Eilers, Henry

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889


HENRY EILERS, one of the younger farmers of Morgan County, is a self-reliant and energetic man who was obliged to assume the responsibilities of life at an early period in his existence. This experience, however, far from detracting from his character and acquirements, proved undoubtedly the best school in which he could have been taught. He is now in a prosperous condition and operating a well regulated farm of 120 acres on section 23, township 16, range 12.

Mr. Eiler's was born in this county May 30, 1855, and his only education was acquired in the district school of his native township. His father being in poor health Henry, when a boy of fourteen, assumed the responsibilities of carrying on the farm. Prior to this, however, he had labored as far as his strength would permit, following the plow when a lad of eight years. He lived at the homestead until approaching the thirty-first year of his age, and was then married, Jan 14, 1886, to Miss Nannie Bryant. The father is an old resident of Concord. The mother died May 15, 1889. Of this union there have been born two children, Edna May, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Eilers, politically, gives his support to the Republican party, but with the exception of serving as Road Supervisor, has taken very little part in public affairs. In religious matters, he is a Presbyterian, while his estimable wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The parents of our subject, Henry B. and Johanna (Tholan) Eilers, were natives of Germany. The father departed this life April 11, 1881 and the mother was subsequently married Thomas Bowen, and now lives in Jacksonville. Mr. and Mrs. Eilers came to the United States in their youth and prior to their marriage, which took place in this county. They settled near the present farm of their son and became the parents of nine children, of whom the following survive, viz: Henry, our subject, Mary, the wife of Charles Dahman, of Kansas; Rickey, a resident of this township; Haley, the wife of Joseph Bowen, of Concord Precinct; Emma; Edward lives with Henry, and Frederick is in Kansas.

Henry B. Eilers was one of the earliest pioneers of this county and became one of its most prosperous men. He had not capital when he settled here but in due time had accumulated property to the amount of 400 acres of land, which with its buildings and appurtenances comprise a very valuable estate. He was a man entirely respected in his community and a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.


1889 Index
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