USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 79
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It is said of the man who invented a pro-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
cess whereby vegetables might be conveyed on long ocean voyages, thereby doing away with the dreaded scurvy of the sailors, that he was knighted for this discovery by one of the European sovereigns, who pronounced him a benefactor of his age. This is doubtless true, but among the names of the world's benefac- tors that of John Wildi is deserving of a place with the highest, for there are few if any pro- cesses which have contributed more mate- rially to the advancement of civilization than evaporated or condensed milk. The traveler in many lands, the soldier in the trenches, the babes in millions of homes in city or country have cause to bless the process which makes possible the conveying to any clime or any distance pure, sterilized milk.
John Wildi was the discoverer of the pro- cess of condensing unsweetened milk, and was the first man in the United States to put it to practical use. This was not the creature of a sudden impulse, thought out in a mo- ment. Once Mr. Wildi had conceived the idea he recognized the need of perfecting it. It was possible to make a good and desirable product, but what he wanted was to be sure that he had absolutely the best process. Years of patient research were devoted to the consideration of the subject. Step by step the problem was worked out, and at length the system of evaporation in vacuo now so gener- ally employed was evolved, and the manufac- ture of the article began in carnest. In was in 1885 that the first plant of this kind in the United States was established at Highland. Mr. Wildi was secretary and treasurer of the company.
His discovery was hailed with gratification by people all over the country, who expressed their approval by congratulatory letters, and he eventually gave up all his other interests to give his whole time and attention to the manufacture of this article. He continued in an executive capacity with the Helvetia Milk Condensing Company for twenty-three years, until 1908, when he retired from office with the concern, but retained his stock. The original plant had by then been increased many fold and had numerous branches in Illi- nois and other states. Along the same line of endeavor Mr. Wildi established the John Wildi Evaporated Milk Company at Marys- ville, Ohio, which, as previously mentioned, is regarded as a model in this line of endeavor.
In 1879 Mr. Wildi was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Spindler, who survives him.
She was born in 1857, in Highland, a daugh- ter of John J. and Maria ( Wernli) Spindler, and a sister of John J., Marie, Emma and Bertha Spindler. One daughter was born to this union in 1881, Hedwig Louise, who was given an excellent education in the schools of Highland and the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville. She married John Flournoy Montgomery, of Sedalia, Missouri, son of James and Flora Montgomery, and two daughters have been born to them: Marie Louise, in 1905 ; and Jean Wildi, in 1910.
Mr. Wildi was public spirited in matters concerning his city and county. He took a deep interest in the general trend of events, and was ever abreast of the times. He was an earnest advocate of advanced education and the various forms of culture, and gave to his daughter all the advantages that modern civilization present. He was congenial by nature, and broad and generous in his view- point. His judgment was relied upon at all times, and he represented and was so re- garded as being a type of the progressive, con- servative and substantial citizen. He be- longed to the German Evangelical church of Highland, and manifested an interest in re- ligious and charitable work. Politically he gave his support to the principles of the Re- publican party, and his fraternal relations were with the lodge and Chapter Masons of Highland. He died May 19, 1910, and was laid to rest in Highland cemetery. In his de- mise the city lost one of its most able busi- ness men and his family a loving husband and father. In mourning his loss a wide circle of warm personal friends united.
Mrs. Wildi, who survives her distinguished husband, is one of the ablest women capital- ists and business women of Madison county. She is one of the principal stockholders in the milk condensing plants heretofore mentioned, and in addition has extensive financial inter- ests. She has for a number of years been ex- tensively engaged in the mortgage and loan business, handling large accounts and carry- ing on transactions in several states. Mrs. Wildi is an excellent judge of property, and not only does she manage her own large estate with careful judgment, but her opinions on financial and business matters are frequently sought by others.
She owns considerable property in High- land, and the land on which her residence now stands was formerly occupied by a hotel build- ing at which Abraham Lincoln and Stephen
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A. Douglas were entertained while traveling ,overland making one of their joint debate trips.
Mrs. Wildi is a woman of remarkable tal- ents, which she has displayed on different oc- casions, but she has not let herself become so absorbed in her extensive business affairs as to not find time for religious and social work. Like her late husband she has the happy faculty of making and retaining friends, and she is very popular in Highland's social life.
JOHN J. SPINDLER. The city of Highland, Illinois, has for many years been known at a distance for the excellence of its schools. This reputation was far out of proportion to the numerical strength of the community, for cities of ten times the population failed to show such advanced standards of work in the educational lines. Established years ago on this high plane the various schools have ever been maintained there and are today re- garded as models. To them in great measure is due the very evident culture of the people as a whole, and their advanced tastes in the way of music, art and literature.
Just as there are pioneers in settling a country or in developing manufacturing pro- cesses, so there are men who set an ideal in education for their community, and confer a lasting benefit on posterity by adhering and insisting upon this proposition until it be- comes an established fact. Such a man was the late John J. Spindler, who died in High- land on September 13, 1899, just short of three-quarters of a century old.
Although he had business activities which took much time and concentration, and though he was called upon to contribute of his ener- gies to the public welfare in various ways, his greatest interest was taken in the public schools, and their caliber is a permanent monument to him.
The public school system, as it is known, had his earnest approval, and he constantly sought methods by which the individual de- partments might be broadened and bettered. He served for many years as a member of the board of education, and became so well- known as a student of the theory and prac- tice of administration, as applied to schools, that his advice was sought by other com- munities.
Mr. Spindler, like many of the people of Highland, was of sturdy Swiss descent. He was born December 8, 1825, at Maisbach, in Canton Basle, Switzerland, and received his education in that country. In 1844, at the
age of eighteen, he accompanied his parents to the United States, and remained with the family in the neighborhood of Hermann, Missouri for several years. His parents were John and Mary Spindler, members of a prominent relationship in the old country.
Later Mr. Spindler came to St. Louis and from there in 1849 to Highland, which for half a century afterward was his home. During his younger years he was at the fore front of business affairs of the community. Shortly after he arrived in the city he became part owner of a distillery, which he operated for a time. It has long since passed into disuse. In 1865 he went into the milling business, engaging with the firm of Hermann & Coy, and for a long time served as manager of their extensive properties. Retiring from this he became attracted by mercantile lines, and opened a large general store, which he conducted until compelled by ill health to re- tire in 1887. His store became famous in the county and in adjoining districts for the gen- eral excellence of its goods and the honest dealing upon which its proprietor insisted.
While he retired from active business man- agement, Mr. Spindler did not withdraw wholly from the business nor public affairs of Highland. Beginning life modestly, he by incessant toil and good management, coupled with thorough business sagacity, amassed a comfortable fortune, being regarded as one of the most successful men of affairs in the city
Although much engrossed by his extensive interests he did not lead a narrow life, but, as has been mentioned, gave freely of his time to the public welfare. He served numer- ous terms as member of the town board be- fore the formal incorporation of the city, and for seven consecutive years was elected treas- urer. His attention to the schools has been noted. He took an active interest in public questions, whether of local or general scope, and could discuss the issues of the day with a depth of penetration that showed deep and earnest study of civics. His opinion was re- garded and respected, and while he was never personally ambitious for place or preferment he did not hesitate in what he considered his duty when appealed to by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Spindler was married in Highland in 1850, to Miss Mary Wernli, of Highland. Seven children were born to them, of whom three are deceased. There survive one son and three daughters-John J. Spindler, Jr .; Emma, wife of Julius Wirth; Louise, wife
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of John Wildi, Jr .; and Miss Bertha Spindler. As a husband and father John J. Spindler was true, affectionate and considerate. His home was to him one of the things greatly to be desired at all times, and he was never happier than when he could drop business cares and be by his own fireside, surrounded by those whom he loved. As husband and father, business man, publicist, he possessed the regard and esteem of all who knew him, and there were few in the southeastern part of Madison county who did not.
JOHN LEU, the cashier of the East End Bank of Highland, has been one of the most substantial business men and honored citizens of this portion of Madison county for half a century. Looking back over this period the distinctive features of his career have been as a soldier for the Union, a successful farmer, and then a business man and banker of Highland. He has been a good soldier through all of life's battles, and has well earned the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
Though he has been a resident of Madison county most of his life, he was born in Ger- many, in June, 1842. His parents, George and Frena (Meister) Leu, brought him to the United States in 1844, and they spent the re- mainder of their lives as worthy farming people in the vicinity of Highland. On the home farm John Leu, who is the only one of the four children still living, was reared and gained his education in the district school. He was about twenty years old when the fight- ing strength of the north was being collected for the defense of the Union, and he enlisted as a soldier. During his youth he had trained himself in music, and this accomplishment caused him to be assigned to the regimental band. He was in the First Brigade of the First Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps until after the fall of Vicksburg, when he was transferred to the Nineteenth Army Corps. His service continued for three years and eight months, and was terminated by his hon- orable discharge August 25, 1865.
He returned home to engage in farming, an occupation which he continued until 1881, since which time he has been a resident of Highland. During the first nine years he was clerk in a hardware business, and then bought the East End Hardware Store. He was one of the successful merchants of Highland up to 1908, when he sold the business. With the organization of the East End Bank of High- land in that year he was made cashier, and has
been in the active management of that office to the present time. The other officials of this substantial institution are as follows: Ed Feutz, president ; Louis Miller, first vice pres- ident; Frank Zold, second vice president ; Charles A. Roger, assistant cashier ; and be- sides these August Overbeck, Albert Liner and Louis Manhard are directors. It is a state bank and has a large patronage in this community.
Mr. Leu has been active both in business and in citizenship, and is one of the public- spirited men of Highland. The citizens ap- preciating his worthy qualities have elected him to the offices of mayor, alderman and tax collector, and he was a capable public servant in each capacity. In politics he is Republican.
By his marriage to Miss Louise Weidner, who was born in Clinton county, Illinois, in 1845, he has four children: John A., who is the present postmaster of Highland; Robert C., a veterinary surgeon ; Louise, the wife of Arnold Judd; and Ida, wife of Charles P. Fry.
JOSEPH FARRIMOND. Of English stock were those first Americans whose stubborn English courage and love of liberty caused them to separate from the mother country and found a commonwealth of their own, and no country has sent more hardy immigrants to add to the citizenship of the new country than that same England. Joseph Farrimond, mer- chant and business man of Williamson, is only one of her many contributions to "the states" of fine undaunted manhood. He was born in the village of Adling, Lancastershire, England, on September 25, 1852, the son of Joseph and Jane (Cadwellinder) Farrimond. and the grandson of Henry Farrimond. Both of his parents passed away in England, never hav- ing visited the land of their son's adoption.
Joseph Farrimond left England on the 14th of December, 1880, when he was in his twenty-eighth year of age, in the company of three companions, one of them his nephew, and they landed in New York City on Christmas day, 1880, ready for a new year in western land of promise. The little com- pany came to Streator, Illinois, and there se- cured employment in the mines.
Mr. Farrimond remained in Streator for ten years, leaving June 3, 1890, for Arkansas, where he spent eleven months in coal mining before Coalgate, Indian Territory. After six and a half years in that place he returned to Arkansas, and remained in the vicinity of Bo-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
nanza for another year. From thence he came back to Streator, and finally, four years later, to Williamson. Here he has established himself in a merchandise business, and has gained the reputation of being a prosperous and reliable business man whose word is as good as his bond. He owns the building in which his business is located, and also a fine piece of residence property.
Mr. Farrimond was married on March 12, 1873, in England, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Jane Moore, the daughter of James Moore, and twelve children have blessed their union. Of the seven born in the Mother country and the five born on this side of the water, six now survive, concerning whom the following brief data are here in- serted : Joseph has been trustee of the village of Williamson for two terms, and is now presi- dent; Mary Ellen is the wife of Christopher Baker, of Staunton, Illinois; Elizabeth is the wife of David Beard, also of Staunton, Illi- nois; Daniel married Elsie McAllister of Streator and has two children; William and Jennie are at home. Both he and his family are Episcopalians, having been raised in the established faith of England. Politically the Republican party claims the vote of Mr. Far- rimond, and he has served that party as pre- cinct committeeman for the past four years. WILLIAM C. BECKER. While Madison . county, Illinois, has many acres of fine land that are capable of rich development, their value as to productiveness is entirely in the hands of their workers. To be a good farmer a man must possess a large amount of knowl- edge and this must come through experience rather than through books, and it may always be noted that the most prosperous agriculturist in any section is the man who has been trained to this business. William C. Becker, whose productive, well improved farm of two hun- dred and fifty-five acres, lying in Helvetia township, is an example of this assertion. He was born on a farm near St. Jacob, in Madi- son county, Illinois, in 1871, was reared to farm pursuits and has devoted his life to these. His parents are Louis and Katarina (Schmidt) Becker, and his sisters and broth- ers are Minnie, Emily, Louis, Hubert and Mary.
William C. Becker attended the Buckeye school in Madison county in boyhood and be- gan early to assist his father on the farm and remained at home until his own marriage, when he rented land in Helvetia township. He was fortunate in his selection of a wife, and together they bent every energy to suc-
ceed, she supplementing thrift and frugality to his persistent energy. To his first purchase of land he gradually added until he now owns two hundred and fifty-five acres, as noted above, and has commodious and substantial farm buildings, modern agricultural machin- ery and stock and cattle. He makes some- thing of a specialty of Holstein cattle, deeming them very valuable as milk producers, and he takes just pride in his handsome herd. He ships milk to the Helvetia Condensing plant at Highland, Illinois.
Mr. Becker married Miss Louisa Frey, who is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Frutiger) Frey. She was born in 1873, in St. Jacob township, Madison county, Illinois, and ob- tained her education in the St. Jacob schools and the Buckeye school. She has two sisters, Anna and Lena, and one brother, Samuel Frey. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Becker, one of whom died in in- fancy, Freeman and Alice, surviving. They were educated in both German and English, having advantages in the old family language in the German Evangelical church school at Highland, and learning English at the Buck- eye school in Helvetia township. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are members of the German Evangelical church at Highland, Illinois, and are hearty supporters of their pastor, Rev. Carl Meier, in his works of benevolence.
Mr. Becker has never been active in politics and has accepted no public office except that of school director, which he acceptably filled for six years, holding the confidence of his fellow citizens because of the careful atten- tion he bestowed in this direction and largely to his care may be attributed the fact that during that time the township never had any but capable teachers. He is a home man in his tastes and has identified himself with but one fraternal organization, that being the Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have many friends in Helvetia township and their hospitality to them on many pleasant occasions has been greatly enjoyed.
WINFIELD SCOTT POWELL. Every branch of industrial activity is represented in Granite City, for this locality is not only a flourishing community, but furnishes a large contiguous territory that looks to it as a base of supply. For this reason many progressive men who seek the best locality for the prosecution of their lines of endeavor have settled here, con- fident in the future of the place and in their ability to make their mark upon its advance- ment. The men who succeed here, as else- where, in forging ahead to the front ranks
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have to possess more than average ability, a sound judgment and unswerving integrity of purpose. One of the men who has raised him- self to a much envied position in his line of work, and at the same time secured and main- tained a reputation for good citizenship among his neighbors and business associates, is Win- field Scott Powell, the proprietor of the lead- ing tin works at Granite City. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, in 1872, and is a son of Wesley and Sarah E. (Powell) Talbert.
The education of Mr. Powell was secured in the schools of Tipton county, Indiana. where he resided with his uncle, W. F. Powell, whom he so much admired as to adopt his .name as his own. At the age of fourteen years he began to provide for himself, and being energetic and industrious found no trouble in securing employment among the farmers of his community, with whom he worked until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he took up railroading, and for three years was in the service of the Penn- sylvania Lines, running between Logansport and Richmond, Indiana, and at the end of that period, wishing to better his condition, he de- cided to learn a trade and subsequently en- tered the employ of the American Tin Plate Company. In three years he had mastered his trade, and his work was so satisfactory that he was promoted to a good position in the tin mill, where he remained eight years, but eventually went to Newcastle, Indiana, where for some time he was employed in the shovel works.
On April 22, 1890, Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca A. Snodgrass, an estimable young lady who was born at Cur- tisville, Indiana, in 1870, daughter of Titus and Elizabeth (Marshall) Snodgrass, farm- ing people. There were eight children in the Snodgrass family, namely: Laura, Amanda, Sarah, Cora, James, Myrtle, Myrl and Re- becca. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Powell they settled down to wedded life at Curtisville, where Mr. Power was employed on the railroad. Three children were born to this union, namely: Lawrence Wayne, Cleo Leona and a little son who passed away in infancy. Lawrence Wayne ( Scotty) Powell was educated in the public schools of Elwood, Indiana, where he was graduated with honors, and he was also a student for one year in the Washington school, Granite City. When still a small lad he became interested in roller skat- ing, and he gradually developed into one of
the speediest racers the game has known. After forty-three races, out of which he only lost three, and making a record of ninety-six miles and seventeen laps in six hours, when he was only fourteen years of age, he accepted the challenge of Will C. Smith, of Denver, Colorado, commonly known as Cowboy Smith, the American champion heel and toe walker. The conditions of the race called for the skater to cover a mile while the walker ne- gotiated half of that distance, and the great crowd at Granite City which turned out saw one of the most exciting races ever witnessed, and were gratified to see their home boy, Scotty Powell, be returned the winner, he be- ing the only man to defeat the champion in this kind of a contest. After leaving school he took up the trade with his father, and is now associated with him, the business having been located here for seven years. Miss Cleo Leona Powell received her education in Gran- ite City, being first a student in the Washing- ton school and later attending the Mckinley high school. She has been under the instruc- tion of the well known musician, Mrs. Jennie Jones, and her singing and playing show much promise of future attainments.
Mr. Powell is a member of the Amal- gamated Association of Iron and Tin Work- ers, with which he has been connected since 1896, and also holds membership in the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal . Order of Eagles and the Royal Order of Moose. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for McKinley, of whom he was an ardent ad- mirer. He was one of three hundred dele- gates sent from Indiana to visit the president at Canton, Ohio, where he had the honor of shaking the martyred statesman's hand. The best interests of the community have always found in Mr. Powell an untiring worker, and he is ever ready to support movements which promise to be of benefit to Granite City. He and his wife have many warm, personal friends in this section, where they are re- garded as upright Christian people, good neighbors and exemplary parents. Their chil- dren have received excellent educational ad- vantages, and have grown to healthy man and womanhood, reflecting the greatest of credit on those who reared them.
ANTON SCHMIDT. The growth and devel- opment of Madison county during the past thirty or forty years have been remarkable and the visitor to this fertile country, as it is today, can hardly believe that but compara-
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tively a short time ago such excellent farm- ing land was a wide expanse of prairie, tim- ber and swamp. Such was the case, however, and one who has seen the changes take place and has done his share in bringing them about is Anton Schmidt, a farmer and stockraiser who is carrying on operations on a well-cul- tivated tract situated about one and one-half miles southwest of Highland. Mr. Schmidt was born in Switzerland in 1862, and was left an orphan at the age of two years.
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