SHARTZER, ATKINSON M., a retired farmer residing at Illiopolis, Ill., and a veteran of the Civil War, is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., born December 13, 1844. He is a son of Rev. James and Elizabeth (Minsker) Shartzer, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Dauphin County, February 19, 1815, and the latter born in Cumberland County. The father carried on farming in Dauphin County and in 1858 came to Macon County, Ill., where for five years he carried on the same occupation, and in 1863 located in Illiopolis, where for the remainder of his life he served as a minister of the Baptist Church, filling that position until his death, February 17, 1899. Six sons and one daughter were born to him and his wife, of whom the following survive: Atkinson M.; Joseph, a farmer of Greeley County, Neb.; John W., a painter and decorator living at St. Louis, Mo.

Mr. Shartzer was educated in the country schools of his native county and worked on a farm in his boyhood. He accompanied his parents to Macon County in 1858 and attended school there for a short time. In 1862 he heard the call of his country and enlisted in Company E, One Hundred Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving to the end of his term and participating in eighteen battles. He was mustered out at Washington and honorably discharged at Camp Butler, near Springfield. He is a member of the G.A.R., being affiliated with Morgan Post, No. 208.

Mr. Shartzer was married at Lake Fork, Ill., February 14, 1867, to Sarah P. Hall, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, April 20, 1850, daughter of William Hall, who carried on farming in Ohio for many years. In 1856 Mr. Hall brought his family to Sangamon County, where he conducted a farm until his death in 1864. His widow survived until 1894. Mr. Shartzer and his wife became parents of eleven children, of whom the following seven survive: James H., an electrician of Georgetown, Ill.; William J., of Illiopolis; Minnie A., married George Davis, an engineer residing in Springfield; John F., a farmer living near Illiopolis; Mary E., wife of William R. Tavner, who conducts a barber shop at Illiopolis; Anna L., wife of George S. Prater, a barber of Illiopolis; Hattie L., wife of Vernon Jackson, an electrician living at Newman, Ill. There are thirteen grandchildren in the family. Mrs. Shartzer died August 16, 1905, at her home in Illiopolis, having been a good wife and mother, and mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Shartzer is interested in any public movement he believes is for the betterment of his community and is a member of the Methodist Church. In political views he is a Democrat. The family is one of the older ones of the village, where they have an excellent standing and enjoy the respect of all.