Mrs. Frederica Fahrenkrog, widow of the late Henry Fahrenkrog,
who was one of the successful farmers and valued citizens of Hilyard
township, Macoupin County, is a lady who is well known in her locality and
is most highly esteemed for those virtues which go to make up a good mother,
kind neighbor and faithful friend. The birth of Mrs. Fahrenkrog took place
in Holstein, Germany, January 28, 1841, and she is the youngest of seven
children born to her parents, Detlef and Frederica (Luhr) Herbst. The other
members of the family were. Detlef; Ludwig, who was killed in the revolution
of 1848; Ernest, who died in Ohio; William, who died in Bunker Hill,
Macoupin County; Mrs. Dorothea Appel, who died in Bunker Hill, Macoupin
County; and Katherine.
Mrs. Fahrenkrog was 16 years old when she
accompanied her older sister, Dorothea, to America. They sailed from Hamburg
on the sailing vessel "Howell," and reached New York after a passage of six
weeks, coming immediately to Bunker Hill, where they joined a brother. In
1858 she was united in marriage with Henry Fahrenkrog, with whom she lived
through 38 happy years, separated then by his death, which occurred on
February 12, 1896.
Henry Fahrenkrog was born in Holstein, Germany,
June 30, 1831, and came to America in 1854. He located first at Cleveland,
Ohio, and then came as far west as Bunker Hill, Illinois. He had but little
capital, but he was very industrious and after operating rented land for a
time bought the present home farm in Hilyard township, consisting of 160
acres, situated iii section 36. He was a man of much industry and had
excellent, practical ideas which resulted in the accumulating of much
property, which has become of great value. For 28 years he operated a first
class dairy, keeping 30 head of cows. In addition to farming his own land,
he rented land, and followed such excellent methods that his crops were
seldom failures, and he was known as one of the best farmers of his
locality.
In politics Henry Fahrenkrog always took a deep interest
and voted with the Republican party, but he sought none of the offices. He
was reared a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, in which faith his
wife was reared; their children were also reared in that faith. In every
relation of life he was a good man, always careful for the welfare of his
family by whom he was respected and beloved. His parents, Henry and
Christine Fahrenkrog, were born in Germany, where his father died. His
mother married Henry Kardell and they came to America.
Mrs.
Fahrenkrog still resides on the home farm which has been her residence so
many years. When she came here with her husband, it was practically
unimproved, no buildings having been erected and the land only broken and
sowed to clover. All the improvements, including a very fine dwelling,
substantial barn and commodious out-buildings, were erected by the late Mr.
Fahrenkrog. He also set out the orchard of three acres, which has long been
in fine bearing condition. All these things reflect credit upon his memory
and show the results of his industrious life. The eight children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Fahrenkrog were: William J. H., a farmer of Hilyard township,
formerly sheriff of Macoupin County; Bertha, who died aged one and a half
years; Mrs. Augusta Huber, of Bunker Hill township, who has four children,—
Henrietta, Clara, Bertha and Anton; Karl, who died aged three and a half
years; Dora, who resides at home; Henry, a merchant of Alton, Illinois;
Joseph, who operates the home farm; and Amelia, who lives at home with her
mother.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 182-184.
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