One of our literary geniuses has remarked that the history of any locality is but the history of its great men. The destinies of splendid empires are shaped by the personalities of their rulers, and a whole people sometimes owes its prosperity to the energies of one man, who stands at the head of the state. And in a community this principle is even more forcibly demonstrated, for here the thoughts of a few leaders permeate to the farthest boundaries and shape the thoughts of the masses. Viewed in this light, how significant do the biographies of prominent men become!
The subject of our sketch was born in Madonnaville, Monroe County, on August 3, 1868. He was one of a family of fourteen children, whose father was John Wierschem, a known farmer. He attended both the parochial and the public schools, and then remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm until the death of the father in 1892. In that year Mr. Wierschem decided to become master of his own farm, and accordingly bought the farm of 65 acres situated on Rural Route #3, Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. This has been his home up to the present time.
On November 30, 1893, he was married to Miss Zoe Thuillier. She was born in September 1872, a daughter of the widely- known farmer, Emil Thuillier of Prairie du Rocher, and lived at home up to the time of her marriage. Her life has been notable for great devotion to the Church, which she is constantly helping. She belongs to the Altar Society. The four children of their marriage are Louis E., George A., Robert J., and Augusta E. Wierschem.
In 1912 Mr. Wierschem entered public life, when he was elected to the office of road commissioner. This important office he has filled with that industry and devotion to public welfare which has been the guiding policy of his whole life.