Minerd.com Biography of Elijah and Marietta (Wetzel) Conrad of Berks County, PA

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Marietta (Wetzel) Conrad
(1823-1898)

Marietta (Wetzel) Conrad was born on Dec. 11, 1823, the daughter of Johan "Peter" and Anna Margaretha "Margaret" (Gaumer) Wetzel.

In 1852, when she would have been 20 years of age, Marietta wedded 35-year-old widower Elijah "Elias" Conrad (April 8, 1817-1889). He was a native of Macungie, Lehigh County and the son of Daniel and Catharine (Keinert) Conrad.

Elijah had been married previously, in 1845, to Katie Moyer ( ? - ? ), and brought two sons to the second union, among them William M. Conrad. As a widower, Elijah is shown in the 1850 U.S. Census at age 33 heading a household with his four-year-old son William in addition to David and Susanna Conrad and their infant son Daniel.

Marietta and Daniel went on to produce three known sons -- Daniel Conrad, Charles Conrad and Alfred Wetzel Conrad.

In 1860, when the federal census enumeration was made, they dwelled in Longswamp Township, Berks County, with Elijah earning a living as a laborer. In 1870, now living in Bernville, Berks County, they were farmers. Elijah worked as a carpenter circa 1880.

They were members of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township.

At the age of 72, suffering from kidney problems, Elijah died on Nov. 13, 1889. The funeral was preached by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Church. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the event in his pastoral records, the original of which is preserved in the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, PA, and a typescript copy in the Minerd.com Archives.

Marietta lived on as a widow for nine years. She was felled by a stroke and passed away at the age of 74 on Aug. 11, 1898. As he had done for her husband, Rev. Keller led the funeral service. Burial was beside or near her husband in Huff's Unon Church Cemetery in Berks County. Their grave markers are inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave]

Huff's Church interior, early 1900s

~ Stepson William Moyer Conrad ~

Stepson William Moyer Conrad (1846-1928) was born on Jan. 5, 1846 in Berks County. At the age of 24, unmarried, he lived with his father and stepmother in Bernville, Berks County. For decades, he labored as a shoemaker.

He eventually married a distant step-cousin, Rebecca Romig (Sept. 3, 1856-1942), daughter of John and Esther (Frederick) Romig of Longswamp, Berks County of the family of David and Rebecca Margaretha "Margaret" (Mest) Frederick. The couple made a residence near Huff's Church in Hereford Township and were members of the Lutheran congregation of the church.

They produced a family of these 11 known children, all daughters but two -- Annie Eschbach, Rose Alice Conrad, Hetty Susannah Conrad, Margaret Priscilla "Maggie" Stover, Charles William Conrad, Emma Mantana Gerhart, Meda Helen Collins, Robert Elias Conrad, Blanche Rhoda Engle, Elsie Edna Conrad and Alma Pearl Conrad.

During the sweep of the child-bearing years, William's younger half-brothers Daniel and Charles and their wives also were producing families of children. Their parallels of baptisms are reflected in the pastoral records of their minister, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Church. Sadly, too, were the occasional heart-breaking deaths and funerals of the offspring.

Grief cascaded over the Conrads in early December 1880 when their five-year-old daughter Rose Alice was badly burned and then died after her clothes caught fire while she was standing at their stove. Another daughter, Mary Lizzie, succumbed to scarlet fever in mid-January 1890. Rev. Keller duly noted their funerals in his papers.

The Conrads moved in about 1904 to East Greenville, Montgomery County, where they remained for good.

Suffering from chronic kidney disease and hardening of the arteries, William died on May 7, 1928 at the age of 82. Burial was in Huff's Church Cemetery.

Huff's Church Cemetery

Rebecca lived for another 14 years in widowhood and endured the untimely deaths of her 35-year-old single daughter Elsie and married daughters Annie Conrad and Blanche Engle. Rebecca succumbed on Nov. 29, 1942. Her remains were interred in Huff's Church Cemetery, with Rev. William F. Bond officiating. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call numbered her offspring at 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Daughter Annie L. Conrad (1873-1934) was born on July 9, 1873. She married William R. Eschbach (Nov. 22, 1871-1937), also at times spelled "Eshbach." He was the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Rohrbach) Eschbach of Barto, Berks County. They established a home in Palm, Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, PA. The couple produced these children -- Fred Eschbach, Harry Eschbach, Paul Eschbach, Elizabeth Miller and Verna Stahl. For the last decade of his working career, William was employed as a manager for Benjamin S. Mechling Farms. During the Christmas season of 1934, when she was age 61, Annie was diagnosed with inflammation of the colon and small intestine, known as "enterocolitis." Her body gave way to death on New Year's Eve 1934. Funeral services were held in the Bethany Evangelical Christian Church in Clayton, PA, followed by burial in the church cemetery, with Rev. J.K. Bergman officiating. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call numbered her survivors as 17 grandchildren. William survived his bride by three years and retired in August 1935. He lived with his married daughter Verna Stahl at 210 Cherry Street in East Greenville. Burdened with acute heart enlargement, he died at the age of 65 on Jan. 16, 1937. A short funeral service was held in the Stahl residence, followed by a longer one at Bethany Evangelical Christian Church in Clayton, officiated by Rev. J.K. Bergman and Rev. Raymond Kriebel. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call said he was survived by 19 grandchildren.

Grandson Fred Eschbach lived in Palm in 1937. Circa 1966, he is believed to have been named "official rainfall observer" for Palm.

Grandson Harry C. Eschbach resided in Pennsburg in 1937.

Grandson Paul I. Eschbach made a home in 1937 in Zionsville.

Granddaughter Elizabeth Eschbach wedded Henry Miller. They dwelled in Zionsville in the late 1930s.

Granddaughter Verna Eschbach married Elmer Stahl. They lived at 210 Cherry Street, East Greenville in 1937.

Bird's-eye view of Palm, PA

Daughter Rose Alice Conrad (1875-1880) was born on July 11, 1875. Tragically, she did not survive childhood. On a fateful day in late 1880, while their mother was out of the room, Rose Alice and two sisters were playing near the family stove. Reported the Reading Times, Rose Alice was horifically burned when her "clothing caught fire... During the temporary absence of the mother, the three little children of the family were playing in the kitchen, when the sad accident occurred." She succumbed to death on Dec. 2, 1880. Performing her funeral service was the family's longtime pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. He simply wrote the cause of death as "burns."

Daughter Hetty Susannah Conrad (1879- ? ) was born on Nov. 5, 1879 in Berks County. As an infant, she received the rite of Christian baptism by the hand of the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records, the original of which is preserved in the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, PA, with a typescript copy in the Minerd.com Archives.

Daughter Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Conrad (1881-1890) was born on Dec. 13, 1881 in District Township, Berks County. As with her older sister Hetty, Mary Lizzie was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records. The family was plunged into mourning in the deep winter of 1890 when the eight-year-old Mary Lizzie died of scarlet fever on Jan. 19, 1890. Rev. Keller officiated at the funeral service and again duly made a record in his papers. Adding to the heartache, her younger brother Charles also succumbed to scarlet fever just 15 days later.

Daughter Margaret Priscilla "Maggie" Conrad (1884-1962) was born on April 12, 1884 in Berks County. As with her older siblings Maggie was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. She wedded Henry S. Stover ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1931-1962 was in Philadelphia, with an address in the 1960s of 7027 Forrest Avenue. Margaret died at the age of 77 on March 27, 1962. Albert H. Stover of Merchantville, PA signed the death certificate. Burial was in White Marsh Memorial Cemetery.

Son Charles William Conrad (1886-1890) was born on Valentine's Day 1886 in District Township, Berks County. He received the rite of Christian baptism as an infant, by the hand of the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in the pastoral records. Tragically, both Charles and his older sister Mary Lizzie contracted deadly cases of scarlet fever during the winter of 1890. She passed away on Jan. 19, and he followed her into eternity just 15 days later on Feb. 3, 1890. Rev. Keller officiated at the funeral service and again duly made a notation in his pastoral papers.

Daughter Emma Mantana Conrad (1888-1956) was born the day after Valentine's Day 1888 at in the Huff's Church community of Berks County. She was baptized as a baby the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in the pastoral records. She was joined in marriage with William Gerhart ( ? - ? ). Their residence circa 1931-1932 was in East Greenville. The widowed Emma made her final home for 16 years in rural Upper Providence, Montgomery County, at the corner of Second Avenue and Old State Road. At the age of 68, stricken with cancer of the left breast, she died on April 1, 1956. Mary R. Stahl of the residence signed the Pennsylvania certificate of death. Interment was in Upper Milford Cemetery.

Daughter Meda Helen Conrad (1890-1950) -- also known as "Meta" -- was born on Jan. 14, 1890 in District Township, Berks County. She was baptized as a baby the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in the pastoral records. Meda married Joseph L. Collins ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce and eventually separated. Her home in 1931-1932 was in East Greenville and in 1950 at the address of 110 Main Street, living with her sister Alma. She supported herself as a sewing machine operator for a leather goods business. Over the decades, Meda belonged to Huff's Reformed Church, also known as Huff's Union Church in Hereford Township, Berks County. In about 1945, she began to suffer from a bone disease which caused deformation of the skull and a type of psychosis. As a patient in Norristown State Hospital for the last 10 months of her life, Meda passed into eternity on Oct. 26, 1950. Burial was in St. Mark's Union Cemetery in Pennsburg, Montgomery County. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call hinted that her husband was still living.

Son Robert Elias Conrad (1892- ? ) was born on Jan. 15, 1892 in Berks County. He received the rite of Christian baptism as an infant, by the hand of the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in the pastoral records. Robert resided in East Greenville in 1931-1942 and was still living circa 1950.

Huff's Church Cemetery

Daughter Blanche Rhoda Conrad (1894-1932) was born on Jan. 9, 1894 in Berks County. As with her older siblings Blanche was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records.She was united in wedlock with Russell S. Engle ( ? - ? ). The couple dwelled in East Greenville, Montgomery County at the address of 106 Main Street. They were the parents of an only son, Ralph Engle. For a decade, Blanche endured a lingering case of tuberculosis. Her health took a steep decline in the first month of 1932, and she died just 18 days after her 38th birthday, on Jan. 27, 1932. Her remains were lowered into repose in Pennsburg Reformed Church Cemetery, following funeral services preached by Rev. Slifer. An obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call.

Daughter Elsie Edna Conrad (1895-1931) was born on Dec. 5, 1895 in Berks County. As with her older siblings, Elsie was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records.Elsie never married and spent her adult years in East Greenville, Montgomery County. Sadly, she contracted pulmonary tuberculosis in late 1929. She endured the illness for two years and died at the age of only 35 on Oct. 18, 1931. The Allentown Morning Call printed an obituary. Following funeral services held in her mother's home and then at the church, her burial service was in held in Huff's Church Cemetery.

Daughter Alma Pearl Conrad (1900- ? ) was born on Dec. 5, 1900 in Berks County. She was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. Alma Pearl was unmarried and residing in East Greenville in 1931-1942.

~ Son Daniel W. "Dan" Conrad ~

Son Daniel W. "Dan" Conrad (1853-1919) was born on Jan. 16, 1853.

As with his elder brother William, he learned the trade of shoemaking.

He wedded Emma Missouri "Soura" Carl (Sept. 7, 1857-1934), daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Rohrbach) Carl, sometimes misspelled "Coyle."

Huff's Church

The known children they produced were Franklin Nicholas Conrad, Clara Rebecca Christman, Elmer Elias Conrad, Ida Maria Weller, Stella Neitz, Percy Benjamin Conrad and Florence Thoms.

The young family lived in the household of Daniel's parents in 1880. They belonged to Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township.

In the spring of 1885, the shroud of mourning covered the family when their nine-year-old son Franklin, who had developed heart disease, died on May 7, 1885.

Then in about 1904, the Conrads relocated to East Greenville, Montgomery County, PA, where Daniel earned a living as a laborer. They often spent weekends visiting their married daughter.

Just three days after his 66th birthday, stricken with kidney failure, he died on Jan. 19, 1919. Florence Thomas of East Greenville signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Burial was in Huff's Union Church Cemetery.

Emma outlived her husband by 15 years, living at 110 Main Street. On a visit to her daughter Clara on April 13, 1934, she was found dead in bed at the age of 86, after having suffered from acute heart disease. Funeral services were held in the home of her son Elmer near Bechtelsville, with interment in Huff's cemetery, officiated by Rev. James N. Blatt. Alma Conrad was the informant for the death certificate. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call reported that her survivors included 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Son Franklin Nicholas "Frank" Conrad (1876- ? ) was born on Dec. 6, 1875 in District Township, Berks County. As an infant, he received the rite of Christian baptism by the hand of the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records, the original of which is preserved in the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, PA, with a typescript copy in the Minerd.com Archives. Sadly, the boy was born with or developed heart problems in childhood. A cure was out of the question. On May 7, 1885, at the age of nine-and-a-half, Franklin succumbed to the illness. Rev. Keller, who had baptized him in infancy, now had the duty of presiding over the funeral service. Once more, the pastor made a record in his papers, marking the cause of death as "heart disease."

Daughter Clara Rebecca Conrad (1877-1957) was born on Feb. 12, 1877 in the Huff's Church community of Hereford Township, Berks County. As with her older brother, Clara was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records. She wedded Jacob G. Christman ( ? - ? ). The couple dwelled at 413 East Court, Allentown for four decades. They had an only son, Francis L. Christman. The family belonged to St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church. Clara shared a birthday with her daughter in law Catherine, and the two often celebrated their birthdays together. Heartbreak enveloped the family in 1953 at the death of their only son. Clara died in her sleep, from the effects of heart problems, on Jan. 28, 1957. The Allentown Morning Call said in an obituary that she was survived by a granddaughter, Leomia A. Schulter.

Grandson Francis L. Christman (1898-1953) was born on May 10, 1898 in Hereford Township, Berks County. He married Catherine (Feb. 12, ? - ? ). They were the parents of Leomia A. Schulter. Francis made a living over the years as a gardener and landscaper. Their address in the early 1950s was 907 Buttonwood Street in Emmaus. Francis contracted cancer of the liver and pancreas and died in Allentown General Hospital at the age of 55 on Oct. 20, 1953. Interment was in Lehigh Church Cemetery in Macungie.

Son Elmer Elias Conrad (1880- ? ) was born on Dec. 16, 1880 in Berks County. He was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. Elmer made a home in Bechtelsville in 1934.

Bechtelsville's town square

Daughter Ida Maria Conrad (1882-1963) was born on March 28, 1882 in Hereford Township, Berks County. As an infant, she received the rite of Christian baptism by the family's longtime pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten note made in his pastoral records. She married Alvin W. Weller ( ? -1949), a native of Washington Township, Berks County and the son of Elam H. and Mary (Weller) Weller. The couple did not reproduce. Alvin was a carpenter and contractor and in about 1899-1900 established a home in Pennsburg, Montgomery County. Their address in the 1940s was at 147 Main Street. She was a member of St. John Hill United Church of Christ in Boyertown, Berks County, and he of the Pennsburg Reformed Church. Alvin belonged to the Owls Club, Harleysville Beneficial Association and the East Greenville Beneficial Association. Sadly, Alvin passed away in 1949. As a widow, Ida outlived her spouse by 14 years and remained in their longtime home. With her health failing, due to heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis, Ida became a resident of Styer Convalescent Home in Pennsburg. Death swept her away there on Nov. 9, 1963, at the age of 81. Her remains were lowered into repose in St. John Hill cemetery.

Daughter Estella "Stella" Conrad ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In March 1907, she was joined in matrimony with William D.L. Neitz (Jan. 27, 1889-1966), son of Lorenz "Lawrence" and Elizabeth (Heimbach) Neitz of Alburtis. The couple bore two daughters -- Edith Mae Bast Rtter and Mildred E. Lawhead. William was employed as a railroader for 47 years. They lived in Allentown in 1934 and in Shoenersville in 1957 and back in Allentown in 1963. Said the Allentown Morning Call, "He began his career in 1909 in the Allentown yards of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. In 1916 he moved to the Bethlehem yards of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and five years later, to the Tadmore Yard, near Bath, where he was employed by the Lehigh and New England Railroad until his retirement" on New Year's Eve 1956. They were members of St. John's Evangelical Congregational Church, Allentown and of the Olivet Evangelical Congregational Church of Bethlehem. He also was a member of the Monocacy Lodge of the Masons in Bath. At retirement, William was featured and pictured in the Morning Call. At their golden wedding anniversary, they were pictured and profiled in the local newspaper. An open house party was held in their honor in the home of their daughter Mildred Lawhead. William enjoyed a decade of retirement until the Grim Reaper cut him a way at the age of 77, on Dec. 28, 1966, as a resident of the Masonic Home of Elizabethtown. The Morning Call published an obituary.

Community parade in Emmaus

Granddaughter Edith Mae Neitz (1908?-1992) was born in about 1908 in Landis Store, Berks County. She was twice married. In about 1925, she wedded her first spouse, clerk James H.N. Bast (May 29, 1902-1949), son of George and Malinda Bast. The couple produced five children -- Richard N. Bast, Worley Bast, Grace Wolfe, Gloria Bond and Faith Neipert. Their home was at 841 North Sixth Street in Allentown. James supported the family through his work at Lehigh Structural Steel Company. They were members of St. John's Evangelical Congregational Church of Allentown, where Edith was a Sunday School teacher for 52 years, and James labored as the sexton. Heartbreak blanketed the family when James suffered a heart attack at the age of 46 and succumbed within 30 minutes at home on March 2, 1949. The widowed Edith supported herself for 20-plus years as a unit manager of Stanley Home Products Inc., retiring in 1969. Her address in Allentown in 1957 was 12½ North Filbert Street. On April 6, 1957, she married her second husband, World War I veteran Titus A. Ritter ( ? -1984), son of Henry and Margaret (Kuhns) Ritter of Cementon, PA. The ceremony was held in the parsonage of St. John's Church in Allentown, officiated by Rev. David Wolfe. News of the wedding was printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Their union lasted for another 27 years until the separation of death. Titus was a sign painting contractor, specializing in the art of gold leaf lettering over a career of more than half a century. He died in Quakertown Manor at the age of 91 on June 21, 1984. Edith lived for another eight years and moved to 1734 Lansdale Avenue in Bethlehem. She passed away in St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill at the age of 84 on July 23, 1992. Interment was in the Emmaus Moravian Church Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Morning Call. She was survived by 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter.

Granddaughter Mildred E. Neitz (1912-1983) was born in about 1912. She wedded Worley J. Lawhead ( ? - ? ). The only child born to this marriage was Charles W. Lawhead Sr. Their home in 1957-1966 was in Allentown at 411 North Jerome Street. Mildred earned a living initially as a social worker for the federal government program, Green Thumb. She moved onto work as a clerk in the Mount Trexler Skilled Nursing Unit of Sacred Heart Hospital in Limeport, followed by the position from which she retired, as a clerk for the Animal Control Department of the City of Allentown. As a widow, Mildred lived at 1793 South Church Street in Allentown. As her health declined, she was admitted as a resident of Valley Manor Nursing Home in Coopersburg. She died there at the age of 71 on Aug. 4, 1983. An obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call.

Son Percy Benjamin Conrad (1889-1961) -- sometimes misspelled "Perry" -- was born on Nov. 1 or 3, 1889 in Hereford Township, Berks County. He was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. Percy was married twice. His first bride was Alice Yingling (Nov. 12, 1885-1920), daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Weidner) Yingling. They were the parents of a daughter, leah Mae Freed. The Conrads dwelled in Boyertown, Pike Township, Berks County. They were hurled into grief in the early weeks of 1920 when Alice was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. She endured the illness for five months but could not rally. She succumbed at the age of 34 on June 15, 1920. Burial was in Hill Church Cemetery. Within a year or two, he was united in holy wedlock with his second spouse, Mary E. Moser ( ? - ? ), daughter of Edwin H. and Ella (Stauffer) Moser. They resided on Chestnut Street in Bechtelsville, Berks County in the 1930s-1960s. In May 1938, Percy's uncle by marriage, Wellington H. Rauch, resided in their home and died at the age of 85. Percy was a longtime metalworker, laboring for Bally Case & Cooler Company, a large manufacturer of walk-in coolers and freezers. The family belonged to the United Church of Christ congregation of St. John's Hill Union Church in Boyertown. Percy suffered accidental bleeding into the brain in early 1961 and passed away five months later in Pottstown Hospital at the age of 71 on June 8, 1961. Interment was in Hill Church Cemetery.

Granddaughter Leah Mae Conrad ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married Thomas S. Freed and lived in Bechtelsville.

Daughter Florence May Conrad (1895-1970) was born on May 22, 1895 in Hereford Township, Berks County. As with each of her older siblings, Florence was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records. In July 1918, she was united in wedlock with Joseph Thoms ( ? -1974). The couple produced a daughter, Yvonne Nailor. Their home in 1934 was in New Berlinville and in 1957-1961 in Pleasant Valley, Bucks County, PA. Said the Allentown Morning Call, "The Thoms have been in the restaurant business most of their lives." They were members of Trinity United Church of Christ in Pleasant Valley. When Florence and Joseph reached their golden wedding anniversary in 1968, they were pictured and featured in the Morning Call. On Feb. 10, 1970, Florence passed away at the age of 74. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Valley. The family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Heart Fund or to the memorial fund of the family church. Joseph died at the age of 80 on Oct. 1, 1974, in Bethlehem. A death notice was printed in the Morning Call.

Granddaughter Yvonne Thoms ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was employed by the Adams Company circa May 1960. In about 1960, she wedded Lyle D. Nailor ( ? - ? ), son of Charles Nailor of Sterling, IL. At the time, Lyle worked for Brown's Laundry. In 1970, they made a home in Pleasant Valley.

~ Son Charles W. Conrad ~

Son Charles W. Conrad (1856-1934) was born on Sept. 18, 1856 in Berks County.

He was joined in holy matrimony with Priscilla Krauss (June 21, 1857-1926), daughter of Henry and Christiana (Schultz) Krauss.

The couple bore these offspring -- John Mahlon Conrad, Catherine "Katie" Conrad, Harvey Conrad, Charles Conrad, Martha Fegley, Ella Zern and Christianna Ziegler Moyer Roth.

In the early 1880s, when their eldest son was born, the Conrads dwelled in Berks County. But within a few years, by 1883, they appear to have relocated to Montgomery County.

Charles and Priscilla appear to have maintained a membership in Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, Berks County. Over the years, as the children were born in different places, the Conrads arranged for their infant baptisms to be officiated by Rev. Eli Keller, the pastor of Huff's. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the event in his pastoral records, the original of which is preserved in the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center in Pennsburg, PA, and a typescript copy in the Minerd.com Archives.

Charles labored as a farmer in Pennsburg, Montgomery County circa 1920.

When their daughter Christianna became widowed in 1918, she moved back into their home.

Sadly, burdened for two years with chronic kidney disease, the 69-year-old Priscilla was swept away by death on June 6, 1926. Funeral services were held in the Conrad residence and in the Pennsburg Reformed Church, with burial following in the church graveyeard. An obituary published in the Allentown Morning Call noted that among her survivors were her sisters Mrs. Samuel Radeliff of Schwenksville, Mrs. Jacob Wagner of Lansdale and Mrs. Susan Jacob of Zionsville.

Charles outlived his bride by eight years. Stricken with prostate cancer, the widowed, 77-year-old he passed away on July 8, 1934. His remains were placed into repose in Pennsburg Reformed Church Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Pottstown (PA) Mercury. Elmer Fegley of Pennsburg was the informant for the Pennsylvania death certificate.

Son John Mahlon Conrad (1881-1965) was born on Nov. 4, 1881 in Berks County. As an a two-year-old, he and his infant sister Katie both received the rite of Christian baptism on the same day by the hand of the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township. Rev. Keller kept a handwritten notation of the ceremony in his pastoral records. John married Catherine "Katie" Welker (June 12, 1884-1928), daughter of Hiram and Maria (Druckenmiller) Welker of Pennsburgr. They were longtime farmers. Their children were John V. Conrad, Ida Roeder (Rader), Emma C. Pfrommer, Sallie Mumbauer and Stanley J. Conrad. They lived in Pennsburg, Upper Hanover Township for years. The family was cleaved apart on Aug. 13, 1928 when the 44-year-old Katie, suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and lung and heart failure, died in Allentown Hospital. Interment was in Pennsburg Reformed Church Cemetery. Further heartache blanketed this family eight years later when 26-year-old married daughter Sallie Conrad died on Aug. 27, 1936. Their home in the 1960s was in Red Hill Hotel, Red Hill, Montgomery County. At the age of 84, he suffered a heart attack and passed away in the hotel three days after Christmas 1965. Burial was in New Goshenhoppen Cemetery in East Greenville. Son Stanley signed the death certificate.

Grandson John V. Conrad (1916-1936) was born in 1916.

Granddaughter Ida Conrad married (?) Roeder (Rader)

Granddaughter Emma Conrad wedded (?) Pfrommer

Granddaughter Sallie Conrad was united in matrimony with (?) Mumbauer

Grandson Stanley J. Conrad

Harvey Conrad's employer in early adulthood, Boyertown Casket Works

Daughter Catherine "Katie" Conrad (1883- ? ) was born on June 6, 1883 in Montgomery County, PA. In infancy, she was baptized by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records.

Daughter Christianna Krauss Conrad (1884-1968) was born on Dec. 12, 1884 in Zieglersville or Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA. Her birthplace also has been recorded as Siegersville, Lehigh County. She was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. She was wed thrice. In about 1907, she married her first spouse, Frederick Ziegler (1885-1918), a native of Pennsburg. The children born to this union were Ella Bortz, Robert F. Ziegler and Mary P. Hoffman Reiss. Frederick worked as a laborer at a brickyard in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, while Christianna made cigars in a local factory. Heartache shook the young family when Frederick died at the age of about 33 in 1918. The circumstances behind his untimely passing are unknown. As a widow, she moved back into the home of her parents in Pennsburg and continued to generate income making cigars. On May 28, 1921, at the age of 36, she was united in matrimony for the second time with 34-year-old widower Moses S. Moyer (April 14, 1887-1938), son of Charles C. and Kate (Shelly) Moyer of Pennsburg. Rev. Victor B. Boyer officiated at the wedding held in Allentown. At the time of marriage, Moses earned a living as a "huckster" and lived in Bethlehem. They produced these offspring, Richard Moyer, Harvey Moyer, Anna Moyer, Ella Bortz and Mabel Anderson. They lived in 1926 in Bethlehem and in 1934 in Allentown and were members of the First Mennonite Church of Allentown. Moses earned a living over the years as a serviceman at a gasoline filling station. Their address in 1938 was 516 Auburn Street in Allentown. Sadly, Moses contracted heart and lung failure. He passed away from their effects at the age of 51 on Sept. 23, 1938. Burial was in Union Cemetery in Bally, Berks County. Christianna was alone for about eight years and dwelled at 2004 South Fifth Street in Allentown. At the age of 62, on April 27, 1946, she married widower Stacey T.D. Roth (April 14, 1878-1967), age 68, son of Tilghman G.P. and Hannah Lucinda (Ritter) Roth. Rev. Robert urffer officiated at the ceremony, held in Schnecksville. The Roths made a home at 416 North Lumber Street, and Stacey worked as a gardener. Sadly, Christianna was widowed for a third time when Stacey succumbed at age 88 on March 18, 1967. His funeral services were held in the Neff's United Church of Christ, with burial in the church cemetery. She only outlived him by about 18 months. At the age of 83, she was admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, dying there on Nov. 5, 1968. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call numbered her survivors as nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Granddaughter Ella Ziegler (1907-1979) was born in about 1907 in Pennsburg. On Aug. 20, 1938, at the age of 31, she wedded 28-year-old truck driver Alvin Bortz ( ? -1983), son of Elias and Sarah (Otto) Bortz of Lower Macungie Township. Rev. David C. Kaufman officiated at the ceremony held in Emmaus. The couple raised a foster son, Paul E. Angstadt. They were longtime farmers in Mertztown and members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Trexlertown. Toward the end of his working career, for 15 years, from about 1960 to 1975, he toiled as a custodian at Fogelsville National Bank, later part of Merchants National Bank. Ella spent her final years in St. Johnsbury, VT, where she succumbed at the age of 72. her remains were transported back to Lehigh County to rest in St. Paul's Cemetery. After Ella's death, Alvin made a home at 330 Main Street in East Greenville. He passed away in Allentown Hospital at the age of 73 on May 27, 1983. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call noted that his survivors included five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. as well as a sister, Verna Eberwein.

Grandson Robert F. Ziegler (1912- ? ) was born in about 1912. He resided in East Greenville in 1968.

Granddaughter Mary P. Ziegler (1915- ? ) was born on Jan. 3, 1915 in Pennsburg. She was twice married. Her first spouse was (?) Hoffman ( ? - ? ). The couple divorced on Dec. 23, 1946. Then on Feb. 17, 1947, at age 32, she married again to 35-year-old tire former Harold E. Reiss (Dec. 20, 1911- ? ), son of Harry J. and Alvesta (Knappenberger) Reiss. The nuptials were held at Spinnerstown, officiated by Rev. William J. Rupp.

Granddaughter Anna Myrtle Moyer (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922. Unmarried at the age of 18, in 1940, she lived with her widowed mother and earned income performing housework for a private family. Later that year, on Sept. 12, 1940, the 18-year-old was united in wedlock with 24-year-old Richard Joseph Weaver ( ? - ? ), son of George and Cora (Ohl) Weaver of Allentown. Rev. H.E. Schlotzhauer officiated.

Granddaughter Mabel Moyer (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924. She married Donald Anderson ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in 1968 in Swiftwater, Monroe County, PA.

Grandson Richard M. Moyer (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the submarine service. He married Doris E. Kincaid ( ? - ? ) and made a home in Bethlehem. Their marriage endured for 68 years. They produced three sons -- Richard R. Moyer, Terry L. Moyer and Gary M. Moyer. Over the years, he was a manager and costing engineer with a garment company. They were members of Rosemont Lutheran Church, with Richard serving on the church council. He loved to work with wood and belonged to the Penn Jersey Scrollers. As a widower, Richard kept an apartment at Sterling Heights Retirement Community. He passed away at home at the age of 92 on Nov. 18, 2017.

Grandson Harvey Moyer (1929- ? ) was born in about 1929. His residence in 1968 was in Allentown.

Daughter Martha K. Conrad (1886-1948) was born on Oct. 20, 1886 in Berks County or in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, PA. (Sources differ.) In infancy, she was baptized by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. She married Elmer F. Fegley ( ? - ? ). They made a home at 102 Quakertown Avenue in Pennsburg and bore these children -- Ernest Fegley, Elmer Fegley, Bertha Sweisford, Verna Keller and Vincent Fegley. Sadly, having contracted colon cancer, Martha underwent resection surgery in July 1947. She lived for another 16 months and was swept away by the Grim Reaper on Nov. 16, 1948, just 26 days after her 62nd birthday. Interment was in Pennsburg Reformed Church Cemetery. The Allentown Morning Call reported in an obituary that her survivors included 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Daughter Ella K. "Ellie" Conrad (1889-1977) was born on Feb. 19, 1889 in Berks County. She was baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. When they both were age 25, in about 1914, Ella wedded Charles Zern (1889-1969?). They were the parents of Charles Zern Jr., Viola May Conrad and Grace P. Zern. Sadly, daughter Grace died at the age of one year, 10 months on Feb. 23, 1920 from the effects of bronchial pneumonia, with burial in Pennsburg Reformed Church Cemetery, today known as the Pennsburg United Church of Christ Cemetery. Their residence in the 1920s was in Bethlehem and Pennsburg, Montgomery County. By 1930, they had relocated to Queens, NY, with Charles earning a living as a pump man in the city subway, while Ella labored as a seamstress in a garment factory. In 1934 they were in Jamaica, Long Island, NY, and by 1940 they were in Brooklyn on Saratoga Avenue, where Charles worked as a shipping clerk for a casket company. Then by 1965, they had moved again to San Diego, CA. Charles may have passed away on May 17, 1969. Ella died in San Diego on June 24, 1977.

Grandson Charles Zern Jr. (1917- ? ) was born in about 1917 in Pennsylvania.

Granddaughter Viola May Zern (1920-1990) was born on Dec. 16, 1920 in Pennsylvania. In 1940, at age 19, she resided with her parents in New York City. She relocated to Southern California with her parents. She married (?) Cosby ( ? - ? ). Viola died in Los Angeles on Oct. 29, 1990.

Son Charles Conrad (1890-1930) was born on May 2, 1890. He may have been the only one of the children not to be baptized in infancy by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, as there is no reference found in his pastoral records. Charles was united in marital union with Viola Levina C. Snyder (1904-1942). Two children were born to this marriage -- Ernest Grant Conrad and Marie M. Leister. They dwelled in the 1920s in East Greenville, where he earned a living as a laborer with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. Tragically, after he began experiencing paralysis of his arms and legs, he was diagnosed with cancer of the cervical spinal cord. His health declined for 14 months. He was admitted to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, where the tumor was removed, but it was too late. Death relieved him of his pain two days later on Nov. 7, 1930, at the age of 40. Interment was in the New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ Cemetery. Viola, widowed at age 26, married again to Charles Hoffman Graber (1878-1959). They bore a daughter of their own, Mary Lou Houseknecht.

Grandson Ernest Grant Conrad (1924-2010) was born in 1924.

Granddaughter Marie M. Conrad (1926-1996) was born in 1926. She married (?) Leister.

Son Harvey James Conrad (1892-1959) was born on July 19, 1892 in Berks County or in New Hanover Township, Montgomery County. (Sources differ.) He was baptized by the family's pastor, Rev. Eli Keller of Huff's Lutheran and Reformed Church in Hereford Township, Berks County, with a handwritten notation made in his pastoral records. As a young man, he was employed at the Boyertown Casket Works and rented a room at Fritz's boarding house on North Reading Avenue. During World War I, he joined the American Expeditionary Force and was shipped overseas as a member of the 305th Trench Mortar Battery. He was reported to have been badly wounded in battle but in fact wrote to friend Lloyd Ritter saying he was fine. He resided in Pennsburg and Bechtelsville for decades and was employed by Bethlehem Steel. He also was a member of the East Greenville Castle of the Knights of Golden Eagles, holding the office of noble chief. In early 1957, his health in decline due to bronchial asthma and heart disease, he became a resident of the Eastern Mennonite Home in Franconia, Montgomery County. He was felled by a heart attack and died suddenly on July 25, 1959, at the age of 67. His remains were lowered into rest in Perkiomenville Mennonite Cemetery in Montgomery County. Son Harvey Conrad Jr., of 110 South Franklin Street in Pottstown, was the informant for the certificate of death.

~ Son Alfred Wetzel Conrad ~

Son Alfred Wetzel Conrad (1860-1927) was born on May 23, 1860. At the age of 20, in 1880, he was single and lived at home, working as a laborer.

He married Mary Ann Hartman (1868-1927).

They were the parents of Frederick Abraham Conrad and Elsie Krauss.

The family lived in Palm, Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County.

Mary Ann died at the age of 58 on Jan. 30, 1927.

Alfred only outlived her by less than a year. At the age of 67, he succumbed on Nov. 13, 1927. They rest for eternity in Huff's Church Cemetery in Berks County.

Son Frederick Abraham Conrad (1887-1960) was born on May 17, 1887 in Hereford Township, Berks County. He was united in matrimony with Stella J. Fetterman ( ? -1975), daughter of Oscar and Ida J. (Frey) Fetterman of Upper Milford Township. They bore one daughter, Ruth Herrick. Frederick earned income during his working career as a laborer, while Stella worked as a glove sewer for more than 40 years for Palm Glove Factory, retiring in 1953. They were members of Palm Schwenkfelder Church. At the age of 73, having suffered for two years with a kidney infection, he died on Nov. 2, 1960. Burial was in Palm-Schwenkfelder Cemetery. Stella lived for another 15 years and made a home in Wescosville. She passed away on May 25, 1975. An obituary ran in the Allentown Morning Call. Daughter Ruth married Dr. Carleton S. Herrick and made a home in 1975 in Wescosville.

Daughter Elsie Conrad ( ? -1967) was born on (?) in Palm, Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County. In about 1915, she wedded Elmer K. Krauss ( ? -1969), son of Milton Y. and Mary S. (Kurtz) Krauss, also of Palm. The couple did not reproduce. For 45 years, Elmer served as U.S. Postmaster, operating from the general store in Palm. He also was a director of the East Greenville Savings and Loan Association. She belonged to Huff's United Church of Christ, and he to the Palm Schwenkfelder Church, where he held the position of church councilman for half a century. Elsie died at home on April 5, 1967 at the age of 74, with an obituary published in the Allentown Morning Call. Interment was in Palm-Schwenkfelder Cemetery. Elmer joined his wife in death on Aug. 8, 1969.