USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 48
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Andrew L. Snider received his education in the public schools of Pomona township, but at the time of his father's death his mother brought the children to Sand Ridge, and Andrew. as one of the eldest, was compelled to give up his studies and go to work to assist in sup- porting the family. Choosing farming as a vocation, he was engaged therein until thirty years of age, at which time he saw an opportunity to establish himself in the mercantile business at Sand Ridge, and dur- ing the past twenty years he has built up a large trade. He does an extensive business in the surrounding agricultural community, and car- ries in his stoek those articles which his own experience as a farmer taught him were most desirable. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Snider has always taken a keen interest in the success of his party in this section, and for twelve years he demonstrated his ability as a public official in the office of postmaster.
When he was twenty years of age Mr. Snider was married to Miss Annie Cauth, and they had one child, Martin, who is deceased. Mrs. Suider passing away soon after the birth of the child. In later years Mr. Snider was united in marriage with Miss Florence Stewart, daughter of A. J. Stewart, a veteran of the Civil war and prominent Jackson county citizen, and to this union there have been born three children : Larkin, Wilton and Roland. Coming to Sand Ridge as a poor boy, withont friends or influence here to aid him, Mr. Snider has forged his way to the front, and has become one of the substantial and influential men of his community. Foresight and industry have been the keys that have unlocked for him the door of snecess, and he has numerous warm personal friends who take a gratified interest in the prominence that has come to him.
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PROFESSOR EDWARD LOUIS BLAKE. The educator of today has to meet and overcome many obstacles with which those of an older day knew nothing. The enlarging of the curriculum of the public schools with the demand for the practice of pedagogy necessitates a long and careful training and constant subsequent study and reading on the part of those to whom is entrusted the training of the plastie mind of youth. Popular demand has resulted in the prodnetion of a class of men who have no equal in the history of the world as educators. Their knowl- edge of their work and matters in general is extensive and profound, and at the same time they possess sound judgment and a keen insight into human nature that makes it possible for them to give to each pupil the individual attention now regarded as so necessary for the proper rounding out of character. Among those who have thus distinguished themselves along these lines in a broad and comprehensive way is Pro- fessor Edward Louis Blake, principal of the public school system of Grand Tower, Illinois, whose long and faithful service here entitles him to a place among the eminent educators of Southern Illinois. Professor Blake is a product of eastern Kentucky, and was born Oeto- ber 27. 1866, a son of William Jasper and Octavia V. (Tanner) Blake.
William Jasper Blake was born in Greenbrier county, West Vir- ginia (then Virginia), and was a farmer and carpenter by vocation. As a young man he moved to Kentucky, where he was married and during the latter part of the Civil war he was mustered into the Con- federate service, but on the same night deserted to the Union lines and joined the Federal army. After serving several months the war elosed and he returned to his home, but shortly after the birth of Edward L., the family came to Illinois. Mr. Blake later went back to his native state and subsequently settled in Steubenville, Ohio, where his death oceurred in 1874, after which the family located in Gallatin county, Illinois, where Mrs. Blake's death occurred ten years later.
Edward Louis Blake was the second in order of birth of a family of five children, and his preliminary educational training was seenred in the public schools of Steubenville, Ohio. and Gallatin county. Illinois. For one year he attended Hayward Collegiate Institute, at Fairfield. and spent a spring and summer term in the schools at Normal, Illinois, al- though he had at that time been engaged in teaching for three years in Gallatin county. In 1894 he located in Carbondale, where he continued until 1900, in the meantime teaching in Gallatin, Union and Jackson counties, and after finishing his course spent twelve weeks in the Uni- versity of Illinois. On taking the state examination he was granted a life certificate. Mr. Blake first taught school in Grand Tower in 1897, and sinee that time, with the exception of a few short terms. he has served as principal of the schools here. In 1902 he was a can- didate for the office of county superintendent, but owing to political conditions at that time he met with defeat. His principles are those of the Republican party, and he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. Professor Blake's reputation as an educator is high in the profession. and personally he is very popular, many of his warmest friends in this community being former pupils. He has found time to exert his influence in behalf of progressive movements of benefit to the city, but has not entered the publie field to any extent.
In June, 1902. Professor Blake was married to Miss Ida Schulze, of Grand Tower, and three children have been born to this union, namely : Helen and Evelyn, twins, and Edward.
RUDOLPH F. KASSERMAN. Among those who have achieved a position of prominence at the Jasper county bar is Rudolph JJ. Kasserman, junior 11. 3-21
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member of the firm of Fithian & Kasserman, attorneys and counselors at law in Newton. The firm holds a foremost position and is concerned in important litigation and retains a elientage of signally representative character. Mr. Kasserman was born on a farm in Richland county, Illi- nois, January 27, 1870, and is a son of Stephen and Annie (Tomi) Kas- serman.
Stephen Kasserman was a native of Switzerland, where he was born August 16, 1829. Coming to America with his parents when still a lad, he settled in southeastern Ohio, where he grew to manhood and followed farming, in addition to engaging in steam-boating on the Ohio river. About 1866 he moved to Richland county, Illinois, and after he had en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for a time he became a general contractor, his field of operation being Olney. Ile removed to a farm in Jasper county in 1879, where his death occurred in 1893. He married Miss Annie Tomi in Ohio, and she died in 1895, having been the mother of nine children, of whom Rudolph, J. was the fourth in order of birth.
Rudolph J. Kasserman's early life was spent in Olney and his edu- cation was secured in the public schools of Jasper county. He event- ually became private secretary to Congressman George W. Fithian, of Newton, and while discharging the duties of that position found time to prosecute his law studies under Mr. Fithian's preceptorship, and be- eame his partner after his admittance to the bar in 1895. Mr. Kasser- man as a counselor is safe and duly conservative, and well merits the reputation he has gained as one of the able and honored attorneys of the county. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as master in chancery of Jasper county.
In 1894 Mr. Kasserman was united in marriage with Miss Lydia L. Moore, and they have had three children: Homer, George and Anna. Mrs. Kasserman attends the Presbyterian church, and is well known in religious and charitable work. Mr. Kasserman belongs to the local lodge of Masons.
NOAH M. TOHILL is a fine combination of professional and business man. He is of that type of men who can never devote themselves to one thing to the exclusion of all other interests, but must have other chan- nels into which to direct their surplus energy. As a lawyer he has been highly successful, proof of which is to be found in his services as state's attorney and as eity attorney. He is one of the men who is doing much to allay the distrust that has sprung up in the minds of the public con- eerning law and lawyers. Ile has a brilliant and well trained mind, his knowledge of legal lore being very thorough, but better than these qual- ities is that of a sincere determination to do what he considers the right. He has a native eloquence and knows how to sway the jury, but he was never known to take an unfair advantage and he pleads that in the courts of justice at least justiee should be shown.
Noah M. Tohill was born in Crawford county, Illinois, on the 10th of December. 1864. His father was Lewis N. Tohill, who was born in September, 1829, in Crawford county, Illinois. The founder of the Tohill family in this state was John Tohill, the grandfather of Noah Tohill, who came to Illinois from Virginia about 1822. This pioneer in the days of Indians and bears was a millwright by profession, but like all the settlers of that early date he took up farming, and followed his trade at intervals only. On the farm of his sturdy old father Lewis Tohill grew to manhood. He was early made familiar with the work of the farm and it was inevitable that he should in time follow in his father's footsteps and become a farmer. This was the profession that he has followed throughout his life, the only break in his life as an agri-
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eulturist being when he enlisted and went to the front as one of the Ninety-eighth Illinois. His war record is an honorable one, and when he received his discharge at the end of his term of service he returned home and settled down to the old life again. Ilis marriage to Cynthia A. Jones took place in 1861. She was a daughter of John M. Jones, who was a farmer of Crawford county. Six children were born of this union, and Noah was the second of these. Mrs. Tohill died on the 2nd of August, 1874, but Mr. Tohill is still living. at the old home in Crawford county. He is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Republican party, and his religious affiliations are with the United Brethren.
Noah M. Tohill, like his father, had the wholesome influences of the farm as his early surroundings. Ile grew up in Crawford county, and the schools of the county provided him with an education. He after- wards went to the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois. He was ambitious to acquire as much education as possible and saw no way of securing what he wanted except by his own efforts, so during the period while he was attending school he was also teaching. After the two years which he spent at Normal were over he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, and entered Valparaiso University, where he remained for one year. Dur- ing all this time while he was attending school he taught for six years. This process of studying for a time, then breaking it off and plunging into pedagogical work, only to resume the studies when enough money had been earned to carry him a few months further along the road. was a slow one, and entailed endless patience. He never faltered, how- ever, and before him always he kept the goal of his ambitions bright, for it was ever his intention to become a lawyer.
He was postmaster at Flat Rock, and taught the public schools of that place for a number of years, three of which were spent in the prin- cipal's chair. Ile had always desired to read law in the office of Calla- han, JJones and Lowe at Robinson, Illinois, for his admiration for the senior member of the firm had always been intense. At last his wish was fulfilled, and he spent two years in the offices of the above mentioned firm. IIe feels that the thorough training which he here received is in a large measure responsible for his success, and he will always feel the influence of the high ideals for which the above firm of lawyers stood. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1895, and located at Lawrence- ville in March of the same year. After practicing for one year he was elected state's attorney, and, proved to have been chosen wisely. In 1897 he formed a partnership with E. S. Kingsbury, and this partnership con- tinned until the Ist of January, 1906. In 1909 he formed a partner- ship with Mr. J. E. MeGanghey, and this partnership is still active. They are doing a large amount of business, and some of the cases which they handle are very important. For a period of six years Mr. Tohill held the office of city attorney, and his work won the approbation of all who knew of it. He is much interested in politics, and believes that the preservation and safety of the nation will be best effected with the Re- publican party in power, consequently he is active in behalf of that party. Hle has been delegate to hoth state conventions and to congressional eon- ventions, and is always willing to work for the glory of his party and the good of the people.
In the business world Mr. Tohill is especially well known through his eonnection with the oil business, for he has been greatly interested in promoting the opening up of the oil fields in all of the surrounding coun- try. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Lawrenceville. and is vice-president and a stockholder of the Citizens' Telephone Com- pany, which has been in operation for over ten years. He is a member of
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the Christian church, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Tohill was married on the 12th day of November, 1888, to Rose Otey, of Robinson, Illinois, now deceased. On the 4th of January, 1899, he was married to Fannie E. Barnes, of Flat Rock, Illinois. She was a daughter of George D. Barnes, a well known merchant of Flat Rock, who is now dead. She died on the 15th of April, 1901, leaving a little daugh- ter, Mona. Mr. Tohill married again, Inez M. Hill, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, becoming his wife.
FRANCIS B. THACKER. An excellent type of sturdy American man- hood is found in the person of Franeis B. Thacker, who, although he has passed the allotted time of three seore years and ten, is still engaged in aetive pursuits and is carrying on operations on his fine farm situ- ated about three miles northwest of Vienna, Johnson county. Through- out his life Mr. Thaeker has been one of this section's most energetic and publie-spirited citizens. When the call for troops to protect his country's flag came he was one of the first to enlist from his seetion, and after he had served gallantly throughout the Civil war, he returned to the peaceful occupations of life and proved himself worthy of the esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Thaeker is a native of Johnson county, and was born on a farm on Simpson's Road, two miles southeast of Vienna, a son of Joel Sampson and Sarah (Bain) Thacker, and grand- son of Nathan Thaeker. of Tennessee.
Joel Sampson Thaeker was born in Stewart county, Tennessee, and as a youth migrated to Illinois with his mother, loeating in Johnson county in 1830. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, and his death occurred on his farm, situated near Pond, Illinois, in 1855. He married Sarah Bain, daughter of John Bain, a native of South Carolina. who migrated to Kentucky and then to Southern Illinois. and they had a family of five children: Franeis B .; S. P .; Mrs. Martha Fort; Charles A .. of Oklahoma; and G. N., of Weatherford, Oklahoma. The mother of these children passed away in March, 1908.
Francis B. Thaeker began his education in the distriet schools of his native community, but was left fatherless when fourteen years of age and was compelled to leave school and start to work on the home farm. Hle was twenty years of age when the Civil war broke out, and on Au- gust 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until July 19, 1865. At the time of his enlistment his captain was Captain Williamson, and he saw mueh service under General John A. Logan. The first engagement in which Mr. Thaeker took part was the battle of Fort Donelson, in Feb- ruary. 1862, and during the summer of that year his regiment partici- pated in several minor engagements before a severe conflict with Con- federate cavalry at Burnt Bridge, Tennessee. Following this came the battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, and in the winter the army went to Coldwater Station, near Vicksburg. On January 1, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Memphis, and during the following month descended the river to Lake Providence, above Vieksburg. On May 1st the river was erossed, the blockade run, and the battle of Fort Gibson fought, and following this Mr. Thacker's division was stationed at various camps until finally engaging the enemy at Jaekson, Mississippi. Re- turning to Champion Hill, a battle was fought at that point, and later on the regiment went to Vicksburg, where they took an active part in the siege, marching into the city on the morning of July 4th. Subse- quently a series of engagements were fought to Black River, twenty
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miles east of Vieksburg, and here Mr. Thacker veteranized. In the spring of 1864 his regiment was transported up the river to Cairo. and later became a part of Sherman's army at Big Shanty, Georgia. Almost daily skirmishes followed, constant aetion under a heavy fire was nothing out of the ordinary, and sharpshooting on both sides be- came deadly. After the surrender of Atlanta, in August, the regiment became a part of the division that was sent after Hood's retreating army. Subsequently the regiment to which Mr. Thacker was attached returned to Atlanta, took part in the famous "March to the Sea," win- tered at Buford, South Carolina, and in the spring of 1865 marehed north and on March 19 met and defeated Johnston's army at Golds- borough. The surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House followed three weeks later, and the war was closed. After participat- ing in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., Mr. Thacker was mus- tered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky, July 19, 1865, and on August 6th, following, received his honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois. As a soldier who always did his full duty cheerfully, bravely and faithfully, Mr. Thacker won the respeet of his offieers and the es- teem of his comrades. No duty was too irksome, no mareh too long or hard, no battle too fierce or skirmish too dangerous to keep him from his place in the ranks, and the record which he made through nearly four years of fighting is one of which any soldier might well be proud.
If Mr. Thaeker was a good soldier, so has he proven himself a good eitizen. On his return from the war he engaged in the sawmill busi- ness, being thus engaged until 1868, and then traded his mill for a traet of one hundred acres of land five miles north of Vienna, to which he added from time to time until he had nearly two hundred aeres. Sub- sequently he moved to Grantsburg. where he again was engaged in mill- ing, but selling his farm and mill he purchased a portable mill, and in 1873 went to Liek Creek, Union county. During the following year, however, he returned to Johnson county, and resumed operations on his old farm, but in 1892 sold that land and soon thereafter purchased the tract that he now owns. This comprises one hundred and fifty acres of some of the best cultivated land in Johnson county, and includes an orchard of fourteen aeres of apple trees and a large vineyard. He has carried on general farming and stock-raising, and whatever he has taken up he has followed to a successful conclusion. Always a stalwart Republican, he has been elected to positions of honor and trust by his fellow-townsmen, ineluding those of assessor and justice of the peace, and in 1888 he was elected elerk of the circuit court of Johnson county. a position which he held until 1892. During this time he was engaged in the nursery business in partnership with Mr. W. A. Galeener. Pre- vious to this time he had served as county treasurer, from 1877 until December 1, 1882, and subsequently from 1903 to 1909, acted in the capacity of county commissioner for two terms. In his official eapaci- ties he has shown himself able, conscientious and competent, and his best efforts have been given that the affairs of his community might prosper. Fraternally he is connected with the A. F. & A. M., No. 150, of Vienna ; he is a popular comrade of the Vienna G. A. R. Post, and he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
On October 25. 1866. Mr. Thacker was united in marriage with Miss Naney C. Peterson, daughter of Owen and Elizabeth (Mercer) Peter- son, of Cache township. Johnson county. Mr. Peterson, who was born in Arkansas, came to Johnson county with his parents, Thomas and Imey (Arbor) Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Thacker have had ten children, namely : Marens, Minnie, Ida May and Sarah Ellen, who died in in- fancy : Mary Frances, born December 6, 1875, who married a Mr.
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Dundas, and has one child, Leona. aged thirteen years; Harry; Sam- uel, who married Fannie Stewart, deceased, by whom he had two children, Jeanette and one who died in infancy; and Kate, Nola and Charles. Harry Thacker was born February 10, 1878, and re- ceived his education in the schools of Vienna, also spending two terms in MeKendree College, Lebanon. Ile had been reared to agricultural pursuits and was engaged in assisting his father, to whom he was deeply attached. A misunderstanding having occurred between his father and a publisher, and the latter publishing an unwarranted at- tack on Mr. Thacker, the son, out of filial devotion, endeavored to have it retracted. On September 10, 1910, the people of this community were shocked to learn that young Thacker had been the victim of a brutal murder. His loss was one that was felt not only by his imme- diate family, but by all who had come into contact with this bright, promising young farmer-citizen. His remains lie in the Vienna Ceme- tery.
IIENRY VOGEL. One of the foremost agriculturists of Jackson county, Henry Vogel, of Fountain Bluff township, holds a high position among the energetic, progressive and successful farmers who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow and are enabled to carry it on with both profit and pleasure. He was born January 16, 1850, in Perry county, Missouri, and is of thrifty German ancestry.
His father, August Vogel, was born and reared in Germany, and as a young man served as a soldier in the German army. Immigrating to the United States soon after his discharge from the army, he soon made his way to Missouri, where he settled permanently. Buying land in Perry county, he improved a good farm, which he managed with ex- eellent results until his death, about 1868. He was a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, and was not only a farmer of prominence, but was a citizen of influence. He married, in Scott county, Missouri, Catherine Doering, and of the seven children born into their home three are living, as follows: August and Samuel, of Missouri, and Henry.
The fourth child in succession of birth of the parental household, Henry Vogel grew to manhood on the home farm in Perry county, Mis- souri, in the meantime gleaning a good education in the public schools. In 1879 he made his way to Illinois, and having bought land in Foun- tain Bluff township has since been actively and prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits, having one of the most highly cultivated and productive farming estates of Southern Illinois. Mr. Vogel is a man of solid worth, possessing in a marked degrec those traits of character that command respect in business life and gain esteem among one's neigh- bors and associates. He has ever evinced an intelligent interest in pro- jects calculated to benefit town or county, and as one of the organizers of "The Big Lake Drainage Distriet" was largely influential in having the drainage canal pass through Fountain Bluff township into the Mississippi. A Republican in politics, Mr. Vogel has served as one of the first drainage commissioners for many years and as school trustee. Religionsly he belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran church of the Missouri Synod and contributes liberally towards its support.
Mr. Vogel married, in 1875, Amalia Palich, a daughter of Ernest Palich, of Frohna. Perry county, Missouri, and they have a fine family of eight children, namely : Anna, Ernest, IIulda, Adelia, Clara, Gustav, Arthur and Dorathea.
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MIKE LEVY, secretary of the Carterville & Big Muddy Coal Com- pany, and one of the leading business men of his community, has acted in his present eapaeity sinee 1904, and has made his name familiarly known to the eoal trade. The plant of the company is situated adjacent to the town of Cambria, and its owners are citizens of Jackson county. Mr. Levy passed the years of his minority in Murphysboro, to which point his father brought the family from Cincinnati, Ohio. In the latter city Abe Levy, his father, was a merchant, who had added his presence to the Hebrew population of the United States in 1865.
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