USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
417
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Politically Mr. Deahl, whose name introduces this sketch, has given his adherence to the democratic party ever since he arrived at his majority. He served as school director at Shipman for one term but after that time declined public office. Religiously he has for many years been identified with the Evan- gelical Lutheran church of Shipman and is one of the councilmen of the church. His success in life is attributable to a capable direction of his business affairs and his sound judgment and close application. No man in the county stands higher in the estimation of friends and acquaintances and few have contributed more materially toward the development of this region. His business integrity has never been questioned and today he enjoys in peace and prosperity the re- sults of his well directed endeavors.
JAMES DAVID STEAD.
Among the successful business men of Macoupin county is James David Stead, proprietor of Stead's Store, of McVey, and also owner of a highly pro- ductive farm of one hundred and forty acres in Nilwood township. A man of force and determination of character, he has been successful in his undertak- ings and is recognized as one of the growing factors of this section. He is a native of Nilwood township, born December 1, 1859, and is a son of David and Mary A. (Boston) Stead, the former of whom was born in England and the latter in Indiana. The grandfather of our subject on the maternal side was Beverly Boston, a native of Virginia.
James D. Stead received his education in the public schools and continued his studies further in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. In 1879, he engaged in farming with his father and two years later began for himself on the home farm. In 1883, he accepted a position as traveling salesman and spent a number of months in Texas, in the course of which he made many observa- tions as to farming and stock-raising that have assisted him very materially in his life work. He returned to Nilwood township, in 1884, and cultivated rented land for three years. He then went to Pana, Illinois, and associated with Jonas D. Stead, as Stead & Stead, in conducting a machine shop and foundry, but after an experience of one year disposed of his interest and re- turned to Nilwood township, where he resumed farming upon a tract of one hundred and forty acres, which he cultivated diligently to excellent advantage. In 1910 he entered the implement and general merchandise business at McVey, which he is conducting at the present time. He also continues in charge of his farm and is financially interested in a threshing machine. He is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.
On the 5th of May, 1881, Mr. Stead was married, at Carlinville, to Miss Mary L. Hamilton, of Missouri, a daughter of A. F. and Mary (Nichols) Ham- ilton, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Kentucky, and a granddaughter of Joshua Hamilton, of Indiana, and Lazarus Nichols, of North Carolina. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stead :
418
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Harry O., of Nilwood township, who married Barsha Coulter and has four children, one son and three daughters; Verner G., also of Nilwood township, who married Jennie Wright; and Irene, who became the wife of R. C. Coulter, of Nilwood township, and has two children, one son and one daughter.
Mr. Stead is a strong advocate of the republican party and served as col- lector, in 1907, and as supervisor when the agreement was reached for the dis- charge of the debt of the township. He takes special interest in the education and training of the young. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board. He also holds membership in the Illinois Bankers Insurance Company, McVey Lodge, No. 3065, M. W. A., and the Anti-Horse Thief As- sociation, No. 94, being a constable in the latter organization. Active and en- ergetic in the discharge of all his duties, public and private, he has gained gen- eral recognition for efficiency and promptness and is regarded with highest re- spect by all with whom he comes into contact.
GEORGE KLAUS.
A well cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Nilwood town- ship is evidence of the business ability of George Klaus. He is a native of Nil- wood and can claim descent from good Teutonic ancestry. Born December 16, 1860, he is a son of George and Theresa (Netz) Klaus, both of whom were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. They came to America and located in Nilwood township, Macoupin county, Illinois, where the father engaged suc- cessfully in farming, becoming one of the well known and respected men of the community. He died in 1884, when the subject of this review was about twenty-four years of age.
George Klaus attended the public schools and, as he grew to maturity as- sisted his father in work upon the home farm. After the death of the head of the family, he cultivated the farm for his mother, continuing in charge of the work until 1891. He then commenced farming on his own account on an eighty-acre tract, located about half a mile east of Nilwood. He prospered in his business and, in 1898, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of good land three miles southeast of Nilwood where he established his home. He is active, industrious and enterprising and the abundant crops gathered from the fields each year are evidences of his skill. He also raises stock for the market, thus increasing his income. In addition to his investment in his farm, he is a stockholder of the Nilwood State Bank, which is one of the flourishing financial institutions of this section.
On the 22d of February, 1891, Mr. Klaus was married in Nilwood town- ship to Lena Behme, a native of Brushy Mound township and a daughter of Julius and Sophia (Blothe) Behme, both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Klaus are the parents of seven children, namely: Otto L., Ivan O., Elmer G., Harry E., Charles J., Louis H. and Ima S., all of whom are liv- ing at home. The eldest son, Otto L., is one of the promising young men of Macoupin county and is now serving as assistant cashier of the Nilwood State
419
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Bank. Mr. Klaus and his wife have given their children excellent advantages of education and have set them an example of industry and persistence that cannot fail to have a lasting influence upon their lives.
Politically, Mr. Klaus is an adherent of the republican party and is an earnest advocate of its principles, believing that they are of great importance in the advancement of the welfare of the country. He has served faithfully for twelve years as a member of the school board, but has never sought any political office as his interest centers in his family and his farm. He has ac- quired a highly creditable reputation as an energetic and trustworthy citizen who is generous and upright in his dealings with others and aims to perform his duty in everything he undertakes. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Court of Honor, of Nilwood.
AUGUST ZELMER.
August Zelmer, who is one of the most extensive feeders in Macoupin county, owns a fine farm of two hundred acres in North Palmyra township, that he has been cultivating for twenty-four years. He was born in Wisconsin, his natal day having been the 15th of October, 1855. Frederick Zelmer, the father, was born and reared in Prussia, Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating in St. Louis. After a brief residence in that city he went to Wisconsin, where he spent three years, during which time he met Miss Annette Haupt, also a native of Germany, to whom he was married in 1854. They began their domestic life on a farm in Wisconsin, but later came to Ma- coupin county and purchased one hundred and fifty-three acres of land in North Palmyra township. Mr. Zelmer engaged in the cultivation of his home- stead until his death in 1889, at the age of sixty-six years. He was survived for twenty years by his wife who passed away when she was seventy-one. Mr. and Mrs. Zelmer were the parents of eleven children, of whom the son August is the eldest.
Being the eldest of a large family the educational advantages of August Zelmer were somewhat limited and confined to the brief winter sessions of the district schools in the vicinity of his home. From his earliest boyhood he as- sisted his father in the work on the farm, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then began to set out for himself and for four years thereafter worked by the month as a farm hand. During that time he managed to acquire sufficient means to enable him to begin his career as an agriculturist, so he rented a farm that he operated until 1887. Unceas- ing industry, thrift and capable management enabled him to save sufficient to buy his present homestead, which contains two hundred acres of highly cul- tivated and well improved land that he devotes to general farming. He has always made a specialty of feeding stock for the market, and annually ships from seven to ten carloads of cattle and hogs. Since 1893 he has been giving a great deal of attention to the breeding and raising of Poland China hogs
420
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
and Shorthorn cattle, having met with most excellent success in his efforts in this direction.
Mr. Zelmer's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage on the 20th of January, 1881, to Miss Luthella F. Strate, a daughter of Steven B. and Margaret S. (Davis) Strate, natives of Ohio. The father came to Macoupin county when very young, and here he has resided for over sixty years, his people having settled here when this section of the state was little more than a wilderness. With his wife and family he removed to Iowa where he engaged in farming, the occupation he has always followed, for three years, during which time Mrs. Strate passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Zelmer have been born five children: Bertha E., who married Coy Nevins, a farmer of North Otter township and they have three children: Mildred, Mabel and Eva; Clara L., who became the wife of Edgar Turner, a merchant at Modesto, and they had one child, Marian, who died August 21, 19II; Mamie T., who married Leonard Sullivan, a farmer in North Dakota; the two sons, Steven Harrison and Hurley F. are at home with their parents.
In politics Mr. Zelmer has always been an ardent republican, but his father gave his support to the democratic party. He takes an active interest in town- ship matters and has served as supervisor, school director and assessor. He has met with success in his undertakings, which fact is all the more commend- able because it must be attributed to his own efforts solely, and he is now living practically retired, his sons relieving him of much of the care and responsibility of the farm.
JOHN M. SWIFT.
Numbered among the early settlers and prosperous farmers of Macoupin county is John M. Swift, whose residence in this county covers a period of nearly sixty years. He was born in Tennessee on the 13th of May, 1836, being a son of James M. and Sarah (Hodge) Swift, who were natives of the same state. They came to Illinois in 1838, locating in Marion county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise. Mr. and Mrs. Swift were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the eldest, the others be- ing as follows : Mary Jane and Martha Ann, both of whom are deceased; Letitia, the wife of George Jenkins, of Macoupin county ; William, who is deceased; and Ellen, the wife of Sam England, of Macoupin county. Mr. James M. Swift passed away and his widow subsequently married Edward Adcock and re- moved to Macoupin county, where she reared her family.
John M. Swift, who left his native state when a child of two years, obtained his education in the common schools of Marion county, Illinois, whence he came to Macoupin county at the age of eighteen years. He remained on the farm of his stepfather until he was twenty-one years old, and then took a position in a sawmill, but after operating the mill for twelve years, he again returned to agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the One Hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry under the com-
421
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
mand of Col. Rinaker and went to the front. He was wounded in the battle at Parker's Cross Roads in Tennessee and taken prisoner, but managed to effect his escape the same night. After the close of hostilities he purchased one hundred and twenty-one acres of land on section 29, North Otter town- ship, this county, where he has ever since continuously lived. He has made all of the improvements upon this place, which is now one of the very val- uable farms of the community.
Mr. Swift's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his mar- riage to Miss Susanna Williams in 1858, and to them four children were born: Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Job Price; Annie, the wife of George Richards; and James W., all residents of this county. John, the youngest member of the family is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Swift have always given their allegiance to the Baptist church, while his political support he has accorded the men and measures of the dem- ocratic party, since age conferred upon him the right of suffrage. He is one of the practical and substantial citizens of his township toward the develop- ment and progress of which he has contributed his quota, ever having taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of the community.
WILLIAM DAVID JOHNSTON.
William David Johnston, who for the past eight years has been city clerk of Carlinville, was born in Polk township, Macoupin county, Illinois, on the 20th of May, 1878, and is a son of David R. and Lucy A. (Knowles) Johnston. The father is a native of Kentucky and the mother of Illinois, while the paternal grandfather, Isaac Johnston, was also born in Kentucky; the maternal grand- father, Albert Knowles, came from Ohio.
The boyhood and youth of William David Johnston were spent in the town where he is now residing, and to its public schools he is indebted for his education. He began his career as a wage earner in 1895 when he entered the employment of R. O. Purviance, a commission merchant. In 1898 he entered the law office of Samuel Pitman, where for a time he devoted himself to the mastery of Blackstone. Three years later he went to Alton, Illinois, to work for the Illinois Glass Company, returning later to Carlinville to again read law in the office of Mr. Pitman. In 1903, he was the successful candidate for the office of city clerk, of which he has ever since been the incumbent.
Mr. Johnston was married on the 6th of April, 1907, to Miss Jessie John- ston, a daughter of Francis Newton and Lizzie (Weller) Johnston of Macoupin county, and a granddaughter of John Johnston of Kentucky. Four children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston: Melvin Coy, Thelma Jewell, Lucy Violet and William David.
Fraternally Mr. Johnston is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he holds high rank. He is past chief patriarch. Trumbull Encampment, No. 42, I. O. O. F. and past grand, Carlinville Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Rebekahs, being identified with
422
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Carlinville Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F. and the Modern Woodmen of America, Carlinville Camp, No. 125. In politics he is a republican, while both he and his wife affiliate with the Baptist church, among the members of which they number many friends.
STEPHEN F. HALE, M. D.
A life of usefulness, characterized by an untiring devotion to the relief of the sufferings of others and crowned by a substantial success which had been most honorably and worthily won, was brought to a close in 1901. Dr. Stephen F. Hale was born in St. Francois county, Missouri, on the 18th of March, 1823, a son of Thomas Hale, who was also a native of that locality. The father was a farmer by occupation and was killed on his place during the Civil war.
Dr. Hale, who was one of a family of seven children, pursued his early education in the schools of his native state and after mastering the preparatory courses took up the study of medicine in the McDowell College at St. Louis. He had just completed his professional training when the Mexican war broke out and, being actuated by a spirit of patriotism, he joined the United States forces under General Price. At the close of hostilities he returned to Missouri and took up the practice of medicine in Benton county and there devoted his attention to his professional duties until the outbreak of the Civil war. Again laying aside all personal interests, he joined the Confederate forces with the rank of captain and later was promoted to colonel under his old superior, Gen- eral Price. At the battle of Wilson's Creek he was wounded, receiving an in- jury which caused his resignation from the army. Upon again returning to professional life he came to Macoupin county, Illinois, locating at Woodburn, and later he took up his residence in Bunker Hill about the year 1864. Here he established a drug store, which he conducted in connection with his profes- sional duties until feeble health and age required his retirement from active life. He proved himself very successful both in professional and business circles and at his death left to his family a most substantial competence. He passed away in 1901 and his remains were laid to rest in the Bunker Hill cemetery.
In 1852 Dr. Hale was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hill, who was born in London, Laurel county, Kentucky, a daughter of Dr. B. and Sarah P. (Moore) Hill, natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. The father, a successful medical practitioner, passed away in 1885. Mrs. Hale was one of a family of two sons and two daughters, her sister, Mrs. A. M. Bennett, being now a resident of San Antonio, Texas. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Hale were born seven children, as follows: James, deceased; Gustavus, at home; Thomas, a lumberman of Prior Creek, Oklahoma; Mamie, who married Ernest Rheinhart, of San Antonio, Texas ; Nellie, the wife of P. B. Davis, of St. Louis, Missouri ; Stephen A., in the government employ at League Island Barracks, Pennsylvania ; and Samuel. who has also passed away.
Dr. Hale was known in fraternal circles of this locality as a member of the Masonic lodge, and in politics gave his support unfalteringly to the democratic
DR. STEPHEN F. HALE
425
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
party. A man of considerable ability along the line of his profession, he also possessed that keen business sense which is the basis of success in all lines of activity and at the time of his death Bunker Hill lost one of its most substantial and representative citizens whose life had ever been in harmony with high professional ethics and governed by honorable and upright principles. Since his demise his widow has continued to reside in Bunker Hill, where she occupies a beautiful dwelling. She is the owner of heavy real estate in this town and also valuable farm lands in Macoupin county. She occupies a foremost place in the social circles in which she moves, the hospitality of the best homes in the community being extended to her.
REV. WILLIAM D. MARBURGER.
Of those who have recently become citizens of Bunker Hill none is held in higher esteem than the Rev. William D. Marburger, headmaster of Bunker Hill Military Academy. He was born in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of February, 1880, being the only child of M. L. and Lucy A. (Becker) Mar- burger. The father, who was a merchant, was also a native of Hamburg, of German extraction, his people having come from one of the Rhine provinces. He passed away in 1906, but the mother still survives.
Reared at home William D. Marburger acquired his elementary education in his native town, after which he was sent to private schools in different parts of the state, completing his education in Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1902. He acquired his master's degree in the same college, after which he pursued a theological course being graduated as a bachelor of divinity in 1908. Immediately thereafter he was made head of an educational institution at Dakota, Illinois. From there he went to Orangeville, Illinois, where he was pastor and principal of a school, and in 1910 he came to Bunker Hill, purchasing the interest of the former superintendent in the military academy. It is his ambition to make of this one of the finest private schools for boys in the United States. He is a man of progressive and high ideals, and it is his purpose to so correlate the mental, moral and physical training of his cadets that they will supplement each other. The motto of the school, "Knowl- edge is Power," is to find its highest fulfillment in instilling noble purposes and high ideals which can only thrive and develop in a body with every muscle and nerve controlled by a mind whose every thought is directed along clean, pure channels, seeking the good, the noble and true. Mr. Marburger left his own boyhood such a short while ago, that he is able to fully understand and sym- pathize with those impulses of youth, whose mischievous pranks, oftentimes attributed to viciousness, are the result of superabundant vitality, which if rightly expended would have brought as great satisfaction to the instigator and at the same time have redounded to his benefit. During the brief period of his super- intendency Mr. Marburger has given marked evidence of his fitness for the work he has so enthusiastically undertaken. He has made some extensive
426
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
changes in the school and has largely added to the attendance. He has pur- chased for the new management an additional twenty acres of land adjoining the present campus and it is his intention in the near future to erect a fifty thousand dollar building there. The simple, regular, healthful life, government and supervision, together with the high standard of scholarship maintained make it an ideal place to send a youth to during the formative period. It fits him for life, the practical, upright, active life every American citizen is supposed to lead. It exacts courtesy to equals and respect to superiors and elders without subserviency or loss of dignity. The regular life quickly inculcates the funda- mental principles of system and a recognition of the value of time; two most essential factors for success in any vocation, commercial or professional.
In 1902 Mr. Marburger was united in marriage to Miss Mary Swords of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and to them there have been born two children, the elder of whom died in infancy; but they have a little son, David, who is now two years of age. Mrs. Marburger is a musician of more than average ability and in this capacity very ably assists in the work of the school.
In matters of religious faith both Mr. Marburger and his wife affiliate with the Reformed Church in the United States, of which organization he is secre- tary and treasurer in the state of Illinois. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he also belongs to the Post Order Sons of America. His political support he accords to the republican party, to whose principles he is a stanch and enthusiastic adherent. During the period of his residence in Bunker Hill Mr. Marburger has won many friends and both he and Mrs. Marburger are held in high esteem and regard by all with whom they come in contact.
JOHN P. VANDYKE.
John P. Vandyke, one of Macoupin county's citizens who spent three years of his early manhood on the battlefields of the south during the Civil war, was born in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee on the 30th of October, 1832. His father was Isaac Vandyke, a native of Smith county, Tennessee, in which state he spent practically his entire life devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. The mother, prior to her marriage was Eliza Bell Brown, a native of North Carolina, but her domestic life was spent in Tennessee, where she passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke there were born seven sons and three daughters, two of whom, beside our subject, are living.
The boyhood and youth of John P. Vandyke were spent on a Tennessee farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted while attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education. Spending the first twenty-six years of his life amid the scenes of his childhood, he, in 1858, migrated to Macoupin county, where he was engaged in farming when the Civil war broke out. Ever loyal and patriotic, he readily responded to the call of the nation's chief, and enlisting as a private in Company K, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, went to the front where he served for three years. He participated in many notable battles
427
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.