HENRY J. PRANGE, a successful and well-to-do farmer of Cahokia Township, who resides on section 23, owns there an excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres, and upon them he has good farm buildings. Besides this tract he owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, and it is all well improved and rich prairie land. He has resided in this township since 1877, and on this farm the past nine years. Formerly he had lived in Mt. Olive Township, this county, and was there reared and educated to the business of a farmer.
Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, August 23, 1852, and is the second son of Henry Prange, who became one of the earliest German settlers of Mt. Olive Township. For further interesting minutia in regard to this worthy family, we refer the reader to the biographical sketch of the father which is found on another page of this RECORD. Our subject was only one year old when his parents came to the United States in 1853. The family voyaged in a sailing vessel and landing in New Orleans, journeyed North and settled in Macoupin County, which has been their permanent home from that day to this.
Henry was married in Cahokia Township, this county, March 6, 1878, to Wilhelmina Eickmeyer, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., December 21, 1859. She was eighteen months old when her parents, William and Wilhelmina (Kruse) Eickmeyer, removed from St. Louis to Cahokia Township, and settled upon the farm where they are yet living. This venerable couple are still living, and stand high as good citizens of this county. they were born in Prussia, Germany, and were there reared and married. Two children were born unto them, and one was taken from them by death before they came to this country. They, as well as their daughter, Mrs. Prange, are faithful and devoted members of the Lutheran Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Prange have been born six children, all of whom are living at home with their faithful and devoted parents. They are as follows: Anna W., Lydia W., Mary W., Minnie S., John H. and William H. this family stands high in the community, the father being one of the most prominent among the German American citizens of the county. His neighbors have twice given him the position of Township Collector, which he has filled with credit to himself and profit to his neighbors.