Bios:  Conrad, Franklin Gesford,  Indiana Co, PA

SUBJECT: CONRAD, Franklin Gesford
SUBMITTER: E.K. Warner
EMAIL: wgene@twd.net
DATE: Mar 28, 1999
SURNAMES: Conrad, Conards, Conraths, Dill, Disert, Evans, Hileman, Mattern,
Nippes, Rowland, Sanderson, Schwartz, Shank, Stephens, Swearington, Tomb
as recorded by Prof. J. T. Stewart in ;Indiana County, Pennsylvania - Her
People, Past and Present.
Published by J. H. Beers & Co., 1913 Reformatted by E.K. Warner, March,
1998

FRANKLIN GESFORD CONRAD, a farmer of Buffington township, was born there
Oct. 29, 1859, in a log house owned by his father, William Stephens Conrad.

The earliest Conrad of which there is any definite record, was Conrad Conrad,
who came to Lancaster county, Pa., from Germany, long prior to the Revolutionary
war. He had twelve sons, and from them have descended practically all the
Conrads, Conards and Conraths in Pennsylvania, and many in other States.

Daniel Conrad, one of the twelve sons of Conrad Conrad, married Elizabeth
Shank, and moved to Huntingdon county, Pa., where there is yet an extensive
family connection.

Samuel Conrad, son of Daniel Conrad, became a Baptist minister, and also
followed farming to a considerable extent. He left: Huntingdon county for
Indiana county, in 1838, bringing his family in a covered wagon, and driving
his cattle in front. Settling first on what is now the Stephens farm, at
Dilltown, he later traded it for one owned by William Stephens, now known
as the Conrad farm. Before leaving his old home Rev. Mr. Conrad had married
Catherine Mattern, of Huntingdon county, and they had the following children
: Elizabeth married George Dill; Jane married John Rowland; Mary Ann married
James Evans; Daniel married Lydia Dias; Catherine married Adam Altimus;
Rebecca married James C. Dill; William S. is mentioned below; Alvira married
Sampson Stephens; Harriet married Samuel Schwartz; Samuel, who married
Annie Disert, became a physician, and,lived at Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

William Stephens Conrad, son of Samuel H. Conrad, was born April 27, 1832,
and died Jan. 22, 1911. He married Lucinda Evans, born March 6, 1833, daughter
of John and a Eliza (Sanderson) Evans, who survives him and makes her home
with her son, Franklin Gesford Conrad. Children as follows were born
to William S. Conrad and wife: Flora, born July 27, 1857, married G. W.
Nippes, and resides at Johnstown, Pa.; Frank G. is mentioned below; Ella
C., born June 9, 1862, married Charles Swearingen, a farmer of Brushvalley
township; Lucy Adelia, born July 21, 1865, married Hugh Tomb, and died
June 15, 1897; Emma C., born Aug. 3, 1868 married Charles Hileman, of Brushvalley
township, and died Feb. 24, 1889; Lizzie B. born Oct. 15, 1871, married
Benjamin D. Hileman, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

William S. Conrad moved to Buffington township with his parents when but
six years old, so that he was practically reared there. Although the schools
were somewhat primitive and conducted upon the subscription plan, he learned
rapidly and made good progress, and at the same time made himself useful
about the homestead. While at home with his parents he helped to clear
off the land, the timber being made into barrel staves, sometimes called
shooks. As he grew older he took an active part in the work of the Baptist
Church, which he had joined, and became a deacon in that body, holding
that office for forty years in the church of that faith in Brushvalley.
Later he was one of the founders of the Dilltown Baptist Church, and became
one of its first trustees. From the formation of the Republican party,
he gave its principles his hearty support, and was often called upon to
represent it in different offlces. For many years he served on the election
board, was a school director for fifteen years, and a justice of the peace
for five years, and in every way sought to do his full duty as a Christian
citizen.

On Aug. 20, 1906, Mr. Conrad and his estimable wife celebrated their golden
wedding, and the occasion was a most enjoyable event, attended by a large
concourse of relafives and outside friends. It was then hoped that the
aged couple might be spared to celebrate their diamond wedding, but these
hopes were destined not to be realized, as Mr. Conred died within five
years.

Franklin Gesford Conrad, son of the late William S. Conrad, was sent to
the local schools and those of Dilltown. He remained at home with his parents
until the death of his father, when he bought out the other heirs and has
since conducted the farm of 130 acres, devoting it to general farming,
stock raising and dairying. Without doubt he is one of the most progressive
agriculturists of his township, and one who stands high in the estimation
of his neighbors. On Sept. 28. 1909, Mr. Conrad,s home was destroyed by
fire, but before the first of the following year he had erected a new one,
built upon modern plans, and supplied with conveniences that make it rank
with any city dwelling.

Mr. Conrad was married to Emma Elizateeth Tomb, daughter of Washington
and Mary
(Ling) Tomb, and she died Aug. 24, 1907. They had the following children:
Mary Lucinda, born Sept. 15, 1891; William Washington, born Aug. 31, 1893;
Charles Spergin, born Jan. 4, 1896; Elizabeth May, born June 19, 1899;
and Russell Franklin, born Nov. 6, 1902.

Mr. Conrad has been active politically, having served on the election board
for years, for fifteen years as school director and for five years as supervisor.
He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, which he serves as trustee.



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