USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 71
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"When asked if he thought the country really accursed, Hecker said that it was a good enough country without the chills and fever, but certainly accursed with them. Then, separating the two, he turned the resources of his extraordinary vocabulary on the chills and fever. When he was out of breath he told Schurz that this was what he had to expect from an old revolutionist who had to live on quinine pills.
"He quieted down before dinner, and when dinner was ready, brought in the two farm hands to dine with the family and the guest, to show that, with liberty, fraternity and equal- ity, one man was as good, politically and so- cially, as another. After the politics of the United States and the world at large had been
discussed, and the dinner was over, Hecker found something had gone wrong on the farm for which one of the men whom he had just shown liberated was responsible. Then Schurz reports that fraternity did not prevent the great liberator from giving the offender a dressing down, which, for fluency, vigor and richness of language, he would not have thought possible if he had not actually heard it."
Commenting still further on Colonel Heck- er's "fluency" and "richness of language," as an orator, the correspondent adds:
"When he turned himself loose before an audience he was carried away by his own flow of ideas, expressed in a flow of words which swept any sympathetic audience irresistibly with him. Perhaps no one but Victor Hugo in French has gone beyond Hecker's German. In closing a Fourth of July speech at Trenton, Ill., in 1871, he suddenly changed from the commonplace to the imaginative and called up before the minds of his hearers a mighty spirit to speak to them of the future.
"'I am the destiny of the old world-I am America,' he said, 'and I will plant the banner of the deliverance of humanity in every land. I will take away hunger from the lands of the east. See, I have given them the potato and the golden ear of maize. I have healed their fever-shaken bodies with the bark of the cin- chona. With balm of healing herbs I have re- stored their bodies, and with the aroma of tobacco I have beguiled their cares. With woods and dyes for use and for ornament, I have adorned their houses and I have com- pleted their ships. The steamer, the tamed leviathan and the lightning's writing are my work, and from seashore to seashore my sons have laid iron strands until they have encir- cled the globe. The iron-cuirassed ship and the ram of bronze and the monitor are the children of my brain, and I have taught the laws of the trade winds, and I pour out the treasures of the depths of the sea and of the land for my people, that it may be multiplied and nourished, while, to protect it, I hold over it and its future this bright banner of the stars and stripes, an emblem of freedom and human dignity for all, that beneath it may be a ren- dezvous for the free of the earth. And in this sign I will conquer.'
"The reference to 'cinchona' and 'fever- shaken bodies' goes back to the visit of Schurz
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
to the cabin near Belleville, and explains a great deal to those who think that a price must be paid for everything, with great strength in any one direction bought at the expense of equal weakness in some other. But the Heck- er that Schurz reveals is still heroic, even with the chills and fever."
HEILIGENSTEIN, Christian, one of the ener- getic and highly respected merchants of Free- burg, this county, was born August 8, 1861, and obtained his education in the public schools of that place. He is the youngest of five children born to Frank X. and Anna M. (Fritz) Heiligen- stein, the former of whom was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and the latter of Baden, Germany. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to the carpenter trade which he followed for seven years, then purchased a soda-making outfit and for the following twenty years manufactured soda. He disposed of this business to Xavier Sorg, who now conducts it, and it 1900 he bought stock in the Reichert Milling Company, of which he is one of the Directors. This company handles only wheat and manufactures flour, the capacity of the mill being 600 barrels per day.
In politics, Mr. Heiligenstein is a Democrat, and has held various local offices of importance. When twenty-four years of age he was elected Village Trustee, serving for two years, but would not accept re-election because he desired to make public improvements to which the other Trustees objected. One of the benefits to the city which he did succeed in accomplishing was the lighting of the streets. He served as a member of the Board of Education, of which he was President for seven years; was Town- ship Collector for six years, and held the office of Supervisor a similar length of time. Among his other business interests he occupies the po- sition of President of the Randall Coal Com- pany. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. On November 25, 1880, Mr. Heiligenstein was married to Emma Heizmann, who was born in Freeburg and educated in the public schools of that city, and to them the following six chil- dren have been born: X. H., R. C., M. M., Walter, Emma L. and Christian.
HEIMBERGER, H. R., attorney-at-law of Belleville, this county, and ex-member of the
State Legislature, and Secretary of the Belle- ville Board of Education since June, 1902, was born in the city named November 2, 1870, and on both sides of his family is of German an- cestry. The family was established in St. Clair County by his paternal grandparents, Carl Gustave and Mary (La Fontaine) Heim- berger, both born in Germany, and the latter in Alsace-Lorraine. His father, R. U. Heim- berger, was born on the old homestead in St. Clair County, while his mother, Anna (Her- mann) Heimberger, was born in Germany, be- ing the daughter of Joseph F. and Anna (Brosch) Hermann, natives of Bohemia, Austria.
Mr. Heimberger began his industrial life as a clerk in a St. Louis coal office, and com. menced his legal training with William C. Kueffner, in December, 1889. Upon the death of Mr. Kueffner, in 1893, he completed his law studies in the office of George C. Rebhan, and since being admitted to the bar in February, 1894, has been identified with several law firms of Belleville. He is now located in the First National Bank Building, and is the City At- torney of Belleville. Since casting his first presidential vote Mr. Heimberger has adhered to the principles and issues of the Republican party, and he was elected to the Forty-first Gen- eral Assembly from the Firty-ninth Senatorial District by a large majority. On November 10, 1903, he was appointed public administrator of St. Clair County. Mr. Heimberger is prominent fraternally, being identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Royal Arcanum.
On June 22, 1898, H. R. Heimberger mar- ried Dina Schloerer, who was born in Belle- ville November 9, 1870, and is the mother of William McKinley, born November 15, 1899. A thorough knowledge of the science of law, courtesy and consideration in dealing with his many clients, and a personality which inspires confidence and respect, have been potent factors in establishing the enviable professional stand. ing of this popular practitioner.
HEINEMANN, Henry A., was born November 12, 1834, near Attenbach, Germany, a son of George Heinemann, also a native of that coun- try, and received his education in the schools of his fatherland. When seventeen years of age he came to the United States and settled
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
in New York City, where he resided until the outbreak of the Civil War. His military serv- ice extended only over a year and a half, when he was honorably discharged on account of ill health. After leaving the army he came to Belleville, and engaged in the butcher business, conducting a market at No. 128 East Main Street, where he continued until 1895. He then transferred the business to two of his sons and moved to the west end of the city, where he resided until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 24, 1897. He was interred in Walnut Hill Cemetery.
On December 11, 1862, Henry A. Heinemann was married to Caroline H. Huber, who was born on the Rhine, in Germany, and received her education in Belleville. Her parents were Philip and Wilhelmina (Kelch) Huber, the former born July 9, 1818, in Kekrezhausen, Nassau, Germany, the latter, November 12, 1825, on the Rhine. They are both living and reside with their daughter. Mrs. Heinemann and one brother are the only surviving members of a family of five children. Mr. Heinemann was a Republican, and, in his religious belief, con- nected with the Presbyterian Church. Fra- ternally, he was a member of the Order of Mutual Aid.
HEINEMANN, Julius, meat. merchant of Belleville, this county, stockholder in the re- cently completed ice plant, and member of the School Board, was born in that city in 1867, and was educated in the public schools. The son of Henry A. Heinemann, one of the pio- neer meat dealers of the town, he began at an early age to learn the business, and has con- tinuously engaged in it for the past thirty years. Associated with his father until 1893, he then started a market of his own, and through good management, fair dealing and economy, has amassed a competence. Mr. Heinemann has a neat and well equipped store, and by attendin gto his own butchering, insures to his patrons the most satisfactory of meat products.
HEINZELMAN, John .- One of the oldest and most substantial business firms of Belleville is that of Heinzelman Brothers, carriage manufac- turers. Established in the early 'fifties by John A. Heinzelman, a transplanted German, the business grew apace from a small beginning,
until its output warranted the infusion of new energy and ability in the shape of the sons of the original promoter, who were taken into the concern in 1865. In 1871 the firm name was changed to Heinzelman Brothers, and in 1902 the enterprise was reorganized with John Hein- zelman as President, William Heinzelman as Vice-President, Reginald as Superintendent, and Fred as Secretary and Treasurer.
John Heinzelman, President and senior part- ner, now retired, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 16, 1841, being two years older than Wil- liam, the Vice-President. As the oldest son, he was first to learn carriage-making from his father. Having completed his education in the public schools of Cincinnati and St. Louis, he rapidly advanced to a knowledge of the managerial part of the business, with his brother William, eventually succeeding to the entire responsibility of the senior Heinzel- man. The son, John Heinzelman, is a worthy representative of his ambitious father, takes a keen interest in the political and public af- fairs of his adopted town, and sustains, by his advice, study and practical ideas, the progres- sive reputation of the business with which he has long been associated. His nephews, Reg- inald, Fred and Ed, now associated with him in business, are natives of Belleville, Ill.
HEINZELMAN, William (deceased),-An en- terprise which owes its origin to pioneer en- ergy, and which, after half a century or more of interrupted progress, is representative of the best of its kind in the country, is the car- riage manufactory of Heinzelman Brothers at Belleville. The extremes of the business are aptly indicated by contrast of the small and imperfectly equipped shop started by John A. Heinzelman, some time during the early 'fifties, with the varied and elegantly appointed line of equipage exhibited by Heinzelman Broth- ers at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. Indeed, this exhibit, suggesting the combined research and ability of two generations, is the acme of carriage art, combining strength, harmony and admirable finish.
The elder Heinzelman was born in Germany, and continued his business alone until 1865, when, satisfied that he had developed an indus- try to which his stalwart sons might well de- vote their future, took them in as partners, in 1871 reorganizing the concern under the firm
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
name of Heinzelman Brothers. In 1902 the business was incorporated with John Heinzel- man as President, William as Vice-President, Reginald as Superintendent, and Fred as Sec- retary and Treasurer. The firm manufacture all kinds of vehicles and have a reputation ex- tending far beyond the confines of the State of Illinois. William Heinzelman, Vice-Presi- dent of the firm, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 24, 1843, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. As were all of the sons in the family, he was trained early in carriage manufacture, profiting by the expe- rience of his highly successful and capable fa-
ther. He was a public-spirited and liberal- minded man, thoroughly devoted to his busi- ness and to his children, who have been chris- tened as follows: George W. (a musician), Mrs. Robert L. Merker, Reginald, Edmund, Fred and Grace. William Heinzelman died Novem- ber 3, 1904.
HELLER, Jacob, grocer, 312 Tenth Street, East St. Louis, is a native of Germany, his birth having taken place at Alsace in 1860, his parents being George and Mary (Auselm) Hel- ler, who were also born in the fatherland. He came with them in 1867 to Belleville, where he obtained his education in the public schools, at the completion of which he took up the in- dustry of farming and followed that vocation until he was thirty-nine years of age. He then secured the responsible position of wheat buyer and Superintendent for the Harrison Milling Company, at Imb Station, which he re- tained six years. At the same time he op- erated a general merchandise store at Imb Station and built up a lucrative trade. He removed to East St. Louis in 1905. Mr. Heller is a stanch Republican in politics, and in 1899 was appointed Postmaster at Imb Sta- tion. He was married in 1891 to Lula A. Wild- ing, who was born in Mascoutah, Ill., and they have one child, Charles. Mr. Heller is a pros- perous business man and is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.
HELLER, William S., Assistant Cashier of the Belleville Bank and Trust Company, and a member of one of the early families of St. Clair County, was born in Belleville, November 20, 1876. He is a son of David B. and Ida S. (Cooper) Heller, natives respectively of Lan-
caster County, Pa., and Belleville. As his name indicates, Mr. Heller is of German an- cestry, his family having been established in America by his paternal great-grandfather, Jo- seph Heller, who reached Lancaster County with little to aid him save youth, health and ability, and who, in his adopted State, mar- ried a Miss Bender, of Pennsylvania. His son George, the paternal grandfather, was born in Lancaster County, that State, and married Eliza Cunningham, of the same section of the commonwealth. As a boy, Will S. accompanied his parents to Dallas, Texas., and at the age of seven returned to Belleville, where he at- tended the public schools until his sixteenth year. He then became a general delivery clerk in the postoffice under Mr. Willoughby, and afterward was connected with a brass manu- facturing firm for a year. For the following two years he was bookkeeper for Hartman, Hay & Reis, of the Belleville Nail Mill, and in 1897 entered the employ of the Belleville Savings Bank as clerk. Later he became Assistant Cashier of the Belleville Bank and Trust Com- pany, which position he still holds.
Through his marriage, October 14, 1903, with Huddie Stookey, Mr. Heller became identified with another pioneer family of St. Clair County. Mrs. Heller was educated in Alton, Ill., in Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Mo., and is the mother of one son, Will Stookey Heller. Mr. Heller is a Republican in politics, and fra- ternally is connected with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. With his wife, he is a member of the Baptist Church.
HENRICH, George, a druggist of Mascoutah, this county, was born May 24, 1844, in Jackson, Miss., a son of Frederick and Caroline (Weck- esser) Henrich, natives of Germany, who, after coming to the United States, first lived in Ten- nessee, and then in Mississippi. In the latter State they were engaged in the confectionery business until 1856, removing in that year to a farm at Mascoutah, which had been pur- chased four years previously, cultivating the land and making it the family homestead until their death in 1876. Their youngest son, Wil- liam Frederick, is a carpenter by trade, and resides in St. Louis.
George Henrich received his education in the public schools and Normal University, com- pleting his course in the latter institution
1038
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
when he was but sixteen years of age. He sub- sequently went to Rentchler, where he taught school for five years before his marriage. He then removed to Mascoutah and was appointed Assistant Principal of the high school, which position he held for five years. He purchased the drug business of Theodore Hattenbach, and has followed that occupation since 1871. He also has been agent for the North American Insurance Company since 1872, the corporation which he represents being founded in 1792.
On March 31, 1885, George Henrich was mar- ried to Louisa Harszy, who was born in St. Clair County and educated in its public schools. To them have been born George Philip and Adelia M. C. Mr. Henrich was pre- viously married to Anna M. Theobald, a na- tive of Mascoutah, and five children were born of this union, namely: William P., who is a physician in Mascoutah; Catherine E., wife of K. Kolb, residents of St. Louis; Hilda C. wife of Alvin Knispel, of Bonne Terre, Mo .; Adolphus, now a physician and resident of New Athens; and Luwinga C.
Mr. Henrich is politically affiliated with the Democratic party, and has served as Justice of the Peace for four years. He also held the offices of Notary Public and Assessor of Mascoutah Township, and was a member of the School Board for twenty years. In his re- ligious belief he is an Evangelical Protestant churchman. Socially, he has affiliated with the Masons since 1867 and the Turners since 1874, and also belongs to the Knights of Honor.
HENRY, Albert J., foreman of the Deep Well Water Company's plant at Belleville, is a na- tive of Knoxville, Tenn., and was born in 1852. He was educated in the public schools, and after coming to St. Clair County, in 1866, fol- lowed general farming and stock-raising until 1872. Sixteen years ago he was made foreman of the Deep Well Water Company's plant, his length of service evidencing both his faith- fulness and ability. He is a man of family, having married Eliza Chance, in Peoria, Kans., of which union there are three children-Wil- bur, Lee and Ruthie. Fraternally, he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
HERBST, Charles F., blacksmith, Shiloh, was born July 31, 1860, a son of Fred and Catherine
(Schildknecht) Herbst. His father, who was a blacksmith, was born in Germany in 1818, his mother, January 10, 1823. They were married in Germany. Crossing the Atlantic on a sail- boat, they ascended the Mississippi River, land- ing at St. Louis, Mo., in April, 1844. Thence they drove, with oxen, thirty miles to a point. in Madison County, Ill., where Mr. Herbst. erected a building in which he opened a black- sınith shop. After living there seven years, he died. Charles F. Herbst was educated in the public and private schools in Madison County, but passed most of his youth in the blacksmith shop, for he early developed a desire to adopt his father's trade. After leaving school, he entered the employ of an older brother, who had established himself as a blacksmith. With his brother, he left Madison County in 1878, locating in Shiloh. Mr. Herbst was associated with his brother until 1901, when he engaged in business independently. He was made a Red Man, January 10, 1904, and affiliated with the German Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
HERTEL, Charles .- Charles Hertel, the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Alsace-Lor- raine, France, in 1846. In 1854 his parents, with their children, emigrated to America and located at Belleville, Ill., where they re- sided two years. They then removed to a farm in Stookey Township and, in 1862, pur- chased the farm upon which Charles Hertel now resides. The family consisted of the par- ents and three children. Caroline, the oldest child, died in 1864, at the age of twenty years. Charles is the subject of this sketch and Henry is a successful physician residing at Freeburg, Ill. The father and mother died on the home farm, the former in 1884 and the latter in 1895.
Charles Hertel received his early education in the schools of France, the rural schools of the county and the city schools of Belleville. This was supplemented by instruction under his father's tuition. At Belleville the Messrs. Barnum, Raab and Slade were his teachers. Later he entered the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., from which he holds the degree of M. S.
Mr. Hertel was married to Josephine L. Wild- erman, in 1873, and this union has been blessed with six children: Henry G .; Caroline L., who
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
died in infancy; Mary L., Garfield E. and Clar- ence A.
In 1869 Mr. Hertel entered the teacher's pro- fession and taught successfully for many years. In 1894 he was nominated, against his protests, by the Republican party as candidate for Su- perintendent of Schools. He was elected and his work has been such that he has been three times re-elected. His home, Woodside Farm, is one of the most attractive, productive and best improved farms of St. Clair County. Aside from his profession, Mr. Hertel has achieved eminent success as an agriculturist, stock-rais- er and fruit-grower, and he has made many successful and valuable experiments in the above departments.
HERTEL, Henry George, M. D., office 51/2 North Main Street, with residence at 526 North Twelfth Street, East St. Louis, was born at Woodside Farms, Freeburg, St. Clair County, August 9, 1874, a son of Charles Hertel and Josephine (Wilderman) Hertel. His father, who was born in Lorraine, France, in 1846, is Superintendent of Public Instruction of St. Clair County. His mother came of a pioneer family in this part of the State. Dr. Hertel was
educated at Central Wesleyan College, Warren- ton, Mo., receiving the B. S. degree in 1895, and the M. S. degree in 1898. His early years were spent on the farm, his years from sixteen to twenty in college, except his summer vaca- tions at home. From the age of twenty to twenty-three years he taught in the Bunsen School, Belleville, and in the East St. Louis High School, when he began the study of med- icine and was graduated with the Medical Doc- tor's degree from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., in 1901. Since July, 1901, he has practiced his profession in East St. Louis. He is Professor of Hygiene and lecturer on dis- eases of the chest in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Mo. He was mar- ried at Belleville, June 19, 1901, to Louise Hartnagel, who was born there December 12, 1876. He is an Elk, a Knight of Pythias, a For- ester (I. O. F.), and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He was reared in a Methodist household, but is not a member of any church. Polit- ically, he is a Republican.
HILGARD, Charles W. (deceased), was born January 22, 1839, in Belleville, this county, a
son of Theodore and Emma (Heimberger) Hil- gard, who were both natives of Bavaria, Ger- many. After obtaining a primary education in the public schools he was employed by Mr. Hucks, a hardware merchant; later he turned his attention to the insurance business, being for a time agent for the New York Life In- surance Company, with Belleville and vicinity as his territory. During the Civil War he en- listed as a private in the Twelfth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years and being promoted to the rank of Lieu- tenant in his company. On his return to Belle- ville he again became interested in insurance, which business he followed until his death, which occurred January 21, 1896. He. is in- terred in Walnut Hill Cemetery.
On March 3, 1880, Mr. Hilgard was married to Anna Heimberger, a native of Bavaria, Ger- many, who was educated in the public schools of New York. They became parents of Mo- losch, Harold and Alexander. The eldest son is . a First Lieutenant in the United States Regular Army, now in the Philippines. In his political belief the deceased was affiliated with the Re- publican party, serving two terms as City Treasurer of Belleville, and as Deputy under Sheriff Ropiequet. Fraternally, Mr. Hilgard was a member of the G. A. R.
"HILGARD, Theodore, Jr. (deceased) .- One of the early German settlers of St. Clair County was Theodore Hilgard. He was a native of Rheinish Bavaria, and was born in the town of Zweitruecken. He was educated for the profession of law, but being in sympathy with the Republican movement in 1830, he fell under the displeasure of the Government, and his ad- vancement in his profession was therefore re- tarded, and patronage from that source cut off. In 1832 he came to America, on a tour of observation. He came west to St. Clair County, and was here so much pleased with the fertility of the soil that he purchased a farm near Turkey Hill, on the Mascoutah road. He then returned to Germany and married, and the next year came back and settled on his farm and resided there until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1872. He was one of the pioneers of the German emigration to America, and was instrumental in having others come here and settle. He married Emma Heimberger. She died in 1860. By that marriage there were eight children, four
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