EARLY DAYS IN GREENBUSH
SIMON SAILER
Simon Sailer was born in Weisenberg, Germany, December 8, 1831. He left his native country, and after a voyage of fifty days on the water arrived at New York, April 20, 1853. He went to the state of Michigan, where he remained until the spring of 1854, when he went to Indiana; in the fall he went to St. Louis, and then to New Orleans. In the spring of 1855, he walked from St. Louis, Mo., to St. Augustine, Illinois, where he went to work on the Northern Cross railroad. In the fall of 1856, he moved to Greenbush township, in Warren county, Illinois. Simon Sailer was married to Matilda Jane Kelly, March 26, 1863. She was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, July 3, 1839, and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Weaver) Kelly. To them the following-named children were born:
George John, who was born August 31, 1866.
William Henry, born July 24, 1870; married Agnes May Ryan, January 20, 1892. She was born May 4, 1869.
Simon Sailer has been a farmer and stockman by occupation; has also been extensively engaged in the coal trade, having several coal banks on his lands. He filled the office of commissioner of highways for several years in the township. He has now retired from active labor and resides at Avon, Illinois.In politics he is a democrat. In religion he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
