Benjamin Hartzell, father of Amandis Hartzell, who is well known throughout Buckeye Township, was a native of Allentown, Pa., born March 2, 1815. His father, Solomon, and his grandfather, Henry Hartzell, were natives of the same county. The father of the latter, who was the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany. He emigrated to America as a Hessian soldier during the Revolutionary War, and after the termination of the conflict between the Colonies and the Mother Country, he settled in Lehigh County, Pa., where he was married and reared a family. His son Henry was born and reared in Lehigh County, where he spent his entire life, and also reared a family. Among the children of Henry Hartzell was Solomon, the father of our subject.

Solomon learned the trade of a weaver and also that of a stonemason, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Afterward he followed his trade of stonemason in Lehigh County until 1858, when he migrated to this State and died at the home of his son Benjamin in 1861.

Solomon Hartzell married in early manhood Miss Rebecca Smith, a native of his own county, but who died while they were residents of Lycoming County. Mr. Hartzell early in life became acquainted with its difficulties and hardships, and often worked as a stonemason at twenty-five cents per day while serving his apprenticeshiip. Benjamin Hartzell became a resident of this county in 1848, stopping first with William Retzmanand subsequently taking up his abode in Oneco Township, remaining there three years employed on a farm, after which he purchased the property in Buckeye Township which he now occupies. Upon this is a good set of farm buildings, and the entire premises presents the picture of a country home furnished with all modern conveniences and abounding in comfort and plenty. The sons managed the farm while the father was employed at his trade, until 1840. His marriage with Miss Sarah Schadle took place in Lehigh County, Pa., in the spring of 1857. This lady was a native of Union County, Pa., and became the mother of eight children, namely: Priscilla; William, deceased; Susanna; Samuel is a resident of Cass County, Neb.; Amandis occupies the homestead; Daniel and Satila are deceased, and Susarmna is the wife of Henry Rubendall, a resident of Waddams Township; Benjamin Hartzell is a resident of Orangeville.

Amandis Hartzell received his early education in the district school and supplemented his studies by an attendance of four terms at Northwestern College at Naperville. When prepared to establish a home of his own he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Hughes, Nov. 16, 1881. Mrs. Hartzell is a native of DuPage County, IlL, and the daughter of Bushrod Hughes, who was born in Schuyler County. Pa. Her paternal grandfather, John Hughes, was a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated when a young man, settling first in Schuylkill County and removing later to Lebanon County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Bushrod Hughes came, to Illinois in 1857, and settled in Naperville, where his death took place in 1879. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah Shindle, a native of Reading, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have two children, a son and a daughter, Edna May and Allen L. Amandis soon after his marriage settled on the old homestead, where he has since been successfully engaged in general farming, and is worthily wearing the mantle of his honored father, being successful in his farming and business transactions, and is numbered among the valued members of the community.

Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg. 197