Philip W. Maxeiner, who has been postmaster of
Dorchester, Macoupin County, since 1898, was born January 7, 1852, in
Germany, and is a son of John P. and Katherine (Kopf) Maxeiner.
John
P. Maxeiner, who was also a native of Germany, immigrated to America in
1852, locating at Brighton, Macoupin County, Illinois, where he followed the
shoemaker's trade. Other members of the family also located in Illinois, one
of these being his cousin, a tailor, who took pride in the fact that to him
was entrusted the task of making the first military suit ever worn in
service by the late Gen. U. S. Grant. The father of our subject died at
Brighton in 1875, aged 63 years. He married Katherine Kopf, who was born in
1808 at Singhoffen, Prussia, and three of their children died in Germany,
those who came to America being: Mrs. Mary Tonsor, deceased; Mrs. Katherine
Wonderley, of Brighton, Macoupin County; Mrs. Lizzie Cramer, of Fidelity,
Illinois; Mrs. Philipine Brummer, of Brighton, Macoupin County; Henry; and
Philip W., of this sketch.
Mr. Maxeiner was but an infant when his
parents located in Brighton, after some time spent in New Orleans and Alton,
Illinois, and he has been a resident of this county ever since 1855. Since
the age of 15 years Mr. Maxeiner has worked at wagon-making and is
considered an excellent mechanic. In 1880 he moved to Dorchester and ever
since he has been a prominent factor in Republican politics in the township.
Since his appointment as postmaster, he has most satisfactorily performed
the duties of the office and is held in much esteem by the citizens of the
village.
In 1875 Mr. Maxeiner married Katherine Bohn, who was born
in Macoupin County, and is a daughter of John and Katherine Bohn natives of
Germany. The four children born to this marriage are: Minnie, living at
home, who is assistant postmaster; William P., attached to the St. Louis
Post Office, having passed the civil service examination; Charles A., second
assistant postmaster, who conducts the store at Dorchester; and Annie, who
lives at home. Mr. Maxeiner is a member of the Evangelical Church, as was
his father. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 492-493.
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