Dr. Hans E. Eiel

EIEL, TVEDSUND, COLBY, HELGESOU, SKUTLE, LEE

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/15/2009 at 05:52:48

Dr. Hans E. Eiel, an efficient and popular physician and surgeon residing at Buffalo Center, is also now filling the office of postmaster there. He was born in Center township, Winnebago county, February 4, 1876, of the marriage of John and B. Olina (Tvedsund) Eiel. On emigrating to America his parents first located in Mitchell county, Iowa, but two years later, or in 1870, removed to Winnebago county. The father purchased land in Center township and there he engaged in farming for many years but is now living retired with his daughter, Millie, the wife of Dr. J. E. Colby, of Lake Mills, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The mother's death occurred January 1, 1915.

Hans E. Eiel spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and after completing the work in the common schools attended a business college at Garner, Iowa. Later he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. P. A. Helgesou, of Lake Mills, and in 1895 matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. He studied there for two years and for a similar length of time was a student in the Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated March 20, 1899, with the M. D. degree. After passing the state board examination he began practice in 1898 in Norman, Iowa, but remained there only a short time and in July, 1899, opened an office in Buffalo Center, where he has since remained. It was not long before his ability won recognition and his practice has grown steadily until it is now extensive and representative. He has served as health officer of Buffalo Center for a number of years and his work in that connection has been very effective in bringing about improved sanitary conditions.

He owns three good farms, an eighty acre tract near Lake Mills, a farm of two hundred and thirty-two acres west of Buffalo Center and a quarter section of land seven and a half miles northwest of Buffalo Center. All of these places are well improved and he derives therefrom a good financial return.

Dr. Eiel was married in May, 1899, to Miss Sarah Skutle. Her parents, 0. 0. and Martha (Lee) Skutle, were born in Norway but came to America in the '50s and located in Wisconsin. After farming for several years the father removed with his family to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits until he retired in 1897 and took up his residence in Lake Mills, where he still livea. To the Doctor and his wife have been born three children: John Olaf, whose birth occurred in February, 1900; Merrill Orion, born in January, 1903; and Sylvia Helen, born in January, 1913.

Dr. Eiel is a democrat in politics and in 1915 was appointed postmaster of Buffalo Center, an office which he has filled with entire satifaction to the community. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America and along professional lines is connected with the Winnebago County and Iowa State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran church. He is held in high esteem as a physician and as a man, and his personal friends are many.

~History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pg 43