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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  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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FATHER GERHARD TOENNIES, Assistant Pastor of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church of Murphysboro, was born in Germantown, Clinton County, Ill., November 12, 1864. His grandfather, Gerhard Toennies, was born in Germany, and was a weaver by trade. In 1849, he came with his wife and three sons to America. One son had crossed the previous year, locating in Germantown. The grandparents both died of cholera on the trip up the Mississippi River. He was buried on the banks of the stream, and she was laid to rest in St. Louis.

The father of our subject, Herman Toennies, was born in Germany, and accompanied his parents to the New World. By hard labor, he at length acquired enough capital to purchase land, and cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is now living a retired life in Clinton County, at the age of sixty-three years. In 1891, he paid a visit to his old home in the Fatherland. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann M. Koebbe, was born in Germany, and in early life came with her parents to the United States. She died September 9, 1874, leaving a family of three sons and two daughters.

Father Toennies, whose name heads this sketch, was reared upon the home farm, and worked early and late, aiding in the development of the land. He then studied for a year and a-half with Father William Cluse, now Vicar-General of the diocese, later located in Germantown, and in 1883 entered Teutopolis College, graduating from the classical course. In 1887, he became a student in St. Francis’ Seminary in Milwaukee, pursuing a course in philosophy and theology, and was graduated in 1891. He was ordained a priest at Germantown in St. Boniface Church, June 24, 1891, by Bishop Jansen, of the Belleville diocese, and was appointed Assistant Pastor at Murphysboro On the 13th of July he came to this place, where he has since earnestly labored. He is also Assistant Pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Church, St. Ann’s Church at Radville, St. Gregory’s Church at Grand Tower, and the church at Cartersville. In 1894 a house of worship will be erected at the last named place.

Father Toennies has established a Latin class in the schools at this place. He is a highly educated man, and is indefatigable in his efforts to advance the interests of his church.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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