Effland, Justus bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 572; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Justus Effland. This gentleman, who is of German birth, has been a resident of Fulton County since 1859 and has done good work in aiding in the rapid development of Deerfield Township and Fulton County, and their present high standing among the agricultural districts of the Union. Mr. Effland has been successful in his efforts to acquire a good home, and has accomplished his purpose by strict attention to business and thorough responsibility in all he undertakes. He owns and occupies an estate on section 7, Deerfield Township, which consists of one hundred and forty-two acres of well-stocked and thoroughly-tilled land. The most of the work of improvement has been done by the present owner, including the clearing of about twenty acres and the digging of two wells. The house, barn and other improvements are substantial, conveniently located and sufficiently adequate for their various purposes.
Our subject came of respectable parentage, his immediate progenitors having been John and Thirza (Shuhart) Effland. Both were born in Germany and the father died there in 1849. The mother came to America in 1862 and breather her last in Ohio in 1880. The birth of our subject took place in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, September 16, 1837, and in his native country he remained until 1857. He then crossed the briny deep, believing that the New World would open up to him a broader way in which to work toward the desired result, a good home.
The young man located in Ottawa County, Ohio, spending a year in working for his uncle and another in farm labor for a cousin. In 1859 he came to this county, beginning work on a farm in Ellisville Township for his brother, with whom he remained until the war broke out. He then hired out as a teamster to George Maly and went south to Pittsburg Landing, being gone six months. Having been taken ill he returned to Ellisville, then made a two months’ trip to Ohio, after which he returned to this vicinity, and rented a farm. A year later, he went to Ohio after his bride and buying fifty-two acres in Ottawa County, resided thereon some eighteen months. The situation did not please him and returning to this county he rented land in Deerfield Township until 1870, then bought eighty acres on section 7. There he continued to reside ten years, grubbing, fencing, and otherwise improving the land, which he finally sold in 1880. We next find him renting one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, but two years later buying and taking possession of his present farm.
The efficient and devoted woman whom Mr. Effland won for his wife is a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Burhel) Stick, and was christened Catherine. Her marriage to our subject was celebrated January 24, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Effland have had three sons and five daughters, the survivors being Henry, Anna, Maggie, Mary and Nettie. The first-born, John H., died April 11, 1883; the fifth child, Eliza, died October 11, 1875; and the seventh, Freddie, April 11, 1881.
Mr. Effland is a stanch Republican and takes quite an interest in political affairs. He has served in the capacity of School Director and Pathmaster. He belongs to the Lutheran Church to the support of which he contributes liberally and in which he has held the office of Deacon three years. He is well known throughout the county and respected as his industrious and upright life deserves.