USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 95
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WINKLER, Edward F., Deputy County Clerk of St. Clair County, who resides at No. 502 Ful- ton street, Belleville, was born March 27, 1857, in that town, where he received his scholastic training. He is of Swiss descent, his par-
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ents, John and Magdalena Winkler, having been born in Canton Berne, Switzerland. Ed- ward F. Winkler has figured quite conspicu- ously in local politics, as an earnest Repub- lican. He has represented the Seventh Ward of Belleville for two terms in the City Council, from 1892 to 1896; served as Mayor of Belle- ville for one term, 1898-9; was appointed As- sessor by the City Council in 1900, to fill a va- cancy; and has officiated for four years as Dep- uty County Clerk under G. K. Thomas. Mr. Winkler was married, August 3, 1882, to Nancy A. Bartels, who was born in Freeburg Town- ship, St. Clair County, and received a thorough education at Freeburg and in Greenville Semi- nary. Religiously, Mr. Winkler is connected with the Lutheran denomination, and frater- nally, is a member of the M. W. A. and K. of P.
WINKLER, Ferdinand, soda water manufac- turer, is a native of Belleville, born February 7, 1860, and has been self-supporting since his fourteenth year. His parents, John and Mag- daline (Eggen) Winkler, were natives of Swit- zerland, and were early settlers of St. Clair County, as were also a number of his relatives on both sides of the family. Mr. Winkler's first employment was in the soda works of his uncle, Joseph Fisher, with whom he remained for three years. He then found employment in the flour mill of Russell & Hinkley, after which he engaged in the soda manufacturing business with his brother John for twelve years. Au- gust Koob had by that time worked up a large soda water business, and this Mr. Winkler pur- chased, and since has conducted it with grati- fying results, manufacturing all kinds of soda waters, ginger ale, and also bottling mineral waters. His plant is equipped with modern machinery, and, both in extent and kind, has no superior in the town of Belleville. Mr. Winkler is public spirited and generous, a stanch Republican, and an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, Industrial Aid, Modern Woodmen, and Workingman's Society. On March 18, 1896, he married Margaret Buchert, of Belleville, and the union has been blessed with four children: Dorothy M., Wilfred John, Cornelia P., and Minerva M.
WINKLER, John, was born in Switzerland, November 15, 1846, a son of John and Andeline M. (Eggen) Winkler, both natives of Switzer- land. The father came to the United States
when John was but seven years of age, and set- tled in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he re- mained one year, afterward moving to Belleville, Ill., where John received his education. After completing his schooling, at about seventeen years of age, he was employed in a brick yard, where he remained three years, and then en- tered the soda factory of Joseph Fischer, being employed there until 1882, when he purchased the establishment of Mr. Fischer and has since conducted it with the assistance of his son Fred. They manufacture all kinds of soft drinks and are agents for the Sheboygan (Wis.) mineral water.
In his political belief Mr. Winkler is a Re- publican, and in religious affiliations is a mem- ber of the Free Protestant Church. He belongs to the following fraternal organizations: Knights of Pythias, D. O. H. and U. O. T. B. On May 10, 1874, Mr. Winkler was united in marriage to Elizabeth Huellbusch, who was born near Coblenz, Germany, and received her education in the public schools of Belleville. Eight children have been born of this union, as follows: Frederick J., Johanna, Bertha, Adolf, Richard, Edward, Elizabeth and Adeline.
WINTER, Frederick, Democratic politician, Alderman of the Second Ward, and dealer in malt liquors in Belleville since 1887, was born in that town February 8, 1857, and was edu- cated in its public schools. His parents, John and Mary (Wamser) Winter, were born in Germany, and soon after coming to the United States settled in Belleville, where they spent the balance of their lives. At the age of sev- enteen Mr. Winter became a wage earner in the woolen mills of Belleville, remained there for ten years, and then operated a coal mine near the town for five years. For the following three years he was employed in a clerical ca- pacity, after which he entered the saloon busi- ness on North Illinois Street, continuing thus since 1887. He is now serving his third term as Alderman of the Second Ward, his terms of office extending through the administrations of Mayors Henry J. Frederick, J. B. Hay, and Fred J. Kern. The marriage of Mr. Winter and Elizabeth Settler, of Belleville, occurred September 14, 1881, and of the union four chil- dren have been born: Lulu, Cecelia, Edward, and Frederick, Jr. Mr. Winter is fraternally connected with the Hora Gura, and in religion is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church.
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WISKAMP BROTHERS are proprietors of the St. Clair Laundry at Nos. 8 and 10 South Spring Street, with office on the northwest cor- ner public square, Belleville, Ill. Louis C. Wiskamp was born in Prairie du Long Town- ship, St. Clair County, in 1876, and Walter F., in 1879, the sons of Fred and Mary (Knebel- kamp) Wiskamp. They established the St. Clair Laundry December, 1902, and by square dealing and strict attention to business have made it one of the leading industries of its kind in this part of the State. Their large plant is equipped with the most modern ma- chinery, and by the employment of ample skilled help, they are able to keep pace with a large and constantly growing patronage.
WOELK, Robert D .- Among the dental sur- geons of St. Clair County, Dr. Robert D. Woelk, of Belleville, takes high rank, his intelligent and conscientious practice having established a large and profitable trade, and gained him extended influence in matters pertaining to dental science. Born in Springfield, Greene County, Mo., in 1872, the Doctor was educated in the public schools primarily, and through his professional efforts was able to augment his previous training by a course at Washington
University, from which he was duly graduated in the class of 1896. In all he has practiced dentistry for sixteen years, having begun at an unusually early age. Dr. Woelk is Past Chan- cellor and First Lieutenant of Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen. He is a son of Edward A. Woelk.
WOLF, Philip, Sr., was born in Germany in 1841 and was educated in the public schools of that country. Coming to the United States in 1866, he located in St. Louis and worked at the baker's trade. For several years he had charge of a large ice plant in East St. Louis. From 1868 to 1871 he followed farming, which he abandoned to engage in the grocery busi- ness, continuing in that line of work for a num- ber of years, but finally turning his store over to his son, who is now successfully conducting it. He built his present home, at No. 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, in 1894, besides which he owns several other houses in the business and residence part of the city.
Politically, Mr. Wolf is a Republican and ac- tive in the interest of his party. For two years, 1890 to 1892, he held the office of City Treas- urer, and in 1902 was elected County Treas- urer of St. Clair County. In 1868 Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Emma Plappert, a native of East St. Louis. The following chil- dren have been born to them: Anna (Mrs. A. J. Mote) ; Rosa (Mrs. Reimold), deceased; Val- entine Wolf, deceased; Emma (Mrs. Rhodes) ; Lillian (Mrs. Boyer) ; Anna, Philip, Jr., Walter A. and Olivet.
Fraternally, Mr. Wolf is a member of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
WOLFORT, Louis, was born in 1876, in Belle- ville, Ill., a son of Philip Wolfort. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native town and at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, of St. Louis, and is a member of the firm of L. Wolfort & Co., who carry on an extensive business in the buying and selling of horses and mules all through the North, South and East. They have an extensive sales-stable in Belleville and another in Little Rock, Ark. The business first established by Neuburger & Wol- fort in 1872, and in 1886, was known as the firm of Wolfort & Wohlgemuth. In 1894 Philip Wolfort died, and Louis Wolfort was taken into partnership, and in 1896 Mr. Wohlgemuth re- tired, after which the firm was known as L. Wolfort & Co. It is today one of the best known in its line in the State of Illinois. The firm does a wholesale and retail business, sup- plying the neighborhood as well as foreign mar- kets.
Louis Wolfort is a member of two fraternal orders, the Knights of Pythias and T. P. Asso- ciation.
WOLLESON, Anton M., Librarian, Public Li- brary, Belleville, was born in Denmark, May 10, 1853, and was educated partly in Germany and partly in America. His childhood was passed amid the scenes of country life, and, in early manhood, he was engaged in teaching school in Germany. In 1872, when nine- teen years of age, he emigrated to the United States, where for several years, he followed various occupations until 1878, when he obtained a position as teacher near New Haven, Mo. In 1879 he was chosen as teacher in the Belleville public
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schools, where he has acted as such almost con- tinuously for twenty-three years. In 1903 he resigned as Principal of the Franklin School, having been elected Librarian to fill the vacan- cy caused by the death of his predecessor, Fred J. Haufenbiel. Mr. Wolleson was married, at New Haven, Mo., September 29, 1880, to Han- nah C. Hempelmann, and they have two sons: Herbert, an architectural engineer, of Indianap- olis, Ind .; and Edwin, an officer in the United States navy, stationed in China. Mr. Wolleson is a Mason and a member of the Liederkranz Singing Society.
WOMBACHER, (Hon.) George F., who is en- gaged in the practice of law in Mascoutah, this county, was born in Mascoutah Township No- vember 3, 1869. He is a son of Peter and Eliza- beth (Wetzer) Wombacher, born respectively in Byron, Germany, and Lorraine, France. His paternal grandfather, Peter Wombacher, and his grandfather on the maternal side, Jacob Wetzer, were born in Lorraine, which was also the birthplace of his maternal grandmother, whose name was Pfiefer. His maternal great- grandfather was one of the brave volunteers who left France with Marquis de Lafayette in 1777, and came to the assistance of George Washington and his army in their great strug- gle for American Independence, serving at Brandywine, Monmouth and Yorktown, and while in action receiving a serious wound. After the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, he returned to France, where he died. His ma- ternal grandfather was one of the life-guard or body-guard of Prince Napoleon Bonaparte throughout the historic Napoleonic wars, and was with the great Frenchman during his land campaigns through Italy, Spain, Portugal, Swit- zerland, Germany, Austria, Russia, Egypt, Syria and also in his naval expeditions. He emigrated to America in 1836, coming direct to this county and locating near Belleville, where he lived on a farm and died there at a ripe old age.
George F. Wombacher received his early edu- cation in the Mizpah School, and between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four years, worked on the home farm. At the latter period he en- tered the Sprague Law School, Detroit, Mich., and in November, 1896, was admitted to the bar. He spent much time in private study, and acquired most of his education by strenuous ap-
plication. He was a member of the Longfellow Literary Society, and of the Social Socratic Society, always took an active part in all lit- erary work and has an established reputation as a public speaker. He has always maintained his office at Mascoutah. Mr. Wombacher was married in September, 1897, to Annie K. Glatz, who was born and schooled in Nashville, Ill. They have two children-Alma F., born Sep- tember 19, 1898, and Laura M., born August 10, 1901.
In politics, Mr. Wombacher is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Democratic Cen- tral Committee since he was twenty-one years old. In 1896, he was a candidate for the Legis- lature, but was defeated. In 1900 he was elect- ed by a large plurality, as Representative of the Forty-ninth Senatorial District in the Forty- second General Assembly, and served on eight of the most important committees of the House, namely: Appropriations, Elections, Judiciary, Public Buildings and Grounds, Revenue, Roads and Bridges, Statutory Revision and To Visit Educational Institutions.
Mr. Wombacher is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a charter member of Belleville Council 1028, Knights of Columbus.
WOOD, Walter R., was born March 22, 1874, in New Orleans, La., and there received his education, upon the completion of which he was employed in a hotel until 1900, when he opened a saloon in Belleville, to which city he first came in 1897. In 1896, he was married to Martha J. Dobbin, a native of St. Louis. So- cially, he is a member of the Elks, Red Men, and Hunting and Fishing Clubs.
WOODRUFF, Jacob Lyon, Librarian, East St. Louis Public Library, was born in New York City April 6, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of New York until he was nine years old, when his father, who had business interests in Germany, took him to Frankfort, where he spent three years in German schools. Later he attended schools in New York about a year. Of a genial disposition, not much given to outdoor sports but inclined to study, he was an omniverous reader, greatly interested in travel and the graphic arts. He entered ac- tive life as a student in the engraving depart- ment of a lithographing house, where he re- mained about a year. At the age of fifteen he
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
enlisted as naval apprentice in the United States Navy, on the receiving ship "Minnesota," at New York. After one year's service in Euro- pean waters on the training ship "Saratoga," he was transferred to the cruiser "Ossipee," and served three years on that vessel on the China station. He was considered the best sig- nal boy in the fleet. Upon his return to New York he was transferred to the flagship "Tren- ton," serving two years as ship's writer. He was on this vessel in Apia Harbor, Samoa, dur- ing the hurricane of March, 1889. After the wreck he remained at Apia three months, then was sent to New York via San Francisco and Panama, and was honorably discharged August 13, 1889. He was employed by the Wagner Palace Car Company as ticket agent at the Grand Central Station, New York, six years, and resigned to become office secretary of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association, New York, from which position he was called to become Secretary of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association, at East St. Louis, Ill. He resigned after six years' service in the latter position to engage in the insurance busi- ness. He was elected Librarian of East St. Louis Public Library in July, 1904. He became a member of East St. Louis Lodge, No. 504, A. F. & A. M., December, 1900, was elected Senior Warden the following year and Master a year later, and was appointed Deputy Grand Lec- turer in 1904. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, East St. Louis, a member of the official board, and teacher of the largest Sunday School class (young ladies) in East St. Louis. A ready speaker, he is fre- quently called upon to occupy pulpits, deliver lectures, etc. Politically, Mr. Woodruff was a Democrat until the advent of Bryanism in 1896, but has since been a Republican. He was mar- ried in New York City, June 1, 1892, to Sophie
Hall Woodruff (no relation), and they have had three children born to them: Lyon Julius Woodruff, born March 7, 1893 (living); Ruth Hettie Woodruff, born January 23, 1895 (died June 19, 1900, of membranous croup) ; Ralph Terry Woodruff, born July 7, 1899 (living). Mr. Woodruff has contributed occasional articles to the maga- zines. He is not much given to social func- tions, but is interested in everything that tends to the development of personal and civic char- acter. During his administration at the li-
brary, the circulation of books has increased more than 100 per cent., and he has been suc- cessful in popularizing the library among all classes of readers in East St. Louis.
WRIGHT, Abraham Lincoln, was born June 12, 1865, in Belleville, St. Clair County, son of Rob- ert and Thoy (Blower) Wright, both of whom were natives of Lancashire, England. At the age of eleven years Abraham L. Wright began working in a coal mine for Mr. Branderberg, and has continued to follow that vocation in this State ever since, with the exception of one year, when he was employed as fireman and construction foreman on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. In his church affiliations he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal faith, while in politics he upholds the cause of labor. Socially, Mr. Wright is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the K. & L. of H., and the United Mine Workers of America. With the last named organization he has been con- nected since its inception, has been Vice-Presi- dent of No. 99 for one term and President since 1900, and in 1903 was elected a member of the board of sub-districts Nos. 5 and 9. Mr. Wright was married July 4, 1883, to Augusta Landolt, who was born and educated in Belle- ville, and they are the parents of the following children: John, Anderson, William and Mabel.
WYLIE, James A., a prominent and well-to- do farmer of St. Clair County, was born Janu- ary 1, 1854, in Randolph County, Ill., and edu- cated in the public schools of the former county. His parents were Alexander and Nancy A. (Wilson) Wylie, the father a native of Scotland, the latter's birth occurring in South Carolina. The paternal grandfather was Adam Wylie, also a native of Scotland, the ma- ternal grandparents being James W. and Mary (Hamilton) Wilson, whose birthplace was South Carolina. James A. Wylie was left an orphan when seven years old, his mother hav- ing passed away when he was two years old, and his father, who was a Federal soldier in the Civil War, having died of inflammation in 1861. After the death of the latter Mr. Wylie resided with his uncle, R. H. Wilson, until 1874, when he ventured on an independent ca- reer. Renting a farm of 170 acres, all under excellent cultivation (which he purchased in 1881), he has since conducted this property in
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a most successful manner and is one of those wide awake and popular citizens of St. Clair County.
By birth and through marriage Mr. Wylie is connected with some of the oldest families in St. Clair and Randolph Counties. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Sarah C. White, who was born January 4, 1855, in St. Clair County, and there educated in the public schools. Of this union six children were born, three of whom died in infancy, those surviving being: John W., Nancy A. and James French. Mrs. Wylie died in 1887. In politics, Mr. Wylie is a Prohibitionist.
YOCH, J. Edward, President of the Interna- tional Coal and Mining Co., at O'Fallon, St. Clair County, was born at Belleville, in this county, March 12, 1882. He is a son of Bernhardt and Agnes (Acker) Yoch, natives of Germany. On coming to the United States, Bernhardt Yoch engaged in the coal business near Belleville. In 1898, after finishing his school studies, J. Edward Yoch became associated with the Southern Illinois National Bank, at East St. Louis, for about two years. In September, 1900, he became identified with the Lebanon Coal Machine Association, incorporated in 1891. Mr. Yoch was Secretary for about three years, when, in 1903, he was made President. The officers of the company now are: J. E. Yoch, President; Jacob B. Yoch, Vice-President; and Walter Henicke, Secretary. In June, 1905, the name of the old company above referred to was absorbed by the International Coal and Mining Company, with the same officers as the Lebanon Coal and Machine Association. This company operates the Bennett Mine, which was started in 1875. It employs 125 men, and has a capacity of 500 tons per day. It also con- ducts the Carbon Mine, where about 200 men are employed, the output being 1,000 tons daily. The product is shipped to points in Nebraska and Iowa, and to St. Louis.
Mr. Yoch was married in 1902, to Catherine L. Karr, who was born in Belleville. They have one child, Martha.
YOUNGBLOOD, Ransom A .- The German- American Bank of Freeburg (Ill.) was started on its monetary course in November, 1903, by Ransom A. Youngblood, a banker of extended experience and more than average financial acumen. A son of Francis F. Youngblood, of Carbondale, Jackson County, Ill., Mr. Young- blood is an Illinoisan, born February 15, 1861. He received both a common school and col- legiate education. For twenty years he was connected with the bank at Benton, Colo., later becoming identified with a bank at Ward, Ark., where he remained for three years, and of which he still owns a controlling interest. From Ward, Ark., he came to Freeburg, and the success already achieved by the German- American Bank indicates a firm standing among the substantial financial concerns of St. Clair County. Mr. Youngblood is a mem- ber of the Illinois and American Banking As- sociations. He married Nannie Hubbard, daugh- ter of Captain George F. Hubbard, the latter of whom won his rank under General Logan in the Civil War. There are three children in the Youngblood home-Blanch, Fay and Cannon. George F., the third child, is de- ceased. Mr. Youngblood has created an agree- able impression in Freeburg, being genial and kindly disposed, as well as inclined to make the interests of the town his own.
YUNG, George, who follows the trade of brick- layer in Belleville, this county, was born in that place July 2, 1864. His father, Joseph Yung, was a stone-mason after coming to this coun- try, and from him the son learned the trade, after his pupilage in St. Peter's School was ended. Mr. Yung takes an active interest in the affairs of the city, and represents the Fifth Ward in the City Council.
On January 20, 1887, George Yung was mar- ried to Annie M. Starck, and their union has resulted in nine children, as follows: Elenora, Lillian, George, Jacob, Frank, Edwin, Marcel- lus, Eva and Emily. The parents are strict attendants at St. Peter's Cathedral. Socially, Mr. Yung is a member of the C. K. of I.
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