Bishop "Strong Isaac" Kolb

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ISAAC (STRONG) VAN SINTERN4 KOLB BISHOP (JACOB3, DIELMAN2, HENRICH1) (#441) was born in Skippack Twp, Montg. Co., Pa. 28 March 1711. ISAAC died 23 July 1776 in N. Wales, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 65.

He married twice. He married GEERTRAUTA ZIEGLER 11 July 1734 in N. Wales, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (GEERTRAUTA ZIEGLER is #1450.) GEERTRAUTA was born circa 1713 in Montgomery Co. PA, USA. GEERTRAUTA was the daughter of MICHAEL ZIEGLER REV. and CATHERINE. He married MARGARET KOLB (widow CUNRAD) after 1764 in N. Wales, Montgomery Co. Pa.. (MARGARET KOLB (widow CUNRAD) is #8475.) MARGARET was born 04 October 1723. She married CORNELIUS CUNRAD date unknown. MARGARET died 09 May 1809 in N. Wales, Montgomery Co. Pa., at age 85.

When Heinrich Funk died in 1760 he was replaced, in the office of bishop, by "Strong Isaac" Kolb of Rockhill. Isaac moved from hilly Rockhill to a flat area of Gwynedd in 1764, in the years when a new congregation was gathering at Plains.

A request in Dutch, by four leaders at Krefeld and Utrecht in Europe, was answered in Gennan on March 1, 1773, by three Mennonite Bishops- the brothers-in-law, Isaac Kolb, Andrew Ziegler and Christian Funk the younger.

ISAAC KOLB, son of Jacob Kolb, an immigrant from Europe and son-in-law of Andreas Ziegler, was a pioneer minister in the Skippack, Pa., congregation. He became the first resident minister and bishop in the Rockhill congregation, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was ordained to the ministry in 1743 and in 1761, he was ordained a bishop. It was on his farm that Rockhill Church was built. In 1773, together with Christian Funk and Andreas Ziegler, three prominent leaders in the Franconia Conference district, they wrote a detailed report of the Mennonite churches in America.

Part of an Address at the Annual Kulp Reunion in 1931 by John D. Souder, Noted Historian of Telford, Pennsylvania. Published in 1936 by a Committee of Descendants of Dielman Kolb, Sr.

"Bishop Isaac Kolb was the son of Pioneer and Deacon Jacob Kolb of Skippack. He was the first ordained preacher of the Mennonite Congregation of Rockhill, Bucks County. Penna. The information we have in this respect concerning him is from a letter signed by him. Andreas Zeigler and Christian Funk, dated March 1. 1773. to the Brotherhood in Crefeld, Germany, in which letter he states he was ordained preacher in 1744 and "confirmed." which means to the office of Bishop. He settled in Rockhill, located in Freetown in the Manor of Perkasie.

On January 20, 1736. Jacob Kolb of Skippack sold to his son. Isaac Kolb. 150 acres of land for which Isaac paid 90 pounds. On this tract is now located the town of Telford. The deed was witnessed by Michael Zeigler and Jacob Souder. The first deed has attached the "great seal of William Penn." Two days before this transaction took place, Jacob Kolb also sold 150 acres of land to his son-in-law. Michael Derstine, husband of Agnes Kolb. These two young married couples were the first settlers in the reputed Perkasie Manor in Rockhill Township.

In 1744. Isaac Kolb was ordained a preacher, and Michael Derstine a deacon. thus becoming the first officials of the Rockhill congregation. They erected the first house of worship in 1744. It was a log church and stood on the boundary line of their several tracts. The brick church of today is the fourth house of worship on this tract. The log church stood until 1776 when an addition was built to it. This second building stood until 1838.

Preacher Isaac Kolb was ordained bishop to take the place of Bishop Heinrich Funk who had died. In 1776. Bishop Isaac Kolb died and in his stead was ordained preacher Christian Funk. son of Heinrich Funk of Franconia. Bishop Christian Funk in his "Mirror For All Mankind" mentions Bishop Isaac Kolb several times in an account concerning some difficulties in the Church. The Revolutionary War was coming on and what the trouble was he did not disclose. as Bishop Isaac Kolb died before the trouble of Funk ripened.

Bishop Isaac Kolb married Gertrude Zeigler. daughter of preacher Andreas Zeigler of Skippack. He resided on the Rockhill tract until January 16. 1764. when he sold the homestead to preacher Samuel Bechtel of Saucon. Northampton County. Pa. for 900 pounds. It was known as the "preachers' homestead." six preachers having resided on the same farm since then. It appears that Bishop Isaac Kolb's wife died and the next we hear of him is in Gwynedd Township, Philadelphia County. in the region in which Lansdale is now located. It is quite probable that he was then affiliated with "The Plain" Congregation near that place.

Abstract of will of ISAAC KOLB Dated 7 August 1772 Proved August 7th. 1776. Recorded in Deed Book Q.. page 325. Philadelphia.

To my beloved Wife Margaret. all she brought from her first husband Cornelius Conrad. and the interest of 200 pounds. yearly, My estate of 134 acres is to be sold. My estate is to be divided to all of my children: Catherine wife of Samuel Moyer. Jacob, Children of Michael Kolb. Isaac. Elizabeth wife of Jacob Alderfer. Dielman. Susan. Gertrude. and Hannah. My son Isaac Kolb. and son-in-law Samuel Meyers. Executors. Witness my hand and seal the 7th day of August. 1772.

ISAAC KOLB (SEAL)

WITNESS: Michael Zeigler Margaret Weber Andrew Zeigler

Isaac Kolb lived on the "preachers' homestead" in Rockhill. Bucks County. from 1735-6 to 1764. when it appears his wife died. Soon after he married widow Cornelius Conrad. and moved to the Gwynedd section. Where he and his wife are buried is not known, He was an active church leader. instrumental in bringing settlers to the Rockhill community. and organizing a congregation. thus helping to make this land a "New Goshen" for his brethern.

ISAAC KOLB, was an extremely strong man, and was known as "Der Grosse Isaac" or "der sehr starke man" the very strong man. Incidents were recalled by Dr. John Overholt. "The Kulp ancestors were a strong, athletic people, some of them almost giants. It is related that Isaac Kulp (known as " Strong Isaac ") was a powerful man. It is said that when he was building a house, one day while at dinner, he was discussing with his workmen whether the cross beams could he hauled to the place with two horses, or whether four horses would he required. After dinner he walked out to where the timber lay, and shouldered it, and to the utter surprise of the workmen they saw him bearing the piece of timber on his shoulders. The fame of his strength was heralded far and wide throughout the neighborhood round about. He was a peaceably disposed man, and would not fight, though often challenged. When on a certain trip to Philadelphia, he stopped at a hotel over night, he came in contact with a bully, who challenged him to fight, which was declined, whereupon the bully branded him a coward and struck him in the face, which angered Mr. Kulp so that he grabbed the bully by both his arms near the shoulders and set him in a chair that squashed under him. When he arose from the floor both of his arms were powerless. The bully said he was satisfied with the experiment, and did not wish to fight with Kulp after that.

In 1800 two of Isaac Kolb's daughters emigarated to Canada with the large group headed by John Fretz. They were Hannah married to Mannaseh Fretz and Susanna married to Jacob Housser.

SOURCE of INFORMATION - KOLB, KULP or CULP FAMILY by Daniel Kolb Cassel. published in 1895 by Morgan R. Wills in Norristown Pa.

ISAAC (STRONG) VAN SINTERN KOLB BISHOP and GEERTRAUTA ZIEGLER had the following children:

• i. ABRAHAM5 (#42455) was born in Gwynedd Twp. Montg. Co. Pa..
• ii. GERTRAUT (#42456) was born in Gwynedd Twp. Montg. Co. Pa.. She married CHRISTIAN BERGEY date unknown. (CHRISTIAN BERGEY is #42458.)
• iii. DILLMAN (#42457) was born in Gwynedd Twp. Montg. Co. Pa..
• 104 iv. HANNAH.
• v. SARAH (#53966) was born in Gwynedd Twp. Montg. Co. Pa..
• 105 vi. CATHARINE ZIEGLER was born 1734
• 106 vii. MICHAEL was born circa 1735
• 107 viii. JACOB was born 16 April 1737
• 108 ix. ISAAC was born circa 1743
• 109 x. ELIZABETH was born 1748
• 110 xi. SUSANNAH was born 1756

She was born Abt. 1713 in Skippack Twp., Philadelphia Co Pennsylvania (now Montgomery County ), and died 1764.

Notes for Isaac Kolb:

Incidents by Dr. John Overholt:--The Kolb ancestors were a strong, athletic people, some of them almost giants. It is related that Isaac Kolb (known as "Strong Isaac") was a powerful man. It is said that when he was building a house, one day while at dinner, he was discussing with his workmen whether the cross beams could be hauled to the place with two horses, or whether four horses would be required. After dinner he walked out to where the timber lay, and shouldered it. and to the utter surprise of the workmen they saw him bearing the piece of timber on his shoulders. The fame of his strength was heralded far and wide throughout the neighborhood round about. He was a peaceably disposed man, and would not fight, though often challenged. When on a certain trip to Philadelphia, he stopped at a hotel over night, he came in contact with a bully, who challenged him to a fight, which was declined, whereupon the bully branded him a coward and struck him in the face, which angered Mr. Kolb so that he grabbed the bully by both his arms near the shoulders and set him in a chair that squashed under him. When he arose from the floor both of his arms were powerless. The bully said he was satisfied with the experiment, and did not wish to fight with Mr. Kolb.

More About Isaac Kolb and Geertrauta Ziegler: Marriage: July 11, 1734

Children of Isaac Kolb and Geertrauta Ziegler are:

• 135 i. Abraham4 Kolb, died Unknown.
• 136 ii. Dillman Kolb, died Unknown.
• 137 iii. Gertrude Kolb, died Unknown. She married Christian Bergie; died Unknown.
• 138 iv. Hannah Kolb, died Unknown. She married Mannassie Fretz; died Unknown.
• 139 v. Michael Kolb, born in Gwyeneed, Pennsylvania; died Unknown. He married Anna Rosenberger; died Unknown.
• 140 vi. Sarah Kolb, died Unknown.
• + 141 vii. Susanna Kolb, died Unknown.
• 142 viii. Catharine Kolb, born Abt. 1735; died Unknown in Hilltown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She married Samuel Meyer; born June 10, 1734 in
• Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; died Abt. 1800 in Hilltown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
• + 143 ix. Jacob Kolb, born April 16, 1737; died Abt. 1804 in Doylestown, Bucks County., Pennsylvania.
• 144 x. Isaac Kolb, born 1743; died Unknown. He married Catherine Meyer; died Unknown.
• 145 xi. Elizabeth Kolb, born 1748; died 1827. She married Jacob Alderfer; born January 05, 1738/39; died July 06, 1797. 34.

1. ID: I021824

• Name: Isaac "Strong Isaac" * Kolb
• Sex: M
• Title: Bishop
• Birth: 28 MAR 1711 in Skippack Twp, Philadelphia Co (now Montgomery Co, ) PA
• Death: BEF 7 AUG 1776 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA (will proven 7 Aug 1776)

Note:

The Kolbs were a strong, athletic people, some of them almost giant s. It is related that Isaac Kolb was a powerful man. It is said that wh en he was building a house, one day while at dinner, he was discussing wi th his workmen whether the cross beams could be hauled to the place with t wo horses, or whether four horses would be required. After dinner he walk ed out to where the timber lay, and shouldered it, and to the utter surpri se of the workmen they saw him bearing the piece of timber on his shoulder s. The fame of his strength was heralded far and wide throughout the neig hborhood round about. He was a peaceably disposed man, and would not figh t, though often challenged. When on a certain trip to Philadelphia, he st opped at a hotel over night, he came in contact with a bully, who challeng ed him to fight, which was declined, whereupon the bully branded him a cow ard and struck him in the face, which angered Mr. Kolb so that he grabb ed the bully by both his arms near the shoulders and set him in a chair th at squashed under him. When he arose from the floor both of his arms we re powerless. The bully said he was satisfied with the experiment, and d id not wish to fight with Kolb after that. (From Kolb, Kulp or Culp Fami ly History, by Daniel Kolb Cassel, 1895.}

Will Abstract: KOLB, ISAAC, of Gwynedd, Phila. Co. Yeoman. August 7, 1772. August 7, 177 6. Wife: Margaret. Children: Catherina (wife of Samuel Meyer), Jacob, Michae l, Isaac, Elizabeth (wife of Jacob Altderffer), Dielman, Susannah, Gertra nt and Hannah. Execs.: son Isaac and Samuel Meyer. Witnesses: Michael a nd Andrew Ziegler and Margaret Weber. (Q:325)

Father: Jacob Kolb b: 21 MAY 1685 in Germany

• Mother: Sarah Van Sintern b: 6 JAN 1690 in Netherlands
• Marriage 1 Gertrude \ Gertrauta Ziegler b: ABT 1713 in Philadelphia Co (now Montgomery Co, ) PA
• Married: 11 JUL 1734 in PA & resided Gwynedd Twp, in what is now Montgomery Co

Children

• 1. Catherine Kolb b: ABT 1735 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 2. Jacob Z. Kolb b: 16 APR 1737 in Montgomery Co, PA
• 3. Michael Z. Kolb b: ABT 1739 in Philadelphia Co (now Montgomery Co, ) PA
• 4. Abraham Kolb b: ABT 1741 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 5. Sarah Kolb b: ABT 1744 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 6. Dielman Kolb b: ABT 1746 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 7. Elizabeth * Kolb b: ABT 1748 in PA
• 8. Isaac Kolb , Jr b: ABT 1750
• 9. Gertrude Kolb b: ABT 1752
• 10. Susannah Kolb b: ABT 1755 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 11. Hannah Kolb b: ABT 1757 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA

Marriage 2 Margaret (nee unknown) Kolb b: BET 1710 AND 1750

Married: AFT 1764 in PA

Cassel, Daniel Kolb(, b. 1820-?) , A genealogical history of the Kolb, Kulp or Culp family: and its branches in America , 1895 Publisher: Norristown, Pa. : Morgan R. Willis , pg. 151 - 152. "A genealogical history of the Kolb, Kulp or Culp family : and its branches in America, with biographical sketches of their descendants from the earliest available records ...". "

CHILDREN OF No. 1200. ISAAC K0LB3, of JAC0B of Dillman

• 4 1209 1 Catlharine Kolb, m. Samuel Meyer, a son of Christian and grandson of the pioneer, Christian, of Salford.
• 4 1210 2 Jacob Kolb, m. Elizabeth Fretz ; he was born 1737; died about 1804; Doylestown, Bucks county, Pa.
• 4 1211 3 Michael Kolb, ni. Anna. Rosenberger ; three children, Helena, Isaac and Barbara ; he was born in Gwynedd, Pa.
• 4 1212 4 Isaac Kolb, m. Catharine Meyer.
• 4 1213 5 Elizabeth Kolb,h. 1748; d. 1827; m. Jacob Alderfer, b. January 5, 1739; d. July 16, 1797 ; her father willed to her six pounds extra because she served him faithfully during his widowerhood and sickness ; see will, made 1772, witnessed by Michael Ziegler, Margaret Weber and Andrew Ziegler, proven August 7, 1776, recorded in Book 2, page 325, Philadelphia ; Jacob Alderfer resided in Lower Salford, Montgomery county, Pa., and was the son of Frederick Alderfer, who was born in the Palatinate, in Germany, on the 18th of May, 1 715, and came to America in the ship "Samuel," August 11, 1732, and married the young widow Klemmer in 1738; her maiden name was Ann Detweiler.
• 4 1 214 6 Abraham Kolb.
• 4 1215 7 Dillman Kolb.
• 4 1 2 16 8 Sarah Kolb, m. ; it is said she had a daughter Margaret, b. May 11, 1779, who married Abraham Hoch, of Canada, and had one child, Maria, b. March 7, 181 5,. who married Bishop Dillman Moyer, of Canada.
• 4 1 217 9 Susanna Kolb, m..]Jacob Housser; had seven children. It is said that Susanna was married first to Michael Moyer.
• 4 1218 10 Gertrant Kolb, m. Christian Bergie ; have five children.
• 4 1219 11 Hannah Kolb, m. Mannassie Fretz ; have four children."

The Kolbs were a strong, athletic people, some of them almost giants. It is related that Isaac Kolb was a powerful man. It is said that when he was building a house, one day while at dinner, he was discussing with his workmen whether the cross beams could be hauled to the place with two horses, or whether four horses would be required. After dinner he walk ed out to where the timber lay, and shouldered it, and to the utter surprise of the workmen they saw him bearing the piece of timber on his shoulders. The fame of his strength was heralded far and wide throughout the neighborhood round about. He was a peaceably disposed man, and would not fight, though often challenged. When on a certain trip to Philadelphia, he st opped at a hotel over night, he came in contact with a bully, who challenged him to fight, which was declined, whereupon the bully branded him a coward and struck him in the face, which angered Mr. Kolb so that he grabbed the bully by both his arms near the shoulders and set him in a chair that squashed under him. When he arose from the floor both of his arms we re powerless. The bully said he was satisfied with the experiment, and did not wish to fight with Kolb after that. (From Kolb, Kulp or Culp Fami ly History, by Daniel Kolb Cassel, 1895.}

Will Abstract: KOLB, ISAAC, of Gwynedd, Phila. Co. Yeoman. August 7, 1772. August 7, 177 6. Wife: Margaret. Children: Catherina (wife of Samuel Meyer), Jacob, Michael, Isaac, Elizabeth (wife of Jacob Altderffer), Dielman, Susannah, Gertrant and Hannah. Execs.: son Isaac and Samuel Meyer. Witnesses: Michael a nd Andrew Ziegler and Margaret Weber. (Q:325)

Will Abstract: KOLB, ISAAC, of Gwynedd, Phila. Co. Yeoman. August 7, 1772. August 7, 177 6. Wife: Margaret. Children: Catherina (wife of Samuel Meyer), Jacob, Michae l, Isaac, Elizabeth (wife of Jacob Altderffer), Dielman, Susannah, Gertra nt and Hannah. Execs.: son Isaac and Samuel Meyer. Witnesses: Michael a nd Andrew Ziegler and Margaret Weber.

[NI01254] Big Isaac Kolb, as he was known far and wide, said to have been over six feet four inches tall, was an exceptionally strong man physically. He was known as "Der Grosse Isaac, der sehr starke Mann" i.e., "Big Isaac, the very strong man." (Custer book p. 124, Alderfer p. 59) Although many stories have been told of his feats of strength (see Cassel Family p. 149), he was by nature gentle. His hand writing was excellent and he seems to have been well educated for his time. He resided at Rockhill until he and his wife Gertude conveyed the messuage with 150 acres to preacher Samuel Bechtel of Saucon, on Jan. 16, 1764, for 900 pounds. Thereafter it became known as "the preacher's homestead," six preachers having occupied the same farm, lately the Landis brothers' farm, now part of Telford. Isaac Kolb removed to Gwynedd Township. After Gertrude died, he purchased a farm of 134 acres, located near the Plain Meetinghouse at Lansdale and thereafter seems to have been affiliated with the Plain congregation. He married a second wife, Margaret (Weber?) the widow of Cornelius Conrad.

--They moved to Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania ... called North Wales. --Stories from the Kulp Family Book (page 149). Isaac was an extremely strong man and was known as "Der Grosse Isaac", or "der sehr starke man" -- the very strong man. --The KULP ancestors were a strong, athletic people, some of them almost giants. It is related that Isaac KULP (known as "Strong Isaac") was a powerful man. It is said that when he was building a house, one day while at dinner, he was discussing with his workmen whether the cross beams could be hauled to the place with two horses, or whether four horses would be required. After dinner he walked out to where the timber lay, and shouldered it. and to the utter surprise of the workmen they saw him bearing the piece of timber on his shoulders. The fame of his strength was heralded far and wide throughout the neighborhood round about. He was a peaceable disposed man, and would not fight, though often challenged. When on a certain trip to Philadelphia, he stopped at a hotel over night, he came in contact with a bully, who challenged him to fight, which was declined, whereupon the bully branded him a coward and struck him in the face, which angered Isaac so that he grabbed the bully by both his arms near the shoulders and set him in a chair that squashed under him.

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jul 1 2023, 13:58:38 UTC