MEISENBACHER, JOHN, a retired merchant of Springfield, Ill., is highly esteemed by all who know him and has been identified with the best interests of his community since locating there. He was born in Baden, Germany, April 7, 1843, and his parents and grandparents were all natives of Baden. He is a son of Adam and Catherine (Miller) Meisenbacher, who came to Newark, N.J., when John was fifteen years of age, and died there. John Meisenbacher received his early education in his native country, and supplemented the same by a course in the public schools of Newark, where he lived from 1858 until 1864, there learning the trade of butcher. In March of the latter year he came to Springfield and began working at his trade, which he continued until 1869, when he embarked in business on his own account, conducting a shop of his own until 1890 with fair success and winning the confidence of his patrons by honest dealing and good service.

From 1902 until 1906 Mr. Meisenbacher was employed by the City of Springfield. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, in politics being a Democrat. He belongs to the Crystal Light and the Royal Circle. He owns a comfortable home at 130 West Miller Street, Springfield, where he has resided for the last eight years. He has witnessed many changes in Springfield during the time it has been his home and has formed many strong friendships.

Mr. Meisenbacher was married in Springfield, January 21, 1868, to Miss Mary Ramsteader, who was born in Belleville, Ill., in 1850, a daughter of Lawrence and Catherine (Shink) Ramsteader, both natives of Bavaria, where their parents were also born, and early settlers in Illinois. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meisenbacher, viz: Catherine, born in Springfield, November 1, 1869, married Ora Quivey, is proprietor of a livery stable in Springfield, and they have two children - Ora and Mary; Margaret, born in Springfield, November 29, 1871, is unmarried and living at home; John, born in Springfield, August 22, 1873, married Daisy Baker of Springfield, and they live in Telsa, Oklahoma; Dora, born in Springfield, January 29, 1877, is unmarried and living at home; Leo F., born in Springfield, July 29, 1891, lives at home; Lawrence, born in Springfield, in 1881, died in 1894.