USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 63
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PETER SCHNEIDER.
One of Macoupin county's best known German citizens is Peter Schneider, a retired farmer of Shipman, who spent three years on the battlefields of the south defending the flag of his adopted country. Born in Germany on the 3Ist of July, 1832, his parents were John and Margaret Schneider, who made their home dur- ing their entire lives in the ol:l country, where the father was engaged in farming.
The first twenty-two years of his life Peter Schneider passed under the shelter of the parental roof in the fatherland, in whose common schools he was educated
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while being trained in agricultural methods by his father. In common with the majority of Germany's citizens of that time after laying aside his text-books, he decided to learn a trade and settled upon that of shoemaking. From his earliest boyhood he had been attracted toward America, believing that here he would find conditions more conducive to success and progress than in the land of his birth. He carefully saved a portion of his meager earnings until he had accumulated the necessary passage money and crossed the Atlantic to New York. He arrived in the United States in January, 1854, and for two years thereafter continued to re- side in New York city, working on the New York Central Railroad. At the ex -. piration of that period he went to New Orleans, where he was living at the break- ing out of the Civil war. He made his way northward to St. Louis where he fol- lowed his trade for a short time and came on to Shipman. Upon his arrival in this county he invested his little capital in land, in the cultivation of which he had hardly started, when he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He remained at the front for three years, being mustered out at Spring- field, Illinois. While in the service he participated in many fiercely contested bat- tles and sharp skirmishes, among them being the battles of Murfreesboro, Bel- mont and Columbus. After his discharge, Mr. Schneider returned to his little farm and from that time until his retirement gave his undivided attention to general farming and stock-raising in this county.
Mr. Schneider has never married. He gives his allegiance to the Roman Catholic church, of which he has been a communicant since his early youth and in politics he is a republican. Although he has ever been loyal to the principles of his party and the nation of his adoption, he has never taken a prominent part in political activities, having given his entire attention to the development of his personal interests, in which he has met with gratifying success.
THOMAS HARRIS CHERRY.
Thomas Harris Cherry, who for many years has been prominently identified with the agricultural and stock interests of Macoupin county, was born in this county on the 17th of July, 1854. He is a son of Thomas C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Cherry, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Kentucky. The father located in this county prior to 1830, settling on a farm in the vicinity of Scottsville, whence he later removed to Girard. In 1855 he established a machine and blacksmith shop in the latter place, which he conducted for five years. Withdrawing from this business in 1860 he engaged in the buying and sell- ing of live stock until 1891, at which time he passed away.
In the acquirement of his education Thomas Harris Cherry attended the pub- lic schools of Girard until he was sixteen years of age. In 1870 he entered the employ of his father, who took him into partnership when he attained his major- ity five years later. The business was thereafter conducted under the firm name of Cherry & Son, until after the death of his father, when Mr. Cherry took Wil- liam T. Coverdill into partnership with him. They have ever since operated un- der the name of Cherry & Company, Joseph Coverdill, a son of William Cover-
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dill, having been a member of the company since 1902. In addition to his interests in Girard, Mr. Cherry still engages in agricultural pursuits and is now running a large stock farm in Girard township. He is one of the affluent citizens of the county and besides his various other interests is one of the stockholders and vice- president of the People's Bank of Girard.
In 1877 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cherry and Miss Adela Post, of Virden township, a daughter of U. S. and Hannah (Clayton) Post, old residents of Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Cherry have been born two sons and two daughters, who are living, namely : Alfred, who married Miss Jessie Talkinton and has two daughters, Aline and Eveline; Clarence Smith, who married Miss Prudence Church; and Elizabeth and Adela, both of whom are unmarried and still at home.
The family all affiliate with the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active part, Mr. Cherry having been a deacon and treasurer of the church for many years. His political support he always gives to the prohibition party, thus voicing his views on the temperance question. His father was also a prohibition- ist and carried the mayoralty vote by a majority of one when Girard became a temperance town under its new charter. Mr. Cherry has never very prominently participated in municipal affairs, but he has represented the second ward in the town council for two terms, and for several years he was a school director. He has high ideals of citizenship and gives his hearty support and cooperation to every movement which is advanced for the betterment of the community, either intellectual or moral.
GEORGE W. WOOD.
Agricultural pursuits have always engaged the attention of George W. Wood, who now operates and resides upon the farm where his birth occurred on the 5th of November, 1853. His parents were David B. and Mary A. (Clanton) Wood, the father a native of Cumberland county, Kentucky, and the mother of Wilkes county, North Carolina. David B. Wood migrated from his native state to Illi- nois locating on the farm where his son now resides on the 16th of June, 1831, continuing to make that his home until his demise in January, 1898. He was one of the successful farmers of Macoupin county and at the time of his death owned three hundred acres of excellent land, all of which he had brought to a high state of cultivation. His property was thoroughly cared for and well im- proved, the fine brick dwelling now occupied by his son having been erected by the father in 1875. The mother came to Illinois in 1829, locating in Greenville. She passed away on the 25th of July, 1897, and was laid to rest in the Wood cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood there were born three children, two sons and one daughter : Alfred, now residing in Hilland, South Dakota; Emily, the wife of J. P. Hilyard, living in Bunker Hill township : and George W., our subject.
The first twenty-three years in the life of George W. Wood were spent under the parental roof, the district schools in the vicinity of his home providing him with his education. After finishing his studies he turned his entire attention toward the cultivation of the farm, his efforts in this direction being under the
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
supervision of his father. Having thoroughly familiarized himself with the prac- tical methods of agriculture, he purchased, after his marriage, a farm of forty acres in Hilyard township. He met with such success in the cultivation of this farm that he was later able to buy another fifty acres in Brighton township. Gen- eral farming engages his attention and his efforts have been rewarded in a most substantial manner. He now also owns the old homestead of eighty acres.
At the age of twenty-three Mr. Wood established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Ida M. Warner, and to them have been born nine children, as follows: Ira, who is living in Brighton township; Oren C., a resident of Wood- burn, Illinois; Iva, the wife of Marshall Webb, of Brighton township; and Archie, Guy, Myrtle, Ethel, Ida and Martha, all of whom are still at home.
In the exercise of his political prerogatives Mr. Wood casts his ballot for the candidates of the democratic party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, of which he has been a member for twenty-six years, being identified with the lodge at Bunker Hill, Illinois ; he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Wood is one of the capable business men and prosperous agricul- turists of his community, where he is held in high regard.
CHARLES CASPER TERRY.
A well known member of the legal fraternity of Macoupin county is Charles Casper Terry, who was born in this county on the Ist of October, 1864, and is a son of Robert Norton and Talitha Ann ( Morrell) Terry, natives of Illinois. The Terry family originally came from the island of Corsica, and Robert Norton Terry is a son of Isaac Terry, a veteran of the Black Hawk war. Mrs. Terry is a descendant of one of the colonial families of Maine, her father, John L. Morrell, having been a son of David Morrell, Jr., and a grandson of David Morrell.
Charles Casper Terry was reared in this county, obtaining his preliminary education in the country schools in the vicinity of his father's farm, after the completion of which he attended the high school at Virden, being graduated in 1883. After laying aside his text-books he engaged in teaching during winter months, while in summer he worked as a farm hand. Thus he acquired the means to enable him to attend Illinois College for a time and he also spent a few months in the Western Normal College. Having decided to adopt the profession of law for his life vocation in 1890 he came to Girard and read law in the office of E. C. Knotts. In 1893 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, continuing in the office of Mr. Knotts, who took him into partnership in August. 1894. They were associ- ated in practice for eleven years. During the period of his practice he has suc- ceeded in building up a very good clientele, giving special attention to title and corporation law and the promotion of large deals in farm and coal lands.
At Carlinville Mr. Terry and Miss Nellie B. Carter were married on the Ist of November. 1894. Mrs. Terry is a daughter of Byron L. and Mary (Crain) Carter, natives of Illinois and a granddaughter of Orrin Carter and John A. Crain. The Carter family were originally from Connecticut. Mrs. Orrin Carter being a member of the famous Barnum family of that state. To Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Terry have been born two children, a son and a daughter, Robert Byron and Mary Ann.
Fraternally Mr. Terry is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and politically he supports the democratic party. Although he takes an active interest in all municipal and governmental matters, he has never been a candidate for office.
JOHN CLAUSE.
Few residents of Macoupin county are more deserving of mention in this work than John Clause whose farm near Virden represents many years of con- scientious effort and yields to him a handsome annual revenue. A native son of Illinois, he was born near Chatham, Sangamon county, April 29, 1866. a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (McCray) Clause. The father was born in Prussia, Germany, and the mother in Ireland. He came to America in 1844 and settled near Chatham, Illinois, where he acquired one hundred acres of land and en- gaged successfully in general farming and stock-raising. In his' family were four children : Elizabeth, deceased; John; Joseph, who makes his home in Okla- homa ; and James, a resident of Rawlins, Wyoming. The mother of our sub- ject was twice married, her first union being with a Mr. McCarthy. By her first marriage she had two children : William, who now lives at Rawlins, Wyo- ming ; and a daughter who remained in the old country.
John Clause was reared on the home place and in the common schools se- cured the rudiments of an education. At twenty-one years of age, desirous of becoming independent, he rented one hundred acres of good land and for fifteen years hired a family to keep house for him, during this period making steady advancement in his calling. At the end of the time named he purchased the old home place which he cultivated for four years and then disposed of, buying one hundred and sixty acres in Macoupin county where he established his per- manent homestead. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and being a man of clear judgment and great perseverance he has gained an enviable place as one of the prosperous farmers of this section.
On January 13, 1892, Mr. Clause was married to Miss Ella Case, a daugh- ter of Lauren and Mary (Sterling) Case. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Case were eight children, namely: Maria, who married Benjamin Pearman, of Litch- field, Illinois; Ella, now Mrs. John Clause; Myron, deceased; Ann, who is the wife of Joseph Crawford, of Oklahoma; Elbert and Otis, both of whom reside in Montgomery county, Illinois; Clara, now Mrs. Thomas Seaburn, of North Dakota; and Cora, the wife of John Weidman, of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Clause are the parents of eight children, namely: Edgar Le Roy, who was born March 5, 1895; Mary Elizabeth, born July 1, 1896; Lauren Russell, April 15, 1897; Lola Pearl, January 25, 1900; Inez Edna, April 18, 1902; John Arthur, June 19, 1904; Nellie Louise, August 10, 1906; and an infant born October 9, 1911.
Mr. Clause has from his youth upward been industrious and enterprising and has so directed his energies as to produce gratifying results. He is known throughout this region as a good business man and citizen and the general re-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
spect in which he is held is a just tribute to his integrity and personal worth. In politics he adheres to the democratic party and in religious belief to the Bap- tist church. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Anti-Horse Thief Association.
THEODORE CHRISTIAN LOEHR.
Theodore Christian Loehr, for more than thirty years identified with the commercial interests of Carlinville, during which time he has been conducting a drug store, was born in this city on the 30th of September, 1862. He is of German extraction, his parents John Christopher and Friederika (Knabner) Loehr both being natives of that country. The father emigrated to the United States in 1857 locating in Carlinville, where he and his wife continue to make their home. In the early years of his residence here he became associated with W. H. Steinmeyer in the general mercantile business, with whom he was connected for several years, and later was alone in the business until his retirement in 1907. He has always been one of the public-spirited, enterprising and progres- sive citizens, who has interested himself very largely in advancing the community in every way possible. To Mr. and Mrs. John Loehr were born seven children, who are living, while they also have twelve grandchildren and two great-grand- children. The members of their immediate family are as follows: Paulina, now Mrs. William Surman, who has eight children; Adolph; Theodore C., our sub- ject; Gustav; Mathilda, the wife of Emil Johnson, who has two children; Theresa; and Ida. The family all attend the Lutheran church of which the parents are earnest members, Mr. Loehr being a deacon. He has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs and represented the second ward in the city council at one time. His long period of residence here entitles him to mem- bership in the Old Settlers Club by means of which he maintains relations with those with whom he shared the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He and his wife together with the younger members of their family live in one of the many pleasant residences of Carlinville, among whose citizens they number many friends.
The Lutheran parochial, public and high schools of Carlinville provided Theodore Christian Loehr with such educational advantages as he enjoyed, after the completion of which he began his commercial career. In 1878 he entered the employ of T. H. Steinmeyer, a druggist of this city, with whom he re- mained for two years, at the end of which time he went to St. Louis. There he entered the College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was awarded his degree with the class of 1882. During the ensuing two years he followed his profession in a pharmacy in St. Louis, and returning to Carlinville purchased the drug store of Robertson & Glass. He has one of the best equipped and modern pharmacies in the county, and enjoys an excellent patronage.
At St. Louis Mr. Loehr married Miss Minnie Steinmeyer, a daughter of David and Christina (Kinner) Steinmeyer, residents of that city but natives of
.
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Germany. Mr. Loehr passed away in 1901, leaving two children, Theodore Edwin and Adele Marie.
Fraternally Mr. Loehr is identified with the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. of P. He also belongs to the Macoupin Club and Macoupin County Fair Association. He maintains relations with his profession through the medium of his membership in the American Pharmaceu- tical Association and the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association, having at one time been president of the latter organization. He is president of the Macoupin Telephone & Telegraph Company, and holds the same office on the Carlinville Cemetery Board, while he is one of the trustees of Blackburn University. Polit- ically he is a democrat and has served in various public capacities, having been alderman from the second ward for one term, 1889 to 1891, and a member of the board of education for six years. He is one of the estimable citizens and highly respected business men of Carlinville, whose success must be largely at- tributed to his upright principles and standard of integrity.
OLIVER M. BEEBE.
Oliver M. Beebe, who has been for twenty-three years devoting his energies to the cultivation of his homestead on section 21, Hilyard township, was born in Delhi, Jersey county, Illinois, on the 26th of April, 1840. His parents were David and Catharine (Power) Beebe, the father a native of New York state and the mother of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but of Irish extraction. The ma- ternal grandfather, William Power was a native of Waterford county, Ireland, whence he emigrated to America during the later colonial days, settling in Penn- sylvania. He was an officer of the United States navy and participated in the second war with Great Britain in 1812. David Beebe, for many years a tea merchant as well as an importer of tea and coffee in Philadelphia, came to Illi- nois in 1833. He located on a farm in Jersey county, where for many years he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Upon his retirement he returned to Philadel- phia and there he passed away. He also was a veteran of the war of 1812. The mother survived for some years thereafter, her demise occurring in St. Louis, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Beebe were born ten children, six sons and four daughters, all but four members of the family now being deceased. Those living are as follows : Mrs. Adeline Black, the eldest, who is a resident of this county ; Mrs. Mary Umberline, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Frank, who is also a resident of St. Louis; and our subject, Oliver M. Beebe.
The boyhood and youth of Oliver M. Beebe were spent on the parental farm in Jersey county, where he acquired his preliminary knowledge of agri- cultural methods and stock-raising. His education was limited to the advan- tages afforded in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. He worked for his father until old enough to start out for himself, then came to Macoupin county and engaged in farming. It was from this county he enlisted during the Civil war, going to the front in 1861 as a member of Company D of the Missis- sippi Marine Brigade. He was in the service for a year, receiving his discharge
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at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1862. His regiment was stationed along the Mis- sissippi for the purpose of keeping the river open to traffic, and in the discharge of their duties they were drawn into a number of notable conflicts. After being mustered out he returned to his agricultural pursuits in Macoupin county, where he has ever since continuously resided. Twenty-three years ago Mr. Beebe purchased his present homestead, one of the well improved and cultivated prop- erties of the vicinity.
In 1880 Mr. Beebe's plans for a home of his own had their culmination in his marriage to Miss Lydia Gray, who was born in Madison county, Illinois, on the 15th of February, 1854. Mrs. Beebe is a daughter of James and Martha (Janes) Gray, the father being a native of West Virginia and the mother of Indiana. James Gray came to Illinois during the pioneer days, locating in Sangamon county in 1827. There he engaged in farming for several years, then came to Macoupin county and after remaining here for a brief period removed to Madison county. He farmed in the latter county for a short time but sub- sequently returned to Macoupin county, continuing to live here until his demise at the age of ninety-three years in 1897. The mother passed away in 1881.
Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray only two, besides Mrs. Beebe, are living: Hillary and Thomas, both of whom are farming in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have one son, James, who is living at home. The parents as well as the son hold membership in the Baptist church, among whose congre- gation Mr. and Mrs. Beebe number many stanch friends of long years' standing.
HENRY C. HEINZ.
One of the oldest enterprises of Carlinville is the furniture and undertaking establishment of H. C. Heinz & Brother, which was founded by their father over fifty years ago. The senior partner of the firm, Henry C. Heinz, was born in this city on the 14th of December, 1861, and is a son of the late Peter and Johanna (Knabner) Heinz, natives of Germany. His paternal grandfather, Henry Heinz, spent his entire life in that country. He was a glass 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. Wil- helm, 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. Illi- nois, where for a year he worked by the month as a farm hand. At the expira- tion of that time he felt that he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the lan- guage and customs of the country to become more independent and, coming to Carlinville, he worked at his trade for some time and also devoted considerable attention to carpenter work and contracting. He was a skilled mechanic and soon gave evidence of his ability as a workman as well as his trustworthiness and re- liability in business affairs. Many contracts were awarded him and he erected a
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number of business blocks and private residences in Carlinville 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 manhood he married Johanna Knabner, a daughter of George and Ernestina (Karlin) Knabner, who emigrated to Amer- ica and located in Carlinville, Illinois, in 1854. Two years later they erected the residence in which they spent the remainder 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 Lang- ennau. 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, Wash- ington ; 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 daughter: 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 Luth- eran church, of which the parents were earnest members. The mother died in December, 1904, and the father passed away the following year, both being sev- enty-eight years of age at the time of their deaths.
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