John A. Pfeffer

John A. Pfeffer is a worth representative of the business interests of Columbia, where he is engaged in general merchandising. As he is widely and favorably known in this community, we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers. He was born in St. Clair County, Ill., August 1, 1844, and is of German descent. His father, John Pfeffer, was born and reared in the city of Candel, Bavaria, Germany, and in 1832 came with his parents to America, the family landing in New Orleans, where the grandfather of our subject died. In 1840 his wife, with her five children, came to Illinois. One of the sisters remained in the Crescent City, and there married Fred Eckel. The family settled on a farm in Centreville Township, St. Clair County, and John Pfeffer and hi brother cleared and improved the land, transforming it into a fine farm. They also engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans.

In the latter place the father of our subject married Margaret Scherrer, a native of Lorraine, France, who came to America in 1836. Mr. Pfeffer afterwards bought a farm of partially improved land in Monroe County and continued its cultivation for a year. He then went to St. Louis, where he worked about five years as an engineer in a distillery. From 1852 until 1856 he again carried on his farm, and then came with his brother-in-law, F. X. Brohammer, to Columbia, where they conducted a saloon and mercantile business. In 1857 the stock was divided, and Mr. Pfeffer continued alone in trade until 1890, when he sold out to his son. His death occurred on the 16th of October following, and his wife died October 12, 1892. They were the parents of fourteen children, but only tow are now living, John A., of this sketch, and Mrs. Catherine Dollar, of Columbia. In politics Mr. Pfeffer was a democrat, and was Trustee of his town. He held membership with the Roman Catholic Church. He was a successful businessman, and at his death left an estate valued at $40,000.