CARLS, A. B. - Among the progressive and energetic business men of the younger generation, who are contributing to the industrial and commercial prestige of the thriving towns and villages of Cass County, A. B. Carls, of Virginia, is worthy of more than passing mention. Still a young man, with his best years before him, he has accomplished what would seem to many men sufficient achievement after a lifetime of endeavor, and as a member of the leading firm of Hofstetter-Carls Lumber Company, is interested in one of Virginia's most successful business enterprises. Mr. Carls was born at Bluff Springs, Cass County, Ill., March 26, 1882, and is a son of John F. and Mary (Blohm) Carls. His father died March 12, 1910, aged seventy years, one month and eight days, while the mother passed away December 12, 1908, aged fifty-five years, eleven months and twenty-eight days. Mr. Carls is one of seven sons: Louis H., George F., William M., John H., A. B., Charles A., and Robert R., who died January 18, 1913, at the age of fifteen years, ten months and twenty-nine days, and was buried in the Beardstown city cemetery.

After attending the public schools of Bluff Springs, Mr. Carls learned the trade of carpenter, and succeeding this was for ten years engaged in a successful building and contracting business. In this way he became interested in the lumber business, and on March 1, 1912, in company with W. C. and Mary Hofstetter, he organized the Hofstetter-Carls Lumber company, an incorporated concern, with $10,000 capital, A. B. Carls secretary and treasurer, and these two, with Mary Hofstetter, form the board of directors. The yards of this concern are located at the station of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Virginia, and in addition to carrying a full line of lumber, building materials and supplies, the company buys grain of all kinds and owns and operates a large elevator. Mr. Carls is known as a business man of more than ordinary ability, alert in action and with foresight which allows him to readily recognize opportunities. He has risen in the business world through the medium of his own efforts, and is justly accounted one of the stirring factors in the commercial life of his adopted place. He takes some interest in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Bluff Springs, but for the greater part concentrates his attention upon his business interests.

Mr. Carls was married October 1, 1903, to Miss Velma P. Wright, who was born January 4, 1884, a daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth Wright, natives of Cass County. Their one child died in infancy.