USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
Professor Haight was born at Warren, Ma- comb county, Michigan, May 22, 1850. His early education was in the Ypsilanti public schools, and he was then a student in Shurt- leff College during 1866-67. After two years' employment in his father's store in Michigan he completed his academic course at the Uni- versity of Missouri, and in the fall of 1870 re- entered Shurtleff. The next spring he began his life work as a teacher in the State street public school of Alton, and in 1871 he taught the Alton colored school. He then resumed his studies in Shurtleff College and graduated with the class of '75.
In the same year he was elected principal of the Alton high school, which at that time had two teachers, and was conducted in the Lincoln schoolhouse at Tenth and George streets. He was principal five and a half years, and was first elected to the office of city superintendent of schools in January, 1881.
Mr. Haight's parents were Alonzo and La- rissa C. (Hopkins) Haight. His father, a son of George W. Haight, was born in Steuben county, New York, May 3, 1809, and died at Ovid, Michigan, in April, 1877. He was a pioneer settler in Michigan in 1831, following farming in Macomb county to 1854, then moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, to Hillsdale in 1857, and in 1858 to a farm near Ypsilanti. In 1866-68 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Ovid, after which he continued farming until his death. He was a Republican from the first organization of the party in Michigan, served as a local official, and was an active member of the Baptist church. His wife was born at Cazenovia, New York, Au- gust 16, 1814, and died at Ypsilanti, in August, 1863. Their children were: Salmon ; Edward A .; Alfred H .; Loretta, who married Rev. C. A. Hobbs; and Robert A., who with Edward A., are the only ones now living.
Professor Haight was married, August 25, 1875, to Miss Gertrude C. Seward, daughter of Edward D. and Sarah A. (Lewis) Seward. They have four children: Rettie C., Edward A., Lewis Seward and Robert A., Jr.
WILBUR MOORE WARNOCK, at the time ot his death senior member of the firm of War- nock, Williamson & Burroughs, practiced law in Edwardsville for thirty years and came to the front rank of the profession in Madison county. Among his associates were some of the best known lawyers of the county seat, and the firm which he represented gained a reputation throughout this part of Illinois for ability and success in all departments.
Mr. Warnock was born at Columbia, Illi- nois, April 23, 1862, and received his early education in the district and high schools of his native town. From 1878 to 1880 he at- tended the academy at Butler, Missouri, and soon afterward came to Edwardsville and entered the office of Judge Burroughs to study law. In 1881 he went to Chicago and the fol- lowing year was graduated from the Union College of Law (Northwestern University) of that city. His progress had been so rapid that he was qualified for the practice of law before he had attained his majority. Judge Burroughs received him into partnership August 1, 1882, though the firm style did not
632
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
include his name until he was of age. On the election of Judge Burroughs to the circuit bench in February, 1889, the firm was dis- solved. R. P. Owen was his associate for a brief time, and later Mr. C. N. Travous. From 1905 the firm of Warnock, Williamson & Burroughs was in existence. Mr. War- nock was appointed master in chancery in 1889, and during his career rendered many services of trust and professional importance. He gave his time almost exclusively to the practice of the law.
Politically Mr. Warnock was a Democrat. He was one of the most prominent and en- thusiastic of lodge men. In Masonry he stood very high, having attained to the thirty- second degree, and was a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. His membership extended to Belvidere Command- ery, No. 2, of Alton; to Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Chicago, and to Moolah Tem- ple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of St. Louis. He was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Edwardsville Lodge, No 46, of Edwardsville, and with Caractacus Lodge, No. 72, Knights of Pythias. Ile served in the capacity of vice-president of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Mr. Warnock came of a family which has been distinguished in Illinois public life since the territorial period. His grandfather was Judge John Warnock, whose father in turn was Joseph Warnock, a soldier of the Revo- lution under General Marion. Judge War- nock was born and reared in Charleston, South Carolina, and studied law under Gov- ernor Bennett of that state. Through the latter's influence the president appointed John Warnock territorial judge for the western district of Illinois. His service in this capacity continued until Illinois came into the Union in 1818. He presided over, and on November 16, 1818, adjourned the last term of territorial court held in Madison county. When Vandalia became the seat of the state government he served a period as postmaster of that city. About 1828 he moved to St. Clair county and purchased land, and subsequently made his home for a number of years on a farm be- tween Columbia and Waterloo. His last years were spent in Texas, and his death oc- curred in December, 1858. He was twice married. His first union was with Miss Jane McClure, a daughter of John McClure, a sol- dier of the Revolution under General Wash- ington. By this union he had nine children, eight of whom grew to mature years.
Lafayette Warnock, son of Judge John and Jane Warnock and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Vandalia, March 14, 1824. His education was obtained in McKendree College at Lebanon. For a time he was a merchant and also for two years postmaster at Jamestown, Wisconsin, and for six years had a store at Waterloo, Illinois. In 1854 he located at Columbia, and was a merchant, a miller and the owner of large real estate interests in that place and elsewhere. Ile married Mrs. Lucinda Stanley, nee Moore, widow of John W. Stanley. She was the eldest daughter of James B. Moore, who was born in Monroe county, in the year 1804. Iler grandfather, Enoch Moore, was also born in Monroe county and enjoyed the dis- tinction of being the first white male child born on Illinois soil. Mrs. Warnock was born in Waterloo, March 12, 1826. They had ten children: James W .; William 11 .; Joseph; Emma A., wife of Dr. M. G. Nixon ; Mary Leonora ; Samuel F .; Wilbur M .; Nel- lie, wife of Z. J. Williams; Minnie M., wife of George W. Dulin; and Lutic, wife of FF. H. Specht.
Mr Warnock, the immediate subject of this record, was married, June 24, 1896, at Ed- wardsville, to Maud Burroughs, who is the eldest daughter of Judge and Mrs. Benjamin R. Burroughs, of that city. Their only child Donald Burroughs Warnock, was born No- vember 24, 1902.
JUDGE WILLIAM E. HADLEY, judge of the Third judicial circuit, attained success and distinction in his profession at a comparatively carly age. He was elected to his present of- fice for the regular six-year term in June, 1909, and has made an excellent record. As a lawyer his office practice was at Collinsville, which is his home town, and at East St. Louis.
He was born at Collinsville, Illinois, January 16, 1873. After graduation from the high school in 1890, he entered McKendrec College and studied there until awarded the degree of LL.D. On being admitted to the bar he com- menced practice at Collinsville, and several years later also opened an office at East St. Louis, which he conducted for four years. Judge Hadley is a director in the State Bank of Collinsville, director of the Collinsville Electric Company, director of the Collinsville Ice & Refrigerator Company, and director of the Abbott Coal & Mining Company and the Montgomery County Coal Company.
Judge Hadley belongs to one of the oldest Madison county families. His grandfather, Rev. William Hadley, was born in Adair coun-
0
ME Hadley
633
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ty, Kentucky, in 1806, and when he was eleven years old the family located on a tract of land three miles north of Collinsville, being in the vanguard of those who developed the county from a wilderness. William Hadley taught himself the alphabet and amid his pioneer sur- roundings had only six weeks attendance at school. He learned and followed the carpen- ter's trade for five years, erecting some frame buildings that stood as landmarks in recent years. He began a long career as farmer in 1831, improving a large amount of land from the condition of nature, and was one of the most successful farmers in the southern part of the county. He lived to a venerable age. He was a local minister and one of the promi- nent Methodists of the county, having been or- dained in 1833. His first wife, Diadama Mc- Kinney, belonged to one of the very earliest families of the county. She was born in the county in 1809 and died here March 8, 1863. They had a family of six children. William Hadley married, in 1864, Mrs. Mary J. (Wing) Golder, who was born in Maine in 1821.
Wilbur Clay Hadley, father of Judge Had- ley, was born in Collinsville township, August 28, 1842. His education was obtained in the district school and the Collinsville high school and at McKendree College, besides a course in a business college. He began his career as a farmer, taught school, for a short time con- ducted a hotel in St. Louis, and then for sev- eral years managed his father's farming prop- erty. He became permanently identified with the city of Collinsville in 1869. From 1871 to 1880, and from 1884 to 1891 he had a mer- cantile business. In 1891 the State Bank of Collinsville was organized by Mr. Hadley and associates, and he was the unanimous choice for first president. His record as a banker, business man and farmer was one of more than ordinary success, and he was also prominent as a citizen. A Republican, he was the first member of that party to be elected supervisor of Collinsville township, and he also filled an unexpired term as county treasurer.
W. C. Hadley married, in 1866, Miss Mary Sophronia Smith, daughter of Sidney and Sina (Davidson) Smith. They had six chil- dren, Alice J., Bertha May, Flavia Josephine, William Edwin, Mary Julia, and one that died in infancy.
Judge Hadley, like his father, is prominent in the Masonic order, being affiliated with Col- linsville Lodge, No. 712, A. F. & A. M., Unity Chapter No. 182, R. A. M., Tancred Com- mandery, No. 50, at Belleville, the Oriental
Consistory at Chicago, and the Mystic Shrine temple at St. Louis. He is a member of the East St. Louis Lodge, No. 664, B. P. O. E .; also a member of the Business Men's Club and the Commercial Club of East St. Louis. His vacation periods are usually spent in fishing and hunting among the northern lakes.
Judge Hadley married, in October, 1899, Miss Kate L. Powell, of Collinsville. Her father, Dr. A. M. Powell, was long a promi- nent physician of that place. Judge Hadley and wife had two children, Louise and Wilbur Powell.
JOHN W. THOMPSON. The large industries of Granite City have brought into this civic community men of ability from all parts of the Union, and these men quickly took the lead in the affairs of the new city, whose civic pros- perity largely represents the practical ideals and character of men who a few years ago lived in widely separated localities but are now working together in the development of a new industrial community. One of such citizens, whose name is prominent in Granite City, is John W. Thompson, the present postmaster.
Mr. Thompson is a native of England, born in Staffordshire, October 27, 1867, a son of Gershom and Mary J. ( Williams) Thompson. His father died in the old country, and his mother is now living in Granite City. His school advantages ended when he was twelve years old, and he has been dependent on his own resources for his progress in the world. In 1885, at the age of eighteen, he landed at New York and went direct to Canal Dover, Ohio, where he was employed a few months in the rolling mills. Niles, Ohio, was his home for a number of years, and he was connected with the tin-plate and allied industries of that city. In 1904 he came to Granite City and became one of the skilled workmen in the Niedringhaus shops. In the industrial organi- zations of his department of labor he has taken an active part for a number of years, and was formerly a deputy vice president in nine dis- tricts of the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers. He has always been a stanch Republican and a hard worker for the success of his party. In 1908 he was ap- pointed by President Roosevelt to the post- office at Granite City, and has been a popular incumbent of the office since August of that year. Mr. Thompson's fraternal associations are with the Elks' Club of Granite City.
While a resident of Niles, Ohio, he was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Gittings of that city. They are the parents of four children: J. W. J., Gershom J., Margaret and Edward C.
634
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
LUCAS PFEIFFENBERGER, a resident of Alton since 1857, has for many years been one of the most influential figures in the business and financial affairs of the city. He was the origi- nator of the Building and Loan Association in Alton, became president of the old Alton Building and Loan Association in 1883, and is still president of the Piasa Association. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Na- tional Bank, and at the present time is chair- man of the board of directors.
Mr. Pfeiffenberger was born in Dayton, Ohio, November 14, 1834. After the gold dis- coveries in California he went west, then re- turned to Ohio, and in 1857 set out on a sec- ond overland journey to the Pacific. While at Alton on his way west, he was dissuaded from his plan to make his home in California, and in this way became a permanent resident here. He was a carpenter by occupation, and for many years was engaged in building and con- tracting. The business is still carried on as a firm of architects by Mr. Pfeiffenberger and sons.
In 1866 Mr. Pfeiffenberger became chief of the Alton fire department. In 1872 he was elected mayor, and served four terms. Be- sides this period of about fifteen years of stated civic service, he has been active and liberal in behalf of all movements for the pub- lic welfare. In politics he has always been a Democrat, has served as a member of the state central committee, and otherwise active in party affairs. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church and is a member of the church at Alton.
Mr. Pfeiffenberger's parents were John and Elizabeth (Miller) Pfeiffenberger, both of whom were natives of Baden-Baden, Ger- many, and after settling in America the father became a farmer near Dayton, Ohio. The father lived to be more than ninety-one years of age.
Lucas Pfeiffenberger married, at Alton in 1867, Miss Elizabeth C. Mather, daughter of Andrew Mather, one of Alton's pioneer citi- zens and a notable character among the early residents. The children of this marriage were five, three of whom survive, namely: George D., John M. and J. Mather.
WESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY. For nearly eighty years Upper Alton has been distin- guished in Illinois and throughout the middle west as a center of educational influences, and in this way has contributed as much solid worth to citizenship as any town of its size in the state. Though now an integral part of the greater city so far as civil government is
concerned, Upper Alton seems destined for many years to retain its delightful character of a quiet, cultured community, where educa- tion, religion and morality are safely secured amid the cosmopolitan standards of a city. During the past two decades one of the insti- tutions that has utilized these advantages of Upper Alton and has in turn added to the fame of the place as a school center has been the Western Military Academy.
Its history recalls another institution which served a previous generation of young stu- dents, and from which the present Academy was developed. In 1879 Edward Wyman, LL. D., who had been for many years recog- nized as a leading educator in the city of St. Louis, purchased the historic estate in Alton known as Bostwick Place, and after making extensive alterations and improvements opened a home school for boys under the name of Wyman. At the death of Mr. Wyman, Albert clucted with gratifying success by the founder until his death in 1888. It remained for sev- eral years under the ownership of Mrs. Wyman .. At the death of Mr. Wyman, Albert M. Jackson, who had been for several years an assistant in the school, was installed as principal.
Early in 1892 a change in ownership oc- curred, and the institution was given a distinc- tively military character, both state and na- tional recognition being secured. Handsome new buildings were erected, nearly doubling its capacity, and all its appointments and ap- pliances were modernized. Colonel Albert M. Jackson and Major George D. Eaton were re- tained in their respective positions of principal and assistant principal. In 1896 the ownership of the property passed to Colonel Jackson and Major Eaton. In February, 1903, the two principal buildings were destroyed by fire, fortunately without personal injury to any of the cadets. The corps was disbanded, and the work of reconstruction on a permanent and enlarged basis was immediately begun. On September 23, 1903, with three buildings com- plete, and with all of its one hundred and fif- teen places filled, the Academy began its twenty-fifth annual session. At the opening of the next year three additional buildings had been completed and excellent accommodations for one hundred and fifty cadets had been pro- vided. During the past seven years these places have all been filled.
The Academy grounds comprise fifty acres. beautifully situated, with landscape features of lawn and grove, a lake, walks and drives, with many stately old elms, oaks and
635
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
. maples. The buildings, of English style of architecture with a distinctly military char- acter, comprise the Administration building, fifty by one hundred and thirty-six feet, three stories high ; the Barracks, "A," "B" and "C"; drill hall and gymnasium; and Science build- ing.
The objects of the Western Military Acad- emy are, I. to provide a training broad enough to prepare cadets for any American scientific school, college or university; 2. to secure for each cadet a generous and well bal- anced development, whatever his ultimate course may be ; 3. to give its graduates suffi- cient military instruction to prepare them to become officers of the militia in time of peace, and to organize and discipline volunteers in case of war. As a military school the Academy has satisfied all the requirements of the war department, and has been ranked in "Class -_ " by the department. An inspection of the Academy was recently made by General O. O. Howard, who wrote: "I have seen no mili- tary school outside of West Point which seemed to me so complete and thorough in a military way as vours." In accordance with its recognition of the Academy, the war de- partment has an army officer detailed here as assistant to the faculty in military training.
The faculty comprises a corps of about fif- teen instructors, of approved efficiency and scholarship, most of them university gradu- ates and with military training. Some of the instructors have been identified with the Academy for many years. Colonel Jackson, the superintendent, for twenty-six years; Major George D. Eaton, the quartermaster, for twenty-three years; W. D. Armstrong, of the music department, for seventeen years ; Major Max Von Binzer, assistant quarter- master, for fifteen years; Major Wilson G. S. Lowe, commandant, for eleven years; and Thomas C. Jackson, adjutant, for fourteen years.
COLONEL ALBERT MATHEWS JACKSON, su- perintendent of Western Military Academy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born at West Mid- dlesex, Mercer county, in November, 1860. His parents, William A. and Adelaide (Math- ews) Jackson, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively.
His primary education was secured in the schools of West Middlesex, and he then pur- sued his studies in the Edinboro State Normal School. Later he entered Princeton Univer- sity and graduated in the classical course in 1884. In 1887 he received the degree of Mas- ter of Arts from that university. From 1884 Vol. II-2
to 1886 he was instructor in mathematics and Latin in the Blair Presbyterial Academy at Blairstown, New Jersey, and in the latter year came to Upper Alton and identified himself with what has proved his life work. During the first two years in Wyman Institute he was instructor in mathematics and Latin, and was principal of the Institute from 1888 to 1892. On the reorganization of the school he became principal of the Western Military Academy, and since 1896 has been superintendent.
The upbuilding of such an institution as the Western Military Academy is a remarkable achievernent, from whatever standpoint it is considered, and is a result which would reflect credit on the life work of any man. As the executive head of the institution for twenty- four years, Colonel Jackson has practically made the Academy what it is, and his business judgment and ability as an educator are re- flected in every department of the school. As a citizen he has been identified with the com- munity life in many ways, and his influence and co-operation are always sought in any movement for civic or social betterment.
In 1885 Colonel Jackson married Miss Jen- nie B. Simons, of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Simons. They are parents of two daughters and one son: Florence A., a graduate in the class of 'II from Smith Col- lege, Northampton, Massachusetts ; Ralph L., a graduate of Princeton University, in the class of 'II ; and Grace A., a student in Smith College.
JOHN DEIBERT. A man's friends and ac- quaintances judge him by what he has done. In the old country people want to know who and what a man's father was, but in America it is the man himself who brings things to pass if he would be thought well of. He must either make money or fame. John Deibert has been very successful since he first started out in business for himself and he has become well known in the county.
He was born at Marine, Madison county, Illinois, June 20, 1862, the son of John Dei- bert and his wife Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Kolb. Mr. and Mrs. Deibert were both born in Germany. where they were edu- cated and married. Mr. Deibert learned the tailoring trade, but prices were so low in his native land that he could not do more than make a bare living for himself and his grow- ing family. They decided to come to the United States and as soon as they could get together the necessary funds they set out, ar- riving in America in 1859. They came direct to Marine, Illinois, arriving here on the six-
636
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
teenth of December, in time to celebrate Christmas in the new country. He lived at Marine until the time of his death, October 11, 1907, his wife having passed away in 1894. They left nine children, as follows: Jacob, Daniel, Valentine, Caroline, Katie, Louise (who became the wife of John G. Weber), John and Louis.
John was brought up in the village of Ma- rine, being educated in the public school until he was eighteen years old. After leaving school he learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for several years and then engaged in other vocations in Marine. The whole family, including John, became inter- ested in the manufacture of molasses. In 1892 John and his brother Louis disposed of their share of the molasses business and located in Glen Carbon, where they engaged in the mer- cantile business ; they soon built up a fine trade. In addition to his interests at Glen Car- bon Mr. Deibert is a stockholder in the La Salle Street Bank of Chicago.
On the eighteenth of June, 1896, he married Nettie Morgan, of Collinsville, Illinois, where she was educated in the Collinsville schools. She is of Welsh descent her father coming direct from Wales.
Mr. Deibert is a Democrat, but does not take any active interest in politics. He is a Christian Scientist, being a firm believer in the doctrines taught by Mrs. Eddy. Mrs. Deibert is prominently connected with the church. The Deibert Brothers are considered by the neighbors to be honest and square in their dealings, these qualities having been instru- mental in building up their business to its present prosperous condition. We cannot all think alike, either in regard to religion or any- thing else, but whether we believe in Christian Science or not, we cannot fail to believe in the lives that the followers of this belief fol- low, their cheeriness and universal optimism helping to make all the world better. Mr. Deibert is no exception, but has the most hopeful disposition, which overcomes all diffi- culties and discouragements.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.