Peter Eggers, now living a retired life on his farm in Knox Township, was for many years closely associated with agricultural interests and so developed his property that it has become one of the best farms of the locality. Throughout his life he has manifested many of the sterling traits of the German race.

His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 20th of February, 1834, his parents being Peter and Wiebke Eggers, who were also natives of Germany, the father there following the occupation of farming until his life's labors were ended in death. The mother has also passed away and of their six children only two are yet living, the sister being still a resident of Germany.

Peter Eggers, after acquiring his education in the public schools, was employed as a farm hand in the fatherland until 1870, when he determined to seek a home and fortune in America. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic, making his way into the interior of the country until he reached Avoca, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. There he worked on the section for the Rock Island Railroad Company for three years. He afterward bought a farm of one hundred acres on Section 18, Knox Township, Pottawattamie County, and in 1874 he took up his abode upon that place, now known as the Walnut Grove farm. He has further improved it by the erection of a fine country residence, a large and substantial barn and other necessary buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He made his farm a model property and carried on the work that generally occupies the time and attention of the agriculturist until 1894, when he retired from business cares, but still lives upon the farm. He, however, leaves it's active management to others, while he is enjoying a well merited rest.

In 1862 Mr. Eggers was united in marriage in Germany to Miss Maria Johannsen, who was born in Germany, April 15, 1843, a daughter of Peter and Lottie (Schleeter) Johannsen, both of whom died in Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eggers have been born six children: Ida, whose birth occurred in Germany and who is now the wife of William Niemann, of Avoca; Wilhelm, who was born in Germany and is living in Omaha, Nebraska; John and Otto, who conduct a jewelry store in Atlantic, Iowa; Mary, the wife of William Frane, of Pleasant Township; and Adele, at home.

The parents are members of the Lutheran Church of Avoca, are interested in it's work and contribute generously to it's support. Mr. Eggers votes with the Republican Party, his study of the political issues of the day leading him to the belief that it's platform contains the best elements of good government. For several years, he served as road supervisor and did much to improve the condition of public highways during his incumbency.

He is a self-made man to whom advancement has come because he has made good use of his opportunities. When he came to realize that America offered better chances than a land hampered by caste and class, he resolved to seek his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and has not been disappointed in the conditions which he here found. Working earnestly and persistently, he has achieved a goodly measure of prosperity and is now one of the substantial residents of Knox Township.