Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 40

Author: Norton, Wilbur T., 1844- , ed; Flagg, Norman Gershom, 1867-, ed; Hoerner, John Simon, 1846- , ed
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 40

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Mr. Long established a happy household when on the 17th day of June, 1895. he was united in marriage to Miss Johannah Flavin. daughter of Martin and Mary Flavin, of Ed- wardsville. Mr. and Mrs. Long share their delightful home with seven children, as fol- lows: Joanna, Mary Ellen, Catherine. Thomas J. Jr .. Patrick Edward, Gertrude and Eileen. All the children are in school and the three

eldest have not missed in a day's attendance in three years,-a truly remarkable record and one which it would doubtless be hard to dup- licate. They are all excellent students. Mrs. Long, as well as her husband, is a valiant champion of the cause of good education and she has been of most enlightened assistance to her children in their educational discipline. The subject and his family are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church. The head of the house gives heart and hand to the men and measures of the Democratic party and takes great interest in public affairs, giving his sup- port to all causes likely to result in general benefit. He was a member of the Local board of the State Farmers' Convention ; served one term as a member of the Edwardsville school board, and is a director of the Clover Leaf Building Association. Fraternally he is affil- iated with the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Knights of Illinois. The commodious family residence is situated at 420 St. Louis street and is the abode of hospitality. Mr. Long is a particularly desirable member of society, being successful not only as a business man, but as a citizen, and needless to say, he stands high in the regard of the community in which his interests are centered.

JAMES E. FLYNN, of the grocery firm of Long & Flynn at Edwardsville, is one of the long established merchants and has been iden- tified with the grocery trade from the begin- ning of his business career.

He was born at Edwardsville in September, 1863, a son of P. O. and Mary ( Kennedy) Flynn. After an education in the city schools, and while still a boy in years, he became a clerk in a grocery store, continuing this way nine years. The present business of which he is a partner was established March 28, 1887.

JOHN B. JUDD, managing editor of the Gran- ite City Press & Herald, is one of the live and progressive newspaper men of Madison coun- ty and has built up a journal of broad and ef- fective influence in the youngest but one of the largest of the county's cities.

The Granite City Press was established in 1902 by his brother, C. W. Judd. Mr. John B. Judd, who for a number of years had been en- gaged in mercantile business in this county, bought the paper in April. 1906. He gave the Press an independent standing as a newspaper, and three years later. in 1909, he bought the Herald and consolidated the two, and has since issued the Granite City Press & Herald, which is a six-column, eight-page, twice-a-week local

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

newspaper, a popular medium of news and advertising in the community, and Republican in politics.

The editor, Mr. Judd, was born at Win- chester, Indiana, in 1864, a son of Charles H. and Martha (Sipe) Judd, the mother a native of Pennsylvania, and the father a native of Ohio. When a young man he learned the drug business with Dr. Pogue, of .Edwardsville, and was with him until 1889, when he became clerk in the drug store of W. D. Harnist. In 1891 the drug business of Trares (John S.) & Judd was begun and continued until January, 1900, when Mr. Judd sold his interest. In the fall of the same year he established himself in business at Granite City, which was then just beginning to grow to importance as a manu- facturing city. Here he started a drug and jewelry store, and for two years the business was conducted under the firm name of Judd & Gonterman, at the end of which time Mr. Gon- terman retired. Mr. Judd then continued in business alone until he sold out in 1906 to de- vote his time and interests to the newspaper business.

GEORGE PENNING. Industrious and enter- prising, George Penning inherited in a large measure the thrift and ability that character- ized his German forefathers, and now holds a secure position among the leading citizens of Upper Alton, the city in which, when he was but twenty-seven years old, he was chosen as mayor, and served so satisfactorily to all concerned that he was re-elected to the same high position at the expiration of his term. A son of Albert H. Penning, he was born in the village of Hallem, Ostfriesland, Germany .. His grandfather, Henry Penning, was a life- long farmer of Ostfriesland, and there reared his two sons. John, ivho remained in the Fa- therland; and Albert H.

Albert H. Penning was born in the village of Klein Kemels, Ostfriesland, and after at- taining his majority was there engaged in agricultural pursuits a number of seasons. In 1871 he immigrated with his family to Amer- ica, locating in Madison county, Illinois, where he continued his pleasant occupation of a farmer until his death, in 1878. He mar- ried, in 1868, Tatge A. Vissering, who was born in the village of Filsum, Ostfriesland. Her father, Peter Vissering, was born in the near-by village of Riepe, and was reared to the occupation of blacksmith and farmer, which he followed in his native country dur- ing his active career. After the death of his

wife he came to America to live with his chil- dren, and he died in Madison county, Illinois, in 1891, at the age of seventy-six years. By the death of her husband, in 1878, Mrs. Albert H. Penning was left a widow with four small children, George, Henry, Jacobus and Anna. She kept the children together, rearing them to habits of industry and honesty, and the family have now a most pleasant home at Upper Alton, where they have four acres of land, on which substantial buildings have been erected, the house being surrounded with fruit and ornamental trees and the estate being one of the most attractive and desirable in the neighborhood.

When but eleven years old George Penning began his career as a tender in the Alton Glass Works. As soon as old enough he began to learn the trade of a glass blower, serving an apprenticeship of four years, and has fol- lowed the trade successfully until the present time, being an adept in the art. He has never married, but has devoted himself to the care of his mother. In his political views he is a straightforward Republican, and much inter- ested in public affairs. He has not only served two terms as mayor of Upper Alton, but is now filling his second term as county supervisor. His parents were reared in the Lutheran faith.

DANIEL J. MURPHY, one of the best known citizens and business men in this part of the state, is a banker of Jerseyville and Granite City, being president of the National Bank of Jerseyville and cashier of the Granite City National Bank. He has had a long and full career, connected with much service in the in- terests of the public and larger business af- fairs.

Born at Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, June 19, 1854, and educated in the public schools of his native town and then in the old university at Chicago, and began his career as teacher in the Jerseyville high school, where he remained ten years. His ability as an edu- cator is still held in high esteem by his many former students. In 1886 he was elected to the office of county clerk of Jersey county, and served three terms, from 1886 to 1898. While in school work he also served as county surveyor from 1879 to 1886. In 1899 he be- came cashier of the National Bank of Jer- seyville, and was identified with the active management of the bank up to December, 1905, when he moved to Granite City to take a similar position with the Granite City Na-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

tional Bank. In 1909 he was elected presi- dent of the National Bank of Jerseyville, and has since held that office.

As a public-spirited citizen Mr. Murphy has taken an active part in the affairs of his home community. Besides the two offices with which he was honored, he was for six years chairman of the Jersey county Democratic central committee. For twelve years he was secretary of the board of education of Jersey- ville. Fraternally he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1876 and of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica since 1894.

In November, 1881, he married Miss Ther- esa M. Reintges, of Elsah, Jersey county. Her father, Peter Reintges, was a native of Germany. They have one son, Emmett L., now a resident of Chicago.

Mr. Murphy's ancestors were among the early settlers of America. His great-grand- father, Hugh Murphy, immigrated from Ire- land to Virginia in 1781. The grandfather, Daniel Murphy, moved from Virginia and became one of the pioneers of Ohio. In Highland county of the latter state were born James and Amy (Willett) Murphy, the par- ents of Mr. Daniel J. Murphy. The father, who for many years followed the trade of carpenter, died at Pittsfield, June 1, 1903, be- ing survived by his widow, who still makes her home in Pittsfield.

ALFRED TROLLIET. About a mile south of Alhambra, setting a little back from the high- way, is the fine one hundred and twenty acre farm and the handsome homestead of the Trolliet family. The carefully tilled fields, neat buildings, and general outlook of com- fort, peace and prosperity which marks the place are evidences of a master agriculturist, as well as a care-taker and a lover of the home. It need only be mentioned to explain these restful and unmistakable outward evi- dences of thrift and good taste that this rep- resentative country estate is the handiwork and brain-work of Mr. and Mrs. Trolliet and their offspring, the grandparents natives of that trim, moral and fine-mettled little repub- lic of Switzerland, and their children and grandchildren most worthy descendants of worthy forefathers.

Alfred Trolliet, the father of the family, is a native of Clinton county, Illinois, and a son of John and Julia (Mouron) Trolliet, natives of Switzerland, of good French ancestry. They were reared in the tiny and true-hearted

republic within twenty miles of each other, came to the United States at an early day, but did not become acquainted until both families had located at Highland, Madison county. The families were drawn together intimately by this circumstance and the natural result was acquaintanceship, love and marriage be- tween the young John Trolliet and Julia Mouron.

After his marriage John Trolliet rented a farm near Highland, beginning wedded life amid most humble surroundings and with a small financial capital, but with a large stock of brains and well-regulated energy. His wife proved an invaluable partner both of his affections and of his practical affairs, and he is always ready to give her a generous half of the credit for his success and happiness in life. Mr. Trolliet's first purchase consisted of forty acres of land on the prairie in Clinton county, Illinois-a tract overgrown with hazel brush and neither attractive nor promising to look upon. But he built a one-room log cabin, with a dirt floor, cleared off the brush, went bravely and confidently below the surface, thoroughly tilled the soil, and the resulting harvests with the march of the years brought him and his increasing family the means to improve the homestead, educate the children and found a contented and prosperous house- hold. And what more could a good Swiss or American ask?

The children who came to stimulate the in- dustry and warm the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. John Trolliet were Michael, Henry, Ami, El- len, Jennie, Lucy and Alfred, the last named being the subject of this sketch. The children obtained their education mainly at the Sutton district school, and lived to gladden the heart of their loving and faithful mother with their filial solicitude and affection, that Christian soul passing to its reward in 1887.

Alfred Trolliet remained on the Clinton county farm (where he was born in 1867) until he was twenty-one years of age, when he went to Alhambra to obtain work. While there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Es- tella McDonald, her birth-year the same as his, but her birthplace Gillespie, Macoupin county, Illinois. Their marriage followed not long afterward. Mrs. Trolliet's family name points to her good Scotch ancestry. She is the daughter of William and Della (Hall) McDonald, her father being a native of Ken- tucky and her mother of Missouri. The children of this congenial marriage were

IBHarrie

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

Francis, Jennie, Charles, William, Andrew and Essex, and their education was obtained in the Hoxsey district and Alhambra schools.

After his marriage Mr. Trolliet rented a farm two miles west of Alhambra, upon which he resided for two and a half years, when he returned with his wife and family to the old homestead in Clinton county. There the family remained for seventeen years, his father spending part of his time in a home on the farm and a portion of it in his son's household. On March 13, 1907, Father John Trolliet died on the place which had been so endeared to him by his many years of wedded life with the wife of his youth, and by the birth of children and grandchildren, who had developed fine, strong men and women dur- ing the long passage of the years which had · brought his life span to four-score and four. The fact that the venerable man died in the possession of three hundred acres of land was a tribute to his life-long thrift and foresight, but, what was of more account in the end, and of more vital moment to his descendants, was the substantial name for honesty and honor which he left behind.

In 1908 Alfred Trolliet sold the old home farm in Clinton county and purchased the homestead of one hundred and twenty acres near Alhambra which has already been de- scribed. The children, Nellie E. and Roger, add the light and charm to the household, which stand for true Americanism. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trolliet are members of the Alhambra Baptist church, and are active in every movement which is of Christian spirit and morally elevating. The daughter, Miss Nellie, is a young lady to whom the commu- nity points with pride, while Roger (ten years of age) is a wide-awake, sturdy schoolboy. No family name could be better adduced as a synonym for energy, industry, sound abilities, high motives and good performances than that of Trolliet.

JOHN B. HARRIS, general lawyer, real estate and insurance, at Granite City, is of a well known family in Madison county and was born in Moro township, November 22, 1880. A progressive young lawyer, in the most rapidly progressing city of the county, he has been an important factor in the professional and busi- ness life of the city since he opened his office there four years ago.

Reared on a farm, during his boyhood he attended the Hickory Grove school in Moro township, and afterward graduated from the Bunker Hill high school in 1898. He then

taught a year in the country, and the family having moved to Alton he there learned ste- nography and began to prepare himself for a professional career. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Judge David E. Keefe, of East St. Louis, and was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon in 1907. In 1908 he opened his office at Granite City, and besides a strictly legal business, he deals in real estate and in- surance. He is a member of the Madison County Bar Association. He attends St. Joseph's Church.

Mr. Harris in politics is a Democrat. He affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Arcanum and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. On June 29, 1910, he married Miss Grace Grote, a daughter of Nelson A. Grote, of East St. Louis. They are the parents of one son, John B., Jr.

Mr. Harris is one of the nine children of his parents, John S. and Catherine F. (Keefe) Harris. His father was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, January 15, 1846, and died March 25, 1894. He moved to Upper Alton in his youth, and for some time was a teacher, but later followed the occupation of farming in Moro township. Th mother is now a resi- dent of East St. Louis. Their children were as follows: Nora, Emma, John B., Mary, Wil- liam, deceased; Frank J., Charles E., Loretto, and Henry A., who died in infancy.

WILLIAM HALL. While Madison county was particularly fortunate in the stability and character of her earlier settlers, no more hon- ored name was enrolled upon her list of rep- resentative pioneers than that of William Hall, who was for many years actively iden- tified with the business interests of this part of the state, his home for many years having been in Alton. One of a family consisting of nine sons and four daughters, he was born in 1809 in Yorkshire, England, where his father, who owned and operated a large tannery, spent his entire life.

Soon after attaining his majority, William Hall, in search of pastures fresh and new, sailed for America, locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained nearly five years. In 1835, following the march of civ- ilization westward, he traveled by stage and canal to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, thence down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Alton, Illi- nois. At that time the greater part of the territory now included within the city limits of Alton, as well as the country surrounding it, was covered with a dense growth of tim- ber. He purchased a tract of land, erected

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

a house, and then returned to Philadelphia for his wife and child. Engaging in mercan- tile pursuits in Alton, he was first associated with John Roe and later with Charles Mur- ray. On disposing of his mercantile interests, Mr. Hall formed a copartnership with Edward Levis and established himself as a contractor and builder. Subsequently, during the con- struction of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, he and his partner built several of the rail- way stations erected along the line. While thus employed he secured a piece of one of the first rails laid on the road, and it is now preserved by his daughters.

Mr. Hall made wise investments, becoming owner of valuable real estate in the city of Alton, and after occupying the original home in Middle Town for several years sold that and built on Fourth street the house in which his death occurred July 16, 1875, and which is now the home of his daughters.

Mr. Hall married, in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, Ann Kendall, who was born in Lon- clon, England, where her father, a life-long resident of that city, operated a brass foundry. She came to America when a young lady, be- ing the only member of her family to cross the ocean, making the voyage in a sailing ves- sel and being several weeks en route. She survived Mr. Hall, passing away at the family home July 18, 1883. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hall were reared in the Episcopal faith.

Ten children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, namely: Charles, Sarah, Thomas, Edward. George, Mary, Virginia, William, Benson and Ellen. Both Charles and George died in early manhood; Sarah passed away in 1911; Edward was for sometime engaged in business in Saint Louis, where he died ; Mary and Virginia have been life-long resi- dents of Alton, and now occupy the house built by their father in their girlhood days. They have in their possession many valuable relics, including brass candle sticks and brass lamps made in London by their Grandfather Kendall, and a book that might be called an encyclopaedia, which was published in Phil- adelphia in 1739. In his younger days Mr. Hall was a member of both the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

J. E. MARKS. The mercantile enterprise around the square at Edwardsville has no more progressive firm than that of Marks. Weber & Company. The senior member of the firm is a man of large business ability and experience, and during his residence at Ed-

wardsville has identified himself in a public- spirited way with the best interests of the city. He has been a resident of the city for ten years and has made a fine record as a merchant and citizen.

He was bor11 in Fosterburg, Madison county, Illinois, September 17, 1872, a son of Peter and Margaret ( Keiser) Marks. His father, who was a former resident of Alton, but followed the occupation of farming dur- ing most of his career, was born December 20, 1843, and died December 24, 1910. 1lis widow now resides in Edwardsville. Peter Marks was a soldier during the Civil war, having enlisted in Company D of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry. This was the regiment commanded by Col- onel Rodgers of Alton, and made a gallant rec- ord of service in many important campaigns. Peter Marks and wife had nine children, namely : J. E., the eldest ; Nellie, wife of H. C. Keisinger; Anna, now Mrs. Rotmeier; Miss Lydia; Chris; Benjamin A. ; Charles W .; John C .; and Miss Minnie.

Mr. J. E. Marks was reared and educated in Macoupin county, attending first the public schools and then the Bunker Hill Military Academy. His business experience began with Mr. C. J. Jacoby, the Alton furniture man, and during the seven years of his con- nection with that merchant he laid the foun- cation of a successful mercantile career on his own account. In January, 1901, he lo- cated at Edwardsville, and associated himself with Weber & Jurgensen in the furniture and undertaking business. The firm name has since been changed to Marks, Weber & Con1- pany. The two-story building, fifty by one hundred feet, in which the business is con- ducted, is one of the well known places of the shopping district of Edwardsville, and their stock of furniture, pianos, carpets, etc., is one of the best in the county.

Mr. Marks has taken an active part in civic and social affairs. He was appointed and served four years in the office of deputy coro- ner. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 99. A. F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 46, I. O. O. F .; and Oqua Tribe, No. 155. I. O. R. M. He is an active member and one of the stew- ards of St. John's Methodist Episcopal church.

His first wife was Miss Emma, daughter of Ernest Wolf, of Bunker Hill. Of their two children, one is living, Edith May. By lis second marriage Miss Tilla Melil became his wife.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

JAMES L. JOHNSON. Noteworthy not only as a fine representative of the horticultural interests of Alton, but as a man who, starting without other means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, has conquered all obstacles and is now numbered among the esteemed and prosperous citizens of his com- munity. A native of Madison county, he was born May 3, 1851, in Upper Alton, coming on the paternal side of thrifty Scotch-Irish ancestry.

His father, James C. Johnson, was born July 8, 1818, in Charleston, South Carolina. Becoming unsatisfied when a boy with his op- portunities and environments, he left home when but eleven years old and from that time earned his living. He made his way to Mad- ison county, Illinois, which was then largely in its pristine wildness, the dense forests roundabout being filled with wild turkeys, deer and game of all kinds. Necessarily industri- ous, he was variously employed for a few years, after which he entered the employ of Smith & Brown, Springfield packers, for whom he subsequently worked the greater part of the time until his death, which was caused by a sunstroke, when he was but forty-two years of age. A few years after his mar- riage he bought a home at the corner of Hun- ter street and Washington avenue, and there spent his remaining days. The maiden name of his wife was Annie S. Jones. She was born, in 1818, at Centerville, Hickman county, Tennessee, and at the age of eight years came with her parents to Illinois, making the re- moval with teams and bringing all the house- hold goods along, the family cooking and camping by the wayside. She was left a widow with ten children, eight of whom she reared to years of maturity, as follows: Wil- liam F., who served in the Second Illinois Cavalry during the Civil war; John B., a Government employe during that conflict, was captured by the Rebels, and during the nine months and fourteen days that he was confined in the Andersonville prison his weight de- creased from one hundred and seventy pounds to one hundred and two pounds; Henry C. and George R. both served in the One Hun- dred and Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry ; Charles V .; Mary L .; James L .; and Frank H. Of these eight children Charles V. and James L. are the only survivors. The mother passed to the life beyond August 19, 1910, at the venerable age of ninety-one years, enjoy- ing good health and retaining her mental vigor and faculties until the last.

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Next to the youngest child of the parental household, James L. Johnson commenced when quite young to assist in the care of the family, his older brothers having all enlisted in the service of their country. Beginning his career of usefulness as a clerk in a general store at Upper Alton, he continued thus em- ployed a number of years, after which he was engaged in mercantile pursuits on his own ac- count for a year. Selling out his store, he then purchased a tract of near-by land and embarked in the culture of fruit, an industry in which he has since been prosperously em- ployed. Mr. Johnson has occupied his present home, at the corner of East College avenue and Main street, for the past forty-five years, its convenient location and the good neigh- bors making it one of the most desirable es- tates in Upper Alton.

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Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 40

Author: Norton, Wilbur T., 1844- , ed; Flagg, Norman Gershom, 1867-, ed; Hoerner, John Simon, 1846- , ed Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: Norton, Wilbur T., 1844- , ed; Flagg, Norman Gershom, 1867-, ed; Hoerner, John Simon, 1846- , ed
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 868