GEORGE HEINDSELMAN, one of the honored pioneers of Richland County, is
engaged in farming on section 6, Olney Township. His entire life has been passed
in this locality, for he was born about four miles south of his present place of
residence, on the 18th of February, 1841. His parents, Caleb and Catherine
(Drayler) Heindselman, came from Germany, and in the Fatherland were married. In
1830 they bade adieu to their old home and crossed the briny deep, locating
first upon a farm in Ohio. After coming to this country the family circle was
increased by the birth of seven children, George being the seventh in order of
birth.
In 1840, Caleb Heindselman came with his family to Richland
County, Ill., and entered land near the city of Calhoun, where he and his wife
spent their remaining days. His death occurred in 1875, at the age of
seventy-five years, and his wife died in 1876, having reached the age of
four-score years. They were both buried in a German cemetery, where a beautiful
monument marks their last resting-place. Only four of their children are now
living: Catherine, now the wife of Jacob Slychemyer, a farmer of this county;
Caleb, who follows the same pursuit; Margaret, wife of H. C. Black, an
agriculturist of Richland County; and George, of this sketch.
Our
subject remained at home with his parents until he attained to man's estate, and
at an early age began following the plow. From his boyhood he has been familiar
with farm labor. In August, 1862, however, occurred a change in his program. At
that date he offered his services to the Government and enlisted in Company G,
Ninety-eighth Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He was very
fortunate, in that he was never wounded or taken prisoner, yet he participated
in a number of hotly contested battles, including the engagements at
Chickamauga, Hartsville and Selma.
At the close of the war, having been
honorably discharged, Mr. Heindselman returned to his home, and engaged in
farming with his father for about a year, lie then purchased forty acres of
timberland and hewed down the trees in order to build a log cabin. The work of
opening up a farm he continued until the entire tract was under cultivation. He
has added to the original purchase until he now owns one hundred and eighty-four
acres of good land, which yields to him a golden tribute. In addition to his
beautiful country home, there are good barns and other necessary outbuildings
and all of the modern improvements and equipments found upon a model farm.
On the 2d of January, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Heindselman
and Sophia Klopenstein. The lady was born February 2, 1850, in Gallia, Ohio, and
has become the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, but two
of the daughters died in infancy. Those still living are: William Tell, who aids
in the operation of the home farm; John R., who follows agricultural pursuits
during the summer months, and engages in teaching school during the winter
season; Lillie C., wife of James Kimmell, a merchant of Calhoun, Ill.; Homer C.,
who is now attending the Olney High School; George and Flora, who are still at
home. The children have all been provided with good educational privileges.
Mr. Heindselman votes with the Republican party. He has never sought
political preferment, in fact has steadily refused public office. He never
slights his duties of citizenship, however, and is a public-spirited and
progressive man, who does all in his power to promote the best interest of the
community in which he makes his home. He is straightforward and honorable in all
his business dealings, and his word is as good as his bond.
Extracted 12 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1893 Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois, pages 232-233.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
