Ferdinand W. Hegert, whose death occurred in Dixon, February 27, 1883,
was born in Prussia, April 12, 1848. He came
of German stock and parentage, and had the misfortune to lose his mother when fifteen years of
age, she dying when scarcely past middle life. He
was sixteen years old when his father, Carl
Hegert, with the remainder of his family emigrated to the United States, settling in Amboy.
this State, to which place some of the older sons
had come some time previously. Here the father
died in 1882, when about sixty-seven years old,
having been remarkably hale and healthy up to the
time of his death. He was a consistent member of
the German Lutheran Church.
After coming to this country our subject acquired a knowledge of the English language in the
public schools and then entered the drug store of
Phinney & Sangor,of Amboy and was there engaged
as head clerk for some years. Later he came to
Dixon and formed a partnership with Constant
Wild, a well-known druggist. Upon the death of
Mr. Wild, Mr. Hegert continued the business in
which he was very successful and accumulated a
good property. He was married in Amboy in 1873,
to Miss Wilhelmina Molly. She was born in New
York City in 1852, and was the daughter of
Charles and Wilhelmina (Blackman) Molly, who
were natives of Germany, coming of Rhinish-Prussian parentage. Her parents emigrated to
this country and after living for some time in New
York City, removed to Arnboy in 1853, where they are still l iving, Mr. Molly having retired from business.
Mrs. Hegert was ccarefully reared and given an excellent education and is a woman of great intelligence and ability and a devoted wife and mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Hegert are the parents of four children,
one of whom, Fred, died when a child. The others - Emma M., Charles F.W.
and Ina W.H. are at home. Mrs. Hegert and all of her children are members of the Lutheran Church, in which she is prominent in all good works. The family occupy a prominent position in society and are deserving of the esteem in which they are held.
Mr. Hegert during his life was a constant attendant of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he was a Republican, and was an honorary member of the Fire Department at Dixon. He was prominent in the order of Odd Fellows of that city, and his loss was greatly felt in both business and social circles.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Lee County Pg. 340
