Biographical Sketch (1880):32, p. 34.,22, p. 174-175.,27, p. 719-720. "William Bitler was born near Reading, Pa., Feb. 22, 1807. His parents removed to Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1812. He married Miss Rebecca Snyder Feb. 27, 1828, and came to Franklin County, Ohio Jan. 23, 1832. Two years later he came to this county, and settled at St. Johns. His wife died Aug. 14, 1857, and he was remarried Feb. 9, 1865, to Rosa A. Bechdolt. He was mail agent in this and Logan counties from 1847 till 1872. The exposure incident to mail carrying in a new country unprovided with roads told fearfully upon his health, as he contracted the rheumatism in a violent form, by which he has been confined to his bed for a period of three months consecutively. In 1869 he erected the ‘Bitler House’ in St. Johns, which he and his estimable wife has rendered not only a stopping place but a pleasant home for their guests. Mr. Bitler’s family by first wife consisted of three sons and six daughters, named Christian, Arthur, Samuel, Mary (deceased), Hannah, Lucy A., Almira, Elizabeth (both deceased), and Mehala; by his present wife one stepson, E. W. Parker, and two daughters, Aurora Belle (deceased), and Dora May."

Biographical Sketch (1917):30, v. 2, p. 728. "William Bitler, a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, came from Pennsylvania in the early days, first locating in Columbus, Ohio, and in 1833 removing to Auglaize County, which was then almost entirely a wilderness. He took up land direct from the Government and made his home on his claim until his death. For over twenty-five years he was a mail carrier."

Biographical Sketch (1923):34, p. 109-110. "William and Rebecca (Snyder) Bitler moved up into this part of the state in the spring of 1834 and settled on a tract of land which William Bitler in that year had entered from the government in section 4 of Clay township, in what then was Allen county but which in 1848 became a part of the newly erected Auglaize county. This was in the vicinity of the old Blackhoof Indian village in the Wapakoneta reservation, from which the Indians had been removed but two years before, and was right in the primeval forest, but the Bitlers settled down there and in due time carved a farm out of the place. William Bitler, the pioneer, was a Pennsylvanian, born in the vicinity of Reading on February 22, 1807. When he was five years of age, 1812, his parents moved from that place into Schuylkill county, same state, where he grew into manhood and on February 27, 1828, was married to Rebecca Snyder. Four years later, in January 1832, he came to Ohio and located at Columbus, where in the April following his son Arthur was born. Possessing of the pioneering instinct he sought possession of new lands and two years later, in 1834, established his home in the wilderness in the vicinity of where the next year (1835) the village of St. Johns was laid out on the site of the old Indian village, his brother [father? brother Daniel Bitler Jr. was age 15 in 1835], Daniel Bitler, being one of the founders of that town. In 1847 William Bitler was appointed to the position of mail agent for the route traversing this section and down through Logan county and he maintained that position until 1872. In the meantime, in 1869, he opened a tavern at St. Johns, which for years known as the Bitler House was one of the most popular hostelries in this part of the state, and he continued proprietor of this place until his death on July 13, 1889. William Bitler was twice married. His first wife (Rebecca Snyder) died in August, 1857, and in February, 1865, he married Rosa A. Bechdolt. By his first union he was the father of three sons and six daughters, Christian, Arthur, Samuel, Mary, Hannah, Lucy, Elmira, Elizabeth, and Mahala, and by his second union had two daughters, Aurora Belle and Dora May."

Biographical Sketch (1979):10 "Bitler, William, b. in Reading, Pa. in 1807, went with parents to Schuylkill Co., Pa. in 1812. He married in 1828 Rebecca Snyder and came here in 1834. Had 9 children: Christian, Arthur, Samuel, Mary, Hannah, Lucy, Almira, Elizabeth and Mehala. His wife died in 1857 and he married 2nd in 1865 Rosa Bechdolt. Had stepson E. W. Parker and Aurora Bell & Dora May."

1807 Birth:204, transcript, p. 11; photocopy, p. 13. Wilhelm born to parents Daniel Bittler and Elisabeth on February 22, 1807 and baptised July 5, 1807. Witnesses: Johann Bittler and Elisab, paternal grandparents.

1820 U.S. Census:614 William enumerated in the household of Daniel Bitler in Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania as a male between the ages of 10-16.

1830 U.S. Census:1991
Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County, Union Township
Head of Family •• William Biddler (i.e. Bitler)
males under 5 •• 1 << son Christian, age 1, born about 1829
males 20-30 •• 1 << William, about age 23
females under 1 •• 1 << daughter Mary, age 2, born about 1828
females 20-30 •• 1 << wife Rebecca, about age 26

1834 Land Owner:27, p. 714. William and Daniel Bitler listed as original purchasers of land in 1834 in Clay Township, Allen County, Ohio.

1839 Land Purchase:523 William Bitler and Henry Bitler, Allen County, purchased land from Daniel Sr. and Elizabeth Bitler, Allen County, on March 2, 1839 for $10.

1839 Land Purchase:582 William Bitler and Daniel Bitler Jr., Allen County, purchased land from Daniel Bitler Sr. and his wife Elizabeth, Allen County, on March 2, 1839 for $40.

1839 Court-appointed Guardian:373, v. 1, p. 60. Allen County, Ohio Common Pleas Court Records 1838-1839: 4-22-1839 - William Bitler appointed guardian to Ludwick Lawtigh aged 9 years and Leah Lawtigh aged 7 years, minor children of John Lawtigh, deceased - Bond $300.

1839 Land Purchase:527 William Bitler, Allen County, purchased land from Byrd and Nancy Richardson, Allen County, on October 2, 1839 for $205.

1840 U.S. Census:397
Ohio, Allen County, Clay Township
Head of Family •• William Bittlar
males under 5 •• 1
males 5-10 •• 2 << Arthur, approx. age 8 and Ludwick Lawtigh, approx. age 10
male 10-15 •• 1 << Christian, approx. age 11
male 30-40 •• 1 << William, age 33
females under 5 •• 2 << Elizabeth, approx. age 3, and Almira Luisa, infant
females 5-10 •• 2 << Hannah, approx. age 7, and Lucy, approx. age 6
female 10-15 •• 1 << Mary, approx. age 12
female 15-20 •• 1 << [domestic help ??]
female 30-40 •• 1 << Rebecca, approx. age 36

1840 Neighbors: Four households, including that of Samuel Baughman,591 separate the census listings of the Henry Baughman590 family (with Margaret, age 10) and the William Bitler397 family (with Arthur, age 8).

1845 Estate Settlement Land Sale: William and Rebecca Bitler, John and Catherine Neal, Lincoln Morehead and Justine, Stephen and Lucy Ann Looney, Daniel and Sara Jane Bitler, Henry and Margaret Bitler, and Elizabeth Bitler, guardian of Samuel, in separate transactions on September 22, 1845 sold land which was by partition set off to Eli Bitler as part of Daniel Bitler Sr.'s estate to John Shaw570 for $119, to Lincoln Morehead574 for $35, to Henry Bitler575 for $50, and to Samuel Bitler576 for $35.

1847 Land Sale:495 William Craig, Allen County, purchased land from William and Rebecca Bitler, Allen County, March 30, 1847.

1848 Land Owner:375 William Bitler listed as a land owner in Auglaize County, with property in Union Township and St. Johns Town. (Auglaize County established in 1848.)

1850 Tax List, Union Township, Auglaize County, Ohio:667, p. 4. William Bitler listed in the Auglaize County Delinquent Tax List for Union Township Taxes, showing $20.20 taxes owed for 1850, which William Bitler disclaimed.

1850 U.S. Census:398
Auglaize County, Ohio (Clay Township)
Enumerated 15 August 1850
William Bitler •• 45, male, farmer, real estate value $2,500, born in Pennsylvania
Rebecca •• 46, female, born in Pennsylvania
Mary •• 22, female, born in Pennsylvania
Christian •• 20, male, farmer, born in Pennsylvania, in school within the year
Arthur •• 18, male, farmer, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Hannah •• 17, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Lucy A. •• 15, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Elizabeth •• 12, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Luisa •• 9, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Mahala •• 7, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Samuel •• 4, male, born in Ohio

1851 Land Sale:595 John Walch, Auglaize County, purchased land from William and Rebecca Bitler, Auglaize County, on February 22, 1851 for $140. Daniel and Arthur Bitler witnessed the transaction.

1852 Land Purchase:597 William Bitler, Auglaize County, purchased land from Stephen and Lucy Ann Looney, Auglaize County, on March 16, 1852 for $31.

1852 Land Purchase:609 William Bitler, Auglaize County, purchased land from John and Elizabeth Shaw, Auglaize County, on May 1, 1852 for $206. Daniel Bitler and Jesiah Baughman witnessed the transaction.

1860 U.S. Census:399
Auglaize County, Ohio (Clay Township)
Enumerated 3 July 1860
William Bitler •• 52, male, no occupation listed, real estate value: $1,800, personal estate value: $250, born in Pennsylvania
Mary Larue •• 31, female, born in Pennsylvania
Elmira Bitler •• 20, female, born in Ohio
Lucy Bitler •• 25, female, born in Ohio
Mahala Bitler •• 17, female, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Samuel Bitler •• 14, male, born in Ohio, in school within the year
Edwin Larue •• 6, male, born in Ohio, in school within the year

1862 Township Clerk:27, p. 717. William Bitler served as Clerk of Clay Township, Auglaize County, Ohio.

1865 Marriage:469 Marriage of William Bitler to Rosiana Bechtoldt on Feb. 9, 1865 in Auglaize County, Ohio.

1870 U.S. Census:400
Auglaize County, Ohio (Clay Township)
William Bitler •• 63, male, white, hotel keeper, real property value: $4,000; personal property value: $400; born in Pennsylvania
Rosanna •• 42, female, white, keeping house, born in Ohio
Dora M •• 1, female, white, at home, born in Ohio
Mahala Donegan •• 26, female, white, domestic servant, born in Ohio
Edward Parker •• 9, male, white, at home, in school within the year
Sarah B. Beer •• 8, female, white, at home, in school within the year << [who is this?]

1880 Hotel Keeper:22, p. 172. "At this time, the business interests are represented by Wm. Bitler, proprietor Bitler House and store; Wm. Giberson, proprietor Giberson House and store; Gnagi Bro's, general merchandise and cooperage; Wm. Perkins, dealer in hats and caps, and boots and shoes; Thos. Emerson, druggist; Wm. Bush, wagon manufactory; and Wm. Herring, proprietor steam saw and grist mill . . . "

1880 U.S. Census:401
Auglaize County, Ohio (The Village of St. Johns)
Enumerated 1 June 1880
William Bitler •• white, male, age 73, married, occupation landlord, chronic rheumatism, born in Pennsylvania, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Pennsylvania
Rosannah •• white, female, age 53, wife, married, landlady, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio
Hallie •• white, female, age 36, daughter, divorced, housekeeper, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Pennsylvania
Dora M. •• white, female, age 11, daughter, single, at school, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio
Louis W. •• white, male, age 8, grandson, single, born in Ohio, father and mother born in Ohio << who is this?
Edward Parker •• white, male, age 18, step-son, single, occupation farmer, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Ohio
Jennie Coats •• white, female, age 23, servant, single, cook in hotel
John Bechdolt •• white, male, widowed, age 77, father-in-law, widowed, superintendent

1889 Obituary:290, v. 1, p. 35 (Auglaize County Democrat, 18 July 1889, "St. Johns News") Wm. Bitler died July 13, 1889. 82y 4m 11d Born Feb. 22, 1807, seven miles below Reading, Berks Co., Penn. He moved to Schuylkill Co., where he remained until 1832. Married Rebecca Snyder on July 27, 1828 and moved to Columbus, O., in January of 1832. Then in April 5, 1834 he moved to Clay Twp., Auglaize Co., then Allen Co. Where he remained until his death. He was a resident of Clay Twp. for 55y 3m 8d. His wife Rebecca died on August 15, 1857. She had 9 children, all of whom mourned her death. Six children remain: Christopher of Colorado; Arthur of Wapakoneta; Samuel of Bitlertown, Kansas; Mahala Bitler of St. Johns; Hannah Rogers of Wapakoneta and Lucinda Fritz of Roundhead. On Feb. 9, 1865 he married Rosa Bechdolt, by whom 2 children were born. One, Dora Martin, still survives. Had 43 grandchildren & 20 great grandchildren. 25 grandchildren & 17 great grandchildren still living. "St. Johns News."

1889 Obituary:782 An Old Pioneer Gone. William Bitler, who has been a resident of St. Johns for the past fifty-five years, died in that village on Saturday, July the 13th, at the age of 82 years, 4 months, and 21 days. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, seven miles below the city of Reading on the 22d day of February, 1807. In 1812 he removed with his parents to what is now Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and remembered seeing the last of the troops leave for the war of 1812. July 27th, 1828, he married Rebecca Snyder, and in 1832, he with his wife and family left Pennsylvania, settling first at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until the 5th day of April 1834, when he arrived at St. Johns or what is now St. Johns. His wife died in August 1857, leaving him with nine children, six of whom are still living. In 1865 he married Rosanah Bechdoldt who with one daughter still survives him. His life has been of an uneventful nature, being for years a farmer and for many years a U. S. mail carrier, then tavern keeper until the end. He was a good citizen and neighbor, a kind husband and loving father, sympathetic to the last. The last few years of his life he was a great sufferer, being afflicted with rheumatism and dropsy. His death was not unexpected, but came as a sweet rest unto him. His funeral obsequies took place from the M. E. Church in St. Johns on Tuesday the 16th inst. at 2 o'clock p.m., conducted by Rev. Boggs.

1899 Obituary:545 Mr. William Bitler, of St. John, brother of the late Samuel Bitler of this place, died at his home on Saturday, at the age of eighty two years, four months, and twenty one days. His funeral took place at St. John’s on Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended. A number of persons from this place were present.

1889 Tombstone:171, v. 1, bk. 2, p. 261.,18, p. 292. St. Johns Cemetery, Union Township, Auglaize County, Ohio (monument like a tree trunk).
William Bitler
d. July 12, 1889
82y 4m 21d