Fourth Annual Reunion of
Weber Clan at Hershey
_____________
Day Was Fraught With Family Reunions, Learning
Anew of the Illustrious Capt. J. H. Weber, and
Amusements of a Fine and Varied Kind

Hundreds of descendants of Captain John Henry Weber, 1735-1815 and Elizabeth Filbert 1741-1813, held their Fourth Annual Reunion and picnic at Hershey Park, Hershey, PA., Friday, commemorating the Centennial of the death of their illustrious immigrant ancestor, who came from Hochstadt, Deutschland about 1750, locating in Berks county, Pa., finally purchasing and settling on a farm at Host in 1770, where he lived until his death in 1815. He served as Captain of the Sixth Company, Sixth Battalion, Berks county militia, Revolutionary Army, being commissioned May 17, 1777 and in service in 1778, fighting for American Independence under Colonel Henry Spyler at White March, Pa. Five years ago, at the request of Henry S. Weber, Philadelphia, Pa., historian of the Weber family association and with the assistance of the late George Filbert, of Womelsdorf, Pa., the United States government caused a substantail granite marker to be erected on his grave at St. John's Reformed cemetery, Host, Pa.

The wife of Captain Weber was a daughter of Samuel Filbert who landed in America, August 30, 1737, and became an original settler of Bernville, Berks county, Pa., and one of the donors of the ground on which Frieden's Lutheran church, Bernville, now stands. A memorial window to his honor graces the pastor's room in the new church building. They were married May 16, 1763 at Bern by the Rev. John Casper Stoever, missionary pastor of the Lutheran church of Eastern Penna.

They reared a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters. The oldest son, John Henry, jr., married in 1787, Margaret Meyer, daughter of Court-martial-man Valentine Meyer, of Captain Weber's company, and settled on his father's farm near Stumpstown, Dauphin county, now Fredericksburg, Lebanon county Pa., in 1794. He was later followed by his brother, John Philip, who married Anna Shauer and another brother Jacob and a sister Elizabeth, the latter two remaining single.

In 1800 captain Weber's oldest son died, his wife having preceded him in death two years before, and the children were taken into the bosom of their grandfather's family at Host.

John Philip reared a family of three sons, whose descendants by hundreds still remain in Lebanon and surrounding counties and others settling in various parts of the country, many of them filling positions of honor, bearing testimony of the rich heritage that is theirs. We read naught but good of the Fredericksburg Webers in stories of old Stumpstown by E. Grumbine, M. D., of Mt. Zion, Pa., covering a period of more than a hundred years.

Of the captain's seven children, three remained in Berks county. John an executor of his father's estate little is known. Catherine married Peter Schlessman and John Peter married Susannah Reber and lived on his father's farm at Host, acquiring the homestead at the death of the Captain in 1815. The ancestoral farm passed out of the family in 1900. After being in the family for 130 years, at the death of Elijah the grand-son of the original owner.

John Peter reared a large family, hundreds still remaining in Berks county and other hundreds being scattered throughout the states, honoring those who have gone before with lives of usefulness and service.

BEAUTIFUL SOUVENIRS

Beautiful souvenir buttons with the signature of Capt. John Henry Weber as it appeared on his will with other historical data, with the Association colors of blue and orange attached with the date and place of the reunion thereon were given to those who registered. Beautiful prizes were given to Adam L. Weber, 74 years old, of Bernville, Pa., the oldest male descendant present, Mrs. Lovinana Weaver, 79 years old of Hummelstown, Pa., the oldest female descendant present and to Ray Weber, 3 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tilden Weber, of Colebrook, Pa.

The officers of the 1915 Reunion were as follows:

President, Mrs. Clara Weber-Griesemer, San Francisco, Cal., Vice President, Rev. A. M. Weber, Boyertown, Pa., ; Vice President, Howard E. Gerhardt, Reading, Pa.; Vice President, Miss Constance Weber Paine, Reading, Pa.; Treasurer, Chas. J. Lindenmuth, Stouchsburg, Pa.; Secretary, Dr. John Henry Weber, Reading, Pa.; Historian, Henry S. Weber, Philadelphia, Pa.; Photographer, Lewis C. Greim, Reading, Pa.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Ray C. Weber, Lebanon , Pa., Chairman; James M. Weber, Reading, Pa.; Miss Anna E. Weber, El Paso, Texas; Harry S. Weber, Lebanon, Pa; Gedaliah S. Weber, Onset, Pa.; Chas. Weber Hummel, Reading, Pa.; Frank Weber Hurst, Lebanon, Pa.

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Rev. A.S. Weber, D.D., Baltimore, Md., chairman; Miss K. Grace Weaber, Lebanon, Pa.; Rev. W. J. Weber, Tilamook, Oregon; Perry Weber, Joplin, Mo.; Wm. H. Weber, Winfield, Kansas; James W. Weber, Yale, Oklahoma; John Weber, Rogers, Ark.; Adam L. Weber, Bernville, Pa.; Walter T. Weber, Canton, O.; David Weaver, Stirling, Ill.; John E. Weber, Cleveland, O.; Carl J. Weber, Oxford, Eng.; Rev. R. W. Hand, Princeton, N.J.; Rev. Jas. Romberger, Madisonburg, Pa.; Miss Bertha Weaver, Duluth, Min.; Mrs. Emma Weber-Edris, Bluffton, Ind.; Mrs. W. B. Werner, Concord, N. C.; John Henry Weber, Philadelphia, Pa.

MORNING SESSION

The morning session was called to order by H. S. Weber, of Philadelphia, Pa., followed by a selection by Brown's Orchestra, Invocation by James M. Weber, Reading, Pa.; Solo; "Saviour Oh Gentle Saviour Mine", by Mrs. Harry Reed, with a violin obligato by Mr. Reed, both of Jonestown, Pa. The Secretary, Dr. John H. Weber, Reading, Pa., read the minutes of the previous meeting, the business of the year was transacted, followed by election of officers for the ensuing year, followed by a selection by the orchestra; closing prayer by Rev. A. M. Weber, of Boyertown, Pa.

SOCIAL SESSION

The Social Session was called to order by Rev. A. M. Weber, of Boyertown, Pa., at one o'clock, who offered prayer; the annual address by Rev. A. M. Weber, in absence of the President, Mrs. Clara Weber Griesemer, of California; vocal solo; "The Angel's Serenade", by Mrs. Eva Dissinger, of Lebanon, with violin obligato by Elias Brown: address by Henry S. Weber, of Philadelphia, Pa., historian, of the family, a selection by the orchestra; brief address by Ex-Sheriff, Geo. D. Farhenbach, of Bernville, Pa.; vocal solos; Good-Bye, by Mrs. Harry Weber Reid, of Jonestown, Pa., with violin obligato, followed by a flag drill by the children in honor of the family's illustrous Revolutionary ancestor; the audience sang the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by the orchestra, and short speeches were made by the Vice Presidents; duet, A Perfect Day, by Mrs. Ray C. Weber, Soprano, and Mrs. Fannie Turner alto, both of Lebanon; chorus. God Be With You Till We Meet again; benediction, by Rev. A. M. Weber, of Boyertown, Pa., the newly elected President of the family.

GREAT CREDIT

The Executive committe of which Ray C. Weber, of Lebanon, Pa., is chairman deserves great credit in making the Weber reunion a grand success.

The music was furnished by Brown's Orchestra, of Avon, Pa. Elias Brown, violin; Mrs. Paul Uhler, Pianist; Harry Moore, cornet; John Moore, trombone, and Charles Ditzler, clarinet. The various selections throughout the day were enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to be in attendance.

THOSE WHO REGISTERED

Mrs. Hattie Goldsmith, Miss Arline Goldsmith, Canton, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Riegle, Mrs. William Bortz, Mrs. D. W. Hand, Miss Irene E. Hand, Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Weber, John Henry Weber, Miss Kate Weber, John A. Berger, Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Sophie Wolf, Miss Emma L. Weber, Easton, Pa.; Mrs. John Rickel, Herbert Rickel, Glenolde, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Bechtel, Miss Bertha Bechtel, Milton J. Weaver, Mrs. Eliza Weand, Mrs. Ellen Kemerer, Allentown, Pa.; Mrs. Hunter Henninger, Miss Maryan Henninger: Mr. John H. Henninger, Mrs. Harry E. German, Robert G. German, John E. German, Miss Mary Weber, Miss Florence E. Gerhardt, Mrs. M. Berger, Paul A. Berger, Lesla Berger, Miss Mary Berger, Miss Carrie Berger, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Weyandt, Lester Weyandt, Miss Mary Weyant, Marlin Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Hummel, Charles Weber Hummel, Alva M. Hummel, Miss Mary Frank, Doctor John Henry Weber, James M. Weber, Miss Mary Brown, Mrs. Paul Reed, John Weber Reed, Reading, Pa.; Mrs. Calvin Anspach, Miss Esther Bordner, Annie M. Batdorf, Miss Sallie Grimes, Miss Elsie Anspach, Miss Annie Hauer, Fredericksburg, Pa.; Rev. A. M. Weber, Miss Alma K. Weber, Ernest Weber, Mary M. Weber, Earle M. Weber, Anna S. Weber, Helen R. Weber, Boyertown, Pa.; Edwin Weber, Adam Weber, Miss Julia Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. W. Goodman, Miss Marion Keeney, Mrs. George Walborn, Mrs. Daniel Swope, Jacob Swope, Isaac Barr, Bethel, Pa.; Mrs. and Mrs. Harry Reed, Miss Marion Reed, Miss Pamela Woelfly, Wm. Woelfly, Jonestown, Pa.; Edward Lindenmuth, Charles Y. Lindenmuth, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Kilmer, Ruth Kilmer, Mrs. Wm. Weidman, Warren Weidman, Stouchsburg, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Moyer, James W. Moyer, Charles A. Moyer, Mrs. Oliver Faber, Mrs. James Wells, Mrs. Fred Flowerlelds, Enhaut, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hauer, Miss Mary Hauer, Mr. and Mrs. John Hauer, Miss Elsie Miller, Geo. Miller, Henry Miller, Richland, Pa.; Mrs. Raymond Paine, Ira Hurst, Frank Weber-Hurst, Lebanon, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. D. Fahrenbach, Mr. and Mrs. Adam L. Weber, Bernville, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Garverich, Harrisburg, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Goodman, Camp Hill; Miss Gertrude, Hamaker, Mrs. Chas. E. Zigler, Duncannon, Pa.; Mrs. Lavina Weaver, Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Holley, Hummelstown, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. John L. Moore, Harry Moore, Lester Moore, Clarence Weber, Miss Sarah Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Weber, Woodrow Wilson Weber, Riley Wm. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Kindt, Miss Edna Schaeffer, Wm. L. Schaecer, Avon, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Gedaliah Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Ursula Kohr, Onest, Pa.; Mrs. Rose Keener, Miss Ethel Keener, John R. Weber, Annie Weber, Miss Nora Albright, Lebanon Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. H. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Tilden Weber, Wm.T. Weber, Charles H. Weber, Geo. E. Weber, Raymond Weber, Martha Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Weber, Samuel L. Weber, Russel L. Weber, Charles W. Weber, Miss Alice G. Weber, Miss Almeda Weber, Colebrook, Pa.; Mrs. Bertha Weber-Stein, Miss Lizzie A. Weber, Lebanon, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Edris, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Boltz, Mrs. Y. L. Graybill, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Spitler, Fredericksburg, Pa.; Mrs. Henry W. Hibschman, Tremont, Pa.; Charles Ziebach, Pottsville, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Weber, Mrs. Fannie Turner, Miss K. Grace Weber, Mrs. C. E. oByer, John Adam Weber, 3rd, Miss Miriam Weber, John Adam Weber, 4th, Mr. and Mrs. Riley Yingst, Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Schaeffer, Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Gerhardt, Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Wolf, Miss Eva Dissinger, Lloyd Wolf, Miss Esther Wolf, Mrs. Charles Miller, Miss June Berger, Miss Clara Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Uhler, Mrs. Sallie Frantz, Mrs. T. W. Bibighaus, Mr. and Mrs. John Hurst, Miss Katherine Frank, Miss Margaret Good, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dissinger, Lebanon, Pa.; Miss Bessie Miller, Myerstown, Pa.; Mr.and Mrs. John C. Walborn, Miss Marion A. Walborn, Meckville, Pa.; Walter Krick, Frerericksburg, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurst, Lebanon, Pa.: Mrs. R. H. Kapp, Miss Neva Kapp, Myerstown, Pa.; Mrs. Richard Hull, Hershey, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Seibert, Cornelius Hauer, Richland, Pa.; Mrs. Harry Anspach, Myerstown, Pa.; Jacob Hauer, Hamlin; Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Lash, Miss May Lash, Onset, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Weber, Lebanon , Pa.; Miss Constance Weber, Philadelphia.

SOURCE: Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon PA., Aug. 21, 1915 edition
I have original newspaper that this article appeared in.

Note: Article typewritten as it appeared in the newspaper.

November 1, 2003