Germany has contributed many of her most promising young men to America
who, under the favoring influences of the republic, have gained honorable
positions and made themselves a blessing to the country. Among the number is
Edward Boettcher who is recognized as one of the most competent and
practical miners of Macoupin county. He was born in Saxony, Germany,
November 24, 1862, a son of William and Carolina Boettcher. The parents were
both natives of Germany and spent their entire lives in the old country. The
father engaged in mining and the son Edward seems to have inherited much of
his ability as a miner from the paternal side of the house. In the family
were seven children, the subject of this review being the youngest. The
others are: Wilhelmina, who is now living in Germany; Hannah and Ferdinand,
both of whom are deceased; Earnest, who came to America and is now engaged
in farming in West Prairie township, Macoupin county; Carolina, who is
living in Germany; and Herman, who is a carpenter and lives at St. Louis.
Edward Boettcher received his preliminary education in the excellent
schools of his native land. He applied himself to the nursery business for
several years, but in 1881, being then less than twenty-one years of age, he
bade farewell to relatives and friends and started out to meet the world on
his own account, having resolved to try his fortune on the western
hemisphere. He came to Staunton, Illinois, and for two years worked in a
flour-mill. He then went to St. Louis, where he was employed in the nursery
business, continuing there only a short time when he returned to Staunton
and became identified with mining, a business in which he has ever since
been engaged. He is quite an expert in his calling and for twenty-two years
past has run a mining machine. He has invested his savings judiciously and
owns a comfortable and well furnished home at Staunton, which is located
upon a half acre of ground. He is also interested in real estate in the city
and has been successful in acquiring a competence for himself and family.
In 1888 Mr. Boettcher was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Adler)
Leonhard, widow of John Leonhard, and by her first marriage the mother of
one child, who is now Mrs. Louisa Ficker of Staunton. To Mr. Boettcher and
his wife four children have been born: Walter, at home; Adelie, deceased;
and Herbert and Clemens, both of whom are living at home.
Mr. and
Mrs. Boettcher were both reared in the Lutheran church, of which they are
valued members. Politically he is in sympathy with the republican party,
although he has independent proclivities and in local affairs often supports
candidates irrespective of their party affiliation. He belongs to that
growing class of men who think for themselves and have the intelligence and
ability to think right when important issues are at stake. He is a stanch
advocate of labor organizations when they are wisely directed and is one of
the old and valued members of the Miners Union.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 78-79.
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