Heinrich Gernhardt and his descendants ... online

xi. Mabel K.^, b. Nov. 11, 1890.

6. Sarah Anna Catharine Gernert^ b. April 5, 1852; m.
Daniel K. Laudermilch, of Lebanon, Pa., April 18, 1872.
Three children :

i. Henry Gernert L.^, b. June 25, 1873.
a. Paul Raymond L.^,h. Sept. 11, 1877.
Hi. Mabel Virginia L^, b. Nov. 19, 1879.

7. George Alfred Gernert^, b. Aug. 26, 1856; m. Miss Mary
Ann Bishop, May 8, 1875; o. contractor; r. Lebanon, Pa.
Four children :

i. Albert George Garncrt^, b. Aug. 25, 1876; m. Maggie R.
Peifer, June 24, 1895. One daughter : Rebecca Ruth
Gamert^, b. March 13, 1900.



196 The Gernhardt Family History.

a. Phoebe R. Garncrfi, b. Alarch 2y, 1878; m. L. Long,
Oct. 20, 1894. Child: Jenny'^, b. March 25, 1895.

Hi. Clara E. Ganierfi, b. Oct. 17, 1881 ; m. C. M. Trox, Jan.
24, 1898. Children: Albert Malon^, b. June 2, 1898;
Hannah Susan^, b. June 24, 1900.

iv. Cora Emma Garnerfi, b. Jan. 12, 1883. Deceased.
8. Eliza Gernert*, b. Dec. 25, i860; d. in childhood.

IX. WILLIAM GERNERT3, b. Jan. 30, 1821 ; m. first, Eliz-
abeth Gross, June 16, 1844; she d. Oct. 30, i860; m. second, Sa-
loma Gross, May 27, 1862; o. harness-maker and farmer. Now
retired and living in Allentown, Pa. Twelve children — the same
number that his own parents had :

1. Emena Catharine Gernerd"^, b. Jan. 15, 1845 ! ^n- Charles

Krauss, Nov. 16, 1866. She d. at Allentown, Pa., April 30,
1896. No issue.

2. Simon Franklin G.^ b. Aug. 19, 1846; d. June 16, 1851.

3. Mary Ann G.^, b. Dec. 30, 1847; "^- Allen F. Stronninger,
of Allentown, Pa., Sept. 8, 1879. No issue.

4. James William Gernerd^, b. March 16, 1849; m. Cath-

arine Miller, of Alburtis, Pa., July 30, 1871. He d. Feb. 25,
1896. Was for many years Sunday School Superintendent,
and Principal of the Alburtis public schools. His favorite
pastime was the study of natural history, was a skilled tax-
idermist, and had made a very fine collection of stuffed
birds and small animals, birds' eggs and nests, minerals,
etc. Died a Lutheran, but I remember his saying that too
much account was still being made of some things in his
church, not essential in religion. Seven children :

i. Ernest William Gernerd^, b. Oct. 30, 1872 ; m. Miss Car-
rie Sprout, of Muncy, Pa., Sept. 12, 1895; ^- Williams-
port, Pa. : o. merchant tailor. One child : Alice Kath-
ryn^, b. Oct. 26, 1901.

a. Carrie Elsie G.^, b. April 3, 1875 ; m. Orange Frantz,
of Emaus, Pa., Nov. 2, 1895 ; d. May 18, 1898. One
son: Charles Lovene Frantz^, b. Jan. 31, 1896.

Hi. Gertrude Grace G.^, b. March 28, 1878.




JAMES W. GERXEKDt, ALBnri
1S49-189(!.




WILLIAM GERNERT-i. ALLEXTOWX. PA.



The Gernhardt Family History. 197

iv. Irwin James G.^, b. July 14, 1880; m. Bertha Siefert,
July 26, 1902 ; r. Bethlehem, Pa. ; o. ribbon weaver in a
silk mill.

V. Alma Victoria G.^, b. Oct. 15, 1883.

vi. Harry Martin G.^, b. Jan. 26, 1889; d. Aug. i, 1891.

vii. Millie Florence G.^, b. June 2, 1891.

5. Daniel Lewis G.^ b. Nov. 23, 1850; d. Alay 28, 1852.

6. John Henry G.^ b. July 11, 1852; d. Aug. 23, 1853.

7 . Milton Jonas Gernerd*, b. June 29, 1854; m. Sarah
Smith, June 13, 1874; r. Allentown, Pa.; o. salesman.
Children :
i. Eva Estella G.°, h. Oct. 20, 1875 ; d. July 13, 1899.

a., Hi. Anna Eli::a G.° and Sallic Elicabcfh GJ'. twins, b.
April 13, 1899.

8. Ann Elizabeth G.'^, b. Oct. 14, 1855 ; m. William F. Fen-

stermacher, Jan. 29, 1880; r. Coplay, Pa. Four children:

i. Harry Willis F.^, h. Sept. 7, 1881 ; d. July 29, 1890.

a. Charles William F.^, b. Aug. 24, 1892.

Hi. Robert Daniel F.^, b. March 12, 1894; d. Aug. 24, 1894.

iv. Irzvin Franklin F.^, b. Aug. 13, 1896. [The portrait of
Master Irwin F. F. in this history was made from a
picture taken of him when he was still under four years
of age. He then had his own conception of posing, of
assuming an attitude to produce an effect, or to display
his taste, and insisted that he would "fix" himself, re-
marking as he did so, "I want to sit just as my papa sits
when he is lazy." But his prosperous papa has too
much energy to merit the stricture.]

9. Ellen Fianna G.^, b. Jan. 6, 1857 ; m. Jeremiah Klotz, of
Allentown, Pa., Sept. 27, 1890. He d. April 29, 1896, and
she d. Sept. 12, 1896; n. c.

10. Sarah Jane G.'*, b. Jan. 8. 1859; m. Henry W. Frey,
March 6, 1886; r. Allentown, Pa. He d. July 4, 1891.
Three children :

i. Annie Edna Frey^, b. Dec. 20, 1886.
a. Esther Sallie E. F.^ b. April 24, 1888.
Hi. Helen Winifred F.^, b. Oct. 22, 1891.



198 The Gernhardt Family History.

11. Charles Peter Gernerd^, b. Sept. 28, i860; m. Sarah
Acquilla Sell, of Slatington, Pa., Aug. 29, 1885; r. Coplay,
Pa. ; o. employed in cement works. Four children : George
Peter G.^, b. April 27, 1886 ; Herbert William G.^, b. July
5, 1887 ; Lizzie Sarah Ann G.^, b. Dec. 17, 1890 ; Helen Jane
G.^ b. March 7, 1897 — d. May 20, 1897.

12. Magdalena Almaretta G.^, b. Jan. 5, 1864; daughter by
second wife; m. George Wieand, Sept. 19, 1885 ; r. Seigers-
ville, Pa. ; n. c.

X. JOHN GERNERT3, ^ Nov. 7, 1822 ; m. Hannah Straub,
Feb. 27, 1845 ; o- fanner and cattle dealer. Lived all his life al-
most within sight of his place of birth, at Breinigsville, Pa. His
wife d. March 31, 1890. His daughter, Hannah, remained at home
and kept house for him until his death, Dec. 2, 1900. Had eight
children :

1. Milton Gernert'*, b. Aug. 19, 1845 ; cl. Oct. 11, 1856. This

manly and handsome boy I remember well. His was a
shocking death. While helping his father drive a herd of
cattle to market he rode an immense and docile ox that
was the leader of the drove. Thoughtlessly, and boylike,
he tied the rope around his body, the other end of which
was fastened to the horns of the trusted ox. The cattle
took fright, and a sudden stampede was the result. The
poor, trusting boy was thrown to the ground and dragged
and trampled to death.

2. Louisa Gernert^, b. Sept. 2, 1847; ^- Henry Scheridan,

March 26, 1881 ; r. Breinigsville, Pa. Four children:
Beulah^, b. Jan. 13, 1882 — d. in infancy; Willie Clarence^
b. March 20, 1883; Edna Louisa^, b. Jan. 18, 1884; War-
ren John^, b. Nov. 17, 1889 — d. Feb. 11, 1890.

3. Amelia Gernert*, b. March 5, 1850; m. Edwin B. Schmoy-

er, Feb. 20, 1883 ; r. Breinigsville, Pa. One son : John
Thomas S.^ b. March 24, 1884.

4. Maria Gernert^, b. Oct. 5, 1852; m. Henry Bloch, Jan. 13,

1881 ; r. Reading, Pa. Four children : Frederick B.^, b.
May 2, 1883 ; Herbert B.s, b. July 26, 1885 ; Hannah B.5,
b. Oct. 15, 1887— deceased ; Estella B.s, b. Feb. 23, 1889.

5. Hannah Gernert^, b. April 19, 1856.




JOHN GERNERTi, BREINIGSVILI.E, PA.
1822-1900.




BENJAMIN GEHNEKTi, ALLENTOWN, PA.



The Gcrnhardt Family History. 199

s â– 

Albert Strauss Gernert'*, b. July 8, 1859; "i- Annie Re-
becca Muse, Sept. 24, 1885 ; - r. Kutztown, Pa. ; o. hotel
keeper. Children : Hannah Mabel^, b. June 22, 1888 ; John
Arthur^, b. April 16, 1890; Homer Albert^, b. Oct. 27, 1891 ;
Warren Raymond^, b. Jan. 4, 1901.

Morris Gernert'*, b. Feb. 6, 1864; m. Miss Carrie Corner;
r. Bellevue, Ohio ; o. merchant tailor.



XL BENJA^HN GERMAN GERXERT^, b. July 30, 1825 ;
m. first, Caroline Gackenbach, May 8, 1849; she d. June 22, 1862;
m. second, Lucetta Sarah Eisenhart, Feb. 21, 1863; r. Allentown,
Pa. ; o. stone mason. Five children :

1. Catharine AIartha Gernert"*, b. Sept. 2/, 1849; ^^- J^"-
3, 1869.

2. Isabella Eleanor Gernert^, b. Oct. 30, 185 1 ; m.x Leaser,
January, 1873 ; d. September, 1890. One son : Harry Lea-
ser^, b. Sept. 11, 1873.

3. Selden jNIorris S. Gernert^, b. May 2/', 1864; m. Ellen C.
Butz, March 22, 1892 ; r. Allentown, Pa. ; o. machinist.
When last heard of was in the employ of the Bethlehem
Steel Co., running a 72-inch lathe and working on 12-inch
guns for the government. This work requires an expert,
as the steel is worked to the one-thousandth part of an inch.
Has children : Xaomi G.°, b. Aug. 29, 1895 ; Wilmer
Lewis G.^, b. April 15, 1897.

4. Addie Lora Manerva Gernert^, b. ^Nlarch 28, 1871.

5. Alvertie Carthagina Gernert^, b. Sept. 5, 1873. Alvertie's

days of this life were ended, Thursday evening, March 2y,
1902, by a most painful accident. When about to retire the
evening before, she attempted to extinguish the light of a
large kerosene hanging lamp, which, more than two-thirds
full of oil exploded, instantly covering her with the fluid
and enveloping her in flames. Her mother, who was in the
next room, rushed to her rescue, and desperately but vainly
tried to extinguish the flames with a rug. Her sister Ad-
die, who had gone up stairs, hearing the explosion and the
cries of her sister, flew down the steps and at a glance com-
prehended the situation, instanly grasped a strip of carpet
and tried to help her mother. Her aged father quickly fol-



200 The Gernhardt Family History.

lowed and ran to the hydrant for water. A neighbor hear-
ing the cries of distress, leaped over the fence of the back
yard and assisted in quenching the flames that were spread-
ing all over the room, and tried to help alleviate poor Alver-
tie's distress. But the unfortunate girl was frightfully and
hopelessly burned. The family physician, instantly sum-
moned, came in haste and did everything that could be done
to relieve her, but the burned surface of her body was too
large to admit of recuperation, and death came within
twenty-four hours as the only possible relief from her in-
tense sufferings. Alvertie was a bright, lovely and interest-
ing girl, a graduate of the Allentown High School, and
was a popular and aspiring teacher of one of the advanced
primary schools of the city. She took a lively interest in
this proposed Family History, was anxious to assist me as
far as she was able, and wrote me several beautful and en-
couraging letters, never dreaming that it would contain this
record of her mournful and premature end.

Xn. REUBEN GERNERT3, b. April 17, 1827; m. Eliza
Hinl<le, July 3, 1849. He d. July 27, 1875. She d. May 30, 1894.
They kept the Central Hotel, at Easton, Pa., for a period of three
years, and finding themselves well suited to the business of enter-
taining the pubic, agreeably as well as profitably, they in 1872 pur-
chased the "Cross Keys Hotel" in Allentown, a house that was
very popular with the farmers of that section, and long had the
greater share of their patronage, as well as a goodly share of the
support of the traveling public. They were successful in their ven-
ture, and though he was but forty-eight years old at the time of his
death, he left the family in comfortable circumstances. The hotel
was managed by his wife and children with continued success
until 1887. The children:

1. Revere Gernert^, b. Aug. 3, 1850; m. Mary Schmoyer,
Dec. 7, 1889 ; n. c. ; r. Allentown, Pa.

2. Emma C. Gernert*^, b. Aug. 24, 1852.

3. Alice Amanda G."*, b. Sept. 23, 1854; m. Abraham Stuck-

ert, Nov. 2, 1876. She died March 12, 1903, of an attack
of heart sickness, occurring on the streets of Allentown,
while on her wav home from making calls on her brothers.




KEUBEN GERNERTi, ALLEXTOWN, PA.
1827-1875.



The Gcnihardt Fainilx History.



who reside a number of squares from her residence. She
was near the office of her physician, and called to some per-
sons she saw tO' ring the Doctor's bell. She was immediately-
taken to the office, but all the efforts to resuscitate her prov-
ed of no avail, and she soon ceased to breathe. Had two
children :

i. Emily Siuckcrfi, h. Aug. 23, 1877; m. Harry W. Kress,
Oct" 18, 1898.

a. Benjamin H. Stnckerfi, h. March 12, 1879. Graduated
in Dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania, June
14, 1899.

|. Oliver H. Gernert'*, b. Nov. 20, 1863; m. Miss Laura
Brown, of Reading, June 12, 1892. Is treasurer of the
Lvric theatre, of Allentown, Pa.



^1,

CATHARINE FOGELMAN BRANCH.

Catharine and her twin sister, Margaret Litchard, were born
February 18, 1783, and were therefore but twelve years old
when Heinrich, in 1795, sold the Northampton County home, and
were aged twenty-two when he, in 1805, bought the Sinking
Spring property. She married Peter Fogelman in 1805, and some
time afterward settled with him on a fertile and pleasantly located
farm on the bank of the Susquehanna River, about two and (one-
half miles west of the Springs. The Fogelman family had mi-
grated from the same eastern section of 'the state a little earlier,
and it is believed they and Heinrich's family had been acquaint-
ances, possibly neighbors, before migrating to the Susquehanna
Valley. Peter, in 1820, acquired the title to the land on which he
had settled. The place is now owned by two of his grandsons,
Thomas and Simon, sons of John (3), both of whom were born
years after their grandparents died, and have no personal recollec-
tions of them and their day.

The house in which Catharine ,and Peter lived all the rest of
their days, and where all their children were born, stood a num-



The Gernhardt Family History.



ber of rods from the bank of the river, and after standing there
securely for more than a generation, althovigh for several years
not any longer occupied as a dwelling, was swept away, and also
the barn and all the outbuildings, by the great flood of March,
1865 — the greatest and most destructive inundation to that time
known to the inhabitants of the West Branch Valley of the Sus-
quehanna. It is known as "Saint Patrick's Day Flood," because
it occurred on that saint's day. For several days the weather had
been quite warm, melting the large quantity of snow rapidly, and
then came a very heavy rain, which suddenly converted the numer-
ous tributary streams into torrents, and the river into a devastat-
ing and terrifying deluge. Such a furious flood having never
been known, the inhabitants along the river could not realize their
danger until it was too late, or much more of their personal effects
might have been saved. The highest known of the previous floods
was the freshet of 1847, which was a number of feet lower. The
large brick house now on the farm was built in i860 by John
Fogelman (3), and was also, therefore, in the track of the great
inundation of '65, but of this more by and by.

Catharine Fogelman died September 3, 1840, and Peter followed
and was laid beside her in the Delaware Run churchyard, October
31, 1848. In the accompanying illustration of the church and
yard the tallest rounded-top headstone near the horse shed marks
his grave, and the first or next low stone between him and the
church indicates the resting place of Catharine. Here they rest in
undisturbed repose, neither rejoicing nor grieving with their pos-
terity and kindred in their life-struggles, while waiting for that
summons which the Prophet declares all in their graves shall hear,
and then shall come forth. They had five children. The children
have in turn become the heads of numerous families, many of
whom still live near, or within a day's drive of the old Heinrich
and Fogelman homes. Though not the largest branch of the
Gernhardt Family, yet one of Catharine's descendants, writing
from Iowa, said : "Gernerd, if you succeed in getting the names
and records of all the Fogelman's, you will have a big book."
The following record of the Fogelman subdivision probably in-



The Gcni/iardt Family History. 203

_

eludes nearly all — some late additions may not be reported — and
comprises 5 children, 41 grandchildren, 126 great-grandchildren,
59 great-great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-great-grandchil-
dren, making a grand total of 239 souls — to which the consorts
Oif the married are, of course, yet to be added :

I. MARY FOGELMAN3, b. April 8, 1806; m. Henry Hos-
teller, of Monroe County, Pa., in 1837, and soon thereafter settled
on a farm at Quaker Hill, in Eldred Township, Lycoming Coun-
ty, Pa. Henry cleared most of the land, and did a great deal of
weaving in connection with farming. The conveniences of farm-
ing and adjuncts of domestic life upwards of sixty years ago were
still few and simple compared with our day. He became one of
the most prosperous farmers in his township. She died April 3,
1852, and he survived her until May 27, 1886. Had eight chil-
dren :

I. Jacob Fogelman^ b. March 7, 1831 ; m. Miss Phoebe
Matthas, March, 1851 ; she d. in October, 1903; r. Eldred
Township ; o. grain thresher for nearly forty years, first
with the old lever-power, then treadle-power, and in later
years with a steam thresher. Has six children, ten grand-
children, and at this date has more great-grandchildren,
representing the seventh generation of Heinrich Gern-
hardt's descendants, than any member of the family, as fol-
lows :

i. Hiram Washington FogcImaii^,h. Jan. 17, 1852; m. Miss
Carrie E. Campbell, Jan. 28, 1873 ; r. Eldred Township.
Had:
a. Hattie F.^, b. Oct. 30, 1873 ; m. Daniel Newcomer, Dec.
23, 1890; r. Eldred Township. Seven children — of the
seventh generation : Edward, b. Oct. 2, 1891 ; Arthur,
b. April 7, 1893 ; Myrtle, b. June 6. 1895 — d. Sept. 10,
1896; Glen,:b. Oct. 4, 1896; Pearl, b. March 11, 1898;
Ochen, b. Dec. i, 1899; Anson Lee, b. Dec. i, 1902.
h. Lettic E. F% b. July 24, 1876.

c. Harry C. F.^, h. Sept. 22, 1889.

d. Lee F.^, b. July 14, 1893.

a. Catharine Fogelman^, h. May 5, 1853 ; m. A. H. Snyder,
in 1875 ; r. Williamsport, Pa.



204 The Gernhardt Family History.

Hi. William Henry Fogelman^, b. Oct. 20, 1856; m. Miss
Clara Belle Southard, March 3, 1881 ; r. Loyalsock
Township, Lycoming County, Pa. ; o. farmer and
butcher. Four children :

a. Cora May F.^, b. April 4, 1882 ; m. Asher Willson, Dec.

12, 1901. One daughter: Teresa Helen W.'^, b. May
I, 1903.

b. Neva Pearl F.^ b. March 21, 1886.

c. Frank Southard F.^, b. July 20, 1888.

d. Arthur James F.^, h. April 15, 1890.

iv. Sarah Jane F.^, b. Nov. 22, 1858; m. James Winder; r,
Williamsport, Pa. ; n. c.

V. Harriet E. F.^, b. Feb. 8, i860; m. John Lentz ; she d.
at Warrensville, Pa. One daughter : Phoebe Lentz*^, b.
January, 1882.

vi. Franklin Fogleman^, h. March 14, 1867 ; d. Sept. 7,
1867.

2. Sarah Jane Mosteller^ b. March 8, 1838; d. single, July

II, 1858.

3. Joshua David Mosteller"*, b. Jan. 4, 1841 ; m. Miss Eliza-
beth Wilkerson, Jan. 10, 1862. He d. Sept. 28, 1881.
Were parents of five children :

i. Clara W. M.^, h: June 20, 1862 ; m. George Louden-
slager, March i, 1887; r. Williamsport, Pa. Six chil-
dren: Alvin Oscar L.^, b. Jan. 10, 1888; Joy Emerson
L.6, b. Oct. 14, 1890; Flossie Belle L.^, b. Aug. 9, 1892;
Minnie May L.^, b. Nov. 26, 1894; H. Leroy L.^, b.
May 13, 1899; Larry Royal L.^, b. Feb. 16, 1901.

a. Herman W. Mosteller^, b. May 7, 1867 ; m. Miss Martha
Agnes Bretzman, Sept. 2, 1886 ; r. Williamsport, Pa.
Two children: Jesse M.^ b. Aug. 18, 1887; Harry
Raymond M.^, b. Dec. 3, 1890.

Hi. Anna Matilda M^, b. Oct. 11, 1871 ; m. James South-
erland ; r. Germantown, Pa.

iv. Oscar John Mosteller^, b. Dec. 6, 1872 ; m. Clara Selt-
zer, June 27, 1899; r. Williamsport, Pa. One daugh-
ter: Esther Elizabeth*^, b. April 13, 1903.

V. Est el la EfHe M.^, b. Dec. 2t,, 1874.




ERNEST W. (iERXEKI)-', WILLIAMSI'OKT, PA.



The Gernhardt Family History. 205

William H. Hosteller"*, b. March 27, 1842; m. Miss Al-
mira Palmer, Feb. 14, 1864; r. on Mill Creek, about two
miles above Montoursville, Pa., on a farm he bought in
1871, after having lived the first seven years of his mamed
life on the farm with his father, in Eldred Township. Is
a Democrat, and has taken some interest in politics, and
also in township affairs, and has served a number of terms
as school director. Is parent of four children :

i. Savillah A. M.^, b. Oct. 11, 1864; m. Ellis Loudenslager,
Jan. 20, 1886. He d. Oct. 14, 1896. One son: Wil-
liam Franklin L.^, b. Jan. 13, 1887.

ii. J. Frank Mostcllcr^, b. July 23, 1870. Is farming for his
father.

Hi. George A. Hosteller^, b. Nov. 24, 1873 ; m. Jennie E.
Newcomer, Oct. 27, 1897 ; r. Port Allegheny, McKean
County, Pa. Has two children: Chester O. M.*^, b.
Feb. 9, 1899; Rhea Myra M.^, b. May 23, 1902.

iv. Peter B. Hosteller^, b. Feb. 28, 1880; d. Sept. 26, 1880.

Peter Franklin Mosteller^, b. July 9, 1845 ! d. Oct. 20,
1868; unm.^

Mary Catharine Mosteller^, b. June 29, 1846; m. George
Dangle. He served during the Civil War as a member of
Co. C, 149th Reg't P. V. Infantrv', and died March 6, 1897;
r. Eldred Township. Six children :

i. John H. Mosteller^, b. March 10, 1865 ; m. May O'Brien,
Dec. 25, 1888; r. Blackie, Buchanan County, Va. Two
children: Roy U.\ b. Jan. 13, 1889; Fay M.^, b. Aug.
23, 1892.

ii. Charles Thomas Hosteller^; m. Mrs. Mame Hays,
Julyx, 1903 ; r. Williamsport, Pa.

Hi. Harry F. Dangle^, b. July i, 1877; m. Miss Lillie
Swartz, Dec. 15, 1899; r. Eldred Township. Helping
his mother on the farm. Two children : Reberta D.^,
b. Feb. 6, 1901 ; Edna May D.^, b. May 5, 1903.

iv. Hiram P. Dangle^, b. Aug. 11, 1879.

V. William G. Dangle^, h. Nov. 19, 1883.

vi. Elsie M. Dangle^, b. Nov. 25, 1887.



2o6 The Gernhardt Family History.

It is rare that any one admires snakes and makes pets of them,
as people admire birds and have bird-pets. Most people regard
snakes with decided horror and aversion, as being only vicious,
ugly, dangerous things. To some they are repulsively fascinating.
That is, some agree that they are beautiful, yet also detest them,
and always try to kill them if they can. The above named Hiram
P. Dangle, son of Catharine Dangle, is an exception, the only
one we believe of the numerous descendants of Heinrich and Ro-
sine, and so far as we know the only one in a great section of
the country. When a boy he seemed really to love snakes, thought
they were beautiful creatures, would rather pick them up than ,
kill them, had a passion for holding them in his hands, strokhig
them, carrying them about in his pockets, and for years had a lot
of them for pets. At one time, when seventeen years old, he had
a collection of twenty-three "tamed" snakes, representing seven
different indigenous species, namely. Viper, Milk, Garter, Water,
Black, Rattle and Copperhead. They were at that time of more
interest to him than birds, as we learned from him and his mother,
and from persons who- from time to time saw him play with the un-
canny things. It appears to have been more to him than a mere
barren freak, however, as in the inquisitive spirit of a naturalist
he found great delight in the study of their habits and dispositions,
and also had the curiosity to dissect some to learn something of
their internal anatomy, and to make various experiments. He and
his snakes for a time attracted a great deal of attention, many peo-
ple visiting his home to see him handle the uncommon pets. He
took delight in exhibiting them, and telling people what he knew
about them. Williamsport Grit, the most extensively circulated
newspaper published in Northern Pennsylvania, sent a reporter to
interview him, and published a long article about him, which at
once made him famous.

Some people in his neighborhood insisted that he drugged his
venomous snakes ; others declared that he extracted their danger-
ous fangs before he trifled with them ; and some even believed
that he was a veritable Snake Charmer, possessed of some rare, in-
herent power ; of which insinuations he did not want to hear, affirm-



•The Gcniliardt Family History. 207

ing that none of these things were true. He never but once remov-
ed a fang from a snake's mouth, and then merely for experiment.
He had read that if the fangs were removed, that new ones would
develop in their place. To test the matter for himself he captured
a small copperhead that he did not want in his collection and pull-
ed out one of its deadly fangs, which was as sharp as the finest
needle, and true enough, in less than three months a new weaponi
of defense had grown in its place. He says that his power over
snakes was not a secret, nor a special function, but lay wholly in
the study of their disposition, in his caution, the influence of kind-
ness, and gentle handling, never exciting their fear or anger, and
largel}- in not having any fear himself. Anybody can handle
snakes with safety if as careful and fearless as he always was.
The first impulse of all the wild snakes of this region of country,
he says, is to get away from you, or to lay perfectly still and let
you get away from them, and if one attempts to bite it is from
fear and in self-defense. A snake, especially when a captive, can
soon be made sensible of kindness. And like a horse, or dog, or
perhaps any known animal, a snake will soon instinctively under-
stand when a person is afraid of it.

Once while handling a copperhead Hiram was bitten on his