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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
William W. Eby, filling the office of county treasurer, in which position he has served continuously since 1899, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has led to his re-election, was born in Richland county, Ohio, in July, 1842. His parents were Jackson and Barbara Eby, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father's birth occurred in the year 1815 and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in December, 1821. In early life Jackson Eby learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years and in 1832 he left Pennsylvania for Ohio, where in 1837 he purchased a farm. The following year he built a flour and saw mill on that place and was there engaged in the manufacture of lumber and flour in addition to tilling the soil and improving his fields. William W. Eby began his education in the public schools of Richland county, Ohio, but put aside his text-books when quite young, for he was only seventeen years of age when he left the schoolroom in order to enter the military service of his country. He joined the army at the age of eighteen in October, 1861, becoming a member of the boys in blue of Company C, Sixty-fourth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. This was an infantry command and he was on active duty with his company until he was wounded in battle on the 31st of December, 1862. In March, 1863, because of his injuries, he received an honorable discharge. Returning to his home William W. Eby resumed work upon his father's farm and was thus employed until September, 1868. He was an only son and much of the labor of the farm devolved upon him. His early privileges were quite limited, but in later years he has made the most of his opportunities and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons, while through his earnest labor and perseverance he has won a comfortable competence. His training at farm labor was not meager and he early became familiar with the best methods of caring for the fields and cultivating the crops. In November, 1865, he sought and won a companion and helpmate for life's journey, being united in marriage to Catherine T. Richie. He took his bride to the home farm and was engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1868, when because of ill health, caused by his army service, he was forced to abandon that work. Removing to Noble county, Indiana, he there engaged in the lumber business, conducting his yard for thirteen years with excellent success. At length, however, he sold out there and in the spring of 1882 came to Iowa. where he has since made his home. He located in Oskaloosa and worked at the carpenter's trade until January, 1890. In that year he accepted a position in the courthouse, being under Charles V. Hoffmann, who was then county treasurer. He filled a clerical position in the office until 1893. He afterward served for four years under Mitchell Wilson, filling the position from 1894 until 1898. In 1899 he was elected to the office of treasurer and his previous experience as deputy well qualified him for the discharge of the duties of this position. He has been in office continuously since, now serving for the third term, his re-election coming to him in recognition of his ability and loyalty to the trust reposed in him. He is a stalwart republican, having always stanchly supported the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and which has always been the party of reform, progress and improvement. A man of strong domestic tastes, Mr. Eby is devoted to his home and family and finds his greatest delight at his own fireside. When not busy with the duties of his position he may usually be found in his own home. Unto him and his wife has been born but one child, Edith Eby. who., is now the wife of H. E. Runyon. They were married in 1888, are now residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and have three children: Erma, Leta and Iola Runyon. The father is manager of the C. C. Prountry Grocer Company at Des Moines. Mr. Eby maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the post at Oskaloosa, which he joined in the winter of 1883. In 1903 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has for forty years been a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and during thirty years of this time has been one of its office holders, acting for a long period as ruling elder. His life has been honorable and upright, characterized by devotion to public and private duty and as a citizen he is today as loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle-fields of the south.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy