John Hochststler
John Hochstetler was born around 1733 in
Europe. It is thought
that he arrived in America with his father Jacob in approximately
1736. In 1739 his father
warranted land in Berne Township, Berks County, PA.
John married Catherine Hertzler, daughter to Amish Bishop
Jacob Hertzler sometime around 1751 or 1752.
He and his wife settled a short distance to the
west from his parent’s home in Berks County.
He and his family were spared during the October 21, 1757
raid on his parent’s home by Native Americans during the French and
Indian War. His mother
Anna, his brother Jacob and one of his sisters were all killed
during the attack. His
sister Barbara Hochstetler Stutzman who was married to Christian
Stutzman was also spared because she and her husband were living
some distance away to the east.
His father (about 45 years old), brother Joseph (13 years
old) and Brother Christian (11 years old) were taken captive.
His father Jacob escaped about a year later and returned to
Berks County. Joseph and
Christian were returned some time afterwards and married.
John remained in Berks County as is evident by
his 1783 tax which was paid in Berne Township.
His two sons John, Jr. and Jacob had preceded him to Bedford
County (Somerset County).
They both were shown on the 1779 tax lists for Brothersvalley
Township. In 1784, John
sold the homestead in Berks County and warranted a tract one mile
west of Summit Mills on December 17, 1784.
The tract was called “Beegels Place.”
John and his children eventually owned over 2300 acres of
land in southern Somerset County.
He paid taxes in Berks County in 1780.
John paid the Supply tax in Berks County in 1781 and 1784.
He is listed on the tax rolls of Somerset County in 1795 and
1796. He was also shown
in the 1790 census for Bedford County and the 1800 census for
Somerset County.
John and Catherine had ten children (7 boys and
3 girls):
1.
Jacob
born about 1752 married Barbara Miller
2.
John married Veronica Mast and then
later a lady named Elizabeth
3.
Veronica married Jacob Yoder
4.
Catherine
5.
Anna (Aneli) married Abraham Miller
6.
David married Elizabeth Schrock and
late Mary Follmer
7.
Joseph born in 1768 married Susanna
Sever
8.
Henry born in 1773 married Barbara
Schrock and later Sarah Yoder
9.
Daniel married Barbara Mast and later
Mary Eash
10.
Jonathan married Veronica Mast
All of their children remained in Somerset
County, most remained in Elk Lick Township with their father.
John died on March 15, 1805 and is buried on his original farm in
the family cemetery. His
wife, Catherine, who was born about 1731, died around 1800 and is
also buried in the family plot beside John.
John married Anna Christner , a widow, sometime after his
first wife died.