History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

376 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
boru iu Shelby county, Illinois, in 1860 and is a son of Laurent and
Julia (Toullian) Gehant, of whom further mention is made elsewhere
in this work.
Laurent E. Gehant came to Lee county with his parents when
he was five years of age and acquired his education in the public
schools. At the age of twenty he laid aside his books and after
assisting his father with the work of the farm until he was twentytwo
began his independent career, buying the property which he
now owns. He has five hundred and fifteen acres of improved
land on section 30, Viola township, aoid upon this has erected a
comfortable residence and substantial outbuildings. Mixed farm-
ing engages his attention and his stock-raising interests are important,
for he keeps on an average fifty head of cattle, forty hogs
and twenty horses. His business interests are carefully and conservatively
conducted and have brought him a gratifying measure
of success.
In Ohio, in 1882, Mi-. Gehant married Miss Mary Henry, a
daughter of Augmst and Mary (Venier) Henry, the former of
whom has passed away and is buried in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gehant
have become the parents of eight children : Louis and George,
farmers in Lee county ; Mary, the wife of George Montavon, also
engaged in farming in this county ; Louise, at home ; Frances, the
wife of Lewis Choan, a farmer of Lee county; Albert, deceased;
and Edna and Pauline, at home.
Mr. Gehant is a member of the Catholic church and is con-
nected fraternally with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is
a democrat in his political beliefs and while not active as an office
seeker takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He has
pi'oved capable and reliable in the conduct of his personal affairs,
and his contributions to general agricultural development have
been many and substantial.
ARTHUR R. KERSTEN.
Since the beginning of his active career Arthur R. Kersten has
given his attention to general farming and stock-raising in Lee
county and he is now the owner of an excellent property of one
hundred and two acres on section 34, Ashton township. He was
born in Bradford township, this county, January 23, 1886, and
is a son of H. M. and Mary (Gross) Kersten, both natives of Lee