Christian Oesch/Esch/Esh

Christian Oesch lived in Switzerland during the mid-17th century, a time of great religious upheaval. In 1671, he and his brother Uli were imprisoned for their steadfast Anabaptist faith. The legacy of Christian Oesch lived on through his namesakes, men whose convictions and character would profoundly shape the course of the Esh family lineage.

• Christian Oesch (patriarch) was imprisoned for his faith in 1671
• Christian Oesch (grandson) moved from Switzerland to Germany in 1727
• Christian Eosch, Esch moved from Germany to Berks County, Pennsylvania in the late 1700s
• Christian Esh moved to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in 1799 and then to Juniata County.

Daniel Esh

Daniel’s father, Shem, died of a snake bite while clearing land on their new farm in Union County, Pennsylvania. Daniel was just six years old. In 1848, at the age of fifteen, he drove the family’s cattle over 100 miles—without the aid of truck or train—to resettle his mother and sisters in Lancaster County. Daniel went on to faithfully serve as a minister in the Amish Church and as a devoted father to twelve children. His namesakes carried forward his legacy of faith and steadfast commitment to their community.

• Daniel Esh moved into Lancaster County with his widowed mother, Mattie and sisters in 1848
• Daniel F. Esh moved to Churchtown after his father, Stephen was killed in a silo accident in 1923
• Daniel S. Esh raised his family of seven (including the author) on a farm on Harvest Drive, Gordonville.