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Source:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH of McLEAN COUNTY

Contributed by:  Rebecca Bond, koala1701@prodigy.net, on  September 29, 1999

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HENRY NAFZIGER Biography

Henry NAFZIGER, one of the intelligent farmers of Danvers Township, owns and occupies a good homestead 
on section 22. He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, Oct. 19, 1832, being th son of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (ROCKEY) NAFZIGER. The father of our subject was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Aug. 12, 1800. 
He came to America in the fall of 1847, and after landing in New York City, proceeded directly westward, 
staying in Peoria about a month; then came to this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred 
May, 1882. The mother of our subject was born in Bavaria and was the second wife of Jacob NAFZIGER, his first 
wife having been Miss Veronica ROCKEY, a sister of the second wife. Of the first marriage there were three children
 - Jacob, Christian P. and Veronica. The second marriage of Jacob NAFZIGER occurred in 1828, and of this union there 
were born, Catherine, who married Christian NAFZIGER; Henry, our subject; Peter and Frederick, deceased; and Eliza, 
unmarried, and who lives in Danvers Villiage. The subject of this sketch was a youth of fifteen years when his parents 
came to the United States. He was trained to habits of industry and economy and remained under the home roof until 
reaching manhood. He was then united in marriage with Miss. Helen NAFZIGER, April 5, 1855. Mrs. N. was born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Oct. 22, 1832, and came to America with her parents when a young woman twenty years of age. 
Our subject and his wife became the parents of nine children, three now deceased: Robert W. married Miss Mary SLABACH; 
Fredericka died when eighteen years of age. John E. is farming in Tazwell County, this State; Fred is at home; Emma 
became the wife of August HABECKER, and lives in Tazwell County; Henry is deceased; Albert at home; Annie died when young; 
Jacob is with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. N. are members in good standing of the Mennonite Church, of which Mr. N. is Trustee 
and has been Treasurer for several years. He has been a cheerful and liberal contributor to the support of the church and 
was one of the building commitee at the time their house of worship was erected. Mr NAFZIGER is one of the extensive land-owners 
of this section, having 230 acres in his home farm and 240 acres in Tazwell County. He has of late years been turning his attention 
to the breeding of fine stock, including both cattle and horses. He has one valuable thoroughbred Short-horn bull, three cows and 
two heifers and several high-grade cattle, and his horses will compare with any that can be and his horses will compare with any 
that can be exhibited in this part of the coiuntry. The career of Mr. NAFZIGER is a striking illustration of what may be accomplished 
by industry and resolution. After leaving his native land and coming to Ohio, he worked on a farm by the month in Warren County, 
receiving the first the first year $8 per month. The second year he received $12 per month. He tented his father his father's homestead 
in this country for ten years, and at the end of that time purchased his present homestead. Every dollar of this he has accumulated 
honestly by hard work and good management, and is now enjoing the fruits of his early toil and industry.