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 43

Author: Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 920

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 43

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After receiving an elementary education in the schools of Wales, the boy at the age of fifteen nn- dertook to learn the trade of a machinist and served an apprenticeship of six years, and worked at his trade until 1855, when as his father's family had decided to emigrate to America, he aceom- panied them and made his home in Virden, which was then a small village. He found in it and in the surrounding country but little inde- pendent employment in his line and worked for a time for Mr. Emerson, who eventually took him

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into partnership, the firm name being Emerson & Ball. This pleasant and profitable business asso- eiation continued for seventeen years, after which our subjeet sold his interest and became a part- ner of J. J. Cox and Amos C. Hutchinson, un- der the firm name of Cox, Hutchinson & Ball. They engaged in manufacturing wagons, buggies, etc., as well as carrying on a general blacksmith- ing business. This connection continued un- changed until by the death of Mr. Hutchinson the firm beeame Cox & Ball and still continues to carry on a flourishing and prosperous business.

The lady who has since 1877 shared the joys and sorrows of our subjeet was before her union with him Mrs. Jennie B. (Goss) Rauch. Her na- tive place is Littleton, N. Il., and she was the daughter of Richard Goss and the widow of James Rauch, The Presbyterian Church constitutes the religious home of our subject and his valuable wife and in its work they take an active part and are highly prized.

Mr. Ball is prominently identified with several of the social orders, being a member of Virden Lodge, No. 161, A. F. & A. M., the Virden Home- stead and Loan Association and the Farmers' Mu- tual Insurance Company. Ilis political views ally him with the Republican party. Ile was elected Supervisor in 1890, and has served as a member of the village Board a number of years. ITis suc- cess as a business man and his genuine integrity have made him a marked man in the community and he well deserves the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors.

EROME B. BALDWIN, a resident of the village of Virden, is classed among the wide-awake and prosperous farmers who are upholding the great agricultural interests of this county, and are thus closely associated with its progress and material welfare. lle was born April 22, 1843, on a farm near Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Ind. He is a son of the late William C. Baldwin, who was a native of Butler County, Ohio, coming of the old pioneer stock of

that State, and his parents are also thought to have been natives of Butler County.

The father of our subjeet was reared amid the primitive scenes of his birth, and when a young man he became a pioneer, seeking to build up a home in the primeval wilds of Indiana. He bought a tract of forest-covered land in Montgomery County, on which be built a log house, which hum- ble abode was the birthplace of his son of whom we write. The father cleared a part of his land, and continued his residence on it until 1852, when he came with his family to Illinois. He lived for a time in Greene County, and then came to Macou- pin County to take up his abode liere for the rest of his life. He bought a tract of partly improved land a half mile from the village, and there he made his home until he closed his eyes in death in in June, 1888, His wife passed away before he did, dying July 31, 1880. Her name in her maiden days was Cyrena Dalton, and she was a native of Madison County, Ky.

We will now turn our attention to the son of those worthy people who forms the subject of this sketch. Ile was a lad of nine years when his par- ents brought him to Illinois, and he was carefully trained by them to a useful manhood, being given such education as the local schools afforded, which he attended whenever opportunity offered, and he also gained a sound practical knowledge of farm- ing in all its branches. He remained an inmate of the home of his father and mother until after he attained his majority. After his marriage at the age of twenty seven years he settled on a farm two and one-half miles northwest of Virden, and dur- ing the fourteen years he lived on it he brought it to a high point of cultivation, and by the various improvements that he made lie greatly increased its value. In 1884 he came to Virden and bought land, upon which he built his present well-appointed, conveniently arranged residence, in which he has made his home ever since. He still retains bis farm, a part of which he rents, and the remainder be operates himself with good financial results.

The marriage of Mr. Baldwin with Miss Mary E. Gates was duly celebrated September 1, 1870. One child has blessed their union, John M., who is a eripple from hip disease. Mrs. Baldwin, wbo is

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descended from the early pioneer stock of this State, is a native of Illinois, born three miles from Virden in Sangamon County, March 25, 1841. Her father, Andrew Gates, was born in Mullen- berg County, Ky., and was a son of Michael Gatos, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. He went from that State to North Carolina, and was there married. From there he removed to Ken- tucky, and was a pioneer of Muhlenberg County, where he resided until 1830. In that year he came to Illinois and took up his abode in Auburn Town- ship, Sangamon County, where his death occurred at a venerable age.

Mrs. Baldwin's father passed his early life in the state of his nativity, whence he came to Illinois in the spring of 1831, and settled on the line of San- gamon and Macoupin counties. At the time of his marriage he rented land, and farmed as a renter two years. He was a pioneer of that region, which was sparsely settled, and deer and all kinds of game abounded in the forests and on the wild prai- ries. There was no railway, and Alton was the nearest marketing point. As soon as able Mr. Gates entered land in Auburn Township, Sanga- mon County, and in Virden Township, making his home in the former county until his life was closed in death in 1882. Ilis venerable wife, to whom he was wedded February 13, 1833, survives him, and is a welcome inmate of the household of our sub- ject and his wife. She bore the maiden name of Lucinda Wood, and was born December 31, 1816, in Madison County, Ill., when this State was a territory. Her father, whose name was William Wood, was a native of Knox County, Tenn., and was left an orphan at an carly age. He came to Illinois in 1810, and was a pioneer of Madison County, which at that time bad but few white set- tlers, who stood in constant fear of the Indians who were numerous and troublesome. After a residence there of some years he bought land in North Otter Township, this county, and in the home that he built thereon be dwelt some years, devoting himself to the improvement of his land. He finally went to Texas, where he died. The maiden name of his wife was Polly Cox, and she was born in Kentucky, a daughter of George and and Joanna (llubbard) Cox, who were natives of

South Carolina. The grandmother of Mrs. Bald- win returned from Texas to Illinois after the death of her husband, and died at the home of a son in Knox County. Mrs. Baldwin is one of a family of four daughters and two sons. She was carefully trained in all househokl work, and was early taught by her mother to card, spin and weave flax and wool of which all the garments worn by the family were made, and she also learned to knit. Under such instruction she became an excellent honse- keeper, and understood full well how to manage her home when she became a wife.

Our subject has made a creditable record as a thrifty, capable farmer. and in him bis community finds a citizen sound and true, an accommodating neighbor and a sincere friend. Hle and his wife and son are active members of the Baptist Church and are identified with its every good work. Mrs. Baldwin's father . was a devoted member of the German Baptist Brethren Church.

AMUEL E. KILLAM, a son of William II. Killam, an Englishman, makes his home on section 2, Bird Township. The mother of our subject was Mary Hall, who was also born in England. This couple came to America when young people and after their arrival here were married and settled in Morgan County, Ill., where they made their home for the remainder of their days. This son, Samuel E., was one of the eldest in a large family of children. Ile was born in Morgan County, July 7, 1835. Ilere he resided until he reached manhood, and here he made his home until his marriage when be rented a farm west of Jacksonville and lived there until the fall of 1868 when he came to Macoupin County and made his home in Bird Township, where he has since been a resident.

Mr. Killam has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and his farm of two hundred and fifty acres is an illustration of his energy and good judgment. The buildings are commodious and capacious and he has every convenience necessary to the successful carrying on of a farm. His mar-

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riage took place in Morgan County, February 20, 1862, his bride being Mary A., daughter of John and Esther (Peekering) Grime, both natives of England. Mr. Grime died in New York and Mrs. Grime in Whitehall, this State. Mrs. Killam was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., January 12, 1840.

To this worthy and prosperous couple have been born five children: Mary E., Frances G., Elizabeth A. who died at the age of twenty years, John W. and Samuel E. Their mother is an earnest, and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and she has faithfully trained her children in the duties of the Christian religion.

Mr. Killam held the office of Supervisor of Bird Township for two years. He has been Justice of the Peace for five years and School Director for many terms. He votes and works for the success of the Republican party, with which he has been identified since its organization. He is a public spirited man and ever active in promoting the best interests of the community.

P ROF. HENRY D. FOLTZ, a resident of Pal- myra, is a gentleman of broad culture and advanced views who occupies a high posi- tion among the leading educators of this county as a teacher who has met with more than ordinary success in his profession. Ile is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born near Mt. Pleas- ant October 3, 1847. His father, Henry W. Foltz, was born in the town of Andover, Essex County, Mass., while his father, whose name was George Foltz, was a native of Dauphin County, Pa. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany. The grandfather of our subject, who was a wagon maker by trade, removed to Andover, Mass., where he was engaged in manufacturing wagons a few years. He then returned to Penn- sylvania and carried on his trade in Westmoreland County the remainder of his life.

The father of our subject was young when his parents returned to Pennsylvania, and the remain- der of his boyhood was passed in Westmoreland

County. In his youth he learned the trade of a shoemaker, but he was of a thoughtful, scholarly turn of mind, and the legal profession having pecu- liar attractions for him be prepared himself for it and in due time opcued an office to practice law in Mt. Pleasant, where he still resides. He has served as assistant Justice of Westmoreland County and has won an honorable position at the bar. In early manhood he married Mary Smitley and theirs has been a felicitious wedded life. Mrs. Foltz is a native of Edinboro, Scotland, a daughter of John Smitley, who was born in the North of Ireland and was of Seotch ancestry. Ile came to the United States when a young man and was here married to Catherine Golden, a native of Cumberland County, Pa. Ile settled seven miles from the Westmoreland County line and was a resident there until 1852, when he went to Allen County, Ind. He bought a large tract of land there, engaged in farming and there quietly passed his last day's. The mother of our subject and her twin brother Jacob are the only survivors of the family.

The subject of this biographical review laid the foundation of a liberal education in the schools of his native county, and at the age of thirteen he entered the Normal School at Millersville, from which he was graduated with honor in 1866. He had also gained a practical knowledge of his chosen profession, as while he was a student at the Normal he taught school four terms and thus earned the money to pay his expenses. After graduation he taught two terms at Oak Grove, Pa., was next en- gaged at Lemon Centre, and in 1868 went to Ft. Wayne to take charge of a school in that city. A year later he came to Macoupin County, and has since been closely identified with the educational interests of this part of the State. In 1873 the Professor came to Palmyra, and the next year bought his present residence, and he has also pur- chased other village property, investing his money judiciously, and with much business acumen demon- strating the fact that his talents are by no means confined to his profession. ITis education, his famil- iarity with books and his wide range of knowledge concerning subjects of general interest, together with a good address and a pleasant manner, have made him popular in social circles and have at-

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Solovan Geren.

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tracted to him the friendship of some of the best citizens. Ile is a member of Palmyra Camp No. 119, M. W. A. In his political views he is a de- cideil Republican.

The marriage of Prof. Foltz with Miss Bella Chisholm was solemnized September 16, 1873. Mrs. Foltz is a native of South Palmyra Township, born April 6, 1856, and a daughter of William and Sarah ( Killam) Chisholm. The Professor and his wife have a charming home, and their pleasant family circle is completed by their three children- Floddie, Minnie Lucretia and Benjamin Harrison. Mrs. Foltz and her daughter Floddie are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and their names are associated with every good work.

OLOMON JOINER, one of the influential farmers and stock-raisers of Bird Town- ship, is a son of Thomas and Martha A. (Pulliam) Joiner. The father, who died in 1883 is mentioned prominently in the sketch of his wife which will be found in another part of this book. His widow still survives and is one of the representative women of the township. Of a fam- ily of eight children, our subject is the second in order of birth, and he was born in what is now North Palmyra Township, July 5, 1849.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's farm in Macoupin County, and made his home with his parents until his marriage, which momentous and interesting event took place in Bird Township, November 14, 1872. The lady who became his wife was Mary E., daughter of .Joseph M. and Lucinda (Burford) Van Arsdale. Mrs. Van Arsdale died in South Palmyra Town- ship. She was the happy mother of twelve chil- dren, of whom her daughter Mary, the wife of our subject, was the tenth, and she was born in Ma- coupin County, July 16, 1851.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joiner they decided to make their home in Bird Township, and have since resided upon their fine farm. They have one hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive soil, and upon it are located excellent buildings

and all other improvements necessary to mark it as the property of an enterprising and thorough farmer. Seven children were born to Mr. Joiner and his estimable wife as follows: Thomas M .. deceased, Martha L., Joseph E., Loretta E., Ger- trude A .. Effie E., and George R. Mrs. Joiner is an earnest and devoted member of the Baptist Church, in the belief and practice of which she is faithfully bringing up her children. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile has heen School Director and is ever active in promot- ing the interests of the district school. Aside from the interest in these matters he devotes himself en- tirely to agricultural pursuits, where his persistent industry and good judgment are crowning his efforts with success.

The attention of the reader is invited to the lithogaphic portrait of Mr. Joiner which is pre- sented in connection with this sketch.

C HARLES II. A. HINTZ, dealer in meats and live stock in Bunker Hill. established busi- ness in that place in 1870, in which year he emigrated from Germany to America. With his brother as a partner. he carried on operations under the firm name of Hintz & Co, until 1874, when the firm title was changed to E. & C. Hintz. In 1881 another change was made and the business has sinee been conducted by the firm of Hintz Bros. They have been very successful in their dealings and so rapidly has their trade increased that they found it expedient to establish two shops, thus to more conveniently attend upon the wants of their customers. Their shops are well equipped, having all the modern conveniences for preserving and retaining all the freshness of their meats. They do a large shipping trade, their principal markets being St. Louis and Indianapolis.

('harles Hintz is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred on the 24th of July, 1846, in the Province of Holstein. where his ancestors had lived for many generations. llis grandfather, Peter ITintz, was a baker and brewer of that Province and there spent his entire life, dying at the age of

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sixty-five years. He married Sophia Hahn and she also lived throughout life in Holstein, her death occurring at the age of fifty-one years. They were members of the Lutheran Church and in their family were thirteen children, of whom E. Ilintz, father of our subject, was the second in order of birth. Ile was also the only one who ever came to the United States, but eight of his brothers and sisters are still living in the Fatherland. lle grew to manhood in Ilolstein and in his youth learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed throughout his residence in his native country. Ile married Johanna Dressel, who was born and reared in Lutjenburg, Holstein, and is also of pure German descent. Eight children were born unto them and with their family they emigrated to America in May, 1870, taking passage at Hamburg npon the steamer "Germania." After a very rough voyage of twenty-three days the vessel dropped anchor in the harbor of New York and the Hintz family found themselves in the New World which was to be their home from hence forth. They be- came residents of Bunker Hill, where the parents and a number of the children are yet living. For a short time after his arrival, E. Hintz carried on a meat market but now is practically living a retired life, performing no labor unless perhaps he some- times does a little cabinet work for his children. He is now seventy-eight years of age but is a hale and hearty old man, still possessing much of the vigor of younger manhood. His estimable wife, who so long has traveled life's journey with him and proved to him a true helpmate, has reached the age of seventy five years. They still hold to the faith of the Lutheran Church, under the auspices of which they were reared.

According to the laws of his country our subject attended sebool and when twenty-one years of age he enlisted in the French War under Frederick Charles in the regular army and served three and a half years. He participated in many engage- ments, including the noted battle of Gravellote, on the 16th, 17th and 18th of August, 1870. Ile also hore his part in the many battles which occurred around the city of Metz and was wounded in Or- leans. France, during a street battle which occurred between the citizens and soldiers, known as the

Orleans Massacre. It was a gunshot wound and the bullet he yet carries in his left leg. Ile served throughout as a private and was a brave and val- iant soldier.

When the family turned their faces Westward, Mr. Hintz also crossed the broad ocean and as be- fore stared established himself in business in Bunker Hill. After four years he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Kahl, who was born in Holstein, Germany, January 4, 1858, and was brought hy her parents to the United States when a child of eight summers, the family locating in Bunker Hill, which has since been her home. She has four brothers and a sister yet living there. Iler educa- tion was acquired in the schools of this community and her native land and she remained at home un- til she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Hintz. Seven children have been born of their union, five of whom are yet living: Cora, Dora, Emma, Maria, and Ella. Charles is now deceased and the other child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hintz are members of the Lutheran Church and he holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Hlaryue, a German order. In polities he is a Republican and keeps himself well informed on the political issues of the day, also upon all matters of general interest. Ile has never sought office but is now serving as a member of the School Board. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the Bunker Ilill Nail Com- pany and also in the Building and Loan Associa- tion. He was one of the enterprising and successful business men of Bunker Hill, and by courteous treatment and fair dealing has won a liberal patron- age and is accounted a valned citizen of the com- munity.

ICHARD RIDGLEY. One by one the old settlers are being called away from the scenes of time and sense, leaving records more or less beneficial, according as their deeds were useful in advancing the general welfare and their characters upright and noble. Numbered among those whose careers can be looked upon with interest and whose works may well be emu-

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lated by others, is the late Richard Ridgley, who resided in Bunker Ilill nearly thirty years and who passed away March 25, 1887. Ile was an earnest, honest mar, diligent in business, liberal in his views and his means, and stanehly supporting that which was worthy, whether for morality, education or civil government.

Mr. Ridgley was of pure English blood and was born in the Mother Country, May 12, 1810. Ilis parents, Thomas and Lydia (Cross) Ridgley, emig- rated in 1816, landing at Boston, Mass., and sub sequently settling at Medford. They lived there until 1838, when they set out for the West, coming overland and being ten weeks en route. Some of the children had already come West and on this occasion the others accompanied their parents. A settlement was made at Alton and a few years later the parents removed to Monmouth, where the mother died at the age of seventy-four years. The father 1: ter went to St. Louis, Mo., where he breathed his last at the ripe age of eighty-four years. Both were life long members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this biographical sketch grew to manhood in the old Bay State, and after his marriage came West with his parents and other members of the family. He established his home in Alton, but in 1840 came to Bunker Hill Township, this county, and rented a farm. A year later he returned to Alton and the next year went to St. Louis, where he lived until 1858, His brother Stephen had in- troduced in that city an invention for the lighting of the streets, and was carrying on the manufacture in connection with Abner Stone. In 1846 Richard Ridgley secured control of the plant and from that time until he came to Bunker Hill permanently, he conducted the business. The spirit-lighting was then superseded by more modern means of illumi- nation, and he, having in the meantime accumulated a fortune, decided to spend his last days quietly, and left the Missouri metropolis for the pleasant town of Bunker Ilill. He had here an attractive home, which is still occupied by his widow.

In 1837 Mr. Ridgley was married to Mary A. Capen, the ceremony taking place at the bride's home in Wrentham, Mass. She was born in Dor- chester, that State, March 31, 1818, and is the

youngest of four daughters, all of whom lived to rear families, but of whom she is the only one now living. Iler parents, John and Margaret (Carpen- ter) Capen, were natives of Massachusetts and be- longed to old families of that State. They lived on a farm near Dorchester for some years, then re- moved to Wrentham, which was their final home. Mr. Capen lived to the advanced age of eighty- six years, but Mrs. Capen died in 1861. Both be- longed to the Congregational Church. The mater- nal grandfather of Mrs. Ridgley was a Revolution- ary patriot and was one of those who crossed the Delaware River with Washington. Mrs. Ridgley having had no children has been a foster mother to some whose parents could not give them the best opportunities and has aided them to an education and a good start in life.

The late Mr. Ridgley was a sound Republican and during the Civil War was a faithful friend of the Union cause, For years he was connected with the Congregational Church and held the offices of Deacon and Trustee. By his will he bestowed up- on the church at Bunker Hill the sum of $1,000. Mrs. Ridgley belongs to the sume religious society.

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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 43

Author: Biographical Publishing Company Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 920

Author: Biographical Publishing Company
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 920