Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 93

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 93

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EDWARD C. KRUSE. The present efficient incumbent of the position of head miller of the Valin-Spies. Milling Company, at Marine, Illinois, is Edward C. Kruse, who has ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in pub- lic affairs and who is widely renowned as a man of sterling integrity and high moral worth. Mr. Kruse was born at Meredosia, Illinois, on the 9th of September, 1856, and he is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Rei- mann) Kruse, both of whom were born and reared in the great Empire of Germany, the former having immigrated to the United States in 1844, and the latter in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick 'Kruse were united in marriage at St. Louis, and for a number of years they resided in that city, where Mrs. Kruse died in the year 1883. Mr. Kruse was engaged in the milling and millwright line of enterprise during the greater part of his active career, and he is now living, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, his home being with his son, the subject of this review.

The youngest in order of birth in a family of four children, Edward C. Kruse was reared in his native place in this state and he attended the district schools of Morgan county until he had reached his sixteenth year. At that time he began to work in a mill, and when but seventeen years of age he had charge of a flouring mill near Quincy, Illinois, eventually becoming head miller in that concern. In 1879 he entered into a partnership alliance with Mr. Charles Riemann, and they engaged in the milling business on their own account at Mere- dosia, Illinois. This project proved a failure, however, and in 1880 Mr. Kruse went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was assistant head miller for a period of twelve years and where he was head miller for another twelve years. In 1903 he came to Marine in order to assume charge of the mills here and at St. Jacob, the same being owned by the Valin-Spies Milling Company. In connection with his particular line of work Mr. Kruse is a member of the Co-operative Millers' Association. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party

stands sponsor, and while he has never had time nor desire for political preferment of any description he is ever ready to give of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises advanced for the good of the gen- eral welfare.

Mr. Kruse is unmarried and resides with his father and sister at Marine. He is a man of fine mentality and broad human sympathy. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally accord him the highest esteem. His life has been ex- emplary in all respects and he has ever up- held those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own moral prestige is deserving of the highest com- mendation.

GEORGE WENTZ. He whose name initiates this review holds prestige as an eminently suc- cessful business man at Marine, Illinois, where he is engaged in the hardware and farming implement business, his store being one of the largest and best equipped concerns of its kind in this section of Madison county. Mr. Wentz was born at Marine, on the 2nd of February, 1875, and he is a son of Fred and Wilhelmina (Wittmer) Wentz, both of whom were born and reared in Germany. The father came to America in the year 1857 and the mother immigrated hither in 1858, both locating in the vicinity of Marine, Illinois. In this place their marriage was solemnized in the month of September, 1864. The father was a farmer in early life and subsequently he became interested in the store business, con- ducting a meat-market for a number of years and eventually opening up a hardware store, the latter having formed the nucleus for the present splendid business controlled by George Wentz. Fred Wentz was called to the life eternal in the year 1900, and his cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1894. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this notice was the youngest in order of birth.

George Wentz passed his boyhood and youth at Marine, where he attended school and where as a young man he became inter- ested in the hardware business as a clerk in his father's store. After the demise of his father he purchased the stock and store for- merly conducted by him and during the inter- vening years to the present time has continued to be identified with the hardware and imple- ment business. He has an extensive acquaint- ance throughout Marine and the territory nor- mally tributary thereto and controls a large

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and lucrative trade, his line of goods being of the very latest design. In addition to his hardware interests Mr: Wentz is financially interested in the Bank of Marine and in the Citizens State Bank of Alhambra, Illinois. In politics he accords an unswerving allegiance to the principles promulgated by the Demo- cratic party, in the local councils of which he is an active factor. In 1900 he was elected treasurer of the village of Marine and he served in that capacity with the utmost effic- iency for a period of eleven years. In fra- ternal channels he is affiliated with Golden Crown Lodge No. 456, Knights of Pythias. in which he has been honored with the office of treasurer. The religious faith of Mr. Wentz is in harmony with the tenets of the German Evangelical church, to whose chari- ties and benevolences he is a liberal contribu- tor.

At Marine, in September, 1902, was solemn- ized the marriage of Mr. Wentz to Miss Irma Neudecker, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, and who is a daughter of George Neu- decker. Mr. and Mrs: Wentz are the parents of two children, namely, Russell, whose birth occurred on the 12th of December, 1903, and Cleo, born on the 22d of November, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Wentz are popular and prominent factors in connection with the best social activities of Marine, where they number their friends by the score and where they are held in high esteem by all with whom they have come in contact.

AUGUST TALLEUR. For many years August Talleur has been connected with the upbuild- ing of Marine, Illinois, and he has just reason to be proud of the fact that to his efforts can be traced many a substantial enterprise or ad- vancement contributing greatly to the growth and prosperity of this section of the state. In every sense of the word he is a representative citizen and a business man of marked capacity. It is to the inherent force of character, the commendable ambition and the unremitting diligence of Mr. Talleur himself that he has steadily advanced in the business world until he now occupies a leading place among the active and representative men of Madison county. In 1910 he was elected to the office of supervisor of Marine township, and in that connection he is discharging his duties in a most creditable manner.

August Talleur was born at Marine, Illi- nois, on the 29th of January, 1857, and he is a son of Clemens B. and Antoinette (Finaker) Talleur, both of whom are now deceased. The

father was engaged in the saddlery business during most of his active career, and he and his wife became the parents of three children, of whom August was the second in order of birth. August Talleur attended the public schools of Marine until he had reached the age of thirteen years and at that time he was thrown upon his own resources. He began to work on a farm by the month and continued so to do until he had reached his twenty-sev- enth year, when he turned his attention to the hotel and saloon business. He is interested in a number of important business projects at Marine and since 1910 he has been a stock- holder and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Marine. He is a member of the Bankers Life Insurance Company and is likewise financially interested in the Citizens' Bank at Alhambra, Illinois. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and in 1910 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of township supervisor, a position for which he is eminently well fitted.

In the year 1884, at Marine, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Talleur to Miss Minnie Turner, who was born and reared in Madison county and who is a daugh- ter of Richard Turner, born in England, but long a representative citizen of Marine. Mr. and Mrs. Talleur have three sons, whose names and respective years of birth are here entered, Louis, 1885; Leto, 1886, and Leo, 1892. Louis Talleur died on the 23rd of January, 1912. Leto is living at home and Leo resides in Chicago. Mr. Talleur's strug- gles to win a competency have made him in- tensely sympathetic with all other young men similarly placed, and he is ever willing to lend a helping hand to those less fortunately situ- ated in life than himself. He is a man of fine moral principle and broad human sympathy, and it may be said concerning him that the list of his personal friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances.

DAVID SUPPIGER. The pioneer in Illinois, as in many other states, had before him con- stantly a problem that does not confront the farmer of today, --- the converting of the out- put of his fields into the finished product, the staple foodstuffs of commerce. Once his fields were cleared, in itself an arduous task, the growth of crops was easy, for the virgin soil transformed the seed like magic, multi- plying it a thousand fold under the skilled direction of the husbandman. The grain

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leaped from the ground, and, free from the insect life that nowadays so frequently works to its detriment, produced enormous harvests.

Once safely stored in the granary, however, there came the problem of converting the grain into flour. Today the farmer, if he chooses, can buy at a comparatively small price, a perfect working model of the roller process flour mill and install it on his farm, to be operated by wind mill or water power, and which will produce the same silk-bolted flour that is encountered in the stores.

But years ago these modern processes were unknown, and the slowly turning mill stones, with surfaces dressed by a pick to flaring channels, ground the flour, and seemed the height of perfection. The mills were few and far between, and it was thought nothing to haul wheat forty, fifty or sixty miles to the mill, for steam transportation was rare and costly and electric haulage not yet conceived in the brain of the scientist.

One of these valuable mills of the early days was located at Highland, and was operated for many years by members of the Suppiger family. David Suppiger, the sub- ject of this review, was directly interested in it for almost half a century. Mr. Suppiger was born on November 21, 1822, in Canton Luzerne, Switzerland, his native town being Sursee. Like so many others of the brave little republic, he was attracted by the op- portunities of the big republic that lay across the ocean, and immigrated to this country in 1834, settling in the eastern part of Madison county, near what is now the city of High- land.

In 1850 Mr. Suppiger became a partner in the Highland Mills, which had been erected in 1837, and which as late as the date on which he became connected with them afforded the only market for wheat for the greater portion of Madison, Bond and Clin- ton counties. The milling plant was operated at that time by Joseph Suppiger & Company, the senior member, a brother of David. having planned, designed and directed their construction. The plant continued to operate with great success. In 1866 three members of the firm died; the property was sold and was bought by a new company, headed by David Suppiger, and was thenceforward known as the mill of David Suppiger & Com- pany. This firm operated until June 1, 1890, their product being considered one of the best and most popular in the winter wheat belt of the Mississippi Valley.

Besides his milling property Mr. Suppiger had various outside interests. He invested largely in a bank and also bought much real estate in Kansas. His investments were char- acterized by a keen insight into the possibil- ities of the various properties and he selected those which were assured of growth and de- velopment. In his civic relations he was wide- minded and progressive and no one stood higher in the community. His greatest pleasure all his life was music, and he be- longed to the first band and played on several instruments. He took a deep interest in the favorite pastimes of the people of his nation- ality and kept active membership in the Sharp- shooters Society and the Turnverein, as well as being a member of the Maennerchor Har- monie Society.

Mr. Suppiger was twice married. His first wife was Salome Durer, born in Sursee, Switzerland, September 28, 1831. She came to this country in her young days and her family was one of no little prominence in Madison county. Their marriage took place on Christmas eve, 1849, and she died on November 30, 1873. Six children were born of this union, but two died young. Louis was thirty-seven years and married, and Emily, thirteen when they died. Two are living- Edward and Bertha. On February 6, 1875, Mr. Suppiger married Mrs. Ida Coleman, and she died on October 10, 1881. She left one son, David, Jr., who died at the age of nine- teen. Mr. Suppiger passed away on Decem- ber 23, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years, one month and two days, having been born on November 21, 1822.

Although he had well nigh reached the three score and ten mark, Mr. Suppiger was a man who could ill be spared from the con- munity in which he had so long been active. He was a popular and prominent man, and was a striking example of the good a self- educated man may accomplish when strength of character and stamina are brought to bear upon the conditions of life, however adverse they may be.

EDWARD SUPPIGER. The present able and popular incumbent of the office of secretary and treasurer of the Helvetia Supply Com- pany, at Highland, Illinois, is Edward Sup- piger, who was born in the vicinity of High- land, in Madison county, on the 12th of Jan- uary, 1872. He is a son of David and Solme (Durer) Suppiger, both of whom were born in Switzerland, whence they immigrated to the United States as children. David Suppiger

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was nine years of age when he came to Amer- ica, in 1834, with his brothers and sisters. Lo- cation was made on a farm north of Highland, Illinois, and there the young David grew to years of maturity. After he had completed his educational training he, in company with his brothers, started the old Highland Mill, which was built in 1837 and which is now one of the leading mills in this county. Subsequently Mr. Suppiger had charge of that mill for a period of thirty years and he disposed of it to the Highland Milling Company in 1890, after which he lived retired until his demise, which occurred on the 22nd of December, 1890. Mrs. Suppiger died in 1873. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Suppiger but two are living in 1911, namely,-Edward, whose name forms the caption of this review ; and Bertha, who is unmarried and who resides on the old Suppiger homestead.

Edward Suppiger was educated in the pub- lic schools of Highland and in 1888 was ma- triculated as a student in the Manual Train- ing School at St. Louis, Missouri, being grad- uated in that institution as a member of the class of 1891. After leaving school he was as- sociated with his brother Louis for a period of seventeen years in the shoe business at Highland, their concern being known under the firm name of Suppiger Brothers. In 1908 the Suppiger Brothers disposed of their shoe store to the Highland Store Company, in whose employ Edward remained for one year, retain- ing charge of the shoe department. Later he was traveling salesman for the Selz stores, of Chicago, selling shoes for one season, and in 1910, when the Helvetia Supply Company was organized, he was elected secretary and treas- urer thereof. This company has a paid-up capital stock of four thousand dollars and its official corps is as follows,-John Schlappi, president ; F. M. Mueller, vice president ; and Edward Suppiger, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors consists of the above officers with Mr. W. T. Mueller and C. T. Kurz as members. A flourishing business is controlled by the company and it is one of the largest concerns of its kind in Madison county.

On the 13th of June, 1895, Mr. Suppiger was united in marriage to Miss Adaline Roth, who is a daughter of the late George Roth, for- merly vice president of the First National Bank at Highland. Mrs. Suppiger was a student in the Forest Park (Mo.) Academy. She is a women of most gracious personality and is everywhere admired and esteemed for her many admirable qualities. Concerning the four Vol. II-31

children born to Mr. and Mrs. Suppiger,- George, whose natal day was the 25th of April, 1899, is a student in the public schools at Highland, as is also Edith, born in 1901 ; Rus- sell was born in 1905; and Edward, Jr., in 1907. In their religious faith the Suppiger family are devout members of the German Protestant church at Highland.

In politics Mr. Suppiger is a Democrat and he has served as township clerk of Helvetia for five years and is secretary of the Highland Water Company. In a social way he is a val- ued and appreciative member of the Sharp- shooters, the Turners and of other represen- tative organizations of a local nature. In com- munity affairs he is active and influential, and his support is readily and generously given to many measures for the general progress and improvement. His life history is certainly worthy of commendation and of emulation, for along honorable and straightforward lines he has won the success which crowns his efforts and which makes him one of the substantial residents of Highland.

CHARLES MAY. Civilization will hail riches, prowess, honors, popularity, but it will bow humbly to sincerity in its fellows. The ex- ponent of known sincerity-singleness of honest purpose-has its exemplification in all bodies of men; he is found in every associa- tion and to him defer its highest honors. Such an exemplar, whose daily life and whose life work have been dominated as their most con- spicuous characteristic by sincerity, is Charles May, who is extensively interested in the lum- ber business at Marine, Illinois, where he is also vice-president of the Bank of Marine.

Charles May was born in Pin Oak town- ship, in Madison county, Illinois, on the 29th of April, 1873, and he is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wittmer) May, the father dead and the mother living here. The father was identified with lumbering and farming opera- tions during the greater portion of his active career, and he and his wife became the par- ents of thirteen children, of whom the subject of this review was the tenth in order of birth. On the old homestead farm in Pin Oak town- ship Charles May was reared to adult age and he received his early educational training in the neighboring district schools, which he at- tended during the winter terms, working on the farm during the busy seasons. For a time he also attended school in Marine. At the age of twenty-four years, in 1897, Mr. May came to Marine to assume charge of his father's lumber yard. Two years later he pur-

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chased the same, which is conducted under the firm name of Charles May, dealer in lumber and building materials, and which has been en- larged until it now carries a stock of twelve thousand dollars worth of goods. Of the Bank of Marine Mr. May is vice-president. Its official corps and board of directors con- sist of the following men: C. B. Munday, president ; Charles May, vice-president, and Oscar H. Gehrs, cashier; with C. B. Munday, Fred Schieber, Louis Kolb, Peter Metz, Charles May, J. L. Seagrave, August Talleur and J. G. Munday as directors. This bank is one of the most solid and substantial mone- tary institutions in Madison county and one of its best assets is the sterling integrity and reliable character of its directors.

In the year 1903 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. May to Miss Adelaide Wilhold, who was born and reared in Madison county, Illinois, and who is a daughter of William J. Wilhold, of Marine. Mr. and Mrs. May have four children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: Elmer W., Charles E., Lucile J. and William C. Mrs. May is a devout communicant of the Catholic church, to which Mr. May is a liberal con- tributor, although he is not formally connected therewith.

In his political proclivities Mr. May is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Repub- lican party, and while he has never manifested aught of ambition for political preferment of any description he gives freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures and en- terprises advanced for the good of the general welfare. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Marine Lodge, No. 355, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being at the present time master of that lodge; and he is also a valued member of Golden Crown Lodge, No. 456, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor.

LOUIS CARLYLE HEIM. One of Madison county's most prominent and widely known citizens is Louis Carlyle Heim, editor of the Marine Telegram, one of the most enlightened newspapers to be found within its bound- aries. Mr. Heim, in addition to his activities as a representative of the Fourth Estate, finds time to discharge with promptness and fidelity to duties of the office of state fish warden, to which he was appointed by Governor Deneen. This gentleman, whose usefulness and fine civic ideals make him well worthy of repre- sentation in this work devoted to the makers and maintainers of Madison county, is of

German descent, and shares in those excellent national characteristics which make the Teu- tonic stock one of America's most admirable sources of immigration. Mr. Heim was born in Highland, Madison county, Illinois, August 25, 1873, the son of Rupert and Catherine Heim. The father, who was a native of Oes- tringen, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, came to America in 1856 and located in St. Louis, Missouri. He later removed to Madi- son county, Illinois, and for twenty-three years prior to his death made his home in Old Ripley, Bond county, Illinois, where he con- ducted a hotel. He was a staunch Republican and greatly interested in the welfare of the community in which he lived, contributing liberally to the support of its schools and churches. On July 20, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Weindel, a na- tive of the same section of Germany from which he came. The wedding was solemnized at Carlyle, Illinois, and the couple began their early wedded life on a farm near Highland. To their union were born ten children, the immediate subject of this record being the youngest in order of birth. Rupert Heim de- parted this life Thursday, November 2, 1905, and Mrs. Heim's demise occurred three years later. The surviving children are as follows : Henry and George Heim, of Inman, Kansas; Mrs. W. J. Jorns, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Louis Carlyle Heim, of Marine, Illinois.

Mr. Heim was educated in the Illinois com- mon schools and at the age of sixteen became a printer's apprentice in the office of the Greenville Advocate. Following the comple- tion of his training for his trade he held cases on many of the country's largest dailies from New Orleans to Chicago and from Denver to Pittsburg. He had charge of the printing of the Auditorium Hotel at Chicago up to the opening of the Columbian Exposition and then decided to enter the publishing business, being then but nineteen years of age. He accord- ingly launched a new paper at Inman, Kansas, which, by the way, still lives, and subsequently founded the New Douglas, Illinois, World. He then returned to Kansas and started upon its career the Allen (Lyon county) Herald and after some time returned to Illinois and established the Pocahontas Press. Eight years ago he took up his residence in Marine and founded the Marine Telegram, which is now one of the leading papers of the county, equipped with power throughout, with type- setting machines and all the modern appurten- ances. It has the distinction of being perhane

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the only paper in Illinois in a town of less than one thousand inhabitants simliarly equipped.

Mr. Heim is most helpfully interested in public issues and is a Republican without an ism or prefix, ever being ready to do anything legitimate within his power to advance the in- terests of the party and to support those who represent its causes. As is appropriate with a man of his influence he is a member of the central committee of the party. As previously mentioned, he was appointed state fish warden by Governor Deneen and has supervision of fifteen counties.

Mr. Heim is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but he contributes liberally to the support of all churches and is of de- cidedly philanthropical tendencies. He is cor- 1 esponding member of the State Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member and officer of the Masonic order and is also affili- ated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor, his connection with these fraternities being of the happiest char- acter.

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Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II, Part 93

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