Biographical Sketches Of Leading Citizens Of Macoupin County Illinois

Wellenbrink, William
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WILLIAM WELLENBRINK.
William Wellenbrink, deceased, who for many years was a prominent business man of Mount Olive, Macoupin County, and the third member of the large mercantile firm of Keiser, Niemeyer & Company, was born in Germany, October 30, 1832.
Mr. Wellenbrink was educated in his native land and came to the United States in 1864 with capital, which he invested in a grocery business at St. Louis, Missouri. He prospered there and remained until 1877, when he removed to Mount Olive, to become a member of the firm of Keiser, Niemeyer & Company, with which he continued until his death, November 12, 1900.
He was a man of fine business ability and became one of the very substantial as well as highly respected citizens of the city. His death was a loss to the city, removing as it did one whose influence had always been directed toward matters of general welfare.
Mr. Wellenbrink was married in December, 1869, to Mrs. N. (Niederluecke) Buschmann, widow of the late Casper H. Buschmann. Mrs. Wellenbrink had two sons by her marriage with Mr. Buschmann — Henry A. and WilHani F. — who have adopted the name of their late step-father, Mr. Wellenbrink. Henry A., who manages his mother's affairs and is a very capable business man, was bom January 12, 1868; William F. was born November 15, 1869. On January 2, 1896, Henry A. Wellenbrink married Louisa Knollmann, a daughter of John F. Knollmann, formerly a merchant of St.
Louis, Missouri, who died November 19, 1893.
In politics the late Mr. Wellenbrink affiliated with the Republican party. Fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows. The family is one of wealth and prominence in Mount Olive.