My Genealogy Hound

PROF. WILLIAM ULRICH, Ph. D., the founder and Principal of the Preparatory School for Lehigh University, has been a successful educator for many years, and has made a success of his institution. This was established in 1878, in South Bethlehem, where it was carried on for several years, when it was found best to remove it to Bethlehem, as this location was more central. The school is situated in one of the most healthy and most attractive portions of the city, the large and handsome building being surrounded by fine shade trees and extensive grounds.

William Ulrich, father of our subject, was born near Berlin, and followed school teaching as a profession. His death occurred in 1893, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, Caroline Ide, was born near Berlin, being a daughter of John Ide. The latter was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars of 1814-15, and was Captain of a squadron comprising two hundred and fifty men. He was present at the battle of Waterloo, after which he retired from the service. Mrs. Ulrich is still living in Germany, aged about seventy-two years, and her daughter Ida also continues to live in the Fatherland.

Prof. William Ulrich received a superior education in his native land, attending the Joachimsthal Gymnasium, and in the spring of 1866 entered the University of Berlin. In June of that year his studies were interrupted, as he volunteered for service in the German army, entering the Emperor Alexander Guards, Grenadier Regiment No. 1, where he rose from a private to be a Lieutenant. He served for one year in the Austro-Prussian War, taking part in the engagements of Nachod, the battle of Sadowa, and many other engagements. At the last-named battle a ball broke his glasses and injured one of his eyes. On returning to the university he continued his studies until 1870, and was in the midst of his examinations when he was called by the Government back to his old regiment (then making ready for the Franco-Prussian War), and was made Second Lieutenant. His battalion was in the battle of Gravelotte, and was reduced in numbers from one thousand to sixty-two men. Professor Ulrich was wounded, a bullet passing through his right thigh. Being sent to the hospital, it was nine weeks before he was able to rejoin his regiment near Paris, where he remained until the close of the war. The day after the battle of Gravelotte he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the regiment, and during the siege of Paris was Adjutant of the brigade. He did not escape from injury during that noted siege but received various flesh wounds, though he continued at his post, during the latter part acting as Captain of his company. Hostilities having ceased, he once more returned to the university, passed his examination and graduated in the fall of 1871, receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. On taking out his citizen’s papers after his arrival in America, the Professor demanded his discharge from the German army, which was accordingly forwarded to him.

In 1872 our subject set forth from Hamburg on the steamer “Harmonia,” and remained in New York City for a short time after his arrival. He had come to see the country, not intending to locate at first, but soon after arriving in Bethlehem he began to give private lessons, and finally remained to start the preparatory school, which was opened in 1878. He superintends the classes himself, and in 1893 over six hundred pupils had been prepared for admission to Lehigh and other universities, the young men coming from all parts of the country. The school has an able corps of instructors, and the course of study is very comprehensive.

In Bethlehem, in 1874, Professor Ulrich married Miss Amanda, a daughter of David Michael. Mrs. Ulrich was born in Bethlehem and here grew to womanhood. By this marriage have been born three children, William, Ida and Mary. The family are members of the Episcopal Church, of which Professor Ulrich is a Vestryman. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Mason, being identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templar.