USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 54
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Clair Miller, who was born at Middletown, Conn., in 1790, and moved to Kentucky in 1827. Mrs. Gatton is still living at her home in Virginia. having reached the somewhat nusnal age of ninety-three years. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gatton, all at Virginia : twins, who died in infancy : Charles B., born April 14, 1850; and Emma. Kate, and William R.
GEBHARDS, Conrad, Jr .- One of the well known and promising young farmers of Cass County, Ill., who can muster many friends among the host of agricultural toilers of his own age in that vicinity, is the man whose name stands at the head of this personal record. Like many others in the same occupation he is of German descent. and inherits sturdy and substantial traits of character inherent in many of those of that nationality who have chosen to follow the work to which the paternal example led. Mr. Gebhards' home is near Chandlerville, and his farm lies in section 32, township 19, range s. where his mother dwells with him. The post- office address is Chandlerville. Cass County, Ill., R. F. D. No. 1.
Conrad Gebhards. Jr., was born on the farm where he now lives. September 25, 1892. ITis father. Conrad Gebhards, Sr., was a German by birth, and his mother, born in Cass County,
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was Catherine Ray before marriage. When the father first came to the United States he located in Petersburg, Menard Connty, and after farm- ing there for awhile, moved to Cass County where he bought land and spent the remainder of his life in farming and stockraising. At the time of his death he was considered an old settler in western Illinois. In his yonth, Conrad Gebhards, Jr., attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and then clerked for two years in a store in Chandlerville, Ill., returning at the end of that period to the home farm, where he has since remained. His mother and three brothers are interested in the farm, which consists of 160 acres, and besides farming rais- ing stock is carried on.
On December 25, 1912, in Cass County, Mr. Gebhards was nnited in marriage with Bessie Hohimer, born in Menard County, Ill., January 14, 1893, danghter of John and Eliza (Elmore) Hohimer, of Sangamon and Menard counties. respectively. They have one danghter, Zelma K. Mr. Gebhards is a young man of pleasant disposition, quite sociable and hospitable, and is much liked by his neighbors. His religious connection is with the Baptist church. Although not active in politics, he acts with the Demo- cratic party.
GERDES, William R., of Chandlerville, Ill., is a well known and industrious farmer, who is en- gaged in operating 160 acres of his own land and 192 acres, which he rents, in section 36, township 19, range 9, Cass County, Ill., and besides farming, devotes considerable attention to the raising of Shorthorn cattle and Dnroc Jersey hogs. He lives on a part of the farm that his father formerly owned. The latter, Folker W. Gerdes, who was born in Germany, was also a farmer and stockraiser. He came to the United States about 1855, settling in Cass County, and after working for awhile on different farms, bought land and improved it. On April 6, 1864, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Ray, a native of Cass Connty. They reared a family of children, one of whom is William R. Gerdes. He was born December 25, 1869. He attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and from early youth also spent time in performing duties on the farm. For some time he was connected with a cream- ery in Chandlerville, but since then has been occupied wholly in tilling the soil and raising stock. As a farmer his labor has been attended by success, and he is considered one of the thriving agriculturists of his locality.
On August 10, 1893, Mr. Gerdes was wedded by Rev. A. Sloan to Rosa M. Lewis, born Jnly 25, 1875, a daughter of Kilbourn and Nancy Ann (Lucas) Lewis, natives of Cass County. They have children as follows: Lena Ethel, born September 6, 1894; Ernest Vern, born January 6, 1897: Bessie Mae, born September 18, 1901; Alva Ellsworth, born September 23, 190S; and Beulah Alice, born September 26, 1910.
Mr. Gerdes is a member of the Missionary
Baptist church. In politics he acts with the Democratic party, and has rendered efficient public service as school director. In fraternal circles Mr. Gerdes is affiliated with the M. W. A. No. 3274, at Newmanville, Ill .; and the Conrt of Honor, at Chandlerville, while Mrs. Gerdes is a member of the Royal Neighbors and the Conrt of Honor.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes are sociable, genial and kindly people, and those who know them most intimately are their best friends, although they are popular with all their neighbors.
GERSMEYER, Charles H., one of the substantial men of Cass County, has attained to his present desirable position among his fellow citizens of Beardstown throngh honorable methods and the exercise of native ability. He was born in Ger- many, February 26, 1873, a son of Charles and Anna Maria (Bollman) Gersmeyer, natives of Germany. The father was a brick and plaster contractor, having learned his trade in Ger- many. He came to Beardstown in 1881, and here died, but the mother survives and still re- sides at Beardstown. Charles H. Gersmeyer was educated in the parochial schools of Cass County, and learned the cigar-making trade, which he followed until he started a business of his own in 1902, and is now a mannfacturer and dealer in cigars. He owns his place of business and his residence and is considered a man of means. For twelve years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he also belongs to the Red Men. The Forth Street Lutheran church of Beardstown holds his membership, and in his political views he is a Democrat.
On December 6, 1898, Mr. Gersmeyer was married to Minnie Heuer, a danghter of Carl and Louisa (Moeller) Heuer, all being natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Gersmeyer have had three children: Lillian, who was born September 2S. 1899; Bernice, who was born April 11, 1907; and Carl F., born February 26, 1910, died in August, 1910. Mr. Gersmeyer is a man of genial, sociable inclinations and de- voted to his business and family. The progress he has made has been fairly earned, and he stands well in his community.
GERSMEYER, Frederick William, a contracting carpenter and builder, is one of the men who has worked hard to bring about a better stand- ard in construction work in Cass Connty, and has erected some of the leading structures at Beardstown and other points. He was born in Germany, December 17, 1875, a son of Carl and Anna M. (Bollman) Gersmeyer, natives of Ger- many. The father, who was a bricklayer and plasterer, left Germany in 1881 for the United States, and upon his arrival in this country made his way to Beardstown, Ill.
Frederick William Gersmeyer was reared at Beardstown and educated in its schools. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at it a few years, when he went into business with an associate under the firm name of Reller &
Andrew Schaad
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Gersmeyer, which still continues. In addition to his interests in connection with this firm, Mr. Gersmeyer owns his residence at No. 30S West Eighth street, Beardstown, and has stock in the Beardstown State Bank.
On January 18, 1906, Mr. Gersmeyer was married in Cass County, Ill., to Sophia M. Heuer, born in Germany, November 5, 1873, a daughter of Carl and Louisa (Moeller) Heuer, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Gers- meyer have no children. He is a Democrat politically, and fraternally belongs to Beards- town Camp No. 579, M. W. A. Both he and wife belong to the Lutheran church of Beards- town. Mr. Gersmeyer is a very industrious man, a master of his trade, and one whose so- cial proclivities and good natured manner make him a favorite wherever he goes.
GLENN, Robert B., manager of the Glenn Pure Ice Company, is one of the representative men of Cass County, and one who is prominently identified with the best interests of Beards- town. He was born in Lima, Ohio, March 13, 1876, a son of William Marshall and Mary (Curtis) Glenn. Mr. Glenn was educated in the Fort Wayne (Indiana ) public schools and in the International Business College of that city. In May, 1893, he became connected with the Fort Wayne Artificial Ice Company as book- keeper and remained with that company until October, 1894, when he resigned to accept service as fireman on a branch of the C. H. & D. R. R. at Dayton, Ohio. Later he accepted a position as fireman on the Middle Division of the Wabash R. R. at Decatur, Ill., and on March 10, 1898, he was promoted to the position of engineer. He served in this capacity until October, 1901, when he resigned to accept a similar position with the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. In October, 1903, he became connected with the Jacksonville and St. Louis R. R., and served with this company as engineer and round house foreman at Jacksonville, Ill., until May, 1904. When the road was absorbed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy he was trans- ferred to Beardstown and served in the capac- ity of engineer until 1910, when he was ap- pointed road foreman of engines of the Beards- town Division. In April, 1911, he resigned this position to accept the presidency of the Beards- town Electric Light and Power Company. On January 1, 1913, the property of this company passed into the hands of the Central Illinois Public Service Company, and Mr. Glenn was re- tained as district superintendent of District "B." Later he was transferred to Taylorville, Ill., and was given a similar position in District "T." In September, 1914, he resigned and again returned to Beardstown, became asso- ciated with C. C. Garm and organized the Glenn Pure Ice Company.
On June 1, 1911, Mr. Glenn was married to Winifred Emmerson Harris, of Beardstown, a daughter of John Henry and Ann (Emmerson) Harris. The Harris family is one of the oldest and most highly respected in Cass County. Mr.
and Mrs. Glenn have one son, John Harris Glenn, who was born March 20, 1914. Mr. Glenn comes from an old railroad family, his father having been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad for fifty-five years.
Mr. Glenn belongs to the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to Beardstown Lodge No. 1007 B. I'. O. E .; E. St. Louis Lodge No. 501, A. F. & A. M. ; Clark Chapter No. 29 R. A. M. ; Division No. 665 B. of L. E. ; Illinois State Gas and Electric Asso- ciations, and the Air Brake Association.
GREEN, Nicholas, now living practically retired at Beardstown, although still vitally interested in current events, is one of the substantial men of Cass County. He was born in Luxemburg, December 20, 1844, a son of John and Mar- garet (Hoffman) Green. John Green died in Luxemburg, and his widow later married her first husband's brother, and in 1853 they started on a sailing vessel for the United States. The voyage consumed seven weeks, and after they landed at New York they made their way to Chicago, Ill., and from there by boat proceeded to Port Washington, Wis. There Mrs. Green died, and Mr. Green later married a widow with two children. The family became a large one, as Nicholas Green had four brothers and sisters, and later there were several half brothers and sisters.
In spite of these several elements in the fam- ily, Nicholas Green continued to live at home and remained until he was fifteen years old, although he received but few educational ad- vantages. At that age he came to Springfield, Ill., where he found employment in a private family. On April 1, 1863, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in Company D. Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and his regiment was ordered to a point twenty-five miles from Memphis, Tenn. After the fall of Vicksburg, Company A, of the same regiment, was assigned to duty as Gen- eral Grant's body guard, and when General Grant and General Sherman left Vicksburg, the whole regiment was sent to Texas, where Mr. Green was honorably discharged in April, 1866. During his service he was advanced from pri- vate to corporal, and then to bugler, and con- tinned as such until his discharge. While on a scouting expedition his horse was killed, throw- ing him into a ditch, and both of his wrists were sprained, and several times thereafter he was injured in the same manner, but otherwise escaped with the exception of a sunstroke, re- ceived at Vicksburg.
Following his discharge, he returned to Springfield, Ill. It was his intention to attend school, but found it not advisable to do so owing to the effects of the sunstroke above mentioned. and finally went to Chauncey. Ill., where he worked about two years, during which time he had his foot injured while assisting in load- ing a wagon with stone. In 1872 he came to Beardstown and worked on the Chicago, Bill- lington & Quincy Railroad, during the time that the railroad bridge was built across the
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Illinois River. Following this he began work- ing for farmers, and then rented land at Bluff Springs for five years, following which he rented another farm in the Sangamon bottom for a year, when he went to Iowa and bonght a farm. Within a year, however, he sold out and returned to Beardstown, where he once more entered the employ of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad, and was in their shops for many years. Owing to continned ill health he then retired from active work. He has acted as janitor of the Methodist church since 1910.
On April 17. 1873, Mr. Green married Mary Douglas, born at Beardstown, March 29, 1841, a daughter of Peter Douglas, and they became the parents of the following children: John D., who was born January 24, 1875, lives at Beards- town : Paul McClure, who was born July S, 1877, lives at Beardstown; and Allen N., who was born August S. 1880. died in Wisconsin in 1SS2. The Congregational church holds his member- ship, and in politics Mr. Green is a Republican.
GREENMEYER, Ernest H., for the past twenty- five years the popular and efficient city engineer of Beardstown, Cass County. Ill., is a native of this city, where his birth took place January 11, 1861. He is a son of John Frederick and Dorothy (Friecke) Greenmeyer, who were born in Han- over, Germany, where they grew up and were married. then emigrated to the United States, crossing the ocean to New Orleans by sailing vessel, and up the rivers by boat to Beardstown, where they located on a farm at the edge of the town. John Frederick Greenmeyer spent the remainder of his life there engaged in farming and died in 1882 at the age of sixty years: his widow passing away in 1894, when seventy- four years old. They had the following chil- dren: Anna (MIrs. John W. Hobrock), who died in 1SS5; Mary (Mrs. Dr. J. A. Folonie), deceased in 1897: and Ernest H.
In boyhood Ernest H. Greenmeyer attended the German Lutheran and public schools of Beardstown, and at the age of thirteen years began to work on a farm by the month, con- tinuing this until he was twenty-one years old. At this period he started in the employ of the C., B. & Q. Railroad in the shops in Beards- town, where he remained two years. He then became an engineer. but the railroad strike in February, 1SSS. caused him to give this up, and he fired and ran extra on the Big Four Railroad from Mattoon. Ill., for two and one-half years. Later he was employed two and one-half years at Lafayette. Ind .. and returning to Beardstown became city engineer. which position he has since held.
On May 1. 1884, Mr. Greenmeyer was united in marriage with Dina Koblenz, the ceremony being performed at Beardstown, where Mrs. Greenmeyer was born. She is a daughter of Charles and Marguerite (Depe) Koblenz, natives of Prussia, Germany. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Greenmeyer are as follows: Theresa, wife of A. J. Nolden, engineer of the Beardstown
Milling Company; C. O., of Chicago, Ill., with the Continental and Commercial National Bank ; and Dorothy D., wife of Fred Valentiner, of Beardstown, engineer on the C., B. & Q. R. R. Mr. Greenmeyer is a member of the German Lutheran church. He has been identified with the B. of L. F. & E. of Beardstown since 1886 and is also affiliated with the Court of Honor. He and his family are respected and esteemed wherever their acquaintance extends.
GREENWOOD, Knolton A .- The agricultural ac- tivities of Cass Connty are many, and the inter- ested parties are men of prominence and good common sense. To their efforts is due much of the fertility of the land and the consequent abundance of the crops. One of the above men- tioned men it Knolton A. Greenwood, of town- ship 18, range 9, who is now operating the homestead of his parents, which he owns.
Knolton A. Greenwood was born February 21. 1852. a son of C. Decatur and Eliza Ann (Duckwilder) Greenwood, the former born in Roanoke County, Va., who, in 1851, moved to Illinois, settling at Chandlerville, the birthplace of his son, Knolton. There he rented land, al- though able to buy it he had wanted to do so. At that time it was considered more profitable to conduct another's property than to invest in the uncultivated land. In 1879. however, con- ditions having changed, he bought 120 acres of timber at Oregon Point, township 1S, range 9, and with the help of his sons cleared off the timber and made many improvements. After the death of his wife, in 1899, he and his son Knolton kept house together until his death in 1907. He and his wife were the parents of sixteen children. nine of whom survive, namely : William, who is of Virginia ; Flora, who is Mrs. August Frederick, of Chicago ; Knolton ; Frank, who is of Chandlerville : Samuel, who is of Vir- ginia. Ill .: Joseph, who is of Decatur, Ill .; Lucretia, who is Mrs. John Miller, of Virginia, Ill. : Mrs. Haley Cappor, who lives at Chandler- ville : and Emma, who is Mrs. Barrett, of Rock- ford, Ill.
Knolton A. Greenwood grew up on his father's farm. attending the schools of his district and gave valuable assistance in the early work of the farm. When the other children married and went to homes of their own, Knolton was called upon to assume the care of his parents and gave them filial attention. Later he bought the homestead where he resides, and takes great pride in this fine property. He has never mar- ried. In politics he is a Democrat.
GREENWOOD, William I .- One of the old and honored residents of Virginia. Ill., who is now living a retired life after many years spent in agricultural pursuits in Cass County, is Wil- liam I. Greenwood. His career has been one of sturdy industry and tireless perseverance, and his honorable and well-directed efforts have been crowned by material success and the re- spect and esteem of his fellow men. Mr. Green- wood was born on the top of the highest monn-
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tain in Virginia, McAfee's Knob, May 5, 1848, and is a son of Commodore Decatur and Eliza Ann (Duckwiler) Greenwood.
Commodore Decatur Greenwood was born in Virginia, Jannary 5, 1821, and was there en- gaged as a planter, his principal farming prod- net being tobacco. There, in 1846, he was mar- ried to Eliza Ann Duckwiler, daughter of Isaac and Flora Dnekwiler, and they became the par- ents of the following children : Mary, William I., Sarah, Flora, Knolton, John, Charles, Deca- tnr, Frank, Margaret, Lucretia, Samnel, Joseph, James, Rosetta and Emma. Mr. Greenwood came to Cass County, Ill., in 1852 with his brother . and brother-in-law, and located at Chandlerville, where he worked at the carpenter trade for some time before taking up agricul- ture, after which he continned a tiller of the soil during the remainder of his active lite and died at Philadelphia, Ill., November 21, 1899, his wife, who had been born August 5, 182S, passing away September 21, 1899. They were members of the Dunkard church. During the Civil war Mr. Greenwood was drafted into the Union service, but was able to secure his dis- charge for the sum of $600, by reason of an agreement between the church, as its tenets op- pose war, and the government.
William I. Greenwood was a child of four years when he accompanied his parents to Cass County, and here his education was secured in the district schools. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he was an agriculturist during all the active years of his life, and is still the owner of a tract of ten acres, at the city limits. Here he is enjoying the comforts that his life of industry has brought him, and is surrounded by his devoted family and a large circle of ap- preciative friends. On Jannary 11, 1877, Mr. Greenwood was married to Miss Mary Jane Wright, danghter of James and Cecelia Jane (Griffin) Wright. Ten children have been born to this union; an infant, deceased ; Oscar; Dolly, Bertha and Millard, all deceased; Earl; William ; Ruth ; Cecelia A. and Marie.
James Wright, father of Mrs. Greenwood, was born July 8, 1828, in Kentucky, and died in April 1904, at Wichita, Kan. He was mar- ried in Cass County May 1, 1851, to Cecelia Jane Griffin, born October 24, 1831, who died January 4, 1894, and they became the parents of the following children: Cyrus, deceased ; Cecelia Jane, Jasper, Eliza, Elizabeth, Ellen, Alice, Albert and Ida. The family is connected with the Baptist church.
GREVE, Henry, now living retired at Beards- town, but formerly one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Cass County, is entitled to the con- fidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen for he has earned such regard. He was born in . Hanover, Germany, May 20, 1844. When twenty- two years old he started from his native land, and on September 28. 1SSS, he landed in New York City, after a voyage of ten weeks on the ocean. Being a cigar maker, he worked at his trade for some months in New York, having
joined his brother, who had come to that city in 1865 and was engaged in the same line. How- ever, as he had some friends at Beardstown, Ill., he decided to join them at that point, and on April 2, 1867, traveled as far as Peoria by railroad, and from there went down the Illinois River to Beardstown. Upon his arrival he opened a cigar factory on east Fourth street, but in the fall of that year moved to Main street, where he continued in business until 1873, when he built a fine two-story brick store at No. 113 W. Main street. There he built np a large business, manufacturing many brands of cigars that attained considerable popularity. He took his brother Antone into partnership with him in 1876, and they continned together until 1880, when the latter embarked in a business of his own in the same line, and it is still in existence. In May, 1913, Mr. Greve sold his factory to his son, W. F. Greve, and retired.
On July 23, 1867, Mr. Greve married Anna Reller, born in Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States at the same time as her husband. Their children have been as follows: Louisa, who is the widow of John Stoker, lives at Twelfth and Monroe streets, Beardstown, Mr. Stoker having lost his life through an acci- dent, March 16, 1904; Carrie, who died April 9, 1900; Henry, who is connected with the First State Bank of Beardstown; John; Anna, who is at home; Fred, who is a railroad engineer ; William F., who is conducting the cigar business ; Emma, who is Mrs. Edward Howard of Beards- town; and Hilda, who is Mrs. William Stulkel, oť Beardstown. The Lutheran church holds his membership, and he is the historian of the Central Illinois District of his church, which is composed of twenty-one counties. While a Demo- crat in politics, he has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. of Beards- town, and has been a dominent figure in it.
GREVE, William F., a cigar manufacturer and cigar merchant at Beardstown. is a descendant of German-American people who did so much to make Cass County one of the leading sections of Illinois. He is one of the respected residents and substantial business men of Beardstown. MIr. Greve was born at Beardstown, December 29, 1SS2, a son of Henry Greve, born in Ger- many, a cigar manufacturer and tobacco mer- chant. A sketch of Henry Greve is given in this work.
William F. Greve was educated in the schools of Beardstown and the Chicago Metropolitan Business College, attending the latter institu- tion for a year. Learning the cigar-making trade in his father's factory, he worked as an employe until May. 1913, when he bought his father's business and has since continued to operate it, making a success of his undertaking. In politics, Mr. Greve is a Democrat. He has not desired public office. In fraternal matters he belongs to Beardstown Lodge, I. O. O. F. No. 16; Beardstown Lodge, B. P. O. E. No. 1007, and Beardstown Lodge of Moose No. 985. An
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honorable business man, Mr. Greve deserves the success which has attended his efforts.
GRIDLEY, Charles A .- The members of the legal fraternity of Cass County are notably men of superior intelligence and their reputation for ability is well merited, and many practice in all of the courts. A representative member of the Cass County bar who is an honor to his profes- sion, and to Virginia as well, is the Hon. Charles A. Gridley, who has not only carried on a general law practice for years, but has filled ably and satisfactorily the several im- portant offices to which he has been elected.
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