LOOMANN, JOHN B. - One of the oldest residents of Beardstown, Ill., and one of the best and most favorably known citizens of the community, is John B. Loomann, who was born in Holland, September 29, 1842. His father, John Albert Loomann, with his mother, Minnie (Bemers) Loomann, landed in Beardstown in June, 1846. The father followed the trade of a plasterer on his arrival and thus continued during the remainder of his life, dying in 1863, his widow passing away October 18, 1894.

A notable period in the life of John B. Loomann was his term of service in the Union army during the Civil war, which covered a period of three years and one day. When a lad he attended the parochial schools and stayed with his parents until the time of his enlistment, which was on October 18, 1861. On that date he became a member of Company G, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged October 19, 1864. He was in the Army of the West, taking part in the battle of Shiloh; the siege of Corinth; Memphis, the Hatchie River; Vicksburg; and Jackson, Miss., and in February, 1864, participated in a raid through Mississippi, from Vicksburg to Meridian, destroying property on the march. Returning to Canton, Miss., the force burned the bridge there, the squad of thirty-five railroad engines which were on it at the time being plunged into the river. Thence Mr. Loomann's regiment went on to Atlanta, skirmishing constantly. On June 27, 1864, during the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Mr. Loomann was wounded in the left leg by a gunshot which passed through the limb, after which he was discharged, and returned to Beardstown. He was, in course of time, employed as a carpenter, and for nineteen years worked in the B. B. & Q. Railroad shops, where, for eight years, he had charge of a crew of carpenters. Quitting this connection in 1899, he followed his trade in the city until 1913, when he retired from active life.

On June 4, 1868, Mr. Looman was united in marriage with Maria Barbara Scheurle, born in Wurttemberg, Germany, November 15, 1846, a daughter of Ludwig C. Scheurle, and an orphan from the age of nine years. The children resulting from this union were as follows: John Gotlieb, born June 19, 1869, died February 28, 1870; John Frederick, born November 20, 1870, died December 20, 1872; Lydia Maria, born October 11, 1872 (Mrs. William Yeagow), of Beardstown; Gustaf Adolph, of Beardstown, born March 21, 1875; Minnie Elizabeth, born January 26, 1877 (Mrs. Rev. N. K. C. Vette), of Junction City, Kans.; Frederick William, born December 3, 1878, died January 12, 1879; Marie Frederika, of Sheridan Wyo., born May 15, 1880; Henry William, of Beardstown, born October 25, 1882; Edward T., of Chicago, born July 24, 1884; Clara Emma, of Chicago, born November 3, 1886; and Freda Rinetta A., born November 28, 1888, died June 23, 1890.

In religious belief Mr. Loomann is a Lutheran and has served as a deacon in the church for thirty-seven years, and as cashier for eighteen years. In politics he acts with the Progressive party. He is a man of high character, and is greatly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances.