Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 273

James A Wessel, farmer, section 8, Union Grove Tp., bought 40 acres of land on the same section on which he is now residing, where he pursued the vocation of farming, to which he had been bred in his native State.

In February, 1876, he sold the land of his original purchase, and bought 120 acres on the same section (8), where he has since prosecuted his agricultural projects.

Mr. Wessel was born Jan. 31, 1835, in Oswego Co., N.Y. His parents, Luke and Nancy (Allen) Wessel, were natives of the Empire State and lived for some time after their marriage in Oswego County, removing thence, in 1842, to Jefferson County in the same State, where they both died. They had eight children,--John, Maria, Belinda, Jane, Mary, Charlotte, James A. and Henry.

Mr. Wessel was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Jefferson Co., N. Y. He there received his education and was brought up a farmer by his father, removing when he was 30 years of age to Whiteside County. His entire farm is under the plow and compares favorably as to value with the farms by which it is surrounded.

Mr. Wessel is a Republican in political views and connections.

He was united in marriage to Esther J. Goodenough, Jan. 8, 1863, in Oswego Co., N.Y. He was married the same day of the month, and in the same town, county, house and room in which his wife’s father and mother were married. She was born in Jefferson Co., N.Y., Sept 9, 1845, and is the daughter of Willard A. and Nancy J. Goodenough, who are now residents of Union Grove Township and whose sketch may be found on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Wessel have four children,---Frank E., Gertie J., Bessie E., and Myrtle L.