USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 42
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William H. Werse was reared in this county and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he mastered the common branches. While still in his early
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boyhood he entered the meat market of John Straub, where he worked off and on for five years, attending school in the winter. As he was only sixteen years old at the time of his father's death, and the eldest of the family, much care and responsibility early devolved upon him. He subsequently left the meat market and went to work as a farm hand, following this occupation until he was twenty- three. After his marriage he began farming for himself on the J. G. Custer place, containing eighty-six acres, which he cultivated for six years. At the expiration of that period he was elected highway commissioner and resided in Carlinville during the three years of his term, while for two years thereafter he followed his trade. In 1906 he decided to return to agricultural pursuits and rented Mrs. W. A. Long's farm, containing eighty-four acres in Carlinville town- ship, that he is still operating.
On the 28th of April, 1894, Mr. Werse was joined in wedlock to Miss Cora Greenwood, a daughter of Isaac and Minerva (Barnard) Greenwood. Mrs. Werse was born in Macoupin county, as were also her parents, her father's birth having occurred on a farm west of Plainview. The mother passed away when Mrs. Werse was about a year old, but the father is still living and engages in farming east of Binnell, Illinois. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Werse: Annie, who is fifteen years of age, living at home and attending the Oakwood District School; William, who is a lad of five years ; and a baby, not yet named.
In religious matters Mr. Werse affiliates with the German Lutheran church and his wife with the Baptist. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America of Carlinville, and Mrs. Werse with the Royal Neighbors, the ladies auxiliary of the same organization. Political matters have always engaged the attention of Mr. Werse more or less, his support being given to the republican party. He is now serving his second term as school director in dis- trict No. 74 of Brushy Mound township, and he is also acting as senate commit- teeman from his township, while for three years he was commissioner of high- ways for Carlinville. Success is attending the efforts of Mr. Werse who, in connection with general farming, raises a good grade of stock and also feeds cattle and hogs for the market.
WILLIAM A. BRITTIN, M. D.
Dr. William A. Brittin, of Virden, is a native of Illinois and was born on a farm near Springfield, Sangamon county, January 19, 1866. He has been in the practice sixteen years and his success in a profession which calls for the best ability and the clearest judgment is evidence that he made no mistake in the se- lection of a life pursuit. He is a son of Henry and Nancy (Mallory) Brittin, also natives of Sangamon county, where they spent their entire lives. The fa- ther died in 1900 and the mother was called away at the age of sixty-three years, in 1902. There were eight children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Brittin, namely: John E., a resident of Cantrall, Illinois ; H. E., who makes his home in Springfield ; Dr. A. L., a practicing physician of Athens, Illinois : Roger E., of
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Arkansas City, Kansas; Dr. E. H., who is engaged in practice at Auburn, Illi- nois ; William A., of this review ; Emma, who is the widow of William Waldron, of Athens, Illinois ; and Walter, who is deceased.
Dr. Brittin spent the years of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm and early became imbued with the desire to perform his part as a member of the great brotherhood of man and to gain recognized standing in the world. After securing his preliminary educational training he entered Brooks' Institute at Springfield, where he was graduated in 1888. He then attended the Chicago Medical College for two years and subsequently entered the Marion Sims Medi- cal College of St. Louis, Missouri, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of M. D. in 1895. After receiving his diploma he went to Morrison- ville, Illinois, where he practiced two years and then took up his residence at Auburn, in which place he continued until 1907. For four years past he has been located at Virden and is accorded a prominent position in medical circles of this region. He is a man of scholarly attainments and as he possesses sound judg- ment and well developed faculties of discrimination as to the nature of diseases and the best methods of treatment he has met with gratifying success.
On the 6th of November, 1889, Dr. Brittin was married to Miss Emma M. Constant, of Buffalo Hart, Illinois. To this union three children have been born : Margery J., who died in infancy ; Hattie E., at home; and William A., Jr. The mother of these children was called away in 1888 and Dr. Brittin was married in 1901 to Miss Anna H. Painter, of Streator, Illinois.
Politically, Dr. Brittin is an adherent of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as his interest is concentrated upon the duties and responsibilities of his profession. He is well known in fra- ternal circles and holds membership in the Masonic Order, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Bible and is a consistent member of the Christian church. A constant student and a close observer, Dr. Brittin has steadily progressed in knowledge of the healing art and is recognized as one of the skilled physicians of Macoupin county. The high position he occupies is the direct result of his earnest atten- tion to a profession for which he is eminently fitted by natural talents and by training.
AUGUST HACKE.
One of the many German citizens of Macoupin county who has met with notable success in his agricultural pursuits is August Hacke, of Brushy Mound township. His birth occurred in Brunswick, Germany, on the 9th of October, 1841, and he is a son of Hartwig and Augusta ( Burgdorff) Hacke. The father was born and reared in Brunswick and served for three years in the army of that duchy. The mother was a native of Hanover. The paternal grandfather, Henry Hacke, was born in Brunswick in 1800 and there he followed the cabinet-maker's trade until his demise at the age of sixty-four years. Hartwig Hacke emigrated in 1852 with his family to the United States, landing in New Orleans on the 26th
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of December. They moved northward to St. Louis and on the 15th of January, 1853, located on a farm in Macoupin county, that now constitutes the north por- tion of the city of Carlinville. Here the father, who was also a cabinet-maker, passed away in 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Hartwig Hacke were born five children, of whom our subject is the eldest and the only one now living. The others were Henry, Harmon, Gustave and Henrietta. The last named died in infancy.
The first eleven years in the life of August Hacke were spent in Germany where he began his education. He supplemented the same by further study in the schools of Carlinville after settling here, but much of his time was given to assisting his father with the work of the farm. After the latter's death he re- mained with his mother, devoting his energies to the cultivation of the home farm until the breaking out of the Civil war. When the call for troops came he re- sponded by enlisting on the 9th of August, 1862, and went to the front from Carlinville with Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, under General John I. Rinaker. He saw considerable active ser- vice and participated in the battles of Parker's Crossroads, Tupelo and Nashville, in addition to which he was in a number of, minor engagements and several sharp skirmishes. He was mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865, having been in the service for two years and eleven months. Returning home he resumed his duties as a private citizen and again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on the old homestead. He remained there until 1871, when he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 20, Brushy Mound township, where he resided until he built his present residence, also on section 20, and removed to the farm where he is now living in 1905. Possessing unremitting energy, perseverance and the thrift that usually characterizes the Teutonic races Mr. Hacke has met with most gratifying success in his endeavors. He has invested his money largely in real estate until he now owns seven hundred and fifty-five acres of land on sections 17, 19, 20, 28 and 29 of Brushy Mound township. He retired from active work four years ago and now rents his farms to his sons.
On the 26th of May, 1866, Mr. Hacke was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Drews, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Jaeger) Drews, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany. Mrs. Hacke emigrated to the United States in 1866, in April of which year she located southeast of Carlinville, where she has ever since lived. To Mr. and Mrs. Hacke there have been born eleven chil- dren, as follows: Edward, who is deceased; Almelia, the wife of C. M. Rhodes, Jr., a farmer of Brushy Mound township; William, also a farmer of this town- ship, who married Matilda Bhen, a native of Macoupin county, having been reared in Brushy Mound township; Adolph, a farmer of Carlinville township, who married Anabel Schaefer, also of Carlinville; an infant who died at the age of three days; Charley, a farmer of Brushy Mound township, who married Mary Griffiths, of the same township; Fred, residing on the old homestead, whose wife was Della Killam, of Brushy Mound township; Bertha, who is unmarried and living at home; Arthur, a farmer of Brushy Mound township, who married Etta Rhodes, of Polk township; Harrison, who died at the age of five months; and Theodore, who is living at home with his parents.
Mr. Hacke is a republican in politics and has always taken an active and help- ful interest in all township affairs. He served for twenty-two years as supervisor
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of Brushy Mound township and for the past ten years he has been discharging the duties of justice of the peace. He is a respected member of Dan Messick Post, No. 339, G. A. R., of Carlinville, in which organization he has served as senior vice-commander and commander, and is now chaplain of the post. Despite the exactions of his extensive personal interests he is one of the men who always finds time to fulfill his duties as a public citizen. He takes an active interest in all affairs of the community, the development of which he strives to advance along the best lines and in accordance with the highest ideals.
JAMES F. HARKINS.
James F. Harkins, business manager of The Macoupin County Enquirer. was born in Carlinville, this county, on the 16th of July, 1869, and is a son of John and Bessie (Kelly) Harkins, natives of Letrim, Ireland. They are the parents of seven children, as follows: J. P., who is now located at East St. Louis, a priest in the Roman Catholic church; Mary, who is deceased; Bridget, the wife of John Curvin, of Carlinville; James F., our subject; Anna, the wife of Maurice Burke, of East St. Louis; Elizabeth, who is deceased; and Charles, who is living in East St. Louis. The father was a quarry man in Ireland whence he emigrated with his wife and two eldest children in 1862. Upon their arrival in this country they located in Carlinville, where for some time he continued to follow his trade, but at the time of his death he was superintendent of streets. His demise occurred in 1887 at the age of forty- nine, his wife, however, was sixty-three at the time of her death on the 2d of March, 1899. They were both communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which they passed away. Of the paternal grandfather little is known save that he spent his entire life in the Emerald iste ~~~ "1 had two chil- dren, both of whom are now deceased. Patrick Kelly, the maternal grand- father, after the death of his wife came to the United States and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Harkins, in Carlinville until he died in July, 1882, at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
Macoupin county has always been the home of James F. Harkins, who ob- tained his education in the parochial and public schools of Carlinville. After laying aside his studies he followed various occupations in town during the winter, while in summers he worked for the farmers, until January, 1888, when he entered The Enquirer office to learn the printer's trade. He was advanced from time to time in accordance with his ability until he became business man- ager, which position he still retains. He has been employed in this office ever since learning the trade with the exception of four years when he was city clerk.
On the 25th of October, 1897, Mr. Harkins married Miss Catharine M. Sweeney, a daughter of Patrick and Ann (Castello) Sweeney. Mrs. Harkins was born in Ballycallon, County Kilkenny, Ireland, where the mother still resides, but the father is deceased. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harkins
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five children have been born: Elizabeth, Catharine; John, Ellen and Thomas James.
The family all attend the services of the Roman Catholic church, of which both Mr. and Mrs Harkins are communicants. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance Mr. Harkins gives to the democratic party. Besides having served as city clerk he was a member of the council for four years and at the present time he is city oil inspector.
J. A. WALLACE.
Macoupin county can claim many energetic and successful citizens who have contributed their share toward the public weal and may be depended upon in every emergency to sustain the cause that is right and just. Among this number may be named J. A. Wallace, who for more than forty years has made his home in North Otter township and has demonstrated his worth and ability as one of the respected members of the community. He was born at Little- ton, New Hampshire, November 8, 1835, a son of Amos and Mary (Hildreth) Wallace, both of whom were natives of the Granite state. The father devoted his entire life to farming and lived to be eighty-four years old, the mother passing away at the age of fifty-eight. In their family were eleven children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being James, Abigail, Mary, Elvira, Amos P., Cordelia, Andrew, Berenice and J. A.
In a peaceful New England home J. A. Wallace grew to maturity, secur- ing in the public schools the advantages of an education. He began working for himself at the age of twenty-one when he engaged in cutting and hauling timber from the forest. He next became identified with farming and about 1857, believing from what he had heard and read that Illinois presented fav- orable opportunities for a young man desirous of advancing in life, he came to Macoupin county where he found employment upon a farm. He spent a year and a half in Sangamon county and in 1864, having secured the necessary capital, he purchased his present home. He has since sold some of his land to his children, but still retains one hundred and twenty-eight acres, located on sections 24 and 36, North Otter township. He has made all the improvements upon the place, including the erection of buildings and fences, the putting in of tiling and the setting out of fruit and ornamental trees, and is the owner of a home of which any man might justly be proud. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and so conducts his business as to produce a hand- some annual revenue.
On October 3, 1861, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Mary Smith, a daughter of Elisha and Susan (Eaves) Smith, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Illinois. In their family were fourteen children, ten of whom are now living, namely: James, Elizabeth, Mary, Ella, Fannie, Metta, Allie, Laura, Nola and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Wallace eight chil- dren have been born, five of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows : William A., who makes his home in Virden, married Mary Kable and they
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have two daughters, Mabel and Edith. Jesse E., a resident of Macoupin county, married Mertie Chaffin, who died September 14, 1898, leaving four children : Harry H. and Eva M., both of whom are married; Fern; and Ruth. For his second wife Jesse E. Wallace married Martha Weaver, by whom he also has four children, Walter, Lola, Bernice and Marie. Glenna W. is the wife of Fred Meyers, of Springfield, Illinois, by whom she had two children: Hazel, born December 16, 1910; and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace celebrated their golden wedding on the 3d of October, 1911, at which time seventy-eight guests were present and left many gifts as tokens of love and esteem.
Fraternally Mr. Wallace has long been identified with the Odd Fellows, having been made a member of the order fifty-three years ago. His life nas been in an important degree shaped by its beneficent and kindly teachings. Religiously he is in hearty sympathy with the Methodist church, of which he is a valued member. He has served as a member of the board of county su- pervisors for three years and as school director twenty-two years. In his business dealings he is known as one who under all circumstances aims to be just and fair, thus meriting the high esteem in which he is held by his friends and acquaintances.
ANDREW J. KEISER.
Andrew J. Keiser, one of the prosperous and progressive citizens of Macoupin county, is successfully identified with business interests as the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Keiser Brothers, proprietors of the Anchor Rolling Mills at Mount Olive. His birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, on the 28th of September, 1845, his parents being John J. and Geske (Heien) Keiser, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of C. J. Keiser, a brother of our subject. In 1854 our subject ac- companied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he acquired a good educa- tion in private and public schools. In 1869 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, coming into possession of a tract of one hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, to the development of which he gave his undivided at- tention for several years. This farm is situated just across the line in Mont- gomery county. In 1875 Mr. Keiser purchased an additional tract of two hun- dred acres adjoining his first farm, bringing the property under a high state of cultivation and improvement. The farm early became known as one of the most valuable and best improved in the community, the various buildings thereon be- ing both modern and substantial. In 1874 Mr. Keiser became associated with his brother, C. J. Keiser, and others in opening and operating mines under the firm style of the Mount Olive Coal Company. The brothers had personal con- trol of the mines and took out some sixty car loads of coal daily. The property was later voted to be transferred to the Consolidated Coal Company of St. Louis, under whom, with broader facilities, the output was increased two or
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MR. AND MRS. A. J. KEISER
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threefold. These mines are said to be among the best in the state. For the past three decades Mr. Keiser has been associated with the Anchor Rolling Mills, acting as the secretary, treasurer and business manager of the concern. The mills are among the largest in this section of the country and the business has reached extensive and profitable proportions, being both domestic and foreign. The elevator which is conducted in connection with the mills has a capacity of twenty-five thousand bushels. Mr. Keiser possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his.
Mr. Keiser has been married twice. In 1869 he wedded Miss Anna Ross, a daughter of Gerd and Mareke (Arkebauer) Ross, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in early life. Their union was blessed with three children, namely: Mary and John, both of whom are deceased; and Anna G. The wife and mother passed away in 1875 and in 1876 Mr. Keiser was again married, his second union being with Miss Frances L. Ross, a sister of his first wife and a native of Alton, Illinois. Four of the nine children born to them died in infancy. The others are John G., Herman A., Andrew J. F., Ida and Edna.
Mr. Keiser is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have chosen him to serve in a number of local offices. He has dis- charged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he is a most loyal, public- spirited citizen. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his as- sociates, not only for his success, but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical and this has been mani- fest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and his wife and children likewise belong to the church of that denomination.
CHARLES WARREN BLACK.
One of the most carefully kept and well cultivated farms in Shipman town- ship is that of Charles Warren Black, who in addition to his agricultural pursuits is discharging the duties of a railway postal clerk, having been in the govern- ment service for thirteen years. He was born in the vicinity of Medora, Ma- conpin county, on the 16th of October, 1864. He is a son of one of the success- ful agriculturists of this county, the late Charles Black, who was born in Circle- ville, Ohio, on the 3d of April, 1838. One of five children when still a young lad, Charles Black became self-supporting. Leaving home, he went to Sedalia, Mis- souri, where he resided until 1860, when he came to Illinois, locating in Greene county. There he met Miss Martha J. Baldwin, to whom he was married on the 16th day of August, 1863. She was a native of Ohio, her natal day having been the 3d of April, 1839, and a daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Varner) Bald- win. In the paternal line she was of English extraction, the Baldwins having come from the mother country to Virginia during the colonial days. They were always numbered among those loyal settlers who struggled for the advancement
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of the colonies and sought freedom from the yoke of Great Britain, a great- great-uncle of our subject having fought in the War for Independence. During his early manhood Benjamin Baldwin removed from his native state to Ohio, locating in the vicinity of Osceola prior to the war of 1812. There he engaged in farming until the second war with Great Britain broke out, when he enlisted and hurried to the front, serving during the entire period of hostilities. When peace was restored he returned to Ohio and became one of the influential and prominent men of his community, having been elected to represent his district in the state legislature on three different occasions. He continued to make his home in the Buckeye state until 1852, when with his wife and eleven children he came to Illinois, settling in Greene county. There as elsewhere Benjamin Bald- win soon became a leader in the community, possessing the power, determination and independence of thought and action as well as indifference to public opinion that ever characterize the men of strength and ability. Capable men were needed in the legislature in those terrible days before the war and naturally Benjamin Baldwin was elected to represent his district. The later years of his life were spent in retirement at Whitehall, in the vicinity of which his farm was located, and there he passed away in 1866. In the management of his own affairs he had displayed the same ability and executive skill as had marked his public service and at the time of his demise he owned two thousand acres of land. A tactician of more than average ability, he was a general in the Ohio militia during his resi- dence in that state in the '40s, there as elsewhere his personality compelling recog- nition of his powers. He was one of those who stamp their impress so strongly upon the community where they live, that they are never forgotten ; their influence being too far-reaching to pass away with the physical man.
Very soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Charles Black removed to Ma- coupin county, locating on a farm on section 17 of Shipman township, and there Mrs. Black passed away on the Ist of September, 1899, but her husband survived until the 12th of March, 1908, his demise occurring at the age of sixty-nine years. To them were born two children: Charles Warren, the subject of this sketch ; and Eva A., the wife of Charles A. Andrews, of Shipman township.
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