Henry M. Eicher

EICHER, SOMMER

Posted By: Ann Miller White (email)
Date: 9/9/2006 at 21:54:09

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA 1877; Page 623

Henry M. Eicher, of the firm of Dewey and Eicher, Attorneys and Counselors at Law of Washington, is a native of the county, born in Marion Township, May 29, 1858, and the son of Reverend Benjamin Eicher and his wife Lydia Sommer, of this county, to whom he was united in 1855. The elder Eicher was a native of France who immigrated to this country when 17 years old, locating in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1853 or 54, he emigrated to Washington County, where he bought an improved farm of 40 acres, to which he subsequently added 160, giving now a fine farm of 200 acres on which he has a creamery and an artesian well, making it worth at least $75 per acre. Mr. Eicher is a well-read man, having received a liberal education in his native country. Several times he has been a candidate for the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, but the county being Republican by 200 to 400 majority, has always been defeated, although at one time by only sixteen votes.

Henry M. Eicher was reared on the farm and after leaving the district school, completed his education at the Eastern Iowa Normal School. He chose law for his profession and in 1880 began reading in the office of Dewey and Templin at Washington, his native county. His studies were interrupted for a time by ill health, but in September, 1883, he was admitted to the bar and in the following month formed a co-partnership with A. R. Dewey, Esq., one of the ablest lawyers of the Washington bar. The firm takes leading rank in the profession and Mr. Eicher, young as he is, has shown himself possessed of the ability to command success in his chosen life work. Both as a lawyer and citizen, he is held in esteem by the people of his native country and by all others who know him.