OBIT: Esaias BILLINGFELT, 1905, Adamstown, Lancaster County, PA

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Jeff Adams cfadams@yadtel.net

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_______________________________________________ 

Esaias Billingfelt, a Prominent Citizen of Adamstown, Dead

Hon. Esaias Billingfelt, for years a leading political factor in Lancaster 
county, and at one time a potent member of the State Senate, died at his home 
in Adamstown, on Thursday afternoon of last week.  For several years past the 
deceased had been in feeble health, and his death is due to the infirmities 
incident to old age.

Mr. Billingfelt was a native of Reamstown, having been born there on April 11, 
1817.  His age was 77 years, 1 month and 20 days.  He was left an orphan at an 
early age.  As a boy he attended the schools of his native town, and being a 
bright lad displayed such progress that at the age of twelve years, he was 
occasionally employed as an assistant teacher.  He was soon compelled by force 
of circumstance to leave school and work at hard labor in order to earn his 
subsistence.  He worked at day laboring for a time and then learned the hat 
making trade.  His spare moments, however, were devoted to study.  He was well 
endowed mentally by nature, and was also possessed of an unlimited ambition and 
a tireless zeal; he therefore acquired knowledge rapidly.  When a young man he 
became a teacher, continuing in this occupation until 1848, when he entered the 
office of Peter Martin, near Weidmanville, where he soon mastered the 
intricacies of surveying and conveying.  In 1850 Adamstown was incorporated 
into a borough, and young Billingfelt, having removed to that town, was elected 
its justice of the Peace.  During the many years he filled this position he 
built up a very extensive trade, particularly in the settlement of estates, 
this being brought about by his fair dealing and unusual competency.

During the year 1862, he was appointed a Deputy United States Marshall.  From 
1862 to 1866 he served in the State House of Representatives, so ably and 
satisfactorily representing the wishes of his constituents that in the later 
year he was elected to the State Senate, where he remained for six years; his 
service to the State were unusually notable and highly valuable, leaving an 
indelible impress on some of the most important legislative work in the history 
of the Commonwealth.

The deceased was an ardent Republican, a born leader, a man of sterling 
integrity, and at all times had the courage of his convictions.  He was a 
director of the Adamstown and Southern Railway when that organization was in 
active existence.

Mr. Billingfelt leaves his wife and only son, Elmer E., residing at home.  The 
funeral was held on Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock from the home of the 
deceased, with interment in the Adamstown cemetery.  Rev. D. S. Staufer pastor 
of the United Evangelical church, Adamstown officiated.


Ephrata Review, Friday, June 9, 1905