EGGLESTON, George L. 1867-1950

EGGLESTON, HOOVER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/6/2015 at 08:36:20

Geo. Eggleston Former Auditor Died Thursday

Advanced Age And Hardening Of Arteries Was The Cause Of His Death; He Served As County Auditor 14 Years

George L. Eggleston, who had served longer as county auditor of Grundy county than any other, died at his home in Grundy Center early Thursday morning. Death was due to hardening of the arteries and advanced age. He would have been 83 in July. His health had been failing noticeably for a number of years. He was bedfast the last seven weeks.

Lived in County 77 Years
George Eggleston was born in New Diggins, Wisconsin, July 24, 1867. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Eggleston. The family came from Wisconsin to Grundy county in 1873 and located on a farm in Felix township. There were 11 children in the family and all of them grew up on the Felix township farm. They attended school there. After he finished school, George taught school a number of years in rural schools in Felix and Melrose townships. On March 9, 1899, he and Cora Hoover of Whitten were married. They lived on an acreage in the east part of Whitten. After he quit teaching he and his brother Tom opened a harness shop in Whitten. George remained in business there until 1912, when he was elected Grundy county auditor. The family moved to Grundy Center the first of the following year and that remained their home continually. Mrs. Eggleston died in 1931.

Served Two Periods As Auditor
George Eggleston served two periods as auditor of the county. He served three terms during his first period as auditor and retired January 1st, 1919. Six years later he was nominated and elected to his former position again and during that stretch served four terms to the close of 1932. He held that office longer than any other person.

Engaged in Insurance Work
After leaving the county auditor's office, Mr. Eggleston engaged in insurance work and for a number of years was secretary of the Grundy County Mutual Insurance Association.

Was An Athletic Fan
During all of his lifetime George Eggleston was deeply interested in athletics. Baseball was his major sport. He was a member of and was captain of the "Whitten Hayseeds," an amateur baseball team which was more than a match for any team in its class and the team gained a statewide reputation. Aside from being captain of the team, George played first base.

Was Member of Odd Fellows 57 Years
George Eggleston joined the Odd Fellows lodge at Whitten 57 years ago and retained his membership up to the time of his death. After moving to Grundy Center he changed his affiliations to the Grundy lodge.

Only Four of Large Family Left
Only four of this family of 11 are now living. They are Mrs. Evelyn Watson, Barrett, Minn.; Mrs. Jennie Callaway, Moline, Ill.; Miss Marion Eggleston, Des Moines; and one brother, Jim Eggleston, Grundy Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston had three children, all of whom survive their parents. They are Rhea Hensley, Grundy Center; Dean Eggleston, Eldora; and Carl, Los Angeles, Calif. There are eight grandchildren.

Funeral Services at Whitten
Funeral services were held at the Engelkes funeral home in Grundy Center at one o'clock Monday afternoon, and later at the Methodist church in Whitten. Mr. Eggleston was a member of the church at Whitten during the many years he lived there. Burial was by the side of the wife in the Benson cemetery. Rev. Merton Green, pastor of the Grundy Center Methodist church, officiated at the services.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 April 1950, pg 1, 12