ADAM J. FETZ, a practical, prosperous farmer of Elizabeth Township, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Jo Daviess County for eleven years. He long ago won the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens by his honorable and upright life, and by his evident capability; and selecting him as worthy of public office, they have elected him to responsible positions. He is actively interested in all that pertains to the social, moral, religious, and material elevation of the community, and both in public life and as a private citizen, has done much to promote it.

He is a native of New York, born in Sullivan County, the date of his birth being Nov. 17, 1849. He is a son of Peter and Elizabeth Fetz, natives of Germany, and respected residents of Elizabeth Township. His father was a tailor by trade, and the first four years of his life in this country he plied his trade in New York City. He subse-quently removed with his family to Sullivan County, where he farmed principally. In the fall of 1885 he came to Jo Daviess County, and now makes his home near that of our subject. He has been twice married. The wife of his early manhood died in New York City shortly after their arrival from the old country, leaving two children; Peter, a resident of Pike County, Pa., and Kate, wife of the Rev. S. A. Delzer, of the Lutheran Church, located in Fraser, Mich. By his second marriage Mr. Fetz had seven children, six of whom are living, as follows: Adam; George, a resident of Narrowsburg, N. Y.; Henry, of Port Jervis, N. Y.; Eliza, wife of Spencer Hardenburg, of Galena, Ill.; Louisa, wife of Howard Travis, of New York City; Lena, at home with her parents.

Our subject was reared to a stalwart and energetic manhood in his native county, acquiring an excellent education in the public and in the private German schools, which he has further supplemented by judicious reading, he being very fond of books, and he keeps well posted on the general topics of the day. He received a thorough training in the care of a farm under the instruction of his father, and remained an inmate of the parental household until he attained his twentieth year, when he became ambitious to strike out for himself. He accordingly went to Elk County, Pa., and there engaged in driving team for some twenty-one months. He then returned to Sullivan County, and was similarly occupied the ensuing six months. We next hear of him in Port Jervis, N. Y., of which place he remained a resident seven years. He there took unto himself a good wife in the person of Miss Mary Koehler, to whom he was united in marriage Nov. 16, 1873. She is a native of Sullivan County, and was born March 31, 1856, to Philip and Catherine Koehler, natives of Germany. They emigrated to this country some time in the forties, and were located for many years in Sullivan County. In the spring of 1879 they broke up their home in New York State, and coming to Jo Daviess County, have been residents of Galena ever since. They are esteemed members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and are respected by all who know them. Of the children born to them eight survive, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Heller, of East Dubuque, Ill.; Anna, wife of John Boehmer, of Sullivan County, N. Y.; Catherine, wife of John Robesch, of Galena, Ill.; Mary; Barbara, wife of Lewis Wagner, of Sullivan County, N. Y.; Philip, who lives in Galena; Lewis, who lives in Elizabeth Township; Henry, who lives in Jo Daviess County. Six children have been born of the marriage of our subject and his wife, namely: Philip P., Lewis A., Katie E., Louis, John H., and Howard W.

In the fall of 1878 Mr. Fetz accompanied by his wife and two children, came to Jo Daviess County, Ill., from their early home in New York State, and settling on his present farm on section 6, Elizabeth Township, has lived here ever since. He owns 184 acres of land of unsurpassed fertility, and he now has it under excellent tillage, and has many valuable improvements. In the building up of their cosy home his wife has cheerfully toiled by his side, aiding him by her ready help and wise counsel, and he gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to her. They are very highly spoken of in their community, and are cordially like by the people among whom they have come to make their home. They are identified with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Galena, being among its most zealous members.

Mr. Fetz has mingled much in the public life of the township, and is now serving his third term as School Director. He was elected Assessor of the township, first in 1883, and was re-elected in 1884, and again in 1885, serving three years in all. In him the Republican party of Jo Daviess County finds one of its most intelligent supporters. Socially, he belongs to the Galena I. O. O. F. Mr. Fetz was elected Supervisor of Elizabeth on April 2, 1889.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits and Biographical Jo Daviess County 1889 Pg 589