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 93
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Mr. Sehlinger is a highly-respected citizen, a successful business man, ever ready to encourage any enterprize calculated to add to the prosperity of his adopted village. In politics he is an unwaver- ing republican. Although politically active, he works for the general, not for his personal, advancement. He has served his fellow-citizens as member of the town board acceptably. In reli- gion he is a Catholic, and in its advocacy he is zealous and earnest. A description of the mills, of which he and Mr, Schubkegel are pro- prietors, together with view, may be found elsewhere in this work.
A third interest, held by heirs of Joseph Schindler, the former proprietor, was sold on the 11th of June, 1881, under orders of the court, himself and partner being the purchasers, on a basis of $36,- 000 for the mill.
FRANCIS PERRIN.
ALL countries of the civilized globe have made their contribu- tions to free America, and representatives from many of them are found in St. Clair county. The first to seek and find homes were of French extraction, and at intervals ever since the location of Cahokia, representatives of this nationality have followed. In the year 1833 George and Susan Perrin, from Lorraine, France, crossed the sea, bringing with them their six children, landing at New Orleans, after a voyage of sixty-three days, thence up the Mis- sissippi river to St. Louis, which point they reached March 20, 1833. Soon after they located in Dutch Hollow, about four miles north-west of Belleville, where Francis hired out to Elijah Badgley, to work in a brick-yard, which he did for three months, at three dollars per month. The following summer, 1834, he again engaged in the same service, this time serving only two months, at five dollars per month. He then apprenticed himself to Anthony Marsloff, a cooper, with whom he remained eighteen months, receiving at the end of that time eighty dollars. This eighty dollars was the foundation for what has become a handsome fortune. With it he rented land of the Badgleys, and, in connec- tion with his brother, Nicholas Perrin, senior, farmed it. At the same time, his love for trading found play in the purchase, sale, and exchange of stock. This arrangement with his brother was contin- ued for fourteen years, during which time they passed from the position of tenants to that of land-holders. He was married to Mrs. Catharine Pfeiffer, a widow lady, who came to this country in 1831. The ceremony took place on the 25th day of November, 1844. By this union there has been six children, four of whom are now liv- ing-Nicholas, Terisa, Rosalie, and Franklin. Of these Franklin is a young and promising member of the Belleville bar. Francis Perrin moved from Dutch Hollow to Ridge Prairie; thence in 1853 to Looking Glass Prairie, where he now lives. Here he has a farm of seven hundred and fifty acres of most excellent and well-improved land. Mr. Perrin is an excellent example of what may be accomplished by perseverance and the exercise of tact. Born in France, May 19, 1820; brought to this country when yet but a lad ; working for wages ;- he has gradually, step by step, ac- quired a competency in life. He takes great pride in his family, and in their education. Sent Franklin to McKendree college, Le- banon, and afterwards to Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., to
fit him for his profession. Politically he is a straight-out republi- can, always ardent in his support of friends who may chance to be candidates. He has been kept in office as school trustee for the last fourteen years. He was raised a Catholic, and adheres to the faith. He says his patriotism is inherited. His father was a soldier under Napoleon, because he loved his country. He believes in teaching his children the principles of patriotism as well as mathematics or the sciences. He is locally noted for quaint sayings, often advisory in character, which have struck home with many a hearer. His father died, full of years, after having seen his sons raised from hardest struggles to gain a livelihood to independent positions. His death occurred in the month of March, 1876; his mother had preceded the father to the grave nearly two years, having died July 28, 1874. Mr. Perrin has the respect of all his associates and neighbors. He loves to talk of the rough times when men like him- self were engaged in hewing out fortunes for themselves.
DR. BOYD CORNICK.
AMONG the professional men of Mascoutah whose names are de serving a place on the pages of formative history is that of Dr. Boyd Cornick, who came here but little more than two years ago, and is rapidly acquiring an extensive practice in his chosen profession, that of Medicine and Surgery. He was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, June 1, 1856. His father, Tully R. Cornick, an attorney-at-law, is living, in the enjoyment of a large practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, at which place the subject of this sketch was principally educated, having received his academical and collegiate instruction in the University of Tennessee. After leaving college he was a year and a-half in the office of the State Superin- tendent of Public Schools of that state as assistant. Provision had been made for such office by Mr. Sears, agent of the Peabody fund, upon request of the State Teachers' Association. Of his services in this capacity State Superintendent Fleming said, in annual report of 1875 : " It gives me great pleasure to bear testimony to the in- telligent, prompt and laborious attention paid the duties of the office by my assistant, Mr. Cornick." Although successful in this field of labor, his tastes led him to prepare himself for a new sphere of usefulness, that of a practitioner of medicine. The resolution formed, he entered the office of a brother-in-law, Dr. Hutt, of Troy, Mo., thence went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended the Hospital Medical College, and graduated with honor in 1877. He was awarded the medal for best general standing in his class by the Curators of the Central University of which the Hospital Medical College is a branch. Of this distinction he is justly proud. The medal, a unique gold one, bears on its face the inscription : "To Boyd Cornick, for best standing, class 1876-7." On the reverse : "From the Curators, Central University." Immediately after graduation he was, upon competitive examination, in which thirteen contestants appeared, appointed one of the city hospital physicians for one year. At the expiration of this time he was appointed a delegate by the State Medical Society of Kentucky to the Inter- national Congress of Hygiene at Paris, which he attended in August, 1878. Still eager in the pursuit of medical knowledge he visited the hospitals of London and Paris, where he could witness exhibi- tions of European medical skill, by which to profit. Returning to America he first located in St. Louis, Mo., whence he came to Mas- coutah, May 1, 1879. An ardent lover for his calling, coupled with great pains-taking and skill in its practice, is rapidly gaining for him patrons and friends.
LOOKING GLASS VINEYARD" RESIDENCE OF THEODORE ENGELMANN, SEC. 20, TIS. R.6W. MASCOUTAH PRECINCT ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF PHILIP H. EISENMAYER, MASCOUTAH, ILLINOIS
RESIDENCE OF DR. F. X. FISCHER, DARMSTADT, ST CLAIR CO ILLINOIS .
EMERALD ISLE MILLS
"EMERALD ISLE MILLS"THE PROPERTY OF A. SEHLINGER & PH SCHUBKEGEL, MASCOUTAH, ILL.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PHILIP SCHUBKEGEL,
OF the firm, Sehlinger and Schubkegel, proprietors Emerald Isle Mills, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, August 7th, 1829. His parents emigrated to America, landing in Boston in the winter of 1836 ; proceeding to St. Clair county in 1837, where they followed the vocation of farming. Philip Schubkegel continued farming until the year 1852, when attracted by the stories of golden wealth from California, he made his way thither, where he remained four years. His labors were crowned with success, and with ample means to purchase an elegant farm, he returned to this county, and resumed farming operations. In 1864 he opened a livery stable in Mascou- tah, and run a hack between here and Belleville, which business he prosecuted two years, when he purchased the farm which is yet his home. In 1867 he bought an interest in the Emerald Isle Mills, which he still retains. He was married to Elizabeth Liebig, April 15, 1858, by whom he has four children living, Mary, born Aug.
.
10th, 1859; Henry, born Aug. 2, 1862; Eliza, born May 13th, 1866; John Philip, born June 11th, 1876, and George, born October 1st, 1863, died March, 1865. Mr. Schubkegel has been successful in life, which is due to his great energy and business tact. Farming proving too slow for his restless spirit, he followed mining, then other pursuits, until now he fills the place for which nature seems to have fitted him, that of miller. He has been hon- ored by being repeatedly elected a member of the school board, also of the board of town trustees. Here he has exercised the same tact that has ever characterized his actions. Thoroughly alive to every improvement proposed which will inure to the benefit of Mascoutah, he enjoys the cordial friendship of neighbors. The mills of which he and Mr. Sehlinger are proprietors, are among the best in the county. The conveniences for handling grain and pro- ducts are unexcelled. Capable, earnest and straightforward in all matters of business, success follows him.
RICHLAND PRECINCT.
HE Precinct of Richland is in the south central part of the county : Is bounded on the north by Centerville and Belleville, on the east by Fayetteville precinct, on the south by Monroe county, and on the west by Monroe county and Centerville precinct. In shape it is a regular rectangle, with a triangular addition on the west. It contains about 752 square miles, or 48,280 acres. It is well drained by Richland and Prairie du Long creeks, and their numerous tributaries. Richland enters on section 15, on its northern boundary, flows a southerly course, and makes its exit near the western line of survey 607. Prairie du Long rises in the north-western part of the precinct, flows a south-easterly course, and leaves the precinct on section 25, same township. Much of the land is level and low, some of it re- quiring artificial draining to render it tillable. The population is largely German; they are thrifty and prosperous, and are princi- pally engaged in farming. Its population, by the census of, 1880, was 3,338 inhabitants.
Early Settlers .- The first settlements were made in the north- eastern part on the prairies overlooked by and contiguous to Tur- key Hill. The sound of the woodman's axe first sent forth its cheer, felling timber preparatory to the erection of a cabin in 1802. The axeman was Joseph Carr, who with his family came from Virginia to find homes in the west. They came by raft down the Ohio to Fort Massac, where they forsook their "broad wagon," as such means of transportation was called, and made their way via Kaskaskia, following an old trail on horseback and on foot, to section 13, which Carr selected as an abiding place. With him
were his sons Conrad, Abner, Jacob, and Henry, strong armed, stalwart pioneers, ready to meet and defeat hardship in whatever guise it came. Joseph Carr made yet merrier music in the ears of other pioneers than that of a hastily swung axe, by the changes he rung upon his anvil. He thought a blacksmith's kit of tools a good thing for a backwoods country, and brought a set with him. An aged pioneer, whose fourscore years have been numbered, says that Carr was as good a man as ever lived, although he had a disregard for religious services, as illustrated by his taking a hunt along the Okaw ou Saturday and Sunday, whenever his son- in-law, James Garrison, a preacher from Monroe county, held ser- vices at his house, which he often did.
In the following year, 1803, David Phillips located near by, bringing with him a family of six sons and five daughters, leaving one son behind. His daughters found favor in the eyes of the young back woods gentry, and two sisters were married shortly after their arrival to the brothers, Conrad and Abner Carr. As though that were not matrimonial duality sufficient, two others married two brothers, Henry and Crisley Stout. David Philips was originally from North Carolina, where he was born in 1755. He served with honor in the Revolutionary war, and having aided in wresting the colonies from British tyranny, he sought a fair spot whereon to rear his family, moved to Tennessee, thence to Kentucky, and when in the full vigor of manhood, he heard praises of Illinois, he once again took up his line of march, led his family through the wilder- ness-found the Mecca of his hopes, and spent the evening of his life in happy repose.
The same year came Jacob Short from Kentucky, and settled in the same vicinity, a little to the south. He was a " six-footer,"
46
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
heavily built, athletic and defiant. Once he shot at, and wounded a deer, which went bounding away, the blood spurting from its side at every jump. Short followed up his game, and came upon an Indian leisurely "skinning his meat." What followed is a matter of conjecture. Short got his venison, and said " he made one Indian promise he would never take another deer from a white man." It was generally believed he killed the red skin. He was a member of the first Legislative body elected in Illinois. This Assembly convened at Kaskaskia, November 25th, 1812.
Children of these pioneers had the advantage of a school taught by John Bradsby on Turkey Hill, a little north of this precinct, as early as 1808. Then for a series of years no such facilities were offered. Indeed, it was not until 1824, that a school was regularly opened in this precinct. In the mean time additions had been made to the population by the arrival of the families of Higgins, 1818, Smiths, 1819, and Lamb, 1818. Timothy Higgins staked his claim to the west of the settlements already made, on Prairie du Long prairie, not far from the present site of Georgetown. He, as well as the Smiths, were regular down-easters, from far away Maine. Sturdy and vigorous as the old pine trees of their native state, they were well calculated to endure the hardships of pioneer life. Samuel Smith was a Baptist preacher and blacksmith. "He worked at blacksmithing for a living, and preached for a good conscience." Preaching brought him nothing-not even yellow-legged chickens for dinner-they hadn't come into fashion yet, nor did officiating at weddings replenish his exchequer extensively, as on one occasion a candidate for matrimonial honors proposed payment in coon skins for his services-and the coons had yet to be caught.
" Uncle " Billy Mcclintock (a name familiar to the old settlers) taught the first school in the precinct in 1824, or rather commenced doing so. Christmas time he found himself barred out, because he wouldn't treat to whiskey. He climbed upon the roof, displaced. two or three clap-boards, with which it was covered, dropped down among the scholars, and offered to compromise by treating to cider. Robert and Benjamin Higgins (both larger than Mcclintock ) stood out for whiskey, saying it had never been denied them in Maine. McClintock still pressed his compromise, whereupon the Higgins' boy picked him up and carried him out of the house. McClintock plead to be released to join his brothers and sisters, disclaiming bis intention of going home, and of quitting the school, which he did. Benjamin Higgins often declared the breaking up of the school the sorriest day's work he had ever been guilty of.
The first marriages we have already mentioned. The first births were of girls, double cousins, both named Sarah Carr, and born re- spectively in the winters of 1803 and 1804. Sallie Carr, now Miller, born in 1803 is still living in the precinct. Joseph Chance, as early as 1806, prcached the Baptist faith in this vicinity. His preaching places were at "every man's house," as he was always welcome.
The Kickapoo Indians made friendly visits now and then, and yet under the guise of friendship still lurked the savage nature, and many petty depredations were committed by them.
South from the settlement already mentioned in T. 2 S., R 8 W., there lived, as early as 1814, one Thomas W. Talbot, who was married to Hetty Scott the same year. To them Wm. S. Talbot was born, June 19, 1815, and Hillery S. Talbot, who yet resided there in 1816.
- At this time two saw-mills were in operation, yet further south and west, one by James M. Davidson on Prairie du Long creek, and the other by Moses Quick, on Richland. Neither of these mills were run a great length of time. Moses Quick was of a speculative turn
of mind, and preferred dealing in stock to sawing lumber. He and his brother Aaron were probably the earliest settlers in their vicini- ty, which was on the outskirts of the region of country protected by Whiteside's station. The early pioneers frequently had occasion to flee to this station as a safeguard against the Indians.
As early as September, 1815, a road was projected from Belle- ville to Quick's mill, and in February of the following year one from Belleville, via Davidson's mill to the county line, was viewed and ordered by Moses Short, Joseph Carr and James M. Davidson. An open roadway caused wagons and carts to come into vogue as a means of transportation of "plunder," as household goods were universally called. Usually these carts were provided with solid wooden wheels, without a vestige of iron. Their creaking could be heard across a section of land.
The early settlers showed great enterprise by repudiating the stick and mud chimneys and substituting therefor brick, which the opening of a brick-yard by the Carrs, Higgins and others in 1820, enabled them to do. The first brick burned for house building was at a much later date, by Ben. Smith, on land of Thouvernot, west of Georgetown, perhaps 1830.
A saw mill was built by Timothy Higgins, on the west fork of Richland creek in 1833. It had an upright saw run by water power. The first circular saw was used in a mill on Forcade field, about 1850.
John Smith, during a great scarcity of water which prevailed in the hot summer of 1821, whilst engaged in carrying it, fell dead. This was the first death of an adult of which we have any account.
A water-mill for grinding corn was built on Richland creek in T. 1 S., R. 9 W, by Billings and Taylor, in 1833.
Many of the descendents of these pioneers are yet living in this precinct surrounded by the comforts of life, the rightful inheritance of industry and earnest effort. Schools and churches abound ; for fuller accounts of which see educational and ecclesiastical chapters of this work. The precinct was organized June 5th, 1839. The first election was held at the house of Robert Higgins. Nathan Arnott, Edward Tate, and John McCully were elected as judges.
FIRST LAND ENTRIES,
The first land entries were by Samuel Scott, Sr., of 213.93 acres, in Secs. 22 and 14; by heirs of J. H. Moore 160 acres S. W. } Sec. 2, and 160 acres S. E. } Sec. 3, December 3, 1814; by Hugh McClintock the S. E. } of Sec. 10, the N. E. of Sec. 11, and S. W., ¿ of Sec. 11, in all 480 acres, Sept. 17, 1817; by Henry Carr, 160 acres, being the N. E. } Sec. 10, Sept. 11, 1817; by Balser Null, 80 acres, being the W. } N. W. + Sec. 14, Jan. 10, 1817, and by Thomas B. Talbot, 80 acres, being the E. }, S. E. + Sec. 15, Sept. 15, 1817, all the above being in T. 2, R. 8 W. and by John Rey- nolds, Senior, 160 acres, being the S. W. } Sec. 24, Dec. 21, 1818; by James B. Moore, 80 acres, being the E. } N. W. }, Sec. 23, Dec. 22, 1818, and John Dunlap, 80 acres, being the E. } of N. E. }, Sec. 12, July 26, 1830, all in T. 2 S. R. 9 W. Before any govern- mental surveys had been made, J. Edgar, the largest land owner in his day in Illinois, located claim No. 2209, and under his direc- tion survey No. 607 was made, including 5968 acres (found by sub- sequent and more accurate surveys to contain 6325 acres) Nov. 20, 1798. Of this tract 5825 acres lay in this precinct, and is known as the Tamaroas prairie tract. Edgar obtained the claim by buying up headrights of 400 acres each and militia rights of men serv- ing in 1790, by virtue of which they were entitled to 100 acres of land each. In all it is claimed that Edgar obtained near 40,000 acres of such lands, which were among the best in Illinois. In the north-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
eastern part of the township there are located several claims of like character, either wholly or in part in this precinct. They are claims 992, survey 390; claim 350, survey 382; and survey 772. These were selected in the years 1798 and 1799, and afterwards confirmed.
There are in this precinct several villages, named respectively, Georgetown, Smithton (which to all intents are one and the same, a street simply separating them), Flora, Paderborn, and Douglas. Georgetown was platted November 25th, 1853, by George Fischer. It comprised four blocks, one of which had already been purchased by Christian Melinda, John Drasur and George Storger. The two Georges, Fischer and Storger, being interested in the plat, con- cluded to name the village for themselves, and bestowed upon it their common given name, hence it was called Georgetown. To the original town Fischer made an addition of seventy-six lots, it being the east half north-east quarter section 33, T. 1, R. 8, October 4th, 1859.
Smithton (the post-office name) was laid off by Benjamin I. Smith, April 29th, 1854, in fourteen lots. It lies to the east of George- town. Several additio s have been made, notably by the Frank- lin Mill Company, of the north-west quarter of the north-east quar- ter section 33, May 27, 1859 ; by Amos T. Barker, of 48 lots north of the above, July 29th, 1859 ; and by B. I. Smith, his fourth addi- tion of thirty-two lots, April 27th, 1865; and by Christ. Gauch, of forty-eight lots, March 15, 1867. The population of the com- bined village is about 550.
The first house was built and used as a tavern by George Storger in 1853. Christian Melinda built the second, and used part of it as a shoe shop. The first store was kept by Ben. Smith, who also held the first appointment as post-master in 1853.
A reading club, organized in 1860, has a library of choice works numbering about five hundred volumes. Present officers are : Dr. W. H. Laeuffert, president, and Henry Henn, librarian. It is kept up by monthly contributions of ten cents each from its members.
A brewery, built in 1858 by George Schmidt, was operated until 1869, when it was converted into Farmers' Hall, which it still con- tinues to be.
In 1868 a company was formed numbering sixteen or seventeen stockholders, to build a mill, which was done the same year at a cost of $17,000. Stock rapidly changed hands, and finally the mill passed into the hands of those enterprising millers, F. A. Reuss & Co. Its manufacture of flour, which is held in high esteem, is shipped direct to Europe in sacks of two hundred pounds each. It has the best improved machinery, and despite remoteness from mar- ket, does a large business. It has four run of stone, having a ca- pacity for the production of about a hundred barrels of flour per day.
A society called the High Prairie Debating and Literary Society was organized in 1835, and, singular to relate, it has held regular sessions ever since. There is in possession of its officers a written record reaching from January 29th, 1842, to the present time. At first the society held its weekly sessions, alternating between three school-houses, the Potter, the Nat. Smith, and the Thompson.
The first question debated after the adoption of a constitution in 1842 (it seems to have been kept up without such an instrument prior to that date), was : "Resolved, That the present tariff is oppressive to a majority of the people of the United States." Of the members of this society several have filled honorable positions iu life-among them, Amos Thompson and B. J. Smith, members of the state legislature; Jacob Eyman, county treasurer ; John McCulley, member of the state constitutional convention of 1847 ; Harbert Patterson, a leading Methodist preacher, and others.
Several coal mines have been operated in the vicinity of George- town, mostly from hill-sides, thus becoming banks in contradis- tinction to shafts.
A saw mill, three quarters of a mile south-east of town, built by Henry Sippert in 1878, employs five men. It is operated by steam power; it is provided with a circular saw of sixty inches diameter.
The business industries of the combined villages are as follows :
General Merchants .- Press and Daesch, George Stoerger, George Seibert.
Druggists .- George J. Eimer, J. C. Bock.
Physicians .- W. H. Laeuffert, J. C. Bock.
Hotels .- Franklin tavern by H. Keim, a stone building erect-
ed in 1853, by Geo. Stoerger, Adam Herold, Paul Boll. Blacksmiths .- Leonard Schanz, Charles Frank, Jacob Sieben. Wagon Maker .- John Brendel, Fred. Germann.
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