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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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W. FRANK TREFFTZS. Since his early youth this gentleman has manifested a degree of enterprise which has redounded to his credit and resulted in worldly prosperity. He is of German ancestry, and no doubt inherits some of the national characteristics which have combined to secure his financial success. He is a son of Gabriel and Mary (Federer) Trefftzs, who came to America from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1837.

Gabriel Trefftzs, who was the elder in a family of two children, was a weaver by trade, and also owned and operated a seven-acre tract of land in his native country. Prior to coming to America he married Miss Federer, and of their union seven children were born in Germany. After coming to the United States two children were added to the family. The household included Caroline; Gabriel, now deceased; Levy, Jacob; Gottleib, who died in Germany; Lewis, also deceased; Mathias; Rebecca and William F., our subject. The parents were members of the German Lutheran Church, and were active in all good works. After coming to America they located on rented land in Ohio, which they operated until coming to Perry County in 1854. Here the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of Government land, which forms a part of our subject’s present home, and he worked industriously in order to clear and improve his property. He departed this life March 2, 1875, and was followed to the better land by his good wife, who died July 2, 1878.

W. Frank Trefftzs received a district school education and lived with his parents, caring for them until their decease. Then purchasing of his brothers and sisters their interest in the home farm he became its proprietor, and is now conducting affairs so as to reap good returns. When twenty-three years of age Mr. Trefftzs married Miss Eliza E. Black, who was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1844. She is the daughter of Louis and Nancy (Watkins) Black, natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Missouri. To them has been born a family of ten children, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are, Gabriel; Winefred, Mrs. George G. Brown; Lewis, Emma, Jacob, Lydia M., Cora M., Sadie E. and Grace M. The children have been given good educations, and one member of the family has been very successful as a school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Trefftzs are conscientious members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which the former has been Clerk. In early life a Republican, he now votes with the People’s party.

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

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