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WILLIAM GEORGE BECHTOLD, M. D. Among the professions the one making the most demand upon time, study and experience is probably that of medicine, and to make a success of his vocation the doctor must at all times be willing to sacrifice everything else for it. William George Bechtold, one of the successful physicians and surgeons of Clinton county, Illinois, whose chosen field of practice is the thriving city of Breese, has, from a humble beginning, built up one of the finest practices in this part of the county. He was born June 11, 1862, at Belleville, Illinois, and is a son of Frederick and Eugenic (DuBowcaire) Bechtold.
Frederick Bechtold was born in Germany, in 1822, and there received his education and learned the trade of professional decorator. He was married in that country to Mlle. Eugenic DuBoweaire, a native of France, and they had a family of ten children, William George being the ninth in order of birth. On coming to this country Mr. Bechtold followed his trade for some years, but eventually entered the insurance business and came to Belleville, Illinois, where he followed that occupation until within a few years of his death, when he retired. He was a prominent citizen in Belleville, was well known in the insurance field, and during President Lincoln's administration held several offices by appointment, being a hard worker in the ranks of the Republican party. His death occurred in Belleville in 1894, while his wife passed away in 1882.
William George Bechtold received his primary schooling in the public institutions of Belleville, immediately after leaving which he entered the Missouri Medical College and was graduated therefrom in 1884, with the degree of M. D. In the next month, April, he came to Breese, where he engaged in a general practice and he has since continued here, having won a widespread reputation by his success in numerous complicated cases. He has done considerable surgical work, and is surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Breese. Progressive in all matters, Dr. Bechtold was one of the first in this city to adopt the automobile, and he finds it assists him materially in making calls, as well as being the means of taking numerous pleasure trips. In political matters the Doctor is a Republican, but his practice has demanded his attention to such an extent that he has found little time to give to public matters. However, he is a public-spirited citizen, and all matters pertaining to the welfare of Breese will find in him an interested and active supporter. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge and the I. 0. 0. F. In addition to his comfortable home, Dr. Bechtold owns considerable city property, and has a well-cultivated farming tract of three hundred and sixty acres, located in Clinton county. He keeps well abreast of the new discoveries and inventions in his profession by subscribing to the leading medical journals, and holds membership in the State, County and American Medical associations.
In 1894 Dr. Bechtold was united in marriage with Miss Lena Tieman, of Belleville, Illinois, daughter of August Tieman, a retired business man of that city, and three children have been born to this union, namely:
Eugene, Dorothy and Robert.