USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 74
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Munsell Publishing .
, by E 1. Williams 2. Br NY
GOV Thankson
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
105I
offices in East St. Louis and St. Louis. The enterprise furnishes employment to a large force of men and has attained a high repute in the plumbing line, and especially in the build- ing of heaters for use in many of the large cities of the country. The enterprise, small at the beginning, has developed into a great factor in the building world. The company has made a specialty of hospital work, in which it has met notable success. Its operations are car- ried on with military precision, an expert corps of engineers being maintained, who feel a pride in their occupation and in the firm which they represent. The work of the concern is now wholly directed from Belleville. Besides the President, the officials of the company are Theo- dore Karr, Treasurer; and William J. Schlegel, Secretary. In the supervision of his employes, Mr. Karr is strict, but aside from working regu- lations, is very generous, and his men are de- voted to him personally. His influence over them is remarkable, and partly through its ex- ercise he has succeeded in building up an enor- mous business. He is one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of St. Clair County.
Adam Karr was married to Kate Flach, of New Orleans, a daughter of Joseph Flach, President of the New Athens Milling Company. Five children have resulted from this union, namely: Amelia, Adam, Margaret, Edward and Joseph. Politically, Mr. Karr is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Belleville Lieder- kranz, the Kronthal, and the German singing societies of St. Vincent's Orphan Society.
KARR, Theodore, Treasurer of the Karr Sup- ply Company of Belleville, dealers in house heating apparatus, is a native son of that place. He was born December 12, 1845. As his name indicates, he is of Teutonic ancestry, and his parents, Adam and Katherine (Leist) Karr, and his paternal grandparents, Wendelin and Katherine (Schaefer) Karr, were born in Ger- many, as was also his maternal grandfather, Jacob Leist. Adam Karr learned the shoe- maker's trade in Germany, and after locating in Belleville, established a shoe manufacturing plant, which he conducted until his retirement from active life in 1883, his death occurring November 1, 1890. 'T'here were six children in his family.
Theodore Karr owes his education to the public and private schools of Belleville, and
more especially to that spirit of enterprise and determination which prompted him to com- bine study with an unusually early attempt at self-support. He was thirteen when he be- gan to make himself useful in a general way in his father's store at Belleville, and later was advanced to clerk. The Karr Supply Com- pany was incorporated in 1886, with Adam Karr as President, Theodore Karr as Treasurer, and William J. Schlegel as Secretary. The firm deal in apparatus for hot water and steam heat- ing, and have one of the largest trades in their line in St. Clair County. Mr. Karr is a Re- publican, and in religion, is a member of the Catholic Church. In September, 1878, he was united in marriage with Martha Bauer, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and to them have been born six children: Theodore, Jr., Mary, Katherine, Amelia, George and Lydia. Mr. Karr is one of the progressive and public spirited men of Belleville, and in an enviable degree enjoys the confidence and support of his fellow townsmen.
KASTEL, Mike, was born in Germany, Octo- ber 15, 1854, a son of Adam and Margaret (Eichmann) Kastel, both natives of Germany. During his infancy he was brought by his parents to St. Clair County, where they set- tled on a farm five miles west of Belleville. When about fourteen years of age he went to St. Louis, Mo., and was there employed in a mattress manufactory for two years; later, was for two years assistant engineer in the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in that city, and sub- sequently went to Dubuque, Ia., where he learned the baker's trade, remaining there for six years. He was also employed as a baker for one year in Chicago. In 1883 he opened a bakery in Belleville, locating on West Main Street, where he conducted the business until 1893. He then purchased the residenc and busi- ness block at 317 North Church Street, where he conducts a grocery store, and has, in con- nection with this, a large line of confectionery and bakery goods. In politics, Mr. Kastel is affiliated with the Democratic party, and in his religious belief he is a Catholic. Fraternally, he belongs to the Bankers' Life Insurance Com- pany. On August 7, 1886, Mr. Kastel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eisenheffer, a native of St. Clair County, who received her educa- tion in the parochial schools at Millstadt. Mr.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
and Mrs. Kaster are the parents of the fol- lowing named children: Frederick, Katherine and Mary.
KEECHLER, Albert L .- Albert L. Keechler's standing and achievements are pointed to with pride by those fond parents of his home town who wish their children to become first class citizens, through an emulation of his example. All admit that his record is well worthy of the best efforts of those who wish to reach ex- alted positions in their chosen field, by per- sonal efforts, and industry and honesty in all things, as well as a high regard for the rights of others. From water-boy, at the National Stock Yards, to the position of President of the National Live Stock Association of America, the greatest organization of its kind in the world, representing as much capital as any other industry on earth and covering more ter- ritory than any other business enterprise in the Western Hemisphere, is an achievement well worthy of the noblest efforts of the best ma- terial in the country, or even of the youth of any land.
Albert L. Keechler was born in Columbus, Ohio, March 13, 1860. His father, Louis Keech- ler, was a native of Germany, and his mother, Maria (McCamish) Keechler, was born in Ken- tucky. Mr. Keechler finished his education in the common schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to St. Louis in 1874, about the time ground was broken for the great stock yards. He was born without the legendary silver spoon, and, as a consequence, early in life displayed vigor, energy and industry-traits absolutely neces- sary in the achievement of success in any line. Upon his arrival in the city, he noticed that workmen had just commenced to grade for the yards. After surveying the field, he concluded to cast his fortunes with the enterprise. He accepted the menial position of water-boy, but, as soon as the opportunity presented itself- being genial, sociable and spirited-rapidly rose from one place to another, so that when the yards were completed, his services were re- quested by several cattle firms. He then severed his connection with the yard company, and accepted a position with Irons & Cassidy, afterward Scruggs & Cassidy, with whom he continued until 1889, when the firm was incor- porated under the name of Cassidy Brothers Live Stock Commission Company. Mr. Keech-
ler became a stockholder and Director in this concern, and now has charge of, and sells, all the cattle consigned to it in the quarantine division. On January 1, 1903, the name of the company was changed to Cassidy Brothers- Southwestern Commission Company. Upon him devolves much of the routine work of the office, yet Mr. Keechler, on account of his per- fect familiarity with all matters of detail in such a concern, finds ample time to carry out successfully the special work of his division.
Mr. Keechler has served three terms as Pres- ident of the St. Louis National Live Stock Exchange, also several terms as Vice-President of the National Live Stock Association, and at a recent meeting of that body was unani- mously elected President of the society for the coming year. The selection of Mr. Keechler in this capacity is a fitting tribute to the un- swerving fidelity, work and energy bestowed by him upon the live stock interests of the country. Mr. Keechler has devoted his life to the business. Among the stockmen of the country, he is recognized as an authority-a man who loves his profession, and takes an interest in the welfare of all connected with the business. Yet with all his devotion to the interests of his business and the advance- ment of the stock industry, generally, Mr. Keechler finds time to meet and greet old friends, form new acquaintances and take an active interest in all affairs which tend to advance the educational, business and political interests of East St. Louis. He has served six years as a Director of the Public Library, and eight terms as President of the Board of Education, to which place he was always elected without opposition. He is a member of many clubs and societies, and among the fraternities may be mentioned the Knights Templar, Elks and M. W. A.
Mr. Keechler was born a Democrat, and re- ligiously adhered to that political faith after reaching his majority. He is affable, genial, sociable, kind and honest, believing heartily in the maxim that it is better to give than to receive; is fond of the company of acquaint- ances, caters to the wishes of friends and prides himself in the appellation, "A1," a homely term applied to him by all. He is an actor of ability, and a polished after-dinner speaker. On October 4, 1880, Mr. Keechler was mar- ried to Emma Hake, the pretty and accom-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
plished daughter of the late Ex-Mayor S. S. Hake, of East St. Louis. To this union were born four children, viz: Earl, Irene, Henry and Irma, of whom only Irma survives. She is now thirteen years of age.
KEELEY, Michael J., a contractor of East St. Louis, this county, was born September 3, 1865, in County Galway, Ireland, and was there edu- cated in the public schools. On the maternal side of the family his great-grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Ryan) Gavin, and his maternal grandparents were John and Kate (Noone) Gavin, all natives of County Galway, Ireland. On the paternal side the grandparents were John and Kate (Raftery) Keeley, also of the county named. The parents, Patrick and Mary (Gavin) Keeley, were born in County Galway. At the age of fifteen years Michael came to the United States and located in Boston, where his uncle lived, and was there employed in the Boston Revere Rubber Company for two years, during which time he attended night school. He then went to St. Louis, learned the stone cutting trade, at which he worked for four years, and later was appointed Fore- man of Street Improvements in St. Louis, be- ing the first to be employed in that capacity. In 1888 he cut the curbing on the levee between the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Wabash Railroad, and in 1890 did all the surface work on Missouri Avenue, from the Relay Depot, and on Main and Third Streets from Missouri Avenue to Broadway. He then went to Dwight, Ill., where he put in seven miles of sewerage, and in the same year he paved two miles of streets, with sewering, at Alton, Ill. In the fall of 1893 he worked as superintendent for Francis McCabe, with whom he remained until 1897, when he formed a partnership with Thomas Burk, and they built Sixth Street, from Broadway to St. Louis Avenue, and bricked Missouri Avenue, from the Relay Depot to Thirteenth Street, be- sides sewering all of the Lovingston addition. He paved Columbia Place; put four and a half miles of sever in Granite City, and two miles of sewer and four and a half miles of graniotid walk at Madison. In 1902 he and Mr. McCabe dissolved partnership and Mr. Keeley has since been an individual contractor. He has paved numerous streets in East St. Louis, and he is in constant demand on account of the excellence of his work for granitoid paving and sewerage
construction. In church affiliations Mr. Keeley is a firm believer in the Catholic faith, and in politics, has always supported the Demo- cratic party.
KEIM, Heinrich, a highly respected resident of Smithton, St. Clair County, and former hotelkeeper of that town, was born June 1, 1834, in Bavaria, Germany, son of George and Mar- garet (Wunder) Keim, who were also natives of that place. He emigrated to the United States and in 1848 located in St. Louis, Mo., where he worked as a clerk for some time and then egaged in the saloon business, of which he disposed in 1856. In that year he took up his residence in Smithton and there purchased a hotel, conducting the same until 1900, when he sold out to his son-in-law, Herman J. Baetje, with whom he has since made his home. On February 20, 1854, Mr. Keim was married to Anna Mary Buechel, a native of Prussia, whose education was obtained in the public schools of Germany. Of this union the following chil- dren have been born: Bertha and William (both deceased), Anna, Susan, William, Clara, Mary and Henry.
KEITEL, Frederick, was born on the Rhine, Germany, in 1833, a son of Sebastian and Fred- erica (Schiffman) Keitel, both natives of Ger- many. He received his education in the schools of his native land, and on coming to the United States located in St. Louis, Mo., where he en- gaged in gardening until 1868, when he came to Lebanon, where, in 1867, he had purchased a farm of ninety acres south of the town. In 1869 he planted a large vineyard on his farm and opened what is known as "Concordia Park," popular as picnic grounds. This is one of the most delightfully shady retreats in the State; here nature and art are combined to attract and charm. Here he has erected a large dining-room, dancing hall, and has pro- vided various amusements for the public. He is still interested in the work of gardening and is also engaged quite extensively in the manu- facture of wine.
In 1857 Mr. Keitel was married to Elizabeth Roeder, who was a native of Germany, and died in 1886. On October 12, of that year, he was united in marriage to Magdelina Shweik- hardt, of St. Louis, Mo. The family comprises nine living children, namely: Matilda, Calvin,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Albert, Oscar, Ida, Alfred, Arthur, Augusta, Elizabeth, Amelia (deceased). Mr. Keitel has served as School Trustee for a number of years. Politically, he is a Republican. '
KERCHNER, (Dr.) F. W., a popular and pro- gressive young physician of Millstadt, Ill., was born in Belleville, January 16, 1871, and there obtained his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools, after which he attended the State University of Chemistry, from which he re- ceived the degree of B. S. in 1894. He then took a four years' course in the Marion Simmes Medical College at St. Louis, where he held the position of Assistant Physician in the Female Hospital for fifteen months. Subsequently he moved to Belleville, where he practiced for a time, and in 1901 came to Millstadt, which he has since made his home and where he has established a lucrative practice. Owing to his superior abilities in his profession he was ap- pointed a member of the Health Department of Millstadt. Socially, he is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America and the I. O. O. F. In 1898 he married Amelia Snyder, whose birth occurred in Belleville, Ill., and to them have been born one daughter, Cornelia. The parents of Dr. Kerchner are Frank and Adeline (Schmidt) Kerchner, the former of whom is a native of Germany, and the latter of De Sota, Mo. The father resides in Belleville, where he held the office of Mine Inspector.
KEYWORTH, Thomas, who for nine years has occupied the position of janitor of the public school building of Marissa, this county, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1845. He is a son of William and Anna (Boyd) Keyworth, both of whom were born in Yorkshire in 1802. After attending the public schools of his native place until he was nineteen years old, he served an apprenticeship as hairdresser and wigmaker. In 1869 he came to America, and entered the employ of J. C. Elms, under the "Southern Hotel," in St. Louis, Mo. There he was em- ployed as a hair dresser for more than three years. He subsequently worked in a like ca- pacity for J. M. Campbell, corner of Fifth and Locust Streets, for about the same period, and then moved to Marissa, where he opened a barber shop. After conducting this for seven- teen years, he sold out and entered the public service as school janitor.
Mr. Keyworth was married in 1867, to Alice Singleton, who was born in Tickhill, Yorkshire, in 1847, and received her early education in the public school of her native place. Mr. and Mrs. Keyworth have the following children: Fannie (Mrs. Morganthaler) ; Mary (Mrs. Wiltshire) ; Emma (Mrs. Gray) ; Nellie (Mrs. Brown); Blanche (Mrs. Landgraf) ; George and Alice.
KIRCHER, Henry Adolph, hardware merchant of Belleville, a machinist by trade, and holder of important political offices in St. Clair County, is a native of Cass County, Ill., and was born in 1841. After completing his education Mr. Kircher learned the machinist's trade, worked at the same for three years, and then enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for three months. Re-enlisting in the Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, he served until the close of the war, and for meritorious service was com- missioned Captain of Company E, Twelfth Mis- souri Independent Volunteers. Upon returning to Belleville, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, an office which he retained four years. He then became interested in the hardware busi- ness which had been established by his father, Joseph Kircher, and Henry Goedeking, in 1848, and which is now operated under the firm name of Kircher & Son.
Mr. Kircher is independent in politics. He was Mayor of Belleville from 1877 to 1878, and has served as Recorder and member of the Board of Education. For twenty years he has. been a Director in the Belleville Savings Bank, and since the death of Edward Abend, Presi- dent of that institution. Through his marriage with Bertha Engleman, of Belleville, three chil- dren have been born into his family: Harry Bertram, Joseph Casimir and Theodore Engle- mann Kircher.
KIRK, James W., editor "East St. Louis Daily Journal," residence, 1117 Pennsylvania Avenue, East St. Louis, was Auditor of East St. Louis, 1872-78, and was for many years City Comp- troller; was Librarian of the City Library, 1879- 81, and is now one of the Directors of that institution. He was born at Byron, N. Y., and was first engaged in reporting and editorial work on the Batavia (N. Y.) "Spirit of the Times," and later on the "Union and Adver- tiser," Rochester, N. Y. He came to East St.
.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Louis in 1871 and attached himself to the "Gazette," and was correspondent for the "St. Louis Times" and the old "Missouri Repub- lican," and, later, for the "Globe-Democrat." After laboring on the "Gazette," as writer, edi- tor and publisher, as occasion required, till 1890, he established the "Daily Journal." Not long afterward the paper was taken over by a stock company (Frank P. Fox & Co.), in which Mr. Kirk is a shareholder. Mr. Fox, a native of St. Louis and long connected with printing interests there, has charge of the publishing department. Under Mr. Kirk's editorship and Mr. Fox's able management, the "Journal" is one of the leading newspapers of Southern Illinois.
KLEMKE, Charles, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, April 3, 1862, a son of Johann and Louisa (Hertle) Klemke, both natives of that country. He obtained his education in the schools of his native land, where he also learned the shoe- maker's trade, spending also three years as a soldier in Germany. He came to the United States in 1888, arriving in Belleville on July 7 of that year, and was employed in a coal mine and brick yard for one year. He was in the employ of W. Glaser for six years and after this he opened a shoe factory, with Ber- nard Huth as a partner. This was the first factory of the kind in Belleville, and was sit- uated on Main Street. A year and a half later Mr. Huth purchased Mr. Klemke's inter- est in the business, and he then entered the em- ploy of Mr. Glaser, with whom he remained two years. On November 22, 1897, he engaged in business for himself, opened a boot and shoe store at No. 1321 West Main Street, which he successfully conducts, and where he has all the repairing to which he can attend, employing two assistants.
In his religious belief Mr. Klemke is a mem- ber of the Evangelical Christian Church, and so- cially, belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In 1884 he was married to Wilhelmina Riesen- weber, a native of Prussia, Germany, where she received her education. Four children have been born of this union, namely: Eliza, Olga, Alvina and Johann.
KLEMME, G. D., who is identified with the foundry business in Belleville, this county, is a native of Germany, where he was born July
27, 1861. Germany was also the birthplace of his father and mother, Henry and Dora (El- brechter) Klemme. Mr. Klemme came to this country in 1867, and learned his trade in the Pump and Skein Works here. In 1883, he be- came connected with the Eagle Foundry Com- pany, of which he is President and Treasurer. The company was incorporated in 1886. He is also Treasurer of the Wilson Steel Range Com- pany, which was organized and incorporated in 1902, for the manufacture of steel ranges and nickel plating.
In 1886, G. D. Klemme was married to Mag- gie Metzler, and their union has resulted in eight children, as follows: Lenora, Maurice, Alvin, Clara, Whelan, Roland, Alice and Viola. Fraternally, Mr. Klemme is a member of the K. of P. and M. W. A.
KLOESS, John J., Secretary and Treasurer of the Kloess Brick Company, of Belleville, is a native of that place, born April 18, 1863. Un- til his fourteenth year an attendant at the pub- lic schools, he began his industrial career in the brick yard of his father, John Kloess, taking a minor position, and learning the business with thoroughness and dispatch. His industry was rewarded by promotion to Assistant Super- intendent, and he was thus employed for several years, or until about the age of thirty-five. In 1899 he built a brick manufactory for him- self, and July 16, 1902, consolidated his business with that of his brother, William, thenceforth operating under the firm name of the Kloess Brick Company. The officers of the company are: William Kloess, President; John J. Kloess, Secretary and Treasurer; and Julius Kohl, Su- perintendent. The firm manufacture 20,000 brick per day in their western yard, and 25,000 in the eastern plant. They are one of the largest concerns of the kind in St. Clair County, and enjoy an enviable reputation for business stability.
Mr. Kloess is a Republican in politics, and in religion, a member of St. Paul's Church. On January 19, 1887, he was united in marriage with Annie Horttman, a native of Belleville, and of the three children born of this union, Hannah and Rudolph are deceased-Tillie, born February 7, 1895, being the sole survivor.
KLOESS, William, President of the Kloess Brick Company, and one of the best known
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
brick manufacturers of the county, was born at Belleville in March, 1873, a son of John and Katherine (Mueller) Kloess, natives of Kreutz- nacht, Germany. John Kloess came from Ger- many in 1849, and at once became identified with the business life of Belleville as an ex- perienced baker. Becoming interested in the development of coal in the county, he operated in this direction at irregular intervals from 1857 until 1895, and in 1862 started the brick manufacturing business in Belleville. He was the fortunate possessor of sons who inherited his thrift, energy, and ability, and in 1899 trans- ferred his business to William and Julius J., who continued together until the retirement of the latter in 1902. At that time John J. Kloess, another son, who had established a brick manufacturing business of his own, succeeded to the interest of Julius, consolidated his en- terprise with that of his brother, and admitted J. J. Kohl, a brother-in-law, as Superintendent of the combination. William Kloess became President of the new company, and John J., Sec- retary and Treasurer. John Kloess, the elder, died May 22, 1904, his wife having preceded him July 31, 1896.
William Kloess began to assist his father in the coal business at the age of fifteen, and his education from that time was irregular, and the result of his willingness to combine work and study. In 1895 he turned his attention exclusively to brick manufacturing, and is now at the head of a concern which is able to ship 45,000 brick per day. He is possessed of energy, good judgment, and through knowledge of his business, and personally is popular and in- fluential.
KNOBELOCH, George (deceased), who at the time of his death, in October, 1873, was a re- tired farmer, residing in Belleville, this county, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1825. He received his education partly in his native land and partly in the public schools of his adopted country. Politically, he was in harmony with the doctrines of the Republican party. In church membership he was a Lutheran, and altogether an upright man, enjoying the full confidence and respect of the home community.
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