History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 117
nitiire and undertaking business. He carries a large and well
selected line of fiu'niture, caskets and funeral supplies and a
liberal patronage is accorded to him, for Lis prices are reasonable
and his integrity above question.
In 19U9 Mr. Stephan married Miss Elizabeth Trostle, a daugh-
ter of C. W. and Mary (Miller) Trostle, the former a native of
Pennsylvania and the latter of Lee county, Illinois. Mrs. Stephan
is a member of the Presbyterian church and well known in religious
and social circles of the town.
Mr. 8te])han is connected fraternally with Ashton Lodge, No.
997, 1. O. 0. P.; Dixon Lodge, No. 779, B. P. 0. E.; Ashton Lodge,
No. 48, M. W. A.; and Ashton Lodge, No. 531, A. P. & A. M. He
gives his political allegiance to the progressive party and is now
serving as county coroner, having been elected to that office in
1912. lie has held steadily to high standards in business and
ofiicial relations and well merits the esteem and good-will which
are uniformly accorded him.
ADAM WENDEL.
Since 1901 Adam Wendel has owned and operated a fine farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Bradford township and he has
become known as one of the substantial and progressive farmers
of his localit_y. He was born in Germany, j\Iay 11, 1868, and is a
son of Ciriacus and ]\Iartha Wendel, also natives of that country.
The parents came to America in 1869 and located in Lee county,
Illinois, where the father engaged in farming, later living retired,
his death occurring in 1909. He had siirvived his wife since 1901,
To their union Avere born seven children, six of whom are still
living.
Adam Wendel was one year old when his parents came to Lee
county and he was reared upon his father's farm here, acquiring
his education in the district schools. When he began his independent
career at the age of twenty-one he turned his attention to farming,
operating rented land until 1901. He then purchased a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Bradford township and he has
since lived upon this property, which reflects everywhere his careful
supervision and practical methods in its management. Upon
it he has erected substantial buildings and he has installed modem