The "Turkey Hill" birthplace of J. A. Mueller is referenced numerous times in histories of St. Clair County, Illinois. Its name was apparently derived from the abundant wild turkeys found on the long high ridge just north of what is now Freeburg, Illinois. It served as the home of a thriving Indian population until French and German immigrants began to settle the area. Subsequently, in the very late 1700's and the early to mid 1800's immigrants (many were highly educated and industrious Germans) made Turkey Hill a very productive agricultural community. A Turkey Hill School was built in 1815 and a Turkey Hill Grange was formed in 1874. He was a veteran of the Spanish American War being a member of the U. S. Army, 29th Infantry, 1st Battalion. His unit was deployed from Columbus Barracks, Ohio for the Phillipine Islands on February 22, 1902 traveling cross country by train arriving in San Francisco on February 27, 1902. There they were encamped at the Presidio until April 1 when they boarded the U. S. Army Transport Sheridan for the voyage to the Phillipines. There is no record of his unit being involved in any military action but his personal notes mention Argao, Cebu, Corregidor, and Manila. He left a handwritten journal of his travels to the Phillipines and numerous photographs of Phillipino military and civillian scenes. He attended at least two reunions of the 29th Infantry in Springfield, Illinois; one was in September 1944. John Arthur (usually called Art) was appointed by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow on July 1, 1904 as a rural mail carrier for "Route No. 1" in Mount Leonard, Missouri at an annual salary of $720. His substitute for this route was George F. Mueller, apparently his brother, Fridolin. He and his wife "Annie" had three children; Elmer George who was best known as Gotch (after a German fighter), Laura Anna, and Hilda Ida. He and his family lived for several years in Sweet Springs, Missouri. He and his wife spent their retirement years in a rural home about 7 miles north of Sweet Springs with a large garden, chickens and an ocassional milk cow and fattening pig.