Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1006

AMRHEIN, CHRISTOPH - When one line of business has been conducted by the same family generation after generation, the father passing his interests down to his sons, along with his knowledge, gained through many years of practical experience, and they in turn passing it along to their sons, the excellence of the product of that business is assured. Christian Amrhein, who conducts one of Springfield's leading baking establishments, comes of a long line of bakers of Germany, which country has the acknowledged reputation of furnishing the leading bakers of any country in the world. Mr. Amrhein was born in Germany, December 29, 1864, and is a son of Lorenz and Mary (Kizetener) Amrhein, both of whom died in the Fatherland.

Mr. Amrhein's grandfather was a well-known baker in Germany, where the family had conducted the same business for more than 400 years, and the branch of the family in that line in the old country is now represented by Mr. Amrhein's brother, Carl, to whom he paid a visit in 1908. Christoph Amrhein learned the baking trade of his father and came to Springfield direct from the place of his birth, arriving in this city October 13, 1881. Being enterprising and energetic, he soon established a place of his own and for twenty-nine years has been rated among the leading men in his line in the city. He is a Catholic in his religious views, the family being prominent in German Catholic circles in the city, and is connected with the Western Catholic Union, St. Vincent's Society and the State Federation of Catholic Germans, of which later he is the President. He is a Democrat in politics but is liberal and votes rather for the man than the party.

On May 17, 885, Mr. Amrhein was married to Josepha Gefaell. The family came to Springfield from Germany in 1846, but after six years went back to Germany, returning to Springfield in 1862, and again going back to the Fatherland in 1868. The father's death occurred in 1904, but the mother still survives. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Amhrein, namely: Mary, born December 4, 1886, residing at home; Nicholas, teller in the First National Bank of Springfield; Kate, at home; Carl, who is working with his father; and Louisa. All of the children received good educations in the parochial school of SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church.