My Genealogy Hound

John Meents, farmer, fruit grower and stock raiser of Lebanon, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 31, 1838, and is the son of Feeke and Reka (Reents) Meents, natives of Germany. The father died in his native country, but the mother is still living, and is a resident of Germany. Their son, John Meents, was reared on a farm in Germany, and was there educated. In 1864 he took passage for New York City, but after reaching that city he went on to Woodford County, Ill., near Peoria, where he remained until 1872, working on a farm, and the last three years engaged in farming for himself. In 1867 he married Miss Tantken Meents, a native of Germany, and to them were born two children: Margaret and Remmer. In 1872 Mr. Meents came to Laclede County, buying the farm where he now lives, which was then all raw land, and improved it until it is now one of the best farms in the county. He has 217 acres of land, all under cultivation. He has a beautiful fruit orchard, with about 2,000 apple, pear and peach trees. He raises a great deal of stock, and is one of the most enterprising farmers of this county. He has accumulated most all he has since coming to America, and has labored hard to improve his place. Mr. Meents has always taken a great interest in educational matters. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.