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 32
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F6 REDERICK AHRENS. One of the men of this part of the county who can look with pride on an honest and industrious past, which has been erowned with success, is the owner of the fine farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres of beautiful land situated on section 25. Millstadt Township. The father of our subject was one of the honest German farmers who lived and died in the old home, but who encouraged the young life to find a career in the New Country,
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where there was more room and chance for ad- vancement.
Frederick Ahrens, our subject, was born in Ger- many, October 7, 1832, and was reared on the old home there, and sent to the public schools in his native place. He remained there until he was eighteen years of age, and then settled his whole future life by making his way to a seaport and shipping for America. Ile reached these shores and soon found his countrymen in the State of Illinois. He located in Smithton Township and, as he looked about and saw what others had done for themselves, he resolved that he, too, would some day own as fine a farm as any. lle rented land at first and soon got a start, and kept on in this way, renting and working, saving and looking about for the best place in which to place his earnings and savings for a permanent home. For several years he did this and then decided to locate on the pleasant place which is now his home. Of course, he was obliged to go deeply into debt, but he had established such habits of thrift that he was soon able to pay all that he owed. The place was entirely unimproved, a perfect wilder- ness, but he went bravely to work, and in an as- tonishingly short time he was able to see grain where he had found only forest and serub.
A home in the wilderness is lonely, and work is discouraging if there is no one to please, there- fore our subject looked about him and soon found one who was willing to become his partner in the new home. This was Miss Anna Wahllenberg. also a native of Germany, and to her he was mar- ried in 1855. Her life ended in 1878, and Mr. Ahrens was then married to Miss Margaret Stur- zem, who has made him a good and industrious wife.
The first wife of our subject left him seven children, and these are Mena, who is the wife of William Jelly, and lives in Kansas City; Rachel, who is the wife of Louis tirossman and lives in Smithton Township; Katherine, who is the wife of George Ollendorf and lives at home; Lizzie, who is the wife of John Kelly and resides in this township; and Elizabeth, who is also at home. Mary and Fred are the names of those who died.
The fine farm of Mr. Ahrens contains one hun-
dred and seventy acres of land, which would bring a high price if put upon the market. The soil is very fertile and the production of grain very great, although Mr. Ahrens prefers to make his principal crop of wheat. The place now shows careful farming, and the improvements of fences, trees and buildings are all that could be desired.
In his politieal opinions, our subject belongs to the great party that calls itself Republican, and is a very ardent supporter of its doctrines. The family are good, Christian people, consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and stand high in the neighborhood.
b ENRY FUNK. The gentleman of whom we write, although deceased, still lives in the esteem and affection of his neighbors and friends. He was a man of great in- dustry and left his family with a fine farm of five hundred aeres. Ile was the son of Christopher William Funk, who was born in Spesaltine, Darm- stadt, Germany, and came to this country in 1832, first locating on the place where the widow of the lamented subject of this sketch now resides. Christopher entered this land from the Govern- ment and worked hard to improve it. He was the father of six children, all of whom were born in Germany, but one died on this place. The chil- dren were theorge; Margaret. who became the wife of Adam Routh; Henry; Katharina; Holzstophel; and Regina, who married Peter Friese.
Our subject was born February 23, 1818, in the same town of which his father was a native and was thirteen years old when he came to this country. Ile grew to manhood on the place where his widow now lives. and assisted his father on the farm. lle was married in 1815, to Miss Catherine Persehbacher, who was born in Germany and came to this county in 1833. ller father located in Shiloh Valley, this county, where he entered Government land.
Mr. and Mrs. Funk of this notice had seven children, six of whom are yet living: Regina, who married Herman Spelynars and is now deceased;
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RESIDENCE OF DANIEL HAAS , SEC. 22 , STOOKEY TP., ST. CLAIR CO. ILL.
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George William, who lives in Belleville; Mary, who married Herman Spelynars; Annie, who mar- ried Fred E. Stock and lives near Baden; Louisa, who married William Reinhart and lives in this township; Henry, who is on the old farm, and Kate. who married Edward Iloering. The latter is farm- ยท ing the place where Mrs. Funk, Sr., is living.
Our subject accumulated a fine property, and his widow, with the help of her son-in-law, carries on his work on three hundred and ninety acres. Henry Funk died October 18, 1877, leaving a character for honesty and integrity behind him. He had been a Democrat in his political belief and had served the district acceptably as School Di- rector and his county as Supervisor.
The son -in-law of Mrs. Funk, Edward Hoering, was born in Maseontah, this county, and was the son of Philip Hoering, who was a carpenter by trade. lle was educated in Mascoutah, and in the year 1879 was married to our subjeet's daughter Kate. After marriage he located in Mascoutah and engaged in the carpenter business for five years and then came to this place. Mr. and Mrs. Hoering are the parents of the following children: Rudolph, Emma, Clara, Kate, Fred, and George F. Edwin is deceased.
In political affairs, Mr. Hloering votes with the Democratic party, and is now serving the district as School Director. This family is well connected in the county and all are highly respected.
D ANIEL ILAAS, who owns a farm on see- tion 22, Stookey Township, St. Clair County, is the son of Adam and Barbara (Stein) Haas. He was born in Germany, in 1821. His father was born in 1784 and his mo- ther in 1788, and both were natives of the same town. Adam Haas was reared on a farm and re- ceived such educational advantages as were afforded by the schools of his Fatherland, Ile early turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and during his life followed that occupation solely.
In 1833, leaving Germany, Mr. Ilaas, Sr., sailed Westward with his family for America and landed in St. Louis the 12th of June. He came at onee to St. Clair County and here took up one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, where our subject now resides. The latter has in his posses- sion the Government deeds to this property, which were signed by Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. To this property Mr. Ilaas added from time to time until he had two hundred and forty acres. In polities, he was a Whig, and with his family was a member of the Lutheran Church. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, two of whom died in Germany. in infancy. The others were as follows: Louisa and Margaret, both now de- ceased; Daniel, the subject of this sketch; Jacob and Catherine, also deceased; Philip; Elizabeth wife of Benedict Wealtz. and Barbara, wife of John Frey.
Our subject received his education in the com- mon schools of Germany and remained with his father on the farm until 1846, when he started in business for himself. At that time, he was married to Miss Philapena, a daughter of Conrad Hankam- mer. One child was born of this union, Barbara, the wife of Christian Heilman. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Haas was married to Caroline. a daughter of Jacob and Susan Bishof. Ten chil- dren were born of this marriage. Two of these died in infancy and eight are still living: Jacob, who married Barbara Guekese; Daniel A., who married Lena Hambanm; Christian; Margaret, who is the wife of Nicholas Rohr; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Welde; George; Albert, who married Emma Her- bert, and Charles, who wedded Elizabeth Pinkston. ITis second wife having departed this life, our sub- ject married Mrs. Susanna Deietz, a daughter of Jacob Rohn. Iler death oceurred a year and a half ago.
In his political sentiment, our subject is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He is a man of publie spirit, doing all in his power to advance the best interests of his county and the community. lle is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is highly esteemed. Ile is one of the prominent and influential farmers of this section and his place bears on every hand the evidence of the thrift and
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enterprise of the owner. He has one of the most fertile, best cultivated farms in this locality and conduets his business affairs with good ability and discretion. During his long residence in this county, comprising nearly sixty years, he has won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
ACOB LEINER. One of the pleasantest places in the city of Belleville is the pop- ular Green Tree Ilotel, conducted by its no less popular owner and manager. Mr. Jacob Leiner. This gentleman's reputation as a landlord extends over a wide territory, and he is especially well and favorably known to the traveling public. Ile is well titted in every way for the business in which he is engaged, and around the name of his hotel hovers the remembrance of fine dinners, ele- gant breakfasts and delicious hot suppers. His estah- lishment is one of the old landmarks of the place. and the rooms are well furnished and well at- tended to. Mr. Leiner has been a resident of this place since October, 1874, and since 1876 has been the proprietor of his hotel. He was born in Rhein. Bavaria, Germany, June 23, 1849, a son of C. and Elizabeth (Plinn) Leiner, the former of whom was an honest and industrious tiller of the soil, a man of admirable traits of character, and in the family circle an admirable husband and father. Ile was called from life in 1867.
Jacob Leiner, the subject of this biography, was edueated in the Fatherland, his advantages being far better than that of the average young man. lle attended school until twenty-one years of age. and there his good sense early manifested itself, for he paid strict attention to his studies, and en- deavored in every way to improve his time to the utmost. Although in no way a " mollycoddle," ORNEL MERKEL. The name here given is familiar to the traveling public, for he who bears it looks after the comfort of those whom business or pleasure detains from home within the borders of the little town of Millstadt. He dis- he was keenly enough alive to his own interests to obey rules and to endeavor to please his in- structors. In 1871. he embarked for the United States and landed at Hartford, Conn .. where he remained for three years, at the end of which time ; penses food and refreshment to man and beast, and
Belleville. Ill., became the scene of his operations. He at once began the erection of the Green Tree Hotel at the corner of High and (' Streets, it be- ing a substantially built two-story briek structure, 50x75 feet in dimensions, of which he has since been the successful and popular proprietor. He has made this his life work. and as he believes in doing well what he undertakes to do, he has been undeniably successful in this field. Besides the attractions of his house, he is an attraction in him- self. genial, courteous and affable, with a good knowledge of the world, all of which qualities constitute him a model lost.
Our subject has shown excellent judment in the management of his business affairs, as well as in choosing himself a wife, for the lady who has been his helpmate for the past eighteen years is intelligent and energetic, wide awake, enter- prising and ambitious. Their marriage took place on the 12th of October, 1874, and re- sulted in the birth of six children: Amelia, Louisa, Laura, Lena, Luella, and Otto, the only son, who is the second of the family in order of birth. Mr. Leiner is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Mutual Aid Society, the Harugari and the Treu- bund, and for the last three years has been Grand Master for the State in the latter organization. lle was elected the National Grand Master for the United States in St. Louis, Mo., March 4, 1892, and has done a large amount of traveling throughout the State, organizing lodges and installing officers. He has been a representative from his lodge to the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Ile and his family are members of St. Paul's Cathe- dral. to which he is a liberal supporter and of which he has been Treasurer for many years.
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has caused many a dreary hour to pass swiftly in his pleasant hostelry.
The father of the subject of this notice was an honest farmer of Baden, Germany, who came to America when his son, our subject, was only eight years old. He located in Highland, Madison County, Ill., and remained there for several years farming and teaming. Later in life, he moved into Millstadt, where he lived until the time of his death.
The subject of our sketch was born in Baden, Germany, in the old home across the water, but his recollection of it can not be very distinct, as he left it when he was a lad of eight. Ile was reared in Madison County, this State, and went to the schools of the district in which he lived until he was considered old enough to learn a trade. He was a strong boy, and as he loved horses decided to become a blacksmith, and before long had his apron, anvil, forge and bellows, and worked for twenty-eight years at the trade. lle became very expert and was in great demand among those who were careful of the hoofs and feet of their faithful friends, the horses.
When Mr. Merkel discontinued his blacksmith business he began another which has proved as profitable-that of a butcher! and he still con- tinues it in connection with his inn, thus making sure that his meat supply for his table will be of the best and most varied.
The marriage of Mr: Merkel took place in the year 1883, when he was united to Miss Louisa Kropp, who was also reared in St. Clair County. and who has proven wise and capable, assisting her excellent husband in the management of the house with economy and thrift. Five children have come into the household since the marriage, named respectively: George E., Henry, Oliver, Alla and Elmer. They are all bright, interesting children who will make their impress on the future of the county.
The Roman Catholic faith is the one to which the inclination and teaching of Mr. Merkel natur- ally bind him and in her ministrations he finds comfort in times of trouble. In his political lean- ing he is a Republican, and he furthers in many a quiet way the interests of his party.
For two years, our subjeet was a member of the Town Board, and was regarded as a man of sound sense and good judgment. Ile is a land- owner here and one of the most enterprising citi- zens of the place. In the fall of 1891 he erected the large, commodious and comfortable hotel, with saloon attached, where he now carries on his busi- ness, his out-lay being nearly $6,000.
There is much travel through Millstadt and there is no place where strangers can find the eom- forts of home, when not actually there, as under the hospitable roof of Mine Host Merkel, of the Millstadt inn.
R. FREDRICK KIRSCH. Although but a recent addition to the medical fraternity, Dr. Kirsch has already won an enviable reputation as a practitioner of the healing art, and has a large and lucrative practice. Like many of the representative citizens of the county, he is a native of Germany, born in Mentz, Hesse- Darmstadt, February 2, 1859, and is one of five children, four sons and one daughter, born to Gab- riel and Annie S. Kirsch, natives of Germany and Alsace, France. respectively.
The father. Dr. Gabriel Kirsch, was the son of an apothecary. and was graduated from the Uni- versity at Strasburg, and the University of Hei- delberg, with the degree of M. D. Afterward, he practiced in Mentz until 1882, when he retired, and in 1891 he came to the United States to reside with his son. Dr. Martin Kirsch, at Abilene, Kan .; but, not being satisfied with this, he returned to his old home, where he is now living at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died in 1890, when seventy-nine years of age. Her parents lived to be ninety-nine and one hundred and two years of age, respectively. The children born to this much esteemed couple were as follows: Jacob, a felt man- ufacturer of Mentz, Germany; John; Dr. Martin, a practicing physician of Abilene. Kan .; and Clara, Mrs. Fillinger, who resides in Germany.
The original of this sketch received his early
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education in Mentz, and was graduated from the gymnasium as a pharmacist when twenty years of age. In the year 1880, he left Bremen on the steamer "Main," which landed him in the harbor of New York a week or so later. For a year and a half he traveled about through the various States, and for seven months he worked in the wholesale business in Denver. lle then returned to St. Louis, and on the 7th of October, 1882, purchased a drug store, which he carried on very successfully until 1889, when he sold out.
Our subjeet selected his lite companion in the person of Miss Minnie Reubel, a native of Belle- ville, Ill., and their nuptials were celebrated on the Ist of October, 1882. Iler father, Peter Reu- bel, was engaged in the meat business at Belleville. In 1888, our subject entered the St. Louis Medical College, and was graduated from that well-known institution with the degree of M. D. in 1890. Af- ter this he bought his drug store of A. Kring, and is now located on the corner of Tenth and Rock- road Streets. Ile has a fine store, has it well equipped with new and fresh drugs, and in his dual capacity of physician and druggist has met with the support and patronage he so richly merits. In the whole list of professions there are no two usu- ally kept distinet that admit of more satisfactory blending than that of the physician and druggist. The Doctor's marriage has resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Lizzie, Frank and Ar- thur. In politics, the Doctor is independent.
ROF. G. LEHMAN, President of the East St. Louis Board of Education, and a musi- cal instructor of distinguished ability, was born in Potsdam, Germany, June 11. 1815, a son of Adolph Lehman, who was engaged in the wholesale grocery business in a town near Berlin. in which business he was very successful. Ile died in his native land in 1862. His wife was Minna llilkert, a native of Potsdam, whose father was a prosperous lumber dealer of that place, She still
lives in Berlin, is a Protestant in her religious views, and is now about seventy-nine years of age.
Prof. G. Lehman was the fifth of twelve chil- dren, only two of whom are residents of America. He attended the gymnasium of Potsdam until he reached the Senior Class in 1863. Ile inherited his love of music from both father and mother, and from the time he was six years of age received instruction in instrumental music. At the age of eighteen years, he braved the dangers of an ocean voyage in a sailing-vessel, taking passage on the "America" at Bremen, and reaching New York City fifty-seven days later. Ile was engaged in teach- ing instrumental music in that city for four years, and from 1867 to 1870 followed that occupation in St. Louis, Mo. In the last-mentioned year, he located in East St. Louis, and until November, 1891, he was one of the most thorough musical in- struetors of the city. Ile has endeavored to pro- mote the highest aims in musical culture, and it is but justice to say that he has signally awakened a taste for classical music, resulting in its general dissemination. Upon abandoning the calling of a musical instructor, he began dealing in musical in- struments, his establishment being on Collinsville Avenue. lle began business with a determination to pursue fair, straightforward and honorable methods in all his transactions; to handle the best instruments made, and to sell at the lowest possi- ble prices. This policy has gained the respect and esteem of all who have dealings with him. and has built up for Prof. Lehman a protitable business. Ile was the first organist of St. Patrick's Church, and later of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
While giving instrumental instruction to a large class, he also condueted two or three singing socie- ties, and became the leader of the Sangerbund So- ciety, the East St. Louis Singing Society. the Aco- lian Society and the East St. Louis Liederkranz, but has given them all up, as his time is fully oc- eupied by his business. Ile is now the leader of the Schweizer Maennerehor of St. Louis. His bust- ness necessitates two salesmen on the road, and he is constantly extending his connection. He has made five trips to Europe, in which continent he has visited all the principal places of interest. He was married in New York to Miss Marie Berger, a na-
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young
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tive of Germany, who came with her parents to New York when four years of age. Iler union with Prof. Lehman has resulted in the birth of four children: Fred R., Ernest J., Ida L. M. and Philip A.
In 1887, the Professor was elected President of the Board of Education of East St. Louis, and is now filling his fifth term. lle was largely instru- mental in raising the standard of the public schools of the place to equal those of any in the State, and he is constantly endeavoring to improve them. Hle is a warm patron of education, and all measures of morality find in him an earnest supporter. He is a member of the East St. Louis Protective Union, and socially, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias; politically, he is a Republican of pronounced type.
C APT. WILLIAM II. BENNETT. The pro- fession of law claims some of the brightest minds of the age, and in the prominence of its representatives East St. Louis need not hide her head. In the affable gentleman whose name intro- duees this sketch may be found one who thoroughly understands the vexed questions which only legal minds ean unravel, and who has met with great success in his practice. lle is located on Main Street in East St. Louis, where he has practiced since 1872.
The grandfather of our subject, Howard Bennett, was a native of Virginia and the owner of a large plantation there. He was proud of his pure English ancestry, which he could trace back to Saxon pro- genitors, and was related to the old and influential Dearing and Lynch families. He carried out in his life the fine courtesy known the world over as be- longing to the Virginia gentleman of the "old school." The father of our subject, Col. lames D. Bennett, was born in Campbell County, November 9, 1816. In 1832, he was married in Tennessee, where he engaged in school-teaching and also be- gan the study of the law, in which he was gradu- ated and admitted to the Bar. He was a Captain
in the Seminole War, in Florida. In 1837, he be- came manager of his wife's large estate near Ilarts- ville, Tenn., and continued there until the breaking out of the Civil War.
October 19, 1861, James D. Bennett was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel of the Seventh Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, and with his regiment went into camp at Epperson Springs, Macon County, Tenn., When the Twelfth and Seventh Battahons were consolidated, he resigned on account of ill-health. But his love for his State was too strong to permit of his remaining out of the struggle when the enemy came near. Ile raised another regiment, and as Colonel of the Ninth Tennessee Regiment went into the service under Gen. John II. Morgan, with whom he took part in the engagement at Harts- ville. When he left home the last time, his health was in a precarious state and he was besought by his family to remain with them. He replied, "No. my men are going and I will go with them as long as I am able to ride." However, he was able to go no farther than Elizabethtown, Ky., and stopped at the home of Col. Patton, where he died of typhoid-pneumonia, January 23, 1863, as much a victim of War as if he had perished at the cannon's mouth. The remains were sent home in the care of his faithful body-servant, Jeff, to whom the kind master had given his freedom and also a farm of eighty aeres.
James Bennett was a generous, kind man, and. as an instance of his generosity, we may mention that every year he was accustomed to set aside a quantity of produce to be distributed through the neighborhood to those in need. lle was ever ready to assist young men to a start in life, and his pop- ularity was not bounded by the artificial barriers separating counties. In his religious belief, he was a consistent member of the Christian Church and carried out the precepts of its founders in his daily life. The mother of our subject, Martha Hutchin- son, was born near Gallatin, Tenn., and still resides on her fine property at Hartsville. Her father was of Scotch descent and was one of the most exten- sive and successful planters of Middle Tennessee.
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