USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 60
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compelled to become self-supporting. He began his wage-earning career as a laborer, but subsequently learned the stone mason's trade, following this oc- cupation until he emigrated to the United States.
Mr. Sicher arrived in Staunton, Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1893, and for six years thereafter he worked in the mines and followed various other occupations. In 1898 he made a visit to his people in Austria, and while crossing the Atlantic met with an experience that falls to the lot of but few people. He took passage on the French liner, "La Burgoyne," and sev- eral days after leaving port they were struck by a merchantman loaded with sand. The boat immediately began to sink, and within an incredibly short length of time had gone down with more than seven hundred people on board, all of the passengers and crew with the exception of fifty-nine people having been lost. When the boat began to sink Mr. Sicher leaped overboard and soon found himself struggling in the waters with many fellow passengers, all of whom with the primal instinct had no thought save of self-preservation. He was at last able to clamber aboard a small boat and after being tossed about for six or eight hours they were picked up by the crew of the merchantman that had caused the disaster. Upon his return to the United States in 1899 Mr. Sicher engaged in the saloon business with which he has ever since been identified. He has met with good financial success and owns the building in which his business is lo- cated as well as another store building and several residences in Staunton.
In 1902, Mr. Sicher was married to Mrs. Theresa Rizzie, the widow of Joseph Rizzie, by whom she had two sons: Joseph, who is a bartender for Mr. Sicher ; and Herman, who is at home.
He is a member of the Catholic church and he also belongs to the Western Catholic Union. His political support Mr. Sicher always gives to the men and measures he deems best adapted to subserve the interests of the majority, irre- spective of party affiliation. He has never been an aspirant to official honors,. however, although he is a public-spirited citizen and takes an active interest in all community affairs.
NATHANIEL CARRICO.
One of the wealthiest and best known men of Honey Point township is Na- thaniel Carrico. He is a native of Jersey county, Illinois, born September 9, 1833, being a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Brown) Carrico. The father was born in Kentucky and was of French descent, while the mother was a native of Missouri and of American descent. Dennis Carrico, the grandfather, was born in Maryland of French parents. He migrated to Illinois at an early day and lo- cated in Greene county, where he applied himself as a farmer and millwright. Nathaniel Carrico, the father, arrived in Illinois in 1824, and settled on a farm in Jersey county, where he continued until his death in 1833. His wife subse- quently moved to Logan county, where she spent the remainder of her days. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Carrico were four children, three of them being daughters. Sarah Jane married Dudley Bower and they lived in Illinois for
NATHANIEL CARRICO
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many years and then took up their residence in Kansas. They are both now deceased, Mrs. Bower having been called away September 16, 1902, at the age of seventy-four years, nine months and twenty-three days. Elizabeth married James Bower, who died, and she is now the wife of William Leighton, of Cali- fornia. Hannah married Jackson Rutherford, a farmer of Macoupin county, and is now deceased.
Nathaniel Carrico, the only son of the family, remained upon the home farm until seventeen years of age and then came to Macoupin county and entered two ยท hundred acres of government land, the land costing him ninety cents per acre. After attaining his majority he located upon that place and it has ever since been his abode. On the 18th of September, 1854, just nine days after he at- tained his majority, he went to Edwardsville, Madison county, Illinois, and en- tered two hundred acres of prairie land and also purchased five acres of timber land, which property he still owns at this writing in the fall of 1911. He made the entry with twelve dollars received from his grandfather's estate and also in- vested the one hundred and ninety dollars received from his father's estate. Subsequently he purchased three hundred and fifty acres adjoining his home- stead and at different times added to his landed possessions until he became the owner of several farms, aggregating one thousand acres, in Macoupin and Mont- gomery counties. He has given some of his land to his children, but most of his farms are being cultivated under lease. He retired from active labors about ten years ago, but still has oversight of his business and is remarkably vigorous mentally and physically.
On the 28th of February, 1856, Mr. Carrico was married to Miss Milbury J. Mitchell, a daughter of Elijah Mitchell, who was one of the first settlers of Brushy Mound township. There were twelve children born to this union, namely : Mary Elizabeth, of Brushy Mound township, the widow of George W. Drake, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Annie, who died May 28, 1866, at the age of seven years, eleven months and nineteen days; Margaret, the wife of Charles Kaesebier, who is engaged in the general merchandise business at Barnett, Illinois ; Laura, who died July 28, 1866, at the age of three years, four months and fourteen days; Nathaniel, who died September 20, 1866, at the age of one year, nine months and eleven days ; John, who is now living upon the home place ; Lulu, who married C. E. Merritt, a dairyman of Lincoln, Illinois ; George, who is engaged in the general mercantile business at Barnett; Martha, the wife of William Guilfoyle, a well driller of Barnett; Nora, the wife of John Pruitt, a plumber of Springfield, Missouri; and Phoebe Maude and Jesse, both of whom died in infancy. The mother of these children died October 18, 1879, and Mr. Carrico was married July 1, 1886, to Mrs. Virginia Williams, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Decker, the father being a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Germany. Mr. Decker was engaged in farming in Illinois at the outbreak of the Civil war and bravely responded to the call of his country, enlisting in an Illinois regiment. He died from fever contracted while on duty and was buried at Louisville, Kentucky, being the first man of his company to give up his life for his country. Mrs. Decker is also deceased and was buried at Litchfield, Illinois. By his second marriage Mr. Carrico became the father of three chil- dren : Virginia B., who is living in St. Louis, Missouri; Dottie, now the wife of Vol. II-30
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Edward Thornton, who is living on one of Mr. Carrico's farms; and Francis, wife of Charles Herron, a farmer of Honey Point township. By her former marriage Mrs. Carrico had two children: Mrs. Mary E. Bates, of East St. Louis ; and Albert G. Green, of Oelwein, Iowa.
In politics Mr. Carrico has supported the republican party ever since he ar- rived at his majority, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln as presi- dent of the United States. On account of illness at the time of the election he was unable to go to the polls to vote for John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the republican party for president. He has taken great interest in eduaction and served for thirty years as school director of the home district in Honey Point township. He also for four years filled the office of justice of the peace. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Litchfield. Mr. Carrico has been especially fortunate in being of clear discernment in business affairs and also in possessing a discrimination as to values, which are highly important in the accumulation of property. Few men in Macoupin county can claim more intimate knowledge of the resources of the county and his opinion as to values of agricultural lands is unquestioned. Starting upon his own account as a boy, he has become an acknowledged leader and is accorded the respect which belongs to the man who has ever sought to be governed by principles of truth and justice.
PHILIP FLOOD.
Among the representative business men of Girard must be remembered Philip Flood attended the parish schools of his native city, until it was deemed he had of Macoupin county, during the greater portion of which time he has been presi- dent of the firm now known as the Flood & Lowe Lumber Co.
He was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831, and is a son of Philip and Cather- ine (Doyle) Flood, who spent their entire lives in the Emerald isle. Philip Flood attended the parish schools of his native city, until it was deemed he had sufficient education to enable him to begin an apprenticeship under his father, who was an upholsterer. Very much dissatisfied with conditions surrounding the poorer classes of his native land the youth became greatly interested in America. Convinced that far better opportunities were to be found in the United States he determined to come to that great republic and located in Cincinnati in 1849, penniless. A less determined or less confident nature would have been almost hopelessly discouraged, but not so with Philip Flood whose confidence was not shaken in the least. He obtained a position in an upholsterer's shop where he continued his apprenticeship, receiving for his services three dollars per week. This remuneration was his sole income for three years thereafter, following which he became a journeyman with the Mitchell & Rammelsburg Furniture Company. In 1855, three years after he entered their employment, they sent him to their branch house at St. Louis. He was not only a skillful and com- petent workman but early gave evidence of possessing the keen judgment and business acumen which characterized his entire commercial career. His em-
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ployers recognized his ability and promoted him from time to time until he be- came interested in the business and was made manager of the St. Louis house. He severed his connection with this company in 1879 and coming to Girard bought out the interest of Mr. Andrews, of the firm of Andrews & McNett, lumber dealers, thereafter known as McNett & Flood. In 1882 Mr. Flood bought the interest of his partner, continuing the business under the name of the Philip Flood Lumber Company, until 1903, when he took his stepson, Fred Lowe into partnership and it became the Flood and Lowe Lumber Company. They have extended the scope of their activities and now own four yards, lo- cated in Girard, Birden, Farmersville and Thayer. Mr. Flood is president of the company, whose membership is as follows: Fred Lowe, G. G. Garretson, Joseph Ross, Herman Ross and W. W. Bristow. He is one of the affluent citi- zens of Girard and in addition to his extensive business interests is president of the Girard Building & Loan Association, of which he is one of the organizers.
Mr. Flood has been married three times, his first union having been with Mrs. Christina Robbins in Cincinnati in 1854. After her demise in 1893 he married Mrs. Amy Metcalf of Girard, who is also deceased. On the 19th of November, 1907, he was united to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Harriet Tietsort.
The church affiliation of Mr. and Mrs. Flood is with the Baptist denomina- tion, while fraternally he is a Mason of high rank, being a member of the Pride of the West Lodge, No. 179, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master; Girard Lodge, No. 132, R. A. M .; and St. Omar Commandery, No. 30, K. T., of Springfield, while he is a worthy patron of the Girard Lodge, No. 171, O. E. S. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being identified with Wildey Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., of St. Louis, of which he is past master, and he holds membership in the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Flood was a resident of St. Louis during the Civil war and was a member of the militia of the city, but he never went to the front. His political support he gives to the democratic party and for one term he served as mayor of Girard. Hav- ing attained the venerable age of eighty years, Mr. Flood is now living prac- tically retired, enjoying the ease and comfort procured by the constant applica- tion and hard work which has been most substantially rewarded. During the long period of his residence in the United States he has never had reason to regret the transference of his allegiance to this government, despite the hard- ships and discouragements that he so frequently encountered during his early years.
ALBERT A. HEINZ.
Carlinville has always been the home of Albert A. Heinz, the well known proprietor of the Carlinville Steam Laundry, his birth having occurred here on the 28th of April, 1864. He is of German extraction and a son of Peter and Johanna (Knabner) Heinz, both natives of Germany. His paternal grand- father, Henry Heinz, spent his entire life in that country. He was a glass
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
blower by trade, and for many years conducted a factory at Klein, Dettau, Bavaria, where he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. In early manhood he married Miss Morgenthum, and to them were born five children, namely, Andreas, Wilhelm, Peter, Christina and Fredericke.
Peter Heinz, the father of our subject, was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the cabinetmaker's trade. It was in 1852 that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in the vicinity of Chesterfield, Illinois, where for a year he worked by the month as a farm hand. At the ex- piration of that time he felt that he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language and customs of the country to become more independent and, com- ing to Carlinville, he worked at his trade for some time and also devoted con- siderable attention to carpenter work and contracting. He was a skilled me- chanic and soon gave evidence of his ability as a workman as well as his trust- worthiness and reliability in business affairs. Many contracts were awarded him and he erected a number of business blocks and private residences in Car- linville, but, preferring cabinet work, he later devoted his entire attention to that occupation. Locating on West Main street, he began the manufacture of furniture and coffins by hand and at one time employed four journeymen, all master workmen. At that time walnut was the favored wood and he obtained his material from the farmers who brought him the logs which he had cut in accordance with his requirements. He continued in that business until 1883, when he was succeeded by his sons, Charles G. and Henry C. In early man- hood he married Johanna Knabner, a daughter of George and Ernestina (Kar- lin) Knabner, who emigrated to America and located in Carlinville, Illinois, in 1854. Two years later they erected the residence in which they spent the re- mainder of their lives and it is now occupied by their grandsons. The death of both occurred in the same summer and they were laid to rest in the city cemetery. Mr. Knabner was a miller by trade and prior to his emigration to this country conducted a grist and sawmill at Langennau. In his family were seven children : Johanna, who became Mrs. Heinz; Fredericke, now Mrs. Loehr. of Carlinville; Theresa, the wife of A. E. Sander, of St. Louis; Edward, also a resident of St. Louis; Charles, of Seattle, Washington; Anton, of Carlinville : and Christian, who died in Texas. The family were all reared in the faith of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Heinz had six sons and one daugh- ter: Fredericke, the wife of John Kistner; Charles G .; Theodore, who died in infancy ; Henry C .; Albert A .; Adolph, who died at the age of eleven years ; and Gustav. All were confirmed in the German Lutheran church, of which the parents were earnest members. The mother died in December, 1904, and the father passed away the following year, both being seventy-eight years of age at the time of their deaths.
Reared under the parental roof, Albert A. Heinz obtained his early educa- tion in the public and German Lutheran parochial schools of Carlinville. In order to acquire a practical knowledge of commercial methods he pursued a course of study at the Johnson Business College of St. Louis, from which he was graduated. He then served an apprenticeship to the tinner's trade, which he followed for fifteen years, and at the end of that time embarked in the laun- dry business, to which he has since devoted his attention with success.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
On the 8th of November, 1898, Mr. Heinz was united in marriage to Miss Clara L. Siegel, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of George and Clara L. (Horn) Siegel. Her father was born in Waterloo, Illinois, but her mother was a native of Pennsylvania and they were married in St. Louis, Mis- souri, in 1863. Five years later they became residents of Carlinville and here the father passed away in May, 1911, at the age of seventy-one years, but the mother is still living. Mr. Siegel served his country during the Civil war as a volunteer in a Missouri regiment. Frederick and Julia (Myer) Horn, the ma- ternal grandparents of Mrs. Heinz, were natives of Germany and Mr. Horn was associated with his father in the manufacture of cloth, doing an extensive busi- ness. He was married in Newark, New Jersey, after coming to this country and subsequently removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and from there came to Car- linville, where both he and his wife died. Mr. and Mrs. Heinz have three chil- dren, Albert E., Regina Verlie and Karl. Fraternally Mr. Heinz is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. P., and also belongs to the Court of Honor. He is a stanch supporter of the democratic party but has never cared for official honors. He is one of the enterprising and successful business men of Carlinville, and being upright and honorable in all his dealings has made many friends.
S. P. SANNER.
Agricultural and financial interests of Macoupin county have both felt the stimulus of the excellent business ability of S. P. Sanner, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, about eight miles south of Bunker Hill, on the 25th of February, 1836. His parents, Samuel and Barbara (Paul) Sanner, natives of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, respectively, were married in the Keystone state and came to Illinois in 1833, locating in Madison county. The father engaged in the saddle and harness business for a few years in that county, and then removed to Shelby county, Illinois, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife passed away on the 8th of January, 1896. In the family were the following children: Sarah and Eliza- beth, both deceased; Jacob, a resident of Shelby county, Illinois; William, de- ceased; S. P., of this review ; Lovejoy, deceased; Edward and David, both resi- dents of Shelby county ; Matilda, of Decatur, Illinois; Shields, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Frances, deceased; and John, of New Mexico.
In the common schools of Madison county, S. P. Sanner pursued his edu- cation and remained at home until 1862, when he began his independent career as a farmer, taking up his abode upon the farm which is yet his home. He has since been actively identified with agricultural pursuits and as the years have passed prosperity has attended him in substantial and gratifying degree, clearly indicating the business ability displayed in the conduct of his affairs. His home farm, which he has greatly improved, is one of the valuable properties of this locality and is the visible evidence of a life of industry, perseverance and thrift. At one time he was the owner of one thousand acres of land, but some of this he has given to his children. Turning his attention to the financial field,
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he was one of the organizers and the first vice president of the Bank of Ship- man, of which he is now president, and thus he is well known in the banking circles of Macoupin county as well as along agricultural lines.
On April 8, 1860, Mr. Sanner was married to Miss Margaret Nancy Calvin, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, November 13, 1837, a daughter of Philip and Jane (Clarke) Calvin, who came from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1834, locating near Hennepin. In 1836 they took up their abode near Edwards- ville, where the father passed away in 1867. He was a cooper by trade. His wife's death occurred in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Sanner have become the parents of nine children, as follows: Jesse Francis, who was born December 6, 1860, and is now engaged in farming in Brighton township; Anna Belle, born March 31, 1863, who married Rev. James G. Miller, of West Chester, Ohio; Lucy, deceased; Sophie May, who was born May 10, 1868, and now resides in Bunker Hill; Samuel Clarke, also deceased; Nellie, born August 22, 1871, yet at home ; Harry, born May 9, 1873, at home; Otto, born January 30, 1878, a farmer of Bunker Hill township; and Julia Frances, born September 14, 1882, the wife of Rev. Floyd Barr, assistant pastor of the Third Presbyterian church of Chicago.
The life of Mr. Sanner has been one of continuous activity and the promi- nent position which he today occupies in the business circles of Macoupin county is well merited, for his record has ever been characterized by steady progress resulting from the wise and intelligent utilization of every opportunity that has come to him. In all of his work he has been prompted by a laudable ambition, yet his methods have at all times been honorable and upright and have gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
W. F. STRUCK.
W. F. Struck has been a resident of Staunton since his birth, which occurred on the 25th of April, 1885. He is a son of the late Herman and Henrietta (Demke) Struck, natives of Germany. The father, who was a miner, emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, locating in Staunton, where he was subsequently married and both he and his wife passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Struck were the parents of five children: Minnie, who is the wife of August Fries, of Staunton; F. H., who is engaged in the livery business in the same place; Emma, the wife of P. H. Houck, of St. Louis, Missouri; W. F., who is our subject ; and Hattie, who is unmarried and keeps house for her brother, our subject.
The public and high schools of Staunton enabled W. F. Struck to acquire a good, practical education, following which he became self-supporting. When he was seventeen years of age he entered the mines in which he worked for several years, after which he bought a livery stable here. Conducting this business for four years he sold it to his brother and engaged in the saloon busi- ness, and he now owns and operates the Interurban Bar. He has been finan- cially successful and has acquired some real estate in Staunton.
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Mr. Struck has never married. He belongs to the Evangelical church of Staunton, in the faith of which he was reared, and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Litchfield. He supports the re- publican party, but his interest in political affairs is practically confined to the casting of a ballot, as he has never been an aspirant to political honors.
JAMES H. WOLFE.
The life record of James H. Wolfe, now deceased, covered a period of sev- enty-eight years and few men of Macoupin county have been more highly re- spected. He was long a resident of this county and conducted his affairs in such a way as to reflect credit not only upon himself but upon all with whom he was associated. He belonged on the paternal side to one of the old families of Pennsylvania and was born in Morgan county, Illinois, March 19, 1830. His parents were George and Mary (Sims) Wolfe, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. The grandfather on the maternal side, James Sims, was born in Virginia but emigrated to Illinois and was the first represen- tative from Sangamon county to the state legislature. George Wolfe, father of our subject, came to Macoupin county with his family in 1839 and located on a farm on Apple creek, in North Palmyra township, where he made his home until 1854 and then removed to North Otter township, settling on a farm four and a half miles from Girard. There his wife died on the Ist of January, 1873, and he passed away four months later.
James H. Wolfe was the eldest of a family of seven sons and grew to man- hood under the favoring conditions of country life. At the age of nine years he came with his father to Macoupin county. He began attending school in Morgan county but continued his education in the district schools of North Palmyra township. In 1842 he began actively assisting his father upon the home farm and so continued until 1850 when he became a teacher, but also devoted his attention to farming as opportunity permitted. In 1855 he was appointed agent of the Chicago & Alton Railway at Girard, being the first agent of the road at that point, and in 1856 embarked in the mercantile business at Girard. Previous to his mercantile career he was engaged in buying live stock, which he drove to the market at Alton and St. Louis. The news of the discovery of gold in Colorado created great excitement in 1858 throughout the Mississippi Valley and Mr. Wolfe started overland with a party of adventurous young men bent upon quickly acquiring a fortune in the new gold fields. They endured many hard- ships after arriving at a spot near the foot of the mountains where Denver now stands, but the sands of Cherry Creek refused to yield the yellow treasure and the quartz mines of Gilpin and Clear Creek counties proved equally unpromising to many gold seekers. After becoming convinced that his destiny pointed in other directions than to gold mines Mr. Wolfe returned to Girard and until 1869 engaged in teaching and in the lumber business at Shipman. He then moved to Carlinville and served two terms as deputy county clerk. In 1878 he took up his residence on a farm near Nilwood, which he cultivated for ten
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