Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 71

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 71

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Our subject is a fine type of the German-Amer- ican, than whom Peoria County has no better or more desirable class of citizens. He possesses a good mind, well trained by the excellent education that he received in his native land, to which he has added since he became a citizen of this country, early acquiring a good knowledge of the English language, which he speaks and writes with facility, using it in the transaction of all his business. He

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is a sincere Christian, and the United Brethren Church finds in him one of its most zealous mem- bers and trusted officials, he being Trustee of the church. He is a firm Democrat in his polities, and in regard to advancing all schemes for the improve- ment of his adopted township is public-spirited and liberal.

HARLES B. HOFFMAN. In noting the business establishments of Peoria, the cigar and tobacco house of C. B. Hoffman should not be passed by, although the number of men em- ployed is not large-only nine being at present en- gaged. The trade is a flourishing one and the lovers of the weed in its various forms bestow their ap- proval upon the goods made here.

The proprietor of this business establishment is a native of Peoria, in which he was born December 18, 1852. After pursuing the usual studies he went into a cigar and tobacco house as a stripper boy, afterward being apprenticed to Burton Bros. with whom he thoroughly learned the business. After a period spent on the road as a journeyman, he, in 1878, established a business of his own, devoting himself to supplying the home market. He has at times had as many as fourteen or fifteen hands em- ployed.

The marriage of Mr. Hoffman was celebrated at the home of the bride December 21, 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Luella Sights, a native of this city and a woman of intelligence and many virtues. The family comprises three living chil- dren named respectively. Clemens, Ramie and Burt. Mr. Hoffman belongs to the social societies of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Red Men. In his political views he concurs with the Republican party, voting with it on all national issues, but in the minor local elections giving bis suffrage to the best man irrespective of party.

The parents of our subject were Charles and Louisa (Tzacka) Hoffman, natives of Prussia, whence they came to America in 1845-46. In 1849, the father joined the gold seekers in Cali-

fornia and for two years engaged in mining with considerable success. Returning to Peoria he took up work at the trade of a tailor and was also for some time occupied as an hotel-keeper. For a time he was proprietor of the Illinois House on Washı- ington Street, likewise keeping an hotel called the Globe Exchange. on South Water Street. He was also the owner and operator of a soap and candle factory. During the late Civil War he spent three years, three months and ten days in the Union army as a private in Company F, Forty seventh Illinois Infantry. The family comprises four sons and five daughters, all still living and the brothers of our subject occupied as follows: Frank is a painter in Omaha, Neb .; Otto G., a sickle· maker in Canton, Ohio; Anthony is assistant book; keeper at Barker's distillery.

AMES GELLING, a resident of Millbrook Township, where he is busily engaged in farming, owning and occupying a desirable farm on section 34, is a pioneer of this county, and has been variously identified with its industries for many years. Mr. Gelling is a native of the Isle of Man, and was born in 1826, to .Iolin and Mary Gelling, who were also natives of that island. His boyhood and youth were passed in the place of his birth, and he gleaned his education in the local schools. At the age of about seventeen years he began to learn the trade of a carpenter, and followed that calling some thirty years, becom- ing very skillful in the prosecution of his work. A part of the time he was employed as a carpenter and joiner on his native isle, and was also thus en- gaged in England, and later still after coming to America carried it on very profitably. Shrewdly thinking that in this country he should have a bet- ter chance of acquiring property and securing an assured income, he determined to migrate to these shores, and in 1850 took passage on a sail vessel at Liverpool, and eleven weeks later landed in New Orleans. Thence he came up the river to St. Louis, and thence to Peoria, whence he proceeded to Brimfield. He remained there for a time working

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at carpentering, or at anything whereby he could earn money, and subsequently located on a farm in Brimfield [Township. HeCearried on agricultural pursuits there until he came in possession of his present farm. This comprises eighty acres of choice land, pleasantly located, under excellent eultiva. tion, and supplied with every needed improvement, everything about the place betokening thrift, en- terprise, and skillful management on the part of the owner.

After our subjeet had been in this country nearly twenty years, he returned to the home of his birth, to secure on that little island the chiefest:blessing of man, a good wife, and was there united in mar- riage to Miss Jane Skinner, who was likewise a na- tive of the Isle of Man. He immediately brought his bride to this country and established her in his home in Brimfield, where they lived until they took up their abode in this township.

Mr. Gelling is classed among the representative and intelligent citizens of Millbrook Township, and does credit to the snug little island which gave him birth. The sturdy principles of a well ordered life have guided our subject in all his undertakings, and all who have dealings with him, place impli- cit confidence in his word. He is a consistent Christian, and an active member of the Church of England. Politically be stanchly adheres to the Republican party.

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MAN SCHEELLER is a fine representative of the farmers and stock-raisers of Peoria County, who have been influential in de- veloping its agricultural resources and raising its financial status, until to-day it is one of the finest farming regions in the world, and is one of the wealthiest and best improved counties in the State of Illinois. Mr. Seheeller is a large hindowner, and has converted many aeres in this and adjoining counties into a farm which, in re- gard to productiveness, value and appointments, compare favorably with the most highly improved in this section of the country. It is known as the "Yankee Street Stock Farm," and comprises four

hundred and eighty acres on sections 5 and 6, Chil- lieothe Township, where he makes his home,and three hundred and sixty aeres lying just across the line in Steuben Township, Marshall County. The land possesses every facility for raising stock, and Mr. Scheeller devotes much of it to that purpose, hav- ing it well stocked with eattle and horses of a high grade ; he makes a specialty of raising horses, hav- ing about one hundred of the Norman breed, and has the eredit of introducing the draft Normans into this part of the county. And at the head of his valuable stud are the well-known stallions, Pamphile and Begot, aged respectively six and seven years, and each weighing about two thousand pounds, of good build and action, and fine speci- mens of their kind.

Mr. Seheeller is a native of Germany, and was born in the Province of Saxony, April 24. 1832, coming of aneient Saxon stock, and of Saxon-Ger- man parentage. His father, Joseph Seheeller, was a farmer, and a life-long resident of Saxony, where he rounded out a busy and honorable life at the age of seventy years. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Sehafer, was a Saxon lady, and at the time of her death was seventy-one years old. Both were bred in the Catholic Church, and were steadfast followers of the faith, leading consistent Christian lives.

Our subjeet is the eldest of a family of five sons and two daughters, and is the only one of them who ever came to America. His brothers and sis- ters are all living, so far as known, and still make their home in the Fatherland. He grew to man's estate in the land of his nativity, and received the benefit of a good practical education in its excel- lent schools. At the age of nineteen the ambitious youth boldly took his life in his own hands and traveled aeross unknown seas to make a home and a name for himself in a strange country. . July 10, 1852, he embarked at Bremenhaven on the good ship "Augusta," in which he sailed across the At- lantie, and after a prolonged voyage of sixty-three days, landed in New York City. Thenee he pro. ceeded to Rochester N. Y., and the ensuing thrce years worked for the farmers in that vieinity. In 1855, he came to Peoria County, wisely thinking that. in this region so marvellously fruitful, his

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DREKA

BARNS & STABLES.

RESIDENCE. LOOKING SOUTH.

BEGOT

BAMFIELD

Vilad

" YANKEE STREET" STOCK FARM - RESIDENCE OF AMAN SCHEELLER. SEC. 5. CHILICOTHE TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.

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prospects of pursuing agriculture successfully would be much greater than in less favored locali- ties. Ile has been prospered far beyond his hopes, and in his magnificent farm, with its hundreds of well-tilled acres. its fine cattle and horses, and its many valuable improvements. we witness the result of his unremitting toil and practical ability as an intelligent, wide-awake farmer and stock grower.

When Mr. Scheeller came to this county he was a single man but here he found that best of all bless- ings ever vouchsafed to man, namely, a good wife. Mrs. Scheeller's maiden name was Sarah Dixon. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 4, 1834, and is a daughter of Jehu and Frances (Ray) Dixon, who came from Ohio to Illinois about 1840. They became pioneers of Stark County, locating there on a farm. A few years later they came to Peoria County, and settled on a farm in Chilli- cothe Township, and there both died, Mr. Dixon at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and his wife when seventy-one years old. Mrs. Scheeller is one of a family of eight children, all of whom came to Illinois, and she now has two sisters and one brother living. She was only a child when she came here with ber parents, and was reared to a use- ful womanhood, receiving a careful training in all domestic matters, so that when she become the head of a household she was competent to take charge of its affairs.

Five children have blessed the happy wedded life of our subject and his wife, of whom one is deceased, Alice, who died at the age of three years. The following is the recorded of the others: Ma- tilda is the wife of Jacob Stapp, and they have a home near her parents. where he is engaged in farming; Frances is the wife of Frank Kellenbeck, of Steuben Township; Arthur, who resides on his father's farm, married Martha Hart; Carrie is the wife of William Taylor, who lives on Mr. Scheeller's farm in this county.

Our subject is a noble type of our self-made men. Ile started out in life with no adventitious aids of a name and fortune to insure success. But he had what is better, a clear brain and steady nerve, and plenty of courage to do and to dare, a high ambition and tenacity of purpose to enable him to carry out whatever he undertook, and a right royal

capacity to do it well; these have been the open sesame to make fortune's doors swing wide for him. and he has entered into her domain and taken what rightly belongs to him who can persevere to the end in spite of all obstacles. The success that he has achieved has not spoiled him, as he is the same kind hearted, friendly man as in days of yore, and the generous use that he makes of his wealth shows his aim to become rich was not entirely a selfish one. His publie spirit is seen in his liberal use of money to push ahead all plans devised for the ben- efit of Chillicothe in particular, and the county in general. Mr. Scheeller has shrewd opinions on all questions of the day, and has his own views as to polities, being independent of party ties.

In connection with this personal sketch of Mr. Seheeller, we are pleased to present a view of his elegant residence, with its pleasant rural surround- ings.

APT. JOHN 11. IIALL. No more enterpris- ing citizen can be found In Peoria than Capt. Hall, the efficient President and Gen- eral Manager of the Ft. Clark Horse Railroad. lle has had charge of this ear line about eighteen years. It has five miles of double track, is well equipped, and financially successful. The life of Capt. Hall has not been devoid of adventure and hazard, nor unmarked by gallantry in trying scenes. He won an excellent record as a plucky soldier during the Civil War, and in, business affairs has ever been known as zealous, energetic and honorable.

The parents of our subject were Capt. William A. and Prudence T. (Spalding) Hall, and were na- tives of Connecticut, from which State they emi- grated to the present site of Chicago in the spring of 1822. At the little trading post called Ft. Dear- born they landed June 1, and about a year later, June 12, 1823, their first child was born. This was a daughter, Madorah, who became the wife of Au- ren Garret, now of Peoria, and is claimed to have been the first white child born in Chicago. In the spring of 1824 the parents removed to Chagrin Falls, Ohio. where they remained a year. thence removing to Pittsburg. Pa .. which was their home

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until late in the fall of 1829. They then ehanged their place of abode to Cincinnati, Ohio, leaving that city in June, 1833, to become residents of Peoria, Ill., where they arrived the 1st of Septem- ber. They were, therefore, among the very first settlers in this now flourishing city. Mrs. Prudence lIall died in 1852, and the widower subsequently married Mrs. Sarah A. Thoman, nee Hepperly, who still survives. In 1875 Capt. Hall removed to Oregon, returning to Peoria in 1879 and making this his home until his death, August 11, 1881, in his eighty-fourth year. He was a gun-smith and in Government employ both in, Pittsburg and Chi- cago. For many years he followed engineering on the river. He owned and ran the steamboat "Joe Davis" in the St. Louis and Illinois River trade. Either as engineer or captain he followed river life about thirty-four years. To him were born nine children of whom the present survivors are: J. H., of whom we write; Mrs. Caroline Hudson, of Colo- rado Springs, Colo .; Willis A., whose home is in Adelaide, Wash., and Mary W., wife of W. E. S. Bunn. of this city.

Capt. John Il. Hall was born in Pittsburg, Pa., May 12, 1828, but passed his early life chiefly in Peoria. He obtained a common-school education during the winters preceding his fourteenth year. Hle then entered the employ of Tucker & Mansfield, druggists, with whom he remained about four years, when he went to St. Louis and entered the drug establishment of Charless & Blow. After working for that firm a little more than a year he became a elerk on a boat plying between St. Louis and New Orleans, and on that route and the Illinois River he followed that occupation until May, 1849.

At that date the young man crossed the plains for the land of gold, making one of sixteen who started from Salt Lake City via Los Angeles, on a trail a wagon had never traveled. They left the Mormon capital with forty days' rations and were one hundred and twenty- five days en route. Two days before their arrival at the Great Desert five of them, Capt. Hall among the number. were sent as a forlorn hope to secure aid for their party. They eame near starving, to avoid which they were obliged to resort to eating a crow and also a dog that attended them. While dressing the latter a

party of three overtook them and it was found that the new comers had ten pounds of rice. Exchange was made of dog meat for rice, and the two parties continued in company two days. The third day they saw deer tracks and two of the party, Antoine and George S. Harding, of Charleston, S. C., started off to get a deer, if possible, carrying the only rifle left to the company. Hall, VanBlack, and Robert Rohrbottom, an Englishman, had been left in the camp. and just at sunset rejoiced to see their com- rades returning. In addition to the searcity of food, from which they suffered, danger was immi- nent from savage foes and wild animals. Their hunger was relieved by a deer, which had been shot by Antoine, and which, although served withont salt or pepper, proved very grateful to the almost famishing party. They survived the terrible hard- ships which they encountered, and arriving at the mission at San Bernadino sent baek supplies to the camp they had left and all the party reached the coast in safety.

Mr. Ilall engaged in mining but with ill suecess, and in 1851 returned to the States via Central America and the Niearanga route. At Graytown an incident occurred worthy of note. They were obliged to wait two weeks, and were there sub- jeeted to a search made by English soldiers. An English man-of-war, the "Devastation," was har- bored there and upon it Mr. Hall secured passage to New Orleans. After reaching his former home be turned his attention to agriculture, but after two years spent in farming became a clerk. In 1856 he took charge of Springdale Cemetery, retaining his position until August 1, 1862, when he opened a recruiting office on Adams Street. On the 27th he was mustered into the Union army as Captain of Company H, Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and in October accompanied his regiment to Louisville, Ky.

The first heavy engagement in which Capt. IIall participated was the bloody battle of Perrysville, October 8. IIe then followed Bragg to Crab Orehard, after which his command was seut to the relief of Nashville, arriving in that city in Deeem- ber. They remained there doing eamp duty until the movement culminating in the battle of Chicka- mauga.in which our subjeet took part September 19, 20, and 21, 1863. The next noted engagements in

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which he participated were Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and in May, 1864, he went to Ring- gold, afterward participating in the entire series of of battles before Atlanta. Capt. Hall accompanied Sherman to the sea and through the Carolinas, the battles of Averysboro and Bentonsville being the last in which he participated. He was mustered out of service after the Grand Review at Washing- ton, in which he participated June 6, 1865.

After his return from the seat of war Capt. Hall resumed his position as Superintendent of the Springdale Cemetery, retaining it until the fall of 1873, since which time he has been in charge of the Ft. Clark Street Railway. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonie fraternity. In politics he is a Republican of the most uncompromising character. Capt. Hall took a companion in life March 16, 1854, wedding Janet G. Coventry, a native of Scotland and a lady of great worth of character. To Mr. and Mrs. Ilall four children have been born, and they mourn the loss of one. The survivors are: Willis, Secretary of the Ft. Clark Horse Railway Company; Jolm D., who is engaged with the same company, and is Lieutenant Colonel of a Division of the Sons of Veterans, and Benoni, who is learning photography.

REDERICK WINKELMEYER. The story of the freedom prevailing in the United States and of the opportunities for advance- ment existing here, is told again and again around the hearthstones in foreign lands. Its reeitation often leads to a determination to seek a new home, and Illinois has received a full complement of these home-seekers from abroad. The German Revolution of 1848 furnished an added incentive to many to leave their native land and avoid the consequences resulting therefrom. Among these were Frederick and Christina Winkelmeyer, whose household was gladdened by the presence of seven children -- five sons and two daughters. After land- ing in New York, in 1849, they made their way up the glorious Hudson to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, where they embarked on a lake steamer

for Milwaukee, Wis. On Lake Michigan a heavy fog enveloped their vessel, necessitating a halt. and at Sheboygan, Wis., the family remained. There the father fell a victim to the cholera in 1851.

The son, who first came to Peoria in 1851, and whose career is the subject of these brief notes, was born in Saxony, July 1, 1835, and learned the trade of a cabinet-maker in Peoria, working for Fritley & Lingle two and one- half years. lle then went to Chicago, only to return to Sheboygan after a year had passed and continue his labors in that city. On September 24, 1857, he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Emelia Illig, a native of Sax- ony, Germany, whose training had well fitted her for the duties of a home-keeper and mother. She came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1848. In 1861 Mr. Winkelmeyer returned to Peoria, bringing with him his family, and becoming proprietor of the Union Ilouse, on Fulton Street, as host of which he continued two years. lle then opened the grocery store which has brought him gain and comfort, and in which he has established a fine business. Ile keeps a full line of the best goods, and through his business tact and personal popu- larity has enjoyed a large trade for many years.

Love for the land he had chosen for his home led Mr. Winkelmeyer to become a soldier during the dark days of the Civil War, and as a member of Company C, Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, he displayed the bravery and undaunted courage so characteristic of the German. Ilis enlistment dated from March 15. 1865, and he was discharged .Janu- aary 21, 1865. His musical knowledge was known and led to his being detailed as a musician, but this fact did not prevent his manifesting soldierly qual- ities when occasion demanded. On the contrary, his position was often one of even greater danger than that of a private in the ranks.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Winkelmeyer has been made more happy by the birth of seven chil- dren, several of whom yet remain under the pa- rental roof. The filial band consists of Emma, Julius, Clara, Bertha, Lena, Edward and Josephine. The oldest daughter is now the wife of John Fried- man, Clara the wife of Jacob Baker, and Bertha the wife of Theodore Goldstein. The two sons assist their father in the business which he con-

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duets, and, inheriting financial ability from him, give promise of adding to the mercantile laurels of the family. Mr. Winkelmeyer is a member of Knights and Ladies of Honor. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and religiously is identified with the Grace Presbyterian Church. His excellence of character, good citizenship and genial qualities se- enre for him the high esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is now one of the three senior members of the original brass band of Peoria, which was organized ia 1851.

B ATTEY JOHNSON, a respected citizen of Limestone Township, where he has a pleasant home and one of the finest residences in the neighborhood, is a fine type of the German element that has done and is doing much for Peoria County. He has assisted in the development of its agricultural resources and while doing his share of the work necessary, has acquired a competency.

Our subject was born December 2, 1816, and was reared in East Friesland, Kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, and in its excellent schools obtained a fair education to which he added after coming to this country by learning to read and write the Eng- lish language. April 6, 1848, in the prime of a vigorous manly manhood he left the Fatherland to seek in the United States of America the fortune that he felt assured awaited him who was willing to labor hard at any honorable calling. He landed in New York City the 24th of May, after a voyage of forty-nine days and making his way to Albany on the Hudson, and from there to Buffalo, worked hard for a while in the brickyard for $9 a month, wages were not being high then as they are now. He then proceeded to Chicago and from there came to Peoria in the month of July of the same year. He was empty handed but he enjoyed fine health as he always has done since he came here, having been endowed with a strong constitution and great pow- ers of endurance. He was not long in finding some- thing to employ his time and hired to a German farmer for $12 a month, and as early as 1852, was enabled to establish a home, he being married on the 8th of September of that year to Miss Galena

Siebolds. Her father, Otto Siebolds, was a miller, and lived and died in the old country.

After his marriage our subject lived in Peoria until 1856, working industriously at whatever he could find to do and in the meantime wisely saved his earnings until he had $1,000 at his disposal. He worked in the lumber yard or carried the hod for the masons or turned his hand at anything by which he could make money. He bought eighty aeres of land on section 18, Limestone Township, and came to it in 1856, and built a cow shed which he and his family used as a dwelling and as it was covered by boards, they lived in it comfortably until he could replace it by a better one. He de- veloped his land from its wild condition, brought it to a high state of cultivation and made on it many valuable improvements and then sold it to his son and in 1871 bought a fine home on the Farmington road, about nine miles from town.

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Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 71

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014