History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 112

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Edward A. Gubitz was born in Springfield, Illinois, August 3, 1858. He attended school until he was fifteen years of age, when he clerked in the grocery store of J. G. Byerline, two years, then clerked for John W. Bunn & Co., four years and six months, then opened a store of his own at northwest corner Fourth and Grand avenue, where he carries a $3,000 stock of groceries and provisions. His father, Adam Gubitz, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827, and came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, in 1848. He died January 19,

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1862. His wife, Maggie Baker, was also born in Bavaria, Germany. She and husband were both members of the German Lutheran Church, and had a family of six children, four living, viz : Cornelia, Barbara, Edward aud Matilda Gubitz. The mother is still living in Spring- field. Edward A. Gubitz, the subject of the sketch, is a member of the English Lutheran Church, at Springfield, Illinois, and in politics rather independent.

Louis H. Hahn, meat market, Springfield, Illinois. Among the business men of Spring- field may be mentioned the name of Louis H. Hahn, who established himself in business in 1875. He carries everything usually kept in a first-class market; is a young man, with good business abilities, and one of the enterprising men of the city. He was born in New York City, January 17th, 1854; son of Charles Hahn, also a butcher by profession, who came to this city in 1864, and has been engaged in the busi- ness since. He married Miss Eliza Hammarth, and they have had eight children, seven of whom are living.

Rev. Albert Hale, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Glastenburg, Connecticut, November 29, 1799, son of Mathew and Ruth (Stephens) Hale. In youth, he served seven years as clerk in a store in Weathersfield, Connecticut, but afterwards en- tered Yale Theological Seminary. Among those of his graduating class, were the late Rev. Henry Durant, Sidney L. Johnson, lawyer, and Rev. Asa Turner, all residents of California (the lat- ter founded the first Presbyterian Church in Quincy, Illinois); Rev. William Adams, D. D., of New York; Rev. Horace Bushnell, of Hart- ford, Connecticut; Judge Edwards and Judge Gould. The first ministerial service of Mr. Hale was on a missionary tour in Georgia and other Gulf States, preaching, founding Sunday schools, and laboring in his might in the Lord's vineyard, where he found work to do. He first came to Illinois in 1831, and located in Bond county, as a home missionary. When he reached Shawnee- town, the Black Hawk war was in the height of its fury, and the terrified inhabitants were seek- ing refuge in log forts.

In 1833, in the discharge of missionary duties, he visited Chicago, where he found two hundred and fifty Pottawotomies, many of them intoxi- cated, receiving their annuities in blankets, clothing, and money. The village of Chicago at that time contained about one thousand in- habitants, including soldiers, and twenty-two groggeries. When once under the influence of fire-water, the untutored savage became an easy

prey of the proprietors of those vile dens, who robbed them of their clothing and money. Mr. Hale appealed to the Indian agent to interfere and put a stop to this iniquity on the part of the rum-sellers, but his suggestions were unheeded, and no efforts were made to arrest the evil. During his visit to Chicago, he preached in a school house at the mouth of the river. Many Indians, though imperfectly understanding the language, gathered in the doorway and around the windows, listening, many of them probably for the first time, to the sound of the Gospel.

About this time, he met an old friend, Mr. Carpenter, who has since accumulated consider -. able wealth in Chicago, near the place upon which now stands the Cook county court house; and in conversation upon the future of the vil- lage, Mr. Hale said: "You expect to have a city here?" "Yes, some day,"replied his friend. "What is the land worth here?"

"Five dollars an acre," replied Mr. Carpenter, "but the diffi- culty is, nobody appears to want to buy."

In 1839, Mr. Hale accepted a call as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield, and continued in that capacity over twenty- seven years, since which time he has labored and preached in both city and country.

March 27, 1839, he married Miss Abiah Chapin, of Newport, New Hampshire, who died June 10, 1864. She was a graduate of Ipswich Semi- nary, Massachusetts, and came to Illinois as a teacher, in 1831. She was a lady of rare ac- complishments, endowed with all graces which adorn the true Christian character. Mr. Hale is the senior minister of Springfield, and one of the first pioneers of the State. He is universally loved, not only by those associated with him in his own church, but by all people, of all phases of religious faith and sentiments.

He has been a faithful worker, speaking words of hope to the dying, of comfort to the despond- ing, and of warning to the wicked. In secular matters, he has been a good citizen, loyal to the government of his country in all emergencies.

Hall & Herrick, clothiers and dealers in hats, caps and gentlemen's furnishings, southeast cor- ner of Adams and Sixth streets, is composed of Edward A. Hall and Jonathan E. K. Herrick, who entered into partnership and engaged in the business in that location in June, 1876, under the firm title of E. A. Hall & Co. This was changed to the present title in March, 1881. Their stock embraces a general assortment of ready-made clothing, hats, caps, and gentlemen's furnishing goods; in addition to which they carry on a merchant tailoring department, and a

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

shirt manufactory, where goods are made up to order with dispatch in the most approved style. Their establishment employs eight to ten hands, besides those engaged in the manufacturing de- partments. The house does a large retail busi- ness, which has increased a hundred per cent. in the past four years.

Mr. Hall is a native of Pekin, Illinois, born in 1845; was reared and educated there, and from 1861 until 1876 was engaged in general mer- chandising, the last seven years as proprietor of the business. He married Miss Frances A. Myers, of Pekin, in the spring of 1873. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery.

Mr. Herrick was born near Montreal, Canada, in 1844, of Vermont parentage. At the age of nineteen years he went to the city of Boston, and for twelve years was identified with the gentlemen's clothing and furnishing trade. June 10, 1876, he formed a partnership with E. A. Hall, and opened the business in Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Herrick united in marriage with Miss Marie E. Bangle, of Massachusetts, in 1875. One daughter has been born of this union. Mr. H. is a Mason, and member of Lodge, Chapter and Commandery.

Mrs. E. B. Harlan was born in England, February 19, 1841, and came with her parents to Illinois in 1856, locating in Marion county. Mrs. Harlan completed her education in Salem, Marion county, and engaged for a short time in teaching in Clay city, Illinois, in 1861. Mrs. Ilarlan, whose maiden name was Mary A. Crand- well, was married to E. B. Harlan on July 4, 1864. She removed with her husband to Springfield in 186 . Ile died in 1875, leaving her with four children-Emma C., Paul P., Edgar A., and Brooks, all of whom were born in Springfield, save the first named, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky. A sketch of General E. B. IIarlan may be found in connection with "Illustrious Dead," on page 512.

Elizabeth' J. Hatfield, Springfield, Illinois, widow of the late Rinaldo B. Hatfield, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, February 18, 1836; is the daughter of Jonas, farmer and stock dealer, and Mary N. (Headleston), natives of Bourbon county, Kentucky. Mrs. Hatfield was married in a Baptist Church in Scott county, Illinois, to Rinaldo B. Hatfield, deceased, July 20, 1856, and by the union had seven children, four of whom are living, viz : Mary E., Emma E., Menter J., and Robert L. Mr. Hatfield was born in Ohio, December 21, 1828, and son of William B., farmer, and Eliza (Wilmington)

Hatfield. Mr. Hatfield finished his education in a public High School in Ohio, after which he learned engineering. After his marriage he turned his attention to farming, which he fol- lowed one year, and was then engaged as engi- neer in Charles Groves' distillery, Meredosia, Illinois, which position he held until he enlisted in the late war, in Company A, One Hundred and First Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, August 6, 1862. Mr. Hatfield was taken prisoner December 20, 1862, and retained as such for three months, after which he was re- leased in exchange, June 8, 1863. Mr. Hatfield was with his regiment in all its movements and battles, and with it mustered out of service at the close of the war, June 25, 1865, having contracted sickness which so impaired his health that he was unfit for physical labor, and which finally resulted in his death, March 24, 1872. Ile was promoted from the rank of private to that of sergeant, which he held to the end of his warfare. . Mrs. Hatfield is a member of the Congregationalist Church, and her daughter, Mary E., is a member of the Christian Church.

Eliphalet Hawley, deceased, was born Decem- ber 17, 1782. He was married August 24, 1815, to Elizabeth McMurdy, who was born in Allany, February 26, 1797, and of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley had two children in Albany previous to coming here. In 1821 he purchased several war claims, which was one cause of his coming West to locate land. He started out with his family in a carriage, hauling their household goods in a wagon. When they arrived at Olean Point, on the Allegheny river, they transferred their goods and floated down to Pittsburg, where they remained until the next spring. Mr. Hawley and a man by the name of Wheelock united in purchasing a boat in which their two families descended the Ohio river to Shawneetown, where they arrived in April, 1822. Mr. Hawley pro- ceeded to Sangamon county, where he arrived the last of April or the first of May the same year, and located in Fancy Creek township. Previous to coming west, Mr. Ilawley located his war claim in the military reservation west of the Illinois river, and began improving a farm on Spoon river, in Fulton county, a short distance from Havana. June 21, 1822, as he was return- ing to his family on horse-back, in attempting to swim his horse across Salt Creek, in Mason county, was drowned. The horse came home, and search being made, the body was found a week later and interred. The widow and children removed to Springfield the next winter. Isaac A. Hawley, the second son of Eliphalet and

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Elizabeth (McMurdy) Hawley, was born in Albany, New York, November 26, 1819. When twelve years of age, he commenced clerking in a store, which he followed, in connection with merchandising, twenty-five years. April 30, 1851, he married Miss A. Eliza McCauley, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. She was born January 13, 1828. They have one daughter. In 1864 Mr. H. was elected County Treasurer of Sangamon county, which office he filled with honor to himself and his constituents. He says he remembers distinctly when the mail was carried on horseback between here and Edwardsville, making one trip in a month. Ile is at present in the insurance business. He has lived to see Springfield from its infancy to a city of twenty- three thousand inhabitants, and the wild and un- broken prairies changed to beautiful farms under a high state of cultivation.

Charles E. Huy, of Smith & Hay, wholesale grocers, was born in Salem, Indiana, 1841; was brought by his parents in infancy to Hancock county, Illinois, and was there reared and edu- cated. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted as a private in the three months volunteer ser- vice; August 5, 1861, was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Mounted Riflemen, whose title was changed a short time after to Cavalry; Mr. Hay's regiment becoming the third Illinois Cav- alry, and he receiving promotion to First Lieu- tenant. From the fall of 1861 till the summer of 1863, he served as a staff officer on the staff of General David Hunter. He was then taken sick, which necessitated absence from his regi- ment for some months; rejoined it, and at Little Rock, Arkansas, in October, 1865, retired from the service as brevet Captain, and the same month entered the grocery business in Spring- field. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Hay was elected Mayor of the city, on the Democratic ticket, and was again elected in 1875; also served on the Board of Education one year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the Master's Royal Arch and Knight Templar's de- grees, and is Parish Clerk in the Episcopal Church. In 1865, Mr. Hay united in marriage with Miss Mary Ridgely, daughter of N. H. Ridgely, President of the Ridgely's National Bank, of Springfield, and they have three sons and a daughter alive. Mr. Hay's parents, Charles and Helen (Leonard) Hay, reside in Warsaw, Hancock county, Illinois, aged respectively eighty and seventy-six years. His paternal grandfather, John Hay, settled in Springfield about 1835, and was a resident of the city until his death, in 1865, at the age of ninety.

William H. Hayden, was born July 11, 1825, in Boston, Massachusetts, and is the son of Wil- liam and Ann Hayden, natives of Massachusetts, and descendants of Miles Standish. William II. Hayden's grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war. Mr. Hayden was only six years old when his parents came to Alton, Illinois, in 1831. His earlier education was in select schools, and afterwards completed in Shurtleff College, Alton, Illinois, in 1846. After his school days he began the mercantile business by clerking in a dry goods store in Alton, and subsequently en- gaged in the drug trade, under the firm name of W. A. Holton & Co., with which firm he con- tinued until the fall of 1849, and then went to St. Louis and commenced in the patent medicine business, which he closed the following year. In the latter part of the year 1850, Mr. Hayden was given a position in the St. Louis post office, under Postmaster Archibald Gambol, in which position he served until May, 1854, then he be- came book-keeper in the wholesale liquor and commission house of Houseman, Smith & Co., St. Louis, Missouri, and kept their accounts un- til the last of June, 1857, when the firm dis- solved, and Mr. Hayden formed a partnership with a retiring partner, under the firm name of J. P. Callahan & Co., as rectifiers and general commission merchants; disposed of his interest in this business, June 30, 1859, and from that time to the opening of the late war, was engaged as accountant for several firms in St. Louis. Mr. Hayden was mustered into the United States service with a military company, of which he was a member for three months, in Reserve Corps, in Company K, Third Regiment, and parti- cipated in the capture of Camp Jackson; then the Corps was ordered to Rolla, Missouri, to hold that position, which they did until the expiration of their time. Before he was mustered out, was detailed to the Arsenal, in St. Louis, as Instruc- tor in Military Tactics, which position he held until the middle of September, 1861, when he was assigned as Instructor of Military Tactics in Camp Butler, in Clear Lake, Illinois; remained there one month; was ordered to Camp Dement, at Dixon, Illinois, to take charge of the camp and assist in the organization of a regiment. In January, 1862, occupied position of Chief Clerk in the Quartermaster's Department, in Spring- field, Illinois, for southern and central part of the State, which position he filled honorably un- til the close of the war. A short time before the war closed, he accepted a position as chief book- keeper in the First National Bank, in Spring- field, and continued his services with the bank

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for thirteen years. On July 1, 1878, Mr. Hay- den accepted his present position as chief clerk of the money order department in the post office, in Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Hayden was mar- ried in St. Louis, January 27, 1848, to Margaret C. Cohen, daughter of Thomas and Mary W. Cohen, natives of Virginia; Mr. Cohen was one of the oldest citizens of St. Louis. Mrs. Hayden was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri; her early education was in her native city, and com- pleted in Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden had seven children, of whom three are living, viz: Albert C., Frank N., and Adeline A .; all were born in St. Louis. Mr. Hayden located in Springfield, Illinois, in May, 1862. United with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in St. Louis-Missouri Lodge, No. 11. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Hayden is an elder; and he has, for the last twelve or fifteen years, been actively engaged and deeply inter- ested in the Sunday school work of the city and county; and for the last eight years, has con- ducted a mission at what is known as "Grace Chapel," near the West Coal Shaft, near the city.

Rudolph Helweg, of the firm of Helweg & Snape, plumbers, gas and steam-pipe fitters, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Germany, and emigrated to America in 1851, and landed at New York City, from which place he went to Chicago, ard learned the trade of plumbing and gas fitting, with William Gwynn, and was in his employ three years, then came to Springfield, Illinois, in July, 1854, and was employed by the Springfield Gas Company, which had just begun its operations at above given date. He worked with this company about seven years, or till 1861, when his services were again employed by William Gwynn, in Springfield, and continued in his employ till 1869, when he formed a part- nership with Robert Snape, which partnership continues under the title of Helweg & Snape, plumbers, gas and steam-pipe fitters. The firm deals in gas fixtures, and is the leading firm of the kind in Springfield.

Carl Albert Helmle, a native of Carlsruhe, capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, was born on the 10th of September, 1827, and is the son of Heinrich Helmle and Carolina nee Himmelheber. The family was one of the old- est in that city.

Carl Albert received his education at the Ly- ceum of Carlsruhe, he never had any desire to study the classics, and intended to enter a mili- tary academy, but was finally dissnaded by his mother, a highly educated lady, and influenced

to choose a mercantile life. Soon after this he became book-keeper in an extensive commission and forwarding house, and after leaving this position, accepted a situation in a banking house in Brussels, Belgium, and later removed to Paris. Indoor life and too close confinement began to impair his health, and for the purpose of recuperating, and prompted also, by his love of independence and liberty, he determined to emigrate to America. Accordingly he closed up his affairs and embarked, arriving in New York on the 21st of November, 1849. He had letters of recommendation to leading business houses in that city, but feeling that his health demanded it, he went west to Missouri and engaged in farming. Here, on the 20th of February, 1853, he was married to Miss Marie Flesche. In June of the following year, not succeeding as well as he had anticipated in farming, it being new to him, with a small capital he removed to Spring- field, Illinois, and established himself in the tin and stove business, and continned with good success till April, 1857. At this time in com- pany with Frank Reisch, he opened a general store, and later, engaged in the brewing busi- ness, beginning on a small scale, manufacturing only one thousand barrels during the first year. Their business increased gradually from year to year. In 1864 he dissolved partnership with Mr. Reisch and commenced the wholesale liquor business, in which he still continues, having established a very good and successful trade throughout the center of the State.

He has always been a Democrat, and has filled various public offices, has had numerous calls to accept others, but his tastes have led him to decline the honors.

As a business man, Mr. Helmle is prompt, systematic and accurate, and gives his personal attention to all the details of his affairs. In public enterprises he has always taken a worthy part. He has devoted much time to self-culture, and from his extensive reading and observation has accumulated a most valuable fund of infor- mation and experience He has collected a library composed of many rare volumes, and adorned his residence with valuable paintings and other works of art, and, in the enjoyment of an ample competence, lives surrounded by the pleasures and comforts of a happy home.

George H. Helmle, architect, residence 430 South Fifth street, is a native of the city of Springfield, Illinois, and was born in 1853, Wil- liam and Elise (Warschutz) Helmle, his parents emigrated from Germany to America in 1849, and settled in Springfield, where they still re-

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side. George was educated in the city schools, and having a natural tact and taste for drawing, took lessons in that art in the city, in 1867-68. The following year he entered the office of E. E. Myers, since moved to Detroit, Miehi- gan, and one of the most prominent architects in the United States. Young Heimle remained there as draughtsman two years, when, receiving an offer from Helena, Arkansas, to make plans for a Masonic temple, which was to cost $30,- 000, he accepted, and forming a partnership with John A. McKay, and superintended the erection of the building. Subsequently he made the plan for the Arkansas State University, which drew the prize of $1,500, won in competi- tion with architects from St. Louis and various other cities. During the two years of Mr. Helmle's stay in Helena, he and his partner made plans for and constructed a number of other buildings in that and other towns, that re- ceived flattering eulogies from the public press of that State. In 1872, Mr. Helmle went to Chicago, and spent two years, one in the archi- tect's office of W. A. Furber, and one in the of- fice of W. J. Edbrooke, during the re-building of the city after the great fire. Returning to Springfield, in 1874, he has since furnished plans for many elegant dwellings in and about the city, among them B. F. Caldwell, of Curran township, Dr. L. Gillett's, of Buffalo; Hiram E. Gardner's, of Gardner; Daniel Waters, of Coop- er, in the country, and George P. Bowen's, A. H. Fisher's, Frank Reisch's, John T. Peters, H. K. Webber's, and others of the city. Ile has, during 1881, made plans for buildings. Besides his architectural work, Mr. Helmle has kept the books of the First National Bank, of Spring- field, for three years.

In 1876, he united in marriage with Miss Min- nie Whitehurst, also of Springfield, daughter of Stephen S. Whitehurst and Maria Matheny, who is a daughter of Charles R. Matheny, and still resides in Springfield.

R. F. Herndon & Co., dry goods merchants, is composed of Richard F. Herndon and John T. Grimsley. They established their business, which is now one of the largest and most pros- perous retail houses in Central Illinois, in 1866, on South Sixth street, moved in 1871 to the south side of the square, and in the fall of 1881, to the new Passfield block, northwest corner of Adams and Fifth streets, southwest corner of the square, where they have the most elegant store in the Capital City. The firm carries a large and complete stock of staple and fancy dry goods, dress goods, laces and millinery.

They also conduct a large manufacturing de- partment, devoted to ladies' suits, cloaks and millinery to order. The firm occupies three floors of this splendid building, besides the base- ment, which is devoted to domestics. The first floor is a magnificent double corner room, heated by steam, and communicating with stories above by elevator. This room is devoted to dress goods, silks, satins, hosiery, kid gloves, &c. The second floor is stocked with ready-made suits, wrappings and millinery. The third floor is forty by ninety feet in area, and is entirely de- voted to manufacturing. where fifty to seventy- five hands are employed. This extensive retail business is conducted almost entirely upon the cash system. The partners are both thorough- going, practical merchants.

Mr. Herndon was born in 1841, in Kentucky; was brought by his parents to Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1843. His father, Richard Herndon, engaged for a number of years in a general mer- cantile business, from which he retired some years prior to his death, in 1857. Richard served an apprenticeship of seven years with Messrs Condell & Co .; was two years with Matheny & Co., then in 1866 opened the store on South Sixth street, above noted. Mr. Herndon has never married.

Charles A. Herrmann Springfield, Illinois, was born in Berlin, Germany, August, 1827, where he followed woolen and silk weaving. He married Miss Rosetta H. Reddie, who was born in Germany, April 29, 1829. By this union there were twelve children, seven of whom are living: Charles A., Emil R., Matilda F., Min- nie S., Louisa A., Adeline S., and Flora H. In June, 1855, they landed in New York; came in a sailing vessel, and were seven weeks mak- ing the trip. He first located in Champaign county Illinois, where he worked by the month; remained there a couple of years, when he con- cluded to go to Kansas, or Nebraska; he in- tended to make a farm, but not liking the coun- try, returned to Springfield, where he was en- ployed in the woolen mills. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Missouri Infantry and par- ticipated in several engagements; was wounded in the heel by a piece of shell at the battle of Chickasaw Mountain; being unfit for active ser- vice, was honorably discharged. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and has a property in Springfield valued at $2,000.

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 112

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084