Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough

Page 116

Ex-County Commissioner William F. Freesen, son of William and Elizabeth (Stottler) Freesen, was born four miles north of Arenzville, Cass county, Illinois, April 11, 1861. His father was a native of Prussia, and came to the United States sometime about 1850. (There is no record of the time of his birth in the possession of the family and his exact age is unknown.) After landing in America he came directly to Beardstown and lived, as a farmer, in Cass county until 1881, when he moved to Scott county and settled in the vicinity of Oxville, where he resided until his death, September 4, 1884. Mr. Freesen's mother was also a Prussian and was born in one of the Provinces bordering the river Rhine, supposedly, in 1834. She came to this country, and to Cass county, Illinois, in 1850. In 1852 she and Mr. Freesen were married and became the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. She died at Oxville, January 12, 1890.

William F. Freesen was reared upon a farm; received his education in the common schools of Cass county, and came with his parents to Scott county in 1881. April 24, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary E. O. Buhlig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Buhlig of Beardstown. To them have been born seven children. The six living are: Otilda, Marguritta, Herman, Henry, Oscar and Nora. William died when he was about two years old.

Mr. Freesen owns a fine tract of land - 240 acres - upon which are situated substantial improvements, near Oxville, about nine miles northwest of Winchester. He is a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church at Oxville, and is one of the substantial and prominent farmers of that precinct. He is also engaged in the stock business, buying and shipping, and does considerable in that line.

In politics Mr. Freesen is a democrat. Has always been one and for the success of his party has contributed both in labor and in money. He belongs to the elect of the faithful in Oxville precinct. In 1898 he was nominated by the democrats for the office of county commissioner and that fall was elected by a good majority. He served during the years of 1889, 1900 and 1901. At the conclusion of his term he retired to private life, but at a recent election was chosen justice of the peace of Oxville precinct. He is now addressed by his friends as "Judge."

There are no better citizens in the county than Wm. Freesen. He has made what he possesses; he is rearing a family in the ways of right and the love of country, and for the financial, educational, religious and social advancement of Scott county he stands first, last and all the time.