My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE WEHRHEIM, a progressive merchant of Baldwin, has the honor of being a native of Randolph County. He was born near Red Bud, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Rediesh) Wehrheim, who were honored pioneers of this community. They were born and reared in Germany, and in the Fatherland were married. About 1842, they bade adieu to the home of their childhood and crossed the briny deep to the New World. They first located in Monroe County, Ill., but afterwards settled near Red Bud, Randolph County. In 1852, they went to Evansville, where the father built the mill which is now operated by Sauer Brothers. He resided in Evansville until his death. He came to this country a poor man, but won his way upward until he was numbered among the leading and representative business men of the county. On his arrival in Randolph County, he purchased a farm which was heavily timbered, and being a cooper by trade, he began making his timber into barrels, and in the winter season employed a large force of men along this line. Success attended his efforts, and from the sale of his barrels he soon acquired enough to pay off all indebtedness on his farm. Not long after this was accomplished he sold out and embarked in milling in Evansville, as before stated, shipping by boat to New Orleans and St. Louis. He died in 1873, and his wife has also passed away.

Our subject was the third in order of birth, in the family of seven children. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and became familiar with the occupations in which his father was engaged. He followed milling, also worked upon the home farm and clerked in his father’s store. In 1872, he went to Kansas, where he spent one year. After his return to Illinois, in 1873, he engaged in business in Evansville, where he continued for about four years.

In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wehrheim and Miss Augusta Dickman, the stepdaughter of ‘Squire John Stoehr, a well known resident of Red Bud. In 1877, they removed to Baldwin, which at that time was in its infancy, and our subject established a general merchandise store, which he still carries on. He began on a small scale, but has steadily enlarged his facilities to meet the growing demand, until he now has a large trade. He also has added a stock of machinery, and does an extensive business in that line as well.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wehrheim has been blessed with eight children, namely: William, Annie, Arthur, Lydia, Cora, Clara, John and Albert. The family circle yet remains unbroken, and all are still under the parental roof. The parents hold an enviable position in social circles, and are numbered among the best and most prominent citizens of the community. In his political views, Mr. Wehrheim is a stanch Republican, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. By good business ability he has won a well merited success. He is industrious and enterprising, and his diligence and well directed efforts have placed him among the substantial citizens of the county.