A native of Prussia, Henry Kruse who resides in Mount Olive township
crossed the Atlantic ocean in his infancy and has ever since enjoyed the
advantages of the American republic, being one of its loyal and
progressive supporters. He was born March 21, 1851, a son of Henry and
Wilhelmina (Prange) Kruse. The father came to America in 1853 or 1854,
making the journey in a sailing vessel which reached New Orleans after a
voyage of about ten weeks. The family came up the Mississippi river to
St. Louis and from that point to Macoupin county, Illinois. Like many
other early settlers in this section Mr. Kruse possessed little money,
but he was an industrious and ambitious man and after renting land for
several years purchased a small farm in Mount Olive township. He
prospered in his business and acquired more land, being apparently on
the road which leads to complete financial independence. His career,
however, was cut short by death as he was called away in 1864, when only
thirtyeight years of age. The widow survived her husband many years and
died in 1893, at the age of seventy-four.
Henry Kruse possessed
advantages of home training and acquired his education in the public
schools and the parochial school of Mount Vernon. He continued on the
home place until twenty-five years of age and then located on a farm in
Mount Olive township, which had previously been purchased by members of
the family. This farm is two miles southeast of Mount Olive and
comprises two hundred and forty acres, and is one of the valuable and
well improved properties of the township. Under good management it
produces a handsome annual revenue and its appearance reflects great
credit upon its owner. Mr. Kruse is a man of high standing in this
region and is now serving as a member of the board of directors of the
First National Bank of Mount Olive.
In 1876 he was married to
Miss Berdina Mindrup, a native of Madison county, Illinois, whose
parents were born in Germany and were among the early settlers of
Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Kruse have five children: Henry R., who is
employed in the postoffice at St. Louis; William E., assistant cashier
of the First National Bank of Mount Olive; Sophia, the wife of John
Heman, who is in charge of the home farm of Mr. Kruse; and Emma and
Minnie, both of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Kruse supports
the republican party but has never aspired to public office although he
has served with general acceptance as a member of the school board. He
and his family are actively identified with the Evangelical Lutheran
church. Having early concentrated his attention upon agriculture and
stock-raising as an occupation, he made a favorable start and has
steadily progressed, taking advantage of the best and most approved
methods so that he is now well established and assured of a liberal
annual income. It is men of this class that reflect credit upon their
calling and gain recognition as the most substantial and trustworthy
members of their respective communities.
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 710-711.
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