I know very litle about the Berkey family after they left Somerset Co., Pa. I do not know who the Charles P. Berkey was, whose family was he in? Would you send me his story of Jacob Berkey's river crossing? Jacob's parents, John, 1792-1847 and Mary, 1796-1829 lived and died in the Paint Twp. area of Somerset Co., Pa. I have 6 children listed for them and I beleive they all moved out west. Hiram, Eva, David, Peter, Veronica, and Jacob.
Growing up in the Scalp Level region Jacob had little education but he knew his Bible well and ended up preaching to nearly all the court rooms of northern Indiana before judges and lawyers, much to their approval. He was blessed with a good memory, had a good voice, and used both Dutch and Enlish language with great faith and confidence. The man from the banks of the Paint Creek in Somerset Co., Pa. made a great impression on many people who knew little of his background. He was well liked, was a strong man. He lectured all over the territory, especially to the Old Order Dunkards.