WEBER, Eugene - 1914

WEBER, PITTS, UNKRUER, GERKE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 23:41:58

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

EUGENE WEBER.

Eugene Weber has lived in Cherokee county since 1883 and during that period has risen from the position of a farm laborer to be one of the largest landholders and leading agriculturists of this section of the state. He has four hundred and forty acres of improved land in Amherst township and by his intelligent management of this property has surrounded himself with a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Luxemburg, Germany, February 2, 1854, and is a son of Eugene and Elizabeth (Pitts) Weber, also natives of Germany. The father was a linen weaver by trade, working at that occupation until his death, which occurred in 1905. His wife survived him some years, passing away in 1910.

Eugene Weber was reared and educated in his native country and afterward learned the weavers trade, at which he worked until 1883. In that year he emigrated to America, locating immediately in Cherokee county, this state, where he secured work as a farm hand, attending school during a portion of this time in order that he might learn the English language. At the end of five years he rented a farm in Cherokee township and one year later moved to Rock township. He afterward moved to Amherst township and purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 24. This forms a portion of his present farm, but he has greatly increased his original tract, having today four hundred and forty acres of well improved and valuable land. In addition to general farming he engages extensively in stockraising, keeping fullblooded Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.

On the 13th of October, 1891, Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Frances Unkruer, a daughter of Henry and Magdelena (Gerke) Unkruer, natives of Westphalia, Germany. The father farmed in his native province during the entire period of his active life, dying in Westphalia in October, 1890. He was survived by his wife five years. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have become the parents of six children, Lena, Amos, Henry, Elsie, Louis and Alvina.

Mr. Weber is a member of the Holy Name Roman Catholic church of Marcus and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. For twelve years he was school director, for ten years road supervisor and is now in the third term of his able service as township trustee. He is recognized as a prominent factor in the affairs of his township, his influence being felt along many lines which affect the public welfare.