Biographical Sketch of John T. EACHES (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 484-8. "JOHN T. EACHES, son of Eber and Hannah Phillips Eaches, was born December 16, 1842, in the village of Charlestown, Chester county, Pennsylvania. His parents were both natives of Pikeland township, in the same county. The father, a son of John Eaches, was of Welsh descent. He was for many years a school teacher, farming and working at the cooper trade during the summer, and teaching school during the winter. He was widely known and universally esteemed. He settled in Phoenixville in 1847, and died there in 1880, in his seventy-eight year. He was for many years an officer in the Baptist church of that place. His wife, the mother of John T. Eaches, is still living with un-impaired faculties in her ninety-first year. "The subject of this sketch was the youngest of four sons. The other brothers, William, a carriage manufacturer in Philadelphia; Josiah P., teller in the Phoenixville National Bank; Owen P., pastor of the Baptist church at Hightown, New Jersey, all survive him. "He received a superior English education in his boyhood in the public and private schools of Phoenixville. He possessed a quick and receptive mind. He was fond of study and made rapid progress, attaining a high rank as a scholar. About the time that he was finishing his studies and while making preparation for entering the duties of practical life, the storm of war burst upon the country. Every town and hamlet in Pennsylvania at once became a recruiting station for the army. Finishing the work to be done at home, he secured the consent of his parents and entered the service of his country in his nineteenth year. He enrolled himself a member of Co. G, 1st Pennsylvania reserves. He served during the three years term of service, not visiting his home during that entire time. He was faithful, brave, untiring in all the duties that came upon him. He did not know the meaning of shirking or of cowardice. He became a corporal in his company. In the seven days' fight before Richmond, at the battle of Charles City Cross Roads, he was wounded, left on the field of battle, captured by the Confederates, and placed in the Libby prison. After four week's imprison- ment he was exchanged. He was in the battle of Gettysburg and in all the important battles of the Army of the Potomac. The soldier life was in his blood, as his grandfather and three of his brothers were the commanding officers in the seventh battalion of Pennsylvania troops in the war of the Revolution. At the close of the war he returned to Phoenixville. He accepted a clerkship in the cotton factory of Mr. L. H. Richards in Phoenixville. He remained here until 1869, when he accepted a position in the National bank of that place. He filled the position of paying teller and book-keeper to the satisfaction of all. On the organization of the Spring City National bank in 1872, he was offered the position of cashier of the bank. He accepted the proffer and filled the position with eminent ability until the time of his death. He was a man of the strict- est honesty and integrity in his business dealings. To his enterprise and rare financial power much of the success of the Spring City bank is due. He was one of the four founders of the Spring City Forge Company. Possessed of public spirit, he did much that contributed to the business interests of the town in which he resided. "He took a large interest in political and public affairs, though never soliciting or holding public office. He was married in 1879 to Hannah Stauffer, of Spring City. Three children were born to them: Mary, Amy, and Clara, all of whom are living. The quiet of the home circle was a de- light to him after the cares of the day. He was a man of rich devotional life. For many years he had been a member of the Baptist church in Phoenixville. Here he was active in all kinds of church work. He was an effective teacher in the Sunday school. He was an active member of the G. A. R. and of the Masonic fraternity. He died suddenly, after a short illness, in his forty-seventh year, September 28, 1889. "He had accumulated a handsome competence. His largest wealth was in his irreproachable character, his unstained name, his gracious influence, his devotional life, his noble manhood. His heart was as tender as a child's. His heart was as tender as a child's. His manner was winning. He was a pillar in the church and in the community. None knew him but to respect and love him. Followed to the grave by a large number of his fellow sol- diers, fellow citizens, kindred and friends, he sleeps in the quiet of the cemetery at Phoenixville. "Life's fight well fought, "Life's work well done, "Life's course well run, "Rest comes."