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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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SIGMUND BRINKMAN, of the firm of S. & W. Brinkman, contractors and builders in Chester, is a native of this city, where his birth occurred August 20, 1858. His parents, Frederick and Margaret (Kipp) Brinkman, were natives of Germany, and came to the United States in 1848. Landing in New Orleans, they made their way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Mo., and thence a few years later came to Chester, where they made a permanent location. Frederick Brinkman was a builder and contractor by occupation, which business he carried on with great success until his decease, which occurred in this city in 1885. His good wife, who still survives, is now (1894) in her seventy-fourth year and makes her home in Chester.

Our subject is the youngest in the parental family of seven children, only three of whom are living: William, Henry and Sigmund. Edward Brinkman was drowned in Appleton Creek, at Appleton, Mo., when in his twenty-fifth year. Our subject first attended the Lutheran school, and afterward continued his studies in the public schools of this city. After completing his education, and desirous of making his own way in the world, he learned the carpenter’s trade under his father, and continued to work with him until the death of the latter. Succeeding to his father’s business, our subject in 1881 formed a partnership with F. William Brinkman, and together they have erected some of the finest buildings in the county, among which are the Grand View Hotel and the bank block of Speakman & Co., in this city.

The marriage of Mr. Brinkman with Miss Laura Colbert occurred August 24, 1880. Mrs. Brinkman was born in Kaskaskia County in September, 1859, and is a daughter of George and Louise (Bertel) Colbert. Their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, Ruth, Mabel, Ada, Laura, Sigmund, Clara and Bertram. By all who know him, our subject is honored for his fine character and business ability and is well liked by reason of his pleasing qualities. His good wife, who is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, is a very devoted Christian woman. Mr. Brinkman likewise holds membership with that denomination. He is somewhat active in the political affairs of his vicinity, working with the Democratic party. He has served his fellow-citizens in various capacities, and in 1893 was elected Alderman of the Third Ward.

Frederick Brinkman, the father of our subject, invented the steam drum washer, obtaining the patent on the same after coming to the United States. He was a very earnest worker in the Lutheran Church and was one of the founders of the congregation in Chester, to which he was a liberal contributor. In politics he was rather conservative, but always active, and for three terms was Alderman of the Third Ward of this city.

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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 Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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