SCHWEER, Otto. - One of the old and much respected families of Cass County, the Schweers, a narrative of whose personal history may be found elsewhere in this volume, is still further represented by the subject of this sketch, a resident of Beardstown, and a son of Fred and Catherine (German) Schweer, long and favorably known in this vicinity. Otto Schweer, who is among the most energetic, intelligent and industrious of the younger members of the community, was born in Beardstown, Ill., September 23, 1874. In boyhood he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and at an early period, learned the trade of a machinist, at which he worked from the age of sixteen years, although he lived with his parents until he was twenty-six years old.
At this time, December 21, 1900, occurred Mr. Schweer's marriage to Tillie Hendriker, who was born in Cass County, Ill., her father and mother also being natives of this county. After his marriage Mr. Schweer was engaged for a time in the laundry business, and some of his time was devoted to his trade of machinist. In 1903, he formed a connection with a stock company under the name of the Goodell Ice and Fuel Company, in which he continued active until 1909, when he went into the coal business. For a while he has been wholesale agent for the Pabst Brewing Company of Beardstown and vicinity. In all his undertakings he has met with a good measure of success, and in the various enterprises which have occupied his attention, he has made numerous friends who hold him in high regard. In his political course Mr. schweer has uniformly acted with the Democratic party. He is affiliated with the A.F. & A.M., being a Knight Templar, and is also identified with the B.P.O.E. No. 1007, and the A.O.F., all of Beardstown.