Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1904 — Death of Michael Eger. [ARTICLE]

Death of Michael Eger.

Michael Eger, an o’d and well known and most highly respeoted citizen of Rensselaer died last Saturday, May 21st, 1904, about five o’olock p. m. at the age of 78 years, 9 mouths and 3 day 3. He has been in poor and failing health for a long time, his death finally resulting from an abscess on the lungs. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Aug. 18th, 1825, and came to America in 1848. He first looated in Lafayette, and was married there, 1850, to Louise Mertz, with whom he lived nearly 54 years, who still survives him. So also do the six children born to them: Mary, William H., John, Carrie and Lizzie Eger, all of Rensselaer and Mrs. Emma Maloy, of Lowell.

He came to Rensselaer in 1853, and here has made his home for more than half a century, and during all that time exoept the first year or two, he has lived on the same lots on Van. Rensselaer street where his death oocured. Two of bis sons are among Rensselaer’s leading business men, William H., in the hardware line, and John, in the grocery trade. The latter was the seoond mayor of Rensselaer after it became a oity. Mr. Eger, on locating in Rensselaer, started, .the first furniture store and cabinet shop Rensselaer ever had. Later, for many years, he was a carpenter and house builder.

Tn religion he was raised a Catholio, bat dropped that ohnroh oonneotion many years ago, and never formed any other. He was always, however, a striotly moral and honest man, and never was known to do an unworthy act nor even to utter an abusive word against anyone. The funeral was held Monday, at the residence of his son John, near his own house, Rev. H. L. Kindig, of Trinity M. E. ohuroh, conducting the religious servioes.