Person Page - 42

Daniel Witmer

• Last Edited: 11 May 2023

• Daniel Witmer was born on 26 February 1821, Northumberland County, PA.¹
• He was the son of Daniel Witmer and Susanna Bower.
• Daniel Witmer married Rebecca Rehrer, daughter of John Rehrer and Magdalena (?), in 1844, Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, PA.¹
• Daniel Witmer died on 12 February 1899, Herndon, Northumberland County, PA, at age 77.^2,3
• He was buried at The Peace Church (Union Salem), Berrysburg, Dauphin County, PA.
• Daniel and Rebecca are buried among what appears to be a family grouping of graves at what is now called the Peace Church, in Berrysburg, PA. Formerly, it was Union Salem Church (built 1844, re-built 1873). Daniel and Rebecca have a relatively modern headstone. Close to their graves are the following graves:
  Jonathan Witmer, D. 1886 - infant
  Henry N. Witmer, 1850-1922
  Emaline Witmer, 1849-1917
  Harry E. Witmer, son of Henry and Emaline, born 1873, [died 1902] 29 years
  Annie B., daughter of of Henry and Emaline, July 7, 1883 -- October 13, 1883
  Chas M. Witmer, son of Daniel, March 6, 1856 -- July 16, 1868
  John Witmer, July 6, 1817 -- 1837
  Judging solely by the dates and the proximity of the graves, one might suggest that John Witmer was a brother of Daniel, while Henry and Charles were sons of Daniel and Rebecca. Harry, Jonathan, and Annie were likely grandchildren of Daniel and Rebecca.
  From the BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA (Chambersburg, PA: 1896) (J.M. RUNK & COMPANY Publishers)
  "WITMER, Daniel, retired farmer, Mifflin township, was born in Northumberland county, near the Dauphin county line, February 26, 1821. Daniel, the father, was also born in Northumberland county, and followed the occupation of blacksmith in his younger days, and later cultivated a farm in Mifflin township and was engaged in raising stock. He married Susan Bower, a native of the same county, and they had eight children: Jacob, deceased, Kate, Samuel, Polly, Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth, and John. His wife died in Northumberland county, and he married again, but the name of his second wife is not known. He died in Mifflin township. He was an old line Whig in politics, and in religious faith and fellowship was with the German Reformed church.
  "Daniel received only a limited education, having attended subscription schools only six months in the winter season. He worked on the farm as a laborer and received $3 per month, and was occupied in this way until he was sixteen years old, when he learned the trade of wagon making at Uniontown, and worked two years at the trade. He then started a shop in Berrysburg, which he conducted for fifteen years, and built up a profitable trade. He bought twenty-one acres of woodland, for which he paid $90 per acre. It took him years of hard work to clear the ground and make improvements, but he finally built a fine residence and good barn, and made a first class farm. He has also two houses in Berrysburg. He was married, in Mifflin township, in 1844, to Rebecca Reher, born in Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, in 1823; daughter of John Reher, a farmer. Their children are: Emeline, Alice S., Henry N., Ann Eliza, Daniel, Agnes, William, David, John, and Edmund, who died young. Mr. Witmer is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of school director and other township offices. He is a member of the German Reformed church, in which he served as elder and deacon. He is retired from active work through bodily infirmity, and is faithfully cared for by his faithful wife."
  Last Will of Daniel Witmer
  Filed March 2nd 1899
  
  Dauphin County, ss:
  On the 2nd day of March A.D. 1899 personally appeared before me, J.H. STROUP, Register of Wills, &c., in and for said county, Aaron Schreffler and W.C. Riegle subscribing witness to the within instrument of writing, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Daniel Witmer deceased, who, after having been by me duly qualified according to law, depose and say that they were present and saw testator sign and seal and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament, and that at the time of doing he was of sound mind and disposing mind, memory and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed and subscribed before J.H. Stroup, Register. (Signed Aaron Schreffler, W.C. Riegle).
  I, Daniel Witmer of Mifflin Township County of Dauphin and State of Penna. do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
  First of all I direct that one thousand Dollars shall remain in my property which is my homestead as a dower for the benefit of my beloved wife during her lifetime and all my bank stock which is seven and one half shares in the first nat. Bank of Millersburg, Pa. said stock shall remain in my name and my wife shall have the benefit during her lifetime and after her death it shall be sold as provided herein after and two Hundred dollars my wife shall have of the personal property either some in furniture and some in money or all in money as she see fit.
  Second, all my property real and personal shall be sold at public sale by giving legal notice of the same to the highest and best bidder without appraising anything except the Bank stock as hereinafter provided and also no dower is to remain on Mountain land.
  Third, All monies outstanding with my children shall not be collected by my Executor until he makes settlement with the heirs he shall not count the notes what they are worth at that date and lay them down same as money to the heirs.
  Fourth, All my money shall be equally divided among my children except my eldest son Henry Witmer shall not be included but the rest of my children shall have equal shares.
  Fifth, Henry Witmer my eldest son shall have Five Dollars besides the notes I hold against him except if Henry Witmer will pay his notes which I hold against him, then he shall have equal shares with the rest of my children.
  Sixth, After the death of my beloved wife the dower remaining on my property shall be paid to my Executor and the Bank stock shall be sold by him and the proceeds of said stock and of the dower shall be equally divided among my children except my eldest son Henry Witmer shall not be included.
  Seventh, And I do hereby make and ordain my Son Daniel F. Witmer Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I Daniel Witmer the testator, have to this my will written on one sheet of Paper set my hand and seal this 22nd day of December A.D. 1894.
  (Signed Daniel Witmer)
  Witness: Aaron Schreffler
  W.C. Riegle
  Signed seal and delivered
  In the presence of each other.

• Father*: Daniel Witmer b. 30 Sep 1781, d. 29 Mar 1869
• Mother*: Susanna Bower b. 29 Oct 1788, d. 15 Jan 1831