BIOGRAPHY - LOUIS HUSSONG
Louis
Hussong, who owns one of the best improved farms in Mona township. is a
native of the fatherland, his birth having occurred in Germany on the 5th of
September, 1863. The parents, Louis and Louisa (Gelcer) Hussong, both
natives of Germany, emigrated to America in 1879 and locating in Peoria
county, Illinois. There the father successfully carried on agricultural
pursuits until 1887, in which year he purchased land in Ford county and
brought his family here. Four children were born unto him and his wife,
namely: Louis, of this review; Louisa, the wife of John Leibly, of Woodford
county, Illinois; Conrad, who makes his home in Minnesota; and William, who
resides in Iroquois county, Illinois. The parents are both now deceased.
Louis Hussong acquired his education in the common schools of his native country and was a youth of sixteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and was then employed as a farm hand by the month, working for one man for four years. He then operated a rented farm for twelve years and at the end of that time, through the exercise of careful economy, he was enabled to purchase a farm of his own. The tract comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is located on section 23, Mona township. As the years have passed he has added many substantial improvements to the place, including a handsome ten-room residence, a fine barn and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, for in addition to his general farming interests he is quite extensively engaged in raising and feeding cattle. In both branches of his business he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of his community. His farm is one of the best improved properties in Mona township and in its neat and attractive appearance gives proof of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1888 Mr. Hussong was united in marriage to Miss Anna Schoon, who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, while her parents were natives of Germany and reared a family of seven children.
In his political views Mr. Hussong is independent, not considering himself bound by party ties but voting for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office to which he has been nominated. He served as assessor for one term and has also been school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a helpful friend. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at Kempton, Illinois, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also identified. Save for the assistance which he received from his estimable wife, he has gained his present prosperity entirely through his own labor and perseverance, and through the utilization of the opportunities which the United States offers to ambitious, determined young men.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 518-521.
