Biography - John Todt
John H. TODT, farmer, P. O. Harvel, was born in Germany October 21, 1834. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his native country afforded, and in working as a hired hand upon a farm. At the age of seventeen, he left his native country and sailed for America, when he settled in Greene County, Ill. Here he embarked on his career in life as a hired hand upon a farm for three months, and then removed to Jersey County, where he remained two years engaged in the same occupation, when he spent two years in Montgomery and Macoupin Counties, working summers in the former, and winters with his own people in the latter place. In 1857, he had, by his energy and business habits, accumulated enough funds to enable him to make a small purchase of land, which he did in Macoupin County, a tract of 120 acres of unimproved timber land. Here he remained for a period of eight years; during the time he improved his tract. In 1865, he sold his farm and removed to Montgomery County, where he first bought 160 acres of mostly wild prairie. Here he has since remained, and by his own endeavors has succeeded in accumulating a large tract of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He is now the owner of 480 acres, upon which he built a fine residence, by his own design, in 1879. He has also built large barns, etc., and everything about his place denotes the home of a first-class farmer. Much credit is due to Mr. TODT for the interest he has taken in improving surroundings, all of which show toward the welfare of the county. In 1857, in Madison County, he married Miss Maria POGGENPOL, a native of Germany, born April 15, 1835. She is the mother of nine children, five of whom are living, viz., William, Herman, Frank, Elizabeth and Margaret; all are at home. Father of subject was Joseph TODT, who was born in Germany; during his life followed farming; joined the army when but seventeen years of age, and fought bravely under Napoleon Bonaparte I. He died in 1835, aged about forty-seven years. His wife, and mother of our subject, was Elizabeth MILLER. She was born in Germany in 1801; came to America with her son in 1851; she died in April, 1873. She was the mother of seven children, John H. being the fourth child. He was appointed Postmaster in 1866, and held the office about three years. He has also held the office of Road Commissioner, and has been holding the office of School Trustee for eighteen years. He is also serving the people as County Supervisor to the satisfaction of all. He was elected in 1881.Religiously, self and family are connected with the Catholic Church. Politically, his sympathies are with the Democratic party. When he first came to the county to live, it was but thinly settled, between his place and L. H. THOMAS', of Bois D'Arc, there was no settlement a distance of thirteen miles.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 254.
