Other Events:

• Residence: Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA

Notes:

GENEALOGY OF THE MEYER FAMILY by Henry Meyer, 1890

Martha, married to Dr. Jonathan Zerbe, Schaefferstown, Pa. She is still living (1888). She contributed considerable information for these pages, forwarded through the kindness of her son, Charles M. Children: Charles M., married to Rebecca Yearsley, Phila. The family live at Lebanon, Pa., where Mr. Zerbe is practising law; Agnes E. (deceased), was married to Dr. George Mays: Dr. Thomas T., married to Emma E. Taylor ; Jennie M., married to J. F. Hickernell ; Dr. B. Frank, married to Ida S. Lauser. Last three children live at Schaefferstown, Pa.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31971331/martha-anna-zerbe

27 Jan 1896: Mrs. Martha, widow of the late Dr. Jonathan Zerbe, who for many years enjoyed a large practice at Schaefferstown, having died in April, 1877, passed peacefully away during Sunday night at the residence of her son, Dr. B. Frank Zerbe, at Schaefferstown, of general debility, due to old age. Deceased was a member of the Reformed church and will be interred in the Reformed church cemetery at Schaefferstown. She was aged about 82 years and leaves to mourn her death four children, as follows: C. M. Zerbe, Esq., this city; Drs. Thos. and B. Frank Zerbe, and Mrs. Jonathan Hickernell, all of Schaefferstown. [Lebanon Semi-Weekly News]

January 1896: Consigned to the tomb. The funeral of Mrs. Mary Zerbe, relict of the late Dr. Jonathon Zerbe, of Schaefferstown, was held at 1:30 oclock from her late residence. Services were conducted in the Reformed Church in Schaefferstown by the Rev. Bachman, and interment was made in the church cemetery. [Lebanon Courier]

Family/Spouse: Jonathan Zerbe. Jonathan was born on 21 Jul 1812 in Berks County, PA; died on 03 Apr 1877 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Schaefferstown Cemetery, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Lawyer
• Residence: Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA

Notes:

6 June 1921: Charles M. Zerbe, the oldest member of the Lebanon county bar, died on Sunday, at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ida S. Zerbe, at Schaefferstown, aged 79 years, 9 months, and 8 days.

Mr. Zerbe was taken ill about four weeks ago with the outbreak of a carbunkle on his body, and it was followed by others evidences, the physicians asserted, of a physical debility incident to old age, which is ascribed as the cause of his death, which occurred about noon on Sunday.

Mr. Zerbe was a native of Lebanon County and lived here practically all his life. He was born on September 2, 1841, the first born child of Dr. Jonathan and Martha Meyer Zerbe. of Schafferstown. Two younger brothers and two younger sisters preceded him in death.

The lawyer secured his preliminary education in the public schools and the Old Academy, at Schaefferstown, and then matriculated to Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated in 1862. Later he taught a year or more in Mrs. Emily Miller's private school at Schaefferstown, and then studied law with the late Samuel Perkins, esq., at Philadelphia. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1866, and to the Lebanon county bar in August of the same year, and to the Superior and Supreme courts of Pennsylvania. He returned to his home almost immediately thereafter, and began practice here. He resided in Schaefferstown for some years, and then came to Lebanon where he remained in active practice until illness incapacitaed him little more than a month ago.

He was one of three young men of Schaefferstown who graduated about the same time at F and M college, Jere Hoffman, who became a captain in the Civil War; W. W. Weigley, later practicing at Philadelphia, and Samuel V. MAys, who died young in life, all of whom took up the practice of law. Dr. S. P. Heilman, late of this city, was a member of the same class.

Mr. Zerbe's professional career covered a period of almost 55 years. He was connected at various times with many important cases. He took pride in his profession and his achievements justified his pride. He was long regarded as an authority in the law, and in practice was also held in highest regard.

He was well informed on local affairs, and particularly with respect to the older families of the region, and the historic data of this section of Pennsylvania. He was an honored member of the Lebanon County Historical Society. He was made an honorary member of Camp 254, Patriotic sons of America, some years ago.

His wife, who was Miss Rebecca Yearsley, of Philadelphia, died about six years ago. [Lebanon Semi-Weekly News, Page 13]

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31952481/charles-meyer-zerbe

Family/Spouse: Rebecca Elizabeth Yearsley. Rebecca was born on 16 Aug 1856 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA; died on 6 Jul 1915 in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Schaefferstown Cemetery, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32795734/agnes-eliza-mays

Family/Spouse: George Mays. George was born on 5 Jul 1836 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; died on 1 Aug 1909 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA; was buried on 5 Aug 1909 in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Doctor
• Residence: Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA

Notes:

26 Jan 1920: Dr. Thomas T. Zerbe, a native and life-long resident of Schaefferstown, and one of the most prominent men of that region, died this morning at his home. He had been an invalid for six years, and his death came not unexpectedly as the natural consequence of a malady that long afflicted him. A stroke of paralysis is thought to have hastened the end. Dr. Zerbe was in the 74th year of his age.

He was a son of Dr. Jonathan Zerbe, a pioneer practitioner of great repute In the Heidelberg region years ago. The son acquired a common schooling at Schaefferstown, and then went to Franklin and Marshall college, from which institution he matriculated to the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, of which he was a graduate. He entered upon the practice of medicine in his native town in 1869, and continued until his hearing failed some years ago. He won a widespread reputation throughout the southeastern end of the county as a doctor of unusual skill, and he was regarded by members of the profession as a specialist in fever cases.

He was a Republican in politics, and at one time exerted considerable influence in the section of the county in which he lived. He served the county as a Representative to the General Assembly at two sessions of the Legislature. He took a deep interest in the municipal affairs of Schaefferstown, and manifested a great public spirit in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of his neighbors and the county at large.

His wife, who was Emma Taylor, of Charming Forge. Berks Co., died some years ago. Ha leaves four children: William Taylor Zerbe, of Schaefferstown; Miss Florence Zerbe also of that place; Mabel, wife of Roy Evans, of Lebanon, and Mrs. Marie Winneshiek, of Altoona. Charles M. Zerbe. esq., of this city, is an only brother, the last surviving member of the family of Jonathan Zerbe. Frank B. Zerbe, one time prothonotary of the county, was a brother. He died several years ago. The deceased was a member of the
Masonic fraternity. [Lebanon Semi-Weekly News]

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31971332/thomas-taylor-zerbe

Family/Spouse: Emma Elizabeth “Emily” Taylor. Emma was born on 9 Apr 1854 in Charming Forge, Berks County, PA; died on 25 Nov 1914 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Schaefferstown Cemetery, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA

Notes:

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32795695/jane-mary-hickernell

Family/Spouse: Jacob F. Hickenell. Jacob was born on 25 Jul 1847 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; died on 25 Jan 1911 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Schaefferstown Cemetery, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Doctor
• Residence: Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA

Notes:

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ZERBE, M. D. - Born October 11, 1853. Died May 30, 1915. Aged 61 yrs., 7 mos and 19 days. Dr. Zerbe was the youngest of three sons of Dr. Jonathan and Martha A. (Meyer) Zerbe. Dr. Jonathan was born in Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pa., in 1811, from whence, after maturity, and after having spent some years in the State of Virginia, where he attended school, and after his return to Pennsylvania, he came to Schaefferstown in 1837, and settled there. Later he attended a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and on his return to Schaefferstown took up the practice of medicine there, and in time became prominent in medical circles and in public life. The American progenitor of the Zerbe family came to America from one of the French Cantons of Switzerland in the days of Queen Anne, settled in Berks County in 1723, and obtained a grant of land there. On the maternal side the family is related to the Schaeffer family, whose ancestor in this country, Alexandria Schaeffer, founded Schaefferstown (then known as. Heidelberg) in 1743, he having come from the University town of Heidelberg, in Baden, Germany, hence this early name of Schaefferstown, and still the name of the township of which it is the centre.

After a course in his home schools and one at Palatinate College, Myerstown, Dr. Zerbe took up the reading of medicine with his father and older brother, Dr. Thomas T., and subsequently took a course in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1878. After practicing his profession for some time with the late Dr. George Gleim at Cornwall, he settled down in his native town and continued his practice there to the day of his death. Along with this he engaged in his later years, with his brother, Dr. Thomas T., quite extensively in the industry of cigar manufacturing, the eastern section of Heidelberg Township and the neighboring Millbach section having gone largely into the growing of tobacco, for which their soils, like that of many parts of the adjacent county of Lancaster, had been found especially adapted.

Dr. Zerbe, as a member of the Republican Party for years took an active part in the political affairs of his county, like his father, who had aided in organizing that party in Lebanon County and had taken an aggressive part in the Fremont Campaign of 1856, and also represented his county in the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1870 - 71. Dr. Zerbe served as Prothonotary of the county during the years 1907, 1908 and 1909. He also was at one time a member of the School Board of Heidelberg Township.

He was admitted to membership in the Lebanon County Historical Society Aug. 15, 1913. On November, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Ida a daughter of the late Judge George S. Lauser of Schaefferstown, who survives him, together with a son, Charles L. Zerbe, a former Deputy Prothonotary during the term of his father and that of Eli Wallace, of Newmanstown. He is also survived by his brother. Dr. Thomas T., already mentioned, and by another brother, Charles M. Zerbe. Esq., an Attorney at Lebanon, and at one time President of the Lebanon Bar Association and one sister Jennie M., the wife of Jacob F. Hickernell, of Schaefferstown, and also had another sister, Agnes E., the deceased wife of Dr. George Mays, of Philadelphia, who formerly, but now deceased, was a valued member of this Society and contributed to it a number of excellent papers.

NOTE: The above information is from "The Lebanon County Historical Society" Eighteenth Annual Meeting December 17, 1915 (Report of the Committee on Necrology).

Name:
Headstone has his name as B. Frank Zerbe M.D.

Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31971324/benjamin-franklin-zerbe

Family/Spouse: Ida Susan Lauser. Ida was born on 16 Oct 1856 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; died on 29 Dec 1940 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA; was buried in Schaefferstown Cemetery, Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]