WEHRLE, AUGUST, who has for twenty-eight years been engaged in the dairy business in Springfield, Ill., is one of the old and honored residents of the city, and has seen and taken part in many changes that have occurred here. He is a native of Baden Germany, born August 11, 1834, a son of August and Mary Wehrle, natives of Germany. August Wehrle, Sr., was a commissioned officer in the German army, being employed in guarding the German frontier on the line of France. He died in Germany and shortly thereafter his widow came to Springfield, where she remained until her death in 1902, at the age of ninety-two years.
August Wehrle was but eighteen years old when he came to America, his education having been secured in the schools of his native land. He first located in New Orleans, went thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later the Brooklyn, Ind., but subsequently walked back to Cincinnati, where he remained two years. He then went to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he remained a short time, but again went back to Cincinnati, and commenced working on the river boats running from Cincinnati to St. Louis. In 1859 he transferred his residence to St. Louis, but continued to work on the river and was so engaged until 1865, when he came to Springfield, and this has been his home ever since. For twenty-eight years he was engaged in a dairy business and his efforts met with success. He is a member of St. Vincent's Society and of the Catholic Church of SS. Peter and Paul. In political convictions he is a stanch Democrat.
In 1861, in St. Louis, Mr. Wehrle was married to Theresa Metzger, a native of Baden, Germany, who died in January, 1908. Of the fifteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wehrle the following survive: Burkhart, living at home; Henry, in the employ of the West End Coal Company; Adam; Charles, who is engaged in the transfer business; Emily, the wife of Levi Hurt; Mary, who married John Whitmore; Anna, who is the wife of Gus Opert, an engineer of Danville, Ill.; Eva, the wife of Joseph Loeser, in the employ of the Schneck Lumber Company; and Lena, the wife of Frederick Gramlich.