Frederick Sperling

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BALLER, MILLER, SPERLING

FREDERICK SPERLING owns one of the most finely cultivated farms in East Bend Township, lying on section 32, and which comprises 114 acres. Mr. S. is ranked among the enterprising German citizens of this county, and has inherited in a marked degree the substantial traits of an excellent ancestry, which have made of him an honest man and a good citizen. His sbirth took place at the foot of the Hartz Mountains, in the Province of Saxony, Prussia, on the 1st of September, 1836, and he is the eldest son of Godfried and Christine (BALLER) SPERLING, of whom mention is made in the sketch of August SPERLING on another page in this volume.

Our subject commenced attending school when six years old, pursuing his studies in Germany until coming to the United States with his parents. After reaching the shores of the New World they located in Sheboygan, Wisc., where young Frederick continued his studies in the schools and assisted his father on the farm. After the breaking out of the late Rebellion he proffered his services as a soldier of the Union army, and became a member of Co. A, 9th Wis. Vol. Inf., giving his time to his adopted country from august, 1861, until December, 1864, when its union and safety had become assured. He endured with his comrades bravely all the vicissitudes of a soldier’s life, participating in a number of regular battles and minor engagements, and during that time traveled through the States of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Indian Territory.

At the expiration of his term of service Mr. Sperling received his honorable discharge and returned to his home in Wisconsin, where he remained until the following year. He then came to this State, and locating in Bloomington was employed first in a nursery and afterward in a lumberyard, and finally rented a farm which he occupied six years. In the meantime he had purchased a tract of wild land in East Bend Township, this county, and in 1869 commenced in earnest its improvement and cultivation. He was successful in his operations and in due time added to his acreage and erected a good set of frame buildings. The homestead now embraces 114 acres under a fine state of cultivation and producing in abundance the choice crops of the Prairie State. As a business man and a member of the community he is held in the highest esteem for his personal qualities and his systematic and praiseworthy method of transacting business.

The marriage of Frederick Sperling and Miss Ann M. MILLER took place in Sheboygan County, Wis., in the summer of 1860. Mrs. S. is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of seven children, viz., Dorothea, J. C., Rudolph, Laura, Edwin S., Minerva, Frederick W. and annie Maria C. The wife and mother is a lady greatly respected in the community and beloved by her family. Of late years she has been in delicate health, bt is remarkably patient under her affliction. Mr. Sperling since becoming a voter has uniformly supported the principles of the Republican party.