To Andrew Straub belongs the credit of founding the flourishing borough of Milton.  He was born on his father's farm near the borough of Columbia, Lancaster county, February 14, 1748.  The name would indicate German origin. In his early manhood he learned the trade of millwright.  He first visited the western part of the State in 1784, but returned to his home in the spring of the following year.  On the 1st of May, 1787, he married Mary Eveline Walter.  He was then thirty-eight years of age.

Having entered the matrimonial state, Mr. Straub now turned his attention to seeking a place to permanently locate.  Glowing accounts of the beauty and fertility of the West Branch Valley having reached him, he determined to visit that new country.  He came and took up his residence at what is now Milton in 1790, and built a log house on what is now the lot owned by the Milton National Bank.  Two years later he built a better house near what is now the intersection of Center and Filbert streets, and moved his family thereto.  Having purchased a farm cheap at sheriff's sale he commenced making improvements.  He built a mill, erected another house in 1795, where he lived until his death, which occurred August 2, 1806. His grave may be seen in the lower cemetery, and it is easily distinguishable from all others by the sun dial, made by his own hands, which stands near his tombstone, and on a clear day marks the time.

Andrew Straub laid out a town on a part of his farm, which has been added to from time to time until it has attained its present dimensions.  He was active, public spirited and liberal, and did much to promote the growth of the town which he founded.  He made donations of ground for religious purposes, encouraged business and manufacturing enterprises, and lived long enough to see his town started on the highway of prosperity.  He left three sons, Abraham and Isaac, twins, and Christian.  The two former became active business men and manufactureres, and in 1832 and 1833 erected the first bridge over the river at Milton, which stood until carried away by the great flood of March 17, 1865.  After dissolving in 1834, Abraham continued in the milling and manufacturing business; he also invented a centrifugal pump, and took up surveying, and became one of the best in the country.  He died August 21, 1864, leaving a number of descendants.  Isaac, his twin brother, finally settled in Cincinnati, where he died December 17, 1875. 

Christian settled in Schuylkill county, became sheriff, was elected to the Legislature and to Congress in 1853, but died before the expiration of his term and was buried in the congressional burying ground at Washington. J.F.M.

Family Group Sheet of Abraham STRAUB & Nancy BAILIET

Family Group Sheet of Christian Markle STRAUB & Mary __?__

Family Group Sheet of Isaac STRAUB & Elisabeth PFEIL & Anne __?__

1.  Andrew STRAUB had at least six sons, not just the three named above.

2.  Christian STRAUB did not die while serving his term in Congress.  He was elected to a term in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1856-1858, after he had served his full term in the U.S. Congress, from 1853-55.  According to his congressional biography, he was buried in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., PA, not in the congressional burying ground.  He did die in Washington, DC, which may have given rise to this myth of his being buried there.