BACHMANN, CARL (deceased), who for many years carried on farming in Island Grove Township, Sangamon County, Ill., was a public spirited and useful citizen and highly respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Bachmann was born in Ludolphshausen, Hanover, Germany, August 2, 1823, and in his native land learned the trade of weaver, which he followed until coming to America. After the death of his father he brought his mother and two sisters to America, making the trip in 1848. They remained a short time in Philadelphia, then removed to St. Louis, where he obtained work on the levee, carrying sacks of salt. His neck was often raw from the burdens he carried for loading ships, but he would not leave his work, as he had his family depending upon him for their support. His sister Minnie became the wife of Charles White and they removed to Kansas, where both died.

In 1851, with his mother and remaining sister, Mr. Bachmann removed to Island Grove Township, where he worked by the month many years, and in 1855, deciding to marry, rented a farm in the township. His marriage occurred in June of that year to Miss Agnes Strone, a native of Germany, who came to America alone. Mr. Bachmann and his prospective bride walked to Springfield, obtained a license, were married, and spent the first night of their married life in a log hotel, where the only room that could be given them contained a single small bed, on which the bride slept, while her husband composed himself on a pile of sacks in a corner on the floor. It was a rude building, the stars being plainly visible through the roof. In the morning they started on their honeymoon trip back to Island Grove Township, where they began housekeeping in a small one room log cabin. He and his brother together had rented 320 acres of land and became very successful farmers. They afterwards divided the land, each taking 160 acres, having by that time purchased the tract. Mr. Bachmann was an industrious and thrifty man and prospered accordingly. He became one of the honored citizens of his community and remained on his farm until 1895, when failing health led him to retire from active life. He rented property in New Berlin, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away May 21, 1897, at the age of seventy-three years, having been born in August, 1823. He had made many friends by his genuine goodness and honest, upright life, and his funeral was largely attended. He was a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and an active worker in its interests.

Seven children were born to Mr. Bachmann and his wife: Louis died when about thirty-five years of age; Bertha, wife of Henry Utinzere, of Highland, Ill.; Henry, operating a farm in Cartwright Township; Minnie, wife of William Blumenstein; Mary married Charles Long; Lizzie, wife of R. Blumenstine at Lebanon, Ill.; and Charles Bachmann, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Long were parents of five children, namely: Carl, of Quincy, Ill.; William, a druggist of St. Louis; Agnes M.; Adolph, of Des Moines, Ia.; Louise M., with her mother. Mr. Long died December 14, 1898, and after his death his widow continued in the hotel business, which he had followed during his life, purchasing a good building for this enterprise, and continued it with profit until her marriage to Dr. Lewis D. Wiley, a leading physician and surgeon of New Berlin, a sketch of whom also appears in this work. By this union there was one child, Cecil. Mrs. Wiley is an estimable and capable woman and is descended from a long line of well-to-do German ancestors. Many of her family became leading citizens of Sangamon County. She is a useful and active member of the Baptist Church of New Berlin, of which she is serving as Church Clerk. Like her brothers and sisters, she was reared in the Lutheran faith, but later in life united with the Baptist Church. Both her father and Mr. Long's father were largely instrumental in building and maintaining the first Lutheran Church at New Berlin.

The youngest son, Charles, still resides on the old home farm in Cartwright Township.