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 60
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
Jacob Quick, the father of our subject was one of the older children of a large family, and while growing to manhood acquired a knowledge of weaving. He never followed it as a specialty, but took up farming instead. He was a noble-minded man of pure babits and an upright Christian char- aeter and a friend to a large circle of people in Somerset, County. He had been a life-long Demo- crat in politics. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Van Arsdale, spent her entire life and died in Somerset County, where she passed away at the age of eighty-nine years. She was possessed
537
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of a good and noble character and was highly esteemed as a member of the Reformed Church, Her parents, Christopher and Catherine Van Ars- dale were natives of Holland and had come to this country when young people. After their marriage they spent their lives on a farm except as Mr. Van Arsdale was absent while serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. They died at the good old age of eighty and eighty two years respect- ively.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a fam- ily of eight children, who all lived to be married and establish homes of their own. All but one are now living. This boy was reared in his native county and in early life learned and followed the trade of a carpenter. When quite a young man he came West to Jersey County, Ill., in the spring of 1849, coming over what was known as the canal and river route from New Jersey. lle was mar- ried in Jersey County, to Mrs. Susan Randolph nee Staats, who was born in our subject's native county, and who had come when quite young to Greene County, Ill., and later became a resident of Jersey County. In 1851 they removed to Maconpin County and afterward to Bunker Ilill. Here she was called away to the better land July 28, 1883, at the age of fifty-nine years, hav- ing been born October 16, 1824. She had come of Dutch and French ancestry. She was a consis- tent and devout member of the Presbyterian Church and was possessed of true womanly ehar- acteristics. She was the mother of three children. The only child of her union with Mr. Quick, a son William, died in infancy. Her two children by her marriage with Mr. Randolph still survive: Etta, the wife of Henry Hoagland, of Lincoln, Neb., and John, a farmer, lives in lilyard Town- ship.
The second marriage of Deacon Quick took place in the city of Bunker IIill, October 15, 1884. This wife bore the maiden name of Margaret K. Harlan. She was born in Gillespie Township, this county, November 26, 1834. She was reared and educated within the borders of the county and spent some fifteen years in Edwardsville, where she completed her education. She is the daughter of George and Margaret (King) Harlan, natives of Virginia and
Kentucky respectively. Her parents were married in Kentucky shortly before their coming to Illinois in 1831. They entered a large tract of Govern- ment land in Gillespie Township, and began life as pioneers. They improved their farm and made a comfortable home and there died, Mr. Ilarlan in 1851 at the age of seventy five years and Mrs. Harlan in 1842, while still in middle life. Their religious belief was in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Harlan's politi- cal views were with the Whig party. The mother of Mrs. Margaret Quick was Mr. Harlan's third wife. and this daughter was one of the youngest of her mother's children.
Mr. and Mrs. Quick are active members of the Congregational Church in which Mr. Quick has been a Deacon for many years, and where he has been a member ever since he came to Macoupin County. Ile is a Republican in polities, and a man who is highly intelligent in regard to matters of public interest.
ENRY O. MEENEN. The owner of the fine farm on section 29, Gillespie Town- ship, is one of the many farmers who has made a success of agricultural life in this State, making the ground productive to the fullest possible extent. Mr. Meenen is a general farmer and stock-raiser and owns one hundred twenty acres of land, all under the plow, with first-class improvements and buildings. All the improv- ments were made by himself. The place has been his home since 1866, although he has eighty acres on section 28, of the same township, upon which he has a tenant. It also is finely improved.
Mr. Meenen came to this county in 1857 after having lived for three years in Madison County, Ill. Ile began his life here as a poor man and struggled for his living, earning it by hard labor as a farmer for other people, and later renting land which he farmed for himself, making it pay for it- self and declare a dividend which he finally invest- ed in the land which is now his home. He is a native of that part of Germany known as the
538
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
province of Hanover, being born there in 1838. He is the son of Otto and Antke (Thelan) Meenen, who were also natives of Hanover where they were small farmers. Mr. Meenen's father remained in Germany until his children were born. They were two in number of which our subject is the younger.
In March, 1854. the little family of Meenens took passage from Bremen on a sailing vessel which bore a German name. They landed in New Orleans after a pleasant voyage of seven weeks and three days. Very soon they came to Alton, Ill., and afterward the father and son worked in Madison County on various farms for some time. There the father died in 1857. he then being in the lieyday of life. The wife and mother with her two children came on to Macoupin County and here she was for the second time married to Fred Week and the couple afterward spent their last years in this county, both dying here. The mother of our subject and both her husbands were members of the Lutheran Church. Our sub- ject is the only member of the family now living, his sister having died here after marriage to Harm larmes. Her name was Anna. Her death was especially sad, in that she left a family of nine children.
Mr. Meenen reached his majority after he had come Macoupin County and here he has ever since lived. He was married at Alton to Miss Joanna Gronwold. She also was a native of Ilanover in which province she was born July 20, 1837, being a daughter of llarm and Marguerite (Venting) Gronwold, natives of Hanover, who, after the birth of all their children, left their native sbore and taking passage on a sailer in 1857, came to this country, landing in New Orleans. Thence they came to Illinois and after some years the father died at Litchfield. After his death the mother lived in Christian County, where she died December 25, 1890, at the age of eighty-eight years, she having been all her life a member of the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Meenen, wife of the original of our sketch, lived with ber parents helping them to make a living until her marriage. She is the mother of five children, three of whom are deceased, The
deceased children are Henry, Harm and Antke. Those living are Otto, who took to wife Antke Hemken, a native of Germany, but reared in Montgomery County, this State; they live on the father's farm and are the parents of three children -Henry, Goorge and Otto, Jr. The other living child is Marguerite, wife of Benjamin Selimidt; they live at. Venice, the husband running a grocery at that place.
Our subject, his wife and children are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Meenen has been honored by election to office several times in the township. He and bis son are adherents of the Republican party.
E WILLIAM MINDRUP. Among the worthy citizens and thrifty German farmers of Staunton Township, we are pleased to men- tion the hard working and earnest young bachelor who enjoys single blessedness upon section 23, and who bears the name which appears at the head of this sketch. Since he was old enough to do farm work, he has been actively engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser, and he now owns a substantial farm of ninety-five acres on the section where he resides, and adjoining it upon section 23, he has eighty aeres. All of this land is well improved and excellently well stocked. Our subject, with his brother Ilenry, purchased this farm and settled upon it some years ago, and they have carried it on together since that time.
He of whom we write is the elder of these two brothers, and was born in Madison County of this State in 1855, and received his early education and training in that county and in this. He came of German parentage, his father, Abraham, and mother Sophia(Fischer ) Mindrop. being born in the Father- land, where they grew to man's and woman's estate and white yet young and unmarried, came at the same time to the United States and settled in Madi- son County, Ill. There they were married about a a year later and began life together upon a new farm which they had rented. They proceeded to improve it and lived there for about twelve years.
539
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
They purchased the land which is now owned by our subject and his brother, and after the death of his wife which occurred in 1889, at the age of sixty years, be concluded to reside with his son. He is now sixty-three years old and is yet an active and capable man, and able to do much upon the farm. The departed mothier was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, with which her husband and family are also connected. The father and sons are all active and earnest Republicans in their po litieal views and vote.
The subject of our sketeh is the second child of the little household born to his parents and is now the eldest of the four who survive. Next in age to him comes Henry, who took to wife Sophia Franke, and with her lives on the farm with his brother and father, and helps to operate it. The next younger is a sister, Dena, the wife of Henry Kruse, who lives on a farm in Staunton Township. Another sister, Sophia, has married William Kruse, and lives upon a farm in this township. This ex- cellent family has set an example of ptuck, push and perseveranee which may well be emulated by any young man who has determined to make for himself a place and a fortune in the West.
E LI W. RICHIE has for many years been a resident of this county and during that time has won an honorable place for himself among its industrious and thrifty farmers, aiding in the development of the agricultural resources of South Palmyra Township, where he has made for himself and family a comfortable home. His native place is Cabarrus County, N. C., and October 25, 1833, the date of his birth. His father was Jacob Richie, who is also supposed to have been born in that State. There he was reared to the life of a farmer, married and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cabarrus County until his premature death in 1836,while yet in life's prime. Ilis widow was thus left with seven children to care for. Iler maiden name was Elizabeth Walker and she was a
native of Cabarrus County. She did not long sur- vive her husband but died September 3, 1840.
Our subject was thus left an orphan at the tender age of seven, and he lived with an elder brother some years. He grew to be a strong, self- reliant lad, and at an early age he started in life for him- self by working on a farm by the month. When he was sixteen years old he went to Tennessee to live with a farmer in Washington County. The agreement was that he was to live with him until he was twenty-one, and in consideration for his services he was to receive his board and clothes, twelve months' schooling during that time, and a horse, saddle and bridle when he left him.
The man did not clothe him and after a year of hard labor under this rough taskmaster our subjeet left him and found employment elsewhere at $8 a month. In 1853 he engaged with a man to drive a team from Tennessee to Illinois, and starting on his journey in the fall of that year he arrived at Girard after a month's travel. Ile found work there for a time, and then coming to Palmyra he was employed in the village by the job or month for a year and a half. At the expiration of that time lie rented land and proceeded to put in a crop, and he then bought a quarter of a seetion of land in South Palmyra Township. After a two years' residence on that place he sold it and bought an- other in South Otter Township. Two years later he sold that property and the succeeding two years farmed as a renter. Ile next bought a traet of land in South Palmyra Township, upon which he resided until 1875 when he purchased his present home, which was formerly the property of his wife's fa- thier and is a well-equipped and finely cultivated farm.
Mr. Richie has not been without the help of a good wife who has been an important factor in his prosperity, as be was married in 1855 to Miss Saralı Ross. They have eight children-Julia, James, Robert, William, Franklin, Carrie, Milton and Morris. Mrs. Richie is a native of South Palmyra Township, of which her parents, Robert and Mary Ross, were pioneer settlers. Her father was a native of North Carolina and a son of Reuben Ross. The Intter, who was a farmer came to Illinois in the early years of its settlement, and was one of the
540
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
original pioneers of Morgan County, where the rest of his life was passed. Mrs. Richie's father was four years old when his parents removed to Tennessee, and he came from there to Illinois in 1830. He settled first in Morgan County but sub- sequently came to this county and bought the farm on which our subject now lives. He immediately entered upon its improvement, building first a log honse for the shelter of his family, and in that primitive dwelling Mrs. Richie was born. He ear- ried on farming on his homestead until death closed his mortal career. Mrs. Richie was educated in the pioneer schools of the time and received a careful training in housekeeping, besides learning how to spin, weave and knit, so that she was per- fectly able to care for a house of her own when she married, and could make cloth for garments and other use.
Mr. Richie is a shrewd, practical man, skillful in his calling, of a social, obliging disposition, and he stands well in his community. He is a respected member of the Scottville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1864. In his political senti- ments he is a sturdy Democrat.
00
OHN BRANDENBURGER, who for many years was connected with the business inter- ests of Bunker Hill, but is now living a retired life, is a native of Germany. He was born on the Rhine, November 16, 1826, and of the same locality his parents, Andrew and Cath- erine (Canel) Brandenburger, were natives. The
mother died in Germany at the age of fifty-eight years, after which the father came to the United States and spent his last days in Belleville, Ill., dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. He served for a time in the Prussian regular army and made farming his life oeeupation.
Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, numbering four sons and a daughter, all of whom lived to come to this country, while two brothers and a sister yet sur- vive. John grew to manhood in his native land
and there learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he has followed to a considerable extent in his mature years. He worked as a journeyman until he came to this country. In the month of Novem- ber, 1851, he sailed from Havre, France, to New Orleans, where he landed on the 12th of December after a seven weeks' voyage. Coming up the Mis- sissippi River, he located in Belleville, Ill., where an elder brother had settled three years before. A year later he removed to Mareno, Madison County, where he made his home until 1859, when he came to Bunker Ilill and established a shoemaking shop, where he manufactured and mended boots and shoes. This business he carried on successfully until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he laid aside the last and awl and enrolled his name among the boys in blue, August 15, 1861. He was assigned to Company B, of the First Missouri Cavalry under Capt. Clinton and Col. Ellis, and with his regiment went to the South. They first inet the enemy on the 8th of January, 1862, at Silver Creek, where four hundred of the Union Cavalry successfully routed fourteen hundred Rebels, who were not only superior in numbers but were fortified by the banks of the creek. Moving on southward through Missouri another engagement occurred at Sugar Creek, where the First Cavalry acted as the advance guard of Gen. Ellis. The regiment was ordered to make a charge, which they did, silencing the rebel batter- ies. They met with a heavy loss but it gave the Union troops the advantage. Moving on to Pea Ridge, Ark., the rebels were again defeated after a three days' engagement and in April, 1863, the Battle of Neoscho occurred. Thence the troops marched to Prairie Grove where the First Cavalry suffered severely. The fighting was con- tinued at Little Rock on the 10th of September, when Price was defeated and the city taken under Gen. Banks. From thenee the regiment went to Camden, Ark., where another victory for the Union arms occurred. After a little more than three years Mr. Brandenburger was honorably dis- charged in Little Rock. He saw some hard fight- ing and proved himself a valiant soldier. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and his faithful- ness made him a favorite not only with his com-
541
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
rades but with the officers as well. Early in the war, while on skirmish duty and his command was meeting a charge down a steep deeline on a gallop, one man and his horse fell into a ravine and a second shared the same fate; then eame our sub- jeet, who fared no better, and upon him tumbled the fourth horse and his rider. There they lay in a confused mass and the pommel of the saddle coming in contact with Mr. Brandenburger's ster- nuin, the bone was broken. The first man who fell lost his life and the second had his leg broken. With the exception of this accident our subject escaped all wounds, neither was he captured, but in several instances narrowly escaped.
On receiving his discharge Mr. Brandenburger returned to Illinois and again resumed work at his trade, but owing to ill health he was forced to abandon that work and began keeping a hotel, which he followed until he retired altogether from active business life. ITis wife, who has proved to him a true helpmate, was formerly Miss Christena Finke, an.l their wedding was celebrated in Madison County, December 2, 1854. The lady is a native of Germany and a daughter of Ignatius and Cath- erena (Ilenge) Finke, who were born in Hesse- Cassel. After the birth of their children, four in number, they emigrated to the United States, leav- ing their native land in 1852 and landing at Balti- more, Md., going thenee to St. Louis and soon afterward to Madison County, where they located on a new farm which Mr. Finke cultivated and improved, he and his wife making it their home until death. The former died at the age of sixty- nine years and the latter in the eighty second year of her age. They were both members of the Ger- man Catholic Church and were worthy people. Their children are all yet living, are married and with one exception live in Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburger have been born five children: Louisa, wife of Samuel Lee, whose sketch appears on another page of this work ; Maggie, wife of John Haneghan, a furniture dealer of Bunker Hill; Lillie F., at home; John, now a resident of St. Louis, and Minnie, who completes the family. In politics Mr. Brandenburger is a Republican and keeps himself well informed con- cerning the issues of the day. Religiously he is a
member of the Lutheran Church and his wife and children are members of the Catholic Church. He was one of the faithful soldiers during the late war and has since been a valued citizen of the commu- nity, where for a third of a contury he has made his home.
ENRY R. STUTSMAN, a leading farmer of Girard Township, bis well-improved and well-managed homestead being on section 30 was born on a farm three and one-half miles southeast of the town of Goshen, Elkhart County, Ind., May 2, 1846. His father, Jacob Stutsman, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in Sep- tember, 1815, a son of Samuel Stutsman, one of the pioneers of that section of the country, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and of German anteced- ents. lle was reared and married in the Keystone State, and removed from there to Ohio in the early years of the settlement of Montgomery County. Ile purchased a tract of forest, built a shelter for his family, and in due time cleared a farm from the wilderness. In 1833 he removed from there to Elkhart County, Ind., where his remaining days were speut. The maiden name of his wife was Magdalena Ulery. She was born in Pennsylvania and died in Elkhart County, Ind.
Jacob Stutsman was a youth of eighteen years when he went with his parents to their new home in the wilds of Indiana. He inherited a portion of his father's farm, bought other land adjoining, and resided there until 1868, when he came to Macou- pin County. He bought two hundred and eighty acres of land in Girard Township, including the farm now owned by our subject, and he was pros- perously engaged in agriculture until his death in 1871. llis wife bore the maiden name of Ilan- nah Studebaker, and she was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 19, 1819. Her father was Ja- cob Studebaker, and he was a native of Pennsylva- nia. He was a son of David Studebaker, who is supposed to have been born in Lancaster County, Pa., of German parentage. He became a pioneer
542
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Montgomery County, Ohio, in an early day, and there died in the fullness of time.
Jacob Studebaker, grandfather of our subject was a carpenter. In 1816, with his wife and the one child that had been born to them in their old home, he went to Ohio and settled among the pio- neers of Montgomery County, where he bought a tract of land. When not engaged at his trade, he devoted his time to the improvement of a farm. In 1830 he emigrated to Elkhart County, Ind., where the Indians pre dominated, as there were but few white settlers. He bought a piece of land two miles northwest of Goshen, on the Elkhart River. Ile improved the water power by building the first mill for the manufacture of lumber ever erected in that section of country. He did a great deal to- wards the upbuilding of that county in his capac- ity as a skillful carpenter, as it was he who erected the first Court House in Gosher., and many other buildings were the work of his hand. He resided in that locality until his demise. The maiden name of his first wife was Esther Leer, and she was a daughter of Jacob and Lydia Leer. She was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Montgomery County, Ohio, her death occurring in February, 1827. The mother of our subject still makes her home on the old homestead with her son.
Henry Stutsman grew to man's estste in his na- tive county. After marriage he purchased a farm east of Girard, but after living on it two years, he sold it, and bought a tract west of Girard. Ile did not, however, settle upon that at once, but de- voted himself to the lumber business at Girard five years, and the following four years was connected with the creamery in the same village. He then located on the old homestead, where he has since engaged in agricultural pursuits, carrying on his operations skillfully, industriously, and with good profit. He is an honest, upright man, kind and neighborly in his relations with his fellow-citizens, and none know him but to esteem him. He and his family are worthy members of the German Bap- list Brethren Church.
Mr. Stutsman was first married in 1868 to Miss Mary Miller. She was born in Elkbart County, Ind., and died at Girard in 1881, leaving six chil- dren-Ella, Emma, Charles, Asa A., Maude and
Thomas. The second marriage of our subject was in 1883 to Miss Susie Frantz, a native of Clarke County, Ohio. Her father, Joseph Frantz, was born in Virginia, and removed from there to Obio, locating in Clarke County, where he bought and improved a farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his second wife, mother of Mrs. Stutsman, was Catherine Neher. She was born in Clarke County, and was a dangh- ter of Henry and Susan ( Frantz) Neher, the latter a native of Virginia. Mrs. Stutsman's grandparents were early pioneers of Clarke County, Ohio. She was only three years old when her parents died, and she lived with her maternal grandparents until she was thirteen, when she went to live with an un- cle, with whom she came 10 Illinois when she was seventeen years of age. Her marriage with our subject has brought them three children-Fred, Verner and Sylvia P.
R OBERT K. ALDERSON, an extensive farmer of North Palmyra Township, is a son of Robert Alderson, a Southerner by birth, whose nativity was either in Ken- tucky or Tennessee. His mother was Elizabeth Clack, and both parents died in Cherokee County, Kan. Of a family of fourteen children our subject is one of the younger members. He was born in North Otter Township, February 20, 1849. There he grew to manhood and continued to live until bis marriage. The subject of this sketeh was married in Carlinville, February 20, 1868, to Miss Lucy A. Nevin, daughter of James Nevin. For the minutia of the history of this well-known fam- ily our readers will be pleased to turn to the bio- ographical sketch elsewhere of James Nevin. After marriage the young couple made their home first in North Otter Township, but after several years removed to section 12, North Palmyra Township, where they have since been residents. Mrs. Ald- erson is a native of this county and was born May 17, 1849.
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.