My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE TEGTMEYER, a merchant of Shiloh Hill, was born at Bevensen, in the province of Hanover, March 31, 1853. He is a son of Louis and Mary (Lubbers) Tegtmeyer, natives of the same province. Until the age of fourteen he attended the schools at Bevensen, and on completing his studies he entered as an apprentice a store at Zeven, an apprenticeship being necessary to a mercantile career in the Old Country. There he remained until the fall of 1871, when he emigrated to America, the only one of his entire family to leave the Fatherland.

Embarking at Hamburg on the steamer “Holsatia,” after a passage of thirteen days Mr. Tegtmeyer landed in New York, where he spent one week. Having an uncle in Randolph, Ill., he set out for this place and reached his destination in October. During the winter he attended school, and in March went to St. Louis. Having no acquaintances, it was necessary to take whatever work came to hand. The first position that offered was a place as a waiter in a restaurant. After a time he secured a position in a store on O’Fallon Street, and later filled a clerical position in several mercantile establishments.

In the spring of 1878 longing for the home became too strong to be resisted, so passage was taken for the Old Country, where our subject remained until September. Returning to America, he stopped for a month in St. Louis, and learning that William C. Dean, of Shiloh Hill, was desiring to dispose of his store, a deal was consummated in the fall of that year and possession was taken March 1, 1879. Here Mr. Tegtmeyer has remained ever since. In his store will be found a nicely selected stock of such goods as are usually found in a general store. He buys and ships a goodly amount of produce raised in the surrounding country.

September 12, 1879, Mr. Tegtmeyer was united in marriage with Miss Augustina, daughter of Fred and Henrietta (Kremer) Niedermeyer, residents of St. Louis, where Mrs. Tegtmeyer was born September 12, 1861. To them were born five children, three of whom survive. They are Louis G., Ida H. and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. G. Tegtmeyer are members of the Lutheran Church at Shiloh Hill. In politics he is a Republican and sees no reason for a change in his political views at the present time. For ten years he has been Treasurer of the township schools, which position of trust he still holds. In 1883 he was appointed Postmaster at Shiloh Hill and has since held that position to the satisfaction of the patrons of the office.

In 1889 a stock company was formed to operate a creamery at Shiloh Hill and Mr. Tegtmeyer owns a majority of the stock. Most of the product is shipped to St. Louis. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Tegtmeyer are highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. Through the successful management of his business he has accumulated a competence and is numbered among the substantial men of the town. A well spent life has gained for him the confidence of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.