ANDREW NAFZIGER
Andrew Nafziger was born in Hopedale, Tazewell County, March 8, 1864, and educated in the public schools of that place. His paternal grandparents were Christian and Magdalene (Birky) Nafziger. who were born in Germany. His own parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Zehr) Nafziger, also natives of Germany, the former born in 1819 and the latter in 1829.
The father emigrated to the United States in 1848, coming from New Orleans to Pekin by way of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. He worked by the month until 1851, when he was married, and in 1854 bought eighty acres of land on Section 35, Hopedale Township, but did not locate on his farm until 1856. In 1850 he sent money to his father in the old country, assisting the latter to come to the United States during the same year. The father remained with his son John until his death.
Christian proved a successful farmer, and at his death in 1899 owned about 640 acres of land. He was a licensed minister in the Mennonite Church, in the discharge of his duties traveling over a large portion of the immediate country. Besides Andrew, he had two other sons: Joseph, who was born in 1860 and died in 1895, and Christian Z., born in 1862, who became the father of three children— Christian H., Daniel B. and William J. Christian Z. Nafziger is now living in Boynton Township.
Andrew Nafziger, the subject of this sketch, was first married to Miss Anna Roszhardt, a daughter of John and Grace (Dierberger) Roszhardt. Her father died in 1899, the mother still living in McLean County, Ill. Mrs. Nafziger died in 1895, and on January 31, 1897, at Hopedale, Mr. Nafziger married as his second wife, Miss Katie J. Roth. Of this union were born three children: John M., September 10, 1892; Clara M., October 7, 1899, and Christian R., February 25, 1902.
Mrs. Nafziger is the daughter of C. L. and Fanny (Roszhardt) Roth and was born in Livingston County, Ill. Her father was a native of Germany and emigrated to the United States at an early day, locating in Livingston County. He became a farmer, and is now a resident of McLean County, Ill.
Andrew Nafziger, our subject, has a farm of 240 acres on Section 35, and thirty acres, on Section 15, in Hopedale Township. By his industry and perseverance he has met with success in his chosen line of industry, and is one of the substantial men of Tazewell County.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1051