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 36
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Ile has been interested in the Y improved nail for the past two years, which became an incorpor- ated company with a capital stock of 825,000, of which Mr. Yoch is President, Manager and Treas- urer, and Lawrence Muren Secretary. Mr. Yoch is an enterprising business man and is held in high favor in commercial as well as social circles throughout this section. His business career has been marked by justice and fairness, and he has ever been the soul of honor in his dealings. Throughout the many years covered by his busi- ness history. he has always been considered reliable and accurate, and as a natural consequence, his pa- trons are his friends and place implicit confidence in his word. Ile has resided in Belleville since 1884, and has a handsome and stately brick resi- dence at No. 301 South Illinois Street. He was married in this city February 25, 1868, to Miss Agnes Acker, by whom he has seven children: Laura, wife of Lawrence Muren; Emma; Maggie, Agnes, Jane, Jacob and Edward.
In addition to the other important enterprises in which he has been engaged, Mr. Yoch is the patentee of the machine for the manufacture of a nail that is entirely new, and he is the only one to put his product on the market in this country. It has all the good points of the wire nail with super-
ior holding power to a steel nail. This nail has already come into prominent notice and gives every promise of being very extensively used throughout this country. Mr. Yoch and his family attend St. Peter's Cathedral.
ALENTINE WASEM. The prosperity of St. Clair cannot be attributed entirely to the efforts of Americans, for innch has been accomplished by those of foreign birth who have sought a home in the Land of the Free. Germany has contributed of its thrift, England of its vigor, France of its economy and Holland of its patient perseverance. Among the natives of Germany who have sought a home in this county and have here attained independence and prosperity, may be mentioned Mr. Wasem, Postmaster of Fayetteville.
With reference to the parents of our subject, the following may be noted: Ilis father, Valentine Wasem, Sr., was born near the River Rhine, Ger- many, May 17, 1818, and was reared to manhood in a village, although his occupation was from youth that of farming. In his native land he was married to Catherine Hupperrich, and unto them were born nine children, two of whom died in in- fancy. The others were as follows: Valentine, the subject of this biographical sketch; George P., Catherine, Philabena, August, Adam, and Isa- bella, who died at the age of nine years.
Accompanied by his family, Mr. Wasem, Sr., emigrated to the United States in 1851, and located in Belleville, but only remained there a short time, removing thence to a tract of land which he pur- chased near Fayetteville. On that place he re- mained, industriously laboring as a tiller of the soil, until 1874, when he sold his farm, removed to Belleville, from there to Marissa, and after the death of his wife came to Fayetteville, his death occurring in 1888 at this place. Ilis wife died about eight years prior to his demise. In his po- litical views, he was a Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace for several years.
The subject of this notice was born in Germany,
Respectfully M.J. Stokey
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and was six years old when he came to America. and here acquired his education. After emigra- ting to this country, he aided his father on the farm until he was twenty-four years old, when he established a home of his own. He was then mar- ried to Miss Lottie Karch, a native of Mascoutah, and the daughter of Charles and Christena Karch. Nine children have been born to them, who are: Isabella, Charles, Julius V., Edward. Amelia, Emma, Josephine, Louisa and Matilda.
During the Civil War, Mr. Wasem, who, al- though not a native of this country, was neverthe- less loyally devoted to the Union, enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company E, Fifty-ninth Illi- nois Infantry, Gen. Thomas commanding. Among the important engagements in which he participa- ted may be mentioned the battles of Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain, Atlanta and Nashville. At the ex- piration of his term of service, he was mustered out at Brownsville, Tex., in 1866, and was honor- ably discharged in Springfield, Ill.
After operating a rented farm for a few years, Mr. Wasem removed to the village of Fayetteville, where for some time he was engaged as engineer of the gristmill, and also operated a threshing-ma- chine. In 1889, he was appointed Postmaster of the village, and his service in that direction is in- variably pleasing and satisfactory to his fellow- townsmen. In his political opinions, he is a Republican, and socially, is identified with Mas- coutah Lodge No. 286, I. O. O. F., and Ilecker Post, G. A. R., at Belleville.
M ADISON T. STOOKEY, Superintendent of the City Water Works, has attained to a place in the regard of the people second perhaps to no other citizen of Belleville. The story of his life proves that the successful man is he who employs his powers with the great- est industry and most perseverance. An energetic business man, he has been the source of benefit to his community, and has aided its material progress in no small degree.
A brief mention of the ancestors of our subject will not be without interest to the reader. His grandfather, Daniel Stookey, was born near Ha- gerstown. Md., in the year 1770, and came of Ger- man descent. In 1800, he came to this county and settled in what is now St. Clair Township, taking up a elaim. He was one of the earliest settlers, following his brother-in-law Abraham Ey- man, who had come here in 1798. They made an examination of the lands during a horsebaek trip in 1797, and were pleased with the appearance of the country. Daniel Stookey was a prominent man in his community and the owner of consider- able land. He was the father of nine children, of whom the only survivor is Elijah, father of the subject of this sketch. IIe was born and reared in St. Clair Township, and still lives within one- half mile of his old home. He married Miss Eleanor MeGuire.
Our subject was born at the old homestead No- vember 26, 1837. In boyhood, he first attended the district schools, later was a student in the Belleville sehools, and then went to Shurtleff Col- lege, Upper Alton. Afterward he engaged in farming, in which he met with success. ITis first marriage united him with Miss America Gooding, of Millstadt Township, and the ehild born of this union now resides in Belleville. The present wife of Mr. Stookey was formerly Miss Mary Cooper, of St. Louis, and is a lady of rare worth of char- acter.
Mr. Stookey is well known throughout Illinois, having served in various publie capacities. For six years he was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and in 1879-80 served as General Superintendent of the State Fair, having charge of the State Fair at Springfield, and the Fat Stoek Show at Chicago. He was a member of the first Fat Stock Show held in the Exposition Build- ing in Chicago. Ile is President of the Belleville & Carondelet Railroad, which is now leased to the Cairo Short Line. His fellow-citizens elected him County Treasurer on the Demoeratie tieket and re-elected him three times, his term of service ex- tending from December, 1879, to December, 1886.
After retiring from that office, Mr. Stookey be- came connected with the Water Works as Superin-
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tendent, in which position he has since served effi- ciently. The Water Works were established in this place in 1885, and now there are fourteen miles of mains, three reservoirs and stand-pipes. The water comes from Richland Creek and tributaries, and the pumps have a capacity of about two mill- ion five hundred thousand gallons per day. In 1880, Mr. Stookey removed to Belleville, but he still owns his farm, although his personal attention is given almost exclusively to his eity business. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
D HILIP SKAER. The owner and occupant of an excellent farm situated in section 18607, lot 14, Prairie du Long Township, St. Clair County, Ill., is a man of large experience in the community where he has made his home for so many years. Ilis estate is the re- sult of hard labor, and his farm is well improved and forms a comfortable and attractive spot in this part of the State.
The parents of our subjeet were born in Ger- many, and located in this State about the year 1836, near Smith's Village. George Philip Skaer, the father of Philip Skaer, was one of the most suc- cessful merchants of the early period of his loea- tion here. llis family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are living. lle was a man of strong characteristics and sterling worth, one whose friendship was worth gaining, and whose integrity could be relied on.
Philip Skaer, whose biography we are writing, was born in IJesse-Homburg, on the 19th of Novem- ber, 1823. He was thirteen years old when his par- ents emigrated to the I'nited States. He grew to manhood in this county, and was married in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Moser, the daughter of Henry Moser, one of the early settlers aud most respected citizens of this county. Mrs. Skaer's parents came from Germany in 1830, and were married in Belle- ville, this county. the same year. They had eight
children, all of whom are deceased but two, Mrs. Skaer and her brother, who lives in Kansas at Wellington.
After his marriage, Philip Skaer located at High Prairie, two and one-half miles from George- town, where by industry and thrift he soon ae- cumulated enough to purchase a farm. lle later sold this and moved to St. Paul, Minn., and later to Mankato, where he helped to erect the first hotel. On his arrival at the latter place, he found plenty of Indians. It was about the year 1861 that he purchased the farm on which he now re- sides. At the commencement of our late Civil War, Mr. Skaer was drafted in the army, and served his country to the best of his ability. Ilis union with Miss Moser was blessed by eiglit children, six of whom are living. They are Wesley, who resides in this township; Peter; Mary, wife of Louis Miller; Emeline, wife of Charles Miller; Henrietta, who has not yet left the paternal roof, and Louis. Mr. Skaer has buried a son and daugh- ter.
The Skaer farm covers a territory of three hun- dred and three acres, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation, showing keen management and most excellent skill. on the part of its owner. Although the educational advan- tages accorded Mr. Skaer in early life were very limited, his possession of the faculties which can be educated by observation places him among the most intelligent men of this community. The hardships of his own early life have influenced him to make the gaining of an existence easier for those who have claims upon him, and he has there- fore given each of his children a part of his own acenmulations, with which to set themselves up in the pursuits most agreeable to their tastes and abilities.
Mr. Skaer favors the Republican party with his political support, and although never occupying office, he is known in the community as one whose help can always be relied on by the party of his choice, and his strong belief in the principles of his party gains the confidence of those wavering be- tween the two great leaders of our political parties. llis religious belief and spiritual hopes are cen- tered in the Lutheran Church, of which he is a
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member and hearty supporter. Ile is a man of in- telligent and progressive ideas, a practical and successful agriculturist, and one who in every de- partment of life has fulfilled the duties that he before him in a ereditable manner. The qualities of a sturdy manhood are frequently developed amid pioneer scenes, and as one of the early set- tlers in this township, Mr. Skaer can look over a lapse of fifty-six years of labor, from which to-day he is reaping the benefit, and enjoying the com- mendation of all who have known him through the vicissitudes of life.
Mrs. Skaer was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor, and a faithful friend. She assisted largely in the growth of all her husband's enter- prises, and by that patient skill which forms so large a part of the feminine character, watched over her family, and instructed them in the paths of honesty and virtue, which never fail to shed a radiance of honor on the progenitors of a race.
OHN SAUTER, a retired business man, re- sides in the city of Maseoutah, this eounty. He was the son of Conrad S. Sauter, who was born in the Rheinpfalz, in Bavaria, Germany, April 6, 1809, where he was reared and educated and learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. Ile was married in Germany, to Miss Magdalena, daughter of Christopher Gross, who bore him twelve children, two of whom grew to manhood, John and Conrad, the latter being sealded to death in the mill at Lebanon, April 4, 1865, while following the milling business.
Conrad Sauter came to America in 1845, arriving in Belleville, Ill., June 4, of that year, and later came to Maseoutah. which was at that time called Mechanicsburg. He bought a farm about two miles east of Mascoutah, and after farming here three years, he moved into the city, where he en- gaged in working at his trade for five years. Then he bought a farm about one-half mile north of the city, where he remained until 1857, when he returned to Europe and spent nine months in
the Fatherland. Upon returning to this country, he engaged in the distillery and sawmill business in Maseoutah, which he followed until 1862. his wife dying December 3, of that year. Retiring from this business and forming a partnership with Mr. G. Anderson, he engaged in the milling bus- iness at Lebanon. Three years later, he retired from this business, turning it over to his sons, John and Conrad.
The father of our subject, in 1864, took for his second wife Mrs. Mary Melvin, an English lady. and continued to make his home in Lebanon, until his death, February 10, 1889. Two children were born of this union, one of whom grew to woman- hood and married Mr. Raleigh Horner.
Our subject was born September 1, 1846, on the old homestead in Laelien, by Neustadt on the Hardt Germany. He received some education in his native land, but npon coming to this county his oppor- tunities for an education were limited; however, being of an observing disposition, he acquired a practical knowledge, which served him to a good purpose in his after life. In 1864, he returned to Germany, where he married, June 19, Miss Mar- garetta, a daughter of John George and Barbara (Schwartz) Trieb, the former of whom was a farmer. Upon returning to America, he, in partnership with his brother, succeeded his father in the mill- ing business, which they continued to operate for two years, when his brother met his death by the explosion of a boiler. Our subjeet then sold out his share in the mill, moved to Trenton, Ill., and form- ing a partnership with an uncle, Andrew Eisen- mayer, bought another mill which he operated until 1870, when he sold out and retired from business. In 1875, in company with his family, Mr. Santer made a trip to the Old Country, where they spent one year.
He whose name heads this sketch has two chil- dren, llenry and Lisette. The former was ed- veated in the schools of Maseoutah, and took a course at McKendree College, at Lebanon, and also a business course in Johnson's Commercial College, at St. Louis. He married Miss Minnie E., daughter of Ernest Hagist, of this city, and resides in Mascoutah. Lisette is living at home.
Our subjeet owns one thousand acres of land in
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this county, with the exception of eighty acres, which lies in Washington County, all of which he rents out to reliable tenants, from whom he re- ceives an excellent competency. He is a public- spirited citizen, a true husband, an indulgent father and a generous friend. Ilis presence among ns is an honorable addition to this community. The family are all members of the Evangelical Protestant Church, and politically, Mr. Sauter is a stanch upholder of the Republican party.
LEX. WOODS, M. D. Among the people of St. Clair County, as well as the surround- ing counties, the name of Dr. Woods is almost a household word. Ile was born November 14, 1845, and traces his ancestry back to his great-grandfather, John Walker, who was born in Nova Scotia and was there pressed into the English service, coming with the British soldiers to the United States during the Revolu- tionary War. Ilis sympathies, however, were with the Colonial army, and the first opportunity that presented itself he deserted from the British army by knocking down the guard, taking forcible pos- session of his pass, and assuming his name of Woods. He succeeded in reaching the American lines, and enlisted in the Patriot army just before the battle of Long Island, in which he participated. After the war was over he removed to Cleveland, in which city his son John, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born.
John Woods was reared to farm life, which ocen- pation he always followed, and about 1800 removed to Illinois and was one of the first settlers of Turkey Ilill Prairie. He was quite a sporting man, and besides being an enterprising tiller of the soil, in- dulged in hunting and horse-racing. He was a Democrat of the Jacksonian school, and was called from life in 1855, at the advanced age of eighty years. Dr. Alex. Woods' father, John Woods, was named after his father and was born in the Turkey Hill settlement, near Belleville, March 14, 1813. He was brought up on a farm and was a partici-
pant in the Black Hawk War of 1831-32, it being said of him by James Glasgow that he was the only man that killed an Indian from their vicin- ity. Dr. Alex. Woods has in his possession the frame of a pocket mirror that was taken from the pocket of this Indian. January 5, 1833, our subject's father was married to Miss Catherine Carr, who was born on Turkey Hill Prairie Sep- tember 23, 1812, after which he began farming on Prairie du Long, but removed to near Belleville in 1851, becoming the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of fertile prairie land four and a-half miles south of the town. He greatly improved his home place, but at various times owned other farms. Ile became wealthy, and died May 19, 1875, at the age of sixty-two years, a member of the Baptist Church.
The maternal grandfather was Henry Carr, who was born in Randolph County, Va., June 2, 1788, where the grandfather, Joseph Carr, was also born. Both were farmers, and in 1793 removed to New Design, Monroe County, Ill., but a year later went to Turkey Hill, St. Clair County. In the fall of the same year they were compelled to return to New Design, owing to an Indian outbreak, but after the Indians had left the war-path they re- turned to their former home, where Joseph Carr spent the remainder of his days. Henry Carr was a soldier in the War of 1812, being with Gov. Reynold's Rangers. Ile died in 1868 and his wife in 1865, when past seventy-nine years of age. Her maiden name was Mary Arnett, and she was reared and educated in this section of the country, being a sister of Rev. Nathan Arnett, a pioneer Bap- tist minister of the conntry.
The brothers and sisters of Dr. Alex. Woods are as follows: James A., who was a farmer, enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, August 2, 1861, during the Civil War and served until January, 1866. While fishing in the Gasconade River at Ilartwell, Mo., a water-spout burst, and before he could leave the island on which he was, the water rose so rapidly that he was drowned, to- gether with his youngest son. This sad event oc- curred in the year 1885. Joseph resides at Ne- vada, Mo., engaged in farming. Ellen, his only sister, also survives. Dr. Alex. Woods was reared
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on a farm near Belleville, but his early advant- ages for acquiring an education were limited. He was compelled to walk one and one-half miles. had to cross a large creek on a foot-log, and the schoolhouse was a very primitive log structure, where the most elementary of instruction was given.
At the age of fifteen years, Dr. Woods went to St. Louis, Mo., and enlisted in the same regiment as his brother, but about three days later his father came for him and took him home, where he re- mained about a year longer, when his patriotic feelings could no longer be repressed, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Ilundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in at Camp Butler. He was in the engagements at Queen's Ilill (Miss.), Ft. de Russy (La.), Pleasant Hill and Tupelo (Miss.), Nash- ville, Ft. Blakely, and thirty-three skirmishes. He was never off duty nor in the hospital until the day he was mustered out of service, August 6, 1865, when he remained there for a few days only. He held the rank of Corporal and was the young- est man in his company.
Upon his return home, he began attending Bry- ant & Stratton's Commercial College of St. Louis, and after a short time spent on the farm he began teaching school. November 29, 1866, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary C. McGuire, a native of this county and a daughter of Benjamin McGuire, a Pennsylvanian by birth. After his marriage, Dr. Woods farmed on eighty acres of land near Belle- ville until 1870, when he sold out and located in Freeburg, entering in the fall of that year the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated March 13, 1873, with the degree of M. D. During 1872, he practiced in Fayetteville, but after his graduation he located at Freeburg, where he was also engaged in the drug business. From 1879 to 1881, he was located at Benton, Franklin County; and from 1881 until he was elected County Coroner in 1884, he was in the drug business at Freeburg. He was elected to his present office on the Democratic ticket with a majority of twelve hun- dred and fifty-four votes, and in 1888 was re-elected by six hundred and sixty-two votes, He has been a resident of East St, Louis since January, 1888, and
has conducted a drug store here since April, 1888. He has held eight hundred and seventy inquests since he has been in office and has successfully fol- lowed up several clews in murder cases.
For three years he was Secretary of the State C'or- oners' Association; is Past Post-Surgeon of the Grand Army, of Belleville; is a member of the Union Veteran League, and is a member of Lodge No. 418, A. F. & A. M., of Freeburg; and is a member of Belleville Chapter No. 106, R. A. M. Ilis chil- dren are as follows: Silas E., a graduate of the St. Louis School of Pharmacy, is in the drug business at Jackson, Mo., and now a student of medicine; Alonzo B. is a clerk for Nelson Morris & Co .; Car- rie, Mary C., and Alex. Stephens. The Doctor re- tired from the office of Coroner of St. Clair Coun- ty December 5, 1892, after holding the office for a term of eight years, being the first physican to hold the office in his county, and bringing a quiet dig- nity to bear in the fulfillment of his duties, which commanded the respect of all.
P HILIP RUESTER. Could the biographies of the best residents of St. Clair County be written in detail, a large and most interest- ing volume might be compiled. It is our pleasure, however, to select the principal facts in their lives, and record them for the perusal of com- ing generations. The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch is at present residing in the village of Lenzburg, where he is doing a good business as a saddler and harness-maker.
Our subject, who is a native of this county, was born April 1. 1858. His parents, John and Catherine (Bearrach) Ruester, were natives of Germany, the father being born in 1816, and the mother in 1815. John Ruester was given a good education in his native land, where he in later life owned and operated a linseed-oil factory. After locating in the United States, however, he turned his attention to working in a mill, which occupa- tion he followed for a number of years, By his
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union with Miss Bearrach were born twelve ehil- dren, seven of whom died when young. Those who grew to mature years were Louisa, Margaret (deceased), Valentine, Martin and Philip. Our subject's parents were both members of the Luth- eran Church, being people of true religious prin- eiples. The father, who was a true-blue Republi- can in polities, died in 1892, when seventy-six years of age, while his wife, who lived to the ad- vaneed age of seventy-three years, departed this life in 1888, John Ruester, the paternal grandfa- ther of our subjeet, was a native of Germany, and on coming to the I'nited States located on a'farm near Belleville, this eounty, in 1853.
Beginning life for himself at the early age of fourteen years, our subjeet learned the trade of a saddle and harness maker under the instruction of Anton Kehrer, of New Athens. this county. After remaining with him for three years, he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he spent a twelvemonth, and in 1878 we find him in New Athens, this State, where he opened a shop on his own account. Ile was successfully engaged in that place for five years, when he took up his abode in Lenzburg, where he has since been identified with its best residents.
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