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 32
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In the fall of the year he opened an office at Shipman, and has been in continuous practice here since, establishing himself in the confidence of the people by his successful mode of treatment of the various ailments and diseases that come under his care, and obtaining a warm place in their hearts by his manifest interest in the welfare of his patients, by his never failing geniality, and by courteous consideration of others. Our subject is prominent in medical and social circles as a member and Vice- President of the Macoupin County Society for Medical Improvement; of the American Medical Association ; of the Illinois State Medical Society ; and of Shipman Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M.
Doctor Gilson was united in marriage to Miss M. A. Preston, in 1880. Their wedded life was terminated by ber death October 18, 1888.
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G W. ZIMMERMANN, one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Bunker Hill Township, residing on section 33, has there his home since before the war. Ile was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, November 8, 1822, not far from the North Sea, and his parents, William and Minnie ( Debuhr) Zimmerman, were also born in the same locality, where they spent their entire lives. The father of our subject was a farmer and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran
Church. Unto them were born seven children, after which the mother died and Mr. Zimmerman was again married, while of that union were born a son and daughter. Only four members of the family have made homes in America-John, Rich- ard and F. W., all of whom are resident farmers of this county ; and a half-brother Henry, who lives in Bethalto, JI1.
The subject of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and when twenty-five years of age, having determined to try his fortune in the New World, took passage af Bremen, on the sailing-vessel "Post," which at length reached the harbor of New Orleans, after a long and tedious voyage of ten weeks, in which. they encountered two hard storms. This was in the fall of 1848 and in the following spring Mr Zimmermann made his way up the Mississippi River to Alton and located in Madison County. There he married Miss Margaretta Post, who was also i native of Hanover and came to the United States in the same vessel in which her future husband sailed. ller parents continued to reside in Ger many until death.
For the long period of forty years Mr. and Mrs Zimmermann have traveled life's journey together sharing with each other its prosperity and adver sity, its joys and its sorrows. Five children have come to bless their union, but four of them are nov deceased-William, who died at the age of eigh years; Willie, who died when nine months old Anna, whose death occurred at the age of twenty four; and Frank, who died at the age of thirty four; he married Anna Lutz, who is now living i' Bunker Hill; Herman F. wedded Belle Duffy an owns and operates a good farm in Bunker Hil Township.
Mr. Zimmermann left Illinois in 1850, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, and in com pany with Henry Keizer and John Heind started fo the Pacific Slope with five mules and one wagon They left in the month of April, crossed the Mis souri River at St. Joseph, thence followed the ok Fremont trail and after seventy-four days reacher Ilangtown, Cal., where Mr. Zimmermann worked fo a time. Along the banks of the river he then en gaged in mining for six months, when his righ
RESIDENCE OF PETER HOECKER, SEC. 8., SHAW'S POINT TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF HERMAN F. ZIMMERMANN. SEC. 28., BUNKER HILL.
RESIDENCE OF F.W. ZIMMERMANN, SEC.33., BUNKER HILL TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
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ankle was crushed. As no physician was access . ible in that country he suffered greatly from the ae- cident and resolved to return home. He had been quite successful in his mining operations and with a considerable quantity of gold dust he sailed out of the Golden Gate in an ocean vessel, returning home by way of the Isthmus. They touched on the island of Cuba and thence sailed to New Or- leans and afterward up the river to Alton.
For a time after his return Mr. Zimmerman en- gaged in farming in Madison County and then pur- chased his present farm on section 33, Bunker Hill Township, which has now been his home for about a third of a century. He has a pleasant residence, a view of which appears on another page, good barns and other outbuildings and all the improvements necessary to a model farm. Although he had little capital when he came to America, he has worked his way steadily upward, overcoming the obstacles in his path and is now numbered among the well- to-do farmers of the community. In political sen- timent Mr. Zimmerman was formerly a Democrat, but since the war has been a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the German Methodist Church of Bunker Hill, and such have been their lives that they have won the confidence and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
ETER HOECKER, President of the Board of School Directors of Shaw's Point Town- ship, is numbered among the leading Ger- man-American citizens of this county, where he has a beautiful farm on seetion 8. Through unremitting exertions he has become the owner of two hundred and thirty acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and divided into fields from which good crops are garnered at the proper time. He has embellished his estate with substan- tial farm buildings and a commodious residence, and is carrying on the work of general farming systematically and with pleasing success. The at- tention of the reader is invited to a view of his homestead which appears on another page.
A native of Germany, Mr. Hoecker was born November 26, 1840, and is the son of Abraham and Katherine (Darsam) Hoecker. When he was five years old he accompanied his parents across the broad Atlantic and after landing in New York came West with them to St. Clair County, III. Ilere this worthy couple resided for many years, engaged in farming pursuits and becoming known as honorable citizens. When they became old, they left their homestead and removed to Macoupin County, making their home with our subject dur- ing their declining years and here also they passed from earth. They were surrounded by all the com- forts which affection could supply and after brave- ly fighting the battle of life, peacefully entered into their final rest.
The youth of our subject was passed in much the same manner as that of most farmer boys, alter- nating his attendance in school with labor at home. He early gaintylapractical knowledge of agricul- ture and when prepared to start ont in life for him- self, naturally chostarting as his avocation. In 1865 he left St. Clair County, where he had re- sided after coming to the United States, and lo- cated in Shaw's Point Township, this county. lle become identified with this community and is known as an honorable, high minded citizen. As above stated he is now President of the School Board, of which he has been a member for many years. He has also served the people in various minor offices and politically is independent, casting his ballot in favor of those whom he thinks best qualified to serve the interests of the people.
On January 23, 1873, Mr. Hoecker was married to Miss Mary Laubenthal, an estimable woman, whose price has indeed been "far above rubies" and whose children "rise up and call her blessed." Mrs. Hoecker is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Weaver) Laubenthal, natives of Germany, who came to the United States, settling in Monroe County, Ill., where they died. Their daughter, Mary, was born in Monroe County, November 27, 1852, and was there reared to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Hoecker are the parents of eight children, as follows: Anna L., Katie L., Lonis, Mary T., Otilda A., August, Elenora, and John. Elenora died when three and one-half years old, and the other child-
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ren remain under the parental roof. They are being carefully instructed, not only in matters of the intellect but in graces of character, and their increase in knowledge and true politeness gratifies their parents greatly.
Le EWIS JOHNSON, a retired farmer, living at Carlinville, has been a resident of this county forty-six years, coming here in pio- neer times, and he has contributed his quota to its growth and prosperity. Ile was born in Clark County, Ind., June 30, 1820, a son of James John- son, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in 1788. The father of the latter, who was also named James, removed from Pennsylvania to Ken- tucky in 1790, floating down the Ohio in a flat- boat to his destination. He resided for a time in Scott County, and was one of its carly settlers. Ile went from there to Shelby County in 1792, and resided there until his death.
The father of our subject was reared in Kentucky. He was one of the men set to guard the river at tbe falls to intercept Aaron Burr when he was ar- rested for plotting the formation of a new and rival State from the South-western territory of the Union, and later he received a land grant for his services. He married in Kentucky Miss Mary Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Wise) Miller. In 1811 Mr. Johnson became a pioneer of Clark County, Ind .. that State then being a territory, still in the pos- session of the Indians, with but few white inhabi- tants. lle built a log house on the tract of land that he bought from the Government, and in that humble abode in the wilderness his son of whom we write was born. The father cleared a good farm, and resided on it until 1868, when he sold it and came to Illinois to spend his last days in M2- coupin County, and here his death occurred in 1871. Ilis wife died on the old farm in Indiana in 1842.
The subject of this biographical review grew to a stalwart manhood in his native county, and was edueated in its primitive schools, that were tanght
in log houses, which were rudely furnished with seats made by splitting poplar logs hewn smoot! on one side and wooden pins inserted for legs Mr. Johnson remained with his parents nntil li was twenty-four years old, affording his father val nable assistance on the farm, and also working a the trade of a cooper. In 1845, in the prime and vigor of early manhood, imbued by the pionee spirit of his ancestors, he, too, sought to build up : bome in a new country, and coming to Illinois or horseback, be cast his lot with the early settlers o Bird Township. Hle bought a tract of wild prai rie on section 1, and hy hard pioneer labor devel' oped in time into a fine farm. Ilis first work wa to erect a log cabin, and when he married he and his bride commenced life together within its walls Ile was much prospered in his calling, and in Sep tember. 1889, was enabled to retire from active business, renting his farm and coming to Carlin ville, where he had previously erected a comforta ble house, in which he has since made his home.
One of the most important events in the life o our subject was his marriage November 25, 1847 to Miss Minerva Stevens Good, a native of Fayette Greene County, IN., born September 25, 1828 They have two children, Clara E. and Edgar K The former married Peter L. Denby, of South Pal myra Township, and they have two children, Zoe and Frederick L. Edgar married Viola Harrington and they have one ehild, named Lois. They live at Carlinville.
Mrs. Johnson comes of one of the old pioneer families of this State. Her father, Ezekiel Good ! was a native of Georgia, and was a sou of Thoma: Il. Good, who was a Virginian by birth. The lat- ter removed from Virginia to Georgia, theuce to South Carolina, and from there came to Illinois in 1815, in territorial days. Ile evolved a farm from the wilderness on which he continued to live until death ended his earthly pilgrimage. The maiden name of his wife was Gillam, and she also died in Madison County.
Mrs. Johnson's father was a young man when he came to Illinois with his parents. After mar- riage he settled in Greene County, whence he came in 1829, to Macoupin County, and was one of the first to settle at Carlinville, the house that he built
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. being the first dwelling erected on the present site of the city. He was also one of the first to engage in mercantile business here. He did not continue it long, however, but devoted himself to farming and surveying. lle was the first Postmaster at Carlinville, and the Circuit Court was held in his house. In 1834 his useful life was terminated by his death, and Macoupin County was deprived of the services of one of its practical, energetic pio- neers. The maiden name of his wife was Alice Bird, and she was born in New York City. Her father, Henry Knickerbocker Bird, was a native of the State of New York, and commenced the life of a sailor in his boyhood, becoming in time the com- mander of a vessel. Mrs. Johnson's mother died at Carlinville in 1851.
A sturdy Republican in politics, Mr. Johnson has always faithfully supported his party. For thirty-three years he held the office of Postmaster, and has served as School Trustee and Township Assessor. His life-course has been marked by strict integrity in all things, and as a man and a citizen he has always conducted himself so as to win and retain the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. In his wife Mr. Johnson has a faithful helpmate and companion. She is a sincere Christian and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OHN J. WOMACK. This gentleman is identified with the vast army of farmers who are doing so much to enhance the pros- perity of the State of Illinois, and whose homes attest to their enjoyment of the material comforts which they gain and the advantages afforded by modern civilization. Ilis home is on section 32, Shaw's Point Township. and his farm of one hundred and sixty acres is as carefully and intelligently tilled as any in Macoupin Connty. Ilis character is one worthy to be held up as a model to those who succeed him, while his record as a citizen can be pointed to with pride by hist posterity.
Mr. Womack claims Kentucky as his native
State, and in Spencer County he was born Novem- ber 27, 1819. Being the son of a poor man, be was obliged to assist his father in laboring for the support of the family, and his educational ad- vantages were therefore limited. Hle has made up for the deficiences of his early education by careful reading, and is always well posted upon all topics of importance. He spent the first six- teen years of his life in the Blue Grass State, and in 1835 accompanied his father, John W. Womack, to Macoupin County, this State. The father lo- cated first in Shaw's Point Township, and thence, after a sojourn of ten years, he removed to Bird Township, where he died. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Maddox) Womack, died in Kentucky.
Since 1835 Mr. Womack has resided continu- ously in this county, where he has been engaged in farming. He was married in Shaw's Point Township, December 23, 1847, to Miss Mary A. Lofton, and of the eight children born to them we note the following: Thomas W. served during the late war in the Seventh Illinois Infantry, and died in Louisville, Ky .; Barbara A. died when two years old: William is at home; Abigail passed from earth at the age of twenty- three; Lucy died in infancy; John is at home; George died when about twenty years old; Albartis passed away at the age of less than nineteen years. Mrs. Womack died at their home in Shaw's Point Township October 8, 1865.
The lady who now presides over the domestic affairs in the home of Mr. Womack became his wife May 9, 1867. She was born in Kentucky and bore the maiden name of Ann M. Bainbridge. She was the widow of John D. Thompson, of Car- linville Township, and her marriage to Mr. Wo- mack was solemnized in the city of Carlinville. To Mr. Womack and his estimable wife two chil- dren have been born-James H. and Frederick M., both of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Womack keeps himself informed regarding political and other issues, votes the Republican ticket and takes special interest in educational matters. His fellow-citizens have often called upon him to fill various positions of responsibility and trust, and to the duties of every office he
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he has brought the same enterprise and devotion which has characterized his personal efforts. lle has been Supervisor of Shaw's Point Township seven terms, and has served as Justice of the Peace eight years. For twenty-six years in succession he has been the efficient School Director of his district, and has in various ways been identified with the progress of the county. For many years he and his estimable wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Steward and Trustee. Ile is a firm believer in the power of Christian principle, and he thinks the good of the people is subserved by religious societies, even though they are not of his denomi- nation.
E LIAS TONGATE, one of the prosperous farmers of the county, is located on section 3, South Palmyra Township. He has one hundred and twenty one acres of well.improved land and is prosecuting his chosen work with the zeal and intelligence that make a success of an un- dertaking. He belongs to one of the pioneer fam- ilies of the county, his grandparents having brought their family hither in 1837. Grandfather Tongate, whose given name was Achilles, was born in Am. herst County, Va., removed from his native State to Kentucky, thence to Missouri and to this State in 1836. For abont a twelvemonth he resided in Morgan County, then made a permanent location near Palmyra. Hle and his faithful wife lived to- gether sixty-six years, and he survived her only a few years, reaching the venerable age of ninety- three. He sat on the jury in the first murder trial in this county which brought in a verdiet of guilty and was followed by hanging. Grandfather Ton- gate accumulated a fortune of about $10,000, which was divided among six sons and a daughter.
Micajah C. Tongate, father of our subject, was born in Green County, Ky., June 1, 1821, and bav. ing accompanied bis parents to this State, grew to maturity here. November 16, 1843, he married Melinda Fletcher, a native of Kentucky who died August 24, 1853. She had four children, two of whom survive-Elias and Nancy J., the latter now
the widow of William Davis. In June, 1854 Mr. Tongate made a second marriage, wedding Mary A. Cherry, a native of Tennessee, who came to this State when quite young. This union was blest by the birth of five children, four of whom are now living and all in South Palmyra Township. The third of these is William M. and the youngest is Hattie L., who is unmarried. The others are Vesta HI., wife of James W. Challacombe, and Ida M., wife of F. K. Strale. The mother died in De- cember, 1883, and the father passed away July 19, 1890. Mr. Tongate left an estate of two hundred and forty eight acres of well-improved land. He was a Democrat and never failed to deposit his vote. Ile never sought office but was sometimes chosen for local positions of trust. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity.
Elias Tongate was born in this county January 12, 1848, was educated in the common schools and reared as a farmer. Ile thoroughly understands his calling and secured good results for liis labors. He was married, October 26, 1873, to Clara E. Childs, who was born in this county in 1850. She was removed from her family by death in 1881, leaving to the tender care of her husband two danghters-Melinda C. and Nellie M. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her father was Thomas W. Childs, whose name is familiar to many of our readers. Mr. Tongate is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic frater . nity. Ile has held township offices and has worth- ily discharged the duties pertaining thereto and at the same time has been a good citizen and one who is respected by his acquaintances.
William M. Tongate whose home is on section 4, South Palmyra Township, is the only surviving son of Micajah and Mary (Cherry) Tongate, and is therefore a half-brother of our subject. The history of his paternal ancestors has already been given in brief. His mother was born in December, 1825, and accompanied her parents, William and Anna (Crawford) Cherry, to this State in 1833. They settled in this county and the parents died soon after. Miss Cherry received a good common- school education and for nine years was engaged in teaching in this State and Missouri. She aband- oned her profession in order to become the wife of
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Mr. Tongate and immediately after their marriage they settled on the land the husband already owned. She was somewhat of an invalid for twen- ty-two years but was able to be up until within twenty-four hours of her death. She was a mem- ber of the Christian Church. William Tongate is living on the homestead and he is unmarried; his sister Hattie is his housekeeper. He is a well-re- spected young man, a good farmer and citizen, andl a pleasant companion.
APT. HENRY W. KERR. A gallant offi- cer in the late Civil War, in which he won a fine military record, and afterward attain- ing a high reputation at the bar, Capt. Kerr has, since he turned his attention to agriculture, made a success at that vocation which Horace Greeley aptly styled the "noblest of professions," and now stands among the leading farmers of Honey Point Township. His portrait on the opposite page rep- resents one whose interests have long been identi- fied with those of the county.
Capt. Kerr was born in Monroe County, Ky., January 11. 1836. His father, Abraham Kerr, was a native of Guilford Court House, N. C., and was a son of John Kerr, who was born in the same lo- cality. The name of the great-grandfather of our subject was Levi Kerr, and he was born in Vir- ginia of Welsh parentage. He removed to North Carolina in the early settlement of that colouy, and there spent the rest of his days as a farmer, dying at Guilford Court House at a ripe age. He was a soldier of the Revolution.
John Kerr grew to man's estate in North Caro- lina, and was there married to Sarah Scott, who was also born in North Carolina. He learned the trades of a blacksmith and miller and carried them on in his native State until his removal to Kentucky in 1810. He became a pioneer of Monroe County, that State, buying a large tract of land bordering on a stream, which he named Kettle Creek because he found a kettle therein. He built a gristmill
with a bolter operated by hand, and also had a dis- tillery connected with his mill. He served under Jackson in the War of 1812, and took part in the battle of New Orleans. His life was brought to a close in June 1848, at a venerable age; his wife also lived to be very old, her death occurring in Mon- roe County in 1870, at which time she was ninety- five years old.
The father of our subject was young when his parents removed to Kentucky, and there the re- mainder of his youth was passed. Ile was married in Monroe County to Nancy Davis, a native of Rockingham County, Va., and a daughter of Joshua and Sarah Davis, who were also Virginians. In 1843 Mr. Kerr determined to leave his old Ken- tucky home to try farming in Missouri. With his wife and seven chiklren he started for his destina- tion with ox-teams, and cooked and camped at night while on the journey. He bought a tract of wild land in Dallas County after his arrival in Mis- souri, and erecting a log cabin for the shelter of his family, at once entered upon the pioneer task of preparing his land for cultivation, and broke a good many acres and placed them under tillage during his residence there. In September, 1847, he sold that property and coming to Macoupin County, settled in what is now Shaw's Point Township. At that time the settlements in this county were con- fined to the timber, and the prairie land was uncul- tivated. Wild animals, such as deer and wolves, were plentiful, and the country roundabout was still in the hands of the pioneers. Alton and St. Louis were the only convenient markets until the railway was completed. Wheat sold at the former place for thirty-seven and one-half cents a bushel, and dressed hogs sold at St. Louis at $1.50 to $2.50 per hundred pounds.
In 1865 Mr. Kerr disposed of his farm at Shaw's Point, and took up his residence at Carlinville, where he lived until 1870. Removing then to Lovington, Moultrie County, he bought property, and there he and his good wife passed their remain- ing days in comfort and happiness, he dying in 1875 and she in 1877. Mr. Kerr was a sound Democrat in his political views. While a resident of Shaw's Point he served as Justice of the Peace a number of years. Both he and his wife were
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