BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA, by Elwood Roberts, 1904ALLAN CORSON EGBERT, one of the most successful farmers in Norriton township, was born in Whitemarsh township, Montgomery county, July 3, 1826. He received his education in the pay schools of his day, attending them three months in winter. Like the sons of farmers of that time in general, he was early taught that man must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. His father having died when the son was fifteen years of age, when he had reached the age of seventeen years, he was apprenticed by his guardian, Dr. Hiram Corson, to Joseph D. Wood, at Blue Bell, that he might learn the blacksmith trade. After remaining there four years and three months, he found himself competent to secure work as a journeyman in any shop, in any city. He went to Philadelphia and obtained employment in the carriage-building shop of Ogle & Watson Thirteenth and Parish, where he worked as a blacksmith for seven months. Through the influence of his cousin, Richard Corson, he secured a position with Moore & Hooven, of Norristown. He spent three and one half years with this firm and then feeling that he had a chance to better his condition he entered the employ of General William Schall.
He did not expect to stay long in this place as he had, to some degree, the western fever. However, his relations with his employer had been so pleasant that at the close of a year he concluded to remain, and he did not leave for twenty-seven years. During all this time there was no agreement, bond or contract between him and Mr. Schall and they never had an unpleasant word or a disagreement. In 1878 the mill passed into the hands of Byrne, Burtlett & Heller, and Mr. Egbert remained with the new firm until it went out of existence five years later, when he abandoned his trade and has since devoted himself exclusively to his farm.
Mr. Egbert bought the land where he now lives in 1850, and made it his home during the time that he worked in Norristown. For seventeen years he walked to and from his work every day. The farm contains twenty acres and at the time he purchased it the land was destitute of trees or buildings and Mr. Egbert had built the house, barn and all the smaller buildings, besides planting trees and adding all the touches that make a home pleasant. He can sit under his own vine and fig tree in the literal sense of the saving, and expects to pass the remainder of his life in this home.
In politics he was a Whig, of the Henry Clay type, and on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has ever since given its interests his support. He cast his first presidential vote for General John C. Freemont and has supported every Republican candidate since that time. His ancestors were members of the Society of Friends and he affiliates with that body, though not a member.
George Egbert (father) was born in Whitemarsh township, passed all his life there and died in 1841. He owned a small farm and also burned lime, leading an humble and upright life. He was a Whig in politics and active in the support of his party. He was a Friend in spirit though not a member of the Society. He married Hanna Kerkner, a descendant of an old Montgomery county family. They had the following children: Sarah, unmarried, who lives in Norristown; Mary, who married Austin Miller and also resides in Norristown; Allan Corson; David, deceased; Laurence, who died in Philadelphia; and Susan, who married Norman Egbert and lives in Norristown.
Allan Corson Egbert married Miss Rachel Fisher, whose grandfather was a resident of Horsham township and whose ancestor came from Germany.
She was a daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Barns) Fisher and is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Egbert had the following children Horace, who died when twenty-nine years of age; Flora, who married Dr. Weaver, of Philadelphia, where she lives, her husband being deceased; Walter R., unmarried, a college graduate, who is principal of the State Normal School in Clarion county, Pennsylvania; Radie, who married Patrick Callahan, a grocer in Philadelphia; and Lillie, wife of Thomas Jackson, who assists Mr. Egbert on the farm.
James I. Egbert (9/11/1808-1/27/1896) Obituary
James Egbert died at Charter Oak, Iowa on January 28, in his 88th year. He was born in the state of New York September 11, 1808, and was married in Ohio in the year 1837 to Catherine Clemer. In 1856 they moved to Warren County. Ten children-four boys and six girls-were born unto them. On the 30th of July, 1859, a severe thunder storm passed over this county, in which Mrs. Egbert was killed by a stroke of lightening. Mr. Egbert never married again, but alone he struggled through the hardships of early life in Iowa. The rearing of a family of ten children, admidst the privations and hardships of pioneer life, fighting life's battles all alone for nearly forty years-these are trials and afflictions that but few are called upon to pass through. But the poet says of a truth:
Earth has no sorrows, That heaven cannot heal.Mr. Egbert made his home the last few years with a daughter in the western part of Iowa. But a greater part of his life after he grew to manhood was spent here, and was known to many as an honest and upright man in all his dealings. In his last days he expressed a readiness and willingness to go. His life covered near the whole of the 19th century and nearly forty years of it were spent alone. The hope of meeting her with whom he has so long been parted; the prospect of being freed from the toils and cares of a life of nearly a certury is certainly enough to unglue the affections from earth and create desire to bid good bye forever from earth. Paul said: to die is gain." Father Egbert will certainly realize that to exchange a life of nearly a century of toil and care for an eternity of bliss will be a great gain.
The mortal remains of each after the long separation, sleeping side by side in the Norwalk Cemetary, and no doubt the immortal is joined hand in hand in an eternal union.
James B. Egbert and family gravesite at Riverside Cemetery, Norristown, PA
Norman & Susan (Rogers) Egbert family headstone
Montgomery Cem., West Norristown, Montgomery Co., PA
