H. A. Fischer, who for a number of years past has very acceptably
filled the office of postmaster of Staunton and is also a successful
business man, is a native of this city. He comes of German stock and was
born November 19, 1861, a son of Christopher and Anna Maria (Frank)
Fischer. The father was born at Hasloch on the Rhine in Germany and
learned the basket-making trade from his father, at which he worked for
several years in his native town. Being ambitious to advance as rapidly
as possible, he emigrated to America and located at Staunton, Illinois,
when it was a pioneer settlement with only two or three houses. He
engaged at his trade here and also was employed in the Staunton mill,
and became a clerk in a store at this place. He began business upon his
own account, which he managed so well that he became proprietor of a
general store, which attracted a liberal patronage. He retired from
business in 1871 and was succeeded by two of his sons, Adam and Paul,
who are still conducting the business under the title of Fischer
Brothers. The father died in 1904. The mother of our subject was also
born on the Rhine river in Germany and is now living at Staunton, having
reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. In the family of Mr. and
Mrs. Fischer were seven children: Frederick G., who is deceased; Adam,
who is engaged in the mercantile business in Staunton; Anna, the widow
of Bruno Hebenstreit, of Staunton; Paul H., who is also engaged in
business at Staunton; H. A., of this review; Edward Joseph, who is the
owner of a general store at Wamego, Kansas; and Mary, who married Ernest
Weis, of Staunton. In his youth Mr. Fischer acquired a fair education in
the parochial schools. He continued at home until eighteen years of age
and then entered a store in Staunton as clerk, a position which he held
for eight years. He then became identified with the real-estate
business, with which he has ever since been actively connected, and he
is today one of the prominent real-estate holders of the city. In 1906
he was appointed by President Roosevelt as postmaster of Staunton and
discharged his duties so acceptably that he was reappointed by President
Taft. Through his efforts Staunton was selected as one of the first
cities in Illinois for the location of a postal savings depository, and
it has proven successful even beyond expectations. He has been very
active in public affairs and for fourteen years served as city clerk.
On the 13th of April, 1887, Mr. Fischer was married to Miss
Maggie Doyle, who is of Irish descent and was born in London, England.
They have six children : Laura M., who assists her father in the
real-estate business; Fanny C., assistant postmaster of Staunton; John
H., who is a clerk in the postoffice; Christopher C., who is in the
insurance business in this city; and Mary and Edward, both of whom are
attending school.
Mr. Fischer has ever since he arrived at his
majority given his support to the republican party. He was reared in the
Lutheran church, and his wife is a member of the Catholic church. He is
prominent in fraternal circles, being trustee of the lodge of Knights of
Pythias at Staunton, clerk of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America for
twenty years past and is also a trustee of the Royal Neighbors. As is
indicated by his various responsibilities, he is an earnest and
efficient worker and his influence is felt throughout the entire
community. He ranks as one of the leading men of Staunton.
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 186-187.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022