Adam John Eberly
Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA
Submitted by Wanza CampbellADAM JOHN EBERLY (deceased), late one of the most conspicuous and able members of the Bar of Lancaster, was descended from an old and well-known family of the county.
The first of the name in this section came from Switzerland, having been driven from his native land by religious persecution, the family being Mennonites. At the time they came here, Lancaster was known as Hickorytown, and consisted of but two houses. Jacob EBERLY, great-grandfather of Adam J., was a farmer, and his son, Henry, grandfather of Adam J., was a miller, distiller and manufacturer of linseed oil.
Samuel EBERLY was born Feb. 8, 1793, and died Jan. 29, 1876, in what was at that time a part of Elizabeth township, now Clay township, Lancaster county. He was a well known scrivener and conveyancer of Clay township, where he built a house for himself in 1832, which old homestead is still in the possession of the family. Samuel was the first recorder of Lancaster county elected under the constitution of 1837, prior to which date the office had been an appointive one, and his son Henry S. was the first treasurer of Lancaster county elected by the people under the new constitution of 1873. Samuel EBERLY married Miss Catherine WIKE, daughter of John Adam WIKE, a farmer of Lebanon county, and four children were born of this union, two sons and two daughters, the latter of whom both died in infancy. Of the sons, Henry S., who was a merchant in Durlach, Lancaster county, served as county treasurer one term, and died in 1898.
Adam J. EBERLY, the other son, was born Jan. 9, 1840, on the old homestead at Durlach, and died Aug. 5, 1901, at his residence No. 314 West Chestnut street, Lancaster, after a brief illness of three days, the complications resulting in heart disease. His earlier education was received in the district schools, and later he took a one-year's course at Schaefferstown Academy, and then attended Franklin and Marshall College, graduating there from in the class of 1861. After his college graduation he spent one year at home, and commenced to read law. Taking up his residence in Lancaster, he entered the law office of the late Alexander H. HOOD, and in 1864 he was admitted to practice in the county, only four persons being admitted that year, and of these Hon. Amos MYLIN is the sole survivor. In 1866 Mr. EBERLY was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court, and in 1867 to the District and Circuit Courts of the United States.
In 1864 Adam J. EBERLY was married to Miss Mary E. PEARSON, a native of Lancaster and a daughter of William and Salome (SHIRK) PEARSON, and five children blessed this union, four of whom are yet living: Emma E., wife of J. Harlan LANDIS, engaged in the U.S. postal service, and running between New York City and Pittsburgh, Pa; William J., a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and now a member of the Lancaster Bar, practicing law in his late father's office at No. 49 E. Grand street; Elsie E., widow of Robert REILLY, formerly of Lancaster; and Robert P., who attended Franklin and Marshall Academy, Elizabethtown College, and is at present at home. In religious faith Mr. EBERLY was a member of St. Paul's Reformed Church, and he was held in the highest esteem by the community at large.
In his political preferences Mr. EBERLY was a stanch Republican, his time, influence and means being always given to the advancement of his party. The Republicans of the Fifth ward of Lancaster had elected him at various times to a seat in the common council, as well as to the select branch of the city councils; he was also a member of the Lancaster board of school directors. In 1883 he was elected by a handsome majority to the office of district attorney of Lancaster county, taking his seat on the first Monday in January, 1884, and discharging the duties for that responsible office with intelligence and fidelity. At the time of his death he was a director of and solicitor for the People's Trust Savings Deposit Co., and of the People's National Bank, and was president of the Union Building and Loan Association, all of Lancaster.
When the Confederate forces invaded Pennsylvania during the Civil war, Mr. EBERLY was among those who enlisted for the purpose of repelling them, joining Co. I, 51st P.V.I., and doing duty along the Potomac river in the State of Maryland.
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