Among the sturdy and stalwart citizens of Putnam county whose place of birth was the far-away German fatherland, and who, with the industry and thrift so natural to the people of their native land, have rapidly progressed toward that financial condition so coveted by all, is the subject of this personal history. He is now a leading farmer of Putnam county, residing upon section 22, Granville township.
Mr. Bornemann was born in Hesse, Germany, April 13, 1829, was reared upon a farm, and in his native land served for two years as a member of the Prussian army. It was in 1852 that he took passage on a vessel bound for the new world, and after landing in this country came at once to Putnam county, Illinois, where for three or four years he worked as a farm hand, receiving six dollars per month. He next rented land of Joseph Reinhardt, in this county, for several years, after which he purchased a farm near his present residence, but after two years bought the farm which he now occupies, paying thirty dollars per acre for part of it and seventy-five dollars for the remainder. He has devoted his time and attention to general farming, and has erected upon his place good and substantial buildings.
In 1858 Mr. Bornemann led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Rompt, also a native of Hesse, Germany, and to them have been born four children — Katie, now the wife of Rev. Walter Cripps, pastor of the Lutheran church at Tinley Park, near Chicago; Carrie, wife of Robert Chineshafer, of Lostant, Illinois; Lizzie, at home, and Philip, who carries on the home farm. The family are consistent members of the Lutheran church and are people of the highest respectability and sterling worth. Mr. Bornemann is recognized as a valued citizen of the community, and his many virtues and pleasant ways have gained him a host of warm friends.
Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois published in 1896, page 472.
| Bureau |  |
LaSalle |
| Marshall |
