BIO: Aaron P. ZERBY, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO 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. P. ZERBY, a wide-awake and progressive farmer of Penn township, Centre county, is descended from one of its earliest families. His paternal grandfather, Philip Zerby, located in what is now Penn township, Centre county, about the beginning of the present century. He was born in Blue Mountain Hollow, Schuylkill Co., Penn., a son of Jonathan Zerby, and in the county of his nativity married Barbara Lingle. A short time afterward they made what was then a long and tedious journey to Centre county, and located upon a farm between Millheim and Coburn, in Penn township, where they made their home a few years, and then removed to Gregg township. By trade Philip Zerby was a linen weaver, but principally supported his family by day labor. He was an honest, hard-working man, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. His death occurred in Gregg township, when he was fifty-five years of age. To Philip and Barbara (Lingle) Zerby, were born the following children: John, born September 27, 1804, was blind for some years prior to his death, which occurred in Snow Shoe, Centre county; Johan Philip, born March 27, 1806, died near Pottsville, Penn., while seeking treatment for threatened blindness; David, born November 1, 1807, was blind for thirty-five years, and died in Gregg township; Jacob, born November 10, 1809, died near the Loop, in Potter township, Centre county, after being blind for nearly twenty-five years; Adam, the father of our subject, was next in order of birth; Michael, born May 7, 1814, died in Stephenson county, Ill.; Henry, born October 23, 1815, died in the same county; Catherine, born October 27, 1817, and died in 1896, married Abram Hoover, also now deceased; and Andrew, born March 1, 1821, is living in the same township. The mother of these children died March 9, 1821, and was laid to rest in Gregg township. For his second wife, Philip Zerby wedded Hannah Sunday, a native of George's Valley, and a daughter of Adam and Hannah Elizabeth (Minich) Sunday. Eight children blessed this union: Elizabeth, born May 16, 1822, married Charles Ripka, and died in Gregg township; Mary, born April 26, 19824, married Henry Garver, and died in Potter township, Centre county; Susannah and Sarah (twins) were born August 26, 1826 (Susannah is now the widow of George Wirt, late of Penn township, and Sarah is the widow of Peter Auman, late of Gregg township); Joseph, born November 4, 1830, died in Gregg township; William is a resident of that township; Hannah is the wife of Peter Confer, of Millheim; and Amelia died at the age of twenty-one years. The birth of Adam Zerby occurred in Gregg township, August 19, 1811, and as his parents were in limited circumstances he was given no educational advantages. When a young man he learned the weaver's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, and also operated a sawmill for many years. In 1847 he removed to Penn township, on Penn creek, where he purchased eighty acres of land, going in debt for the same, but fortunately his sons were of much assistance to him, and he soon had a comfortable home. Upon that farm his death occurred when he was nearly seventy years of age. He was a quiet, unassuming man, six feet, three inches in height, who enjoyed excellent health up to the time of his last illness. His remains were interred in Paradise cemetery by the side of the mother of our subject, who died at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a firm supporter of Democratic principles, but cared nothing for public office, and was a faithful member of the Evangelical Church. In early life Adam Zerby married Susanna Suavely, by whom he had the following children: Henry, a resident of Haines township, Centre county; A. P., subject of this review; Reuben, who died in Penn township; David L., teller in the Millheim Bank; Sarah, widow of F. F. Jamison, of Gregg township; and Julia A., who married Daniel Geary, and died in Penn township. After the death of his first wife, Adam Zerby wedded Mrs. Catherine Confer, nee Heckman, widow of Joseph Confer. She is still living in Stephenson county, Illinois. A. P. Zerby was born April 21, 1845, and was an infant when brought by his parents to the farm which he now owns, and where he has since resided. His first literary training was under the instruction of John Strayhorn, and his entire education was obtained in the district schools, which were much inferior to those of the present day. He strongly endorses the changes that have since been made in educational institutions, and has served as an efficient member of the school board in his district. At the age of eighteen he left the schoolroom, and worked for some 414 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. time in a mill and in the lumber woods, being thus employed until twenty-seven years of age. In February, 1872, in Haines township, Centre county, Mr. Zerby was married to Miss Elizabeth Daup, the oldest of the seven children born to Joseph and Catherine (Decker) Daup, the former a blacksmith by trade. Five children have been born of this union: Susan O., at home; Joseph A., who died at the age of five years; William D. and Emory P., school teachers, residing at home; and Nina A., also at home. After his marriage Mr. Zerby began housekeeping upon the old home farm, comprising sixty-five acres of rich and arable land, where he still resides, and which he has under high culture. For nearly a half of a century it has been his home, and after the death of his father he bought it at a public sale. Although he went in debt for much of the amount, it is now free. In connection with his farming operations, he also operates a sawmill, which he has equipped with modern machinery. No man in Penn township is more industrious, energetic and enterprising, and all that he now possesses has been obtained through his own unaided exertions. He has always supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has been called upon to serve in several official positions, including those of auditor, overseer of the poor, judge of election, school director and assessor. With the United Evangelical Church Mr. and Mrs. Zerby hold membership, and they enjoy a prominent position among the best and most highly respected citizens of the community. 1900 Penn Township, Centre County census - Aaron Zerby, 55 Elizabeth Zerby, 48 W. D. Zerby, 23 E. P. Zerby, 21 Nina A. Zerby, 15