Biography - WILLIAM H. STEINMEYER

William H. Steinmeyer, one of the pioneer citizens of Carlinville, Macoupin County, was for many years engaged in the general mercantile business in this city, but has been leading a retired life since 1884, when his son Henry succeeded in the business. He was born in Salder, Duchy of Brunswick, Germany, on April 15, 1822, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Von Bocatius) Steinmeyer.

Christian Steinmeyer was born in Foenmalse, Duchy of Brunswick, August 24, 1792, and was an extensive merchant for many years in his native country. He came to this country with his family in 1857, three years after the arrival of our subject, and during the remainder of his life lived in retirement at Carlinville. Two of his daughters now live in Carlinville. He was married in 1821 to Mary Von Bocatius, and to them were born the following children: William H.; Henrietta; Mary (Gieseking); Sophia; and Amelia (Wolf). Religiously, as far back as is known, the family have been German Lutherans. Mr. Steinmeyer died March 29, 1862; and Mrs. Steinmeyer died on February 29 of the same year.

William H. Steinmeyer was educated in the schools of the parish in which he lived, and while still a boy in his "teens" learned the tailoring trade, which he followed with success until 1854 in his native country. On September 1, 1854, he embarked with his wife and three children, from Bremen, Germany, on the sailing vessel "America" and landed at New Orleans on November 1, 1854. He then took a steamer up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked at his trade until 1856. In that year he moved to Carlinville, where he has since resided. He followed the-tailoring trade here until 1868, then embarked in the general mercantile business which he followed with uninterrupted success until 1884, in which year he sold out 'to his son. He has since lived a retired life, but has always taken a deep and active interest in the progress of the city. In 1884 he visited his native land for a period of three months.

Mr. Steinmeyer was first married in Germany, on September 10, 1848, his wife having been born in that country on February 23, 1827. Mrs. Steinmeyer died March 3, 1865, having given birth to the following children, the three first named being natives of Germany: Herman; Otto; Amelia, deceased; Henry; Mary (Klein); Anna, deceased; Johannes; Mena, deceased; and Martin, who died at the age of 14 days. Our subject formed a second union with Augusta Hauer, by whom he had one child, Arthur, who died at the age of one and a half years. Mrs. Steinmeyer died on March 2, 1869, and he formed a third union on May 22, 1871, with Katherine Klauenberg, who died September 3, 1887. Politically, Mr. Steinmeyer has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after political honors. He is a devout member of the German Lutheran Church, as were his parents before him. He has many warm friends throughout Macoupin County, and is held in highest esteem.

Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 23-24.