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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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HENRY W. F. NEUHAUS. In this volume may be found biographies of many useful citizens who, possessing remarkable energy, have worked their way upward from poverty to affluence. The life of Mr. Neuhaus furnishes an example of this kind. Of German birth and parentage, he has inherited the sturdy traits of character for which the Teutonic tribes have always been noted. For many years he engaged actively in the cultivation and improvement of a farm in Randolph County, and became known as one of the successful and progressive agriculturists of this section. He is now a resident of Steeleville, where he is well and favorable known as a citizen, neighbor and friend.

The parents of our subject, William and Louisa (Struck) Neuhaus, were natives of Germany, whence in 1870 they emigrated to the United States. They came at once to Illinois and located near Steeleville, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. Here he and his wife continued to make their home until death. Their third child, Henry W. F., was born in Germany February 12, 1847, and grew to manhood in the land of his birth, receiving a good education in the German language. At the age of fourteen years he hired out as a farm laborer and continued thus engaged for a period of six years.

In 1867, Mr. Neuhaus took passage for America, and arriving in this country, proceeded to Illinois and made settlement in Washington County, where he worked on a farm for six months. He then came to Steeleville and hired out as a farm laborer, remaining thus employed for one and a-half years. He then began an independent career as a farmer, and having acquired thorough familiarity with agricultural pursuits, success naturally followed his efforts. In 1888 he retired from the farm and came to Steeleville, where he has since resided.

The lady who on the 15th of November, 1872, became the wife of Mr. Neuhaus bore the maiden name of Doretha Rabe. Her parents, Henry and Mary (Borman) Rabe, were born in Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States, settling in Randolph County in an early day. Mr. Rabe is deceased, and his widow is living in East St. Louis. In their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Neuhaus are members of the Lutheran Church, and are regular attendants at the services of that denomination. As a member of the Democratic party, he has always maintained an interest in national and local political affairs, but is not an aspirant for official honors. He is an upright man, straightforward in his dealings, and obliging and kind in his relations with those with whom he comes in contact.

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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 Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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