Submitted by: Dan Rich

Jacob W. Eberhart

Mar. 11, 1819 – Sept. 6, 1886

Mishawaka Enterprise
Friday, September 10, 1886

Mr. Jacob W. Eberhart passed away at his home three miles northeast of Mishawaka on Monday, Sept. 6th, his death being caused by a stroke of apoplexy received that morning.

While Mr. Eberhart had been in the most precarious state of health for several years past, having been severely afflicted with various ailments, and had sustained slight shocks of paralysis before, his sudden taking off was quite unexpected at the time. In fact he had been in quite a cheerful condition for several days past, greatly enjoying the visit of his old friend Dr. Horn and wife of Chicago, who were making a few days visit with him. He was engaged in making preparations to bring his visitors to town, and became a trifle excited over a slight injury he discovered to have befallen one of his horses during the night. Without any warning he was suddenly stricken down, about 8 o'clock in the morning, and remained unconscious until 12 o'clock, when he passed away, surrounded by sorrowing relatives and friends.

Mr. Eberhart was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1819, and would consequently have been 68 years of age next March. His father afterwards moved to New York and subsequently to Indiana, where they settled in 1835 - a half century ago. He was the eldest child of an unusually large family, consisting of twelve children, nine of whom are still living and among our best known and most respectable citizens, viz. Messrs. Adolph, John, Fred, Frank, Charles, Robert, and James Eberhart, and Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Bryson. His wife and one son, Harry, of Elkhart, survive him. His venerable mother, now aged 86 years, is also living.

The deceased was a most excellent citizen, honest, upright and thrifty, with many friends and no enemies. He was a member of the Methodist church and a devout Christian. Besides being a well-to-do and successful farmer, he was of a practical and inventive turn of mind, and was the originator of the Eberhart Sulky attachment for any style of plow, manufactured by the Elkhart Iron Co., in which he and his son, Henry, were stockholders.

The funeral took place on Wednesday morning, from the farm residence, Elder Simpson, of Elkhart, officiating. The services were largely attended by sorrowing relatives and friends, and the remains were interred in the Mishawaka cemetery.

Editor: Burial was in Mishawaka City Cemetery.