USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 35
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Aun Kildare, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives. They are the parents of nine children: John, Elizabeth, Lucinda, William I., Mary, Charles, George, I., Addie M. and Walter. Our subject was the infant when the family began their life upon the frontier. He was reared and educated in Pekin, Taze- well county, and at the age of fourteen years went to learn the printer's trade; he served an apprenticeship of two years in the Repub- lican office, never losing a half day's time. In 1869 he went to Omaha, and there found employment in a job and commercial print- ing office; this occupied him four or five months, and then he made a journey to the plains on a buffalo hunt. He was next lo- cated in Nebraska, where he followed his trade for a time; thence he went to St. Louis, and then home. He devoted some time to agri- culture, and afterwards returned to his trade; he was on the Peoria Review until the paper changed hands. Then, with three other prin- ters and two editors, one of whom was R. J. Burdette, he assisted in the founding of a paper which was named the Peoria Evening Review; an injunction was served upon them, and the name was changed to the Peoria In- junction. Mr. Larash was connected with with this paper a short time, and then was in different cities until 1875, when he came to Ruslıville, and took charge of the Citizen of- fice. In 1879 he purchased the entire outfit with the good will of the paper, and lias since managed its publication. He has a job- office in connection, and has won a wide pat- ronage.
Mr. Larash was married Marclı 21, 1878, to Emilia Ann Horney who was born in Little- ton township, Schuyler county, Illinois, July 16, 1857, a daughter of Lenodias and Jane (Crawford) Horney. To them three children have been born: Lenodias H., Lizzie H. and
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Winnie J. Politically, Mr. Larash affiliates with the Republican party, and was a delegate to the State Convention in 1880. He is a member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., Rushville Chapter, No. 184, R. A. M., and to Rushville Commandery, No. 56, K. T. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, joining that so- ciety in 1877, since which time he has been a Class-leader.
ILLIAM A. WAY, farmer and stock- grower, section 6, range 10, township 17, post office, Virginia, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, October 5, 1842 He was the son of Jesse and Melinda (Guin) Way, early settlers in Morgan county. The father came to the county in 1832, and has been a resident of either Morgan or Cass county ever since, and now resides iu Vir- ginia city. The mother died in Virginia in 1880, leaving six children: Elizabeth, the eldest, married T. H. Williams and died in Nebraska; Mary died when twelve years of age; Richard is a farmer, residing in Cass county, Virginia precinct; Stephen is the same, and John died at the age of twenty-six years.
William attended the public schools and then learned the carpenter trade, inter- mningled with farming. He enlisted August 11, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to duty in the army of the Cumber- land. A few days after the battle of Chick- aniauga, while on a scouting expidition, composed of details from the different regi- ments, he was taken prisoner with several others. He was sent to Richinond, via Atlanta, and was kept there about six weeks,
quartercd in the Smith building, near Libby prison. He was then taken to Danville, Virginia, kept there five months, and then to Andersonville, where he remained about eight months. From there he was sent to Charleston, and on from there to Florence. At this place he was paroled December 7, 1864, after fourteen months and thirteen days inn- prisonment. To say that he suffered a thou- sand deaths during this long confinement is no exaggeration. He was attacked with scurvy while in Andersonville and suffered greatly from that cause. Even to this day his limbs are scarred and measurably de- formed. After this he was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and then home, remaining there three months under treatment. He rejoined the regiment at Shield Mill, and remained there until the end of the war. He was dis- charged June 11, 1865, and returned to Vir- ginia, Illinois.
He was married December 24, 1868, in Cass county, to Hattie Davis, daughter of Julia Ann and Edward Davis, old settlers of Cass connty. Mr. and Mrs. Way have four children: Lenora married D. J. Parkison, a railroad employé; Walter, Linnie and John L. are all under the parental roof.
Mr. Way's grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Way is independent in politics, voting for men rather than for par- ties. He is one of the men that a grateful country would delight to honor.
ETER RIGG, a prominent farmer of Missouri township, Brown county, is a native of Anderson county, Kentucky, having been born there, March 11, 1830. His grandfather, also Peter, came from England
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and settled in Virginia when it was yet a colony of Great Britain, serving in the Revo- lutionary war. Hc resided on the banks of the Potomac river for many years, but finally re- moved, at an early period, to Bourbon county, Kentucky, and later resided twenty ycars in Anderson county, Kentucky. From there he removed to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he died. He reared an interesting fam- ily of six children, of whom Richard Watson, father of our subject, was the second. Richard was born in Virginia in 1789, and grew to manhood in that State, but was married in Anderson county, Kentucky, to Elizabeth George, a native of Kentucky. Her father came from the Carolinas. This marriage ceremony took place in the early part of 1812. Mrs. Rigg died, and in the fall of 1830 Mr. Rigg married Peggy Utterback. By his first inarriage he had two children: Willian T., an honored citizen of Missouri township; and Sarah, who married Henry Ausmus, but died April 17, 1852. By the second marriage lie liad seven children: Elizabeth, wife of Jolin B. Ausmus, of Texas; Snsan, wife of Joshua P. Singleton, of Missouri township; Eliza J. married James M. Parker and died August 13, 1855; James N. (see sketch;) Margaret, wife of Abner Cogburn, of Hancock county; our subject; and John, who died November 24, 1852.
In the fall of 1831 Mr. Rigg moved fromn Kentucky to Illinois, first stopping in Morgan county. He then settled in Schuyler county, in that part which is now in Brown connty, on section 20, Missouri township. Here he improved a farm, where he resided until his death, October 23, 1869.
Mr. Peter Rigg was reared on a farm un- til manhood and remained at home until his marriage in 1852, when he was united to Mary E. Clark, daughter of William A. Clark.
She was born in Logan county, Kentucky, March 7, 1833.
Mr. Rigg continued to reside on the home- stead, of which he became owner. He now has 190 acres of land and carries on mixed farming, to which he has given liis entire attention.
Mr. and Mrs. Rigg have had nine children, three of whom grew up. They are: William C., born December 14, 1863, married Febru- ary 4, 1890, to Nettie Miller, and they have one daughter, Myrtle, born in 1891; Melissa born August 22, 1871, married March 15, 1892, to Eldred Yowell, resides in Monroe county, Missouri; Richard W., born July 8, 1874.
Mr. Rigg is a stanch Democrat in politics and has served his township as School Treas- urer and Commissioner of High ways.
He is an old regular Baptist in religion. He has been a hard-working man all his life and richly deserves all the prosperity that he now enjoys.
ENRY C. KROHE, a practical farmer living on a fine farm, a part of the old, Jokisch homestead, was born in Beards- town March 3, 1848. This farmn was secured by Henry's grandfather and consists of sixty acres, all well improved with good farm buildings. Mr. Krohe also owns twenty acres more. He has lived on this farm for many years and also operates many other lands. He is the third son of seven children. He obtained his education in the public schools. His father, August Krohe, a native of Germany, was the son of Godfred and Rosena Krohe, and the family all left Germany in 1835 and after a trip of some inonths landed in New Orleans, and soinc weeks later in Beardstown.
1
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SCHUYLER AND BROWN COUNTIES.
They obtained land in the valley of Bluff Springs and here the grandparents died when past eighty. They were well known people and good Lutherans. August Krohe came here as a young man with his parents as above noted. He became of age here and a farnier, and is now living at home, having retired from active work. He was married here, to Christiana Jokisch, who came to this country on the same vessel as her husband. She was a worthy wife for more than fifty years and dicd in April, 1889.
Mr. Henry C. Krohe was married, near his present residence, to Christina Menge a na- tive of Germany, born in 1852. She was only one year old when her parents came to Cass county in 1853. Here the father died fourteen years ago, but the mother is still living. They have always been Lutherans, as are Mr. and Mrs. Krohe of this notice. Mr. Krohe is a Democrat, but has never been an office holder. They have six children: Ber- tha C., Lydia S., Rosa A., Felix J. A., Paul- ina W. and Matilda L.
They are excellent people and are con- nected with some of the best famlies of Bcardstown.
OHN B. WETZEL, of section 5, Brown- ing township, was born within three miles of his present home, July 7, 1843. His parents, Christopher and Sarah (Cook) Wetzel, came to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1836, settling on the farin where the father now lives. He was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and in the same year his mother was born in Augusta county, Virginia. The lat- ter died in Fulton county, Illinois, March, 1889. The Wetzel and Cook families were botlı of German origin.
Mr. Wetzel received his education in the public schools of the district and grew to inanhood on the farin and has always been a farmer. He owns 282 acres of land in sec- tions 4 and 5, Browning township. This land is highly improved, his residence, erected in 1888, being a very liandsome build- ing of modern architecture. On his south farm he also has a good residence, comfort- able surroundings, and he takes pride in his fine stock, and usually purchases from the stock yards in Chicago such cattle as he de- sires to feed; he also deals in logs. He mar- kets fruit by the car-load. The entire family are members of the United Brethren denom- ination and all are active in Sunday-school and church work. He has been a Class-leader and a Sunday-school superintendent for many years.
He was married in Astoria, in December, 1866, to Amanda E. Bryan of Virginia, whose parents, Thomas and Emeline (Lutz) Bryan, removed to Fulton county about 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel have three children, all liv- ing; Nettie F., Willard P. and Ina J., the first two living on the old Wetzel homestead. Ina J. is the wife of William Dean, a fariner, The two daughters have enjoyed the advan- tages of two years' attendance at the Rush- ville Normal School taking this after their public-school course, but do not care to teach. Mr. Wetzel is a Republican and lias served as member of the County Central Committee. He is active and encrgetic in political work.
AMUEL DE COUNTER, one of the largest land-owners in Woodstock town- ship, was born in Brown county, Illi- nois, October 4, 1827, a son of Peter Freder-
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ick and Nancy (Scounts) De Counter. They were married in 1824, near Boon's Lick, Mis- souri. The father was a native of France, and emigrated to the United States in 1820; five years later he came to Brown county, and the following year brought liis family here; he bought land which lie converted into a fertile farm, residing upon it until his deatlı at the age of eighty-four years; his wife also died in the county, at an advanced age; she was a Virginian by birtlı. Two children were born to them : a daughter, now deceased, and the subject of this sketch. Samuel re- mained at home until lie was twelve years old, and then his father married Mary Manser, who died ten years later.
Samuel engaged in driving a peddling wagon until he was twenty-five, and then began his career as a farmer. He has been twice married; his first union was to Miss Catharine Miller, a native of Summit county, Olio; she died in Brown connty at the age of thirty-one years, leaving three children. Frederick is married and the father of five children; Morris L. is married and has seven children; Emma is married and the mother of seven children. Mr. De Counter was married a second time in 1860, to Mas Harriet Stubbs, who was born in Floyd county, May 17, 1826, and was the mother of two children. Her parents, William and Jane (Gailey) Clark, fatlier a native of Kentucky and the mother of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Illinois in 1852, and died in this State at an advanced age; they have ten children, two of whom are now living. By his second marriage Mr. De Counter had one daughter, wlio died at the age of twenty-one years, leaving one boy, Clarence Sonthey.
Politically, he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, but takes no active in- terest in the movements of that body. He
has been one of the most energetic and en- terprising of farmers, and has amassed a handsome estate. He lias always pursued strictly honorable methods, and has an envi- able reputation wherever his name is known.
HOMAS J. CRUM, of Virginia, Illi- nois, was born within one mile of his present residence, July 9, 1835. He is the eldest living son of James and Chris- tina (Ream) Crumn. (Parental history is given in the history of James Crum else- where in this book.)
Thomas was raised to inanhood on a farm and attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He has always lived on the farm given him by his father upon attaining his majority. To this he has added until he now has 450 acres in this farm, besides 800 acres of land in Burleigh county, North Dako- ta. He has been a resident here for over fifty years and has witnessed wonderful changes in the country. He remembers very well when there was but very little improved land near him. He is a Democrat in politics.
He was married March, 1857, to Miss Sarah A. Henderson, daughter of William and Lucinda Henderson, who were among the early settlers in this, then Morgan county. She was the eldest of twelve children, seven of whom are now living. The mother died in Morgan county and the father in Henry county.
Mr. and Mrs. Crum have liad eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are still living, namely; Charles, married, operating the Dakota farm; Theresa M., wife of Edward D. Sommers, resides at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Oscar M. is in the publishing business at Jackson- ville, Illinois; William S., wholesale grocer
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in Joliet, Illinois; Ollie, now Mrs. Strong, resides at Winfield, Kansas, husband a farm- er; Eben Ross, Mary L., Henry Obed, and Thomas Austin are still at home. A pair of twins died in infancy. The family are mem- bers of the Protestant Methodist church. Mr. Crum is an Ancient Odd Fellow, lodge having surrendered its charter dur- ing the late war. The Crum family is quite extensively represented in this county, where they are well and favorably known citizens who have by their industry accumulated a comfortable property. The aged father, now in his eighty-sixtlı year, is one of the solid landmarks of early pioneer days in Cass county.
EWIS CASS CAMPBELL, a prominent and esteemed resident of Camden village, Illinois, was born on a farm in Camdeu township, February 23, 1851. Ilis father, John Milton Campbell, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, March 30, 1807, and was a son of James and Janc (Campbell) Camp- bell, natives of Scott county, Kentucky. Both of the grandfathers of Jolin Milton Campbell bore the name of Campbell and were born in Scotland, but emigrated to America and died in the Colonies in the de- cade of 1700. John Milton's maternal grand- mother was a Cellers. His maternal uncle, Lindsey Campbell, married a widow by the name of Graham. Her son, Furgerson Gra- ham, died in Schuyler county, Illinois, at the residence of his son-in-law, Singleton Wright, deeply lamented for his many sterling quali- ities of character. William Campbell, an own cousin of John Milton Campbell, on his father's side, married a sister of Furgerson Graham. John Milton's father, James
Campbell, was a skilled mechanic, who passed nearly all of his life in Kentucky, and died in Pendleton county, that State, aged eighty-six years. He was twice married, having by the first marriage five children, and one child by his second. John Milton was the oldest of the family, and his early life was spent on his father's farm. He received a fair education, and, under the instruction of his father, be- came a good mechanic. He afterward taught school and worked at his trade. He was mar- ried in Kentucky, to Ann Lake, and, in 1832, came to Illinois to look over the country. Being favorably impressed, hc removed to the latter State in November, 1835. He en- tered and settled on land located on the southwest quarter of section eight, in Camden township, Schuyler county, where he in- proved a farm. His health failing in 1845 he passed a few years in the South, afterward returning to his farm. His first wife died in Kentucky, leaving one child, Thomas J. In 1850, Mr. Campbell was again married, lıis second wife being Miss Mary A. E. Aldrich, of Putnam county, Indiana, born June 8, 1826. She was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Strupp) Aldrich, natives of North Carolina, of English and German ancestry, respectively. She accompanied her sister to Illinois in 1847, and lived in Schuyler county. John Campbell died December 20, 1880, sincerely mourned by all who knew him. A Democratic in politics, he took an active part in all local affairs of importance. He frequently held office, being elected at various times to all positions in the gift of the county; he served one term as County Surveyor, and for many years as Deputy Sur- veyor. He was the clerk of his party, and, being a fine penman, the records of the county are remarkable for their neatness and legibil- ity. He was a devout member of the Cliris-
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
tian Adventist Church. His worthy wife sur- vives him and resides in Camden. She also. is an earnest and useful member of the church to which her husband belonged. This estimable couple were the parents of four children: Lewis, Stephen, James I. and Emina J.
Lewis was reared a farmer and educated in Camden townslip. After his marriage lie resided ou the farin of his father-in-law, but upon the death of his wife he returned to his mother's farm and managed it for some years, until 1885, when he married again and settled in Camden village and opened a hotel. He also engaged in farming and the carpen- ter trade, putting up some of the best build- ings in the county, outside of Rushville. He afterward sold the hotel and devoted his at- tentiou to his trade. He has 240 acres of land and some valnable property in Camden village. Hard as Mr. Campbell lias worked, it is nothing to the privations that his father had to endure. He was the pioneer school teacher of the county, and besides pursuing that occupation he made maple sugar and split rails to get the money with which to enter his land and purchase saddle-bags to carry his surveying tools in. What farmer of to-day has to endure such hardships ?
He was married to Alice Callison in 1875, the daughter of Johu L. and Eliza (Smith) Callison. She was born in 1857, and died April, 1879. Mr. Campbell was again mar- ried in 1885, his second wife being Alice L. Irvin, a native of Littleton township and a daughter of Osburn and Martha Irvin. They have had one child, Paul Irvin, born July 26, 1891.
Mr. Campbell is independent in politics, being a supporter of the Farmers' Alliance, and has filled the office of Town Clerk. He is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 648, A.
F. & A. M., of which he is Senior Warden. He is also correspondent for the Rushville Times, editing the Camden department. He was for many years an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
ONRAD MAYREIS, of Beardstown. was born in Hesse-Darmstadt in 1842. His parents lived and died in the same place. He was given a common German schooling and when fifteen years of age came to this country and came on at once to Beardstown, Illinois, having left a sister, Sophia, in New York city, who had been the first of the family to cross the ocean. Sophia has been employed by the same family for the last forty years. Their family is represented by two other sisters, Caroline and Mary and brother Jolin. Mr. Mayreis came here in 1857, learned the trade of boot and shoe inaker and followed it until 1861. He then enlisted in Company K, Fourteenthi Illinois Volunteers, Captain Reynolds in cominand, the regiment being known as the Springfield regiment, Colonel Paliner (ex-Governor) iu coinmand. Mr. Mayreis served with his regi- ineut as Corporal of his company for two years and three months, in the Army of the Tennessee, and fonght in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Coriuth, siege of Pittsburg and other minor engagements. He escaped unhurt and received honorable discharge at Vicksburg, Tennessee, and on his return to Beardstown engaged in the boot and shoe business from 1864 to 1886 and in the meantime superintended work on a farm, which he has improved and owns in Cass county. He started his present business of dealer in wines and liquors, in 1885, at the corner of Main and Washington streets and
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has since connected with it a well kept cafe. He is also agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company of St. Louis at this place.
He was married in this city to Miss Anna Mooman, who was born at Bielefeld, Germany, in 1844 and came with her parents when she was two years of age to the United States. The family settled at Beardstown where Mr. and Mrs. Moomnan both died, being consist- ent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Mayreis is the fatlier of seven children: Frank, a partner in his father's business; Edward, who runs the restaurant; Conrad, at present running the farm; Minnie, wife of E. Rink; Henry, who is at an institute in St. Louis; Louis is at home in the public school; and Maria is also at home. Mr. Mayreis is a sound Republican in politics and has taken an active part in local matters, having an in- · terest in the advancement of the city and county. Mr. and Mrs. Mayreis are leaders aniong their people and their children have all received a good education. They are all highly respected and admired by their large circle of friends.
UDGE HERMANN C. SCHULTZ, a highly respected citizen of Schuyler county, Illinois, is an American by adoption, his birth-place being Prussia, Ger- many; the date, October 2, 1832. His father, Johannes Schultz, was a native of the same country, and was engaged in the sugar refin- ing business: he married Elizabeth Felecli, a native of Germany, who survived him many years; she emigrated to America in 1852, and spent the last days of her life in Texas; he died in 1846, and slie passed away in 1858. Hermann Schultz was reared and educated in his native land, and at the age of fifteen years
went to learn the baker's trade; liaving served an apprenticeship of three years, he worked as a journeyman in different cities for two years; at the end of that time hs sailed from Hamburg for America, and after a voyage of two months, arrived in Galveston, Texas. He was employed with various occupations in that State until 1857, and in that year came to Schuyler county, Illinois. Herented land until 1862, and in August of that year he enlisted in tlie One Hundred and Eiglith Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the declaration of peace. He participated in the battles of Vicksburg and Arkansas Post, was at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and also took part in the engagement at Spanish Fort. He was inustered in as a private, but was discharged as First Sergeant, in August, 1865. He then returned to his home and resumed his agricultural pursuits, which he continued until lie was elected to the office of Judge of the Probate Court, of Schuyler county.
In 1854, Judge Schultz was united in mar- riage to Anna Heidenreich, a native of Saxe- Weimar, and a daughter of Adam Heiden- reich; the father emigrated to the United States with his family, in 1851, and in 1857 he came to Schuyler county, Illinois, wliere he passed his last days. Judge and Mrs. Schultz are the parents of nine children: IIer- mann H., Charles S., Julius C., Callie, Laura, Emma, Ferdinand, Nellie and Peter. Charles S., Laura and Nellie are deceased. The Judge and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is also a member of Schuyler Lodge, No. 209, K. of P., and of Astoria Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is an ardent supporter of its prin- ciples. He has served twenty years as Jus- tice of the Peace, and ten years as a member
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