Robert Braun Eilenberg

From Monmouth Newspaper in Illinois:

Relatives in Monmouth on May 11, 1909, received word of the death on the 10th of Robert Eilenberg in Montgomery, Alabama. The dispatch gave no details, and it was not known here that he was in ill health. Mr. Eilenberg was born in Monmouth Warren County, Illinois, and lived here for many years. As he grew up he developed considerable musical talent and went abroad to study, and on his return became quite prominent in the musical world. He had been making his home in the south for some time.

At the age of 21 on August 18, 1892 he made application for a U.S. Passport as musician, expecting to be abroad for three years studying. About 1895 he married Elizabeth "Bessie" L. K.. (maiden name unknown). According to the 1900 Montgomery County, Alabama census, she was born July 1869 in New Jersey, parents New Jersey. They were the Principals of the Krause Music Studio in Montgomery, Alabama. William Howard and his brother Adolphus Byrd were orphaned when their family home burned sometime after 1880 near Houston, Texas. It is believed Willie was adopted by the Eilenberg's or the family of Krause Music School, (for which Robert B and his wife Elizabeth K Eilenberg, were Principals), and taught him piano. William Byrd made his career selling pianos, and married the sister of his business partner who was also a piano salesman. They lived in Savannah, Georgia. His brother Adolphus was not adopted, and after leaving the orphanage went to Montgomery 1897 and joined the Army there. He fought in the Spanish American War. The brothers reunited in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The family has long wondered about the mystery of how Willie was adopted. Montgomery City Directories have a lot of information on the Eilenbergs. Barbara Tynes Claiborne

s/o Jacob and Amanda Eilenberg