Biography - A. E. FISCHER

A. E. Fischer, a successful pharmacist of Mount Olive where he has been in business on his own account for six years past, was born in Elkhorn, Illinois', August 23, 1875, & son of August and Sophia (Lathrop) Fischer. The father was a native of Germany and came to America with his parents in his childhood. The mother was born at Elkhorn and was married there to Mr. Fischer. He engaged in the general mercantile business for a number of years and in the ’80s removed to Nashville, Illinois, where he became prominently identified with the agricultural implement business. While thus employed he made the acquaintance of officers of the McCormick Reaper company who were impressed with his ability and offered him a position as a traveling salesman at a lucrative salary, which he accepted;, disposing of the business he had conducted in his own name. He died in 1904 but Mrs. Fischer is still living and resides with a daughter at Columbia, Missouri. She is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Fischer gave his political support to the republican party and was an influential factor in its councils although he never sought public office. Fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows.

In the public schools of Nashville A. E. Fischer received his preliminary education. Having decided to devote his attention to pharmacy he began studying in a drug store at Nashville and in the spring of 1897 passed the examination of the state board of examiners and received a certificate as a pharmacist. He secured employment in St. Louis and later at Pana, Illinois, where he continued until 1900. He then came to Mount Olive and was made manager for C. J. Keiser & Company, pharmacists. After holding this position four years he purchased the store which he has since operated with marked success.

On February 3, 1904, Mr. Fischer was married to Miss Julia Niemeyer, a daughter of William Niemeyer, a pioneer business man of Mount Olive. To this union one child, Marguerite L., has been born. Mr. Fischer is not identified with any religious denomination but his wife is a consistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Like his father he adheres to the republican party and is actively interested in its success although in no sense an office seeker. Fraternally he is identified with Litchfield Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of the same city, being also a member of the Mount Olive Merchants Association. He early became aware of the fact that there is no royal road to wealth, and by his industry and persistence he has acquired a competence and also gained the good will of his fellow men.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 715-716.