A well cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Nilwood
township is evidence of the business ability of George Klaus. He is a
native of Nilwood and can claim descent from good Teutonic ancestry.
Born December 16, 1860, he is a son of George and Theresa (Netz) Klaus,
both of whom were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. They came to
America and located in Nilwood township, Macoupin county, Illinois,
where the father engaged successfully in farming, becoming one of the
well known and respected men of the community. He died in 1884, when the
subject of this review was about twenty-four years of age.
George Klaus attended the public schools and, as he grew to maturity
assisted his father in work upon the home farm. After the death of the
head of the family, he cultivated the farm for his mother, continuing in
charge of the work until 1891. He then commenced farming on his own
account on an eighty-acre tract, located about half a mile east of
Nilwood. He prospered in his business and, in 1898, purchased one
hundred and twenty acres of good land three miles southeast of Nilwood
where he established his home. He is active, industrious and
enterprising and the abundant crops gathered from the fields each year
are evidences of his skill. He also raises stock for the market, thus
increasing his income. In addition to his investment in his farm, he is
a stockholder of the Nilwood State Bank, which is one of the flourishing
financial institutions of this section.
On the 22d of February,
1891, Mr. Klaus was married in Nilwood township to Lena Behme, a native
of Brushy Mound township and a daughter of Julius and Sophia (Blothe)
Behme, both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Klaus are the
parents of seven children, namely: Otto L., Ivan O., Elmer G., Harry E.,
Charles J., Louis H. and Ima S., all of whom are living at home. The
eldest son, Otto L., is one of the promising young men of Macoupin
county and is now serving as assistant cashier of the Nilwood State
Bank. Mr. Klaus and his wife have given their children excellent
advantages of education and have set them an example of industry and
persistence that cannot fail to have a lasting influence upon their
lives.
Politically, Mr. Klaus is an adherent of the republican
party and is an earnest advocate of its principles, believing that they
are of great importance in the advancement of the welfare of the
country. He has served faithfully for twelve years as a member of the
school board, but has never sought any political office as his interest
centers in his family and his farm. He has acquired a highly creditable
reputation as an energetic and trustworthy citizen who is generous and
upright in his dealings with others and aims to perform his duty in
everything he undertakes. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Court
of Honor, of Nilwood.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 418-419.
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