USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 58
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Pride of the West Lodge, No. 650, I. O. O. F., of Belleville, was instituted January 14, 1878. German Lodge, No. 878, K. of H., of O'Fallon, was chartered February 4, 1878. Darmstadt Lodge, A. O. U. W., was organized February 10, 1878. Section No. 108, Endowment Rank, I. O. O. F., of Belleville, was instituted Febru- ary 28, 1878.
Tancred Commandery, No. 50, K. T., of Belle- ville, was organized April 4, 1878, and char- tered October 22, 1878. The charter members were: L. C. Starkel, J. H. Thomas, J. C. Reb- han, F. J. Scheve, Samuel Swancutt, M. S. Carr, Corwin Broughton, J. H. Hewitt, William Fleschert, William Skellett, John Kinneard. The date of instituting the commandery and consecrating the asylum was November 27, 1878. First Knight dubbed, Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman, on June 5, 1878. First conclave held in Knoebel Building, April 17, 1878. First conclave held in Rentchler Building, December 31, 1884. Past Eminent Commanders: L. C. Starkel (U. D.), 1878; L. C. Starkel, 1878-79- 80-81; M. S. Carr, 1881-82; L. C. Starkel, 1882- 83; Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman, 1883-84-85-86; John Heinzelman, 1886-87; James H. Thomas, 1887-88-89; John Heinzelman, 1889-90-91; George E. Lary, 1891-92; James A. Willoughby, 1892-93; C. A. Monk, 1893-94; P. J. Kaercher, 1894-95; D. F. Miller, 1896-97; Charles H. Starkel, 1897- 98; John Heinzelman, 1898-1902; James A. Wil- loughby, 1902-03; George B. McRogers, 1903-04; William R. Merker, 1904-05-06. Names of pres- ent officers: William R. Merker, Eminent Com- mander; Richard H. Winkelman, Generalissimo; Charles Lambert, Captain-General; Henry J. Fink, Treasurer; E. E. Wangelin, Recorder.
Enterprise Lodge, No. 90, Daughters of Re- becca, of Belleville, was instituted May 10, 1878. Belleville Lodge, No. 108, A. O. U. W., of Belle- ville, was chartered May 20, 1878. Evening Star Lodge, No. 654, of Marissa, was organized May 20, 1878. Friendship Lodge, No. 2, Inde- pendent Order of Mutual Aid, was instituted at Belleville, June 3, 1878. Names of present officers: Jacob Leiner, President; Peter Gei- bel, Vice-President; Henry Wolpert, Secretary; Adam Graeber, Treasurer; Charles Wright, Pe- ter Geibel, Ferd Winkler, Trustees.
Lebanon Lodge, No. 127, A. O. U. W., was or- ganized September, 1878. The Concordia Sing- ing Society, of Darmstadt, was organized Octo- ber 25, 1878. Friendship Lodge, No. 2, I. O. M. A., of Belleville, was instituted in 1878.
Loh queque
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Frederick Hecker Mannie, No. 65, D. O. H., of Belleville, was organized in 1879. Freilgrath Lodge, No. 415, D. O. H., of Belleville, was or- ganized in 1879.
Gerstaecker Lodge, No. 138, A. O. U. W., of East St. Louis, was organized April 9, 1879. Its successive Master Workmen have been George Bender, John C. Hoffmann, Henry Damm, Frantz Metschan, Theodore Löhr, Fritz Panier, Gust Kissel and Henry Gerhardt. Christopher Schall is its Recorder, and H. Heinemann its Treasurer. Adelphie Lodge, No. 1509, K. of H., of Lebanon, dates from 1879.
LODGES AND SOCIETIES OF 1880 AND LATER .- An organization of Royal Templars of Temper- ance was effected at O'Fallon, February, 1880. A branch of the Catholic Knights of America was instituted at East St. Louis, March 19, 1880. Star of Hope Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Caseyville, was chartered April 8, 1880. F. W. Arnold Branch, No. 44, B. of L. and F., of East St. Louis, was chartered May 2, 1880.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 335, K. and L. of H., of East St. Louis, was organized May 28, 1880. Lodge No. 163 of the A. O. U. W. was instituted at Summerfield in 1880. It has twenty-two menibers. Mascoutah Lodge, No. 1977, Knights of Honor, was organized in 1880. A lodge of the I. O. E. T. was organized at O'Fallon, Feb- ruary, 1881. Garfield Lodge, No. 93, K. of P., of Belleville, was instituted October 14, 1881. Wonian's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the G. A. R., of Belleville, was organized June 22, 1882. Hecker Post, No. 443, G. A. R., of Belleville, was organized May 6, 1884.
Minerva Lodge, No. 938, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Belleville, Ill., was organized Sep- tember 25, 1884. First officers: Ex-Pro- tector, John Daubach; Protector, Henry
Heine- Jungbluth; Vice-Protector, Elizabeth
Jungbluth; Finan- mann; Secretary, F.
cial Secretary, H. Heinemann; Treasurer, H. Oexner; Chaplain, N. Lochs. Present officers: Protector, Ida Melton; Vice-Protector, Pauline Lenz; Secretary, A. Loehr; Financial Secre- tary, M. Schmidt; Treasurer, Henry Oexner; Chaplain, Kunus. Belleville Council, No. 67, R. and I. S. M., was instituted October 4, 1884. Catholic Knights of Illinois, St. Anthony Branch, No. 24, was organized at Mascoutah about 1885. Mascoutah Lodge, No. 145, Inde- pendent Order of Mutual Aid, was organized in 1885.
Hofmann Lodge, No. 546, D. O. H., of Belle- ville, was organized in 1885. Harmonie Lodge, No. 563, German Order of Harugari, of Mas- coutah, was organized in 1886. Rob Morris Chapter, No. 98, O. E. S., of East St. Louis, was organized September 24, 1886. It is a social organization, auxiliary to the Masons. Its first officers were: W. M., Martha Hender (two years) ; Patron, Emil Eggmann; Asst. M., Su- san Paschal; Sec., R. A. Paschal; Cond., Anna E. Evans; Adah, Keziah Thomas; Ruth, Lucie Beeken; Warden, E. H. Cooper; Sent., William E. Hender. Following are the names of the successive presiding officers: Keziah Thomas (two years); Mrs. Theresa Niemes (five years) ; Minnie Niemes (two years) ; Alice Bar- low, Elizabeth Vaughan, Emma List, Margaret Horner (two years); Sarah Teivy, Emma Ros- selot, Sarah Adams, Bernice Carr. The present officers are: M., Bernice Carr; Pat., W. P. Vaughan; Assoc. M., Anna Welty; Sec., Ada- line Carr; Treas., Josie Horstman; Cond., Ma- die Rogers; Asst. Con., Sarah Knudson; Chap., Lizzie Kirkwood; Sent., T. G. Springall; War., Catherine Curtis; Adah, Neva Wetzler; Ruth, Lena Hugler; Esther, Zella Cook; Martha, Ma- bel Adams; Electa, Ella Merrill; Marshal, Mary Howlet; Org., Ada Sikking.
St. Albanus Branch, No. 35, Catholic Knights of America, Smithton, was organized March 27, 1889, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were: Philip Quirin, President; John Klingler, Vice-President; Henry Frein, Corresponding and Financial Secretary; Adam Herold, Treasurer; Albanus Schollmeier, Frank Winkler and Joseph Jerger, Trustees. The membership now is forty-one, and meetings are held the second Sunday of each month. The present officers are: Albanus Scholl- meier, President; Philip Wenzel, Vice-Presi- dent; Joseph Jerger, Recording Secretary; John Becker, Financial Secretary; Martin Lang, Treasurer; Charles Schwaegel, Frank Winkler and Philip Quirin, Trustees.
Mascoutah Camp, No. 2467, Modern Wood- men of America, dates from 1890.
Smithton Lodge, No. 73, U. O. T. B., was or- ganized September 1, 1890, with nineteen char- ter members. The present membership is thir- teen. The present officers are: Fritz Pfeiffer, T. M .; George Stell, B. M .; Jacob Quirin, Sec- retary; Mrs. Katherine Friesz, Treasurer; Mrs. Louise Pfeiffer, A .; Adam Pfeiffer, F .; Stephen Toth, I. W. Woodmen's Roost, Camp No. 1362,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Modern Woodmen of the World, of Belleville, was organized April 4, 1890 A lodge of Wood- men (No. 1387) was founded at Summerfield in 1890. Its membership is forty-eight.
Encampment No. 99, Union Veteran Legion, of Belleville, was organized September 7, 1891, to honor all worthy comrades who fought in the Union cause, aid the distressed among them and relieve the wants of the widows and orphans of such as have ended their earthly labors. Names of present officers: Colonel, Fred Sunkel; Lieutenant-Colonel, Philip Kauf- mann; Major, John Wamser; Officer of the Day, William Siegler; Acting Adjutant, John Roth; Quartermaster, John Roth; Officer of Guard, Melchier Atzinger; Color-bearer, Martin Heinemann; Sentinel, Fred Lindemann. Harri- son Benefit Association, of Belleville, was or- ganized June 8, 1892.
Hecker Woman's Relief Corps, of Belleville, was organized June 22, 1892, to especially aid and assist the Grand Army of the Republic and to perpetuate the memory of their heroic dead; to assist Union veterans and extend aid to their widows and orphans; and to incul- cate lessons of patriotism and love of country among descendants of members. The first offi- cers were: President, Mrs. Elise Kueffner; Senior Vice, Mrs. Sophie Wangelin; Junior Vice, Mrs. Emma Halbert; Secretary, Mrs. Emma Powell; Treasurer, Mrs. Cora Grantz; Chaplain, Mrs. Henrietta Stookey; Conductor, Mrs. Henrietta Woelk; Assistant Conductor, Miss Hattie Minor; Guard, Miss Ella Swyer; Assistant Guard, Mrs. Leah Stanley. Its suc- cessive Presidents have been : Mrs. Elise Kueffner, Mrs. Sophie Wangelin; Mrs. Emma Powell; Miss Mary Evans. Mrs. Carrie Alexan- der; Mrs. Perle Smith, Mrs. Henrietta Woelk, Mrs. Clara Needles, Miss Emma Lorey. Pres- ent officers: President, Mrs. Clara Needles ; Senior Vice, Miss Dora Siefert, Junior Vice, Mrs. Mary Davis; Chaplain, Mrs. Mary Hein- zelmann; Secretary, Miss Amanda Sunkel; Treasurer, Miss Johanna Lorey; Conductor, Miss Ida Thornbury; Assistant Conductor, Eu- genia Knoebel; Guard, Miss Emma Anderson; Assistant Guard, Mrs. Ida Heller; Patriotic In- structor, Miss Emma Romeiser; Press Corre- spondent, Miss Lenora Winkelmann; Musician, Miss Julia Ruoff; Color-bearers, Misses Mary
Halbert, Margaret Bartel, Clara Schlott, Stella McCallough.
Mascoutah Lodge, No. 416, Knights of Pythias, was organized in 1893. Germania Bund of Illinois, of Bellevile, was organized in 1893. Elvira Frauen Lodge, No. 4, U. O. T. B., of Belleville, was organized in 1893. Modern Woodmen of America, Marissa Camp, No. 2021, was organized June 24, 1893, with ten char- ter members. At present there are forty-five members. Officers : C. C. Hill, V. C .; Louis Eckert, W. A .; Joseph Alles, B .; Henry Finger, C .; John Schuester, E .; C. B. Dickey, W .; J. N. Campbell, Phys. Martha Lodge, No. 85, D. O. H., of Belleville, was organized in 1895.
Smithton Camp, No. 3981, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized June 27, 1896, with fifteen charter members. The first officers were: A. A. Miller, Venerable Consul; H. J. Baetje, Worthy Adviser; Frederick Daab, Ex- cellent Banker; James O. Miller, Clerk; A. M. Carr, Escort; George Brenner, Watchman; Louis F. Herr, Sentry; Managers-Henry For- cade, Michael Press, Jr., H. T. Schmidt; Phys- ician, Dr. G. G. Bock. The camp has at pres- ent thirty-four members. It meets on the second Saturday of each month in Turner Hall. The present officers are: Frederick Daab, Vener- able Consul; A. A. Miller, Worthy Adviser; John Lippert, Excellent Banker; William P. Kunz, Clerk; William Mueller, Escort; Frank Yung, Watchman; John Stell, Sentry; Man- agers-William Press, A. . M Carr, A. A. Miller; Physician, Dr. G. G. Bock.
Belleville District Court, No. 316, Court of Honor, of Belleville, was organized April 9, 1897. Its objects are: First-To unite frater- nally all acceptable white persons for mutual improvement and recreation. Second-To pro- vide means, from the proceeds of assessments upon its members, to assist those totally and permanently disabled by accident, and to fur- nish life indemnity to its members in the sum of $500, $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000, in the manner elsewhere provided by the constitution of the society and by the statutes of the State of Illinois. Third-To encourage its members in business; to assist its members to obtain em- ployment, and to promote benevolence and charity. Its first officers were: R. D. W. Hol- der, Chancellor; J. A. Morgan, Vice-Chancel-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
lor; Mary Hubert, Past Chancellor; S. C. Crouch, Recorder; R. H. Winkelman, Treasur- er; Addie Seifert, Chaplain; E. F. Sattler, Con- ductor; D. F. Baumann, Sentinel; O. A. Tag- gert, George Merrick and F. E. Pierce, Direct- ors. Names of successive presiding officers: Frank Perrin, Emily Taylor, R. H. Winkel- man, Walter Rockeman, Lulu Lenz and F. A. Gooch. Present officers: Lulu Lenz, Past Chancellor; Margaret Wright, Vice-Chancellor; S. C. Crouch, Recorder; Catherine N. Frey, Chaplain; Caroline Daniels, Guard; William Frey, Conductor; Mary Huth, Sentinel; J. A. Ramsey, August Obert and George F. Wange- lin, Directors.
Gothic Lodge, No. 852, A. F. & A. M., of East St. Louis .- First officers and charter members: J. B. Kelley, W. M .; D. S. Hahn, S. W .; A. H. Behrens, J. W .; Robert Traubel, Treas .; W. A. West, Secy .; I. H. Todd, S. D .; F. J. Curtis, J. D .; T. A. Metcalf, S. S .; John Wilson, Jr., J. S .; R. A. Cooke, Tyler. Past Masters: J. B. Kelley-1897, A. H. Behrens-1898-99, T. A. Metcalf-1900, Charles S. Lambert-1901-02, E. W. Canady-1903-04, Hugh S. Wakefield-1905. Officers for 1906: William F. Rothe, W. M .; B. . F. Burnworth, S. W .; W. J. Smith, J. W .; E. W. Canady, Treasurer; Charles S. Lambert, Secretary; Frank Miller, S. D .; George H. Broeggelmeyer, J. D .; H. C. Windt, S. S .; J. S. Ashworth, J S .; Thomas G. Springall, Tyler; I. H. Todd, Organist. Lodge instituted Janu- ary 22, 1897. Constituted October 23, 1897.
Mascoutah Lodge, No. 434, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted in 1899. Belle- ville Lodge, No. 481, Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks, was organized April 25, 1899. Its objects are charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. Its first officers were: William Ben- der, E. R .; F. J. Kern, Esteemed Leading Knight; O. A. Krebs, Esteemed Loyal Knight; E. W. Steinman, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; A. E. Krebs, Secretary; Albert Hucke, Treas- urer; C. H. Starkel, M. W. Schaefer, R. D. W. Holder, Trustees. The successive presiding of- ficers have been: F. J. Kern, O. A. Krebs, R. D. W. Holder, M. W. Schaefer, J. Nick Perrin. The present officers are: G. W. Stanley, E. R .; A. H. Bassler, Esteemed Leading Knight; E. J. Hock, Esteemed Loyal Knight; E. A. Woelk, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; A. E. Krebs, Sec- retary; R. W. Hilgard, Treasurer; H. C. G. Schrader, W. A. Twenhoefel, O. A. Krebs, Trustees.
Kiowa Tribe, No. 131, Improved Order of Red Men, of East St. Louis, was organized De- ceniber 2, 1899. The first officers were: B. H. Niehoff, Sachem; Silas Cook, Senior Saga- more; J. B. Sikking, Junior Sagamore; Will H. Bluedorn, Prophet and Representative; J. F. Murphy, Chief of Records; H. Albrecht, Keeper of Wampum. Successive presiding officers : Lally Mooney, C. L. Martin, R. P. Moher. Pres- ent officers: John E. Miller, Sachem; C. C. Smith, Senior Sagamore; F. M. Williams, Ju- nior Sagamore; W. H. Weber, Prophet; C. H. Von Gruenigen, Chief of Records and Repre- sentative; Collector of Wampum, P. E. Ash- lock; Keeper of Wampum, H. Albrecht.
A Lodge of Knights of Pythias was organized at Marissa, July 1, 1900, with thirty-one char- ter members. Its membership is 110. Officers: Edward Johnson, C. C .; Nathaniel Evans, V. C .; Edward Huelbig, K. S .; Henry Mitze, M. F .; John Nevin, Ex. There is also a Knights of Pythias organization at Lebanon.
Marissa Lodge, No. 457, A. O. U. W., was or- ganized March 18, 1902. Its charter members numbered forty; the present membership is twenty-two. Officers: J. B. Hudson, P. M. W .; West Phillips, M. W .; Ira Keever, F .; Edward Wilderman, O .; Clarence Hemphill, Recorder; Charles Jones, Receiver; Henry Finger, Finan- cier; W. R. Legrand, G. Totewa Tribe, No. 189, Improved Order of Red Men, of Mascou- tah, was organized in 1903.
OTHER PATRIOTIC AND BENEVOLENT BODIES .- East St. Louis Lodge, No. 664, B. P. O. E., A. G. Schlueter, Exalted Ruler. L. W. Kaldec Lodge, No. 1895, Knights and Ladies of Honor, of East St. Louis. East St. Louis Lodge, No. 294, A. O. U. W .; M. E. Latus, M. W. World's Fair Camp, Royal Neighbors of America, of East St. Louis. Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hi- bernians, East St. Louis; President, Andrew Casey. Laurel Camp, No. 1746, M. W. of A., of East St. Louis; C., C. W. Hamilton.
Camp Joe Fifer, No. 174, Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., of East St. Louis. Mary Turchin Tent, No. 8, Daughters of Veterans, U. S. A., of East St. Louis; Commander, Mrs. Louise Asfeld. Pennock Post, Grand Army of the Republic (Colored Division), East St. Louis. St. Clair Council, No. 856, Knights and Ladies of Se- curity, of East St. Louis; President, Abram Brown. East St. Louis Council, No. 592, Knights of Columbus; James H. Donohue,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Grand Knight. Wahongashee Tribe, No. 115, I. O. R. M., of East St. Louis; Jacob Musch- ler, Sachem. Canton Queen City, No. 58, Pa- triarchs Militant, of East St. Louis.
Rebekah Lodge, Ruth, No. 10, of East St. Louis. Rebekah Lodge, Leah, No. 21, of East St. Louis. Eureka Lodge, No. 81, K. of P., of East St. Louis; Walter R. Teague, 'C. C .; Albert Durnell, K. of R. and S. Queen City Lodge, No. 410, K. of P., of East St. Louis; J. D. Edmiston, C. C .; C. W. Ridgeley, K. of R. and S. East St. Louis Lodge, No. 588, K. of P .; T. H. King, C. C .; J. M. Perryman, K. of R. and S. Rathbone Company, No. 17, Uniform Rank, K. of P., of East St. Louis; Captain, S. E. Wilson. Treibund, Lincoln Lodge, No. 72, U. O. T. B., of Belleville. Treibund, Ruetli Lodge, No. 21, U. O. T. B., of Belleville. Teu- tonia Lodge, No. 5, U. O. T. B., of Belleville. Rathbone Sisters, of Belleville. Royal Neigh- bors, of Belleville. Union Veteran Legion, of Belleville.
Belleville Commercial Club. East St. Louis Aerie, No. 545, Fraternal Order of Eagles; H. Little, President. Cahokia Court, No. 3165, I. O. F., of East St. Louis; C. H. Way, Chief Ranger. East St. Louis Court, No. 136, Tribe of Ben Hur; Dr. H. G. Hertel, Chief. East St. Louis organization of the Mystic Workers of the World. St. Clair Tent, No. 95, Knights of the Maccabees, of East St. Louis; John Black- burn, Commander. Niagara Tribe, No. 56, I. O. R. M., of Belleville. Tecumseh Council, No. 30, Degree of Pocahontas, of Belleville.
Harmony Temple, No. 43, Rathbone Sisters, of East St. Louis. Abd-ul-Wahab Temple, No. 80, Knights of Khorassan, of East St. Louis. Queen City Senate, No. 508, Knights of the An- cient Essenic Order, of East St. Louis. Irwin McDowell Post, No. 82, G. A. R., of East St. Louis. Louis M. Johnson Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, of East St. Louis. Irwin McDowell Woman's Relief Corps, No. 82, of East St. Louis. William Mckinley Camp, No. 191, United Spanish War Veterans, of East St. Louis; J. E. Miller, Commander. Fraternal Army of Loyal Americans, of Belleville. Belle- ville Pride Hive, No. 50, Ladies of the Macca- bees.
Belleville Chapter, No. 400, Epworth League; Junior Epworth League, of Belleville. Econ- omy Camp, No. 7755, M. W. of A., of East St. Louis; C., S. W. Morgan. East St. Louis Coun-
cil, No. 503, The National Union; President, F. M. McConville. Germania Council, No. 851, Knights and Ladies of Security, of Belleville. Belleville Lodge, Independent Order of Forest- ers. W. C. U., St. Mary's Branch, of Belleville. Mystic Workers of the World, Belleville organi- zation. St. Clair Council, W. D. R. and S. M., of East St. Louis. Cavalier Lodge, No. 49, K. of P., of Belleville. Good Samaritans of Belle- ville.
The following fraternal organizations are rep- resented at Lenzburg: Modern Woodmen of America, K. W. V. (a German lodge), Knights and Ladies of Honor, Red Men, and Royal Neighbors; St. Peter's Benevolent Society; St. Vincent's Orphan Society; St. Joseph's Branch, No. 31, Western Catholic Union; Branch No. 3, Catholic Knights of Illinois; Branch No. 21, Catholic Ladies of Illinois; Branch No. 74, Catholic Ladies of Illinois, and St. John's Dra- matic Club are Catholic societies connected with St. Peter's Cathedral, Belleville.
In East St. Louis are organizations of Catho- lic Knights of Illinois and Knights of Father Mathew.
Belleville, East St. Louis and some smaller towns in the county have numerous labor or- ganizations.
The East St. Louis headquarters of the Sal- vation Army is at 428 Broadway. The work of this organization here has not differed much from the history it has made elsewhere. In a way it has promoted church membership. It has been influential in temperance work, es- pecially in the reclamation of those who have been drunkards for many years. The local work of the Young Men's Christian Association is directed from the Young Men's Christian Association Building at 131 North Third street.
THE SMITHITON FREE SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIA- TION was organized pursuant to a call of Dr. G. G. Bock, President of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Smithton. Fifteen citizens responded to this call, and a temporary organi- zation was effected December 26, 1901, which was made permanent at the next meeting, De- cember 26, 1901. The following officers were elected: Dr. G. G. Bock, President; Rev. W. H. Hosto, Treasurer; George Niess, Secretary and Librarian; Directors-Fred Daab, Frank Yung, A. A. Miller, H. J. Baetje, William Thress, William Brenner, Sr., George H. Lan- nart, Adolph Kunz, Henry Forcade. From the township school fund $175 was borrowed, of
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
which $125 was at once invested in books and $40 in book-cases. There were in the school library at the time of the organization, 126 volumes. The number now is 984. Many of these books have been donated by public-spir- ited citizens and a large portion of the debt has been paid by money raised by entertain-
ments, lectures and the like. The present officers are the same as at the time of founding, with the exception that Miss Ella Eetling is Secretary and Librarian, vice George Niess, and George Seibert is Director in place of Adolph Kunz. The library is in the public school building and is kept open.
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CITIZENS OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
The verdict of mankind has awarded to the Muse of History the highest place among the classic Nine. The extent of her office, how- ever, appears to be, by many minds, but im- perfectly understood. The task of the historian is comprehensive and exacting. True his- tory reaches beyond the doings of court or camp, beyond the issue of battles or the ef- fects of treaties, and records the trials and the triumphs, the failures and the successes of the men who make history. It is but an imperfect conception of the philosophy of events that fails to accord to portraiture and biography their rightful position as a part-and no unimportant part-of historical narrative. Behind and beneath the activities of outward life the motive power lies out of sight, just as the furnace fires that work the piston and keep the ponderous screw revolving are down in the darkness of the hold. So, the impul- sive power which shapes the course of com- munities may be found in the molding influ- ences which form its citizens.
It is no mere idle curiosity that prompts men to wish to learn the private as well as the public lives of their fellows. Rather is it true that such desire tends to prove universal brotherhood; and the interest in personality and biography is not confined to men of any particular caste or vocation.
The list of those to whose lot it falls to play a conspicuous part in the great drama of life is comparatively short; yet communities are made up of individuals, and the aggregate of achievements-no less than the sum total
of human happiness-is made up of the deeds of those men and women whose primary aim, through life, is faithfully to perform the duty that comes nearest to hand. Individual influ- ence upon human affairs will be considered potent or insignificant according to the stand- point from which it is viewed. To him who, standing upon the seashore, notes the ebb and flow of the tides and listens to the sullen roar of the waves as they break upon the beach in seething foam, seemingly chafing at their limitations, the ocean appears so vast as to need no tributaries. Yet, without the small- est rill that helps to swell the "Father of Waters," the mighty torrent of the Mississippi would be lessened, and the beneficent influence of the Gulf Stream diminished. Countless streams, currents and counter currents-some times mingling, sometimes counteracting each other-collectively combine to give motion to the accumulated mass of waters. So it is- and so must it ever be-in the ocean of human action, which is formed by the blending and repulsion of currents of thought, of influence and of life, yet more numerous and more tor- tuous than those which form "the fountains of the deep.'
In the foregoing pages are traced the be- ginning, growth, and maturity of a concrete thing, St. Clair County. But the concrete is but the aggregate result of individual labor. The acts and characters of men, like the sev- eral faces that compose a composite picture, are wrought together into compact or heterogeneous whole. History is condensed biography; "Biography is History teaching by example."
It is both interesting and instructive to rise above the generalization of history and trace, in the pensonality and careers of the men from whom it sprang, the principles and in-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
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