Bradford township numbers among its valued and representative residents and among its successful and enterprising native sons Reinhart Aschenbrenner, who is not only one of the most extensive landowners here and the holder of large landed interests in the west but who has also been for many years one of the great individual forces in the agricultural development and growth of Lee county. A spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him throughout his life and this, guided and controlled by sound and practical judgment, has brought him to a high place among men of marked ability and substantial worth in this community. Mr. Aschenbrenner was born in Bradford township, this county, October 31, 1860, and is a son of Rev. John and Catherine (Reinhart) Aschenbrenner, natives of Germany. The mother came to America with her parents in 1845 and the father some years later. Their marriage occurred in Lee county and here the mother died July 20, 1900. The father makes his home on an orange farm near Los Angeles, California. He has reached the age of eighty-three years and only recently gave up the ministry, with which he had been connected during his active life. In this family were three children: Christian, who died July 28, 1913; Reinhart, of this review; and Andrew, a farmer of Bradford township.

Reinhart Aschenbrenner was reared at home and remained with his mother until he was thirty-two years of age, although at twenty-three he had purchased the farm which he now occupies. He moved upon this property in 1893 and he has since made his home there, carrying forward the work of improvement and development in a progressive and able way. His fields are in a high state of cultivation, his buildings are substantial and in good repair and everything about the place is in excellent condition. Mr. Aschenbrenner has from time to time bought more land and he is today one of the large holders of farming property in this part of Illinois. In partnership with his brother Andrew he owns sixteen hundred acres in Lee county, all but two hundred acres lying in Bradford township. They also have extensive land holdings in the west. Mr. Aschenbrenner has always made a specialty of raising horses, cattle and hogs and he still supervises his extensive stock-raising interests although he is living practically retired. In 1892 Mr. Aschenbrenner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Muerner, a native of DuPage county, Illinois, and a daughter of Peter and Louisa (Knopf) Muerner, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. The parents came to America in their early years and both died in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Aschenbrenner have become the parents of a daughter, Catherine E., who was born June 6, 1893. She has received a college education and is also a graduate in music. They have an adopted son, Lester Cecil.

Mr. Aschenbrenner is a member of Lee Center Lodge, No. 146, P. & A. M., and Amboy Chapter, No. 194, R. A. M. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lee Center and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for eleven years served in a capable and efficient manner as commissioner. He has spent his entire life in Bradford township and for the past twenty years has made his home upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He has won success and prominence and because he has always followed the highest and most honorable standards has commanded and held the confidence and regard of all who are associated with him.

History of Lee County by Frank E. Stevens 1914