Macoupin County
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Biography - GEORGE KLAUS

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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