BIERHAUS, JOHN M. (deceased), at one time one of the leading farmers of Cass County, is remembered by many who were his associates during life. He was born in Nanden, Germany, November 16, 1830. When a young man he came to the United States, and locating at Beardstown, worked among the neighboring farmers by the month for some years. He then purchased a farm in Cass County comprising eighty acres, all timber except ten acres, on which there was a log house, in which all of his family were born. Later, he bought the D. Biddlecomb farm on which Mr. Biddlecomb was born, and still later, bought other property, which made 202 acres in the farm. After many years of hard labor he succeeded in clearing up 150 acres, which is now in cultivation. The balance is in pasture and timber. In 1894 he built a large ten room house near the main road, where he died, August 18, 1901.

Mr. Bierhaus was married to Miss Lisetta Speidel, March 8, 1865, by Rev. Rice of the Lutheran church in Arenzville, Ill. Mrs. Bierhaus was born in Hanover, Germany, December 25, 1844, being a daughter of David and Jane Speidel, both of whom died in Germany. Mrs. Bierhaus left her native land on a sailing vessel, September 7, 1843, and arrived at New Orleans on December 26, of that same year. She went to St. Louis, Mo., by railroad, and from there on to Jacksonville by stage, and later to Arenzville.

Mr. and Mrs. Bierhaus were members of the German Lutheran church, and for the past twenty years they were members of the Shiloh Cumberland church, of which they were staunch supporters. They were among the early settlers and passed through many hardships, and were always well thought of in the community. In politics Mr. Bierhaus was a Democrat. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bierhaus: Carrie, the eldest, was born February 19, 1868, and was married to Lewis Koch, October 11, 1886, and four children have blest this union, namely, John H., born January 7, 1888; Tillie L., born November 22, 1890; Howard W., born July 21, 1892, and Lewis E., born May 30, 1898; John M., the second child, who now rents the home place, was born September 18, 1870; on October 10, 1900, he married Louise Walker, born in Cass County, Ill., August 17, 1875, a daughter of Columbus and Emma (Angier) Walker, natives of West Virginia and Cass County, respectively, and they have two children, Donald J. C., who was born July 2, 1901, and Lisette J., who was born January 31, 1904; Minnie J., the third child was born March 8, 1874, and died May 11, 1899. She was a devoted Christian, beloved by all who knew her, and was sadly missed by her loved ones. Six other children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bierhaus, all of whom died in infancy.