IMBODEN. The Imboden family is one of the oldest and most prominent in South Annville township, Lebanon county, a leading one in intelligence, wealth and business progressiveness.

The first settler of the Imboden name, known in this part of the Keystone State, was Philip, the grandfather of Samuel K. Imboden, who was one of a family of seven sons and tw'o daughters born to the first generation of the family in what is now Lebanon, then Lancaster, and later, Dauphin county. I'hese children bore the names of : Philip, Jacob. Solomon, William, Samuel, John, George, Elizabeth and Louisa. One of these sons located! in the Shenandoah Valley and became the father of General Imboden, an officer of the Confederate army, who participated in the raid into Pennsylvania in 1863, when Chambersburg was burned, and was, also, in command of a brigade at the battle of Gettysburg. The children of Philip Imboden were as follows : Solomon, issue, ten children ; Philip, issue, one child ; Daniel, issue, three children; Jacob, twice married, no issue; Samuel, twice married, issue, first wife, four children and one living, second wife, six children, two living; George, issue, seven children; and John, issue, three children.

Samuel Imboden, the father of Samuel K. Imboden, was born July 4, 1811, on the farm now owned by Jacob Behm, on the road from Annville to Campbelltown, in South Annville township, Lebanon county. In his young manhood he learned the trade of blacksmith, and worked at the same for five years, and then began farming- on land a half mile east of Campbelltown. In 1865 he removed to Campbelltown and resided there until his death. He married (first) Nancy Kreider, daughter of Joseph Kreider, and an aunt of Andrew, David, Henry H. and Joseph Kreider, of Annville. To this union these children were born : Mary, who is the widows of Calvin Clendennin, of Bismarck, Lebanon county; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of John Risser, of Palmyra; Samuel, who died in infancy; and Nancy, deceased wife of Henry Fegan, of Campbelltown. The second marriage of Samuel Imboden was to Lydia Kreider, a sister-in-law, and the children of this union were: Moses K., deceased; Samuel K. ; and Henry, Lydia and Lovina, all deceased ; and Susan, the wife of Michael Mover, of Campbelltown. The father of this family belonged to the Lutheran Church, while the mother was a Mennonite.

Samuel K. Imboden was born June 18, 1843, on the old homestead farm, near Campbelltown, and grew up there, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1865 he began to operate on his own account, and continued to farm near Campbelltown until 1881, when he purchased the Hilig Hotel, at what is called Sporting Hill, east of Annville. This hostelry is situated on the Berks and Dauphin turnpike road, and during the succeeding ten years, wearv travelers were sure of good entertainment at this hospitable inn. In 1889 Mr. Imboden retired from the active operation of this hotel, renting it to his son Albert. In 1891 he built a handsome residence just across the street, where the family resides. Mr. Imboden is now engaged in the lime business, quarrying it on his own land. Albert Imboden managed the baOtel for three years and then was succeeded by John Arndt, but Mr. Imboden still owns the property.

For six years Mr. Imboden served as school director of South Annville township. In 1881 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners for three years, serving with fidelity to the public in this important capacity. Following this he engaged for some three years in the cattle business.

In 1864 Mr. Imboden was married to Julia, daughter of Daniel Heilman, born October 18, 1844, in Londonderry township, and the issue of this union is as follows: Albert, Samuel H.. Raymond D., Cora, and Ellen and Morris, deceased. The religious connection of the family is with the Lutheran Church. Fraternally Mr. Imboden belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a man much respected in his locality, not only for his honorable business methods, but also for his neighborliness and kind and friendly attitude to all, justly being regarded as a representative and prominent citizen.

Biographical Annals of Lebanon County - p. 134-135 - 1904