Egidius was born on April 17th, 1682 in Houthalen. Egidius' father was Joannes Gaethofs and his mother was Gertrudis Loys. He had a brother and a sister, named Gilles and Elisabeth. He was the second oldest of the three children. He died at the age of 55 on February 16th, 1738 in Meeuwen.