My Genealogy Hound

PETER RAHN is numbered among the resident farmers of Monroe County, and makes his home on section 1, township 4, range 9 west. A German by birth, he was born in the province of Rheinpfolz, on the 11th of December, 1826, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara Rahn. In their family were five children. The mother died in Germany, and the father afterward married Elizabeth Stuhlfolt. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit in his native land until 1842, when he crossed the briny deep. The vessel in which he sailed dropped anchor in the harbor of New York on the 4th of July. He came directly to Monroe County, Ill., where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land. He made all of the necessary improvements upon it, and placed it under a high state of cultivation, devoting his energies to its further development until his death. The parents of our subject were both members of the Evangelical Church. Only two of their children are living, Peter and Philip. There is also one half-brother, Wendell, a resident of Monroe County.

Peter Rahn spent the first sixteen years of his life in the Fatherland, and then came with the family to the United States. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm, and also bore the hardships and trials of frontier life. At the age of nineteen he left home and started out in life for himself, going to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he spent three years engaged in draying. On the expiration of that period he returned to Monroe County, where he has since made his home. His energies have since been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land, but expects soon to retire from active business life, for by his industry, perseverance and good management in former years he has acquired the capital which will enable him to spend his declining days in rest from labor.

In 1850 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rahn and Barbara Gedelmann, daughter of Nicholas Gedelmann. The lady was born in Germany, and with the family came to America in 1844, locating in Randolph County. Unto our subject and his wife were born six children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Nicholas, a liquor dealer of St. Louis, Mo.; Henry, who is engaged in farming in Monroe County, Ill.; Anna and Barbara, at home; Mary, a resident of St. Louis; and Elizabeth, deceased wife of Philip Baner.

In his political views, Mr. Rahn is a stalwart Republican, who warmly advocates the principles of his party. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and for twelve years he served as School Director. He and his wife hold membership with the Evangelical Church. He has lived an honorable, upright life, and among those who know him his word is as good as his bond. He has the respect of all, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers the record of his career.