Yoder (surname)

I have spent numerous hours trying to sort through the Dena (Yoder) Beiler family. I have more questions than answers at this time. I am going to attempt to explain what has been found to date and recommend you to follow up on a couple of items.

• Based on your letter dated 21 December 2013, you mentioned that Dena Yoder married Aaron Byler/Beiler of Lancaster, PA. I do find a burial record of Aaron and Dena (Yoder) Beiler in the Myers Cemetery in a book titled, Lancaster County Old Order Amish Cemetery Record: Includes Lancaster County, Daughter Communities, and Extinct Settlements. Aaron L. Beiler, son of Jacob Z. and Mary (Lapp) Beiler, was born 9 May 1881 and died 23 Sep 1964 at the age of 83 years, 4 months, 14 days. His wife, Dena N. (Yoder) Beiler, daughter of Noah and Alice (Miller) Yoder, was born 11 Feb 1900 and died 20 Oct 1970.

• In a 1942 WW II Draft Registration Card, the birth date of Aaron Lapp Beiler is verified as 9 May 1881 in Lancaster Co, PA. Mrs. Dena N. Beiler, wife, is listed as the person who will always know his address. His address is given as “Bird-in-Hand #1 UL. Twp. Lanc. Co. Penna.”

• In the 1940 US Census of Upper Leacock Twp, Lancaster Co, PA we have Aaron L. Beiler, age 58 born in PA and Dena N. Beiler, age 40, born in PA.

• In the 1930 US Census of Upper Leacock Twp, Lancaster Co, PA we have Aaron L. Beiler, age 48, born in PA and both his parents born in Pa. He was age 39 at his first marriage. Dena Beiler is age 30, born in Indiana, father was born in Ohio, and mother born in Indiana. She was first married at age 20. This would put their marriage year as 1920/1921. I have no idea where they were married. It could be Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois.

• In the 1920 US Census, Aron Beiler is a hired hand residing with the Jacob and Katie Ann Miller family in Scott Twp, Kosciusko Co, IN. He is age 38. Both he and his parents were born in PA.

• In the 1920 US Census, Dena N. Yoder is a servant residing with the Samuel J. Helmuth family in Lowe Twp, Moultrie Co, IL. She is age 19, born in Indiana. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother Indiana. More specifically, her occupation is listed as a dressmaker for private families.

• On 12 September 1918, Aaron Lapp Beiler completed a registration card for WWI draft. It gives his birth date as 9 May 1881. His residence was in Hartville, Stark Co, OH. His nearest relative is Jacob Z. Beiler of Ronko, Lancaster Co, PA. He was employed as a laborer for John P. Miller.

• In the 1910 US Census, Aaron L. Beiler is residing with the Lidie and Sarah Byerly family in Lake Twp, Stark Co, OH. He is age 29 and both he and his parents were born in PA.

• In the 1910 US Census for Locke, Elkhart Co, IN Dana N. Yoder is age 10, born in Indiana. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in Indiana. She is in the following household:

o Noah J. Yoder, head, age 42, born in Ohio and both parents born in Pennsylvania o Alida Yoder, wife, age 29, born in Indiana and both parents born in Indiana o Jonas M Yoder, son, age 12, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana o Dana N Yoder, daughter, age 10, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana o Benjamin N Yoder, son, age 8, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana o Samuel N Yoder, son, age 7, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana o David N Yoder, son, age 6, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana o John N Yoder, son, age 4, born in Indiana, father in Ohio, mother in Indiana

The census further indicates that this is the first marriage of both Noah and Alida. They have been married for 14 years and Alida is the mother of 6 children, all 6 of whom are still living.

• In the 1900 US Census for Leacock Twp, Lancaster Co, PA, Aaron L. Beiler is residing with Jacob Z. Beiler and his family. He is age 19 and the census indicates he was born May 1881. He is single and the son of Jacob Z. Beiler.

• In the 1900 US Census for Jackson Twp, Newton Co, IN, “baby” Yoder is listed with the Noah J. Yod[e]r family.

o Noah J. Yoder, head, born Jan 1867, age 33, married for 4 years, born in IN o Eliza Yoder, wife, born Aug 1880, age 21, married for 4 years, born in IN, mother of 2 o John Yoder, son, born Sep 1898, age 2, born in IN o Baby Yoder [female], born Jan 1900, age 4 months, born in IN

On the web, I found a copy of the Amish Yoder Lineage – Compiled by the Yoder Newsletter. This is for the Yost Yoder family (1734-?) YR26, YR2612, YR268. There is a record for Noah J. Yoder (1/6/1865 Saltillo, OH - ?) m. 12/29/1895 Newton Co, IN Alice Miller (8/1880-6/15/1931 bur Elkhart, IN). The 1895 marriage date would work for the Noah/Eliza Yoder census in 1900 and Noah/Alida Yoder census 1910.  

Through the newsletter, the parents’ names match those given for Dena (Yoder) Beiler in the cemetery record. When Benjamin Yoder marries Emma Yoder on 2 March 1920 in Holmes Co, OH, his parents are listed as Noah Yoder and Miller for the mother’s name. No given name for the mother. (Benjamin Yoder was residing with the Harrison and Martha Miller family in Berlin, Holmes Co, OH in the 1920 US Census.) His obituary was found in the Daily Record on 22 October 1990 on p. C13 and indicates that he was born in 1901 in Indiana to Noah and Alida (Rodgers) Yoder. Previous to his death were a sister, three brothers and a granddaughter. I do find a marriage record for Noah J. Yoder and Alida Rodgers on 30 November 1908 in Jasper Co, IN. This is 7 years after the birth of Benjamin. When Samuel N. Yoder marries Maryann Kramer on 30 Dec 1922 in Holmes Co, OH he lists his parents as Noah J. Yoder and Miller for the mother’s name. There is no given name for the mother. (Samuel Yoder was residing with the Elizabeth Yoder family in Walnut Creek, Holmes Co, OH in the 1920 census.) I found an abstract from the Gospel Herald on 23 June 1981 for Samuel N. Yoder, son of Noah J. and Eliza (Miller) Yoder. He indicates he was born in Newton Co, IN on 15 Nov 1902. He died in Columbus, OH on 31 May 1981. In his obituary, it indicates he is survived by three brothers (Benjamin, David, and John Yoder). David N. Yoder is residing with the Andrew and Martha Miller family in Clark Twp, Holmes Co, OH in the 1920 Census. He died on 21 August 1983 in Marysville, Union Co, OH. I have not been able to locate an obituary on him. John N. Yoder, the youngest son of Noah J. Yoder, is residing with his father in the 1920 US Census for Jackson Twp, Newton Co, IN. He is age 14. In this census, N. J. Yoder, age 53, is listed as a widow. In 1930 US Census for Jackson Twp, Newton Co, IN, he is 63 and listed as a widow. I find a tombstone abstract for N J Yoder in the Miller Amish Cemetery in Mt. Ayr, Newton Co, IN. His dates are given as 6 January 1867 – 18 August 1935.

I tried to find Jonas Yoder in 1920 but I am uncertain of his residence. However, I do find a US WWI Draft Registration Card for him dated 12 September 1918. He is listed as a resident in Elkhart Co, IN. His birth is given as 30 September 1898. The nearest relative he lists is Viola Mittenberger. Interesting enough, I find a marriage abstract for Viola Yoder marrying O. Mittenborger on 3 March 1918 in Howard Co, IN. In the US Census for 1920, Viola Mittenburger is age 40 years. She is the wife of Oliver Mittenburger, age 52 years. They are residing in Elkhart Ward 5, Elkhart Co, IN in the 1920 census. The census indicates she was born in Indiana, her father was born in US and mother in Indiana. I find a stone for an Alida V Yoder in the Rice Cemetery in Elkhart Co, IN. The dates given are 1878-1931. The death date matches a genealogy found on the Swiss Mennonite database in Kidron. It gives that Alice Miller was born 1879 and died 15 Jun 1931 in Rensselaer, Jasper Co, IN. She is buried in Elkhart Co, IN. The children listed for her include:

Jonas N. Yoder (30 Sep 1897 - ) Dena N. Yoder (11 Feb 1900 - ) Benjamin N. Yoder (17 Nov 1901 – 21 Oct 1990) Samuel N. Yoder (15 Nov 1902 - ) David N. Yoder (18 Feb 1904 - ) John N. Yoder (15 Jun 1905 - )

 

At this point, I believe Alice/ Eliza/Alida (Miller/Rodgers) Yoder/Mittenburger may be the same individual. The evidence points this direction though I have not been able to tie everything together. You may have more insight on this than me. I found no evidence of Dena N. Yoder being a foster daughter of Samuel E. Yoder of Apple Creek.

In the Spring 2006 edition of The Newcomer, which is a publication of the Newton County Historical Society in Indiana, I found a couple references to Noah J. Yoder. On page 7, there is a mention of a “special immigrant train…provided by the railroad for the Newton County families moving south…The train left Mt. Ayr on December 30, 1895 at 1:25 in the afternoon…The train crossed into neighboring Illinois, stopping at 3:25 AM to pick up three more passengers: Andy J. Mast, Noah J. Yoder, and Ben A. Miller, all unmarried…” On page 9 of the same newsletter, listed as some of the Amish Old Order settlers is number “113. Noah Yoder: wife Alice Miller.”

If this information makes sense, you may want to obtain a couple other documents. I would suggest following up on the following items:

1. Obituary on Noah J. Yoder who died 18 August 1935 in Newton Co, IN. a. Newton County Historical Society 2. Obituary on Dena N. Beiler who died 20 October 1970 in Lancaster Co, PA. a. Lancaster Public Library b. Lancaster County Historical Society c. Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 3. Obituary on David N. Yoder who died 21 August 1983 in Marysville, Union Co, OH. a. Marysville Public Library 4. Marriage record of Noah J. Yoder and Alice Miller, 29 December 1895 in Newton Co, IN. a. Newton County Historical Society b. Newton County Courts and Clerk 5. Marriage record of Viola Yoder and Oliver Mittenberger on 3 March 1918 in Howard Co, IN. a. Howard County Courts and Clerk 6. Obituary and/or death certificate for Alida V. Yoder/Viola Mittenberger on 15 June 1931 in Rensselaer, Jasper Co, IN. She could go under the given name Eliza or Alice. a. Elkhart County Genealogical Society b. Jasper County Public Library 7. Marriage record of Noah J. Yoder and Alida Rodgers on 30 Nov 1908 in Jasper Co, IN. a. Jasper County Courts and Clerk

I have included contact information for these places.

 

I have made many copies of information. If you would like copies, please let me know. I am going to keep them in a file here in the department for you. I want to make sure I am on the correct path since most of the information I found does not match the information in your letter from 21 December 2013.

With the parents of Dena (Yoder) Beiler, I have the puzzle pieces but I cannot seem to fit them together. Maybe through your knowledge of the family or through the contacts you make to the various places in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, the information may come together for you.