My Genealogy Hound

GUSTAV F. WIEBUSCH, a farmer and merchant living at Wagner’s Landing, Jackson County, was born in Chester, Ill., March 11, 1856. He is a son of Christopher and Hannah (Kipp) Wiebusch, natives respectively of Hanover and Westphalia, Germany. His education was secured in the Chester schools. It was his intention to enter Blackburn University, at Carlinville, and he started there, but while en route was taken sick and suffered a long illness, after which he did not start again.

At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Wiebusch began the life of an agriculturist, settling in Fountain Bluff Township, Jackson County, upon a farm belonging to his father. There he remained for three years, working in partnership with his brother. While a resident of that township he was married, in Fountain Bluff, February 5, 1880, his wife being Miss Emma Scheurenberg. This lady was the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Schmidt) Seheurenberg, and was born in Dubuque, Iowa, August 9, 1859. She was educated in Germany, whither her father had removed when she was about six years of age.

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Wiebusch rented a farm of Godfred Rueckels, and during his four years’ residence on that place his wife died. Later he discontinued farming and went west, where he found employment in Kansas, Nebraska and southwestern Missouri. He followed railroading principally, making Kansas City his headquarters. After a year in the west, he returned to Jackson County, bought a store at Wagner’s Landing, and in February of 1886 embarked in the mercantile business. In this enterprise he has been successful, gaining a reputation throughout the surrounding country as a reliable and honorable merchant. In his store he carries a well selected stock of goods such as are usually kept in a country store. His establishment is also the location of the post-office of Wagner’s Landing, and Mr. Wiebusch has been the Postmaster since 1888, his commission being dated June 14 of that year. He has charge of the steamer landing and trades quite extensively in country produce, which he ships north by boat.

The first marriage of Mr. Wiebusch resulted in the birth of five children, three of whom are now living: Alfred C., Clara M. and Annie K. (one of twins). The deceased are Emily and Emma. On the 7th of April, 1886, he was again married, choosing as his wife Miss Emma, daughter of Fred and Doris (Heitmann) Buckmann. Mrs. Wiebusch was born July 19, 1858, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, of whom the only survivors are Walter S. and Ida E. D. The deceased children are Doris, Oscar and, Edward.

In their religious connections Mr. Wiebusch and his estimable wife are identified with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Chester, in which they are active workers, and to the support of which they contribute liberally. In his political relations he affiliates with the Democratic party, the principles of which he upholds with fidelity. While a resident of Fountain Bluff, he served for five years as School Treasurer, and in his present district he filled the same position for six years, after which he declined re-election.