USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 40
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bama, Missionary Ridge, the Georgia campaign, siege and capture of Atlanta, the "march to the sea," the march north to Washington and the capture of Johnston en route, and participation in the Grand Review at Washington. Mr. Smith veteranized at the expiration of his first enlistment, served a little less than four years, was in hospital at two different times, from general debility, was hit twice in action by spent balls, was in thirty- one battles, and marched more than twelve thousand miles. Thus briefly is outlined the service Mr. Smith rendered his country in her time of need, and for which she owes him a debt of everlasting gratitude.
Mr. Smith returned to the farm upon being discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, and went to work as a hand for John S. Clayton. He worked by the month during the season of 1866. February 14, 1867, he married and that spring began farming rented land. The place he now owns and resides upon was the one he leased at that time and which he purchased at the expiration of his lease. Thus he has spent thirty-two years of his life on this farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child living, Giles A., born October 17, 1875, who is coming naturally into the cultivation and management of the farm and is the mainstay of his aging parents.
Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican and has always manifested a commendable interest in public affairs. He has served one term as the township collector and is now completing twenty-four years of continuous service as a school director. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
HENRY THOMAS.
Henry Thomas, an extensive farmer and the largest stock-feeder in the township of Deer Park, LaSalle county, was born in Hessen, Germany, in January, 1855, a son of German parents.
Henry Thomas, Sr., his father, emigrated with his family to the United States during the civil war in this country, his means being almost ex- hausted in paying their passage; and when they reached their destination, Peru, Illinois, he found himself with only seven dollars in his pocket. Pre- vious to his location in this country he had worked at the tailor's trade, but on his arrival here he turned his attention to farm work, and with the wages he earned as a farm hand he supported his family and saved enough with which to purchase a team. He then began farming rented land. As in most cases, his continued industry and economy were rewarded with success and he accumulated a large estate. He bought several farms in LaSalle county in 1885, located his sons about him, and passed the remainder of his years
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in their midst. He died here in 1890, respected by all who knew him. His five sons are among the prosperous men of Deer Park township and inherit in a large degree the estimable traits of character which their worthy sire possessed.
The younger Henry Thomas remained with his father until he was twenty-five years old. He began housekeeping five miles south of Peru, and lived the first three years of his married life on a rented farm. His father furnished him with a team and other things necessary to conduct a farm, and he saved money enough in those three years to make a large payment on his first land purchase, a quarter-section in Deer Park town- ship, for which he agreed to pay nine thousand dollars as the notes fell due. On this farm he put up a large barn, and with the passing years was moving along happily, meeting his obligations and adding to his self- confidence, when his barn, with all its contents, was burned, without in- surance, causing him a loss of at least four thousand dollars. This loss, in his financial condition, would have crushed the average farmer, but he said to his wife: "We'll have to hustle now," and began the battle anew. Fortune again smiled on him. Before he was entirely free from his first farm contract an opportunity came to him to buy eighty acres joining his farm, at what seemed a bargain. He consulted his father about it and was advised that he was crazy. "You can never pay for it." said the old gentle- man. But he bought it and did pay for it, meeting his obligations just as he agreed to.
Some nine years ago Mr. Thomas decided to engage in feeding cattle, and he bought a few to complete the part of a load he already owned. This venture yielded him so abundantly that the next year he fed two loads, the next year a still larger number, and so on until he became the heaviest feeder in the township, if not in the county. He turns off yearly about eight hundred head, much of which is export beef, and this industry is of great advantage to the farmers for miles around his feed yards. He uses fifty thousand bushels of corn in addition to what he raises, and hundreds of tons of hay and straw, this all being drawn from his neighbors, at the best market prices.
Mr. Thomas married, January 16, 1881, Miss Annie Weber, a daughter of Jolin Weber, and a native of Kirchentellingsfurt, Wittenberg, Germany, and a resident of LaSalle county, Illinois, for a number of years. Mr. Weber came to this country in 1857 and settled in Deer Park township, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he passed the rest of his life, dying in 1875, at the age of fifty-six years, and leaving a large estate. His wife, whose maiden name was Eva C. Lutz, died in 1897. Their children were as follows: Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Fred Cregger: John, who resides near
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Richfield. Nebraska; Christine, wife of Jacob Lutz, of Sarpy county, Nebraska; Mrs. Thomas; Fritz, a resident of Pawnee county, Nebraska; G. F., of Deer Park, LaSalle county; Lena, also of Deer Park; and Rosina, the deceased wife of Louis Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have five chil- dren: Louise, born in 1883; Christina, in 1885; Mary, in 1888; Sarah, in 1890; and William H., in 1896.
Mr. Thomas is a strong Republican, believing that the tenets of that party have given the greatest benefits when applied to all the interests and institutions of our country.
WILLIAM SCHOENNESHOEFER, M. D
A native of the village of Lostant, LaSalle county, born February 17, 1868, the subject of this sketch has passed his entire life here, and, as the town was established but two years prior to his birth, it might be said that they have grown to maturity together. His parents, Dr. Hilarius and Jo- hanna (Mylenbush) Schoenneshoefer, were natives of Cologne, Germany. They crossed the Atlantic in 1865, and, coming to Illinois, located near the present site of Lostant, and eight years later settled permanently within the town. The father has been engaged in the practice of the medical pro- fession during all of these years, but has been retired since the fall of 1898. The mother departed this life in July, 1898, when sixty-nine years and six months old. Both parents have been identified with the Lutheran church from their youth. The father was a soldier in the regular army in Germany, and since becoming a voter in the United States he has used his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party.
Eight children-three sons and five daughters-were born to Dr. Hi- larius Schoenneshoefer and wife. Robert, the eldest, is a resident of Lostant. Amelia married William Kitzman, and died in 1899. Regina, wife of William Roetzel, lives at Roberts, Illinois. Julia, who married Fred Zilm, lives in this place. Anna, Mrs. Gus Erbus, makes her home in Mendota. Augusta and Hilarius died unmarried.
In his boyhood Dr. William Schoenneshoefer attended the public schools of Lostant and later was a student in the German college at Men- dota. Having determined to adopt his father's profession, he entered Rush Medical College, in Chicago, where he was graduated February 21, 1888. Since that time he has been engaged in practice in Lostant, and has suc- ceeded in building up a large and remunerative business. He is popular with the members of his profession, and is looked up to and consulted by them. For several years he has been connected with the Northern Illinois
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Medical Society, and by constant study, perusal of the leading medical jour- nals of the day, and association with representative men in his profession, he keeps well posted in modern methods and applications of science in his- chosen work.
Socially the Doctor is deservedly popular. He is a member of Tonica Lodge, No. 364, F. & A. M .; Rutland Chapter, R. A. M .; St. John's Com- mandery, No. 26, K. T., of Peru; Knights of Pythias; Hope Camp, No. 1873, Modern Woodmen of America; and Lostant Lodge, No. 144, Mystic Work- ers of the World. In his political views he is a stanch Republican. He is one of the village trustees at present, and is deeply interested in everything. affecting the prosperity of the town. He owns a beautiful home here, and his wife and two little daughters are the center of his world. He was mar- ried, June 27, 1889, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Gabriel and Elizabeth (Erbes). Pohl, of Mendota, and their two children are named respectively Lucile anď Bertha. The Doctor and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and are liberal toward religious and charitable organizations.
THEOPHILUS MARSHALL.
The well known and well-to-do citizen whose name introduces this. review has long been identified with the interests of Serena township, LaSalle county. He is a son of the pioneer, John David Marshall, and was born in the French province of Alsace July 4, 1832, where his early boyhood was passed. The Marshall family then emigrated to America and their home was established in LaSalle county, Illinois.
Theophilus had attended school a little in Alsace and for a short time after coming to this country he went to school, but his educational ad- . vantages were very limited. He was one of a large and industrious family of sons, and when he came of age his father gave him and his older brother each a horse. Joining forces, the two brothers engaged in farming on land they rented from their father. This was a primitive beginning, but the vim and determination Theophilus put into his efforts told each year of his life and found him accumulating wealth gradually. During the years which have intervened from that day to this he has invested his accumulations in real estate until now he is the owner of more than one thousand acres of land.
Mr. Marshall was married in Ottawa, Illinois, March 13, 1854, at the age of twenty-two years, to Louise Retz, a daughter of Dominick Retz, also a native of Alsace and an early settler of Serena township. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have children and grandchildren, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Antoine of Somonauk, Illinois, has two children-Lawrence and
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May; John David, a merchant of Serena, married his cousin, Julia Retz, and they have five children-Fannie B., Frank E., Edna J., Walter J. and Clarence; Isabel, wife of David Wolf, of Chicago, has three children- Marshall, Elmer and an infant daughter; Adolphus, a prominent young farmer of Serena township, married Mary Moujet, and their children are Rosa, Arthur, "Baby" and an infant; and Henry, unmarried, who resides on the old home farm.
EDWARD F. LAMBERT.
From the farm have come many of the ablest financiers and business men of this country, as well as representative men in every walk in life. The subject of this sketch, now a prosperous lumber merchant of Tonica, LaSalle county, was born on a farm in Putnam county, Illinois, November 10, 1858, and has spent most of his life in the routine of farm work, at the same time developing powers of mind and body which are now serving him in good stead.
He is a son of John R. Lambert, a well known citizen of this locality, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Both he and his estimable wife, Emily, were born in this state, where their respective parents were pioneers. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joel Lambert, who was of Scotch- English descent, was a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Indiana, and at an early period settled near Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, where . they were engaged in farming. He died when in the prime of life, leaving two sons and a daughter. The maternal grandfather, George Hiltabrand, was of the sturdy old Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. In 1829 he came to this state and took up his abode in Putnam county, hauling wheat and other produce from his farm there to Chicago, for years. During the Black Hawk war he was active as a home guard, and was a sergeant in his company. John R. Lambert was born near Galesburg, and grew to manhood there and in Putnam county. Since the war he has lived in Hope township, this county, until he retired, in the fall of 1896, to become a citizen of Tonica. He commenced at the foot of the ladder leading to success and steadily worked his way upward, buying land when good opportunities offered, and now he is the fortunate possessor of four hundred and eighty acres. He was engaged in the cultivation of one place in Hope township for twenty- seven years, and still owns the property. The land had been entered by his father-in-law, and under his own judicious management it has become one of the most valuable country homes in this section, improved as it is, with a modern house, substantial barns and sheds, shade trees, fences and orchard. Since he came to the village, he has purchased a pleasant house and lives
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with our subject and family, as his wife died in 1886. He has borne an important part in the affairs of his community, at different times acting in the offices of township clerk, school director or school trustee, and for many years he was a member of the Democratic county central committee. He aided his sons in getting started in their independent careers, helping each to buy farms, one hundred and sixty acres in extent, one located in Hope township and the other in Eden township.
As stated at the beginning of this article, Edward F. Lambert is now in the prime of manhood, forty years of age. Since he was two years old he has lived in LaSalle county, where he obtained his education in the district schools, supplemented with a course of study at Eureka College. He early became thoroughly acquainted with agriculture, carried on the old homestead with his brother, on shares, for some years, and gave his time and attention to the cultivation of his farm until three years ago. In 1896 he bought the Robinson lumber-yard in Tonica, and now deals extensively in all kinds of lumber and building material. Prompt and business-like in his methods, he merits the patronage which he receives, and his trade is steadily increasing from year to year. He still owns the quarter-section of land which his father assisted him to buy, and has made good improvements upon it. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Like his father, he uses his franchise in favor of the nominees of the Dem- ocratic party. At present he is serving as one of the trustees of this town, and formerly he was one of the district school trustees in Hope township.
On the 21st of December, 1887, Mr. Lambert married Miss Julia B., a daughter of William Borngasser, and four children bless their happy home, namely: Emily V., Edward R., Evelyn Fern and Carl Russell. Mrs. Lambert's mother died when she was a child, and she was reared as a mem- ber of the household of Simeon Hiltabrand, the maternal uncle of our subject.
FELIX J. HUMBERT.
The agricultural industry of Serena township, LaSalle county, has a representative in the subject of this sketch, Felix J. Humbert, a son of the retired farmer, John Humbert. The latter came to this country from the French province of Alsace in 1844, at the age of ten years, with his father, John Humbert, Sr. The latter died some twenty-five years ago. The former is a resident of Ottawa, Illinois, retired from active life after a suc- cessful career as a farmer. He began life as a hired man on a farm, and by industry and careful economy acquired title to a large body of the best land in LaSalle county. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Brignon,
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was likewise born in Alsace. Their children were: Felix J .; Jane, the wife of Lester Retz; Nellie, the wife of Bert Zellers, of Ottawa; Benjamin, of Hardin; and Paul, of Fall River, Illinois.
Felix J. Humbert was born in the township in which he now lives, No- vember 25, 1858, and was educated in the country schools and Notre Dame College. On reaching his majority he engaged in farming on his own ac- count and has continued the same ever since, with fair success.
He was married February 22, 1881, to Celestin Retz, daughter of Ed- ward Retz, and their children are: Genie, Belle, Louella and Edna.
The Humberts have always supported the Democratic ticket.
J. F. SAFEBLADE.
Mr. Safeblade, a general merchant of Leland, was born in Sweden, April 16, 1859, a son of Andrew P. and Carrie E. (Larson) Safeblade. J. F., the fourth in order of birth of their eight children, was reared and educated in Sweden and learned to read, write and speak English in the United States. He arrived in this new world in 1876. (His father had previously spent three years in this country and advised him to come here, where an- other son was already living, August A., who was in the employ of A. H. Barber & Company, commission merchants in creamery supplies in Chicago.)
On his arrival here Mr. Safeblade secured employment in a cheese factory near Elgin, Illinois. He had had in the old country considerable training in milling machinery, as his father, a wealthy land-owner, was also a miller. He was thus employed in the creamery of Duncan & Johnson for about two years; next he was made second foreman in L. C. Ward's cheese and butter factory at St. Charles, at that time the largest in Illinois; three months later he was given full charge of the factory, and he continued to discharge the multifarious duties of that position, to the satisfaction of his employer, until 1880. The next year, in company with his brother, August A. Safeblade, he bought a creamery at Wilmington, Illinois, but a year later he sold out to his brother.
In the spring of 1882 he came to Leland, where he rented and operated a creamery for one season. In 1883, in company with W. H. Parks, he built a creamery, in which Mr. Safeblade sold his interest to Mr. Parks a year afterward, and since 1885 he has been successfully engaged in general merchandising in Leland. He owns the store building which he occupies, a two-story brick structure, which he built in 1888. In this line of business he began in a small way, in a frame building, and little by little has he built up his trade, which he has successfully accomplished by his innate talents
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for industry and economy, and by his natural disposition to be honest and reliable. In 1894 he erected a nice modern residence, which he happily occupies with his family. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, being now past master of his lodge, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of the Globe. In politics he is a Republican, but, being no seeker of office, he has had no public position save that of treasurer of the city of Leland, which position he faithfully filled during his term.
In 1883 he was married to Miss Mary Emma Harkison, of Aurora, Illinois, and a daughter of John Harkison, of Scotch descent; and the chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Safeblade are Freddie, deceased, Harry, deceased, Les- ter and Gretta.
ANDREW A. KLOVE.
The subject of this article, Andrew A. Klove, a merchant and for many years a farmer, was born in Norway, May 30, 1828, a son of Andrew Klove and Gunvor (Ringheim) Klove, who were born, reared and mar- ried in that country. In 1843 they and ten children started from their native land to America, and three of the children died on the way. Arriving in the New World, they located in Norway, Wisconsin, where they resided about fifteen years, and then removed to Iowa, where they passed the re- mainder of their lives. In this country they had two more children. Six of their children grew up to years of maturity, but only two are now living- the subject of this sketch and Edwin-the latter residing in Iowa.
Andrew A. is the third of the family of thirteen children. The first died at the age of one year, in Norway; the second, a girl, died in New York city, when the family were on their way to Wisconsin; and two died on the ocean, one of whom was about eight or nine years old.
Our subject was fifteen years old at the time of the emigration to this country. His youth was spent upon the farm, and in 1854 he left his par- ental home to take care of himself on the stormy sea of life. Coming, before his marriage, direct from Norway, Wisconsin, to Leland, he opened a general store here, but on a small scale. This town was then but a year old. He fol- lowed mercantile business for about eleven years, with fair success. Then he purchased a farm of half a section in size just south of Leland, which he cultivated while continuing his residence in town. In 1873 he erected his present fine brick dwelling on the farm and moved into it. Thus one can read plainly between the lines that Mr. Klove has been very successful in life. He directed his energies straightforward to a noble end and ac- complished his purposes.
His character has been such as to inspire his fellow citizens with con-
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fidence in his business ability and integrity, and they elected him to various offices, as town collector, town assessor and justice of the peace; and he has been notary public ever since the year 1859; was ten years supervisor of the township, and has been secretary of the Adams Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company ever since 1874, the date of its organization. The office of justice of the peace he has held for the last twenty-seven years. Polit- ically he was at first a "Free-soiler," then became a Republican, which he has been ever since. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church.
In the spring of 1855 he was united in marriage with Ranvai Grover, who also was born in Norway and came to this country with her parents in 1837; her parents were Ole and Ragnilda Grover. For the first few years they were in this country they remained in Chicago, then moved to Kendall county, this state, and in 1850 settled in LaSalle county. Mr. and Mrs. Klove's children are Julia, Andrew, Clorie, Martha and Noah, living; seven died in childhood, and two, Lydia and Josephine, died in 1898, after reaching years of maturity.
ISAAC H. POOL.
Among the successful famers of Serena township, LaSalle county, Illi- nois, is the subject of this sketch, Isaac H. Pool, who owns and occupies a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Pool was born in Essex county, New York, June 3, 1836, and until he was fourteen spent his boyhood days in his native state. His father, Isaac Pool, was an Englishman who in early life came with his young wife to America and made a settlement in the Empire state, where he con- tinued his residence until 1850, that year emigrating with his family to Illinois and establishing his home in Freedom township, LaSalle county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in the year 1877. In his family were thirteen children, Isaac H. being the sixth in order of birth.
Isaac H. Pool accompanied his parents to the state of Illinois in 1850 and here for a time attended the public schools of Freedom township. His educational advantages, however, were limited. The greater part of his training has been received in the dear school of experience. At the age of thirty he married Miss Mary A. Smith, and a few years afterward settled in Serena township, where for more than a quarter of a century he has been successfully engaged in farming. They have one child, Arminda O., who is the wife of Gus. Malaise.
Mr. Pool supports the Democratic ticket. He served eighteen months
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as a township committeeman, at the end of that time resigning, as public office is not to his liking. his own personal affairs requiring the whole of his time and attention.
OMUN SIMONSON.
Mr. Simonson, a general merchant of Leland, was born near Hauge- sund, Norway, May 20, 1837, a son of Simon Amundson, Oveivig Sviens Prestegjeld Bergenstift Norge. Mr. Simonson takes his name from his father's first name, Simon; and Amundson in his father's name is derived from our subject's grandfather's first name, which was Amund. Oveivig is the name of the farm or homestead of the family, while Prestegjeld signifies the name of the county, Bergenstift the province and Norge, Norway. Our subject's mother was Guro Hilgesdathe, of Westadt. The children of Simon Amundson are Omun (our subject), Halge, Bent, Halver (living at Leland), Mary and Lars. The mother of these children died in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years; while the father is still living, at the age of ninety-two years, having been born in the year 1807. He was a farmer during his active life.
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