John N. Coerver, a widely known jeweler of Staunton, was born January
9, 1869, in the same building in which he now carries on his business,
and has been identified with commercial interests of this city ever
since he reached manhood. He is a son of John and Matilda (Gardner)
Coerver, the former of whom was born at Waterloo, Illinois. He was left
an orphan at an early age and was reared in a kind-hearted family at
Waterloo. He learned the barber’s trade, which he followed on a
passenger boat operating between St. Louis and Cairo. At the time of the
Civil war he took up his residence at Staunton, where he conducted a
barber shop and photograph gallery, continuing in those lines until his
death, which occurred in 1899. He took great interest in public affairs
and filled various offices of responsibility, being mayor of the city in
1899. He was a man of recognized ability and integrity, and was a devout
member of the Catholic church. The mother of our subject was born in
Staunton and is still living in this city. In the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Coerver were eight children, namely: Anna, who is deceased; John N., of
this review; William, who is also deceased; Lena, who is the wife of
William J. Krug, who is in partnership in the jewelry business with the
subject of this sketch; Joseph, who also lives in this city; Otto M.,
who is deceased; Flora, who married August Emma, of Staunton; and
Edward, who has also passed away.
In the public schools of this
city John N. Coerver possessed good advantages of education, which he
has improved greatly by reading and observation. Under his father he
learned the barber’s trade and also the photograph business and engaged
in both lines for a number of years. Three years ago he entered the
jewelry business and is now president of the Krug-While Company, which
is one of the flourishing concerns of Staunton. He is also' financially
interested in real estate at Evansville, Indiana.
In 1894 Mr.
Coerver was married to Miss Catherine Helfrich, of Evansville, and they
have had four children: Lucille, who is at home; Clarence, who is
deceased; and Theresa and John, both of whom are at home.
In
religious faith Mr. Coerver adheres to the Catholic church. He is a
member of the Western Catholic Union and is a director of the Staunton
Home Association. He has observed the advantages of education and is a
stanch advocate of thorough practical mental training for the young,
being at the present time a member of the school board. He has taken an
active interest in public affairs and has served as tax collector and
city treasurer, discharging his duties with a fidelity that met tire
warm approval of taxpayers. Successful in his business, he is now fairly
launched upon what promises to be a long and useful career.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 213-214.
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