BIO: Joseph Berkheimer, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LII. MONROE TOWNSHIP. JOSEPH BERKHEIMER, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in York County, Penn., July 14, 1833. His grandfather, Valentine Berkheimer, was born in same county, and was a fuller by trade. He married Elizabeth Lauchs, of York County, and had eight children: John, Samuel, Henry, George, Andrew, Elizabeth, Catharine and Leah. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; in politics, a strong Democrat. John Berkheimer, our subject's father, a shoemaker by trade, was also born in York county in 1803; was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sifert) Slothower. To this union were born the following children: Joseph, Henry, Catharine, Susan, Elizabeth, Leah and Rebecca. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; in politics, a Democrat. He 507 MONROE TOWNSHIP. was honest and industrious, a kind father and husband, and died in his seventy-sixth year. Our subject, who learned carpentering, came in 1851 to this county, and followed his trade. In 1853 he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Fannie (Musser) Eckert. This union has been blessed with seven children: John, Agnes, Alice, Joseph, Margaret, Jacob and George. Subject and wife are members of the German Reformed Church. In 1882 he moved with his family to his present residence. Politically, like his father, Mr. Berkheimer is a Democrat. In 1864 he enlisted at Carlisle in Company F, Two Hundred and Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for one year; went with his company to Baltimore; and thence to City Point; from there to Point of Rocks, where a severe battle was fought; thirteen were killed or taken prisoners from Company F alone. Mr. Berkheimer was in another battle at Mead's Station, where the regiment suffered severely, Company F losing fourteen men - seven killed and seven taken prisoners - including Henry Lee, of Carlisle, who was badly wounded. The war closing, Mr. Berkheimer returned to Harrisburg, where he was mustered out in 1865. When he went to war Mr. Berkheimer left a family consisting of his wife and five small children, who may now point with pride to their father's record as a soldier. Mrs. Berkheimer's great- grandfather Eckert came from Germany when a young man, and settled in York County, Penn., over a hundred years ago, and followed the business of a real estate dealer, but subsequently moved to Lancaster County, Penn., and there died. Of his four children, two were sons: Michael and Philip. Michael was born in York County, a wagonmaker by trade; married Catharine Young, of York County, and had the following named children: Henry, John, Jacob (father of Mrs. Berkeimer), George, Henry, Mary and Elizabeth. Michael Eckert was a member of the German Reformed Church, a sober, industrious man, always attentive to his business. Jacob Eckert was born in York County in 1803; learned wagon- making; married Miss Fanny Mercer, of York County, and had a family of six children: Michael, John, Joseph, Catharine (Mrs. Berkheimer), Susan and Fannie. In 1833 Mr. Eckert moved to this county, and in 1878 to his present farm, and is now a venerable gentleman, who has lived an honorable and valuable life.