PETEFISH, A. H., a successful and substantial farmer, was born in the vicinity of Arcadia, Morgan County, Ill., June 5, 1858, the son of John R. and Lucy A. (Monroe) Petefish, who were married in Morgan County. Seven children resulted from this union, namely: Noah, a carpenter by trade, who lives in Kansas; Lydia, wife of J. J. Clark, of Arcadia, Ill.; Charles, who is in the implement business at Lawrence, Kans.; A. H. Taylor, who lives in Kansas; and George and Ellen, deceased. John R. Petefish was engaged in teaching for several years, afterward purchasing his first farm of 120 acres, where his son A. H. was born, and which is now the property of Mary E. Crum. There he lived until 1882, when he moved to Virginia, Ill., and retired from active life. Politically, he was a Republican, and fraternally, a member of the I. O. O. F. In his boyhood A. H. Petefish attended the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he began working on a farm by the month, being thus employed for several years. In the course of time he purchased land and now owns a farm of 290 acres, upon which he successfully conducts general operations and stock-raising.
On February 21, 1891, Mr. Petefish was united in marriage with Sarah C. Bramer, who was born on the farm now occupied by Mr. Petefish, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Richart) Bramer. Her father, who was born in Virginia, January 7, 1806, when a young man, some time in the early 'thirties, moved thence to Ohio with his parents. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and worked as such after coming to Morgan County. His wife, Catherine (Richart) Bramer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 26, 1811, and moved to the Petefish farm soon after her marriage, where they lived in a log cabin. In 1842 Mr. Bramer built the brick residence on the farm. He and his wife had six children, namely: Mary E., who was born August 6, 1840, became the wife of A. Smith and died November 21, 1904; Simon, born September 1, 1841, who died in infancy; William D., who was born October 18, 1842, and died January 26, 1865; Nancy E., who was born March 4, 1845, and died September 7, 1883; John H., who was born May 3, 1847, and is a farmer in Morgan County; and Sarah C., who was born October 8, 1850.
William D. was a soldier in the Civil War, belonging to Company B, One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Resaca. The father of this family died June 18, 1877, and his widow passed her last days on the Petefish farm, dying March 19, 1900. She was blind for several years before her death. Mr. Bramer first entered Government land in Morgan County, and ultimately owned more than 800 acres. He was a member of the German Reformed Church.
In politics, Mr. Petefish is a supporter of the Republican party, and has held the office of School Director of his township. He is a systematic and progressive farmer, whose good judgment, energy and practical knowledge produce satisfactory results. Socially, and in civic relations, his standing is of the best.