USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 53
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Major Elijah, who is deceased; and James E., who is a farmer of Woodburn. The parents were affiliated with the Baptist church and Mr. Greer belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The early years in the life of Henry Greer were not unlike those of a ma- jority of lads reared on a farm at that period. He attended the district schools, during which time he gave much assistance in the work of the farm. After lay- ing aside his studies he gave his entire attention to the cultivation of the fields and the care of the stock, until he was thirty-two years of age, when he bought forty acres and began farming for himself. He has since extended his farm property by purchasing eighty acres of the old homestead, and has erected a nice residence and made other extensive improvements. He engages in general farming, in which he has met with most excellent success; his fields are given careful attention and ample buildings are provided for his stock, of which he keeps a good grade.
In 1877, Mr. Greer was united in marriage to Miss Becky Partridge, who came to Woodburn in 1863. To them have been born six children: William Girard, who is an engineer on the railroad ; Malinda, who is unmarried and makes her home with an uncle in Kansas; Edna, who is at home; Roy, who is a resident of New Mexico; and Emil and Alva, both of whom are living at home.
The family attend the Baptist church, of which both Mr. and Mrs. Greer are members; politically he is a republican, and has held several township offices, among others that of constable. Mr. Greer is one of the prosperous farmers of Bunker Hill township and the owner of one of the attractive homesteads of the community.
EDWARD H. MEYER.
A representative business man of Mount Olive, who is also filling the highest office of the municipality, is Edward H. Meyer, a manufacturer of soft drinks. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Illinois, on the 22d of February, 1873, his parents being John and Johanna (Schoen) Meyer, both natives of Germany. After attaining their maturity they emigrated to the United States, both locating in the vicinity of Mount Olive, the father in Macoupin couny and the mother across the line in Montgomery county. After their marriage they settled on a farm in the latter county, and for several years thereafter Mr. Meyer gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He subsequently removed with his family to Mout Olive, where he worked in a coal mine for many years and later engaged in the saloon business, continuing to be identified with this activity until his death in 1902. He is survived by his wife, who con- tinues to make her home in this town. His political allegiance Mr. Meyer always accorded to the republican party, and although he never prominently participated in municipal affairs he at one time served on the town council. He affiliated with the Lutheran church, in which his wife still holds membership.
Edward H. Meyer was only a small lad when his people brought him to Mount Olive and almost his entire life has been spent here. His education was obtained
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
in the German schools, practically his entire knowledge of English being self- acquired. He first worked at farm labor and later as a miner, following that occupation for several years, later he purchased a third interest in the mercan- tile establishment of Bartels, Brockman & Co. After being identified with this firm for two years he sold his interest and went to Seward, Nebraska, where he engaged in the bottling business for three years. Having decided at the end of that time that he preferred Illinois to Nebraska for a place of residence, he sold his business and returning to Mount Olive established a similar enterprise here. He has been very successful and is now doing a large and profitable business. In 1907 he was granted the agency of the Miller Brewing Company at Milwau- kee, but he relinquished this connection in 1910 to accept that of the Leisy Brew- ing Company of Peoria, Illinois, which he still retains.
Mr. Meyer was married in 1894 to Miss Anna Aberle, a daughter of the late Joseph Aberle. There are six children: Juliette, Ervine, Elmer, Walter, Vera and Edward, Jr.
Politically Mr. Meyer has always been an ardent republican. He takes an active interest in all municipal affairs, his first official position having been that of assessor of Mount Olive township, to which office he was elected in 1899. He held the assessorship for two years and in 1905 was elected a member of the town council of Mount Olive, serving in this capacity for one term. At the municipal election of 1911 he was the successful candidate for the office of mayor, of which office he is the present incumbent. Mr. Meyer is one of the town's able business men, whose influence and energies have always been largely devoted to the ad -. vancement of public interests.
FRANCIS B. ALDERSON.
Francis B. Alderson, one of Macoupin county's native sons who engages in general farming and stock-raising on a quarter of section 17, North Otter town- ship, is meeting with a goodly measure of success, both branches of his business having proven to be very lucrative. His natal day was the 9th of October, 1876, and his parents are W. C. and Lucretia Almira (Rafferty) Alderson. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Alderson numbered ten: one who died in infancy ; John H., an extensive landowner residing near Houston, Texas; Warner J., who is also a resident of Texas; another who died in infancy; William E., who is living at Virden; Etta, the deceased wife of William R. Riffey, of Macoupin county ; Mary E., who is the wife of Charles Brennan, now making her home in Virden; Ella M., who married H. H. Chaffin, of Virden; Francis B., our sub- ject ; and Iva M., the wife of John G. Clemmons of Jacksonville, Illinois. The father for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county, but he retired to Virden in 1892, and there he and his wife continue to reside. Their history is more fully treated elsewhere in this work under Mr. Alderson's name.
The major portion of the life of Francis B. Alderson has been spent on a farm, with the work of which he became familiar in his boyhood and youth. His education was completed in the high school of Virden, and terminating his
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
studies at the age of sixteen he worked with his brother for four years. When he was twenty years of age he took charge of the farm on which he is now re- siding, operating it for six years. At the expiration of that period he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and went to Virden, where for three and a half years he operated an elevator. He subsequently engaged in the grocery business, but disposing of the same at the end of eighteen months he returned to farming. He bought another tract of land, containing one hundred and five acres, adjoining his quarter section, and for two years thereafter cultivated the entire two hun- dred and sixty-five acres. His later purchase he then disposed of and since has devoted his energies to the cultivation of his original tract only. Mr. Alder- son has always done a great deal of stock feeding, this undertaking having netted him a very gratifying income.
It was on the 24th of February, 1897, that Miss Lora Dell Wilhite became Mrs. Francis B. Alderson. She is a daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth (Lan- ham) Wilhite. Mr. and Mrs. Alderson were the parents of one child, Lola Fern, who was born on the 16th of February, 1898, and died on the 30th of November, 1905.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Alderson affiliate with the Christian church, while he is also identified with the Masonic fraternity. His political preference is for the democratic party, but he has never been an aspirant to public honors or the emoluments of office, having led a somewhat retiring life, devoting his entire attention to the direction of his personal interests. Nevertheless he takes an active interest in all vital community affairs, recognizing the responsibilities of citizenship by giving his support and encouragement to ever progressive move- ment inaugurated.
GEORGE WOLF.
George Wolf, who with his brother Frank is engaged in the cement business in Staunton, Macoupin county, was born in Peoria, Illinois, on the 10th of July, 1865, being the youngest child born of Frank J. and Louisa (Bloss) Wolf. The parents were both natives of Germany, whence the father emigrated to the United States in his early manhood. He settled in Pittsburg where he was sub- sequently married, soon thereafter coming with his bride to Peoria, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their family numbered five, those be- side our subject being: Christina, who is deceased; Amelia, who is living in Kansas; Frank, who is in partnership with his brother; and William, of Peoria.
Reared in the city where he was born, George Wolf obtained his education in the public schools. When old enough to begin his career as a wage earner, he entered a barber shop where he learned the trade. He followed this profes- sion in Peoria for twenty years, then withdrawing from it removed to Worden, Illinois, where he became associated with his brother, who for some time had been engaged in the cement business there. Two years later they removed their busi- ness to Staunton, where they have ever since been located. They have a large and efficiently equipped plant and manufacture all kinds of cement blocks in addition to which they do contract work.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
In 1887, Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Volkers, and to them have been born seven children: Hazel, who is deceased; and Frank, Hilda, Joseph, Marguerite, Erma and Robert, all of whom are at home.
Fraternally Mr. Wolf is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias, and politically his support is given to the republican party, although his attention has always been too much given to his business to enable him to participate actively in municipal affairs.
Frank Wolf, the third member of the family of Frank J. and Louisa ( Bloss) Wolf, is also a native of Peoria, Illinois. After the completion of his education, which was obtained in the public schools, he learned the mason's trade, follow- ing this occupation until he engaged in the cement business. For his wife Mr. Wolf chose Miss Lena Heinemeyer and they have become the parents of five children: George, Frank, Leona and Alice, who are at home; and one who died in infancy.
Fraternally Mr. Wolf is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and he votes with the republican party. Both brothers are capable business men, and during the period of their residence in Staunton have built up a good pa- tronage, having created an extensive demand for their products.
WILLIAM THOMAS TRIMBLE.
Ever since his boyhood William Thomas Trimble, who occupies a beautiful home in Girard township, has been identified with agricultural interests and as a native of Illinois he is well acquainted with its marvelous possibilities of soil and climate, making the state one of the richest and most desirable common- wealths of the Union. He early became acquainted with the importance and value of labor and has performed his share in the development of Macoupin county as an attractive section for business or residence. Being a man of marked energy and perseverance, he usually carries to a successful issue any- thing he undertakes and, therefore, is a representative and valued citizen.
Born on his father's farm in this county September 4, 1864, William T. Trimble is a son of James and Sarah (Jones) Trimble. He received his early education in the country schools and assisted his father in farm work until 1883 when he went to Montgomery county where he continued for three years. He then returned to Macoupin county and engaged in farming. Since 1889-a period of twenty-two years-he has lived upon the place he now cultivates, and as he applies modern ideas and keeps 'fully abreast of the times as to methods. he has met with a gratifying measure of success.
On the 28th of December, 1886, Mr. Trimble was married in Girard township to Miss Alice S. Huff, a native of Jersey county, Illinois, and a daughter of Wil- son T. and Catherine (Ferrell) Huff, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Michigan. The father came to Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1866, locating on the farm which is now the home of Mr. Trimble and his family.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Mr. Huff was a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser and was prominent in local affairs, serving as supervisor from Girard township. His father, John Huff, was a native of Germany. He emigrated to America and was married to Sarah Ball, of Ohio, whose family has been traced back as far as Revolutionary times in Colonial history. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trimble -Harry Wilson and Ina Mae.
Fraternally Mr. Trimble is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mutual Protective League. In church relations he is a Baptist. Ever since casting his first ballot he has favored the principles of the democratic party but has never slavishly followed political leaders as he has independent proclivities and often votes for the man irrespective of the emblem at the head of the ticket. He has served most acceptably as highway commissioner and school director but his chief interest has been centered upon his business and his family. In his relations to others he is uniformly kind and obliging and he possesses in an eminent degree the esteem of his fellow men wherever his in- fluence extends.
DANIEL W. WAGNER.
Daniel W. Wagner, who is engaged in market gardening in Virden town- ship, was born in Carroll county, Indiana, on the 3d of July, 1850. His parents, Daniel D. and Esther (Wagner) Wagner, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they moved to Ohio, later locating in Indiana, where the father engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits until his demise in 1868. The mother survives at the age of ninety-one years and now makes her home with her daughter near Oakley in Macon county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wagner numbered six: Daniel W., our subject; David, who is a resident of Fayette county, Illinois; Susan, who married David Buckingham, of Macon county, Illinois; Eli, who is a resident of Laplace, Illinois; Jacob, who is living at Oakley, Illinois; and Catharine, who is deceased.
The common schools of his native state enabled Daniel W. Wagner to ac- quire an education, but being the eldest of the family and the son of a widow much responsibility devolved upon him. He remained at home with his mother until he was twenty-four years old when he married and began to work for him- self. He rented eighty acres of land which he cultivated until 1897, when he came to Virden and bought a five-acre tract, upon which he raises vegetables, berries and plants. This enterprise has proven to be very profitable and he now owns a handsome residence and has a very attractive place which is netting him a good income.
On the IIth of January, 1875, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Riffey. Her parents, Minor and Mary (Wrightsman) Riffey, were both natives of Virginia, where the father engaged in farming until the removal of the family to Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1869. Here he purchased land and continued to follow agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1893 and his wife died in 1879. Both were earnest members of the United Brethren church and he was a republican in politics. In their family were five children
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
who reached years of maturity and four are now living, namely: Mary, the wife of Henry Riffey ; Samuel, who married Sarah Garst and lives in Kansas; ยท Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wagner; and Susan, the wife of Dayton Ohnart, living near Girard, Illinois.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born seven children, five of whom are living: Lilly, the wife of Walter Duncan, a resident of Virden; Esther, the wife of Ernest Palmer, of Jerseyville, Illinois; Charles, also a resident of Virden; Har- vey, a surveyor of Granite City, Illinois; Lora, who is engaged in teaching in the public schools and resides at home; and two who died in infancy. The family at- tend the United Brethren church, in which the parents hold membership, and Mr. Wagner is a republican in politics.
JOHN ROHR.
John Rohr, senior partner of Rohr & Geiger, proprietors of one of Carlin- ville's leading meat markets, was born in this city on the 5th of February, 1869. He is a son of Michael Rohr, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States when a child with his father, John Rohr, the mother having died in the old country. They were among the early settlers of Macoupin county, and here the son Michael was apprenticed to the cooper's trade, which he followed until age compelled him to withdraw from active work. He is now living retired but he and his wife continue to make their home in Carlinville, where the entire period of their domestic life has been spent. Mr. Rohr is a veteran of the Civil war, having served for three months in Campany K, Seventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under Colonel Cook. He married Miss Dina Miehe, who was born in Germany but reared in Macoupin county, a daughter of Henry and Sophia ( Burg- dorff ) Miehe, who emigrated from the fatherland during the pioneer period of this country, where both passed away, the mother at the age of sixty-nine and the father at eighty. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rohr were the parents of nine chil- dren : Hattie, the wife of Henry Loges, of Carlinville; Matilda, who married Carl Schupmann, also of Carlinville; John, our subject; Frank, who is living in Carlinville; Lydia, the wife of David Cunningham, of Edwardsville; Frieda, who married Otto Kahlbreier, of Chicago; Flora, the wife of Edward Featherstone, of Barker, New York ; and Edward and Samuel, both of whom are living in Car- linville.
Reared in his native county, in the pursuit of an education John Rohr was sent to the German parochial and public schools of Carlinville. During his vacations he applied himself to farming and learning the cooper's trade, which latter he fol- lowed until about fourteen years ago, when he decided to become a butcher. For eleven years he applied himself to this occupation in the service of others, but at the expiration of that period considering that he was fully qualified to begin for himself he established a market. He operated this alone until the Ist of January, IQII, when he took Mr. P. J. Geiger into partnership and the business has ever since been conducted under the firm name of Rohr & Geiger.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
On the 6th of May, 1906, Mr. Rohr was married to Miss Anna Meyer, who was also born and reared in Carlinville but is of German parentage. Her father, Frank Meyer, was born in Wahle, Brunswick, Germany, December 29, 1838, and came to America in 1850. He was married in Carlinville, Illinois, on the 25th of September, 1868, to Miss Caroline Burgdorff, also a native of Germany, who was born July 24, 1849, in Gr. Lafferde, Hanover. She came to America October 28, 1867, with her sister Miss Anna Burgdorff and on landing in New York proceeded to Carlinville, where she has resided ever since. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Burgdorff, both of whom died in 1890, the father at the age of seventy-two years and the mother at the age of sixty-two. To Mr. and Mrs. Meyer were born twelve children, eight of whom are still living, namely : Lena, Dora, Anna, Fritz, Ferdinand, John, Walter and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Rohr have three children, two sons and a daughter: Elmer, George and Anita.
They affiliate with the German Evangelical church, in the faith of which de- nomination they were both reared, their parents holding membership in the same organization. His political allegiance has always been accorded the republican party. Mr. Rohr has led an active life, and is now faithfully applying himself to the development of a business that gives every assurance of rewarding his ef- forts in a most substantial manner.
JOHN W. HAYS.
General farming and stock-raising engages the attention of John W. Hays, who owns between five and six hundred acres of excellent land, located on sec- tions 24, 26 and 35, North Otter township, part of which is under cultivation. He was born on the place where he now resides on the 27th of January, 1837, being a son of Eli and Nellie (Hurley) .Hays, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Germany. The father came to Macoupin county in the early '30s . and preempted two hundred and forty acres of land, the papers issued by the government giving him title to the property now in the possession of the son John W. Mr. Hays engaged in the cultivation of this land until his demise in 1881. The mother passed away about ten years previously. To Mr. and Mrs. Hays were born ten children, namely: William, Willis, James, Aaron and Jane, all of whom are deceased; John W., our subject; and Nancy, Sarah and Mary, also deceased; and Elizabeth, the widow of the late Ely Jones, of Girard.
John W. Hays began his agricultural career at the age of eight years, when he was put to work plowing with a team of steers. In the acquirement of his education he attended the district schools of the vicinity at such times as his services were not required for the work about the farm. After becoming familiar with the common branches, he devoted his entire attention to farming. He had acquired extensive holdings prior to the death of his father, following which he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the homestead. In connection with the tilling of his extensive fields he raises and feeds many cattle and hogs. A man of practical ideas at the same time progressive in his methods he has met with excellent success and is now known as one of the affluent agriculturists of
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Macoupin county. He has practically lived retired for the past ten years, leaving it to his children to carry on the farm work.
On the 6th of December, 1856, John W. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda England, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hays) England. Mrs. Hays passed away on the 28th of December, 1892, and was laid to rest in Union cemetery in North Otter township. Mr. and Mrs. Hays were parents of twelve children: George and Samuel, both residents of Macoupin county ; Edward, who is at home; Mary Ellen, the wife of Edward Coe; Osa Lee, who is de- ceased ; Robert Owen, also a resident of Macoupin county ; Cephas, living on the old home farm; and Cenie, also at home. The four eldest children died in infancy.
The religious faith of the family is manifested through their affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the mother held membership. Po- litically Mr. Hays is a democrat; he always takes an active interest in com- munity affairs and has held various township offices. In every sense of the word Mr. Hays is a self-made man, having acquired practically all he owns through his own personal endeavors. His life is but one more proof of the fact that success is not so much a matter of opportunity as it is the ability to recognize and adapt opportunity to individual needs.
HENRY GEHNER, SR.
More than half a century ago Henry Gehner, Sr., who is now living in Cahokia township, began making his way against heavy odds as a farmer. He allowed no difficulty to stand long in the path of his advancement and one obstacle after another was conquered until he became one of the most prosperous farmers of the township, being now the owner of two hundred and seventy-eight acres of highly productive land, the value of which is yearly increasing. He has reared a large family and by his example of perseverance and energy has encouraged many to persist in well doing.
He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born August 13, 1830, and is a son of John Frederick and Ann Elizabeth (Steinberg) Gehner, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old country. Reared under the paternal roof, he secured his preliminary education in the common schools and continued at home until twenty-three years of age. On the 12th of September, 1853, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremen, bound for New Orleans, and after a voyage of about twelve weeks landed in the Crescent city at the mouth of the Mississippi river. He proceeded up the river in a steamboat to St. Louis and from that place went to Frederick, Missouri, where he worked for three months upon a farm. At the end of the time named he returned to the city and was for a year and a half employed about the premises of one of its wealthy men. Having decided to devote his attention to farming, he then came to Illinois and for three years worked as a farm hand on a place near Jacksonville. having prepared to assume larger responsibility he rented land until the spring of 1865, when he removed to Montgomery county and continued renting for another year. In
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