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 24
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Henry Ochike is the only surviving member of five children born to his parents, and after obtain- ing his first knowledge of books in the common schools, he entered Warburg Seminary, where he took the classical course and remained six years.
At the age of seventeen years, he left school and began working in a grocery and hardware store in Paderborn, and after attaining his twenty-first year he was made managing clerk. In 1858, not faneying a military life, he left Bremen on the American steamer "Ariel," and, after a voyage of about seventeen days, reached New York City, after which he at once came to East St. Louis on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad to join his brother William, who was in the wholesale grocery busi- ness in St. Louis. He remained in that city until September, 1858, when he opened a grocery store in East St. Louis, buying out the establishment of Mr. Millendorf. The place, which was then some- times called St. Clair City, consisted of only about one hundred inhabitants.
In 1863. Mr. Oebike bonght the block which he was occupying for 82,800, but in 1866 built the first brick building on Broadway and moved the frame building, in which he formerly did business, to the side of his brick establishment, now occupied by a shoe store. Up to 1873, Mr. Oebike was associated with a partner but he then became sole proprietor and continued alone until 1890, when his nephew, Henry Strothman, became his partner. Their es- tablishment, which is the oldest one in the place, is located at the corner of Broadway and Collins- ville Avenue, and is very favorably located for a successful trade. The store is 36x50 feet, two stories in height, with a large basement, all of which is in use. They do a large wholesale and retail business and deal in all articles usually kept in a first-class grocery. Mr. Oebike now owns two buildings adjoining, one frame and one brick, and also the building on the corner of Main and Broad- way. a three-story building used as a dry-goods store, beside considerable real estate (over twenty lots) throughout the city. In 1873, he laid out some lots known as Oebike & Kases' Addition, opposite St. Henry's Church, which he sold at a satisfactory advance; also an addition on short Street, some lots at the corner of Missouri Avenue and Eleventh Street, and three and a half aeres within the city limits on the Belleville turnpike. Ile also built a residence on Missouri Avenue now owned by Dr. Strecker.
In 1865, he made a trip to Europe, but at the
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end of two months returned to his adopted home. Hle was an organizer of the East St. Louis Bank, and after remaining President and Director of the same for sixteen years he retired. He was a mem- ber of the Town Council for two terms. was inter- ested in the incorporation of the place in 1865. and for ten years was a member of the School Board, and for seven years acted in the capacity of Preadent. He is a Catholic in his religious views and was an organizer of St. Patrick's con- gregation, but later, in 1866, assisted in the or- ganization of St. Henry's Church. He was mar- ried in St. Louis in 1860 to Miss Lazetta Schroe- der, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, and died January 17, 1891, having borne seven chil- dren, three of whom grew to maturity: Christo- pher, who was in business with his father until his death, which occurred at the age of twenty-four years; Annie (Mrs. Eckert), who was educated in Belleville Convent; and Mary, who is at home, was educated in St. Elizabeth's Institute in St. Louis. Mr. Ochike was one of the organizers and Diree- tors of the first Street Car Company in the city, and was also an organizer and Director of the City Gas Company.
OIIN P. METZEN was born near Bonn, on the Rhine River, in Germany, November 23, 1825, but for some time past has been a wealthy retired citizen of East St. Louis, Ill. Ilis father, Jolin P. Metzen, was also born there, and followed the calling of a school teacher until his death. His wife was Agnes Bierther, whose father was a Captain under Napoleon Bona- parte and was a participant in the famous battle of Waterloo. He afterward became Mayor of the community in which he lived.
The paternal grandfather, John Metzen, was an agriculturist by calling, but was also a soldier under Bonaparte, as Captain of the Reserve Corps, and made the march to Russia. To John P. and Agnes (Bierther) Metzen eight children were born. of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one
in America. Like all German youths, he was given the advantages of the common sehools until he was twelve years of age, after which he entered the gymnasium in Koln. At the age of nine- teen, he volunteered in the German army and re- mained in the service for three years, and in 1848 was called to Schleswig-holstein where he was wounded in the leg in an engagement.
Mr. Metzen then became an employe of the Government as Superintendent and Overseer of the Public Domain, also Superintendent of For- estry, which positions he filled until 1851, when he emigrated to America. IIe left Antwerp in the fall of that year, but the vessel in which he sailed became unseaworthy and they had to pu't into Southampton. England, for repairs, which took until December. Ile eventually landed at New York City, but soon after went to Chicago, which was then almost nothing but a bog, and which gave but little promise of being the mag- nificent city that it now is. He was employed in a grocery there until 1856, when he went to Kansas and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land at the first Indian land sales at Paola. He settled on this land in Franklin County, and for a long time lived in a dug-out, with no neigh- bors within many miles. Ile kept this land until the opening of the Civil War, when he sold it and started for Lexington, Mo., to enlist in the Union army, wi.en he was attacked by Gen. Price, and, as his men were totally untrained and many of them without arms, he was defeated. Ile was taken prisoner and while in captivity became ill, but upon recovering was exchanged. He was wounded at Lexington in the same leg in which he had been previously wounded, was also poisoned by ivy, and was so long in convalescing that he did not again join his regiment.
Our subjeet returned to Chicago in 1863, and a short time after removed to St. Louis, Mo., in which city he was married the same year to Miss Caroline l'rick, a native of Germany, who, with her parents, became a resident of St. Clair County, Ill., in 1812. In 1867, Mr. Metzen located in East St. Louis and soon afterward purchased land here, which he had previously leased as a place for holding picnics. He next engaged in the dairy
Hans Truly Chas bl. Fietsans
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business, which he conducted on a large scale, and owned as many as one hundred and twenty cows. Hle sold milk and butter and found this business a profitable one. Ile became the owner of fifty acres of land, as well as several blocks in the city, and in 1889 made his first large real-estate deal, selling fifty acres to a St. Louis speculator. Ile built and owns a block on Missouri Avenue and Seventh Street, and owns the Buck Block at the corner of Broadway and Main Streets. Since 1888, he has been retired from aetive life and is now enjoying the fruits of his early labors. Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a Republican politically, and in 1872 was a delegate to the State convention at Springfield. He has one son, John P., Jr.
C HIARLES H. FIETSAM. The name at the head of this sketch is that of the practical and successful farmer who resides on sec- tion 2, New Athens Township. The father of our subject, llenry Fietsam, was born in Nassau, Ger- many, November 8, 1791, and in his native land was reared, and there married Judith Monken. He came to America on the 12th of January, 1850, and first located near Shiloh, Ill., where he lived one year, and then removed to the vicimty of Belle- ville, where he remained for three years. His next purchase was the place where our subject now lives, which he bought in 1853. There he remained until his death in 1872. The mother of our subject sur- vived until 1876. This worthy couple left twelve cluldren, all of whom grew to maturity, and five of whom are still living: Joseph makes his home in Texas; Henry resides in St. Cloud County, Minh .; George lives in Freeburg Township, this county; and August lives in Williamson County, this State. Those who have passed away are: Se- bastian, who died in Belleville, Il .; William, John J., Michael and Fritz, all four of whom died in Texas; Elizabeth, who died in Germany; and Adolph, who died on the home place.
Our subject was born November 10, 1834, in Nassau, Germany, and was fifteen years old when
his father decided to remove to America. Hle grew to manhood in this country, and obtained but little schooling. However, his natural ability was great, and he has in a measure educated him- self.
The marriage of Mr. Fietsam, in 1861, united him with Elizabeth Loux, who died two years after, leaving one daughter, Ida. now the wife of Frank Aberle, of Fayetteville. In 1864, Mr. Fietsam again married, his wife being Miss Philomena, daughter of Frank Zoeller, an early settler in this county. Mrs. Fietsam was born in St. Louis, Mo., and is a lady of great capability, who has assisted her husband in his domestic affairs and directed his home with economy and comfort. There have been ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fietsam, all of whom are yet living: Mary is the wife of Henry Jung, and they live in this township; Charles is a farmer in New Athens Township; Jo- sephi, Anna, Adolph, Edward, Theresa, Sophia, Bernhardt and Anthony are at home.
The three hundred and twenty-four acres of fine land which belong to our subject are in a fine state of cultivation, and he has made the most of the improvements himself. Mr. Fietsam belongs to the Catholic Church. Ile is a member of the Order of Catholic Knights, and is Finance Receiver of Lodge No. 29. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has held the office of Deputy Assessor of St. Clair County; is Justice of the Peace, and has been County Commissioner for three years. Ile was re- elected when the township was re-organized, but did not serve. He has always taken an active part in the politics of his county, and is a very prom- inent man there. Ile was a Director in the Farm- ers' Life Insurance Company for twenty years, held the office of Financial Secretary, and for seven years he has been Treasurer of that organ- ization.
R. J. L. WIGGINS. The eminent East St. Lonis physician and surgeon whose name appears at the head of this sketch im- presses even those who meet him in a casual way as a man who has drifted easily and
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naturally into the medical profession, who realizes he has made no mistake in the choice of his voca- tion, and who feels thoroughly at home in the po- sition which he occupies. This first impression deepens with a more intimate acquaintance, and familiarity with the history of his life leads to the unbiased and impartial view that the splendid suc- cess which he has achieved is the logical sequence of talent rightly used, together with energy and industry never misapplied.
Born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1855, he is a son of Louis C. and Anna (Edwards) Wiggins, the father a native of Cape May, N. J., and the mother of Philadelphia, Pa. The father was a printer, and at an early date came to St. Louis, and was en- gaged on the Republican, which is still printed in St. Louis. In 1858, he located near ()'Fallon. this county. and opened and developed a farm. Ile died in 1878. In politics, he was a Republi- can, and in religion, a strict Baptist, being Deacon in his church. The mother died in 1863. Five of their six children are now living.
Dr. J. L. Wiggins, the youngest of this family, was reared on his father's farm, and received his early scholastic training in the district schools. In 1864, he went to Natchez, Miss., for his health; re- maining there two years he attended the Normal Institute, and later the public schools of St. Louis. About 1874, he began the study of medicine un- der Dr. C. R. Oatmann, at Collinsville, remained with him one year, and in the fall of 1874 entered St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1877. Ile began practicing at Caseyville, St. Clair County, Ill., was very successful. and continued there for seven years. In 1884. he came to East St. Louis, still a small town, and has practiced here ever since. In 1879, he took a post-graduate course in St. Louis Medical College, and has since been en- gaged in his regular practice.
Dr. Wiggins selected for his life companion, Miss Louisa C. Moeller, a native of New l'im Minn., but who was reared in St. Louis, and their union was celebrated in 1880. In the year 1888. Dr. Wiggins was elected a member of the School Board, held that position three years and dur- ing this time the Webster School building was
erected, also the Franklin Building. Ile was Chairman on a special committee that selected the site and approved the plans of these build- ings. They were erected at a cost of $40,000 each, and are the finest in the country. By his resolution on the Ist of July, 1889. the American flag was placed on the school buildings of the city each national holiday, and also one day of each week. These resolutions were passed, and were the first passed West of the Alleghanys.
Our subject has been an agitator for the estab- lishing of Soldiers' Homes in different localities, es- peeially in the South, for the ex-soldier who cannot stand the vigorous winters of the North, and his suggestions have been commended by all. Ile is a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, also St. Clair County Medical Society as Vice- President, and a member of the State Medical So- ciety. Ile is a public-spirited citizen. is interested in all improvements, and is one of the city's most influential men. In politics, he is a stanch advo- cate of the platform of the Republican party.
h ENRY W. HEMPE. It is universally con- ceded that the distribution of food pro- duets constitutes the most important factor in the long list of a city's industries, and, such being the case, the grocer must be accorded the palm as the most important contributor to the development of this fact, his wares covering al- most every article of daily consumption known to man. This branch of mercantile activity is ad- mirably represented in East St. Louis by the popu- lar and well-appomted establishment of Henry W. Hempe, who is not only a prominent business man of the city, but is Alderman from the Second Ward.
Mr. Hempe is a native of Germany, born in Westphalia, February 5, 1837. and is a son of Will- iam and Wilhelmina (Welman) Hempe, both na- tives of the Old Country. The grandfather, Will- iam Ilempe, Sr., was a farmer in Germany, and was a soldier in Napoleon's army. Ile came of a prom-
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inent German family, and was a Lutheran in his re- ligious views. William HIempe, Jr., was about the age of King Frederick William, having been born the same year; he served in the same regiment, and knew him personally, exchanging letters with him in later years. Like his father before him, William, Jr., followed agricultural pursuits, and was engaged in this occupation at the time of his death, which occurred in 1870, when he was seventy-one years of age. lle married Miss Welman, the daughter of Henry Welman, who was a farmer by pursuit, and who was in the German army. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Hempe crossed the ocean to America, and died at the home of her son. our subject, when seventy-six years of age. Six children, three of whom are living, were born to this worthy couple, Henry W. Hempe being the eldest.
The original of this notice had early instilled into his youthful mind all the details of farm life; he attended the common schools regularly, and re- mained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he decided that a better chance was given a struggling young man in the United States. After reaching this country, he worked in an hotel until he became acquainted with some of the sea captains, and in 1857 he hired out as a stew- ard on the vessel "Bluchart," sailing from Balti- more to Bremen. After this, he was on the "Ed- ward," and went from New Orleans to the West Indies, always in the capacity of steward. Later, he was on the steamer "New York," and made seven trips, crossing the Atlantic Ocean nineteen times, in storms of all kinds. From 1861 until 1865, he elerked in a grocery store in New York City, and was there during the riots.
In 1866, Mr. Ilempe came to St. Louis, Mo., and was in the employ of II. W. Kohs until 1872, when he came to East St. Louis and built his present store. He has continued in business here since. and is one of the oldest grocers in the city. lte owns considerable real-estate in different parts of East St. Louis, and has a fine residence in the city. In 1888, he was elected Alderman from the Second Ward, and has filled that position since. Ile has been on different committees, and was Chairman of the Police Commissioners, He was
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in favor of the late reform movement, and takes a decided interest in all movements for the upbuild- ing of the city. Ile is a member and Director of the Second Building and Loan Association of East St. Louis, and socially is a member of the Indepen= dent Order of Odd Fellows, Past Noble and En- campment. Ile was on the Building Committee that erected the German Presbyterian Church in 1891, and is an active member of that church. In politics, he adheres to the Republican party.
ARRY ELLIOT, JR., Vice-president and Secretary of the Elliot Frog & Switch Company, of East St. Louis, Ill., is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born June 28, 1854, a son of George Elliot, a native of the land of thistles and oatmeal, and a grandson of llenry Elliot. The father learned the black- smith's trade in "Bonnie Scotland," where he worked as a journeyman, and later followed that occupation at Newcastle, in the North of England, holding the position of foreman until the golden promises of America drew him to this country. Ile located in Cincinnati, and, like the famous Tubal Cain, he became a noted worker in iron, His skill in this direction was utilized by the United States Government upon the opening of the Civil War, he being employed as smithy on board a number of Government boats plying on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Later, he was located at Cockrum, near Aurora, but in 1867 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and became connected with the St. Louis Railway Supply Company and began the manufacture of his patent railroad switches, which he had perfected while at Cockrum. They erected a building in St. Louis on Main and Florida Streets, but the business finally changed hands and Mr. Elliot's contract expired, and in 1873 he and his brother llenry located in East St. Louis, Ill., and started in business in a small way. which was the foundation for their present exten- sive works. Hle possessed considerable inventive genius and had patented several other of luis in-
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ventions, among which was a railroad car-spring of great merit. He died in St. Louis in 1875, at the age of forty-six years.
Miss Agnes Charters, a native of Scotland, be- came his wife, and is now residing in St. Louis, a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. She bore her husband four children, only one of whom attained mature years, Harry, the subject of this sketch. He was educated in the public schools of Aurora until fifteen years of age, at which time he began working at the machinist's trade in St. Louis, under the supervision of his father; but in 1870 he left the works and took a course in the Mound City Commercial College, of St. Louis. HIe then resumed work under his father, and when the latter and his brother started in business for them- selves, he took charge of the books. The business of the firm increased very rapidly, and at the death of his father, Harry became the partner, and the firm, which up to that time had been Elliot & Bro., now hecame II. & II. Elliot. This contin- ued until the year 1878, when the business was incorporated under the name of the Elliot Frog & Switch Company, with a capital stock of $100,000, of which Mr. Elliot is Vice-president and Secretary. This is one of the oldest manufac- turing establishments in its line in the United States and occupies two blocks on Fourth Street, where excellent railroad facilities are to be had. Employment is given to from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty skilled mechanics, and their pay roll is over $8,000 per month. Mr. Elliot superintends the work himself, and is eminently fitted for so doing, for he is thoroughly familiar with every branch and detail of the business, and is careful to see that all goods sent out are in first-class condition, and will reflect credit upon the establishment. They have a fine lot of modern machinery, which is propelled by two engines, one of sixty-horse and the other of forty-horse power.
Mr. Elliot has been a resident of St. Louis since 1870, his residence being No. 3871 Washington Avenue, where he has a beautiful home in one of the most popular residence portions of the city. He was married in St. Louis in 1881, to Miss Emma C. Baker, a native of that city and a daughter of
Capt. Baker, an old settler and a prominent steam- boat captain. Their union has resulted in the birth of three children. Mr. Elliot is a member of the Legion of Honor, and politically is a Repub- lican. He is naturally of a very social disposition and is a most agreeable gentleman with whom to have business dealings.
AVID S. BOOTII, SR., M. D., died Satur- day, September 10, 1892, and lies buried in the Caledonian Cemetery at Sparta, III .. the town where he had made his home so long. The professional reputation of Dr. Booth was an enviable one, and his knowledge and skill were highly valued by his fellow-citizens. He was one of the oldest, as well as one of the most promi- nent, of the physicians of this part of Illinois, and had made the city of Belleville his home for the past three years, his residence in Illinois, however, dat- ing back for twenty-eight years.
The Booths were among the first settlers of Philadelphia, being English people who came over with Penn. . Dr. Booth was born in that city June 30, 1828. He was the son of Dr. John J. Booth, of Philadelphia, who was also a practitioner of the healing art. The latter married Miss Eliza Stain- rook, of Philadelphia, and moved to Missouri some fifteen years before his death.
David finished his education at the High School, and began studying medicine with his father after he had clerked for four years in a drug store. He took his first course in lectures in Jef- ferson College, Philadelphia, and then came West, and was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College in the Class of '58. He then returned to Philadelphia, and went to the I'niversity of Penn- sylvania. Afterward, he went before the Naval Board and entered the United States navy for two years; then, resigning, he entered the regular army in 1863. He took charge of the general hos- pital in Springfield, Mo., and was made surgeon of all the hospitals in the city, and there he re- mained a year, when he resigned, having formed
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many valuable acquaintances and gained a vast amount of experience. He later settled in Sparta, Ill., and here remamed a quarter of a century. Wishing to made his work more localized, and re- alizing that he had too much territory to cover, he acceded to the earnest request of the citizens of Belleville and removed to this pleasant city. His surgery practice was very great and successful, and, though a most skillful operator, he was always conservative and conscientious.
Dr. Booth was a member of the American Medi- cal Association, the Mississippi Valley Medical As- sociation, and the Illinois State Association, of which latter he had been President. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Medieal As- sociation and the Missouri State Medical Society, the Academy of Medicine of St. Louis, the South- ern Illinois Medical Society (of which he had been President), the Belleville Medical Society, the Southeast Missouri Medical Society and the St. Clair Medical Society. Of the last-named society, he had served as Vice-president. To the different societies, he had contributed a great many valu- able papers, and was the father of the Illinois Prac- tice Act.
Dr. Booth was married, in 1850, to Miss Cynthia Grounds, of Fredericktown, Mo., a daughter of Adam Grounds, a farmer of that' place, and to them were born six children. Their daughter Mary married .J. B. Jordan, and dying left an in- fant son to her father's care. Sarah became the wife of Dr. Jerome Thompson, of Morrisonville, Ill., formerly of Belleville, Ill. Frank is the wife of William J. Burnett, the State agent for the Mc- Cormick Reaper at Ottumwa, Iowa. Josephine is the wife of James Spronl, Jr., a merchant at Sparta. David S., Jr., is a physician of St. Louis, a Professor of the Barnes' Medical College at that place, and Consulting Surgeon of the Missouri Pa- eifie Railroad Hospital. Ile is also assistant editor with Prof. C. H. Hughes of the Alienist and Neu- rologist. He married Miss Basmath Ariadne West, of Belleville, June 30, 1892. John J. died in in- fancy.
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