CARLS, GEORGE H. - Perhaps no man of Cass County is better or more favorably known among agriculturists than George H. Carls of township 18, range 11, who was born on his present farm, November 28, 1874, a son of Louis William and Caroline (Musch) Carls, both natives of Cass county. The grandparents were George H. and Elnora (Dedring) Carls, natives of Germany; and John and Albadina (Lippert) Musch. Mr. Musch was born in Germany and Mrs. Musch on the Atlantic Ocean during the voyage of her parents to the United States, where they became farming people. George H. Carls and family came from Germany to the United States during the winter of 1844-5, in a sailing vessel to New Orleans, and thence to Beardstown, Ill., near where George H. found employment as a farmer. The paternal grandfather of George H. Carls bought the homestead in Cass County, Ill., eighty acres situated on the bluff, 100 acres of valuable farming land, and fifty-five acres on a sand ridge, which latter tract is now used for trucking purposes. In 1912 forty acres of black soil bottom land were added to the homestead. After their marriage Louis William and Caroline Carls settled on the farm in township 18, range 11, which they had bought in conjunction with their parents. There Louis William Carls died in January, 1903. The mother of George H. Carls survives, making her home at Beardstown with some of her children.

George H. Carls attended the public and German schools of Beardstown, and lived with his parents until twenty-two years old. He then rented the home place for a few years, and when his father died he inherited and bought all the 266 acres of the homestead, and here raises cattle and hogs and carries on general farming.

On April 13, 1899, Mr. Carls was married to Minnie Schewe, born in the Sangamon valley, township 18, range 11, March 13, 1880, a daughter of William and Ellen (Schewe) Schewe, natives of Germany, who came to the Untied States and were married at St. Louis, following which they settled in Cass County, Ill. William Schewe died April 13, 1907, but his widow is living and makes her home in the Sangamon valley. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have two children: Elmer W., who was born February 7, 1900; and Selma Ellen, who was born January 9, 1903. Mrs. Carls attended the district and German schools of her neighborhood. The St. John's Lutheran church of Beardstown holds the family membership. In politics he is a Democrat, and since 1911 has been a school director.