Biography - Herman Poggenpohl
Herman POGGENPOHL, farmer, P. O. Harvel, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 7, 1833, where his early life was spent in attending the common schools of his nativecountry and assisting his father upon the farm. At the age of eighteen, his father sent him to America to view the New World. His expectations were more than realized, and two years later his parents followed him and entered 160 acres of land in Montgomery County, where they were among the first to break and improve the wild prairie. Francis POGGENPOHL, the father of Harmon, was born in Prussia, Germany, and died soon after his arrival in America. His wife, Maggie GURKA, was also a native of Germany, and died in 1874. She was the mother of six children, of whom Herman was the oldest child. After the death of his father, he bought the interests of the balance of the family, and entered upon his career in life as a farmer, at which he has since continued, and at which he has been more than ordinarily successful, making all the improvements himself, and has by his energy and industry accumulated about seven hundred acres of land, nearly all under cultivation. All the surroundings on Mr. POGGENPOHL's property show him to be a practical farmer, and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by the community socially. In 1873, he returned to his native country upon a visit,remaining there two months. In 1855, he was married to Dena BROKAMP, who was born in Germany and brought to America when a child. She died in 1872, leaving to his care six children, viz., Henry, deceased at the age of eighteen years; Mary, wife of L. YOUNG; John, at home; Lizzie, at home; Toney, at home; Maggie, at home. Mr. P. was again married in 1871 to Ragena MUSSHAFER, also a native of Germany, born June 7, 1852. She has borne him six children, viz., Frankie, Christina, Lena, Anna, Kattie and Charles. Politically, Mr. P. is identified with the Democratic party. Himself and family are connected with the Catholic Church.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 251.
