Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-11-22

ing history Of Remarkable Man.
The Reading Eagle of a recent date
contains the following regarding most
remarkable man -
II was late In the afternoon of few
days ago when an Eagle reporter knocked
at the door of the cosy dwelling house of
Lawrence j. Ibach, the blacksmith
astronomer of Newmanstown, a short
distance above the Borough of Womels-
dorf. lhach is one oft leading almanac
calculstors OF the country, and village
blacksmith at the same time. A little
dark-haired child came tripping towards
the door, opened II, and asked him in,
stating at the same time that father was
at home. Putting aside a newspaper,
Mr.. lbach asked the reporter TO re seated,
Upon hearing bis mission, the blacksmith
astronomer smiled and stated that he had
no objections in giving whatever informa-
ton the reporter might desire.
Mr.. Ibach is Row In his 5sth year, and
was born in Allentown, where he resided
until he was 20 years Of age. He at
tended the common schools of that place
short time, and at the age OF Is was
apprenticed TO the blacksmith trade, pay
ing particular attention to the manufsc-
ture of iron shovels and ladies. He took
a particular Interest In astronomy when
he was but twelve years old, and at night
when his days work was done he would
read anything aud everything bearing
upon the study Of the stars and planets.
What few books on the subject that were
at his command, he diligently studied,
and by the aid Of Frenchman named j.
D. Mancard, who was learned in Dathe-
MATES and astronomy, he made consider
able progress. Gn 1888 he removed from
Allentown aud went to Newmanstown,
where he embarked in business for him
self, the manufacture of iron ladies.
About 16 years ago he moved down TO
Seidle's Forge, about one and-a.half
miles below Dengler's tavern, Alsace
township, where be continued his trade,
He lived there about tAree years, when
/ he moved back again to Newmanstown,
about one and a-half miles from Shei
dan station on the Lebanon Valley Rail-
road, where he has continued to live up
to the present time.
Long age, Mr.. Q. F. Egelman, of this
county, lived, and was one of the leading
almanac ealculstors of his day. He fur
nishe6 the "Adler" almanacs, year afleI
year, aud was a friend of Mr.. Ibach,
Egelman Was also his tutor, and at his
death, 1bach came into the possession OF
all the works, charts, &c, sn,astronomy
belonging to him. Egelman's rules,
figures and calculations, together witt
his other astronomic, property proved ol
invaluable aid to Ibach, who at once sci
to work, apd took the position formerly
held by his deceased Instructor. He sue.
c(eded very satisfactorily, and furnished
Ia II
not only In this but In other States. Nov
his work goes all over the country aud Ii
translated into many languages, OF lat
he has been supplying parties In Soutt
America.
He came into the possession Of tn,
charts, &C, of Egelman in 1850, and sine
then has been furnishing this establish
ment with calculations for the Adle
Almanac. Until that time he had neve
paid much attention to calculations. On
sunday, however, when his family wa
away, he sat down and made carefu
examination of the entire field. Hi
knowledge of mathematics was very good
and before the day had passed he wa
master OF the situation. And from tina
time forward he has been constantly al
work. His study-room presents a YER
interesting sight. lie has an unllmlte
number Of charts, volumes upon astron
omy, various works on higher maihe
mates, telescope and other large
glasses he has globes, various treatise
on wind currents scientific reviews G
a rial subjects and various other book
bordering on the subject. The caleula
tions for 1874 we're finished last year, an
his manuscript Is ready for the printe
now, for the almanaos for 1870. Thes
have been arranged for various localitie
and will be sent to their destinations a
an early day.
Mr.. Ibach is In correspondence witt
two parties In New England, who ar
= also engaged In the same work. He !
daily In receipt Of letters from all part
oikthe acOuntryssollciting his work, "
strange TO say he Is obliged 10 labor q
his trade 10 earn q livelihood. Situate
q short distance from his dwelling Is HI
Z workshop. II Is a small frame structure
greatly resembling an ordinary eountr
Z blacksmith shop. There is where the al
tronomer hammers out and fashions int
Z shape large numbers OF heavy iron ladies
, OF the most substantial kind. In thi
{ way he manages TO earn an honest live
hood, and properly support wife an
5 family of children.
Mr.. Ibach Is above the average heigh
. full faced, light complexion, and dar
, hair sprinkled with grey. He bears b
= age extremely well, and does not look /
, be over AS. He speaks English, Germa
and some Spanish. In the latter langual
he has several printed almanacs of h
| own compilation. He is exceeding
courteous aud attentive, has pleasaI
= countenanee, and speaks slowly aud di
Z tinctlY. The reporter found him exceed
. ingly well posted In general matters an
! in current affairs. All In all, Mr.. lbac
= is a self educated man, and is certainly
, remarkable man and great curiosity
his way. After thauking him kindly f
. his attention, the reporter made his wa
) TO the station, and was soon in the cal
speeding away towards home, leaving Il
4 blacksmith astronomer to continue hI
: good work, in his secluded yet hapT
= home at Newmanstown.
a Good Idea.
{ The Norwich Conn Adgertissr saws
3 "E. WlnsloW Williams, instead Of raj
= ming his mills at Yantic half time, be
a adopted a system Of giving his operative
e three days vacation In each week, u
70 mill running full time, and for their a,
T. vantage has established In an engiu
D house on the corporation a free schoo
a employing spinner by the name
c Carpenter, fully competent, to tax