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JOHN DANNER owns and occupies a comfortable estate on section 23, township 2, range 2, Shiloh Township, Jefferson County. The land is carefully and intelligently tilled and the place is well stocked and bears the usual improvements, including the latest inventions in the way of farm machinery. Mr. Danner was born September 17, 1839, in York County, Pa., and is the son of David and Barbara (Leib) Danner. The father of our subject was also born in the above county in Pennsylvania in 1805, and there grew to mature years and received a good education. The family, which originally came from Germany, located in York County, where they were farmers of the enterprising and progressive stamp. David Danner had four brothers and one sister. Solomon resides on the old home farm near Hanover, Pa., which has been in the possession of the family for more than a century and a-half. The remaining three brothers emigrated to Ohio and finally to Illinois, where two of them died. The only survivor is Henry, who makes his home in Astoria, Fulton County, at which place the father of our subject died July 14, 1873. The latter was a man of high moral character, strictly honest and greatly esteemed by his neighbors. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and although not in any sense an office seeker, at various times filled the positions of Township Supervisor and Assessor.In religion he was a Dunkard, and in every sense was a true Christian. The mother of our subject, who was likewise a native of York County, Pa., is descended from a family of early settlers iu the Keystone State. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. David Danner occurred about 1830 in York County. Their union was blessed by the birth of six children, only three of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth, who married Samuel Grove, of the above county; Jesse, a stockdealer near Rushville, this state, and John, of this sketch. Our subject grew to mature years in his native county, and received his education in the schools near his home. He assisted his father in carrying on the home farm until reaching his seventeenth year, when he learned the tanner's trade, which occupation he followed in connection with farming for a period of nineteen years. Since that time, however, he has devoted his entire time and attention to cultivating the soil. In 1879 he came to Illinois, making his home near Rushville, where he remained until 1893. In that year he came to Jefferson County and purchased the land on which stood the house formerly owned and occupied by Lieutenant-Governor Casey in Shiloh Township. His landed estate comprises a quarter-section of fine land, which is accounted one of the best in the township. While living in Pennsylvania our subject seemed to be unfortunate in all his undertakings, and consequently when coming to the Prairie State he had but little means with which to commence life in a strange country. He began farming as a renter, but so successful was he that he was soon enabled to purchase sixty acres of land in Schuyler County. With the energy characteristic of his people, he has pushed ahead and to-day has a valuable and comfortable estate. September 3. 1863, Mr. Danner and Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Mary (Woolf) Kline, were united in marriage. Of their union have been born six children, all living, viz.: Frank E.; Minnie A., now Mrs. Charles Vancleave, of Schuyler County; Lizzie, who is one of the clerks in the Census office at Washington, 1). C.; Clarence E., who is engaged with his father in carrying on the home farm; Mary M. and Urie K. In social affairs Mr. Danner is a Mason and a member of the Grange. He is a Democrat in politics, and while residing in Schuyler County was Township Supervisor. With his wife he is a member of the Evangelical Church. Although a new comer in Jefferson County, he is welcomed by his neighbors, and already occupies an honored place in their midst.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer