ANDREAS WINTJEN, who is the owner and operator of a good farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 35, Belleview Precinct, Calhoun County, has been a resident of the county for a third of a century. He is of German birth and his parents, John H. and Elizabeth Wintjen, were also natives of Germany. Andreas was born in Hanover on the 6th of June, 1837, and under the parental roof was reared to manhood, acquiring a good education in the mother tongue. When sixteen years of age, bidding good-by to his native land and many friends, he started for America, taking passage on a sailing-vessel which left the port of Bremen in 1853, and arrived at the harbor of New Orleans after a voyage of seven weeks. Mr. Wintjen remained in the Crescent City but a short time, when he resumed his journey, traveling as far northward as St. Louis, Mo., where he remained for four years. With the exception of about six months, he was employed during that time in the large pork packing establishment of Ames & Co., serving in the important capacity of foreman. About 1858 he came to Illinois, and locating in Calhoun County, has since resided here. He has made farming his principal occupation since ills arrival, and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of the community.
Prior to leaving St. Louis, Mr. Wintjen was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Schlichting, and unto them was born a family of ten children, eight of whom are living at this writing in the autumn of 1890, namely: John, Andreas, John H., Ludwig J., Gevert; Catherine, wife of Michael Schuman; Louisa and Christina. Mary and Peter C. are now deceased.
On coming to this county Mr. Wintjen purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, all in an unimproved state, the Indians having just vacated it and gone to their reservation beyond the Mississippi. That farm is yet his home, but its boundaries have been extended until it now comprises two hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of which is under a good state of cultivation. Many improvements which he has made greatly enhance its value and add to the beauty of its appearance. Mr. Wintjen is an enterprising and progressive citizen, and the support and aid he has given to public interests have not done a little toward its growth and progress. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and for over a quarter of a century has officiated as Treasurer of the congregation in which he holds membership. His wife was also connected with that church. She. who had been his devoted helpmate and counselor for many years, was called to her reward in 1875, departing this life on the 7th of October. Her many excellencies of character had endeared her to the hearts of the people of the community, who shared with the family their great loss. In politics Mr. Wintjen is a Republican and a stalwart advocate of the party principles. He has taken an active part in local political affairs and has served as School Director and Road Commissioner, discharging the duties of both positions with promptness and fidelity. An upright life has won him many friends and he is widely and favorably known throughout the community. Although of German birth. Calhoun County has no better citizen than Mr. Wintjen, and we are pleased to present this sketch to the readers of the Album.
Extracted 13 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 296-297.
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