ANTHONY DOLL, who ranks among the honored pioneers of Stephenson County, came here in the early days, and was one of the first to assist in breaking the sod, and preparing a portion of the soil for raising some of the richest crops of the Prairie State. His birthplace was in Waterloo County, Canada, and the date thereof Aug. 26, 1840. His father, Martin Doll, came from the eastern part of Germany, where he was reared to manhood on a farm, and married Miss Gracie Schamel. After the birth of three children, and not being satisfied with his prospects or his condition in the Fatherland, he resolved to emigrate to America, and accordingly set sail in the spring of 1834. After reaching this country he went first into Canada and purchased 200 acres of timber land in Waterloo County, where he built a log house and remained until 1840. In that humble dwelling our subject and two other children were born. Martin Doll then sold out and started for the West, accompanied by his wife and six children, and equipped with three horses, one yoke of oxen, and two wagons. They carried their household goods and provisions with them, camped and cooked by the wayside, and slept in their wagons at night. After a seven weeks’ journey they landed in this county, the father of our subject having at the end of the journey a cash capital of fifty cents in his pocket. He was fertile in expedients, however, and before long had succeeded in renting a tract of land near Freeport, which he occupied and cultivated two years with success. He was then enabled to purchase a small farm near the city limits, and built up a good home, of which he retained possession fourteen years. In 1856 he came to West Point Township, and purchased the farm adjoining that which our subject now occupies. In 1876 he disposed of this, and retired from active labor, and at present makes his home with his son Anthony, of this sketch, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. The mother departed this life at the homestead in West Point Township, in 1874.

Our subject was the sixth child of his parents, and was but three years of age when they came to this county. He grew up under the parental roof with his brothers and sisters, and early in life was trained to habits of industry and principles of honor. He was a bright and ambitious boy, and as soon as old enough began to lay his own plans for the future, in which he was encouraged and assisted by his excellent father. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Margaret Wendlin, a native of his own county in Canada, and of French parentage. Of this union there were born nine children, who were named respectively, William, John, Rosetta, Aleva, Albert, Emma, Ida, Joseph and George.

Mr. Doll after his marriage located in West Point Township, and was occupied in farming until 1876. He then purchased the old homestead, and three years later secured possession of the farm adjoining, and is now the owner of 555 acres, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation. He has been making improvements continuously, building fences, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting one after another necessary and substantial buildings, and in 1882 put up the present family residence. This structure is commodious and convenient, and furnished with the modern improvements required by the intelligent and progressive farmer. On another page of this work is given a fine lithographic view of Mr. Doll’s handsome residence. He devotes his attention principally to the raising of grain and stock, and has contributed his full quota toward developing the resources of West Point Township, and making it one of the attractive features of Northern Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Doll are connected with the Catholic Church at Lena, and Mr. Doll is an uncompromising Democrat. The parents of Mrs. Doll, Joseph and Madgalena (Bangesser) Wendlin, were natives of France, and were married in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., from whence they went to Canada, where they spent their entire lives, both being now deceased.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888