Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 275:

ADE. The lands beyond the sea have sent their quota of farmers to this county and many have won an honorable station as citizens, agriculturists and neighbors, winning their way under discouraging circumstances and the disadvantages attending a stranger in a strange land. One of this class is the subject of this brief life history, whose example may well be emulated, affording as it does a lesson of persistent industry, wise economy and hopefulness even when the skies were dark.

Mr. Ade was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 2, 1832, and pursued the usual studies under the educational system by which the Empire fits her sons and daughters for the battle of life. His parents, Jacob and Margaretta Ade, were natives of the Fatherland, the former born in 1806 and the latter in 1810. The accounts he had read and heard of the resources of the New World and the opportunities afforded the poor man, led Mr. Ade to bid adieu to his native land and cross the broad Atlantic to establish a home under fairer skies. He landed in New York City with $50 as a capital, and came directly to Sangamon County, arriving here in the spring of 1858.

The ways and manners of Americans were somewhat strange to Mr. Ade, who began his life here under adverse circumstances, with only his physical strength to rely upon for support. His first employment was as a farm hand at $12 per month but as he continued his work his services became more valuable to his employer, and after the expiration of a year he engaged for two years at $16 per month. He subsequently received $20 per month for a long period, after which he rented a farm and broke prairie for a twelvemonth. He now owns a good estate of over one hundred acres, on which many improvements have been made, such as befit the home of an intelligent, thrifty man who desires to enjoy life in the best way.

In 1863 Mr. Ade led to the hymeneal altar a young woman who has proved her worth in the home by judiciously managing the household affairs and surrounding her family with comforts and attractions. She bore the maiden name of Lizzie Kafer, resided in New Berlin Township at the time of her marriage and is a daughter of German parents. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ade consists of three children - Margaretta, John and Elizabeth, all at home. The mother is a Catholic, while the father belongs to the Lutheran Church. Although they have had the misfortune of much sickness in their family, our subject and his estimable wife see around them well tilled fields, good buildings and a remarkably fine orchard set out by Mr. Ade and bearing abundance of fruit each year - all won by their honest efforts and frugality.