Martin Greider (1718 - 1785)

Martin Greider's signature as it appeared on his will in 1785.

The Greider surname is of German descent, and has been translated into several variations, i.e. Crider, Croyder, Cryder, Grider, Greiter, Kreiter, Kryder, Krider.  The Greider's of my family are known to be of Pennsylvania Dutch, which simply means people of German descent, living in Pennsylvania.

Martin Greider was born in, or near Ittlingen, Germany about 1718.  Martin was the son of Michael Shenk Greiter/Kreiter and Barbara Graff/Groff.  Martin married Elizabeth Myers.  Martin was known for purchasing and selling land throughout Lancaster County, PA.  Martin was known to purchase the following land amounts:

• 17 Nov 1740: 300 acres from the heirs of Isaac Norris.  Primarily situated in Rapho Twp.
• 25 Apr 1761: 150 acres from John Reiff.
• 12 Jun 1766: 135 acres from his nephew, Michael Cryder.
• 11 Dec 1769: 226 acres from Michael Myer.
• 22 Mar 1784: 260 acres, known as the Musselman-Tate tract.

The Musselman-Tate tract is one of his most important purchases, as it kept his entire family close by, in Hempfield Twp, Lancaster Co, PA.  

Upon Martin's death, his final inventory was noted and accounted for.his religious library of books:

"The number of religious books and their titles strongly suggest that he was a minister or church leader, or even that church services were held in his home.  It doesn't seem likely that any person but an ordained man would have such a library."  

- Noah G. Good, of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society

"...based on the books in the inventory, Martin was most likely a minister, probably at the Landisville Mennonite Church.  The "Guilt Apple" is a Swiss-Mennonite devotional book, Golden Apples in Silver Bowls..."

- R. Martin Keen

"...Already in the 18th century, Lancaster Mennonites were publishing books with the intention of remembering and passing on a certain faith."

- Leonard Gross

A sermon book called Decknatels Sermons was one of several works by Johannes Deknatel, a Dutch Mennonite preacher and auther of many widely used spiritual and devotional books.  

Landisville Mennonite Meetinghouse

There is reason to believe that Martin served as minister at the above Landisville Mennonite Meetinghouse.   Martin died land-rich, and cash-poor, having deeds to 947 acres, but just £ 1.10.0 in cash. We know Martin was widely respected in the community, as his debts were only to others of very prominent status.  Presumably he took out loans, to purchase his large amounts of land.  Adam Reigart (1739-1813), was the owner of "The Grape" tavern, a popular gathering place of the wealthy.  The tavern was the used as the local gathering of organizations formed to carry on the local war effort.  Reigart was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1780.  Adam was offered the rank of colonel to command the battalions and forces of Pennsylvania, during the Revolutionary War, but he declined, stating he did not have enough war experience.

Another well to do gentleman that Martin owed to was John Hopson, a local shopkeeper.  Although a shopkeeper, his main occupation was to loan out money, and collect, almost an early form of banking, mortgages, etc.

Martin Greider was well-known and evidently well-respected in the rural community in which he lived as well as among the business and trading population in the borough of Lancaster.  He was likely a religious leader and tow of his sons, Martin and John, played significant roles in the development of the Chestnut Hill Mennonite community.  Martin also left a sound financial legacy to his family that would lead to further expansion of the family into the Rapho and Hempfield Township areas.

Martin Greider and Elizabeth Myers had the following children:

• Elizabeth Greider (b. abt 1750, married Henry Hershey)
• Veronica Greider (b. abt 1752, d. abt 1821; married Abraham Hershey)
• Michael Greider (b. abt 1755)
• Barbara Greider (b. abt 1758, d. abt 1795; married Samuel Nissley, a Mennonite Bishop)
• Anna Greider (b. 29 Sep 1758, d. 10 Oct 1813; married Martin Peifer)
• Martin Greider (b. abt 1760)
• John Greider (b. 17 Feb 1764)
• Jacob Greider (b. abt 1766)

Peter Gochenauer Greider (1822-1874)

Peter Gochenauer Greider was born on 24 Oct 1822 in East Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  He was born the son of Peter Greider and Elizabeth Gochenauer.  All of Peter's siblings took the mother's maiden name as their middle name.  Peter G Greider was married to Elizabeth Ann Spring.  On some census records and town maps, Peter's last name is shown as Krider/Kreider.  Peter's father was buried as Peter Greider, however his mother was buried as Elizabeth Kreider.

On 28 Sep 1848, Peter purchased, from John M. Bear, land on the north side of the Lancaster-Harrisburg Pike, nearby Jacob Minnich's hotel.  In the 1850 census, Peter Krider [sic] had real estate on this land valued at $600.  It is apparent that Peter was employed by his neighbor, Simon Minnich, at his hotel.  On H.F. Bridgens' 1853 map of East Hempfield, P. Kreider is shown as owning that land.

Peter sold this land in 1855 to John Landis.  He must have moved to the city of Lancaster, where in the 1860 Census, Peter was shown as a hotel proprietor.  Peter, along with Henry Bard, split the purchase of the Keystone Hotel on 01 Sep 1866, from Hugh M. North.  The hotel was a three-story brick building, on the west side of North Queen St, between Chestnut and Walnut Sts.

Peter G. and Henry Bard sold this property on 01 Apr 1871 to George Hurting, for $15,000.  The property was bought for $3,200 less than their selling price 5 years prior.  

Peter's father passed away 31 Aug 1871, and had bequeathed his residence in East Hempfield Twp, which was 38 acres, 119 perches, 2 story brick home, and barn.  Peter sold this property to his brother, Joseph on 18 Jan 1873.

Peter purchased a 2 story brick home, on the east side of N. Prince St, for $6,500 from Jacob and Maria Shirk.  This purchase was made on 26 Sep 1873.  Peter must have been aware that his alcohol abuse was taking a toll on his body, and that his death was around the corner.  As two months prior to his death, Peter sold his residence to his son Frank, whom transferred the property to his mother, Elizabeth.

The following news item appeared while Peter was living at this residence:

Found Dead - On Wednesday evenening, at 7 O'Clock, Christian Eshleman, the sexton at Grace Lutheran church, was found dead in the stable of Peter Grider [sic] by a young man named George F. Anderson.  It appears that he lived with Mr. Greider, and on Wednesday evening, about supper time he became very sick and vomited very much.  A son of Mr. Greider's carried the sick man to the stable, and laid him upon a bed, which he usually occupies at night.  In a short while afterward he was discovered lying stiff and cold, by Mr. Anderson, who immediately ran for Dr. Downey, who resides close by.  When the physician arrived, the man was a corpse.  Corner Bair was notified of the occurrence and summoned a jury, who, duly investigating the case, returned a verdict of "death by apoplexy".

 Without a written will, Peter passed away from intemperance (alcoholism), on 06 Feb 1874.  He is buried right along New Holland Ave, in the Lancaster Cemetery.

Peter and Elizabeth had the following children:

• Sarah Ann Greider (b abt 1848)
• Franklin B. Greider (b. abt 1850)
• Barbara Greider (b. abt 1852)
• Harry Greider (b. abt 1854)
• William Edward Greider (b. abt 1859)
• Catherine (Katie) Greider (b. 1863 - d. 1871)
• Mary Greider (b. 1865 - d. 1867)

(Quote on Tombstone: "He is not dead but sleepeth")