EICHOLTZ, Jacob G.

EICHOLTZ

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 13:44:32

Jacob G. Eicholtz
born Apr 1, 1843

J. G. Eicholtz, the efficient Treasurer of Ida County, Iowa, has been the incumbent of this office since January 1, 1888, and has been a resident of the county since March, 1881. Of Mr. Eicholtz’s life, both public and private, we make the following record, feeling sure that it will be read with interest by his many friends and large circle of acquaintances here: J. G. Eicholtz dates his birth at that historic place, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1843. He is a son of John and Margaret (Meals) Eicholtz, also natives of Pennsylvania. Their ancestors originally came from Germany, but for three generations back have been residents of the “Keystone” State. The father died in Gettysburg in 1890. The mother is still living. They had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, six of whom are living, all in Gettysburg, except the subject of our sketch. During the war the father sustained heavy losses. He was a wagon-maker by trade. In 1861 he was elected Clerk of the Courts at Gettysburg. Two of the sons, J. G. and Samuel H., were in the army. The latter enlisted in February, 1865, in Company A, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was chosen Second Lieutenant of his company, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel just before the war closed, and was mustered out as such. February 2, 1865, J. G. enlisted in the same company, having served nine months previous to this in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out in September, 1865, as Corporal. He passed through the battle of Gettysburg as a private citizen. He was taken prisoner, but by a little strategy, on his part, made his escape. Just before he was taken prisoner he was passing along through a wheat field, and when the fight commenced he and three companions lay down in a ditch and the lines both passed over them four times. In the last charge he and his associates picked up muskets and took a hand in the contest, and while thus engaged were captured.
Mr. Eicholtz was reared on a farm in his native county and spent a portion of his youthful days working in wagon shop with his father. In March, 1868, he came as far West as Nachusa, Lee County, Illinois, where he was engaged in manufacturing wagons two years. At the end of that time he and a partner purchased 160 acres of prairie land. This was in 1870 and ’71. In January, 1872, Mr. Eicholtz went back to Illinois and was married, returning with his wife to Guthrie County. In May of the following year he took charge at his mother-in-law’s farm at Nachusa, Illinois, and remained there until 1881. Since that year, as above stated, he has been a resident of Ida County. Upon coming here he located on 160 acres of prairie land in section 31, Blaine Township, which he had purchased three years previous, and on which he made his home until 1884, devoting his time to its cultivation and improvement. In 1884 he bought property in Ida Grove and moved to town. A year later, however, he went back to the farm and there spent another year. In the fall of 1886 he returned to his old home in Pennsylvania and the following spring again established his home in Ida Grove. The rest of that year he was engaged in the grocery business. Then, in July, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the sheriff’s office, and that same fall was elected County Treasurer. In political circles he is prominent and active, being a staunch Democrat. He was a member of the order of Red Men for a number of years in Pennsylvania, and is connected with the following organizations here: G. A. R., Matthew Gray Post, No. 105; A. F. & A. M., Kane Lodge, No. 377; and K. of P., Syracuse Lodge, No. 200, Odebolt, Iowa.
Mr. Eicholtz was married January 14, 1872, to Miss Ella Fish, who was born in Maine, May 5, 1851, daughter of Ebenezer and Oseola (Mason) Fish. Her father was a member of the Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at Perryville. They have a family of four children, Mary M., married in October, 1892, to William F. Kapplin, County Superintendent of Ida County; Burton E.; Edward J., and Ethel. Mr. Eicholtz is a Lutheran and his wife and one of their daughters are members of the Church of God.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.522