Perry Adam Esch

  General Notes:

Perry was an excellent carpenter, building first his bran, and then the house. The barn was unique for its time, since it had no central support posts. The rafter beams were so designed that the weight of the roof was distributed to the exterior frame and foundation. This allowed for a hay wagon to be backed into the barn, protected from the weather, until there was time for the unloading. The cutting of the hay was done by hand, then, and was placed in the hay mow unbaled.

His house at first was a basic rectangular structure, with exterior boards nailed vertical to the frame, much as would have been the case with a barn. Later, wooden siding was added, and also a wrap-around porch. Family members helped to construct. The roof of the front porch was flat and bounded by an elaborate bannister. The whole house was then painted white. There was a second floor for the bedrooms, and also an attic. In the attic, a stairway led to an opening to the roof, where there was built a small deck, with decorative balustrades, allowing one to use this an observation deck. Grandfather Perry told his grandchildren that the purpose of this roof balcony was to give the husband a place to get away from a nagging wife! But it wasn't used very much, since Grandmother Pearl was truly a gem!

Perry also built the frame for the United Brethren Church in Beaver Valley, after the original church was damaged by fire. The wood he used was from his own woodland, as was the case for his house and barn. He farmed his land which included some 114 acres, located atop a hill, just a mile east from the church. The view from that hill was spectacular.

He was not only a church leader, but the choir director as well. He had a fine tenor voice and also played the trumpet. For many hears he was the church Secretary- a position he alternated with his wife. He was also a member (and one time President) of the board of Trustees, a position he held until his death in 1964.

While his main occupation was a farmer, he also was a rural carrier for the U.S. Mail. At first, he used a horse drawn mail wagon, and then later an Oldsmobile. The advantage of working for the government was that he would be able to draw a pension at retirement, and it supplemented his rather meager farm income. Most of the food was raised on the farm, with a cow or the milk, and chickens for eggs and meat, there was always plenty of food.

At the age of 54, while attempting to mount a Radio Antenna on the roof of his house, he had a stroke, which paralyzed his right side. He had not worked long enough to get his pension, so his sons were hired as assistants, and as long as Perry was in the car, he could collect an income. Through hard work and care by his wife, he was rehabilitated to the [point where he could walk again (with a limp) and he was able to train his left side to take over many of the functions he once did with his right side. Using a specially built car (practically always and Oldsmobile), with clutch, brake and accelerator pedals reversed, he was able to drive again. Making use of the steering wheel knob. By this time his sons went to college, he was able to return to his mail route, and later to collect a full pension. As he got older the family enjoyed playing checkers on his inlaid checkerboard table…Of course, hand made by Perry. Perry was remembered as a fun loving, teasing and happy family man.

Perry married Pearl Ellen Moore, daughter of William Moore and Ida Smith, on 6 Aug 1902 in The Brides Home, Coalport, Cambria Co., PA. (Pearl Ellen Moore was born on 21 Nov 1882 in Coalport, Clearfield Co., PA, died on 2 Dec 1962 in Dubois, Clearfield Co., PA and was buried on 4 Dec 1962 in Beaver Valley Cemetery.)