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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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GENTS, JOHN, farmer; Sec. 17; P. O. Fowler; born in Chapelle, Germany, Sept. 14, 1834; came to this country in 1856: married Mary Micks. She was born in Bavaria, May 13, 1839. They have seven children: Jacob, born Dec. 27, 1860; Katie F., Sept. 18, 1862; Joseph, June 29, 1866; Mary, July 3, 1868; Thressa, Nov. 3, 1870; Barney T., July 10, 1875, and Ellen, July 7, 1878; members of the Catholic church. Emigrated from Germany in a sailing vessel; was eight weeks making the trip; landed in New York; thence, via Chicago, to Milwaukee, where he remained six weeks; thence to Wisconsin, where he remained about a year; thence to Quincy, and worked in a flouring mill twelve miles below Quincy, at $15 per month, afterward worked for Robert Rankin on a farm, and in 1859 married and bought the place where he now lives. He has eighty acres of land, valued at $5,000, and eighty acres in Wisconsin, valued at $800. In 1867 he superintended the building of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which cost, with school, $29,000, where services are, held every month. When he came to this country he had only $100, but by industry and economy he has made himself and family 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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