USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 69
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When Henry was seven years old he at- tended the country school in his district and was there until he reached his fourteenth year. At that time he began to work on his father's farm, continuing until he was twenty- one years old. At that time he had decided that he did not want to make farming his life work, but for a time he was employed as a farm hand on an adjoining farm. He then entered the business field and was first em- ployed as a grocery clerk at a store in Mit- chell. After years of faithful service and steady savings he managed to purchase a half interest in the business.
Tesig.
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In June, 1910, he was married to Ella Hackenthal, the daughter of Peter Hacken- thal, a native of Germany.
Mr. Hoelter carries insurance in the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company and at one time held membership in the Modern Wood- men of America fraternal order. He has been brought up in the Catholic faith, holding membership in the St. Elizabeth Catholic church at Mitchell. Since he first came to Mitchell he has done well and has become an influential and respected citizen of Chouteau township. He has shown his ability and his straightforward dealings. The people feel that they are sure of getting a square deal at his hands.
JOSEPH BOUSE. There are so many would be farmers who grumble because they have no one to help them get ahead, while as a matter of fact there are others who have had no help nor anyone but themselves to depend on and still manage to make a success. Such has been the experience of Joseph Bouse, a prominent farmer of Edwardsville township, Madison county, Illinois. He is today a pros- perous farmer and he has only his own in- dustry and efforts to thank for it. He has become greatly respected in the community.
He was born January 12, 1861, in Hungary, where his father, Joseph Bouse, and his mother, whose maiden name was Josephine Swobada, spent the whole of their lives. They had a small farm and lived in the most frugal manner that it is possible to imagine. They had seven children to clothe and feed and had little money left to pay for schooling, which was not free in their native place.
Joseph, the second son of his parents, hav- ing been named for both of them, received a few years of schooling in his native country schools, but his father was too poor to send him very much. He was brought up in the simplest manner imaginable, living on the black bread of the country, with very little to go with it. After the finish of his scanty education he assisted his father on the farm for a few years and then decided that he would leave his home where there was no prospect of his ever being able to make more than a bare existence. In 1881, when he was just twenty years of age, he came to America, landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, came up the river to St. Louis and thence to Edwardsville township. He there got work as a farm hand, and by means of the greatest economy and great saving, added to his in- dustry, he now has one hundred and forty-
four acres of some of the best grain produc- ing land in Edwardsville township.
Mr. Bouse married Miss Josephine Sliver, who bore him six children, as follows :- Nellie, Joseph, Bertha, Rudolph, Anna and Ida. Nellie is now the wife of Charles Kytka. Mrs. Bouse died in 1891. He sub- sequently married Miss Lily Myer, of St. Louis, who bore him four children, Edward, Sylvia, Helen and Alfred.
Mr. Bouse belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America at Glen Carbon, carrying in- surance in that order. He was brought up in the Catholic faith, the faith of his country. He still adheres to the doctrines of that church. He is a Republican in politics, hav- ing cast his first vote for that ticket. He is a man of sterling qualities and has a record for honest dealings among his fellow men. If he had not been a progressive man he would have stayed at home and accepted the lot of his parents, a life of hardship and penury. As a matter of fact, he had nothing when he came to America, but a strong body and a de- termined will, which has overcome all ob- stacles, and a character which has won him universal respect and liking.
J. HARRISON WEDIG, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Granite City, born July 27, 1885, in Nameoki township, Madi- son county, represents one of the oldest Ger- man families of this county and the oldest family existing today. The family was founded here in 1844, the beginning years of the great immigration from Germany. The original immigrant is still alive, at the age of eighty-eight years. The founder was John Wedig, Sr., who was born on the 7th day of January, 1824, in Hanover, Germany. In his early career his studies were begun in the Universities of Berlin and Hamburg, and af- ter receiving an acquired knowledge he sailed to America and landed at New Orleans in 1844. Immediately he became interested in agriculture, and in the latter part of 1846 enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war of the sixth decade, under the command of Gen- eral Winfield Scott, and received a captain's commission. He is one of the very few of that struggle alive. In 1849 he made the ad- venturous overland journey to California, to the gold fields, and remained for several years. He came to Madison county in 1852, and later, in 1853, married Miss Labathy Beck, of Ger- many, born in Baden, February 9, 1833.
After his marriage he became an active farmer in this vicinity, and was very success-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ful. He later became interested in tracts of land, he having made several purchases in this vicinity and elsewhere. He was elected to the House of Representatives from the Forty-seventh district of the state of Illinois by the Republican people of this community, serving from 1885 to 1887, and there his services were appreciated by his fellowmen and companions. In 1861 he was drafted for the Civil war at Alton, Illinois, and his re- jection was due to deformity.
John Wedig, Sr., and his wife are still alive, aged eighty-eight and seventy-nine years, re- spectively, and they reside one and a half miles west of Nameoki, in Madison county, enjoying excellent health and happiness, and they are known throughout Madison county. They are the grandparents of Dr. Wedig.
John Wedig, Jr., a son of the above men- tioned John Wedig and his wife, and Mrs. M. D. (Joerns) Wedig, are the parents of the Doctor. John Wedig, Jr., was actively engaged as a farmer for over twenty years, but later moving to St. Louis he there re- ceived a practical knowledge of moulding and followed that particular line of work up to recent years. Mrs. Mary D. Wedig chose her profession in 1891, a midwife, and graduated from the Dr. Carpenter College of Midwifery, of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1894. She began active practice in the latter part of 1894, and in 1895 moved to Granite City, where she has since practiced. She is the pioneer of her profession in this great locality. Fred Wedig, brother of Dr. Wedig, is a student at St. Louis University.
Dr. Wedig was a country boy up to the age of six years, and then moved to the city of St. Louis. After living there for five years his parents moved to Granity City. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of St. Louis and Granity City, and then be- came enthusiastic towards tradesmanship and entered upon an apprenticeship as a mechanic. After receiving the practical knowledge to be there acquired he further added to his future knowledge electrical and mechanical engineer- ing, which fitted him for an all-around me- chanic. But in time he became impressed with the advantages and disadvantages of a mechanic's life, and he then became a private student under various associated professors in his community, continuing until he fulfilled his requirements. He then entered St. Louis University, and there received the equivalent to a high school training and took the exami- nation under the 'auspices of Professor An-
drews, the superintendent of schools of Clay- ton county, Missouri.
He chose for his profession the doctrine of medicine, and entered Barnes University of St. Louis in 1906, but after one year there decided to change schools and entered the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated in 1910. Under competitive examination for hospital interne- ship he received places in the Frances Willard, St. Anthony's, Grace and the Hebrew hos- pitals. He served as instructor in anatomy under Professor Copeland, of Chicago, for- merly of the faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, and also a member of the late Byron Robinson Gyne- cological Society, the authority of gynecology. In the latter part of 1910 Dr. Wedig opened an office in Granity City and began the prac- tice of medicine and surgery. He stands in the midst of the laymen and his colleagues as a prominent physician.
The Doctor is engaged extensively in lab- oratory research and the different chemical analysis pertaining to metabolic forces within cells, as well as the catabolic forces. He has brought forth to the medical profession the Physio-Chemical Morbidity of cell or cells, in such diseases which have a chronic course with the prospective life in Treaties. He has membership in the following societies: Amer- ican Medical Society, Madison County Med- ical Society, Tri City Medical Association and the Phi Delta fraternity, medical, of Chicago.
In November, 1910, Dr. Wedig married Miss Adela Strackeljahn, of Nameoki, Illi- nois, the daughter of Herman Strackeljahn, a veteran of the Civil war, who was born December 12, 1844. He was a successful farmer in his earlier years. A daughter, Har- riette Marie Wedig, has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Wedig.
FRANK YANDA has become very well known in Glen Carbon and he is highly re- spected. He has not only made a success of his own life, but he has devoted himself to the upbuilding of his native county and to the welfare of the United States. His friends are only limited by his acquaintance. He has had a varied career, but is ready now for any duties that may devolve on him for the public good.
Born near the six mile house in Madison county, he has indeed grown up with the county. The date of his birth was February 9, 1875. His grandfather, William Yanda, was born in Austria, where he worked as a
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
blacksmith. He married there and became the father of nine children, of whom two are now dead. Frank Yanda, senior, was also born in Austria, where he received his educa- tion. He followed the same calling as his father, but he was not content with the bare living that he could make in his native coun- try. Soon after he was married he came to the United States and came direct to Mad- ison county, Illinois. He there worked at his trade and finally located in Glen Carbon, where he stayed until the time of his death, in August, 1905. Mrs. Yanda is living here still. He had twelve children and they are all living but one.
When Frank Yanda, junior, was seven years old he came with his parents to Glen Carbon. He was educated in the public schools and at the age of thirteen he left school and started to work. He has done a great many different things since that time, but he has prospered in them all.
He has not yet married, though he is very popular with the young women of Glen Car- bon. He was brought up in the Catholic faith and has never departed from it. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the encampment and is past grand and past chief patriarch. In politics he is a Republican and has served Glen Car- bon as marshal for one year. He has been fire chief for several years and for the past ten years has been treasurer of Glen Carbon Fire Company. He, together with his mother and brothers and sisters, own a good deal of real estate in Glen Carbon. Mr. Yanda is a man who goes about his business without any bluster or display, but he gets there just the same. He is square in his dealings with all with whom he comes in contact. He is still a young man and undoubtedly has much ahead of him in the way of political and other honors. He is a most public spirited man and an honor to the community.
F. C. ZOELZER has long been known as one of the most enterprising farmers and stock- men in Moro township, Madison county. Since he first engaged in agricultural pur- suits the status of the farmer has undergone a radical change. A farm and a mortgage used at one time to be synonymous terms, and a man burdened with debt is not apt to be beautiful either in looks or disposition. Now all of this has been changed and "back to the farm" means a return to efficiency, health and life; we reach the farm by going in which Mr. Zoelzer was united in marriage
forward not by going backward. The busi- ness of the farmer who produces food must be regarded as a fine art, not to be left to the whipped-out and the discouraged, as in former times. Much of this changed condi- tion has come about within the recollection of Mr. Zoelzer, and it is due to the work and example of such as he that ideas on this sub- ject have so completely changed. Mr. Zoel- zer is also identified with the prosperity of the town of Moro itself, where he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, both in his public capacities and in his private life.
Beginning life in the township where he now resides, Mr. Zoelzer's birth ยท occurred March 14, 1857. He is a son of Fred and Mary (Schaefer) Zoelzer, the father a na- tive of Germany and the mother of German descent. Fred Zoelzer remained in the coun- try to which he owed his birth until he was about twenty-eight years of age, at which time he came to the United States, making his way first of all to St. Louis. Remaining there only a short time, he moved to Moro township, Madison county, where he was hired out by the day and he also worked for the Big Four Railroad, then being built. Three years after he landed in America he was able to purchase a farm and to take his newly-wedded wife home to it. The ensuing years were ones of hard work, but of content- ment, the first real trouble being the death of his young wife in 1863. She left behind her four children,-F. C., Katharine (wife of Louis Schaake), Henry and Anna (wife of Gottlieb Backs). The bereaved husband re- mained on his farm and brought up his chil- dren with the greatest care, trying to take the place of both parents in their lives. His death occurred October 22, 1908.
F. C. Zoelzer attended the country school in his neighborhood, and on completing his educational training he remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, when he left the parental roof and began to farm independently. Possessed of intelligence, he brought all his faculties to bear on his agricultural efforts, with the re- sult that he prospered and today owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Moro township and a tract of two hundred and thirty-five acres in Fort Russell town- ship. He raises stock of all kinds, making a specialty of breeding fine cattle, and has re- cently started to raise Holstein cattle.
The year 1881 was memorable as the one
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to Miss Minnie Schaake, on the 14th day of December. Ten children were born to this union, nine of whom are living,-Mary, wife of Henry Stalhut; Lena; Annie, wife of Wallard Henke: Henry; William; Tillie ; Katharine; Minnie and Emma. Mr. Zoelzer and his family are members of the German Evangelical church at Moro, and the father and mother hold membership in the Court of Honor at Moro. Mr. Zoelzer is a considerate husband and a devoted father and has evinced his care for the material wants. of his family by taking out life insurance in their favor. In politics his allegiance has been un- waveringly tendered to the Republican party, who have shown their appreciation of his abilities by electing him to the office of super- visor, of which he has been the able incum- bent during two terms. He held the position of tax collector two years and was the asses- sor four years. The fact that Mr. Zoelzer has been retained in office is sufficient indica- tion of the acceptable nature of his service.
CHARLES L. HENRY, the well known mer- chant in Glen Carbon, has won the respect and esteem of all his friends and acquaint- ances. Perhaps if they knew of the fearful odds he has had to fight against they would think still more of him. He is a man who has attained a prominent position in his town- ship entirely by his own efforts. He has had to pick up whatever education he has ac- quired, but because he has had to work for it sets greater value on the things he knows.
He was born at Belleville, in St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1873, on September 6th. He is the son of Henry Henry, who was born in Ireland. He came to this country when he was a young man and, after trying to get a footing in different parts of the United States, he finally located at Belleville, Illinois. There he met a young girl named Melinda Jarvis and persuaded her to became his wife. After a short time they went with their chil- dren to Collinsville, Illinois, and then again to Edwardsville. Henry Henry was a miner and moved about from place to place in the mining regions. He followed this calling until the time of his death. They had six children, four of whom are living now ( 1911) : David, H. Simon, who is now sheriff of Madison county, Illinois; Lama, now the wife of Charles Reed, of Springfield, Missouri ; and Charles L.
When Charles L. was seven years old he went with his parents from Collinsville to Edwardsville in Madison county. He at-
tended the public schools until he was eleven years old. . He then began to earn his own living and has provided for himself ever since. He was first employed as delivery boy in a grocery store. He continued this work for five or six years, when he began to work in the mines. He worked very hard, but made good wages and was able to save some of them, so that in 1906 he was able to go into business for himself. Since that time he has established a very good trade and his cus- tomers feel that at his hands they will receive nothing but fair treatment and the best of goods.
While he was working in the mines he married Carrie M. Libbie. There were two children born to this 'union, but they both died, and their mother followed them July 20, 1906. He married afterward Augusta Sprandio, who was born in Gillespie, Illinois. He had one child by this second marriage, Margaret, born May 20, 1910.
Mr. Henry is a Catholic and a member of the Red Men's lodge. He has passed three chairs of this order and has represented his lodge in Grand Council. He is an out and out Democrat and has served a four year term as mayor of the village, to the satisfac- tion even of his political opponents. He is a man of honor and his whole life, both public and private, has been such that no shadow of reproach rests upon it.
CHARLES H. HASTINGS. A fine repre- sentative of the native-born citizens of Mad- ison county, Charles H. Hastings served as a soldier in the Civil war, and has since been identified, the greater part of the time, with the mercantile interests of this part of the state, being now one of Alton's prosperous merchants. He was born on a farm in Up- per Alton, being a son of Jonathan and Eliza M. (Higbee) Hastings.
Having acquired a practical common school education in' the public schools, Charles H. Hastings also obtained a pretty thorough knowledge of the branches of agri- culture on the home farm. When fifteen years old he began his career as a clerk, be- ing first employed in a store at Upper Alton and later in Alton. On May 12, 1864, in- spired by an earnest spirit of patriotism, he enlisted for one hundred days in Company D. One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois In- fantry, and was sent with his command to Rock Island, where he assisted in guarding prisoners until September 24, 1864, when he
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
was honorably discharged on account of the expiration of his term of enlistment.
Returning to the parental roof-tree, Mr. Hastings assisted his father in the care of the farm for a time, and then opened a store at Upper Alton, where he remained until 1906. Coming then to Alton, he has since been here extensively and successfully engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. During his life time Mr. Hastings has witnessed many wonderful transformations in the face of the country. In the days of his youth neither canals nor railways spanned the country, all transporta- tion being made with teams, all goods being thus taken from Alton, the principal market of this vicinity, and all farm produce being hauled into Alton with teams. Alton, then but an overgrown hamlet, and many of the near-by towns and villages, have all grown under his observation, and in their upbuild- ing he has taken much pride and pleasure and also ably assisted.
Mr. Hastings married, in 1887, Martha E. Blackinship, who was born in Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of Eli Blackinship. Mrs. Hastings's grandfather, James Blackinship, was born in Virginia, of substantial colonial ancestry. Migrating with his family to Ken- tucky, he bought land at Greensboro, and carried on his large plantation with slave labor for many years, residing there until his death, in 1866. Eli Blackinship, born near Richmond, Virginia, migrated from his Ken- tucky home to Illinois in early manhood, lo- cating in Springfield, where he carried on an extensive business as a merchant for several years. Disposing then of his Springfield in- terests, Mr. Blackinship spent much time in travel, spending several winters in the South, his last days, however, being passed at Upper Alton, where his death occurred in 1865. Mr. Blackinship married Julia (Paddock) Riley, who was born in Vermont, which was like- wise the birthplace of her father, Gavis Pad- dock, who, in 1818, came with his family to Illinois, becoming one of the first settlers of Madison county, where he took up a tract of Government land in the vicinity of Moro, im- proved a farm and there was engaged in farming until his death. The mother of Mrs. Hastings was twice married. She married first Henry Riley, of Saint Louis, who at his death left her with two children, Mary Riley and Henry Riley. By her union with Eli Blackinship she had two children, also, namely : James and Mrs. Hastings.
DOMINICK PIZZINI is a prominent busi- ness man of Glen Carbon. He is an instance of the way in which a foreigner can come to this country and by dint of industry, com'- bined with natural aptitude, forge a path for himself. He has had a varied career, but in all his dealings he has been honest with fellow men. The man who will make money and be absolutely honest is rare and is de- serving of our deepest respect. Mr. Pizzini has won the respect of the business men of Glen Carbon and both the respect and esteem of all who know him in his private capacity.
He was born at Asti Ferrere, just south of Rome, April 5, 1863. He was educated in his native country and did not come to this country until he was twenty-five years old. On October 5, 1888, he landed at New York and went at once to Paterson, New Jersey. He had very little money in his pocket when he arrived in this country, but he soon got some work to do. He stayed in New Jersey until October, 1891, when he came to the state of Illinois. He located at Litchfield first of all, but did not stay there very long. In 1892 he came to Gillespie and in May, 1893, he came to Glen Carbon, where he is agent for the Western Brewery. He has prospered and now owns considerable property.
On June II, 1892, while he was living in Litchfield, he married Lizzie Coomer, a young German girl, who was educated in her native land. Three boys and two girls were born to them. Mary, the eldest, was born July 10, 1895. William arrived in time to help his mother celebrate the Fourth of July, 1897. Otto was born October 31, 1899. Rosa was born April II, 1904. Frank was born May 15, 1906.
Mr. Pizzini was brought up in the Catholic faith. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Red Men lodges. In politics he is a Republican, and he cast his first vote in America for .William McKinley, since which time he has been a most stanch Republican, never failing to speak a word for his party, whenever there is an opportunity. In his manners Mr. Pizzini is quiet and un- assuming. He has many friends and no enemies. He is most hospitable and takes a delight in entertaining his friends at his own home, where they are welcomed by his wife as well as himself.
WILLIAM MESSERLI. Among the fine and large estates held by prominent families in
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Madison county, none is more worthy of mention with those true representatives of the Swiss-American nationality than that in Alhambra township which bears the honored name of Messerli. William, of that name, whose handsome country homestead lies on the Highland road, three miles south of Al- hambra, is of the first generation native to the United States. He was born in Alham- bra township on the twenty-seventh day of February, 1861, and is the son of Gottleib and Elizabeth (Pfiffner) Messerli, who were both born in the little European republic which is as stanch as its Alps. The parents left their native land in 1849, -- the year of the great German revolution and of wholesale im- migration to the western republic.
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