HENRY SCHLEEPER. Among the native-born citizens of Calhoun County who are winning a competence from her fertile soil is the gentleman above named, who owns and occupies a fine tract of land not far from the county seat. His estate consists of two hundred and fifty-five acres, a part of which is timber, but much rich bottom land. It forms a part of the homestead which his father purchased some years ago. That part which is under the plow has been so thoroughly developed as to yield abundantly and the farm is a valuable piece of property.
Henry Schleeper, the father of our subject, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America when eighteen years of age. He soon located in Calhoun County, where he set himself industriously to improve his financial condition. Being perfectly trustworthy and having good habits he found employment and retained the confidence of those for whom he worked. For quite a length of time he was in the employ of John McDonald, an honored pioneer, and so well did he use his time that he was finally able to establish himself on rented land. For a time he made his home in Richwoods and later in Gilead Precinct, but finally bought a tract of land, a considerable part of which was included in the Illinois river bottoms. He accumulated a large landed estate which is now owned by his heirs. He died on the home farm in 1861. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Catherine Kalverhoff. She was a native of the Fatherland and died in Hardin Precinct in 1857.
Our subject opened his eyes to the light September 29, 1847. He was quite young when his parents died and much of his youthful training was received from his step-parents. He inherited a portion of his father's estate and has continued to cultivate it since his youth. Like his father before him he is industrious, of good habits and energetic and he is therefore making of his life's labors a success. He is able to surround his family with the many comforts which a well-to-do farmer can enjoy and to bestow upon his children good advantages. He is a member of the Democratic party and belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Mr. Schleeper took to himself a wife February 4, 1875, the lady whom he won being Miss Catherine Heger. She was born in Richwoods Precinct, is a capable housewife, an efficient helpmate and an affectionate mother. To the happy couple four children have been born, — Lena, Henry, Mary and Edward J. A view of the home of the Sleepers fittingly accompanies this sketch.
Extracted 23 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 692-695
Calhoun County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by Templates in Time