One of the many historic spots in Montgomery county is the site of Fort Ehle, which was the palisaded home of John Ehle, in the town of Canajoharie, a mile or more south of the village of the same name. The Ehle family came from Germany, probably settling first in Dutchess or Columbia counties. They were early settlers in Montgomery county, and were men of substance and good farmers. The name, while not a frequent one, is yet found in different parts of the Mohawk Valley. Their record begins with John E. Ehle, who was, no doubt, a grandson of John Ehle, of Fort Ehle fame.
(II) John E., son of John and ———— (Smith) Ehle, was born at Fort Willett, Montgomery county, New York, on the farm now occupied by Peter Cook, April 11, 1830, died January 17, 1894. He attended the public school, having to walk three miles each way to enjoy its benefits. His father died when he was but a lad. He grew up a farmer and after his marriage purchased the William Abeel farm, which he cultivated successfully until 1891, when he sold his farm property and removed to the village of Fort Plain, residing there until his death. The farm on which he was born (The Peter Cook farm) is the burial place of his father, grandfather and grandmother, and is situated about two miles south of Mindenville. John E. Ehle married Martha, born October 16, 1830, daughter of William Abeel, who died July 4, 1839, aged thirty-eight years and eight days. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham House, Sr., and granddaughter of Lieutenant Joseph House, who fought at the battle of Oriskany under the brave Herkimer. Elizabeth (House) Abeel died May 4, 1873, in her seventy-second year. Children of John E. and Martha Ehle:
- Eugene W., born November 25, 1851;
- Frank J., of whom further.
(III) Frank J., youngest son of John E. and Martha (Abeel) Ehle, was born at Dutchtown, town of Minden, Montgomery county, New York, April 9, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from a business college in 1883. His early business life was spent in the lumber trade; he dealt in rough lumber, doing business under his own firm name, buying and selling as the best opportunities offered. He was successful in his dealings, and in 1890 had amassed sufficient capital to engage in the dairy business on a large scale. He bought and sold dairy products until 1903, when he established in Fort Plain and in the Otsquago Valley creamery plants, that in 1905 were combined in one company. He is a large manufacturer of butter and cheese, and also deals largely in real estate. He is a man of energetic habits and business qualities that insure success. He is a director of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Fort Plain. He served as president of the village for two terms, and for ten years was village trustee. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church and of the Masonic order of Fort Plain. Politically he is a Democrat. He married, June 24, 1886, Nettie Walrath, of German ancestry, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Walrath. Her paternal grandparents are Abraham and Eva (Baum) Walrath; her maternal grandparents are Peter and Catherine (Shull) Smith. Children of Frank J. and Nettie (Walrath) Ehle:
- Elizabeth, born January 24, 1890;
- Frank Russell, October 7, 1899.