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BENEDICT REICHERT is a fine representative of the German element that is helping to carry forward the extensive farming and stock growing interests of this county. He was a large farm on section 36, Pawnee Township, which is in a fine condition and is one of the most valuable pieces of property in this vicinity. August 29, 1828, was the date of the birth of our subject in Wittenberg, Germany. He grew to a manly, stalwart manhood amid the pleasant scenes of his early home and was there bred to the life of a farmer. He was ambitious to see something more of the world and to better his fortunes, so at the age of twenty-four years he left the land of his nativity and sought this Mecca of so many of his countrymen. He landed at New York City and for three years was employed as a farm laborer by the month in the Empire State. At the expiration of that time he made his way to Illinois, shrewdly judging that on the rich soil of the Prairie State he could sooner attain independence and a competency. For five years he was engaged in farming in Jersey County, and at the expiration of that time he bought the farm where he now lives in Pawnee Township. It comprises four hundred and twenty acres whose broad fields have been placed under a high state of tillage, and our subject has erected a good set of buildings and has every convenience for carrying on his farming operations.

Mr. Reichert has had valuable assistance from his capable, energetic wife to whom he was wedded in Jerseyville, August 29, 1858. With her help he has established here a home where comfort abounds and whose pleasant hospitalities are often shared by numerous friends. Mrs. Reichert, is, like her husband, a German by birth, her native place being Baden. Prior to her marriage she was Caroline Sauer and she was born January 22, 1836. She came to this country when she was fifteen years old with her parents Hubert and Mary U. Sauer. The following eight children have come to her and our subject: Sophia, the wife of Bernhardt Ebe; Mary U., wife of John Hendricks; Frederick W., Caroline; Theresa; George B., who died when about ten years old; Nettie K., who died when twelve years old; and Minnie A.

In his career as a farmer Mr. Reichert has displayed much shrewdness, forethought, and a capacity for untiring labor that have brought him a comfortable fortune. He and his wife are people whose daily lives are such as to command the respect of all about them. They are earnest members of the Lutheran Church and are strong in the faith of their fathers. In politics Mr. Reichert is a Democrat.