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 51
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
After the battle of Missionary Ridge, Mr. Ro- meiser went with his regiment to East Tennessee, and in the spring of 1864 became a part of Sher- idan's command. He was a participant in the At- lanta campaign as far as New Hope Church, and was in the battle of Resaea. In June, 1864, the term of the enlistment of the regiment had ex- pired, and Mr. Romeiser returned with it to Spring- field, Ill., where he was honorably discharged on the 7th of July. In the fall of that year he en- tered a store at Columbia, Ill., where he clerked until October, 1865, when he entered a commercial college at St. Louis, Mo., and took a course in that institution. In the spring of 1866, he accepted a position as salesman in a wholesale elothing house in St. Louis, where he remained until the Ist of January, 1868, when he gave up his position to accept a situation in a commercial house of Rotter- dam, Holland. However, he longed to be back in the country whose flag he had borne in times of peril, and in 1869 he returned to the United States, and taking Greeley's advice to young men to "go West," in March of that year he found himself on a homestead on the Solomon River in Cloud County, Kan. llardly had he settled there when there was an Indian outbreak in that section, and all the settlers having families were compelled to seek safe- ty farther back. The men, mostly those without family ties, formed themselves into a militia eom- pany, which Mr. Romeiser joined, and with which he served during the summer and fall of 1869. In the spring of 1870 he went back to his elaim and commenced farming, which occupation he con- tinued with indifferent success until the spring of 1873, when he rented his land and went to St. Louis.
In June, 1873, Mr. Romeiser came to Belleville and accepted a situation with George A. Bradford, then a prominent elothier, with whom he remained until 1878. In August of that year he rented a small store, which then occupied a portion of the site of the present store building, and by Septemn- ber he was ready to open his establishment to the public. Emil Geil was then his first and only as- sistant. In 1879 Charles A. Grossart, who at that time was little more than thirteen years of age, en- tered the store. Both Mr. Geil and Mr. Grossart
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proved themselves excellent business men. As a partial acknowledgment of their faithfulness and ability they were made participants in the business when it was merged into a stoek company, in Feb- ruary, 1892, with a fully paid-up capital of $50,- 000. Mr. Romeiser became President; Emil Geil, Vice-president; and Charles A. Grossart, Secre- tary.
Taking into consideration the very conserva- tive character of Belleville, the growth of the busi- ness has been phenomenal. Within two years from its beginning, the store had to be enlarged; this in turn was soon found to be too small, and in 1883 the present store building was ereeted. Of the two floors, 43x86 feet, only the lower one was used as a salesroom at first, relegating unseasonable goods and duplicates to the second floor. But the rapidly increasing trade demanded larger assort- ments and more room for the customers, and the second floor was changed into a salesroom, and now these two very large rooms are actually insufficient to accommodate the ever-increasing trade, and from present indications it seems but a question of time when additional room must be provided.
When Mr. Romeiser entered the commercial arena in this city, in 1878. "A fair field and no fa- vor" was inseribed upon his banner, and he has ever given careful consideration to the needs of the public, and has made the large establishment over which he presides a recognized synonym for all that is popular, progressive and honest. Ilis personal character is as high as his business repute, his honorable deportment in all the affairs of life commanding the confidence and respect of all who know him. lle is a member of Hecker Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was twice elected its Commander. At the Grand Army State Encampment held at Springfield in 1892, he was elected a delegate to the National Encampment held at Washington, D. C., in September, 1892.
On the 18th of May, 1876, Mr. Romeiser married Elise Ililgard, and they are the proud parents of the following-named children: Theodore, Leonore. Emma, Petra, Edwin, Corona and Roland. In 1889, Mr. Romeiser erected an elegant residence at No. 228 Abend Street. It is a two-story brick building, containing ten rooms, improved with all -
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modern conveniences, and cost $10,000. Every- thing in his house and about the grounds shows that he possesses excellent taste and is a man of refinement and culture. His busy life has not pre- vented him from active participation in all worthy projects for the advancement of the material inter- ests of the city. llis career furni-hes one of the most notable examples of success in the commercial history of the place, and advancement has come to no one more worthy, or who has earned it more fairly than he.
OUIS GRANER, the gentleman to whom the attention of the reader is called in this short sketch, holds the important position of County Surveyor for St. Clair County, having been first elected to that office in November, 1877, and so creditably has he discharged the duties of his position that he has been re-elected continu- ously ever since. Our subject is a native of this county, having been born in St. Clair Township. February 12, 1853, being the only son of George F. and Louise (Guentz) Graner, natives of llesse- C'assel and Leipsic, Saxony, respectively.
The father, George, was born in Germany, in 1822, and there learned the occupation of civil engineer. When he emigrated to this country, in 1849, he located in Shiloh Township, this county, and entered upon the duties of surveyor. As very little of the country had been surveyed, a fine field was before him, and he laid out a large number of the farms and towns of this locality. He held the position of United States Assessor under President Lincoln and was one of the most prom- inent men of the county. In addition to his other occupations, the father of our subject gave pri- vate instruction in mathematics and continued in the discharge of his duties until death intervened, August 28. 1875. George Graner married Mrs. Guentz, who came to this country in 1848. She bore her husband but one child, our sub- jeet. By a former marriage she had one son, Henry Guentz, a Justice of the Peace in Belleville.
ller death occurred in 1880, and her loss was deeply felt by her affectionate son Louis.
Louis Graner was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood, and also studied civil engin- eering under his learned father. With such a teacher, he could not help being a good surveyor, and his first work was done on the Cairo Short Line as Assistant Surveyor. So satisfactory was it that he was given charge of the survey for the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad from Belleville to St. Louis. Much additional railroad labor, as well as practical surveying throughout the town and county, has been performed by our subject. When not engaged in railroad work, the citizens of Belleville embrace the opportunity to appoint this talented gentleman to some office where his skill will benefit the town, being City Engineer, having filled that office for some time.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Au- gusta Meyer, of Alma, Kan., occurred May 28, 1876. This charming lady was born in St. Louis, August 11, 1858, and is a daughter of August Meyer, a merchant of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Graner have been born five bright, intelligent children, as follows: George, Louisa, Emma, Au- gusta and Matilda. This family occupies an ele- gant home in Highland Addition to Belleville, sur- rounded by every modern convenience, and here this highly-respected and esteemed gentleman is to be found at all times, when the cares of his business do not compel him to be absent, m the midst of his wife and children.
ACOB SCHWAEGEL. The gentleman whose life it is our privilege to present to our readers, is one of the enterprising young farmers of Smithton Township, St. Clair County, lle is of German descent. his father, Charles Schwaegel, having been born in Ger- many, but came to America in 1845, locating in Millstadt Township, where he made his home and has since resided. He worked perseveringly and faithfully, and is now enjoying the fruits of
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that industry, being regarded as one of the sub- stantial men of the township, as well as one of the wealthiest.
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It is this township that can claim the honor of being the birthplace of our subject, for here, on March 14, 1860, a son was born to Mr. Schwaegel, Sr., who was destined to become the subject of this sketch. The name of Jacob was bestowed upon him, and here he was reared and educated, learning to manage a farm on his father's estate. In due time he was united in marriage to Miss Louise Munier, who was the daughter of Hya- cinth and Anna (Hess) Munier, natives of France, and to this union have been born three bright, interesting children: Joseph, Adolph and Otto.
In 1885 our subject located on his present farm on section 30, Smithton Township, St. Clair County, where he has a fine property, upon which is raised chiefly grain. Mr. Schwaegel is a be- hever in the doctrines and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. In political matters he is a fol- lower of the principles enunciated by Thomas Jefferson, upholding the doctrines of Democracy in every particular. lle is very industrious and enterprising, and will make his mark in the township, where he and his family are already re- garded with respect and esteem by their hosts of friends.
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ACOB KILIAN. The subject of this short sketch resides on section 8, Smithton Town- ship. St. Clair County. The father of this gentleman was John Kilian, who was born and reared in llesse-Cassel, Germany, and was there married to Miss Barbara Reinhart. Ile was a tiller of the soil in his native land, and decided to continue that calling in a section where the re- turns would be greater for the time expended.
Reaching the United States in 1845, he first located in St. Clair County, about four miles north of Belleville, but this location not being Hi-factory, he removed to the farm south of
Belleville, which has been his home ever since. Only four of his family of six children remain, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of V. Vollrath, living at Edwardsville, Ill .; Katherine, the widow of John Sutter, living in St. Louis; Conrad and Jacob, living at home. Two children died in infancy.
The birth of our subject occurred January 7, 1838, near Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and about seven years of his life had been passed when his father emigrated to this country. Jacob was educated in the district schools, and obtained a fair educa- tion for the times. In 1863, he decided to make a home for himself, and went about it by marrying Miss Sarah Merrill, the daughter of Sylvester Merrill, a native of Connecticut, who had come to St. Clair County when a young man and had set- tled at Turkey Ilill, three miles east of Belleville, where Mrs. Kilian was born and reared. She was next to the youngest of thirteen children. Her father was quite a prominent man in the county, having been School Commissioner for St. Clair County, a fine farmer and a very wealthy man.
After his marriage, Mr. Kilian located on the place where he now lives, which was bought in the year 1859, it then having no improvements on it, but he went to work with a will, and now has one of the finest places in the district. Mr. and Mrs. Kilian have five children, who have grown up to be comforts to their parents. They are Emma, wife of Henry Sensel, living in St. Louis; Walter. living near Trenton, a farmer; Susie, wife of George Hartnugel, living in St. Louis; George and Annie, who are at home.
Our subjeet's fine farm contains one hundred and seventy acres of land, all well improved, and on which are raised the best of crops, attention be- ing also paid to stock-raising. Mr. Kilian also has a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Summer- field, which is in a good state of cultivation. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he belonging to the German and she to the English branch. In his politieal belief, Mr. Kilian is a Republican, and upholds the principles of that party in every way in his power. Before closing this brief sketch of a very prominent man in his district, we may
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mention that his landed possessions amount to | and located at Guatemala, Central America, where five hundred and four acres of the tinest Illinois soil. The two hundred and fourteen aeres which he owns near Trenton are as good land as there is in that vicinity, and are occupied by his son Walter. This family is well and favorably known in this locality, its members being honest, hard-working and God-fearing people.
R U. HEIMBERGER. The name with which we head this biography needs no introduc- tion, the owner being well known in public and private life as a citizen of high repute in Fayetteville, St. Clair County. Mr. Heimberger was born in Maseoutah, this county, in the year 1838, his parents being Gustavus and Mary ( La- fontaine) leimberger. Mr. Heimberger, Sr., was born near the banks of the Rhine, at a place called Speyer, Bavaria, Germany, in 1809; the mother of our subject was born in Carlsruhe, Germany, August 29, 1818, and died November 13. 1877.
Onr subject's father was edneated in the world- famed college of ITeidelberg, Germany, and after finishing his collegiate course adopted the pro- fession of attorney. Ile was a man of distinctive traits, and soon after entering his professional career became identified with a political faction which at that time was obnoxious to the German Government, and had to flee his native land. Ile reached America in 1833, and located near Belle- ville, Ill. Here he dropped his profession and be- came an hotel-keeper at Mascoutah. When the Mexican War broke out, Mr. Heimberger, Sr., who was then in the South, enlisted in the Third Louisiana Regiment at New Orleans. Ile was se- verely wounded at Tampico, and lost the use of his left arm. Being a very highly educated man and master of seven languages, he was appointed Spanish interpreter for Gen. Shields during the remainder of the war. In 1849, after the close of the Mexican War, he went to Cali- fornia and was engaged in mining, but not being successful in this line, he departed from California
he was engaged in trading and boating. From this last-mentioned place we trace him to Valpa- raiso, Chile, and from Valparaiso to Brazil, where he was engaged as a foreman in a diamond mine for several years. llis next location was Cuba, where he was known as a tobacco exporter. From Cuba he went to New Orleans, but left that city in 1855 because his political views did not co- incide with those held by the people of the Cres- cent City, as he was an anti-slavery man.
Although our subject's father was engaged in many different kinds of business, he was never a financial success. Ile was a well-known newspaper correspondent for many leading newspapers dur- ing his travels, and was a man of marked natural ability. Ile departed this life on the old Hilgard farm, near Belleville, in the year 1857. The mother of our subjeet was one who was very mneh respeeted in this community on account of her amiable disposition and the keen management which she displayed in her home affairs, and dur- ing her husband's wanderings it was her abil- ity which kept the family together. She departed this life in the year 1882.
The subject of our sketch began life on his own responsibilities at the age of twelve years. Ile obtained his first employment from his grand- father, who then owned a drug-store at Mascoutah. Ilis next position was that of a elerk in a general merchandise store at Belleville, and from there he went to learn the trade of a watchmaker. After learning his trade, the firm with whom he was em- ployed broke up -in business, and he went to St. Louis, where he became engaged as a gunsmith. Ile remained at this last work but a short time and returned again to Belleville, where he took a position as clerk in a store.
In 1861, our subject enlisted in Companies E and F, Ninth Illinois Infantry, under Grant and Sherman. During the war, he took part in sixty- three engagements, the most important of which were Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing. Corinth and Atlanta. At Corinth, he received a sunstroke. wlneh necessitated his going to the hospital for a few weeks. He had the distinguished honor of being color-bearer for his regiment three years
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and never received a wound or was taken pris- oner. He received his discharge from the army on the 28th of August, 1864, at Springfield, IN.
After returning home from the war, our sub- ject became engaged as a clerk in Belleville. Ile served various firms in this capacity, and for sev- eral years was known in the community as one of the most popular men engaged in this pursuit. November 8, 1866, formed a new era in his life, as on that date he married Miss Anna Hermann, daughter of Joseph and Anna Ilermann. The re- sult of this union has been four children, who are Emma, wife of Ilenry Voskamp; Anna, Gus- tavus and Herman.
Mr. Heimberger believes that the best American citizen is he whose possibilities of a good educa- tion are not limited, and, with that end in view, has liberally educated his family both in the Ger- man and English branches. Ile is a staneh Re- publiean, and is a member of Heeker Post No. 443. G. A. R., at Belleville. He was for many years a member of St. Clair Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M., of Belleville.
In the year 1880, Mr. Heimberger located at Fayetteville and opened an office as real-estate agent and Notary Public. He also represents one of the foremost and best-known fire insurance companies in the West, and during the past twelve years has built up a large and lucrative business in these lines. He is respected as a citizen and solid business man of Fayetteville, and is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability.
OSEPH EDWIN MILLER. One of the best, most intelligent and seientific farmers of St. Clair Township is the gentleman whose sketch is now under consideration. llis home farm comprises one hundred and sey- enty-two acres of fine land and is situated on see- tion 32. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Peter Miller, who served under Napoleon Bonaparte from 1793 to 1800, and was a member of the Old Guard, the reply of whose Sergeant,
Cambronne, at Waterloo, "The Old Guard dies but never surrenders," has gone the rounds of the workl.
Our subject was born June 8, 1842. two miles east of Belleville. His father, Michael Miller, was a native of Herbitzheim, Alsace, then in Franee, and was born December 31, 1811, and died July 16, 1883. Ilis mother was Christena Karlskind, born in Langdorf, Lorraine, also then in France. Sep- tember 12, 1813. She was one of a family of two sons and seven daughters, of whom Mrs. Cather- ine Kupferle, now a resident of St. Louis, is the only survivor. Her father, Sebastian Karlskind, served in the wars of Napoleon, and was seri- ously wounded at Austerlitz; her mother died in France. In 1832, her father came with the chil- dren to America, and landed in New Orleans, where he remained until 1838; he then came to St. Clair County, and settled on a farm about three miles northwest of Belleville, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying October 5, 1890, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, a well-known and respected citizen of the county.
Our subjeet's father was fifteen years of age when his parents came to America, bringing the little family with them. They landed in New York July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, on which day two signers of that immortal document, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, passed out of life. The family of Mr. Miller settled in Lewis County, N. Y., then a new county. After remaining there a short time, they removed to Cincinnati, thence, in 1831, to New Orleans, where Peter Miller died. In 1833, the father of our subjeet came to Illinois, and settled on eighty acres of land on Ridge Prai- rie. In 1834, he went to New Orleans, but re- turned in 1837, and purchased a tract of land on which he resided permanently. In 1838, he was married to Miss Christena Karlskind, and six chil- dren were the fruits of this union: Lena, wife of N. J. Biebel (see sketch); Peter, who lives on Turkey Ilill, two miles east of Belleville, mar- ried Barbara Pairot, has two children and is a farmer. The other brothers and sisters are, D. F., who lives three miles east of Belleville; William J., of Turkey Ilill; and Mary, Mrs. Henry Eekart.
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Our subject was the the third child of the fam- ily, and grew up on the farm, always taking a deep interest in it; he received a good common-school education and then attended the Christian Brothers' College, in St. Louis, for three years, or until he was eighteen; he then attended a commercial school in Belleville, returned to the farm, and in 1866 took a pleasure trip to California, remaining away one year. The marriage of our subject took place June 9, 1870, with Miss Eva C. Ammel, daughter of Martin and Frances Ammel, who was born June 15, 1851, and died February 24, 1880. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, three of whom have passed away. The living ones are as follows: Matilda, aged eighteen; Luretta, aged sixteen; and Clementine, aged fourteen. May 17, 1881, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Josephine Glad, daugh- ter of Eugene and Catherine Glad. Six children have come into the household since that time, and they are known by the following pretty names: Ida Eva, Angenette, Lena, J. Edwin, Albert Eu- gene and Lee Warren.
Mr. Miller has for years been very prominently before the public as an advanced agriculturist and stock-raiser, having devoted his efforts in the latter business to the importing and breeding of pure-blooded Holstein cattle, of which he now has one hundred head on his place. In addition to his home place, our subject has seventy acres in section 6, and all of his land is cultivated in the most improved and scientific manner. He has served as a member of the United States Grand Jury and on the grand and petit juries of the county, has filled the office of Township Super- visor for two terms, and has been both llighway Commissioner and School Director. He is at pres- ent President of the Southern Illinois Dairy Asso- ciation, and has served as Director of the St. Clair County Fair, is President of the St. Clair County Farmers' Club, and Master of the St. Clair County Grange, and holds the position of Lec- turer of the Turkey Hill Grange. He is a fre- quent and valued contributor to the best stock and agricultural journals of the day, and is a graceful and convincing writer.
The personal appearance of our subject empha- sizes his known character, Ins thoughtful counten-
ance and deliberate manner telling of mental ac- quirements. Ile is a Democrat in his polit- ical opinions, and a great admirer of Grover Cleveland, and regards Napoleon and Cleveland as the two great men of modern times. In one he admires the military genius, and in the other his statesmanship and lofty ideas of what should con- stitute the political life of a republic.
OIN S. WILDERMAN. The subject of this sketch resides on section 19, Freeburg Township, St. Clair County, Ill. Ile was the son of Joseph Wilderman, who was the son of George Wilderman, one of the first settlers of the county. Joseph Wilderman was born in Penn- sylvania, came to this county about 1805, and first located where James Wilderman now lives, in Freeburg Township. His wife was Mary Margaret Stuntz, whose father was also one of the carly set- tlers, having come here as early as Joseph Wil- derman.
Joseph Wilderman lived and died on the place which he had entered from the Government. Ile left the following children: George, Lovina, Virginia, Nancy, Edward, May, Eleanor, Joseph, Josephine, John and Jerome. Of these five are still living, and these are: Joseph, John; Mary, wife of Nathan Fitz, of Kansas; Eleanor, the wife of Mark Ward, a farmer of Kansas; and Josephine, wife of Charles Hertel, of Freeburg, Ill. Joseph Wilderman was a successful farmer and a good man. llis death occurred July 16, 1871.
Our subject was born December 4, 1834, at the old homestead place in Freeburg Township, where he was reared. lle was married in 1857, to Miss Christy Ann Hill, daughter of Joseph Ilill, who was born on the farm where the Green Mount C'eme- tery now is located in Belleville. The grandfather of Mrs. Wilderman was Peter Ilill, one of the first settlers of this county. She was reared in Smith- ton Township.
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