The Origin of the Kolb-Kulp-Culp Reunion
In 1919, the grandchildren of Joseph Kolb, of Sassamansville, Montgomery County, organized a family reunion for their immediate family, and by 1924, extended the invitation to all Kolb-Kulp-Culp families. The reunion has met every year since, except during the four WWII years and two of the recent pandemic years.
Origin of the Kolb-Kulp-Culp Family Reunion, Held annually at East Greenville, Penna. By Miss Sibyl Harpel
Taken from the Kolb-Kulp-Culp Family Record Book, page 56-58, published in 1936.
Squire Joseph Kolb, 1813-1892, and his wife Catherine, living on a small farm near Sassamansville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, were the parents of eight daughters and one son. All were raised on the farm, all eventually married; the six younger ones settling in East Greenville, Pa. and vicinity; the three older ones in Wilkes-Barre, Lebanon and Philadelphia. Yearly visits to the farm by the three older daughters with their growing families endeared the grandparents and the farm to all their grandchildren.
In her 80th year, the second daughter of Squire Kolb. Wilhelmina Kolb-Harpel, the mother of eleven children, was fond of being motored into the East Greenville section for a day or weekend, calling on her two remaining sisters, or some of her numerous nieces and nephews living in the vicinity. Her birthday, August 29th, was frequently spent in this way and became quite popular with her relatives. In 1919 one of her daughters living at Forest Lodge on the Bethlehem Pike near Sellersville, Pa. invited these sisters, their families and a few friends and cousins in the vicinity to a surprise birthday party for her mother. This was held outdoors and a very enjoyable day spent and it was decided to hold a picnic there the following year on Labor Day in honor of all three sisters: Wilhelmina Kolb-Harpel, Amanda Kolb-Thomas and Harriet Kolb-Bauman, the youngest sister whose birthday occurred August 7th. This gathering was considerably larger and pronounced a great success. The weather was ideal and the three old ladies were happy in being thus honored.
Since larger quarters were needed for the rapidly growing gatherings several of the Bauman cousins secured the East Greenville Grove, adjacent to the New Goshenhoppen Grove, for their gathering. The Bauman, Zern, Kolb, Thomas, Ehl, Saylor and Harpel cousins, (grandchildren of Squire Kolb), their families and friends became enthusiastic with the “get together” spirit as well as the desire to honor the three old ladies revered by all as “Mother” or “Aunt.” There were some thirty-four (34) grandchildren at this time interested in the gatherings. Games were provided for the increasing number of great grandchildren. The school girls and boys entertained with recitations, music and songs.
At the close of the 1922 gathering, Mr. Frank Zern, son of Mary Kolb-Zern, seventh daughter of Squire Kolb, suggested an Annual Kolb Family Reunion and made a motion to that effect. This was received with great acclaim and he was nominated President, but declined that honor insisting that the president of the Reunion should be a Kolb in name as well as descent. He then named Mr. Reller Kolb of Pennsburg, Pa. for the first president and Mr. Zern became the very efficient secretary.
The meeting adjourned with the suggestion that at the 1923 meeting all descendants of Joseph Kolb be registered and come prepared to complete an official organization and program for the 1924 Reunion.
In the spring of 1923 both Mrs. Wilhelmina Kolb-Harpel and Mrs. Harriet Kolb-Bauman died – April 19th and June 13th respectfully. After the funeral of the latter the question of completing the organization of the Reunion arose. It was decided to go on with the work, consequently at the 1923 gathering in September an invitation was extended to all Kolb-Kulp-Culp descendants to register. A large number responded thus forming a mailing list which grew by leaps and bounds due to the zeal and energy of the secretary.
Mr. Warren Bauman was elected Treasurer and served ten years. According to his bank book there was always a comfortable deposit in the bank to be drawn upon for the expenses of the ensuing year.
The program for 1924 was arranged, the following committees appointed.
History Committee – Mr. Henry Bauman, Miss Beta Saylor, Miss Ida Harpel, Mr. Frank Harpel, and Mr. Forest Bauman.
Music Committee – Miss Dorothy Kulp, Miss Glena Imbody, Mr. Scott Kulp, Miss Flora Harpel, and Mr. Forest Bauman.
Mr. Reller Kolb, President, resigned before the 1924 meeting and Mr. Frank Zern became Acting President for the First Reunion.
Thus, the origin and phenomenal growth of the Reunion seems due to the veneration in which parents and grandparents were held by their children, the seal and enthusiasm of its officials and to large families: there being over one hundred living great grandchildren of Joseph Kolb at that time.
