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 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
The marriage of Dr. Stookey took place October 22, 1867, with Miss Louise Brumbaugh, the daugh- ter of Simon K. Brumbaugh, who died July 14, 1892, in Blair County, Pa., having been born in 1806 in Hagerstown, Md. On September 27, 1891, he celebrated his golden wedding. Mrs. Stook- ey was born October 26, 1845. in Woodbury, Bedford County, Pa. There have been five chil- dren added to the household of Dr. and Mrs. Stookey, three of whom are hving: Lyman B., Adele and Byron L. P. Nettie May and Bayard are dead. Dr. Stookey is a man of prominence in the Masonic fraternity, a member of Lodge No. 27 and Past Grand of the Pride of the West Lodge, 1. O. O. F., being one of its charter members. The Doctor belongs to the Baptist denomination, but Mrs. Stookey was reared a Lutheran. both being valued members in their respective churches. The Stookey residence is at No. 16 South High Street,
120
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and the office, with drug store attached, at No. 14. The family are highly connected in this neighbor- hood, and are most affectionately regarded in the community.
S AMUEL CLARK is a prominent and representative farmer of St. Clair County, now making his home on section 23, shiloh Valley Township. He was born September 25, 1823, in Robinson County, Tenn, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth D. (Miller) Clark. The former was born near Richmond. Chesterfield County, Va., and his wife was a native of the same State, her birth having occurred in Lancaster County. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jesse Clark, was also born in the Old Dominion. The father grew to manhood on a farm, and, con- sidering that schools at that early day were very scarce and poorly conducted, the education which he received was very fair. Ile further studied until he became very well informed and was con- sidered a most intelligent man. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, but was never in a battle. serving most of his time as one of the guardians of a fort. Ils father gave him a farm when quite young, but he was not content to settle down to agricultural pursuits, therefore for a great many years he engaged in teaching school. When about twenty years of age he was married, his wife being but seventeen. He removed to Tennessee, but all of his children, with the exception of our subject and one sister, were born in Virginia. Ilis family consisted of eight children, all of whom lived to reach their majority: JJesse M. has now passed away; Mildred, deceased, was the wife of Rev. Larkin Crutcher; Julia, the wife of James Park, is also deceased; Elizabeth, who married William Cox, has since passed away; Charles M .: Rhoda, deceased. was the wife of William Madox; Samuel, the subject of this sketch; and Maria J., who is the wife of Bernard Strumberg,
On going to Tennessee, Charles Clark made a settlement in the wilderness and there cleared and
developed a farm. In 1830, with the younger members of his family, he removed to Illinois, set- tling first in St. Clair County, where he took up forty aeres of land. There he resided for some years, and then located in Madison County, where he cultivated a farm until the time of his death in 1843. lle was a member of the Baptist Church and was highly esteemed for his noble life and Christian character. Politically, he was an advocate of the Democracy.
l'ntil the death of his father Samuel Clark remained with his parents, assisting in the cultiva- tion of the home farm. His early days having been passed in the wilderness far from schools, he received no educational advantages, but has become an intelligent and well-informed man through his own study, reading and observation. For some years he carried on the home farm for his mother, who relied on him to attend to her business and farming interests. In 1849, during the California gold fever, in company with six companions he crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking just six months to make the journey. He located on Feather River, Cal., where for two years and a half he mined quite successfully. lle then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing at New Orleans. From San Francisco he took passage in a sailing- vessel and was sixty days on the bosom of the Pa- cifie. Ile then returned to Illinois, coming up the Mississippi River, and purchased the farm where he now lives with the earnings of his Western trip. Ile first purchased eighty acres, but now owns one hundred and ten acres in this county and one hun- dred and seventy acres in Missouri. All of this is well improved and valuable property.
In the year 1852, Mr. Clark was married to Sarah Ellen Henderlight, a daughter of William and Lucy Henderlight. By this marriage two chil- dren were born, of whom the younger is now de- ceased. The elder, James, is now in Colorado, where for several years he has been engaged in mining in the Rocky Mountains. After the death of his first wife, our subject was again married, Sophronia Merrill being the lady of his choice. She is a daughter of Sylvester and Susan ( Varner) Mer- rill. To our worthy subject and his wife the fol- Jowing children were born; Sylvester JĮ .; Susan E.,
Paul b ange
423
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
who is the wife of Thomas Kerr; Samuel D .; Alfred S .; Catherine E .; Jesse Frederick and Anna M. Mr. Clark is a member of the Baptist Church at Oak JIill, and takes an active interest in its work. Ile is a supporter of the Republican party, whose cause he does all in his power to forward. He is well known throughout this county and section, where he has lived for forty years, and may well be ac- counted one of the earliest settlers and pioneers of this section. He has witnessed much of the phe- nomenal growth of the State and county, in whose development he has very materially assisted.
RS. DORA CANGE. The most imperisha- ble monuments erected to commemorate the virtues of friends who have been re- moved from earth are not those built of cold marble or granite, but are to be found in the memories and affection of the bereaved ones. In the present instance, the lady whose name appears at the opening of this sketch has cheerfully given us a few of the leading events in a life which, al- though now ended. is not forgotten.
Paul Cange was born in Natchez, Miss., Febru- ary 27, 1837, and was the son of French parents. His mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Tribout, came to America about 1833, and is still living. The first wife of Mr. Cange bore the maiden name of Louisa Marniella, and died about twenty-five years ago, leaving the following chil- dren: Paul, Louis and Joseph. Paul, who is a farmer, married Miss Lina Brickler, and they have four children; Louis is unmarried, and lives near Galveston, Tex .; and Joseph, who married Lizzie Ramsager, is engaged in agricultural pursuits at Wetaug, Pulaski County, this State.
The second wife of Mr. Cange bore the maiden name of Louisa Chivoron, and died in July, 1873, leaving the following children: Charles, whose home is in St. Clair County; Victor, residing in Pulaski County; Edward and Frank, who live with their grandmother near Belleville; and August, also a resident of St. Clair County.
The subject of this biographical notice was born February 11, 1858, the daughter of Edward and Minnie Twele. She was brought to America by her parents when only eight years old, and came to Belleville two years ago. Iler father moved to St. Louis, where he still resides. Her mother died in 1868. Our subject is the only surviving child among four, and is a lady of education and culture. October 9, 1877, she was united in marriage with Mr. Cange, and unto them were born six children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are at home with their mother and are Minnie, William, Jule, Adolph and Louisa.
The death of Mr. Cange, which occurred August 14, 1891, was the result of a sad accident. Ile was run over by a train on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and thus suddenly was terminated the life of one of St. Clair County's most highly- respected men-a good son, a loving husband and father. Mr. Cange was the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is embellished with a substantial set of farm build- ings, and contains all the improvements necessary to modern agriculture. In the fall of 1892, Mrs. C'ange moved to Belleville, where she now resides, the farm having been sold and the money divided among the heirs. In her home she was ever a devoted wife, and is a wise and careful mother. Of a kind and charitable disposition, her benefac- tions are numerous and cheerfully bestowed.
R EV. HENRY MEYER. The divine command, "Gio ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," has for more than eighteen hundred years been accepted by a few who felt that the words were spoken for him and must be obeyed. The subject of this sketch felt the personal application of them and since his ordination in 1863 he has never swerved from the path pointed out to him. He is now the pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Church in East St. Louis,
The father of our subject was Christian Meyer,
20
424
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
who was born in Ovenstedt, near Minden, Ger- many, where he had a farm which he left to come to the new. free country over the ocean. In 1854, he accomplished this, but lived ouly a short time to enjoy his new surroundings, as he died in the same year, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. The mother of our subject, Louisa Meyer, was born in the same place as was her husband and bore the same family name, although no relation to him. She died in 1854, in Ft. Wayne, leaving nine children.
Mr. Meyer, our subject, received a good eduea- tion in the excellent German schools and was fif- teen when he came to America, making the trip by way of Bremen, where he took a sailing-vessel the "Wieland," bound for New York. After a pass- age of thirty days he landed there, and came on to Ft. Wayne, where his father bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres. After the death of his parents it became necessary for him to put his shoulder to the wheel in earnest. He kept the children on the farm for some years, stifling his desire to study for the ministry. However, in 1857, he was able to attend Concordia College, at Ft. Wayne, and in 1861, he graduated from there, after which he went to Concordia College at St. Louis, graduated from that well-known seat of learning in 1863, and was ordained that fall as a minister in the Lutheran Church. He entered on a pastorate at Hermansburg, in St. Louis County, and later at Litchfield, IH., where he remained for about three years. He was enabled to build a church there and was the organizer of the first congrega- tion and was the first pastor.
In 1871, he came to East St. Louis, and took charge of the membership here, which only in- cluded about thirty families. This mission had been started in 1865 by Rev. Mr. Burfiend. The first serviees were held in the oll building now used for a parochial school. In 1889, the present edi- fice, called St. Peter's, was erected, and is a large brick building on Eighth Street. The congrega- tion has now increased to over one hundred fami- lies and the school has eighty pupils. The rever- end gentleman has done a noble work here and re- ceives the love and gratitude of his flock.
Mr. Meyer was married in St, Louis County to
Miss Mary Faulstich, who was a native of St. Louis County, and nine children have been born to them. Frederick is a clerk in East St. Louis; Louisa, Dora, Minnie, Annie, Mary, Emma and Adela are at home: Matilda is deceased. The gentleman of this notice is a truly good man and has the confidence of the citizens, irrespective of church affiliations; he is also a scholarly man and has a very fine library, containing some rare books, one of which is a Bible published in 1686. Mr. Meyer is very pleasant and affable and his knowl- edge of German literature is wonderful.
ENRY R. WIIFTE. The subject of this sketch, residing on section 1, Millstadt Township, St. Clair County, Ill., was born in Jackson County, Ga., in August, 1811, and came to the State of Illinois with his parents in 1814, where the brother of his father had prev- iously purchased land. They settled in Washing- ton County and there our subjeet grew to manhood, surrounded by the hardships and vicissitudes of a life of toil in a new country. His opportunities for education were extremely limited, but at man- hood very naturally his desire was for a home of his own. In this desire he was seconded by Miss Miranda Lacy, who was born on the place where our subjeet now makes his home. The marriage took place March 2, 1837, and after this event our subject bought a farm in Washington County, between Riebview and Ashley, remaining there nine years, when he sold that to come to his present place of residence. Mr. White has always followed agricultural pursuits, but, like Cincinna- tus, left his plow to become a soldier, and volun- teered in the Black Hawk War. Peace, however, was declared before he reached the scene of strife.
Mr. and Mrs. White have been blessed with a family of seven children, six of whom are now living. The one hundred and ninety aeres of fine land which our subjeet owns he does not farm, but rents out and enjoys the income. The place is in a fine state of cultivation and Mr. White can look
425
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
at it with pride and take pleasure in the improve. ments, all of them made by himself, only twenty- five acres having been cleared when he came upon the place. For Mr. White there is no party but the Republican party, and as long strength of mind and body is vouchsafed him will cast his vote for that party, because in it he sees the true principles of good government. For his upright- ness of character, our subject often would have been chosen as the occupant of some official posi- tion, but had no ambition in that direction.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is the religious denomination to which our subject belongs and with him his two daughters join. In this body they are regarded as very highly respected members and are truly good people. In his long life in this county, Mr. White has seen many changes, and remembers well when the flourishing city of Belleville was little more than an Indian village. Seventy-five years of life in one neigh- borhood must cause strong affection to grow and cling, and how familiar all the old landmarks must be to a man of Mr. White's years! Of such a quiet, unostentatious life, yet so just and upright, the biographer would like to make a more extended record, for in these days of hurry it serves a good purpose to view the contentment which a life of retirement can bestow, when it follows long years of true manhood; but space is limited. It only remains to say Mr. White is one who has never hid his light under a bushel, nor dissembled, but has always appeared before the world in his true character, honest in conviction, true to duty, faith- ful in the right.
h UGHI MACKEY WILSON, Justice of the Peace and Police Justice of East St. Louis, Ill., was born in Rockbridge County, Va., fourteen miles from the noted Natural Bridge, on the 25th of August, 1852. His father, Ilugh, and his grandfather, William, were also born there, and both were extensive planters. The latter died in 1863, at the age of eighty-seven
years, his wife having been a member of the cele- brated Mackey family of Virginia. Hugh Wilson, Sr., sold his Virginia plantation in 1858, and lo- cated in Miami County. Ohio, where he became the owner of a tract of land comprising three hundred and twenty acres, which at the time of his death in 1882, at the age of sixty-eight years, was a finely cultivated and valuable farm. He was a Democrat throughout life, and for many years was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Mary A. Robison, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a daughter of Joseph Robison, a native of the Isle of Erin, his birth occurring near Londonderry. After a short residence in Nova Scotia, the latter re- moved to Rockbridge County, Va., where he be- came a wealthy planter. He also owned a large tract of land near Little Rock, Ark., and just be- fore his death rode on horseback all the way from his home to that place to dispose of this property. After reaching the place he wrote a letter home saying that he had sold the land for cash. Ile kept the money in his saddle-bags, and, as he was never afterward heard from, it is supposed that he was murdered and robbed. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812. In religious views he was a Presbyterian, being descended from Scotch an- cestry. The widow of Hugh Wilson, Sr., resides in Troy, Ohio.
Ilugh Mackey Wilson is one of three surviving members of a family of nine children, the other two members being John, who is a farmer of Miami County, Ohio; and Frank, a grocer of Troy, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was taken to Ohio when a lad of six years, was reared on a farm in that State, and was educated in the Iligh School of Troy. In 1870, he went to Rockbridge County, Va., to make his home with his Uncle Robert, and there, after a time, engaged in teaching school, making a specialty of penmanship and book-keep- ing, which he taught in different colleges of Virginia. Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois; lle was very successful in this line of work, but finally became a book-keeper for Wolworth & Cowell, of Columbus, Ky., the largest manufac- turers of whip handles and stocks in the world. He remained there live years, but the school fa- cilities were very poor, and as he wished to give
426
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his children good educational advantages, he re- moved from there, and in 1887 became a resident of East St. Louis, IN. While in Kentucky, he or- ganized the first Building and Loan Association, which became a very prosperous organization be- fore he left the place, and also opened two or three societies, becoming Secretary of all of them. Af- ter becoming a citizen of East St. Louis, he en- gaged in the retail paint and glass business, and did considerable painting and decorating, which he found a profitable business.
Ile continued to pursue this calling until No- vember 16, 1890, when he was burned out, after which he turned his attention to the real-estate business. in partnership with James K. Ewing, the firm being known as Ewing & Wilson, and until elected to the position of Justice of the Peace, April 5. 1891, he was a successful real-estate, loan and insurance agent. Ilis office is located at No. 110 North Main Street, and the duties of his po- sition keep him very busy, there often being twenty-nine cases a day on the docket. He is a Democrat politically, is a Presbyterian in his re- ligious views, and socially belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He was married in St. Mary's, Ohio, October 18, 1877, to Miss Ida Hapson, who was born and reared there, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Charles, Leah and Harry.
OSEPH HYACINTH GERMAIN. The sub- jeet of the following lines resides on the northeast quarter of section 9. Smithton Township. His father. Hyacinth Germain. was a native of Lorraine, France, born April 19, 1819, and emigrated to America in 1832, settling near French Village. in St. Clair County, where he bought land. Here he was married, August 22, 1843. to Miss Anna Maria, the daughter of Philip Gundlach, one of the early settlers of this county, who came here in 1842. After his marriage, he located on section 10, Smithton Township, where he bought two hundred acres of land at $12 per
acre. Ile kept on increasing his property until he owned three hundred and seventy acres of land, and was considered one of the wealthiest men in the county at that time,
Hyacinth and Anna Maria Germain were the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to years of maturity, and two are still living: our subject and Nicholas, who is a farmer in this township. The deceased are Elizabeth Scheer, who died in Missouri in 1888; Mary S., Mary Magdalena, Rosa, Katherine Agnes, and Jacob, all of whom died at home; and Anna Margaretta, who died at Colorado Springs, Colo., April 17, 1892. The father of this family was an excellent man and a public-spirited citizen. He was a mein- ber of the Roman Catholic Church, which he served as Trustee. In educational matters, he was much interested and filled the position of School Director for some time. The brother of our subject's father was one of those who made the trip to California in 1849, during the great gold excitement. The mother of our subject still lives and is tenderly cared for by her son Joseph, with whom she re- sides.
The gentleman of whom we write was born No- vember 16, 1852, on the old home place on section 10, Smithton Township, where he was reared. His education was acquired at St. Joseph's College and the Christian Brothers' School at St. Louis, and at Vincent College, in Westmoreland County, Pa. Thus we see that he had many superior advantages. In 1877, he took a trip to Colorado with his youngest sister, Katherine Agnes, who remained in Colorado while he took a trip into California. Later, Margaretta went out to Colorado and joined her sister, and in the spring all returned home.
September 10, 1878, our subject married Miss Mary Helena Mueller, who was the daughter of Joseph D. Mueller, a prominent farmer in this township. After marriage our subject located on the place where he now lives, on section 9, Smith- ton Township. lle and his wife had three chil- dren: John and Joseph, who were born October 8. 1891; and Mary Jane. They had an adopted son, Frederick J., now almost twenty years old. Mr. Germain was bereaved by the death of his wife, October 22, 1891, and she was buried at Wal-
RESIDENCE OF J. H. GERMAIN, SEC. 9 , SMITHTON TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
11
129
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
mut Hill Cemetery, near Belleville. She was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church and is remem- bered for her helpfulness in every good cause in her church and neighborhood.
In his religious convictions, Mr. Germain is a ('atholie and is highly esteemed for his true Chris- tian life. Ile is a Demoerat in belief, and has served as School Director, being a man well known and respected in the community. Ile is the owner of one hundred and fifty-four aeres of well-improved land, and in addition to general farming is also successfully engaged as a stock-raiser.
UGHI MILLS. In choosing a pursuit m life, taste, mental gifts, opportunity and disposition to labor should be considered, as every young man who has any ambi- tion to become a respectable and useful citizen desires to succeed therein. The business oppor- tunities in this country are great and are open to all, whether native or foreign born, and all a young man requires is to determine what his nat- ural gifts, taste and capacity will enable him to successfully grasp and prepare himself for and when thus determined, industriously persevere in his vocation, observing courteous and honor- able methods in all relations. If this is done, sue- cess, the aim and object of all, will be the reward.
A narrative of success in life affords a lesson from which others can profit. Near Cumberland, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, there was born on the 6th of April, 1835, a boy who grew up to sturdy manhood, ambitions to excel in the pur- suit of his choice. This was Hugh Mills. Ilis father, Ilon. Jonathan Mills, was a native of West- moreland County, Pa. The grandfather, Thomas Mills, was also a native of the Keystone State, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1814, when the natural advantages of what was then considered the Far West tempted him to move to the Buckeye State. Ile made the trip by team and wagon, settled in Tnscarawas County, and, entering land, passed the remainder of his days in
improving it. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, and inherited the sturdy, energetic character of his Welsh ancestors.
Hon. Jonathan Mills was reared amid rude pioneer scenes in Ohio, and, when old enough, began working on the Ohio Canal. Later, he began following the pursuit to which he had been reared, farming, and in addition was actively engaged in stock-dealing. He was interested in the building of the branch of the Ft. Wayne Railroad, the first in the county, and shipped produce over it. He was the largest stock-dealer in the county during the war, and handled an immense amount of stock. He was a very prominent horseman in the county and had some very fine animals, owning the first trotting horses in the county. In 1856 and 1857 he was elected to the Legislature, being the first Republican ever cleeted in that county. He was a very prominent politician and was one of the or- ganizers of the Repubhean party. His death occurred in 1869. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was very active in all good work. His wife, formerly Miss Sarah Downing, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Ilugh Downing, a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio when a young man. Ile served faithfully in the War of 1812, and was present at the surrender of Ilull at Detroit. Ile was a brother of Gen. Downing, and of Scotch descent. The grandfather was a farmer and dis- tiller in his native country. and died there when eighty-seven years of age. The mother of our subjeet now resides in New Cumberland, Ohio. Of the nine children born to this union, seven are living at the present time. Two brothers served in the Civil War.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.