244 East Main

244 E. Main Street




244 East Main Street in 1888

Andrew Kreider's Residence on East Main Street in 1888.

The home, built by Andrew Kreider in 1867, is two-and-a-half stories tall: the first story measures 9-feet 10-inches, with the second even taller at 10-feet 6-inches. Here members of Andrew Kreider's immediate family lived for 99 years, until his daughter ("Miss Anna" Kreider) retired to assisted living in 1966 at age 93. At some point during the Kreider family occupancy, ornate stoops at the front and side were replaced by a wrap-around porch. (Compare 1888 and 2007.)

Initials and date inscribed into

front-door threshold.

From left: Joseph H. Kreider, David Kreider Jr., Henry H. Kreider, Andrew Kreider and Aaron S. Kreider (Biographical Annals of Lebanon County by J.H. Beers, 1904).


The following information about Andrew Kreider derives from pages 328-329 of the Biographical Annals of Lebanon County and pages 45-48 of Installment 8 of The History of the Kreider Family from the Pen of Rev. J.G. Francis (June 16, 1919). Among its fascinations are the number of relatives who lived within a block of each other on East Main Street in Annville. Andrew Kreider was born on a farm in South Annville township, July 18, 1828, a son of David and Sarah (Henry) Kreider. Andrew's great-great grandfather came to Pennsylvania from Switzerland with several of his brothers. His great-grandfather, Henry Kreider, who was born south of Lebanon, as was his grandfather, Jacob Kreider. Jacob married Mary Stauffer, daughter of Abraham Stauffer, of a prominent family of Lancaster county. Nine children were born to them as follows: Elizabeth, David, Joseph, Michael, Nancy, Susan, Kate, Mary, and Lydia. David Kreider (1803-1871), the father of Andrew, was born about two and one-half miles southwest of the city of Lebanon. David had ten children who lived to adulthood, having five children with each of two wives. His first wife, Sarah (Henry) Kreider (1808-1852), was born in Palmyra. Their children were as follows: Andrew Kreider, who lived from July 18, 1828 to July 1916 (see 244 East Main Street); David, born December 11, 1832; Henry H., who lived from September 30, 1835 - August 19, 1916 (see 304 and 308 East Main Street); Maria ("Mary"), born on June 4, 1838, married Abraham M. Brightbill; and Joseph H., born January 23, 1841. David Kreider's second wife was Magdalena Shenk, who was born in Dauphin county. The children of this union were: Elizabeth Shenk Kreider, born August 25, 1855; Daniel Shenk Kreider, who lived from October 17, 1856 - July 7, 1893; Lydia Shenk Kreider, who lived from 1857-1935; the wife of Henry Kettering; Annie, born November 18, 1858; and Aaron Shenk Kreider., born June 26, 1863. Andrew Kreider attended the country schools in his locality, and also the old Annville Academy. In September 1862 during the Civil War, he became a member of a cavalry company of Pennsylvania Emergency troops, ready for the defense of the State. On May 29, 1866, Andrew Kreider was united in marriage with Emma L. Miller, who was born in North Annville, June 12, 1846, a daughter of George A. Miller. In 1867, when he was nearly 40 years old, Mr. Kreider erected his comfortable home in Annville, and determined to make this pleasant village his place of residence. The children born to Andrew and Emma are the following: Sallie, Raymond, Edwin, and Anna E. For several years Andrew Kreider engaged in the lumber and real estate business, doing much in this line to bring the town into touch with other parts of the county. In 1873 he was one of the organizers of Annville Savings Bank, which has grown into the Annville National Bank, of which he served as vice-president until the death of President Judge Kinports, when he became the head of this leading financial institution of Lebanon county. No citizen has been more deeply interested than he in the growth of the Lebanon Valley College, an institution of learning whose graduates rank with those from much older colleges. All four of his children graduated from LVC. The United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Kreider is a member, has profited much by his generosity, as have the various charities of the locality, his private benefactions, however, exceeded his public ones. Mr. Kreider has always been public-spirited, and was instrumental in getting Annville's present water supply, contributing both time and money to that much needed public improvement. In all other public movements he has always been found on the side of progress, and is very justly regarded as the town's leading and most useful citizen.

	Can you find the original door bell, as shown in this photograph? It's the knob to the right of the door. Pull out vigorously for a solid ring!

The wrought-iron fence which encircles the property today is an original feature of the house. The gates to this fence are especially enjoyable!		Front Gate	East Gate

When Ralph and Mildred Shanaman purchased the home on public auction in 1966, they resolved to preserve the historic integrity of the home. Renovations occurred only where the times had dictated: the kitchen was redesigned and bathrooms added on the second floor. Important preservation work was completed in the basement, where the walls in the foundation measure 23 - 32 inches thick. In the process, Ralph discovered that a newspaper from the year 1800 had been tucked between the limestone, featuring an ode to George Washington (who had recently passed away) and a letter by John Adams!

244 East Main Street in 1966

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