History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 105
worthy of his best efforts and his close conformity to the highest
professional standards have brought him the warm regard of his
fellow members of the bar and of the general public.
J. F. BETZ.
Probably no man m Lee county is better known as a stock
breeder and dealer than J. F. Betz, who owns and operates a fine
farm of four hmidred acres lying on sections 17, 19 and 20, Wyoming
township, specializing in the development of his stock-raising
interests. He is a native son of this part of Illinois, born in
Wyoming township, Deceml^er 30, 1870, his parents being the late
Jacob and Margaret (PoxjeJ Betz. The father was a native of New
York state and came to Lee county in 1857, making the journey
with his parents. After he grew to manhood he became connected
with agricultural mterests here and was also active in public
affairs. He died in 1894, at the age of forty-nine, and was survived
by his wife until 1909, her death occurring when she was
sixty-nine years of age. Both are buried in the Fom- Mile Grove
cemetery in LaSalle county.
In the acquirement of an education J. P. Betz attended public
school, laying aside his books at the age of sixteen. He afterward
assisted his father with the Avork of the farm until he was twenty-
one and then rented the homestead, operating it for a number of
years thereafter. In 1907 he purchased a farm of two hundred
and forty acres and upon his mother's death inherited another
tract of one hundred and sixty acres. His land lies on sections 17,
19 and 20, Wyoming township, and constitutes one of the most
valuable farms in this locality. Mr. Betz makes a specialty of pure-
blooded live stock and has been successful from the beginning, his
animals commanding always a high price and a ready sale. The
first time he entered exhibits at the International Live Stock Exposition
of Chicago he won foui' ribbons on pui'e-bred Clydesdale
horses and he has since met with widespread recognition in his
special field. In addition to this he is president of the First
National Bank of Compton and well known in financial circles as a
man of ability and enterprise.
In Mendota township. LaSalle county, Illinois, on the 9th of
March, 1892, Mr. Betz was Tuuted in marriage to Miss Sarah Niebergall,
a daughter of John and Catherine Niebergall, the former