History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

316 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
has lived to see remarkable changes since he arrived and has ever
manifested a helpful attitude toward projects for the public bene^
tit. In his business he has disjjlayed many of the sterling traits
of his German ancestry and has become a substantial farmer of
the community.
FRANCIS LEFFELMAN.
Since 1867 Francis Leffelman has lived in Lee county and during
the intervening period has risen by the force of his ability and
enterprise from comparative poverty to a position among the ex-
tensive landowners and prosperous farmers of May township.
He has witnessed a great deal of the growth and development of
the community and has contributed in substantial measure to general
progress. He was born in Herofeld, Bavaria, Germany, July
4, 1842, and is a son of John and Margaret Leffelman, also natives
of the fatherland. John Leffelman emigrated to America in 1852
and settled in Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he remained
until his death, which occurred in Pleasant Valley in April, 1863.
His wife afterward moved to Iowa and her death occurred in
Westphalia, that state, in 1901.
Francis Leffelman acquired his education in the district schools
of Adams county, Pennsylvania, laying aside his books at the age
of fourteen. He afterward worked as a farm laborer until 1862,
when he enlisted in a Maryland regiment for service in the Civil
war. After being at the front for a short time he, in 1863, moved
to Ogle county, Illinois, where he worked by the month for Frank
Simons, a well known farmer in that locality. At the end of nine
months Mr. Leffelman rented a farm in Ogle county and after
three years moved to Lee county, where he rented a tract of land
from William Long for six years. He then purchased one hundred
and twenty acres, borrowing the money with which to pay for his
land. With characteristic determination and enterprise he ap-
plied himself to the development of this place with such success
that he had soon paid all of his (ibligations. and at intervals thereafter
he bought more land luitil he finally acquired the eight hundred
and eighty acres which is his today. Upon this he made
oxcellont improvements in buildings and equipment and engaged
extensivelv in general farming and stock-raising. He has now.