USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 61
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
future by learning the cigar-makers' trade in Madison, Ind. Removing to Columbus, in that State, he served as Clerk of the town for a couple of years. For a decade, beginning with his twenty-first year, he taught in the public schools of Spencer and Dubois Counties, Ind. He continued his educational career in the parochial schools of Belleville, and for five years played the organ in the cathedral. Fail- ing health necessitating a change of occupa- tion, he traveled throughout the country for two and a half years, and again, for five years, embarked in the cigar manufacturing business at Mount Vernon, Ind. For a time he was district agent of the Bankers' Life Iinsurance Company, and is still connected with that con- cern as local agent. In May, 1905, he resigned his position as Police Magistrate and is at present devoting his entire time to insurance and real estate work. Mr. Bedel has served as Alderman of the Fifth Ward, having been elected and re-elected by a large majority. His term as Alderman expires in May, 1907. He is fraternally connected with the Catholic Knights of America.
On October 5, 1875, John A. Bedel married Elizabeth Hurm, who was born in Spencer County, Ind., educated in the parochial schools, and who died in November, 1887. Of this union there were five children-Eleanora, Alphonse, Ambrosia (deceased), Mercedes and Loretta. Mary A. Weis, who became the second wife of Mr. Bedel during July, 1888, was born in St. Joseph, Ohio, and is the mother of eight chil- dren, the order of their birth being as fol- lows: Alois, Anselm, Zita, Cyril, Leona, Myra, Cletus and Claude. As an educator Mr. Bedel was thorough and practical, and as a public servant he is painstaking and honest. Person- ally agreeable and well informed, he enjoys an enviable degree of popularity, as well as the esteem and confidence which his character merits.
BEGOLE, Henry C., Belleville, this. county, Secretary and Treasurer of the St. Louis, Web- ster & Valley Park Railway Company, an in- terurban road in St. Louis County, Mo., in the construction of which he is interested; former- ly liveryman, County Treasurer, and State Sen- ator of Illinois-was born on a farm near O'Fallon, St. Clair County, January 21, 1857, being a son of W. R. and Elizabeth (Porter)
Begole, also natives of this county. Mr. Begole was raised to manhood on a farm and has a public school education. In 1891 he moved to Belleville, and purchased an interest in the livery and undertaking business of Holdner & Company, of which organization he was Pres- ident until 1896. In the meantime he had become interested in mining, and still owns claims in different parts of the country.
A Republican in politics, in 1894 Mr. Begole was elected Treasurer of St. Clair County, and in 1898 was chosen State Senator, serving four years. In September, 1901, he was appointed receiver of the Vandalia Railroad Company, which position he held until 1904. Socially he is a member of the Knight Templars and other Masonic orders, and of the Elks. Through his marriage, January 5, 1887, with Belle Weisenberger, of Collinsville, Ill., one son has been born-H. Clay. Mr. Begole is one of the most popular as well as most substantial and successful men of Belleville.
"BEGOLE, Joshua (deceased) .- Joshua Begole, formerly one of the old residents of St. Clair County, was born in Hagerstown, Washington County, Md., on the 25th of March, 1792. The family was of French origin and belonged to the Huguenots, who were driven from France by the edict of Nantes, in 1685, and from that country emigrated to America. In the year 1805, Mr. Begole's father removed with the family from Maryland to New York, and in the latter State he resided till the spring of 1819, when he went to Detroit, Mich., where, for a time, he was in the employment of Gen. Lewis Cass. In 1820 he went to Cincinnati, and from there came down the Ohio to Shawneetown, from which place he made his way to Kaskas- kia. He found work on a flat-boat which navi- gated the Okaw River. He was at Carlyle when the company which owned the boat failed and suspended payment, leaving him entirely without means. He went to St. Louis in the hope of collecting the debt, and, while there, was employed by Gov. William Kinney, and came with him to St. Clair County. He worked on Kinney's farm one season, and afterward leased the land and raised crops on shares. In 1826 he purchased eighty acres of land in Sec- tion 22 of Township 2 north, Range 8 west, pay- ing for the improved land fifteen dollars an acre, and ten dollars for the unimproved, and
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
having ten years' time in which to make the payment. He was married on the 2d of March, 1824, to Mary Terry. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. John M. Peck. Mrs. Begole's father, George Terry, was born in Virginia. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sallie Linton, was also born in Virginia, on the south branch of the Potomac. Her par- ents started for Illinois immediately after their marriage, and settled in the American Bottom. Mrs. Begole was born in May, 1808. When she was three years old, her mother, who, after her husband's death, married Elder Joseph Chance, moved to Ridge Prairie (Section 15 of Town- ship 2 north, Range 8 west), where Mrs. Begole was raised." (Brink's History, 1881.)
BERNDT, Ernest, one of the progressive and successful farmers of St. Clair County, was born November 17, 1866, at Wurtemberg, Ger- many, son of Christian and Elizabeth (Berger) Brendt, both of whom were natives of the Kingdom named. When Ernest was. three years old his father moved with his family to America and located on a farm near Hillstown, between New Athens and Marissa, and there the boy's earlier years were spent, his educa- tion being acquired in the public schools of that locality. As the result of hard labor and the ability to save money, he was enabled, in 1895, to purchase a farm of eighty-two acres, located two miles southeast of Marissa, which he has since transformed into a pleasant home. By his integrity of character and honest deal- ings he has won the high esteem of all with whom he has associated.
BERNHARDT, Henry, liveryman, of O'Fallon, this county, was born in the place named in the year 1871, the son of Michael and Mary (Coer- solt) Bernhardt, natives of Germany. They settled in O'Fallon at an early day, and, for a number of years, conducted one of the best hotels in that locality. The son Henry received a public school education and then established a business for himself by opening a livery, which today is fully equipped for any emer- gency. Ten horses are kept busy most of the time, and the establishment is well patronized. In 1896, Mr. Bernhardt was married to Julia Roberts, also of O'Fallon, and of this union three children have been born-Minnie, Maude and Hazel.
BERNHARDT, Jacob, hotel proprietor, of O'Fallon, St. Clair County, was born in that place in the year 1865, the son of Michael and Mary (Coersolt) Bernhardt, natives of Ger- many, but likewise among the early settlers of O'Fallon, in which town the father conducted one of its first hotels. Mr. Bernhardt received a common school education, and then began to work in one of the coal mines, later aban- doning this occupation for employment on a section of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1889 he purchased the "Richland Hotel," which he has since conducted. In 1899 he was mar- ried to Anna Grainer, of Alma, and of this union four children have been born-Mattie, Peter, Ernest and William J. Bernhardt. Mr. Bernhardt was the first President of the Coal Miners' Local Union, No. 705, of O'Fallon. Among the fraternities to which he belongs may be mentioned the I. O. O. F. and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
BERTELSMANN, Casper .- The many years that have elapsed since the death of Casper Bertelsmann, May 25, 1887, have not obliter- ated the kindly thought of his pioneer and later association with St. Clair County, to the upbuilding of which he contributed by an hon- est and straightforward character, and his wise and conscientious effort as an agriculturist. Coming to the United States from Germany, where he was born February 2, 1810, he ar- rived in Texas in the fall of 1838, and took up Government land after working for a farmer for a few months, but was obliged to leave the State owing to the depredations of the In- dians. Removing to St. Louis, Mo., he worked in the Jefferson Barracks for five years, and February 15, 1847, married Clara M. Buehl- mann, who was both born and educated in Germany. She was born February 15, 1818, and still resides in St. Clair County, with her faculties unimpaired by her remarkable age. After leaving the barracks he purchased eighty acres of land near Caseyville, this county, six years later disposing of his farm to Edward Gay, and buying 152 acres of land three miles north of Belleville. Later he sold twenty acres of this purchase and farmed the balance until three or four years before his death, when a protracted illness necessitated his retirement from active life, compelling him to remain in bed and avoid all excitement. Though a great
981
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
sufferer, he was patient and kind, being sus- tained by the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, of which he had been a consistent member since early youth. He left four chil- dren -- John, Gertrude, Henry C. and Anna, the wife of Frank A. Lewis. Another daughter, Mary C., married Nicholas Boul and died April 6, 1882, leaving two children, Benjamin A. and Magdalena Boul.
BETHMANN, Robert, the well known and pop- ular manager of the Heims Branch Brewery at East St. Louis, this county, is a native of Trieb- see, Pomerania, Germany, where he was born on January 23, 1851. He is a son of Carl and Minnie (Petri) Bethmann, both of German nativity, the birth place of the former having been the same as that of his son Robert, and that of the latter at Gross Ziegenort. The date of the father's birth was January 4, 1822, and the mother's birthday, February 4, 1827. Carl Bethmann, who was a general brick contractor, came with his family to the United States in 1868, and followed his avocation in Madison County during the remainder of his life.
In early youth, Robert Bethmann made dili- gent use of the educational opportunities af- forded by the public schools of Triebsee, Po- merania, and afterward secured employment with a mercantile firm engaged in the brewing and distilling trade, at Richtenberg, Germany. After locating in this country, on May 1, 1868, he began to work as bell-boy in a hotel at Freeport, Ill. From January 1, 1869, until May 18, 1872, he was a grocery clerk, and at the end of that period until February 18, 1888, represented different firms as commercial trav- eler. Then commenced his connection with the St. Louis Brewing Association, and he has acted in the capacity of manager for the Heims Branch Brewery since May 1, 1896. In this relationship he has manifested fine busi- ness ability and made a first-class record in every way. Mr. Bethmann served for eight years as a member of Company A, Belleville Guards, which organization is included in the Illinois National Guard. He is a Turner and belongs to the singing club and the sharp- shooters, being President of the Western Sharpshooters' Association. He has a strong liking for outdoor sports, and is especially fond of fishing.
On December 24, 1874, at Belleville, this county, Mr. Bethmann was united in marriage with Emma Loeb, a native of that place, where she was born November 11, 1856, and in whose public schools she was educated. In politics, Mr. Bethmann is an unswerving supporter of the Democratic party. In fraternal circles, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M., in which order he is a Knight Templar and a Mystic Shriner, and has taken the Scottish Rite De- gree. He is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P. Mr. Bethmann is one of the most popular citizens of East St. Louis, whose numerous friends are attracted to him by his social qualities and admire him for his business abilities.
BIRSNER, John N., was born in Germany in 1864, receiving his education and learning the brewing business in his native country. In 1882 he located in St. Louis, Mo., and was in the employ of the Stefel Brewing Company, of that city, for a period of fifteen years. After- ward he attended the Brewers' Academy in Chicago, graduating therefrom with a diploma, and subsequently accepting a position with the Star Brewing Company as Superintendent and brew-master.
In 1885 Mr. Birsner was married to Johanna Neidhart and three children were born to them: August J., Ludwig and Harry. In 1901 Mrs. Birsner died, and in 1902 he married Ber- tha Willmann, of Philadelphia.
BISCHOF, Julius, meat inspector in the em- ploy of the employ of the United States Gov- ernment (residence 316 North Illinois Street, Belleville), was born in Belleville, Ill., a son of Jacob B. and Margaret (Vetter) Bischof, was educated in the public schools of his na- tive city and learned the meat business with his father. After the completion of his course in the public schools he spent one year in the Jones Commercial College in St. Louis, gradu- ating therefrom on April 13, 1879. For about twenty years until 1906 he kept a market at 316 North Illinois Street. In 1906 he was made Inspector of Meat by the general Government and assigned to duty at Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a Republican in political faith and a Catholic in religious belief. Mr. Bischof married Miss Lena Link, October 15, 1885, and they have five children.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
"BLANCK, Charles (deceased) .- Among the former prominent business men of Lebanon the name of Charles Blanck deserves to be perpet- uated in the history of St. Clair County. He was born at Malchow, in Mecklenburg Schwer- in, on the 14th of December, 1833. The family had lived in the town of Malchow for several - generations, and there was born Henry Blanck, the father of the subject of this sketch. He carried on the business of a cloth manufac- turer. The first thirteen years of Mr. Blanck's life were spent in Germany. At the age of six he began attending a school connected with the Lutheran church, the studies in which he completed before leaving the old country. In 1846 the family emigrated from Germany to America, landing at New Orleans on the 13th of October, 1846. From that place they came immediately to St. Louis, and after living two months in that city, became residents of Leb- anon. Here, in the spring of 1847, Henry Blanck established a wool-carding machine, which he carried on for a number of years. He died on the 8th of April, 1876." (Brink's History, 1881.)
BLATTNER, Samuel (deceased), son of Ru- dolph and Ferona (Wearlie) Blattner, natives of Switzerland, was born October 27, 1837, in that country, where he was educated in the public schools. In 1849 he came with his father to the United States, locating at St. Louis, Mo., and in the spring of the following year the elder Blattner purchased a farm in Twelve- Mile Prairie, comprising eighty-seven acres, forty of which was timber land. Mr. Blattner was the eldest of four children and remained on the home farm until August 28, 1861, when he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Company M, and served until April 11, 1865. He was in a number of the principal battles of the Civil War, and was taken prisoner No- vember 3, 1862, being confined in the prisons of Cahaba, Ala .; Florence, S. C., and Ander- sonville, Ga. In being transferred from Flor- ence to Goldsboro, he made his escape and reached the Union lines on March 18, 1865. At the close of the war he returned home and worked on the farm for two years, after which he moved to Freeburg. Here he built a house and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1901, when he engaged in mining.
In his religious views Mr. Blattner was lib- eral, while in his fraternal affiliations he was a member of the G. A. R. Politically he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, had been judge of election since 1900, and was serving as Mayor of Freeburg at the time of his death, on the 26th of January, 1904. At the time of his decease he had held the office for four years with the honors due to his standing as a soldier. On December 31, 1862, Samuel Blattner was married to Caroline Blum, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and of this union the following children have been born: Benjamin F., A. Verona, Matilda C., and Catherine M.
BLEIER, Joseph, a well known hotel proprie- tor and liquor dealer of East St. Louis, this county, was born in Hungary in 1859, son of Joseph and Theresa (Mohr) Bleier, both na- tives of that Kingdom. In 1864 Joseph came to America with his parents, who settled on a stock farm near Kansas City, Mo., and in that locality he received his public school educa- tion. He lived at home until 1874, when he went to work for the George Muehlbach Brew- ery Company, of Kansas City, in the capacity of agent and collector. He remained with this firm for eleven years, when he embarked in an independent liquor business, moving to East St. Louis in 1900. In January, 1901, he leased the hotel and bar located at No. 2200 Missouri Avenue, where he has since conducted a very successful and profitable business. Frater- nally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Tribe No. 115. On September 5, 1873, he was united in marriage to Theresa Stifter, who was born and educated in Kan- sas City, Mo., and to them have been born two children, Frank J. and William E.
BLUM, Robert, who is engaged in blacksmith- ing in Lebanon, this county, was born in Belle- ville, Ill., January 20, 1854, his parents, Adam and Margaret (Liebig) Blum, being natives of Germany. Adam Blum emigrated to America during the great cholera epidemic of the last century, and settled in Belleville, where he fol- lowed the trade of a blacksmith. Subsequently he inoved to Lebanon, his son Robert being then ten years of age. The father opened a shop in Lebanon, in which Robert, after com-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
pleting liis rudimentary studies, learned black- smithing. In 1887 the son took charge of the shop, and has since carried on the business, with the addition of general repair work and the sale of farm implements.
Mr. Blum was married, in 1876, to Josephine Schmidt, a native of St. Louis, and a daughter of Celestine and Cordelia Schmidt, an old set- tler. By this union he has become the father of the following children: Julius, Robert, Jr., Ida, Williamn, Adam, Delia, Margaret, Hilda, and Cornelia. Mr. Blum has served as Tax Collector, and the office is now held by his son, Adam Blum.
BOCK, Gustavus G., a prominent and success- ful physician and surgeon of Smithton, St. Clair County, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, May 27, 1858, son of Gustavus C. and Henrietta (Rindt) Bock-tlie mother being also a native of that city and the father of Germany. After at- tending the public schools, Gustavus decided to study medicine, and entered St. Louis Med- ical College, from which he was graduated in 1882. He then began the practice of his pro- fession at Smithton, in partnership with his father. At that time they were the only phys- icians of the place and their partnership was continued for two years. The death of the fa- ther occurred July 12, 1902. With the excep- tion of the association mentioned, Dr. G. G. Bock has continued to practice alone, and by his industry and faithful devotion to his chosen work he has built up a large and lucrative clientage.
Generally speaking, Dr. Bock is a Republic- an, although he is independent to a large ex- tent in political affairs, giving his support to the man who in his judgment is best qualified to fill the office under consideration. He has served his village as Alderman for six years, and has held the honorable position of Mayor of Smithton since 1896. He has also served as School Director and Village Treasurer and held other minor offices. Socially he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Turnverein. On May 27, 1883, Dr. Bock was married to Lulu R. Risser, who was born in Troy, Ill., and educated in the public schools. They have the following four children: Hen- rietta, Edmond Alvin, Lillian Pearl and Flor- ence Rowena.
BOERNER, John, whose early industry in farming lias enabled him to retire from active life on a comfortable competence, was born in Millstadt Township, this county, in 1848, son of Casper and Catherine (Rodewich) Boer- ner, both natives of Germany, the mother's birth occurring in Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1862 they emigrated to the United States and lo- cated in St. Clair County, where the father had purchased 162 acres of land west of Mill- stadt. John Boerner was educated in the pub- lic schools of the latter city, and subsequently followed farming on the home place until 1900, twenty-two years of which time he ran a threshing machine. He is a stockholder in the mill and the brewery at Millstadt, and has been a member of the School Board. In 1904 he erected a home in Millstadt, which is one of the finest in the city. In 1882 Mr. Boerner was married to Mary Hartman, a native of St. Clair County, and of this union the follow- ing children have been born: Amanda, Freda, Caroline, Ella, Otellia, Mary, Olga and Milton.
BORDERS, Michael W. (deceased), formerly an extensive landowner and farmer of Southern Illinois and a prosperous pioneer merchant of Marissa, St. Clair County, was a native of Ran- dolph County, Ill., where he was born June 6, 1821. He was a man of highly reputable family connections, and was a son of Major Andrew and Martha (Clark) Borders, whose early home was in the South. Major Borders was among the first settlers of Illinois, and a representa- tive of that sturdy band of rugged pioneers who heroically confronted the hardships, pri- vations and perils of frontier life, and assisted in laying the foundations of the present abound- ing prosperity of a great State. He came from South Carolina to Randolph County several years previous to the birth of Michael W. Bor- ders. The entire region was then a wilderness infested by roving Indians and wild ani- mals. The Indian tribes were hostile, and were a constant menace to the infant settle- ments, whole families being massacred after Major Borders located in that section. After a most industrious, honorable and useful life, this worthy pioneer passed away in the year 1864.
In early youth Michael W. Borders assisted his father in clearing and tilling the land, ob-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
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taining an educational smattering by occa- sional attendance at a primitive subscription school, some distance from his home. After reaching manhood he applied himself to farm- ing on his own responsibility, commencing on forty acres of land which was a gift from his father. By means of thrifty management and persevering toil, Mr. Borders soon began to reap the rewards of deserving husbandry, and gradually added to his landed holdings until 1874, when he abandoned agricultural pursuits and established his home in Marissa, still re- taining his ownership of his farming properties in Randolph County. At the time of his re- moval these possessions aggregated more than 1,500 acres of fenced land, the title to which remained in his name until his death in 1889. The mercantile career of Mr. Borders was as successful as his previous experience as a farmer, and he continued to prosper until he had amassed a considerable fortune. He was, moreover, so just and equitable in his deal- ings, so upright in character, and so conscien- tious and faithful in discharging the obligations pertaining to all the relations of life, that he also earned his reward in gaining unbounded respect and confidence. In politics the de- ceased was a Democrat, and in religion, a con- sistent member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Borders was noted for his charitable disposition, and never turned a needy person from his door, bestowing money or food as the necessity required. His generosity to those in distress is illustrated by an incident related by a gentleman who was the recipient of his timely aid. This was a young physician who had just located in Marissa with his wife and child, and had only a meager outfit of medical instruments and a horse. On account of the healthfulness of the season the services of the doctor were in little demand, and he was soon reduced to severe straits. Mr. Borders called him into his store, on a certain occasion, and asked him, in a manner as delicate and considerate as possible, if he needed financial assistance. When the young man explained his circumstances, Mr. Borders counted out and gave him $500, refusing to take a note for the amount. This act of benevolence carried the doctor through the first emergency of his professional life, and paved the way to his future success.
On February 28, 1845, Mr. Borders was united
in marriage with Rachel Alcorn, of Randolph County, Ill., where she was born in 1823, her marriage occurring when she was twenty-two years of age. Eleven children were the result of this union, six of whom died in infancy. The others were Mary Jane and Martha Ann (de- ceased; Lida (Mrs. Glenn) ; William E., a rec- ord of whose life appears on another page of this volume; and Emma (Mrs. Wyllie). The mother of this family is now called "Grandma" by all who know her. She is a member of the. United Presbyterian Church, and has lived a Christian life since her fifteenth year. Her fidelity to her Christian principles and to her church has endeared her to all who enjoy her acquaintance, and she is still an honored leader in the home missionary work of her church. During her husband's life, she was his stead- fast and sympathetic helpmeet in deeds of charity. Together, hand in hand, this good old couple traveled life's highway, 'mid storm and sunshine, and the surviving one looks upon her departed companion as having just "gone before," confidently and serenely awaiting her reunion with him in the blissful realm beyond, where both shall enjoy everlasting communion with their Savior.
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