William C. Fridrichs

William C. Fridrichs, a highly respected and influential farmer residing on section 12, township 3, range 10, is a native of Monroe County. He was born near Waterloo, January 27, 1849, and is of German descent. His parents, William and Margaret (Langhorst) Fridrichs, are both natives of Hanover, Germany. Our subject is their only child. In 1848 the father crossed the Atlantic to America with his wife, and came direct to Monroe County, locating upon a farm. He lived only six months thereafter, dying from an attack of cholera, at the earl age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Fridrichs, who was born, reared and educated in Germany, is still living, at the age of sixty-five years, her home being in this county. She is a member of the Lutheran Church.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, who was reared in the home of his grandmother, and during his youth acquired a good education in the common schools. When he had reached the age of twenty-two years he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Anna Klotzer, a native of St. Clair County, Ill. The greater part of her girlhood, however, was spent in Monroe County. By their marriage were born six children, but one died in infancy. Those still living are Sophia, Emma, William, Anna And Ida. The mother of the family called to her final rest at the age of twenty-seven years. She was a member of the Catholic Church and a lady possessed of many excellencies of character. Mr. Fridrichs afterwards married Catherine Herring, a native of Germany, who when a little child was brought by her parents to America, in 1866. The family came at once to Illinois and made a settlement in Monroe County, where the daughter was reared to womanhood. Seven children graced the second marriage and six of the number still survive, as follows: August, Edward, Armin, Bertha, Lucretia and Lydia. One child died in infancy.

When Mr. Fridrichs started out in life for himself he had no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future and a determination to win success if honest labor could accomplish it. He has indeed led a busy life, and his industry and enterprise have been rewarded by a comfortable competence. He is now the owner of three hundred and fifty-five acres if rich land, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. His farm is considered one of the valuable and desirable places of the community, and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision of the owner.

In his political views Mr. Fridrichs is a stalwart Republican, and socially is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. He hold membership with the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a member of the Catholic Church. His success is well deserved, for it is the fruit of his own toil. He has always lived in Monroe County, and those who have known him from early boyhood are numbered among his staunchest friends, a fact which indicates an upright, honorable life.