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 68
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hundred and twenty cars daily, these being among the best mines in the State. There is a rich vein of coal seven feet in thickness and the shaft leads down into the ground four hundred feet.
In 1869, in Mt. Olive Towuship, Mr. Keiser was united in marriage with Miss Anna Ross, who was born in Alton in 1852 and is a daughter of Gerd and Mareke (Arkebaner) Ross, both of whom were natives of Germany, and when young came to the United States. They were married in Alton, spend- ing some years in Madison County, after which they removed to a farm near Mt. Olive, where they are now living. They are members of the Lutheran Church and are numbered among the best and most highly respected citizens in the com- munity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keiser were born three children, but Mary and John are now de- ceased. Anna G. is an intelligent and cultured young lady of twenty summers. The mother of this family was called to her firal rest in 1875, dying at her home in Montgomery County when in the prime of life. Mr. Keiser was again married, his second union being with a sister of his first wife, Frances L. Ross, who was born in Alton in 1854 and when one year old came to Macoupin County. Four of the seven children born of that union died in childhood, namely: Anna, George, Mary and Martha. John G., Herman A., and Andrew J. F. are still at home with their parents.
'The business with which Mr. Keiser is now con- nected has been carried on under the firm name of Keiser Bros. & Co., owners of the Anchor Rolling Mills since 1881, at which time he became a part- ner. He has since devoted his entire attention to the interests of the business, having the manage- ment of the operating of the mill under his per- sonal control. He is one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Mt. Olive and is meeting with excel- lent snecess in his work. The product of the An- chor Mills is of excellent quality and therefore a fine trade is secured. This is one of the leading industries of the place and in fact is one of the largest businesses of the kind in this part of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Keiser are both members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been an officer for twenty years, and in the work of the church
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they take an active interest. In politics he is a Republican and has held a number of local offices. Fair and honest in all his dealings he has won the confidence of all and by his pleasant manner and gentlemanly deportment has secured many friends.
OIIN PATRICK, who is engaged in farming on section 27, Bunker Hill Township. and is numbered among the early settlers of the county of 1840, was born on the 14th of Ju- ly, 1822, in Ayershire, Scotland, about nineteen miles from the home of Robert Burns, His father and his grandfather were both named .John Patrick and both were natives of Ayershire. The latter was a carpenter and mechanic and died at his home in Scotland, at the age of ninety-five years. Ile was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a prominent man in the community where he made his home. He married a Scotch lady of the Low- lands and she too reached an advanced age. John Patrick, the father of our subject, grew to man- hood in Ayershire, and learned the trade of a silk weaver, which he followed in his native land. Af- ter be had attained to mature years he married, in Ayershire, Miss Margaret Stirat, daughter of James Stirat, who was a dyke-builder and died in Dalri, Scotland, where he spent his entire life. Ile attained to the ripe old age of ninety-five years. He was never sick a day in his life, but passed away quietly and peacefully, the flame of life growing dimmer and dimmer until at last it flickered and went out. Through his business operations he ae- quired quite a fortune. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church.
For some years after their marriage, John Pat- rick and his wife, the parents of our subject, re- sided in Ayershire. There all their children were born unto them, and in 1839, their son .James came to the United States, locating in New Jersey, where bre embarked in business as a silk manufacturer. Two years later the parents and their remaining seven children crossed the broad Atlantic on a ves- sel which sailed from Liverpool and after a long and tedious voyage reached New York, from 1
whence they traveled to Pittsburg by way of the railroad and canal, then down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Mo. Continuing ouward to Alton, the family there spent the win- ter, while the father and sons came into Macoupin County, and bought land on section 27, Bunker Ilill Township, where they rented a log cabin. In this home the family were installed the following spring and John Patrick and his wife resided upon that farm until they departed this life. The hus- band's death occurred at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife died in her eighty-third year. True to the faith in which they had been reared they were life-long members of the Presbyterian Church.
Under the parental roof our subject spent his boyhood days and with his parents came to Amer- ica. In his native land he had learned the trade of a blacksmith which he has followed in pursuit of fortune through many years. His residence in this community covers half a century and few are the intervals when he has been absent from his home. In 1849, he crossed the plains to Califor- nia, attracted by the discovery of gold. Leaving home in the month of May, be forded the Missouri River at St. Joe, and thence followed the trail to the Pacific slope, landing at Johnson's Ranch on Bear River, on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where for a time he engaged in mining. Later he went to Sacramento, Cal., and subsequently went into the Nevada mining country, where for two and a half years, near Ne- vada City, he engaged in digging for the precious metal. With the gold dust which he had secured he started for his home in 1853, traveling by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York L'ity, whence he returned to Illinois. Meanwhile the gold fields of Australia were attracting atten- tion and before his return in 1852, he visited those mines where he worked for nearly one year.
Mr. Patrick has been twice married. In this county he wedded Jaret Longwill, who was also a native of Ayershire, and came to America with her parents during her girlhood. She and their only child died at their home in 1849, with the cholera, during her husband's absence in Califor- nia. The marriage of Mr. Patrick and Miss Sarab
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A. David was celebrated in Bunker Hill Town- ship, in 1854. The lady was born in Parke County, Ind., and with her family came to Illinois about 1850. She died at her home in this township in 1887, when sixty years of age, and her death was sincerely mourned by many friends, as well as her immediate family. She was a faithful member of the Christian Church and was held in universal es- teem. Seven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Patrick, one of whom died in infancy. John married Josie Stehline, who resides in Topeka, Kan., where he is engaged in blacksmithing; James is a blacksmith of Denver, Colo .; William, who wedded Althea Carter, follows the same business in Oklahoma City; Lizzie is the wife of William Chappel, a farmer, residing in Holdon, Mo .; Belle is the wife of O. F. Stehline, a hardware merchant of Arkansas City, Kan .; and May is the widow of F. Seigel Bumann, who died, leaving one child, Sarah G. Ilis death occurred July 28, 1889, since which time Mrs. Buman has made her home with her father.
On his return from California, Mr. Patrick es- tablished a smithy in Bunker Hill and engaged at work at his trade for more than thirty years with excellent success. He is an efficient workman, re- ceived a liberal patronage and became one of the prosperous business men of the community. De- ciding to retire to more private life, he began the improvement of his farm which he had purchased some time previous. He now owns two hundred and eight acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and he is numbered among the substantial and highly re- spected farmers of the community.
D AVID N. HOWSER was born on the farm which he now occupies August 31, 1814. His father was one of the first settlers and was born in Tennessee. He was of Ger- man parentage, as his father, Nicholas, was a na- tivee of that country and came to America during the progress of the Revolutionary War. He inade his home for a time in Tennessee, and thence went
as a pioneer to Kentucky. He bought land there and engaged in farming, making it his home to the end of his life.
The father of our subject was reared in Ken- tucky and resided there until the fall of 1833, and then came with his family to Illinois. They made their journey in wagons drawn by ox teams, and brought with them everything they could call their own. He located in what is now Scottville Township and entered one hundred and twenty acres of Government land. Ilere he erected a log house, which is still standing and in use. His fam- ily occupied this house until 1860, when he erected a pleasant frame residence, in which he lived until his death in 1870, being called away from life Au gust 30.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Jackson. Ile was a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of David Jackson, who was born in North Carolina, and moved from there to Ten- nessee and came on to Illinois ahout the year 1833, settling near Athensville, Greene County. There he improved a farm and resided on it during the remainder of his life. His daughter Sarah was first married in Tennessee to Wesley Henderson, and came from that State to Illinois in 1830, set- tling in Morgan County in the locality known as Buck Horn, and resided on the same place until after the death of her husband. She died upon the home farm May 3, 1887. In the period when these early pioneers made their home in Macoupin County markets were almost inaccessible, and it was next thing to an impossibility to obtain manu- factured goods. It therefore fell to the lot of the women of the families to not only manufacture the garments of the household, but to manufacture the cloth out of which they were cut. Mrs. Ilowser, like the other matrons of her neighborhood, spun and wove and made all the cloth used in the fam- ily. Deer and wild turkeys were plentiful and wandered at will over the farms of Macoupin County.
Young Howser continued to assist his father on the farm, attending the district school as he had an opportunity, but after he was large enough to be of much help on the farm bis school days were short. After the death of his father he bought out
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the interest of the other heirs, and made the old homestead his own. He now resides in it with his family.
The marriage of David N. Howser with Keziah J. White took place in 1866. She was born in Macoupin County, and is a daughter of Samuel and Cyrena White. Eight children have blessed this union, namely ; Leonard M., Iva E., Sarah C., Celia S., Bertha H., Colia A., Howard H., and Elva; C. W., A. H. and a baby unnamed are deceased. Their mother is a devoted and active member of the United Brethren Church.
This gentleman's political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he has a number of times been placed in positions of trust and respon- sibility. He served for one year as Highway Coul- missioner, and four terms as Assessor. His religious training was in the Baptist Church, as his father joined that body in his younger days, and was a consistent member of it through- out life.
C HESTER H. COGSWELL. Among the business men, agriculturists and old soldiers of Macoupin County, we are pleased to mention the name which appears at the head of this paragraph, the name of a man who has made a good record in every one of the departments noted above. He is the proprietor of the Virden nursery, and Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Aid Association, of Virden.
Norman P. Cogswell, the father of our subject, was of New England birth, being a native of Hamp- shire County, Mass., as was also the mother whose maiden name was Eliza Farley, whose birth place was Goshen in that county. Like many New Eng- landers they early set their faces Westward, and brought with them to new homes the sterling in- tegrity, conscientiousness and practical industry which characterized the early settlers in that part of the country.
Mr. and Mrs. Norman P. Cogswell, emigrated from Massachusetts to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1836, and made their home there for some sixteen years, after which they came to Illinois and resided
in Jerseyville in Jersey County, where they lived from 1851 to 1851. They then came to Macoupin County, and in the fall of that year settled upon section 15, Virden Township, which became their last home upon earth. The mother passed away in 1855, but the call of the father to the heavenly home did not come until 1881.
In a family of four children our subject was the youngest, being born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, August 14, 1839. He received the best education which was to be obtained in the vicinity of his home, and was a lad of thirteen years when his par- ents brought him with them to Illinois, and his education was continued in the common schools of Jersey County. He came with his parents to Macoupin County, where his home has been from that day to this.
At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion the Cogswell family at once took a keen interest in the conflict, actively sustaining the Government in its attempt to suppress secession, and giving freely of their influence and services in this hour of trial. Our subject enlisted in August, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infan- try, and served through until the close of the war. He took part in the engagement at Trenton, Tenn., and was there taken prisoner by troops under com- mand of Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest, but was at once paroled and his exchange was effected about nine months later. He was at the time of his cap- ture, serving on detached duty in the office of the District Provost Marshal. He also saw the smoke of battle at Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakeley. During a large portion of his time he was serving on detached duty, and was mustered out of the service at Mobile, Ala.
When the war was over the young soldier re- turned to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture at his old home, and about that time began to build up a nursery business of which he lias made a suc- cess, and in which he has since continued. Besides his nursery he raises general crops, and has forty acres of excellent land. His marriage to Mary Col- lins took place in .Jerseyville, in October, 1866. This lady was not long lived, and died in Jerseyville, Ill., in January, 1868, leaving no children. Ile was again married to Abbie C. Janes, of Cuyahoga
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County, Ohio, the marriage taking place in July, 1869. By this union he had two children, Frank HI. and Edwin J .; the former is studying law with B. Cowne; the latter died in infancy, and the mother passed away in May, 1873. He was again married in Marshall County, Ind., in July, 1881, to Miss Sarah Hless, who died at their home in August, 1882.
Mr. Cogswell is a member of the John Baird Post No. 285, G. A. R., of Virden, where he is a promi - ment member and commander of the Post. Ilis honorable reputation as a loyal soldier, and his standing as a straightforward, thorough-going busi- ness man, gives him great influence in the commnn- nity, and makes his opinions of weight with all who know him. As a conscientious and devoted ad- herent to the Republican cause, he takes an active interest in local affairs of a political kind.
C T. DRIPPS, A. M., M. D., a leading and successful physician of the Allopathie school, who for ten years has engaged in practice in Staunton, was born not far from that city, October 19, 1850. Tradition tells a curious story about the origin of the name of Dripps. The family was Scotch and they were known by the name of Sel- don. However religious persecution at one time eaused them to flee from their home to escape the wrath of the King of England and they took refuge in a cave. This cave leaked and when the Seldon family emerged with wet clothing they were called by strangers "Drips." Ever afterwards they re- tained the name which has come down to our sub- ject with only the change of an additional p. Thomas Dripps, the father of the Doctor, was born in Ireland and when a young man sailed to the United States. He settled in Staunton Township, Macoupin County, Ill., where he began life as a farmer and wedded Miss Mary A. Patterson, who was also an early settler of the county. He bought and improved a good farm which he made his home for some years, when he retired to Staunton where he and his worthy wife are yet living at an
advanced age. They are members of the Reform Presbyterian Church and are highly respected people.
The Doctor is one of quite a large family. Ile lived at home and aided in the farm work until wishing to acquire a better education than the common schools afforded he entered Monmouth College, of Monmonth, Ill., from which he was gradnated in the Class of '75, carrying off the first honors in English literature. He was a diligent student and won the confidence and regard of the faculty. Ile was one of the originators of the idea of giving oratorical contests, which is now one of the leading features in the colleges of this State. He graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and some years later, in 1880, the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him, he heing the first native citizen of Staunton Township to receive that de- gree. When his literary education was completed he was appointed by the prison warden, Maj. R. W. McClaughry, to a position in the hospital of the State Prison at .Joliet. Here be acquired con- siderable knowledge of medicine, and in 1879, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the Class of '80.
In 1889, Dr. Dripps was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary L. Bley, who was born in Rock Island, Ill., June 10, 1859, and is the youngest child of Dr. George Bley. (See sketch of Dr. Robert E. Bley.) Almost her entire life has been passed in this county where she lived with her parents until she gave her hand in marriage to Dr. Dripps. She is a lady possessed of many graces and excellencies of character and figures prominently in the social cireles of Staunton. She is also a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church and for some years has been connected with the church choir. The Doctor takes considerable interest in civic societies and is Past Master of Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M .; also a member of Litchfield Commandery, No. 30, K. T. In Staunton Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F., he is Past Noble Grand, and in politics he is a stalwart Republican.
Soon after his graduation Dr. Dripps located in Staunton and began the practice of medicine on his own account. Later he bought out Dr. R. E. Bley in the firm of Bley Bros., and in June, 1888, the
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firm name was changed to Drs. Bley & Dripps. Since this connection was formed they have en- joyed a fine practice and are ranked among the leading medical firms of the county. Dr. Dripps is a learned, scholarly gentleman of genial character and has many warm and admiring friends among his large circle of acquaintances.
ENRY E. WHITTLER. The German- American citizens who have made their homes in Maconpin County have done much in many ways to advance the material prosperity of this section. Their steady and per- severing industry, their thrift and frugality have not been without effect in bringing prosperity to the county. Their neat and thoroughly cultivated farms arc productive and their good business habits have helped forward the commercial rela- tions of this region of the State.
Henry E. Whittler, who resides on section 15, Virden Township, was born in Bremen, Germany, on the 30th April, in the year of 1830. Ilis parents emigrated to America in the fall of 1842 and land- ing in New Orleans came on to St. Louis, Mo., where they resided for a short time. After four months there they went to Perry County, that State, where they remained nearly eighteen years.
Illinois proved more attractive to this family than Missouri, as they loved the air of freedom and did not choose to bring up their son in a slave State. In 1860 they came to Sangamon County and after residing in Springfield for a short time, came in the spring of that year to Macoupin County, and settled in Virden Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. The fathi- er's name was John D. Whittler and the mother bore the maiden name of Adelina Crumb. They had but one child who is the subject of this bio graphy, and has always since the spring of 1860 been a resident of Maconpin County. where he has carried on farming and placed his one hundred and sixty acres in an excellent state of cultivation and erected upon it good improvements.
Henry Whittler was united in the holy bonds of
matrimony June 13, 1852 with Elizabeth Sehriner at her home in Perry County, Mo. Mrs. Whittler was born September 23, 1833, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came across the ocean with her parents when she was a little child of four years old. IIer father was John Schriner and her mother Katherina (Olley) Schriner. They made their home in Perry Connty, Mo., and there spent their last days.
Eiglit living children bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whittler. The sons are : Philip J., Henry E., William, Benjamin F. and Edward. The dangh- ters are: Mary, Sophia and Minnic. Three little ones passed away in infancy. Katie became the wife of John Eifert and died in Girard, IN. in January, 1885. Adelina was the wife of Paul Eifert, and died in Elgin, III. Philip J. has mar- ried Miss Nora Lilly; Henry E. has taken to wife Miss Nettie Davidson; Mary married Mr. James Ridgeway; and Sophia is the wife of George Wil- ucki.
The gentleman of whom we write is wide-awake in regard to the political movements of our eoun- try and carnestly espouses the doctrines and policy of the Democratic party, taking an active part in local movements and supporting the candidates of that party. The esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens is indicated by the fact that they have placed him in the office of High Commission- er and that they have insisted upon his filling for fifteen years the responsible position of Justice of the Peace. In these capacities he has served the community with good sense and good judgment and has powerfully aided in maintaining the peace of the neighborhood.
OHN DOWZER, who is now carrying on a large coopering establishment where barrels are manufactured for the Staunton Milling Company, began business in this line soon after locating in this place in 1868. IIe purchased a cooper shop of Mr. McAllister, and soon built up an excellent trade. So rapidly did his business increase that it soon became one of the leading in-
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dustries of the county and furnished employment and is a lady of intelligence and worth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dowzer are identified with the Covenan- ters Church of Scotland. Their union has been to thirty men, while the daily output was about four hundred barrels. The greater part of these were for the exclusive use of the Royal Gem Mills Com . | blessed with three children, a son and two daugh- pany and he continued to supply them until 1882, when the mill was blown up. For about ten years afterward he lived a retired life, doing little busi- ness until 1891, when he again opened a cooper shop near the coal shaft of the Wabash depot. where he now follows his trade. He supplies the
1 entire demand of the Staunton Milling Company and has a good business.
As Mr. Dowzer is widely known throughout this community we feel that a sketch of his life will be received with interest by many of our readers. Ile was born among the hills of Wicklow County, Ire- land, on the 18th of December, 1830, and belongs to a family which was originally of English origin. His ancestors emigrated from England to the Em- erald Isle during the Conquest. Michael Dowzer, father of our subjeet was born in Ireland, and when a young man learned the trade of a cooper, which he followed throughout his entire life in connection with the occupation of farming. In the county of his nativity he remained until his death, which occurred at a ripe old age. Ile mar- ried Miss Sarah Hopkins, a lady of Irish birth who also spent her entire life in her native land. Both were members of the Episcopal Church and were highly respected people.
Mid play and work John Dowzer spent his boy- hood days and when a youth, entering his father's shop, he learned the trade of a cooper, which he has since followed in pursuit of fortune. Believing that the new world afforded better advantages to young men than the old countries, he determined to emigrate to America and in 1850 crossed the broad ocean, locating in Toronto, Canada. Sub- scquently be crossed the line into "Free America." and after spending a few years in the South, came to Macoupin County, Ill., in 1868.
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