History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

354 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
district and discliarged his duties in a capable and progressive manner.
He is a man of high social, official and business standing and
is recognized as one of the most honorable and valued citizens of
the community.
HENRY SEMMLER.
There is a considerable Geraian element in the citizenship of
Lee county, and it has constituted a force in the material development
and progress of this section of the state, for the sons of the
fatherland brought with them to the new world the qualities of
determination and enterprise, which have been factors in the
attainment of success on this side the Atlantic just as they had
been in the old world. Born in Germany on the 6th of June, 3866,
Henry Semmler is a son of August and Anna Martha Semmler,
who were likewise natives of the fatherland. The mother died in
that country, but August Semmler is still living. He remains,
however, in his native land. In their famOy were six children,
four of whom survive.
Henry Semmler remained at home until nineteen years of
age and during that time acquired his education in the schools
of his native country. He has also learned many valuable lessons
in the school of experience. Ambitious to enjoy better oppor-
timities than he believed he could secure in Germany, he came to
America in 1886 and settled in Lee county, Illinois. Here he
worked on a farm as a hired hand for three years, but he was
not content to continue in such a position. He believed that he
was capable of doing something better, and just as soon as he had
saved a sufficient sum from his earnings he rented land and began
farming on his own account. Seven years were spent in that
way, during which period he saved a sum sufficient to enable him
to purchase a farm. He became the owner of the one hundred
and sixty acre tract upon which he now resides on section 18,
Re^molds township. It was partially improved when it came into
his possession, and he has since added various improvements and
wrought a change in the appearance of the place through his care-
ful manner of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has
always made a specialty of feeding sheep, and this has constituted
a successful feature in his business. He has never been afraid of