The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-01-06
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Hon. RredOIin BrOss, Judge af the
Alexander County court.

from the United States Biographical Diction.
Msis M sortrait Gallery OF Es.inent aud Self. |
Fredolin Bross, county Judge of Alex,
ander county. Illinois, and president of
the Alexander county bank, was born ar
Sasbach, Achern county. Grand Duke
dom of Baden, GERMANY. on the 22d CT
May, 1885. His fathers namo was An.
ton Bross, originally an architect and
builder, but Afterwards an officer In the
government insurance department in the
county of his nativity. He died at the
age of niuety years, in 1874.
His mother. whose maiden name
WAS Mary Ann Duerr, had
fourteen children, Of whom our subject
was the tenth, and eight OF whom are
still living. four OF them living In the
United States. She was an excellent
woman, devoting her whole time and ell
ergies to the care and education Of her
children, whom she endeavored to bring
up IN tie n,2nest principles VI u,v, a,,,y.
She died in her native country In 1855.
Our subject was educated III the common
| schools Of his native town ill the age
OF fourteen years, when he was appren-
ticed 10 a cahinet-lnaker to learn that
trade. After his apprenticeship he
worked as journeymAn In the various
cities OF his native land and also In
Switzerland for about two years and un.
h.. m f,nt rrof 20
to America, being attracted thther partly
| by inducements held out by a married
sister who had preceded him, and partly
to escape the military service. He landed
In New Orleans November 6, 1852, aud
! proceeded to Greenwood, Mississippi, the
residence Of his sister, whose hus-
band carried on the business OF manu-
featuring furniture, with whom. and his
brother William who accompanied him he
entered into partnership. One year alter
ward, the brother-in-law dying of yellow
fever, they purchased the business from
their sister and carried il on successfully
till 1856, when the partnership was dis.
solved, William Bross continuing the
business. After this he removed to
Cairo, Illinois, which has since been his
home. He commenced his career at this
place as an inn-keeper, and conducted
the Central hotel for eight years, beng
extensively engaged at the same time in
the importation of Rhine wines. This
proved successful speculation, and
[ during this last named period he amassed
quite little fortune. In 1864 he was
elected police magistrate, which position
he refined tor twelve years, being
twice reelected. In 1869 he was elected
county judge, and was, by virtue of thi;
office chairman of the board of county
commissioners. He WAS reelected il
| iOTO, anu 4, now the incumbent OF fha'
office. He was elected president of TIT
Alexander county bank In 1878, afte
which the Institution was thoroughly re
organized on a sound basis. with mol
crate capital, and Is now doing iarg
and profitable business. lie is an activ
aud enthusiastic worker in the cause ,
education, and was one OF 'ho origina
tors of the German school association q
Cairo, Of which he has been presi'lrn
for the last twelve years.
In politics he has always actef with h
Democratic party. In 1858 h. became
member of the independent Order o
Odd Fellows of Illinois. In c'HInec'iol
with Alexander Lodge No. 224- In 1856
he was elected a member OF the gran
lodge Of the state ; In 1869 he MAS electe
grand warden, and In 1879 was elected t
the office OF grand master OF the state. !
which capacity h served with great az
cep,ance and fidel ty till the meeting I
the grand lodge In 1873.
He was married on the l7th OF Decen
Der, 1853, to Miss Mary Fischer. natiy
OF Germany. They have four children
!. two boys and two girls-nsined respective
!. " In the order Of their birth. Louis II
Y Emma. Fredo!in j., and Matilda. III
q eldest son was educated at the lndustri'
). University at Champaign. and Is prepa
G Ing 70 engage In the drug business.
Judge Bross 10 an amiable, genial al