Obituary of William EGELHOFF, Green County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Ronald Phipps The Patriot, Carrolton Illinois Thursday Aug. 10 1911 page 1, column 1 William Egelhoff dead Pioneer Wagon Maker passed away tuesday evening Shop had Occupied site for more than Fifty years William Egelhoff who has been making and repairing wagons in Carrolton for fifty-seven years died Tuesday evening at his home on South Main street, aged 76 years. He was still working in his shop when he was stricken down with illness two months ago. Mr. Egelhoff was born Jan. 3 1835 in Dornkirkhein, Germany. He came to America with his parents while he was still a boy landing in New Orleans Dec. 27 1849. The family came north to St. Louis and from there to Jerseyville, where he remained working several years working at his trade at making wagons and buggies. He came to Carrollton June 4 1854 and was for five years associated in the wagon and buggy making business with M, H, Watt. from 1860 to 1863 he was in partnership with John Long in the same line; after that he conducted the business alone. His shop has always has been on the same site just east of the south-east corner of the square. Before the making of buggies and wagons had become centered in big factories Mr. Egelhoff ran an extensive business and employed a number of hands. In the early 70's he erected al arge 3 story brick factory on the same spot where his more modest shop had stood, and his business continued to grow for several years. Its gradual dropping off "was the tragedy of the trade" told so often in the lives of the hand working mechanics in the past forty years. He kept busy up to the very last occupying a part of the big building he had put up. Mr., Egelhoff and Miss Eliza Jane Hubbard were married in this city on Dec. 1, 1859. Seven children were born to them four of whom are living. They are William R. of St. Louis; Henry of Spokane Wash.; Clearance of Springfield Mo.; and Clara wife of Edgar LaRue of San Francisco. All were present for the funeral except Henry, who cannot get here. Mrs. LaRue came to spend the summer just before her father was taken ill. Mr. Egelhoff's plain honesty, his cheerful nature and his steady going habits were admired by his many friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ronald Phipps