Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Drauden, Felton 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 4:06 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

FELTON DRAUDEN. Those of our German-American citizens who have found homes in 
Will County have had no reason to regret their change of location. With 
scarcely an exception they have worked out for themselves here a degree of 
success that would have been impossible in the old country. Among those who 
have become prosperous farmers is Mr. Drauden, who is a well-known citizen of 
Plainfield Township. He was born in Prussia June 27, 1837, a son of Nicholas 
and Margaret Drauden. He was only seven years of age when his father died, and 
thus from an early period he was obliged to be self-supporting. While he was 
still a mere lad he determined, as soon as possible, to seek a home and 
fortune in the new world, of which he had heard so much. He was eighteen when 
he left his native land and set sail for a foreign shore. From Antwerp he 
sailed to Liverpool, and thence, after a delay of one week, started for New 
York, where he landed after a voyage of twenty-eight days. From the city of 
New York he proceeded a little to the northwest, settling on a farm in the 
state of that name, where he remained for five years. He then sought Illinois, 
settling in Will County, of which he has since been an energetic farmer. 
Having little money, he was at first unable to purchase a farm here, but after 
operating for a few years as a renter and meantime carefully hoarding his 
earnings, he purchased one hundred acres, forming a part of his present 
homestead. From the first he met with success. He gave his attention largely 
to the raising of cereals, although he also successfully engaged in raising 
hogs and carried on dairying, both of which he continues, though on a smaller 
scale than of former years. The stock he raises are mostly for his own use. A 
glance at his place shows him to be a thrifty farmer. It is his aim to keep 
his buildings and fences in good condition and his land under first-class 
cultivation. All of the buildings on the farm were put up by him. In 1892 he 
erected the residence now occupied by the family and in 1897 built a 
substantial and commodious barn, with ample facilities for the storage of 
grain and shelter of stock. Though he is now well-to-do and might retire from 
active labors should he so desire, he is of so active a nature that he is 
happiest when busiest, hence he continues the personal management of his 
property. When a boy in Germany Mr. Drauden had implanted in his heart by his 
parents the religion of the Roman Catholic Church, and, in all the changes and 
vicissitudes of the after-years he has remained true to its doctrines, being 
now connected with St. John's Church in Joliet. Politically he votes with the 
Democrats. He has met with the success which he so richly deserves and to 
which his industry has entitled him. To his original purchase of one hundred 
acres he added sixty acres and later bought another one hundred- acre tract, 
these several purchases being of valuable farm land. During his residence in 
New York Mr. Drauden was married, in Syracuse, August 24, 1861, to Miss 
Paulina Aller, a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven children, 
two of whom are deceased. Those now living are: Lizzie, wife of John Baltz, of 
Troy Township; Lillie, wife of Michael Eich, of Joliet; Maggie, at home; 
Katie, wife of Nicholas Eich, of Joliet; and Walter, who is with his parents. 
During the last years of her life Mrs. Drauden's mother found a home with Mr. 
and Mrs. Drauden, and here she died in the fall of 1876.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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