History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 45

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 45

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for Chicago. On arriving there he re- mained six months, farming in the vicinity of that city. From there he went to Calhoun county, where he en- gaged in farming for about three years, then came to Greene county, where he remained one year, and finally came to Jersey county, locating in Richwoods township, where he has since remained. In 1876 he bought 40 acres on section 15, and the next year bought 40 more on section 16. He was married on the 24th day of Aug., in the year 1862, to Laura Thurston, a native of Calhoun county, and daughter of James and Annie (Col- lard) Thurston. Her father died in the spring of 1851. Her mother now lives two miles east of Jerseyville. Mr. and Mrs. Heiderscheid are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are liv- ing-Henry, Ida A., John, Carrie, Mary Jane, Clarence, and Jessie Vic- tor, an infant. Elizabeth died Aug. 1, 1878, aged 13 years; Nicholas, an in- fant, died Dec. 28, 1877. Mr. Heider- scheid is a member of the Catholic church, in which religion he was raised from infancy.

James Cannon, a native of Ohio, was born on the 13th of March, 1820. Ilis parents were Richard and Nancy (Thompson) Cannon, his father being a native of Maryland, his mother of Penn- sylvania. James was reared on a farm, working for his father until he was 26 years of age. He came to this state with his parents in the fall of 1831, they locating in Peoria county. He lived in that county until the year 1848, when he came to Jersey county, and purchased some small pieces of land on section 4, which he cultivated until the year 1863, when he sold out that land,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

and moved on another place that he had bought. On Nov. 20, 1845, he was mar- ried to Mary F. Pratt, daughter of John and Rebecca (Woodrard) Pratt. One child was born to them-Lucinda, who married William Ifalsey, and lives in Clinton, Ia. Mrs. Cannon died in 1872, and was buried at Lacon, Marshall county, Ill. Mr. Cannon has held sev- eral different offices in this township, and is an old and well respected eitizen of this community.

William Krueger, a wealthy farmer in this township, was born in Prussia, on the 12th day of June, 1833. His par- ents were Charles and Mary (Owens) Krueger. His father died in Germany, in the year 1845, at the age of about 51 years. His mother came to this country, about four years after her son, William, came. She lived near Chicago about two years with her son, Charles. He then moved to Minnesota, and she went with him, and resided there until her death, in the spring of 1871, at the age of 80 years. In the year 1854, our sub- jeet took passage in a vessel bound for Canada, and after a voyage of four weeks, he landed at Quebec. He re- mained there three days, then went to Montreal, where he worked on the canal for about a month, and then went on to Chicago, where he went to work for the Illinois Central railroad company about, 15 miles from the city. He worked there seven weeks, and then went to making plank fence along the railroad, near Kankakee, where he worked a couple of months. He then went to work on the canal again, during the summer, about 22 miles from Chicago, and in the win- ter he chopped wood. He was thus em- ployed for nearly four years, and then

came down to Grafton, with a yoke of eattle, and commenced farming and hauling cord wood. He remained there over five years, and then came to Rich- woods township, where he had bought land about a month before that. He located on 200 aeres which he had bought on sections 14 and 15, his house being on section 14, and on this place he still lives. He has added to this until now he has a splendid farm of 770 acres. His time is devoted not only to the raising of grain, but also to stock-raising, in which he is very successful. Hewas married in Chicago, on the 20th of June, 1857, to Dora Praell, a native of Mech- lenburg, Germany. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are now liv- ing-George, Charles, married to Lizzie Krouse, and living in Richwood town- ship; William, Henry, Louis and Ma- tilda; Emma died at the age of one and a half years, the other two died in in- fancy. Mr. Kreuger and wife are both members of the Lutheran church at Fieldon. He has held the office.of road commissioner three years, and that of school director several terms. Mr. Kreuger has been very successful since coming to this country, and by his in- dustry has succeeded in placing his fam- ily in a most comfortable situation.

Allen W. Milem was born in Lee county, Va., on the 29th day of July, 1846, his parents being William W. and Barbara (Warren) Milem, natives of Virginia. They lived on a farm there, and when Allen was quite young, they moved to Indiana, locating near Coats- ville, where they farmed about four years. They then bought property in the village of Coatsville, and removed there. When Allen was 18 years of

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

age, he came to Jersey county, Ill., where he worked on a farm near Elsah about two years. His parents then re- moved to this state, near Jerseyville, and he went to live with them, working part of the time for his father and part for himself. In 1876 he located on sec- tion 20, Richwoods township, where he rented a place, and farmed for awhile. In the fall of 1884 he purchased 40 acres of land on section 20. It is well culti- vated, and everything in good condition. In 1868 he was married to Mary Cope, daughter of George and Lucinda Cope. They have five children- Laura M., Charles HI., William, Carrie A., and Albert M. Mrs. Milem is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Milem is a member of Fieldon lodge No. 592, A. F. & A. M. He is at present holding the office of school director. He is an in- dustrious and enterprising man, and is one of the township's most respected citizens.

George Krueger was born near Graf- ton, Jersey county, Ill., on the 19th day of Feb., in the year 1860. Ile is a son of William and Dora (Prill) Krueger, natives of the old country, and a sketch of whom will be found in the history of this township. When George was four years of age his parents moved to Richwoods township, where they lo- cated and purchased land in the year 1864. He received his education in the country schools of this township, and has employed his time in the occupa- tion of farming from the time he was able to follow a plow, up to the present time.

Mathias Metzdorf, a native of Prussia, was born on the 23d day of Nov., in the year 1826. His parents were Anthony

and Mary (Burgch) Metzdorf, both na- tives of Prussia. Mathias remained with his father, with whom he farmed, until he was 26 years old. In the year 1854, after bidding farewell to home and friends, he took passage at Ant- werp, on a vessel bound for America. In due time he landed at New York, and from there came to Chicago, where he remained a few days and then went to the state of Michigan, where he worked in the pineries about three years. From there he came to Alton, and then went to Grafton, where he staid three years working at first one thing and then another. In the year 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 24th Ill. Inf., and served three years. He was then employed by the government about six months, drawing his pay at St. Louis. From that city he came to Jersey coun- ty, where he bought 120 acres of land, which he now owns. In the year 1868 he was married to Sophia Baekhouse, daughter of William Baekhouse, Sr. To this union six children were born- George, born May 23, 1869, died Nov. 23, 1871; Anton, born Nov. 9, 1871; Anna, born Jan. 23, 1873, and died June 23, 1876; Caroline, born Jan. 11, 1876; Kate, born April 8, 1879, and Prudy, born June 15, 1882. Mr. Metz- dorf is among the well-respected citizens of this township.

Frank Kallal, Sr., was born in Aus- tria, in the month of Aug. 1814. Nearly 40 years of his life were spent in his native country, and he there learned the shoemaker's trade. In the year 1853 he came to America, sailing in a vessel bound for New Orleans. On ar- riving at that city he came up the river to St. Louis, where he worked at his

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

trade until coming to Jersey county, which was in the month of March, 1856. He located on section 23, in Richwoods township, where he engaged in farm- ing. While living in Austria, in the year 1842, he was married to Frances Kasemor, a native of Austria. They were the parents of 10 children, seven of whom are living-Joseph, married to Mary Jillich, living in English town- ship; Frances, wife of Michael Parkos, living in Valley county, Neb .; Mary, wife of Joseph Horst, living in St. Louis; Annie, wife of John Duban, living in Valley county, Neb .; Frank, who lives here and attends to the man- agement of the farm; Louisa, wife of Benjamin Beover, residing in St. Louis; John C., living with his mother in St. Louis. Franees, a daughter, died in Austria, when but a child. Katie and Lizzie died at the residence in this town- ship. Mr. Kallal lived on his farm here until the time of his death, which occurred on the 26th day of Nov., in the year 1860. He was buried at the Catholic cemetery in English township. The family are all members of the Catholic church. After Mr. Kallal's death, his widow thought to retire from farm life, and in the month of May, 1880 moved to St. Louis, where she now re- rides with her son John. Frank Kallal, Jr., was born on the 4th day of Nov., in the year 1858, on the place where his parents located when coming to this county. He received his education partly in the district schools here, and partly at St. John's Bohemian school, in St. Louis. He now lives here and has the management of the family property, including the farm of 320 acres in Richwood's township.

George Ottenhausen has been a resi- dent of Jersey county since the year 1874, having removed here from St. Louis at that date, and located near Fieldon, in Richwoods township, where he now lives. Mr. Ottenhausen was born in Germany, on the 10th of Sept., 1830. In his youth he learned the miller's trade, which he followed in the old country until 1860. In that year he came to the United States, setting sail at Hamburg and landing in New Or- leans. He then went to St. Louis, residing in that city 14 years, at the ex- piration of which he came to this county. He was married in 1860 to Augusta Bochman, daughter of Henry Bochman. Eight children have been born to them, three of whom are now living-Julia, Augusta and Lizzie.

John L. Lofton was born on the 17th day of May, in the year 1826, in Gal- latin county, Ill. He is the son of John W. and Mary (Baldwin) Lofton. His father was a native of Georgia, his mother of Kentucky. Ilis father died on the 15th day of Jan., 1877, and his mother on the 9th day of Aug., 1870. John L. was raised on a farm, where he worked for his father until 21 years of age. Ile then worked around from place to place for about four years. In the year 1852 he went to Volcano, Cal., where he worked in the gold mines an- other four years. He then returned home and staid with his father until about the year 1860. On the 1st day of April, 1866, he was married to Mary Jane (Bentley) Bivens. He and his wife then went to Lynn county, Kan., where they resided three years, and then moved to Crawford county, in the same state, and remained there five

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

years, his wife dying there on the 30th day of Oct., in the year 1874. He then returned home and staid with his father until the latter's death, in 1877. Mr. Lofton is the father of five children- Elizabeth, Emily, Charles W. and John T. (twins), and Mary Jane. His wife's children by her first husband are-Luey Ann and Henrietta. Mr. Lofton owns 40 acres of land on section 36, Rich- woods township, and is an old and res- pected citizen. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and is also a member of the M. E. church.

Mathias D. Fondel was born in Prussia on the Sth day of September, 1823, his parents being Frank and Margaret (Schmatz) Fondel, natives of Prussia, where both have since died. Mathias was reared there to farm life. At the age of 30 years, he made up his mind to leave his native country, so he bade farewell to relatives and friends, and taking passage at Antwerp, was soon on his way to the New World, and arrived at the port of New Orleans after an ocean voyage of eight weeks. He staid in that eity and vicinity for about two months, and then took a boat for St. Louis, where he remained several weeks, and then came up to Edwardsville, Mad- ison county, IH., between which point and St. Louis he was engaged in team- ing for four months. He then came to Jersey county, and located on Coon creek, remaining there three years, when he bought 40 aeres on seetion 15, and eommeneed farming for himself. Since that time he has added 40 aeres to his farm. Mr. Fondel was married in this county, in December, 1863, to Maria Wilson, widow of William Wilson, and daughter of Noah and Lucinda Willis.

She was born in Lincoln county, Mo., where her father died April 16, 1858, and where her mother still resides. By this marriage there are four children- Margaret; Lucy Ann, wife of John Shaw, who lives in this township; Mary and Elizabeth. Mrs. Fondel was the mother of one child by her first mar- riage- Emily Jane, wife of Joseph Welch, who lives in Lincoln county, Mo. Mr. Fondel is a member of the Catholic church. while his wife and her daughter Mary are members of the Christian church.

Edman Cope was born in Jersey county, Ill., on the 25th day of Nov., in the year 1846. His parents were Joseph and Martha (Bullard) Cope, his father being a native of Ohio, and his mother a native of Kentucky. Joseph died on the 9th day of March, in the year 1874; Mar- tha died on the 28th day of June, in the year 1862. Edman was raised on a farm and the first place he located was on the old Patterson farm. In the year 1873 he came to Richwoods township, and located on section 36, where he has since resided. On the 29th day of May, in the year 1876, he was married to Sarah Ward, daughter of Moses and Naney (Eaton) Ward. A family of five children have been born to them- Arwilda, Gracie, Martha, Jerry and Mardie.

William Ilinson was born in Jersey county, Ill., on the 25th day of Oct., in the year 1838. His parents were Joel and Millie (Chillis) Hinson, both being natives of Virginia. William was raised on a farm, his father being a farmer, and with him he worked until he was 30 years of age. Mr. Hinson has been twice married, his first wife having

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been Laura Landdom. In the year 1869 he was married to Catherine Falk- ner, daughter of Joseph and Jane Falkner. Two children were born to this union-Jackson and Nellie. In the year 1873, Mr. Hinson purchased 40 acres of land in Richwood township, on section 21, and started farming for himself, where he has since continued an industrious and respected citizen.

James Allen Spencer was born on the 30th day of January, in the year 1834, in what was then Greene county, but is now Jersey county. He was the son of of Reuben and Mary ( Lofton) Spencer, both deceased. Ilis father was a native of Virginia and died here in the fall of 1844. His mother was a native of Ken- tucky, she died here, also, in the sum- mer of 1851. James was the fifth in a family of eight children. He lived with his parents on a farm, until their death, after which he worked around at one place and another until the year 1855, when he and his brother-in-law bought 80 acres of land together, on section 25. About one year later he sold out there and bought 40 acres on section 14, and moved to that place. On the 5th day of April, in the year 1855, he was united in marriage with Sarah Rowden, daughter of William and Mary (Pruitt) Rowden. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living- Mary, wife of George Seago, now living in English township; Ellen, wife of William Beaman, living in Kansas; William; Frank and Kate, twins; Lucy and Nellie, twins. Those dead are- Jeanette and Mariette. Mr. Spencer participated in the civil war, having en- listed in Co. C, 122d Ill. Inf. He served three years, going through several hard

battles. He was mustered out in the month of June, 1865, at Mobile, Ala.

L. W. Calame is a native of Switzer- land, and was born on the 1st day of Dec., in the year 1835, his parents being Lewis F. and Eliza (Parel) Calame. They are natives of Switzerland, and are now living near Alton, Madison county, Ill. When our subject was 10 years of age he came with his parents to this country, where they located as above stated. His father was a watch- maker, and under him he learned the jewelry business, and stayed with his father until he was 21 years of age. On starting to this country in the year 1848, they had sailed from Havre de Grace, and landed at New Orleans, from where they came up the Mississippi to Alton. In the year 1861 Mr. Calame enlisted in Co. D, of the 27th Ill. Inf. The first battle he engaged in was at Belmont, and he was then in all the principal battles during the service. He was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., Sept. 1864. He then went home to Alton, where he remained one year. While in the army he was wounded by a fragment of a shell, at Farmington, Miss., and is now drawing a pension. On the 25th of Dee., 1866, he was united in marriage to Sarah Cole, daughter of William and Lydia (Wiseman) Cole. They are the parents of seven children-Lydia E., Lizzie, William F., Nora, Charles E., Arthur B., and Elmer. Mr. Calame came to Richwoods township in 1867, and purchased 40 acres of land on sec- tion 27, where he has since resided.

Isaac M. Moore was born on the 2d day of Feb., in the year 1842, near Waverly, Pike county, O., his parents being Newton S. and Elizabeth (Brown)

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Moore. Both were natives of Ohio. Ilis mother died there in the year 1877, his father in 1883, in the same state. Isaac M. was raised in his native place, and worked on his father's farm up to the time he came to this state. IIe left Ohio in the year 1876, and came to Jersey county, where he bought 320 acres of land on seetion S, on which he located. Mr. Moore has so prospered that he has been enabled to increase his farm until it now contains 460 aeres, one-half of which is under cultivation, the balance being in timber. Mr. Moore is one of Riehwoods township's most enterprising citizens, and by his in- dustry and integrity has been thus far sueeessful in life.

Herman Groppel, a native of Prussia, was born on the 13th day of April, 1827. He is the son of Herman and Charlot- ta (Speckman) Groppel. In fall of 1840 his father died, and his mother four years later. Herman was the third in a family of seven children, consisting of three boys and four girls. He spent his youth on a farm in his native coun- try. He served in the Prussian army one year, and then returned to farm life. In the year 1853 Herman took passage on a vessel bound from Bremen to New Orleans, where he arrived after a voyage of nine weeks. From there he came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, staying there until May of the following year, when he went up the Missouri river to Lexington and engaged in farming for two years. From there he came to Jersey county, IN., and bought 40 acres of land on section 22, in Richwoodstownship, on which he moved. On the 10th of April, in the year 1858, he was married to Augusta

Rudolph, a native of Prussia, and daughter of Daniel and Franeisca (Lohmueller) Rudolph. Seven children were born to them-Fred, married to Lena Arbogast, and living near Otter- ville; Edward, married to Lena Egelhoff, also living near Otterville; Lena, Henry, Willie, Theodore and Louis. Mr. Groppel and family are members of the Lutheran church. He has been an in- dustrious and energetic worker, and hence has been able to increase his original farm of 40 acres to 160 acres at his home place in Richwoods township, and 143! aeres near Otterville, where his sons reside.

James Dunbar was born in Perry county, Mo., on the 18th day of March, 1842. His parents were John and Nancy (Porter) Dunbar, his father being a native of North Carolina, his mother a native of Kentucky. His father died in the year 1852. James remained at home until his father's death. when he was put out to work for a man named William Ringenton, but was treated so ernelly that he ran away from him and came to Randolph county, Ill., where he worked for a man named James Guinn for about eight years. When he arrived at the age of 18, he volunteered in the 10th Ill. Inf. He was mustered in at Cairo, in Co. I, and his regiment moved to Fort Pillow. From there they were ordered to draw off and re- inforee Grant at the battle of Shiloh. James was in the siege of Corinth, skirmishing, about six months. On the 9th of Oct., 1865, he was mustered out, when he went to St. Charles county, where he remained until 1870. He then went to Callaway county, Mo., remain- ing there until 1878, when he came to

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Jersey county and located on section 20, where he owns a farm of 80 acres. On the 24th of Feb., in the year 1879, Mr. Dunbar was united in marriage to Mar- tha Jane Thompson, daughter of Wm., and Martha J. Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar are the parents of two children, only one of whom is living-George W. The one deceased was named John W. Mr. Dunbar and wife are members of the Christian church.

William F. H. Gerson was born near Tribine, Germany, on the 10th day of July, in the year 1842, his parents being Fred and Charlotte (Miller) Gerson, natives of Germany. His father died on the 28th of March, in the year, 1882. His mother is still living, and resides on section 33, in Richwoods township. In the year 1868, William left Germany, taking passage at Hamburg, and sailed for New York, where he landed after about a two weeks' voyage. From there he came to Chicago, where he remained two years, working on the Chicago & Vincennes railroad. He then went to Danville, Ind., and worked for three months, going from there to Montgomery county, in the same state, where he staid about six months. Ile then went to the state of Missouri, and after being there a year, returned to Illinois, locat- ing in Jersey county, where he now owns 80 acres of land on section 28. On the 6th day of March, in the year 1879. he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Luft, daughter of John Luft, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Gerson are both members of the German Lutheran church.

Carl Prill was born in Prussia on the 26th day of November, in the year 1843. He is the son of John and Dora (Dor-

mand) Prill, both natives of Germany. ('arl staid at home with his parents until he was 16 years of age, or until the death of his father, which occurred in the year 1860. Ile then went to work out by the month, which he continued doing until he was 26 years of age. In Oct., 1869, he decided to leave his fath- erland, and bidding farewell to home and friends, took passage at Hamburg on the steamer "Alamanar," bound for New York. He landed there, and im- mediately started west by railroad, trav- eling until he reached Illinois, when he came to Jerseyville, reaching there on the 7th of Nov., 1869. He worked hy the month for about five years, and then rented a farm of 120 acres, and went to farming for himself. Feb. 28, 1875, he was married to Caroline Coel. They are the parents of five children-Mary, Lizzie, Emma, Caroline and Eda. Mr. Prill and wife are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church at Fieldon. He is an intelligent and industrious farmer, and consequently a successful one.

John H. Sapp was born on the 10th day of May, 1857, in Richwoods town- ship, Jersey county, Ill. He is the son of James and Mary (Smothers) Sapp, who are natives of Bullitt county, Ky. They emigrated to this part of the country in the year 1850. When quite a small boy, John H. started out in the world to do for himself, and hired to Mr. Clark with whom he staid about two years. He got tired of that place, and taking a notion to leave, ran off from Mr. Clark's, and went to Carrollton, where he went to work for a living, staying about a year. He is now living on section 35 in this township. On the 19th day of Feb., 1880, Mr. Sapp was

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

married to Mary Burch, a native of this county, and daughter of George and Jane (Harue]) Burch. Two children have been born to them, only one of whom is now living-James Henry. The one that died was named Fillmore.

George W. Edwards was born in Jer- seyville, Jersey county, on the 25th day of May, 1861. Ile is a son of William B. and Mary E. (Allen) Edwards. His father was born in the state of New Jer- sey, and his mother in New York. George W. was the eighth in a family of 13 children. When he was three years of age, his parents moved to Richwoods township, and located on section 35, where the family has since resided. George has followed the occupation of farming ever since he was large enough to follow the plow. His education, which was very limited, was received in the schools of his district. On the 21st day of Sept., 1881, he was united in marriage with Annie Deuening, the daughter of Fred and Mary (Thurston) Deuening. She was born in Calhoun county, but came with her parents to this county, when an infant. Two children have been born to this union. They are George P. and Lloyd Augustus.

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History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 45

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150