My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

JOHN HENRY OSTERLOH. The highly improved and prosperous condition of Randolph County is in a large degree due to its farming population, which is for the most part composed of men who are energetic in disposition, strong in character, sensible in judgment and prompt to take advantage of whatever will prove beneficial. It is of one of this class of whom we write. His farm, comprising seventy-five acres in township 6, range 5, is one of the best in this region, having rural buildings of neat design, and rich harvest fields and pastures devoted to the support of cattle and horses.

The second of three children, our subject was born in Germany, May 10, 1856, and was a lad of ten years when in 1866 he came to America in company with his parents, Henry and Dora (Felingdref) Osterloh. For some years afterwards he aided his father, who is still following the occupation of a farmer near Steeleville, Ill. He attended the Lutheran schools at Chester and Randolph, spending one year at each place. After having assisted his father for some years, he began for himself at the age of twenty-six years, and purchasing land near Steeleville, entered at once upon the task of clearing and cultivating the property. He has met with such success that he is now numbered among the most prosperous agriculturists of the township, and while devoting considerable time to mixed farming, has also made a specialty of stock-raising.

December 26, 1880, Mr. Osterloh was united in marriage with Miss Amelia, daughter of Fritz and Mary (Zaller) Jutze, natives of Switzerland. They came to Randolph County in an early day, and are now residents of St. Louis, where Mr. Jutze follows the carpenter’s trade. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Osterloh there have been born six children, all of whom are at home with their parents and who are named in the order of their birth, Alvina, Henry, Minnie, Frederick, Esty and Alvin. In religious connections Mr. Osterloh and his family are identified with the Lutheran Church, and are generous contributors to its support.

In politics Mr. Osterloh supports the measures of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public position. In every respect he has been one of the enterprising citizens of the county and has done much to make it the flourishing agricultural region that it now is. He deserves great credit for his success in life, as he has received little assistance, but has worked his way upward unaided. With true public spirit and characteristic liberality he has aided every enterprise that would in any way advance the welfare of the community.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.