Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

JOHN DAPPERT is one of the extensive land-owners of Christian County, and is ranked among the substantial citizens of Taylorville, where he now makes his home. A native of Bavaria, Germany, he was born on the 7th of September, 1827, and in 1835, at the age of eight years, came with his widowed mother to America. Crossing the Atlantic, he took up his residence in Holmes County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. There he served an apprenticeship for three and a-half years with his step-father learning the shoemaker's trade. He then sought employment in the same line, and worked for five months at $5 per month. At the age of seventeen he began business for himself, opening a shop in Killbuck, Ohio. For some time he continued his labors in that State. With his tools in a sack which he hung over his shoulder, he would go from house to house among the farmers and make shoes for the members of the family. At intervals he also engaged in splitting rails. At the end of about two years he had accumulated some $60 and with his hard-earned savings he opened a shop for himself. When twenty-one years of age, he had become owner of eighty acres of land, worth $500. To this he added from time to time as his financial resources were increased, until his farm comprised one hundred and eighty acres. In connection with the cultivation of his land, he also worked at his trade, and in 1864 he had accumulated about $5,000. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Dappert chose Miss Catherine Silveus, who was born in Wayne County, Pa., but from her sixth year lived in Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated on the 7th of November, 1846, and by their union were born the following children: Mary Ann, who became the wife of Wesley Resler, and died at the age of thirty; George, who died at the age of twenty-five; John M., who died in infancy; Joseph M., who died in childhood; Rosanna, who died in infancy; Henry A., a resident farmer of Johnson Township; James W., a surveyor and City Engineer of Taylorville; Amanda, wife of J. C. Large, of Locust Township; Lucy C., wife of Elmer Shoover, who is living near Indianapolis, Ind.; Sarah Catherine, wife of Lewis Henney; Emma M., wife of Elmer Brooking, who operates the old home farm; and Otto Elmer, who died at the age of four years. They also have sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The year 1864 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Dappert in Christian County. He settled in Johnson Township, purchasing two hundred acres of land at $22 per acre. This was an improved farm and to its cultivation he successfully devoted his energies until the autumn of 1892. He had also made other purchases, and his landed possessions aggregated six hundred acres, divided into three farms of three hundred and sixty, one hundred and sixty, and eighty acres respectively. He engaged in raising wheat and made a specialty of the breeding of cattle, sheep and hogs. Mr. Dappert also owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land in Grant and Stevens Counties, Kan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dappert hold the religious faith of the United Brethren Church and are members of Mound Chapel, in Johnson Township. They have been closely connected with church work, and take an active part in all that pertains to the upbuilding and promotion of the cause. Mr. Dappert exercises his right of franchise in support of the Prohibition party, being a strong advocate of temperance principles. A self-made man, all that he now possesses has been acquired through his own efforts and the assistance of his industrious and frugal wife, for he started out in life empty-handed. Overcoming the difficulties in his path and surmounting the obstacles, he has steadily worked his way upward to success.

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