BIO: Aaron W. ULRICH, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ A. W. ULRICH, one of the excellent citizens and well-known farmers of Penn township. Centre county, was born June 8, 1842, in Millheim, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Yeakley) Ulrich. The birth of the father occurred near the old fort in Potter township, Centre county, April 17, 1810, while his father, Christopher Ulrich, was born in August, 1774, in Dauphin county, Penn., and became the founder of the family in Centre county, locating here during the latter part of the eighteenth century. For a time he conducted a hotel in Aaronsburg, later lived upon a farm which he had purchased in Brush Valley, but died while a resident of Potter township, August 1, 1813. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catharine Showers, was born in Dauphin county, in March, 1778, and survived him many years, dying March 30, 1858. In their family were four sons: Adam, who died at Millheim; Samuel, a tanner, who died in Lebanon county, Penn.; Michael, a tailor and farmer by occupation, who died in Potter township; and Daniel, the father of our subject. After the death of her first husband, the mother of these children married a Mr. Gilbert, and died near Tusseyville, where her remains were interred. After the death of his father, Daniel Ulrich went to Dauphin county, Penn., where he had numerous relatives living, and there made his home until eighteen years of age, when he returned to Centre county. In Aaronsburg he served an apprenticeship with Henry Whitmer, a saddler and harness maker, and after learning the trade established himself in business in Millheim in 1832. In that same year he wedded Sarah Yeakley, who was born in Penn's Valley, Penn township, in 1809, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Haine) Yeakley, farming people who lived on Penn creek. For many years Mr. Ulrich continued to follow his trade in Millheim, where he later engaged in the butchering and 330 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tanning business. There his death occurred December 18, 1888, and when his wife departed this life in 1891, she was buried by his side in the cemetery at Millheim. Formerly he was a Whig in politics, later a strong Abolitionist, not afraid to express his views on the slavery questions, and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks. He was a worthy member of the Evangelical Church, and from her early girlhood his wife held membership in the Lutheran Church. After the death of her husband she made her home with her children who tenderly cared for her until she, too, passed away. The father was industrious and energetic, and through his own unaided efforts succeeded in accumulating considerable property, but nearly the entire amount was appropriated by unscrupulous parties, so that his heirs received but little. During the dark days of the Civil war he was one of the most patriotic and loyal citizens, and in every respect was a reliable, trustworthy man, universally esteemed. In the family were the following children: Maria, now the wife of George Gramley, of Miles township, Centre county; Michael, a saddler and harness maker of Millheim; Harriet, widow of Daniel Luse, and a resident of Johnstown, Penn.; David, a tanner living in Mississippi; George, a harness maker of Millheim, who, during the Civil war, was a member of the three-months' service, and later re-enlisted in Anderson's Cavalry, serving until the close of the war; Sarah, widow of Benjamin Orndorf, of Haines township, Centre county; A. W., of this sketch; Lydia, who married Jacob Beame, and died in Penn township; Daniel, a harness maker of Millheim; Catharine, wife of John Auman, of Juniata county, Penn.; and Hettie, wife of Jacob Catherman, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. From the age of four years, A. W. Ulrich made his home with his uncle and aunt, Samuel and Annie (Yeagly) Krape, farming people of Penn township, who had no children of their own, and upon his present farm he has since made his home. His education was such as the country schools of the locality afforded at that time, his first teacher being a Mr. Bollinger. At intervals he was able to attend school until attaining his majority, and, being studiously inclined, has supplemented the knowledge there acquired by extensive reading and study in later years. On September 30, 1866, in Pine Grove, Centre county, he married Miss Sarah Weaver, who was born in Miles township, in 1844, a daughter of Henry and Maria Weaver, and they have three children: Annie, wife of Alvin Harter, of Penn township; Lizzie, wife of John Zerby, of Gregg township, Centre county; and Charles, at home. Mr. Ulrich brought his bride to the home of his foster parents, whom he devotedly cared for until called to their final rest. He became the owner of the farm, a valuable tract of seventy-nine acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings, and also owns fifty-six acres of timber land. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party, and has acceptably filled several local offices, being assessor four years, tax collector two years, overseer of the poor three years, supervisor one year, and inspector of elections one year. Earnest, conscientious Christians, he and his wife are active members of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as deacon for several years. Fraternally, he is connected with the Grange. 1850 Haines Township, Centre County census - Daniel Ulrich, 40 Sarah Ulrich, 40 Maria Ulrich, 17 Michael Ulrich, 16 Harriet Ulrich, 14 David Ulrich, 13 George Ulrich, 10 Sarah Ulrich, 9 Lydia Ulrich, 7 Aaron Ulrich, 6 Daniel Ulrich, 4 Catharine Ulrich, 2 1850 Haines Township, Centre County census - Samuel Crape, 37 Rachael Crape, 38 Harriet Ulrich, 14 Aaron Ulrich, 8 John Hoover, 22 Anna Yeakly, 70