Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally Published 1885
Chapman Bros.
Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD
Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com
Page(s) 389, 278, 463
David B. Gsell, farmer, located on section 7, Clyde Township, was born Dec. 15, 1852, in Franklin Co., Pa., and is the son of William and Maria (Burkhart) Gsell, for an extended sketch of whom see the biography of Wm B. Gsell on another page.
The family removed to Whiteside County, wither an older son had come the previous year, in 1864. Mr. Gsell was then 13 years of age, and he had passed his boyhood in his native State, obstaining a rudimentary education, to which he materially added by further attendance at school in clyde Township, which he maintained until he reached the period of his legal freedom. Whe he was 21 years of age he engaged in farming, in which he ha since contnued with the exception of one year which he spent in Johnson Co., Neb.
He married Feb. 25, 1879, to Margaret M., daughter of John and Jane (Blue) Wilson, a biographical sketch of whom appears in connection with that of William Gsell, who married another daughter. Mrs. Gsell was born April 28, 1857, in clyde Township, and was educated in the district school and lived with her parents until marriage.
She is the mother of two children, - Clifford, born Nov. 7, 1880, and Maud, born Nov. 18, 1884.
Mr. Gsell is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His farm contains 72 acres of well-improved land.
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John Gsell, deceased, was formerly a resident upon section 30, Clyde Township, and was born Feb. 21, 1842, in Franklin Co., Pa. The full biographical sketch of his parents may be found in the account of William Gsell, which appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Gsell was brought up on his father's farm, and was carefully trained in a knowledge of the details of agriculture, in which hewas engaged all his life. He lived at home until he was 21 years of age, and, a few months after reaching that period, he became a householder.
His marriage to Elizabeth Elter took place in Franklin Co., Pa., Oct. 25, 1863. She is the daughter of John and Mary (Huber) Elter. Her father was a German by birth and was educated in his n ative land. He came in young manhood to the United States, and his passage across the ocean was memorable for its lenth and hardships. The scarcity of food necessitated the use of bread which had become so moldy from age tht clouds of dust would fly from it when the peices were bitten. Mr. Elter located in Pennsylvania and married his wife at Rocky Springs in the same State. He was a farmer, and, after their marriage, the parents of Mrs. Gsell always lived in the same place. The mother died in 1841, when her daughter was but five years of age. The father was a second time married, and died of paralysis about 1861, after he had attained to a great age. Their family included four daughters and two sons. The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Gsell were born as follows: Aaron, May 25, 1865; Maria, Jan. 20, 1867; Barbara, July 23, 1868; Sarah, June 13, 1870; William John, Oct. 8, 1873. They have all been educated with care in the public schools. Two children died in infancy.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gsell lived on a farm in Franklin co., Pa., about two years, when they removed to Illinois. They settled on one of the best located farms in Clyde Township, which they improved in the best possible way until it was greatly increased in value by the character of the buildings, stock and fixtures.
Mr. Gsell died Sept. 8, 1880. He was Republican and member of the Mennonite Church.
Mrs. Gsell retains in her own right 133 acres of the original homestead estate, and is its manager. She belongs to the Dunkard Church.
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William B. Gsell, farmer, section 30, Clyde Township, ws born Feb. 15, 1854, near Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa. William Gsell, his father, was a farmer, and was also a native of the State of Pennsylvania, where he attained to the estate of manhood, and married Maria Burkhart. In 1864, the family removed to Clyde Township, where they settled on section 30. The father died Sept. 8, 1881, aged 61 years. He was the proprietor of 627 acres of land which, upon his decease, was divided among his 11 heirs. His death occurred in Ustick Township, where the mother still resides, and has reached the age of 64 years.
Mr. Gsell obtained a practical common-school education, and passed 21 years of his life under the guardianship of his father. The two years, subsequent he lived with his oldest brother. He was married Oct. 7, 1879, in Sterling, at the residence of Rev. J. T. Mason, to Katie Wilson. John Wilson, her father, was born in Scotland, and married Jane Blue, who was born in Nova Scotia of Scotch parentage. They were married in Whiteside County, whither they had come a short time previous. They were thereafter residents of Whiteside County, and were among the agricultural class. The father died March 9, 1883, in Clyde Township. The mother is 69 years of age. Mrs. Gsell was born in Clyde Township, Nov. 9, 1861, and is the mother of one child, Earl, born Aug. 18, 1882.
After the event of his marriage Mr. Gsell located on 115 acres of land on section 30, Clyde Township, and has every prospect of a successful career as a farmer. He is a Republican and has held several official positions i the township. Both himself and wife occupy a good social standing, and are generally esteemed.
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