Untitled Document

G. F. Wills or FROEHLICH, the present efficient county clerk, was born March 21, 1835, in Rheinisch, Prussia, and is the seventh child in a family of thirteen. His parents, Peter and Johanna Froehlich, were natives of Rheinisch, and there died. Peter Froehlich was a tanner by trade, and was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. G. F. Wm. Froehlich, the subject of these memoirs, was schooled in Prussia, graduating from the high school of Bonn, in preparation for college. He relinquished the projected college course, and became a clerk in a chemical factory for one year. In 1852, in May, he set sail at Liverpool, England, on the vessel Warbler, for America.

After fifty-two days' sailing the vessel reached New Orleans. Mr. Froehlich came up the Mississippi to Warsaw, Illinois, but very soon came to Oquawka, and became clerk for Frederick Odendahl. In the spring of 1853 he went to Warsaw where he became an apprentice to the harness trade, working two and a half years. He then followed the trade at different places. In 1859, and part of 1860, he taught a German American school. When war's cruel tongue called for brave men to put down rebellion and slavery, Mr. Froehlich thought of duty to country, for although he was not American born, he was an American citizen. He enlisted April 22, 1861, in Co. D, 10th Ill. Inf. from Oquawka for the three months' service. When discharged he reenlisted in Co. G, 10th Mo. Inf., of which was made orderly sergeant, and so continued till near the close of the war.

The principal battles in which. he was engaged were : Corinth, Inka, second Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg ; was in the Yazoo Pass expedition, at Missionary Ridge, and much skirmishing. At the battle of Corinth, October 4, 1862, he was wounded in the forehead, and at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, was wounded in the right leg. He was discharged September 11, 1864, at. Carterville, Georgia. He served from 1864 to 1865 in the ordnance department of the service. In 1865 he returned to Oquawka for a permanent home.

He engaged as clerk, and served as constable a year. He then became deputy sheriff. In 1866 was made deputy assessor, also. In 1868 he became deputy county, and deputy circuit, clerk. In 1877 he was elected county clerk, which office he still holds with ability. Since 1879 he has been town clerk, and has been notary public fora number of years. Mr. Froehlich was married in 1865, to Mrs. Margaret Herbertz, a native of Prussia, and whose family at that time numbered four children. Mr. Froehlich is deeply interested in compiling a soldiers' record, and deserves aid in gathering biographical matter pertaining to those who have fought the battles of the union.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

Illinois Ancestors