JohnUnland
JOHNUNLAND, of Beardstown, a practical farmer and stock-raiser, was born inHanover, Germany, July 30, 1833. He was young when he came to this countrywith his father, Rev. Casper H. Unland. The latter grew up a farmer, waswell educated and became early in life interested in religion and whileyet a young man began to exhort and preach experimental religion. For thishe was persecuted by the State church. He married Maria Calres in Hanover,and, after the birth of eight children, to better their condition theyset out for the United States. They left on a sailing vessel October 20,1844, and landed in New Orleans after a journey of eleven weeks. They landedin Beardstown in the latter part of January, 1845, which was very remarkable,as the river is usually frozen at that time. They settled near Bluff Springs,on what is now known as the Tom Clark farm. After five years Mr. Unlandsold, and purchased land five miles northwest of Arenzville, where he livedand died at the age of eighty-one years, his death occurring March 8, 1890.He was prominent in Cass county as a farmer and Methodist preacher, a good,noble man, a Republican, and the only one of his family who came to thiscountry.Johnis the second child of a family of thirteen, of whom nine are married andall have families. He remained at home until he became of age and was marriedin this county to Elizabeth Christinaner, born in Germany. She came withher parents when but three years old to Beardstown. Her father, Yost Christinaner,died at the age of eighty, and her mother died about the age of eighty,also. The name of the latter was Gustling. She and her husband were membersof the Methodist Church and old settlers and good people of Cass county.Mrs. Unland was carefully reared by good parents. She is the mother ofseven living children: George married Nancy Henners and is a farmer inMorgan county; Lucinda, a widow with two children, lives with her father;Mary Higginson lives near Philadelphia, Cass county; and Nattie, Frank,Henry and William (the twins) live at home.
Mr.Unland has lived in this county since 1845 and has been one of its goodcitizens. He has lived on the farm, except three years, and he has putin all the improvements. He purchased it in June, 1860, and settled therein 1881. He has 200 acres in section 17, township 18, range 11, and hisgood farm buildings and fine improvements show that he thoroughly understandshis business. He and his wife are both active members of the MethodistChurch, of which Mr. Unland has been Class-leader since his twentieth year.He is a licensed exhorter. He is a sound Republican, but no office seeker.
Biographical Review ofCass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review PublishingCo., Chicago, 1892, pages 284-285.
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