Both in age and point of residence the subject of this sketch, who is a retired farmer, living upon section 31, is one of the oldest citizens of Stephenson County. He is the son of John and Maria (Rinehold) Mishler, who were born in Lancaster County, Pa., the father on the 20th of January, 1788, the mother on the 17th of July, 1789. After marriage they settled in their native county, where they reared their family and lived until their death. The mother passed away March 24, 1877; the father preceded her Oct. 10, 1875.

The father of our subject was a stock-dealer and farmer, and his family consisted of ten children, eight boys and two girls, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth child. Emanuel was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Sept. 13, 1822. At the age of sixteen he was thrown from a horse, and his left arm was broken, which accident for a consider-able time unfitted him for work. He served an apprenticeship of two and one-half years at the tailor trade, followed it while in Pennsylvania, and since his residence in Stephen-son County he has at intervals engaged in that occupation. In 1844 Mr. Mishler left his native State and moved to Summit County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for two and one-half years, then removed to Elkhart County, Ind., where he also followed his trade, and engaged in farming in a small way. In May, 1850, he concluded to go further West, and after spending a month or more in Iowa, and finding that there was no conven-ient market, he retraced his steps as far as Stephenson County, Ill., and in June of that year bought a tract of 240 acres of land in Kent Township, where he has since lived and given his attention principally to agricultural pursuits, including the raising of stock. The measure of his success can be gauged by the fact that he now owns 465 acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. His farm buildings are ample and commodious. Having reached an age when one must husband his strength, he has relinquished the active management of his farm, and leased it to other parties, and is now living a quiet and retired life.

Mr. Mishler was married in Summit County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1845, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Palmer) Mishler. Her father was born in Juniata County, Pa., and her mother in Hagerstown, Md. They settled in Stark County, Ohio, and afterward moved, first to Miami, and then to Summit County, in which latter county they passed away. They had twelve children, eight boys and four girls. Mrs. Mishler was the fourth child. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, on the 2d of March, 1825.

Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Mishler became the parents of ten children: Maria, born May 18, 1846; Joseph, who died in infancy; Elizabeth Day, born Nov. 24, 1850; John F., Jan. 7, 1853; Phares, Sept. 2, 1855; Calvin H., Aug. 21, 1857; James L., Feb. 4, 1860; Susie S., Jan. 2, 1862; Levi, Dec. 10, 1864; Marcus, Dec. 12, 1867. Levi died Aug. 11, 1886, in Elmwood, Neb., Maria is the wife of William Boop, and resides in Kent Township; Elizabeth J., Mrs. Isaac M. Royer, resides in Cass County, Neb.; her husband died there in June, 1883; she is Postmistress of that village, and also proprietor of a small store. John F. married Eva Stafford, and resides in Kent Township; Phares lives in Hagerstown, Md.; Calvin married Louisa Miller, and resides in Iowa; James L. resides at home, as do also Susie and Marcus. Mr. Mishler has held the offices of Highway Commissioner, Township Assessor, School Trustee, and Director. He is a member of the religious body known as the United Brethren of Christ, and Mrs. M. is connected with the Dunkard Church. The Mishler family is remarkable for longevity. Of the children of John and Maria, no deaths have occurred, and the youngest child is now fifty-three years of age.

Two remarkable circumstances of the family of Mishlers of whom our subject constitutes one, are as follows: there was but three days’ difference in the ages of the father and mother at the time of their death, and but two days’ difference in the ages of two of their sons at the time of their death. In politics Mr. Mishler is an independent Democrat; his sympathies are usually with the party, but when that party enunciates a principle or performs an act which he does not endorse, he invariably “kicks over the traces.”

The strong and earnest character of Mr. Mishler is fully depicted in the finely executed lithographic portrait which is rightfully placed among the other strong men of Stephenson County.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 320