H. C. Buchterkirchen, one of the most substantial
citizens of Staunton, Macoupin County, an extensive dealer in lumber and
building material of all kinds, is a self made man, who although scarcely
yet in the prime of life, has accumulated a fortune and has taken a very
prominent part in the city's public life. He was born in Hanover, Germany,
September 2, 1866, and is a son of August and Lezzetta (Loehr)
Buchterkirchen.
The father of our subject spent his whole life in
Germany, where he was a well known furniture manufacturer. He died September
26, 1878, aged 52 years, survived by his widow, who still resides in
Germany. They had seven children, namely: Herman, of East St. Louis,
Illinois; H. C, of this sketch; Gustav, who died in St. Louis, Missouri, in
1897, aged 27 years, and August, Carl, Wilhelm and Albert, who are residents
of Germany.
Our subject was 14 years old when he left school and
learned the butchering business. In 1882 he decided to accompany a visitor
from St. Louis to America, and together they sailed from Bremen. For some
years after coming to the United States, Mr. Buchterkirchen was variously
employed but never at any time idle. He worked at Elsah, Illinois, then at
St. Louis, Missouri, and in August of the same year removed to Staunton,
Macoupin County, where he secured work at mine No. 5, first on top, later
under ground. He also was employed as section hand on the Wabash Railroad,
went then to Worden and worked in mine No. 12, returned to Staunton for a
short time, then to Jersey Landing and Jerseyville. In the last named place
he was kept busy, as a carpenter during the summers, and as a butcher in the
winter months, for three years. Then he went to St. Charles, Missouri, and
spent three years building coaches in the car shops there. In 1888 he
returned to Staunton where he had made many friends, and where he has ever
since been actively engaged in business. For 10 years he was engaged in the
liquor business and then embarked, in his present extensive lumber business,
which, although but in its infancy as to years, has outstripped almost every
other business house of its kind in the southeastern section of the county.
Mr. Buchterkirchen was married December 27, 1888, to Minnie Baule,
who was born January 8, 1868, at Staunton, Macoupin County, and they have
three children — Lezzetta, Harry and Walter, all living at home. Mr.
Buchterkirchen is completing one of the finest private residences in
Staunton, which promises to not only be a home of comfort and luxury, but
will also be an ornament to the city. The family belong to St. Paul's
Evangelical Church.
It is not always the case that men, interested
in the building up of their own fortunes, are equally alive to their duties
as citizens, but Mr. Buchterkirchen has always displayed commendable public
spirit and many of the city's facilities are due to his efforts while a
member of the city council. He is now serving on the Board of Education, is
vice-president of the Staunton Home Association, a director of the Staunton
Loan & Building Association and a director of the Business Men's Club.
Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and a Woodman. In politics he is a
Democrat.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 421-423.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022