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 34
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Cork, Ireland, and was reared to the pursuit of farming. When still a single man, he came to America and settled in St. Louis, where he was employed as foreman of a brewery and took charge of the delivery department. Later, he removed to Leavenworth, Kan., filled the same position in a brewery there, and there received his final summons in 1866. The last year of his life he was engaged in the dairy business in that city. He was a member of the Catholic Church, as was also his wife, Mary Cogan, who was a native of Ireland, born in County Cork. Mrs. Sulhvan came with her parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, where her father tilled the soil until his death. After the death of her husband she resided in Leav- enworth with her children until 1879, when she moved to East St. Louis, and there died when sixty-eight years of age. Five children were born to her marriage, one daughter being deceased.
Our subjeet was but a babe when his parents moved to Leavenworth. Kan., and he was the eldest child. Ile was reared in that city, where until the year 1876 he attended the public schools. When fifteen years of age he served an apprenticeship at the painter's trade, and on the 6th of July, 1876, he moved to East St. Louis, where he was employed in a foundry as painter for one year. After this he was on the railroad as foreman, and later ac- cepted a position as night car mspector for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Shortly afterward he began attending the St. Louis Business College and graduated from that institution. On the 19th of August, 1884, he embarked in the grocery business, under the firm name of .J. M. Sul- livan & Bros., and has continued business under this title ever since. Although he began life at the bottom of the ladder, by good management and naturally fine qualifications he has attained a position of which any man might be proud. Ile added to his grocery a meat shop ete., and carries a fine line of nearly everything except dry goods. This is the largest establishment of the kind in the city, and is located at Nos, 100 and 102 South Fourth Street. The building is 46x70 feet in dimensions and two stories in height.
In the year 1888, Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Maggie A. Murphy, a native of East St. Louis
and the daughter of Michael Murphy, who was Alderman and for a number of years a member of the Board of Education. The latter died in this city. Mrs. Sullivan was edueated here and for several years was Principal of the Franklin School. Two children have been given Mr. and Mrs. Sulli- van, Mary and lay Martin. In 1885, Mr. Sulli- van was elected a member of the Board of Educa- tion and for the last three years he was President of the Board. In 1887, he ran for the office of Mayor on the Labor ticket but was defeated by a small majority. He was at that time a member of the Knights of Labor. In 1890, he was appointed a member of the Board of Election Commissioners of East St. Louis by Judge Boenau and was made chairman, which position he has held ever sinee. Socially, he is a member of the ('atholie Knights of Illinois. He is a member and Director of St. Patrick's Building and Loan Association, and is a worthy member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, In polities, he is a Demoerat.
HEO. VOGT is a wholesale liquor dealer of East St. Louis. In this age of gross and almost universal adulteration, it is a pleas- ure to be able to refer to those reliable houses where the public are assured of obtaining only the purest and best goods and where no imposition is praetieed upon credulous patrons. Of such is the responsible establishment of Mr. Vogt, of which he has had the management sinee 1888, his house of business being located on Broadway. He was born at HInelsehotten, near Attendorn, Westphalia, Ger- many, November 28, 1849, to Peter and Elizabeth Vogt, the former of whom was a worker in iron and a farmer by occupation. He was in an artillery regiment in the Prussian army and died in 1871, at the age of sixty-five years. ITis widow died in 1877, when about seventy years of age.
Theo. Vogt is one of two surviving members of the family of five children, born to his parents, his sister Marguerite, Mrs. Sebulte, being a resident of St. Louis, Mo. He was reared to a farm life in
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Germany, obtained a common-school education, and at the age of eighteen years went to Radevorm- wald in the Rhine country, where he learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked until 1869. In the fall of that year, he took passage at Bremen on the sailing-vessel "Cosmus" for America, and reached the city of New York after a voyage of thirty-eight days. After working a short time in the metropolis of the New World, he came to St. Louis, Mo., in January, 1870, and for ten months thereafter worked at his trade. In 1870, he entered Piona College, St. Francis, Milwaukee County, Wis., completing the course after an attendance of two years and six months. He then came to ()'Fallon, Ill., where he taught in the parish school for one term, then came to East St. Louis, and for six years thereafter was a teacher in the public schools of this city.
For eighteen months our subject traveled over several States for the firm of Harold des Glaubens, which experience was very valuable to him. He then started in the grocery business at No. 1601 Morgan Street, St. Louis, but three years later pur- chased a retail liquor house in that city. In 1888, he sold his establishment there, and bought the wholesale liquor establishment of Paul Abt, in East St. Louis, which was located on Missouri Avenue, and was a brick building, two stories high, with a frontage of forty feet. In 1891, he built his pres- ent fine brick establishment, which has a sixteen- foot frontage on Broadway. It is a two-story building, very finely furnished, has an elevator and is heated by furnace. This is considered the handsomest block on Broadway and is a eredit to the town.
Mr. Vogt is interested in mines in Colorado, has an exceptionally handsome residence at No. 420 North Seventh Street, which was erected at a cost of $10,000, and is the owner of other valuable property. He was married in East St. Louis, in 1878, to Miss Lizzie de Haan, who was born in Coln, Germany, a daughter of Capt. John de Inan. She was reared and educated in St. Louis, Mo., and has borne her husband the following children: Kate; Ida; Gertrude, who died at the age of three years; Theo; Emil; and Margaret. Mr, Vogt and his fam- ily attend St, Henry's Church, He belongs to the
Cathohe Knights of America, and in politics is in- dependent, easting his vote for the one he eonsid- ers the best man. lle is a pushing, enterpris- ing young merchant and is deservedly popular with all with whom he has dealings. Ilis goods are of the finest quality and are quoted at the lowest prices.
B ENJAMIN PARKER GREEN. There are very few counties in the United States that do not contain men who have prosecuted a successful career, rising from poverty to competence by dint of energy and industry, coup- led with good management. An example of this kind in St. Clair County was found in the person of the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs and whose home was located on section 28, Marissa Township. There he owned a good estate, which was supplied with every needful out- building and a substantial residence. His life was brought to a close April 11, 1890, when sixty-eight years of age.
Ile of whom we write was born in County An- trim, Ireland, in 1822. He was the son of Sir Francis and Rebecca Green, both of whom were na- tives of the Emerald Isle, and on coming to America were pioneers in St. Clair County. Benjamin P. of this sketch being reared to farm pursuits, when ready to choose an occupation in life followed that line of business, and, being a man of more than or- dinary push and enterprise, was very successful in his undertaking.
The lady to whom Mr. Green was married in 1865 was Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Kilpatrick) Gitty, and, like her husband, was also born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1832. Her father was a linen weaver in that country, which occupation he followed until his decease. Mrs. Green is the only member of the family of seven children who came to America, three of her brothers and sisters dying when young. Her paternal grandfather, Henry Gitty, Sr,, was born in the same house in Ireland where his son
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James was born. Mrs. Green came to America when twenty-eight years of age, in company with her cousin, William Gipson, and. locating in this county, was married the following year to our sub- ject. Their union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, of whom those living are: Thomas L .; Jane R., wife of Edward Johnson; Charles M. and Robert .J. (twins); Henry E .; William P .; Herbert ( .; and Josephine, Mrs. Charles Edminson.
L YMAN T. CARR. The gentleman whose name stands at the opening of this short sketch has the honor to be the Justice of the Peace for Smithton Township, in which he has a fine farm, he being one of the most influential farmers of his locality.
Mr. Carr is the son of William Carr, who was born in St. Clair County, February 24, 1809. The latter was the son of Abner Carr, who came to this county from Virginia and settled in this township, where he entered land from the Government. Here his son William grew to manhood and mar- ried Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of Reuben Miller, one of the pioneers of Monroe County. After the marriage of Mr. Carr, he located in Prairie Du Long Township, where he continued to live until 1861. when he went to Randolph County and en- tered land and continued to live for six years. This gentleman was a brave soldier in the Black Hawk War, defending his county from the en- croachment of the savage Indian. Ile and his es- timable wife were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living.
Our subject first saw the light of day December 29, 1839, in St. Clair County, in the old home- stead, and here he was reared and educated in the common schools of the period, remaining with his father until his marriage in 1862, when he settled on a farm in Randolph County, and there re- mained for fifteen years. In 1876, he came to St. Clair County and located at Douglas, where he re- mained for three years and then went further south, but after a short residence came to the place
he now occupies, on seetion 15, Smithton Town- ship, where he has a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, one hundred and eighty acres of which are in a high state of enltivation, and on which he raises corn principally.
Mr. Carr was married in 1862 to Miss Elizabeth Adams, the accomplished daughter of Andrew Adams, of Randolph County, where he was an ex- tensive farmer. This lady departed this life in 1870, leaving two children, Clara and Cora. In 1881, Mr. Carr was again married, this time to Mrs. Redenhouse, whose maiden name was Ellen Woods. She has borne him three children, Rupert L., Flora E. and Paulina, all bright, interesting children.
Mr. Carr belongs to Lodge No. 418, A. F. & A. M., of Freeburg, Ill. Politically, he upholds the principles of the Democratic party, by whom he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace three years ago, which office he still holds in a manner entirely satisfactory to all parties con- cerned.
h ENRY KNOBELOCH. a prosperous farmer on section 27, Shiloh Valley Township. was born on the same farm where he now resides in 1860. Ile is a son of Balthazar and Elizabeth ( Leibrock) Knobeloch. His father is still living and resides also on section 27. He was born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1819, and was a son of John W. and Mary ( May) Knobeloch. natives of Olmstadt, Germany. The grandfather of our subject was born in 1777, and his grand- mother in 1781. He was a farmer by occupation in the Fatherland, and brought his family to the United States in 1832. Ile at once set out for Il- linois and purchased a farm in St. Clair County, the identical farm now owned by his son. He had a large farm in Germany, which he sold before emigrating to the New World. Thus provided with several thousand dollars, he was enabled to purchase about four hundred and twenty acres of fertile property. He reared a family of four sons
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and one daughter, all of whom have since passed away, with the exception of our subject's father. They were all reared in the Protestant religion and had fair school advantages. John Knobeloch died in 1835, and his wife survived him until she too was called to the Better Land, in 1857.
The father of our subject received a good com- mon-school education in the Old Country, and lived with his mother until his marriage, which oc- curred when he was twenty-nine years of age. The lady of his choice was Elizabeth, daughter of Lawrence and Eve Leibrock. To Mr. and Mrs. Knobeloch were born nine children: Margaret, the wife of J. C. Koska; Sophia, Julius, George, Heury; Elizabeth, the wife of J. C. Hacket; Mol- lie, now deceased: Emma and Rudolph, also de- ceased. The father carried on the occupation of farming on the homestead with his brothers for seventeen years, when his father's estate was di- vided and he is now the owner of about sixteen Imundred and twenty acres of land.
Henry Knobeloch, whose name heads this sketch, passed his boyhood days on the farm and grew to manhood under the parental roof. His education was received in the district schools and in the town of Belleville. When twenty-four years of age, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth M. Meyer, who is a daughter of Conrad and Barbara (Bergan ) Meyer. Mr. Meyer was a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born in 1829. Hle was reared to city life and learned the stone-cutter's trade. When twenty years of age, he enlisted in the army and served there for a period of about one year. He then left his Fatherland and crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States, where he remained about three years. He then made a visit to Ins native country, was there mar- ried, and after a short time again sailed for the New World. Arriving in this country with his bride, he went to St. Louis, and there made his home. In 1861, he entered the United States army, in Company C, Thirty-fourth Illinois Regiment. After his discharge from the service, he went to Mascontah, where he ran a saw- mill, and in addition carried on the labors of a farm. Ile and his wife reared a family of teu children, of whom the wife of our subject is the
fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Knobeloch have one daughter, Gussie.
After the marriage of our subject, he continued to live with his father on the home farm for two years, and then removed to Mascoutah, where he resided for about a year. At the expiration of that time, he returned to his father's farm, where he has since made his home. Ile is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, and also holds membership with the D. O. II. Politically, he is a stanch advocate of Democracy. Though comparatively a young man, he has already shown marked business ability, and has shown great en- terprise and industry in his care of the homestead. Ile is widely and favorably known in this county, where he has resided since his birth,
MSON BAER, of Baer Bros., dealers in horses and mules, is one of the enterprising busi- ness men of the township where he lives. lle is a native of Germany, having been born in Wurtemberg, August 8. 1851. Hle was reared and educated in his native land, where he remained until he had reached the age of seventeen, when he crossed the ocean and came to this town in 1869, his brother Aaron having preceded him. Ile was engaged in the same business, that of dealing in horses, from the first.
The first partnership which our subject formed was that of Lowenstein and Baer Brothers, which did business at the same place they now occupy. In 1882, the name was changed to Baer Brothers, and they have done a heavy business ever since. Their stables and office are at High and Washington Streets, Belleville, III. They have a large brick barn, 40x100 feet, with au addition in the rear of one hundred and fifty-two feet. They do a very large business, handling from five to six hundred mules and horses a month, being the exclusive sellers and exchangers of horses.
Mr. Baer was married in this town to Miss Sadie Sanger, who is a native of the place, having been
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born here February 6, 1865. The ceremony took place November 1, 1885. They have three bright intelligent children, Ilarry, Eugene and Herschel.
Mr. Baer is a member of the Schar Emeth Con- gregation at St. Louis. He is a good business man and has established and built up a fine busi- ness that yields a good income. . Ile and his charm- ing wife are highly respected throughout the town- ship, and resides in a fine brick home on Wash- ington Street, which Mr. Baer built.
M OSES M. STOOKEY. The gentleman to whom we call the attention of our readers is a prominent and influential farmer of St. Clair- Township, where he operates an excellent estate of eighty aeres, all well improved. Ile is serving his third term as Township Supervi- sor, which position he has filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
Our subject was born November 23, 1839. His father, who also bore the name of Moses, was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1798, being a son of Daniel Stookey and a brother of Elijah Stookey (for whom >ee sketch). Moses Stookey, Sr., married Elizabeth Anderson, a native of the Keystone State, who was born in 1805 and died sixty-three years later, in 1868. They were the parents of eleven children, but only three beside our sub- jeet are living. They are as follows: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wood; Jolm D., who resides on a farm adjoining that of our subject; and Dr. L. P., of Belleville, whose sketch will be found on another page of this volume.
In his boyhood, our subject received a common- school education in his district, attending school during the winter term and working on his father's farm in the summer. He grew to a stalwart man- hood, well-fitted to bear his part as an intelligent ag- riculturist and a public-spirited citizen. Thought- ful by nature, he prefers to deliberate over matters of importance rather than express an opinion hastily, but his ideas when presented are worthy of due consideration. Besides his fine farm, he owns
forty acres in Smithton Township and forty acres in Millstadt Township.
In 1862, Mr. Stookey married Miss Mary Adams, who lived to bless his home for twelve years, and was then taken away by the dread angel, Death, February 27, 1874, leaving two children, Alonzo and Barbara, who are unmarried and at home. Mr. Stookey was again married, in 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Mahala, daughter of John and Nancy Little. Mrs. Stookey was born near Mill- stadt in 1850. Her mother is still living and re- sides in Kansas. Throughout the community where she resides, Mrs. Stookey is well known for her sweetness of disposition and kindly consideration of all with whom she comes in contact.
Mr. Stookey is one of the representative men of the township, in which he has been very promi- nent, especially in political matters. Hle upholds the principles of Democracy with vigor and enthu- siasm, and uses his influence in behalf of the party of his choice. Alike devoted to public and private interests, his career as citizen and farmer is one of which he and his may well be proud.
C ONRAD AHLERS, who represents Lenzburg Township on the County Board of Super- visors, also operates a fine farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres, part of which was left him by his father, and which is pleasantly located on section 12. lle is a thorough tiller of the soil, having been reared to that occupation, and has carried it on successfully for a number of years. His property is well improved, well stocked, and in all respeets an attractive and valuable piece of land.
Our subject was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1847, and is a son of William and Christina (Schultz) Ahlers, who were natives of Germany, the father being born February 1, 1801, and the mother in 1807. William Ahlers was a shoemaker by trade, which occupation he followed during the greater part of his life. lle was married in his native land, soon after which event he came to America, in
RESIDENCE OF CONRAD AHLERS, SEC. 12 , LENZBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL .
RESIDENCE OF M. M. STOOKEY, SEC. 32, ST. CLAIR TP. ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
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1833, making his first location in Baltimore, where he resided for several years. Thence he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., later to St. Louis, Mo., and finally with his family came to Dutch Hill Prairie, this county, where he engaged in farming. He was re- garded with a high degree of respect by his neigli- bors and acquaintances, and was a man of energy and prudence.
Our subject is the fourth in order of birth among five children who grew to mature years, three dy- ing in infancy. Those first mentioned are: Charles, who is now deceased; Henry, Louisa, Conrad and Fred. In religious affairs, the fatber was a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and politically always voted the straight Democratie ticket.
He whose name heads this sketch remained on the home farm until after his marriage with Miss Mary Breadweiser, which was solemnized in 1870. Mrs. Ahlers is the daughter of William and Doro- thea Breadweiser, the former a carpenter by trade. She presides with dignity and efficiency over her home, looking carefully to the welfare of the household. The two children born to herself and husband are deceased. Mr. Ahlers is a man of true religious principles, and belongs to the Lutheran Church. He is one of the most public-spirited and progressive men in his township, which he is serv- ing in the capacity of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace.
R. ALEXANDER S. HALSTEAD, a mem- ber of the dental firm of Halstead & Woelk. is justly regarded as one of the thoroughly rehable and efficient masters of the den- tal profession in Belleville, Ill., and has won an enviable reputation for the careful, skillful manner in which he performs all operations. The firm is well provided with every-new improved appliance for making the extraction of teeth as easy and pain- less an operation as possible, and they also preserve the natural teeth and fill them. Their operating room is equipped with the latest improved operat-
ing chairs and with the best instruments known to the profession.
Dr. Halstead has practiced his profession in Belleville, Ill., since the year 1886, and has recently taken his former student, Robert Woelk, into the business with him. Mr. Woelk is very familiar with the dental business, is highly respected in social as well as professional circles, and is a young man of sterling worth.
Dr. Halstead was born in Shiloh Valley Town- ship, this county, on the 15th of December, 1853, and is a son of A. S. Halstead, Sr., who was one of the early settlers here, coming from Covington, Ky., in 1808. The latter married Miss Eliza J. Scott, of St. Louis, Mo., but a native of Quincy, Ill. Her father, Dr. William Scott, located in Shiloh Valley, this county, in the year 1844. After the death of her husband, which occurred when our subject was but three months old, Mrs. Ilalstead made her home with her father for many years. She is now residing at Santa Barbara, Cal., with a daughter, Josie A., wife of William Rainey, formerly of Nashville, Ill. Our subject was reared principally in his native county and was educated in MeKendree College, Lebanon, later teaching school for a short time. He passed an examination for cadetship at Champaign, but instead attended the school of pharmacy at St. Louis. Later, he at- tended the St. Louis Medical College for two years, after which he practiced dentistry, and following this he attended the St. Louis Medical and the Mis- souri Dental Colleges, graduating from both insti- tutions.
Our subject first located at Mascoutah, but later came to Belleville, as above mentioned. He does not practice medicine but has built up a large practice in dentistry and is one of the leading, act- ive dentists of the day. What time he can spare from his profession he devotes to horticulture, and, as he owns one and a-half acres on Sycamore Street, the most of this is utilized in that occupation. In connection, he also owns a retail store for cut flowers and candies at No. 1202 Olive Street, St. Louis. Ile owns considerable real estate in the county near the city, about four hundred acres, or one-fourth of an undivided sixteen hundred acres. While residing in Mascoutah, he was engaged in
15
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general merchandising in addition to his pro- fession. He is a member of both the Illinois and Missouri State Dental Societies, and, socially, is identified with the Knights of Honor.
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