Tombstone Tuesday–Peter Eichler

Peter Eichler, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Peter Eichler, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Peter
Son of A. & B. Eichler
Died Dec. 19, 1900
Aged 31 Y, 5 M, 12 D

Peter Eichler was born 7 Jul 1869 in Madison Township, Butler County, Ohio, the son of Andrew and Barbara (Eichler) Eichler. [1] The church records indicate that Peter had at least 9 siblings.

Peter Eichler was enumerated in his first census the next year after his birth The Andrew Eichler household in 1870 in Butler County: Andrew, 52; Barbara, 45; George, 20; Fred, 18; John, 16; Anna, 14; Levi, 12; Andrew, 11; Jacob, 9; Lawrence, 7; Christian, 4; and Peter, 1. This census reports that the parents were born in Germany and the children in Ohio. Andrew farmed and enumerated next to them was another family that would eventually move to the Chatt area, too–Peter Lotter, 35, his wife Catharine [Eichler], 30, and their son John, 6 months. The Lotters were also from Germany. [2]

The Eichlers moved to Mercer County, Ohio sometime between 1870 and 1880 and were enumerated in Blackcreek Township in 1880: Andrew, 61; Barbara, 55; Andrew, 21; Anna C, 23; Jacob, 19; Laurence, 17; Christopher, 14; and Peter, 10.  Andrew continued to farm in Mercer County. According to the 1880 census, by a special note written on the page, Peter Eichler was sick at age 10 and suffered from what was written as appoplectic fits, which I assume meant that he suffered from epileptic seizures. [3]

Peter Eichler, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

Peter’s father Andrew died 5 September 1894, at the age of 76 years and 3 days. Peter’s mother Barbara died 10 August 1898, at the age of 73 years and 3 months. Andrew and Barbara are buried in row 3 of Zion Chatt’s cemetery.

After the death of his parents Peter was enumerated in one more census, just 6 months before he died.

In 1900 Peter was enumerated with his sister Anna Eichler, 45, and his brother Jacob A. Eichler, 39. They were living together in Blackcreek Township, very possibly the family home on their family’s farm. Peter’s middle initial was given as C in this enumeration. Anna is listed as the head of household. None of the 3 Eichler siblings could read or write and Peter was the only one of the three that could speak English.

Next to them on the census enumeration is their brother Christopher Eichler, 33, wife Agnes, 26, and their son John, 8. It is unclear if Christopher and his family lived with his three siblings. It appears Anna owned the house free and clear but Christopher had a mortgage on the farm, which does not mention a house. [4]

According to Zion Chatt’s records Peter died suddenly on 19 December 1900. The church records do not give the cause of his death and there appears to be no probate death record for Peter.

 

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” FamilySearch.org, Peter Eichler, 7 July 1869; Madison, Butler County Births, Vol. 1, p.84-5; FHL microfilm 355799.

[2] 1870 U.S. census, Madison, Butler, Ohio, p.279A, dwelling 49, family 47, Andrew Igler; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 552676, NARA microfilm M593, roll 1177.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, Ed 179, p.327B, line 8, Andrew Eichler; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1255048, NARA microfilm T9, roll 1048.

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 74, p.11A, dwelling & family 219, Anna Eichler; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1241303, NARA microfilm T623, roll 1303.

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