PURPOSE OF PROJECT

The Herr family listed in the Genealogical Record of Reverend Hans Herr and His Direct Lineal Descendants by Theodore Witmer Herr have all been identified on Geni. There is a personalized placard on each descendent in the book. On the bottom of the placard is the descendant's family number as assigned by the author. This project is intended to supplement Theodore's book by including information on the profiles that he did not record; the addition of profiles born after he completed his book; and the correction of errors in his book.
This is meant to show respect for his work by including information that he did not have when he published the book in 1908. He seems to have anticipated that his work would provide the incentive for the collection and recording of updated information. This public domain book is available online (link is above) or for purchase from Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. The project author continues to update the profiles.

NOTES CONCERNING THE BOOK

Since Theodore Herr included family bibles and interviews in his research, many individuals are identified by nicknames; for example, Fanny for Veronica and Frances, Mary for Maria, Nancy for Anna, Harry for Henry, (more information here). Some surnames of spouses are phonetic spellings. There are some children assigned a number but left blank. There is an addenda of changes in the book that gets updated in newer editions. .

PROFILES ADDED TO PROJECT

In alignment with the project, it is intended that profiles added be those that indicate major differences from the book; have caused disputes within the tree (for example placement in the tree); are involved in genealogical controversies; or are subjects of our discussions. One particular issue in maintaining an accurate Herr lineage is the repeated use of ancestral names. Attaching the children to the correct Christian, Abraham, or Benjamin Herr requires caution and patience.

LINKS

Bishop Hans Herr on Geni

Theodore Herr's book (also in Photos and Documents)

Mennonite Life, formerly Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society

Lancaster County Historical Society

Reverend Hans Herr on Find a Grave

Lancaster PA Mennonite Vital Records 1750-1940 for Ancestry Members

PLACARD IDENTIFIER

A copy of the placards (original and supplement) are in the photo section of this project. I use "Paint" with Calibri, 32 to place number on placard. Please keep the placard as the main profile picture until all descendants within book are identified on Geni.

Copy of Placard

Copy of Placard Supplement

1. Descendants contained in the book are numbered from 1 (Reverend Hans Herr) to 13223 (Henry Miller). Note: Theodore Herr, the author, is number 4865.
2. Hans Herr's siblings and their families (located in the appendix) are coded with a letter followed by a number A1 to C115.
3. DESCENDANTS NOT LISTED IN BOOK: Since Theodore Herr's numbering system has very little relative meaning, a new method will be used for additions. New descendants will be numbered using the father or mother's number followed by a letter; ie. 11767A (letter "I" is skipped) is a child of 11767 from Theodore Herr's book. Their children will be assigned a number; i.e. 11767A1 is the grandchild of 11767 and the child of 11767A.. These placards include the word "Supplement" at the bottom.
4. "?" indicates the person is not in the book and needs further research or is possibly misplaced.
5. Numbers that are blank in the book are assigned a verified name (for assignment, see filled in blanks). I will organize that discussion by the page numbers from the book.

CONTROVERSIES

1. Hans Herr's Wife: Barbel Kendig, Elsbeth Loetscher, or Elizabeth Kendig

FAMILY EXPANSION

Herr family descendants that are pioneers in settlements in other areas of the country.

• John Herr (431), born September 19, 1794 in Strasburg Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, died May 9, 1869, East Mill Creek, Salt Lake, Utah. Listed as an 1847 Mormon Pioneer.
• Col. Benjamin Franklin Eshleman (4218), born Mar. 9, 1830 in Strasburg, Lancaster, PA and died Jul. 9, 1909 in New Orleans. Although born in the North, he joined the confederacy from New Orleans as Captain of the 4th company, the Washington Artillery. He was a leading member of the commercial activities of New Orleans. He was a charter member of the Pickwick and Boston Clubs, and several of the Carnival organizations; president of the Board of Trade, an officer in the National Hardware Association, prominent factor in the New Orleans Progressive Union; and president of the Louisiana Historical Society.

Historical Herr buildings

• 1719 Herr House, formerly Hans Herr House, The oldest homestead in Lancaster County. The 1719 Hans Herr House, built in that year by Christian and Anna Herr, is the oldest surviving house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest original Mennonite meeting house still standing in the Western Hemisphere.
• Edisonville / Herr Mill. Earliest mill on site was a saw mill, built 1759 to mid 1760's. The mill & property were sold to John Herr who in turn handed off to his son, Abraham, a "grist & saw mill. This 36'X 40' 3.5 story stone grist mill was built in 1768 by John Herr, and operated by Abraham until he died in 1800. John Herr, Abraham's son, started building the new 40'X 50' 3.5 story stone mill in 1822 and it was completed in that year by John's son & wife, Samuel & Fannie Herr. Henry Herr married Samuel's widow in 1839.
• Herr Homestead - The original 92 acre property was owned by members of the Herr family since 1844. Although the date stone on the house reads 1852, there is evidence that the north side of the house was erected earlier. The first family member to reside there was Henry Herr. Henry Herr and his wife Elizabeth raised 6 children at the homestead and eventually their son, Amos B. Herr took over farming the property and raising tobacco. Amos and his wife, Emma made major renovations to the house in 1913. They had one child, Amos Rohrer Herr who began managing the property in 1926 upon the death of his father.

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Jim Wile updated 4/12/2024