Biography - John W. Falk
JOHN W. FALK fills multifarious offices of usefulness at Herborn, Shelby
County, being its merchant, Postmaster, express agent, freight agent and
carrying on a fine business in the manufacture of tile. His business ability
and thorough going, progressive character, are giving a push to this young
town, which will tell upon its future.
Mr. Falk was born in Germany, September 7, 1856, his parents being John and
Anna (Franke) Falk. The family came to the United States in 1858 when our
subject was scarcely two years old. Their first home was in Chicago, but
they did not tarry there many years, as they thought best to devote
themselves to agricultural pursuits. Accordingly they sought out some of the
rich but unbroken prairie soil where they might make their home and by
industry gain the wealth which was hidden under its surface. The father was
not a man of means and felt that in order to secure for his children the
best advantages of this new world he must place them where they might rise
more readily than in a great city.
Shelby County was chosen as the home of the family and here the father
purchased forty acres of land. He was hampered in his work by poor health,
but still by earnest endeavor and industry, coupled with economy he became
the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land and placed upon it
excellent improvements. His death occurred in 1877 when he was fifty years
old. He was an earnest and devout member of the Lutheran Church in which his
wife was in sympathy with him. The worthy widow still survives and is making
her home in Shelly County on the old homestead.
Five of the children of John and Anna Falk grew to man's and woman's estate.
These were Joseph; Dora, wife of William Rozene; Elizabeth, wife of John
Scheef; Caroline, the wife of Henry Zalman and our subject who was the
fourth in order of birth in the family. He was but five years old when the
family removed to Shelby County, and therefore feels that almost his entire
life has been identified with the growth and progress of the community in
which he lives. He received the usual thorough drill and instruction given
to a farmer's boy and was educated in the district school. Although his
school advantages were extremely limited he availed himself thoroughly of
all opportunities which were placed within his reach and has acquired a good
business education by independent study and endeavor.
At the age of twenty-one years, John Falk engaged in merchandise at
Stewardson, an enterprise which he conducted for one year, after which time
he decided to go upon a farm and establish a home of his own. He was married
in 1878 to Anna Giesler, daughter of Adam and Mary Giesler who was born in
Elkhart County, Ind., November 16, 1862. After following agriculture, for
some eleven years, he established a mercantile business at Herborn in 1889,
and soon afterward became a partner in the tile factory, and later took up
dealing in grain. The tile business at Herborn was established about ten
years ago by Hunt and Gallamore. The present firm does business under the
title of the Herborn Tile Manufacturing Company and is composed of the
following gentlemen: Joseph Falk, John W. Falk, and A. T. Weber. Mr. and
Mis. Falk own together some one hundred and forty acres of excellent land.
Our subject is identified with the Republican party and works for its
prosperity, although he devotes only a limited portion of his time and
interest to political matters. He has been placed in the office of School
Trustee in which he is efficient and active, and is actively forwarding the
educational interests of the township. He feels these to be among the most
vital and necessary matters which should engage the attention and zeal of
every worthy and broad-minded citizen.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view on another page of the
residence and store of Mr. Falk.
Extracted 12 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 416-419.
