somewhat later, on the high bank
of the River near the Whirlpool
Bridge. On Sept. 17, 1859 while
working on the raceway he fell
into the water and was carried
down into the River and to his
death in the Whirlpool.
,* ° *
TOBIAS WITMER was born in
1816 at Bellvue, (Suspension
Bridge). He was one of the first
surveyors of that region, his maps
being still the main reliance for
lot lines, etc. He was quite a
genius, being an inventor, author,
poet and a preacher' besides a
Civil Engineer. One of his inventions
was the bicycle wheel. He
made the spokes of the wires from
an old hoop skirt. He also invented
a corn sheller, an automatic
railroad switch,- pile driver,
portable signal tower for use
in the Army, fire escape, etc.
-He-taught school for a time.
In 1861 although he had a family
of 12 children he enlisted in a
Civil War Regiment He died in
1897 in Williamsville, Erie Co.,
leaving a record of accomplishments
that seldom is equalled.
Elias Witmer, twin brother of
Tobias, finished his schooling at
the Lewiston Academy after which
he learned the tailor's trade. Later
he taught school, but finding his
health impaired he stuck' to farm-
ing the rest of his long life.
Practically all the advancement
of the Niagara Frontier, from its
wild state to the highly developed
status? of 1918, was. encompassed
in his life. In his youth oxteams
were a common sight along Portage
road. He "was in Buffalo oh
Oct 26, 1825, to see the official
opening of the Erie Canal and saw
DeWitt Clintonon the "Seneca
Chief and heard the cannon
"telegraph that carried the notice
of the starting of the Seneca
Chief on its voyage to the Atlantic
Ocean.
# ° °
ELIAS WITMER was greatly
interested in the Niagara County
Pioneer's Assoc, organized in 1877
and was one time vice president
He was a regular attendant at
the Olcott Pioneer's Picnics. In
1914 when he was 98 years old
he planned to attend the picnic,
writing, a card to the Secty., George
S. Gooding in advance signifying
his intentions. He died Feb. 23,
1918, aged 102 years, in the
homestead built by his father in
1821.
On the 1852 map of Niagara
County there are shown nine
families of Witmer's living at different
points in the Town of Niagara.
The two first Witmers,
John and Abram, reared 17 children,
most of whom survived and
married.
A few moved out of Niagara
County, but the majority of them
lived and operated various types
of business in this County. The
Witmer road connecting Hyde
Park Blvd. with the Military
road perpetuates the family name.
There are today in Niagara
Falls six families descended from
the two pioneer brothers, .John
and Abram. They are Orlando
B. Witmer, 2215 Pierce Ave.; M.
T. Witmer, 1301 Ferry Ave; Miss
Emma A. Witmer, 1600 Cleveland
Ave.; Christian H. Witmer. 1174
Haeberle Ave.; and my collaborators,
Miss Serena T. Witmer and
Mrs. Theresa Morrison, 1024
Grove Ave. Also a great great
grandson, Robert C. Witmer,
2913 Michigan Ave.

Article by Clarence O. Lewis, Niagara County Historian

ALSO

Tonawanda News - 7/18/1970

By WILLARD DITTM AR
President
Historical Society
of the Tonawandas
Witmer Road, connecting
Niagara Falls Boulevard
and River Road in North
Tonawanda, was named for
a family of early frontier
settlers.
In 1810, John Witmer and
his family, consisting of his
wife and eight children, left
Lancaster, Pa., and settled
on a 100-acre farm on
Military Road, which he had
purchased from one Isaac
Swain. At that time there
was only one other clearing
on Military Road.
Abram Witmer, a brother
of John, came to the Niagara
Frontier in 1811 from the
same place in Pennsylvania
with his wife and four children.
They settled on a tract
of land purchased from the
Holland Land Co. on
Saunders Settlement Road.
When the War of 1812 broke
out, Abram took his family,
which had grown larger,
back to Pennsylvania. The
Witmer brothers were
Mennonites and had
religious scruples against
war.
Tobias Witmer, one of
Abram's seven sons, was
born in 1816 at Bellevue
(Suspension Bridge) and
became one of the first
surveyors of the region. He
made several maps of early
Tonawanda which are still
the main reliance for lot
lines and street boundaries.
On an 1852 map of Niagara
County there are shown
nine families of Witmers
living at different points in
the Town of Niagara. The
two first Witmers. John and
Abram. reared 17 children,
most of whom survived and
married.

Family/Spouse: HERSHEY, Barbara. Barbara (daughter of HERSHEY, Christian and HERR, Barbara) was born on 13 Apr 1767; died on 4 Nov 1856 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Abraham Witmer was a pioneer settler from Lancaster County, PA, who settled on a farm of several hundred acres about one mile northeasterly from the old suspension bridge in the town of Niagara., NY


Tonawanda News - 7/18/1970

By WILLARD DITTM AR
President
Historical Society
of the Tonawandas
Witmer Road, connecting
Niagara Falls Boulevard
and River Road in North
Tonawanda, was named for
a family of early frontier
settlers.
In 1810, John Witmer and
his family, consisting of his
wife and eight children, left
Lancaster, Pa., and settled
on a 100-acre farm on
Military Road, which he had
purchased from one Isaac
Swain. At that time there
was only one other clearing
on Military Road.
Abram Witmer, a brother
of John, came to the Niagara
Frontier in 1811 from the
same place in Pennsylvania
with his wife and four children.
They settled on a tract
of land purchased from the
Holland Land Co. on
Saunders Settlement Road.
When the War of 1812 broke
out, Abram took his family,
which had grown larger,
back to Pennsylvania. The
Witmer brothers were
Mennonites and had
religious scruples against
war.
Tobias Witmer, one of
Abram's seven sons, was
born in 1816 at Bellevue
(Suspension Bridge) and
became one of the first
surveyors of the region. He
made several maps of early
Tonawanda which are still
the main reliance for lot
lines and street boundaries.
On an 1852 map of Niagara
County there are shown
nine families of Witmers
living at different points in
the Town of Niagara. The
two first Witmers. John and
Abram. reared 17 children,
most of whom survived and
married.

Abraham married HABECKER, Barbara on 8 Oct 1804 in Columbia, Lancaster County, PA. Barbara (daughter of HABECKER, Christian and HERR, Esther) was born on 23 Oct 1782 in Manor Township, Lancaster County, PA; died on 6 Jul 1859 in Witmer Homestead, Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married MARTIN, Barbara Groff about 1797 in Earl Township, Lancaster County, PA. Barbara (daughter of MARTIN, Martin H and GROFF, Barbara) was born about 1776; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: FUNK, Barbara. Barbara was born on 19 Oct 1782 in PA; died in 1862. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GROSH, John. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buffalo NY Morning Express - 5/16/1881

Benjamin Witmer, one of the first settlers In
Western New-York, died at his residence, four
miles northeast of Niagara Falls, on Tuesday, the
10th inst., aged 86 years, and was buried on Thursday,
the 12th, in the family burying-ground on the
old homestead, where he had resided since 1842.
The Rev. John Strickler, of Clarence, assisted by
the Rev. Mr. Leonard, of La Salle, and the Rev.
Mr. Snyder, a neighbor, conducted the funeral
services, which were attended by a very large concourse
of his relatives and acquaintances, among
whom were many who had known him over half a
century.
Mr. Witmer's ancestors were of those Christians
who are known as Mennonites, from Simon Menno,
a Reformer, cotemporary with Luther, who in the
Netherlands renounced the Roman Catholic Church,
in which he was a friar, and became a leader
among the Ana Baptists, a considerable portion of
whom assumed his name to designate their peculiar
sect. Religious persecution by the Romanists
drove these Mennonite ancestors from their native
countries in Europe, and thousands of their devoted
compeers, in the early part of the sixteenth century,
settled in Lancaster County, Pa., then called the
"Garden of America," where they soon became a
numerous, prosperous, and a happy people, mind-
ing their own business and letting other people do
the same, which sometimes is styled selfishness. In
course of time the more enterprising, among whom
were some styled " Tories " because they would not
fight against King George in the War of
the Revolution, sought homes in Western New-
York and the neighboring province of Up-
per Canada. In August, 1810, John Wit
mer, the father of the deceased, sold out his
home in Pennsylvania, six miles west of Lancaster
City, and with a four-horse team brought
his family via Harrisburgh, past the mouth of
Lycoming Creek, over Williams's road via Block
House and Blossburg, down the Tioga Valley to
Painted Post, thence to Dansville, N. Y.. Batavia,
Black Rock, and down Niagara River to Devil's
Hole, from which Mr. Isaac Swain had cut a road
through the woods to his farm on lots 30 and 34.
which the father purchased of Mr. Swain, and
made it his future home. But war's end again
drove these inoffensive people from their wilderness
homes, and in 1813 John Witmer, the father, and
his brother Abraham Witmer, who had settled on
the adjoining farm, took their helpless families to a
safe reheat in the interior, John going to Dansville,
N. Y., and Abraham returning to Lancaster County.
Benjamin, however, being a lad 17 years old (he
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., March 21.
1795). was employed voluntarily as an artificer in
building the fortifications at Fort Niagara, the
religious tenets of the Mennonites forbidding their
taking up arms, the Government, on the other
hand never requiring them to violate their conscientious
scruples. One day as he was coming
from the fort, up the river to the top of the mountain
at Lewiston, he, with his two companions,
were espied by the men at the battery across the
river on Queenston Heights, and were fired upon,
the cannon ball, a six pounder, burying itself in
the ground near by. The ball was afterwards dug
up by Mr. Witmer and has ever since been kept as
a kind of heir-loom in the family, the children
often amusing themselves by rolling it over
the chamber floor to produce artificial thunder.
After the war was over both families returned and
made permanent homes at the places first purchased.
In 1817 Benjamin built a saw-mill for his father, at
the homestead, on Gill-creek crossing of the military
road. This mill was instrumental in preparing
most of the lumber used for building in that vicinity
for many years, and is still used during the wet
season. He next went to Erie County and built a
saw-mill for Christian Long, one mile north of
Williamsville. He also built another for Joseph
Getz, on Ellicott's creek, and another for Christian
Frick at Skinnersville, now Wolf's.
Here he made the acquaintance of Miss Anna
Maria Heil, daughter of John HeiI, whom he married
in 1835, and settled on his farm, where now
the Lutheran church stands at Eggertsville. Here
five of his children--John in 1835, Mary in 1836,
Sabina in 1838. Barbara in 1830, and Benjamin in
1831-were born. In 1831 he sold out and moved
to the farm next west adjoining the old homestead,
which is now occupied by his son Elder Martin
Witmer, where he lived until the death of the old
grandfather John Witmer, in 1843, when he took
possession of the homestead. His family was increased
by the births of Martin in 1833. Henry in
1835, Elisabeth in 1836, Leonard in 1838, Anna in
1839, Esther in 1841, Simon in 1843, and Elias in
1844. These all survive him except Barbara, who
died in 1864. His wife died in 1871, and is remembered
as one of the most exemplary women.
Mr. Witmer, although of a very unassuming character,
was an active, industrious, frugal and ex
emplary man-a kind though commanding father,
stamping a virtuous and determined character upon
his large family, the good influence of which has
reached out far beyond his own family. He was
respected by all who knew him, and he retained the
vigor of a strong mind to the last day, dying at
peace with all men, and, as the writer is assured
from an Interview had on Saturday before his death,
he died in the full assurunce of the Christian's hope
of eternal lite.
All his children except Leonard, Elias and Esther,
who are living in the far West, were present at the
funeral, and the tears of affection were soothed by
the smiles of Heaven, shed down in ihe blossoms of
promise of the lovely May day, and the kind greet-
Ings of a sympathizing crowd of spectators.
T. W.

Family/Spouse: HEIL, Anna Maria. Anna was born on 26 Oct 1803 in PA; died on 26 Mar 1871 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married CROUT, Mary on 4 Oct 1832 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Mary was born on 15 Jun 1801; died on 17 Oct 1867 in Fairfax, IA; was buried in Fairfax, IA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WISSLER, Jacob. Jacob was born about 1803 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: CROUT, Jacob. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Drowned in Niagara River at foot of his mill. Body found at Lewiston October 26, 1859.

Buffalo NY Daily Courier - 10/27/1859

The BODY OF M R . W I T M E R F O U N D ,-
The Niagara Falls Gazette says: " The body of our
late townsman, Christian H. Witmer, was found a
short distance below Lewiston on Friday. It was
lying in the edge of the water, partly on shore
where It had evidently been driven within a day
or two by the wind! The body was In a very good
state of preservation. The relatives were at once
notified. and readily recognized it. The clothing
was nearly all gone- necktie, one wristband and shoes and stocking being
all that was left.
It will be recollected that Mr. Witmer was
drowned by falling into the river, near Suspension Bridge, on the 17th of September.

Christian married MANN, Maria Schneider on 31 May 1831. Maria was born on 11 Jan 1808 in Columbia, Lancaster County, PA; died on 30 May 1885 in WItmer Rd. near Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 7/25/1895

Death ol Abraham Witmer.
Abraham Witmer, father of J . S Wit-
rner formerly of this city but now of Lockport,
died In that city this morning at 8
o'clock, aged 97 years.. His wife and one
son survive. the funeral will be observed
at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday from the Church of
Christ.

Abraham married STRICKLER, Catherine on 5 Feb 1835 in Clarence, Erie County, NY. Catherine was born on 22 Nov 1816 in Clarence, Erie County, NY; died on 20 Mar 1903 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married MARTIN, Fanny on 1 Jan 1839 in Clarence, Erie County, NY. Fanny (daughter of MARTIN, David and FRICK, Veronica) was born on 9 Jul 1815 in Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA; died on 4 Mar 1904 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Niagara, NY at the time of his brother Tobias's death in 1897

Joseph married KAUFFMAN, Catharine on 24 Sep 1846 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. Catharine (daughter of KAUFFMAN, Michael and NEWCOMMER, Elizabeth) was born on 2 Aug 1825 in Lancaster County, PA; died on 23 Jul 1907 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

WITMER.-THE FIRST DEATH OF THE HOUSEHOLD. Written on the death of Esther Witmer, who died Jan. 10th, 1834, aged 19 years, 10 months and 20 days.

Oh! many a mournful year hath flown,
Since first amid our family band
Death came and stole our lovliest one,
And bore her to the spirit land
Yet shrined with many a sweet, sad thought,
That loved one's mem'ry lingers still;
For oh! she left a void that nought
But mournful thoughts could fill.

Years have passed by, I said, and yet,
It only seems the other day;
Since round her dying bed we met
With breaking hearts to weep and pray;
Her gentle soul, we strove to think
Would linger yet 'mid earthly flowers;
Even when 'twas trembling at the brink
Of the better world than ours.

Yes, there e'en when all hope had flown,
We wept away each lingering hour,
Until the shades of Death came down
And closed at length the closing flower;
And yet it seemed like sin to grieve
For one so patient and resigned,
For, if she mourned 'twas but to leave
Such breaking hearts behind.

She died! yet death could scarcely chill,
Her smiling beauties, though she lay
With cold, extended limbs, and still
Her face looked fairer than the day;
Those eyes, once elegant with bliss,
Now closed as soft as closing flowers-
Oh! few could bear a sight like this,
But such a sight like this was ours.

How slowly wore that long, long day,
Like spirits in some haunted place;
We'd sit and sigh-then steal away
To look once more on that pale face;
We could not think her soul had passed
The awful bounds of mortal strife,
That that warm heart was cold at last
That loved us more than life.

And when the funeral-rite was said,
They bore her from our happy home,
And left her with the silent dead
A pale-faced tenant of the tomb.
We reared no marble* midst the flowers,
Above her grave--to mark the spot;
Yet many a heart, as fond as ours
Still holds her unforgot.

Months passed, yet still our sorrow gushed;
The free glad laugh no more was heard;
And many a little voice was hushed,
That used to warble like a bird.
And though at times we strove to smile
Serenely for each other's sake,
And wept in secret all the while
As if our hearts would break.

Yet why should death be linked with fear,
A single breath-a low drawn sigh
Can break the ties that bind us here,
And waft the spirit to the sky.
Such was her end-a calm release-
No clinging to this mortal clod;
She closed her eyes and stood in peace
Before a smiling God.

Suspension Bridge. ----- E. Witmer.

*Since, a tombstone has been erected

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 2/23/1943

SAD event of wide interest occurred
here 25 years ago today
when Elias Witmer. Niagara county's
oldest resident, died at his
home in the Saunders Settlement
road, near Sugar street, at the astonishing
age of 101 years and
four months. More remarkable still
was the fact that he died on the
same farm where he was born and
had spent almost his entire life.
A member of a family whose
longevity has become almost a leg-
end in this area, Mr. Witmer was a
son of Abraham Witmer, who had
settled in Niagara county in 1811.
He was of Swiss ancestry. With
the exception of a few years, dur-
ing which he taught school in Buf-
falo, he operated the Saunders Set-
tlement road farm until he retired
near the century mark. Even when
he was crowding 100 he frequently
walked allk the day from his farm to
downtown Niagara Falls. Unmar-
ried, he was survived by 25 ne-
phews and nieces, including Mrs.
Daniel Schmidt, with whom he re-
sided; 166 grand-nephews and
grand-nieces and 35 great grand-
nephews and great-grand-nieces.

ALSO

Buffalo NY Morning Express - 2/23/1918

Niagara Falls, Feb. 23 - Elias Wit-
mer, who was 101 years old on October
6, 1916, died shortly before 5 o'clock
this afternoon at his home on the Sandy
Settlement road a few miles east of this
city. He had been failing all winter.
Two weeks ago he caught cold, but he
was up last Monday. Fifteen minutes
before his death he talked with Andrew
Lauer (sic), a lifelong friend and neighbor,
and showed much interest in the news
of the day.
Mr. Witmer was born in the house in
which he died, a house built in 1811 by
his father, Abraham Witmer. He was
never married, but lived in the old
house with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Smith,
the latter the daughter of Tobias Wit-
mer, a twin brother of Elias, who died
in 1897 at Williamsville. Abraham Wit-
mer had six sons and a daughter and
Elias was the last.
Elias Witmer was well known in
Western New York. He was a great
walker and visited many places. He
never smoked, shewed or drank, not
because of religious scruples, but be-
cause he thought the habits useless and
unhealthy. He would annoy tobacco
growers in the fields by telling them
their work was a waste of time.
In religion, Mr. Witmer was a Men-
nonite and it was his last request that
Jacob Habecker of a Mennonite settle-
ment in Pennsylvania be asked to offi-
ciate at his funeral. A telegram was
sent to Mr. Habecker and the funeral
will be held next Tuesday at the home.
Burial will be in the Witmer rural
cemetery, which was founded by Abra-
ham Witmer.

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 10/9/1911

Elias Witmer, the oldest resident of
Niagara county, yesterday quietly observed
his th birthday at the old Witmer
homestead on the Saunders' Settlement
road. Though the aged man has
lost considerable of his former vigor
he Is still active mentally and physically.
>"-".>'°
Mr. Witmer, son of the late Abraham
Witmer, a Niagara pioneer was born
near old village of Suspension Bridge,
on October 8th, 1816, and has lived in
this vicinity all his life. For the greater
part of the time he has been a farmer.
As a young man he started In business
at the-north end of the city, but
his'health failed him and he had to
seek outdoor occupation. There is no
better example in Niagara county of the
value of the outdoor life than Mr. Witmer
There was never a day up up until
within a year that he did not walk from
ten to twelve miles. There was no
more picturesque figure than his with
his fishpole over his shoulder.
Until this year Mr. Witmer never
missed a picnic of the Niagara County
Pioneer's Association. He was very
eager to attend the outing, but he was
not in the best of health at the tlme
and was persuaded to remain at home.
But he is again in first class health
and appears to be well enough to warrant
belief that he will round out the
century.

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 10/8/1915

Elias Witmer, who will one year from
today, if living then, complete a century
of life's cycle, retains within his time-
shrunken physical frame a soul and intel-
lect which, when given' play in conversa-
tlon, quickly dissipate thoughts of per-
sonal appearance and challenge regard.
Feeble and beset much of the time with
the ills of the aged, Mr. Witmer coura-
g e o u s l y arose and dressed today, walked
about the house a bit and affably greeted
close relatives and neighbors who gather-
ed to cheer him. He resides with his niece
Mrs. Daniel Schmidt, on the Saunders
Settlement road, a few rods beyond Sugar
street.
I feel as well as I could' well expect to
all things considered." declared the near
centenarian to his interviewer yesterday
afternoon. "I believe I shall live for some
years to come, possibly to 125." he added,
and shook hands with quite a firm grip.
The quarter hour's talk that followed was
punctuated with many merry quips and
jests on the part of Mr. Witmer. Much
was confidential, the rest may here be
told.
Born in Log Cabin.
"Yes, I am ninety-nine years old come
tomorrow," he said. "I was born on October
8, 1816, in a log-cabin about five or
ten rods south of this place and I have
always lived in this neighborhood except
during the few years that I traveled
through some of the states. I was spanked
here, I was trained here. I was
schooled here and I always lived here.
The log-house in which I was born has
passed away. It was two stories on the
ground floor and had no upper floors.
"Abraham Witmer was my father and
Barbara Witmer, nee Habaker, my mother.
I had five brothers and several sisters.
They are all dead and I am living
on. I have tried in vain to discover why
I, a man of small stature and not overstrong
should have lived so long and
outlived my larger, sturdier brothers and
sisters. It is a mystery to me so do not
ask me to explain the cause of my long-
evity.
Believes In Good Cheer.
"I was raised here on a farm and as a
youth became a farmer naturally enough.
l continued a farmer until I came to
realize that I was below medium slze and
then I went and learned the tailor's trade.
That I found deleterious to my health so
I sought the farm again and the rest of
my life I got my living from Mother
Earth herself. What I was unable to do
myself I hired others to do and here I
am. Long may you wave, my dear young
sir. You see I am of good cheer. I have
always found it good to keep cheerful,
"I never married. I am what they used
to call a bachelor. Is there any other
name used now that is not so harsh as
that? No? And you say they call them
bachelor girls instead of old maids, now-
adays? Well, that it better, that's a
I much better way to express it-hum, bachelor
girls."
"Well, I grew up under paternal discipline.
After years I volunteered to be
baptized in the church. In polities I have
always been a democratic Republican. and
-put this in capital letters, if you will-I
I'm anti-Masonic. Most of our family
lived to goodly years. My father lived
over eighty years. Have I told you
enough about myself, now?''
H e r e ' s Old Age Recipe.
"What Is your recipe for living to the
age of ninety and nine years?" Mr. Witmer
was asked.
"Well, I have always confined my eating
to a plain farmer diet of wholesome.,
well-cooked food, off my own farm, the
aged.man replied. "I have never used
tobacco and of alcoholic drinks. I never
partook except very sparingly at any
time. Alcohol is injurious to success. As
a medicine, however, I favor its use."
"Are you still able to read?" asked the
reporter.
"Yes," was the reply. "I read some
with these spectacles but the types have
grown pretty dim. I have been able to
read some about the great war in Europe
and have heard some about it- I have
no words to express the horror of it.
I only pray God to favor the right, on
whichever side it may lie. May God direct
it r i g h t"
With the light of happiness over the advent
of another birthday shining from his
wrinkled face, Ellas Witmer waved his
hand in adieu as his Interviewer departed
and down the hall stairs he again piped
shrilly, "Long may you wave."

Notes:

Born Oct. 08, 1816 in Niagara, NY, he worked on his fathers several hundred acre farm, attended the district school, and took a course of study at the Lewiston Academy. He next engaged to teach district school in what is now (1923) as the Synder District in Amherst, Erie County, NY. While teaching there he met, wooed and won his bride Anna FRICK daughter of Christian FRICK and Elizabeth LONG, who resided in a farm near by opposite the school house.
Tobias WITMER was a Surveyor and Civil Engineer. he was the author and publisher of maps of the town of Niagra, city of Tonawanda, Village of Williamsville and Deed Atlas of the County of Erie. etc..
He served for three years as a Sergent in the 50th Regiment of the New York Volunteers (Engineers), and on one occasion was in charge of several companies of the regiment putting in abatis in advance of one of our forts opposite of Petersburg, VA. The emeny observing and not approving of this began cannoning during the war he and his son Christian F. WITMER ( the author of the article) were deatiled to make surveys amont the forts at Washington D.C. and in the vincity of Falmouth VA.
Returning at the close of the War he resumed his former occupation of Land Surveying and took over the Agency of the Agricultural Insurance company, which has been in the family to the present time (1923),
He was active in the Church of Christ, also one of the founders of the Williamsville Classical Institute, and at one time its principal teacher, who finally donated their stock for Public School purposes. It was his ambition to equip each of his children with a good education rather than material wealth, on the theory that riches have wings, but that knowledge is life-long capital. Of his sons and daughters ten have served as teachers. He died in the family home Aug. 14, 1897.

ALSO

Buffalo NY Morning Express - about 1897

Pioneer, Patriot, Genius.
THE LATB TOBIAS WITMER WAS ALL
OF THESE, AND A MAN OF CHRISTIAN
LIFE AND GOOD INFLUENCE-
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR.
Tobias Witmer, who died at his home near
Willamsville, August 14th, was a man whose
career was so prominently linked with the history
of Western New-York and Buffalo, that
it merits a somewhat detailed record.
He was a genius. There was nothing In
wood or metal that he could not make. He
was an inventor, as the records of the Patent
Office will show. He was the originator of
the bicycle wheel, and the family still have in
their possession a model of this wheel, made
years before the bicycle came into popular
favor In this model the spikes were made
from the wires of an old hoop skirt. Unfortunately
he never applied for a patent. Among
his inventions were a corn-sheller, a railroad
switch (automatic), a pile driver, a pall table
signal tower for use in the army, and a fire-escape,
of which thr presant Hayes ladder is
claimed to be an infringement. Another of
his inventions was a simple contrivance to
teach the transposition of the scale for the use
of music teachers.
He was a writer of considerable ability in
prose and poetry and was equally at home in
English. German, or the dialect of the "Pennsylvania
Dutch." A new system of phonetic
spenning which received the commendation
and endorsement of much high authority as
the late Prof a.0. Haldeman of the University
of Pennsylvania. was his work.
He was a patriot, having enlisted on his 45th
birthday. at which time he had twelve ctilldren.
A daughter was born on the day he
was is the Battle.of Fredericksburg and an
other after his return from the War. The
latter died after reaching her majority and
that was the only death in a family of fourteen children.
Mr Witmer celebrated his golden wedding
November 13, 1887, and had he lived until
November 13th this year. he would have celebrated
the 60th anniversary of his marriage.
His twin brother, Elias Witmer, still lives on
the old homestead east of Suspension Bridge
on which their father settled before the War
of 1812
A remarkable circumstance happened in
connection with Mr. Witmer s departure to
and return from the War. Accompanied by by
eldest son, Christian F., they took the old
Williamsville and Buffalo Octibus (sp?) and found
nine other recruits from Clarence and sur-
rounding towns going to the seat of war. Although
widely dispersed during the three years
of service on their return home after the close
of the War the original eleven men found
themselves traveling on the same omtiibus,
homeward bound.
Mr. Witmer was one of the founders of the
Williamsville Academy, an institution which
at one time had an attendance of 600 students.
He was also the principal of the institution
for a short time.
But his chief work was in the church For
many years he was an elder" in the Christian
Church (Disciples) at Williamsville. He established
numerous Sunday schools in Niagara
County and the towns of Amherst and Cheektow
aga.
His humble efforts in this direction were the
direct cause of the establishment of the Christian
church at Suspension Bridge. Through
the efforts of Mr. Hensler of Tonawanda and
himself. St. James Hall in this city wans rented
and religious meetings were held which finally
required in the establishment of the Christian
Church in Buffalo. At first services were held in
the old French Church at the corner of Tupper
and Ellicott streets Subsequently the Church of Christ (Disciples) on Tichmond Avenue was built and later a branch on Jefferson Street.
An artisan, inventor, civil engineer, author, poet, patriot and preacher, his unassuming superiority endeared him to all.

Tobias married FRICK, Anna Long on 24 Nov 1837 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. Anna (daughter of FRICK, Christian and LONG, Elizabeth) was born on 18 May 1819 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY; died on 14 Sep 1908 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY; was buried in Williamsville, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Excelsior Missouri at the time of her brothers death.

Fanny married LEIB, Jacob S on 13 Mar 1849 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Jacob (son of LEIB, Abraham and SCHUH, Elizabeth) was born on 27 May 1824 in York County, PA; died on 30 Apr 1893 in Morgan, MO; was buried in Bethel Church Cemetery, Excelsior, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: METZLER, David. David (son of METZLER, Abraham and GROFF, Christina) was born in 1789; died in 1862. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MARTIN, Elis.. Elis. was born on 25 Mar 1793; died on 23 Jun 1831. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STAUFFER, Barbara. Barbara was born about 1795 in PA; died on 19 Jul 1868. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

May 2nd, near Wakarusa, Elkhart County, Ind., of lung fever, CHRISTIAN WITMER, aged 76 years, 10 months and 1 day. He was buried on May 3rd, at Shaum,s burying-ground. Henry Shaum preached a funeral discourse in German, and J. F. Funk in English. He was a member of the Mennonite church; he was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and removed to Ohio in 1834, where he lived 31 years, when he removed to Elkhart County, Ind., where he ended his days.

Christian married RANK, Susanna on 8 Jan 1827. Susanna was born on 9 Nov 1802; died on 31 Aug 1858. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: GEHMEN, Mary. Mary was born about 1804 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: METZLER, Jacob. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: STAUFFER, Anna. Anna (daughter of STAUFFER, David and WEAVER, Anna) was born in 1816 in PA; died in 1886; was buried in Pike Mennonite Cemetery, Lancaster, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: RUTT, Lydia. Lydia was born in 1819 in PA; died in 1901. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: AXTELL, Lavina P. Lavina was born in 1833 in New York; died on 26 Apr 1914. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: WAGNER, Jacob. Jacob was born about 1827 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BINKLEY, Elias. Elias (son of BINKLEY, Christian Herr and STIKLY, Katharine) was born on 29 Dec 1824 in PA; died on 11 Nov 1862. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martin married KING, Elizabeth I about 1860. Elizabeth was born in Feb 1840 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BINKLEY, Elizabeth. Elizabeth (daughter of BINKLEY, Christian Herr and STIKLY, Katharine) was born on 31 Aug 1831 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married OSTRANDER, John W in 1865. John (son of OSTRANDER, Thomas and WASSON, Phebee) was born in 1827 in Boston, Erie County, NY; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ENSMINGER, Anna. Anna was born in Sep 1841 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married LEHMAN, John B about 1866. John was born on 19 Aug 1840 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: KLINE, Samuel. Samuel was born in Osborn, OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LEHMAN, Henry. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 10/10/1933

WITMER-At the o l d homestead. 1024,
Grove avenue. Simon, beloved husband
of the late Mary Barbara Witmer, at
1:20 a . m , Oct. 10th, 1933. He is survived
bv six children: Simon C . Chicago.
Ill., Artemas S., Baltimore. Md., Malc
h am T., Orlando B., Theresa M. I Mrs.
Murdo Morrison, and Serena T., all of
t h i s city; six grandchtdren also survive:
Mrs. Charles H. Noe and Fred C. Witmer.
Chicago, til., Robert C. and Ruth
E. Witmer, Wm. Angus and Mary Isabelle
Morrison, all of this city. Funeral
service will be In charge of Rev. J. I.
McCullough, Fredonla, N. Y.. on Friday
at the home at 2 p. m. Burial will be
In Rlverdale cemetery.

Simon married SCHNEIDER, Mary Barbara on 23 Dec 1869 in Niagara County, NY. Mary (daughter of SCHNEIDER, Rev Theobald and GRAUER, Anna Katharina) was born on 28 May 1847 in Ontario, Canada; died on 1 Apr 1927 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Riverdale Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY - Section 5. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: CANNON, Mary M. Mary was born about 1855 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emanuel married PHILIPS, Elizabeth on 9 Aug 1865 in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA. Elizabeth (daughter of PHILIPS, David and Mary) was born on 18 Feb 1837 in OH; died in 1918; was buried in Berlin, Ottawa County, MI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maria married NEUBAUER, Philipp about 1855. Philipp was born in Oct 1829 in Germany; died between 1900 and 1910. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: KROUT, John. John was born about 1841 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ROSE, Frank. Frank was born about 1839 in OH; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1880 Census in Missouri

Family/Spouse: CHASE, Moses. Moses was born about 1824 in NH; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married MAURER, Benedict about 1860 in Sanborn, Town of Wheatfield, Niagara County, NY. Benedict was born about 1827 in Bern, Switzerland; died about 1889. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary. Mary was born about 1829 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buffalo NY Morning Express - 3/16/1915

The will of the late Jacob M. Witmer,
one of the oldest residents of Niagara
county, who died at La Salle recentlly
was admitted to probate today by Judge
Surrogate Fish. The property valued
at $4,200 was left to the brother John
and the latter's wife.

Jacob married YOUNG, Elizabeth on 26 May 1859 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Elizabeth (daughter of YOUNG, Jonas) was born on 20 Dec 1839 in New York; died on 3 Jun 1878; was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY - Section 3. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jacob married SAMWAYS, Maria on 15 Jul 1880 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Maria (daughter of SAMWAYS, William and Rebecca) was born on 15 Nov 1838 in New York; died on 1 Jan 1884 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY - Section 3. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abraham married DART, E Augusta in Jun 1860. E (daughter of DART, William B) was born on 29 May 1842 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 17 Apr 1925; was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY - Section 3. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married SHENK, Elizabeth on 26 Sep 1865 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Elizabeth and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married BAER, Julia A on 6 Jun 1872 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Julia (daughter of BAER, Jonas and HOUSE, Sarah Ann) was born on 14 Nov 1848 in New York; died on 10 Jan 1926 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Riverdale Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY - Section 5. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fanny married EMIG, William Henry on 27 Feb 1873 in York County, PA. William (son of EMIG, John and KNIESLY, Sarah) was born on 22 Dec 1840; died on 9 Mar 1899 in York, York County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 5/31/1931

LOCKPORT, Mar. 31-Word was received
here yesterday that Joseph W.
Witmer, former Lockport resident, observed
his 95th birthday Saturday still
in fine health at his home at 751 Santa
Barbara street, Pasadena, Calif.
He and his wife, Adelaide, 81 years
old, left Lockport for the Pacific coast
36 years ago and have high hopes of
observing their sixtieth wedding annltereary
in 1933.
They have a daughter, Mrs, H. W.
Murray In Pasadena and a son, Roy C.
Witmer of New York City who Is with
the National Broadcasting Company.
Roy Witmer Is well known here where
he graduated from Lockport High
school In 1905 While in school be star-
Ted in baseball.
The Witmers lived many years at 46
Spalding street. Mr. Witmer was formerly
secretary of the Farmers Mutual
insurance Company of Niagara and
Orleans counties.
Mr. Witmer comes from a family
noted for their longevity. His parents,
the late Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Witmer
who lived at 127 Spalding street,
observed their sixtieth wedding annl-
Tersary in 1895, the husband dying that
September In his 87th year.
Mr. Witmer's father had five brothers,
Christian, David, Joseph, Ellas
and Tobias, the latter two twins, who
lived to be over 80 years old except
Christian, a miller, who was drowned
In the Niagara river. Ellas, who never
married, lived to be past 101 years.
Four of the brothers celebrated their
golden weddings and four of them had
children who lived to observe the fiftieth
anniversaries of their weddings.
One of the children Is Mr. Witmer
In California and another is Christian
Witmer of Willamsvllle, son of Tobias
Witmer. The other two have died since
their anniversaries, the late Mrs. J.
M. Kline of this city, daughter of Joseph
Witmer and the late John M. Witmer
of Niagara Falls, son of Christian
Witmer.
The Witmers were early settlers in
ttie town of Niagara and leave many
descendants scattered throughout the
county.

Joseph married MILLARD, Frances M on 10 May 1860. Frances (daughter of MILLARD, Stephen) was born on 8 Jul 1836 in New York; died on 18 May 1872 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in WItmer Memorial Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married COOK, Adelaide on 12 Mar 1873. Adelaide (daughter of COOK, William and HAYNES, Nancy J) was born on 11 Nov 1849 in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada; died on 28 Dec 1942 in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MCCAULEY, William A. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At any rate this is Christian's obit

Niagara Falls Gazette, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY
April 7, 1932, P 12:8

RANSOMVILLE, April 7-Mrs. Frank Canfield Sr., received word last week of the
death of her brother Christian Witmer who died in Highland, CA. He
was a Civil War veteran serving in the 10th New York Cavalry in the same
company with Mr. Alexander Irish of this town. Mr. Witmer was in his 91st
year.

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 4/4/1932

Word has just been received here of
the death of Christian Martin Witmer,
which occurred at his home in High-
land, Calif on Mar. 21. Mr. Witmer
was a native of the town of Niagara
and a Civil War veteran. He was a
son of the late David Witmer and
Fanny Martin Witmer and was born
Apr. 29. 1841, in the old Witmer
Road on the south side of the.
Lockport road, just east of the Tus-
arora road.
During the early part of the Civil
Was, Christian Martin Witmer enlisted
in the 10th New York Cavalry regi-
ment and served to the end of the war
as a bugler. It was said of him that
bore a charmed life for, although
a horse was shot from under him
in three different engagements, the
the battle of Gettysburg, he es
caped unharmed.
Upon his return to the Niagara dls
trict after the war he managed the
Witmer homestead farm for some years
and then moved with his family to
Redlands, Calif., and finally to High-
lands, Calif. His wife and a daughter
died several years ago. Mr. Witmer is
survived by a widowed daughter, Mrs.
Marie Slack, Highland. Calif. He had
many relatives and friends in this lo-
cation. A cousin, Christian Frick Wit-
mer, Willlamsville, N. Y., also survives.
He was 92 years old and also a Civil
Service veteran.

Christian married SCHENCK, Matilda K in 1868. Matilda (daughter of SCHENCK, George and KENDIG, Matilda) was born in Nov 1837 in New York; and died; was buried in CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Esther married CRABTREE, John C in 1869. John was born in Sep 1846 in IL; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

LIsted on stone as daughter with no name.

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 11/12/1940

RANSOMVILLE. - Mrs. Sarah
Witmer Canfleld, 92 years old, a
lifelong resident of Niagara county,
died at the home of her son, David
Canfleld. on the Youngs town-Wilson
road, yesterday afternoon, after a
long Illness.
Mrs. Canfleld. widow, of Frank H.
Canfleld, was a native of the Town
of Niagara and had lived in the
Town of Porter for more than 60
years. She was a member of the
Porter Center Methodist church.
Surviving her are three sons. Witmer,
Frank and David Canfleld,. all
of the Town of Porter, and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral serevlces will be held at
the home of her son, David, at 2:30
p. m. tomorrow, with the Rev. John
A. Mann, of the Ransomville Methodist
church, officiating. Burial will
be in Hoeraer cemetery.

Sarah married CANFIELD, Franklin H about 1873. Franklin (son of CANFIELD, James Keener and SPICKERMAN, Hannah) was born in 1850 in Niagara County, NY; died in 1922; was buried in Hosmer Cemtery, Porter, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: LAMPKIN, Robert F. Robert was born in 1844; died on 18 Aug 1882; was buried in Riverdale Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Harriet married SCHENCK, Joseph David in Sep 1871. Joseph was born in Apr 1843 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 6/26/1930

Miss Maria F. Witmer, 82 years old,
a member of one of the oldest and most
prominent families in the Town of Niagara,
died this morning at the home
of her sister, Mrs. Andrew Laur, on the
Lockport road. The funeral will be
held from the Laur home Saturday afternoon
at 3 o'clock, daylight saving
time. Burial will be in the Witmer
cemetery.
Miss Witmer was born on the old
Witmer homestead on the Lockport
road, about a mile east of the city, the
daughter of Joseph and Catherine Witmer,
pioneer residents of this district.
She had'lived in the Town of Niagara
all her life and for the past 40 years
lesided with her sister. She was a
member of the Church of Christ, . Niagara
avenue and Tenth street, and
was widely known and highly respected
throughout the district.
Her death was the result of an Injury
sustained when she fell at her home
and fractured her hip on Feb. 22. She
was in the hospital for nine weeks after
the accident and later was removed
to her sister's home but her advanced
age hindered her recovery.

Catharine married KLINE, Joseph M on 27 Oct 1870 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Joseph was born in Feb 1844 in New York; died on 25 Dec 1928 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Cold Spring Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catharine married SEYMOUR, Fred E about 1888. Fred was born about 1858 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette

Mrs. Martha E. Pletcher, widow of
Franklin Pletcher, of this city, died at
3 o'clock yesterday afternoon In Rochester.
The funeral will be held from
the Cornell and Daggett funeral chapel,
Main street, at 2:30 p. m. Saturday.
Burial will be In Rlverdale cemetery.
Mrs. Pletcher was born In the old
Wltmer homestead on the Lockport
road, four miles east of this city. She
was the daughter of Joseph and. Catherine
Wltmer, pioneer residents of Niagara
county. She had lived In Niagara
county for over 60 years and was well
known and highly respected. She was
most active In the affairs of the Church
of Christ, Niagara avenue and Tenth
street, and was also an ardent member
of the Willard W. C. T. U. She was
honored a few years ago by being made
a life member of the national W. C. T.
U.
For the past ten years years. Pletcher
has ben living with hef daughter and
family In Rochester. Her death follow-
ed a lingering Illness of four years,
which she bore with great patience and
Christian fortitude. She is survived by
her daughter, Mrs. Charles Eshelman,
of Rochester; a slater, Mrs. A. R, Laur,
of this city; and four grandchildren,
Carl W. Dorothy and Russell Eshelmah,
of Rochester, and Mrs. John I. Ormond,
of Baltimore

Martha married PLETCHER, Franklin on 2 Oct 1879 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Franklin (son of PLETCHER, Daniel and CHAPMAN, Lavina) was born on 25 Sep 1849 in New York; died between 1920 and 1947 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Riverdale Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elias married SHAFER, Catherine M on 30 Mar 1888 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY. Catherine (daughter of SHAFER, William Eugene and VOGT, Christianna) was born on 12 Oct 1865 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; died on 22 Feb 1953 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY; was buried in Cold Spring Cemetery, Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived all her life on father's homestead which was on Lockport Road, Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY

Niagara Gazette

Esther married LAUR, Andrew Russ on 1 May 1890 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Andrew (son of LAUR, Vitus and RUSS, Catharina) was born on 4 Mar 1866 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, NY; died on 10 Jan 1944 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY; was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY - Left Center. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her education was begun in the little frame school house then located across the road from the family home and completed in Williamsville Classical Institute, which at the time was in prosperous condition, and in which she subsequently served as one of their teachers.
Teaching was her life work and her services in that capacity were always in demand. She organized the Eggertsville singing class which to this day (1923) observes annual reunions, and was a member of Auld Land Syne Club.

Not married as of 1887 and living in Williamsville, Erie County, NY
At the time of her mothers death Esther E. Witmer was living at home and unmarried Sept. 14, 1908.

Notes:

(Amherst Bee - February 25, 1939 -
"The last Civil War Veteran in Williamsville,
Christian F. Witmer, 99, died Thursday night at his home in 179 Cayuga St.
after an illness of several weeks.
Mr.Witmer, a member of a pioneer Amherst family homesteaded in the area where the
Snyder section subsequently was developed. His father, Tobias Witmer, one of the first engineers
and surveyors in Amherst, went to war with his son when President Lincoln
called for volunteers. they served the 50th New York Engineering Division."

I was born April 11, 1840, Previous to reaching my majority I was engaged mostly on work on the farm and attending school, and assisting my father in making surveys. My first venture in the way of business for myself was teaching the public school in what was known as the "Good District" in the town of Clarence for the winter term of 1860 - 1861.
At the close of the school term I took a course in Bryant and Stratton Merchantile College in Buffalo, graduating in the spring of 1862.
Enlisted in the 50th N.Y. Volunteers Engineers, August 22, 1862 and was honorably dischardged from the army service at the close of the War. The next few years were devoted to teaching schools during the winter in Levanworth, KS, and Easton Missouri, and on government surveys in the western part of Kansas, during the summer.
Those were interesting times for me as you may judge from the fact that my flagman, John Roach, a Cavalryman was killed by Roman Noses' band of Cheyenne Indians while we were engaged in locating a township line on the plains.
In 1868, I returned to New York State and took over my fathers business of surveying and insurance. I married Mary S. COTTON of Elma, Sept. 04, 1878. Two sons and three daughters were born of this union. Daughter Grace, born June 24, 1879, and died Sept. 01, 1916. There survive, sons Ralph, with two grandchildren.

Family/Spouse: BRUNELL, Mary. Mary was born on 27 Dec 1846; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married COTTON, Mary Sophia on 4 Sep 1878 in East Aurora, Erie County, NY. Mary (daughter of COTTON, Elisha Labon and BRUNELL, Mary) was born on 27 Nov 1848 in Binghamton, Broome County, NY; died on 15 Sep 1939 in Williamsville, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Anna Barbara RICHARDSON (nee WITMER), was born Oct. 14, 1842. She taught school for many years in Erie and Niagara counties until marriage to John V. RICHARDSON. They resided for many years in the town of Lancaster, Erie County, NY, but finally moved to Seattle Washington, the present family home. She died after a short illness on Feb. 11, 1917. There survive her, husband and five children. Ella and Jesse of Pittsburg, PA., and Victor, Mrs. Esther Wood and Ruth Holland of the home place and 10 grandchildren.

Living in Lancaster, Erie County, NY in 1887 and 1908

Anna married RICHARDSON, John V on 29 Dec 1870 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. John (son of RICHARDSON, John and VINECKE, Fanny) was born in Dec 1844 in New York; died in 1930; was buried in Lancaster Rural Cemetery, Lancaster, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Tobias Witmer, Jr. born Feb. 07 1844. He was graduated from the Williamsville Classical Institute and true to the Witmer habit started life teaching school during the winter and working the farm in the summer.

During the War (Civil) he spent several years in Virginia and Texas in thr employ of the U.S. Commissary Department. Next he was employed several years as a salesman at Las Vegas, New Mexico, and returning to New York State, married Carrie URBAN of Pine Hill. He served many years in the Urban mills as a cashier and later established and conducted a Real Estate and insurance business in Buffalo. He died suddenly Dec. 26, 1898. the family resided at 458 Cresent Ave. Buffalo, Erie County, NY in 1923.

Tobias married URBAN, Caroline on 19 Jun 1878 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY. Caroline (daughter of URBAN, George and KERN, Marie Firn) was born on 15 Oct 1854 in Pine Hill, Ulster County, NY; died on 27 Jan 1942 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY; was buried in St John's Cemetery Pine Hill, Buffalo, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Forks Road, Ont. Canada in 1887 and 1908; in Wainfleet Canada in 1923
Husbands last name spelt ZAVIZ in 1908 Obit for mother

Elvira married ZAVITZ, Henry Benjamin on 18 Jun 1875 in Snyder, Erie County, NY. Henry (son of ZAVITZ, Joseph and MILLER, Rebecca) was born on 25 Sep 1845 in Canada; died on 28 Feb 1912 in Forks Road, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Zion Cemetery, Wainfleet Township, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Catherine Amelia Witmer, was born Nov. 28, 1850. Althought as a child execeptionally fair in form and feature and mentally bright, she was stricken with occasional attacks of Epilepsy while teething, which clung to her during life, despite all remidies for relief, rendering her an object of special care, solicitude and sympathy of all the family. Her memory was remarkable. She could give the date of birth of any member of the family at any time when asked. She died in the family home June 17, 1899

Notes:

Son Elmer was an ..... in 1887, living in Suspension Bridge, NY
Living in Williamsville in 1908

Marie married PARDEE, Edgar Allen on 5 Sep 1882 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. Edgar (son of PARDEE, Augustus and NEWCOMB, Susan) was born on 21 Nov 1847 in OH; died on 25 Jul 1923 in Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Wilheim, NY in 1908

Ella married HILLMAN, Levant F on 18 Apr 1882 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. Levant (son of HILLMAN, Thompson and AYER, Louisa) was born on 17 Nov 1852 in Wilhelm, Lancaster County, NY; died on 12 May 1950; was buried in WIlliamsville Cemetery, Williamsville, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Williamsville in 1908

Abraham married STRANGE, Vinetta May Bell on 31 Oct 1893 in St Louis, MO. Vinetta (daughter of STRANGE, John and Nancy A) was born on 20 Sep 1870 in Mattoon, IL; died on 17 Feb 1955 in Williamsville, Erie County, NY; was buried in WIlliamsville Cemetery, Williamsville, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Suspension Bridge, NY in 1887, living in Niagara, NY in 1908

Emily married SCHMITT, Daniel on 31 Dec 1885 in Town of Niagara, Niagara County, NY. Daniel (son of SCHMITT, Daniel and BURCKHARDT, Margaret) was born on 26 Sep 1853 in New York; died on 31 Oct 1924; was buried in WIlliamsville Cemetery, Williamsville, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was a Civil Engeneer and living in Sycamore,ILL in 1887
Living in Buffalo NY in 1908

Joseph married JONES, Virginia C on 22 Dec 1887, and was divorced between 1900 and 1910. Virginia was born in Nov 1865 in Wooster, Wayne County, OH; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Minnie M. Minnie was born about 1874 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was an Civil Engineer and living in Kansas City, Mo., in 1887
Livin in Milwaukee, Wis. in 1908

Victor married STRATMAN, Helene Clara on 28 Dec 1904 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI. Helene (daughter of STRATMAN, Frederick and Anna H R) was born in Oct 1876 in Dodgeville, Iowa County, WI; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Living in Baltimore, MD in 1887
She was born on the day of the Battle of Fredericksburg,.
In 1908 in her mothers obit it states that Clara is Mrs. Clara F. Browning the singer, of Buffalo.

Clara married BROWNING, Elmer Ellsworth on 9 Sep 1885 in Skinnersville, Town of Amherst, Erie County, NY. Elmer (son of BROWNING, William and Mary S) was born in 1861 in MD; died on 21 Apr 1921 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY; was buried in Elmlawn Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda, Erie County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Youngest of the Witmer Children and the first to die, died July 1887, in Amherst, Erie County, NY

Abraham married LEHMAN, Maria on 10 Mar 1876 in Excelsior, MO. Maria was born between 1838 and 1860; died between 1881 and 1949. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Christian married SENN, Sarah Caroline on 25 Dec 1878 in Excelsior, MO. Sarah (daughter of SENN, John and Anna) was born on 31 Aug 1858 in Tuscarawas County, OH; died on 11 Jul 1953 in Langan, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married LEHMAN, Caroline on 8 Oct 1885 in Excelsior, MO. Caroline was born in 1861; died in 1921 in Glensted, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: MARTIN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Nancy. Nancy was born about 1837 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Amos married Elizabeth about 1890. Elizabeth was born in Dec 1842 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Witmer.-Samuel Witmer was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Nov. 4, 1828; died near Wakarusa, Ind., Aug. 16, 1914; aged 85 y. 8 m. 12 d. At the age of six years he came with his parents to Mahoning County, O., where in 1854 he was united in marriage with Mary Bixler. In 1865 he with his family moved to Elkhart County, Ind., and for 46 years lived on the farm where he died. Nearly three weeks before his death he was taken with symptoms of pneumonia, and gradually failed until he was summoned from on high to his eternal home. He was the father of 3 sons and 3 daughters; 2 sons died in infancy. He leaves to mourn his death his aged companion, 2 sons, John of Elkhart County, Ind., and Isaac of Leetonia, O., and 3 daughters, Mary at home, Susan, wife of Eli Wenger, and Lucretia, wife of George Weldy; also 1 brother, 1 sister, and 10 grandchildren. He united with the Mennonite Church 65 years ago, and was a faithful, devoted brother, for whom we need not mourn as those who have no hope, but may rejoice in the blessed assurance that if we are faithful to the Master's calling, we shall meet him with those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. He was buried Aug. 18, in Olive Cemetery, where a large concourse of people were assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory. Appropriate services were conducted in the Olive Mennonite Church by John F. Funk and Silas Weldy from the text, Col. 3:1-4. The Lord comfort the sorrowing hearts.

Samuel married BIXTER, Mary E in 1856 in Mahoning County, OH. Mary was born in Nov 1837; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Witmer. - Bro. Michael Witmer, son of Christian Witmer, was born in Lancaster, Pa., May 11, 1831. At the age of three he moved with his parents to Mahoning County, OH. He was married to Lovina Miller Oct. 15, 1845. She died six years ago. They had 6 children, the following living: B. F., John A., Henry C., Mary A. Steckle and Charles. Besides the children there are 31 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He died at the home of his son Charles of Goshen, Ind., aged 84 y. 1 m. 9 d. He was a member of the Mennonite Church for a number of years and died having a firm trust in his Savior. Funeral at the Olive Church conducted by the brethren, J. S. Hartzler and D. A. Yoder.

Michael married MILLER, Lovina on 15 Oct 1845. Lovina was born about 1834 in OH; died in 1909. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On the 28th of January, in the same house, Nancy Anna Witmer, daughter of Christian Witmer, aged 32 years and 4 months. Preachers S. Good and P. Boesinger delivered funeral addresses from 2 Cor. 5: 1-4, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The four above mentioned all died of Typhoid fever. The two last mentioned were members of the Mennonite Church.

Family/Spouse: WITMER, John. John was born about 1829 in MD; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: BUCHER, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born about 1835 in OH; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susanna married CULP, George in 1868. George was born in Oct 1844 in OH; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary. Mary was born about 1847 in PA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]