Naperville Family Farm
As mentioned on Golden Elders Adult Day Care website, I grew up on a family farm (pictured above). The farm still exists today on River Road in Naperville. Here’s a little more on the history of the farm that has been in the family since 1843.
History
The barn was built in 1905 and the home was built in 1910 by my great-grandfather. The stone for the foundation of the house was brought from the Naperville quarry, now known as Centennial Beach, by horse and wagon.
Joseph F. Drendel, Jr., my great-grandfather, was born August 1, 1861, in Milford Township, DuPage County. He became a substantial farmer in Naperville Township, DuPage County. Joseph Jr. is the son of Joseph and Theresa (Hedrich) Drendel, natives of Alsace, Germany. His paternal grandparents, Xavier and Theresa (Hultsinger) Drendel came to DuPage County about 1843, and purchased a farm in Naperville.
On April 10, 1888, my great-grandfather, Joseph Jr., married Mary Wehrli, born in Lisle Township, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Schmitt) Wehrli, natives of Germany. After marriage, my great-grandfather moved to the farm his father owned in Naperville Township, which he then purchased and made his home. After his father’s death, he bought the shares of the other heirs to the 161-acre farm and erected all the buildings now contained on the place, including a modern residence.
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois says, “That at that time he had 45 head of cattle, his dairy herd containing 35 cows and carries on general farming with improved machinery.”
Joseph and Mary Drendel had three children, all at home: Andrew J., Joseph B., and Olive Elizabeth.
Joseph B. was my grandfather. My parents moved on the farm with my maternal grandparents to help care for my grandmother who was dying of cancer. After she died in 1948, my parents stayed on the farm with my grandfather. My three siblings and I were raised on the farm.
Notes taken from: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois – Volume 2.