GEORGE W. BECHDOLDT was born in Calhoun county, Ill., on the 29th of Oct., 1851, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Meyers) Bechdoldt, natives of Germany. His father was born on the 3d of Nov., 1818, on the banks of the river Rhine, and came to America; landing in Calhoun county, in 1832. His mother was born on the 24th of Nov., 1819, on the banks of the river Main. His mother took passage on a boat sailing for America, on the 1st day of Jan., 1846, but on account of wind and storm the voyage was extended so that it took 83 days to cross the ocean, seeing nothing all this time but the blue sky and the stormy sea. They landed at the port of New Orleans, on the 1st of March, and had to remain there about a week, as the river was blockaded with ice. They then sailed up the river, arriving in Calhoun county on the 7th of April, having been 116 days in making the entire journey. In July, 1846 Henry was married to Elizabeth Meyers, and they were the parents of six children, of which our subject was the third. Geo. W., was married on the 25th day of Dec., 1879, to Flora Wardinski, a daughter of John and Mary Wardinski, natives of Poland. Her father was killed at Columbiana, about three miles from the bluff, by the bushwhackers, during war times. Her mother is now living with Mr. Bechdoldt. Three children have been born to them - one died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth, deceased; George W., was born Oct. 24, 1882. Mr. Bechdoldt, has 167 acres of land on Sec. 28, T. 10, R. 13, on which he spends most of his time, knowing that industry and economy are the surest means of success. He has been connected with the schools of his district, as director, and has held the office of road supervisor.