Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 76

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 76

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On October 21, 1899, Mr. Simpson married Miss Lulu Johnson, who had been a classmate in the high school, both graduating at the same time. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Simpson :- Juanita, born Sep- tember, 1901 ; LaMonte, born October, 1903; Leola and Leota, twins, who were born May 15, 1910. The two eldest children are both at- tending the public school, while the twins pro- vide their mother with ample occupation at home.

The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church, where they are good workers. Simpson is a member of the National Com- mercial Teachers' Federation. He is a Demo- crat and has done good work for his party. He has great sympathy with labor organiza- tions and is very popular with the laboring class. He owns his own home on Comos avenue, where he lives a busy, contented life. He has surely made his education amount to something. He is still young, being only thirty-five at the time he was elected mayor. What more there may be in store for him in the way of honors, it is hard to say, but one thing is certain, whatever he undertakes will be accomplished to the best of his abilities, which are away above the average.

GEORGE LIEBLER. Prominent for his un- failing rectitude in public office, progressive methods in business life, and his kindly, pleas- ant personality in private life, is George Lieb- ler, the present supervisor of Jarvis township. His popularity with all who know him springs no doubt from the very generous interest he has always taken in whatever has in any way affected the general welfare of the whole com- munity. Jarvis township has been the home of George Liebler ever since his birth, which occurred near Troy, August 23, 1864. His parents were Joseph and Catherine (Doll) Liebler. Mr. Liebler's father was also born in Jarvis township, the date of his nativity being September, 1834. He now makes his home in St. Jacob township. Mrs. Joseph Liebler, the mother of George, was also born in Jarvis township, ten years after the birth of his father. Mr. Liebler's grandparents were na- tives of the Fatherland, who had left the land of their birth to try the wider opportunities of

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our western republic. George Liebler was one of a family of eight children, seven boys and one girl, all of whom are living at the present time, 19II. They are Daniel, Joseph, Henry, John, Fritz, Andrew and Anna Liebler.

George Liebler spent his early life on a farm, attending the public schools of the county, to which preliminary education he added the training that a man may give him- self by wide reading, by which the open mind of the earnest man may well gain the broad- ened view of the collegian. Mr. Liebler's first business venture was as a clerk in a general store in St. Jacob, where he remained for a period of thirteen months. For a short time he returned to the farm, and then after clerk- ing for three years started in business for him- self in Troy. The business has been his since 1886, and a profitable trade is done in general merchandising.

In 1886 Mr. Liebler was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Ganninger, of St. Jacob, a daughter of John Ganninger, who had immi- grated to Illinois from Germany, and the year of her nativity was 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Liebler have been born three sons, namely : Daniel, who is in charge of his father's store at Troy; Arthur, employed by the Valier- Spies Elevator and Milling Company; and Walter, still a boy, and living at the parental home.

Mr. Liebler and his family are communi- cants in the Catholic church, and he is one of the trustees, as well as the secretary and treas- urer, of the St. Jerome's Society. Politically he is enrolled with the party of Jefferson, Jackson and Cleveland, and has been the rep- resentative of that party on more than one ballot. He has served as tax collector and city treasurer, and was elected to the office of supervisor in 1902, an office in which he has demonstrated what efficient public service may be for ten terms, a record of which any man might well be proud. It is needless to add that he is held in high esteem by the voters of this county, many of whom are his warm personal friends.

JOHN SIMON HOERNER. Possessing busi- ness talents of versatile character and holding prestige as a well known figure in the journal- istic field in Madison county, John Simon Hoerner, of Highland, Illinois, is recognized as one of his community's representative citi- zens. For thirty-two years he was connected with the Highland Union and for twenty-four years of this time was sold proprietor of this newspaper, which wielded a distinct influence

in this part of the state and was loyal in its support of Republican principles and candi-' dates. Mr. Hoerner was born January 28, 1846, at Remlingen, Bavaria, Germany, and is , son of Johann Michael and Magdalena (Bonader) Hoerner.

Johann Michael Hoerner was also born at Remlingen, Germany, and as a young man served in the Bavarian army. After complet- ing his service he was married to Magdalena Bonader, a native of Abtswind, Bavaria, and daughter of Jacob Bonader. When John S. Hoerner was about ten years of age the family came to the United States, and in 1859 the father died, the youth commencing to work immediately after he had completed the public school course. He finally became an appren- tice in the office of the Madison Advertiser, Edwardsville, Illinois, October 17, 1860, and also worked for Theodore Terry, of the Free Press, which paper was suspended and the Edwardsville Intelligencer started in its place by James R. Brown and Henry Barnsback, for whom Mr. Hoerner also worked for a short time. He then served an additional appren- ticeship in the then largest publishing and printing house in St. Louis, that of August Wiebusch & Son. After having thoroughly mastered all branches of printing, as well as stereotyping, in 1865 he went to Alton, Illi- nois, and worked in the Telegraph and Demo- crat offices. Early in 1866, however, he re- turned to the St. Louis firm, but in June of that year again left their employ to take the position of foreman in the Highland Union, becoming part owner with Dr. G. Rutz, the editor, in December of the same year, and in 1874 bought out Dr. Rutz and from that time until 1898, when on account of poor health he was obliged to give up journalistic work and sold out to C. T. Kurz, he was proprietor of one of the brightest newspapers in the county. Some time later he promoted several of his patents in the printing line, and at present is engaged in an insurance business, representing some of the largest companies in the country. In political matters he is a Republican, but has held no political office except that of central committeeman for one term, although during thirty-two years his sentiments were ex- pressed in the columns of his newspaper, and the Republican party had no stancher sup- porter. in this part of the state. He has taken stock in various enterprises started in High- land, including the Fair Association, in which he at present holds office. He is a member of the board of education, to which he was first

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

elected in 1903 and since 1905 has acted as its secretary. In his youth he belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which his parents were consistent members, but on at- taining manhood became an agnostic or free- thinker. He is an honorary member of the Highland Turnverein and Harmonic Singing Society, and has held office in the Masonic lodge and chapter and in the Modern Wood- men.

On May 9, 1878, Mr. Hoerner was united in marriage at Highland, Illinois, to Miss Rosa Eggen, daughter of Jacob Eggen. Mrs. Hoerner was given a common school educa- tion. Her mother's maiden name was Louise Richter, and her birth occurred at Meissen, Saxony, Germany, her family being connected with the renowned porcelain and pottery in- dustry of that city. Her father, Jacob Eggen, came from Switzerland in 1833, was one of the pioneer settlers of Highland and the founder of various industries, in addition to being the first town president or mayor of Highland, taking a prominent part in public affairs. He organized'a militia company and was appointed major of a battalion prior to the Mexican war, having had military expe- rience in his native country.

Mr. Hoerner has been successful in business and social relations, and is an example of the best elements of American citizenship, while his home is a center of attraction to numerous friends.

FRITZ KAESER. Perhaps no better example could be found of the eminence and success which may be achieved when the thrift and perseverance of the Swiss are brought into contact with the opportunities of America than in the life of Fritz Kaeser. His is a self- made fortune, and the forces which have made it possible for a penniless boy to become the affluent farmer-manufacturer are the forces of character.

Fritz Kaeser was born in Switzerland, May 13, 1847. His mother was Anna Futher Kae- ser and his father Melchidor Kaeser. Neither of his parents ever came to America, but both died in Switzerland. Until he was eighteen, Fritz lived in Switzerland, and then, in May of the year 1865, arrived in Highland, a young foreigner entirely without money. His first employment was that of a farm hand, for which work he received fifteen dollars a month. In January, 1866, he went to Belle- ville, Illinois, and spent a year there. Upon his return to Highland he worked in a brick yard, where he was soon advanced to the po-

sition of foreman, because of his skill and diligence. He remained with this concern for six years. When he gave up his place as fore- man of the yard Mr. Kaeser farmed for fifteen years, putting the same intelligent and untir- ing effort upon this as upon everything else he undertakes. In 1885 he became one of the organizers of the Helvetia Milk Condensing Company, and he is one of the original stock- holders in the plant. At that time he was in partnership with Louis Latzer.

In October, 1867, Mr. Kaeser was married to Katherina Caindl, who was the mother of eight children. These are Anna C., the wife of Louis Kleiner; Mary, Mrs. Jacob Ditiker ; John A. married to Rose Schwarz ; Mrs. Eldo Tangeman was formerly Lena Kaeser; Al- bert F., a prominent physician of Highland, married Jane Latzer; Alice, who married Pro- fessor Oscar Lutzweiler, of the State Uni- versity of Illinois; William G., who married Clare Vogt, and Emil, who married Anna Schutt. The mother of this family died in 1905, and the following year Mr. Kaeser mar- ried Barbara Streiff. The present Mrs. Kae- ser was born in Switzerland, in 1853, on May 29, but has been a resident of this country since she was six months old. Her parents came to Highland shortly after her birth and she was educated in this county.

The Kaesers are members of the German Evangelical church and are most devoted to its material and spiritual welfare. Mr. Kae- ser is president of the board of elders. In politics he is a Republican. He is president of the Highland Home Association and is a stockholder in the State and Trust Bank. In all respects he is one of the solid and substan- tial men of the community and too much can- not be said in praise of the industry and sa- gacity which have enabled him to attain the place he has in the community. The com- pany which he organized stands today as one of the most valuable industries of the county and it has been of inestimable value in the economic life of this region. Mr. Kaeser's work has been of the sort which has helped to put the prosperity of the town on a firm and lasting basis.

FRANK C. RABER. Much of the history of Frank C. Raber is still unwritten, but though still a young man his record both in private and public life leaves no doubt as to his future place among the prominent and interesting citizens of Madison county. Frank C. Raber, present incumbent of the position of the office of township clerk of Jarvis township, was

Frity Rasser

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

born in Troy, Illinois, September 6, 1882, the son of Frank C. and Elizabeth (Kreuger) Raber. Frank C. Raber, Sr., was born near Highland, in 1850, and died in the year 1907, and his wife claims the Fatherland as the place of her nativity. Frank C., Jr., was one of a family of eight children, only three of whom now survive in I911, namely, Frank C., George A. and Ella, all unmarried.

Frank C. Raber, Jr., was raised in Troy and attended the public schools of that place. In 1909 he decided to specialize and obtain a pro- fessional education, matriculating at the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy. He was grad- uated from that institution with the class of IgII, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy, and he intends to put his knowl- edge to practical use by entering the business.

Fraternally Mr. Raben is a member of the Collinsville Lodge of Eagles, Aerie No. 1051. Like his family, he is a communicant of the Catholic church, having been born and reared in that faith. Politically, he advocates the principles and the men put up by the Demo- cratic party, and has himself been elected on that ticket to the office of township clerk of Jarvis county, in which office he has served five years. Mr. Raber is a man with bright prospects before him, and his prosperous fu- ture is a safe surmise, since "in today already walks tomorrow."

REV. CARL MAIER. The statesman and scientist have been strong factors in the build- ing and developing our country, but to the minister of the Gospel is due to a large extent the building up of the strong moral and relig- ious life that forms the background of all our older communities. To this class belongs the Rev. Carl Maier. After a youth devoted to the teaching profession, he turned in his later days to the ministry, for which he was natur- ally fitted, and has been for the past four years the beloved pastor of the German Protestant church at Highland.

Carl Maier was born in 1854, in Bavaria, one of the German states. He was the son of Carl and Elizabeth (Wolfram) Maier. His maternal grandfather, Johann Wolfram, was a man of lofty ideals concerning his duty to his country, and filled the position of collector of taxes for his government. Carl was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Maier, and they planned to send him as a missionary to India, educating him with that purpose in view. While the boy was still in school, his father died and all of his plans were changed. He took up college work that would fit him for

a teacher, and received a splendid education, being a student in three different colleges. He took his degree, with high honors from the last which he attended, namely Altorf. After his graduation he followed his profession for six years, then determined to try his luck in America. He immigrated in 1879, landing in New York. From there he came down to St. Louis, where he entered an office, remaining at this work for several months. Meanwhile he had been diligently seeking a position in his own line. He was soon given a chance to show what he could do, and his ability was quickly recognized. He remained for eight years in a fine position in the St. Louis schools, and while carrying on his work as a teacher was also the conductor of several singing societies and choirs throughout the city. His residence in St. Louis came to an end with his election to the general superintendency of the German Protestant Orphan Society of In- dianapolis and his consequent removal to In- dianapolis. He remained there four years, having entire charge of the orphan's home, and then he went to Tonawanda in New York state as a teacher and organist. A vacancy occurring in the position of organist at St. Peter's German church in Buffalo, having heard of the ability and fine character of the organist at Tonawanda, five of the members were sent to visit him. So delighted were they with Mr. Maier that they engaged him on the spot, therefore the teacher only stayed in Tonawanda nine months. He remained seven years in Buffalo, going thence to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, to fill a position as teacher and organist, similar to the one he had held in Buffalo. After three years of work there he returned to the west, becoming a teacher and organist in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he was leader of the only male choir in the city. For two months, in addition to his other work, he filled the pulpit in the absence of the regular min- ister, and while keeping all these appoint- ments in Jefferson City, preached every Sun- day afternoon at Brazido, fifteen miles from Jefferson City. Here he held the services in a hall, but the structure soon became too small to hold the people who gathered to hear him preach, so a church was erected. This minis- terial work strongly increased his natural ten- dencies in that direction and at the urging of his friends and of those who had felt the in- fluence of his words from the pulpit he took the examinations for the ministry, passing them with ease. After the Louisiana Pur-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

chase Exposition at St. Louis he filled a va- cancy at Russelville. In 1903 he successfully stood the examinations given by Eden College, and was then sent by the Evangelical Synod to St. Joseph, Missouri, to take charge of work in the packing house district.

A new epoch began with his ordination at St. Louis, on the 18th of November, 1907, in Pickett's church, the Rev. Dr. Ilgen and the Rev. Jonas officiating. For three months he preached in a school house but by that time the interest he had aroused was so great that a church was erected. About nine months after accomplishing this work he received a call to preach at Parkville, Missouri, a little town fifty-six miles from St. Joseph. This indefatigable man, nothing daunted by the wearisome railroad trip, and the four and a half mile drive through the country to the church where the service was to be held, ac- cepted the call, and preached there every Sun- day afternoon, returning the same evening to officiate in his own church. After two years of this he removed to Parkville, at the same time handling the work of two other places, Norborn and Lexington Junction. Remaining in this field until 1908, he then accepted a call to the German Protestant church at Highland, where he has remained ever since.

In 1881 the Rev. Carl Maier was married to Miss Sophia Leidner, who was born in St. Louis in 1857. She was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Leidner, whose native land was Germany. At the re- spective ages of eighteen and thirteen they immigrated to America, their marriage tak- ing place in this country. Mr. Leidner's bus- iness was that of an undertaker, in which he was very successful during his business career of thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Maier became the parents of ten children, four of whom died in infancy. Of those remaining, Olinda is now Mrs. D. C. Hahn, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and the others are Carrie, Elizabeth, Emma, Hattie and William.

The Rev. Mr. Maier has all those traits most valuable to one who must spend his life in the service of others. That is, he has a great and sympathic heart, an understanding brain, and sufficient knowledge of the world to be able to give practical advice to those who seek his assistance. His people have learned to turn to him in every crisis of their lives, be it large or small, as their guide, counselor and friend.

GRANT L. ELLIOTT. One of the substantial and well-liked citizens of Troy, Madison

county, Illinois, is Grant L. Elliott, the pres- ent agent of the Vandalia Railroad. He was born in Nebraska, Indiana, on May 9, 1867, and he was brought up during those trying times when the nation was busy healing the wounds of Civil war. His parents were Dan- iel and Mary (Huckstep) Elliott, both of whom have been deceased for several years. He was the sixth in order of birth of a family of seven children. His childhood was spent on a farm, and he obtained his first schooling in the district schools and later the public schools of Altamont, Effingham county, Illi- nois, where his parents had removed and where his father served for a number of years as justice of the peace.

Mr. Elliott started his active career by one year's employment as a clerk in a general store, and then essayed the beginning of his present occupation as a section hand on the Vandalia Railroad at the age of nineteen years. From that first year's work he saved enough to study telegraphy, and coming to Troy in 1885, he studied that subject under W. B. McHenry, agent. When he had completed that course he returned to his native state, and served as night operator at Reelsville, Indiana, for three months before his appointment as agent of that station. He remained in Reels- ville for five years, and was then transferred to Staunton, also in Indiana, in which place he stayed for six years, making many friends who were sorry to lose him when, again trans- ferred in 1896, he came to take a similar position in Troy.

Mr. Elliott has been in constant service for the Vandalia Railroad for the past twenty- seven years.

On June 14, 1888, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Miss Clara Cade, of Altamont, Il- linois. She was born in Sedalia, Missouri, June 15, 1870, a daughter of Daniel and Pauline, (Cade) Cade. She was educated in the public schools and graduated from the high school of that place. To them have been born three boys and three girls: Roy, now a telegraph operator at Springfield, Missouri; Jessie, now clerking in the office of her father; Dee and Mary, all unmarried; and Jean and Meryl. aged eight and six, at home. Mrs. Elliott is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Elliott has a single fraternal relation, being a member of that historic order, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Troy Lodge, No. 588. Politically the party of Grant, Lincoln, Mckinley and Taft claims Mr. El- liott for one of its adherents, and he has twice

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served as a public official, two years as a mem- ber of the Troy board of aldermen, and three years as postmaster at Reelsville, Indiana.

E. H. BUENTE. For twenty years a popu- lar and successful business man of Venice, Mr. E. H. Buente is one of the citizens who may properly be said to represent the substantial commercial interests of that town and also its best element of civic power and influence. For a number of years he has also served the town as postmaster.

He was born at St. Louis, Missouri, Feb- ruary 15, 1867, a son of Henry and Elizabeth Marie (Baerch) Buente. His parents were of German nativity and immigrated to this country in 1853, the father being a shoemaker and merchant of St. Louis for a number of years. The children in the family were Henry, Adolph, Charles, E. H. and Anna, the latter of whom died at the age of fifteen.

All the children were reared and educated in St. Louis, where E. H. remained until he was twenty-two. He started in for himself in Venice on the 22d of March, 1890, and he has been closely identified with the mercantile af- fairs of the town ever since. In the fall of 1897 he and his brother Adolph established themselves in business in Granity City, as dealers in shoes, dry goods and ladies and gentlemen's furnishings, and this business is now conducted by the brother Adolph.

On February 13, 1895, E. H. Buente was united in marriage with Miss Lena Stege. She is a native of Madison county, born Oc- tober 7, 1869, a daughter of William and Dor- othea (Wittnaber) Stege, the other children in the family being Minnie and William. Five children have been born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Buente, namely : Harry, Velma, Helen, Edward and Mildred. Velma and Helen are now deceased. The others are at- tending the school of Venice, and their par- ents are taking great care to furnish them the best advantages both of school and home.

From the beginning of his residence in Venice Mr. Buente has taken a public-spirited part in community affairs. A man of integrity and business success, he has always enjoyed the confidence of his fellow townsmen and is one of the influential men who have been fre- quently honored with public office. He was first elected to office in 1893, when he began two terms of service as township clerk. In 1894 he was elected a member of the village board, serving thereon for two years, and he has also served two years as city treasurer. In 1903 his name was officially endorsed by Pres-

ident Roosevelt as postmaster of Venice, and he has conducted the office ever since in con- nection with his mercantile store. A stalwart Republican, he has rendered valuable service to the party of this county, and has been a county committeeman since 1902. The fine old German Evangelical church of Nameoki is their place of worship, and he and his family are numbered among its strong membership. They reside in a pleasant home at the corner of Main and Broadway, where the family is known for their hospitality and kindly, gen- erous relations with all the community.

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Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 76

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