Richland County IL Archives Biographies.....Slanker, Gideon D. 1836 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 28, 2011, 1:29 pm

Source: See below
Author: Lake City Publishing Co.

HON. GIDEON D. SLANKER, a farmer and insurance agent of Olney, has been a
resident of Illinois since 1855, and has made his home in this city since 1864.
He owns a fine farm of one hundred and eighteen acres, of which eighteen acres
lie within the corporation limits of Olney and are the site of his residence.
Mr. Slanker claims Ohio as the State of his nativity. He was born in Easton,
Wayne County, September 26, 1836, and is a son of David and Matilda (Fisher)
Slanker. His parents were natives of Berks County, Pa., and came of old families
of German origin. They removed to Ohio in 1833, and spent the remainder of their
lives in the Buckeye State.

  Our subject obtained his education in the common schools and was reared to
manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads, no event of special importance
occurring during his youth. Leaving his native State, he went to Altoona, Knox
County, Ill., where he served as a merchant's clerk until July, 1862, when he
left that place and went South. In the fall of 1863 he became a resident of
Lawrence County, and the autumn of 1864 witnessed his arrival in Olney, where he
has since made his home. For three years he was here employed as a salesman in a
store, but since 1868 he has engaged in the insurance business, and in addition
he now carries on farming.

  Mr. Slanker was married in Bridgeport, Ill., June 2, 1864, to Miss Augusta
Kleinwant, a daughter of Gustavus Kleinwant and a native of Albion, Edwards
County, Ill. Unto them were born two children, a son and daughter, but Charles,
the elder, died October 30, 1887, at the age of twenty-two years and two months.
The daughter, Florence L., resides at home. The parents and Miss Florence are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Chinch. Their home is the abode of
hospitality and in social circles they rank high.

  Mr. Slanker is connected with the various Masonic bodies of Olney, being a
member of Olney Lodge No. 140, A. F. & A. M.; Richland Chapter No. 38, R. A. M.;
Gorin Commandery No. 14, K. T.; Olney Council No. 55; the Scottish Rite; and the
Mystic Shrine, of which he is Past Potentate. It will be seen that Mr. Slanker
has gained a high rank in Masonic fraternities, and he is well and widely known
among his brethren of the order. He takes considerable interest in political
affairs and votes with the Republican party. He has held the office of Mayor,
and in 1890 was elected to the Legislature as a member of the Thirty-seventh
General Assembly, representing the Forty-fourth District, including Richland,
Clay, Wayne and Edwards Counties.   He served on a number of important
committees, including the Committees on Insurance, Work-houses, Canals, River
Transportation, State and Municipal Indebtedness and the Executive Department.
In all public offices which he has been called upon to fill, Mr. Slanker has
discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, which have won him the
commendation of all concerned. lie is not only a leader in Republican circles in
this community, but in other ways is a man of prominence and influence. He is a
public-spirited and progressive citizen, and has the high regard of all with
whom he has been brought in contact.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties
Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co.
1893


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