JOHN M. REES, Supervisor of Erin Township, has resided in that locality for over thirty-eight years, and been prominent in its agricultural and local affairs. He held the position of Constable two years, has served as Commissioner of Highways and Township Clerk, and with his estimable wife and four of their children, is one of the pillars of the Lutheran Church. He has been a member of its council for a period of fifteen years and Sunday-school Superintendent twelve years. Politically, he is a Democrat, and one of the strongest advocates of temperance in this section.

The homestead of our subject is pleasantly located on section 24, where he cultivates 160 acres of valuable land and has a substantial set of frame buildings. His farming operations have been conducted with the wisdom and good judgment which have characterized him in all his transactions, while his personal character has secured him the highest regard of his neighbors and acquaintances. The residence and buildings indicate the thrift and industry of the proprietor, and the farm stock and machinery bear fair comparison with that of the farm property in a community noticeable for its prosperity and enterprise.

Mr. Rees is a native of Union County, Pa., where his birth took place at the country home of his parents, Nov. 13, 1834. He is the son of Semah and Margaret (Sights) Rees, also natives of Union County, where they were reared and married. They remained there for a time after beginning life together, but in April, 1850, gathered together their household goods and traveled by water and overland to the Prairie State. They took up their abode in Loran Township, this county, but nine months later, in March, 1851, purchased a tract of land in Erin Township, where the father established a permanent home which he occupied until his death, July 28, 1863. The mother survived her husband nearly eleven years, her death taking place at the home of her son, in March, 1874.

The parental household of our subject included twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, of whom John M. was the seventh in order of birth. He was a lad sixteen years of age when the family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and since that time has been a resident of Stephenson County. He remained under the home roof until twenty-three years of age, and then engaged in farming on his own account on land adjacent to his father’s homestead. His early education had been extremely limited, and he learned early in life to depend upon himself, and thus gained that strength of character and reliance which have been the secret of his success. During the progress of the late war, considering it his duty to have a hand in the conflict, he enlisted, in January, 1865, in the 26th Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war. This, however, included but a period of six months, but he had the pleasure of being present in the grand review at Washington and the consciousness of knowing that he had been ready to meet the rebels in open fire if occasion offered. After the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic he became a member of William A. Goddard Post, at Lena, with which he is still identified. He takes a lively interest in the affairs of his adopted county and State, and keeps himself well posted upon current events.

The marriage of John M. Rees and Miss Elizabeth Fye, was celebrated at the home of the bride, on the 25th of March, 1858. Mrs. Rees is the daughter of Conrad and Sarah (Rumbager) Fye, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to this State after their marriage, becoming residents of this county in 1846. After a residence of six months in Freeport, they removed to a tract of land in Florence Township, in the cultivation of which Mr. Fye was engaged two years. Thence he removed to Loran Township and finally to Eleroy, in Erin Township, where he lived retired until called from his earthly labors, his death occurring Sept. 1, 1884. The mother still survives and is a resident of Eleroy, being now seventy-four years of age. The parents of Mrs. Rees had ten children, of whom she was the eldest. She was born in Cambria County, Pa., Jan. 17, 1835. She passed her childhood and youth under the home roof, availing herself of the instruction to be obtained in the district schools, and under the training of her excellent mother became well fitted for the duties of life. Of her marriage with our subject there have been born seven children, of whom the record is as follows: Eleanor, now the wife of Rev. William H. Hartman, is a resident of Davis, this county; Charles W. died when two and one-half years of age; those remaining, Daniel F., James M., Herbert V., William H. and Sidney J., are at home with their parents.

Transcribed by Carol Parrish
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 363