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Edward Eitel

This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, bright sunshine and refreshing rains and, applying his own hands to nature's gifts he produces the necessaries of life. The commercial world has come to recognize his importance and has surrounded him with many conveniences not thought of one hundred years ago. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of the aids thus offered. Among the up-to-date farmers of Fayette County is Edward EITEL, who operates a highly improved farm in Center township, and who is entitled to be numbered among the progressive and enterprising farmers of the community.

Mr. Eitel was born in Green county, Wisconsin, on October 15, 1859, and is a son of John G. and Lena (FISHER) Eitel, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. They came to America in 1849, settling in the state of Vermont. Two years later they removed to Green county, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. His wife died in 1887. Of the seven children born to them, six are living. Politically, John G. Eitel was a Republican, though not an office seeker, while in religion he was a member of the Lutheran church, his wife being a Catholic.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, with the work of which he became familiar at an early age. He is indebted to the common schools for his educational training, which has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by observation and experience of a practical nature. In 1887 Mr. Eitel came to Fayette county, Iowa, and rented a farm in Windsor township, to the cultivation of which he applied himself for three years. At the end of that period, in 1890, he bought the splendid farm in Center township which he now owns. This farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres, is up to date in every respect, and Mr. Eitel has made a number of permanent and substantial improvements, having built an attractive, well-arranged and comfortable residence, commodious barn and other necessary outbuildings, all of which bespeak him as a man of sound ideas and practical methods. In addition to carrying on general farming operations, Mr. Eitel has met with much success as a dairyman and as a breeder and raiser of of Holstein cattle. He has been a hard working man and to his own personal efforts is attributable the success which he has enjoyed.

Politically, Mr. Eitel gives an earnest support to the Republican party and has rendered efficient service as a trustee of his township. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Mystic Workers.

On January 25, 1885, Mr. Eitel was united in marriage to Rosa ZELMER, who was born in Green county, Wisconsin, on January 14, 1863, the daughter of William and Sophia (BECKMAN) ZELMER. These parents, who were natives of Germany, came to America, locating in Green county, Wisconsin, in an early day, and there the mother died in 1901. Mr. Zelmer, who was farmer of vocation, is now retired and is living in Monroe, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Eitel have become the parents of one son, Arthur Lewis, who was born on January 30, 1888, in this county. The latter received a good common school education, which he supplemented by two years' attendance in Upper Iowa University, and he is now at home assisting in the operation of the farm. He is a Young man of fine personal qualities and is well-liked by all who know him. Mr. Eitel is known as a man of industry, honesty and loyalty to right principles, and because of his estimable personal qualities he enjoys an enviable standing in the community."