MOHRMAN, CASPER. - The following lines constitute a narrative of the experience of one who was for many years a well known citizen of Beardstown, where he had many friends, and one who, in the dark days of the country's sorest need, although born on a foreign soil, gave his best service in the war for the preservation of the Union. While a member of this community, Casper Mohrman was among its busiest men, and all his duties both public and private were fulfilled with a fidelity and constancy that caused him to be highly esteemed as a husband, neighbor and friend, and made his death deeply deplored by all who knew him.

Casper Mohrman was a native of Prussia, Germany, where his birth took place March 10, 1846. His mother died in the old country and Casper came to the United States with his father, William Mohrman, about the year 1850, and proceeding to Illinois, located in Beardstown, where the elder Mohrman followed different occupations. Casper attended the public school whenever possible in his boyhood days, and when quite young, learned the butcher's trade, which he followed until the time of his enlistment in the Union army. This occurred at Peoria, Ill., May 24, 1863, and he became a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged October 28, 1864.

In the spring of 1874, Mr. Mohrman was married to Louisa Beck, who was born in Beardstown. Their children were as follows: William, of St. Louis; Simon, of Brown County, Ill.; Grover C. and Nora, twins, the latter being Mrs. George Micherbach of St. Louis; Rosa, of Beardstown; and Emil, of Highland, Ill. The mother of this family died in 1889.

After his military service was over, Mr. Mohrman was somewhat unsettled until his second marriage. This event took place in June, 1901, when he was wedded to Sarah Moorman, a native of Beardstown, and a daughter of Casper H. and Catherine M. (Schroeder) Moorman, who were of German nativity, and came to Beardstown in 1845. In Germany, Casper Moorman was a miller by trade, and after emigrating to the United States he became a bricklayer and plasterer. The children born to the second marriage were as follows: Catherine, widow of Rev. Mr. Vetter; Magdalena M. and Sophia E., both deceased, (the latter having been the wife of F. A. Mack); Sarah; and Gustaf, who died in infancy.

After working a number of years for Anton Rink in the brewing business, Mr. Mohrman opened a liquor store, which he conducted until 1906, when he gave it up, and in the fall of that year, met with a serious injury, breaking his collar bone. He had a second accident. At Joplin, Mo., while walking over a bridge to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law, he fell, and was so badly hurt that he died the same night, August 26, 1909. His remains were brought to Beardstown, where they were buried in the home cemetery. Mrs. Mohrman is living in comfortable circumstances at her home in Beardstown, and has a wide circle of friends. Her husband was a man of very kindly disposition, and all who knew him cherish his memory. Politically, he acted with the Democratic party.