USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 94
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Dorsey Wilderman, one of the sons of George Wilderman, married Phoebe Carr, daughter of Joseph Carr, who was a Virginia soldier in the War for American Independence, and an early settler in St. Clair County. From their mar- riage were born eight children, four sons and
four daughters. Michael Jacob Wilderman, eld- est of the sons, was born in 1814. In 1838, he married Theresa Patterson, daughter of Green B. Patterson-born in 1776, of Scotch ancestry -and Rebecca Charles, daughter of Elijah Charles. Mr. Charles, also, was a soldier in the War for American Independence, serving from North Carolina. Michael Jacob Wilder- man was the father of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity: Alonzo, Mrs. Emma Eyman, James, of Benton, Ill., and Walter, of St. Louis. M. J. Wilderman is still living with his daughter at Benton, aged ninety-one years.
On the first day of December, 1839, Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman, the eldest son, was born on his father's farm, near Freeburg, where he grew to maturity. During the years of his minority, as a dutiful son he performed the various labors incident to farm life, faithfully discharging every duty incumbent upon him with that conscientiousness which characterized him throughout his after life. In his early boy- hood, Alonzo Wilderman began to develop his mind in a direction that would lead to higher things and greater usefulness. He early learned, and ever held in memory, that, above all else, success in life is built upon a foundation of true manliness supported by the best obtain- able education- a pure heart reinforced by wis- dom. He was without special educational ad- vantages, having none other than those offered by the neighborhood common country schools of the day; but, like many another true Amer- ican in similar environment, he made the best of his opportunities and never despised the day of small things. His mind was an active, eager one, by the energy of which he com- pletely mastered the rudimentary and very lim- ited course of study prescribed in those schools; and his "schooling" was never ex- tended beyond country institutions. He was an educated scholar, nevertheless. To the ele- mentary courses taught him-perhaps during a few of his winter months-he added a self- taught system of reading, and, piloted by an in- nate keen judgment, he was enabled to select only the best out of the limited number of au- thorities at hand. Notwithstanding the narrow- ness of his range, by diligent search he found, read and re-read much that was best in Eng- lish literature, ancient and modern history, biography, science, ethics, philosophy, political economy, and other branches. He seemed to
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know intuitively the worth of a book without waste of time. If it were not of the best, he would have none of it; and, on the other hand, were it good, he mastered its contents thor- oughly. To the knowledge he thus patiently ac- quired in his earlier years, he added year after year, building course upon course, until by the time he reached the age termed middle life, he was reputed and known as a man whose fund of useful and practical information was broader than many whose advantages were much greater. By this method of reading and study he became highly and broadly educated.
At about the age of twenty-four Mr. Wilder- man went to California, and thence to Ore- gon, but remained there only a short time. Thence he went to Belleville, where he re- sumed the study of the law, which he had be- gun before he went West; and, having fin- ished the required course, in 1866 was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. On his admission to the bar, he formed a part- nership with his former preceptor, Spencer M. Kase, which' relation continued for a number of years, and was dissolved by consent. Shortly after this dissolution (in 1872) he joined in practice with James M. Hamill, forming the law firm of Wilderman & Hamill, than which no firm in Illinois enjoyed a better reputation for ability and trustworthiness. This firm as dissolved in 1891, after an existence of about twenty years, by the election of Mr. Wilderman to the bench of the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, in which position he served six years, the peer of the best in every qualification re- quired for a Judge. At the expiration of the term of this office, he resumed the practice of the law, associating with Hon. James M. Dill at Belleville, and this partnership was termi- nated by his death, November 20, 1904. In 1876, he was elected from St. Clair County as a member of the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth General Assembly, in which po- sition he proved an able legislator and a true representative of the people. He served on several committees here, among which was the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill origi- nating and creating Appellate Courts and giv- ing them concurrent jurisdiction. He was Chairman of the sub-committee from the House, and had charge of the bill and all matters pertaining to it; managed it on the floor and secured its passage through the lower body.
In 1885, he was appointed Master in Chancery for St. Clair County, which appointment he held over four years; and his administration of that exacting office stands pre-eminent for efficiency, accuracy and integrity. Among other public position of fidelity and trust to which he was elected or appointed, were Pres- ident of the Board of Education of Belleville, which office he held for two terms; a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Reform- atory at Pontiac, and President of the Board of Trustees of McKendree College, at Lebanon, Ill. Education had always in Judge Wilder- man a warm friend and loyal supporter.
Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman was married, in 1871, to Amanda Affleck, daughter of the late James Affleck. Of this union were born five children: Arthur, who died in infancy; Hes- ter, Augusta and Eunice; and Blanche, who died in early womanhood. For a period cover- ing many years terminated only by his death, Judge Wilderman was an active and honored member of the Masonic fraternity. He was made a Mason in Freeburg Lodge, but on be- coming a resident of Belleville, affiliated with St. Clair Lodge, No. 24; became a Royal Arch Mason in Belleville Chapter, No. 106; was a charter member of Belleville Council, Royal and Select Masters, and was the first Postulant in Tancred Commandery, No. 50, wherein he received the orders of Masonic Knighthood. In all of these bodies he was repeatedly elected to office, and to the presiding chair he was re- elected for several terms in succession. His extensive and accurate knowledge of Masonic law, usage, tradition and custom, gave him a high standing among students of mystical lore and the esoteric work of Masonry. He was also a member of Consistory Scottish Rite at Chicago. He was a member of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Illinois, be- ing elected to and promoted through the sev- eral subordinate offices until, in 1903, he was elected Right Eminent Grand Commander of that body-the highest office in the suffrage of the Templars of the State of Illinois. In 1902, he joined the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
As a member of the legal profession, Alonzo St. Clair Wilderman held a most enviable po- sition. By reason of his great assiduity, aided by his tenacious memory, he mastered the law contained in the texts and in the "horn books."
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He was recognized by the court and the bar as one of the best informed attorneys in the Mid- dle West in regard to adjudicate principles. His power of mental concentration gave him quick grasp of the scope and intent of reported decisions, of the facts governing and the points decided. The bar generally and the several courts in which he practiced regarded his abil- ity as of the highest order, esteemed him for his gentlemanly and uniform professional courtesy, and respected and honored him for his integrity. But his greatest attainment was his purity of life. He was a man of pure heart, of undefiled thought; a man with clean hands and without acts of wrong or injustice to his discredit. In the discharge of his public and private duties, he had ever the love of God before his eyes, with never a fear of the con- sequence of adverse critcism. He was never influenced by the glitter of glory, nor by the power of wealth, nor by threats of harm, nor by promises of the unscrupulous. The straight path of rectitude to his final end was the only road in which he set his feet. He was a be- liever in the faith and Christian religion, al- though he never affiliated with any church. Lifting. up, helping, aiding and assisting his fellow men was, to him, the purpose of this life; and that he accomplished those good pur- poses is attested by many living witnesses. The world was bettered by his having lived in it, in a greater measure than can be estimated by mortal mind.
"The evils of ambition righteously be spurned As hated things-they were to his soul ab- horrent-
Greed and avarice, twin serpents, to him un- known,
Save as wicked enemies to his race;
And so knowing, he smote their slimy hands With his strong lance, ere the foul things Hissed their venom 'gainst his white shield. To power and wealth he gave no thought But to wisely use them for the bett'ring Of the weak and poor; or uplifting The fallen, whose needs were sore.
"A broader love to fellow man No man hath than was his;
None better knew, nor better did Than he, to lead men up from dank darkness, Turning their faces to greater light
And 'stablishing their feet, by gentleness, In the path that leads to God."
WILDERMAN, Millard F., was born January 4, 1861, in Freeburg Township, St. Clair County, son of Francis A. and Martha (Pitts) Wilder- man, both of whom were natives of the county named. His paternal grandparents were Dossy and Phoebe (Carr) Wilderman, the birth of the former occurring near Baltimore, Md., and of the latter, near Petersburg, Va. Both mi- grated to Illinois in the year 1794. On the maternal side the grandfather was Kintchen Pitts, a native of Tennessee. Millard F. Wilder- man remained on the homestead with his par- ents until his marriage, when he removed to his farm of forty acres on Section 18, Smith- ton Township, which he inherited from his uncle, James D. Wilderman. He moved to his present place in the fall of 1881, and here most of his land is planted to wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. In religion, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, politically, supports the Democratic party, and has been a School Trustee since 1897. He was married October 18, 1881, to Emma M. Herman, who was born and educated in New Athens Township, and they are the parents of the following children: James Francis Herman, born November 6, 1882, died August 31, 1883; Loren Edwin, born Jan- uary 9, 1884; Cornelia Louisa, born May 6, 1892.
WILHELMJ, C. F., M. D., East St. Louis, was born in Nashville, Washington County, Ill., a son of Dr. Charles A. and Sophia (Bollet) Wilhelmj. His father was born in Nassau, Germany, of which duchy his father, the grand- father of C. F. Wilhelmj, was Councillor of Finances, and, later, upon the recommendation of the Prince of Metternich, became a mem- ber of the Aulic Council of Austria. Charles A. Wilhelmj was educated at Heidelberg and at Munich. He took an active part in the Ger- man revolution of 1848, and, in consequence, was obliged to seek refuge in America. He located at Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he re- moved to Maeystown, Monroe County, Ill., where he died at the age of seventy-six years. Sophia Bollet, who became the wife of this patriot and emigrant, was a daughter of Dr. Frederick Bollet, of Waterloo, Ill., a pioneer physician there. The immediate subject of this sketch was the only child of this worthy cou-
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ple. After the death of his mother in 1860, he was sent to school at St. Louis, later living with an aunt at St. Joseph, Mo., where he at- tended the public school. He began his medical studies under his father's preceptorship in 1876, and was graduated from St. Louis Medical College with the degree of M. D. in 1880. He practiced his profession in Monroe County in association with his father until 1885, when he entered upon his career as a physician in East St. Louis. He is a member of the American, the Illinois and the St. Clair County Medical Associations and the East St. Louis Medical Society. In politics, he is strenuously Repub- lican, and his interest in everything that af- fects the welfare of the people of his city, county, State and Nation is deep and abiding. His office is at 405 Collinsville Avenue, his residence, at 1744 St. Louis Avenue.
WILLI, August, whose business is that of an insurance agent in Lebanon, this county, is a native of that place, having been born in 1872. His father, Christian Willi, was born in Switzerland. His mother, Mary (Seiford) Willi, was of German birth. Christ. Willi came to Lebanon as early as 1848, and was connected with what is now the Pfeffer Milling Company for twenty years. He was subsequently en- gaged in the merchandise business until 1896, when he retired from active life. He is the father of eight children, six of whom are liv- ing. August Willi received his early education in the public schools. In 1888, he was employed by the Pfeffer Milling Company, where he re- mained two years and learned the trade of an iron molder. This he afterward followed for two years in St. Louis, and since then he has been engaged in the life insurance business here.
In 1902, Mr. Willi was married to Katie L. Wildy, a native of Pinckneyville, Ill., and they have one child, Mildred.
WILLIAMS, Dan W., lessor and manager of the McCasland Opera House, in East St. Louis, was born in 1867, at Lebanon, Ill., and there pursued his early studies in the public schools. His father and mother, Thomas J. and Mary (Patterson) Williams, were Virginians by birth. At an early day, Thomas J. Williams moved from Virginia to Illinois, where he was engaged in the practice of law at Lebanon, and
served as Justice of the Peace. He was also prominent in the local councils of the Demo- cratic party. For a number of years, Dan W. Williams followed the hotel business, and some- times devoted his attention to the work of a solicitor. He came into control of the McCas- land Opera House in 1891, and has since con- ducted that establishment. He is also the operator of a troop of thirty-five colored min- strels, and his ventures in these lines have met with success. Mr. Williams was married, in 1901, to Ethel Abner, a native of Washing- ton, Ind.
WILLIAMS, Thomas J .- Thomas J. Williams, elected Clerk of East St. Louis in 1902, on the Independent Municipal Party ticket, was born in Lebanon, this county, February 12, 1860, and has been engaged in the printing and publishing business for practically his entire active life. Primarily, he was educated in the public schools, later attending McKendree Col- lege at Lebanon for five years, and the Normal School at Normal, III., for one year. His father, Thomas Williams, was born in Virginia, a son of Thomas and Vernasdal Williams, natives of Virginia and France respectively; and his mother, whom his father married after removing to Illinois in the early days, was Maria (Peter- son) Williams, daughter of Joshua and Susan (Johnson) Peterson, representing old Tennessee and Illinois families. To an excellent general ed- ucation Thomas J. Williams has added a course in medicine at the Chicago Medical College, but soon after graduating drifted into the news- paper business. He has published papers in Lebanon, Belleville, Champaign, and Eldorado, Ill., and has lived in St. Louis proper, Chi- cago, Ill., and Buffalo, N. Y., having been a resi- dent of East St. Louis for the past twelve years. For many years he has taken an active interest in Democratic politics, holding various offices previous to his election to the City Clerkship in 1902. The breadth of his fraternal connec- tions would indicate an appreciation of the social and ethical side of life, he being identi- fied among others with the Masons, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen, and the Redmen. Mr. Williams was married in Mis- souri, to Lura Price, a native of Neosho, New- ton County, Mo., and of this union two children have been born, Fannie May and Grover C.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
WILLOUGHBY, James Amos, a very prominent citizen of Belleville, this county, and Pres- ident of the Belleville Advocate Company (In- corporated), was born in St. Clair County, May 2, 1855. He is the son of William E. and Mary (Moore) Willoughby. William E. Willoughby came to Illinois with his parents when he was about twelve years old. The family settled in Caseyville, where the father pursued the oc- cupation of a farmer, in which he was very successful, prospering to such an extent that he was enabled to give each of his children a quarter section of land. He was a man of strong character, and exercised considerable influence in his vicinity. Politically, he was a Republican, but sought no office. His re- ligious connection was with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he officiated as Trustee. William E. Willoughby married Mary, a daugh- ter of Hon. William Moore, an honored pioneer settler, and the children born to them were William H., James Amos, Mary J. (Mrs. Keith), and Ida M. (Mrs. Starr). The father of the family died at the age of seventy-six, and the mother, aged seventy-two years.
James A. Willoughby was educated at Mc- Kendree College, Lebanon, Ill., graduating from the scientific department, and also completed a course at the law department of the Michigan State University. He was admitted to the bar in Michigan and Illinois, but never practiced law. On his return from college, he was en- gaged 'for four years in the drug business in Lebanon. In June, 1885, Mr. Willoughby pur- chased a half interest in the Belleville "Ad- vocate," which was established in 1839, and in- corporated December 10, 1894, Mr. Willoughby being made President, with J. E. Thomas as Secretary and Treasurer. The paper has been influential in local and State politics, and holds an honored place among its contemporaries. The wife of Mr. Willoughby was formerly Elizabeth V. Hughes, a daughter of James Hughes, ex-Sheriff of St. Clair County. They had three daughters, all of whom died in in- fancy, and are rearing a child, Eugenia May Hughes.
Mr. Willoughby is an earnest Republican. When he gave up the drug business in Lebanon he was elected County Recorder and served in this office four years. He was defeated for re- election, despite the fact that he ran 1,700 votes ahead of his ticket. In 1894, Mr. Willoughby
was elected State Senator, and during his four years in the Upper House, served acceptably on many committees. On April 12, 1904, Mr. Willoughby was appointed, by the United States Comptroller of the Currency, receiver for two banks-one at Guthrie, Okla., and the other at Holdenville, I. T., a position of much responsi- bility. On August 1, 1905, he was appointed a member of the Illinois State Civil Service .Com- mission, in which capacity he is now serving. Fraternally, Mr. Willoughby is a member of the Masonic Chapter, and the K. T., in which he is Past Eminent Commander.
WILSON, Christopher E., was born in 1854, in Hamilton County, Ind., and was there, educated in the public schools. He was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, and after leaving home went to Chicago, where he was employed by the City Street Railway Company for three years. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged as chief engineer with the Cass, Warren & Fair Grounds Power House, and in February, 1904, went to East St. Louis as chief engineer of the great East Side Rail- way Company's Power House, having charge of an engine room 190 by 100 feet, containing twenty-four large boilers and a large number of powerful electric machines, and had twenty- two men working under him. The power house is the best equipped plant in the country.
WILSON, David, who, for the past three years, has filled the responsible position of hoisting engineer for the Ruby Mine Company, was born in Belleville, Ill., in 1864, and received a common school education. His parents, John * and Anna (Lozier) Wilson, were both natives of Germany. His father came to this country after his marriage and engaged in coal mining at Belleville. After leaving school, the sub- ject of this sketch also took up coal mining as his vocation in life, and worked his way up to the position he now holds with the Ruby Mine Company. In 1884, Mr. Wilson was mar- ried to Florence Fonny, who was born in St. Clair County, and they are the parents of six children, named, respectively, Anna, Lottie, Jessie, Genevieve, David and Estelle.
WILSON, James R., was born in Randolph County, Ill., October 12, 1854, a son of Peter R. and Mary Jane (Day) Wilson, the former
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
of whom was a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. James R. was educated in the public schools of Randolph County, and at the age of twenty-one years started to work at farming on his own account in Vernon County, Mo., continuing in that line of industry for seven years. He then went to Coulterville, Ill., where for seventeen years he conducted a gen- eral store. Later he traded this for property in East St. Louis, to which city he moved and engaged in the real estate business and now owns several houses. In church affiliations he is a Presbyterian, and in politics, is a Repub- lican. Mr. Wilson was married June 1, 1882, to Isabella Dunlop, who is a native of Ran- dolph County, Ill., where she was educated in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born three children, as follows: Marietta, James Cameron and Tracy Day.
WIMMER, W. L., General Superintendent of the Southern Illinois Construction Company, with headquarters in East St. Louis, was born in Munich, Germany, in 1875, came to this county in 1881 and settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where he received his scholastic training. Aft- er completing his studies he adopted architec- ture as his profession. In 1896, when the Southern Illinois Construction Company was organized and incorporated, he came to East St. Louis and became connected with it. The officials of the company are: W. J. Edlinger, President; C. L. Gray, Secretary and General Manager; and W. L. Wimmer, General Super- intendent. The company has a planing mill for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and other varieties of construction work. It constructs all classes of buildings, and its op- erations are not confined to any territory. It builds trestles, does street paving and deals in lumber, in these several lines furnishing employment to 100 men. The mill and local office are situated at the intersection of the Belt Railroad and St. Louis Avenue. The St. Louis office is in the Panama Building. Mr. Wimmer was married in 1901 to Mary O. Yar- wick, a native of East St. Louis, and they have two children-Gladys and Kenneth. Mr. Wim- mer is affiliated fraternally with the Order of Elks.
WINKELMANN, William, since October, 1863, a practicing attorney in Belleville, and , owner of seventeen farms of 160 acres each,
in St. Clair, Monroe, and Clinton Counties; proprietor of the Belleville Fair Grounds; own- er of valuable town property, including his own residence, which is one of the finest in St. Clair County, and the possessor of the finest law library in Southern Illinois, is one of the most striking examples available of the value of grit, determination, capacity for hard work, and ability to see and grasp surrounding op- portunities. Mr. Winkelmann had not a cent which he might call his own when he started out on his self-supporting career. Born in Destel, Germany, February 8, 1829, he is a son of Christian and Wilhelmina (Swetman) Win- kelmann.
Arriving in St. Louis, by way of New Orleans, in 1849, Mr. Winkelmann found employment as a teamster for two and a half years; then went to Jefferson County where he worked in a saw- mill for a year. With his small earnings he entered the Iron Mountain district, purchased a team of horses, and engaged in freighting from Iron Mountain to St. Genevieve for two years. Soon afterward he began reading law in Washington County, Mo., six months later removing to Monroe County, Ill., where he com- bined the study of law with the operation of a saloon for six years. In 1862 he came to Belle- ville, entered the office of J. B. Underwood, and received his license in October, 1863. As evi- dencing his faith in the future of this part of the Middle West, he began investing his earnings in country property, with the result that he is one of the largest farm owners in the State from the standpoint of numbers, all of his real estate being under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has taken an active part in all under- takings for the advancement of the county, has ever been a generous contributor to worthy demands upon his purse, and has fostered edu- cation, morality, religion and good government. He is a Democrat in politics, fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Or- der of Elks, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On December 5, 1883, he married Lucretia A. Wooters, who was born in Monroe County, Ill., and was educated in the public schools of her native State.
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