USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 55
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
the spring of 1827 came to Macoupin county, where Mr. Solomon engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He passed away in August, 1849, having survived his wife about six months, her demise occurring in February of the same year. Both were about seventy years old at the time of their deaths. Mr. Solomon had met with success in his agricultural pursuits and acquired many acres of land. He was a justice of the peace of Macoupin county, having received his commission from the government.
Jesse J. Solomon, who was only a child of three years when his parents came to Illinois, was reared and educated in Macoupin county. His schooling was very limited and of a most indifferent kind, owing to the inadequate provision made for education in the country during pioneer days. He was trained in the, care of the fields and the stock from his earliest boyhood, and when old enough to begin life for himself entered eighty acres of government land, adding to his holdings at different times as he was able until he had acquired two hundred and eighty seven acres. He passed away on the 8th of January, 1863, at the age of thirty-nine years. In his religious views he was a Baptist and a democrat in politics. He was a man of rare principle and fine character, highly esteemed for his many sterling qualities. One of his brothers, Judge Louis Solomon, was quite prominent in political affairs during the early days of the county. He was originally a democrat, but later transferred his allegiance to the greenback party. In addition to having filled various minor offices of the township and county he was elected to the state legislature and was at one time a state senator.
William J. Solomon obtained his education in the common schools prior to the age of nine years, at which time he laid aside his text-books and began to assist with the work of the farm. When he was twenty-one years of age he began farming for himself on his father's land, engaging in general farming and the feeding of cattle and hogs. Twenty-five years ago he located on his present place, which at that time contained but fifty acres of land. As his circumstances enabled him he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now embraces one hundred and twenty acres. He was at one time one of the most extensive feeders in the county, shipping large consignments of cattle and hogs to the St. Louis markets. His efforts were most substantially rewarded and, although he is still living on his homestead, he has retired from the active work of the fields, having rented his land.
On the 28th of January, 1869, his plans for a home of his own had their cul- mination in his marriage to Miss Louisa Isabel Hulse, a daughter of William and Hannah (Cox) Hulse, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Solomon was born in Wash- ington county, Tennessee, and by her marriage became the mother of four chil- dren : George W., who acquired his early education in the common schools of this county, after which he attended the normal at Bushnell, and was graduated from the State Normal at Bloomington in 1906. He is now teaching at Gillespie, Illinois. He married Miss Elsie Iona Land and has one child, Jessie Dale. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, holding membership in all of these organizations at Palmyra. Abraham C. lived at home up to the time of his death. William A. attended the public schools and later entered the Marion Sims Dental School, remaining there one year, and then became a student at the Barnes Dental Col-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
lege in St. Louis, where he was graduated in May, 1905. He is married and now engages in the practice of his profession at Modesto, Illinois. The Masonic fraternity at Palmyra also holds his membership. Elizabeth V., the only daugh- ter, died in 1891 at the age of seven years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Solomon affiliate with the Christian church of Palmyra, in the faith of which they reared their family. He also belongs to the Court of Honor and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 463, A. F. & A. M., while his political allegiance he accords the democratic party. He has served as collector of his township and for six years he was commissioner. He is a man who, despite the demands of his private interests, always finds time to discharge his public duties, fully recognizing his responsibility as a citizen.
LOUIS PATRICK DALEY.
Louis Patrick Daley, a well known agriculturist of Macoupin county. who is now serving his second term in the state legislature, was born in Carlinville, this county, on the 17th of June, 1868. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Purcell) Daley, natives of Ireland, whence the father emigrated to the United States in 1849. Upon his arrival here he first located in Pennsylvania, where he remained for three. years. In 1852 he came to Macoupin county, where he was employed in building the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Two years thereafter he engaged in the grocery business in Carlinville, continuing to follow this line until 1897, when he withdrew from business activities. He lived in retirement from that time until his death which occurred in 1905.
Reared in the village of Carlinville in the acquirement of his preliminary education Louis Patrick Daley attended St. Mary's parochial school, following which he was for a time in the Christian Brothers' school in St. Louis, St. Mary's College, Kansas, and Notre Dame University, Indiana. He terminated his studies at the age of eighteen years, and entered his father's store, remaining there until 1900. Withdrawing from mercantile pursuits, he engaged in farming in Macou- pin county, in which activity he continues to be interested, but now spends the most of his time with his family in Carlinville.
Kansas City, Missouri, was the scene of Mr. Daley's marriage on the 16th of April, 1890, to Miss Minnie Keyes of Carlinville, a daughter of Christ and Margaret (Wendt) Keyes, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Four children have been born to them, two sons and two daugh- ters, the order of their birth being as follows: Henry C., Catherine, Elizabeth S. and Donald P.
The family affiliate with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, of which the parents are communicants, while Mr. Daley belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Carlinville Council, of which he has been grand knight. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Litchfield Lodge. An ardent democrat, Mr. Daley always gives his support to the men and measures of that party. He takes a prominent and active part in all local political affairs, and is now serv- ing his second term as a member of the legislature from the thirty-eighth sena-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
torial district. Before elected to his present position he held various local offices, in all of which he gave evidence of possessing the ability he has shown in repre- senting the interests of his community.
EDWARD A. W. KEISER.
Edward A. W. Keiser, a worthy representative of the younger generation of prominent citizens in Macoupin county, has since September, 1909, served as cashier of the bank conducting business under the name of C. J. Keiser & Company at Mount Olive. His birth occurred at that place on the 2d of Sep- tember, 1884. his parents being Cobus J. and Mary C. (Niemann) Keiser, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. He was reared at home and in the acquirement of an education attended the Mount Olive high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902. Subsequently he pursued a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of St. Louis, returning to Mount Olive on the completion of his studies. In June, 1903, he entered his father's bank in the capacity of bookkeeper and collector, becoming thoroughly familiar with the banking business in principle and detail. In September, 1909, he was made cashier of the institution and has since served in that capacity, having won an enviable reputation as a courteous and able official.
On the 19th of December, 1909, Mr. Keiser was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Lawson of Mount Olive, her father being John Lawson, a retired butcher of that place. Mr. Keiser is a republican in his political views but casts an independent ballot at local elections, supporting the candidate or measure that he deems will best conserve the general welfare. He is without political aspirations but is serving as a member of the present school board. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Evangelical Lutheran church. He has resided in Macoupin county from his birth to the present time and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
PAUL D. WEISS.
Paul D. Weiss, who is successfully engaged in the business of building and contracting in Staunton, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the Ioth of July, 1874. His parents J. G. and Rosa (Garber) Weiss, were both natives of Saxony whence they came to the United States in 1880, settling in Staunton. The father worked in the mines until 1891 when he retired, but still makes his home in Staunton. The mother died in 1908. They were the parents of fifteen children : Paulina, who is living in St. Louis; Rosa, a resident of Staunton; Fred, who is deceased ; Ernest, also living in Staunton; Lewis and Frederick, both of whom are deceased ; Charles, who is living in Staunton; Mary, a resident of the same place ; Paul D., our subject ; Philip, deceased ; John, who is residing in Staunton ;
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Frank, who is dead; Adolph, a resident of Staunton; Lydia, living at home ; and Anna, who is deceased.
The parochial schools of Staunton provided Paul D. Weiss with his educa- tion, which was therein pursued until he was fourteen years of age. Laying aside his text-books he became a miner and remained two years in this occupa- tion. At the expiration of that period he proceeded to St. Louis and gave his attention to the carpenter's trade, subsequently locating in Mount Olive. After a period of four years he removed to Staunton, where he has ever since been en- gaged in contracting and building. He is now associated with H. J. Furtwangler and during the period of their partnership they have erected some of the largest and finest buildings in Staunton and vicinity. They are skillful workmen and thoroughly reliable, having succeeded in building up an excellent business in this locality.
Mr. Weiss was married in 1899 to Miss Ida Fritz, a native of Staunton. Not having had any children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Weiss adopted a son and daughter: Wilfred, who is at home; and Gertrude, who is deceased.
A democrat in politics, Mr. Weiss has twice been elected a member of the town board, now serving his second term in this capacity. He is a member of the Carpenters' Union and his religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a member. He is one of the enterprising and deter- mined citizens of the town, whose energies are directed toward the development of his business in which he is meeting with splendid success.
ABRAM MOSES BULL.
A. M. Bull, who owns one of the finely improved properties of Scottville township upon which he resides, was born in Franklin township, Morgan county, Illinois, on the 9th of September, 1875. His parents are Solomon and Elizabeth (Seymour) Bull, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Illinois. The maternal grandparents came from Kentucky, locating in Illinois in December, 1836. Moses and Elizabeth (Fuller) Bull, the grandparents in the paternal line, always lived in North Carolina, where Mr. Bull was a large slave owner. While attending a sale of slaves on a raw wintry day he contracted a severe cold that resulted in his death a few days later. When he first located in Morgan county Solomon Bull acquired a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, but has since added to his holdings at divers times until he now owns six hundred and sixty-three acres of land. He and his wife now make their home at Franklin, Morgan county.
In his educational preparation for the responsibilities of life, A. M. Bull attended the common schools, the course therein pursued being later supple- mented by a year's study at Whipple Academy. Terminating his studies he returned to his father's farm, in the work of which he assisted until qualified to begin for himself, when he rented a farm of his father that he cultivated until 1901. In September, of the latter year, he came to Macoupin county and bought three hundred and three acres of land, which he operated for eight years.
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He acquired the place upon which he is now residing in 1909, and immediately thereafter took up his residence here. It is one of the most attractive places of the township, always having been well kept, while the residence and all other buildings are thoroughly modern and conveniently arranged. Mr. Bull rents his land, devoting his attention almost entirely to buying and selling country real estate.
On the 16th of January, 1901, Mr. Bull was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Hicks, a daughter of Vine Hicks, one of the pioneer settlers of this county, a fuller history of whom will be found in the sketch of Owen Cline contained in this work. Mrs. Bull was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in the vicinity of Scottville.
Mr. Bull is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Scott- ville Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Eastern Star, No. 5II, as does his wife, and to Camp No. 506, M. W. A. He votes for the democratic party, but does not prominently participate in political activities, as his entire attention is taken up by the direction of his own affairs.
GEORGE WATSON GROVES.
George Watson Groves, who for twenty-seven years has been successfully carrying on general farming and stock-raising in Shaws Point township, is a representative of one of Macoupin county's pioneer families. His father, Samp- son Groves, was a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Illinois in 1835, locating in Macoupin county. Here he learned the carpenter's trade and upon attaining his majority, he entered eighty acres of government land. He cleared and cultivated this, at the same time following his trade, and subsequently was able to extend his holdings by the purchase of another eighty acres. He was a most skillful mechanic and many of Carlinville's finest residences and public buildings in the early days were constructed by Mr. Groves, who continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he retired to Carlinville. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Armstrong, a native of Virginia, with whom he traveled life's journey for fifty-two years. She passed away in Carlinville on the 21st of March, 1896, but he survived until the 26th of August, 1903.
The life record of George Watson Groves began on his father's homestead in Honey Point township on the 15th of February, 1852. There he was reared and early began his training, under the supervision of his father, as an agricul- turist and stockman. In the acquirement of his preliminary education he at- tended the district schools in the vicinity, the course therein pursued being later supplemented by study at Blackburn University. On laying aside his text- books he taught in the district schools of the county for four years, and then decided to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits. He rented a farm, the cultivation of which proved so lucrative that at the expiration of a year he was able to buy eighty acres of land in Shaws Point township. He immediately located upon this tract and here he has continuously resided ever since. At
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
the time of the death of his father Mr. Groves purchased from some of the other heirs their interest in the old homestead, one hundred acres of which he now owns. With this purchase he acquired the original sheep skin patent re- ceived from the government by his father upon entering the land. He also owns seventy-two acres of land in Brushy Mound township, making the aggre- gate of his holdings two hundred and fifty-two acres, all in a high state of cultivation and finely improved. Mr. Groves has always met with most ex- cellent success in his vocation and is interested in various enterprises. He is a director and one of the officers of the Gillespie Mutual Insurance Co., which duties absorb a large portion of his time, and he is also treasurer of the drain- age commission of this district.
Mr. Groves was married on the 6th of February, 1884, to Miss Cora Belle Huddleston, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. (Walton) Huddleston, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Honey Point township, this county. Mr. Huddleston came to Macoupin county in the early period of its history and entered some government land. He cleared and improved this, so successfully devoting his energies to its cultivation, that he was soon able to extend his holdings. He continued to acquire more land from time to time until he owned fourteen hundred acres, all valuable property, that he operated until a few years prior to his demise, when he divided his interests among his chil- dren. His death occurred on the 19th of October, 1887, while the mother is living at the age of seventy-five and makes her home in Carlinville. To Mr. and Mrs. Groves have been born three children: Edith A., who is twenty-six, the wife of Jesse T. Groves, a farmer of Honey Point township; Viola Georgian who is twenty-one; and Homer W., who is nineteen years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Groves affiliate with the Christian church, in accordance with which faith they reared their family, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor. His political allegiance he awards the republican party. At the present time he is school trustee and has served as school director for sixteen years, while he has also been tax col- lector of the township. Mr. Groves has ever led an active life and so intelli- gently concentrated his energies that he has made a success of any enterprise with which he has been identified.
CHARLES BLACKWELL.
Charles Blackwell, who has been a resident of Staunton, Macoupin county, for the past eight years, was born in Vincennes, Indiana, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1879, being a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Wampler) Blackwell. His father was a native of Wytheville, Virginia, whence he removed to Indiana in his early manhood, locating at Vincennes, where he was subsequently married. Soon thereafter he located on a farm near by in the cultivation of which he en- gaged until his demise in 1911. He served all through the Civil war, being a private in the Confederate army. To Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell were born five sons and one daughter, as follows: William, who is living in the vicinity of
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Vincennes ; Robert P., a resident of St. Louis; Edward E., who is living at Edwardsport, Indiana; Charles, the subject of this article; Nellie, the wife of R. P. Murphy, of Farmington, Missouri; and John, who is living with his mother on the farm.
Charles Blackwell was reared on the farm where he was born, attending the public schools of Vincennes in the acquirement of his education. He remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, then apprenticed himself to the barber's trade. After completing his period of service, he worked at various points in the middle states until 1902, at which time he was married. He and his wife then went to St. Louis and from there to Fulton, Missouri, coming to Staunton in 1903. For five years he followed his trade here, but since 1908 he has not been engaged in any active business. He is now in the business of negotiating money loans and derives therefrom a good income.
While residing in Edwardsville, Illinois, Mr. Blackwell was married to Miss Anna Murphy, a native of Missouri, and to them have been born two children : Charles Murphy, who is deceased, and Lorine Frances, whose birth occurred on the 18th of April, 1909.
Mr. Blackwell was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, but is not affiliated with any denomination. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, being identified with the organizations of Staunton. He is a democrat and has served his con- stituency as justice of the peace and tax collector.
BERNHARD ACKERMANN.
One of the thrifty and enterprising citizens that Switzerland has contributed to the population of Staunton is Bernhard Ackermann, who for the past twenty- two years has been engaged as contractor and builder here. He was born on the nineteenth of August, 1858, his parents being Joseph Anton and Margar- etha (Good) Ackermann, natives of Switzerland, in which country they passed their entire lives. The father owned a small farm, in the cultivation of which he engaged in connection with transporting by contract iron ore from the mines to the smelter. To Mr. and Mrs. Ackermann were born six children : Margaretha, Mary and Joseph A., all of whom are residents of Switzerland; Bernhard, our subject ; Katharine, also a resident of Switzerland; and Arnold, who is deceased.
The first twenty-three years of his life Bernhard Ackermann spent amid the scenes of his childhood, obtaining his education in the public schools of his native land. After mastering the common branches he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, which he followed in the old country until 1881. He had always been very strongly attracted toward America, being desirous of testing the truth of the wonderful stories he heard regarding its opportunities. So in 188I he took passage for the United States and upon his arrival here made his way inward to Nevada, Missouri. After a short residence there he went to St. Louis, then to Troy, Illinois, and in 1883 he came to Staunton, where he has ever since lived. Mr. Ackermann has a cement block factory and in connection
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with his carpentry contracting he does all kinds of cement work. He is a com- petent and skillful workman as well as a reliable business man, and since locating here has been awarded contracts for some of the finest buildings in the town, among them being the Catholic school, the Lutheran church and school, and a part of the public school buildings. He has met with financial success and now owns a very pleasant residence and other real estate in Staunton.
In 1886 Mr. Ackermann married Miss Mary T. Vollmer of Baden, Ger- many, who passed away in 1904. To them six children were born : Margarietha, who is deceased; Caroline, the wife of Frank Wysup, of Belleville, Illinois ; A. R., also a resident of Belleville; W. B., who is living in Staunton; C. A., of Staunton; and Amy, who is living at home. In 1908 Mr. Ackermann was again married to Miss Emma Wohlwend of Switzerland.
Mr. Ackermann is a Catholic, with which denomination his family are also affiliated, and he is a member of the Western Catholic Union. He recognizes organized labor, the principles of which he upholds, through his membership in the carpenters' union. Ever since he became a citizen Mr. Ackermann has cast his ballot in support of the democratic party, and has served as a member of the town council. Since settling here Mr. Ackermann has made many stanch friends, having been found reliable in business transactions, loyal in matters of citizenship and dependable in all of his relations of life both private and public.
FRANZ JOSEPH WELTE.
Franz Joseph Welte, who for two years has been conducting a machine shop in Carlinville, during which time he has demonstrated that he is a most capable workman, was born in Bondorf, Germany. He is the only child of Martin and Caroline (Bachmann) Welte, his natal day being the 17th of March, 1856. The father was a farmer in the vicinity of Reiberg, Germany, and died at Bondorf in 1865 at the age of thirty-five years. The mother lived until 1910 and was eighty- three at the time of her demise. Both were devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Of the grandparents little is known save that they were farmers and the paternal grandfather, Anton Welte, was the father of four children.
Franz Joseph Welte, who was only a lad of nine years when his father died, was reared by his mother, attending the common schools of his native land in the acquirement of his education. When he was fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of wagonmaking, with which vocation he has now been identi- fied for forty-one years. In 1879 he took passage for the United States and upon his arrival here first located in St. Louis, where he resided for a short time and then went to Troy, Madison county, Illinois. He lived in the latter place until 1909, when he came to Carlinville and bought the machine shop of Thomas McSherry, which he is still conducting. His shop is well equipped for doing all kinds of wagon and carriage repairing and he also does horse-shoeing. That he is a most capable workman is attested by the long period he followed his trade in Troy, this state, as well as by the satisfactory work he has done since living in Carlinville.
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