My Genealogy Hound

ISRAEL M. ERB, one of the best known farmers in Lower Pottsgrove township, was born in the same township in which he now resides, in 1831. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Erb, both now deceased.

Jacob Erb (father) was born on the farm where he always lived and where his son Israel M. was born and now lives. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church in New Haven township, and they are buried in the churchyard of that church. They passed a very quiet life, being absorbed in their farm and in their church. Jacob Erb was a Democrat in politics. He had one of the first and finest apple distilleries in the country on the farm. Jacob Erb died in 1864, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife in 1877, at the age of eighty-five years. Their children were: Maria, deceased, who was the wife of James Missimer; Leah, deceased, who married Isaac Shalpop, also deceased; Rebecca, who married Louis Bickel, of Pottstown; Hannah, whose first husband was Peter Hendricks, and her second husband was Isaac Hatfield; Elizabeth, who married Conrad Schnell, of Sanatoga, Pennsylvania; Sarah, who married Isaac Geist, of Pottstown; Solomon, deceased; Jacob F., deceased; and Israel M., who resides at Sanatoga, Pennsylvania.

The grandfather of Jacob Erb was Casper Erb. The family received word from Europe that a large estate in Wittenburg, Germany, was left to Casper Erb or his wife. On account of the perilous voyage across the ocean at that time, George Erb did not return to Europe and the estate has never been settled. At the present time, however, it is being attended to. George Erb, Sr., the father of this George Erb, came to America in 1756, but died shortly after his arrival in this country.

Israel M. and Rachel Erb, his wife, lived and reared their children on the farm which has been in the family for so many generations. It is one of the finest in Pottsgrove township, and within its limits there is a spring of which the output is several thousand gallons daily, and the water from which is remarkably good. Mr. Erb has recently rebuilt the home, making it much larger and more beautiful. The land is rich and productive. Mr. Erb is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He was school director for six years, and auditor for six years. He has also been treasurer of the Patrons of Husbandry since 1873, and treasurer of the Sunday-school for thirty years. Mrs. Rachel Erb died February 12, 1899, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Erb had eight children, six now living, as follows: Albert B., who resides in Texas where he is teaching school. Mary, who married A. Krause, of Pottstown. Horace, who resides in Lehigh county, where he is a practicing physician. George, who resides at home. Emma, who married William H. Wagner, and resides in New Hanover township, where her husband is a farmer. Annie, who married George C. Schmidt, of Philadelphia. Annie died April 7, 194, aged thirty-three years.

Mr. Israel Erb owns a fine home in Pottstown, at 254 Walnut street, where he resides, and he has what he calls a centennial home, it having been built in the year 1876. He has deeds in his possession covering 22,377 acres of land in Montgomery county; 200 acres was sold to George Erb in 1800, for the sum of 1000 pounds. This 22,377 acres of land is in one tract in Hanover township, Philadelphia county, and was owned in 1725 by John Henry Sprogel at a cost of 50 pounds.