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 57
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The marriage of John Jolissen in Staunton, to Miss Katie Herring February 26, 1883, united him with a companion who has been a helpmate indeed. She was born in Hesse Darmstadt, December 25, 1860, and is a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Engleter) Herring, natives of the same German Province, where they grew up as weavers. Mr. Herring was an overseer of a cloth factory and was for some time a successful manager, as well as a skilled workman in that line of business. They resided in their native home until after marriage and the birth of all their children, and then, in 1881, decided to come to America and on doing so, settled in Staunton, this county, where they are now living. They are still stout and active, although they have passed the limit of three-score years and ten, They are people of true Christian
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
yours Truly Im Bronough
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character and devout members of the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Johnssen was a young woman when her parents came to the United States and Macoupin County has been hier only home in this country. Five children came to share the parental affection and cares of Mr. and Mrs. Johnssen, one of whom, William, has passed to the other world. Those who are now living are Louisa, George, John and Clara. These children are being reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to the doctrine and service of which their parents are attached. The platform of the Democratic party embodies the political doc- trines, to which Mr. Jolinssen gives his cordial con- sent.
OIIN M. BRONAUGH. No citizen of Virden is more worthy of respect than this gentleman, whose portrait is presented among those of other prominent citizens. He was formerly connected with the business in- terests of this city, and accumulated sufficient wealth to enable him to retire from an active life and enjoy his income at his leisure. Ile was born October 22, 1814 amid the pleasant scenery of Spottsylvania County, Va. His father, who bore the name of George Bronangh, was a native of the same State, and there passed his early life. In due time he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Sarah Martin, a Virginian by birth, and a daughter of Jolın Martin. Her father was a life- long resident of the Old Dominion, while her mother spent her last years in Kentucky with her children.
In 1818 the father of our subject removed to Kentucky, taking his family and all household goods with teams. He settled in Jessamine County six miles east of Nicholasville, where he bought a tract of land lying in the forests. After erecting a log-house, he actively entered upon the work of evolving a farm from the wilderness. At that time timber was almost valueless except for building purposes, as there was no market for it, and large. logs were rolled together and burned that to-day would bring a good sum of money. Mr. Bron-
augh resided on his homestead until his death in 1832, when his community lost a good citizen, who had been a help in its upbuilding. llis widow survived him many years, her death finally occur- ring at Danville, Ky. in 1865. at a venerable age. She reared five children, Lucy A., John M., James II., Eliza J. and Addison.
John M. Bronangh was a child of four years when his parents went to Kentucky, and he grew to man's estate amid the wild scenes of Jessamine County. There were then no free schools, as they were all conducted on the subscription plan, cach family paying according to the number of scholars sent. Our subject early became helpful in the farm labors, and he continued to assist at home, until he attained his majority, when he left the shelter of the parental roof. In 1835 he too be- came a pioneer, coming to Illinois to cast in his lot with the carly settlers that bad preceded him in Greene County, making the journey to his destina- tion on horseback. Ile had $1,000 in cash, which gave him a good start in his adopted State. Ile invested in a tract of fifty acres of improved land in South Richwoods Township, six miles from Car- rollion. He established a tanyard, which he oper- ated the ensuing five years, and at the expiration of that time he sold and bought other land, upon which be farmed seven years. At the end of that time he engaged in a new venture, going into the mercantile business at Woodville. There were no railways at that time in that part of the country, and all his goods were transported from Columbiana, Alton, or St. Louis with teams.
In 1855, in the spring of the year, Mr. Bronaugh came to Virden to engage in the grain business, which be abandoned in 1868 to turn his attention to farming on a large tract of land that he pur- chased in Lafayette County, Mo. Two years later be gave that place to his sons, and returning to Virden, resumed the grain business. Ile conducted is until 1889, when he surrendered it to his son Perry, and retired altogether from business. Dur- ing his active life he became well-to-do, and is num- bered among the solid men of this city who have been so potent in bringing about its financial pros- perity, and have in various ways sought to enhance its welfare materially, morally, and socially. He is
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a man of high religious principles, who in all his dealings has been straightforward and honorable, and has always kept the right in view. For many vears he was a member of the Baptist Church, but since the death of his wife he has connected him- self with the Christian Church, which finds in him a useful member and a generous supporter. In his political sentiments he is a a downright Democrat, though in early life he was a Whig.
Mr. Bronangh was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Poindexter in 1837. She was a native of Jessamine County, Ky., and a daughter of Thomas and Maxie ( Wood) Poindexter. She died in 1882, leaving behind her the blessed memory of a thor- oughly good woman, who was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a kind neighbor. She was a sincere Christian, and for many years a valued member of the Baptist Church. Three children were born to our subject and his wife: Perry S., who married Mary Burke. and has eight children : James A., who married Amelia Bronaugh, and resides in Kentucky , and Maxie, wife of J. P. Henderson, of the Virden Bank.
OHN II. HANSHAW, of the firm of D. W. Rhoads & Co., proprietors of the Palmyra Flouring Mills, was born in Botetourt County, Va., May 24, 1812. He is the eld- est son of Elisha and Mary ( Vandegrift) Hanshaw, and a grandson of Benjamin Hanshaw, who was born in Maryland, reared in Virginia, and made that his home until he came in his last years to end his days with his children in Illinois.
Our subject follows the same business as did his father before him, as Elisha Hanshaw was a miller and followed that business both in Virginia and in Illinois, to which he came in 1847 with his wife and four children. He came West by team to the Ohio River, thence on that stream and the Missis- sippi River to St. Louis, where again he took team and journeyed across the prairies to Auburn, San- gamon County, Ill. Here for a while he engaged in farming, but soon took charge of a mill at Hart's Prairie, Morgan County, and afterward operated one east of Auburn which was known as
Crow's Mill. In 1856 he, with his brother and Mr. A. C. Farmer, erected a flouring mill at Palmyra, which he took charge of until 1865, when he went to Chesterfield and managed a mill there until he retired from business and made his home in Pal- myra and afterward in Auburn where he passed away from earth in 1879.
Mary S. Vandegrift was the maiden name of the lady who became the mother of our subjeet. Her parents, John and Barbara ( Wineman) Vandegrift were natives, as was she, of Botetourt County, Va. Our subject was five years old when he was brought by his parents to Illinois. He attended school in his early days and was also busily employed upon the farm. He resided with his parents until twenty-one years of age and then began life for himself on a rented farm. Two years later he purchased sixty acres in South Palmyra Township, After selling this he bought fifty acres in North Palmyra Township, two and one-fourth miles from the village, and resided there until 1875, when he sold that and purchased with his brother a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in South Palmyra Township, and October 1 of that year he removed to that place where he resided until 1888. In 1890 be purchased a one-half interest in the flouring mill and has since devoted his time to carrying it on.
The lady who became Mrs. John H. Hanshaw in 1869 is a native of North Palmyra Township. Her name was Martha A. Young, and she is a daughter of John H. and Naney S. Young. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hanshaw are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and they find in its work a broad field for influence and effort. Mr. Hanshaw is a Republican in his political views but cannot be counted in any sense a politician.
ARION II. WESTROPE, a farmer residing in Scottville Township upon the farm where he was born, June 20, 1851, is a son of one of the oldest and most hardy pioneers of the early days of Macoupin County. His father was probably one of the very oldest of
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the surviving settlers of Illinois, and was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1805, and died June 11, 1891.
The grandfather of our subject was a native of North Carolina and moved from there to Ken- tucky with his relative Daniel Boone, thus be- coming one of the renowned pioneers of Kentucky. HIe left that State about the year 1803 and removed to Ohio, becoming one of the first settlers in Cham- paign County. He took up Government land and cleared quite an extensive tract. Indians were then abundant and sometimes troublesome. In consequence of this state of affairs he returned to Kentucky after about six years' residence in Ohio and made his home in that Southern State until January, 1818. At that time many Kentuckians were emigrating to Illinois which was then a terri- tory, and he came with them and located nine miles from Vincennes. He resided there for a few years and then went to Morgan County, where he died in 1825.
The father of our subject was a lad of thirteen when he came to Illinois with his parents and a young man of twenty when he lost his father. He remained in Morgan County until 1847 when he removed to Scottville Township and bought the farm where his son now lives. The maiden name of his wife was Sallie Hays. She was a native of Kentucky and died on the home farm in 1889. The parents of our subject had seven children.
Marion Westrope received his early training and education in his native township and with the ex- ception of one year he has always resided in the homestead. He was married October 15, 1874, to Ellen Amos, who lived in Brighton, this county. She did not live long after her marriage as she died in 1878. His second marriage occurred in 1884 when he was united with Mrs. Martha (Sharp) Buek. She was born in Morgan County, Ill., and was the daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Hall) Sharp and at the time of ber marriage with our subject was the widow of Joseph M. Buek. She had one child, Stella, by her marriage with Mr. Buck, and she has presented Mr. Westrope with three children, John B., Earl B. and Wesley W. Both Mr. and Mrs. Westrope are earnest and de- voted members of the Christian Church in which
they find a broad field of activity and where their influence and labors are warmly appreciated. The political views which are embodied in the declara- tions of the Democratic party are such as to satisfy the mind of Mr. Westrope and he casts his vote for the candidates of that party, believing it is best adapted to the safe conduct of public affairs.
2 HOMAS J. CARROLL, who is conducting a grocery business in company with D. A. Turk, the firm being known as Carroll & Turk, has been identified with the upbuilding of Bunker Hill since 1860, and especially has he been prominent in business eireles. He came to this city from Alton, Ill., where he had spent the winter of 1859-60, locating there on his emigration from England to America. He was born in Middlewich, England, October 5, 1853, and is of Irish descent, his parents, William and Margaret. (Sherlock) Car- roll, being natives of the Emerald Isle. However during childhood they went to England, were inar- ried in that country and there resided for some years, the father dying in that country at the age of twenty-six years, or in January, 1834. Mrs. Carroll afterward became the wife of Anthony Duffy, in 1858, and the following year they and her two children sailed from Liverpool to New York. From the Eastern metropolis they continued their journey to Alton, Ill., and subsequently came to Macoupin County. Mr. and Mrs. Duffy are now residents of Gillespie, where he is engaged in busi- ness as a coal miner.
Our subjeet is the younger of two children born to his parents. The other son, John, died after coming to this country. Thomas was educated in the public schools of this community and when he had attained to mature years he chose as a help- mate on life's journey Miss Fannie Mahoney, a native of the Keystone State, born in 1856. When a child she was brought by her parents to Bunker Hill, and her father, Dennie Mahoney, now makes his home with Mrs. Carroll at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Regan, dicd in 1878, Mr, and Mrs. Carroll hegan
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their domestic life in Bunker Hill and their home has been brightened and blessed by the presence of two interesting children, Mary E. and John C. They are members of the Catholic Church and in politics Mr. Carroll is a Democrat.
As before stated our subject has been promi- nently connected with the business interests of Bunker Hill for many years. For three years he occupied the position of inspector of coal mines and for six years did business on his own account in the operation of a coal mine. During the admin- istration of President Cleveland he held the office of Postmaster and proved a capable and faithful official but on the change of administration he was succeeded by a Republican. lle is one of the lead- ing members of the Building and Loan Associa- tion, being a charter member. Mr. Carroll has ever manifested a commendable interest in all that pertains to the upbuilding of the community and the promotion of such enterprises as are calculated to advance the general welfare. In manner he is pleasant and companionable and thereby has won many friends.
OHN C. LOEHR, of the firm of J. C. Loehr & Son, dry-goods merchants at Carlinville, is one of the successful business men of this county. He was born in the village of Bruchmachtersen, in the Dutchy of Brunswick, Germany, December 3, 1826. Christopher Loehr, his father, was a native of the same village, as was also his father who was a farmer and spent his en- tire life there. Ile was a Lutheran in his religious faith.
The father of our subject was reared to the life of a farmer and always followed that calling in his native place. He married Dorothea Koch who was born in the German village of Lebenstedt and died at Brnebmachtersen. She was the mother of six children-John C., Charles, Dorothea, Christian, Christina and Sophia. John and Charles are the only ones of the family that came to this country, and the latter resides on a farm in this county.
From the time he was six years old until he was
fourteen our subject attended school regularly and obtained an excellent education. After leaving school he was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority. He then joined the army in accordance with the laws of his native land and served a part of each year for four years and the rest of the time worked on the farm. He continued a resident of his native village until 1852 when he determined to come to the United States, where he wisely thought he could find more opportunities to obtain a competence than in the old country. He set sail from Bremen, April 19, and landed at New Orleans the 13th of the following Jnne, with less than one hundred dollars in his pocket with which to begin life in a new land. He went directly to St. Louis by the Mississippi River, and soon engaged as a farm hand eight miles out of the city at $6 a month. He was so employed one winter and then was taken sick and returned to St. Louis, where he lay ill two months. After that he found work in the city at $7 a month, and nine months later secured employment in a flouring-mill at $7 a week. He proved himself a faithful and compe- tent assistant and was soon promoted to be sales- man, at a much more liberal salary.
Ile retained that position until 1857, and in that year came to Carlinville to engage in the dry-goods business with W. H. Stemmeyer. They conducted business together three years and then our subject bought out his partner's interest in the concern and was alone until 1864, when he admitted William Schutze into partnership. At the end of ten years he bought M :. Schutze's interest and was by him- self until his son, Adolph T., became his partner in 1886, under the firm name of J. C. Loehr & Son. This is one of the oldest established business houses in the city, and the trade that has been built up by degrees as the city has increased in size during these many years is very profitable, as it is well managed, and our subject is accounted one of the solid men of the county.
Mr. Loehr is happy in his domestic relations, as by his marriage, June 1, 1857, with Miss Friedricke Knabner, a native of Germany, he has secured a wife who has been truly a companion and helpmate. She is a daughter of George Knabner who was born and reared in Germany and came to this country
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in 1854 and settled in Carlinville. Mr. and Mrs. Loehr have seven children, namely: Paulina, wife of William Surman : Adolph F., Theodore, Gustave H., Matilda, Theresa, and Ida. The family are active members of the Lutheran Church and are greatly esteemed in the community.
C LAUS THODE. The name above is that of a general farmer and dairyman. living on section 30 of Dorchester Township, where he owns one hundred acres of good land, most of which is under the plow. Mr. Thode has crected good buildings upon his place and every onthouse is in excellent order. lle has lived on and owned the farm where he at present resides since 1879, since which time he has made most of the improve- ments to be found thereon.
Our subject's advent into this county was made in 1866. He began work as a farm laborer in Dor- chester Township, and two years later his prudence and economy enabled him to purchase a tract of land and begin work for himself and later he bought all of what comprises his present farm. He is a native of Schleswig, Germany, being there born August 10, 1845, He is the son of Jolm Thode, who lived in his native province now be- longing to Prussia.
Our subject was brought by his parents to this country when but one year old. He with his sister, now Mrs. Thomas Gosch, of whom a biographical sketch may be found in another part of this volume, were the only two children born to their parents. The mother whose maiden name was Celia Casper, after the death of her first husband, John Coda, was a second time married to Mr. Casper Esper, a native of the same province that she herself was. After the birth of their only child, Terena, who died while young, Mr. and Mrs. Esper came to the United States one year later than our subject who left Germany in the fall of 1866 taking passage from Hamburg. He came over on a steamner named "Titania" and landed in New York City in No- vember of 1866. Mr. Esper and wife landed in this country in the spring of 1868 and the hus-
band died some few years later at the age of fifty- six years. His wife is yet living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Gosch. She has reached the good old age of seventy-one years. She and her two husbands were members of the Lutheran Church.
Our subject was married in Bunker Hill to Miss Charlotta Wohlert who was born in Holstein in 1847. She was reared in her native province where her parents lived and died. Mrs. Thode, the wife of our subject, after attaining womanhood, came to the United States in 1868 and settled at Bunker Hill having come hither alone. She is a hard-working woman and one of true worth to her husband. She has been the mother of nine chil- dren, one of whom is dead. The deceased child was named Emma and she passed away at the age of three years. The living children are: John, Henry, Louis, German, Mary, Louisa, William and Albert, all of whom still make their home with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Thode and family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Thode is independent Republican.
S AMUEL J. BROWN. The owner of the well-cultivated farm of seventy-six acres, located on section 26, South Otter Town- ship, is a native of Tennessee, his birth- having occurred in Giles County of that State, June 29, 1849. At the carly age of nine years he came with his parents to Macoupin County, where they settled upon a farm. He remained under his father's roof until he had attained twenty-five years of age, his early life being passed chiefly on the farm. Several years after he had finished school he tanght.
Mr. Brown was united in marriage in Bird Township to Miss Thersa J. Sells. Their marriage took place October 22, 1874. The lady is a daugh- ter of Michael and Sarah A. (Brown) Sells, the lat- ter is a sister of the wife of H. S. Loveless and also of the wife of Samuel Comer of Bird Township.
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Mrs. Thersa J. Brown was a native of the township and county wherein she was married, May 26, 1856, being her natal day.
Seven children came to grace the home of the affectionate parents who reared them with all pos- sible affection. The children are Minnie E., James M., Walter E., Oliver A., Hattie M., Thersa A., Milton S. and a babe unnamed. Soon after the marriage of our subject and his wife they settled in South Otter Township, which has been their place of residence ever since. Farming has been the chief occupation in Mr. Brown's experience.
The father of our subject was John M. Brown. His mother was Elizabeth M. Smith. The former was a native of North Carolina, and the latter of South Carolina. They came to Macoupin County in 1858, the father passing away from this life June 14. 1890. Our subject was one of twelve child- ren and was the sixth in order of birth. In pol- ities, Mr. Brown identified himself with the Re- publican party, its tenets and theories appealing to his intelligence more strongly than those of any other party. Ile has been appointed to sev- eral local offices, and has filled the position of School Director most satisfactorily for several years. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Baptist Church, being a generous supporter and upholder of the same.
W ILLIAM H. WHITFIELD. one of the thrifty farmers and stock-raisers of the township of Gillespie, whose land is on section 27, owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, which is all highly improved and has upon it good buildings and fine stock. He has another one hundred and sixty acres on sections 15 and 22, of this township, all of which is in a fine condition, as he keeps his land under cultivation.
Mr. Whitfield came onto his present farm in 1865, but came to the county as long ago as 1847, since which time he has been engaged successfully in farming. He came to Illinois from the South,
being a native of North Carolina where he was born September 10, 1832, of Southern parentage, his father, Travers W. Whitfield, being a native of North Carolina, who there grew up and became a farmer. Ilis wife was Miss Elizabeth Stephen, a native of Virginia who was reared on the line be- tween that State and North Carolina. After mar- riage the young couple came to Tennessee about the year 1833, and in 1847 they brought their household to Illinois, landing in Alton, whence they came to Chesterfield Township, Macoupin County, where they spent many years.
The family finally removed to Lincoln, Logan County, this State, where the husband and father died when over fifty years old. He was a fine man, wide-awake to public interests and espoused the cause of the Democratic party but was not a seeker for office. Ilis widow still survives him and now being eighty-two years old, makes her home in Republic County, Kan. She is feeble from the weight of her many years, but is still in- terested in both family and church affairs, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her two sons and four daughters are living, of whom William is the eldest.
Our subject became of age after moving into this county and here he has married his wife and reared his children. His wife's maiden name was Moning Clark and she was born in this township, on her father's old homestead on section 20. For a full history of her family the reader is referred to the sketch of Randall Clark. This lady was en- tirely reared and educated in this township and is well known as a woman of ability and both she and her husband are prominent in social and church circles.
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