Among the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Honey Point township
none is more deserving of success than George Osterkamp, who owns two
hundred and eighty acres which he accumulated through his thrift and
good management. He is a native of Hanover, Germany, a province that has
furnished many of the most respected men in Illinois, and was born
October 10, 1853, a son of Herman and Gertie (Schaeffer) Osterkamp.
Grandfather John Osterkamp was a farmer and served in the French army in
1812. The father of Herman Osterkamp was born in the same house as the
grandfather and after arriving at manhood he became a soldier in the
German army. In 1864, desiring to seek more favorable conditions for his
children, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremerhaven, with his wife
and four sons, and landed at New York city, proceeding direct to Alton,
Illinois. After engaging for five years in farming near Staunton, the
land being in both Madison and Macoupin counties, he removed to Bond
county, where he died in 1875, his wife having been called away four
years previous.
George Osterkamp received his preliminary
education in his native land and had no opportunity of attending school
after arriving in America, as his services were needed in support of the
family. He went to Bond county with his father and worked under him for
one year, spending the following year as a farm hand in the same county.
After working for two years in Madison county, he came to Macoupin
county and continued to work for wages. After thirteen years of
practical experience under other persons, he rented a farm in Cahokia
township, but at the close of a year came to Honey Point township. In
1878 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he took up
his permanent residence in 1880. He now owns two hundred and eighty
acres, one hundred and twenty of which are in Cahokia township. He has
engaged in general farming and by good business management has secured
very gratifying results. He has brought his fields under a high state of
cultivation and has added many modern improvements upon his farm. He is
an energetic and successful business man and has taken an active part in
promoting the welfare of this region.
On September 15, 1878, Mr.
Osterkamp was married to Miss Mary Weyen, a daughter of Weye H. Weyen,
record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To this union seven
children have been born, namely: Weye, who is engaged in farming in
Cahokia township; Gertie, the wife of Ernest Delaney, of Oklahoma; Mate,
who married Othie Moore and now resides in New Mexico; and Herman, Emma,
Frieda and George, all of whom are living at home.
In politics
Mr. Osterkamp is a stanch supporter of the principles and candidates of
the democratic party. He has served as a member of the board of road
commissioners for the past sixteen or seventeen years and has also
filled the offices of school treasurer and school trustee, displaying an
ability in public affairs that has met the hearty approval of the
people. He is a member of the Mutual Protective League of Montgomery
county, and he and his family are identified with the Lutheran church,
of which he is a trustee. In his boyhood Mr. Osterkamp was taught the
value of labor and by denying himself as a young man he secured the
foundation which enabled him to accumulate a competency, assuring him of
abundance during the remainder of his life. His example of energy,
industry and self-reliance is worthy of emulation by all who would
accomplish noble aims.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 211-212.
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