BIO: John W. EBY, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JOHN W. EBY, proprietor of a feed and  coal business at Zion, Centre 
county, is an energetic, progressive man who has achieved success 
through his own undertakings.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  367

  John Eby, paternal grandfather of our subject, married May Greybill, 
a native of Lebanon county, and children as follows were born to them: 
Samuel (father of our subject); Michael, Henry, Moses and Elizabeth 
(all four residents of Woodward, Centre county) and Mary (Mrs. 
Yearick).  The maternal grandparents of our subject were George and 
Mary (Finley) Vonada, the former a native of Centre county, the latter 
of Union county, Penn.  Their children are David and John, who are 
residents of Hublersburg; Jacob, of Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn.; 
Eve, who is living with her sister, Mrs. Samuel Eby; and Amelia, wife 
of John A. Swartz, of Hublersburg.
  Samuel Eby, father of our subject, was born July 22, 1824, in Lebanon 
county, Penn., and being the eldest in his father's family remained at 
home assisting in their support, during a few winter months attending 
the common schools.  In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a member 
of the National Guard.  In December, 1866, he married Mary Vonada, who 
was born February 10, 1830, a daughter of George and Mary (Hinley) 
Vonada, the former of whom was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and a 
Lutheran in religious faith.  In March, 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eby 
settled on a farm in Walker township, where he died October 6, 1882, 
and he was buried in Zion cemetery; his widow has since made her home 
in Zion.
  John W. Eby, whose name introduces this sketch, was their only child.  
He was reared on the homestead farm, and acquired his education in the 
public schools.  On July 17, 1887, he married Miss Jennie Sharer, a 
daughter of David Sharer, a prosperous farmer of Spring township, 
Centre county, born in Lancaster county, Penn., and who married Jemima 
Foster, a daughter of Joseph Foster, a successful farmer of Union 
county, where Mrs. Sharer was born.  Both came to Centre county in 
childhood, and were married there.  David Sharer, Samuel Sharer and 
Jennie Sharer (both deceased) belonged to a family of which the 
following are also members: Mrs. Elizabeth Mallory and Henry, who are 
living in the West; Mrs. H. J. Garbrick, of Zion; and Elmira, wife of 
George Gingrich, of Centre Hall.  In the Foster family were Mrs. Belle 
Jordan; Mrs. J. Hirsch, of Forest Hill, Union county, Penn.; Mrs. 
Nelson Biddle, of Union county; and Andrew and Thomas, both of whom 
served in the Civil war, the last named losing his life in battle.
  David Sharer, the father of Mrs. Eby, died December 9, 1894, and the 
mother on November 11, 1896.  Both were buried in Zion cemetery.  They 
had a family of four children: (1) Foster, now a resident of Spring 
township, Union county, married Pearly Stover, and has two children - 
David M. and Minnie. (2) Mary is the wife of Elmer Swartz, a farmer 
residing near Pleasant Gap, Centre county, by whom she had six children 
- Della M., Edith, Gertrude. Harry, Blaine and Roy. (3) Zada B. is the 
wife of William T. Royer, of Bellefonte, Penn., a printer, and they 
have five children - Pearl, Lena, Carl, Grace and Paul.
  Mr. and Mrs. Eby became the parents of four children, two of whom 
died in infancy; the others are: William C. (born December 25, 1887) 
and Mary Edna (born February 1, 1891).
  Mr. Eby was engaged in farming for a number of years, successfully 
following that pursuit until 1896, when he came to Zion and established 
his present business, dealing in meal, feed and coal.  He receives from 
the public a liberal patronage, which he well merits, for his energy, 
perseverance and honorable dealing justly entitle him to the success 
which he may achieve.  He also owns two farms, one in Walker township, 
Centre county, comprising 120 acres of well-improved land, the other, 
of 130 acres, being situated near Centre Hall, in Potter township.  It 
is a splendid property, and he also has valuable real estate in Zion.  
He is a most progressive and energetic man, and ranks among the leading 
business citizens of the community.  In politics he is a Democrat.  
Socially, he belongs to the Grange, and to the Knights of the Golden 
Circle. Mrs. Eby is a member of the Lutheran Church.  All who know them 
esteem them highly for their sterling worth, and they have surrounded 
themselves with many friends.