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JOHN FRED WILLIAM BINDER,
for many years a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Waterloo, is head miller for the Koenigsmark Milling Company. Born on January 22, 1869, at Waterloo, Illinois, he is the son of Gottlieb Binder, a native of Koenigreich Wittenberg, Germany, who came to America in the early fifties, settling in Waterloo, where he followed the occupation of a stone mason for years. He, together with one Mr. Rodenhauser, a cabinet maker, built the first public school building in Waterloo, the same now being used for a high school. Mr. Binder was married at Waterloo on January 31, 1857, choosing for his bride a young woman of German nativity, like himself; she was Mary Schmidt, and was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, coming to America in about 1850. Reverend G. Steinert, of the German Evangelical church, per-
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formed the ceremony. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Binder, but three of whom are living at this time. John Fred William Binder was the seventh child in the Binder home. Gottlieb Binder was a man of genial and kindly nature, and of portly mien. He was for many years a prominent and conspicuous figure in the life of Waterloo, and when he died, in June, 1873, a large circle of friends and acquaintances mourned his loss. His widow remarried in 1875, taking for her husband Adam Schneider. She passed away on June 9, 1904, at the age of sixty-six, having been born on September 2, 1838.
John F. W. Binder has been in the foremost ranks of the leading business men of Waterloo for many years. Born and reared in that city, perhaps no man there is possessed of a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than is he, and he is popular, both in a social and business way. He is of Democratic faith, and is enthusiastic in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the party. He has served his town as alderman of the Second ward, holding that office from 1910 to 1912. Mr. Binder is a charter member of the Waterloo Commercial Club, and has been prominent in every movement for the betterment of conditions in his community. He is somewhat of a fraternalist, among other societies being a member of the Masonic lodge of Waterloo and also of the Belleville Chapter. Mr. Binder is a musician of considerable talent, and has made the study of music his pet hobby all his life.
Mr. Binder was twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Hoechenroeder, of Waterloo, whom he married on May 11, 1892. They were the parents of three children,�Freida, William and Viola, all of whom reside in the family home. His second wife is Viola Caroline (Amend) Binder. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Amend, both of whom were natives of Germany. Adam Amend was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, in 1821, and was seventy-six years, two months and twenty-seven days old when he died on January 29, 1897. His wife was born in Weidenhausen, Germany, on November 18, 1828. She immigrated to America in 1852, where she met and married her husband. Eight children were born to them, five of whom are now living. They are Mrs. H. Wallhaus, Mrs. J. Doeltzsch, Mrs. F. Metzger, Miss Christine Amend and Mrs. J. F. W. Binder. She was a member of the Evangelical church and active and prominent in its good works. She passed away in Waterloo on July 15, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Binder have three sons: Charles, Morris and George. All three are members of the Binder household. The family are communicants of the German Evangelical church, and are active in the interests of that organization.