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WILLIAM ULLRICH. Having devoted his active career to the profession of teaching, William Ullrich, superintendent of schools of Ava, Illinois, occupies a prominent place among the educators of Southern Illinois, and is popular alike with his co-workers and pupils. He is a man of progressive ideas, many of which have taken shape in reforms long needed here, and his work along all channels has been earnest and sincere. Professor Ullrich is a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and

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was born on a farm near Mascoutah, September 2, 1872, a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Ferbert) Ullrich.

Fred Ullrich was born at Rheinpfaelz, Germany, February 22, 1848, and came to the United States when he was twenty-one years of age, locating on a farm near Mascoutah. He followed agricultural pursuits there until the nineties, at which time he went to a farm near New Baden, and there he still resides. Possessed of characteristic German energy, industry and thrift, he has succeeded in his chosen vocation, and has the respect and esteem of all with whom he is acquainted. In 1870 Mr. Ullrich was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ferbert, also of Rheinpfaelz, Germany, the marriage being the outcome of a courtship that had started in the Fatherland. Seven children were born to them, of whom two died in infancy, while those who reached mature years are: William; Fred, who is a member of the faculty of the Normal University school at Normal, Illinois; Anna, who is single and resides with her parents; John, who is married and is engaged in super-intending the operations on the home farm; and Barbara, who married Elmer Downs, of Normal, in 1911. The parents of these children are faithful members of the German Evangelical church, and Mr. Ullrich is identified with Democratic politics.

William Ullrich spent his early life on the farm on which he was born, and when he could be spared from his duties on the home place began his education in the country schools. During 1894 and 1895 he fitted himself for the educator's profession by attendance at the normal school, Normal, Illinois, and in 1890 he also attended the summer schools at Bushnell. As early as 1895 he engaged in teaching, his first school being a country school near Summerfield, St. Clair county, and he next was made principal of the schools at New Baden, an office which he filled very satisfactorily for twelve years. Mr. Ulirich has acted as principal of the Ava schools for the past two years, and his administration has been marked with a number of progressive innovations. The course here includes three years of high school, and the year 1912 marked the largest graduating class that the city has known. A studious man and a deep thinker, Professor Ullrich has not allowed his studies to narrow his mind as to other matters, but may be found giving his support to anything which promises to be of benefit to his community, and he is looked upon not only as a careful, capable and conscientious educator, but a public-spirited citizen from whose influence the city gains a large measure of benefit.

In 1900 Professor Ullrich was united in marriage with Miss Helena Mueller, of New Baden, daughter of Andrew Mueller, and four children have been born to this union: Eugene, Dora, Gilbert and one who died in infancy. Politically he is an active and interested Democrat, and his fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.