BIO: John EBERLE, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 232, 235.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  JOHN EBERLE, Cottage, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born at Petersburg, 
Huntingdon county, July 10, 1817. He was a son of Jacob and Catherine 
(Hewitt) Eberle. His grandfather, Henry Eberle, was of German descent. 
He was a blacksmith, and resided near Lancaster, Pa. he was a man of 
intelligence, and had a good German education. During the Revolution, 
he made swords and bayonets. In 1785, he removed to Huntingdon county, 
and, taking up his residence near Barree Forge, made implements of iron 
for the Forge, besides carrying on the usual work of the smithy. He 
belonged to the Whig party. Henry Eberle married Barbara Kaufmann, of 
Lancaster; their children were: John, who died in Canada; Christopher, 
of Petersburg; Henry, residing in Ohio; and Jacob. Mr. Eberle died in 
Petersburg in 1822; his wife died at Barree Forge. Their youngest son, 
Jacob Eberle, who was born in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., was 
educated in the subscription schools of that county, and learned the 
trade of blacksmith with his father. When the family removed to 
Huntingdon county, Jacob Eberle fixed his residence in Petersburg, 
where he continued to work at his trade, and manufactured axes and 
other tools for the mills. Removing to West township, he continued in 
the same business, besides farming 200 acres of land, and raising 
stock. He built a house and barn upon his land. He was a man of strong 
frame and robust constitution, a good hunter, but fond of his home. He 
was the first collector of the free school tax in West township, for 
which he collected $1,900. Mr. Eberle was originally a Whig, and in the 
change of party lines and names, became a Republican. His wife was the 
daughter of Nicholas Hewitt, a farmer of West township. Their children 
are: John; Mary A., deceased wife of Joseph Hewitt; Jacob K., M. D., 
residing in Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Burkart, of Iowa; Kate, 
in West township; and six who died in childhood. Jacob Eberle died in 
West township in 1861; his wife died in the same place.
  Attending school during the winter, and giving his help about farm 
labor during the summer months, John Eberle, by industry and attention, 
gained a very fair education. His teacher in Petersburg was James 
McMurtrie; but he owes much to his own intelligent efforts. He remained 
on the homestead until the death of his father, and for a short time 
after. He then rented a farm of 130 acres on Clover creek in Blair 
county, where he resided for six years; after which he removed to 
Marklesburg, in 1877, and went into mercantile business with his son-
in-law, G. W. Confer. Two years later, Mr. Eberle went to Petersburg, 
and was in business there for two years. He then returned to 
Marklesburg, bought out the store in which he had formerly had an 
interest, and conducted it for three years. In 1887, Mr. Eberle 
embarked in the business at Wilsontown, which he has ever since 
conducted. He was postmaster for four years, under President Harrison. 
Mr. Eberle is a Republican, and is active in party affairs; has been 
delegate to county conventions. He has also been in the school board. 
Besides all his other activities, Mr. Eberle is fond of outdoor life; 
inheriting his father's skill in hunting, his trophies have been 
numerous; he can boast of having shot seventy deer and six bears, and 
tells the history of his encounters in a lively and interesting way 
sometimes in amusing newspaper articles. He is also an accomplished 
fisherman. In 1840, Mr. Eberle made a trip to New Jersey, on horseback, 
returning to Shavers Creek in the same way. He accompanied Peter 
Stryker on a visit to his relatives, making at the same time a two 
weeks' stay in Lancaster, with some relatives of his own. He has the 
distinction of having shipped the first carload of sheep from 
Petersburg to Philadelphia. He is an active and useful man, much 
respected and esteemed.
  John Eberle was married, February 1, 1844, in West township, to 
Minerva, daughter of John Heney, who is a carpenter, and of Scotch-
Irish descent; she was born in Barree township. Their children are: 
Anna M. (Mrs. Robert Davis), of West township; Irene (Mrs. G. W. 
Confer), of Minneapolis, Minn.; Milroy, died young; and J. Byron, born 
March 29, 1859.
  J. Byron Eberle was educated in the common school, which he attended 
during the winter, and in subscription schools, open during the summer 
season. His entire business life has been with his father, whom he has 
assisted both on the home farm and in his mercantile enterprises. He 
has served as assistant postmaster and as auditor of the township. He 
was married in 1893, in West township, to Anna F., daughter of Gerard 
Johnson, farmer; Mrs. Eberle was born in Logan township. The children 
of this marriage are: Violet J.; and Armor Confer.