USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Portrait and biographical record of St. Clair County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
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Our subjeet was born on the birthday of the Father of his Country-February 22, 1835-on the same place where he is now living. He was here reared and educated, and was married in this county to Miss Emeline, the daughter of William Mitchell a farmer. After this ceremony, which took place in 1859, our subjeet lived on the old place for two years, and then removed to the southern part of the county, but returned again. Diseontented, he concluded to try another change, and so went to Macon County, where he resided for four years and again came back to the old place. In 1877, he sold out and went to Texas, bnt only remained there two months and then returned to Illinois and settled in Franklin County, where he lived ten years and engaged in farming. Affection for the old place clung to him in all his changes of residence, and he finally came back to it, to remain here ever since. Ile has had seven children. Ellen died at the age of seven, and three died in infancy. The living are Samuel, Joseph and Minnie. Samuel married Mrs. Nancy Eubanks, and is living in Freeburg.
Our subject farms three hundred and seventeen aeres of land, part of which belongs to him and the rest to his father's estate, wheat being his principal product. Politically, Mr. Ilill is a Dem- oerat and is devoted to his favorite party. He is a consistent member of the Baptist denomination and is everywhere regarded with respect and esteem, because of his consistent, straightforward life and his devotion to the principles which he avows. Much travel and change of place have
broadened his mind and added to his understand- ing, so that his views upon the questions of the day are always presented by him with fairness and intelligence and with due regard to the opmn- ions of others,
H
AMES MASON. Age comes to some as a mellow radiance, and none has it touched more lightly than the genial host of the wayside inn, the subject of this notice, who bears his seventy-five years with scarcely the ap- pearance of fifty, and is so genial and companion- able that the younger stranger forgets the dispar- ity. The subject of this sketch was born in Stir- lingshire, Scotland, October 30, 1817, the son of Walter and Isabel (Baird) Mason, who came to America in 1848, went to Pennsylvania, and settled in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, where they lived and died.
The youth and the active years of our subject's life were given to hard work. Ile remained with his parents and uneles in Pennsylvania more than a year, when he and a brother started West, and continued until they reached French Village, near East St. Louis, in St. Clair County, IN., where our subject obtained work in a coal mine by the day, and continued there three or four years; he then bought a mme of his own along the bluff, a mile from French Village, operating it three or four years and then selling it. About 1856, Mr. Mason became Superintendent of the Twiss Mills on the Short Line Road, holding the position four years, and then bought property and built the comfort- able house he has occupied since the spring of 1861. It is a wayside house of refreshment for man and beast. Two of his brothers, John and Malcom, served as soldiers in the Union army during the late Civil War, the former in the Nine- tiethi Pennsylvania and the latter in the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves.
Mr. Mason has been married three times, his first marriage taking place in August, 1841, in Stir-
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lingshire, Scotland, the name of his wife being Agnes Young, who died in 1845. The two chil- dren by this marriage were Ellen and Isabel; the former, born February 6, 1813, in Scotland, married Francis A. McBride, a resident farmer and stockman of St. Clair County, who died January 26, 1889, and left two children, W. R. and Lillie. Isabel was drowned in childhood, near Pottsville, Pa. . Our subject married his second wife, Agnes Mair, in 1846, and she died April 25, 1876. The three living children of this marriage are Walter, a mining engineer, who married Emma Sutton and resides at Rabe Station, near his father; Anabel, who married John Vickers, a ranchman who lives in New Mexico; and William, married recently in New Mexico, who is engaged in min- ing. Our subject married in February, 1877, his third wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, who assisted him in dispensing hospitality at the family home until Irer death, November 6, 1890. Mr. Mason las never accepted office, and is a Democrat when he deposits his ballot. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and are much thought of in the neighborhood.
1. STAUFENBIEL. The City Council of Belleville, Ill., estabhshed a public library by an ordinance passed February 5, 1883, and since that time the gentleman whose well- known name opens this sketch has been its efficient Librarian. Since the opening of the institution, its management has required almost his entire time, and at present he has the assistance of Miss Jose- phine Bissell, a daughter of Gov. Bissell, deccased. Mr. Staufenbiel was born near Muhlhausen, Thur- ingia, Prussia, September 29, 1833. llis parents were Joseph and Marriana Staufenbiel, natives of the same country. Our subject was reared and carefully educated in Germany, taking a full course at a gymnasium, and then came to America, lo- eating first at Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged in clerking in a brewery, remaining three years,
Jn 1859, our subject came to this city, where he
engaged with the Western Brewery, remajning with this company for a period of fourteen years. Following this he was appointed as a clerk, and later as Deputy Recorder, in the court house, and was serving in the latter capacity when he received the appointment as Librarian. Mr. Staufenbiel was married to Miss Franciska Engelmann, of this city, the daughter of Michael Engelmann, a civil engineer, of Germany. Mrs. Staufenbiel was born in that country in 1840, and she has become the mother of four interesting children: Anna, Therese, John and Emily. Our subject and his wife are prominent members of Belleville society and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
F6 RED PRIESTER, one of the leading Ger- man-Americans of Belleville, has been en- gaged in the lumber business withm her confines for the past twenty-five years. The sub- ject of this sketch imbibed the principles of ster- ling honesty that have made him honored and re- spected throughout his entire business career from his revered father, Jacob Priester. Mr. Jacob Priester was also a native of Germany, but after the death of his beloved wife, Margaret ( Priester) Priester, he brought his motherless family to the United States, making the trip in 1850. The father was not destined, however, to live and en- joy the advantages of the land to which he had come in search of freedom and fortune, for his death occurred in 1853. One sister of our subject, Mrs. Paulina Rothgangel, is a resident of Belle- ville, where she is highly respected.
Mr. Priester, our subject, was born in Nassau, Germany, September 23, 1827, and received his education in the excellent German schools. Upon coming to St. Clair County, in 1850, he settled twenty miles south of Believille, in a locality known as Dutch Hill. Ilere he continued to farm for nine years and had one of the finest farms in the county, when, in 1859, he sold this excellent prop- erty and came to Belleville, After his advent into the city, Mr. Priester engaged in the brewing buse
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iness, and later took charge of the St. Clair Ilonse, which he operated until 1867, when he entered his present business, under the firm name of Oscar Ilemrich & Company, Mr. Priester representing the company.
The firm opened business on South Illinois Street, where they are still to be found, conduct- ing the largest lumber business in the city, carry- ing all kinds of lumber, sash, blinds, doors and everything pertaining to the business. Their premises occupy nearly an entire block and are the scene of active business life. In addition to his business cares in this direction, Mr. Priester has the honor of being a Director of the First National Bank of Belleville. Our subjeet is a man of un- usual business ability, and his entire property has been accumulated by his own efforts.
Mr. Priester was married on the 1st of Febru- ary, 1850, before he crossed to America, and the name of the lady was Mrs. Anna Och. Mr. Priester and his bride set sail for America, April 1, 1850, and reached Belleville July 4, following. Mr. Priester and wife are esteemed members of St. Paul's Free Protestant German Church, in which body they are influential people. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is connected with St. Clair Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M. Few men are more popular in a community than is Mr. Priester in the town of Belleville, where he has re- sided for so many years.
ESLEY SKAER. Although quite a young man, this gentleman already has consid- erable weight in the community where he resides, a fact which is easily accounted for by his strong principles, his active interest in the wel- fare of all around him, and the pleasant manners which are the crowning charm of a fine nature. Ihs parents are numbered among the pioneers of the county, to whom great honor is due for the manner in which they bore hardship and priva- tion, and the toils which they underwent in giving the generation which followed them a highly
developed and beautiful country, with all the blessings of civilization. It would be strange indeed if the son of such parents should not pos- sess the qualities which would lead to his own financial snecess, and to a highly respected placc among his fellow-men.
A brief outline of the life of Mr. Skaer's parents will aid us in our subject's biography. Philip Skaer was one of the first white men to settle in this township, and is known to-day as one of its most substantial and wealthy citizens. Ile has always been a man of wonderful energy and en- terprise, and the result of his good management and more than ordinary ability is apparent in his present surroundings. Ilis life partner, the mother of our subject, was one of the women who ably assisted her husband in all that pertained to the welfare of his family, and maintained for herself a high standard of womanhood.
The subject of our sketch was born in Smithton Township, Iligh Prairie, on the 14th of Novem- ber, 1853, and spent his boyhood days in the same location. He was educated in the schools of St. Clair County, and after reaching the years which qualified him to choose what vocation in life he should adopt, he followed in the footsteps of his father and became a farmer. On November 16, 1876, our subject married Miss Mary Eva Kunkel- mann, the daughter of Leonard Kunkelmann, a prominent farmer of Monroe County, who is still living in the village of Smithton. Soon after his marriage, our subject settled near his father, but a short time afterward removed to the place on which he now resides. Six children have blessed him and his wife, one of whom, Catherine, died at the age of one year and ten months. Those living are Amanda, born November 16, 1878; Amelia, July 20, 1880; Henrietta, born in April, 1882; Elizabeth, March 2, 1884; and Arthur, June 27, 1886.
Wesley Skaer is rich in the possession of an in- .teresting, bright and healthy family, and his chil- dren bid fair to become a credit and blessing to his declining years. Ile is a man of advanced ideas, and believes in thorough education as the most useful factor in. laying a foundation for the future American citizen. His children are all in-
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telligent, and with the means at his command he proposes to fit them for the responsibilities of life to the best of his ability.
The farm owned by our subject comprises one hundred and twenty acres of improved land, all in a state of thorough cultivation. Ilis principal crop is wheat, and he has the proud satisfaction of seeing fifty-five acres of this grain on his own soil this year, which promises an unusual yield. Socially, Mr. Skaer is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. He is a strong ad- herent of the Republican party, and his support can always be relied on for the welfare of his party. Ile is School Director of his district, and fills that office with the same zeal and energy that charac- terize his business transactions. Mr. Skaer is a keen reader and intelligent thinker, a man whose faculty of observation has been well cultivated, and is the possessor of a knowledge of affairs which makes his statements authentic.
In all his dealings, our subject has preserved the inherent honesty and integrity of his character, and as one of the best citizens of this community holds the unlimited confidence of all who know him.
OIIN TATE. The grain and stock-raiser who resides on section 20, Smithton Town- ship, was the son of Edward Tate, who was born in Fayette County, Pa., was reared and remained there until eighteen years of age. when he came to Illinois and started to work in Ridge Prairie and other parts of the county. Wishing to make a home for himself, he married Miss Lovina Stuntz, who had also come from Penn- sylvania. The newly-married couple then removed to Turkey Hill, bought a farm and remained there some four or five years, going then to the place where our subject now resides, and there lived up to the time of the husband's death.
Mr. Edward Tate was the father of the following eluldren, who all grew up except the youngest, who died in infancy. There are now living: Char-
lotte, widow of D. L. Phillips; Rachel, wife of Alfred Wilderman; Sarah, widow of Edwin Phillips; Lovina, wife of M. S. Carr, of East St. Louis; George and our subject. Those who have been taken away are Priscilla F. Terrell, Mary Ann Walker, Matilda Woods and Margaret Robach. The father was one of the soldiers who made things uncomfortable for the Indians in the Black Hawk War, and was not only a brave soldier, but was also a fine farmer, and owned about four hun- dred acres of land.
The birth of our subject took place June 6, 1827. on Hazel Creek Farm on Turkey Ilill, he being six months old when his father removed to this place, where he grew to manhood, and has been ever since, except during a trip, begun in the spring of 1864, across the plains to Oregon with a mule- team and horses, and from which he returned in the year 1865. Our subject, about this time. married Martha Jane Reynolds, the daughter of Thomas Reynolds. The latter was born in Tennes- see and had had a life of more than common inter- est, reaching Illinois before it became a State and locating near St. Louis. He married there and la- ter removed to Twelve Mile Prairie, and lived upon a farm, but later became a great trader, and one of the leading merchants of Galena. Mr. Reynolds was one of the first parties that started the Pittsburg Ilorse Road that ran from Illinois- town to the Bluff, and was a soldier in the Black Ilawk War, in which he was wounded. This couple had a family of ten children, nine of whom grew up, and of these Mrs. Tate was the third and youngest daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Tate have had nine children, and of these five still remain. They are: Thomas E., who is twenty-two years old, and resides in Colorado; George R., who is one year too young to east a vote, is at home; Alfred, ten years old: Martha ('., seven; and Margaret Pearl, four. Those who have passed to the other land are: Mary Ann, at the age of eleven; Charlotte, between two and three years; John, who was not quite two; and an in- fant.
Mr. Tate is a member of the Grange of Iligh Prairie Lodge, and has been honored with almost all of its offices; he is a Democrat in faith, and has
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been prominent in local politieal affairs. Our sub- ject is a large land-owner, having two hundred and twenty-six aeres of fine land on sections 19, 20 and 29, all well improved. Ile has been success- ful in both grain and stock-raising, and is known throughout this region as a man who understands the business of agriculture very thoroughly, hav- ing made almost all of the superior improvements on his land and built a very desirable home for himself and family.
REDERICK T. ROSE, M. D. Few young men appear to have a brighter career of usefulness before them and one which prom- ises a more successful termination than does the young physician whose name opens this sketch. llis tastes he has probably inherited from his well- known father, and with nature and education both on his side he cannot fail.
The subject of this sketch was born March 11, 1870, at Columbia, Ill. Ile is the son of Dr. Will- iam Rose, a native of Germany who came to this country when but fourteen years of age, making his home with his uncle. lle began a medical ed- ucation and was graduated at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, beginning the practice of his profession at Columbia, Ill., where he has remained ever since, one of the old and reliable practitioners of the State. Ile has been the President of the Medical Society of Mon- roe County for a number of years, and is a man of high standing who takes both a fatherly and pro- fessional pride in his son's success.
The gentleman of whom this notice is written resides in the town of Millstadt, and has his office on Main Street. He grew up in the place of his birth and there went to school, his father after- ward sending him to Warrenton, Mo., where he so improved his opportunities that his father decided to encourage his natural leaning toward the life of a physician, although none knew better than hit- self what a self-sacrificing life it often has to be, especially in country neighborhoods. At any rate,
Dr. Rose took the boy into his office, opened his medical libraries, tanght him the necessary rudi- ments of the healing art, and so directed his young mind that in 1889 he was prepared for college. HIe went into the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at St. Louis, Mo., took three courses of leetures there and graduated from that well-known institution Marel 14, 1892. After passing through college he came to Illinois and took the necessary examination before the State Board and was ad- mitted to practice.
After this happy termination, our subject eame to the growing town of Millstadt and has made this his home and has done well here. Ile has the proper manner for a successful doctor, and does not need age to give him dignity. Ile inspires confidenee, and, no doubt, will one day become one of the leading physicians of the State, So- cially, Dr. Rose is an acquisition to Millstadt, and his presence is appreciated by his many friends and acquaintances.
F6 RED SATTLER. This gentleman is' the Superintendent and Manager of the Belle- ville Pump and Stove Works, located at the corner of Raee and Seventh Streets. As his name would indieate, he is of German descent, having been born in Baden, March 31, 1852. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth Sattler, who came to this city in 1855, where Mr. Sattler was en- gaged as a wagon-maker, condueting a shop until his death in April, 1872. Our subject was edu- cated partially in the city schools, and afterward learned the trade of a wagon-maker with his father. At the age of eighteen years, he took em- ployment with the Esler & Ropiequet Manufac- turing Company as painter, and was put in charge of the paint department from that time. Ile also traveled for the company until 1881, when he came here, and, with Mr. Becker,. organized the Belleville Pump Works. From the time of its or- ganization, Mr. Sattler has had the full manage- ment of the plant and has made it a great success.
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In 1883, he was elected President of the Sneker Drill Company, at that time the Esler and Ropie- quet Manufacturing Company, and still occupies that position. Business bas so engrossed him that he has never engaged in politics of any kind.
Like so many natives of the Fatherland, our subject has musical talent, and is a member of the Liederkranz and the Kranthaler Musical Socie- ties. He was married November 6, 1885, to Au- gusta Tieman, daughter of August Tieman (see sketch), and they have three children: Cordelia, Elmer and Blanche. The business which Mr. Sat- tler has so successfully carried on was incorpor- ated in September, 1881, with a capital stock of $25,000. which has since been increased to $75,000. The present officers are Charles Becker, President; C. T. Mullen, Secretary and Treasurer; and our subject, Superintendent and Manager. They en- gage in the manufacture of iron goods, have a foundry and general machine shop, and give em- ployment to a number of men, a large proportion of them being skilled workmen. The stove works were added in 1885 and are operated by this com- pany and give employment to one hundred and seventy-five men for the manufacture of stoves, ranges and heaters, the business houses occupying two whole blocks.
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2 IRAM A. PIERCE, for seventy years a resi- dent of this county, owns a farm on section 3. Shiloh Township, where he now resides. Ilis birth occurred in 1822, within a mile and a-half of where he now makes his home. Ihs father was Daniel Pierce, who was a native of Bradford County, Pa. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Elsie Tozer, was born in Connect- icut. Daniel Pierce in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, which calling he followed until coming to Illinois. He was one of the earliest pio- neers of this portion of the State, emigrating here in 1812, and settling on a tract of land in this township. As he was possessed of but little means,
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he purchased a small property, to which he brought his wife, whom he had married the year previous. She was the daughter of Julius and Hannah Tozer. Mr. Pierce added to his small farm until he had property amounting to about three hundred and fifty acres, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and on which he erected substantial farm buildings. Seven chil- dren blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce: Juliet C .; Emily J., wife of Daniel S. Osborn; Hannah, wife of Sciota Evans; John O., Daniel E., James A. and Hiram A., none of whom are living with the exception of our subject.
Iliram A. Pierce passed his boyhood days upon his father's farm in the usual manner of farmer lads and received such a limited education as could be gleaned in the district schools at that early period. He also attended school at Lebanon. lle lived under the parental roof until twenty- four years of age. When twenty-three years old, his father died, and for four years he and his brother James carried on the farm for their mother, relieving her of all care and anxiety.
In 1847, Mr. Pierce was imited in marriage to Mary A. Middlecoff, who is a daughter of George and Sarah (Scott) Middlecoff. Mrs. Pierce was born in St. Clair County, but her parents were na- tives of Virginia, and were among the very carly pioneers of this county. To our sub- ject and his wife have been born eight children: Johanna, wife of Adolph Schott; Ralph G .; Kate, wife of Albert Reuss; Louella, wife of Jolin E. Lemen; John H., Don Albert, Edgar F., and C'lar- ence E. John HI. assists his father on the home farm.
In 1851, Mr. Pierce went to Belleville and there ran a livery stable for some time. With that ex- ception, his life has been entirely devoted to agri- cultural pursuits. Ile has accumulated almost six hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the county. For several years, he has engaged in stock-raising. He went to Vermont and there purchased for $5,000 a horse of Hambletonian breed. Ile has dealt quite extensively in Durham cattle. Mr. Pierce is the owner of one of the finest residences in the eastern part of St. Clair County, and in addition to this has commodious barns and
Benjamin Hypes.
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other well-built farm buildings. His farm is a model of neatness and shows the care and time which are devoted to it by the owner.
Politically, Mr. Pierce casts his ballot for the nominees of the Democratic party, which finds in him a strong supporter. He is numbered among the earliest settlers of the county, and has added very materially in the development and advance- ment of the same. He is a public-spirited man, taking an active part in all measures, political, educational and moral. which tend to the welfare of the community. lle is an honored and respected citizen, and by his upright and honorable course throughout life has won the respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
B ENJAMIN HYPES. One of the most ele- gant residences of Lebanon Township is that owned and occupied by the subject of our sketch. Retired from active business affairs, he passes the twilight of his honorable life quietly at his home, surrounded by the comforts which he accumulated in his years of toil. Through lis long career he has thrown into his daily labors individual honesty and integrity, qualities which ennoble every man, whether rich or poor. From poverty to prosperity, every step was won by hon- est work and brave efforts, and his biography therefore is most useful as an incentive to others.
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