USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 92
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place, however, in later years removing to an adjoining farm which now represents the family home. Mr. LeDuc is a farmer of known ability, and he has aptly demonstrated his capacity for successful farming in the years of his residence in this district. He is an adherent to the Democratic faith and while deeply interested in matters of a polit- ical nature he has never been an office seeker, nor has he been prevailed upon to act in any public capacity. He and his wife are members of the Protective League, but are not con- nected with any other fraternal society.
Of the four children born to them two survive. They were George, Sophia, Emma and Amelia. The latter named died at the age of two, and Sophia met with a runaway accident at the age of fifteen which resulted in her death on the IIth of September, 1906.
PETER SCHRUMPF. Madison county is man- ifestly rich in her citizenship among the sturdy German farmers who have done so much to promote the agricultural fame of that district. Prominent among men of that type is Peter Schrumpf, for many years a farmer and stock- raiser in the vicinity of Highland, where he has built up for himself a name and reputa- tion worthy of the father who has been iden- tified with Madison county for half a century.
Peter Schrumpf was born in Bond county in 1864. He is the son of Fred and Johanna Schrumpf, natives of Germany. The father was apprenticed to a wagon maker in his home town in Germany. He had been working at the wagon-maker's trade as an apprentice for some years when he decided to immigrate to America, and as soon as his training was fin- ished he did so. In St. Louis he worked at his trade. When he had saved something he opened a wagon shop in Perryville, Missouri, where he did a flourishing business for a num- ber of years. Later, moving into Illinois, he bought a farm and settled in Madison county, prospering in every undertaking. He accumu- lated a considerable property in the course of ·his life time and is now retired, living in Highland in peace and quiet after a busy life devoted principally to the business of agricul- ture. Early in life Fred Schrumpf married, and they reared a fine family of six children. They are Henry, Barbara, Louisa, William, Christine and Peter.
Peter Schrumpf was given the advantages of a common school education in his youth, and was always his father's chief assistant on the farm. He remained at home, and when he married his father gave him the use of one
of his farms in Saline township. Later, when the elder Schrumpfs decided to retire, they built a fine home in Highland and removed there, leaving the old homestead to Peter and his family. There he has continued with the work begun by his father, and the farm has reached a state of excellence where it is un- surpassed by any of similar area in the county. Progressive, careful and methodical, Peter Schrumpf has proved himself to be a splendid example of the extensive and intensive farmer, and has won from the soil a splendid reward for his every effort. Mr. Schrumpf is recog- nized as one of the best citizens of his vicin- ity, and is a man who is deeply concerned in the welfare of the community in which he lives and has his being. He is a Republican in his political belief and supports the cause of that party with much ardor. He is interested in the public schools of his town and has for seventeen years been a member of the school board, a fact which speaks eloquently of his ability and of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow men. That he has prospered in a material way is evidenced by the fact that he has accumulated a considerable property, owning farm land in addition to his other realty holdings, in Madison county.
Early in life Mr. Schrumpf married Miss Rosa Ambuel, a daughter of John F. Ambuel, who was a native of Switzerland. She was born in Madison county in 1870, and was one of a family of ten children. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schrumpf, all of whom are living. They are Irma, Ella, Will- iam, Ida, Hilda and Herbert. Mr. and Mrs. Schrumpf have given them every advantage thus far possible in the way of education, and it is their hope and expectation to see their children filling places of useful endeavor in later life. The family are members of the German Protestant church, and are active in the work of all its branches, as well as liberal supporters of the cause.
JESSE BOOSINGER. The Boosinger home- stead of a quarter section, about four miles northeast of Marine, in the township by that name, is one of the landmarks of Madison county which vividly recalls the days of her youth. Mrs. John W. Boosinger, widow of a most worthy and honored pioneer, is still fe- siding on the homestead where she was wedded fifty-eight years ago last July (1911). She resides with her son, Jesse, who manages the old, well-improved farm of eighty acres, and devotes himself with filial solicitude to
his venerable and revered mother. All
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around her are reminders of the old days when she and her husband came to the new country, John W., as a northern boy and Nancy Stockton as the daughter of southern parents. In one corner of the homestead as it appears today is a gigantic white elm planted by the young couple when they first com- menced housekeeping there ; some of the farm buildings, such as the old-fashioned smoke house, are pioneer relics, and there is hardly an object of any age in the neighborhood which fails to recall golden memories of the times of long ago. There are few more en- tertaining characters connected with the local history of Madison county than this sweet, bright old gentlewoman.
John W. Boosinger was a native of Port- age county, Ohio, born March 24, 1827, a son of George and Ann M. (Werkinger) Boosinger, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The children born into the family were Jacob, John W. (men- tioned above), George, Nathan, Nancy, Betsy, Catherine, Mary Ann, Christian, Charlotte, Rachel and Samantha. On July 27, 1853, the son, John W., married Miss Nancy E. Stock- ton, who is a daughter of Davis and Elizabeth Stockton and was born October 7, 1835. Mrs. Boosinger's father was a Kentuckian and her mother a Virginian, who migrated to Illinois, settled near Jacksonville, and in that locality reared and educated their children-Samuel, Eliza J., Lucy, Julia, Margaret, Ella, Emma, Nancy E. (Mrs. John W. Boosinger), and Francis M.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boos- inger commenced their congenial wedded life on a quarter section of land three and three- quarters miles northeast of Marine. At that time (1853) there was but one house between that locality and Alhambra. Most of the prairie and wooded lands were virgin, as far as white civilization was concerned. The deer came fearlessly and fed before the Boosinger cabin, and the prairie chicken perched on the smoke house and boldly called for his mate. Savage beasts and Indians also held the land, as they still thought, securely. But ere long other tiny houses appeared in the woods and on the prairie and game, both small and large, as well as primitive man, began to withdraw. The school house and the church also appeared to lead the way to intelligence and morality. Among the earliest religious organization to be founded in that part of the county was the Christian church, and Mr. and Mrs. John W. Boosinger were among the eight charter mem-
bers who formed the original society at the Reed school house; only two of this little band are still alive-Mrs. Boosinger and her sister, Mrs. Ella Adkins, of Cass county, Illi- nois. The good husband and father of the family died in 1884, universally beloved and mourned. When the church was organized, in which he and his good wife were so deeply interested, its pastor was Rev. William Birge, of Salem, Illinois. Its pulpit was also sup- plied by such able and worthy men as Rev. Garrison, editor of the Christian Evangelist, of St. Louis, and Rev. Henry, of Vandalia, that state.
The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Boosinger, who were chiefly educated at the Case school, were as follows: Mary, who became Mrs. James Hill; Laura, who married Andrew Swaney; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-two months; George T., who mar- ried Rachael Taylor; John, who married Millie Giger; Henry, who married Maggie McKane; Jesse, the direct subject of this sketch; and Hugh, who married Rosa Croy.
Jesse Boosinger has been thoroughly edu- cated both in the Case district school and in the high schools at Litchfield and Marine. He is a thorough farmer and a broad-minded citizen, industrious, moral and far-seeing. In politics he is a Democrat, but has strictly con- fined himself to intelligent thinking and vot- ing. In fact, he is a substantial, sound and Christian type of the country gentleman, than whom there are none more stanch or progress- ive in the state.
RUDOLPH FRICKER. Like her illustrious namesake, Helvetia township owes her great- ness to the stalwart and patriotic men who till her fields and carry on her multifarious in- dustries. And no small proportion of the flower of her citizenship is of the blood of those old Helvetians who defied the legions of Julius Caesar in their mountain cantons and later humbled the might of the Austrian empire. They have brought to America the sturdy independence and patent industry which . have made them great among the nations of Europe. A notable example of such citizen- ship was Rudolph Fricker.
Abraham Fricker, the father of Rudolph. was born in Switzerland, in 1829. He came to this country after his marriage to Eliz- abeth Senn, in about 1847, and with his wife and one child took up his residence in Madi- son county, on a farm near Highland. After two years in this place they moved to Clin- ton county, where the parents spent the rest
RUDOLPH FRICKER
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
of their days. Elizabeth (Senn) Fricker died in 1892 and her husband fourteen years after- wards . Nine children were born of the union of these two; three died in infancy and two passed away before reaching years of matur- ity. Those now surviving are: Mary, the widow of Jacob (Leu) ; Charles and Frederick. Rudolph, of this review, died on March 21, 1912.
Rudolph Fricker was born in Madison county, January 29, 1850. He attended school in Clinton county, but as he was the eldest son he bore much of the responsibility of the. farm work, and it was not until he was past twenty-nine years of age that he left his father's home to work for himself. On Octo- ber 28, 1879, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Barth, of Clin- ton county, the father being a native of Ger- many. Both parents are deceased. Follow- ing his marriage Mr. Fricker and his bride went to live on a farm of their own in Clin- ton county, remaining there until 1907, when Mr. Fricker retired from farm life and moved to Highland, leaving the farm in the care of his son. Two sons and two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fricker. Flora mar- ried Gustave Reichert and has gone to preside over the home thus established. The other daughter, Mabel, is still with her mother. The sons are Emil and Victor G. Fricker.
Mr. Fricker was a man widely esteemed in his community and loved by all who came within his genial and kindly influence. He was a man of lively temperament, easy of ap- proach and with a jovial manner that en- deared him to all. His was a character whose best qualities appeared on closer acquaintance, and to know him was to love and respect him. He was a power of influence in Helvetia town- ship, of which he was serving as supervisor at the time of his death. His political alle- giance was given to the Republican party in which he was always an enthusiastic and in- fluential worker. He was a member of the Lutheran church, in which faith he was reared and from which he never departed.
SAMUEL J. HUBER is a prominent farmer of Madison county. His success is due to his own industry and thorough knowledge of the principles of farming. He has lived in Amer- ica since his young manhood and has become thoroughly identified with the country, being a very prominent member of the Republican party. His interest in the welfare of the com- munity is strong and he is always willing to
serve his fellow citizens in any way beneficial to their interests.
Samuel J. Huber was born in Switzerland August 8, 1862, the son of Samuel and Mary Huber. He had a number of brothers and sisters, namely, Robert John, Fred, Mary, Louise and Samuel. All of the children re- ceived good educations at the schools of Reinach. Samuel, the youngest, went to school until he was twelve years old, when the death of his father forced him to give up his books and stay at home with his widowed mother. He assisted in her support until he was twenty, thus learning at an impressionable age the lessons of responsibility and duty. Just at this time there was much talk of the wonderful country across the sea, and several of Samuel's young friends were planning to seek their fortunes in the new country. The temptation was irresistible, and Samuel suc- cumbed, joining three of his friends and land- ing, in time, in New York. The big city did not appeal to the young chap, so he started west, coming directly to Highland. Here he set thriftily to work to earn and save enough money to buy a farm for himself. Fortun- ately he fell in love with a young lady who was, as his wife, to be of great assistance to him, both from the property which she brought him, and from the inspiration which her cheer- ful and courageous spirit gave him. This young woman was Miss Carrie Leutwiler, who was born in Marine township on the 22nd of July, 1864, the daughter of Henry and Eliz- abeth (Huber) Leutwiler. Mr. Leutwiler was a farmer with several children, Samuel, Charles, Eliza, Susan, Mary, Anna, Rose and Carrie. He had found farming very profitable and had gradually bought up the property around his home farm until he owned at this time about six hundred acres of fine land. It was on a part of this land, a farm of a hun- dred and thirty-three acres that lay along the old St. Louis road, about three miles north of Grant Fork, that Mr. and Mrs. Huber began their married life in 1886.
Mr. Huber started out with the intention of showing his successful father-in-law what he was worth, and soon convinced him, if he had not already believed it, that he would make a fine farmer. In addition to carrying on the work of the farm he planted fine shade trees, an orchard of fruit trees, built a beautiful resi- dence, modern barns and out-buildings, and by using the most modern farm machinery and progressive methods of cultivation speedily
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became known as one of the farmers who were doing things.
Two sons and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Huber, Selma, Eugene and Henry. These children have received fine educations, not only along literary lines, but in the lessons of Christianity and in the things that go to- wards the formation of character. They were educated in the Case schools and in the public schools of Highland. Selma married Robert Immer, a coming young farmer, living near Highland.
Mr. and Mrs. Huber are members of the German Protestant church of Grant Fork, and they saw to it that all of their children were confirmed in the faith, so the whole family are active workers in the church. In his political affiliations Mr. Huber has always been a mem- ber of the Republican party, and has many times been an active worker for the party, serving several times as delegate to the county conventions. In Highland the popular order of Sharpshooters claims him as a member. but otherwise he is not much interested in socie- ties of fraternal orders, although he concedes that the work accomplished by such orders is a worthy one.
Mr. Huber can look back over his past life and into his future with few regrets and much gratitude for the full measure of prosperity that has been vouchsafed to him. There has never been a time, even in the first days. that he was not thankful his footsteps brought him to America, and now with his two energetic and sturdy sons to help him in the work of the farm, and with the large circle of friends sur- rounding him, it seems there is nothing more for which he might ask.
WILLIAM REDFORD, one of the prominent farmers and dairymen of Madison county, is deeply interested in all that affects this section, for he was born in Marine township, Madison county, and has spent his life in this part of the country. His fertile and well kept farm has not occupied all of his time, for he has taken more than a local interest in politics, acting as delegate to many Democratic con- ventions. His fellow citizens, knowing his worth and his conscientious regard for duty, elected him school director. He has performed these various services with a willing heart, glad to be of use to his fellows.
The year of the birth of William Redford was 1870, his father being Marion Redford and his mother Elma A. (Brooks) Redford. Marion Redford as a young man had learned the cooperage trade, but had soon given up
his trade to devote himself to farming, in which occupation he spent the larger part of his life. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Red- ford were Etta, Harvey, Claybourn. Lulu, Ella, Claud, Ellen, Nellie, Eva and William. By hard work and much economy all of these children had a good education, attending the Case school. In 1789, in the fall of the year, Mr. Redford, thinking to find better condi- tions, moved to Missouri, and there engaged in farming. In 1881, when William was a child of eleven, he died, with the result that the lad, young as he was, felt that the care of his mother and sisters devolved upon him. As he grew to manhood the responsibility weighed yet more heavily upon him and he worked un- ceasingly to make them comfortable, at first remaining of necessity at home. but later going away in search of work, sending the greater part of his earnings back to his mother.
In 1893 he married Miss Clara Franz, who was born in St. Louis, in 1873. Her father was Henry Franz, a teamster in St. Louis, and her mother was Henrietta (Stoeppelmann) Franz. Julius, Amelia, William Henry, Au- gusta, Emma, Julia, Edward, Henrietta and Clara were the children born to this couple. Their parents made certain that they had a good education by sending them to the public schools in St. Louis and later to the schools of Marine township. After their marriage the youthful pair settled down to a farming life in Marine township. Mrs. Redford proved herself of invaluable assistance, for she had received the careful domestic training of a German home, and there was no department of the household arts that she did not know. Three children were born to the young farmer and his wife, Raymond, Elsie and William. These were bright, clever children, who have well repaid their parents' sacrifices by their successes in the Tantz and Case schools.
Having been so fortunate in his career as a farmer, Mr. Redford bought a fine herd of Holstein cows and has carried on a thriving dairy business. His honesty in business and his 'personal popularity caused his fellow citi- zens to persuade him to act as school director for three years, though he could ill afford the time from his many other duties. His politi- cal affiliations have always been with the Democratic party, in whose tenets he earnestly believes and for whose standard he is ever ready to do battle. During his service as dele- gate to the Democratic conventions he has had many opportunities to be of use to his party, and never did he let one slip by. He has also
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acted as a delegate to the congressional con- ventions in East St. Louis, where his co-work- ers, knowing that he is to be depended upon, are only too ready to call upon him for aid in carrying on their work.
In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Redford are members of the Christian church, and are always active in every good work, not only of the church but in anything that might be bene- ficial to the individual who needs aid or to society in general. Fraternally they are mem- bers of the Court of Honor, in which lodge Mr. Redford has been chancellor for five years. He is also a Modern Woodman of America, and for five years has had the honor- able position of counsel in this order.
The hospitality and good cheer which are always to be found in the Redford home make it one of the most popular places to visit in the county. The refinement and beauty of character of Mrs. Redford, which traits have also been shadowed forth in her children, the kindly spirit and sociability of Mr. Redford, have won them a large circle of friends. In the business world no one begrudges him his success, for it has been won entirely through his own industry and good management. This family is a member of that group of citizens who are the backbone of the country, and an honor to their home communities.
AUGUST WEDER was born in Marine town- ship, in 1870, and as a resident of Madison county all his life is well known and highly esteemed in this district. He has followed the life of a farmer, and in that line of en- deavor he has been eminently successful, es- tablishing a home that is a credit to his native industry and ability. He is a representative of one of the oldest American families extant, and in that connection a brief review of his maternal ancestry will serve to establish his position.
August Weder is the son of Andrew and Henrietta Washington (Deck) Weder, the former a native of St. Gallen, Germany. The mother, Henrietta Washington Deck, was a daughter of Joseph Deck, and the grand- daughter of Michael Deck, who was one of the official bodyguard of General George Washington during the Revolutionary war. He was in active service throughout that bit- ter struggle, being at Valley Forge and many other famous fields of battle, witnessing many of the stirring scenes of the Revolution. The son of Michael Deck, George, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and made for himself a record for valor and bravery in action that
has since been a source of much pride to his descendants. The Deck family were among the pioneer settlers of Madison county, com- ing here from Virginia in 1830, at which time a colony of about one hundred wagon loads, or "prairie schooners," of settlers moved into Missouri and Illinois. The Decks were hardy and progressive people and at Deck's Prairie, so called in their honor, they settled and es- tablished a home and began to till the soil. There Henrietta Washington Deck married Andrew Weder, and August Weder is the re- sult of their union. He grew up with the advantages and privileges customary to the youth of this period, and when he reached the age of about forty he married Julia Bruner, in the year 1900. She was the daughter of Rudolph and Mary (Bircher) Bruner, both natives of Switzerland, and was born in Madi- son county. Her father, Rudolph Bruner, was the son of Henry and Mary (Burkhardt) Bruner, and with his family immigrated to the United States in 1855. He was one of four children, and all were carefully reared by their conscientious old country parents. The elder Bruners lived to see their grandchildren reared and filling useful positions in the com- munity wherein they were born and raised, and the father still lives in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Julia Weder, the mother hav- ing passed away on November 25, 19II.
Mr. and Mrs. Weder took up their married life as residents of the old Weder homestead, and he has done much to improve and promote the productiveness of the farm since it has been in his charge. He has added to his hold- ings a tract of one hundred and seventy acres of fertile land, and has erected fine dwelling and other buildings calculated to improve and add to the value of the estate. They are the parents of three sons, Herbert Rudolph, born in 1901, Erwin Henry, born in 1904, and El- don Clarence, born in 1912, the two elder now students in the Case school.
Mr. Weder has in his possession a certifi- cate of a land grant from the United States land office, transferring to Michael and Joseph Deck a patent right, signed by Martin Van Buren in 1841, January 9. Also a certificate granted them January 25, 1814, from a land warrant issued October 7, 1808, for land in Rockingham county, Virginia, signed by Wil- son C. Nicholas, Governor of Virginia; and one granted by Thomas M. Randolph, Governor of Virginia, granted in 1820. He has in addi- tion a fine collection and assortment of valu- able old manuscripts.
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In his political faith Mr. Weder is a staunch supporter of Republican principles and is al- ways interested in all matters pertaining to the civic welfare. He has served his township as a school director, giving valuable service in that office. Both he and his wife, with their sons, are members of the German Evangelical church, and are actively interested in every department of its many labors.
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