Edward J. Eicholtz

EDWARD J. EICHOLTZ. - The man who is interested in civic improvement is a friend to the carrier of the dinner pail and votes for the best man regardless of party lines - that man is pretty sure to stand in well with the company he represents and the people among whom he lives. Such a man is Edward J. Eicholtz, who has charge of the yards of the Fort Scott and Memphis Railroad at Rosedale, Kansas.

Mr. Eicholtz was born June 7, 1861, in Frederick county, Maryland, son of Jesse and Malinda (Hahn) Eicholtz, both natives of Frederick county. In 1863, when Edward J. was a small child, his father moved to York county, Pennsylvania, and subsequently went from there to Cumberland county, that state. By trade Jesse Eicholtz was a millwright, and in Cumberland county he operated what was known as the White Hall flour and saw mills. Later he was foreman of a large mill at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to which place he moved in 1876. He died in 1907, at the age of seventy-three years. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious creed was that of the Lutheran church. To him and his wife were given nine children, namely: John, who died in infancy; Sarah, wife of David Rudy, died at the age of twenty-four years; Edward J., the direct subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of David Rudy, of Pennbrook, Pennsylvania; and George W., William J., Charley H., Mary and Ida.

Edward J. Eicholtz received his education in the public schools of Harrisburg, and on leaving school entered the employ of the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Company, with which he remained for a period of ten years. In 1887 he came west to Kansas City, Missouri, and went to work for the Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, with which he is still connected, having been transferred to Rosedale and placed in charge of the company's yards at this point.

Mr. Eicholtz has fraternal affiliation with a number of leading organizations, including the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America. His popularity with the railroad people with whom he is associated, and with the citizens of the town in general has been such as to gain for him official favor. Twice, in 1908 and again in 1909, he has been elected chief executive of the town, and as showing his influence and work as mayor it may be stated, without fear of dispute, that Rosedale has enjoyed greater prosperity in the past three years than in the fifteen years prior to this time.

On December 13, 1888, Mr. Eicholtz married Miss Carrie Miller, a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and they have an only child, Mrs. Carrie B. Dye, of Nowata, Oklahoma, whose husband is in the real estate business at that place. Mrs. Eicholtz's father is still living, at this writing being engaged in farming near Kansas City, Missouri.