USA > Illinois > Jersey County > History of Jersey County, Illinois > Part 46
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BAYER, Henry F., now deceased, was for forty years proprietor of a barber shop at Jerseyville, and was one of the city's respected citizens. He was born at Albany, N. Y., May 27, 1840, a son of Ste- phen Bayer, who was born in Prussia. He came to the United States and in Albany, N. Y., met a Miss Stuetzer, who was born in Bavaria, Germany. Their marriage took place in Albany and afterward they came as far west as St. Louis, Mo., but on account of cholera, they returned to Albany, and lived there until 1854, when they once more journeyed to St. Louis, and while they were living in that city, their son, Henry F. Bayer, learned the trade of a barber from a man named Ilorning. In the fall of 1855 Henry F. Baver came to Jerseyville and opened the barber shop he conducted for forty years, or until his death which occurred February 9, 1901. He was a reli- able, sober and industrious man and excellent citizen, devoted to the interests of his community and county.
On June 22, 1862, Mr. Bayer was married to Catherine Feuchter, born in Wuerttemberg, Germany, April 10, 1845, a daughter of John Michael and Anna Marie (IIaberoth) Feuchter, who in the fall of 1851 came to New Jersey where they lived until 1855, moving to Jersey- ville in that year, and there Mr. Feuchter engaged in business as a tanner. Mr. and Mrs. Bayer became the parents of the following children: Frederick, who lives at Jacksonville, Ill .; Edward, who died in infancy; William, who died at the age of thirty-one years; Mary, who is the wife of Nathaniel Layman, of Wren, Ohio; Lena, who is Mrs. W. P. Hixenbaugh, of Moran, Kas .; Louis, who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; Paul, who lives at Chicago, Ill .: Henrietta, who is Mrs. Paul Meinhardt, of San Francisco, Cal .: Alvina, who lives with her mother ; Otto, who lives at Long Beach, Cal .; Frank, who also lives with his mother; and Clarence, who is a soldier in the United States Army. Mrs. Bayer has lived since childhood in her present home and is very much attached to it. She belongsto the Evangelical Church. Mr. Bayer was a Republican and he belonged to the order of Knights of Honor.
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BECKER, Joseph W., county superintendent of schools for Jersey County, Ill., and one of the scholarly men of this section, is one of the best known men in Jerseyville. He was born in Calhoun County, Ill., January 6, 1865, a son of Gregory and Tressa (Daak) Becker, natives of Baden and Hanover, Germany, respectively. They were married in Calhoun County, Ill. Having learned the trade of a turner in Germany, Gregory Becker went to Paris, France, where he worked at his trade until 1859, leaving the old world for the new in that year. After landing in the United States he came to Calhoun County, where he continued to farm until his death which occurred in 1907. Ilis wife passed away in 1879. Their children were as follows: Charles P., who lives at Kampsville, Ill .; John, who lives at Silver Creek, Ill .; Rebecca, who is Mrs. John Piper, of Kampsville, Ill .; Frederika, who is Mrs. Edward Thomas, of Kampsville, Ill .; Joseph W .; Elizabeth who is Mrs. Frank Tozier, of Kampsville, Ill .; Dinah. who is Mrs. Joseph Brandenburg, of Silver Creek, Ill .; Mary, who is Mrs. John Robinson, of Kingfisher, Okla .; George, who lives at Sil- ver Creek, Ill .; Katie, who was Mrs. John Carter, died in 1909; and Henry, who is living on the homestead at Silver Creek, Ill.
Jospeh W. Becker attended the schools of his district, the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton, Mo., and the Illinois State Normal School. Until 1891 Mr. Becker was engaged in educational work at Hamburg, Gilead and Hardin, Ill., but in that year he entered the journalistic field and for four years conducted the Calhoun Leader. Selling this newspaper in April, 1895, he came to Jerseyville to take charge of the Jerseyville Republican, whichi lie conducted until 1912, when he sold to C. T. Kurtz. During that period, from 1903 to 1907, he also served as postmaster of Jerseyville, and then was assistant postmaster until January 1, 1914. In November of that year he was elected to the superintendency of schools of Jersey County, which important office he still holds, being one of the most efficient and care- fully trained men the people of this section have ever placed in this position.
In September, 1888, Mr. Becker was married to Maggie Cloninger, born at Mozier, Calhoun County, Ill., a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Lakin) Cloninger, the former of whom was born in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have two children, namely: Grace, who is Mrs. II. T. Edwards, of Grafton, Ill. ; and Nellie, who is a teacher of physi- cal culture in Sullivan County, N. Y. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Jerseyville holds Mr. Becker's membership and he has been super- intendent of the Sunday school since 1901. In politics he is a Re- publican. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
BERTMAN, Fred J., a justice of the peace and a leading citizen of Jerseyville, was born in this city on March 17, 1856. His parents were Frederick and Lena (Goetten) Bertman, natives of Germany, where their parents lived and died.
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In 1845 Frederick Bertman came to the United States and in the same ycar Lena Goetten also came. They were married at Buffalo, N. Y., and directly afterward journeyed to Alton, Ill. By trade he was a tailor, and after looking about for a promising business location, in 1847 moved to Jerseyville, and here opened one of the first tailoring shops. He proved a capable business man and later conducted a gen- eral store and combined fine tailoring with gents' furnishing goods. He continued in business until 1868, when he retired for two years, but in 1870 again embarked in business and continued until his death, in 1882. His widow survived into old age, her death occurring in 1915, when she was ninety-four years old.
Fred J. Bertman obtained his education in the public schools and spent five months in the St. Louis University at St. Louis. Ilc after- ward assisted his father in the store until the latter's death, and then closed it out as his time and attention had to be given to the duties of deputy sheriff, in which office he served for two years. He was occupied for a time as a clerk in the bank of Shepard & Co., but the greater part of Judge Bertman's life since a young man has been of an official nature, his fellow citizens recognizing his efficiency and trustworthiness by again and again calling him to positions of pub- lic trust and responsibility. He has been active in both city and county politics for many years, a factor in the Democratic party un- til 1896, when the accepted policies of that party caused him to identify himself with the Republicans, to which organization he is vet loyal. Mr. Bertman served several terms as township collector and was deputy county collector under three administrations. His record as alderman for nine years from his ward shows that he was faithful to its interests at all times and satisfactory to his constitu- ents. When first elected a justice of the peace, Judge Bertman was continued in office for eight successive years, and his return to the office took place in the spring of 1917.
In 1879 Fred J. Bertman was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Frances Massy, who was born in Jersey County, Ill., and died Feb- ruary 17, 1881. She was a daughter of Henry C. and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Massy, the former of whom was born in St. Charles County, Mo., and the latter in Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Bertman, onc son was born, Henry C., who died in infancy. Judge Bertman is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a man of great force of character, enterprising and upright, and possesses many charac- teristics that Americans like to find in their public officials.
BIRKENMAYER, Roy, one of the prosperous general farmers of Fidelity Township, is engaged in doing his best for his country in in- creasing the food supply. He was born in this township, April 15, 1865, a son of Gotlieb and Mary Ann (Nerk) Birkenmayer. Growing up on the homestead, Roy Birkenmayer attended the schools of his district and remained with his parents until his marriage which occurred in 1892, after which he rented land in Fidelity Township
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for twelve years. He then moved to 160 acres of land on section 3, Fidelity Township, owned by his wife, and on it he erected substan- tial buildings and made other improvements which greatly enhance the value of the property. Here he carries on general farming, rais- ing horses, cattle and hogs as well as grain.
On February 17, 1892, Mr. Birkenmayer was married to Elizabeth T. Rich, born in Fidelity Township, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Grandy) Rich. Mr. and Mrs. Birkenmayer have one daughter, namely: Irma, who is Mrs. Harvey E. Challacombe of Macoupin County, Ill. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Birkenmayer has served as a school trustee since 1900, and he has also been a school director. Fraternally he holds membership with Fidelity Lodge, M. W. A., while his religious connections are with the Baptist Church.
BIRKENMAYER, William, one of the successful general farmers and stockraisers of Fidelity Township, was born in Jersey Township, September 28, 1853, a son of Gotlieb and Mary Ann (Nerk) Birken- mayer, natives of Germany. The grandfather, Mathias Birkenmayer, came to the United States when his son Gotlieb was eight years old, and after a period spent in the vicinity of Louisville, Ky., moved to Naples, Ill., where he died. Gotlieb Birkenmayer was married in Ohio and came by water on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and bought a farm north of the county seat. Later he added to his original purchase of 160 acres, 160 acres more which lay across the road, but some years later sold his farm to his brother, and moved to Otterville, Ill., where he bought a farm. A few years later he returned to Jersey- ville, buying back his old farm, and then traded it for 520 acres east of Jerseyville. After operating it for ten years, he bought another farm south of Jerseyville, and then moved to Jerseyville where he died in March, 1900. His wife died in 1868. Their children were as follows: Anna, who is Mrs. Theodore Wilson of Jerseyville; William; IIattie, who is the widow of Charles Miner, of Medora, Ill .; Charles, her twin brother, who is deceased; Fannie, who is the widow of Elmer Post, of Jerseyville, Ill .; Laura; and Lilly and Minnie, who are deceased.
William Birkenmayer attended the common schools of Jersey County, and grew up amid rural surroundings. On March 8, 1878, he was married to Anna Rich, born in Fidelity Township, a daughter of Richard and Alzana Clarida Rich of Jersey County. After his marriage, William Birkenmaver rented his father's farm south of Fidelity for ten years, and then bought the Richard Rich farm of 280 acres just north of Fidelity. Although the farm was well im- proved, Mr. Birkenmayer has added materially to its value by his changes. He also owns 240 acres south of Fidelity, and carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr. and Mrs. Birkenmayer have two children, namely : Charles, who lives at Medora, Ill .; and Richard, who is serving in the United States army. The only daughter, Ione, died at the age of seven years. Mr. Birkenmayer is a member of the
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Baptist Church and has been a deacon for some years. In politics he is a Democrat.
BOWEN, Bert H., one of the thoroughly trained men of the great shoe manufacturing industry that New England, the home of the trade, lias contributed to Illinois, has been identified with this branch of work ever since boyhood. For the past six years he has been superintendent of the Jerseyville branch of the International Shoe Company, a position of much responsibility.
Bert H. Bowen was born near the Berkshire hills in Berkshire County, Mass., September 25, 1872. His parents were Nelson U. and Amanda (Glaser) Bowen, the latter of whom was born in the state of New York and died in September, 1916. The father was born in Vermont and during his active years was superintendent of a woolen mill at Adams, Mass. IIis death occurred April 16, 1917.
Bert II. Bowen attended the public schools in Adams, Mass., until he was twelve years of age. The place is a great manufacturing center and young Bowen, like the majority of his associates, went into a mill to work as soon as his school period was over. Ile worked in a woolen mill, where he learned the art of weaving and continued until the age of seventeen when he entered a factory at North Adams and started to learn the manufacture of shoes. Mr. Bowen remained in the factory until he was proficient and so expert that he was made a foreman in the factory and continued in that capacity there until 1900, removing then to Newport, N. II. After five years of experience there as foreman in a shoe factory, he accepted the offer of a like position at Manchester, N. Il., where he served five years as foreman and one year as superintendent. In February, 1911, he came to his present field of work at Jerseyville. Ile has large interests here to look after, not only taking care of the scores of highly perfected machines with which this large plant is equipped, but in keeping up the efficiency of 300 employes, including about ninety women, so that the plant product is up to expectation both in volume and quality. In doing this Mr. Bowen shows justice to all and is held in high regard by all his subordinates. The plant occupies three floors of a building. having 3,000 fect of floor space, and the output averages 2,500 pairs of shoes per day, the leading brands being : Red Goose, Weather Bird and the Tess & Ted.
On July 2, 1894, Mr. Bowen was married to Myrtle White, who was born at West Holly, Mass., a daughter of Henry and Nancy White, both born in Massachusetts, the father at Hawley and the mother at Becket. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have four children : Gertrude, Richard, Robert and Ronald. Mr. Bowen and family attend the Presbyterian Church. IIe has always given his political support to the man irrespective of party but has never accepted public office with the exception of membership on the school board. Ile is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Jerseyville. Through industry he has accumulated a competency as well as a high
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place in a vast corporation, both these facts indicating that Mr. Bowen has practical business qualities as well as mechanical skill. He is looked upon as one of Jerseyville's representative men.
BOWLER, Peter A., owner of 185 acres of land just south of Jerseyville, is one of the prosperous farmers of Jersey County. He was born in St. Clair County, Ill., October 20, 1845, a son of Benjamin F. and Hester (Lemon) Bowler, he born in St. Louis County, Mo., and she in St. Clair County, Ill. After their marriage they located on a farm in St. Clair County, Ill., where both died.
Peter A. Bowler attended the local schools of his district and grew up to useful manhood, remaining at home until his marriage, which took place January 6, 1876, to Barbara Short, who was born in St. Clair County, Ill., a daughter of George and Mary (Stookey) Short, born in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Bowler have two children, namely : Lee, who is at Ottawa, Kas .; and William R., who is at home, being engaged in the horse business, and in assisting his father with the farm.
After his marriage Mr. Bowler was engaged in farming in his native county until 1892, but in that year moved to San Jose, Cal., where he conducted the Lick Hotel for nine months. At the expira- tion of that period the hotel was destroyed by fire and he came back to Illinois and located in Jersey County, buying a farm of 130 acres just south of the county seat, and here he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Many of the fine improvements upon the farm have been made by him, especially the buildings, and he has been very successful in his undertakings. In politics a Democrat, he has served in the city council from the Fourth Ward, for three terms. He is a member of the Baptist Church. In his work he has demon- strated what can be accomplished by persistent effort and untiring labor, and his success is deserved.
BORMAN, J. A., a prosperous general merchant of Richwoods Township, and township supervisor, is one of the substantial men of Jersey County. He was born in Greene County, Ill., March 28, 1872, a son of John and Catherine (Hinkel) Borman, natives of Germany and Buffalo, N. Y., respectively. After their marriage the parents came to Greene County, Ill., where the father engaged in farming until his death in 1900. The mother continued to live on the farm until she passed away in July, 1917. Their children were as follows: John and Michael, who live at Eldred, Ill. ; Fannie, who is Mrs. Jacob Ambrose, of Carrollton, Ill .; Mary, who is Mrs. A. C. Ferguson, of St. Louis, Mo .; Charles, who lives at Eldred, Ill .; Alice, who is de- ceased ; George F., who lives at Eldred, Ill .; Joseph A .; Mrs. Charles Borman, who lives at Eldred, Ill .; and Judson, who died at the age of three years.
J. A. Borman attended the schools of his district and assisted his father in conducting the home place. In December, 1891, he was mar-
33
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ried to Clara A. Cope, who was born in Jersey County, January 16, 1871, a daughter of Allen and Cynthia (Warner) Cope, natives of Jersey County and Missouri, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Borman have the following children: Josie, who is Mrs. Clifton Schudel, has two children, Everett and Walter, and lives in Richwoods Township; Bertha, who is Mrs. Paul Gilleland, has two children, Keith and Thelma, and lives at Fieldon, Ill .; and Jessie, who is Mrs. Edwin Rey- nolds, has two children, Vernon and Marguerite, and lives in Wood- ville Township, Greene County, Ill.
After his marriage, Mr. Borman was engaged in farming in Greene County until 1907, when he established himself in a mercantile business in Richwoods Township. He erected a new building on the sixteen acres he owns, for business and residential purposes, and has now a very satisfactory trade. Both he and his wife arc Republicans, and he served for three years as commissioner of highways, and for the same length of time was township collector. He was then elected supervisor, and is still holding that office. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Borman are very well and favor- ably known throughout their community, and exert an influence for good.
BOWMAN, Stephen H., president of the State Bank of Jersey- ville, Ill., and for many years honorably identified with public affairs in Jersey County, belongs to one of the pioneer families of this section. He was born in the eastern part of Jerscy County, in Dc- cember, 1847, and is a son of Charles H. and Mary (Hooper) Bowman.
Charles H. Bowman was born in Vermont and was a son of Elisha and Eunice (Condor) Bowman, natives of Vermont. The family came to Jersey County, Ill., in 1835 and entered land from the gov- ernment. Here Charles II. Bowman was married to Mary Hooper, who was born in England and was brought to the United States and to Jersey County by her father, Joseph Hooper, in 1835. After their marriage Charles H. Bowman and wife settled on a farm in the east- ern part of Jersey County. He carried on farming here until 1862 when he moved to Jerseyville, where he lived during the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1873. His widow survived until 1893. Charles H. Bowman was a man of sterling character. He was an important factor in the Jersey County Democracy and in 1860 was elected sheriff and served in this office for three terms (six years) during a very critical period of the state's history. After retiring to Jerseyville he conducted the National Hotel here for several years.
Stephen II. Bowman attended the public schools in Jerseyville, later the college at Jacksonville and still later Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. When he returned to Jerseyville, he became a clerk in the bank of Williams, Shephard & Company, with which concern he continued for four years. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Jersey County and served most efficiently in this office for two terms and then returned to business life and after entering into
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a partnership with G. W. Ware, bought out the bank interests of Shephard & Sons and conducted the same as Bowman & Ware, until 1890. At that time a consolidation of interests resulted in the estab- lishment of the State Bank of Jerseyville, Mr. Bowman becoming president, an office he has filled ever since. The other officers at that time were: John A. Shephard, vice president, and H. A. Shephard, cashier. The present bank officers are: Stephen HI. Bowman, presi- dent; P. J. Fleming, vice president : George W. Campbell, cashier. This bank is one of the sound, stable financial institutions of the county, ably financed and conservatively conducted. It works with a capital of $50,000.
Mr. Bowman was married in December, 1871, to Miss Harriet B. Cockrell, who was born in Jersey County, a daughter of Moses and Katie (Utt) Cockrell, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have three daughters : Frances E., who is a resident of St. Louis, Mo .; and Nellie G. and Harriet C., who reside at home. Mr. Bowman and fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a trustee.
Mr. Bowman has led a busy and useful life. Aside from public service as county sheriff as above mentioned, he has served the city in important capacities, for several terms as alderman of his ward, many terms as a member of the school board and one term as mayor, ever displaying a conscientious recognition of duty. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs also to the Elks and the Odd Fellows.
BRAINERD, Charles, who was a veteran of the Civil War, and an honored resident of Grafton, was born at Rome, N. Y., September 10, 1839. He resided with his parents, Jeremiah Burr and Laura (Gates) Brainerd until his fifteenth year, when he went to Saratoga County, N. Y., where he remained until the Civil War broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fiftieth New York Engineers, and served three years, participating in the Peninsular Campaign, in the engagements of Manassas and Fredericksburg. He was with the Army of the Potomac, acting as chief clerk of the commissary department of the Engineers Brigade. After the termination of the war, he came to Grafton, where he soon obtained a clerical position with the Grafton Quarry Company, of which he became superintendent, occupying this position for thirty years. He served several terms as mayor of Grafton.
In 1870, Charles Brainerd was married to Hattie A. Benner of Waldoboro, Maine, who died in 1886. To this union were born ninc children. The four surviving are: Josephine L. Ripley, who resides at Grafton ; George C., who is a farmer residing near Grafton; Carl E., who is an electrician living at Christopher, Ill .; and Harold W., who is a merchant of Grafton. In 1887, Mr. Brainerd was married to Mrs. Victorine Slaten, who survives him. She had a daughter, Gertrude, by her first marriage. This daughter was married in 1912 to a Mr. Jenner and now lives at St. Louis, Mo.
Charles Brainerd was a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public ; of Full Moon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Belvidere Com-
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mandery, K. T., of Alton, Ill. He was baptized and united with the Grafton Methodist Church in August, 1917. Mr. Brainerd departed this life April 6, 1918, at his home in Grafton, aged seventy-eight years, six months and twenty-six days.
Ilis father, Jeremiah Brainerd, came to Illinois and passed his last years with his son, Charles, at Grafton, where he died at the age of cighty-four years. The mother died in the fifties. Their children were: Samuel, who is deceased; Charles; Mrs. Sara Phillips, who resides in Massachusetts; and David, who is deceased.
BRAINERD, George C., a prosperous farmer and stockraiser in the vicinity of Grafton, is one of the substantial men of Jersey County, and comes of an old family that is highly respected in this locality. An extended sketch of this family is given elsewhere in this work. The birth of George C. Brainerd occurred at Grafton, November 18, 1875.
After attending the schools of Grafton, Mr. Brainerd entered the Jerseyville High school and was graduated therefrom in 1896, and then took the collegiate course at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he was graduated in 1899. For some years thereafter, Mr. Brainerd was em- ployed as a bookkeeper and stenographer for a St. Louis (Mo.) firm, and on returning to Grafton, he engaged in farming and stockraising and has met with very gratifying success. In addition to his farming, Mr. Brainerd has found time to devote some attention to literature. He is much interested in the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy.
Mr. Brainerd was married June 7, 1906, to Miss Nona Morgan, who was born at Grafton, June 18, 1888. Her parents were born in Illinois. Mr. Morgan is deceased. Her mother, Mrs. Charles Davidson, resides in Peoria, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd have three children, namely, Ruth, who was born December 22, 1907; Charles B., who was born October 7, 1909 ; and George E., who was born April 29, 1913. In politics Mr. Brainerd is an independent Republican, and has served as a school director.
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