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DR. HENRY
EVERSMAN, senior partner and cashier of the private banking house Eversman, Wood it Engbring, of Effingham, Ill.,
is a native of Hanover, Germany. He was born in the town of Iburg on the 23d of February, 1837. His parents were
Dr. Francis F. and Charlotte (Fieren) Eversman, who were also natives of Hanover. His father was born in Alfhausen,
in September, 1808, and his mother in Osnabruck in 1818, but both are now deceased. They had a family of three
children, who lived to mature years, of whom our subject is the eldest. John C., the second in order of birth,
is a retired merchant of Effingham, where with his family he resides. Charles, the youngest, married Miss Catherine
Busse and is a druggist of Teutopolis, Effingham County.
The
father emigrated to America in 1835 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the drug business. He was
there employed for a few years as druggist of the Cincinnati City Hospital. He also studied medicine with the intention
of practicing that profession and was graduated from the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, in the Class of '45.
In the meantime Mr. Eversman, in 1836, had returned to the land of his birth, but after a short visit with his
family again crossed the broad Atlantic to America. In 1845 the father of Dr. Francis E. Eversman, who was engaged
in commerce between Holland and the East Indies, brought his son's family to the United States. They went directly
to Cincinnati, where they rejoined the husband and father and there continued to reside until 1852. In that year
the family removed to Effingham County, Ill., and settled in Teutopolis, where the father practiced his profession
for many years with marked success. He did an excellent business and won a high reputation as a skilled physician.
His death occurred in May, 1884. The mother survived her husband for about six years, being called to the home
beyond in August, 1890. Both were consistent members of the Catholic Church.
Dr.
Eversman of this sketch spent the first eight years of his life in the Fatherland and then with his family, under
the care of his grandfather, came to America in 1845. He attended the city schools of Cincinnati, and when prepared
to do so he entered the Jesuit College of that place. Within its walls he pursued his studies for four and a-half
years, acquiring an excellent education, and being thus fitted to meet the practical duties of life. He studied
medicine under the direction of his father, and after a regular course of lectures, which he attended in the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati, he was graduated from that institution in the spring of 1861. On the 1st of March
of that year he was appointed physician of the Commercial Hospital, of Cincinnati. In January, 1862, he was appointed
by President Lincoln as Assistant Surgeon of Volunteers, and six months later he was promoted to the rank of Surgeon
in charge of the army hospital in New Haven, Ky., also at Nelson, Lexington, Louisville and Beardstown, of the
same State. From the 1st of February, 1864, until the 1st of September, 1865, the Doctor was chief medical officer
at Johnson's Island, on Lake Erie, at the prison for rebel officers. In that prison were incarcerated thirty-five
hundred officers of the Confederate army.
On
his return from the war, in the autumn of 1865, Dr. Eversman came to Effingham and embarked in business as a general
merchant, in which line he continued until March, 1879, when he sold out. Two years later, in September, 1881,
he embarked in the banking business as a member of the firm of Eversman, Wood & Engbring, private bankers of
Effingham, of which house he has been cashier since its organization. Mention of this business is made on another
page of this volume. Since he has engaged in merchandising and banking Dr. Eversman has discontinued the practice
of his profession. In the interval between the time of his retiring from merchandising until he engaged in banking
his time was employed in settling up the estate belonging to his wife's father.
The
Doctor was married in Teutopolis, Effingham County, on the 28th of October, 1865, the lady of his choice being
Miss Caroline Waschefort. Mrs. Eversman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1847, and was a daughter of John F. and
Mary (Drees) Waschefort, both of whom were natives of Germany. Four children have been born of the union of our
subject and his wife, three daughters and a son: Louisa, the eldest, now the wife of William H. Engbring, assistant
cashier of the Eversman, Wood & Engbring Bank; Mary, at home; Elizabeth, who is now a student in Alton, Ill.;
and Henry, the only son and the youngest of the family, who is now pursuing his studies in Teutopolis College,
of Effingham County.
When
sixteen years of age Dr. Eversman began teaching school in Teutopolis and served in that capacity for four and
a-half years, thereby earning the first money in his life. By virtue of his position he was also sexton and organist
of the Catholic Church. He had had no musical training as an organist, but having a natural taste and talent for
music he taught himself and soon acquired sufficient knowledge of the instrument to discharge the duties of the
position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the congregation. The same enterprise and progressive
spirit has characterized his course through life and won him his well-deserved success.
In
politics Dr. Eversman is a supporter of the Democratic ticket and has twice served as Mayor of Effingham, being
elected to that office in 1870 and again in 1871. He has also held minor offices. He and his family are members
of the Catholic Church, and the Doctor is a member of the order of Catholic Knights of America. He owns a fine
farm of two hundred acres of good land in Teutopolis Township, but has made his home in Effingham since his marriage.
Dr.
Eversman is enterprising, yet conservative. While he has contributed liberally to local enterprises in a public-spirited
way, he has avoided everything of a speculative character for himself and the bank, whereby its standing might
be impaired or the interests of its patrons jeopardized. His acquaintance throughout Effingham County is extensive,
and after almost a lifelong residence here he has the satisfaction of knowing that he commands the respect and
confidence of his fellow-citizens without regard to nationality, creed or politics.
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 449. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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