Biography of Samuel M. Eby

Among the leading citizens of the vicinity of Nez Perce, we are constrained to mention the well known and capable gentleman whose name initiates this article. Mr. Eby is one of the shrewdest and most successful business men of the County. He is the owner of much land grouped around the town and his keen foresight, executive ability and fine management have placed him among the heaviest property owners and leaders here.

Samuel M. Eby was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on March 3, 1841, being the son of Christian and Diana (Murray) Eby, natives of Maryland. The father descended from the Pennsylvania” Dutch, was born in 1808, and died in 1891. The mother is of English extraction, was born January 9, 1814, was married March 3. 1836, and died in 1900. Her father was a farmer and merchant. Our subject was reared and educated in his native place and after school days were past he taught for two years and then farmed. Later, we see him in Indiana and seven years were spent in successful farming. Then a move was made back to Ohio, and then he came to Missouri, where his business ability led him to acquire large tracts of land which he still owns, and which is operated by his son. Then Mr. Eby made one of the unfortunate moves of his life, a trip to Florida, where he lost about seven thousand dollars, but he still owns part of the real estate there and may yet make a winner out of it. Thence Mr. Eby went to the Rogue River country, Oregon, and after a short time came to the reservation and bought land in the vicinity of Nez Perce. To the management of these estates and the care of his other business, Mr. Eby devotes himself now. He has two brothers and three sisters, Joseph W, a farmer in Ohio; John, a farmer in Tennessee; Agnes, wife of Samuel Wampler in Dayton, Ohio; Rebecca, widow of Levi Ikenberry, in Camden, Ohio; Jane, wife of A. C. Prugh, at Camden, Ohio.

Mr. Eby married Miss Nancy J. Collett, on April 17, 1866, in Miami County, Indiana. She was born in the same county; on November 13, 1843 and died at Warrensburg, Missouri, July 14, 1885, leaving the following children, Agnes, wife of John Snyder, a farmer in Maryland; Edward M., a stockman and who looks after his father’s property in Missouri; Laura D., with parents. On September 12, 1886 at Warrensburg, Missouri. Mr. Eby married Miss Minnie E., daughter of Peter S., and Sarah A. (Miller) Garman. She was born in Elkhart, Indiana, and her father was a preacher in the German Baptist Church. To this second marriage there have been born five children- George, Vernice, Hazel, Delfa and Isabel.

Mr. Eby is a preacher in the German Baptist Church, to which he and his wife belong; he is an ardent worker and supporter of the faith, being a man of great influence and filling the position of leader in a faithful and efficient manner.

Back to: Nez Perce Biographies

Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

1 thought on “Biography of Samuel M. Eby”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll to Top