Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 99

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 99

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Dr. Rodefeld, the son of Henry and Louise Rodefeld, attended the public schools of Quincy, continued his studies under private instruction and was a student in a business college and later in the Illinois University, in which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1902, on the completion of a course in medicine and surgery. Having ap- plied himself with assiduity to the mastery of the principles of the medical science, he entered upon practice well qualified for his ehosen calling and has been sueeessful, securing a liberal patronage and at the same time rendering valuable aid to his fellowmen in checking the ravage of disease and restoring health. He has offices at No. 429 Sonth Eighth street and No. 900 Monroe street. HIe is a member of the Illinois State Medieal So- ciety, the American Medical Association, and the Adams County Medical Society. He is examin- ing physician for the Mutual Protective League and for the Yeoman of America.

On the 12th of Jannary, 1904, Dr. Rodefeld was married to Miss Emma Meyer, a daughter of Edward and Barbara ( Mast ) Meyer, of Quincy. Quiet and retiring in manner Dr. Rodefeld ney- ertheless has the force of character which has enabled him to win creditable success in the past and will insure further progress beeanse of effi- cieney and through conscientious preparation.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM STEINWEDELL.

Captain William Steinwedell, of German birth, whose love of liberty brought him to the new world in early manhood and whose efforts have been so discerningly directed along well-defined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of his career the possibilities for accomplishment at that point, ranks to-day among the leading citizens of Quincy, being a promoter of various industrial and commercial interests here and interested financially or ae- tively in a number of business concerns at the present time.

Captain Steinwedell is a native of Hanover, Germany, born in 1827. His father was a lieu-

tenant colonel in the German army, and the same military spirit which he displayed was later shown in the career of the son. Excellent educa- tional privileges were accorded him, and he di- rected his studies along scientific lines, wherein he has always continued his reading and investi- gation, so that to-day he is a master of several important departments of science. His love of liberty was the impetus which caused him to seek a home in the new world. During the German revolution of 1848, when it seemed that the bands of monarchial despotism were being tightened about the fatherland, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and established his home in Quincy, having now been identified with the in- terests of the city for fifty-six years. He had resided here for two years when he became a factor in commercial eireles as a partner in the firm of Bertschinger & Steinwedell, dealers in hardware and iron. From the beginning the en- terprise proved a success, the business constantly growing in volume and importance. They were the first business house to make direet importa- tions. Hardware at that time was largely a for- eign produet, and Captain Steinwedell, in order to seenre a stock for his store, frequently visited the leading manufacturing cities of Europe to make purchases. The firm had a continuous and prosperous existenee for more than twenty years, and the partnership was dissolved in October, 1873, when the senior member decided to return to his native land.

Captain Steinwedell had given unremitting at- tention to the business and its development, save for the period of the Civil war, when his patriotie spirit was aroused in behalf of the Union cause. At the outbreak of strife in the south he organ- ized a local military company which did valable service in this locality, without compesnation and without expense to the government. He secured the money in the banks at La Grange and Canton and delivered it to the sub-treasury at St. Louis by order of Major-General Fremont: furnished an escort for twenty thousand stands of arms for Towa troops from Quiney to Keokuk : relieved the Sixteenth Illinois Regiment, when it was be- sieged by Confederates at Monroe City, Missouri ; and was in constant service for nearly four years. Captain Steinwedell's interest in military affairs has never abated, and the welfare of the sollier is dear to his heart. He was president of the board of trustees of the Soldiers' and Sailors' llome from 1894 until 1897, when the demands of his private business affairs caused him to re- sign.

As the years passed by Captain Steinwedell found opportunity for judicious investment in other business enterprises aside from the hard- ware store, and for over twenty years he was president of the Gas Company of Quincy, of

Muy Stein we dell.

Louise A. Steinwedell

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

which he is now a local director. He has become interested in mining and is now president of the Arrowrock Mining & Milling Company and treas- urer of Diek Brothers' Milling Company. He is, likewise, secretary of Dick & Brothers' Quincy Brewing Company. For a long period he hekl stock in the First National Bank and is now a stockholder in the State Savings Loan & Trust Company. Whatever he undertakes receives his most earnest attention and effort. He is a man of sound judgment. keen discrimination and marked enterprise. Matters of citizenship claim his thought and energy, and he has been an im- portant factor in many matters which have con- tributed to the upbuilding and substantial prog- ress of Quincy. He was one of the organizers of Quincy Turnverein and one of the buiklers of Turner Hall. He is now an honorary member, having a certificate for twenty-five years' mem- bership. The hope which led Captain Steinwe- dell to come to America was a common and illu- sive one, but has been more than realized. he en- joying fully the privileges and advantages of a free man, who has so directed his efforts that they have been erowned with success and at the same time he has so labored that his work has proved of value to the city and. in times of war- fare, to the nation. A contemporary biographer has said : "For many years he has directed the affairs of several extensive interests, any one of which would have demanded the entire time .of most business men. He is a commanding figure in the community ; bluff and outspoken, vet hale and hearty. charitable and generous, a highly cultured gentleman and one of Quincy's most honored citizens."

EBENEZER P. SAMIMIS.

Ebenezer P. Sammis, deceased. was one of the pioneer railroad men of Quiney and was well known in connection with the train serviee, act- ing for a long period as passenger engineer of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. He became a resident of Quincy in 1853. His birth occurred in Norfolk, Connecticut. April S. 1×36. his parents being William P. and Julia (Burr) Samnis, who were also natives of Con- neeticut. in which state they resided for many years. The father served as postmaster at Nor- folk for several years and his death occurred there. His widow afterward went to San Fran- cisco. California, where her last days were passed.

Mr. Sammis of this review obtained a good education in the schools of Conneetient and at the age of fourteen years he put aside his text- books and came to the west with a Mr. Betts. He

traveled to some extent over the country and finally located in Quincy. where he secured a position in a machine shop owned by a Mr. Greenleaf. There he learned the machinist's trade, being employed in that shop for three years. Ile afterward went to Mendon, Adams county, where he set up the first stationary en- gine in that town. He only remained there for a brief period, however, and then returned to Quincy, where he accepted a position as fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1856 his work in this line began. He had served as fireman for only a short time when his efficiency won him promotion to the position of engineer. It was then that he made the first run from Quincy to Galesburg. He was later pro- moted to passenger engineer and had a regular run out of Quincy, serving in that capacity for many years, with the exception of one year spent in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company. He returned to Quiney, however, in 1863. when the well known Joe West was master mechanie for the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in this city. Mr. Sammis had no difficulty in obtaining his old position and for several years had a regular run between Quiney and Galesburg. He was then transferred to a run between Quincy and Lonisiana, Missouri. and in order to be more conveniently situated near his work, he removed his family to Louisi- ana, where he resided for about ten years. For that time he had the one run. or until the great railway strike in 1887. After the difficulty was settled, he returned to Quincy, but still continued on the run between this city and Louisiana, hav- ing a regular run up to the time of his death. which occurred on Sunday, July 31, 1898. at about nine o'clock in the morning. Ile was mak- ing his regular trip from Quiney to Hannibal and when the train was about two and a half miles south of Quiney, his engine run into an open switch. jumped the track and crashed into a tree. Knowing that death was certain, he jumped from the engine and was almost instant- ly killed. living bnt two hours after the acci- dent.

In 1860 Mr. Sammis was married in Quincy to Miss Helen Phelps, a native of this city. born September 27, 1843. and the daughter of David and Fanny (Shaw) Phelps. the former a native of Canada, and the latter, Virginia. Her father came to Quincy in 1833 and was engaged as a fisherman here in the early days. but died after

a few years' residence in Illinois. His wife re- sided here until her death, which occurred at the very advanced age of ninety-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Sammis became the parents of eight chil- dren : Emily G., the wife of Asa II. Todd, Quiney : William. an engineer in Parsons, Kan- sas : Julia. the wife of Spencer Grover. a resident

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of LaGrange, Illinois; Joseph, who was engaged in the commission business in Quincy for several years and was also a salesman for Armour & Company for one year, and is now residing with his mother . Fay, the wife of Charles James, of Augusta, Illinois : Gertrude, Edith and Adelaide, who are at home with their mother.

Mr. Sammis was a democrat, always voting for the men and measures of his party. The family are all members of the Christian church of Quiney. Mr. Sammis was one of the oldest and best known railroad men of this eity and during his long connection with the railroad he won many friends and had the entire confidence of those whom he represented. being a most effi- cient employe. Ilis wife won in a large suit against the railroad company, as his death was the fault of the company. Mrs. Sammis now owns a nice home at No. 529 North Third street, where she and her children reside.

WILLIAM E. MILLER.

William E. Miller, living on section 36, Ursa township is the owner of a rich and arable tract of land of one hundred and ninety acres and in addition to its cultivation he is engaged in deal- ing in stock at Ursa. His birth occurred June 2, 1835, in the township which is now his home. He is the son of Bradshaw and Rebecca ( Keath ) Miller. The father was a native of Virginia, but was reared in Lexington, Kentucky, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Keath, who was born in that city. In 1827 they removed to Morgan county. Illinois, and later came to Adams county, Mr. Miller purchasing one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on seetion 36. Ursa township. With characteristic energy. he began the development of the farm and continued its cultivation until his death, which occurred in 1857. His wife survived him several years and died October 24, 1864. Two of their children are still living: William E. ; and Mrs. Eliza Wad- dle, of Wheatland, California.

William E. Miller was reared upon the old homestead farm where his entire life has been spent. He attended the public school and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrienlturist. He has also been progressive in his farming methods, using the latest improved machinery to cultivate the fields and harvest the crops. He has ever dis- played marked energy in all business affairs con- nected with the raising of grain and in dealing in stock at Ursa, where he is now associated with C. R. MeNay. He owns one hundred and ninety acres of choice land. and the farm is pleasantly

located a half mile west of the village of Marcel- line. Ile has continuously followed farming with the exception of the period when he served in the Civil war. On the 5th of August, 1862, he en- listed in Company B, Seventy-eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry and served until the close of hostilities, after which he resumed his farming operations, having proved his loyalty to his coun- try by his faithful services upon the battle-fields of the Sonth.

On the 7th of January, 1858, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah A. Anderson, a native of Breckenridge county, Kentucky, and a daughter of John C. and Nancy (Smith ) Anderson. She was born October 21, 1838. They became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are still living. They are as follows: Mary, born April 1, 1859, died the same year; U. K., who was born February 20. 1860, resides in Quincy and is mar- ried and has two sons; Olive, born February 7, 1863. is the deceased wife of Charles MeNay : John B., born January 4, 1857, married Mrs. Lillie Bonnett and lives in Colorado ; Charles W .. born January 29. 1869. married Alta Agard and resides in Hurdland. Missouri : Dora, born May 12. 1872, is the wife of W. S. Worley, a merchant of Ursa ; Bert. born July 24, 1874, married Lillie Miller and lives in Oregon: Edward F., born February 24. 1876, is at home: Lanra D., born April 13, 1878, is the wife of Edward houghton and resides in Oregon: Fred, born April 14. 1880, is a graduate of a dental college and re- sides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Miller gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and upon that ticket was elect- ed road commissioner. IIe has also served as school director for several years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. IIe has been an active member of Marcelline lodge No. 114. A. F. & A. M., located at Marcelline, his identification therewith dating from 1859, dur- ing which time he has faithfully exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is also a member of Marcelline lodge No. 127. I. O. O. F., of Marcelline. IIe has reached the age of three score years and ten and yet possesses the energy and enterprise of a much younger man. llis life has been active and upright and the spirit of progress and improvement which has dominated this portion of the country has been manifest in his business career.

LOUIS C. SIIRIVER.

Lomis C. Shriver, one of the extensive land owners in Adams county, is successfully earry- ing on agricultural pursuits. His home is about

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

a mile and a quarter south of Ursa. He was

owned at one time by her father. Here they born June 28, 1860, in Adams county. His have since lived. Their home has been blessed with two children : Carl C., born May 30, 1887 : and Vietor 11 .. born June 22, 1902.

father, Louis Shriver, was born in Goddsheim, Germany, and came to the United States in 1854, settling first in IIerman, Missouri, where he lived for two years. He then removed to St. Louis. where he spent one year. and in 1857 came to Quincy. Ilere, on the 5th of March, 1858, he was married to Miss Catherine Waggamon, who was born in Saarbrucken, Germany, March 25, 1832, and came to this country in 1855, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which dropped anchor in the harbor at New Orleans. They then proceeded up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where they lived for two years. Mrs. Shriver eame to Quiney in 1857 and resided in this county until her marriage in 1858. The young couple then located on a farm on section 24, Mendon town- ship, where they resided for some time. Later they removed to section 26. in the same township, and there resided until the end of this life. The father died May 13. 1890, and the mother passed away August 19. 1896. Of the seven children born to them two died in infancy. Those living are: Henry, who was born January 25, 1858. and resided in Mendon township : Louis C., whose name introdnees this sketch: Leonard E., who was born September 25, 1862, and lives in Elling- ton township; Mrs. Louisa C. Wettig, who was born December 30, 1864, and resides in East St. Louis: and Frank, who was born January 11. 1867, and makes his home in Mendon township.

Louis C. Shriver was born on the old home- stead on section 24. Mendon township, and con- tinued to assist his father in the farming opera- tions up to the time of his marriage, on the 9th of August, 1885. IIe wedded Emma D. Brug- gebos. of l'rsa township, a daughter of Conrad and Sophia (Whitefield) Bruggebos. Iler father was born in Hanover, Germany, JJanuary 19, 1815, and came to the United States in 1846, landing in New Orleans on the 30th of Novem- ber of that year. He became a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1848 and of Quincy in 1849. He soon afterward took up his abode in Burton township. He was married January 21. 1853. to Miss Sophia Whitefield, who was born April 5. 1837, in Hanover, Germany, and eame to the United States with her parents in 1846. In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Bruggebos located on a farm in Ursa township. where they continued to reside throughout their remaining days, the father dying on the 24th of August. 1903, while the mother's death occurred September 30. 1893. In their family were twelve children, but only two are now living : Mrs. Shriver and Rosa C. Brug- gebos, who was born March 2, 1878, and is living on the old homestead.

After their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shriver settled on section 19, Ursa township. on the farm

Mr. Shriver and his family now own six hun- dred acres of very valuable and arable land in I'rsa township, the greater part of which lies just south of the village of Ursa, their home being about a mile and a quarter from town. They rent all of their land with the exception of a quarter section, which they cultivate. carry- ing on general farming. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church of Ersa and are very prominent in the social circles of this local- ity. Mr. Shriver has ever worked earnestly, sav- ing his money as opportunity has afforded. and is now in the possession of a comfortable compe- tenee. Everything about his farm is in an ex- cellent condition, and he has an attractive place.

B. A. VAN DYKE.

B. A. Van Dyke, who has been actively iden- tified with educational interests in Adams coun- ty for many years and is now interested in farm- ing and the supervision of telephone lines in Mendon, was born in Mendon township, March 9, 1852, his parents being William and Ilester ( Cort ) Van Dyke. natives of Westmoreland eounty, Pennsylvania. His ancestors had lived there through several generations, the old family home being near the Brush Creek church, at Irv- ing, Pennsylvania, where they worshipped, and the great-grandparents of Mr. Van Dyke of this review are both buried at that place. The father William Van Dyke, was a farmer of Pennsyl- vania until bis removal to the west in the fall of 1945. He located first at Quiney. Illinois. for a short time, then settled on a farm on section 22. Mendon township, placing the will tract of land under a high state of cultivation and continuing its activo operation nntil October 18, 1893. He died in December of the same year, passing away at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife died in 1856. at the age of thirty-three years. In this family were seven children, namely: P. C .. who is now living with our subject in Men- don : J. C .. who resides in Ursa : Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years : Henrietta, who died when a year old : B. A. ; Vesta, who is living with our subject : and IIuldah, the wife of E. II. Dud- ley, who is living three miles southeast of Men- don.

Mr. Van Dyke of this review pursued his preliminary education in the common schools of Adams county and afterward attended the State Normal School, at Normal, Illinois, thus being well prepared for the profession which for many

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

years he made his life work. At the age of eight- een years he began teaching school in Adams county and for twenty-five years he was thus en- gaged. spending the entire period within ten miles of Mendon, except one year. when he taught in Quincy. He was a capable educator, impart- ing clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and was also an excellent disciplinarian, so that his services proved of marked value in promoting educational advance- ment in Adams county. Ile is now giving his at- tention to the supervision of his farming inter- ests and also superintends about thirty miles of telephone line. He is likewise active and influ- ential in community affairs and is president of the town board of Mendon, ever interested in the welfare and upbuilding of the town. Ile gave to the creamery company the land on which it built its plant. Ilis aid is a valued factor in many progressive movements and he is classed with the representative citizens of Mendon.

JOSEPH BARKER FRISBIE. SR.

Joseph Barker Frisbie, Sr., is now eighty-six years of age, being one of the venerable citizens of Adams county. He was born October 19, 1819, in Branford. Connecticut, and is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest colonial families of America. The ancestry can be traced back to Edward Frisbie, who came from England in 1619, when twenty-four years of age and settled in Virginia. In 1642 the governor of that colony ordered all those who would not join the church of England to leave Virginia and among those who were thus obliged to go away from their homes were Richard Frisbie and his two sons James and William. The name of Edward Frisbie appears on the first page of the town records of Branford, Connecticut, under date of 16-14. as one of the first settlers. The family name has been spelled in various ways, being written at different times Frisbie, Frisbee and Frisby.

The grandfather, Joseph Foote Frisbie, fought in the Revolutionary war and lived to the very advanced age of ninety-eight years. The Fris- bies have always been deyout church people from the time of Edward Frisbie down to the present. They have been identified with the Congregational church. They have at all times been law-abid- ing, maintaining the principles of their Puritan ancestors and in times of war have been loyal defenders of the country's canse.

Lyman Frisbie, father of Joseph B. Frisbie, was born, February 23, 1794, and on the 31st of December. 1818, in his native town of Bran- ford. Connertient, was married to Anna Barker,

who was born June 9, 1796. They became the parents of seven children: Joseph, born, Oc- tober 19, 1819, was the eldest. Caroline, born April 19, 1821, was married January 2, 1845, to Hon. Samuel R. Chittenden, who died Jan- mary 22, 1899, while her death occurred June 11, 1903. They had three sons, John R., Samuel F. and George R. Emeline, born March 18, 1823, was married December 18, 1851, to George HI. Rea, who died December 24, 1886, while she died February 16, 1905, leaving no children. Mary Ann, born Angust 23, 1826, was married June 10, 1849, to Ebenezer B. Barker, and they have two children, Lucy A. and Elizabeth F. Morris E., born January 31, 1830, was married in 1858 to Caroline MeMillen, who died March 1, 1905, while his death occurred May 13, 1901. They had two sons, Lyman B. and Harry M. Elizabeth P., born December 25, 1831, was mar- ried June 10, 1852, to John A. Chittenden, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Calvin, born April 22, 1834, died May 7, 1837. Lyman Frisbie and his family of six children left Branford, Connectient, May 10, 1837, and arrived at Mendon, Illinois, on the 15th of June of that year. They fitted out to make the journey by land, but on arriving at Wheeling, West Virginia, Mr. Frisbie concluded to com- plete the trip by boat because of the fatigue felt by the members of his party. Having arrived in Adams county he at once began to build a house, purchasing a half section of land on which the town of Mendon now stands. He followed farm- ing throughout his entire life and took great pride in his agricultural pursuits, keeping his farm in excellent condition. Through his hos- pitahty in caring for the travelers who jour- neyed between Quincy and Carthage, he became well known throughout the state of Illinois. In 1838 he hung out a sign "tavern," which re- mained until 1864, when it was taken down be- cause of the feeble condition of the parents.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 99

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228