Biography - John Herwig
JOHN
HERWIG. The reputation that Mr. Herwig enjoys is not only that of a
substantial and progressive farmer, but of an intelligent man who is
thoroughly posted on all public affairs. Although just in the prime of life,
he has made his way to the front ranks among the energetic farmers of
Montgomery County, and owing to the attention always paid to every minor
detail, he has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. He is now the
owner of one of the finest farms adjoining the thriving town of Nokomis, and
everything about his place indicates to the beholder that an experienced and
competent hand is at the helm.
Our subject was born in Cassel, Prussia, on the 9th of January, 1848, and was the youngest of three children born to the marriage of William and Sophia (Fulkmar) Herwig, both natives of the Fatherland. Our subject's brother, George, never came to the United States, but the sister, Dena, emigrated to America and married Fredrick Rohlander. She died in Christian County, Ill., in 1871, leaving two children. William Herwig, father of our subject, followed the pursuit of farming in his native country, and in addition was also engaged in wool-spinning. About 1868, he came to America, and located on a farm in Christian County, where the mother died December 31, 1872, and the father in the latter part of December, 1889. They were highly esteemed wherever they made their home, and were most exemplary and honored citizens.
The original of this notice was trained to the arduous duties of the farm in his native country and received a good, practical education there. In connection with farming he also worked a part of the time in the woolen mills with his father, and with him came to America in 1868. He cultivated the fertile soil of the Sucker State in connection with the brick-mason's trade. For some time he resided in Christian County, and later purchased a good farm there, about five miles north of Nokomis. On that place he resided until 1889, when he sold out and purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty acres adjoining the town of Nokomis, and now has one of the most productive, best-cultivated and best-improved farms in this section. His farming operations are conducted in a scientific manner and with a thorough knowledge of every detail of this industry. The buildings are substantial and commodious, and everything about the place shows him to be a man of more than ordinary thrift and energy. While he is an agriculturist of advanced ideas and tendencies, he does not lose sight of the stock interests, and has gained quite a local reputation as an extensive breeder of high-grade cattle.
In politics, Mr. Herwig affiliates with the Republican party, and takes a deep interest in all political questions. He has held a number of local positions and discharged the duties of the same in a creditable and very satisfactory manner. For three years he was one of the Commissioners of Christian County, this State. In 1872, he married Miss Mary Teik, a native of this country, but of German descent. Ten children resulted from this union, nine of whom are living and named as follows: Annie, William, Bertha, Johnnie, Emma, Dena, Henry, Mary and Lydia. Mr. Herwig and family are worthy members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and are liberal contributors to the same. They are active in all good work, and are classed among the public-spirited and esteemed citizens of the county. Mr. Herwig is a member of the Mutual Benefit Association connected with his church in Chicago, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 252-255.
