USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 60
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 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Andel was a man of considerable prominence in his locality in the fatherland. He was nota- ble for superior intelligence and broad infor- mation, and followed the profession of a school teacher for fifty-five years. In 1876 he and his wife came to the United States, making their home in Belleville, this county, during the remainder of their lives.
The education of Casimir Andel was obtained at Darmstadt, Germany, and after completing his scholastic course, he embarked in the mer- chandise business. His residence in Belleville dates from 1860. In 1861 Mr. Andel enlisted as a private in Company A, Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and later served as a Sergeant in the Twelfth Missouri Infan- try, remaining with this command until 1864, when he was mustered out as Captain. Not many men, born in a foreign land, fought with greater ardor and gallantry than he to main- tain the prestige of the Union cause. In 1876 he was appointed Colonel of the Eleventh Reg- iment, Illinois National Guard, and during the Spanish-American War commanded the Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, thus making a meritorious record in two wars. The financial career of Mr. Andel is most credit- able and commendable, and his able, long-con- tinued and faithful efforts in the interest of the bank with which his best years have been identified, are fully appreciated by officials and patrons alike. Beginning in the capacity of Cashier of that institution at the age of thirty- four, he has contributed to its prosperity with untiring diligence, sound judgment, keen sa- gacity and absolute fidelity, and his reputation as a wise, conservative and safe financier is firmly established in the commercial circles of Belleville. In the matter of investments, his counsel is considered of great value, and is frequently sought. To him, in no inconsidera- ble degree, is attributable the fact that the First National Bank of Belleville is regarded as one of the most stable and reliable financial institutions in that section of the State.
The marriage of Mr. Andel occurred at Belle- ville, on January 26, 1871, on which date he was wedded to Louise Auguste Kircher, a native of Belleville. Five children resulted from this union, as follows: Josepha, Gisela J., George K., William C. and Coleman E. In politics, Mr. Andel has maintained a some- what independent attitude in recent years.
974
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Until 1872 he was a radical Republican. At that period he inclined toward the liberal ele- ment in public affairs, and afterward supported Democratic policies. During the Mckinley campaign, he was classed as a Gold Democrat; his last vote, however, was cast for Roose- velt. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but entertains a profound re- spect for the doctrines taught by Jesus Christ. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is fraternally affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., B. P. O. E. and K. of P. Wherever known-and his acquaintance ex- tends over a wide region-Casimir Andel is sincerely respected, and held in cordial es- teem.
ANDERSON, Frank, one of the enterprising and progressive young men of Belleville, this county, was born in the city named in 1870, son of H. D. and Mary (Porter) Anderson, the former a native of Missouri, and the latter's birth having occurred in England. The father came to Belleville at the close of the Civil War and has since made this city his home. Frank Anderson was educated in the public schools of Belleville and then took up the vo- cation of coal mining, which he followed until 1892, when he became connected with the Phœ- nix Powder Manufacturing Company, which was organized in Wilmington, Del., for the manufacture of blasting powder. The mill is located in Stookey Township, furnishes em- ployment for thirty-five men and has a ca- pacity of from 18,000 to 20,000 pounds per day. By reason of his strict attention to his duties and the executive ability shown by him during the years of his connection with the company, he was promoted to the responsible position of Superintendent of the works, which he fills with entire satisfaction. In 1892 Mr. Anderson was married to Harriet Charlton, a a native of England, and they have two chil- dren, James, Henry and Charles.
ANDRES, Philip, teacher, residence 207 West B Street, Belleville, was born at Knittelsheim, Rhinepfalz, Kingdom of Bavaria, November 7, 1842, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Maer- dian) Andres. His father was a farmer, but choosing the teacher's profession, he was ed- ucated in the Teachers' Seminary at Speyer-on- the-Rhine. After teaching school six years
in Germany, he came to America, arriving in December, 1865. For a short time he stopped at Alton, Ill., then spent two years in St. Louis, transcribing music and teaching a singing so- ciety. After that he was engaged in teaching for eleven years in parochial schools at Mill- stadt, and seven or eight years in the public schools. From Millstadt he came to Belleville, and after teaching one year in one of the pub- lic schools of that city, he was for six years a traveling agent for the "Belleville Tageblatt." For several years after giving up that employ- ment, he was connected with the tea and coffee trade in Belleville. August 26, 1899, Mr. Andres married Miss Louisa Faas, daughter of Frank Faas, of Millstadt, and they have one son- Walter Andres, a druggist-and a daughter- Mrs. Henrietta Stark-both living in East St. Louis.
BADGLEY, Edward J .- Belleville, as well as many of its surrounding towns, has long prof- ited by the constructive skill of Edward J. Badgley, a leading contractor and builder of a prosperous and promising community. A product of Adams County, Ill., and born Feb- ruary 5, 1853, Mr. Badgley comes of paternal and maternal families which have had much to. do with the early history of Illinois, and which were established here by his grandfathers, Ab- salom Badgley and Solomon Perkins, the for- mer a native of Kentucky, and both large land owners and extensive farmers. His paternal grandmother was Ellen (Enoch) Badgley, and his maternal grandmother, Sarah A. Perkins, of Warren County, Iowa. Both his father, Isaac E., and his mother, Sarah A. (Perkins) Badg- ley, were born in St. Clair County, and he continued to live on their farm in Warren County until his twenty-third year.
With a constitution hardened by regular hours, simple living and outdoor work, Ed- ward J. Badgley came to St. Clair County and worked on a farm for two years, when, owing to the possession of mechanical ability and ingenuity with tools, he turned his attention to carpenter work, and later to contracting and building. His work has included some of the best buildings erected in progressive com- munities, and his reputation is based upon thoroughness, appropriateness, substantiality, and regard for artistic and harmonious lines. Being a natural architect, he has made him-
975
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
self a necessary factor in building circles, has maintained a high standard of work, and is eminently progressive and out-reaching in his tendencies. A stanch Democrat, he has never failed to cast his vote, and he is the friend of good government, education, and practical ad- vancement, being generous in his contributions to worthy causes of all kinds. Through his marriage with Elizabeth A. Hehner, of St. Clair County, December 9, 1881, five children have been born: Calvin J., James Arthur, Mary Ann, Benjamin O., and Emma L. The family are members of the Baptist church.
BAER, Daniel E., a progressive farmer of St. Clair County, was born September 29, 1863, in Madison County, Ill., in whose public schools he was educated. He is a son of Jacob and Anna E. (Langenwalter) Baer, the birthplace of both having been Bavaria, Germany. Jacob Baer emigrated to the United States in 1844, and located in Pennsylvania for a time; then moved to O'Fallon, this county, where he was married and remained a short time thereafter, finally taking up his residence in Madison County. In 1880 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Lebanon Township, near Summer- field, which he has since made his home. He has greatly improved the farm, adding to it new buildings, fences and other conveniences, and at present has one of the best and most highly cultivated places in the township. To him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom the following survive: Samuel S., who married Elisa Riebold; Jacob A., who married Myrtle Pletcher; Catherine, who be- came the wife of John Hirstein; Barbara, who married David S. Ruth; and Daniel E. All of the above still live in the vicinity of the parental homestead.
Daniel E. Baer was married in Summerfield to Anna L. Dalhem, who was born October 10, 1871, in Mascoutah Township, this State, where her education was acquired in the public schools. They have two children, Milton E. and Anna E. In his church affiliations Mr. Baer is a believer in the precepts of the Men- nonite faith, while politically he supports the Republican party. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Baer, while on the maternal side of the family the grandfather was Andrew Langenwalter. They were both natives of
Germany. Gerhart Dalhem, Mrs. Baer's father, was born in Germany and married Elizabeth Groll. He came to the United States at an early day and located in Iowa, making that State his home for a time, and subsequently moving to Lebanon, this county, where he has since resided. Mrs. Dahlem is deceased.
BAILEY, William, mine foreman of the Bor- ders Coal Company, was born in 1863, at Staunton, Ind., and was educated in the public schools of that place. He is a son of Almon and Mary (Gregory) Bailey, the former being a native of Virginia, and the latter of Indiana. After completing his schooling Mr. Bailey be- gan working in the mines and has since fol- lowed that line of industry. In 1891 he went to Old Athens, Menard County, Ill., and was there employed as mine foreman, a position he held for eight years, after which time he moved to Mount Vernon, this State, to assume the office of Mine Superintendent. In 1902 he came to St. Clair County, locating at Marissa, where he accepted the mine foremanship of the Advance Coal Company, and January 1, 1906, resigned that position to accept his pres- ent one. Mr. Bailey's efficiency and careful attention to his responsible duties are demon- strated by the fact that he has never had a serious accident happen to any of the men over whom he has charge. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. In 1890 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Nellie Holmes, who was born and educated in Clay City, Ill., and they have three children, Edward, Earl and William, Jr.
BAKER, Albert J., of the Snyder & Baker Stove Works, Belleville, Ill., was born in 1871 in St. Louis, Mo., a son of Joseph Baker; re- ceived his education in his native city, and soon after leaving school, engaged with his father in the manufacturing of stoves. This business was organized in 1886 by F. J. Snyder and Joseph Baker, for the purpose of manufac- turing all kinds of iron cooking and heating stoves and steel ranges. In 1892 a company was incorporated, with Joseph Baker as Pres- ident, F. J. Snyder as Vice-President, and Al- bert J. Baker as Secretary and Treasurer. The concern employs about two hundred men, and its annual pay roll is about $175,000.
976
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
BALDUS, August .- August Baldus, superin- tendent of the livery and undertaking business of Gundlach & Company, of Belleville, was born in St. Clair County, June 21, 1863, and was reared on the farm of his father, George Baldus, a native of France. The elder Baldus set his son an example of thrift and industry, not only by his emigration from a land which offered less opportunity than the United States, but by his practical success as a farmer and a stock-raiser of St. Clair County. He had other ways also of earning a living, for in France he had learned the cooper's trade, fol- lowing the same for four years after arriving on American shores, in 1848. His son August followed farming until the cyclone of 1896, when the devastation wrought to his fortunes impelled him to enter trade, which he did with the firm of which he has since been a valuable assistant. In 1894 Mr. Baldus mar- ried Augustine Thomas, a native daughter of St. Clair County, who is the mother of four children: Stella, Albert, Edgar and Mildred. Mr. Baldus is highly respected by his fellow townsmen of Belleville, is thoroughly conver- sant with the business of funeral directing, and that of conducting a livery, and by his tact and consideration is maintaining a large and profitable trade in both town and country.
BARTHEL, August, attorney at law, and Su- pervisor of Belleville, this county, was born in Freeburg, Ill., November 3, 1861, a son of Henry and Ann M. (Bump) Barthel, and grand- son of William Barthel and Johannes Bump, all natives of Germany. Mr. Barthel was six- teen years of age when he went to St. Louis to complete his education, and he was only twenty-three when he graduated from the law department of Washington University and opened an office in Belleville. Thinking to better his prospects he practiced law in Kan- sas during the winter of 1888-89, returning to Belleville the following spring, where he es- tablished a legal connection with James M. Hay. In the fall of 1891 he formed a part- nership with James A. Parmer, an association which continued amicably and profitably up to December 1, 1905. He then entered into partnership with Louis Klingel, which con- tinues to the present time. In 1891 he was elected city attorney of Belleville, and in 1898 became Superisor of the town, the term of
the latter expiring in April, 1907. Mr. Bar- thel is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Roman Catholic Church, and, as will be inferred from the above records, is a citizen of ability and broad usefulness.
BAUMGARTEN, Henry .- A tonsorial artist who draws and keeps trade by his skill and geniality, Henry Baumgarten has conducted a business of his own in Belleville since 1898, having learned his trade immediately after completing his education in the common schools of New Athens. He was born in Free- burg, this county, in 1866, his father being John Baumgarten, an early settler of Illinois. In 1893, at Belleville, Mr. Baumgarten married Margaret Medar, who is the mother of five children: Bessie, John A., Maud C., Charles H. and Paul A. The Baumgarten shop, lo- cated on the northwest corner of the public square, is modern and complete in equipment, having bathing facilities in connection with the tonsorial accommodations. Mr. Baumgar- ten is a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Loyal Americans.
BAXTER, Samuel Wallace, attorney at law, East St. Louis, this county, member of the firm of Dempcy & Baxter, and Assistant State's At- torney of St. Clair County, was born in Morgan County, Ill., June 4, 1875, of Scotch-Irish parent- age. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Morgan County and until his sixteenth year resided on a farm. In Sep- tember, 1890, he entered Whipple Academy at Jacksonville, Ill., graduated therefrom in June, 1893. In the following September he entered Illinois College, also at Jacksonville, and grad- uated from that institution with the degree of Ph. B. in June, 1897. For three years after graduation he was engaged in newspaper work as city editor of the "Illinois Courier," at Jacksonville. He began the study of law in September, 1899, with the firm of Worthington & Reeve in Jacksonville. In February, 1900, he was employed by the Bradstreet Company in St. Louis, and while in the employ of that company pursued his legal studies with his class in the St. Louis Law School, graduating therefrom in June, 1902. For the succeeding year he was employed by R. G. Dun & Com- pany in St. Louis, and while admitted to the bar of Missouri, never practiced in that State.
977
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
In October, 1903, Mr. Baxter was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and began the practice of his profession in East St. Louis. In Octo- ber, 1904, he became the junior member of the firm of Dempcy & Baxter.
In politics Mr. Baxter has always been a Republican, and is now editor of the "Repub- lican-News," in East St. Louis. He is also Assistant State's Attorney of St. Clair County, having special jurisdiction of the business in East St. Louis. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His parents were George and Eliza (Cunningham) Baxter.
BECHTOLD, Herman T., M. D .- Since in its higher form success is measured by the fac- ulty of contributing to the well-being of the community, by promoting soundness of health, ethics, education, politics, finance and some of the useful arts of living, the career of Dr. Herman T. Bechtold must be regarded as of substantial benefit to the city of O'Fallon, of which he has been a resident since the begin- ning of his professional career in 1880. Dr. Bechtold comes of a family of which much might reasonably be expected. His father, Frederick William Bechtold, was born in Leip- zig, Germany, and in his youth had the super- ior educational advantages for which that city is famed. His mother, Eugenia (De Basom- piere) Bechtold, was a native of Brussels, Bel- gium, and a niece of that General De Basom- piere who accompanied Napoleon on his ill- fated campaign to Moscow, and witnessed the burning of the city in September, 1812. Upon his arrival in the United States the elder Bech- told located in Belleville, this county, where his son, Herman T., was born November 10, 1853. During the Civil War he served as As- sessor and Collector of Belleville, and subse- quently identified himself with the insurance business for several years. He was a man of great personal worth, strong of intellect and large of heart, and was highly esteemed for his social as well as business qualities.
Dr. Bechtold received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Belleville, and his professional training in the St. Louis Col- lege of Pharmacy and the Missouri Medical College (Washington University), graduating from the former institution in 1875, and from
the latter, in 1880. Having the elements of success, chief among which are perseverance and faith in one's idea, he drew to himself that which he sought as a basis of operations, the confidence and approval of the community of O'Fallon. His forceful personality, rein- forced by his thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of medicine, his practical ideas regarding education, and his capacity for finan- cial accumulation, secured him speedy and permanent place among the foremost men of the town. At the present time he is President of the O'Fallon School Board, a Trustee of Mc- Kendree College at Lebanon, Ill., and second Vice-President of the First National Bank of O'Fallon.
The marriage of Dr. Bechtold and Katie J. Pfeffer occurred September 13, 1883. Mrs. Bechtold was born in Ohio, and was a daugh- ter of Christian and Margaret (Kispert) Pfef- fer. She was educated at McKendree College, and her religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The death of 'Mrs. Bechtold, on December 6, 1904, marked the passing of a rare and beautiful character. Hers was the true culture-tact, kindness, con- sideration and helpfulness-and a sense of ir- reparable loss fell upon the hearts of kindred and friends, to whom she had ever been an inspiration, a source of ready and unfailing sympathy. Dr. Bechtold belongs to the eman- cipated class of professional men, whose mind is open to light, and to whom old-time dogmas are feasible only as they apply to the greater progress and enlightenment of the present. He takes time to investigate the new order of things, and welcomes as part of a great plan the enormous amount of work entailed by his supreme allegiance to a fascinating and inex- haustible science.
BECKER, Charles, President of the Pump and Skein Works, and the Belleville Stove Works, one of the principal industrial enterprises of Belleville, St. Clair County, and a citizen who has served the public well in several important capacities, was born in Rockenhausen, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, June 24, 1840. He is the son of Urban and Mary (Spross) Becker. Ur- ban Becker, a man of uncommon intelligence and mental force, pursued the occupation of an architect and builder during all of his ma- ture life. In 1851, with his wife and children,
978
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
he came to the United States, and settled in Belleville, where the parents spent the remain- der of their days. The father died in 1874, and the mother passed away in 1881. They were people of prominence in the community, were widely respected, and contributed in no small degree to the development and progress of the city of their adoption.
Charles Becker received his mental train- ing in the Belleville schools, and at the age of fifteen years entered the Harrison Machine Works, of Belleville, for the purpose of learn- ing the molder's trade. In this line of work he soon became an expert, and devoted his entire time to it until he was twenty-one years old. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Becker enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Reg- ular Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and on March 8, 1862, he received a dangerous wound in the right thigh. This injury eventually ne- cessitated the amputation of his leg at a point just above the knee. Being thus inca- pacitated for further service, he was honor- ably discharged and returned home. For some time after his return he attended school, and then accepted a position on the clerical force of the Harrison Machine Works. This he filled until a general recognition of his sterling worth and fine capabilities resulted in the assumption by him of a more important public trust.
In 1866, Mr. Becker was elected, on the Re- publican ticket, as Sheriff and Collector of Taxes of St. Clair County. He served thus for a term of two years, and performed the duties imposed upon him with signal ability and fidelity. After the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Becker became associated with Mr. Ehrhardt in the brewing business, but sold his interest to the latter in 1872. In that year he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds of St. Clair County, being the only successful candidate on the Republican ticket at that election, a fact that well attests his popularity with his fellow townsmen. He was re-elected to the office in 1876, his party being again defeated. He was a most earnest and effective worker in the Republican party, and exercised a potent influence in the councils of its local leaders. For six years he acted as chairman of the Republican county central committee. In 1888, his public service as- sumed a broader scope, when he was elected State Treasurer of Illinois, and discharged the
duties of that office with the same ability and faithfulness which marked his fulfillment of previous official trusts.
Mr. Becker was married January 23, 1864, to Louise Fleischbein, of Belleville, and they be- came the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Bertha, Casimir, Gustave and Arthur. For a quarter of a century, Mr. Becker has been prominently identified with the Philharmonic Society of Belleville, and has long been an honored member of several German social and musical societies. A man of strong individuality and unswerving integrity, his influence has always been exerted in the right direction, and he stands high in the esti- mation of the entire community.
BECKER, G. A., Vice-President and Treasurer of the Belleville Stove and Range Company, was born in 1870 at Belleville, this county, and after attending the public schools was gradu- ated from Smith Academy, St. Louis, Mo. The plant with which Mr. Becker is officially as- sociated was incorporated in October, 1881, with Charles Becker as President and F. B. Sattler as Manager. It was organized for the manufacture of jack screws, mining machinery, copying presses, etc. In 1886 there was added to the plant the Belleville Stove Works for the purpose of manufacturing stoves and steel ranges, with the same officers. The latter plant employs 300 men, covers about four acres of ground, and the yearly output is 40,000 stoves. In politics Mr. Becker is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. In 1897, he was mar- ried to Nellie Schlernitzauer, and to them have been born the following children: Marie, Mil- dred and Charles.
BEDEL, John Andrew, appointed Police Mag- istrate of Belleville in September, 1903, to fill the unexpired term of John S. Carson (de- ceased), and succeeding himself in the elec- tion of April, 1904, was born in Madison, Ind., December 5, 1848, and was educated in the parochial schools and St. Meinrad's College, of Spencer County, Ind. His father, Peter, and his paternal grandfather, Leonard, were born in Bavaria, as was also his paternal grand- mother (in girlhood a Miss Buettner). His mother, Mary (Glauber) Bedel, was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, Germany. While at- tending school, John Andrew prepared for the
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.