One of the most extensive land-owners and successful farmers of Lancaster Township, is the proprietor of a fine estate, embracing 460 acres, all under good cultivation with the exception of about eighty acres, which remains practically in its original condition, but can be utilized for grazing purposes. The homestead of our subject is located on section 28, and includes a handsome brick residence, two stories in height, with a large barn and stables, and all the outhouses and machinery required by the modern agriculturist. The farm stock and implements are of first-class description, and the entire premises form one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of Northern Illinois. Mr. Engle located in this county in the spring of 1851, taking up his residence first in Freeport, where he remained about fifteen years, and later purchased of his father, in 1866, the homestead upon which the latter had settled fifteen years before. The land was then unimproved, but by years of industry and a wise economy, the elder Engle transformed it into a valuable homestead, which, through the later manipulations of his son, has become still more beautiful and valuable. Tobias Engle was born in Lebanon County, Pa., March 9, 1829. His father, Jacob Engle, also a native of the Keystone State, was a stanch descendant of his Dutch ancestry, who settled near the Mohawk Valley in the Colonial days, and who were offshoots from the branch whose first representative in this country was from Holland. The later descendants were distinguished mainly by their faithful adherence to the River Brethren Church, which at one period attracted considerable attention in that section of country. The grandfather of our subject, John Engle by name, married a lady of similar ancestry to his own, and reared a family of sons and daughters in Pennsylvania, and she became the mother of Jacob Engle, father of Tobias, of our sketch. She died while still a young woman. The second and last wife of John Engle was formerly Mrs. Allison, who was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and whose people have been residents in that State for several generations. The probabilities are that John Engle was more than ordinarily successful in life, and it is known to a certainty that he lived to a ripe old age. His son Jacob was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and after reaching manhood, went over into Lebanon County and chose his wife from among the maidens of that region. She was Miss Anna Myers, a native of that county. After the birth of three children, of whom our subject was the youngest, they removed from Lebanon to a point near the old homestead in Lancaster County, where they remained residents until after the birth of nine more children. Three of the latter are now deceased. The eldest daughter married and remained in Lancaster County, but in the spring of 1851 the parents and seven children came overland, with teams, to this county, and settled for a time in the city of Freeport. The father subsequently purchased a farm of 308 acres on section 28, in Lancaster Township, the cultivation of which he carried on, although still making his residence at Freeport. In the spring of 1853 he returned east as far as Ohio, and finally took up his permanent abode in Montgomery County, near the city of Dayton, where his death took place when he was some seventy years of age. He was a good man in every sense of the word, generous and kind, a model husband and father, and a neighbor and friend who could be relied upon in every emergency. After reaching his majority he became identified with the old Whig party, to the doctrines of which he affectionately adhered the remainder of his life. The wife and mother is now living with her son, Abraham, near Dayton, Ohio, having reached the advanced age of nearly eighty-three years. She belonged to the same church as her husband, and was in all respects his suitable companion and helpmeet. The parental household included ten children, who were named respectively, Albert H., Jacob M., Tobias, of our sketch, Charles S., Rose M., Mary, Ida, Emma, Carrie and Netta.

The subject of this sketch lived in Lancaster County until twenty-five years old, having received a common-school education, and worked with his father on the farm. He came with the family to Freeport in 1851, and shortly afterward engaged in the hardware business in company with a partner, and for eight years following was prominently identified with that branch of trade in this section. He finally closed out his stock and took up his abode on a tract of land in Silver Creek Township, but three years later purchased his present farm, which, under his excellent management, has become one of the most desirable homesteads in this part of the county.

Mr. Engle, in the spring of 1859, returned to his native State and was married, in York County, April 16 of that year, to Miss Mary A. Myers. Mrs. E. was born near the town of York, Jan. 22, 1828, and remained a resident there until her marriage. Her father is still a resident there, making his home with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Brubaker. He is now nearly eighty-two years of age. The mother, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Blouser, died in York County in 1882, being well advanced in years.

Mr. and Mrs. Engle and all their family, with the exception of one son, are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Freeport, in which, also, Mr. E. is a Steward, and of which he has been a liberal and cheerful supporter for many years. Mr. E. has held the office of Road Commissioner, has been School Director and Trustee, and politically, votes the straight Republican ticket.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 576