Biography - John Schwartzly
JOHN SCHWARTZLY. Some of the best citizens of Nokomis Township are natives of Germany. Their thrift and industry have made this southern portion of Illinois, bordering as it does on both North and South, to blossom like the rose. The German mind is naturally of a scientific bent, and when applied to agriculture it is found to be exceedingly advantageous.
Mr. Schwartzly was born in Baden, Germany, September 22, 1829. His father was a farmer, but while yet a lad our subject learned the baker's trade and followed that until 1857, at which time he came to America. Locating at Louisville, Ky., for two years, he was engaged in working at his trade and then determined to turn his attention to farming. He located on a good tract of land in Madison County, Ill., not far from Alton. Life was not complete to the young German, away from the Fatherland and among strangers, without a home and domestic ties, and in April, 1861, he remedied this want by his marriage to Miss Birdie Shoos, a native of Madison County and of German parentage. In 1870, the young couple came to Montgomery County and located on the farm where they now live in Nokomis Township. Providence and nature have smiled upon the agricultural efforts of our subject. His farm, which comprises two hundred acres of land, is one of the best in the German settlement, and bears the finest of improvements, all of which he himself has made. Owner of a comfortable home, our subject is able to raise much of the necessities of life upon his own place, and makes it yield to him a generous supply of what other things are necessary.
Mr. and Mrs. Schwartzly are the parents of nine living children. The eldest daughter, whose given name is Ellen, is the wife of Enoch Koock. The remaining children are all under the home roof as yet. They are named as follows: Frank, Louisa, Charles, Lewis, Rosa, Etta, Julia and Minnie. They are a bright and happy family of active, energetic young people, who are bound to make their way in the world.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 201-202.
