AUGUST MOJONIER. In this broad and glorious country of ours where industry and natural ability are the two leading powers in the commercial world, we find natives of every country who have given up the home of their childhood and journeyed forth to seek a broader field for their labor. And as a rule the foreigners who come here prospecting, as it were, remain and in the course of time become naturalized citizens and bring with them habits of industry and firmness of character that enable them to achieve a grand success in their chosen line of labor.
Our subject's birth occurred in Aubonne, Vaud County, Switzerland, on the 28th of August, 1840, and in that romantic and picturesque country he passed the first nine years of his life. His parents, Frederick and Rosetta (Agnet) Mojonier, emigrated to America and landed in New Orleans in the month of May, 1850, and at a later date moved to Highland, Madison County, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and our subject continued to reside with his parents and work on the farm until he had reached his twenty third year.
Mr. Mojonier received only a limited education, and was instructed entirely in the French tongue, consequently he has been compelled to teach himself, and has acquired knowledge of a practical rather than of a literary nature. When twenty three years of age - January, 1864 - he was married to Miss Anna M. Junod, daughter of Louis and Annette Junod, who were also natives of Switzerland, having emigrated to America in 1849. Her father died in St. Louis in the fall of 1849, and the widowed mother with her five children moved to Madison County, Illinois, where Anna was raised and educated, and resided there at the time of her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Mojonier are the parents of five children, four of whom died in infancy. Their son, A. Louis, was born February 20, 1869, and married Miss Bertha Hobson. He makes his home at Danneboro, Howard County, Neb., where he is engaged in a general merchandise business. The family are members of the Brethren Church at Springfield.
Our subject's father was born in Switzerland and was the son of Samuel Mojonier. He was a shoe manufacturer while he lived in his native country, but after settling in Madison County he engaged in farming. Our subject began purchasing grain at Highland in 1868, and he shipped the first car load of grain ever sent from that station over the Vandalia Railroad. He established a large and profitable business during the sixteen years he lived at that place, and then removed to Springfield. But at the expiration of two years he purchased the elevator at Chatham, where he now resides. He is doing a prosperous business in the lines of lumber, builders' supplies and grain trade. He has won the regard and respect of all throughout this community. The subject of our sketch is worthy of great praise, having succeeded in his efforts in life and enjoying the friendship of those who know him.