Whiteside County Biography Henry S. Landis
Mr. Landis has been a resident of Whiteside County since 1851, when he removed hither from his native state. He still lives on the property he first bought, which comprised 144 acres of land. The estate is all under improved cultivation. Mr. Landis is a Republican, and is interested in school matters. He was married Nov. 18, 1841, in Lancaster Co. PA, to Fanny Stauffer, and they have 13 children, as follows: Anna, Barbara, Margaret, Susanna, Amos, Maria, John, Henry F. and Daniel. Mrs. Landis is the daughter of John and Barbara (Eby) Stauffer, and is one of nine children born to her parents; Benjamin, Fanny, Peter, Christian, John, Margaret, Anna, Bertram and Henry. Mrs. Landis belongs to the Mennonite Church. Portraits and Biographical 1895 Pg 372
Henry S. Landis, whose farm is on sections 14 and 23, Sterling Township, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Whiteside county, for almost half a century. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania March 17, 1820, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Shafer) Landis, also natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was a teamster and later an innkeeper in Pennsylvania, died when our subject was only four years old. In his family were five children, Eliza, Emanuel, Maria, Henry S., and Annie, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Henry S.
After the death of his father our subject was bound out until fifteen years of age, and then worked for wages as a farm hand. His education was acquired in the schools of his native county. In 1841, he married Miss Fannie Stauffer, who was born in Lancaster County, November 13, 1820, a daughter of John and Margaret (Ebee) Landis, also natives of Pennsylvania. In early life her father was a farmer and later followed the miller's trade. He had nine children, Benjamin, Fannie, Peter, Christ, Margaret, John, Annie, Barbara, and one who died young. With the exception of Mrs. Landis , all of this family remained in the east. To our subject and his wife were born thirteen children, namely: Annie, Barbara, Margaret, Susanna, Amos, Maria, John, Henry, Emma, Emanuel. Fremont, Reuben, and Daniel, all of whom are still living with the exception of Daniel, who died in infancy.
In 1851, Mr. Landis accompanied by his wife and four children came west by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, which at that time was a small town, and by stage proceeded to Dixon (Illinois). They finally reached Sterling (Illinois) after two days spent upon the road. After a few days spent in that town, Mr. Landis purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres from John Albertson, a part of which had been fenced and a barn erected thereon. He commenced immediately to operate his farm, but lived in town until fall, when he moved into a log cabin upon his place, into which snakes would often crawl. To the further improvement and cultivation of this farm he has since devoted his energies, and still owns all of the original tract with the exception of three acres and a half, which he sold to the fair assocciation. He has had no specialty but has always engaged in general farming. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and served as school director for many years. His wife is a member of the Mennonite church and both are held in high regard on account of their sterling worth and many excellencies of character."
Contributed by Nancy Watkins - From - "The Biographical Record of Whiteside County (Illinois)" published in 1900 by J. D. Clarke
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