Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ERMENTROUT, DANIEL (HON.)

p. 757

Surnames: ERMENTROUT, EHRENDTRAUD, ERMENTRAUT, ERMTRAUT,
IRMENTRAUT, IRMTRAUT, SILVIS, RITTER, BERTOLETTE, GORDON,
MUHLENBERG, VAN MARSDORF, KEIM, KELLY, RYAN, BLAND, SCHAEFFER,
JONES, RUHL, METZGER, WASHINGTON, HARMER, BINGHAM, McALEER,
HOLLINGSWORTH, BROSSIUS

Hon. Daniel Ermentrout, late of Reading, has left a record of
devotion to the interests of that place which has been equalled by
few of its citizens, in any day. He was a descendant of the old
German stock to which this portion of Pennsylvania owes its
principal development, and which is still represented here in large
numbers by the posterity of the early settlers. As a lawyer of
ability he stood at the head of his chosen profession; as a public
official he performed services which will be felt for many years to
come; as a gentleman of brilliant mental gifts and winning
personality he was sought and welcomed in circles where the highest
ideals of social intercourse prevailed. His memory is cherished by
many in Reading, for though his life lines broadened until they
touched other communities and embraced many interests, yet his home
city always had first place in his heart and received the benefit
of the best efforts of his mind. The fellow-citizens who encouraged
his earlier endeavors were the same who applauded the achievements
of his mature years, and, augmented by the vast array of sincere
friends he made in his journey through life, were the same who
mourned most deeply his sudden taking away. Mr. Ermentrout was
distinctly an American citizen, his family having been settled in
this country for a hundred years before his birth, but nevertheless
he owed many of his most characteristic qualities to the race from
which he sprang, and some reference to his ancestors will be of
interest.

The family is of German noble origin. The head
of the house in Europe was living, in 1899, at Monersasztiska, in
Galicia, near the Russian border. Carl Friederich, Baron von
Irmtraut, as the name is now found in Austria, was born at
Stuttgart Dec. 19, 1810, was lieutenant-colonel in the Imperial
Austrian army, and Knight of the Military Order of Merit, and had
long lived in retirement. He married a relative, Anna, Baroness von
Irmtraut, and there were no children.

The recorded history of the family begins in
1339, when it was already among the oldest members of the German
nobility, forming part of the old “tournament ring of Franconia.”
To belong to any one of the four tournament circles of those days
it was necessary to prove descent from four noble families, all
eligible, on both paternal and maternal sides. In other words, the
Knight had to prove his “quarterings.” Several Ermtrauts took part
in a tournament, at Frankfort, as well as in the celebrated
Nurnberg tournament of 1433, during the first year of the reign of
the Emperor Sigismund. These proofs of eligibility are still
preserved.

In ancient documents and old genealogical notes
the name is spelled Ehrendraud, Ehrentraud, Ermentraut, Ermtraut,
Irmentraut, Irmtraut, just as it sounded at the moment to the
clerks who wrote these papers, as the Knights of those early days
were indifferent spellers and usually signed their documents with
the imprint of their armorial bearings embossed on signet rings or
sword pommels.

The earliest known seat of the family was
located in Hadamar, Nassau, where the name is still perpetuated in
the little village of Irmtraut, situated on the outskirts of the
Westerwald. There they had their feudal holdings and manor house,
and in accordance with the customs of the day the family name was
given to the place. A great stone barn carved with the Irmtraut
coat of arms was all that remained in 1864. The castle was but a
mass of ruins. They intermarried with other great families in their
own and neighboring counties, Nassau, Franconia, Suabia, the
Palatinate, etc., and present-day descendants of these marriages
include the Counts of Bassenheim in Bavaria, the Princes and Counts
of Metternich in Austria, the Counts of Schwarzenburg in Austria,
the Hatzfelds in Prussia, the Schoenborns in Austria, the Barons
von Stein on the Rhine and in Prussia, and others of equal
importance.

In religion the Ermtrauts at present are
Protestants, probably becoming such at the time of the Reformation,
as in earlier days members of the family served as Abbots and
Abbesses, in “noble knightly abbeys” and convents. In the service
of the Crown, the Irmtrauts made their reputation as military men.
Some seem to have been inclined to adventure, as it is recorded
that two, who were in the Spanish Moorish wars, were killed by the
Moors in Spain. One of them was intrusted with a diplomatic mission
to the Duke of Burgundy, in the sixteenth century, and succeeded so
well that he was rewarded by his sovereign with the augmentation of
his “arms.”

Taking up the line in America, we find the same
superior ideals of civic duty and manly achievement prevailing in
every generation. From its foundation here, the family has been
among the most influential and notable in Berks county.
Representatives of the name have borne their full share of the
burden of public duties and lived up to the most intelligent
standards in private life.

John Ermentrout, the first of the name on this
side of the Atlantic, came hither from his home in the Palatinate
in 1739, and permanently settled in what is now Berks county, Pa.,
where the family remained until 1829.

Christopher Ermentrout, son of John, was born
Feb. 8, 1754, in the family home, near Womelsdorf. His son, John,
the grandfather of Hon. Daniel Ermentrout, was born April 27, 1777,
and was a Jefferson Democrat. William Ermentrout, son of John, was
born Dec. 12, 1799, near Womelsdorf, and died at Reading Jan. 21,
1880, to which city he had removed in 1829. He was active in the
local municipal service, as well as a successful merchant, holding
the office of county treasurer from 1851 to 1853, and serving for
many years as a member of the board of controllers of the public
schools of the city, and was treasurer of the board from 1869 to
1877. His religious connection was with the Reformed Church brought
by his ancestors from the Old World.

William Ermentrout married Justina Silvis, and
to them were born ten children, namely: John Silvis, William C.,
Benjamin F., Philip M., Daniel, Joseph C., Dr. Samuel C., James
Nevin, Ellen (m. H. C. Ritter) and Elizabeth (m. de Benneville
Bertolette).

Daniel Ermentrout, fifth son of William and
Justina (Silvis) Ermentrout, was born Jan. 24, 1837, in Reading, at
the homestead, No. 52 North Fifth street, and was identified with
the city throughout his life. He began his education in the public
schools, prepared for college in the classical schools and received
his higher literary training in Franklin and Marshall College, at
Lancaster, Pa., and in Elwood Institute, Norristown, this State.
Meantime he had followed intermittently in the profession which has
been the stepping-stone for many an ambitious student, teaching for
several years, in Reading, Conshohocken and Norristown. Further, he
had commenced the study of law, under the able direction of No.
David F. Gordon, who had served as president judge of the Berks
district from 1849 to 1851, and who then had a law office in
Reading. On Aug. 3, 1859, Mr. Ermentrout was admitted to the Bar,
and thus formally launched upon his life work began a career which
made his name one of the most honored among the native sons of
Pennsylvania.Even at the outset of his independent practice Mr.
Ermentrout had more patronage than falls to the lot of the average
young lawyer. Success seemed to be his portion, the people gave him
their confidence intuitively. But he was a young man of sincere
purpose, an indefatigable worker, and a diligent student, and
though his honors came fast none grudged him his reward, for it was
fairly earned. He soon entered public life by the professional
road. Just three years after his admission to the Bar, in 1862, he
was elected district attorney of Berks county, for a term of three
years, and during that time not only formed a wide acquaintance in
the legal fraternity of this section of the State, but also found
ample exercise for all of his talents, the diversified demands of
the work bringing into practical use many acquirements for which
there is little call in ordinary practice. Moreover, some of the
most important public services he performed in his later years, as
a legislator may be traced directly to his experiences in the
discharge of his first public office. Having proved his ability and
public spirit, he was again and again called to services of
responsibility for his community, being almost continuously in
office until his death. In 1867 he was chosen city solicitor and
was twice re-elected, serving until 1870. In 1873 he was elected to
the State Senate, for a term of three years. Meantime, in 1874, the
term was lengthened by a year, and when he was re-elected, in 1876,
it was a four-year term. At the close of that period, in 1880, he
was chosen to represent this district in the National Congress,
and, by re-election, was a member of that body for four successive
terms, 1881 to 1889. In 1896 he was again elected, and at the end
of his term was chosen to succeed himself in 1898, so that he was a
member of the LVIth Congress, at the time of his sudden death.

In October, 1877, while a member of the State
Senate, the Governor appointed him a member of the Pennsylvania
Statuary Commission, authorized by the State Legislature to select
the two Pennsylvanians to be represented in Statuary Hall, at the
National Capitol. A contemporary says of this: “Governor Hartranft
was a Republican but he saw Daniel Ermentrout was the man for the
place.” Mr. Ermentrout used his influence to the utmost in securing
the choice of General Muhlenberg and was particularly gratified in
the selection, inasmuch as the General was an ancestor of the
family of the same name in Berks county, as well as one of the most
notable representatives of the early German stock. Afterward, when
he became a member of the National House of Representatives, he
proved his lasting interest in the matter by delivering a brilliant
address on the Muhlenberg and Fulton statues; by offering
resolutions presenting the thanks of Congress for the statues, and
by introducing a bill to authorize the printing of the proceedings
of Congress in accepting them.

During his first term in Congress Mr.
Ermentrout, besides looking after various minor affairs of local
interest, accomplished an object which has given him a permanent
place among the public benefactors of Reading. Although for twenty
years the Congressional representative of this district had tried
in vain to get an appropriation for a public building in Reading,
Mr. Ermentrout, a Democrat in a Republican House, tactfully
overcame every obstacle and succeeded in obtaining the amount
necessary to put up the handsome post-office which Reading has
since enjoyed. It was typical of him that the victory was not won
by aggressive methods, but by the exercise of his comprehensive
understanding of parliamentary rules, together with a fine
discrimination and bonhomie, that won friends for himself as well
as for his pet project. His success had wider results than were
originally anticipated, for, with the Reading building as a
precedent, many other Pennsylvania towns have since been likewise
favored. Mr. Ermentrout’s efforts in behalf of his home city,
directly and indirectly, gained many benefits for Reading, but
none, perhaps, gave him more pleasure in the doing than this, and
the Reading post-office stands as his best monument – the work by
which he is best remembered.

In 1882-83 he also presented bills to change the
name and location of the Kutztown National Bank; to furnish
condemned cannon to McLean Post, No. 16, G. A. R.; petitions and
papers from the citizens of Pennsylvania for the passage of a bill
to establish a Superior court; for an appropriation to American
steamships for ocean mail service, and for medals for the Ringgold
Battery, First Defenders; in recognition of their services during
the Civil war. He took a strong position in favor of the
restriction of Chinese immigration, making several speeches on that
subject; also in favor of the extension of the National bank
charters, and against the appointment of a tariff commission. His
succeeding terms were marked by similar activity. He introduced a
number of private pension claims which were afterward successfully
established, offered petitions and papers to increase the pay of
the Capitol police; petitions and papers from the citizens of his
State for the enforcement of the eight-hour labor law, and for the
establishment of penny postage; from the Berks County Medical
Society for a building for a medical museum; from the Reading
Druggists’ Association for free alcohol, and from the Reading
Typographical Union, No. 86, for the Chance-Breckinridge currency
bill. While in the Lth Congress he was honored with a place on the
committee which had charge of the inaugural ceremonies of President
Harrison, and was a teller in the count of the electoral vote. It
was he who offered the motions and resolutions to admit ladies to
the floor of the House; to reserve portions of the House gallery;
and to appoint a committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

It was his boast on one notable occasion that he
“stood shoulder to shoulder with ‘Sam’ Randall in defense and
support of the tariff interests of Pennsylvania, until his party in
National and State conventions decided upon a new policy, and
then,” said Mr. Ermentrout, with solemn uplifted hand, “I go with
my party, and if necessary will go out of Congress for so acting
and voting.” His vote for the “Mills bill,” which was made a party
question, in the Lth Congress, lost him the Democratic nomination
for the next (List) Congress, but he was amply vindicated by his
nomination and election to the LVth and LVIth Congresses. He
insisted that a loyal Democrat he must follow his party flag, and
that its National platform, under the leadership of a Democratic
President, was binding on him until a new policy was decided upon.
“He was the only man in Berks county that ever survived a defeat
and again by native force forged to the front and gained a personal
victory.”

When he resumed his work in the LVth Congress,
it was evident that this public spirit had suffered no abatement.
He presented a bill and joint resolutions donating cannon to the G.
A. R., at Allentown; for the relief of Herman Van Marsdorf; also
papers and petitions from the Reading Cigarmakers’ Union against
increase in the tariff on tobacco; from Freedom Circle, Reading,
relative to alien ownership of land; from the Penn Hardware Company
of Reading, against duty on emery ore; from the Reading Tinplate
Company, relative to placing tariff on tinplate; from St. Lawrence
congregation, against placing church goods on the free list. He
used his good offices to obtain all the Government appointments
possible for his constituents, secured pensions for numerous
families and was instrumental in obtaining flowers and plants for
the improvement of the public park at the head of Penn street. It
was also through his influence, during this term, that Henry May
Keim was appointed consul to Prince Edward Island.

In Reading Mr. Ermentrout was particularly
active on the question of public education and was a member, from
the Seventh ward, on the board of school controllers for a number
of years.

In politics Mr. Ermentrout was a local leader in
the Democratic party from the time he made his first campaign, as
candidate for the office of district attorney. He had decided taste
and acknowledged talent for the contests of the political arena,
served several years as chairman of the Berks county committee, and
never missed a State convention of his party. In 1880 he was a
delegate to the National convention that was held at Cincinnati,
where he supported Samuel J. Tilden as long as that gentleman was a
candidate. When the hope of nominating him was abandoned Mr.
Ermentrout had the honor of presenting General Hancock’s name to
the convention for nomination.

Though his official duties were multitudinous
Mr. Ermentrout continued the practice of law throughout his life,
and made a reputation in the profession which would have been
notable had it not been overshadowed by the more conspicuous
results of his public service. He was engaged as counsel in
important trials from an early stage in his career, both in the
local and in the State Supreme Courts, and his term as district
attorney, covering three years of the Civil war period, was filled
with interesting and important work. In addition to the usual
criminal cases he conducted a number of trials which were the
center of wide interest at the time, with the ability which won him
much valuable patronage upon his return to private practice.

These are the plain facts regarding Mr.
Ermentrout’s life and work. They give some indication of his
devoted services and of the achievement of his dearest ambitions.
But, unqualified by any reference to the other side of his nature,
they give a totally inadequate idea of the man. His gifts as an
orator, his literary attainments, his social qualities, were
appreciable factors in the success of many of his undertakings.
During the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, while a
member of the State Senate, he made a memorable address on “The
Pennsylvania Germans in History.” Though he made no pretense of
oratorical skill he had a reputation throughout his Congressional
life as a clever and able speaker with that personal magnetism
which has power over an audience, when combined with the faculty of
saying things well, and he was often called upon for speeches and
addresses, in the most distinguished gatherings.

At one of the many Washington dinners, where he
was usually the life and soul of the party, the brilliant Blackburn
of Kentucky, then just elected to the Senate, in speaking of the
contest on the Mills’ bill and of the division of the House
thereon, said: “Mr. Chairman, it was once said that the
Pennsylvania Democracy was divided into three factions, the Thomas
Jefferson and Andrew Jackson Democrats and the Pennsylvania Dutch –
thousands of votes being cast in that State every four years
directly for Andrew Jackson, who was still thought to be very much
alive. But, Mr. Chairman, I want to add to that list. I would class
them as the Pennsylvania Democrats, the Pennsylvania Dutch, the
Randall Democrats and Daniel Ermentrout.” This sally created great
laughter, and quick as a flash Mr. Ermentrout was on his feet. “Mr.
Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky, for
the compliment he has sought to pay me, by making me ‘flock by
myself.’ But Mr. Chairman, I want him and everybody present to know
that on that occasion I ‘flocked’ with the Democratic President of
the United States, the Democratic Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and, with five exceptions, the entire democratic
membership of the House of Representatives; and I want to say that,
when the time comes, I shall always be found ‘flocking’ with my
party and standing on its last National platform, if I have to
‘flock by myself’ in the Pennsylvania Democratic delegation. I
prefer to be an humble private citizen of Pennsylvania and retain
my self-respect, through fealty to my party, than cast a vote to
curry local and temporary favor. Legislation, whether State or
National, is, after all, but a compromise; but I shall always be
found following the party leader and the party flag.” Three rousing
cheers and a tiger were given for Mr. Ermentrout.

It was said of him, by his contemporaries in
Congress, that “he had all the nerve, courage and stubbornness of
his race, and an iron will, which fought to the bitter end. He
hated intrigue and despised all shams. He was open, frank, honest
and manly to his opponents. He wore no mask. He has as positive
convictions as any man who ever held a seat upon this floor, and he
was always loyal to his convictions. On non-essential questions,
where men might honestly differ, he was as generous and
kindly-tempered as a woman.”

During the visit to Nashville, Tenn., of a large
Congressional party at the invitation of the Managers of their
Centennial Exposition, in 1896, Mr. Ermentrout so won the hearts of
the people that they sent him word they would give him the greatest
office in their gift, governor or United States senator, if he
would make his home among them. It was then said of him: “He was
the center of attraction wherever he went, whether in a circle of
distinguished ladies and gentlemen, or with the very humblest of
the immense throngs that visited our Centennial. He was liked by
all. He loved to make everybody happy. He was a champion of the
cause of pleasure-making, adding always refinement and zest to each
and every occasion. He was the joy of the party.”

Throughout his busy life he continued to be a
close student, finding his most delightful recreation in his books,
into which he delved with characteristic earnestness. His taste was
discriminating and he acquired an astonishing intimacy with the
best in the classics and general literature. His linguistic
attainments were also unusual, including proficiency in French and
German, which he spoke and wrote with ease, and a familiar
knowledge of Italian and Spanish, sufficient for ordinary
conversation. He was a profound Latin scholar. Undoubtedly Mr.
Ermentrout received his first impulse in this direction while a
pupil in the classical school under Mr. Kelly, who was born in
France, of Irish parentage, and whose influence had a lasting
effect upon his researches and studies. He wrote fluently and
convincingly, his wide experience giving him an outlook both broad
and generous. His practical, intelligent views of life, gained in
so many different ways, tempered by the kindliness of disposition
admired by all, and augmented by study and travel, both in his own
country and Europe, gave his spoken and written thoughts a
permanent value. This fact is apparent today whenever his opinions
or advice are recalled.

Mr. Ermentrout’s last appearance at any public
affair was at a dinner given by the Reading Press Club, a few days
before his death upon which occasion he was an honored guest and
made his last speech. He was an associate member of this club, a
member and one of the founders of the Historical Society of Berks
County, a member of the Pennsylvania German Society, of the
Pennsylvania Historical Society and of the Americus Club. In 1862
he was a member of Company G, Second Regiment, Pennsylvania
Militia.

As may be judged from his connection with the
local historical societieshe was deeply interested in the
settlement of Pennsylvania and the history of his own county, and
his researches along this line made him one of the most thoroughly
informed men in the State. But in this, as in everything else, he
made no pretense of being an authority. His natural modesty and
refinement made him chary of exploiting his attainments and he
never won ill-will by undue display of his gifts or knowledge.

Mr. Ermentrout passed away at six o’clock, on
the morning of Sunday, Sept. 17, 1899, at his beautiful home,
Graustein, on the slope of Mt. Penn, after a day’s illness. In
death, as in life, he was honored as few citizens of Reading have
ever been. His remains were interred in the Charles Evans cemetery,
at Reading, on Sept. 21st, with Congressional honors. The funeral
committee selected by the clerk of the House was representative,
its members being: Congressman A. C. Harmer, H. H. Bingham, William
McAleer, Philadelphia, Pa.; J. W. Ryan, Pottsville, Pa.; Galusha A.
Grow, Glenwood, Pa.; William Alden Smith, Michigan; C. F. Joy,
Missouri; W. P. Hepburn, Iowa; J. S. Salmon, Boonton, N. J.; W. D.
Daly, Hoboken, N. J.; J. J. Gardner, Atlantic City, N. J.; James A.
Norton, Ohio; Amos Cummings, New York City; James L. Sherman,
Utica, N. Y.; M. Brossius, Lancaster, Pa.; Senator Boies Penrose,
Pennsylvania; Kean, New Jersey; Kenny, Connecticut; Wellington,
Maryland; Vest, Missouri; and Morgan, Alabama; J. H. Hollingsworth,
clerk.

The honorary pall-bearers were members of the
Reading Bar Association, namely: Hon. H. W. Bland, Charles H.
Schaeffer, Esq., Richmond L. Jones, Esq., and C. H. Ruhl, esq.
Numerous letters of condolence were received by the family, from
the Governor and other distinguished citizens of the State, members
of Congress from all over the country, and social acquaintances and
friends. The local and State papers paid glowing tributes to his
life and work; and resolutions of sympathy were passed by the Bar
Association of Berks County, by McLean Post, G. A. R., and by
various Democratic organizations.

The following interesting paragraph appears at
the close of a memorial pamphlet issues shortly after Mr.
Ermentrout’s death: “As a matter of historical interest in Mr.
Ermentrout’s career, it may be mentioned that up to the time of his
death he was the last one remaining of a party of six who were
gathered in his committee room at Washington, discussing civil
service reform. They were John F. Andrews, of Massachusetts;
ex-Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania; Secretary Gresham, of
Illinois; Arnott, of New York; Mutchler, of Pennsylvania; and
himself. At the death of Congressman Andrews, which took place in
June, 1895, Mr. Ermentrout wrote in his diary the following
quotation from Whittier on the death of Longfellow; ‘Who next shall
fall and disappear? I await the answer with awe and solemnity, and
yet with unshaken trust in the mercy of the All-Merciful.’ Alas!
The dread summons came to our friend and fellow-member all to
soon!”

Mr. Ermentrout was united in marriage with
Adelaide Louse Metzger, daughter of John Metzger, Jr. of Lancaster,
Pa., and to them were born two children, Fitz-Daniel and Adelaide
Louise Washington, the former now a practising attorney in Reading.
Mrs. Ermentrout’s culture and superior accomplishments enabled her
to fulfill fittingly the social obligations imposed by her
husband’s conspicuous position. In Washington they enjoyed the best
that that delightfully cosmopolitan society could give them,
meeting representative people from all quarters of the globe. One
of the most noteworthy functions in which they participated was the
grand historic ball given at Reading, in 1879, which surpassed
anything of the kind ever attempted in this section and which drew
guests of prominence from all over Pennsylvania, the Governor, with
his family and entire staff, making a special trip to Reading to
honor the assemblage with their presence. The ball was planned and
arranged by Mrs. Ermentrout, as Vice Regent of the Valley Forge
Association, in aid of the Valley Forge Fund, and was a memorable
success socially and financially. Mrs. Ermentrout founded the first
Chapter in the United States of the Children of the American
Revolution, although the idea originated with Mrs. Lathrop, of
Concord, Mass., – the writer of children’s stories. The Conrad
Weiser Chapter of Reading, Pa., is the name of this historic
society.

She was also appointed to take charge of Woman’s
Day, during Reading’s Sesqui-Centennial, in 1907, and had a notable
gathering on the morning of that day, at the Academy of Music,
addressed by the President of the Colonial Dames, the President of
the Daughters of the American Revolution and the President of the
Women’s Clubs of Pennsylvania. This was followed in the afternoon
by a reception to the women of Reading, by these distinguished
visitors, who assisted Mrs. Ermentrout in receiving them, at her
home, Graustein, on the Hill Road.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Ermentrout
spent four years in Europe, with her daughter, the latter
completing her education in England and France. During the school
vacations and for one entire year they traveled, and upon their
return to this country toured the United States for a year and a
half, visiting numerous places of interest. They still maintain
their pleasant home at Wyomissing, a suburb of Reading, passing the
summer and autumn there and wintering in one of the large cities.

Miss Ermentrout has had unusual social and
educational opportunities. While still pursuing her studies in
Paris she was presented, with her mother, at the first Court of
King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra, held at Buckingham Palace,
London, Friday evening, March 14, 1902. They were also presented to
President and Madame Loubet, at a ball given at the Elysee Palace,
the official Paris residence of the Presidents of France. In 1900
Mrs. Ermentrout was granted an interesting interview with Cardinal
Satolli, at his residence in one of the old Roman palaces. During
an earlier visit to Rome, in 1888, she was the fortunate recipient
of three distinct attentions from the Vatican, during the Jubilee
year, when the Holy city was thronged with visitors, thousands of
whom were unable to obtain even a glimpse of the Holy Father. Her
extensive travels, in the United States, Cuba and Europe, have been
diversified with various other unique and interesting experiences
and privileges.

The Metzger family, to which Mrs. Ermentrout
belongs, is German and of noble extraction, residing at Dornik for
several hundred years, until the death of Sigismund von Metzger, in
1590. He was appointed military architect and later colonel of
artillery, by Charles V, of Spain and Austria, and accompanied that
monarch in all of his war-like expeditions, in Europe and Africa,
dying at a very advanced age. He left two sons, Cornelius and
Gustave, brave and expert warriors, whose descendants are still to
be found in the Netherlands, Westphalia and North Germany. Mrs.
Ermentrout is a descendant of the Netherlands branch. On her
mother’s side she is descended from the first white settlers in
Lancaster county, Pa., in 1709, who, being relentlessly persecuted
for their religious beliefs, fled from Switzerland -some of them
French refugees – and found safety and peace in the New World. She
numbers among these two of the first clergymen and the first
physician ever known in Lancaster county.

p. 342

Surnames: ERMENTROUT, SILVIS

James Nevin Ermentrout, fourth elected President Judge of Berks
county, from 1889 to 1908, youngest son of William and Justina
(Silvis) Ermentrout, was born at Reading, Oct. 25, 1846. After a
preparatory education in the common schools he was graduated from
the high school in 1862, first in his class. He then taught school
for several terms, and assisted his brother (Prof. J. S.
Ermentrout, County Superintendent of public schools) until 1868.
While deputy superintendent, he conducted a course of reading and
study, under his brother, Daniel Ermentrout, Esq., a practicing
attorney at Reading till Nov. 27, 1867, when he was admitted to the
Bar. He then directed his earnest attention to the legal profession
and soon became actively engaged in practice. In 1869 he formed a
law partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Daniel
& James N. Ermentrout. Their law business increased rapidly and
embraced a general practice, including important litigation and the
settlement of numerous valuable estates. In 1874 his brother was
elected State Senator from this district, and re-elected for three
successive terms till 1880; and then he was chosen a member of
Congress. During this period the practice of the firm was conducted
almost entirely by the junior partner; and this constant engagement
in legal business gave him a large and valuable experience. When
the term of the additional law judge of the county was about to
expire, the members of the Bar directed their attention toward Mr.
Ermentrout, and in April, 1885, a letter was addressed to him
subscribed by eighty attorneys, without regard to political party,
requesting him to permit the use of his name as a proper person to
fill this office. This proceeding created a strong public sentiment
in his behalf, and when the Democratic convention assembled he was
nominated by an acclamation, and afterward elected at the ensuing
county election. He was re-elected in 1895, and in 1905. He died
Aug. 19, 1908, after having served as a judge of the courts of the
county twenty-two years.

RMENTROUT, JOHN SILVIS

p. 351

Surnames: ERMENTROUT, SILVIS

John Silvis Ermentrout, second County Superintendent of Public
Schools of Berks county ( eldest son of William and Justina Silvis
Ermentrout ), was born at Womelsdorf, Berks county, Sept. 27, 1827.
When he was two years old his parents removed to Reading, and there
he was reared. Developing a great aptitude for study, he was sent
to Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa., from which he was graduated
in 1845, the first honor man of his class, though not yet eighteen
years of age. He remained in the college as a tutor, teaching the
languages and lecturing on history. At the same time he was a
student of the Theological Seminary connected with the institution,
and from this seminary, he was graduated in 1848, and then ordained
as a minister of the Reformed Church.

For a time he was editor of the Reformed
Messenger. In 1852 he was installed pastor of the Reformed Church
at Norristown, Pa. , where he served for six years. He returned to
Reading in 1859, and opened a select school. One year afterward he
was elected superintendent of the common schools, and he was twice
re-elected, serving from 1860 to 1869. In 1865 he was active in
founding the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, became its
first principal, and continued as such until 1871, when he
resigned, preparatory to making a public profession of his faith in
the Roman Catholic Church, and removed to Baltimore, where he
edited a Catholic journal. Subsequently he taught in the St.
Charles Borromeo Seminary at Overbrook, near Philadelphia.

In 1873, by the unanimous action of the board of
trustees of Keystone State Normal School, he was recalled to that
institution, and he filled the chair of Mental and Moral Science
and English Literature, until his death in 1881. The vast influence
he exerted in educational matters can hardly be overestimated, and
the institution which he promoted at Kutztown will always
constitute an enduring monument to his memory.

p. 1632

Surnames: ERMENTROUT, LEIZE, BEAVER, SHOEMAKER, WERTZ

William Herbert Ermentrout, manager of the mill department of
Bright & Company’s Hardware Store, Reading, Pa., was born in
that city Sept. 28, 1858, son of William C. and Elenora (Leize)
Ermentrout.

The early home of the Ermentrout family was in
Nassau, and the line can be traced in the old country back to the
days of the dark ages. The early home of the first American
emigrant of the name was in the Palatinate, whence in 1739 he, John
Ermentrout, emigrated to the New World, and located in Berks
county, Pennsylvania.

Christopher Ermentrout, son of the emigrant
John, was born Feb. 8, 1754, in Berks county, and passed his entire
life engaged in farming.

John Ermentrout, son of Christopher, was born in
Berks county April 27, 1777, and farmed and manufactured hats until
about twenty years before his death, when he retired in comfortable
circumstances. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and in
politics was a firm believer in the principles of Thomas Jefferson.
His home was in the vicinity of Womelsdorf.

William Ermentrout, son of John, was born Dec.
12, 1799, and died Jan. 21, 1880. For many years he was engaged in
the mercantile business at Reading, and he was very prominent in
public affairs in that city, serving as a member of the board of
control of its public schools, as school treasurer and as county
treasurer. He was the father of: John S.; Daniel; James N.; William
C.; Benjamin F.; Philip M.; Joseph C. and Samuel C. William C.
Ermentrout, son of William, was born Sept. 29, 1829, and died Jan.
17, 1887. He was a substantial citizen of Reading, and lived
retired a number of years. For many years he was the leader of the
Reading Ringgold Band, writing most of their music in his day. He
was a gifted musician, thoroughly understanding harmony and
composition. His home was at No. 141 North Fifth Street. He married
Elenora Leize, daughter of Adam Leize for whom the bridge known as
Leize’s bridge was named. To William Ermentrout and his wife were
born: Gertrude (m. G. Benton Beaver, of Reading); W. Herbert; and
Miriam, Alice and Eugene, who died young.

William Herbert Ermentrout received his
education in the public schools, going as far as the high school,
after which he was a student in Palatinate College at Myerstown for
four years. At the age of eighteen he entered the machine shops of
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, and served his full
apprenticeship, after which he had charge of the engines for three
years. When he left the company it was to engage in the machine
business for himself, and in this he continued until 1897, when he
sold out to Boyer & Brother. In that year he began to work for
Davis, Printz & Company, and turned shells for the government
until the close of the Spanish-American war. In the fall of 1898
Mr. Ermentrout entered the service of the Bright & Company
hardware store, as manager of the mill department, and this
responsible position he has since filled with credit.

Socially Mr. Ermentrout is a member of Mount
Penn Council, Royal Arcanum, of Reading, and a member of the Board
of trade. He and his family are members of St. Paul’s Reformed
Church, and he and his wife take an active part in the
Sunday-school, Mrs. Ermentrout having been the treasurer and Mr.
Ermentrout the librarian for many years.

In November, 1884, Mr. Ermentrout married Miss
Laura Shoemaker, daughter of Dr. Charles and Marietta (Wertz)
Shoemaker, and they have one son, Charles B., who graduated form
the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania in the class of
1909. The family home is at No. 514 Elm street, Reading.

p. 1376

Surnames: ESCHBACH, ESHENBACH, ESPACHER, ASHBACH, EHST, BARTO,
LATSCHAW, BLIEM, FOX, MOYER, YODER, KOCH, HAAS, HOFFMANS, YERKER,
GRIM, BECHTEL, RITTER, ROLAND, BOBB, STAUFFER, STAHLER, GEHMAN,
DILWORTH, LONGACKER

Aaron S. Eschbach, a venerable citizen of Barto, Berks county, and
a veteran of the Civil war, was born April 13, 1832, in Washington
township, where the family has been located for several
generations.

There is a tradition that three Eschbach
brothers came to America from Switzerland before the middle of the
eighteenth century, and it is said that they first located in Berks
county, Pa., but that two of them later settled in other parts, one
supposedly in the vicinity of Millersburg, Lancaster county, where
Eschbachs are still living. Where the other settled is unknown.

Two Andrew Eshenbachs came to America (according
to the Pennsylvania Archives), one in 1740, the other in 1744. The
former, a native of Germany, came in the ship “Friendship,” landing
at Philadelphia, Sept. 23, 1740, and made a settlement in
Colebrookdale township, Berks county, where it is known as Andrew
Eshenbach was located in 1752. In 1759 he was an assessed taxable
there, paying L9 tax that year. However, he is said to have left
these parts.

In 1737 one Peter Eshbach (Espacher) and his son
Christophel (also Christopher) came to this country on the ship
“St. Andrew.” In 1752 Christopher Eshbach (Ashbach) was assessed as
a single man in Hereford township. The ship “St. Andrew” in 1749
brought two Christian Eschbachers (Eschbach) to America,
undoubtedly father and son. In the graveyard at the Hereford
(Bally) Mennonite meeting-house is a tombstone bearing the
following inscription: “Christian Eschbach, born 1737, died April
27, 1809, aged 71 years, 11 months.” This Christian Eschbach was
presumably the son of Christian Eschbach (er), who emigrated in
1749. Abraham Ehst, born in 1816, at present a resident of Barto,
Berks county, Pa., and who has a most remarkable memory, gives the
children of Christian Eschbach (1737-1809) as follows: John,
Christian, Heinrich, Abraham, Peter, Martin and Elizabeth. We have
the following account of this family.

Johannes (John) Eschbach, born Oct. 24, 1764,
died Feb. 28, 1826, and is buried at the Hereford Mennonite
meeting-house. He owned the large farm at Barto, which is now the
property of William C. Barto, of Reading, and lived and died there.
He married Elizabeth Latschaw, born in May, 1765, died in
September, 1844, and they had children as follows: Abraham, Peter,
Christian, Henry, John, Barbara (married John Bliem) and Catharine
(married Jacob Fox).

Christian Eschbach, born June 3, 1766, in what
is now Washington township, died Oct. 31, 1838. He was a carpenter
and cabinet maker, and besides building many houses in his district
followed undertaking. His home was at Barto, in Colebrookdale
township. He married Froene Moyer, born July 30, 1777, died Sept.
13, 1838, and both were Mennonites and are buried at the Hereford
(Bally) meeting-house, where they belonged. They had the following
children: William; Henry; Jesse, born Nov. 24, 1810, who died Aug.
28, 1838; Nancy, who married Jacob Yoder; and Betzy, who died
unmarried. Of these children, William was the father of Aaron S.
Eschbach, whose name introduces this sketch.

Heinrich Eschbach, born Jan. 4, 1771, made his
will in 1732, and died March 11, 1841. He lived and conducted a
sawmill which stood where the country cement bridge is now located
at Barto. His wife, Maria Anna (Moyer), born May 4, 1765, died July
21, 1851. Their children were: Elijah, Mrs. Koch, Mrs. Haas and
Elizabeth, the last named dying unmarried. Another account gives
the children as Catharine, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Molly, Barbara and
Elijah. The son Elijah and Andres Koch, a son-in-law, were named as
executors of the will.

Abraham Eschbach, the next mentioned in the
family of Christian, owned the farm near Hoffmans, in the upper
part of Montgomery county, where Yerkers clover mill now stands. He
was twice married, first to Mary Bechtel, by whom he had these four
sons. Abraham, David, Joseph and John. By his second wife, who was
from Montgomery county, he had three sons.

Peter Eschbach, son of Christian, lived above
Grim’s Mill, in Colebrookdale township, and followed farming,
owning his 100-acre farm, which is now the property of Elam Moyer.
He was a thrifty farmer and useful citizen, serving as supervisor,
tax collector and in other local offices. He was a Republican in
politics. He is buried at the Hill Church, of which he was a
member. Peter Eschbach was twice married, his first wife being
Elizabeth Bechtel, by whom he had four children: Christian, who
married Anna Ritter; Isaac, who married Susan Moyer; Susan, who
married John Roland and lived in Hereford township; and William,
who was much younger that his brothers and sister. To the second
marriage was born one son, John, who lived back of Clayton, Berks
county.

Martin Eschbach, son of Christian, was married
and had one daughter, Jane, who became the wife of Daniel Bobb,
from near Barto. In later years Martin made his home with his
brother, Christian.

Elizabeth Eschbach, daughter of Christian, is
buried at the Hereford Mennonite meeting-house. The following
inscription is on her tombstone:

There is another tombstone inscription, which
probably refers to a daughter of the elder Christian or the wife of
the son, Christian, and which reads as follows: “Catharine
Eschbach, died July 17, 1787, aged 57 years.”

William Eschbach, son of Christian (1766-1838),
was born in Washington township March 2, 1805, and died May 2,
1878, aged seventy-three years, two months. He is buried in the
Bally Mennonite graveyard. He lived at Barto and engaged in
weaving, making all kinds of homespun articles, such as
table-cloths, bed-spreads, and other household linens. He married
Esther Stauffer, born Sept. 13, 1808, daughter of Jacob Stauffer,
died May 7, 1870, aged sixty-one years, seven months, twenty-four
days. Mr. and Mrs. Eschbach had a married life of forty-four years.
They had a family of four children: (1) Edward, born Nov. 26, 1826,
died Aug. 5, 1883, aged fifty-six yeas, eight months, nine days. He
lived near Pleasant Run, Montgomery county, and followed the
tailor’s trade. He had two sons, Addison and William. (2) Eliza
married a Mr. Stahler. (3) Reuben was for a time a shoemaker at
Barto, later in life owning and operating a large farm at Barto,
where he died. He married Mary Gehman, and they had six children.
Prof. Dilworth (of Vineland, N.J.) Allen (of St. Louis, Mo.), Annie
(Mrs. Longacker), Lydia, Daniel (of Lancaster, Pa.) and Frank (of
California). (4) Aaron S. is mentioned below.

Aaron S. Eschbach learned tailoring in early
manhood and followed that trade for many years, in fact throughout
his active life. He is now living retired in Barto, where he owns a
nice home, and although advanced in years is well preserved and
able to enjoy life. Mr. Eschbach served as a Union soldier during
the Civil war, on Oct. 27, 1862, becoming a member of Company G,
167th Pennsylvania Regiment, with which he served nine and a half
months, receiving his honorable discharge at Reading Aug. 12, 1863.
He served as sergeant of his company, and his certificate states
that he was five feet, seven inches tall, had dark complexion and
dark eyes. He has a new $1 greenback note which he received in his
pay upon his discharge from the service and which he prizes highly.
He has a number of other valuable relics, of various kinds. Mr.
Eschbach receives a substantial pension.

True to the faith of his forefathers, Mr.
Eschbach is a Mennonite, attending the meeting-house near his home.
He is unmarried.

On the Colebrookdale railroad, running from
Pottstown to Barto, is Eschbach Station, named for George Eschbach,
now deceased, and there is a post-office of the same name at that
point. The town of Eschbach has about twenty-five houses.

p. 1104

Surnames: ESCHELMAN, SCARLET, KURTZ, WESTLEY, RIEGNER, SCHMEHL,
COSGRAVE, STEFFY, FREESE, WOLF, MESSNER, BURKHART, BITLER, DUCHMAN,
BECKER, FRY, SWEITZER, SMITH, FOREMAN, FRY, WESTLEY, FRITZ, SHINGLE

J. Howard Eschelman, merchant and postmaster at White Bear station
on the Wilmington & Northern Railroad for twenty years, was
born May 18, 1853, in Caernarvon township, Berks county, near
Morgantown, and when a year old his parents moved to Robeson
township at Plowville, where his father had purchased a plantation.
He attended the schools of the township, the Keystone State Norman
School, and Ursinus College, until 1874, assisting his father on
the farm while school was closed. In 1871 he became a teacher and
taught public school in the township for eight terms. He served as
a school director for three terms, officiating as treasurer of the
board for two terms. In 1887 he purchased the general store at
White Bear station along the Wilmington & Northern Railroad,
and located there with his family; and since then he has been
carrying on business at that place. He has also been serving as
postmaster at Scarlets Mill, a post office established in 1869.

In 1890, he was elected as a justice of the
peace of the township, and he filled the office for one term of
five years. In 1898, Mr. Eschelman purchased the Scarlet farm,
situated a short distance from the store on the road to Birdsboro,
and he has since been cultivating this farm in connection with the
store business. In 1897 he officiated as mercantile appraiser of
the county. In politics he has been a Democrat from the time he
became of age.

In 1875, Mr. Eschelman married Elizabeth Ann
Kurtz, daughter of Jacob Kurtz. She was educated in the local
schools and the Keystone State Normal School, and taught public
school in Robeson township for six terms. Mr. And Mrs. Eschelman
have seven children: Annie Minerva (m. to William S. Westley);
Laura Susan (educated at Keystone State Normal School, taught
public school in the township seven terms, and m. to Harvey H.
Riegner); Nora Priscilla (m. to Allen H. Schmehl); Jacob Howard
(educated in local schools and Stoner’s Business College; Mary
Florence (educated in Reading Collegiate Institute, taught public
school in township two terms, and m. to George A. Cosgrave); Lizzie
Kurtz (educated in Reading Collegiate Institute); and Harvey
Hiester (attending the Keystone State Normal School, in class of
1909). The family are members of the Reformed Church at the Plow.

Mr. Eschelman’s father was Moses Eschelman. He
was born in Brecknock township, Berks county, m. 1828 and brought
up to farming which he followed until 1856, when he moved to the
“Green Tree Hotel,” in Cumru township, several miles south of
Reading, and he carried on the hotel business at this place about
ten years. In the settlement of his father’s estate in 1866, he
took the farm, store and hotel at the “Plow”, in Robeson township
and cultivated the farm until his decease in 1885, having sold the
store and hotel. He was married in 1851 to Priscilla Steffey,
daughter of Jacob Steffey, farmer of Brecknock; by whom he had six
children: Jacob Howard (above); Annie Elizabeth (m. to William R.
Freese); John Jefferson (m. to Annie Wolf); Moses Hiester (m. to
Alice Messner); and two died in infancy.

His grandfather was Absalom Eschelman, born in
1803 in Brecknock township, Lancaster county, where he carried on
farming, and droving until 1852, when he removed to the “Plow
Hotel” in Robeson township, Berks county, and becoming the owner of
the hotel, store and farm of 128 acres in 1854, he carried on the
business there combined until his decease in 1865. He married Sarah
Burkhart (born 1813, died 1846), and they had seven children: Moses
(above); Augustus (m. to Catharine Bitler); Christina (m. to
William S. Duchman); Elizabeth (m. to Benjamin F. Becker); Justina
(m. to John Fry); Sarah (m. to Jacob Fry; and Rose (m. to Wilson
Sweitzer). They were members of the Reformed Church.

Mr. Eschelman’s great-grand-father was Christian
Eschelman, who settled in Brecknock township some years after the
erection of Berks county, where he secured a farm and carried on
farming. He died in 1851, aged eighty-four years. He had the
following children; Samuel, John, Joel, Absalom, Mrs. Smith and
Mrs. Foreman.

Mrs. Eschelman’s father, Jacob Kurtz, was born
in Robeson township in 1824, and besides being brought up on his
fathers’ farm learned the trade of miller which he followed until
his decease in 1901, aged seventy-six years. He took much interest
in local politics as a democrat for many years, and exerted great
influence at county conventions in behalf of candidates for office.
He served as school director of the township for several terms. He
married Susanna Bitler, daughter of Michael Bitler (died in 1876,
aged seventy-four years). Jacob Kurtz and wife had three children:
Elizabeth Ann (above); Mary Etta (m. to Israel Fry); and Henry
Kauffman (m. to Susan Westley, and upon her decease to Harriet
Fritz). Jacob Kurtz’s father was also named Jacob, and he was
married to Ann Shingle.

ESENWEIN, A. (DR.)

p. 723

Surnames: ESENWEIN, BABB, AUGNEY, DIXON, STEVENS, LEIBRANDT,
DANIELS

Dr. A. Esenwein, the well- known druggist and pharmacist of
Reading, and proprietor and manufacturer of Kura- Derma, was born
in the city of Philadelphia, in 1834, son of Frederick and Mary (
Babb ) Esenwein, whose other three children are deceased.

Dr. Esenwein was educated in the schools of
Reading and Philadelphia, and as a boy found employment as clerk in
a dry goods store. He followed this line of business until sixteen
years of age and then apprenticed himself to the drug business with
Augney & Dixon, remaining with that firm four years. During his
stay with that firm he attended lectures at the Philadelphia
College of Medicine, and was later graduated therefrom with the
degree of M.D. Dr. Esenwein then engaged in the practice of his
profession, but later opened a drug store at Ninth and Poplar
streets, Philadelphia, where he carried on business for several
years. He was appointed assistant paymaster in the United States
Navy in 1861, and served as such for three years, nine months, at
the end of which time he removed to the oil regions of
Pennsylvania, and continued there until 1869. He then came to
Reading as a clerk in S. S. Steven’s drug store and continued with
that gentleman for several years, then opening a drug store on his
own account which business he has continued to the present time.
Dr. Esenwein has been a manufacturing pharmacist for some years,
among his remedies being : Kura- Derma, the great scalp and skin
remedy, Esenwein’s Pectoral and Aromatic Balsam, and numerous
others.

In 1859 the Doctor was married to Louisa
Leibrandt, and to them were born three children, two of whom are
deceased, the other being Richard C. , a manufacturer of
Philadelphia. Mr. Esenwein was married ( second ) in 1864 to Kate
A. Daniels, and one child was born to this union, J. Berg, who is
with “Lippincott’s Magazine.” Dr. Esenwein is a member of the Sixth
and Elm Street United Evangelical Church, Reading. His politics are
independent.

ESHBACH FAMILY

p. 795

Surnames: ESHBACH, ESHENBACH, ESPACHER, ASHBACH, ESCHBACH, MOYER,
KOCH, HAAS, BECHTEL, ROLAND, RITTER, MATTHIAS, SPOHN, SWOPE,
MILLER, HINKEL, RICHARD

There is a tradition that three Eschbach brothers came to America
from Switzerland before the middle of the eighteenth century, and
it is said that they first located in Berks county, Pa., but that
two of them later settled in other parts, one supposedly in the
vicinity of Millersburg, Lancaster county, where Eschbachs are
still living. Where the other settled is unknown.

Two Andrew Eshenbachs came to America
(according to the Pennsylvania Archives), one in 1740, the other in
1744. The former, a native of Germany, came in the ship
“Friendship,” landing at Philadelphia Sept. 23, 1740, and made a
settlement in Colebrookdale township, Berks county, where it is
known an Andrew Eshenbach was located in 1752. In 1759 he was an
assessed taxable there, paying 9 tax that year. However, he is
said to have left these parts.

In 1737 one Peter Eshbach (Espacher) and his
son Christophel (also Christopher) came to this country on the “St.
Andrew Galley.” In 1732 Christopher Eshbach (Ashbach) was assessed
as a single man in Hereford township. The ship “St. Andrew” in 1749
brought two Christian Eschbachers (Eschbach) to America,
undoubtedly father and son. In the graveyard at the Hereford
(Bally) Mennonite meeting-house is a tombstone bearing the
following inscription: “Christian Eschbach, born 1737, died April
27, 1809, aged 71 years, 11 months.” This Christian Eschbach was
presumably the son of Christian Eschbach(er), who emigrated in
1749. He made his last will and testament April 20, 1809, at which
time his home was in Hereford township. In this document, which is
on record in Will Book 5, page 226, he provided amply for his wife
Catharine, the following children receiving share and share alike:
John, Christian, Abraham, Martin, Henry and Peter. Abraham Ehst,
born in 1816, at present a resident of Barto, Berks Co., Pa., and
who has a most remarkable memory, gives the children of Christian
Eschbach (173’7-1809) as follows: John, Christian, Heinrich,
Abraham, Peter, Martin and Elizabeth.

Henry Eschbach, son of Christian, born Jan. 4,
1771, made his will in 1832, and died March 11, 1841. He lived and
conducted a sawmill, which stood where the county cement bridge is
now located, at Barto. His wife, Maria Anna (Moyer), born May 4,
1765, died July 21, 1851. Their children were: Catharine, Rebecca,
Elizabeth, Molly, Barbara and Elijah. The son Elijah and Andrew
Koch, a son-in-law, were named as executors of the will. [Another
account gives children as Elijah, Mrs. Koch, Mrs. Haas and
Elizabeth, the last named dying unmarried.]

Peter Eshbach, son of Christian, lived in
Colebrookdale township, above Grim’s Mill, owning his 100-acre
farm, which place is now the property of Elam Moyer. He was a
thrifty farmer and useful citizen, serving as supervisor, tax
collector and in other local offices. He was a Republican in
politics. He is buried at the Hill Church, of which he was a
member. Peter Eshbach was twice married, his first wife being
Elizabeth Bechtel. By her he had four children, Christian
(mentioned below), Isaac (mentioned below), William, and Betzy (or
Susan) (m. John Roland and lived in Hereford township). To the
second marriage was born one son, John, who lived back of Clayton,
Berks county.

Christian Eshbach, son of Peter, was born June
20,1800, in Colebrookdale township and died Jan. 16, 1887; he is
buried at the Hill Church. He was a farmer all his life, and
prospered in that calling, owning a tract of 133 acres in
Colebrookdale township, now the property of Alfred Seisholtz. His
wife, Hannah Ritter, daughter of Matthew Ritter, was born Oct. 21,
1309, and died Oct. 10, 1891, when only a few days less than
eighty-two years old. Sixteen children were born to this worthy
couple, namely: Daniel (deceased), William (deceased), Maria
(deceased), Sarah (deceased), Anna, Kate (Catharine) (deceased),
Henry (deceased), David, Abraham, Levi R., John, Aaron, Mary
(deceased), Carolina (deceased), Hannah (deceased), and
Peter.

Levi R. Eshbach, son of Christian, was born
Dec. 17.1841, in Colebrookdale township, and was reared on the
farm. He was twelve years old at the time the free schools were
established, and he attended for a period of two months a year for
four years. Until nineteen he continued to work for his parents,
and after his marriage he settled upon the farm near Bechtelsville
where he has since lived. It comprises twenty-eight acres in
excellent condition, with a good barn, which Mr. Eshbach built in
1886. The barn which formerly stood upon the place was destroyed by
fire.

In 1871 Mr. Eshbach married Sarah Matthias,
daughter of John and Maria (Spohn) Matthias, and grand-daughter of
Elijah and Magdalena (Swope) Matthias. Mr. and Mrs. Eshbach had one
daughter, Annie, who died when but seven months old. They attend
the Hill Church, belonging to the Reformed congregation, and are
respected throughout the community where they have lived so many
years.

Isaac Eshbach, son of Peter, and grandfather of
Peter B. Eshbach, of Boyertown, was born Nov. 22, 1803, and died
Sept. 21, 1860. He lived one mile from what is now known as Eshbach
Crossing, in Washington township, owning the homestead which is now
the property of his grandson, Henry Miller. He married Maria (Mary)
Moyer, who died a few years before him, and they are buried at the
Hill Church. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters,
but we have mention of only three: George M., the father of Peter
B. Eshbach; Peter, born in 1829. who died in 1861; and Sarah, who
married Augustus Miller and lived where their son is now located,
on the Eshbach homestead.

George M. Eshbach, son of Isaac, was born Jan.
24,1828, in Washington township, where he owned a farm. He lived at
Eshbach Crossing, which was named after him, and he followed
various occupations, being especially well known as a dealer in
horses, which business he carried on on an extensive scale during
the greater part of his life. When the old horse cars were in use
he supplied the Reading Traction Company with horses. For some
years he was the local mail carrier, and he also conducted
“Eshbach’s Hotel.” Mr. Eshbach married Elizabeth Bechtel, who was
born Aug. 24, 1826, and died March 15, 1871. Mr. Eshbach long
survived her, passing away Nov. 30,1894, and he is buried at the
Hill Church, in Pike township, where a large monument marks his
last resting place. Mr. and Mrs. Eshbach had children as follows:
Harry, who lives in Aledo, Ill.; George, of Pottstown, Pa.; Peter
B.: Jesse, of Boyertown: Mary, who is unmarried and lives at
Reading. Pa.; Emma, wife of Jeremiah H. Moyer, who is mentioned
elsewhere; and Annie, m. to John Hinkel, of Philadelphia.

Peter B Eshbach, who has been engaged in the
livery business at Boyertown since 1891, has been familiar with
that line from boyhood, having early begun to assist his father. He
was also trained to farming, but his attention has always been
mainly directed to dealing in and handling horses. During his young
manhood, when buying for his father, he made as many as fourteen
trips a year from Eshbach, Pa., out to Iowa, where he obtained
horses to sell at the home market. In 1891 he started the livery
business at Boyertown which he has since conducted. His
establishment, which is located at the west end of Reading avenue,
is well equipped, for in addition to hiring out horses and
carriages he does considerable carting, heavy hauling and moving,
employing an average of twelve people and keeping as many as fifty
horses, including heavy draft teams. His shedding accommodations
are ample.

Mr. Eshbach was born Oct. 14, 1859, at Eshbach
Crossing, on the Boyertown & Colebrookdale railroad, and he was
married in 1889 to Alice Richard, daughter of Abner Richard. of
Montgomery county, Pa. They have had three children, Warren, Norman
(who died in his fourth year) and Helen. Socially Mr. Eshbach is a
member of Boyertown Castle, No. 228, Knights of the Golden
Eagle.

p. 662

Surnames: ESHELMAN, ROLLMAN, FISHER, GOUGLER, SMITH, FROMM, PLANK,
SNYDER, LONG, MECKSTROTH, BITLER, BAMBERGER, KERNER

Henry R. Eshelman, in whose death the city of Reading, Pa., lost
one of its good citizens, was known throughout musical and church
circles as an organist of rare talent. Mr. Eshelman was born at
Sinking Spring, Berks county, April 5, 1845.

Martin Eshelman, grandfather of Henry R. , made
his home in Cumru township, Berks county, where he died.

Isaac Eshelman, son of Martin, was born in Cumru
township, Berks county, Jan. 19, 1817, and died Nov. 6 , 1852. By
trade he was a tailor, following that business at Sinking Spring
for several years after which he went to Centre county, Pa. , where
he engaged in huckstering until his death. He was a member of the
Lutheran Church, and a Republican in politics. He married Eliza
Rollman born Sept. 24, 1817, daughter of John and Maria Rollman.
She died aged seventy-six years. There children were: Wendell, of
Illinois; Louisa, who died young; Josiah, m. to Emma Fisher; Henry
R., m. to Emeline Gougler; Sarah, m., to George Smith; and
Franklin R. , born April 2, 1849.

Franklin R. Eshelman, son of Isaac, is a
shoemaker by trade at Shillington. He married Catharine Fisher, and
their children are: Annie F., m. to Thomas Fromm, a hatter and
shoemaker, at Shillington, Pa.; Agnes F.; William R., m. to Ella
Plank; Frank H., m. to Elizabeth Snyder; Emma E., m. to Andrew S.
Long; Katie F., m. to Rev. William L. Meckstroth; Jennie F. , m. to
Joseph Rolland; Isaac, unmarried; Mamie F., m. to James M. Bitler;
and Martha, who died young.

In his native locality Henry R. Eshelman secured
his education, and when a lad he learned the trade of cutter, in
which capacity he later served for twenty-two years, four months,
eighteen days with the Leinbach Clothing Company, of Reading. From
early youth he showed marked ability as a musician, the organ being
his favorite instrument, and for nine years he served as organist
in St. John’s Reformed Church, later acting in the same capacity at
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where he remained for twelve years. Mr.
Eshelman was highly respected by all who knew him, and his
acquaintance was large. He was married Sept. 6, 1868, to Miss
Emeline B. Gougler, daughter of John and Maria (Bamberger )
Gougler, and to them there were born two children: Charles m. Emma
Kerner, and lives at Franklin, Venango county, Pa., and has one
child, Helen R.; and Paul died at the age of eight years.

p. 1678

Surnames: ESHELMAN, ECKERT, HEVEILING, ROLLMAN, SNYDER, STEFFEY,
STAFFORD, REMP, MUSSER, LUTZ, KERCHNER, HORNBERGER, GRIMES, HESS,
LEININGER, SPATZ, GRILL

John J. Eshelman, cigar manufacturer of Mohnton, Pa., and one of
the best known citizens of that place, was born in Cumru township,
Berks county, April 30, 1859, son of Samuel Eshelman, and grandson
of Jacob.

Martin Eshelman, the great-grandfather of John
J. lived in Brecknock township near the Allegheny church where he
owned a small farm which he cultivated. His wife was a Miss Eckert,
and they had the following children: (1) Daniel born Nov. 21, 1808,
died July 4, 1887 in his seventy-ninth year, m. Lydia Heveiling
(1808-1865). He lived near Gouglersville, Pa. (2) John settled out
West. (3) Martin m. Mary Rollman. He lived at Sinking Spring, Pa.
(4) Jacob m. Magdalena Snyder. (5) Catharine m. John Steffey of
Brecknock. (6) Isaac m. Eliza Rollman. He resided at Sinking
Spring, Pa. (7) Lydia m. John Stafford of Brecknock township.

Jacob Eshelman, grandfather of John J., was a
farmer and charcoal burner in Brecknock township, where he was
born. His charcoal product supplied many of the large furnaces of
the county, in which he was a man of some prominence. He was a
Democrat, and a Lutheran member of the Allegheny church, where he
is buried. He married Magdalena, daughter of Christophel Snyder,
and they had five children, as follows: Samuel; Susan, born Feb. 8,
1827, who lives in Mohnton, Pa., is the widow of Richard Remp;
Eliza and Katie, aged nine and seven years respectively, both died
of diphtheria and were buried in one grave; and Catharine m. Daniel
Musser, and lives in Cumru.

Samuel Eshelman, son of Jacob, was born Feb. 28,
1824, in Brecknock township, and he died there March 11, 1886, aged
sixty-two years, and eleven days. He attended the local schools of
his native township, and remained with his father on the farm all
of his active life. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion
a Lutheran, belonging to the church of that denomination in
Allegheny. He is buried at the Mohnton Cemetery. He married
Margaret Lutz, daughter of Adam and Catherine Lutz, the former a
soldier in the Continental Line from Berks county, for which
service he drew a pension from the government. Mrs. Eshelman is
still living in Mohnton. To this union was born a family of
children as follows: Nathaniel m. Louisa Kerchner, and resides in
Reading; John J.; Martha m. Aaron S. Hornberger; Katie m. Charles
U. Grimes, a barber of Auburn, Pa.; Tillie m. Rev. Charles H. Hess,
a minister of the Evangelical Association now stationed at Buffalo,
N.Y.

John J. Eshelman received his education in
Lancaster county, and at Charlestown, attending the Academy at the
latter place for two terms. He learned the trade of cigar maker
with George Leininger, of Mohnton, after which he spent three years
at the Van Reed Paper Mill, afterward learning the hat finisher’s
trade at Mohnton with John H. Spatz, with whom he remained three
years. The next two years he spent with the Philadelphia &
Reading Company at Reading, in the car shops. By this time he had
acquired means to start in business on his own account, on June 13,
1886, with W. G. Leininger as a partner, under the firm name of
Eshelman & Leininger. They built a factory at Mohnton. This
partnership continued until Jan. 1, 1890, when Mr. Eshelman bought
out Mr. Leininger’s interest, and has since continued alone. He
built the present factory, No. 118, First District of Pennsylvania,
in 1901 ? a substantial three story building 30 x 42 feet.
Seventy-five skilled workmen are employed the whole year round, and
the product is shipped to all parts of the United States,
especially to the western States. Among his special brands are the
well known ” M. A.,” a fine ten cent cigar, and the “Prince Otto,”
“La Empress” and “General Banks” in the five-cent class. He also
manufacturers others and his trade is one of the best in that line
in all this part of the State. He pays strict attention to his
large and constantly increasing business, and is always to be found
at his post, pleasant, genial but essentially business-like. On
Sept. 12, 1885, Mr. Eshelman married Arabella G. Leininger,
daughter of James and Lydia (Grill) Leininger, and this union has
been blessed with the following children: Maggie L., born Dec. 14,
1887; William L., born Nov. 12, 1891; Albert L., Nov. 14, 1893;
Lydia L., March 20, 1899; and Victor L., June 4, 1901. In politics
Mr. Eshelman is a true Republican, and while never active in party
work he keeps thoroughly posted on public events, and is an
entertaining talker. He is a member of Zion United Evangelical
Church of Mohnton. In both public and private life he is highly
respected. His social connections are with P. O. S. of A. Camp No.
61, of Reading; and with the Modern Woodmen of America.