Reverend J. L. Murphy, of Grace Church, which was a Union Church, Lutheran and Reformed, married many of the Weidner descendants in his church. Rev. Murphy is responsible for assembling the texts about George Henry Weidner that are included in this publication and shown beginning on the next page.
On the first Sunday in April, 1894, at Bethel Reformed church, Mr. John W. Robinson Asked the Pastor’s permission to make a few remarks after service. He stated that near his home on the hill, rested the ashes of henry Weidner, the first white settler of the South Fork Valley. The grave was said to be covered with briars, and the fence surrounding it in a dilapidated condition. Mr. Robinson appealed to the friends to rebuild the fence, and to beautify the grave, adding tht it was his desire that a suitable service be held at some convenient time. This was the first intimtion of the Henry Weidner Memorial Service. The writer was asked to prepare a programme for the occasion, which he did, selecting the 30th day of May as the time. Being properly advertised, and suitable provisions being made, the largest crowd assembled on that day that has ever been brught together at one time, within the history of this community, being between 2,500 and 3000 people present. The interest manifested by this audience was intense. The speakers had made careful and extended preparations; the choirs had selected the most soul stirring music. After the service was over, a general request came up from the friends asking that the proceedings of the day should be published in pamphlet form. Yielding to that request, we have gathered together the speeches made and the papers read on that day, and herewith give them to the public, trusting that they will awaken an interest in some one who will write more fully than has been before, the history of the German people who settled this part of Western North Carolina.
To Judge McCorkle and Colonel G. M. Yoder we are indebted for their valuable papers.
We give the programme as rendered that day without embellishment or comment.J. L. Murphy
Hickory, North Carolina
June 13, 1894H ENRY WEIDNER
MEMORIAL
_____________________________Report Of The Exercises Held At The Old Pioneer’s Homestead In Catawba County, N. C., May 30, 1894
The gathering at the home of Mr. Robinson is told in this manner by the Newton Enterprise:
Wednesday morning, May 30th dawned upon us dark and gloomy, the heavy clouds hung low, and threatened each moment to deluge the earth with rain, but nothing daunted, large numbers of persons were easily to be seen wending their way to the hospitable home of Mr. John W. Robinson, to attend the memorial services to be held that day in honor of Henry Weidner, the discoverer of South Fork, earliest settler of that part of Catawba County. On nearing the home of our friend, Mr. Robinson was to be seen standing in his front yard bidding a hearty welcome to each and every visitor as they passed by him, be they in buggy, carriage, wagon, cart, on horseback or on foot. When we reached the grounds, it looked as if hundreds had preceded us and still long lines of vehicles could be seen as far down the road as the eye could reach. A nice platform had been erected beneath the outstretching branches of that giant oak tree, which has born upon its bark the red paint, that was the Indians’ signal to Henry Weidner and his noble comrades that hostilities had commenced, and the trunk of this mighty white oak as well as the speakers platform had been prettily decorated for the occasion. At 10:30 the choirs of Bethel and Zion gave the audience some very appropriate music and Rev. J. L. Murphy, who was master of ceremonies, announced the Invocation by Rev. A. H. Smith, followed with the Scripture lessons, Gen. 17: 1-8, Heb. 11: 32-40 by Rev. Mr. Murphy, and prayer by the Rev. Prof. Cline of Lenoir College. Following the prayer, the choirs sang: “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.” Mr. John W. Robinson was then introduced, who delivered the address of Welcome. Mr. Robinson spoke as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I am truly thankful that I have been permitted to see this day, on which the descendants and friends of Henry Weidner have assembled under this old historic tree, which stands as a living monument to his memory, to do honor to the old pioneer of the South Fork Valley. Near by, now in ruins, is the home, and on yonder hill is the last resting place of the first white man who saw the beautiful valleys of Henry’s and Jacob’s Forks of the Catawba River. And now to you, the living relatives of old Father Weidner, to you kind pastors and your people, to you neighbors and friends, to all, I, In behalf of my family and myself, extend a most cordial welcome to my home - once the home of Father Weidner.
Young ladies and young men, little boys and little girls, please hear me; I am thankful to you for being here today with us, as living, blooming, budding flowers, to help decorate this memorial to the honor of our dear old father and mother. In behalf of my wife, my sons and my daughters, I extend to you a heartfelt welcome. How shall we remember our relatives in other states? I can say, if they were here, with outstretched arms we would greet them and say, welcome, welcome once more to the old homestead, and the last resting place of our father and mother.
Grand and great grand children, please give me your attention. This memorial service was mostly gotten up for your benefit. I congratulate you on having such a great and brave man as Henry Weidner as your ancestor. I trust you will pay good attention to the speakers whom we have with us today. We are on the down grade. Soon our race will be run, and what history may be handed down to you today, I trust you will keep in your minds so that you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren. I extend to you a loving welcome.
Now to the poor and the different classes, doctors, lawyers, editors and farmers, I extend to you a loving welcome.
I take occasion, also, to express my thanks to the kind friends who have so nobly assisted in fencing the old family graveyard, and in beautifying the grave of Father Weidner. To the committee of arrangements, to the choirs of Zion and Bethel churches, I return my sincere thanks. In conclusion, I appeal to all for good order.
At the conclusion of Mr. Robinson’s address, Rev. Mr. Murphy arose and said:
Mr. Robinson: In behalf of this large assemblage of people, the descendants and friends of Henry Weidner, I sincerely thank you for the lively interest you have manifested in this memorial service. You conceived the though of holding this service, you planned it, you have given time and energy to it, you have thrown open the doors of your home, you have given a warm welcome. I thank you for the opportunity of learning something of our ancestry, and for the privilege of honoring the brave man who first discovered and settled this beautiful valley of the South Fork of the Catawba. There is no better way of impressing the important lessons of life upon the minds of our young people, than by pointing them to the noble deeds of these ancestors. A certain Latin writer has said that “whenever he has beheld the images of his ancestors he felt his mind vehemently excited to virtue.” It was not the wax or marble that possessed this power, but the recollections of their noble actions, which kindled this generous flame in his bosom. The learned Apostle, when he would arouse the Hebrew Christians and inspire them to noble deeds and to greater and truer reverence, rehearsed the lives of the heroes of faith, “who subdued kingdoms and wrought righteousness.” We feel that today we will gather fresh inspirations which will enable us to go on to higher attainments and greater perfection in life. Again, we sincerely thank you.
Rev. J. C. Clapp D. D., president of Catawba College, was then introduced as the orator selected to deliver the memorial sermon. Dr. Clapp was followed by the Rev. J. C. Moser, pastor of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Hickory, N. C. , in an appropriate address. The addresses of Dr. Clapp and Rev. Mr. Moser were delivered without notes and we are unable to give them. At this point, a recess of one hour and a half was taken. The large audience were invited to visit the grave of Henry Weidner and the hill nearby, which most of them did. Returning from the grave, the audience were invited to surround the large table arranged in the field above Mr. Robinson’s home. After a few words of prayer by the Rev. R. A. Yoder, President of Lenoir College, the invitation was given to partake of the dinner with which the large table was loaded. After dinner some time was spent in social chat. Then the crowd reassembled around the stand, and judge Matthew L. McCorkle, of Newton, was introduced and spoke as follows:
COLONEL McCORKLE’S SPEECH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: It has been customary among all civilized people since the world was created, to build monuments to perpetuate the memories of the noble dead, and celebrate great events in the world’s history.
Sometimes hundreds of years elapse, before the deeds of the distinguished dead are appreciated. Columbus, the discoverer of America, never received the honors that were due him until the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Washington, the great father of his country, was never honored before, as he was on the celebration of the completion of the monument, 515 feet high, in Washington City.
It has been over one hundred and fifty years since Henry Weidner first discovered yonder beautiful river, the South Fork of the Catawba River. When he came here, he found a race of people far different from the present occupants of this country. They built no monuments, and there is scarcely a trace left where they once lived, except a few arrow-heads and stone axes. They have fled before the face of civilization; they have followed the setting sun and have only stopped in their Western march by being driven back by the waves of the Pacific Ocean. They were pushed back by the Anglo-Saxon, the highest developed type of the human race. They were said to be the Aboriginies of America. They were red men and were called Indians. They had tribes and nations. They had no boundaries to their governments. They settled on the water courses and their tributaries, for the purpose of hunting and fishing. These were their only boundary lines. When Henry Weidner crossed the Catawba River at Sherrill’s Ford, he was in the country of the Catawba Indians. They inhabited along the great river from near the South Carolina line to it’s head including all its tributaries. The name of the great Catawba, is an Indian name, and means Catfish River. From Adam Sherrill’s, about the year 1745, he started west without a human soul to pilot him or to accompany him in this unknown land, inhabited by nature’s wild beasts and probably hostile Indians. He was armed with a gun whose barrel was about six feet long, with a tomahawk and a long knife in his scabbard. The country away from the water courses was made of timber. He could see for miles around him and before him. With a compass he could steer a straight direction. Due west from Sherrill’s Ford carried him to where the two rivers of the South Fork came together. He stood upon the hill not far from Elkanah Hunsacker’s, and viewed the landscape o’er. Moses himself was not more delighted to view the land of Canaan.
On his way from Sherrill’s Ford to this delightful spot, he saw frequently herds of deer scampering over the plain, large flocks of wild turkeys and droves of buffalo feeding at a distance, and the wolf and the coyote bounding along before him. The country was full of wild game. The earth was covered with luscious grapes and nourishing pea vines. The streams abounded in fish of all kinds. There were no dams and nets and wire seines stretched across the river to obstruct fish from coming from the ocean and the streams were not filled with sand in consequence of bad farming. Nature was herself untarnished. The two forks united about a half mile further up Jacob’s Fork than they now do. The low ground was covered with tall cane, with here and there a large walnut on the banks or otherwise. It is said he crossed on a raft over the river and he thought there was but one stream. He found its mate. Which one is the larger? No one knows to this day. Signs of otter, mink, musk rat, coon and bear could be seen all along the banks of either stream, and behold the soil as fertile as the valley of the River Nile. Henry weidner might have exclaimed, “Gefunden,” Then raised his eyes to heaven and thanked God, “for his goodness and mercies endureth for ever.” Night overtook him; he laid himself down to sleep with his watch dogs beside him and his Heavenly Father to guard him from the dangers of the night. One of these beautiful rivers is named Henry, the other Jacob, after Henry and Jacob Weidner.
Henry Weidner was a bold and daring adventurer. He came originally from Germany. His name passed through different forms of spelling; first Weidner, then Wetner, then Witener, then finally Whitener. He was a Saxon, from Coburg, Saxony, and left that country when he was a young man, on account of some troubles between him and his brothers about the Crown of that Government, and came to America. He landed first in Philadelphia, then came to North Carolina. Henry Weidner was a brother of Prince Albert’s father, whose original name was Wetner. He came (to North Carolina) originally to trap and hunt. He came alone. He was the first white man that discovered the beautiful South Fork of the Great Catawba. He lived in peace with the Indians, who still held the soil. He was wont to go back to the civilized world each spring and carry his pelts on horses. Some of the patents of his land bear the date 1750. On one of his trips, he brought as his companion of his forest life, a young wife - Mary Mull - and a youth by the name of Conrad Yoder, the ancestor of a large and respectable posterity. He also brought with him Abram Mull, his brother-in-law. Whom he settled near him in yonder hill. Abram Mull had married Mary Poffh. These families had not been here long in their forest houses, til a band of marauding Cherokees from beyond the mountains, invaded their new homes and killed Abram Mull and two of his children, and scalped them and burned their houses. Mrs. Mull had gone out to drive up the cattle and approaching near the house, the cattle came running back and that alarmed her. She saw the smoking ruins of her house. She ran to Henry Weidner’s and gave the warning and they all fled to the cane break, and stayed there all night. The next morning Henry Weidner came back, and saw the smouldering ruins and Abram Mull lying cold and dead. The children had been killed and all their scalps taken off. Oh, what a heart rending scene to the poor bereaved wife and mother and all who beheld it. They were ready to exclaim, “Carry me back! Carry me back to old “Sylvania’s shore.” The Indians had killed some of their cattle and had gone. Henry Weidner and family and Mrs. Mull went to South Carolina, and after they had been there a short time, Henry Weidner and John Warlick came back to reconnoiter the country. They saw a band of Indians not far from the old homestead. They retreated and Warlick’s son became mired and whilst he was trying to extricate him --- Weidner urging him on --- the Indians overtook him and killed him. One continued to follow Weidner. He stopped, took deliberate aim, and made him bite the dust. He killed him with that same old gun, whose barrel was about six feet long and was brought from Pennsylvania when he first came to North Carolina. He returned to South Carolina and remained there, in all, about two years, and they all returned to their homes and they were never afterwards molested on account of the Indians. Mrs. Mull, nee Poffh, the beautiful and charming widow, after a few years, laid aside her weeds of mourning and married Maj. George Wilfong. They were blessed with two sons and four daughters. They all raised large and respectable families. When Henry Weidner and Mrs. Mull returned, this giant oak, whose trunk measures twenty-two feet around, and whose branches extend far and wide, and afford shelter for this vast audience, was a small tree and was painted red as a warning that the war still continued. After Henry Weidner lead the way, he was followed by the Conrads, Beinhardts, Anthonys, Frys, Forneys, Rauchs, Ramseurs, Hoyles, Hokes, Bosts, Shufords, Summerrows, Dellingers, Sigmons, ansd a number of other families, who, take them all in all, are a noble set of people. They built their houses over springs and in case of a siege by the Indians they could have water to drink - with loop holes in the rock walls from which to shoot their assailants. There is an evidence of this fact in sight of the old dwelling house of the great pioneer Henry Weidner. They carried their lives in their hands, not knowing at what time they would be shot down by an Indian in ambush or lurking behind some covert wall. We often think we live in evil times, but the blessings we enjoy can’t be enumerated, compared to those of our forefathers.
On the 24th day of March 1663, King Charles the second granted to Edward, earl of Clarendon, and others as true and absolute Lord Proprietors of all the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean included between the 31st and 36th parallels, North latitude; and on the 30th of June 1663, by a second charter, he enlarged the powers of the grantees, and extended their boundaries so as to include all the country between the parallels 34 degrees and 30 minutes and 29 degrees North latitude. On the 25th day of July1720, seven of the eight proprietors of the Carolinas in consideration of 500 pounds sterling, conveyed all their rights, privileges and franchises to George the Second, King of Great Britain, and Earl Cartaret, afterwards Lord Granville, conveyed all his rights of jurisdiction over the said province or colony, reserving one-eighth part of the soil and territorial rights. Earl Granville still held the soil in North Carolina from the Virginia line south to 35 degrees, 34 minutes and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, a magnificent domain. This line runs East and West from the Atlantic Ocean about four miles of the town of Lincolnton. The line was not defined west of the Catawba River until 1835, and consequently, a large number of grants were taken out in the name of the king north of that line during the period from 1729 to 1782. Henry Weidner’s grant to this splendid plantation was taken out in 1750 in the name of the king. The date of the rock house was taken out in 1750 in the same way. The other plantations belonging to Henry Weidner along these two beautiful rivers were patented afterwards. He had three sons and five daughters. The names of his sons are: Daniel, Henry and Abram. The latter was killed during the Revolutionary War. He had five daughters whose names were: Mary, who married Lightfoot Williams, Barbara, who married John Dellinger, Elizabeth, who married Henry Summerrow, Catherine, who married John Meuhl, commonly called “Mull.” Millie married Jesse Robinson. He gave his son Henry the Rock House place, who held it about twenty-five years, and he sold it to Jacob Summey, and then mover to the State of Missouri and there died. One of his sons told Dr. Fox, who visited him in Missouri, that “If he had the rock place back, he wouldn’t give it up for half of the State of Missouri. To Daniel he gave the Darius Sides’ place, near where the late George Weidner lived. He lived and died on the place and left a large number of respectable and well to do descendants and was buried in the old family graveyard on yonder hill near by. To his daughter Mary he gave the place now owned by Major Hull, Esq., and was known as the Lightfoot Williams place. To Elizabeth he gave a part of the Mull land. To Catherine he gave the land occupied by the Mulls on Jacob’s Fork. He deeded the home place to Jesse Robinson, his son-in-law, instead of his daughter, Mollie. The Dellinger place he devised to his grandchildren, John Dellinger, Jr., Henry Dellinger, who was killed at the battle of Kings Mountain, Joseph Dellinger, Catherine Dellinger and Barbara Dellinger, the children of his son-in-law John Dellinger. He owned, besides these splendid plantations, and with what he gave away by deed, about 10,000 acres. He was called “The King of the Forks.” Time has attested his superior judgment in the choice of his lands. He was truly a Saxon. It is said they want all the lands that join them. Why it was that he gave this place to Jesse Robinson instead of his daughter Mollie, no one knows. It is supposed that he agreed to support his father and mother-in-law during their lives, he having married the youngest daughter. It has fallen into good and safe hands. It soon came into the possession of Henry Weidner Robinson, who was a relative of Henry Weidner’s children. No better man could have owned it. He was a friend of the poor and needy. He distributed his bounty with a liberal hand. He was greatly loved by all his neighbors. He lived to a good and ripe old age and died without an enemy. The crowning act of his life (by the pious example of his noble and Christian wife, when the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was being administered to her for the last time in his presence by the Rev. John G. Fritchey, who saw that he wanted to unite with her in celebrating the dying love of his Savior, asked him if he too, did not want to give himself to Jesus, and he said he did) was joining the church; then the Reverend minister administered the sacrament to both. A large portion of these magnificent domains are in the hands of the descendants of this great pioneer, who for honesty, integrity and correct living, are not surpassed by any kindred or any people. The descendants of Henry Weidner should be proud of their record. They have shown themselves equal to every emergency, naturally modest and unobtrusive, but when occasion required, they were bold and daring.
Daniel Weidner, the oldest son of Henry Weidner, when the time came for him to defend his country and fight for liberty, shouldered his musket and Volunteered under Colonel McDowell. He was one of the heroes of “the battle of King’s Mountain.” It was one of the most decisive battles and one of the grandest victories that were ever achieved by any people. It was the turning point of the great Revolution. A battle in which more than fifty of the enemies were slain and the rest captured. So there was not one left to tell Cornwallis of the disastrous defeat of Colonel Ferguson, that daring and blood-thirsty leader. It was Daniel Weidner’s gun that gave Colonel Ferguson one of the eight mortal wounds with which he died on the spot. The late George Summey, Esq., a man of high character for integrity, told the Hon. S. T. Wilfong that he took as deliberate aim at Ferguson as he ever did at a buck, and when his gun fired, Ferguson fell. That same gun was brought by Henry Weidner from Pennsylvania. It’s barrel was half rifled and about six foot long and carried an ounce ball, and by the patriotism of Peter Wilfong Weidner, was donated to the Guilford Battle Ground Company, and there placed among Revolutionary relics in honor of the noble deeds of Daniel Weidner. Not far from Daniel Weidner in this great battle, his neighbor, friend and brother-in-law, young John Wilfong, received a severe wound in the right arm in that same glorious fight and carried that honorable scar to his grave. He afterwards became a great man in wealth, popularity and good deeds. He never sought political office, notwithstanding he was chosen elector on the Van Buren ticket, and was made chairman of that college, where the great Nathaniel Macon was his colleague, to cast the vote of that body. He is honored on the Guilford Battle Ground by that patriotic company. A beautiful lake on that sacred spot is named in his honor “Wilfong Lake.” These two men fought under Major Joe McDonald in the Burks and Rutherford Regiments, together with John Dellinger and others in the King’s Mountain battle. All the Territory of Catawba County then belonged to Burke County as far south as Earl Granville’s line, for that was the dividing line, at that time, between Burke and Tyron Counties. The names of these brave patriots are not mentioned in Draper’s History of “King’s Mountain and its Heroes.”
Young Wilfong, on his way home from the great battle (he was discharged near Wilkesboro and crossed the Catawba River near the Island Ford) About six miles from the river, was weary and worn down making the way home, came to the house of Captain Paulzer Sigmon, who lived on Lyle’s Creek on the old place owned by the late Logan Dellinger, Esq. He stopped to get a drink of water, for he was badly wounded. Captain Sigmon called his daughter Hannah, a stripling girl of sweet sixteen, to bring the young man some water from the spring. She almost flew as she went and came. She was as fair as a lily, her cheeks as a rose, and her hair like shining gold. He stayed and rested all night. He left next morning. He loved Hannah at first sight. After the war was over they became husband and wife. They raised a large and respectable family of children. They acquired a large amount of property. Our host here today, John W. Robinson is one of the descendants of that union. No man can ever say that Henry Weidner ever did a dishonorable thing. He stood high among his fellow countrymen. He sold his friend, Conrad Yoger, a magnificent farm for a small price, to have him as a neighbor. They continued fast friends as long as they lived, and his descendants and Conrad Yoder’s are here today to rise up and praise him. A short time before he died, Henry Weidner made his last will and testament in writing. It is always interesting to hear the last words of a deceased friend. He disposed of all his valuable land except for the Dellinger place before he died. He was to a great degree his own executor. He did not, like too many, hold on to his property till he could hold it no longer, then give it away to his children. This is his will:
In the name of God, Amen! The seventh day of December in the year of our Lord, 1790, I, Henry Weidner, Sr., of the County of Lincoln, in the State of North Carolina, planter, being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner as follows. That is to say, in the first place, I give, devise and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Catherine, a Negro wench named Phyllis, one hundred pounds in cash; her bed and furniture, a horse and saddle and spinning wheel, her privilege in the ,Manor house and all the household furniture while she remains single and no longer. I give unto my son Daniel three Negroes, vis: Kingston, Tom’s son Pelt and old Tom. I give unto my son Henry five Negroes, vis: Henry, Pete, Pleasant, David and Nancy. I also will that my said two sons Daniel and Henry have all my iron tools and utensils of husbandry, equally divided between them, Daniel to have the first choice and Henry the second and so to continue by choice until they have the whole. I give unto my daughter Mary, five cows, a Negro wench named Fanny, and her bed and furniture. I give unto my daughter Catherine, wife of John Mull, a Negro wench named Nanny. I give unto Barbara, wife of John Dellinger, a certain debt of seventy-five pounds. I give unto my daughter Elizabeth, wife of Henry Summerrow, a debt of seventy-five pounds. I likewise give unto my daughter Mollie, a certain debt of sixty-six pounds my two stills and all the still vessels and a horse now in her possession. I also will that if any or part of my moveable estate not particularly disposed of should remain in the hands of my executors, it shall be equally divided among all my children, male and female. I also give, devise, and bequeath unto John Dellinger, Jr., Joseph Dellinger, Catherine Dellinger and Barbara Dellinger, the children of my son-in-law, John Dellinger and his wife, my daughter, Barbara, that certain tract of land whereon said John Dellinger now lives, situated on Jacob’s Fork, being a part of sundry surveys and containing by estimation 400 acres, be the same more or less. And lastly I make, nominate, constitute and appoint my loving and dutiful sons, Daniel and Henry Weidner, my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto interchangeably set my hand and affixed my seal, the year above written.
Henry Weidner (Seal)
Signed and sealed by the testator, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who were present at the signing and sealing thereof.
Robert Blackburn
Michael Shell
John (X) MullHenry Weidner was a bold, daring, brave man, who was not afraid of the Indians’ tomahawk or scalping knife, but was willing to sacrifice his life for his posterity and generations unborn.
The time was when we could not easily get marble to tell where our loved ones lie. That time has passed. Marble is easily had, besides these hills are full of gray granite that will last as long as the eternal hills, where we may hew out shafts to reach high up toward heaven and mark the spot where the noble dead lie. Where rest the bones of Daniel Whitener, the hero of King’s Mountain. Ye sons and daughters of royal blood, his descendants, tell me where. If he lies in a neglected grave, come to the rescue. Let generations unborn know that he was one of the heroes of King’s Mountain, that he and his posterity are worthy of the good and brave pioneer, the first discoverer of this goodly land and helped to drive the treacherous, improvident, barbarous Indians from this fair land. If our meeting here today does nothing more than to pass a few compliments, over the dead heroes, then we will have met in vain. It should do more than this. We all ought to resolve that we will do our duty in trying to raise from oblivion our deserving friends, who now lie in the cold and silent grave. A pencil mark is worth more than all the memories of the world. The mark of the chisel on graphite or marble is worth more than all the pencil marks on earth. It will last until the heavens shall roll together as a scroll, till this solid globe shall melt with fervent heat, and until there shall be a new Heaven and a new earth. Until then and only then, shall there be need of monuments and histories to preserve the virtues of our honored dead. Let us not do like the red men who have preceded us and who have left no monuments, no written histories, no tombstones, no statues, no roses to tell where the garden has been. We are all passing through nature to eternity. In a short time the plowshare will pass over the graves of the neglected dead. Shall our bones be turned up with the plowshare and bleached with the clods of the valley. Shall no loving hands strew flowers on our graves and shed a tear of memory over the sod that covers them Forbid it heaven! Forbid it my countrymen, that our graves should be thus neglected. If we neglect others we may share the same fate. This small tablet at the head of Henry Weidner’s grave is all that is left of this great man and his beloved wife.
Catherine Weidner was born May 24th, 1733, and died Aug. 20th, 1804, aged 71 years, two months and twenty-six days.
Henry Weidner was born in the year 1717, Oct. 9th, and died July the 21st, 1792, aged seventy-four years, eight months. He lies buried in yonder cemetery with only this humble stone to mark his grave. He deserves a monument whose top should be first to catch a glimpse of the rays of the rising sun and say to generations unborn: “Here lies one of nature’s noblemen, an honor to his race and a blessing to his country.”
COL. G. M. YODER
SPEECHSolomon, the great preacher, said that there was a time for everything under the heavens. Now, if this be true, today evidently is the proper time for the descendants of the original pioneer to assemble here and celebrate that great and glorious event when Henry Weidner first found this fertile country.
Never did I expect, as one of the descendants of Conrad Yoder, who had his home here at Weidner’s nearly 140 years ago, that I, in my 68th year would be so highly favored and honored as to stand among the lawyers, judges, professors of colleges, ministers and doctors … a plain old Dutch farmer, before such a vast assembly, under the large and monumental white oak, to tell the people something about Henry Weidner and of that noble and excellent family which he raised in yonder house, now in ruin. I call it a monumental white oak because it stood here when he first settled here and if it had the capacity to speak today it certainly would tell us of many wonderful scenes, both pleasant and unpleasant, that have happened around and about that house. Yes, with a sympathetic feeling it would tell us the sad story of that diabolical and barbarous murder of Abram Mull and family by the Indians, just across yonder field, about four hundred yards from this oak. Yes, it would tell us, too, how Mrs. Mull ran in haste and informed Henry Weidner that the Indians were there.
Me thinks I can see him gather up his family and his old, never failing rifle, and go around the brow of yonder hill, through the cane break, to a cliff of rock to hide during the night. Then I can see him retrace his steps over yonder hill where the dead now are sleeping, to look over towards Mull’s small cabin to see whether the Indians were gone. Upon reaching the scene he finds that they had fled to the forest, so he ventures up to the cabin, and, oh, the horrible sight he beheld! Mull had been killed and scalped, and the poor little innocent babe was lying in the cradle scalped but still alive. Tradition tells that the infant lived some eight or ten days after this.Then, me thinks, I can see him gathering up his family and rolling his wagon down yonder road for Lancaster, South Carolina, where a Robinson family was living and where he remained two years. When he returned he found everything destroyed and this monumental white oak painted red. In beholding this magnificent oak I am struck with the idea that it represents the Henry Weidner family in two particulars: First, because it has some dead branches, and branches of all ages down to the tender twig. The dead branches represent the dead generations, the older branches, the older living generations, and so on down to the tender twig, which represents the sixth generation - now only small children. You also see that it is a very large tree; it must have grown rapidly, judging from the size of the trunk. You see that it has many branches, spreading out in every direction. So has been the Henry Weidner family. His descendants have spread out in every direction, being found today in Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, California, Washington, Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The descendants of this old pioneer now number about 2,000.
It is a known and established fact, that two Weidner’s came to this section of the country as pioneers, and many have things rather mixed about the two old pioneers. These two were Henry Weidner, upon whose family record I have based my address today, and about whose life and character you have been told something by my friend Judge McCorkle. He came here prior to the year 1749.
The other one was Michael Weidner, who came to this country between the years of 1700 and 1766, perhaps fifteen years later than Henry Weidner, and settled on the south side of Jacob’s Fork River. Traditional history always said that he bought his farm from Henry Weidner. He and wife and four children came directly from the State of Pennsylvania. His wife’s maiden name was Beck. They had four children: Daniel, who was lost during the Revolutionary War; Benjamin, the second son, had married Magdalene Whisenhunt and they had fifteen children; Philip, the third son, had married Susan Sigmon; Plantena, the only daughter, had married Fredrick Sundey. It has always been said that these two old pioneers were no kin. In my historical genealogy address I will very often refer to this family. The complexion and their manners, customs and habits differed from each other in religious matters as well as politically.Now we move on to the Henry Weidner family. First I will say a few words about Henry Weidner, and it is this: Judging by his descendants, Henry Weidner must have been a stout, robust, large and portly looking man, and possessed a hearty and Vigorous constitution, always able to battle with all the turmoil’s and hardships of life, and in all of its emergencies , too; judging from the habits and customs of his descendants, he must have been a plain and a kind-hearted man in all of his dealings with his fellow men; always given to hospitality and his house opened for the reception of the needy, especially to his fellow pioneers, who by chance came to his house. He was ready to feed them and must have appeared always with a smiling countenance, and always a law abiding citizen as are his descendants.
This old and remarkable pioneer, as you have heard, had married Catherine Mull and had eight children: Daniel, Henry, Abram, Barbara, Mary, Mollie, Catherine and Elizabeth.
This old remarkable pioneer died in 1792, leaving a widow and six children to mourn their loss - two already had died - and about 115 grand-children. As he was a Dutchman, I will give his epitaph as found on the tomb stone in German:Yensiel dem kleinen straum auf dem Hurglein, id, ein Graub und das Grash ist ge marked mit einen Haupstein, stehl is greachricben: Heinrich Weidner war gebohren in yahr1717, and gesturbenin dem yahr 1792 om ueinten October, muchten allen seiner tagen auf arden 75 yahren, Frieden saseinen ashen.
Translated: Beyond this little stream on yonder hillock is a grave, and that grave is marked by a headstone and on that stone it is written or engraved: Henry Weidner was born in the year 1717 on the 9th of October, and died in the year 1792, on the 31st of July, making all his days here on this earth seventy-five years. Peace be unto his ashes.
Daniel, the oldest son of Henry Weidner, was a rather tall slender man, with large bones and muscles and broad shoulders and was a stout, robust man, with a healthy and vigorous Constitution. Possessed with courage and bravery, like his father, he was a warm friend to American liberty and a defender of the same. He shouldered his father’s old, never-failing rifle and with John Wilfong, marched to King’s Mountain, upon whose top Ferguson, the commander of the royal army, had stationed himself, and on the morning of October 6, 1780, was in that terrible conflict, when Ferguson was killed and his whole army taken prisoners. Tradition tells us that he always said that he raised his old rifle and took deliberate aim at Ferguson, and when he fired he saw him tumble off his horse, and he always claimed that he killed him.
After peace was restored, he married the beautiful Mary, daughter of George Wilfong, and settled on that portion of land east of the Hickory Road, and was a farmer by occupation.He died at an advanced age and was buried at the Weidner grave yard. He had ten children, five sons and five daughters. The names of his sons were, Daniel, Henry, John, George and David; his daughters, Sally, Rachel, May, Betsey and Catherine. At his death his grandchildren numbered about two hundred. He lived near the Sandy Ford.
Dan was always called “Big Dan,” in order to distinguish him from Benjamin and Philip Weidner’s “Dans.”
He was, like Nimrod of old, a great hunter. In one of his hunting exploits he came across a gang of wild turkeys near the Sandy Ford, and shot among them, killing several; but he did not notice the cattle some distance on the other side. After looking around he found that he had killed one cow and crippled several others.
He married Polly Robinson, a daughter of John Harvey Robinson, who was accidentally killed by being thrown from a horse against a tree not far from where Jay Thompson now lives. Polly was a grand daughter of James Robinson, who was raised in Lancaster County, South Carolina. They had ten children - Daniel, Henry, Jesse, Peter, David, Leah, Sally, Mary, and two others. Daniel, the oldest, was always known as a gold miner - in the western states, where he moved. Henry, the second son, was a house carpenter and was highly esteemed by all for his integrity. He was an intelligent and Christian gentleman. After the death of John Yount, who was a candidate for the division of Lincoln County, he came very near being nominated to represent Catawba County in the legislature of 1841. He married Susan Hoyle, daughter of Solomon Hoyle, who was raised by Peter Wilfong. She died at the age of about 37 of pulmonary disease. His wife died sometime previous to his death, leaving but three children - Susan, Leroy and Peter W. Peter and Leroy were the first two of the Weidner’s who held public office. Susan married Eli Rhyne, of Gaston County, now dead, and has one son, who married Anderson Brown’s daughter - a descendant of the Killian and Cresamore families. Leroy married Martha, the daughter of George P. Shuford, a descendant of the Ramsaur, Baker, Yoder and Huffman families. No offspring. Peter W. married Catherine, a sister of Leroy Weidner’s wife and their children are as follows: Shuford, Alice, Susan, and three others. Alice married Julius Abernathy, a descendant of the Rocket, Link, Rudisill and Rowe families, and their children are the sixth generation. Susan married McCombs, Mattie married a Mr. Forney, a descendant od the Ramsaur family.
Jesse, the third son of Daniel Whitener, was also an intelligent gentleman. The speaker went to school with him in his boyhood days. He married Emmaline Link, a descendant of the Warlick, Hoyle, Link and Rudisill families. He died of pulmonary trouble, and his children are all dead. His widow became the wife of Harvey Suttlemyre. David married a Miss Arndt, a descendant of Rev. John Arndt, the first Lutheran minister in this country. He died in the war, and I cannot tell anything about him. Leah, the oldest daughter, was accidentally killed by being thrown by her horse against an oak tree near Minerva School house, as she was returning from the funeral of a great aunt, Mary Williams. Peter and Mary died of fever. Sallie is the only one living. His first wife died and then he married Mrs. Ann Hoyle, widow of Solomon Hoyle, a descendant of the Summey and Michael Weidner families.
John, the second son of Daniel Weidner, was popularly known as “Shooting Match John,” and was a farmer. He married Polly mull, daughter of John Mull, and a descendant on the maternal side of the Anthony family. They had five daughters, the oldest of whom married Rev. George Wilkie, a minister in the Baptist Church. Lavinia, daughter of Rev. Wilkie married Hosea Wilkie. The second daughter married John Miller, a descendant of the Mull, Helderman and Henry Weidner families. Caroline, the third daughter married Marcus Seitz, a descendant of the Henry Weidner and Wilfong families. Both are dead. Their only living child is Mrs. Abernathy, wife of Lafayette Abernathy, a descendant of the Rockett, Link, Rudisill and Rowe families.
Albert, the first son, married a daughter of Peter Mull, a descendant of the Carpenter and Weidner families. Albert died in the war, and his brother Sidney, married his widow. There were several other sons who were dead. The second daughter married Absalom Miller, a descendant of the Heiderman family. Their children are Jacob, John, David, Lavinia and another daughter. Jacob fought in the Mexican War and was Captain in the late war between the States. He was killed near Richmond, Virginia. He married Minerva, daughter of George Setzer.
John married into the Wilkie family. David married Catherine Schell. Lavinia married Levi Hass, and had three children, one daughter of whom married David Suttlemyre.
The third daughter married Henry Suttlemyer, a descendant of the Killian family. Their children were Alfred, Julius, Sidney and three more daughters. Alfred married a lady near Shelby, NC and lives in Cleveland County, NC. Julius married Catherine Bost, daughter of Davidson Bost, a descendant of the Kline, Leard, Coulter and Stillwell families. One of the daughters married Cicero Cline. Another married a Mr. Humphrey. The fourth daughter married Jacob miller, and the fifth daughter married Henry Naugle. Both families moved to Georgia.
John, whom we have mentioned before, was married twice; his second wife was Polly Miller, and they had the following children; Hiram, Jethro, Jones, Logan, John, Catherine and Rhoda. He moved to Georgia where he was elected a County Judge, and in the township where he lived there were many persons who did not regard law nor justice and none before could open a court successfully. He said he could hold a court, so he took his old rifle with him and set it by his side and said that the first man who acted unruly he would shoot. He quieted the whole crowd and was successful in holding his court. It is said that after he lived in Georgia he became a Baptist minister.
Hiram married a Miss Boovey, a descendant of the Herman and Kaylor families. Jethro was a blacksmith and married Anna Hawn. Daniel, son of Jethro, married May, the daughter of Darius Seitz, a descendant of the Link, Rudisill, Sigmon and Mike Weidner families. Jones left the country. Catherine married Michael Bollinger, a descendant of the Killian families. Catherine’s children were Pink, Elbert, Henry, Levi and two daughters. Pink married a Herman, Elbert a Miss Johnson, Henry and Levi married descendants of the Coulter and Stillwell families. One daughter married Fides Rink, Rose married Jacob Bollinger. This closed the John Weidner family.
Henry, the third son of Daniel Weidner, was a farmer. He married Margaret Sherrill, daughter of Babel Sherrill. They had the following children; Babel, Aaron, Henry, Daniel, Jacob, Lawson, Sally, Mary, Ritty, Theresa and Agnes. Babel is a farmer living in Catawba County, NC. He married Mary Arndt, a descendant of Rev. John Arndt. They had the following children: Eludna, Sarah, Girette, Betty, Dora, Victoria and Augustus. Augustus married Miss Abernathy, Dora married Edward Miller and Sarah married Stampson Hawn.
Aaron moved to Texas; Henry married Martha Mull. Their descendants are Daniel, David, Lee, Albert and Fannie. Daniel married a Miss Kincade, daughter of Winfield Kincaide. Daniel, Jacob, Lawson and Sally died of fever. Mary married Lawson Hill, and had one daughter, Dora, who married a son of Henry Cline.
Ritty married Lawson Yount. They had two daughters Alice and Mattie. Theresa married John Weidner, son of David Weidner and went to Georgia. Agnes married a Mr. Miller and moved to Georgia.
George, the fourth son of Daniel Weidner was a farmer. He married Margaret Dellinger, daughter of Henry Dellinger. His children are Abel, Washington, Daniel, Sidney and four daughters. Abel is a farmer. He has held public office several times. He married Eliza Gross, a descendant of the Berry Family. Abel has the following children: Elmina, Martha, Susan, Adoiphus, Jane, Hampton and Avery.
Washington married Angeline Hildebran. He was killed in the late war, and left two daughters, one of whom married Marcus Weidner. Sidney married Martha Morrow. His eldest daughter Gertrude married Wm. B. Yoder.
Jane married Jones Baker. The four daughters remain unmarried. Daniel was killed in the late war. David, the fifth son of Daniel Weidner married Sarah Stillwell. Their descendants are: Albert, Caroline, Tulitha, John, Hamby and others. This family moved to Georgia.
Sallie, the first daughter of Daniel Weidner, married David Seitz and had the following children: Darius, Abel, Levi, Marcus, Lavinia, Anna, Sinis, Sally, Adeline, Catherine and Leah. Darius married Rebecca Link and had eight children. Martha, their oldest daughter, was twice married. Her first husband was Marcus Yoder. Her second husband was Rev. D. A. Goodman.
Mary, the second daughter married Daniel Weidner, Sarah, the third daughter married Peter Yoder, a descendant of the Reep, Kline, Deitz, Killian, Leonard, Rhodes and Kistler families.
Luther, the oldest son, married Belle, the daughter of David Baker, a descendant of the Abernathy, Rocket, Yoder, Huffman families. Philip, the second son, married Laura Dellinger.
Abel, the last son, married Fannie, the daughter of Jacob Sigmon, a descendant of the Setzer, Barringer, Sharrill and Henry Weidner families. David died in the war. Henry married William Corpening’s daughter. Abel, the second son of David Seitxz, first married Mollie, daughter of John B. Whitener, a descendant of the Weaver, Hawn, Whisenhunt and Michael Weidner families. His second wife was Catherine Gross, a descendant of the Berry Family. Their descendants are: Laban, who went to Texas; Darius, who was killed by lightening, George married a Miss Smyre, Eliza married Luther Weidner, a descendant of the Gross, Wisenhunt, Fry, Burns, Sigmon and of the Michael Weidner families. Jane married a Flowers, Emeline married Rily Hart, Hester a Smyre.
His third wife was Mary Moore, a daughter of Joseph Moore, a descendant of the Killian and Rudisill families.
Levi, the third son of David Seitz, married Angeline, the daughter of John Ward, a descendant of the Setzer, Barringer, Fry, Burns, Sigmon and Michael Weidner families. His children were: Pinkney, Frank, Candace, Belle and David. Pinkney had Married a Miss Whisenhunt. Candace married Daniel Rowe, a descendant of the Rhodes, Leonard and Hillian families. Belle married Charles Rowe, Frank married a Miss Abee, a descendant of the Huffman family.
Marcus, the fourth son, married Caroline Wilkie as before said, Lavinia, the first daughter of David Seitz married, married Henry Hawn, a descendant of the Houk, Whisenhumt and Michael Weidner families, and had the following children: Catherine, Caroline and Darius. Catherine married Andrew R. Yoder and had these children: Julia, Luther, John, Junius, Toy aand Minta. Julia married Reuben Propet, Luther, Mary Beard and Junius married a daughter of Joseph Bolinger.
Anna, the third daughter, married Daniel Hahn; they had the following children: Lee, Polly, Efird and one daughter.
Lee married Jane Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore, who is a descendant of the Killian, Rudisill and Cresamore families, and begat sons and daughters. Polly married a Miss Heuit, daughter of Moses Heuit, a descendant of the Reefs, Cline, Wisenhunt, Hauk, Ward, Setzer, Fry and Michael Weidner families. The daughter married Waighstill Hollar and has one child. There was a son lost during the late war.
Sallie, the third daughter of Daniel Seitz, married David Hawn and had three children. One married Will Benulek, Emily married Alonzo Peterson. Sina, the fourth daughter married Andrew Whitener, and had two sons, Madison and Marcus.
Madison married Elmina, daughter of Able Sigmon, a descendant of the Dellinger, Fisher, Peterson and Jarrett families. Marcus married Washington White’s daughter as before said. Adeline, the fifth daughter, married Jonas Weidner, and had five children.
Catherine, the sixth daughter, married Paul Holler, a descendant of the Ward, Setzer and Esabyer families. Leah, the seventh daughter married Max Holler. He lives in Texas. This closes the Seitz family.
Mary, the second daughter of Daniel Weidner had married John Setzer, a descendant of the Barranger family and had eleven children: George, Henry, Logan and eight daughters.
George, the oldest son, was a very intelligent man; he had acquired a sufficient education that enabled him to teach the common country schools in his day and time. He learned the wagon maker’s trade under the instructions of Moses Heaman. Then he married Mahata Smyre, daughter of George Smyre. After this marriage he went to a place called Eavesville about two miles above the little town of Conover, on the Morganton Road, to clerk and sell dry goods for his father-in-law, where he remained until Catawba County was made and the town of Newton located. Then they moved their goods there and continued merchandising. He was the first County Court Clerk elected by the people for Catawba County, in which capacity he served sixteen years. About this time his wife died and several of the children, leaving one son living. He was a member of the State Convention in 1862 and in the process of time he married Catharine Miller, a descendant of the Detter and Rudisill families. She died after the birth of her first child, leaving Jennie, a small child. She first married Bruce Houston and he died leaving no offspring. Then she married R. J. Shipp, a lawyer by profession, and they have two small sons.
Henry married Barbara Dellinger, a descendant of the Setzer and Henry Weidner families. He lives in Iredell County. Logan married Daniel Coulter’s daughter. Catherine, the oldest daughter, married Elias Longerier. Mary Ann married Paul Longerier. Rhoda married Elijah Herman. Mahaleh married Cain Herman. Leah married Ben Turner. One daughter married Walter Setzer, and another James Witherspoon. The youngest married Cain Deal. Rachel, the third daughter of Daniel Weidner married David Killian and went to Georgia.
Catherine, the fourth daughter of Daniel Weidner married Zachariah Stacy and moved to Burke County, NC. The following are their descendants:
THE STACY FAMILY
There were eleven children, namely, Mary, Pauline, Osborne, Miles, Daniel, Oliver, Emily, Lucinda, Bettie Anna, Vardrie and James. Mary Married Ambrose Wike and settled in Alexander County, NC. Pauline married Hosea Chapman, of Burke County. Their children are Leonidas, Mary, Carolina and Daniel. Osborne marries Mary Stuart of Iredell County and settled in Rutherfordton County. Their children are: Martha, Adeline, James, Oliver, Gamewell, Henrietta, Elizabeth, Catherine and Joseph. Miles married Lavina Stacy, and had three children, George, Elvina and Alice. His wife died and he married his second wife, Matilda England. Their children were: Ira, Pinkney and four others whose names at this time can not be obtained. Daniel married Elizabeth Keller of Burke County, NC. Their children were: John Wesley, Atsha, Malinda, Mary Jane and Martha Isabel.
Oliver married Sarah Brendle and moved to Georgia. Emily died in infancy.
Lucinda married Brittain Hawkins of Burke County, NC. Their children are: James R., Mary, Ann, Julius and Joseph.Bettie Ann married Waitsel Caswell of Burke County, NC. Their children are Zeconiah, Ann and Lizzie. Vardrie married Minerva Duckworth. They have one child, James Pinkney. James died in infancy.
Betsy, the fifth daughter of Daniel Weidner, married Jacob Corpening, a descendant of the Propst family; had twelve children, five sons and seven daughters: Monroe, Daniel, Albert, William, Lawson, Laura, Barbara, Lenna, Catherine, Liza, Phoena, Harriet and Eliza. Daniel and Monroe went to Missouri. Albert married Eliza, daughter of John Shuford, a descendant of the Ramsour and Robinson families. William married a Miss Setzer. Lawson died. Barbara married a Phipps, Lenna a Powell, Catherine a Horshaw, Eliza a Harris, Harriet Jacob, Mosteller, a descendant of the Mull and Henry Weidner families, Pheona married a McCall, Eliza married Alphonzo Setzer. This closes the Daniel Weidner family.
HENRY WEIDNER, JR.
Henry, the second son of Henry Weidner, lived at the Rock House Place. He built the first Rock House, and married a Miss Shell, a sister of Solomon Shell. He cut a ditch for Henry’s Fork River to run Coulter Mill Creek, and hence changed the channel of the river. He sold the Rock House Farm to George Summey’s father for about $3,000, and went to Missouri, Bollinger County, where he lived and died. He had several sons born at the Rock House, and called one Henry, who told Rd. A. J. Fox, about the year 1853 when Dr. Fox was on a trip through Missouri, “If had the Rock House place now, I would not give it up for half of Missouri.”
Abram, the third son of Henry Weidner, was killed in the battle of King’s Mountain, as told by Christian Hahn, who is now about 84 years old. He says that he heard his father and mother often speak about it; that he was down between John Wilfong and Michael Shell, who was a brother of his mother He says that he has the alarm horn in his possession that they used to blow when Brown and his robbers were about. On one occasion the robbers came and they blew. They left in haste and the settlers followed their trail and came upon them at Baker’s Mountain where they were in camp. One of the party had to cough while they were slipping on the robbers and they fled, but a great deal of their goods was captured.
MULL FAMILY
Catherine, the second daughter of Henry Weidner, married John Mull and settled on a portion of the thousand acre tract on Jacob’s Fork river, and had eight children: Henry, Jacob, William, John, Peter, Elizabeth, Sally and Catherine. Henry married Polly Mull and had nine children; Jacob married Mary Hilderbrand, and had nine children, a descendant of Mull family, John had married Sally Sigmon, daughter of Henry Sigmon, a descendant of the Dellinger and Henry Weidner families; William married Angeline Mull, had eight children, Elizabeth, the oldest daughter, had married George Mosteller, and had eight children, Peter, John, Jacob, Lawson and four daughters. Sally, the second daughter, had first married a Ramsay, then a Mr. McClanny in Cleveland County. Catherine, the third daughter, had married John Cline from Cleveland County, and had eight Children. This closes the Mull family, except for their descendants.
JOHN DELLINGER FAMILY
Barbara, the oldest daughter of Henry Weidner, married John Dellinger, a Revolutionary soldier who was in the battle of Ramsour’s Mill. He always claimed that he had some supernatural power to check the velocity of a rifle ball, the it would not penetrate the skin when the sun did not shine on it. It was always told that when the battle was over and he opened his shirt bosom that a quart of bullets rolled out. Henry Weidner never liked him for some cause, so when he made his will, he willed all the lands west of the Hickory road to his children then born, which were Henry, Joseph, John, Catherine and Barbara; afterwards there were two more sons born, Abram and Jacob: these two never got any of the lands.
Henry married Catherine Setzer and had eleven children: matthias, John, David, Cain, Frank, Reuben, Monroe, Lavina, Catherine, Margaret and Adeline, Matthias married a miss Franklin and lived in Mitchell County, John Married Plantona Weidner; David married in Rockingham county, and kept the first hotel in Newton, had five children; Cain went west, don’t know anything about Frank, Reuben, Monroe and Adeline as they lived in Yancey County. Margaret married George Weidner as before said, Lavina had married a Wiseman, Catherine married a Carpenter, Joseph, the second son of Barbara, Had married Palser Sigmon’s daughter and had six children; John, David, Logan, Betsy, Anna and Lavina. John and Anna, George Eckard, Logan married George Smyre’s daughter; John, the third son of Barbara went west; Catherine, the oldest daughter, married Jacob Yoder, a son of Conrad Yoder and had twelve children; George, Emanuel, Neal, Jacob, John, Polly, Catherine, Barbara, Sally, Priscilla, Margaret and henry.
JACOB YODER’S FAMILY
Jacob Yoder moved to Brown County, Indiana; George Married Betsy Short; Henry had six children; Emanuel married Rachel Shirley and has four children; Israel married Betsy Jackson, Jacob married Catherine Tull, Polly married Conrad Yoder, a grandson of the original Conrad Yoder and lived in Missouri, Barbara married George Henkle; Sally married John Jackson; Priscilla married Jackson Lens; Margaret married George Jackson, and lives in Kansas. Three are yet living, Emanual in Floy County, Iowa, age 87 years; Priscilla and Margaret in Moore County, Indiana, nearly 80. These are grandchildren of Conrad Yoder who died about 1790. Three of his grandchildren live in this County; one is 94 years, six months, one 82 years, six months and one 74 years.
SIGMON FAMILY
Barbara, the second daughter, had married Henry Sigmon, son of old Polser Sigmon, and had three children. Sally, Abel and Jacob. Sally married John Mull, a descendant of the Henry Weidner family and had three children, Abel, Martha and Barbara. Mull died, and then Emeline, daughter of David Weidner; Jacob married Senar, the daughter of David Setzer, and a descendant of the Sherrill family. Jacob Dellenger, the fourth son of John Dellinger, had married Sally Setzer and had eight children; Barbara, Catherine, Emeline, Sally, Mira, Jones, Marcus, and Pinkney. Barbara married Henry Setzer, Catherine Married Jack Jones, Emeline married John Setzer; Polly, married a Fry; Jones married Senra Kaylor, a descendant of the Herman and Wagoner families; Marcus Pinkney married Anna Anthony, a descendant of the Rhodes family; Abram the fourth son went west. John Dellinger is buried at St. Johns Church, Catawba County.
Mary, the fourth daughter of Henry Weidner, married Lightfoot Williams and Henry Weidner gave to her the third of the one thousand acre tract in the Mull settlement, known as the Jones Chapman land. They had no children, but by some means Chapman induced his wife to sell the lands to one of his neighbors, then he sold it to Williams, which was done in the roundabout way, that Williams might become the sole owner of the said lands.
Mollie, the fifth daughter, married Jesse Robinson and died without any issue. To him, Henry Weidner, made warrantee title for all those rich and fertile lands that he had intended for his daughters. It seems that he had a high regard for him and loved and respected him.
SUMMERROW FAMILY
As to this family, I got all the information by the kindness of Mrs. Colonel Forney and Mr. George Summerow. Henry Summerrow married Elizabeth Weidner, and had eleven children; Henry, Daniel, John, Jacob and seven daughters, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan, Barbara, Sally and Anna. To Henry and John their father gave the land that Henry Weidner gave to his daughter, Elizabeth. They sold it and went to Georgia. We have no account as to their descendants. Daniel had seven children; Henry, Daniel, George, Solomon, Sallie, Margaret, and Mary. Sallie married Franklinh Gilbert; Margaret Married Noah Dellinger, who lived on Indian Creek; Mary married Emanuel Poovey; Jacob, known as Tapster Jacob had married a Hallman and had seven daughters; Adeline Married William Rhoney, Susan, Cany Hartzoke, Rachel, Milton Cambell; Rosana, David Haulbrook; Margaret, Rufus Self; Mary and Elizabeth died when nearly grown.
Catherine, the oldest daughter married “Tapster” Daniel Finger and had six daughters; Fanny married James Kistler; Annie married Anthony Ikard; Thorton married Malinda; Susan married Abel Ikard; Eliza married Elisha Ramsour; Sallie married William Hinson. Elizabeth, the second daughter had never married. Mary the third daughter married David Finger and had one son. The son was the Reverend John Finger, a Methodist minister. The speaker heard him preach at Wesley Chapel, as did some of the hearers present. He died in South Carolina several years ago. Afterwards she married Daniel Shrum, and had six children; Levi, Solomon, Henry, Frank, Sallie and Susan. Sallie married Colonel H. A. Forney, and Susan was never married.
Susan the fourth daughter had married Jones Finger, had one son named Solomon
Barbara, the fifth daughter, married Wiley Hallman and had eight children; Alfred, Miles, Frank, Anna married Levi Shrum; Amy, Levi Tucker; Isabella, Cephas Keener, and after his death married B. A. Kirksey; Sarah married Giles Beal; Jane married Robert Bolick; Sallie died when small; Annie Married Lewis Keener, and had three Children, William; Susan, who married Andrew Link; the late Noah Summerrow of Newton was her son.
Annie Keener is the only grandchild yet living of Henry Weidner and is now in her ninetieth year and still able to go about. Her mental faculties are good -once bright.
SUMMERROW FAMILY CONTINUED
Children of the fourth generation - Julius Shrum six children, Dolph Shrum one child, Sidney Shrum three, Auten and Calvin Shrum one, Ellen Setzer six, James Bolick, Lizzie Boyd two, T. D. Hinson six, Mat Carpenter two, Sidney Hinson one, Emma Allen four, Susan Shrum three, Sidney Campbell and Daniel Shrum two, Charles Shrum five, Susan Stroup one, Corea Hallman three, John Hallman two, Jacob Holbrook one, Fannie Hayes eleven, Mary Berrier six, Alice Parnter two, Mary Lauring one, Francis Muller eight, Isabella Sain two, Monroe Dellinger four, Brooks dellinger five, Mary Hoover five, Jonas finger eight, Amy bynum three, Laura Mullen two, Mary Lee fisher five, Ada Reynolds two, and frank Ikard six.
Children of the fifth generation-John Hoover son of Mary Hoover two, Ellen Carpenter, daughter of Fannie Haynes has three, Junius Berrier, son of Mary Berrier, has four, William Finger, son of Jonas Finger, has two, Sallie Berrier, daughter of Jonas Finger, has two. Frank Ikard’s daughter married Wallace Reinhardt and has two; Solomon Shrum had one son who married Levi Plonk’s daughter and had one child, and Colonel H. A. Forney has four children; Mary, John E., Edward J., and A. Sidney. John married Miss Maggie Rudisill and has four children, namely; J. McDonald, Lizzie, A. Kenneth and Leslie R., Edward J. married Miss Annie Johnston. They have three children, Edna A., Marion A., and Welborn J. A. Sidney married Miss Madeline Meyer of Germany.
APPENDIXTraditional history tells us when Henry Weidner divided his lands, the Robinson place was allotted to Abram, his third son, who fell on that notable battle at King’s Mountain, and that Jessie Robinson was then living on the John Fry place, near the State Ford on the South fork River, and after Abram was killed Henry Weidner got Jesse Robinson to move to him and take care of him and wife through their natural lives, and hence, he got that excellent plantation.
After Mollie, Jesse Robinson’s wife died, he afterwards married Mary, the daughter of John Mull; she was a first cousin to Mollie, his first wife, and unto them a son was born and they called him Henry Weidner. Jesse Robinson represented Lincoln County in the legislature in the year 1801. He died at an advanced and was buried at the Weidner grave-yard. His wife survived him some twenty years.
Henry Weidner was a warm supporter and defender of American liberty. George Wilfong and Conrad Yoder, his adopted brother pioneers, as they were, during the Revolutionary War, no doubt, came to him and said: “Father,” (They call him father because he was the father of this section.) “we came to this country through your influence, you gave us shelter, you fed us at your table and nursed us when sick. We have come to you for advice and as our counselor about this great American struggle, and we want your advice and counsel about this important matter as nearly all of our neighbors have taken the oath of allegiance to the crown; we know that you are a man of fine and excellent judgment, and you can tell us plainly what to do.” His advice and counsel was: “Stand by me, I am for American liberty, for American independence. I am for throwing of this tyrannical yoke of British government; I am for American freedom! We have paid taxes without representation long enough!” After he had given them this consoling advice they stuck to him like leeches, and here they made a compact and a covenant, which was to be perpetual and an everlasting covenant unto a thousand generations, like the Abrahamic covenant was of old. These families always stood side by side through all these trying scenes and difficulty until peace was restored; yea, they stood together upon the same political principles for one hundred and sixteen years, and never divided upon an issue until 1892. As to the very exact place and location of his birth, it is still a mystery to his descendants; but it is generally supposed that he was born near Chambersburg, Pa. As to his ancestry there is also very little known, and from whence they came, or who his father and mother were. But they evidently came from Germany as they spoke the German language. It seems that he always was very anxious to learn something new and wanted to be something in the world. He wanted to be the explorer of a new country, and so, like Columbus, began to study maps and charts of different sections of the country. There is no doubt that while at work on his father’s farm, he often must have turned his eyes southward. When he saw the sun rise higher and higher and then recede again during the winter months, he became fully convinced that the State of Pennsylvania did not comprise all the fertile lands and that there must be something more in the Sunny South. Perhaps he had heard of the fertile lands in North Carolina, and when he was fully developed into manhood he determined, like Columbus, to put into practice these things, so he resolved to make the adventure which was about the year 1749, as Colonel McCorkle told you in his excellent address.
Conrad Yoder came from Switzerland and landed in Philadelphia in the year 1754 and then went to Montgomery County, Pa. where he remained several years. He then came to this section of the country and made his home with Henry Weidner, from who he bought two hundred acres at his entry at the southwestern portion of his entry on Jacob’s Fork River, on which farm he settled in 1762, after he had married Boston Klein’s daughter with whom he had John, Jacob and David; then she died. John was the first white child born on Jacob’s Fork River. Then he married a Miss Seitz. She died soon after her marriage leaving no offspring. In about the year 1775 he married Catherine Huffman with whom he had Elias, David, Adam and Catherine, and one child died. He died about the year 1790. his wife survived him some twenty years.
John married Mary Barbara Reep, a German lady, and begat John, Jacob, Henry, Michael, Peter, Christian, Mollie and Barbara. The writer is a son of Michael. Jacob married Catherine Dellinger, as before said. David married Elizabeth Reep, a sister to John’s wife, and begat Conrad, Adolph, David, Solomon, Eli, Andrew and three daughters never married. Rev. Prof. R. A. Yoder of Lenoir College is a son of Solomon. Elias married Adilla Haun, Daniel a miss Cline, Adam, a Miss Davis, Catherine Married John Baker. She is the grandmother of A. A. Shuford, of Hickory.
We cannot give the full history now in this sketch, though we have it all written out and it can be had at any time.
George Wilfong was also a brother pioneer and also made his home at Henry Weidner’s for a time until he married Adam Mull’s widow, who was a Poffh, and they begat John, Peter and four daughters. Mary married Daniel Weidner. One daughter married Adam Gross and had three daughters. One married Andrew Hoyle and one married Jacob Klein, the grandfather of Jonas Klein, John married Hannah Sigmon, and begat David, John and Mollie. One daughter married John J. Shuford and died at the birth of her first child. One daughter married David Ramsour of Lincolnton, another married Dr. Simpson.
Peter married a Miss Hoyle, and had several children. Daniel, the father of Calvin Wilfong, was his son.
We, too, could give a full history of the Wilfong family in this sketch, but it would make it too lengthy.
Abram Weidner, the third son of Henry Weidner and Catherine Mull was killed in a battle during the Revolutionary War.
Henry Weidner, Jr. was a Veteran Captain of the Revolutionary War.
Henry Weidner, Jr. was a Veteran Captain of the Revolutionary War.