USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 38
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Joseph Ludwig spent his boyhood and youth beneath the parental roof-tree and assisted his father in the conduct of his estate until 1900. Upon the death of the father in that year he continued to live upon the old homestead with his mother and his brothers John and Emil, who relieved her of responsibilities. In 1903 he laid the foundation of a household of his own by his marriage to Lena Ambuehl, who was born in Saline township in 1882 and is a daughter of Benedict and Margaret (Auer) Ambuehl. The former was a native of Amer- ica and the latter of Grabunden, Switzerland. The mother emigrated when a young woman and she was married to Mr. Ambuehl in High- land. The father was a farmer, his estate be- ing situated two miles south of Saline, and consisting of three hundred and eighty-five
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acres of fine, productive land. Their family consisted of Benjamin, deceased; Albert, Au- gust, Edwin, Maggie, Emma, Ella, and Lena, wife of the subject of this record. With the exception of August, Edwin and Ella, the Am- buehl children obtained their education in the Kaufman and Fairview schools. They have married and settled nearby, filling the useful avocations of life, most of them, being farm- ers.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig began housekeeping on the former's land, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres and is situated three and three-fourths miles north of Saline. This farm he has taken great pains to beautify and improve and he appreciates it the more in that it came from his father. The older man previous to his death divided his property among his children. The subject has also purchased eighty addi- tional acres, has built new farm buildings and made marked improvement, his well-tilled fields attesting to his excellent methods. To- day he owns one of the finest country homes in Leef township. He is interested in rais- ing fine stock, principally Holstein. His busi- ness principles are such as to commend him for public trust and he has served in the office of township collector and has proved ever ready to give sympathy and support to all just measures. In politics he is aligned with the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig share their home with one son, Clarence, born June 26, 1905, and now six years of age, this promising child at the present time attending his first term of school in the very school his father attended -Reudy school. The subject and his wife belong to the German Evangelical church of Grant Fork in which Mr. Ludwig holds the office of trustee. Mrs. Ludwig is a prominent member of the Ladies' Aid Society. They are good members of society and it is indeed ap- propriate to incorporate record of their lives in this history of Madison county.
UTTEN SMITH NIXON. Endowed by nature with great mechanical ability and decidedly artistic tastes, Utten Smith Nixon, of Alton, has paid especial attention to the development and cultivation of his native talents, and is now one of the best architects in this part of Madison county. A son of William Nixon, he was born April 22, 1861, at Volcano, Cali- fornia, in the Sacramento valley. His grand- father, Robert Nixon, was born in England, of English ancestry, and lived in his native land until after the death of his wife, when he came to America to spend his declining
years with his children, dying in Madison county, Illinois. He reared three children, namely : William; Nicholas, who spent his last days in California; and Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Dunferd, a Madison county farmer, and after his death went to Califor- nia, where her death occurred.
Born in London, England, in 1815, William Nixon came to the United States in carly man- . hood, locating in Madison county, Illinois. He soon secured a position as clerk, and a short time later opened a store in Alton, and was here successfully employed in mercantile pursuits until failing health forced him to seek a more genial climate. Embarking at New York city on a sailing vessel, he went by way of the Isthmus to California, being six weeks on the water. For five years he resided in the Sacramento valley, and then, having received no permanent benefit while there, returned to Madison county, Illinois, and died at the Dun- ferd farm, near Alton, a few days after his arrival home.
The maiden name of the wife of William Nixon was Georgianna Smith. She was born in England, a daughter of Utten Smith, who immigrated from England to America with his family, and was for a time engaged in farm- ing near Rushville, Illinois, but later removed to Alton, where he spent his last days. She married for her second husband James Hawk- ins. By her union with her first husband she reared four children, as follows: William, Catherine, and Utten Smith and Robert D., twins. By her marriage with Mr. Hawkins she had two children, May and Rose.
But two years old when his parents re- turned to Madison county, Utten Smith Nixon was here reared and educated. Naturally of an active and enterprising disposition, pos- sessing a resolute will and an honorable ambi- tion to succeed, he began the development of his mechanical ingenuity, and after learning carpentry in all its branches, became a con- tractor and builder. While thus employed, Mr. Nixon made a study of architecture, and when proficient in the art entered a broader field of action, becoming an architect. In this profession Mr. Nixon has been exceedingly prosperous, and has designed many large church edifices and school buildings in this vicinity, and also many private residences.
Mr. Nixon married, in 1889, Mary Ken- nedy, who was born on a farm in Wood River township, Madison county, Illinois. Her father, Robert Kennedy, was born in Pennsyl- vania, of Scotch ancestry. Coming to Illinois in early days, he bought land in Wood River
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township and improved a farm, on which he lived many years, although he spent his last days in Bethalto. Mr. Kennedy married Julia Titchnel, who was born in Alton, where her father, William Titchnel, located on coming to Madison county from Virginia, his native state. She is still living and has seven chil- dren, as follows: Cornelia, Edwin, Ellen, Kate, Robert, Mary (now Mrs. Nixon) and Jennie. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Nixon has been brightened by the birth of five chil- dren, namely: Mary, Georgina (died in in- fancy), Alice, William and Joseph.
Politically Mr. Nixon is a straightforward Republican, and for eight years has served as a member of the State Board of Equalization. Fraternally he belongs to Piasa Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M .; to Franklin Chapter, R. A. M .; to Fleur de Lis Lodge, K. of P .; and to Alton Lodge, B. P. O. E.
HENRY C. EILERT. A list of the leading agriculturists and stockmen of Madison county would contain the name of Henry C. Eilert, who owns a valuable and well developed farm in Olive township. He is immediately de- scended from the thrifty and progressive German stock which has proved so beneficial to our American citizenship, both of his par- ents having been natives of the Fatherland. They came to the United States in youth in quest of the wider opportunities to be encoun- tered here, located in Madison county and here met and married and made their permanent home. The father passed on to his reward in 1879, but his devoted wife survives him and makes her home in Staunton. They became the parents of the following children: Christ, who died in infancy ; Louise, widow of Henry Sievers; Henry C., of this review ; Christ and William, citizens of Staunton.
Henry C. Eilert was reared upon his father's homestead farm and through actual experience became familiar with the great basic indus- try in all its departments. He divided his youthful energies between assisting in the farm work and attending school, and did not desert his desk in the school room until his attainment to about the age of seventeen years. This was about the year 1879, his birth having occurred in Olive township March 17, 1863, and his parents being Christ and Louise (Bode) Eilert. His father died at about the time he finished school and the greater part of the responsibilities of farm life fell upon his young shoulders. He resided with his mother until his marriage to Louise F. Sievers, who was born October 6, 1862. Their union was
solemnized February 20, 1887. Mrs. Eilert, like her husband, was born and reared in Madison county, near Prairietown, and she attended the same school as the young fellow who was to be her husband. They began their married life as renters of farming property, but although they began modestly, they have prospered exceedingly, and are now to be num- bered among the county's large land holders, owning two hundred and eighty-five acres of land. Their success has been the logical result of their industry, thrift and good manage- ment. Mr. Eilert is a self-made man, and, like most of this typically American product, an excellent citizen. His stock raising is an im- portant part of his work. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and in his po- litical convictions subscribes to the articles of faith of the Republican party. As evidence of the confidence in which he is held in the com- munity is the fact that he has served for three years as highway commissioner and with the greatest satisfaction to all concerned. Both he and his worthy wife are excellent repre- sentatives of an excellent race -- the German, their connection with the Fatherland being but one generation removed. They are honest and upright citizens and generally respected.
Mr. and Mrs. Eilert have five children, their eldest daughter, Louise, being the wife of Henry Schuette, and their hospitable home be- ing shared with the following quartette of sons and daughters: Henry W., Sophie L., Ida F. and Hermann.
FRIDOLIN J. OSWALD. Mr. Oswald's abili- ties as an architect are not only generally con- ceded in Madison county, Illinois, but his pro- fessional reputation is national. On more than one occasion he has been entertained with the highest executive of the land, and he has received many exhibitions of the sense of ap- preciation which is accorded to his genius and to his personality. In proportion to its size there is no town in Madison county, which has given to the public so large a number of men of distinction as Alhambra, and Mr. Oswald is notable among these men of enterprise as one who has contributed greatly towards the interests of his country by adoption.
The birth of this great man occurred on the 5th day of March, 1839, in Naefles, Canton Glarus, Switzerland. He is the second son of a family of twelve children, of whom Baltha- sar and Anna Katherina Oswald were the parents. The Oswald children, whose names are as follows,-Balthasar, Anna Magdalina, Maria Barbara, Anna Katharine, Carl Joseph,
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Antone B., Melchior, Katharina, Mathias, Anna K., John J., and Fridolin J .- received their education at the school in their home village and Fridolin J. is the only one who attended college. At the age of thirteen years his schooling ceased for a time and he worked for twelve months in a factory which paid him the munificent sum of ten cents per day, and he boarded at home. At the expira- tion of the year he assisted his father with the home duties until he was sixteen years of age, when he determined to learn the carpen- ter's trade. After serving a three years' ap- prenticeship he obtained employment in the city of Zurich ; he had already felt the need of further education, and his spare moments dur- ing his stay in Zurich were devoted to the study of elementary mathematics and free- hand drawing, and later he went to Munich, Germany, to complete his education in the study of scientific, technical and mathematical work, at the same time working on the "Koniglichen Bautewerk Schule" ( Building College ) in order to earn the means of defray- ing his expenses. In 1864 he graduated as an architect and received the prize diploma, as a mark of his high standing, and he forthwith returned home, where he was employed as an architect for a year. His income was, how- ever, very small and he felt that the class of work which he was capable of doing was de- serving of higher remuneration, and deter- mined to come to America, where a man's pay is more in accordance with his merits than is the case in the European countries in general. In 1865 he immigrated from his native land, embarked on a vessel bound for New Orleans, Louisiana, and on his arrival in that southern metropolis he immediately took passage on a river boat and went up the Mississippi to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in the car- pentering business for a time, while waiting for an opportunity to use his architectural abilities and experience. In 1866 he went to Marine, Illinois, and worked on the new mill building there ; he next moved to Saline, where he was appointed by the Hon. F. K. Whitte- more (ex-state treasurer of Illinois) as his overseer and collector of rents for his Madi- son county farms; this position Mr. Oswald has continued to hold up to the present time. As this was only a side line, Mr. Oswald was also able to do other work, and he did con- siderable business as a contractor and builder in Saline (now called Grant Fork) during the years of his residence in that town. In 1883
lie moved to Alhambra, and during the first two years of his life in that place he departed altogether from his vocational work and en- gaged in the grain elevator business. He was unfortunate in the loss of his elevators by fire, so that his efforts in the grain elevator line were a failure, and after losing all that he had been able to accumulate since he came to America he returned to the work for which he is fitted by nature and by training,-that of surveying and architectural work.
In 1901 he received an appointment from Governor Yates as member of the State Board of Examining Architects ; he was re-appointed by Governor Deneen, on his assumption of of- fice, and Mr. Oswald still retains the position on the board. In 1903 he was elected as one of the five architects to draw plans for the Illinois Building for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.
On the 13th of October, 1868, Mr. Oswald married Miss Maria Elizabeth Rall, born June 2, 1852, at Highland, Illinois, where her parents were wedded, and where they raised their eight children,-Rosa, John (the only son ), Barbara, Lena, Caroline, Sophia, Emma and Maria. The parents (Jacob and Marie Anna (Schweind) Rall, gave their children the benefits of the educational advantages which were afforded by the public school of Highland. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Os- wald nine children were born,-Maria Anna, Fridolin J., Caroline, Wilhelm J., Louis J., Wilhelmina M., Ida Katharine, Emma Alice and Mabel L. These children attended the Alhambra school, where three of the daugh- ters, Wilhelmina, Ida and Emma, and the son, Louis, were all graduated with honors and they fitted themselves for teaching. Miss Wilhelmina's first school was the Spangel dis- trict school; then she taught for two years at the Gehrig school and subsequently was ap- pointed to the primary room in the Maryville public school, taught there for three years and is re-engaged for 1912. Miss Ida began to teach at the age of seventeen, taught for the ensuing five years at Glen Carbon and has taught two years in her home school at Al- hambra. Miss Emma has taught three years at the Stalling district school. These three young ladies have made a record for them- selves in this high calling of life-that of im- parting instruction to others. Maria Anna Os- wald married James W. Carey, of St. Louis, and they have a family of three children,- Olivia, Winifred and James. Fridolin Oswald
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married Mattie Scharf and makes his home in New Douglas; their only child, Julius, is de- ceased. Wilhelm Oswald married Louisa Beckman and they live with their three chil- dren, Alonzo F., Mildred M. and Leona M., in Alhambra. Caroline, the wife of James A. Mathews, resides in St. Louis, Missouri.
In his political beliefs Mr. Oswald is a parti- san of the principles laid down by the Repub- licans, and he is very proud of his party, who in their turn have shown their appreciation of his sterling character and executive abilities by electing him to various public offices. He has held at various times the following posi- tions,-school and village trustee, president and treasurer of Alhambra, justice of the peace, notary public and postmaster ; he also served eight terms on the county board of su- pervisors and one term as county surveyor ; in 1895 he was elected trustee of the Illinois So- ciety of Civil Engineers and Surveyors and in 1908 he served as member of the County Board of Review and Assessment. He has been the guest of honor at many banquets and he has participated in many social events where he was one of a select coterie of distin- guished personages. In 1899 he received an invitation from Governor J. P. Tanner and Mayor Harrison of Chicago to assist in the ceremony of laying the corner stone for the United States Government Building of Chi- cago. In 1901 he received an invitation from Governor Yates to attend a reception and ban- quet given in honor of President Roosevelt at Springfield, Illinois, and on the 31st day of August of the same year he was one of the three delegates of Madison county who dined with President Roosevelt, the other two hon- ored guests being Senator Brenholt and the Hon. C. N. Travous. In the year 1907 he helped to organize the Citizens State Bank of Alhambra, was one of its directors and has continued as such up to the present time. In the spring of 1911 Mr. Oswald received an in- vitation from Governor Deneen to attend a reception and banquet at the Governor's man- sion in Springfield, given in honor of Presi- dent Taft. Miss Wilhelmina Oswald accom- panied her father on that occasion and she was presented to the president. Pages might be filled with an account of the social honors which Mr. Oswald has gained, but he is of a modest disposition and opposed to ostentation of any sort ; at heart he is the same as he was as a lad, when he used to tend sheep on the Alps and often for a week at a time he would
not see a person or any human habitation. He never felt alone at that time, as he had resources in himself; just so today, and al- though he is sought by many these social fes- tivities are not an essential part of his life.
GEORGE DICKSON, C. E. Born, bred and educated in Alton, George Dickson, a well- known civil engineer and prominent citizen, has ever evinced a warm interest in the wel- fare of his native city, aiding, as opportunity occurred, its growth and development. Rank- ing as one of the best engineers and surveyors in this part of Madison county, he is kept busily employed in his chosen profession. He comes of Virginia ancestry, his grandfather, Mark Dickson, Sr., having been a native of the Old Dominion.
Mark Dickson, Sr., the representative of an English family that settled in Virginia in colonial times, became an extensive landholder and operated his large plantation with slave labor. He was in the war of 1812 under Gen- eral Jackson. Subsequently freeing his slaves, he removed with his famliy to the territory of Indiana, settling near Tippecanoe. A few years later he settled at Middleton, Ohio, where he improved a good water power and established a flour mill and general country store, which he conducted successfully until his death, carrying on an extensive business. He was twice married, by his first wife hav- ing three sons, John, William and Mark, Jr. During the Civil war John served in the Con- federate army, while William fought bravely on the Union side. Mark, Jr., was a soldier in the Mexican war.
Born in Middleton, Ohio, in 1814, Mark Dickson, Jr., left home in early manhood and came to Alton, Illinois, where he- embarked in the real estate business and in addition oper- ated a stock farm near Brighton. He was very successful in both lines of industry, and ere his death, which occurred when he was but thirty-six years old, he acquired considerable wealth, owning both city and county property. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Mel- len, was born in Montreal, Canada, a daughter of James Mellen, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, where his father, Mr. Dickson's ma- ternal great-grandfather, was a large shipping merchant. James Mellen was sent to college when a youth and while pursuing his studies met Alice. Gordon, a cousin of Lord Byron. They fell in love, but Miss Gordon's parents, who were of royal blood, would not consent to their marriage. Taking matters, there fore,
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into their own hands, the young couple eloped, fleeing to Canada, and locating in Montreal. There the wife subsequently died, leaving four children. After the death of the wife, Mr. Mellen came with his family to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where in course of time he died. Mrs. Maria (Mellen) Dickson survived her husband, passing away at the age of fifty-four years. She reared three children, all of whom reside in Alton, as follows: Mary, wife of Captain E. D. Young ; George, the special subject of this sketch; and Mark.
George Dickson was born at Alton, April 22, 1848. Acquiring his rudimentary educa- tion under private tutorship he subsequently continued his studies at Shurtleff College. On leaving school he was for a time engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, but relinquished it to engage in his present pro- fession of surveyor and civil engineer, in which he is an adept. He was city engineer of Alton ten years, county surveyor eight years, and he has been selected to lay out and built street car lines in this locality and has mani- fested marked ability. Fraternally Mr. Dick- son is a member of Piasa Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., and of Alton Lodge, No. 746. B. P. O. E. He is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association.
MRS. FRANCES S. BROWN is one of the most familiar figures in Alhambra township, Madi- son county, Illinois, in fact there is no mature member of the community who does not know Mrs. Brown and her daughter. Mrs. Hastings. The tie between mother and daugh- ter, always of an intimate nature, is excep- tionally close in the case of these two women, and a biography of the one must necessarily include a history of the other's life.
Born on the 14th day of May, 1851, Mrs. Brown began her life in Illinois. She is one of the six children of William and Jincy Hoxey, the father a native of Illinois and the mother originating in Kentucky. Father Hoxey, obtained a meagre education in the district schools, but it was necessary that he should devote his time to earning money, so he was compelled to forego further educa- tion. As he grew to manhood he entered a government grant of land for himself and also a place for his mother. He married a woman who proved to be a true helpmeet to him, she being both loving and industrious. Suc- cess crowned the combined efforts of the worthy couple and from time to time they
were enabled to add to their holdings. In 1896 Mrs. Hoxey's death occurred, and the good wife, the tender mother and the true friend was laid to rest, her daughter, Frances S. (Mrs. Brown) having remained with her during her last illness, carefully anticipating every want and easing her last hours. She con- tinued to reside with her father, his companion in the evening of life. He was the proprietor of six hundred acres of land at this time, and he had had deeds made out to all of his chil- dren, giving to each one a home. These deeds he held during his life, and at the time of his death, in 1902, each child,-Mary, Sarah, John, James, Maggie and Frances,-received his or her portion of the inheritance. The husband was laid to rest by the side of his wife-the beloved companion of his wedded life.
Mrs. Brown's girlhood was spent in her native place, where she attended school, and at a very early age was united in marriage to William D. Brown, a farmer and school teacher. On the 21st day of November, 1874, their little daughter, Grace A., was born; a year later the mother became a widow and to her alone was left the responsibility of raising the little life entrusted to her care. She went home to her parents, cheering them by her devotion, while they were able to as- sist her, out of their experience, to bring up her daughter. Grace A. Brown received an excellent education, as well as careful train- ing at home and was a pupil in the Suhre school. In 1892 she wedded Joseph Hast- ings, a young farmer, whose birth occurred in Olive township, Illinois. He is a son of Jesse and Virginia Ann Hastings, the father a na- tive of Illinois, and the mother began her life in Pennsylvania. In course of time three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hastings,- Beatrice, Hazel Bernice and Hoxey B .- three bright, energetic children, true types of Amer- ican childhood. Beatrice was born in 1900 and she is a most interesting student in the seventh grade of the Suhre school, she is most attractive in appearance and has twice re- ceived a prize for beauty at baby shows ; Hazel Bernice's birth occurred in 1904 and in 1912 she will be in the third grade; while Hoxey B. his grandfather's namesake, has not yet commenced his schooling.
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