WILLIAM BROKHAUSEN, an extensive land-owner and successful farmer of Silver Creek Township, occupies a fine estate on section 4, comprising 370 acres with valuable improvements, including a substantial farm residence, a good barn, and all the other out-buildings required by the progressive agriculturist. The main points in his history are substantially as follows:

Anton Brokhausen, the father of our subject, was a native of Germany, and when a young man learned the trade of a weaver, which he followed in his native country until starting for the United States, in 1856. He had been married and had become the father of a family, among whom was William, of our sketch, who had preceded his father to America, in 1848. The latter, after arriving here, proceeded westward to Wisconsin, locating in Sheboygan County, and there spending the balance of his life. His wife was formerly Miss Dora Prithouse, who was also of German birth and parentage, and who died before the family emigrated to this country.

William Brokhausen was the fifth of nine children born to his parents, the family including three sons and six daughters. He also learned the trade of weaving from his father, and followed it while in Germany. He made the voyage across the Atlantic on a sailing-vessel, landing in New York after a tedious voyage of fifty-one days. He proceeded by canal to Buffalo, thence to Albany, and from there journeyed on to Chicago, Ill. There he spent but a few days, and then proceeding to a point near the vicinity of Elgin, engaged to work on a farm and was thus employed for three years following. Upon his arrival in Chicago, he was penniless, and the first season worked for $6 per month. As his usefulness increased, his wages were raised, and in due time with genuine German persistence and economy, he began to save money. He finally returned to Chicago and secured employment in a distillery, of which he became foreman and manager. While in that city, he met and married Miss Helmina Korf, a native of his own country, and the daughter of Henry Korf, a well-educated man, who was a teacher by profession, and who died in Germany in middle life. Mrs. B. came to this country with her sisters.

After his marriage, Mr. Brokhausen repaired to Genoa, De Kalb County, and engaged in distilling. Subsequently the house by which he was employed failed, and he was obliged to seek new quarters. He returned to Chicago, remaining for a short time, and then proceeded to Joliet, where he was engaged in a distillery, and remained fifteen months. His next move was to Northern Illinois, and this county, where, in company with J. S. Miller, he became connected, in October, 1857, with the Yellow Creek Brewery. After sojourning there for a time, he was employed at Mt. Carroll, and soon afterward began to invest in land. This venture proved so successful that he followed it up, and in due time became the owner of a large extent of territory. In the meantime he continued his connection with the distilling business, of which he gained a complete knowledge, and finally commanded a salary of $2,500 per annum, from the firm of Fry & Miller, in whose establishment he occupied the position of general manager. He continued to invest his spare capital in real estate, and is now the owner of nearly 800 acres in Stephenson County.

Mr. and Mrs. Brokhausen became the parents of thirteen children, three now deceased, but five sons and five daughters living. The parents are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Freeport, and our subject, politically, is a Democrat of the first water, and has held the office of Road Commissioner.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 268.