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 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
The parents of our subject were married in 1859. His mother bore the maiden name of Kate Roether. She was born in Bavaria, and was a young lady when she came to America. She is the mother of the following children: Adam, a resident of Litchfield; John, who lives at Carlin- ville; August J., a resident of Chicago; Frank J., who carries on the drug business in Chicago; Laurenz, a resident of Carlinville; William, a resi- dent of St. Louis; Alois and Clara, twins, living at home with their parents; Albert and Anthony, also at home, the four latter attending school; and Maggie, who died at the age of one year.
374
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Dr. Link was given fine advantages for a sound education and received his early instruction in the public schools of his native township. Ile subsequently pursued a thorough course of study at the Wesleyan Seminary at Bloomington, where he laid a solid foundation for his professional studies. lle began to read medicine at the age of eighteen, with Dr. Long as his preceptor. He made a rapid advance in his pursuit of knowledge and in due time entered the Chicago Medical Col- lege, from which institution he was graduated with a good rank for scholarship in 1890. After graduation he opened an office at Carlinville, and is steadily gaining a Inerative practice, applying himself closely to his professional duties, still find- ing opportunity to keep himself well informed on current medical topics, keeping abreast of the times as to new methods of treatment, and win- ing golden opinions from his older medical breth- ren. On the 10th of June, 1891, Dr. Link was married to Miss Lina M. Michel, of St. Louis.
HOMAS J. TURNER. It is a truism that early observation and discipline make so indelible an impression on the after life as to give it its whole tone. Our subject, who is a farmer, owning and residing on one hundred and twenty acres on section 11, North Otter Township, was born and reared on a farm in England. where agriculture is carried on as a science. and the earth is made to yield the fullest possible amount. Al- though he left his native land while yet a lad, the aspect of the home farms and their methods of cul- tivation he brought with him to this country, and his own farm bears evidence of his early impres- sion.
Our subject's father was Thomas Turner, who was born in Yorkshire, England. His mother was Mary Ann (Sampson) Turner, born in the town of Hull, Yorkshire, England. . Mrs. Turner, our sub- ject's mother, died in her native shire about 1851, and her husband afterward married a sister of his first wife, by name Charlotte Sampson. The father with his family emigrated to America in June,
1865, with the intention of remaining, but he either experienced unusual difficulty in becoming aeclima- ted or was suffering from some incipient disease, and because of illness he returned with his wife the following October to his native land, where they remained until their death, he passing away in July, 1884. Ilis wife, Charlotte Turner, died July 9, about 1875.
Our subject's father was a farmer by occupation and his children were brought up with a knowledge of that calling. There were five children by the first marriage. Our subject was the youngest child, being born in Yorkshire, England, July 22, 1849, and remaining there until fourteen years of age, at which time he came to this country with his par- ents. He remained in this county after his par- ents returned to England, making his home with the late Capt. Gelder, in Chesterfield Township for a period of two years. At that time he came to Virden Township and lived for one year with John Gelder.
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Turner rented some land in Sangamon County. Here he remained for one year and then in company with his brother William Turner, rented some land three miles from his present location. After this he paid a visit to his parents and friends in England, remaining dur- ing the winter of 1871-72. He returned in the spring of 1872, and has ever since been a resident of North Otter Township with the exception of about two years spent in California. He made a trip to the Pacific Coast in October, 1882, and re- turned in July, 1884. While there he was engaged in farming and in the mercantile business, and buy- ing and selling grain. Farming, however, has been his chief business in life, and the tract of land whereon he is at present located bears evidence of incessant work and intelligent improvement.
Mr. Turner was married in North Otter Town- ship, February 11, 1873, his wife's maiden name being Anna J. Chamberlin, a daughter of Nathan and Lorette (Twitchell) Chamberlin. Mrs. Turner was born in the county in which she was married April 11, 1853. She and her husband are the par- ents of three children-Mary L., George N. and Lena L. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are progressive peo- ple, having great faith in the possibilities of the
RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SCHEURER, SEC.14. , BRIGHTON TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS J. TURNER SEC.11. NORTH OTTER TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERS TY OF ILLING'
377
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
future. Ile has been appointed School Director of his district, in which capacity he has done efficient service. Both are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Elsewhere in this volume may be found a view of the commodious residence where Mr. and Mrs. Turner are comfortably domiciled.
HILIP SCHEURER, who is engaged in general farming on sections 14 and I5, Brighton Township, is one of the worthy German citizens of the county. He was born in Nassau, August 25, 1836, and is a sou of Christian and Catherine (Meichacl) Scheurer. Un- der the parental roof Philip was reared to man- hood and in his native tongue acquired a good education, such as fits one for the practical duties of life. On attaining his majority when he felt it time to begin life for himself, he decided to make America the scene of his future labors and in Sep- tember, 1857, sailed from Havre, France, reaching New Orleans in December following. Boarding a river vessel he came up the Mississippi to Alton, and thence to Brighton, where he has since n ade his home. He had no capital, in fact had borrowed $40 with which to pay the expenses of the journey but he possessed a resolute will, a strong right arm and a determination to succeed. Ile began as a farm hand and as soon as he had acquired some capital made purchase of land and developing a good farm has since been numbered among the leading agriculturists of the county.
After ten years Mr. Scheurer went back to his native land on a visit and on his return to his home brought with him his parents who continued to reside with their son until their deaths. The father, who was born in 1798, died in 1883, and the mother who was born in 1811, died in 1885. They were members of the German Lutheran Church and held in high esteem by all who knew them. Mr. Scheurer at once resumed his farming operations and developed the wild prairie into rich and fertile fields. IIc now has one hundred and
sixty acres of arable land under a high state of cultivation besides considerable timber land.
Mr. Scheurer has been twice married. In Brigh- ton Township he was joined in wedlock with Emma Diel, who was born in Germany and when a child came to this country with her parents, where she was reared. She died in 1865, when not quite twenty years of age, in the faith of the Catholic Church of which she was a member. One child was born of her marriage, who died before his second birthday. Mr. Scheurer was afterward united in marriage in Madison County with Miss Margaret Fiinfer, also a native of Germany, who came alone to this country in 1867. Her parents spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. By this union have been born seven children and the fam- ily circle yet remains unbroken. They are as fol- lows: Henry, Frank, Anna, Mary, Philip, Louisa and Rosa. The parents are both members of the Lutheran Church and in the social world they hold an enviable position, while throughout this com- muniti their friends are many. In politics, Mr. Scheurer issuemocrat, having voted with that party for many years.
On another page appears a view of the home- stead of Mr. Scheurer, which is justly considered one of the linest in the community, the improve- ments on it speaking volumes for the thrift and en- terprise of the owner.
ILF L. SCHMIDT. The successful gen- eral farmer who is located on seetion 27, Gillespie Township, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Ile has lived on his farm in the above-mentioned township for the past three years, and he also owns a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-one acres, most of which is well improved and well stocked; it also has very good farm buildings. He formerly owned and lived on another farm in this township.
Mr. Schmidt came to this county in 1869, and has ever since lived in Gillespie Township. hav- ing improved the property which he has owned to a very great degree. Twenty years ago our sub-
378
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ject was a poor, laboring man. lle was born in the Province of llanover, Germany, April 18, 1853. Ile grew up and was educated in his native coun- try and prides himself that he comes from a good long-lived race of people. His father was born and reared in Hanover, where he operated a small farm, and there lived until the fall of the year 1890, when he came to the United States and at once to Illinois, joining his sons in their home. The father is now seventy-nine years of age, having nearly reached that age when he crossed the ocean. Ile is still hale and hearty and anticipates with great pleas- ure the return voyage in a few months. Ile likes the new country. but feels that he is too far advanced in life to learn the language and ways of the land. Ile is a member of the Lutheran Church and all his life has been characterized by a simplicity of action, justness of purpose and the greatest kindness of heart. Our subject's mother was a Hanover lady, her maiden name being Ilan- nah Meyer. She lived all her life in her native province, where she died in 1871, being at the time three-score years of age. She also was a member of the Lutheran Church. She was the mother of six children, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth ; two sons and one daughter are still living. Our subject and two brothers, Mona G. and Henry H., came to this country, the former of whom now lives in Sheridan County, Neb., at Haycs Springs, where he is a farmer; the latter died after his arrival in this country. Ilis decease took place in Gillespie Township and county.
Our subject was the first of his family to leave the Fatherland. Ile took passage from Bremen on the steamer "Bremen," leaving the harbor May 26, 1869. After his landing in New York City he came on immediately to this county and town- ship. Mr. Schmidt was soon afterward married in this place to Miss Joanna D. Heien, who was born in Hanover, Germany, April 4, 1851, being only a few months old when her parents, William and Doratere (Schoeling) IIeien, came to this country, leaving Bremen in the latter part of the year 1851, and landing in New Orleans. In coming North they ascended the Mississippi River to Al- ton, where they lived for some time and then
came on to Macoupin County, where they settled in Gillespie Township. The father procured one hundred and sixty aeres, upon which he made many improvements, and upon which both par- ents died, being comparatively young people at the time of their deaths. The mother died five years after coming to this country and the father some years later. Like most of their country men, they were members of the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Schmidt, the wife of our subject, is the sec- ond of five children and the only one now living of the children born to her mother, the father having had other children by another marriage. Mrs. Schmidt was reared and educated in this country. She is the mother of seven children, two of whom died at an early age, namely : William and Jessie. Hler living children are: Anna, Dora T., Fritz M., Wickie L. and Minnie, all of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt and the members of their family are attendants upon and members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schmidt is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.
TTO E HINTZ. A member of the firm of Hintz Bros., dealers in fresh and salt meats and buyers and shippers of live stock, whose place of business is located on Warren Street, is the gentleman of whom we give a brief history. He has been doing business at his present location for many years. It was formerly known as the old meat market, first established by an older brother, Ernest, now deceased, who opened it in 1870, and was therewith connected until 1889. The business has sinee been conducted by our subject and his brother C'harles, the latter operates in another shop on the same street. Mr. Hintz has been an active partner in the business since 1882, and had, prior to that time, been connected with the work of the business sinee 1871. He is an expert carver of meats, and is well acquainted with his trade, hav- ing grown up in it and owning a perfectly-equipped shop.
As his name would indicate, he is of German
379
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
parentage, being born in Ilolstein, Germany, Octo- ber 6, 1855. Here he grew up and received his education, while under the roof of his father and mother. Like many other foreigners, America seeming to offer golden promises, the father and mother with other members of the family set out on the long journey across the "three thousand miles of wet" and in the spring of 1871, taking passage on a German steamer at Hamburg, after a stormy passage of nearly three weeks, they landed in New York City, and came thence to Bunker Hill, where he has ever since resided. During this time he has made one trip back to Europe to his native home. Ile is a young man and possesses all the sterling qualities that make the people of his nation so successful and respected wherever they may go. For a full history of his family see bio- graphical sketch of Charles H. A. Hintz.
Our subject, who is a bachelor, has proved him- self a true American citizen by the interest that he takes in affairs municipal and national. No paper or petition would be complete without his name. He is a member of the German Guttenberg Lodge, D. O. H., No. 402, of Bunker Hill, and has filled all the chairs in his lodge. In politics he is a strong Republican.
R. ANSOM L. TWITCHELL. Our subjeet is a substantial farmer in the county, owning one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, North Otter Township. He is the son of Sidney L. Twitchell of Virden, whose history will be found under the sketch of S. L. Twitchell. The original of our sketch is one of a family of five children, he being the second, and was born in North Otter Township, January 13, 1855. He re- mained at home until he reached manhood, receiv- ing the advantages common among the farmer boys of that district.
April 17, 1879, our subject was united in mar- riage in North Otter Township to Miss Luora A. Kable, a daughter of James Kable, of North Otter Township, for whose history see sketch of James Kable on another page. Mrs. Twitchell was born
in Miami County, Ohio, October 15, 1856. Her parents removed to this State during her early maidenhood and settled on a farm here. She at- tracted our subject by her bright winning ways and housewifely capabilities and they have been very happy in their union.
Five children have come to break the stillness of the family home. They are Edith S., Kaleigh J., Eula M., Charles S. and Harry A. All are living and are children of whom their parents may well be proud. Mr. Twitchell has been School Director of the district. In politics he is a Republican.
FREDERICK CHRISTIAN KEUNE. Many of the best and most reliable citizens of Macoupin County did not have their na- tivity in this land, but being of foreign birth and parentage and having come to this country to bet- ter their fortunes and provide more generously for their children, they have adopted America fully as their home and have aided freely in building up our American institutions and promoting the prosperity of the community in which they live. Among these there are none more industrious, more frugal and more enterprising than our Ger- man-American citizens, and Mr. Keune, who is residing on seetion 6, Shaw's Point Township, is a worthy example of his class. this push, pluck and perseverance have earned for him a handsome property, including a six hundred aere farm and a fine brick house, and his intelligence leads him to thoroughly understand the genius of American in- stitutions so as to work in harmony with his fellow- citizens.
Our subjeet was born in Germany, December 7, 1816. There he grew to manhood and under- took the business of life. Louisa Kasten, to whom he was united in marriage in their native home, was born in Germany in September, 1818, being thus two years younger than her husband. Their union was solemnized in Germany, April, 1842, and a few years later, in the fall of 1852, they were con- vineed that they might better their fortunes by coming to America. They had not been in this
380
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
country long before they came to Macoupin County and made a settlement in Shaw's Point Township, where their home has been from that date to this.
Five of the nine children who blessed this union are still upon earth, namely : Lonisa, Lena, Henry, Emma and Amelia. The other children died when quite young. Upon the rich prairie lands of Illinois Mr. Keune has wrought out a fortune and has ac- cumulated a property of which any man may well feel proud. His farm consists of between five and six hundred acres, besides valuable property in Car- linville. He has made a thorough study of politi- cal matters and his judgment has led him to ally himself with the Republican party. To the Ger- man Lutheran Church both Mr. and Mrs. Keine are attached.
G EORGE P. HOLLIDAY. The genial pro- prietor of the farm located on section 10, North Otter Township, is he whose name heads this sketch. His father is Arthur D. and his mother Amanda J. (Orr) Holliday. A sketch will be found of Mrs. Holliday's family in another part of this volume. Our subject was early a half or- phan, his mother dying early in the '60s. His father bad by this marriage seven children, of whom our subject is the fifth.
Mr. Holliday was born in North Otter Township March 5, 1853. He here grew to manhood and has spent the greater portion of his life, being absent only three or four years, when he was engaging in the stock business. A farmer by inheritance, nat- ural aptitude and ability, he has devoted himself to this the greater part of bis life and has made of it a pointed success.
Mr. Holliday finds stock-raising a more Incra- tive business than the following of some special line in agriculture and that with general farming occupies his time and attention. On coming here with his father, our subject settled on about six hundred acres of land and there made the home to which he afterward brought his young wife. Oc- tober 12, 1876, he was married to Miss Martha E.
Crane, daughter of Albert S. and Mary ( Armstrong) Crane. Mrs. Holliday was born in Greene County, Ill., October 15, 1855.
Mrs. Holliday presides with much grace and dignity over the commodious home that her hus- band has built on their beautiful farm. Both hospitable and entertaining, no more desirable place can be found at which to spend an agreeable vaca- tion than with the pleasant couple whom it is our pleasure to chronicle in this sketch.
OHN W. LIND, a general farmer, residing on section 31, Gillespie Township, owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, all under improvement. It was in August, 1874, that he purchased and moved upon this farm having come here from Jersey County, this State, to which he had removed with his par- ents ten years previously from Macoupin County. Our subject was born in Nassau, Germany, April 19, 1841, and was eight years old when his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Sawyer) Lind left the Fatherland, taking passage with their family at Rotterdam, and setting sail for New York City, which trip they made in three weeks. Reaching New York City, the father, mother and three chil- dren, journeyed to Cincinnati.
About eighteen months later the family came on to this county, and settled upon a farm near Brigh- ton. Here they resided for some years and then removed to Jersey County, where the father died at the age of seventy-four years. The mother, who still survives, now lives with her children in Madison County, Ill. She is now seventy years of age and is, as was her husband, an active member of the German Lutheran Church. Our subject was reared upon a farm and before he grew to manhood accepted the life of a farmer as his vocation.
Miss Anna Deline, who was born in the Province of Hanover, in Prussia, Germany. June 18, 1852, became the wife of John W. Lind, in Brighton Township, this county, December 1, 1872. She is the daughter of Frank and Fredricka ( Bauchmann) Dehne, natives of the Kingdom of Bavaria, They
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLING
yours
July CA. B. Parke,
383
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lived in their native home until 1858, and then emigrated with their family to the United States. and settled on a farm in Brighton Township, this county. They are now living on the original farm which they took upon reaching this county, and while not old people, are beginning to get on in years, being fifty-eight and sixty-three years of age, respectively. They are members of the German Methodist Church, at Brighton. Mrs. Lind is the eldest of eight children of her parental bome. Two of this number were born in Germany, and six in this county, and all of them are now living. Mrs. Lind is true hearted and capable, and is an excel- lent helpmate to her husband, and a faithful and affectionate mother to her five children. One in- fant, Bertha by name has been called from earth, and the children who still brighten this home are George F. E., Ferdinand F., Lena C. R., and K. C. Miranda. This family are faithful attendants upon the services of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Lind's political views are expressed in the declarations of the Democratic party.
A BRAM B. PARKE is the owner of a fine farm of ninety acres sitnated on sections 21 and 28, Staunton Township, where he has made his home since 1875. All of the conveniences of the model farm are there seen and the neat appearance of the place gives evidence of the thrift and industry of the owner. Ile was born in Washington, Warren County, N. J., December 24, 1819, and is a son of John Parke, a native of Hunterdon County. His grandfather Ozias Parke, was a native of Maryland, where he grew to man- hood upon a farm, removing thence to Hunterdon County, N. J. There he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the very advanced age of ninety- five years. He served for a short time in the Rev- olutionary War.
The father of our subject was a member of the militia organized for home protection during the War of 1812. He married a New Jersey lady, Charlotte Bryan, and they lived in that State until 1852, when with their children they crossed the
mountains with teams and located in Ohio. Some years later they came to Illinois but after two years John Parke returned to the Buckeye State, where he passed away at the age of seventy-five years. Ilis wife, however, remained in Illinois with her children and died at the home of her sou Abram in Moultonville, Madison County, at a ripe old age. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and an excellent lady whom all loved.
Of the parental family one sister now resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., the other in Chicago. In the county of his nativity, Abram Parke spent the days of his boyhood and yonth but was married in Morris County, N. J., the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah A. Iloffman, who was born in that county, October 31, 1816. She is of German de- scent and is a daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Youngs) Hoffman, natives of New Jersey, who lived upon a farm in that State from their marriage until death. Both passed away when about seventy - five years of age. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Parke, William Youngs, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and participated in many hard fought battles.
On leaving New Jersey, Abram Parke removed with his family to Ohio, where he spent eight years. Ile then came to Illinois and for fourteen years re- sided upon a farm in Olive Township, Madison County, near Moultonville. The year 1875 wit- nessed his arrival in Macoupin County and since that time he has resided npon his present farm, being owner at one time of one hundred and twenty acres. but he has since disposed of thirty acres. He is industrious and has led a busy and useful life, paying little attention to public or political affairs, but laboring untiringly for the interests of his family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.