More Information:

About Elbert Lorenza (Dump) Eiland:

This narrative was written in 1983 for the Milam Co. book "Matchless Milam"

Elbert was born April 12, 1919 in Gay Hill Community. His parents were Calving and Freda Eiland. He attended the first 9 grades of school at the Gay Hill School. The teacher that impressed him most was Stella Murphy. She knew how to use a hickory stick. He played softball in the spring. He started to Rockdale Schools in 1936. He was active in sports and basketball. Mr. Norman was his coach and teacher. He was a member of F.F.A. program, Mr. H. D. Maxwell was his teacher. He graduated in 1938. He went to work at Harrisburg Machine Company in Houston, Tx July 1940.

He went to the Army February 28, 1942. He was in camp Callon California, Long Beach, California, and Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Tx Then to Fort Hood. The Japanese surrendered. This was the end of his training. He was selected to be the Chief of "Discharge Center" at Camp Hood. He was there until he was discharged himself, December 15, 1945. He returned to Gay Hill for a two week vacation, then back to his job in Houston.

Elbert and Tennie Garringer were married in Houston, Tx May 26, 1951. Tennie's daughter Tresa was eight years old when they married. Elbert accepted her and learned to love her as his child. Tresa married John Swift in 1960. They have two sons, John and Christopher. Elbert and Tennie bought a farm in Pleasant Retreat Community in 1969. They have cleared most of the woods off the place, made ponds, built a barn, crossed fenced and planted permanent grasses. It is a very nice grazing farm now. He retired in June of 1981. They have finished their house and moved to the farm after retirement.

OBITUARY
Eiland - Died April 3, 2006
Elbert ?Dump? Eiland, 86, of Thorndale and formerly of Houston. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2006 at the Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Rev. Calvin Springer officiating. Interment followed in I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

He was born April 12, 1919 in the Gay Hill Community to Calvin and Freda (Henke) Eiland. In 1981 Mr. Eiland retired after 40 years as a pipefitter/welder for Harrisburg Steel Company in Houston. After retirement he and his wife moved to the Pleasant Retreat Community south of Thorndale and bought a farm in 1969. Mr. Eiland attended the first nine years of school at Gay Hill. He was active in sports and played basketball under Coach Norman. In high school he was active in FFA and graduated in 1938 from Rockdale High School. Mr. Eiland was a World War II army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tennie Eiland on April 17, 1992; daughter, Tresa Swift on Jan. 2, 1994; parents; sisters, Thelmer Stafflebach, Margaret Lee Gifford, Loma Marie Whiteley; an infant brother.

Survivors include son-in-law, John Swift Sr. and wife Aileen of Houston; two grandsons, John Leslie Swift Jr. and wife Sara of San Antonio and Christopher Swift and wife Donna of Atlanta; two great-grandchildren, Blake and Jordyn Swift; brother, Elmer Eiland and wife Olga of Ennis; two sisters, Euteva Talley of Rockdale and Lois Wilkins and husband David of Gause.

1940 United States Federal Census about Elbert Eiland
Name: Elbert Eiland
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1920
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Milam, Texas
Street: Handy - Salty Road
House Number: 44
Inferred Residence in 1935: Milam, Texas
Residence in 1935: Same House
Occupation: Laborer
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 45
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes

Household Members:
Calvin C Eiland 53
Frida Eiland 45
Elmer Eiland 23
Elbert Eiland 20
Margrette Lee Eiland 17
Lone Marie Eiland 15
Eutiva Eiland 10
Loyce Evon Eiland 5