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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
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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 Myer.
Sarah, 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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