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CHARLES WILLIAM HOFSOMMER.
That the farm and dairy business is not retarded by the possession of a liberal education on the part of the man who makes that industry his lifework is conclusively shown by the record of the Hofsommers, father and son, for a number of years active in farm and dairy circles of Clinton county. Rather, it is a distinct and decided advantage, as will be shown by a brief summary of their careers.
Charles William Hofsommer was born at Breese, Illinois, December 29, 1878. He is the son of William Jacob Hofsommer, born at Frogtown, Clinton county, Illinois, January 12, 1857. William Jacob Hofsommer spent his early days on his father's farm, and attended the public schools of the community in which he was reared. Following his completion of the common school course he attended McKendree College at Lebanon for an extended period and later was graduated from Christian Brothers College at St. Louis, Missouri. On the completion of his college studies he embarked in a general merchandise business at Breese, with which he was connected actively for sixteen years. He was attracted, however, by farm life, and about three years previous to the time when he gave up his store in Breese he bought a fine farm near the outskirts of the town, and when he retired from the mercantile business he immediately engaged in the farm and dairying business. In the three years that he has conducted the enterprise the business has grown apace, and they now handle in the neighborhood of seventy gallons of milk daily, and produce a large quantity of butter as well. This part of the business is conducted almost entirely by his son, Charles, as his time and attention is largely occupied by the care of another fine farm of which he is the owner and manager.
In 1878 Mr. Hofsommer was married to Miss Fredericka Helwig, of Breese. Five children were born to them, three of whom are now living. They are, Charles, Olga, now Mrs. Gus Glancey, and Lily, the wife of Henry Schroeder. The family are members of St. John's German Evangelical church, and are earnest and active in their affiliation with that organization. Mr. Hofsommer is a Republican in his political convictions and adherence, and is prominent in local political circles. He has held various offices connected with the administration of city affairs, always with credit to himself and the city.
Charles William Hofsommer, like his father, spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the public schools. He was a graduate of the high school at Carlyle, following which he took a complete and thorough business course at Jones Commercial College in St. Louis, Missouri. Returning home to Breese, he went into the farm and dairy business with his father, whose operations were assuming such proportions that more help was necessary, and he has since that time been in charge of one of the farms owned by his father, conducting the affairs of the place with a wisdom and acumen that is producing results of no uncertain nature. As a coming dairyman, Mr. Hofsommer's future is assured, and it is predicted freely that he will make an enduring reputation for himself among leading men of his line of endeavor. Mr. Hofsommer is Republican in his political views, and active in the interests of the party. He is a stockholder in the Clinton County Racing Association, and a member of the Concordia Singing Society. He and his family are members of the German Evangelical church.
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In 1902 Mr. Hofsommer married Miss Tillie Flader, of Breese, Illinois. They are the parents of two children, William and Alvina. The family occupies one of the handsome residences erected by William J. Hofsommer on the farm located nearest to Breese, the other one of which is the home of the elder Hofsommer.