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GOTTLIEB BEAR,
an engineer on the Vandalia Line, was born in Highland, Ill., on the 19th of August, 1844. He is a son of Sebastian
and Anna (Mueller) Bear, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, having been born in the city of Basel. Bidding
good-bye to their old home, they emigrated to America, crossing the broad Atlantic in 1843. Continuing their Westward
journey after landing in this country, they made a settlement in Highland, Ill., where they spent the remainder
of their lives.
We
now take up the personal history of our subject, who is well known to many citizens of Effingham County. The days
of his boyhood were spent under the paternal roof and his education was acquired in the schools of his native town.
He learned the trade of a carriage-trimmer and harness-maker in Greenville, and after he had mastered the business
opened a shop at that place, in connection with his brother William. Together they carried on business for a period
of six years. On the expiration of that time, Mr. Bear of this sketch came to Effingham and sought and secured
employment in the Vandalia Railroad shops. It was on the 1st of September, 1871, that he formed the connection
with this company which has been continued up to the present day. In August, 1876, he was promoted to the rank
of engineer, which position he still fills. On one day he runs a passenger train between Effingham and Terre Haute,
Ind., and the succeeding day has charge of a passenger train between Effingham and St. Louis.
Mr.
Bear was married in this city on the 12th of September, 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Rosa Tischhouser,
a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Tischhouser, and a native of Bond County, Ill. Six children have been born of
their union, numbering four sons and two daughters, as follows: Lizzie, Charles A., Fred Louis, Lena Gertrude,
Irwin G. and Ernest L. Mr. and Mrs. Bear are member of the Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected people,
who have the confidence and esteem of all with whom they come in contact. In politics he affiliates with the Republican
party. Socially, he is a member of Effingham Lodge No. 149, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge 121, Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers. He was honored by being sent as a delegate to the twenty-eighth annual convention of that order in Atlanta,
Ga. Mr. Bear owns a farm in North Muddy Township, Jasper County, of one hundred and forty acres, which he leases.
In the line of his work he has been very successful, never having had an accident happen through his fault to a
train drawn by him. He is temperate and industrious, and is highly respected and esteemed by his employers and
fellow railroad men. He has also won the confidence and warm regard of all with whom business or social relations
have brought him in contact.
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 528. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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