JOSEPH LONG KREIDER, a well-known retired farmer of Lebanon county, residing on the line separating South and North Annville townships, was born on his father's farm (now owned by Andrew Kreider) December 20, 1834, a son of Jacob and Mary (Long) Kreider. The father was born in South Lebanon township in 1812, and died in 1874. He married Mary Long, who was born on the old Long homestead in South Annville township (now owned by Mr. Kreider) in 1819, daughter of Joseph Long, and died in 1889. Joseph Long, the maternal grandfather, was a son of Christian (3), grandson of Christian (2), and great-grandson of Christian (i), who took up 400 acres of land from the Penns. which was then included in Lancaster county, later in Dauphin, and is now in South Annville township, Lebanon county, lying along the Berks and Dauphin turnpike.

The paternal grandparents of Joseph Kreider were Henry and Christiana (Wittemeyer) Kreider, the former of whom was born on the old Kreider homestead, located on Snitz Creek, now in North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, September 25, 1774. and died April 9, 1835. His wife was born August 3, 1807, daughter of Ludwig Wittemeyer, and died August 3, 1864. The great-grandfather Kreider was named Jacob, was born in Lancaster county, and was a descendant of four brothers of that name who emigrated from Europe (either Germany or Switzerland). He married and began housekeeping on Snitz creek, in North Cornwall, about three miles from the city of Lebanon, where he lived out his long life and reared a large family.

The chiildren of Jacob Kreider and his wife Mary Long were as follows: Joseph L. ; William L., of Palmyra, Lebanon county; Henry L., of Cleona, Lebanon county; Abraham L.. of the State of Washington; Benjamin L., of Cleona, Lebanon county; and Sarah, who married Adam Moyer, of Palmyra.

Joseph Long Kreider was reared upon his father's farm, and received a good common-school education, remaining at home until his marriage, when he began farming for himself on a farm on the Berks and Dauphin turnpike. In 1870 he removed to his present farm (the old Long homestead), which he continues to operate, although he does not make his home upon it, having erected a handsome home on the pike in 1893. His farm now comprises ?? acres, he having sold a portion of his property, on which part of Fairland now stands. Mr. Kreider has served most acceptably as school director of South Annville township. His religious connection is with the River Brethren Church.

On October 19, 1857, Mr. Kreider was married to Leah Moyer, born in North Annville township, Lebanon county, April 18, 1837, a daughter of John Moyer, also a native of North Annville township, Lebanon county, born in iSio, who died in 1867. He married Mary Royer, who was born near Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Royer) Royer. Children were born to John and Mary Moyer as follows : Leah, who is Mrs. Kreider; Susan, married to Levi Hershey: Elizabeth, married to Jacob K. Kreider; Abraham; Israel; Samuel, deceased; Harvey M. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Kreider is as follows: Annie Mary, born July 3, 1859, married Milton Light, of Swatara township, Lebanon county, and has four children: Alice, Kate, Harvey and Joseph; Amanda, born September 4, 1861, married Frank Bachman, of Cleona, Lebanon county, and has one child, Leah ; Lydia, born October 17, 1862, married Daniel Bomberger, now of Kansas, and has four children, Mary, Alice, Ida and Maud; Elizabeth, born February II, 1864, married Penrose Hoffer, and has had six children, Annie, Harry, Sallie, Violet, George (deceased) and Christopher; Ellen, born September 17, 1866, married Reuben Bachman, of North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, and their only child, Homer, born March 3, 1899, died September 15, 1899; Emma, born January 8, 1871, married Martin Gingrich, and died without issue. May 22, 1899; Joseph, born January 9, 1878, married Fanny Weiss, of South Lebanon township. Lebanon county, and has two children, Rosa and Weiss.

Biographical Annals of Lebanon County - p. 106-107 - 1904