GEORGE SINNIGER does a good business as a hardware merchant in Auburn and is numbered among its citizens who are most highly considered. He was a volunteer in the late war and won a record for bravery and efficiency as a soldier, of which he and his may well be proud. He is a son of Joseph Sinniger who was born in Alsace, Germany, and was the son of an Alsatian. In his youth he learned the trade of a watch maker, and married in his native land. He subsequently came to America and located in Hummelstown, Pa., where he engaged as a watch maker and a manufacturer of fine clocks until his untimely death soon after he settled there. He was twice married and by his first marriage had six children: Joseph and Antonia, residents of Pennsylvania; Catherine, died in Philadelphia; Frances, died in Dauphin County, Pa.; Barbara; and John who died young.
The mother of our subject was, in her maiden days, Albertina Foglemann, and she was a native of Wurtemburg. She came to America when a young woman and was here married first to Mr. Kretzmeire. One child was born of that marriage, Sophia, who married A. T. Pipher, an attorney at Monticello, and died at Lincoln, Neb. The mother of our subject came to Illinois in 1881 and died in Monticello at the venerable age of seventy-five years. She was a woman of strong Christian faith and a member of the Lutheran Church.
George Sinniger was the only child of his parents and was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin County, Pa., December 28, 1837. He was but nine months old when his father died. He was reared in his native county, and passed the first ten years of his life in the town of his birth where he had common-school advantages. At the age mentioned he went to Middletown, where he lived three years and in the meantime he attended a subscription school. When he was fifteen years old he went to Harrisburg, Pa., to serve an apprenticeship of four years to learn the trade of a tinner. After that he did journey work in that city, and was engaged for some eight years in one shop. He subsequently worked in Halifax, and in Lykers Valley. Returning to Harrisburg he resumed work with his old employer and remained with him until the war broke out.
In October, 1861, Mr. Sinniger and Miss Mary Debaugh were united in matrimony in the city of Harrisburg, which was the place of Mrs. Sinniger's birth. Their married life has been as felicitous as usually falls to the lot of mortals, and together they have built up a home that is the seat of genuine comfort and true hospitality. They have had eleven children namely: Mary F., wife of C. R. Randle, of Auburn; George J., who is married and is with his father; David d., a resident of Deadwood, S. Dak.; Albertin M., living at home with her parents; Joseph W., deceased; Julia J.; John H., Lewis M., Charles F., Clarence W. and Veronica C., the latter six of whom are at home with their parents.
After his marriage Mr. Sinniger continued at his trade until August 1862, when he abandoned it to take up arms in defense of his country's honor, enlisting in that month in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Harrisburg. He was made Color Corporal of his company soon after he became a member and with his comrades assisted in guarding the chain bridge. December 13, the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh did some hard fighting at the battle of Fredericksburg and for four days thereafter was under steady fire. At Chancellorsville, May 3, they did their duty bravely and then the nine months' men were discharged being mustered out in May, 1863.
Our subject resumed work at his trade after leaving the army in Pennsylvania until March, 1864, when he came to Illinois. He worked at his calling in Monticello for awhile and then started in business for himself, opening a tin and stove store and later consolidated with Mr. Pipher who had a hardware store. In June, 1865, Mr. Sinniger sold out his interest in that concern and returned to Pennsylvania where he entered the employ of his old master and was with him two years. In September, 1867, he came back to this State and again located at Monticello where he engaged as journeyman for his brother-in-law.
In the spring of 1869 our subject came to Chatham, Sangamon County, and opened a store for the sale of stoves, tin, etc. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Auburn and entered into partnership with D. R. Buck to carry on the business of selling hardware, tin, wire and all articles found in a hardware store. Eighteen months later, Mr. Sinniger took another partner in the person of Mr. W. H. Hummel, and they remained together until 1881, since which time our subject has continued in business alone. He bought his present building in 1882 and in 1888 moved into it, having previously rented it to others. It is a commodious, conveniently arranged building, 22x104 feet in dimensions and it is neatly fitted up and well stocked. Mr. Sinniger carries an excellent line of hardware and is doing a very profitable and extensive business. There is a shop in connection with the store which is under the management of his son who has had charge of it some years. Besides his store and stock, our subject owns other valuable property here, including the handsome residence that he has erected in a pleasant part of town.
Mr. Sinniger has been a member of the village board for several years, and President thereof two terms. He was School Director three years. He is well known in social circles by his connection with the Masons and with the Grand Army of the Republic. He is identified with the latter organization as a member of J. W. Dodds Post at Auburn, of which he is Officer of the Day. As a Mason he has passed all the Chairs, and has been Master for two years. He belongs to the Royal Arch Masons in this village and was High Priest three years; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America here. He is a true Republican and has been delegate to County conventions. Mrs. Sinniger is a woman of high character and social standing and is a devoted member of the Catholic Church.