Rev. Benjamin Eicher

EICHER, CONRAD, SOMMER, NOBLE

Posted By: Ann Miller White (email)
Date: 9/9/2006 at 21:30:20

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA, 1877 (Pages217-218)

Rev. Benjamin Eicher is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Marion Township. He was born in Alsace, then a part of France, in 1832, and is the son of John and Margaret (Conrad) Eicher, the former a native of Alsace, the latter of Switzerland. When 17 years of age, the subject of this sketch came to America and first settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where he remained four years working on a farm. In 1853, just after reaching his majority, he came to Washington County, Iowa and settled in Marion Township. His first purchase of land was made in 1854 when he bought 40 acres of unimproved land on Section 26, Marion Township, where he still continues to live, but to which he has added by subsequent purchase, until he now owns a fine farm of 1560 acres, all of which is under cultivation and on which is a fine residence, erected at a cost of $3,000. In 1881, Mr. Eicher built the Oak Ridge Creamery on his farm, annually making from 80,000 to 120,000 pounds of butter.

In the fall of 1853, Mr. Eicher was united in marriage with Lydia Sommer, a native of Holmes County, Ohio and the daughter of Joseph Sommer. To them, 13 children have been born. Elizabeth , the wife of G. C. Noble, a farmer of Crete, Nebraska; Henry, junior member of the firm of Dewey and Eicher, Attorneys at Law, Washington, Iowa; Frank who died in 1878 at the age of 19 years; Joseph and John now residing in Keokuk County, Iowa, owners of and operating the Richmond Creamery; Ezra, Noah, Willie, David, Selina, Clara; Cora died at the age of 2 1/2 years; and Eddie.

In 1862, Mr. Eicher was ordained an Elder in the Mennonite Church since which time, in connection with the labors of his farm, he has labored in word and doctrine. The church to which he ministers is situated near his house and has a membership of about 100. The educational advantages of Mr. Eicher were in his youth quite limited, all his school days being prior to his 14th year. Since attaining his majority, by reading and private study, he has become well informed in general literature, history, biography, and theology. His father was also a farmer and died in 1861; his mother died in 1860. They were also members of the Mennonite Church.