My Genealogy Hound

ARTHUR EHRENBURG was born in Peterstnagen, Prussia, Sept. 14, 1830, a son of Arthur and Ellen Ehrenburg, of same place. He was educated at the military school at Berlin, and entered the Prussian army in 1848, served during the war, and then for political reasons came to America, locating in Chicago, where he served as engineer on the L. S. R. R. until 1853. He then removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where his ability as an engineer caused him to be appointed superintendent of the erection of the first bridge across the Allegheny river, at Sixth and Federal streets, and later helped to build the suspension bridge across the Ohio at Cincinnati. In 1862 he answered the call of the president of the United States, and raised a company of volunteers at the latter place, chiefly composed of his comrades who served with him in the war of 1848 in Prussia. He was a first lieutenant in Simmons’ battery, Ohio Light Artillery, and for gallant services was breveted captain. He made a most proficient artillerist, and lost his left leg at the battle of Antietam, in September, 1863. In 1873 he died from the effects of his wound, having suffered untold agonies in undergoing five amputations of said limb.

Capt. Ehrenburg was one of the noble old Prussian soldiers who freely offered and eventually delivered up their lives in the cause of their adopted country. In 1853 he married Sophia, daughter of Louis and Barbara Brecht, of Heidelberg, Germany. For a number of years previous to his death Capt. Ehrenburg and family resided in McKeesport, Pa. The flag of Simmons’ battery, so nobly upheld during the conflict between north and south, and riddled by shot and shell, is now in possession of the family — a souvenir they value more highly than any others left by their husband and father.