JACOB L. BETEBENNER, one of the representative farmers of Richland County,
residing on section 6, Olney Township, is a native of Maryland, his birth having
occurred in Frederick County, on the 8th of January, 1837. His father was also
born in the same State, in the year 1801. He was a plasterer by trade, and
followed that occupation during his early life. In later years he carried on
agricultural pursuits. George Betebenner married Liddie Everhart, who was born
in Maryland in 1811, and was of Dutch descent. In the spring of 1859 they
emigrated Westward, locating in Olney, but after six months spent in that city
removed to Wabash County and purchased a farm, upon which they passed the
remainder of their days. The death of the mother occurred December 28, 1877, and
the father was called to his final rest December 20, 1886. They were buried side
by side in a Lutheran cemetery in Wabash County.
Mr. and Mrs. Betebenner
had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom eight are
yet living, as follows: John, a resident fanner of Crawford County, Neb.; Ann
C., who is the widow of Hiram E. Smith, and makes her home in Wabash County;
Jacob, of this sketch; Mary, wife of John Xander, a prosperous farmer of
Richland County; Benton E., a painter and paperhanger of Omaha, Neb.; Emma J.,
wife of David Seibert, who is clerking in a dry-goods store in West Salem, Ill.;
Charles F., who is in the West; and Laura E., who completes the family. George
died on the 29th of April, 1887.
The subject of this sketch was reared
to manhood under the parental roof, living first upon his father's farm in
Maryland, then upon the old homestead in Wabash County. In the public schools he
acquired a good education. In 1868, he started out in life for himself, and
first earned his livelihood by clerking in a store, where he was employed for a
year. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in Richland County,
where he has since made his home.
On the 11th of May, 1889, Mr.
Betebenner was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ameter, a record of whose
family is given elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of
Frederick Ameter. One child graces this union, a son, Albert C., born April 26,
1880. The family resides in a beautiful country home in the midst of a fine
farm, comprising eighty acres of valuable land. In addition to the residence
there are good barns and outbuildings, and all the improvements found upon a
model farm of the nineteenth century. The place is located about three miles
west of Olney, and thus the conveniences of the city are easily attainable. The
farm is one of the best in the township, and the owner is accounted one of the
leading agriculturists. Mr. Betebenner also owns one hundred and twenty acres
near by his home farm. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife
belongs to the German Reformed Church. In his political views he is a Democrat,
but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office,
preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which
he has met with excellent success. He deserves great credit for his prosperity,
for it has been achieved entirely through his own well-directed efforts in the
legitimate channels of business.
Extracted 11 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1893 Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois, pages 224-225.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
