LOVEKAMP, CHRISTIAN, an enterprising and thrifty farmer, living in Arenzville, Ill., whose farm is situated in township 17, range 11, Cass County, was born in the same township, October 16, 1878, a son of Henry and Louisa (Breyer) Lovekamp, natives of Germany. The grandfather, Frederick Lovekamp, became a resident of Cass County when the father of the subject of this sketch was an infant. After reaching the United States, he and his family journeyed to Cass County, Ill., by way of St. Louis, settling in the vicinity of Arenzville. When the parents of Christian Lovekamp were married and had located on a farm in Cass County, Grandfather Lovekamp started back to the old country, and died on the ocean. The land originally occupied by the family was unimproved, although it was large in extent. Henry Lovekamp died in Arenzville, April 10, 1913, having lived there since 1905. His wife died February 16, 1908. The children of Henry and Louisa Lovekamp were as follows: Fred, of Bluffs, Scott County, Ill.; Charles, of Lee County, Ill.; Elizabeth (Mrs. William Nobis); Augusta (Mrs. Charles (Nobis); George, of Cass County; Amelia, who died at the age of two years; and Christian and Amanda (Mrs. Fred Kleinschmidt), both of Cass County.

Christian Lovekamp attended the district school and the German Lutheran school in his youth, and remained with his parents until he was married. He was wedded on February 25, 1904, to Lydia Roegge, born in Cass County, Ill., a daughter of George and Mary (Schroeder) Roegge. After his marriage Mr. Lovekamp rented a farm of his father-in-law. In 1906 he moved to the home of his wife's parents, with whom he remained until their death, when 200 acres of land was inherited by his wife. Mr. Lovekamp bought eighty acres in Cass County, and 120 acres in Morgan County, all adjoining, but he operates his wife's farm only, renting out the rest. Besides grain farming, he is engaged in raising stock, and is successful in all his undertakings. He has remodeled th dwelling on the home farm, making it thoroughly modern. Mr. and Mrs. Lovekamp have four children: Alma, born December 14, 1904; Lawrence, born November 22, 1906; Harold, born March 21, 1908; and Margaret, born January 24, 1911.

In politics Mr. Lovekamp acts with the Democratic party. He has served as road commissioner, and has filled the office of school director since 1909. He is a useful member of the community, and a farmer of sound judgment. He is a director of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Arenzville, Ill., and a director of the Jacksonville Monument Company, of Jacksonville, Ill.