Individual Details
Willhelm Heinrich "William Henry, Will" Eiben
(14 May 1877 - 14 Oct 1949)
The Beatrice Daily Express (Beatrice, Nebraska) 02 Jan 1915, Sat ·Page 1
Eiben Bound Over to District Court
Farmer Charged with Shooting John M. Trauernicht with Intent to Kill, Has His Preliminary Hearing
The preliminary hearing of William Eiben charged with shooting John M. Trauernicht with intent to kill, was held this morning in justice court before Judge Ellis. At the conclusion of the hearing Eiben was bound over to the district court without bail.
The offense with which Eiben stands charged occurred at the home of the defendant about six miles southwest of Wymore on the evening of November 29.
Trauernicht drove from his own home, a short distance from the farm occupied by Eiben, about 6 o'clock on the evening in question, to the home of Eiben, for the purpose of accompanying Miss Maggie Gerdes to her home a few miles southwest of Barneston. Upon his arrival at the Eiben farm he was met by Eiben who told him to leave the place. Upon attempting to leave his buggy, Trauernicht was shot at three times by Eiben, two of the bullets piercing the young man's body.
Six witnesses were examined at the preliminary hearing held this morning. Henry Zimmerman, residing in Barneston township, not far from the Eiben place, stated that Eiben called at his home on the night of the shooting and stated that he had had trouble with young Trauernicht and had shot him, firing three times at the young man. He also stated that he had tried to kill himself, both by hanging and by shooting. He requested Zimmerman to drive him to Beatrice where he could give himself up to the sheriff, as he was afraid he might be mobbed at Barnston. Asked why he had shot Trauernicht, Eiben told Zimmerman that Trauernicht was getting too thick with his wife and that neighors had made remarks to him about the reported friendship of his wife and Trauernicht and had told him he was foolish for permitting it to go on. He told Zimmerman he just couldn't stand it any longer and had shot Trauernicht.
Zimmerman testified that he and his brother George, together with a neighbor, Christ Hartwig, had taken Eiben to Wymore in an automobile, accompanying Eiben to the office of Dr. C. C. Gafford, where his injuries were dressed, and where he was held until Sheriff Schiek's arrival.
Dr. Gafford testified to dressing Eiben's wound, and George Zimmerman and Christ Hartwig testified to assisting in taking Eiben to Wymore. Eiben had told him that he had shot Trauernicht because the young man was becoming too friendly with his wife.
Menna Trauernicht, a brother of John M. Trauernicht, who is the complaining witness in the case, testified that his brother and two sisters had returned from a visit with relatives in Kansas about five o'clock on the afternoon of November 29, the former leaving soon after for the Eiben home where he went after Miss Maggie Gerdes, with whom he kept company. He was not with his brother when the shooting occurred but had assisted in taking his brother from the buggy soon after he had been shot.
No testimony was offered on behalf of the defendant. No bail was asked and the defendant was remanded to the county jail to await his hearing in district court.
County Attorney Jean Cobbey appeared for the state at the hearing, while Fred Messmore, county attorney-elect, was also present and took notes of the evidence, Chas. L. Brewster, appeared as attorney for Eiben.
The condition of young Trauernicht is reported as improving by members of the family who were present at the hearing this morning, and it is expected that he will be able to be around in the near future.
The Beatrice Daily Express (Beatrice, Nebraska) 11 Nov 1916, Sat ·Page 1
Parole Assailant of J. M. Trauernicht
William H. Eiben Paroled by State Board To Brother In Iowa---Local Officials Were Not Notified
William H. Eiben, a farmer of the southern part of the county who was sentenced to the state penitentiary for a term of from one to twenty years, having pleaded guilty in district court - to a charge of attempted murder, has been paroled by the state board of pardons to his brother who resides in Iowa.
The news of the action of the board, which occurred some two months ago, did not reach County Attorney Fred Messmore nor Sheriff Frank Acton until several weeks after Eiben had been released, the board of pardons not taking the trouble to notify the Gage county officials of its proposed action in the matter.
It was recently stated by members of the board that Eiben's health was failing in confinement, that he had contracted tuberculosis, and that the board did not want to have him die in the penitentiary.
Eiben pleaded guilty in district court to a charge of shooting John M. Trauernicht, a young farmer resided south of Wymore, with intent to kill. The trouble occurred Sunday evening, November 29, 1915 when Trauernicht called at the home of Eiben after a young lady with whom he was keeping company, and whom he was to escort to her home. Trauernicht was orderd from the place by Eiben, but before he had opportunity to leave, was shot by Eiben. The young man for several weeks finally recovering hovering between life and death.
Eiben was arraigned before Judge Ellis in justice court and was bound over to the district court. He entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to the penitentiary.
Some months after he was taken to the penitentiary, his wife filed suit for divorce against him, securing a decree.
Young Trauernicht and the young lady whom he had called for at the Eiben home, were married some months ago and are living in the vicinity of Wymore.
The news of the paroling of Eiben created considerable talk among neighbors of young Trauernicht, and the board of pardons has come in for some severe criticism as a result of their action.
Monticello Express September 5, 1940
Eiben Reunion At City Park Sunday
Seventy-five people attended the third annual Eiben reunion which was held at the city park, Monticello, Sept. 1. The committee in charge were Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eiben. Those who attended included: Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Eiben, Wymore, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Velmer Morris and son, Donald, Beatrice, Neb.; Edwin Eiben, Omaha, Neb.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Eiben, Jr., and family, Mr. and Mrs. Garret Eiben and daughter Margaret Ann, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Baker and daughter Vianana, Springville; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eiben and family, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Egger and family, Hopkinton. Will Eiben, Sr., Prairieburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schmidt and family, Manchester; Ernest Heiken and daughter Ramona, Coggon; Mr. and Mrs. John Eiben and daughter Ada, Anamosa; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cords, Elkader.
Mr. and Mrs. Eibo Eiben and son Carl, Mr. and Mrs. John Heiken, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heiken, Emma and Irene Heiken, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Eiben and family, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Husman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Heiken, Alva Stadtmueller and daughter Rose, Albert Iben, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt and daughter Bernice, Mr. and Mrs. George Eiben, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hinrichs, Dorothy, Raymond and Paul Hinrichs, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eiben, all of Monticello.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heiken were named committee in charge for the 1941 reunion. If all could have attended there would have been 146 direct descendants of the late Gerd and Christine Eiben family present.
(Monticello Express, March 5, 1903)
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Eiben of Bowen's Prairie have been visiting with their relatives here. They expect to move to Fayette in a few days.
Living in Wymore, Nebraska in 1916.
Wilhelm Heinrick Eiben, (outcasted by his family) father of John Edwin Eiben (father of my grandmother Jeanette Gertrude Eiben) - posted by Naomi McFarlarnd
Eiben Bound Over to District Court
Farmer Charged with Shooting John M. Trauernicht with Intent to Kill, Has His Preliminary Hearing
The preliminary hearing of William Eiben charged with shooting John M. Trauernicht with intent to kill, was held this morning in justice court before Judge Ellis. At the conclusion of the hearing Eiben was bound over to the district court without bail.
The offense with which Eiben stands charged occurred at the home of the defendant about six miles southwest of Wymore on the evening of November 29.
Trauernicht drove from his own home, a short distance from the farm occupied by Eiben, about 6 o'clock on the evening in question, to the home of Eiben, for the purpose of accompanying Miss Maggie Gerdes to her home a few miles southwest of Barneston. Upon his arrival at the Eiben farm he was met by Eiben who told him to leave the place. Upon attempting to leave his buggy, Trauernicht was shot at three times by Eiben, two of the bullets piercing the young man's body.
Six witnesses were examined at the preliminary hearing held this morning. Henry Zimmerman, residing in Barneston township, not far from the Eiben place, stated that Eiben called at his home on the night of the shooting and stated that he had had trouble with young Trauernicht and had shot him, firing three times at the young man. He also stated that he had tried to kill himself, both by hanging and by shooting. He requested Zimmerman to drive him to Beatrice where he could give himself up to the sheriff, as he was afraid he might be mobbed at Barnston. Asked why he had shot Trauernicht, Eiben told Zimmerman that Trauernicht was getting too thick with his wife and that neighors had made remarks to him about the reported friendship of his wife and Trauernicht and had told him he was foolish for permitting it to go on. He told Zimmerman he just couldn't stand it any longer and had shot Trauernicht.
Zimmerman testified that he and his brother George, together with a neighbor, Christ Hartwig, had taken Eiben to Wymore in an automobile, accompanying Eiben to the office of Dr. C. C. Gafford, where his injuries were dressed, and where he was held until Sheriff Schiek's arrival.
Dr. Gafford testified to dressing Eiben's wound, and George Zimmerman and Christ Hartwig testified to assisting in taking Eiben to Wymore. Eiben had told him that he had shot Trauernicht because the young man was becoming too friendly with his wife.
Menna Trauernicht, a brother of John M. Trauernicht, who is the complaining witness in the case, testified that his brother and two sisters had returned from a visit with relatives in Kansas about five o'clock on the afternoon of November 29, the former leaving soon after for the Eiben home where he went after Miss Maggie Gerdes, with whom he kept company. He was not with his brother when the shooting occurred but had assisted in taking his brother from the buggy soon after he had been shot.
No testimony was offered on behalf of the defendant. No bail was asked and the defendant was remanded to the county jail to await his hearing in district court.
County Attorney Jean Cobbey appeared for the state at the hearing, while Fred Messmore, county attorney-elect, was also present and took notes of the evidence, Chas. L. Brewster, appeared as attorney for Eiben.
The condition of young Trauernicht is reported as improving by members of the family who were present at the hearing this morning, and it is expected that he will be able to be around in the near future.
The Beatrice Daily Express (Beatrice, Nebraska) 11 Nov 1916, Sat ·Page 1
Parole Assailant of J. M. Trauernicht
William H. Eiben Paroled by State Board To Brother In Iowa---Local Officials Were Not Notified
William H. Eiben, a farmer of the southern part of the county who was sentenced to the state penitentiary for a term of from one to twenty years, having pleaded guilty in district court - to a charge of attempted murder, has been paroled by the state board of pardons to his brother who resides in Iowa.
The news of the action of the board, which occurred some two months ago, did not reach County Attorney Fred Messmore nor Sheriff Frank Acton until several weeks after Eiben had been released, the board of pardons not taking the trouble to notify the Gage county officials of its proposed action in the matter.
It was recently stated by members of the board that Eiben's health was failing in confinement, that he had contracted tuberculosis, and that the board did not want to have him die in the penitentiary.
Eiben pleaded guilty in district court to a charge of shooting John M. Trauernicht, a young farmer resided south of Wymore, with intent to kill. The trouble occurred Sunday evening, November 29, 1915 when Trauernicht called at the home of Eiben after a young lady with whom he was keeping company, and whom he was to escort to her home. Trauernicht was orderd from the place by Eiben, but before he had opportunity to leave, was shot by Eiben. The young man for several weeks finally recovering hovering between life and death.
Eiben was arraigned before Judge Ellis in justice court and was bound over to the district court. He entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to the penitentiary.
Some months after he was taken to the penitentiary, his wife filed suit for divorce against him, securing a decree.
Young Trauernicht and the young lady whom he had called for at the Eiben home, were married some months ago and are living in the vicinity of Wymore.
The news of the paroling of Eiben created considerable talk among neighbors of young Trauernicht, and the board of pardons has come in for some severe criticism as a result of their action.
Monticello Express September 5, 1940
Eiben Reunion At City Park Sunday
Seventy-five people attended the third annual Eiben reunion which was held at the city park, Monticello, Sept. 1. The committee in charge were Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eiben. Those who attended included: Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Eiben, Wymore, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Velmer Morris and son, Donald, Beatrice, Neb.; Edwin Eiben, Omaha, Neb.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Eiben, Jr., and family, Mr. and Mrs. Garret Eiben and daughter Margaret Ann, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Baker and daughter Vianana, Springville; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eiben and family, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Egger and family, Hopkinton. Will Eiben, Sr., Prairieburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schmidt and family, Manchester; Ernest Heiken and daughter Ramona, Coggon; Mr. and Mrs. John Eiben and daughter Ada, Anamosa; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cords, Elkader.
Mr. and Mrs. Eibo Eiben and son Carl, Mr. and Mrs. John Heiken, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heiken, Emma and Irene Heiken, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Eiben and family, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Husman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Heiken, Alva Stadtmueller and daughter Rose, Albert Iben, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmidt and daughter Bernice, Mr. and Mrs. George Eiben, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hinrichs, Dorothy, Raymond and Paul Hinrichs, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Eiben, all of Monticello.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heiken were named committee in charge for the 1941 reunion. If all could have attended there would have been 146 direct descendants of the late Gerd and Christine Eiben family present.
(Monticello Express, March 5, 1903)
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Eiben of Bowen's Prairie have been visiting with their relatives here. They expect to move to Fayette in a few days.
Living in Wymore, Nebraska in 1916.
Wilhelm Heinrick Eiben, (outcasted by his family) father of John Edwin Eiben (father of my grandmother Jeanette Gertrude Eiben) - posted by Naomi McFarlarnd
Events
| Birth | 14 May 1877 | Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States |  | ||
| Baptism | 1 Jul 1877 | Wayne Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States | | ||
| Confirmation | 1893 | St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wayne Township, Jones, Iowa, United States | | ||
| Marriage | 4 Feb 1903 | Dixon, Nebraska, United States - Henrietta "Yetta" Lubben | | ||
| Census (family) | 1910 | Blue Springs, Gage, Nebraska, United States - Henrietta "Yetta" Lubben |  | ||
| Divorce | 1915 | Henrietta "Yetta" Lubben | | | |
| Marriage | 6 Nov 1917 | Buffalo Township, Linn, Iowa, United States - Grace E Alma Palmer | | | |
| Military | 13 Sep 1918 | WWI Draft Registration - Linn, Iowa, United States | | ||
| Census (family) | 21 Jan 1920 | 1 Ward, Marion Township, Linn, Iowa, United States - Grace E Alma Palmer | | | |
| Census (family) | 1940 | Boulder Township, Prairieburg, Linn, Iowa, United States - Grace E Alma Palmer | | ||
| Military | 21 Apr 1942 | Praireburg, Linn, Iowa, United States | | ||
| Burial | 1949 | Prairieburg-Boulder Cemetery, Prairieburg, Linn, Iowa, United States | |||
| Death | 14 Oct 1949 | Iowa, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Henrietta "Yetta" Lubben (1884 - 1976) |
| Child | Fred William Eiben (1904 - 1987) |
| Child | John Edward "Edwin" Eiben (1904 - 1984) |
| Child | Henry B Eiben (1906 - 1992) |
| Spouse | Grace E Alma Palmer (1886 - 1977) |
| Father | Gerhard Wilhelm "Gerd" Eiben (1843 - 1911) |
| Mother | Christina von Beeston (1843 - 1916) |
| Sibling | Toenjes Cornelius E. Eiben (1866 - 1951) |
| Sibling | Tjack Eiben (1868 - 1870) |
| Sibling | Gerhard Wilms Eiben (1870 - 1873) |
| Sibling | Eibo Frederick Eiben (1872 - 1951) |
| Sibling | Tjarke Lena Gerhardina Eiben (1874 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Bernhard Eduard "Benjamin, Ben" Eiben (1875 - 1902) |
| Sibling | Christoph Gerhard "Chris" Eiben (1878 - 1949) |
| Sibling | Elise Katharina Margareta "Eliza, Elizabeth, Lizzie" Eiben (1880 - 1959) |
| Sibling | Maria Johanna "Mary Hannah" Eiben (1881 - 1966) |
| Sibling | Johann Heinrich "John Henry, Hank" Eiben (1883 - 1968) |
| Sibling | Mathilda Katharina "Matilda, Tillie" Eiben (1884 - 1976) |
| Sibling | Gottlieb Johannes "John G." Eiben (1885 - 1964) |
| Sibling | Wilhelmine Christine "Minnie" Eiben (1886 - 1945) |
Notes
Census (family)
William H Eiben Head M 32 IowaHenrietta M Eiben Wife F 26 Germany
William Eiben Son M 6 Iowa
Edwin Eiben Son M 6 Iowa
Henry Eiben Son M 3 Nebraska
Divorce
The Beatrice Daily Express (Beatrice, Nebraska) 18 Dec 1915, Sat ·Page 1Mrs. Eiben Begins Suit for Divorce
Wife of Man Serving Term in Penitentiary on Charge of Attempted Murder Seeks Separation---Charges Jealousy
Suit for a divorce was instituted in the district court this morning by Henrietta M. Eiben, the defendant being at the present time a prisoner in the Nebraska penitentiary, where he is serving out a sentence for attempted murder.
The plaintiff in her petition states that she was married to Eiben at Martinsburg, Neb., February 4, 1903, and that the couple have lived in Gage county for the past nine years. They have three sons, twins aged eleven years and one son nine years of age.
Mrs. Eiben charges her husband with extreme cruelty and jealousy, alleging that he has upon various occasions made false accusations against her, that he has frequently threatened her life, and that as a result of his jealousy and violent temper, he shot a neighbor in her presence wholly without cause or provocation. She also alleged that she is in fear not only for her own life, but also the lives of her children.
She asks for a divorce from Eiben and the custody of the children. F. E. Crawford of Wymore appears as the attorney for the plaintiff.
Eiben is at present serving a sentence of from one to five years in the penitentiary, having pleaded guilty to an attempt to commit murder on the person of Tom Trauernicht, a resident of the Wymore vicinity, the offense occurring on the night of November 29, 1914, when Trauernicht called at the Eiben home for the purpose of escorting a lady friend to her home.
Eiben, it appeared, was jealous of Trauernicht, who resided not a great distance from the Eiben home, and when he found Trauernicht at his place ordered him from the farm. Before he had an opportunity to leave he was shot by the infuriated farmer. Trauernicht was confined to his home for weeks hovering between life and death, finally recovering.
Eiben was arraigned on a charge of attempted murder, pleading guilty, and being sentenced to the penitentiary, where he is now confined.
Marriage
William Henry Eiben to Grace BrinkMilitary
Farmer, R#3 Central City, Linn, IowaNearest relative - Grace Alma Eiben
Height - Tall, Build - Medium, Light brown eyes, brown hair
Census (family)
?Plains Lerry Road289, 290 Eiben, Wm. H., Head, Rent, MW, 43, M, Iowa, don't know, don't know, Cooper packing house,
Grace Alena, Wife, FW, 35, M, Iowa, Iowa, Iowa
Census (family)
20 West Main, own $800Head Mary Palmer F 77 Iowa, widowed, 8th grade
Son-in-law Wm Eiben M 63 Iowa, married, 8th grade
Daughter Grace Eiben F 53 Iowa, married, 8th grade
Residence in 1935: all in Same House
Military
Name: William H EibenGender: Male
Residence Age: 64
Birth Date: May 1876
Birth Place: Monticello
Residence Date: 1942
Residence Place: Prairieburg, Iowa, USA
Relationship to Draftee: Head
Military Draft Date: 1942
Height: 5 5
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Black
Weight: 145
Complexion: Light Brown
Endnotes
1. 1900 Federal Census, Iowa, Jones Co. (read by Nancy Prouty, Nov. 24, 2000).
2. Husman, Jon, Family history on the Eibens, Heikens and Husmanns. (Emails Feb 2003).
3. , Seventy-fifth anniversary of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation 1872-1947. (Wayne Township, Jones Co. Monticello, Iowa.:, 1947), p. 23.
4. , Seventy-fifth anniversary of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation 1872-1947. (Wayne Township, Jones Co. Monticello, Iowa.:, 1947), p. 23.
5. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Sand Hill/Monticello , Jones Co., Iowa GenWeb online [http://iowajones.org/churches/LuthStJohns.htm], accessed 2002 -2008.
6. Husman, Jon, Family history on the Eibens, Heikens and Husmanns. (Emails Feb 2003).
7. "Nebraska, Marriages, 1855-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 13 October 2012), Wm. H. Eiben and Yetta Luben, 04 Feb 1903..
8. Ramona (Heiken) Mayer, compiler, Heiken and related families (Iowa:, bet 1985 and 1992).
9. Husman, Jon, Family history on the Eibens, Heikens and Husmanns. (Emails Feb 2003).
10. "Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, Family Search (https://familysearch.org: accessed 3 April 2014), William Henry Eiben and Grace Brink, 06 Nov 1917; citing Buffalo, Linn, Iowa.
11. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1920 > IOWA > LINN > 1-WD; MARION Series: T625 Roll: 499 Page: 224.
12. SS Peter & Paul Lutheran Church Centennial Book. 100th Anniversary 1879-1979. (Monticello, Iowa: Church Committee. 1979.), p. 46.