USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 93
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
brain that he attributes a large share of his success. He is a Christian gentleman, con- trary to the general tendency of the devotees of science, and is a life member of the Amer- ican Bible Society. While progressive and open to conviction, he represents the conserva- tive and careful element among physicians, and is one of those who lean upon the immutable truths sanctioned by the wisdom and experi- ence of the centuries.
WESTWOOD, Thomas, mine manager for the Consolidated Coal Company, of Belleville, this county, is a native of England, born in 1842. Mr. Westwood came to the United States in 1869, and four years thereafter engaged in mining with the Schuremann Coal Company, whose property was purchased by the Consoli- dated Coal Company in 1886. Mr. Westwood has been manager of the mine for nearly twen- ty-six years. He has forty-six men under his charge, and the daily capacity of the mine is 220 tons. The output is shipped to St. Louis, where it is sold. Thomas Westwood was mar- ried in 1860 to Hannah Dingley, and they have five children-Albert, Martha, Jane, Hettie H. and Frank.
WETTIG, Victor H., identified with the East St. Louis Terminal Association since 1888 and for a number of years operator of the com- pany's electric signal station at the Relay Depot, was born in Old Illinois Town, now South East St. Louis, in 1852, and is a son of Andrew and Louisa (Neubarth) Wettig, natives of Saxony, Germany. In 1830, Andrew Wettig inaugurated his self-supporting career in America, settling on the farm near Belleville, Ill., whence later he removed to a place near Millstadt. For a number of years he owned land comprising what is now the eastern part of East St. Louis, but the high water of 1851 driving him from this property, he located in Old Illinois Town, now East St. Louis. Here he engaged in a general merchandise business for many years, at the same time taking a prominent part in Demo- cratic politics, and serving as the first Post- master of East St. Louis, an office to which he was appointed under the Pierce adminis- tration, and which he held until the election of President Lincoln.
Profiting by his father's success and its re- sultant opportunity, Victor H. Wettig completed
his education in the public schools of Old Illi- nois Town, and eventually took a course in a commercial college in St. Louis proper. In 1869 he entered the law office of Ex-Mayor J. B. Bowman, and in 1871 took charge of the ticket office connected with the St. Louis & Vandalia Railroad. Resigning this position in 1874, he accepted the appointment of Deputy City Clerk, and upon resigning in August, 1875, became telegrapher for the St. Louis Bridge Company. In 1876 he resigned this position to become City Clerk under Mayor Hake, and in 1877 sent in his resignation, which took effect six months later. He has since voted the straight Democratic ticket, but has avoided official hon- ors. His length of service with the East St. Louis Terminal Association is the most fitting guarantee of his stability and faithfulness, and especially is his work to be commended in the responsible position as operator of the electric signal station. In 1876 Mr. Wettig married Annie E. Flynn, who was born in Rhode Island, and who died in 1882, leaving a son, Victor A., now electrician at the Union Station, St. Louis. In 1888, Mr. Wettig married for a second wife, Louisa C. Shriver, born near Quincy, Ill., and of this union two children have been born- Carl L., and Pansy L.
WEYGANDT, Charles L., foreman of the nickel-plating department of the Snyder & Baker Stove Works, Belleville, was born Feb- ruary 18, 1878, in Millstadt, Ill. When he was six years old his parents moved to Belleville, where the father was employed as a brick mason, which trade he still follows. At the age of fourteen, Charles L. started to work, as an apprentice polisher, for the Snyder & Baker Stove Company, and at the end of three years became a journeyman, since which time he has been foreman of the plating department of that concern. In religion, he adheres to the Evan- gelical Church, and in politics, is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. His parents are Charles and Anna (Oldendorph) Weygandt, the former born in Millstadt, Ill., and the lat- ter in St. Clair County. The paternal grand- father of the subject of this sktech was Adolph Weygandt, a native of Germany.
WHELAN, James J., who is engaged in the retail liquor business in East St. Louis, this county, and represents the Third Ward in the
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
City Council, was born in that city, October 13, 1872, and received his early education in the public school. His parents, Thomas and Mar- garet (Fahey) Whelan, were natives of Ire- land, the father being a railroad car inspector.
Mr. Whelan learned the trade of a machin- ist, which he followed until 1896, and then en- gaged in the retail liquor business at No. 134 South Main Street. In 1903, he was elected Alderman from the Third Ward on the Inde- pendent Municipal ticket, serving two years in that capacity, and having been prominently connected with the present city administration ever since attaining his majority. Fraternally, Mr. Whelan is affiliated with the Eagles.
WHITE, Thomas H., Postmaster at the Na- tional Stock Yards, East St. Louis, was born at Beekman, Dutchess County, N. Y., July 1, 1849, a son of Leonard T. and Charlotte (Wright) White, both natives of the Empire State. Mrs. Leonard T. White died in 1856, and her husband in 1857. Of their eight chil- dren, seven grew to maturity. Thomas H., the second in order of birth, was without father or mother when he was only eight years old. In 1858, when he was nine, he went to Dover, N. Y., to live with his uncle, William A. White. In 1860, he returned to Beekman to learn car- riage-making with his uncle, William Wright. After a year and a half there, he went to West- chester County, N. Y., where he worked in a carriage shop two years. Later he was engaged for some time in the shop of his uncle, William Wright, at Beekman. Then he worked in the factory of George Morgan at Amenia, N. Y., the greatest grain cradle manufactory of its time. In 1866 he returned to Beekman, whence, in 1867, he removed to Albany, N. Y., to assist in building the West Albany Stock Yards. Thence he went to Buffalo and helped to rebuild and reopen the cattle-yards there. He was em- ployed again at the yards at Albany and, in 1871, came to East St. Louis to assist in build- ing the National Stock Yards. He was in charge of excavations and grading for two years, until the yards were completed and opened. Then for three years he was yard- master in the cattle department, a position which he resigned to buy and sell cattle on his own account. Later, as local representative and buyer for Swift & Company and the Michigan Beef and Provision Company, he be-
came known in the cattle trade throughout the United States. About the time of the com- pletion of the National Stock Yards, a suit was brought by Himrod & Ellithorpe against the "Yards Company" for alleged damages to the sum of $150,000 for rock work. Judge Wilder- man was appointed referee to try the case, and before him at that time Mr. White made his first appearance as a witness. The suit was won by the National Stock Yards Company. Politically, Mr. White is a stanch Republican. Records show that he has had much to do offi- cially with the advancement of East St. Louis. He is serving his fourth year as Postmaster at the National Stock Yards. He has always favored the "reform" government and was elected Alderman from the Seventh Ward on the Citizens' ticket. He married Miss Fannie M. Griffin, a native of Connecticut, in February, 1871. His residence is at 816 Baugh Avenue.
WHITESIDE, Thomas A., farmer of St. Clair Township, this county, was born there January 8, 1843, the son of Joseph O. and Margaret (Badgley) Whiteside, natives of Illinois, and grandson of William L. Whiteside, of North Carolina, and Ichabod Badgley, a typical New Englander. Mr. Whiteside received a public school education, and remained with his par- ents until after the breaking out of the Civil War, on August 12, 1862, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois In- fantry, serving until discharged, on August 5, 1865. Having participated in twelve battles and in thirty-five skirmishes, and being at last wounded in the head by the explosion of a shell, he returned with honor to St. Clair Coun- ty, and began farming on Section 10, two miles northeast of Belleville. In 1876 he purchased fifty-three acres of land, and later bought an additional forty-six acres, the chief products of his farm being fruits, butter and cream, in which articles he has dealt since 1884. On De- cember 26, 1866, Mr. Whiteside was married to Olive Messenger, of St. Clair Township, a daughter of Matthew Lyon Messenger, and a cousin of General Lyon, the well known Com- mander in the Civil War. Of this union nine children have been born-Lillian, Maud, Ora, Raymond, Daisy, Donald, Lawrence, Olive and Dorothy. In his political views, Mr. White- side is a Republican, and is closely identified with the G. A. R.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
WICK, Bernhardt F., for many years a resi- dent of Belleville, this county, and whose death, August 18, 1882, removed a worthy and useful member of the community, was born in Saxony, Germany, April 21, 1827, a son of George F. and Louisa Wick. In 1847, Mr. Wick crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1849 came to Belleville, where he worked at the trade of a mason. He followed the same until his election to the office of City Clerk, in 1858, which he held four years, afterward serv- ing as County Clerk for eight years. He mar- ried Susanna Kersler, of Baden, Germany, in May, 1854, and of the union five children have been born: Louise is the wife of George Daab; Freda is Mrs. Adolph Glacer; Eliza is unmar- ried; Lena is the wife of Otis Getchel; and one son, Fred G., died November 10, 1889. Mr. Wick was a Democrat in politics, and fra- ternally, connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
"WIDER, Ernest W. (deceased) .- Few men have been more prominently before the atten- tion of the public in East St. Louis than Mr. Wider. Fewer yet have contributed more to pro- mote the general good than he. He may have made mistakes, doubtless did, but they were errors of the head, not of the heart. Many of his public acts may have been prompted by a spirit of rivalry, but most were certainly in- tended for the promotion of local enterprises. Ernest W. Wider was born on May 7, 1835, at Beerfelden, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, was educated at the University of Heidelberg, served his apprenticeship as a druggist at Er- bach, emigrated to America in 1851, and set- tled in East St. Louis in 1855. His father, Carl Frederick Wider, was born March 23, 1792, and was for a time Chaplain at Reichtheldenheim von Kahn. In 1812 he was installed as Luth- eran preacher at Beerfelden, and in 1820 was installed as Oberpfarrer (or chief priest). He was married to Louisa Maria Flach, May 24, 1832. Of this union came the subject of this sketch. In 1856 Ernest W. Wider engaged in the drug business here, for which his educa- tion and pronounced ability as a chemist pre- eminently fitted him. In 1858 he received the appointment as Postmaster for East St. Louis, under Buchanan's administration. The follow- ing year he was removed for political reasons, he having identified himself with the Repub-
lican party, in the advocacy of whose princi- ples he was earnest and enthusiastic. In 1861 those principles having been sustained in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, he was again appointed, in April of that year, and held the office for a period of eight years. From his advent in East St. Louis he took an active part in politics. Few Republican con- ventions were held in which he was not a con- spicuous figure. In State, congressional, dis- trict and county conventions he represented his fellow citizens, and was persistent in advanc- ing men and measures pleasing to himself. In national politics, he was a Republican of the most pronounced type-one who delighted in the name of Radical with all the party zeal that the name implied. Every city election found him a worker, usually in the interest of others. The only elective office he ever held was that of member of the City Council, to which he was chosen from the First Ward, first in 1876, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. He was a member of that body during the ex- citing times that East St. Louis politics passed through, and was by common consent, the rec- ognized leader of the anti-Bowman party. For a time the city had two sets of officers, or, in other words, a dual government, growing out of what was popularly denominated the met- ropolitan police fight. Since 1867, Mr. Wider has been the champion of the metropolitan police system, deeming it to be the interest of the city to have such a system. Throughout it all Mr. Wider acted the part of a man, sincere in his convictions, and determined in carrying out his policy. He was several times honored by appointment, such as being a dele- gate to the third annual meeting of the Amer- ican Board of Transportation and Commerce at Chicago, in 1875, as Notary Public, by Gov- ernor Richard J. Oglesby, and a member of the State Central Republican Committee in 1876. It was his nature to be active, and what- ever he took hold of he did it with his might.' True to his friends, a man of broad culture, of goodness of heart; his demise was mourned by many. A friend of the poor; he never turned them from his door, but attended to their wants with cheerfulness. Many pre- scriptions were filled by him, free of charge, when brought to him by those who were needy. He was married to Dora Sikking, March 21, 1859, by whom he had four children. His
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
death occurred July 7, 1881, and was a shock to his family and fellow citizens." (Brink's History, 1881.)
WIDMER, John, the capable and efficient chief engineer of the Star Brewery Company, Belle- ville, is a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1859. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States and located at La Salle, Ill., and was there employed as a brewery engineer. A year later (in 1880), he went to St. Louis, Mo., and there worked for the Lemp Brewing Company, later going to the Lafayette Brew- ing Company, where he remained for six years. He subsequently came to Belleville and has since been employed in the Star Brewery Com- pany, as chief engineer. In his social and trade affiliations, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, the Masonic Order, Foresters, and the Beer Brew- ers' Association.
WIECHERT, August C., Secretary of the St. Clair Foundry, Belleville, was born July 8, 1857, in Westphalia, Germany, son of Jergen and Fredericka (Kruse) Wiechert, the former a native of Hanover, and the latter also of Westphalia. Mr. Wiechert was educated in the public schools of his native land, and when ten years of age, came to the United States with his parents, who located at Belle- ville. Four years later he commenced work with a Furniture Company, remaining with that firm for one year and then going to the Reise Flour Mill for seven years. Afterward he engaged in the molding trade, un- til 1890 when, in company with William Althoff and Frederick Wiechert, he organized the St. Clair Foundry, with Frederick Wiechert as President, August Wiechert as Secretary, and William Althoff, Treasurer. They have a gen- eral jobbing house and employ an average of sixty experienced men. In religion, Mr. Wiechert follows the precepts of the Lutheran Church, politically, he supports the Democratic party, and socially, is a member of the Knights of Pythias. On June 21, 1883, he was united in marriage to Bertha Steudle, who was born and educated in Belleville, and to them have been born the following children: Hilda, Fer- dinand, Roland, Esther, August F., and Leona.
WIECHERT, Fred, who is President of the St. Clair Foundry Company, Belleville, was born in Germany in 1859, and is a son of G.
H. Wiechert, also a native of Germany, where he was engaged in farming. The family emi- grated to the United States in 1867. For a few years Fred Wiechert followed farming, and afterward spent eight years (until 1889) with the Pump and Skein Works, when he en- tered the St. Clair Foundry Company, of whose affairs he is at the head. This company was incorporated December 21, 1889. It is engaged in the manufacture of general machine cast- ings, and also turns out rocking grate bars. The concern employs a force of sixty men, and does a large and successful business. Besides President Wiechert, its officials are August C. Weichert, Secretary, and William Althoof, Treasurer. Louisa Schmidt became the wife of Mr. Wiechert, and their union has resulted in seven children, as follows: Richard, Mollie, Arthur, Pauline, Frankie, Irvin and Marguride.
WIES, John J., one of the most energetic, successful and popular citizens of East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Ill., who, through his own natural capacity, aided by tenacity of purpose, steadfast persistence and diligent ap- plication to whatever duties demanded his at- tention, has risen from a humble position to be a prominent, influential and affluent member of the community, is a native of East St. Louis, where he was born August 22, 1863. Mr. Wies is a son of Louis and Julia (Flach) Wies, who were born in Germany. Louis Wies was a baker by occupation, and a man of indus- trious habits and upright character.
In early youth, the subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his vicinity, and fully utilized the opportunities therein afforded for mental training. After his school days were over, he secured employment in the old "Workmen's Bank" (now the Southern Illinois National Bank), where he remained two years. He next secured a position with the National Stock Yards Company, with which he contin- ued for one year. Subsequently, he spent two years in connection with the Relay Depot As- sociation. Then, in 1891, he succeeded N. & G. Ohmer, proprietors of the Depot Restaurant, which he conducted until 1902, enjoying a very remunerative business. In the year last named, he built the Wies Hotel, at No. 101 Missouri Avenue, of which he is now the proprietor and operator. Mr. Wies is widely known to the traveling public through this attractive place of entertainment, and is recognized far and
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
near as a most courteous, considerate and genial host. Prosperity has attended him in all his undertakings, and he is now accounted one of the most substantial men in the business circles of his native place. Mr. Wies is a stockholder in the Southern Illinois National Bank, and the East St. Louis Trust and Savings Bank, in both of which institutions he is a member of the Board of Directors. He is prom- inently identified with the East St. Louis Stone Company, and serves its interests in the ca- pacity of President and Treasurer. In other etxensive concerns in East St. Louis, he is a holder of stock.
On June 2, 1892, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Mrs. C. Walsh, a native of East St. Louis, and a daughter of Mike Walsh and Mrs. E. Walsh, of East St. Louis. The children resulting from this union are as follows, namely: John J. Wies, Jr., and Irma Wies.
In politics, Mr. Wies is a Republican, and is an active and influential factor in the local councils of his party. He has also served as a member of the Executive Board of the Citi- zens' party of East St. Louis. He has held the office of Assistant Supervisor, and has re- cently been elected County Treasurer of St. Clair County. In fraternal circles, Mr. Wies is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. and the K. of P. Religiously, he is an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith.
WIGGINS, J. Leaming, M. D., East St. Louis, was born in St. Louis, Mo .; in 1855, a son of Louis C. and Anna (Edwards) Wiggins, the former a native of Cape May, N. J., the latter of Philadelphia, Pa. Louis C. Wiggins was by trade a printer, and for a time worked on the "St. Louis Republic," then the "Republican." In 1858, he began farming at O'Fallon, where he died in 1878. He had been a widower since 1863. He was a Baptist (a deacon in his church), and a Republican, and as a citizen wielded an influence for the upbuilding of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins had six children, of whom Dr. Wiggins was the young- est. He was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the district schools. In 1864 he went to Natchez, Miss., for his health, and for two years was a student at the Normal Institute in that city. Later he attended public school in St. Louis. He read medicine with Dr. C. R. Oatman at Collins-
ville, and in the fall of 1874 entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of M. D. in 1877. After being engaged in successful practice at Casey- ville until 1884, he took up his residence in East St. Louis, meanwhile (1879) having taken a post-graduate course at the St. Louis Medical College. In 1880 he married Miss Louisa C. Moeller, a native of New Ulm, Minn., but who was reared in St. Louis. His connection with the East St. Louis School Board began in 1888 and continued some years. He was Chair- man of the special committee that selected the sites and approved the plans for the Webster and Franklin school buildings, and it was in accordance with a resolution introduced by him on July 1, 1889, that the national flag was placed on the school buildings of the city on each national holiday and one day of each week. This resolution was the first of its kind passed west of the Alleghanies. He has long and influentially advocated the establish- ment of soldiers' homes, especially in the South, for veterans who cannot endure the rigors of Northern winters. He is a member of the St. Clair County Medical Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, the Illinois State Med- ical and the American Medical Societies. His office is at 1112 North Main Street, and his residence at 621 North Ninth Street.
WILDERMAN, Albert E. (deceased), farmer of Turkey Hill, this county, was born October 25, 1829, in the same place where he now resides, the son of George and Nancy (Stuntz) Wilder- man, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, re- spectively. Both parents are now deceased, the father's death occurring June 27, 1866, and the mother's, on August 15, 1866. Mr. Wilderman was the youngest of nine children, received a common school education and early began to work on the homestead. At his father's death he received 240 acres of land, to which he has added until he became the owner of 340 acres in one body on Turkey Hill, two farms of 160 and 147 47-100 acres in Athens Township, and another tract in Freeburg Township consisting of sixty-one acres of land, making a total of 709 acres.
On January 19, 1854, Mr. Wilderman was married to Saphrolla, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Charles) Hill, and of this union three children were born-George Reily; Ada Dora, who married Louis Sheets, and is deceased;
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and Mary Ellen, who married Julius Wilder- man. Mr. Wilderman lost his first wife by death. On May 1, 1873, Mr. Wilderman was united to Melissa, daughter of Abel and Delia (Charles) Thompson. Mrs. Thompson was a native of Illinois, and was born in Cairo, that State, in 1820, having the reputation of being the first white child born in that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilderman were born five chil- dren: Lovell C., Hattie R., who married Dr. D. W. LeGrand; Calvin Abel, Carrie Isabelle and Leroy A. In his political affiliations, the deceased was a Democrat. For a number of years he served as School Director and was also Supervisor of Roads. He was a member of the Baptist Church at the time of his death, February 8, 1905.
WILDERMAN, Alonzo St. Clair. (Written by James H. Thomas) .- The Wilderman family in America is descended from German ancestry, and a part of its Illinois branch constitutes one of the oldest, largest, and wealthiest fam- ilies in St. Clair County. As a family, it has been established in that county during more than one hundred years; and throughout that period, it has been esteemed for probity, mo- rality, industry, good citizenship, and for all those attributes which make for the betterment of the individual, of society, and of the State. Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman came of this stock, with all of those splendid qualities inherent in him.
George Wilderman, the Illinois pioneer, was born in Washington County, Md., and in the year 1805 migrated with his family of ten sons and three daughters to that part of "the Territory north of the River Ohio," now known as St. Clair County, Ill. He located near the present site of the thriving town of Freeburg, where he made a habitation and where he and his descendants did their part in developing a wild territory into a great and powerful com- monwealth. In the vicinity of this pioneer's early homestead, his descendants are numerous today, and maintain the family pre-eminence as firmly as in generations past.
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