USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
John Savage, the grandfather, came to Morgan County, Ill., in 1822, and settled at Diamond Grove, where his son, Henry S. was born in 1824. He came from New York to Morgan County, and a few years later removed to Cass County, took up government land and became a man of substance and prominence, owning large bodies of land at time of death in 1863, and having served as sheriff of Cass County for two terms. John Savage married Elizabeth Smith, who died in January, 1875, aged seventy-five years. They had the following children : Spencer, Henry S., John, George, Charles, Emily (Mrs. John Pratt), and Harriet (Mrs. Oliver Silverthorn). John Savage built the first log house at Jacksonville and there are traces of his building work still to be found in different parts of the county. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Ward, came from Kentucky to Arcadia, Morgan County, where he was one of the first settlers and later removed to Cass County where he became a very prominent man and was one of the county com- missioners at the time Cass was separated from Morgan County. He married Eliza Stephenson and they had two children, Jane, who married James Beggs and died one year after marriage, and Sarah Frances, who became the wife of Henry S. Savage.
Charles Ward Savage grew up on his father's farm and attended the local schools and also those of Jacksonville. For about seven years after beginning to work for himself, Mr. Savage engaged in farming. In 1878 he came to Vir- ginia where he embarked in a grain and lumber business, and has since conducted the grain business on a large scale, the firm style being C. W. Savage & Son. Although he has served three times as mayor of Virginia, he was never a candidate for the office, but proved exceed- ingly efficient and useful when elected and it was during his administration that the pave- ments were laid, the sewer system put in and other public improvements started.
Mr. Savage was married at Davenport, Iowa, January 6, 1875, to Kittie S. Kelley, a daughter of Moses and Harriet ( Morse) Kelley, and they
have had five children : Louise, wife of Clifford Ireland, of Peoria, Ill .; Mae, who is at home; Harriet, wife of E. B. Conover, of Springfield, Ill. ; Kathryn, who is the wife of John McHenry, of Springfield ; and Charles C., who is associated in business with his father, married Lucilla Fullenweider, and they have one child, Caro- line. The mother of the above children died in 1893, aged thirty-seven years. Mr. Savage was married again in 1897, at Petersburg, Ill., to Nellie, a daughter of Daniel Rule. Mr. Savage has passed all the chairs in the local lodge of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Christian church and has been very active as a church official, having been a deacon for many years and secre- tary, clerk and treasurer for a long period.
SAVAGE, Henry Seymour, president of the Farmers National Bank of Virginia, and one of the best known figures in the banking circles of Cass County, was born in this county, August 29, 1865, a son of Henry Seymour and Sarah Frances (Ward) Savage, and the youngest of the thirteen children born to his parents. Not only did he attend the public schools of Jackson- ville, to which place his parents moved when he was a child, but he also took the high school course, and entering Princeton University, was graduated therefrom in 1887. He then became a clerk in a banking institution at Spokane, Wash., and was there for five years, and on returning to Illinois in 1893, located at Virginia. His father was one of the organizers of the Farmers National Bank at that place, but died before the organization was completed. Shortly after the above bank opened for business, his mother purchased some stock and later Mr. Sav- age became associated with it. In 1911 he was elected its presiding officer and is still president of it.
The Farmers National Bank of Virginia was organized in 1865, with a capital stock of $50,000, and its first officers were : Samuel S. Vance, president ; Henry H. Hall, vice president ; John H. Wood, cashier. Its present capital is $50,000 surplus and undivided profits $40,000. The present officers are : Henry S. Savage, pres- ident; James Maslin, vice president; R. C. Taylor, cashier ; V. E. Robertson, assistant cash- ier ; and F. M. Robertson, assistant cashier. The members of the Board of Directors are: James Maslin, Detrich Brockhouse, V. E. Robertson, R. C. Taylor, and H. S. Savage.
On April 2, 1912. Mr. Savage was married at Virginia, to Edith Alba, a daughter of Archibald and Sarah (Cosner) Mains. Mr. Savage is a member of the Elks of Jacksonville. For five years he served as a member and as chairman of the Republican County Central Committee for Cass County, and was closely identified with his party's work.
SCHAAD, John C .- It is a gratifying task to trace the successive steps in the progress of those men whose advancing years have done credit to the opportunities of their earlier ca- reer, and resulted in creating conditions of
950
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
domestic prosperity and comfort within the sphere of their exertions. Of this class of farmers and stockraisers in Cass Connty, J. C. Schaad, whose home is in Oakford, is a con- spicuous example. He was born in the connty where he still resides on December 5, 1861. His father, Carl Schaad, also a farmer by occupa- tion, was a native of Altensclerf, Germany, where his birth took place December 23, 1830, and his mother was born in Saxony in the year 1836. Carl Schaad emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1852, locating first in New Orleans. From that city he moved to St. Louis, Mo., and finally settled in Cass County.
During his boyhood J. C. Schaad attended the district school, after which he spent one term at a business college in Jacksonville, Ill., and then applied himself to the work of assisting his father in operating the home farm. The farm of Mr. Schaad consists of 176 acres of land, located in section 20, township 19, range S, Cass County, Ill., and Oakford, Ill., is his post- office address. In 1885 Mr. Schaad went to Kansas to farm, but after staying three years in that state returned to his farm in Cass County.
Mr. Schaad was married by Rev. Wilson to Emma Matilda Carlton, who was born in Greene County, Ill., April 25, 1881, a daughter of Isaac and Louisa (Hinson ) Carlton, the former born January 11, 1844, in the vicinity of Winchester, Scott County, Ill., and the latter in Greene County, Ill .. December 23, 1860. Isaac Carlton was a soldier in the Civil war, serving three years and ten months in Company F, Sixty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Schaad have one son, Arthur Dewey. There are four children by a former marriage: William C., Frank, Oliver, and Lila Matilda.
In politics Mr. Schaad is a Republican. He has filled the office of district commissioner for three years, and that of school director for twelve years. rendering efficient and acceptable service in both. Fraternally he is a Mason, be- longing to Lodge No. 724, A. F. & A. M., of Chandlerville, and is also a member of Camp Pecon. M. W. A. Mr. Schaad is connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a very industrious man, quiet in disposition, of firm but undemonstrative character, and com- mands the respect and enjoys that esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact.
SCHAAD, Robert .- There are few better culti- vated farms in Cass County, Ill., than that lying in township 18, range 10, n., which is the property of Robert Schaad. Although still a Young man. Mr. Schaad has manifested those sterling qualities of industry, thrift, economy and sound judgment that have enabled him to forge ahead within a brief period, until. with the start given him by energetic and foresighted predecessors in the work, he can boast the own- ership of one of the most desirable farming properties to be found within the limits of the county. A share of this enhancement in value is due however, to the patient toil and tireless
energy of Robert Schaad's worthy parents, An- drew and Miza (Taylor) Schaad, the former a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and the latter of Campbelltown, Scotland.
Andrew Schaad came with his mother and brother to the United States and settled in Cass County, Ill., when he was sixteen years of age, and for a time worked out by the month until they started farming for themselves on rented land. Continuing thus for several years, they jointly purchased a farm which they cultivated together for a long period. About four years after his marriage Andrew Schaad bought eighty-five acres of the farm where the subject hereof now lives, and kept adding to his first purchase, until he had accumulated 200 acres of choice land on the Sangamon River bottom, also fifty acres in township 19, range 11, and sixty acres on the bluff. Here he carried on farm- ing until his death March 7. 1912, when seventy- seven years old. His wife had passed away August 29, 1909. They had the following chil- dren : Niel, Charles and Margaret, deceased ; Robert ; and Catherine and Maud, who live with Robert. .
The homestead farm was left to the son, Robert, who now cultivates about 150 acres, renting out the remainder. A farm of 248 acres, lying near the line of Menard County, fell to the two sisters jointly. Mr. Schaad and his two sisters also own twenty shares in the State Bank at Chandlerville. Robert Schaad was born on the Sangamon River bottom, in township 18, range 10, November 19. 1873. During his early youth he attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and for six months was a pupil in the Whipple Academy at Jacksonville. In politics, Mr. Schaad is identified with the Re- publican party, and since 1902, has rendered efficient public service as school director. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 604, Knights of Pythias, of Chandlerville; and the D. O. K. K. of Jack- sonville. He is a man who is much liked by a large circle of friends, and commands general respect among his neighbors.
SCHAAD, Thomas F., one of the substantial farmers of Cass County who is now operating the homestead of his family which he bought from the other heirs at his mother's death, was born September 25, 1874, in township 18, range 10. this county. a son of Carl and Augusta (Dietsch) Schaad, natives of Germany. They came to Cass County when young, and later married. after which they resided at Meredosia for a short period. They then bought 150 acres of land on the Sangamon River bottom, and later fifty acres near the Sangamon River. The land was very swampy, but Carl Schaad under- stood farming, and put it in good condition, fencing the fields and making many improve- ments. He died February 1, 1877, his widow sur- viving him until January 17, 1905. Their chil- dren were: John C., who is of Cass County; Mary and Minnie, who live on the homestead ;
1
951
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Henry A., who is of the same county ; William, who is deceased ; and Thomas F.
Thomas F. Schaad attended the schools of . his district and the Illinois State University at Champaign, Ill, Having grown up on the farm, he was qualified to take charge of it, and since buying it has carried on grain farming and raises some stock, meeting with gratifying suc- cess.
On March 22, 1905, Mr. Schaad married Louella Taylor, born in Cass County, a daugh- ter ot William and Mary E. (Horrom) Taylor. There are no children of this marriage. Mr. Schaad belongs to Hickory Presbyterian church, of which he has been an officer since 1902, and superintendent of Sunday school since 1900. A Republican, on that ticket he was elected road clerk ; has been a drainage commissioner since 1905, and has also served as township treasurer of schools, this prominence illustrating the fact that he is a man of considerable influence in his neighborhood. The Modern Woodmen of America at Chandlerville hold his membership.
SCHAEFFER, Charles A., was born in Cass County, Ill., May 24, 1855. He is the eldest son of Calvin S. and Mary Jane (Shater) Schaeffer. His paternal grandparents were Philip and Highly (Hoover) Schaeffer, who came to Illinois from Ohio, soon after Illinois was admitted into the Union. ITis maternal grandparents were Christopher and Rachel (Emerich) Shafer, who were natives of Virginia. Both sets of ancestors were farmers and landowners in Cass County. The father of Charles A. Schaeffer is still living and is now eighty years old, but the mother, Mary Jane (Shater) Schaeffer; died in 1906. The children of Calvin S. and Mary Jane Schaeffer are: Charles A .; Winters L .: William D .; Rachel A., wife of C. E. Davis; Jennie M., wife of Henry Betz, all of Cass County ; and George W., of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Charles A. Schaeffer received his education in the district schools, the high school, and the State Normal School. At twenty-two years of age he began active responsible life, on his own account, as a teacher in the public schools of the county. On the thirty-first anniversary of his birth Charles A. Schaeffer received the nomination of his party for the office of county superintendent of schools of Cass County, and was chosen to the office in the ensuing election. Four years later he was re-elected by a greatly increased majority. During these cight years he made his home at Virginia, IN. In 1890 he purchased the Virginia Enquirer, a weekly news- paper, which he later sold to F. E. Downing. In December, 1894, having purchased a half in- terest with Albert S. Coil in the Weekly Enter- prise, he moved his family to Beardstown, where they have since made their home. Under the firm name of Coil and Schaeffer, editors and proprietors, the Weekly Enterprise was changed to a tri-weekly on March 3. 1895. In 1901 the firm added a daily which they named the Morn- ing Enterprise. From thence the publications of the firm of Coil and Schaeffer were the Weekly
Enterprise and the Morning Enterprise. On January 1, 1914, Charles A. Schaeffer purchased the interest of his partner, Albert S. Coil, in the Enterprise newspaper plant, and he and his son, Ledru G. Schaeffer, having a short time before purchased the Illinoian Star, daily and weekly, father and son consolidated the two plants, including the job departments of both, and began business under the firm name of the Schaeffer Publishing Company. The publications under the ownership and management of the co-partnership, known as the Schaeffer Publish- ing Company, are the Illinoian Star, daily ( Inde- pendent ). and the Weekly Enterprise (Demo- cratic).
In 1882 Mr. Schaeffer was joined in marriage with Miss Nellie M. Garner, daughter of Rev. W. S. and Mrs. Nancy M. (Crews) Garner, of Oregon Precinct, Cass County. Of this union three children were born: Ledru G., Edna K. and Mary Helen. The last named died at the age of four years.
Charles A. Schaeffer, besides being a public school teacher. county superintendent of schools and newspaper owner and editor, was in 1892 admitted, after an examination before the Supreme court of the state, to practice law in the courts of Illinois. In 1896 he was elected state's attorney for Cass County and served one term. Ile belongs to the following named tra- ternal and beneficiary organizations : Masons, Knights of Pythias. Independent Order of Odd Follows. Modern Woodmen and Court of Honor.
SCHALL, Edward, has made a fine record as a farmer since reaching years of maturity, at which time. 1891, he rented his first farming land and started out in the world for himself. Constant application to the task he had in hand, economical management. frugality and good judgment have won for him a measure of success that gives him recognition among the best grain raisers and milk and butter pro- ducers in Cass County. All this progress has been attained. moreover while still a compara- tively young man, for, he was born as late as March 11. 1866, at Peoria. Ill., and his parents were Charles and Mary (Dechert) Schall, the father being an emigrant from Hesse, Germany, and the mother of American nationality. Charles Schall located in Cass County, Ill .. in the six- ties, where he began his married life, after a few years spent as a clerk in Beardstown. He was variously engaged until he ultimately bought a farm, on which he lived until January, 1913, dying then at the age of seventy-two years. He married Mary Dechert and they had the following children: Edward: Henry C., of Morgan County, Ill. : Charles H., of Cass County ; Caroline (Mrs. Ed. Bierhaus), of Cass County, and Albert H., of Cass County. The mother of these children died and the second wife of Charles Schall bore him the following children : Julius, of Beardstown : Alexander and Harry of Cass County ; and Edith and Irene, on the home place.
I'p to the age of twenty-one years, Edward
952
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Schall stayed at home. At that time, having received a common school education, he went to farming on rented lands, and in June, 1893, bought 120 acres, partly improved, in section 20, township 1S, range 10, Cass County. On this he completed the improvements, erecting a fine house, good outbuildings, barns, etc., and building a modern, up-to-date creamery. Here he con- ducts a dairy farm, keeping from fourteen to six- teen cows, and making butter, and he also carries on general grain farming.
On February 23, 1893, Mr. Schall, who was educated in the district schools, was married to Annie Kruse, who was born August 12, 1867, in Cass County, Ill., a daughter of Mathias and Anna (Bielil) Kruse, the former a native of Switzerland, and the latter born in Beardstown where she attended school in youth. At an early day, Mr. Kruse came to Beardstown with his first wife, buying a farm in township 1S, range 10, where the wife died. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Schall were John and Mar- garet Biehl, natives of Germany, who located in Cass County at an early period, and carried on farming. Mrs. Schall was the oldest child of her father, the others being: John, of Jule Sta- tion, Cass County ; Henry, of Adams County, Ill .; Mathais, of Chase County, Nebr .; and David, Edward, Barbara ( Mrs. Willis Davis), Jacob and Albert, all of Cass County ; and Sophia and Emma, on the home place.
Mr. and Mrs. Schall have had the following children : Elmer C., Nadine N., Nita P., Clifford M. and Le Eda, all at home. Edward Schall be- longs to the Lutheran church, while his wife is Presbyterian. In politics Mr. Schall is a Democrat. He has served as a school director, and since 1912 has been a trustee of township 28, range 10, Cass County.
SCHELL, Raymond C .- Among the enterpris- ing and successful young men whose skill and energy constitute one of the dependable elements in promoting the prosperity of the city of Beards- town, Cass County, is Raymond C. Schell, who is very popular wherever his acquaintance extends. Mr. Schell was born in Oquawka, Ill., April 7th, 1886, and is a son of Charles F. W. and Mary E. (Brooks) Schell. He grew to manhood in his native town, receiving his early mental training in the public schools. After his school days were over, Mr. Schell became active along numerous lines. He served three years as assistant post- master of his home town, and then worked in Monmouth, Ill., one year, as clerk for the Adams Express Company, following this was em- ployed as express messenger on the railroad running out of Beardstown. He also sold gaso- line engines until 1909, when he entered the auto- mobile business in company with W. J. Wolton, under the firm name of Wolton & Schell. This connection continued for sixteen months when Mr. Schell bought out his partner's interest, and has since, except during one year, conducted the business alone. In the year excepted a Mr. Cannon had an interest with him in the repair department. Mr. Schell has the agency of the
Moline, as well as the Ford and Buick cars. He is also engaged in the auto livery business, hav- ing two livery cars for hire. After dissolving his business connection with Mr. Wolton, he went to Moline, in 1910-11, and was engaged for six months in the testing department of an auto manufactory, in order to become more efficient in the work.
Mr. Schell married Zelda A. Gray in December, 1914. Fraternally he is affiliated with the B. P. O. E., Lodge No. 1007, of Beardstown, and also the K. of P. He is prospering in all his undertakings, and has many friends, being well liked by all who have business or personal rela- tions with him.
SCHMIDT, Johannes,-Perhaps no country of the world has contributed so many sturdy, in- dustrious and capable men and women to the United States as Germany, for there the people are taught to work and they do well whatever lies closest at hand. As a result whenever they immigrate, they , bring with them a knowledge of whatever line in which they have been trained, as well as habits of thrift that stand them in good stead in their new home.
The late Johannes Schmidt, formerly one of the prosperous farmers of Cass County, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, June 16, 1854, came to the United States when he had attained his majority, and made his way to Cass County, Ill. A few months later he went to Bloomington, Ill., where he was a truck farmer and also conducted a greenhouse, but later, on returning to Cass County, he bought sixty acres of land and conducted it until his death. While living upon this farm he im- proved it considerably, erecting all the build- ings and putting in excellent stock.
On February 26, 1SS5, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Mary Geiss, who was born in Cass County. a daughter of John and Matilda (Apple) Geiss, of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of the following children : Rosa, who is Mrs. Fred Pate of Cass County ; Matilda, who is Mrs. Louis Deichman of Virginia ; and Henry F. and Otto, who conduct the home place for their widowed mother. The family belong to the Presbyterian church. Mr. Schmidt died July 27. 1911. after a long and useful life, and the influence of his upright character had its effect upon his neighborhood.
1
SCHMOLDT, A. E .- The A. E. Schmoldt Lumber & Cooperage plant was established by a Mr. Weaver in the year 1856, as a sawmill. After about twelve years the inill and grounds were bought by Herman Sielschott, Robt. G. Schmoldt and Fred Moeller, under the firm name of Siel- schott. Moeller & Co. Later Mr. Moeller sold his interest to Sielschott & Schmoldt; still later Robt. G. Schmoldt bought out Herman Sielschott and soon added a retail lumber yard which he opened on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, Beardstown; also soon after adding a wholesale ice storage plant and continuing in
953
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
this line by himself a number of years. He sold to his sons, H. M., Robt. W., and A. E., each a one-fifth interest, retaining two-fifths interest. Then was added a slack barrel coop- erage factory, making slack barrel staves, hoops and heading; the style of the firm now being Schmoldt Brothers & Co. The firm continued to operate under this head until the father retired from active business, when he sold his two- fifths interest to his sons, H. M., Robt. W., and A. E. Schmoldt, who continued the business as Schinoldt Brothers, Robt. W. Schmoldt later selling his interest to H. M. and A. E. Schioldt. The retail lumber yard in the meantime had been moved from Third and Jefferson streets to the corner of Fourth and State streets. In the spring of 1907 A. E. Schmoldt sold his interest in the retail lumber yard on Fourth street to H. M. Schmoldt and in the same year bought the H. M. Schmoldt interest in the manufactur- ing plant, taking over the books of Schmoldt Brothers as their successor. A. E. Schmoldt continued the manufacturing in its entirety, dis- continuing the ice business, and added a retail coal yard, and retail and wholesale lumber yard, which he continues to operate.
A. E. Schmoldt's parents, Robt. G. Schmoldt and Johanna Eleonore Schmoldt, were born and married in Germany, coming to this country in 1852, and to Cass County July 5, 1853. To them were born eight sons, the first two dying in infancy. The third, H. M. Schmoldt, died June 18, 1909, at the age of fifty-two years. The fourth, August R., owns a farm adjacent to Beardstown, where he makes his home. The fifth, A. E., owns and operates the cooperage plant, coal and lumber yards, in Beardstown. The sixth, Robt. W., now lives in Los Angeles, Cal., where he is engaged in the mercantile business. The seventh, Herman J., died May 7, 1897, at the age of twenty-nine years. The eighth son died in infancy.
.
A. E. Schmoldt was born February 14, 1862; was married November 3, 1896, to Clara Olive Treadway, daughter of James and Rebecca Mary Treadway, of Beardstown, Ill. They have one son, Ernest James, born October 2, 1896.
SCHWEER, Frederick E .- After a career filled with active experience since his early manhood, Frederick E. Schweer is now enjoying the com- fort and quietude of restful retirement in his advancing years, abundantly supplied with all the necessaries of life, and sercnely conscious that the approbation of his fellowmen has crowned his faithful efforts in behalf of the public welfare. In early manhood Frederick Schweer served his country well on the field of battle during the war for the Union, and in the ensuing period of peace he has contributed his best energies, in various responsible offices, towards an efficient administration of the affairs of his city and country.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.