"Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren counties, New Jersey"
Chapman Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1898
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JOHN EILENBERG is a well-known citizen
of Phillipsburg. He was a member of the
city council for three terms or three years
and was president of the board for eight successive years. In political affairs he is greatly interested in the Democratic party's prosperity, and
does all in his power to promote its success.
Thirty years have passed away since our subject became a resident of Phillipsburg for the first
time, and he has made this place his home during
the period mentioned, having settled here in
1868. In June, 1SS2, he organized the No. 5
Building and Loan Association of Phillipsburg,
and has since officiated as secretary of the company. It has been prospered to a remarkable
degree, and possesses the entire confidence of the
public at large as a safe and reliable concern, owing to the fact that only thoroughly practical,
trustworthy men are in charge of the investments. Mr. Eilenberg is also treasurer of the
Phillipsburg Light, Heat and Power Company.
In May, 1881, he opened a wholesale wine and
liquor store and still conducts the same.
John Eilenberg is one of five children whose
parents were Henry and Margaret (Keen) Eilenberg. The father was of German descent, his
ancestor having been one of two brothers who
left their native city, Heidelberg, to found a
home in the New World, and settled in Pennsylvania. John, father of Henry, was a soldier in
the War of 1812. Henry Eilenberg was a miller
by trade, and also a millwright. He was a very
honorable, upright man and was very kind and
good to those less fortunate than himself. For
years he was a justice of the peace. His death
occurred in 1854 and his widow survived him
thirty-three years, dying in 1887. Her father,
George Keen, of Sussex County, N. J., was a
well-to-do man, and was influential in his own
community. The brother and sisters of our subject are: Catherine, wife of Samuel Parsons, of
Bangor, Pa.; James, of Newark, N. J.; Sarah,
wife of George W. Hunt, of Newark; and Hannah
M., also of that city.
The birth of Mr. Eilenberg took place in Sussex County, N. J., December 5, 1840. He received good school advantages, and when about
seventeen commenced learning the trade of a
miller. Then, for three years he ran his grand-father's mill in his native village, but this business was not entirely to his taste, and he decided
to try other enterprises. Having passed the required examination, he was awarded a school,
and for the next two years taught in the towns of
Five Points and Middleville, Sussex County, N.
J., and in Buttzville, Warren County. Not
wishing to always remain a teacher, he learned
telegraphy and was an operator at the station at
Bridgeville, Warren County, for a time, also running a country store. In April, 1S68, he came
to Phillipsburg and was employed in railroading;
later becoming a salesman in a clothing store
in Easton, across the river.
Our subject belongs to a number of the leading lodges and fraternal organizations here.
When the local lodge of the Independent Order
of Elks was started he became one of the charter
members, and was elected exalted ruler. He is
treasurer of Delaware EodgeNo. 52, F. & A. M.,
and is a Knight Templar. He is also identified
with the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, and
is a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association.
March 7, 1867, Mr. Eilenberg married Barbara
E. Lommasson, daughter of Lawrence Lommasson, of this county. She is a member of the
Presbyterian Church and is beloved and esteemed
by all who know her. They are the parents of
three sons: Samuel D., of Camden, N. J.; Henry
M., a machinist; and John M., a student at the
high school.
(c) 2000-2013 American History and Genealogy Project
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