A.J. Egbert

Monroe County, Iowa, has many estimable citizens within her borders, and among those who deserve some particular mention in the history of that county is A.J. Egbert, an old settler and prominent farmer of Jackson township. His father, Uriah Egbert, was born in the State of New Jersey, and his mother, Susan (Williams) Egbert, was a native of Pennsylvania. The parents of Uriah brought him to Pennsylvania when he was a child, and in that state he grew up and was married. He and his wife moved to Ohio and remained there the rest of their lives. They became the parents of thirteen children: Mary, Jeremiah, John, Sarah, Thomas, Eliza, Nancy, Jacob, Jesse, A.J., Susan, Percilla, and Uriah. This large family and its descend- ants are now living in different parts of the Union,filling many posi- tions in the various walks of life.

A.J. Egbert, the tenth child, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 13, 1834. He remained in the county of his birth, attended the common schools and was trained to know the value of hard work. In the fall of 1856 he came to Iowa and spent one winter in Iowa City, but the following spring he came to Monroe County and bought one hundred and twenty acres of government land. He set himself to the improvement of this and has since added to his property, until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. Almost at the first call for volunteers in the Civil War he enlisted, July 17,1861, in Company B, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Burlington and was soon ordered to the sence of action. He endured much of the rigor of war, both in the field and in the camp, and among the battles in which he took part were Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Kenesaw Moun- tain; in the last named place he was wounded by a musket ball and disabled for two months. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 21, 1865, having served four years and four days His Army record was one of which he may well be proud, and few can boast of a more faithful term of service.

On May 21,1873, Mr. Egbert was united in marriage to Mary S. Hittle, who was born in Lovilia, Monroe County. Her father, Jacob Hittle, who was a native of Ohio, and her mother, Hulda (Amber) Hittle, came to Iowa at an early day, and located in Monroe County, where the mother died, but the father is still living. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Egbert, and all are living: Jesse S., Electa S., Andrew J., edward, Grace, Clara, Elvin, Ira, Harrison, Estella, Mary and Hulda. These children were all born in Monroe County. Mr. Egbert has ever been a stanch supporter of the principals of the Republican Party. He was reared in the Methodist faith, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church of Melrose, Iowa.