|
1886 Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, IL |
|
These were typed by Linda Kestner. (click on her name to go to web page.) I mailed her the bios on the Gehring family of Knox County, IL, that came from Germany thinking they were all somehow related and by Gosh.... She found the common link and they are related.... Now am getting tombstone photos for her. Some are already online at the Oneida Cemetery Photo Gallery page. |
|
XAVER GEHRING.
Prominent among the self-made men of Knox County, who started with
nothing except their own indomitable perseverance and energy, and
who have made a financial success in life, and who were born in
the great Empire of Germany, is the gentleman whose name heads
this biographical sketch, who is living on his farm on section 12,
Sparta Township. Mr. Gehring was born Feb. 9, 1825, his parents
being Bennet and Elizabeth (Closman) Gehring, likewise natives of
the "Faderland." His father was a farmer in the old country, and
there raised a family of nine children, five of whom are living,
namely, Joseph, Anthony, Xaver, Barbara and Caroline. Joseph and
Barbara yet continue to reside in their native land, and there the
father died in 1857, and the mother in 1842. Xaver Gehring was an
inmate of the parental household until he was 18, having in the
meantime received an education in the common schools. On leaving
home he worked out for two years, when he was drafted into the
German army and served his country for three and a half years.
In 1849, Mr. Gehring, hoping to better his financial condition,
set sail for the United States, arriving in safety at New York.
In the latter State, for four and a half years, he worked out by
the month at whatever labor he could procure that would bring him
in a fair remuneration. In 1854, he came to this State and
settled on the identical place on which he at present resides. He
purchased, on coming to the county, 815 acres of land, and has
followed the vocation of a farmer until the present time, meeting
with success.
Mr. Gehring was married in 1853, just prior to his coming to this
county, to Miss Elizabeth Hemminger, and their family circle has
been blest by the birth of three children -- Joseph, Henry and
Amelia. The wife and mother died in 1878, and Mr. Gehring formed
a second matrimonial alliance in 1879, at which time Mrs. Mary
Stephenson, the accomplished daughter of William Leighton, became
the wife. She had a family of five children by her former
marriage -- William, George, James, Isabel and Helen.
Politically, Mr. Gehring is a Republican. He has held the office
of School Director for 15 years, and is one of the large
land-owners, successful farmers, and honored and respected
citizens of Knox County.
Martin Gehring is one of the representative citizens and successful
farmers of Knox County, and has a pleasant homestead, consisting of a
well-cultivated farm and a cozy residence, lying within Sparta
Township, on section 12. He is quite a prominent man in the
neighborhood where he resides, and holds the offices of Roadmaster and
School Director.
Mr. G. was born on Nov. 10, 1854, in Germany, and is the son of
Anthony and May (Moser) Gehring. His parents were natives of Germany
and came to America with their family in 1857. Settling in Sparta
Township, they purchased 40 acres of land on section 14, and also 20
acres of timber land. In 1871, the father purchased 80 acres on
section 12, and they were residents of this part of Knox County, until
1883, when they moved to Oneida. In that town he purchased a house
and lot, where he is now living a retired life. Their family consists
of two sons, both living, and by name Alex, and Martin.
Our subject remained under the parental roof until 21 years of age,
and then took the farm on shares, and in this way labored until 1880.
At that time it came into his possession. He has been liberally
educated, and his application and aptitude for various studies have
placed in his possession a source of enjoyment which, as a man, he
fully appreciates and which can never be taken from him.
His marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ann (Taylor)
Parkinson, was celebrated March 18, 1880. She was born in Knox
County, June 23, 1857, and her parents are of English ancestry, but
were married in America. They have reared a family of seven children,
of whom Mrs. Gehring is the oldest child. Mr. and Mrs. Gehring are
the parents of two bright and interesting children, by name Minnie G.,
born Sept. 23, 1881; and Fred B., born Nov. 2, 1884. Mr. Gehring is a
Republican in politics and interested in the workings of that party.
Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of
Oneida.
Foremost in the ranks of wealthy and substantial men and leading
citizens of Knox County stands the subject of our biography. He is
a farmer whose desirable and attractive home is located on section
33, of Sparta Township. He may be called in a great measure a
self-made man, as he worked his way industriously and ambitiously,
from the age of 13 up to the present prosperous and enjoyable
position in life which he now fills.
Mr. Gehring was born Dec 1, 1844, in Baden, Germany, and is the son
of Anthony and Mary (Moser) Gehring. They were natives of Germany.
Anthony Gehring was born March 12, 1824, and Mary (Moser) Gehring
was born June 24, 1824. In 1857 they emigrated to America, and,
coming to Illinois, then known as the "Far West", settled in Knox
County, on section 14. At this place they purchased 40 acres of
land, which they occupied and cultivated until 1873, at which time
they added 100 acres to the original homestead. He moved into
Oneida village, prosperity having crowned his effort toward success,
and purchased a house and two lots, where he is now living a retired
life. Two of their pleasant little family of three children now
survive -- our subject and Martin.
The subject of this sketch began active labor at the age of 13, as
previously stated. He worked by the month until he reached the age
of 20, having in this interval received an ordinary common-school
education. He rented a farm on section 13, Sparta Township, which
he worked until one year later, when he rented one on section 28.
Here he remained one year, and they rented the farm on which he now
lives, including 90 acres. His wife will inherit this homestead at
her mother's death.
Mr. Gehring was united in marriage in 1867, with Miss Jerusha,
daughter of Ira and Caroline (Stewart) Squires. Mrs. Gehring
was a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born Aug. 1, 1847.
Her father was born June 21, 1822, and died May 6, 1850. Mr. and
Mrs. Gehring have a family of four children, by name as follows:
Mary A., who was born Oct. 29, 1871; Sarah L., born Oct. 9, 1874;
Carrie L., born April 7, 1877, and Ira A., born Dec. 15, 1879. Mr.
Gehring is a live man in public affairs, and holds the office of
School Director. He is a Republican in politics, watching with
vivid interest the affairs of the nation. He is a consistent member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is Steward and
Trustee, and has a word of cordial sympathy and courteous kindness
for one and all. Both himself and wife are popular and pleasant
people. She is a member of the same church to which her husband
belongs.
There is also another bio on Alexander Gehring on 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois Knox County page
Created Sunday nite, May 22, 2005 Wednesday, November 22, 2006 09:42:25 AM updated & uploaded
|
