Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Wehmhofer, William 1844 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:51 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 WILLIAM WEHMHOFER. The German-American citizens of Will County form a portion of its most substantial and reliable element and have contributed largely to the development of its agricultural resources. The subject of this notice owns and occupies his father's old homestead to the original acreage of which he has added, until he now has two hundred and twenty acres of cultivated land and twenty-eight acres of timber. This is finely located on section 15, and has been his home since his boyhood. Mr. Wehmhofer was born in the Province of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 29, 1844, and came when a boy with his parents to the United States. They settled at once in this county where the father first secured eighty acres of land and later doubled the amount from which he opened up a fertile farm and where he spent the closing years of his life. The homestead became the property of our subject in 1875, and he has effected additional improvements so that it has become the source of a handsome income, making the proprietor independent, financially. William Wehmhofer, Sr., was also a native of Hesse-Cassel and was of pure German stock as far back as the records go. The paternal grandparents spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. William Sr., learned the trade of a blacksmith which his father followed before him and also most of his brothers. William after reaching his majority, was married in his native province to Miss Mary Wilkening, who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband. They remained there until after the birth of their eldest child, the subject of this sketch, and then about 1816 set out for America, embarking at Bremerhaven, and after a safe voyage, landing in New York City. Thence they proceeded to Chicago and shortly afterward to Will County. The father established a shop in Crete and operated this a number of years before settling upon his farm. He died in 1875, aged sixty-three years. He was an honest and industrious man, making a good living for his family, and by his straightforward dealings with his fellow-citizens earned their confidence and esteem. He had been reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church to which he faithfully adhered and to which he gave liberally. Upon becoming a voting citizen, he identified himself with the Republican party of whose principles he was a warm supporter. The mother of our subject is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Crete. Although seventy years old she is bright and active and from her youth has been a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. William was the only son of the family and has four sisters living, all being married and settled in comfortable homes. Mr. Wehmhofer after reaching man's estate was married in Crete Township to Miss Mary Brandts. Mrs. Wehmhofer, like her husband, is a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and was born in 1850. Her parents Christoph and Minnie (Schwake) Brandts, were also of German birth and parentage and when their daughter was a young lady eighteen years old emigrated to America and coming to Will County, settled in Washington Township. They are still living and both have attained their three-score years. They are most excellent and worthy people and consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Wehmhofer was the second born in a family of six children, all of whom are living and with one exception all are married. She was reared and educated in her native province, being more than ordinarily bright and intelligent and was a young lady of eighteen years when coming to the United States, being about the first member of the family to leave the Fatherland for America. She was joined by her parents and the other children one year later. She has proven an efficient helpmate to her husband and they are the proud parents of six bright children, all of whom are at home and named respectively, Sophia, Mary, Emma, Anna, William Jr., and Henry. Our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church and Mr. Wehmhofer like his honored father, is a sound Republican. 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/wehmhofe1460nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb