Illinois:  History of Cass County, Illinois, ed. William Henry 
Perrin. O. L. Baskin & Co. Historical Publishers, Chicago, 1882. 
Cass County.

JUDGE JOHN A. ARENZ, Beardstown; was born Oct. 28, 1810, in 
Blankenburg, Province of the Rhine, Prussia.  After having 
received a good school education, he was sent to an institute, 
where he received instruction in languages, drawing, engineering, 
surveying and music.  Then he was employed for a year in a corps 
of surveyors, working for the government.  He then entered as a 
student in a college, and for two years in the seminary at Bruhl, 
near Cologne.  After having passed his examination, he received an 
appointment as teacher, and after having served in that capacity 
one year, was promoted to the office of principal, with three 
assistants.  He held that position until 1835, when he resigned, 
and came to the United States, at the solicitation of his brother 
Francis, with whom he resided for several years.  In 1836 he was 
employed as assistant engineer in the survey of a canal.  For the 
purpose of perfecting himself in the English language and 
acquiring a knowledge of mercantile business, he entered a store 
at Springfield, where he remained until 1838, when his brother 
took him as a partner in his business.  In 1844, he became the 
editor of a campaign paper, advocating the election of henry Clay 
for the presidency, published at Springfield in the German 
language.  He has been engaged in various business enterprises, 
and held many different offices.  His first commission as Justice 
of the Peace, is dated Aug. 21, 1843; his first commission as 
Notary Public, is dated May 1, 1850, which office he held ever 
since.  He was the first Mayor of the City of Beardstown, in 1850.  
He was twice elected to the office of County Judge, was admitted 
to the bar March 13, 1865; he also holds a diploma from the German 
National Society for Trade and Industry, dated Feb. 22, 1850, at 
Leipzig.  He never followed the practice of law before the courts; 
but he has settled up more estates, and of more value, than any 
man in Cass County.  In the memorable county seat contest, in 
1867, between Beardstown and Virginia, he was the Justice chosen 
by Beardstown, and selected by the two other justices, as 
presiding officer.  The citizens of Beardstown were so well 
satisfied with his services, that when the decision had been made, 
they serenaded him.  He has retired from all active business 
affairs, to settle up his own matters.  He married in 1849, Miss 
Mary L. Miller, who is yet living, and the mother of two 
daughters, one of whom is the wife of Philip Kuhl, in Beardstown, 
and the other the wife of S.O. Spring, in Peoria.

Arenz Miller Kuhl Spring 
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Prussia