Obit: Eilert, Ernest (1845 - 1902)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: EILERT LISTEMAN HUNTZICKER MEADER

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 08/21/1902

Eilert, Ernest (1845 - 10 Augl 1902)

Yesterday morning, Aug. 10, 1902, at 5:15 o'clock, Ernest Eilert, head and front of the Fresno Brewing Co., expired suddenly. Those of his relatives who are here were overcome by the shock, and fail as yet to realize the loss.

Mr. Eilert, over 6-foot tall, weighing 215 pounds, with the flush of health on his countenance, was the last man of whom such sudden demise could have been expected. Up to last Friday he appeared to be in the best of health, not complaining and living with that cheerfulness and good nature which comes from the consciousness of having accomplished something.

Two days ago he partook freely of watermelon, bring on a slight attack of cholera morbus. For some time he had been subject to heart disease and it is believed that, simultaneously with the cholera morbus, he suffered an attack of rheumatism which affected the heart and caused death. He had recently a severe attack of rheumatism.

Ernest Eilert was born in Germany, 57 years ago and came to America when a young man, engaging in the pursuit of a farmer. It was 31 years ago that he started him first brewery in Humbird, Clark County, Wis., where he remained in business for 14 years. He then moved to Neillsville, Wis., where he conducted a brewery up to 3 years ago, when he came to Fresno and stated a hitherto new industry in this county, suing the capital and that of his relatives in the stating of the venture which has proved a success.

The brewery here is said to be unsurpassed in the excellence of its machinery and the perfection of its equipment. It is a new enterprise and it was the intention to materially increase and improve it. The present temporary residence of the family was to be turned into a bottling (some of obit was cut)

Most of the relatives of the dead man are in the east, the wife being on a visit there with Mrs. ? and Mrs. Listeman, who had recently visited their father from Wisconsin. A younger daughter, Leda, and Mrs. Huntzicker are also in the east. The only ones present here are the sons, William and Louis. Both are overcome by the suddenness of the sad occurrence, and William when seen at Stephen & Bean's undertaking parlors, requested not to made to talk about his father. He had considerable business to attend to and knew that once he began to discuss the matter he would be incapacitated for the remainder of the day.

In life, Mr. Eilert was remarkable young looking for his age and he and his older son, William, 32 years of age, were frequently taken for brothers. In fact the young man's hair was more plentifully sprinkled with gray than that of his father. Ernest Eilert was a capable business man and made many friends by his good nature and the dry humor which was forever coming to the surface. He had charge of the outside business of the concern, his son William being the practical brewer, while Fred Huntzicker, his son-in-law, had charge of the books. For the present no material change will be made in the business.

The community has lost in him one of its most energetic and progressive business men.

Later, a message from the distant relatives was received and the body will be shipped east tonight for burial in Wisconsin. (Fresno Evening Democrat)

Mr. Eilert's remains arrived here Saturday morning with his son William and wife and son Louis. The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at the residence of Kurt Listeman, Rev. T. Grafton Owen officiating. A large concourse of old friends and neighbors of the deceased assemble to pay final respects, for Mr. Eilert had many friends here and not a single enemy. Sympathy for the bereaved family is expressed on every hand.

Responses

I just got a 1906 obituary for Ignatz Gondrezick, the old German brewer from Tomah. It mentions the Humbird brewery. Ignatz was born in Prussia, immigrated in 1863 and lived in Watertown and married in 1867. It then
reads: "From there they moved to Humbird, Wis., where Mr. Gondrezick started a brewery in 1871. After
two years he sold out to his partner and came to Tomah where he engaged in the brewing business until about eighteen years ago (1888) when he closed the brewery and went into the ice business, which he continued until the time of his death (1906)."

Searching your amazing webbsite, I found a mention of the brewery in the 1881 History of Clark County. It says the brewery was started by Andrews & Gunderson in 1870 and sold to Enos Eilbert in 1872. That history book May be like the 1880 History of Sauk County, the dates are a tad off and the names are badly misspelled. Gunderson May be Gondrezick.

The obituary for Ernest Eilbert states that Ernest started the Humbird brewery in 1871 and brewed beer up until 1885, when he moved to Neillsville, where he owned the brewery there. There is no mention of a
partner. Ernest then moved to Fresno CA in 1899 where he established quite a famous brewery there.

The May 1874 Clark County newspaper story says "Mr. Eilert, who has bought the brewery on Neillsville, is soon moving here (Neillsville). He will convert his Humbird brewery into a malt house (barley sprouting and toasting) and will manufacture beer here on a large scale." Could this be a 1884 story and not 1874?

There seems to be conflicting information, which I run into all the time. That's why I track these crazy Germans,
to try and set the record straight. Has anybody done any research into the Humbird brewery? Thank you, Rick