Benjamin Bookwalter (Buchwalter)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Biography. ⁴³ “Benjamin Bookwalter a farmer and respected citizen of Gardner, Illinois was born July 31, 1831, in Lancaster Pennsylvania. He is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Witmer) Bookwalter, also natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of ten children, nine of whom grew up - Mary, John, Daniel, David, Samuel, Anna, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Michael. The family came to Greenfield Township in 1854, where they bought a tract of land at $9 per acre, a portion of which had been entered by Dr. Abbott, an early settler. The father died on this farm, in June 1872, and the mother in July 1882. They were Mennonites. Mr. Bookwalter attended the country schools, obtaining but a slight education; he has always devoted his time to rural labors. He was married, in 1859, to Susan Barkey, a daughter of Enos and Eve (Sigler) Barkey, early settlers of Mazon Township; she was one of five children - Susan, Sigler, John, Enos and Jude. Mr. Bookwalter now has 660 acres of well-improved land, well adapted to stock raising, to which he is applying his personal attention; he has raised some of the fastest horses in this county, among which is Troubadour and Chicago Maid; he is also raising Durham cattle. He has served the Township as Trustee and Road Commissioner, and votes the Republican ticket. He is the father of four children - Emma and Abraham, each of whom has received a good education, having attended the Normal, McLean County. Miss Bookwalter ranks among the best musicians in this county, and is giving instructions to many.”

• Biography. ⁴⁴ “Benjamin Bookwalter is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Greenville Township and is regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of Grundy County. He is of Pennsylvania Dutch lineage, his ancestors having been among the early settlers of Lancaster County.

Benjamin Bookwalter's grandfather, John Buchwalter was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation, owning and cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of land. A man of sterling honesty and high moral character, he took great interest in religious matters and was a member of the Mennonite church. He served as the tax collector of his Township for many years, and was highly respected for his genuine worth and marked ability. His children were Benjamin, Abraham, Mattie, Christina, Elizabeth and Hester.

Abraham Buchwalter, Benjamin's father was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in February 1794, twelve miles east of the city of Lancaster. He acquired the usual common-school educaiton and added to his knowledge by his extensive reading in later years. He possessed an observing eye and retentive mind, and these qualities enabled him to gain an excellent amount of knowledge. He, too, was a farmer by occupation, making that pursuit his life work. In Lancasater County, Pennsylvania, he married Elizabeth Witwer, whose birth occurred in that county. Her father was Rev. Witwer, a minister of the Mennonnite church and a highly respected man who for many years devoted his energies to the work of the gospel. His services were especially demanded on the occasion of funerals, and his marked sympathy and broad acquaintance made him particularly capable in delivering addresses on such occasions. He was one of the best-known Mennonite ministers of his day, and was also a wealthy farmer of Lancaster County, owning an extensive and valuable tract of land. He died in his native county in middle life. His children Isaac, David, Benjamin, Michael, Daniel (who became a physician), Elizabeth and Barbara.

After his marriage Abraham Buchwalter located on the old homestead farm near New Holland, where he lived for a number of years, removing to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 1843. There he purhcased a farm of over four hundred acres, making his home thereon for about eight years when he sold his property and bought three hundred acres of land, on which there was a flouring-mill. After three years spent on his property there he came to Illinois, in the spring of 1854, making the journey by rail. In the previous autumn he had started westward and had spent the winter of 1853-1854 in Elkhart County, Indiana, whence he came to Grundy County in the spring. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, including the quarter section upon which Benjamin Bookwalter now resides and a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Maine Township. Forty acres of the land had been fenced and a small frame house had been erected, but otherwise there was no improvement upon the property. The country around was a wild and undeveloped prairie, on which wolves, deer, prairie chickens and quails were frequently killed. Mr. Buchwalter began improving his land, and his untiring industry enabled him to develop a good farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. He was one of the founders of the old Mennonite Church in this vicinity and served as one of its deacons for many years. In politics he was an old-line Whig, but severed his allegiance with that party in order to aid in the organizaation of the Republican party in this locality. He became a substantial and well-known citizen as the result of his industry and honest effort. All who knew him esteemed him for his high moral character and his genuine worth. In his family were the following children: John, Mary, David, Samuel, Annie, Benjamin, Elizabeth and one that died in infancy. All were born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and during the civil war David entered the country's service, remaining at the front for two years.

Benjamin Bookwalter, the subject of this review, was born July 31, 1831, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and has adopted the more modern method of spelling the family name. He acquired a good common-school education, and when about twelve years of age went with his parents by wagon to Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He came to Illinois at the age of twenty-three, arriving in Grundy County in April 1854. He and his brother, Michael, drove two horses, hitched to a wagon, from Elkhart County, Indiana, spending four days upon the way. He worked for his father through the folowing year and in the succeeding year, when his father retired from active business, Benjamin and his brother Michael assumed the management of the home farm, which they conducted for five years. After the marriage of our subject the brothers dissolved partnership, each engaging in business for himself. Benjamin took the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and here he has since lived. He improved his farm, built a residence upon it and has made many other substantial improvements, which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Through his own well-directed efforts and the capable assistance of his wife he has steadily prospered and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine farming land, all in one body. For many years he has been engaged in raising cattle and fine trotting horses, and has been the owner of some of the best horses in the state.

On the 31st of October 1858, Mr. Bookwalter was united in marriage to Miss Susan Barkey, and their children are: Emma L., born August 3, 1860; Abraham L., born March 28, 1862; and two who died in infancy. The mother's birth occurred in Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1837, her parents being Enos and Eve (Ziegler) Barkey. Her father was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1815, and the mother was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1814. They were married in Beaver County Pennsylvania about 1835. Mrs. Barkey was a daughter of Christopher and Susanah (Shelley) Ziegler, natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and representatives of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Her father was for many years a deacon in the Mennonite church and was a most highly respected man. He lived to the advanced age of over ninety-eight years, and died in Mahoning County, Ohio. His children were Abraham, Andrew, Henry, Eve, Susan, Elizabeth, Catharine, and two who died in infancy.

Benjamin Bookwalter is a man well known in Grundy County for his honesty and upright character. Besides the property, which he now owns, he has given to his children one hundred and sixty acres of land. In politics he was an old-line Whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the Republican Party and voted for John C. Freemon and Abraham Lincoln. He is recognized as one of the substantial and valued of his community and well deserves representation in this volume.”

• death, 19 Sep 1903, Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana, USA. ⁴⁵ Obituary of Benjamin Bookwalter as written in the 1903 Mennonite Newsletter:

“Bookwalter - On the 19th of September 1903, at the home of his nephew in Elkhart, Indiana, of heart failure, Benjamin Bookwalter, aged 72 Y., 1 M., 18 D. He was a son of Abraham Bookwalter, who died in Grundy Co., Ill., and a number of years ago. Benjamin Bookwalter was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., July 31, 1831. When he was about twelve years old he moved with his parents to Mercer Co., Pa., and at the age of 23 he moved to Grundy Co., Ill., and worked for his father, who had located and secured a large farm within several miles of Gardner. He was married to Susan Barkey, Oct. 31, 1858. His wife died three years ago. About two weeks before his death he came to Elkhart, to visit friends. He had been out walking with his nephew and was apparently in the best of health, and had given no imitation of illness whatever. After the walk he seated himself to take a rest, when suddenly his head dropped to one side and with a gasp or two he passed away. His body was taken back to his home in Gardner and there committed to the grave. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, was a prominent citizen and highly respected by those who knew him as a man of honest and upright character; he hated fraud and deception, was kind and good to the suffering and needy, patient and even tempered and of a genial and sincere disposition. The writer has enjoyed his acquaintance for about forty years and had a pleasant conversation with him only a few days before he passed away. He leaves a son and a daughter to mourn his death. He seemed for some time to realize that his time was short and that he should go to meet the loved ones who had preceded him.”

• census, 1880. 1880 census:

Name: Benj. BOOKWALTER
Age: 48
Estimated birth year: <1832>
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Relation: Self
Home in 1880: Goodfarm, Grundy, Illinois
Occupation: Farmer
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Head of household: Benj. BOOKWALTER
Father's birthplace: PA
Mother's birthplace: PA

Benjamin married Susanna Barkey, daughter of Enos (Enoch) Barkey and Eve Ziegler, on 31 Oct 1858. (Susanna Barkey was born on 12 Oct 1837 in Evans City, Butler, Pennsylvania, USA, died on 10 Sep 1900 in Gardner, Grundy, Illinois, USA and was buried in Gardner, Grundy, Illinois, USA.)

  Marriage Notes:

Benjamin BOOKWALTER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born July 31, 1831, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (WITMER) BOOKWALTER, also natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of ten children, nine of whom grew up - Mary, John, Daniel, David, Samuel, Anna, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Michael. The family came to Greenfield Township in 1854, where they bought a tract of land at $9 per acre, a portion of which had been entered by Dr. ABBOTT, an early settler. The father died on this farm, in June, 1872, and the mother in July, 1882. They were Mennonites. Mr. Bookwalter attended the country schools, obtaining but a slight education; he has always devoted his time to rural labors. He was married, in 1859, to Susan BARKEY, a daughter of Enos and Eve (SIGLER) BARKEY, early settlers of Mazon Township; she was one of five children - Susan, Sigler, John, Enos and Jude. Mr. Bookwalter. now has 660 acres of well-improved land, well adapted to stock-raising, to which he is applying his personal attention; he has raised some of the fastest horses in this county, among which is Troubadour and Chicago Maid; he is also raising Durham cattle. He has served the township as Trustee and Road Commissioner, and votes the Republican ticket. He is the father of four children - Emma and Abraham, each of whom has received a good education, having attended the Normal, McLean County. Miss BOOKWALTER ranks among the best musicians in this county, and is giving instructions to many.

Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, 1882

Benjamin Bookwalter is a representative of one the pioneer families of Greenville Township and is regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of Grundy county. He is of Pennsylvania Dutch lineage, his ancestors having been among the early settlers of Lancaster county. John Buchwalter was the grandfather of our subject, and since that time the orthography of the family name has been changed. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation, owning and cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of land. A man of sterling honesty and high moral character, he took great interest in religious matters and was a member of the Mennonite church. He served as the tax collector of his township for many years, and was highly respected for his genuine worth and marked ability. His children were Benjamin, Abraham, Mattie, Christina, Elizabeth and Hester.

Abraham Buchwalter, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in February 1794, twelve miles east of the city of Lancaster. He acquired the usual common-school educaiton and added to his knowledge by his extensive reading in later years. he possessed an observing eye and retentive mind, and these qualities enabled him to gain an excellent fun of knowledge. He, too, was a farmer by occupation, making that pursuit his life work. In Lancasater county, Pennsylvania, he married Elizabeth Witwer, whose birth occurred in that county. Her father was Rev. Witwer, a minister of the Mennonnite church and a highly respected man who for many years devoted his energies to the work of the gospel. his services were especially demanded on the occasion of funerals, and his marked sympathy and broad acquaintance made him particularly capable in delivering addresses on such occasions. He was one of the best known Mennonite ministers of his day, and was also a wealthy farmer of Lancaster county, owning an extensive and valuable tract of land. He died in his native county in middle life. His children Isaac, David, Benjamin, Michael, Daniel (who became a physician, Elizabeth and Barbara.

After his marriage Abraham Buchwalter located on the old homestead farm near New Holland, where he lived for a number of years, removing to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 1843. There he purhcased a farm of over four hundred acres, making his home thereon for about eight years when he sold his property and bought three hundred acres of land, on which there was a flouring-mill. After three years spent on his property there he came to illinois, in the spring of 1854, making the journey by rail. In the previous autumn he had started westward and had spent the winter of 1853-54 in Elkhart County, Indiana, whence he came to Grundy County in the spring. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, including the quarter section upon which our subject now resides and a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Maine Township. Forty acres of the land had been fenced and a small frame house had been erected, but otherwise there was no improvement upon the property. the country around was a wild and undeveloped prairie, on which wolves, deer, prairie chickens and quails were frequently killed. Mr. Buchwalter began improving his land, and his untiring industry enabled him to develop a good farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. He was one of the founders of the old Mennonite Church in this vicinity and served as one of its deacons for many years. In politics he was an old-line Whig, but severed his allegiance with that party in order to aid in the organizaation of the Republican party i this locality. He became a substantial and well known citizen as the result of his industry and honest effort. All who knew him esteemed him for his high moral character and his genuine worth. In his family were the following children: John, Mary, David, Samuel, Annie, Benjamin, Elizabeth and one that died in infancy. All were born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and during the civil war David entered the country's service, remaining at the front for two years.

Benjamin Bookwalter, the subject of this review, was born July 31, 1831, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and has adopted the more modern method of spellig the family name. he acquired a good common-school education, and when about twelve years of age went with his parents by wagon to Mercer County, Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-three he came to Illinois, arriving in Grundy county in April, 1854. He and his brother, Michael, drove two horses, hitched to a wagon, from Elkhart County, Indiana, spending four days upon the way. he worked for his father through the folowing year and in the succeeding year, when his father retired from active business, Benjamin and his brother Michael assumed the management of the home farm, which they conducted for five years. after the marriage of our subject the brothers dissolved partnership, each engaging in business for himself. Benjamin took the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and here he has since lived. He improved his farm, built a residence upon it and has made many other substantial improvements which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Through his own well-directed efforts and the capable assistance of his wife he has steadily prospered and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of fine farming land, all in one body. For many years he has been engaged in raising cattle and fine trotting horses, and has been the owner of some of the best horses in the state.

On the 31st of October 1858, Mr. Bookwalter was united in marriage to Miss Susan Barkey, and their children are: Emma L., born August 3, 1860; Abraham L., born March 28, 1862; and two who died in infancy. the mother's birth occurred in Butler County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1837, her parents being Enos and Eve (Ziegler) Barkey. Her father was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1815, and the mother was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1814. they were married in Beaver County Pennsylvania about 1835. Mrs. Barkey was a daughter of Christopher and Susanah (Shelley) Ziegler, natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and representatives of good old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Her father was for many years a deacon in the Mennonite church and was a most highly repsected man. he lived to the advanced age of over ninety-eight years, and died in Mahoning county, Ohio. His children were Abraham, Andrew, Henry, Eve, Susan, Elizabeth, Catharine, and two who died in infancy.

Benjamin Bookwalter is a man well known in Grundy county for his honesty and upright character. Besides the property which he now owns he has given to his children one hundred and sixty acres of land. In politics he was an old-line Whig until the dissolution of the party, when he joined the Republican party and voted for John C. fremon and Abraham Lincoln. He is recognized as one of the substantial and valued of his community and well deserves representation in this volume.


Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle and Grundy Counties, Illinois Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1900 pages 714 -718




Bookwalter, Abraham Lincoln

There are far-seeing agriculturalists who now specialize along certain lines, in this way securing exceptionally fine results and one of the men who has made his products stand for the highest standard of excellence of their kind is Abraham Lincoln Bookwalter, of Garfield Township, who specializes in raising blooded cattle and horses. He was born on his present farm on March 28, 1862, a son of Benjamin and Susan (Barkey) Bookwalter, the former of whom was born July 31, 1831, and the latter October 12, 1837, both in Pennsylvania. These parents came to Grundy County in 1854, and became pioneers in what is now Garfield Township, and bought land for $10.00 per acre. The father died September 19, 1903, and the mother, September 16, 1900, and their burial was in the Wheeler cemetery. They had four children: Abraham Lincoln; Emma, who married W. S. Allison, a banker of Gardner, Ill.; one who died in infancy; and Elmer, who died aged one and one-half years.

Abraham Lincoln Bookwalter attended the schools of his district and at the same time assisted his father on the farm. When he was sixteen years old, he went to Gardner, Ill., and for the following two years attended the schools of that city, and after that, for a short time, was a student in the Bloomington Normal school. Following this he returned to the farm, learning here the details of his present business from his father, who was a heavy stock raiser and handler of fancy cattle and horses. He has developed into one of the leaders in his line in this part of the State and owns 400 acres of very valuable land, and has the most beautiful home in the township.

On December 11, 1884, Abraham Lincoln Bookwalter was married by Rev. C. W. Greene, of Gardner, Ill., to Hattie J. Huss, born February 19, 1862, a daughter of Richard B. Huss, who came to Gardner, Ill., in 1863, where he embarked in a harness business, and was one of the pioneer merchants of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bookwalter have had children as follows: Benjamin B., who was born November 2, 1885, lives on one of his father's farms, and married Mamie L. Barrett; Richard A., who was born February 27, 1888; John William who was born March 15, 1890; Florence, who was born March 23, 1892; Charles Edward, who was born December 22, 1895; and Ira J., who was born May 31, 1898. On January 22, 1906, Mrs. Bookwalter died and was buried in the Wheeler cemetery, her parents being buried in the Braceville and Gardner cemetery. Mr. Bookwalter belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican and has been a school director for the past twenty-five years. A man of prominence in his community, he is a strong factor in its development, and stands high in the esteem of all with whom he comes into contact.

Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, 1914, page 769

1880 census:

Name: Benj. BOOKWALTER Age: 48 Estimated birth year: <1832> Birthplace: Pennsylvania Relation: Self Home in 1880: Goodfarm, Grundy, Illinois Occupation: Farmer Marital status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Head of household: Benj. BOOKWALTER Father's birthplace: PA Mother's birthplace: PA


Bookwalter - On the 19th of September, 1903, at the home of his nephew in Elkhart, Indiana, of heart failure, Benjamin Bookwalter, aged 72 Y., 1 M., 18 D. He was a son of Abraham Bookwalter, who died in Grundy Co., Ill., a number of years ago. Benjamin Bookwalter was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., July 31, 1831. When he was about twelve years old he moved with his parents to Mercer Co., Pa., and at the age of 23 he moved to Grundy Co., Ill., and worked for his father, who had located and secured a large farm within several miles of Gardner. He was married to Susan Barkey, Oct. 31, 1858. His wife died three years ago. About two weeks before his death he came to Elkhart, to visit friends. He had been out walking with his nephew and was apparently in the best of health, and had given no imitation of illness whatever. After the walk he seated himself to take a rest, when suddenly his head dropped to one side and with a gasp or two he passed away. His body was taken back to his home in Gardner and there committed to the grave. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, was a prominent citizen and highly respected by those who knew him as a man of honest and upright character; he hated fraud and deception, was kind and good to the suffering and needy, patient and even tempered and of a genial and sincere disposition. The writer has enjoyed his acquaintance for about forty years and had a pleasant conversation with him only a few days before he passed away. He leaves a son and a daughter to mourn his death. He seemed for some time to realize that his time was short and that he should go to meet the loved ones who had preceded him.

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