USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 20
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William Gnlick, father of our subject, was also a native of New Jersey, and the third in a large family. He grew to manhood upon the banks of Seneca Lake, and remained with his parents until lie hegan life on his own account, when he went into the pine regions of Pennsylvania. As he lost money in that section, he removed to Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he engaged in teaching and surveying until he joined William MeFarland, then Sheriff of Hamilton County, and went to Scott County, Ind., where he laid out and founded the town of Lexing- ton in the early part of the present century. It became the seat of justice and its growth was rapid. Some years later Mr. Gulick went to Clark County, Ind., where he engaged in surveying and teaching, and subsequently embarked in the milling business on Fourteen Mile Creck, his being one of the first mills of that part of the State. ile married Miss Sarah Adams, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Martin and Jane ( Matthews) Adams, who were natives of Maryland and of Scotch-Irish descent. Some years after their mar- riage they removed from Maryland to Kentucky, and in later years went to Clark County, Ind .. where Mr. Adams died at the age of sixty-six years, his wife's death occurring at the age of ninety-five. They both died on the old homestead. They were well-known people of Clark County, and were members of the Seceder Presbyterian Church. In 1820 Mr. Gulick failed in his milling enterprise and about the same time he lost his wife, who at her death left three children, one of whom has since passed away, Elizabeth, wife of James M. Carson. Our subject and Mrs. Mary Bain, of Albia, Monroe County, Iowa, are still living.
William G. Gulick was a second time married in Clark County, Ind., the lady of his choice being Martha Richie, who was born in Pennsylvania, but reared in Ohio, and went to Indiana after she was grown, her parents having died in the Buckeye State. Following his second marriage, Mr. Gulick removed with his family in 1824 to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his death occurred in July, 1832, dur- ing the cholera epidemic. His wife survived him many years and at lenghth passed away in Dela- ware County, Ohio. In politics he always voted the Whig ticket, and during the War of 1812 he served as a soldier under Gen. Harrison. He filled the office of Territorial Magistrato for four years. and again served in the same capacity after the State was admitted to the Union. lle was a prom- inent and well-known man in Southern Indiana, and his loss was the occasion of deep regret to many friends.
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Our subject is the second in order of birth of three children. His educational advantages were extremely limited in his youth, but by extensive and varied reading he has gained a practical know- ledge and become a well-informed man. He was first married in Clark County, Ind., to Miss Eleanor Welch, who was born in that county, and was a daughter of Patrick and Eleanor (Kelly ) Welch, who were natives of Kentucky, but spent the greater part of their life in Indiana. Mrs. Gulick died at her home in this county in the spring of 1848, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three children: Mary, wife of Lewis R. Phelps, Lincoln, Nob .; James 11., who wedded Laura Palmer, and is a farmer of Orange County, Cal .: and Eleanor, wife of C. J. Davidson, who is also engaged in farming in Orange County. Mr. Gu- lick's second marriage was celebrated in Carrollton, Greene County, Miss dlane Vanarsdall becoming his wife. She was born in Kentucky, and with her parents removed to Greene County, Ill., where she remained until her marriage. ller father, Peter Vanarsdall, subsequently removed to Brighton, where both he and his wife died. They were Pres- byterians. Mr. Gulick was again married in Jer- seyville, leading to the marriage altar Miss Anna C. Phelps, who was born in Westford, Otsego County, N. Y., September 11, 1827, and is a daughter of Joshua and Annis (Curtis) Phelps, natives of Connecticut and the Empire State re . speetively. Her father was first married in Con- nectieut to Betsy Peck, who died in New York, leaving nine children. His second wife survived her marriage seven years, and at her death left only one daughter, Mrs. Gulick. A third time Mr. Phelps was married, when he wedded Sarah Buckley, of New York, who accompanied him to the West. They located in Jersey County, III. Mr. Phelps, who was born in the year 1775, died in 1853, in Brown County, Ill. His wife died in Jerseyville, in 1889, at the age of eighty-nine years.
Mrs. Guliek is a lady of intelligence and culture, and for some years before her marriage she success- fully engaged in teaching. Their union has been blessed with four children-Alice, the wife of Jolm B. Gooch, a farmer of Plainview; Sarah, wife of
Arthur II. Huniston, of Aurora, Ill .; Olive N .. who is engaged in teaching; and Hattie R., the young- est who is still at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Gulick are leading members and active workers in the Presbyterian Church, and are prominent people of the community. In politics he was an old line Whig, and cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, and his second vote was for the same man. On the organization of the Repub- lican party he joined its ranks, and cast his last ballot for the grandson of the Tippecanoe bero, President Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Gulick, since coming to this county, has been numbered among the representative and progressive citizens of Hil- yard Township, and has a bost of warm friends among the pioneers of the county and those of later arrivals. Our subject's grandfather, Adams, on his mother's side, went from Kentucky, in com- pony with others, in 1811. to where Terre Haute, Ind., now stands, and put in a crop of corn, thien went back to Kentucky, expecting to return in the fall, but the Indian troubles prevented their doing 50.
OSEPH M. CASTEEL, a prominent and. highly respected farmer residing on section 5, Bird Township, belongs to an old T'en- nessee family. llis father, James M. Casteel, and his mother Susan (U'nderwood) Casteel, came from Tennessee to this county in 1854, and made their home in Bird Township. The father died nol many years after coming to the new home, but the mother survives and now at an advanced age makes her home with her children. These worthy parents had a family of cleven children, six of whom grew to maturity, and took their places in life, being an honor to their parents, and of use in the community where they live.
Our subject was one of the older members of the family. He was born in Blount County, Tenn., March 10, 1835. When his parents migrated to Macoupin County, this State, he came with them and made his home with them until his marriage. This interesting and momentous event occurred April 8, 1859, and the ceremony took place in Mis-
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souri. The young man rented land in Macoupin County until 1864, when he bought a small farm near Chilo Church in Bird Township. There they lived for two years, when he sold this land and somewhat later bought the farm where he now re- sides on section 5. of the same county. He owns one hundred and twenty-one acres of excellent soil and upon it was placed all necessary improve- ments.
Mrs. Casteel bore the maiden name of Minerva A. Laster. Iler parents were Enoch and Charity (Hill) Laster, who came to this county from Greene County at quite an early day and made their home in Bird Township, until called hence by death. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Their daughter, Minerva, who be- came Mrs. Castee!, was the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Nashville, Tenn., May 13, 1844. To her have been given nine children, who were named as follows: Douglas A., who married Miss Phœbe Caldwin; Eudora A., who became the wife of Thomas E. Joiner; Robert E., who married Irene Dundon; Jennie E., who is Mrs. Isaac Vaughn; Minnie A., Joseph E., Luta M., who died when an infant; Mollie A. and Samuel J. Mr. and Mrs. Casteel are both earnest and efficient members of the Baptist Church, in which they find a broad field for labor and influence, and all the family find eomfort in the same church, in the faith of which they are bringing up their household. His political views are embodied in the declarations of of the Democratic party in the support of which he is earnest and aggressive.
ENRY L. FAHRENKROG, who is engaged in farming and dairying on seetion 36, Hil- yard Township, is of German birth. He was born in Holstein, June 30, 1831, and is a son of, Henry and Christina Fahrenkrog, who were also born and reared in the same province where they began their domestic life and resided until the death of the husband and father, which occurred in 1833. His widow was a second time married, becoming the wife of Henry Kardell, an ex-Prussian soldier, with whom she afterward
came to the United States in 1855. They first settled in Cleveland, Ohio, but after two years took up their residence in Madison County, Ill., where Mr. Kardell died at the age of sixty years. Ilis wife survived him some years and passed away at the age of seventy-thicc. She was the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters, all born of her first marriage.
Our subject was reared and educated in his native province and when about twenty-two years of age started for America, determined to seek his fortune in the New World. He has never had oc- casion to regret so doing for he has prospered and acquired a good property. lle sailed from Ham- burg and after a long and tedious voyage of eleven weeks landed in New York City from whence he made his way to Cleveland, Ohio, in August, 1855. The following spring witnessed his arrival in Mac- oupin County, and shortly afterward in the city of Bunker Hill he led to the marriage altar Miss Fredericka Herbst, who was born in Holstein. Ger- many, January 28. 1841. Her parents lived and died there, her mother departing this life when Mrs. Fahrenkrog was quite young. Her father was married a second time and died at an advanced age.
The wife of our subject was only sixteen years of age when she and an older sister started alone for America. They came to Macoupin Connty, settling in Bunker IJill, where two years later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Fahrenkrog. They have resided upon their present farm since 1868, covering a period of twenty-three consec- utive years. Before that time Mr. Fahrenkrog worked as a farin hand and lived upon rented land until by his industry and economy he had acquired a sufficient capital to purchase his present home- stead. His landed possessions aggregate one hun- dred and sixty acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He raises such cereals as are adapted to this climate and in addition does quite an extensive business as a dairy farmer, keeping about twenty-five mileh cows for this purpose. He also raises other stock of good grades and is regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the township. He has ever been true to his duties of citizenship and takes a commend- able interest in everything pertaining to the wel-
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fare of the community. In politics he is a Repub- lican and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fahrenkrog have been born the following children: William JJ. H., who aids his father in operating the home farm and has served as Township Assessor and Collector for two years, being a leading citizen of the community; Augusta L. M., wife of Andrew Huber, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work: Dora J. F .. at home; llenry L. F., who is employed as salesman in the mercantile establishment of Andrew Huber; Joseph F. W. and Amelia W. F., who are still un- der the parental roof. They have lost two child- ren, Bertha and Charlie, both of whom died in childhood.
F ERDINAND STRATMANN is a representa- tive and successful farmer of Honey Point Township, his farm consisting of two hundred and forty acres of well-improved land. Ile is a native of Prussia, the date of his birth being November 11, 1828. His father. grand father and great-grandfather were all natives ot the German Fatherland, The latter. William Strat- mann, was a farmer, and was a member of the mil- itia. He was a life-long resident of Prussia. His son John, grandfather of our subject, also followed farming, and likewise belonged to the militia. Ilis life was wholly passed in the land of his nativity.
Joseph Stratmann, father of Ferdinand, was reared, married and always lived in Prussia. For a time he served in the regular army. He bought a tract of land near the village of Burarn, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until death closed his mortal career. He was the father of five children.
Ferdinand Stratmann was the only one of the family who came to America. He attended school from the age of seven until he was fourteen years old and then gave his father his assistance on the farm. In 1849 he enlisted in the Prussian army, and after serving faithfully three years was honorably discharged with a good record as a soldier. lle was offered a commission if he would continue in the service, but he refused. Ilis thoughts had al-
ready turned toward the United States of America, the Mecca of so many of his country men, and Feb- ruary 26, 1853, he set sail for this country on the ship "Rebecca," and landed at New Orleans the 7th of the following May. His entire wealth at that time consisted of $50, but he had health, muscle and good habits to rely upon, and was therefore well prepared to ecounter whatever might befall nim in the struggle to better his condition. From the Crescent City he went to St. Louis. the trip consuming one week's time, and from there be went to Alton, where he hired out as a teamster at a pottery for three years, At the expiration of that time he rented his employer's farm for a term of nine years. In 1865 he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Montgomery County, but after living on it two years he sold it, and purchased a Farm of eighty acres on section 36, Honey Point Township. He was very successful in his farming operations and made money enough to buy another . farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the same section. Later he traded the first farm for the one he now occupies on section 25, of the same town- ship, which compares favorably in point of culti vation and improvement with any in its vicinity.
September 21, 1856, Mr. Stratmann was married to Miss Dina Bartman, who was also a native of Prussia. Five sons were born of their happy union, as follows,-Joseph, Charles, John, William and Tony. November 27, 1872. death crossed the threshold of the home of om subject and took from it the beloved wife and mother. Though her life was closed ere it had passed its meridian she left behind ber a goodtv record in all the relations that she sustained towards others, and her memory is cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Mr. Stratmann has always been a great reader, and as he possesses a clear brain is well posted on general subjects, lle is both a good German and English scholar, and appreciating the value of a good education has given his children every advantage in his power to secure one, be- sides assisting them financially to start in the bat- tle of life. Ile bears a fine character among his neighbors and associates for the undoubted pro- bity of his character and in him the St. Aloysius Catholic Church at Litchfield finds one of its most valued members.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 1
yours Truly A.R. Miles.
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C OL. J. R. MILES, who is living at Miles Station, is one of the most prominent citi- zens in the county, the active part which he has taken in the upbuilding and development of its best interests and his service in the late war, having made him widely and favorably known. This work would be incomplete without this sketch, and with pleasure we present it and his portrait to the readers of the RECORD. A native of Kentucky he was born in 1820, and in his youth came to Illi- nois with his parents, who in 1832, settled in Ma- coupin County, becoming pioneers of Brighton Township, where they lived until called to their final rest.
His father, Alex Miles, was born in North Caro- lina, whence lie went to Kentucky. Ile became a successful farmer of this State and died at an ad- vanced age. In Tennessee he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Irvin, a native of Georgia, who went to Tennessee with her parents, where they spent their remaining days. Iler father was a hero of the Revolution, having served for seven years in that struggle for independence. Mrs. Mary Miles died in this county when well advanced in years, and like her husband was descended from good English ancestry. Both were members of the Methodist Church, and Alex Miles was also a faith- ful soldier of his country. Although young he served for six months in the Colonial Army when the Colonies were trying to throw off the yoke of British oppression, and throughout the War of 1812, followed the stars and stripes.
We now take up the personal history of the Col- onel, who for sixty years has resided in Macoupin County. Ile can remember when there were no roads here, there being an unbroken prairie over which one could ride for miles without fence or house intercepting his progress. Jerseyville, Alton and Carlinville were then all mere hamlets, and it often required a week to make a trip to mill. Wild game of all kinds, including deer was seen in abund- ance and supplied the table with meat. With the history of this part of the county, Col. Miles has been prominently identified, aiding in its growth and progress in many ways. He built the first mill in this part of the county, and in October, 1867, founded the village which in his honor bears his
name. It was largely through his influence that the Chicago & Alton Railroad was built through the town, and in fact few enterprises have been es- tablished in this part of the county without receiv- ing his aid and support. Much land he has devel- oped and he still owns large tracts of valuable prairie surrounding Miles Station, which he cleared, developed and improved, placing it under a high state of cultivation. Enterprising and industrious he had not long engaged in business before he was reaping a good income as the reward of his labors, and a successful business career has made him a wealthy man.
For his brilliant career as a soldier, Col. Miles deserves great honor. Ile formed a company in the beginning of the late war, which on the 9th of August, 1861, was organized as Company F, of the Twenty.Seventh Illinois Infantry. After drilling for a time at Camp Butler, the troops went to Cairo, Ill., and later met the enemy in battle at Belmont. Mo., where the regiment showed that its men were of true mettle. On their return to Cairo they were assigned to the Fleet Brigade, and orders came to move on to Island No. 10. The Colonel's regiment was the first to reach the Island on the morning of the engagement. After the battle they went with Commodore Foote down the river to Ft. Pillow and later to Corinth, where they re- mained until after the evacuation of that place.
In 1862, Mr. Miles was promoted to the rank of Colonel. In the campaign of that year le partici- pated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Chattanooga, and then went to relieve Gen. Sherman, having participated in some of the hard- est fought battles of the war. Ilis men conducted themselves with credit, reflecting honor upon their commander and his tactics. Ile continued in com- mand of the regiment until his term of service expired and was then discharged. He escaped without wounds or injury, and although his service was often arduous he never succumbed to sickness, but each day reported for duty and when the bugle rang out its call for battle was found in the saddle at the head of his men. At the battle of Chatta- nooga he had many narrow escapes, and at Chicka- mauga his field glass and sword handle were shot off, and his horse was shot from under him. Ilis
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clothes were several times pierced with bullets but he seemed to wear a charmed life and at the head of his troop often Ied the regiment to victory. The brigade to which he belonged was never driven off the field of battle after having once taken its stand, and the Twenty-Seventh Illinois Infantry was es- pecially commended for meritorious conduct.
In this county, Col. Miles was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A, Stratton, a native of Kentucky, who when a child came with her mother to Illinois. Her father, Robinson Stratton, died in Kentucky. ller mother survived him for some time and at length passed away in this State. In 1889, the Colonel was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of fifty seven years. She was a most estimable lady, a member of the Meth- odist Church, and together they had traveled life's journey for many years, sharing its joys and sor- rows, its adversity and its pleasure. She left three children : Sammel who married Miss Olive Copley, and is a merchant of Vilas, Wilson County, Kan .; J. R. Frank, who married Miss Carra Bailey, and is a real estate dealer of St. Louis, and Charlotte M., widow of James Moffet, who lives with her father.
In politics, the Colonel is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and takes deep interest in the success of his party, but has never souglit polit- ical preferment for himself. Few men have so long been identified with the county's history, for most of those who came about the time that he located here, have removed hence or else have been called to the land whence no traveler returns. Ilis life is well worthy of perpetuation in this volume, for to the pioneers is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid in coming generations. Ilis army record is one of which he and his may well be proud, for the part which he bore in the strug- gle to preserve the union was no sinecure.
- ILLIAM M. SMITH. Many families of Macoupin County are of Southern stock and birth, having come to this State from Kentucky in the early days, as they sought in Illi- nois a new home upon the untrodden prairies of a
free State. James Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Lincoln County, Ky., and the mother, Penninah Smith, was also a native of the same lo- cality. Their first Northern home was in Orange County, Ind., and from there they came to Groene County, this State in 1831, and here the father died. The mother still survives and has now reached a very advanced age.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of five children, his natal day being January 20, 1828. lle was born in Orange County, Ind., but grew to manhood in Greene County, Ill., and lived with his parents until his marriage which took place in Greene County, March 30, 1853. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Sarah M. Smith, daughter of 'Daniel and Lucy Ann (Pace) Smith, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively, who came from Kentucky to Greene County, Ill., in 1834. Here the father died but the mother still survives.
Mrs. Sarah Smith was the second in a large fam- ily of eleven children, and was born in Greene County, Ill., August 8, 1836. After her marriage with our subject they made their home in Greene County and resided there until March, 1865, when they settled on section 7, Barr Township, where they have since been residents. Substantial im- provements and good buildings have been placed upon the farm by Mr. Smith who now owns one hundred and thirty-one acres all of which is in a fine condition for agriculture.
The domestic life of this happy couple was crowned by the birth of three children, all of whom grew to maturity and established homes of their own. Martha E. is the wife of J. C. Howell. and they have four living children, namely: Maud M., Hallie R., Bertie B. and Eva G. These grand- children are the darlings of their grandparents who delight to renew their youth in the lives of these little ones. Frederick grew to manhood and mar- ried Miss P. B. Reynolds, but died at the age of twenty-three years. Charles H. is married to Miss Emma Melvin.
Mr. Smith has been School Director and in this capacity has exercised a strong influence in favor of progress and a liberal education. His political views ally him with the Democratic party. During the war he was drafted, but as he felt that his
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young family then needed a father's care he fur- nished a substitute. In the United Baptist Church Mr. and Mrs. Smith are active and useful members, the latter being especially useful in Sunday-school and in all religious work. She is a lady of unu- sually strong and lovely character and of great capabilities and is most highly esteemed by all who have the honor to be her friends. The pleasant home of the Smiths is the scene of true hospitality and genial true fellowship and all who visit it once wish to come again within the pleasant sphere of its influence.
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