EBE, SOFER, who has recently purchased a handsome residence at Divernon, Ill., has lived in Sangamon County since 1871 and during most of that time has carried on a farm in Divernon Township. Mr. Ebe was born at Walshud, Germany, March 5, 1846, a son of Joseph and Agnes (Flug) Ebe, natives of the same place. He was born September 17, 1800, and she March 6, 1804. The father was a farmer at the place mentioned and there spent his entire life, dying on his farm November 17, 1867, and his widow surviving him until March 20, 1871. They were parents of two daughters and four sons, and the following four children still survive: Mary, wife of Paul Druffinger, resides on the home formerly owned by her father at Walshud, Germany; Carrie, married and living in Germany; Sofer, of this sketch; Bernhardt, a farmer of Macoupin County, Ill.

Until he reached the age of twenty years Sofer Ebe worked on his father's farm, receiving his education in his native place. November 20, 1866, he was drafted for service in the German Army, serving eighteen months. He came to the United States in 1868 and for three years carried on farming near Virden, Ill. In 1871 he moved to Springfield, where he lived but a short time, then engaged in farming in Pawnee township, Sangamon County, and two years later located on a farm in Divernon Township, which he successfully operated until retiring from active life and coming to his present home, which he has occupied since December 26, 1910. He has been prominent in local affairs and served two years on the school board while living on his farm. Both he and his wife are well known in social circles and have many friends in the community. He is a member of the Catholic Church and politically is a Democrat. Mr. Ebe endeavors to deal fairly with all who do business with him, and has the respect of his neighbors and associates.

Mr. Ebe's marriage occurred in 1871, at Springfield, when he was united with Ellen Carter, born in Putnam County, Mo., in 1856, daughter of William and Mary Jane (Schumate) Carter, both natives of Gallia County, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation and removed to Missouri in 1856, remaining there until 1861, when he came to Adams County, Ill., where he lived about twenty-two years. In 1883 he located in Schuyler County, Ill., where he carried on farming until his death, October 23, 1891, his wife surviving and living on the home farm. Six sons and six daughters were born to Mr. Carter and wife, and six children now survive, namely: Mahala Jane, widow of James Utter, who was a farmer and lived in Pickaway County, Ohio, where his death occurred recently; Mary Margaret married David Miller, a farmer of Illinois; Sarah Frances married James Bell, a farmer, and resides in Missouri; Eliza Ann married George Bowen, a farmer of Nebraska; Elizabeth, wife of George Mason, a farmer living near Jacksonville; Ellen, Mrs. Ebe. Seven children were born to Mr. Ebe and wife, as follows: Mary, born March 19, 1872, married Edward Mark, a farmer of Divernon Township; Joseph, born March 1, 1873, married Mary Rical and lives on a farm in Divernon Township; John, born April 10, 1875, carries on farming in Auburn township and married Cora Mertz; Libbie, born July 22, 1880, married Edward Jessops, a rural mail carrier living at Divernon; William, born January 9, 1885, lives with his parents; Ella, born March 7, 1889, married William Moose, a farmer of Divernon Township; Netta, born February 9, 1896, lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ebe have eleven grandchildren, of whom they are very fond and proud, as they have reason to be.