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LANCASTER COUNTY
History & Genealogy

BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
Biographical History of Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania,
and Early Settlers and Eminent Men of the county -
by Alex. Harris
Lancaster, PA:
Publ. Elias Barr & Co.
1872

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
  * ERB FAMILY
     Nicholas Erb
, the first known ancestor of this name, came to America with his family in the year 1722.  He was a Swiss by birth, and, it is said, his father desired him to become a Catholic priest, but he joined the Mennonites and left his native country on account of religious persecutions.  He resided for some time, before emigrating to this country, at a place called “Wester Walter Hoff.”  Where this place of temporary residence was located, is not known.  In all probability it must have been a farm on the outposts of some province in Germany that had dangerous neighbors, and the time must have been somewhat turbulent, as it is known that he lived under the promised protection of his Lord or Superior, and in case of an unexpected attack, it had been agreed that he should give notice by firing a gun.  It is also related that, either to try the efficiency of the signal or the faithfulness of his landlord, he fired the gun, and in a short time had the satisfaction of seeing his protector, with his retainers, coming to his assistance as fast as horses could bring them.
     He settled on Hammer creek, in Warwick township, near where the mill, lately owned by David Erb, one of his descendants, now stands.  He was a farmer by occupation.  He had a family of five children—four sons and one daughter; the latter married to a Johns.
     John, eldest son of Nicholas Erb, came to America with his father, married a Johns from Leacock township, lived for some time with his father, but subsequently moved near to Manheim, where he died.  His children were: Jacob, John, Christian, Daniel, Peter and Magdalena.
     Nicholas Erb, second son of Nicholas Erb.
     Christian Erb, third son of Nicholas Erb.
     Jacob Erb, a prominent clergyman in the United Brethren congregation, stationed at the Otterbein church, in Baltimore, and frequently presiding elder, is a descendant of either Nicholas or Christian.
     Jacob Erb, fourth son of Nicholas Erb, resided on Hammer creek, in Warwick township, where Erb's mill now stands. He was a leading man among the German population in the northern part of this county from 1760 to 1790.  He was a member of the Legislature when it sat in Philadelphia in 1787, 1788, 1789, and 1790.  He had two sons, John and Christian.
     Magdalena Erb, daughter of Nicholas Erb, married to a Johns, of Leacock township.
     Jacob Erb, son of John, and a grandson of Nicholas Erb, resided near the Mouth of Cocalico creek; had three sons, John, David and Emanuel.  The two former settled in York county, Pennsylvania, and Emanuel kept the homestead.  He had one son, Jacob, who still owns the home place, together with some five or six hundred acres of land in Warwick and West Earl townships, and is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising.
     John Erb, son of John and grandson of Nicholas Erb, had one son also named John, who settled in Conoy township, from whence he moved to Linn county, Indiana, with all of his family except Christian S., who now resides in Conoy; a business man, justice of the peace, and bank director.
     Christian Erb, son of John and grandson of Nicholas Erb, born February 6th, 1755, died August 1st, 1812, resided in Warwick township, about one mile north of Litiz; and was married to Anna Bomberger, born February 8th, 1752, died September 17th, 1823.  She is reputed to have been a stately and prim old lady, who, being a Mennonite, wore her dresses plain, but of rich materials, with a snowy kerchief and cap.  She was well versed in the Scriptures.  They had two sons: Christian and Jacob, between whom their father's place was divided—and a daughter, married to Henry Hostetter, who moved to Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania.  Christian, the eldest son, moved to the neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio, having sold his part of the farm.
     Jacob Erb, the younger son of Christian, and great grand son of Nicholas Erb, born March 7th, 1781, resided the greater part of his life on the old farm, subsequently moved with his son Henry to Penn township, and afterwards into Manheim township, about one mile north of Lancaster, where he died.  He was an active business man in the earlier part of his life and carried on farming and distilling.  He was married to Elizabeth Becker, who, dying young, left him a family of seven small children to raise, which parental duty he performed in the most commendable manner, never marrying the second time.  He no doubt inherited his mother's taste as to dress, and was known as “gentleman Erb.”  He became a member of the Legislature in 1833–34 and 1834– 35, serving two terms.  He was elected on the Anti-Masonic ticket, but declined to follow the ultra men of that party in their extreme measures (of whom Thaddeus Stevens, at that time also in the House, was one), and became classed with those calling themselves National men.  His children were Ann, married to Christian Kauffman, moved to Ohio, who had four sons in the Union army.  Henry, married to Elizabeth Spickler, now living in Manheim township with his son-in-law, Jacob MyerSarah, married to Joseph Bomberger, lives in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and whose son, Jacob Bomberger, was a member of the Legislature from that county in 1872. Eliza, married to Elias Eby, ex sheriff.  Catharine, married to David Witwer, moved to Franklin county.  Levi, married to Mary Trissler, now re siding at Columbia furnace; Virginia, and Mary, married to Elias Bomberger, living in Maryland.
     Daniel Erb, son of John, and grandson of Nicholas Erb, had four sons: John, Joseph, Daniel and Jacob. The first named was a minister of the old Mennonite persuasion, and moved many years ago to Cumberland county.  Joseph had one son, Daniel S., who resides in Penn township, and follows farming.  Daniel has three sons, David W., Daniel W., and John.  The old home place that has been in the family for over a century, is owned by Daniel W.; and Israel G. Erb, esq., a rising young man in the neighborhood, is the son of David W.
     Peter Erb, son of John, and grandson of Nicholas Erb, had four sons: Isaac, Jacob, Christian, and another who moved to Canada. Isaac had three sons: Henry, Samuel and Isaac, who live in Lebanon county.
     Magdalena Erb, daughter of John, and grand-daughter of Nicholas Erb, married a man named Gingrich, whose family moved to Erie county, Pa.
     John Erb, son of Jacob, and grandson of Nicholas Erb, had several sons; one of them, named after himself, who lived in Elizabeth township, near Durlach, was a miller and farmer, and kept the tavern where, for many years, the elections were held; was a prominent politician from 1825 to 1840; filled the office of County Commissioner from 1833 to 1836, where his economical management of county affairs made him popular.  He was also a candidate for sheriff in 1833 on the same ticket with Gen. David Miller.  He had four children: Hiram, now residing in Lebanon county; John B., residing in Litiz; Henry B., residing near Schoeneck; and a daughter, married to Geo. Steinmetz, residing on the old place, now in Clay township.  His sons are all intelligent and well to do men; John B. follows surveying and scrivening, and served many years as a justice of the peace while living in Clay township.
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*Contributed by Levi Reist, esq., of Warwick.
Source:  Biographical History of Lancaster Co., PA - Publ. by Elias Barr & Co. - 1872 - Page 194

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