USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 48
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and Edward, who were with him, that when struck by a ball the actual pain experienced at the moment was not greater than the sensation experienced by the pricking of a pin. When found lying helpless in the water, it having rained heavily the night be- fore, and the wounded remaining out all night, he was cheerful to a high degree and hopeful of recovery, but after intense suffer- ing he died on the following Friday morning.
Albert Rothschild, Mayor of the City of Lincoln, was born in Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, December 10, 1850. His parents, Moses and Henrietta Rothschild, were natives of Germany, of Hebrew parentage. He was reared in his native town, remain- ing with his parents till eighteen years of age, and was educated in both the English and German languages, attending the schools of Petersburg and Rohrer's Commercial College, at St. Louis, Mis- souri. From fifteen to eighteen years of age he was employed in the general store of Wright & Bates, at Petersburg, and in 1868 went to Holden, Missouri, and clerked for J. Sternberg a year. In 1869 he was employed by his uncle, S. Rothschild, of St. Louis, in the live-stock business, remaining with him till the spring of 1872, when he came to Lincoln and began buying, feeding, selling and shipping live-stock, a business he has since followed. He was elected mayor of Lincoln in the spring of 1883, and re-elected in 1884 and 1885. He was married September 19, 1875, to Miss Flora Rosenthal of Lincoln. They have three children-Helen, Fannie and Edna. Mr. Rothschild is a member of the Hebrew Congregation of Lincoln. He is a member of the B'nai Brith, of which he has held the principal offices, and of the Knights of Honor, of which he has passed all the chairs.
Joseph Schott, of the firm of Scheid & Schott, tobacconists and manufacturers of cigars, Lincoln, was born in Baden, Germany, October 4, 1860. His mother died when he was an infant, and at the age of eleven years he came to the United States with his brother Charles, and lived at the house of his uncle, S. Rethaber, at Lincoln. He attended the schools of his native country, com- pleting his education at the Lincoln schools. In 1873 he began to learn the barber's trade with Martin Denger, with whom he re- mained till 1875. He then went to Taylorville, Illinois, where he carried on a barber shop till 1877, when he returned to Lincoln and worked at his trade till 1883. He was then employed as a clerk in the cigar and tobacco store of Scheid & Rethaber till July, 1884, when he became associated with F. C. Scheid in his present busi-
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ness under the firm name of Scheid & Schott. Mr. Schott is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery at Lincoln, and has served as sword-bearer in the commandery two years.
George Christian Schreiber, general merchant and jeweler, of Lincoln, was born in Schmalkalden, Germany, June 29, 1839. He was reared to manhood in his native town, and there received a high-school education. His father, Andrew Frederick Schreiber, and also his grandfather, were jewelers, and he at the age of fifteen years began learning the same business. He came to America in 1860, first locating at Olean, New York, where he engaged in watch repairing, remaining there till March, 1861. He then ac- cepted a situation as watchmaker at Mitchell, Canada West. In the spring of 1865 he left Mitchell for Rockport, New York, where he became associated with Dr. Henry Olin in the drug business, and after selling his interest in the drug store in 1866, he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was engaged as watch-maker for the firm of A. & J. Gardner. In June, 1867, he left St. Louis and came to Lincoln, Illinois, where he opened a jeweler's store, and during the first two years he made three watches with the excep- tion of the cases, thus establishing his reputation as a practical watchmaker. In 1872 he built a store on Pulaski street, where he added toys and notions to his jewelry business, and soon after added sewing machines and musical instruments. In 1878 he discontinued the sale of machines and musical instruments and, in connection with his jewelry trade, began dealing in clothing and dry goods, which business he has since successfully followed. He was married by the Rev. J. G. Little, April 16, 1871, to Anna A. Uhler, daughter of Martin Uhler, of Lincoln. They have two children-Solon Christian and Ralph George. In politics Mr. Schreiber affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 480, A. F. & A. M.
Reinhold Schweikert, of the firm of Sheer & Schweikert, wagon manufacturers, Lincoln, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born January 12, 1848, living there till his nineteenth year. He attended the common schools till sixteen years of age, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade. He immigrated to the United States in 1867, and on his arrival started for Logan County, Illinois, lo- cating at Postville, now a part of Lincoln. He worked as jour- neyman till January, 1882, for John Sheer. Mr. Sheer dying in 1882, he became associated in the business with Mrs. Sheer, thus
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forming the present firm of Sheer & Schweikert. They manufact- ure carriages and wagons for the local trade, employing annually from ten to fifteen hands. December 26, 1870, Mr. Schweikert was married to Miss Carrie Smith, of Lincoln. To this union have been born two children-Flora and Ida. Mr. Schweikert was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of Mozart Lodge, No. 345, I. O. O. F., of which he has been secre- tary for the past seven years. Heis also a member of Cook Lodge, No. 109, A. O. U. W.
John Snyder Small, proprietor of the Spitly House, Lincoln, is a native of Virginia, born at Harper's Ferry, May 3, 1824. His mother having died, he came with his father to Ohio in the fall of 1831 and settled at Clarksburg, and afterward lived in Pickaway and Madison counties. His father being a tailor by occupation, he learned the same trade. In 1846 he engaged in tailoring, car- rying on a shop at Midway, Ohio, till 1854, when he came to Lin- coln and continued tailoring, being associated with his brother, D. W. Small, till 1858. He then opened a restaurant at Lincoln, which he carried on till 1870, when he engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He was burned out in 1871, after which he ran a boarding house till 1873, when he began again in the hotel business, which he has since followed. May 24, 1848, he was married at Midway, Ohio, to Sarah Ann Miller, of that place. They have had thirteen children born to them, of whom nine are living-Martena K., wife of T. A. Ruddy, of Petersburg, Illinois; Orlandas M., of Peters- burg; Ida Belle, wife of John Horney, of Logan County; Charles W., clerking in the Spitly House; Hetty Jane, John Harry, Emma Miller, Sarah Frances and Maud May, all living at home. Maria C. married .H. C. Philbrick and died November 7, 1877, aged twenty-seven years. Mary Florence died February 18, 1857; Dickey died November 14, 1865, aged three years, and Freddie died March 24, 1863, aged one month.
Charles William Small, clerk of the Spitly House, was born in Lincoln, December 6, 1859, the second of five sons of John S. and Sarah A. (Miller) Small. He was reared in his native place, and educated in the Lincoln High School. When quite young he began learning the printer's trade, but at the age of sixteen abandoned it. He was then employed in the dry-goods store of John A. Lutz at Lincoln a short time, after which he clerked in his father's hotel several months. He then clerked in the store of Kay Hovey till 1877, when he again clerked in the hotel till 1881. He was then
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employed for a short time as manager of a confectioner's store, when he resigned and accepted a position with C. B. Laning & Coat, Petersburg, Illinois, being with this firm eighteen months, and in 1884 accepted his present position. He was married at Lincoln to Eliza J., daughter of Washington and Amanda (Simong- ton) Walker, of this place. She died August 31, 1885, aged over twenty-three years, leaving one child, Mary La Grace. Mr. Small is a member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln, and is secretary of the Sabbath-school. His wife was also a member of the same church.
Jeremiah Simpson, contractor and builder, of the firm of J. Simpson & Son, Lincoln, Illinois, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, July 1, 1817. When he was three years old his par- ents removed to Utica, New York, and from there when he was fifteen to Halseyville, where he lived with them till twenty years of age, when he went to Lodi, and learned the carpenter's trade. From 1840 till 1845 he worked at his trade in Detroit, Michigan, and subsequently at Pittsburg, Cincinnati, St. Louis, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Hop- kinsville, Ohio, till 1861, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company I, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, for three years, but was honorably discharged in March, 1863, on account of disability caused by his horse falling while in an engagement at Vienna, Alabama. The following is an extract from a document written by his commanding officer, which speaks highly of his merits as a sol- dier. " I am sorry his health is such that he cannot return to us. His courage and patriotism while with us won the friendship of all that knew him in the company. We miss him; he was emi- nently a good soldier and non-commissioned officer. He has lost his health in the defense of his country, and his Government ought to remember him. He has stood by me in danger, never shrinking from duty, always seeking the front. The Government owes to him personally the capture of all we got at Huntsville, at least $1,000,000. The sergeant was one of the advance guards, and, mounted on a fleet horse, pursned the mail carrier for miles after all others gave out, captured him and the mail, thus keeping from Huntsville the intelligence of the approach of General Mitchell's forces; hence we took the place by surprise completely on the morning of the 11th of April, 1863. From that time until the capt-
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ure he was almost constantly in the saddle, scouting and skirmish- ing with the enemy. I am yours obediently, "JOHN C. STEWART,
"First-Lieutenant Commanding Company I, Fourth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry.
"The above statement is true.
"CAPTAIN F. ZIMMERMAN, " Company K, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. "ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND, CAMP .STANLEY, TENNESSEE, April 19, 1863."
After his discharge Mr. Simpson worked at his trade at Hop- kinsville, Ohio, until 1864, when he came to Logan County, Illi- nois, and settled at Lincoln, where he has since followed contract- ing and building. June 14, 1849, he was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, to Sarah Hopkins, of Staunton, Virginia. They have five children-Robert H., of Canton, Illinois; John A., in business with his father; Charles A., Anna M. and Douglas C. Politically Mr. Simpson is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Christian church and the Temple of Honor, and has been treasurer of the latter several years.
John Albert Simpson, the second son of Jeremiah and Sarah D. (Hopkins) Simpson, was born in Rochester, Michigan, May 30, 1852. He was reared in Ohio and Illinois, accompanying his par- ents to Lincoln in October, 1864. When eighteen years of age he began to work at the carpenter's trade with his father, and has since, with the exception of a year spent in Chicago, been associated with him in business. June 15, 1876, he was married at Lincoln to Amy A. Stewart. They have .three children-Sylvester A., Myra L. and Julia K. Mr. Simpson and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he is a deacon and trustee. In poli- tics he is a Prohibitionist.
John Q. Smith, Jr., merchant tailor of Lincoln, was born near Warren, Mahoning County, Ohio, April 14, 1846, a son of John and Elizabeth (Routsawn) Smith, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of French descent. When six years old he went with his parents to the western part of Ohio, they set- tling at Greenville, where he was reared. In his fifteenth year he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, and after serving his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman in Ohio till August, 1864. He then enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty - second Ohio Infantry, as a private, to serve one year. He was dis-
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charged with his regiment at the expiration of his term of service, after which he came to Illinois and located in Springfield, where he was employed as cutter in the clothing establishment of J. D. Weldon till August, 1866. He then came to Lincoln and engaged in the tailoring business. He was burned out in 1872, after which he traveled for the wholesale clothing house of J. R. Hick & Co., of Philadelphia, for two years. In 1874 he located at Virginia, Illinois, where he was engaged in merchant tailoring till the fol- lowing spring when he sold out and came to Lincoln and for the fol- lowing six years was employed by I. Altman as journeyman tailor, and in November, 1881, he engaged in his present business. He was married at Lincoln, October 21, 1866, by Rev. Preston Wood, to Miss Martha C. Busher, daughter of John Busher, one of the old- est residents of Springfield, Illinois. They have three children- Oliver C., Claudie May and Walter Emerson. In the spring of 1884 Mr. Smith was elected a member of the City Council of Lin- coln for a term of two years. He is chairman of several commit- tees, and is a member of the Board of Health of Lincoln. He is president of the Central Illinois Beekeepers' Association, and is also president of the Lincoln. Gun Club, which was formed for the protection of game and fish, and for the enforcement of the State game law. He is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 204, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs of that order. He also belongs to Boone Encampment, No. 41, I. O. O. F., of which he has passed all the chairs, and has been a representative of the Grand En - campment of the State of Illinois.
John William Spellman, of the firin of Moloney, Spellman & Co., dealers in grain and lumber at Lincoln, is a native of Lock- port, Illinois, born May 31, 1846, a son of Martin and Margaret (Sheehan) Spellman. When he was five years old his father died, and at the age of fifteen years he lost his mother. He was reared in his native place, attending school till he was twelve years of age. At that age he began to maintain himself by working on farms and in a stave factory, till he was eighteen years old, after which he attended a private school at Joliet two years, taught by Mrs. Eliza Grover. He then, in 1866, came to Lincoln and was employed in the Elliott Flouring Mills until 1871, and during that time took a commercial course at & night school. In 1871 he went to Charles City, Iowa, and worked on a farm in that vicinity till 1872, when, after visiting in Lincoln three months, he went to Nuckolls County, Nebraska, and engaged in farming and stock
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raising near Nelson till the fall of 1873. He then returned to Logan County and followed farming and stock-raising near Lin- coln till 1879, when he was employed to purchase grain for the firm of Milans, Booth & Co. at Beason. After serving in that ca- pacity several months he was transferred by the same company to their office at Lincoln, remaining with them and their successors until December, 1883, when he, in connection with J. M. Moloney, purchased the business, when the present firm of Moloney, Spell- man & Co. was formed. Mr. Spellman was married March 6, 1872, to Ella Congdon, daughter of James and Susan (Smith) Congdon, who at that time were residents of Lincoln. They have two chil- dren-Jessie L. and John W. Mr. Spellman is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, and Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, and has held the position of worshipful master of his lodge for four years. He also belongs to the order of Modern Woodmen of America at Lincoln.
Hiram Stout Stansell, agent at the Champaign & Havana Rail- road at Lincoln, Illinois, is a native of Illinois, born at Mount Palatine, Putnam County, December 14, 1856, a son of Isaac M. and Elizabeth H. (Stout) Stansell, natives of Ohio, of German ancestry. He lived on a farm till eighteen years of age, and then went to Detroit, Michigan, where he was employed as bill clerk in a commission house a year. He then returned to the homestead and remained till 1877, when he went to Dana, La Salle County, and learned telegraphy in the office of the Chicago, Pekin & Southwestern Railroad Company. In 1878 he was employed by the company as agent and operator of their office at Kinsman, Grandy County, and six months later was appointed on special duty by the same road and the Chicago & Paducah. In 1879 he was appointed agent and operator at Burr Oak, and eight months later was promoted to the larger station at Hammond, Piatt County, Illinois. In 1880 he was promoted to the station at Gib- son City, Ford County, and in August, 1882, was transferred to the office at Lincoln, first as agent for the Wabash, and then for its successor, the Champaign & Havana line. March 9, 1882, Mr. Stansell was married at Gibson City to Leora Belle, daughter of W. A. and L. E. (Smith) Westrope. They have one child-Ro- setta. In politics Mr. Stansell is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge and chapter, and has been scribe of the latter two years.
John St. Cerny, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Lincoln,
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Illinois, is a native of Canada, born April 5, 1852, a son of John Baptiste and Emily (St. Jean) St. Cerny. He was educated in a private school at L' Assomption, and also took an English com- mercial course at Roddon. In 1867 he went to Montreal and served as an apprentice in a dry-goods store, and in 1870 was employed as clerk by La More & La Belle. He subsequently came to Illinois, and from 1871 till 1874 was employed in the res- taurant of Gilbert La Berge, when he went to Green Bay, Wiscon- sin, and clerked in the wholesale liquor store of Phil. Lawrence. In December, 1876, he came to Lincoln and was employed as clerk of the Lincoln House till 1879, when he opened a billiard hall, to which, in 1881, he added a saloon. In 1882 he became proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, where he is doing a good business, and has built up a large trade, being a popular and attentive host. He was married July 5, 1878, in the Hyde Park Catholic church, near Chicago, by Father Tye, to Kate C. Penfold. They have three children-John Joseph, James Henry, and Onisemi Lavalsie Edward. Mr. and Mrs. St. Cerny are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
John Switzer, contractor and builder, Lincoln, was born near York, York County, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1831, and is the fourth of five sons of Samuel and Susan (Lower) Switzer, who are both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Our sub- ject was reared in his native county, and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade. After reaching his majority he left his home and came to Illinois, locating first at Danvers, McLean County, where he remained till 1860. He then came to Lincoln, Logan County, and has since been engaged in contracting and building. He has built many of the business blocks and residences of this place, beside many buildings in the county adjoining Lincoln. He has been twice married, his first wife being Sarah Jane Webster, of Lincoln, whom he married January 16, 1865; she died August 19, 1878, leaving three children-Fannie, Bertie and Olive; the latter died in 1879, aged three and a half years. June 9, 1881, Mr. Switzer was again married, to Mrs. M. L. Gilchrist, of Lincoln. Mr. Switzer is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, A. F. & A. M.
William Henry Traner, son of John and Millie (Hall) Traner, was born July 24, 1836, in Morgan County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. His father was born on the ocean, while his parents were coming to America, and was of Irish descent, and his
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mother, who was of French descent, was a native of Ohio. He remained with his parents till reaching maturity, and received his education in the public schools of his native town, and later at- tended the McConnellsville High School, and the high school at Hopesdale. He began life for himself as a teacher, in 1856, teach- ing one winter term in Ohio. In the spring of 1857 he came to Illinois, and taught in Pike County till 1862, when he engaged in farming near Pittsfield of the same county. In 1865 he came to Logan County, and located on a farm in the vicinity of Lincoln, and in connection with his farming taught school for two terms. He rented his farm and became a resident of Lincoln in 1884, where he has since made his home. He was married April 22, 1857, to Margaret Coulter, daughter of John and Ann (Keys) Coulter, of near Pittsfield. They have four children-Belle, Gracie, Maggie and Bessie. Mr. Traner has served two terms as assessor for Chester Township, and collector of the same township for two terms, and was one of the school officers for several years. In his political views he is a Democrat. He is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 480, A. F. & A. M., Lincoln Chapter, No. 147, R. A. M., and of Constantine Commandery, No. 51, K. T., of Lincoln.
Rev. James Tuohy, the present rector of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Lincoln, was born June 11, 1836, in County Clare, Ire- land. When quite young he attended the Killaloe Classical Acad- emy, which was conducted by his father. In the fall of 1854 he left his native land with the intention of studying for the priest- hood in the seminary of St. Sulpice, at Baltimore, Maryland. After completing his philosophical and theological studies he was ordained priest December 12, 1858, in St. Joseph's Cathedral at Buffalo, New York, by the Right-Reverend John Timon, D. D., at that time Bishop of Buffalo. After spending several years in missionary work in Western New York he came, in 1875, to Illi- nois, and took charge of the Catholic church at Macomb, Mc- Donough County, and, in September, 1877, he was appointed rector of St.Patrick's Church, at Lincoln. December 12, 1883, Father Tuohy celebrated his silver jubilee, or the twenty-fifth anni- versary of his ordination to the priesthood. On that auspicious occasion he was the recipient of an address and several valuable presents from the members of his congregation.
Darlington Turnbolt was born September 14, 1826, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. In 1833 his parents moved to Washing- 33
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ton County, Maryland, locating in the town of Hancock; in 1836 he moved to Clear Spring, in the same county, where he lived with them, attending school until the year 1846, when he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and continued the same until 1854. In 1848 he was married to Susan Hore, born in Hagerstown, Mary- land, October 26, 1828. In 1855 he moved to Illinois, locating in Decatur, and in 1856 engaged in the hotel business in said town; sold out in 1865, and in 1866 removed to Pana, Illinois, built the hotel known as the St. James, and opened it to the public in 1867. In 1868 he became connected with the National Gas Works Build- ing Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, being one of its originators, and engaged in building and operating gas works. He was con- nected with the building of the gas works in Carlinville, Lincoln, Kankakee, and Elgin Asylum in Illinois; Jackson and Brownsville, in Tennessee; Lincoln, Nebraska; Oskaloosa, Iowa; Marshall, Michigan, while connected with said building company. In 1873 he purchased the Lincoln, Illinois, Gas Works, and moved to Lincoln and took possession of the same. In 1874 he withdrew from the National Building Company, and in 1874-'75 built the works in Men- dota and Princeton, Illinois, and purchased the works at Kanka- kee, Illinois. Reverses in business brought changes, and the re- sult was in 1881 he became the superintendent of the gas works at Lincoln, Illinois, owned by S. A. Foley, which has since become the property of the Gas and Electric Light Company. He still continues as superintendent. Of the eleven children born to his union with Susan Hore seven are living-Clara M., wife of W. E. Hayward, of Pana, Illinois; Grace A., wife of T. T. Beach, an at- torney of Lincoln; Sarah J., married W. E. Seip, of Bloomington, Illinois; Susan M., married T. A. Rosebrugh, of Pana; H. Amelia, unmarried, living at Pana; Richard D., attending school at Or- chard Lake, Michigan; and Zora F., an invalid at home.
Remington K. Webster, a retired merchant of Lincoln, was born in Washington County, Rhode Island, April 23, 1810, the youngest son of Jonathan and Dorcas (Moore) Webster. He received a common-school education, and worked on the farm till eighteen years of age. He then commenced learning the machinist's trade in South Scituate, Rhode Island, serving an apprenticeship of two years. After following his trade five or six years he engaged in the mercantile business at Providence, Rhode Island, where he remained till 1844. He then came to Logan County, Illinois, and engaged in farming in Eminence Township. In 1854 he moved to
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