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 73
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LEMENTON
Was platted July 9, 1874, by Edward F. Leonard, John T. Lemen, and Robt. Moore. It is a small village, on the Cairo Short Line railroad, midway between Freeburg and New Athens. It is sur- rounded by a rich agricultural district, and is quite a shipping point for grain and coal.
Coal Mines .- Numerons veins have been opened in various parts of this precinct, many of which are now deserted. The Freeburg Coal Co. operate the most extensive, having a shaft 156 feet deep, with a 7 foot vein of coal, operated by steam power ; employs 20 to 30 men, and ships about six cars of coal daily to St. Lonis. Reichert's shaft, owned and operated by Joseph Reichert, is of about the same depth, with a thicker vein, in places as thick as 10 feet, operated by steam power ; employs ten to twelve men. Ships 3 to 5 cars daily. (See chapter on Geology).
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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Aus Reichert
ATTRACTED by stories of Americas wonderful fertility and the excellence of her free institutions, Joseph Reichert, Sr., and family, consisting of wife, three sons and five daughters, set sail for this country and reached New Orleans May 30th, 1847, thence made their way up the Mississippi river to St. Clair county, already quite thickly settled by industrious German people. He soon suited him- self in a location, and bought land adjoining the town of Freeburg. His son, Joseph Reichert, Jr., the subject of this sketch, promptly offered his services to a neighbor farmer, John Wise, who engaged him for six dollars per month. Harvest being at hand he was shown how to wield a cradle, and, the second day, kept pace with others who were cradling wheat, who were getting regular harvest- er's wages. On the principle that a boy, although he does the labor of a man, earns less, he continued for three months in the service of his employer. In the fall of the year he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he learned the cooper's trade, remaining there about two years. He then returned to his home, and on the 28th of October,
1850, was united in marriage to Maria Rauth. By this union there have been eleven children born, four boys and seven girls, of whom eight are living. For four years succeeding his marriage he fol- lowed his trade, together with farming, when, in 1854, he opened a cooper shop in Freeburg. In 1857 he was elected constable for Fayetteville precinct, which office he held until 1862, when he re- signed and bought, largely on credit, the mill property, which ac- tion laid the foundations for that success which has crowned his efforts in life. Nature seemed to have fitted him for this particular business. During the war he watched closely the fluctuations on the wheat and flour markets, and by taking advantage of the same, soon amassed considerable property. His practical knowledge of coopering enabling him to combine it with his milling business, aided in these results. Not to be dependent was a watchword governing his acts, hence he owns and controls a coal mine, a necessary ad- junct to a mill, besides having an interest in another. As feeders to his mill he has bought several valuable farms. His eminent
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH REICHERT, FREEBURG, FAYETTEVILLE PRECINCT, ST.CLAIR CO.ILL.
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BUISINESS BLOCK ON MAIN ST BELLEVILLE PROPERTY OF JOSEPH.REICHERT.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
business qualifications led his fellow citizens to elect him a member of the town council, of which he was made president, and in which office he remained for seven or eight years, in fact, as long as. he would serve his constituency. He takes great interest in agricultural affairs, and was, for five years, a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Clair County Agricultural Society. Served one year as Vice-President of that organization, and, in 1879, was chosen its President, which position he yet holds.
In 1879, desiring to see his old home in Germany, Bargen, State of Baden, where he was born, November 17th, 1828, he made the trip only to return more fully impressed than ever with the value and worth of American institutions.
One of the pleasant memories of his life was the attendance upon the fiftieth anniversary, or golden wedding, of his parents, at the home of his brother, October 1st, 1868. There were gathered to- gether upon that occasion eight children, thirty-four grand-children and nine great-grandchildren. The occasion was enlivened by music by the Belleville band. Speeches were made by friends present, among them Father Bartel, of Hanover ; Brefeld, of Hull ; Maurer, of Columbia, and Janssen, of Mud creek. Altogether it was an occasion of much good cheer. His father died July 22d, 1869, full of years, having been born January 24th, 1791. His mother, who was born December 14th, 1799, in Bargen, a village of Baden, yet lives. Politically, Mr. Reichert is a democrat. The. party, recognizing his sterling worth, and desiring his services in legislation, have twice nominated him as Representative. As their standard-bearer, he has made for himself hosts of friends. Fortu- nate in his undertakings, prompt and energetic as a business mana- ger, few men are more respected than he. Beginning life in hum- ble circumstances, he has steadily, step by step, by perseverance, won a good footing in worldly goods, and is a fitting example of what is in store as a reward for energy and directness of purpose in our loved country. He has reared a large and intelligent family of children who do him honor.
He has two brothers living in Freeburg : John, a hotel-keeper, and Jacob, proprietor of the Freeburg brewery. Of his children, several are married, as follows : Louisa, to Henry Serth, a miller in Lenzburg ; Mary, to John Convar, of Belleville; George, to Ida Friedlander, and Catharine, to Charles Becker, of Freeburg.
DR. CHARLES H. E. E. REMBE.
AMONG the wide-awake, energetic young practitioners of medi- cine, none stand higher than Dr. Rembe. Thoroughly in love with his profession, vigorous in health, successful in practice, he has acquired, in the vicinity of Fayetteville, a large and lucrative business. IIe was born in Freis, Germany, February 9th, 1856. His father, Christoph Rembe, was a government official-an over- seer of timber tracts, which position he has held for fifty years. His mother's maiden name was Eliza Plitd, of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He received his education in the Gymnasium in Hers- feldt, completing the course of study laid out for him in 1871. The year following he determined to seek his fortune across the sea, and emigrated to America, landing in New York in the month of April, 1872, thence to the city of St. Louis, Mo, where he went to Marthasville, and studied his chosen profession with Dr. L. Standinger, with whom he remained one and a half years. He entered the Missouri Medical College in 1874, and in 1878 gradu- ated from that institution in the largest class ever sent forth from his alma mater. He was fortunate in his selection of a home, which he promptly found, soon after graduation, in May, 1878, in the village of Fayetteville. The Doctor's affability of manner, 35
painstaking in practice, promptness in responding to calls, have won for him an enviable reputation. When the pontoon bridge, spanning the Kaskaskia, at Fayetteville, was washed away, he managed to keep relays of horses on the other side of the river, across which he was carried by a canoe. There was at that time much sickness, and he was compelled often to catch his rest as best he could whilst traveling from patient to patient. A constitution less robust would have broken down under the trials to which he was subjected. In 1880 he visited his old home in Germany, re- turning better satisfied than ever with his choice of a home.
Two of his brothers have followed him to republican America, whilst a married sister yet remains in the old country. The doctor has entered, with a will, into the spirit of American institutions, and takes an ardent hold upon politics. His first vote was cast for General James A. Garfield for President, and in his espousal of the Republican cause he is most earnest. Ambitious to excel in his profession ; a thorough student of ways and means presented to insure success, Dr. Rembe's efforts are being crowned with a full measure of success.
RUDOLPH W. HEIMBERGER.
RUDOLPH W. HEIMBERGER, the present postmaster at Fayetteville, was born in Mascoutah, December 29th, 1838. His father, Gustav, a lawyer in Germany, came to America because of revolutionary troubles which convulsed his native land, and which contributed no little to the development of St. Clair County, in the year 1834. Being somewhat of a roving disposition, and dissatisfied with the outlook in and around Mascoutah, he went to Cuba in 1840, thence to Central America, subsequently engaged in the Mexican war as interpreter to Gen'l Shields, lost his left arm in a battle, and in 1856 he returned to Belleville, where he died in February, 1858. Thus closed a remarkable and checkered career of a man of distinc- tion. Rudolph was married to Ann Hermann October 9th, 1866, by whom he has four children, Emma, Anna, Gustav and Her- mann. He learned watch-making and gun-smithing in St. Louis, Mo., in 1858, and became a clerk in a dry goods establishment in Belleville, the next year, where he remained until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in Co. F., 9th Reg't, Illinois Volunteers, one of the first six regiments from that state. Remain- ed in the army, in all three years and five months ; went out as color sergeant. His experience as a soldier was rough in common with all in his command ; his being cne of the regiments that bore their part in all the battles from Cairo to the sea. After the war he resumed his clerical duties, engaging his services in the employ of S. P. Chandler & Co., then of Joseph Abeud, with whom he re- mained four years, next that of Feuss & Hilgard, with whom he remained until his change of location from Belleville to his present home in Fayetteville, iu 1880. In all, he has filled the position of clerk, for various firms, for a period of twenty-six years. At present he is post-master at Fayetteville, and is engaged in the real estate business, with which he combines the duties of a Notary Public. His energy is meeting the success he deserves to win. He inherits the restless energy of his father and grandfather, Dr. Lafontaine (who located in in Mascoutah in 1836, and who was a physician and chemist of note in Germany), and being possessed of business tact will succeed. The same spirit of patriotism which prompted him to go forth and battle for his country, still actuates him to remain true to the Union he helped to preserve, and believ. ing that the grand old republican party saved the Union, he is active in his support of its principles. A true friend, a genial companion, a live citizen, Rudolph W. Heimberger is respected of his fellow men.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Stephan Vahleary
WAS born in the village of Ostenfelde, Prussia, July 11th, 1839. His father, Theodore, was a prominent contractor and builder in his native land, and many churches and public buildings stand as monuments to his skill as an artisan. He combined with this con- tracting for railroads to the importance of which as a lever of pro- gress he was thoroughly alive, and in which business he was quite successful. During the troublous times in Germany in 1848 he came to America, bringing with him his family of eight children, five boys and three girls, all yet living. The sons by name and in the order of their birth are Henry, Bernhardt, Frederick, Stephan, and George; the daughters are all married with names as follows, Gertrude Diekemper, Christina Doenewald and Mary Ehrhardt. He located on an eighty acre tract of lan l near Fayetteville, St. Clair county, Illinois, shortly after coming to this country. He brought with him about $3,000, which at that time was considered a small fortune. Here, full of years and honor, respected of all men, admired of all for his urbane manners and kindly disposition, he died July 2, 1859. His wife, Mary Ann, survived him twenty years, dying February 11, 1879 Theodore Vahlkamp was born September 16, 1792, hence had witnessed many changes and great growth in his native land, and something of a greater growth and one filled with more promise in the land of his adoption. His wife was born in the year 1800. Thus it will be seen that Stephan Vahlkamp the subject of this sketchi, came of a family of progres- sive spirit and rich in the endowments of nature. His has been an active life, chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits which have been varied, as his tastes dictated and restless energy demanded, by merchandizing and hotel keeping. His first experience outside of farming was in the management of a hotel in 1865-6. This was
followed by merchandizing from 1867 to 1872, in which busi- ness his tact compelled success. In 1873 he took charge of the Okaw House in connection with his brother Bernhardt, which business he yet pursues. He skillfully manages a farm of five hundred and forty acres of excellent land and is rapidly amassing wealth by judicious investments and great painstaking. He was married to Elizabeth Raub, July 20, 1860, by the Rev. Rosenthal, in the Catholic Church in Fayetteville. By this union there have been twelve children of whom six are living. The names of the living are, respectively, Theodore, Ida, Sophia, Henry, John and Jacob. During the latter part of the war he was drafted, but the cares of a family devolving upon him he furnished a substitute, as did many others like situated, at no small cost to himself. When a youth he experienced his full share of the trials incident to pioneer settlement. During the first few years after coming to this country much sickness prevailed throughout the vicinity. He is an active supporter of the Catholic faith, and has contributed no little towards the success of the cause in his community. Every beneficial public enterprise finds in him a friend, and with means and voice he is ever ready to do his share. Politically, he is free in the expression of his sentiments and earnest in, their avowal. He has always affiliated with the democratic party, having cast his first vote for the " Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860, of which he is quite proud. Although eminently qualified to fill positions of trust, he uniformly declines any such honors, preferring the quiet of home life and the prosecution of his regular business. Energetic in business, affable in manners, generous in dispensing hospitality, no man stands higher in the esteem of his fellow-men in this vicinity than Stephan Vahlkamp. 0
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
HENRY BARTHEL was born in the village of Langenselbold, Cen- tral Germany, August 28th, 1827. His parents, Win. and Catharine Barthel, emigrated from the Fatherland to America, landing at New Orleans in 1840 ; thence they went to Belleville, one of the centers of German attractions, from which point they looked about them for a new home, and found it about a mile and a half east of Freedom, in Prairie Du Long. They lived but a short time in the enjoyment of this place, as William died in 1841, and his wife fol- lowed him in 1842. Henry thus left an orphan went to St. Louis, where he was apprenticed to the saddle and harness making trade, with Henry T. Ford. At the age of nineteen he engaged in the quarter-master's department of the government service, and was sent to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1846. Here the manufacturing and repairing of saddles and harness fell into his charge. The fol- lowing year, most of the troops having been sent to the front, leaving General Price in command at Santa Fe, with but few men, civilians had to now and then stand guard, so that guard duty broke the monotony of his trade. Here he remained, in all, five year, and in 1851 returned to Illinois, and settled on a farm about three miles east of Freeburg. After three years of farm life he moved to Freeburg, where he has since resided. His early ednca- tion was obtained in one of the rough school-houses on Prairie Du Long, where in company with Hon. Wm. R. Morrison, he attended a school taught by Matthew Donahue. His reader was the old Illinois form book, that of Morrison, a history of the United States. This reader indelibly impressed upon his mind forms of legal papers and documents, that have ever remained with him, and which in
his position of Justice of the Peace, to which he was first elected while living in Monroe county in 1852, and again soon after making a change of home to Freeburg, have been of great service. He held the office of Justice of the Peace continuously for a period of twenty-four years-years replete with interesting reminiscences of cases before his court, and " thank you " wedding ceremonies performed. He was elected a member of the Board of Commis- sioners for St. Clair county in 1876. During his term of service many public improvements were inaugurated ; the first iron bridge over the Kaskaskia at New Athens was built, macadamizing of Centerville and St. Louis road was done, the Court House Square was inclosed, and other like enterprises were consummated. In politics he has always been a consistent democrat, although his first presidential ballot was cast for Scott. This vote, he says, was so cast because he knew of Scott and not of Pierce. In business affairs Mr. Barthel has alway been energetic. He opened the first sad- dlery establishment in Freeburg in 1854. Sold out in 1858, and in company with others erected the brewery, from which he with- drew the same year. In 1861 he went into general merchandiziug, which he yet pursues. He was married to Margaret Mohr April 12th, 1852, who died Jan. 14th, 1859. Was married to Anna Marie Bumb in June, 1859, who died Sept. 8th, 1872. His present wife is Gertrude Bumb, to whom he was married May 22d, 1873. In all he has six children living. An upright citizen, a straight- forward business man, he is an honor to the community in which he lives, and whose servant as a Justice he has so long been.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Chas Do. Fretsans
ONE of the present county commissioners, was born in Nassau, Ger- many, November 10th, 1834. His father, Henry Fietsam, was en- gaged for many years in the government service of his native land as a surveyor. As such he surveyed nearly all of Nassau. One of his duties was to make a division of timbered lands, belonging to the general government, between the various villages, alotting tracts to them proportioned to their population. This duty he discharged satisfactorily. This country offered better inducements than their own to his growing family, so that the year 1850 found them all here. Sebastian first came in 1846, others in 1847, until eleven sons, in all, had made their home in America. He followed his family here, resigning his position, and once here located in Shiloh valley, a few miles from Belleville. Three years afterwards he moved to Drum Hill, near Fayetteville, where he died January 1, 1872, at the age of eighty years. His wife Judith survived him more than four years, having died August 24th, 1876. Ile cele- brated the fiftieth anniversary of wedded life at his home in 1864. A notable occasion whose pleasant memories are treasured up in the minds of loving sons and friends. The subject of this sketch, Charles H. Fietsam, was the eleventh child in the family in the order of birth. He had heard of America in boyhood as a wonder- land, and when he was sixteen, he was glad of his father's determi- nation to eross the great sea and make a home in old St. Clair county, which was at that time attracting so much attention among German emigrants. Once here his first great necessity was to master the English tongue. In this he was quite backward, and many were the mistakes he would make, mistakes too very confusing to his sensitive nature. He had a tolerably good German education, which was supplemented by but twelve hours attendance, all told
at a writing school in his neighborhood. At the age of twenty-two he was crippled by falling from a wagon, drawn by a runaway team. This disabled him for farm service, hence he was set to work in a store kept by an older brother, Sebastian, in Fayetteville. Here necessity compelled him to learn English. Calls for articles with whose names he was not familiar, caused ludicrous errors. This experience gained for him a practical business education, which has proved of great service. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Laux, September 9th, 1860. One child, a daughter, Ida, now the wife of Frank Aberle, was the fruit of this marriage. His first wife dying, he married Philomena Zeller, April 4th, 1864, by whom he had seven children, all living. Mr. Fietsam has pursued farm- ing all his life, and combined with such pursuits as his qualifications have eminently fitted him for, and to which his neighbors have re- peatedly called him. For twelve years he was retained as super- visor in his home precinct, for ten years the duties of deputy asses- sor were assigned him, and latterly he has been chosen Justice of the Peace. Enlarging his sphere of usefulness his fellow citizens last fall eleeted him county commissioner-a just recognition of his services in public life. To this position he has carried the same
degree of energy, the same spirit of industry that has ever charac- terized him in offices of public trust. Exact and business-like in all his methods, judieions in all his actions, ever guardful of the best interests of the county, he is making for himself hosts of friends. ITis selection as commissioner is one of which his constituency is justly proud. In politics he is a democrat of the straightest sect, as undeviating in his devotion to the principles of the party as the needle to the pole. His first vote was cast for Judge Wm. H. Snyder for circuit Judge under somewhat singular circumstances,
JOHN GRIFFEN, (DECEASED. )
WHOSE portrait adorns this page, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this county. He was born east of Belleville, January 6, 1807. His parents were Isaac and Rebecca Griffen, nee Peter. Mr. Griffen always resided in his native township By occupation he was a farmer. In agricultural pursuits he took great delight. When it was proposed to organize and maintain a Fair Association in St. Clair county, he was one of the first to lend his aid, and was for many years an officer and director. As president of the association in 1866, he won the approbation of all. He was
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married June 10, 1830, to Malinda J. Rains, by whom he had-in all-sixteen children, only three of whom survive. Politically, he was a democrat of the Jackson school. Not a seeker for office-he yet was active in the propagation of his political faith. He was a member of the Baptist church, holding such membership with the oldest organization of that society in Illinois. He died April 17, 1879, within sight of his birth-place. He was esteemed for his vir- tues, honored for his talents, and loved for his social qualities.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
showing the difference between political elections nearly thirty years ago and now. There was no excitement. He accompanied his father afoot from Belleville to his home on election day. When they reached Freeburg, or Urbana as it was then called, they were informed for the first time that an election was being held, and voted. His first presidential ballot was cast for James Buchanan ; since then he has voted for the regular democratic nominees, al- though each time they have suffered defeat. He is of the opinion that they triumphed at the polls in 1876, but were defrauded out of their rights. He hopes for the eventual success of democratic principles. In religion Mr. Fietsam is an adherent to the Catholic faith. His business qualifications have fitted him for the various positions he has held, among them that of Financial Secretary of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Society of St. Clair county, to which position he was chosen October 11th, 1868. Upright, honest and capable, he has hosts of friends. In the community where he has long resided and is known by all, none are more respected for their worth as a man and citizen than Mr. Fietsam.
THE LAND FAMILY.
THE above named family are among the early settlers of St. Clair county. Philip, son of Moses Land, was born in Virginia, March 2d, 1785. He removed to South Carolina, and there married Elizabeth Fike. The year of the marriage was 1805. He after- wards left South Carolina and went to Kentucky, and from that state came to Illinois in 1816, and settled in St. Clair county, at a point then and now known as Turkey Hill. About the year 1818 he moved to a place on the Kaskaskia, near where Fayetteville now stands, and there he remained until his death, which took place in April, 1857. His wife died on the old place or homestead, in 1841. There were six children born to Philip and Elizabeth Land. Their names were Aaron, Cynthia, Moses, Rebecca, Eva- line, and Nathan. Aaron and Cynthia were born in South Caro- lina. Moses, Rebecca and Evaline in Kentucky, and Nathan in St. Clair county, Illinois. Aaron Land married Lucy Dial. Cyn- thia married Patrick Costello, who died about the year 1841, after which she married Edward McGarren. Moses Land married Louisa Dial. Rebecca died unmarried, about the age of eighteen years. Nathan was twice married; first to Sarah Curtis, in 1845. She died in 1853. He then married Minerva Benwell, daughter of Joseph Prim, in 1858. He was raised on a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until after the death of his wife, when he en- gaged in merchandizing in the town of Mascoutah, in which he continued for three or four years, when he sold out and purchased an interest in the flouring mill in Mascoutah, which was built by Messrs. Postal & Eisenmayer, and is now owned and operated by Philip H. Postal. In August, 1862, during the war, he raised a company of volunteers, which were enlisted into the service, when they became a part of the 117th regiment Illinois volunteers, Col. R. M. Moore commanding. The regiment did gallant and meri- torious service during the war. Captain Land contracted sickness, which compelled him to send in his resignation, and he was hon- orably discharged in September, 1864. During the last six months of his service, he was detailed as one of the members of the military court before whom offenders uuder the military law were tried. In the fall of 1865 he moved to Warrenburg, Missouri, and engaged in mercantile business. On Christmas eve the year following, he suffered considerable loss by having his property destroyed by fire. In 1867 he built a flouring mill in Warrenburg, and from that time to the present has been engaged in milling business. Since
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