LAUTERBACH, JOHN. - Every line of industrial activity has its representative at Springfield and in Sangamon County, for this is a central location, with unexcelled transportation facilities, in addition to which there exists here a large and healthy demand for commodities of all descriptions. One of the prosperous business men of the county is John Lauterbach, a brick manufacturer. Like so many of his fellow townsmen, Mr. Lauterbach is a native of Germany, having been born February 5, 1840. He is a son of John and Margaret Lauterbach, both natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1844, landing in New Orleans, whence they came by wagon to Sangamon County. For two years the father worked at whatever employment he could secure that promised to yield a living for his little family, but the hardships were to much for him and he died in 1846. The brave mother, however, struggled along, bringing up her son John, who was the only one of her five children to survive. Mrs. Lauterbach died in 1891.

John Lauterbach attended the little subscription schools of Springfield, and early had to seek employment to help his mother. This was first found in the slaughter house, when he was twelve years old. There he learned the butcher's trade, working at it until he was thirty-two years old, when he turned his attention to the manufacture of bricks. Finding this a profitable business, he has since been engaged in it, and has furnished brick for a number of the stately piles that make Springfield so beautiful a city, including the State House. He also furnished brick for the fair grounds, the rolling mills, several school buildings and other important structures, the quality of his product being such as to command an excellent market.

Mr. Lauterbach was married in Springfield, Ill., February 24, 1863, to Margaret Young, born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Adam Young. He came to Illinois at an early date, being one of the pioneers, and died in 1899. He had served in the Civil War and was a well known character. Mrs. Lauterbach died in February, 1903, and her remains were interred by the side of three of her eleven children, and one grandchild. Eleven children were born to them, those living being: Margaret, wife of Herman H. Straustaffer, a farmer; Mallie, wife of Oliver Dunn, a carpenter; J. E., a grocer of Springfield; George W., a teamster; Fred, a partner of J. E., in the grocery business; Ada, wife of William Bauer, a contractor and builder; Clarence living at home, and Katherine Boener. There are thirteen grandchildren in the family.

The Lutheran Church holds Mr. Lauterbach's membership, and he is an earnest supporter of its creed. He has always voted the straight Democratic ticket and believes in the principles of that party. For fifteen years he served as a member of the old fire department, and has borne his part in saving property and preserving the lives of those in danger. He owns eighteen acres of land within the city limits, near the cemetery, that is worth $500 per acre.

A sturdy, upright, honorable man, Mr. Lauterbach displays many of the distinguishing traits of his countrymen, being industrious and thrifty. He has worked up from nothing into his present state of affluence, and has every reason to be proud of having accomplished so much within the span of a lifetime, hampered by early poverty and lack of training. His family is a fine one, and he takes great pleasure in their progress and affection and that of his grandchildren.