Artifacts in banner (left to right): School book belonging to Elam. Photo (circa 1911) Elam Esch Mast. Entry from Elam's 1922 diary. Photo (circa 1939): Elam and Rebeca, their 10 children, and daughter-in-law Irene.

Elam Esch Mast

Elam Esch Mast (1891-1973) is our grandfather on Mom’s side. He lived all of his life in the area of Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The family farm, on Highway 401, now owned by the Twin Valley School District was once part of the estate of Jacob Mast who emigrated in 1750 and later belonged to Jacob’s son, “Blouse Davy.” Elam married Rebecca Kurtz. They had 10 children: Kathryn, Edwin, Martha, Lloyd, Stephen, Ira, Ruth, Della, Miriam, and Erma. His parents were Stephen K. (1849-1934) and Catharine (Esch) (1853-1929) Stoltzfus.

Artifacts from Mast Family Stories Collection:

Elam Mast Pedigree Chart

Elam E. Mast World War I Registration Card
On June 7, 1917, Elam lived in Joanna, Pennsylvania, with his wife and child. He was a farm laborer for John H. Stoltzfus. He claimed exemption on religious grounds.
Elam E. Mast World War II Registration Card
On April 27, 1942, Elam lived at RD2 Elverson, Pennsylvania. He was self-employed.

Elam's Diaries

Our grandfather Elam kept small, pocket-sized diaries that mostly documented farm work. Many of these diaries exist but they were distributed among his children. This diary is for the year 1922 in which Elam turned 31 and bought a farm. When there is an obvious match, we have added financial information from Elam’s ledger. We have limited our edits to those that make subject matter clearer.

Elam Esch Mast Diary 1922: First Quarter
Elam Esch Mast Diary 1922: Second Quarter
​Elam Esch Mast Diary 1922: Third Quarter
Elam Esch Mast Diary 1922: Fourth Quarter