Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Grabe, Henry 1824 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 12:06 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

HENRY GRABE so ordered his daily walk and conversation that his life was an 
example worthy the consideration of all who desire to honor their manhood. He 
took an active part in all that meant the real advancement of the township, 
was interested in the cause of religion, industrious and hard working in the 
affairs of this world, and kindly and affectionate in his domestic and social 
relations; an honest and reliable citizen was removed by death when he 
breathed his last at his home in Washington Township, April 14, 1882. The eyes 
of Mr. Grabe opened to the light of day in Germany, in 1824. He grew to 
maturity under the charge of good parents, developing the natural virtues and 
talents he possessed and being grounded in the firm principles that led to the 
reputation he won. When about twenty-two years old he set out from 
Bremerhaven, and reaching the shores of America made his way to the Prairie 
State and settled in Crete Township, Will County. His first home was on eighty 
acres of new Government land, but in the fall of 1867 he changed his residence 
to Washington Township. Here he purchased two hundred acres of land on section 
21. It was almost unbroken but he at once began to make improvements, and 
after some years he found himself pleasantly surrounded with good buildings 
and other tasteful improvements. Here he carried on a successful agricultural 
career until called hence, when he left to his mourning household that best of 
all inheritances—an honored name. In politics he was a sound Republican, and 
religiously was a member of the Evangelical Church, to which faith Mrs. Grabe 
also adheres. The marriage of Mr. Grabe and Miss Catharina Schwirena was 
celebrated in Chicago. The bride was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, July 26, 
1831, to Fred and Ingel (Miller) Schwirena. Her parents were natives of the 
same kingdom, and there the father died when sixty-two years old. He was a 
Lutheran in religious faith. The widowed mother came with her six children to 
America and located in Cook County, Ill., dying there at the same age that her 
husband had reached. Mrs. Grabe lived near Chicago until her marriage, 
manifesting the qualities that won the regard of our subject and that have 
kept the esteem of all who know her. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Grabe resulted 
in the birth of nine sons and daughters. Henry Jr., married Miss Augusta 
Scheneka and is now living at Manhattan, Kan.; William is with his mother, 
assisting her to operate the large farm; John, who is a shoemaker in Crete, 
married Miss Sophia Rennie; Mary is the wife of Fred Meyer, their home being 
in Riley County, Kan.; Conrad married Miss Emma Sitzel and lives in Kankakee 
County, working at his trade of a blacksmith; Cara is the wife of Charles 
Ruge, of Chicago; Louisa married Fred Bowermaster, who lives in Oak City, 
Iowa; August is a blacksmith and is now living in Brunswick, Lake County, 
Ind.; Sophia is at home with her mother.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/grabe575gbs.txt

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