FREDERICK C. LANG, a self-made man and one of the prominent merchants of Virginia, Illinois, belongs to that race of people - the Germans - noted this world over for their energy and thrift. By hit own well directed efforts he has risen to a position of prosperity, and at the same time has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has had dealings, being now classed with the substantial business men and highly respected citizens of Virginia. It is with pleasure that we present the following facts in regard to his life and ancestry.

Frederick C. Lang was born on the river Tech, village of Omden, in the Kingdom of Wurttemburg, Germany, September 7, 1848. His father, Christopher Frederick Lang, was born in the same locality. His grandparents, as far as known, spent their entire lives in Wurttemburg. Christopher F. Lang was reared and educated in his native land and there served an apprenticeship to the trade of a weaver, weaving at that time being chiefly done on the hand loom. He followed that trade in Germany till 1855, in the early part of which year he set sail from Havre de Grace, with his wife and three children, and landed in America in March, after a voyage of nearly three months. He went direct to Indianapolis, where he was employed at various kinds of work. Finally he secured a position as porter in a wholesale drug store, and was thus engaged for a number of years. He resided in Indianapolis until his death, in 1887. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of Frederick C., was Mary Liebrich. She was also a native of Wurttemburg. She reared three children: Frederick C., George and Mary.

Mr. Lang, being only six years old when he came to America, remembers little of any other save his adopted country. He was educated in the public schools of Indianapolis, was reared to habits of industry, and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to Jacob Voegtle, a tinsmith, of Indianapolis, and served four years. He did "jour" work in Indianapolis one year, after which he went to Jacksonville, Illinois, and was employed in the same kind of work six years. He was very industrious, saved his money, and in 1874 came to Virginia and began business for himself. He first opened a stock of stoves and tinware, and in 1885 added hardware. He now carries a full line of shelf hardware, stoves, tinware, etc. In connection with his store he also conducts a repair shop, having first class machinery for doing all kinds of job work, tin roofing and the like.

In 1877 Mr. Lang was united in marriage with Mary Tendick, a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, and a daughter of Deidrich and Sibilla Tendick, natives of Germany. They have four children: George, Clara, Flora and Willie.

Mr. and Mrs. Lang are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.