CONRAD EBERLING

EBERLING, BERNES, GEYLER, RUHES

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/16/2021 at 02:06:07

CONRAD EBERLING, of Ft. Madison, is a fine representative of that enterprising and persevering German element which has done so much toward the development of this country, and especially that section west of the Mississippi. Our subject is a native of Brunswick, Germany, and was born Dec. 15, 1825. His father, Conrad Eberling, Sr., was a native of the same country, of pure German ancestry and parentage, and before the day of railroads, was employed in teaming between the different large cities of Germany. He was a man of great energy of character, of large and powerful build physically, and died in the prime of life, in 1840, at the age of forty-one years.

Conrad E. of this sketch, in accordance with the laws and customs of his native country, was placed in school at an early age, and pursued his studies until his father's death. He then served three years at the stone cutter's trade, at which he worked until 1852, when he resolved to emigrate to America, and seek an improvement in his prospects and fortunes. He set sail from Bremen on the 15th of September of the year mentioned, and after a long and tedious voyage landed at New Orleans on the
7th of November following. From there he proceeded up the river to St. Louis, where he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1853 came to Ft. Madison, and was employed at his trade continuously until 1876. He had been industrious and economical, and saved his earnings, and now found himself possessed of sufficient means to engage in business. He accordingly purchased a stock of groceries and provisions, and by his wise management and straightforward dealing soon built up an extensive and profitable patronage, and is now ranked among the leaders in this department of business in this section.

A month previous to his departure from his native land in August, 1852, Mr. Eberling was married to Miss Hannah Bernes, a native of his own Province, and the journey to the United States constituted the bridal tour of the young pair. They became the parents of five children, as follows: Hannah, the eldest, is the wife of George Geyler, and lives in Jersey City, N. J.; Christ is the eldest son; Anna is the wife of Henry Ruhes, and lives in Pueblo, Col.; Louis and Vena are at home with their parents. They occupy a pleasant homestead, replete with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. and Mrs. E. are connected with the Lutheran Church, and in politics the subject of our sketch uniformly casts his vote with the Democratic party.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887
 
Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887