| JACOB1
JOST was born 16 March 1695/96 in Province of Zweibrucken, (now West Germany),
Europe,. He died in Philadelphia County (now Montgomery), Pennsylvania. He is buried in
the cemetery of the Old Race Street German Reformed church, Philadelphia, the
site of which
is now included in the plot known as Franklin Square.
He married ELIZABETH SCHAMBAUGH 11 July 1734, daughter of ADOLPH SCHAMBAUGH and DOROTHY
_____________.
Jacob Jost, accompanied by another person, arrived at Philadelphia 18 September 1727
aboard the William & Sarah, William Hill, master. The ship was from Rotterdam, via
Cowes. The group included 109 men and their families, numbering in all about 400. They
were led by the German Reformed Church minister, George Michael Weiss. He settled in
Whitpain Township, Philadelphia (now Montgomery) County, Pennsylvania.
See Ralph Beaver Strassburger, "Pennsylvania German Pioneers - Original Lists of
Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia, 1727 - 1808," the Pennsylvania German Society,
Norristown, PA, 1934, v 1, pp 7, 9 and Israel Daniel Rupp: "A Collection of Upwards
of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in
Pennsylvania From 1727 - 1776," p 49. An improved second edition was published by I.
G. Kohler at Philadelphia in 1876. M.V. Koger, in 1935, published an index to Rupp's work
entitled "Index to The Names of 30,000 Immigrants—German, Swiss, Dutch, and
French Into Pennsylvania, 1727 - 1776. Supplementing The I. Daniel Rupp Ship Load
Volume."
Also, see The Pennsylvania German Society, "Proceedings and Addresses -- The Yost
Family -- By J. Irwin Yost." The Society, Norristown, Pennsylvania 1906, v 7, pp 337
- 341. Transcript of the article as follows:
The
Yost Family
By J. Irwin Yost, Center Square, PA.
THE revocation of the Edict of Nantes by
Louis XIV in 1685 sent out of France and into England, Holland and Germany
half a million refugees, who scattered far and planted deep the seeds of
protest against political and religious intolerance.
The fruit-time of popular discontent came a generation later, when
all Europe was ripe with a harvest of unrest.
Out of the prevailing disquiet sprang the strong, matured spirit of
freedom. From America the
beacon of Liberty shone brightly, and the gleaming light-shafts of greater
opportunities and a broader freedom lured many to our shores.
Germany felt the impulse and the tide of immigration to America
began to set in. From the
Palatine some of her best families, fleeing the rigors of persecution,
made resolute venture of their prospects and hoped-for freedom by coming
hither.
Jacob Yost, a Palatine Immigrant
In company with Rev. George Michael Weiss, the first regularly
ordained minister of the Reformed church in this country, about one
hundred and nine families (nearly 400 persons in all) of Reformed people
from the Palatinate immigrated to America, arriving in Philadelphia
September 21, 1727. Among that number was Jacob Yost (Jost), the pioneer of the
present Yost family in America. He
was born in Germany March 16, 1696, a native of the province of Zweibrücken
and by occupation a weaver. Shortly
after his arrival in this country he settled in Whitpain township,
Montgomery (then Philadelphia) county, Pa., and according to tradition
carried on the business of weaving in a log house which he built a short
distance north of the present village of Center Square.
He was married July 11, 1734 to Elizabeth Schumbach (Shambaugh).
Six years later he purchased what is known as the “Homestead
Farm,” removed thereto, developing and improving the same, whilst
engaging in many affairs of local importance. He was naturalized April 11, 1761. According to a peculiar provision of an act of Parliament the
time of his last sacrament of the Lord’s Supper before naturalization is
recorded – March 22, 1761.
The original certificate, well preserved and prized as a unique
document, is in possession of the writer.
After deeding the property to his eldest son, Daniel, he retired
from the active pursuits of life, removed to Philadelphia and lived with
his son-in-law, John Philip Boehm, Jr., until his death.
He was buried in the cemetery of the old Race Street German
Reformed church, the site of which is now included in the plot known as
Franklin Square.
Jacob Yost the immigrant had five children, two of whom died in
infancy. A daughter, Anna
Maria, married John Philip Boehm, Jr., son of Rev. John Philip Boehm,
founder of the historic Boehm’s Reformed church at Bluebell, Pa.
Daniel, the oldest son, married Elizabeth Spare.
Accurate data of the youngest son, Peter, have not been completed,
as no descendants of his are known to exist.
Prominent descendants of the Boehm branch are to-day found in
families bearing the names of Jones and Clayton.
Daniel Yost (2) and His Family
The ancestral name has been carried down thro’ the progeny of
Daniel Yost, of the second generation.
He had five children:
Jacob, Born December 12, 1761, died March 25, 1814;
Maria, born October 3, 1762, died November 26, 1840;
Peter, born January 28, 1765, died September 16, 1827;
Abraham, born March 9, 1767, died September 22, 1848;
Sarah, born January 18, 1772, died January 3, 1853.
In the list of taxables of Whitpain township in 1761 Daniel Yost is
returned as a blacksmith. He
became famed as a manufacturer of edged tools, mill-accessories, guns,
etc. He was an expert
mechanic. Entries in the
account-book [In possession of the writer.]
of work done in his shop show that he was equipped to meet the
demands for every class of iron and steel-work which the surrounding
communities required, such as the manufacture of sickles, scythes, and
other edged tools, cutting screws for all purposes, turning mill spindles,
making rifle-barrels from iron furnished by the customer, etc.
Much of the early history of the Yosts is co-extensive with that of
the Yost farm, or “Homestead,” which originally contained 95 acres,
was purchased by Jacob Yost September 10, 1740, and has remained in
unbroken possession of the Yost family ever since – a period of 166
years. This tract is situated
in Whitpain township, on the Yost road; it has latterly been known as
Yost’s saw and chopping mill, and “more than a century ago as Yost’s
shops and tool-factory.” [Detweiler] Jacob Yost deeded the property to his son Daniel November 27,
1768. During Daniel’s
ownership the original tract was increased to its present extent of over
130 acres by four subsequent purchases.
Not earlier than 1774, nor later than 1781, a saw-mill was built,
and an extensive business in that line was carried on in conjunction with
the tool-manufactory. It is
probable that about this time, or earlier, Daniel also erected the huge
cider-mill and press which did service for more than a century.
The ponderous press operated with wooden screws, 12 by 14 inches in
diameter, was removed less than two years ago.
Because of the enterprise and varied character of business carried
on at this place, also because of their public services, the Yosts during
Daniel’s career sprang into more than ordinary prominence.
That distinction did not cease at Daniel’s death (August 6,
1812), for his sons, Jacob and Abraham, were particular characters both in
public office and private life. Daniel
Yost by will bequeathed the property to his sons, Jacob and Abraham.
After Jacob’s death Abraham became sole owner until his death,
when it came into possession of his sister Sarah. After her death in 1853, it was purchased by Isaac Yost, a
nephew of the fourth generation, who further improved the premises by
erecting a grist-mill thereon. Issac
lived upon the ancestral estate until 1874, when he removed to his newly
built mansion at Center Square. Here
he died in 1891; however, he always retained possession of the
“Homestead” farm, and it is still the property of his undivided
estate.
Peter Yost (3) and His
Descendants
Of Daniel Yost’s children only one, Peter, embarked upon th
matrimonial sa. He, Peter of
the third generation, was married to Elizabeth Ziegler. The offspring of
this union were eleven children, all of whom married.
Nine reared families and left descendants, who at the present time
constitute the distinctive branches of the Yost family.
Ann Yost, of the fourth generation, married John Henricks, had
thirteen children, and left descendants to the eighth generation, bearing
the names of Henricks, Bechtel, Dare, Carson, Bateman, Bertolett, Cassel,
Yorgey, Herzel, Funk, Anders, Tyson, Latshaw, Klink, Vangorden, Lafferty,
Weiser, White, Moser, Hunsberger, Schlotterer and Hammel.
Elizabeth married Peter Reifsnyder and had no descendants.
Daniel married Juliana Missimer, had eight children, and left
descendants to the seventh generation, bearing the names of Yost, Harley,
Schwenk, Hallman, Wisner, Zimmerman, Baker and Keeler.
Jacob married Hannah Christman, had five children and left
descendants to the seventh generation, bearing the names of Yost, Krause,
Schaffer, Barlow, Binder, Scheffey, Borneman, Walt and Miller.
Abraham married Maria Christman, had seven children and left
descendants to the seventh generation bearing the names of Yost, Summers,
Murray, Fitzgerald, Querns, Platt, Herbert, Housenick and Smith.
Mary married George Grubb, had two children, and left descendants
to the seventh generation, bearing the name of Foster.
Michael married Johanna McCandless, has five children and left
descendants to the seventh generation, bearing the name of Yost.
Catherine married Robert Brooke, had eleven children and left
descendants to the seventh generation, bearing the names of Brooke,
Loughridge, Fenstermacher, Dengler, Bessemer, Jones, Vogel and Fryer.
Isaac married Mary Reiff, had three children and left descendants
to the seventh generation, bearing the names of Yost and Beyer.
Sarah married Leonard Metz and left no descendants.
Peter married Eliza Werkiser, had eight children and left
descendants to the seventh generation, bearing the names of Yost,
Freideborn, Missimer, Martin, Garber and Buck.
Families of Yost Kin – Yost
Reunions
Families of Yost kin are the most numerous in southeastern
Pennsylvania, in the counties of Montgomery and Philadelphia.
Representatives of the branches, however, are found in several
States and Territories of the Union.
The entire family and descendants of Michael Yost, who was stricken
with the gold-fever in the early fifties and emigrated to California, are
all residents of that State.
The early Yosts were quick in adapting themselves to the
institutions of our country. They
were alert with progressive ideas; were strong patrons of education and
always ready to respond with money or service toward the needs of the
community, or the larger affairs of public welfare.
In religious proclivities they were and are prevailingly identified
with the Reformed church.
The annual Yost family-reunion has been and institution for nine
years. The interassociation
of the several family-branches and the fellowship thus engendered has
proved a pleasant means of gathering much of the historic character of our
ancestors. Of that, there is
all reason to be proud. There
are prominent types thro’out the generations that have nobly conserved
the inherent strain of Yost integrity and honor, the presentation of whose
lives in the present sketch by the writer would be fulsome extolling.
It is enough for popular information to say there is something of
rarer quality in Yost history which historians, other than those of kin
have been pleased to note and to which they accord the meed of unqualified
praise.
Transcript of biographical article on Jacob R. Yost
by Ellwood Roberts:
Ellwood Roberts, ed., “Biographical Annals of
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.” New
York, N.Y.: T. S. Benham
& Company and The Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, Vol. 2, pp. 7-9.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
JACOB R. YOST.
The immigrant ancestor of the Yost family of middle Montgomery
county was Jacob Yost, who came from Germany in 1727, and purchased a
tract of land in the township of Whitpain.
In 1732, he married Elizabeth Shambough, also of German descent. He is named in the assessment list of Whitpain in 1734 as
owning eighty acres of land, some of which is still in the possession of
lineal descendants. There
were at that time but twenty-four landholders in the township.
Jacob Yost had several children, among whom was
Daniel Yost, great-grandfather of Jacob R. Yost, subject of this sketch.
He was born on the homestead at no great distance from where is now
the village of Centre Square. He
was reared on the farm and engaged in the business of weaving, then
carried on by the family, who introduced it into the township, it having
been established at first in a small log house, before the purchase of the
farm in 1732. After that time
it was carried on still more extensively.
The Yosts were also famed far and near for their sickles, scythes
and edge tools, which they manufactured from 1760 to 1816 at the old
homestead in Whitpain. These
implements were all forged by hand, and had an excellent reputation
wherever they were used. The
Yosts were among the earliest members of Boehm’s Reformed church at Blue
Bell, in Whitpain township, and they appear to have arrived in the colony
somewhat earlier than any of their German neighbors.
The name Yost is found on some of the most ancient tombstones in
its interesting old burying ground. Two
of the members of the family who lie buried there, held the office of
county commissioner, namely: Jacob
Yost and Daniel Yost. Six or
seven generations of the family have been members of the
church—including Jacob R. Yost.
Daniel Yost (great-grandfather) was born March
14, 1736. He married
Elizabeth Spear, also of that section of Montgomery county.
They had a number of children, one of whom was Peter.
Peter Yost, born on the homestead, January 28,
1765, was a farmer, and also engaged in the manufacture of scythes and
other edge tools. There was a
saw mill on the property, which has long been in ruins.
Peter Yost married Elizabeth Ziegler, of a well known Montgomery
county family of German descent. Among
the children of Peter and Elizabeth Yost was Isaac (father).
He was born at Crooked Hill, Limerick township, was educated in the
schools of the vicinity, and followed farming on the homestead for some
time, and learned the tanner’s trade with his uncle, Abraham Ziegler,
near Skippackville. Later he
removed to Berks county, where he followed tanning for seven years, then
returning to the old home near Centre Square, and in 1873 removed to
Centre Square, where he died at the age of eighty years, and where his
widow yet resides, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.
She was Miss Mary Reiff, of Skippack township.
The children of Isaac and Mary Yost were: 1. Abram, died in 1892; 2.
Michael, who died in 1871; he married Mary Fetter, and to them were born
the following children: Annie
C., who married Reuben C. Beyer, and they have one child; and J. Irwin,
single. 3. Jacob Reiff Yost.
When Jacob R. Yost was about eight years of
age, his parents removed from the upper end of the county where the father
had been engaged in business as a farmer, and returned to the homestead
near Centre Square. He was
born in New Hanover township, May 16, 1843.
He was educated in the schools of Whitpain, and completed his
education at Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College.
He then entered the store at Centre Square, kept at that time by
Ephraim Shearer, and remained there about three years.
He then engaged in the coal, feed and machinery business at Gwyendd
station, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad, where he was very successful
and had an extensive and profitable trade.
Having an opportunity to dispose of his business, he sold out,
purchased the store at Centre Square of Mr. Shearer, his former employer,
and conducted that business until the autumn of 1881.
Mr. Yost was a very active Democrat, which party had at that time
long been in the ascendant in Montgomery county, but from the year 1872,
when the celebrated Grant-Greeley contest had undermined Democratic
strength, was gradually losing its prestige.
Mr. Yost in 1880 was nominated by way of recognition of his efforts
in behalf of party success, for the office of county treasurer.
After a most active and energetic canvass of the county on both
sides, Mr.Yost was elected by one majority over his Republican competitor,
Samuel S. Daub, of Pottstown, in a poll of nearly twenty-five thousand
votes. He entered upon the
duties of the position on the first Monday of January, 1881, and after
closing out his business at Centre Square, removed with his family to
Norristown, where he has ever since resided, occupying a handsome
residence, No. 536 Swede street. He
served three years very acceptably in the position of county treasurer,
and after the completion of his term, was retained for another three years
in the office as deputy treasurer by his successor, Henry A. Cole.
He then engaged in the real estate business with Edwin S.
Stahlnecker, who had filled the office of sheriff of the county, as his
partner, the firm being Stahlnecker & Yost, with offices on Penn
street, near Swede, Norristown. The
firm was a success from the start, Mr. Yost’s extensive acquaintance
throughout the county and his knowledge of the value of property
contributing greatly to their prosperity.
The firm continued until 1893, a period of six years or more, and
was then dissolved by mutual arrangement, Mr. Yost purchasing his
partner’s share of the business, and continuing it on his own account.
He is one of the most successful real estate dealers in Norristown,
and is often called upon to testify as to the value of land and other
property in suits for damages and other cases where it is necessary to
have the judgment of experts, there being few men in the county whose
knowledge in such matters is equal to his own.
Mr. Yost has since removed his office to No. 305 Swede street, in
the Albertson building, having a very complete and well equipped suite of
offices.
Mr. Yost married, in 1876, Miss Josephine V.
Smith, daughter of Lorenzo D. Smith, a well known resident of Whitpain
township. Mrs. Yost was born
June 2, 1846. Her mother was
Jane Supplee, of an old Montgomery county family, who are descended from
Andreas Souplis (Andrew Supplee), a French Huguenot, whose ancestors were
driven from their native country by religious persecution, and who settled
in Germantown in the time of William Penn.
They have one child, Miss Mary, who is an artist of considerable
ability.
Mr. Yost is one of the best known citizens of
Norristown. Although a
lifelong Democrat his is not a partisan, and enjoys the confidence and
esteem of the whole community. He
remembers being told by his great-aunt, who lived to an advanced age, many
interesting traditions of Revolutionary times.
His ancestors at the old homestead manufactured rifles as well as
edge tools during the contest with the mother country, and these weapons
were used with good effect on the patriot side.
Some of these antique guns still remain in the neighborhood,
although, unfortunately, none of them are in the possession of the family. A tool used by the Yosts in Revolutionary times in reaming
out the barrels of the rifles was sold recently at a public sale in the
neighborhood for a few cents. At
the time of the attack by a band of Tories on the house of Captain Andrew
Knox, in Norriton township, February 14, 1778, an alarm was given to the
surrounding country, and a member of the Yost family set out for the
beleaguered mansion, but the enemy had been driven away before he reached
it with a stock of rifles intended for purposes of defense.
The marauders had retreated, and several of them wee afterwards
captured, two of them being hanged for their share in the transaction.
Mr. Yost is a member of Boehm’s Reformed church at
Blue Bell, but his wife and daughter are adherents of the Methodist faith,
being members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Norristown.
Mr. Yost’s ancestor, Jacob Yost, the immigrant, was a
brother-in-law of the Rev. John Philip Boehm, the founder of the Church,
and the Yost family have always been among its strongest and most
influential members.
Children of JACOB JOST and ELIZABETH SCHAMBAUGH are:
ANNA MARIA2 YOST, b. Abt.
1735; m. JOHN PHILIP BOEHM, JR, 02 August 1753, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
ii. DANIEL YOST, b. 14 March 1735/36; d. 06 August 1812, Whitpain township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania; m. ELIZABETH SPARE, 21 February 1760, Worcester, Pennsylvania.
iii. PETER YOST, m. SARAH.
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