BIOGRAPHY - JACOB EHRESMAN
Jacob Ehresman is the owner of the Hickory Grove Stock Farm on section 31, Brenton township, and is one of the best known stock-dealers of this part of the state, being extensively engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Shropshire sheep. He owns and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of land and also has good pasturage upon his place, while modern equipments facilitate the work of the fields and substantial buildings provide ample shelter for grain and stock.
Mr. Ehresman is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Montgomery township, Woodford county, on the 16th of October, 1862. His parents were Christian and Fannie (Barnard) Ehresman, the former a native of Baden, Germany, while the latter was born in the Rhine country of Switzerland. They were married in Illinois and both died in Woodford county, the former at the age of seventy-five years and the latter when seventy-two years of age. By a former marriage the father had seven children, and unto Christian and Fannie Ehresman there were born eight children.
Upon the old homestead farm Jacob Ehresman spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and as age and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the work of the fields. His education was acquired in the common schools and through experience and observation he has added largely to his knowledge, becoming one of the well informed men of the community. He has always followed farming and stock-raising, remaining upon the old homestead farm with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and removed to McLean county, there purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in which his wife had an interest, and a few years later he bought one hundred and seventy acres more. Upon that place he resided until he sold the property and removed to Ford county, purchasing his present farm in March, 1897. He has made many improvements here, adding all modern equipments and accessories. The place is well named the Hickory Grove Stock Farm because of the fine grove of hickory trees, covering sixteen acres. The north fork of the Vermilion river runs through his land, which is well drained and well watered, and altogether the farm presents a most attractive appearance. It comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive laud, the soil responding readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. Mr. Ehresman is engaged in the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle, having about forty head, a part of which are registered. He is the owner of a fine registered male, Colenso of the Wells, No. 75759. He also has upon his place fifty head of Shropshire sheep and is one of the leading stock-dealers of this locality.
In 1885 Mr. Ehresman was married to Miss Elizabeth Anna Strubhar, of Danvers township, McLean county, Illinois, born May 6, 1867. Upon the farm where her birth occurred she continued to live until she came to Ford county ten years ago. Her parents were Valentine and Barbara (Guingrich) Strubhar, natives of France. The mother was born March 19, 1828, and was a year and a half old when brought to the United States by her parents. She is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Ehresman and has reached the advanced age of eighty years. The birth of Mr. Strubhar occurred September 26, 1817, and at the age of seventeen years he came to America, residing in Ohio for about three years. He made the voyage with his widowed mother, and on leaving the Buckeye state he removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he took up his abode in a log cabin, while the experiences and hardships of pioneer life fell to his lot. As the years passed he carried on the work of the farm and made it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixtjy-four years of age. His daughter, Mrs. Ehresman, was born and reared upon that farm, where she lived until her removal with her husband to Ford county. She was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of six children: William Roy, Elsie Pearl, Ocie Marie, Virdie Aldene, Angie May and Delbert Donald.
Mr. Ehresman exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the South Brenton Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder, while in the work of the church he takes a most active and helpful part. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles, and in his relations with his fellowmen he displays substantial qualities and a kindly and just spirit, which have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 852-854.
