MARTIN LANDGREBE. The great commonwealth of Illinois is the home of many self-made men, but none whose lives afford a better example of untiring industry, faithfulness and zeal in personal affairs, than can be found in the subject of this brief biographical notice. He owns and occupies a farm in Moultrie County, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres pleasantly located on section 10, Lowe Township. He has erected thereon a comfortable and substantial dwelling, good barns and other outbuildings, and is successfully carrying on mixed farming. He and his faithful wife have done much hard work, and their home is the result of labor upon which they may well look back with mingled feelings of sorrow and joy.

Germany is the native home of Mr. Landgrebe, and he was born June 28, 1839. His parents, also natives of the Fatherland, bore the names of Jacob and Christine (Fisher) Landgrebe. After their marriage in Germany they settled first in their native land, whence they removed in 1857 to America. Their first home in the United States was in Sangamon County, Ill., where they sojourned until 1866, being employed as farmers. Thence they removed to Moultrie County and settled in Lowe Township, where the mother died August 3, 1878. The father still survives and makes his home in Lowe Township. Through his unceasing efforts he has become well-to-do, and better than worldly prosperity, has by his honorable dealings and upright life, gained the confidence of all.

The birth of Martin Landgrebe took place in Germany, June 8, 1839, and he was third of the eight children born to his parents. When his father and mother crossed the broad Atlantic to make a home in America, he accompanied them and with them located first in Sangamon County, and later in Moultrie County. His youth was passed in much the usual manner of farmers' boys at that early day, and the education which he gleaned from the ordinary text books of the times, while not extensive, was very thorough. Through subsequent reading he has become well informed on all subjects of importance, and being a pleasant conversationalist, is very popular.

The presiding genius in the home of Mr. Landgrebe is the lady who became his wife October 1, 1863, and who was known in maidenhood as Sarah Ann Harbur. She is the daughter of Levi and Mary (Sawyer) Harbor, who died in Sangamon County, Ill. Mrs. Landgrebe was born in Sangamon County, February 16, 1845, and received not only a good common-school education, but also that careful home instruction which fitted her for the duties of wifehood and motherhood, and have given her a prominent place in the society of this locality. Of the eleven children born to them, six are living, viz: Mary C., born August 5, 1865, and is the wife of John Schable; Jacob l., born December 17, 1866, who married Ruth Shonkwilea [sic; should be ‘Shonkwiler’]; Lana E., born April 3, 1871; Joseph W., September 6, 1873; Benjamin F., December 29, 1877; and Daisy D., February 16, 1882.

Mr. Landgrebe dates his arrival in this county from the year 1867, when he settled on section 10, Lowe Township. He embellished his farm with all modern improvements and buildings, and has placed the entire tract under good cultivation. He has taken an active part in local affairs, votes the Democratic ticket, and has held the offices of Highway Commissioner and School Director a number of years, and is now School Trustee to the satisfaction of all concerned. A devout Christian, his membership is in the Missionary Baptist Church, where he is a Deacon. He holds a prominent place among the people of this section, and is generally respected for his honorable dealings and good character. Our subject is one of the first settlers in this township, and when he first came here the land on the southeast corner of section 10, was at that time a large lake of water, and he says he could travel from his place to Bement across the prairie.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 352/353

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