USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 57
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JOHN G. SCHIETTE. teacher and physican, Tentopolis, was born at Mettingen, in the Province of Westphalia, on the 23d of May, 1847. He attended school at Mettingen till the age of thirteen. He next went to the Gymnasium of Rheine. where he graduated in 1868. After graduating. he went successively to the universities of Wurzburg, Marburg and Greifswold. He studied medicine for two years, while pursuing his philosophical course. After finishing his course in 1872. he served a a short while in the Prussian Army during the Franco-Prussian war. Subject came to America in 1872. He landed at New York and came almost directly to Tentopolis. lle there studied English for a year and a half, and oh- tained (1873) a position as Professor of Lan- guages and Mathematics at St. Joseph's Col- lege. He has taught there ever since. Ile married Catharine, daughter of Mathias Mette, of Etlingham. His wife died in 1877. Sub- jeet is a Roman Catholic ; politically, he is a Democrat.
REV. P. PAITLUS TEROERDE, priest, Teutopolis, is a native of the Bishop seat of Paderborn. in the Province of Westphalia. While quite young he removed to Bocholt, where he commenced his education. He after- ward went to Minster, the capital of West- phalia, to pursue his studies, and then to Warendorf, where, in 1869. he joined the Order of Franciscans. He here finished his novitiate. In 1870, he removed to Wiedenbruck, and soon after to Dusseldorf. At both these places he studied philosophy, and on the completion of his course in that science, he returned to Paderborn, where, for the next two years of his life, he was engaged in the study of the- ology. At this time, the Franciscans being expelled from Germany, the Rev. Father went to the seat of the Franco-Prussian war, just then breaking out. During the early part of this war, he followed the contending armies, bearing Christian succor to the sick, the
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wounded and the dying. But sickness forced him to relinquish this hazardous task. In 1875, he left Germany and came to Teutopolis. He remained in this township but two days when he left for St. Louis to finish his studies there. He spent a year and a half at St. Louis, at the expiration of which time, having com- pleted his theological course, he came back to Teutopolis to attend a mission. He was shortly afterward appointed Guardian of St. Francis Convent and Director of the St. Francis Con- gregation, which joint offices he still fills.
WILLIAM TOLCH, harness-maker, Teu- topolis, was born on the 27th of November, 1823, at Strelitz-Mecklenburg, in North Germany. Here he attended school and learned the trade of harness and saddle maker. Emigrating to America in 1851, he worked at his trade for a short while in New Jersey. He then went to St. Lonis and finally came to Tentopolis (1852). He settled on the National road, at the place where his harness and saddle shop now stands. He married on the 28th of April, 1856, Rebecca, daughter of John McLiney. Subject is an Evangelical Lutheran. He is a Democrat, but takes no interest in politics be- yond exercising the right of suffrage. Has nine children living-John Henry, Charles Will- liam, Samuel Frederic, Mary Catharine, Nancy Emilia, Lizzie. Caroline Jane, Rebecca Ann, Alice Clery.
CLEMENS UPTMOR, SR., merchant, Teu- topolis. Away back in Fatherland, now nearly seventy-seven years ago, on the 19th day of January, 1806, Clemens Uptmor, Sr., was born in the Dukedom of Oldenburg, in the village of Lohme. His parents were in the middle class- es, neither rich nor pinched with poverty, yet the childhood of the boy practically ended when he was ten years of age, as he then went as sailor boy on a fishing vessel on which his father was mate. These expeditions for her- ring were made into the North Sea, and to Am- sterdam and other points. In the winters, when
his father's vessel could not sail for fish, the boy went to the parochial schools of his native village. He thus got a fair education, and a good knowledge of sailing the waters, as well as the geography of Europe. When old enough he was drafted into the army, and here he served five years in the infantry command.
In company with his brother, and a few of his neighbors, he sailed for America, and in September, 1834, landed in Cincinnati. Here, for the next five years, he worked early and late at his trade of carpentering-having re- ceived instructions in the old country as ship carpenter. He prospered at his work in Cin- cinnati, but it was slow, and, in connection with two or three others, looked up the subject of the great West, the land of rich soil and cheap homes, and this trio of humble workmen conceived the great idea of forming a colony and emigrating West. Did they, any of them, think you, in their warmest fancies, ever pro- long the vision to this day, and in the emigra- tion foresee the present flourishing town of Teutopolis, with its happy population, its mag- nificent manufactories, its stupendous church, college, convent, its many houses, from its grand mansions to its many neat and tasty cottages, and all surrounded by elegant farms and improved highways ? One of the nine and chief movers that brought us all this valuable population, including the entire town of Teu- topolis and the rich farming country surround- ing it, together with many others throughout the whole county, was Clemens Uptmor, Sr.
So great and far reaching in its good effects to its beneficiaries, and of so much value was it to the county of Effingham that we feel it just and proper to repeat in outline this coloni- zation scheme :
It was organized in Cincinnati, and at first only nine members ; it soon grew to a society of one hundred and forty-two. Each member paid $50, and this entitled him to forty acres of land ; he paid also $10 toward the society ex-
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penses, and this entitled him to four town lots. Messrs. Uptmor and Waschefort, in the interest and for the society, made an extended tour of observation, entering the State near Vincennes, passing through into Missouri to near Jefferson City, but seeing slavery there, they returned and again entered Illinois at Quiney, and from Quincy to Vandalia, the land office, was their general route. At Vandalia they examined the land books, and rode many miles in all direc- tions, and finally settled upon the spot where Teutopolis now stands as the chosen one for their colony. When this conclusion was ar- rived at, Mr. Upmor returned to Cincinnati and called the society together and reported fully what he had done. Everything was told ex- cept the place selected. He then asked the society to appoint a committee and he would take them to the place and they could enter the land. This was done, and Thomas Bergfelt, George Meyer and Henry Rænbaum were added to Waschefort and Uptmor, and were appointed to accompany Mr. Uptmor, and $16,000 was placed in their hands to invest for the society. These committeemen did not know even to what State they were going until they were well on the way to Illinois. This secreey was observed in order that the strictest justice might be done to all members, and further, to prevent any member from taking advantage of his knowledge and slipping away and making a choice entry of land in the very heart of the colony's location. They came on to Vandalia, entered the land, and laid off the town of Teu- topolis, and returned to Cincinnati, and in the fall of 1838, in the old engine house, between Sixth and Seventh streets, the land and town lots were distributed by a drawing among the members, each one taking the land and lots marked on the slip he drew out of the hat.
Such was the outline of this wise and just scheme, and the result stands there to-day, the proudest monument to the integrity, far-sight- edness and faithfulness of its founders of any
similar instance in modern times. The minds that mapped out and carried through, from be- ginning to completion, this beneficent scheme- a scheme ever growing in the good, the liberty, the happy prosperous homes of so many people, that transcends in importance all the battles of Napoleon, or the Cæsars, should not be left to careless neglect, nor shall they be, for
" The past is but a base whereon These ashlars, well hewn, may be laid."
In September, 1839, Mr. Uptmor was mar- ried to Mary Elizabeth Niehans, of Cincinnati. This wedding occurred on one of his three dif- ferent trips between the new colony settlement and Cincinnati ; one of these trips he made wbolly on foot and another one chiefly so. as his horse was taken sick in Vincennes, and he pushed on without it. Immediately after the marriage, preparations to move to the new home commenced, and December 21, 1839, they landed at Teutopolis, and occupied a lit- tle log hut built by J. Henry Uptmor, one room, sixteen feet square. The next year he built a frame, 16x26, on the corner lot where his present large brick residence stands. Here he opened a little store, bis stock of goods amount- ing to about $100. and from this little beginning has grown his present large and extensive es- tablishment. At the same time he farmed, did carpenter work, and found time to build an im- mense wind grist mill, which was completed in 1842. In its day it was a tremendous event in the county. It was a big venture to make at that time, but it, like everything else he touched, brought him success and the bread of life for the whole county around, in fact, extending in- to the surrounding counties. More curious and glad people visited this wonder of its day, by far, than do now go to see the magnificent four story grist mill-the finest structure and ma- chinery in the State perhaps, as it contains all the very latest improvements and invention in milling known, and is capable of turning out 150 barrels of perfect flour daily. This mill is J
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4
the most valuable improvement yet erected in our county. It is estimated that it will require all the wheat that can be raised on a territory of nearly the entire county to supply it during any year that it is run to its full capacity.
In the erection of the college, the female convent, the extensive Franciscan monastery, and the magnificent church, one of the largest and containing the finest organ in Southern Illinois, were all aided and much assisted by the good sense and liberal purse of Mr. Uptmor at the time of building.
In 1865, he built his present fine brick store, where he has since kept a large general stock of dry goods and groceries, in the name of the firm of C. Uptmor & Son. In the same year, he commenced his pork-packing establishment ; the first year he slaughtered over 1,800 hogs. The partnership, constituting the proprietors of the new grist mill, was formed in 1882, and consists of his son, Clemens, and Joseph Sie- mer, and its title is Uptmor & Siemer.
For more than twenty years he was Post- master of Teutopolis, entering upon the duties of the office in 1842, and continuing without interruption during all these years and without an official error or a complaint from any source. Mr. Uptmor is the father of fourteen children, eight of whom are living.
This is the briefest ontline of the life work of Clemens Uptmor, Sr. Certainly one of the brightest examples in our country's whole his- tory of what is possible for one man to do for himself and his fellow-man. A man born to command, control, guide and provide for his fellow-man, and has filled that grand mission of life so ably and so well, and that, too, with- ont the aid of wealth, titles, or great and pow- erful friends at court ; indeed, without a knowl- edge of the language of his adopted country, until past middle life, is a great consummation -pleasant to see, profitable to behold.
SISTER VERENA, D. N. D., of Notre Dame Convent, Tentopolis, Ill., is a native of Her-
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zogen Aurach, in the province of Bavaria, being born in that city on the 28th of November, 1841. At the age of three years, she was taken from her native country and brought to Balti- more. She there attended the St. James' Sis- ters' School till the age of seventeen. In 1859, she was sent to Milwaukee, where she became a candidate' for admission into the Order of Notre Dame. In the following year, 1860, she became a member of the order. She taught school for one year after her admission, in the city of Milwaukee. She then went to Roches- ter, N. Y., where she also taught in the St. Joseph's Sisters' School. She remained there seven years (to 1868). Having returned to Milwaukee for a few weeks, she then went to Kenosha, Wis., where she taught for six years, till 1874. She also taught three years in Chi- eago. In 1877, she came to Teutopolis, where she was appointed Sister Superior of the Con- vent of Notre Dame, which position she is now filling.
JOHN F. WASCHEFORT (deceased), was born in Essen, Oldenburg, Germany. He emi- grated to America in 1832. After prospecting for some months over various parts of Ohio, he finally located at Cincinnati. He devoted him- self to learning the trade of rope and twine making, and in 1835, formed a partnership with John H. Hakman and George Venneman, for the purpose of manufacturing rope and cord- age. Soon this young firm began to prosper, their business assuming larger proportions from day to day. A few years of success at Cin- cinnati induced them to establish two branch houses ; one at Evansville, Ind., under the management of George Venneman, which, in addition to a well-selected stock of ropes and twines, had a large stock of groceries added, which, in a few years after its establishment, ranked as one of the largest jobbing houses of that city. The other house was established at Teutopolis, Ill., under the control of J. F. Waschefort. The original partnership, formed
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in 1835, continued until 1857, when the same was dissolved by mutual consent. During the existence of this partnership, which continued during twenty-two years, Mr. Hakman managed the Cincinnati house, Mr. Venneman the Evans- ville branch, and Mr. Waschefort the one at Teutopolis. At the final dissolution and in the division of property, each partner retained the business under his respective management. To the Teutopolis house Mr. W. lent all his energy and business ability, starting with a small stock of goods usually kept in country stores, he soon enlarged the same and made it the trading place of the surrounding country. He soon added the pork paeking business, making a market for fat hogs. The produet was in those early days transported by wagon to Evansville and St. Louis, finding a market at New Orleans. In 1856, he built at Teutopolis a large steam flour- ing mill, to which he added a complete saw-mill. In 1860, he opened a branch store at Effingham, that city having been made the county seat. All these various enterprises, which tended so much to develop this neighborhood. were kept under his immediate supervisons up to the time of death, which occurred in January, 1879, he then being sixty-eight years of age. He was of a quiet and reserved disposition, assisted the needy, and to all who were willing to work he extended a helping hand. Many remember him as having received through his generous assistance their first start in life. His wife. Mary, to whom he was married in 1839, was a noble-hearted lady. She died in January, 1873. The have four children now living-two daughters residing at Cincinnati, one daughter lives at Teutopolis, the wife of Dr. Il. Eversman; and an only son. Ferdinand, who succeeded hls father's business at the old homestead. Mr. W., being one of the original organizers of the colony of Germans who settled at Teutopolis, was intimately associated with its development and progress. All public enterprises received from him substantial support and aid. Their
fine brick church, large college for higher edu- cation, a fine sisters' academy and parochial sehool attest the regard he paid to education in that small village.
JOHN F. WASCHEFORT, IR., Teutopolis son of John F. Wasehefort, was born in Teu- topolis Township, March 4, 1857, here he was also raised and educated, attending snecessively the Notre Dame Sisters' School and St. Joseph's College. At the age of sixteen, he left college and engaged in business, helping his father in the flour mill and general store keeping. In 1879, on the death of his father, he succeeded him in the same business, which he still earries on quite successfully. The father of subjeet was born in Oldenburg, Germany, about 1810. He came alone to America when he was not more than sixteen years old. After stopping at various places, lie reached Cincinnati in 1832. In 1841 he came to Teutopolis, where he opened a gen- eral country store, dealing, also, in live-stock. and eondueting, at the same time, a large farm. . He started a combined flour and saw-mill in 1856. This was afterward converted into a flour mill. He died in January, 1879.
JOHN H. WERNSING, SR., Justice of the Peace, Teutopolis, was born in the old Kingdom of Hanover (now Prussia) in the year 1832. In 1840, he came to America with his parents, being only eight years oldl. They settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where John attended a " common school." Subject after- ward went to Indiana where he received in- structions in the higher branches, from Prof. Thomas Smith. Leaving Indiana, he went back to Cineinnati, where he learned the trade of " coach and car ornamentation." Having · finished his apprenticeship, he was engaged as a foreman in a coach and car manufactory for fifteen years. Forced to leave Cincinnati on account of sickness, he came to Teutopolis in 1865, where he has since resided. For the last fourteen years, he has exercised the office of Justice of the Peace, and for the last six years
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the additional office of Notary Public. Soon after his arrival at Teutopolis, he took charge of John F. Waschefort's combined steam flour and saw mill. Subject has always taken an active part in politics. He has been, succes- sively, member of the Board of Supervisors, member of the Board of Trustees, Collector of Taxes (for the last three years), and is at pres- ent Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Subject was twice married. First wife-Mary, daughter of John Wessel, a native of Cincin- nati, Ohio, among the first settlers of that place. Second wife-Catharine, daughter of Henry Lepper. Subject had by his first wife, three sons and two daughters-Henry, Benja- min, Edward, Mary and Catharine. By his second wife he had two sons and three daugh- ters-Frank, Joseph, Theresa, Elizabeth and Anna.
JOHN H. WERNSING, JR., dealer in liquors, Teutopolis, son of John H. Wernsing, Sr., was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 29, 1852. He attended a Catholic Brothers' school till the age of twelve, when he left Cincinnati and came to Teutopolis. At Teutopolis he attended St. Joseph's College for two years. Leaving school at the age of fourteen, he worked as a farm hand for the next three years of his life. He then undertook to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he abandoned at the end of three months. After this he made a livelihood by painting, which he continued doing till the year 1879. He then opened a saloon on the National road, which he still keeps. He is a Democrat, and has occupied the position of Village Clerk. He married Kate, daughter of H. B. Bruver. Has two children-John Henry and Mathilda.
MASON TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS A. ANDREWS, Justice of the Peace, Mason, was born in Macon, Tenn., Sep- tember 7, 1829. He was married April 3, 1851, to Miss Arena Jackson, daughter of Irwin Jackson, of Marion County, Ill. Our sub- jeet located in Effingham County, Ill., and followed the avocation of farming, at which he met with good success. Purchased and paid for 120 acres of land in Mason Township. In 1857, he purchased a store in Brownsburg, of this county, and embarked in merchandising. This proving rather disastrous, he continued the business little over one year, sold out on credit, and never received the promised stipula- tion. He then returned to farming with good success, paid the debts contracted in the store business, and gained considerable property. In 1877, he removed to Mason, and worked for some time in a stave factory. Politically, Mr. Andrews is a stanch Democrat. He has re- peatedly held the office of Justice of the Peace,
a position he at present fills. Has a family of seven children living-John W., born in 1854 ; Sarah E., born in 1858 ; Mary T., wife of Har- vey Leatherman, was born in 1860 ; Thomas N., born in 1862 ; Charles F., born in 1871 ; Jesse A., born in 1869 ; and two dead-Miss Emma Andrews was born in 1864, and died in 1881 ; William F., was born in 1856, and died in 1858. The subject's father, Drewry Andrews, was born in Chatham County, N. C., February 14, 1783, and resided there till IS05, when he went with his parents to Smith County, Tenn. Soon after his arrival there he was married to Rebecca Parker, and settled in that county. In ISII, his wife died, mother of three chil- dren, who survived her-John, born in 1806, is a resident of Macon County, Tenn .; Callen W., born in 1808; Mrs. Martha Young, who removed in 1838 to Macon Township. After the death of his wife, went into the Indian war, which was raging at that time, and served two
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years. Returned from the war, and soon after married a young lady by name of Miss Eliza- beth Gammon. In 1838, they removed to Fayette County, Ill., and located at farming about nine miles west of Vandalia. Mr. An- drews was a farmer, a tanner and a shoemaker, farming during the summer. He tanned and dressed his leather during fall, and worked it into shoes in winter. By his last wife he raised a family of nine children, as follows : Mary, born in 1816, wife of John Barton, the well-known Baptist minister of this county; he died February 25, 1865; Susan, wife of John Minton ; Elizabeth, wife of Richard Jones ; Nancy, wife of William Dodson; the next is the subject of our sketch. There were three younger daughters, who married and raised families. The first five of this family between the year 1838 and 1840, removed with their families to Effingham County. Drewry Andrews died December 3, 1845. In 1850, his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Andrews, was mar- ried to Benjamin Campbell, with whom she lived till May 20, 1856, when she died.
A. BARBEE, tavern, Edgewood, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., October 12, 1828, and removed with his parents to Franklin County, Ill., in 1842. He remained there till of age, and was married in that county in 1850. For some time after, he engaged in running a saw and grist mill; afterward ran a flour mill in Jefferson County, and, later, a flour and saw mill combined, in Franklin County, and then a flouring mill in MeLeansboro, Ill. Ile removed to Effingham County in 1867, and settled a half mile west of Edgewood and engaged in farm- ing, which he followed till 1879, when he re- moved to Edgewood and began tavern-keeping, his present avocation. He has a family of eight children-W. F., W. T., H. W., Mrs. Ezora Ro- bottom, Mrs. Luella Jackaway, Schuyler, Em- ma and Dora. Subject is a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity, and politically is a Re- publican.
JOHN BARTON, farmer, P. O. Edgewood, son of Solomon Barton, was born in England in 1825. He came to America in 1857, and settled in Kane County, Ill., and engaged in farming. In 1860, he removed to Effingham County, Ill., and bought a farm of eighty acres. It was all wild prairie, but Mr. Barton fenced and put it under cultivation. Politically, he is a Republican. He was married, in 1866, in Chicago, to Miss Maria Hills, of England. She died about three years afterward, leaving one child-Hattie Maria Barton. Mr. Barton was married in 1873 to Miss Rachel Wilson, of England. Mr. Barton removed to Chicago in 1867, and engaged in gardening business. He purchased ten acres just outside the city lim- its, which he still owns.
OLIVER BEARE, farmer, P. O. Edgewood, was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 7, 1852; removed with his parents when quite young to this county. On the death of his father, he took charge of the farm, which he has contin- ned to run since. Mr. Beare is a good business man, a hard-working and enterprising farmer, and an estimable citizen. He owns farming lands to the extent of 524 acres. Subject's father, Jacob Beare, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., August 9, 1809. He was mar- ried in Perry County, Ohio, October 30, 1836, to Miss Mary Strawn, daughter of Thomas Strawn. Remained in that county till 1854, when he removed to Effingham County, ill., locating on a tract of 207 acres of wild land near Edgewood, and began the work of open- ing up a farm. Long before he came to this county, in the year 1836, he met a great mis- fortune in the loss of his eyesight, occasioned by a mishap in blasting in a limestone quarry. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, he was persevering, enterprising and successful. He not only succeeded in making a farm, but add- ed to his first purchase a considerable amount of land. He was a great worker even after he became blind, being able to work
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