ULRICH WURSTER. - For nearly thirty-five years Ulrich Wurster was accounted one of the most enterprising business men of Springfield, and in a career in which energy, unflagging efforts and perseverance were salient characteristics he won success, so that when called from this life he left his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. He located in Springfield in 1855, being then a lad of but twenty years. He was born in Germany on the 21st of June 1834, a son of John and Christine Wurster, who spent their entire lives in that country, where the father followed the baker's trade.

Ulrich Wurster is indebted to the common school system of the fatherland for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He and a brother were the only ones of the family that came to America, and, crossing the Atlantic to the new world, he made his way direct to Springfield in 1855. Later he established a saloon at the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets, and was engaged in that business for six years, during which time he was married, in 1861, to Miss Christina Richter, who was also born in Germany, a daughter of Gotleib and Wilhelmena Richter, natives of the same country. Her parents emigrated to the new world in 1859, settling in Christian county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming until his life's labors were ended in death. His wife is now living on the old homestead here.

After his marriage Mr. Wurster continued to conduct his saloon until 1861, when he took charge of the Webster Hotel, remaining its proprietor for three years. He then established a bakery, which he conducted until his death, and a good patronage was accorded him by reason of the excellent products which he placed upon the market. He had a modern establishment, thoroughly equipped for the conduct of his business, and gained a large trade.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wurster were born seven children: Annie, wife of J. C. Franks, of Springfield; Martin, a teamster of this city; Mary, deceased; Charlie, who is also a teamster and resides with his mother; George, who is conducting a meat market and also makes his home with his mother; Charlotte and Christine, both at home. The family residence is at No. 232 W. Jackson street, and in addition to this property Mrs. Wurster also owns a nice business block at 620 East Adams street, Springfield, in which her husband conducted a bakery.

Mr. Wurster passed away April 4, 1889. He always voted with the Democracy, and had firm faith in its principles, but never held office or desired political preferment as a reward for his loyalty to the principles which he indorsed. Socially he as connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a worthy type of our German-American citizenship and he never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for in the "land of the free," the land of unbounded business opportunity, he worked his way steadily upward. He placed his dependence upon the sure qualities of labor and perseverance and gained the satisfactory reward which ever crowns continued endeavor directed by sound business judgment.