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

JUDGE J. W. REARICK, Judge elect, of Cass County; was born in
Prussia, on March 17, 1833, and is the fifth of seven children. 
In 1837, his father emigrated with his family from Prussia to
this country, settling first in Franklin County, Pa.  Here he
engaged in work at his trade, that of a tinner.  About the year
1856, he came West in quest of a location, and fixed upon
Beardstown, Ill., as his future home, to which town he soon
removed.  Here he commenced work at his trade, which he
prosecuted with success, until his death, which occurred in 1868. 
He was known as a workman of more than ordinary skill, a
substantial and fair minded citizen.  It is scarcely necessary to
add, that the father was careful that his sons each acquired a
tarde, to the end that they might be more useful men, and
independent citizens.  Jacob W. accordingly received instructions
in tin-smithing of his father.  He also acquired a fair
schooling.  He preceded his father to Beardstown, having located
there in 1854, and commenced work as a tinner with his brother,
Francis H., who was at that time established in business there. 
With the latter Jacob w. soon formed a partnership, which lasted
for nineteen years.  During this time he also formed a
partnership with another brother, Frederick, and the firm
erected, and for about five years conducted, a steam flour mill. 
Mr. Rearick at the same time continuing with Francis H., in this
business, which had merged into a general hardware and
agricultural implement trade.  Judge Rearick was married April
29, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Kuhl, daughter of George Kuhl, of
Beardstown.  Mrs. Rearick died April 1, 1863, leaving an infant
son, George Francis.  Judge Rearick again married on April 3,
1866, to Miss Amanda, daughter of William L. Sargent, Esq., of
Morgan County.  By this union they have eight children, all of
whom are living, viz.:  Elsie, Ann, Lydia, John H., Susan A.,
Frederic, Elizabeth and Jennie.  In November, 1877, Judge Rearick
was elected to the Judgeship of Cass County, and since that time
has filled the responsible position with entire satisfaction to
the citizens of the county.  His re-nomination was strongly urged
by many of his friends, but the demands of his business and other
duties made upon his time, was his excuse for declining further
honors, and at the expiration of his present term of office he
intends to retire from politics.  The success of Judge Rearick in
rising from comparative obscurity of the prominent position he
now occupies as a citizen, standing at the head of the public
affairs of his county, is worthy of note, as showing what
uprightness, and increasing energy, worked with a purpose, will
accomplish in our country of free thought, free speech, and free
institutions.

Rearick Kuhl Sargent
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Prussia Franklin-PA Morgan-IL