Biography - George Boos
GEORGE OTTO BOOS, a citizen of township 13, range 6, Johnson County, was born in Baden, Germany, May 12, 1837. His father, George John Boos, was also born in Baden and was a son of George Boos. The grandparents of George Otto spent their entire lives in Germany, and his father and sister were the only members of the family that ever came to the United States. This sister, who was named Mary, married a Mr. Smith and lived in Galena, Ill., some years. After her husband's death in Galena she went to California with her children and died in that State. George John Boos, the father of our subject, learned the trade of a tanner and followed this occupation in Baden until 1842, when, with his wife and children, he came to the United States. He sailed from Havre in the winter season and after a voyage of ninety days landed in New Orleans, whence he came up the river to Louisville, and followed his trade until the death of his wife, after which he went to Golconda and spent the rest of his days with his son, George Otto. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Steedley. She was born in Baden and died in Louisville, having reared six children, namely: Catherine, Fanny, Julia, Charles, George Otto and Amelia.
George Otto was five years old when brought to the United States by his parents, and he remained with them until he was thirteen, when he started life for himself. He was occupied in various kinds of work for several years and then he became a flatboatman on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, continuing in this until twenty-one years of age, when he rented land and engaged in farming one year. He then bought a tract of land and followed farming until 1862, when he removed to Golconda and engaged in teaming and contracting, making the brick for and erecting the present schoolhouse in that place. In 1879 he started a grocery and bakery, which he conducted one year, ran the ferry boat one year, and then engaged in the livery business, in which he has been engaged ever since. In addition to this business our subject operates his farm, which lies adjacent to the city. He was married in 1859 to Mary Margaret Plater, a native of Pope County, and a daughter of Christian and Barbara Plater, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Boos have ten children, namely: Lizzie, George, Fanny, Charles, Annie, William, Ellis, Guy, Ettie and Ella. Mr. Boos is a Democrat in politics, and is an enterprising, industrious and honest citizen.
Extracted 16 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, page 518.
