USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 4
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long been his home and in which he is a citizen of prominence and in- fluence.
Judge Andrews takes a due measure of pride in reverting to the fine old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity and he is a scion of one of its sterling pioneer families. He was born at Dayton, Mont- gomery county, Ohio, now one of the most beautiful cities of the state, and the date of his nativity was February 22, 1842, so that he was con- sistently given the name of the great American on whose birthday an- niversary he was ushered into the world. Hle is a son of Samuel A. and Margaret (Ramsey) Andrews, who passed the closing years of their lives at Dayton, the father having been actively identified with agricultural pursuits during virtually his entire career and having been a man of the highest character. so that he ever commanded a secure place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, the while his forceful individuality and broad mentality made him a local leader in thought and action. Judge Andrews is indebted to the common schools of his native state for his early education and he gained his due quota of youthful experience in connection with the work of the home farm. He continued his studies in a well ordered academy at Fairfield. Ohio, and in the Presbyterian Institute at Hayesville, that state, after which he entered with characteristic vigor and earnestness upon the work of preparing himself for the profession of his choice. He was matriculated in the law department of the celebrated University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in which he completed the prescribed currientum and was graduated as a member of the class of 1865. After thus receiving his well earned degree of Bachelor of Laws Judge Andrews came to Hli- nois and sought for an eligible field of endeavor. He remained for a brief interval at Jonesboro and in May, 1865, he established his perma- nent home at Murphysboro. the judicial center of Jackson county, where he has continued to reside during the long intervening period and where he has been most successful in the general practice of his profession. to which he still continues to give close attention. He has been identified with much important litigation in the courts of this section of the state and is now worthy of designation as the dean of his profession in Jack- son county, where he commands the highest vantage ground in the con- fidence and esteem of his confreres and also the general public.
In addition to the work of his profession Judge Andrews has given most loyal and effective service in various offices of public order. He was master in chancery for Jackson county for eleven years and served on the bench of the county court for five years. For two years he held the office of postmaster of Murphysboro and he served one term as mayor of the city, as well as one term as city attorney .- preferments which well indicate the high regard in which he is held in his home commun- nity, in the furtherance of whose civie and material progress and pros perity he has ever shown the deepest interest. For four years Judge Andrews was connected with the government department of the interior in the capacity of inspector of surveyor generals' and land offices, and his service in this office covered the entire United States His career has been one of signal activity and usefulness and has been crowned with well earned honors. He is president of the Jackson County Bar Association, is a staunch and effective advocate and supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, is affiliated with local organizations of the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he has long been a zealous member of the Presbyterian olur b of which his cherished and devoted wife likewise was a most earnest ad herent for many years prior to her demise.
On the 19th of December, 1507, was solenmized the marriage of
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Judge Andrews to Miss Jennie Slocum, of Norwich, New York, in which state she was born and reared, and this loved and gracious companion and helpmeet remained by his side for nearly forty years, she having been summoned to the life eternal on the 25th of January, 1905, and her name and memory being revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle and kindly influence. Mrs. Andrews is survived by two children : Myra M., who is the wife of Harry O. Ozburn, cashier of the Citizens' State & Savings Bank of Murphysboro; and Eugene S., who is agent for the American Company at Murphysboro. He married Miss Ethel MeClay, of Carbondale, this state.
Living in a community in which his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances and enjoying the well earned rewards of many years of earnest endeavor, Judge Andrews may well felicitate himself upon the smiling plenty and fair, prosperous days which mark the course of his life during the period in which he looks back upon a record of conscientious application and faithful service as one of the world's productive workers, and no citizen is more worthy of special and cordial recognition in this history of Southern Illinois.
ZENAS CARROLL CARSON. Noteworthy among the successful educa- tors of Southern Illinois is Zenas Carroll Carson, superintendent of the schools at New Baden, who is doing mueh towards advancing the effi- ciency and scope of the public school system of this seetion of the state, heartily agreeing with Charles William Eliot, LL. D., president emer- itus of Harvard University, who says "The standard of education should not be set at the now attained or the now attainable. It is the privilege of public education to press toward a mark remote." Mr. Carson was born June 2. 1878, in Washington county, Illinois, on the farm of his father, William Kendrick Carson. His grandfather, Samuel Carson, a Kentucky frontiersman, lived on a small farm in the backwoods, partly supporting himself and family by cultivating small patehes of land. He had a better education than the most of his neighbors, and spent a part of his time each year in teaching school, and occasionally added some- what to the family exchequer by working at the cobbler's trade.
A native of Kentucky. William Kendrick Carson was born De- cember 12, 1832, in New Lexington. He grew to manhood beneath the parental roof-tree, being brought up amid primitive seenes and in true pioneer style, never even having a pair of shoes until he made them himself. At the age of twenty-five years he came to Southern Illinois, locating in Washington county, where he began farming on forty acres of land, splitting the rails with which to enclose his small estate. He was successful in his undertakings, and subsequently bought one hmn- dred and forty aeres of land from the Government, and on the home- stead which he there improved is still living, a venerable and esteemed citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist church.
William K. Carson has been four times married. He married first, in 1858, Mary Anne Ragland, of Washington county, Illinois, who died in 1876, having borne him nine children, five of whom survive. He mar- ried in 1877 a cousin of his first wife. Amanda Ragland, who bore him four children, two of whom are living. Zenas Carroll and Benjamin W. She passed to the life beyond in 1884. and in the ensuing year. 1885. he married her sister. Viana Ragland, who died in 1898, leaving three children, all of whom are living. In 1899 he married for his fourth wife Mrs. Polly Carson, widow of his brother. Robert Carson, and they are enjoying life on the old home farm.
Spending his earlier years on the home farm in Washington county,
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Zenas Carroll Carson attended the country schools until sixteen years of age, when he entered the Nashville High School, where he fitted him- self for a professional career. An ambitious student, however, enter- prising and progressive, he has since kept apace with the times by close study, and has taken post graduate work at the Southern Illinois Nor- mal School, in Carbondale. limmediately after leaving the high school Mr. Carson began teaching in the rural districts, and has since taught at Hoyleton, Illinois, New Minden and Smithton, and at New Baden, where he is now superintendent of the schools. Ile is an indefatigable laborer, and it is largely through his influence that the present school building is now, in 1912, being enlarged to such an extent that when it is com- pleted it will be one of the best buildings of the kind in Clinton county.
Mr. Carson married, December 24, 1901, Lulu D. Smith, and into their pleasant home four children have been born, namely : Herbert M., George Saint Clair. Dean M., and Cyril W. In his political affiliations Mr. Carson is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen of America. Re- ligiously both Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Methodist church.
ROBERT L. RICH. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this paragraph is one of the successful men of Union county. He is by primary vocation a farmer and by admirable example has done much to advance and promulgate scientific agriculture. Ilis small but valable farm of fifty-five acres has been utilized to marvelous advantage and there is admiration and respect for a man who can raise six hundred and thirty bushels of corn on nine aeres, which Mr. Rich succeeded in doing in 1911. TIe also manages his father's farm of two hundred acres. However, he does not limit his energies to agriculture, and since 1899 has engaged in the commission and brokerage business in Cobden.
Robert L. Rich was born October 30, 1864. on a farm a mile and a half from Cobden. He is the son of John M. Rich, who was born in 1828, in Alabama, and the grandson of Thomas J. Rich, a native of North Carolina. The Rich family came originally from England and are of Puritan stock, three Rich brothers having been of the brave and pions little company who crossed the Atlantic in the Mayflower and landed on bleak Plymouth Roek in 1620. Mr. Rich is thus a Pilgrim son and one of the oldest and most honored stock in America. One of these brothers went south, one to the northwest.
The father of the subject married Annie Uff'endale, who was born in England and eame to America with her parents, the father's name being Michael Uffendale. He subsequently found his way to Anna, Illinois. and there engaged in mercantile business until his death. John M. came with his father and the rest of the family from his native state in 1832, as a little lad. the journey being made by ox team. They lo- cated on government land in Union county and were of that fine pioneer stock which laid the foundations of Southern Illinois' prosent prosper- ity. Thomas, the subject's grandfather, fought in the Black Hawk war and lived until 1869, having in his lifetime witnessed other American wars. He departed this life in the old house which he had built on his pioneer farm. Mr. Rich's father and mother are both living at ad vanced age, serene and respected in the pleasant sunset of life. They make their home on the original homestead, which still remains in the family. This consists now of two hundred aeres, and the old gentle man still cultivates several acres in fruit and vegetables. He has been n prosperous farmer and has reared the following family of eight chil dren : Thomas J., deceased : William C., residing at Anna : Michael M . a farmer located near Cobden : George D., also located near Cobden and
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a farmer; Delia, now Mrs. Randleman, of Alto Pass; Annie M. (Cox), living in Tennessee; Robert L .; and Carrie (Parks), who makes her home at Anna.
Robert L. Rich was educated in the Public schools and subsequently matriculated at Champaign University. He engaged in farming for a time and in 1882 removed to Alto Pass, where he elerked for several years in a store owned by his father and brother-in-law. This estab- lishment was the property of John M. Rich for a decade. In 1889 the subject removed to his father's farm and conducted its affairs until 1894, in which year he was appointed postmaster of Cobden, and he served faithfully and efficiently for four years and four months under the Cleveland administration. In the years 1898 and 1899 he traveled for the commission company of C. F. Love & Company of Chicago, and since the year last mentioned he has engaged in the commission and brokerage business on his own account. He also manages his farm and that of his father, the acreage under his cultivation being utilized as follows: Apples, thirty acres; asparagus, twenty acres; rhubarb, twenty acres; tomatoes, eight acres ; melons, five acres; fifty acres in corn and the remainder in pasture and hay land.
Mr. Rich was married in November, 1888, at Alto Pass, to Emma B. Abernathie, daughter of William C. and Mary Abernathie, of Alto Pass, the father a prominent farmer. The demise of this admirable lady occurred May 18, 1909, at the age of forty-two years, and her only child, a son, Raymond Lee, died at six months of age.
Fraternally Mr. Rich belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Cobden and he is a member of the Congregational church, to whose tenets his Pilgrim origin predisposes him. He is a Demoerat in politics and is in- fluential in party councils. He is serving at the present time as preeinet committeeman.
EDWARD GEORGE SCHMITT, D. D. S. A prominent and popular resi- dent of New Baden. Edward George Schmitt, D. D. S., is a fine represen- tative of the dental profession, which is, mayhap, one of the most im- portant branches of surgery, its application being required at some period of life by almost every member of the human family. Intelligent study, patient investigation, and careful experiment have within reeent years elevated dentistry to a distinet and separate science, in the valu- able and important discoveries made, America taking a foremost place. A son of Henry Sehmitt, Dr. Sehmitt was born November 23, 1880, in Belleville, Illinois.
Born at Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1830, Henry Schmitt was there bred and educated. Coming to America in 1849, he located in Belle- ville. Illinois, where he entered the employ of an unele, a hotel keeper, whom he afterwards bought out, becoming himself proprietor of the hotel. He was a man of unquestioned business ability and judgment, energetic and enterprising, and became actively identified with the up- building and growth of Belleville, and the establishment of valuable industries. He was one of the original founders of the Belleville Stove and Range Works, and a valuable member of the Belleville Building and Loan Association. He was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but was never an office seeker. He was very popular with the traveling public, successfully managing his hotel until his death, Febru- ary 26. 1886.
Henry Schmitt was twice married. He married first a Miss Kramer. who died in early womanhood, leaving two children, Mrs. Lizzie Metz; and John. deceased. He married for his second wife, in 1862, Clara Voegle, who still resides in Belleville. She was born in Switzerland,
John Gray Maille
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and at the age of twelve years came to America with her parents, cross- ing the ocean on a sailing vessel, and being ninety days on the water. One of her brothers was born on the ocean, but he died while on the way from Saint Louis to Belleville, during the time of the plague, Of the seven children born of the marriage of Henry and Clara ( Voegle) Schmitt all are living, as follows: Henry; Sigmond; Lena. wife of 1. W. Miller; Walter; Freda; Edward George; and Ida, wife of W. H. Pfingsten.
Acquiring his rudimentary education in his native city. Edward G. Schmitt was graduated From the Belleville High School with the class of 1899. Turning his attention then to the study of dentistry, he re- ceived the degree of D. D. S. at the Marion Sims Dental School, in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1902, being there graduated with honors. To further equip himself for his profession, Dr. Schmitt subsequently took special work two summers at the infirmary connected with that insti- tution. Beginning the practice of dentistry in Belleville, he remained there three years, during which time he was for two years chief deputy coroner of Saint Clair county, under Dr. E. M. Irvin. Locating at. New Baden in 1906. Dr. Schmitt opened a dental office, and has since met with eminent snecess in his professional career, having built up an extensive and remunerative practice.
The Doctor is an active and useful member of the Republican County Exeentive Committee, and takes a warm interest in local affairs. Ile is now serving as poliee magistrate of New Baden, and is president of the New Baden School Board. In the latter capacity he has made a good ree- ord, having been largely instrumental in securing the erection of a fine new school building, in the regrading of the schools, and in the intro- dnetion of a high school course of two years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of the Encampment of the I. O. 0. F.
Dr. Schmitt married. September 12, 1905. Dorothy G. Kraft. a daughter of George W. Kraft. a foreman in the nail factory at Belle- ville.
JOHN WESLEY MILLER. Entering upon the struggle for advance- ment among men as a school teacher, and conducting his work in that. occupation in such a manner as to tell to his advantage in a substan- fial way and give him a strong hold on the confidence and regard of the people, and now a leading lumber merchant, with an extensive trade and an excellent name in business circles, John Wesley Miller, of Car- bondale, has known and obeyed a stern sense of duty, been wise to the ways of the world, and used all his opportunities greatly to his own advantage and essentially for the benefit of the communities in which he has lived, labored and made his progress.
Mr. Miller is a native of Indiana, born at Fort Wayne on Judy 30. 1863, and a son of Emanuel 1. and Noima (Maxwell) Miller. The father was a preacher in the United Brethren church and died in his work of benevolence and improvement, and while the objects of his care were rejoicing in his pronounced usefulness. He preached the gospel of Christianity with fearlessness and fervor, and performed all the pastoral duties of his high calling with great fidelity, industry and zeal, leaving his family an excellent example, a good name and the rer ord of a well spent life.
His son John Wesley began his education in the public schools and completed it at Ewing College in Ewing. Illinois After leaving that institution he taught school ten years, and while engaged in this im portant but largely unappreciated occupation served as principal of
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the schools in Benton, Thompsonville and other towns. He made a good record and a high reputation in his work as a teacher, but found his progress too slow to suit his desires, and turned his attention to the more active and promising field of mercantile life.
During the next three years after he quit teaching Mr. Miller ear- ried on a lively and flourishing business in the Imber trade. At the end of that period he sold his business, which was located at DuQuoin in Perry county, this state, and moved to Carbondale, arriving and lo- cating here in 1883. Ile at once started again in the lumber business, and with this he has been connected ever since, expanding his trade and growing into popular favor as the years have passed, until now he is one of the leading business men of the city, and one of its most es- teemed and representative citizens from every point of view.
In addition to his lumber interests he has stock in the Carbondale Mill and Elevator Company and the Carbondale Building, Loan and Homestead Association, and is one of the direetors of each of these worthy and beneficial enterprises. He takes an earnest interest and an active part in the management of the public affairs of the city and has rendered it good service as a member of the school board for six years. In matters of public improvement he is always one of the fore- most and most effective aids, and in connection with everything that is designed to promote the general welfare of the people, or their ad- vantage in any special way, the benefit of his intelligence in counsel and his help in material assistance are to be relied on at all times, what- ever may be the issue.
Mr. Miller was married on October 10, 1902, to Miss Kate Snider, a daughter of Michael and Martha (Brewster) Snider, widely re- spected residents of Carbondale and farmers of Jackson county. Mrs. Miller is a graduate of the Southern Illinois Normal University and a highly enltivated lady. Her husband is a Freemason of the Knights Templar degree and a past master of his lodge, Both have the regard of the whole people.
E. GILBERT LENTZ. The popularity of the Marion schools, especially that of the high school, and the general excellence of the work aceom- plished is due in large measure to the efforts of the superintendent of schools. E. Gilbert Lentz, the son of a mechanic. From his youth Mr. Lentz's ambitions lay along the lines that he has followed. Mueh of his education was paid for out of his own pocket, and the energy and per- severance and self denial which this necessitated may only be imagined. E. Gilbert Lentz was born in Williamson county on the 27th of May, 1881. He is the son of Eli Lentz, who settled in the Wolf Creek neigh- borhood in the ante-bellum days. The latter was born in 1831, near Saratoga, Illinois, where his father had settled when the land was al- most an untrodden wilderness. The latter belonged to that sturdy group of people who, along with the Scotch-Irish, formed the backbone of the American Revolution, namely, the Germans who settled the "up" eoun- try of North and South Carolina. It was in the former state that the young German, fresh from the Fatherland, first located. His son Eli demonstrated his stalwart ancestry by enlisting in the Union army when General Logan was calling for volunteers to fill the ranks of his Thirty- first Illinois Infantry. He remained in the service until the last bitter scenes of the struggle had been played out. Ile then returned to Wolf Creek and took up his life as a blacksmith, dying in 1894, in Creal Springs, when his youngest son, Gilbert, was a mere lad. His wife was Lydia Hare, a daughter of John Hare, of Union county, Illinois, and she sur- vived her husband a number of years, dying at the family home in 190S.
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Their children were: Sarah, wife of L. L. Gallimore, of Wolf Creek; Amanda, who married S. M. Fowler, of Herrin, linois; Isabel, widow of Dr. J. P. Throgmorton ; Anna, who became Mrs. John M. Kilbreth ; Fan- nie, who died after her marriage to William Allen; I. N. Lentz, living at Wolf Creek ; John, an educator in Valparaiso, Indiana; William R. is the agent of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company, at Kansas City, Mis- sonri ; Theodore, practicing law in Missoula, Montana ; and E. Gilbert.
E. Gilbert Lentz, having completed the not very extensive curriculum of the schools of Wolf Creek, entered the Creal Springs schools and fin- ished the course there. He then attended the C'real Springs College. but wishing to keep on with his academic work he began teaching school. His first work was in the district schools in the country, which not only meant the most difficult kind of discipline, but also that he had to build the fires and sweep out the room and then perhaps walk three or four miles to the home of the people who "ate" him. It was a stern introduc- tion to life, and he spent all of his wages in perfecting himself in his profession, attending the Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, for three years. He spent some time in graded work as principal at Monroe C'en- ter, Illinois. Then for two years he acted as principal of the Carter- ville schools. He was steadily successful, and the Creal Springs schools considered themselves fortunate in having him as their principal for three ensuing years. In 1907 he was elected teacher of history and civics in the Marion high school, and was later chosen principal of the same school. In 1910, when it became necessary to select a successor to Pro- fessor Asbury, he was unanimously chosen for the superintendency of the city schools.
During his career as a superintendent Professor Lentz has graduated one hundred and eight, who, in the main, have become teachers or are eontinning their edneational work at higher institutions of learning. He has ever been in sympathy with the educational bodies established for the mutual profit of teachers. and they, realizing his executive abilities, have given him many offices in their associations. He is vice-president of the Williamson County Teachers' Association, is a member of the State Teachers' Association, also of the School Council, and has the honor of being president of the Southern Illinois Teachers Association.
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