USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 84
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ROEDIGER, Louis, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, a son of William and Philipine (Eisen- menger) Roediger, both natives of that king- dom. He received his education in Germany, and when twenty-eight years of age, located at Belleville, where he was employed in the Harrison Machine Works for about two years, after which he engaged in the jewelry business with his brother, Herman, and his brother-in- law, Philip Maret, the store being located on West Main Street, where they carry a full line of up-to-date jewelry. They also manufacture jewelry and do all kinds of repairing.
ROGER, Charles, Vice-President and General Manager of the J. C. Grant Baking Powder Company, was born in 1868 in Scotland, where
he was educated in the public schools. He came to the United States in 1892, locating in Chi- cago, where he became a dealer in horses, con- tinuing in that vocation until 1896, when he entered the employ of the J. C. Grant Chemical Company, as a salesman. He has since contin- ued with that concern, working his way up through the various departments until now he holds the responsible position of General Man- ager. The firm was located in Chicago until 1902, when it moved to East St. Louis, locating on Thirteenth Street, near the Southern Rail- road tracks. It employs 150 people and has a capacity of 100,000 cans per day, and manufac- tures all the cans for its own use. It manufac- tures baking powder and bicarbonate of soda, and has brokers and salesmen all over the United States. Mr. Roger has complete charge of the entire plant. As this sketch goes to press, the J. C. Grant Chemical Company is moving into the large new plant, recently pur- chased, at Sixth Street and Walnut Avenue, this being the second time in five years that the company has been compelled by its increas- ing business to seek larger quarters. Its new plant covers a city block and will be the most up-to-date, as well as largest, baking powder plant in the world.
ROGERS, Eddy P., President of the Excelsior Foundry Company, Belleville, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born in 1860, the son of Robert and Laura (Fairchild) Rog- ers. His father, who was a native of Ireland, was brought to this country in infancy, and after reaching manhood, married Laura Fair- child, a native of Ohio. Eventually, the father engaged in the foundry business in St. Clair County, Ill., in which he was later associated with his sons until 1890. The younger mem- bers of the firm then went into business for themselves, on Spring Street, Belleville, in 1898 removing to their present location on the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. They since have conducted a general foundry busi- ness, giving employment to about seventy-five men. Mr. Rogers is a public-spirited and en- terprising man, a stanch Republican, and a member of the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In 1882 he married Lillie Baumann, of Belleville, and they have two children, Harry E. and Frank B.
4år
Philip Wolf
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ROGERS, George B. McClellan, proprietor of the Excelsior Foundry, of Belleville, this county, and who learned his trade when he was thirteen years old, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio, and was born September 10, 1862. His father, Robert Rogers, and his paternal grandfather, William, were born in Derby, County Cork, Ireland, while his mother (in girlhood Laura Fairchild), was born in Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of Eddy Fair- child, of Ohio. Mr. Rogers was one of a large fam- ily of children dependent upon the resources of his father, under whom he served an apprentice- ship as a foundryman. Four years later he utilized his earnings for a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, in St. Louis, and upon returning to Belleville entered the office of the Rogers Foundry Company, of which his father was then President and Manager. Six years later he represented the company on the road, selling stoves of their manufacture for five years, after which, with his brother, Eddy P. Rogers, he established the Excelsior Foundry, on the corner of Third and Spring Streets. After the death of his father, nine years later, they bought the old Rogers Foundry and Stove Company's plant and moved their business to this location. The Excelsior Foundry has since conducted a general jobbing business, making principally boiler fronts and structural work.
Mr. Rogers is an acquisition to the social, as well as business, life of Belleville. The pos- sessor of a strong and sympathetic baritone voice, he has been a member of the Belleville Male Quartette for the past twenty years, and has done much to render the work of this or- ganization unusually meritorious. He is fra- ternally connected with the Masons; is Com- mander of the Tancred Commandery, of Belle- ville, and is a member of the Garfield Lodge, K. of P. On December 1, 1885, Mr. Rogers mar- ried Anna E. Rentchler, who was born in Belle- ville, and educated in the Methodist Episcopal school at Jacksonville, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born two children-Georgi- ana, October 15, 1886, and Irene, April 28, 1896. Mr. Rogers is a Republican in politics, and in religion, a Presbyterian.
ROHM, William, manager and proprietor of a grocery and saloon on the corner of Thirteenth Street and St. Louis Avenue, East St. Louis, is a native of Nassau, Germany, where he was born September 8, 1840. His father, Philip
Rohm, was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Ger- many, and his mother, Sophia (Truster) Rohm, in Nassau. The family fortunes having shifted from the accustomed channels in consequence of the death of the father, at eighteen years of age, William accompanied his mother and two sisters to the United States, thereafter support- ing the family by teaming for thirteen years. From 1873 until 1884 he was engaged as clerk for the Hendrick Coal Company, and later formed his present partnership with Mr. Gallen- beck in the grocery and saloon business. Mr. Rohm is a Republican in politics, and in re- ligion, a Lutheran. In 1866 he married Eliza- beth Stuel, of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and of this union eight children have been born: Louisa, Christian, Anna, Sophia, Henry, Lena, Matta and Walter.
ROMEISER, Peter M., a well-to-do and suc- cessful merchant of Belleville, this county, was born in Germany, November 11, 1842, and edu- cated in the public schools of his native land. At the age of fifteen years he decided to try his fortunes in the new world and emigrated to the United States, locating at Waterloo, Ill., where he entered the store of Mr. Borchert, with whom he remained from 1858 to 1861. In June of the latter year he enlisted in the Twen- ty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was at that time quartered in the Belleville Fair Grounds, and served in the Union army until July, 1864. He participated in the following important battles: Belmont, Stone River, Chickamauga (where he was wounded), Chat- tanooga and Resaca. He also took part in many minor engagements.
In 1873 Mr. Romeiser took up his residence in Belleville and was employed as a clerk for George A. Bradford, with whom he remained until 1878. In that year he opened a cloth- ing, hat, and furnishing store, and in 1892 or- ganized what is now known as The Romeiser Company. Mr. Romeiser received his religious education in the German Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Republican, and in his fra- ternal relations, is a member of the G. A. R. In 1876 Mr. Romeiser was married to Elise Hilgard, who was born and educated in St. Clair County, and to them were born the fol- lowing children: Theodore, Leonore, Emma, Petra, Edwin, Roland, Corona and Alvin.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ROPIEQUET, Richard W., is a native of Belle- ville, where he was born March 23, 1866. His father, Frederick Ropiequet, who for years was one of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of St. Clair County, was of German origin and became identified with the develop- ment of Southern Illinois at an early period. By occupation he was a civil engineer and ab- stractor. In later years he became a potent factor in political affairs, and served as Mayor of Beileville, County Treasurer and, later, as Sheriff of St. Clair County. He married Anna Wangelin, born in Cleveland, Ohio, a lady of the highest family connections, daughter of Gen. Hugo Wangelin, whose career, both civil and military, was one of special distinction. In youth, the subject of this sketch pursued his elementary studies in the Belleville public schools, supplementing them by a course at the Smith Academy, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. Soon after leaving that institu- tion, he read law with Hon. Charles W. Thomas, being admitted to the bar in 1886, since which time he has been in active practice at Belle- ville, winning a commanding position in his profession. In later years he has also been prominent in connection with manufacturing interests and mining operations, being at the present time the President of the Jordan Shoe Company, and of the Royal Coal and Mining Company. He has taken a leading part in the business life of Belleville, having for several years discharged the duties of Secretary of the Commercial Club.
During the Spanish-American War Mr. Ro- piequet enlisted as a private in Company D, Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted as Sergeant, and aft- erward to a lieutenancy in Company E. In politics, Mr. Ropiequet is an earnest Republi- can. His religious connection is with
the Methodist Church, of which he is an active and influential member. For a long period he was prominent in connection with the State Ep- worth League and in Sunday-school work. He filled the position of Superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Belleville, for twenty-one years. In these relations he has accomplished a vast amount of good, and has made a host of warm friends in Belleville and the surrounding country.
RUFFNER, J. W., of the firm of J. W. Ruffner & Sons, dealers in ice and coal, 442 North Sev- enth Street and Missouri Avenue, near First Street, East St. Louis, was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., September 29, 1862, a son of Benjamin F. and Christina (Kauffman) Ruffner, both born near Luray, Va. The family came to this vicinity about 1875, and the subject of this sketch was educated at Lebanon, Mo., and at St. Peters, Mo. He was agent of the American Express Company, at East St. Louis, most of the time for twelve years (1882-94); was a coal clerk in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company four years; and after filling several responsible positions with differ- ent concerns, engaged in the coal trade on his own account. His sons, E. W. and J. B. Ruff- ner, are associated with him in business. Po- litically, he is a Democrat; religiously, affiliates with the Methodist Church, and is an Odd Fel- low and Modern Woodman. January 15, 1885, he was married at East St. Louis to Lora Wil- kinson, a native of Rockport, Ind., whose father was long engaged in river traffic and in steam- boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, from Rockport, Ind., to New Orleans.
RUTZ, Adam, a stockholder and Director in the Richland Foundry Company, Belleville, Ill., was born in that city in 1872, a son of George Rutz, a native of Germany, and has followed the trade of a molder all his business life. Mr. Rutz has been twice married-first to Mary Ott, and last to Lena Dabauch-the second marriage taking place in 1895. By his first wife he had two children, Adolph and Dalia. The second union resulted in three children, viz: Cely, Leibey and Lena Lizzie. The fam- ily residence is at 618 Centerville Avenue.
SAENGER, Joseph, was born in Elizabeth, N. J., August 3, 1863, a son of Ludwig and Emma (Hostetter) Saenger, both natives of Germany, the former born at Bingen-on-the-Rhine, the latter at Lamperteim. At the age of four years he came with his parents to Belleville, Ill., at- tending the public schools there until his four- teenth year. He then secured employment as clerk in a mercantile house, retaining that po- sition for two years, after which he established himself in business on South High Street. He continued at this location for two years, at the
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
end of which time his business had grown to such an extent that more space was required, and he secured the building on the old postoffice site, where he remained for two more years; then moved to No. 28 East Main Street, where he was located until 1899, by which time the busi- ness had so rapidly increased that still larger quarters were required, and he occupied his present large three-story store at No. 109 East Main Street, which he is about to enlarge. The store is known as the Twentieth Century De- partment Store and the name is descriptive of the quality of the goods and the scope of the business.
Mr. Saenger is a self-made man and his suc- cess is largely due to his own personal efforts, and to his observance of the Golden Rule in his business dealings and personal conduct. His brother, Abraham, is associated with him in every undertaking, and is his right-hand man. Socially, he belongs to the Order of Good Samaritans. At the present time he is serving his third term on the Board of the Belleville Public Library. Mr. Saenger's pa- ternal grandparents were Carl and Rosella (Meyer) Saenger, both natives of Bingham, Prussia, and his maternal grandparents, Philip and Sadelia Hostetter, were natives of Worms, the same kingdom.
SANDS, Robert K., who for the past twelve years has held the responsible position of chief engineer of the White Oak Mines at Marissa, St. Clair County, was born in 1863 at Philadel- phia, Pa., and was educated in the public schools of Marissa Township. After leaving school he learned the iron molder's trade, at which he worked for about eight years, and then took up the study of steam engineering. This resulted in his obtaining the position he now occupies, the duties of which he fulfills with the conscientious thoroughness and ex- ecutive ability that has won for him the con- fidence and high esteem of his employers and fellow workers. In 1884 Mr. Sands married Mary Orr Smith, who was born in Clay Cen- ter, Kan., and educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, Pa. Four children have been born to them, as follows: Robert A., Mamie L., Minnie L. and Jennie E. Fraternally, Mr. Sands is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, in the latter of which he has taken the degree of
Pocahontas. The parents of Robert K. Sands, A. B. and Littia (Kerr) Sands, were born re- spectively in Ireland and Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to St. Clair County in 1866, locating about three miles east of Marissa.
SANTE, Louis, proprietor of a hotel in O'Fal- lon, is a native of St. Louis, Mo., and was born in 1859. His father, Ferdinand Sante, was born in Germany, and according to the custom of his country, served an apprenticeship at the age of fourteen, becoming an expert tailor. He married Frederica, the daughter of a neighbor in Germany, and with his wife came to Amer- ica, engaging at his trade for several years in St. Louis, Mo. Louis Sante profited by the pub- lic schools of St. Louis, gaining his first busi- ness experience in a confectionery store in the same city. Later he embarked in the printing and publishing business, and March 1, 1904, came to O'Fallon and started a hotel. In 1905 Mr. Sante again entered the printing business at St. Louis. In 1889 he married Kate Schach- ner, of O'Fallon, and two children have been born of the union: Irma and Robert.
SATTLER, Frederick B .- As Superintendent and Manager of the Belleville Pump and Skein Works and the Belleville Stove Works, Fred- erick B. Sattler occupies a prominent position in the business world of St. Clair County. Born in Europe, March 31, 1852, he came to the United States in 1853, his father establish- ing a wagon manufactury in the then small town of Belleville. The youth had the advan- tage of a public school training, and while still very young, became familiar with his father's shop, with its tools, and his methods of work, and after leaving school seriously applied him- self to learning the trade of wagon making un- der the older man. Three years later he found employment with the Sucker State Drill Com- pany, working his way through various posi- tions of responsibility to the presidency of the concern, which position he held for twelve years. In 1881 he assumed his present posi- tions, the success of the two enterprises being the best guarantee of his managerial and gen- eral ability. In 1885 Mr. Sattler married Au- gusta Tiemann, of Belleville, and in his family are four children: Cornelia G., Elmer A., Blanche, and Florence. Politically, he is a Republican, and socially, stands high in Belle-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ville and vicinity. His steadfast upward prog- ress in the business world is perhaps the best sponsor for his business integrity and ideal citizenship, as his career represents all the es- sential elements of the successful American man of affairs.
SAUER, Fred, a mine manager, residing in Belleville, St. Clair County, was born in Ger- many in 1846. In 1866 he came to the United States, where he has always followed coal min- ing. In 1884 he was mine manager for Yock Brothers, and at present is engaged as Super- intendent of the mine of the Belleville and O'Fallon Coal Company, the property having been purchased from the Massey Coal Com- · pany, which sunk the shaft in 1894. Mr. Sauer has occupied this position since 1897. The mine furnishes employment for fifty-five or sixty men, and yields an output of 350 tons per day. In 1870 Mr. Sauer was married to Amelia Edel, a native of Germany. Their four children are named Fred, Minnie, Philip and Emily.
SAUTER, Philip H., who is living in retire- ment in Mascoutah, St. Clair County, was born in Lebanon, Ill., June 28, 1865. He is a son of John and Margaret (Trieb) Sauter, natives of Lachen, Germany (Neustadt-hardt-pfalz). His paternal grandparents, Conrad and Margaret (Gross) Sauter, were born in Hassloch, Ger- many, and his grandfather on the maternal side, John George Trieb, was a native of La- chen. John Sauter came to St. Clair County with his parents at the age of eight years, the family settling in Mascoutah, then called Me- chanicsburg. At the age of eighteen years, Philip H. Sauter completed his education, hav- ing attended the public schools, a commercial school and McKendree College. He then studied law with C. F. Noetling, at Belleville, with whom he remained nearly three years, after which he entered the real estate business. He owns much real estate throughout the county, to which he devotes his entire attention.
Mr. Sauter was married December 29, 1887, to Minnie E. Hagist, who was born in Mas- coutah, and was a pupil in the public and parochial schools. Their children are: Otil- lie, born February 13, 1897; Hugo, John, born May 19, 1899, and Ernst Friedrich, born April 10, 1901.
SCHAEFER, John (deceased), was born May 14, 1834, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and there received a common school education. When three years of age he was brought to the United States by his parents, John and Eliza- beth (Merker) Schaefer, who located in Smith- ton Township, St. Clair County, on a farm, and there he passed the remainder of his days. His first wife, Elizabeth Herbert, was born in Germany, and one child resulted from this union. Her parents, John and Dortha (Rapp) Herbert, were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, who came to St. Clair County in 1848, locating on a farm of eighty acres in Prairie Du Long Township. In 1868 they sold their homestead and moved to Smithton Township, where they resided until their death. They were the parents of five children, one boy and four girls.
In religion, John Schaefer was a firm be- liever in the Lutheran faith, while in poli- tics he supported the Democratic party and was School Director for a number of years. On January 18, 1863, Mr. Schaefer was united in marriage to Mary Herbert, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, where she was educated in the public schools. Henry, the child by his first wife, was born October 19, 1860. The one child by his second marriage was Louisa, born February 26, 1865, who became the wife of William Grommet. Mr. Schaefer died Sep- tember 18, 1867, and is buried in the cemetery adjoining the former home.
SCHAFER, Charles D., who is engaged in the butchering business in O'Fallon, St. Clair County, was born in this place in 1858, and obtained his early education in the county schools. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Briel) Schafer, natives of Germany. The elder Schafer came to the United States in 1856, his wife following him the succeeding year. Daniel Schafer combined farming and butchering as his vocation, and his son Charles was occupied as a butcher in St. Jacob, and a merchant in O'Fallon. In 1889 Charles D. Schafer bought his present business here, and has successfully conducted it since. Mr. Scha- fer's marriage took place in 1883, when he wedded Amelia Schroder, who was born in St. Clair County, and their children are Daniel A., Jr., and Wanda A. Mr. Schafer has played a prominent part in the politics of his locality,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
having served as Assessor for four years, and as Village Treasurer. Fraternally, he is af- filiated with the Improved Order of Red Men, in which order he is Past Sachem.
SCHALTER, Julius A., proprietor of a barber shop in O'Fallon, St. Clair County, was born in that place in 1866. He is a son of Adam and Rosa (Simon) Schalter, natives of Ger- many. Adam Schalter settled in O'Fallon at an . early period, and followed the occupation of a cooper. After finishing his studies in the public schools, Julius learned the barber's trade, in which he has since continued. He commenced business at O'Fallon on June 28, 1887.
Mr. Schalter has held the office of City Clerk for six years, and served three years as City Treasurer, having also been a member of the Board of Education for three years. On June 11, 1890, Mr. Schalter was married to Cather- ine Landwehr, a native of O'Fallon. They have three children-Edgar, Raymond and Julius. Politically, Mr. Schalter is a Republican. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., M. W. A. and F. L. A.
SCHAUBERT, George, was born December 2, 1846, in Clinton County, Ill., a son of Peter and Eliza (Blum) Schaubert, both natives of Gelhausen, Germany, the latter dying when George was nine years of age, and the former in 1903, at the age of ninety years. Reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, he remained at home assisting his parents until his twentieth year, when he commenced busi- ness for himself. He retired from active farm life in 1902, and in 1903 purchased a home in Mascoutah, where he now resides.
On March 28, 1867, Mr. Schaubert was mar- ried to Elizabeth Perschbacher, who was born near Lenzburg, Ill., receiving her education in the public schools. Ten children were born of this union, namely: Katherine, wife of Ed- ward Riess; Annie, wife of Henry Mann; Mary, wife of Christ Richter; George E., Henry, Louis and Eliza. Mr. Schaubert votes the Repub- lican ticket and is a member of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church.
SCHEEL, (Dr.) Adolph M .- Dr. Adolph M. Scheel, general medical practitioner of Belle- ville since 1876, was born in that place Jan-
uary 18, 1851, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. After graduating from Washington University, St. Louis, he pursued his professional studies in the uni- versities of Europe for four years, returning to Belleville with a thoroughness and diversity of training which has since placed him among the best known and most enlightened exponents of medical science in St. Clair County. The standing of this popular practitioner is best indicated by his association with the American Medical Society, the American Academy of Medicine, the Southern Illinois Medical So- ciety, the Illinois State Medical Society, the St. Clair County Medical Society, and the Belle- ville Medical Society. In political affiliation, the Doctor is a Democrat, and in religion, a Protestant. Fraternally, he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
On October 11, 1877, Dr. Scheel was united in marriage with Elizabeth Voelker, also a native of Belleville, and formerly a student in its public schools. To Dr. and Mrs. Scheel have been born two children-Frederick E. and Minnie M. The former was shot and killed, September 19, 1904, on the streets of St. Louis, Mo., by a bullet fired at another party during an election riot.
Dr. Scheel is one of the broad-minded and liberal practitioners who court inquiry and in- vestigation, and who are ever ready to profit by the research of specialists, wherever lo- cated. His reputation rests upon his adoption of the best in his profession, upon his skill in treatment and diagnosis, and upon the many kindly and disinterested acts which have in creased his hold upon the hearts of his pa- tients, although materially decreasing his in- come. A genial and hopeful manner has added to his influence over the indisposed, as well as a reliance upon the power of mind over mind, now universally recognized as a potent reme- dial agency.
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