Last Thursday, September 23, a reunion of the Gnagey Family was held at Riverside Park. There were over 200 hundred, which for the first reunion, was a good attendance. There will a be much larger number present at future reunions as many who could not attend this year sent word that they would certainly be on hand the next year, and all who were there Thursday expressed their intention of returning.
A grand day was spent in the woods. There was the usual feasting, which meant the best of everything and a bounteous supply. After the dinner was over, exercises of a very interesting nature were held, many addresses were delivered and officers were elected for the ensuing year.
The Gnagey Family is not only one of the oldest in this section but also the most widely connected. The original head of this family in this country is one Christian Gnagey. A record of the family compiled by Elias Gnagey, to which we are indebted for much of the family history which follows, contains 576 heads of families and it is believed if the record could be completed it would contain 700 heads of families.
The oldest Gnagey in this section at the present time is Elias Gnagey, who was born in 1832 and was married in 1853 to Barbara Hochstedler, daughter of Daniel Hochstedler. He was unable to be present at the reunion. The oldest member of the family at the reunion was Joel Gnagey, who was born Feb. 9, 1836, the son of Christian and Barbara (Plucker) Gnagey. J. Milton Gnagey who presided at the exercises and was elected Chairman for the ensuing year, is the son of John E. and Susan (Beeghley) Gnagey, of West Milton, Ohio, formerly of Accident, Md.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. J. Milton Gnagey, of Meyersdale. After singing, prayer was offered by Elder Joel Gnagey. The Address of Welcome was delivered by Miss Grace Gnagey, of Pittsburgh. The following history of the Gnagey Family written by J. S. Gnagey, of Oakland, Md., who was unable to be present, was read by M. C. Handwerk.
Historical Paper
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Gnagey Family Reunion:
One hundred and fifty years ago, where you now sit, encircled with all that exalts and embellishes civilized life, there came to this country from Switzerland, one named Christian Gnaegi, to seek a home in America.
He settled near Meyersdale, Pa., taking up five hundred acres of land by what was then known, "The Tomahawk Claim." The country was then a dense wilderness and the white man lived in constant dread of the stealthy Indian by day, and the prowling panther or howling wolf by night. But Mr. Gnagey, like the Pilgrims of Mass., came to America in search of a home, where he could rear his family in such a way as he desired.
In the early days of this settlement, he was placed under the most trying circumstances at times; but being possessed with that stick-to-it-iveness, pluck, or whatever you may choose to call it, for which characteristic the Gnageys are especially noted, he succeeded in clearing a large portion of his farm and lived there more than fifty years, after which he removed to the state of Ohio.
To them were born four sons and six daughters, the first American born of the great Gnagey family, whose blood is warmly coursing through the veins of us all who have come to do honors to this great gathering of the "Gnagey Family Reunion."
A great change took place about this time in our country. The sea was decked with vessels, the rivers with boats, and thousands of cattle were roaming over the plains of the great West, the vast wilderness was transformed into fields of waving grain; then came the opening of the great mines of coal in Pennsylvania and gold in California, the latter making many poor and the former making many rich. These changes have caused our brothers and sisters to emigrate East and West, North and South, seeking new localities and making new homes for themselves, until they are settled throughout every state of this grand Union.
Addresses
After a song by the audience, addresses were delivered by Daniel S. Gnagey, of Garrett County, Md.; Joel S. Gnagey, of Garrett County, Md.; N. C. Gnagey, of Meyersdale, Pa.; Elias D. Lee, of Garrett, Pa., and Samuel Firl, of Meyersdale. After another song, addresses were delivered by Emanuel Lichty, of Meyersdale, and Elder Joel Gnagey, of Meyersdale.
Officers Elected
A permanent organization was then formed by the election of the following officers:
Chairman, J. M. Gnagey
Vice Chairman, N. C. Gnagey
Secretary, Foster G. Horner
Assistant Secretary, Suie E. Gnagey
Program and Arrangements Committee, Prof. W. H. Kretchman, Meyersdale, Chairman; Miss Grace Gnagey, Pittsburgh; Prof. J. S. Gurgy, Oakland Md.
While the addresses were being delivered, the editor of the Republican had sent word to Photographer Conrad, of Meyersdale, to come to the Park and take a picture of the crowd. He arrived about 3 o'clock and took the picture from which the cut in this paper was made. Of course the pictures are much more distinct than the cut. They can be secured from Mr. Conrad at 60 cents each, or will be mailed for 70 cents. The picture taking was the last event of the reunion. With everyone promising to be present at the next reunion, farewells were said.
Four States Represented
There were four states represented at the reunion. Among those present from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Miller and son Glen, of Fidelity, Ohio; Miss Grace Gnagey, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Joel Gnagey and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gnagey, of Garrett County, Md., about twelve miles from Oakland; Mrs. Urban Stanton and Mrs. Clarence Loechel, of Grantsville, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Beekley, of Waterloo, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. David Maust and Miss Susan Maust, of Rawlings, Md.; Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Gnagey, of Grantsville, Md.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gnagey drove over 50 miles to attend the reunion, their home being about 12 miles from Oakland near the West Virginia line. Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Beekley, who were present from Waterloo, Iowa, were on their honeymoon trip, having been married at Waterloo, by Rev. A. P. Blough, two weeks ago. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. J. H. Cable and a granddaughter of Elder Joel Gnagey.
Family History
Christian Gnaegi came to America from Switzerland in the year 1750 or 1760. He had four sons and six daughters: Johannes married to Elizabeth Stutzman; Christian; Jacob married to Susana Livingston; Joseph married to Barbara Bare; Magdalena married to Jacob Blough; Mary married to Christian Senf; Barbara married to John Swartz; Gertrude married to Mr. Burchfield; Anna married to Mr. Muller; Catarina married to Jonas Flory. In the year 1774 the said Christian Gnaegi took up a large tract of land called Elkton, containing 500 3/4 acres, two miles west of Meyersdale, Brotherswalle (sic Brothersvalley) Township (Now Summit Township) Somerset County, Pa. He lived on the farm now owned by Elias A. Yoder.
On April 1 of the year 1805, Christian Gnaegi sold to his son, Christian Gnaegi, 114 acres on the northeast side of the farm. The same year Christian Gnaegi sold this farm to Solomon Trashel. On the 30th day of March in the year 1815, Solomon Trushel sold the same to Christian Gnagey, son of Johanne Gnagey; and on the 8th of May, 1861, Christian Gnagey sold it to his son Joel C. Gnagey, and it is now owned by Mr. Herwig.
On the 1st day of May, in the year 1805, the original Christian Gnaegi, sold to his son Johannes Gnaegi 160 3/4 acres on the southwest side of the farm where Elias and Jacob Gnagey now live. Johannes Gnaegi sold this farm to his son, Jacob Gnagey, on the 30th day of April in the year 1833.
On April 1, 1860, Jacob Gnagey sold the same to his son, Elias Gnagey, who lives there at the present time, 2 1/2 miles from Meyersdale. On the 1st day of April, in the year 1884, Elias Gnagey sold 158 3/4 acres to his son, Jacob E. Gnagey, there being two acres sold off of the west end of the farm. This farm has been called the Gnagey Farm, since it was taken up by the original Christian Gnaegi, and is now in the fifth generation, 135 years old.
The said Christian Gnaegi lived on the east portion of the farm which contained 226 acres. On the 10th day of April 1806, he sold it to Henry Yoder. Henry Yoder sold the same to his son, Yost Yoder, in 1825, and in 1840 Yost Yoder sold it to his son, Adam Yoder, who in August 1868, sold it to his son, Elias A. Yoder, who sold it to his sons, Noah and Milton.

"Garrett Gleanings" -- Farewell Party

Mr. and Mrs. Reggie BUSH were agreeably surprised Wednesday evening, Oct. 8th, when neighbors and friends assembled at their home unexpectedly about 8 o'clock. The family will move to Confluence to make their future home as Mr. Bush works for the B&O and was "bumped" here, and had to "bump" someone in Confluence- as railroad "lingo" goes. A delicious lunch was served after various games were played. Some participants say they han't laughed so much "since the measles". Those present were: Messrs. and Mesdames Humphrey LEHMAN, John WALTERS, Jacob SPAUGY, Ellis LEE, Reggie BUSH and children, John ROMESBERG, Mesdames Virginia LENHART, Lillie ROMESBERG, Fannie DRENNER, Eva SHEELER, Elizabeth SMITH, Elmer HEFFEY, Leona GRANT, Harold BROCHT and baby, and Messer. George WEAVER, H. R. Heffey and Tommy DURST.

While the Indians were still holding forth in the Keystone State and long before the war for independence, one John Miller came from the eastern part of the state and located in the wilderness in the vicinity of what is now known as Salisbury, Somerset County. He cleared some land there and made Elk Lick Township his permanent home. Some of his landmarks may still be found and many of his descendants are still residing in that vicinity.
Jacob Miller, his oldest son, had been born in the east, but he came with his father to Elk Lick, where he remained until he was married. He then located to Ohio, but later returned to Elk Lick, where one of his sons, Benedict Miller, was born in the year 1781. This man, Benedict Miller, was the father of Moses B. Miller, whose descendants gathered for their fourth annual reunion yesterday on the farm of R.M. Luther in Richland Township and within a short distance of the old Moses B. Miller homestead.
Moses B. Miller was born in 1819 in the southern end of Somerset County, where his ancestors had been the pioneer settlers. He grew to manhood and was married there to one Susan Harshberger. After his marriage, Moses B. Miller located in the vicinity of Scalp Level, Cambria County, where he was a prominent farmer until 1861 and where he reared a family of 11 children, all of whom grew to manhood and also reared families. In 1861 Mr. Miller and his family moved to Richland Township, where he died about seven years ago. Mrs. Miller preceded him to the grave by about five years.
Nine Children Living
Of the children of Moses B. Miller, nine are living and all have large families. It was these children and their descendants, numbering four
generations that made merry yesterday within sight of the old homestead. They gathered during the forenoon from various sections of Somerset and Cambria Counties. The meetings between brother and sister, cousins of three generations and friends were most affecting. After an hour or more had been spent in a general greeting between the members of the clan and their friends, attention was turned to the delicacies in the well-filled baskets that had been brought along to make up one of the interesting features of the gathering - a dinner together in the large orchard at the Luther home. Large tables had been erected in the shade of the trees and upon these the eatables (sic:edibles) were spread. It was during the dinner hour that the reminiscences of past days were recalled.
Following the feast the throng scattered throughout the orchard for a time. At 2 o'clock a ball game between teams representing the married and single men was started and the contest furnished considerable amusement. The married men proved the better players and captured the battle after seven innings of play by a score of 7 to 6. Taylor Gore and Bert Smith worked on the points for the Benedicts and Ray Miller and Earl Weaver for the single folks. After the game there were numerous races and other events for the younger folks, all of which proved interesting and entertaining. Of these probably the most fun resulted from a scramble between a dozen or more boys for their shoes and stockings, which had previously been placed in a pile in the orchard. The boy who first succeeded in donning his shoes and stockings was to receive a prize. Ira Hershberger was declared the victor. Stella Custer won a race between the younger girls and William Severn took the same honors from the younger boys. This program concluded, the remainder of the afternoon was spent in visiting and in saying goodbye to each other.
While there are nine children of the late Moses B. Miller living, only four were able to attend yesterday's reunion. They were Mrs. J.B. Lehman of Ebensburg, Mrs. Mary Smith of Walnut Grove, Mrs. D.H. Yoder, near Geistown, and Daniel Miller of Oak Street, this city. The other surviving children are Jacob M. Miller of Walnut Grove, Manassas Miller of Indiana, Samuel Miller of Kansas, Susan Miller Elmhurst of Ohio, and Mrs. Jacob Mishler of Michigan. Isaac and Lena Miller died some years ago. In addition to those referred to above other older people at the reunion were Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Weaver of Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Yoder of Johnstown, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Weaver, near Geistown, and Dr. and Mrs. Luther of Scalp Level.
Fourth Annual Reunion
Yesterday's reunion was the fourth held by the descendants of Moses B. Miller. The first two years were held at the same place and last year's at the old homestead, now owned by U.G. Custer. Those in attendance at yesterday's gathering were:
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harshberger and daughter Nellie of Middlebury, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. John Miller of Trail, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Venus Gerber of Sugar Creek, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Weaver of New Cambria, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hershberger and Mrs. John Stahl of Davidsville; Mrs. Jonas Harshberger, Mrs. Robert Wissinger, Mrs. William Barnett, Mrs. Daniel Weaver, Mrs. Annie Weaver, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Luther and children, Dorsey, Foster, and Goldie, Dr. and Mrs. Luther and children Zena, Norabelle, Mary Ellen and Jennie Arbutus; Mrs. Ralph Veil and children Lee Mary, Alvin, Charles and Ruth; Mary Estep and P.P. Helsel, all of Scalp Level; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Yoder, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Weaver and children Margaret, Warden, Emma, David and Willard, Mrs. Clarence Miller and children Iva, Walter, Barnett and Helen, Mrs. Jacob Baumgartner and children Civila, Bessie, Mary, Charles, Harry, Verda, Clement and Miller, all of Windber; Mrs. Jacob Miller of Walnut Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Weaver, Mrs. Andy Baumgardner and children, Clara and Elizabeth, Mrs. John Wingard, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Custer, Mrs. James Harshberger and daughter Grace, Mr. and Mrs. William Harshberger and children Ira, Stanford, Erma and Merle Elda, Goldie; Howard and Earl Weaver, Robert Frye, Cora Parker, Florence, Myra, Newton, Oscar and Norman Yoder, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Yoder, Mrs. Albert Hoffman and children Howard, Milton and Blanche; Emma Blough, Nora Weaver, Carrie Baumgardner, Fannie Blough, Ada Horner, Lucy Horner, Edith Horner, Leroy Horner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Luther and children Bruce, Newton, Daniel, Algie, Elizabeth, William Calvin, Lydia Belle; and Martin and Howard Lehman, all of the vicinity of Geistown and the old homestead.
Also attending were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith, Harold Beltzner, Emanuel and Norman Custer, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Messenger and children Arthur, Edgar, Sarah Ellen and Roy; Mr. and Mrs. Elias Miller and children James, Grace, Kenneth, Edith and Curtis; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Miller and children Edith, Grace and Kenneth; Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Kelper, all of Dale; Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Gore and son Alfred of Monessen, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Smith and children Harold and Lila, of Braddock; Mrs. David Mishler and children Carl and Trella, Mrs. Henry Mishler and children Kenneth and Martin of Kring's Station; Mrs. Lizzie Kauffman and Mrs. Edward Kauffman and daughter Florence of Davidsville; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Custer and children Howard, Stella and Harry; Christ Miller of Daisytown; Kenneth Gore of Morrellville, Clare Wissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Miller and children Foster, Jay, Dora, Mary, Clifford and Blake of the Seventh Ward, this city; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Trent and children Kenneth and Harold; Mrs. John Helsel and daughter Mabel; Minnie Blake, Algie Baumgardner, near Elton; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Lehman and children Rosie, Mabel, Edger, Edna; Alonzo Miller and Charles, and the Rev. Algie Lehman of Ebensburg; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Yoder of Johnstown, Civilla Hillegas and children Howard, George and Audrey of South Fork.