Casper Glattfelder Association Newsletter — April 2026 (No. 72)

Mid-Winter Board meeting

The meeting was held at Christ Church in Jacobus, Pa., with Tom Shelley, Bonnie Flaharty, Stephen Gladfelter, Harry Gladfelter, Larry Gladfelter Jr., John Shelley, Philip Glatfelter, Judy Martin, Rick Gladfelter, Jean Robinson, Dean Gladfelter and Kristi Russell in attendance. Board members who attended via Zoom were Pamela Tuscany, Bonnie Baim, Ben Miller, Sarah Melcher and Chris Glatfelter.

Glattfelder descendant Brian Creager also joined via Zoom.

President Tom Shelley opened the meeting at 10 a.m. in prayer. Larry shared correspondence received through the website via email.

Tom asked for any additions or corrections for the Aug. 23 meeting minutes that had been distributed electronically. There were none and the motion passed unanimously.

Bonnie gave the Financial Report, which had been distributed electronically. The report was passed unanimously.

For the Investment Committee, the report, which Rick had distributed by email, indicated an increase in market value since the last report.

Rick suggested that the amount of the scholarship should be increased as the endowment increases toward $200,000. Discussion ensued pertaining to the number of scholarships and the amount of the scholarship with a decision to be made by the Education Fund Officers.

The Executive Committee met at 9 a.m. to develop a spending plan for 2026. Tom reviewed the proposed amounts with the board and called for a vote. The budget was adopted unanimously.

For the Brick Patio Committee, Phil shared that there were two brick orders for 2025. Tom thanked Bonnie Baim for her service by transporting the bricks to and from the vendor.

For the Communications Committee, Larry submitted his report via email.

Phil presented a proposal from Brian Creager, which had been shared via email. Much discussion followed and a motion was made: The communication committee plus the treasurer are to consider the proposal and meet with Brian to address questions expressed and bring back to the board our recommendation for the board to vote on the proposal. The motion passed.

More on the proposal appears later in the Newsletter.

For the Historical Committee, Phil said he was informed by the secretary of the Lancaster Theological Seminary, whom he had met a few years ago, that the Glatfelter Room there is being dismantled. She inquired whether the Association wanted items displayed there, including a Bible of Felix’s son, Jacob, that was printed in Ephrata, Lancaster County.

Phil picked up the Bible and showed us a photo of the display case provided by Larry. Phil also soon returned to the Seminary to pick up numerous plaques that had been placed on the walls, but were removed by the maintenance staff.

Phil noted that we have a good relationship with the York County History Center and we hope that part of the History Center’s 250th Anniversary display can be a part of our Reunion program. He shared a document via email relating to Reunion Program Plans. A tour – or tours – of the History Center, including a look at our Archives, and the nearby Colonial Complex is being planned.

A proposal sent by Phil via email for the Property Committee was discussed. It included various park improvements and beautification projects.

Ben said he and his cousin Jay, who has taken care of the mowing and several other tasks at the park for many years, will do most of the items if funds are available.

John said he hoped to work on the lighting in the Historical Building in the spring.

Tom said that he and John would split the long wooden “window hatches” of the Historical Building in the spring as well.

Ben also hopes to open up the area around the Spring House.

From the Reunion Committee, it was noted about the York County History Center’s possible involvement with our program. A Reunion program outline was sent out via email and Harry, who has produced the Power Point programs for several years, has since put together early versions for this year’s program.

Jean said that the New Bridgeville Fire Company Women’s Auxiliary is again expected to cater this year’s meal, with the same menu and same price.

Ben, reporting for the Education Fund, said there are two recurring scholarship recipients and one graduating recipient. He noted that Jenna Hockenbury Miranda dropped out, so her check was not cashed. See more on the scholarships later in the Newsletter.

In Continuing Business, it was noted that credit card/e-commerce may be incorporated thru the new website. The Association will investigate possible point-of-sale capabilities as well. Sarah will no longer be able to assist with credit card processing.

In New Business, there was discussion about a think-tank proposal. Pamela assured the board that any topics discussed would be brought back to the board with findings for the board to decide if actions are to be taken.

Larry stated that the hope is for all the members of the board to participate in the discussions since time during the regularly-scheduled meetings is limited and does not allow for much talk.

Dean stated that he would like to be replaced and start Emeritus status. Tom said that since Dean’s term is up at the end of the year, his name will not be on the re-election list at the Reunion.

Tom thanked everyone for the 100% attendance. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

2026 Reunion

This year’s Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at Heimwald Park.

As previously mentioned, this year’s program will be a celebration of the country’s 250th Anniversary and what part the Glattfelders played.

Director Harry Gladfelter will again produce and narrate a Power Point presentation. Tentative plans include a visit to the York County History Center to start the day, with a possible extended visit to the History Center and the accompanying Colonial Complex available the following day. In addition to the chance to get a look at the CGAA Archives, YCHC officials have proposed tentative plans to have a CGAA display at or near the Archives.

The Association plans to make arrangements earlier than most years, so be thinking about possibly visiting the History Center one or both days.

The History Center will have its own 250th Anniversary display, with parts of it expected to tie into our Reunion program.

More information about the Reunion will be included in the Reunion Newsletter. Look for it in late May or early June.

A New Chapter Begins: The Curated Quill and the CGAA

In January, the Casper Glattfelder Association of America entered into a two-year pro bono engagement with The Curated Quill LLC, owned and operated by Brian Creager, a 10th generation direct descendant through Casper’s son Henry.

Brian has more than 30 years of experience in technology, marketing and executive leadership.

The Curated Quill exists to help volunteer nonprofit boards deliver on their mission without burning out, and every dollar of cost for this engagement – software, content creation, staffing and Brian’s time – is covered through the end of 2027.

The work covers four major areas. First, the Association’s web and email systems are being migrated from Wix and Mailchimp to HighLevel, a modern platform that consolidates website, email, contact management and payment processing into one system.

Second, a mobile-friendly website is being built with clear paths for visitors to join, subscribe, register for the Reunion and support the Association.

Third, a content engine is being developed to unlock the stories preserved in our Newsletters, archives and Dr. Charles Glatfelter’s research, and deliver them in a modern format.

And fourth, a growth funnel, including an “Are you a Glattfelder?” landing page, will help reach descendants who carry different last names and have no idea this community exists.

The centerpiece is the Glattfelder Gazette, a free weekly email newsletter that tells the story of our family one short, readable story at a time. Be sure you subscribe at https://cgaa.ch/833tu4.

Each issue draws from the same archives that have been preserved for generations, rewritten in a warm, conversational voice designed to be read in about five minutes. Over time, the best stories will be compiled into a quarterly print edition available by paid subscription.

Significant progress has already been made. A comprehensive brand board and style guide was completed in February, including a modernized purpose statement, document templates and an official writing voice for the Association.

The Association’s official genealogy database, a 600,000-person GEDCOM file built over the last 50 years by Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter (1924-2013 and eighth generation direct descendant through Casper’s son Felix), Franklin Professor of History Emeritus at Gettysburg College, and the Association’s longtime historian and past president, and Jutta Creager (ninth generation by marriage through Casper’s son Henry), has been cleaned, enriched with generation and lineage data, and imported into HighLevel.

Of the 600,000 individuals in the database, roughly 110,000 are direct descendants of Casper or his brother John Peter; the remaining 500,000 are ancestors of descendants’ spouses. This data will enable personalized outreach at a scale the Association has never had before.

The Gazette’s onboarding sequence, two landing page designs for A/B testing, and the automated content engine are built and in final preparation. A systemized annual plan for brick patio sales and installation has been drafted, and reprints of selected historical books are being prepared for distribution.

The Association retains full ownership of all data, funds, website content and member information. Success or failure will be determined by the CGAA board at their sole discretion, with a detailed report presented at the August 2027 meeting.

The targets are ambitious: grow the email list from roughly 900 to over 4,500, increase Reunion attendance beyond the 2025 baseline of 85, and begin reaching the thousands of descendants who have never heard of us.

The stories are already there. Now we have the plan to bring them to the people they belong to.

– Brian Creager, The Curated Quill LLC, 10th generation direct descendant through Casper’s son Henry

President’s Message: Happy Birthday, America – and Happy Birthday, Casper

Our 2026 Reunion will be a true trifecta of intersecting dates.

First and foremost – and impossible to ignore – it will occur during the Semi-Quincentennial (or as I prefer, the Quarter Millennial) anniversary of American Independence. The Reunion program will highlight our family’s participation in the events leading up to the declaring of independence and the conflict which ensued to bring that declaration into fruition.

Second, this year marks the 675th anniversary of Canton Zurich (which encompasses the village of Glattfelden) joining the Swiss Confederation.

Finally, our Reunion date of July 25 aligns with the 317th birthday of our immigrant ancestor Casper.

That alignment raises an important question: Would Casper celebrate his birthday on that exact day?

During the 16th through 19th centuries, there was a gradual transition in the Western world from using the increasingly inaccurate Julian calendar to the more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar. Because the change to this “new” calendar had been promulgated by the Bishop of Rome, there was great resistance in many lands to adopting what was sometimes derided as “the Pope’s calendar.” Indeed, England and – by extension – its new world Colonies were among the last to adopt in 1752.

But what about Switzerland?

The Swiss Confederation – being as loosely structured as our nascent nation’s own failed Articles of Confederation – allowed each individual Canton to determine which calendar to follow. One can only imaging the confusion which ensued during those 228 years, beginning from the “new calendar’s” first adoption until 1812 when the last holdout Canton (Graubuden) ceded. In those centuries, crossing a Canton’s boundary might entail stepping backward or forward by 10 days! The effect on commerce, particularly lending, must have been worthy of a Matterhorn-sized headache.

Fortunately for us, Canton Zurich was among the relatively earlier adopters of the 1584 “new calendar,” even though by 1700 – the year of its adoption – 116 years had elapsed. Thus, Casper, born in 1709 in Canton Zurich, most certainly had his birthdate recorded by Gregorian “new calendar” reckoning.

Therefore, we can celebrate his birthday as we assemble on that day to give thanks for his family’s – our family’s – contributions to American independence.

Tom Shelley

A postscript: The 25th of July on the Western Church’s Sanctoral calendar is the Feast of St. James the Elder, Apostle. The question of whether Casper would have kept that feast is another message for another time.

Returning home

A December email I received was from someone with a name that looked familiar. It was from Alison Mallin, who we had dealt with in regard to a display at the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society at the Lancaster (Pa.) Theological Seminary.

The display was placed there in 1991 in what was named The Glatfelter Room and included copies of numerous items of our Association, most importantly, a Bible, printed in Ephrata, Lancaster County, in 1795 and belonging to Casper’s grandson, Jacob.

Alison’s email was to inform me that the archives of the ERHS were soon to be moved to West Virginia, and that she wanted the Bible and other artifacts to be returned to us.

Later in December, I retrieved the items, which will be stored with our Archives at both the York County History Center and Heimwald Park. Alison expressed her dismay in the decision to move the ERHS archives and was very glad she was able to return the items, especially the Bible. Obviously, we are very glad as well.

The story of the Bible and The Glatfelter Room is an interesting one. Fellow Historical Committee member Jean Robinson and I initially did some online research at the YCHS before delving into our Archives. We were finding clues about Jacob and the Bible, but it was sketchy.

Eventually, we made our way to the Archives and a folder on Jacob revealed plenty.

A July 21, 1991, article in the Lancaster Sunday News told the story of Jacob, who left York County to “follow his fiancee’s family out West.” After losing touch with Jacob, a piece of his life was discovered and the Bible, which chronicles his marriage and the birth of his children, was given by the CGAA to the ERHS archives.

The Bible was found in a trunk in Idaho. It is written in German, includes just the New Testament, and shows that Jacob was married to Eva Sadler in 1803 and their dates of birth of 1780 and 1784.

The Bible’s journey actually began five years previously when our longtime historian, Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter (my Dad), got a phone call from a woman in Missouri who said she was a descendant of Jacob and wanted to know more. She and a woman from Wyoming (more on them later) had started their own research, finding that Jacob lived in Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska, where he died in 1867 at age 87. And he had descendants in every state west of the Mississippi.

At one point, they connected with a man in Idaho named Jack Crawford, who was a Jacob descendant and had found the Bible in a trunk.

Dad was initially skeptical, but “when he saw the Bible, he was convinced,” the article said, so the Bible went back to the area where it was printed 196 years before.

And now, another 35 years later, it is in the Association’s possession.

But there’s more.

The two women previously mentioned were Ruth Clotfelter Camenisch and Janet Zamenek. Their research led to an approximately 700-page book on Casper’s and Jacob’s descendants.

The folder included much correspondence between Dad and Ruth. A third person, Cecil F. Clotfelter Jr. of Portales, N.M., was also part of the correspondence and was identified as the “publication chairman.”

In one letter, Ruth noted that the group was unable to get the book printed for the 1993 Reunion, but that Cecil was planning to attend to answer any questions.

Dad, as a longtime history professor at Gettysburg College, was brutally honest when critiquing the book, commenting, “I have treated what you have written as I would that of my students. … Do not be disturbed or offended. … These comments are not meant to be hurtful, but rather to be helpful. I feel strongly about what I have written.”

Ruth took most of the comments to heart.

In a piece written by Dad for the 1993 Reunion, he noted that in his early time as family historian, which began in 1949 at age 25, it was hard to find much about Jacob. He noted that in Dr. Noah’s book, “The Descendants of Casper Glattfelder,” it was stated that Jacob “settled in Tennessee. Nothing is known of his descendants – all connection with his eastern relatives appears broken.”

Dad had actually already been in contact with Janet, who wrote to Dad in 1974, claiming to be descended from Jacob. “It was like a voice from the grave,” he wrote.

Ruth wrote in 1986 that she too was a Jacob descendant, and the two women soon started on their book.

In one letter, sent in 1994 with the title of “Eastern Greetings, Belated Christmas and Birthday Wishes,” written to Dad by Janet, she aptly told of the amount of time she and Ruth put into the production. “Thanks Charlie for your part in the book. It really took all my spare time for so long and really wore me out.”

The Association helped in the sale of the book and had numerous copies in its possession. In November, a Kaitlin Davidson contacted the Association looking for help in researching information for a Charles Manley Jr., who she said was like her “adopted father.” He is a Jacob descendant.

Among descendants she was able to find were a George Washington Clodfelter; his mother, Sarah Ebaugh, and her husband William Clodfelter; and a William Finley Clodfelter.

Unfortunately, I was unable to help her out.

Kaitlin indicated she had found out about the Glattfelder/Clodfelter book, but was unable to find where to buy any. With the Association having two copies, we sold one to her.

We hope the book was helpful in its new home.

– Philip Glatfelter

What’s in a name

One recent look in our Archives revealed a folder with a familiar, but somewhat unique name: Spurgeon H. Gladfelter.

I remember Dad mentioning that name from time to time, and the folder includes a biography Spurgeon typed and photo.

Spurgeon, in the bio, dated April, 1964, says he was the son of George H. and Parthenia (another unique name) J. Gladfelter, born March 2, 1893. He had six sisters: Gertrude, Amy, Alma, Eva, Esta and Jennie – he was the third child. They lived on a 100-acre farm 10 miles south of York and one mile west of Seven Valleys.

He attended “Diehl’s” school until age 16, worked with his father until age 19 and was an apprentice at the George F. Motter & Son Machine Shop for four years. He married Elsie E. Swartz in 1914.

That same year, he purchased his first property, a 2 1/2-story mansard home in West York. He had numerous other jobs, employed by such companies as Standard Chain, S. Morgan Smith and the Pennsylvania Railroad.

In 1922, they moved from West York to a 40-acre farm in Conewago Township, York County, where they raised vegetables, fruit and berries. Their fourth child, Spurgeon Richard, was born there in 1924 and Ruth Naomi was born in 1927. Their previous children were Harry Leroy (1915), George Henry (1918) and Samuel Joseph (1920).

When the Depression hit in 1929, he found additional work at the York Manufacturing Co. Their fifth son, John Walter, was born in 1931.

In November, 1935, he was promoted to the inspecting department of the York Corporation, where he remained until his retirement in 1958.

Among his other accomplishments, he noted that he was currently on “the Board of Directors of the Gladfelter Organization and serve(d) as Registrar of the organization.”

He also noted he and his wife would soon celebrate “the Golden Anniversary of our marriage,” and that they have eight grandsons, 13 granddaughters and one great-grandson.

While several other photos of past Board members offer familiar faces, I’ll have to admit Spurgeon’s face is not one of them – but the name certainly is.

– Philip Glatfelter

Scholarships

The Education Fund Committee has been accepting applications for The Nathan Glattfelder and Ives Bricker Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year since November. To date, we have received nine inquiries and two returning applications.

Note: Deadline for applications is April 1 of the awarding year, so students are always encouraged to get started early to meet all the requirements in a timely manner. For more information, go to the website.

For information on The Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter Scholarship, set up through the Adams County Community Foundation, visit the Association website for a link to the ACCF website.

A third scholarship opportunity is The Larry and Lois Gladfelter Endowed Scholarship through Messiah University. College-bound descendants of Casper Glattfelder are encouraged to pursue these opportunities.

Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter Scholarship

Two recent recipients of the Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter Scholarship are Amanda Malone and Riley Ward.

Amanda’s thank-you note from early in 2025 said she was “extremely grateful for the scholarship that honors your dad’s memory and legacy of our ancestor Casper Glattfelder. I am enjoying my studies at Liberty University, especially my special education classes.” She noted she would be taking a mission trip to Peru last summer where she would teach ESL classes to children.

Riley’s thank-you card to Directors Chris and Philip Glatfelter, says “this scholarship will be very helpful in continuing my academic career.”

Brick Patio

The deadline for ordering bricks this year is May 23. The cost remains $75. For more information, contact Philip Glatfelter at 717-968-4577, e-mail to [email protected] or mail to 430 Charles Circle, Hallam, PA 17406.

Merchandise

Glattfelder merchandise is always available to order from the Association’s website, www.glattfelder.org, and will again be for sale at this year’s Reunion.

Items featuring the Glattfelder coat of arms include golf shirts, t-shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs and pens. One Glattfelder descendant suggested scarfs that feature our coat of arms and are a tentative new item this year.

New at last year’s Reunion were t-shirts with 10 Glattfelder spelling variations.

Other items include historical booklets, Christmas cards and videos.

For apparel, if you do not see your size or color on the order form, contact us and we can attempt to get them.

For more information, contact Philip Glatfelter at [email protected] or 717-968-4577.

Obituaries

Members of the Association’s Historical Committee continue to track family members and accumulate corresponding obituaries. However, the list of deaths for reunion programs will be limited to those that include the most common Glattfelder names in their obituaries, with other names listed by request. To do so, contact Jean Robinson ([email protected]) or Philip Glatfelter ([email protected]).

Picture This

Remember the date

This year’s Glattfelder Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, July 25.

Casper Glattfelder Association Board of Directors

President: Thomas Shelley; Vice President: Judy Martin; Secretary: Larry Gladfelter Jr.; Treasurer: Kristi Russell.

Bonnie Baim, Bonnie Flaharty, Dean Gladfelter, Harry Gladfelter, Rick Gladfelter, Stephen Gladfelter, Christina Glatfelter, Philip Glatfelter, Sarah Melcher, Ben Miller, Jean Robinson, John Shelley, Pamela Tuscany Wines.

Financial report

CGAA 2026 Budget

Anticipated income:

• Interest and earnings: $2,300.00
• IRA distribution: $1,350.00
• Reunion sponsorship: $3,800.00
• Reunion reservations and donations: $1,400.00
• Unrestricted gifts (park, newsletter, undesignated): $6,500.00
• Merchandise and DVD sales: $225.00
• Total: $15,755.00

Anticipated expenses:

• Reunion costs: $3,000.00
• Park expenses – Electricity: $375.00; Insurance: $2,000.00; Taxes: $2,400.00; Maintenance and mowing: $2,000.00 (Subtotal: $6,775.00)
• Postage, printing, telecommunications: $2,000.00
• Historical/Records, website: $3,000.00
• Donation to York County History Center: $250.00
• IRS/Tax preparer: $600.00
• Total: $15,755.00

Note: Insurance and taxes on Heimwald Park total nearly $12 per day or $118 per week.