Thomas
Ephraim Dresbach 1838 - 1917
Thomas Ephraim
Dresbach, a prominent business man of Mount Carroll and a member of the firm of
Dresbach & Hollinger, grocers of that city, is an appreciative and honored
Mason, and has advanced in this ancient order until he has attained the rank of
Sir Knight.
Mr. Dresbach
was made a Master Mason in Cyrus Lodge, No. 188, in 1872. He joined Jacksonville
Chapter in 1873, in which body he filled the office of Master of the Third Veil
for two terms. Also at Jacksonville he had the degrees of the commandery
conferred upon him, Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31, performing the work which
made him a Knight. At the institution of Long Commandery, No. 60, he became one
of its charter members and has since affiliated with it. He has always taken a
deep interest in Masonry, has practice its principles in his every-day life, and
is held in high esteem by the brotherhood.
Mr. Dresbach
is a native of the Keystone state. He was born a Camp Hill, Pennsylvania,
November 21, 1850, and is of German extraction, his parents being Simon Dresbach
and Frances nee Bowman, natives of Pennsylvania and descendants of early
settlers of that state. In the year 1865 Simon Dresbach and family came out to
Illinois, and here two years later he died, leaving a widow and seven children.
His life was one of activity and great usefulness. He was a minister in the
United Brethren church and the greater part of his life was engaged in pastoral
work in Ohio. The subject of our sketch is the youngest of their family of
seven. He was educated at Campbell Academy and in the schools of
Mount Carroll, and has all his life been engaged in mercantile pursuits,
spending eleven years in business in Jacksonville and fourteen years at Mount
Carroll. Both he and his partner are genial and obliging, employing only the
best and most honorable business methods, and are therefore justly entitled to
the success they have attained and the high esteem in which they are held.
Mr. Dresbach
owns and occupies one the pleasant residences of Mount Carroll. He was happily
married October 12, 1875, to Miss Susie F. Sutton, a native of Jacksonville,
Illinois, and their union has been blessed with seven children, four of whom are
living, viz.: Grace C., Lutie K., George T. and Walter S.
Politically,
Mr. Dresbach is a republican, stanch in his support of the principles of this
party and interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the country.
For two years he served Mount Carroll as city treasurer.
He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are also
identified with the Order of the Eastern Starr, that popular auxiliary of
Masonry which was organized to give a working place to the wives, daughters,
mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons.
Mrs. Dresbach has been honored with official position in the star
chapter.
A
compendium of Freemasonry in Illinois : embracing a review of the introduction,
development and present condition of all rites and degrees; together with
Biographical Sketches of distinguished members of the Fraternity.
Volume II
Edited by George W. Warvelle
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company 1897
Page
393, 394
Biographical
Sketches
