Chosen Families Project # 31 : Andreas “Andrew” B. Gladfelter and the Glattfelder Family - RETURNED

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Chosen Families Project. I have been busy lately between work and my certificate program at Ramapo College for Investigative Genetic Genealogy, but I have been still finding photographs to return.

I recently had gone to one of my local antique stores where I recover photographs and discovered my first tin-type portrait with a name on it. Although no location was noted, the name of the gentlemen in the portrait was identified as Andrew B. Gladfelter. After some careful research, I was able to identify a relative of Andrew’s who was there 2nd great grand uncle and was able to return the photograph over to them. Based on his date of death to when tin types were population, this photograph is more than likely between 112-over a 150 years old! And it was recovered in a small antique store in NJ!

Here is Andreas “Andrew” B. Glatfelter’s story:

Andreas "Andrew" Boyer Gladfelter (also spelt Glatfelter and Glattfelder amongst other variations) was born on the 20 Nov 1837 in York Pennsylvania to parents Jacob Gladfelter (20 Feb 1798 - 9 Dec 1872) and Annie Mary ( I have also seen Annamay) Boyer (23 Oct 1905 - 11 Dec 1865). His parents were also born and had resided in York, Pennsylvania throughout their lifetimes. His parents had married sometime between 1823-1826, with the family noted as early as the 1830 census in Codorus, York, Pennsylvania. The couple had about 14 children, with Andreus, also called Andrew, was one of the middle children. Andrew was baptized on the 1 Jul 1838 in St Paul's United Church of Christ located in York, Pennsylvania. His father Jacob worked as a farmer during his lifetime.

One of the earliest census records I could find for Andrew were from the 1860 census, where Andrew was residing with his parents and siblings in North Codorus, York, Pennsylvania. By 1867, based on census records, he had married his wife, Sarah Ann Walker ( 22 Feb 1840 - 21 June 1919). By the 1870 census, Andrew was married, and had worked as a Dry Goods Merchant. His wife and brother Rudolph had resided with him in 1870. The couple would have no children throughout their lifetime. Between 1880- 1910 the couple would reside in North Codorous, York, Pennsylvania. Andrew was still a storekeeper in 1880. By 1900-1910, he had worked as a farmer, similar to his father. Andrew would pass away in North Codorous, York, Pennsylvania on the 23 Nov 1912 at the age of 74 years, 3 months, and 5 days from “a number of cerebral hemmorages each increasing in severity” and “extreme general debility” or what is now known as Asthenia , which is a term used to describe weakness. At this time, he noted as being retired, which likely meant that later in life, he had retired, and persued farming as it was likely a common occupation at that time period. He was buried in Saint Paul Union Cemetery in Stoverstown, York County, Pennsylvania on the 28 Nov 1912. Many of his siblings and descendants are buried in this cemetery as well.

Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1970 for Andrew Glatfelter

The Gazette | York, PA

Tue, Feb 27, 1912 ·Page 8

Although I could not find his wife Sarah’s death certificate, she had passed away according to her headstone on 21 June 1919 at the age of 79 years 3 months, and 28 days, likely in York County, Pennsylvania. I also located an article from the York Daily Record on, Jul 14, 1919 referring to Sarah’s estate. I could not locate her probate record at this time. Included below is this article as well as the couple’s headstone.

The relative had noted to me that that Andrew and the Glatfelter’s were descendants of Casper Gladfelter, who had immigrated from Switzerland to York County, PA. When researching, I found that there is a page dedicated to him called the Casper Glattfelter Association of America. They are also actively meeting for family reunions, with the 119th Reunion being held this year. They also provide scholarships to Glattfelter descendants for higher education. The York Daily Record, which had made notice of Sarah Ann Glatfelter’s probate, is still active today, and had written about the family being over 275 years old in the area. The article notes:

“The Glattfelders – or Glatfelters, Gladfelters, Clodfelters or Glotfeltys, among the variations across the country – hold a reunion at the end of July and have done so since 1906…Casper Glattfelder settled in the Seven Valleys area, near what became known as the Glatfelter station. Other branches of the family grew from here.”

From the website, here is the crest dedicated to the Glattfelder family. It notes “In 1911 the association adopted a family emblem which Samuel Glatfelter had designed. It featured American and Swiss flags, the years 1743 and 1906, keystone representing Pennsylvania, an American Eagle, and six edelweiss, one for each of Casper's sons.”

They are descendants of Casper Glattfelter, who was born on the 25 July 1709 in Glattfelden, Zurich, Switzerland. He had married his first wife Elizabeth Laufer on the 3 Apr 1731 in Glattfelden, Zurich, Switzerland. He had arrived in America in August 30, 1743 aboard the “Francis and Elizabeth.” His wife Elizabeth died soon after his arrival in 1743. He married his second wife Anna Maria Walter in about 1745 in York, Pennsylvania. Casper died in Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania in 1775 at the age of 65-66 years old. H His burial location is noted as Bupps Union Cemetery located in Seven Valleys, York County, Pennsylvania, USA. He leaves a long line of descendants who continue his legacy following his arrival in America in the mid-18th century. There is also a genealogical history compiled by Noah Miller Glatfelter, M.D, in 1901 recalling Casper Glattfelder and his descendants. Some of Casper’s children would go to serve in the Revolution War as well.

I am so grateful for the relative for letting me be able share the photograph with them as well as be able to tell their families legacy in America. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at thechosenfamiliesproject@gmail.com