Henry Huch

Henry Huch, proprietor of the Columbia Star Mills, of Columbia, Monroe County, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born in Lawrence County April 2, 1833, and is a son of Gottlieb Huch, a native of Hanover, Germany, who came to America in 1831 and settled in Lawrence County. Six years later he came to Monroe County and entered land from the Government, three miles south of Columbia, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1865. He was a stone mason by trade, and followed that business in connection with farming. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Caroline Holzhausen, died three days before her husband's death. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three are yet living: William, who resides on the old homestead; Rebecca, wife of Michael Stumphf, a farmer of Hanover Precinct; and Henry. The father of this family was a Democrat until Lincoln ran for the Presidency, when he became a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Evangelical Church. When he departed this life, he was the owner of three hundred and ninety-six acres of land, and had given two farms to his children.

From the age of five years, Mr. Huch was reared on the old homestead farm, and was educated in the old time subscription school, which was held in a log schoolhouse. He aided his father in clearing the land which was entered from the Government, and was thus early inured to arduous labor. On the 10th of April, 1856, he married Miss Marguerita, daughter of Daniel Klein, and a native of Bavaria, Germany, who came to this country in 1843, the family locating near Columbia, where her father purchased land. She was born October 5, 1836. They began their domestic life upon a partially improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and after eight years came to Columbia, where for a year Mr. Huch was a silent partner in a drug store. In 1867, he embarked in the milling business, in connection with Franz Bauer, under the firm name of Bauer & Huch, which connection continued for seven years, when he bought out his partner's interest.

The Columbia Star Mills were built in 1856 by two brothers, William and James Neimrick, who operated them for a year, and then sold to Warnock & Wilson, who carried on the business from 1857 until 1867. Mr. Huch is now the proprietor of what is one of the leading industries of the place. The mill has a capacity of four hundred and fifty barrels of flour per day, and is supplied with a patent roller process. Its products are shipped extensively to the south and west. The Star Mills are the oldest in Monroe County. In June, 1893, Mr. Huch aided in organizing the Eagle Electric Light Company, of which he is now President.

In politics, Mr. Huch is a Democrat. His home has been in Monroe County since 1837, and he is therefore one of the oldest settlers. He is also one of its most prominent citizens, being both widely and favorably known. He and his wife hold membership with the Evangelical Church. This worthy couple have an adopted daughter, Lena, who is now the wife of Adolph Lambrecht.

Mr. Lambrecht, general superintendent of the Columbia Star Mills, was born in Brunswick, Prussia, Germany, on the 16th of January, 1864, and when quite young was left and orphan. His father was Dr. August Lambrecht. Crossing the Atlantic, the son came to Chicago in 1878, and there learned the trade of a druggist. In 1879 he came to Columbia and entered the employ of Dr. Rose, with whom he continued for three years, having the management of the Doctor's drug store in this place. In 1883, he took up the milling business, to which he served an apprenticeship. He mastered the business in all its details, and has since worked his way upward to the important position he now occupies.

On the 4th of September, 1884, Mr. Lambrecht was untied in marriage with Miss Lena Huch, They both belong to the Evangelical Church and are prominent people, who occupy and enviable position in social circles. Their home is one of the finest in the county, being complete in every particular, and is supplied with all modern improvements and conveniences. In politics Mr. Lambrecht is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is now Junior Warden of Columbia Lodge No. 474, A. F. & A. M.