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 52
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After his marriage, Mr. Wilderman, of this sketch, first located in Smithton Township on sec-
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tion 14, where he lived for twelve years, when he removed, in the fall of 1870, to where he has resided ever since. Our subject has had but one child, Joseph, who married Miss Matilda, daughter of Jacob Gauch, of Smithton Township, who lives on the farm with his father. There are two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred of which are where he now lives. Ile has all the land under good cultivation and raises great crops of grain.
Mr. Wilderman is a member of the Baptist Church, is one of the strongest pillars, assisting it with heart and soul, and is a Trustee in the church in Freeburg. Politically, he is a Democrat and believes firmly in the tenets of that party. He has been one of the Trustees of the School Board and has long been one of the Directors of the district school. Mr. Wilderman belongs to a well-known and representative family in the county and one of whom the people invariably bear good testi- mony.
OHN HENRY BESTE. This successful far- mer resides on section 26, Freeburg Town- ship. Ile was born in the province of West- phalia, Germany, August 16, 1823, and there was reared to manhood. In 1852, he came to the United States and located in Fayetteville, Ill., where he worked two years in a sawmill and about one year on a farm. His marriage occurred in 1854, when he wedded Miss Mary Rose, whose parents were born in Germany. In 1859, he bought the farm where he now lives.
When Mr. Beste reached Fayetteville, his means were so low that, to use his own expression, he "did not own a copper cent." He realized that much hard work was necessary, but by the exercise of economy and honest efforts he has succeeded. Ilis first purchase was forty acres of wild timber land, upon which he located in 1860 and commenced the work of clearing. At the present time he has one hundred and sixty acres, the first eighty cleared through his own arduous toil. He has been a hard-
working man and has acquired his property by dili- genee and thrift. Ilis farm is well improved and in a good state of cultivation. When he first took possession, he put up a temporary house, which he replaced in 1875 with the neat and com- fortable frame dwelling that now stands on the place.
Mr. and Mrs. Beste are the parents of five chil- dren, all of whom have been spared to them. Mary married Christopher Etling; John Henry married Mary Miller; Louisa and Emma live at home; and Louis Edward assists his father. The family attends St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Freeburg, of which Mr. Beste is one of the charter members, and in which he is now a Trustee and a very prominent member. He has been a very liberal supporter of the church and has taken a deep interest in all public enterprises for the good of the neighborhood. For six years past he has served as School Director and has taken a deep interest in all educational matters in the township, and has given his children every advantage in his power. llis youngest daughter, Emma, has developed great talent in music, which she has studied both at home and under the best instructors of Belleville.
Politically, Mr. Beste is a Republican and has voted that ticket ever since the first canvass of the lamented and beloved President Lincoln. As a citizen, he is always on the side of every social and moral reform; as a neighbor, he is kind; and as a friend, stanch and true. The poor and dis- tressed find in him a cheerful helper, to whom no appeal is made in vain.
Le OUIS MILLER. It is to one of the most prosperous and influential farmers of Smith- ton Township that we eall the attention of our readers in this brief sketch. Our subject is the son of Louis Miller, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1842 with his parents and lo- cated in Centreville, Ill. There he remained dur- ing the winter, and in the spring of the following
RESIDENCE OF LOUIS MILLER, SEC. 30., SMITHTON TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN HENRY BESTE, SEC. 26., FREEBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
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vear removed to a farm of eighty acres which his father purchased for him. lle married Christina Udech and they became the parents of five chil- dren, all of whom are still living. They are: Kath- erine, wife of Fred Beomer, of Millstadt Township; our subject and his twin brother, Philip, the latter of whom lives in Millstadt Township; Jacob, living on the old farm, and Christina, who also lives at home with her mother. The father of this family died August 13, 1889. Ile had been a consistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for many years and was highly esteemed. At the time of his death he owned six hundred and seven acres of good land and was well-to-do, although he had come to this county very poor.
Our subject was born November 20, 1852, on the old home place in Millstadt Township, and here he and his twin brother, Philip. were educated in both English and German. The brother still lives in the township where they were born and reared, but our subject has his fine farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres on section 30, Smithton Township. The land is highly cultivated and is devoted to general farming, in connection with which Mr. Miller is successfully operating as a stock-raiser.
Mr. Miller has been twice married. Ilis first wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Hertel, died in the year 1878, one year after their marriage. Ilis second wife was Miss Louisa, daughter of Jos- eph and Anna B. (Coch) Veile. The marriage ceremony was celebrated in 1879, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Matilda, aged twelve years; Louis, eleven; Albert, nine; Ellen, seven; Selma, four; and Caroline, who is two years old. The children are bright and intelligent and give promise of a useful future.
.Joseph Veile, father of Mrs. Miller, was born in Germany November 2, 1831. After 'emigrating to this country, he settled in St. Clair County. where he became prominent in public affairs. For five years, he held the office of County Commis- sioner, in which position he served acceptably. 1Ie was elected to represent his distriet in the Legis- lature and his services here were so satisfactory to his constituents that he was twice re-elected, serv- ing three terms as Representative. At the time of
his death, which occurred September 24, 1892, he was Postmaster at Millstadt.
Mr. Miller is one of the prominent members of the farmers' organization, and, politically, he is a strong Republican. In every relation, he has de- ported himself as a Christian and an enterprising business man. Now in the prime of his useful life, he is surrounded by the comforts resulting from his own efforts, and is enabled to give his children the best of advantages.
C J. LISCHER, one of the leading citizens of Mascoutah, was born near Red Bud, Randolph County, IN., on the 15th of Feb- rnary, 1855, and came to this city when about a year old with his parents. Ile attended the pub- lic schools until fifteen years old, when he started out in life for himself, his first work being to learn the cooper's trade, which he followed until Sept- ember, 1872. At that time he turned his attention to newspaper work, and entered the employ of Fred Dilg, who was publishing the Mascoutali An- zeiger, and carrying on a job printing office and who was also Postmaster. Mr. Lischer learned the print- ing trade and also officiated as Deputy Postmaster. He helped publish the Mascoutah Anzeiger, the German weekly newspaper, which was established by Mr. Dilg in 1876.
Mr. Lischer continued in the employ of that gentleman until January, 1880, when he abandoned the printer's trade and began clerking in a general merchandise store for Fred J. Scheve. lle was afterward in the employ of John Wolz, the suc- cessor of his former employer, and continued to act as his salesman until July, 1889, when he went to St. Louis and clerked in that city for about a year and a half, or until December, 1890. At that time he returned to his first love, the printing office, securing employment with John Winkler, who in the meantime had obtained control of the Anzeiger, where he remained until May 1, 1891, when he bought out Mr. Winkler. He is now the sole owner and editor of the above paper. It is a weekly
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newspaper published in the interests of the German citizens of this community and it has secured a liberal patronage, which it well merits. Mr. Lis- cher is a young man of good business ability, well informed, and has the high regard and confidence of the entire community.
+ ILLIAM ORTGIER. This successful man- ufacturer of carriages is located at Nos. 335 and 337 Collinsville Avenue, East St. Louis, where he has a large brick building, 50x90 feet,with two stories and basement. The latter is for storing iron, the first floor being used for the smith shop and for wood work, as well as for stor- age, and the second story is the paint and trim- ming room. This is the largest manufactory of buggies of any kind in the county.
The father of our subject was Carson Ortgier, born in St. Louis of German parents. Ile carried on the business of teaming in his native city until 1840, when he located in St. Clair County on the Collinsville plank road, now a part of the city. Here he began farming and continued it until he died in 1859. lle had accumulated a property of one hundred and ninety acres of improved land. which is now owned by our subject. The father was a member of the Methodist Church and died regretted by a large circle of friends. The mother of our subject was Annie Brenning, born in llanover, Germany, who came with her sisters to St. Louis when but eight years of age. She sur- vived her husband, her death occurring in 1885.
Mr. Ortgier, of this sketch, was the third in a family of six children, only four of whom are liv- ing. lle was reared on the farm and was an at- tendant at the district schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he was sent to Warrenton, Mo., and attended college there for more than two years. Ile returned to the farm and was married in East St. Louis in 1875 to Miss Rosa Allen, who was born in Collinsville, Ill. Ile continued farm- ing on the home place until 1882, then started a
carriage shop on Collinsville Avenue and remained there one year, when, in 1883, he leased here and built, but his business increased so rapidly that he concluded to enlarge. Consequently, he bought four more lots and erected his present building. LIe is a fine workman, a practical carriage-maker by trade, and thoroughly understands his work and superintends it. He employs from ten to twelve hands and has two forges. Mr. Ortgier rents his share of the farm to others that he may give his undivided attention to his manufactory,
Our subjeet has built a nice residence facing Main Street, in which is a family of six children, who make it a happy home. They are George, Adalı, Olivette, Chester, Forrest, and an infant. Mr. Ortgier is a Democrat in his political convic- tions and has held the office of School Director in his district. He belongs to the order of Modern Woodmen and is a man highly respected by his business acquaintances, his neighbors, and by all who know him.
B ERNHARD HARTMANN is prominently identified with the commercial life of Belle- ville, being now President of the Star Brewery Company, and holding the same position in the Belleville Distillery Company. In no industry carried on in the city have the advan- tages of local situation and surroundings been utilized with more important results than in this great enterprise. There has been vast improve- ment made, both in the quality of the product and the facilities for manufacture, in recent years, and the process of brewing and distilling on the mod- ern plan now requires the investment of large capi- tal and the employment of a greatly-increased number of men. This brewing company has a capital stock of $100,000 and a surplus of $45,000.
Bernhard Hartmann was born in Ankum, Pro- vince of Hanover, Germany, May 11, 1840, and is the son of Dr. Bernhard and Christina (Meyer) Hartmann, both natives of the Fatherland. When sixteen years of age, the elder Mr. Hartmann went to
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Amsterdam, Holland, and clerked in a dry-goods store there for eight years. In 1864, he came to the United States, locating in Belleville, Il., and in 1865 started a grocery store in partnership with his brother, continuing here until 1872, when he and his brother formed a partnership in the Star Brewery, under the firm name of Hartmann Bros. In 1881, Mr. Hartmann became sole owner, and continued the business until 1887, when his son Walter became a partner, the latter being secretary, treasurer and manager. The capacity of this great enterprise is annually fifty thousand barrels, and the owners have recently built a new brewery. The new plant cost $200,000, and has an air-line railway south, extending to the plant of the stock house. This line was built at a cost of $50,000. The plant is located in North Belleville, on a tract of twenty-one acres, with two ponds and two artesian wells. Employment is given to thirty men. One hundred thousand bushels of malt and fifty thou- sand pounds of hops are used annually, and the malt is made on the premises.
The Belleville Distillery Company was organized in 1888 with our subject as president; Walter, treas- urer and secretary; and Hubert Hartmann, our sub- ject's brother, as bookkeeper; and Mr. Emil Seigel is also on the staff. The capacity is one hun- dred and fifty thousand bushels of corn, rye and malt, making seven hundred and fifty thou- sand gallons of spirits, with internal revenue of $675,000 per year. The yeast product is four hun- dred thousand pounds annually, and they have a capital stock of $47,000. The plant is located on Main Street, Belleville, and twenty men are em- ployed. Mr. Hartmann is also one-third owner of the Belleville Steel, Iron and Nail Works, the plant of which cost $85,000. Ile is a Director in the Sucker State Drill Company, and is a Director in the Belleville Saving Bank.
On the 4th of March, 1867, Mr. Hartmann was married to Mrs. Anna Berg, of Belleville, and their union has been blessed by the birth of the follow- ing children: Walter; Christiane; Hubert; Bern- hard, a student in Germany; Hans, in the drug business; Hermann; Anna; Rolf; and Louise. Mr. Hartmann has also an extensive ice plant, witlı a capacity of twenty-five tons per day, and three ar-
tesian wells, two at the brewery and one at the distillery. The bottling establishment is on Main Street. Our subject is a gentleman whose great energy and business sagacity have largely con- tributed to the success of the city in this branch of trade. Ilis liquors are of a high grade, and are known far and wide for their rich flavor. Sys- tein in management and merit in goods have se- cured for the house its position of leadership, while its ample resources and unsurpassed facili- ties give every advantage for the successful prose- ention of the business, which maintains a high reputation.
R EV. WILLIAM II. TOMLINS. The schol- arly man whose life record we now at- tempt to place before the public is the ef- ficient and well-beloved pastor of the St. Mary's Mission at East St. Louis, Ill. The grand- father of our subject bore the family name of William and was a native of Gloucestershire, Eng- land, where he was engaged in coal mining, but came many years ago to America with his family and located in the rich valley of Dutchess County, N. Y., where he died.
The father of our subject was also named Will- iam and was born in Gloucestershire, England. I'm- til cigliteen years of age he remained in his native country, then came to America, and soon bought a farm at Tomkins Cove, in Rockland County, N. Y., and started in the business of gardening and fruit- growing. He has become a well-known horticul- turist, is very much respected in his neighborhood, and lives in comfort on his beautiful farm. Ile is a member of the Episcopal Church .. The mother of our subject was Jane Armstrong, born in the county of Tyrone, in the North of Ireland, the daughter of Robert Armstrong, a farmer in the North of Ire- land, who came to the United States and located in Rockland County, N. Y., and became a farmer. Ilis ancestors were of English blood and he was a member of the Church of England until coming to America, when he became an active member of
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the Protestant Methodist faith and was a local preacher. Our subject was the eldest in a family of five children and was born at Fishkill Landing in Dutehess County, N. Y., January 28, 1848. He was reared at Tomkins Cove, which is on the Hud- son, forty miles above New York City.
From the age of seven years until eighteen, our subjeet was able to assist his father on the farm. He attended the common schools, which were only held about three months in the winter, but as he was very ambitious he spent his evenings in reading and study, so that at the age of eighteen years he received a certificate and taught school in the old schoolhouse, his first Alma Mater. At the age of twenty years, he began to prepare for college and pursued a course of study for one year under the care of his pastor, Rev. E. Gay. In 1868, he entered St. Stephen's College at Annan- dale, N. Y., and took a course of five years, gradu- ating with the degree of A. B. He next entered the General Theological Seminary in New York City and graduated from that institution in 1876. Our subject was then made Deacon by Bishop Pot- ter, and given charge of the missionary work at Stone Ridge and Rosendale, where he built his first church. It is a beautiful stone structure, and re- flects great credit upon the pastor and the parish which assisted him.
Mr. Tomlins was made a priest in June, 1877, and was the beloved rector of this charge until 1879. At this time, at the request of Bishop Seymour, he came to the diocese of Springfield, Ill., and was placed in charge of the missionary work at Mattoon; and here, during his pastorate, an old Baptist Church was bought, renovated, beautifully fitted up and made ready for the wor- ship of the members of this parish. Soon afterward, he accepted a call to St. Paul's Church at Rantoul, Champaign County, Il., and remained there three years, when he resigned to become rector of St. Paul's Church at Albion, Edwards County, Il. His pas- torate there was of three years' duration and then he was appointed priest in charge of St. Mary's Mission at East St. Louis, in September, 1886.
When Mr. Tomlins took charge here, he knew he had undertaken a herculean task. The town had the name of being " tough," and of a danger-
ous character, but this earnest man entered upon his duties boldly and cheerfully, and in a short time made many friends. He seems to possess the very qualities needed for successful mission work, and his heart is in it. In 1888, this good man secured one hundred and fifty feet on Ohio Avenue and Sixth Street and there erected a commodious building, and in 1889 he began service in it. The earnest pastor had the satisfaction of having it blessed January 21, 1889, by the Bishop. It is a fine mission honse and consists of a residence for the clergyman, a chapel, and apartments for a day-school. The beginning here was a little dis- couraging as he had only a dozen communicants, but now they number over eighty. Mr. Tomlins' work is principally among working people and so broad is his sympathy and so real is his religion, that he has great influence among those who often look in vain for real friends.
The subject of this sketch began the editing of a monthly paper, to be issued in the interest of his mission. The first number appeared in 1887, and it now has a. eireulation of about one thousand copies. Mr. Tomlins' life is devoted to his work. A service is held every day in the year and five services on Sunday. Ile gives religions instrue- tion in the school every day, besides teaching Latin. Mr. Tomlins has a great assistant in his life work in the person of his estimable wife, whom he married in Mattoon, Ill., in August, 1880, Iler maiden name was Elizabeth C. Booth, and she was reared and educated in Chicago. Six lovely chil- dren have come to bless his happy home, who are as follows: Genevieve Seymour. William Henry, Cyril Booth, Francis Theron, George Osmond and Florence Irene.
Mr. Tomlins holds honored membership with the Free and Accepted Masons and is also a mem- ber of the Eastern Star. In his priestly connec- tion, he belongs to the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the Guild of All Souls. Our record cannot elose without repeating that this hard- working pastor, who has formed the subject of our writing, has ministered so successfully in his Master's work because he has gone where most needed. Ile has not songht the highest places, and his past must be to him a pleasant retrospect,
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revealing to his eyes the changes wrought through his labors in behalf of the great head of the church, Jesus Christ.
1
ON. CHRIST LISCHIER, one of the promi- nent citizens of Mascoutah and an honored pioneer of the county, has long been iden- tified with the history of this community. Ilis father, Conrad Lischer, was born in Weingar- ten, Germany, and came to this country in 1835, making his first location in Shiloh Valley upon the Benson farm, where he remained a year. Ile then removed to the Morclock farm, where he spent about a year and afterward went to St. Louis, where he died of the cholera in July, 1849 his remains being there interred. Ile left a wife and two sons. The brother of our subject, Henry Lischer. is now President of a bank and editor of a paper of Davenport, Iowa. In 1853, Mrs. Lis- cher came with her children to Mascoutah, where her death occurred in 1867.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of St. Louis and learned the trade of a confec- tioner, but not finding it congenial learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked from 1851 until 1865. In 1853, he came to Mascoutah, where he followed carpentering, and as he was an expert workman did a good business; but when the war broke out he laid aside all business cares to enter the service of his country. Ile responded to the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand troops and joined Company E, Ninth Illinois Infantry, serving as Orderly-Sergeant. After his first term had expired he re-enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Regi- ment, serving as First Lieutenant. He was a faitlı- ful and valiant soldier, always found at his post of duty.
In the year 1862, Mr. Lischer was married to Miss Mary Balsz, of St. Louis, Unto them were horn four children, three sons and a daugh- ter, all of whom are yet living, namely: John
II., Adeline, Louis and George William. The mother of this family died in 1868. Mr. Lis- cher afterward married again, his second union be- with Caroline Freand, who after the death of her father was reared by her grandmother. Unto them have been born five children: Charles, Robert, Beno, Amelia and Peter, all of whom are living.
Mr. Lischer takes considerable interest in civic societies. ]Ie is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, the Odd Fellows' and the Knights of Honor and has filled all the offices in these various organizations. In polities he is a supporter of the Democracy and was the first Mayor of Mascoutah after the organization of the city. JIe has filled the office for three terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Ile served as Clerk under the town organizations and for nine years was a member of the School Board, proving his friendship to the cause of education by his efficient service in the interests of the schools. lle has ever borne his part in the up- building and development of the county's best in- terests and is a prominent and influential citizen, highly respected throughout the community, where he has a large cirele of friends and acquaintances.
OSLAH P. IHILL. Emerson says " All history is only biography," and we find this especially exemplified in the community in which Jo- siah P. Ilill resides. Its history is only the biography of the lives of a few men, chief among whom is our subject, who resides on section 2, Prairie du Long Township. He was here born May 12, 1828, on the farm which lns father entered from the Government, and he holds a patent for land signed by four of the Presidents of the United States.
In this county Mr. Hill received his education in a log schoolhouse, common to the early days. Hard-working and industrious, it was not his priv- ilege to enjoy the sports to which the boys of the present generation are accustomed. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was united in
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