History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 103

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

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HOUSE

POND IN FEED LOTS

OLD

HOMESTEAD

JAJA544

FARM RESIDENCE OF WM. RAMSEY SEC. 12, T.3, R.5, (HELVETIA TP.) MADISON CO., ILL.

129

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND.

The era of town and city foundations in Illinois is cotem- porary with the internal improvement fever. A railroad leading from Mount Carmel to Alton, and passing through this township, was in contemplation. General James Semple, then a member of the House of Representatives of the ninth General Assembly of Illinois, from this county, together with Joseph Suppiger and Solomon Koepfli, selected section 5 of this township for the site of a future town. The new railroad was formally recognized by the State, and au appropriation of SI.600,000 made for the construction of this and the Alton (-) Shawneetown railroad. February 27, 1837. General Semple was Speaker of the House during the term of the tenth Gen- eral Assembly, 1836 to 1838, and a warm personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who represented Sangamon county at that time. The question of naming the town was mooted by the parties interested, the names of New Switzerland and Helvetia being suggested. Semple thought those names to be rather foreign, and being by birth a Scotchman of the Highlands, and his associates hailing also from elevated re- gions, the name of Highland, as complimentary to the three founders was adopted. The original plat of the town, as re- corded, shows not only the projected railroad, but also the depot grounds and an additional railroad, named " Die Belleville und St. Louis Zweigbahn," (branch road to Belle- ville and St. Lonis.) The road was never built.

The foundation of the town was succeeded by the terrible commercial crisis of 1837. The little community was virtually without any circulating medium in the form of money for years. No debts could be paid except in cattle or produce, but even these were nearly worthless. Despite all these discouraging surroundings, the population developed a certain activity. A steam mill was erected as early as 1837 by a copartnership, Joseph Suppiger & Co., consisting of Joseph Suppiger, Dr. F. Ryhiner, and Caspar Meyer. The capacity of the mill was then about 30 barrels of flour in 24 hours. It had a saw-mill attached to it. From 1840 to 1850, the firm was composed of Joseph, Melchior, and Bernard Suppiger, James Reynolds, and David Thorp, A fourth brother, David, bought Bernard's share in 1850. In 1854, James Reynolds sold ont to Bernard Suppiger, who then became again a partner of the firm. In 1866, the mill passed into the hands of David Suppiger, Robert Suppiger, (oldest son of Bernard), Hale M. Thorp, and Henry Wein- heimer. The latter sold his share to Otto Suppiger, (young- est son of Bernard), and Edwin J. Raith in 1880. H. M. Thorp's interest, 1, was recently bought hy Adolph Ruegger, the present treasurer of Madison county. The name of the firm is now David Suppiger & Co. The first building was put up by Joseph Suppiger, and the machinery for both grist and corn mill by an eastern millwright, named Gale, a brother of the late " Benny" Gale, who lived in section 14 in this township until recently. Additional improvements were constructed in 1845 by Ingersoll, also an eastern man. In 1857 the whole mill was remodeled, the saw-mill removed,

and a new engine constructed under the supervision of Cap- tain Julius Raith * the father of the present partner.

These mills have ground three and a half millions of bushels of wheat since 1$37, of which three mi lions have been ground since 1857. Their products have found a market in St. Louis, Terre Haute, New Orleans, New York, Boston, Baltimore, Albany, England, Ireland, Scotland and Belgium. The present capacity is 250 barrels per day. The highest price paid for wheat was $2.45 in gold in 1858, and $3.50 in greenbacks in 1867. The lowest price, 623 cents, was paid in 1851. Flour brought then 83.50 per barrel, $14.00 gold in 1858, and $17 50 greenbacks in 1867. The mills have now been operated 45 years, and the proprietors state with pride aud satisfaction, that during all this time no accident causing the loss of life or limb has ever occurred, nor have the works ever been injured by fire. The company have always used French burr stones for grinding wheat. The gross value of all mill products turned out in 1881 exceeds the sum of $200,000, and that of all products since 1837 reaches almost five millions of dollars.

The first mechanic of Highland was a wagon maker, named Krucker, from St. Gall, Switzerland. His first wagon was completed in 1839. Krucker had formerly worked at gun carriages for Carrera, the celebrated half breed ruler of Guatemala, in Central America. Lang, a blacksmith, re- moved to Nauvoo in 1840. Charles Kinne started a harness shop about the same time. The first store in Highland was opened by Elijah Ellison, on the site of the Highland House. David Thorp opened a store at the site of the present bank in 1838 or 1839, and became first postmaster of High- land, which heretofore bad to send to Clifton, in Clinton county, and then to Troy for their mails.

Jacob Eggen, who had arrived in 1833, started a brick- yard soon after, and connected, in company with Labhard, a pottery with it. The first vessels for the St. Louis White Lead Works were made in this pottery. Mr. Eggen was also the founder of a distillery, and later a bakery, the first in Highland, and still in existence, now conducted by R. Baumann. The first hotel of the town was opened by Anthony Buchmann.

In 1843, the town became a station on the stage route be- tween Vandalia and St. Louis, and a proud day it proved for the town people when the first stage coach, drawn by four hor-es, eame thundering along through the town.

A wool carding machine was erected by N. Smiley in 1843; in after years it passed into the hands of Mr. Stahl, who converted it into a yarn factory. The works were greatly enlarged by Bosshard and Feickert, but never be- came remunerative.

BREWERIES.

John Guggenbuehler was the founder of this industry. He started the JJefferson Brewery in 1843, which afterward passed into the hands of Daniel Wild. In 1865 it was con - solidated with the

* Capt. Raith had won his captaincy in the Mexican war. He com- manded a regiment in the civil war, and fell in the battle of Shiloh, lea ling a charge.

-130

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Highland Brewery, founded in 1854, by Charles L. Ber- nays, who in 1856 took Gerhard Schott and M. F. Schott in as partners. Bernays sold his whole interest to these par- ties in 1857. Soon after Gerhard Schott sold his interest, and Martin F. and Christian Schott remained sole proprie- tors until 1870, when Christian Schott withdrew from the business. It has been since and is now most successfully managed by M. F. Schott. The capital invested is $40.000 ; the capacity of the brewery is 6,000 barrels per year, and gives occupation to 12 laborers, whose wages amounted to $8,000 in 1881. The value of products sold in 1831 was $45,000, and about $400,000 since 1870.

DISTILLERY.

Jacob Eggen, together with Ludwig Gruetli, started a distillery in 1844, with Henry Hermann and George Ruegger as partners. In 1849 the business passed into the hands of Anthony Miller, Henry Hermann, and J. J. Spindler, and was successfully continued until 1865, when the partnership was dissolved. The capacity of the works was ab out 15 barrels of high wines per day. Amount of corn used, 200 bushels per day. A rectifying apparatus was connected with the distillery since 1849. Henry Hermann continued in the business another year, when he turned his attention to the erection of the

HIGHLAND CITY MILLS.

Henry Hermann, John Leder, and C. H. Seybt, partners- capital stock, $100,000. The old firm has undergone some changes, and at this day, the capital stock is composed of 7 shares, of which Henry Hermann and C. H. Seybt own each 2; and John Hermann, Emil Hermann and Mrs Blakeman, each 1 share. The products of these mills are favorably known in both hemispheres, aud command first prices Last year's transactions amounted to over $300,000.

EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

The founders of Highland made great efforts to provide for the education of the children at the very beginning of the settlement, ready to sacrifice the last dollar for that purpose. A Miss Slater was retained as teacher, although there was no school-house provided; she taught in the houses of the various families. Joseph Suppiger, the man who taught and labored for all, succeeded at an early day- probably in 1839 or 1840, to raise funds enough to erect a school-house. It was built by Joseph Mueller, on what is now called Methodist Hill, at an expense of $300. Re- ligious services were held occasionally, as itinerant preachers of any creed or denomination happened to come into the settlement. The school-house on Methodist Hill was open to all. Joseph Rieger, a Lutheran preacher, who had for years been a missionary among the Indians, made regular visits to Highland until 1841. Father Maraguo was the first Catholic priest to come to Highland. Pro- testants and ('atholics united to erect an edifice for public devotion for all Christians, irrespective of dogmas and rites in 1844.

Music, vocal and instrumental, was practiced from the very beginning. Some few of the old guard are surviving,

and it is with pride and delight that the old self-constructed bass, serviceable to this day, is shown, although the materials out of which it was so skillfully "built," were "annexed," or appropriated without price.

The minsicians of 1840 were, Edward Hammer, 1st vio- lin ; Charles Kinne, 2nd violin ; Fritz Kinue, bass. (Ham- mer and Fritz Kinne, cabinet makers, had procured the materials while in Louisville, and built the instrument). David Suppiger, clarionet ; Joseph and Melchoir Suppiger, violins ; and John Suppiger, flute, united with the old guard soon after their arrival.

Theatrical performances commenced in 1848 with Anthony Beck (Saline), Mrs. Durer, Miss. Staffelbach, Melchoir Suppiger, Rudolf Fischer, C. Wasen, and -- Schubert on the stage. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boernstein and also Mrs. C. L. Bernays participated with great zeal in 1849 and 1850.

Vocal music was cultivated hy an organized society, in 1850, composed of Jacob Kleiner, Christian Branger (dead), Henry Zobrist, Dominic Brey, Christian Rubin (dead), Chr. Feutz, Samuel Krebs, Vincent Steiner, Hugo Reichert, Joseph Schepperle and Albert Waldschmidt, (dead).

The village was now past its infancy. The stormy years of 1847 to 1849, when the whole continent of Europe seemed to be in a state of revolution, had driven large nom- bers of immigrants to America, and Highland received its full share. The town developed rapidly, many business houses threw their doors open to the public, the shops of the mechanics resounded with the bustle of busy labor, the prairies surrounding the town had been converted into fields of plenty, and all seemed to prosper. But the breaking out of the civil war called the men to arms. The mechanic of the workshop threw down the hammer, the farmer boy left his plow, the teacher his school, the clerk his pen, to take up the gun in defeuse of the republic, which had given to all a cherished home, with a promise of a future of plenty.

The war over, those who had been spared, returned to their former fields of labor. The town had now a popula- tion of nearly two thousand inhabitants. The log cabins and light frame buildings were disappearing, substantial houses built of brick, perhaps 200 in number, gave the town a city-like appearance.

An agitation to incorporate the town resulted in the adop- tion of a town charter, which was enforced April 1865. The names of the town officials are here introduced :

IS65, Prest., Jacob Eggen. Trus. Jos. Speckars,

1867 Trus., Chas. Kinne,

Dr. A. Felder,

Henry Weinheimer,

Alvis Bruegger,

Xavier Suppiger,

Andrew Just.

Frank Appel.

66 Clerk, John Blattner.

Clerk, B. E. Hoffinann,

1868, Prest., Joseph Harnisch. Trus., Stephen Schwarz.

1866, Prest., John Buchter. Trus., Leopard Knoebel,

J. R. Blattner,

Andrew Just.

Town Magistrate, Chas. Boes-1869, Prest., Charles Kinne. chenstein.

" Clerk, B. E. Hoffmann.

Dr. A. Felder,

1867, Prest , J. H. Willimann.

George Ruegger,

Henry Hermann,

66 Alvis Bruegger,

Christopher Menz.

Clerk, B. E. Hoffmann.

Trus., Stephen Schwarz

66 ('has. Feickert,

431

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

IS69 Trus., Martin Halın.

Clerk, John Blattner.

1570. Pre-t , Chas. Kinne.

Trus., J. J. Spindler,

Xavier Suppiger,

Martin Hahn,

Stephen Schwarz. Clerk, John Blattner. 1871, Prest., John Suppiger. Trns., Lorenz Winter,

" Clerk, Adolph Ruegger. ISTS, Prest., Moritz Huegy. Trus .. L. Grapp,

Dominik Weber,

John Wickenhausen,

= John Buchter.

Clerk, Chas. Hagnaner. 1879, Prest., Moritz Iluegy. Trus., L. Grapp,

Dominik Weber,

.€ John Guggenbuehler,

' Jac. Grossenbacher.

' Clerk, Chas. Bosshard.

1850, Prest., Fred. B. Suppiger. 66 Trus., Henry Mueller,

" Dominik Weber,

John Guggenbuehler

Arnold Stoeckling,

Christian Hotz.

Clerk, Alexander Beck.

1874, Same as in 1879.

1881, Prest., Fred. B Suppiger. Above Trustees re-elected.

1875, Prest., J. H Willimano. Trus., Louis Kinne,

Timothy Gruaz,

44 Chas. F. Kuhnen,

George Dumbeck.

Clerk, John Menz.

1876, Prest., J, H. Willimann.

Trus., Stephen Schwarz,

« Dominik Weber,

The government of the town was an easy task. The offi- cers have invariably acted with prudent economy ; as at a time of the all-prevailing railroad fever, the citizens voted a subvention of $10,000 to the Vandalia road-August 12, 1867,-the town board wisely levied a special tax to meet interest and payment of amount borrowed at fixed periods of time; the last payment on account of this railroad debt became due and was paid in 1875, eight years after the erea- tion of the debt. The town has not paid a corporation tax since, has its streets and sidewalks in good condition, no debts to pay, and $2500.29 in its cash-box,-March 31, 1882.

The town is divided into four wards, some of which have been classed as follows : 1st Ward is known as the Red Quarter ; 3d Ward, Fort Sumter ; and 4th Ward, Methodist Quarter; why the second Ward has been slighted is un- known to the writer. The name of "Fort Sumter" is of recent-war times-date. Some of its valiant denizens were decidedly loud in the denunciations of secession, and it was on their account that the ward was given this name.

Some of the leading manufactories of the town have been named above. We may add here the Highland foundry,- a stock concern,-N. Rohr's planing mills and door and sash factory ; Grossenbacher's Custom Mills, the Highland Mineral Water Factory.

Grain-elevators, erected near the depot grounds, facilitate the shipment of the agricultural products of this and adja- cent townships.

Great sacrifices have been made in endeavors to open ecal mines, but without success. Artesian wells have been sunk, and are now supplying some of the manufactories with water.

The population of the town, nearly all of direct European immigration, have retained a great many features of their native lands. The " Vereine " (societies for rational enjoy- ments and recreation) are as numerous, or more so, than in any of the villages of the " Fatherland." A few lines may be devoted to a brief s :etch :-

SOCIETIES AND LODGES.

Highland Library Association, organized December 9th, 1859, A. E. Bandelier, President.

First Board of Trustees .- Frederick Ryhiner, Joseph Sup. piger, Solomon Koepfli, John Suppiger, and A. E. BAD- delier.

This association collected a valuable library, carefully selecting works that would answer the respective needs of pupils, teachers, and people of all vocations in life. In order to create a desire for study and self-education, courses of lectures on natural science were arranged during the winter months, and practically illustrated by an expensive physical apparatus. The lecturers were : Professor Baer, Julius Hammer, Drs. Ryhiner, Suter, Bernays and Halter, and Messrs. A. E. Bandelier, C. L. Bernays, A. F. Baudelier, and others. See personal mention below.

Highland was at its best. The library of 1859 has been constantly enlarged, and is now in charge of the literary section of the Turn-Verein, open to all in the comfortable reading room of the society.

JOSEPH SUPPIGER herctofore mentioned, born in Lucerne, Switzerland, was educated for the pulpit at the Jesuit College. Not being disp sed to devote himself to this voca- tion, he entered the cloth factory of his father and uncle, Joseph and John Suppiger, as book-keeper. Ile emigrated to the U. S. in 1831, as stated heretofore. Father and unele followed in 1833.

SOLOMON KOEPFLI. The families of Koepfli and Suppiger were by no means in favor with the Ultramontanes of their native Canton, and this circumstance, together with the prospect of finding a larger field of occupation for their nu- merons families, induced them to emigrate. Solomon Koepfli, a son of Dr. C. Koepfli, mentioned herctofore, was, as Hon. G. Koerner in his work, " Das Deutsche Element," speaks of him, as prudent and calculating, as active and en- terprising. His main aim was to advance the prosperity of the Swiss colony, as well as the town of Highland. IFe lent a helping hand to every public enterprise, was untiring in the improvement of public roads, and, in later years, in his efforts to secure railroad facilities for his town. The an- thorities of the county, as well as the committees of the Le- gislature, were incessantly besieged by him with petitions and propositions. His labors, though not always aceom-

Police Mag'st., Jacob Eggen. Clerk, t'has. Boeschenstein.

1873, Prest., J. II. Willimann. Trus., Lorenz Winter,

Jacob Kamm,

Clerk, Alexander Beck. 1882, Prest., Fred B. Suppiger. Trus., L. Grapp,

6. Edward Boeschenstein,

66 Henry Hediger,

: Jac. Grossenbacher.

Clerk, Alexander Beck.

1876 Trus., Chas. F. Kuhnen.

George Dumbeck,

Clerk, Chas. Boeschenstein. 1877, Prest., J. H. Willimann.

= Trus., Stephen Schwarz,

Dominik Weber,

66 John Wickenhansen,

Fred. Zimmermann.

“ J. J. Spindler,

J. J. Briner,

Christ. Hotz.

.. Clerk, John Blattner. 1872, Prest., Charles Kinne. Trus., Jos. Speckard.

Fritz Pagan,

J. J. Briner,

66 Lonis Apple.

Jac. Grossenbacher. " Clerk, Charles Bosshard.

132

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

panied with success, triumphed in the end, and gave to him a wonderful political influence. The American population held him, who was always in the lead and never seemed fatigued, in higher estimation than the German. His energy was by many regarded as egotism and self-aggrandizement, and envy took every opportunity to question his motives. It may be that he insisted too rigorously on what he thought to be his rights, and that his decided and sometimes hasty acts gave offense. However, he was the proper man in the proper place. The rapid growth of the settlement, the good reputation it enjoys, even beyond the limits of the state, are, in part, his work, as well as that of Joseph Suppiger.

Solomon Koepfli, though deeply interested in political life, never sought office, only once, in 1862, consenting to become a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Illinois. His over-fatiguing labors during the session of this convention undermined his otherwise robust health. He tried to im- prove it by repeated visits to Europe. At his last sojourn at Zurich, he occupied his time with preparations for the execution of his favorite plan-to found a high school at Highland. He was also engaged in a literary work, the history of the Swiss Colony in Madison county, but death intervened soon after he returned to Highland, 1869. His labors in the improvement of public schools should also be mentioned, as well as his readiness to materially aid the public schools at home.

DR. F. RYHINER, born December 7, 1806, died July 14, 1879. Dr. Ryhiner was a graduate of the University of Heidelberg, had frequented the Universities of Vienna, Prague, and heard lectures in Paris. Became military sur geon of his native city, Basel, in 1833. He got entangled in political troubles on account of his broad and liberal views, and became disgusted with affairs generally. He came to the U. S. in 1835, and became a resident of Highland in 1837. He has always been known as a public-spirited man. As a physician he was- peer to all.

A. E. BANDELIER, a native of the Jura region, the French part of Canton Berne, Switzerland, educated for the legal profession at Lausanne, he became a member of the Superior Court, when scarcely 21 years of age and presiding judge a few years later. "The happiest period of my life soon ended, for unfortunately," says Mr. Bandelier, " did the sovereign people see fit to elect me to the legislative council, although I had never felt any inclination for political labors."

Mr. Bandelier was soon after called to the government council. The political troubles of those years caused a radi- cal change ; a new constitutional convention was called, of which Mr. B. became a member. He was again offered the presidency of the superior court, but refused to accept and chose, as he says, to look for once beyond the narrow boun- daries of Switzerland. He visited Brazil in 1847, in com-

pany with his friend, J. Balsiger, and arrived in 1848 in Ilighland, where in 1854, he in company with Dr. F. Ryhin- er and M. Huyge, opened the well, and to this day favorably known banking house of F. Ryhiner & Co. He is the only surviving partner of the firm. The Home Government of Switzerland, remembering the sterling qualities of this man, made him consul of that Republic at an early date; his

consulate embraced not only the Mississippi valley to New Orleans, but extended southeast to the Carolinas.

Mr. Bandelier's labors as school director of Highland from 1858 to 1800 are still remembered, as elevating the schools to their present proud rank.

PROFESSOR BAER, an educated and eminent pedagogue of Zurich, had for years tried "Latin " farming in Texas. Horace's celebrated ode :

Beatus ille qui procul negotiis, Ut prisca gens mortalium Rura paterna bobus exercet suis Solutus omni foenere. - etc.

found but indifferent application in Texas, and Mr. Baer, bidding farewell to the lone star state, hastened to the Swiss Eldora, where he took charge of the public schools as prin- cipal and with the assistance of but two other teachers, suc- ceeded to manage, instruct and greatly advance not less than 300 pupils. ITis labors were not appreciated by all, for many were incompetent to comprehend them. He laid down the ferule in 1862. His weary head was laid to rest in the same year. A grateful community erected a monu- ment in honor of this pioneer pedagogue. The writer of these sketches conducted the mourning children to the grave of their beloved friend and teacher in September, 1862, to decorate it, and the monument with the choicest flowers of the beautiful gardens of Highland.

JULIUS HAMMER, candidatus theologe, a somewhat ec- centric gentleman, but of sterling qualities, was cast on the shores of America, in consequence of insurrections and civil wars in Germany. He bore the joys and ills of bachelor life with the ease of a philosopher for many years, and when painful and incurable disease seized upon him, he died as only stoics can.

CARL LUDWIG BERNAYS, a journalist of note. and con- noisseur of fine arts of distinction, came to Highland in 1848, engaged in commercial and manufacturing pursuits. Ill luck seemed to have pursued him. Losses by fire made him, comparatively speaking, a poor man ; but men of fer- tility of brain as Bernays enjoyed are never without re- sources. Adversity might bend him, but never break him. He was a splendid writer, a man of most liberal views. His articles published in the " Anzeiger" of St. Louis, from 1858 to 1861 were forcible and pointed, and made the German element of St. Louis a unit in opposition to secession. Ber- nays was U. S. consul at Zurich, and Helsingaer, and after resigning this position he entered the U. S. army, advancing to the rank of colonel, and remaining in the field nntil the war was ended. After the war he took up the journalistic pen again, plying it as pointedly as every before, never lay- ing it down until 1880 when he was called off to attend the grand parade of the mysterious realms beyond.

ADOLF F. BANDELIER, born August 6, 1840, came to Highland in 1848. His education is principally the work of his parents. A great linguist, he mastered various mod- ern languages and has studied the classical works of France, Germany and England. In later years he perfected himself in the Spanish tongue and now understands the lan- guage of various Indian nations in Mexico. His researches

423

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

in Mexico have raised him to a national prominence. The scientific world, deeply interested in several pamphlets pub- lished by him, at the request of Prof. Morgan, of Rochester, are now awaiting with anxiety, the publication of a work contemplated by A. F. Bandelier, who has, for several years, braved the dangers of life among the savages, for the sake of seience.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 103

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698