USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 30
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accession of three new members. They started from St. Joseph on the 7th day of May and ar- rived in the mining regions of California on the 5th day of August. The trip and the return was performed without serious accident or misfor- tune. Mr .Freyburger returned to this county in October, 1851. He was somewhat financially profited by his mining experience.
In September, 1861, Michael Freyburger was mustered into service to fight in the great war of the Rebellion, as a member of the 7th Illinois Cavalry, Co. 11, and not until the close of the war in 1865, was he mustered out. He participated in a great number of skirmishes, and was in the two days' battle at Nashville, the bat- tle of Port Hudson, and the battle of Corinth. When his regiment was engaged in the battle of Franklin, Mr. Freyburger was absent; having been sent as the bearer of important dispatches. Nearly all of his military services were performed under Gen. Grierson, and Gen. Hatch. Mr. Freyburger accompanied the troops on that famous expedition known as Grierson's raid. lle enlisted for service as a private, but was mus- tered out as a Lieutenant. By one of his com- rades, he has been styled, "the handsomest sol- dier in his company." He is now one of the okl- est members of Shelby County G. A. R. Shortly after the war, viz : in A. D. 1870. Mr. Freyburger laid the mortal remains of his wife to their rest in the grave.
In his twenty-first year, Mr. Freyburger united with the Christian church, of which or- ganization he still remains an active and devoted member. He is a man concerning whom all speak well. His life has been long and success- ful ; and now, as life's sun is setting, its rays fall upon a peaceful evening scene. The crowning virtue and glory of old age is an adornment of the christian graces. Those who live with life's great end in view never outlive their usefulness.
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Their closing days suggest a going up into the mount of vision, rather than a decline into the vale of death. Their end is peace.
CONN BROTHERS.
Our biographical album could not be con- sidered complete, did it not have upon its pages a pen-sketch of the men whose names head this paragraph.
The Conn Brothers-Stanley and John- now living in Shelbyville, are of English de- scent, having been born in Canaan, Canada East. On their mother's side they are connected with the line of Stanley's for whom the elder was named. These Stanleys were a line of English statesmen, who held office continually under the government. for a period of 700 years-a record scarcely equalled by any other family. The father was a teacher. In 1817, he opened a pri- vate school in Montreal : a modest little card in- forming the public that he was "prepared to teach the following branches at the following prices :
"Reading. 5s per quarter : English grammar and Elocution. Geography. History. (Ancient and Modern) Writing and Arithmetic. 85 4d per quarter ; Stenography on the most approved plan, tpd 2s gd per quarter ; Algebra, Geometry with its application to Trigonometry, Mensura- tion, Surveying, Navigation, Dialing, etc .. 1pd 2s od per quarter. He will also teach in the even- ings : Natural and Experimental Philosophy, ex- plaining in an easy and familiar manner, the Laws of Matter and Motion, Mechanical Powers, Specific Gravities, Optics, the Theory of Astron- omy, Electricity etc., Ipd Is gd." This was be- fore the day of the specialist.
Besides these two brothers-Stanley and John-there were five sons and three daughters.
all having lived to maturity. The early years of the family were spent on a farm, three and one- half miles out from Granby, Can. During the summer they followed the ordinary agricultural pursuits, while their winters were spent in the lumber camps, felling trees, with the snow from three and one-half to four feet deep. The cold was so intense that often, for three months at a' time, the St. Lawrence river was frozen so solidly that teams could cross upon the ice. In the spring, before the snow had melted, sugar camps were opened, where sugar for the entire family for the following year, was made. In addition to all this, the children found time to attend the Government school, though they received the greater part of their instruction in mathematics from their father.
The region round, about their Canadian home being too woody for good farm land, the family came to the United States in the year 1855. for the purpose of securing good land. free from timber : a part of the family going in the spring. the rest following in September. The journey from Montreal to Chicago was made by water and rail; up the St. Lawrence river. through Lake Ontario, to Niagara Falls, where a short stop was made for the purpose of sight- seeing : down through Lake Erie to Toledo, and from thence to Chicago by rail. Stopping in Chicago but a short time, the journey was re- sumed to Dubuque, lowa, and from thence to Rockville, thirty miles out.
Before the Conns had left Montreal. the English had taken Sebastopol, and great excite- ment prevailed. A little incident served to im- press this fact upon the minds of the two broth- ers. Just as they were about to embark upon the steamer an Irishman came running up, waving his arms frantically. "Sebastopol has been taken." he cried. "and the Irishmen done it." Then. quick as a flash, seeing the sensation pro-
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duced, he held out his hand, saying, "Give a poor Irishman a penny."
Arriving at Rockville, the first concern was to procure a home. This was soon done for the parents, but the boys went further west, to But- ler county, one hundred thirty miles from Dubu- que. After selecting their land, their chief ob- ject was to get back to Dubuque on the day the Land Office opened, to enter their land before any one could anticipate them. It being late in November, and the roads heavy from recent. rains, Stanley and two of his brothers-in-law. leaving their team, walked seventy miles with- out resting, making the distance in a single day and night, through the snow, for the last thirty miles, was a half foot deep. They reached Du- buque in safety, and were the first to present themselves at the Land Office the day it opened. That winter the family spent at Rockville. In the spring, the sons returned to their clainis, to improve the land and build homes-all except the two sons.
Stanley, after building a home for his par- ents, went to work in a saw mill near by, spend- ing the summer there and contracting a severe case of malaria fever. After recovering from his illness, he went to work for a man named George Ensign, in New Hartford, where they ran a shingle machine, besides building many houses. From thence he went to work on the immense farm owned by the Ohio Stock company, in Butler county, Iowa.
John returned to Dubuque, and, entering the machine shops, studied the art of engineer- ing. Here he remained a year or more, and then went to Cedar Falls, where he spent a couple of years operating a mill. Stanley re- mained full two years on the stock farm, doing all the building required on the place, as he had previously acquired a good knowledge of the car- penter's trade, even before he left Canada. This
stock farm consisted of 10,000 acres, owned by a company of six men, Dr. Sprague being the president of the company. When not engaged in building, Stanley had the oversight of the dif- ferent farming departments, thus acquiring a knowledge of agriculture difficult to obtain on a smaller farm. Especially did he become an ex- pert in matters pertaining to stock, as on this farm they had the best that Ohio and Kentucky could produce. However, the country round about being new, there was little demand for such fine stock as this farm produced, hence the enterprise proved a failure, financially, the stock was sold, and the land divided amongst the com- pany.
In 1859. Stanley and Jolm went to Cohun- bia, Mo., then the "Athens of the West." The first thing they did here was to build a house for one Jerry Dorsey, and other employment fol- lowed. For two years they stayed here, when, in 1861, they went to Carleton, Mo. The Civil war breaking out about this time, put an end to their trade, as the country was torn from one end to the other, and there was little call for employ- ment of any kind. They then rented the Banks farm, in the "Charleton Bottoms," fourteen miles from town. This was a farm of 480 acres. The first year they raised one hundred acres of hemp, and corn without end. Two years were spent here on the farm, but the war becoming more threatening, they were forced to sell and go to St. Louis. After spending some time there, they came to Shelbyville, in 1864. About their first employment here was upon the block of business houses now occupied by Pogue. Scarborough, Pollard and Kensil Brothers. In March of the following year, they opened their lumber yard, under the firm name of Johnson & Conn Brothers. John has remained in close ap- plication to this business from that time to the present, but Stanley still followed the building
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PROF. J. E. CLAVADETSCHER.
BIOGRAPHIES.
trade in and around Shelbyville. In the fall of that year Underwood and Conn built the Sulli- van court house, and a home for Judge Elder, of that place. In the spring of 1866, Stanley went to California, Missouri, to build a court house. The work was to be completed in eighteen months from date of contract, but it was com- pleted in every detail, and court was in session in exactly eleven months' time.
In September of 1868, Stanley married Miss Mary E. Stillwell, and in the following Novem- ber. John married Alzenith P. Stillwell. In 1869 the Conn Brothers took the contract for the erec- tion of the public school building on Main street. Work was begun in April of the next year, and the building was completed by Christmas, so that it was ready for occupancy by the first of the year. In '71 they built the West Side school in Mattoon : in '72 they built the Supreme Court House in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. They had pre- pared for the erection of the buildings for the School of Minds, at Rollo, Mo., the building to have cost $100,000; but for lack of funds the project had to be abandoned. Later, they estab- lished a lumber yard in Sullivan, which they con- ducted for seven or eight years, and also one in Cowden, for five or six years. In 1876 the Conns bought out Johnson's interest in the yard at Shelbyville and also sold out in Sullivan and Cowden. In 1880 to '81 the county employed Stanley to superintend the erection of our Court House. This is the last large building in the erection of which they were concerned .. Since that time, they have - devoted themselves ex- clusively to the lumber and hardware trade.
The brothers both joined the Methodist church in Rockville, in 1856, and since that time have been closely identified with the church. Stanley has taught in, or attended the Sabbath school every Sunday since 1874, with the excep- tion of three, when he was unavoidably absent
from town. Both boys received the priceless heritage of a good constitution, Stanley never having been absent from business on account of sickness since 1856. a period of forty-four years. John has given close attention to the business in Shelbyville, ever since 1866. The brothers reside in Shelbyville, having lived since their marriage on adjoining lots.
To Mr. and Mrs. John Conn have been born three daughters, on of whom has "passed on be- fore," and one is the wife of Dr. Mizell, of Shel- byville. One son and three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Conn, all of whom are living and are still in the home, with the ex- ception of one who is the wife of Emra Bolinger. of this city.
These families occupy an honored position in Shelbyville society, and are prominent mem- bers of church and social circles. The business methods of the brothers are above adverse criti- cism. and they enjoy the confidence of the busi- ness men of Shelbyville, as well as that of their customers.
J. E. CLAVADETSCHER.
Opportunities come to all. The days of every life are full of them. But the trouble with too many of us is that we do not make anything out of them while we have them. The next mo- ment they are gone. One man goes through life sighing for opportunities. If only he had this or that gift. or place. or position, he would do great things, he says : but with his means, his poor chances, his meagre privileges, his uncongenial surroundings, his limitations, he can do nothing worthy of himself. Then another man comes up close beside him, with like means, chances, cir- cumstances, privileges, and he achieves noble re-
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sults, does heroic things, wins for himself honor or renown. The secret is in the man, not in his environment.
To this class of men, who lay hold upon the opportunities as they pass, and improve them, belongs Professor J. E. Clavadetscher, a talented young musician, prominent in Shelbyville so- ciety. Hle was born on the 20th of August, 1872, in Davos, Ct. des Grisons, Switzerland, and is one of the three children born to the parents. Andreas and Marie (Michal) Clavadetscher. (f the others, the sister received the mother's name, Marie, is married to a Mr. Huegly, and still re- sides in the town where she was born; the brother, who bears the name of his father, An- dreas, is the youngest of the trio, and is now at- tending college in Switzerland. Mrs. Clavadet- scher died in 1890. Mr. Clavadetscher, who was in the hotel business nearly all of his lifetime, and was also a noted musician, lived until February of 1899.
When but twelve years of age, the subject of this biography left home and entered school in Chur, Ecole Cantonal, where he pursued the common branches of study, besides undergoing a thorough course of instruction in the Latin. German and French languages, and in music, a love and talent for which was inherent in his na- ture. While in this school, he was under the tutorship of Profs. Friech, a Bohemian, and Bauer, German, who instructed him on the violin ; Prof. Dietz, who trained his vocal powers, thus rendering him a capable conductor of choirs and harmony; and Prof. Radezky, a Russian. who taught him in the music of the 'cello. Under these competent teachers, Mr. Clavadetscher was an apt pupil, and early gave substantial evidence of his remarkable musical talent. He remained in this school at Chur for four years, and while there served as military cadet.
From Chur, Mr. Clavadetscher went to
Zurich, Switzerland, where he took a course in business training, and also continued his musi- cal studies. Here he remained until the death of his mother, in 1890, when he returned home for a short time, soon afterward leaving for America. He spent some time with an uncle in St. Louis, afterward going to Belleville, Illinois, where he engaged in the painting business. Soon, however, he removed to Highland, Illinois, and for five years engaged in teaching that, in the study of which he had labored faithfully and per- sistently-music and the languages. He then took up his abode in Greenville, where he con- tinued his teaching, and also secured employ- ment in a banner and regalia factory. Prof. Clavadetscher considers his great musical suc- cess in Greenville to have been the organizing and training of a Ladies' Orchestra. Of him the Greenville Advocate has this to say :
"Prof. E. Clavadetscher was a resident of Greenville for nearly two years, and during that time his services and talent as a thorough musi- cian made him a central figure, not only here, but in the counties adjoining Bond. He has or- ganized and trained an orchestra composed en- tirely of ladies, whose fame and reputation as a fine musical organization is recognized far and wide. As a violinist, he has delighted some of the most critical musicians in Greenville and sur- rounding cities. His performance on the 'cello has never been equaled here." This is high praise and commendation, but is no more than the just due of this already celebrated musician. While in Greenville he engaged to a limited extent in concert business, as 'cellist ; but Mr. Clavadet- scher has no inclination to use his musical gifts in that sphere, so has entirely abandoned the concert field, and devotes his entire time to other avenues of musical exhibition and teaching.
In August, 1898, Mr. Clavadetscher came to Lithia Springs, as a member of the orchestra at
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the Chautauqua. Becoming acquainted with many of Shelbyville's music-loving people, and himself falling desperately in love with-Shelby- ville, after but a few weeks return to Greenville, he concluded his engagements there and came again to this city, where he has since resided, engaging, from the first, in the teaching of music, and German and French languages. In the fall of '99, Mr. Clavadetscher spent some weeks in Chicago, a violin student of Beresino, Concert Master, Chicago Orchestra. He also took 'cello with Ambrosius, 'cello soloist with Thomas Or- chestra. It is the purpose of the Professor to go to Chicago in February, to spend several weeks in study, thus showing his determination to keep in touch with the very latest and best in his profession, and give to his pupils the benefit.
After engaging for a year with I. M. Dou- thit. Prof. Clavadetscher formed a partnership with this gentleman, in September of this year. and together they conduct an extensive and lucra- tive business in the sale of musical goods and instruments, under the firm name of Douthit & Clavadetscher. Mr. Clavadetscher himself, has a cozy and comfortable studio on the second floor of the building used by the firm.
Professor Clavadetscher has just cause to be proud of the success he achieved in organizing and training the Children's Sunday School Or- chestra. of the Presbyterian church, which added so much to the pleasure and entertainment of the attendants at that service. It has ever been pleasing to this gifted artist, to assist the church in its musical service, rather than favor those who are not so deserving. He. himself, is a member of the German Reformed church, though is not bigoted or narrow in his denominationalism.
Prof. Clavadetscher is one with whom it is a pleasure to have acquaintance, a splendid con- versationalist, and a courteous gentleman who is a welcomed addition to the very best society
of Shelbyville. He has asked us to express, in this sketch, his appreciation of the kindly cour- tesies received since his advent in the city, and says that in all his sojournings he has not found as homelike and agreeable a place as Shelbyville. Amongst his many friends here. he keenly ap- preciates the intimate association of Prof. Taylor. director of Lithia Springs Orchestra, and Robert Root, the artist. These, indeed, complete a very congenial trio.
For Prof. Clavadetscher, a future of great prominence would be the natural sequence of present attainments, and his very many friends will follow his career with interest.
MAX KLEEMAN.
In Werneck. Bavaria, Germany, Max Klee- man was born in the year 1837. His parents were Susman and Fanny Kleeman, the maiden name of the latter being Fanny Mayer. His father was proprietor of a large farmi, and car- ried on quite extensive operations in cattle buy- ing. as well. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kleeman : Isaac. now aged sixty-seven years, and who still resides in Germany: Wil- liam, now aged sixty-five years, who is a resident of Tennessee : and Max, the subject of this bio- graphy. Mr. Kleeman died in 1849, and about four years later Mrs. Kleeman also passed away. Almost immediately after the death of his mother. Max Kleeman, then but sixteen years old, left Germany and came to America, spend- ing his first year in this country in New York City. In the following year. 1854. he went to Ohio and was engaged there for two years in the jewelry and clothing business. He was in Co- lumbus when the first theatre was built in the citv.
"Westward the star of Empire takes its
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way," and with it, in 1856, Mr. Kleeman went as far as lowa, where he located in the city of Des Moines and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for the succeeding three years. It was while he was there that the first Capitol building of lowa was erected. Three years later, Mr. Kleeman removed from Des Moines to Shelby county. Locating in Shelbyville, he opened a clothing store in the building in which Mrs. Oliver now conducts her millinery business. This building has the distinction of being the only one now standing which was then on Main street.
In 1863, Mr. Kleeman extended his busi- ness adding dry goods and shoes to his clothing stock, and took into partnership with him Wil- liam Goldstein, a pleasant and courteous gentle- man, who is still a member of the firm. The business has been moved westward on Main street several times, each removal being into larger and more commodious quarters. In 1875. the building on the south side of Main street now occupied by Kleeman, Goldstein & Sons, was built especially for them, and is a model of neat- ness and convenience. It is here that the im- mense stock of clothing and shoes is kept ; while across the street, and one block farther west, in a 'handsome store building which was erected by the firm about fourteen years ago, they have a very full and complete line of dry goods. Mr. Goldstein and Morris Kleeman give their per- sonal attention to this department of the business while Mr. Kleeman, himself, superintends the clothing and shoe department.
When twenty-three years old, Mr. Kleeman took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Rose Reiter, of Cincinnati. Miss Reiter was a native of Germany, but came to America some time before her marriage to Mr. Kleeman. To them were born four children, viz: Morris, Sam- uel E., Philip S., and Fanny. The familiar quo- tation :
"There is no flock, however watched and tended, But one dead lamb is there !
There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended, But has one vacant chair !"
does not hold good in regard to this family, for the circle has not been destroyed by the Reaper. Death. Morris Kleeman is a respected citizen of Shelbyville, and is the junior partner of the firm of which his father is the head. Samuel E. and Philip S. are located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and are carrying on a very successful business in the dry goods line. Miss Fanny married Mr. A. Wertheimer, a cattle commission merchant of Chicago, in which city they reside.
It can be said that the race prejudice which commonly obtains against those of the nation- ality of Mr. Kleeman, has been overcome in its entirety in this instance, by the honest business methods, the innate courtesy and upright char- acter of this gentleman, than whom there are no more highly honored and respected in the busi- ness life of this county. Hle is also a prominent member of the County Commission of Charity. having been appointed to that office by Gov. Altgeld, several years since.
In 1899, Mr. Kleeman made a trip to the "Fatherland" and visited the place of his birth, which awakened in him many fond recollections of boyhood days.
EDGAR D. KERR. M. D.
Dr. Edgar D. Kerr was born in DeGraff. Ohio, on the 14th of February, 1866. His par- ents, Joseph and Salome (Hudson) Kerr, are natives of Virginia. The father came to Illinois with his parents when but an infant ; the mother came while still in her girlhood. Though, of course, Mr. Joseph Kerr has no recollection of
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the somewhat protracted trip which brought him to this state, he has heard from the lips of his parents, the recital of an exper- ience which came near causing his death. The journey was made by wagon ; and, while cross- ing the great Natural Bridge in Virginia, the in- ยท fant Joseph was thrown from the vehicle, nar- rowly escaping destruction, by a most fortunate circumstance-a feather-bed. which chanced to be among the home-seeker's effects, performed the kindly office of spreading itself upon the rock, a fraction of a second before the habe reached it. thus perfectly breaking the fall.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kerr were genuine pioneers. In 1869, they moved to Logan coun- ty. Illinois. After six years spent there, they again turned their faces westward and continued their home-seeking until they settled in Oconee. Shelby county. In 1879. Mr. Kerr purchased the property near Tower Hill where he still re- sides. From his early life to the present time. he has been an agriculturist, and though now somewhat advanced in years, is remarkably well preserved and prosecutes his work with vigor and success.
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Dr. Kerr spent his boyhood at home with his parents. Unlike some rural people, it was their desire to see their children well educated. Edgar received such training as a district school afforded, and in the year 1887- '88 grati- fied one of his ambitions, by attending a high school. While yet a youth, his mind became deeply impressed by the genial, courtly demean- or of an aged practitioner who was the family physician of the Kerrs. This influence awaken- ed the desire to emulate the life of this "doctor of the old school." Hence. the life of Edgar has been characterized by devotion to study. Soon after reaching his majority. he began teaching
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