Ephraim Dresbach - 1848 - 1922 - Piatt County, IL
Ephraim was the son of John Spyker Dresbach and Mary Vincent, the grandson of John Dresbach and Catherine Spyker, a great-grandson of Jacob and Magdalena Buchs, and a great-great grandson of Martin Dreisbach and Anna Eva Hoffman, the 1751 immigrants. Ephraim’s biography appears in Past and Present of Piatt County, Illinois, McIntosh, 1903, on pages 285-287:
“Illinois ranks among the first states of the Union in agriculture, as well as along manv other lines, and its rich lands have been reclaimed for farm purposes by such enterprising and progressive citizens as Ephraim Dresbach. Upon a farm on section 16, Monticello township, Mr. Dresbach makes his home, and he has a splendidly improved property, its neat and thrifty appearance and excellent equipment indicating his careful supervision and progressive methods. Mr. Dresbach was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 5th of August, 1848.”
“His father was John Dresbach, whose birth occurred in Ohio, October 13, 1810. In the common schools he was educated, attending the subscription schools such as were common at the time. He not only spent the summer months in aiding in the work of clearing and developing the land, but also much of the winter was thus passed, and thus his educational privileges were quite meager. He lived in Ohio until 1855, when he came to Illinois, establishing his home in Piatt county. He also carried on farming here, purchasing what is known as the Brady farm two and a half miles east of Monticello. There he carried on agricultural pursuits for twenty years, breaking most of that land and developing it into rich fields, which returned to him excellent harvests. When two decades had passed he removed to the farm now occupied by our subject, and made it his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1884. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Vinston, was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Vinston, of Maryland. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach, of whom the following are living: Mary, now the wife of George Brady, of Monticello; Ephraim; and Edward, who is now engaged in dealing in coal and wood in Chicago.”
“In the common schools of Piatt county Ephraim Dresbach was educated, pursuing his studies in the first frame schoolhouse ever built in Ridge school district. For the building of this the lumber was hauled from Urbana with teams. During his youth Mr. Dresbach also became thoroughly familiar with farm work in all of its departments, assisting in the clearing and cultivation of the land and the harvesting of crops. He continued to attend school mostly during the winter seasons, until twenty years of age. On the 14th of May, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dresbach and Miss Samantha Brady, a daughter of John and Sarah (Buesy) Brady, of Piatt county. They lived with his father for about six months, and then rented a house, moving by themselves. Mr. Dresbach, however, continued to engage in farming operations in connection with his father for about five years, at the end of which time he began farming on his own account, buying forty acres of land and renting about forty acres more of the farm which he yet owns or one adjoining this place. In his work he has been very successful, and he has carried on farming operations along progressive lines that have proven of value in bringing to him a comfortable competence. He has tiled the place, thus draining the fields and making them very productive. He has also divided his farm into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences, and has planted an orchard, erected a new residence and built a substantial barn and other outbuildings. At the present time he is engaged in further improving his home. There is upon his place an old brick house which was probably built here in 1853, and was the first home occupied by his father on removing to this locality. The brick with which it was constructed was made by Gabriel Dresbach, an uncle of our subject, on Camp creek.”
“Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have been born eleven children : William, who married Jennie Ashleman, and is a farmer residing about a mile east of Monticello; Cora, who is the wife of Edwin E. Fuller, a resident farmer of Humboldt county, Iowa; Charles, Humboldt county, Iowa; Charles, who married Elsie Saint, and is now residing in Humboldt county, Iowa; Jennie, who is the wife of Louis Nisson, a farmer living about four miles southeast of Monticello; Frank, who married Ottie Honselman and resides on a farm two miles east of Monticello; Mary, who is at home with her parents ; John, who is working on his brother's farm near Monticello; Emery, who assists his father in the operation of the home farm ; Nellie, who is yet under the parental roof; George, who died when about a year old ; and Letha, who is now eleven years of age and is attending school.”
“Mr. Dresbach belongs to the Court of Honor, No. 118, of Monticello, with which he has been connected for four years. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has held the office of school director for nine or ten years, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this portion of the state, and is today classed among the most successful, energetic and reliable agriculturists of the community.”
Additionally, a short biography for Ephraim’s son, John, appears in the History of Piatt County, together with a brief history of Illinois, Emma C. Piatt, on page 278:
“Mr. John Dresback, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1855. He improved a place of 160 acres, which is now in his sons' possession. He was married in Ohio to Mary Wensel, who is still living. They have had eight children, three of whom are living. Ephraim married Samantha Brady, and has six children, Willie, Cora, Charles, Frank, Jennie and Mary. Mary Dresback became the wife of George Brady, and has nine children, Luther, Frank, Meda, lona, George, James, John, Lonaand Charles. Edward married Bessie Kimber and has two children, Mamie and Luther.”