History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 155
acres on sections 28 and 29, Bradford township, and lias greatly
improved this proj)erty, which gives every evidence of the care of
a progressive and practical agriculturist. In addition to general
fanning Mr. Degner makes a siseeialty of feeding cattle and hogs
and his stock-raising interests are extensive and important.
In 1900 Mr. Degner married Miss ]\Iary K. Albrecht, a native
of Lee county and a daughter of Burchart Albrecht. Mr. and Mrs.
Degner have three children, Carl G., Raymond A. and Mabelle 0.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Degner
gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now
serving as school director and discharges the duties of this office in
a capable and progressive wa}'. He is a stockholder in the Amboy
State Bank and connected fraternally with Lee Center Lodge, No.
1036, M. W. A., of Lee Center. He is accounted one of the progressive
and prosperous farmers of Bradford township and is well and
favorably known throughout his native county.
WILLIAM AUCHSTETTER.
William Auchstetter is now living retired at West Brooklyn
but for a number of years Avas actively engagCvd in farming in Lee
county. Since 1902 he has oceuY)ied his present home in the town,
where he has valuable property holdings that return to him a
gratifying income. His birth occurred in Lee Center township,
February 6, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Thies)
Auchstetter. The father came from Germany about 1845 and,
making his way into the interior of the country, settled in Lee
county. There were no railroads between Chicago and this district
at that time. He was one of the pioneers of Lee county, which he
found to he largely a tract of undeveloped prairie at the time of his
arrival. Only here and there had settlements been made and much
of the land was still in its prmiitive condition. Mr. Auchstetter
purchased an undeveloped tract which he began converting into
tillable land, bringing it ultimately under a high state of cultiva-
tion. He was a popular man in the neighborhood and was recog-
nized as a faithful friend and a devoted husband. He reached the
venerable age of eighty-four years, passing away in 1908, and his
wife departed this life the following year, at the age of seventy-five.
Their religious faith was that of the Catholic church.