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John Effland
Biography |
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Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois:
containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent
and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and
biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors
of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 446-448;
Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Effland. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of
a fine tract of land on section 31, Ellisville Township, which in its
improvement and general appearance will compare favorably with any
estate in the county. It consists of forty acres, occupying a beautiful
situation a half mile from Ellisville. A commodious house of pleasing
architectural design was built in 1882, and a fine barn erected the
same season. Another was put up in 1890, the second being 32x48 feet in
dimensions. A fine orchard has been set out and other improvements have
been made, including the conducting of water into the house by pipes,
thus adding greatly to the convenience which characterizes the fittings
of the home. The water is also conveyed to the barn from a living
spring in the hillside, which furnishes a thirty-foot fall. Mr. Effland
owns other real estate in this vicinity.
Our subject is a son of Mathias Effland, who was born in
Bavaria, Germany. His parents were farmers, and he was reared and
educated on the estate. When a young man he entered the employ of the
railroad as a brakeman, then became weighmaster, holding the latter
position until he resigned to come to America, where he believed he
could better his condition. In accordance with the laws of the land he
also served for a time in the German army. He married Miss Margaret
Pippert, a native of the same province as himself, and with her and one
child came to the United States in 1851. They left Bremen on a sailing
vessel, and after a long voyage landed in New York, whence they made
their way to Elmore, Ohio. Mr. Effland's means were exhausted, and he
labored at whatever he could find to do for a short time. He then
bought a piece of land in what was known at the Black Swamp, in Ottawa
County, locating there and endeavoring to build up a home. The country
was low and unhealthful, and the entire family was troubled with the
ague. Mr. Effland therefore determined to seek a healthier country, and
in 1857 left this land and came to Ellisville, Ill. Here he worked by
the day as a laborer, and also did farming for others.
In 1861 Mr. Effland took advantage of the first opportunity
afforded of selling his Ohio land, receiving $300 for the one hundred
and sixty acres. He at once secured one hundred and sixty acres on
section 29, Ellisville Township, the price of which was $700. It was
unimproved bottom land, and its low price was due to the fact that
settlers were afraid to venture crops in the bottoms of the Spoon
River, for fear of being drowned out. Mr. Effland began improving and
cultivating his farm, finding the soil capable of yielding large crops.
He continued to reside in Ellisville, and being successful in his
labors soon bought fifty-two acres on section 6, adjoining the village.
A few years later he sold it and purchased eighty acres on section 30,
and there made his home, putting up the best of buildings and other
improvements. About 1872 he purchased a town lot, put up a store
building 20x60 feet, and buying a stock of general merchandise,
embarked in trade. He was interested in the store twelve years, paying
the greater part of his personal attention however, to farming. He had
gone into merchandising to help a friend who was a practical merchant
to a job, and finally sold out to him. Mr. Effland was extensively
engaged in raising and feeding stock, and became the owner of some five
hundred acres of well-improved land, one hundred acres of which was in
Union Township.
Mr. Effland was a quiet, unassuming man who seldom exerted his
influence, although when he chose he had great power in the community.
In religious belief he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat. He
breathed his last August 31, 1889, at the age of sixty-six years, six
months and six days. His widow still lives on the old homestead, and is
now seventy years old. Their family consists of seven children, the
subject of this notice being the second in order of birth. Henry lives
in Mitchell County, Kan.; Mrs. Catherine Babbitt, in Keyha Paha County,
Neb.; Martin, Augustus and Peter are farmers in Ellisville Township,
this county; Mrs. Mary Dall lives near Bushnell.
John Effland was born in Elmore, Ohio, December 27, 1851, and
lived in Ottawa County until five years old. He was then brought to the
Prairie State by his parents, who traveled by rail to Prairie City. The
lad grew to manhood in Ellisville, which was then quite a business
center. He attended the common schools, which were quite good, although
the periods of instruction were limited. He was early set to work, and
when a small boy drove oxen in breaking prairie, and otherwise bore a
share in home labors. Game of various kinds was quite abundant here,
deer being especially numerous, while rattlesnakes were frequently
seen. When he had reached his majority, our subject worked by the month
for his father on the farm and in the store until February, 1874, when
he established his own home.
In building up his fortunes, Mr. Effland has been assisted by
his wife, who in her own department of their affairs has exhibited
prudence and good judgment. She is a native of the Hoosier State, and
came to this county in 1865, when twelve years old. Her father, William
G. Cooke, is now a prominent farmer in Ellisville Township. Miss Phoebe
A. Cooke became Mrs. Effland February 14, 1874. She has borne her
husband three children: William, Mary and Mattie.
After his marriage, Mr. Effland, rented land for two years and
then bought eighty acres on section 30. The land had been well
cultivated, was fenced, but had no buildings upon it. After having
operated the piece six years, Mr. Effland sold it to his brother, with
the intention of going to Nebraska. Just at that time the owner of two
hundred acres on sections 31 and 32, was nearly swamped, and our
subject bought the land at a bargain. It was badly run down, but
well-directed efforts ere long brought it to a fine condition. Some
portions were cleared and grubbed, the sod broken on others, and the
various improvements made which mark it as one of the most comfortable
homes in the county. Mr. Effland has since added other land, bringing
up the total to two hundred and eighty acres. The estate consists of
forty acres on section 31, where the residence is; one hundred and
sixty acres on section 32, and eighty acres on section 29. One hundred
and eighty acres are under the plow, and all that has been cleared is
tillable. Nearly all is bottom land with a practically inexhaustible
soil, and is fertilized by Spoon river and various springs. The owner
carries on general farming, raising grain and stock, and feeding quite
large numbers of hogs. His cattle are of high grade, and his farm
machinery of the latest and most improved models.
Mr. Effland has served as Commissioner of Highways three terms,
his action while in office being of practical benefit to the traveling
public. He has also served as School Director. He is a Republican,
stanch in the faith, capable of intelligently conversing regarding the
issues of the day, and giving good ground for his opinions. He has been
a delegate to county conventions, and has served on petit juries. In
addition to his fine farm, Mr. Effland owns property in Ellisville.
Mrs. Effland belongs to the Christian Church, and stands side by side
with her husband in the esteem of the community.
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