Peter J. Eggers
Although comparatively a young man and engaged only a few years in the breeding of horses, Peter J. Eggers has gained an enviable reputation and bids fair to become one of the leading horse breeders of the west.
He was born in Jackson county, Iowa, February 25, 1872, a son of Fred and Anna (Dietz) Eggers, both of whom were born in Germany. The father is a farmer and veterinarian, and he and his wife are now living in Denison. He is a member of the Lutheran church, while she gives her allegiance to the Catholic church.
Our subject's grandfather Eggers was a cobbler in Germany and his maternal grandfather, Frank Dietz, was also of German birth and participated in the Revolution in 1848.
There were thirteen children in the family of Fred and Anna Eggers, ten of whom are now living, namely: William, of Denison township; Sophia, wife of William Marr, of Arion, Iowa; Rika, now Mrs. John Brandfas, of Crofton, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of AI Conrad, of Arion; Matilda, the wife of Thomas Ransom of Denison; Emma, now Mrs. Ralph Jackson, of Denison; Peter J., the subject of this review; Albert, of Crofton, Nebraska; John, of Paradise township, this county; and Chris, of Laurel, Nebraska.
Peter J. Eggers came with his parents to Crawford county at the age of six years and grew to manhood in Paradise township, where his father is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He received his preliminary education in the district schools and as a young man gave evidence of industrious and enterprising habits which have since been his prominent characteristics. On starting out in life for himself he had charge of a horse-power threshing machine, which he operated for fourteen years, his patrons being among the most prosperous farmers of the county. He then embarked in the livery business at Denison, with w'hich he was connected for five years. From his youth he has been a lover of horses, and his father being a veterinarian the son gained a knowledge of animals not possessed by the ordinary boy. He knew of the demand for horses of a better grade in this country, and he decided to devote his attention to horse breeding, an industry for which he was well qualified by education and experience. He breeds Percheron and Norman horses and his patronage has grown to such dimensions that in 1909 he imported eleven carefully selected head from Europe.
On the 26th of December, 1896, Mr. Eggers was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sheridan, who was born in Dunlap, Iowa, June 11, 1875, a daughter of James and Bridget Sheridan. The parents were born in Ireland and came to this country when quite young with their respective parents who lived near Dixon, Illinois, later removing to Harrison county, Iowa. The father passed away March 11, 1906, at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother still survives. There were eleven children in their family, two of whom are now living: Mary, the wife of William Coan, of Denison, and Sarah.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eggers: Glen, Vern and Grace, all of whom are living at home.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Eggers are both Catholics. Politically he gives his support to the democratic party. He is a man of large public spirit and for the past five years has served most. acceptably as member of the city council. He has accomplished much good for the farmers of Iowa and the west by importing the finest Percheron and coach horses that can be found and he well deserves the success that has attended his efforts to introduce high grade horses into this country. Personally he is a genial and companionable gentleman and has many friends in Iowa and other states who have been attracted to him by his pleasing qualities.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.