G. M. Elder, farmer and
stock-raiser, was a son of John and Marguerite (Mack)
Elder, natives of Baden, Germany. They came to the United
States in 1847, and located in Stephenson County, Ill,
where they died. The subject of this sketch was born in
Baden, on March 21, 1830, where he was educated. In 1854
he came to Cass Township, where he bought eighty acres of
his present farm. He now ownes 400 acres on section 5,
which is largely in a fine state of improvement. In 1855
he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Conrad and
Katherine (Stamp) Heilmann, natives of Baden, where the
latter died. Conrad came to the United States, and
located in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Eder have been blessed
with twelve children, of whom Margarite, born May 19,
1856 (now the wife of Fred Schneider, living in Sperry
Township); John, born June 24, 1857; George, June 20,
1858; Henry, Dec. 3, 1859; Amelia, Nov. 15, 1865; Lena,
April 7, 1867; Lizzie, Aug. 4, 1868; Mary, April 18,
1873; Emma, Oct. 22, 1875; and Michael, March 1, 1878,
are living. The deceased are Mina, born Oct. 20, 1871,
died July 25, 1872; Anna, born Jan. 10, 1878, died on the
19th of January the same year. Mr. Eder and family are
members of the Lutheran church. He votes the Republican
ticket. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 694 |