John G. Kreider, former school teacher who later became cashier of the North Side Bank and Trust Company and was associated with other banks in the county at various times, passed away at 2:15 o'clock Sunday afternoon at his home at 221 South Ninth street. He had been in failing health for some weeks, suffering from a complication of ailments, but was confined to bed only eight days. He was aged 65 years.
He was exceedingly active in the affairs of St. Paul's Evangelical Church on North Eighth Street, being a member of the Men's Bible class in the Sunday School and identified with Albright Brotherhood. He was a member of the board of trustees of Albright College.
Mr. Kreider was a scion of one of the pioneer families of the region, records showing that his ancestors secured a grant of land in the Lebanon Valley region from William Penn himself. The decedent's father, John S. Kreider, and the latter's father, Jonas Kreider. were both born in Cornwall township, and the families engaged in farming all their lives. On the maternal side of the family is also a pioneer background as John G. Kreider's mother, Elizabeth (Smith) Kreider. was the daughter of Joseph Smith, another native of the region.
John G. Kreider was born at the Cornwall township homestead on March 6. 1876. After attending the schools of the region he took up teacher-training work at the Annville and later at the State Normal Schools, at Millersville. After receiving his teacher's certificate he taught school in North Cornwall and West Cornwall townships, in this county for nine terms.
In 1903 he became associated with the Lebanon County Trust Company and two years later went to the Farmers' Trust Company where he served for five years. In 1910 he went to the Valley Trust Company Bank at Palmyra and was connected with that institution for two years, and then started work with the North Side Bank in Lebanon which was instituted in February 1915 with Mr. Kreider as cashier. Some years later the bank was reorganized as a combined bank and trust company and continues to do business under that title today.
Mr. Kreider won for himself a high reputation as one of the able men in Lebanon's financial structure, being accredited with keen business judgment and forsight in addition to an inbred attitude of strict honesty and integrity. He was a member of the Masonic order, Mt. Lebanon Lodge, 226, F. and A. M.
He leaves his wife, the former Annie Beckley, daughter of Hiram and Malinda (Light) Beckley, also pioneer families. There are no children. He is survived by two brothers, Levi, North Annville and Jonas, South Lebanon, and the following sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth Winters, Cleona; Mrs. Leah Heisey, Rexmont: Mrs. Mary Kreider, North Cornwall; Mrs. Sallie Bomberger, South Lebanon, and Mrs. Fannie Longenecker, Lebanon.
Lebanon Daily News - Monday, April 7, 1941