Biography - John Todt
JOHN H. TODT. Germany has given us many of our best and most industrious citizens. Of these Mr. Todt is one, being a prominent resident of Harvel Township, Montgomery County. He was born in Germany, October 21, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Miller) Todt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died when our subject was a baby, and after her bereavement the mother determined to come to the New World and make a new life for herself and son. Mrs. Todt died in Macoupin County, May 11, 1872.
Our subject was reared in his native land until he had completed his eighteenth year. It was in 1852 that he and his mother, two sisters, one half-sister and one half-brother crossed the Atlantic, taking passage on a sailing-vessel. Their trip over consumed nine weeks and five days, and the reader may be sure that they were glad to put foot once more on terra firma when the boat landed at New Orleans. They almost immediately proceeded to Greene County, Ill., and there took up the labor of life in the cultivation of a farm. Our subject worked for five years as a farm hand, receiving for his labors $12 per month and his board. Out of this pittance, he, with economy that is known only to the Germans, contrived to save enough to purchase some land in Macoupin County. There he made his home for several years, but came to Montgomery County in the spring of 1865. He has lived on his present farm ever since that time.
Mr. Todt was married February 23, 1857, to Miss Mary Poggenpohl. His wife proved to be a loving helpmate in all his career. She presented him with seven children, four of whom are living; they are Herman, Frank, Elizabeth and Margaret. The eldest daughter is now the wife of William Langenn, and Margaret is the wife of John Langenn.
Since his original purchase in this county, our subject has added as he has been prospered, so that he now owns five hundred and sixty acres of land. All this with the improvements his farm bears have been made by industry and economy on the part of Mr. Todt and family, for there was neither golden nor silver spoons at hand at the birth of our subject. He has, however, made the most of every opportunity to acquire knowledge that has come within his reach. His excellent judgment and good common-sense have done much for him, and he is greatly honored and respected by his town's-folk. He has served as School Trustee for eighteen years, and also as School Director. He has also been Supervisor of Harvel Township, and during his incumbency of that position was greatly interested in developing the natural resources of the locality. Politically, Mr. Todt casts the weight of his vote and influence with the Democratic party. In his church relations he is a Catholic. Mr. Todt was Postmaster under Johnson and Grant at Herndon, in this township.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 170-171.
