St. Clair County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 3 of 13)

It i.s a pleasure for the biographer to chronicle and write the history of a successful mau. Such is our duty iu presenting to our readers the biography of Mr. Dobschutz, one of the worthy German- American citizens of Belleville. His family in Germany were of the nobility, but he, like a true American citizen , left all traces of that behind when he came here and made this free country his home, He believes that the highest mark of nobility is to be a respected and worthy citizen. His grandfather held high rank in the Prussian army, as did also his father, who in his old age was placed upon the retired list of generals, and drew a pension with the rank of major. The subject of this sketch i.s one of a large family. He was educated at the excellent schools of Pru.ssia, vi.sited the gymnasiums, and spent several years in the University of Prussia. At the age of nineteen years he was ai)|irenticed to the merchant trade, at which he remained from 1849 to 1856. He then concluded to come to America and seek his fortune in the new world. \h\\\ of this resolve he embarked on board a vessel and arrived in New York in April 1856. He did not stop in the over-crowded metropolis of the east, but went to Sioux county, Iowa. That place was then on the frontier of civilization. He built the first frame house in that city. The climate, however, was too severe, and ho remained there only two years, then came to St. Louis, and a few davs later to Belleville, where he still resides. Wheu he first came here he hired out as a laborer and gardener, at which he continued until he entered the employ of Messrs Brosius & Gciss, foundrymen and manufacturers of agricultural implements. He worked ia the foundry during the winter, and traveled through the country iu the summer months, taking orders for agricultural machinery, manufactured by the firm. He continued thus employed for three years, then became book-keeper (in which business he is an expert) for several firms and attended to their collections. While attending to the latter part of the business he learned that a collection agency established here would be profitable, and acting upon that idea, he opened an office as collecting agent, to which he soon after added that of loan and money broker, the first of the kind in Belleville To these different pursuits he has also added a real estate agency. With these different branches he has been able through the practice of industry and economy, aided by a personal integrity, which has never been doubted, to build up a business which has brought him a competency and independent position among the citizens of Belleville.

lie has been twice married. The first time in 1853, to Miss N. A. Moore, a native of North Carolina, but who was a resident of Sioux City at the time of her marriage. She died June 1st, 1869. P>y this marriage there were two sons and two daughters living. On the 15th of July, 1869. he married Louisa Zimlick. She is of German parentage, and was born in Baltimore. By the latter marriage there are five children, two sons and three daughters.

Mr. Dobschutz is a member of the beneficiary order of A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor. Politically, his life has been too busy to take much stock or active interest in politics. He has never asked for an office, nor would he allow his name to be used in that connection. When he does vote he always votes the republican ticket. In all of Mr. Dobschutz's relations with his fellow-men he bears the reputation of being an honorable, upright citizen, and an honest man. In all of his business relations his integrity is unstained by an act of personal dishonor or reproach.

Mr. Wilderman is a desceiulaiit of one of tlie oldest families in St. Clair county. Th3 Wildermaiis are of German ancestry. George Wilderraan, the great-grandfathor of the present family, was a native of Washington county, >raryland. He emigrated west as early as 1805, and settled in the territory of Indiana, now known as Illinois. The place of settlement was made at what is now known as Freeburg, in St. Clair county. There he remained until his death, which took place a few years later. His son, Dorsey Wilderniau, was born in 1793 in the same state and county as his father, and was in his twelfth year when the family removed west. He died in St. Clair county in 1857. In 1812 he married Phoebe Carr, who was born in Virginia in 1790. Her father, Joseph Carr, was a native of the same state, and was born March 21, 1752, and died March 6, 1817. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. After the close of that struggle he came west and settled at what is now known as Illinois landing, in 1793. Dorsey Wilderman, the grandfather of Alonzo S , was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was connected with the military department on the frontiers in the Indian wars. By his marriage with Pha3be Carr there were nine children : Michael J. Wilderman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the second in the family. He was born in St. Clair county, Oct. 10, 1814, and is one of the five children who have survived the parents. On the 24th of April, 1838, he married Theresa Patterson, a native of Guilford county, North Carolina. She was born March 21, 1818, and was the daughter of Greene B. and Rebecca Patterson, who were of Scotch descent. Their family were among the early settlers of iNorth Carolina. They emigrated to Illinois in 1818, and settled at a place known as High Prairie. 'S,^ the marriage of Michael J. and Theresa

Patterson, there were seven children ; three sous and one daughter are yet living. The mother died April 27, 1868. The subject of this sketch is the eldest son. He was born near Freeburg, St. Clair county, 111., D.'cember 1, 1839. He was raised upon the farm and received his education in the common-schools of his neighborhood ; his advantages in this particular were none of the best, as the school system in those daj's was crude and imperfect as compared with the present. He was naturally of an inquiring mind, and having a genuine love for reading, he soon improved, and bjf the time he reached maturity his mind was well stored with much valuable information derived from books and close observation of men and things. In 1864 he determined to adopt the professi(m of law. With this idea in view, he entered the law office of Hon. S. M. Kase of Belleville, and commenced the study, and applied himself diligently. In November, ISGlJ, at the term of the supreme court held at Mt. "Vernon, he made application for adnnission to the bar. He passed a good examination and was licensed to practice in the courts of the state. In 1868 he formed a law partnership with his preceptor, which continued until July, 1872, when it was dissolved. He then formed a partnership with Mr. James M. Hamill, which still continues. The law firm of AVilderman & Hamill have a large and paying practice, and are recognized as an able and reliable legal firm, and stand in the front rank as practitioners at the bar of St. Clair county. Politically Mr. Wilderman is a democrat and has been a member of that political organization since 1860, when he cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas. In 1876 his zeal for his ]iarty and worth as a man and citizen, received honorable recognition by being nominated and elected to represent St. Clair county ifl the 30th General Assembly of the State. While a member of that body he sustained the reputation of a careful and prudent member, bringing to the practical working of the House a large share of valuable business experience. He served on several important committees, among -which was the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill originating and creating appellate courts and giving them concurrent jurisdiction. He was chairman of the sub-committee from the House, and had charge of the bill and all matters pertaining to it ; managed it on the floor of the House, and secured its passage through the lower House. All of his acts as legislator were dictated by a just view of the interests of his constituents and those of the state at large. He is an honorable member of the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, and passed through the several lodges, and received the orders of Knighthood in Tancred Commandery No 50, Belleville, Illinois. On the 15th of September, 1871, he was happily united in marriage to Miss Amanda, daughter of James and Hester (Coleman) Affleck. She is a native of St; Clair county, but was a res-ideiit of Decatur, Illinois, at the tindi of her marriage. This union has been blessed with three children, named Hester T , Augusta A., and Eunice E. Wilderman. His estimable wife is a member of the M. E. Church. As a lawyer, Mr. Wilderman early recognized that the law was a jealous mistress, who required of her devotees undivided attention and diligent application, if they would succeed. He possesses those qualities which as factors, are so essential to success in every department of business life, namely, industry, integrity and a large share of common sense. In possession of these sterling qualities, the problem of success is easily solved. They are iodissolubly linked with success, and as naturally, and of necessity, follow each other as cause and effect.

This gentleman was born in Todtenhausen, province of Hesse Nassau, Germany, February 3, 1845. lie was educated in the high schools (Gymnasiums) and University of Marburg, and spent one term in the University at Gottingen. In these institutions of learning he laid the foundations and prepared himself for entrance upon the profession of Medicine, which he had determined to adopt. With that idea in view he studied chemistry and kindred sciences. After he returned from the University he came to America, landing in New York in 1867. From there he proceeded to Philadelphia, where, soon after his arrival, he was engaged as medical assistant to Constantino Herring, father of Homeopathy in America, and then Professor in Hahnemann Medical College. Dr. Loelkis took a course in that college, studied and adopted the new system, and graduated, receiving the degree of M.D., March 4, 1868. He then came west, arriving in Belleville April 9, 1868, where he commenced the practice, and here he has continued to the present. Dr. Loelkis belong to the progressive School of Medicine. The system that he practices requires a progressive mind and studious habits, not a mind that is fettered by old established forms, founded upon conditions that exist only in the memories and traditions of the past. The School of Homeopathy has been to the old School of Medicine what the liberal and enlightened thought of the present age has been to the dogmas and formulated creeds of religion in the past. It has liberalized, and brought each to a higher state of perfection. On the 7th of September, 1863, Dr. Loelkis was happily united in marriage to Miss Emma Helffof Philadelphia. He is a respected member of the A. F. and A. M., and belongs to Archimedes L)dg3, No. 377, of Belleville, Illinois. In matters pertaining to the education of the rising generation he takes an active part, and is zealous in his advocacy of methods whereby the cause of education will be promoted and become more general and instructive. He has been for several terms a member of the Board of Education which has charge of the Public Schools of Belleville.

The Saffold family is of English ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides- Reuben and William Saffold were officers in the English army. Not liking the service, they quit it and came to America, landing in Virginia in 1792. From these brothers have sprung the present Saffold family in America. They are numerous in the southern states, and are a somewhat noted family, many of them occupying places of honor and trust. Notably among these may be mentioned B. T. Saffold, cousin of the subject of this sketch, who has been for a number of years a member of the Supreme Court of Alabama. Another one has been the editor of the Selma Times since 1867, aod at present is judge of the circuit court.

Daniel Saffold, the grandfather of David, married Jennie Waters, an only sister of the celebrated Col. John Waters, of Georgia. Of this union was Isham Saffold, father of the subject of this sketch. Isliam removed from Georgia to Arkansas in 1835, and died there in 1853. He married Rachael Nobles, a native of Georgia. She died in Arkansas in 1853. By this marriage there were thirteen children. Dr. Saffold, the eldest of the children, and the only survivor of the family, was born in Coweta Co., Georgia, August 3d, 18-32. His advantages in youth for receiving an education were limited ; his father dying while he was yet young, the care of the farm and family devolved on him. In 1847 he went to New Orleans and commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Stone, a noted physician and surgeon of the south, who had charge of the Infirmary and Hospital at that time. Dr. Saffold attended lectures and the Hospital during the day, and at night attended night schools and improved his educatioa. He continued there until 1849, then went to the Centenary College at Jackson, Louisiana, and remained there two years. At the end of that time he concluded to adopt the profession of dentistry. He came north to Philadelphia, and entered the Pennsylvania Dental College and remained part of two terms, then went back to New Orleans and commenced the practice. Two years later he went to Charleston, S. C, and practiced there fourteen years. On the 8th of August. 1861, he enlisted in the 1st S. C. Artillery, stationed at Fort Sumter. In December, 1861, he was promoted to Assistant Surgeon. In 1863 he was transferred to Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, and afterwards altertating between Forts Sumter and Moultrie. He remained at those posts until the end of the war. After the war he went to New York, then to St. Louis, and then south to different points, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Belleville, and here he opened a dental office, and has pursued his profession to the present. On the 10th of June, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Maria, daughter of Hugh Quinn, of Dublin, Ireland. Mrs. Saffold was born in Ireland, but was a resident of Charleston, S. C , at the time of her marriage. By this union there is one child, a son, named David B. Saffold. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Politically he is democrat. He is an advocate of the cause of temperance, and is a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance. Dr. Saffold is a fiue dentist, and in operative and dental suigery he has few superiors. He adopts all the improved methods which the science of dentistry has developed from time to time, and his laboratory is well.supplied with all the late improvements in the way of machinery to carry on the business.

Among the successful physicians of Belleville is the subject of this bio,'raphical sketch. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Dec. 22>1, 1849. His father, D. M. Dake, is a native of New York. He was a practicing physician for many years. One of the notable fiicts of the Dake family is, that all the male members, for many generations back, or at least within the knowledge of the present members, have been members of the medical profe.ssion. Dc Dike's fj,th3r, grandfather, graat-graiidfather, all his uncles and their sons, have been and are physicians. It is as natural for a Dake to be a physician as for a duck to take to water. They are members of the different schools. Some practising Allopathy, some Homeopathy, and others Eclectic. His father was graduated at Castleton University, Vermont, in 1835. He studied and was graduated in the regular, or Allopath school of mediciue, and practiced that system in New York State for ten years. In 1845 he became a convert to, and practised Homeopathy. Pie removed to Pittsburg in 1848, and there continued the practice of his profession until his retirement.

He married Mary Manuel, who was of English birth, but a resident of the State of New York at the time of her marriage. By this union there were four children, one son and three daughters. Charles R. is the only son. He received private instruction at home, where he was prepared for entrance to the Western University of Pennsylvania. In 1868, after his return from college, he commenced the study of medicine in the office and under the direction of his father. After reading the standard text-books, and making suitable progress in his studies, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and was graduated therefrom in 1872, with the degree of M. D. He was one of six in a graduating class of one hundred and sixteen who received honorable mention for the value of their graduation thesis and proficiency in general at the conferring of degrees by the Faculty of the College. He commenced the practice at Rockaway Beach, Long Island, where he continued until 1873, when he came west with the intention of going south. He was induced to stop here, and finally concluded to remain permanently. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the Chair of Chemistry in the Homceopathic College of St. Louis, but was unable .to accept that honorable position, owing to circumstances over which he had no control, and business arrangements made prior to his election. In the practice of medicine Dr. Dake has been very successful. Since his residence in Belleville he has made for himself a reputation as a close student, a careful practitioner, and one thoroughly in love with his profession. He belongs to the progressive school of medicine, bound down by no dogma or theories of any particular school. His principle is to study thoroughly what all schools of medicine present, ignoring nothing without investigation, and adopting in practice all that has proved of undoubted value. " I am a physician, bound down to the rules of no single system or school of medicine," is his reply upon inquiry. After his graduation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, he studied the system of Hon oeopathy, and by some he is placed in that school, when in fact he is as much of a Regular as those who pretend to practice exclusively by the Allopathic system. The measure of success is success, and the public care not by what system the body is cured and restored to health, so that it is cured. The physician who, in the shortest possible time, brings about that result, will very soon have all the business to which he can give his attention. Dr.

Dake has a large and lucrative practice, -Hhich keeps constantly increasing in proportion as his successes and abilities become known to the public. On the 12th of September, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia C. Swyer, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois. By this union there is one child, a daughter. Politically he is a republican, but he takes no interest iu politics further than to express his preference and sentiments through the right of suifrage. In his intercourse with men he is a genial companion and friend , possessing social qualities of a high order. In the community where he is well known he is regarded as an honorable man and valuable citizen.

One of the early German settlers of St. Clair county, was Theodore Hilgard. He was a native of Rheinish Bavaria, and was born in the town of Zweitruecken. He was educated for the profession of law, but, being in sympathy with the Republican movement in 1830, he fell under the displeasure of the government, and his advancement in his profession was therefore retarded, and patronage from that source cut off. In 1832 he came to America, on a tour of observation. He came west to St. Clair county, and was here so much pleased with the fertility of the soil, that he purchased a farm near Turkey Hill, on the Mascoutah road. He'then returned to Germany and married, and the next year came back and settled on his farm, and resided there until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1872. He was one of the pioneers of the German emigration to America, and was instrumental in having others come here and settle. He married Emma Heimberger. She died in 1860. By that marriage there were eight children, four sons and four daughters. All the children still survive the parents. Ernst H ilgard is the youngest in the family. He was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, January 20th, 1845. He was reared upon the farm where he continued until 1863, when he enlisted for three years in the United States service, in the 43d Regiment Illinois Vol., and remained in the service until the end of the war. Iu 1 869 he came to Belleville and engaged in the hardware trade. In 1871 he went into the dry goods business with Messrs. Espenhain, Fuess & Co. In October, 1880, he opened the present large dry goods and carpet house on Main street. January 1st, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Schcfl, the accomplished daughter of John Scheel, now deceased.

George Semmelroth

The subject of this sketch, and one of the proprietors of the Belleville Zietung, was born in Hubeurode Hesse, Germany, March 24, 1840. He is the eldest son of Jost Henry and Dorothea Semmelroth. He received a fair education in the schools of his native country. In 1856 he emigrated to America and came direct to Belleville, landing here on the 8th of June of the same year. He immediately found work under Dr. Wentzel, who had charge of the Belleville Volkshlatt, a German newspaper, and there learned the printer's trade. His father and t(ro other remaining sons came over the next year and settled in Belleville, where both these sons have since died. The father still survives and resides in the city. George continued in the printing business until February, 1865, when he enlisted as a private in company "H" 149th Regt. 111. Vols., and upon the organization of the company was elected orderly sergeant. He remained in the service until after the close of the war, and was mustered out in February, 1866. When he enlisted he was foreman in the oflSce of the Zeitung, and on his return was appointed to the same position, and continued in charge until. May, 1866, when he became the publisher of The Stem dea Westens, and remained the publisher until 1872, when he sold out to F. E. Scheel, and was then general manager until 1874. At the last named date he purchase! a half-interest in the Zeitung, and has been one of the proprietors to the present. Mr. Semmelroth is a practical printer, and has been connected with the journalism of St. Clair county since he first came here in 1856, and has been longer in the business than any other man now connected with the journalism of the county. As a newspaper manager he possesses more than average ability, which has been the result of his many years experience. He is an honored member of the Masonic Society, and also of the I. O. O, F. On the 15th September, 1866, he married Miss Minnie Deeke. She is of German birth; her parents came to America in 1848. By this marriage there are six children living - four daughters and two sons. Socially, Mr. Semmelroth is a pleasant, agreeable gentleman of quiet, unassuming manners and habits, and bears the reputation of a good citizen and honorable gentleman.

George H. Stolberg

The present efficient circuit clerk of St. Clair county, is a native of Hanover, Germany. He was born Nov. 22, 1843. His father, George H., was engaged in general merchandizing. In the winter of 1845-46 he emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans in January of 1846 He came up the river to St. Louis, and from there to Belleville, where he made his home until his death, which occurred March 4, 1866. When he first came to Belleville he engaged in merchandizing, in which he continued for several years. He married Christina Brittmann, who survived him, and died July 15, 1878. By that marriage there were two sons and two daughters. One son and daughter survive the parents. George H. is the youngest of the family. He received an educational training in the private and public schools of Belleville. In his sixteenth year he was entered as an apprentice to a silversmith and jeweller. He continued at the trade until 1866, when he accepted a position as clerk in the Recorder's Office. In 1869 he was promoted to the position of Deputy Recorder and fir^t assistant clerk, under Geo. M. Roeder, in which capacity he remained until the fall of 1880, when his qualification and efficiency as a clerk received recognition by being nominated by the Republican party in convention assembled, for the office of circuit clerk, and in the following November he was elected by a majority in excess of his party's vote. Mr. Stolberg was eminently qualified for the position of circuit clerk by his previous fifteen years as deputy, in which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the records and routine duties thereto belonging. The promotion to the office by the people of St. Clair county was a suitable recognition of past services and faithful performance of the duties imposed upon him, and the honor thus conferred IS fully appreciated by him. Politically, he has been a Republican smce casting his first vote, which was for Abraham Lincoln in 1864.

On the 18th of June 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. daughter of John W. Eckert. of St. Louis, in which citv she was born and reared. That union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter. Mr. Stolberg is of an accommodating disposition, which trait of character has made hira many friends.

Among the enterprising men of St. Clair county who are actively engaged in coal mining, stands the name of Joseph Yoch. He is a native of Prussia. His father, Christian Yoch, was born in 1803, in Prussia ; he was a small farmer. He married Catherine Klorius. She died in Dec., 1864. By this marriage there were five children, four of whom are living. Their names, in the order of their birth, are : John, Joseph, Sophia, who died in infancy ; Bernhart and Lenora.

Joseph, the subject of this sketch, is the second in the family. He was born in Prussia, May 17th, 1844. He came with his father to America, when he was but three years of age, in the year 1847. The family came direct to St. Clair co.. Ills , and settled one and a half miles west of Belleville on a farm, and remained there until 1858, when they removed to a place known as the old "Breeze's " farm, two and a half miles west of Belleville. In 1859 Mr. Yoch, the elder, opened a mine, which has since been known as Yoch's coal mine. He continued in the business of farming and mining until 1864, when he retired and passed the management of the business to his sons, who have continued in the line marked out by their father.

Joseph, after the retirement of his father, took charge of the business, and under his good management they have prospered and grown rich enough to be beyond any possibility of want. The Yoch Brothers have two mines of their own, and are largely interested in many others. They handle over three and a half millions bushels of coal annually. They are now engaged in opening a mine on the line of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railway, near Litchfield, where they own a coal-field of four hundred acres. They ship their coal to St. Louis, where Joseph manages the sales, shipping, etc. John is an experienced miner, and has charge of and superintends the mines. Bernhart is a practical machinist, and a man of fine inventive genius. He has invented a number of machines for mining purposes, which are great improvements on those used before. He is the inventor of the road engine, known as the " B. Yoch Engine," which is self-propelling. On the 14th of May, 1878, Joseph was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Isch, a native of St. Clair county. Her father and mother were natives of Alsace, and emigrated to America in 1843. By the union of Joseph and Catherine Yoch there are two children, a son and daughter. The son died in infancy. The name of the daughter is Josephine Rosa Yoch. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yoch are members of the Catholic Church. Politically he is a democrat, but he takes no further interest in that matter than to vote, and thereby express his opinions on all political subjects.

In conclusion, it may be truthfully said that the Yochs started in life poor. They have, by hard work, industry, and practice of economy and good management, succeeded in the world, and have made a name for themselves for honorable dealing and plain, honest men, which, after all, is the best heritage to leave to posterity.

The proprietor of the H(jtel Tiemann of Belleville, Ills., is a native of the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, and was born July 19, 1833. He is the eldest of a family of three children, the offspring of Frederick William and Augusta (8tein) Tiemann. His father is still living, and a resident of Germany. August remained at home until 1850, when he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans, and from there came u]i the river to St. Louis and to Belleville, where he had friends. He worked on his uncle's farm for a short time, and then came into the city and work(;d at the cabinet trade for two years, then went to St. Lo\iis where he remained two years, returning to Belleville, and in connection with Eugene Glad started a carpenter shop and engaged in contracting and building. They continued together for four years, in which time they erected many of the substantial business houses of the town. He then went to Highland, and in connection with his fatherin-law started a rope factory in which he was engaged for two years, when he met with an accident whereby his arm was broken. He returned to Belleville and started in the saloon business, and two years later built the Hotel Tiemann, and opened a hotel and boarding-hou.se. This was in 1802. fie has continued to the present time. He has also been lessee of the City Park for the past six years, and in that time has contributed much enjoyment and amusement to the good people of Bcllcvile. He was one of the original stockholders in the Esler Ropieipiet Manufacturing Company, which was one of the largest establishments for manufacture of agricultural implements in St. C'lair county. He is an enterprising citizen, and takes stock and subscribes liberally to every enterprise that has for its object the increase of the material wealth of the town. On the 16th of (October, 18r)(i, he was united in marriage to Miss Auguste Hen- Hciiaii, a native of Prussia. She came to America in 1854, and settled in Belleville. There have been eight children by this union. All of them arc yet at home, except Bertha, who is the wife of William HuH; and Lizzie, who is the wife of John Brosius, both of Belleville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor, and the German Societies. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen. Politically he voted first for John C Fremont in 1856, afterwards joined the democratic party, and is still a member of that political organization.

The subject of the following biographical sketch is a native of the Dukedom of Schleswig, which is situated on the Baltic sea, Germany. He was born March 23d, 1843. His father, H. A. Lorenzen, was a large farmer, and possessed of ample means, and able to give his children such an education as the best schools of the country afforded. He was a soldier in the late Schleswig-Holstein war, and lost his life in that struggle. His property was also swept away, from causes resulting from the war. His widow and mother of John still survives, and is a resident of her native country. There were six children in the family. John is the third. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the grocery trade, and served four years in the business in Schleswig City. He then went to Flensberg, and clerked one year in a large house, and then came to America, landing in New York in December, 1 863. From there he went to Racine, Wis., and clerked for nearly one year, when he concluded that he could do better in Chicago, but failing there he moved to St. Louis, and there enlisted for one year in Co. " K " of the 41st regiment Mo. Vols. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was mustered out. He then clerked for several months in St. Louis, then came to West Belleville, and engaged to clerk for Mr. Weissenborn, and continued with him for nearly two years. Then in connection with a man by the name of Muehlhausen started business for himself The firm continued for eight years, when Mr. Lorenzen bought out his partner, built a fine brick business house, and from that time to the present has been conducting the business with great success. His store is well stocked, and supplied with everything in the line of his trade, and he does an extensive business, particularly iu high explosive powders, used for blasting purposes. la fuse-powder and niiaers' su]:!- plies he does a large business, and supplies the country for many miles around. On the 26th of April, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Benk, a native of Woerrstadt, Germany. She was a resident of West Belleville at the time of her marriage. He is a member of the ancient order of Freemasonry, and belongs to St. Clair Lodge, No. 24. He is also a Knight of Pythias, of Cavalier Lo<lge No. 49, and is Sir Knight Commander of the Uniform. Eank of Belltville Division, No. 6.

Politically he is a republican. He is a member of the Board of Eilucation, and takes an active part iu educational interests. This, in brief, is a sketch of one of West Belleville's most enterprising and i)rominent business men.

Is a native of Prussia, and was born March V2l\\, 1845. lie received a liberal education in the schools and f^ymnasiuuis of his native country. He was a soldier in the army during the troubles of Austria and Bavaria. In 1866 he emigrated to America, and came direct to Belleville, and here formed a partnership in the liquor business with Louis Bartel, in the wholesale trade. He continued in the trade until 1872, when he returned to Germany, and remained there until 1874, when be came back to Belleville, and l)()U^dlt out a stationery and general notion store, and engaged also in bookbinding of all kinds, in which he still continues.

James A. Willoughby

The Willoughby family is of English ancestry on the paternal, and on the maternal Scotch-Irish. His father, William E. Willoughby, was born in Delaware in 1824. He came with his father, whose name was also William, to Illinois in 1835, and settled in the American Bottom, St. Clair county, Illinois, near Collinsville, where he died. William E., the father of James A., was yet in his boyhood, when the family came to Illinois. Here he grew to manhood, and married a Miss Penn. She died without issue. In 1852 he married Mary Moore, a native of St. Clair county. Her father, William Moore, was a native of Georgia, and her mother was an Alexander, and native of Pennsylvania. Both Mr. Willoughby and wife are yet living, and are residents of Lebanon, where they removed in 1873. By this latter union there are four children. James A-, the subject of this sketch, is the second in the family. He was born May 2d, 1855, on Looking Glass Prairie, St. Clair county, Illinois. He was educated in the common schools. After his father removed to Lebanon, he entered the McKendree College, taking the scientific course, and graduated in the class of 1874. In the fall of the same year, he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He remained there until the end of the term. In the summer of 1875, he read law at home, and in the fall returned to Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 1876. He then entered the law office of Noetling and Halbert, of Belleville, and remained there a few months. His graduation from the law school at Ana Arbor, admitted him to practice in the courts of Michigan. Upon motion, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois in June, 1876. He returned to Lebanon, and engaged in the drug business, in which he continued for four years. In the summer of 1880, he was nominated by the republican party for the office of Recorder, the first in the county ; and at the election in the following November was triumphantly elected, and is now serving the people in that capacity.

Politically, he has always been a Republican. He is an honored member of the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, and belongs to Lebanon Lodge, No. 110. He is not a member of any church organization, but on the contrary, is rather liberal in his belief. Mr. Willoughby is comparatively a young man, but so far has been quite successful. He possesses the full confidence of his party and friends, who know him well ; and all accord him a first class reputation as a business man, and man of honor and integrity.

John Adam 8Tauder

Was born on the Rhine, Bavaria, March 18, 1828. John W. Stauder, his father, was a contractor and builder in Germany. He there married Mary Brown. In the winter of 1835 he left Germany, and after a long voyage landed in New York, and came west, traveling by canals and boats to Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, and from the latter place to Belleville. They stopped with an uncle two weeks, and then Mr. Stauder went to Kaskaskia and bought eighty acres of government land in Dutch Hollow. It was timber land, unimproved. They built a log-house, and lived there two years ; then moved to Belleville. Here he followed brick-laying, building, teaming, and hauling freight to and from St. Louis, in which he continued until his death in 1858. His wife survived him two years. There were five children in the family, two sons and three daughters. Michael, the youngest son, died in his sixteenth year. The others are living, and all have families. The subject of the present sketch had but little chances to go to school. The family was poor, and he had to help support them and himself, and therefore found no time for schooling. He remained at home, assisting his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He and his father were in the transfer business, and he drove the team and did much of the hauling. After the railroad was finished to St. Louis, it broke up his teaming. He then eilgaged in the grocery business, and opened a hotel and wagon yard on Illinois street. In 1865, he purchased property on the south-west corner of Main and Ray street, where he opened a large boarding-house, saloon, and also engaged in the grocery and provision trade, in which he has continued to the present. In 1853, he married Margaret Muchbaucher. She died two years later. By this marriage there is one son, named John W. Stauder. In 1858, he married his present wife, by whom he has five children living. Their names are Jacob, Mary, Katie, Adam and Joseph Stauder. The family are members of the Catholic church. Politically he is a democrat, but was originally a republican, and supported Lincoln for two terms. He has been reasonably successful in life, although he has had many reverses and much bad luck. His kind-heartedness has led him to go security for friends who have left him to pay their debts. He is an old settler in this county, and among the old people is much respected for his worth as a man and citizen.

Leonhard Lebkuecher

LEONHARD LEBKUECHER Is a native of Nassau, Germany, and was born April 9th, 1851. His father, Adam Lebkuecher, was a native of the same place. He was born April 1st, 1816. He was actively engaged in merchandising, and held the position of collector in his native country. He married Eva Hahn, who was born in Nassau Aug. 27, 1823. The family emigrated to America in November, 1851, with his^wife and E)ur children. He first settled in Louisville, Ky., where he remained two years, then went to New Albany, iu Indiana, and two years later came to Belleville, Illinois. Here he remained until his death, which took place May 22, 1864. He was the inventor and manufacturer of a patent axle grease, which came into general use before his death, at which time also he was a city officer. His wife still survives him, and is a resident, with her children, of Belleville, Illinois. By his marriage there were eight children - three sons and five daughters. Their name3 are: Anna, who was born March 30th, 1845. She is the wife of Henry Jenks, now a resident of St. Louis ; Felicitas, born Nov. 20th, 1846, a resident of Belleville, and engaged iu the millinery business ; Eliza, born May 7th, 1849, who married Philip Mause, now deceased. She is now the wife of John Rinck, foreman in Harrison's machine shop ; Leonhard, the subject of this sketch ; Frank, born April 16, 1853, at New Albany, Indiana, and married iu Ithaca, New York, Dec. 9th, 1872, to Miss Catharine Green, of Lanesboro, Mass., and in business in Belleville since 1880; John, born Jan. 17, 1856, died Jan. 25, 1870 Emma, born June 8th, 1859; Helena, born March 10, 1861. Leonhard, of whom we write, was apprenticed to the trade of tinsmith at the age of fifteen years, and served three years, then went to St. Louis and worked at the trade for three years as a journeyman, when he came back to Belleville, and in 1872, in connection with Jacob Hoerr, started in the tinning business. The partnership was dissolved in 1874, since which time Mr. Lebkuecher has conducted the business alone, in which he has been very successful. On the 8th of February, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Karr, youngest daughter of Peter Karr, of West Belleville. Mrs. Lebkuecher was bora in West Belleville. Peter Karr was born in Deidesheim, Germany, Feb. 2d, 1809, and emigrated to America and settled in St. Clair county iu 1837. He was for many years in the grocery and dry goods business, in

West Belleville. He subsequently retired and went into the wine business. He amassed a fortune, and retired from the business in 1867, and died December 24, 1878. During life he was a prominent man, and held various positions of honor and trust under the city government He married Abaloma Eschenfelder. Mrs. Lebkuecher is the fifth child of that marriage. Only two of the children are living. Lena, Mrs. Lsbkuecher's sister is the wife of George Rice. By the marriage of Leonhard and Eliza Lebkuecher there were three children born to them, two of whom are living. Their names in the order of their birth are Peter Leonhard, who was born Nov. 10, 1876, and Lena Abaloma, born July 2, 1877. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is also a member of the Catholic Knights of America. In politics he votes the democratic ticket, but takes no further part than to exercise the right of suffrage. He is one of the enterprising merchants of Belleville, and consequently has a large patronage. In his dealings with mankind he is just and honorable, and conducfs his business on the basis of doing right and dealing fairly with all who honor him with their trade and custom. He started in business unaided. His whole capital consisted of his knowledge of the business, his industry, and a large share of good common sense, with which to back him up. It is with pleasure we here introduce him, and a fine lithographic view of his business house, to be found on another page of this work, to the people of St. Clair county.

Michael Ries

The subject of the following sketch was born in the province of Nassau, Germany, Nov. 5, 1831. Valentine Ries,his father, was a shoemaker by trade, but also engaged in farming, trading, etc. In 1846 he came to America, and settled in St. Louis, and remained there until the fall of 1857, when he removed to Shakopee, Minnesota, and died there in 1874. He married Catherine Friehaut. She died in Minnesota in the fall of 1867. By this marriage there are nine children, six sons and three daughters. Valentine, a builder and contractor, and resident of Belleville, is the eldest son. Soon after the family came to St. Louis, Valentine Ries, the father, made shoes, in which he was assisted by his sous. He afterwards went into the lumber business, and his sons became interested with him. In 1867 he went to Minnesota, and Michael took charge of the business in St. Louis. The latter continued there until 1862, when he sold out and came to Belleville, and here formed a partnership in the lumber business, which continued until 1866, when he formed a partnership with his brother Henry in the same business, which continues to the present. The firm of M. & H. Ries is one of the oldest and mast successful in the city of Belleville. On the 13th of May, 1856, Michael was joined in holy wedlock to Miss Abaloma Eberle, a native of Germany, but a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. By this marriage there are five children, two sons and three daughters. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. Henry Ries married Elizabeth Kissell, July 24th, 1866. She was born and reared in Belleville. By this union there are eight children, five sons and three daughters. He and his wife are also members of the Catholic Church. Henry has been engaged in the lumber business for many years in St. Louis, Minnesota, and in Belleville, where he has resided since 1866. Both are members of the democratic party, but take little interest further than to express their preference by the right of ballot. The Ries Brothers rank among the best business men of Belleville, and the firm, for probity of character and honorable dealing, stands high iu the estimation of the people of St. Qair county.

Valentine Ries, the elder brother, of whom mention is made above, has been a resident of Belleville since 1872. In 1853 he married Josephine Abafaeld, a native of Poland, but a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. Eight children have been born to them.

Louis Graner

George F. Graner, the father of the subject of the present sketch, was a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany. He emigrated to America in 1848, and settled in Belleville, in St. Clair county, Illinois, where he resided until his death, in 1875. He was a civil engineer, and followed that profession in his native country and after he came to America. In 1856 he was elected County Surveyor, and held the office for two terms. The Belleville and Mascoutah, and Belleville and Westfield plank-roads were laid out by him. He married Louisa Joerg, a native of Saxony. She died in July, 1880. Her father, Johan Godfrey Joerg, came to America prior to Mr. Graner. Louis Graner is the only oflTspring of that marriage. He was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, Feb. 12th, 1853. He received his education in the public schools of Belleville, and studied surveying and civil engineering under his father. His first work was as rodman, on the Cairo short line railroad during the time of its construction. Then next on the O'Fallon road, and next as assistant engineer on the Cairo and Vincennes. He had charge of the Illinois and St. Louis road as engineer. From there he went to Kansas, where he surveyed the route for the contemplated Mill Creek and Council Grove railroad. In 1872 he returned to Belleville, and was appointed city engineer. In 1877 he was elected county surveyor, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. F. Hilgard, and in 1879 he was nominated and elected for the full term.

On the 28th of May, 1876, he married Miss Augusta Meyer, of St. Louis, Mo., but a resident of Waubansie, Kansas, at the time of her marriage. This marriage has been productive of three children. Politically Mr. Graner is an unswerving democrat. His first vote for president was cast for Tilden, in 1876. He is a member of the beneficiary order of Knights of Honor, and also of some of the German societies of Belleville, which are organized for social, musical and other purposes.

H. A. HEINEMAN Was born in Olden berg, Germany, November 12, 1837. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the butcher business and served a full apprenticeship. In 1859 he left home and came to America, landing in New York in August of the same year, where he remained working at his trade until 1861, when the war broke out. He then enlisted under the first call of 300,000 troops for three years of service. He entered Co. " F » of the 54th Regiment New York Vols. He was in the service nearly one year when he was discharged from physical disability. He returned to New York and remained there until August, 1864, when he came west m search of a location. He finally settled in Belleville, and in December following opened a butcher shop, and has carried on the busmess to the present time. On the Uth of December 1864 he married Miss Caroline Huber, a native of Germany, on the river Rhine. Her father, Philip Huber, came here when she was but seven years of age. There are six children by this marriage. Mr

Fred. E. Scheel

Bavaria, and who emigrated to America in June, 1833 He re ceived private instruction until he was thirteen years of age when he entered the Wyman High School of St. Louis. He then went to Germany, where he received private tuition for one year and a half; then returned to St. Louis, where he entered the Washington University, and was in his sophomore year when the war broke out. He promptly laid aside his books, and with patriotic devotion enlisted for three years, in Co. "A," of the famous 9th regiment Illinois Vols., one of the historic regiments of the war. He remained with the regiment, and participated with it in the various battles and skirmishes until the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April, 1862, when he was wounded in the right ankle, the ball shattering the joint He returned home, and remained here until the wound healed. At the time of the battle he was second lieutenant of Co. D," having passed through all the grades to that position. He resigned his lieutenancy when he came home. After he was convalescent he returned to the army, and was assigned to duty on the staff of Col. Morton, of the 81st Ohio, who was in command of the Brigade. The service, however, was too severe for his enfeebled condition, and he quit the service and returned to Belleville in May, 1863. He entered the office of the Circuit Clerk and was made deputy, and remained in this office three years. During that time he read law under the direction of Governor Koerner, and later under Hon. John B. Hay. At the October term of the Supreme Court, (1866), at Mount Vernon, he was admitted to the bar. In 1867 he was appointed by Governor Oglesby a member of the newly-established State Board of Equalization, representing the counties of St. Clair and Madison. He also was appointed Deputy Assessor of Internal Revenue, under General Kueffner. In 1871 he opened an office and commenced the practice of law. In 1872 he became identified with the Liberal Republican movement, and the same time commenced the publication of the Stern des Westens, a German newspaper ; to the influence of which, in a measure, the remarkable change in the political condition of St. Clair county is due. He continued the publication until 1877, when he went back to the practice of law. At the September term of the Circuit Court (1879) he was appointed Master in Chancery by Judge W. H Snyder, a position he still holds. He was a republican until 1872, since which time he has, in all national and state elections, voted for the nominees of the democratic party.

On the 14th of September, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine A. Kircher, a native of Cass county, Illinois. Her father, Joseph Kircher, is a native of Germany, and emigrated to Illinois in 1832, and came to Belleville in 1849, where he engaged in business, and where he still continues to reside. By the marriage of Fred. E. and Josephine A. Scheel, there are three daughters. Personally and socially Mr. Scheel has most excellent qualities, generous to a fault ; a genial and entertaining friend, a most excellent companion, loyal in his friendships ; he is a fair representative f the true German character.

Is a native of Lincoln county, Missouri, bom September 4th, 1843. His grandfather was a native of Scotland. He emigrated to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where George McCullough, the father of James VV"., was born. He went south, to Mississippi, where he married Louisa Pepper. He afterward removed to St. Louis, Mo , then to Troy, Lincoln county, where our subject was born. He subsequently located in Florrissant, in St Louis county, where he remained until his death, in 1849. His wife still survives him, and is a resident of Belleville. There are two children living by this union, a daughter, Louisa, who is the wife of Dr. R. D. Valentine, a resident physician of Canton, 111., and James W., of whom we write. The mother removed to Belleville in March, 1852. James W. received his education in the public schools of Belleville, and in the Christian Brothers' Academy, in St. Louis. He spent two years in the latter. He then commenced the express business in the office of J. P. Majors, who was operating a line from Belleville to St Louis, via the Cairo Short Line. In 1867 he bought a half interest in the line, and, soon after, other parties bought Majors' remaining interest, and, together, Mr. Mc- Cullough and his partner operated the line until the railroad was finished to Du Quoin, when they sold out to Adams Express Company. Mr. McCullough was then appointed agent for the company, and he has retained that position until the present, with the exception of a short time when engaged in other business. From 1873 to 1876 he was book-keeper in the Belleville Nail Mills, but also had charge of the office. On the 25th of December, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Callie E. Lorch, of Springfield, Illinois, By this union there are five children living. The eldest. Amy, died in November, 1877, in her ninth year. His estimable wife is a member of the Episcopal church. He is a member of the bene^ ficiary order of A. 0. U. W., and, at present, is Master Workman. Politically, he is a democrat. In 1879 he was elected City Clerk, and re-elected in 1881, and, is now attending to the duties of the office in a manner that gives complete satisfaction to the citizens of Belleville. Mr. McCullough is a thorough business man, and entirely reliable and trustworthy, and possesses the confidence of his employers and the entire community.

Robert D. W. Holder

Was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, February 22d, 1847. Hisparents were natives of Tenneesee, but emigrated to Illinois at an early day, and settled in Jefferson county. His father was a soldier in the Mexican war, and was Second Lieutenant of a company. He contracted camp fever, and died while in the service, in 1848. Mr. Holder's mother's maiden name was Cook. Her parents came to Illinois in 1822, and settled in Jefferson county.

Mr. Holder received his early educational training in the common schools of his native county. His opportunities were none of the best. After he could master the intricacies of the three -' R's," he reported to teaching, in order to obtain means and enable him to educate himself. At an early age he had determined to adopt the profession of law, as the business of his life, and therefore it was necessary to obtain a good educational foundation whereupon to build the future legal structure. By teaching and studying, he managed to prepare himself for entrance to McKendree College, at Lebanon, Illinois, where he remained one year. His means having been exhausted he resumed teaching, and continued in that profession for three years. During vacation in the summer months, he read the standard text books on law ; first in the office with Judge

Eist0B7 Of St. Clair County, Illinois

White, and afterward in the office and under the direction of Hon. F. A. Lietzel of Carlyle, Illinois. In the fall of 1872, he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and remained there two terms, and was graduated from that institution in the spring of 1874. By his diploma from the University he was entitled to practice in the courts of Michigan. He came here, and upon motion was admitted to the bar in the courts of Illinois. lu July, 1875, he opened an office and commenced the practice in Mascoutah, St. Clair county, where he remained until February, 1877, when he came to Belleville, and here he has continued in the profession until the present time. In the summer of 1880, he received the nomination of State's Attorney, at the hands of the democratic party in convention assembled, and November following was elected by a majority in excess of his party vote. As a public prosecutor, Mr. Holder lacks only experience, which will come, and of which he will have sufficient before his term of office expires ; when we predict for him a brilliant reputation as a vigilant and able prosecutor. *

Politically, he has always voted the democratic ticket, and has taken an active part in furthering the interests of that political organization.

On the 23d of August, 1877, he was happily united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Barth, a native of St. Clair county, and daughter of John Barth. This union has been blessed by one child, named Jessie May Holder.

Mr. Holder is comparatively a new citizen of Belleville, but since his residence here he has established a reputation as a strictly honorable man, in all the relations of business life. Socially and personally he has many friends.

Sebastian Fietsam

Is a native of the province of Nassau, Prussia. He was born Dec. 29, 1818. He was in his younger years engaged in clerking and mercantile pursuits until 1845, when he emigrated to America, and settled in Huntingdon county, Pa., and afterwards lived in Mercer county. He then went into the cooper business, and remained so engaged until 1849, when he came to St. Clair county. 111., where he lived to the present time. Here he first engaged in farming, in which he continued for a few years ; then went to Fay e tteville, in this county, and embarked in general merchandizing, in which he remained two-and-a half years, when a fire destroyed his house and all his goods. He then came to Belleville, and here clerked and kept books until 1861, when he was appointed deputy clerk in the county clerk's office. He remained in that capacity for four years, when he opened a book and stationery store, and carried on that business until 1867, when he was called back to take the po.ition of deputy in the clerk's office. He filled the position until 1869, when he was nominated by the republican partj' for the office of county clerk and elected, and served until 1873. In the same year Mr. Kupp, owner of the Belleville Zeitung, died. Mr. Fietsam bought the office and fixtures, and soon afterwards sold a half interest to

Mr. Semmelroth, and together they continued the publication of the paper until June, 1880, when he sold out to Mr. Hienfelden. In 1874 he commenced the compilation of a set df abstract records under the AValton system, which were, when completed, the most complete set of records in the county. Since he quit the newspaper he has given all of his time to the abstract business. Politically, he was originally a dtmocrat, but, when the republican party was formed, he joined its ranks, and has acted with it to the present time. On the 26th of November, 1857, he married Sophia Dauth, who was of German parentage, but a native of St. Clair county. She died, leaving three children. On the 8th of September, 1864, he married Louisa Dauth, by which union there are two children. All of them are yet beneath the parental roof. Mr. Fietsam's father came to America in 1850, and died here. In the family there were eleven sons and one daughter. Sebastian is the eldest and smallest in physical frame in the family ; the others were large-framed men. Five of his brothers went to Texas, where four of them died from yellow fever.

Hartmann Beothers

The enterprising firm of Hartmann Bros, deserve mention among the prominent citizens of Belleville. Tbey are natives of Hanover, Germany. Hubert Hartmann emigrated to America in 1847. Soon after he came to Belleville, and engaged in the drug business. In 1868 he embarked in the brewing business, and in 1871 his brother was taken into partnership in the business. Bernhard Hartmann came. to this country, and direct to Belleville, in 1867. He engaged in the grocery and provision trade. He was a wideawake, enterprising German, and introduced a new system into the business, and soon built up a large trade.

As intimated above, he joined his brother in the brewing business in 1871, and infused the same life and vigor into that business as he had in the one that he had abandoned. The business kept increasing, and calls were made for " Star " beer to such an extent that in 1877, in order to place it in reach of more customers, they commenced to bottle it. Their " Star Beer Bottling " establishment is now one of the institutions of Belleville. They ship each day as much as 200 cases, and it is sold largely throughout southern Illinois and Missouri. Messrs. Wulfing, Diekreide & Co., of St. Louis, one of the largest grocery houses in that city, are the sole agents, and take all that the Hartmann Bros, can manufacture.

The names of the officers are: Hubert and Bernhardt Hartmann, proprietors ; Adolph Reidiger, superintendent ; Robert Bethmann, general agent; H. MoUer, superintendent of office; Hermann Schneidwind, superintendent of bottling establishment. When the Hartmann Bros, first took hold of the brewery they sold from five to six thousand barrels; now their sales reach thirty thousand barrels annually. This is the best evidence of the popularity of their beer over other manufacturers, and it also shows that they are goahead business men.

Shiloh Precinct

I HIS Precinct is located in the northern part of Tp. IN., R. Y W., and contains fifteen whole and three fractional sections, on the east side. It is bounded on the north by O'Fallon and Lebanon, on the east by Lebanon and Mascoutah, on the south by Mascoutah and Belleville, and on the west by Belleville Precinct. Silver creek, which forms the eastern boundary line, and its affluents, drain the lands and furnish an abundant supply of water for stock purposes. There is considerable good timber along the borders of the various streams, much of which is annually sawed into lumber by local mills. The surface is generally rolling, but along the streams it is broken and in many places quite rugged. The most of the prairie land in this precinct is included in what has been known for a number of years as Shiloh valley. This valley contains some of the finest improved farms in the county, and the soil is famous for its fertility. The principal product is wheat, which yields large crops annually.

Shiloh was a very early settled portion of the county. There were, no doubt, families here a short time prior to 1800, but at this late date we are able to give only the parties who became permanent settlers. Many of those old pioneers located in various parts of the country, but so soon as others began settling around them, they would sell out their claims and move farther into the wilderness. It would, indeed, be a difficult matter to determine who was the first settler. No doubt, the Scotts were the first permanent settlers, as they located here in 1802. They were sons of William Scott, who located on Turkey Hill in the fall of 1797, and were amongthe very first American families in whatis-nowSt. Clair county. They were all natives of the " old dominion," and all came to this state with their father. He had six sous and one daughter, viz. : James, born August 15, 1772 ; William, born October 26, 1774 ; Samuel, born August 2, 1777 ; Elizabeth, born July 7, 1778 ; Joseph, born September 14, 1781 ; John, born January 10, 1784, and Alexander, born November 25, 178.6. Elizabeth was married to John Jarvis, who came with the family in wagons to Illinois. They floated down the Ohio river to Fort Massacre, and from there traveled overland through southern Illinois, and located first at New Design. They remained there, however, but a few months, when in the fall of 1797 they settled on Turkey Hill in this county, where Mr. Scott, with the assistance of his sons, made a large farm. A more extended sketch of Mr. Scott may be seen in the Pioneer chapter of this work, as in this precinct only those who settled here can be mentioned .

James Scott married Sarah Teter soon after he came to Illinois^ and in 1802 settled in what is now Shiloh precinct, just south of the village of Shiloh, on the place now owned by his youngest son Philip. Here he erected a log cabin and began farming, which occupation he always followed, and where he always continued to reside. He was a natural mechanic, and adopted the trade of a cabinet maker, which he learned without any instruction, and followed together with farming. His children were : Mary, William, Franklin, Sarah, Madison, Zeno and Philip. They were all mar- ried and have descendants living. Zeno and Madison, who resided in Lebanon, and Philip, who lives on the old homestead, are all of the family now living.

William and Samuel Scott, sons of William Scott, settled about a half mile west of Shiloh village, at a very early date. William married Mississippi, a daughter of Judge William Biggs, by whom he had a large family : Nancy ; George, who was wounded in the hand and crippled for life in the Black Hawk war ; William, deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; Whitfield, who resided in O'Fallon precinct, and Washington, who died on the way to California, were all of their children that grew up. William Scott died in 1835 ; Samuel married Nancy, also a daughter of Judge William Biggs, and reared a family. His son Benjamin had his head cut off by the Indians in 1832, in the Black Hawk war ; William died in Missouri ; John Milton, who is now Supreme Judge in this state, resides at Bloomington ; Harrison, deceased ; James resides at Belleville ; his daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah and Margaret are dead.

Joseph, also son of grandfather William Scott, married Nancy Harrison, a niece of Gen. Harrison, of Ohio. She came to Illinois with her parents about 1800, and located at New Design. Mr. Scott settled two miles south of the village of Shiloh, on Sec. 17, about 1805. In 1809' he erected a small grist and powder mill on a branch of Silver creek, running through his place. It was- a log building, and was propelled by an undershot water-wheel. For a number of years he continued the manufacture of a fine quality of powder. He procured the nitre in the caves on the Gasconade river, in Missouri, in the winter months, with but one companion, Joseph Dixon, when the whole country was filled with hostile Indians. This was undoubtedly the first powder mill in the state. Mr. Scott furnished the rangers, and hunters and sporting men of St. Louis with powder, but never sold it to the Indians. In 1828 he erected a wool carding machine in Belleville, the first in the place, which he successfully operated for several years. He became a resident of Belleville in 1838, and in this place served as justice of the peace for over twelve years. In his latter days he lived on the old homestead in Shiloh, where he died, iabout 1866, mourned by a large family and a host of friends. He was a man possessed of excellent judgment and good business qualities ; honest and fair in all his dealings. Few men in his day were more enterprising and industrious than Mr. Scott. In politics he was a whig, and a zealous anti-slavery advocate. He raised quite a large family : Mary, married James Park, died, and left two children ; Felix married Nicey, a daughter of Gen. James B. Moore ; he was born and grew to manhood on his father's place, where he continued to reside until 1878. He is now a resident, of Belleville, in the 74th year of his age. Mr. Scott has lived an active and industrious life, and is among the aged and respected citizens of St. Clair county. Thomas died while young ; Isaac died a few years ago, leaving a small family ; Joseph lives in Arkansas, and Elizabeth, Sarah and Elias are also deceased; William died in 1840.

at a very early date, and built a fort. It was a strong blockhouse, enclosed with a palisade. They afterwards sold out to Silas Bankson, and he in turn sold to Daniel Pierce.

Joseph Dixon settled near the village of Shiloh as early as 1806. Dixon was a great hunter, and frequently made long trips, and returned laden with p3Uries. Oa one of these trips, in northern Missouri, he was robbed of his furs by a band of Indians. He subsequently moved to Sangamon county in this state. William Adams settled in this precinct as early as 1806. He was a blacksmith, and had a shop here at a very early day. A number of his descendants are now residing in the county. Hugh and William Alexander settled a little soath-west of the village of Shiloh in 1811, and several of their descendants are among the respected citizens of the county. About the same time David Everett settled the place where Ira Manville now resides. He subsequently moved to Ottawa, in this state. Matthew Cox came about the same date. He was a son-in-law of Judge William Biggs ; he remained here but a short time. The Calbreaths' two cousins, both named William, and John Middlecoff, settled on Silver creek. Joseph Griffen, Sen., purchased the Calbreath place, and it is now owned by his son, Joseph GrifTen. James McCann, Henry Isballs, Josiah Hawkins, with a large family ; the Prentices, with a large family of sons ; Deacon Crocker, William Moore, Benjamin Watts, whose descendants are numerous in southern Illinois, and Walter Westfield, who had a large family, some of whom are living in this vicinity, were all early settlers in this neighborhood. Daniel 1 ierce, a native of Pennsylvania, located on Sec. 8 in the spring of 1814. He had a family of seven children, only two of whom are DOW living in this county, viz. : Juliette A. Pierce and Hiram A., who resides on the old homestead and is one of the prominent farmers of the community. Daniel Pierce died in 1846.

Ira Manville was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, Nov 23, 1795, and came with his father, Ira Manville, to this state in 1810. His father lived for six years in Kaskaskia, when he moved and settled six miles south of Athens, on the Kaskaskia river. At this point he kept a ferry until his death in 1821. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was murdered at the Wyoming valley massacre, where a monument has been erected to their memory. In 1822 Mr. Manville settled in this precinct, on the place where he now resides. He served in the war of 1812, under Capt. Absalom Cox. He is now eighty-six years of age, and is still hearty and intelligent, and delights in telling stories of the pioneer days. When he settled here in 1822, he states that the following families lived in this neighborhood : Robert Hughes, David, Hugh and William Alexander, James McCann, Robert and James Thomas, Josiah Hawkins, the Calbreaths, Louis Laramie, David Paine, Joseph Land, Ebenezer Harkness, Isaac Swan, Rev. William Moore, Stephen Cooper, the Scotts, Simons and Pickets, Samuel Allen, David Everett, Jesse Walker, David Walker, the father of George Walker, well known in the county ; Joseph Dixon, Ebenezer Allen, an old Revolutionary soldier who was buried here in 1828 ; William Parker, Samuel Tozer, Daniel Pierce, Anthony Thomas, Daniel Wilbanks, Jerry Black, Benjamin Woods, Joshua Winters, James Park, Peter Wright, and perhaps a few other families, lived in what is now Shiloh at that date.

The Michel family, who settled at an early date, were the first Gsrmans to locate in this precinct. Henry Knoebel, a native ol Bavaria, Germany, settled in this county in 1833, and resides ou Sec. 3 of this precinct. Peter Weil, also a native of Germany, lives on Sac. 11, and cams to this county in 1837. S. G. Clark, a Tennesseean, cams to St. Clair county in 1831, and resides on Sec. 15 of Shiloh.

The first school-house was erected of logs on the place now owned by H. A. Piercs, just opposite the present Cherry Grove schoolhouse, at a very early date. There was also an early school-house on the present site of the village of Shiloh. Rev. Clark, a Baptist minister, was an early teacher. A post-office was established at Clierry Grovs as early as 1318, and Daniel Wilbanks was the first postmaster. This office was kept at several places in the settlement, and at Rock Spring, and in 1845 it was permanently located at Shiloh.

The first mill was erected by James McCann, on Sec- 2. It was a horse mill, and at one time was quite popular. Hugh Alexander had a saw and grist ox mill and a distillery, on Sec. 4. Daniel Piercs also had an ox mill and distillery. These, with Scott's, above msntioned, were the pioneer mills.

Village Of Shiloh

In Rsynolds' Pionser History of Illinois, we find that in the summsr of 1807, Bishop McKendree, whose name has been perpetuated in the Methodist College at Lebanon, was one of the earliest Methodist ministers to preach in this vicinity. He had erected at Shiloh a log meeting-house, which was one of the earliest churches of this denomination in Illinois. He also organized and held a camp-meeting at this point the same year. There have been four churches erected by this denomination on the same spot. The present one is constructed of brick, and is a neat and costly edifice.

The first house erected in the village proper was by Edwin Pierce, in 1845. It is still standing, just in the rear of the church, and is known as the Gaag house. The next dwelling was built by Robert Dorey. Jacob Canmann erected the first store-house and opened the first stock of goods for sale, in 1845. Andrew Haege erected two or three houses, and his brother Jacob erected a dwelling and blacksmith shop about the same date. Jacob Haege was the first blacksmith. A steam saw-mill was erected by Edwin Pierce, Philip Scott and Charles Alexander, about 1847. The village is located in the north-western part of the precinct, near the O'Fallon line, and was laid out by Martin Stites and James Atkins.

One mile east of the village is situated the saw-mill of Albert C. Reuss & Co. It is a frame building, constructed in 1880; they have steam power ; considerable hard lumber is sawed, and a large stock is constantly kept on hand.

James Pakk

The family from which Joseph Griffen is descended was of Welsh origin, and at an early date came to America, and settled in the State of New York. His father, Jacob Griffen, resided in Duchess County, New York, and in that part of the state was born Joseph Griffen, on the 23d of September, 1796. His birth-place was the town of Clinton in Duchess County. His father afterward moved with the family to Albany County, New York. He secured an ordinary common school education. He left home at the age of nineteen and began life on his own account, without any means on which to rely except his own industry and energy. He went to the western part of New York State, and for about a year was employed on a farm in the vicinity of Kochester. When he reached the age of about twenty-one he determined to strike out for the West and find what opportunities existed in a new country. His first trip to Illinois was made by way of the Ohio river, which he descended in a flat boat. His first stopping place in this State was in the vicinity of Kaskaskia.

After a couple of years he returned to New York, making the trip in a one-horse wagon. But after remaining in the East a short time he came back to Illinois, making the entire journey on horseback. When he first cume to Illinois he was employed part of the time in a saw mill at Walnut Hill. He managed to accumulate a little money, and after returning from New York invested his means in a stock of goods which he sold throughout the country, carrying the goods around in a one-horse wagon. In those days stores were scarce to what they are at the present time, and the settlers often found their only opportunity to purchase goods from the itinerant merchants who traveled over the country. In exchange for his goods he was obliged to take considerable produce, money at that time being a scarce article. He sold this produce, especially large quantities of honey, at advantageous prices, and gradually obtained sufficient money with which to buy land in Horse Prairie in Randolph County. He lived there till his removal to St. Clair county.

Oa comiag hare he first resided on Turkey Hill and there two of his children are now buried. In the year .1828 he purchased for four hundred dollars the south half of the south-east quarter of section fourteen of township one north, range seven west. He had not then sufficient means to make the whole payment on the land. This place was subsequently his residence till his death. At the time he moved on this land only a small part was under cultivation. Mr. Griffen worked industriously at improving the farm. He was a man of great energy and activity. He had good business qualifications, and at the time of his death was one of the largest land owners of the Shiloh valley. -His first marriage took place in February, 1826, to Mrs. Mary Shepherd, whose maiden name was Foulks. Her death occurred on the 5th of February, 1841, at the age of thirty-nine. She was born in Pennsylvania on the 5th of February, 1802. His second marriage was on the 13th of October, 1841, to Sally Ann Collins, who was born near Greenville, New York, on the 1st of December, 1805. This marriage occurred at Amsterdam, New York, while Mr. Grifien was in that state on a visit to his brother.

He had in all twelve children, whose names are as follows : - Jacob Fardon Grifien, born on the 6th of February, 1827, died on the 15th of November of the same year ; Smith Grifien, who was born in 1828 and died in 1831 ; Harriet Jane Grifien, born August 10, 1831, and died the succeeding 15th of November; Joseph Grifien, who was born in 1832, and is now living in the Shiloh valley; Caroline Grifien, born in 1834 and died in 1835; Sarah Ann Grifien, born March, 1836, now residing in Macon county, the wife of James H.Alexander; Mariah Grifien, now Mrs. Wm. D. Howard of Lebanon ; Rachel Grifien, who was born in 1840 and died the same year ; Boon Grifien, who was born July 27th, 1842 and died May 4, 1862 ; Alletta Grifien, who 'was born in 1843 and died in 1844 ; Charles Griffen, born February 20, 1845, and Jane, who was born in January, 1849, and died in September of the Boon Griffen was a student at McKendree college at the time of the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. He enlisted at St. Louis in a Missouri regiment, not then nineteen years old, and was in the three months service under General Fremont. After the expiration of his term of service he returned to his studies, but died of consumption in 1862, while a member of the college graduating class. He would have graduated had he lived till June.

For a number of years, subsequent to 1841 , Joseph Grifien served as Justice of the Peace, and in that capacity gave satisfaction as an upright man, and a just and impartial magistrate. He was a man who believed in upholding the rights of others, and never, if he could prevent it, would he allow the weak to be imposed on by the strong. He was respected as a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. His religious views coincided with those of the Baptist church, though he was an active member of no religious denomination. He was seldom away from home and paid close attention to his business afiairs. He was originally a Whig in politics, and was attached to that party till the dissolution of the Whig organization, and the foundation of the Republican party, when his views on the subject of slavery led him to become a Republican, and he acted as such during the remainder of his life. He was never ambitious to hold public ofiice, preferring to devote his time to his business and farming operations. He was interested in agricultural matters, and was a good practical farmer. He assisted in organizing the fair association of St. Clair county, and was the first president of the society. By industry and good business management he secured considerable wealth, and at the time of his dieath owned over twelve hundred acres of land in St. Clair, Washington, and Macon counties. His homestead farm in the Shiloh valley partook of the general excellence of the land in that part of the county. He died on the 24th of October, 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years, one month and one day. His widow survived him till the 7th of April, 1876, when she died at the age of seventy years, four months, and six days. As an honest man, a kind neighbor, and a useful citizen, his name deserves perpetuation in this work.

who now resides on the old homestead farm, was born February20, 1845. His education was mostly obtained at a school on his father's farm, and he also for a time attended a commercial college in St. Louis. While his father lived he assisted in the management of the farm, and has since continued to live on the homestead. He was married on the 10th of June, 1873, to Martha M. Park, who was born in the Shiloh valley, December 23d. 1848. Her father, Jamas Park, was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, on the fourteenth of December, 1799, and was one of a large family of children, sixteen in number. His father was of Scotch descent. At the age of sixteen he left Kentucky and came to Illinois. He first resided in Sangamon county, and afterward became a resident of St. Clair county. His first wife was Mary Scott, daughter of Joseph Scott, one of the earliest settlers of St. Clair county. After her death he married a ]Miss Talbot, of Columbia, Monroe county. His third wife, Mrs. Griffen's mother, was Julia A. Clark, who was born and raised near Richmond, Virginia. The Clark family emigrated from Virginia and settled in St. Clair county, not far from Collinsville. Mrs. Griffen's grandfather, on her mother's side, was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. James Park, when the school land was sold, bought land in section sixteen, (township one north, range seven west) on which he lived till his death. This is the farm now owned by James Alexander. Mrs. Griffen's mother died on the 25th of January, 1868, at the age of fifty-eight years. Her father died on the 4th of April, 1879, at the age of eighty. He was a man of great activity for his age, and retained much of his youthful vigor till within a short time of his death.

In politics Mr. Grifi'en is a republican. He is one of the enterprising farmers of St. Clair county. He is the owner of six hundred and ninety-seven acres of land, two hundred and fortyseven of which he has purchased since his father's death. His farm is made up of the best farming land in St. Clair county, and is well-improved and under excellent cultivation. Since his father's death he has built a substantial and handsome addition to the old house, and his residence is one of the finest in that portion of the county. A view of his residence and farm is shown elsewhere. He has two children, whose names are Cyril Albert and INIyrtle. At the head of this sketch appear the portraits of his father, Joseph Grifi'en, and of his wife's father, James Park.

Dr. Adolphus Reuss, whose portrait appears above, was one of the old residents and leading citizens in the vicinity of Shiloh. He was descended from a wealthy family who formerly lived at Amsterdam, Holland, and belonged to the old Dutch population of that country. Benedict Reuss, the father of Dr. Reuss, was born at Amsterdam. He subsequently became a resident of Frankfurt on the Main, one of the free cities of Germany, where, he engaged in the mercantile business. He had considerable wealth, and was a successful business man At Frankfurt, on the 28th of November, 1804, was born Adolphus Reuss. His mother, Johanna Basse, was a native of Westphalia. Dr. Reuss spent his early life at Frankfurt. He was the youngest of a family of eight children, composed of seven sons and one daughter. He early showed a disposition for literary pursuits, and after* having passed through his preliminary studies, entered the University of Gottingen. His natural tastes and inclinations led him to adopt the profession of medicine. He was' graduated from the university of Gottingen in 1825, receiving the degree of doctor of medicine. After leaving Gottingen, he pursued his medical studies at Paris and Berlin, and there secured as comprehensive a knowledge of the science of medicine as could be obtained in the European universities.

After completing his studies, he entered on the practice of his profession in his native city of Frankfurt, where he was employed as a physician as long as he lived in Germany. At Frankfurt occurred his marriage to Margaretha C. E. Jucho, who was a native of that city, and was born on the 17th of January, 1818. Like a great many of the educated young men of Germany at that day, he took an active interest in political affairs, and his sympathies were strongly in favor of a republican form of government as opposed to the strong monarchical system existing in Germany. His sentiments on this subject were the cause of his emigration to America. He ilesired to live in a 'free country' under free institutions. He came to this country in 1832. After traveling over the states of Ohio, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, he concluded that St. Clair county offered better advantages as a place of residence than any other location, and he accordingly bought two hundred acres of land in sections three and four of township one north, range seven west, on which he settled and resided during the remainder of his life. When he purchased this tract of land it was nearly all covered with timbsr, only ten acres having been brought under cultivation. The German residents of the county were then few in number, compared with the great body of emigrants from the fatherland who poured in at a later day. It may be presumed that his previous modes of life in the cities of Germany gave him no particular fitness for a residence in a new country, but he adapted himself as best he could to circumstances, engaged in the work of improving his land, and at the same time carried on the active practice of his profession. His first vvife died on the 8th of March, 1841. He had by her no children. He was married again to Carolina Raith, who was born at Gottingen, Germp,ny, on the 7th of March, 1824. She was the daughter of Frederick Raith, who came to this country in 1833, and settled at Turkey Hill, in St. Clair county.

of tie atkst physicians in the county. The nature of his practice in a rural neighborhood entailed much hard labor and constant riding over the country, but a naturally strong and robust constitution enabled him to withstand without injury a large amount of exposure and hardship. He took an intelligent interest in the institutions of the country, and the political movements of the times. He adopted the views of the democratic party with which he acted till the question of slavery became the absorbing topic of the day^ and a new party was formed on the issue of the extension, or repression, of the slave system. His warm free-soil sympathies made him a republican. He became connected with the republican party on its first organization, and was devoted to its principles throughout the remainder of his life. He never held any political office, and always refused to become a candidate for any public position, preferring to give his Avhole attention to his professional practice. He possessed liberal and independent views on all subjects, and in religious matters was a free-thinker, though he respected the opinions of others, and, never sought to bring his own private beliefs into public prominence. He was a man of literary attainments and culture. In his youth he had been a thorough student of languages. He was fond of reading, and accumulated a large library of books in Greek, Latin, Italian, French, German and English, with all of which he was conversant. His health was good until the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of May, 1878. His wife had died previously, on the 5th of August, 1870. He was a man of good physical proportions, measuring five feet, ten inches in height, and weighing about two hundred pounds. His hair in youth wasdark, but in the latter part of his life it turned gray, and at the time of his death was of snowy whiteness. He accumulated considerable property, and when he died owned four hundred and fifty acres of land.

Dr. Eeuss was the father of nine children, of whom eight are now living. The oldest son, Henry Eeuss, now resides on the old homestead. Julius Eeuss is engaged in farming in section three, of township one north, range seven west. The oldest daughter is named Lena. Eosa died at the age of twenty-three. Albert C. Eeuss lives in section four of the same township. Augusta L. is the wife of Charles Fischer of St. Louis. The other children are Johanna, Mary, and Ferdinand L. Eeuss.

Albert C. Eeuss, a representation of whose farm and residence is shown on another page, was born on the twenty-fourth of September 1852. He lived in St. Clair county till the age of fifteen, when he' wras sent to Germany to secure an education. He attended school at Stuttgardt, Germany, for three years, and then returned to America. On the 19th of September, 1878, occurred his marriage to Kate Pierce, daughter of Hiram A. Pierce, one of the leading farmers of the Shiloh valley. Her grandfather, Daniel Pierce, was one of the early settlers and influential citizens of the county, removing from Pennsylvania, and settling near Shiloh, in the year 1812. He established an ox-mill on his farm, which was one of the popular institutions of that part of the county, receiving a patronage from the distance of many miles. He was a man of far more than common enterfrite aid lufiness ability, and aeketch of his history is given elsewhere. Mr. Eeuss has two children, whose names are Ida L. and Albert L. Eeuss. Beside carrying on the business o^ faiming, he is also the proprietor of a saw-mill. In his politics he is a republican. He is known as one of the enterprising young men of that part of the county.