Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Fichtner, Rev. Jacob
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


REV. JACOB FICHTNER is a prominent citizen of Londonderry 
township, Bedford County, where for more than a quarter of a 
century he has been doing local ministerial work.  He was 
born February 3, 1827, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the 
place of birth of his parents, Jonathan and Hannah (Martz) 
Fichtner.  He is of German ancestry, belonging to one of the 
early families of Southern Pennsylvania.  His grandfather, 
Martin Fichtner, spent his entire life on a farm in Somerset 
County, his homestead, not far from the town of Berlin.
  Jonathan Fichtner lived with his parents until of age, and 
thereafter continued his residence in Somerset County until 
1839.  Coming then with his family to Bedford County, he 
located in Harrison township, where he was for many years a 
citizen of much influence.  He subsequently moved to 
Londonderry township, and during the closing years of his 
life he made his home with his son Jacob.  In both of these 
townships he served in various local offices, and for three 
years he was County Commissioner, having been elected by the 
Republican voters, with whom he was identified.  He died in 
October, 1894, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, honored 
and respected by all.  His wife rounded out a period of 
ninety-two years.  Of their three children two are now 
living, namely: Jacob, the subject of this sketch; and 
Martin, who resides in Missouri.
  The Rev. Jacob Fichtner acquired his elementary education 
in the district schools of Harrison township, where the 
first twelve years of his life were spent.  Gifted by nature 
with good mental ability, he took delight from his earliest 
days in reading such books as were within his grasp, and by 
special study of subjects interesting to him he obtained 
much general information.  He also became very familiar with 
the Bible.  Early in the seventies Mr. Fichtner settled in 
Londonderry township, at Palo Alto, where he has since 
lived.  He came here from West Virginia.  Before living in 
that State he had spent a few years in Benton County, Iowa.  
He owns a valuable tract of land, containing four hundred 
and eighty acres, and in addition to his labors in the cause 
of Christianity he is successfully engaged in farming.  For 
over fifty years he has been a member of the United 
Evangelical church, under whose auspices he has worked so 
faithfully and with such good results.  He is especially 
interested in the education of the young, and during the two 
terms that he was on the School Board of Londonderry 
township, one of which he was president of the board, he 
rendered good service.  In politics he is a Republican.
  Mr. Fichtner has been twice married.  His first wife, 
Jennie Rowser, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, died at an 
early age.  He afterward married Annie E. Cook, daughter of 
the late Thomas Cook, of Harrison township.  Of this union 
seven children have been born, of whom six are living, 
namely: Emma I., wife of James H. Wilhelm; Jennie, wife of 
Harmon Hoselrough; Virgy M., wife of J. M. Dennison; Myrtle 
E., wife of Daniel Diehl; Lonie I., wife of C. H. Mauck; and 
John L.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa