Edward Gropengeiser was born in Rhinelander in 1903. His parents, Fred and Emma Gropengeiser were German immigrants, and his father worked in the paper mill as a pattern maker. Eddie was born with a birth defect and was unable to walk or use his legs. The early twentieth century was not a particularly accommodating time for people with disabilities, so Gropengeiser never attended public school. Nevertheless, he was intellectually curious and was fortunate to have parents who recognized his abilities.