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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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FERDINAND BUETTNER, who resides in Percy, is one of the worthy German citizens of Randolph County. He is now engaged in general merchandising and is doing a good business in that line, for he carries a complete and well assorted stock and his patrons ever receive courteous treatment and fair dealing at his hands. He has thereby won a liberal patronage, which is well deserved, and he is regarded as one of the leading merchants of this place.

Mr. Buettner was born in Germany, April 11, 1858, and is a son of Justus and Margaret (Von-Keutz) Buettner. Their family numbered seven children, of whom he was the sixth in order of birth. The parents both spent their entire lives in their native land, where the father died at the age of fifty-nine, while the mother passed away in March, 1892, at the age of seventy years. Under the parental roof our subject was reared to manhood. He attended the public schools of his native town until fourteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood by clerking in a store. He was thus employed for four years, when, at the age of twenty-one, he determined to seek a home and fortune in America.

Bidding adieu to friends and Fatherland, Mr. Buettner sailed for the New World in 1879, and located in Red Bud, Ill., where in connection with his brother, Henry, he engaged in business. Henry Buettner is still a prosperous business man of that place. Ferdinand continued in business with him for about four years, when in 1883 he embarked in the lumber business, which he continued until 1886. In that year he went to St. Louis and worked for one year. In 1887, he came to Percy and opened a general merchandise store, which he has since conducted. He is now extensively engaged in general merchandising and has recently completed the fine business block which he now occupies. He also erected a handsome residence, which not only gives to him his fine home, but is also a credit to the beautiful village of Percy.

On the 14th of April, 1884, Mr. Buettner was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Biffar, a daughter of George and Helen (Ernst) Biffar, both whom were natives of Bavaria. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, but one of the number is now deceased. Those still living are Olga, Arthur and Louis.

Mr. and Mrs. Buettner are Lutherans in religious belief and are liberal contributors to the support of the church, with which they hold membership. In political views, our subject is a Republican, and is a progressive and thoroughgoing citizen, who is alive to the best interests of the community in which he makes his home, and who is ever ready to aid in the advancement in all that tends to promote the general welfare.

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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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