Biography - William J. Brehmer
WILLIAM J. BREHMER. The pleasant home belonging to the intelligent young
man whose name appears at the head of this sketch, is presided over by a
lady of true culture and refinement who makes it one of the bright spots in
Prairie Township, Shelby County, and the best place on earth to her hard
working husband and interesting children. Mr. Brehmer was born in Prussia,
Germany, June 10, 1858, being a son of Charles and Caroline (Kasang)
Brehmer, who came to America in 1861 and made Chicago their first stopping
place. They remained in the vicinity of that city for about two years and
then removed to this county, where the parents now own two hundred and ten
acres of land, all of which they have changed from a raw prairie to a well
cultivated farm, and upon which they have placed excellent farm buildings.
Our subject is the eldest of the five surviving children of his parents, his
brothers and sisters being Lizzie, (Mrs. Theodore Werth); Fred, Emma and
Anna. Farm training consumed most of the early years of our subject and he
had but a scant opportunity for acquiring an education, although he did for
a short time attend the district schools but the family necessities often
demanded his help upon the farm, and the father did not appreciate as the
son does the necessities of an American citizen in this line. He resided at
home until 1881, when he was happily joined in marriage with Matilda,
daughter of Charles and Margaret Kull, who was born in this county, October
9, 1861.
The father of Mrs. Brehmer resides on section 14, Prairie Township, to which
he removed from Hocking County, Ohio, in 1856. He was born February 16,
1834, and is a son of Frederick and Hannah Kull of whom our reader will
learn more in the biography of Mr. J. F. Kull upon another page of this
book. He worked as a farm hand in Hocking County, and after attaining his
majority worked for one season in Miami County, Ind., but returned to Ohio
until 1856, when he came to Illinois. His marriage in December, 1857, with
Margaret, daughter of Adam and Catherine Lowery brought him ten children, of
whom Mrs. Brehmer is the third in order of age. For a number of years he
rented land but now owns sixty acres where he resides in Prairie Township,
all of which he has changed from virgin soil to a well cultivated farm, and
upon which he has placed good buildings. He is independent in his political
ideas but tends to the Democratic vote rather than the Republican, and in
his religious life he is in accord and membership with the Lutheran Church.
Six children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brehmer and the following
named are living: Clara, Amelia, Nellie and Anna. Forty acres of fine land
and a comfortable farm residence forms the estate of our subject, and by his
industry and frugality be has been able to place all of these in an
excellent condition. His political views have caused him to affiliate with
the Democratic party and his position as School Director has given him an
opportunity to work efficiently to the end that his children, and the
children of his neighbors may have the best opportunities for education. He
earnestly believes that such a training as may be acquired in the public
schools is the best preparation for the duties and responsibilities of
mature years. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the religious body with
which he find himself in accord and here he makes his religious home and is
a helper in every good word and work.
Extracted 17 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 696-697.
