JOHN M. AHRENS, the lumber merchant of Staunton, was born November 30th, 1828, in Holstein, Germany, the son of John Ahrens and Anna Lucks. He obtained a good business education, attending school till seventeen years of age. When he was twenty-seven years old he emigrated to America. He came directly to Staunton, where he had a brother living. This was in the year 1855. He had learned in Germany the trade of a cabinet maker, and followed that business for about twenty years in Staunton, carrying on in connection with it a furniture store. In 1867 he began the lumber business. In the year 1858 he was married to Eliza Ruther, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to Illinois in 1847. By this marriage he has had ten children, of whom nine are now living. He has always been a republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1860. For four years he acted as clerk of Staunton township; has served at different times as member of town board of trustees, and has held other positions. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, and a citizen who bears an excellent reputation for strict honesty and integrity.