Henry J. Gehner, Jr., has been a resident of Macoupin county ever
since his early childhood and the history of the agricultural interests
of this section would be incomplete without adequate mention of the work
he has accomplished. He was born in Morgan county, Illinois, April 18,
1861, and is now in the fifty-first year of his age. He can claim sturdy
German ancestry on both sides of the house, being a son of Henry and
Wilhelmina Mary (Schweppe) Gehner, both of whom were born in Germany.
The father is now living on the home farm in Cahokia township and an
interesting sketch of his career appears elsewhere in this work. The
mother died in 1878, when the subject of this review was seventeen years
of age.
As a member of a large family of children Henry J.
Gehner, Jr., early learned lessons of industry and self-denial that
proved of inestimable value to him in his maturer years. He received his
preliminary education in the district schools and the Lutheran parochial
schools of Mount Olive, and continued at home assisting in work upon the
farm until after reaching his maturity. At the age of twentyfour years
he was married and then purchased eighty acres of land in Cahokia
township, upon which he took up his residence. During the time that has
since passed, he acquired more land and is now the owner of a farm of
two hundred acres, which is one of the most highly improved places in
the township. He also owns eighty acres in Mount Olive township and
several town lots and three residences in Mount Olive. In addition to
engaging in general farming he makes a specialty of breeding and raising
fine horses and, as he is a good’ judge of animals and aims to keep
fully abreast of the times, he ranks very high as a breeder. He has
persistently and energetically followed his work and has met with
merited recompense for his labors.
On the 19th of April, 1885,
Mr. Gehner was married to Miss Harmina Arkebauer, a daughter of the late
Meint Arkebauer, who was born in Germany and was one of the early
settlers of Mount Olive township, Macoupin county. To Mr. and Mrs.
Gehner eight children were born, Lydia, Rosina, Amanda, Theodore,
Paulina, Clara, Ida and Walter. All of the children are still living at
home. The deepest sorrow that Mr. Gehner has known was occasioned by the
death of his beloved wife, which occurred January 13, 1911. She was a
woman of the most admirable traits of mind and character, and was
greatly respected wherever she was known.
Politically Mr. Gehner
adheres to the democratic party. He has served as road commissioner and
also for several terms as member of the school board. He and his
children are actively identified with the Evangelical Lutheran church,
of which he is one of the prominent supporters. His success has been
gained by strictly legitimate and honorable methods and never in such a
way as to injure others. Hence, he is greatly esteemed and his influence
for good is felt throughout the region in which he has almost since his
earliest recollection been a resident.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 388-389.
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