Born in 1944 in Effingham County. Family came from Cincinnati, OH, about 1830. A group got together and sent three men to scout land in Illinois. Champaign area land too flat, then St. Elmo land not suit, so came to Teutopolis area and bought several thousand acres, went home and came with families. Hartke and Hawk are surnames. Dad, named Alfonse, came from family of fourteen, son of Joe and Lena; son of Joseph Hartke. Mother was only child. Grandfather Henry Hank (d. 1945) in this area, others in Louisville. German immigrants in this area. Mostly Catholics. Spoke German in churches.
LAND ACQUISITION
Five sisters and four brothers. He was seventh. Father bought a farm when boys were born. Bought Westner Place, 114 acres, the Funkhauser Farm, then the Powell's Farm, and one south. Total 2000 acres. In a big family you learn to work and share. Needed bigger house, so bought a big one and moved it by steam engine next to their house.
