Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Eitzen, Gasconade County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Charles D. Eitzen, one of the oldest merchants and conceded to be among
the most influential citizens of Gasconade County, was born in Bremen,
Germany, August 20, 1819, and immigrated to America and located in Her-
mann in 1838, a short time after this town was laid out.  For three
years he clerked in the first and only store in the town, and in 1841,
when but twenty-one years of age, purchased the store and began on his
own account, a business in which he has continued to the present.  In
1855, before the completion of the railroad to Hermann, he engaged 
largely in the lumber business, meeting with success, and shipping 
great quantities of yellow pine to points up the Missouri River.  At
the same time, as agent for the Meramec Iron Company, he shipped iron
to different places on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  In all public
affairs Mr. Eitzen has taken a prominent part.  Politically he is a 
stanch Republican, and during the war firmly supported the Federal Gov-
ernment, and part of the time was captain of a company of militia in
active service.  In 1861 he was elected from his senatorial district
(comprised of the counties of Franklin, Osage and Gasconade) a member
of the Constitutional Convention, in which body he labored in opposi-
tion to secession; in 1875 was elected to the State Constitutional 
Convention, and in 1876 was elected to the Twenty-ninth General Assem-
bly of Missouri.  In 1871 he became identified with the public schools
of Hermann, which were at that time in poor condition, but under his 
management and inspiration a two-story commodious school building was
erected, an ornament to the city.  Since then educational interests
have constantly increased.  Mr. Eitzen is now a member of the board of
trustees.  For twenty-five years he has been connected with the town
board of trustees, during most of which time he has served as mayor.
In April, 1844, he was married to Miss Jane Kehr, who has borne him
seven children, three of whom survive.

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