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 50
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Mr. Heidemann was born in Faren Haultz Dep- niolt, Germany, on the 10th of February, 1834. and is a son of Fred Ileidemann who spent his en- tire life in the Fatherland, dying at the age of fifty- one years. The mother, whose maiden name was Florentena Karnaman, long survived her husband and at the age of eighty-two crossed the Atlantic with a son and daughter, locating in Brighton in
1880, where she died two years later, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heidemann were members of the Evangelical Church.
The subject of this sketch aquired a good educa- tion in his native tongue and when about eighteen years of age started out in life for himself. Soon he obtained an excellent position in the home of one of the millionaires of Bremen, being for seven years in the employ of Mr. Oelreach of the German Lloyd steamship line. For some time he was at the head of that gentleman's household affairs, and in 1859, when he decided to emigrate to America, Mr. Oelreach gave him a passage upon a sailing vessel bound for New Orleans. After a voyage of seven weeks he first set foot upon America soil and coming up the Mississippi River made his first lo- cation at Brighton but after a short time went to Madison County, where for a time he worked as a farm hand. About 1861, he went to St. Louis, where he secured a position in the well-known dry goods house of Scruggs, Vandervoort & Barney. Ile was a trusted and faithful salesman in that house for several years, during which time he acquired an excellent knowledge of business methods and by economy procured a capital sufficient to embark in business for himself. He then returned to Brigh- ton and opened a general merchandise store in this place, where he has since carried on a successful business.
While residing in St. Louis, Mr. Heidemann was united in marriage with Caroline Gaegel, a native of the Fatherland. born in 1841. She came alone to America in 1859, and made her home in St. Louis until her marriage. She has been a true helpmate to her husband and has faithfully watched over the interests of the household, while Mr. Heidemann has labored to support the family. Unto them were born thirteen children, nine of whom are now living-William, a commerical traveller employed by the Martin Clothing Company of St. Louis; Emma who is at the head of her father's store in Brighton, being a young woman of excellent busi- ness ability ; Amelia at home; Henry, a liveryman at Brighton; Adolph, who is educating himself for a mechanical engineer and is now engaged with the St. Louis Screw Company ; Henrietta, who is assist-
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ing her father in the store; Anna, Ilelena and Hulda at home. The parents of this family are leading members of the Evangelical Church, Mr. Heidemann having given more than any one else for the erection of their house of worship. He is also regarded as a valned and enterprising citizen and has served as Coucilman for two years. In politics be is a reliable and stalwart Republican.
ACOB L. PLAIN, ex-Sheriff of Macoupin County, is a prominent and well-known citi- zen of Carlinville, where for many years he has been engaged in the real-estate busi- ness, and he has been a potent factor in its growth and prosperity. He was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky., April 25, 1828, and is a representa- tive of the early pioneer families of this section of the State.
David Plain, the father of our subject, was born in 1796 in that part of Frederick County, Md., which is now included in Carroll County, and his father, John Plain, was a native of the same place. The father of the latter was a farmer, and it is supposed that he spent his entire life in Maryland. The grandfather of our subject was bred to the life of a farmer, and his whole life was passed in his native State. His son David was reared in the county of his birth, and removed thence to Green- briar County, Va., and later to Muhlenberg County, Ky., where he followed his trade, that of a cabinet- maker. He resided there until 1828, when he came to the wilds of Illinois to seek a new home, mak ing the removal the entire way with ox-teams. He was accompanied hither by his wife and five chil- dren, and brought with him all his household goods. Ile first located on Indian Creek, in Mor- gan County, but in March, 1831, came to Ma- coupin County, and became one of the first settlers of Shaw's Point Township, where he at once se- leeted a tract of Government land. He cut poles, and putting the ends in the ground, letting the tops come together, he covered them with boards rived by hand, and thus made a temporary shelter, which the family occupied while he erected a hewn log honse. For many years after he came
here there were no railways in Illinois, and Alton, thirty-six miles distant, was the nearest market and depot for supplies. The people were chiefly bome-livers, and the women spun and wove all the cloth with which they dressed their children.
The father of our subject devoted bis time prin- eipally to farming, and made bis home at Shaw's Point Township until his death, in 1873. He had been twice married. The maiden name of his sec- ond wife, mother of our subject, was Ann Landes. She was born in Botetourt County, Va., and was a daughter of Daniel and Catherme Landes. She died in 1868. In the parental family there were ten children.
Jacob L. was but an infant when his parents brought him to Illinois, and consequently be bas no remembrance of other than his adopted State. He attended the pioneer schools of Shaw's Point Township, which were first taught in log houses, the furniture being of the most primitive kind. The benches were made by splitting logs and liew- ing one side smooth, and then inserting wooden pegs for legs. There were no desks, but holes were bored in the logs on either side of the house, wooden pegs put in, and a board laid on them, and this contrivance served as a desk for the larger scholars to write upon. Yet in those rnde log houses many of the most noted men of the country obtained the rudiments of an education whichi fitted them for the most responsible and exalted positions in life. As soon as able our subject com- meneed to assist in the duties of the farm, and made his home with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, when he started in life on his own account, and even with the world. He had been reared to habits of industry, and found no difficulty in obtaining employment on a farm. An intelligent. energetic young man, bearing an excellent reputation, he was selected for the office of Deputy Sheriff in 1851, under William M. Snow. Ile served in that capacity until 1854, when he was elected Sheriff of the county, so well had he done in the subordinate office, and he held that position one term at that time. In 1858 he was again elected to that office, and retained it until 1860.
From 1856 to 1858 Mr. Plain was in the mer-
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yours truly
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cantile business, carrying a stock of general mer- chandise. Later he engaged in the real-estate business, and also in making abstracts of titles, which he has since continued. He has a pleas- ant home at Carlinville, and to the wife who pre- sides over it he was married in 1856. Mrs. Plain was formerly Miss Mary A. J. Dick, and she is a native of this State, her birthplace being in San- gamon County.
Politically Mr. Plain has always been a stanch Democrat. As before stated, he held the office of Sheriff two terms. Ile also has served eighteen years as Justice of the Peace, and for three terms was Mayor of the city. He is at present a member of the Board of Education. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Carlinville Lodge, No. 350, I. O. F. Dur- ing his long residence in the county Mr. Plain has always been actively identified with its inter- ests, and has promoted the welfare of the city and county in various ways, both as a citizen and in the various high offices that he has held, and he is greatly esteemed by all with whom he has busi- ness or social relations.
R OBERT J. MITCHELL, M. D., of Girard, is a physician of high standing and repu- tation among the members of his profes- sion in this county. Ile was born on a farm near Lancaster, Schuyler County, Mo., October 30, 1843, His father, Isaac Mitchell, was a native of England, born in the town of Harby, Notting- hamshire, March 1, 1815. His grandparents were also both of English birth and antecedents, and spent their entire lives in their native land. His grand- father, Richard Mitchell, had a farm near Ilarby, Nottinghamshire, where he died in 1840. The maiden name of his wife, grandmother of our sub- jeet, was Susanna Chapman. She was born at Ifarby, and died one year after her husband. They were the parents of seven sons and three daugh- ters. The father of our subject and his brother, William, were the only members of the family who came to America, and the latter settled in Greene County. He married in his native country, and
reared a family of live sons and two daughters, and in the ripeness of time passed to his final rest.
Isaac Mitchell was young when his father died, and at an early age he was thrown on his own re- sources to obtain a living. In 1837, in the prime and vigor of the opening years of his manhood, he emigrated to this country, and coming to Illi- nois, located near Carrollton, Greene County, where several English families had established themselves previously. He found employment on a farm, and in the winter season attended school. Very soon after his marriage, in the fall of 1841, he went to Missouri, and became one of the early settlers of Schuyler County. lle bought a squatter's claim, and later, when the land came into the mar- ket, purchased it from the Government. There was a log house on the place, partly completed, at the time he bought it, and after finishing it, he and his wife made it their home for some years. In- dians lived in that region when he went there, and deer, wild turkeys and other game abounded for a long time after. There were no railways, and the towns on the Mississippi River, seventy miles distant were the nearest markets.
Mr. Mitchell improved quite a tract of land in Missouri, and continued to live there some time, when he came back to Illinois and leased a farm in Madison County, near Upper Alton. Eight years later he came to Girard and lived retired from active life"until his death, May 21, 1865. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Underwood, and she was born in August, 1811, near Cynthiana, Harrison County, Ky. Iler father, Francis Under- wood, was born in Shropshire, England, in 1767, and was the son of another Francis Underwood. who spent his entire life in England. The grandfather of our subject came to America in his youth as a soldier in the British army. He deserted from the ranks, and ever after made his home in the United States.
Locating in the wilds of Kentucky, Mr. Mitchell was married in Lafayette County, that State, in 1799, to Margaret Jarvis. She was born in West- moreland County, Pa., in 1784, to Robert and Mary Jarvis, natives of Dublin, Ireland, of English pa- rents. On coming to America, they resided for a
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time in Westmoreland County, Pa .. and thence went to Lafayette County, Ky., and from there to Troy, Ohio, where they died. In 1839 Grand father Underwood eame to Illinois, journeying hither with teams. He settled seven miles west of Carrollton, where he bought a tract of timber land which he developed into a farm; in that place he and his good wife dwelt until life's close, he dying June 20, 1853, and she August 20, 1860. They reared four sons and five daughters. The parents of our subject had four children, as fol- lows: William F., a practicing physician of Lancaster, Mo .; John M., a soldier in the Twenty- first Missouri Infantry during the late war, who died in the service; Robert J. ; and Mary J., who resides at Girard.
Our subject received his early education in dis- triet schools, and supplemented it by an excellent course of study at Shurtleff College, from which he was graduated in the Class of '69. Imme- diately after graduation he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, and in the fall of 1869 entered Rush Medical College at Chicago. He attended that institution until the following spring, and then resumed his studies with his brother. In the fall of 1870 hie again entered Rush Medical College, and was graduated with the Class of '71. A few weeks after leaving college he came to Girard seeking a suitable location to establish himself in his profession, and since that time has been a resident physician of this place, acquiring during these twenty and more years a lucrative practice that extends far beyond the lim- its of the city. He is justly held in high esteem by his patients for his professional knowledge and practical ability in applying it in all eases that come under his consideration.
Dr. Mitchell was married in 1873 to Miss Julia A. Bennion, a native of Wales. Iler parents, Randle and Augusta S. Bennion, were also of Welsh birth, and came from Denbigshire, North Wales, to the United States in 1849. Two children complete the household circle of our subject and his wife, Mabel and Vinnie.
The Doetor leads a busy life, for, notwithstand- ing the demands made upon him by his profession, he is identified with the business interests of the
city as Vice-President of the Girard Building and Loan Association, and he also has borne an honor- able part in the publie life of Girard as a member of the City Council and of the Board of Educa- tion, with which he is still connected. Politically he was formerly a Republican. but he has of late given his support to the Democratie party. He is a member of the Macoupin County Society for Medical Improvement, of the State Medical So -. eiety. and of the American Medical Association. Ile is a member of Girard Lodge, No. 171, F. & A. M., and of Chapter 132, R. A. M.
A lithographie portrait of Dr. Mitchell appears on another page of this volume.
RS. ELIZA J. (TRABUE) BOGGESS. a well-known resident of Girard, has lived in this county for fifty-six years and has been an intelligent witness of its growth and development from the wilderness to its present condition as a prosperous and flourishing commu- nity. She is of an old pioneer family and is a descendant of distinguished French ancestry. She was born in Logan County, Ky., May 29, 1820.
The father of Mrs. Boggess, Haskins Trabue, was born near Richmond, Va., in 1790, and was a son of Stephen Trabue, who was a native of the same locality. From the best information at hand we learn that the great-grandfather of our subject, whose name was John James Trabue, was a Virginian also, whose parents were born in France and came to America in Colonial times, locating in Virginia. where he spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Olympia Dupuy, and she was a native of Virginia. Her father, Barthol- omew Dupuy, was born in Saintgue, France, in 1654. He was an officer in the household gnards of Louis XIV. He was a Huguenot and there is a romantie story connected with his coming to Amer- ica, a self-exile, to escape religious persecution in his native country. In 1684 be married Susanna. Countess Davillon, and the king graciously gave him leave of absence to spend his honey moon at his villa. While there he learned of the revocation of
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the Edict of Nantes and immediately took meas- ures to flee to Germany to escape the doom he well knew to be awaiting one of his religious belief. Ile ordered a suit of clothes for his page, who was the size of his wife, and with his bride attired as a page, with two of his horses and all his money and jewels, he started for the frontier. IIe managed to pass the guards successfully until near the line be- tween the two countries, when he was fired upon, the bullet lodging in a psalm-book in his wife's bosom. lle showed a pass signed by the king, and without giving the guards time to see the date, de- manded a guard the rest of the way. He arrived in Germany in safety and after remaining there two years emigrated to America and settled at Jamestown, Va., among the colonists, and passed his remaining days in quietness and peace.
Stephen Trabue, the paternal grandfather of our subject, married Jane llaskins, a native of Virginia. After marriage be removed to Kentucky, going thither with teams and flat-boats. Ile settled in Greene County, of which he was an early pioneer. Ile secured quite a tract of land there and operated it by slave labor. He finally removed to Logan County, where he bought a much larger quantity of land than he had first purchased and he resided there until death closed his earthly career.
Mrs. Boggess' father was reared in Kentucky and after marriage he settled on land given him by his father in Logan County. In 1835 he, too, became a pioneer, coming to Illinois, accompanied by his wife and seven children. The removal was made with teams and the family took with them their household goods and cooked and camped by the way. After two weeks' travel they arrived in what is now. Brushy Mound Township, where the father entered a traet of Government land. He erected a small log house, making the roof of rived boards, the floor of puncheon and the door of clapboards. There were but few signs of civilization apparent in this county at that time, as the settlers were few and far between and there were no railroads or markets very near, Alton being the most accessible point where the settlers sold their products and ob- tained their supplies.
In 1837 Mr. Trabue built a carding mill, the first carding mill erected in the county, and he also gave
his attention to farming and developed a choice farm. His death in 1860 removed a valued citizen, one who had closely identified himself with the in- terests of his community and had been a useful pi- oneer in developing the resources of the county. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Olympia Wil- son, also died in the same year that he did, her death occurring on the home farm. She was the mother of nine children.
Mrs. Boggess was in her fifteenth year when she came to Illinois from her early Kentucky home and she has a vivid recollection of pioneer life in this State. She lived with her parents until their death and was a stay and comfort to them in their old age. In 1864 her marriage was solemnized with Mr. Barnabas Boggess, who is represented elsewhere in this work.
RS. MARTHA (MAZE) BATES. Our readers will be both pleased and pro400 to read a life-sketch of this mother in 13- rael who has for so many years exerted an influence for good, not only in her home and church, but throughout the whole community. Her devo- tion as a wife and mother and her long and faithful membership in the Shiloh Baptist Church, which has lasted almost fifty years, as well as her active interest in public affairs, have placed her in the fore front of the women of Macoupin County. She still resides at the old homestead which her husband had established on section 22, Bird Township.
The father of Mrs. Bates was John Maze, a na- tive of Virginia, and her mother, Sarah Morrow, was born in Eastern Tennessee, in the mountainous regions. This couple emigrated from Tennessee to Greene County in this State early in the '30s and afterward removed to Barr Township. It was while they were living there that Mr. Maze went on busi- ness to Kentucky and there met his death. Ilis widow continued to make her home in Barr Town- ship until she passed from life.
Mrs. Bates was the fifth child of her father's family and was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., July 17, 1816. She came with ber parents to Ma- coupin County, and was married in Barr Township,
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March 25, 1836. The gentleman to whom she was wedded and with whom she spent more than a half century of happy wedded life, was William J. Bates, a son of Hampton and Jane (Bryson ) Bates. Ile was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., October 20, 1813. Their earliest married home was in Western Mound Township, where they lived for upwards of sixteen years, after which they re- moved to Bird Township, where Mr. Bates died September 16, 1890. This long life together was one of unusual harmony and congeniality, and was filled with acts of unostentatious goodness and the quiet fulfillment of duty.
Mr. Bates made substantial improvements upon his farm and left it in an excellent condition. lle had been a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church for more than forty-five years, and was a power in it for good. Six children crowned this union, namely: George W., who married Miss Agnes Adams; Sarah J., who was the wife of John Morris, and died June 26, 1859 ; John IJ., who took to wife Catherine McAliney ; James C., Frances M., who married William Adams, and Addison, who mar- ried Ellen B. Barr. To this faithful mother these children owe much. not only in the influences which tended to form their characters, but also their social standing and their worldly success. She is a woman who is deeply interested in the affairs of to-day and keeps herself fully informed of public movements. Not only her children, but all who know her, rise up to "call her blessed."
B ENJAMIN F. KABLE. Among the rep- resentative citizens of North Otter Town- ship, prominent in business and religions circles and honored by everyone for his noble war record, we are proud to place high the name which we have just recorded. He is the eldest son of James Kable and was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 4, 1840. In his native home he grew to manhood and received the usual educa. tion and training which is given to a farmer's boy in an intelligent and practical family. Later in his boyhood he was a resident of Miami County, Ohio,
and remained there until the war broke out. lle was early interested in the struggle to maintain the honor of the old flag, and when he had barely reached his majority joined the army and nobly did his share in the struggle to maintain the insti- tutions which were established by our forefathers.
The young man enlisted January 31, 1862, in Company 1, Seventy -first Ohio Infantry. He served for nearly four years and did not take his discharge until 1866. Some of the important engagements in which he took part were Shiloh, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. At the battle of Shiloh he was slightly wounded in the foot and at Clarksville, Tenn., he was taken prisoner by the rebel forces, but was not kept "in durance vile" as long as were many of his companions. He was soon sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained until he was exchanged.
It was in January, 1866, that the young soldier returned, bronzed by exposure and with honorable scars, to take up the pursuits of peace. Ile settled in North Otter Township, Macoupin County, and has since made this his home. Hle now owns about seven hundred acres in this township, which he is cultivating in a most thorough and systematic manner. On another page is presented a view of his home, which is a delightful one within and at- tractive without, and the excellence of his barns and sheds speaks whole volumes in praise of the man who can work as well as he can fight. Nothing in his whole life so sincerely gratifies this noble man as to review his days of hardship and suffering upon the battlefield and the march. His devotion to his country was a whole-hearted one and he grudges nothing of all that he gave in time and strength.
Soon after his return from the war Mr. Kable was united in marriage with the woman whose true heart had followed him through all his wanderings and marches. His wedding was solemnized in North Otter Township, May 3, 1866, the bride being Elizabeth Mayer. She had the happiness of presenting her husband with one child, Theodore, and then died May 10, 1868, leaving the little one to mourn the irreparable loss of a mother.
The second marriage of Mr. Kable took place in North Otter Township, November 11, 1872, his bride being Miss Anna Freeman, by whom he has
RESIDENCE OF B. F. KABLE, SEC. 9., NORTH OTTER TP., MACOUPIN CO. , ILL.
RESIDENCE OF T. F. COULTAS , SEC. G. , VIRDEN TP., MACOUPIN CO., ILL.
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five children, namely: Mary Alice, James F., Rus- sell F., Charles II., and Nellie A. The mother of these children was born in Chatham, Sangamon County, IH .. and is a lady of unusual culture and refinement as well as ability in managing the affairs of her household and training her children with wisdom and discretion.
Our subjeet bas been Justice of the Peace for four years and has also filled the office of School Director and Highway Commissioner. He is a Di- rector in the Farmers' Mutual Aid Association of Virden and North Otter. He has also been one of the School Trustees and takes an active part in po- litical movements, being a Republican in his con- victions and working for the interest of that party. The Methodist Church is the religious body with which our subjeet is connected and where he is an active worker. Ile is also prominently identified with the John Baird Post, No. 285, G. A. R.
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