USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 29
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In 1865 Mr. Riefenberg was married to Miss Anna Bogenpohl, and to this union four children were born. Wilhelmina married Herman Pfaff and they
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
live in St. Louis, being the parents of three children, Ida, George and Herman. Theresa is living at home. Katharine assists her father in the store. She taught school for eight years, kept books for her father and also took part in the man- agement of the business. She has unusual mechanical ability and is an adept in the use of tools. Anna, the youngest of the four children, is now living near Holiday, Missouri. Mrs. Anna Riefenberg died February 10, 1873, and Mr. Riefenberg was married in 1876 to Miss Dina Lentz. Three children were born to this union: Otto, who is identified with his father in business; Albert, who is employed by the James Curtis Casket Company of Chicago; and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1879 and Mr. Rief- enberg was married to Mrs. Louisa Straub, the widow of Jacob Straub and a daughter of August and Catharine (Schlagenhauf) Schnarre. To this union four children were born: Caroline, who married Louis Blum and lives at Ottawa, Kansas; Emma, who is the wife of Arthur Aden, of Carlinville; Henry, who married Florence Schoper; and John, who died in infancy. Mrs. Louisa Riefenberg was born in Columbia, Illinois, March 11, 1855. Her father, August Schnarre, was born in Liebeken, province Westphalen, kingdom of Prussia, November 5, 1816, and the mother was born in Frielingshausen, Oberamt Mar- bach, Wurtemberg, January 20, 1832. The father came to America at the age of twenty-one years and the mother at the age of five. They were married in this country and had twelve children, eight of whom are now living, Charles, August, Catharine, Louisa, Solomon, Henry, Anna and Lucy. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Riefenberg was George Schlagenhauf and his wife was Katharina Lauderwasser.
Mr. and Mrs. Riefenberg belong to the German Lutheran church, with which they have been identified since infancy. During the Civil war he was a member of the Home Guards at St. Louis and drilled in the daytime, working out at night. Politically he has from the time of casting his first ballot supported the republican party. He is proud of the fact that he has voted twice for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States. A capable and energetic business man and a patriotic and useful citizen, Mr. Riefenberg looks back on a long and active life and he sees no reason to regret selecting Carlinville as his permanent home, for here he found friends and fortune.
ZACHARY TAYLOR LEE.
A native of Western Mound township where he now lives, Zachary Taylor Lee has been a lifelong resident of Macoupin county and is one of its highly re- spected citizens. He was born June 12, 1850, a son of O. W. and Rebecca (Sulli- van) Lee. The father was born in South Carolina April 18, 1808, and was of English descent, while the mother was born September 30, 1809, in Tennessee, and was of Irish descent. They were married at the homestead of the Sullivan family, in White county, Tennessee, February 1, 1829, and in the year following came to Illinois and took up their residence on a farm in Greene county. A few
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years later Mr. Lee arrived in Western Mound township, Macoupin county, with his family and settled on section 23, on land which is now a part of the J. Bates estate. Here the son Zachary T. was born, and the father continued to cultivate the place until 1852 when he moved to section 23. where he established the family homestead. He spent twenty-five years on the home farm and gained recognition as one of the useful and progressive men of the community. He died in the early part of February, 1877. one week after the demise of his wife, and they were both buried on Sunday, the funerals being held one week apart. In their family were the following children : John S., Philander M. and Jesse N., all of whom are deceased ; Mary J., who married William Wheeler, a farmer of Bird township; Martha M. and William H., both of whom are also deceased ; Elsie C., who lives near Harmony church, in Chesterville township, and is the widow of James Bates ; Isaac V., who is engaged in farming in Oklahoma; Nancy E., the wife of James Cunningham, a farmer of Vernon county, Missouri; Zachary Taylor, of this re- view ; Warren Lee, who died in infancy ; and George Q., who is now engaged in farming in Western Mound township.
Mr. Lee whose name introduces this sketch possessed good advantages of edu- cation in the district schools and has since largely extended the boundaries of his knowledge by reading and observation. He has resided on the farm where he now lives ever since his boyhood and by his industry and good management has made it highly productive. He cultivates the various grains and also raises live stock which he sends to the markets at St. Louis and Chicago. He is one of the successful men of this region and each year adds to his revenue. Having acquired a handsome competence he is now fortified against material want.
On the 17th of December, 1885, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Margaret L. Nantz, a daughter of Edmund and Louisa (Bainbridge) Nantz and a grand -. daughter of John Bainbridge who served in the war of 1812. Mr. Nantz was born and reared near Springfield, Kentucky, and came to Macoupin county in his boyhood with his mother, the family locating on a farm three miles northeast of Carlinville. After his marriage he moved to Shaws Point and later to Honey Point, finally settling at Carlinville where he died February 3. 1859. He served in the Volunteer army at the time of the Mexican war and was one of the thor- oughly respected citizens of this region. The mother of Mrs. Lee was born Octo- ber 16, 1821, near Springfield, Kentucky, and was married to Mr. Nantz at Car- linville in 1849. She survived her husband many years and died December 27, 1900, being then in her eightieth year. Mr. and Mrs. Nantz were the parents of five children. Maria Frances married Lyman L. Palmer, who is now engaged as a fruit grower and farmer in Florida. William Edward applied himself to farm- ing and died in Boise, Idaho, in 1905. Matthew Robert was also a farmer. He married Rachel Gray, of Alton, Illinois, and died in Kansas. Margaret L. is the wife of Zachary Taylor Lee. John F., the youngest of the children, married Annie Combs and they are residents of Carlinville : he is engaged in the railroad business. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lee three are now living. the eldest having died in infancy. Lyman Edmund was born July 24, 1888. Rebecca T. was born August 11, 1890, and William Eugene was born July 15, 1893. The three children are all living at home.
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Mr. Lee supports the republican party and as a patriotic citizen has attempted to perform his duty in public affairs, having served with general satisfaction to taxpayers as township clerk for three terms. He is a member of the Baptist church while his wife is identified with the Methodist denomination. The chil- dren are all connected with the Shiloh Baptist church of Western Mound town- ship. Fraternally he holds membership in Lodge No. 444. A. F. & A. M., of Chesterfield, and the Mutual Protective League of Enos, Illinois, and can claim many warm personal friends in those organizations. A man of great determina- tion of character and actuated by a laudable desire to accomplish a worthy object in life, he has made good use of his opportunities and has deservedly attained a place as one of the prosperous men of Western Mound township.
HENRY VOGE.
Among the coal operators of central Illinois few are better known than Henry Voge, who is now living retired at Staunton, being blessed with a competency that gives assurance of an income for the remainder of his life. He has been re- markably energetic and courageous in seeking for treasures below the surface of the earth and has been instrumental in opening some of the most valuable coal bodies in this part of the state. He was born in Brunswick, Germany. March 21, 1837, a son of Frederick and Christina (Oppermann) Voge, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old country. The father was a shepherd and for thirty- two years consecutively had charge of the flocks of one of the large estates. He died in 1871, the mother having passed away in 1870. There were six children in their family, the subject of this review being the youngest. The others are all deceased and their names were Frederick, Hannah, Lemina, Alma and Carolina.
Henry Voge received his education in the public schools and grew to maturity in the paternal home. Believing that conditions were more favorable in the new world, he came to America in 1856 and took up his residence at Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, where he worked as a laborer and also at the stone mason's trade. In 1856 he went into the mines at Belleville and soon acquired thorough, practical knowledge of the business. He continued at Belleville until 1869, when he removed to Staunton and entered into partnership with William Panhorst in sinking the second shaft at this place. They did not strike the best coal vein until January, 1870, and seven years later Mr. Voge purchased the interest of his part- ner in the business, continuing upon his own account. In the same year he sank No. 5 shaft but sold this property in 1880, and sank No. 6 shaft and shaft No. I at Gillespie, disposing of both of them in 1882. He then leased the mill at Staun- ton, which he operated for a year2, at the end of which time he went to Wamego, Kansas, and erected a mill and grain elevator, continuing there until his property was destroyed by fire in 1896. Returning to Staunton, he opened No. I mine, which he sold in 1898, and in the same year sank a shaft at Edwardsville. He was not so successful at this place as in some others and lost about eighty thou- sand dollars during twelve years' experience at Edwardsville. He is still assured, however, of an ample revenue, having invested to good advantage during the
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years of his prosperity. He is the owner of a beautiful home in Staunton and also is extensively interested in coal deposits of this section.
In 1858 Mr. Voge was married to Miss Caroline Timptner, and to this union six children were born, five of whom died in infancy, Minnie being the only sur- vivor. She is the wife of August Seevers, of Staunton. The mother of these children died in 1878, and Mr. Voge was married June 29, 1879, to Miss Christine J. Fritz. By this union six children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity are: Henrietta, who is now the wife of F. H. Bruhn, pastor of the Lutheran church at Bay City, Michigan ; Carl, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Christine, the wife of Alfred Lang, of Philadelphia; and Herman, who is at home.
Religiously Mr. Voge and his family are identified with the Lutheran church. He cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States and has ever since been an earnest supporter of the republican party. He has never sought public office but served to the general satisfaction of taxpayers as member of the city council for seven years. He has witnessed various fluctua- tions of his fortune but has never lost faith in himself, and in an overruling providence in the affairs of the world. Beginning as a poor boy, he found home and friends in a new country, and he is clearly entitled to the respect in which he is held by his business associates and acquaintances, to whom he has long been known in Macoupin county.
LEONARD H. DENNY, M. D.
Dr. Leonard H. Denny, of Gillespie, one of the younger practitioners in Macoupin county, is making rapid progress in his profession and is now well established in a lucrative field. He represents the fourth generation of the family in this county and was born at Piasa, September 12, 1887, a son of Harley and Mary (Reynolds) Denny, both of whom were born at Piasa. The grand- father on the paternal side, Charles J. Denny, is still living and resides on the old home place. His father came to Piasa from Wilmington, Delaware, and was one of the original settlers in that section of Macoupin county. Members of the family have ably performed their part in the development of a region that is recognized as one of the most productive portions of the state. Harley Denny went to Wilmington, Delaware, the home of his ancestors, about 1892 and engaged in the ice and coal business. On account of failing health he visited Los Angeles, California, in 1904 and died there March 4, 1905. His body was cremated and the ashes were deposited in the old cemetery at Wilmington. The mother of our subject is still living. She is now the wife of W. G. Hunt, a prominent business man at Brighton.
Dr. Denny was reared at Brighton and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of that town, showing an interest in his studies that gave evidence of unusual intellectual ability. In the fall of 1905 he matriculated in the medical department of Washington University of St. Louis and after pursu- ing the regular course at that noted institution he was graduated in 1909 with
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DR. L. H. DENNY
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the degree of M. D. Soon after receiving his diploma he began practice at Fieldon, Jersey county, Illinois, where he continued for fourteen months. On the 6th of August, 1910, he located at Gillespie. Being naturally adapted for the practice of the healing art, he has from the start attracted favorable atten- tion, and he commands in an eminent degree the confidence of his patients and also of his medical brethren.
On the 25th of September, 1905, Dr. Denny was married to Miss Carrie C. Burtiss, of Brighton, and by this union two children, Helen F. and Leonard H., have been born. Professionally he is an active member of the Macoupin County Medical Society and socially he is identified with Hibbard Lodge, No. 249, A. F. & A. M., of Brighton. He also holds membership in the Greek letter fraternity Phi Beta Pi, which he joined while attending medical college, and the Gillespie Commercial Club. He is now local surgeon for the Illinois traction system. His name is not found upon the rolls of any religious denomination but Mrs. Denny is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he adheres to the republican party. Possessing an attractive address and, moreover, being thoroughly qualified by study, observation and experience for the practice of his chosen profession, he has gained an enviable reputation and has made many friends in Gillespie and vicinity, who confidently prophesy for him a successful and prosperous future.
JOHN HALLIDAY.
John Halliday, who is the owner of a well improved farm on section 15, Hil- yard township, is a native of Brighton township and was born March 5, 1868. He is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Perry) Halliday, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in Missouri. The father was reared as a farmer and emigrated to America many years before the Civil war. About 1856 he came to Macoupin county, Illinois, and worked for a time as a farm laborer. He later engaged in farming on his own account in Brighton township and continued there during the remainder of his life. The mother is still living and makes her home on a farm three miles south of Shipman in Brighton township. . There were twelve children in the family, two of whom are now deceased. The others are : John, of this review; Andrew, who is living on the old home place near Brighton ; David, who lives in Shipman township; Jennie, the wife of Charles Fritz, of Shipman ; Phoebe, the wife of Bird Manning, of Hilyard township; and Thomas, Joseph, Luther, Ira and Lydia, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Halliday, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, secured advan- tages of education in the district schools of Brighton township and under his father became familiar with the details of agriculture and stock-raising. As he grew to maturity he showed an interest in his work which indicated that he would make a successful farmer. At twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own account and later purchased land, which he subsequently disposed of. Twelve years ago he bought eighty acres of good land on section 15, Hilyard township, upon which he has since lived. He has greatly improved his place, making it one Vol. II-15
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of the most attractive in this section. He uses good judgment in his business and each year witnesses a gratifying increase in his prosperity.
On the 5th of March, 1890, Mr. Halliday was married to Miss Hattie Her- rington, who was born on a farm near Farmington, Missouri, June, 30, 1868, and is a daughter of Morris and Susan (Thompson) Herrington. The parents were both born in Missouri. The father came to Macoupin county, Illinois, and en- gaged in farming but later returned to his native state. He and his wife are both deceased. They were the parents of two children : Hattie, now Mrs. John Halli- day ; and Thomas, who is living at Shipman. To Mr. and Mrs. Halliday five chil -. dren have been born, namely, Allen, Edith, Gladys, Morris and John.
Mr. Halliday holds membership in the Court of Honor. He has never served in any public office except that of school director, being at the present time a member of the school board of Hilyard township. Always industrious and pro- gressive, he has recognized his responsibilities to those with whom he has asso- ciated and conscientiously endeavored to discharge his duty. He is, therefore, fully entitled to the friendship and confidence accorded him by all to whom he is known.
THOMAS A. HORINE, M. D.
Among the medical practitioners of Macoupin county the name of Dr. Thomas A. Horine is greatly honored and his patrons speak in highest terms of his skill. A man of large experience, he has fairly won his laurels, and each year adds to the circle of his friends and acquaintances. He is a native of this state, born at Waterloo, Monroe county, December 10, 1858, a son of Matthias T. and Martha (Nixon) Horine, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Ohio. The father grew to maturity in his native state and then came to Kas- kaskia, Illinois. Shortly afterwards he removed to Harrisonville, Monroe county, where he engaged in the mercantile business. After the flood of 1844 he sold out and opened a store at Waterloo, where he continued until 1860 or 1861. Believing that he could rear his children under more favorable conditions in the country than in town, he purchased a farm near Waterloo, upon which he established his home. He was married, at Harrisonville, to Mrs. Mary Drury, who died after their removal to Waterloo. Subsequently Mr. Horine was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Nixon, who came to Waterloo with her par- ents when she was a child. Mr. Horine died on the home place in 1872, after reaching the age of sixty-nine years. His widow later took up her residence with a daughter at Chester, Illinois, and passed away in 1901, being also sixty-nine years of age. Politically Mr. Horine was an ardent supporter of the republican party and served in various local offices. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was also, for a number of years, an officer in that organization. He was a liberal contributor to worthy objects and was called the "deficiency man" of the church, as he usually provided the funds for any de- ficiency, which the congregation failed to meet.
Thomas A. Horine attended the public schools of Waterloo and, having de- cided to devote his life to the practice of medicine, studied for one year under
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an uncle, Dr. M. G. Nixon, of Columbia, Illinois. In 1875, being then less than eighteen years of age, he entered McKendree College of Lebanon, Illinois, and was a student of that institution for one year. In the fall of 1876 he matriculated in the St. Louis Medical College and, after pursuing the regular course, was grad- uated with the degree of M. D. in 1879. Immediately after receiving his diploma, he began practice at Merrimac Point, Monroe county, Illinois, but the town was three times visited by floods and about 1884 he came to Piasa, Macoupin county, where he remained for seven years. Since 1891 he has engaged in practice at Brighton and years ago became recognized as one of the most competent physi- cians and surgeons in this section of the state. He has a large clientele and has no reason to regret having selected Brighton as his permanent home.
On the 12th of April, 1884, Dr. Horine was married, at Waterloo, to Miss Anna B. Faina, who was born at Memphis, Tennessee; they are the parents of three children : Jessie, who is deceased; Stella A., who married A. W. Amass, proprietor of The Brighton News; and Nellie A., who is living at home. Pro- fessionally Dr. Horine is connected with the Illinois State Medical Society and the Macoupin County Medical Society, and socially he is dentified with Brighton Lodge, No. 366, I. O. O. F., and Brighton Camp, M. W. A. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for a number of years he has served in an official capacity in that organization. Earnest and progressive in whatever he undertakes, he is regarded as one of the most valued citizens of a region with which he has been identified for more than two decades. He is a constant student of the best authorities pertaining to his profession and his name is widely known throughout Macoupin and adjoining counties. He has estab- lished a reputation for ability, honor and integrity which is unquestioned and can claim a host of warm personal friends and admirers in the county of his adoption.
WALTER G. HUNT.
Walter G. Hunt, organizer and manager of the Brighton Mutual Telephone Company, also prominently identified with other lines of business, is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of Macoupin county. His life is a practical demonstration of what may be attained by a man of energy and determi- nation, actuated by a worthy ambition to accomplish honorable aims. He was born in Dorsetshire, England, May 27, 1865, a son of William and Dinah (Myall) Hunt. The parents died in the old country, the mother, however, having spent three years with her children in America.
Mr. Hunt of this review was educated in the common schools and as he grew to maturity applied himself to the cabinet-maker's trade. At the age of nineteen he emigrated to the United States and proceeded direct to Golden City, Barton county, Missouri, the home of a brother, Albert, who had arrived in this country two years previously. He found employment under his brother in the contracting and building business, continuing with him for a year, and then was engaged in other lines for three years. In 1888 he removed to Kemper, Jersey county, Illinois, and applied himself to railroad work, painting, carpentering,
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farming or any other honorable occupation that was available. At the age of twenty-five he was married and took up his residence with his bride upon a farm known as the old Hart place, of which he had been the owner for two or three years. In March, 1893, he traded his farm for a furniture and undertaking establishment at Brighton and removed to this city, which he has since made his home. He applied himself diligently to his business, and it has since largely increased under his effective management. In 1902 he organized the Brighton Mutual Telephone Company, of which he has since been the head. He also asso- ciated with others in the organization of the First National Bank at Brighton in April, 1909, and is a member of the board of directors of that institution. He has been very active in local affairs and was one of the leaders in effecting the organi- zation of the volunteer fire company of Brighton and has had charge of the engine ever since it was purchased. The funds for the fire bell were secured by popular subscription but there was no money in the treasury for the erection of a tower. Mr. Hunt suggested a voting contest as to the most popular young lady in the city, and the money for the tower was soon forthcoming. The tower was dedicated by a picnic which was called the Betsey Ann picnic and has since been held annually, being recognized as one of the noted events of this section. Mr. Hunt served as president of the Betsey Ann society for about six years after its organization. His energy has also found expression in the establishment of a picture show at Brighton, being associated in this undertaking with W. H. Robings.
On the 29th of November, 1890, Mr. Hunt was married, at Piasa, Illinois, to Mrs. Mary E. Denny, whose maiden name was Mary E. Reynolds, and to this union eight children have been born, five of whom survive, Gladys, Dorothy, Walter G., Paul, and Marcella. All of the children are living at home.
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