USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
He, however, kept on buying land. He had an abiding faith that real estate was the true source of wealth, and he who would invest in it liberally would in time reap permanent pros- perity. This has been the secret of his success and wealth. He has seen the land for which he paid a few dollars per acre grow in value to over one hundred dollars per acre. The history of his success is the history of nearly all the rich men of Illinois. In early life Mr. Thomas was considerably devoted to military pur- suits. In 1832, during the progress of the Black Hawk war, he enlisted and raised a company, and was elected colonel of the regi-
ment, and participated, with his command, in the skirmishes, and helped to break the power of Black Hawk in the west. In the same war was Abraham Lincoln, John J. Hardin, E. D. Baker, and other subsequently noted men of Illinois. Politically Col. Thomas has, to a certain extent, been in politics for many years That is to say, he never was an office-seeker. He was one of those men who were outspoken upon all subjects in which the people were interested, therefore his opinions were sought for, and his position upon public questions was known to be sound and the result of honest conviction, and generally in accord with public sentiment. While yet a resident of Virginia, he imbibed principles antagonistic to slavery. He kuew its baneful influence and effect upon society, and had felt its force. He believed that the normal condition of all men was to be free and equal before the law. As early as 1824, the first opportunity presented itself of giving him a chance to raise his voice and deposit his ballot against the system of slavery. At that date the Legislature submitted to a vote of the people the question of the admission of a slavery clause in the constitution. He acted with the old line whig party, and belonged to the advanced wing of the party. In 1854, when Congress, un- der the domination of Southern influence, passed what was known as the Kansas-Nebraska bill, with a view to the extension of slavery into the territories, he took an active part in opposition to its pas- sage, and did what he could to prevent the measure from becoming a law. In 1856 he was zealous and active in forming the Republi- can party, and one of its first members. In short, he and Lincoln, Trumbull, Palmer, Lovejoy and a few others were the leaders, and may be regarded as the founders of the Republican party. In the political contest of 1856 he was named as the leader of the party in this Congressional District, and was nominated for Congress on the ticket. He was beaten by Col. J. L. D. Morrison, the demo- cratic nominee, but not until he had demonstrated that he was a strong man, and on equal grounds would have defeated him. In St. Clair county, where both lived, he beat Morrison over seven hundred majority, and also made an equally good showing in Madi- son county. In 1830 Col. Thomas was elected to the State Legis- lature, and served in the last session held at Vandalia, and the first at Springfield. In 1862, during the exciting times of the Rebel- lion, he was again elected, and re-elected in 1864. During the war he was loyal and patriotic, and favored every measure for the speedy ending of the war and restoration of the Union. In 1872 he was elected for the fourth time to represent his District in the Legislature, and in 1874 was re-elected. In 1878 he was nominated and elected by the Republican party to represent St. Clair county in the State Senate. He was a very useful member, and brought to the Senate much intelligence, accumulated from long experience. Col. Thomas is a believer in the general education of the masses, and believes that therein lies the future hope and perpetuation of free institutions in America.
By his marriage with Miss Arabella Kinney there were ten children born, five sons and five daughters. Two sons and three daughters are yet living. In January, 1875, he married Magdalena Holdner, a widow, daughter of Jacob Von Eue, a native of Switzer- land. Such is a brief history of Col. John Thomas. His career is full of encouragement to the poor young man starting out in life. The sequel of his success shows how, with industry, per- severance and the practice of economy, and guided by correct principles, a man may attain wealth and honor in this free land of ours.
26
202
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ONE of the early German settlers of St. Clair Co. was John Schcel. He was born at Falkenstein in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, May 20th, 1808. He was educated for the Forrestry at the Academy of Aschaffenberg, in 1823 ; he emigrated to America, and in August of the same year, together with the Engelmanns, Koerners, and other German families came west and settled in St. Clair county, Illinois. Here he took up the profession of Civil Engineer. In 1836 he received an appointment as Civil Engineer under the so-called " Internal Improvement Law," which position he retained until 1839, when the system was abolished. He was afterwards elected County Assessor, for St. Clair county. In 1849 he become County Clerk, which office he held eight years, or for two full terms. In 1858, while absent on a visit to the country of his birth, he was elected a member of the Legislature. He served with distinction in that body. In 1860 he was unanimously nominated for the office of State Senator by the Republican party. Although he receceived a heavy majority in his own county, and reduced the Democratic ma- jority in Monroe (which with St. Clair formed the Senatorial Dis-
trict), he was defeated, and his opponent, Judge W. H. Underwood, elected by a small majority. In 1862 he was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for what was then the 12th Congressional District of Illinois, and held that office until the time of his death, January 17th, 1864.
On the 17th of October, 1838, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Engelmann, who still survives him. Mr. Scheel, in hi+ line, was a man of more than ordinary ability, and stood very high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. His death was universally lamented by all classes of people, and he was one among the many prominent Germans, who have left their impress upon the history of St. Clair county. As a public officer he was noted for strict integrity and probity in all of his official acts. Of a genial dis- position and equitable temperament he endeared himself to all who knew him. Progressive and enterprising he was ever ready to aid in promoting and furthering all laudable undertakings which had for their object the moral, intellectual and material advancement of the State and county of his adoption.
203
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
HON. GUSTAVUS KOERNER.
THIS distinguished German-American writer and statesman was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, November 20th, 1809. His father, Bernhard Koerner, was a book publisher and a promi- nent citizen of Frankfort, and was repeatedly elected to the Legis- lative Assembly, in which he became conspicuously known for his- strong liberalism. Young Koerner attended the Academy (Gym- nasium) of his native city. This university was then the centre of those associations of students known as " Burschenschaft." The patriotic tendencies of the youth of Germany at the universities, found in Koerner an active adherent in whom was instilled a warm and sincere devotion to the cause, and a clear comprehensive know- ledge of the questions and principles involved. In the fall of 1830 he studied at the University of Munich. During his residence there, he was charged, with some others, with having resisted the police. For this he was arrested and imprisoned for four months, when he was released and discharged from the complaint, by judg- ment of the Supreme Court of Bavaria. He completed his studies at Heidelberg iu 1832, graduating with honors and receiving the degree of LL. D. After his graduation, he was admitted by the Supreme Court of his native state to practice law.
In 1833 the movement undertaken in behalf of the introduction of a different form of government, based upon Republican princi- ples, enlisted the ardeut and active support of young Koerner, and thousands of others, principally young professional men and stu- dents. He became involved in the uprising at Frankfort on the 3d of April, 1833, and in the conflict with the soldiery was wounded. After his recovery, with the aid of friends, he escaped .to France. The French government would not permit him to stay, and sent him under escort to Switzerland. He, however, again made his way back to France, went to Paris, and from there to Havre, where he f. und the Englemann family, friends of his, who were embarking for America. He joined them and arrived in New York June 18th, 1833. In July following, he came west, and settled in Belleville, in St. Clair county, Illinois, where he has continued to reside.
Soon after his arrival here, he turned his attention to the study of American law, and for the purpose of fitting himself thoroughly for the practice, attended the law school at Lexington, Kentucky, where he prosecuted his studies with great energy, and in 1835 was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice and soon attained considerable reputation as a lawyer, and was retained as counsel in most of the important cases occurring in the courts of St. Clair county, and Supreme court of southern Illinois.
In 1845 his reputation as a clear, logical reasoner and sound ju- rist, received commendable and honorable recognition, by being appointed by the governor of the state to a position upon the Su- preme Bench. In the following ycar he was elected to the same position by the Legislature of the state. He served in that official capacity until 1849, when the office was made an elective one. He declined to be a candidate, and returned to Belleville and resumed his practice. His judicial opinions while upon the bench were marked by great clearness, exhibiting thorough research and care- ful analysis, and are yet held in high estimation by the bar of the state.
His political sentiments at that time were in accord with the democratic party. He was elected by that party in 1842, to repre- sent his district in the Legislature of the state. In 1852 he was the candidate of the same political organization for the office of Lien- tenant-Governor, and was elected by a large majority, being the first German in the state nominated and elected to that position. As a presiding officer in the Senate, he was distinguished for the correct- ness of his rulings and thorough knowledge of parliamentary law.
In 1854 came the slavery agitation and the Kansas and Nebraska troubles. Prior to that time, as intimated above, Governor Koer- ner had been a conspicuous member of the democratic party. His whole life and teachings had been in the direction of the largest liberty to the masses. That idea had been impressed upon his youth, and had grown with his strength, and in his maturer years it domi- nated and controlled all others. Educated in the advanced schools of republican theories, associated and constantly in contact with the advanced thought of the age, he abhorred mental or physical slavery in whatsoever form it appeared. He therefore unhesitatingly ap- proached the question of the admission of slavery into the territories, and took a decided stand against it. This action was exceedingly unpopular, particularly in the southern portion of Illinois, and in fact throughout the western country. He and other leaders found themselves without the lines and sympathy of the democratic party by their refusal to subscribe to the principles and uphold the tenets as represented by the slave oligarchy of the south, who represented the dominant wing of the party. His action and position upon the Kansas-Nebraska question brought him in sympathy and accord with Abraham Lincoln, Lyman Trumbull, John M. Palmer, and all the great leaders of the progressive thought of that day, and to- gether they constituted the leadership through whose agency the republican party was formed and brought into organization and power. Governor Koerner was the acknowledged leader of the new party in southern Illinois.
In 1858 Governor Koerner was president of the convention that nominated Lincoln for United States Senator, and stumped the state for him, and did valuable service in presenting the issues and principles of the new party to the people. In 1860 he was a dele- gate for the state at large to the Chicago convention which placed Abraham Lincoln in nomination for the presidency. He was a member of the committee who wrote the memorable platform of the party. Upon the same committee were Governor Boutwell, Carl Schurz and Horace Greeley. With the election of Lincoln came the war of the rebellion. In the summer of 1861, Governor Koer- ner put aside his practice and business, and was active in raising a regiment (f Infantry, known as the 43d Illinois, but before its organization was completed he received from President Lincoln an appointment as Colonel of volunteers, and was assigned to duty on the staff of Gen. Fremont, and afterwards assigned to a position upon the staff of Gen. Halleck. Severe illness, however, compelled his resignation in March, 1862.
It was due in part to Governor Koerner's influence that the mass of German voters took position and espoused the cause of the Union. The war records of the country show that the German-Americans were sound, union loving men, and the successful termination of the war, and re-establishment of the Union was in a great measure due to their patriotic efforts.
In June, 1862, Governor Koerner was appointed by President Lincoln as Minister to Spain, which honorable position he held un- til his resignation, two and a half years later. During that period, as will be seen by the diplomatic correspondence with the State Department, his prudent and able management of the questions growing out of the war had much to do in maintaining the strict neutrality of that foreign power during the progress of the civil war.
In 1868 he was appointed one of the electors for the state at large on the republican ticket, and presided over the Electoral College of Illinois, and cast the Electoral vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. In 1871 he was appointed by the governor of the state one of the newly created Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, of which body he was subsequently chairman, and in which capacity he was
204
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
instrumental of much good, in guarding the interests of the public against the grasping railroad monopolies and corporations.
In 1872 he became dissatisfied and disgusted with the abuses and corrupt influences at work in the party with which he had affilia- ted since 1856, and he became an advocate of liberalism, or reform, in all that the term implies. The questions that compelled his sev- erance from the democratic party had been settled by the war, and the principles which brought the republican party into power and sustained the organization through that trying ordeal, had also been settled by the arbitrament of the sword. Its plea for further con- tinuance in power was based upon its record of the past. Its promi- ses for the future were self-reformation. Gov. Koerner's well- known statesmanship and his liberal views on questions of public policy, indicated him as a leader in the political contest of 1872, and he accordingly became the candidate of the liberal democratic party for governor of Illinois. His fitness for the post was gener- ally admitted, and his name gave strength and character to the new party born at Cincinnati, of which Mr. Greeley was the champion. The political canvass, which failed, demonstrated that he was a strong and popular man ; although sharing defeat which attended the liberal movement everywhere, he ran 16,000 votes ahead of the presidential nominee of the party. With a record untarnished, and integrity and honesty of purpose unquestioned, he again as- sumed the duties of his profession, in which he still continues, and gives evidence of long usefulness.
Governor Koerner's has been a long and busy life. Aside from the many duties and labors depending upon official and professional life he has found time and devoted much labor to literary work. In 1834, soon after his arrival in this country, he wrote valuable articles for the monthly magazine "Das Ausland," published in Stuttgardt, Germany, which contributions did much to enlighten and correct German views in relation to American institutions. He was a frequent contributor to various other magazines and leading papers, both at home and abroad.
In 1840 he translated into the German all the laws of a general character found in the Revised Code of Illinois, of 1833. The translation was printed at St. Louis. After his return from Spain he published at Frankfort, Germany. Spanish reminiscences under the title " Aus Spanien," and in 1880 quite a large work, printed at Cincinnati, entitled " Das Deutsche Element in den Vereinigten Staaten, von 1818-1848,"-The German Element in the United States from 1818 to 1848, which has been very favorably reviewed in the New York Nation, N. Y. Tribune, and in the principal Ger- man periodicals in Germany and this country.
On the 15th of June, 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia, daughter of Frederick Theodore Englemann, late of St. Clair county. By this union there has been eight children, five sons and three daughters. One son and two daughters are yet living. Theo- dore, the oldest son, was born in 1837, and was a cadet at West Point. In 1856, while there, he contracted an acute inflammation of the bowels, and died after a few days' illness.
This in brief is a biographical sketch of one of the old settlers of St. Clair county, and one who has played a conspicuous part in the history of the state during the last half-century. Few men, now living, have been more prominent in the state, and few have exert- ed more influence, or have been more thoroughly representative of their class or people than Mr. Koerner.
HON. EDWARD ABEND.
Few men, now living in St. Clair county, have been more actively identified with its history, or aided more in building up and adding
to its material wealth than he whose name heads this sketch. Since he first settled here he has seen the State grow from an insignificant, unimportant frontier State to the fourth in population, importance and wealth in the great union of States. This change has occurred as he advanced from boyhood to mature years. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 30, 1822. Henry Abend, his father, was an officer in the revenue service of his native country. He was a man of broad views and liberal ideas, which led him to favor and espouse the principles of Republicanism. His well-known opinions and intimacy with the leaders of that sentiment brought him into disrepute with the government. Knowing that he was looked upon with disfavor, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. He then, in company with other prominent families, emigrated to America, and landed in New York in the spring of 1833. The destination of the party was Missouri, of which they had glowing accounts, but, upon their arrival in St. Louis, the cholera was raging, and Mr. Abend and two of his children fell victims to the disease. The mother then brought the family to St. Clair county, Illinois, and settled at Shiloh, where they remained several years and then removed to Belleville, where Mrs. Abend lived until her death, which occurred in 1865. Her maiden name was Margaret Lavealle. By her marriage with Henry Abend, there were seven children, four of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch is the eldest living of the family. His education was obtained in the primitive schools of St. Clair county of half a century ago. His first teacher was George Bunsen. After the family removed to Belleville, he attended the subscription schools of the town. He afterwards spent one term at McKendrec College, Lebanon, and al- together received a fair English education. He, however, before attending school at Lebanon, had served an apprenticeship of two years at the earpenter's trade. He quit the carpenter trade to take charge of a farm that his mother had purchased, near Belleville. Soon after that he concluded to study law, and with that idea in view he entered the law office of Lyman and George Trumbull, and pursued his studies until 1842, when he was admitted to the bar. He commeneed the practice which he continued for a number of years, or, until his mother, who had become possessed of a large amount of property, demanded all his time in looking after and taking care of it. That, and other growing interests, absorbed so much of his attention, that he gradually abandoned the practice and quit it entirely about 1850. In 1849 he was elected by the Democratic party to represent St Clair county in the State Legis- lature. He served through the session of 1849-50, and took part in the Senatorial fight between Gen. Shields and Judge Breese. In 1852 he paid a visit to his native country, and while there, he made the acquaintance of a number of German capitalists, who made him their American agent, and sent him large sums of money for investment in American lands and securities. This new busi- ness added to his other, made Mr. Abend a very busy man, which he has continued to be to the present time. Very few enterprises of a public character were started without his having a direct or indirect connection with them, and all the enterprises with which he had any connection, were originated for the public good, or the in- crease of the material wealth of the city or county. In 1856 the
Belleville Gas and Coke Company was formed. He was one of the original directors, and has been its treasurer and secretary for many years. In 1860 he was prominent in forming the St. Clair Savings and Insurance Company, which, by an Act of the Legislature, was afterwards changed to the Belleville Savings Bank. He was elec- ted its first president, and has held that position ever since, except for a short time, when he was temporarily absent in Europe. The Belleville Savings Bank is one of the best known and most firmly
RESIDENCE OF HENRY TAYLOR, BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS.
RESIDENCE OF COL . JOHN THOMAS, BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS.
205
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
established institutions of its kind in St. Clair county. Since the day of its first opening, it has never closed its doors in business hours, or refused to pay every legal demand made upon it. During the financial crisis of 1873, when banks generally throughout the country closed their doors, it kept open. No one made the second demand for money, or time, or other deposits in the keeping of the bank. To do this required sacrifices, but, in the judgment of Mr. Abend and others associated with him, it was better to suffer finan- cially than to sacrifice the reputation and standing of the bank. The bank was organized to pay every legal demand made upon it, and it has redeemed every promise made from the first opening down to the present. Mr. Abend has been, and is yet, secretary and treasurer of various other corporations and companies in St. Clair county.
In 1852, while in Europe, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Wetermann. She died in 1854 On the 26th of October, 1856, he married Miss Anna Hilgard, a native of St. Clair county, and daughter of Theodore Hilgard, Jr, who was one of the early German settlers of this county. By this marriage there are six children, four sons and two daughters. Politically, Mr. Abend was originally a Democrat. In 1854, during the Kansas-Nebraska troubles, he took strong grounds against the admission of slavery into the territories, and became a free-soiler. In 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln for President, and continued a Republican until 1872, when he joined the Liberal party, and afterwards went back to the Democratic party. He has occupied offices of local trust, and was Mayor of the city of Belleville for four terins In official positions he sustained the character of a careful and economical officer, and all his official acts were dictated by a just regard for the interests of his constituents.
The Abend family, and others that came with them, were among the pioneers of the German emigration to St. Clair county. They were composed of the wealthy and prominent class in their native country. After their arrival here, they were instrumental in bring- ing others of the same class to this section of the country.
This, in brief, is a sketch of Mr. Abend's life. During his long residence here, and connection with the business interests, and as- sociation with the people of St. Clair county, he has proved himself a useful citizen, and one entitled to the respect and entire confidence of the community.
FELIX SCOTT.
THIS venerable gentleman is a member of one of the oldest American families in St. Clair county. They are of Scotch descent on the paternal side and Irish on the maternal. William Scott, the grandfather of Felix, was a native of Botetourt county, Virginia ; born May 17th, 1745. His wife, Mary Scott, was born in same county and state in 1748. He removed to Kentucky about the time that state was admitted to the Union. In 1794 he came north to the country now known as Illinois, on a tour of observation, and while here he picked out some land with a view to settling upon it at a later date. He returned to Kentucky, and remained there until 1797, when he came with his family to a point known as Turkey Hill in this county, and then opened a farm, and remained there until 1820. After which he lived with the widow of bis son, James Scott, until his death in 1828. He had six sons and one daughter. Joseph Scott, the father of Felix, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, September 14th, 1781. He came with his father from Kentucky to Illinois, and here lie married Nancy Harrison, a niece of Gen. Harrison. She was born in Ohio, where her parents
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.