Brief Account of the Smyser
(Schmeisser) Family
The family of Schmeisser is one of the oldest German families of free, that is noble descent, who flourished among the Silesian Knighthood, and already in the 12th century possessed the family property of Ehrempreisberg (on the Austrian border not far from Vienna.) For this reason they called themselves the "Schmeisser's of Ehrempreisberg". Up to the present time we find the name among various families of Prussian and Saxon countries who as successors of the Schmeisser's of Ehrempreisberg and have always preserved and borne the coat-of-arms of the Schmeisser's.
The family of Schmeisser is no longer found in the genealogical lists of German nobility for the reason that during a period of war in the middle of the 17th century, earlier lines of the family were entirely extinguished with members of later linkage taking their place. These later generation of Schmeisser's gave up their nobility by enrolling themselves among the bourgeoisie and brought up as town folks, i.e., tradesmen.
As head of the line of the Schmeisser's, stands the Silesian landed proprietor and knight "Bohemund der Schmeisser of Ehreenpreisberg" who lived in the year 1128 A.D.
The Smyser family is one of the oldest and prominent in York County, PA. The name was translated from Schmeisser which means "one who throws", which became part of emblem of the family.
One of the earliest records of the family whom came to America is that of Martin Schmeisser, a farmer who became second officer in command under Frederick V and was mortally wounded at the battle of Wurtemburg. His last words were "Though all the world is lost, I stand firm in my faith." (From Mentzel's "History of German Warriors") He was a member of the Lutheran Church in the parish of Lustenau.
His widow Anna Barbara emigrated to America with her children Mathis, George and Margaret. They arrived on September 21, 1731 on board the Britannia.
Mathis seems to have been 16 years old when have arrived with his mother. Mathis was born in the village of Rugelbach, Germany, belonging to the Parish of Lustenau, about six miles west of Dindelsbuhl, Germany.
Tree Top of Smyser Family in America
1. Andreas Schmeisser
(B) about 1662
(D) about 1707
2. Martin Schmeisser
(B) about 1690
(D) Prior to 1730
(M) May 6, 1710 at Denkelebuhl (sp) to Anna Barbara Kalther.
(C) 3 - Mathis, George, Margaret.
3. Mathis Schmeisser I
(B)February 15, 1715
(D) April 12, 1778
(M) July 23, 1738 to Anna Kathenna Koppenboffer
(C) Henry, Phillip, Jacob, John, Michael and George.
Note: Michael Schmeisser would become my great grandmother Fulcher grandfather, which would give me double linkage to the original Smyser's in America. I'll leave this to a more complete tree I need to make.
4. Mathis Jacob Schmeisser
(B) October 3, 1742
(D) 1793 or 1794
(M) Elisabeth (could be Klisabeth? Ink is bad) Eishelberger
5. Jacob Schmeisser Sr.
(B) April 18, 1772 in York County, PA.
(D) December 12, 1840 near Wesster (sp) Ohio.
(M) Catherine Herman
6. Jacob Schmeisser Jr.
(B) June 27, 1810
(D) February 19, 1891
(M) August 30, 1832 to Sarah Diehl, Hannover, York County PA.
7. George Luther Schmeisser
(B) September 28, 1849
(D) January 2, 1916
(M) Decemeber 4, 1873 to Lydia Norton (sp)
8. Cleve Morton Schmeisser Sr.
(B) August 7, 1878
(D) September 30, 1944
(M) Novemeber 2, 1904
9. Cleve Morton Schmeisser Sr.
(B) November 11, 1911
10. Ed Clerre Schmeisser
(B) February 7, 1951
*Source was from old-hard-to-read photo copies from History of the Smyser Family in America, 1931.