Stratmann, Ferdinand - Macoupin County Illinois
©1996-2009 James Stratmann
Ferdinand STRATMANNcontributed by James Stratmann
Excerpts from Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, Illinois, 1891.
"Ferdinand STRATMANN is a representative and successful farmer of Honey Point Township, his farm consisting of two hundred and forty acres of well- improved land. He is a native of Prussia, the date of his birth being November 11, 1828. His father Joseph, grandfather John and great-grandfather William Stratmann lived and died in Prussia.
Of the five children born to Joseph Stratmann, Ferdinand STRATMANN was the only one of the family who came to America. In 1849 he enlisted in the Prussian army, and after serving faithfully three years was honorably discharged with a good record as a soldier. He was offered a commission if he would continue in the service, but he refused. His thoughts had already turned toward the United States of America, and February 26, 1853, he set sail for this country on the ship "Rebecca" and landed at New Orleans the 7th of the following May. His entire wealth at that time consisted of $50. He went to St. Louis. From there he went to Alton. In 1865 he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Montgomery County, but after living on it two years he sold it, and purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 36, Honey Point Township, later buying another farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the same section. Later he traded the first farm for the one he now occupies on section 25, of the same township.
September 21, 1855, Mr. STRATMANN was married to Miss Dina BARTMAN, who was also a native of Prussia. Five sons were born to Ferdinand and Dina - Joseph, Charles, John, William, and Tony. Dina died November 27, 1872. Mr STRATMANN is both a good German and English scholar, and appreciating the value of a good education has given his children every advantage in his power to secure one, besides assisting them financially to start in the battle of life."