H. M. DETRICH, Steward of the South Illinois Insane Asylum, Anna, is a native of Sparta, Randolph Co., Ill. He was born April 29, 1856, to J. E. and Lydia (Wise) Detrich. He was born in Pennsylvania, where he received a common school education and a knowledge of the German language; he learned the printer's trade in Pennsylvania in 1832He came to Illinois and located in Randolph County, where he worked at his trade for some time, and later became the editor and proprietor of the Columbus Herald. After two years, he engaged in the mercantile business, at Sparta (formally Columbus). He was elected Representative of Randolph County, and afterward was elected Senator of his district. After the expiration of his Senatorial term, he again engaged in the mercantile business, and while thus engaged was appointed Internal Revenue Collector. At the breaking-out of the late rebellion, he raised a company of men, known as Company K, of the Twenty-second Illinois Regiment Volunteers, and was appointed Captain of the company. He served three years and was engaged in many battles. He was mustered out of the service on account of poor health; he returned to Randolph County and again engaged in mercantile pursuits. Under Gen. Grant's first administration, he was again appointed Internal Revenue Collector, which position he held for several years, and in connection with his official duties engaged in real estate. He was appointed Trustee of the Southern Illinois Insane Asylum, and elected President of the board. In 1882, he was appointed to a position in the Pension Department at Washington, D. C, in which he is now engaged. He has been married three times; his first wife was a Miss Shannon, who bore him two children — Robert and Fred; the former is now Deputy Clerk of Randolph County, and the latter a druggist of Alton, Ill. His second wife was Lydia Wise, the mother of our subject, and Don E., who is State's Attorney of Randolph County, Ill. He was married a third time to Mrs. S. A. Jacobs. Harry M. Detrich was educated in the high schools of Sparta, Ill., and in early life learned the printing and newspaper business; he worked at the same in this State, also in Colorado. In the spring of 1878, he was appointed Clerk of the Southern Illinois Insane Asylum, and after one year was promoted to the position of Steward by Dr. H. Wardner which office he now holds. Mr. Detrich was married at Anna, Ill., October 19, 1881, to Miss Anna M. Hay, a native of Illinois. They have been blessed with one child, Burke H., born July 7, 1882. Mr. Detrich is an active member of the order K. of H., Anna Lodge, No. 1892. In politics, he is a Republican, and in 1880 he stumped this Congressional District for James A. Garfield.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 59-60.
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