CORNELIUS FURST, a capitalist, is one of the early settlers of Stephenson County. He was born in Centre County, Pa., in 1827, and is the son of George and Rachel (Snyder) Furst, both of whom were native of that State. They had a family of ten children, all of whom lived to maturity, but only three of whom are now living. The county where George Furst was born was known as Centre, but the name was afterward changed to Clinton. He moved from that county to Stephenson County, Ill., in the fall of 1839. The journey was made in wagons and they were provided with their own camp equipage, which they used in case they could not get shelter in houses when they stopped for the night. On arriving in Stephenson County he settled in what is known as Lancaster Township, in which he secured and improved the farm on which he resided at the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1854. His wife survived him five years longer, dying in 1859.

Cornelius Furst was a mere lad when he came with his parents to Stephenson County. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, and during the winter time he attended school at short intervals, as the schools in those days were uncertain and the terms of short duration. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority, and then started in the world for himself. He became the owner of a good farm of 160 acres, which he managed for some time. He then rented the farm and moved to the city of Freeport in the year 1855. Since his residence here he has been engaged in the general loan and real-estate business, having long since disposed of his farm.

In 1878 Mr. Furst was married to Emma C. Hoover, of Freeport, who was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill. In the same year he bought his present residence property on Stephenson street, which is well located and comfortably surrounded. It is one of the many pleasant and inviting homes in Freeport. Since locating here Mr. Furst has been signally successful. His real-estate transactions have been profitable, and he has been very fortunate in his investments. In the matter of loaning money he is discreet as well as liberal. When good security is offered, he always has the ready money on hand to respond to any demand made upon him. In politics, he trains with the Republican party. In the days of Abolitionism, before the Republican party was organized, Mr. Furst was an original Abolitionist, and was always an ardent admirer of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Owen Lovejoy. The latter was the original leader of the forlorn hope of the Illinois Abolitionists.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 303