Edward A. LENZ, who follows farming in Roberts township, was born within its borders May 8, 1872. His parents were Jacob and Augusta (KEMNITZ) LENZ, who are still residing in Roberts township. The father was born in Schoenlanke, Posen, Germany, and when eighteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way first to Canada, thence to Chicago and afterward to Marshall county. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, Roberts township, and is now residing upon a farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres on section 25 of the same township. Throughout the period of his residence here he has been identified with agricultural interests, and his diligence has proven the foundation upon which he has built his success. His wife, also a native of Posen, Germany, came to the United States when fourteen years of age with her father, Michael KEMNITZ, who settled upon a farm in Roberts township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. LENZ were born seven children, of whom six are yet living: Louis, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Lacon, has been very prominent in community affairs, serving as mayor of his city, sheriff of the county and in other offices. Edward A. is the second of the family. Frederick is deceased. Mrs. Ida SCHWANKE resides upon a farm near Varna. Emma is the wife of John Albert VOSBERG, who resides upon one of the LENZ farms. Julia is the wife of Fred ARNDT, living upon the Downey farm, about three miles east of Varna. Theresa is with her parents and completes the family.
Edward A. LENZ was educated in the district and German schools of Roberts township and was reared to the occupation of farming. This pursuit has always claimed his time and energies and he is now operating about three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. His father owns about two thousand acres of land in Roberts township, being one of its most wealthy farmers, and has recently returned from an extended trip in Europe. Edward A. LENZ is now erecting a fine new residence of stone and concrete upon his father's old homestead. His father still owns this farm and is most comfortably situated in life. His land brings forth rich harvests, owing to the care and labor bestowed upon the fields, and everything about the place, in its neat and thrifty appearance, indicates the careful supervision of our subject.
In 1901 was celebrated the marriage of Edward A. LENZ and Miss Louisa KAATZ, of Roberts township, a daughter of Fred KAATZ, who is engaged in the implement business in Varna. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. LENZ: Gerhardt and Ernest, aged respectively four and a half and three years. The young couple are prominent socially and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of this part of the county. In politics Mr. LENZ is an independent democrat without aspiration for office, though well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, and they occupy an enviable social position. From pioneer times the name of LENZ has figured prominently in connection with the history of the county, especially along agricultural lines, and Edward A. LENZ is a worthy scion of the race.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
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