Biographies, beginning with E, History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882 Transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney for the USGenWeb Archives. Submitted August 2000 by Roxanne Barth , IAGenWeb Allamakee County Coordinator. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** History of Clayton County Iowa 1882 Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882 Reprinted by: Monona Historical Society, Monona, Iowa Reproduction by: Unigraphics, Inc., 1401 North Fares Ave, Evansville, Indiana 47711, 1975 E Jefferson Twp. –- Andrew Eberhard, dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery, Guttenberg, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1838. He came to the United States in 1852, with his father, Michael Eberhard, who settled in Volga township, Clayton County, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1881, a the advanced age of 84 years. His wife died in 1869. Andrew Eberhard located in Guttenberg, in his present business, in 1869. He has built up an enormous trade, his annual sales averaging $65,000, and in 1875 it reached $90,000. He carries a full and complete line of goods, and has one of the best paying establishments of this kind in the county. He married Katherine Blankenein, a daughter of Henry Blankenein. They have five children, two sons and three daughters. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 865-866 Jefferson Twp. -– Henry Eckart, wagon-maker and blacksmith, Guttenberg, bought the business of Henry Haugre in 1857, the latter with William Redwich established the business in 1858. Mr. Eckart formerly did a large manufacturing business, especially from the years 1860 to 1875. His brother, Sebastian Eckart, was associated with him from 1864 to 1873. Henry Eckart was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1830. He came to the United States in December, 1853, and to Guttenberg, from Ohio, in 1856. He and his brother Sebastian are the only members of their family who immigrated to the United States. Mr. Eckart was married to Dorathy Beneke, born in Prussia. They have had eleven children, three sons and eight daughters; the sons and three daughters are living, viz.: Henry, C., Ida, John P., Augusta, Hermann J., Clara. Mr. Eckart served three years in the Prussian army; when a soldier was located at Cologne, Germany. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 866 Jefferson Twp. -– Sebastian Eckart, wagon-maker and blacksmith, Guttenberg, was born in Prussia in 1839. He came to the United States in 1857. He worked for his brother, Henry Eckart, and others, till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Seventeenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served for three years, two and a half months, and participated in thirty-four battles, in fact, in all the campaigns and battles in which his regiment was engaged, including Pea Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Chattanooga, etc. since the war he has been at work at his trade. His wife was born at Hazel Green, Wis. They have one son—Henry C. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 866 Mendon Twp. -- John Ecker, Mayor of North McGregor, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 24, 1841, a son of Dr. John Ecker and Katherine, nee Ihrig, natives of the Keystone State. He was partly educated in his native State, where he resided until about fifteen years old, when his parents came to Iowa, settling in West Union, Fayette County. His father engaged in the practice of his profession there until his death, which occurred in June, 1871. John attended school there until April 24, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Third Iowa Infantry, being among the first to offer himself to his country's cause. He served during the entire war, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and discharged at Davenport, Ia., July 22, 1865. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to Chief Musician, and during the Atlanta campaign, to Sergeant-Major of the regiment, which finally became so reduced that they were ordered to consolidate with the Second Iowa, and Mr. Ecker was then promoted to Second Lieutenant. The Captain being on the Divison General's staff, and the First Lieutenant at home, sick, Mr. Ecker had charge of the company until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, on April 7, 1863; at the battle of Atlanta, on July 21, 1864, and again on July 22, 1864. At the close of the war he returned to West Uniion, and soon after entered the Commercial College of McGregor, where he remained one year. He then began work as a machinist in the C., M. & St. P. R. R. shops, where he is still employed. He was married Oct. 20, 1867, to Mary Gruver, of Ashland County, Ohio. They have six children--Charles, Alta, Lena, Gerta, Mattie and Cretia. Mr. Ecker owns thirty-one acres of land in McGregor, chiefly laid out in town lots. He has held the offices of Recorder and Clerk, and in March, 1882, was called to that of Mayor. In politics he is decidedly Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.976-977 Mendon Twp. -- Thomas Edgar, blacksmith, round-house of the C., M.& St. P. railroad, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Feb. 1, 1844; his parents were John and Mary (McCahan) Edgar. They had a family of three children--two sons and one daughter. Thomas came with his parents to America when he was four years of age, and settled in Licking County, Ohio. When thirteen years of age he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, in Ohio, and continued until 1857, when he went to what is now Corry, Erie County, Pa., and in 1859 returned to Ohio, and worked at his trade until Aug. 28, 1861. He enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and remained in the service until the close of the war, and was promoted to Sergeant of the company. He was shot through the left hand at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga. At the close of the war he went to Erie City and the oil regions, and Toledo, Ohio; in 1869 he came to Davenport, Ia., and worked for the Rock Island & Pacific R.R. two months, then came to North McGregor and has worked for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. ever since. He married Malinda Vanlaningham June 22, 1869, at Davenport. She wa a daughter of Parly Vanlaningham, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar have seven children--Laura R., Albert S., Florence, Lotta, Robert E., Fred W. and Anna. Mr. Edgar has been a member of North McGregor City Council four years and School Board three years, and in politics is independent, and inclined to vote for the best man. He is an old employe for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co., and an enterprising representative man of North McGregor, where he has been identified since 1869. He was one of the first Aldermen of the town, and helped to organize the town of North McGregor. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p.977-978 Lodomillo Twp. -- Richard Edmonds is a native of Jefferson County, N.Y., born April 4, 1821. His parents were John and Phoebe Edmonds, nee Cox, born in New York, and the parents of six children. He resided on the farm with his father until his marriage to Lucinda Weaver, which occurred Sept. 17, 1844. She was born in Utica, N.Y., and was a daughter of Jacob and Mary Weaver, also of that State. Their union has been blessed with three children--Mary, now Mrs. C.B. Kelly; Charles, who married Hattie Shaw, and Leroy, married Lydia Easton. After his marriage, Mr. Edmonds resided on the old homestead one year, then emigrated to La Salle County, Ill., and settled in Prairie Center. Three years later he went to Aurora, Ill., and in July, 1855, came to Clayton County, and settled in Lodomillo Township. He owns a fine farm of 145 1/2 acre, ninety under cultivation, and containing many excellent improvements. Mr. Edmonds has held various local offices of trust, and served two years as County Supervisor. He has ever taken an active interest in educational matters, and has held all the school offices. He is one of the pioneers of the county, and has seen its rapid development from a wild, uncultivated region, into a properous and growing county, abounding in beautiful homes and cultivated farms. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 886-887 Boardman Twp. -- H. C. Ehrlich, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1854, son of Frederick and Catherine (Fehr) Ehrlich, natives of Hesse, Germany, who emingrated to the United States in 1847, and located in Fairfield County, Ohio, where Frederick engaged in the milling business. In 1866 he came to Clayton County, where he engaged in farming for two years, and was then employed by the Elkader Mill Company for eight years, and is at present living in the county. The subject of this memoir ws educated in the schools of his native State; at the age of seventeen engaged in the milling business which he has followed since. In 1876 he married Roseltha A. Lobdell a daughter of Levi Lobdell, of Dububque. She ws born in Essex County, N.Y., Nov. 22, 1851. The fruit of this union is one child--Florence Alida, born Sept. 28, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrlich are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Elkader. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 655-656 Mendon Twp. -- John Elbling, manufacturer of and dealer in imported and native tobacco and cigars McGregor, was the first cigar manufacturer in Iowa north of Dubuque, having established a factory here in 1859, and has been identified with McGregor in the same business since. He started with a small capital, and now has a good trade in Northern Iowa, Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with a salesman on the road all the time, and Mr. Elbling travels some also. He carries a fine stock of tobacco, pipes and cigars, and fancy smoking tobaccoes. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Aug. 18, 1833, a son of Mathew and Gertrude (Mauch) Elbling. He graduated from the High School in Weilderstadt, Wittenberg, Germany, when sixteen, and then came alone to America, and landed in New York with about $60.00 He went to Pennsylvania, and worked on the canal and railroad a short time, and then went to Philadelphia and learned the cigar manufacturers' trade. In 1857 he came to Chicago and worked here and at Milwaukee, Wis., until 1859, when he came to McGregor and opened his present factory. He married Mary Kapinos at Milwaukee, Wis., April, 1860. She was born in Bohemia, Austria, and was a daughter of John and Theresa Kapinos, of Kencereakan, Bavaria. Mr. and Mrs. Elbling attend the Catholic church. They have had two sons, one living, viz.: John H., working with his father in the factory. Mr. Elbling is a member of the Commercial Travelers' Association, and in politics is a Republican. He is one of the old settlers and enterprising representative men of McGregor, always taking an active interst in anything that promises progression to his adopted home. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 978 Cass Twp. -- G. M. Elder, farmer and stock-raiser, was a son of John and Marguerite (Mack) Elder, natives of Baden, Germany. They came to the United States in 1847, and located in Stephenson County, Ill, where they died. The subject of this sketch was born in Baden, on March 21, 1830, where he was educated. In 1854 he came to Cass Township, where he bought eighty acres of his present farm. He now ownes 400 acres on section 5, which is largely in a fine state of improvement. In 1855 he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Conrad and Katherine (Stamp) Heilmann, natives of Baden, where the latter died. Conrad came to the United States, and located in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Eder have been blessed with twelve children, of whom Margarite, born May 19, 1856 (now the wife of Fred Schneider, living in Sperry Township); John, born June 24, 1857; George, June 20, 1858; Henry, Dec. 3, 1859; Amelia, Nov. 15, 1865; Lena, April 7, 1867; Lizzie, Aug. 4, 1868; Mary, April 18, 1873; Emma, Oct. 22, 1875; and Michael, March 1, 1878, are living. The deceased are Mina, born Oct. 20, 1871, died July 25, 1872; Anna, born Jan. 10, 1878, died on the 19th of January the same year. Mr. Eder and family are members of the Lutheran church. He votes the Republican ticket. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 694 Wagner Twp. -- Emmet Embertson was born in Norway, June 26, 1849, son of Ole and Goro Embertson. When he was one year old his parents emigrated to America and settled in Clayton County, taking up a farm of 120 acres, which has since been increased to 220 acres. Our subject was educated in the schools of Wagner Township, and worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years old. He then worked for the railroad company until 1874, when he formed a partnership with H. H.Strum and purchased the general merchandise store of Beckman Bros., at St. Olaf. Nine months afterward he bought out his partner, and has since conducted the business alone. He has the largest store in the village, and carries a very complete stock of goods, valued at $5,000. He is also proprietor of the St.Olaf Creamery, the only one in the township, which is doing a good business. Mr. Emberson has added still another branch of business - that of buying and shipping corn. He was married Jan. 26, 1880, to Miss Batha Larson, daughter of Peter and Batha Larson. They have one chid - Geneva, born Dec. 1, 1881. Both are members of the Lutheran church. In politics is a Republican. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Wagner Township, p. 1133-1134 Cox Creek Twp. -- John Enderes, son of Baptiste and Mary (Knoptolz) Enderes, of Baden, Germany, was born in that county March 29, 1812. He came to the United States in 1844, as one of the founders of the colony of Helvatia, Mo., where he remained one year, then went to Cincinnati, O. He became a resident of Clayton County in 1848, and was one of the founders of the colony of Communia. In 1856 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres in section 18, Cox Creek Township. He was married in 1849 to Barbara, daughter of Olrick and Barbara (Oberlen) Probst, and the widow of Andrew Fenkentsiller. To them have been born two children-William, born June 25, 1852, and Ernst, March 9, 1860 Mrs. Enderes had four childrn by her first husband, viz.: Andrew, Christopher, Barbara, and Marguerite. Mr.Enderes may truly be classed with the early settlers and self- made men of Clayton county. He has always been foremost in every project to advance her interests, and merits and receives the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 743-44 Wagner Twp. -- Wm. P. Eno was born in Province of Quebec, Canada, Jan. 21, 1828, son of Almon P. and Charlotte (Bowen) Eno, natives of New England. He was educated in Canada, and when twenty-two years old engaged as traveling salesman for a firm dealing in silverware. Continued this business till 1854, when he removed to Clayton County, and purchased 320 acres of land in the northwest corner of Wagner Township. He has increased this farm to 640 acres, and also owns a farm of 880 acres in Cerro Gordo County, eighty acres in Worth County and eighty in Fayette County. Mrs. Eno also has 110 acres of land in Monona Township, making in all a possession of 1,790 acres. He, however, continued to travel some two years for himself, carrying a line of Yankee notions. In 1857 he hired a force of men, and cut, on the wild prairie, over 200 tons of hay, which he sold subsequently at McGregor, then in its infancy. He has followed farming since, and cuts at lest 200 tons of hay every year. He was married May 8, 1862, to Mrs. Elmira Niver, nee Jacobie, of New York. They had four children, three living - May M., Minnie C. and Jennie A. Mrs. Eno died July 29, 1869. Mr. Eno was again married, Jan. 2, 1871, to Isabel E. Lytle, of Pennsylvania. Two children are the results of this marriage - William H. and John L. Mr. Eno has held about all the township offices, and is now School Treasurer. He was one of the originators of the Clayton County Fire Insurance Company, and was President of the organization for over six years. He has been a prominent man in his community, is well known as an energetic, enterprising citizen. Has given considerable attention to politics, and is well known over the State as a prominent Greenbacker. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Wagner Township, p. 1134 Jefferson Twp. –- Henry Eppens, proprietor of the "Central House," Guttenberg, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1840. He came to the United States in 859, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in work at his trade, that of a boot and shoe maker. He came to Guttenberg in 1868, worked at his trade six and a half years, and leased the Central House in 1874, of which he has since been proprietor. Mr. Eppens keeps a good hotel, and is a popular landlord. He wife was formerly Maggie Stevens, of Ohio, but reared in Iowa. She is the daughter of Henry Stevens. Mr. and Mrs. Eppens have seven children, one son and six daughters. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 866 Wagner Twp. -- Ole Evenson, a native or Norway, was born Sept. 29, 1827. He was educated in the schools of Norway. In 1851 he emigrated to the United States, stopping in Rock County, Wis., working on farms and in saw-mills. In 1856 he bought 160 acres of land in Wagner Township, where he settled. Has since bought 80 acres more. Has a fine residence, built five years since, and a well improved farm. He was married in 1857 to Miss Helga Johnson, born Aug. 17, 1829. They have seven children - Even, John, Raile, Jane, Tillie, Christena, Ole. Both members of Lutheran church. Republican in politics. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Wagner Township, p. 1134-35