Michael Degenhardt, one of the pioneer residents of West Grant, died at his home in the township of Mt. Hope Wednesday of last week, February 21st, at the ripe old age of 88 years, after a comparatively brief illness.
Mr. Degenhardt was born in Germany, January 28, 1835, and he and a brother came to the United States about 1855. Their first stop in this country was at Chicago, which was then but a struggling small city, the major part of its present site being swamp land. Mr. Degenhardt cut swamp grass with a scythe where some of the largest buildings of that city now stand.
Later he helped to build the line of the Illinois Central Railway running west from Dubuque; then he came to Grant county and settled near Potosi, being employed at farm work in that vicinity for a time. Later he bought eighty acres of rough land near there, cleaned it up and started farming-but had hard luck financially and lost the place. He then rented farms around Hurricane for several years, after which he went to Mt. Hope township and bought the farm which was his home until he died.
Mr. Degenhardt was married at Tennyson, this county, on September 16, 1862, to Elizabeth Mikesch. To this union were born ten children; nine of whom, with the aged wife and mother, survive as follows:-Kate (Mrs. Charles Decker) of Campbell Ridge; -Henry, at home; -Theodore, of Bloomington; -Mary (Mrs. John Ertz) of Lancaster; -Ann (Mrs. Will Zenz) of Potosi; -Adolph of Stillwater, Minnesota; -Frank, Charles, and *Lewis of Mt. Hope;-and one daughter, Regina, who died in infancy.
There are also twenty-eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Degenhardt celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary last September at which time most of the immediate relatives were present.
The above is the life history of a sturdy pioneer who by dint of his own efforts achieved success in carving a fine farm out of a near wilderness. He was a good citizen, neighbor, and friend, and his death is regretted by all his acquaintances. He himself was more than content to have lived so long beyond his allotted time and the end was neither unexpected nor unwelcome to him.
Funeral services were held last Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Bloomington, Reverand Pollack officiating. Interment was in the village Catholic cemetery.
More Pages in the works......"All Things Degenhardt"--http://homepages.rootsweb.com./~degnhrdt/home.html
& "Degenhardt GenRegister"--http://degenhardtsearch.homestead.com/home.html