The kingdom of Prussia, Germany, has furnished to the American
republic thousands of its best citizens and there is scarcely a
community of importance in the United States in which natives of Prussia
may not be found. William Klocke, a prominent and influential farmer of
Gillespie township, is a native of Prussia. He was born April 17, 1846,
and is a son of John H. and Mary (Heyman) Klocke, both of whom were born
in the old country. The father died in his native land and in 1866 the
mother with two of her children, William and Elizabeth, went aboard a
vessel at Bremen and crossed the ocean to.the new world, landing in New
Orleans after a voyage of fourteen weeks in a slow-going sailing vessel.
The travelers completed the journey to St. Louis in a steamer, being
nine days on the trip. Henry Klocke, a brother of our subject, had
arrived in America in 1840 and established himself in St. Louis. The
mother and daughter took up their residence in his home.
William
Klocke was a musician in his younger days and for several years served
as a member of his brother’s band in Germany. After arriving in St.
Louis he became a member of John Frey’s band, which consisted of
fourteen pieces and was constantly employed during the summer months. He
continued with this band for two years, in the meantime becoming
acquainted with the language and customs of the country in which he
decided to spend the remainder of his life. After giving up music as a
profession he found employment at various occupations in St. Louis until
1876 when he came to Macoupin county and rented land in Mount Olive
township. After twenty years as an agriculturist and stock-raiser he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Gillespie township upon which
he has since lived. He has prospered in his business,and is assured of a
good income as his farm is one of the most productive of its size in the
township. When he arrived in America he had no money and was in debt to
his brother sixty dollars for part of his passage across the ocean, but
he is now one of the substantial and representative citizens of Macoupin
county.
On December 24, 1871, Mr. Klocke was married to Miss
Henrietta Temme, who was born in the same neighborhood as himself in
Prussia. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom survive.
William H. is a farmer of Gillespie township. Henry William is living
with his parents on the home place. Ida married William Klekamp, of
Montgomery county, Illinois. Anna is the wife of Fred Soller, of St.
Louis, Missouri. Edward and August are also living at home. Louis is in
charge of the office of the Superior Coal Company, of Gillespie.
Mr. Klocke was baptized when a child in the Evangelical Lutheran
church and has never departed from the teachings which he learned at his
mother’s knee. His wife and children are also identified with the same
religious denomination. He cast his first ballot after arriving ’under
the stars and stripes in behalf of the republican party and has seen no
reason to change his political affiliation. A patriotic and
liberty-loving man, his influence has ever been exerted in behalf of the
principles of truth and integrity and his record reflects credit upon
his family and honor upon his chosen country. He may truly be designated
as among the fortunate ones whose names are recorded in this work.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 337-338.
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