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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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WILLIAM SCHUCHERT, ex-Mayor of the city of Chester, and one of the leading citizens of the place, is engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business, carrying in his establishment a full line of all articles used in city and country households. He has done much toward advancing the prosperity of the city, and by his unceasing application to business has secured a competency, while his unwavering honesty and true nobility of character have won him the high regard of his fellow-men.

Like many of the best citizens of Randolph County, our subject was born across the waters in Germany, the date of his birth being September 28, 1832. He is the son of J. F. W. and Mary (Seligman) Schuchert. The father, who was a blacksmith by occupation, emigrated to the United States in 1848, and on landing in New Orleans, made his way from the Crescent City up the Mississippi River to Chester, where he arrived in February of that year.

The parental family comprised two children, our subject and John F., the latter being a resident of Cape Girardeau, Mo. William was a lad of sixteen years when he accompanied his father to the New World, prior to which he had received a good education in the model schools of his native land. On arriving in Chester, he assisted his father in opening up a blacksmith shop, and remained with him for two years, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., and for six months was engaged as a clerk in a hotel. Returning to this city, he again associated himself with his father in the blacksmith’s trade, and continued thus employed until 1852, at which time, having caught the gold fever, he went to California and engaged in mining. Not being very successful in this venture, he retraced his steps to Chester in 1858, and entering the store of H. C. Cole, worked for him until 1867. He then purchased the stock of goods from his employer and engaged in business on his own account. In 1883 he moved into his large store-room, 33x68 feet in dimensions, located on Water Street.

In 1860, William Schuchert and Miss Luami Castellaw were united in marriage. Mrs. Schuchert was born in Haywood County, Tenn., and is the daughter of Alfred Castellaw. In his political relations our subject is a stanch Democrat, and finds time in the midst of his business interests to bear an active part in the political affairs of his neighborhood, and for six years held the office of Mayor. He is also interested in educational matters, and indeed in all movements which contribute to the general welfare of the city. Socially, he is a member of Chester Lodge No. 57, I. O. O. F., which he is serving as Treasurer. He represented this order in the Grand Lodge in 1867, and Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1885.

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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 Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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