REV. F. C. KRUEGER, pastor of the German Evangelical Church at Centralia, was born in the Fatherland, December 31, 1855, and is thus in the prime of a stalwart manhood. He has devoted the last fifteen years of his life to the salvation of others, and in his chosen field has been greatly prospered. In all things he proves that his desire is not "to be seen of men," or win their approbation, but to earn the consciousness of discharging the ordinary duties of life in an upright manner.
Frank and Augusta (Schiemann) Krueger, the parents of our subject, were likewise natives of Germany, where the former was a well-to-do merchant. He is now deceased, but the mother is still living and has attained the age of seventy-six years. She reared a family of six children, and besides our subject, has another son, Herman, who is also a minister, having a charge at Steinauer, Neb. The remainder of the family make their home in the Old Country.
The Rev. F. C., of this sketch, received his early literary training in the gymnasium of his native city, and later attended the theological department of the University of Berlin, where he was graduated in 1880. Then, desirous of seeing something of the New World, he came to America in 1881, and making his way directly to St. Louis, Mo., was there ordained to preach in the German Evangelical Church on the 26th of June, that year. From the Mound City he went to Humboldt, Neb., and after preaching there for two years, removed to Creston, Iowa, which charge he held for the succeeding six years.
In February, 1889, the Rev. Mr.Krueger came to Centralia and accepted the position of pastor of the church in this city, where, by his well balanced and well stored mind he lias become very popular among his parishioners.
Mr. Krueger was married September 25, 1883, to Miss Lena Nestel. She died two years later, and November 15, 1893, our subject chose as his second companion Miss Theresa, daughter of Henry Kurth, see sketch. Mrs. Krueger, who was born, reared and educated in Centralia, aids her husband greatly in carrying on the good work in the city.
The church over which Mr. Krueger presides was organized in 1860. It is now in a very flourishing condition, and has a large and interesting Sunday-school, whose present Superintendent is Jacob Kohl. Their new church building was erected in 1888, and the old structure is used for the Sunday-school. Not only is Mr. Krueger highly esteemed by those of his own church, but his name is the synonym for integrity and probity wherever known.
In politics he is a Republican.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 332 - 333
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer