My Genealogy Hound

HENRY WAGNER, farmer, Sec. 17; P.O. Downs; born in Centre Co., Penn., April 15, 1819. His grandfather, David Wagner, was a Revolutionary patriot and served during the Revolutionary struggle, for seven years. He was under Gen. Washington, and was an eye-witness to the shooting of several horses upon which that eminent chieftain was riding. He was in many engagements and served until the independence of the nation was established. His father William Wagner, was a soldier in the army of 1812. He was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 24, 1788. He was married in Centre Co., Penn., to Ellen Long; she was born in Centre Co. July 24, 1790. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living. The parents both died in Centre Co., Penn. Mr. Wagner died Feb. 4, 1868; Mrs. Wagner died Oct. 10, 1869; The subject of this sketch attended the common school in his youth and assisted his father in farming until 22 years of age, when, on the 3d of February, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth Roop; she was born in Centre Co., Penn., May 20, 1824. They were the parents of nine children of whom three are deceased; the living are — Annie Maria, born Nov. 6, 1842, now Mrs. Thomas Rutledge; Emily J., Feb. 13, 1846, now Mrs. W. W. Reser; Mary E., Aug. 25, 1853, now Mrs. Edward Stewart; Charles C., Sept, 23, 1858; Henry H., Sept. 22, 1860; Frank E., Feb. 28, 1864. The deceased — Lydia C., was born Feb. 10, 1844, she married J. Darby, and died Nov. 30, 1870 and two died in infancy. Upon the marriage of Mr. Wagner, he emigrated to Indiana, where he farmed upon rented land until he emigrated to Illinois, and located upon Sec. 17, Downs Township, McLean Co., in the fall of 1854, where he has since lived, during a period of one-fourth of a century. He first purchased 160 acres in 1854, to which he has since added by purchase until he now owns 195 acres upon his home farm, with the best of farm buildings. He has brought the same from its wild prairie condition to its present high state of cultivation by his own hard labor; he also owns 100 acres in other parts of the county. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having been, with his wife, a member of the church of the United Brethren for a period of 18 years. He has been School Director for nine years, which office he now holds.