Macoupin County
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Biography - IDA M. GERMAN

Mrs. Ida M. German, who resides upon her well improved and valuable farm of 100 acres, situated in section 2, Honey Point township, Macoupin County, was born July 28, 1849, in Macoupin County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Hiram and Philinda (Gooddell) Englis, and the widow of the late Isaac German.

Isaac German was born in 1845 in Devonshire, England, and was 15 years of age when he came to America with his brother, John German. They joined an older brother, William German, then a resident of Alton, Illinois. Isaac German lived in Jersey County until he was 21 years of age and then came to Macoupin County, where he rented a farm from Israel Chappell, which he operated until 1868. In 1870 he bought the present farm of our subject, which he successfully cultivated for many years, or until failing health made it advisable for his very capable wife to take upon herself its management. His death took place December 21, 1901.

On March 28, 1868, Mr. German was united in marriage with Ida Enlis. Her father, Hiram Englis, was born in Oswego, New York, and died in Illinois, April 21, 1884, aged 76 years. At the age of 21 years he went to Ohio, where he married, and in 1841 located in Madison County, Illinois. He was a very successful farmer and accumulated much valuable property. During the Civil War he served at Rock Island, Illinois, with the 100-day volunteers. In politics Hiram Englis was a Republican. Mrs. German is the youngest of nine children, the others being: Mrs. Harriet Tyler, of Litchfield, Illinois; Mrs. Martha Newel, of St. Louis, Missouri; Elias, of Kansas; Mrs. Esther Ward, of St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. Sarah Gardner, of Brooklyn, New York; Mrs. E. C. Berry, of California; Mrs. Sue Burton, of Carlinville, Macoupin County; and Mrs. Nettie Rose, of Gillespie, Macoupin County.

Mrs. German has three surviving children, one daughter, Mrs. Nellie Giberson, having passed away. Those living are: James, who follows the trade of carpenter and is located with his family, at Reno, Nevada; and Elnora and Walter, both at home, the latter being the farmer. A general line of farming is followed and much fine stock is annually raised. Mrs. German has shown much capacity in her management of the farm and has displayed an unusual amount of business ability.

In politics Mr. German was identified with the Republican party. In religious connection, he was a consistent member of the Church of England. The family is one which stands very high in public esteem throughout Honey Point township.


Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 537-538.


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