Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 51

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 51

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FEUERBACHER, Frederick (deceased) .- The sturdy qualities of the Germans make them de- sired wherever advanced civilization has taken hold, for they are industrious, intelligent and thrifty. They do not rove from place to place, but settle dowu and work for their posterity, founding homes and taking an interest iu those matters which will insure good schools and government. The late Frederick Feuerbacher was one of the best kind of German-Amerl- cans Springfield has ever known. Born in Ger- many, in July, 1814, he was brought up under the fostering care of an unusually intelligent father, whose profession was that of school teaching. Neither of the parents came to Amer- Ica, but lived and died in Germany.

As he grew up Frederick Feuerbacher learned the cabinetmaking trade and, realiz- ing the better opportunities offered here, came to America in 1847, first locating at Louisville, but coming to Springfield in 1848. In the Capital City he found ready employment for his skill as a cabinetmaker, and worked at his trade the rest of his life. During this time, he produced some beautiful work, which still ex- ists as proof of his skill, that knew nothing of the cheap, machinemade articles of this gen- eration. Mr. Feuerbacher was a Republican and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he died in 1882, honored and respected by a wide circle of friends. His marriage occurred iu Germany, in 1841, when he was united with Regina Dittus, born In Wurteuburg, Germany, July 27, 1817. Her parents lived aud died In Germany. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. aud Mrs. Feuerbacher : Mary married Johu Gottschalk ; Christina, wife of Jacob Baumann, deceased ; Jacob married Caroline Paul, a resident of Springfield, and they have two daughters, Emma Marie and Caroline; Magdeline; Leua, wife of William F. Schmidt, a carpenter and contractor, living with Mrs. Fenerbacher, and they have one son, Walter G., a florist in the employ of Mr. Vanhorn. There are seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren now living in the famlly belonging to Mrs. Feuerbacher. She is a venerable lady, having attained the advanced age of ninety-two years. The family have all been prominent in church work and are known throughout the county as

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reliable, substantial people. Mr. Fenerbacher's life was one of hard work and thrifty invest- inent, and he left behind him a comfortable competence to provide for his widow In her old age and to give his children a start In life.

FIELD, Alexander Pope. (Vol. I, pp. 164-165.)

FIELDS, James H., a well-known citizen of Springfield, Ill., and a veteran of the Civil War, has spent most of his life in the vicinity where he now lives. He was born In Sanga- mon County, July 4, 1847, a son of Earl and Paullna (Southwick) Fields, the former born In Connecticut, in 1796, and the latter born in New York. The father was a drummer in the Mexican War and later located In Sangamon County. As he died when his son James H. was a small child, the latter knows little of his ancestors. Panlina Southwick's parents came to Illinols from New York at an early day, her father being Jesse Southwick, the grandfather of Major Sonthwick, now a prom- inent citizen of Springfield, and who served as Major of the One. Hundred Forteenth Il- linols Infantry during the Civil War.

When nine years of age James H. Fields be- gan working on a farm and has followed that occupation all his life. He had practically no educational advantages, as at the time he was able and ready to enter school he enlisted In the Civil War. He has lived in Sangamon County all his life except for a short time spent in the West and during his service in the army. He enlisted, in June, 1862, at Spring- field, in Company A, Tenth Illinois Cavalry,, under Captain Elkins, and served until June, 1863, when he was discharged from the hos- pital. He remained at home until December, 1863, when he reenlisted at Springfield in the same company, and served to the end of the war. He was discharged from the marine hospital at New Orleans, La., and returned to Sangamon Connty, where he again engaged in farming. He participated in the Battle of Sa- bine River, where General Steele destroyed many wagons and threw them into the river to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. Mr. Fields served as orderly for Gen- eral Ross in the Yazoo Pass expedition, and took part in skirmishes at Little Rock, Helena, and numerous other engagements, also partic- ipated in many foraging expeditions and had many narrow escapes. He endured conntless hardships and, while on the road to Camden, Miss., spent two days under fire and for sev- eral days was without food. Ile took part in the Camden expedition, and helped to recapture a cannon that had been taken by the enemy at Prairie Grove, Mo. Mr. Fields was one of the members of the notably brave and well-trained Western Department that accomplished so much in defense of the Union canse, and who endured so much in the way of danger and hardship withont complaint. lle won a very

good record and acquitted himself most credit- ably.

Mr. Fields was married, in Springfield, in 1885, to Miss Katie Hayes, a native of Spring- field, whose parents were prominent in San- gamon County. One child was born of this marriage, William C., now living on a farm in Kansas. Mr. Fields deals quite extensively in real estate and has met with fair success in all his enterprises. A member of one of the old families in Sangamon County, he enjoys the good-will and esteem of all who know him, and performs his duty as a citizen in as wor- thy a manner as he did when a soldier. He is a member of the Christian Church, and has been a Republican in politics since old enongh to vote, and is also a prominent member of the G. A. R.

FINK, Edward A .- It has often been truly said that the newspapers of any community serve in a large degree to mold public opinion, and it is, therefore, to those who have the newspapers in charge, and more especially those who write the editorlals, that the public must look for the welfare of their Interests. One of the enter- prising and, at the same time, conservative sheets of Sangamon County, is the Pleasant Plains "Weekly Press," whose owner and editor, Edward A. Fink, bears a high reputation in the Illinois newspaper field. Mr. Fink is a native of Pleasant Plains, born September 14, 1879, a son of George W. and Rebecca (Hayes) Fink.

George W. Fink was born In Muskingum County, Ohio. February 2, 1825, son of George and Mary (Way) Fink, the former was born In Maryland in 1796 and the latter in Loudonn County, Va. About 1824 George Fink removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, during the early days of that State, and engaged In the merchan- dising business, in which he was Interested np to the time of his death, in 1833, as the result of an accident. After his death his widow brought her children farther West, locating in Pleasant Plains, Ill., where her death occurred in 1SS5, when she had reached the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. George W. Fink was reared In Ohio, and even as a youth showed marked ability as a business man. although he was given little time to acquire educational advantages. After learning the trade of car- riage-maker in Circleville, Ohlo, he went to Lexington, Ky., and later to St. Louis, Mo., at both of which places he followed his chosen oc- cnpation and he subsequently located In Pleas- ant Plans, Ill., where he established a home and. a factory for the mannfacture of carriages, buggies and vehicles of all kinds. During the thirty-five years that he followed this business he bullt up one of the largest trades in the State. the excellence of his workmanship, the durabllity of his vehicles and farm implements, and his honorable business methods, securing for him a reputation that insnred a large pat- ronage. He also invested in farm property and finally became the owner of a farm of 333 acres

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uear tbe town, a quarter-section of land being left his wife by her father at the latter's death. Although having reached the advanced age of eigbty-six years, he still retains hls good health and displays an active interest in Democratic politics, his services to tbat party having been recognized in the past by his electlon to a num- her of county offices.

On May 4, 1875, Mr. Fink was married to Miss Rebecca Hayes, daughter of J. W. Hayes, an old settler of Pleasant Plalns and to them were born three children: Bertha H., who mar- ried E. L. Hurt; Edward A. and Frank C., all of wbom make their homes in Pleasant Plains.

Edward A. Flnk received his preliminary ed- ucatlon in the public schools of Pleasant Plains, pursued the higher courses at Springfield, then took up the study of law for one year, but eventually deciding to enter the journalistic field, became connected with the newspaper in- terests of Pleasant Plains. Ahout 1898 he started tbe "Weekly Press," and has since con- ducted this clean, bright sheet, which is devoted to general and local news. He has succeeded In securing a large circulation and good advertis- ing patronage. His editorials are clear and coucise, and while setting forth his views on many leading subjects of the day, he never blt- terly denounces those who differ with bim in opinion.

In November, 1898, Mr. Fink was married to Josephine E. Carter, a native of Sangamon County, where sbe was reared and educated. Her fatber, Robert Carter, located there at an early day, bavlng come with bis father's family from Tennessee. Mr. Fink is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Elks and the Odd Fellows, and he and Mrs. Fink are highly esteemed in the community, the hospitality of the best homes being extended to them and tbelr own home heing noted for its social func- tions. Mr. Fink has always been active in all publle enterprises, and while a member of the Village Board was instrumental in making many Improvements in his native village.

FINK, Dr. Frank C., of Pleasant Plains, Ill., is rated as one of the leading medical and sur- gical practitioners of Sangamon County. He was born at Pleasant Plains June 25, 1880, a son of George W. Fink, a pioneer and honored citizen whose biography Is given at some length In this work. He was duly graduated from the high school with the class of 1897, and in the fall of that year entered the college at Dixon, Ill., where he took a year's preparatory course in medicine. He then returned to his home and entering College, took the bachelor's degree In English, after wlilch for two years applied him- self to studies and was given the B. E. de- gree, finishing that course In 1899. In the fall of 1900 he entered the medical department of the Washington University, in St. Louis, Mo., where he took a four years' course and was awarded a diploma in 1904. In the summer of that year he hegan a post-graduate course in

diseases of women at the Philadelphia Poly- clinic College, iater takiug a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic College. His professional studies having been completed, he returned home in December, 1904, to enter tbe school of practice with accompanying reading and Investigation. He established himself in Springfield, in an office with Dr. Langdon, soon advanced to blgh rank in his profession and was appolnted medical examiner for several life insurance companies, for the Moderu Wood- meu of America, the Modern Fraternity, the Americau Patriots, tbe Home Defenders, the Knights and Ladies of Security and other ben- eficiary orgaulzatlons. His duties both as pby- sician and surgeon became so strenuous aud so exacting tbat, after two years' failing health be was compelled to discontinue his practice and return bomne for a time. In June, 1907, he lo- cated at Waverly, Ill., and there, as at Spring- field, he soon bullt up a large and increasing practice. In 1909 he weut to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he practiced his profession cight months, when he returned home at the request of his aged parents to look after their busi- ness interests. He then opened an office at Picasant Plaius, wberc his successful experi- euces at Springfield and at Waverly are being repeated, and be has bls full share of the pro- fesslonal patronage. He has never ceased to be a student and keeps ahreast of the times by dillgent reading and personal investigation along professional Ilnes. He has a fine medical library and his office is well equipped with modern apparatus. He is careful in diagnosis and insures the proper action of remedies by compounding his own prescriptions.

Dr. Fink Is a member of Lodge No. 700, An- cient Free & Accepted Masons, of Pleasant Plains, and of the Sangamon County Medical Society. As a physician he is known for bis exceptional learning, for his painstaking care with patients, and for his success in difficult cases. Perhaps nature intended him for hls work. He has a happy faculty of making and retaining friends.

'FISHERKELLER, Lewis .- Owing to the many advantages offered In Springfield it bas heen selected by a number of inen of means as their permanent home, after retiring from active life. One of those who belongs to this large and re- presentative class In Lewis Fisherkeller, a sub- stantial German-American citizen, residing at No. 1420 East Edwards Street. He was horn in Baden, Germany, October 5, 1825, a son of Lewis and Mary (Angerser) Fisherkeller, natives of Germany. The father was a haker and mer- chant who, with his wife, rounded out a useful life in Germany. There were four daughters and two sons in this famlly, hut Lewis, of this sketch, and Joseph, of Germany, are the only survivors.

Like all German boys, Mr. Fisherkeller was brought up to work and given a substantial education, which included the learning of the

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saddlery and harness-making trade. After completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade in Germany before coming to America in 1850. He took passage on a sailing vessel at Strasburg, landing iu New Orleans, whence he came north as far as Ciucinnati. After a short stay in that city he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he worked at harness making, but remained only two years. Following this, he worked in vari- ous cities until he arrived at St. Louis, Mo., but remained there only a short time, when he came via stage coach to Jacksonville. Until 1854 he remained in that city, then became a resident of Sangamou County, locating in Pleas- ant Plains, where he lived uutil 1900. In that year he came to Springfield and retired from the saddlery and harness-making business.

While residing in Jacksonville, in 1853, Mr. Fisherkeller was united in marriage with Mary Dunsin, boru in Westphalia, Germany. Her parents came to Salisbury Township, Sangamon County, where they farmed until they died. Mrs. Fisherkeller died in 1894, having borne her husband fonr daughters aud two sons, five of whom survive : Henry, of Bloomington ; J. Lewis, in the employ of the Springfield City Railroad Company ; Mrs. Mary Warner, of Dakota ; Dena, Mrs. Hagerdon, of Idaho; Anna, wife of Matthew Young, of Springfield. There are twenty-eiglit grandchildren in the family. Mr. Fisherkeller is a Democrat. He belongs to Sacred Heart Parish, being a devout Romau Catholic.

FITZGERALD, John J .- The coal interests centered at Springfield are important, and have brought about an increase of wealth not ob- tainable in auy other way. The mines in the viciuity of the city are very productive and the coal is marketed at distant points, so that the entire process affords employment to both labor and capital. One of those for many years ac- tively identified with this branch of industrial commerce is John J. Fitzgerald, now retired He is a native of Ireland, having been born in County Limerick, March 21, 1844, a son of Patrick and Mary L. (Leouard) Fitzgerald, both of County Limerick. The father was a black- smith, and he and his family were brought to the United States by their son John J., who sent them money to pay for their passage. They landed at New York in 1866, thence coming directly to Springfield, where the father died in 1900 aud the mother in 1899.

John J. Fitzgerald received his education in Ireland, and early commenced working in his father's smithy and in other lines of industry. Upon coming to the United States, he first worked on the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Penn- sylvania for a year, later going to Washington, D. C., where he was employed by the govern- ment in caring for horses and mules. In 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighth New Work Cavalry, under Colonel Pope, participating in the hardly contested battle of Winchester Heights, and was a pleket on duty at Appomat-

tox about the time of Lee's surrender. He was honorably discharged and mustered out June 27, 1865, when he came to Springfield, Ill., and soon thereafter engaged in coal mining at the old North Shaft, where he remained ten years. Later he became connected with other mines iu which he proved successful, contiuning thus employed until 1907, when he retired. Mr. Fitzgerald belongs to the Western Catholic Union, and the Coal Miners' Union, as well as to Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. R. Iu re- ligious faith he is a Catholic, belonging to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Springfield. Politically he is a Democrat.

Mr. Fitzgerald was married in Springfield, April 22, 1870, to Catherine Ryan, daughter of Patrick and Anna Ryan, who died in Ireland, of which they were natives. Mr. aud Mrs. Fitzgerald have had one daughter, Fay, wife oť Edward McCann, boiler-maker employed by the Springfield boiler works. Mr. and Mrs. McCann have had five children: Geraldine, Edward, Marie, Francis and Ursula. Mr. Fitzgerald owns his pleasant home at No. 1162 North Fourth Street, as well as other property yield- ing him a good income. He is a man who has proven his worth in both war and peace, aud now is entitled to the comforts his own in- dustry has provided for him aud his excelleut wife, who has borne her part in his successful euterprises.

FITZGERALD, Maurice (deceased) .- It is a pleasure for the biographer to write of the life of a man whose work in any community was known aud appreciated, and who had the en- tire confidence aud esteem of his fellow towns- men. Such a man was the late Maurice Fitz- gerald, of Springfield, Ill., who will be well remembered by many of the Capital City's older residents. Mr. Fitzgerald was boru April 13, 1837, iu County Limerick, Ireland, a son of Edmond and Mary (Scott) Fitzgerald, and a descendant of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, au Irish peer.

Maurice Fitzgerald was but eight years of age when the entire family of three sisters and four brothers came to America and settled in New York, where he secured his early educa- tion. He came to Springfield in April, 1854, and here completed his education, one of his fel- low students at night school being Robert Lill- coln. He took np the trade of blacksmith as a youth, and this work he followed during most of his life, although for a short period previous to his death he was engaged in agricultural ven- tures. In 1880 Mr. Fitzgerald purchased a tract of farming land in Clear Lake township, half mile from Camp Butler, which he man- aged up to the time of his death, on Septem- ber 8th of that year. The family lived on this farm about nine years. Mr. Fitzgerald was enterprising and energetic, and was always ac- tive in connection with those movements which he thought would promote the prosperity of his city. His home, which he purchased in 1856,

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was the first brick residence built iu Spring- field; was also a lawyer's office for a time. He was a Democrat iu his political views, and served as City Councilman fromu 1871 to 1875, was also a member of the Pioneer Fire Con- pany No. 1, a volunteer organizatiou, his mem- hership exempting him from military duty. He was a falthful member of the Immaculate Con- ception Catholic Church.

Ou July 10, 1859, Mr. Fitzgerald was united in marrlage to Ellen Flynn, the daughter of Paul and Mary ( Hayes) Flynn, of County Limerlek, Ireland. Mr. Flynn died iu Ireland, and his daughter came to America in 1853, when she was but six years old. Mrs. Fitz- gerald's mother died September 24, 1855, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. She has a surviv- ing brother, a retired farmuer of Mt. Sterling, Ill. Five children were boru to Mr. and Mrs. Fitz- gerald, namely : Mary, died at the age of one year ; Elizabeth, the wife of Sheriff Werner of Sangamon County; George, who is deceased ; Catherine; and Richard James. The later was educated in the Catholic Schools of Springfield, aud Notre Dame University, where he received a diploma June 20, 1889. He is now Deputy Sheriff of Sangamon County. Catherine and Richard are at home with their mother, the family still occupying the residence at No. 120 East Jefferson Street, which has heeu the famlly bome siuce 1856.

FITZPATRICK, Martin, who for the past fifteen years has conducted a transfer husiness at Springfield, Ill., was horn at Hazel Green, Wis., November 6, 1852, a sou of John and Margaret Fitzpatrick, both uatives of Ireland. The par- euts came to America in 1851 and lived several years at Hazel Green, later moving to St. Louis, where Mr. Fitzpatrick died. The mother mar- ried as her second hushand James Wiley, and they lived for many years on a farm in Sanga- muon County. Mr. Wiley was drowned while crossing the Saugamou River on the ice, and his widow afterward moved to Nilwood, Ma- coupin County, where she spent the remainder of her life. By her first hushand she had three daughters and one son, and hy her second two daughters and one son. The only ones of the family now living are Martin; and Mrs. Sarah Clark and Mrs. Kate Windaws. hoth of St. Louis.

After the death of his father Martin Fitz- patrick llved for a time in St. Louis, but after- ward was brought to Carlinville by John Garlic, with whom he lived for some time. He was educated In Macoupin County aud in boy- hood worked on a farm there. He was finally taken into the family of James Childs, of Ches- terville, with whom he remained until reaching his majority, when he came to Springfield. IIe there learned the trade of brick masou and worked on the State House and many other pub- 'lic and private buildings there. He engaged in his present enterprise ahout 1896 and has huilt up a large and lucrative business. Both he

and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was married in Springfield December 24, 1881, to Margaret Ann Chittick, who was horn at Virginia, Ill., June 9, 1862, a daughter of Jolm and Rachel (Prlce) Chittick, the father a native of Tyroue, Ireland, and the mother of Laryhope, England. The parents came to America in early youth and were mar- ried lu Illinols, locating at Eureka, where for some time the father carried on the trade of shoemaker. Later they moved to Virginia, where the father died, when the inother went to live at Whitehall, Ill., where her death oc- curred. There were two sons and three daugh ters in the family, those living, besides Mrs. Fitzpatrick, being: Katie, wife of John F. Smith, of Springfield; Johu W. Chittick, of Springfield ; William Mackey, a half-brother of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, living at Whitehall, Ill., and a half-sister, Anna, wife of Frauk McGarvey, liv- ing in Missouri.

To Mr. Fitzpatrick and wife three children were horn, namely : Anna, (deceased), married Arthur English ; Katie, wife of James Huffman. engaged in transfer business in Springfield ; aud Willlam M., also of Springfield. Mrs. Fitzpat- rick owns the home occupled by the family and several other houses and lots on South Tenth Street, Springfield. The family have many friends in the city and are well regarded by all who know them.

FITZPATRICK, Patrick (deceased) .- In the death of the late Patrick Fitzpatrick, Spring- field, Ill., lost a substantial and useful citizen. Mr. Fitzpatrick was for over fifty years identl- fied with the business interests of the city, and by his own efforts and industry accumulated considerable property. He was well known and greatly respected, both for his public enter- prise and as a private citizen, and on his taking away was deeply mourned by many friends. Mr. Fitzpatrick was born in Carlinstown, Coun- ty Meath, Ireland, the third child of Thomas and Mary ( Blythe) Fitzpatrick, both of whom died iu Ireland. The father was a cattle deal- er in County Meath and died about 1862. aged about seventy-five years. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom reached maturity and six of these came to the United States. Of these children, Stephen. a school teacher, died in County Meath, Ireland; Bridget. Mrs. Thaddeus Manuing. died in Springfield, Pat- rick ; Philip, was married in Philadelphia, to Miss Rose Moguinness, and died In Springfield ; Margaret, born in 1832, came to the United States at the age of twenty-two years, landing iu Philadelphia. in 1856 was married in Spring- field (whither she came in 1855), by the Rev. Frank Mellhearn. at the Church of the In- maculate Conception, to Daulel Kelly, a native of Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland, Mr. Kelly dying on February 16, 1892; Hugh, died young ; Julla, married Edward Farrell. a na- tive of Navan, County Meath, Ireland, who

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 51

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