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 649; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Henry Motsinger. Among the men who are cultivating a
portion of the soil of Canton Township to good advantage is the
gentleman above named, whose pleasant home is located on section
12. His dwelling is above the average, and the accompanying
out-buildings are also substantial and well designed for their
respective purposes. The attention of the passer-by will at once
be called to the neatness and order which everywhere prevails, and the
opinion will readily be formed that the proprietor of the place
understands his business.
The father of our subject was Michael Motsinger, who was born in
North Carolina and married Barbara Gilstrap, who was a South
Carolinian. Early in the ‘40s they came to this county from
Washington County, Ind., making their first settlement in Orion
Township. Seven years later they removed to Canton Township,
which was their home at the time of their death, although they had
previously spent a few years in Nebraska. They had twelve
children, of whom our subject is the sixty in order of birth.
Henry Motsinger was born in Washington County, Ind., October 29,
1826, and since he accompanied his father to this county has been a
resident here. Upon reaching years of maturity, he engaged in
farming and stock-raising with such good results that he has become the
owner of about five hundred acres of fine land and been able to put
upon it the improvements before mentioned.
At the home of the bride’s parents, Thomas and Joanna (Coleman)
Wolf, in Orion Township, November 14, 1858, the marriage of our subject
and Miss Sarah Wolf took place. Mrs. Motsinger was born in Orion
Township, April 20, 1832, and under the careful training of worthy
Christian parents developed the graces of character which win lasting
regard. The principal items in the history of her parents will be
found in the sketch of Jeremiah P. Wolf, which occupies a place in this
Album. Mr. and Mrs. Motsinger have had two children – a son and a
daughter. John M. died in this township April 4, 1879, at the age
of nineteen years; Mary E. is the wife of William H. Gaskill and the
mother of one child – Lena F. Her home is in Canton Township.
Mr. Motsinger is a believer in and a supporter of the principles
of Democracy. He and his wife are efficient members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, bearing a prominent part in the work of the
society and in all matters which will add to the welfare of the
community. Mr. Motsinger has been a Trustee of the Church and has
filled the office of Steward for twenty years.
