LEONARD SCHWENK
Page 167

When a frail bark crossed the restless billows of the Atlantic ocean, in 1854, bearing to the shores of free America, another detachment of emigrants from the fatherland, then, as in thousands of other instances, they bore among their numbers those destined under the free institutions of our country to become not only our most substantial citizens, but most competent officials. Such an instance occurred in the case of him whose name heads this article. Born in Wurtembergh, Germany, July 23, 1832, he emigrated to America in 1854, and located in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1864, in April, when he came to Illinois and made Mason county his home, and engaged in tilling its remunerative soil. In 1855, as millions have done in every clime and in every age, he wisely concluded it "was not good for man to be alone," and brought to his help Miss Rebecca Singley, and right pleasantly have they made life's journey together. Mr. and Mrs. Schwenk are both models of mental and physical health, and bid fair for many long years of happiness, and the enjoyment of the good things of the world. The business abilities of Mr. Schwenk are of a high order. His first official positions were township collector and school treasurer, etc., in Manito township. In 1872 the people of Mason county desiring to place in the office of circuit clerk a man of ability, honesty and worth, discussed the subject very closely, and placed Mr. Schwenk in that important office, the duties of which have been discharged with such fidelity that he is a candidate for re-election. A pleasant family of boys and girls enliven their home, partaking, like their parents, of special healthfulness peculiar to the descendants of that nationality.

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