The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-07-16
From Fridays Daily:
DEATH OF Mr.. A. L. EiCHELBER.
GER

yesterday announcing the death of
Mr.. A. L. Eichelberger, which occur
red in Atlanta Thursday morning. The
remains will be conveyed to this city
and will be laid to rest in the old
cemetery Sunday. The hour will be
given later. Mrs. Eichelberger will
accompany the remains to Ocala.
Mr. Eichelberger was over eighty
years of age and most of his life was
spent in Florida. Before the civil war
he was an extensive planter, and re-
sided in what was then known as the
Long Swamp" settlement The sur
render found him with a great deal of
cotton on hand, which he had either
grown or had purchased from his
neighbors. This cotton was seized by
the federal government and was con-
fiScated, and he has had a claim
against the government, which he was
always hopeful of collecting, but his
efforts were always disappointing.
He had other cotton, however, that
was not confiscated, and with this cot
ton he purchased a large stock of
goods, and after the cessation of hos
tilities became one of Ocala's leading
merchants. While merchandising he
also farmed on large scale, but his
crops were attacked by the famous
caterpillar raid in 1868, which brought
about widespread disaster, and along
with others Mr.. Eichelberger was un-
able to stem the disastrous financial
current, and he was forced into bank
ruptcy.
He was, however, possessed of
buoyant and sanguine temperament,
and he made failures mere stepping
stones to greater success. He was
one of the very first in this county to
see the vast possibilities in orange
culture and put out forty-acre grove
near the suburbs of Ocala, which he
brought into maturity, and for many
years served as an advertisement in
the stimulation of this industry. Mr..
Eichelberger at one time had a large
vineyard and demonstrated that Flor
ida could be made wine producing
state. His vineyard, his several acres
n bananas and his orange grove was
a favorite rendezvous for the stranger
and home people alike for years.
Bar. Eichelberger also put out a
s&rge grove on the Withlacoochee riv-
e., near Lake Panasoffkee, and
brought that section into very general
notice, and gave it the name of the.
tropical center"
While planting his grove on the
Withlacoochee river he accidentally
discovered bed of gypsum, and the
search for other beds of the same ma
terial led to the discovery of phos-
plate, which has proven such a source
of wealth for Florida.
During the hey-day of his prosper
ity Mr.. Eichelberger kept open house
and entertained with the prodigality
of king. Very few were allowed to
escape his hospitality. He was gener-
Gus to fault and could not do too
much for a friend, and exercised his
wonderful industry in advancing the
Of the state, and had Won
derful faith in the ultimate develop
ment of her varied resources.
Florida owes him a great debt of
gratitude.
When young man he went to Cal
ifornia during the gold excitement in
lS49, and on his return homeward
spent some time at Panama, and al.
ways spoke entertainingly and inter-
Of his "Trip.
He was a man of marvellous vitality. |
and until he was attacked with a can
Ger, of which disease he died, he was
as vigorous as most men of 60, and |
was buoyant and hopeful to the last. |
Mr.. Eichelberger was three times
uol AACus his ulOI vile uN0u OILY /
short time, and is buried in the fam
ly burial ground on Long Swamp. His |
second wife, by whom he had one son,
Mr.. Douglass Eichelberger, now de-
ceased; is buried in the Ocala GENE
terry. His third wife, who was a Miss
O'Hanlan, of Athens, Ca, and four lit
tie girls survive him.
She has been most faithful and de-
voted to him during his last sickness,
and no want that could possibly be |
has been denied him.
The announcement of Mr.. EicheI-
berger's death will cause profound
sorrow throughout the state.
Misses Ethel ond Homo Doh;ncor