Ten states secede from the Union and on April 12th, Fort Sumter was fired upon to start our Civil War.

Napoleon 3rd plans a monarchy in Mexico. Spain Ok's it. Bismark is headed up in Germany. Victor Emanuel is Kingfish in Italy. The first Japan representative sneaks in.

In all history, no man was called upon to face quite such critical, disheartening days as a new leader of people.

Abe Lincoln voiced best the deep source of his inspired determination by his speech at Philadelphia on Washington's birthday of this year, which ended, "WHAT I HAVE SAID I AM WILLING TO LIVE BY, AND IT IT BE THE PLEASURE OF A L M I G H T Y G O D, TO DIE BY!"

Father was eleven and in school this Friday, but that evening he and the family listened to the report by grandfather of how the speech was received by the populace at Philadelphia. He summed it up by noting the contrast - how in Germany rulers shouted their orders from military hideouts to the subject peoples, while here in America our President was speaking, of the people, by the people, and for the people. This, the first war-time Christmas, found the family in a prayerful mood; - supplicating the blessing of strength upon their new President and victory for the Union.

President Lincoln had lent his greatest efforts to avert war. His resounding words showed the calibre of his high resolve. Addressing the rebellious South, he said; - "YOU HAVE NO OATH REGISTERED IN HEAVEN TO DESTROY THE GOVERNMENT, WHILE I HAVE THE MOST SOLEMN ONE TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND IT."

Father, now 12, schooled at Kulpsville Hall, titled a seminary. Here the pattern of war was followed as it flamed throughout the country. Scholars taking sides - calling each other Blacklegs and Copperheads.

At recess time and noon the boys drilled with wooden sabers and guns - forming two armies. Father had learned some commands from Grandpa, who had served time in the German Army. After a time he became Captain Lederer fighting for Lincoln in the Civil War, without pay or pension. His orders were only superseded by a watchful teacher. In wintertime, father and his command built snow forts, their ammunition was snow balls made evenings and frozen for the next days engagement and woe unto the enemy that got in the way of a line drive!

Holidays begain to be flavored with wartime hardships, yet the spirit of Christmas maintained in the Lederer home. Hymns of praise and thanks for their lot in this land, which in spite of war, still held more promise op opportunity than any other part of the world.

This year saw the passing away of two ex-presidents; Van Buren at 79 and Tyler at 71.

Two proclamations by Lincoln in '63 made highly important additions to our history and to the world. Emancipation, January 1st, and the first President to issue a Thanksgiving proclaim.

As the year and war moved on, feeling along political lines grew into camps of Northern Yanks or Southern Johnnies - engulfing Republicans vs Democrats, even the neighbors into hatred. Many old-time friends refusing to ride with one another to election polls, etc., or to speak to each other. Such feeling came to pass in the neighborhood where our Lederers lived. Rebels were reported marching into the locality northeast of Philadelphia and that they were killing and looting as they marched. Some of the neighbors tied silk thread around the horses hocks to lame them.

Everyone was warned to resist attack even the armed with only pitchforks or scythes. In some places, horses were hid in caves to avoid their falling into the hands of the enemy. During such times grandpa, grandma and family were sewing uniforms for the Army, often working till midnight and delivering two loads per week to Philadelphia.

Father says many soldiers of Lincoln were camped at famous Germantown, where acres of tents, many housing the wounded and sick, were set up. This made war very real to a 13th year old boy who had learned from his history that here too, in the winters of 1776 and later, General Washington and his suffering Army were quartered, only 87 years before.

Life was real - was earnest - and the goal of peace was to be reached by fighting, by serving on the home front, by prayer and attitude of optimism and hope. Yes, Christmas time, as always lent faith and good will to one another and to their country, for our Lederers.

At the Pfundstein home a son, Henry, was born October 3rd.

After three years, Lincoln had a last a working war machine with Grant at its throttle. 100,000 former slaves were soldiering for the Union. The tide was turning and in favor of the North. General Lee's first defeat was at Chancellorsville, where Hooker drove him back May 1st, the day father was 14. Lee's second invasion at Gettysburg, July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, met defeat by General Meade.

Here the guns of the greatest battle of the war were heard by a girl living 10 miles from Gettysburg. Her name, Mary Ann Brubaker, now in her tenth year, was tasting the dregs of the terrible Civil War. The strain of war and battle had caused the death of her mother in childbirth.

Came the Christmas of '64, with father, two sisters, their parents, Bro John and wife Abby with their 10 months old baby Lizzie, at the home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, while 200 miles to the west, at the home of Daniel Brubaker, in Franklin County in the same state, were the father, the motherless boys, Martin - Abraham - Henry - and John. Also the girl before mentioned, Mary, who ten years later came to mother the author as her first born.

The famous American Composer, Stephen Collins Foster, passed away at the age of 38. In his short life-time he made history in song that will live always.

Lincoln had entered upon his second term in the spirit which the following words imply; "FONDLY DOE WE HOPE, FERVENTLY DO WE PRAY, THAT THIS MIGHTY SCOURGE OF WAR MAY SPEEDILY PASS AWAY."

Who will say that such a trust in the Almighty did not tend to hasten the end of hostilities? For now the God-of-War had released his hold upon the hearts and minds of both South and North and Lee passed the sword to Grant at Appomatox.

Following closely after the good news of the wars' ending and on the 15th of April, from the papers of the cities, to the towns and to the country, came the shocking report of the assassination of President Lincoln! A few hours later the news of his death. Business everywhere stopped. A tension of death-like stillness in city and country alike. On every face there seemed to be the question mark of the mind - what of the future?

Several days later grandfather asked father to read to the family the words as spoken by Secretary Stanton, at the death bed of Lincoln; "NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES!"

Then grandfather added; "No place in the world but America, could a man, born of such commn parentage - of whom the critics oft had said; he did not know how to wear clothes - sat in his shirt sleeves - used poor grammar - could quote neither Latin or Greek; had never traveled - had no pedigree; yet arose to lead a divided people from war to peace, evidencing to the United States and to the World, that a free people under God, might do all things they set their hearts and minds upon. This could never happen in Germany.

There was this Christmas the mingled feeling of joy and sorrow. The mourned passing of a great and noble man - yet a silent jubilation because he had accomplished so much toward peace and goodwill.

Along with the thought of the hour, the fulfilled hope of an end of the war, was the tide of western emigration that ebbed about Pennsylvania way. In 1864, the latter part, the Pennsylvania Lederers sold their holdings and nine strong moved west to Illinois. First to Sterling then to a farm near Erie. This 120 acre place, bought by grandfather and Uncle John, was investigated and purchased early in 1865. This, in the winter time, looked wonderful with fair buildings and a three-board fence with posts 8 feet apart around the entire place. Come Spring, over half the farm lay marsh and water soaked. Later on with tile drainage it came to be a money maker.

Here father polished up on such education as was available, the while blossoming out as a young farmer. His school-teacher near Erie was a tall lady by the name of Mary Maxwell. He describes her as being a good teacher, presiding in the exactness of the '60s.

Also from Pennsylvania, came Uncle George and Aunt Ricka Pfundstein, with their two sons, settling as neighbors near Erie. This family were faithful pioneers, making Erie and the country round their abode for many years. Their thrift and abilities making an outstanding addition to Illinois.

Vice President Johnson now became our 17th President. Was born in North Carolina, of English descent - a self-educated Methodist, married and had three sons and a daughter.

Now that father and the folks had become Illinoisans and since four of our parents children were to become Illinois born, we ask that you bear with a meager and mostly Indian history of this state, which was named for the red man.

In 1804 this part of Illinois had been sold to the U.S. Government with the proviso that the Indian might hunt and raise corn until it was surveyed and sold to the settlers. In 1823 Chief Keokuk and a majority of the Sac and Fox tribes moved across the Mississippi (Ippississim) to Iowa.

In 1830 the Government made ready to open the tract to the settlers but Black Hawk, the war leader to the two tribes maintained that the Indian village where he was born in 1767, and the burial place of his ancestors, near the mouth of the Rock river, had never been sold. Indeed, he stated; "My reason teaches me that land cannot be sold. The Great Spirit gave it to his children to live and cultivate it; they have a right to the soil but if they voluntarily leave it then any other people have a right to settle upon it. Nothing can be sold but such things as can be carried away." Urged on by White Cloud, a prophet who ruled a Winnebago village (now Prophetstown) on the Rock River, he determined to drive out the whites.

In 1832, Lincoln enlisted from Sangamon County and the army of 1600 men marched 15 days to Dixon, on the Rock River and northeast of Prophetstown. Two Indians were killed in the first skirmish. This was Indian warfare of the old school. Some bloodshed but much more hard pursuing of a wary enemy. After 74 days Black Hawk's band was put out of business, at least chased out of Illinois. Lincoln and his company were mustered out at Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he another soldier had their horses stolen, then footed it 150 miles to Peoria, passing through Dixon territory, took a canoe to Havana, then another 60-mile hike to New Salem.

Thus Lincoln had a hand in aiding the early settlers of northern Illinois. The same hand - the noble mind and heart that brought our United States through its greatest crises; leaving to the world a heritage that may be exampled with profit throughout all time.

The Prophetstown above referred to is situated about 6 miles from where Lederers lived in '66. Father remembers and old timer named Fenton, who had come west from New Jersey and settled not far from Prophetstown and whom the village of Fenton Center or Stumptown, was named after.

In '65 the railroad was completed from Erie to Moline. At 15, father picked a bushel of cherries, sold same at Erie, bought a ticket and was among the passengers on the opening trip.

Another Christmas - another babe in Uncle John's home, John Jr. Another year with much accomplished in their farming venture. The Lederers were marching. A son, John, was born at the Pfundsteins, October 29th.

The Reconstruction Act and Purchase of Alaska were happenings of national interest and importance. Nebraska joined the family of states. U.S. ordered French troops to leave Mexico. Old Maximillian was caught and shot on the spot. The famous inventor, Elias Howe, died aged 48. Born at Spencer, Massachusetts, his greatest inventive effort was a perfected sewing machine. One of the first big leading inventors Father was interested in reading about.

Father, the 17 year-old farmer, became the boss operator on the farm near Erie. Corn was cultivated with one horse - a half row each trip through the field. This was a far advance from the old system of hand hoeing.

As in Pennsylvania, our Lederers took to the fields as a family in harvest time - all contented with their work and a promising future.

Uncle John's third child, Mary, was born June 2nd.

Christmas this time was celebrated in a neighborhood gathering at the small school house, near the Lederer home.

Ex-President Buchanan dies at age of 77. Johnson, the only President to be impeached, was soon acquitted.

This was another presidential election year. Grant's nomination was a certainty though he had never been in politics. In fact the only vote he had ever cast for a presidential candidate was for Buchanan in 1856. Leading Democrats had hoped to run him as their choice but the Republicans hurridly nominated him at Chicago on the first ballot. Ulyssis Simpson Grant, Ohio born, of Scotch ancestry - served in the Mexican and Civil Wars; a Methodist - married Julie Dent - had three sons and a daughter. At 46 he was elected as our 18th President.

Grandfather and Uncle John cast two of Grants 3,015,071 popular votes. Father, now 18, was quite certain he would vote Republican, come that time. Abraham Lincoln was his ideal.

The land about Erie was not as heavy nor rich as that which they had on their Pennsylvania farm, therefore soil improvement and tree planting was in order. Thus father became a practical farmer, studying all departments.

Christmas and another addition to the Lederers; Aunt Anna (23) married Louis Oltmanns (32), a German printer and publisher at Sterling, on October 6th. Eleven Christmas Eve'd at the Erie home. The death of the 2 year old boy, John, having occurred at the Pfundsteins in September.

Ex-President Pierce passed away at the age of 64.

Completion of the Union Pacific Railroad and Westinghouse inventions were some of the doings to aid reconversion.

After the wars end and after the passing of Grandmother Anna, Grandfather Brubaker, in Pennsylvania, decided to send the boys, Henry, Abram Martin, and John, also daughter Mary, to relatives in Illinois. Mary's lot was to make her home with her Uncle Abram Brubaker, near Morrison. With this family of 6 boys and a daughter Susan, she obtained some schooling and much hard labor, called, in her day, learning to be a good girl. May was 13 this year and soon to be hired out to earn her keep and a few dollars for her uncles dividend. We must not think too harshly of this one-eyed uncle, as he was but following the custom of some at the time.

Therefore at Christmas time, Mary, the bound-out girl; beautiful of face and figure with long black braided hair, was as happy as allowed at the home of her cousins.

Therefore at the Lederers in Erie all were counting their blessings of gift and goodwill. Also at the Oltmanns of Sterling, there was special gladness since the arrival of their boy William, on September 18th. Then too, at the Pfundsteins, home baby George came to bless his parents and brothers, April 13th.