Eicher, Solomon J.

SOLOMON JOSEPH EICHER

PRIVATE
U.S. ARMY 

Solomon Joseph Eicher was born on January 27, 1909 in Geneva, Indiana. His parents were Christian and Catharine (Mosser). Solomon was the youngest of six children with four brothers (John, Raymond, Victor, and Ellis) and one sister (Martha). In addition to the six children, the Eicher's took in four other children who were motherless. Christian served for a time as the Adams County Commissioner. Solomon married Pearl Bradburn of rural Westport Indiana on September 19, 1940. He was an active member of the Decatur Moose Lodge. 

The Eicher family had their share of tragedy and unscrupulousness. Catharine Eicher died in 1928 of heart disease with two adopted school-age children still at home. In 1935, Solomon's brother John took his own life after being charged with possession of cannabis. His other brother, Victor, was forced to resign as Adams County Auditor in 1942 based on charges of embezzlement of county funds. He was found guilty and sent to prison. Solomon's nephew, SSgt. Howard Roy Eicher was killed in a B-24 crash in Kansas in September 1943. 

In response to growing hostilities in Europe, the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was passed by Congress requiring all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for military draft. Solomon registered on October 16, 1940. At the time of his draft registration, Solomon lived on Russel Street in Decatur and worked for the Adams County Highway Department. Prior to his induction, however, Solomon worked for Meshberger Bros. Stone Corporation in Decatur.

On June 18th, 1942 Solomon was drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon successfully completing  training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas and Camp Bowie, Texas Private Eicher was assigned to Battery E of the 77th Field Artillery Regiment. 

While training with the 77th Field Artillery, Private Eicher was diagnosed with a kidney infection. He was sent to the Army and Navy Hospital in Hot Springs Arkansas to undergo surgery for kidney transplant. He succumbed to his disease on April 24, 1943. His wife Pearl was with him at the time of his death. His body was then shipped to Westport, Indiana where Pearl had been living with her parents during his service on active duty. They had no children.

Private Eicher was buried will full military honors in Westport Cemetery, Westport Indiana. Members of the Decatur Moose Lodge served as pallbearers and several coworkers from Meshberger Bros. attended the funeral to pay their respects.

The 77th Field Artillery Regiment went on to serve in Sicily, Naples, Rome, Southern France, Rhineland, and the Ardennes in the European Theatre. 

For his service and sacrifice, Private Eicher was awarded the WWll Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal

SOURCES

“77th Field Artillery Regiment.” History.army.mil, history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/fa/0077fa.htm. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

“Ancestry Education | Our Resources Will Bring Your Classroom to Life.” Www.ancestryclassroom.com, www.ancestryclassroom.com/discoveryui- content/view/245364:2375. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

“Decatur Daily Democrat 25 March 1935 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Historic Newspaper Program.” Newspapers.library.in.gov, newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=DCDD19350325.1.1&srpos=7&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-solomon+eicher------. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

 “Decatur Daily Democrat 26 April 1943 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Historic Newspaper Program.” Newspapers.library.in.gov, newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=DCDD19430426.1.1&srpos=11&e=-------en-20-DCDD-1--txt-txIN-pearl+eicher------. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

“Decatur Daily Democrat 30 April 1943 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana’s Digital Historic Newspaper Program.” Newspapers.library.in.gov, newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=DCDD19430430.1.5&srpos=4&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-solomon+eicher------. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

“Solomon Joseph Eicher (1909-1943) - Find a Grave...” Www.findagrave.com, www.findagrave.com/memorial/87046051/solomon-joseph-eicher. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

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