Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 79

Author: McDonough, J.L., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.L. McDonough & Co
Number of Pages: 578


USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 79


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he has continued to reside up to the present. Soon after Mr. Brey came to Burksville he was appointed postmaster, a position he held for seventeen years. He soon became prom- inent in the precinct where he settled, and was called on to fill various positions of trust. In 1863 he was elected jus- tice of the peace, and held the scales of justice for six years. He also held other minor offices, such as township treasurer, school director, etc. In 1873 his standing and character as a citizen of Monroe county received honorable recognition at the hands of the voters of the county, by being elected eounty clerk. In 1877 he was reelected, and, under the act of the legislature regulating the time of holding elections, held over until 1882, when he was elected for the third time, without opposition. The frequent elections without the aid or connivance of party machinery, but by the free, untram- meled votes of the people, show the standing and popularity of Mr. Brey. As a clerk he brings to the office a thorough business training, industrious habits, and a very affable and accommodating disposition, all of which combined makes him very popular as a public officer. On the 13th of Au- gust, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia A., daughter of Alex. H. and Mary Frances (Carlisle) Durfee, old settlers of Monroe county. By that union there are nine children. Mr. Brey has always been a consistent Demoerat of the Douglas school. In 1861 he was solicited by some of his young friends to raise a company for the Forty-ninth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry, (Col. Morrison's regi- ment), but being a newly married man he declined, but served the United States afterward by proxy.


322


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


Doell Crickech


THE subject of the following sketch was born at Vicks- burg, Miss., July 9, 1841. He is the second in a family of six children. His parents were French and German. His father, Andrew Rickert, was a native of Alsace, France. He came to America in 1832, landing in New York; from there came west, then went south, and married in Vicks- burg, and there remained until 1845, when he came north to Illinois, and settled in Monroe county, and here died a few years ago. Joseph W. received his primary education in the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he entered the St. Louis University, and remained there until 1861, a period of nearly five years. His further attendance at college was prevented hy the death of his mother. He remained at home until in October, 1861, when he came to Waterloo as a teacher in the public schools. He taught nine months, and by the exercise of great prudence and economy he saved the greater part of his salary, which, hy a little assistance from his father, enabled him to return to college, where he graduated, received his diploma and the degrees of A. B. and A. M. After his graduation he re- turned home, then went to Central City, in Marion county, and there tanght school, and at the same time read law under the direction of Judge H. K. S. O'Melveney. In May, 1865, Mr. Rickert returned to Monroe county, and contin- ued his studies in the office of James A. Kennedy, of Water- loo. In the fall of the same year he went south on a tour combining business with pleasure, and visiting different cities


on the Mississippi river. In the following May, 1866, he returned home and reengaged in teaching in different places until 1868, when he went to Chester, Randolph coun- ty, and resumed the study of law in the office of Johnson Hartzell. In March, 1869, he was admitted to the bar. He came direct to Waterloo and opened a law office, and formed a law partnership with I. P. Johnson, who was then state's attorney for the district. In the same fall he was elected superintendent of public schools of Monroe county. At the conclusion of his term in 1873 he resolved to devote bis energies and entire time to the practice of the law, which had then already become reasonably Incrative and which has since grown into a large practice.


Politically, Mr. Rickert has uniformly voted the Demo- cratic ticket. He represented the counties of Monroe, Ran- dolph, and Perry in the session of the legislature in 1875, and while a member of that body succeeded in placing upon the statute books important laws in relation to road matters in counties not under township organization. In 1876 he was elected state's attorney for the county, and reelected in 1880, and at present is serving the people in the capacity of public prosecutor. On the 22d of May, 1873, Mr. Rickert was united in married to Miss Minnie Ziebold, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, but a resident of Monroe City at the time of her marriage. By that union there are two children living, whose names are Josie L. and Minnie E. Rickert. George F., the only son, died in infancy.


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


323


That If Payne


THE Payne family is of English ancestry. Thomas J., the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England, and came to America in 1773, and settled in Lexington, Ky., which was then a small frontier village. There his son, whose name was also Thomas J., was born, the date of which was June 10, 1800. The latter grew to manhood and remained in Kentucky until 1834, when he moved to St. Louis and engaged in land speculations, and continued there uutil 1847; then removed to St. Charles county, in same state, and lived there until 1858, when he returned to St. Louis, and purchased the residence on the northwest corner of Fifteenth and Chestnut streets, and there Jived until his death, which occured September 21, 1866. Mr. Payne in his life was a shrewd business man, and at an early date foresaw the great rise and future values of real estate in St. Louis and the west. Ile was very suc- cessful in his ventures, and amassed a handsome fortune be- fore his death. He was thrice married ; his first wife was a Craig ; she died leaving two children, both of whom are since dead ; his second wife, and mother of Thomas J. Payne, was Mrs. Mary Jones, née Hill ; she was of French descent ; she died in St. Charles county in 1853. By that union there were three sons, viz., the subject of this sketch, Bryant M., who died in his twelfth year, and Edward Howard Payne, who at present is a resident of Fulton, Calloway county, Mo. The father, subsequent to the death of his second wife, married again, but there was no issue by that marriage.


Thomas J. Payne, the subject of this sketch, was born in St. Louis county, at a place now the northeast corner of Shaw's Garden, St. Louis, October 20, 1841. He was a


mere Jad when the family moved to St. Charles county, and there Thomas received private instruction and was pre- pared for admission to the College of Christian Brothers in St. Louis ; he remained in that educational institution two terms, then entered the St. Louis University, and remained there about the same length of time, and then went to Wil- liam Jewell's College in Clay county, Mo., and remained there six months, after which he returned home and worked on his father's farm in St. Louis county, near Webster Sta- tion, and remained there until the war of the Rebellion broke out. Being a southerner by birth and education, he espoused the cause of the south and promptly entered the service of the Southern Confederacy ; he became a member of the Third Arkansas cavalry, and remained in the service from July, 1861, until the war. He was twice slightly wounded, and once taken prisoner, but remained a captive but a short time when he escaped. After the war closed he returned to the farm in St. Charles county, then to St. Louis, and in February, 1866, came to Monroe county, Ill., and took charge of a farm in the American Bottom, one mile east of Harrisonville ; he remained there until 1880, when he came to Waterloo, and since then has made this place his residence.


On the 21st of November, 1870, he was married to Mrs. Margaret James, née Raynor. Mrs. Payne was born in Monroe county. They have had six children, three of whom are living ; two died in infancy and one in early childhood. Their names in the order of the birth of those living are, Fannie E., Mary Alice, and Thomas Jefferson Payne. Po- litically, Mr. Payne is a staunch and reliable Democrat.


324


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


John Dieserborn


THE present circuit clerk of Monroe county is to the manor born. The place of his birth is at a point six miles south- west of Waterloo, and the date July 25th, 1847. His father Frederick Wiesenborn, was a native of Germany. He emi- grated to America when quite young and settled in Monroe county, and here followed the occupation of a farmer until his death. He married Miss Caroline Erd, who was also of German birth. By that union there were five children, two of whom are yet living, viz: Caroline who is the wife of Peter Miller, a resident of this county, and John the subject of this sketch The latter received his primary education in the public schools of the county, and his literary educa- tion in the St. Louis University, where he spent two years. And subsequently took a course in Jones' Commercial Col- lege, St. Louis. He then returned to Monroe county, and went to work in a flouring mill, in which he continued two years, then went back to the farm where he remained until 1875, when he received the appointment of Deputy Circuit Clerk under John Seyler. Mr. Seyler died in Sept. 1879, and in the following November, Mr. Wiesenborn was elected


to fill out the unexpired term. In 1880, he announced him- self as a candidate for the full term, and in the ensuing elec- tion was elected by a handsome majority, and at present he is serving the people in that official capacity. Mr. Wiesen- horn as clerk gives satisfaction. He is a careful and com- petent officer, kind and accommodating to all who come in contact with him as an officer of the county. The records of the office are kept up and are neat and clean. System and order prevail in all departments over which he exercises con- trol. By his close attention to his office and earnest dispo- sition to faithfully discharge the duties thereof, he has earned the esteem and good will not only of those who honored him with their suffrages, but all others. On the 26th of January, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. daughter of Valentine Schnetz. Her parents were natives of Germany, they came to America at an early date and settled in Monroe county. There have been two chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiesenhorn, whose names are Annie and Frederick Wiesenborn.


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


325


James & Imamif


Is a native of Orange county, born June 15th, 1850. His parents James and Mary (Bowan) Canniff were natives of Cork, Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1848 and settled in New York, where they remained until 1855 then came west to St. Louis and the following year removed to Monroe county, Illinois, and settled on a farm in the Ameri- can Bottom and there Mr. Canniff remained until his death which occured in 1867. He was a farmer and stock dealer by occupation. His wife and mother of the subject of this sketch survived him and died in 1879. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Canniff two of whom are yet living-George W. and James J. The latter received his primary education in the public schools of Monroe county. At the age of fourteen years he entered the college of the Christian Brothers, in St. Louis and there remained for a period of five years. His health failing he was compelled to abandon college, before graduating. Ile returned to this county and engaged in teaching, in which profession he con- tinued for seven years. He then determined to adopt the profession of law as the future business of his life. With this idea in view he commenced the study, read the standard


text booksand diligently continued his studies for two years, when at the June term, 1880 of the Appellate court, held at Springfield, Illinois, he was upon examination admitted to the bar. IIe commenced the practice in Waterloo, in connection with William Winkelman a prominent lawyer of Belleville Illinois Mr. Canniff is yet upon the thres- hold of his professional experience. Ile brings to the pro- fession a mind well trained by years of study in schools and in teaching, studious habits, industry and a determination to succeed and to the possessor of these traits of character, success in the future is almost, if not positively assured. Po- litically, Mr. Cannitf is a Democrat, thoroughly imbued with Democratic ideas and principles and an active supporter of that political organization. In 1882 his zeal and labors in behalf of his party, received honorable recognition by being nominated and elected to represent the counties of Monroe Randolph and P'erry in the Twenty-third General Assembly of the state. While a member of that body he served on several important committees, and took an active interest in the legislation and laws enacted at that session.


326


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


UHHfilerand At sily


THE present superintendent of schools of Monroe county is a native of Cumberland county, New Jersey. He is the son of Henry and Dorcas Hilyard. Mr. Hilyard was reared upon the farm, and like farmer's sons spent the winter months in the public schools of his neighborhood wherein he received his primary education. His academical education was received in the academy at Bridgeton, Cum- berland county, N. J. In 1865 he entered the business college at Poughkepsie, New York, and remained there until completing a full course. In 1866 he came west to St. Lonis, and soon after came to Monroe county, Illinois, and here hegan teaching school, in which profession he con- tinued for ten years. In 1873 his zeal and industry in the cause of education received honorable and suitable recogni- tion by being elected superintendent of the schools of Monroe county. In 1877 he was re-elected, and under the change in the law with regard to the time of holding elections, held over until 1882, when he was electedf for the third time,


and at present is discharging the duties of his office. These frequent elections may be regarded as testimonials of Mr. Hilyard's energy and efficiency in building up the school system of the county to the high standard that it now ocen- pies. On the 1st of January, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Fults, who was born in Mitchie precinct, By that union there are two children, whose names are Horace M. and Perry C. Hilyard. Mr. Hilyard is a member of the ancient and honorable order of A F. A. M. and holds membership with Columbia Lodge, No. 474, and also is a member of Belleville Chapter, No. 106, and Tancred Commandery, No. 50, Belleville, Ill. He belongs to Waterloo lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F., and Encampment No. 106, and also belongs to the beneficiary order, A. O. U. W. of MonroeLodge, No. 165. During the past four years Mr. Hilyard has been clerk in the office of the sheriff of the connty, and collects all the taxes and disburses the same.


327


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


WILLIAM ERD.


JUDGE WILLIAM ERD is a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, born February 22, 1828. He was educated in the excellent schools of his native country. In 1842 he came to America and settled in Monroe county, Illinois, and here worked upon a farm until 1845 when he received the ap- pointment of deputy circuit clerk, under W. R. Morrison. The same fall Mr. Morrison resigned the office of clerk to take a seat in the Legislature, and Mr. Erd was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. In 1856 Mr. Erd was elected circuit clerk and was reelected every succeeding four years, and served until the latter part of 1876. In 1877 he was elected county Judge and under the amended law, regulating the time for holding elections, held over until 1882 when he was reelected to the same position. His present term will expire in 1886. Politically, Judge Erd has been a life long Democrat.


CHARLES METZGER.


THE subject of the following sketch was born in Kirch- heim under Teck, Wurtemberg, Germany, December 27th, 1840. He is the third son of John and Caroline (Kicherer) Metzger. Charles received his early education in the latin schools and gymnasiums of his native city. His father was a man in good financial circumstances, and was an iron manufacturer. In the spring of 1860 young Metzger left Germany and came to America and came direct to the west. He settled in St. Louis, and soon after engaged as salesman in a grocery and provision store in which capacity he remained two years. He then engaged in the business for himself. He carried on the mercantile business for two years and then sold out and engaged as clerk in a wholesale house.


Three years later he engaged iu the commission business in which he continued for some time. In the year 1873, Mr. Metzger became, a resident of Waterloo. Here be clerked for his brother-in law, George L. Riess, the present county Judge of Randolph county, Illinois. In 1875 Mr. Metzgar secured the appointment of deputy county clerk, under Paul C. Brey, and has continued to be deputy clerk to the present. The same year 1875 he was elected a justice of the peace to to fill out an unexpired term, and in 1877 was elected for the full term and reelected in 1881.


It may, also be mentioned that Mr. Metzger has been a member of the board of Trustees of Waterloo for the past three years, and has beeu clerk for that body during that time.


On the 11th of February, 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Victoria, daughter of Rev. John J. and Vic- toria (Petit ) Riess. Mrs Metzger was born in Centerville, (now Millstadt) St. Clair county, Illinois, by that union they have had born to them three children, whose names in the order of their birth are, Ida, Alfred and Arthur Metzger. In politics Mr. Metzger was originally a Republican and remained, a member of that politica! organization until 1872, when he, like thousands of other men of an independent turn of mind, " liberalized " as it was called and voted for Horace


Greeley for president. He soon after joined the Democratic party and has remained a true and steadfast supporter of its principles to the present. He is a member of the ancient order of A F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery. Ile is also a member of the I O. O. F., and Ifaunagari Lodge (beneficiary) No 376, and a member of Knights of Honor Lodge. Mr. Metzger is held in high esteem by those who know him best. Hle posseses fine social qualities and has hosts of friends. In the capacity of deputy county clerk he has always been found efficient, courteous and accommodating, aud makes it pleasant for all who come in contaet with him.


DR. HUGO ROTHSTEIN.


DR. ROTHSTEIN, a prominent physician of Waterloo, was born in Linnep Rhine, Prussia, December 31, 1838. His family occupied a good standing in society, and he received a thorough education and was a student in the principal German Universities. Ile came to America in 1857, and went directly to the west, and spent seven months in the then unexplored region of the Rocky mountains afterward embraced in the territory of Montana and Idaho. In 1858 Dr. Rothstein located in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1859 re- visited his home in Germany, but returned the same year to St. Louis, where in 1861 he opened an office as physician, having for two years pursued the study of medicine in Pope medical college. He had previously studied medieine in Germany. He is a graduate of the Missouri Medical Col- lege. He continued the practice in St. Louis, afteward at Pilot Knob, Mo., was medical inspector in the United States Army, and in May, 1865, came to Waterloo, and here he has by industry and careful attention to his duties built up a large and lucrative practice. On the 28th of March, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Louise, daughter of Morris Wuerpel, of St Louis, Mo.


PETER BICKELHAUPT


WAS born in Germany in March, 1831; he is the son of Philip and Eva ( Arras) Bickelhaupt. His father was a weaver by trade; he came to America in 1849, landing at New Orleans and from there came north to St. Louis, and from there went to Centeryille, in St. Clair county, and in the latter place Peter learned the blacksmith trade. He re- mained in Centreville three and a half years, then went to Burlington, Iowa, and remained there until 1856, when he settled in Mayesville in Monroe county and then followed his trade. Ile afterward went to Monroe City and opened a saloon and also engaged in the milling business In 1871 he came to Waterloo and took charge of the City Hotel as proprietor, and has conducted it to the present. Under his management the City Hotel has acquired a reputation for good cheer. Politieally Mr. Bickelhaupt is a Democrat. He has occupied several offices of local trust, and at present is a member of the Board of Trustees of Waterloo.


328


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


L


THE subject of the following sketch is a native of Wur- temberg, Germany. He was born November 11. 1850. He is the son of Joseph and Matilda ( Walz) Von Schlierholz, and the third in a family of six children. His father is and has been for a number of years chief engineer and counsellor of the Royal Wurtemberg Railway, and is a resident of Stuttgart. Charles was educated at the university of Tue- bingen and Stuttgart and in the Polytecnic Institute at Lantrach, Germany, where he studied engineering and surveying. Subsequently he was employed in the engineer- ing department of the Royal Wurtemberg Railway, under the direction of his father, and there received a practical knowledge of civil engineering and surveying. In 1868 he passed his military examination. He remained in the ser- vice of the above-named company until June, 1870. The following fall he emigrated to America, and came direct to St. Louis, where be spent a few months, then went to Chi- cago, and there followed surveying and engineering until after the great fire of 1871, after which he went to Bloom- ington and taught school. Soon after he was employed by


Messrs. Warner & Beers, map publishers, as topographer and draughtsman, and remained with that firm until 1874. In October, 1874, he came to Waterloo, Monroe county, and here he has remained to the present. Since he has been a resident of this county he has followed his profession, and at the present time holds the position of drainaze and levee engineer of the districts in the county. In 1881 he held a similar position in Randolph county.


On the 25th of June, 1875, Mr. Schlierholz was united in marriage to Miss Christina Sopp, a native of Waterloo. By that union there were two daughters, named Matilda and Flora Schlierholz. He is a member of the Order of K. of H, No. 1939, and is district deputy of the Order. He is also a member of the beneficiary order of A. O. U. W. Lodge No. 165, and Treubund, No. 5, and Harrugari, No. 365. Politi- cally, Mr. Schlierholz was originally a Republican, but in 1880 he joined the Democratic ranks, and has since re- mained a staunch advocate of the principles of the latter political organization.


329


HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


GEORGE E. JAHN,


THE present able editor of the " Times," Waterloo, is a native of St. Louis, Mo., born September 24, 1851. He is the son of John T. H and Catherine Elizabeth Jahn, who were natives of Nassau, near Weisbaden, Germany. Mr. Jahn, the elder, was a believer and advocate of the republican theories, the agitation of which led to the revolution of 1848, and in which Mr. Jahn was concerned. His partici- pation in that short struggle placed him under the ban of the government, and he came to America, landing here in 1849. He settled in St Louis and remained there until 1856, when he came to Monroe county and here died, in 1862. He was a jeweler by trade; his wife died in 1874. George E. is the youngest of the family. He receive la good education in the public schools of the county, then followed teaching for some time ; subsequently entered the office of the " Advocate," and learned the printer's trade. In 1876 he edited the " Ava Register," in Jackson county, Illinois. The paper was subsequently changed to the " Ava News." The paper did effective service in the campaign of 1576, and advocated the claims of Samuel J. Tilden for the presidency. In December, 1839, Mr. Jahn returned to Waterloo and took editorial charge of the "Times," which arrangement still continues. Oa the 5th of February, 1851, he established the Monroe " Freie Presse," a German paper, and has also conducted it to the present. Both papers are strongly Democratic in tone, and under Mr. Jahn's manage. ment have risen to be very popular, and are recognized among the prominent and potential organs of the party in southern Illinois. Mr. Jahu is an unswerving Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and at present is at the head of the order (N. G.), in Waterloo Lodge No. 27. He is also a member of K' of If Urbana Lodge, No. 1839, and member and speaker of Turner Society, Waterloo, Illinois. On the 10th of October, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J., daughter of James and Ilarriet (Hatfield) Rainey. She was born in Jackson county Illinois.




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