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HISTORICAL SKETCH 

DELIVERED BEFORE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY, PA. 
NOVEMBER, 14, 1899, 

By THOS. C. ZIMMERMAN. 



On Sunday, September 17th, 1899, at 
6 o'clock in the morning, Daniel Er- 
mentrout, the subject of this sketcli, 
passed peacefully away after an illness 
of only a few days. The immediate 
cause of his death, which was acciden- 
tal, was due to an inflammatory irrita- 
tion, superinduced by the lodgment of 
some foreign substance — a piece of un- 
masticated food — in the aesophagus. 

The family to which Mr. Ermentrout 
belonged was one of the most influen- 
tial and widely-known in the county of 
Berks — a family that has contributed 
in no small degree to the making of our 
local history. Its niembers have occu- 
pied with distinction leading places in 
all the learned professions and skilled 
avocations. 

The father of Daniel Ermentrout, 
whose name was William Ermentrout, 
was born in Womelsdorf in 1799. He 
had 10 children — John Silvis Ermen- 
trout, William C, Benjamin F., Daniel, 
Philip M., Joseph C, Samuel C, James 
Nevin. Ellen, widow of H. C. Ritter, 
and Elizabeth, wife of Benneville Ber- 
tolet. 

As will be seen, in a genealogical 
narrative which follows, the family 
line can be traced back in Germany, 
for the most part unbroken, to about 
1350, when the family name was Eh- 



rentraudt. This information was fur- 
nished by Rudolph, Baron von Irmtraut 
in 1896, and has been in the possession 
of the family of Daniel Ermentrout 
ever since that time. Following is the 
history of the lineage referred to: 

The family of the Barons von Irm- 
traut belonged to the very oldest mem- 
bers of the German riobility and formed 
part of the old tournament circle of 
Franconia. The spelling of the name 
occurs in many different ways, explain- 
ed by the circumstance that in those 
remote days very few of the knightly 
nobles were able to write more than 
their names, and even then they were 
spelled by the same man in different 
ways. They generally signed their 
documents only by the imprint of their 
signet rings or the pommel of their 
swords, with their coat of arms. In 
old genealogical works and in docu- 
ments referring to the family it is 
found to be spelled Ehrendraud, Ehren- 
traud, Ermentraut, Ermtraut, Irmen- 
traut and Irmtraut. Today the name 
is Irmtraut in Austria and Ermentrout 
in America. The family originated as 
far as known in the county of Hada- 
mar in the Grand Dukedom of Nassau, 
where still exists the village of Irm- 
traut. The feudal seat and manor- 
house (castle) was there, and probably 



according^ to the prevailing usage the 
family gave their name to the place. 

At present there is no vestige of 
them to be found there, except a great 
old barn built of stone with the coat 
of arms carved thereon in the stone, 
but the castle has disappeared. I 
wrote to the minister of the place in 
1864 to inquire if there were still traces 
of our old home to be found and got 
the above result. 

The village at present is a flourish- 
ing little place of 1500 inhabitants, sit- 
uated on the outskirts of the "Wester- 
wald." Besides farming, their princi- 
pal industry consists of wood-carving 
and fancy basket-making, which are 
peddled — generally by girls in their 
very picturesque costumes — over the 
whole of Southern Germany. Several 
of these girls, having been told by their 
minister of my existence, then in Ba- 
den, called expressly on me for the pur- 
pose of seeing a scion of their former 
lords. They told me that it had made 
quite a stir in the village when they 
heard that a member of the family was 
living. 

It is not known how long the family 
dwelt there, but it seems probable that 



they remained until the end of the 17th 
century, as nearly all the inter-mar- 
riages up to that time are with families 
living in that neighborhood— Nassau, 
Palatinate, Franconia, etc. — and even 
the marriage of Wilhelmina von Irm- 
traut, the last of this line, to Gerhard 
von Werkamp, whose family belonged 
to the Palatinate, (1695-1758) seems to 
prove this theory. 

That the family belonged even in re- 
mote times to "good old stock," is 
proven by the participation of several 
of their members in the tournaments 
of the nobility. In a tournament held 
at Frankfurth, and at the celebrated 
tournament at Nurenberg in 1433 — 
time of the Emperor Sigismund— son;^ 
of the family participated, belonging to 
the "tournament ring of Franconia." 
Since the Emperor Henry VI. four 
tournament rings were known in Ger- 
many, viz.. Rheinland, Fra^'.en, Bay- 
ern and Schwaben. 

To be elis'ble to these tournaments 
the Knight had to prove his "quartcr- 
ings," viz., his direct descent from 
four noble families (also all eligible) on 
both sides — from the father's and 
mother's sides. Then only could he 
enter the ring. The proof was this: 



GRANUFATHER. GRANDMOTHER. GRANDFATHER. . GRANDMOTHER 

1352-Gilbreclit von Irmtraut. Anna von Selbach. 1429-Arnold von Keftig. . Elga Walpott von CIn 



Wilhchn von Ernitrant, 1445, 
raarrifd to 
Ursula Bred Icr von Hohcustein. 
rreula Brfdfer von Hohenslein was the dauRhter of Jacob, 14S5, and of 
Anna von Scheuk von Geyern.— Jacob was the 
Son of Heiin, 1467, and of Gretta von dcr Erlcn. 
Son of Henn, I434-I45q, and of Lysn Mohr von Watde, 
Son of Ifcnn, 1425, and of Elizabeth Setzer von Gcisspitzhcini, 
And so it goes on— every niarriaye being with the nobility. 



Several members of the family seem 
to have been of an adventurous dispo- 
sition, as we find in the records two of 
them mentioned as having participated 
in the Spanish-Moorish wars, and as 
being killed by the Moors in Spain. 

In early times the family were doubt- 
less of the Catholic faith. Many of the 
wives' families certainly were, and sev- 
eral members were Abbots in "noble, 
knightly Abbeys." The time of their 
change to Protestantism is not exactly- 
known, but was probably at the time of 
the Reformation. The living members 
of our line today are Protestants. 

All the families who intermarried 
with the Ermtrauts, beginning with 
Godebrecht in 1339, were "noble, 
knightly." Almost all of them lived in 
the same or neighboring counties — 
Franconia, Suabia and Palatinate. 
Many of these families are at this date 
nourishing- as some of the best known 
in Germany — as the Counts of Bassen- 
heim In Bavaria; the Princes and 
Counts of Metternich in Austria and 
on the Rhine: the Counts of Schwar- 
zenberg in Austria; the Hatzflelds in 
Prussia: the Schoenborns-Austria, the 
Barons von Stein on the Rhine and in 
Prussia, etc. 

The Irmtrauts were all conspicuous 
in the military service — while on the 
female side of the house the men 
served their country in civil offices. 
One of their number was sent on a 
diplomatic mission to Duke Charles of 
Burgundy, 16th century, and after con- 
cluding a favorable treaty was reward- 
ed by his sovereign by the augmenta- 
tion of his coat of arms. This ambas- 
sador was possibly the father or grand- 
father of Gerhard von Werkamp, who 
married Wilhelmina Frederika Sophie 
Baroness von Irmtraut, who was the 
last of her line remaining in the Old 
World. But to this day the family re- 
tain the name of Irmtraut by special 
diploma of the Emperor granted June 
6th, 1792. 



This Baroness being the last surviv- 
ing member of her family and married 
to Baron von Werkamp, Alt-Barckhau- 
sen was at that time (June 6, 1792) 
given "the right for all time to come, 
to assume for her own person and for 
all of her descendants to come, born in 
rightful wedlock, male and female, the 
name, title, coat of arms and all other 
prerogatives of the ancient and noble 
family of Barons von Irmtraut, as if. 
they had been born in that ilk; and 
they must therefore, now and in all 
future, by His Imperial Majesty's or- 
der, use henceforth on all occasions and 
be known by the name Barons von and 
of Irmtraut, Barons of the Holy Em- 
pire, and use rightfully their coat of 
arms and join it to that of Barons Wer- 
kamp- Alt-Burckhausen." 

This was all in consideration of the 
distinguished services this ancient and 
well-known family had rendered the 
state, and because the Government de- 
sired that the name, coat of arms and 
traditions of so ancient a member of 
the nobility of the Empire should con- 
tinue to live and be perpetuated in the 
annals of the country." 

Today the head of this house is liv- 
ing in retirement near Vienna at an 
advanced age — over eighty — having 
served his Emperor and country as 
General of the Austrian army. 

Baron Rudolph von Irmtraut, who 
furnished the above information, is be- 
tween seventy and eighty. One year 
ago, through the late Daniel Ermen- 
crout, he presented to the Pennsylvania 
German Society the coat of arms of the 
Palatinate exquisitely painted by him- 
self. 

The home of the first emigrant to this 
country, John Ermentrout, the great- 
great-grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was in the Palatinate, whence 
he came to the New World in 1739, and 
established his home in what was af- 
terwards erected into Berks county. 

Christopher Ermentrout. the next in 
line of descent, w-as born in Berks 
county, where he was engaged in agri- 



cultural pursuits all his life: his birth 
orourred February 8, 1754. 

The grandfather of our subject, John 
E., son of Christopher, was born in 
Berks county, April 27, 1777, and farmed 
and carried on the mafiufacture of hats 
In the vicinity of Womelsdorf, living 
the last twenty years of his life in 
comfortable retirement. That he pos- 
sessed endurance beyond the best is 
evidenced by the fact that he often 
walked to Philadelphia on business, 
covering the distance between sunrise 
and sunset. In his political views he 
was a Democrat of the Thomas Jeffei-- 
son school. 

William E.. his son, was born in 
Womelsdorf, Berks county, December 
12, 1799, and lived to be over 80 years of 
age, dying January 21, 1880. He enter- 
ed upon his active career as a merchant 
In Womelsdorf, where he was engaged 
in business until his removal to Read- 
ing In 1S29, In which city he continued 
to busy himself in mercantile pursuits. 

He served as Treasurer of Berks 
county from 1S.51 to 1853; for many 
years was a member of the Board jf 
Control of the public schools of Read- 
ing, holding for a lime the position of 
Treasurer of the Board. He was an 
active and consistent member of the 
First Reformed Church of Reading, 
holding the office of deacon for many 
years. 

Daniel Ermentrout, the fourth son of 
William, in whom the interest of this 
biographical notice centres, was born 
In Readme January 24, 1837, and re- 
ceived in his youth a thorough ti-aln- 
ing In the public and classical schools 
of his native city. It was in the class- 
ical school taught by Mr. Kelly, of 
Irish parentage born In France, where 
Mr. Krmentrout learned to love the 
languages and acquired great pro- 
ndency In French. He also attended 
Franklin and Marshall College at Lan- 
caster. Pa., and KUwood Institute of 
Norrlstown, Pa. Before leaving the In- 
stitute he taught .-ichool for a numb-T 
of years In Reading. Conshohocki-n. 



Norrlstown, and Muhlenberg township, 
at the same time pursuing his legal 
studies under the direction and tute- 
lage of Judge David F. Gordon, being 
admitted to the bar on August 3, 1859. 
He rose rapidly in his profession, and 
from almost the first he enjoyed a 
lucrative and extensive practice. 

Politics ever had a decided attraction 
for him, and from his first entrance 
into public life as district attorney of 
the county in 1862, serving a term of 
three years, he was recognized as one 
of the leaders of the Democratic party 
in this county. From 1867 to 1870 he 
filled out three terms as city solicitor, 
and in 1873 was chosen to represent this 
district In the State Senate for a term 
of three years, his term of service hav- 
ing been lengthened In 1876 to seven 
years by a re-election to the same office 
for four years. In 1877 he was appoint- 
ed as a member of the Pennsylvania 
Statuary Commission, which had been 
authorized by the State Legislature to 
select two prominent Pennsylvaniansto 
be represented with statues in the 
Statuary Hall of the National Capitol. 
In ISSO Mr. Ermentrout was elected to 
Congress, and served continuously from 
1881 to 1887, and again was sent to rep- 
resent this district by the election of 
1S96. and was re-elected in 1898. He 
figured In every State Democratic 
Convention, and attended as a delegate 
the National Democratic Convention jf 
1880, supporting at that time the name 
of Samuel J. Tilden as long as that 
gentleman was a candidate. 

Mr. Ermentrout on February 1, 1870, 
married Adelaide Louise Metzger, 
daughter of John Metzger, Esq., of Lan- 
caster, Pa.,— a woman of high attain- 
ments and many accomplishments. 
They had two children. Fitz-Danlel, an 
attorney of the Berks county bar, and 
a daughter, Adelaide Louise. 

Mr. Ermentrout was well versed in 
the liiw, proficient In llnguislio attain- 
ments, a skillful attorney, well read, n 
ilii'P (hiiikiw. ami a vi-rsHtil.> writer. 



He was one of the founders of the His- 
torical Society of Berks county, a mem- 
ber of the Pennsylvania German So- 
ciety, and of the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, Royal Arcanum. Ameri- 
cus Club, and an associate member pf 
the Reading Press Club. For upwards 
of twenty years he had been a member 
of the board of trustees of the Charles 
Evans Cemetery Company. It was at 
a dinner of the Reading Press Club, 
only a few days before his death, where 
he made the last speech of his life, and 
where he appeared for the last time at 
any public function. 

During his long Congressional career 
many of his bills for the benefit of his 
county were successfully put through 
both branches, and stand as memorials 
of his loyalty to home and friends. 

In the 47th Congress, in 1S82, he pre- 
sented bills to change the name and 
location of the Kutztown National 
Bank, to furnish condemned cannon to 
McLean Post, No. 16. G. A. R., and lo 
erect a Public Building at Reading, 
which was secured and stands today as 
his best monument. Incidentally, it 
may be mentioned here that Mr. Er- 
mentrout was a member of Company 
G, 2d Regiment Penna. Militia, in 1862. 

He also presented petitions and pa- 
pers from the citizens of Pennsylvania 
for the passage of a bill to establish a 
Superior Court, for an appropriation to 
American steamships for ocean mail 
service, and for medals for the Ring- 
gold Battery, First Defenders, in rec- 
ognition of their services in 1861-1865. 

He also made strong addresses in fa- 
vor of the restriction of Chinese im- 
migration, to extend the charters of the 
National bank, and against the ap- 
pointment of a tariff commission. 

In the 48th Congress he introduced a 
number of private pension claims which 
were afterwards secured. He offered 
petitions and papers to increase the 
pay of the Capitol police, and from cit- 
izens of Pennsylvania for the enforce- 
ment of the eight-hour law; for penny 
postage; from the Berks County Medical 



Society for a building for a medical 
museum. 

In the 30th Congress Mr, Ermentrout 
was appointed on the committee on in- 
augural ceremonies of President Har- 
i-ison, and a teller at the count of the 
electoral vote. 

He introduced bills to print the pro- 
ceedings of Congress in accepting the 
statues of Cass, Muhlenberg and Ful- 
ton for Statuary Hall in the National 
Capitol. These motions and resolu- 
tions be offered: To admit ladies on 
the floor of the House; to reserve por- 
tions of the House gallet'y; for the ap- 
pointment of a committee on inaugural 
ceremonies; presenting the thanks of 
Congress for the statues of Muhlenberg 
and Fulton. He also presented peti- 
tions and papers from the Reading 
Druggists' Association for free alcohol, 
and from the Reading Typographical 
Union, No. 86, for the Chance-Breckin- 
ridge currency bill. He made a splen- 
did address on the Muhlenberg and 
Fulton statues. 

In the 55th Congress he presented a 
bill and joint resolutions donating can- 
non to the G. A. R. at Allentown; for 
the relief of Herman Van Marsdorf: 
also papers and petitions from the Read- 
ing Cigarmakers' Union against in- 
crease in the tariff on tobacco; from 
Freedom Circle. Reading, relative to 
alien ownership of land; Penn Hard- 
ware Company of Reading, against 
duty on emery ore; Reading Tinplate 
Company, relative to placing tariff on 
tinplate; St. Lawrence Congregation, 
against placing church goods on the 
free list. He was also instrumental in 
securing the appointment of Hon. 
Henry May Keim as Consul to Prince 
Edwards Island; the appointment of 
Frank D. Keller, son of Col. D. C. Kel- 
ler, in the regular army; securing a 
pension for the family of the late Lieut. 
John C. Hintz. U. S. V., and also se- 
curing flowers and plants for the beau- 
tifying of the public park at the head 
of Penn street. He made a memorable 
address at the Centennial in Philadel- 



phia in 1ST6 on "The Pennsylvania 
Germans in History." 

The remains of the deceased were in- 
terred at the Charles Evans Cemeterj-, 
in Reading, Pa., on the 21st of Septem- 
ber, and were buried with Congres- 
sional honors. The funeral committee 
selected by the Clerk of the House 
consisted of the following gentlemen: 
Congressmen — A. C. Harmer, H. H. 
Bingham, Wm. McAleer, Philadelphia, 
Pa.; J. W. Ryan. Pottsville, Pa.; Ga- 
lusha A. Grow, Glen wood. Pa.; Wm. 
Alden Smith, Mich.; C. F. Joy, Mo.; W. 
P. Hepburn. Iowa; J. S. Salmon, Boon- 
ton, N. J.; W. D. Daly, Hoboken, N. J.; 
J. J. Gardner, Atlantic City, N. J.; 
James A. Norton. Ohio; Amos Cum- 
mings, N. Y. City; James L. Sherman, 
Utica, N. Y.; M. Brossius, Lancaster, 
Pa., and Senators Boise Penrose, Pa. ; 
Kean, N. J.; Kenny, Conn.; Welling- 
ton, Md. ; Vest, Mo.,; Morgan, Ala., and 
J. H. Hollingsworth, Clerk. The hon- 
orary pall-bearers selected from the 
Bar Association of Reading were Hon. 
H. W. Bland, Chas. H. Schaefter, Esq., 
Richmond L. Jones, Esq., and C. H. 
Ruhl, Esq. 

There were many beautiful tributes 
to the memory of the deceased, nota- 
bly from the newspapers of his own 
home, as well as from the press of the 
State generally; from the Bar Associa- 
tion of Berks county; from various po- 



litical organizations of his own party: 
from a local Post of the Grand Army 
of the Republic; as there were letters 
of condolence from distinguished citi- 
zens of the State, including the Chi^f 
Magistrate of the Commonwealth; 
from Congressional associates of the 
late Congressman, and from private in- 
dividuals, and from neighbors and 
friends generally. 

As a matter of historical interest in 
Mr. Ermentrout's Congressional ca- 
reer, ■ it may be mentioned th.it 
up to the time of his death 
he was the last one remaining of 
a party of six who were gathered in 
his committee room at Washington 
discussing civil service reform. Th.?y 
were John F. Andrews, of Massachu- 
setts; ex-Governor Curtin, of Pennsyl- 
vania; Secretary Gresham, of Illinois; 
Arnott of New York; Mutchler, r,t 
Pennsylvania, and himself. At the 
death of Congressman Andrews, which 
took place in June. 1895, Mr. Ermen- 
trout wrote in his diary the following 
quotation from Whittier on the death 
of Longfellow: "Who next shall fall 
and disappear? I await the answer 
with awe and solemnity and yet with 
unshaken trust in the mercy of the 
All-Merciful." 

Alas! the dread summons came to our 
friend and fellow-member all too soon! 



Ill