USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 110
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Mr. Willman is one who can be counted on to give his support to all helpful measures and his splendid principles and ability have won him high rank among the most prominent and progressive farmers of Leef township. He is in every respect a representative man, and well entitled to a place in this history of the men and women of Madison county, Illinois.
SANFORD B. WHEELER. The man who has devoted his life to one occupation may be justly regarded as somewhat of an authority on all matters pertaining to that calling. Mr. Wheeler stands in that relation in regard to farming-the primal business of the human race. He has shown his sagacity by limiting his operations to stock raising, rather than en- gaging in general agriculture. In this age of specialization the man who can concentrate on one special phase of his work-whatever it may be-is more apt .to succeed than the one who attempts a more wholesale knowl- edge and activity. Mr. Wheeler has proved to himself the sagacity of his choice in the prosperity that he is now enjoying.
A Kentuckian, Mr. Wheeler's birth occur- red near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on the 15th day of March, 1860. His father and mother, Charles and Mary ( Ransdell) Wheeler, were both lifelong residents of the state of Ken- tucky, and there became the parents of a fam- ily of ten children, whose names are as fol- lows: J. M., Margaret, Sanford B., Mildred, John A., Robert ( who died at the age of five years). Lou (also deceased), Martha, Mabel and Riker. There are exactly two years and two days difference between the ages of three of these children, and it may be noted that all the sons have followed their father's oc- cupation, that of farming. Both boys and girls were educated at the Greenwood district school, built on one corner of the father's farm, and the old homestead was often the scene of joyous merrymaking when all the children would invite their friends to their home, which was noted far and near for its generous hospitality. Preachers were always welcome guests of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler and the young people came from long distances to engage in a joyous good time at the Wheeler farm.
Sanford B. Wheeler remained in his happy Southern home assisting his father with the duties of farm work until he had attained his twenty-second year, at which time he rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility. He prospered in his efforts and in course of time purchased a farm. In 1801 Mr. Wheeler, having friends in the state of Illinois, determined to move to that commonwealth. They first took up their residence at Owaneco, Illinois, and later moved to Witt, where the educational advantages were greater. At the end of four or five years he procured a farm in Alhambra township, his home today.
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Among the near neighbors of the Wheeler family in Kentucky was a farmer named George Liney, with his wife, Ann (Smith) Liney, and their eleven children, Georgiana, John, Prince, James, Lucy, Thomas, Clabe, Cora, Bert, Maud (who died at the age of five years) and Nannie. In the year 1882 Mr. Sanford Wheeler and Nannie Liney formed a matrimonial alliance and commenced their wedded life on the rented farm above men- tioned. Before the wedding day Mr. Wheeler had prepared his home for the arrival of the bride, and everything was ready for them to commence housekeeping. The young people of the community accompanied the couple to their new home, after the marriage ceremony was performed, and there the wedding feast was served in true southern style. Mrs. Wheeler showed herself to be possessed of those habits of industry and the virtues which constitute a true home-maker and helpmeet. As the years passed by five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, one of whom died in infancy. The parents determined to give their boys and girls the advantages of liberal educations, even changing their place of abode in order to compass that desired end. The little family prospered and were happy to- gether, until the death angel visited them, and on the 5th day of September, 1895, the dear mother entered into her last rest. She had been a good true woman, a loving wife and mother, a kind friend and neighbor, whose loss was mourned by a large circle of acquain- tances and by her husband and children. Soon after her demise the bereaved husband moved with the children to Alhambra town- ship, where he set himself to cultivate the land and rear his boys and girls, in both of which undertakings he succeeded most ad- mirably. In regard to the children we give the following data : Calvin and Lily May mar- ried Malinda and Fred Partridge, respectively ; the Partridge family reside in Edwardsville, and there the four young people planned to celebrate their nuptials on the same day and at the same time, but a heavy rainstorm some- what modified their arrangements. Lily May Wheeler and Fred Partridge arrived first at the place of meeting (the parsonage of the Rev. Cisson of Edwardsville) ; their marriage was solemnized and they departed on the train agreed upon. In the meantime Calvin Wheeler and Malinda Partridge went to Judge Hill- skother of Edwardsville, who performed the ceremony, and the couple followed Mr. and Mrs. Fred Partridge on the next train. Fred
Partridge is a car framer by occupation. His home is now made happy by the presence of two bright children, Beulah and Dwight, aged four and two years, respectively, and the great- est delight of their young lives is to visit Grandfather Wheeler at his farm. Calvin Wheeler resides in Edwardsville, and is em- ployed as a molder by the Radiator Plant of that city. Mr. Sanford Wheeler's youngest child, Flora, is married to Charles Postewait, a motorman in St. Louis, where the couple reside. Hugh L. is unmarried and remains on the farm with his father. The four chil- dren have all done credit to their father's train- ing, and Mr. Wheeler is justified in feeling himself well repaid for the pains he took in rearing them. They are now all grown to maturity and have ever proved themselves good, true and obedient children, a comfort to their father.
Mr. Wheeler has never sought any public office; he is, however, deeply interested in all matters which concern the welfare of the community in which he resides, and he is a stanch Republican, rendering unwavering al- legiance to the party whose principles he be- lieves contain the best elements of good gov- ernment. He has a high standing with his neighbors, being regarded as a genial upright man, generous hearted and possessed of the true spirit of hospitality, a remnant of his southern training.
FRED H. TEGTMEYER. An essentially rep- resentative and successful agriculturist of the younger generation in Pin Oak township and the present able and popular incumbent of the office of township supervisor is Fred H. Tegt- meyer, who has been a lifelong resident of Madison county. Mr. Tegtmeyer was born in Pin Oak township, Madison county, on the 4th of November, 1866, and is a son of Fred and Louisa (Gerfen) Tegtmeyer, both of whom were born and reared in the great Em- pire of Germany and both of whom are now living near Troy. The father was identified with the great basic industry of agriculture during the greater part of his active career, and when the dark cloud of Civil war obscured the National horizon he gave evidence of his intrinsic loyalty to the cause of the Union by enlisting as a soldier in Company K, Fifth Missouri Voluteer Cavalry, serving with all of gallantry and faithfulness. He participated in a number of important engagements mark- ing the progress of that sanguinary struggle and after the close of the conflict and when peace had again been established throughout
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the country he returned to Madison county to take up his life as a tiller of the soil. He is a man of unusual loyalty and public spirit and one who has always been a prominent factor in all matters projected for the well being of the community.
Fred H. Tegtmeyer passed his boyhood and · youth on the old homestead farm in Madison county and his preliminary educational train- ing consisted of such advantages as were af- forded in the neighboring schools. As a youth he was confirmed in the German Lutheran church and his early religious teachings have formed a very important factor in his entire life. After attaining to years of maturity he became interested in farming operations on his own account and at the present time is identi- fied with agricultural pursuits in Pin Oak township. He is aligned as an uncompromis- ing supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor in his political convictions and he has ever been a most active factor in the local councils of that organization. In 1901 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the of- fice of township supervisor and through suc- cessive re-elections he has held that position during the long intervening years to the pres- ent time. He is a man possessed of a high sense of honor and one who has acquitted himself with all of distinction in discharging the duties connected with his office.
HON. JAMES BANDY. Among the profes- sional men who have contributed important services in late years to Madison county and occupy a high place in the citizenship of the community, the present judge of the Granite City court, James Bandy, deserves extended notice for his highly creditable career, and it is wholly consistent with common justice that in a work of this nature, Judge Bandy's life and activities in the district wherein he was born and reared and served, should be set forth in some detail.
Born in Greene county. Illinois, in 1867, James Bandy is the son of Walter and Mary (Courcy) Bandy. The father was also a na- tive of the state, and he in turn was a son of Elihu Bandy, the son of Hugh Bandy, who died in Greene county at the patriarchal age of ninety-eight years. The mother was a native born Kentuckian, and her family came to Illinois about the time of the Civil war. Her father, John Courcy, was the owner of extensive. lands and numbers of slaves, but owing to the disturbed conditions in his native state, sold land and slaves and brought his
family and household goods to Illinois in six covered wagons, or prairie schooners, the ap- proved method of overland travel in that carly time. They became the parents of seven children-James, John, Bell, Curtis, Thomas, Leona and Harry, the latter now deceased. They were educated in the schools of Greene county and the Roodhouse high school, and James supplemented that training by a course in the high school at Garden City, Kansas, as a preparation for work in the teaching pro- fession. Returning from Kansas the young man taught a year in the Oak Grove school and two years at the Liberty school, the latter being the school he had attended as a boy. The pedagogic art, however, did not appear to offer as wide a scope for his ability as he could wish, and in 1890 Mr. Bandy gave over his work in the capacity of teacher and turned his attention to railroad work as a means to an end, however, as it was his plan to prepare himself for a larger career. For six years he remained in the service of the Chicago & Al- ton as yardmaster at Roodhouse. During two years of this time he studied law, applying himself to his studies with all energy and much of the time poring over his books until the early morning hours-an application that un- dermined his health and finally brought on a serious illness. When he was sufficiently restored to health and strength the ambitious young man again took up his law studies, and in 1897 successfully passed his examinations and was admitted to the bar of the state. He then resigned his place as yardmaster and en- gaged in practice at Greenfield, where he re- mained for one year. Since then he has been located at Granite City, where he has followed the practice of his profession, and has enjoyed a large and profitable business. He served two years in the office of city attorney, and on the organization of the city court of Gran- ite City he was elected on March 8. 1910, as the first incumbent of this important office. his term being one of four years' duration. During his residence in Greene county Mr. Bandy was elected to the office of assessor, and also served his city as a member of the board of education, both of which positions he filled in a highly creditable manner, and in April, 1912, he was nominated at the pri- maries by the Democratic party for the office of state's attorney for Madison county. He is a member of the Venice city council and is vice president and one of the directors of the Madison County Bar Association. In his fra- ternal relations Judge Bandy has been identi-
GluBandy
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
fied for years with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1889 Judge Bandy was married at Car- rollton, Illinois, to Miss Mae Sullivan, one of the capable and accomplished teachers of that vicinity. She was born in Greene county, like her husband, her birth occurring in 1869, and she is the daughter of Timothy and Mary (Mahoney) Sullivan, both natives of Ireland, who were married in Carrollton, Illinois, after immigrating to America. They were the par- ents of seven children : James, Johanna, Jerry, Francis, Daniel, Morris and Mae, the latter becoming Mrs. Bandy in later years. All were educated in the Carrollton schools. Mr. and Mrs. Bandy became the parents of three children, who have prepared, or are preparing themselves for careers of usefulness as mem- bers of the great army of workers. They are Harold, Gertrude and Zella. Harold, after being graduated from the Mckinley high school of Granite City, entered the University of Illinois, where he was enrolled as a student for three years, and in 1912 he finished his studies in the law department of the Univer- sity of St. Louis, receiving therefrom his de- gree. During his university career Harold Bandy was one who won honor to himself and his college as a member of the debating team in its annual contects with the Universities of Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. Gertrude Bandy was valedictorian of her class when graduating from Mckinley high school in 1910, and was the youngest in her class of twenty. She is now a student at Forest Park University, of St. Louis, graduating in 19II from the fourth grade of the Underwood School of Music. Miss Zella is now a pupil in the eighth grade of the Emerson school in her home town.
Judge Bandy has ever proved himself a loyal and public-spirited citizen of great in- trinsic worth, always taking an intelligent and lively interest in movements for the advance- ments of the best interest in his home commu- nity and the county. While a Democrat in his political faith, he has never been regarded as ambitious for political preferment or power, and has always been content to give his un- qualified support to men and measures which in his good judgment were best calculated to promote the highest welfare of the people and county. As such a citizen, disinterested and loyal, his life has been an example worthy of emulation by the rising generation.
OTTO MAY. At this point it is gratifying to the publishers of this historical compila- tion to accord recognition to Otto May, who is a representative agriculturist and stock-raiser of Pin Oak township, where he was born and reared and where he has lived during the major portion of his life thus far. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twelve and a half acres of arable land eligibly located three and a half miles distant from Marine. Mr. May was born in Pin Oak town- ship, Madison county, Illinois, on the 17th of November, 1861, and he is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wittmer) May, both of whom were born in Bavaria, Germany, whence they accompanied their respective parents to Amer- ica in an early day. After his marriage, Wil- liam May resided at Marine,' Illinois, for one year, at the expiration of which he estab- lished the family home on a farm two and a half miles distant from Marine, continuing to reside there until 1907, when he retired from active participation in business affairs and resided at Marine until his demise, on the 3Ist of December, 1910. His cherished and de- voted wife, who still survives him, is now re- siding on,the old homestead farm in Pin Oak township. Mr. and Mrs. William May were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, in 1911: Lena is the wife of Au- gust Versen, of St. Louis, Missouri; Lizzie is the wife of Theodore Little, of Marine, Illi- nois; Anna is the wife of Louis Neudecker, of Marine, Illinois; Minnie is the wife of Wil- lam Kreutzberg, of Marine; Louise is the wife of John Pratt, of Pin Oak township; Wil- liam F. maintains his home in Pin Oak town- ship; Otto is the immediate subject of this review ; Charles resides in Marine township; and Albert is a resident of the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Otto May was reared to maturity on the old home farm in this township, to whose public schools he is indebted for his preliminary educational training. He continued to reside at home with his parents until his twenty- fourth year, in fact until the time of his marriage, in 1886. After that important event he launched out into business life as an agriculturist and he is now the owner of a splendid farm of two hundred and twelve and a half acres of some of the finest land in this county. He is engaged in general farming and the raising of high-grade stock and in those lines of interprise has achieved most gratifying success. In his political pro- clivities he is aligned as an unswerving sup-
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porter of the cause of the Republican party. He has never held any public office other than that of school director, but in his civic atti- tude is decidedly loyal and public spirited, contributing in generous measure to all mat- ters projected for the good of the community in which he has so long resided. In a fra- ternal way he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor, in each of which he carries insurance. In their religious faith the May family are devout members of the German Lutheran church at Marine, Illinois, and they are prom- inent and popular factors in connection with the best social activities of their home com- munity.
On the 30th of September, 1886, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. May to Miss Pal- myra Apffel, who was born and reared in Ma- rine township, this county, the date of her birth being April 10, 1865. She is a daughter of William and Crescenzia Apffel, both natives of Germany. Mrs. May received her educa- tion at Marine and for five terms prior to her marriage she was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of l'in Oak township. Mr. and Mrs. May have two chil- dren, namely : Lester C., whose birth occur- red on the 18th of August, 1887, was graduated in the Marine schools and is now associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm; and Hilda, born on the Ioth of April, 1891, and died on July 3, 1912. They also have one other child deceased, Edna, born August 29, 1889, and died October 29. I902.
ADOLPH HITZ. The life of Adolph Hitz is the story of a man who through industry, in- tegrity and ability has risen to the position of foremost citizen of his township,-not that he would claim that position for himself, for he is modest and unassuming, but his fellow citi- zens gladly accord him that honor, for he has fairly won it in their confidence and esteem.
Mr. Hitz is a native of Madison county, born at Highland, June 15. 1861, and has al- ways resided within its boundaries. In speak- ing of such a man it is always interesting to know something of his antecedents, his an- cestry. He is the son of Christian and Kath- arina (Wunderer) Hitz, natives of Switzer- land. His father was born August 17, 1824, and his mother, November 23 of the same year. They were married on the 20th of May, 1849. Mr. Hitz, Sr., was a carpenter by trade, and followed that business in his native land until 1855, when the young couple
concluded to seek their fortunes in the new world. They, therefore, immigrated that year to this country and located at Highland, finding a congenial environment among their own countrymen who had preceded them. Here the elder Hitz followed his trade for thirteen years and then moved to Saline. The young couple were industrious and frugal, and steadily advanced in the world. Both were prominent members of the German Evangelical church. They became the parents of eight children, of whom five now survive, viz .: Mrs. Margaret Landolt, of 'Alhambra ; Ferdinand, of Highland; Adolph, of Alham- bra; Emil, of St. Louis; and Arnold L., of Saline. After a useful and worthy life of mutual helpfulness .the parents passed away within three days of each other. Christian Hitz dying March 26, 1900, and his wife on the 20th of the same month. United in life they were not long separated in death.
Adolph Hitz, of whom we write, entered business life early. After attending the dis- trict schools of Highland and Saline, he en- tered the employ of J. H. Willimann, as a clerk, in 1876. He remained with him four years and in 1880 transferred his services to John J. Spindler, Sr., remaining with him until 1884, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Emil, and entered business life on his own account. The new firm was known as Hitz Brothers. They continued in business until 1890 in Saline and then moved to Alhambra and opened a general store. They conducted a successful business there until 1898, when they sold out to their em- ployes, Adolph remaining in Alhambra and Emil engaging in the commission business in St. Louis. The brothers had been prosper- ous, and each successive year saw them far- ther advanced on the road to competence. Adolph Hitz was appointed postmaster of Al- hambra in 1897 and still holds the position. He attended to the duties of the office to the general satisfaction of the public. He also engaged in other lines of business during the next ten years with such success that, in 1907. he established a private bank, which immedi- ately became so prosperous that the next year he erected a handsome and spacious bank building, which is architecturally a monument to his taste and skill. The building, includ- ing the furniture, fixtures and safety deposit vaults, cost $20,000, seemingly a large amount to invest in such an edifice in a small town. but events justified the outlay. It has the handsomest interior of any bank building in
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the county. The wainscoting is of marble throughout and the finishing in hard wood of the richest description. Mr. Hitz is still con- ducting the business. He has been phenom- enally successful as a merchant, banker and real-estate dealer. He possesses the commer -- cial instinct, foresight and sagacity that have enabled him to build up a fortune in a sınall town, but he has never been a speculator. All that has come to him has been secured by honorable business methods. He is the larg- est landholder in the township, perhaps in the county, being the owner of 3,000 acres of rich farming land, 1,100 acres in Madison county. A part of it adjoins Alhambra on the south and has been surveyed, platted and laid off into town lots. The addition is known as Hitz Place, and is rapidly building up.
In addition to being a successful and pros- perous business man Mr. Hitz is fortunate in his domestic life. He was married July 19, 1899, to Miss Louise M. Utiger, daughter of the late Hon. Robert D. Utiger. His wife is a charming and accomplished lady. Her father was a prominent farmer and a mem- ber of the state legislature in 1882-84. He died February 20, 1890, in the prime of his useful manhood. Mrs. Hitz's mother, Mrs. Utiger was Susan E. Leef, of the well-known family of that name, a sister of John S. Leef, present chairman of the board of supervisors of the county. Robert D. Utiger was born near Highland, October II. 1841. His wife was a native of Leef township, born Novem- ber 16, 1844. They were married January 18, 1866. Of their six children only three survive, Mrs. Louise M. Hitz, of Alhambra, born October 9, 1868; Mrs. Bertha R. Hack- man, of Staunton, and David A. Utiger, of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Hitz occupy a pa- latial residence on the outskirts of Alhambra, equipped with every modern convenience. The home is surrounded with beautiful grounds. It is the handsomest and most modern residence in the village.
Mr. Hitz is a public-spirited citizen and. although not seeking office, has represented his township on the county board. He is a Republican in politics and has long been prom- inent in the councils of his party. He has served as central committeeman and as a member of the county executive committee. While steadfast in his political views, he does not allow partisanship to interfere with friendship and he is consequently popular with both parties. It is pleasant to write of
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