History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 41

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 41

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Esquire Keiser bought land in Staunton township in 1853 at the same time with his father, and in the same section. February 2d, 1854, he married Gretje Arkebauer, who was born at Firrel, Hanover, and who came to this country with her father. Gerd. Arkebauer, in 1846. After his marriage he moved on his land, which was only partly improved, and began to put it under cultivation. He farmed there till 1863, when he moved to his pre- sent residence in section two, now included within the town limits of Mount Olive. In 1873 he built his present residence, which forms one of the illustrations to this work. On the establishment of the parochial school connected with Zion Lutheran Church at Mount Olive, he took charge as teacher, and held that position from 1863 till March, 1877. The school numbered an average of one hundred pupils, and to conduct it successfully required no small amount of labor and administrative ability. Mr. and Mrs. Keiser have been the parents of twelve children. The two oldest died when infants. The others are Tetta G. ; Jane, who died when a year and a half old; another daughter of the same name, who grew to be twelve years old, and then died; Gerhard, Anna, John, Christina, Wuebke, Hermann and Katharina.

He has filled several public positions, and has been relied upon to trans- act a large amount of the business done at Mount Olive. He has been notary public since October, 1870. In the fall of the same year he was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected to. that position in 1873 and again in 1877. Ever since the adoption of township organization in 1871 he has been assessor of Staunton township. On the incorporation of the village of Mount Olive in 1874 he was chosen clerk, and has filled that position from that time till now. His continued election to these various offices of trust

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and honor speak more plainly than any words can do of the estimation in which he is held by the people of his part of the county for his ability, care- fulness, and promptness in business, his honesty and integrity as a public officer, and his genial and social traits as a gentleman. From the time he first came to America his convictions prompted him to oppose slavery, and he was one of the early adherents of the republican party. His first vote for President was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In 1873 and again in 1877 the republicans of Macoupin county made him their nominee for county treasurer. In spite of the customary heavy democratic majority, the first time he was a candidate, he came within a few votes of being elected. He is a public-spirited citizen, and was one of the men interested in founding the town of Mount Olive, to which, in connection with Meint Arkebauer and John C. Nieman, he has made two additions. He is also one of the stock- holders in the Mount Olive coal company. He is a man who could not well be missed in the business affairs of Mount Olive, and few men are better respected or more highly esteemed by those who know them best.

WILLIAM NIEMEYER

WAS born in Holzfeld, Amt Borgholzhausen, Prussia, July 5th, 1845. He was the eldest of four children of F. W. Niemeyer. His mother's maiden name was C. M. Widdeweg. He attended school till about fifteen years of age. He left Germany for America in 1866, and on reaching this country came at once to St. Louis. The latter part of the year 1866 he came to Mount Olive, and for two years was employed on the farm of John C. Nie- man, whose daughter, Sophia, he married April 29, 1869. In 1870 he be- came a clerk in the store of Keiser & Nieman, where his agreeable and social manners made him an efficient salesman. The present partnership of Keiser, Niemeyer & Co. was formed January 1st, 1878. The members of the firm are C. J. Keiser, Mr. Niemeyer, and William Wellenbrink. The store has been carried on with success, and annually sells large quantities of goods. He is also one of the stockholders of the Mount Olive coal company. His father and mother died in Germany, and he is the only one of the family that ever came to this country. He has had four children : William, the oldest, died at the age of eighteen months; the others are named Edward, Emil, and Juliette. He is a republican in politics. He is known as a man of warm and social disposition; he has made a successful merchant; and is a good representative of the progressive and enterprising German element of the county.

HUGH CALDWELL.

Tms gentleman, who for several years has been postmaster at Staunton, comes from Scotch-Irish stock. He is a native of county Derry, Irc- land, where he was born April 7, 1805. His ancestors were among the adherents of the Presbyterian faith, who emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland at an early date. His father, Hugh Caldwell, was the owner of a farm. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of seven chil- dren, and lived in Ireland till his emigration to America in 1837. The neighborhood where he lived afforded good advantages for obtaining an education. He was in an apothecary's shop for a short time, it being his father's intention to educate him for a physician. In the year 1831 he mar- ried Eliza Jane Caldwell. In 1837 he emigrated to America. He landed. at Philadelphia, and after a short stay in that city came to Illinois and settled in Staunton township, where his brother, George Caldwell, had settled a few years previously. He began improving 160 acres of land, and his house at that time was the only one between Staunton and Silver creek. His wife died in 1858. His second marriage was in the year 1861 to Mrs. Ann Clark. In the year 1859 he moved from his farm to the town of Staunton, where he engaged in the milling business with his son-in-law, J. S. Stephenson, and built the flouring mill which stood on the site of the one now owned by Woodward & Dwight.

He was appointed postmaster by President Johnson in 1870, and has since filled the duties of that position in a manner satisfactory to the people of Staunton. His three children living are Eliza, wife of J. S. Stephenson, residing in Missouri; John Caldwell, of Litchfield ; and Willie, the youngest son, who is at home. Mr. Caldwell was originally a democrat, and became a republican when he saw that the Southern democracy had determined to disrupt the Union. He has been a constant resident of the county since 1837, during which time, with the exception of occasional periods of a couple of months, he has not been absent from the township.

HENRY J. FERGUSON

Is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born in county Derry, Ireland, near the city of Derry, on the 27th of April, 1803. His ancestors had come over to the North of Ireland with King William, and one of thein was in the siege of Derry, and also the battle of the Boyne His father, James Fer- gurson, was a farmer and mechanic, and made spinning wheels for the dames of those days who industriously manufactured the flax into Irish linen. Mr. Ferguson was the youngest of a family of eight children. He was raised in the neighborhood where he was born. He staid at school until about sixteen, and then until he was twenty, was clerk in a large wholesale store in Dungiven, in the county Derry. He found that city life did not agree with his tastes, and so went back home, where he began farming on a piece of land he received from his father's estate. In January, 1x35, he married Sarah Swan, who was also a native of the county Derry, and was born in the year 1806. He lived in Ireland till 1839, at which time four children had been born, the eldest of which died in the old country. He sailed for America that year, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days, landed at Philadelphia.

The fame of Illinois had reached him in Ireland, and he had set out with the expectation of coming to Macoupin county, where George Caldwell, and William Patterson, who were from the same part of Ireland with himself, had settled a few years previously. He accordingly proceeded at once to the neighborhood of Staunton where he bought forty acres of land, on which stood a log-house, and there entered one hundred and twenty acres more. He was a man capable of doing a large amount of hard work, and possessed considerable energy and determination. He went to work improving his 160 acres and making a farm. He says that the country was then covered with snakes of every description. The first post-office at which he got his letters was a box made in the end of a hollow log. The town of Staunton at that time, was composed of a single log-house, in which the post-office above mentioned was kept. A stage coach once a week passed through from Hillsboro to Alton. He gradually got his farm into good condition, and worked steadily at its improvement. Only three of his eight children are now living. Their names are David Ferguson ; Susannah, who is now the wife of Archibald Burns, and Henry Ferguson. David and Henry are both living near their father, and are now among the enterprising farmers of Staunton township. He was originally a strong democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for president, for Van Buren, in 1840. During the war of the Rebellion he saw that the election of Lincoln was necessary to the preservation of the Union, and accordingly voted for Lincoln in 1864. He has since supported the doctrines of the republican party. He has had a long and active life, has been an earnest, hard-working man, an enterpris- ing citizen and a good farmer.

HOSEA SNELL,

Who has been engaged in the mercantile business longer than any other man in Staunton township, was born in Tyrrel county, North Carolina, October 8th, 1813. His father was Roger Snell, and his mother's maiden name was Mary West. In 1817 the family moved to Madison county, Tennessee, and in 1821 to Macoupin county, Illinois, and settled a mile west of the town of Staunton. His father ( who died in 1858) was one of the carly school teachers in the county, as was also Archibald Hoxsey. Mr. Snell attended the first school ever taught in Staunton township, which was held in a little log school-house, three quarters of a mile northwest of Staunton. After marrying Angelica Sawyer in 1835, he went to farming on government land, five miles north of Staunton ; afterward moved a mile west of Staunton, and then to Bunker Hill prairie, where in 1840 he en- tered the first land he ever owned. In 1x50 he became a clerk in the store of Michael Walsh, at Staunton, and in 1851 built a saw mill. For two years he was clerk in the store of Hoxsey and Shirley, and in 1855 in partnership with Isaac Sturges, established a store of his own, which he carried on for two years. Afterward he was in partnership with Richard Olive. From 1858 to 1863, he carried on the mercantile business by himself. In 1863 his present partnership with Edmond Fritz was formed. His first wife died in the fall of 1836. He was married in 1838 to Melinda Parisher, who died in 1847. His present wife was formerly Rebecca J. Knight, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Snell has nine children, two of whom live in Oregon. He is a democrat in politics, a careful business man and a good citizen.

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THE RESIDENCE AND BRICK YARDS OF JOHN H. DE WERFF, MOUNT OLIVE, MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILL.

STAUNTON COAL MINES , THE PROPERTY OF HENRY YOGE, STAUNTON , ILLINOIS

W. R.

.W.

W. R.

MOUNT OLIVE, ILL.

CHARLES FRIEDE'S BAKERY & CONFECTIONERY STORE

.R.W

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nty Derry, Ireland, netr ancestors had come orer ne of them was in the His father, James Fet- pinning wheels for the ed the flax into Irish of eight children. He He staid at school until k in a large wholesale that city life did Dos le began farming on a In January, 1835, be ounty Derry, and was ), at which time four he old country. He six weeks and three

d he had set out with George Caldwell, and reland with himself, vceeded at once to "es of land, on which twenty acres more. work, and possessed ork improving bis y was then covered : which he got his town of Staunton ich the post-office ised through from wwÌ condition, and ight children are h, who is now the d and Henry are erprising farmers at in politics, and During the war necessary to the lu in 1864. He He has had a In, an enterpri-

than any other orth Carolina, ther's maiden elison county, ed a mile met as one of the Hoxer. Mr. ip, which was northwest of : to farming noved a mile 1×40 he en- in the store or two years partnership ried on for ive. From : In 1863 st wife died richer, who it, a native in Orema. itizen.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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Jim Pancherit

WILLIAM B. PANHORST, whose death occurred in June, 1879, was one of the best citizens of Staunton, and of the leading representatives of the German population of the county. He was born at Langerrich in Prussia, April 5th, 1828. He attended school till about fourteen, and when nineteen made up his mind to come to America. He arrived in this country in the year 1847. He had no friends or relatives on whom he could depend for assistance, and he was obliged to make his own way in the world as best he could. Nothing better offering he found employment in St. Louis as laborer in a brick-yard, and the next year obtained a situation in the same business at which, however, he could make better wages. He was industrious and economical, and in a few years had saved enough money to enable him to bring over his parents and sisters from Germany. They came to America in the year 1854. Of this family only one, (Mr. Panhorst's sister), is now living.

In 1854 Mr. Panhorst engaged in the brick business at Edwardsville, and in 1855 came to Staunton, where he began making brick in partnership with Philip Menk. February 29th, 1856, he married Dorothea Elizabeth Ruth- er. Mrs. Panhorst was born at the village of Eystrup, near Hoge, Hano- ver, May 11th, 1837, and was the daughter of Frederick Ruther, who emi- grated to America with his family in the year 1847, and first settled on Smooth Prairie, in Madison county, and afterward, in 1850, moved to Staunton. His partnership with Mr. Menk lasted two years, and then Mr. Panhorst engaged in the brick business on his own account, and fol- lowed it until January, 1864, when he formed a partnership with James Taylor and opened a store at Staunton. He had at that time by his energy and industry accumulated a capital of two thousand dollars. The partner- ship with Mr. Taylor continued for six years, during which time the firm did a large and profitable business. After going out of the store in 1870 he was occupied in no regular business till 1871, when in company with Henry Voge he embarked in the enterprise of sinking a coal shaft at Staunton on the line of the Wabash railway, which had recently been constructed. This shaft was one of the first sunk along the line of the railroad, and at the

time the enterprise was commenced many doubted that it would ever prove a financial success. A large outlay of money was required, and Mr. Pan- horst staked his whole fortune on the success of the shaft. Operations were begun in February, 1871, and the first coal was shipped the following Octo- ber. It was necessary to sink the shaft 325 feet, at which depth a vein of coal of superior quality was struck. The mine was opened at just the right time to prove a fortunate investment to its owners. Prices ranged high, and a ready market was found for all the coal that could be furnished. A contract to supply the engines of the Wabash road proved remunerative, and for several years he and his partner made money rapidly. He termi- nated his connection with the coal shaft in April, 1877, disposing of all his interest to his partner, Mr. Voge. From that date he was not actively occupied in business. His health began to fail him, and in spite of every- thing which could be done for his restoration, for the few months preceding his death he declined rapidly. He had in contemplation a trip to Germany, thinking that a voyage across the ocean and a visit to the land of his birth and childhood would be of service in restoring vigor to his impaired consti- tution, but he became so weak that he found the long journey impossible. In the spring previous to his decease, on the recommendation of his physi- cian, he went to the Hot Springs in Arkansas, but the separation from his family seemed to counteract any good effect to be received from a sojourn there. He sent for his oldest son for company, but all the time his condition became worse, and after a stay of three weeks he returned to Staunton. After coming back from the Hot Springs he had no sincere hope of recovery. He had the courage, however, to face death calmly and cheerfully. He spoke of the event with resignation, and to the very last close of his life retained the use of his faculties. He adjusted all his business affairs, and called his friends and relatives to his side, and one by one bid them good-bye, and left directions as to his funeral. He died June 23d, 1879, in the fifty- second year of his age. Although in the midst of harvest, when every farmer in the surrounding country was busy with his crops, the funeral was the most largely attended that ever took place in Staunton, which showed the

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

marked respect and esteem in which he was held. The funeral services were conducted by the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and of the German and English Methodist churches, and his remains were interred in the Ruther cemetery, one mile north of Staunton.

His children were eight in number: Frederick William, John Christo- pher, Sophia M., Carrie M., Wm. Henry, (who died August 24th, 1868, one year and eleven months of age,) George Otto, (who was born February 25th, 1869, and died May 12th, 1872,) Albert E. and Henry Otto.

Personally Mr. Panhorst was a man of great industry and energy. He began life with only his own resources upon which to rely, and the compe- tency which he accumulated was the direct result of his own labor, and his wise and enterprising investments. He was trained to habits of economy, but still was liberal in his expenditures, educating his children and sur- rounding his family with every necessity and comfort. His parents had been connected with the Evangelical Lutheran church, in which he received his education. In later years he was a man of liberal spirit and contributed to the support of the churches of each denomination. He was a good and useful citizen, and his business enterprise was of much importance in pro- moting the growth of Staunton. The opening of the Staunton coal mine in particular, for which he furnished the entire capital, has been of great benefit to the prosperity of the town. He was always ready to assist the less fortunate and give them his advice and counsel. He took an active interest in politics and public matters, and supported the principles of the republican party with great zeal and devotion. His influence and cound judgment made him one of the best political organizers in his part of the county, and in the county campaigns his help was always largely relied on by the republican leaders. He held many offices of trust. He was a member of the board of trustees of Staunton for several years, and filled the position of president of the board. He was twice elected a member of the board of supervisors from Staunton township, holding that office shortly after the adoption of the township organization, and again in 1878. He dis- charged every trust with the same fidelity and ability he carried into his own business affairs. He was genial, pleasant, intelligent, public-spirited, and high-minded, and by his death the county lost a valuable citizen.

HENRY W. BEHRENS.

HENRY W. BEHRENS, proprietor of the hotel at Mt. Olive, was born at Neuenberg, in Oldenburg, Germany, April 30th, 1848, the second of five children, of William Behrens and Talke Hansen. His father was a weaver and a farmer. When quite young Mr. Behrens determined to emigrate to America. He left his native country August 15th, 1866, landed at New York, and from that place came to Alton, and the same year to the neigh- borhood of Gillespie, where he lived nine years. Part of the time he ran a threshing machine. In the spring of 1875 he moved to Mt. Olive, and put up the building now used by him as a hotel. In 1878 he erected another substantial brick building, the lower part of which is now occupied by him as a saloon and the upper part as a hall. In the summer of 1873 he mar- ried Martha Arkebauer, daughter of Gerd. Arkebauer ; she was born near Mt. Olive in 1854. They have two children. Mr. Behrens has been one of the active business men of Mt. Olive. In the summer of 1879 he made a trip to Germany, and revisited the scenes of his younger days, and had the pleasure of meeting many old friends and acquaintances. Mr. Behrens has an illus- tration of his business places on another page.

JOHN M. AHRENS.

JOHN M. AHRENS, the lumber merchant of Staunton, was born November 30th, 1828, in Holstein, Germany, the son of John Ahrens and Anna Lucks. He obtained a good business education, attending school till seventeen years of age. When he was twenty-seven years old he emigrated to America. He came directly to Staunton, where he had a brother living. This was in the year 1855. He had learned in Germany the trade of a cabinet-maker, and followed that business for about twenty years in Staunton, carrying on in connection with it a furniture store. In 1867 he began the lumber business. In the year 1858 he was married to Eliza Ruther, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to Illinois in 1847. By this marriage he has had ten children, of whom nine are now living. He has always been a republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1860. For four years

he acted as clerk of Staunton township: has served at different times as member of town board of trustees, and has held other positions. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, and a citizen who bears an excellent reputation for strict honesty and integrity.

HENRY VOGE.

MR. VOGE, the owner of the Staunton coal mines, has been living in Ma- coupin county since 1869. He was born at Opperhausen, Herzogthum, Brunswick, Germany, March 21st, 1837. He was the youngest of six child- ren of Frederick Voge and his wife, Augusta, whose maiden name was Op- perman. He went to school till fourteen years of age. While in Germany he learned the trade of a stone cutter and mason. He left his native coun- try in April, 1856. He was then nineteen years old, and wished to be free from service in the German army. Landing at New Orleans he came at once to St. Louis, and from there to Belleville, Illinois, where he went to work in the coal mines. He lived in that vicinity for thirteen years. For twenty-six months, as agent of the German mining and coal company, he sold coal in St. Louis, and part of the time carried on business for himself. January 1st, 1858, he married Caroline Timpner, a native of Ahlshausen, in the same part of Germany as himself, and who came to America on the same ship. He came to Staunton on the 1st of June, 1869, and west of the town opened the first coal mine in Staunton. On the building of the Wa- bash railway he formed a partnership with William B. Panhorst, now de- ceased, and opened a coal mine along the line of the railroad. Commencing operations in February, 1871, they began shipping coal the following Oc- tober. This partnership continued till April 14th, 1877, since which date he has been the sole owner and proprietor of the mines. He had six child- ren by his first marriage, of whom only one, named Mina, is now living. His first wife died October 28th, 1878. He was married June 29, 1879, to Lena J. Fritz, of Staunton. He is a republican in politics. He began life without any money or capital, and has acquired his present position by his own energy and perseverance. He understands the coal business in all its details, and has carried it on with success. A half-page illustration of his coal shaft appears elsewhere. He has been an active and successful busi- ness man, and to him belongs the credit of taking the first step toward the development of the coal interests of Staunton.

AUGUST SIEVERS.

AUGUST SIEVERS was born at the village of Dohnsen, near Eschershausen, Brunswick, Germany, September 20th, 1823. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and also worked on a farm. He and his brother, Henry Sievers, (now farming in Madison county) emigrated to America, landing at New York in September, 1849. They worked on a farm in Mercer county, New Jersey, till the fall of 1850, when his father and the rest of the family arrived from Germany. They then came to Madison county, Illinois, and his father bought eighty acres of land four miles south of Staunton. He was married in the fall of 1853 to Louisa Miller, who was born at the village of Dielmessen, Brunswick, Germany, who also came to America the same year she was married. He bought out the interests of the five other children in his father's farm, and began farming for himself. In 1867, he bought, for eleven thousand dollars, his present farm in Staun- ton township, He owns 385 acres-of land ; 265-in his home farm, and 100 in Dorchester township. He has one child, named also August Sievers, but from a year and a half old has raised also a nephew, Hermann Sievers. He stands well among the farmers of Staunton township, and a view of his valuable farm is shown on another page. He has always been a democrat, and is an industrious farmer and a peaceable citizen.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 41

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440