CARLS, GEORGE F., postmaster and merchant of Bluff Springs, is one of the substantial men of Cass County whose public spirit and progressive ideas have been rewarded by his appointment to public office. He was born in Cass County, January 24, 1874, a son of John F. and Mary C. (Blohm) Carls, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Cass County, Ill., where she was born in 1859. The paternal grandfather, also John F. Carls, was born in Hanover, Germany, and in coming to the United States with his family, lost his wife on the way, from cholera. He made his way to Beardstown with his three children and there found employment as a carpenter, where he was subsequently killed in an accident through a timber slipping from his fellow workmen and crushing him.

George F. Carls attended the country schools of his district and for two years was a student at the Wesleyan Normal school, Bloomington, Ill. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at it about ten years, and then established his store at Bluff Springs, which he has conducted ever since, enlarging his mercantile operations as his trade has justified. For about five years he has been postmaster, and is recognized as one of the leading men of the place. He is a Democrat, and has served as a school director for four years. For some years he has belonged to Bluff Springs Camp No. 1489, M.W.A. The Methodist church of Bluff Springs holds his membership and has his active support.

On August 4, 1896, Mr. Carls was married in Cass County, to Emma L. Jones, who was born in the county, January 15, 1878, a daughter of Louis A. and Rosa (Dale) Jones, natives of Illinois. Mr. Jones was agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Bluff Springs for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have three children: George Richard, Rosemary, and Frank Maro, all of whom were born in Cass County. Mr. Carls owns his store building and residence at Bluff Springs. He is a very companionable man, and his personal popularity is attested by the fact that although a Democrat, he was appointed to the office of postmaster by a Republican president. In addition to his other duties, Mr. Carls performs those of a notary public.