Eilts, Hillert 1849-1930 & Maria Trinka Bohlken Family

EILTS, BOHLKEN, KLIEHAUER, ONCKEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 5/10/2023 at 05:39:32

Eilts, Hillert 1849-1930 and Maria Trinka Bohlken Family

This story was taken from page 379 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg .

Eilt Hillert Eilts was born on Aug. 12, 1849 in Germany (possibly Hanover). At the age of 19 he came to America, settling in Jones Co. for three years. In the early 1870’s he pushed west to Sioux Co., where he was one of the pioneers in settlement. In 1874 he bought 160 acres of “Railroad Land” (that is, land that was not available for homestead, which had been set aside by the Government for the railroads to sell, to defray the cost of railroad development), paying $600.00 for the NW¼ of Sec. 27, Reading Twp. and returned to Jones Co. for his bride, Marie Bohlken.

Marie Trinka (Bohlken) Eilts had been born on Aug. 19, 1851 in Repholt Oatfr. Germany, one of five children of William and Gebke (Kliehauer) Bohlken. Her brothers Gerrit and Siefke Bohlken also came to America to make a new life, with Marie arriving in 1873,

After their marriage on April 12, 1874, Hillert and Marie settled down in a one room house on the farm which Hillert farmed for a total of 39 years. Over the years they added many rooms to accommodate their family of thirteen children. Hillert also built a 60 x 80 foot barn, still standing and in good shape, of native cottonwood held together with wooden pegs rather than nails, to prevent wood rot.

When they retired to Le Mars in 1912 their sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continued to own and farm the land through the 1970’s, when it became an “Iowa Century Farm.”

Marie Eilts died in Le Mars on April 26, 1921, and E.H. continued to live in Le Mars until his death on April 30, 1930, at the age of 81. Both are buried in St. John’s Cemetery, rural Ireton.

RESEARCH Notes added by Wilma J. Vande Berg Information from a family report on Ancestry.com complied by other family descendants and not verified by this submitter.

Eilt Hillerts Eilts was born 12 Aug 1849 Leerhalfe, Wittmund, Lower Saxony Germany and died 30 Apr 1930 Le Mars, Iowa . He was the son of Eilt Janssen Eilts born Germany and Gesche Oncken. In 1870 he was living in Jones County Iowa. On 12 Apr 1874 Plymouth County Iowa he married Trinke Maria Bohlken

Trinke Maria Bohlken was born 19 Aug 1851 Reepsholt, Lower Saxony Germany and died 26 Apr 1921 Le Mars, Iowa. She was the daughter of Wilhelm Bohlken 1839-1913 and Gebke Sophia Kleihauer 1842-1913.

CHILDREN : From local obituaries and family reports on ancestry.com.

1. GESINA EILTS was born 2 Aug 1875 Reading Twp. Sioux County IA died Dec 1950 (Mrs. John G.) Richlefs they had children Mary , Elmer, Mabel, Louis, Fred and Eilt Richlefs
Sioux Center News December 28, 1950 Mrs. Gesena Richlefs Widow of Former Ireton Farmer Dies. Funeral services for Mrs. Gesena Richlefs were held Monday afternoon at St. John's American Lutheran church in LeMars, with the Rev. L. L. Belk officiating, and burial was in the Reading township cemetery in Sioux County. Mrs. Richlefs died Friday at the Sacred Heart hospital following a two weeks illness. She was 73 years old. Mauer funeral home had charge of the arrangements. She was born Aug. 2, 1875 in Reading township, the daughter of Hilbert and Marie Bohlken Eilts Her marriage to John Richlefs took place near Ireton Oct. 19, 1894, and they lived on a farm near Ireton until 1928, when she and her husband moved to Le Mars to make their home. She has lived here ever since. Her husband preceded her in death. Surviving are their children, Eilt and Fred Richlefs of Ireton, Louis of Brookings, S.D., and Mary, Elmer arid Mabel Richlefs of Le Mars. Also still living are four grandchildren, five brothers,, five brothers, and four sisters, Mrs. Sophia Eilts, Mrs. Meta Peters, Mrs. Lena Meppen and Mrs. Emma Brabander.
Spelling note : The correct spelling for this family name should actually be: Ricklefs.

2. SOPHIA EILTS born 31 Aug 1877-1951 died 19 Feb 1951 at Valley City Barnes ND -1944 Mrs. Cord Henry. They were married 16 Mar 1899 Reading Tsp. Sioux Iowa . Eilts Children named were Lester C., Alvin W., Elmer J, Richard J., Lillie G. Golde, Laura E. LeFils, Clarence, Minnie H. Smith and Louis M. Buetow.

3. LIZZIE EILTS born 7 Dec 1879 Iowa died 1944 husbands (#1. Fred Ramhorst) (#2. John Eilts) Source: Alton Democrat (5-25-1944) Born: December 7, 1878 Died: 1944 Mrs. Lizzie Eilts, 66, lifelong resident of the Ireton community died at Hawarden Hospital late Monday following several weeks sickness. Funeral services have not been set pending the word from a daughter Grace who is on the west coast. Mrs. Lizzie Eilts was born on a farm southwest of Ireton on December 7, 1878. She received her early education in this vicinity and was united in marriage with Fred Ramhorst 43 years ago. Three children: Lydia, Mrs. Art Mulder of Alton, Henry Ramhorst and Frieda, Mrs. Leon DeRaad of Ireton, were born to this union. Six years later she was married to John Eilts who preceded her in death. Children born to this union include Private Arthur Eilts of Memphis, Tennessee, Christopher of Sioux City, Mrs. James Mulder of Oak Harbor, Washington and Raymond Eilts at home. A son Reiner died at the age of three months. There are seven grandchildren and four brothers: Eilts of Hawarden, Reiney Eilts of Le Mars, John Eilts and Henry Eilts.

4. META ‘MARGARET’ EILTS Meta 1879-1963 Mrs. John H. Peters Lived in Ireton 1930 Cherokee Iowa in 1947 and 1952. Census of 1930 John Peters born 1875 IL married but no mention of wife.
1920 of Reading Tsp Sioux county census had John H. Peters age 46 with children Oscar 19, Robert 17, Edward 15, Walter 13, Russell 12, Victor 10 and John H. 8. No mention of Meta. 1910 census of Reading Township Margaret Peters was age 31 born 1879 Iowa married to John H. Peters, children Oscar Peters 9, Robert 8, Eddie 5, Walter 3, Russell 1, Victor 0. Sadly the Hawarden Independent of Dec 31st of 1914. ‘Dr F. F. Null went to Council Bluffs Monday taking with him Mrs. John Peters, from near Ireton, whom he left at the St. Bernard Hospital for the insane in the city for treatment. The unfortunate woman’s mind has been deranged for the past four or five years, as reported by the Craig Independent.

5. EILT J. EILTS 1880-1952 Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA April 17, 1952
Nearly 71 Years Dies at Hospital. E. J. Eilts, 71, who spent practically all his life in Hawarden and vicinity, died Monday at the Hawarden hospital. Mr. Eilts had been ill eight years and last week when he again suffered a stroke he was taken to the hospital. A son of Hillert and Marie Eilts, he was born at Ireton October 29, 1880. He was one of a family of 13 children. He married Miss Alice Johnson of Ireton March 15, 1905, and to this union was born three children. His wife preceded him in death by 17 years. He lived in Sioux and Plymouth counties but for the exception of a year when he was in North Dakota. For many years he lived on the farm four miles south of Hawarden. Following the death of his wife, his youngest daughter, Mary, remained with him for a number of years. He retired in 1940, but continued to live on the farm until 1944 when he came to Hawarden to live. He was confirmed in and joined the Lutheran church in his youth. Survivors are three children, Mrs. Luella Bultman of Hawarden, Lawrence Eilts of Ireton and Mrs. Mary Ericson of Alcester; three sisters and four brothers, Mrs. Henry Brabander and William and Reinie Eilts of Le Mars, Mrs. Wm. Meppen of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Mrs. Meta Peters of Cherokee, Henry Eilts of Ireton and George Eilts of Spencer, S. D.; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at Trinity Lutheran church with Rev. Martin Hauser officiating. A quartet composed of Mesdames Helmuth Schneider, Kenneth Green and Emil Schoenrock and Miss Joan Emme, accompanied by Mrs. Claus Lage, sang Heaven Is My Home and Rock of Ages. Pall bearers were G. J. Eilers, Dave Johnson, Albert Klumb, Louis Wegner, John Treiber and Nick Westergard. Burial was in Grace Hill cemetery under the direction of the Barnard Funeral service.

6. WILLIAM S. EILTS 1882-1967 Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA May 25, 1967. Retired Farmer Dies Saturday
Funeral services for William Eilts, 85, retired Le Mars area fanner, were held at 2 p. m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran church in Le Mars. Rev. Lowell Boetichcr officiated and burial Le Mars Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Eilts died Saturday at a Sioux City hospital lifter a long illness. He was born March 18, 1882 in Reading township in Sioux county. He married Adeline Vander Hamm March 11, 1908. In 1945 he retired from farming and moved to Le Mars. Survivors include the widow; a daughter, Mrs. Louis Borchers of rural Ireton; a brother, Reiner Eilts of Le Mars; two sisters, Mrs. William Meppen of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Mrs. Henry Brabander of Le Mars; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

7. REINER HENRY EILTS 1883-1971 Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa, USA Thursday, August 19,1971 Page 4
Reiner Henry Eilts, 87, 316 First Ave. NE, died Wednesday at Floyd Valley hospital after an illness of two years. He had been hospitalized three days. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 p. m. at Grace Lutheran church with Rev. Lothar Braeuning officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran cemetery, rural Ireton, under direction of the Mauer funeral home. A prayer service will be held Friday at 8 p. m. at the funeral home. Mr. Eilts was born Sept. 29, 1883, near Ireton, a son of the. late Hillert and Marie Bohlken Eilts. He was a retired livestock and grain farmer. He had lived in Sioux county until retiring to Le Mars in 1940. He married Mathilda Vlotho April 3, 1899, at Ireton. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he was a past trustee and elder. He was director of the Ireton COOP and a trustee of reading township. Mr. Eilts was preceded in death by a daughter Lola, his parents, five brothers and five sisters. Survivors are his wife of Le Mars; a daughter, Mrs. Lloyd (Irene) Mueller of Maurice; three sons, Marlin of Ireton, Alwin of Le Mars and Cletus of Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Brabander of Le Mars and Mrs. Lena Meppin of Idaho Falls, Idaho, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

8. GEORGE EILTS 1885-1964 Funeral services for George Eilts,79, former resident of Ireton vicinity who died Sunday, September 6, were held the following Wednesday at the Lutheran church in Spencer, SD., with burial there.
Mr. Eilts was born on a farm south of Ireton January 7, 1885. He was baptized and confirmed in St. John's Lutheran church east of Ireton. He married Emelie Vander Hamm, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. August Vander Hamm on February 16, 1910. They moved to Spencer, SD., in 1914. He was preceded in death by two children. Survivors include the widow; three sons Edwin, Darwin and Verne; a daughter, Mrs. Viola Crelly; two brothers, William and R.H. Eilts, both of Le Mars; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Brabander of Le Mars and Mrs. William Meppin of Idaho; 12 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Source:vHawarden Independent (9-17-1964) Source: Sioux Center News (9-17-1964)

9. HELENA EILTS 1886-1975 Mrs. Henry Becker From a report on ancestry.com
Helena M. Eilts was born 25 Jun 1886 Ireton Iowa died 5 Oct 1975 Idaho Falls Idaho. She married Henry John Becker 1882-1935 on 7 Feb 1912 Reading Tsp Sioux County Iowa. Children listed were – Inez Marie Wessel Becker 1914-2000, Lois Margaret Becker Holmer 1915-1968, Ruth Delores Becker Hackman 1917-1997. Hollis Henry Becker 1918-1975, Marlys May Becker 1921-1922, Lueva Gladys Becker Wackerli 1924-2003, Willis Arther Becker 1930-1990 and one other ‘private’. Later 'Lena's' married name was Meppin.

10. BERTHA EILTS 1887-1924 Husband Ernest Schmidt 1893-1956 Le Mars Globe Post of Jun 2, 1924. Bertha Schmidt Called Saturday. Deceased dies at the young age of 36 years 9 months and 24 days. Mrs. Bertha Angeline Schmidt, wife of Earnest Schmidt, living at 300 First Avenue NE, died at the local hospital Saturday of convulsions. Mrs. Schmidt nee Eilts was born August 27,1887 in Reading Township of Sioux county IA. She came to Plymouth County with her parents nine years ago and was married to Earnest Schmidt in Le Mars about a year and a half ago. She leaves to mourn her loss her father E. H. Eilts, six brothers and six sisters, who are, brothers E. J. Eilts, William Eilts, R. H. Eilts, G. H. Elits, J. H. Eilts and H. B. Eilts; sisters, Mrs. C. H. Eilts, Mrs. John Rickleff, Mrs. Lizzie Eilts, Mrs. John Peters, Mrs. H. J. Becker and Mrs. Henry Brabander. The funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rev. J. J. Vollmar officiating. Burial will be made in Sioux county

11. JOHN EILTS 1888-1947
The Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa, USA Friday, February 14, 1947, and Sioux Center News, January 30, 1947. Services For John Eilts Held Sunday Funeral services for John Henry Eilts, 58, lifelong resident of Ireton, who died on January 28, after a prolonged siege of illness, were conducted at St. John's Lutheran church on Sunday, Rev. C. D. Eifert officiating. Mrs. Orville Vlotho, church organist, played Handel's "Angels Ever Bright and. Fair" as a part of the church service and the church choir sang, "Heaven Is My Home." Burial was made in the cemetery of the church in Reading township. Deceased was born at Ireton on September 3, 1888, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hillert Eilts, who preceded him in death. Two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Eilts and Mrs. Bertha Schmidt, have died also in years gone by. Brothers and sisters who survive are: E. J. Eilts, Hawarden; William Eilts, Le Mars; R. H. Eilts, Le Mars; George Eilts, Spencer, South Dakota; Henry Eilts, Ireton; Mrs. Gesine Ricklefs, Le Mars; Mrs. Sophia Eilts, Litchfield, North Dakota; Mrs. Meta Peters, Cherokee; Mrs. Lena Becker, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mrs. Emma Brabander, Le Mars.

12. HENRY EILTS 1890-1957 Ancestry.com reports - Henry Bernard Eilts was born 9 oct 1890 Sioux County IA and died 19 Nov 1957 at Rochester, MN He married Irene Erna Bertram born 9 Sep 1900 Ireton IA and died 4 Feb 1992 Sioux City IA. Children named were Vernon Henry Eilts 1927-1927, Lloyd Bertram Eilts 1928-2015 and three other children listed as ‘private’.

13. EMMA EILTS (Mrs. Henry) Brabander1895-1978 From the Le Mars Daily Sentinel of Mar 27, 1878. Mrs. Emma Brabander, 82, who had lived in Le Mars more than 60 years, died Saturday March 25,1978 at Floyd Valley Hospital after a brief illness. Emma Eilts was born Jul 20,1895, in Reading Township, Sioux county to Hilbert and Marie Bohlken Eilts. Her marriage to Henry J. Brabander took place May 19, 1920 in Le Mars. He died Oct 2, 1964. She was also preceded in death by a son, daughter, a grandchild, six brothers and six sisters. She was a member of St. John’s American Lutheran Church the church’s A.I.C.W. and WWI American legion auxiliary. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at St. John’s church in Le Mars. Rev. Arnold Imbrock and Rev. William Striepe will officiate and burial will be in Le Mars memorial cemetery. Survivors are a son Wallace Brabander, of Pierre SD, and a daughter Mrs. Lyle Marian Pratt of Moville. There are five grandchildren.

OBITUARY OF HILLERT EILTS
Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa, USA THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1930
E. H. EILIS, AGED PIONEER, CALLED
Well Known Le Mars Citizen Attains Age of 80 Years
E. H. Eilts, pioneer of this community, passed away at his home in First avenue N. E., Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 at, the advanced age of 80 years. A paralytic stroke and his advanced years were the cause of his death.
Mr. Eilts was born in Germany on August, 12, 1849, where he received his schooling and got his start in life. At the age of 19 he came to this country, settling in Jones county, Iowa, where he found employment. He worked in Jones county for three years and then came to Sioux county, Iowa, settling on a farm near Ireton, where he farmed for 39 years. Mr. Eilts married Maria Bohlken before coming to this community. He retired from the farm 18 years ago, and came to Le Mars to live, where he resided ever since. His wife preceded him in death nine years. Thirteen children were born to this union, one preceding her parents in death. The remaining children are: Mrs. John Ricklefs, Le Mars; Mrs. C. H. Eilts, Litchville, N. D.; Mrs. Elizabeth Eilts, near Ireton; Mrs. J. H. Peters, Ireton: E. J. Eilts, Hawarden; William Eilts, Struble; R. H. Eilts, Ireton; Geo. H. Eilts, Spencer, S. D.; Mrs. Henry Becker, Idaho Falls, Idaho.;
John H. Eilts, Ireton; Henry Eilts, Ireton and Mrs. Henry Brabander of this city.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:15 from the home and 1:30 from St. John's Lutheran church, Rev. J. J. Vollmar officiating. Burial will be made in St. John's cemetery, in reading township, Sioux county. Beely's funeral directors in charge

OBITUARY OF MARIE EILTS
Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa, USA FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1921.
WAS EARLY SETTLER MRS. E. H. EILTS CAME TO IOWA IN THE SEVENTIES
Mrs. Eilts, wife of Hillert Eilts, died at her home on Court street on Tuesday. Mrs. Eilts had recently returned from Denver, Colo., where she had been spending the winter for treatment by specialists for cancer. On Monday she was seized with an attack of heart failure due to excessive suffering and the strain of a long and painful illness and passed away on Tuesday.
Mrs. Eilts was a pioneer of northwestern Iowa having lived in Sioux county and this place since girlhood. Her maiden name was Trinka Marie Bohlken and she was born, in the province of Hanover, Germany, on August 19, 1861, where she grew up and received her early education. In 1873 she came to the United States with her parents and other members of her family and they came directly to Monticello, Iowa, where many of their compatriots had already found a new home in Jones county. In 1874 the Eilts family made a further move west and settled in Sioux county here Trinka Bohlken was united in marriage on April 12, 1874, to Hillert Eilts, and there she spent a long and useful life, assisting her husband in the cares of the farm and rearing a large family, the members of which, have all grown to be good, and industrious American citizens.
Mrs. Eilts, is survived by her, husband and thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters who are Eilts J. Eilts, Hawarden; William, of Struble; Reiner, of Ireton; George, of Spencer, S. D.; John and Henry, of Ireton; Mrs. John Ricklefs, Ireton; Mrs. John Peters, Craig; Mrs. Henry Becker, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mrs. C. H. Eilts, of Litchfield, N. D.; Mrs. Lizzie Eilts, Ireton; Mrs. Henry Brabander and Miss Bertha Eilts of Le Mars. There are forty-five, grandchildren. She also leaves two brothers Siefke Bohlken, of Le Mars, Gerke B. Bohlken, of Monticello, Iowa, and two brothers and a sister living at the old home in Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Eilts retired from the farm in Sioux county in 1912 and came to Le Mars to make their home. Mrs. Eilts was widely known especially among the older residents of the northern part of Plymouth county and in Sioux county. She was a good Christian woman and highly esteemed in the community where she lived for nearly half a century.
The funeral services will be held on Sunday morning at St. John's Lutheran church at 11 o'clock, Rev. J. J. Vollmar officiating, and the remains., will be taken to the Reading township Lutheran church cemetery in Sioux county, where a brief service will be held by Rev. C.D. Nuoffer at two o’clock.

This family picture was taken from page 379 of the Ireton Centennial book 1882-1982 .

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