This person was created through the import of eyler.ged on 28 March 2011. The following data was included in the gedcom. You may wish to edit it for readability.
Prior to import, this record was last changed 27 JAN 2007.
Note
Note: According to the Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahoma, Orlando was the youngest of 4 children born to George and Cynthia Eyler. Orlando lived at home, helping his father farm until the age of 23. He then farmed on his own for about 10 years. Orlando and his family are listed on the 1880 Woodstock Township, Schuyler County, Illinois census.
Orlando went to western Kansas settling in Dighton, Lane County, Kansas, living there for about 10 years. He assisted in the formation of the new county and helped lay out the town of Dighton. For 2 years he had a meat market there. He moved to Stillwater in 1889, the year of the territorial opening. He opened a grocery store and meat market in Stillwater and operated that business for more than 30 years. His store was small at first, only 14 by 28 feet, built of Cottonwood lumber. He later built a brick structure 25 by 80 feet on the same site. His store was successful because (according to family story) he spoke fluent German and immigrants liked to trade with him. He was also patient in dealing with the Indians in his store. He built a home at 1109 South Main Street.
In an ad in the Oklahoma Standard, Orlando included a small poem in an advertisement for his store -
So now I take this time to say
I'm in Stillwater here to stay
I give the flies no chance to blow
The moss to sprout or grass to grow.
In 1890, Orlando was elected to the school board and served for 7 years, always acting as the treasurer. In 1891 he was elected police judge and was re-elected 3 times. He has also been a member of the board of city alderman, for 2 terms acting as president. He was then elected councilman from the 4th ward. For 2 years he was the chairman of the Democratic county central committee. In 1895 he was elected Mayor.
In 1915, Orlando is awarded guardianship of Fannie, Gladys and Lucille Stewart, minor children of William W. and Florence E. Stewart. Fannie is age 17, Cladys is 12 and Lucille is 6.
In 1920, Orlando is listed on the census of Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma in ED 192, page 1B.
In 1921 he was elected justice of the peace in Stillwater and held that office at the time of his death.
Judge Eyler was very interested in the progress of Stillwater. Orlando was among the citizens of Stillwater who held $1,000 bonds to help locate Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater.
Orlando was a member of the Methodist Church. He belonged to the Woodmen of the World and to the Fraternal Aid Association.
Orlando was survived by his wife, who is seriously ill; by 2 sons - Fred William of Eureka, Kansas and William C. of Stillwater; 2 daughters, Mrs. Louise Davis of Sacramento, California and Mrs. H.E. Ricker of Stillwater.
He was also survived by 3 brothers - P.M. Eyler of Stillwater, D.C. Eyler of California and W.M. Eyler of Bartlett, Iowa and 1 sister, Mrs. F. R. Evans of Collinsville.
In his will, he leaves everything to his wife, Phena. After her death his property was to be divided among his children - C.F. Eyler of Madison, Kansas; Mrs. Louise E. Davis of Sacramento, California; and Mrs. Dora L. Ricker and William C. Eyler, both of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Abbreviation: Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahoma
Title: Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahoma
Source S55
Abbreviation: Pictorial History of Stillwater - 100 Years of Mem
Title: Pictorial History of Stillwater - 100 Years of Memories
Source S56
Abbreviation: Historical Study of Two Residences in Stillwater,
Title: Historical Study of Two Residences in Stillwater, Oklahoma 1890-1900
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