Jefferson County Historical Society

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Michael Boemler, farmer of Meramec Township, was born in Alsace, France
in 1838, and is the son of Michael and Madaline (Herrman) Boemler, also
natives of Alsace, where they spent their entire lives.  The father 
died when our subject was but seven weeks old, and the mother followed
him to the grave in 1872.  Young Michael remained with his mother until
sixteen years of age, receiving a very limited education in the common
schools.  He then came to the United States, and passed the first five
years in Cass County, Ill., as a farm hand, after which, in 1860, he
went to St. Clair County, and was there employed on a farm until 1864,
when he married Miss Caroline Geissert, daughter of Fred and Elizabeth
Geissert, who were also natives of Alsace, France.  Mr. Geissert came
to the United States about 1851, but his daughter did not come until
ten years later.  To Mr. Boemler and wife were born seven children,
six of whom are now living: Fritz, George, Lena, John, Charley and 
Emil.  Mr. Boemler remained in St. Clair County, and farmed as a tenant
until 1878, when he came to Jefferson County, and settled on Big
River, about three miles above the mouth, where he has a fine farm of
243 acres, in fact one of the finest farms in the county.  Politically,
he is a conservative Republican, and his first presidential vote was
cast for A. Lincoln.  He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a liberal
supporter of the church.