Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Eichelberger, Captain Eli     
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


CAPTAIN ELI EICHELBERGER, one of the Associate Judges of 
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, has for many years been 
actively identified with the mining, mercantile, and 
political interests of this section of the State, but more 
especially of the town of Saxton, in which he resides.  He 
was born January 4, 1840, in Bedford County, which was the 
native place of his parents, James and Susan (Adams) 
Eichelberger.
  After completing his education, which was principally 
obtained in the common schools, he enlisted, April 23, 1861, 
in Company F, Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves, of which he was 
at once commissioned First Lieutenant.  Two years and a half 
later, in consequence of vacancy, he was promoted to the 
rank of Captain, and in that capacity had command of his 
company until mustered out of service.  With the Army of the 
Potomac, to which the Reserves were attached, he took part 
in the seven days' fight before Richmond, the second battle 
of Bull Run, and in the battle of the Wilderness, where he 
was seriously wounded in the left thigh.  As soon as he had 
recovered sufficiently to travel, he was discharged from the 
service, in October, 1864, and at once returned to his old 
home in Bedford County.
  In January, 1867, Captain Eichelberger established himself 
in the mercantile business in Saxton, Pa., as junior member 
of the firm of J. A. & E. Eichelberger, which existed a full 
quarter of a century, but, by reason of inevitable changes, 
is now E. Eichelberger & Sons, with the Captain at its head. 
 He has also been actively associated with other prominent 
enterprises of the county, having been for a number of years 
one of the firm of Eichelberger & Sons, proprietors of the 
Hopewell Furnace, and since 1891 an extensive operator in 
coal, his mineral beds being located in Huntingdon County.  
For eighteen years Captain Eichelberger served most 
acceptably as Postmaster at Saxton, and in 1898 he had the 
honor of being elected Associate Judge of the county for a 
term of five years.
  Politically, he is a Republican and a vigorous supporter 
of the principles and measures advocated by his party.  
Fraternally, he is a member of the G.A.R. Post at Saxton; of 
the Everett Lodge, No. 524, F & A.M., at Everett, Pa.; and 
of the Hopewell Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Hopewell.  He is a 
liberal contributor to religious organizations and an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
  Captain Eichelberger has been twice married.  His first 
wife, Helen M. Wishart, died in early life, leaving one son, 
James A.  He subsequently married Miss Maggie Ashcom, of 
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, by whom he has had two 
children, namely: Robert, deceased; and Coolidge.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa