From "Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana," 1903, pp. 187-189.

DAVID EICHHORN.

For a number of years a representative farmer of Lancaster township, where he still has valuable possessions, but of late connected with the industrial interests of Bluffton, the subject of this sketch is entitled to much more than passing notice in the biographical review of Wells county's progressive men. As may be inferred from the name. Mr. Eichhorn is of German lineage. His father, Philip EICHHORN, was born in the Fatherland, and when a youth came to the United States, the family settling in Crawford county, Ohio. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Hassler, was also of German birth and her arrival in America was contemporary with that of her future husband. After their marriage the parents settled on a farm in Crawford county, and continued to reside there until the year 1864, when they moved to Wells County, Indiana, locating in Rock Creek township, where Philip EICHHORN became the owner of a large and valuable tract of land, numbering about eight hundred acres. He was a man of great energy and thrift, provided liberally for his family and at his death, which occurred not long after his arrival left a large estate much of which is still in possession of his descendants. The property was divided among the children, viz: Frederick, William, John, Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, David, Margaret and Philip.

David EICHHORN, whose name introduces this article, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 11, 1852. When about eleven years old he was brought to Indiana and from that time to the present his life has been very closely interwoven with the growth and development of Wells County. Blessed with excellent parentage and reared according to the democracy of the farm, he early developed strength of character and definiteness of purpose, which served well as a foundation for the successful career which he has since led as an enterprising farmer and business man and intelligent, broad minded member of the body politic. The public schools afforded him the means of a fair education, but by far the greater part of his knowledge is of that practical kind obtained by coming in contact with the world in the stern school of experience. Until twenty-one years of age Mr. Eichhorn remained on the farm with his mother, whose interests he looked after as became a true and faithful son. On attaining his majority he began working for himself and four years later was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Griffin, the ceremony being solemnized on the 6th day of August, 1876. Mrs. Eichhorn was born in Wells County, her parents having been among the early and well known pioneers of this part of the state.

Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Eichhorn moved to a quarter section of land in the county of Wells, which he still owns and on which he lived and prospered until October, 1901, when he turned the place over to the hands of others and moved to Bluffton, with the object in view of spending the remainder of his life in retirement. Mr. Eichhorn's career as an agriculturist was fortunate in every respect, as is attested by the ample competence acquired during the years of his active labor. He became one of the leading farmers of the county, also took high rank as a business man, while his standing as a citizen was second to that of no other man in the township of his residence. Shortly after moving to Bluffton he became associated with N. E. Stafford and G. A. Harnish in the manufacture of flour, the partnership thus constituted being still in existence. This firm has completely rebuilt and remodeled the Wabash River Mill, furnished it with machinery for the manufacture of flour by the latest improved process and under the personal supervision of Mr. Stafford, a practical miller of many years' experience, the enterprise has become one of the city's most important industries. Mr. Eichhorn has long been interested in the progress of his adopted county, and his attitude towards all movements having for their object its material advancement has been that of a wide awake, enterprising and thoroughly public spirited man. He has served his township in various official capacities, but has never been an office seeker, although for many years one of the leading Democrats of his part of the county. Believing the principles of Democracy to be for the best interests of the people, and having an abiding faith in the dignity of the party's mission, he has been active in supporting same, devoting much of his time to the cause in local, state and national contests. For some time he was a member of the township council and for a period of four years served as assessor, discharging the duties of both positions in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to the public.

Mr. Eichhorn holds fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge at Uniondale, which he has served in important official positions, besides representing it in the grand lodge of Indiana. He is an earnest believer in revealed religion, and, like all true disciples, makes his daily life correspond with his profession. Reared according to the strict teachings of the German Reformed church, his early religious instructions had a potent power in shaping his conduct, as is evident from the correct deportment and symmetrically developed Christian character which has been manifest in all his relations with his fellow men. He has held office of deacon in the local church with which he is identified, his family also belonging to the German Reformed communion.

Mr. and Mrs. Eichhorn are the parents of six children, whose names are as follows: Ira T., born September 27, 1877, is unmarried and still a member of the home circle; Stella P., born June 18, 1880, is the wife of John H. Lesh; Orville D., whose birth occurred on the 27th of May, 1882, has never left the parental roof; Elva M., wife of T. P. Paxson, was born August 31, 1885; Floa L. was born November 29, 1891, and Celia on the 27th day of October, 1893. Mr. Eichhorn is peculiarly blessed in his household and has so deported himself as to be a worthy example to his children. His life forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished by concentration of purpose and indomitable perseverance, directed and controlled by correct moral and religious principles. He is a fine representative of successful manhood, and possesses a character marked by integrity, true benevolence and a high sense of personal honor.