My Genealogy Hound

Herman T. Weirich, a prominent merchant, farmer, stock dealer, notary public, postmaster, land agent and collector, Spring Bluff, was born in Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, August 2, 1851, and is the eldest of the fourteen children of Frederich I. and Louisa (Schrader) Weirich, who immigrated to the United States in 1859, and settled in Missouri the following year, two miles east of Union, where the father followed shoemaking. Herman T. Weirich received a common-school education, working in the summer time and attending school in the winter. In 1867 he accidentally shot himself in the right knee, and was confined to his room about three years, when, in 1870, he went to St. Louis, where he worked at the butcher’s trade four years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Franklin County, rented a small house, and with a stock of goods, worth about $300, started in the mercantile trade. Part of this was loaned him by a true friend, Richard Farvarsen, now deceased, and the balance by another friend, Henry Wellenkamp, to whose kind assistance Mr. Weirich attributes his early start in business life, referring to their help with grateful remembrance. By good management and economy, his trade rapidly increased. He was appointed postmaster in 1875, and two years later bought of Isaac Young his present site, then known as Five Points; to this point the postoffice was moved, and Mr. Weirich was re-appointed postmaster. The place is now known as Spring Bluff. Mr. Weirich is one of the leading merchants of the county, and carries a general stock valued at $8,000, and his real estate is worth that much or more, and clear of all debts. June 21, 1874, he married Martha J., daughter of Daniel Miller, who departed this life November 3, 1880, leaving two children.. Frederich D. and Edward F.; a daughter, Anna L., having preceded her mother to the grave, and Frederich D. followed January 26, 1883. January 13, 1881, Mr. Weirich married Virginia A., daughter of Eli Park, and by this union are two children, Leonora V. and Qustave E. Mr. Weirich is a member of no church, but a supporter of all worthy enterprises. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1886 was elected justice of the peace by a large majority of the people of Boon Township, which position he resigned in 1887. He is an enterprising citizen and does business on a purely cash basis. He is the only Republican that holds a postoffice under the Democratic administration since the year 1887, for which he is very thankful to said party.