USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 17
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On the 16th of February, 1859, Mr. Snedeker was married in Macoupin county to Miss Ann E. Fleming, who was born in this county June 25, 1837, a
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daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Fleming. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Madison county, Illinois. He came to Greene county, Illinois, and subsequently settled on land in Macoupin county, which he preempted from the government, he and his wife spending the remainder of their days on the home farm. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker, two of whom, Elizabeth and Elmer M., are now living. Elizabeth is the wife of W. D. Holland, a prosperous farmer of Hilyard township, and Elmer is also engaged in farming in the same township. He married Susan Bright, a native of this county, and they have four children, William, Anna M., Orville and John E.
The political allegiance of Mr. Snedeker has been given for many years to the republican party, which he believes is better adapted than any other organ- ization for upholding the principles of popular government. He never aspired to public office but has earnestly assisted in supporting the claims of friends for political honors. He is a stanch believer in the inspiration and authority of the Bible and is a member of the Methodist church to which he is a liberal contributor. A man of kindly nature he has made many friends who have been attracted by his unselfish qualities and his interest in the welfare of others.
. JOHN J. KEISER.
John J. Keiser, who resides on the old family homestead in Mount Olive town- ship, is the owner of three farms besides other valuable property and is promi- nently known as a farmer and capitalist of Macoupin county. He has gained his present responsible position mainly through his own exertions, having exercised from the beginning of his business career rare enterprise, energy and sound judg- ment.
"He was born in Hanover, Germany, August 28, 1849, a son of John J. and Geske (Heien) Keiser, who were reared and married in the old country. In 1854 the father came to America with his family, landing at New Orleans, from which point passage was taken to Alton, Illinois, on one of the river steamers. In the spring of 1855 he settled on section 14, Mount Olive township, Macoupin county, and established his home on one hundred and twenty acres of government land, in one of the most productive spots of the county. He died December 6, 1855, but his widow survived for many years, passing away at the home of her daugh- ter Anna in 1889. She was an active and consistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, as was also her husband, and they were worthy representatives of the pioneer settlers of Illinois.
Mr. Keiser, whose name introduces this sketch, was the youngest son in his father's family and has resided in Macoupin county since he was five years of age. He attended the Mount Olive schools and continued upon the home farm, of which he assumed charge as he grew to manhood, being the only son left with the mother. At the time of the division of the estate he acquired the old home- stead, which he has ever since retained. Early in life he was imbued with a laudable ambition to win a reputable place among his fellowmen and through
MRS. JOHN J. KEISER
JOHN J. KEISER
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keen discernment and unfaltering application he has succeeded even beyond the brightest expectations of his youth. In addition to the home farm, which com- prises one hundred and twenty acres, he owns forty acres of timber land in Mount Olive township and two farms of one hundred and eighty-six and two hundred and seventeen acres respectively in Madison county. His farms are provided with excellent houses, barns and other buildings and supplied with mod- ern facilities for carrying forward the work according to the most approved methods. In addition to producing general crops he takes great interest in stock- raising and has for years shipped regularly to the markets at St. Louis and Chi- cago. His memory carries him back to the time when the first house was built in Mount Olive and he has plowed over almost every foot of ground upon which the town now stands. He was actively identified with the organization of the Mount Olive Coal Company and has been one of the leading factors in the de- velopment of the coal industry in Mount Olive. His history is, therefore, in- separably associated with that of the community in which he has spent almost his entire life.
On the 13th of March, 1877, Mr. Keiser was married to Miss Charlotte Monke, a native of Westphalia, Germany. She came to America when she was four or five years of age with her parents, Henry and Katharine (Papplewerth) Monke. The father settled in Macoupin county, but later removed to Montgomery county. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keiser, nine of whom survive, namely : Catherine, who is the wife of John Grosenheider, of Madison county, Illinois ; Minnie, who married August Hemann, of Madison county ; Emma, who is the wife of Tase Heyen, a merchant of Mount Olive ; William, who is engaged at the carpenter's trade in Plymouth county, Iowa; Henry, also of Plymouth county ; Frank, George and Mary, all of whom are at home; and Louis, who lives in Plymouth county, Iowa.
Mr. Keiser is in hearty sympathy with the principles of the republican party and gives to its candidates his earnest support. He and his family are identified with the Evangelical Lutheran church, with which he has been connected ever since his earliest recollection. He is essentially a man of business. He recognizes the value of labor and of persistent application in the accomplishment of any worthy object. A capable and thorough farmer, he is a consistent advocate of progress along all lines seeking to advance the general welfare. He is regarded with great respect by those who have known him longest-and that is an indis- putable evidence of personal worth.
TRUMAN ASA SNELL.
There are men who early achieve success in life notwithstanding obstacles which appear to be insurmountable to others. They are born with an ambition which bows to no difficulty and endowed with an energy and clear judgment that lead to certain victory. Such a man is Judge Truman A. Snell who, al- though comparatively young, is now filling the office of county judge of Ma- coupin county. He is a native of this county, born on a farm seven miles east Vol. II-9
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of Carlinville, September 22, 1876, a son of Guy A. and Abbie (Voorhees) Snell, both of whom were born in Jersey county, Illinois. Of their family of seven children four survive, namely: Hugh A., who lives at Litchfield, Illinois ; Myron W., who is a physician, also of Litchfield; Truman A., of this review ; and Reba, the wife of H. J. White, a jeweler of Litchfield.
Guy A. Snell, the father of the subject of this review, has from his boyhood engaged in farming and is now living at Litchfield. He was reared in Jersey county and in addition to farming taught school in his early manhood. In the early '6os he came to Macoupin county and spent several years in Polk town- ship, at the end of which time he removed to Honey Point township, where he . resided for forty years, becoming the owner of seven hundred and seventy acres of good land in this county. He retired from active labor in 1900 and has since at ease enjoyed the fruits of many years of wisely directed application. He has now arrived at the age of seventy-two years, his wife being five years his junior. He formerly took an active interest in local affairs and served as super- visor of Honey Point township, township assessor and in other offices. Frater- nally he is identified with the Elks.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Asa Snell, a native of Ver- mont. He removed to Jersey county, Illinois, and engaged for many years 'in the practice of medicine. The maiden name of his wife was Priscilla Landon and she lived to be ninety years of age. They had a large family : Guy ; Gilbert, deceased; Mary, now of Oklahoma, who married Russell Bohannan, now de- ceased, and later John Forth, now deceased; Drucilla, who married Squire Watts, of Oklahoma; Clarissa, the wife of B. F. Calhoun, of Jerseyville; Mar- tha, who married Richard Waddell, of Jersey county, and is now deceased ; Ruby, the wife of Charles Perrings, of Polk township; Silas, who is now de- ceased; James, also deceased; Janette, who became the wife of Edward Lee and is now deceased; Luther, who lives at Carlinville; Hugh, who was formerly sheriff and treasurer of Jersey county ; Katurah, who married S. Woolsey, of Auburn ; and Augusta, the wife of John Howell, of Jerseyville.
The grandfather on the paternal side was Peter Voorhees, a native of New Jersey. He married Maria . Kirby and they became early settlers of Jersey county, Illinois. In their family were nine children: Abbie; Charles, who lives at Jerseyville; John, who resided at Jerseyville and is now deceased; Sarah, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Libbie, who married T. F. Remer and lives in Denver, Colorado; George, who lives at Jerseyville; Margaret, who married Dr. McAdams of Wichita, Kansas, and is deceased; and Peter, deceased.
Truman A. Snell grew to maturity under the favoring conditions of farm life. He attended the district schools and Blackburn University, also becoming a student of Western Normal College at Bushnell. Like many promising young men he engaged in teaching school, a vocation which he followed for five years. During the latter part of his experience as teacher he began reading law and after making a fair start in the text-books matriculated at Washington Univer- sity in St. Louis and was graduated from the law department of that institu- tion in 1904 with honors and received the degree of LL.B. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began practice at Staunton, where he still main- tains his office and his home. He showed special adaptability for his chosen
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profession and soon gained a lucrative clientage. For three terms he served as city attorney at Staunton and in November, 1910, was elected judge of the county court of Macoupin county, a position which he now fills.
On the 21st of September, 1904, Judge Snell was married to Miss Emma Schmidt, a daughter of George W. and Margaret Louise (Theuer) Schmidt. Two children have come to brighten their home, Margaret Louise and Reba Alvena. Mrs. Snell is a native of the town of Dorchester and her father was a native of Germany, while her mother was born in St. Louis, Missouri. They lived at Gillespie, Illinois, for many years, where her father engaged in the hardware business. He died in January, 1906, at Carlinville at the age of sixty-six years, his wife having passed away eight years previously. Their children are George W., Jr., of Gillespie; Frederick E., of Gillespie; William H .; Emma; and Alvena.
Judge Snell is not identified with any religious denomination but his wife is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. He is well known in fraternal circles and holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America. Politically he has from the time of casting his first vote been allied with the democratic party. He has demonstrated his ability to cope with legal problems and success has come as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized standing in his profession. In his decisions he has demonstrated clear judgment and broadmindedness that enables him to compre- hend readily the details of a situation and correctly to apply the principles of law. The people have confidence in his integrity and the future is for him bright with promise, as there are few men in Macoupin county who can claim precedence in popular esteem over Judge Truman A. Snell.
CARL L. KAESEMAN.
Although a young man Carl L. Kaeseman, of Staunton, has made rapid ad- vancement in the business world and bids fair to gain an established reputation in commercial circles of Macoupin county. He is a native of this city and was born March 17, 1889, a son of J. C. and Amanda (Fritz) Kaeseman. The father was born at Oberdorla, Germany, April 7, 1862, and came to America at the age of eighteen years, locating at Staunton, Illinois. He worked in the mines for a time and then entered the employ of F. R. Fritz, his father-in-law, who was proprietor of a hardware store in the city. Subsequently Mr. Kaese- man purchased the business in which he has ever since been successfully en- gaged. He and his wife are the parents of seven children, namely: Fred, de- ceased; Carl L., of this review; Anna, who married Elmer Cherry, of Staunton ; Otilla and Cordella, twins, both of whom are at home; Oscar, deceased; and Elmer, who is at home.
Mr. Kaeseman of this sketch received excellent advantages of education in the public schools of Staunton and after leaving school became connected with his father in business and in 1909 was admitted as a partner in the firm. They carry a complete line of hardware and own the commodious building in which
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the business is conducted. They also have other interests in Staunton and are numbered among the prosperous business men of the city.
On the 6th of July, 1908, Mr. Kaeseman was married to Miss Ella Hun- singer and they have two children, Oscar and Margaret. Mr. Kaeseman gives his political support to the democratic party and his religious belief is indicated by membership in the Lutheran church. He is also an active member of the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America of Staunton. He possesses a pleasing address and good business judgment and, being governed by a worthy ambition to win an honored name for himself, there is scarcely a doubt that as the years pass he will be called upon to assume larger responsibilities. He is entirely straightforward in his business dealings and has thus earned the respect in which he is held by his associates.
HENRY F. BYCROFT.
Henry F. Bycroft, well known as a miller and grain man of Gillespie and also mayor of the city, is a native of England and is a highly creditable representa- tive of thousands of ambitious young men, who have sought in America oppor- tunities, denied them in the old countries. He was born September 15, 1851, a son of James and Catherine (Fenwick) Bycroft, both of whom spent their entire lives in England, the father being a farm laborer.
Mr. Bycroft of this review grew to manhood in the paternal home and ac- quired the rudiments of an education in the public schools. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to the miller's trade and, after completing his term of apprenticeship, worked at the trade in England until June, 1872. He was then almost twenty-one years of age and, having decided to seek his fortune be- yond the seas, he went aboard a vessel and landed at Baltimore, Maryland, on the morning of July 4. He proceeded direct to St. Louis, Missouri, but con- ditions in the industrial world were then very unpromising and he had great difficulty in securing employment, being obliged to work at whatever he could find, as there appeared to be no demand for men in the trade, for which he had prepared himself. He had early learned the dignity of labor and did not hesitate to accept a position as street laborer. He also drove oxen for Judge Busbee of the criminal court and kept as busy as possible in such positions as he could find, until conditions changed. In the fall of 1873 he was employed in the large mills of Kehlor Brothers at St. Louis and gave evidence of an in- terest in his work and a capacity for responsibility, which was very pleasing to the officers in charge. After eight or nine years, having shown himself to be entirely competent in the various positions to which he had been advanced, he was placed in charge of the Union Flour Mills at St. Louis, which he superin- tended for four years. He then resigned to accept a similar position in a mill at Edwardsville, Illinois, for his former employers, Kehlor Brothers, at that point. He continued there until July 21, 1891, when, having decided to begin business on his own account, he came to Gillespie and leased the Gillespie Roll- ing Mills. Two years later he purchased the property and has since continu-
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ously operated the mills. During these years he has made many improvements and has kept fully abreast of the times in his specialty, being now at the head of the leading industry of Gillespie. The name of the firm is widely and favor- ably known throughout this part of the country on account of the honorable business methods that it has followed. In 1900 Mr. Bycroft admitted to part- nership his son, James E. Bycroft, who began assisting his father in 1893, and the title of the firm has since been H. F. Bycroft & Son.
On the 28th of June, 1877, at St. Louis, Mr. Bycroft was married to Miss Mary E. Dillon and three children were born to this union: James E., who is associated with his father in business; Gertrude C., who is at home; and Henry F. Jr., who is engaged in the livery business at Gillespie. Politically Mr. Bycroft has voted in support of the republican party ever since he cast his first ballot. He is now serving his fourth term as mayor of Gillespie, having been elected on the citizens' ticket each time. He also very acceptably filled the office of town treasurer for two terms. He is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America and the Mutual Protective League of Decatur and has many friends in those organizations. Although reared in the Episcopal church he is in thorough sympathy with the Catholic church, his wife and children being members of that organization. It is a long step from the condition in which Mr. Bycroft found himself when he landed a stranger in St. Louis thirty-nine years ago with only five dollars in his pocket, which he was obliged to pay for his board, to the position he now holds as a leading citizen of one of the intelli- gent and progressive communities of Illinois. He owes his success to an in- domitable spirit of perseverance that never yielded even in the face of the gravest obstacles, and to a worthy ambition to make a reputable name for him- self in the country of his adoption. It is hardly necessary to add that no man in Macoupin county is more highly respected by his friends and acquaintances than the gentleman whose sketch is here presented.
JOHN R. WEYEN.
The name of Weyen is very favorably known in Macoupin county and repre- sents industry, honesty and progressiveness, three elements which, when combined in one individual, enable him most invariably to accomplish worthy aims. John R. Weyen, whose name introduces this sketch, possesses the advantage of sturdy parentage and also of a good constitution and an ambition which has urged him to seek the highest degree of excellence in his chosen calling. As a result his farm is one of the most desirable of its size in the county and he ranks as a leader in agricultural and live stock circles. He was born on the farm where he now lives November 28, 1866, a son of Weye H. and Meta (Johnson) Weyen, extended mention of whom is made in another part of this work.
John R. Weyen is the youngest of a family of five children. He was reared at home and in the district schools possessed advantages of a good mental train- ing, which has assisted him very materially in his work. He continued on the home farm after arriving at maturity and after the death of his father in 1889
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he took complete charge of the place. It was willed to him by his father to pass into his possession after the death of the mother, which occurred November 25, 1910. The farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and highly productive land and is provided with every modern facility for agriculture and live stock raising. A beautiful residence occupies one of the most attractive sites and an air of order and prosperity prevails, which is evidence of the careful thought given to every department of the business. Mr. Weyen is up to date in his methods and ample harvests insure a liberal annual income.
On the 18th of May, 1893, he was married to Miss Hannah Cordum, a daugh- ter of Henry Cordum, of Cahokia township. The father was born in Germany and was one of the early settlers of Macoupin county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Weyen are the parents of four children: W. H .; William, who is deceased ; Alma ; and Hilda. The three living children are now attending school.
Politically Mr. Weyen is an earnest supporter of the democratic party and, as he is a stanch friend of education, he is now serving as member of the school board. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church. He is a man of sound business judgment, is an excellent manager and has from his boyhood been vitally interested in agricultural pursuits. A farmer by inheritance and taste, he has made wise use of his opportunities and the esteem in which he is held by those to whom he is best known is evidence of his personal worth.
H. A. FISCHER.
H. A. Fischer, who for a number of years past has very acceptably filled the office of postmaster of Staunton and is also a successful business man, is a.native of this city. He comes of German stock and was born November 19, 1861, a son of Christopher and Anna Maria (Frank) Fischer. The father was born at Has- loch on the Rhine in Germany and learned the basket-making trade from his father, at which he worked for several years in his native town. Being am- bitious to advance as rapidly as possible, he emigrated to America and located at Staunton, Illinois, when it was a pioneer settlement with only two or three houses. He engaged at his trade here and also was employed in the Staunton mill, and became a clerk in a store at this place. He began business upon his own account, which he managed so well that he became proprietor of a general store, which attracted a liberal patronage. He retired from business in 1871 and was succeeded by two of his sons, Adam and Paul, who are still conducting the business under the title of Fischer Brothers. The father died in 1904. The mother of our sub- ject was also born on the Rhine river in Germany and is now living at Staunton, having reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were seven children: Frederick G., who is deceased; Adam, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Staunton; Anna, the widow of Bruno Hebenstreit, of Staunton ; Paul H., who is also engaged in business at Staunton ; H. A., of this review; Edward Joseph, who is the owner of a general store at Wamego, Kansas ; and Mary, who married Ernest Weis, of Staunton.
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In his youth Mr. Fischer acquired a fair education in the parochial schools. He continued at home until eighteen years of age and then entered a store in Staunton as clerk, a position which he held for eight years. He then became identified with the real-estate business, with which he has ever since been actively connected, and he is today one of the prominent real-estate holders of the city. In 1906 he was appointed by President Roosevelt as postmaster of Staunton and discharged his duties so acceptably that he was reappointed by President Taft. Through his efforts Staunton was selected as one of the first cities in Illinois for the location of a postal savings depository, and it has proven successful even beyond expectations. He has been very active in public affairs and for fourteen years served as city clerk.
On the 13th of April, 1887, Mr. Fischer was married to Miss Maggie Doyle, who is of Irish descent and was born in London, England. They have six chil- dren : Laura M., who assists her father in the real-estate business; Fanny C., assistant postmaster of Staunton ; John H., who is a clerk in the postoffice ; Chris- topher C., who is in the insurance business in this city; and Mary and Edward, both of whom are attending school.
Mr. Fischer has ever since he arrived at his majority given his support to the republican party. He was reared in the Lutheran church, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Catholic church. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being trustee of the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Staunton, clerk of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America for twenty years past and is also a trustee of the Royal Neighbors. As is indicated by his various responsibilities, he is an earnest and efficient worker and his influence is felt throughout the entire community. He ranks as one of the leading men of Staunton.
TONY H. SCHUETZ.
Tony H. Schuetz, whose home is on section 20, Hilyard township, is one of the respected farmers of Macoupin county-a man who has exemplified the quali- ties of industry, perseverance and good management. As a result his efforts have been rewarded, and he and his family enjoy the satisfaction afforded by a comfortable home, which is supplied with the conveniences and many of the elegancies of modern life. A native of this county, Mr. Schuetz was born June 8, 1872, being a son of George and Christina (Myers) Schuetz, the former of whom was born in France and the latter in Germany. The father learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land and at the age of twenty years, believing that America presented superior advantages for an ambitious young man, crossed the ocean to this country and took up his residence at St. Louis, Missouri. After working at his trade for a while in that city, he came to Macoupin county, Illi- nois, and turned his attention to farming, becoming the owner of land in Brighton township, where he established his homestead. Here he spent the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject is still living and has reached the advanced age of ninety years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz were eight children, five of whom are now living besides the subject of this review, namely: George,
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