Logan County Illinois   Biography of George A. Raber


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Submitted by:  <woodart&#64;srbfl.com> William L.  Stephenson,  Jr.,

Biography of George A. Raber
History of Logan County 1911 - pages 285-286
     Transcription by William L.  Stephenson,  Jr.,  -  Historian,  Bock  Family
     Association

     A son of one of the earliest settlers of Logan county, George A. Raber, who
     owns two hundred and forty-nine acres of fine farming land on  section  16,
     Sheridan township, was born May 16, 1880, on the  old  Raber  homestead  in
     that township, of which his farm was originally a part. His father,  Ernest
     Raber, was born July 7, 1834, in Saxony, Germany. At the age of seven years
     his parents  brought  him  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Madison,
     Wisconsin, where he assisted his father in the operation of  the  farm  for
     several years. While still quite  young  Ernest  Raber  removed  to  Menard
     county, Illinois, where  for  many  years  he  worked  out  by  the  month.
     Following the close of the Civil War he came to Logan county and  purchased
     one hundred acres of land on  section  16,  Sheridan  township.  Upon  this
     tract, which constituted the Raber homestead, he  lived  until  his  death,
     which occurred August 21, 1907. At that  time  he  owned  two  hundred  and
     forty-nine acres of land in Logan county and three hundred and  thirty-five
     acres in Menard county. He was a decidedly successful man and was  held  in
     warm regard by all who knew him, as he was honest to a  fault  and  of  the
     most kindly nature. He was married in 1866 to Mary Bock, a daughter of Adam
     and Mary (Reyhel) Bock, both of whom were natives of Germany. His wife  was
     born in Prussia, Germany, in 1837, and was reared upon a farm,  her  father
     being a very successful agriculturist in his native country.  She  was  the
     oldest in a family of nine children.

     Ernest and Mary Raber became the parents of six children, of whom George A.
     is the third in order of birth. Assisting his father in the cultivation  of
     the farm, he also attended school, availing himself  fo  the  opportunities
     afforded by the excellent school system of Logan county to  secure  a  good
     education in the common branches. He continued to aid his father  until  he
     attained the age of twenty-one years, and then, striking out  for  himself,
     he rented a farm in Menard county, remaining upon it for a year.  Returning
     to Sheridan township, Logan county, he rented a farm and operated it  until
     the death of his father, when he fell heir to the homestead of two  hundred
     and forty-nine acres. Upon this place he still resides,  conduction  it  so
     successfully that he is credited with being one of the best farmers in  the
     county.

     Emma, a daughter of John and Maria Darby, pioneer settlers of  Indiana  and
     of German English extraction, became the wife of Mr.  Raber,  December  20,
     1901. She is the youngest of a family of eight children and has become  the
     mother of three children, namely: Walter, Mabel and George, all  living  at
     home with their parents.

     Mr. and Mrs. Raber are members of the Methodist Episcopal  church  and  are
     sincere Christian people. Under his careful administration the  farm  which
     Mr. Raber how owns has become one of the most valuable properties  in  that
     portion of the county and its present owner and occupant is rapidly forging
     to the front among the leading men of the community.