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 82
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
produet of $25,000 per annum. Seltzer-water is also manufactured to some extent by this firm.
Lumber Mill is situated south of the Cairo Short Line Round- house, and was built in 1878, by J. H. Modrell, owner and pro- prietor. It is driven by an engine of thirty horse-power, and is capable of sawing $75,000 worth of lumber annually. Its construc- tion cost the proprietor $3,000. Six hands are kept in employ- ment the greater portion of the year. There are two circular saws, one arranged above the other, for the purpose of handling, properly, the largest sized logs. The timber for sawing is mostly shipped frem Tennessee, and is manufactured into lumber suitable for bridge building.
Schroeder's Soda Factory .- These works were established by John Kerns in 1862, and became the property of Edward Schroeder in 1864. It was the first establishment of the kind built in East St. Louis, and is located on Illinois avenue, between Ninth and Tenth streets, and west of Heim's Brewery. Both soda and Seltzer are manufactured, having the capacity of making daily upwards of four hundred boxes of the former. The building is a substantial brick structure, and is supplied with all the necessary machinery and apparatus peculiar to the business.
Ice Houses .- Smith & Sons own three of the largest houses in the city. They are situated just south of the river bridge. They each have room to stow upwards of 7,000 tons of ice.
C. Lutt & Co., have four ice houses near the Relay Depot. They have the capacity of 4,000 tons each.
BANKS.
There are two banking institutions in the city, besides the one in the Exchange building at the Stock Yards, which has already been mentioned.
Working Men's Banking Company .- This Bank was organized August 15th, 1870, by John MeMullin, George W. Davis, Henry Schell, E. W. Wider and others, and has a capital stock of $50,000. It is located on the corner of Broadway and Fourth street, and is one of the finest buildings in the city, and is the only house in East St. Louis built above high-water mark. President, R. J. Whitney; Cashier, Geo. W. Dausch.
East St. Louis Bank was established in 1865, and has a capital stock of $100,000 ; surplus, $26,000. The bank is situated on the corner of Missouri and Collinsville avenues. Thomas Witstanley, President ; Henry Jackiesch, Vice-President ; Theodore Meumann, Cashier,
Besides the foregoing, the city contains nine round-houses, some of which are equal to any institutions of the kind in the state ; five large warehouses, with several others of smaller dimensions. The following is a condensed showing of other industries represented in the city : Bakeries, 6; cigar manufactories, 5; harness, 2; wagons, 1; blacksmiths, 5; tinners, 4; tailors, 2; jewelers, 2; carpenters, 44; printing offices, 2; shoemakers, 15; butchers, 9; undertakers, 1; dentists, 1; painters and glazers, 2. There are upwards of thirty hotels, and over seventy-five places where liquors are sold. There are three wholesale grocery houses, two dry-goods, two hardware establishments, and one wholesale liquor house. The re- tail business of every kind is well represented. The various churches are also numerous, there being two Catholic (Irish, and German), one Methodist, one Presbyterian, one Lutheran, and two Colored churches. There are eight distinct schools in the city as follows: First ward, two; Second ward, three; Third ward, one ; Fourth ward, two. For further information on schools, churches, and printing offices, see special chapters relating to the same.
The following is a tabular showing of the number of inhabitants, families, and buildings that the city contained (with a slight dis- crepancy) in 1880 :
Inhabitants. Families. Buildinge.
1st Ward 2,047 . 451 880.
2d Ward 2,930 .
3d Ward 1,959
380
350.
4th Ward 2,263 . 457
383,
SECRET SOCIETIES.
East St. Louis Lodge, No. 504, A. F. & A. M., was organized in October, 1866, with 28 charter members. Its place of meeting is in Masonic Hall, over Schaub's hardware store, and meets the first and third Thursday evenings in each month. The Lodge has a fine hall and is in a prosperous condition.
East St. Louis Chapter No. 156, R. A. M., was chartered in Octo- ber, 1873, with a membership of 31, since which time it has mate- rially increased. Meets in Masonic Hall every second Thursday night in each month.
Golden Rule Lodge, No. 374 I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was in- stituted June 16th, 1868, and chartered October 13th, 1868. The number of charter members were 8, and the present membership is 55. Meets in Odd Fellows' Hall every Thursday evening in each week. The Lodge is in a prosperous condition and good working order.
Pride of the Valley Lodge, No. 435, I. O. O. F., was chartered the 11th of October, 1870. Number of charter members, 10, present membership, 51. Meets every Monday night.
Harmony Encampment, No. 102 .- This institution was chartered the 12th of October, 1869, with a membership of 12. It meets in Odd Fellows' Hall the second and fourth Thursday nights in each month.
Helvetia Lodge (German), No. 480, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 22d, 1872, and chartered October 8th, 1872. Charter membership, 11; present number of members, 55. Meets every Friday night.
Naomi Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 5 .- Chartered October 11th, 1870, with a membership of 27, since which time it has largely in- creased. Meets in Odd Fellows' Hall the first and third Thursday evenings in each month.
Eureka Lodge, No. 81, K. of P., was organized December 26, 1878, and chartered October 23d, 1879. Number of charter mem- bers, 24 ; present membership, 55. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition. Meets in Schaub's Hall every Monday evening.
Illinois Lodge, No. 268, K. of H .- This Lodge received its char- ter Dec. 5th, 1876, with the names of nineteen members. It has had an unprecedented growth, having a present membership of 160. Convenes in Odd Fellows' Hall every Wednesday evening.
Catholic Knights of America .- This institution was organized March 19th, 1880, with a membership of 8 Knights; present mem- bership, 53. They meet the first and third Sundays of each month in St. Patrick's Church Hall. This is a wide-awake and prosperous organization.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 335, K. & L. of H., is under dispensation, granted May 28th, 1880. Charter membership, 46; present mem- bership, 54. The Lodge meets at Fink's Hall the first and third Mondays in each month.
F. W. Arnold, No. 44, B. of L. & F., was chartered May 2d, 1880. Number of charter members, 18 ; present membership, 23. Meets the first and third Tuesday nights of each month in Fink's Hall.
East St. Louis Sangerbund was instituted March 23d, 1872, with 25 members ; present membership, 50. The organization meets at Jackiesh Hall every Wednesday night.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
There have also been organized in times past the following orders : Knights of St. Patrick, Independent Order of Foresters, Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers, St. Clair Gun Club, and Working- men's Party.
First Land Entries .- Joseph Pepin entered the south-east quar- ter of sec. 4, 160 acres, Sept. 16th, 1814. Joseph Gonville entered, September 28th, 1814, 320 acres of the west half of the same sec- tion. Dec. 15th, 1814, William Russell entered 131.92 acres on section 6.
The city of East St. Louis has made an eventful history. From its infancy it has withstood many reverses that would have totally discouraged a less enterprising and plucky people. Five times has it been washed by the floods and barely escaped annihilation. The fire fiend has likewise been a frequent and destructive visitor, hav- ing once-1872-wiped out a considerable portion of the business part of the city. Political convulsions have also swept through its midst and shaken the municipal fabric to its foundation. Yet, with all these misfortunes to retard its progress, it lives and grows and prospers. The manufacturing facilities of the city are unsur- passed ; it has the coal, the water, the advantages of cheap labor, and last, but not least, the ready capitalist, who is shrewd enough to comprehend the advantages of the situation and to invest ac- cordingly. With future peace and harmony among the citizens of East St. Louis, it can be but a question of time when it will take rank among the first cities of the west.
TOWN OF BROOKLYN.
This village is situated in the extreme north-western part of East St. Louis precinct; the northern boundary being the Madison county line, and the Mississippi river forming the western limits. It was laid out March 17th, 1837, by the following parties : Thos.
Osburn, James P. Morris, Charles Collins, Joseph Tabor, and W. J. Austin. The town plat was placed on record the 1st day of May following. July 14th, 1874, it was incorporated under the general law, when it established village ordinances and prepared to govern its own municipal affairs. The first house built within the limits was a small log dwelling, but has long since given place to later improvements. Among the first inhabitants were J. R. Stites, Thos. Osburn, Daniel Wilson, Geo. H. Lewis, John Baltimore, Charles Woodworth, Hardy Roberts, Alfred Sparks, Nicholas Carper, Mrs. Newell, and Mrs. Wyatt, some of whom are still residents of the village.
The town, at this writing, contains between five and six hundred inhabitants, seven-eighths of whom are colored people. There are four small grocery stores, the most extensive of which is kept by Frederick Archer. This store is a snug two story frame building, and is situated on Fourth street. The village contains a fine two- story brick school-house, so arranged as to employ two teachers, and is thus partially graded. It was built in 1879, at an expense of three thousand dollars. It is exclusively a colored school. There are also two churches, both colored, one Methodist, the other Baptist. The former was built in 1879, and cost $2,500; the latter was constructed at an earlier period, and cost $1,500.
Brooklyn is so closely situated to the city of East St. Louis, on the south, with Venice almost touching it on the north, that it has but little chance for its life, so far as a trading point is concerned. Indeed it might be considered as a suburb of East St. Louis ; and the time is not far distant when it will be such in fact.
The following are the present officers of the village : President, J. R. Stites; Trustees, James Maffit, William Weyh, George Bache- lor, Charles Jennings and Frederick Archer. Clerk, Henry Roun- tree; Treasurer, Joseph Archer; Marshal, James A. Pettiford.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Johnny mi Leary
THE present mayor of the city of East St. Louis, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, January 4th, 1841. His father, Milton M. McLean, a lawyer by profession, had acquired considerable property interests in the west, especially in and around East St. Louis, among others, a distillery in 1840. After ten years' management of this property he concluded on changing his residence from his Cincinnati home, to enable him to personally care for his rapidly growing interests here. Hence, in 1850 he took up his abode in East St. Louis. In 1851 he disposed of the distillery and moved to St. Louis, where he continued the practice of his profession until the time of his death, July 4th, 1855. He was one of the largest land owners on this side of the river. For a time he was a partner of Church Blackburn, one of the most eminent criminal lawyers of his day. He had re- ceived his education in the Miami University. He ranked with the first young men of the west in point of talent, integrity, and
all the virtues that tend to constitute the highest degree of moral worth. At the time of his death the members of the St. Louis bar paid the highest honors to his memory, and he was followed to his grave by hundreds of truc and sincere friends as mourners. He was a nephew of Justice McLean, whose worth is known to all.
The mother of John J. McLean was Mary W. Johnson, a daugh- ter of the first Indian Agent ever appointed in Ohio.
A brief and interesting sketch of his life is retained by the fam- ily, from which we glean the following :- He was born near Bally- shannon, Ireland, March 3d, 1775. At an carly age, soon after the termination of the revolutionary war, he was brought to the Uni- ted States, locating in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was with Gen. Wayne on the Ohio, in 1793-4; was a captain in Phila- delphia in 1798 ; clerk in the War Department and Indian Bureau, in all thirty-one years. In the war of 1812 he was a pay-master
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and quartermaster by turns. In 1841-2 he was U. S. Commis- sioner for treating with the Indians. In all these positions he acquitted himself honorably. In a letter yet extant written by him in his old age, he said " he had suffered political martyrdom thrice for adherence to Whig principles ; once by the tyrant Jackson once by the nondescript Tyler, and once by the democratic legisla- ture of Ohio."
Of these families came John J. McLean, the subject of this sketch, a man who has inherited many of their good qualities ; a man of energy, of generous impulses, and who is held in high es- teem. He received a common school education in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and subsequently attended the Meth- odist College at St. Charles, in the same state about a year. As a youth in school he exhibited those traits of character,-that same restlessness of disposition that has prompted him to dare and to do whatever he conceived to be right.
He was married to Eliza Griffith, a most estimable lady, in June, 18 -. By this marriage there have been born the following chil- dren : John Joseph, Clara Belle, Nathaniel Charles, Eliza Laurence, Ralph Edwin, Gertrude Bertha, and Estelle May ; all living, and constituting a happy family.
His mother died in Shiloh, this county, Feb. 9th, 1877, in the sixty-third year of her life. To resume his personal history : at the age of seventeen telegraphy possessed for him its charms. He ra- pidly acquired a knowledge of its mysteries, and for a year remained at this work as operator in the employ of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad. He next learned the trade of machinist, at which he worked for a period of nine years, in the locomotive shops of the same railway company for which he had served as telegraph operator. In 1870 he took charge of one of the boats of the Wig- gins Ferry Company, as captain, which position he held for about ten years. From 1867 to 1870 he served as chief of the Metro- politan Police force of East St. Louis. His quickness of perception and promptness of action served him well here, and doubtless at different times saved bloodshed and riot. Possessed of a clear in- sight into the motives of men, coupled with the nerve to do what he deemed to be right, he never halted until proposed mischief was effected, but before it got under full headway he was on hand to check its tide. This promptitude together with his generous treat- ment of associates, gave him a strong hold upon the affections of his fellows, and rendered him personally popular with all. He served his constituency in the ward for two terms, of two years each, as member of the City Council, with credit to himself and honor to his supporters. In April, 1881, as a just recognition of his worth, he was elected mayor without opposition; this too, in the face of the fact that he is an ardent republican, whilst his city is strong- ly democratic. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Possessed of sound judgment, of excellent social quali- ties, of fine executive ability, he is filling his position to the satis- faction of all citizens.
-
JOHN O. BUTLER
WAS born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 10th, 1827. His father was Armstead O. Butler, a physician of large reputation and ex- tensive practice, was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, studied medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., and located in Cahokia. His circle of practice embraced a radius of forty miles, throughout which he was recognized as a skilled and erudite physician. The memory of few men is treasured up by the old pioneers of this part of the county more sacredly than that of their old family physician, Dr.
Butler. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Jane Tour- not, of the old family of that name known to Cahokia records for perhaps a century. When he reached the age of fifteen years bis father died. His widowed mother subsequently became the wife of Dr. A. H. Illinski. He received a fair business education, at- tending the schools of the day in Caho kia ard ft. Louis, and after wards St. Vincent's College at St. Mary's. This institution of learning was moved, whilst he was a student, to Cape Girardeau ; thither he went, but did not complete the prescribed course of study. For a time he pursued farming near Cahokia. He was united in marriage to Miss Julia C. Brackett, daughter of Dr. James Brack- ett, April 25th, 1853. He commenced mercantile pursuits as a clerk in a dry goods establishment in St. Louis. In 1849 he went to California, making it a trans-continental trip, as he was visiting friends on the Atlantic seaboard immediately before starting for the land of gold. In California he was engaged in a variety of pur- suits; as mining, keeping a hotel and livery. Returned in 1853, farmed for a time, and then commenced merchandizing in 1856 in Warren, Hancock county, where he was made post-master. In 1863 he went to Montana, where for about eight months he sold goods. He bought out the lumber yards of General Jarrot, in May, 1876, in which business he is yet engaged, in connection with Nicholas McCracken. Last year their sales amounted to over 4,000,000 feet of lumber.
GEORGE W. DAUSCH.
THE hope of the country is vested in her young men. If they be possessed of energy, good practical business ideas, and are directed by strong common sense then all is well. Belonging to this class no better representative can be found in East St. Louis than the subject of this sketch. He was born here Oct. 2d, 1855, hence is but twenty-six years of age, although occupying various positions of profit and trust. His parents, George and Julia Ann Dausch; came from Germany to this county during the revolution of 1848. His father was by trade a broker. He died here in 1846, leaving a widow, a son and daughter. His wife, who is yet living, subsequently married Louis Weris, by whom she has a large family of children. George W. Dausch attended the East St. Louis public schools, and afterwards, desirous of perfecting himself in a business education, attended Jones' Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo., where he graduated in 1869, at the early age of fourteen years, among, if not, the youngest graduate ever sent forth from that institution. He also attended a German institution, acquiring there a fair education. In 1846 he engaged in the service of the Workingmen's Banking company as a messenger. Step by step he has worked his way up, filling the various positions of book-keeper, teller and cashier, to which position he was chosen in 1878, and which he fills with great credit to himself. In 1880 he was appointed by the City Council of East St. Louis as City Treasurer, a just recognition of his genuine business worth and compliment to his attainments and integrity. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, in whose working and advancement he takes deep interest. Politically, he is an avowed Republican, having cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, and last for James A. Garfield. He allies himself with the stalwarts, finding in their leader his beau ideal of manhood. Generous almost to a fault; of an eminently social turn of mind, he is recognized as a hale fellow, well met by all who know him. Guided by strict business principles in all his transactions, his future is full of promise. Few men have battled more successfully for position than he, and few are more esteemed by their fellows.
1 1
FOURTH WARD HOUSE
FOURTH WARD HOUSE, COR. COLLINSVILLE & SUMMIT AVE . EAST ST.LOUIS, IL. M.M.STEPHENS, PROPRIETOR.
ESTABLISHED 18 49.
INCORPORATED 1881
GUERDA
SILK &FELT HAT MANUFACTURERS
HATS IRECUERDAN HAT COMPANY
Hüte & Happen
HATTERS THE GUERDAN HAT COMPANY HATTERS
THE GUERDAN HAT CO.S. E.COR.MARKET & SECOND STR. ST . LOUIS, MO . HATS, CAPS & STRAW GOODS, WHOLESALE & RETAIL.
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Enerothitides
ERNEST W. WIDER, (DECEASED).
FEW men have been more prominently before the attention of the public in East St. Louis than he whose portrait and autograph appear on this page. Fewer yet have contributed more to pro- mote the general good than he. He may have made mistakes, doubtless did, but they were errors of the head, not of the heart. Many of his public acts may have been prompted by a spirit of rivalry, but most were certainly intended for the promotion of local enterprises. Ernest W. Wider was born on the 7th of May, 1835, at Beerfelden, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. He was edu- cated at the University of Heidelberg, served his apprenticeship as a druggist at Erbach, emigrated to America in 1851, and settled in East St. Louis in 1855. His father, Carl Frederick Wider, was born March 23d, 1792. Was for a time chaplain at Reicthelden- heim von Kahn. In 1812 was installed as Lutheran preacher at Beerfelden, and in 1820 was installed as Oberpfarrer (or chief priest.) Ile was married to Louisa Maria Flach, May 24th, 1832. Of this union came the subject of this sketch. In 1856 Ernest W. Wider engaged in the drug business here, for which his education and pronounced ability as a chemist pre-eminently fitted him. In fact he was regarded as among the best in the state. His working laboratory was one of interest, and betokened his enthusiasm in chemical pursuits.
In 1858 he received the appointment as Postmaster for East St. Louis, under Buchanan's administration. The following year he was removed for political reasons, he having identified himself with the republican party, in the advocacy of whose principles he
was earnest and enthusiastic. In 1861 those principles having been sustained in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presi- dency, he was again appointed in April of that year, and held the office for a period of eight years. Ever since his advent in East St Louis he has taken an active part in politics. Few republican conventions have been held in which he has not been a conspicuous figure. In state, congressional, district and county conventions he has represented his fellow citizens, aud been most persistent in advancing men and measures pleasing to himself. In national politics he was a republican of the most pronounced type-one who delighted iu the name of Radical with all the party zeal that the name implied. Every city election found him a worker, usually in the interest of others. The only clective office he ever h ld was that of member of the city council, to which he was chosen from the first ward, first in 1876, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. He was a member of this body during the excited times that East St. Louis politics passed through, and was, by common consent, the recognized leader of the anti-Bowman party. For a time the city had two sets of officers, or, in other words, a dual government, growing out of what was popularly denominated the metropolitan police fight. Since 1867 Mr. Wider had been the champion of the metropolitan police system, decming it to be the interest of the city to have such a system. Throughout it all Mr. Wider acted the part of a man, sincere in his convictions, and determined iu carrying out his policy. He was several times honored by appointments, such as being a delegate to the third annual meeting of the Americau Board of Transportation and
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Commerce at Chicago in 1875, as Notary Public, by Governor Richard J. Oglesby, and as member of the State Central Republi- can Committee in 1876. It was his nature to be active, and what- ever he took hold of he did it with his might. True to his friends, a man of broad culture, of goodness of heart; his demise was mourned by many. A friend of the poor; he never turned them from his door, but attended to their wants with cheerfulness. Many prescriptions were filled by him, free of charge, when brought to him by those who were needy. He was married to Dora Sik- king, March 21st, 1859, by whom he has had four children, only one of whom is living, Miss Emma, a beautiful and accomplished young lady of fifteen. His death, which occurred July 7th, 1881, was a shock to his family and fellow-citizens. In the full vigor of health but a few short hours before, doing business with his accus- tomed energy, its suddenness created excitement and surprise. He had returned, the night before, from his farm near Pevely, Mis- souri, quite exhausted. The morning found him asleep in death. The coroner was summoned, and pronounced the cause to have been congestion of the brain. Thus passed from earth one of East St. Louis' most active citizens, when apparently in the full vigor of manhood.
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