Hershey The Hershey family is not only one of the most prominent, but is also one of the oldest families in Lancaster county, having been founded in 1719. Its numerous repesenrtatives have been noted for their excellece, as farmers, their inteligence and morality as citizens, and for their work and influence in the Mennonite Church. Andrew Hersey was born in Switzerland in 1702. His father removed to the Palatinate, and became a member of the court of Fredensheim. In 1719 the records tell that with his father and brother Benjamin, Andrew Hersey emigrated to America and settled in Lancaster county, PA. The other brother, Christian was forced to remain behind at court, but in 1739 he also came to America and joined the two brothers who preceded him. Andrew Hershey lived to be 90 and he died in 1792. He had the following children; Christian, Andrew, John, Benjamin, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Henry, Peter, Catharine, Maria and Adli. Andrew Hershey2, son of Andrew, was born in Lancaster county, and married Magdeline Bachman. He died July 16, 1806; His widow did Sept 10, 1833. Jacob Hershey, son of Andrew2, married Ann Newcomer, and their children were; John, Chrisrian, Abraham, and Joseph. Jacob Hershey died in 1825, aged 80, and wife died in 1830 aged 81 Bishop Joseph Hershey, son of Jacob, of Salisbury township died in 1855, aged 64. He married Magdalena "Roop", d/o Andrew and Esther (Kauffman) Roop. Children; Rev. Jacob R., Christian, died at 18, Barbara, wife of David Hoover, Anna, died young, John, died young, and Abraham. Rev. Jacob R., son of Biship Joseph, was born Aug 19, 1817. On Nov 29, 1839, he married Margaret Eby, born July 14, 1818, in Salisbury township, d/o Peter Eby, (whose wife was a member of the Weaver family), and a sister of Bishop Eby, Children; Joseah, Magdalena, wife of John R.Buckwaler of Kinzer, Peter who went West and never heard from again, Ephriam, Mary, who married Christian Metzler, of Paradise township, Jaacob of Salisbury, Lizzie, died young, Margaret, died young. On Jan 1, 1867, Ephraim Hershey married Susan E. Leaman, of Paradise township. Children; Ira, who married Sarah Kreider, Emma M., married John G. Wenger, Frank B., married Lydia W. Buckwalder, Omer E., Elam W. Ephraim K. Jacob R. Jr., and Alice W. Best Wishes, Geri