USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 90
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THOMAS, George K., late County Clerk of St. Clair County, Belleville, was born in Bond County, Ill., November 2, 1857, a son of Wil- liam S. and Elizabeth (Waite) Thomas. He was educated at Belleville and at St. Louis, and married Miss Edith Converse. Socially, he is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal orders. For a considera- ble time he was connected with the Conlogue Railroad, and later gave attention to farming. He served his fellow-citizens as County Clerk for twelve years and, personally, was one of the most popular public officials in Southern Illinois. In 1906 he was an unsuccessful candi- date for re-election as an Independent Re- publican.
THOMAS, John E., well known as the efficient Postmaster of Belleville, this county, and as one of the proprietors of the Belleville "Advo- cate," was born in that place, November 7, 1862. He is a son of John Thomas, a native of Wythe County, Va., born January 11, 1800, and a grandson of Abraham Thomas, who was also a Virginian of Welsh descent, and was a farmer by occupation and a Whig in poli- tics. He was the father of eleven children. The uncle of John Thomas was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; his mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Green, of South Caro- lina. John Thomas came with his parents and family to St. Clair County in April. 1818, and settled near Shiloh. He was a successful farm- er throughout his active life and acquired about 3,000 acres of land, mostly suitable for grain raising. In the Black Hawk War he raised a company of soldiers, and was elected Colonel of the First Regiment of Mounted Volun- teers, which entered the campaign on the old mustering ground near Mascoutah, and took the field against Black Hawk in 1832.
After the war Colonel Thomas resumed farm- ing, and continued thus until he moved to Belleville in 1874. He served as County Com- missioner, and supervised the building of the old county court-house about 1852. He was elected to the Legislature in 1838, when that body convened at Vandalia, Ill., and was also a member of the first session that met at Springfield. He was a member in 1862 and 1864, and was returned in 1872 and 1874. He was elected to the State Senate in 1878, and served until 1882, when he permanently with- drew from public life at the age of eighty-two
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
years. During the Civil War he was instru- mental in the repeal of the "Black Laws" of the State of Illinois. In 1838 he built a portion of the old stage road from St. Louis to Vincennes, Ind., his section being that running through the bottoms past French Village and over the "bluffs." He was also a railroad contractor for two seasons, and in these operations was quite prosperous, receiving his pay in gold, and afterward purchasing Government land at $1.25 per acre. At one time, in making a circuit of his farming lands, Colonel Thomas had to drive forty miles in order to cover his estate. He raised corn and wheat chiefly, but also bought up and fed cattle and hogs. While in the Leg- islature he assisted in establishing a ferry company, which was later absorbed by the Wig- gins Ferry Company.
Colonel Thomas was twice married, his first wife being a daughter of Lieut .- Gov. William Kinney, of Illinois, who bore him eight chil- dren, of whom three are living, viz .: James F .; Martha J. (Holliday), a widow; and Mrs. Moses Stafford, all of whom reside in O'Fal- lon. Colonel Thomas' second wife was for- merly Magdalena Von Eu, a native of Switzer- land and a member of an old Swiss family. She died June 21, 1903, aged seventy-six years, leav- ing three children, viz .: Mary, wife of Morris Lewis, of Ottawa, Ill .; Carrie T. (Mrs. Alexan- der), and John E. Mrs. Alexander was educated at Monticello Seminary, and married Henry A. Alexander, a cousin of the father of Governor Deneen. The Alexander family was extensively engaged in farming near Summerfield, Ill. Henry A. Alexander attended the public schools in Illinois and at Wichita, Kan., and afterward became interested with his father in building railroads in Colorado and Texas. He came to Belleville to build the street car lines, and here married Miss Thomas. He moved to Califor- nia for the benefit of his health, but returned after six months' sojourn there, and died in Belleville October 21, 1888, in the thirty-second year of his age. Colonel Thomas left Virginia on account of the conditions attendant upon the institution of slavery, and fought those conditions in his new home. He was a man of unusual ability and strong common sense, and took a prominent part in public meetings. A close student of the Bible, he frequently used biblical illustrations in his public utterances.
He died on December 15, 1894, and his death was widely lamented.
John E. Thomas attended the public schools of his neighborhood, after which he spent some time in Knapp's School for Boys, at Plymouth, Mass. He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty years, and received the degree of A. B. In the year fol- lowing his graduation he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, but never practiced law, as he had pursued this course of professional study merely to fit himself for the management of his father's extensive estate. Of this he as- sumed charge, and thus continued until his father's death. In 1889, Mr. Thomas bought a half interest in the Belleville "Advocate," which was established in 1839, and he is still a partner in the enterprise. The "Advocate," always a highly reputable and popular jour- nal, is now, under his joint direction, one of the most vigorous and reliable newspapers in this section of the State. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage September 8, 1889, with Anna Knobeloch, a daughter of George Knobe- loch, one of the most favorably known citi- zens of Belleville. Of their three children, one survives-John Theron-aged seven years.
Politically, Mr. Thomas is known throughout the State as an earnest and active Republican. In his early manhood he was appointed, through Senator Cullom's influence, a page in the Legislature at Springfield, and from that period dates his political activity. He was elected to the Legislature in 1897, and during his term was a member of several important committees, among them the Committees on Ap- propriations and Mines and Mining. He was also Chairman of the Committee on Finance. He was appointed Postmaster of Belleville in 1898, and reappointed in 1902, overcoming strong competition. In the local councils of his party he wields a potent influence. Fra- ternally, Mr. Thomas is a member of the Ma- sonic order, and belongs also to the B. P. O. E., K. of P. and M. W. A.
THOMAS & HOELTMANN .- The coal, ice and feed business owned and operated by J. H. Thomas and F. T. Hoeltmann is one of the largest and most promising enterprises of the kind in East St. Louis. Established in 1897
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
by the senior partner, Mr. Hoeltmann became a partner in 1901, since which time he com- bined efforts of these two resourceful and en- terprising men have resulted in a material in- crease of business.
F. T. Hoeltmann comes of one of the old families of St. Clair County, and his birth oc- curred in Caseyville, this county, in 1874. His parents, John T. and Charlotte (Peters) Hoelt- mann, were born in Germany, and after emi- grating to America located in Caseyville, where the elder Hoeltmann was known as a suc- cessful general merchant for many years. F. T. Hoeltmann had average opportunities in his youth, was educated in the schools of Ca- seyville and Teutopolis, Effingham County, Ill., and thereafter entered the employ of the roll- ing mills of East St. Louis. It was while thus employed that he met J. H. Thomas, between whom and himself there sprang up a warm friendship, resulting in their present associa- tion in the coal, ice and feed business. Mr. Hoeltmann is a Republican in politics. In 1903 he married Emma Lange, of East St. Louis.
J. H. Thomas was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, and after completing his education in its public schools came to East St. Louis in 1881, soon after becoming identified in a minor capacity with the roller mills of this place. Starting as an apprentice and mastering every detail of the business until he became night Su- perintendent, he has continued with the mills until the resignation of his position, December 15, 1903, making the twenty-third year in the same service. At the same time he attended to his coal, ice and feed business, but the latter in- creased so rapidly that he was finally obliged to give it his entire attention. Mr. Thomas is an enthusiastic fraternalist, being identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as Election Commis- sioner. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Ruth C. Short, of Alton, Ill., and his family consists of four children-Ruth, Grace, Marion and Lelia. Mr. Thomas' absolute faithfulness to the trusts imposed upon him is apparent from his long association with the roller mills of this city. Throughout his long business career he has made many and stanch friends, and has established an enviable reputation for integrity and general worth.
THOMPSON, George W .- It is rare to find a public official who has gained so strong a hold on the popular estimation of his fellow-citizens as did George W. Thompson, during his incum- bency of the Sheriffalty of St. Clair County, to which he was elected in 1902. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Pittsburg on the 23d of May, 1856, a son of William K. and Eliza (Balden) Thompson, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. His parents were people of emi- nent respectability and high character, his father. being a contractor by occupation. Of their family of ten children, George W. was the eldest. In early youth the boy attended the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and subsequently learned the glass blower's trade. This he followed for several years, at- taining great popularity in labor circles, and becoming an influential leader in the interests of the labor cause. At an early period of his residence in East St. Louis, Mr. Thompson began his intelligent and sagacious participa- tion in public affairs. He soon manifested a strong natural capacity and aptitude for offi- cial position, and after creditably discharging the duties of a member of the Library and School Boards, he was elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, as before mentioned, obtaining the largest majority ever received by a candi- date for that office in the county.
During nine weeks of the summer of 1894 oc- curred the noted packing trades strike, the re- sulting troubles being within his jurisdiction. This was a trying ordeal for Mr. Thompson, and the occasion subjected his discretion, judg- ment, firmness and administrative capacity to a severe test. From it he emerged with high honor, and was the object of unqualified com- mendation throughout the county. During the period of the strike 5,000 men connected with the packing houses were out of work, enter- prises involving millions of dollars were held in suspension, and the passions of the masses were violently aroused. Notwithstanding the turmoil of these disturbing conditions, the at- titude of Sheriff Thompson toward both sides was such that the maintenance of peace and the prevention of destructive rioting were ac- complished at an extra public expense of but $683.
In May, 1876, George W. Thompson was united in marriage with Margaret Schiffer, of Pittsburg, Pa., a daughter of Adam A. and Vir-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ginia (LeBrandt) Schiffer. Four children re- sulted from this union, of whom but one sur- vives, Mrs. C. M. Horner, of East St. Louis. In fraternal circles, Mr. Thompson is identified with the A. F. & A. M., being a member of the Eastern Star, a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. He is also affiliated with the K. of P., U. R., K. of P., D. O. K. K., B. P. O. E., K. O. T. M., and Eagles. Aside from these connections, he is a member of several labor organizations.
THRESS, Jacob, former Postmaster of Smith- ton, Ill., was born in Mandel, Prussia, October 28, 1838, son of Jacob and Catherine (Jung) Thress, both of whom were also natives of that kingdom. In 1848 Jacob came to the United States with his parents, who located in St. Clair County, where the father purchased a farm in Prairie Du Long Township. There he lived until 1864, when he disposed of his property and bought a business block in Smith- ton, to which city he removed. On February 3, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers, Company K, with which he served until August 3,. 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Return- ing to Smithton, he was employed in a flour mill until he was seriously injured by being caught in a shaft. In religion, he is a fol- lower of the Evangelical faith, and in politics has always supported the Republican party. On December 1, 1874, he was appointed Post- master of Smithton, and held that position until January 1, 1901, when he turned the of- fice over to his son William, who is the present incumbent. Mr. Thress was Village Trustee for one term and Village Treasurer for three terms. He is now retired from active life. So- cially, he is a member of the Hecker Post, G. A. R., and the Turnverein.
On May 10, 1868, Jacob Thress was married to Anna M. S. Jergens, a native of Monroe County, Ill., and the following children were born to them: William, who now resides in Smithton; Gustaf, Rudolph, August, Charles and Edward, deceased; Bertha, Anna and Louisa, who are living in St. Louis, Mo .; and Julia, a resident of Smithton.
THUL, Peter, engaged in the liquor business in Belleville, St. Clair County, was born in Germany in 1854, and the same year was
brought to America by his parents in a sailing vessel. For twenty years he lived in Marys- town and Shakopee, Minn., and in 1873 came to Belleville, where he followed the carpen- ter's trade until 1887. Since then, with the ex- ception of one and a half years, he has been in the liquor business, in connection with which he represents the Star Brewery Com- pany. He is a Democrat in politics, and so- cially, is identified with the W. C. U. and the St. Peter's Benevolent Society .: In his family are six children: Anna, Elsie, Ferdinand, Delphia, Adaline and Adolf.
TIEDEMANN, Charles A. (deceased), who was formerly engaged as a miller in O'Fallon, St. Clair County, was born in Bremer-Voerde, Han- over, Germany, December 8, 1833. He was a son of Heinrich Tiedemann, and came to this country in 1848. In 1861 he started in the milling business under the style of Charles Tiedemann & Company, his partner being a Mr. Raith. This partnership was dissolved and Charles A. continued the business alone for many years, with much success. He then became associated in the same line with Philip H. Postel, who is now proprietor of the Mas- coutah Mill. This venture was also very pros- perous. Subsequently, Mr. Tiedemann again conducted the concern alone until his death, December 9, 1890.
In 1891 the widow, Jennie Tiedemann, organ- ized a stock company to carry on the business, which was incorporated with herself as Pres- ident, and her son, C. E. Tiedemann, who is a Director in the First National Bank of O'Fal- lon, as Vice-President. The corporation is known as the Charles Tiedemann Milling Com- pany. George W. Tiedemann is Treasurer and Manager, and Louis F. Fischer, Secretary.
Mrs. Tiedemann, widow of Charles A., and head of the concern, was formerly Jennie Tiedemann, a native of Germany. Three daughters and two sons blessed this union- Helene, Louise S., George W., Charles E. and Ernestine.
TIEDEMANN, Charles F., who is identified with the E. Tiedemann Grocery Company, in O'Fallon, this county, was born in that place November 4, 1867. He is a son of E. Tiede- mann and Mary (Baumann) Tiedemann, na- tives of Germany. The concern was established
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
by the father in 1865, and was successfully conducted by him until his death, June 29, 1902. It was incorporated with Charles F. Tiedemann as President and his brother, Henry E., as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Tiede- mann received his commercial education at Bryant & Stratton's College, St. Louis, and sub- sequently conducted a jobbing business in that city for eight years. He then returned to O'Fallon and entered into partnership with his father and brother. On August 27, 1890, Mr. Tiedemann was married to Mary Loesch, a native of Belleville. They have three chil- dren-Viola, Albertina and Lucile. Socially, Mr. Tiedemann is a member of the Royal Ar- canum, and politically, is identified with the Republican party.
TIEDEMANN, Henry E., a merchant of O'Fal- lon, St. Clair County, was born near Denver, Colo., in 1864, and received his education in the St. Louis schools, obtaining a diploma at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, of that city. His father, E. Tiedemann, and his mother, Mary (Baumann) Tiedemann, were na- tives of Germany. The former founded what was known as the E. Tiedemann Grocery Com- pany, in 1865, and successfully managed its af- fairs until his death. In June, 1892, the con- cern was incorporated, with Ernest Tiedemann as President (later succeeded by Charles Tiede- mann) and Henry E. Tiedemann as Secretary and Treasurer. It transacts a general mer- chandise business. Henry E. Tiedemann is a stockholder in the First National Bank of O'Fallon, in the electric light plant of the town, and in the O'Fallon Building and Loan Asso- ciation. He is also Vice-President of the O'Fal- lon Commercial Club. Catherine Schoellkopf, who was born in O'Fallon, became the wife of Mr. Tiedemann, and they have three chil- dren-Alfred, Pauline and Ernst. Politically, Mr. Tiedemann is a Republican.
TIEMANN, August, proprietor of the Hotel Tiemann and saloon, 412 East Main Street, Belleville, was born July 19, 1833, in Germany, where he received his education. Coming to the United States in 1850, he engaged in the business of contractor and cabinet-maker. In 1855 he was married to Miss Augusta Henchel, who was born in 1835. One child, Louis, has been born to them. Mr. Tiemann, politically,
affiliates with the Democratic party, and in his religious belief is a member of the St. Paul's German Church. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
TIRRE, William, Jr., of the Tirre Coal and Mining Company, of East St. Louis, this county, and a coal operator of many years' ex- perience, was born in St. Louis, Mo., September 12, 1865, and is a son of William and Charlotte (Frochwitter) Tirre, natives of Germany. At the age of eighteen Mr. Tirre had not only completed his education in the public schools, but had secured a practical business course in a commercial college. He started his self- supporting career in the coal office of his fa- ther as collector, gradually acquiring a gen- eral knowledge of the business. In the interest of his father he spent a couple of years in Col- orado, and upon returning to St. Louis was sent to Lenzburg, St. Clair County, in charge of the mine and store belonging to the com- pany. About this time he became a member of the Tirre Coal and Mining Company, con- sisting of father and five sons, the operating field of which is a six-foot vein of coal at Lenz- burg. The distributing point of the company is at No. 300 Front Street, East St. Louis, and the firm enjoys a liberal patronage and an en- viable public confidence. Mr. Tirre is a Re- publican in politics. His marriage with Anna Fleischmann, of St. Louis, occurred November 29, 1894, and two children have been born of the union-Walter F. and Esther L. Mr. Tirre's home is at No. 610 Pennsylvania Avenue, East St. Louis.
TIRRE, William, Sr., a prosperous merchant and mine operator of Lenzburg, St. Clair County, was born in 1836, in Germany, son of William and Wilhelmina (Roetger) Tirre, who were also natives of Germany. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Germany, came to this country in 1843 and located in St. Louis, where he completed his schooling. He then en- gaged in teaming and contracting, operated a coal mine at Ruby Station, between East St. Louis and Belleville, and later sank and op- erated the coal mine at Wilderman Station known as the Turkey Hill Mine. In 1893 he located at Lenzburg and two years later bought out the general merchandise business of Wildy Brothers. He also organized the Tirre Coal
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
and Mining Company, and opened what is known as the New Lenzburg Coal Mine, which he is still operating. Mr. Tirre enlisted in the Home Guards of St. Louis in 1862, and re- mained in the army until the close of the war. He also furnished teams for army service. He is now retired from active business life.
William Tirre, Sr., is a member of the Ger- man Presbyterian Church, which he joined when a boy, and in the work of which he has always taken an active part. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and fraternally, is af- filiated with the Knights of Honor. In 1857 he was married, at St. Louis, to Charlotte Fro- bitter, who was born and educated in Germany. Of this union the following children were born: William, Jr., who is in charge of his father's business in East St. Louis; Edward G., man- ager of the merchandise store at Lenzburg; Frank F., who is general manager of all his father's business, being Superintendent of the Lenzburg coal mine and in charge of the St. Louis office; Henry, who is Assistant Superin- tendent of the Lenzburg mines; Frederick W., who is a clerk in the St. Louis office; and Mrs. Emma Mitchell. The Tirre Coal and Mining Company does an extensive business both in St. Louis and East St. Louis.
TOMLINSON, Charles P., Superintendent of the Belleville (Ill.) Brick Company, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1859, and received his education in its public schools. His father and mother, W. P. and Mary A. Tomlinson, were also natives of Pennsylvania. The former, who was a mechanic, served in the Civil War as Cap- tain of Company I, First California Regiment, and was killed near the close of the conflict. He was a soldier in the Mexican War. Charles P. Tomlinson's first business venture was in the building material line. After relinquishing this, he acted for fifteen years in the capacity of President of the Pennsylvania Brick Com- pany, of Philadelphia. At the end of this pe- riod he settled in St. Louis and followed rail- road work, until July 17, 1892, when he became Superintendent of the Belleville Brick Com- pany. In 1903 Mr. Tomlinson was married to Emma Hirth, a native of Belleville. They have one child-Caroline Marguerite. Mr. Tomlin- son's fraternal affiliation is with the A. F. A. M.
TOWNSEND, John J., Superintendent of the Elliot Frog and Switch Works, of East St.
Louis, this county, is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. He was born February 10, 1858, and is consequently forty-eight years of age. The pa- ternal family of Townsend has been known in Ireland for centuries, and many of Mr. Town- send's immediate ancestors took prominent parts in the fight for liberty made by the natives of the Emerald Isle, sacrificing homes and fortunes for their cause. Both father and grandfather were born in Dublin, Ireland, while the mother, Mary (McDermot) Townsend, was born and reared in Liverpool, England, and the maternal grandparents, John and Mary (Sault) McDer- mot, were natives of Manchester.
John Townsend was educated in the schools of Philadelphia, Pa., and at the age of eight- een years commenced an apprenticeship with a machinist, and then for a time, followed the trade as a journeyman. Later he became iden- tified with the frog and switch business, in time becoming foreman of the Wharton Switch Com- pany's plant in Philadelphia. He remained in that position for fourteen years, and during that period displayed such a knowledge of me- chanics generally as to make his services par- ticularly valuable in any department of the works. Desiring a wider field, however, he ac- cepted the superintendency of the Kansas City Frog and Switch Works, where he remained for six years. It was while handling this plant that he met the officers of the Elliot Frog and Switch Works, of East St. Louis. After ex- amining his work and investigating his ability to handle large forces of men, the company made him a very flattering offer, which he acepted. Mr. Townsend came to East St. Louis in 1892, and now not only enjoys the confi- dence of his employers, but the esteem and good will of his fellow-citizens. Owing to his great popularity, Mr. Townsend was elected to the office of Alderman of the Second Ward, over a very strong opposition, and by a hand- some majority. Mr. Townsend is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the lo- cal Tribe of Ben Hur. Through his marriage, in 1882, with Annie McNally, of St. John, N. B., four children have been born-Marion, Ger- aldine, John, Jr., and Beatrice.
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