Woodford County Biographies

The biographies in this section were transcribed from:

"From Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 1878)"

"Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois (1889)"

"The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (1900)"

and "Montana, its Story and Biography" (Chicago: American Historical Society, 1921)

If you are looking for the Surname beginning with the letter:
A-C	D-F	G-J	K-M
N-P	Q-S	T-V	W-Z

From Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 1878):

AHRENS, John B., retired farmer; P. O. Spring Bay; was born in Hanover, Germany, Dec. 21, 1810; emigrated to America in 1846, stopping in New Orleans about five years, and in 1852, came directly to Spring Bay, purchasing two lots and erecting a small house. For the next ten years was employed most of the time in warehouse; in 1863, purchased forty acres of land and commenced farming. He was married in Germany in 1831, to Miss Katrina Knoll; she was born in Germany in 1805, have had five children, three living---Wilhelmina (now Mrs. Peter Peterson of Marshall County), Margaret (now Mrs. Wm. Fisher, of Spring Bay) and Henry; lost two---Joseph died in the army in 1864; and Harmon, died in Spring Bay in 1871. Mr. A. now owns 72 acres of land and 23 town lots.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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From The Past and Present of Woodford County Illinois (1878)

Avas, John, farmer and breeder of fine horses; Sec. 36; P.O. Benson; born in Hanover, Germany, April 27, 1843; came to this country in early childhood with his parents who settled in St Clair Co., Ill., came to this county in the Spring of 1864, locating in Green Tp., and in 1867 removed to his present home [Clayton Twp]; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $11,200. Enlisted in the 47th Ill. Inf. in Aug., 1862, discharged in Feb., 1863. Married in 1864 to Miss Ruth Brown; she was born in Woodford Co. Mr A. is giving his attention to the raising and breeding of fine horses.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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