Adam Cleer, Westfield, was born July 31, 1830, in Merkenfritz, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. His parents, Henry and Anna Mary (Lerch) Cleer, were also natives of Germany, where the father died in 1850. Mrs. Cleer came to America with her family in June 1854, and died in Peru. Ill., the following September; She was the mother of four children, viz; Mrs. Margaret Straw, deceased; Adam, our subject; Mrs. Mary Weber, and Henry, who was killed on the plains, while on his way to California.
Adam Cleer came to Bureau County in 1854, and bought 151 ½ acres in Hall Township, of George Mais. He also owns 333 acres in LaSalle County and ten acres of timber. He has always given attention to farming, in which he has been very successful.
He was married in Germany, December 25, 1853, to Mary C. Sittner, daughter of John and Catharine (Keutzer) Sittner, who came to this country in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Cleer have six children, viz; John, Mrs. Mary Schwab, Dena, Henry, Charley and Anna.
Mr. and Mrs. Cleer are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885