USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 48
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Charles Caldwell, after receiving training in the country schools, was reared under Catholic influences and adhered to that faith, while his wife became a member of the Presbyterian church. In political matters, Mr. Caldwell acted with the Democratic party, although not a seeker for public office. He was an upright and in- dustrious man, a prosperous farmer, and a worthy and much respected member of the com- munity. His useful life came to an end Oc- tober 25, 187S. After her husband's decease, Mrs. Caldwell remained on the home farm and personally superintended it for twenty-five years. At the end of that period she moved to Cass Sid- ing. Ill., and in 1902 purchased the property in Virginia, Ill .. where she has since resided.
Mr. Caldwell and his wife had the following children : Patrick H., deceased : John, who lives in Cass County, Ill. : Emma C. (Mrs. Duncan Reed), of Bluff Springs, Ill. ; Mary Jane (Mrs. James Mead). of Virginia. 111. : Elizabeth ( Mrs. lIomer Coleman). of Sangamon Bottom, Cass County. Ill. : Catherine ( Mrs. John Hurzburger), of Cass County ; and Charles E., who is on the home farm. Mrs. Caldwell is a lady of high character and most estimable qualities, and com- mands the respect of a wide circle of acquaint- ance. She is a member of the W. C. T. U., of which body she has officiated as county presi- dent for a number of years. She belongs to the Eastern Star, of which fraternal body at Vir- ginia she was elected warden in 1910.
CAMPBELL, Edwin .- The farmers of Cass County are. as a class. men of intelligence. whose interests are not confined entirely to their agricultural duties, and many have become usefully active in promoting local and county affairs. One of the solid and substantial men, whose name is a well known one in this locality. is Edwin Campbell, of Virginia. Ile was born two miles west of Virginia, March 9, 1863, a son of William and Dorothy ( Sudbeink) Campbell, natives of Ireland and of Cass County, 111 .. respectively. When William Campbell was about eighteen years old, he came from Ireland to Illinois, and located in Cass County, where he found employment as a farmer. When he married he began farming for himself on rented
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
land, but his good management and industry soon enabled him to purchase forty acres, the prop- erty upon which his son, Edwin, was born. This was a prairie farmi, but he soon developed it, and kept on adding to his acreage until he owned 1,200 acres. An excellent business man, he would have died one of the wealthiest in his county, had not his sympathies led him to endorse notes for others. His death occurred in 1896, his wife having passed away in 1872. Their children were : Henry, who is deceased ; Alfred, who re- sides in Cass County ; Emma, who died in Sep- tember, 1913, was the wife of W. B. Dunaway of Denver. Colo., and Edwin. For some years Wil- liam Campbell served Cass County as a com- missioner.
Growing up upon his father's farm, Edwin Campbell attended the schools of his district, and resided at home until his marriage. This occurred on March 10. 1SSS, when he was united with Mary E. Cosner, a native of Cass County, Ill., a daughter of J. T. and Emily Cosner. Three children have been born of this marriage: Lee Eda and Carlos, both of whom are at home, and one who died in infancy.
After his marriage, Mr. Campbell continned to assist his father, until the latter's death, and operated 800 acres of land, being one of the largest stock raisers in the county, handling horses, cattle and hogs. His first farm contained 1041% acres, to which he added until he owned 770 acres, all in Cass County, and now owns 610 acres. In 1913 he bought a handsome modern residence at Virginia, and is now living there. For some time Mr. Campbell has been a mein- Ler of Virginia Lodge No. 544. A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat. A man of unusual business ability, capable in many directions, he has turned his attention to work for which he felt best fitted. and his success has been more than ordinary.
CARLS, A. B .- Among the progressive and ener- getic business men of the younger generation, who are contributing to the industrial and com- mercial prestige of the thriving towns and vil- lages of Cass County. A. B. Carls, of Virginia. is worthy of more than passing mention. Still a young man, with his best years before him. he has accomplished what would seem to many men sufficient achievement after a lifetime of en- deavor, and as a member of the leading firm of Hofstetter-Carls Lumber Company, is interested in one of Virginia's most successful business en- terprises. Mr. Carls was born at Bluff Springs, Cass County. Ill., March 26, 1882, and is a son of John F. and Mary ( Blohm) Carls. His father died March 12. 1910, aged seventy years, one month and eight days, while the mother passed away December 12, 1908, aged fifty-five years, eleven months and twenty-eight days. Mr. Carls is one of seven sons : Louis H., George F., Wil- liam M., John H., A. B .: Charles A., and Robert R., who died January 18. 1913, at the age of fifteen years, ten months and twenty-nine days, and was buried in the Beardstown city cemetery.
After attending the public schools of Bluff Springs, Mr. Carls learned the trade of carpen- ter, and succeeding this was for ten years en- gaged in a successful building and contracting business. In this way he became interested in the lumber business, and on March 1, 1912, in company with W. C. and Mary Hofstetter, he or- ganized the Hofstetter-Carls Lumber Company, an incorporated concern, with $10,000 capital, and W. C. Hofstetter was elected president and A. B. Carls secretary and treasurer, and these two, with Mary Hofstetter, form the board of directors. The yards of this concern are lo- cated at the station of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road at Virginia, and in addition to carrying a full line of lumber, building materials and sup- plies, the company buys grain of all kinds and owns and operates a large elevator. Mr. Carls is known as a business man of more than or- dinary ability, alert in action and with foresight which allows him to readily recognize oppor- tunities. Ile has risen in the business world through the medium of his own efforts, and is justly accounted one of the stirring factors in the commercial life of his adopted place. He takes some interest in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Bluff Springs, but for the greater part concen- trates his attention upon his business interests.
Mr. Carls was married October 1, 1903, to Miss Velma P. Wright, who was born January 4, 1884, a daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth Wright. natives of Cass County. Their one child died in infancy.
CARLS, George F., postmaster and merehant of Bluff Springs, is one of the substantial men of Cass County whose public-spirit and progressive ideas have been rewarded by his appointment to public office. He was born in Cass County, Jan- uary 24, 1874, a son of John F. and Mary C. (Blohm) Carls. the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Cass County. Ill., where she was born in 1850. The paternal grandfather, also John F. Carls, was born in Hanover, Ger- many. and in coming to the United States with his family, lost his wife on the way, from cholera. He made his way to Beardstown with his three children and there found employment as a carpenter, where he was subsequently killed in an accident through a timber slipping from his fellow workmen and crushing him.
George F. Carls attended the country schools of his district and for two years was a student at the Wesleyan Normal school, Bloomington, Ill. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at it about ten years, and then established his store at Bluff Springs, which he has conducted ever since. enlarging his mercantile operations as his trade has justified. For about five years he has been postmaster, and is recognized as one of the leading inen of the place. He is a Democrat, and has served as a school director for four years. For some years he has belonged to Bluff Springs Camp No. 1489, M. W. A. The Meth- odist church of Bluff Springs holds his member- ship and has his active support.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
On August 4, 1896, Mr. Carls was married in Cass County, to Emma L. Jones, who was born in the county, January 15, 1878, a daughter of Louis A. and Rosa (Dale) Jones, natives of Illinois. Mr. Jones was agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Bluff Springs for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have three chil- dren : George Richard. Rosemary, and Frank Maro, all of whom were born in Cass County. Mr. Carls owns his store building and residence at Bluff Springs. He is a very companionable man, and his personal popularity is attested by the fact that although a Democrat, he was ap- pointed to the office of postmaster by a Republi- can president. In addition to his other duties, Mr. Carls performs those of a notary public.
CARLS, George H .- Perhaps no man of Cass County is better or more favorably known among agriculturists than George H. Carls of township 18, range 11, who was born on his present farm, November 28, 1874, a son of Louis William and Caroline (Musch) Carls, both na- tives of Cass County. The grandparents were George H. and Elnora (Dedring) Carls, natives of Germany ; and John and Albadina ( Lippert) Musch. Mr. Musch was born in Germany and Mrs. Musch on the Atlantic Ocean during the voyage of her parents to the United States, where they became farming people. George H. Carls and family came from Germany to the I'mited States during the winter of 1844-5, in a sailing vessel to New Orleans, and thence to Beardstown, Ill., near where George H. found employment as a farmer. The paternal grand- father of George H. Carls bought the homestead in Cass County, Ill., eighty acres situated on the bluff, 100 acres of valuable farming land, and fifty-five acres on a sand ridge, which lat- ter tract is now used for trucking purposes. In 1912 forty acres of black soil bottom land were added to the homestead. After their marriage Louis William and Caroline Carls settled on the farm in township 18, range 11, which they had bought in conjunction with their parents. There Louis William Carls died in January, 1903. The mother of George H. Carls survives, mak- ing her home at Beardstown with some of her children.
George H. Carls attended the public and Ger- man schools of Beardstown, and lived with his parents until twenty-two years old. He then rented the home place for a few years, and when his father died he inherited and bought all the 266 acres of the homestead, and here raises cattle and hogs and carries on general farming.
On April 13, 1899, Mr. Carls was married to Minnie Schewe, born in the Sangamon valley, township 18, range 11, March 13, 1880, a daugh- ter of William and Ellen ( Schewe) Schewe, natives of Germany, who came to the United States and were married at St. Louis, following which they settled in Cass County, Ill. Wil- liam Schewe died April 13, 1907, but his widow is living and makes her home in the Sangamon valley. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have two children :
Elmer W., who was born February 7, 1900; and Selma Ellen, who was born January 9, 1903. Mrs. Carls attended the district and German schools of her neighborhood. The St. John's Lutheran church of Beardstown holds the fam- ily membership. In polities he is a Democrat, and since 1911 has been a school director.
CARLS, Gustav A .- Although a man's standing in the world is not always measured by his possessions, for his true worth is evidenced by the regard in which he is held by his associates, yet large ownership of property indicates stabil- ity and judged by such facts, Gustav A. Carls is one of the leading men of Cass County. He is now conducting a farm of 400 acres of valuable land in township 18, range 11, sections 29, 30, 31, and owns an additional 100 acres which he rents to others. He was born in Cass County, August 10. 1876, a son of Louis W. and Caroline (Musch) Carls, the former born in Cass County, Decem- ber 12. 1847, and the latter in the same county, October 14, 1852. The father was a farmer and stockraiser of Cass County. A history of the Carls family will be found in this work.
Gustav A. Carls attended the country schools, and has always been a farmer, learning the de- tails of his life work from his boyhood. He is a strong Democrat in politics and has served as a school director for the past eleven years. The Sixth Street Lutheran church of Beardstown finds in him a faithful member, and a useful one as well, as he served as a member of the build- ing committee when the new church was erected.
On January 31, 1900. Mr. Carls was married in Cass County, to Ida F. Brockschmidt, born in this county, December 23, 1SS0, a daughter of Christian and Louisa (Schewe) Brockschmidt, the former born in Washington County, Ill., in 1856, and the latter in Germany in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have had the following children : Ed- ward L. C., Frederick R., H. Gustav, Liddie L. C., Delia W. H., and Norman G. W., all of whom were born in Cass County. Mr. Carls is a man ot a very sociable nature, one who has many friends. He is noted for his industrious habits, which together with his thrift accounts in a large measure for his present prosperity.
CARLS, Herman H .- Farming and stock raising are very profitable occupations as some of the most reliable men of Cass County are proving to their entire satisfaction, and one of them thus engaged is Herman HI. Carls, one of sev- eral brothers who are numbered among the suc- cessful agriculturists of this region. He was born in Cass County, August 13, 1SS3, a son of Louis W. and Caroline (Musch) Carls, the for- mer born December 12, 1847, and the latter October 14, 1852, both being natives of Cass County. The father became a farmer and stock- raiser of the county as will be seen from a his- tory of the Carls family in this work.
After attending the district schools and work- ing on his father's farm, Herman H. Carls be- came the owner of 120 acres of land in town- ship 18, range 11, sections 31 and 32, which he
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
calls Fairview Farm. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, but has held no offices. The Sixth Street Lutheran church of Beardstown is his religious home, and has in him a generous member.
On April 24, 1907, Mr. Carls married Alma M. Davidsmeyer, born in Cass Couuty No- vember 21, 1887. a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Strubey) Davidsmeyer, both natives of Germany and farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Carls have three children, uamely : Dorothy C. E., born January 10, 190S; Edna M. J., born October 6, 1906; aud Clarence F. G., born June, 1911. Like other members of his family, Mr. Carls is a sociable, good-natured young man, one who has always worked hard and deserves the success which has come to him.
CARLS, Herman H .- Quite a number of well known citizens of Virginia, Cass County, Ill., are men who have been prosperous farmers in the vicinity until a comparatively recent period, but have abandoned active pursuits and retired to private life. to enjoy in quietude the fruits of years of industry and thrift. Not the least worthy among these is the subject of this per- sonal narrative, Herman H. Carls. Mr. Carls was born near Arenzville, Cass County, Ill., Oc- tober 19, 1861, and is a son of John Henry and Maria (Yost) Carls, who were natives of Hau- over, Germany. The parents emigrated to the United States in commemoration of their wed- ding, and on arriving in Illinois, located in Cass County and bought a farm. On this they lived the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1896, and the father in 1909. Teu chil- dren were born to them, namely : Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Myers), deceased ; Mary . (Mrs. Talke- meyer), of Cass County; William Heury, who died in iufaucy ; Lena (Mrs. Gus Arnold), of Beardstown; Anna (Mrs. William Musch), of Cass County ; Matilda (Mrs. William Jockish), who is deceased ; and Herman, George and Carrie.
Herman Carls was born on the home farm, and in boyhood attended the district schools. He remained on the homestead until his marriage, March 12, 1SS4, to Kate Musch, a daughter of John aud Margaret (Schaaf) Musch. The par- ents of Mrs. Carls were natives of Wurttemberg, Germany, whence they emigrated to Illinois at an early period. Settling in Cass County they applied themselves to farming, but later retired from active life and died some years afterwards in the city of Virginia.
After his marriage Herman Carls cultivated one of his father's farms for seven years, when he purchased 175 acres two miles south of Vir- ginia, which he named Maple avenue, and on which he carried on general farming until 1902, when he withdrew from agricultural pursuits. Ile established his home at Virginia, where he has since continued to live, and has the respect and esteem of a wide circle of frieuds. In polit- ical activities Mr. Carls is a staunch Republican. although never a seeker after office. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has officiated as a deacon since 1904.
CARLS, Lewis William, who was once au impor- tant factor in the agricultural life of Cass County. a heavy landowner there, and also a potent influence in politics. lent his support ouly to fliose pleasures calculated to be of beuefit to his fellow creatures, and in dying left many warm, personal friends behind him. Mr. Carls was born in the vicinity of Beardstowu, Ill., De- cember 12. 1847, a son of George H. and Elenora (Daydrick) Carls, natives of Hanover, Germany, where the father was born in 1S1S. They came to the United States at au early day, locating at Beardstown, Ill .. and lived ou a farm in its vicinity for eighteen years. They then bought a farm near Bluff Springs, aud still later moved south of that property, where they both passed away,
Lewis William Carls attended the district schools and also the German school at Beards- town, and uot only resided with his parents until his marriage, but for twelve years thereafter. He then purchased 260 acres of laud, five miles southeast of Beardstown, and moved his family to it. and there they lived uutil his death. Janu- ary 29, 1903. He kept on addiug to his holdings until the homestead became a large one, and through his efforts it was increased in value very considerably, Prominent in local politics, he served a number of years as a school director.
On October 17, 1872, Mr. Carls was married to Lena Musch, born near Arenzville, Ill., a daugh- ter of John and Albidena (Lippert) Musch, the former a native of Hesse Darmstadt. Germany, while the latter was boru on the Atlantic Oceau. Her birth occurred during the voyage of her pareuts to the United States. on the ship Albi, for which she was given her rather unusual name. John Musch came to Cass County iu 1849. and his parents followed him some five years later. The Lippert family located in Cass County in 1833. Mrs. Carls was educated in the dis- trict schools, and at St. John's Lutheran school, the family belonging to St. John's Lutheran Church. After the death of Mr. Carls, Mrs. Carls, with the assistance of her sons. conducted the farm until August, 190S, when she moved to Beardstown, and is now residing in a modern frame house she had built for her, and some of her children are with her at present. Mr. and Mrs. Carls became the parents of the following children : George H., who is at Bluff Springs ; Gustav A., who is of Cass County : Robert G., who is of Beardstown ; William Morris, who is of Cass County: Herman H., who is of Cass County: Lonis W., who is on the home farm ; Julius O., who is of Cass County ; J. Albert, who is of Beardstown: Paul B., A. Elenora and Edythe A., all of whom are with their mother ; and John M., who died in infancy.
CARLS, Louis William, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Cass County, is justly uumbered among the leading agriculturists of this part of the state. He was boru in Cass County De- cember 26, 1SS6, a sou of Louis W. and Caroliue (Musch) Carls, the former born December 12. 1847. and the latter October 14, 1852. and both
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Honey Phillip
Dr. J . F. Snyder
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
November 1S, 1840, a son of Lawrence and Marian (Cribis) Clifford. Lawrence Clifford was born in the town of Caher, Tipperary County, Ireland, and came to the United States at an early age, locating at Nanvoo, Ill., and afterwards moving to Cass County. His wife was the widow of John Cunningham, who, with her first husband, came from Edinboro, Scot- land, her birthplace, to Cass County, Ill., in 1836. They located at Beardstown, but soon after- wards moved to a farm near Virginia, where Mr. Cunningham died. Lawrence Clifford and Mrs. Cunningham were married in 1838, and settled in Virginia, where she died in 185S, Mr. Clifford became an extensive farmer and stock- raiser, and died in 1872. Two children were the issue of their nnion, James H. and William.
James H. Clifford grew to manhood in Vir- ginia, Ill. In Angust, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany K of the Thirty-third Regiment, Illinois, Volunteer Infantry, in the Trans-Mississippi De- partment, under General Grant. He took part in all the battles of the regiment. In Angust, September and October, 1SG1, his command was in sontheastern Missouri, and participated in the battle of Fredericktown. In March, 1862, the regiment started for Little Rock, Ark., land- ing at Helena, and taking part in several skir- mishes. It remained there from August until September 15, 1862, and then went to Ironton, Mo., and spent the following winter in search of General Price's army. In the spring of 1863 the Thirty-third went to Memphis and then to Vicks- burg, being the first regiment to cross to the east side of the Mississippi, and engaged in the battle of Magnolia Hills, or Port Gibson, May 1, 1863. This was followed by a series of engage- ments. After capturing Jackson, Miss., the regi- ment returned and took part in the battles of Champion's Hill and Black River, on the way back to Vicksburg, and then participated in the siege of that stronghold, which occupied forty- five days, and resulted in the surrender of Pem- berton's army and the fall of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. The Thirty-third gave a splendid account of itself there.
The Thirty-third then went to New Orleans to aid General Banks in his expedition up the Red River, which failed, however, on account of low water to accomplish its object. Next it was sent to southern Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico, where it captured Fort Esparanza, near Matagorda Island, and remained there for seven months and then was returned to New Orleans. Dur- ing much of this time the regiment was engaged in guard duty and scouting. Afterwards the Thirty-third participated in the battles resulting in capturing Mobile, Ala. When Mr. Clifford's term of enlistment expired, he, with others of the regiment, embarked at New Orleans for New York, having charge of about 400 Confederate prisoners en route. The prisoners were unloaded at Governor's Island, to be sent to Elmira, N. Y .: while the Union soldiers were carried by train to Springfield, Ill., and Mr. Clifford was there honorably discharged, October 11, 1864.
Mr. Clifford immediately returned to Virginia
and learned the carpenter's trade, and began contracting and building, and is still engaged in that business. On December 23, 1865, at Ash- land, Ill., he was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Kikendall, a daughter of William B. D. and Elizabeth M. (Jobe) Kikendall. Mrs. Clif- ford was born in Jefferson Connty, Ky., March 31, 1844. Her father's birth took place May 2S, 1818, and her mother's on February 15, the same year. From Kentucky, the Kikendall family went to Iowa, and in 185S moved to Illinois and located in Virginia, where the father became a carpenter and builder. He died there December 15, 1897, the mother having passed away Decem- ber 23, 1895. James H. and Eliza J. Clifford are the parents of three children : Nellie M., a teacher in the State Normal College of Georgia ; William H., manager of the Palestine Gas Com- pany, Texas; and Edward, formerly a lawyer practicing in Virginia. Ill., and now an invest- ment banker of Chicago, whose home is in Evans- ton, Ill. They are also the grandparents of four children, three boys and one girl, who are all attending school.
James H. Clifford belongs to Downing Post No. 321 of Virginia, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Modern Woodmen of America. of which he is one of the oldest members. Politically, he is a strong Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president. While he has never sought nor held office, he has always taken part in the conncils of his party and has served as a delegate to various conventions. Mrs. Clifford's father first voted for William H. Harrison (of Tippecanoe fame) for president ; and when Benjamin Harrison, the grandson, ran for the same office in 1SSS, the Kikendall and Clifford families cast twelve votes for him. The sons, William H. and Edward, inherited Repub- lican sentiments from their parents, and since they became of age, have taken great interest in politics, made numerous speeches, served as delegates, etc. Edward Clifford was a delegate from Chicago at the famous "Deadlock" Repub- lican State Convention held in Springfield in 1904. He is a strong supporter and personal friend of Hon. Lawrence Y. Sherman, United States Senator from Illinois, and has fought with him in many of his campaigns.
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