William SCHWARTZ, a prosperous and enterprising citizen of Belle Plain township, Marshall county, where he owns a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Peoria, Peoria county, in 1854, and, as the name indicates, is of German ancestry. His father, Henry SCHWARTZ, was born in the fatherland in 1824, being there reared and educated. In 1845, when a young man of twenty-one years, he crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel bound for the United States, and at once made his way to Peoria county, where he followed farming for about ten years, after which he removed to a farm west of Washburn, in Woodford county, this state. He had formed the acquaintance of Caroline SANDMYERS in the old country, where her birth occurred in 1826, and she likewise made her way to the United States, locating in Peoria county, where their acquaintance was renewed, and they were afterward married. They were worthy pioneer people of that part of the state, but both are now deceased, both dying in 1898, only three days apart, the father passing away during the hour of the funeral service of his wife. Their family numbered five sons and one daughter, as follows: William, whose name introduces this record; George, deceased; Mary, the wife of John KANIVE, living in Belle Plain township; John, who makes his home with his sister, Mrs. KANIVE; Henry, a real-estate dealer of Peoria; and August, a resident of Williamsfield, Knox county, Illinois. The father was a democrat in his political views and both he and his wife were devoted members of the German Reformed church, in the faith of which they died.
William SCHWARTZ was reared in Peoria and Woodford counties, and acquired his education in the Garrison district school in the latter county. He was early trained to the duties of the farm, which fitted him to carry on business on his own account, when he began life on his own responsibility. He took up his abode in Marshall county in the fall of 1890, at which time he located in Belle Plain township, since which time he has carried on general farming. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres which came into his possession three years ago, and on which he has since made his home. He has here made many valuable improvements in the way of buildings and his farm is one of the best country homes of Belle Plain township. On his place are found all the equipments and accessories necessary for the successful conduct of farming interests, and Mr. SCHWARTZ follows only the most practical and modern methods in the prosecution of his labors.
Mr. SCHWARTZ chose as a companion and helpmate for life’s journey Miss Amelia WAGNER, who was born in Richland township, this county, a daughter of John V. WAGNER, and by her marriage she has become the mother of five children, all of whom are still under the parental roof, namely: John H., Dora Elizabeth, George Walter, Raymond William and Ida Amelia. In his political views Mr. SCHWARTZ is a democrat and has served as road commissioner of Richland township, but aside from this has not been active in public affairs, preferring rather to give his time and energies to his own private interests, which claim his entire attention. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Washburn, and both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. Mr. SCHWARZ gives hearty support to any movement or measure which he deems will prove of benefit to his community and by his careful management and well directed labors in his business affairs he has accumulated, though the able assistance of his estimable wife, a fine farm property, and both are highly esteemed in this part of Marshall county, where they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
