Macoupin County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1879 (part 3 of 15)

Thomas G. Cundall

Was born in Chesterfield, Macoupin county, Illinois, September 15, 1845. John R. Cundall, his father, is a native of Leeds, England, as was also his wife. He came to America in 1832, and settled in the township above named, where he entered land and engaged in farming, and where he still resides. His wife died in 1867. Thomas G. is the fourth in a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, He attended the-schools of his native township in the winter season and worked upon the farm in summer. He continued upon the farm in Chesterfield until 1870, when he removed to the township of Carlinyille, and in May, 1875, he engaged in the livery, feed and sale stable business, and at which he still continues. Since going into the latter business he has engaged extensively in the purchase of horses and mules, and at the present writing is the most extensive dealer in the county. In fact, trading in stock has been Mr. Cundall's principal business for the last ten years. On the 22d of March, 1877, he married Mrs. Kate B. McNeil. She is a native of Kentucky, but was a resident of Carlinville at the time of her marriage.

Mr. Cundall pays but little attention to politics, and therefore votes for men who in his judgment are best fitted for the offices. He enjoys in a large degree the confidence and esteem of the community, and in his dealings with his fellow-man is regarded as an upright and honorable gentleman. In the line of his business he has but few superiors, and by the practice of industry and enterprise in supplying the wants of the public he has managed to win their esteem and confidence, and at the same time add to his material wealth. A fine view of his residence can be seen elsewhere in this book.

Ty, Carlinville, Macoupin Mark Crowder

THE present city marshal of Carlinyille, was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, February 24th, 1826. Mark Crowder, his father, was a native of Virginia; he came to Kentucky, and settled near Lexington in 1809. He married Rosanna Phillips; she was a native of Washington county, Kentucky. Fifteen children were born to them, eleven of whom have survived the parents. Mr. Crowder came to Madison county, Illinois, and settled near Alton, in 1829, where he remained until 1854, when he came to Macoupin county, and died here Oct. 18th, 1868. His wife died in July, 1866. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work upon the farm and attending school in the winter season. At the age of nineteen years he practically started in life for himself. He then went to school for the purpose of improying his education, after which he entered Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, where he remained nearly four years. He maintained hunself at school by workimg at the cooper trade during vacations. By this means he succeeded in getting a good education. After this he commenced teaching in the old school-house where he had been a pupil. This was in 1849. In 1850 he came to Macoupin county and taught school on Bear Creek, after which he returned to Madison county, and taught school in his old home. The next year he taught in the Forks of Woodriver, after which he removed to Alton to finish his education at Shurtleff College, but an opportunity offered to teach in an academy, and he accepted the situation. During that time his wife died. As soon as his school elosed he came back to Carlinville, where he followed the profession of teaching until 1854, when he rode deputy under assess6r Snow, and canyassel eighteen townships out of twenty-four. In the fall he became the candidate to fill the yacancy of assessor occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Snow, but was defeated, owing to there being four candidates in the field. In the fall of 1855 he was a candidate for the regular term, and was elected ; he served two years. He was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated. He then resumed teaching, at which he continued until 1862, when he enlisted in Company " A," 122d regiment, Illinois Vols. He entered as a private, but was subsequently promoted sergeant. At the battle of Parker's Cross Roads he was wounded in the thigh, and was disabled for further duty, and was therefore discharged February 3d, 1864. He returned home and engaged in mercantile business, in which he remained one year. Was then elected city marshal, and remained in office two terms, after which he again taught school. He was also elected city collector in 1870; since that time he has been engaged in teaching and farming, until 1879, when he was appointed city marshal, and at the present time holds that office. On the 29th of January, 1851, he married Mixx Martha Walker, by whom he had two children, one of whom is living. Hix wife died March 3d, 1853. On the 5th of April, 1854, he married Parthena ©. Clark, who is a native of North Carolina, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the date of her marriage. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living. In politics Mr. Crowder is a republican. He joined the Christian Church in 1843, and subsequently he attached himself to the Baptist organization.

Jacob L. Plain

Was born in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, on the 2dth day of April, 1828. Hecomes from English ancestry on the paternal side, and French on the maternal. His father, David Plain, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, who was a Landis, was born in Virginia. Dayid Plain emigrated to Morgan county, Illinois, in September, 1828, and remained there until 1831, when he removed to Macoupin county, and settled eight miles north-east of Carlinyille, where he remained until his death in August, 1873. Mrs. Plain died in January, 1868. There were eight children born to David and Ann Plain, six of whom haye survived their parents. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work upon the farm, and attended the country schools in the winter months. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he hired to a man in Sangamon county, to work upon a farm. In 1851 he commenced riding as deputy sheriff, under sheriff William M. Snow. He rode three years when he was elected sheriff. He served until 1856. In 1858 he was again elected, and continued in office until the fall of 1860, and from that time until 1865, acted as deputy. In 1865 he was elected justice of the peace, and has held the office from that time to the present. In 1871 in connection with Horace Gwin, he compiled a set of indexes for Title Abstracts, and since that time has,

In April, 1878, he was elected Mayor of Carlinville, and discharged the duties of that office with credit to himself and to his friends. On the 13th of March, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary A. J. Dick, who is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. In politics Mr. Plain is an unswerving demoerat. He cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852, and has remained true and steadfast to the party of his first choice ever since.

In the pioneer days of Illinois, Mr. Plain had but few opportunities for receiving even acommon school education, but being of an observing nature, and haying a retentive mind, he, by hard work and persistent effort, has succeeded to the possession of knowledge that makes him the equal of those who make far greater pretensions. In the community where he has lived for a long number of years none are more respected for those qualities that make the man than Jacob L. Plain.

W. E. P. Anderson

Is a native of Macoupin county, Illinois. He was born May 31st, 1850. His father, Erasmus S. Anderson, was born in Christian county, Kentucky. He emigrated to Illinois in 1834, and settled in this county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He married Mary E. Hogan, who was a native of Illinois. Both parents died from cholera in August, 1851. The subject of our sketch was the only child in the family. After the death of his parents he was taken into the family of his uncle, C. H. C. Anderson, with whom he remained until his twenty-third year. He attended the common schools until his seventeenth year, when he entered Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained two years, after which he spent one year in a private and select school in Philadelphia. After his return from Philadelphia he entered the law office of Judge William R. Welch, of Carlinville, and read law. He had previously read law in the office of John Mayo Palmer, after his return from the university at Bloomington, but abandoned it for a time in order to receive a more thorough education. He was admitted to practice at the August term of the Cireuit Court in 1871. He commenced the practice alone, and continued until 1877, when he formed a law partnership with A. H. Bell, which still continues. On the 23d of October, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Nellie D. Hamilton. She is a native of McLean county, Illinois. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, both boys. In polities Mr. Anderson is a Democrat. In 1874 and 1875 he was elected to the office of city attorney of Carlinville, and in 1877 was elected assistant supervisor of the township. In both offices he discharged his duties in a manner that gave entire satisfaction to his constituents. As an attorney he is safe and reliable. He is a close student, and consequently is well posted.

Was born in Watertown, Conn., on the 22d of March, 1839. His father, John Castle, was a native of the same state, and was a machinist by trade. He died in 1852. He married Clara Welton, who is still living in New Haven, Conn. The subject of our sketch is the only child of the family. He came to Illinois at the age of fourteen years, arriving here in 1853. He worked upon a farm until the breaking out of the war, when' he went east on a visit, and while there enlisted in company "D," 2d New York cavalry. The company was attached to McDowell's Corps, in the Army of the Potomac. He entered the service in 1861, and remained with the company until after Pope's defeat at the second battle of Bull's Run, after which he was detached and sent to New York City to recruit up the regiment. After that was filled he raised another regiment, which was known as the 13th New York Cavalry, and he was appointed captain. The regiment reported at Washington for duty, and from there was sent to Virginia, and was for the most part scouting, until the advance of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, when the regiment supported the left flank. In June, 1865, he resigned and came west. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and other business until 1873, when he entered the livery, feed, and sale stable business, in which he is still engaged.

On the 8th of September, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fishback, who is a native of Alabama, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Her father, William H. Fishback, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, June 11th, 1813, and lived there until

1822. He was a tailor by trade, and continued in that business until illhealth compelled him to abandon it. In 1822 he removed from Kentucky to Huntsville, Alabama, where he remained until 1847, when he removed with his family to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he had previously been, and bought a farm eight miles south of Carlinville, on the old Alton road. On the Ist of October, 1839, he was united in marriage with Margaret E. Black, who died in 1853. In 1870 Mr. Fishback was elected sheriff of Macoupin county, when he removed to Carlinville. He was for years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county, and was an active member of the Board of Agriculture. He was eminently a selfmade man. In early life he had no opportunities of obtaining an education in the school-room. He followed his trade by day and at night pored over books, and in this way succeeded in getting a good and useful education. Whatever he did, he did well. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he was one of the first to urge the most vigorous measures, and he made sacrifices for the good of his country. He sent forth his two sons in the first regiment that was raised in the county. When the 122d regiment Llinois volunteers was organized, he was chosen colonel, but ill-health forced him to decline the honor. He was an honest, upright and conscientious man, and faithful officer, in whom the people placed implicit trust. He sleeps quietly beneath the sod of the valley. Peace be to his ashes. Honor to his memory. There has been born to George J., and Emma B. Castle two children, a boy and girl. In politics Mr. Castle isa republican. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is an active business man. At present he is president of the Board of Agriculture of Macoupin county, and also Mayor of the city of Carlinville.

BAILEY PEYTON McDANIEL, Was born in Smith county, Tennessee, May 12th, 1839. His father, William T. McDaniel, was a native of North Carolina. The family is of Scotch ancestry. The family emigrated from Tennessee to Illinois in 1846, and ettled four miles west of Carlinville, in this county; where the father engaged in farming. He remained there until 1850, when he came to Carlinyille, and afterward removed to Gillespie, where he died in 1863. He married Elizabeth Smith, who was a native of Tennessee; eight children were born to them, two of whom have survived the parents, viz.: William M., who is a merchant in the village of Gillespie, and the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest in the family. He attended the common schools of Macoupin county, and received a fair English education. The death of his mother, occurring as it did, when he was yet young, and his father not being in affluent circumstances, he was compelled at an early age to go out into the world and provide for his own support. During the late war he enlisted in August, 1862, in company " A." 97th regiment, Illinois Volunteers, Col. Rutherford commanding. The regiment was attached to the 16th army corps, under command of A. J. Smith. After the capture of Vicksburg he named place, where he remained for thirteen months, or until August, 1864, when he was ordered back to his regiment. He remained with the regiment but a few days when he was ordered to report at Natchez, where he was detailed as Quartermaster, in which position he remained five months. He remained in the service until October, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to Gillespie, and engaged in the grain and stock business, in which he remained until 1876, when he removed to Carlinville and accepted the office of deputy, under Sheriff Heaton, and remained with him until December, 1878.

He was married January 14th, 1869, to Miss Mary K. Bartlett, who is a native of New Hampshire, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Five children have been born to them; two of whom are living. In politics he is a democrat, and cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. In 1878 he was a candidate before the democratic nominating convention for the office of sheriff, but was defeated by one vote. He is a member of the order of Free Masonry and Knights of Honor. He is in every way worthy of all confidence.

Peter Hienz

PETER HIENZ, Was born in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, on the 27th of December, 1826. He is the youngest in s family of five children, three of whom were boys and two girls. Ip his youth, he obtained a good education in the schools of his native country. He was at an early age apprenticed to the cabinet-making trade, at which he remained until the fall of 1852. In 1848 he became involved with Schurz, Hecker and other German patriots, in the insurrection and revolution, which had for its object the overthrow of the then existing tyrannical form of government, and the establishment of a republic. The attempt, as is well-known, was unsuccessful. He was arrested and placed in prison, where he remained fourteen days. As soon as he received his liberty he determined to quit the country. He made all the necessary arrangements, and took his departure for America, and landed in New Orleans in December of 1852. He left New Orleans and came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and from there, came direct to Chesterfield, in this county. While there, he worked upon a farm and saw mill, and in 1853 came to Carlinville, and commenced the carpenter trade, and worked at the bench for one year, at the end of which time he became a contractor , and builder. He continued in the latter business until 1861, when he went. back to his original trade of cabinet-making, at which he has continued up to the present time. He was united in marriage to Miss Johana Knabner, who is also a native of Germany, but was a resident of Carlinville at the time of her marriage. There have been seven children born to them, five of whom are living. One daughter is married, and resides in Carlinville ; the rest are yet beneath the parental roof.

In politics he is a democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan for president, in 1856, and has continued his allegiance to that political organization ever since.

Both he and his estimable wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. It may here be said, that to Mr. H., is due, perhaps more than any other citizen of Carlinville, the credit of organizing and sustaining that Christian denomination and building the first church edifice for that organization in the city. The German Lutheran Church is indebted to him for wise counsel and substantial aid, given freely upon all occasions when required. oe

The subject of our sketch is a representative German citizen, thoroughly Americanized, and full of push and enterprise. As a man and citizen he is much respected, and has been frequently called by the people to occupy positions of trust and honor both in the city and county. He has represented his ward in the City Council five or six times, and has been city collector, coroner of the county, and in 1876 was elected to the honorable position of Mayor of the City of Carlinville. All of these positions he has filled with credit to himself, that justitied the wisdom of those who elected him.

Born the 2d of July, 1829, in Jackson county, Alabama, was the eldest of a family of seven children of Manning and Martha (Smith) Mayfield, his wife. Ata very early date Manning Mayfield with his family emigrated to Tllinois, and settled in Morgan county. It was here that our subject received his early education, and continued to live with his parents until grown to manhood. ;

Mr. Mayfield came to Macoupin county quite early in its settlement, and located at Girard, where he erected the first store-house, and was the first merchant doing business in that village. As a business man he was always successful, honest, energetic, and popular, and won many friends and admirers.

He was married August 3d, 1854, to Miss Louan Davis, the daughter of Elijah and Catherine Davis. Here it is proper to mention that Mr. Elijah Davis (deceased) was one of the old settlers of this county. He was a native of Virginia, and lived for a time in Kentucky, from where he came to this state. Mr. Davis was a man of ability, energy, and integrity, and during his lifetime was one of the prominent and substantial men of the locality in which he'lived. He died on his farm, in Shaw's Point township.

Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield have had born to them six children, three boys and three girls, one son deceased. All the children reside in Carlinville at home, excepting Roy, who is an accomplished young man, now practicing law in Topeka, Kansas.

In 1860 Alfred S. Mayfield received the nomination and was elected to the office of circuit clerk of Macoupin county. His courteous manner and - official capacity were such as to re-elect him in 1864 by an increased majority. Mr. Mayfield was a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows Lodges. Politically he was an ardent and uncompromising democrat.

County, Willin Ols

part of his time unable to attend to the duties of his office, failing health rendering it impossible to do so, and the ravages of consumption ended his days the 25th of February, 1868, in the thirty-ninth year of his age.

Abiel M. Barker

Was born in Monroe county, Illinois, May 3d, 1840. His father, Asa M. Barker, was a native of the state of Vermont, and came to Illinois in 1820. He married Cynthia De Val. She was of German and French ancestry, and was a native of Ohio. She came to Illinois while the state was yet under territorial government, and was married while a resident of Monroe county. The father died in Edwardsville, Madison county, May 11th, 1848. The mother died January 6th, 1874, at the residence of the subject of this sketch. He is the eighth child in a family of nine children, three of whom have survived the parents.

He attended the common schools until his thirteenth year. Not being of a robust constitution, he concluded to adopt the printer's trade as the business of his life, and at the age of thirteen years entered the office of the Monroe Advocate, and seryed an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked in the Telegraph office in Alton. and in the winter of 1855- 56 came to Carlinville and worked in the office of the Spectator. He remained there one year, and then entered the office of the Carlinville Free Democrat, where he continued until 1859, after which he tried farming, and continued so occupied until the breaking out of the war.

In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company "C," 32d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. John Logan. He was elected sergeant of the company. The regiment rendezyoused at Camp Butler, and from there was ordered to Bird's Point, Mo., and from there to Pittsburg Landing, where the regiment was brigaded and attached to the Fourth Division, Gen. S. A. Hurlburt commanding. The regiment received its first baptism of fire at Pittsburg Landing, and afterwards participated in the battles of Shiloh, sicge of Corinth, Metamora, Hatchie creck, siege of Vicksburg, second siege of Jackxon, Kenesaw, and siege of Atlanta, and went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. In the winter of 1864 he re-enlisted while detached from the regiment on recruiting service; he rejoined the regiment in 1864 at Huntsville, Ala., and was mustered out September 25th, 1865, having been in the service four years and one month. He was with the regiment the entire time, except when on detached service.

After his return home he entered the Democrat office, where he remained until he organized and started the Virden News, which publication he continued for three years. He then returned to the Democrat again, and has remained there in the capacity of foreman ever since.

native of Carlinville, Illinois. Her father, Rev. S. M. Otwell, was a native of Georgia. Six children have been born to them, three boys and three girls, All are yet beneath the parental roof.

In politics Mr. Barker is a strong adherent of the republican party. He east his first vote for Lincoln. As will be seen by the foregoing brief sketch the greater part of Mr. Barker's life has been spent in the printing office. As a man and a citizen his life has been quiet and above reproach,

Samuel Pitman

Was born in the state of New Jersey, February 9th, 1829. The Pitman family are of English descent on the paternal side. Samuel Pitman, the father, was a weaver by trade, but he subsequently abandoned the trade, and took up farming. He came west and settled in Jersey county, Illinois, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1854. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood days at work, cultivating the paternal acres and attending the country schools in the winter season. When he was about fifteen years of age he commenced the trade of blacksmithing, at which he continued until 1849, after which he clerked in a store until November, 1851, when he entered the law office of John M. Palmer, and read law, and in December of 1854 was admitted to the practice. After his admission he formed a law partnership with Palmer, which continued until 1864. In 1865 he quit the practice, and did not resume it again until 1870, when he formed a law-parinership with John Mayo Palmer, which continued until 1872, and since that time he has practiced alone. He has no specialities in the practice of his profession. He is regarded by his professional brethren as being well-read in the law, and untiring in the interest of his clients. In politics he is a republican, but cast his first vote as a democrat in 1852 for Franklin Pierce, for president, but at the formation of the republican party in 1856 he joined that political organization, and voted for John C. Fremont, and since that time has been an active and influential member of the party, who gave freedom to all mankind who came under, and acknowledged allegiance to the flag of our country. He is not a partisan in the strict sense of the word, only so far as to exercise his right of suffrage. As a man, he is a free, open-hearted gentleman.

Martin L. Keplinger

Was born in Morgan county, Illinois, January 25th, 1847. Samuel Keplinger his father, was a native.of East Tennessee. The family is of German ancestry, and first settled in Maryland. Mr. Keplinger was a blacksmith, but subsequently abandoned the trade and engaged in farming. He with his father's family emigrated to Illinois in 1828, and settled in Morgan county, where he has remained up to the present. He married Permelia Green, daughter of Rey. John Green, one of the earliest settlers of Morgan county. The subject of our sketch is the seventh in a family of four girls and three boys. He remained at home until 1865, when he entered the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, and graduated from that institution in 1869. After his graduation he taught school and worked upon the farm until 1872, when he entered the law office of General John I, Rinaker, of Carlinville and read law, and at the January term 1872 of the Supreme Court for the Central Grand Division, was admitted to the practice. He then formed a law partnership with Gen. Rinaker, which continued until January 1st, 1879. He then formed a partnership with W. H. Steward, which continued to the present. He in connection with Mr. Steward, became proprietors in December, 1878, of the Macoupin county Abstract Titles. He is republican in politics, and cast his first vote for U.S. Grant, in 1868. He is a member of the M. E. Church and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is also Librarian of the public library. In the practice of law, Mr. Keplinger has no specialities but prefers, and is better adapted by years of study, for the probate practice and the examination of title in real estate. He is a careful, painstaking lawyer.

1s AF, |HIS township is situated in the extreme south-east corner of the } Ic county, and is bounded on the north by Cahokia township, on the west by Dorchester, on the south by Madison county and on [er] the east by Montgomery county.

The township of Staunton is for the most part rolling prairie, and is well adapted for all kinds of agriculture. There are embraced within its borders a large number of finely cultivated and well improved farms. It is well drained by several creeks, the principal one being the Cahokia and its tributaries, which enter the township in the north part of section five and flows south-westerly - passing out on the west of section nineteen.

There are belts of fine timber bordering on all the streams embracing among the varieties the different kinds of oaks, ash, sugar maple, walnut

Early Settlements

In the year 1817, John Wood, a blacksmith and mill-wright, came from Virginia and settled on the south-east half of Section 36, Town 7 North, Range 6 West, who was beyond a doubt the first settler in Staunton township. The same year (1817) Richard Wilhelm and Cennith Seymore, natives of Pennsylvania, came from Alabama and settled on section 24. Talamachus Camp, a native of Georgia, came from Alabama and located on Sec. 19, in the spring. of 1819, and in November of the same year John D. and Richard Chapman, natives of North Carolina, migrated from Tennessee ; the former settling on Sec. 18, and the latter on Sec. 24. The following year came Jesse Chapman, from North Carolina, settling on Sec. 17, James B. Cowell, from Tennessee, settling on Sec. 30, and Lewis Cormack, and William Cormack, both settling in the same neighborhood. In 1821, Rodger Snell, a native of North Carolina, came from Tennessee, and settled on Sec. 31, and from this date immigration began to steadily increase, and during the next seven years quite an addition was made to the settlement by emigrants from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and a few from Pennsylvania.

The first minister who preached in the township, was Parham Randle, of the Methodist denomination, at the residence of Richard Chapman, in the autumn of 1820. James Lemon, a Baptist, preached in the fall of 1821, at the residence of Talamachus Camp. The first church was built and dedicated in 1828. This was to be used by all denominations, and for school purposes and also as a public hall. It stood on the ground now used as a cemetery in the town of Stuunton.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1822 by William Wilcox, being a private school taught eight hours per day and five days a week for three months, at two dollars for each scholar.

In 1825, the first school-house was erected, built of hickory logs split open and put up in cabin style, with a clapboard roof and dirt floor. This building was erected and completed in one day, (on Saturday) and school began the following Monday. The next school-house was built of hewn logs, with shingle roof and oak plank floor ; 18x 20, and one story high. Was also used as a church and public hall. Rodger Snell, Tristian P. Hoxsey, Philip Denham, and Archibald Hoxsey, were the first school teachers.

by John Y. Sawyer, J. P. at Edwardsville, (where only license could be obtained.) William Wilcox and Polly Cormack were married in 1823, The first white child born in the township was Benjamin Chapman, son of John D. and Sarah Chapman, in the spring of 1820. On the 23d of October, 1820, a son was born to Talamachus Camp and wife, who died without aname on the 15th of December following, and was probably the first death. The first store in the township was kept by Stephen G. Hicks in 1831. John Cormack also established a store in 1834, both of which were

In the fall of 1820, Richard Chapman, purchased a pair of small millstones, and fitted up a band mill, where up to 1823 most of the bread stuffs for the settlement were ground, when John Wood built a horse mill on Silver creek, a few miles distant, and soon after Stephen Wilcox built another. This was on Sec. 25, Town7 North, Range 7 West. Tread mills, water mills, and steam mills in their course came into existence, and now Staunton township can boast of having the finest milling facilities, manufacturing the choicest brands of flour to be had in the markets of this and foreign countries.

The first land entered in the township was by Talamachus Camp, August 18, 1819, in See 19; being 163.29 acres. And on April 2d, 1825, he entered in Sec. 31,80 acres. December 22, 1828, Nathaniel Buckmaster, entered 80 acres in Sec. 29. Roger Snell, entered 80 acres in Sec. 31, December 24, 1828.

Commissioners Of Highways

There was a post-office in the village of Staunton as early as 1835. John Bonner was the first post-master. The subsequent post-masters were as follows : - Henry Caldwell, J. A. Stephenson, Thomas Sherly, Luke S. Coon and Hugh Caldwell.

A few Indians visited the neighborhood during the winters, up to 1827. They belonged to the tribe of Delawares, and came here for the purpose of hunting, trapping and trading. They were peaceable and friendly; and traded splint baskets which they made, with the settlers for corn, potatoes, beef, chickens, eggs, butter and other catables.

The following are a few of the oldest settlers now living: - Samuel J. Chapman, Robert, John and Hosea Snell, James R., W. R. and B. F. Cowell, Stephen Sawyer. J. H. Wyatt, Isaac Stephenson, Thomas Funderburk, Jesse Olive, P. L. Camp, Geo. Caldwell, Hugh Caldwell, H. J. Ferguson, Robert Hoxsey, A. Mitchell, Hon. Wm. C. Shirley, J. H. Caldwell, Hon. H.W. Wall, David Ferguson. Prominent men of the township, though not so early scttlers are : - Harbert J. Keiser, Wm. Niemeyer, John C. Nieman, C. J. Keiser and Henry Prange.

Town Of Staunton

Is located in the north-west part of Sec. 52, with a small addition extending The Wabash Railway runs along the east side of the town, and in a north-easterly direction it passes through the whole length of the township. The town seems to have been started by the opening of a store in the north-east part of the town by Stephen G,. Hicks in 1831. It was first laid out in regular streets running north and south, in 1855, by David Hendershott. On the 23d of Febuary, 1859, it was incorporated by special act of legislature, and subsequently incorporated under the general. law.

There are six village trustees, and one clerk, elected yearly by the people. Police magistrate is elected every four years. The present officers are : - Trustees, Archibald Hoxsey, President; Henry Miller, Henry Hiffman, Henry Voge, Jefferson Davis, John Coeryer. Engelbert Weis, clerk; J. R. Ripley, Police magistrate.

There is a public square, in the business center of the town, 240 feet square, donated by David Hendershott. There has recently been set out a large number of shade trees and a variety of evergreens which in a few years will make it an ornament to the town.

The growth of the town is steady and healthy, and it commands the trade of a large extent of the country. It is fortunate in having had for its business men, gentlemen of energy and enterprise who have spared no pains in advancing the interests of the place. There are about fifteen hundred inhabitants.

The town contains a three story brick school building. It is a graded school, employing four teachers. It was built in 1855, by directors David R. Sparks, Wm C. Shirley and Wm. Smith, at a cost of $1300. There are also two German parochial schools which are largely attended.

There are nine churches, viz: one Presbyterian and one Reformed Presbyterian; English and German Methodists; old Lutheran and Evangelical Lutheran ; Christian ; Baptist aud Catholic.

Secret Societies

Masonie: - Stawrton Chapter No. 116. Was organized under dispensation November 12th, 1866, and under charter November 17th, 1868. The charter members were - Isaac 8. Sturges, Robert Hoxsey, Thomas Hart, James Davie, George W. Sparks, Francis M. Davis, Peter L. Camp, James R. Cowell, John Patrick, A. B. Parker. Officers of the chapter - Isaac 8. Sturges, M. E. H. P.; Geo. W. Sparks E. K; Luke S. Coon E, S. ;F. M. Davis C. H.; James Davie P.S.; James R. Caldwell, R. A. C.; Peter L. Camp, G. M. 3d V.; John Patrick, G. M. 2d V.;Thomas Hart, G. M. 1st V.; Robert Hoxsey Sect. ; A. B. Parker Sent.

Staunton Lodge No.177, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation, July 24, 1855, and under charter October 3d, 1855. The charter members were : - Luke S. Coon, Robert Hoxsey, Thomas Hart, Wm. C. Shirley, J E. Southwick, J. A. Stephenson, David R. Spar Geo. W. Bently, W. W. Pearce, G. 8. Greening.

Welcome Lodge No. 396, I. O. O. F. - Was organized October 12th, 1869. The charter members were, - Geo. Bley, W.B. Shelton, H. J. Caldwell, John Livingston, Wm. J. Bennett.

Bank

BANK. Hon. H. W. Wall and James Taylor, under the firm name of Wall, Taylor & Co., established a banking house November 2d, 1874, which has done a careful business, and is considered a safe and reliable institution.

Coal Mines

Staunton Coal Co., owned and operated by Henry Voge. Mr. Voge has two mines in operation ; the first shaft was sunk in 1871 and the second in 1876. The depth of the mines is 325 feet from the surface to the top of the coal. The vein averages eight feet, and the mine is comparatively dry. There are usually employed from one hundred to one hundred and forty miners. In 1878 nearly one million and a half bushels of coal were raised.

Western Coal Mines - Owned by Maxe and Sievers, and operated by Fred Dingerson. Depth of shaft 220 feet, thickness of vein 8 feet. This coal is the same in quality asthe above, but the mine being some distance from the rail-road has never been so extensively worked.

The Royal Gem Mills. - Was built by Woodward and Dwight of St. Louis in 1873, at a cost of $80,000. They run eight burrs, with a capacity of manufacturing 250 barrels a day. They operate the latest improved R. L. Downton process. For their celebrated brand of " Jack Frost Flour," they were awarded the first gold medal at the Paris expos ition in 1878.

Elevator

The elevator, owned by Archibald Hoxsey, has a capacity of shelling and foading 5000 bushels of corn per day, and is constructed for handling the smaller grains.

Stone Quarry

Wurtz and Patrick, ship a very fine quality of finishing sandstone, for building fronts, quarries three miles south-west from town, which bids fair to rival the celebrated Warrensburg Stone.

Business Houses Town Of Mount Olive

This thriving and enterprising town is situated five and a half miles from Staunton and eight miles from Litchfield, on the Wabash Railway. It consists of 560 acres, 320 of which are in Section 2, and 240 acres in Section 11, Township 7 North, and Range 6 west.

Tt was first laid out by Harbert J. Keiser and Meint H. Arkebauer, and surveyed and platted by George W. Farrar, September 9, 1865. There haye been eight additions made since that time.

Mount Olive was incorporated under the general law, in October, 1874, and the first Board of Trustees were elected November 10, of the same year, and are as follows: John C. Niemann, president ; John Schwing, Meint H. Arkebauer, Christ. Niedermeier, Fritz Behrns, Henry Ruschhaupt, and Harbert J. Keiser, clerk. _

The present trustees are: C. J. Keiser, president ; William Niemeyer, L. Simmering, H. Balke, C. Doering, Wm. Danklef, clerk; H. J. Keiser, police magistrate.

Up to 1862, this place was known as " Niemann's Settlement," and was in the school district No. 2, of Staunton township. The school-house in Mount Olive was built in 1860.

The first preacher in " Niemann's Settlement" was Rey. C. F. Lochner, from Pleasant Ridge, in Madison county, who held services at the residence of John C. Niemann, from 1847 to 1849. ~

The first church was built in " Niemann's Settlement" (Mount Olive) in December, 1856, by the Evangelical Lutheran congregation. It was a very small building, and in 1860 a larger one was erected, and dedicated in November of the same year. In 1866, a large and very handsome brick church was erected, and dedicated as the Mount Olive Zions Church (a view of which may be seen on another page in this work). The old church is now used for the parochial school of this congregation, which is taught through the whole year.

When the railroad was built through Mount Olive, the company called it Drummond Station, and it was for a long time known by that name, but they subsequently changed it to Mount Olive.

The Anchor Mill

Was erected in 1876, by Messrs. Keiser & Prange, at.a cost of $20,000. It is built of brick, and has four run of burrs, with a capacity of manufacturing 150 barrels of flour per day. They operate an improved process, and make a very excellent quality of flour, branded as " Fancy XXXX." There is in connection with the mill an elevator, constructed for handling both corn and the smaller grains. It has a capacity of shelling and loading 5,000 bushels of corn per day.

Mount Olive Coal Company

This company has two mines; the first was sunk in 1874, and the second in 1878. The depth of the mines, from the surface to the top of coal, is 400 feet, and the vein averages full eight feet. The company employs from 120 to 150 miners. The coal is of an excellent quality, and the shafts of both

Park

There is, located in the west part of the town, a park, three hundred feel square, enclosed with a neat plank fence. It is laid out with circular and diagonal walks, and there are over 500 shade and ornamental trees planted therein It adds much beauty to this thriving place.

BUSINESS HOUSES. The first store in Mount Olive was kept by John C. Niemann, who was also the first post-master. Those at present in business are as shown below.

Shoe Shops - John P. Brauer, and C. Sassmanshausen. Butcher Shops - Hei Shafer, and Michael Doan. Confectionery, Bakery and Hotel - Charles Friede.

Blacksmith Shops. - F ritz Behrens, and John Schwing & Co. Wagon Shops. - Christ. Niedermeyer, and George Stiehl. Merchant Tailor - August Helmboldt.

Pog Ra Her Ca I.

Amone the citizens of Macoupin county who have won their way to positions of prominence and influence, by their own exertions, is Hampton W. Wall, a representative in the Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies for the Fortieth District, comprising the counties of Macoupin and Jersey. The histories of few men better deserve mention in this work. His birthplace was an obscure prairie in the southern part of the county ; his life began as a struggle with poverty when an almost friendless boy ; for years he has since been closely identified with the business interests of the county ; and twice he has been chosen her representative in the Legislature.

The details of his early family history are few and scanty. His ancestors were early residents of Tennessee, and on their removal to Illinois settled in Madison county. His father was Richard Wall. The subject of this biography was born on West prairie, in Dorchester township, November 10th, 1832. When about four years of age he went to live with his grandfather on his mother's side, Talamachus Camp, who was one of the earliest settlers of Staunton township, and lived about a mile and a quarter from the present town of Staunton. With him he had a home till he was sixteen years of age. The advantages he had for acquiring an education were the same as those enjoyed by boys generally throughout the West forty years ago... He learned the elements of an English education in an old log schoolhouse which stood west of the town of Staunton, and in which was taught the first school ever opened in Staunton township. The schools were kept only during the winter months; and during the summer he had ample opportunity to build up his physical constitution and learn habits of industry by work on the farm.

He commenced the battle of life on his own responsibility when sixteen years of age by hiring out to a neighboring farmer at the wages of six dollars a month. This was not a very promising beginning, but such as it was, he made the most of, and his spare time in winter was spent at school. Under such circumstances as these he grew up to manhood's estate. In the year 1853 he married Mary E. Roseberry. Her death occurred in the year 1855.

The straitened circumstances of his early life made him feel the value of money, and his natural energy and business shrewdness led him to keep on the lookout for some means of bettering his condition. His first business venture, however, did not prove as profitable as others have since been. He had exercised economy, and as far as possible saved the little money he had earned. His grandfather Camp, at whose house his boyhood had been spent, had given him forty acres of land, and he thus had a little capital with which to begin operations. The forty acres of land were traded off for half an interest in a steam saw mill, and with sanguine expectations he looked forward to counting the golden dollars in the rough logs from the Cahokia timber, when unfortunately the speculation, like many another modern enterprise, collapsed, and Mr: Wall found that he had sunk not only his time and labor but his capital. The result of the enterprise taught him valuable lessons. He lost his money, but gained a stock of prudence and caution which was of much service to him in after years. He went back to farming.

His second marriage was on the 18th of December, 1856, to Sarah I. Roseberry, a sister of his first wife. She was born and raised in Madison county, Illinois, the daughter of Dr. Robert Roseberry, an early physician of Madison county. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, and emigrated to Illinois at an early date. After his marriage Mr. Wall moved to Madison county, where he went to work to improve a tract of two hundred acres of raw prairie land which he bought on credit, and on which for several years he carried a debt at a high rate of interest. His energy and ambition comprised his only capital. Not a foot of land was under cultivation. He split rails, fenced the tract, endeavored to meet his liabilities with promptness, and in a few years had the satisfaction of seeing the unplowed prairie develop into a fine and valuable farm. On part of his land he laid out the town of New Hampton. He received an appointment as postmaster. In 1860 he launched into business as a merchant, and in February of that year opened a store, which he carried on for several years. From the first year of his remoyal to that locality he had filled the office of justice of the peace, thus acquiring the title of " Squire," which has stuck to him ever since. He had carried on the store not much more than a year when the war of the rebellion broke out - an event which stimulated trade, raised prices, and

Beside carrying on the farm and retaining the management of the store, he engaged in outside enterprises, as his capital permitted and opportunity offered. For one year he carried on a store at Staunton in partnership with Peter L. Camp, and was also in the milling business at the same place for a like period of time, with H. A. Best as partner. In 1866 he sold his land and store at New Hampton to John C. Worden, who made an addition to the town on the construction of the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railroad, and called it " Worden," the name by which it is now known.

On disposing of his business at New Hampton, he intended to go to California, with the purpose of making his home in that state, but the delay in settling up his business and other reasons caused him to reconsider his determination and remain in Staunton, to which place he had removed in 1866. His life has since been that of an active business man. His enterprises have generally been successful. In addition to carrying. on farming on a large scale, he has been a dealer in agricultural implements, and has engaged in various other business enterprises. November, 1874, he opened a bank at Staunton, the only one which has ever existed in the town, and which is now conducted under the firm of Wall, Taylor & Co. He suftered a serious loss in the death of his wife on the 6th of April, 1879. Of his seven children, four are now living.

His political record is that of a straight-forward, consistentman. He has been a democrat from boyhood to the present time, and is a sincere believer that the conservative principles of the political organization to which he has given his constant adherence are best calculated to serve the purposes of free yovernment and perpetuate our institutions on the basis proposed by the founders of this republic. He has never been a grasping candidate for political honors, and it was only at the solicitation of friends that he became the democratic candidate in 1876 for representative in the Thirtieth General Assembly for the district embracing Macoupin and Jersey counties. To this position he was elected, and was re-nominated and re-elected in 1878. His course in the Legislature is sufficiently well-known to the people of this county, and needs little comment here. During both his terms he sustained the reputation of a careful and prudent member, bringing to the practical work of the house a large share of valuable business experience. He served on scyeral important committees, and his actions were always dictated by a just view of the interests of his constituents.

During his long connection with the business interests, and association with the people of Macoupin county, he has proved himself a man entitled to the confidence of the community. Like most men who have gained positions of influence in the West, he is selfmade. In his youth he was disciplined in a hard school, but it taught him habits of self-reliance which have been of service to him in eyery subsequent step in life.

of Macoupin county, is William C. Shirley, of Staunton. He was born in White county, Tennessee, November 20th, 1823. The family from whom he descended is of English origin. His ancestors came to America, and settled in Massachusetts about twenty years before the Revolutionary war. After the Reyolution was over, and the independence of the colonies secured, his grandfather, Thomas Shirley, moved to Virginia, and after residing in that state a few years, moved on to Tennessee, where he was one of the pioneer settlers. His father, James Shirley, was born in Virginia, and was a boy when the family made their home in Tennessee. In White county of that state, he married Jerusha Snodgrass. Mr. Shirley's mother was born in Virginia, from which state her father emigrated to Tennessee. The oldest of the two sons by this marriage, was William C. Shirley.

At that time the Cherokee Indians, who afterward were removed west of the Mississippi, occupied a portion of Tennessee and Georgia, and Mr. Shirley's father was engaged in trading with them in the vicinity of where, the town of Chattanooga now stands. He moved his family from White county in 1828, when Mr. Shirley was five years old, to what is now Hamilton county, Tennessee, where he sold goods to the Indians till his death, in 1829. Mr. Shirley's mother married again, and continued to live there till her death, in 1842. A considerable number of white settlers had moved into the Indian country, and a few schools had been established. Mr. Shirley for a time attended a missionary school at Brainerd, and also went to school in the neighboring state of Georgia.

At the age of seventeen, he determined to begin life on his own account, and accordingly accompanied A. M. Rollins to Council Bluffs, Iowa, then one of the principal Indian trading posts on the Missouri river. This was in the year 1840. Mr. Rollins had been appointed the government agent to superintend the removal of the Indians out of Iowa into Kansas and Nebraska, and was the proprietor of a store at Council Bluffs. Mr. Shirley had gained a good knowledge of the Indian language while among the Cherokee Indians in Georgia and Tennessee, and was employed for two years in the store at Council Bluffs; his accomplishments in the Indian tongue enabling him to discharge the duties of his position in a very satisfactory manner. He concluded, however, to settle in a more civilized country, and in 1842 came to Illinois, and made his home in the neighborhood of Hillsboro, in Montgomery county. He undertook the business of trading in cattle, horses and mules. He bought them in Montgomery and adjoining counties; in the summer, drove them north, to Wisconsin, which state was then rapidly filling up with settlers, who became ready purchasers ; and in the winter, shipped them down the Mississippi, and disposed of them to the planters in Mississippi and Louisiana. On the 4th of December, 1845, he was married to Mary J. Hoxsey, daughter of Dr. Archibald Hoxsey, of Madison county. Her father emigrated from Christian county, Kentucky and settled on Silver Creek, in Madison county, in the year 1817. He was a large farmer, a skillful physician and a leading citizen of Madi-- son county. He died in Staunton township, Macoupin county, in the year 1867. Mrs. Shirley was born August 17th, 1825, on Silver Creek, in Madison county. Of the seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley, Harriet J., is now the wife of H. S. Dorsey, of Gillespie township ; Robert A., died in 1849; Robert B., is practicing law at Carlinville, and the others are Mary E., William A., Rufus and Virginia.

After his marriage he was engaged at farming, in Montgomery county, till 1849, and then removed to Madison county, twelve miles north-east of Edwardsville. In 1852 he settled in Staunton and began the business of selling goods, and also improved the farm adjoining the town of Staunton, on which he has since resided. Disposing of his interest in the mercantile business, in 1861, during the four years which followed, a period which embraced the war of the Rebellion, he was mostly occupied as a government contractor, furnishing the war department with mules and horses. After the war, he saw that a railroad was necessary to the development of the south-eastern part of Macoupin county, and the neighboring counties of Madison and Montgomery, and accordingly directed his energies toward the accomplishment of that object. He had already been a member of the State Legislature, in 1858-9, and was a candidate again in 1866, with the principal purpose of securing a charter for building this much needed road. He was sent to the legislature, and in 1867, secured the charter for the Decatur and East St. Louis railroad. An organization under the charter was effected the same year at Litchfield, and Mr. Shirley was chosen President of the new company. He went to New York, and succeeded in getting the Toledo, Wabash and Western railroad company interested in the project. He consummated all the arrangements with the Wabash company, for building the road, and then, after the consolidation of the two companies, resigned his position as president, in 1869. The road was successfully completed in June, 1870. He has since been engaged in farming at Staunton. In 1870 as contractor, he completed part of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railroad, between Terre Haute and Indianapolis, and in 1872 was similarly employed in building the Helena and Iron Mountain road in Arkansas.

His political record has been marked by a consistent support of the principles of the Democratic party. From 1848, when he cast his vote for president for Lewis Cass, till the present time, he has never failed to advocate the election of the general Democratic ticket. He was a staunch Douglas man in the exciting political campaigns in Illinois, previous to the war. In the great contest between Lincoln and Douglas in 1858, he was a candidate for the legislature on the issue of electing Douglas to the United States senate, and in the ensuing session, he had the pleasure of recording his vote in favor of the great champion of the principles of Democracy. While a member of the house in 1867, the bill was passed authorizing Macoupin county to borrow fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of building a court-house. The original bill was introduced by John A. Woodson, then state senator, and authorized the borrowing of one hundred thousand dollars, but, through the exertions of Mr. Shirley, the amount was cut down to half that sum. His record in this matter is one of commendable economy. The subsequent acts legalizing further appropriations were passed in 1869, after Mr. Shirley ceased to be a member of the legislature.

Old Shaft

Macovrry county now contains an enterprising German population who have contributed greatly to the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state. One of these pioneer German settlers was John C. Nieman, of Staunton township, who became a resident of the county in 1841. He was born at the village of Borgholzhausen Amt Ravensburg, B. B. Minden, Halle, Prussia, April 12th, 1817. Casper Nieman, his father, was a farmer. Mr. Nieman was the oldest of seven children. According to the German custom, he attended school from the age of seven to fourteen, and afterward worked on a farm until twenty-one years old. Seeing small opportunity for a poor man to make any advancement in that country, he resolved on coming to America. He sailed from Bremen, and after a voyage of seven weeks, landed at Baltimore on the 13th of May, 1839. When he reached Baltimore five thalers in Prussian money, worth, in American coin, about three dollars and eighty cents, comprised his whole fortune. He had no friends and acquaintances, was ignorant of the English language, and had no definite plan by which he expected to make a living.

After staying a few days in Baltimore, he started on foot on the turnpike for Cumberland, Maryland, with the intention of working his way west. The canal along the Potomac was then being built, and at Cumberland he found employment as a laborer, and worked part of a year at digging this canal at a dollar and a quarter a day. His purpose was to go to farming as soon as he could secure enough money to buy alittle land. Early in the year 1840 he went to Hermann, Missouri, where there were some German settlers from the same neighborhood in the old country as himself. He found it difficult to find profitable employment there, and after a short stay went to Louisville, Kentucky. He worked on a farm near Louisville for a couple of months without getting any pay, and was then taken seriously sick. His illness lasted for five months, and for half that time he was unable to leave his bed. His situation was very unfortunate and distressing. He was entirely without money; with no claim on any one for their assistance ; and it was only by the help of some good friends who providentially came to his aid that he was enabled to pull through. After recovering in the fall of 1840, the sueceeding winter he found employment on the farm of William Edwards, near Louisville the spring of 1841 Mr. Edwards moved from Kentucky to Macou, end settled near Carlinville. Mr. Nieman came to Illinois with him, and was in his employment on his farm near Carlinville for three years. At the end of that time he had saved about two hundred and fifty dollars and concluded he would go to farming for himself on some government land in Township 7, Range 6. He began operations here in asmall way. He had little money, and he was obliged to get along as best he could. The first wagon he used was a "truck wagon" of his own make. He worked hard and constantly, and was determined to get along in the world if it was in any way possible. In 1846 he bought forty acres of the land on which he had already settled, and which, up to that time, had belonged to the government. This land he still owns. As soon as he had saved sufficient money he forwarded it to Germany and brought his younger brother to this country. As he was able he bought more land, and soon began to find his circumstances growing better. Thinking that a store in that vicinity would prove a profitable investment, in 1859 he put up a building and engagedin the merchandizing business, where

Mt. Olive now stands and thus began the growth of that town. 'He has since become one of the leading citizens of Staunton township. He has owned considerable quantities of land, some of which he has sold. His home farm is composed of three hundred acres. Part of the mines of the Mt. Olive coal company extend under his land, and he is also one of the stock holders in that company.

His first wife was Margaret Stulken, who wasa native of Oldenburg, Germany. He married her in 1847, and she died in September, 1854. He married his second wife (formerly Anna Stulken, born in Oldenburg, Germany) in April, 1858. His oldest daughter, Mary Catharine, is the wife of C. J. Keiser, of Mt. Olive. The next daughter, Sophia, married William Niemeyer. 'The oldest son, Henry Nieman, died in January, 1876, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. These were children by his first wife. The others, Matilda, Lydia, Louisa, Edward, William and Anna, are by his second marriage. He was a democrat till 1859, and.then becoming convinced that the position of the democratic party was wrong on the slavery question he became a republican. He has been an earnest, hard-working man, who has gained his present position in life by means of his own energy and industry. Wherever he is known he has the reputation of a plain and honest man, and is respected for his good heart and his sterling integrity. When he first came to Macoupin county he was the only German living between Edwardsville and Carlinville, and has lived to see the county de: velop far beyond his expectations ; to see it become wealthy and well-improved, and the home of a large number of his countrymen. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and might appropriately be called the " father " of the German colony at Mt. Olive.

Cobus J. Keiser

Wuo is largely interested in the business affairs of Mt. Olive, is a native of Germany, and was born at Holtland der Neucke, Hanover, September 4th, 1841. His father was John H. Keiser, and his mother's maiden name was Geske Wilms Heien. His father was a farmer, who had five children, four sons and one daughter, and Cobus J. Keiser was the second. In 1854 the family emigrated from Germany to America. The winter after their arrival here was spent in Madison county, and in the spring of 1855 they settled in Staunton township, one mile south of Mt. Olive. His father had owned land in Germany, but emigrated to America with the view of benefiting his family and giving his childrén homes of their own. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of land south of Mt. Olive. A few months after settling there, he died (on the 6th of September, 1855), leaving a widow and five children, the oldest of whom was sixteen years of age. Mr. Keiser's father was a man of industry and many excellent traits of character. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and brought up his children to industrious and sober habits.

by the strictest principles of sobriety. He had a strong natural love for music, and took much delight and comfort in the indulgence of his musical tastes. He was particularly fond of the flute, and played upon it with great skill. He was the leader of the musical services in the church, and his assistance in this direction was important. He was thirty-nine years of age at the time of his decease. After her husband's death, Mr. Keiser's mother took charge of the family. She isa woman of superior strength of mind and business management, and was more than usually succegsful in raising her children. She is still living, comfortably situated in this life, as far as this world's goods and comforts are concerned, with the satisfaction of knowing that her sons have grown up to become useful citizens and men of mark and influence. Mr. Keiser was thirteen years old when he left Germany. He had acquired a good a elementary education in his native country, and went to school but little after coming to Dlinois, till 1863, when he became a student at the state university at Springfield. He attended the university two years, when his health became bad, and he returned home. He was living on the farm, and was employed in its management till 1866. On November 9th of that year he married Mary C. Nieman, the oldest daughter of John C. Nieman, one of the earliest German settlers of Macoupin county. Mrs. Keiser was born January 21st, 1848. She was brought up in the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran church, with an earnest desire to lead the life of a true Christian, and during her married life has exhibited all the excellent traits of character which make a good wife and kind mother.

During the year 1866, in partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Nieman, Mr. Keiser erected the store which he still occupies, and in the spring of 1867 began a general merchandizing business. The same spring he was appointed postmaster, and has held that position ever since. On the opening of the Toledo, Wabash and Western railway in 1870, he received the appointment of general ticket and freight agent at Mt. Olive (the station was then called Drummond), and performed the duties of that office till 1877, when he was obliged to resign from the press of his other business engagements.

The history of Mr. Keiser is principally a record of the business enterprises of Mt. Olive; for he has been the active spirit which has set in motion the various movements which have benefited and built up the town. He was one of those principally instrumental in opening the coal shaft, which has been the chief source of the prosperity of the place. The enterprise was first started in 1874. On the organization of the company, he was elected superintendent, and assumed the active business management. The mines were successfully opened in 1875, and since then the works have been enlarged and perfected. The second shaft was completed in the spring of 1879. A superior quality of coal is obtained, and the working of the mines has been an important factor in the growth and development of Mt. Olive. Mr. Keiser is one of the twelve original stockholders, who have owned the works since the beginning of the undertaking, and his business habits and executive ability have principally contributed to the success of the enterprise.

In his efforts to build up the town of Mt. Olive, Mr. Keiser saw that a flouring mill was much needed, and accordingly in 1876, in partnership with Henry Prange, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, he built the Anchor Mills. These mills have been operated successfully, and produce a grade of flour which enjoys an excellent demand in the market. The firm under which the mercantile business has been carried on has, since January Ist, 1878, been known as Keiser, Niemeyer & Co., composed of Mr. Keiser, William Niemeyer and William Wellenbrink.

Mr. and Mrs. Keiser have been the parents of four children; three, named Lydia, Emma and Ida, are now dead; Paulina, the only one now living, is about two years of age.

From the time he was old enough to take any interest in political affairs, his sentiments have inclined him to support the principles of the Republican party, whose candidates and measures he has supported from 1864, when he voted for Abraham Lincoln for President. He is not, however, a partisan, but a man of much liberality of mind. He carries no prejudice into politics, and has always felt himself free to vote for the best men for office. when only local issues were involved. Since 1865 he has been a member of the Board of Trustee' of the town of Mt. Olive, and also from the same date has acted as President of the board and Mayor cf the city. The lot on which stands the town hall and library was donated by Mr. Keiser, and is one of the most valuable building sites in Mt. Olive. The upper part of the building is used as a library and reading-room, and the lower part as a town hall. He has been intimately connected with the business-interests of Mt. Olive in other capacities, and has held various positions of trust and honor, performing the duties of all of them in a manner which has won the regard of the community, both for his business-ability and strict integrity. With the Evangelical Lutheran church he has been connected from boyhood. He was chosen superintendent of the Sunday-schools connected with that church at Mt. Olive when only eighteen years of age, and so acted for about four years. He has taken an active part in advancing the interests of the Mt. Olive congregation, and assisted materially in building the present churchedifice. It may be said in justice, that to him, more than any one else, is due the present prosperity of Mt. Olive.

Paulina C. Keiser County, Ildin Os

Was born September 1st, 1833, in the village of Siebestock, Holtland, East Friesland, Hanover. At the time of his birth Hanover belonged to the Inglish crown, and accordingly he was born as a subject of England. After the death of the English king, George I[V., Hanover became a part of Germany, and Ixquire Keiser became a German subject. He was the oldest of a family of six children. His father was John Harbert Keiser, and his mother's name before marriage was Jane Juergena. He attended school in his native village till fourteen years old, and then entered the normal school at Hesxel, with the purpose of fitting himself as a teacher. At Hesel he studied the Latin, the French, and the English languages, the last of which he learned to read with ease, though he was never able to employ it in conversation till after coming to America. After qualifying himself as a teacher, he took charge in 1849 of a school at Siebestock, where he was born.

Hix father's position during the rebellion of 1848 was the cause of the emigration of the family to this country. The rebellion had not extended to the Kingdom of Hanover, and his father took no active part in the strugele, though his sympathies were strongly on the side of those whom he believed to be fighting for free government and human liberty. He did nothing to render himself liable to any penalty at the hands of the government authorities, still, after the suppression of the insurrection in other parts of Prussia, he concluded his wisest course would be to emigrate to a land whose atmosphere would be more congenial to his liberty-laving spirit. Leaving their native country the last of August, 1851, after a voyage which lasted seven weeks and two days, the family reached New Orleans the following October, and from there came up the Mississippi to Alton, They first found a house in Madison county seven miles from Bunker Hill, and in 1853 purehased land in Staunton township, in section ten, near Mount Olive.

Mr. Keiser's father was a man whose memory is well worthy of preservation. He was born at Firrel, in Hanover, in 1806. He was well educated, and was a teacher by profession, having taught iu the German schools from 1824, when he was eighteen years old, till the time of his coming to America. He was a man of decided coiivictions and force of character. He was of liberal and progressive mind, and possessed a strong love for freedom. During the progress of the agitation in Germany which led up to the rebellion of '48, he made several speeches throughout the province against the encroachments of the government on the natural rights and liberties of the people. On coming to America he took a warm interest in political questions, and on its organization became a strong supporter of the republican party. He was one of the original charter members of the Union League organized at Mount Olive during the late war of the rebellion, and was an able and intelligent speaker on the questions of the day. He was one of the most worthy citizens of Staunton township till his death in 1865.

Esquire Keiser bought land in Staunton township in 1853 at the same time with his father, and in the same section. February 2d, 1854, he married Gretje Arkebauer, who was born at Firrel, Hanover, and who came to this country with her father, Gerd. Arkebauer, in 1846. After his marriage he moved on his land, which was only partly improved, and began to put it under cultivation. He farmed there till 1865, when he moved to his present residence in section two, now included within the town limits of Mount Olive. In 1873 he built his present residence, which forms one of the illustrations to this work. On the establishment of the parochial school connected with Zion Lutheran Church at Mount Olive, he took charge as teacher, and held that position from 1865 tll March, 1877. The school numbered an average of one hundred pupils, and to conduct it successfully required no small amount of labor and administrative ability. Mr. and Mrs. KXeiser have been the parents of twelve children. The two oldest died when infants. The others are Tetta G.; Jane, who died when a year and a half old; another daughter of the same name, who grew to be twelve years old, and then died; Gerhard, Anna, John, Christina, Wuebke, Hermann and KXatharina.

He has filled several public positions, and has been relied upon to transact a large amount of the business done at Mount Olive. He has been notary publie since October, 1870. In the fall of the same year he was elected

1877. Ever since the adoption of township organization in 1871 he has been assessor of Staunton township. On the incorporation of the village of Mount Olive in 1874 he was chosen clerk, and has filled that position from that time till now. His continued election to these various offices of trust and honor speak more plainly than any words can do of the estimation in which he is held by the people of his part of the county for his ability, carefulness, and promptness in business, his honesty and integrity as a public officer, and his genial and social traits as a gentleman. From the time he first came to America his convictions prompted him to oppose slavery, and he was one of the early adherents of the republican party. His first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In 1873 and again in 1877 the republicans of Macoupin county made him their nominee for county treasurer. In spite of the customary heavy democratic majority, the first time he was a candidate, he came within a few votes of being elected. He is a public-spirited citizen, and was one of the men interested in founding the town of Mount Olive, to which, in connection with Meint Arkebauer and John C, Nieman, he has made two additions. He is also one of the stockholders in the Mount Olive coal company. He is a nian who could not well be missed in the business affairs of Mount Olive, and few men are better respected or more highly esteemed by those who know them best.

William Niemeyer

Was born in Holzfeld, Amt Borgholzhausen, Prussia, July 5th, 1845. He was the cldest of four children of F. W. Niemeyer. His mother's maiden name was C. M. Widdeweg. He attended school till about fifteen years of age. Ife left Germany for America in 1866, and on reaching this country cume at once to St. Louis. The latter part of the year 1866 he came to Mount Olive, and for two years was employed on the farm of John C. Nieman, Whose daughter, Sophia, he married April 29, 1869. In 1870 he became a clerk in the store of Keiser & Nieman, where his agreeable and social jnanners made hini an efficient salesman. The present partnership of Keiser, Niemeyer & Co. was formed January Ist, 1878. The menbers of the firm are C,. J. Keiser, Mr. Niemeyer, and William Wellenbrink. The store has been carried on with success, and annually sells large quantities of goods. ILe is also one of the stockholders of the Mount Olive coal company. His father and mother died in Germany, and he is the only one of the family that ever came to this country. He has had four children: William, the oldest, dicd at the age of eighteen months; the others are named Edward,

Iemil, und Juliette. He is a republican in polities. He is known as a man of warm and social disposition; he has made a successful merchant; and is a goud representitive of the progressive and enterprising German element of the county.

Iwugh Caldwell

Tits eentleman, who for several years has been postmaster at Staunton, comes [tom Scotch-Irish stock. He is a native of county Derry, Irelaud, where he was born April 7, 1805, His ancestors were among the adherents of the Presbyterian faith, who emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ivcland at an early date. His father, Hugh Caldwell, was the owner of a farm. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of seven children, and lived in Ireland till his emigration to America in 1837, The neighborhood where he lived aftorded good advantages for obtaining an education. Ife was in an apotheeary's shop for a short time, it being his father's intention to edueate him for a physician. In the year 1831 he married Tliza Jane Caldwell. In 1837 he emigrated to America. He landed at Philadelphia, and atter a short stay in that city came to Illinois and settled in Staunton township, where his brother, George Caldwell, had settled a few years previously. He began improving 160 acres of land, and his house at that time was the only one betWeen Staunton and Silver creek. Hlis wife died in 1858. His second marriage was in the year 1861 to Mrs. Ann Clark. In the year 1809 he moved from his farm to the town of Staunton, where he engaged in the milling business with his son-in-law, J. S. Stephenson, and built the flouring mill which stood on the site of the one now owned by Woodward & Dwight.

He was appointed postmaster by President Johnson in 1870, and has since filled the duties of that position in a manner satisfactory to the people of Staunton. His three children living are Eliza, wife of J. S. Stephenson, residing in Missouri; John Caldwell, of Litchfield; and Willie, the youngest son, who is at home. Mr. Caldwell was originally a democrat, and became a republican when he saw that the Southern democracy had determined to disrupt the Union. He has been a constant resident of the county since 1837, during which time, with the exception of occasional periods of a couple of months, he has not been absent from the township.

Henry J. Ferguson

Is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born in county Derry, Ireland, near the city of Derry, on the 27th of April, 1803. His ancestors had come over to the North of Ireland with King William, and one of thera was in the siege of Derry, and also the battle of the Boyne. His father, James Fergurson, was a farmer and mechanic, and made spinning wheels for the dames of those days who industriously manufactured the flax into Irish linen. Mr. Ferguson was the youngest of a family of eight children. He was raised in the neighborhood where he was born. He staid at school until about sixteen, and then until he was twenty, was clerk in a large wholesale store in Dungiven, in the county Derry. He found that city life did not agree with his tastes, and so went back home, where he began farming on a piece of land he received from his father's estate. In January, 1835, he married Sarah Swan, who was also a native of the county Derry, and was born in the year 1806. He lived in Ireland till 1839, at which time four children had been born, the eldest of which died in the old country. He sailed for America that year, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days, landed at Philadelphia.

The fame of Illinois had reached him in Ireland, and he had set out with the expectation of coming to Macoupin county, where George Caldwell, and William Patterson, who were from the same part of Ireland with himself, had settled a few years previously. He accordingly proceeded at once to the neighborhood of Staunton where he bought forty acres of land, on which stood a log-house, and there entered one hundred and twenty acres more. He was a man capable of doing a large amount of hard work, and possessed considerable energy and determination. He went to work improving his 160 acres and making a farm. He says that the country was then covered with snakes of every description. The first post-office at which he got his letters was a box made in the end of a hollow log. The town of Staunton at that time, was composed of a single log-house, in which the post-office above mentioned was kept. A stage coach once a week passed through from Hillsboro to Alton. He gradually got his farm into good condition, and worked steadily at its improvement. Only three of his eight children are now living. Their names are Dayid Ferguson ; Susannah, who is now the wife of Archibald Burns, and Henry Ferguson. David and Henry are both living near their father, and are now among the enterprising farmers of Staunton township. He was originally a strong democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for president, for Van Buren, in 1840. During the war of the Rebellion he saw that the election of Lincoln was necessary to the preservation of the Union, and accordingly voted for Lincoln in 1864. Ife has since supported the doctrines of the republican party. He has had a long and active life, has been an earnest, hard-working man, an enterprising citizen and a good farmer,

Hosea Snell

Wuo has been engaged in the mercantile business longer than any other man in Staunton township, was born in Tyrrel county, North Carolina, October 8th, 1813. His father was Roger Snell, and his mother's maiden name was Mary West. In 1817 the family moved to Madison county, Tennessee, and in 1821 to: Macoupin county, Illinois, and settled a mile west of the town of Staunton. His father (who died in 1858) was one of the early school teachers in the county, as was also Archibald Hoxsey. Mr. Snell attended the first school ever taught in St-unton township, which was held in a little log school-house, three quarters of a mile northwest of Staunton. After marrying Angelica Sawyer in 1835, he went to farming on government land, five miles north of Staunton; afterward moved a mile west of Staunton, and then to Bunker Hill prairie, where in 1840 he entered the first land he ever owned. In 1850 he became a clerk in the store of Michael Walsh, at Staunton, and in 1851 built a saw mill. For two years he was clerk in the store of Hoxsey and Shirley, and in 1855 in partnership with Isaac Sturges, established a store of his own, which he carried on for two years. Afterward he was in partnership with Richard Olive. From 1858 to 1863, he carried on the mercantile business by himself. In 1863 his present partnership with Edmond Fritz was formed. His first wife died in the fall of 1836. He was married in 1838 to Melinda Parisher, who died in 1847. His -present wife was formerly Rebecca J. Knight, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Snell has nine children, two of whom live in Oregon. He is a democrat in polities, a careful business man and a good citizen.

WititAm B. Pannorst, whose death oecurred in June, 1879, was one of the best citizens of Staunton, and of the leading representatives of the German population of the county. He was born at Langerrich in Prussia, April 5th, 1828. He attended school till about fourteen, and when nineteen made up his mind to come to America. He arrived in this country in the year 1847. He had no friends or relatives on whom he could depend for could. Nothing better offering he found employment in St. Louis as laborer in a brick-yard, and the next year obtained a situation in the same business at which, however, he could make better wages. He was industrious and economical, and in a few years had saved enough money to enable him to bring over his parents and sisters from Germany. They came to America in the year 1854. Of this family only one, (Mr. Panhorst's sister), is now living.

In 1854 Mr. Panhorst engaged in the brick business at Edwardsville, and in 1855 came to Staunton, where he began making brick in partnership with Philip Menk. February 29th, 1856, he married Dorothea Elizabeth Ruther. Mrs. Panhorst was Lorn at the village of Eystrup, near Hoge, Hanover, May 11th, 1837, and was the daughter of Frederick Ruther, who emigrated to America with his family in the year 1847, and first settled on Smooth Prairie, in Madison county, and afterward, in 1850, moved to Staunton. His partnership with Mr. Menk lasted two years, and then Mr. Panhorst engaged in the brick business on his own account, and followed it until January, 1864, when he formed a partnership with James Taylor and opened a store at Staunton. He had at that time by his energy and industry accumulated a capital of two thousand dollars. The partnership with Mr. Taylor continued for six years, during which time the firm did a large and profitable business. After going out of the store in 1870 he was occupied in no regular business till 1871, when in company with Henry Voge he embarked in the enterprise of sinking a coal shaft at Staunton on the line of the Wabash railway, which had recently been constructed. This shaft was one of the first sunk along the line of the railroad, and at the time the enterprise was commenced many doubted that it would ever prove a financial success. A large outlay of money was required, and Mr. Panhorst staked his whole fortune on the success of the shaft. Operations were begun in February, 1871, and the first coal was shipped the following October. It was necessary to sink the shaft 325 feet, at which depth a vein of coal of superior quality was struck. The mine was opened at just the right time to prove a fortunate investment to its owners. Prices ranged high, and a ready market was found for all the coal that could be furnished. A contract to supply the engines of the Wabash road proved remunerative, and for several years he and his partner made money rapidly. He terminated his connection with the coai shaft in April, 1877, disposing of all his interest to his partner, Mr. Voge. From that date he was not actively occupied in business. His health began to fail him, and in spite of everything which could be done for his restoration, for the few months preceding his death he declined rapidly. He had in contemplation a trip to Germany, thinking that a voyage across the ocean and © isit to the land of his birth and childhood would be of service in restoring vigor to his impaired constitution, but he became so weak that he found the long journey impossible. In the spring previous to his decease, on the recommendation of his physician, he went to the Hot Springs in Arkansas, but the separation from his family seemed to counteract any good effect to be received from a sojourn there. He sent for his oldest son for company, but all the time his condition became worse, and after a stay of three weeks he returned to Staunton. After coming back from the Hot Springs he had no sincere hope of recovery. He had the courage, however, to face death calmly and cheerfully. He_spoke of the event with resignation, and to the very last close of his life retained the use of his faculties. He adjusted all his business affairs, and called his friends and relatives to his side, and one by one bid them good-bye, and left directions as to his funeral. He died June 23d, 1879, in the fiftysecond year of his age. Although in the midst of harvest, when every farmer in the surrounding country was busy with his crops, the funeral was the most largely attended that ever took place in Staunton, which showed the marked respect and esteem in which he was held. The funeral services were conducted by the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and of the German and English Methodist churches, and his remains were interred in the Ruther cemetery, one mile north of Staunton.

His children were eight in number: Frederick William, Johu Christopher, Sophia M., Carrie M., Wm. Henry, (who died August 24th, 1868, one year and eleven months of age,) George Otto, (who was born February 25th, 1869, and died May 12th, 1872,) Albert E. and Henry Otto.

Personally Mr. Panhorst was a man of great industry and energy. He began life with only his own resources upon which to rely, and the competency which he accumulated was the direct result of his own labor, and his wise and enterprising investments. He was trained to habits of economy, but still was liberal in his expenditures, educating his children and surrounding his family with every necessity and comfort. His parents had been connected with the Evangelical Lutheran church, in which he received his education. In later years he was a man of liberal spirit and contributed to the support of the churches of each denomination. He was a good and useful citizen, and his business enterprise was of much importance in promoting the growth of Staunton. The opening of the Staunton coal mine in particular, for which he furnished the entire capital, has been of great benefit to the prosperity of the town. He was always ready to assist the less fortunate and give them his advice and counsel. He took an active interest in politics and public matters, and supported the principles of the republican party with great zealand devotion. His influence and sound judgment made him one of the best political organizers in his part of the county, and in the county campaigns his help was always largely relied on by the republican leaders. He held many offices of trust. He was a member of the board of trustees of Staunton for several years, and filled the position of president of the board. He was twice elected a member of the board of supervisors from Staunton township, holding that office shortly after the adoption of the township organization, and again in 1878. He discharged every trust with the same fidelity and ability he carried into his own business affairs. He was genial, pleasant, intelligent, public-spirited, and high-minded, and by his death the county lost a valuable citizen.

Henry W. Behrens

Henry W. Benrens, proprietor of the hotel at Mt. Olive, was born at Neuenberg, in Oldenburg, Germany, April 30th, 1848, the second of five children, of William Behrens and Talke Hansen. His father was a weaver and a farmer. When quite young Mr. Behrens determined to emigrate to America. He left his native country August 15th, 1866, landed at New York, and from that place came to Alton, and the same year to the neighborhood of Gillespie, where he lived nine years. Part of the time he ran a threshing machine. In the spring of 1875 he moyed to Mt. Olive, and put up the building now used by him as a hotel. In 1878 he erected another substantial brick building, the lower part of which is now occupied by him as a saloon and the upper part as a hall. In the summer of 1873 he married Martha Arkebauer, daughter of Gerd. Arkebauer ; she was born near Mt, Olive in 1854. They have two children. Mr. Behrens has been one of the active business men of Mt. Olive. In the summer of 1879 he made a trip to Germany, and revisited the scenes of his younger days, and had the pleasure of meeting many old friends and acquaintances. Mr. Behrens has an illustration of his business places on another page.

John Mm. Ahrens

Joux M. Anreys, the lumber merchant of Staunton, was born November S0th, 1828, in Holstein, Germany, the son of John Ahrens and Anna Lucks. He obtained a good business education, attending school till seventeen years of age. When he was twenty-seven years old he emigrated to America. He came directly to Staunton, where he had a brother living. This was in the year 1855, He had learned in Germany the trade of a cabinet-maker, and followed that business for about twenty years in Staunton, carrying on in connection with ita furniture store. In 1867 he began the lumber business. In the year 1858 he was married to Eliza Ruther, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to Illinois in 1847. By this marriage he has had ten children, of whom nine are now living. He has always been a republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1860. For four years he acted as clerk of Staunton township: has served at different times as member of town board of trustees, and has held other positions. Heisa member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, and a citizen who bears an excellent reputation for strict honesty and integrity.