Henry Weaver Eby

Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA
Submitted by Peggy Reichard

Our sister republic, little Switzerland, is bound in sympathetic ties to the greater republic of the Occident, although thousands of leagues of water and thousands of miles intervene between the only two republics, pure and simple, that exist on the face of the globe, and demonstrate to the nations that man is capable of self-government and competent to enact and maintain laws that redound to the greatest good of the greatest number. While not truly great or famous man has come to America from the little republic to here make his home, nor any great numbers of the peasantry and middle classes sought a refuge on the soil of the United States, there have been planted several Swiss Colonies throughout the Union, and numerous instances of individual immigration resulting in permanent residence within out country�s bourn. The reason for this sparse coming is obvious. The Swiss are free people. Climatic rigors in the Alpine hills and low-priced lands in this country are among the causes that lead to Swiss emigration chiefly, more especially of the agricultural classes, and these are invariably steady-going, intelligent and industrious husbandmen, and they become most excellent and useful citizens.

Among the early pioneers of Lancaster county, Pa., was Theodorus Eby, who came from Switzerland in 1719, and settled in Salisbury township. From him have descended all of the family name in the State, including several more than a local reputation.

Henry Weaver Eby, a retired farmer of Salisbury township, Lancaster county, a descendant of Theodorus above mentioned, was born on the farm he still occupies, Dec.9, 1826, a son of Peter Eby and a brother of Bishop Isaac Eby, to whom this farm of 140 acres belongs; an adjoining farm of eighty acres in property of Henry W. In 1866, however, Henry W. retired from active participation in the cultivation of the place, but still keeps a supervision over it.

Mr. Eby in politics is a Republican. He served thirteen years on the school board, and is still very popular with his party, as well as with the public in general. While not a member of any church, he has, nevertheless, proved himself a friend of all religious movements. He is of a genial disposition and a gentleman of unswerving integrity, while his life of usefulness has won for him the unfeigned respect of his neighbors and made for him warm-hearted friends by the score far and near.

Contributed for use by the Lancaster County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/~lancaster/)

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