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CHARLES GOTTHELF JOKISCH, an old settler and farmer of Cass county, now deceased, was born in Saxony, Germany, February 27, 1819. He was one of nine children. His grandfather, believing that opportunities for young men were better in the United States than in Germany, urged his two sons and their families to emigrate to this country. This they did early in the thirties, and began in Cass county on Government land, and here the father of Gotthelf died in what is now Bluff Springs precinct, at about the age of fifty. He had accumulated a fine property and left an estate valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. His aged father also died here. (For fuller history of family see biography of William Jokisch.)Charles Gotthelf grew up an industrious boy, and was ever afterward identified with the best interests of the county, but unfortunately died before he was very old. In spite of his early death he left an estate that was very valuable. His death occurred in March, 1874, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. By industry and economy he first was able to buy a small farm, and from time to time increased it until he owned a property of 350 acres, most of it in a high state of cultivation. He was a quiet, good man, gave his entire time to his business, never engaged in politics, except to vote the Republican ticket.
He was married here to Elinore Carls, of Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1846. Her mother had died in Germany, and she came to this country with her father and other members of the family in 1843, and has since lived in the borders of Cass county. (For family history, see biography of Louis M. Carls.) Mrs. Jokisch is the youngest of the family now living. She has two brothers, George and Henry, both of this county. She is a well preserved lady and very intelligent. She and her husband were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
She is the mother of ten children: Theophilus, Otto, George and Matilda (Loomis) are deceased; those living are: Maurice W., a farmer living in Virginia; Mary E., a noble character, living at home; Philip J., a very successful farmer of this township; Amelia Hackman, a native of this county; Edward F., a successful farmer in Virginia; Harry J., now running the homestead, is a well educated farmer. He attended the high school of Virginia, and also the Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and the Illinois State Normal School. He taught recently in the schools of Beardstown. He is industrious and knows how to put his education to good use. He clings to the same political faith as did his father, and bids fair to do that parent honor.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 141-142.
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