Source: Morton Montgomery, p. 318
Surnames: KISTLER, FETHEROLF, BROBST, DIETRICH
Kistler.- The Kistler family is numerous in Albany and Greenwich townships, Berks county, and especially in the upper end of Lehigh county. The family traces its ancestry to George Kistler, called Jrg or Hanjrg (that is, Hans Jrg)-John George Kistler. He was from the Palatinate. In 1737 he came to the New World, and located in the Falkner Swamp, or Goshenhoppen, Montgomery Co., Pa. No doubt he brought his wife, Anna Dorothy, and his oldest children with him from Germany. In 1747 he settled in Albany township, Berks county. He died in 1767 and is buried at the New Jerusalem Church, in Albany township, where many of his descendants are buried. He left nine children, as follows: Jacob, John, Samuel, George, Philip, Michael, Barbara, Dorotha and Elizabeth. Nearly all of these moved to Lynn township, Lehigh county. Like the seed of Abraham of old, they multiplied, and soon populated the fine valley extending from Kempton, in Berks, to Lynnville, in Lehigh county, a distance of six miles. This valley is called Kistlers Valley.
John Kistler, son of the pioneer, in 1768, lived in Albany, and it appears remained on the homestead. He had sons, John William, born 1757, and Abraham, born 1761. The Kistlers have intermarried with the Dietrichs, Fetherolfs, Brobsts, and other old families of that section.
The family has been holding successful reunions since 1899. It held the fifth annual meeting at Neffsville, Pa., in 1904. The officers of the association, besides an executive committee of eleven members, are:
President, Henry D. Kistler.
Vice-President, Edwin D. Kistler.
Corresponding Secretary, Dr. W. P Kistler.
Recording Secretary, Elmer C. Kistler.
Assistant Secretary, P. W. Kistler.
Treasurer, C. K. Kistler.
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