JOSEPH WAGNER-- Residing at Oegon, and a dealer in live stock, is a pioneer of Ogle County, of 1837. He was born near Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, Jan. 4, 1816, and is the son of John and Catherine (RICE) WAGNER. He was reared upon a farm and therefore at an early age understood thoroughly the duties of an agiculturalist, and as above stated, in 1837, emigrated to Illinois, locating in Ogle County, having arrived at Oregon on the 1st of August. He made a claim on Section 5 of this township, where he was engaged in farming and in dealing in live stock until 1877. He then sold out and moved to Oregon, where he has since resided. In 1870, while still carring on his farm and stock business, Mr. WAGNER formed a partnership with Mr. Wm. ARTZ in banking business in Oregon, under the title of Exchange Bank of WAGNER & ARTZ. About three years later, Mr. Wm. W. BENNET was admitted to the partnership, and for one year the business was conducted under the firm name of WAGNER, BENNET & ARTZ. After Mr. BENNET's withdrawal, the business was continued under the old firm name of WAGNER & ARTZ, until 1878, when it was closed out with the honorable record of paying per value. Mr. WAGNER has dealt quite extensively in live stock, having begun in 1846. In early days he used to drive his stock to Chicago. Later, when the railroad was built to Franklin, he shipped largely from that point, his consignment sometimes reaching as high as 1,100 hogs at one shipment. Since the completion of the road to Oregon, it has been his principle shipping point. Mr. Wagoner was united in holy bonds of matrimony in Washington County, Maryland, Dec. 19, 1837, to Miss Susan SCHECHTER, daughter of Jacob SCHECHTER. She was born in the county in which she was married Oct. 17, 1817, and became the mother of 12 children by Mr. WAGNER, seven of whom survive. The following is a brief memoranda: Jacob S., born Oct. 1, 1838, married Margaret Newcomer; John H., Dec. 7, 1840, was a member of Co. G, 74th Regt. Illinois Vol. Inf., and was killed near Dallas Gap, Ga., May 28, 1864; Andrew, born Sept. 30, 1842, and died Sept. 29, 1845; Lydia, born July 6, 1844, and is the wife of H. COFFMAN, of Polo, this State; Daniel, and twin sister Malinda, born Jan. 4, 1846, and died within a day of each other, in infancy; Annie E., born Jan. 18, 1848, is the wife of Worthington YOUNG and resides in Rockvale Township, this county; Joseph B., born Oct. 1, 1849, married Catherine NEWCOMER, and resides in Pine Creek Township; Isaac, born Feb. 23, 1851 and died in infancy; Mary E., born June 3, 1852, is the wife of George YOUNG, and lives near Oregon; Albert, born June 4, 1854, married Alice NEWCOMER, and resides in Belleville, Kansas; Sue, born Dec. 10, 1858, is still at home; Charles, born June 21, 1861, married Anna SWOPE, and resides in Chicago. Mr. WAGNER is a Republican in political opinions, has served as Assessor of Oregon Township five years, and has held other minor offices. He has been prominently identified with the business interests of Ogle County for nearly 50 years. His business relations have been extensive and he is widely and favorable known.
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