William H. Schelm, one of the leading business citizens
of Brighton, Macoupin County, where he conducts a blacksmith shop, was born
in Brighton in 1865, and is a son of Henry and Amelia (Brummer) Schelm.
Henry Schelm was born in 1835 in Brunswick, Germany, and came to America
and located at Brighton in 1863. In 1866 he married Amelia Brummer, who was
also born in Germany and came to America with her parents when six years of
age. Her father, Charles Brummer, was a merchant in Germany, but after
locating in Brighton township, Macoupin County, he followed farming. He died
in 1866 at the age of 62 years, survived by his widow until 1880, when she
was 75 years of age. Mrs. Schelm was the youngest of 11 children. She still
survives, residing at Brighton, in her 5Sth year. Henry Schelm died in 1889,
leaving seven children, our subject being the eldest.
William H.
Schelm obtained his education in the schools of Brighton township and also
learned his trade on the farm, working for a time in the village and
township, and then erected a complete and well appointed shop in Brighton.
In addition to this building, he owns a dwelling and store. His skill as a
workman is so well known that he enjoys a large patronage.
In 1889
Mr. Schelm married Henrietta Lauck, who was the fifth member of a family of
six children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Cook) Lauck. Mr. Lauck was born in
Germany and came to America with his mother and three brothers in 1855, when
he was 26 years of age. The family landed at New Orleans and came
immediately to Brighton, where Mr. Lauck has followed the carpenter trade
ever since, being the builder of many of the substantial structures in this
vicinity. Mrs. Schelm died March 31, 1904, at the age of 35 years, 11 months
and 26 days.
Our subject has six bright, intelligent children,
namely: Hilda, born October 23, 1890; Alma, born May 26, 1892; Carl, born
February 2, 1895; Ruth, born August 3, 1897; Viola, born October 10, 1900;
and Paul, born September 3, 1903.
In politics, Mr. Schelm is a
stanch supporter of Democratic principles. He belongs to a number of
fraternal organizations, notably the Modem Woodmen of America, Royal Circle
and the German Harugari. With his family, he belongs to and liberally
supports the Evangelical Church.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 352-353.
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