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HENRY BERNHARD
WERNSING, County Treasurer of Effingham County, has been connected with that office for nearly twelve years either
as Deputy or Principal, and in his official capacity or otherwise is widely and favorably known throughout this
community. He has the honor of being a native of Effingham County, his birth having occurred in St.
Francis Township, September 6, 1864. His parents, Bernhard
H. and Mary A. (Vogt) Wernsing, were native-born Americans, though both were of German parentage. The paternal
grandfather of our subject, John H. Wernsing, was born in Hanover,
Germany, about 1803. He married Elizabeth Huckmann,
of the same country, and with his family, consisting of three sons and two daughters, emigrated to America. His children were: John Henry, Jr., Frederick,
Herman, Kate (now the wife of Henry Eggerman, of Teutopolis) and Theresa, now deceased, who was the wife of Henry
Hartup, of Teutopolis. After crossing the broad Atlantic, the grandfather settled in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and there the family circle was increased
by the birth of a son, Bernhard H. In order to support his family, Mr. Wernsing secured employment in a foundry
as engineer, where he worked until 1850. He then removed to Effingham County, Ill., where he resided until his death, which
occurred on the 25th of February, 1876.
His son, Bernhard H. Wernsing, the father of our subject, was a graduate of St. Francis
College, of Effingham
County, and became one of the early teachers of
this county. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Anna Vogt, who died in June, 1876. They had a
family of seven children, as follows: Kate, now the wife of Bernard Remme, a farmer of St. Francis Township, Effingham
County; Elizabeth, wife of William Ordner, of Teutopolis; Henry B., whose name heads this sketch; John, now a resident
of Louisiana; Sophia, wife of J. H. Castleman, a merchant of Effingham; Frank, at home; and one child who died
in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Wernsing married Miss Elizabeth Miller, their union being celebrated in May,
1881. Unto them have been born four children. Mr. Wernsing, Sr., has been the County
Treasurer of Effingham
County for seven years. He is a farmer by occupation,
and now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in St.
Francis Township, where he now resides.
Henry B. Wernsing, whose name heads this sketch, grew to mature years upon his father's farm. His primary education,
acquired in the common schools of the neighborhood, was supplemented by study in St. Joseph's College, of Teutopolis. In the year 1881,
he became Deputy County Treasurer under his father and served in that capacity until Mr. Wernsing, Sr., retired
from the office, after which he became Deputy to the incoming Treasurer, Mr. Thoele, and served as such until his
election to the office of County Treasurer in the fall of 1890. He entered upon his
duties on the first Monday of December of that year, and is the present incumbent. He was elected and served as
City Treasurer of Effingham for the year 1889.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Wernsing is a supporter of the Democracy, and socially, he belongs to Venice
Lodge No. 168, K. P. His long experience in the County Treasurer's Office has made him familiar with its duties,
and he has proved a most competent and faithful official. He well deserves representation in this volume, for he
has spent his entire life in Effingham County, and is widely and favorably known as a man of sterling worth.
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. 197. Transcribed by
Judy Rosella Edwards.
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