BIOGRAPHY - ISAAC LEMNA
Isaac C. Lemna, engaged in the livery business in Piper City, was born in Detroit, Canada, November 12, 1849, his parents being Isaac and Amelia (Besonett) Lemna, who were likewise natives of Canada, whence they came to Illinois in 1855, locating first in Iroquois county, where they lived for ten years. They then moved to Chatsworth, Illinois, and the father was employed in the sugar factory there. The mother's death occurred in Chatsworth in 1899, and the father passed away on the 11th of October, 1907. In their family were twelve children, of whom six are now living, Isaac C. being the eldest. The others are: Frank, a resident of Kankakee, Illinois; Mary, the wife of F. M. Tavares of Dwight, this state; Lizzie, the wife of Godfrey Fortier of Kansas; Lena, the widow of John Dancy and a resident of Chatsworth; and Cena, the wife of John Hoyle, living at Pleasant Hope, Missouri.
Isaac C. Lemna was but seven years of age when brought by his parents from Canada to this state and in his parents' home he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He worked with his father until twenty-three years of age and in the public schools acquired a limited education. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons. On starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty-three years he rented a farm in Livingston county, Illinois, where he resided for thirty years. He then bought a farm in Jasper county, Indiana, whereon he resided for two years, after which he sold his property there and came to Piper City, where he established a livery business, which he is largely conducting, his son Jesse being his partner in this enterprise. They keep a number of good horses and fine vehicles and receive a liberal patronage.
Mr. Lemna was married in 1873 to Miss Anna Fortier, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, and was one of a family of twelve children. Her parents are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lemna has been blessed with nine children but two of the number have passed away. Those who still survive are: Jesse, who is now in business with his father; William, residing in Piper City; Fred, who is conducting a barber shop at Chatsworth, Illinois; Frank, at home; Sadie, Mary and Leo, who are yet under the parental roof.
The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and contribute generously to its support. In addition to his livery business Mr. Lemna owns a fine residence in the village of Piper City. In politics he is a republican and though he has not sought or desired public office he has been called upon to serve as school director and has filled the position for nine years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart supporter. He is widely known in this county and as a business man displays a spirit of enterprise Which has brought to him a desirable measure of success.
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 608-609.
