1680
ALONZO LINDOLPH WHITTENBERG
was born in the summer of 1869, on the fourth day of August, on a farm in Tunnel Hill township, Johnson county, Illinois. His father, John S. Whittenberg, was a farmer, teacher and Methodist preacher, a combination of activities well suited to the development of the best there is in life. Alonzo L. was thus born and bred a farmer and teacher, and follows the two professions, agriculture and teaching, with equal interest and pleasure. He began teaching at seventeen years of age in the country schools of Johnson county, Illinois, since which time he has been continuously in school, either as student or teacher. When a mere youth he bought a farm in Grants
1681
burg township, which he still owns; he has continued buying land occasionally until he now owns and operates by the help of tenants more than a thousand acres, much of which he has developed from woodland into fine farms with good improvements. Mr. Whittenberg thoroughly enjoys the care and labor of the farm, and has been very prompt in applying to his agricultural interests all the time which his duties as teacher do not demand. He has been rather extensively engaged in jireeding pure bred livestock; his specialties have been standard bred horses and Hereford cattle.
But whatever measure of success Mr. Whittenberg may attain as a farmer and stock breeder, his life work is clearly that of a teacher. In this profession he enjoys the confidence and high esteem of his large circle of acquaintances. His clear conception of the needs of his pupils, and of youth generally, his pleasing personality, his simple yet elegant and forceful manner of expression, are some of his well known characteristics and render him deservedly popular as a school man.
In early life Professor Whittenberg became a member of the Methodist church, and has been active in Sunday-school and church work since boyhood. When twenty-one years of age he became a Mason, and has been regularly advancing in the various degrees and orders of the fraternity. He is a member of Metropolitan Chapter, No. 101, Royal Arch Masons, and of Gethsemane Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar, of Metropolis, Illinois, York Rite Masonry, also of the various orders of the Scottish Rite Masonry up to and including the thirty-second degree, S. P. R. S., Valley of East St. Louis.
In 1892 Professor Whittenberg was married to Miss Eva Rice, daughter of George M. Rice, of Massac county, Illinois. Six children have been born into this home, all of whom are living with their parents:
Clarice, nineteen years, a graduate of the Murphysboro township high school, class of 1911, and who taught in the Vienna public schools this year; Inez, seventeen years, graduate of the Vienna high school, class of 1912; Bess, fifteen, and Marjorie, thirteen, both of whom are second year high school students; Tennie Isabel, seven years; and the baby, Eva Katherine, two years old.
Professor Whittenberg has recently resigned the superintendency of the Vienna city schools to accept a place in the department of education, office of state superintendent of public instruction, at Springfield, Illinois, in which city he now resides.