Eilers was born in New York City to a Jewish-American mother, Paula (or Pauline) Schoenberger, and a German-American father, Hio Peter Eilers (an inventor).
In the context of his birthplace, Eilers was the child of a Jewish-American mother, Paula (or Pauline) Schoenberger, and a German-American father, Hio Peter Eilers, who was known for his inventive skills.