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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 Andrew ROCK 

Pages 332-333, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: ERB, ROCK, SHNUR] 

    
ANDREW ROCK. In every State of the Union the German-American citizens are to be found, making their way steadily onward in the accumulation of property and securing their means by honest industry, prudent economy and untiring zeal. In this county a prominent position among agriculturists and landowners is held by the gentleman above named, who is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, born February 15, 1841. His parents, Simon and Elizabeth (Shnur) Rock, were born in the same province and came to this county in 1855. They made their first home here in Fairview Township, but in October, of the same year, located on section 14, Deerfield Township, where they subsequently died, the father July 12, 1889, and the mother January 17, 1890. 
    
Our subject gained a considerable part of his education in his native land, but continued his studies in this country. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years old, then worked by the month on a farm until his marriage, February 3, 1863, to Anna, daughter of Philip and Catherina Erb. Soon afterward he rented a farm of his father-in-law, upon which he made his home five years, at the same time operating other lands which he rented. At the expiration of that time he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Deerfield Township, where he now resides. He has since purchased eighty acres on section 35, and eighty-two acres on section 4, of the same township, and one hundred and forty acres on section 1, Cass Township. This makes a fine estate of four hundred and sixty-two acres of good land, the acquisition of which is almost entirely due to the personal efforts of the owner. 
    
The home farm of our subject is furnished with an excellent frame house, substantial barns and all necessary improvements, both it and the one in Cass Township are well stocked. The latter is also supplied with a frame house, a good barn and other improvements. When Mr. Rock first started to work he received but $5 per month and he never got more than $15. From this stipend he saved money and made his first outlay for real estate, continuing to economize and labor hard in order to build up a good home for his family and bestow upon them the many comforts and privileges which he desired. He has always been liberal toward those about him, never turning from his door a man that was in need if it was possible to assist him. He is endeavoring to rear his children in such a manner that they may also be useful in the world, and they are already assisting him in his labors. 
    
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rock consists of one daughter and seven sons, named respectively: Lewis W., John P., Simon E., Charles A., William A., Clara E., Franklin H. and George M. All are at home except the eldest, who is married and lives on section 4, of the same township. The younger boys are so thoroughly "chips of the old block" that Mr. Rock finds it unnecessary to hire help, as they are able to give him all that he needs. Mr. Rock, although ostensibly a Democrat, is not so radical but that he will vote for the man who is best fitted to discharge the duties of office, even if he is numbered in other party ranks. He has been Collector two years and Supervisor two years. His religious membership is in the Lutheran Church, where he has held the offices of Deacon and Trustee.