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 25
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Our subject had been a teacher of both medi- cine and pharmacy, having at times as many as ten students, of whom he exacted daily recitations.
He early connected himself with church work, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Belleville, Ill., to which he was a liberal contribu- tor at the time of his death, having joined by let- ter from the same denomination at Sparta, Ill. Hle took great interest in educational matters, and frequently delivered popular lectures on sei- entific subjects, and made a donation of a large and valuable geological collection to the museum of the Sparta High School. He was a member of the higher degrees of Masonry, and had passed all the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family has a beautiful home on Jack- son and Washington Streets.
ACOB MANN, one of the extensive land- owners of St. Clair County and an enter- prising farmer who resides on section 32, Mascoutah Township, claims Germany as the land of his birth. He was born in Bavaria on the 19th of November, 1834. The days of his boy- hood and youth were spent in his native land, and his education was acquired in its public schools. When a young man of twenty-five years, he de- termined to seek his fortune in America, of whose advantages and opportunities he had heard so much, and so in the spring of 1849, bidding good- bye to home and friends, he sailed for the New World, locating in Baltimore, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he came West to St. Clair County, Ill., working for about three years on a farm. He then bought land in Clinton County, and there engaged in farming for himself until 1871, when he came to this eounty.
Mr. Mann was married in 1853, to Miss Eliza Krans, daughter of Phillip P. Krans, a resident farmer of Clinton County, Ill. After a short mar- ried life of three years, the lady died, and Mr. Mann was again married, his second union being with Miss Louisa Hubsch, who resided on a farm in this county. One child was born by the first union and seven by the second marriage. They
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are as follows: Mary, now the wife of Albert Schielen, a resident of East St. Louis, where he carries on carpentering; Catherine, wife of George Eberlein, of Mascoutah; Philip, who is engaged in farming on section 36, Maseontah Township; John, who resides upon his father's farm in Clinton County; Henry, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Engleman Township, this county; Fred, who is living on the old homestead with his father; Jacob and Eliza, who are also still at home.
Mr. Mann is a prominent member of the Evan- gelieal Church, and served as one of its Trustees for seven years. Ile filled the office of School Di- rector for six years, and was a warm friend of the cause of education. In polities, he is a stalwart supporter of Republican principles. His landed possessions aggregate five hundred and eighty-five acres, one hundred of which are in Clinton County, the remainder being located in this county. With the exception of a sixty-five-aere timber tract, the land is all under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He is engaged principally in rais- ing grain. ITis well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor, and by his industrious and well-directed efforts he has acquired a handsome competency. becoming one of the substantial citizens as well as one of the leading farmers of the community.
h ON. EDWARD ABEND, President of the Belleville Savings Bank, is a Bavarian, who was born on the 30th of May, 1822, a son of llenry, who was an officer in the revenue service of his country, a man of broad and liberal views, and very finely educated. lle was very much in favor of Republican institutions, and his intimacy with leaders of Republicanism led him into disfavor with his Government and he ten- dered his resignation, and in company with other families came to America in the spring of 1833. This little band was destined for Missouri, of which section glowing accounts had been heard, but upon their arrival in St. Louis the cholera was raging,
and two of Mr. Abend's children unfortunately died of that scourge, as well as himself. The widow with her remaining family then settled at Shiloh, St. Clair County, Ill., where they remained several years, then removed to Belleville, and in this town Mrs. Abend was called from life in 1865, her maiden name having been Margaret Lavalle. Out of her family of seven children, only four survive, of whom Edward is the eldest.
Our subject attended the schools of his native land, where he acquired a fair knowledge of his na- tive language, and after coming to America he ae- quired a practical English education in the pio- neer schools of this section, his first teacher being George Bunsen. Upon locating in Belleville, he attended subscription schools for some time, after winch he spent one term at Mckendree College, at Lebanon, and left that institution better fitted than the average boy to make his own way in the world. Ile inherited many of the worthy attri- butes that his father possessed, among which may be mentioned his strict integrity, his push and business ability. For two years after leaving col- lege lie served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, but gave up this work to assume the man- agement of a farm for his mother in the vicinity of Belleville. About this time, he determined to enter upon the study of law, and for that purpose en- tered the law office of Lyman and George Trumbull, where he pursued his studies with such unremit- ting ener y that in 1842 he was admitted to the Bar. He at once opened an office, and his mother having acquired considerable property, requested him to take charge of it, and this gradually led him into more active fields of business life, and about 1850 he abandoned the practice altogether.
Having always been a thorough Democrat, he was elected by his party to the State Legislature in 1849, and served during the session of 1849-50, taking part in the famous senatorial battle between Gen. James Shields and .Indge Breese. In 1852, he made a trip to his native land, where he formed the acquaintance of a number of heavy capitalists, who made him their American agent, and later sent him large sums of money to invest in Amer- ican lands and securities. This, and the proper conduet of his own affairs, made him a pushing,
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active business man. He has been identified with almost every interest tending to the good or the material advancement of his seetion, and in 1856 he became one of the Directors of the Belleville Gas & Coke Company, and for years was its Sec- retary and Treasurer. In 1860, he assisted in form- ing the St. Clair Savings and Insurance Company, which was changed to the Belleville Savings Bank under an aet of the Legislature. With the excep- tion of a short European tour, he has been Pres- ident of this institution ever since. It is one of the substantial, well-managed institutions of the county, and during periods when other banks were compelled to elose, this bank remained intaet, and has ever pursued a course of honor and has met every demand upon it. Its managers have felt that any sacrifice of a personal kind was due from them if it was found necessary to preserve the eredit of the bank or confidenee of the public, and have never hesitated to make such sacrifice, and as a result their bank is liberally patronized and is firmly established.
In 1852, Mr. Abend was married in Europe to Miss Caroline Wetermann, who died two years later, and on the 26th of October, 1856, he took for his second wife Miss Anna Ililgard, a daughter of Theodore Hilgard, Jr., and a native of St. Clair County, Ill. Although a firm Demoerat at the present time, he became a Free-Soiler in 1854, over the Kansas-Nebraska troubles, and took strong grounds against the extension of slavery. In 1860, he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and until 1872 re- inained a Republican, after which he became a Liberal, and later returned to the Democratic fold. He has held the position of Mayor of Belleville four terms, and has also filled other local offices with eredit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. His legislative career was marked by ability, faithfulness to duty and activity, and he has the confidence and respect of the people of his vicinity to an unusual degree. Although unpre- tentions, he is a lover of art and music, and his taste in both is exceptionally fine and cultivated. Ile is one whose friendship can not be too highly prized, for he is of an exceptionally faithful and generous disposition, and his good judgment is unquestioned, as are also his practical sagacity and
integrity. Past seventy years of age, his mind is mature and ripe, and he as yet shows but little the ravages of time.
The Abend and other families of that migra- tion were among the wealthy class in Germany, and were instrumental in bringing many more very desirable settlers to the United States.
5
R. M. R. DOYLE is one of the foremost pro- fessional men of the county, and his skill and knowledge of his calling are aeknowl- edged not only by those who have employed him, but by his medical brethren as well. He was born in Shelby County, III., July 26, 1859, a son of E. M. Doyle, a native of Russellville, Ky., and a grand- son of Jolin Doyle, a native of Virginia. The great-grandfather was born in Scotland, but with two brothers came to America prior to the Revo- lutionary War, in which war they participated as members of the Colonial army. During their service they were separated and thus lost trace of each other. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketel first settled in Virginia, but later be- came one of the early pioneers of Kentucky and a celebrated Indian fighter. John Doyle became a well-to-do farmer of Logan County, Ky., and died on the land he had tilled for so many years at the advanced age of ninety years. E. M. Doyle, the father, was reared on Blue Grass soil, but when a young man removed to Vandalia, Ill., which was then the capitol of the State, and drove stage be- tween Vandalia, Springfield and St. Louis. Like most Kentuckians, he was a noted horseman, and so skillful a rider did he become, that he was hired by the Government to break horses. Later, he turned bis attention to farming, purchased some land and nicely improved it. Ile first lived in Fayette County, then Madison, then Macoupin, and finally located in Shelby County, where he is the owner of a fine farm, and is extensively en- gaged in stoek-raising, although he has reached the advanced age of four-score years. Ile is yet a very powerful man and is enjoying a hale and
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hearty old age. His magnificent farm comprises two hundred and forty acres, and for many years his thorough acquaintance with stock led him to follow the calling of a veterinary surgeon, but he has long since given up this ocenpation.
Our subject's father married Helen Brewer, a native of Alton, Ill., and a daughter of William Brewer, a native of Pennsylvania, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Alton and a farmer by occu- pation. He was one of the famous "forty-niners" who went to Califorma, and was a very successful miner, but when just ready to start for home with his hard-earned gold-dust, he was murdered and robbed. He was of German descent. Mrs. Doyle is about sixty years of age, and, like her husband, is in the enjoyment of good health. Mr. Doyle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, is a Republican. He has been married twice, his first union resulting in the birth of nine children, three of whom served in the Civil War: Benjamin enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty- first Infantry in 1862, served until the close of the war and is now a resident of De Kalb County; Harvey joined the same regiment in 1862, and now resides in Macon County. and John joined a Missouri regiment and served four years and six months, and died after the war. Eight children were born to his second union, three of whom are living, and of this family the Doctor was third in order of birth. llis maternal grandmother was Eliza Delaplaine, a Virginia lady, whose father was a de la Plaine from France, and an own consin of the Marquis de La Fayette. He came to America during the Revolutionary War, espoused the cause of the Americans, and became attached to the country to such a degree that he afterward located in Penn- sylvania, and later came to Illinois during the early days of the State. He assisted in build- ing the fort at Alton and was a successful Indian fighter. His family were Protestants. His daugh- ter, our subject's grandmother, is now ninety years of age, is blind, and resides in Madison County, Ill., with a daughter.
Dr. M. R. Doyle early learned what hard work meant, for he assisted his father on the home farm, but he attended school sufficiently to acquire a good practical education, which he finished in the
Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal College. At the age of twenty he began the study of medicine, for which he seemed to have a natural aptitude, and toward which profession he has always had a decided inclin- ation, and in 1881 he entered the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, in which he took two full courses. During this time he practiced with Dr. Wayohn, who was a Professor in that college. In 1885, Dr. Doyle entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which he was gradu- ated in June of the same year with the degree of M. D. He took a special course in chemistry. He located at Pana, Christian County, Ill., in 1885, building up an extensive practice during the four years of his residence there in Shelby and Mont- gomery Counties, as well as in Christian County.
In the fall of 1890, our subject came to East St. Louis, where he is one of the foremost practitioners and has gathered about him a wide-spread patron- age. Ile is a member of the Central Illinois Med- ical Association and the State Medical Association, and in various other ways manifests his interest in his profession. Ile is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and, politically, is a Republican, the principles of which party he at all times supports.
OIIN F. MUELLER. One of the good farm- ers of the fertile township of Smithton is the subject of our sketch, and he lives on sections 5 and 6, where his farm of seventy- five acres shows to the stranger the effect of good management and sensible farming. He is not led away by any foolish notions, but keeps right on and raises crops of wheat and corn that cannot fail to prove that he understands his business. He is the son of Joseph D. Mueller. The latter was born in Germany, and came to this country when about twenty-two years of age, and worked first in Cincinnati. He then thought he would like to see the country farther West, and came to Illinois and located in St. Clair Township in St. Clair
بادارة
6Th Streeter HIL.
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County. Here he purchased a farm and lived until a short time before his death, when he re- moved to Belleville, where he died. He had a family of six children, five of whom are still liv- ing. The living ones beside our subject are John, Stephen, Mary Josephine, Joseph and Anton, Mary Helena is deceased. He was among the early settlers of St. Clair Township, and was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church. The mother of our subject was Mary Anna Fisher, and she too has passed away.
Our subjeet was born on the old homestead in St. Clair Township and county, September 7, 1853, and was educated in the Catholic schools, He was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Louis, the daughter of Joseph Louis, one of the early settlers of the township. After marriage, he removed to the place where he now lives, and here his family of interesting children has been born. They are .Joseph D., Mary, Helena, Catherine and Johnnie.
Mr. Mueller is a Democrat, believing in the su- periority of principle and executive power as ex- erted by that form of Government. The Roman Catholic Church is the religious denomination with which Mr. Mueller finds a home. This is one of the pleasant representative German families which make St. Clair County what it is.
C IIRISTIAN F. STRECKER, M. D. The pro- fession of the physician is perhaps the most trying on brain and body of any in the field of science, for it absorbs the attention of him who practices it conscientiously both day and night, and brings into play the most versatile powers of his being. From a boy, Dr. Strecker desired to become a physician-his kindly nature turning instinctively to that broad field of aid to human suffering for his life work-and since de- voting his attention to the healing art, he has received a portion of his reward in this world, for he has the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow men, and the consciousness that he has driven sorrow and despair from many homes by his skill as a physician.
Our subject was born near Ludwigsberg, Wur- temberg, Germany, October 20, 1851, to C. F. and Anna Mariah (Kitzenberger) Strecker, who were also born in Wurtemberg, the former in 1817 and the latter in 1823. The father was an exception- ally skilled machinist, and while a member of the German army was a cannoneer. After the death of his wife, he, in 1866, came with his five children to America on the steamer "Saxony," taking pass- age at Ilanover, and after a voyage of eight days reached New York City. Soon after this he came to St. Louis, Mo., but later went to Warrenton, Mo., in the vicinity of which place he purchased some land and improved a farm. Ile died there in June, 1881, when just on the eve of starting to Europe to make his home. His father, David Strecker, was an architect, builder and real-estate owner of his native land, and erected many line publie buildings. He died in Germany in 1884, at the age of ninety-two years, a member of the Lu- theran Church. The mother's people were honest tillers of the soil.
Of five children born to C. F. Strecker and his wife, only four are now living: Louis, a business man of St. Louis, Mo .; August, a farmer of Colo- rado; Pauline (Mrs. Riechers), who resides in Ne- braska; and Dr. Christian F. The latter was reared in the valley of the Neckar River and ob- tained a good education in the town of Poppen- weiler, in the schools of which he remained until fourteen years of age. After his father had lo- cated at Warrenton, Mo., he assisted him on the farm,but later entered the Central Wesleyan College, in which he stayed for two years, graduating from the normal department in 1875. He paid his own way through school with money he earned during vacations, and in 1875 entered the American Medi- cal College of St. Louis, from which he was grad- uated three years later with the degree of M. D. Ile located in East St. Louis in 1877, and through honest merit has built up a very extensive practice in the city and country. He has a pleasant office on Missouri Avenue, and a comfortable and home- like residence at No. 705 Illinois Avenue.
In 1884, Dr. Strecker made a trip to the "Father- land," and, during the four months he remained abroad, he visited the hospitals of Berlin, Munich,
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Vienna, and made a trip through Italy. He was married in East St. Louis in December, 1884, to Miss Louisa Thoma, a native of the city, and a daughter of John B. Thoma, a merchant tailor who died in 1892. Dr. Strecker filled the position of Alder- man from 1887 to 1890, being elected on the Citi- zens' ticket, and was Chairman of the Police Com- mittee, as well as being a member of other impor- tant committees. lle gives his support to all movements for the improvement of the eity, and was one who generously aided in properly equip- ping the police force of the city. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Wooduien and the Sons of Ilerman. Ile is a Republican politically. In his religious adherence, he belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
ILLIAM BROWNLEE, The record of St. Clair County would not be complete with- out a mention of one of the best-known and most highly respected men of Lebanon Town- ship. On one of the quiet streets of this beautiful little eity, resides the subject of our sketch, sur- rounded by all the comforts of life, and affection- ately waited upon by one of the best of good wives.
Our subject's father was Christopher Brownlee, who was born in Ireland, but came to this coun- try when a young man, and settled in Gibson County, Ind., where he was married, about 1831. Ile was a railroad contractor, and graded seven miles of the Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad, which is now a part of the Evansville & Terre Ilaute, Ile lived to be about eighty-two years of age. The mother of our subject, Mary Brownlee, was also a native of Ireland. She passed her life in Gibson County, and only survived her husband five years.
The subject of our sketch was born in Provi- dence, R. I., September 25, 1825. When twelve years of age, he worked with his father, and suc-
ceeded him in his business of railroad contracting. He had few educational advantages, and the school with which he was best acquainted was the school of hard work. However, he did not permit this to make him ignorant, but by keeping his eyes wide open, and by absorbing all the informa- tion that came within his reach, he is now one of the best-informed men of his time, although for years he has had to contend against a degree of deafness.
Our subjeet eame to Illinois in 1853, and settled in Olney, Richland County. Ile began business for himself as a contractor on the Ohio & Missis- sippi Railroad. He graded six miles of the road when it was building, and became a section fore- man, and later was promoted to be Roadmaster. ITe then wasa freight conductor for a number of years. From 1861 to 1864, he was Superintendent of the West Division of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and from 1864 to 1870 he was eonduetor on a passenger train. Owing to his increasing deaf- ness he gave up his train. It was during this time that he removed to Lebanon, for the duties of his position with the railroad had to decide his place of residence. Hle had lived for eight years in St. Louis. He discharged the duties of the West Division to the satisfaction of the mana- gers of the road, but after three years of service in the place he resigned. Ile then retired from active railroad work, but is kindly remembered by his employers and the traveling public, many of whom he changed from strangers to friends.
All railroad men marry well, and our subject was no exception to the rule. December 24, 1857, he married Miss Sarah L. Notestine, one of the mai- dens of Olney, Ill., but born in Ohio, Two children have blessed this marriage: Walter G., who mar- ried May Cunningham, of Lebanon, and is now Train Dispateher of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in St. Louis, Ile has one child. The daughter is Bertha, who is the wife of Fred C. Brooks, a merchant in St. Lonis, She has one ehild also.
Mr. Brownlee and his estimable wife are among the best-known and most respected in the city of Lebanon. He shows on his face the kind disposi- tion that dwells within, and still enjoys existence
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by the side of his cheery wife, over whom the years have glided kindly. Ile does not bother himself about pohties, but finds plenty in his sitent life to entertain and amuse him. Mrs. Brownlee's father and mother were among the first settlers of Olney. Ill.
1
RS. GRACE FELICIA (LANDER) MUEL- IIEIM. One of the most significant signs of the overturning of public opinion in the last few years is that, in these days, a woman may become learned and wealthy, may have opinions and not be afraid to mention them, may be successful in life, and may be sure that the male sex will no longer try to suppress her, but will bid her "God speed." The original of the present sketeb is one of the most successful busi- ness women in the West. She conduets a large millinery establishment in this city, and her name appears on quite as many papers for improvements and for charities, as does any man's of like means in East St. Louis.
The family of Mrs. Muelheim is an old one, originally from Wales. The paternal grandfather came from there and became a large planter near Lexington, Ky. The father of our subjeet was horn in Lexington, and also was a large planter and stoek-raiser and one of the pioneer settlers of his portion of that State. He took part in the War of 1812, and grew very wealthy and promi- nent in that seetion. In 1853, he came to Wash- ington County, Ill., leaving his beautiful home and the social honors that were his, because he could not approve of slavery, and felt that he must get into a free State. He was an old-line Whig, from which class have come giants of intellectual strength among the heroes of the past. Henry Lander was a man of strong eonvietions of right. He bought about a section of land near Nashville, Ill., and there passed a peaceful life, improving his estate until his death, in 1863. Ile was a member of the Baptist denomination and departed lamented by all. His name was well known among the Aboli-
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