JOHN A. BOEHM is one of the leading citizens of foreign birth who have found in America the opportunities they sought for advancement along business lines. Mr. Boehm was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1825, his parents being John and Margaret (Kinter) Boehm, who were married in Bavaria in 1815. The father was a shoemaker and also served as land agent for the German government for ten years. He came to the United States in 1838, locating in Belleville, Illinois, where two years later he was joined by his family. Because he came on a "visit" and did not return the German government confiscated his estate in that country. His family afterward sold all of their household effects, including a number of fine musical instruments (violins of great value) and thus secured the money necessary to pay the passage of the mother and children to the new world, save that John Boehm sent one hundred dollars for this purpose. They arrived in St. Louis in January, 1841. On the long voyage a brother of our subject, also named John, was ill, but he recovered his health and served in the Mexican war. The father continued to reside in Belleville, Illinois, until his death, which occurred in 1843, when the subject of this review was eighteen years of age. In the family were nine brothers and sisters, all born in Germany. Three died in infancy, but the others came to America, namely: Margaret, Connigunto, Christopher, Christina, John and Frank. Of this number Margaret died in 1849, at the age of thirty-four years, leaving a daughter. Connigunto died in Peoria in 1884, at the age of sixty-nine years. Christina, now Mrs. Lanman, lives in Sedalia, Missouri, and has eight children. Christopher made his home in Missouri until his death, which occurred in 1874, when he was sixty years of age. John died in Missouri at the age of sixty-two years, leaving a family. Frank died in 1876. He had been appointed master of the Seventh corps of the state militia.

John A. Boehm was granted good educational privileges in his native country and when a boy he was noted for his skill as a neat, legible penman and bookkeeper, his father requiring him to do the clerical work in making out the reports for the government during the ten years that he served as land agent for Germany. He was also attendant under the various priests under whose jurisdiction he served and his proficiency in his duties was warmly commended. He accompanied his parents to the new world and later he removed to Fayette, Missouri. Subsequently, however, he returned from Missouri ti Morgan county, Illinois, where he lived for a few years and afterward settled in Madison county, this state. His next home was in Pike county, followed by a residence in Woodford county and in 1858 he came to Greene county, where he opened his shoe store and shop which he still conducts. His life has been one of untiring activity and in all of his business career his labors have been characterized by unfaltering diligence and perseverance.

In January, 1846, Mr. Boehm was united in marriage to Miss Frances Elizabeth Rourk, a daughter of Timothy and Nancy (Wriston) Rourk. Her parents were natives of Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1823, her father dying of consumption while in Springfield. Mrs. Boehm was born in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1827, and by this marriage there are ten children: Frank, born in St. Louis, in 1848p; Robert C., who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1850, and is now postmaster of White Hall; John, who was born in 1852, in Pekin, Illinois; Jennie, who was born in Bloomington, Illinois, and became the wife of a Mr. Rich, her death occurring in 1901 in Chicago, she leaving two children; Thomas, who died at the age of six years; Theodore, who died at the age of six months; Charles E., who was born in March, 1857; William A., who was born in 1860 and is now chief clerk in a large jewelry establishment in St. Louis, Missouri; and Lena, who was born in 1868 and is at home. The second son, Robert C., married Matilda Mann, and they have three children: Clyde, Harry and Lillian. Their mother was a niece of E. V. Baldwin, who died in 1904, and made Clyde executor of the estate, although he is but a young man.

In his political views Mr. Boehm is a stalwart Republican. In the early days he was acquainted with both Douglas and Lincoln and at different times voted for each, but he became a stanch Republican and has always adhered to the party. He was offered the postoffice at Edwardsville, but has never sought or desired political preferment, content to do his duty as a private citizen. He was long a member of the Catholic church and for twenty years was a member of the Odd Fellows Society. Now in his eightieth year he has discontinued active connection herewith. His life has been well spent, characterized by activity and industry in business, and throughout the long years of his residence in Greene county he has enjoyed the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He possesses many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry and is numbered among the valued adopted sons of Illinois.