Hezeikah Poffenberger, the present County Clerk of Stephenson County, who was elected to that office in 1886, was born near Sharpsburg, Md., on the 3d of July 1843. He is the son of John Poffenbergcr, an extensive and well-to-do farmer, whose parents emigrated to this country from Germany. He lived on his father's farm in Maryland until he was twenty years old, seeking an education in the meantime in the district schools, which he attended during the winter, his attention in the summer season being directed to tilling the soil and assisting his parents in any manner possible. The year before reaching his majority he came west as far as Illinois and located at Adeline, Ogle County, where he resided until 1870. Soon after arriving at Adeline he entered the Mt. Morris Seminary, where he was a faithful student for about three years, and upon coming out of that institution he entered the Illinois State Normal School, at Normal. He attended there about a year, but was obliged to leave the school on account of ill-health, having at that time an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs. Through rest and living a quiet life his health became much improved, and the next educational work he engaged in was as Principal of the Ridott village schools, where he taught with gratifying success for one year. After this he engaged in the lumber and coal trade at Ridott, prosecuting this business with profit about thirteen years, when a good opportunity presented itself and he sold his business advantageously. While living at Ridott he was elected a member of the Board of County Supervisors, which position he held for ten years, serving to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In tlhe spring of 1883 Mr. Poffenberger came to Freeport to fill the position of Deputy County Clerk. During the last year of his service in that capacity circumstances were such that the entire responsibility of the office fell upon him and he proved himself equal to the emergency. His association with the public in this position was most agreeable, as whenever called upon for information which he was able to grant he responded promptly.
In the election of 1886 Mr. P. was chosen Clerk of Stephenson County, largely on account of the efficiency he displayed in the discharge of tlie duties of that office as demonstrated by his service as Deputy. In 1870 Mr. Poffenberger was married to Miss Sarah Moddlekauff, of Adeline, who shares with him the good-will of a large circle of acquaintances. They are both members of tlie Lutheran Church, of which he is one of the Trustees. Mr. Poffenberger's career in Stephenson is a very creditable one, and the confidence the people have shown in his ability and integrity is certainly very gratifying to him.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 560
