The Landis Family

Originally compiled by Helen Landis Baker and Vera Asper
Corrected and uploaded to internet by Sydnor Landis Dickenson

The Landis family was of Swiss lineage. In Hirzel, Switzerland, stands an ancient homestead built in 1488.

Hans Landis was a Mennonite preacher who resided on the Swiss Rhine and ministered to those who were seeking God. He was beheaded in 1614 as a true follower of Christ.

Hans Landis, II, and his wife and daughter were also persecuted for their beliefs, and their property was seized and sold in 1640.

Felix Landis, a second son of Hans and also a devout Christian, was thrown into prison and deprived of food and later thrown under a church bench where he died.

Around 1660 the Landis family took refuge in Germany. Some settled in Zwieberg and Alsace and others in the neighborhood of Strasburg and still others in Manheim where they became farmers.

It was from the vicinity of Manheim that the three Landis brothers came to America in 1717, namely John, Benjamin, and Felix.

Benjamin, the eldest, settled in what is now Lancaster County, PA, where in 1718 he received a patent from the Lendon Company, a tract of two hundred and forty acres (other records indicate 140 acres) of land situated in East Lampeter Township. He was a Mennonite Minister and his house became a refuge for many of the Swiss emigrants who enjoyed his hospitality until they were able to secure homes of their own. It is this family line that we shall follow.

Felix Landis, brother of Reverend Benjamin Landis, received a patent from the Lendon Company in 1719-20 for four hundred acres of land on Mill Creek also in East Lampeter Township.

John Landis, the third brother, settled in Bucks County PA near what is now Shelby.

Our Landis family comes down the line of Benjamin Landis.

Isaac Landis, a descendent of Benjamin's, bought a farm near Cambridge, Lancaster County, before the Civil War, probably in 1834. He married Katherine Weidman and they had five sons - Isaac, Ezra, Gideon, Harry, Charlie, and one daughter Emma.

As was typical of many Swiss people, Isaac was a jeweler-watchmaker. Eventually he moved from his farm to Shippensburg in Cumberland County where he opened a store. When the Civil War broke out, there was danger of the Southern rebels riding up the valley, so the family buried their jewelry in the cellar. At that time jewelry stores had no fake jewelry.

Isaac's four older sons enlisted in the War Between the States, and all came through without harm though they served the duration of the war. Charlie, only 14 years old, also wanted to serve, but officials said he was too young and put him off the train.

Gideon Weidman Landis and Isaac David Landis joined the 9th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry in 1861, were discharged in December 1863 and reenlisted January 1, 1864. Gideon, Commissary Sergeant, served under his brother who as Lieutenant became Detail Commander. They both served under Capt. John Sherman, later Colonel, and took part in the march through Georgia and the southern states that resulted in the burning of Atlanta and in the "March to the Sea". Some letters and a diary found among Gideon's papers not only give some light on his Civil War experiences, but show the stylized handwriting of the trained engraver. Some of his descendants still enjoy silver pieces with lettering engraved by a family member.

After the war, Gideon returned and soon courted and married Mary Emma Hollar, daughter of Henry Hollar and Sarah Wagner Hollar.

Descendents recall a war story about Mr. Hollar and his family. When the word came in June 1863 that the Confederate army would invade Pennsylvania and pass through Shippensburg, the citizens gathered their horses and took them across the Blue Mountain to what is now called Horse Valley, behind Blain in Perry County to save them from the invaders. Great Grandfather Hollar took his horses over, but had to use one to ride back home. When he got home, he tied a silk thread around the horse's one foot. When the confederate soldiers rounded up the Yankee's horses, Grandfather Hollar's horse limped so badly that it was left behind.

Another story the children liked to hear about was about the Hollar house being on Railroad Street. Mother and children, including the baby, stood at the open window watching the crowds of Confederate Soldiers. At the sight of the children, the men crowded around. One soldier asked if he could please hold the baby, so Grandmother handed him the child. The little one was passed around among the soldiers who were no doubt longing for their own homes and children.

"Yet the story always ended," everyone recalled, "with the men handing the baby back to Grandmother, whereupon she took him into the kitchen and gave him a bath!"

¹Benjamin Landis came to America in 1717, Lancaster Co., PA

²Jacob Landis

²Jacob Landis settled in Lycoming Co., PA

³Solomon

³Solomon Landis m. Catharine Disler

⁴Isaac

⁴Isaac Landis m. Catherine Weidman

⁵Gideon Weidman Landis

⁵Gideon Weidman Landis m. Mary Emma Hollar

George m. Myrtle Carrothers

William; Laird; George; Richard; Dorothy

Nell m. Will Shaner

Herbert; Miriam; Leland; Catharine; Bill

Mae m. Gary Morrow

Arthur Clair m. Bertha Rippman

Helen m. Elmer Baker; Virginia m. Peter Christie;
                            Arthur Clair Jr. m. Elizabeth C. Sydnor; Charles m. Nancy Eby;
                            Mary Marguerite

John m. Lillian

John; Betty

Bess

Emma

Ruth