Ferdinand Stotler was a native of Bavaria. As a young officer serving under Maximilian Emanuel, the elector of Bavaria, he rendered such distinguished services at the storming of Belgrade in 1688 during the Turkish invasion of Austria, that he was knighted by the prince. When the Elector Max Emanuel was appointed governor of the Spanish Netherlands by Charles II of Spain, Sir Ferdinand accompanied his patron thither. His eldest son, Max Emanuel, was named for the elector, and it is from the three sons of this Max Emanuel, Rudolph, Casper and Jacob, who came to America about the middle of the 18th century, that the local Stotlers trace their descent.

SEEK PEACE HERE
In the winter of 1748, Rudolph and Casper Stotler, tired of the torment endured in their native Wurtemberg, Germany, during the Thirty Year's War which ravaged South Germany, decided to come to America.

They travelled with a group of immigrants called Palatines, from Wurtemberg to Philadelphia and settled in Antrim Township. Both entered military service and served with distinction.

It is not known exactly what year the Stotlers came to Penn Township, some say 1759. However, Casper located on Frankstown road, and his brother Rudolph on a farm between the present Mt. Hope Cemetery and Alcoma Country Club. He donated part of his farm for that very cemetery in which he lies buried.

JACOB STOTLER.
Sometime after 1755, a brother of Rudolph and Casper, Jacob Stotler came to America. Besides serving as Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolution, he maintained a large farm in Franklin County. After the Revolution he was completing plans to migrate westward to a large tract of land which he had purchased in Penn Township, when he was killed in an accident on his farm.

His widow determined to carry out his plan, and in 1791, brought her family of seven small children to Penn township. Picture, if you can, this courageous woman setting out on this journey over the mountains alone, and the hardships she must have endured before she and her little family arrived safely. Her oldest son, Emanuel, was only 14 at the time.

The old Conestoga wagon in which the journey was made stood in the barnyard of her grandson, Emanuel Stotler Jr., until the sale following his death in 1902, and when not absent on an annual trip to the cider press, served as a splendid play-house for his children.

With the aid of her family, the Widow Stotler set to work to carve a home out of the virgin forest, clearing the land, plowing, sowing and reaping. She died in 1809, living to see her children well settled, and useful citizens of the community.

"EMANUEL'S CHOICE"
Her eldest son Emanuel, purchased his mother's farm after her death. It was known as Emanuel's choice, and three successive homes have been occupied by the family on this property. The first two were log houses, and the third a large white fram Colonial house, built in 1872, which stands at the intersection of the Saltsburg and Universal roads.

At the age of 21, in 1799, Emanuel Stotler married Miss Elizabeth Bowman, whose parents had formerly lived in Lancaster County. He always remained on the home farm, and served as school director, assessor, and tax collector. He died in 1868, survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and thirteen children, whose many decendants are present day residents of Penn Township and nearby communities.

"Emanuel's Choice" has remained in the hands of the descendants of Jacob Stotler until the present year when the homestead was sold to Sampson Brothers for their new development, "Ridgefield".

Last change: 11 May 2006