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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Henry C. BROCK 

Pages 801-802, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: BROCK, SERVEN, WAUGHTEL, WILHELM] 

    
HENRY C. BROCK. The philosopher, Mill, has said that the "worth of a State in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it." Not less true is the saying that the prosperity of a country depends upon the character of the youth of that land. Fulton County is especially fortunate in that it has within its boundaries many young men of worth, enterprise and honor, and in this class the gentleman of whom this personal sketch is written holds a conspicuous place. He, in conjunction with his brothers Charles and Philip, operates the old homestead on section 21, Cass Township, a view of which appears on another page of this volume. 
    
Born May 19, 1868, in Cass Township, this county, our subject has passed his entire life thus far within its limits. His education, like that of most farmers; sons, was confined to an attendance at the district schools, but at an early age he began to display a thirst for knowledge and was very faithful in the preparing of his lessons. This same earnestness of purpose characterizes his whole life, and he merits great praise for the good qualities that make him a shining example for the young men of our country to imitate. It may truthfully be said of him that he is one of "nature's noblemen." He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and has been Class-Leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is at present a teacher. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket, and is well posted upon the issues of the day. 
    
Perhaps no citizen of Cass Township occupied a more prominent position or contributed more to its development than Henry Brock, the father of our subject. He was born in Germany June 18, 1825, and was there reared and given the advantages of an excellent education. In 1837, having decided to seek a home in the New World, he crossed the Atlantic and after an uneventful voyage landed at Baltimore in the month of May. Thence he proceeded directly to Cass Township, and located on a farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. Not only was he a successful agriculturist, but was in many ways closely identified with the development of the county where he resided. A man of great business tact, boundless energy and unflagging perseverance, he was universally esteemed, and his children are justly proud of the good name he left them. 
    
On April 1, 1857, Henry Brock was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Wilhelm, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 12, 1838. To them were born six children, viz: John W., who lives in Lewistown; Elizabeth, wife of Leander Serven, of Prairie City, and the mother of one child; Amelia is the wife of Allen Waughtel, of Cass Township, and they have two children; Henry C., our subject; Charles and Philip. Mr. Brock was a man of great influence, and one in whom great confidence was felt throughout the community. His interest in educational matters was one of his chief characteristics and for three years he acted as School Director. He also served as Supervisor, representing Cass Township on the County Board. 
    
During his active career Henry Brock became the owner of a valuable estate comprising seven hundred and forty acres of the best farming land in the county. Ninety-seven acres are located in Harris Township, eighty acres in Mount Township, and the remainder in Cass Township. The entire acreage is divided into six farms, and is in the hands of John W., administrator. In the old homestead an aunt presides, the father and mother having passed away, the former August 25, 1889, and the latter May 8, 1876. The three youngest sons continue to reside under the home roof and carry on an extensive farming business, and in connection with this, are stock-raisers on a large scale. Having been reared to farm life, they are well prepared to attend to the work in a systematic way, and in consequence have amassed a considerable fortune. Indeed, the family is numbered among the most influential and wealthy in the county. 
    
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait, presented in connection with this biographical review, of Henry C. Brock, whose attainment and enterprise point to an honorable and influential future.