History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

118 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
machinery, neglecting nothing which might add to the appearance
or value of the property.
On the 11th of February, 1892, Mr. Wendel married Miss Mary
Magdalene Bower, and they have become the parents of five chil-
dren: Hannah E., at home; Henry Ray; one who died in infancy;
Robert A., deceased; and Roy W. The parents are members of the
German Lutheran church. Mr. Wendel gives his political alleg-
iance to the republican party, has been school director and school
trustee and is now serving as road commissioner. He is a public-
spirited and progressive citizen and as such is interested in the
growth and development of the county where he has spent prac-
tically his entire life.
HENRY VAUPEL.
Among those who contributed in substantial measures to the
agricultui'al development of Lee county Henry Vaupel was mnn-
bered. Fie settled in this part of Illinois in 1863 and from that
time imtil his death, in 1909, remained an honored and respected
resident, his interests extending to many fields and touching
closely the l)usiness, political and social growth of the community.
He was born in Germany, August 23, 1844, and came to America
when he was nineteen years of age, settling immediately in Lee
county, Illinois, where for six years he worked as a farm laborer.
At the end of that time he rented a farm of eighty acres and after
two years purchased two lumdred and forty acres, upon which he
carried on general farming and stock-raising successfully \mtil
he retired from active life and moved to Ashton. Later he bought
an additional three Imndred and fifty-five acres and at the time of
his death was an extensive landholder, owning five hundred and
ninety-five acres well improved and cultivated. His widow still
owns two hundred and forty acres of the homestead and the house
in Ashton where she makes her home.
Mr. Vaupel married Miss Mary Heibenthal. a native of Bradford.
Jjce coimty, and a daughter of Charles and Martha Heiben-
thal. Ml', and Mi's. Vaupel became the parents of nine children:
John, a resident of Lee county ; Anna, deceased ; William, of North
Dakota; Christina, the wife of Samuel Moll of Dixon, Hlinois;
Sarah, deceased ; Charles, of Melvin. Towa ; May, the wife of Will
Burhenn ; Henry, of Lee county ; and Harry, at home.