The Lutheran church of Neunert, Illinois, the strongest Lutheran
congregation in Jackson county, is fortunate in having for its pastor the
Rev. G. H. Haertling, a man whose qualities of mind and heart have made him
beloved by all who know him, and one who has proved himself not only an able
pastor and efficient business man, but also a friend and advisor to all who
will place confidence in him. Born at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, May 8, 1876,
Rev. Haertling is a son of Herman and Sophia (Koenig) Haertling.
Herman Haertling was born in Saxony, Germany, February 16, 1841, and came to
the United States when about twenty-two years, locating in Cape Girardeau
county, Missouri, among the heavy timber. Clearing his original land, he
added to it from time to time, becoming eventually one of his section's most
prosperous men. In political matters he was a Republican, but he never cared
for public preferment, and the time he could spare from his private affairs
was all devoted to the work of the Lutheran church, of which he was an
active and useful member, holding several official offices and being a
deacon for a number of years. A good man and true Christian, the world was
better for Mr. Haertling having lived in it, and at the time of his death,
which occurred July 13, 1904, his community lost not only an able
agriculturist, but a man whose life was so spent that those who came after
him could look back upon his career with a sense of pride. His widow still
survives and makes her home with a younger brother of Rev. Haertling on the
old homestead.
Rev. G. H. Haertling was the fifth of nine children
born to his" parents, and his early education was secured in the parochial
schools. When he was fourteen years of age his father sent him to college at
Concordia, Missouri, and in 1894 he was graduated at which time he went to
Milwaukee and was graduated from college there in 1897. Returning to
Missouri, he was a student at Concordia College, St. Louis, until his
graduation in 1900, and at that time was ordained. His first charge was at
Menno, Hutchinson county, South Dakota, where he remained for two years, and
then received a call to Hanson, Brown county, in that state, remaining there
until 1904, then going to the Fountain Bluff congregation. The Rev. P. S.
Estel, whom Rev. Haertling succeeded as pastor of the present congregation
had been in charge here for twenty-two years. During Rev. Haertling's
administration, the congregation, comprising seventy-eight active members,
has erected a new church edifice at Neunert, made necessary by the extensive
growth of its attendance. Rev. Haertling is sincerely loved in his parish,
enjoys the fullest confidence of the members of his church, and is accorded
the highest respect of all who know him. He has a deep sense of the high
duties of his position and the responsibility he has assumed in caring for
the spiritual needs of those who have been entrusted to his charge. His
eloquence in the pulpit and his sincere interest in the welfare of his
people have enabled him to accomplish much good, and he has administered the
financial affairs of the church to the advantage of that organization.
In 1901, Rev. Haertling was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Koenig,
of Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, daughter of Julius Koenig, and to this
union there have been born four children: Concordia, Lorna, Paula and Milta.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, page 1575.