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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ANTON LANGSDORF is a prominent merchant of Burksville, where he has carried on business for a number of years. He is now the proprietor of a general store, well stocked with everything found in that line. He receives from the public a liberal patronage, for he is honorable and upright in all his dealings and courteous in his treatment of his customers. The record of his life is as follows:

Mr. Langsdorf was born in Germany June 27, 1833, and is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Cappes) Langsdorf, both of whom were natives of the same country. They had a family of eight children, three of whom are now deceased. Those still living are, John, Anton, Elizabeth, William and Jacob. The father of this family served for seven years in the German army. His occupation was that of farming, and this he followed throughout life. Both he and his wife were faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and were highly educated people, who had the respect of all who knew them. They never left their native land. Mr. Langsdorf died at the age of sixty-three years and his wife at the age of sixty.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth quietly, attending the public schools and thus acquiring a good education. When a young man he determined to seek a home and fortune in the New World, for he believed that better opportunities and advantages were afforded here than in the older countries of Europe. In 1855 he bade adieu to friends and country and crossed the Atlantic. His first location was made in Waterloo, Ill., where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Burksville, where he began working at the tailor’s trade, which he followed for seven years. He labored industriously and earnestly and acquired some capital, which he invested in a stock of general merchandise, and opened a store.

Mr. Langsdorf was married in 1857 to Miss Charlotta Garber,a native of Germany, who came to the United States alone in 1853, locating in Waterloo. She is a lady possessed of many excellencies of character and has made many warm friends in this community. By their union were born eight children, but only four are now living: Anton, William, Gustavus and Lewis. The sons have been provided with excellent educational privileges and are now young men of sterling worth, who are holding responsible business positions in St. Louis.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Langsdorf are leading members of, and active workers in the Lutheran Church, in which he is now serving as Elder. They take a warm interest in all church and benevolent work, and the cause of education receives their hearty support. In his political views, Mr. Langsdorf is a Republican, and he has held the office of School Director. When he reached this country he not only had no capital, but was $12 in debt, and therefore had to work his way upward from the very lowest round of the ladder. He has met with difficulties and obstacles, but he has overcome these by determined effort and has achieved a success of which he may justly be proud, having become one of the substantial citizens of this community. It was a fortunate day for him when he determined to come to America, and he need never regret that he carried out this resolution.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Monroe County, Illinois family biographies here: Monroe County, Illinois Biographies

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