Individual Details

Gerhard Wilhelm "Gerd" Eiben

(10 Jan 1836 - 1 Jul 1911)

Gerd W. Eiben came to America in 1875 and settled first in Wayne Township, Jones Co., Iowa. After a few years they moved and purchased what had been the George White farm in the Rynerson neighborhood on Bowen's Prairie in Lovell Township. This farm was several miles north of Monticello. They lived here for over twenty years until retiring in 1904 to a house in Monticello.

(Monticello Express, Oct 10, 1907)
Mr. Gerd Eiben has purchased the Garmshausen property, owned and occupied by John C. Rueger during his lifetime. The sale was made by Lanigan & Locher for $1,900.

(Monticello Express, Dec 12, 1907)
Mr. Gerd Eiben and family return thanks to the friends who did so much for them during the bereavement they recently passed through.
(This refers to the death of Christine's brother Jacob)

(Monticello Express, Jan 12, 1933)
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eiben and Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Eiben spent Sunday visiting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cords of Elkader. Mrs. Eiben remained for a week's visit.

Events

Birth10 Jan 1836Updorf, Wittmund, Weser-Ems, Niedersachsen, Germany
Census1858Germany, Ostfriesland, Wittmund, Gemeinde Osteraccum-Insenhausen
Marriage4 Nov 1865Evangelische Kirche Funnix, Funnix, Wittmund, Hannover, Preußen, Deutschland - Christina von Beeston
Immigration1874/75
Census (family)1880Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Christina von Beeston
Census (family)1885Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Christina von Beeston
Naturalization28 Sep 1888District Court, Anamosa, Jones, Iowa, United States
Census (family)1895Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Christina von Beeston
Census (family)9 Jun 1900Lovell Township, Jones, Iowa, United States - Christina von Beeston
Will7 May 1903Jones, Iowa, United States
Retirement1904Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States
Census1905Lovell Township, Jones, Iowa, United States
Census (family)22 Apr 1910Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Christina von Beeston
Death1 Jul 1911of Brights's Disease - Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States
Burial3 Jul 1911Bowen's Prairie Cemetery, Richland Township, Jones, Iowa, United States

Families

Notes

Birth

His burial record says he was born in Frieden.

Census

Gemeinde Osteraccum-Insenhausen (5km away of Funnix)
OA26 Hugo-Peters-Str.3 ...1) Ihne Peters ...6) Gerhard Eiben, 17J., Knecht (farmhand, servant)

Census (family)

Gerd EIBEN Self M Male W 44 Laborer HANOVER HANOVER HANOVER
Christianna EIBEN Wife M Female W 36 Keeping House HANOVER HANOVER HANOVER
Eibo EIBEN Son S Male W 7 HANOVER HANOVER HANOVER
Lena EIBEN Dau S Female W 6 HANOVER HANOVER HANOVER
Bennette EIBEN Son S Male W 4 IA HANOVER HANOVER
Wm. EIBEN Son S Male W 3 IA HANOVER HANOVER
Christopher EIBEN Son S Male W 2 IA HANOVER HANOVER
Lesa C. EIBEN Dau S Female W 3M IA HANOVER HANOVER



Census (family)

85 3 3 NW SW
7 46 52 Eiben Gerd 49 M M Farmer Germany F F Alien
8 Eiben Christina 41 F M Keeping House Germany F F
9 Eiben Cornelius 18 M S Germany F F
10 Eiben Eiba 12 M Germany F F
11 Eiben Lena 10 F Germany F F
12 Eiben Benhard 9 M Jones Co., IA F F
13 Eiben William 7 M Jones Co., IA F F
14 Eiben Christopher 6 M Jones Co., IA F F
15 Eiben Elisa 4 F Jones Co., IA F F
16 Eiben Mary 3 F Jones Co., IA F F
17 Eiben Henry 1 M Jones Co., IA F F
18 Eiben Matilda 0 F Jones Co., IA F F

Naturalization

Book-2, P-283

Census (family)

31 57 57 Eibin Gerrhard 59 M M Germany F F Farmer "

Page #471
Ln Dw Fm Surname Given Name Age Sex M Birthplace Fa Mo Occupation Religion Other
1 Eibin Christiana 51 F M Iowa Jones " " Lutheran
2 Eibin Benjamin 19 M S " " " Farmer "
3 Eibin William 17 M S " " " " "
4 Eibin Christopher 16 M S " F F " "
5 Eibin Lizzie 14 F " " " " "
6 Eibin Mary 13 F " " " " "
7 Eibin Matilda 10 F " " " " "
8 Eibin Johann 9 F " " " " "
9 Eibin Minnie 8 F " " " " "


Census (family)

(transcribed as Eihen in census)
SD 1st, ED 57. Lovell Township,
pg 87 sheet 11

124, 125 Eiben, Gerhard W Head W M Jan 1836 64 Married 34 yrs Farmer, Germany, 1875, 25 yrs in US, Na
Christina Wife W F Aug 1843 56 M-34, 14 births, 12 living. Germany, 1875, 25 yrs in US
William Son W M May 1877 23 Farm Labor Iowa
Chris Son W M Dec 1878 21 Farm Labor Iowa
Henry Son W M Mar 1883 17 Farm Labor Iowa
Matilda Daughter W F May 1884 16 Iowa
John Son W M Nov 1885 14 Farm Labor Iowa
Minnie Daughter W F Nov 1886 13 at school Iowa
All the children (except baby Henry) can read, write, speak English. Minnie attended
school 4 months. The parents cannot speak English, but can read and Christina can write.
Gerhard and Christina immigrated in 1875, have been in the US 25 yrs.
Own Free Farm


Will

page 88 Record of Wills, No. 4

Case#2576
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF G. W. EIBEN
PROBATED Oct. 5th 1911

May 7th, 1903

I, G. W. Eiben of the county of Jones and State of Iowa, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, herby revoking all wills by me heretofore made;-
ITEM I. It is my will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
ITEM II I will, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Christine Eiben, all the property of whatsoever kind or nature, both personal and real, of which I shall die seized.
ITEM III. I hereby appoint my wife, Christine Eiben, executrix, without bonds, of this my last will.
G, W, Eiben
The foregoing instrument was signed in our presence, on the 7th day of May, 1903, by G. W. Eiben, who declared the same to be his last will and testament, and at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, we have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

Wm. Schodde.
Robert C. Stirton.

Case#2576
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF G. W. EIBEN, DECEASED
CERTIFICATE OF PROBATE OF WILL.

I, H. G. A. Harper, Clerk of the District Court, in and for said county and State do hereby certify that on the 5th day of October, 1911, the will of G. W. Eiben, deceased to which this certificate is annexed, which will is dated May 5th, 1903, was duly admitted to probate by said court as and for the last will and tesstament of said decedent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affirmed the seal of said Court, at Anamosa, Iowa, this 5th day of October, 1911.

((SEAL)) H. G. A. Harper,
Clerk District Court.
By Felix F. Pickworth, Deputy.


Census

G.W. Eiben
P.O. Box Monticello
age 72 born Germany, parents born Germany
own his farm $15000
$3000 encumbrance
yes - naturalized
in US 30 yrs, in town 30 yrs
married
occupation Farming

Census (family)

SD 5 ED 66, sheet 18A
2, 2 , Eiben, Gerd Head MW, 74, married 44 yrs, Germany Germ, Germ, 1874 Na, speaks German, Own account.
Christina, Wife, FW, 68, M-44, 14 children born, ? living, Germ, Germ Germ, speaks English
Henry, Son, MW, 27, single, Farm laborer wages

Death

The Monticello Express ( Monticello, Iowa) July 6, 1911, page 5
HOME NEWS.
Gerd W. Eiben died at his home in Monticello on the 1st day of July, at 3 o'clock p. m., after a long and painful illness of Bright's disease. Mr. Eiben was over 75 years old. He was born at Updorf, Germany, January 10, 1836. He was married at the place of his birth, in 1865, to Miss Christina von Beeson. They came to America in 1877, and settled in Jones county. About three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Eiben retired from their farm in Lovell township, and became residents of Monticello. Mr. and Mrs. Eiben were the parents of 14 children, of whom 11 survive, 6 boys and 5 girls. The survivors are Cornelius and William Eiben, of Nebraska, Eibo, Christopher and William Eiben, of Jones county, and John, of Prairieburg. The daughters are, Mesdames Lena Iben, Lizzie Heiken, Mary Heiken, Matilda Schmidt and Minnie Schmidt. The funeral services were conducted last Monday by Rev. C. Mardorf , of Wayne township, of whose church Mr. Eiben had long been a faithful and consistent member. The funeral was largely attended, interment was had in the Bowen's Prairie cemetery. All the children were able to be at the funeral with the exception of William, who was unavoidably detained in Nebraska. Mr. Eiben was an intelligent man, with a live interest in the affairs not only in the community wherein he resided, but of the world at large. He was an industrious and frugal farmer, who reared his children well, and gave each of them an honorable and respectable start in life. He had many friends who sincerely mourn his death. He fought a good fight and he kept the faith.

Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Gerdes, of Barnston, Nebraska, who came here to attend the funeral of Gerd W. Eiben, will remain several weeks for a visit with their relatives.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Inscription on black Funeral Card with gold lettering)

In Liebender Erinnerung. In Loving Memory.

Lieber Vater, Dear Father,
Gerd W. Eiben, Gerd W. Eiben,
Geb. 10 Jan. 1836 Born 10 Jan. 1836
Gest. 1 Jull, 1911. Died 1 Jul 1911.
Alter 75 Jah. 5 Mon. 21 Tage. Age 75 yrs, 5 mo. 21 days

Gest. Aber Nicht Vergessen. Died, but not forgotten.

Endlich hast Du überwunden Finally you have overcome
Manche schwere, harte Stunden; Many heavy, hard hours;
Manchen Tag und manche Nacht Many a day and night
hast Du in Schmerzen zugebracht. You have spent in pain.
Standhaft hast Du sie ertragen, Steadfastly you have endured it,
Deine Schmerzen, Deine Blagen. Your pain, your troubles,
Bis der Tod Dein Auge drach - Until death catches your eye -
Doch du bist in himmel mach. But you are in heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

District Court Proceedings
Estate G. W. Eiben. Will admitted to probate. Christine Eiben confirmed executrix.

Burial

Bowen's Prairie Cemetery
Jones County
Located west of Cascade on Hwy. 151 about 5 miles

Eiben Gerd W. January 10, 1836 July 1, 1911 Born in Frieden
Eiben Christine August 19, 1843 February 13, 1916
Eiben Bernhard E. October 13, 1875 January 5, 1902

Endnotes

1. "Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990," index, Family Search (https://familysearch.org: accessed 16 November 2014), T. C. Eiben in entry for Gerd Wilnes Eiben, 01 Jul 1911; citing Monticello, Jones, Iowa.

2. Kay Blaas, "Volkszaehlung (Census) 1861 Harlingerland," census lookup: v. beesten and eiben from (), to Ostfriesen list to Nancy Prouty, 30 August 2009.

3. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000), has 1875.

4. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1910 census - 1874.

5. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints., Transcription of the United States Federal Population Census - 1880 (http://www.familysearch.org/ Oct. 2002).

6. 1885 State Census, Iowa, Jones Co. Ln=Line Number Dw=Dwelling number Fm=Family number Tw=Township Rn=Range Se=Section Loc=Location M=Marital status Fa=Father (Native/Foreign) Mo=Mother (Native/Foreign) (transcribed by Don Thomson for Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/85castle.htm 2002).

7. "Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 25 November 2018), Gerd W Eiben, 1888; citing Anamosa, Iowa, NARA microfilm publication M1285 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 48; FHL microfilm 1,432,048..

8. 1895 Iowa State Census. Castle Grove Township PAGES 44-67 + 931 Monticello Township PAGES 463-490 Monticello City PAGES 494-515, PAGES 516-537 Scotch Grove PAGES 753-776 (transcribed by Joanne Wilken http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/census.htm 2002).

9. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000).

10. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1900 > Iowa > JONES > LOVELL TWP Series: T623 Roll: 440 Page: 116.

11. Iowa. District Court (Jones County), , G W Eiben in the Iowa, Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997; "Probate Records, 1844-1965," digital images, Ancestry.com (: accessed 1 May 2020).

12. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1910 > Iowa > JONES > 3-WD MONTICELLO Series: T624 Roll: 409 Page: 135 .

13. "Home news," Monticello (Iowa) Express, 6 July 1911; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 January 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.

14. "District Court Proceedings," Monticello (Iowa) Express, 12 October 1911; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 28 January 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.

15. "Iowa Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990," index, Family Search (https://familysearch.org: accessed 16 November 2014), T. C. Eiben & Etta C Wilnes parents of Gerd Wilnes Eiben, died 1 Jul 1911; citing Monticello, Jones, Iowa.

16. Bowens Prairie Cemetery, Richland Township, Jones Co. Genealogy Society (transcribed by Joanne Wilken) online [http://iowajones.org/cemetery/Bowens.htm], accessed May 2008.

17. Husman, Jon, Family history on the Eibens, Heikens and Husmanns. (Emails Feb 2003).

18. WPA - Work Project Administration 1930's Graves Resgistration Survey, IAGenWeb, IowaWPAGraves.com online [http://iowawpagraves.org/index.php], accessed Oct 2008.