USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 41
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among them being those of Altoona Pass and Bentonville, while he went with Sherman on his famous march. He was wounded in the head at the battle of Altoona Pass and for a time was a patient in the hospital. During the latter part of his convalescense he assisted there in the capacity of nurse. After re- ceiving his discharge Mr. Vandyke returned to his farm in Macoupin county, where he continued to reside until his retirement. In 1888 he withdrew from active work and coming to Shipman bought a handsome residence, where he continues to live.
At Plainview, Macoupin county, in 1868 Mr. Vandyke was married to Miss Margaret King, a native of this county, her birth occurring on the 29th of September, 1837. On the maternal side she is a descendant of one of the old families of the county, her mother also having been born here. The father was a native of Greene county, Illinois, whence he removed to Macoupin county, where he was subsequently married. He settled upon a farm to the cultivation of which he devoted his energies until his demise. To Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke there have been born two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, namely : Mattie, the wife of Richard Ham, of Morgan county, Illinois ; Effie, who is living at home with her parents; Ida, the wife of Elliot Griffin, of Macoupin county ; and Albert and Alfred, twins, the former of Springfield, Illi- nois, and the latter of Carthage, Missouri. Then there are two grandchildren in the family.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Vandyke are members of the Baptist church, while he maintains relations with his comrades of the war through the medium of his membership in Piasa Post, G. A. R. Mr. Vandyke has the distinction of being one of the few now living who knew the Great Emancipator in those early, struggling days when no one foresaw in him a national figure.
JOSEPH M. LAWRENCE.
The time and attention of Joseph M. Lawrence is devoted to the cultivation of an excellent farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Brushy Mount town- ship, Macoupin county. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on the 24th of January, 1864, and a son of James P. and Sarah (Culbertson) Lawrence. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 24th of Febru- ary, 1836, and there he spent the first sixteen years of his life. At the. expira- tion of that period he emigrated to the United States, locating in Carlinville, where he has ever since continuously resided. He has always engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, but has been living retired since 1903, he and his wife now making their home in Carlinville. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence num- bered six, and in order of birth they are as follows: Emma, the widow of George Walton, a farmer of Brushy Mound township, who continues to live on her farm; William H., and John W., both of whom are deceased ; James L., who is engaged in the real-estate business in St. Louis, Missouri; Joseph M., our subject; and Martin P., a farmer and gardener of Phoenix, Arizona. During the childhood of the elder members of the family Mr. Lawrence was managing and living upon
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the Sunny Home Stock Farm, located east of Carlinville and the property of C. A. Walker. While residing there his eldest son, William H., who was then about eight years of age, was one day attacked by a buck in the deer park. The child's screams brought his mother and sister Emma to his rescue, but before they reached him his skull had been fractured, both arms broken and his body badly bruised and cut. When the mother tried to shield her child the buck turned on her, but being a resourceful and capable woman, she seized him by the horns, clinging to them with almost superhuman strength until the faithful old shepherd dog "Trip" attacked the infuriated animal and killed it.
Joseph M. Lawrence spent his boyhood and early youth in Bird township, this county, where at that time his father was engaged in farming. In the ac- quirement of his education he attended the district schools of the vicinity during the brief winter terms, his vacations being devoted to the work of the fields and the care of the stock. He made the most of such educational advantages as were afforded him and applied himself to the thorough mastery of the common branches. With these for a foundation, by careful reading, keen observation and deep thinking, he has become a well informed man. He remained on his father's farm until he had attained his majority, and then began to set out for himself. Having decided upon an agricultural career, for three years thereafter, he farmed as a renter in Brushy Mound and Carlinville townships. At the expiration of that period he removed to Honey Point township and rented for ten years, going from there to Shaws Point, where he rented for seven years and then bought eighty-six acres in that township. He disposed of this land in 1906 and moved to Brushy Mound, where he bought the farm upon which he has ever since con- tinuously resided. This property contains one hundred and ninety acres of land, thirty of this being in natural timber, located on sections 10 and 15. Here he en- gages in general farming and in connection raises good graded stock. Mr. Law- rence has one of the attractive and valuable properties of the community. His land is thoroughly cultivated, the improvements upon his place substantially con- structed, ample provision being made for the protection of stock and farming machinery. The grounds are given careful attention and present a pleasing ap- pearance to the passer-by, while he is most fortunate in having excellent drink- ing water. Everything about his home suggests thrift and tlie capable supervision that always bespeaks success.
Mr. Lawrence's plans for a home had their culmination in his marriage on the 24th of January, 1889, to Miss Florence E. Morgan, a daughter of Thomas E. and Harriet (Walton) Morgan. The father was born in Shropshire, England, where he was reared and educated, subsequently learning the carpenter's trade. When he was twenty-one years of age he left his home and emigrated to the United States, locating in Carlinville. Here he met the lady whom he subse- quently married. Mrs. Morgan was a native of the state of New York and of English parentage. Up to the time of his marriage he followed his trade, but subsequent to this event he settled on a farm two and a half miles west of Nil- wood. He continued to reside there until his death on the 2d of November, 1910. The mother also passed away on the homestead, preceding her husband about in 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were born five children: Mary, the widow of John Cain, who is residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; William L.,
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a farmer living on the old Morgan homestead in South Otter township; Minnie, the wife of Newton Johnson, a farmer of Carlinville township; Thomas E., who is a resident of Nevada; and Florence E., now Mrs. Lawrence.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are the parents of six children: Martin S. and Fred J., both of whom are at home; Harry, who passed away in 1909, at the age of fourteen; and Edna May, Glenn O. and T. O. Morgan, all of whom are at home. Three years ago when the youngest son, Glenn O., was out in the pasture looking after the stock he had the misfortune to be shot, presumably by some hunter. Forty-seven shot entered the lad's arm, lung and side, only two of which the physicians were able to find, the other forty-five are still supposedly in his body. The entire affair is a complete mystery to the family, it never having been ascertained who committed the deed, as there were no witnesses to the act.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence and their three youngest children are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Carlinville. Mr. Lawrence is identified fra- ternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Womac Camp. Politically he has ever been an earnest supporter of the democratic party, and is now serving his second year as commissioner of Brushy Mound township. He also served for one year as collector of the township of Honey Point, while for eleven years he was district school director in both Honey Point and Brushy Mound townships, his service in this capacity still continuing in the latter place. Mr. Lawrence is one of those men whose efforts in anything he may undertake are always so intelligently directed that his work is ever characterized by rare efficiency, this quality in itself invariably being indicative of success in any undertaking. Progressive in his ideas and methods, he is constantly striving to advance his community, and it is very largely due to his efforts that the tele- phone line was extended from Carlinville to Brushy Mound township. This extension was done in 1909, six miles of Bell Telephone Company wires being strung at that time, and has proven a boon to the entire community.
EDWARD F. NIEMANN.
Edward F. Niemann, of Niemann Bros., one of the leading lumber firms of Macoupin county, is interested in various business activities of Mount Olive. Mr. Niemann is a native of this town, his birth having here occurred on the 6th of March, 1864, his parents being John C. and Anna (Stullken) Niemann. His father was a native of Borgholzhausen, Ravensburg-Halle, Prussia, while the mother was born in Oldenburg, Germany. John C. Niemann was a son of Caspar Niemann, a prosperous farmer of Germany. He was reared in his native land, in whose common schools he pursued his education until it was considered he had sufficient practical knowledge of the common branches to warrant his laying aside his text-books and assuming the heavier responsibilities of life. He then applied himself to agricultural pursuits under the capable direction of his father, thus becoming thoroughly versed in the best methods of preparing the soil and caring for the crops. Being very strongly attracted toward the United States, he in 1839 crossed the Atlantic, landing in Baltimore
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with a capital of three dollars and eighty cents. Realizing that he could not long subsist upon his resources, he immediately sought employment, obtaining work at a dollar and a quarter a day on the Chesapeake & Potomac canal, then in course of construction. He subsequently became one of Macoupin county's pioneer settlers, locating at Mount Olive, being the only native born German within a radius of several miles. In 1841 he removed to a farm near Carlin- ville, remaining there for three years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Mount Olive, continuing to make his home there until his death. He was interested in the town's early business enterprises, in addition to which he was also successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He passed away on the 9th of September, 1896. Mr. Niemann was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Stullken, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, who died in September, 1854, leaving three children: Mary, the wife of C. J. Keiser, of Mount Olive; Sophia, who married William Niemeyer, both now being de- ceased; and Henry, who passed away in 1876. Mr. Niemann married the second time the sister of his first wife, Anna Stullken. By this union were born six children : Mathilda; Lydia; Louisa; Edward F., our subject; William L .; and Anna, all of whom are living. The father and mother took an active and earnest interest in all religious matters, being affiliated with the Lutheran church in the faith of which denomination they reared their family. From the time he ac- quired citizenship Mr. Niemann gave his support to the republican party, but he was never an office seeker. He was one of the successful citizens of Mount Olive and was held in high respect and esteem by those who knew him.
Reared at home Edward F. Niemann obtained his early education in the public schools of Mount Olive, later pursuing a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at St. Louis. After completing his studies he de- voted his attention to assisting his father in farming and stock-raising until he had attained his majority. In 1885 he accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of Keiser, Niemeyer & Company, by whom he was employed for eleven years. At the end of that time he engaged in business for himself becoming associated with his brother William L. in the lumber business under the firm name of Niemann Bros. They carry a very full line of sash, doors, blinds, shingles, lath, hard and soft woods and builders supplies. During the fifteen years they have been engaged in this enterprise they have succeeded in building up an excellent patronage, and today have one of the largest establishments of the kind in the county. The quality and variety of their supplies as well as their high business principles have made the firm one of the well known con- cerns of this section.
On the 2d of June, 1894, Mr. Niemann was married to Miss Anna Remmert, a daughter of Henry Remmert, now deceased, a well known resident of Mount Olive and a prominent farmer of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Niemann are the parents of three children, Lonieda, Irvin and Vera.
Mr. Niemann has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party, whose principles he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority, but he has never been an office seeker. Both he and his family affiliate with the Lutheran church, in the work of which he, like his father, is one of the earnest and active spirits, at the present time filling the office of elder. Having
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met with excellent financial success, in 1909 Mr. Niemann and his brother or- ganized the Niemann Bros. Manufacturing Co., this enterprise being exclusively devoted to the manufacture of poultry supplies. The magnitude of this busi- ness has very much increased since its incipiency and it is now occupying a building forty-four feet by sixty. Mr. Niemann is one of the progressive and enterprising members of the commercial fraternity of Mount Olive, as well as one of the public-spirited citizens, his efforts ever being directed toward the development and advancement of the community, where he has spent the major portion of his life.
DAVID L. BLEY, M. D.
Dr. David L. Bley, of Staunton, who occupies the front rank in his profes- sion in Macoupin, has been a resident of this county ever since his early boyhood and is one of the honored citizens of this section. His father was a physician and, being reared under highly favorable conditions for a professional career, the son has met with a gratifying measure of success. He is of German and English descent and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1853, a son of Dr. George and Elizabeth W. (Lavis) Bley. The grandfather on the paternal side, George Bley, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. He was one of the few survivors of Napoleon's disastrous campaign to Moscow and spent a number of years in educational work in Germany. He emigrated with his family to the United States and died at Indiana, Pennsylvania, at the advanced age of ninety-two years in 1875. He was the father of six children, Conrad, George, John, Philip, Mrs. Sophia Klump and Mrs. Mary Wallace.
Dr. George Bley, the father of our subject, was born at Dettingen, Wurtem- berg, Germany, in 1820, and was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States. He attended the public schools of Pennsylvania for several years and at the age of thirteen was bound out to learn the drug business. He proved remarkably bright and capable and as a young man took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the old Philadelphia College of Medicine. He engaged in active practice during the remainder of his life, also being connected with the drug business, and made his home in Staunton, from 1861 with the exception of three years, during which time he engaged in farming in Iowa. He was married to Elizabeth W. Lavis, who was. born in Philadelphia, August 17, 1823, a daughter of David and Mary (Wilson) Lavis, the former being a native of Bristol, England, and the latter of New Jersey. Dr. Bley died at .Staunton in 1886 and his wife passed away June 10, 191I. Politically he gave his support to the republican party and religiously he was a stanch believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. There were six children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Bley: Ellen, who is the wife of David C. Wurtz, of Joliet; Elizabeth W., the deceased wife of Thomas Blair, passing away in 1901; George, who lives at Beardstown, Illinois; David L., of this review ; Robert E., who is a physician and is now engaged in practice at Bunker Hill; and Mary L., the widow of Dr. C. T. Dripps, of Staunton.
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David L. Bley came to Staunton with his parents in 1861 and attended the public schools of this city until fourteen years of age. He then entered his father's drug store and began preparing his medical studies, becoming a student of the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia when he was eighteen years of age. He was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1875 and began the practice of his profession at Staunton, Illinois. Two years later he located at Alhambra, this state, but returned to Staunton in 1879. After the death of his father he entered into partnership with his brother Robert E., who in 1888 disposed of his interest in the firm to Dr. C. T. Dripps and removed to Edwardsville, where he practiced for a few months, since which time he has. made his home in Bunker Hill. Dr. Bley continued in partnership with Dr. Dripps until the death of the latter in 1902. He was then alone in practice until 1904, when he entered into partnership with Dr. Myron Snell, of Litchfield, Illinois, Dr. Snell remaining with him one year. In 1905 Dr. A. H. Hunter became a member of the firm and together they have since engaged in practice.
Fraternally Dr. Bley is a member of Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M .; Staunton Chapter, No. 227, R. 'A. M .; and St. Omar Commandery, No. 30, K. T., of Litchfield. He also holds membership in Staunton Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F., and Parnassus Lodge, No. 581, K. P. Politically he adheres to the republican party. He takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs but his energies are mainly concentrated upon his profession.
DAVID DEEDS.
Although thirty-six years have passed since David Deeds was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the county's older residents as a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen of Bird township, where at one time he owned two hundred and forty acres of land. His birth occurred in Greene county, Illinois, on the 22d of April, 1832, his parents being Philip and Anna (Metcalf) Deeds, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois respectively. The father, a carpenter by trade, was a pioneer settler of Greene county, Illinois, there passing away when about sixty years of age. His wife was called to her final rest when about forty years old. Unto them were born seven children, of whom the only surviving one is Mrs. Eliza Sapp, who makes her home west of Carlinville.
David Deeds was reared in his native county and came to Macoupin county when about twenty-one years of age, turning his attention to general agricul- tural pursuits in Bird township. He later resided for a few years in Montgom- ery county but subsequently returned to his farm in Bird township and remained thereon until called to his final rest in 1875. At one time he owned two hun- dred and forty acres of land in that township, bringing the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. His widow now owns a tract of one hundred and forty acres in Bird township.
On the 22d of August, 1851, Mr. Deeds was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Bird, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of May, 1833,
DAVID DEEDS
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her parents being William and Mary A. (Stuart) Bird, the former a native of Northumberland and the latter of Penrith, England. Emigrating to the United States, they first settled in Pennsylvania. Subsequently they came to Illinois, locating at Columbiana, Greene county, where William Bird died soon afterward, in 1860. The demise of his wife occurred in Montgomery county some years later. Unto them were born twelve children, nine of whom passed away in early childhood. Two still survive, namely: Joseph Bird, an old set- tler of Macoupin county and a prominent citizen of Carlinville; and Mrs. Mary A. Deeds. The latter became the mother of eleven children, the record of whom is given below. Elra P., now deceased, was an agriculturist by occupation and for many years served as deputy county clerk in Macoupin county. He wedded Miss Viola Arnett, by whom he had two children, Walter T. and Mary. William A., a traveling salesman, makes his home in Manchester, Tennessee. He married Miss Birdie Green and has one child, William. Horace D., who is a trader, resides in Carlinville. George Edgar, who operates a candy factory in St. Louis, wedded Miss Nellie Switzer and has one son, Russell. Anna Belle, living in Granite City, is the wife of E. M. Comer, by whom she has four children : Vina, Belle, Morris and Letha. Mary E. is the widow of Thomas M. Robison, by whom she had a number of children, four of whom still sur- vive, namely : Juanita, Victor Blaine, Clarence and Mary. Joseph B., an imple- ment manufacturer of Nashville, Tennessee, wedded Miss Frances Ferguson, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, by whom he has one son, Edward Allen Deeds. Ernest L., a traveling salesman, resides in Florence, Alabama. Charles F. is a painter and paper hanger by trade and lives with his mother in Carlinville. The other two children of our subject died in early life.
David Deeds gave his political allegiance to the democracy and served as county coroner for two terms but neither sought nor desired office. His relig- ious faith was indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his widow also belongs. The circle of his friends was coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, for he had no enemies. Mrs. Mary A. Deeds, who resides in Carlinville, is well and favorably known throughout the community, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended her.
REV. HENRY JOSEPH HOVEN.
The Rev. Henry Joseph Hoven, the pastor of St. Joseph's parish, was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1835, and is a son of Joseph and Anna Mary (Bollig) Hoven, also natives of Germany.
Reared in his native land, in the acquirement of his classical education Henry Joseph Hoven attended the Gymnasium of his native city. Having elected to enter the church after the completion of his course, he went to Rome, where he pursued philosophical studies. From there he proceeded to Dublin, Ireland, and entered the Missionary College, where he took his theological course, being qualified to enter the priesthood at the age of twenty-six. Having decided to follow his calling in the United States, in 1861 he came to America, being Vol. II-21
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ordained at Alton, Illinois, by Bishop Juncher, the first bishop of Alton. He was then placed in charge of the parish at Saint Marie, Jasper county, Illinois, where he remained a year. From there he was sent to Marshall, this state, for two years, at the expiration of which period he went to Paris, Illinois. Four years later he was made head of the parish at Carlinville. In 1870 he received instructions to build St. Mary's church, of which he was pastor for eight years, during which time he started St. Joseph's congregation. He then went to Pitts- field, Illinois, removing from there to Pana two years later and in 1881 was transferred to Shelbyville, Illinois. Eleven years were spent in the latter place, following which he was placed in charge of the church at Carrollton, where he remained a similar period, going from there to Morrisonville. At the end of four years he was returned to Carlinville, as head of St. Mary's parish. being transferred to St. Joseph's in 1909.
Father Hoven is Spiritual Director of the Macoupin County Federation of Catholic Societies, also of the Western Catholic Union. He is a man of high ideals, broad and liberal in his views, charitable in his judgments and kindly and helpful in his attitude toward the well-meaning and penitent. His scholarly instincts and finely trained mind draw about him intellectual people, whether Catholics or Protestants, and he is held in high regard by both the laity and clergy of Carlinville.
WILLIAM H. WERSE.
William H. Werse, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Brushy Mound township, was born in Carlinville, Macoupin county, on the 18th of October, 1869. His parents were Daniel and Dorothy (Lance) Werse, the father of Ger- man and English extraction and the mother of German. Daniel Werse was born in the fatherland and there his parents died when he was a very small boy. He was taken care of by friends of the family with whom he lived for several years, but in his very early youth he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York city. There he learned the brick mason's trade, remaining a resident of the American metropolis until he was twenty-five years of age. He then came to Carlinville, continuing to follow his trade until his death in 1885. For his wife Mr. Werse chose Mrs. Dorothy (Lance) Hundtmark, the widow of a farmer, and a native of Germany. She is still living and makes her home in one of the oldest houses in Carlinville. To Mr. and Mrs. Werse seven children were born, as follows: William H., our subject; Annie, the wife of Charles Mackler, an automobile dealer of Chicago, Illinois; Minnie, who married Will- iam Myers, a blacksmith of Carlinville, Illinois; Pauline, the wife of Robert Moore, superintendent of schools of Macoupin county ; Zenie, the wife of John Flynn, who is a painter and paperhanger of St. Louis, Missouri; Theodore, who is a barber of Springfield, Illinois; and Eddie, who died in May 1893, at the age of fifteen years.
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