WILLIAM TALKEMEYER is a successful farmer of Arenzville, now living on his own fine farm, section 23, township 17, range 12. He was born near Arenzville, this county, in 1849. He grew up and obtained all the education possible in the common school. His father, William Talkemeyer, was a native of Prussia, Germany, and was the first member of his family to come to this country. He came some time in the '30s, landing in New Orleans, and was engaged as a Mississippi boatman. Later he came to Beardstown and engaged in farming, purchasing his first land in Arenzville. About 1855 he purchased a good farm, the same now occupied by our subject. Here Mr. and Mrs. Talkemeyer, Sr., lived and worked hard, and by honest, economical living, managed to obtain 240 acres. Here they spent their last years, Mr. Talkemeyer dying in 1878, aged seventy, and his wife about 1850, when our subject was only a year old. She was a Miss Duvall, who was born and reared in Germany, but came to the United States when a young woman. She and her husband were both members of the Lutheran Church, and he had been a Republican.

William was one of four children: himself and a Mrs. Lizzie Crone, of this county, are all that are now living.

He was married, near Arenzville, to Miss Mary Carles, who was born, reared and educated in Cass county, and was the daughter of J. Henry Carles (see biography). Mrs. Talkemeyer is a fine woman, and has proved herself a good wife and mother, and is very highly respected throughout the community. They have five children; one, George, having died when young; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Bill Smith, a farmer in Morgan county; Lucy, William Henry, H. Robert and Harry are at home.

The political faith of Mr. Talkemeyer is Republican, and he and his wife are highly regarded members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Talkemeyer's present farm consists of 600 acres, very well improved and watered by Indian and Bear creeks. He has been very successful, and has everything in first-class order around him.