Catherine (Reinhart) Hillison Aschenbrenner Biography
Posted by Michelle on Mar 17, 2006 in Genealogy, Jeff, More Family
From the 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record Lee Co Pg 224
Catherine (Reinhart) Hillison Aschenbrenner,
Brandford Township
This lady, who is the owner of one of the finest places in Bradford Township, and which is situated on section 30, is an old settler in this county, and is highly esteemed in the community in which she has so long made her home. Her maiden name was Catherine E. Reinhart and she was born in Germany, October 24,1832. When she was twelve years of age her parents, Christian and Christina (Denhardt) Reinhart, emigrated to America; coming to Illinois and settling in China Township, this county, in 1845 where they both died.
Our subject was reared to womanhood in China Township and lived there until her marriage with Oman Hillison. Mr. Hillison was a native of Norway and emigrated to America when he was nineteen years old, being one of the earliest settlers in Lee County. He built the first farm house between Melugon’s Grove and Dixon, and which was a favorite stopping place for many of the pioneers on their journey to their new homes in the Western States. By this marriage our subject became the mother of two children, Henry W., and Betsey J., the latter being the wife of C. Brandau.
After the death of the first husband which took place in Bradford Township, our subject was married to John J. Aschenbrenner, of which union three children were born,Christian, Reinhart and Andrew. Mrs. Aschenbrenner is an intelligent, go-ahead woman. and is in possession of an excellent property, comprising four hundred and eleven acres of land, improved with first-class buildings and all the conveniences essential to rural life. She is an estimable woman and conducts her extensive estates in an admirable manner.
