W. H. Behrens, mayor of the city of Carlinville, is
secretary of the Carlinville Coal Company and one of the city's most
influential citizens. He was born in Carlinville, Macoupin County, December
30, 1861, and is a son of Wilhelm and Henrietta (Liekefett) Behrens, both
natives of the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany.
Wilhelm Behrens followed
the trade of a miller in his native country but after coming to the United
States engaged in the mercantile business at Carlinville until the time of
his death. He and his estimable wife were parents of two children: W. H.,
our subject; and Anna W. Mrs. Henrietta Behrens is now living at an advanced
age and is a member of the German Evangelical Church. Wilhelm Behrens was a
Republican in politics, and took an interest in all that pertained to the
welfare and development of Carlinville.
W. H. Behrens was educated
in the parochial and public schools in Macoupin County, and later received a
university training. This was supplemented by a course of study at
Braunschweig, Province of Brunswick, Germany. He then served five years as
clerk in the Post Office at Carlinville, after which he was elected on the
Republican ticket to the office of city clerk of Carlinville. He held the
office during the years 1886, 1887 and 1888. In the meantime he became
proprietor and editor of the Carlinville Republican, a publication which
appeared weekly, and conducted its affairs until 1890. The Carlinville Coal
Company was incorporated in 1891 with W. G. Bartles as president; William L.
Mounts, secretary; and John C. Anderson, treasurer. In 1894, Mr. Mounts
resigned as secretary and was succeeded to the office by Mr. Behrens, who
has since served in that capacity. He is a first-class business man in every
respect, and has attained a high degree of success. In 1903, he was elected
mayor of Carlinville on the Republican ticket, and in the handling of the
city's affairs has displayed marked ability. His administration is meeting
with the heartiest approval of the citizens. He has for six years been a
member of the Board of Education, and served two years as president of that
body. He has been a member of the Republican Central Committee of Macoupin
County for several years, and is very active in party politics.
In
1889, Mr. Behrens was united in marriage with Jeanette B. Floyd, who is a
native of Illinois, and to their union were born two children: Henrietta,
deceased; and Will Floyd. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Mount Nebo
Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M.; Chapter, R. A. M.; Orient Lodge, No. 95, K.
P.; Knights of the Globe; Royal Circle; A. O. U. W.; and Royal Arcanum.
Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 52-53.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022