Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Stellwagen, William 1838 - 
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Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

WILLIAM STELLWAGEN. One of the most attractive locations in Green Garden 
Township is occupied by the farm of the gentleman above named. The mistaken 
townsman who believes that country life is devoid of attractions will find 
conclusive proof to the contrary on this estate, which is beautiful to behold, 
the source of a fine income, and the scene of a happy home life. Philip 
Stellwagen, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and a shoemaker by trade, 
came to America in 1840. He found employment in the Keystone State and 
practiced frugality until he had saved money enough to bring his family to 
this country, when he returned to his native land for them. Again crossing the 
broad Atlantic, he located in Wilkesbarre, Pa., in 1842, and spent two years 
at his trade. He then started out to buy land in the West, thinking to make 
Wisconsin his future home, but when he reached Northern Illinois he was so 
well pleased with the country that he determined to locate here. His journey 
had been made with a team and he had, therefore, been able to form wise 
conclusions regarding the country through which he passed. Buying eighty acres 
of Government land in Frankfort Township, this county, Mr. Stellwagen put up a 
log house and, as fast as possible, made other improvements on the place. He 
was successful in the new career in which he had embarked and accumulated two 
hundred and forty acres, which he operated until his death, November 20, 1889, 
when he was nearly eighty five years old. He was strong in his belief in the 
principles of Democracy, and was an equally devoted member of the Evangelical 
Church, he was twice married, his first wife being Emily Jacob, a native of 
Hesse-Darmstadt, who died in Frankfort Township in 1846. She was the mother of 
four children, viz: Mathias, who died in 1888; Jacob, whose home is in South 
Englewood, Cook County; William, of whom we write; and Philip, a harness-maker 
at Mokena. The second marriage of Philip Stellwagen resulted in the birth of 
two sons—Henry and Adam, both now deceased. The gentleman whose life history 
forms the subject of these brief paragraphs was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany, December 13, 1838. He has no recollection of the land of his birth, 
as he left it in the spring of 1842, sailing with his parents from Bremen to 
the United States. Eleven weeks were spent upon the ocean, but the tediousness 
of the voyage made no impression upon the little lad. During the two years in 
which the family remained in Pennsylvania he spent some little time in school. 
The journey to their Western home being made with teams and the party camping 
out every night, it was almost a continual picnic to the boy, who enjoyed the 
out-door life and continual change of scene as only careless child hood can. 
In crossing the mountains eight days were consumed in making the ascent, and 
seven weeks of travel covered eleven, hundred miles on their journey. The new 
home was in the midst of a wild prairie, twelve miles from the nearest house, 
and deer and wolves were abundant and rattlesnakes plentiful. Our subject 
hunted some and was early set to work on the farm, also attending school as 
soon as one was opened in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse which was at that 
time the temple of learning. He learned to drive oxen, five yoke of which were 
attached to tin; breaking plow, and by means of which also goods were hauled 
to and from Chicago and Joliet, which were the market towns. Mr. Stellwagen 
remained an inmate of the parental home, working for his father, until he was 
twenty-seven years old, when he set up his own household in Rockville Township 
on a rented farm. For two years he operated four hundred acres of land, 
raising both grain and stock, and then purchased eighty acres in the 
northeastern corner of Frankfort Township. Upon that farm he remained until 
1872, at which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partly-
improved land, which forms a portion of his present estate. Here he continued 
the improvement which had been begun by breaking the virgin soil, and ere long 
added one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, making up the amount which he 
now owns and operates. The estate includes eighty acres on section 21, eighty 
acres on section 20, and one hundred and twenty acres on section 16, all 
tillable land. It has been tiled wherever under drainage would be beneficial 
and is fenced with wire and hedge, the latter being kept neatly trimmed, and 
so adding to the beauty of the land. Mr. Stellwagen has set out groves and 
orchards, has erected a cozy and attractive dwelling, and a barn, 70x36 feet, 
together with other adequate outbuildings, and he has likewise put up a 
windmill and tank, by means of which water is conveyed wherever it is needed. 
The principal crops which he raises are corn and oats, and his stock includes 
high-grade cattle, roadsters and draft horses. Of the latter he generally has 
from twenty to thirty head, while three teams are needful to carry on the work 
of the estate. The estimable woman who presides over the household economy of 
our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Louisa Neckrauer. She was born 
in Bayren, Germany, and came to America with her parents in 1846. Her father, 
Jacob Neckrauer, is a shoemaker, who worked at his trade in his own land, and 
in Frankfort Township, this county, but in later years engaged in farming. He 
is now living at Frankfort. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Stellwagen took place 
at the bride's home, March 25, 1865, and their happily married life has 
therefore extended over a quarter of a century. They are the parents of two 
children—Philip, who still remains at home, and Katie, who married G. J. 
Lankenau, a farmer in Green Garden Township. Mr. Stellwagen has been School 
Trustee for the township and is now Director of his district. He is 
independent in politics, voting for the best man or for the principle which, 
in his judgment, is the prominent issue during any campaign. He has served on 
both grand and petit juries, where his intelligent understanding of the cases 
presented and his keen sense of right and justice make him useful. He belongs 
to the Evangelical Church, at Frankfort, and by the other members of the 
congregation, as well as by the citizens in general, he is respected as his 
good qualities deserve.

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 

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