Biographies

JOHN H. HUGENSCHUTZ, a prominent and well-known farmer of Stronghurst Township, Henderson County, now living on section 30, is numbered among the early settlers of this community, and is one of its self-made men. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 29th of January, 1821, and is the second in order of birth in a family of four children whose parents, Harmon H. and Mary ( Stickford ) Hugenschutz, were also natives of Hanover, Germany. Two of the children are now deceased, George D. and Mary, but Caroline and John H. are yet living. The father of this family was a tailor by trade, and was also a musician of considerable merit.

In his parents' home our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, and worked for two years for $19 He has been dependent upon his own resources since a youth of fifteen: at this time he began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for three years, during which time he received only $21. He continued to make his home in the Fatherland until thirty years of age, when he decided to emigrate to America, believing that he might thereby benefit his financial condition. Boarding a West-bound vessel, the “Matilda†he spent seven weeks upon the ocean and on the 7th of July 1851, landed at New York. For three years he remained in the empire state, working at what ever he could find to do to earn an honest livelihood.

In December, 1851 , while in New York, Mr. Hugenschutz was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Annegers, who died in 1854. In October of that year he returned to his native land on a visit, and there spent the succeeding winter, coming again to America in the spring of 1855. It was then that he located in Henderson County, where for two years he followed the carpenter's trade. In 1856, he began farming and has since carried on agricultural pursuits with good success, until he is now the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved.

In 1858, Mr. Hugenschutz was joined in wedlock with Miss Margaret Jurgens, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 1st of August, 1830, and came to America in 1855. Her death occurred on the 1st of September, 1864. Three children were born of that union: two sous, who died in infancy, and Mary, wife of Dr. I. F. Harter, of Stronghurst.

In his political views, Mr. Hugenschutz is a Democrat, having affiliated with that party since casting his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He takes quite a prominent part in social interests, is a member of Carman Lodge No. 732, A. F. & A. M. ; Dallas City Chapter No. 11, R. A. M.; Burlington Commandery No. 15, K. T.; and the Order of the Eastern .Star.

His life has been well and worthily spent, and though he has taken no prominent part in public affairs, he has lived an honorable, upright life, that has won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. With no capital, he began life for himself, but has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in his path by a resolute purpose and a determined will. As the result of his enterprise and industry, he has achieved a success which has made him one of the substantial citizens of the community.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.