Daniel Derr, whose demise occurred at Virden on the 4th of March,
1886, was for a number of years actively and successfully identified
with general agricultural pursuits in Macoupin county, owning and
cultivating six hundred acres of land. His birth occurred in Lehigh
county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of July, 1816, his parents being
Daniel and Margaret (Greater) Derr, who were likewise natives of the
Keystone state. Unto them were born five children, namely: Charles G.,
and Samuel, both of whom are deceased; Eliza, the deceased wife of
Daniel Landis; Daniel, of this review; and Leah, who has also passed
away.
Daniel Derr began learning the miller’s trade when a boy
and followed that occupation until 1868. In that year he came to
Macoupin county, Illinois, purchasing and locating on a farm of six
hundred acres in Macoupin and Montgomery counties, the county line
dividing his farm. The further cultivation and improvement of that
property claimed his attention until he put aside the active work of the
fields in 1881 and took up his abode at Virden. There he lived retired
throughout the remainder of his life, enjoying in well earned ease the
fruits of his former toil. In connection with the tilling of the soil he
had also devoted considerable attention to stock, both branches of his
business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 9th
of January, 1842, Mr. Derr was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Ott,
who was also a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, which was the
birthplace of her parents, John and Elizabeth (Newcomer) Ott. She was
born November 7, 1821, and was next to the youngest in a family of ten
children. In early life she united with the German Reformed church, of
which she was ever a faithful member until she joined the Presbyterian
church at Virden. Mr. and Mrs. Derr became the parents of four children,
as follows: Elmina, wlm owns the home place at Virden; Emma, who is a
resident of Springfield, Illinois; Mary, the wife of John F. Huston, of
Houston, Texas; and Alice, who is the wife of Dr. M. H. Farmer, of
Virden. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 22d of
August, 1894.
Mr. Derr gave his political allegiance to the
democracy and was a Presbyterian in religious faith. His life was
upright and honorable in all its relations and he well merited the
confidence and esteem which were uniformly accorded him.
Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 555-556.
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