WILLIAM F. UCHTMANN, now deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, in August, 1821, and died at his home in Cahokia Township on the 6th of March, 1877, respected by all who knew him. He was for many years one of the prominent German citizens of the community and an enterprising farmer. In the usual manner of farmer lads his boyhood days were spent, and when he had attained to mature years he resolved to seek his fortune in the New World. At the age of twenty-four he bade good-by to his native land and sailed for America, landing in New York, whence he came to Louisville, Ky., working in the vicinity of that city for some time as a farm laborer. On coming to Illinois in an early day, he located in Mt. Olive, Macoupin County. Much of the land was still owned by the Government, and being unimproved, he decided to obtain a portion of it and make a home for himself. To this end he secured a tract on section 36, Cahokia Township, where he ever afterward resided, and at his death he had a valuable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres, all under a high state of cultivation and equipped with all the improvements necessary to the model farm of the nineteenth century. Not a furrow had been turned when he came into possession of the land and all the work done upon it has been the labor of his own hands. He always kept his farm well stocked with a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and the neat appearance of the place was excellent evidence of his thrift and enterprise.

As a helpmate on life's journey Mr. Uchtmann chose Miss Minnie Grossenhider, their marriage being celebrated near Mt. Olive. She was born in Prussia, Germany, July 15, 1836, and is a daughter of William and Catherine (Searf) Grossenhider. Her father died in Germany at the age of forty nine years. He followed farming for a livelihood. His widow afterward came to this country and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Uchtmann, at the ripe old age of seventy-two years. In their family were nine children, all of whom came to this country, while seven are yet living. Mrs. Uchtmann, the fourth in order of birth, was nineteen years old when, with a brother, she came to the United States, sailing from Bremen to New Orleans, and thence coming up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and Macoupin County, where two years later she was married. By their union were born ten children, but only five are now living - Fritz, who married Lena Neilhouse and resides upon a part of the home farm; Minnie C., Anna L. S., Matilda W. and Edward F. A. who are still living with their mother. Henry died at the age of eleven years; Ida and Herman were both six years of age at the time of their deaths; John also died in childhood, and another died in infancy.

Mr. Uchtmann came to this country to make a home and the United States had no truer citizen; he lived with an eye single to the interests of the township and county, and his labors were felt in the community for good. An honest, upright man, he won the respect of all who knew him and had many warm friends who shared with the family in their loss. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, to the support of which he gave liberally, and in politics was a Republican, having held some local offices, the duties of which he ever faithfully discharged. His industrious and enterprising habits enabled him to leave his family in comfortable circumstances. Since her husband's death Mrs. Uchtmann has managed the home farm and displays much business and executive ability in so doing. She and all of the children are members of the Lutheran Church and the family is favorably known throughout the community.