USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 102
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When John and Fredericka Ambuehl made their first home they started with an eighty acre farm in Saline township, the nucleus of the fine estate that they have now accumulated, and which has been the location of their per- manent residence ever since their marriage. The land was raw prairie, with no improve- ments to make its tillage in any way easier, but youth has enthusiasm even for hardships, and the young couple gladly worked early and late at the improvement of their farm, always with high hopes for the future. The first building on the place was a one-room log cabin, but this was ample for the home making talents of Mrs. Ambuehl, and soon their hopes proved not unfounded. Additions were made to the
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original property, and, now Mr. Ambuehl is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of as fertile and well improved land as the town- ship can boast. The trees they planted then have grown into beautiful shade trees, and the little fruit trees that were set out then have matured into orchards that stand today a profitable and enduring monument to the cheerful perseverance and industry of those early days.
In the course of time ten children came to share the lot and gladden the home of the Ambuehls, namely: Carl, Anna, Mary, Jo- seph, Menga, Louis, Samuel, Bruno, Clara and Sophia. The parents, believing in the lasting benefits of education, made every effort to start their children with that equipment for the various conditions of life that they might meet, and sent them first to the Fairview dis- trict school and later to the German school at Highland, thus fitting them to speak two lan- guages.
But in time some of the children left the parental roof. Carl, Anna and Menga died, Carl at the age of eleven months, Anna at the age of twenty-four, and Menga at the age of eight months. Mary married George Schwarz, a carpenter by trade, and makes her residence at Highland, where she is the mother of three children, John, Edwin and Louis. Joseph Ambuehl married Elizabeth Schrumpf, and follows the occupation of agriculture in Sa- line township. He and his wife are the par- ents of three children, namely, Frieda, Eliza- beth and Harold. Samuel married Ella Reine- mer and makes his home adjoining his father's farm. He is the father of one child, Ethel. Louis and Bruno, and Clara and Sophia as well, all favorites in the social life of the vi- cinity, remain at the parental farm, assisting in the superintending of the place and the maintenance of the home.
That Mr. Ambuehl is high in the esteem of his fellow citizens is amply evidenced by his election to the office of school director. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the German church of Grantfork, and have taken pains to have all their children confirmed in the faith of their fathers. Not only are they church members, but they have ever been the faithful supporters of every good work ad- vanced in the county.
Mr. Ambuehl places his political allegiance with the party of Lincoln and Mckinley, and he is an able addition to his party. Both he and his wife are now finding great pleasure
in the rewards of lives spent in honorable undertakings, and the accumulation of worthy memories, and their pleasant home, the un- qualified esteem of the neighbors among whom they have lived for so many years, and the nearness of their many children only adds to their satisfactory lot.
AUGUST W. HENZE. About two miles north of Marine, in Marine township, is the fine homestead of August W. Henze, with its handsome new residence contain- ing all those modern improvements which add so much to the comfort of all and so lighten the labors of the housewife and the "man of the house." Contentment and happiness abide therein, for the good things of this world have been fairly earned by the industry, self-sacrifice and careful man- agement of the father and mother, and is shared by a bright, ambitious and affection- ate daughter, who is engaged in the hon- orable calling of a teacher. Mr. Henze has ever manifested a deep interest in the cause of education as it effected his township and county, and his fellows have taken advan- tage of such interest and his sound busi- ness qualifications by electing him a school director for a continuous period of, twelve years. ' Further, all the members of the family have the consolation of their reli- gion to bring them into a contented and serene frame of mind, being active and con- stant in their efforts to further the cause of Christ and of their church, the German Evangelical.
Mr. Henze is a native of Marine town- ship, born in 1864 to Fred and Augusta (Kohl) Henze, natives of Germany, who came to the United States at an early day and located on a farm in Madison county. Their children were William, Albert, Fred, Caroline, Theresia and August (subject of this sketch), and they obtained their edu- cation at the Seibert school in Alhambra township not far from the family home- stead. August remained on the old home farm even after his marriage, in 1890, and, with his wife and daughter, assisted to lighten the lives of his parents. His good mother passed away in 1890, and ten years later was followed to rest and peace by her faithful husband and dear father of her chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Henze differed in their religious beliefs, but the fact cast no shadow on their mutual love; they were laid to eternal rest side by side, the wife and mother firm in the faith of the Evan-
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gelical church, and the husband and father equally unshaken to the last in his belief in Catholicism. Their relatives and closest friends are equally positive that the verdict of the Universal Father will be for cach -- "Well done, thou good and faithful ser- vant. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."
The marriage of August Henze, in 1890, was to Miss Lena Schmidt, who was born in Marine township in 1871, and is a daugli- ter of Andrew and Catherine (Wittmer) Schmidt, natives of Germany. The chil- dren of the Schmidt family were Amelia, Henry, Lena, Sophia, Andrew, Jacob, Anna, Ella and Bertha. They obtained their edu- cation at the Qui Vive school. By her mar- riage to Mr. Henze, Lena has become the mother of a daughter, Ella, born February 19, 1892. The girl developed from a bright, active and energetic girl into an earnest. educated and able young lady, devoted to the profession which generously imparts to others the knowledge personally absorbed. Miss Ella obtained the foundation of her education at the Seibert district school, and finished her literary studies at the Marine high school. In addition, she has found time to become quite a proficient student in music. At the age of seventeen County Superintendent John Uzzell granted her a first teacher's certificate, and in 1912 she was engaged to teach the Loos school, a real honor for one of her age. As stated. she is also active in the work of the Ger- man Evangelical church of Marine, of which her parents are also earnest and lib- eral supporters.
In 1907, Mr. Henze thoroughly improved the family homestead, erecting a fine mod- ern residence, whose accommodations in- cluded acetylene lights, large furnace and a complete system providing hot and cold water. The result is a typical country home of the prosperous farmer containing all the conveniences of a city residence, with the added attractions and healthful conditions of a rural life.
In looking back over his life, Mr. Henze cannot give too much credit to his good and sturdy father for his prosperity and happiness. as he owes many strong traits of character to his worthy sire, and is also indebted to him for establishing his resi- dence in this fine section of Illinois. Fred Henze settled in St. Louis in the early for- ties, and was a cabinet maker and a me- chanic of rare ability. As a master cabinet
maker his services were in awful demand during the terrible days of the cholera epi- demic in that city, and he once related that he assisted during one day in laying sixteen persons in the coffins which he had made. From dawn to dark, during that season of distress, fear, death and panic, he worked without ceasing, often for seventy-five cents per day. During his residence in St. Louis he helped build one of the first of the city churches in what was then "the edge of the timber"-now the corner of Fourteenth and Carr streets. The building, which was recently destroyed by fire, stood not far from what was called Shoto's pond, now the site of the Union station.
Not long after their dreadful cholera ex- perience in St. Louis, the Henze family set- tled on a farm of eighty acres in Marine township, and the change to that peaceful haven on the prairie was so restful that the mother often said that it seemed like what she thought would be the passing from earth to heaven.
CHARLES M. ELLISON. The Ellison family of Marine township inherits the good schol- ary blood of the east, as well as its thrift and ability to forge ahead in the practical battle of life. These two strong traits com- bined account for its substantial and high standing in the material, intellectual and moral progress of its home community and county.
Charles M. Ellison, the widely known farmer and stockman, as well as extensive land holder, is a stanch representative of his family traditions and of this section of the state in every way which means sub- stantial advancement. He is a native of Marine township, born in 1853 to Jacob and Mary (Walker) Ellison, the father a native of Long Island, and the mother of Vermont. They both migrated to this section of the county when quite young, were married therein and have held a continuous and a:1- vantageous residence in the locality since join- ing their fortunes as man and wife. The six children born to their union were Jacob, Homer and Horace (twins), Theodore, Hat- tie, Edward and Charles (of this biography ). They all obtained good educations in the dis- trict schools of Marine township; in addition. Theodore enjoyed courses at the State Uni- versity and the State Normal School, at Nor- mal, while Charles was a student for sev- eral years at Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois.
A.L. R. Wadsworth.
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In 1883 Charles M. Ellison laid the foun- dation for a home and a contented spirit when he entered into the wedded state by taking to wife Miss Inez McKee, who was born near Edwardsville, this county, in the year 1857, as a daughter of James and Helen (Otwell) McKee. Her parents were both of the honest, well-educated yeoman stock of Illinois, and therefore placed bet- ter advantages before their children than they had enjoyed themselves; and the chil- dren's good blood and fair breeding made them fully appreciate their parents' wisdom and affection. The offspring of this worthy couple were Flavius, Emory, Wilbur, Mar- ian, Lillian and Inez, the latter of whom married Mr. Ellison. They all obtained a good working education through the dis- trict school; Flavius also pursued an ad- vanced course at Lincoln College, Illinois ; Marian and Inez attended McKendree Col- lege, Lebanon, Illinois, for several years, and Wilbur and Emory were students at Alton and one of the St. Louis high schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Elli- son resided on the old homestead for three years, and then moved to Iowa, where they remained for eight years as industrious and respected members of its agricultural popu- lace. But the beautiful place where he was born and spent his developing years drew Mr. Ellison back to its peaceful charms and solid comforts, and he and his family have since been almost constant residents on its broad and fertile acres. The only material exception to their continuous residence there was the period of five years in Alton while their children were being educated. Through the combined industry, economy and good managenient of himself and wife the acreage of the original estate has so increased as to be represented by the fig- ures 300; and every acre of the estate is either productive of fine crops, improved with convenient and attractive buildings, or beautified with shade trees and shrubbery, altogether throwing around the old home- stead an air of comfort, thrift and peace. It is a place for the care and growth of children and they were there to complete the charm-Courtney, Olin, Wilbur and Mary.
As children they were educated in the Conn district school at Ellison, in Alham- bra township, and at the Alton high school. Courtney became a student at the Illinois State University, from which he graduated
in both literature, art and law, and is now a member of the legal profession, seeking a location in the west. Olin is now a mem -. ber of the staff of the Homeopathic hos- pital of Chicago, having graduated from the Hering Medical College of that city .. In 1911 Mary graduated with honors from the Perry School of Oratory, St. Louis, and Wilbur at the same time graduated from the Alton high school.
The father of this family, members of which are making for themselves names abroad, has made his reputation at home, and the general honor carried by his name is illustrated in many ways.
Deeply impressed with the widespread evils of intemperance, Mr. Ellison has long been an uncompromising Prohibitionist; and this phase of his politics is so deep- seated that it is almost part of his religion. His wife, his son Wilbur and daughter Mary are members of the Presbyterian church of Alton, known as the Twelfth Street church, and all the members of the family resident in Madison county are in the front ranks of those who work with- out "shadow of turning" for the advance- ment of every movement which is truly ben- eficial.
DR. JAMES LA RUE WADSWORTH. The branch of the Wadsworth family to which our subject belongs represents a descendant of Christopher Wadsworth, who felt "The Call" back in old England and came to this country in 1632, landing at Boston, Massa- chusetts, and locating at Duxbury, near there, facing all the difficulties that came to the im- migrant in a new and wild country. He had sacrificed all the comforts that the centuries gone before had brought to his old home in England, putting them all aside that he might engage in this new country in the building of new institutions not limited by customs or precedents. His mind was filled with the de- sire for broader ideals that would include greater personal individuality, better educa- tional opportunities and greater religious free- dom.
The Wadsworth family, both in England and this country, have developed many dis- tinguished literary characters. Among the most prominent was William Wordsworth, one of England's greatest poets, and Henry Wads- worth Longfellow, one of this country's most noted writers of poetry.
James F. Wadsworth, the father of our subject, was the seventh descendant of the
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family and was born in North Cornwall, Con- necticut, in 1808. He was brought up on his father's farm, but early in life became one of the first of a class of commercial mnen, now known as drummers. After a few years he gave up this work, and he married Ruth Jerome in 1837, whom he had long known in Cornwall. They removed to Ohio in 1840 and to Kansas in 1857, and then, in 1863, joined his son at Collinsville, Illinois, and spent the remainder of his active days there in the drug business. At the age of seventy- five years he was prevailed upon to retire from all business and make his home with his son. He had always found great satisfaction in the reading of good books and now came his greatest comfort. He gathered around him a good library. He reveled in ancient and modern history especially, and used to talk much of its bearings on our present con- ditions. He was a member of the Presbyte- rian church and a deacon until his death. He was a practical giver. The last time he was out he was seeking a needy family and sent them a load of coal, came home in a chill and laid himself down never to recover, having lived ninety years. Dishonesty was his ab- horrence and he lived a life of quiet benevo- lence and perfect honesty in every dealing.
Ruth Jerome Wadsworth, the mother of Dr. Wadsworth, was born at Bristol, Con- necticut, in 1808. She became an orphan in a few days after her birth and was, until she was married, cared for by her sister, the wife of a minister, and one of the "Mothers in Israel," a talented and lovable woman. This environment probably stamped and brought out many of the beautiful fines of her character. Her life from beginning to end was almost single to the thought of help- ing others. Her sympathies were always man- ifest to everyone in sorrow. The sick and needy always brought out her sympathy and help, and she was always on the alert to help others. She also spent her last days with her only son, and died aged seventy-eight.
Dr. James La Rue Wadsworth, the eighth descendant, was born in North Cornwall, Con- necticut, in 1838. He spent his youth in Ohio and completed his literary education at Ober- lin College, Ohio, in 1857. He removed with the family to Kansas, and here taught the first school ever opened south of Lawrence. At this place he entered into that memorable struggle against the extension of slavery in Kansas, which shook the whole nation and finally resulted in the great Civil war. Here
he received an education valuable to him all of his life. being in constant touch and asso- ciation with those great workers in the cause of liberty and the abolition of slavery in this country. Later he went south and engaged as a tutor in Judge Peter E. Blow's family in South Western Missouri, and also took up the study of medicine. A year later the war of the rebellion came. On the day of General Sigel's "Battle of Carthage," he and a Dr. Wilcox, leaving everything behind them, fled just before dark by way of Indian Ter- ritory. That night some thirty northern peo- ple were called out of their homes and shot. After reaching Chicago, he was so fortunate as to become a student of Dr. N. S. Davis, one of the noblest of men in the profession of that day, and who was the founder of the "American Medical Association" and a leader in the effort to secure higher education for medical students. In 1863 he graduated from the medical department of the Northwestern University. Failing to secure a position as assistant surgeon in the army on account of his eyes, he was invited by Dr. Henry Wing, of Collinsville, Illinois (who had just been appointed as one of the three members of the state board of examiners for army sur- geons) to take his practice in Collinsville, where he had been in practice for several years. One of the conditions made by Dr. Wing was that he was to go to Collinsville as a married man. To a young man with very little money and with a debt for his education yet to be paid, this condition seemed insuperable, but he was assured that he need have no fear he would find a good practice at once, and it was without any regrets he left for Wausau, Wisconsin, to find a lady who already had pledged her troth to him a year previous, Miss Carrie P. Halsey, daugh- ter of Rev. Charles F. Halsey, a Presbyterian minister. They were married at once and left for Collinsville, Illinois, to commence his life's work, which he is still continuing after nearly fifty years of active and strenuous life. He has always been found working with those who desire the best for Collinsville. His first public work was on the school board, which built the first good school building on modern lines, and placed in it first class educators, as good as could be found. A little later the trustees of the old cemetery called on him to organize, lay out and develop a new cemetery in connection with the old, which had grown to brush and weeds. It is now known as Glen- wood Cemetery, and is located on the top of
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a ridge including a valley on each side of it. It was sometime before he felt that lie could possibly spare the time for such a great work, but with the assurance of the trustees that they would assist all they could and with the plea of his father that he wanted a place to be laid away, and that he also would do all he possibly could, he took up the work in 1884 and completed it four years later. It is a picturesque spot, very much broken by hills and valleys. Winding avenues pass up and down the slopes, beautiful trees and shrubs have been planted. It is the Doctor's greatest work for Collinsville, and now after thirty-eight years, the trustees still retain him as manager. It has always been a work of love without compensation.
He worked in the city council for several terms. Later he was called to be mayor (not because he was a politician, for such he never has been) on a platform calling for a develop- ment of the city on modern lines. His ad- ministration, after almost insurmountable dif- ficulties, succeeded in constructing the first brick street paving, covering all the more central portions of the city, about forty-two blocks; also in constructing the first sewerage system in the city and extending and con- necting the water mains so as to form a com- plete system, covering several miles. The work was very strenuous and nearly cost him his life, for he was then seventy years of age. For nearly fifty years he has been an active worker in the First Presbyterian church. Most of this time he has been a trustee or secretary and treasurer. His work in laying out beautiful Park Place with its winding streets and beautiful grounds, and Central Addition are both worthy of mention. They cover nearly one hundred and fifty acres, on which are now many beautiful homes. This work was a great pleasure to him, for while building up his own interests he sought out many young men worthy and desirous to pos- sess a home. He supplied the means and had homes built for them, allowing them to meet the cost as their different circumstances would allow. They now own these homes, many of them beautiful designs, adding much to the beauty of the city. No misunderstanding with these young men ever occurred and the com- ment has often been made to him, "You truly have been a father to me." This expressed appreciation the Doctor has valued more than anything that ever occurred to him in his business life. It was a business proposition
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which carried with it a practical altruistic condition.
With all these activities covering his public and private affairs he has always made his professional duties his first care and has never allowed these or any other interest to interfere with the care of the sick. Night or day, he has always stood ready to visit the sick in every condition of life. The poor widow and the helpless, he has ever been ready to serve, even supplying them with the medicine they needed, without cost. He has always been a large giver.
The practice of medicine calls for a close association with medical institutions of the day. He has been a member of the American Medical Association for forty-two years, a member of the Illinois State Medical Society and the Madison County Medical Society, and was president of the latter for two terms. He has been local surgeon of the Vandalia Railroad for forty-five years.
Scientific matters have always interested him. He has been a corresponding member of the Academy of Science of St. Louis for the last thirty-two years. He was also a volunteer observer for the United States sig- nal office for many years. The Doctor was a member of the "State Board of Charities of Illinois" for several years, part of the time its president. He was one of the first members of the Masonic lodge of this city.
He is a great lover of trees, shrubs and flowers, and in building his home has gath- ered around him many beautiful specimens. They are a world of delight to him and his only dissipation, and here among these beau- ties of leaf and flower he hopes to spend his last days.
Mrs. Carrie P. Wadsworth has been a help- meet in the fullest sense of the term, and active in her home and society. They have had three daughters, now with families of their own: Mrs. Ruth W. Rogers, wife of Louis H. Rogers, attorney in New York City ; Mrs. Catherine W. Upton, wife of Walter B. Upton, auditor of a large manufacturing institution in St. Louis, Missouri; and Mrs. Belle W. Henson, wife of Mark Henson, pres- ident of the First National Bank of Granite City, Illinois, having a beautiful home in this city. They were all graduates of Lindenwood College, Missouri, during the time Dr. Irwin (a very much loved and respected friend of the family) was president of that institution. Two sons, Jimmie and Charlie, died in infancy.
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LEONARD HOEHN. Occupying a position of sterling worth in the community and figuring as one of the prosperous farmers of the township is found Leonard Hoehn, whose identity with Madison county dates from his birth, March 28, 1856.
Mr. Hoehn's parents, Henry and Cath- arine (Kintzler) Hoehn, were born in Ger- many, the former being a Saxon of northern Germany, the latter a Schwope of middle Germany. Henry Hoehn was just twenty- one years of age when he accompanied his parents and other members of the family to America, their landing being at New Or- leans, from whence they came up the Mis- sissippi river to St. Louis. He and his father and brothers had been wood-chop- pers in the old country, and on their ar- rival in Illinois, they found like employ- ment in Madison county. Later the family moved to a farm in Wood River township, where they occupied a tenant house and where father and sons were engaged as wage workers. Here the parents lived for nine years, at the end of which time the father, having saved his earnings, bought a small farm in Chouteau township, which continued the family home until he retired from farming, about twenty-one years ago. Since that time he has lived at Alton, his present residence, aged eighty-six years. The mother died forty-three years ago. To them were born five children, four of whom are now living, the record being as follows : John; Leonard; Mary, deceased; Frances, wife of John Staddler; and Elizabeth, wife of John Wecker.
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