Solomon H. Fisher, of Rock Grove Township, was born April 28, 1838, in Centre County, Pa. He is the son of Jacob Fisher, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The father was married to Miss Mary Moyer, daughter of Jacob Moyer, a native of Berks County, Pa. Jacob Moyer married a Miss Sheller, of Pennsylvania, and both he and his wife came from a race of farmers. Grandfather Moyer was past seventy years of age when he died, his demise taking place in Centre County, and his wife died there a few years prior.
Jacob Fisher came to this county in 1839, and consequently was one of the pioneers. He and his brother Solomon bought a claim of 600 acres in Rock Grove Township, for $800.. When divided, Jacob got 284 acres of land, all prairie except 100 acres, and very little of it was turned by the plow. There was on it a hewed-log house, in which they lived a few years. He commenced to clear his farm, and built a small frame house eleven or twelve years after coming, and his barn a few years later; this was about 1860, and at the time he built his house, he erected a granary. He continued there until his death, in August, 1868, but practically retired from active labor about 1860, renting his land to his boys, who worked it on shares. The mother of our subject was born in 1807, and was about twenty-three years old when she became the wife of Jacob Fisher. She is still living in Rock Grove at the age of eighty years.
Solomon H. Fisher came to this county with his parents, and lived with them until he was married. Sept. 18, 1870. Until this time he had helped on the farm, and also learned the plasterer's trade, following that and farming until 1870. His early education was acquired in the district school. After marriage, he rented his father's farm with his brother, Hiram W., for two years, and successfully cultivated it. Our subject then moved to the village of Rock Grove, and after a residence there of two years, bought part of his father's farm, and rented the balance of it. He now has 140 acres, all of which he cultivated until 1884; he then rented all but eighty acres of land to his brother-in-law, Benjamin Fahr, Jr.
Solomon H. Fisher was married, Sept. 18, 1870, to Miss Mary Fahr, daughter of Benjamin Fahr, Sr., living in Green County, Wis. The grandparents of Mrs. Fisher were natives of Northampton County, Pa.. where they spent their last days. Benjamin Fahr came to this county about 1855, and located in Rock Grove Township. Thence he moved to Oneco Township, where he lived until 1879, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm. The mother of Mrs. Fisher was formerly Miss Amelia Sansenbach, who was born in Germany and came to America when quite young. Her mother died in the Fatherland, and Mrs. Fahr was brought to this country by her father, when only two years old. The mother of Mrs. Fisher died in this township in 1861. Mrs. Fisher was twenty-five years old when she married our subject, and they have a family of three children: Suffern J., born Aug. 6, 1871; Roger U., April 20, 1875, and Robert B., Dec. 6, 1876; they all reside at home.
Mr. Fisher has served two terms as Road Commissioner, and otherwise been honored by the confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen. The home that he has built up, and of which a fine lithographic view appears on another page, is a forcible reminder of his industry, his perseverance, and his strict attention to his farming interests and the comforts of his family.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 403
