CASPER WESTERMEIER, JR. Probably no resident of Carlinville is more widely known, by reputation at least, than Mr. Westermeier, who was for several years the incumbent of the office of County Clerk. In the arduous position, with all its responsibilities, he proved faithful, accurate and trustworthy, and his resignation was accepted with regret. When he withdrew from politics he opened an office for general abstract of title, insurance and real-estate business and he represents some of the best insurance companies in the United States, while his familiarity with the records of Macoupin County makes him exceptionally reliable in examination of titles to real estate.

Mr. Westermeier is descended from excellent German stock, both parents having been born in the Old Country. His father, for whom he is named, was a native of Prussia, and his mother, Anna Marie Deckemeier, was born in Hanover. The latter came to America with friends when a young lady, being the only member of her family to cross the ocean. She was married in St. Louis, Mo., where Mr. Westermeier had located almost immediately after his migration. He had served his time in the German army, entering at the age of eighteen years, in accordance with the custom of the empire, and soon after his discharge came to America. he was a carpenter by trade and in St. Louis he worked as a journeyman for a time and then became contractor. In 1861 he removed to bunker Hill, this county, and in 1884, their children having all left home, they removed to Carlinville, where the two eldest sons resided, and is retired from active life, although for several years he carried on his business at Bunker Hill. The faithful wife and mother died May 25, 1889. She had reared three sons - Casper, John and Joseph.

The subject of this notice was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 22, 1846, and received his early education in the Catholic parochial schools there. When he was sixteen years old, he began clerking in a general store in Gillespie, where he remained a year and a half. He then returned to Bunker Hill and for four years was a clerk and bookkeeper, and then removed to Litchfield and embarked in business, carrying a stock of general merchandise. After a year of business life he sold out and after the November election in 1868, came to Carlinville to accept and assume the duties of Chief Deputy in the Circuit Clerk's office, under H. W. Burton, Esq. He acted in that capacity nine years and during this time, in the spring of 1872, he was elected and served one term as City Treasurer of Carlinville, and was then next elected County Clerk. This was in the fall of 1877, and after serving a five years' term, he was re-elected and acted four years longer, and one of the chief duties and responsibilities with which he had to contend in the administration of the office of County Clerk as the refunding of the $1,500,000 courthouse bonds of macoupin County, with eleven years' interest at ten percent accrued, outstanding into six per cent, bonds on compromised propositions, and having determined to adopt a different life of life he was no candidate for re-election, but opened the office as before stated.

The lady who presides in Mr. Westermeier's pleasant home was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Carlisle and their marriage was solemnized October 15, 1867, at Litchfield, Ill. the bride was born in Dumfries, Scotland. Her father, William Carlisle, was a Government banker. He came to America with a party of pleasure seekers, was stricken with yellow fever and died. Subsequently the widow of Mr. Carlisle came to this country with her two daughters, in company with her parents, who were McVeighs. They settled in Ohio and later made their home in Covington, Ky. In that State the widow was married to Mr. William Manly and the family removed to St. Louis, Mo. A second removal was made to Bunker Hill and thence Mr. and Mrs. Manly went to Litchfield, which is still Mrs. Manly's home. Mrs. Westermeier was two and a half years old when her mother brought her across the water and her education and training have been received in the city of St. Louis and the towns above mentioned. She has the sterling qualities of the Scotch and the progressive spirit of the American and her care of her family is devoted. She has ten children, whose respective names are Joseph, Emma, Nellie, Mae, William, Margaret, Edward, Aloysius, Reba and Genevieve, all born at Carlinville except Joseph, who was born in Litchfield, Ill.

In exercising the right of suffrage Mr. Westermeier votes with the Democrats. the connection of the family is with St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mr. Westermeier is a very enterprising man and one who is likely at all times to make his way in business, as he has so far in life been doing.