The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-08-19
GL0TFELTY FAMILY REUNION
A Large Number of This Connection
Net Near Salisbury.
Q the Editor of The Republican:

A reunion of the descendants Of this
ancient and highly respected family
was held on August 4, on the old GIot-
feltv farm about one mile south Of
Salisbury, Pa. About two hundred and
fifty representatives of the race were
present. The occasion was one of much
felicity, hospitality and good fellowship.
An excellent orchestra was present
and discowsed music during the day.
The needs Of the inner man was salts
fed byan abundant and bounufuI supply
of good things prepared by the sIillful
hands Of the GIotfelty danes,
Rev. S. c. Slower. of Salisbury. read
an interesting genealogical sketch Of
the remote ancestors, Other addresses
We're made by Rev. H. w. Beachler. of
Meyersdale; Mrs Martha Swauger and
Mrs. LYDIA Simmons of Illinois. Among
those in attendance from distance
were Mrs. Nettie May. of St. Louis.
Mo, daughter Of the late Mr.. Perry
Shultz and Lydia Shultz; Mrs. Lydia
Simmons, Of Jacksonville, ILL.,, and Mr..
Jesse Glotfelty, of McHenry, Md.
The GIotfelty race issues from Swift
zerland, and the earliest records extant,
057G, are found in the town of Glot-
falden, situated on the River Glatt. a
tributary of the Rhine. A beautiful
church built over two centuries ago
contains a record Of the births.and bap
tism Of the ancestors. The original
name was Glotfelder, but in some way
through the vicissitudes of time it be-
came changed to Glotfelty as it stands
today. A translation of the name
means Smooth River.
The most remote ancestor to come to
America was Casper, son Of Felix. who
came over in the year l743, settling in
York county, Pa, where many of his
descendants live to this day.
Solomon his eldest son, born in l73S is
the ancestor Of the family in Somerset
and adjoining counties. He was mar
ried to Maria Eva, daughter of John
Philip Fresh in the year 1868. Leaving
home the same year he tarrled a short
season in Baltimore and Hagerstown.
Md, finally making his way into Somer-
set county by Braddock S road. Turning
a little to the right he discovered a
beautiful tract of land on the slope of
Meadow Mountain upon which ne took
up his abode, calling it Green Park, "
and having for his neighbors the savage
Indians, wolves, panthers, bears, etc.
Here he lived useful life until his
death in the year 1918 in his 81 year.
The old German Bible brought over
from the Fatherland, over two hundred
year old, is still in existence. In it are
the birth entries; Of his four sons and
FIVE daughters as they were recorded
by the old Patriarch's hand in his Won
derfully quaint and unique style From
these children have sprung the immense
progeny which has spread to every
quarter of this fair land, The old
Patriarch was a blacksmith, as was
indeed all the early GlotfeItys. The
trade or profession seeming to descend
by inheritance.
No notice of the Glotieltys would be
complete whichs did not remark upon
their good citizenship and many excel
lent traits of character. May thesrace
long continue to fourish.and maintain
the standard of excellence and virtues
set by the forefathers. 1t is planned
to repeat the reunion next year on a
more elaborate scale.