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StephensonCounty
August Schudt, one of the most successful and extensive farmers of West Point Township, was born Sept. 19, 1837, in Frankfort-on-the-Main, which is one of the most ancient and interesting of the old free cities of Germany. His father, George Schudt, was a native of Hesse-Homburg, but after his marriage he removed to Frankfort, where he was engaged in agriculture until 1849. At that time, being satisfied that America offered greater privileges and advantages in land than his native country, he resolved to emigrate, and accordingly set sail in June of that month, and in August landed in New York. A few months later his wife and eight children joined him there. They purchased a farm in West Seneca Township, Erie Co., N. Y., where they lived until the death of Mr. Schudt, in 1852, which occurred through an accident. Mr. George Schudt was twice married; his first wife having died in Germany, before he came to this country. His second wife died in Iowa in 1886.
August Schudt was about eleven years of age when, in 1849, he came to America with his brothers and sisters. He passed his boyhood in the home of his parents, and after his father's death remained with his step-mother until 1861, when he came to Illinois and purchased 146 acres of land on section 8, West Point Township. Having erected a small frame house, very limited in its accommodations, he began to cultivate and improve his farm. He subsequently, from time to time, purchased more land, until he now owns a fine estate containing 385 acres, all of which is enclosed. In 1873 he built a large barn 47x75 feet. His present tasteful and commodious residence was built in 1882, in the modern style of architecture, and it is with pleasure that we present it in this volume as one of the representative country residences of Stephenson County.
In 1865 Mr. Schudt was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Scharpf, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. They have a family of five children, named as follows: Cornelia S., Arthur O., Charles Otto, George F. and Milo Walter. Mr. Schudt is one of the most progressive citizens of the county, and his farm improvements are among the best. He is hospitable and social in nature, and his residence, which is located on section 9, is always open to a large circle of friends. His family are members of the English Lutheran Church. Mr. Schudt was School Director for nine consecutive years, and relinquished it in order to accept the position of Township Trustee. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
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