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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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FRANZEN, COBUS, miller; Sec. 33; P O. Keokuk Junction; was born in Prussia, Germany, Feb. 25, 1835, and came to this county in Feb., 1852. He has thirty acres of land, valued at $5,000. He married Berndje Meints. She was born in Germany, Feb. 14, 1835. They had six living children: Harm, Ida, Anke, Margarette, Frederick and Catherine; emigrated from Germany on a sailing vessel, had a big storm in the North Sea, lost their topmast and one sail, and the captain though they were going under; was twelve weeks in making the trip; landed at New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he stopped a short time, and thence to Adams county. He belongs to the Lutheran church. He has a windmill on his farm (where he does grinding) built by his brother-in-law, H. R. Emminga. When he came here he was a poor man, and by industry and economy has made a good home.
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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois
View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies
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