USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 20
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closed eighteen months' service as president of the Carlinville chapter of the American Women's League. She also belongs to Springfield Chapter, D. A. R.
Two warm friends of Dr. Lucinda Corr once wrote the following character sketch : "In personal appearance Dr. Corr is not at all the ideal strong-minded woman. Five feet tall, straight as an arrow, with plump girlish figure, notwith- standing her forty-seven years, with round, fair face, large, deep-set blue eyes overshadowed by heavy brows, a full forehead and a magnificent head of nut- brown hair four and a half feet long. Dr. Corr's mother was a woman of un- usual strength of character, a Virginian by birth, conservative in her views, in- flexible in principle, exclusive in habit, but sympathizing deeply with her girls in all their efforts towards intellectual advancement. From her the doctor in- herited her sunny disposition and the courage that has enabled her always to stand bravely for her convictions. A typical western woman, Dr. Corr had advanced ideas on all subjects, even when a girl in years, and like many other girls in southern families rebelled against the advice of that clog to womanly progress, the Apostle Paul, and determined to know things for herself. Accord- ingly she fitted herself for teaching and when only seventeen years old taught her first country school. It was while teaching this school that she first met Albert C. Corr and began a friendship that ripened into a life-long love and resulted in an almost ideal married life. Dr. Albert C. Corr was then a student of medicine and together they read and discussed subjects beyond the range of most young people. The close of the school brought separation to the lovers. He went to Chicago to win his diploma, she home to teach and study and pre- pare herself for the keeping of the home they two should build. When Dr. A. C. Corr graduated from the medical department of Northwestern University in 1868 the young couple at once set up housekeeping in the Congregational parsonage at Chesterfield and the little home was furnished and the bright young bride settled down to sew on the doctor's buttons, listen to long stories from half-sick, often hysterical women and to make one dollar do the work of five. But in listen- ing to these sad stories of sickness and discouragement the listener's tender heart was wrung and in thinking them over "the times seemed sadly out of joint." Was there nothing to be done to remedy the evils so constantly before her? Could not woman's insight and intuition better reach and help her sisters? So her thoughts turned to the study of medicine.
FREDERICK GUSTAV BURGDORFF.
A valuable farm of eighty acres in Bird township represents years of labor and wisely directed effort on the part of its fortunate owner, Frederick Gustav Burgdorff. Landing in America from a foreign country in his boyhood, he applied himself so successfully that he earned the money with which to buy a farm, and he now has the satisfaction of knowing that he is in a large measure financially independent for the remainder of his life. A native of Hanover. Germany, he was born May II, 1870, a son of Ferdinand and Caroline Burg- dorff, both of whom were born in Hanover. The father of our subject was a
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farmer and learned the miller's trade. The grandfather on the paternal side was a miller and came to America, settling in Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his days. Ferdinand Burgdorff and his wife spent their entire lives in Germany. He served for a number of years in the German army and was a guard in the King's Regiment, being known as one of the most reliable soldiers of the regiment. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Burgdorff were the following children besides the subject of this review, namely: Charles, who is now living in Peoria, Illinois; Herman, who died in California; William, who died in Germany; Ferdinand, who served for three years in the German army and died in the old country; Mrs. Caroline Myer, of Carlinville; Annie, who lives at Athens, Menard county; Hermina, the wife of J. Frederick Lange, of Carlinville; Frederica, who married Fritz Huhs and resides in Germany ; and Stoll, of Hanover, Germany.
In the public schools of his native land Frederick G. Burgdorff received the advantages of a preliminary education. In 1884, being then fourteen years of age, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremen and crossed the ocean to New York city. He came direct to Carlinville, Illinois, arriving at this place September 3d of the year named, and has ever since resided in Macoupin county. He found employment as a farm laborer and so continued for twelve years, at the end of which time he engaged in farming on his own account. After six years he purchased eighty acres of land on section 13, Bird township, where he estab- lished his home. He paid seventy-five dollars an acre for his farm, and it is now worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. In his work he has met with a gratifying measure of success. He is thoroughly familiar with the care and handling of live-stock and few men in the county can claim better judgment as to the value of farm animals. He is also a good agriculturist as is shown by the bountiful harvests which are gathered under his direction.
On February 22, 1897, Mr. Burgdorff was married at Carlinville to Miss Olga Kasten, who was born in South Otter township, August 13, 1869. She is a daughter of Christian and Christina (Meiher) Kasten, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany. The parents emigrated to America, being accom- panied by the grandfather of Mrs. Burgdorff on the maternal side, and settled in South Otter township, Macoupin county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming. Subsequently he removed to Carlinville, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, but his wife is now living at Carlinville. In their family were nine children: Charles, who is engaged in farming in Kansas; William, who lives on a farm which he owns in South Otter township; Gustav, who lives in Carlinville and owns land in South Otter township; Albert, who also lives in Carlinville and owns land in Carlinville township; Emil, who is living on the home place in South Otter township; Matilda, the wife of Jacob Worner, of Missouri; Bertha, who married Grant Turk and lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Ida, who is at home with her mother; and Olga, now Mrs. Frederick G. Burg- dorff. Mr. and Mrs. Burgdorff are the parents of three children, Irma, Albert and Olga, all of whom are living at home.
Religiously Mr. Burgdorff and his wife are both identified with the Evangelical church at Carlinville, in which he is now serving as a member of the board of directors ; he is also a member of the Bankers Life Association of Des Moines.
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A man of strong convictions and unsullied reputation, he has overcome many difficulties and now enjoys the reward of his early self denial. In his wife he has found a willing assistant and they have many warm friends in Macoupin county, who perceive in them the traits of loyalty and perseverance to worthy objects so necessary in the development of a noble and upright character.
GEORGE OSTERKAMP.
Among the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Honey Point township none is more deserving of success than George Osterkamp, who owns two hun- dred and eighty acres which he accumulated through his thrift and good manage- ment. He is a native of Hanover, Germany, a province that has furnished many of the most respected men in Illinois, and was born October 10, 1853, a son of Herman and Gertie (Schaeffer) Osterkamp. Grandfather John Osterkamp was a farmer and served in the French army in 1812. The father of Herman Oster- kamp was born in the same house as the grandfather and after arriving at man- hood he became a soldier in the German army. In 1864, desiring to seek more favorable conditions for his children, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremer- haven, with his wife and four sons, and landed at New York city, proceeding direct to Alton, Illinois. After engaging for five years in farming near Staunton, the land being in both Madison and Macoupin counties, he removed to Bond county, where he died in 1875, his wife having been called away four years previous.
George Osterkamp received his preliminary education in his native land and had no' opportunity of attending school after arriving in America, as his services were needed in support of the family. He went to Bond county with his father and worked under him for one year, spending the following year as a farm hand in the same county. After working for two years in Madison county, he came to Macoupin county and continued to work for wages. After thirteen years of practical experience under other persons, he rented a farm in Cahokia township, but at the close of a year came to Honey Point township. In 1878 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he took up his permanent residence in 1880. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty of which are in Cahokia township. He has engaged in general farming and by good business management has secured very gratifying results. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has added many modern improve- ments upon his farm. He is an energetic and successful business man and has taken an active part in promoting the welfare of this region.
On September 15, 1878, Mr. Osterkamp was married to Miss Mary Weyen, a daughter of Weye H. Weyen, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To this union seven children have been born, namely: Weye, who is engaged in farming in Cahokia township; Gertie, the wife of Ernest Delaney, of Oklahoma ; Mate, who married Othie Moore and now resides in New Mexico; and Herman, Emma, Frieda and George, all of whom are living at home.
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In politics Mr. Osterkamp is a stanch supporter of the principles and candi- dates of the democratic party. He has served as a member of the board of road commissioners for the past sixteen or seventeen years and has also filled the offices of school treasurer and school trustee, displaying an ability in public affairs that has met the hearty approval of the people. He is a member of the Mutual Protective League of Montgomery county, and he and his family are identified with the Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee. In his boyhood Mr. Oster- kamp was taught the value of labor and by denying himself as a young man he secured the foundation which enabled him to accumulate a competency, assuring him of abundance during the remainder of his life. His example of energy, in- dustry and self-reliance is worthy of emulation by all who would accomplish noble aims.
WEYE H. WEYEN.
The life work of Weye H. Weyen, for many years a prominent farmer of Macoupin county, was brought to a termination by his death, March 15, 1889, and, judging by what he accomplished, it may truly be said that he was one of the remarkable men of the county. He demonstrated the possibilities awaiting in America for any ambitious and capable young man, who may be obliged to start at the bottom of the ladder, with scarcely a dollar in his pocket, and yet may reach the top. He was born in Hanover, Germany, October 20, 1820, and grew to manhood in his native land. He secured the foundation of an education in the public schools, but as his parents were in need of his services he was early obliged to leave school, to assist in the maintenance of his father's family.
In 1851, desiring more favorable opportunities than he saw about him, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremen and after a voyage of several weeks landed at New Orleans, Louisiana. He came by boat up the Mississippi river to Alton, Illinois, and began his active career in America as a farm hand in Madison county. Later his parents came to this country and located in Macoupin county, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. A year after reaching America Mr. Weyen was married, and found in his wife a most help- ful and loving companion, a large measure of his success being due to her ad- vice and encouragement. At the time of his marriage his total cash capital consisted of five dollars, but he set industriously to work, continuing in Madison county for thirteen years during a large part of which time he cultivated rented land. In 1865 he removed with his family to Macoupin county and purchased a farm on section 8, Cahokia township, where he established his homestead. He was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, being also the posses- sor of unusual business ability, and he acquired more land until he became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres and gained a reputation as one of the most successful farmers in this part of the state.
In 1852 Mr. Weyen was married in Madison county to Miss Meta Johnson, who was born in Hanover, Germany, February 17, 1827. She came to America on the same vessel with her future husband and spent the year preceding her
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marriage at Alton, Illinois. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Weyen five sur- vive, namely : Heye, a business man of Bethalto, Illinois, who married Minnie Meiniecka and has three children, Willie, John and Mabel; Mary, who married George Osterkamp, of Honey Point township; Tase, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Tennie, who is the wife of John W. Schmidt, of Gil- lespie township; and John R., whose sketch is presented on another page of this work. The mother of these children died on November 25, 1910, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-three years.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Weyen were identified during their entire lives with the Lutheran church, and politically he gave his support to the demo- cratic party. Few more convincing examples of the power of well directed perseverance are to be found than that of Mr. Weyen. In the years when it was necessary he practiced self-denial, and the result was an abundance in later life. His record cannot fail to encourage the young man starting upon his own resources, who has the laudable desire to accomplish something worthy of the name. He was a man of deeds rather than of words and it is to such that the country must look for its true leaders.
JOHN N. COERVER.
John N. Coerver, a widely known jeweler of Staunton, was born January 9, 1869, in the same building in which he now carries on his business, and has been identified with commercial interests of this city ever since he reached man- hood. He is a son of John and Matilda (Gardner) Coerver, the former of whom was born at Waterloo, Illinois. He was left an orphan at an early age and was reared in a kind-hearted family at Waterloo. He learned the barber's trade, which he followed on a passenger boat operating between St. Louis and Cairo. At the time of the Civil war he took up his residence at Staunton, where he conducted a barber shop and photograph gallery, continuing in those lines until his death, which occurred in 1899. He took great interest in public affairs and filled various offices of responsibility, being mayor of the city in 1899. He was a man of recognized ability and integrity, and was a devout member of the Catholic church. The mother of our subject was born in Staun- ton and is still living in this city. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Coerver were eight children, namely: Anna, who is deceased; John N., of this review; Will- iam, who is also deceased; Lena, who is the wife of William J. Krug, who is in partnership in the jewelry business with the subject of this sketch; Joseph, who also lives in this city; Otto M., who is deceased; Flora, who married Au- gust Emma, of Staunton; and Edward, who has also passed away.
In the public schools of this city John N. Coerver possessed good advantages of education, which he has improved greatly by reading and observation. Under his father he learned the barber's trade and also the photograph business and engaged in both lines for a number of years. Three years ago he entered the jewelry business and is now president of the Krug-While Company, which is
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one of the flourishing concerns of Staunton. He is also financially interested in real estate at Evansville, Indiana.
In 1894 Mr. Coerver was married to Miss Catherine Helfrich, of Evansville, and they have had four children: Lucille, who is at home; Clarence, who is deceased; and Theresa and John, both of whom are at home.
In religious faith Mr. Coerver adheres to the Catholic church. He is a mem- ber of the Western Catholic Union and is a director of the Staunton Home Association. He has observed the advantages of education and is a stanch advocate of thorough practical mental training for the young, being at the present time a member of the school board. He has taken an active interest in public affairs and has served as tax collector and city treasurer, discharging his du -ยท ties with a fidelity that met the warm approval of taxpayers. Successful in his business, he is now fairly launched upon what promises to be a long and useful career.
WILLIAM C. SEEHAUSEN.
William C. Seehausen, county clerk of Macoupin county and one of its most efficient and popular citizens, is a native of Illinois, born at Crete, Will county, March 18, 1859. He is a son of Christopher and Ellen (Hinz) Seehausen, both of whom were born at Kurhessen, Germany. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Seehausen six grew to maturity : Sophia, who is now the wife of James Forbes, of Michigan; William C., of this review; Ellen, who is living at Crete; Gustav C., also of Crete; Maria, who became the wife of August Schulz, of Chicago; and August H., also of Chicago.
The father of our subject was a shoemaker by trade. He came to America with his family in 1856 and located at Crete, where he engaged at his trade. He died in 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother is still living and makes her home at Crete. She is a member of the Lutheran church, as was also her husband. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side, died in Germany when he was about sixty years old. He was a shoemaker. His wife came to America and died at Crete, after arriving at the age of ninety years. She was the mother of six children, Christopher, Heinrich, Herman, Maria, Sophia and Doris. The grandmother on the maternal side was a native of Germany and lived to be seventy-two years old. Three of her children came to America, Mrs. Conrad Rohe, Mrs. Henry Rohe and Mrs. Ellen Seehausen.
In the parochial and public schools of Crete William C. Seehausen secured good advantages of education, becoming proficient in both the German and English languages. He learned the shoemaker's trade and remained at Crete until twenty years of age, when he moved to Goodland, Indiana, continuing there from 1879 to 1883. He then came to Staunton, Illinois, where he suc- cessfully operated a shoe shop for fifteen years. In December, 1898, he located at Carlinville and was appointed deputy county clerk under Orin C. Hartley, a position which he held for four years, discharging his duties so acceptably that in the fall of 1902 he was elected to the office of county clerk. He was re-
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elected to this office in 1906 and again in 1910 by increasing majorities. He is a man of accommodating disposition and, as he understands completely all the details relating to the position he now holds and always aims to perform his entire duty, it is doubtful whether his record has ever been excelled for efficiency in any public office of this county.
On the 22d of August, 1883, at Goodland, Indiana, Mr. Seehausen was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Hassett, a daughter of John and Nora Hassett, and to' this union. six children have been born, namely: Helen, who married Henry Herzberger, of Carlinville, and has two sons, Elmer and Milton; Laura, who is the wife of John W. Kessinger, of Carlinville; Walter, who married Flora M. Weiss and is serving as deputy county clerk under his father; Nora, who lives at home; and Minnie and Anna, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Seehausen was born at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her parents were natives of Ireland and after coming to America settled first in Indiana but later moved to Milwaukee. After the birth of the daughter the family returned to Indiana and the mother is now living at Logansport, the father having died at Kent- land. They had ten children, Elizabeth, Mamie, James, Kate, Charles, Emma. Leo, George, William and Anna.
Mr. and Mrs. Seehausen are faithful members of the Lutheran church and liberal supporters of that organization. Politically Mr. Seehausen adheres to the democratic party and is prominent in its councils in this county. He owes his advancement in life to unflagging industry and perseverance that has never bowed before defeat. He is a worthy representative of courage and zeal, backed by sturdy traits handed down by indomitable ancestors and wherever we find them we may expect solid and enduring worth.
ROBERT CHRISTIAN MOORE.
The office of county superintendent of schools is one of great importance, and fortunate are teachers and pupils when the place is filled by an individual who is in full sympathy with the public school system and amply qualified by educa- tion and experience for the responsibilities involved. The people of Macoupin county may truly be congratulated so far as the superintendent of schools is con- cerned, as the present incumbent is a man of large and practical experience, whose principal interest is centered in the schools. The fact that he is now serving a second term of four years is evidence of appreciation on the part of taxpayers.
Robert Christian Moore is a native of Carlinville township, Macoupin county, born August 4, 1870, a son of Thomas Guthrie and Sarah Ann (Villman) Moore, The father was born in Macoupin county and the mother in Ohio. In their family were six children, four of whom are now living: Robert Christian, of this review ; M. Bessie, who is assistant county superintendent of schools ; Nellie Isabel, the wife of Harry Bolinger, of Newton, Illinois; and George Wilbur, a mining engineer of Gillespie.
The father of our subject was reared in Carlinville township, and is still living there, having passed his entire life of seventy-three years on the same
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farm. He has taken an active part in the promotion of the best interests of the township, and has served as supervisor and also as school trustee and school director. Mrs. Moore came to Macoupin county when she was about fifteen years of age, and she has spent fifty-five years in this county. She is a consist- ent member of the Methodist church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Robert Moore. He was born in Kentucky and was a pioneer of Macoupin county, arriving in this section in an ox wagon when the country was still open and largely unoccupied. His wife was Elizabeth Williams. Her parents moved from Maryland to Virginia and then to Kentucky, where they spent the remainder of their lives. She was married to Mr. Moore in Kentucky. Her husband died from cholera in 1851, but she lived to an advanced age. In their family were five children : Thomas G .; James; Henry, who died in the Union army at the time of the Civil war : Martha ; and Nancy. The great-grandfather of our subject was Thomas G. Moore, who married Edith Trent. The grandfather on the maternal side was Christian Villman, a native of Germany, his mother being of French parentage. He came to America and married Mary Fisher, who was born in Ohio. They arrived in Macoupin county in the early days, where he gained quite a reputation as a hunter. He started for Pikes Peak on a hunting expedition and was never heard of again. There were three children in his family, Joseph, Jacob and Sarah Ann.
Mr. Moore of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, four miles north- east of Carlinville, and in the district schools he secured his preliminary educa- tional training. Later he attended the state normal school, and he has largely extended his knowledge by private study and observation. He taught school for three years in the rural districts, one year as assistant principal at Girard, two years as principal at Plainview, six years as principal at Palmyra, one year as principal at Manchester, and for three years served as city superintendent of schools at Staunton. The entire period of sixteen years was spent in Macoupin county except one year at Manchester. In 1903 he was awarded a state certifi- cate, which is granted only to teachers of recognized standing and high scholar- ship. He was elected county superintendent of schools of Macoupin county in 1906, and discharged his duties so acceptably that he was reelected in 1910 and is now occupying the position.
On the 12th of July, 1894, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Pauline C. Werse, a daughter of Daniel and Dorothea (Lentz) Werse. Three children have been born to this union, Dorothy Ann, Paul Robert and Harold Guthrie. Mrs. Moore is a native of Carlinville and her parents were born in Germany. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living. In their family were seven children, Annie, William, Minnie, Pauline, Zena, Edward and Theodore. Mrs. Werse had been previously married to a Mr. Hundredmark, and to this union three children were born, Dora, Mary and Henry.
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