Biography - Brewer Hendricks
BREWER A. HENDRICKS. Among the representative, thorough-going and efficient officials of Montgomery County, Ill., there is probably no one more deserving of mention than Mr. Hendricks, who holds the responsible position of County Clerk. Although retiring and unpretentious in manner, he has always been a strong factor in the city, literally promotive of the community's welfare, and, honorable and upright in all his relations with the public, the confidence in him is not misplaced.
Like many of the representative citizens of the county, he is of foreign birth, born near Berlin, Germany, July 2, 1856, and like others of that nationality he is industrious, frugal and warmhearted. His parents were natives of the same place, and the same year our subject was born they came to America, being thirteen weeks in crossing the ocean. They first located in Jersey County, Ill., remained there one year and then moved to Macoupin County, where they resided for six years. From there they moved to Montgomery County, Bois D'Arc Township, and there the mother died. Her maiden name was Mary Sunnerfeldt. The father is still living and resides in Virden, Ill.
Fourteen children were born to them, seven sons and seven daughters, five sons and four daughters now living. Of these children our subject is the tenth child and sixth son. As he was but an infant when brought to America by his parents, he has known no other country and is as thoroughly an American as though born here. He grew to mature years in the Sucker State and received his primary education in the district schools of Montgomery County, finishing at Hillsboro Academy, where he pursued his studies for three months. He then remained with his parents until his marriage on the 17th of May, 1882, to Miss Flora A. Whitlow, a native of Illinois, born in Macoupin County on the 31st of May, 1862, and the daughter of William W. Whitlow, who is now a resident of Montgomery County, Ill.
To our subject and wife have been born an interesting family of four children, two sons and two daughters, as follows: Eliza May, Earl Ellis, Cora Lois (deceased), and Guy Curtis. Directly after his marriage Mr. Hendricks located in Harvel, Montgomery County, and engaged in merchandising. Energetic, persevering and thorough-going, he made a complete success of this enterprise and continued it at that place for about four and a-half years. In 1886, he was elected County Clerk, and the same year moved to Hillsboro, where he has remained ever since. The duties of this office he discharged in such an able and satisfactory manner that he was re-elected to the same position in 1890.
In the space allotted to his sketch it is impossible to mention in detail all the services rendered by Mr. Hendricks, suffice it to say that his good name is above reproach and that he has won the confidence, respect and esteem of all who know him, and is one of the most popular men who has ever held official position in the country. While in Harvel Township, Mr. Hendricks held the office of Supervisor, Town Clerk and School Director. Previous to his marriage, in the winters of 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1882 he taught school in Round Tree, Butler and Raymond Districts, and was unusually successful as an educator. He is a member of Montgomery Lodge No. 40, I. O. O. F., of Hillsboro, and is a charter member of Calypso Lodge No. 226, K. P., and Modern Woodmen of America at Hillsboro. Mr. Hendricks is yet a young man in years, and his prospects for the future seem unusually bright.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 168-169.
