USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 109
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Politically Mr. Carroll was affiliated with the Democratic party. He served as school director and trustee, his interest in matters of educational import being recognized by the other residents of his district. In all re- spects he was a representative citizen of the community and could look back with pardon- able pride on the record of a life usefully and honorably spent. On account of his failing health Mr. and Mrs. Carroll removed to a comfortable residence in Edwardsville in the early part of 1912, and there he passed peace- fully away in mid-summer, surrounded by his loved ones, and sustained by his unshaken faith.
ADAM SCHROEPPEL is one of the well known and prosperous business men of Collinsville, Illinois, where he has spent practically all his Vol. II-36
life thus far, and where he actively and exten- sively engaged in the insurance business and is justice of the peace and collector.
Mr. Schroeppel was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 22, 1849, and is the son of Adam and Mary (Ruehl) Schroeppel, both natives of Germany. The father was a shoemaker, born and reared in Batavia, while the mother was a native of the Grand-Duchy of Baden. They were married in St. Louis, Missouri, from whence they moved to Collins- ville in 1850. Adam Schroeppel, Sr. passed his life engaged in the shoe-making business and died in 1897, at the age of eighty-one years. He had been twice married. His first wife became the mother of two children, Adam, of this immediate review, and Mary, the latter becoming the wife of Rev. A. F. Rinehart, of Van Horn, Iowa. He was a Lutheran minister, and devoted his life to the work of his church, his death occurring in 1910. Adam Schroeppel, Sr., contracted his second marriage in Collinsville, when Miss Louise Frinke became his wife. Six children were born to this later union : Martin; Fred- ericka, who became the wife of Charles Hecker ; Otto; Emma, who married Professor Frank Johnson; John E. and Gustave.
Between the years of 1854 and 1863 Adam Schroeppel, Jr., attended the Lutheran paro- chial school of Collinsville, after which he entered Concordia College at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained until 1867. That year should have witnessed his graduation from college, but sudden and protracted ill- ness necessitated his withdrawal from his studies for the year, and he returned home, later, when his health was restored, entering Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, also a theo- logical institution. From this seminary Mr. Schroeppel was graduated on the 14th day of December, 1870, and he entered upon active service in the ministry of the Lutheran church on January 22, 1871, He continued in his ministerial duties for four years, being loca- ted variously at Watervliet, Grand Haven and Hillsdale, Michigan, though seriously hamp- ered throughout the entire period by a seri- ous affection of the throat which well nigh incapacitated him for pulpit duty at times. After four years, despairing of being re- lieved of the trouble, he resigned from the ministry and entered into school work. He became identified with the parochial work of the schools in Washington county, Illinois, remaining thus situated for nine years. Thence he removed to St. Charles, Missouri,
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where he assumed charge of the Lutheran parochial school near that place, but soon afterward resigned his position to enter the agency business. His business experience in that city was sufficient to convince him that he would succeed in that particular line of endeavor, and he accordingly returned to his boyhood home, Collinsville, and here he has been since engaged as a justice of the peace, collecting and insurance operations of an ex- pansive and representative nature, being at present the junior member of the firmn of Knewler & Schroeppel. Mr. Schroeppel is of the Democratic persuasion in a political way, and displays an intelligent interest in affairs of that nature in the county. He has served his town as constable for three terms and has been justice of the peace for eight years, and has taken his place in the old home town as a citizen of merit, who stands well with his fellow towns people.
On April 23, 1871, Mr. Schroeppel was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Hart- mann, and they have become the parents of a goodly family of six sons and seven daugh- ters, all thirteen children living. Several children are married and in Memphis, Ten- nessee, several are in Collinsville, Illinois, and all the grown children are either in business for themselves, or are holding positions of trust of which fact Mr. Schroeppel is very proud.
JAMES D. HUTCHINS. Though no land is richer in opportunities or offers greater ad- vantages to its citizens than America, success is not to be obtained through desire, but must be persistently sought. In America "Labor is king" and the man who resolutely sets to work to accomplish a purpose is certain of success if he has but the qualities of perse- verance, untiring energy and practical com- mon sense. Although James D. Hutchins has recently retired from active participation in business affairs, his career has been one which excites the admiration and gains the respect of all, for through his diligence and persist- ent purpose he has won a leading place in financial circles and in the agricultural world in Ft. Russell township, Madison county, Illinois. He is now residing at Edwardsville, where he is passing the closing years of his life in full enjoyment of former years of earnest toil and endeavor.
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James D. Hutchins was born in Calvert county, Maryland, the date of his nativity be- ing the 16th of October. 1836. He is a son of William and Mathilda (Dorsey ) Hutchins,
the former of whom was a son of Bennett Hutchins, a native of Maryland. The Great- grandfather Hutchins immigrated from his native land to the United States at an early day, about 1760. The grandfather located in Maryland, where he was engaged in teaching school during the greater portion of his active career. He was five times married. William Hutchins was reared and educated in the old commonwealth of Maryland, where was sol- eninized his marriage to Matilda Dorsey and whence he came to Illinois in October, 1840. He located on a farm in Ft. Russell township in Madison county, where he continued to re- side until his death, in December, 1890. His cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1870. They were the parents of four chil- dren-Daniel A., who is deceased; James D., the immediate subject of this review; Susan- na, who is deceased, and Moses, who married Sarah J. Estabrook and who resides at Pana, Illinois.
At the time of his parents' removal to Illi- nois James D. Hutchins was a child of but four years of age. He was educated in the common schools of Ft. Russell township, which he continued to attend until he had reached his legal majority. Thereafter he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, with which line of enterprise he continued to be identified during most of his active career. As young men he and his brother Daniel A. bought land, which they farmed and out of which they realized a great deal of money. At the present time Mr. Hutchins is the owner of some three hundred acres of fine land in Ft. Russell township, the same being in a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins continued to reside on their old homestead farm, which is located five miles distant from Edwardsville, until 1911, remov- ing then to Edwardsville, where they are now passing the evening of their lives in ease and comfort. He has invested a great deal of money and also lends out sums of money to those in need.
On the 17th on March, 1867. was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Hutchins to Miss Mary J. Doubt, who was born and reared in this county, the date of her nativity being the 17th of January. 1840. She is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth C. (Eaton) Doubt, representative farmers of Madison county. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have no children. Their religious faith is in harmony with the teachings of the Presbyterian church and they hold membership in the church of that de-
James DHutchins
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
nomination at Liberty Prairie, in which he has served as treasurer. In his political ad- herency Mr. Hutchins is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and he is always ready to give of his aid and influence in support of all measures projected for the good of the general welfare. He has been elected to many offices of his township, including those of collector, high- way commissioner and treasurer of the High- way Commission and trustee of township and schools. He has also served as executor of many estates, a director in the Northwestern Fire Insurance Company. He is genial in his associations, affable in his address, gen- erous in his judgment of his fellow men, and courteous to all, and he and his wife are deeply beloved in the community which has so long been their home.
B. B. CLAWSON. The many phases of the roofing business have been practically a life long study of B. B. Clawson, of Edwards- ville, and his ripe experience in this direction resulted in 1903 in the formation of the com- pany of which he is president and general manager. This company, incorporated in . 1907 under its present title, that of the Na- tional Roofing Materials Company, manu- factures a prepared roofing which embodies all of the essentials such a product should possess. It is pliable, adapting itself to any reasonable surface or contour, it is thor- oughly waterproof and fire proof, and lastly and perhaps most important of all it has great durability. These characteristics were made possible in combination by long con- sideration of various materials and methods, and the resulting product has been pronounced remarkably perfect by experts who have tested it, and has likewise stood the test of time against the weather.
The main office and factory of the Na- tional Roofing Materials Company are at Ed- wardsville, but it has branches in a number of states. The main plant is located on a tract of eight acres on the shore of a lake, which furnishes the water supply for the power plant, the machines being steam-driven. It is fully equipped with the most approved modern machinery. In the manufacture of the roofing cloth, felt, asphalt and mica are utilized, the resulting product being an inde- structible coating, easily applied and capable of resisting all kinds of weather and varying degrees of heat and cold.
Under the capable management of Mr. Clawson the business has grown steadily, and
new buildings are added from year to year to accommodate the increased demand. The capital stock is $72,000. The plant is con- sidered one of the most desirable possessions of Edwardsville in a manufacturing way.
Its president, Mr. Clawson, is a native of Illinois, being born in November, 1865, in the neighboring county of Christian. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Clawson. The senior Clawson was a versatile man who fol- lowed a number of callings and did well in all of them. He was in succession a farmer and a merchant and was known as an all-around business man. He was a loyal supporter of the principles of the Republican party and for a number of years served as postmaster at Taylorville, the county seat of Christian county, Illinois, living there until his death in 1873. He married Miss Mary Rabe, a daugh- ter of Peter Rabe, who, born in Kentucky, later settled as a pioneer in Sangamon county, Illinois, where he became a citizen of prom- inence. She survived her husband for many years, passing away at the home place in Taylorville in 1898.
B. B. Clawson was the second son in the family. Until thirteen years of age he at- tended the public schools in Taylorville, and subsequently spent twelve years in Colorado, engaged in abstract work and in the building and roofing lines. Going from there to the Pacific coast, he devoted himself exclusively to the roofing business, and during the ten years that he resided in California visited practically every city and town of any im- portance in the state, making his headquarters all of the time at San Francisco. When he established the Edwardsville, Illinois, factory it was with the idea of a centralized head- quarters and his branch establishments are now located at Detroit, Michigan; Atlanta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Nashville, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Lincoln, Nebraska, and other places.
Mr. Clawson was married in 1888 to Lillie M. Collette, who was a native of Delaware county, New York, a daughter of Waldo .W. Collette, who belonged to a well-known Eng- lish family. They have two children: Fern, who is a graduate of Wellesley College, at Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Dorothy P., wife of W. H. Lewis, head of an advertising agency in Los Angeles, California. Frater- nally Mr. Clawson belongs to Oakland Lodge, No. 171, B. P. O. E., of Oakland, California. He is quiet in his tastes and of unassuming manner, even retiring. He is a deep reader
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and devotes a portion of his spare time to cribbage, an amusement which interests him greatly. He keeps thoroughly abreast of the questions of the day and general affairs, but has no taste for mingling in politics and gives his concentrated effort to his business affairs.
OTTO HOLTMANN occupies a representative position among the leading farmers of Pin Oak township, Madison county, Illinois, and as such is entitled to more than a passing mention in this work.
Mr. Holtmann was born in June 1866, son of Henry and Hannah ( Windmeier ) 1Iolt- mann. Henry Holtmann, a native of Germany, came to this country a poor boy, bringing with him his mother and sister, his father having died in Germany. They came direct to llli- nois, and in Pin Oak township. Madison county, he found employment as a farm hand. After working for wages for some time he rented a farm and by industry and careful economy he managed as a renter to save enough money with which to buy property. Notwith- standing the fact that he had his share of bad luck, including sickness in his family, he pros- pered financially to the extent of being the owner, at the time of his death, of three hun- dren and thirty acres, all in Pin Oak town- ship. He died on his farm, in 1900, his death being due to Bright's disease. Of his family of eleven children five are still living. namely : Hannah, wife of John Wilhelm; Matilda, wife of William Wessell; Otto, Gustave and George.
Otto Holtmann attended the local schools up to the time he was sixteen, when he was made a hand on the farm, and he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, cultivating land which was formerly owned by his father. His farm, one hundred acres in extent, lies five miles east of Edwardsville and ranks with the best farms in this locality. His house and barn he erected in 1904.
Mr. Holtmann is unmarried and his home is presided over by his niece, the daughter of his eldest sister, deceased. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and, religiously, he adheres to the faith in which he was reared, being an attendant of the Evangelical church at Ed- wardsville. He was christened in a church of this denomination at Marine, Illinois.
HENRY BRANDING. How it is possible for a young man of energy and good principles of business and personal character to attain a substantial position in the best citizenship of his community, where honor and esteem are paid to himself and family, is illustrated in
the career of Mr. Henry Branding, of Name- oki township. More than forty years ago he began life here, a young German settler, and through industry and sound integrity has be- come one of the well known and prosperous farming citizens of this portion of Madison county.
Henry Branding was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, July 19, 1851, a son of Dietrich and Mary (Engelke) Branding, the other children of whom were Fred and Dick. All were educated in Germany, and when Henry was eighteen years of age he determined to seek his fortune in the new world, whither his brother Fred had already gone. Landing in New York in 1869 and thence coming to St. Louis he joined his brother and then came to Madison county.
Here he found employment on a farm and with an eye to the future saved his earnings and prepared for a larger career of usefulness. The foundation of his home he laid in March, 1875, by his marriage to Miss Matilda Winter. Mrs. Branding is a native of Madison county, a daughter of Fred and Margaret ( Ellersick) Winter. When she was seven years old her mother died and her brothers and sisters were . Henry, William, Anna and Amella. After their marriage Mr. Branding and wife began on a rented farm at Sand Prairie. Young and industrious, they worked hard and after twelve years were enabled to purchase a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in Name- oki township, near the present village of Nameoki. This place, located in section 3. they have developed into one of the most val- uable and attractive farm homes of the town- ship. By the planting of shade trees and fruit trees and the erection of good buildings, they now have a home of which they are properly proud.
They have been successful in a material way and they have likewise provided for the future in rearing a fine family of boys and girls. Their eleven children are named as follows: Mary, Fred, Henrietta. William, Clara, Catherine. Harry, Louis, Albert, Hulda and Elmer. All were well educated in the Central school and confirmed in the German school. Hulda will graduate from the McKin- ley high school of Granite City in 1912, and is also an interested student of music. The daughter Mary, now deceased, married Ed- ward Johnson, and they had two children, one dying in infancy and the other being Pauletta. William married Miss Hattie Hull. who was formerly a teacher at Collinsville. Clara is the
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wife of John Harbig, a farmer of Nameoki township, and they have one child, Vermilla.
As a citizen Mr. Branding is a man of pub- lic spirited helpfulness toward all the work of the community, and has been honored with various offices of trust and responsibility. For twenty-four years he filled the office of highway commissioner, and was also for a number of years school director and school trustee. His political support has always been given to the Republican party. He and his wife are among the active membership of the German Evangelical church of Nameoki. This congregation, of which Rev. Plassman is pastor, is a factor of uplift and beneficence in this vicinity, and represents in a practical way the best ideals of the German settlers.
Mr. Branding has long since proved his efficiency both as a business man and citizen, and his name stands for the integrity and worth which are the best assets of community side surrounded by their children represents life. The home where he and his children re- what they have contributed through years of industry to the material development of the county, and it is to citizens of this type that Madison county owes the splendid prosperity which marks its centennial year.
JOHN WILLMAN. Among those sterling cit- izens who have made of Leef township, Madi- son county, one of the most favored spots of earth, is John Willman, a retired agriculturist and stockman, now residing in Saline. He has won the success' which always crowns well directed labor, sound judgment and untiring perseverance, and at the same time has con- cerned himself with the affairs of the commu- nity in an admirably public-spirited fashion. Like so many of the good and valued citizens of this section of the great state of Illinois, he is by birth a German. John Willman, now of venerable years, was born in the Father- land, in 1834, the son of Philip and Mary (Sceiva) Willman. At the end of twenty-one years, hearing of the fine opportunities offered by America to industrious men, Mr. Willman emigrated alone to the New World. He landed in New Orleans and went thence to St. Louis, but only remained in that city three days before coming to Highland, Madison county. He soon obtained work, and, recom- mended by his industry, ever afterward found it easy to make a livelihood. After seven years in the employment of others he found himself in a position to establish a home of his own. In the fall of 1860 he married Eliza- beth Fadler, who was born near Highland in
1843, the daughter of William and Katherine (Trauntner) Fadler, natives of Germany. The father was occupied while in his native land as a mason and in the winter months he made wooden shoes, in which he was very ex- pert. After coming to America he assumed the occupation of farming and purchased forty-seven acres in south Saline township, where he reared his family. His children were William, Katherine, Mary, Lena and Eliza- beth, the latter being the wife of the subject of this record. The Fadler children gained ยท their education in the old timber built district school.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Willman began life on eighty acres of land which they had purchased in Leef township. This was very little improved, but it boasted a log cabin of one room, its chimney consisting of planks standing on end. It was a humble home, but it was the abode of happiness. Both possessed the strong German characteristics which make for success. There were few opportunities and they experienced the many hardships of the pioneer, but the future was bright with glowing promises. They worked early and late to improve and beautify the place, plant- ing fine shade and fruit trees, which today are among its chief ornaments. In the course of time they erected a comfortable two story house, built a good barn and other farm build- ings, and they now possess one of the pleasant- est country residences in Leef township. The wife has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the home, being a help-meet in the truest sense of the word and possessing the essential qualities of a home-maker. In- dustry, honesty and right living have indeed had their just reward.
Into the Willman home were born twelve bright boys and girls, two of whom died in infancy, the remaining being as follows : Philip, Louis, John, William, Joseph, Charlie, Edward, Louise, Mary and Magdalene. They were given the best education available, the various members of the family going to High- land, Saline and Marine to school, and the benefits of both parochial and public schools being reaped. They became willing and able young assistants to their parents, and thus laid the foundations of industry and thrift, which have since stood them in such good stead. Better yet, while still young principles of the highest character were instilled into their minds, fitting them for good citizenship.
Philip, who is a farmer by occupation, mar- rid Lena Wernly and resides in Alhambra
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
township. Louis married Minnie Eisenprice and is a farmer in Pierron township. John, proprietor of the East End Hotel of Alhambra, took as his wife Anna Malloy and they have a daughter, Mabel, one other child having died in infancy. William married Lena Boeser and is a farmer citizen of Leef township. Ile is the father of four sons and three daughters, namely : William, Oscar, Elmer, Raymond, Freda, Tillie and Linda. Joseph married Ad- die Bise and is a farmer of New Douglass township. He and his wife are the parents of three daughters, Gladys, Iona and May .. Charlie married Louise Peterson and they have one daughter, Olga. He resides in Saline and is a painter. Edward married Elizabeth Wis- nasky and resides in Saline, where he pursues the occupation of a thresher. He has two daughters, Edna and Gertrude, Francis dying at the age of one year. Louise married John Holsinger, a farmer, and they are the parents of eight children, namely: John, deceased, Lawrence, Leo, William, Theresa, Maggie, Ella and Marietta. In 1909 Mr. Holsinger died and his widow remains upon the farm with the children. Mary became the wife of Sebastian Wyke of St. Louis, and one child has been born to them, Anton, deceased. Mr. Wyke died, and his widow married again to Emil Otto, a machinist of St. Louis. Magde- lene married John McCarthy, a resident of St. Louis and a machinist by occupation, and they have two children, Alice and Walter.
In 1905 Mr. and Mrs. Willman decided to retire from active farm work and purchased a pleasant home in Saline, where they now re- side, secure in the enjoyment of a host of friends and admirers. In addition to their home they also possess a number of town lots. In his political conviction Mr. William is a Democrat who gives beneficial support to his party. His sound principles have given to him the general confidence of the public and among other public trusts he has held the office of school director, carrying out the duties of the position in a satisfactory manner. He and his wife are members of the St. Gertrude's Cath- olic church of Saline, and their children have been confirmed in its faith.
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