**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of John DANNER Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Anne Marie Willis. [Surnames: BAKER, BURGARD, DANNER, FITZ, HOKE, HUFF, LIEB, PENN, SPANGLER, TRONE] [Pages 846 and 847] DANNER, John.--When William Penn, an English Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, received the grant comprising that State from the crown in 1681, he brought with him across the seas to inhabit his tract numerous seekers after religious freedom, conferring upon them certain sections of land, many of which are still retained by descendants of the original owners. A fellow voyager of the distinguished colonist was the great-great-great-grandfather of John Danner, the latter one of the early pioneers of Woodland Township and at present a retired resident of Summum, Fulton County. The immigrating Danner was presented with land on the west side of the Susquehanna River, in York County, and to this day the soil is tilled by inheritors of his name and fortunes. Within sound of the rushing Susquehanna John Danner was born April 9, 1839, a son of Jesse and grandson of Michael Danner. Jesse Danner married Sarah Lieb, also of York County, and in 1850 outfitted for the long overland journey to Fulton County, Ill., arriving in which he settled two miles east of Astoria, Woodland Town- [page 847] ship. His first home was a rude log cabin, and his first experiences were of the never-to-be-forgotten and never-to-be-repeated pioneer kind. Into the wilderness he brought the religious zeal of his forefathers and he and John Fitz established the first Dunkard Church in Woodland Township. Mr. Danner's first 160 acres of land soon proved inadequate, and he kept adding to his possessions until he owned 640 acres. He was a stanch Democrat, but, while possessing great business and executive ability, never would accept official honors. He was a generally useful man, however, and besides stimulating an interest in agriculture and good government, gave generously of his means to private and public causes, being ever ready to help those in need, providing they were not in a position to help themselves. The death of this fine old Dunkard occurred November 22, 1892, and he is survived by a large gathering of descendants. He was twice married and his first wife died in 1846, leaving besides John, her oldest son, four other children: Martha, wife of Peter Burgard, of the State of Washington; Jacob, who died at the age of twenty-one; Barbara, who died at the home of her paternal grandfather, and Henry, a farmer of Woodland Township. In 1848 Mr. Danner married Elizabeth Huff, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of the union there were four children: Elizabeth, wife of Jonas Baker, of Summum; Jesse A., a farmer of Woodland Township; Sarah, wife of George Hoke, of Schuyler County, this State, and Samuel, a resident of Rushville, Ill. At the age of eighty-four Mrs. Danner is a bright and interesting woman, keenly in sympathy with the younger life around her and full of reminiscences of the early history of Illinois. She now resides east of Summum with her son, Jesse H. John Danner was about eleven years old when the family came to Woodland Township, and he here continued the education begun in the early subscription schools of Pennsylvania. He remained on the home place until his twenty-first year, when he turned his attention to rail-making as more profitable and agreeable than general farming. Rail making in those days was a formidable business, for the rude and unpolished implement served many purposes unthought of at the present time. Mr. Danner split many thousands of rails, and to this day recalls the pleasure he experienced as his ax swung through the air and he felt his blood flow and muscles harden with the splendid exercise. His hours were non-union and extended from sunrise to sunset, yet he never thought of complaining, for work was in the air and around it centered the purpose of the pioneer. On August 4, 1859, John Danner married Mathilda Trone, also born in York County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph Trone, who came to Fulton County in 1855. The young people settled on eighty acres of land in Woodland Township, cleared several acres, then sold and rented 160 acres until 1880. Mr. Danner then purchased 240 acres in Woodland Township, made many fine improvements thereon and continued to make that his home until 1891. He then sold his farm and bought 160 acres of the present site of Summum and vicinity, and eventually platted the town, which then was called Oberland. The years have witnessed the disposal of all of his farm save that part upon which has been erected his present beautiful residence. To Mr. Danner and his wife have been born eight children, two of whom (Elizabeth and William) are deceased, those living being: Jesse, a farmer and merchant near Summum; Joseph, a farmer at Herndon, Iowa; George, in charge of a general mercantile store at Minburn, Iowa; Charles, a farmer of Pleasant Township; Minnie, wife of Edward Spangler, of Summum, and Nellie, living at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Danner is a Democrat, but like his father before him he always has avoided office holding. Although not a member of any religious sect, he contributes to the support of local churches and charities, and even in retirement exerts an influence upon many phases of the town's growth. A man of strict and uncompromising honor, he has always enjoyed the confidence, as he has the affection and good will, of all who are privileged to know him.