Being a Herr is only part of my daughter's Lancaster heritage. Only recently did she become aware of the noteworthy heritage on my side of the family – the Nisleys. Everyone here knows that a group of Mennonites escaped persecution in Europe by coming to America in 1710. They were sponsored by Martin Kendig and included Jacob Miller, Christian Herr, Martin Mylin, Hans Herr, and Martin Oberholzer. Christian Herr built a house for his father, Bishop Hans Herr in 1719. Completely restored, the Hans Herr House has become one of Pennsylvania's most interesting places to visit. But that is only half the story . . . there's another house. Martin Kendig also sponsored the Nüsslis, who embarked from Switzerland for America in 1717. That family consisted of the father Ulrich, the mother, and two sons named Johannes and Jakob. Johannes acquired a tract of land in Donegal Township, on the Conoy Creek near Elizabethtown. He acquired more land until he had about 800 acres. On this land, Johannes built a stone house. That house, still standing today, is owned by the Masonic Village and occupied by a family of their employees. Records indicate that the house was sold to the Masonic Homes by Sarah Nisley in 1920. Other descendents of the Nüsslis settled nearer Lancaster and Strasburg and eventually spelled their name “Nisley.” Descendants of the Johannes branch moved to Dauphin County, near Middletown and later Harrisburg. Tracing back through the Nisley family, Lois is the 7th generation through my father (Lois' grandfather) J. Harper Nisley. Source: "The Nisley Family and its Architecture" was written by Margaret Clark Reynolds as a partial requirement for her Master's Degree at Penn State. She presented a copy to the Heritage House in Elizabethtown. A condensed version of the work can be found in the Spring, 1993 issue of PA Folklore Magazine, available in the High Library at Elizabethtown College.
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Mother’s Perspective: written by Kathryn Nisley Herr She must have inherited her grandmother’s energy and determination to overcome obstacles. My mother Gertrude taught 41 years, from country schools to urban junior high school. Along the way she graduated in 1900 from Cumberland Valley Normal School (now Shippensburg) and earned a college degree in 1927, two years after me. Lois’ interest in sports must surely be attributed to her Dad, Coach Ira R. Herr. On the college campus she watched many sporting events, growing up as “Baby Coach.” She herself became captain of the Elizabethtown College women’s field hockey team, which not only won every game but also was not scored upon their senior year. Raised in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, she realizes that people everywhere need spiritual guidance. Her Dad’s sister Mary, with her husband Jacob Rutt, spent many years as Mennonite missionaries in Argentina. And whence comes her deep interest in politics? In Harrisburg, her great grandmother Rebecca Stober Hassler, was an active Republican into her 70s. A great uncle, Dr. Samuel F. Hassler, a physician in the Harrisburg Hospital, was involved in politics as well; he ran for Mayor of Harrisburg. A cousin, H. Joseph Hepford served two terms as a Republican in the State Legislature and took a run at a U. S. Congressional seat. To whom do we attribute her ease in giving speeches? Perhaps she was influenced by two cousins in Elizabethtown, the witty J. Harper Nisley and the articulate Emory Stouffer. And, of course, being raised by teachers helped as well. She understands why those who refrain from active service in wartime serve in other ways. She has admiration, however, for those who do active duty. One cousin, Samuel F. Hepford, flew, as pilot, many hazardous flights in World War II, and returned safely after the war. Another cousin, however, William Myers, was lost during one of his flights. We must not forget that her Dad served in World War I and became a 2nd lieutenant but did not go overseas; we have a photo of Lois using his cavalry saddle on her horse. And there are Marines in the family as well, most particularly a close cousin of hers, Col. Thomas D. Stouffer, Emory’s son.
written by Kathryn Nisley Herr Lois's mother, Kathryn Nisley Herr, is 102 years young. She has written a series of genealogical essays in commemoration of the Herr Family Reunion Picnic held September 26th at the Hans Herr House in southern Lancaster County. Gertrude Mabel Hassler While living on her parent’s farm (on Route 22 half-way between Harrisburg and Linglestown), Gertrude Mabel Hassler became restless and ambitious. She persuaded her parents to send her to Shippensburg where the Cumberland Valley State Normal School was located. There, Gertrude, called Gertie, became a favorite among the teachers. Studying too much, however, in order to finish the courses in as short a time as possible, she became very ill, and the authorities sent for her mother to come and take care of her. When Gertrude was finally well enough to leave, it was commencement time. Although she had to miss most of the final tests, she left with a two-year teaching certificate, which she followed with two years teaching in one-room country schools. One year all of her brothers and sisters were enrolled in her school. In the meantime, she met and fell in love with J. Harper Nisley. They were married in June 1902 at the family farm, and, after a reception there, took a trip to Washington, DC. Then they went to housekeeping on Sylvan Terrace Street in Harrisburg. Records show that they borrowed money to help pay the rent for two of Harper’s sisters, Clara and Ida, who lived on the 2nd or 3rd floor. The debt was later repaid. Sylvan Terrace was, still is, a short street with 4-story red brick houses on both sides. On a hot July day in 1903, Harper was working on the roof. When he came down, he became ill, attacked by a mysterious malfunction of the kidneys. He died within a week. So back to the farm once more. Six months later, Gertrude became a mother, having been a bride, a widow, and a mother all within two years. The child, whom she named Kathryn Harper Nisley, was her main occupation for two years. Then, she went back to teaching, and Kathryn grew up surrounded by grandparents, uncles, and aunts. One aunt, call Bess, became her “Bessie Mama.” Gertrude started teaching again in small country schoolhouses. Then, with the determination she had always displayed, went to county systems, the suburbs, and then junior and senior high in Harrisburg city schools. Gertrude’s ambition never wavered. She began to take summer courses, evening work, etc., and, while Kathryn was a student at college, decided she too would get a college degree. The most challenging part was taking an early train to Annville to do necessary laboratory work. Achievement! Two years after her own graduation, Kathryn sat in the audience, proud of her mother’s graduation. Although “Gertie” had been pampered after her child was born, she gradually became the mainstay of the family. Colin, who was barely a year younger, often stopped to see her after her move with her parents from the farm to a home in Progress. Her brother, Dr. Samuel F. Hassler, the family’s “Uncle Doc,” and one of the Harrisburg Hospital Physicians and a prominent official in the City’s Water Department, often called upon her for information and advice. Gertrude was not without some faults, however, including the overprotectiveness she showed to her daughter. The longest time ever spent apart was the 6-week summer session in 1930 when Kathryn was getting Library Certification by studying in Philadelphia. As agreed, Gertrude went by train to Philadelphia and was waiting for Kathryn to come down the stairs at the residence hall. They had planned to go to the seashore before going home. Kathryn found her mother in tears, and she knew that she would not make her mother a long separation again. She was always generous to family and friends. In addition to teaching a Sunday School class in the United Brethren Church in Penbrook, for example, she supplied carnations to be worn by the ushers at the church services for several years. While teaching in Harrisburg, she often stopped at a friend’s restaurant in Penbrook to help prepare the food to be served. After “Uncle Doc” died, she acquired his car and was able to drive to brother Emory Hassler’s grocery store in Palmyra. So, one by one, she kept in contact with all her bothers and sisters. She also kept her daughter in contact with the Nisley relatives. She never remarried. While taking a summer course at Penn State about 1920, she met a fellow student who was attracted to her, and she to him. Unfortunately, he was already engaged to a girl in his hometown. Years later, he visited Gertrude at her home in Progress. There was still mutual attraction. Other offers of marriage were not even considered. With time on her hands, she joined the Eastern Star Chapter and later the White Shrine and Amaranth Societies in Harrisburg, advancing to the highest office in each. So she was proud to be able to install her daughter as Worthy Matron in the Elizabethtown Chapter of the Eastern Star in 1938. Strictly religious points of view by this time gradually adjusted to changing times. For example, there was a time when she disapproved of playing cards, but she did learn to play and enjoy pinochle and bridge. She loved to entertain and had made the home in Progress a very attractive and lively place. After her sister Lottie’s death and the husband’s hasty remarriage, Lottie’s six children one by one found a haven at their Aunt Gertie’s home. Her sister Bess, grown up and married had four boys who also were always helped in many ways by Aunt Gertie. It is amazing that she still found time to enjoy teaching, and she displayed a sense of humor, essential to enjoyable teaching. One day, while teaching in one of the lower grades, where children were smaller, she took hold of one of them and held him upside down. “Now what have I done to you,” she asked. “You turned me upside down,” he answered. “Do that with your math problem,” she said, turning him on his feet again. After gaining her college degree, Gertrude was promoted to Edison Jr. High School in Harrisburg, where the principal, Mr. Miller, admired her greatly. While there, she took great pleasure in showing off her granddaughter Lois. Having learned to drive a car in her sixties, she often drove the 18 miles to Elizabethtown where her daughter, husband Ira R. Herr, and granddaughter Lois lived. At the time of her retirement, Gertrude had taught 41 years. Much more could be written about her, but, fortunately, her granddaughter has inherited the qualities which shall keep forever alive the memory of a remarkable life. written by Kathryn Nisley Herr In 1865, Rebecca Stober, about 6 or 8 years old, wrote a letter to her father, who, after the Civil War, had been sent to do reconstruction work in Alexandria, Virginia. In his reply, J.A. Stober wrote that he had received her letter with great joy, that it pleased him to know he had a little daughter who could take pen in hand and address him so clearly. He added that her spelling was very good but that her composing would do well for a beginning. He hoped that she and her younger sister, Elizabeth (Lill), were helping their mother. At that time, J.A. Stober, Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth Smeltzer, had only the two daughters. After his discharge from reconstruction duty and his return home, the family grew rapidly, until there were twelve in all. Not long after the birth of the last baby, the mother died and the baby, named Jessie May, lived only six months. The family lived on a farm, and every farm needs a hired girl. In this case, it was Susannah (Susan) Sevilla Yeager. By this time, Rebecca had grown up and was nearly the same age as Susan. When she saw that her father and Susan were very much interested in each other, she became angry and exchanged harsh words with her father. Then she left home to live with an uncle and aunt. While looking for work, she met an amiable widower with two young sons. He was listed as Edwin, Edward, or Edmund Hassler, but he always wrote his name as E.O. Hassler. He and Beckie Stober were married and began housekeeping on a farm near Raysor’s church on the outskirts of Harrisburg. In ten years, they had seven children: Gertrude, Colin, Lottie, Emory, Blaine, Hilda Elizabeth (Bess), and Stanley. With the two stepbrothers, J.Elmer and S. Samuel, they were a close-knit family. Lill Stober helped with the children while Beckie drove a horse and wagon to deliver milk in Harrisburg. The family now lived on a farm halfway between Linglestown and Harrisburg. All the family grew up, married, and became successful in their choice of work. Soon, grandchildren arrived. When many came at the same time and were too boisterous, Beckie was heard to say, “I was glad when they came and glad when they went.” The farm was an attractive place with its bountiful orchard. Beckie welcomed many visitors, especially on Sundays. There were weddings there and other events. The time finally brought a change. The farm changed hands after a big auction, and Beckie, with her husband, daughter Gertie, and granddaughter moved to Progress, a suburb of Harrisburg. When her husband died in 1921, Beckie grieved, of course, but she had had a plan (something in mind) for years and was eager to see whether she could make it happen. When she left her father’s home, her little sister, Jennie, was sitting in her high chair, just learning to talk, and she said to Beckie, “When you come back, bring me some peanuts.” In the summer of 1922, Beckie had advice in the planning of a trip by train all the way to the West Coast. She had persuaded her granddaughter, Kathryn (18), to accompany her. On the way out, they stopped in Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, and California. On the way back, they stopped in Oklahoma. There, they visited a preacher friend who was trying to persuade Kathryn to marry him. It did not take long for Grandma to realize he would be the wrong choice, indeed. She was a keen judge of character. She later referred to him as “the Virginia Creeper.” He had been born in West Virginia. They stopped in Missouri again on the way back and there Kathryn’s mother joined them, and they visited relatives, including the three children of J.A. Stober, Jr. He had lived in Pennsylvania with his second wife for years, then moved to Missouri. The three children were Cora, William, and John. They were all very friendly. How sad that their father died without ever speaking to Beckie! She now was contemplating something else, however. She had discovered where her little sister, Jennie, was working, went to the place, had Jennie brought to her as she said, “I realize you do not know me, but the last time you saw me, you asked me to bring you some peanuts when I came back. So I have brought you some.” Many reunions followed. While in Missouri, they also visited Joe Stober and George Stober and their families. Their father had made them move from Pennsylvania to Missouri when he and Susan decided to leave Pennsylvania. After returning to Pennsylvania, Beckie did not settle into a life of idleness. She kept house and attended a cooking class in Harrisburg. Here is one of her famous recipes.
PEACH BRANDY
She also became active in politics. She discovered how exciting it could be when S. Samuel Hassler, now a physician at Harrisburg Hospital, was running for mayor and when a grandson, H. Joe Hepford was running for the State Legislature. Beckie herself kept neat records as a Registry Assessor, and remained active otherwise. For several years, she attended Shoop’s church services and visited the graves of her mother, brothers, and sisters who died when very young and where the Hassler plot is located nearby. A few years before her death in 1931, she bought a framed picture with the words: “The Peach Trees were in blossom outside my bedroom window. You were the peach inside.” She never forgot the thrill of seeing her first-born, Gertrude. It will be appropriate to add a verse written by Gertrude’s daughter, Kathryn.
I used to call you Grandma. You helped take care of me when I was little. You sang to me “Way down upon a Swannie River far, far away.” You made my favorite meals And the best of sugar cakes. When I was growing up and going to school, and later on to teach, You were always there to say good-bye And there again to welcome me when I came home. And in my dreams today I call you Grand-mother For surely you were a Grand Second Mother to me. December 1982
GRAVE SITES In Shoop’s Church Cemetery, near where the church used to be, are the grave stones of: Rebecca Stober’s mother, her sister, Lill, and the children, sisters and brothers of Rebecca, who died when very young: Maurice Monroe, Lottie, Roswell William, Barton Luther. Rollin Gale was taken to Missouri with J.A Stober’s second family, died and was buried in Smithton, Pettis, Missouri. George Martin Stober, born in Lower Paxton, Dauphin, PA, died and was buried in Sedalia, Pettis, Missouri. Joseph Jay Stober, born in Lower Paxton, Dauphin, PA died and was buried in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri. Also, J.A. Stober’s brother, “John Stober,” is located in Shoop’s Church Cemetery, not far from the others. These grave site records were all prepared by Cora Lee Griswald, Elco, Nevada. written by Kathryn Nisley Herr J. A. Stober, Jr. was doing reconstruction work in Virginia after the Civil War when he received a letter from his daughter Rebecca, then somewhere between 6 and 8 years old. In his reply, he praised her spelling. He was glad she had written to him and he hoped she and her sister Lill were helping their mother, Elizabeth Smeltzer Stober. Years passed. In 1920, Rebecca (Beckie) Stober Hassler and her granddaughter Kathryn went by train to the West Coast. They stopped in Indiana and Missouri to visit the relatives A trip by train in those days was very enjoyable. Beckie and her grand-daughter shared a double-decker. Kathryn using the upper deck, her grandmother the lower. Meals were served in a dining car at individual tables, and the service was excellent. On the trip, when passing through the Royal Gorge, Kathryn stood in the Observation car and acquired a life-long appreciation for the majesty of the high mountains on either side. In California they visited relatives in Monterey and in Los Angeles. They happened to stay at the hotel where President Warren Gamaliel Harding was lodged. On the southern trip to the East, they visited relatives of Beckie’s mother Elizabeth Smeltzer in Beggs, Oklahoma. While there, Kathryn had a scary ride on one of their horses. A picture of her was taken as she was holding on to the reins. By intuition she slackened the reins and the horse returned her safely to the farm. Years later the picture was enlarged and framed. According to a family group record, Elizabeth Smeltzer was born 27 January 1833 in Cumberland, Pennsylvania. She died 5 November 1875 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and was buried on 9th of November. 1975, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. We have a beautiful read and green coverlet made and inscribed for Elizabeth Smeltzer in 1850 by Michael Umbarger in Middle Paxton Township. Elizabeth's picture completes the series of portraits looking down on us from the living room wall in Lois and Kathryn's home.
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Fertile farmland between the Pequea
Creek and the Conestoga River became home to Hans Herr in 1711.
Persecuted for their Anabaptist faith, the Herrs and other Mennonites
had fled Switzerland and then Germany. After receiving help from
William Penn, they settled in his part of the new world.
Gertrude Mabel
Hassler