Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Eilers, Frederic Anton

EILERS, Frederic Anton, metallurgist, b. in Laufenselten, Nassau, Germany, 14 Jan., 1839. He was educated at the mining-school in Clausthal and in the University of Göttingen. Soon after the completion of his studies he came to the United States, and from 1869 till 1876 held the office of deputy U. S. commissioner of mining statistics. Subsequently he was occupied in building and managing smelting-works for lead and silver in Utah and Colorado. He is at present (1887) general manager of the Colorado smelting company's works at South Pueblo, Col. Mr. Eilers is considered one of the foremost experts in the United States in his branch of metallurgy, and, while he has never patented any of his own inventions, he has done more than any other person to improve American methods in the treatment of lead and silver. This he has accomplished by making possible the long, continuous running of large shaft furnaces in the smelting of argentiferous lead-ores. The most important elements of this improvement are the use of water-jackets and the scientific and precise adjustment of charges with reference to their chemical composition and the fusion-point of slags. The “chills” or “salamanders,” formerly so frequent in furnaces of this type, and not only necessitating stoppages but compelling the use of small furnaces, have thus been obviated. Some of his improvements are adopted in Europe. He is the author of various professional papers.