USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 25
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ated with honors in 1911, having taken both the literary and the musical courses and com- pleted both. Equipped with this training and with her native abilities, she is able to fill with honor any position which life may bring to her.
Mr. Link was a man whose interest in the public schools was untiring. For seventeen years he acted as a director, to the satisfaction of all the patrons, whose confidence in his fit- ness to be in charge of their educational in- terests was more than justified. In politics he was a Democrat and was twice selected to rep- resent his county in the legislature by that party ; the first time in 1906 and again in 1908. lle was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Granite City. He was a suc- cessful farmer and was prominent in this county. His death occurred very suddenly on April 10, 1911, a stroke of apoplexy being the cause, and the sad event came as a shock to his many friends. He was buried in St. John's cemetery. His widow and daughter are living in the old home. Both are members of the Evangelical church, in whose many good works they do a generous part.
WILLIAM L. WATERS. Prominent among the intelligent, prosperous and highly esteemed citizens of Madison county is William L. Waters, of Godfrey, who is actively and ably contributing his full share towards advancing the agricultural interests of his community. A man of educated and refined tastes, he has ever evinced a warm interest in local history, and in his pleasant home he has what is con- sidered the largest and choicest collection of Indian relics to be found in Madison county. He has pottery from South America, Panama and Mexico, and Indian relics from all sections of America. He has spent twenty years or more in gathering the articles found in his col- lection, sparing neither time nor expense in the labor, and has now five thousand pieces, including agates, mortars, arrow heads, flint and stone implements and utensils used by the Indians, among them being one of the very few double-bitted stone axes in existence. His collection, which is very rare and valuable, is classified and catalogued, and is a source of pleasure, interest and education to many, and of great historical worth.
A native of Madison county, Mr. Waters was born October 12, 1867, a son of Patrick Waters, who came to America from Ireland when seventeen years old and settled in God- frey township, Madison county. Patrick Waters spent a short time in the quarries at
Cleveland, Ohio, when he first came to this country, later living for a while in Missouri. On coming to Madison county, Illinois, he was employed as a quarryman by the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company until ready to begin life as a farmer. He then purchased, in 1864, a tract of land in Godfrey township, and to this he made several additions by purchase, and now owns over six hundred acres of as good land as can be found in this part of the state, and is numbered among the most suc- cessful agriculturists of his community. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Lindley, three sons and one daughter were born, as follows: William, James E., John A. and Josie. The sons have all fol- lowed in the footsteps of their father and are prosperous farmers.
Receiving his preliminary education in the public schools, William L. Waters subsequently attended the Cathedral. School, in Alton, and the Christian Brothers College, in Saint Louis. At the age of twenty-one years he began farm- ing on his own account, and has now a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, two hundred of which he has under an excellent state of cultivation. He has fifteen acres planted to peach and apple trees, and now, in the fall of 1911, has a large crop of apples, the largest that he has harvested for many seasons.
In 1895 Mr. Waters was united in marriage with Blanche Peters, a daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Collins) Peters, of Alton, Illinois. Mrs. Waters was graduated from the Alton high school, and for ten years previous to her marriage was a very successful and popular teacher in the public schools. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Waters, namely: Lindley J., born July 22, 1896; Willard, born October 12, 1899; Evlan, born September 18, 1901; May, born August 25, 1905 : and Vera, born May 28, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Waters are consistent members of the Roman Catholic church, and have reared their children in the same religious faith. The residence occupied by Mr. Waters and his family was erected in 1833 by Captain Riley, and later sold to Captain Godfrey, founder of the Monticello Seminary, who enlarged it and occupied it until his death.
JOSEPH LANDOLT. Like so many other highly successful members of American com- munities, Joseph Landolt comes of German lineage, a stock which has ever contributed qualities of stability, application, thrift and sound scientific management to our common- wealth in the men and women it has sent to
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our borders. Madison county can indeed be glad that Joseph Landolt's parents, Antone and Maggie (Hopeon) Landolt, saw fit to take their wedding journey to the newer land across the water after their marriage in the Father- land. The young couple came and liked so well the new country with its many opportu- nities for ambitious folk that were willing to work out progressive ideas that they did not repeat the journey that had taken forty-eight days crossing the Atlantic to New York, not counting the overland trip to St. Louis. From St. Louis they went to Highland. For the next three years Mr. Landolt was in poor health, the change of climate apparently not agreeing with him. Still he worked a good part of the time, and later rented a farm from Dr. Reiner. On this they lived for several years, by which time their thrift had so enabled them to save that they purchased a home and farm of eighty acres.
Again they prospered, and after selling this property established themselves on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Bond county. But industry and wise management imply a constantly growing sphere, and soon after their start in Bond county Mr. Landolt pur- chased an additional one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his first, but over the line in Madison county, following which, success so attended his enterprises that he made another enlargement and bought another one hundred and sixty acres, southeast of Saline in Saline township. His final purchase was the home in Saline where he and his good wife lived retired, enjoying to the utmost the fruits of lives well spent in industry and kindly deeds, and the respect of their large family. Mr. Landolt died in 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Landolt became the parents of sixteen children, only six of whom remain to this date, namely: Arnold, Fritz, Julia, Tony, Adolph and Joseph, the latter the sub- ject of this sketch, who was their eldest. All of the children were sent to the district school of Leef township for their educations. After his school days Joseph remained at the pa- rental home, and with true German spirit helped his father in the management of the farm.
In Saline township January 24, 1874, Joseph Landolt laid the foundations of a happy house- hold of his own by his marriage to Miss Sarah Eaves, who was born in that township Febru- ary 5. 1857, the daughter of Benjamin and Melissa (Howard) Eaves, both natives of Illi- nois. She was one of a family of eleven chil-
dren, as follows : William, Emma, Cora, Nancy, Anna, Minnie, Frank, Maggie, Laura, Elizabeth and Sarah, all of whom obtained their education at the Saline township district schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Landolt began their wedded life on a rented farm in Leef township owned by his father, and there they worked early and late to make some sub- stantial foundation for the fortunes of the lit- tle family. After several years they moved to Union county, where they continued farming for four years. At that time they returned to Madison county and purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres which has since been their home and which is located in Leef township.
There came in time into the hearts and home of these people eight bright, energetic children to gladden their parents with their presence, namely : William, Melissa, Amelia, Margaret, Minnie, Effie, Edith and Frank, the first and last being the only sons. The parents endeav- ored to prepare their children for life and citizenship by instilling in them fine principles and sending them to the Rockwell school. William Landolt married Hannah Boyer and they reside in Montana. Melissa married Jo- seph Bardsley, whose death occurred in 1908, leaving the bereaved widow with two little sons, Lester and Orville, who have found a good and happy home with their grandparents, who are still on the old farm. Amelia married Michael Wisnasky, a farmer in Leef township, and they have four children, namely: Arthur, Clyde, Arline and Lloyd. Margaret Landolt lived to the age of twenty years, remaining at home with her mother, her faithful com- panion in all the duties of the household, but in 1903 her health began to fail, and after two years the beloved daughter entered into rest, mourned by a family who cherished her, and a large circle of friends and neighbors. Min- nie Landolt married John Wisnasky, of Sa- line, and is the mother of two boys, Melvin and Herschel. Effie, Edith and Frank are still unmarried, and remain at the farm with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Landolt are among the pros- perous and prominent citizens of the county and theirs is a clear case where industry has been rewarded by success. Mr. Landolt has been able to add another one hundred and twenty acres to those he already owned and he is now the owner of two hundred and forty as well tilled and fertile acres as the county can show. Much of his prosperity Mr. Landolt
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owes to his wife, who has ever been his de- voted helpmeet.
Politically Mr. Landolt is a man of broad and liberal views, giving his support always to the man whom he judges will best serve the people's interests.
A member of Mrs. Landolt's family whose record is of interest and worthy of mention in this connection is William Eaves, her pater- nal grandfather. He was a native of North Carolina, and was a soldier who engaged in the famous Black Hawk war, which settled once for all the troubles of the pioneers of the region who had suffered loss of life and prop- erty at the hands of the Indians, and placed in the hands of the white people an extensive grant of land suitable for cultivation.
WILLIAM M. ASI. A well-known and highly esteemed resident of Alton, William M. Ash rendered his country valuable service in her time of need, serving throughout three enlistments during the Civil war, and has since been equally as faithful in the discharge of his duties as a citizen of honor and integrity. A native of Alton, his birth occurred in this city March 19, 1844. His father, John Wesley Ash, was a son of John Pickney Ash, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of John Ash who, as far as known, spent his entire life in Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred in 1738. Joseph Ash, the founder of the fam- ily from which William M. Ash sprung, immi- grated from Germany to America in colonial days, settling in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, where his death occurred in 1836, at the remarkable age of ninety-eight years.
John Pickney Ash learned the trade of a plasterer when young, and followed it in his native state until 1837, when he followed the march of civilization westward to Illinois, lo- cating at Alton, which was then a small but flourishing village. Here, resuming his trade, he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1872. He was active in public affairs, serving in the City Council, and both he and his wife were trustworthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Alice Irwin, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1793, a daughter of Israel Irwin, a life- long resident of the Keystone state. Mr. Irwin married Margaret Trego, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1767, a daughter of Joseph Trego, whose birth occurred in that state May 14, 1722. Her grandfather, William Trego, born in Pennsyl- vania, July 3. 1693, was a son of Peter Trego,
who came to this country with William Penn, from whom he purchased fifty acres of land lying near Middletown, Pennsylvania.
John Wesley Ash was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1820, and came with his parents to Alton, Illinois, in 1837. He learned the trade of a plasterer, which he fol- lowed for some time, although many of the later years of his life were devoted to public service. Elected city clerk in 1854, he held the position nine successive years. In 1862 lie was appointed clerk of the City Court, and served faithfully eleven years, and had the distinction of being the first Market Master in the city. From 1871 until 1874 he repre- senter the Fourth ward as an alderman, ren- dering his constituents excellent service. While employed as city clerk, he engaged in the abstract business, which he subsequently con- tinued until his death which occurred at his home, on the corner of Langdon and Thir- teentli streets at the advanced age of eighty- one years. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Colflesh, died in 1876, leaving two children, namely: William M., the special subject of this brief personal record; and Lucy A. He married for his second wife Margaret Howard, by whom he had seven children, Annie, Ellen, Fanny, Samuel, Elizabeth, John W. and Hal Baker.
At the breaking out of the Civil war William. M. Ash left school and, at the call for three months' men, enlisted in Company G, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the expiration of his term of en- listment, when he received his honorable dis- charge. Returning hime. he enlisted in Com- pany D, Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years, and in 1864 he veteranized, re-enlisting for the full period of the war. Continuing with his regiment, Mr. Ash followed Sherman in his march to the sea, and then on through the Carolinas. In March, 1865. he was captured by the enemy, and was confined at Libby Prison and Castle Thunder for twenty-eight days, suffering in the meantime all the hardships and horrors of prison life. He was then released on parole, allowed to return home, and later was honor- ably discharged from the service.
Mr. Ash subsequently learned the brick- layer's trade, which he followed successfully for forty years, when a fall from a building necessitated the amputation of a leg, and he has since retired from active pursuits. In 1908 and 1909 he served as police magistrate, filling
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the office ably and acceptably. He is a member of Alton Post G. A. R.
Mr. Ash married, in 1867, Martha Alice Cummings, who was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, a daughter of George W. Cummings, who was born, reared and educated in Ken- tucky, where he followed the carpenter's trade until removing to Illinois. Mr. Cummings lived for two years in Jacksonville, and then moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he con- tinued at his trade until his death, at the age of forty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Angeline Hearst, was a daughter of Nathaniel Hearst, a life-long resident of Kentucky, where he followed the trade of a stone mason. Mrs. Cummings survived her husband, passing away at the age of fifty-six years. To her seven children were born, as follows: William M., Louisa, Mary, Jackson, Rachel, Zachariah, and Martha Alice.
Twelve children have been born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ash, namely : J. Edward, Lucy, William, Angeline, Bessie, Esther, Ber- tie, Joseph F., Horace, Millard, Harry, and one that died in infancy. J. Edward married Emma Stein, and they have eight children. Lucy, wife of Isaac Baker, has two children. William married Kate Young, and they are the parents of nine children. Angeline, wife of Herman La Pelle, has four daughters. Bessie, who married Matthew Freeman, died at the age of twenty-five years, leaving one daughter. Esther is the wife of William L. Ward, Bertie married Edward Muhlke.
PAUL PILZ. The great empire of Germany has contributed its fair quota to the upbuilding of this great nation and among its representa- tives in this country are to be found successful men in every walk of life from the professions to the prosperous farmer. He whose name forms the caption for this review is one of the thrifty and industrious sons of Germany, where his birth occurred on the 27th of July, 1870 in Dombsen Wohlan. He has not long been a resident of America, but since his ar- rival in the United States he has given evidence of that loyalty and public spirit which are so characteristic of sterling German citizenship and which make the German element so desir- able a one in this country. Engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Ft. Russell township, Paul Pilz is ever ready to give his aid in support of all measures and enterprises tending to ad- vance the good of the general welfare.
Paul Pilz is a son of August and Teresa (Meisner) Pilz, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, where they passed their en- Vol. II-9
tire lives and where they died. Paul was the youngest child in a family of five children, three brothers and one sister. After complet- ing the curriculum of the public schools of his native land Mr. Pilz turned his attention to farming and subsequently he served a term of three years in the German army, first as a private and later as a corporal in the cavalry department in the city of Meletsch. After that he has conductor on street car in Breslau Schlesen. When thirty-one years of age he decided to seek his fortunes in America and accordingly on July 27, 1891, after bidding farewell to relatives and friends, he embarked for America on the ship Queen Lousia. Land- ing in New York city, he proceeded thence to the city of Buffalo, New York, where he at- tended the Buffalo exposition, and he also saw Niagara Falls. In the spring of 1902 he came to Madison county, Illinois, locating at Ed- wardsville. Shortly after his advent in this place he entered the employ of Mr. Engelhart, working as a farm hand on the latter's farm five miles north of Edwardsville. He made good in the most significant sense of the word and in time became one of the most trusted employes in Mr. Engelhart's service.
On July 16, 1908, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Pilz to Miss Emma Engelhart, who was born and reared in Ft. Russell town- ship and who is a daughter of Henry and Char- lotte (Hill) Engelhart. Mrs. Pilz was the youngest daughter of five children three broth- ers and one sister. She was born January 25, 1860 and was educated in the public schools of her native place. Mr. and Mrs. Pilz have no children. In their religious faith they are devout church communicants at Edwardsville, Illinois, and they are liberal contributers to all philanthropical work in this community.
Mr. Pilz is a German of the most energetic and thrifty type. He is now the owner of a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres of some of the best land in this county and he is engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of high-grade stock. He is decidedly successful as a business man and farmer and all his dealings are noted for their fairness. While he is not aligned with any political party he is deeply interested in all that affects the good of this county and he exercises his fran- chise in favor of the men and measures meet- ing with the approval of his judgment.
LOUIS J. HARTMANN, president of H. M. Schweppe & Company, one of the oldest and largest clothing establishments in Alton, began his business career thirty years ago in the em-
-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ploy of the same firm. The firm of J. W. & H. Schweppe was established in Alton sixty years ago, and about 1880 H. M. Schweppe acquired the business. The business has been incorporated for the last ten years, and in July, 1910, Mr. Hartmann bought the controlling interest in the concern. His son Carl is vice president of the company and his wife is sec- retary and treasurer.
Mr. Hartmann was born in Alton, January 22, 1864, and represents the Swiss nationality which was introduced into Madison county beginning more than sixty years ago. His par- ents were J. J. and Mary (Guertler) Hart- mann, both of whom were born near Basle, Switzerland. The father settled at Alton when he was twenty-one years old, followed the occu- pation of wagon-maker, and died in this city in 1905. He served in the city council while J. T. Drummond was mayor, and was a sub- stantial citizen. His wife died in 1872.
L. J. Hartmann is an alumnus of the Alton high school, in the class of 1881. The high school at that time was held in the Lincoln school building. He left school almost at once to enter the service of the business with which his entire business career has been identified. A Republican in politics, he was elected tax collector in 1890, serving two terms, was elected city treasurer in 1892, was appointed city con- troller in 1896 and in 1903 was appointed special tax collector. In 1904 he became a member of the Alton board of education, in 1906 was chosen treasurer of the city school funds, and in May, 1911, turned over a large balance to his successor in that office. Mr. Hartmann is president of the Alton Retail Merchants Association and is treasurer of the newly organized Board of Trade.
On December 16, 1891, he married Miss Elizabeth M. Seibold. Her father, Charles Seibold, was a prominent German citizen of Alton and was one of the six organizers of the German Benevolent Association. Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann have two children, Carl Al- fred and Elsie Marie. Carl graduated from the Alton high school just thirty years after his father. and was president of the class.
HENRY NEUHAUS. The name of Neuhaus suggests a successful farmer and stockman to the people of Hamel township. Mr. Neuhaus has been connected with the agricultural pros- perity of Madison county for almost fifty years and indeed he has long been an important factor in the farming industry. Probably the cause of Mr. Neuhaus' success as an agri- culturalist is attributable to the fact that he
has always used both muscles and brain in the management of his farm; nothing has been left to run in a haphazard fashion, but things have been carefully planned and then just as carefully executed.
Mr. Neuhaus was born in Germany, July 18, 1832, and is the son of William and Anna Neuhaus, life-long residents of the same old Fatherland. Mr. Neuhaus, Sr., was educated in his native land, and was there married and became the father of children. Mr. Neuhaus, Jr., received his educational training, in the German schools and later engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. In 1865, being ambitious to operate on a larger scale than was possible in Germany, he immigrated to America and came direct to Madison county where he in- vested the sum of money which represented his savings during the years of farming. He purchased an eighty acre tract of land at twenty-five dollars and fifty cents per acre and immediately set to work to bring the soil under cultivation. He was industrious and from time to time was able to buy more land and now owns one hundred and seventy acres of fine, fertile farm land.
While Mr. Neuhaus was residing in Germany he married Caroline Shuette, a young German girl, daughter of Conrad and Louise Shuette, likewise of German birth and life-long resi- dence. Mr. and Mrs. Neuhaus became the parents of eight children. Four of the num- ber died in infancy, three in Germany. The names of the living are John, Henry, Sophia and Herman, all educated in both German and American at the schools of Worden and Hamel townships. John married Lena Lueker and to this union nine children were born, seven of whom are living, as follows,-Theodore. Adolph, William, Clara, Walter, Sophia and Emma. Henry's wife is Sophia, sister of Lena Lueker, and he has a family of six chil- dren (one of the seven who were born having died in infancy ),-Paul, Albert, Marie. Bertha, Emil and Arnold. Sophia is married to Henry Finke and is the mother of seven children, -- Bertha, Anna, Emma, Albert, Hulda, Dora, Martin. Herman resides on the old home- stead and superintends the management of the farm. In 1898 he was united in marriage to Caroline Nobbe, whose birth occurred April 23, 1877; she is a daughter of Henry and Louise (Siebe) Nobbe, natives of Germany and parents of five children,-Caroline, Christ, Charlie, Janie and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Her- man Neuhaus now have a family of five sturdy boys,-Gustav, Arthur, Edwin, Rudolph and
G. I.T. Lange,
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Elmer -- all students in the Worden school. In 1899 Mrs. Henry Neuhaus, the good wife and mother, was laid to rest in the Hamel cemetery.
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