My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL P. LERCH. Among the well known and influential citizens of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, is the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, and who is a successful farmer, using the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving his land.

Our subject is a native of this county, and was born in the town of Varick, April 23, 1835. His parents were Samuel and Regina (Beyl) Lerch, both natives of Northampton County, Pa. They were there reared to mature years and were married, after which they came to this state and took up land in the town of Varick, where the father owned one hundred and forty-one acres. In addition to tilling his land, he erected and was proprietor of a hotel in that locality, and was well known to the traveling public. The parental household included eleven children, of whom six are now living. Of these, William, who is a resident of Detroit, Mich., is the only member living out of Seneca County. Samuel P. attended the district school until fourteen or fifteen years old, when the limited circumstances of the parents made it necessary for him to look out for himself He accordingly worked on farms in the neighborhood until a little older, when he went West. In Glencoe, Ill., he worked on the farm of Mr. Gurnee, then President of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad. Later he obtained a position on that road as brakeman and baggage-master, holding the same for three or four years. Subsequently he became transfer and ticket agent at Prairie du Chien, Wis., and McGregor, Iowa, for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, filling both positions for eleven and one-half years. At the expiration of that time he became baggage-man on the train, it being his duty also to hunt up lost baggage. He followed the road for twenty-six years, when, tired of the hurry and bustle which attend such a life, he resigned and settled down to the peaceful occupation of a farmer, it being his desire to pass the remainder of his life amid rural scenes.

The marriage of our subject and Miss Susanna Lerch occurred in the town of Fayette, January, 1882. The lady was born in West Fayette, October 27, 1853, and is the daughter of Benjamin F. and Jane (Gouger) Lerch. The former, who was born in Fayette, October 18, 1828, was a farmer by occupation, as was also his father, Anthony Lerch. The latter was born in Northampton County Pa., in which place he was married. Afterward he came to Seneca County and reared a family of five children, all of whom were born in this county, and of these Benjamin was third in order of birth. He was married February 11, 1851, and by his union with Jane Gouger nine children were born: Elnora E., Susannah, George, Anthony, Perez F., Carrie, Nellie Jane, and two who died in infancy. June 2, 1879, the wife and mother died. In October, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Arminda Abbott. Two years later, September 2, 1885, his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lerch have been born three children: Edna Dean, whose birth occurred in Milwaukee, Wis.; Ethel Regina and Ione Jane. Mr. Lerch is a Democrat in politics and takes an interest in the success of his party. Socially he belongs to Fayette Lodge No. 539, F. & A. M., in which order he is an active and influential worker.