WILLIAM P. GAUSS. The wholesale grocery firm of Gauss, Jobst, Bethard & Co., of which the subject of this notice is the senior member, is doing a fine business, occupying Nos. 116 and 118 Main Street, as successors to S. H. Thompson & Co. The new firm commenced business March 1, 1890, and gives employment to eight men outside of the members of the firm. Their promptness and courteous treatment of their customers, together with excellent business ability, are already giving preeminence and standing to the company, which is rapidly taking a leading position among similar interests in the city. 

The subject of this notice is of German birth and parentage, a native of the Province of Wurtemburg, and born Jul 19, 1842, He emigrated to America with his parents in1853, when a lad of eleven years, they locating first in New York City. Thence they removed to New Jersey, but sojourned there only a comparatively brief time, coming in 1856 to Peoria, of which Mr. Gauss has since been a resident. He served three months in the army du4ring the late Civil War, as a member of Company E, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and for three years was in the Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, going through the South with Gen. Sherman, and participating in the battles of the Atlanta campaign. At Ringgold, Ga., he was wounded in the arm, but soon recovered, and with this exception escaped the vicissitudes of war practically unharmed. 

After receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the war, Mr. Gauss returned to Peoria, and for five years thereafter was engaged in the grocery business in company with R. A. Schimpff.  At the expiration of this time he embarked in business for himself, locating at Nos. 113 and 114 South Madison Street, where he operated successfully for a period of fourteen years,k and until becoming associated with his present partners. 

Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Gauss identified himself with the Republican party, and has been somewhat prominent in local affairs, representing at the present time the Second Ward in the City Council. He is a member in good standing of the Grand Army of the Republic, also of the Independent Order of the Mutual Aid Society, and Tribe No. 53, Improved Order of Red Men. He is recognized as one of the leaders among his countrymen, who form a large portion of the reliable and substantial element of Peoria. Mr. Gauss was married October 31, 1867, in Peoria, to Miss Louisa Potthoff. Mrs. Gauss like her husband is of German birth and parentage, born in North Germany, and came to America with her mother when a child. The seven bright children of this union are named respectively: William F., Sophia, Julia, Matilda, Ida., Louis J. and Clara. They are all at home with their parents, who intend that they shall be given all the advantages, educational and otherwise, within their power.

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Gauss accompanies this record of the principal evens of his life.

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