STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 104
Among the very prominent German citizens of Scott county may be mentioned F.W. Korty, who at the time of his demise, lived two miles south of Bluffs. Mr. Korty was born in Hessen Castle, Germany, December 23, 1833. He was the eldest son of John and Margaret Korty, and resided with them at the old home in Germany until 1850, when, in company with another young man, he came to America. They were fifty-four days upon the trip and landed at New Orleans. He then came to Beardstown, Illinois, and after working there a short time came to Scott county, where he had since resided.
He was married to Miss Elizabeth Green, March 20, 1862. To them were born two children, Rosa, now Mrs. John Finnigsmier, and John Korty of Bluffs. Sickness invaded his home and the grim reaper stretched forth his icy hand and beckoned his companion, and answering this summons Mrs. Korty passed away April 26, 1876. Mr. Korty again married December 26, 1877, the lady of his choice, she whom he had selected to become a mother to his orphan children, was Mrs. Mary Garboth, eldest daughter of Lewis and Mary Jording, natives of Germany. Six children were born of this union. They are: Lewis, Charles, Minnie, Mary, Fred and Emma. Five of the children are living, Charles having died in infancy.
Mr. Korty was a representative German citizen. In his life - his career in Scott county - will be found the history of thousands of Germans who have found a home and a fortune in this county. He was poor when he came here, when he died he was rich. He had not been above the day of small things and had grasped the opportunities as they presented themselves. His first thoughts had been of home and family, and in his years of toil he had striven to provide well for them and to accumulate sufficient for the winter life. How well he succeeded is evidenced by the splendid property he had acquired. At the time of his death he owned a fine farm, one of the best in the county, two miles south of Bluffs. His home was supplied with all the modern conveniences. Rural mail delivery and telephone service have since been added. Mr. Korty was also one of the directors of the Bank of Bluffs. Of such a citizen any community may justly be proud. He had given of his means and lent his influence to the advancement, mentally, socially and financially, of the people among whom he had cast his fortunes. Whatever had been for the best interests of that locality had his sanction, and it is safe to premise that Bluffs and the surrounding country owe not a little of their prosperity to the untiring energy of F.W. Korty.
Mr. and Mrs. Knoeppel were the parents of nine children. They are all dead, save two - Henry, who lives at Bluffs, and Mrs. Katie Dwyer, who resides near Jacksonville. Mrs. Johannette Knoeppel died March 15, 1889. In the country of his adoption Mr. Knooppel has fared well. He has been honored by his neighbors and friends and has been an honor to them, and in the onward rush of time he has accumulated sufficient for ease and comfort in old age.