Eli Halberstadt
SOURCE: "Early History and Pioneers of Champaign County, Illinois," by Milton W. Mathews and Lewis A. McLean, editors of the Champaign County Herald, published by the Champaign County Herald, 1886
SURNAMES: DAY, HALBERSTADT, LEGORE, MAUS, SCHILLING
ELI HALBERSTADT. This staunch business man was born September 15, 1820. His father, Peter HALBERSTADT, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His mother, Susana Catherine MAUS, was a member of the German Reformed church. Her father and grandfather were both soldiers in the war of 1812. Both of his parents were born in Pennsylvania. Eli Halberstadt came to this county, November 8, 1855, and settled at Urbana. He was married October 29th, 1842, in Hanover, Pa., to Rebecca LEGORE, who is still living. They were married by the Rev. J. Henry Albert. Following are their children: Frances, wife of A. SCHILLING, Urbana; David B., now in Washington, D.C.; George H., now resding in Urbana; Susan Catherine, wife of Hon. W. A. DAY, second auditor of the treasury, and Douglas Eli, now a gauger in the United States service. Mr. Halberstadt, in his youth, joined the German Reformed church, of which he remained a member until 1853, when he joined the M. E. church in Pickaway county, Ohio. He is still a consistent and faithful member of that church. In politics, he was in his early maturity, an old time whig. In 1860, he voted for Stephen A. Douglas and has been a democrat ever since. He never sought office, but the ctizens of Urbana called him to serve them for four terms in the office of Mayor, in which position he exercised the same conscientious care and ability which he has always shown in the transaction of his own extensive business. He was a member, and afterwards successor of the firm of Bradshaw, Williams & Co., grocers. He sold out to Mr. Jenks and bought back the same business, February 1, 1863, and sold again to Mr. Jenks in 1865. He then built a grain warehouse and in 1866-7 put in milling machinery, and from that time until the present, has done the leading milling business in the county. In 1884, at large expense, he put in entirely new and modern machinery for the patent process in the manufacture of flour. His establishment, known far and wide as the Union Mills, is valued at $25,000, and is not excelled in Central Illinois. His flour is shipped to all parts of the state, and his brands of flour are recognized as among the best that are made. Mr. Halberstadt is a man of strong convictions and will power and is not easily moved from a position once taken. In business he is the soul of honor and he has little patience with men who are careless about complying with their contracts.