The subject of this sketch furnishes an illustration of the self-made man. Coming to Illinois and locating in LaSalle county more than four decades ago, without means, his only resource being his pluck and energy, Andrew Jackson Redmen worked his way to the front, and to-day he occupies a representative position among the leading farmers of Farm Ridge township.
Mr. Redmen is a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was born December 14, 1835. The Redmens were among the early settlers of this country and occupied prominent positions in New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia at an early day. John Redmen, the grandfather of Andrew J., was a soldier in some of the early wars. His son Benjamin Redmen married Miss Elizabeth House, a native of West Virginia and a descendant of German ancestry. After their marriage they moved west to Preble county, Ohio, where they reared their family and passed the rest of their lives. Their children, seven in number, were named as follows: Mary Catherine, deceased; Ellen Caroline; Andrew Jackson; Sarah Jane, deceased; Susan; one child who died in infancy; and William. The father died at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a farmer all his life, and politically was a Democrat.
Andrew J. was reared on his father's farm in Preble county, attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood, assisting in the farm work at home, and early having impressed upon his mind lessons of honesty and industry. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one, in 1856, he came to Illinois and found employment in LaSalle county. A few years later he returned to Ohio and was married, and in i860 came back to Illinois and settled in Farm Ridge township, LaSalle county, where he has since lived and prospered. When he landed here the second time his capital consisted of thirty-three dollars in money and an abundance of energy, and his success is due wholly to his own perseverance and good management. He is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine land, comprised in four well improved farms, and is ranked with the leading farmers of the township.
Mr. Redmen was married in Preble county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Bunger, a native of that state and a daughter of Samuel and Eva (Lock) Bunger. They have eight children, namely: Mrs. Eathlinda Rutter, of western Nebraska; James P., who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and is engaged in farming in Farm Ridge township, LaSalle county; John Perry% of Webster county, Iowa; Samuel, on his father's farm; William F., on Deer Park farm; Mrs. Eva H, Provins, of Gardner, Illinois; and Andrew J., Jr., and Leroy at home.
Mr. Redmen has always supported the Republican party and has served officially in several local offices. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. As a citizen he stands high in the estimation of the people of his community.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 143-144.
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