Ephraim Dresbach

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: CRONINGER, DRESBACH, HINES, HOY, IRELY

 

EPHRAIM DRESBACH, an enterprising farmer and stock-grower of St. Joseph Township, is possessor of an estate containing 120 acres of valuable land located on section 20. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, near Lithopolis, Nov. 12, 1834, and is descended from German and Irish ancestry, being the son of John and Anna (HOY) DRESBACH, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. John DRESBACH was born in 1804. His wife, Anna, was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (IRELY) HOY. The Irely family were natives of Pennsylvania, but of Irish origin, and the family of Philip HOY descended from German ancestry.

After his marriage John Dresbach lived for a time in Fairfield County, Ohio, and then removed with his family to Hancock County, settling near Findlay. Not satisfied with the locality, he changed his residence to Fairfield, and afterward to Pickaway County, making the latter place a permanent settlement, and building up a homestead, where he died in the winter of 1886. He was twice married. The death of his first wife occurred in Fairfield County, in 1844. Of this union six children were born, and of the second marriage there were three.

Ephraim Dresbach passed his boyhood in Fairfield and Pickaway Counties, where he received such education as could be obtained at the country schools. After the death of his mother he made his home with relatives and began the struggle of life at a very early age. Possessing an obliging disposition he made friends, and employed himself in various branches of farm labor until he had reached his twenty-fourth year. He then united in marriage with Miss Clarissa E. CRONINGER, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (HINES) CRONINGER. After his marriage Mr. Dresbach settled on a farm in Pickaway County, and remained there until the autumn of 1867, when he removed with his family to Champaign County, Ill. The first year he rented a farm in St. Joseph Township, and subsequently purchased his present place. Only a part of the land was broken, but he has since brought it to a fine state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to the raising of hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, and recorded as follows: Elnora S. is the wife of Theodore F. Swearingen; Joseph F. is residing at home; Chrissie B. is the wife of O. Hootz; Clara L., Alma May, Arthur C., Minnie O. and Ora A. are with their parents.

In politics Mr. Dresbach reserves the right of voting for the best man, regardless of party. He is interested in public affairs, and has served as School Director, giving satisfaction in the discharge of his duties.