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 35
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Dr. Halstead selected his wife in the person of Miss Kate Kunz, of Mascoutah, daughter of Charles Kunz, one of the old business men of that place, who was prominent as a miller, merchant and dis- tiller. This marriage occurred on the 20th of April, 1879, and three children have been born to them. namely: Dora, Louisa and Charles Koester. In all laudable enterprises, Dr. Halstead takes a deep interest, and he and his admirable wife are classed among the foremost citizens.
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OHN JACOB EBERHART owns a farm on section 3, Caseyville Township. lle was born in Germany, his birth having occurred in Wurtemberg, in 1821. Ile is a son of Ludwich and Barbara Eberhart, both natives of the same country and born in the same province. Our subject received his edueation in the common schools of his native land and there grew to man- hood. lle resided under the parental roof until thirty years of age. When about eighteen he was apprenticed to a baker in order to learn that trade. This occupation he followed until coming to the United States. Leaving his parents, friends and country, he erossed the briny deep in 1850. Ile first located in Massachusetts, where for four years he engaged at work in a woolen factory. Then believing that the West afforded better opportuni- ties for advancement and for making a fortune, he came to Illinois, settling in Collinsville. For seventeen years he worked at his trade at that point, and with the careful savings of years pur- chased land in Madison County, just across the line from where he now lives. He resided on that farm for many years, and then purchased ninety- three aeres in Caseyville Township, this county, on which he settled in 1886. His property has greatly inereased in value and has been brought under a high state of cultivation since coming
into his possession. To achieve this result he has devoted all of his time and attention, and well merits the reward of his labors.
In the year 1851, Mr. Eberhart was married to Miss Barbara Muchler, of Massachusetts. She is a daughter of Andrew and Catherine Muchler, of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Eberhart have three liv- ing children: Gottlieb, who married Elizabeth Ambrosius, and has two children. Herman and Theodore; Barba and Mary. John died when young.
In politics, Mr. Eberhart is non-partisan, con- sidering it always best to vote for the man rather than the party. lle fulfills the duties of citizen- ship with fidelity, and is much interested in all measures calculated to advance the best interests of the community and State. lle is a loyal citi- zen of his adopted country and takes an active part in everything tending to advance hier pros- perity. Hle and his family are worthy and hon- ored members of the Lutheran Church.
RANCIS M. BEGOLE, an extensive farmer of Caseyville Township, owns and operates a farm on section 3. Ile was born in this county, in the same township, in 1838, and is a son of Joshua and Mary (Terry) Begole. The fa- ther was born in Maryland, near Hagerstown, in 1792. His wife was a native of St. Clair County, where her birth occurred in 1808. On the father's side of the family he is a deseendant of the Huguenots, many of whom came to Ameriea after their persecution in France. Joshua Be- gole was reared to manhood on a farm, and re- ceived but a limited education in the common schools. When young, be removed to Genesee County, N. Y., and lived there for a number of years. At about thirty years of age, turning his face Westward, he came to Illinois, and located in St. Clair County. For a short time he worked by the month on a farm, until he had settled where he should purchase land. He then, in company with his brother-in-law, Eliva Lankeste, purchased about one hundred and sixty acres of land on
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favorable terms and long time. When he came to the West, he was without means, but through in- dustry and good business investments accumulated about eight hundred acres of fine land.
On the 2d of March, 1824, Mr. Begole wedded Mary Terry, a daughter of George and Sarah Terry, of this county. To them were born a fam- ily of twelve children, three of whom died when young. Those who grew to adult age were William R., now deceased; Frank; Sarah. the wife of Gideon Lemen; Andrew, also deceased; Mary, who was the wife of Levi Piggott, and has now departed this life; James M., deceased; F. M .. our subject; Cyrus S .; and Cynthia, who is the wife of Edwin Lemen. This family were all members and supporters of the Baptist Church, where they were highly es- teemed. Politically, the father belonged to the old Whig party, and later was a supporter of the Republican party. For eight years he was Justice of the Peace, the duties of which position he trans- acted with ability and wisdom.
At the age of twenty-three, our subject rented his father's farm and proceeded to devote his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. Ile had pre- viously received a good education in the common schools, and to this he has constantly added by study and good reading, and is now a well-in- formed man, thoroughly interested in the great issues of the day. After farming for some years, his father gave him a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres. To this he has added until he now has six hundred and forty-five acres of as fine land as can be found in the county. Ile has devoted his entire time and care to the development and improvement of this property, and his efforts have been blessed with marked success. On every hand is seen the evidence of the thrift and progressive spirit of the owner.
On the 2d of March, 1887, Mr. Begole was mar- ried to Miss Clara Lemen, daughter of Isaac and Caroline (Hogan) Lemen. To our worthy subject and his estimable wife two children have been born: Charles E. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Begole are Baptist in religious faith, being members of the Bethel Chapel.
In polities, My, Begole is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, to which
he gives his warm support. For over fifty years he has lived in this county, and is widely and favorably known throughout this section. His in- fluence is always cast on the side of right, and in all local affairs he takes an active part. He is con- sidered to be a man of sterling worth and honor- able character, and has won by these qualities many friends, who esteem him as highly as he deserves.
UGUST BARTHEL, M. A., LL. B. The original of this brief notice is the City Attorney for Belleville, and one of the firm of Barthel & Farmer, lawyers. His parents, Ilenry and Anna (Bumb) Barthel, were natives of Germany, and were born in Hesse- Cassel and Bavaria, respectively. The father's birth took place August 28, 1828, and ten years later he came to this county. He still lives in Freeburg, engaged in business, but his wife died in 1872.
Our subject was born at Freeburg, in this county, November 3, 1861, and was educated at the college of the Christian Brothers in St. Louis, and was grad- uated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1883, after which he was a year in the law office of Turner & Holdor, of this city. He then attended the law department of the Washington University in St. Louis, and was graduated in the Class of '86 as LL. B. Ile was admitted to the Bar in Missouri, in May, 1886, and was admitted by examination to Mt. Vernon In August, 1886, and is now permitted to practice in the federal courts by virtue of his graduation. Hc located for practice in the city of Belleville with James M. Ilay until 1888, when he went to Kansas City, Kan., and remained there practicing for fif- teen months. He then returned to this city, and in 1889 he again went into partnership with Mr. Hay, and so continued until September, 1891, when he formed a partnership with James A. Farmer, and the firm has continued very successfully ever since.
Mr, Barthel was elected City Attorney April 7. 1891, for a term of two years, and he still holds
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the office, which he has filled to the satisfaction of the city. Ile was the Village Attorney of Freeburg for several years, and was also the Secretary of the Fair Association of Belleville.
Our subject, January 15, 1890, was united in marriage with Miss Angelina Reichert. of Freeburg, who is the accomplished daughter of Joseph and Maria Reichert, two of the old settlers of Free- burg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barthel are highly re- garded for their social qualities, and Mr. Barthel is regarded as one of the most promising of the young professional men of the flourishing city of Belleville.
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ILLIAM A. DARROW, who owns and op- erates three hundred and fifty-four aeres of land on sections 27, 28, 22 and 15. O'Fallon Township, was born March 19, 1837. His father, Charles B. Darrow, was born September 19, 1806, and the grandfather was born in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1872. For a number of years, he lived on a large farm east of ('Fallon. In connection with farming, he was also a minister of the Baptist Church and a carpenter. In 1848, he removed to Collinsville, where his death occurred the following year at the age of eighty-two years. Ilis wife was a native of Vermont and died on the old home farm in 1855.
Charles B. Darrow, the father of our subject, was married in Randolph County, N. Y .. February 12, 1826, to Sarah Peach, and they afterward removed to the old Darrow homestead near ()'Fallon, where the father engaged in farming until his death, with the exception of a period he spent in the lead mines of lowa. He died October 28, 1839. His wife long survived him and died at the home of her son, Washington Darrow, December 27, 1891, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their family numbered six children: Lucinda, born January 2, 1827, is the wife of C. J. F. Bridges, who resides near Oak Hill Church. Of their seven children, four are living: William, a painter of Decatur,
Ill .; Iliram, a painter and paper-hanger of Decatur; Leonard, a gardener of O'Fallon; and Alonzo, a tinsmith, who resides with his mother. George Washington, born February 26, 1829, is farming near O'Fallon. Ile married Dricilla A. Stites, and of their eight children, six are yet living: Alice, after the death of her first husband, Theodore Peaeb. married George Ogle, of O'Fallon; Lizzie 18 the wife of Walter Lemon, of East St. Louis; Heber is married; Lucy is the wife of Frank Wade, a school teacher of ('Fallon; Arthur, aged eighteen, and Maud, fourteen years of age, complete the family. Lucy Lord. born November 24, 1831, is the wife of Daniel Donivan. She died in Duquoin, in 1878, leaving eight children: Horace, who is married and resides in Montana; Alonzo, who is married and makes his home in Washington; Amanda, wife of Willard Thing, of Duquoin; Ellen is living with Alonzo; Charles is married and resides in Gaylord, Kan .; Virginia is the wife of Eli House, of Duquoin; Herbert is married and resides in Duquoin, and John is hving near O'Fal- lon. Mary Amanda, the fifth child of the Darrow family, was born July 16, 1834. and died Sep- tember 4, 1853. Charles, born March 23, 1840, mar- ried Mary Dwyer and is living on the old home farm. They had six children, four yet living: Oliver, of Denver; Nellie, Willard and Junette, at home.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and remained on the home farm until his marriage. IIe wedded Malvina, daughter of Mary and William Simmons, their union being celebrated near ('Fallon March 3, 1859. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Elijah, born January 21, 1860, was married March 7, 1888, to Emma Carter, daughter of Ilarriman Carter, of Chicago, and is engaged in farming. George, born July 30, 1862, owns a creamery in O'Fallon. Mary Addie, born January 22, 1865, became the wife of Charles R. Peach, March 7, 1889, and they have one child, Edna. Mr. Peach is connected with the Electric Light Company of Denver. Frank B., born October 20, 1867, died April 14, 1868. Fannie, born December 28, 1869, is at home. Eva, born January 3, 1873, died January 19, 1874, Lora Amanda, born January 1, 1875,
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and Joseph August, born December 31, 1887, com- plete the family.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Darrow located upon the farm of his father-in-law, where he lived until 1864. Ile then removed to the farm which has sinee been his home. He now owns and operates three hundred and fifty-four aeres of highly im- proved land and is recognized as one of the pro- gressive and prominent farmers of this community. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist. Ile has served as Highway Commissioner and School Director, and was Trustee of the schools of the township for thirteen years. Since 1854, he has been a member of the Baptist Church, and his upright life and many excellencies of character have won him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
ILLIAM B. ENGELMANN is a resident of Engelman Township, where he occu- pies a position as one of the best and most successful farmers of the locality. Ilis excellent farm is located on section 20, and here it is that this honored man pursues his agricultural life. In addition to his farm duties, our subject has the honor of being the Township Clerk, which posi- tion has been his since 1884.
Mr. Engelmann was the son of Theodore Engel- mann, who was born in Winnweiler, Rhenish Ba- varia, Germany, July 16, 1808. Mr. Engelmann, Sr., was educated in the best universities of his native land and studied for the Bar. In the year 1833, in consequence of his affiliations with a Revolutionary movement, he was forced to leave his native country and sought a home in America. The first location of this gentle- man was in St. Clair County, where he had the honor of being one of the earliest settlers of this county. After remaining here for some time, he went to St. Louis, where he engaged in newspaper work and in the real-estate business.
In 1840, Mr. Engelmann returned to St. Clair
County and located in Belleville, where he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, which position he held until elected to the office of Circuit Clerk. At the expiration of his term of office, he engaged in the practice of his profession and continued to reside in Belleville until 1860, when he removed to Engelman Township, which bears his honored name, and settled on the farm our subject now oc- enpies, and here this respected and honored citi- zen resided until his death, March 7, 1889. In 1845, he had married Miss Johanna Kribben, of St. Louis, who is still living.
Mr. Engelmann had four children who grew to maturity, and three of these are still living. These children are: Bertha, wife of Henry Kircher, who resides at Belleville; Emelia, deceased; Annie, who lives at the old homestead, and our subject, who is the eldest of the family. When Theodore Engelmann came to this county he was a Demo- erat, but when the Republican party was organ- ized, as he was a strong Union man, he espoused the cause of the new party; however, when the great questions which had caused the war were settled, Mr. Engelmann returned to the Democratic party. He was the son of Frederick Engelmann. who came to this country from Germany in 1833. In his native land he held the position of Keeper of the Forest. Frederick Engelmann was the father of ten children, of whom but one is now living, Col. Louis Engelmann, a hero of the Mexican War. He served in the Mexican War as a Lieutenant and in the late war as a Colonel. He was promi- ment in the history of St. Clair County until his death, in 1890.
Our subject, William Engelmann, was born in Belleville, Ill., where he was reared, and was edu- cated in private schools. IIe makes his home on the old homestead with his mother and sister. Here they have an excellent farm of four hundred and twenty acres of very fine land, located in the township that bears their name. On this faim is a large residence built in the old Southern style. In po- litical matters, our subject is a Democrat and ad- vocates the principles of Free Trade. So promi- nent did he become in polities, that at the organ- ization of the township he was elected Township Clerk, in 1884, and so ereditably and successfully
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did he fulfill his duties that the people felt that they had the right man in the right place, so have continued to elect him to the same office ever since.
RED JUSTUS, a general merchant of Mas- coutalı, has engaged in business in his line for the past ten years, or since 1882. He has a well-stocked store, complete in all its appointments, and carries an excellent line of goods. From the beginning, his trade has constantly increased until it has assumed excellent proportions. His courteous treatment and fair dealing have won him a liberal patronage and he ranks among the successful merchants of this eity.
Mr. Justus has the honor of being a native of this county. Ile was born on the old homestead farm, about a mile and a half northwest of Mas- coutah. His father, Andrew Justus, was a native of Germany, and came to America in 1836, locat- ing first in New Orleans and afterwards in St. Louis. Subsequently, he returned to Germany and married, after which he brought his bride to this country. They began their domestic life in St. Clair County, npon the farm which has since been in the posses- sion of the family. There Mr. Justus carried on agricultural pursuits with success until 1874, when he came to Mascoutah and lived retired until his death, which occurred on the 5th of October, 1875. Ilis widow yet survives him and still makes her home in this city. She owns the old home farm. In their family were seven children, but only two are now living. Andrew, the brother of our subject, also resides in Mascoutah.
Fred Justus was born on the 5th of December, 1854. Ilis education was acquired in the public schools, and he later learned the shoemaker's trade, coming to Mascoutah in 1870 for that purpose. For eleven years, he followed that occupation with good success, but at length determined to give his time and attention to other pursuits, and in 1882 bought out the stock of his uncle. Adam Breugel, a general merchant of this place. Since that time he has been in his present line of business.
In 1883, Mr. Justus married Miss Ella Richter, daughter of Fred Richter, one of the early settlers of Mascoutah. By their union have been born four children, three of whom are still living: Matilda, Adelia and Roland, aged seven, four. and a year and a half, respectively. They lost one son, Theodore, who died in 1890, at the age of seven years.
Mr. Justus is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he contributes liberally and is one of its faithful and active work- ers. lle is a friend to all moral and educational interests, and the community finds in him a valued and respected citizen. In his social relations, he is an Odd Fellow, and in political sentiment he is independent, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for the office, regardless of party affiliations. llis fellow-townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the office of City Treasurer in April, 1889, and on the expiration of that term of office, in 1891, he was elected to rep- resent the Second Ward in the City Council. Ile discharges his public duties with a promptness and fidelity which win him the commendation of all.
R OBERT S. COULTER, editor of the Mar- issa Messenger, was born in the village of Old Marissa, March 15, 1866. As the eldest son of ten children, Mr. Coulter assumed the responsibilities of life for himself, to some extent, at the early age of sixteen, and after making his way through the schools of Marissa, entered Ew- ing College, where he spent four terms, ranking during that time as a highi-grade student. After leaving Ewing College, he spent two years at the Marissa Academy, and there gained the honors to which his natural endowments entitled him.
Mr. Coulter's career as a printer was commenced under the supervision of Mr. J. W. Wells, who was at that time editor of the Marissa Monitor. Ile was next employed as compositor on the Monitor and Sun, published at Pinekneyville, Il., at which town
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he remained one year. In 1887, he returned to Marissa, and in company with two others started the Marissa Messenger. Few men of his years have succeeded in earrying on an enterprise so success- fully from the start, as the present editor of the Mar- issa Messenger. One year after the inception of his paper, Mr. Coulter succeeded in buying out his partners, and since then has managed, edited and conducted the paper solely on his own account. Enterprise coupled with ability ever seeks new worlds to conquer, and in connection with the Marissa Messenger, Mr. Coulter prints a religious payer known as the Advocate and Ensign. This paper is edited by the Rev. R. W. Chestnut, and published in the interest of the Reformed Presby- terian Church. It was formerly published in Phil- adelphia. A prominent and ardent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Coulter exhibits the courage of his eon victions in his religious belief. Politically, he is a Republican.
The father of our subject, Dr. Arthur P. Coulter, was born in Washington County, Ill., February 24, 1836. lle commenced his career at the age of nineteen, as teacher in the district schools of his native county. He pursued the duties of teach- ing for two years, after which he began the study of medicine, and graduated in his chosen profession at the Eelectie Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1859. After graduating, Dr. Coulter practiced in his native county one year, and in 1860 removed to St. Clair County, Ill., where he has since lived, practicing most of the time at Marissa. Ile is a noted member of the III- inois State Eclectic Medical Association, and also of the United States Eclectic Medical Association.
Dr. Coulter is a Mason of high degree, and is also an adherent of the Republican party. Ile is the father of ten living children, seven daugh- ters and three sons. His esteemed wife was Miss Phoba C. Jackson, a native of St. Clair County, and daughter of Joel and Elsa ( Mason) Jackson, who were also the parents of ten children.
Dr. Coulter's parents were Robert S, and Isabella Wiley. Robert S., grandfather of our subject, was born in Brown County, Tenn., in September, 1809. lle was a farmer by occupation, and came with his parents to Madison County, IH., about 1818. Ile
married at the early age of twenty, and to him and his wife were born seven sons and four daugh- ters. Politically, he was a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian. He died May 15, 1852, his wife surviving him until January 12, 1890. Ilis father was also Robert S. Coulter, a native of South Carolina, who, at the age of twelve years, carried a musket in the Revolutionary War. He was of Irish parentage, a farmer by occupation, and proud of tracing his family back to the house of Stuart.
B ENHARD YOCH is one of the oldest and most successful operators in coal in the country, and his long connection with this industry, his intimate acquaintance with the trade, his promptness in filling orders, and his reliable methods of dealing have made him not only prominent and successful, but have also secured him great popularity with the trade. lle has been a resident of St. Clair County, Ill., since he was six months old. lle was born in Prussia, Germany, March 20, 1847, to Christian and C'ath- erine Yoch, who brought him to America in the latter part of that year. The father turned his attention to farming and mining after reaching this country, and followed both occupations on land that he purchased, his mine being now known as Yoch Station, on the Air Line Railroad. Ile was one of the earliest miners of this vicinity and was quite extensively engaged in that oeeupa- tion. Ile and his wife became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living at the present time: John, a successful farmer of this section; Joseph, a resident of California; Benhard, the sub- ject of this sketch, and Lanra, Mrs. Acker, of Belleville.
Benhard Yoch was educated in the schools of Belleville, and later he received instruction from a private teacher in his own home, under whom he finished his scholastic education. He then began learning the business of coal mining with his fa- ther, with whom he remained associated, in con-
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nection with three brothers, until the former's death, and during this time he followed his calling at Nashville, Ill., Yoch Station and Clyde. The firm was known as Yoch Bros, until 1886, at which time they sold out to the Consolidated Coal Com- pany, after which Benhard Yoch became connected with the Crescent Nail Company, but of recent years has again devoted his attention to mining coal. He remodeled a shaft on the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road, near Lebanon, which mine has a capacity of forty car-loads of coal daily; but it is not running to its full extent at the present time, as the mine is being remodeled and new and improved machin- ery is being introduced. Mr. Yoch has long been prominent in connection with the coal interests of this section and has secured success as the conse- quence of the superior quality of the coal produced from his mines and the uniformly honorable and correct methods which have ever characterized his dealings with the trade.
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