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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HENRY BUETTNER, of Red Bud, is widely known throughout Randolph and adjoining counties, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life. He was born in Germany in 1844, and in his native land spent the days of his boyhood and youth, no event of special importance occurring during that time. In 1869 he determined to seek a home and fortune beyond the Atlantic, and on crossing the ocean located in Davenport, Iowa. He had one brother, Ferd, who also came to the United States, and is now a prosperous and successful merchant of Percy, Ill.

For three years after his arrival in this county, Mr. Buettner remained in Davenport, and in 1873 went to St. Louis, where he continued for nearly three years working at his trade, that of a brewer. During his residence in St. Louis he was united in marriage with Miss Marguerita Gaul, by whom he has had five children, Julius H., Oscar, Otto, Ella, and Henry, who died at the age of three years.

In 1875 Mr. Buettner came with his family to Red Bud in the capacity of agent for the Excelsior Brewing Company of St. Louis. After two years he bought the property of the firm in this place and embarked in the same line of business for himself. He is now interested in the Tennessee Brewing Company, of Memphis, Tenn., as one of its stockholders. In connection with his other interests he also owns and carries on the Buettner Hotel. He is a member of and stockholder in the Iowa, Illinois and Alabama Lumber and Live Stock Company, which owns ten thousand acres of timber land in the state Alabama. When he reached Rock Island, Ill., he had but twenty-five cents in his pocket, but today he is one of the well-to-do citizens of this part of the state. By working hard, saving what he had earned and investing it with care and diligence, he has become what we find him today, one of the substantial business men of Randolph County.

In politics Mr. Buettner generally votes with the Republican party, but he is not an active partisan and has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He takes considerable interest in civic societies and is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows’ lodge and the Knights of Honor. A pleasant, genial gentleman, he makes friends wherever he goes and has acquaintances throughout this part of the state. He was not disappointed in the hope that his financial condition would be improved in America, and indeed his success has far exceeded his expectations.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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