Homsher Reunion 1919 1919 - Homsher Reunion remembrance - Author unknown

More than one hundred years ago, to be exact, on the third day of January 1802, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, there was born to Daniel Homsher and Barbara Spare (Sparrin) a little boy.  Three years later on March 17, 1805, Elizabeth Haak was born.  (Have not been able to find out anything concerning the childhood and youthful days of either.)  On the tenth day of October, 1822, Samuel Homsher of the township of Worcester, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Haak of the same township and county were joined in marriage by George Wack, a Minister of the Gospel.

These two of whom the above sketch is written were Grandfather and Grandmother Homsher, the ancestors of the family, of which the reunion is being held today, and whose members number into the hundreds.  No one could truthfully say that the members of our family believe in race suicide, when once they look on our gatherings.  There were 70 grandchildren.

To Grandfather and Grandmother were born eleven children, namely:

Catherine married to Andrew Bushong
Joseph married to Mary Renkenberger
Abigail married to Moses Simon
Lydia married to Daniel Hendricks
Elizabeth married to Anthony DeHoff
Albert married to Matilda Geiger
Benjamin F. married to Julia Bixler
Matilda married to Dep Bixler
Emaline married to Conrad Bricker
Lavina married to Harrison Cramer
Mary Anna married to Jacob Geiger

All of the children named above grew to maturity and raised a family except one, Aunt Lydia Hendricks, but as one of the nieces remarked here several years ago, she had no children of her own, but loved all the children of her brothers and sisters.

Grandfather’s family were all born in Pennsylvania and Ohio and in 1851 they moved to Indiana, coming directly to Swan Township.

When the Civil War began, two of the sons, Albert and Benjamin F., enlisted serving 1861 - 1865 in the 5th Indiana Battalion.   Four younger daughters of the family married soldiers, Aunt Matilda Bixler being made a widow as a result of the war.

The War over, the ones who had served returned, taking up their old occupations.  All were farmers with the exception of two, Uncle Frank (Benjamin?) Homsher and Uncle “Coon” Bricker who were railroad men.

But time and age began to lay their claims on each and one by one the members of this large family began passing over.  Catherine Homsher Bushong died in 1865.  Joseph Homsher died in 187- (?).  Grandmother died in 1882, at the age of 77.  A year later in 1883, Grandfather followed her.  The children followed father and mother until 1914, when the last one we have been called on to give of the original Homsher family, Aunt Lydia Hendricks, was called home.  There still remain four daughters, Aunt Matilda Bixler, Aunt Emma Bricker, Aunt Lavina Cramer, Aunt Mary Ann Geiger as well as one daughter-in-law, Aunt Matilda Homsher to meet with us.

Five years ago, August 20, 1914, the First Annual Reunion of the Homsher family was held at the same place as our today’s meeting.  The meetings have been continued and as we meet together here from time to time, we are growing better acquainted and cementing the ties of family.

Grandfather and Grandmother Homsher were simple, honest, Christian people, being members of the Lutheran church for many years and at their deaths being laid away in the little cemetery of the Lutheran church at Bethlehem, near my home.

Since the Reunion in 1914, a number of our members have passed away, these members being Conrad Bricker, Adam Hess, Moses Simon, Mrs. Samuel Homsher, Eber Blanchard and Frank Bixler.