Wilhelm IMLER

                   IMLERS THOSE THAT WENT BEFORE, LEAST WE FORGET
DEDICATION
This Chronicle is dedicated to the memory of all the Isaac R. Imler Clan and specifically the memory of my mother, Dorthy Jewel "Imler"Dopson.

SPECIAL THANKS TO

The Pioneer Historical Library, Genealogical Section of Bedford, Pa.  The Broderbund Family Archive/Genealogical Data for ComputerSystems.    Specifically, I would like to recognize the following Imler Descendants that gave of their time to provide personal family information.  (Barbara June McMahon Lorensen, Lu Ann Berkheimer Hengler,Bob & Lynne Wagner, Frances Pearl Kidwell Davenport, Cindy Imler Bevers, Dave Williams, Deborah Imler Hutchison, Donna Donna Hoekstra, Chester"Chet" Feathers, Durley Don Imbler, Elizabeth Haverstock Rice,  PeggyColleen Rauch  Palumbo,  Helen Yager Mumm, Kelly Joseph Horner, Laurie Anne Taylor Jones, Leroy Imler, Nancy Jane Fisher Gouchnour, Richard L. Imler, Roger Dubuc, William Stephens, Glenna Durr, Sharon Lee Oaks Paugh, Joyce Glover, Toni Louise Rande Oatway, Paul W. Imler, David S. Imler,Ramona Lynne Householder Myers, Billy Roy & Julia Imler, Alan L. Imler, Debra Orner, Dwight Hoy, Georgene Naomi Crissman Kilpatrick, Larry Smith,Marvin Persinger, Paul Embler, Paul Ernest & Loretta Mann, Paul Edward Mayberry & Nancy Ann Carter Mayberry, Trisha Elayne Kellenberger Klock,William H. Cooper,
Nancy Lee Evans Plummer, Bonnie Lee Scott Parsons, Max Myover, Charles Richard Emler, Lloyd F. Embler, Connie Imler Feathers, and Linda Cyburt. If I have missed someone, I surely beg your pardon, it wasn't on purpose and I surely want to be told about it.)

INFORMATION COMPILED BY

Michael Imler Dopson
2272 Brookpark Road
Pensacola, Florida 32534

PROLOG

In the time I've been putting together this Chronicle, my mind set has gone through a change from one just collecting data into one of intense interest as though reading a really exciting and good book.

Early life in Colonial America was extremely difficult. Pennsylvania was the beginning frontier. The mountains were rugged, the forests deep and bewildering and sometimes the locals were right down unfriendly, leading to some real hair raising situations.

Mortality rate among young Imlers was 20% from newborns up to 10 years of age.  From 10 to 20 years the mortality rate was 5 %.  If theImler reached 25 years, his/her life span was generally 75-85 years.Common child diseases such as chickenpox, measles, mumps and often the so called common cold attributed to 85% of most childhood deaths of children under 5 years.  Life then was no picnic, other than cold winter nights, this death rate of children probably impacted on large family numbers reaching to 10-15 children born, since no one had a clue how many children would survive to adulthood.

Due to lack of eligible members of the opposite sex, marriage between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th cousins with same last name of Imler or different last name was very common, occurring once every 20-22 marriages through the 17-1800's and even continuing in a much lesser degree into the 1930s and 40s.  This wasn't unique with just the Imlers, it occurred in many areas of the Eastern and South Eastern part of America where families settled in remote areas and stayed put for 2-3 generations.There weren't enough young men and women of dis-associated families to go around in the rural and mountain areas.  I'm convinced that out of these relationships the phrase "Kissin' Cousins" was coined.  The Imlers certainly exercised this phrase to the fullest.  In listing descendants of these marriages the children were listed under the father's side of the family tree.  So it would be possible to see duplicate listings,i.e.  Sam Imler married Jane (Cousin) Imler and then see another listing of Jane Imler married to Sam (Cousin) Imler.  Children from that marriage would be listed under Sam's family tree not Jane's.

Descriptive words and phrases describing the early Imlers such as courageous, adventurers, pioneers, people of great character, faith in Jesus Christ and a sence of inter self ---comes immediately to mind when studying these people.  The early Imlers made up the original ground breakers of this country.  Imler women were captured by the Indians and held for as much as nine years.  Imler's had one of the most famous Indian fighters known in early Colonial America.  Imler's fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War, fought and died in the War of 1812 against the British, fought and died on both sides in the War Between The States.  Imlers fought and died in both World War I and II, Korea and two descendants fought in all four major campaign periods in Vietnam.  At least three Imler descendants went to Desert Storm and there is no doubt that when the need arises other Imlers or descendants of Imlers will represent their country again when needed.  Anyone bearing the name of Imler or having the Imler blood flowing through their veins should look back on their ancestry with respect and pride, hopefully conducting their own lives in such a manner so as not tarnish this image.

While our founding fathers were German, the name Imler is not.  It is an American original, existing no place else.  It was formed from the German name Emler, which is formed from the German word meaning Bee, or in other words a worker of Bees--- a "Bee Keeper".  Many 1st and last names were changed when arriving upon America's shores.  Since most of the early settlers were English, it was generally done to conform to easier English pronunciation of names or to be assimilated into the predominate English culture.  Whatever the reasons Wilhelm Emler changed his name to William Imler, Erric Mens Emler changed his name to George Mark Imler, Johannas Emler to John Imler and Jak Marcus Emler to Jake Mark Imler.  The first female generation to arrive on America's shores kept the spelling of their first name but changed the spelling of their last name from Emler to Imler.

THE IMLER STORY

CHAPTER -1

Some time prior to September 27, 1732 the Emler Clan probably met in their family home in Palentein Area of Bavaria, Germany to discuss their family's future.  Moving to America most likely had been a general topic for sometime, but now it was being considered in earnest.  Since Wilhelm Emler's (Abt. 1678) health was declining and his years more advanced, if for no other reason, they needed someone to spearhead this venture, find a place to settle, then send back for the others.  The most likely person to lead this adventure was the oldest son, Marcus Emler**.  Marcus Emler departed Europe on the ship "Mary" and arrived in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 27, 1732.  After locating a favorable place to settle Marcus sent for the rest of his family; father Wilhelm Emler, wife Esther Anna Emler with their one year old daughter Barbara Emler, brothers; Ludwig Emler, Johannas Emler and sisters; Catharine Emler and Sabina Emler.They arrived in Philadelphia October 11, 1733 on the ship "Charming Betty".  The decision to change the name from Emler to Imler was made prior to Marcus departing Europe since the name recorded on both ships manifest was Imler.  The ships manifest listed the original German first names, so the adoption of English first names was probably post arrivalin America.

The ships log of the "Charming Betty" listed Wilhelm Imler in ill health during the ocean passage and nothing is known documenting what happened following his arrival in Philadelphia, Pa.  His son Ludwig (*) is lost in the passage of time.  Both Marcus Imler aka George Mark Imler and John Imler AKA Johannas Emler survived to lead fascinating and productive lives.
(*)  In April of 2000 information was provided concerning Ludwig Imler. He married and had at least two children of record.
(**) In July of 2001 information was provided by Marvin Persinger that changed the whole complexion of facts known about Marcus Imler.  See notes section under Marcus Imler for explanation.
(***)     Previous to 12/21/2001 Durley Don Imbler told me about the below and recomfirmed it in this e-mail dated 12/21/2001:
Hi Mike.  In answer as to where I came up with the info on Willhelm Imler I offer the following. While rummaging through the records at the Cleveland ,  Ohio Historical Society I ran across the following notationin a publication  titled "Abstracts from Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette-1728-1748". The interesting notation was as follows: " The following who made an accord with Danial Flexney, merchant in London, and were brought to America by Caption Johan Ball, are to pay what they owe or be prosecuted"  The notation was dated 19 December 1734 and Willhelm Imlers name was listed.  I found no record that suggested that the bill was ever paid.  There is the possibility of course that Willhelm had died                                  by this time.  Hope this helps.  durley

CHAPTER-2

John Imler (abt 1726) also nicknamed Jack Imler paid taxes in Bedford Co., Pa. in 1771-73 for land on Top of Snake-Spring Mountain.

John married at the age of 24, chiefly occupied as a hunter and trapper, he built a cabin and cleared a few acres of land for crops to support his growing family of wife, name unknown, and two children, Henry Imler (born 1752) and John Imler II (born 1754).  Returning from a hunt he found his cabin burned to the ground and his wife killed and scalped by Indians.  What happened to the children here is in question.  The boys may have been taken captive by the Indians, as was the Indian custom, such as their cousin Eve Imler was, or they could have been away from home. There is some question concerning the attack on the above home whether Henry Imler and John Imler II are the two children mentioned, if they are not, then John Imler was married twice and Henry and John II were the product of the a second marriage.  Then the fate of the first two children would be unknown.  In either case John wandered the mountains for days in a daze over his loss.  When he got over the shock he was in the Lancaster, Pa. area.  Going into Lancaster to recuperate he had a local gunsmith make him a double-barreled rifle.  With much practice he was soon able to hit a squirrel at a hundred paces. (Around 250-300 yards depending how long a stride the pacemaker had.  Anyone tha thas ever hunted to any extent knows that hitting a squirrel consistently at that distance with open sights is no small accomplishment.)  When hereturned to his former home and he changed his occupation to revenge,"Indian Killer".  His fame and his rifle expertise were soon known for miles around.  A wealthy landowner visited him one day, offering him a large section of Southern Morrison Cove in trade for his rifle.  John's answer was, "How many Indians will that Land Kill?"

During this same period of time, in the same geographical location, with same vendetta towards Indians another character emerges as an Indian Fighter.  He is known by the names of Black Jack, Captain Jack, The Black Rifle and The Wild Hunter of The Juanita.  The "Black" in the name came about because of the hunter's dress and other equipment.  As legend goes the Indians feared and hated him more than any other white man during this time.  Black Jack led a group of well-trained men of the forest inquelling the Indian uprising of 1763.

Several fiction writers have used this legendary fighter as bases in their Historical Novels.  Zane Grey used him in two of his early frontiernovels, one of that was called Betty Zane, a distant relative of his.The Indian Hunter in these novels was known as "Lewis Wetzel" also called"Death Wind".

Since John's nickname was Jack, his attitude towards Indians well documented, owner of a well known rifle and was operating in the exact same geographical area at the exact same time the local historians in the Bedford, Pa. area that contributed to the writing of the book, "The Kernel of Greatness" attribute that John/Jack Imler and Captain Jack are the same man.

John Imler I left Bedford, Co., Pa. after 1774 and went to Chabersburg, Pa.  He disappeared and was never heard of again.  Remember that America's War for Independence was just around the corner and lots of people were killed and history never recorded their passing.

Henry Imler is lost in time but, John Imler II moved to North Carolina and his children contributed to two different name changes spelling of the name of Imler.  John Imler II's son, John Imler III (born abt 1774) changed his name to John Embler, Sr.  The change to "E" was perhaps an attempt to return to the original spelling of Emler, why the inputting of the "b" is anyone's guess.  A likely explanation for the "b"is lack of literacy.  The original literacy of the 1st generations of Emlers/Imlers was probably very good.  John Imler the 1st had been a rover, an explorer and a man that appears not at rest.  John 1st's son, John Imler II maintained this adventurous spirit and was most likely outstripping any formal education during this trail blazing and his spelling or general literacy may have been lacking. In the South the pronunciationof "E" or "I" in Emler or Imler is sometimes slurred and the "b" sound is faintly heard.  It wasn't uncommon for someone to dictate a letter whose literacy was lacking to a second person.  The scribe writing what he heard could have inputted the "b" from the sound of the pronounced name. If this was done on tax records or titles to land it wouldn't take very long before it became legal.  Very likely the insertion of the letter "b"in the Emler name was accidental.  John Embler, Sr. had eight children of which six were boys.  Two of these boys, John Embler, Jr. and Jacob Embler appears to have attempted to make the name change back towards the IMLER by dropping the "E" and inputting back the "I", but, the "b" stayed in thus making the spelling IMBLER. John Embler, Jr. became John Imbler and Jacob Embler became Jacob Imbler.  The descendants of these names of Embler and Imbler are living today.  I've talked to members of both families: On 8/6/1996 I visited by phone with Mr. Lloyd F. Embler of Asheville, N.C. and a Mr. Durley Don Imbler of Mentor, Oh.  Both of their family trees have remained small probably never exceeding more than 3-500 total name count, currently living and dead.  They both have traced their ancestral trees back through John Imler AKA Johannas Emler to William Imler AKA Wilhelm Emler.

CHAPTER-3

George Mark Imler (born abt. 1705) was twenty-three years older than John Imler and probably raised him following arrival in America since John was only five years old at the time.  He sunk his roots deep in the Bedford, Pa. area and had seven children of which six-reached adulthood. One of his daughters became extremely well known for her time, Eve Imler.

Eve (born 1734) was captured by the Indians and held prisoner from1777 to 1786, nine years.  Upon her return to her family she was dubbed with the nickname of  "Indian Eve" which she was called until she died. She married and her immediate family wrote a book concerning her experiences called "Indian Eve and Her Descendants".  (See notes under Eve concerning actual status of nickname of Indian Eve.)

George Mark had only two sons that lived.  George Michael Imler and William Abraham Emler (not misspelled).

CHAPTER-4

George Michael Imler (born 1739) is the Imler that most of the Imlers in America descended from.   George married Catharine Walter and had twelve children.  Six boys and six girls.  Jacob Imler, second from the last is Isaac R. Imler's grandfather.   According to Revolutionary War General St. Clair's book, "The History & Genealogy of Bedford County, Pa.", reprinted 3/82, Vol. 1, No. 4, Pg. 21, Titled-"Burials of Revolutionary War Soldiers", Private George Michael Imler served in Captain Hermann's Company of the York County Militia.  He is buried in Messiah Church Cemetery, Bedford Township, Bedford, Pa.

CHAPTER-5

Jacob Imler (born 1786) lived with his wife Christina Claycomb in St. Clairsville, Pa. and is buried in Old Union Cemetery there.  They had eight children, six daughters and two sons of which Daniel Imler was Isaac R. Imler's father.

CHAPTER-6

Daniel Imler (born 8/1