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 60
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the orders of Masonry, ineluding Ancient Rite Masonry. He has been Eminent-Commander of Tancred Commandery No. 50, sta- tioned at Belleville, since its organization. Politically he is a sound democrat. On the 18th of January, 1859, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Bryant of Fayette county, Ohio. By this union there are five children living-all sons, and all of whom are yet be- neath the parental roof.
Socially Dr. Starkel possesses qualities of a high order. Liberally educated, a fine conversationalist, of polite and agreeable manners, he is the life of the social circle. Moreover, he is a gentleman of most generous impulses, sanguine in temperament; whole souled and open-hearted, he attracts and secures confidence at first sight. Coupled with these traits of character his integrity and worth as a man have won for him the respect of the good people of his com- munity.
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RESIDENCE OF DR JAS L . PERRYMAN. BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
JAMES L. PERRYMAN, A.M., M.D.
THE Perryman family are of English ancestry on the paternal side, and German on the maternal. Three brothers, named James, John and David Perryman came with Leonard Calvert, brother of Lord Baltimore, to America in 1632, and formed the colony of Maryland. One of these brothers was secretary to Calvert, another became a member of the Colonial Parliament, and the third was en- gaged in Indian wars on the frontier.
From these three brothers have sprung the present Perryman family in this country. The great-grandfather of our subject held an appointment under the authority of the king of England that required his residence in the colonies lying along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, which took him into the Caroliuas. There is no posi- tive knowledge as to what kind of an appointment it was, but it is sufficient that it was one requiring courage, knowledge of the country and wants of the people over whom he was called to preside as their executive officer aud military protector. While a resident of the Carolinas his son, James E. Perryman, was born. He was bred to martial life in the camp under the instructions of his father. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he espoused the patriot cause, entered the service, and rose to the rank of Colonel. He was connected with the army under the command of General Wayne, and participated with that gallant hero in the hard-fought and his- toric battles of Saratoga, Germantown and Brandywine.
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After the close of the war he removed to Tennessee and settled in Claiborne county. He there married Nancy Condray, by whom he had a large family. Charles Mattison Perryman, one of the sons, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the above named county and state in 1809, and there grew to manhood and married. In 1832 he came north to Illinois and settled near Leb- anon, St. Clair county. He afterwards returned to Tennessee, then came back to this county and removed to Jefferson City, Mo., again returned here, where he remained nutil his death, which occurred in 1854. He was a man of naturally fine tastes and considerable culture. In the use of choice language he was an adept and superior to most men. The ability to talk well or write well is a trait characteristic of the Perryman family. Many of them have attained distinction in the form and in the general do- main of oratory.
While yet a resident of Tennessee, and on September 1st, 1829, he married Miss Louisa J. Collingsworth. She was born January 9th, 1814, in the same county and state, and yet survives her hus- band, and is, at present, a resident with her son, the subject of this sketch. Her father was also a soldier of the Revolution. By this marriage there were four children, all sons, of whom Dr. Perry- man is the eldest and sole survivor. The second son was named Frederick A. He died in his fifteenth year. Bluford Hamilton was the name of the third. He was born in St. Clair county, No- vember 1st, 1835, and was educated for the profession of medicine, and was a graduate of the medical school of St. Louis. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Holmes, of Galena, Ill., by whom he had two children, named Ida, who died in her nineteenth year, and Ham- ma, who was reared by Dr. Perryman, and is yet an inmate of his home.
Bluford H. Perryman died March 5th, 1860. Horace M. was the youngest son. He was born in Jefferson City, Mo., February 6th, 1838, and died September 20th, 1870. He was also educated by his eldest brother for the profession of medicine, and, in early life, gave evidence and promise of a brilliant career in the profes- sion. He graduated with honors and entered upon his practice with great hopes of achieving success, and leaving the impress of his
knowledge and skill upon the science of medicine. But "man proposes and God disposes." While yet in the full flush of man- hood, vigor and strength, he was cut down and laid away in the silent chambers of death. In his early demise the profession lost one of its brightest members. He married Miss Mary Belcher, a native of St. Clair county. She was an amiable and superior woman. She died January 1st, 1863. By this marriage there was a son and daughter, Edgar and Stella Perryman. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Mary Tertlington, by whom he had one son, named Jerome. The children of his first wife have also been reared by Dr. James L. Perryman and his estimable wife, who have lavished on them all the affection of parents.
James L. Perryman, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Claiborne county, Tenn., April 11th, 1831. He was yet in his in- fancy when his father removed to Illinois. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm and in the schools of his neighborhood, where he learned the rudimentary principles and received a fair English education ... He soon passed the limits of a common school instruc- tion, and, in his sixteenth year, entered McKendree College, taking the full course. He remained there until his graduation, four years later. He had, previous to his entering college, determined to adopt the profession of medicine as the business of his life, and, with that idea in' view, became an ardent and enthusiastic student of books and literature, that led him in the direction of that science. After his graduation, in 1849, he entered the office of Drs. W. W. & J. A. Roman, of Belleville, and, under their direction, pursued his studies until he had made sufficient progress to enter the Medi- cal Department of the University of Missouri, where he took two full courses and graduated with the degree of M.D. He returned to the county and commenced the practice at Freeburg, where he remained for several years, then returned to St. Louis and entered the St. Louis Medical College and was graduated therefrom. Ata later date, he attended lectures on medicine and surgery in Jeffer- son College, Philadelphia. From there he went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and attended lectures for one term. His intention was to qualify himself for instructor in medicine in the University of Missouri, but the premature death of his father, whereby the cares of the family and their maintenance depended mainly upon him, disarranged his plans and prevented him from carrying out long-cherished designs. He took charge of the family, educated his brothers, prepared them for the profession and provided for their wants until they became self-supporting. This trying ordeal was attended with difficulties and embarrass- ments that would have broken down and discouraged many stronger men, but he had the courage and the will-power, and he struggled through, never uttering a complaint, steadily gaining in practice, and at last emerged from under the load, a strong man, with full confidence in his strength and ability to overcome any and all ob- stacles obstructing life's pathway.
In the profession of medicine, Dr. Perryman belongs to the pro- gressive school, as is attested by his active membership in the State Medical, St. Clair County, and Southern Illinois Medical Societies which are organized for the advancement of the science.
Politically, he is a member of the dmocratic party, but seeks no office, nor takes further part than to express his sentiments through the right of the ballot. Sometimes, during exciting national cam- paigns, he gives expression to his sentiments from the hustings, where his voice is heard admonishing his friends, and pointing out the way that leads to national welfare, and the success of the politi- cal organization of which he is a member. On such occasions, the gift of oratory, bequeathed to so many of the family, does not de- sert him.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
On the 20th of September, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Virginia, daughter, and only survivor, of Richard A. Bradsby, an old and prominent settler of this county. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Her grandfather, William Bradsby, and his brother, were soldiers of the revolution, and went from Virginia, their native State, to join Washington's command. After the war they emigrated to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, and took part with him in the tragic events occurring on the "dark and bloody ground." The family of Bradsbys emigrated to Illinois iu 1804. Richard Bradsby here accumulated large possessions and held honorable and responsible positions. He died September 5th, 1875.
In his manners, Dr. Perryman is an urbane, pleasant and agree- able gentleman, possessed of fine conversational powers and a mind well stored with information upon history, literature and the cur- rent topics of the day. He is a pleasing talker and a companionable and entertaining friend.
WILLIAM WINKELMAN.
AMONG the prominent attorneys who have achieved success is Mr. Winkelman. He was born in Destel, Prussia, February 28, 1829. He is the son of Christian and Wilhelmina Winkelman. His father was a practicing lawyer and a large property holder, and consequently a man of much prominence in his country. William is the second child in a family of ten children, of whom four are now living. One sister and brother yet remain in their native land, and one sister-now a widow-is a resident of Clinton county, Ill. Mr. Winkelman's education was received in the public schools ; he also had fine opportunities of receiving an academic and university training, but he was of such a disposition that he could not submit to the dull and irksome routine of school-life. His knowledge, therefore, is not from books, but rather from actual experience and contact with the world. On the 25th of April, 1849, he left his na- tive country and emigrated to America, coming direct to St. Louis, where he arrived July 2d following, without money, relations, or friends to apply to for help or assistance. He was a complete stranger in the city. He realized for the first time in his life that henceforth his success in life must depend upon himself. He looked around, and soon found work at teaming, for which he received $10 per month and board. He continued the occupation of teamster for six months, when his employer failed, and was unable to pay his employees. He next hired to drive a team at a saw mill in St. Louis, for which he received $25 per month. He remained at that place for eighteen months, when the men and teams were removed to Jefferson county, Mo. There he continued the same occupation. At the end of six mouths he bought a wagon and team, and hauled iron ore from the Pilot Knob and Iron Moun ains to St Genevieve, a distance of twenty-five miles. After two years of this kind of la- bor he sold his wagon and traded his horses for a saloon in Cale- donia, Washington county, Mo. While in the latter place he be- came acquainted with Miss Elizabeth Hanger, an American lady, to whom he was married on the 7th of November, 1855, at the house of Judge Perryman, in the same county. The next day Mr. W. and his wife left for Illinois, and the following day landed in
Monroe city, in Monroe county. There Mr. Winkelman opened a saloon, and carried it on with great success for two years. During this time he got hold of text books on law, and he concluded to study for the profession of law. He first purchased a dictionary and " Walker's American Law," and next "Haines' Treatise." His wife and the dictionary were frequently consulted with refer- ence to the definition of words and their proper pronunciation, the latter being the most difficult thing for him to master. After he had obtained a fair knowledge of law, he commenced the practice before justices' courts, and was quite successful. While attending court in Waterloo, in September of 1862, he made application to Judge W. H. Underwood, a prominent attorney of Belleville, to read law in his office. His wishes were gratified, and one week later he had read Blackstone's Commentaries through In Septem- ber following he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the state. From the first outstart he had a paying business. The first year his fees amounted to $1,500. His practice increased from year to year. In 1868 he came in contact with the court-Judge Gillespie presiding. Mr. Winkelman at once promptly removed his case to the Supreme Court, and emerged from that tribunal of justice victorious. By this time the better class of citizens became fully acquainted with his merits, and, finding him deserving of their support, were not slow to put him in possession of their legal busi- ness. The result was his business increased, and his practice real- ized him from $8,000 to $10,000 per year. That practice he to a large extent retains, but of late years a great deal of his time is given to the management of his farm lands and city property. In the former he has invested largely in the last few years. He is now the owner of 4,600 acres of land, divided into twenty farms, all highly improved. They are located in the counties of St. Clair, Clinton, and Monroe. From these lands and city property he real- izes from rents about $15,000 annually. The whole value will ag- gregate $200.000. Politically he has always acted and voted with the democratic party. Sometimes during the heated campaigns he has addressed his fellow-citizens from the rostrum. His speeches, we are told, are replete with good sense, and show a thorough know- ledge of the political questions of the day. He is gifted with ora- tory, and whether in the hustings or on the forum, he commands the attention of his audience by his earnestness, logical statements, and forcible delivery. As a lawyer he is well read. In many of the criminal cases of importance, in this judicial district, he is re- tained for the defence, and very rarely fails to secure an acquittal for his client. He is aggressive, which sometimes subjects him to censure, as the following colloquy will show: The judge being troubled, and somewhat out of humor, remarked, " Mr. Winkle- man, you cnuse me more trouble than any other lawyer at the bar." Mr. W. coolly replied, looking up at the judge, "May it please your honor, I have more business than any other lawyer at the bar." The judge smiled, and the business proceeded as usual.
The secret of Mr. Winkleman's success has been his self-reliant powers, industry, and indomitable will. Trained in the hard, rough school of adversity, he learned early to depend on himself. Few men have succeeded as he has. Self-educated, he mastered the pre - fession, and rose side by side with those who had enjoyed early and thorough training in the best schools of the country, and he is now recognized as an able and successful lawyer. Success is the world's measure of a man. The world has no use for unsuccessful men.
SOUTH WEST VIEW
SOUTH EAST VIEW
THE OLD STOOKEY HOMESTEAD IS REPRESENTED BY THE LOWER PICTURE, AS IT APPEARED FORTY YEARS AGO, THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1802, THE VIEWS IN THE UPPER CORNERS SHOWS THE REMAINS OF THE OLD BUILDING AS IT NOW STANDS.
P.H.
APPEL
BLACKSMITH "&HORSE SHOER.
DAVID
DAHLEN WAGON MAKER.
BUSINESS BLOCK OF P. H.APPEL, BELLEVILLE ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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5
Nachmon Nest
THE West family of St. Clair county are among the oldest American settlers and early pioneers of Illinois. They are of Eng- lish ancestry, and came with Leonard Calvert, brother of Lord Baltimore, in 1632, and formed the first settlement of Maryland. John West, the great-great-grandfather, lived and died in Mary- land. His son, Benjamin, removed to Virginia at a date prior to the revolution, and during that memorable struggle served upon the staff of General Washington. The family remained in Virginia until 1818, when they came west to the territory of Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county. Washington West, the grandfather of the subject of this sketeh, was born in Maryland, and, while in his infancy, the family removed to Virginia. He married Frances Mitchell, of Virginia. By this marriage there were three children -two sons and one daughter. Benjamin Hillerary West, the father of Dr. West, was born in Virginia in 1817, and was but one year old when the family came to Illinois. He married Miss Maria Catherine Hiel, a native of King and Queen's county, Virginia. She was born in 1824. Both parents are still living, and residents of this county. By this union there was a large family-eleven children, yet living-all of whom have reached the age of maturity. Washington West is the third son, and fourth in the family. He was born ncar Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, February 9th, 1847. He was raised upon the farm, and received his primary education in the public schools of Belleville. At the age of seven- teen he entered the city university of St. Louis, and remained there two years after which he entered the office of Dr. James L. Perry- man, of Belleville, Illinois, and commenced the study of medicine.
He prosecuted his studies diligently, and soon prepared himself for entrance to the St. Louis Medical College, in which institution he took two full courses, graduating in 1868 with the degree of M D. He began the practice in Belleville, but soon after received the ap- pointment of assistant Surgeon in the United States army, and was assigned to active duty on the staff of Gen. William E. Harney, then stationed at the Cheyenne River Agency, in Dakota Territory. He remained in the regular service two years, when he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and he returned to Belleville and continued the praetiee. In 1876 he attended lectures (elinics) in the medieal department of the University of Pennsylvania, and there received much valuable medical information in the different branches of the science. He is a member of the American Medieal Association, State Southern Illinois, and St. Clair County Medical Societies. At the last meeting of the American Medieal Associ- ation, held in Richmond, Virginia, in May, 1881, he was a dele- gate, and represented the Illinois State Medical Society in that convention. On the 30th of June, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Agnes Wolfe, a native of Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, but a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. By this union there are four children-one son and three daughters. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a demoerat. Dr. West takes great interest in the different secret organizations, and is particularly active in Masonic cireles. He belongs to all the orders in ancient eraft Masonry, and is a Sir Knight and member of Tancred commandery No. 50, stationed at Belleville, and is Recorder of the order. He is also a member of
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the Knights of Pythias, I. O. O. F., and the beneficiary order of Knights of Honor. In the practice of medicine Dr. West has been unusually successful, and is in the possession of a large and lucrative business. He is a man of fine medical attainment-, and thoroughly in love with his profession. In his manners and habits he is a dig- nified gentleman, of scholarly mien, though possessing social quali- ties of a high order. He is temperate, and neat in person. It is with genuine pleasure that the writer of this article has the oppor- tunity of paying this tribute to the character of one who stands high in the estimation of the good people of Belleville and vicinity.
FRED. K. ROPIEQUET.
THIS gentleman was born on the Rhine, Bavaria, December 16, 1835. His father, Andrew Joseph Ropiequet, was a lawyer of high standing, and possessed ample means. He died in 1847. Fred- erick's youth was passed in the free schools of his native country, and therein he was fitted for entrance to the Latin schools. At the age of fourteen he entered the Polytechnical School at Kaiser- lanturn, and pursued his studies for three years, taking a full course in geometry, trigonometry and the higher grades in mathematics. He also studied mineralogy, geology, practical science and the sci- ence of mechanism, taking the full course and graduation from that school. His object was to prepare himself for entrance in the Col- lege of Mining, at Freeburg, Saxony, where he proposed to further pursue his studies, and fit himself for the profession of geologist and mineralogist. However, before going to Freeburg, he met Mr. Abend, a prominent citizen of Belleville, Illinois, who was paying a visit to his old home in Germany. He gave young Ropiequet a glowing account of the new world, and of the many advantages there attending the industrious youth, which so impressed him that he changed his mind, gave up the plans made for entering the school, and, instead, prepared for immediate emigration to America. He landed in New York in December of 1852, and came direct to Belleville, where, soon after, he found employment in a general store as clerk. One year later he took up the profession of civil engineer, and surveying under Henry Holbrook. The next year he received the appointment of assistant engineer, and assisted in the construction of the Alton branch of the Belleville and Illinois- town Railroad, now known as the Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Road. He remained in the service of the company one year, then returned to Belleville, where, soon after, he was appointed City Engineer, and held that position for two years. He then con- cluded to adopt the profession of law. He studied under George Trumbull, and continued until Geo. C. Hart was elected sheriff of the county. He appointed Ropiequet his deputy. After his term expired he resumed surveying, and continued until E. H. Fleming was elected sheriff, when he was again appointed deputy, and re- mained in the office until 1862. From that date until 1864, he compiled the St. Clair County Abstract Records, and sold them to Chas. P. Knispel, in 1867. In 1864 he was nominated and elected sheriff of St. Clair county by a majority of 1700, which was strong evidence of his personal popularity. By the then existing laws he could not become his own successor, and he retired from the sheriff's office in 1866. In December, 1867, formed the firm of Eslert & Ropiequet, founders and manufacturers of all kind of agricultural implements He continued in this business until 1876. In 1875 he was appointed County Treasurer and Assessor, to fill the vacan- cy caused by the resignation of Hon Edward Rutz. In 1877 he commenced the compilation of a second set of Abstract Records,
which, when completed, he sold to Mr. Sebastian Fietsam. In 1879 he was elected City Treasurer, and held the office until his resignation, in 1880, when he was nominated and elected sheriff of the county, a position he now fills to the entire satisfaction of the people who honored him with their suffrages. In addition to the offices named, he has filled others of local honor and trust. In 1868 he was elected Mayor of the city of Belleville. He has been a Republican in politics from the time of casting his first vote to the present. Mr. Ropiequet is very popular with the masses, as was evidenced in the late election, when he carried the county by 756 majority in excess of his party vote.
On the 13th of October, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna, daughter of Col. Hugo Wangelin, an old settler and prominent citizen of Belleville. During the late war he was Colonel of the 12th Regiment, Mo. Vol., and was breveted Briga- dier General for gallant and meritorious conduct. Mrs. Ropiequet was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1841, but was a resident of Leba- non, in St. Clair county, Ill., at the time of her marriage. By that marriage there are eight children, three sons and five daughters.
T. W. ECKERT.
THE present editor and publisher of the Belleville Republican is " to the manor born." His birth-place was Monroe county, Illinois, and the date November 6, 1840. His father, John Eckert, was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated west as early as 1818, and settled in St. Clair county, Ill. He subsequently removed to Mon- roe county, where he remained until his death, in April, 1842. He was twice married. His last wife, who still survives him, and, at present, is a resident of Lebanon, in this county, was Arah Wil- liams. She is a native of Kentucky, but was a resident of Monroe county, Illinois, at the time of her marriage By this union there were four children, all of whom are still living. Thomas W. is the youngest of the family. He came with the family to Lebanon iu 1853. His early educational training was received in the common schools of Monroe and St. Clair counties. At the age of sixteen years he entered McKendree College, at Lebanon, and spent three years in further preparing himself for the bustle of life. After he left college he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he continued until 1863, when he took up the profession of dentistry. He prac- ticed his profession in St. Louis for three years, then returned to Lebanon, and continued until 1872. His health failing, he was compelled to abandon the business. He concluded to try journal- ism, and made his first venture in that direction by purchasing the Lebanon Journal. The venture proved a reasonably profitable one. He continued the paper until 1878, with the exception of a short time, during these years, when it was in the hands of par- ties who had purchased it, but failing to meet their obligations, it fell back into Mr. Eckert's hands. In 1878 he sold out, and in February following, came to Belleville and established the Belleville Republican, now one of the recognized political organs of. this Con- gressional District. His connection with the Republican has cou- tinned without interruption to the present time. Mr. Eckert is a good newspaper man, because of his industry, close attention to business and desire to give his patrons a good, newsy paper, and one worthy of their support. The leading feature of the Republican is its local columns, which are always filled with bright, crispy news and home society events. That kind of management has reacted in a steadily increasing patronage and wide circulation. On the 30th of May, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Viola M. Calhoun, daugh-
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