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 46
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EONARD TRAFBEL. One of the old set- tlers and pleasant business men of East St. Louis is the subject of our notice, who has resided here since 1859 and has seen many of the wonderful changes that have taken place on both sides of the mighty river. The father of our sub- ject was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and followed the trade of a baker in his native country, where he died in 1854. The maiden name of his wife was Fredericka Meidneiger, and her birthplace was in Wurtemberg, Germany.
Mr. Traubel of this notice was the youngest of four children and was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, May 29, 1839. lle attended the excellent free schools of his native place until his fourteenth year, when he began the trade of a baker under his father. Our subject, however, concluded to try his fortune in the New World, and accordingly set sail for America, landing in New Orleans, .lan- uary 8, 1857, after a stormy passage of fifty-four days, although regarded by him as a pleasant trip. He remained and worked in that eity at his trade for sixteen months, but in the spring of 1858 came up the river and located at St. Louis, and there worked along until 1859, when, in the month of August, he came over and located in this place, which was then called Illinois Town, and had been laid out in 1817. He bought out Mr. Weis, whose name is an old and familiar one here, and in the spring of 1861 built on Broadway and located there, engaging in the bakery business which he
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continued for thirteen years. Our subject had the largest bakery here and sold bread all through the surrounding country. In 1872, he began the liquor business. In 1865, Mr. Traubel built a double dwell- ing on the corner of Fourth Street and Missouri Avenue, and in 1888 built the brick business block in which his business is conducted. This is 30x100 feet and two stories in height.
In 1872, our subject had the misfortune to lose his bakery by the fire which destroyed many old landmarks, notably the toll-gate on the St. Clair County turnpike, but in 1873 he put up a brick block, Nos. 211-213 Broadway, and called it Tran- bel's Hall. This has thirty-one feet frontage, is one hundred in length and has two stories and a basement. He owns also a residence on Sixth and Missouri Avenue that has fifty feet frontage. Mr. Traubel was married here, October 15, 1859, to Miss Annsten Delht, who was born in Kur-IIessen, Germany, and six children have come to gladden their hearts. These are: Karl, Robert, Otto, Will- iam, Laura, and Anna. Mr. Traubel is well-known here, being the second oldest business man in the city, and is member of the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons and a Royal Arch Mason, at Alton, and was Treasurer of the Bine Lodge and the Chapter for ten years. Our friend is a true-blue Republican, and boldly expresses his opinions without fear or favor. He has lived through some very exiting times here, and could fill a volume with interesting reminiscences of his eventful ca- reer.
J. LINDLY. The gentleman whose honored name appears at the opening of this sketch is a representative of the men of energy, ability and enterprise who have made St. Clair County so prominent in the State. Ilis name is associated with the rise and progress of its agricul- ture, as one who has made a success of tilling the soil and of improving the stock of the county by careful breeding.
Mr. Lindly was born in Madison County, on a farm about seven miles north of Lebanon, January
20, 1831, and was the son of John and Sarah P. (Gonterman) Lindly. His father was born Feb- ruary 27, 1791, in North Carolina, where his father resided. The grandfather took part in the Revo- lutionary War, and was descended from English parents, who could point with pride to their "May- flower" ancestors. The paternal grandfather was engaged in farming, and also was a preacher in the Baptist Church, traveling about in that relation, administering to the people in Kentucky and in Illinois. He moved into Kentucky when the father of the subject of our sketch was about twelve years old, and from there into Illinois just be- fore the War of 1812. He died about the year 1840, at the age of seventy-five.
Our subject is doubly well born, for his revered mother, who still lives in beautiful old age, can trace an unbroken line back to the Puritan band that came over in the "Mayflower" and settled on the bleak New England coast. She was born Feb- ruary 24, 1799, and her life has been one of great interest. She was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Gonterman, and was born near Hopkinsville, Ky .. as her parents did not come to Illinois until she was about seventeen. They were of Duteli ances- try and came originally from New Jersey. They were old settlers of Madison County, and located four miles east of Edwardsville and lived and died at that place. Mrs. Lindly, Sr., has two living sisters: Mary, who is the widow of the lamented Julius Barnsback, a merchant of Edwardsville, who died about forty years ago; and Lucinda, who is the widow of Ross Houk, who died abont twelve years ago.
The parents of our subject were married in Mad- ison County in 1818, the father having served for three years in the War of 1812, for which service the aged widow now receives a pension. He engaged in farming after marriage and attended to his religious affairs in the Baptist connection as carefully and as conscientiously as he did every other duty in his path of life. He believed in the principles of the Republican party and was al- ways ready to uphold them to the last, he dying October 3, 1863. He had been twice married. his first wife being taken away in the first year of her married life. The children of his sece
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ond marriage were numerous, and from them have descended some of the best families of this section. William Madison lives near Pana, Ill., and married Lizzie Ann Gears; he became the father of fourteen children, ten of whom are still living. Lueinda lives seven miles north of Lebanon. in Madison County. She first married John Van Hoozer, and had two children, one of whom died in the service of his country. His name was Henry, and he belonged to the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. The other son, William, was also a member of that regiment and is still living. Lucinda married Jefferson Bergen and has four living children; Hannah lives at Alton, and married Aaron Van lloozer, who was a farmer and died in 1882; he was a Lieutenant in the late war, and left his widow with six children. Mary is living in Belle- ville. ller first husband died about thirty years ago, leaving three children. Her second husband was Hezckialı MeCoy, who is engaged in mining. She has three children by this marriage. Sarah P. was the wife of John Pyle, a farmer, and died in 1882. She left five children. Elizabeth lives with her mother and is the wife of A. W. Brasher, a merchant in this town, and has two girls. Ellen P. is single and lives with her mother. Two chil- dren died in infancy.
Our subject received a common-school education and had the advantages of a two-years course in an academy. Removing to Lebanon in 1866, he has devoted his life to carefully educating his children, to the improving of his farm and to the raising of fine stock. Mr. Lindly was married in 1853 to Miss Amanda Palmer, and four children were the result of that union. They are as fol- lows: Joseph N., married to Miss Alice Carson, is a merchant living in Lebanon and the father of one child; Madison N. is a Deputy United States Marshal, located at South McAlester, I. T., a law- yer by profession and has three living children. ('icero J., the next son of Mr. Lindly, deserves more than a passing notice, as he has become a very prominent man in his State, being Judge of the Bond County Court and President of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, of the State of Illinois. He rose to great prominence
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during the last contest for eleetion of United States Senator at Springfield, Ill., in the winter of 1891, he being the candidate of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Hle received the votes of the Republican members on the last ballot, but the final result was in favor of John M. Palmer. He married the daughter of Abraham MeNeil and has one child. The next child of our subject was his daughter Mary, who married John Taylor, a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has two children.
Mr. Lindly of our sketch was married a second time, March 7, 1873. Ilis choice was Ella II. Pierson, a native of New York, who was born April 29, 1846. Two children have been added to the family by this union, namely: Cleda and Albert. The sons of Mr. Lindy have all graduated from the schools here and from the Commercial College of St. Louis, while Cicero and Madison are also law graduates. Joseph was graduated from the School of Pharmacy in St. Louis.
Mr. Lindly has always been a Republican, but while taking great interest in the stirring events of the life of the Nation, has never consented to accept an office. He clings to the faith of his ancestors, and liberally supports the Baptist Church. His appearance is that of a strong and rugged farmer and stock-raiser, whose contented face tells of the success that has crowned his labors.
DOLPHUS NORTHI. Like many of the representative and much-esteemed citizens of St. Clair County, Ill., Mr. North is a native of the Keystone State, born in Me- Alisterville, Juniata County, November 14, 1834, and his parents, John and Jane H. (McAlister) North, were natives of the same county, the father born in 1799 and the mother in 1801. The elder Mr. North was a merchant for many years in MeAlis- terville, and was also engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He was a man noted for his honesty and uprightness, and was an ardent member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he affiliated with
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the Democratic party. His death occurred on the 17th of March, 1872, and his life companion fol- lowed him to the grave on the 14th of August, 1890, when eighty-nine years of age. They were the parents of an old-fashioned family of eleven children, who were named in the order of their births as follows: Calvin Blythe, Hugh McAlister, Thomas Elliott, Amelia Evans, Catherine, Adol- phus, Samuel Evans, Edmund Doty, Elizabeth, Jane, John Dallas and Alice.
The eldest son, Calvin Blythe, resides in Selin's Grove, Pa., and is cashier of the First National Bank there. He married Miss Annie Richter, and has one son, Hugh McAlister, who resides in Columbia, Pa., and is a prominent attorney of that city. The latter is wealthy, being worth over $500,000. He married Miss Serena MI. Franklin, of Lancaster, Pa .. and has a son and daughter. Thomas Elliott re- sides in Carbondale, Ill., and is a merchant, a mem- ber of the firm of North, Campbell & Co. Hle married Mrs. Hattie Campbell and became the father of three children. Samuel is also in Car- bondale, engaged in merchandising. He married Miss Mary Campbell and three children were born to lus union. Edmund Doty is a lawyer, and resides at Lancaster, Pa. Catherine died when a child. Elizabeth, married Dr. W. Richter, wholesale lum- ber merchant, and resides in Philadelphia. They have one son. Alice died in childhood. John D., is a farmer of Kansas. Amelia was the wife of Robert Thompson, and died when about twenty- six years of age. The paternal grandfather of these children was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania.
The boyhood of our subject was passed at Me- Alisterville and he received a rather limited educa- tion there, experience having been his teacher for the most part. The arduous duties of the farm occupied his attention until twenty-two years of age, but at the age of seventeen he had begun learn- ing the blacksmith trade, and continued this in con- nection with agricultural pursuits until the former age. He then branched out for himself as travel- ing agent for F. M. Swyer & Co .. of Belleville, his business being to collect money for the firm. He was thus engaged for four years. At the breaking out of the war, he returned to Belleville, and on
the 4th of April, 1861, he was married to Miss Paulina Bradsby, daughter of James W. Bradsby, and a native of Lebanon Township. The follow- ing children have been born to this union: Alice, who died in childhood; James Calvin. Minnie M., Jo'in Edwin, one who died in infancy, Samuel Dal- las, and Henry D., who also died in infancy. The eldest child is single and at home; Minnie M. mar- ried Louis Reinhardt, a merchant, and has one child; John E., single, at home; and Samuel D., also at home.
Mrs. North, a lady of much refinement and cul- ture, died in January, 1880, when about forty-four years of age. Mr. North's second marriage oc- curred on the 17th of November, 1880, to Miss Laura Louisa Swyer. a native of Belleville. Iler parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. North has resided on his present farm since his first marriage. and has a tract of three hundred and thirty-four acres, all well cultivated and well improved. Ile has been School Director of his township and has also been Trustee of his township. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has gone through all the chairs of the lodge. In his religious views, he is a Presby- terian.
H
P TILLIP ADAM GAUCH. Among the prom- inent agrienlturists who were born across the seas and who have brought to this country those characteristics which make them successful here, is the subject of this sketch, who resides on section 10. Smithton Township. He was born in Berne. Germany, May 18. 1829, and came to America with his parents. His father was Christian Gauch. also a native of Germany. When the family first came to this country they located in New York City for the first winter.
Mr. Gauch and family then removed to Nor- wich, Conn., but that place did not seem enough like home to induce them to remain, and they went on to Allegheny City. Pa., from there to Belle- ville Ill., and finally to St. Louis, where the father
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settled on land about three-quarters of a mile from Douglas, and there remained for a year. At that time he was looking for a place for a permanent home and found it in the land which our subject now owns. Here the family moved and the father finally died. Ile had a family of eight children, only four of them now living.
Our subject was about twelve years old when the father located on this place. He worked with his parents until manhood, and in due time thought of a home of his own. In pursuance of this idea, he was married to Miss Anna Mary Bren- ner, the daughter of George Brenner, an early set- tler here. After their marriage, the young couple made this their home, but on the 15th of December. 1891, the wife died. Iler birth occurred in Ger- many in 1848, and she had lived in this country since her ninth year.
The farm of our subject contains one hundred acres of highly improved land, on which he raises both grain and stock. He carries on a system of general farming, which he has learned the secret of making very profitable. Mr. Gauch is nicely located, his brick house and neat barn and out- buildings reflecting great credit upon his taste. lle raises a great many apples on this place and never has any difficulty in disposing of them. Mr. Gauch obtained a better education than many far- mer boys and is a very intelligent man. lle is a member of the Evangelical Church and is highly regarded in this connection. Politically, he is and has always been a Republican, and is a man who stands well with every class in his neighbor- hood.
E DWARD D. STOOKEY, Deputy Recorder for St. Clair County, is a man who dis- proves the statement that a prominent man never has a prominent son, as both he and his father have figured conspicuously in the history of this county. The latter, Maj. Aaron Stookey, son of Daniel Stookey was born September 21. 1808, and was educated in a private school on his
father's farm. which occupied the present site of Belleville.
Aaron Stookey continued to reside on this farm, and served as one of the early militia- men during the Black Hawk War, being a Major. After the elose of that war, he returned to the farm and married Miss Margaret Miller, also a na- tive of this county, born in June, 1809, a daughter of one of the oldest pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Stook- ey lived on the farm and reared a family of six children : Albert, who died in the army, a member of Company E. Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry; Vincent engaged in hardware trade at Pinckneyville, Ill .; Caroline, who was born, educated and died in this county; William, owner of a large stock ranch in Dawson County, Neb .; Lewis, a farmer of St. Clair Township; and our subject, the youngest of the family. The father, Aaron, lived on the farm taken up by his father, and our subject still owns part of the original homestead, it never having been out of the Stookey family. The revered father died some years ago, January 18, 1878, but his wife survived him until January 18. 1892, when she too joined the unseen throng.
Edward, our subject, received his education in the public schools of Belleville and at St. Louis in a widely-known commercial college. After com- pleting a course at the last-named institution, he taught school for twelve years in this county, until 1888, when he was appointed to his present posi- tion by Mr. Lill, which office he has filled efficiently, giving the most perfect satisfaction. In addition to his other duties, Mr. Stookey deals somewhat in East St. Louis real estate, which demands his at- tention and presence in that city to a great extent. In April, 1880, he decided that it is not good for man to live alone, so he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Clementine Coop, of Waterloo, Ill., daughter of Thomas Coop, one of the first settlers of Monroe County, having emi- grated there when only a boy in 1818, and becom- ing a prominent farmer of that section. Mrs. Stookey was born September 18, 1857, and is a graduate of St. Joseph's Convent at Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Stookey are the happy parents of five children, Albert, Mary, Chester, Elmer and Cle- mentine, and are very prominent members of St.
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Luke's Catholic Church. Mr. Stookey is identified with the C. K. of I. W. C. U., and is Trustee of Schools for St. Clair and Belleville. Thus briefly have we endeavored to ontline the life of one of Belleville's most prominent and influential citi- zens.
OHN GRIFFIN resides on section 25, Free- burg Township, where he has a fine farm of two hundred and nineteen acres. ITis prominence among the citizens of St. Clair County is the result of his straightforward deal- ings with all, as well as the enterprise he displays in the management of his affairs. He is well known, for he has spent his entire life in this county, and has ever maintained a deep interest in its progress. His father, Abraham Griffin, was also a native of Illinois, and resided where our subject now makes his home.
The birth of our subject took place July 3, 1837, in New Athens Township, on Grumm IIill, where he was reared and educated in the district schools. After the death of his father, which occurred when he was a child, he was taken into the home of his uncle, John Griffin, after whom he was named. He was heir to $800 from the estate of his father, and upon receiving it. when he hecame of age, he went to school during one winter in Mascoutah. He then worked out for a year, and carefully economized his earnings in order that he might establish a home of his own.
The marriage of Mr. Griffin united him with Miss Mary, the daughter of Edward McCaren, for whom he had been farming. After his marriage, our subject remained with his father-in-law for three years, and then bought a part of his grand- father's place for $1,500, paying for the land as he was able. A man of excellent judgment. he was wise in his investments, and gained a competeney thereby. He bought eighty acres of land where Henry Berte now lives, and after cultivating it for a year, sold it to Charles Molocli at an advance of $1,300. He then hought from Nathan Land a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Freeburg Town- ship, and a year after purchasing the place he was able to sell it at an advance of $1,300, the buyers being Messrs. Cooley and Etling. He then bought from Blaney Pitts the place where he now lives, and about three years afterward located upon it.
After the death of his first wife, our subject married Ellen C., the daughter of William Wilder- man, who was an early resident of this county. Mr. Griffin has had a family of five children, of whom but one remains. The children of his first union, Cynthia and Edward (the latter a physician of Jackson County), are both deceased. John, born of his second marriage, is also deceased. Arthur is -- the only son now living.
The farm of Mr. Griffin shows care and attention, and proves him to be a good farmer. He raises grain principally, and understands the soil, so that his crops are never a failure. Politically, he believes in the doctrines of free trade as held by the Democratic party, and is never back ward in showing his faith in the tenets of that party. Ile has taken a great interest in educational mat- ters, has been called upon to assume the im- portant office of School Trustee, and has served his distriet as School Director for nine years. Mr. Gritlin has been a very hard worker, and his fine farm and comfortable buildings prove his industry. ITe has made all of the improvements on the place. there having been nothing here but a barn and an old well when he came.
G EORGE and PETER KANZLER. Well-di- rected energy and honorable dealings al- ways tell in business as in everything else. Kanzler Bros, have conducted a very prosperous business since 1880, and during the whole time that has elapsed their trade has advanced by , rapid strides, until to-day they are enjoying per- haps the largest trade in the city. It may natur- allly be asked, what has contributed most to so great a success? Everything connected with their business and their manner of conducting it has
RESIDENCE OF JOHN GRIFFIN, SEC.25, FREEBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
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each and all contributed to this result. They have their quarters at Nos. 327 and 329 North Illinois Street, Belleville, where they cater to a medium and fine trade, and are always abreast of the times. They have a large double store and carry a large line of staple and faney drygoods and groceries.
Peter Kanzler was born in Belleville, Ill., on the Ist of February, 1850, to the marriage of Charles F. and Johannah (Rudolph) Kanzler, natives of Germany. The parents were reared in their na- tive country, and were there married. After the birth of two children, or in 1848, they sailed for America, and in the same year located in Belleville, Ill. The father had followed the trade of a shoemaker in his native country, and he con- tinned this after reaching Belleville. Hle went still farther and opened a shoe store, which he carried on with much success until his death, in January, 1869. Like the majority of his conn- trymen, he was industrious and persevering, and these characteristics brought him in substantial results. Ile left a widow and two sons, George and Peter.
The education of the latter was received in the schools of Belleville, and, as he had inherited the thrift and energy of his father, he began clerking as soon as he left the schoolroom. He was first with J. W. Koska, later with Burchard & Drees, then with West & Fuchs, and finally with II. Deidesheimer, with whom he remained for a period of eight years. About this time, he had acenmulated considerable means and a strong de- sire took possession of him to embark in business for himself in the firm of Kohl, Lind & Kanzler, dealers in drygoods and groceries. This partner- ship lasted for three years and then onr subject opened a small grocery store for himself at his present location. This was in 1879, and after continuing this successfully for one year his brother George became a partner under the firm name of Peter Kanzler & Bro.
During the year 1885, Peter Kanzler sold out and went to Europe, where he remained some time, but upon his return he resumed his former business under the firm name of Kanzler Bros. They have carried on business under that title
since, and are meeting with success. Their store is 50x70 feet, is well filled with a full and eom- plete stock, and is located four blocks north of the court house. From a small beginning they gradually increased their business until now they have a fine large stock in each line.
Mr. Kanzler chose his bride in the person of Miss Ida Amanda Beyer, of Belleville, Ill., and their marriage was solemnized on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1878. She is a daughter of Simon B. Beyer. Mr. and Mrs. Kanzler are the parents of three in- teresting little children: Johanna C., Charles Fred- erick and Arthur llenry. Mr. and Mrs. Kanzler are members of St. Paul's Free Protestant Church.
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