Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Germain, Louis 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 5:59 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Germain, Louis – One of the old and honored residents of Grundy County, Ill., 
who in spite of the lack of early advantages has gained a place for himself 
among the substantial men of his community, is Louis Germain, a veteran of the 
Civil War and a citizen who in every way has fulfilled the best duties of 
citizenship.  He was born in 1840, at Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. Y., at 
the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, on Lake Champlain, and is a son of Peter 
and Julia (Christian) Germain, natives, respectively, of France and New York.

Louis Germain’s father was employed in the ore mines of New York, and the 
family was in modest financial circumstances, so that the lad’s educational 
advantages were limited to short attendance in a little log cabin 
schoolhouse.  At the age of fifteen years he left home to make his own way in 
the world, and went to Sandy Hill, on the Hudson River, where he lived with a 
cousin and worked on the river.  Subsequently, he came west with a railroad 
contractor and helped in the construction of an extension of the Michigan 
Southern Railroad to Ligonier, Ind.  There he met and married Miss Mary A. 
Stone, daughter of Richard and Mary Ann (Higgins) Stone, natives of 
Pennsylvania.  They were married March 11, 1859, by Rev. D. P. Hartman of 
Logan County, Ind., and in that year came west with the Stone family and 
located in Grundy County, Ill.  Mr. Germain’s father-in-law was a farmer by 
occupation, and Mr. Germain remained with Mr. Stone for three years.  He then 
accepted a position as a clerk in a grocery in Gardner, and in 1870 became 
clerk for the late J. C. Lutz, who was engaged in the grocery and dry goods 
business.  His first business venture of his own was in the firm of Germain & 
Hastings, undertakers and dealers in furniture, the partners having, all told, 
about $500 in stock.  Mr. Hastings was the carpenter of the firm, made all the 
coffins, and did the greater part of the undertaking work.  This business, 
however, did not satisfy Mr. Germain, and in 1872 he formed a partnership with 
R. B. Huss, under the firm style of Germain & Huss, in a general merchandise 
business and also buying and selling produce.  This venture proved successful, 
but in 1874 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Germain disposing of his 
interests to Mr. Huss.  He then became a professional salesman, which calling 
he had followed before, and for many years was widely known for his activities 
along this line, he being one of the most successful “wielders of the hammer” 
in this part of the State.

In 1864 Mr. Germain enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the Civil War.  He was 
commissioned second lieutenant and later promoted to first lieutenant, and was 
one of the officers detailed to guard the body of Abraham Lincoln when the 
martyred president lay in state at Springfield, and was an escort to the 
burial grounds.  Mr. Germain has been successful in his business ventures, and 
owns 500 acres of farming land in Grundy County, a beautiful home in Gardner, 
and several other town properties.  Although deprived of advantages in his 
youth, he has been a close student and observer, and is a self-educated man, 
alive to all the real topics of the day.  While not affiliated with any 
church, he is a liberal contributor to all religious and charitable movements 
and his benevolences have been many.  For the part twenty-five years he has 
been commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is 
very popular with his old comrades, as he is, in fact, with all who know him, 
whether in business, official or social life.  In politics, he is a 
Republican, during the early sixties he entered public life as constable, was 
later deputy sheriff of Grundy County for four years, was twelve years a 
member of the board of township supervisors, for eleven years township 
assessor, and for nine years was a member of the township board of trustees, 
of which he was the first clerk.  His entire official life was devoted to the 
best interests of his community and he won the universal respect of his fellow-
townsmen.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Germain:  Eva G., now Mrs. Wilkinson, 
living at Beloit, Wis.; Mabel, who married H. B. Gould, of Morris, Ill.; Grace 
E., who married H. B. Holmes, of Beloit, Wis.; Guy L., residing at Jackson, 
Wyo.; and Carrie and Lottie, who both died as children and are buried in 
Gardner Cemetery.  There are eight grandchildren.  Mrs. Germain is a member of 
the Woman’s Relief Corps.

pages 815-816

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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