Adam Junker, Sheriff of Clinton County and an influential citizen of Carlyle, is a native of Germany, having been born in the city of Nackenheim, in Hesse-Darmstadt, April 12, 1853. He is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (SIGLING) Junker, natives of the same place as that in which his eyes first opened to the light. The father, who in the Old Country followed the trade of a butcher, emigrated to the United States in 1855, and coming west to Wisconsin, settled at Port Washington. He purchased a tract of eighty acres of timber land, which he cleared and converted into a fertile and finely improved farm.

Selling his farm for $4,400 in 1867, Peter JUNKER came to Aviston, Clinton County, in the spring of the same year and purchased property at that place. About 1876 he purchased a farm in Sugar Creek Township, but did not settle there until three years later. In Aviston he carried on a meat market. After removing to the farm, he engaged in the cultivation of its forty acres until his death, which occurred January 2, 1894. His wife died six days after his demise. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom six attained years of maturity and five are now living. They are: Lawrence, who is a farmer and stock-raiser of Wilson County, Kan., and resides in Neodesha, that state; Adam, the subject of this sketch; Jacob, who is engaged in the confectionery business at Milwaukee, Wis.; Charles, who lives upon the old homestead; and Elizabeth, who married Charles J. BISCH and lives in Port Washington, Wis. The father of this family was a Democrat in political belief and a Roman Catholic in religion.

Brought to this country when only two years old, our subject has no recollection of the land of his birth and is a loyal citizen of the United States. He was reared in Wisconsin, and in Aviston, Clinton County, Ill., received a fair education in the public schools. He remained with his father until the year 1879, and June 10 of that year was united in marriage with Miss Margaret SANTEL, who was born in Germantown, Clinton County, in 1855, and has spent her entire life in this state. Her father, Anton SANTEL, a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States and was numbered among the pioneers of Clinton County, where he engaged in the mercantile business. His death occurred in Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Junker were born seven children, of whom the following now survive: Edward P., Elizabeth, Anton Johann and Willie.

Among the citizens of Clinton County, few are more widely and favorably known than Mr. Junker, and especially is he prominent in the Democratic party. For years he has been an active and influential worker in that political organization, and he has frequently been called upon to fill positions of trust within the gift of the people. In 1876 he was chosen Constable in Sugar Creek Township, and held that position until 1890. For a number of years he was Village Clerk and Street Commissioner, and also served as Clerk of the Board of School Directors. He was Assessor of Sugar Creek Township for eight successive years, and since 1876 has been the incumbent of some position continuously to the present time. In 1890 he was elected Sheriff of Clinton County, in which office he is now serving with fidelity and success. Frequently he has represented his party as delegate to the various conventions. At the present time he is a candidate for the office of County Clerk, and it is safe to say that, should he receive the nomination, he will have the unanimous and hearty support of the Democrats of the county. In his religious belief he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to the other enterprise in which he has engaged, for some time he conducted farming pursuits, in which he met with success.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois, 1894, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, IL

Submitted by: Connie Albers

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