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 31
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OHN FREY is the owner and occupant of a pleasant farm located on section 26, Stookey Township. It comprises many acres of well-improved and cultivated land, a sub- stantial and commodious residence and good barns being included in the buildings which adorn it. It is devoted to the purpose of general farming, and has been for years the scene of the successful labors of its owner.
John and Mary (Mas) Frey, the parents of our subject, were born in Prussia, and were natives of the same town. John Frey, Sr., was a weaver by occupation, but owned a small farm which he man- aged snecessfully in connection with his trade. The subject of our sketch was the third of five chil- dren, his brothers and sisters being Adam; Frank, deceased; Catherine, wife of Peter Rock; and Mary, deceased. The members of the family who sought their fortune in close proximity to the pres- ent home of our subjeet were Adam, who isa resi-
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dent of Missouri; and Catherine, Mrs. Rock, who lives in Marion County. III.
Jolin Frey, Jr., received his education in the com- mon schools of his native land. and after finishing the school course compulsory under the laws of Prussia, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed as a means of livelihood until he left his native land to seek a better fortune in the New World.
On reaching his seventeenth year, the subject of our sketch became imbued with a desire to investi- gate the possibilities and discover the rich re- sources of America, so, leaving his parents and na- tive land, he started on his journey to the United States, the Mecca of his hopes of future prosper- ity. In the year 1853, he located at Belleville, Ill., at which place he found the demand for men of his craft rather limited; so he obtained employ- ment in a soda-water factory. Naturally thrifty and diligent, our subject was enabled to accumu- late some of his earnings, and after working at the soda-water business for a short time, he, as the son of a farmer, became impressed with the fertility of the distriet in which he had located, and therefore left his position in the factory and took a position on a farm, in order to become thoroughly conver- sant with the life he meant to pursue.
The year 1872 marks an era in the life of our subject, he at that period assuming the responsi- bility of being head of a family. The lady he mar- ried was Mrs. Barbara Wagner, daughter of Adam & Barbara (Stein) Haas, and who at the time of her marriage was the owner of the farm on which they now reside. Mrs. Barbara Frey was born near New Orleans, her birth occurring on board the vessel that brought her parents to the United States in the year 1833. She had the advantage of a common-school education, and in the home of her parents, under her mother's supervision, she was trained in all that goes to make a good house- wife. She is a lady of most estimable character and fine principles, one who embodies true woman- liness and kindness of heart in the spirit with which she treats her friends and neighbors. She was brought up in the Lutheran faith, and is a woman of broad and progressive ideas.
Jolin Frey is a man of excellent habits and fine
principles, possessing in a great degree those traits of character that commend him to the confidence of all about him. Although not a native Ameri- can, he was ready to espouse the cause of this nation as far back as 1865, when he enlisted in Company B, One llundred and Forty-ninth Illinois Regiment; after serving in the army for one year, he re- ceived his discharge. Ilis political sympathies are with the Republican party, and he is a stanch ad- herent of the principles and theories of the leader he helps to elect.
OTIS FORCADE. The Forcade family has many representatives in Prairie du Long Township, and we are pleased to add the name of Louis Forcade to the long list of honor- able citizens whose biographies we are publishing. The Forcade homestead is one of the pleasantest in this county and shows many improvements of a high order, which are the work both of the senior and junior members of this family.
Louis Forcade, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, and came to this country with his parents when a boy of twelve years. Ilis father settled in Pennsylvania, from which State he moved to (Georgetown, Ill., where he spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living.
The subject of this sketch was born on the place where he now lives, May 26, 1848. He received his early education at the public schools, and afterward attended Rohrer's Commercial College. After leaving college, he at once commenced to earn his livelihood as an agriculturist. The year 1869 marked an eventful era in his career. as it was the year in which he married Eva Elizabeth Press, a daughter of Michael Press, who lived in Monroe County, Ill., and moved thence to Belleville, III. Eleven children were born to our subjeet and his wife, seven of whom are still living. They are Katie, George, Louis, Henry, Eda, Hilda and Luln. who are all at home.
Mr. Forcade is the possessor of a very fine farm
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comprising some two hundred acres, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultiva- tion. He is noted as one of the most skillful and thnifty farmers in this section of the country, and is at the same time one of the most liberal-minded and progressive men in the community. He raises some of the best crops of wheat to be found any- where in this township, and is proud of the record he has made as a successful cultivator of this cereal. Ile is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which body both he and his wife belong. He is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, of which he is Secretary; and also of the Trebund order, of which he is Financial Secre- tary.
Politically, Mr. Forcade is a strong Democrat, and has always voted that ticket. Hle has been elected to the office of Assessor of this township, and for three successive years has held the office of Collector. He is a strong advocate of educa- tion and served the community for eighteen years in the office of School Director.
Mr. Forcade takes an intelligent interest in all that pertains to the good of the community in which he dwells. He manifests the same energy in local affairs which has made him successful in his individual efforts, and all duties of office have been filled by him in a manner creditable to him- self and those who made such a worthy appoint- ment. His qualities of mind and heart are duly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, who accord him his just measure of respect. Ile is numbered among the substantial men of the community, and his example as a man of energy, industry and business ability may be emulated to advantage.
G EORGE DRASER. One of the most enter- prising and successful business firms in the city of Mascontah is the lumber firm of Draser & Pfaff, in which the subject of this sketch occupies the position of junior partner.
George Draser, Sr., was born in the province of Hesse-Darmstadt, that section of Germany that has
contributed so much to the settlement and culti- vation of the State of Illinois. Ile reached here in 1826, and when the first excitement grew over the fertile lands to be had in this part of the West he made his way hither. Ilis first location was in Georgetown, in St. Clair County, and there he soon found plenty of employment in his trade of carpenter. He followed his occupation steadily for three years, but after that moved to a farm east of Mascontah, and here remained for six years, when the growing village of Mascoutah proving attractive on account of the amount of building going on there, he removed to that place and followed his trade there until 1870, when he saw a fine opening in the lumber business, and started a yard in Mascoutah. Previous to this time, he bought a farm in Clinton County, and lived upon that for several years, but in 1881 he formed a partnership with Mr. Pfaff in the lumber business, which was carried on successfully until 1890, Then Mr. Draser retired from the firm, and his son George went into it in his place, and became the junior member.
George Draser. Sr., was married about 1854 or 1855, in Georgetown, to Miss Dora Stromberger, whose father came to America when advanced in years. He had followed the occupation of farming in the Old Country, and continued it in this. Three children were born of this marriage, who are Henrietta, who now is the widow of George Schus- ter; Mena, who is the wife of John Kolp, who conducts a successful business in a general store in Lebanon, in this county; and the third is the sub- ject of this notice. Mr. Draser, Sr., has held the office of Treasurer of the town of Mascoutalı, where he now lives retired.
The subject of this sketch was born March 2, 1865. lle grew up bright and active, and attended the public schools and continued the course un- til he graduated from the High School of Mas- contah in the year 1878. After he left school he learned the trade of carpenter, and this proved so profitable that he followed it for six years, and then went into the lumber business. His previous trade had given him a good know- lege of different kinds of lumber, and when he went into the business with his father he had
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little more than the details to learn. When his parents decided to retire from active life, in 1890, he took his place with Mr. Pfaff, and the firm has made trade very lively in this section for the past three years.
The lady who became Mrs. Draser on June 4, 1891, was Miss Matilda Crossman, who was the daughter of Louis Crossman, of Fayetteville. The father was an old settler in this county, and he died in Fayetteville about twenty-three years ago.
The political convictions of our subject are those of the Republican party, and he works for its ad- vancement. He is one of those solid young men who become the founders of great enterprises, and the future may hold an important place for Mr. Draser. He is the only son of his father, and to this parent he is a comfort in his declining years. lle and his young wife are prominent socially in Mascontalı.
H
OUIS G. MILLER. No member of any com- munity in St. Clair County is held in greater honor and esteem than this gentleman, and no one is more worthy of the success that results from diligence, ability and enterprise, than he. Ilis residence on section 20 has long been recog- nized as one of the choice local features of this community, its well-kept surroundings and hand- some buildings giving evidence of care and excel- lent management on the part of the owner.
Michael Miller, the father of him whose biog- raphy we are writing, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, on the 23d of June, 1823, and after attain- ing his fourteenth year, he, with his mother, emi- grated to this country. Ilis first home on this side the Atlantic was in New York State, where he lived for one year. The spirit of enterprise, and a desire to seek fortune in other fields, induced him to leave New York State in 1839 and take up his residence in the city of Chicago, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker and worked at the bench until 1844. Business prospeets seemed to him to
be better at St. Louis, and he accordingly started for that point, where, after being employed at his trade but a short time, he started in business and estab- lished himself as a dealer and manufacturer of boots and shoes. It was about the year 1850, that the pos- sibilities of St. Clair County as a farming county attracted Mr. Miller's attention; and, following his naturally shrewd business instincts, he closed out his affairs in St. Louis, moved to Prairie du Long Township, St. Clair County, and purchased forty acres of land on section 30. 1Iere he built his home and remained, and here he still resides at the time of this writing.
In the year 1854, Mr. Miller married Miss Cath- erine Schwarz, who was the daughter of Jacob Ilammel, a prominent farmer of St. Clair County. Eight children were born to this couple, seven of whom are still living. They are as follows: Cath- erine, the wife of Peter Muskopf; Mary, the wife of Philip Peffer, who lives in this township; Louis, the subject of this sketch; Charles M., who also lives in this township; Adeline, who is the wife of James Thompson and resides in Prairie du Long; Caroline, the wife of John Rittinghouse; and Henry W., who lives at home. The family circle was broken by the death of Adolph F., which occurred when he was two years and five months old. Pros- perity was the reward that crowned Mr. Miller's efforts, and but a short time after settling in this county, we find his original purchase of forty aeres largely inercased. Ile became an American citizen in the strietest sense of the term and is a fine ex- ample of all that the words imply.
Politieally, Mr. Miller is a stanch adherent of the Republican party and has held the offices of Road Commissioner, School Trustee and School Director. His career is well worthy of emulation. He started in life poor, but by hard work and skillful management is now one of the most sue- cessful farmers in this vicinity. llis reputation is that of a man whose motives are actuated by the highest principles. Ile added to his farm until it now comprises three hundred and seventy-seven aeres, most of which are well improved.
Louis G. Miller, the subjeet proper of this sketch, was born in Prairie du Long Township, on the old homestead, where he grew up to manhood's estate.
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Ile received his education in the district school, which at that time was located on section 21. When fifteen years of age, he concluded to end his school life, and became interested in pursuits of labor more fitted to his taste. A natural and careful student, he acquired by reading and close study of books and of all with whom he came in contact, an edneation that is, so far as the actual and practical experiences of life are concerned, quite equal to that gained in our large colleges; and has not only developed his inherent faculty of acquiring. but is also endowed with the ability to make use of his knowledge and self-training.
In the year 1879. L. G. Miller was married to Miss Mary Skaer, daughter of Philip Skaer, one of the wealthiest farmers in Prairie du Long Town- ship, who still lives and enjoys his large possessions on survey 607. After his marriage, our subject assumed the responsibilities of his own home and located on the farm which he now occupies. Six children have been born to him in the years that have intervened since his marriage: Amelia, Laura, ('lara, Perey J., Malbern P., and Albert J.
Our subject has a fine farm of one hundred and six acres, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Ile devotes his farm to growing cereals mostly, wheat being his prinei- pal erop. He is a stanch Republican and the leader of his party in Prairie du Long. His first vote was cast for Gen. Garfield and he has voted the straight ticket ever sinee and never missed an election. He has been a member of the County Central Committee for the last twelve years, held the oflice of School Treasurer from 1880 to 1884, and was Collector for his township during the same period. He held the office of Assessor from 1886 to 1889, and has been School Director for the past five years. He was re-elected to the office of Col- lector in 1890, and in 1891 was elected Supervisor, the most important office in the township, which position he now holds. As a member of the Board of References, he is Chairman of the Committee on Elections and Townships, and a member of the Committee on Paupers, and has also been appointed C'ensus Enumerator for his township. All these positions he has filled with honor to himself and with credit to his constituents, In the ranks of
the Republican party, he has always been one of the foremost and active workers, and is popular as a politician and citizen. He is a young man of broad and liberal views, is progressive and beuev- olent and a generous supporter of all worthy enter- prises.
ILLIAM LOTZ was born and reared on the farm which he now operates, on sec- tion 27, Shiloh Valley Township, 1855 being the year of his birth. Ile is a son of John and Margaret (Sensel) Lotz. The father was born in 1820, and his mother's birth occurred on the 27th of June, 1824, both being natives of Gier- many. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Charles O. and Elizabeth Lotz, who lived in Germany, where the former carried on a farm. They both came to the United States and died in St. Clair County. Our subject's father came with his parents to this country, being then a young man. Locating in this township, he afterward married the daughter of Peter and Margaret Sen- sel. lle started to earn his own livelihood by working for the neighboring farmers, and later rented a farm, which he cultivated. Ile acenmu- lated a tract of two hundred and eighty-eight acres, all of which was a most desirable property. llis first purchase was a tract of fifty acres, for which he paid $5 per acre.
Our subject was one of four children, but the others died when quite young. Ilis education was received in the district schools, supplemented by a course of study in Belleville. After the death of his father, he remained on the farm, which he took charge of as soon as he had reached a sufficient age. Ilis mother found in him an able and trustworthy helper, who relieved her of most of the cares and anxieties pertaining to the proper management of a large farm.
When he had reached the age of twenty-three, Mr. Lotz was married to Miss Anna Schræder, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Hamen) Sehræ- der. Unto them two children have been born, Tillie and Charles W. They have also opened
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their hearts and home to an orphan child, John Fisher, to whom they have shown every kindness.
Mr. Lotz uses his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, as did his father before him. Ile was chosen Collector of the township in 1892, as the successor of John Pierce. He takes an active part in the affairs of education, and has been School Director for three years. His voice and influence are ever devoted to the cause of truth, right and order, and he is highly esteemed through this section for his independence of char- acter and loyalty to the public good. He has lived here during his whole life, and has made many friends throughout this section. As a farmer, his efforts have been blessed with success, and he has attained a fair competence. We are pleased to add this brief sketch of one of the honored citizens of St. Clair County to this volume. As one of our representative men of sterling worth, he ranks high in this community where he has so long made ins home.
OIIN GEORGE DEHN. The subject of the present sketch is a prosperous farmer who resides on seetion 24 in Millstadt Township, St. Clair County. The father of the gentle- man of whom we write was Henry Dehn, who was an agrieulturist of Germany, where he, was born and reared and spent the whole of his life.
Our subject was one of three children, of whom Katherine and Mathias died in their old home in Germany. lle first saw the light on the 22d of Oc- tober, 1817, at Reinheim, Germany, where he was reared and educated. When twenty years old, he decided to leave the old surroundings and find a new home and a wider field in America. He made his way to the seashore. engaged passage, and soon was on his way to New York, where he landed in 1838. llis destination was the fertile lands of the Prairie State. Ile went first to Philadelphia and thence to Pittsburgh by rail, and then sailed down the Ohio River on a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and,
as the river was very low at that time, it took a long time to make the trip. What a new world this must have opened up to the lad from aeross the sea! It required a great deal of decision of character to go among strangers in a far-off land and make a new home, but it was just that very possession that has caused Mr. Dehn to grow into the successful man that he is at this present time.
On reaching St. Clair County in the roundabout way that poor facilities of transportation then made necessary, our subject engaged to work for $10 a month. After working for fourteen months, he had saved a good part of his money and, de- ciding to purchase a farm for himself, bought eighty acres of land where he now lives from Louis Grostmann.
In 1841, our subjeet was united in marriage to Miss Anna Borbra Grosmann, who was the daugh- ter of Charles C. Grosmann, an early settler of this county. From this marriage resulted ten chil- dren, of whom five grew to maturity, and four are stili living. They are: Marie Marthareta, who is the wife of Valentine Schwab and lives in this township; Charles lives in Millstadt and is in the machine business; Anna Katarina resides at home, and George died when he was thirty years old. The names of the children that Mr. and Mrs. Dehn had to part with were Johann Philip, Anna Katarina (twochildren were named by this beauti- ful German name), Johann Carl, Marie Katarina and Fritz.
The subject of this sketch is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land. all of it under improvement except forty acres of valuable timber. Ile cultivates all of the cereals, but gives most of his attention to wheat. He built his present comfortable house and commodi- ous barns in 1849, and his land shows what farm- ing carried on with good management in all mat- ters can make of a place.
When a draft was made for more men to fill up the ranks during the latter part of the Civil War, the name of our subjeet was one in the list. He filled the gap by the purchase of a substitute. In his political preference, Mr. Delin is a staneh Re- publican and will always give his influence for that party. He has been a member of the Board
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of Township Supervisors and has also filled the office of School Director for many years.
Peeuniarily, Mr. Dehn is well situated and his son Henry has taken the management of the farm off of his hands. Ile stands high in the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, because of his practical busi- ness views and upright dealings with all.
E DWARD J. MeQUILLAN, one of the pros- perous farmers of this county, resides on section 31, Prairie du Long Township. Ile is the son of John MeQuillan, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 2, 1820, and who lived in Brown County, Ohio, until about ten years of age, when he was bound out as an apprentice to a butcher in Cincinnati. When he was eighteen years old, he came to Monroe County, Ill., and there followed his trade for a short time, after which he worked on a farm. He then took eighty aeres of Government land. and from that small start as a foundation he built the magnificent for- tune with which he was afterward blessed.
When John Mc Quillan was born in Dayton, there were but three houses in the town, and his remembrance of that place was not such as to in- duce him to remain in the locality. Ilis choice of location has shown how much he gained by re- moving to this county, as to his start of eighty acres he kept on adding property until at one time he owned as many as three thousand aeres of land. Much of this property he has divided among his children, until now he owns but twelve hundred acres. Most of his wealth was made in farming and stock-raising, although he has also invested some in patents. He has one patent on which he now makes considerable simply from the royalty he receives therefrom.
The lady who became the wife of John Me Quil- lan was Miss Mary Ann Thompson, daughter of Robert and Ann Thompson, natives of Lan- caster, England. Of their seven children, five are still living and they are as follows: our
subject; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Louis Gregson; Mary, the wife of Theodore Klinkhardt; John B .; and Martha M., wife of Joseph Roscoe, of Monroe County. Sarah Ann and Edward are de- ceased.
Edward J. Mc Quillan was born in St. Louis, Mo., March 8, 1845. When he was four years old, his parents moved to Monroe County, Ill., and he re- sided there until his marriage, which occurred April 2, 1866, when he took in marriage Jane, daughter of Joseph and Mary Thompson, natives of Yorkshire, England. Of their two children, Minnie, the only one living, is the wife of Fred Staufenbeil, who now operates the two hundred acres which comprise our subject's farm, on which are produced fine crops, principally of wheat, though part of the farm is given up to stock- raising.
During the war, our subject served as a seout under Gen. Fremont, but with the exception of the time thus spent and about six or seven years that he was engaged in fanning near Decatur, III., he has remained on the home farm. Ile is a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church and belongs to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Politi- cally, he upholds the principles of the Republican party, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for three terms, and is still serving in that eapae- ity, besides that of a Notary Public. He bas also served as School Director in his district for nine years, and is a man whose advice and counsel are much sought after by all.
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