Joseph Rodemeier is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1854. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth Rodemeier. The mother died in Germany, and the father came with his children, consisting of seven boys and two girls, in 1854. Having friends in Freeport who had preceded him to this country, he came direct to that point, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1866. He was a farmer by occupation.

Joseph Rodemeier was born in Germany on the 24th of November, 1844, and when his father emigrated to this country, was ten years of age. In less than ten years after coming to the New World the war between the North and South was inaugurated. Having adopted this as his country, his patriotism was aroused, and on the 10th of December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 57th Ill. Vol. Inf., where he served for three years and nine months, being discharge in July, 1865. In the battle of Corinth, Miss., which was one of the great engagements of the war, and taken in connection with Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh, constituted the greatest battle of the war with the exception of Gettysburg, he was seriously wounded in the left arm by a minie ball, and was in the hospital for two months. During this time of service he was in eight general engagements, besides skirmishes too numerous to mention. For meritorious service and strict obedience to all orders given him he reached the rank of Sergeant of his company, which position he held during the last year of his service. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and returned to Stephenson County in 1865, and settled in Kent Township, where he procured forty acres of land on section 32. He now owns 160 acres on that section, all of which is under improvement. Mr. Rodemeier has made it an object to pleasantly surround himself and family. His residence is one of the best appointed in the township and his barn is commodious and is supplied with all the modern conveniences. We take pleasure in presenting a view of it in this volume.

On the 11th of November, 1865, very soon after returning from the army, Mr. Rodemeier was married to Miss Margaret Holland, the daughter of John and Margaret Holland, of Kent Township, who were natives of Ireland. Mrs. Rodemeier was born on the 6th of January, 1847, in New Bedford, Mass. Her father came to Stephenson County about the year 1850 and settled in Kent Township, where he was a victim of the cholera scourge which swept over the country in 1854. The mother is still living, at quite an advanced age.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rodemeier are five in number, their names being Mary A., Maggie, John, Ellen and Henry. Maggie died when one year and three months old. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Erin Township. In politics he is a Democrat.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 388