CARL M. WITTSTRUCK, boot and shoe maker, was born in the Province of Brandenburgh, Prussia, November 10, 1843, and came to the United States with his mother and family when thirteen years, and located in Racine County, Wis., where he served his apprenticeship to his trade, and in 1860 came to Woodford County, Ill., and engaged in the shoe making business until December, 1861, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry as private, Company M, under Col. Ingersoll. He participated in all the battles with his regiment up to the 23d of June, 1863, when he was taken prisoner by Capt. Saul Street, at Saulsbury, W. Tenn., and held captive until 1864, during which time he contracted the severe illness, rheumatism, and after he was liberated he was sent to St. Louis, where he got a furlough. On the 13th of May, was exchanged and went to Vicksburgh and joined his company, and in December, 1865, was mustered out and discharged at Memphis, and from thence returned home and remained with his brother. In September, 1868, came to Nebraska and homesteaded 160 acres in Centerville Precinct, improved the same and in 1872 came to South Pass Precinct and purchased an eighty acre farm, improved that and in 1874 came to Firth and established a boot and shoe business here, and through close attention to business, commands a large trade both from the city, and the surrounding country. He was married December 24, 1867, to Miss Viola Clayton, of Nebraska. Had six children, of which two are now living, Violetta and Moses. Mr. W. belongs to the I. O. O. F., Friendship Lodge, No. 47; also a member of the State Grand Lodge, having worked through all the degrees and is now recording secretary of the lodge here. In 1867 and 1869 he was elected Constable, in 1873 to 1875 was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1879, during which time he was appointed Notary Public, which position he still holds. Was also one of the first Board of Trustees elected for the Town of Firth. In 1879, was appointed agent for the B. & M. R. R. Co. here, which he held for one year. Also is insurance agent for the Western Horse and Cattle Insurance Company, and collecting agent. His father, Mr. Johann Joachim Wittstruck, was born in 1793, and served in the war under Blucher against Napoleon First, in 1813, '14 and '15, and participated in the battles of Leipzig, Gross Beren, Belle Alliance, Waterloo, and was one of those who entered with the victorious Prussian army into Paris, in 1815, and after the close of the war was discharged. He was married in 1818, to Miss Dorethea S. Zenze, who was born in 1800, they were the parents of fourteen children, of which at present there are only eight living; the subject of this sketch being the youngest.