History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 163
He died upon the property May 15, 1893, and was laid to rest in
the Woodside cemetery, Lee Center. He was a man of many ster-
ling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in citizen-
ship and straightforward in all relations of life. His death was,
therefore, sincerely regretted in this township, where for so many
years he had made his home and where he had contributed in substantial
measure to general advancement.
In Lee county, Illinois, Mr. Deg-ner was united in marriage to
Miss Sophia Hotzel, who Avas born in China township, this county,
a daughter of Conrad and Anna E. (Eckhart) Hotzel, natives of
Germany. The parents came to America in 1847 and located in
Lee county, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs.
Degiier became the parents of ten childi'en : Carl, who died at the
age of four; Anna, the wife of Emrich Schnell, of Minnesota; W.
F. ; Mary, who married U. Gr. Fidfs, a resident of Whiteside county,
Illinois ; Martha, the deceased wife of John Rupel ; Emma,
who
married August Gej^er, of Lee county; two children who died in
infancy; Kathrjoi, who married Walter Dunseth, of Amboy; and
Nellie H., a music teacher. Mrs. Hegner has also reared a grand-
daughter, Blanch Rupel. She owns the homestead of eighty acres
in Bradford townshii) and resides upon it. She has many friends
in this part of Lee county, where her character and worth are
known and recognized.
ABRAM K. TRUSDELL.
Abram K. Trusdell has for forty-six years been a member of
the Dixon bar and throughout the entire period his practice has
been extensive and of an important character. He has ever been
remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and patient care
with which he has prepared his cases, while an excellent presence,
an eai'uest, dignified manner and comprehensive knowledge of the
law have been the strong features in his effectiveness as an advo-
cate. He is* likewise closely and prominently connected with
varioiis business corporations which have had to do with the mate-
rial development and financial history of the city. A native of
Sussex county. New Jersey, he is a son of Jesse and Jane (Giv-
eans) Trusdell, the former a farmer by occupation.
It was in the year 1861 that Abram K. Trusdell arrived in Amhov.
Illinois, and for four years he engaged in studying law under