Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 160

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

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WEBSTER, Stephen (deceased), was born in Orleans County, N. Y., June 14, 1825. He spent his entire life (except a few years in Chicago) in his native State, being buried at Mt. Alblon, N. Y. His father operated a farm near Hawley and was also a native of New York. HIS mother, Kate (Littlefield) Webster, was a na- tive of New York. Many of Mr. Webster's an- cestors took active parts in the exciting events preceding the Revolution and during the struggle, and were of the old eastern stock of Connecticut.

After taking an academic course at Albion, N. Y., Stephen Webster embarked In the drug business, which he continued several years. He also began dealing in grain, and in the latter en- terprise became so successful that he devoted his whole attention to It and had entire charge of the great stock yards at Suspension Bridge, N. Y. He became quite wealthy, being a man of industrions habits and considerable energy. One of his best western customers was Algernon Farr, the great stock shipper of Ililnols. How- ever, he met serions reverses of fortune and dled a poor man. Being of a quiet disposition and a great lover of his home, he never connected himself with any fraternal orders and did not aspire to public office. His religious connections were with the Congregational Church.

January 29, 1863. Mr. Webster was married, at Nlagara City, N. Y., by Reverend Webb, to Mary A. Rhodes, who was born at Albion, N. Y., January 25, 1836, daughter of Richard Boone and Charity E. (Bidwell) Rhodes. Richard Boone Rhodes had married (first) November 1, 1832, Nancy Sherwood, of Chantauqna, N. Y., who lived but a short time. The first of the Rhodes family In America was John Rhodes, who came from England in 1630, and one of his de- scendants, Walter Rhodes, born June 2, 1770, in Providence, R. I., died in 1829. Walter Rhodes was married, in 1792, to Mary Perkins, who was also born in Providence, in 1767, dled In 1869, and lived to celebrate her one hundredth birth- day, at which time she was able to read and write with ease. The Perkins family also came from England (in 1630), and the grandfather of Richard B. Rhodes, Nathaniel Perkins, born in 1710, was a gunsmith and manufactured guns for the use of the colonists during the Revolution. Mrs. Webster's mother, Charity Bidwell, was a descendant of John Bidwell, from the north of England, who settled at Hartford, Ct., in 1635, married Sarah Wilcox, and died in 1687.

Richard B. Rhodes was a mechanic of great

sklII and prominence and learned his trade at Pittsburg, Pa., and Jamestown, N. Y., where he learned the secret of tempering by shade the edge of sharp steel tools of ali kinds. He hIm- self afterwards built a factory for making toois at Chantauqua, and later at Waterport, N. Y. He was the inventor of many useful articles and became known In many parts of the country through his intelligence and skIII. He firmly be- lieved he had discovered perpetual motion, and at one time considered placlug his invention on the market. Mrs. Webster distinctly remembers hearing her father describe this invention to her mother. In later life, thinking he was losing his sight, he called a convention of tool makers and gave to them the secret of temperIng tools. HIS father. Walter Rhodes, was also an inventor aud mechanic. He erected a shIngle mlil, fiume and water wheel, and was killed by accident at this place. He worked for some time for a man named Cnrtis, a manufacturer of farm tools, at Albion, N. Y., and while in this position studled to perfect the reaper. Afterwards, while work- ing at Brockport he perfected the real part of this machine that gathers and throws over the bundles. He also Invented the "Butterfly" drag that was so much nsed on land, because It wouid go between stumps In cultivating. Mr. Rhodes also Invented a gate that wonld swing both ways, and a horse hay-rake that would rake the hay into windrows. When the contractor, who was ready to begin work on the great sns- pension bridge between Canada and Niagara City, was unable to figure how to get a iine across as the first move, Mr. Rhodes solved the difficulty by advising that a kite be fiown over. Mrs. Webster herself inherited a great deal of mechanical genius from her father and invented a very practical doughnnt entter, which she had made for her own use and which she heard was afterwards patented, but she receives no royal- ties on It as her Idea was appropriated by others.

Mr. Rhodes, the father of Mrs. Webster, was born April 6, 1807, and died October 20, 1878, and his second wife, who was born May 12, 1813, died November 13, 1872. An ancestor of Mr. Rhodes, John Rhodes, was a member of the fa- mous "Boston Tea Party," and threw the second box of tea overboard. Her parents and ancestors on both sides were very devout Christians as far back as 1600.

Left alone in the world, without a doiiar, Mrs. Webster had before her the immediate question of how she should earn her livelihood. In Octo- ber, 1870, she began working at dress and cloak making, which she continued at Niagara Falls, N. Y., until Jnly, 1877, when she was advised by her old physician, Dr. E. B. Rice, of Niagara, N. Y., to go west, and moved to Vandalla, Fay- ette Connty, Ill., where she remained one and one-half years and one and one-half years at Carbondale, Ill., until 1879, during which time her father and two sisters died, and she then moved to Springfield, In 1SSO. where she con- tinued at her trade with good success, being able to save some money, but her heaith failed,

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and Rev. David More, D. D., formerly of her old home iu New York, advised her to go to Florida, where his wife had been taken to regain her health. In 1SS5 Mrs. Webster went to De- land, Fla., and there purchased a home and worked at her trade, remaining there until 1889, when she sold her home to au attorney from New Jersey, who afterwards sold It to J. B. Stetson, the celebrated hat manufacturer, who built on this fine location one of the most mag- nificent homes in Florida. Returning to Spring- field, Mrs. Webster resumed work at her trade and was able to accumulate some valuable real estate. She is a weli-informed woman, of good business ability, takiug an Intelligent and broad view of most subjects, and justly proud of her success in her own behalf. She is a good con- versationallst and has many interesting iuci- dents to relate as a consequence of her travels and her varied experiences. She is justly proud of her ancestors and their achievements, and takes great interest in learning their history. She has in her possessiou a letter which was written by her father's mother to her son in 1842, which was simply folded and addressed (no en- velope being used in those days) and then sealed and stamped by the Postmaster. Among the choice pieces of property owned by Mrs. Web- ster is her home at No. 1029 South Third Street. Mrs. Webster is a member of the Central Bap- tist Church, of Springfield.

WEHRLE, August, who has for twenty-eight years been engaged in the dairy business in Springfield, Ill .. is one of the old and honored residents of the city, and has seen and taken part in many changes that have occurred here. He is a native of Baden, Germany, born August 11,. 1834, a son of August and Mary Wehrle, na- tives of Germany. August Wehrle, Sr., was a commissioned officer in the German army, being employed in guarding the German frontier on the line of France. He died in Germany and shortly thereafter hls widow came to Spring- field, where she remained until her death in 1902, at the age of ninety-two years.

August Wehrle was but eighteen years old when he came to America, his education having been secured in the schools of his native land. He first located in New Orleans, went thence to Cincinnati, Ohlo, and later to Brooklyn, Ind., but subsequently walked back to Cincinnati, where he remained two years. He then went to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he remained a short time, but again went back to Cincinnati, and commenced working on the river boats running from Cincinnati to St. Louis. In 1859 he trans- ferred his residence to St. Louis, but continued to work on the river and was so engaged until 1865, when he came to Springfield, and this has been his home ever since. For twenty-eight years he was engaged in a dairy business and his efforts met with success. He is a member of St. Vincent's Society and of the Catholic Church of SS. Peter and Paul. In political con- victions he is a stanch Democrat.

In 1861, in St. Louis, Mr. Wehrle was mar- ried to Theresa Metzger, a native of Baden, Ger- many, who died in January, 1908. Of the fifteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wehrle the fol- lowing survive: Burkhart, living at home; Henry, in the employ of the West End Coal Company; Adam; Charles, who is engaged in the transfer business; Emily, the wife of Levi Hurt; Mary, who married John Whitmore; Anna, who is the wife of Gus Opert, an en- gineer of Danville, Ill .; Eva, the wife of Joseph Loeser, in the employ of the Schneck Lumber Company ; and Lena, the wife of Frederick Gramlich.

WEHRMAN, Henry .- The stability and relia- bility of the German-born citizens of America, make them the best kind of men to place in positions of trust and responsibility, a fact long ago recognized by those in authority. One of the men who are proud of the fact that they were born in the Fatherland, is Henry Wehrman, of No. 445 West Carpenter Street, Springfield, for twenty-nine years oue of the valued em- ployes of Oak Ridge Cemetery. He was born September 12, 1846, in Baden, Germany, being a son of John and Christina (Leishermer) Wehrman, natives of Germany. The father was a stone mason, working at his trade in Germany, where he and his wife spent their lives. They had four sons and one daughter, Mr. Wehrman and a son in Germany being the only survivors.

Like many of his countrymen, Mr. Wehrman gave four years' service to his country, being in the Franco-Prussian War. He had received a good education in his native land, and had been taught farming. In May, 1872, he sailed to America, which stretched out before him as a land of promise, and while he has not realized all his hopes, he has made his life yield him a fair measure of success. Landing in New York, he came direct to Springfield, where he ob- tained employment on tbe Hickox farm and re- mained there two years. For the next two years he was in the employ of the Springfield Rolling Mills, and then entered the employ of the Oak Ridge Cemetery, where he has since remained.

In June, 1872, soon after his arrival in Springfield, he was married to Catherine Boner, also of Germany, where she was born in No- vember, 1851. Her father was a farmer and never came to America. She had a sister and a brother, the latter of whom Is deceased, but the former survives, living in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wehrman became the parents of four children : Catherine, wife of John Heisinger of Evanston; Paul, in the employ of the Schnepp & Barnes Company, of this city ; Margaret, wife of Louls Connover, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Gustav, of Springfield. There are two grand- children in the family. Mr. Wehrman is a Democrat. He belongs to Trinity German Lutheran Church, and is liberal in his support of It. He owns the family home, which is a

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beautiful one, as weil as several other resi- dences in the city, for he has faith in Spring- field and proves it by investing in its realty. He is a reliable, honorable man, whose life had been spent iu hard work, and deserves all the affection and respect he has always commanded.

WEICE, George (deceased) .- The German char- acter is one that commands great admiration, for it stands for much that is best in a com- munity. The German-Americans are among the best class of citizens the country knows. Care- fnliy trained in their trades, the Germans come here prepared to give good, hard work in ex- change for the remuneratiou offered, and they save with carefni thrift out of what they earn, so that in a short time they own their homes. The home owner is more interested in securing good, stable government than he who moves with every passing fancy. It is for these and other equally cogent reasons that the Germans are welcomed in any community. One source of Springfield's prosperity is the fact that Ger- mans have settled there in large numbers. and among one who carried out every good feature of his countrymen was the late George Weice. for many years a contracting painter of that city. Mr. Weice was horn in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, December 21, 1831, a son of John and Margaret Weitz, farming people of Hesse Darmstadt, which remained their home until deaths.

George Weice grew up on his father's farm, receiving a good education in his native tongue, bnt he was ambitious and, having iearned the trade of painter. resolved to seek a new field of operation in America. Consequently he came, in 1859, iocating in Springfield, which continued to be his home until his death, December 20, 1871. His remains were interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery. For years he was a successful con- · tracting painter, and won the confidence of his patrons hy his excellent work and conscientious attention to the terms of his contracts. He was a Mason and Odd Fellow, belonging to the Springfield iodges of hoth orders. His political sentiments made him a Republicau, and he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

In 1859, Mr. Weice was married in Spring- field, to Sophia Machatans. born in Saxony. Germany, daughter of Godfreid and Mary (Jacobs) Machatans. Came to America and lo- cated in Springfield, Ill., both are huried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Weice had five children, two of whom survive: Minnie, born August 31, 1861, living with her mother, and Lonis, residing at No. 400 West Monroe Street, who was born in 1869. Mrs. Weice owns the family residence at No. 211 West Jefferson Street, which has been her home since 1800. She is a most excellent woman, devoted to her children, and kind and neighboriy in her asso- ciations with those about her.

WEISZ, John (deceased) .- As long as the State buildings at Springfield stand as monuments to

the skill and artistic ability of those who aided in their building and decoration, will the name of John Weisz be remembered, for he aided in the interior decoration of these struc- tures, as weil as in that of many of the private residences of the city. Although he has passed from this life his work remains, and the memory, as weli, of his many excellent traits of char- acter, which won him so many warm personai friends. Mr. Weisz was born in Hesse Darm- stadt, Germany, in 1836, a son of John Weisz, aiso a native of Germany, who was a farmer and weaving-miii owner. He and his wife came to America at an early day (1852) and to Springfield when it was a village. They en- gaged in farming in its vicinity and made a specialty of raising garden truck for the Spring- fieid market. This was their work until death ciaimed them.

John Weisz was educated in Germany and there learned the wagon-making trade, but after he accompanied his parents to America, learned that of a painter and decorator, and established himseif in business, earning and retaining a iarge trade. His work was artistic in the ex- treme, and so well done as to make it eageriy sought by those who appreciated good effects. He continued in business until the time of his demise, in 1879. In religious faith, he was a German Lutheran, as are his widow and chii- dren, and in politics he was a Republican.

Mr. Weisz was married in Springfield, in 1861, to Augusta Schwarberg, born in Hanover, Germany, June 22, 1839. Her parents uever emigrated, dying in Germany, where they were born. The father was a schooi-teacher in Han- over, where he was very well known. Mr. and Mrs. Weisz had seven children, four of whom survive : August R., traveling salesman for the Illinois Watch Company, has been with the company for a number of years; John is also in the employ of this company; Charies is a resident of Chicago, and Lonise iives at home. Mrs. Weisz owns her beautiful home at No. 719 South Ninth Street, as well as considerabie other property in Springfield. having been left weii-to-do through the watchful care of her husband, who provided weii for his dear ones before death took him away from them. He was an excelient example of the best class of German-American, and weil deserved the suc- cess which attended him.

WELCH, Abednego Richardson .- There have been many changes in Sangamon County during the past forty years, and those who located in the 'sixties and 'seventies bear witness to the truth of this statement. More than anything eise has the value of farm iand altered, now being so valuable that a number of the farmers are specializing on a few acres, producing some of the finest fruit and vegetables to he found on the market. A farmer who has grown with the advance in everything. is Abednego Richardson Welch, of Springfield Township, born in Wash- ington County, Ind., October 24, 1837, a son of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Enoch F. and Mabei (Powell) Welch, the former born in Kentucky in 1812.

The parents came to Indiana at a very early day, but later migrated to Morgan County, Iil., where the father died in 1875, having been a farmer ail his life. His wife passed away when sixty-one years old. The paternal great-grand- father was a Revolutionary soldier. As Enoch F. Welch moved about to a considerable extent during the boyhood of Abednego, the latter did not receive mucb education until he was twenty- two years old, when he paid for tuitlon. He worked for his father, learning how to farm, and when he began for himself adopted this calling, and has continued iu it all his life. In 1863 Mr. Weich came to Sangamon County, and since then has not been more than a niile from home. For twenty-seven years he has lived on his present farm of seven and one-balf acres, which he has developed into a fine prop- erty.

Mr. Welch was married in Springfield, in January, 1864, to Elizabeth Hammonds, a daughter of Harrison and Delila Hammonds, who came to Illinois at an early day, from In- diana, but both are now deceased. Mrs. Welch died November 13, 1883, having borne her hus- band children as follows : Permelia, wife of George Langfield, a farmer of Sangamnou County ; Lucy, wife of William Brown, a miner ; Hester, wife of William Hahn, a dairyman; Rosetta, and four who are deceased. Miss Rosetta had the misfortune to be born blind, but her father has given her so superior an edu- cation that she has many resources that might otherwise be denied her. There are sixteen grand children aud one great grand child in the family.

The family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Welch is a Democrat and is en- thusiastic in his support of its candidates and principles. His devotion to his blind daughter is a beautiful thing, and she repays his love .and care with a touching affection. The family stand high in the neighborhood, and Mr. and Miss Welch have many warm, personal friends who appreciate their excellent qualities.

WELCH, George Merrit, who resides in his pleasant home at No. 409 West Canedy Street. which represents years of frugality and hard work, is now the trusted watchman of the Ray- field Auto Company works, Springfield. He was born in Tonawanda, Erie County, N. Y., Jan- uary 2, 1849, a son of George W. and Margaret (Forbes) Welch. The Welch family was founded in this country by the grandfather, who came from Ireland, locating in Clifton Park, N. Y., where he was a timberman, being killed by a log wbich rolled on him. George W., father of George M. Welch, was born in the village of Clifton Park, and became a merchant there, but died at the very early age of twenty- two years, of cholera. His widow married Nelson A. Neher, now a resident of Springfield,

who has attained the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife died there at the age of sixty- eight years.

George Merrit Welch attended school but little, for being left half orphau when only five months old, he never knew a father's care, and as early as possible had to earn his own living. Until he was fourteen years old he lived with his Grandfather Forbes, and tben began work- ing on a farm at fifty cents per day. When he was 'sixteen years old he began working on the tow path of the Erie canai, but after one sum- mer 'at this became a steersman on a boat, con- tinuing thus for two seasons. His attention having been called to Illinois, he came to Lan- ark, Carroll County, and was a clerk in his Uncie Edgar Welch's store for nearly two years. Following this he went to work in a saw-mill at Alpena, Mich., beiug in it during the summer. and scaling logs in the woods in the winter. At the close of three years he moved to Monroe, Mich., and worked in a lumber yard owned by Caleb Ives, and also scaled logs for him, event- ually being made general manager of Mr. Ives' business After two years there be journeyed to New York for a short visit. On his return west he reached Toledo, when bis funds gave out. He had nothing to eat and no place to sieep, aud was feeling discouraged, when he met his former employer, Mr. Ives, who appeared as glad to see liim, as he was to meet the man for whom he had worked so faithfully. Mr. Ives sent Mr. Welch straight to Cincinnati, Ohio, to do some collecting for him, and Mr. Welch spent eighteen months in that city, look- ing after Mr. Ives' interests there. His next venture was as agent for a patent fire kindler, operating iu Jackson and vicinity. Once more he went back to New York, and thence to Rut- land, Vt., where he worked in a foundry owned by Thomas Ross, and while there worked on some of the columns for the Albany State House. In 1880 he returned to Illinois, going to work on the Wabash Railroad as fireman, and running out of Springfield. From this he worked up to be engineer, continuing in the em- ploy of this railroad for twelve years. Then, leaving the road, he operated a switch engine in the rolling miils. Going to Pine Bluffs, Ark., he was fireman on the Cotton Belt Railroad, be- ing promoted to the position of engineer, but at the expiration of three years came to Macomb, Ill., and ran a stationary engine at the pottery plant for a year. Comiug again to Springfield, he was salesman for the Springfield Paper Company for seven years, afterwards engaging in various lines of work, and is now watchman of the Rayfield Auto Company works.

On April 28, 1886, Mr. Welch was married iu the Central Baptist Church to Anna M. Lindsay, of Springfield, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Elder) Lindsay. Five children have been born to them : Arlena B., unmarried ; Annie Louise, at home; Howard and Harold, twins, and George. Mr. Welch is a consistent member of the Central Baptist Church. Politically he is

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

a Republican, but his inciinations have never ied him to seek office.

WELDON, Lawrence. (Vol. I, p. 582.)

WELLS, Richard R .- Industry, perseverance, intelligence and good judgment are the price of success in agricultural work in these modern days of farmiug, when the hard, nnremitting toil of former years has giveu way to the scien- tific use of modern machinery and a knowl- edge of the proper treatment of the soil. San- gamon County has many skilled farmers, who treat their vocation more as a profession thau a mere occupation, and take justifiable pride in their accomplishments. Among them may be mentioned Richard R. Wells, of Salisbury Town- ship. Mr. Wells was boru on Section 34, Salis- bury Towuship, December 12, 1871, a sou of James H, and Margaret (Sackett) Wells.

James H. Welis was born on a farm in Clark County, Ind., May 31, 1834, and was compelled early in life to begiu to work for himself, his parents having died. He was married July S, 1852, to Margaret J. Sackett, and they began life on a rented farm in Menard County, Ill. There they remained until 1853, in which year Mr. Wells purchased his first piece of land on Section 34, Salisbury Township, ou which there was a smail frame building. Aided by his good wife, he worked from sunup to sunset, year after year, to cut the timber and haul it to Springfield for the market, Mr. Welis added to his property piece by piece, and as soon as he had a good start, began erecting substantial buildings and making a comfortable home for those to follow him. At the time of his death he was the owner of 1100 acres of land and was considered one of the leading men of Salisbury Township. He was a strong man politically, being many times Supervisor of his township, aud was always trying to further those interests which would be of benefit to his community. He passed to his reward July 13, 1902, having been married fifty years the eighth of that month. His widow still sur- vives and is making her home in Salisbury, having reached the age of seventy-seven years. Of their six children five grew to maturity : L. M., who is one of the successful farm- ers of Salisbury Township and owner of a part of the old homestead, married Rose Kern, and they had ten children : Harriet F., widow of A. B. Hohimner, residing at Chatham, Ill., has eight children : Mary, wife of George Kern, residing in Springfield, has eight children ; Selia, wife of Marshall S. Grider, has three children ; and Richard R.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 160

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