Untitled Document

JOHN LEONARD DANNER

Agricultural methods have changed very materially during the past decade or two and interurban survice, telephonic connections, automobiles and the consequent betterment of roads on account of the latter, have brought the farmers much closer together. as well as placed them in touch with the (enters of business activity so that the man today who devotes himself to the cultivation of his land is more independent than any other worker in the world. One of the men whose hospitable home is always open is John Leonard Danner. owner of eighty-five acres of fine land in Buffalo Prairie township, and of two other farms in Drury township, one of 140 acres on sections 14 and 15 and the other of forty acres on section 13.

John L. Danner was born in Muscatine, Ia., October 13, 1858, being a son of John L. and Margaret (Braunworth) Danner. The father was born in Wurtemburg. Germany, on October 23. 1823, and his wife in the same place December 25. 1829. They came to the United States at different times. By trade the father was a shoemaker, and came to Rock Island county in 1868, after which he engaged in farming. in Drury township. There he died on March 15, 1899. his widow surviving him until September 29, 1906. They were members of the German Methodist church, and he held several offices in it. including that of local preacher. In politics, he was a republican. The children born to these parents were: John Leonard; William, who is of Pharr. Texas, moved there recently; Charles, died in Drury township January 20, 1904, having married Annie Seidler; Mary, Mrs. August Krueger of Drury township. and Edward, born in 1873, who died April 3, 1881, at the age of nine years.

John Danner was educated in the schools of Muscatine, and the White Oak school in Rock Island county. When twenty years old, he left school, and worked for his father until twenty-six years old. On November 13, 1884, he married Caroline Wetekam, daughter of Christian Wetekam. Mrs. Danner was born in Fuerstenthum, Wakdech, Germany, April 15, 1805, and came to the United States when seventeen years old. She died December 13, 1911, and was buried at Illinois City. They had four children: Lewis of Drury township, married Philipina Fuhr; John, a farmer of Drury township, married Lulu Morehead; and Rosa and Harry, at home.

Following his marriage. Mr. Danner rented the home farm for a period, then bought one of his father's farms of 140 acres in Drury township, which he still owns. In 1902, he bought and located on his present farm, which is one of the best in Buffalo Prairie township, with thoroughly modern improvements. He is a member of the German Methodist church. Politically he is a republican. Hardworking. thrifty and a good manager, he has prospered greatly, and at the same time raised and maintained a high standard of honorable living.

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