DRENDEL, JOHN. - John Drendel was born in Springfield, March 8, 1856, and is still living in Springfield township, his home being on section 9. He is the proprietor of the Springdale Fruit farm, which is well improved and valuable property, pleasantly and conveniently located within four miles of the city. His father, Conrad Drendel, was a native of Germany and was reared there. Emigrating to the new world with his parents, the family home was established in Illinois, but later the father returned with his wife and children to Pennsylvania, where he died. In 1840 Conrad Drendel came with his mother to Illinois and located on land which is now within the city limits of Springfield. He was a carpenter and joiner and followed his trade for some years, being associated with the early building interests of the capital city. He was married here to Miss Rachel Weick, a native of Germany, and in order to provide for his family he carried on carpentering for some years, but later took up his abode on the place where his son John now resides. He cleared and broke his land, placed it under the plow and developed a good farm, upon which he reared his family and spent his remaining days. He survived his wife about a year.

John Drendel was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. He assisted in the work of developing and cultivating the home place and became the owner of the land after his father's death by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. He has now a good substantial residence and commodious outbuildings upon his place and he has planted an excellent orchard of about five acres and also has four acres planted to a variety of small fruits. His farm is valuable because of the excellent improvements which he has placed upon it and in addition to the cultivation of his own land he operates about two hundred acres which he rents. His life has been one of industry and his untiring labor has made him a prosperous agriculturist.

In 1877 Mr. Drendel married Miss Ida Holverson, who was born in this county August 26, 1860, and died on the 24th of April, 1883 leaving three children: Clarence A., born December 8, 1878; Henry E., born May 15, 1881; and Frank A., born June 18, 1882; all at home. On the 5th of March, 1884, Mr. Drendel was united in marriage to Miss Ella Woodruff, who was born in Sangamon county, September 1, 1861, and is a daughter of Timothy Woodruff. There are three sons and four daughters by this union: Mary, who was born January 10, 1882, and is now the wife of Robert Knox, of this county; John C., born January 29, 1885; Solon L. and Pearl M., twins, born April 29, 1887; Anna E., born September 27, 1888; Loren W., born March 31, 1894; and Florence, born February 24, 1900.

Politically Mr. Drendel is a Democrat where national issues are involved but a local elections he votes independently, regarding only the capability of the candidate. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and still adheres to that church but his wife is a member of the Methodist church. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He represents one of the old pioneer families of the county and in its progress and development he has borne his part since attaining to man's estate. He is now well known in the county and all who are acquainted with him entertain for him high regard.