WILLIAM C. BOLLMAN, Postmaster at Browning, is a native of Pike county, Illinois, born March 13, 1839. His parents were John and Rebecca (Hedgen) Bollman. Both were natives of Ohio and came to Illinois in 1837, locating in Pike county, where the father died in 1850, and the mother died in Quincy, of the cholera, when it was raging there. There were seven children by this marriage, and two by the former one. The brothers and sisters of William were: Michael, deceased; our subject was the next child; Samuel, still living in Pike county, married; John, deceased; Orville, deceased; Sarah Massey of Fulton county, Illinois; Mary O., married; Aaron Finton resides near Pittsfield, Illinois, The other two are dead.

William grew to manhood in Pike county, and married there Miss Amanda Preston, of Ohio. Her parents were John and Hannah Preston. The father died when Mrs. Bollman was a child, but the mother died in Browning with her daughter, Mrs. Bollman.

Mr. Bollman farmed for many years in Pike county, and then removed to Browning, Schuyler county, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Third Illinois Cavalry, as a private, and became Quarter Master Sergeant of his regiment. He served four years and two months, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge; was with Sherman when he made the attack on Haines' Bluff, at Vicksburg; was at the capture of Arkansas Post, and from thence to Hollow Springs, Mississippi; did scouting duty in Mississippi, and afterward had a serious engagement at Gravelly Springs, Tennessee, and he was also engaged in many other skirmishes and battles of less importance. After the surrender of the rebel armies, the regiment was sent across the plains to award the Indians, and remained there until October, 1865. They were mustered out at Minneapolis, October 10, 1865. Mr. Bollman returned to Browning, and engaged in farming, and remained in that business until 1887, when he engaged in mercantile business. He was appointed Postmaster in 1890, and still holds that position.

Mr. and Mrs. Bollman have had nine children, but only one of that number is living, Frank, now twenty-three years of age, is married and resides in Beardstown, Illinois. The Bollman family are of German and Irish origin. Mr. Bollman is a Republican, though he entered the army as a Democrat, but changed his views while in the service, and has faithfully voted with the Republican party ever since. He is a member of the G.A.R., also of the I.O.O.F., Browning Lodge, No. 309. He is a P.G., and has represented his lodge for two years at the Grand Lodge of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Bollman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Bollman was not the only member of his family who served in the late war; a brother, Samuel, served three years in the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry. Both escaped injury, except to general health.