History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 309
She is a daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Gounennan) Vent-
ler, natives of Germany. In this family were nine children, six
of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Herwig have two sons:
Koy A., who was born January 10, 1897, and who is now in col-
lege at Dixon, Illinois; and Lee C, born August 10, 1898, a
student in the Ashton high school. Mr. and Mrs. Herwig are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church and Mi'. Herwig gives his political
allegiance to the democratic party. Being a man of sterling character,
he has always merited and received the confidence and
respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought
him in contact.
MRS. ELIZABETH HARPER.
Mi's. Elizabeth Harper, who owns and operates a fine farm
of eighty acres on section 29, Viola township?, was born in North
Carolina, March 12, 1832. She is a daughter of David and Phoebe
(Jones) Cox, both of whom died in 1893 and are buried in Earl-
villc, La Salle county, Illinois.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harper acquired her education in the public
schools of Ottawa, Illinois, and laid aside her books at the age of
fifteen. She afterward remained at home initil her marriage,
which occurred about six years thereafter. She wedded Alexander
Harper, who was boin in Greene county, Illinois, in 1828.
a son of Ephi'aim and Chiistine (Kessler) Harper, both of whom
have ]iasRed away and are buried in Whitehall.
Alexander Harper acquired his education in the public schools
of Greene comity. Illinois, and laid aside his books at the age of
twenty. He afterward assisted his parents mitil 1854 and following
his marriage began farming independently. He came to
Lee county in 1871 and purchased ciglitv acres of land on section
29, Viola township, carrying forward the work of cultivating this
property along practical lines and making it in the course of time
one of the most valuable farais in the township. He contintied
active in his agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred
in 1900. He was a man of exemplary character and high
standards and his passing was widely and deeply regretted.
Mr. and Mrs. Harper became the parents of four children.
Lillian is the wife of Rufus Johnston, a farmer in Missouri.
Annie married Clark Butler, a farmer of Lee county. Jennie