History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

396 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
On the 25tli of February, lb89, Mr. Vaughaii was uuited in
marriage to jVIiss Carrie Briggs, of Amboy, and they have become
the parents uf two ciiihireu, h'rauk and .hdith Caroline. Mr.
Vaughau is a very pioniniciic Aiasou, holding membership in the
lodge and in the various branches of York Rite Masonry and also
in the consistory and the shrine. He is Kkewise connected with
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias
and the Modern Woodmen of America and holds membership in
the Baptist church, which hnds him loyal to its teachings and gen-
erous in its support. The social position of the family is one of
prominence and they have an extensive circle of warm friends
in Lee county
JOHN KERSTEN.
Among the early pioneers of Lee county was John Kersten, a
self-made man whose gratifying prosperity had its root in fru-
gality, industry and determination. He was numbered among the
early pioneers of his section of Illinois, arriving in 1857. His
birtii occurred in Germany, February 15, 1831, his parents being
Mr. and Mrs. Hartman Kersten, the former born in the father-
land, September 30, 1801, and the latter in 1802.
John Kersten acquired his education in schools of Germany
and remained at home until twenty- five years of age, assisting his
father, his thorough training giving him experience and knowl-
edge which proved of marked value in later years.
On the 18th of June, 1856, Mr. Kersten was united in marriage
to Miss Christine Hildebrandt, a native of Gelfershausen, Kreis-
Rothenburg, Kerr-Hessen, Germany, and a daughter of John and
Elizabeth (Speck) Hildebrandt, the former born in 1787 and the
latter in 1799. The year following their marriage John Kersten
and his young wife came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic
in order to seek their fortune in America, having heard many
favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities of-
fered in this land. Mr. Kersten arrived in Lee county with but a
dollar and a half in his pocket. Necessity made it imperative that
he seek immediate employment. He was energetic and ambitious
to earn a good living and by his frugality, imabating energy and
economy he added to his savings year by year until he became the
owner of a fine farm which he developed and improved. As the