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JOHN M. BURKHARDT.
Waterloo, Illinois, has several contractors whose operations are upon a very extensive scale, and whose work is known not only in the immediate vicinity of their home city, but throughout the southern part of the state. One of the best-known and most busily employed of these men is John M. Burkhardt, whose contracting is in well drilling, and whose activities have gained him more than a local reputation in his chosen line. Mr. Burkhardt was born November 14, 1861, near Renault, Illinois, and is a son of Conrad and Mary (Fauerbach) Burkhardt, natives of Germany. John M. Burkhardt has one brother, Phillip Burkhardt, and half-brothers and sisters as follows: Conrad, Theodore, Henry, Lottie, Sofia and Lena. The father came to the United States in 1842, settling at Renault Grant, Monroe county, where he became engaged in agricultural pursuits and followed that line until his death. Phillip Burkhardt now serves as superintendent of the Alms House at Waterloo.
John M. Burkhardt was educated in the public school at Renault, after leaving which he engaged in farming for a number of years. Machinery has always interested him, however, and he eventually became engaged in well drilling, building up a large business from a very humble start. He now employs a small army of men, and carries on his business throughout Monroe and the adjoining counties. One of the leading Republicans of his section, Mr. Burkhardt served as constable of Renault in 1894 and as sheriff of Monroe county from 1906 until 1910, and displayed much executive ability in discharging the duties of office. He and his family attend the German Evangelical church, and have been active in its work. Mr. Burkhardt gives a good deal of attention to the cultivation of his farm, a finely improved property of one hundred acres in the American Bottoms, twenty miles south of Waterloo, which is principally devoted to corn. His handsome residence, however, is located at Waterloo. Mr. Burkhardt has
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been prominent in fraternal work, and now belongs to the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1878 Mr. Burkhardt was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Wood, of New Design, Monroe county, Illinois, and they have four children, namely: William, Olga, Sofia and Armin. Mr. Burkhardt is a skilled machinist, and has been able to give his attention to every little detail of his business. This careful management is largely responsible for the success which has attended his efforts, and he is now ranked among the stable and prosperous citizens that go to make up a stable and prosperous city.