David G. LaShell represents, at Rock Run City, the agricultural implement trade, and is also Secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Rock Run Township. He established himself in trade here in the spring of 1887, where he has since operated successfully and is building up a profitable patronage. He has had considerable experience as a merchant, and was for some time connected with J. H. Graham, the lumber dealer. He is wide-awake and energetic, a man of good business capacities, and bids fair to become prominent in the various interests of this section. He is yet on the sunny side of forty, and is one of the rising members of the community of whom much is expected in the future.

Mr. Lashell was born in Jefferson Township, Stephenson County, Sept. 24, 1848. His father, Robert Lashell, was a stanch Pennsylvania farmer, who first opened his eyes in the Keystone State in 1823. While yet a lad he came with his father, George Lashell, to Illinois. The latter took up a tract of Government land in Jefferson Township before it had been surveyed, and succeeded in developing a good farm, which he occupied the balance of his days. He was considered remarkably successful for those times, and possessed the thorough and systematic business methods which seldom fail to meet with success. He was twice married, his second wife having been Miss Susan Auren, who still survives, making her home at Loran, in this county.

Robert Lashell, the father of our subject, came to this State a single man and located with his father in Jefferson Township. He began early in life to set about the establishment of a home of his own, one of the most important steps toward that end being his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Graham. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and was a lady of great strength of character, and possessed to an eminent degree the Christian virtues of kindness and charity. She is still living, being now sixty-three years of age, and makes her home with one of her daughters in Sterling, Kan. The elder Lashell, after his marriage, located in Rock City, and in 1858 engaged in general merchandising in partnership with J. H. Graham. They continued together until 1863, and then Robert Lashell removed to Rock Grove City, where he carried on a similar business and where his death took place in 1865. He was a Lutheran in religion and a Republican in politics, and bore the reputation of a reliable business man and a desirable citizen.

The subject of our sketch was the only son and second child of his parents, whose household included besides himself seven daughters, three of whom died in infancy. David G., our subject, was educated in the district schools and at Cedarville, and remained under the home roof until his marriage, Aug. 31, 1876. The lady destined to become the sharer of his fortunes was Miss Mary Raymer, who became his wife at the home of her parents in Rock City. She is the daughter of George and Catherine Raymer, old settlers of this county, her father being engaged in farming pursuits. Mrs. Lashell was born in Rock Run Township Sept. 14, 1857, and has become the mother of three sons and one daughter, namely, Robert, George, Daniel and Mary.

In 1887 Mr. Lashell became associated in partnership with Adolph H. Mellenberndt, a thorough business man like himself, and they command the patronage of the best residents of Rock Run Township. Our subject is Republican in politics, and has officiated as School Treasurer, Township Collector, and in various other positions assigned him by his fellow-citizens. In religious matters he is identified with the Evangelical Church.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 583