My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS ERDELL. It matters little what vocation a man selects as his life occupation so long as it is an honorable one. If he is upright, courteous and honest in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and possessed of energy and perseverance, he is bound to make a success of whatever he undertakes. Among those who have become prominent in their different callings is Mr. Erdell, conductor on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad, in whose employ he has been since 1865. Born in Upper Macungie, Lehigh County, April 10, 1845, our subject is the son of John Erdell, a native of Paris, France. The latter came to America with his parents, who located in Philadelphia, where he was reared to man’s estate. He was a shoemaker by trade, and upon starting out in life for himself made his home in Upper Macungie, where he worked at his trade for a time, and later entered the limestone quarries. His death, which occurred in 1861, took place at Fogelsville, whither he had removed with his father. The grandfather of our subject was a Catholic in religion, but John Erdell was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Christiana (Stern) Erdell, the mother of our subject, was a native of this county, and the daughter of Martin Stern, who was also born here. She departed this life in 1883, when in her eightieth year. She was the first wife of her husband, and bore him three children, the brothers of our subject being Eugene C. F. and William H.

Francis, of this sketch, was reared to man’s estate at Fogelsville, and received his education in the public schools of that place. In 1862, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted his services in Battery G, Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. Later, in 1863, he was transferred to Company E, One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, and during his period of service participated in many hard-fought battles, among which were Drury’s Bluff, Va., which took place May 16, 1864, and Cold Harbor, June 1 to 6 of that year. In the last conflict he was wounded, being shot through the neck from side to side with a minie ball. He was carried from the field by his comrades unconscious, and sent to Whitehouse, Va., thence to Washington, D. C., where he remained until his wound was healed.

Our subject was mustered out of service at Fortress Monroe, Va., June 20, 1865. His recovery after being wounded was very remarkable, and is the only instance of the kind recorded where a man who was injured in the same manner lived. After being mustered out he came to Catasauqua, and entered the employ of the Catasauqua & Fogelsville Railroad Company, working in the repair shops for two months. At the end of that time he was made brakeman, and in 1872 was promoted to the position of baggageman on the local passenger train, which he filled until February, 1891. That year he was made conductor on the same train, which position he is now filling with satisfaction to his employers. His run lies between Catasauqua and Alburtis, and he makes two round trips and two branch trips each day.

August 18, 1866, Francis Erdell was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Reinhart, who was born in South Whitehall Township, February 18, 1846. She is the daughter of Ephraim Reinhart, a native of Lower Milford, Pa., where he followed his trade of a shoemaker. His death, however, occurred in South Whitehall Township, this county. The mother of Mrs. Erdell, prior to her marriage Miss Mary Wetzell, was a native of this county, and the daughter of George Wetzell. Her maternal grandfather served as a soldier during the entire period of the Revolutionary War. She reared a family of three children, and is at present making her home with our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Erdell became the parents of nine children, of whom the six who are living are: Ellen, who resides in Allentown; William E., engaged with the American Cement Company at Egypt; Mary C., now Mrs. Milton Sell, of Bethlehem; Charles W.; Edith V. and Clayton H., at home. In social affairs our subject is a Grand Army man, and belongs to Fuller Post No. 378, of which he was Quartermaster for three years, and is also a charter member. He is also a Knight of Honor, and in politics a true-blue Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Mickleys, and is an exceedingly popular man in his community.