Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 137

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Mr. Schmidt was married, in Springfield, to Miss Kate Otto, who was born in Germany and died in Springfield a few years since. Her par- ents spent their entire lives in Germany. She and her husband had no children.

SCHMIENZ, Martin, of Springfield, Ili .. has aii his active iife been engaged in gardening and is very skiliful in this line of work. He was born in Gottbus, near Berlin, Germany, De- cember 25, 1844, son of Martin Schmienz, a tailor by trade, who died in Germany in early iife. He and his wife had five children, four giris and one boy. One daughter married and iives near Melbourne, Australia. Others still re- side in Germany.

Martin Schmienz was educated in his native conntry and there took up the study of garden-

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ing, which he followed until emigratiug to Amner- ica. He landed iu New York City June 11, 1869, and proceeded to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was employed one year ou a farm. He has been a resident of Springfield since March 27, 1870, when he eutered the employ of Dr. Pas- field, one of the oldest settlers iu the city. Mr. Schmienz is now living retired. He is couscien- tious and ambitious and has become the owner of a comfortable and pleasant home at 927 South College Street, where the family has re- sided since 1897.

Mr. Schmienz was married in Springfield, May 1, 1875, to Miss Marie Richards, who was born in Germany, February 22, 1854. Her mother, Catherine Swartz, was born March 27, 1835, and her father in 1828. They were rather early settlers of Sangamon County, where they still reside. Two sons and two daughters were born to Mr. Schmienz and his wife, namely : Katherinc, born August 13, 1876; Rosa, born July 15, 1878; John A., Treasurer of the Ra- cine-Sattley, Plow Works, at Springfield, is mar- ried and has a daughter, Marie Charlotte; Martin, clerk at the Racine-Sattley Piow Works. Mr. Schmienz is a member of the German-Lu- theran Church and in politics is a Democrat. He is a man of ability in his trade and is highly respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He takes no active part in pnb- lic affairs, although he is interested in the prog- ress of the community.

SCHNEIDER, Daniel (deceased) .- Many of the more progressive Germans have left their native land to come to the United States, where, owing to the careful training they have received, they are able to engage profitahly in almost any iine of work, and in time become as devoted to their adopted country as to the Fatherland. The late Daniel Schneider, of Springfield, belonged to the best class of German-Americans, and during the quarter of a century he lived in the city made many friends who grieved with the family over his demisc. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 8, 1826. After a six-year service in the German army, he came to the United States, in 1854, sailing from Havre to New Or- leans. Coming north to St. Louis, he worked in that city for a year, theu left it for Spring- field, where for twenty-five years he worked at his trade of stone-cutting. During all these years he was in the employ of hut two men, and was regarded as one of the most upright and steady of men, conscientious in his work and devoted to his family. He was a consistent member of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Cath- ofic Church, and in politics a Democrat. He died May 3, 1883, being survived by his widow, who is now seventy-six years old.

Mr. Schneider was married in Springfield, May 24, 1857, to Louesa Andrews, born April 28, 1835, in Baden, Germany, She came to the United States in 1855. landing in New York, whence she came to Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider became the pareuts of thirteen chii-

dren. Louesa, the eldest child, married Cou- stantiue Schuessier, and they had three chii- dreu : Josephine, who married Hugh E. Prick- ett, lives in Springfield and has two children, Theresa Susannah aud Mary Louesa ; Frank J .; aud Mary Louesa, who died at the age of three months. The other children of Mr. aud Mrs. Schneider were: Fred, Charles, William, Emil, Henry, Sophia, Auua, Josephine aud Frank, all uow deceased; Henry (2), who married Ger- trude Howard and died, leaving one chil, Eliza- beth Louesa; Theresa is unmarried and iives at home; Joseph, of Springfield, married Etta Bau- mann, and they have four children-Kate, William, Franklin and Georgie, and one deceased. The family is weil known in Springfield and the children are a credit to the sturdy, hard-work- ing, honest father, who did his best. both by pre- cept and exampie, to bring them up in the way he thought was right.

SCHNEIDER, John (deceased), who was for several years a resident of Springfield, was au enterprising and useful German-American cit- izen, and became actively interested in the iocai affairs of the community in which he lived and in the public affairs of his adopted country. He was boru in Germany, of German parents, Feb- ruary 26, 1851. His father, Peter Schneider, was a farmer, and both he and his wife, Annie (Rice) Schneider, spent their entire lives in Germany.

John Schneider was educated in the country schools of his native couutry aud lived ou the farm with his pareuts until 1880, when he em- barked for America, iandiug in New York City. Soou afterward he weut to the State of Arkan- sas. where he met aud married Miss Annie Mary Corredein, and soon afterward brought his wife to Springfield. He entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Compauy, and worked in their shops until his death. He was very industrious and thrifty, devoted to his family and popular with his friends. He was a de- vout Catholic and was a member of a church in Springfield. His widow owns the home at 1132 East South Grand Avenue, where she and her husband began housekeeping in 1881, and where she reared her family.

The marriage of Mr. Schneider occurred iu Arkansas, June 20, 1881. His wife is a daugh- ter of George and Anna Mary (Vaper) Corre- dein, both natives of Germany. Four children were born of this union, namely : Anna Mary, umuarried and living at home with her mother ; Nicholas, a tinner, nnmarried, living in Seattle, Wash .; John, married and living in Jacksou- vilie, Ili .; Charles, the youngest, is attending college in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Schneider was a Democrat in political views. His death oc- curred in Springfield, November 17. 1894, and his remains were iuterred in Calvary Cem- etery. His memory is tenderiy cherished by his family and his loss was mourned by many friends. He passed away in the prime of life. when the future seemed to hold many bright

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prospects for him, leaving a growing family and in the midst of a nseful, bnsy life.

SCHNEPP, George, whose faithfulness and de- votion to duty make him valnable not only to his employers, but also to his community, is one of the substantial men of Springfield, and a brother of his Honor, Mayor Schnepp. He was born on a farm in Tazewell County, Iil., April 24, 1859, a son of Diebold Schnepp. When George Schnepp was but a lad, the family moved to South Fork Township, Christian County, and there he grew up, attending country school in the winter months and in the summer assisting in farm work. Before leaving the farm, through his earnest and good management, he acquired two farms of rich black soil, one of 200 acres, eight miles southwest of Taylorville, III., and one of 160 acres, one and one-half miles south- east of Palmer, III. In 1902 Mr. Schnepp moved to Springfield, to become interested in the print- Ing establishment of Schnepp & Lauer Company, incorporated for $21,000. Stockholders were George Schnepp, Wm. H. Schnepp and Albert Lauer, but later George Schnepp, not wanting to be annoyed by business cares, sold his inter- est to Wm. H. Schnepp and Andrew J. Barnes, now the sole owners of the Schnepp & Barnes Printing Company.

In December, 1887, Mr. Schnepp was married to Miss Edith May Haines, of Christian County, daughter of Fletcher and Lydia Haines. They have two children, Ernest F. and Carroll D. Mr. Schnepp built the pleasant family residence at No. 110 West Cook Street, since coming to the city.

The Lutheran Church holds his membership and he gives it an enthusiastic support. In polltics he is a Democrat, but he has contented himself with giving his brother his support, and has not aspired to political honors himself. Public-spirited, loyal to his party, and anxious to see the city advanced In every way, Mr. Schnepp is a good citizen, and an excellent busi- ness man, and enjoys the confidence of those with whom he is brought Into contact.

SCHNEPP, Mayor John S., representing the moral, Intellectual, financial and material inter- ests of the City of Springfield during more than two years last past, has been the subject of much comment and self congratulation on the part of the citizens of the Capital City of Illi- nois, and it is conceded by every one that the elevation of the morals and the betterment of the financial condition of the City can be lald, In a large degree, to the ability, untiring efforts and conscientious application to official duty of Mayor John S. Schnepp, under whose business administration the best interests of the City have been conserved.

John S. Schnepp was born, on August 26th A. D. 1866, in a log cabin on a farm eight miles west of the City of Springfield, a son of Diebold and Mary A. Schnepp. His father was a native of Alsace-Loraine, which at that time belonged

to France, but was subsequently ceded to Ger- many. His mother was a native of Baden, Ger- many. They both came to America when quite young and were married at Atlanta, Logan Connty, Illinois. After a short residence near that city, they came to Sangamon County, pur- chasing a farm eight miles west of the City of Springfield, on which they resided for several years. Some years before Mr. Schnepp's death the family removed to Christian County, where the father passed away in 1884, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving an estate consisting of 420 acres of fine farm land and considerable personal property. To Diebold and Mary A. Schnepp there were born seven children: Jacob, a shoe dealer of Springfield; George, a retired farmer; Mary C., wife of Leonard Fry, of Springfield ; Louisa F., wife of Henry Neu, of Christian County ; John S. and William H. of Springfield, and Edward, who died In infancy.

Educated in the district schools and knowing the hardships of farm life at that time, John S. Schnepp came to Springfield at the age of nineteen years and for a year studied German and Latin at Concordla College. He next at- tended the Central Normal College of Danville, Ind., from which he was graduated with the class of 1SS7, and then taught school for a year. He next took the law course at the Wesleyan University, Bloomington, III., being gradnated in June, 1890, receiving the degree of LL. B. His diploma admitted him to the bar, and he re- turned to Springfield and opened an office for the practice of his chosen profession, building up one of the most lucrative practices in the city.

In April, 1909, he was elected on the Demo- cratic ticket to the office of Mayor of the City of Springfield, after one of the most spectacular elections in the history of the city, and during his term of office, he has done more towards, regulating the moral, intellectual and financial condition of the city than any other chlef execu- tive in the city's history, and through cutting down unnecessary expenses has saved the munic- Ipality many thousands of dollars. Although he made no promises prior to hls election, he im- mediately, upon taking office began the working out of the civic reforms that have won for him the respect and esteem of the city's best people. Naturally a man who uses such drastic meas- ures in bringing the law breakers to justice, must make some enemies, but the better ele- ment of the citizens are with him to a man, and have applauded his fearlessness in the dis- charge of his public duties.

When the City Treasury was depleted, on Christmas, 1909, rather than see the city em- ployees and their families forced to forego the pleasures of the holldays, Mayor Schnepp vouched for their salaries, a matter of several thousand dollars, thus proving not only his gen- erosity and kind-heartedness, but also his faith in the future of the city which he governs with so capable a hand. Mayor Schnepp, who is

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deservedly known as the best Mayor Spring- field ever had, was again prevailed upon to become a caudidate for Mayor under the Com- mission Form of Government, which law was but recently adopted by the city, and he was at the April election, 1911, elected by the largest majority ever accorded any candidate In the history of the city, receiving 6,786 votes, while his opponent received ouly 3,876 votes. His con- tribution to this work bearing the title "Munic- ipal History of Springfieid," will be found upon another page of this publication, and is de- cidedly interesting.

On December 31, 1890, Mayor Schnepp was united in marriage with Hattie B. Calloway, daughter of James and Amelia Calloway, of Taylorville, Illinois, aud to this uuion there have been born three sons: Delmar F., H. La Verne and Chester Clyde, and three daughters Gladys M., Vera I. and Velma O. The Mayor is justly proud of them, and they are now being educated lu the ward and high schools of the city.

SCHROLL, Edward A .- The younger farmers of Sangamon County are quick to take advan- tage of improved methods, and are constantly experimenting with their crops and stock rais- Ing. As a result they have raised the value of land in the locality until its possession means wealth. One of these progressive young men is Edward A. Schroll, farming on Section 26, Cur- ran Township, born in Ball Township, October 19, 1886, a sou of Henry and Amelia (Garlo) Schroll, natives of Germany. Henry Schroll came to America in 1866. He came direct from New York City to Sangamou County and located in Ball Towuship, bringing up his family of eight children on the fariu he bought there. All the children survive, aud they are numbered among the substantial people of the several com- munities in which they are located. The father eventuaily bought 100 acres of iand in Curran Township, where he still resides. The grand- father Schroll, who died in 1898, was a soldier in the German Army, and was seventy-six years old when he died. His widow resides with her son Henry, belng uow seventy-two years old.

Edward A. Schroll grew to manhood on his father's farm, attending the country schools and thus securing au excellent training for his life work. In 1908 he bought eighty acres of fine farm land in Curran Township, which he is operating at a good profit. His farm was for- merly known as the Workman farm, and is re- garded as a valuable piece of property.

The marriage of Mr. Schroll took place in Auburn, Ill., January 20, 190S, to Sophia Ludke, born in Chatham Towuship, in August, 1887. Her parents, who were Germans came to that township, where they are now engaged in farm- ing. Mrs. Schroll is one In a family of seven children, having two brothers and four sisters. Mr. aud Mrs. Schroll have one child, Richard.

The German Lutheran Church holds Mr. Schroll's membership, and he is a iiberal sup-

porter of It. Iu politics he is a Democrat. He is one of the enterprising youug men of his town- ship, devoted to his work and anxious to prove the efficiency of some of his methods. That he is succeeding, and that he is destined to become one of the substantial men of the county, are the present iudication.

SCHROYER, Moses .- The existence and de- velopment of mines iu the vicinity of Spring- field, has drawn to that city a number of men connected with mining activities. The legal rul- ings for added precautions to protect the miners, have occasioned the employment of experts to examine into the state of these mines, and upon their reports depend the lives of those working so far below the earth's surface. One of the best-known expert miue examiners of this part of the State Is Moses Schroyer, who was born near Harrisburg, Pa., January 10, 1846, a son of Adam and Mary (Bush) Schroyer, both na- tives of Peunsyivania. The father was a saw- mill operator, who brought his family west in 1861. They settled at Dixon, Ill., where the father lived for about four years, then moved to Tamaroa. Ill., but uot belng suited with that place, he went to Nebraska to engage in farm- ing, and there died. His wife had passed away In Dixon, in 1863.

The primary education of Moses Schroyer was gained in the schools near Harrisburg, and when he was sixteen years old, he began working in the mines, which line of work he has followed ever since, gradually rising to his present 1m- portant position. At first, he confined himself to the Pennsylvania mines, but later worked In those at Taiaroa, Ill., finally coming to Spring- field, in 1867. In time, his abliity and skiiled knowledge were so well recognized, that he was made mine manager and mlne examiner, and he has assisted in sinking many of the mines near Springfield. There is no man in that locality who is better fitted for his dangerous work than Mr. Schroyer.

Mr. Schroyer was married in Springfieid, Sep- tember 1. 1868, to Julla Smith, born in Carroll- ton, Ill., October 4, 1846. Her parents had come from New York State to Illinois in 1835, and engaged in farming. For twenty years Mr. Smith was Superintendeut of the Poor Farm of Greene County, and after moving to Spring- field, became Superintendent of the Poor Farm of Sangamon County, which post he held seven years. His death occurred in January, 1882, but his widow survived hlm until 1904. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schroy- er, two of whom survive: Laurence E., who lives at home, and Grace, wife of Frank Crow- iey, a machinist, of Springfieid. There is one grandchild. Daisy L. Crowley. Mr. Schroyer owns the home he occupies at No. 1010 East Laurel Street, in addition to other reaity in Springfield, and Is a man of substance. His Ilfe has been a hard one and he has devoted himself to his work, taking no time for social diversions, but he has the satisfaction of know-

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ing that he has made a success in his chosen calling, while so inany who began with him have failed.

SCHUCK, J. H .- A prominent German-Amer- ican resident of Springfield, whose energy and business abllity is a source of pride to the city, is J. H. Schuck. He was born in the city of Heldeiberg, Germany, March 1, 1830, being a son of John and Anna Schuck, who lived and died in Heidelberg, where the father was a furni- ture contractor. Having been educated in Ger- many and taught tbe trade of cabinetmaking, J. H. Schuck obtained permission from his fa- ther to leave home, and after traveling in Ger- many, at the age of seventeen years came to America, landing In New York City, where he worked at his trade for a short time, then came west to Chicago, and from there to Springfield, arriving in 1848, after a journey of ten days from Chicago. For a year he found employment In Springfield at cabinetmaking, when there came the news of the discovery of gold in Cali- fornla, and he was one of those who made the long and toilsome trlp across country on horse- back. Unlike many, he was successful. Com- ing back, he formed a partnership in Logan County, Ill., with his brother, for only five months. In 1854 he returned to Springfield and worked again at his trade, being foreman of the lumber yard of G. L. Huntington. In 1866, in partnership with Wm. B. Baker, he embarked in a· lumber business. This association lasted four- teen years, wben he took over Mr. Baker's In- terest, and although eighty-one years old, is still vigorous and actively engaged in hls busi- ness. Mr. Schuck started the first building association of Springfield in connection with Charles F. Herrman. This was the first organ- ization of its kind In the State. He was also one of the promoters and founders of the sec- ond street railway, and did much to insure its ultimate success. Mr. Schuck is one of the old directors of the First National Bank, of Spring- field, and founded the Lumbermen's Association. For many years he has been a member of Spring- field Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican.

In 1853 Mr. Schuck was married, in Spring- field, to Mary E. Lightfoot, who died in 1856. The following year he married Kate Bruker, of Springfield. Mr. Schuck has had children as follows: Cbarles, who is in partnership with his father, married Josie Buscher, and they had a son, Charles W. H., and his son in turn bears the name of Charies, has two children, which are now hls fourth generation. Anna, his daughter, who married Kim Haynes. has four children, two of whom are married. Mr. Schuck Is one of the sound, conservative men of Springfield who have done so much in building up the city's present prosperity, and in restraining undue extravagance in placing public improvements before the city's finances would warrant the expenditure.

SCHUCHARDT, Frank .- The vocation of fire- man is one that calls forth courage and nervous euergy, and demands all a mau's strength. Frank Schuchardt, a member of Fire Company No. 1, Springfield, was born in Germany, De- cember 1, 1869, a son of Joseph and Katriua (Jurnemann) Schuchardt, the latter of whom died in Germany in 1879. Two years afterwards the father came to New York City, landing Feb- ruary 23, 1881. He came direct to Springfield, where he found employment in a rolling mill, and during that same year was killed in an accident. He had married as his second wife Helen Schomberg, who survived him some years. Of the eight children of Joseph and Katriua Schuchardt, but two survive, Frank and Jacob.

Frank Schuchardt attended the schools of his native country until he was fourteen years of age, wheu he started to learn the trade of cab- inet-maker, working at it for one and one-half years, when he came to America. His first work in this country was on a farm. Later he was employed in a rolling mill in Springfield, and for eight years was connected with the watch factory, after which he entered the saloon and grocery business, at Eleventh and Market Streets, and continued tbere until joining the Fire Department in 1909. Mr. Schuchardt is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Cath- olic Church, aud in political views is Independ- ent.

On May 28, 1889, Mr. Schuchardt was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Dresch, daughter of the late John Dresch, and to this union there have been born elght children, namely: Anne. Elizabeth, Frank, Leonard, Joseph, Edward, Katrina and Charles.

SCHUESSLER, Constantine .- Few liues of industrial activity make such substantial returns as does farming. From the soll a man can al- ways get a living, and if he understands his work, knows how to rotate crops and adapt them to the possibilities of the land, he is sure to become well-to-do. Investments In farm lands seldom prove unprofitable, and never worthless. This fact was early recognized by the sturdy Germans who flocked to Sangamon County In the 'fiftles and 'sixties, when land was cheap and opportunities plenty. One of the well- known and prosperous retired farmers now liv- ing in Springfield, who for years made Sanga- mon County the scene of their labors, is Con- stantine Schuessler, of No. 910 West North Grand Avenue. He was born In Badeu, Ger- many, August 15, 1841, a son of Frantz J. and Catherine (Lentz) Schuessler, both natives of Baden. The fatber was a farmer, who spent his life in Germany, but his wldow came to America iu 1859.

After a boyhood spent In Germany, where he was educated. Constantine Schuessler came to America iu 1859, locating in Menard County, Ill. There he bought a farm of 110 acres, which he still owns, aud remained there fifteen years, but

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then came to Sangamon County, farming west of Springfield for Frank Reisch, Sr. This place he developed into one of the finest pieces of property in that part of the State. In 1893, feeling that he had ronnded ont a life of en- deavor, Mr. Schnessler retired, moving to Spring- field, which has since been his home. He is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Cath- olic Church of Springfield, and in politics is a Democrat.

Mr. Schnessler's first marriage was with Lou- esa Schneider, danghter of Daniel Schneider, and to them were born these children: Jo- sephine, married Hngh E. Prickett, and they five in Springfield and have two children- Theresa Snsannah and Mary Louesa ; Frank J., and Mary Lonesa, who died at the age of three months. . Frank J., now residing in California, served three years as a soldier with the army in the Philippine Islands.

Mr. Schuessler married (second) Josephine Reisch. February 25, 1884, who was born in Springfield, April 4, 1856, daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Bnzelmeyer) Reisch, now de- ceased. The children of the second marriage were: Sister Gertrude, a uun in the Effingham Convent ; Helena, and three deceased.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 137

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774