History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough
Number of Pages: 530

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 64

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GEORGE SEMMELROTH,

THE subject of this sketch, and one of the proprictors of the Belle- ville Zietung, was born in Hubenrode Hesse, Germany, March 24, 1840. He is the eldest son of Jost Henry and Dorothea Semmel- roth. He received a fair education in the schools of his native country. In 1856 he emigrated to America and came direct to Belleville, landing here on the 8th of June of the same year. He im mediately found work under Dr. Wentzel, who had charge of the Belleville Volksblatt, a German newspaper, and there learned the printer's trade. His father and two other remaining sons came over the next year and settled in Belleville, where both these sons have since died. The father still survives and resides in the city. George continued in the printing business until February, 1865, when he enlisted as a private in company " H " 149th Regt. Ill. Vols., and upon the organization of the company was elected orderly

sergeant. He remained in the service until after the close of the war, and was mustered out in February, 1866. When he enlisted he was foreman in the office of the Zeitung, and on his return was appointed to the same position, and continued in charge until, May, 1866, when he became the publisher of The Stern des Westens, and remained the publisher until 1872, when he sold out to F. E. Scheel, and was then general manager until 1874. At the last named date he purchased a half-interest in the Zeitung, and has been one of the proprietors to the present. Mr. Semmelroth is a practical printer, and has been connected with the journalism of St. Clair county since he first came here in 1856, and has been longer in the business than any other man now connected with the journalism of the county. As a newspaper manager he possesses more than average ability, which has been the result of his many years expe- rience. He is an honored member of the Masonic Society, and also of the I. O. O. F. On the 15th September, 1866, he married Miss Minnie Deeke. She is of German birth; her parents came to America in 1848. By this marriage there are six children living- four daughters and two sons. Socially, Mr. Semmelroth is a plea- sant, agreeable gentleman of quiet, unassuming manners and habits, and bears the reputation of a good citizen and honorable gen- tleman.

GEORGE H. STOLBERG,

THE present efficient circuit clerk of St. Clair county, is a native of Hanover, Germany. He was born Nov. 22, 1843. His father, George H., was engaged in general merchandizing. In the winter of 1845-46 he emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans in January of 1846 He came up the river to St. Louis, and from there to Belleville, where he made his home until his death, which occurred March 4, 1866. When he first came to Belleville he en- gaged in merchandizing, in which he continued for several years. He married Christina Brittmann, who survived him, and died July 15, 1878. By that marriage there were two sons and two daugh- ters. One son and daughter survive the parents. George H. is the youngest of the family. He received an educational training in the private and public schools of Belleville. In his sixteenth year he was entered as an apprentice to a silversmith and jeweller. He continued at the trade until 1866, when he accepted a position as clerk in the Recorder's Office. In 1869 he was promoted to the position of Deputy Recorder and first assistant clerk, under Geo. M. Roeder, in which capacity he remained until the fall of 1880, when his qualificntion and efficiency as a clerk received recognition by being nominated by the Republican party in convention assem- bled, for the office of circuit clerk, and in the following November he was elected by a majority in excess of his party's vote. Mr. Stolberg was eminently qualified for the position of circuit clerk by his previous fifteen years as deputy, in which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the records and routine duties thereto be- longing. The promotion to the office by the people of St. Clair county was a suitable recognition of past services and faithful per- formance of the duties imposed upon him, and the honor thus con- ferred is fully appreciated by him. Politically, he has been a Republican since casting his first vote, which was for Abraham Lin- coln in 1864.

On the 18th of June 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E., daughter of John W. Eckert, of St. Louis, in which city she was born and reared. That union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter. Mr. Stolberg is of an accommoda- ting disposition, which trait of character has made him many friends.

"TURKEY HILL FARM" THE PROPERTY OF W. J. MILLER, ( BREEDER OF SHORTHORN CATTLE, NORMAN HORSES & BERKSHIRE HOGS. 3 MILES SOUTH EAST OF BELLEVILLE, ST. CLAIR CO. ILL.

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

233

Anih foch

AMONG the enterprising men of St. Clair county who are actively engaged in coal mining, stands the name of Joseph Yoch. He is a native of Prussia. His father, Christian Yoch, was born in 1803, in Prussia ; he was a small farmer. He married Catherine Klorius. She died in Dec., 1864. By this marriage there were five children, four of whom are living. Their names, in the order of their birth, are: John, Joseph, Sophia, who died in infancy ; Bernhart and Lenora.

Joseph, the subject of this sketch, is the second in the family. He was born in Prussia, May 17th, 1844. He came with his father to America, when he was but three years of age, in the year 1847. The family came direct to St. Clair co., Ills, and settled one and a half miles west of Belleville on a farm, and remained there until 1858, when they removed to a place known as the old "Breeze's " farm, two and a half miles west of Belleville. In 1859 Mr. Yoch, the elder, opened a mine, which has since been known as Yoch's coal mine. He continued in the business of farming and min- ing until 1864, when he retired and passed the management of the business to his sons, who have continued in the line marked out by their father.

Joseph, after the retirement of his father, took charge of the business, and under his good management they have prospered and grown rich enough to be beyond any possibility of want. The Yoch Brothers have two mines of their own, and are largely interested in many others. They handle over three and a half millions bushels

of coal annually. They are now engaged in opening a mine on the line of the Indianapolis and St. Louis railway, near Litchfield, where they own a coal-field of four hundred acres. They ship their coal to St. Louis, where Joseph manages the sales, ship- ping, etc. John is an experienced miner, and has charge of and superintends the mines. Bernhart is a practical machinist, and a man of fine inventive genius. He has invented a number of ma- chines for mining purposes, which are great improvements on those used before. He is the inventor of the road engine, known as the " B. Yoch Engine," which is self-propelling. On the 14th of May, 1878, Joseph was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Isch, a na- tive of St. Clair county. Her father and mother were natives of Alsace, and emigrated to America in 1843. By the union of Joseph and Catherine Yoch there are two children, a son and daughter. The son died in infancy. The name of the daughter is Josephine Rosa Yoch. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yoch are members of the Catholic Church. Politically he is a democrat, but he takes no further in- terest in that matter than to vote, and thereby express his opinions on all political subjects.

In conclusion, it may be truthfully said that the Yochs started in life poor. They have, by hard work, industry, and practice of economy and good management, succeeded in the world, and have made a name for themselves for honorable dealing and plain, honest men, which, after all, is the best heritage to leave to posterity.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

August Diemann

THE proprietor of the Hotel Tiemann of Belleville, Ills., is a na- tive of the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, and was born July 19, 1833. He is the eldest of a family of three children, the offspring of Frederick William and Augusta (Stein) Tiemann. His father is still living, and a resident of Germany. August remained at home until 1850, when he emigrated to America. landing at New Orleans, and from there came up the river to St. Louis and to Belleville, where he had friends. He worked on his uncle's farm for a short time, and then came into the city and worked at the cabinet trade for two years, then went to St. Louis where he re- mained two years, returning to Belleville, and in connection with Eugene Glad started a carpenter shop and engaged in contracting and building. They continued together for four years, in which time they erected many of the substantial business honses of the town. He then went to Highland, and in connection with his father- in-law started a rope factory in which he was engaged for two years, when he met with an accident whereby his arm was broken. He returned to Belleville and started in the saloon business, and two years later built the Hotel Tiemann, and opened a hotel and board-

ing-house. This was in 1862. He has continued to the present time. He has also been lessee of the City Park for the past six years, and in that time has contributed much enjoyment and amusement to the good people of Bellevile. He was one of the original stockholders in the Esler Ropiequet Manufacturing Company, which was one of the largest establishments for manufacture of agricultural imple- ments in St. Clair county. He is an enterprising citizen, and takes stock and subscribes liberally to every enterprise that has for its objeet the increase of the material wealth of the town. On the 16th of October, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Auguste Hen- schan, a native of Prussia. She came to America in 1854, and settled in Belleville. There have been eight children by this union. All of them are yet at home, except Bertha, who is the wife of Wil- liam Huff; and Lizzie, who is the wife of John Brosius, both of Belleville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor, and the German Societies. He was a member of the Board of Al- dermen. Politically he voted first for John C. Fremont in 1856, afterwards joined the democratic party, and is still a member of that political organization,

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

235

John Kopen

THE subject of the following biographical sketch is a native of the Dukedom of Schleswig, which is situated on the Baltic sea, Germany. He was born March 23d, 1843. His father, H. A. Lorenzen, was a large farmer, and possessed of ample means, and able to give his children such an education as the best schools of the country afforded. He was a soldier in the late Schleswig-Holstein war, and lost his life in that struggle. His property was also swept away, from causes resulting from the war. His widow and mother of John still survives, and is a resident of her native coun- try. There were six children in the family. John is the third. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the grocery trade, and served four years in the business in Schleswig City. He then went to Flensberg, and clerked one year in a large house, and then came to America, landing in New York in December, 1863. From there he went to Racine, Wis., and clerked for nearly one year, when he concluded that he could do better in Chicago, but failing there he moved to St. Louis, and there enlisted for one year in Co. " K " of the 41st regiment Mo. Vols. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was mustered out. He then clerked for several months in St. Louis, then came to West Belleville, and engaged to clerk for Mr. Weissenborn, and continued with him for nearly

two years. Then in connection with a man by the name of Muehlhausen started business for himself. The firm continued for eight years, when Mr. Lorenzen bought out his partner, built a fine brick business house, and from that time to the present has been conducting the business with great success. His store is well stocked, and supplied with everything in the line of his trade, and he does an extensive business, particularly iu high explosive pow- ders, used for blasting purposes. In fuse-powder and miners' sup- plies he does a large business, and supplies the country for many miles around. On the 26th of April, 1870, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Benk, a native of Woerrstadt, Germany. She was a resident of West Belleville at the time of her marriage. He is a member of the ancient order of Freemasonry, and belongs to St. Clair Lodge, No. 24. He is also a Knight of Pythias, of Cavalier Lodge No. 49, and is Sir Knight Commander of the Uniform. Rank of Belleville Division, No. 6.

Politically he is a republican. He is a member of the Board of Education, and takes an active part in educational interests. This, in brief, is a sketch of one of West Belleville's most enter- prising and prominent business men.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Is a native of Prussia, and was born March 12th, 1845. He received a liberal education in the schools and gymnasiums of his native country. He was a soldier in the army during the troubles of Austria and Bavaria. In 1866 he emigrated to America, and came direct to Belleville, and here formed a partnership in the liquor business with Louis Bartel, in the wholesale trade. He continued in the trade until 1872, when he returned to Germany,

and remained there until 1874, when he came back to Belleville, and bought out a stationery and general uotion store, and engaged also in bookbinding of all kinds, in which he still continues.

Mr. Pitthan is one of the substantial business men of Belleville, and as such enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire com- munity.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

JAMES A. WILLOUGHBY.

THE Willoughby family is of English ancestry on the paternal, and on the maternal Scotch-Irish. His father, William E. Wil- loughby, was born in Delaware in 1824. He came with his father, whose name was also William, to Illinois in 1835, and settled in the American Bottom, St. Clair county, Illinois, near Collinsville, where he died. William E., the father of James A., was yet in his boyhood, when the family came to Illinois. Here he grew to manhood, and married a Miss Penn. She died without issue. In 1852 he married Mary Moore, a native of St. Clair county. Her father, William Moore, was a native of Georgia, and her mother was an Alexander, and native of Pennsylvania. Both Mr. Wil- loughby and wife are yet living, and are residents of Lebanon, where they removed in 1873. By this latter union there are four chil- dren. James A., the subject of this sketch, is the second in the family. He was born May 2d, 1855, on Looking Glass Prairie, St. Clair county, Illinois. He was educated in the common schools. After his father removed to Lebanon, he entered the Mckendree College, taking the scientific course, and graduated iu the class of 1874. In the fall of the same year, he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He remained there until the end of the term. In the summer of 1875, he read law at home, and in the fall returned to Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 1876. He then entered the law office of Noetling and Halbert, of Belleville, and remained there a few months. His graduation from the law school at Ann Arbor, admitted him to practice in the courts of Michigan. Upon motion, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois in June, 1876. He returned to Lebanon, and engaged in the drug business, in which he continued for four years. In the summer of 1880, he was nominated by the republican party for the office of Recorder, the first in the county ; and at the elec- tion in the following November was triumphantly elected, and is now serving the people in that capacity.

Politically, he has always been a Republican. He is an honored member of the ancient and honorable order of Freemasonry, and belongs to Lebanon Lodge, No. 110. He is not a member of any church organization, but on the contrary, is rather liberal in his belief. Mr. Willoughby is comparatively a young man, but so far has been quite successful. He possesses the full confidence of his party and friends, who know him well ; and all accord him a first class reputation as a business man, and man of honor and integrity.

JOHN ADAM STAUDER

WAS born on the Rhine, Bavaria, March 18, 1828. John W. Stauder, his father, was a contractor and builder in Germany. He there married Mary Brown. In the winter of 1835 he left Ger- many, and after a long voyage landed in New York, and came west, traveling by canals and boats to Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, and from the latter place to Belleville. They stopped with an uncle two weeks, and then Mr. Stauder went to Kaskaskia and bought eighty acres of government land in Dutch Hollow. It was timber land, unimproved. They built a log-house, and lived there two years ; then moved to Belleville. Here he followed brick-laying, building, teaming, and hauling freight to and from St. Louis, in which he continued until his death in 1858. His wife survived him two years. There were five children in the family, two sons and three daughters. Michael, the youngest son, died in his sixteenth year. The others are living, and all have families. The subject of the present sketch had but little chances to go to school. The family was poor, and he had to help support them and himself, and there-

fore found no time for schooling. He remained at home, assisting his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He and his father were in the transfer business, and he drove the team and did much of the hauling. After the railroad was finished to St. Louis, it broke up his teaming. He then engaged in the grocery business, and opened a hotel and wagon yard on Illinois street. In 1865, he purchased property on the south-west corner of Main and Ray street, where he opened a large boarding-house, saloon, and also engaged in the grocery and provision trade, in which lie has continued to the present. In 1853, he married Margaret Muchbaucher. She died two years later. By this marriage there is one son, named John W. Stauder. In 1858, he married his present wife, by whom he has five children living. Their names are Jacob, Mary, Katie, Adam and Joseph Stander. The family are members of the Catholic church. Poli- tically he is a democrat, but was originally a republican, and sup- ported Lincoln for two terms. He has been reasonably successful in life, although he has had many reverses and much bad luck. His kind-heartedness has led him to go security for friends who have left him to pay their debts. He is an old settler in this county, and among the old people is much respected for his worth as a man and citizen.

LEONHARD LEBKUECHER

Is a native of Nassau, Germany, and was born April 9th, 1851. His father, Adam Lebkuecher, was a native of the same place. He was born April 1st, 1816. He was actively engaged in merchandising, and held the position of collector in his native country. He mar- ried Eva Hahn, who was born in Nassau Aug. 27, 1823. The family emigrated to America in November, 1851, with his wife and four children. He first settled in Louisville, Ky., where he re- mained two years, then went to New Albany, in Indiana, and two years later came to Belleville, Illinois. Here he remained until his death, which took place May 22, 1864. He was the inventor and manufacturer of a patent axle grease, which came into general use before his death, at which time also he was a city officer. His wife still survives him, and is a resident, with her children, of Belle- ville, Illinois. By his marriage there were eight children-three sons and five daughters. Their names are: Anna, who was born March 30th, 1845. She is the wife of Henry Jenks, now a resident of St. Louis ; Felicitas, born Nov. 20th, 1846, a resident of Belle- ville, and engaged in the millinery business ; Eliza, born May 7th, 1849, who married Philip Mause, now deceased. She is now the wife of John Rinck, foreman in Harrison's machine shop ; Leonhard, the subject of this sketch ; Frank, born April 16, 1853, at New Al- bany, Indiana, and married in Ithaca, New York, Dec. 9th, 1872, to Miss Catharine Green, of Lanesboro, Mass., and in business in Belleville since 1880 ; John, born Jan. 17, 1855, died Jan. 25, 1870 Emma, born June 8th, 1859; Helena, born March 10, 1861. Leonhard, of whom we write, was apprenticed to the trade of tinsmith at the age of fifteen years, and served three years, then went to St. Louis and worked at the trade for three years as a journeyman, when he came back to Belleville, and in 1872, in con- nection with Jacob Hoerr, started in the tinning business. The partnership was dissolved in 1874, since which time Mr. Lebkue- cher has conducted the business alone, in which he has been very successful. On the 8th of February, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Karr, youngest danghter of Peter Karr, of West Belleville. Mrs. Lebkuecher was born in West Belleville. Peter Karr was born in Deidesheim, Germany, Feb. 2d, 1809, and emigrated to America and settled in St. Clair county in 1837. He was for many years in the grocery and dry goods business, in

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

West Belleville. He subsequently retired and went into the wine business. He amassed a fortune, and retired from the business in 1867, and died December 24, 1878. During life he was a prominent man, and held various positions of honor and trust under the city government He married Abaloma Eschenfelder. Mrs. Lebkue- cher is the fifth child of that marriage. Only two of the children are living. Lena, Mrs. Lebkuecher's sister is the wife of George Rice. By the marriage of Leonhard and Eliza Lebkuecher there were three children born to them, two of whom are living. Their names in the order of their birth are Peter Leonhard, who was born Nov. 10, 1876, and Lena Abaloma, born July 2, 1877. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is also a member of the Catholic Knights of America. In politics he votes the democratic ticket, but takes no further part than to exercise the right of suffrage. He is one of the enterprising merchants of Belleville, and consequently has a large patronage. In his deal- ings with mankind he is just and honorable, and conducts his busi- ness on the basis of doing right and dealing fairly with all who honor him with their trade and custom. He started in business unaided. His whole capital consisted of his knowledge of the busi- ness, his industry, and a large share of good common sense, with which to back him up. It is with pleasure we here introduce him, and a fine lithographic view of his business house, to be found on another page of this work, to the people of St. Clair county.

MICHAEL RIES.

THE subject of the following sketch was born in the province of Nassau, Germany, Nov. 5, 1831. Valentine Ries, his father, was a shoemaker by trade, but also engaged in farming, trading, etc. In 1846 he came to America, and settled in St. Louis, and remained there until the fall of 1857, when he removed to Shakopee, Minne- sota, and died there in 1874. He married Catherine Friehaut. She died in Minnesota in the fall of 1867. By this marriage there are nine children, six sons and three daughters. Valentine, a builder and contractor, and resident of Belleville, is the eldest son. Soon after the family came to St. Louis, Valentine Ries, the father, made shoes, in which he was assisted by his sons. He afterwards went into the lumber business, and his sons became interested with him. In 1857 he went to Minnesota, and Michael took charge of the business in St. Louis. The latter continued there until 1862, when he sold out and came to Belleville, and here formed a part- nership in the lumber business, which continued until 1866, when he formed a partnership with his brother Henry in the same business, which continues to the present. The firm of M. & H. Ries is one of the oldest and most successful in the city of Belle- ville. On the 13th of May, 1856, Michael was joined in holy wed- lock to Miss Abaloma Eberle, a native of Germany, but a resident of St. Louis at the time of her marriage. By this marriage there are five children, two sons and three daughters. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. Henry Ries married Elizabeth Kissell, July 24th, 1866. She was born and reared in Belleville. By this union there are eight children, five sons and three daughters. He and his wife are also members of the Catholic Church. Henry has been engaged in the lumber business for many years in St. Louis, Minnesota, and in Belleville, where he has re- sided since 1866. Both are members of the democratic party, but take little interest further than to express their preference by the right of ballot. The Ries Brothers rank among the best business men of Belleville, and the firm, for probity of character and honor-

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History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough Number of Pages: 530

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough
Number of Pages: 530