St. Clair County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1881 (part 8 of 13)

Lumber Mill IS situated south of the Cairo Short Liue Roundhouse, and was built in 1878, by J. H. Modrell, owner and proprietor. It is driven by an engine of thirty horse-power, and is capable of sawing $75,000 worth of lumber annually. Its construction cost the proprietor $3,000. Six hands are kept in employment the greater portion of the year. There are two circular saws, one arranged above the other, for the purpose of handling, properly, the largest sized logs. The timber for sawing is mostly shipped frcm Tennessee, and is macufactuicd into lumber suitable for bridge building.

Schroeders Soda Factory. - Ihese works were established by John Kerns in 1862, and became the property of Edward Schroeder in 1864. It was the first establishment of the kind built in East St. Louis, and is located on Illinois avenue, between Ninth and Tenth streets, and west of Heim's Brewery. Both soda and Seltzer are manufactured, having the capacity of n;akirg daily upwards of four hundrtd boxes of the former. The building is a substantial brick structure, and is supplied with all the necessary machinery and apparatus peculiar to the business.

Ice Bouses. - Smith & Sons own three of the largest houses in the city. They are situated just south of the river bridge. They each have room to stow upwards of 7,000 tons of ice.

There are two banking institutions in the city, besides the one in the Exchange building at the Stock Yards, which has already been mentio&ed.

Working Men's Banking Company. - This Bank was organized August 15th, 1870, by John McMullin, George W. Davis, Henry Schell, E. W. Wider and others, and has a capital stock of $50,000. It is located on the corner of Broadway and Fourth street, and is one of the finest buildings in the city, and is the only house in East St. Louis built above high-water mark. President, E. J. Whitney; Cashier, Geo. W. Dausch.

East St. Louis Bank was established iu 1865, and has a capital stock of $100,000 ; surplus, $26,000. The bank is situated on the corner of Missouri and Collinsville avtLues. Thcn:as Witstanley, President ; Henry Jackiesch, Vice-President ; Theodore Meumann, Cashier,

Besides the foregoing, the city contains nine round-houses, some of which are equal to any institutions of the kind in the state ; five large warehouses, with several others of smaller dimensions. The following is a condensed showing of other industries represented in the city : Bakeries, 6 ; cigar manufactories, 5 ; harness, 2 ; wagons, 1 ; blacksmiths, 5 ; tinners, 4 ; tailors, 2 ; jewelers, 2 ; carpenters, 44 ; printing offices, 2 ; shoemakers, 15 ; butchers, 9 ; undertakers, 1 ; dentists, 1 ; painters and glazers, 2. There are upwards of thirty hotels, and over seventy-five places where liquors are sold. There are three wholesale grocery houses, two dry-goods, two hardware establishments, and one wholesale liquor house. The retail business of every kind is well represented. The various churches are also numerous, there being two Catholic (Irish, and German), one Methodist, one Presbyterian, one Lutheran, and two Colored churches. There are eight distinct schools in the city as follows : First ward, two ; Second ward, three ; Third ward, one ; Fourth ward, two. For further information on schools, churches, ai)d printing offices, see special chapters relating to the same.

The following is a tabular showing of the number of inhabitants, families, and buildings that the city contained (with a slight discrepancy) in 1880 :

Seceet Societies

East St. Louis Lodge, No. 504, A. F. & A. M-, was organized in October, 1866, with 28 charter members. Its place of meeting is in Masonic Hall, over Schaub's hardware store, and meets the first and third Thursday evenings in each month. The Lodge has a fine hall and is in a prosperous condition.

East St. Louis Chapter M. 156, R. A. M., was chartered in October, 1873, with a membership of 31, since which time it has m&ierially increased. Meets in Masonic Hall every second Thursday night in each month.

Golden Rule Lodge, No. 374 /. 0. 0. J'. - This Lodge was instituted June 16th, 1868, and chartered October 13th, 1868. The number of charter members were 8, and the present membership is 55. Meets in Odd Fellows' Hall every Thursday evening in each week. The Lodge is in a prosperous condition and good working order.

Pride of the Valley Lodge, No. 435, I. 0. 0. F, was chartered the 1 1th of October, 1870. Number of charter members, 10, present membership, 51. Meets every Monday night.

Harmony Encampment, No. 102. - This institution was chartered the 12th of October, 1869, with a membership of 12. It meets in Odd Fellows' Hall the second and fourth Thursday nights in each month.

Helvetia Lodge {German'), No. 480, L 0. 0. F, was instituted February 22d,'1872, and chartered October 8th, 1872. Charter membership, 11 ; present number of members, 55. Meets every Friday night.

Naomi Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 5. - Chartered October 11th, 1870, with a membership of 27, since which time it has largely increased. Meets in Odd Fellows' Hall the first and third Thursday evenings in each month.

Eureka Lodge, No. 81, If. of F, was organized December 26, 1878, and chartered October 23d, 1879. Number of charter members, 24 ; present membership, 55. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition. Meets in Schaub's Hall every Monday evening.

Illinois Lodge, No. 268, K of ^. - This Lodge received its charter Dec. 5th, 1876, with the names of nineteen members. It has had an unprecedented growth, having a present membership of 160. Convenes in Odd Fellows' Hall every Wednesday evening.

Catholic Knights of America. - This institution was organized March 19th, 1880, with a membership of 8 Knights; present membership, 53. They meet the first and third Sundays of each month in St. Patrick's Church Hall. This is a wide-awake and prosperous organization.

Olive Branch Lodge, No. 335, K. & L. of H, is under dispensation, granted May 28th, 1880. Charter membership, 46; present membership, 54. The Lodge meets at Fink's Hall the first and third Mondays in each month.

F. W. Arnold, No. 44, B. of L. & F, was chartered May 2d, 1880. Number of charter members, 18 ; present membership, 23. Meets the first and third Tuesday nights of each month in ^'^k's Hall.

East St. Louis Scengerbund was instituted March 23d, 187^, witU 25 members ; present membership, 50. The organization meets at Jackiesh Hall every Wednesday night.

There have also been organized in times past the following orders : Knights of St. Patrick, Independent Order of Foresters, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, St. Clair Gun Club, and Workingmen's Party.

First Land Entries. - Joseph Pepin entered the south-east quarter of sec. 4, 160 acres, Sept. 16th, 1814. Joseph Gonville entered, September 28th, 1814, 320 acres of the west half of the same section. Dec. 15th, 1814, William Russell entered 131.92 acres on section 6.

The city of East St. Louis has made an eventful history. From its infancy it has withstood many reverses that would have totally discouraged a less enterprising and plucky people. Five times has it been washed by the floods and barely escaped annihilation. The fire fiend has likewise been a frequent and destructive visitor, having once - 1872 - wiped out a considerable portion of the business part of the city. Political convulsions have also swept through its midst and shaken the municipal fabric to its foundation. Yet, with all these misfortunes to retard its progress, it lives and grows and prospers. The manufacturing facilities of the city are unsurpassed ; it has the coal, the water, the advantages of cheap labor, and last, but not least, the ready capitalist, who is shrewd enough to comprehend the advantages of the situation and to invest accordingly. With future peace and harmony among the citizens of East St. Louis, it can be but a question of time when it will take rank among the first cities of the west.

Town Of Brooklyn

This village is situated in the extreme north-western part of East St. Louis precinct; the northern boundary being the, Madison county line, and the Mississippi river forming the western limits. It was laid out March 17th, 1837, by the following parties : Thos.

Osburn, James P. Morris, Charles Collins, Joseph Tabor, and W. J. Austin. The town plat was placed on record the 1st day of May following. July 14th, 1874, it was incorporated under the general law, when it established village ordinances and prepared to govern its own municipal affairs. The first house built within the limits was a small log dwelling, but has long since given place to later improvements. Among the first inhabitants were J. R. Stites, Thos. Osburn, Daniel Wilson, Geo. H. Lewis, John Baltimore, Charles Woodworth, Hardy Roberts, Alfred Sparks, Nicholas Carper, Mrs. Newell, and Mrs. Wyatt, some of whom are still residents of the village.

The town, at this writing, contains between five and six hundred inhabitants, seven-eighths of whom are colored people. There are four small grocery stores, the most extensive of which is kept by Frederick Archer. This store is a snug two story frame building, and is situated on Fourth street. The village contains a fine twostory brick school-house, so arranged as to employ two teachers, and is thus partially graded. It was built in 1879, at an expense of three thousand dollars. It is exclusively a colored school. There are also two churches, both colored, one Methodist, the other Baptist. The former was built in 1879, and cost $2,500; the latter was constructed at an earlier period, and cost $1,500.

Brooklyn is so closely situated to the city of East St. Louis, on the south, with Venice almost touching it on the north, that it has but little chance for its life, so far as a trading point is concerned. Indeed it might be considered as a suburb of East St. Louis ; and the time is not far distant when it will be such in fact.

The following are the present officers of the village : President, J. R. Stites ; Trustees, James Maffit, William Weyh, George Bachelor, Charles Jennings and Frederick Archer. Clerk, Henry Rountree; Treasurer, Joseph Archer; Marshal, James A. Pettiford.

The present mayor of the city of East St. Louis, was born in Cincinnati, Oliio, January 4tli, 1841. His fatlier, Milton M. McLean, a lawyer by profession, had acquired considerable property interests in the west, especially in and around East St. Louis, among others, a distillery in 1840. After ten years' management of this property he concluded on changing his residence from his Cincinnati home, to enable him to personally care for his rapidly growing interests here. Hence, in 1850 he took up his abode in East St. Louis. In 1851 he disposed of the distillery and moved to St. Louis, where he continued the practice of his profession until the time of his death, July 4th, 1855. He was one of the largest land owners on this side of the river. For a time he was a partner of Church Blackburn, one of the most eminent criminal lawyers of his day. He had received his education in the Miami University. He ranked with the first young men of the west in point of talent, integrity, and all the virtues that tend to constitute the highest degree of moral worth. At the time of his death the members of the St. Louis bar paid the highest honors to his memory, and he was followed to his grave by hundreds of true and sincere friends as mourners. He was a nephew of Justice McLean, whose worth is known to all.

A brief and interesting sketch of his life is retained by the family, from which we glean the following : - He was born near Ballyshannon, Ireland, March 3d, 1775. At an early age, soon after the termination of the revolutionary war, he was brought to the United States, locating in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was with Gen. Wayne on the Ohio, in 1793-4 ; was a captain in Philadelphia in 1798 ; clerk in the War Department and Indian Bureau, in all thirtv-one years. In the war of 1812 he was a pay-master and quartermaster ty turns. In 1841-2 he was "U. S. Ccmmissioner for treating with the Indians. In all these positions he acquitted himself honorably. In a letter yet extant written by him in his old age, he said " he had suffered political martyrdom thrice for adherence to Whig principles ; once by the tyrant Jackscn once by the nondescript Tyler, and on<^e by the democratic legislature of Ohio."

Of these families came John J. McLean, the subject of this sketch, a man who has inherited many of their good qualities ; a man of energy, of generous impulses, and who is held in high esteem. He received a common school education in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and subsequently attended the Methodist College at St. Charles, in the same state about a year. As a youth in school he exhibited those traits of character, - that same restlessness of disposition that has prompted him to dare and to do whatever he conceived to be right.

He was married to Eliza Griffith, a most estimable lady, in June, 18 - . By this marriage there have been born the following children : John Joseph, Clara Belle, Nathaniel Charles, Eliza Laurence, Ealph Edwin, Gertrude Bertha, and Estelle May ; all living, and constituting a happy family.

His mother died in Shiloh, this county, Feb. 9th, 1877, in the sixty-third year of her life. To resume his personal history : at the age of seventeen telegraphy possessed for him its charms. He rapidly acquired a knowledge of its mysteries, and for a year remained at this work as operator in the employ of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad. He next learned the trade of machinist, at which he worked for a period of nine years, in the locomotive shops of the same railway company for which he had served as telegraph operator. In 1870 he took charge of one of the boats of the Wiggins Ferry Company, as captain, which position he held for about ten years. From 1867 to 1870 he served as chief of the Metropolitan Police force of East St. Louis. His quickness of perception and promptness of action served him well here, and doubtless at different times saved bloodshed and riot. Possessed of a clear insight into the motives of men, coupled with the nerve to do what he deemed to be right, he never halted until proposed mischief was effected, but before it got under full headway lie was on hand to check its tide. This promptitude together with his generous treatment of associates, gave him a strong hold upon the affections of his fellows, and rendered him personally popular with all. He served his constituency in the ward for two terms, of two years each, as member of the City Council, with credit to himself and honor to his supporters. In April, 1881, as a just recognition of his worth, he was elected mayor without opposition ; this too, in the face of the fact that he is an ardent republican, whilst his city is strongly democratic. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Possessed of sound judgment, of excellent social qualities, of fine executive ability, he is filling his position to the satisfaction of all citizens.

John 0. Butler

Was born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 10th, 1827. His father was Armstead 0. Butler, a physician of large reputation and extensive practice, was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, studied medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., and located in Cahokia. His circle of practice embraced a radius of forty miles, throughout which he was recognized as a skilled and erudite physician. The memory of few men is treasured up by the old pioneers of this part of the county more sacredly than that of their old family physician. Dr.

Butler. The mother of the subject cf this sketch was Jane Tournot, of the old family of that name known to Cahokia records for perhaps a century. When he reached the age of fifteen years bis father died. His widowed mother subsequently became the wife of Dr. A. H. Illinski. He received a fair business education, attending the schools of the day in Caho liia ard ft. Lcuis, and after wards St. Vincent's College at St. Mary's. This institution of learning was moved, whilst he was a student, to Cape Girardeau ; thither he went, but did not complete the prescribed course of study. For a time he pursued farming near Cahokia. He was united in marriage to Miss Julia C. Brackett, daughter of Dr. James Brackett, April 25lh, 1853. He commenced mercantile pursuits as a clerk in a dry goods establishment in St. Louis. In 1849 he went to California, making it a trans-continental trip, as he was visiting friends on the Atlantic seaboard immediately before starting for the land of gold. In California he was engaged in a variety of pursuits; as mining, keeping a hotel and livery. Returned in 1853, farmed for a time, and then commenced merchandizing in 1856 in Warren, Hancock county, where he was made post-master. In 1863 he went to Montana, where for about eight months he sold goods. He bought out the lumber yards of General Jarrot, in May, 1876, in which business he is yet engaged, in connection with Nicholas McCracken. Last year their sales amounted to over 4,000,000 feet of lumber.

George W. Dausch

GEORGE W. DAUSCH. The hope of the country is vested in her young men. If they be possessed of energy, good practical business ideas, and are .directed by strong common sense then all is well. Belonging to this class no better representative can be found in East St. Louis than the subject of this sketch. He was born here Oct. 2d, 1855, hence is but twenty-six years of age, although occupying various positions of profit and trust. His parents, George and Julia Ann Dausch,- came from Germany to this county during the revolution of 1848. His father was by trade a broker. He died here in 1846, leaving a widow, a son and daughter. His wife, who is yet living, subsequently married Louis Weris, by whom she has a large family of children. George W. Dausch attended the East St. Louis public schools, and afterwards, desirous of perfecting himself in a business education, attended Jones' Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo., where he graduated in 1869, at the early age of fourteen years, among, if not, the youngest graduate ever sent forth from that institution. He also attended a German institution, acquiring there a fair education. In 1846 he engaged in the service of the "Workingmen's Banking company as a messenger. Step by step he has worked his way up, filling the various positions of book-keeper, teller and cashier, to which position he was chosen in 1878, and which he fills with great credit to himself. In 1880 he was appointed by the City Council of East St. Louis as City Treasurer, a just recognition of his genuine business worth and compliment to his attainments and integrity. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, in whose working and advancement he takes deep interest. Politically, he is an avowed Republican, having cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, and last for James A. Garfield. He allies himself with the stalwarts, finding in their leader his beau ideal of manhood. Generous almost to a fault; of an eminently social turn of mind, he is recognized as a hale fellow, well met by all who know him. Guided by strict business principles in all his transactions, his future is full of promise. Few men have battled more successfully for position than he, and few are more esteemed by their fellows.

Few men have been more prominently before the attention of the public in East St. Louis than he whose portrait and autograph appear on this page. Fewer yet have contributed more to promote the general good than he. He may have made mistakes, doubtless did, but they were errors of the head, not of the heart. Many of his public acts may have been prom[)ted by a spirit of rivalry, but most were certainly intended for the promotion of local enterprises. Ernest W. Wider was born on the 7th of May, 1835, at Beerfelden, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. He was educated at the University of Heidelberg, served his apprenticeship as a druggist at Erbach, emigrated to America in 1851, and settled in East St. Louis in 1855. His father, Carl Frederick Wider, was born March 23d, 1792. Was for a time chaplain at Reicthcldenheim von Kahn. In 1812 was installed as Lutheran preacher at Beerfelden, and in 1820 was installed as Oberpfarrer (orchief priest.) He was married to Louisa Maria Flach, May 24th, 1832. Of this union came the subject of this sketch. In 1856 Ernest W. Wider engaged in the drug business here, for which his education and pronounced ability as a chemist pre-eminently fitted him. In fact he was regarded as among the best in the state. His working laboratory was one of interest, and betokened his enthusiasm in chemical pursuits.

In 1858 he received the appointment as Postmaster for East St. Louis, under Buchanan's administration. The f illowing year he was removed for political reasons, he having identified himself with the republican party, in the advocacy of whose principles he was earnest and enthusiastic. In 1861 those principles having been sustained in the election of Abraham Lineolu t) the Presidency, he was again appointed in April of that year, and held the office for a period of eight years. Ever since his advent in East St Louis he has taken an active part in politics. Few republican conventions have been held in which he has not been a conspicuous figure. In state, congressional, district and county conventions he has represented his fellow citizens, and been most persistent in advancing men and measures pleasing to himself. In national politico he was a republican of the most pronounced type - one who delighted in the name of Radical with all the party zeal that the name implied. Every city election found him a worker, usually in the interest of others. The only elective office he ev^er h Id was that of member of the city council, to which he was chosen from the first ward, first in 1876, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. He was a member of this body during the excited times that East St. Louis politics passed through, and was, by common consent, the recognized leader of the anti-Bowman party. For a time the city had two sets of officers, or, in other words, a dual government, growing out of what was popularly denominated the metropolitan police fight. Since 1867 Mr. Wider had been the champion of the metropolitan police system, deeming it to be the interest of the city to have such a system. Throughout it all Mr. Wider acted the part of a man, sincere in his convictions, and determined in carrying out his policy. He was several times honored by appointments, such as being a delegate to the third annual meeting of the Araericau Board of Trau-sportation and

Commerce at Chicago in 1875, as Notary Public, by Governor Richard J. Oglesby, and as member of the State Central Republican Committee in 1876. It was his nature to be active, and whatever he took hold of he did it with his might. True to his friends, a man of broad culture, of goodness of heart ; his demise was mourned by many. A friend of the poor; he never turned them from his door, but attended to their wants with cheerfulness. Many prescriptions were filled by him, free of charge, when brought to him by those who were needy. He was married to Dora Sikking, March 21st, 1859, by whom he has had four children, only one of whom is living, Miss Emma, a beautiful and accomplished young lady of fifteen. His death, which occurred July 7th, 1881, was a shock to his family and fellow-citizens. In the full vigor of health but a few short hours before, doing business with his accustomed energy, its suddenness created excitement and surprise. He had returned, the night before, from his farm near Pevely, Missouri, quite exhausted. The morning found him asleep in death. The coroner was summoned, and pronounced tlie cause to have been congestion of the brain. Thus passed from earth one of East St. Louis' most active citizens, when apparently in the full vigor of manhood.

Thomas Graney

Was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, September 29, 1839. His father, Edward Graney, a farmer, died when he was but six months of age. He was taken care of by an uncle, Patrick McElligott, also a farmer. During the prevalence of the famine of 1848 throughout Ireland, his uncle and mother, Ellen McElligott, determined on leaving the ill-fated island, and moved to Canada, locating in Guelph, Wellington county, Canada West. Here they remained until 1858, when Thomas Graney enlisted in the 100th, or, as it was popularly known, the Prince of Wales Royal Canadian Regiment, organized for the purpose of going to the East Indies to suppress the war being waged by Nena Sahib. The regiment remained under instruction and drill in England neariy a year, when they were ordered out, and went as far as the heights of Gibraltar, whence they returned to England. As a soldier he stood high in favor, having been one of the thirty chosen from his regiment as a member of the Guard of Honor to the Queen, when she reviewed the troops in Aldershot Camp ; was also lance corporal nine months, and lance sergeant eighteen months. He received a good-conduct badge which entitled him to a small pittance extra pay, and a badgt for superior sharp-shooting. After three and a-half years' service, he bought his discharge, and in 1865 returned to Canada. In May of the same year he took up his abode in the United Stales, locating first in Chicago, where he helped in the erection of the Soldiers' Home, thence to Oil City, Pennsylvania, and thence to East St. Louis, where he entered the employ of the O. & M. railway company as blacksmith helper. In this employ he remained until 1874, when he was elected Constable. In 1877 he was elected Justice of the Peace, an office for which he is well fitted, and which he has since held. But one decision made by him among the many cases carried to higher courts has been reversed, and that was on technical grounds. Politically he is a pronounced democrat. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Sheridan, July 4, 1866, by whom he has two children living, Edward John and Ellen. In 1866 a company of Fenians was organized in East St. Louis for the invasion of Canada, in which he was a sergeant. They went as far as Chicago, remained two weeks, and were ordered home. He is at present Assistant Coroner for St. Clair county.

A. M. MEINTS. When we trace the history of our successful men, and search for the secret of that success, we find as a rule that they were men who were early thrown upon their own resources. A. M. Meints furnishes an apt illustiation of this rule. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 8th, 1844. His father, J. R. Meints, came to America in 1847, leaving his family behind. They followed in 1848, and the same year Mrs. Meints died of cholera in St. Louis, Missouri, so that Mr. Meints was left with two motherless children. Sickness overtook him, and distress to self and family with it. A. M. Meints, the subject of this sketch, when but eight years of age, together with his sister, gathered drift wood from the river to sell, and thus aid in the family support. At the age of nine he obtained employment as a boy in the grocery of H. Household, known as the three mile house on Broadway. Here he remained a year and a half; then was engaged by Edward Beckmann & Bro.two years; next by Rabenbury, with whom he remained a year and a half. During all this time Albert gave his earnings to his father. For two seasons he attended the public night school where he received all the education he ever acquired. In the mean time his father, who was a man of great energy, had saved suflBcient means with which to purchase a stock of groceries, which he did by opening a store on Market, between 9th and 10th streets, in the year 1861, taking Albert with him. For five years he remained with his father, during which time he formed habits of industry, economy and honesty, that have ever characterized him, and which have - crowned his labors with success. His father taught him the value of money, and counseled him to save the quarters which he now and then gave him. With the first twenty dollars he succeeded in saving he purchased a gun. Hunting and fishing were his means of recreation.

At the age of twenty-two he left St. Louis, for the first time since his advent there, for a journey any distance from home. Went as far as Fayette, Missouri, where he passed two pleasant weeks in the society of S. Baumann, a former playmate, and returned home, but not to re-engage his services to his father, who although kind, he thought too rigorous in his dealings with him. Seeing an advertisement. Grocery clerk wanted by H. Jackeisch, East St. Louis ; he responded and his services were accepted. He entered this service June 30th, 1866 ; remained in this employ until April Itt, 1868, when having accumulated about sixteen hundred dollars, he commenced business for himself, first in a building owned by Daniel McGowen, a place quite out of the way of trade, yet the only available place he could secure. In 1869 he purchased the lot he now occupies, and built a store-room 22 x 50, which he opened to the trade in September, 1869. His business has constantly increased, compelling him to erect additional buildings, until now he occupies a building with a frontage of seventy-five feet, and even that does not accommodate his trade. Since commencing business for himself he has been fortunate in every step. His real estate speculations have added largely to his wealth, and now he is the possessor of over twenty tenement houses, and three fine farms in St. Louis county, Missouri. August 30th, 1870, he married a most estimable lady. Miss Sophia E. Hauss, of Louisville, Kentuckj'. Mr. Meints owes his success to strict attention to business. For eight years, whilst he was laboring earnestly to gain a footing in the world, he availed himself of no species of enjoyment. Once comparatively independent he re-engaged with genuine boyish zest in his old sport of hunting, and is known to-day as one of the Nimrods of East St. Louis. In his career we have exemplified, in the truest sense, a self-made man.

History 01 St. Clair County, Iilinois

Among physicians and surgeons of this part of the state, who have attained distinction in their profession, Dr. T. C. Jennings takes rank with the foremost. He was born in Bloomfield, Chatauqua county, New York, May 8th, 1836. His father, Rev. Thomas J. Jennings, was a Methodist preacher. His mother's maiden name was Catharine Ditraars. "When he was about six years of age, his father removed to Ohio, and because of failing health changed his vocation to that of farming. After living about four years in the Buckeye state, he removed to Wisconsin. Here, availing himself of the facilities afforded by the state, the subject of this sketch attended West Bend Academy, a school in charge of Dr. A- H. Hayes, a physician and teacher of rare abilities and high attainments. To him, more than any one else, is the doctor indebted for his aspirations in life, and for his determination to become a physician. Taking him as his model, he commenced the study of medicine under his instruction after he had acquired considerable proficiency in the classics, mathematics and natural sciences, preparatory to admission into Rush Medical College at Chicago. In 1856, he entered this institution, from \\hich he graduated February 17, 1858. Returning to Wisconsin, he located in Mayville, where he prosecuted the practice of his profession a year, and in 1860 determined on finding a southern home, he came as far as St. Louis ; at the time mutterings were heard all over the south which grew into threats of rebellion. He concluded to wait until the state of affairs had become more settled, and not desiring to resume the practice of medicine until he had found a congenial home, taking charge of the school at French Village, where for two years he successfully engaged in this work. The threatenings of secession had become a dread reality ; red battle had stamped her thundering feet all along Mason and Dixon's line; his country had become involved in the mighty throes of fratricidal strife : his patriotic heart beat responsive to his country's call for aid, and forsaking the school-room, he promptly offered his services and was accepted as assistant surgeon of the 117tli regiment, Illinois Volunteers, November 15th, 1862. With this command he remaioed until August 5th, 1865, when with the regiment he was discharged with honors. He took part in the Meridian, (Mississippi) the Red River, the Tupelo and Oxford campaigns, (Mississippi) the Price campaign in Missouri, the campaign after General Hood in Middle Tennessee, and in the years 1864 and 1865, in the Mobile campaign. He was engaged in the battles of Fort De Russey and Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, Tupelo, Mississippi, Nashville, Tennessee, and Fort Blakely, Alabama. It is related of him, by his comrades, that his impatience was often such as to impel him to the very front of battle with patriotic cheer to urge on his fellows, when officers in his position were expected to take position in the rear, ready to receire any wounded that might have to be borne from the field of battle. Immediately after the war he located in East St. Louis, Avhere he has ever since prosecuted bis life work of jwacticing his profession. He v/as united in marriage to Miss Clementine Illinski, daughter of Dr. A. X. Illinski, June 24th, 1867. By this union there have been born four children, three of whom are living, Anna Belle, Clementine and Dio Illinski. Thomas Francis, the third in order of birth, died in childhood. The doctor's pre-eminent fitness for the position caused his friends to single him out as the republican candidate for the legislature from the 49th district in 1878, and most gallantly did he lead on to victory. As a representative, he was active, fearless in his advocacy of the right, gave close and constant attention to the business before the legislature and made an efficient member. In manners and deportment Dr. Jennings is a sociable and agreeable gentleman ; as a physician prompt and methodical : and as a man his reputation for integrity of character, and for earnestness of purpose is as -vside as the circle of his acquaintance.

Among the promising young men of East St. Louis few are more deserving of honorable mention than D. D. Anthony, who was born in Ripley county, Indiana, November 18, 1843. His father, Philip Anthony, was of the good old Puritan stuck of New England, a farmer by occupation, and for fifteen years a justice of the peace in his adopted state. His mother, Mary Ann Anthony, was an Ohioan by birth. The subject of this sketch followed farming until the year 1859, when he came to Illinois, locating in Kankakee county. He received a common school education. At the time of the break ing out of the war he returned to Indiana, and on June 16, 1861 volunteered in Co. I, 13th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Served in the campaign in "West Virginia, under General McClellan ; then under his successor. General Rosecrans. Was in the various battles and skirmishes throughout West Virginia, among them that at Rich Mountain, Cheat Mountain, Summit and Green Briar. With his command he went to the valley of Virginia and took part in the fight at Winchester, under General Shields In 1862 his regiment was transferred to the army of the Potomac, with quarters at Suffolk, whose siege - at the hands of Longstreet - they gallantly withstood; left Suifolk for Charleston, with General Gillmore, where they took part in the siege of Sumter; thence to Florida; they were then ordered north, to join Butler's fleet at Yorktown, preparatory to ascending James river; took part in the Petersburg fight, where, on the 10th of May, 1863, he was taken prisoner. His prison life, extended as it was over a space of nine months and eighteen days, and divided between various Southern prison pens, is of great interest. First he was taken to Libby prison, at Richmond, where he was kept about a month ; thence taken to Andersonville, where he was subjected to the gross neglect and hard usage for which that prison is so noted. He was an eyewitness to the bursting forth of the spring of water in the beaten path within the pen, spoken of by many prisoners, who-famishing with thirst-looked upon it as God's deliverance. After three months he was taken to Savannah, thence to Charleston, under guns he had himself helped to set months before ;Jhence to Florence, where he suffered terribly. During his four months' imprisonment here he had not to exceed four ounces of salt with his ration of one pint of corn meal per diem, perhaps a half-dozen rations of meat, and a spoonful of molasses per week, during the time. At Goldsborough, North Carolina, he was exchanged for a well-fed Southern soldier, February 28, 1864 Being sick - scarcely able, in fact, to walk at all - he was taken to the hospital on David's Island, New York harbor, where for months he was treated with all the skill of army surgeons. His eyesight . was almost gone - so far that its recovery was long thought doubtful. He was discharged from the TJ. S. service June 14, 1865 ; returned to Indiana, where he was married to Sarah Belle Payton, April, 1866, by whom he has one child. After marriage he went South to Choctaw county, Alabama, where his wife was engaged in teaching a Freedmen's school for one year. During this time he was appointed by General Pope, commanding the Southern division, as re-constructing officer for registration of voters, administering the so-called " iron-clad oath," &c. Was taken sick, and returned to Indiana, where he remained only six months, returning to Alabama to engage in general merchandizing. In 1870 he was appointed assistant U. S. marshal in the Alabama district, during which service he enumerated the census of Choctaw county. When Alabama became democratic, and it was no longer safe for Northern men to express their sentiments in the South, he returned to Indiana, where he was employed by the Ohio and Mississippi railroad company. After remaining a year in their employ he went to Kansas, where he invested in a stock ranche, which he still owns. After a few months " roughing it," he returned to East St. Louis, where he was engaged in the erection of water works at the National Stock Yards. Here he remained several years as an engineer and water supply superintendent. In December, 1880, he was appointed deputy sherifi" of St. Clair county by Frederick Ropiequet, a just recognition of his public services in behalf of the success of the republican party and of his worth as a man. Mr. Anthony is a member of the I. O. O. F., being a P. G , Golden Rule Lodge of E. St. Louis. Politically he is a stalwart, out-spoken, fearless republican. During the last campaign he made some very eflTective speeches in behalf of republican principles, reciting - as his experience enabled him to do - many instances of cruelty in the South. His republicanism was learned in very early years when his father kept an underground railway station on the Polar Star route from Slavery to Freedom. Efficient as an oflScer, true to all trusts reposed in him, genuine by nature - Mr. Anthony deserves well of his fellowmen.

John B. Sikking

The present efficient post-master of the city of East St. Louis, was born in Wenterswyke, Holland, August 16th, 1836. His father, John B. Sikking, was a carpenter, and emigrated from the land beyond the sea to America in 1844, locating in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. There were in all seven children in the family, of whom John B. Sikking was the fourth in order of birth. He received a common school education, and became a machinist. For thirteen years he engaged his services to the Ohio and Mississippi railway company. He was appointed post-master under Gen. Grant's administration, in 1869. Had officiated in this capacity for about two years prior, during Johnson's administration, as he served out the term of his predecessor and brother-in-law, .E. W. Wider. As post-master he has proved faithful and capable, and has won universal esteem. He was married to Sarah E. Cunningham, a most estimable lady from Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1863. By this union there are six children. In politics Mr. Sikking is an ardent, outspoken republican, who has the honor of having°always been true to his party, and party friends. Takes an active part in both local and national affiilrs. He and his wife are members of the M. E. church. He is also a member of the Masonic order. As a citizen he is quiet, unassuming, straightforward, and one that cannot be swerved from the path of duty.

Identified with the interests of East St. Louis for the last fiftyfive years, during which time nothicg of public moment has been started but that has had a share of his attention, Capt. John Trendley is looked upon as one of the fathers of the city. To adopt his language, " he wore out in the service as ferryman five horseboats," and the company are now using the twenty-fifth steam ferry boat, whilst he yet lives to take an active interest in the work. He was born in the Black Forest, Germany, June 20, 1804. Came to America in 1817, landing first at Alexandria, Virginia. Two years after he came up the Mississippi from New Orleans, and located here. He was married to Harriett Aberle, a Swiss lady, March 28, 1828, who died March 21, 1869. Capt. Trendley preserves his faculties in a remarkable degree, and delights in living in the past, recounting the incidents of an active and well-spent life. His contributions to the upbuilding of his adopted city have perhaps been more notable than those of any other one man. He is prepared to spend the evening of life in the enjoyment of comforts, the fruitage of a life of economy and industry. As one of the pioneers, a sketch of his life's work will be found in its appropriate place in this work.

The Messiok family, as the name indicates, ivere of GermaD origin. When they first came to Aroerica is unknown. That they first settled in Virginia has been fairly established. Joseph W. Mesfick, the father of the subject of this tketch, ami his wife, Sarah Me.-sick, nee Kittinger, were natives of Kentucky. The ancestors of the Kitlingers were Pennsylvanians. Joseph B. Messick was born in Macoupin county, in this state, January 29tb,1847. As a youth he followed the plow, cared for &tock, and such other work as is incident to the life of a farmer lad. Here he formed habits of industry and honesty that have ever prompted him in his associations with his fellow-men. Full of hop)e, he has ever looked on the bright tide of life ; fond of jokej and joking, his eompuiiioiiship has always been sought. His elementary education, ac(]uircd in the rural district school, was su])plementcd by attendance, during the years 18G6 and 18G7, at Shuitlcff College, Upper Alton. ] laving thus fitted himself for the work, he engaged in teaching, that universal stepping-stone to the higher profci-sional life - and, as he taught, he studied law. As a teacher, he succeeded, and after his admission to the bar in 1871, continued iu the work. He was admitted to practice in Carlinville, and, at first, thought to locate at that point, but, after his school closed, determined on seeking a new field, and did so, locating in East St. Louis. Here he rapidly gained friends, acquired practice, and received recognition as a lawyer of promise. In 1875 he was elected judge of the city court of East St. Louis. As a judge he presided with dignity, and with satisfaction to the bar. Political life possesses a strong attrwction for hin], hence with each campaign he is found an ardent advocate for his political preferences, both upon the stump and in social conver e. A pronounced and uncompromising republican, his voice and vote were employed to aid in the election of the captain of the age, General Grant, to the Presidency. During the campaigns of 1876 and 1880, he made telling speeches iu behalf of republican princi])lcs. His patriotism wa^ taught him at his father's fireside When hut seventeen years of age, he volunteered as a private iu company "'I," 144th Pegiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war. On February 1st, 1881, he was appointed U. S. Deputy Collector Internal Revenue, for the 4th Division, 13th District Illinois. A posititui for which his attainments well adaj)! him. The annual collections for the division amount to an aggregate of about a million dollars. As a speaker, Judge Messick is earnest and impressive. Varying his eflTorts with ilaslus of wit anil sarcasm, he does not fail to impress the minds of his hearers. His language, wdiile it is chaste and appropriate, derives additional force from his tall and commandins; figure. He has admirable conversational powers, and, with his inexhaustible fund of anecdotes and large amount of good humor, he never fails to amuse and entertain his friends. Physically, he is six feet two inches iu height, erect and well-proportioned. Personally, he has fine <iualities ; generous and frank ; he is strongly attached to his friends and preserves that same familiarity that characterized his youth. Tender-hearted and benevolent, he is always ready to assk-t the needy. In his character he combines those qualities of mind and heart that render him deservedly popular, and secure to him the warm friendship of all who know hiiu.

Maurice E. Tissier

The able editor of the East St. Louis Herald, was born in Florisant, St. Louis county, Missouri, December 25, 1853. His parents are both living. His father is a grocer by occupation. His mother's maiden name was Mary Formaz. The Tissiers came to America in 1849, from Switzerland. They located first in Wisconsin, thence went to Chicago, and last to St. Louis. Maurice F. Tissier attended the college of the Christian Brothers in 1865 and 1866 ; then St. Vincent's College, at Cape Girardeau three years, and last St. Vincent's Seminary, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1873, after which he returned to St. Louis and commenced commercial life, clerking for his father, who was then in the clothier's trade. On the 18th of August, 1875, he was married to Miss Catharine Myers, of Carondelet. This was notable as having been the first solemn nuptial High Mass wedding in East St. Louis. By this marriage there have been born three children ; Louis, who was born on the first anniversary of the wedding day, Mary, and Maurice Nicholas. In 1875 Mr. Tissier went into the grocery business on the Island, where he remained two years, vacating in favor of his father, whose store had been destroyed by the bridge fire in February. In May, 1877, he was appointed city clerk by Mayor Bowman, which position he held until discharged in December. In March of the following year he was reinstated in this position by vote of the city council, and held it two years. His first writing for the press was in 1874, at which time he averred the time would come when he would own and edit a newspaper. In 1878 he started the East St. Louis Herald as an opposition paper - that is, opposition to the Bowman rule in the city. This paper has met the approval of the people, and, being well conducted, is a recognized power in local jiolitics. Mr. Tissier is a member of the Board of Education, in whose work he takes a lively interest. He is a member of the order of Catholic Knights of America, and is at present the recording secretary of his branch, and was a delegate to their last national convention. He was appointed a Notary Public July 4, 1877, by Gov. Cullom, to which position he was re-appointed in 1881. As a business man he is prompt and energetic ; as a citizen, alive to the best interests of his community. A true friend himself, he lacks not for friendship ; gentlemanly and courteous in manner, he and his paper, which reflects his sentiments, are growing in popular favor.

Few firms are bolder in the execution of their plans or are possessed of greater courage in experimenting where grand aims are to be attained or much means lost than the Heim Brothers, an engraving of whose buildings adorn this work. Ferdinand Heim, the elder of the brothers, was born in Wolfert, Austria, February 27th, 1830, and came to America in 1851. His fiithcr, Wuunibalil Heim, a rope-maker and farmer, died in Austria, in 1857. Fi'rdinand, after reaching this country, located in Utica, New Y(u-k, where he engaged in his father's occupation of rope-iiiaking, in which industry he continued for two years. The great west was at that time the magnet of attraction, so he moved to ])ul)U(|ue, Iowa, where after a short sojourn he again moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he pursued his trade until the time of the arrival of his brother, Michael Heim, whereupon they embarked in the dairying industry, which they successfully prosecuted for about five years.

They next engaged in the cattle trade, an easy transition from their former pursuit, which they followed about six years. In 1869 they commenced operations as brewers, in which industry they have been eminently successful, having perhaps the best equipped establishment in the state of Illinois. Every modern improvement, calculated to advance their industry, is at once adopted. At great expense, they have introduced an ice manufacturing machine, which works like a charm. By its aid the pillars and walls of their cellars - if cellars, a large building might be termed - are enc«sed in jierpctual ice. A full description of their brewery may be found elsewhere in this work. As illustrative of the magnitude of their trade, it may be cited that they purchase about $3000 worth of revenue stamps per month, and the business is rapidly increasing. Ferdinand Heim was married to Elizabeth Beil, Feb. 15th, 1855, by whom he has three sons, Joseph J., Ferdinand F., and Michael.

So closely interwoven is the history of Michael Heim with that of his elder brother, Ferdinand - whose biography appears on the opposite page - that it is difficult to write of them separately. He was born in Wolfert, Austria, February 12th, 1839, and came to America in 1854 to join his brother, which he did in St. Louis, Missouri, embarking in different enterprises with him. He was married to Anna Beil in October, 1862, by whom he has two children, Ferdinand and John George by name. His wife is a niece of the wife of his brother, so that the relationship between their children is a pleasant conundrum of his joking brother. Fie is a member of the order of I. 0. 0. F., also of the Knights of Honor. The firm of which he is a member have been successful in the prosecution of their business, and far-sighted in its management. It is one of the most pop)ular in East St. Louis, as it deserves to be. Never discouraged, ever hopeful, they press on with energy to accomplish their ends. The destruction of their brewery by fire, a few years ago, daunted them not, but pha?nix-like, it was caused to spring from the flames better and larger than before.

A MEMBER of the City Council of East St. Louis, was born in Staffordshire, England, October 22d, 184G. His father, who bore the same name, was a worker in iron. lie made the first wrought iron twine for blasting purposes ever invented. He came to America in 1858, and at once made his way to East St. Louis via Siiringfield and Alton, Illinois. It was during the prevalence of higli waters of that year. Several bridges had been washed away, so tliat passengers on the C. and A. railroad had to be transferred to waiting cars across streams which the subject of this sketch swam in making his way here. As a result the family lost all their baggage and found themselves on the dyke at East St. Louis quite destitute. They next went to Urbana or Freeburg, as it is now called, where they pursued the work of blacksmithing. Returning to East St. Louis they engaged their services to the rolling mills. At present Levi Baugh, Jr., is Superintendent of the East St. Louis Rendering Works, in which he is a stockholder, and which position he has held since 1873. Tolitically he is a conservative democrat. Is not active in politics, caring more for business. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which order he is a charter member, and at present Master of Exchequer ; also of the Knights of Honor. He was married to Margaret M. Mayerhofer, July 26, 1866, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living. He is a man of excellent social qualities, fine business tact, and sound judgment.

Histoby 01 St. Clair County, Illinois

The present efficient Police Magistrate of the city of East St. Louis, was born in Madison county, Indiana, August 24tb, 1836. His father, John Renshaw, was a farmer. His mother's maiden name was Malinda Cissna. They were married in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1820. In the family were two sons and four daughters. When John was about eight years of age his parents moved to Belleville, this county. His earlier years were passed in discharging the duties of a farmer lad and attending school. At about the age of ten years his father took him iri company, on a trip to Nauvoo, which at the time was in the height of Mormon glory. The trip was made by ox-team. The stone oxen which supported an altar in the temple struck his boyish fancy, and left an impression upon his memory not to be effaced. At Belleville his school-fellows were Charles P. Johnson, Wesley Merritt, John B. Hay, James Hay and William Orr, several of whom have attained to considerable distinction in life. In 1856 the Captain left Belleville to make his home iu Warrenton, Mississippi, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in partnership with a cousin. Here he remained until the breaking out of the war. Warrenton was in Jefferson Davis' precinct, and in 1860 the Captain served as a judge in the presidential election. Being a northern or union democrat, his first vote for President, which was cast at this election, was given for the "Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas. When war-clouds grew threatening, and the call for troops in behalf of southern independence was sent forth in the spring of 1861, he quietly took his departure for his old home at Belleville, where he worked for a time at his trade, that of a plasterer. In 1864 he volunteered in the

149th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and was at once elected Captain of Co. C. This regiment was marched through Georgia in the wake of Sherman's armj', in their memorable march to the sea, engaged in garrisoning railroads. Halts were made at Atlanta, Chattanooga, Dal ton and Cleveland, where supplies were to be guarded. After the war was practically ended, the Captain's company was detailed to aid in enforcing measures of reconstruction, in which service they continued until discharged, June 27th, 1866, at Alton.

He returned home to Belleville, but soon after concluded to locate in East St. Louis, which he did in 1868. Here he went into the coal business, in which he was quite successful. In 1872 he was appointed Chief of Police, which position he has retained ever since. As Chief of Police he has had much to contend with - has witnessed threatened riots, which, but for his courage and promptitude, might have resulted in much bloodshed. His name is a terror to evil-doers. Perhaj^s no man deserves as much credit for breaking up prize-fighting in this vicinity as he. In the face of great opposition, and when begged by friends not to take the step, he swore out the first warrants against prize-fighters, boarded the boat Continental, on which the roughs were taking passage to the head of the island, and by the aid of a few friends checked the fray. The step was a bold one, and boldly was it executed. Prosecutions followed, which were successful. He was married to Caroline Trendley, daughter of Capt. John Trendley of the Wiggins' Ferry Company, May 13, 1873. By this marriage there have been born three children : Henry T., John W., and Eugene. Politically, the

Captain is a democrat. Has held the position of school treasurer for a term of three years, during which service he had to give a bond for $100,000. So faithfully has he discharged his duties as Chief of Police ; so unrelenting has been his warfare against crooks and evil-doers; so earnest his endeavors to maintain the peace, that he is continued in the position for which nature seems especially to have fitted him.

P. H. Stack

East St. Louis is eminently a cosmopolitan city. Here are gathered representatives of all nationalities. Unlike many cities of like size, no one nation is represented among her people in numerical strength sufficient to control her polities or local government. Among those hailing from the Emerald Isle no one deserves more prominent mention, or is held in higher esteem for his talents and worth as a citizen and man, than he whose name heads this article. A recognized leader among not only his people, but among the people generally, P. H. Stack is an honored name. He was born in Tullihinell, Barrylongford parish", Kerry county, Ireland, May 11, 1828. His father was a farmer of the better class, being a landed proprietor ; but reverses came, as come they will, in this instance, growing out of the famine which visited his native island in 1849, by which he lost much property. Gathering together the fragments of his wealth, he determined on seeking a new home across the ocean, and accordingly landed in New York in February, 1849. He brought with him a large family, - eleven in all, to which one was added here, and one was left behind in Ireland, a daughter who had married there. Of this family, six were boys, and eight were girls. Garrett Stack, for that was bis name, bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Canada. A few years after, he returned to the United States, and died in New York in 1857. P. H. Stack did not remain with his father, but struck out for himself, locating first in Cleveland, Ohio, where he laid the foundation for a liberal education with which he is blessed. From here he went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he became the student of Bishop Miles, then to Carondelet, where he studied with Bishop Kendrick. His wanderings were those of a student ; his ambition was to prepare himself for the priesthood. During intermissions from study he engaged his services in several capacities to railroad companies at times, as foreman on works or as sub-contractor. He built three miles of the Chicago and Alton railroad. This business carried him from place to place ; thus we find him at Chicago, Natchez, Memphis and at other places. At Chicago he was married to Margaret Sellis, on the 4th of November, 1855. By this marriage he has four children - Johanna, now the wife of Frank Healey, bridge collector ; Garrett J., assistant cashier 0. & M. E. K. ; John J. student in Jones' commercial college, St. Louis, and Margaret F. The breaking out of the war found him located in Natchez, Mississipi, where he was foreman and paymaster on leveeing. From thence he came north, and was employed by the Missouri <fe Pacific railroad company, but bushwhackers along the route determined him on finding a safer place ; hence he came to East St. Louis, where he has since resided. Here he has kept a boarding-house, and attended to his growing real estate interests. He owns ten or twelve residences here and a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres near Carlyle, Clinton county, Illinois, together with much other property, the accumulation of a life of energy and pluck. He has held various positions to which his fellow citizens have chosen ,him, as justice of the peace, for a period of eight years ; school director, one term ; member of the board of health, one term. He was at one {ime a defeated candidate for the mayoralty ; he is politically a democtat, opposed to monopolies and all grabbing schemes, and refuses to become the tool of corporations. He and his family are members of the Koman Catholic church.

Henry D. O'Brien

The subject of this sketch was born in Calais, Maine, on the 21st day of January, 1843, and is the son of Wetmore O'Brien and Sarah M., nee Smith.

When seven years of age his parents rnoved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended school. In 1855 they moved to Minneapolis, Mianesjta. After remaining here a short time, he returned to Detroit, where he learned the watch-making and jeweler's trade. Thence he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to attend school, then to his home in Minneapolis.

- At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the 1st regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg'in the head, hand and side, and while carrying the regimental flag, the staff was shot from his hands. At the battle of Deep Bottom, or Strawberry plains, which was fought on Sunday, August 14th, 1864, he was, whilst making a charge, shot through the right shoulder and lung. After being absent a short time he returned to the regiment, and was present on the field when Lse surrendered. He passed through nearly all the battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged, and served in every position from that of private to Lieut. Colonel. At the close of the war he was Major of the regiment, and Adjutant General of Morrow's Division, Army of the Tennessee.

Returning to Minnesota, he received the appointment as postmaster of East Minneapolis from President Johnson, and at the expiration of his commission was re-appointed by President Grant, and held the position for nearly seven years. Through the advice of physicians he came to St. Louis in 1873, for treatment of the wound in his shoulder, but notwithstanding the efforts of the best surgeons in the city, is still troubled with it. Mr. O'Brien has been editor and publisher of the Gazette for the past four years, and previous to that served in a similar capacity on the Press. He is a republican in politics, a liberal in his religious views, a member of the Masonic order, and the Knights of Pythian, having been Past Chancellor in the latter order, and for several years has been a member of the G. A- R- He was married in 1867 to Miss Emma S. Sinclair. She died in February, 1873. He is still a widower.

French Village Precinct

[his precinct was settled by CahokiaDs about th® year 1800, and the first settlement was known as Little French Village. In 1837 it contained only fifteen or twenty families, but it now comprises at least one hundred and twenty families, nearly all of whom are of French descent. It lies in the north-western part of the county, and is bounded on the north by the precincts of East St. Louis and Casey ville ; on the east by Casey ville and O'Fallon ; on the south by Belleville and Cahokia ; on the west by Cahokia and East St. Louis, and contains about 7,700 acres. It extends nearly a mile into the bluflf, which comprises about one-fifth of the precinct. There are nearly seven hundred acres of the bottom land that are included in the ponds or lakes. In extreme dry seasons, a portion of this is susceptible of cultivation, and is the best land for corn that the Bottoms contain. These lakes are fed, during high water, from the Mississippi through the bayous, and are, therefore, well supplied with an abundance of the finny tribe, such as buffalo, cat, bass, etc. It Ls said that in an early day the wild swans, ducks, and geese were so numerous on these lakes, that it was almost impossible for the people living near them to sleep nights, on account of the quacking and confubion caused by the wild fowls. One old gentleman gives an account of killing twenty-two ducks at one shot, and that it was no uncommon occurrence for a good sportsman to kill and bring home in one day, a French cart-load of wild game.

Like the rest of the American Bottom, the most of the precinct has very meagre drainage. An attempt was made about ten years ago to drain it by means of a big ditch cut through from Spring Lake to Big Lake, and thence into Prairie du Pont creek. The ditch was dug, but it proved of little or no value on account of a lack of fall. Schoenberger creek heads in the bluff and winds around for several miles in the north-eastern part of the precinct, but the people here say that it is so contrary that it runs up stream instead of down.

The first farm was improved by Laurence Schoenberger, who had come to this country in the year 1789. He settled here about the year 1800, and entered his first land on section twenty-five in 1814. He became the largest land-owner in this part of the county ; his possessions extended from section twenty-five east, to some distance into the bluff. Laurence Pensoneau settled here about the same time as the above, and located oa section twenty-three. His wife's name was Odele Galliot. They brought up quite a family of children, one of whom, Stephen, is now living near the old homestead, and is one of the oldest citizens. He has been twice married. His first wife's name was Adeline Belange, who died in 1848, leaving two children. Mr. Pensoneau afterwards married Miss Barbara Eckman, who is still living. There have been six children born from this union, the most of whom are of mature age. Among other old settlers are, August Trotier, settled on section twenty-,-ix; Nicholas Tourjeant, located on the same section ; Joseph Boneau, settled on the Surveys ; Baptiste Chartr^nd, located on section twenty-six ; Laurence Gunville, same section ; Louis Roulard, Peter Garah, Baptiste Graundine, Baptiste Gainard and Jerry Sullivan, all located on section twenty-three; Joseph Lepage and Joseph Valentine, on the Surveys. The above persons settled in the precinct about the same time, to wit : 1800.

The first mill was built by John Derosch, about 1820, and was owned by Joseph Boneau. It was situated on the old Vincennes stite road, now rock-road, and opposite Mrs. Amelia Boneau's present brick residence. It was a two-story frame building, with one run of stone, and was propelled by oxen on the old tread-wheel principle of action. The mill has long since disappeared, and a flourishing orchard is now growing on the old site. The first store was built in 1838, and was situated oa what is now the rock-road, not far from ihe mill. It was a frame building, two stories, and owned and operated by Glode C. Belange.

Joseph Boneau established the first blacksmith shop in 1838. It was a log structure, 14x14, and situated on Mr. Boneau's land in the Surveys, on the Belleville rock-road. The first post-office was establi-hed in 1849, on the rock-road, and was called French Village. The first postmaster was John Penn. Glode C. Belange kept the first hotel, and run it in coaneciion with his store.

For the benefit of future generations, we will state here that all there is, or ever haa been, of what is known as French Village, (not referring to the precinct) is, in fact, no village at all, but a few houses scattered along for some distance on the Belleville rock-road, and has been, for euphony or convenience, called a village. The most of these are farm houses, interspersed with two or three small shops or country business houses.

The first church was built by the Catholic denomination in 1842, and situated on section twenty-six. It is a fram e building, and was constructed under the supervision of Rev. Peter Deturlin, who was its first pastor. The cemetery is situated on the same lot, just east of the church. It is kept in excellent order, as everything in or about it show the marks of thoughtful and careful attention. The first school-house was built in 1829, and situated on the old Vinceunes state road, in section twenty-five. John Robinson was the first teacher. A fine brick school-house was built in 1869, and situated in section twenty-six, near the Catholic church. The cost of construction was $2500, and it is so arranged that two teachers are employed, and is conveniently operated as a semi-graded school.

There are two coal mines in operation in the precinct at this writing. The first was owned and operated by Joseph Boneau, in an early day, and was situated about a half mile south of French Village. Mr. Boneau was also the first to introduce blooded stock into this part of the county, which was in 1832. Among the early justices of the peace, we find the names of Lambert Boneau, Amanial Trotier and Deno Pellitier. The former was probably the first justice in the precinct.

In early days the people underwent many privations and hardshipsi but were contented and happy ; indeed, to converse with the old settlers, one would feel convinced that their pleasures of long ago, exceeded those of to-day. They manufactured everything they wore from cap to shoes. The women wore home-made dresses, colored with sumac bark, and the bonnet was simj)ly a blue handkerchief wrapped carelessly around the head. Before the church was built in this precinct, the people attended church services in Cahokia. Their mode of conveyance was the French cart, usually drawn by oxen, but a few of the more aristocratic were supplied with horses. The cart would take the premium as a first-class curiosity, if placed on exhibition at the present time. It was wholly constructed of wood, the wheels not even being bound with a tire. The axle, where it entered the hub, was six inches in diameter, while the hub was about six feet in circumference. The body or bed was a frame resting on the axle and pole, with six standards placed upright in the frame, and interwoven, wicker fashion, with hazel brush or willows. The horses were harnessed to pull from the haunches instead of the shoulders ; while the oxen were yoked at the head as we see in pictures of the olden times. The greasing process was as unique as the vehicle itself. This was done with a bountiful supply of soft-soap.

Land Entries. - The first land entered was by Furgeson & Trotier, September 27th, 1814, in section 26, south-east quarter, containing one hundred and sixty acres. Gabriel Marlot entered September 29th, 1814, all of section 24, being six hundred and forty acres. October 1st, 1814, John Hendricks entered one hundred and sixty acres of the north-east quarter of section 36. J. L. Schoneberger, December 23d, 1814, entered the north-west quarter in section 25, being one hundred and sixty acres. One hundred and fifty-five acres in the north-east quarter of section 21, was entered by Louis Jarvis the 24th of December, 1814.

Transportation Facilities. - One of the best wagon roads in the state passes through this precinct, and is known as the rock road. It extends from Belleville to East St. Louis, and is in excellent condition, being macadamized with lime stone. The Illinois and St. Louis railroad cuts across the south-western part of the precinct, and takes a north-westerly direction, extending along near the line to East St. Louis. The South Eastern railway passes entirely through the precinct from the north-west to the south-east, entering on section 21, and passes out near the south-east corner of section 36.

Situated on the rock road, after leaving the blufi" going west, for perhaps three-fourths of a mile, is what is called French Village proper, and has already been described. At this writing there are the following business houses scattered along the road : A frame two-story hotel, kept by John Borgmeyr ; one general store, with H. Kaune as proprietor ; two blacksmith shops, one of which carries on carriage making in connection with the shop, and is conducted by Louis Fetterer. The other is owned and operated by Augustus Kehr. George Hollinger keeps a boot and shoe shop, and there are also three saloons sprinkled along the line. About half a mile north of the rock road, and situated on what is known as the Blufi" road, is quite an extensive malt house. It was erected in 1867, by Thomas Frick, who conducted it for about three years, when it passed into the hands of H. A. Steinnecke, the present proprietor. It is three stories, including basement, and is constructed of brick with stone foundation. Its size on the ground is 40x100 feet, and cost $8000. It is supplied with two tanks, the larger of which is capable of holding three hundred bushels of barley, and the smaller, one hundred and fifty bushels. Its capacity is 15,000 bushels of malt per annum, and gives employment to four hands. The annual value of manufactured material is $15,000. The business is under the immediate supervision of August Frank, foreman. An ice house belongs to the same firm, and is constructed in the blufi" near the malt-building. It is about ten feet high by ten in width, and extends into the blufi" upwards of twenty feet, and will store thirty tons of ice. A small saloon is situated a little north of the malt house. There is but one physician in the precinct, Dr. Chas. H. Christoflfe. James Lepage and Nicholas Boul are the present justices of the peace.

The people of French Village are an industrious and hard-working class, and if they could succeed in obtaining adequate drainage to their farms, they have lands so fertile that they could challenge the world to compete with them in their productions.

Cahokia Precinct

[HIS is indeed historic ground, its settlement beginning just about midway between the land ing of Columbus upon American shores and the present time. It is situated in the western part of the county, and bounded on the north by the precincts of East St. Louis and French Village, on the east by French Village and Belleville, on the south by Centerville, and west by Prairie du Pont and Mississippi river, and contains upwards of 22,000 acres of rich alluvial soil of the American Bottom, except a portion of the south and south-east, which extends into the bluff for some distance. The drainage of the bottom land is necessarily poor, on account of being so nearly on a plane with the Mississippi. The few streams empty into the sloughs or Big Lake, and thence through a large artificial ditch to Prairie du Pont creek, and into the Mississippi. It is said, and is probably true, that the American Bottoms can never have an adequate system of drainage without lowering the bed of the Mississippi. The drainage question of the Bottoms has for many years been an unsolved problem, and will probably remain so until some freak of nature shall settle the vexed questio n .

The soil of the Bottoms is not surpassed in fertility anywhere on the globe. That it is inexhaustible has been proved by over a century and a half's tillage. This is largely due to the deposits of silt left after the overflowing of the Bottoms by the river. There have been several of these inundations within the last century, some of which have proved very disastrous to the villages and productions of the farmers. These occur usually in June, when the snow and ice of the mountain regions melt and flow back to the gulf. The first great rise in the river of which history gives any account, occurred in 1770 ; and in 1772 the whole bottom was under water. Again, in 1784, a deep inundation took place. Cahokia was several feet under water, and the inhabitants fled to the bluff south-east of the village for safety during the flood. A considerable inundation occurred in 1826, but no very great damage was done. The deepest and most destructive overflow was in 1844. Large steamers plied from bluff" to bluff". Villages, orchards, fences and nearly every improvement made was swallowed up and swept away by this flood. The villages of Cahokia, Prairie du Pont and Illinoistown (now East St. Louis), were almost destroyed, from the effects of which the former two have never recovered. In 1851 and 1858 there were very destructive floods, doing much damage to real and personal property. The dikes at East St. Louis and the government dil!;es midway between the above city and East Carondelet have been auxiliary in preserving what is left of Cahokia village.

Many years ago, Cahokia creek emptied into the river just north of the village ; its old bed is plainly visible to this day. Peck says, in his Gazetteer, that " Cahokia creek formerly passed the village of Cahokia and entered the Mississippi further down, but a mischievous Frenchman, having a pique against the village, cut a channel from the creek to the river, and formed its present outlet." But there is no evidence to sustain the theory that the creek ever emptied into the river below the village. No sign of a channel or creek-bed can be discovered south of the village, and the oldest inhabitants informed us that there had been no history or tradition among them to sustain Mr. Peck's theory. It is true that a Frenchman turned the course of the stream at a point about midway between Cahokia and East St. Louis. This was done by cutting a ditch through a rise of ground that lay between the creek and a slough not far from the river. The stream wore its way through the high ground into the depression or slough, and thence into the river. This was its course until the construction of the Pittsburg dike at East St. Louis, when its course was diverted to its present mouth, just north of the dike.

Portions of the Bottom, especially along the creeks, Cahokia and Prairie du Pont, were formerly covered with heavy timber, such as black walnut, Cottonwood, elm, oak and other varieties; but the most of it has been cleared away to give room to civilization. Many ancient mounds were, and a few may yet be seen near the borders of these craeks. In these as in all others, when excavated, arefound human bones, shells and pottery that were deposited at some period by a pre-historic race.

Wheat is the chief product of the farmers, though much corn is cultivated, and with excellent success. There are many fine orchards, but mainly confined to apples. Cabbage and other vegetables are cultivated quite extensively and marketed at St. Louis.

The exact date of the first settlement at Cahokia seems to be an unsettled question among historians. According to Peck, the village of Cahokia was founded in 1683, by members of La [Salle's party who were left behind on his return to France. Reynolds says, " That in the year 1686, Tonti, then chief and captain-general, in conducting the war against the British and Iroquois, heard of his friend La Salle being in the West Indies, and descended to the mouth of the Mississippi in search of him, but returned without him.- On the route he established the post of Arkansas, and I presume the settlements of Illinois, Peoria, Cahokia, and Kaskaskia may date their existence from the same period, 1686, or before." Another author s^ys, " Cahokia, first called Notre Dame des Kaho- Uas, from good authority appears to have been a trading post and mission station earlier than Kaskaskia, and that both were settled by missionaries as early and perhaps before 1690." He further says, " That it is stated on good authority that a missionary known as Father Pinnet, founded Cahokia, and was successful in converting many of the Indians to Christianity." Let it be as it may, not far from two centuries ago a few zealous French missionaries established themselves among the savage Kahokians for the pure purpose of teaching them the doctrines of Christianity. These formed the nucleus from which Cahokia grew and became the first settlement on the Mississippi.

The Indian traders soon followed the missionaries, and built stone houses, and commenced traffic with the natives. The emigration excitement grew in intensity, and in a few years Cahokia became a place of thrift and civilization Jby a white population mostly emigrants from Canada. Their style of living at that early period was but little better than that of the natives ; but about 1700 they commenced to cultivate the rich bottom land around the village, and to erect buildings suitable for white habitation. A church was built by the missionaries, and located on the very spot where the church now stands ; indeed, it is said that a part of the old structure composes a portion of the frame of the present house. They had no organized government until the establishment of the Company of the West. Reynolds in his pioneer history says "that the small number of inhabitants, and their destitution of wealth, made a government entirely- useless. The leaders of the first French settlements of Illinois were men of talent, and for the most part of classic education, while the common classes were innocent, honest and kind, and obedient to their commanders or leaders. They had no itching for wealth, and if provided with a scanty supply of clothes, corn and deer's tallow, or meat to eat, they would sing and dance, and were in fact happy, whether they were in the snows of the Rocky Mountains or in the dancing saloons of Quebec. " The community thus constituted needed little or no government: in fact they had none until the Company of the West was established in the country."

The early settlements of these people were usually in the form of small, compact, patriarchal villages, living as one great family assembled around their old men and patriarchs. The houses were plain and uniform in style. Usually each homestead was surrounded by its own separate inclosure of a rude picket fence. The lots of Cahokia were laid out uniform in size, being 300 feet square. For many years, on account of mutual protection from the Indians, the - people did not live on the lands they cultivated, but had their abode in the village, and went forth from day to day to perform their farm labor. In order that the reader may more fully understand the customs and rights of the early settlers of Cahokia, we quote from Judge Breese's decision, found in the Report of 27 Illinois, which relates to the inhabitanti of Cahokia and the Cahokia Commons :

" The villagers were granted two tracts of land at convenient distances, for 'common fields' and 'commons.' The former was a tract of laud containing several huudr ed acres, enclosed under one fence, each family possessing an individual interest in a portion of the field bounded from the rest. These lands were owned in fee simple, and could be conveyed like any other landed property. The 'commons' was situated outside and around the 'common fields.' It was a tract of land granted to the town for wood, pasturage, etc. In this each had a right in common, not an individual right." This tract sometimes embraced several thousand acres.

By an Act of Congress dated March 3d, 1791, a tract of land including the villages of Cahokia and Prairie du Pont, and used by the inhabitants as a common, was appropriated to their use as such, until otherwise disposed of by law. It will be seen from the above, that the limits of the commons were left undefined by the Act of Congress of 1791. This, and subsequent questions relating thereto, induced congress to appoint commissioners to inquire into and adjust the same. The following is a synopsis of their report, which was made Dec. 3, 1809:

On examination, they find that a tract of land four leagues square was granted to said villagers with title, etc., as above described ; but as the limits of the commons were left undefined by the act of 1791, it became a subject of compromise between the villagers and the acting governor (St. Clair) of the territory, about 1797, and by their consent two tracts, in all 5,400 acres, were ordered to be laid oif for this purpose. Accordingly, Gov. St. Clair appointed a surveyor, and the land was located.

On examination the commissioners discovered that the surveys were inaccurately made, that of Cahokia in particular. Instead of 4,000 acres, it ought to have contained 20,000 acres. An account of the situation and circumstances of the said tracts not accommodating the inhabitants, the board thought it best to permit a new location- to be made for commons for each of the said villages, on lands more conveniently situated for them. The action of the commissioners was acceptable both to the people and congress. Accordingly congress, on the 1st of March, 1810, passed an act confirming the decisions made by the board of commissioners. The lands included in the common fields retain their former boundaries, the board not having them under consideration. And thus stands the status of the commons at this time.

Prior to 1841 the commons of Cahokia were used by the inhabitants only for the coumon purpose of pasturage, fuel, etc. Here was a large and valuable tract of land, from which the villagers were reaping but a small advantage. Accordingly they appealed to the state to legalize by act of the legislature the leasing of the common, or so much as should be deemed expedient, the proceeds to be devoted to a common school fund for the use of the villagers.

An act was passed, in accordance with their expressed desire, dated Feb. 17th, 1841. This act empowers the supervisor elected by the inhabitants of the village, to cause lots to be surveyed out of the commons, and to lease the same for a term not to exceed one hundred years. From this fund school-houses have been built, - teachers employed, and all other expenses defrayed appertaining to a free school system. They do not draw any of the state fund, nor do they need it, as the income from the commons is more than adequate to their wants.

Families moving from the village to the common fields, or elsewhere, forfeit their rights to this common fund. On the other hand., parties moving into the village, and becoming citizens, in accordance with the customs of the inhabitants, acquire an equal right to the benefits of said fund, the same as those who may have always Taeen natives of the village.

The first house built in the precinct outside of Cahokia village was erected about 1834, by Louis Pensoueau. It was a small log structure, a story and a half in height, and situated near where the Illinois and St. Louis railroad crosses the highway leading to Papstown ; and a mile and a half south-east of Jarrot's station. The old stone chimney still stands as a landmark to inform the passerby that this is the oldest relic of its kind belonging to the common fields of Cahokia.

From the date of the foregoing, and what has already been stated with regard to the customs of the first settlers, relative to their clustering together in villages for mutual protection, etc., it will readily be seen that this chapter's history is confined almost entirely to the ancient.

Village Of Cahokia

That it is nearly two centuries old, and the first built on the banks of the Father of Waters, as well as the first in the Mississippi valley, has already been established. The village lies entirely within what is known as survey No. 759, which was originally a part of the commons. The plat is very nearly in the form of the outline of the boundaries of the State of New York. The larger portion of the site of the old village is now contained in the river slough, west of the present village. At the time of its settlement it was a perfect wilderness. Heavy timber of oak, elm, sycamore, and walnut covered the entire tract. New-comers were hailed with warmth, and the custom was to measure them off 300 feet square for a house, garden and stable-lot. This of course had to be cleared of the timber before it could be occupied. Parties were appointed by the citizens to perform the work of laying off the lots. The chain was constructed from strips of paw-paw bark, knotted together to the desired length. Early deeds were made by giving boundaries from point to point, naming the persons who lived adjacent to the property surveyed. In fact, lots were not numbered until about 1850, when the people of the village, for the convenience of making deeds and recording the same, employed the county surveyor to make a plat of the town and number the lots! No changes, however, were made in the former location and direction of the streets. The deeds all read : " Three hundred feet square, more or less." Prior to 1850, but few deeds were made, and then rarely ever put on record. The villagers frequently bought or traded property, but it was merely a verbal swap, after the manner of trading chattels. The custom was the same relative to exchanging, or selling arpents of land in the common fields. At that time there was no bickering, no feelings of distrust between neighbors, their word was equivalent to their bond. The same spirit prevailed toward one another in their farm labors. Their arpents or farms lay side by side, and any friendly assistance that was needed by a neighbor, was always cheerfully given. This spirit of unselfishness will be better understood when it is explained that these farms were, in the main, but eleven and sixty-seven hundredths rods wide, and from three to four miles in length. No division fence separated them, they lay side by side, enclosed by one fence, in one common field ; and yet, for more than a hundred years, they cultiva ted their arpents in harmony, and without the aid of the courts to settle any difficulties. For several years, however, they have been pretty well Americanized, and suits at law are no rarity among the Cahokians.

In speaking of Cahokia as it was in 1765, Captain Pitman, who was officially employed by Great Britain to survey the forts and villages in the English territories, after it had passed from the French dominion, says : " It is long and straggling, being threefourths of a mile from one end to the other. It contains forty-five dwellings, and a church near its centre. The situation is not well chosen, as in the floods it is generally overflowed two or three feet. This was the first settlement on the Mississippi. ThtJ land was purchased of the savages by a few Canadians, some of whom married women, of the Kaoquias nation, and others brought wives from Canada, and then resided there, leaving their children to succeed them. The inhabitants of the place depend more on hunting and their Indian trade, than on agriculture. They have plenty of poultry and good stocks of horned cattle. What is called the fort is a small house standing in the centre of the village. It differs nothing from the other houses, exeept being one of the poorest. It was formerly closed with high palisades, but these were torn down and burnt."

be seen. The church still stands, and is probably the oldest house of worship west of the Alleghany mountains. The village, instead of being " near the side of the Mississippi," is nearly a mile to the east of it. This change was mainly wrought by the general flood of 18 14.

Early Settl-rs. - Ftom the fact of the antiquity of Cahokia, but few of the names of the earliest settlers have been preserved. From the early marriage records, we are able to glean a few names, but nothing relating to their character or calling ; they could be of but little interest to the reader. We shall, therefore, only mention those who have figured more prominently in the history of the village.

Among the early immigrants was the famous Mrs. La Compt, who came to Cahokia about the year 1770. She was of French birth, the family name being La Flamme. She was born at St. Joseph, on Lake Michigan, in 1734. She was a widow when she married M. La Compt of Cahokia, from which marriage proceeded one of the largest French families in the state. She was a great favorite among the friendly Indians, and through their aid and information, she succeeded in saving the early settlers from many a bloody massacre at the hands of the hostile savages. After the death of her second husband. La Compt, she married the celebrated Thomas Brady, who was also a citizen of Cahokia. She outlived Brady, and died in Cahokia in 1843, at the advanced age of one hundred and nine years.