Bedford Times-Press

Thursday April 4, 1935 p. 5

William Eggers, 92, Dies Friday, March. 29

William [Joseph] Eggers, 92, a resident of the Valley community southwest of Bedford for the past fifty-three years, died at the home Friday, March 29, after an illness of several months. Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. E. B. Osborne of New Market. Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

He was born in Knox County, Ill., Feb. 8, 1843. On Oct. 6, 1864 he was married to Mary Ann Houser. To them were born 13 children. The wife and six children preceded him in death. The children were Matthew Eggers, Wilson Eggers, Oscar Eggers, Clarence Eggers, Weller Eggers, and Mrs. Lizzie [Nancy Elizabeth] Lafever. The surviving children are David Eggers of Utica, New York; [Andrew] Jackson Eggers, Ogallala, Neb.; Mrs. Amanda Oxley and Mrs. Sarah [Ann] Harris of New Market; Mrs. Christie Collins and Mrs. Emma Melvin of Hopkins; Mrs. Katy Cook of Burns, Wyo.

On Sept. 8, 1921 he was married to Mrs. Mattie A. Gill of Kansas City. By this union three stepchildren were added to the family circle. They are Sammy Gill of Chicago, Bernard Gill of Indianapolis, and Mrs. B. F. Hillebrandt of Kansas City.

Mr. Eggers was a farmer all of his life, residing in Illinois until the year 1881, when he moved to Gentry County, Mo. After spending a year at that place the family moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where he spent more than a half century on the same farm.

Mr. Eggers was said to be a natural born nurseryman. For several years he conducted a nursery business on his farm and many of the surrounding orchards were started by him.

He united with the Primitive Baptist church when he was 15 years old.

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