USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 66
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Mr. Emery is social, sincere, honest and pro- gressive. While at Belleville he took an active
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
interest in all the progressive movements of the place, and at one time, as a member of the firm of Harding & Emery, donated five acres of land as a site for the establishment of the glass works. Mr. Emery now lives at 614 North Fourteenth Street, East St. Louis. Mr. Emery has lived in St. Clair County for a period of forty-nine years, all but one year of which has been passed in Belleville. During all this time Mr. Emery's reputation as a man of integrity and honesty has stood above re- proach, and he has enjoyed the confidence of all the citizens of Belleville.
EMUNDS, Henry, florist, operating in part- nership with his brother-in-law, G. J. Kissel, under the firm name of the West End Floral Park Company, Belleville, is a native of Ger- many, born in 1861. Arriving in America in 1883, he found employment with a florist in Sterling, Ill., for three and a half years, and then continued in the same occupation in Kan- sas City, Mo., for three years. After a year and a half with a florist in St. Louis, he came to Belleville and worked for the St. Clair Floral Company until 1895, and then started his present business on a small scale, increas- ing its capacity as trade came his way and his reputation for ability and reliability be- came established. A true lover of nature and its many manifestations of beauty, he takes keen delight in his work, proving the popular assertion that congenial occupation means suc- cess. In the summer season he averages 50,000 plants and bulbs, which cover more than four acres of land and are partially protected by nearly 20,000 feet of glass. He has practical devices for heating his greenhouses and always employs competent and painstaking helpers. Mr. Emunds is a public spirited and progressive citizen, taking a keen interest in the welfare of his adopted town and adding to its business standing by his own worthy and successful ef- forts. He is a member of the Society of Amer- ican Florists and, fraternally, is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His family consists of his wife, who was formerly Emma Kissel, of Belleville, and two children. Mr. Emund's office is at 1401 West Main Street; his greenhouses and residence at 2200 West Main Street.
ENGELKE, Fred, President of the New Baden Milling Company, of which his nephew, Frank Ernst, is Secretary and Treasurer, was born
in Germany April 17, 1844, a son of Frank and Josephine (Brenike) Engelke, and grand- son of Joaquin Engelke and Bernard Brenike. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Engelke emi- grated to America, and, with a brother who had preceded him to St. Louis, engaged in the milling business until 1872. He then spent a year in New Orleans, and in 1873 came to Belleville as Superintendent of the Crown Mill- ing Company, retaining that position for two years. He then purchased and operated a mill at Ruma, Ill., disposed of the same at the end of two years, and returning to Belleville in 1890, erected a mill at New Baden, now con- ducted by his nephew and partner, Frank Ernst.
Mr. Engelke is one of the foremost German- American citizens of Belleville, doing credit to the town with his high character and business ability, as well as by his taste and public spiritedness which have prompted him to erect what is considered one of the finest and most artistic residences in St. Clair County, located on East First Street. Mr. Engelke subscribes to the principles of the Democratic party, and in religion is a Roman Catholic. His family consists of his wife (formerly Louise Karr, whom he married in 1880), and of a son, John F. Engelke.
ENGLEMANN, Theodore Erasmus (deceased), was born in Rheinish, Bavaria, Germany, July 16, 1808, the son of Frederick T. and Elizabeth (Kipp) Englemann, natives of the same prov- ince in which their son was born. The family came to America at an early day, in 1833, set- tling in St. Clair County upon a farm near Shilo. Here they devoted themselves to agri- cultural pursuits until their death.
Theodore E. Englemann was educated in the public schools with a later course at a German university. He had prepared himself for the legal profession, but found that extra knowl- edge and skill would be required; hence, he went to St. Louis to take the necessary studies, and to perfect himself in the English language, after completing which he returned to Belle- ville and hung out his sign. For a time he was associated with his brother-in-law, Gov- ernor Koerner.
On the sixth of August, 1845, Mr. Englemann was married to Gertrude Kribben, of Cologne, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, and of this union four children were born: Bertha, who married Henry Kercher, and is now deceased;
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Emily, the wife of Dr. George Englemann, who is deceased; William B., and Anna J. In 1860, Mr. Englemann retired from active labors and moved to his farm of 380 acres, located in what is now called Englemann Township (named in his honor), four miles due south of Mas- coutah. Here he erected a fine residence on what is perhaps the most sightly location in that part of the State. Mr. Englemann was a Democrat in his political connections, and for some time served as Deputy Circuit Clerk, as Clerk and as Recorder for the county. His decease occurred March 7, 1889, his wife sur- viving until November 17, 1896. Both parents are buried in the old family cemetery near Shiloh. The homestead is the joint possession of the two remaining children-W. B. and Miss Anna J.
ERHARDT, Anton, President of the Tower Grove Coal Company, and one of the prominent business men of Belleville, this county, was born March 4, 1862, in Wedenburg, Germany, a son of Joseph and Rosina (Braun) Erhardt, natives of the same country. Mr. Erhardt re- ceived the practical school and home training of the average youth of the fatherland, and at the age of twenty-two came to America, and near Defiance, Ohio, worked at farming and butcher- ing for about five months. For the following year he worked in a foundry in Iowa, and in 1884 found employment in a brick yard in Belleville. Five months later he became inter- ested in the development of coal, and June 6, 19.02, organized the Tower Coal Company, of which he since has been President and Man- ager. The other officers of the company are: Herman Sehr, Secretary and Trustee; George Schick, Treasurer; Louis Knab and John Shick, Trustees. The company leases thirty acres of land of Adolph Neihoff and wife, upon which they have located a seven-foot vein of coal, and on the average employ sixteen men. The trade is purely local, but the mine is prov- ing a paying investment, netting the stock- holders a comfortable income.
Mr. Erhardt is a consistent Democrat, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He has an interesting family of six children, named Rosa, Clara, Anton, Joseph, Edward, and Mary. Mrs. Erhardt was formerly Clara Hardi, a native of New Orleans, La., and her marriage occurred April 26, 1890.
ERNST, Edward, A., was born July 2, 1870, at Summerfield, this State, a son of Edward and Minnie Ernst. He attended the public schools of that place, and at the age of eleven years started out to work, first being employed until he was eighteen as a miner, a cooper and a farmer. In 1892 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and there started a restaurant, which he conducted until January 16, 1904. He then located in East St. Louis and opened a res- taurant at No. 14 Collinsville Avenue. Just previous to this he was ill for seven months, and during that time two of his children died. Mr. Ernst conducts a first-class restaurant, sanitary in all its appointments, and it is patronized by the best people in town.
In religion, Mr. Ernst is a Lutheran, and politically, votes the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Metropolitan, and the Order of Knights of Columbus. On Feb- ruary 8, 1893, Mr. Ernst was married to Eliza- beth Nagel, who was born in Summerfield, where she attended the public schools. They became the parents of two children, namely: Hazel, born September 6, 1894, and Bertha, May 17, 1896.
ERWIN, Thomas, last of the charter members of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, which was organized in his house in Meadville, Pa., in 1867, died at his home, Fifth Street and Illinois Avenue, East St. Louis, October 14, 1906. He had lived in East St. Louis since 1873, and was one of the most remarkable men that city has ever known. For many years he was in the saloon business. As a saloon-keeper he was a unique character, with possibly no equal in America. He never touched a drop of liquor, nor used tobacco in any form. Neither did he use profane language, and when the conversation in his saloon bordered on the vulgar, he entered a protest at once that brought the talk back to good language or stopped it altogether. His saloon was known as "The Governor's Bar," because he was pop- ularly known as "Governor Erwin"-not that he had ever been elected to such an office, but because he ruled men of his circle by sheer strength of character. During the first term of Mayor M. M. Stephens, Mr. Erwin served as Lieutenant of Police, while M. J. Walsh was Chief. It was in his earlier home in Meadville, Pa., in 1867, that the Ancient Order of United
In M Stocky
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Workmen was organized, and all the charter members of that order are now dead, Mr. Erwin having been the last to succumb. He joined Jefferson Lodge No. 1, of Meadville, Pa., and never took a transfer. All his life he was an active worker for the order he helped to or- ganize.
FAHEY, Frank X., foreman in the range de- partment of the Wilson Stove and Manufactur- ing Company, was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1870, and his education was obtained in the local public schools. Early in life he took up the vocation of range making, and is, today, one of the most expert operators in that line of business. In 1903 he accepted a position in the range department of the Wilson Stove and Manufacturing Company, and is considered one of the most reliable and competent employes of that concern. Socially, he is a member of the K. of C., and the K. of F. M. In 1901 Mr. Fahey was married to Mary L. Tearney, who was born in St. Louis.
FARRIS, L. E., foreman of the sheep depart- ment of the National Stock Yards at East St. Louis, St. Clair County, is an Illinoisan, born in 1841. He was reared on a farm, and enjoyed a public school education. From 1862 until the close of the Civil War, Mr. Farris served in the Union army, as First Lieutenant of Company I, First Regiment, Ohio Artillery. In 1884 he came to East St. Louis and began his connec- tion with the stock yards. Five years later he was appointed foreman of the sheep department there, having retained the position continu- ously. Mary Dunham, a native of Ohio, be- came the wife of Mr. Farris, and to them were born two children-William B. and Benjamin E. Mrs. Farris died in 1881.
FAULBAUM, Herman A., contractor and builder of Belleville, Ill., and son of August and Ida (Diesky) Faulbaum, natives of Ger- many, was born in Belleville, August 9, 1875, and was educated in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the car- penter's trade with William Wiemer, remaining with his employer until 1900, when he entered into a building partnership with William Glueck. Three years later he severed this con- nection and became the partner of Edward Sontag, locating on B Street in March, 1903.
From there he removed to his present location at 108 West Second Street. Mr. Faulbaum is a successful builder, and many of the finest resi- dences and public buildings in the town are due to his skill and understanding of his busi- ness. He is a Republican in politics. January 2, 1902, he was united in marriage with Ma- thilda Groff, who was born in Red Bud, Ill., September 8, 1879, and they have one son, born December 17, 1903.
FAULKNER, John J., one of the most enter- prising and favorably known citizens of East St. Louis, St. Clair County, who was for a number of years prominently identified with various civic, literary, educational and social functions in the different localities where he previously resided, and is now acting in the capacity of General Agent of the American Book Company, at East St. Louis, is a native of the State of Nebraska, where his birth took place at Falls City, Richardson County, No- vember 5, 1861. He is a son of George and Lu Emma (Songer) Faulkner, natives of Mont- gomery County, Va., who moved from the Old Dominion to Nebraska in 1857. George Faulk- ner was a farmer by occupation, and aside from his successful pursuit of agriculture, was active in politics and prominent in fraternal and pub- lic affairs. From the time when he established his home in the West until the close of his busy life, he was one of the most conspicuous figures in Eastern Nebraska. He served as a Rep- resentative in the Territorial Legislature, held the office of Sheriff of Richardson County, and filled other positions of official responsibility. He was a veteran of the Mexican War, in which he rendered valorous and faithful service. Po- litically, he was allied with the Democratic party; religiously, his convictions were in har- mony with the creed of the Methodist Church. George Faulkner's earthly career was terminated by death June 20, 1893; his wife passed away June 15, 1905. To them were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Mary, John J., Charles W., Susan, Belle, Alice and Allive.
In boyhood, John J. Faulkner attended the public schools convenient to his home in Ne- braska, and by diligent application obtained a good common school education. His early youth was passed on the paternal estate, where, except when engaged in study, he made himself useful on the farm. On reaching maturity he
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
became a teacher, and subsequently was elected County Superintendent of Schools. At a later period, he was successively occupied as editor and publisher of a newspaper, and as Gen- eral Agent for the American Book Company, and in both of these relations increased his reputation as a man of superior capacity and unusual energy. In 1892, he changed his resi- dence from Falls City to Lincoln, Neb., and in 1897, moved from the latter place to East St. Louis.
The marriage of Mr. Faulkner occurred at Falls City, Neb., August 15, 1883, when he was united in wedlock with Sarah Agnes Abbey, who was born in Warren, Jo Daviess County, Ill., and is a daughter of Wallace W. and Alzina Abbey. Her father is a veteran of the Civil War. He has been prominent in the agricul- tural, political and business affairs of Nebraska, and has filled various city, county and State offices, serving in all with marked efficiency and fidelity. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner are the parents of a son, Worthe Wallace Faulkner, born Feb- ruary 4, 1887.
In his early years as a voter Mr. Faulkner was a Democrat, but in 1888 became estranged from that party on the tariff issue, and since then has co-operated with the Republicans. In 1884 he was elected School Superintendent of Richardson County, Neb., on the Democratic ticket, but represented a Republican constitu- ency at a later period, when serving as City Clerk of Falls City, same county. Religiously, Mr. Faulkner is inclined toward the Methodist faith, although his family are attendants of the Episcopal Church. Socially, he is a member of the St. Clair Country Club, of which he is Sec- retary. In fraternal circles, he is identified with the K. of P. and the B. P. O. E. With the former organization he has been affiliated since 1882, and is now officiating as Past Chancellor and Deputy at Large. He joined the Elks in 1901. He is a member of the Grand Lodge in both of these orders, and is very active in both. He has served as Secretary of the Illi- nois Elks Association two years, is District Deputy for the Southern Illinois district, and has been District Deputy at Large in the Knights of Pythias for three years. He is a man of versatile qualities, is generally known as a "good mixer," and has long taken an ac- tive and prominent part in social, fraternal and political affairs. Mr. Faulkner is very popular,
and has both an extensive and cordial ac- quaintance.
FAUST, Nicholas (deceased), was born March 12, 1833, at Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, son of Nicholas Faust, also a native of the Empire. At the age of five years he came with his parents to St. Clair County, and located in Stookey Township. After receiving a private school education he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade, and in 1852 went to California, where he worked at gold mining for five years. He then returned to St. Clair County, rented a farm, and engaged in agricul- ture until 1864, in that year purchasing a place situated on the line between St. Clair and Clinton Counties and operating it for nine years, when he bought other land located two and a half miles south of Lebanon. This he cultivated and made his home for the succeed- ing twenty-nine years. He then invested in 148 acres on Section 4, Mascoutah Township, living here in retirement until his death, which occurred June 20, 1902. In politics, he was a. supporter of the Democratic party, and in re- ligion, a faithful adherent of the Catholic Church.
On June 5, 1858, Mr. Faust was united in marriage to Mary L. Pfeiffer, who was born February 12, 1840, in St. Clair County, where she received her education in private schools. Her parents were Sebastian and Catherine (Wetzer) Pfeiffer, both natives of France. Of the seven children born to them, Mary L. is. the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Faust became the parents of the following children: Mary, born March 20, 1859, who became the wife of Peter Rasp; George, born September 1, 1860, who married Annie Reiger, and is the father of four children; and Nicholas A., whose birth occurred October 20, 1865, and who has successfully con- ducted the farm since the death of his father.
FEKETE, Alexander, M. D., was born in Buda- Pesth, Hungary, and there received his pre- liminary education. He studied medicine at. Vienna. He took an active part in the Hun- garian Revolution (1848-49), fighting on the side of Louis Kossuth, whom he accompanied, in 1850, to America. He was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College in 1854. For three years during the Civil War he was Sur- geon of the Fifth Missouri State Militia Cav-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
alry. After the war he established himself in his profession in East St. Louis He has been Assistant County Physician, City Health Officer, and several times President of the Board of Health. Besides, he ably served his fellow townsmen as Postmaster of East St. Louis. His office is at 3241/2 Collinsville Avenue.
FEKETE, Thomas Louis, real estate, insur- ance and loan agent, 324 Collinsville Avenue, East St. Louis, was born at Aviston, Ill., April 7, 1856, a son of Dr. Alexander and Kate (Fisher) Fekete; was educated in the public schools of East St. Louis and at the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo., and has been engaged in his present business since 1875. Not only is he President of the Thomas L. Fekete Company, but also of the Modern Building & Savings Association and the St. Clair Turnpike Company, is also Vice- President of the First National Bank of East St. Louis and the Illinois Trust Company, and a Director in the East St. Louis & Suburban Railway Company. In politics, Mr. Fekete is a Republican, has served as President of the East St. Louis Board of Education (1894-95), and Postmaster of the city of East St. Louis from 1897 to 1901, retiring from the latter of- fice by resignation. He was appointed aide- de-camp on the general staff of the Illinois Na- tional Guard, with the rank of Colonel, by Gov. Richard Yates, July 19, 1902, and served through Governor Yates' term. He is President of the One Hundred Thousand Club of East St. Louis, one of the governors of the Mis- souri Athletic Club, and a member of the Mer- cantile Club of St. Louis, Mo. Long a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Mr. Fekete is iden- tified with East St. Louis Lodge, Tancred Commandery, Knights Templar of Belleville, the Oriental Consistory of Chicago, and Moo- lah Temple, Mystic Shrine, St. Louis, Mo. He is also an Elk, and a member of Eureka Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fekete was married June 22, 1881, to Charlotte J. Le Beau, and they have six children, namely: Thomas L., Ophelia F., Robert A., Forest F., George E. and Josephine C. A study of the history of East St. Louis will show that Colonel Fekete has long been one of its foremost citizens, and that he has had as much to do with the promo- tion of its advancement as any other single in- dividual. His residence is at 1018 Pennsylvania Avenue.
FELLNER, Peter, President and Manager of the Horn Dry Goods Company, of Belleville, this county, was born April 15, 1866, in Ba- varia, Germany, and is the youngest in a fam- ily of two sons and three daughters born to George and Margaret (Zitzmann) Fellner. His parents were natives also of Bavaria-the father born December 11, 1827. His paternal grandfather was John Fellner, also of Bavaria. Mr. Fellner arrived in America with seventeen years to his credit, the possessor of good health and spirits, but of little capital, locating in Belleville whither a brother had preceded him six years before. Securing employment in the dry goods store of Kanzler Brothers, he re- mained with that nrm for eleven years, after- ward entering the employ of Horn & Roden- heiser. When Mr. Rodenheiser withdrew from the business in 1895, Mr. Fellner found that his business ability and faithfulness were ap- preciated by Mr. Horn, who made him the Manager of the store. Shortly after the death of Mr. Horn, in 1897, a corporation was formed of which Mr. Fellner became President and Managing Director, operating under the firm name of the Horn Dry Goods Company.
On November 22, 1887, Mr. Fellner married Katie Trenz, a native of Summerfield, Ill., and who was educated in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Fellner have been born five chil- dren: Olive, Thekla, Othmar, Clothilda, and Alfonso.
FERNAU, August, for many years of his ac- tive life a cigar manufacturer of Belleville, and whose death, February 21, 1889, is recalled as a distinct loss to the community, was born in Kur Hessen, Germany, August 22, 1836, and when nine years old came to America with his parents, John and Elizabeth Fernau, also na- tives of Germany. Settling in Baltimore, Md., he attended the public schools of that city, in time being apprenticed to a cigar maker, and thereafter following the trade until coming to Belleville in 1857. Starting a cigar shop on West Main Street, he was successful beyond his expectations, the growth of the business necessitating larger accommodations. Manu- facturing cigars, and dealing in pipes, tobacco, and general smoking accessories, Mr. Fernau finally accumulated a competence, and as a business men won the complete esteem and confidence of the home community. The wife, who survives him, was formerly Louisa Krauss,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
of Germany, their marriage taking place Oc- tober 5, 1859. Of the union were born five children: Herman, Johanna, Ida, Alfred, and Walter.
FICKINGER, Peter, Jr., stationary engineer, of Belleville, this county, was born in Germany in 1866, son of Peter and Anna (Schuper) Fick- inger, both of whom were also natives of that country. When six years of age, the boy came to the United States with his father, who, after a short residence in Kansas, moved to Belle- ville, where Peter obtained his education in the public schools. Here for many years the senior Fickinger engaged in the brewery business. The son secured a position with the George W. Stanley Company as stationary engineer, which he held for six years. When the Port Glass Company was organized, Peter Fickinger ac- cepted a similar position of stationary engineer and has since been continuously employed by that company. In 1896 Mr. Fickinger was united in marriage to Anna Gaebelt, who was born and educated in St. Clair County, and by this union has become the father of two chil- dren-Joseph and Hubert.
FIETSAM, Sebastian (deceased) .- Prior to his death, September 9, 1889, there had been few men connected with the upbuilding of Belle- ville of such diversified usefulness as Sebastian Fietsam. Merchant, politician, journalist, and promoter of education, morality and good gov- ernment, he was a typical representative of the transplanted German, keen witted, and wide awake to surrounding opportunities. Born in Hesse-Nassau, Prussia, Germany, December 28, 1818, he was a son of Henry and Judith (Monken) Fietsam, and it is presumed that his youth held little of educational or other ad- vantage, save that of simple living and abundant occupation. At the age of eighteen he sailed to the United States, locating in Fayetteville, St. Clair County, where he conducted a general store until his establishment was burned. With sadly depleted fortunes he arrived in Belleville, glad of the position of clerk in a mercantile establishment, but he soon after made himself so indispensable to his employers that his sal- ary and influence increased accordingly. From the commencement of his arrival in the country he espoused the Republican cause, and in Belle- ville, which had need of high minded and in-
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