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 54
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The union of Mr. and Mrs. Staub has been blessed with a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Marshall, Edward, Theodore, Cornelia, Alfred, Anna and Irvin. The family circle yet remains unbroken and the chil- dren are still under the parental roof. They have a pleasant and comfortable home upon a farm of two hundred and fifty aeres in Shiloh Valley Town- ship. Mr. Staub is a representative farmer who. by his good management, enterprise and persever- ance, has overcome the obstacles in his path and gained a comfortable competence. His success is well merited, and he is now numbered among the substantial agriculturists of the community. In religious belief. he is a Catholic, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party.
C IIRISTIAN G. RUEMMLER. In order to attain success in business, it is required of a man that he possess sound discretion, acute perception and good judgment. Men who possess these qualities put their character into every work they may enter upon, and are among the most powerful agents in the progress of their community. It is of such a man that we write, a man who, although commeneing in life poor and without friends, has become well-to-do. through the exercise of these traits of character. At the present time, Mr. Ruemmler is proprietor of a
hotel in the village of Darmstadt, and in addition is doing efficient serviee as Postmaster.
The birthplace of our subject is in St. Louis Mo .. and the year of his birth 1853. He is the son of Alexander and Dora Rueminler, of whom fur- ther mention is made in the sketch of the former, presented on another page of this volume. In his youth he attended the common and private schools of St. Louis and remained with his father until he attained his majority. When fourteen" Fears ohi he entered his father's shoe store, and learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed for three years. Afterward he engaged as a teamster for five years, subsequent to which he learned the trade of a painter and followed that occupation for thir- teen years. Afterward he embarked in his present business, in which, as already stated, he has met with excellent success.
The lady who June 12, 1876, became the wife of Mr. Remmler was known in maidenhood as Elizabeth Reuss, and was one of two daughters horn to William and Cornelis (Scheckdanz) Reuss, her sister being Augusta, wife of George Erb. When she was very young she was orphaned by the death of her mother, after which she was taken into the home of her aunt, where she grew to womanhood. She is a lady of many excellent qualities of heart and mind, and is universally es- teemed. Two of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rnemmler died in infancy, and the sur- vivors are Alexander, Jr .; Christian, Jr .; Charles. Mary and Adam.
The growing village of Darinstadt counts Mr. Ruemmler as one of its most enterprising citizens, and its progress is due in no small measure to his untiring labors. Besides the property where he resides, he owns eight lots in the village, namely: lots 13, 14 and 15 in the Mill Company Addition, and lots 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 in George P. Roth- meier's Addition. He is quite prominent among the Republicans of the community, and beside the position of Postmaster which he now holds, has filled other offices of trust. In his social connections, he is identified with the Hum- boldt Lodge No. 15, U. O. T. B., and is also a mem- ber of a German order called the Sick Beneficial Association, was Secretary of the Reading Society
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Chas Jours
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for four years, and the Eathney Loan Association of St. Louis. In his religious preference, he is at- tached to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church and a faithful member of the denomination.
C HIARLES THOMPSON JONES is one of the prominent and influential men of East St. Louis, and has done his full share toward the improvement and development of the city sinee his residence here. He is superinten- dent of the St. Louis Stock Yards, an enterprise in which much pride is felt by every resi- dent, and discharges the duties of that position in an able and satisfactory manner.
Mr. Jones was born at Dover Plains, Dutehess County, N. Y., on the 7th of November, 1850, is of Welsh descent and belongs to an old and prom- inent Eastern family. Ilis father, Jarvis .Jones, was also a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and the grandfather was a farmer in that county all his life. He served in the War of 1812. Like his father, Jarvis Jones became a prominent agricul- turist, but in connection therewith he was engaged in the dairy business until 1873, when he sold out and entered the employ of the New York Condensed Milk Company, the largest enterprise of the kind in the world. llis son-in-law was superintendent of all the factories, six in number, and he himself be- came general foreman. Ile resided in the Empire State until his death, in 1876. Ile was a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Church, and in politics was affiliated with the Republican party.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Julia Thompson, and was born in New York State. Her father, Jarvis Thompson, was also a native of New York and of Scotch de- seent. Ile was engaged in farming and the dairy business quite extensively, having over one hun- (red cows. Mrs. Jones is now seventy years of age and makes her home in New York. The three daughters and two sons born to this union were as follows: Gilbert, who was killed on the
New York & Harlem Railroad when twenty six years of age: Jennie (Mrs. Bishop), of Was- saic, N. Y .; Alice ( Mrs. Hermans), of Carpenter- ville, Ill .; and Ida, who resides in Wassaic, N. Y.
The third in order of birth of these children. our subjeet became familiar with the arduous duties of the farm at an early date, and assisted his father on the same until eighteen years of age. Ile received good educational advantages, being graduated at Dover when seventeen years of age, and was naturally possessed of a bright, ae- tive mind. When eighteen years of age, he went to Albany, N. Y., and there learned the carpen- ter's trade. It was arranged that his wages should be fifty cents a day, but when pay day eame he received $1.50 per day for his services, and at the end of a year he was receiving $3.
After remaining in Albany for one year, Mr. Jones was sent to East Buffalo by his employers, who were organizers of the stoek yards in East St. Louis. Ile was to build an addition to their yard in East Buffalo. and he there remained for one year. Returning to Albany, he remained there until June, 1871, when he was sent by his company to East St. Louis. He had charge of the carpenter work and laid out the yards and at- tended to other necessary matters. In the fall of 1873, the yards were opened and he then became superintendent of the hog department, serving in that capacity for two years. After that he was general foreman until 1877, when he became su- pcrintendent of the entire vards. Since then these yards have increased in importance and are now the third in size in the world. About one hun- dred and twenty-five men are employed during the entire year and an immense amount of work is done.
Mr. Jones owns considerable real estate in the city, including an attractive and pleasant residence at No. 900 Pennsylvania Avenue. He is a stock- holder and Director in the East St. Louis Street Car Company and is a member of the Second Mutual Building & Loan Association. He has been employed longer in the stock yards than any other man and is popular with all. On the 23d of September, 1874, Miss Patienee Smith, a native of Chicago, Ill., became his wife. IIer fa-
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ther was killed in the army. Four children have been born to this union: Clyde, Jessie A., Earl T. and Reine C. Mr. Jones is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Owl Club. In polities, he is a Demoerat, but does not aspire to office. Ile has been a delegate to county and State conventions.
n ATHAN S. ROBERTSON is a native of this county and resides on section 3, Prairie du Long Township. lle is the son of Joel Robertson, who was born in St. Clair County about five miles west of where our subject at present re- sides. John Robertson, grandfather of Nathan S., was born in Pennsylvania, and came to this county in a very early day, where he bore his share in re- deeming the land from its wild state. Joel Rob- ertson was reared and educated in this county. and when he attained to manhood engaged in farming pursuits, coming in 1847 to the place where his son now lives. Ile purchased the home- stead of Thomas Temple and also entered forty aeres of Government land. lle took to himself a partner for life in the person of Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Michael Smith, the latter also an early set- tler of the county. The result of this union was one child, Nathan S.
Joel Robertson was a Deaeon in the Baptist Church, in which he was an active worker, always giving of his time and money to the cause. His wife died February 8, 1855, and he followed her on August 28th of the same year, leaving a void in the community which was deeply felt, not only by the church in which he had been so prominent, but in the social and business circles, where he had been an example of reetitude and probity.
July 20, 1835. was the natal day of our subject, and he was born about four miles south of Mill- stadt, in this county, and there he spent his child- hood days until twelve or thirteen years of age. At that time he removed to the place where he now lives, and which has since been his home. llis marriage with Miss Deborah, the daughter of Robert Higgins, occurred August 24, 1856. She
was also a native of Prairie du Long Township, and since their marriage they have remained here. Of their four children, three are still living, James (. having died at the age of two years. Those living are, Charles C., who is married and resides on his father's place; Cynthia 1., the wife of Thomas MeGuyre, who makes her home in Ben- ton, Franklin County, Ill .; and Clara O., who lives at home.
Of the one hundred and seventy-nine aeres owned by Mr. Robertson, one hundred and fifteen are finely improved and kept in the highest state of cultivation, and are devoted mostly to the growing of cereals, wheat and corn being the prin- cipal erops. Mr. Robertson is a member of the Baptist Church, as are also his wife and daughter, ('ynthia. Socially, he is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, and of Lodge No. 418, F. & A. M., at Freeburg, in which latter he has served as Steward. In political matters, he aflili- ates with the Democratic party, and has given much of his time and substance to aid in further- ing the principles of that party. He has held the position of School Director, and has also served as Trustee of the township, in both of which offices he has fulfilled all that was expected of him by his friends and neighbors, and has proved himself worthy of all trust reposed in him.
NDREW STOLBERG. St. Clair County abounds in a fine class of farmers, who have given to this part of the State an excellent reputation, and have been of help in building up its commercial and agricultural inter- ests. The subject of this sketch resides on section 11, Smithton Township, and is the son of Jomm M. Stolberg, who was born in Germany and came to this country with his parents when a boy. They made their first settlement in Belleville, Ill., where they engaged in farming, and near which place John M. Stolberg married Elizabeth Cramer, who was the daughter of a farmer.
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John M. Stolberg had ten children, seven of whom are still living. After his marriage, he lived on his father's place for ten years and then bought the farm which has descended to our sub- ject. This consists of two hundred and twenty- five acres, on which John M. put the most of the improvements. Ile and his wife are both living in Belleville, retired from active labor. . lolmn M. Stolberg understood agriculture and made a great deal of money upon the property, and also upon two farms which he owns in Missouri. Altogether he owns over seven hundred acres of land.
The birth of our subject took place in Belle- ville, Ill., in 1861, but he was reared upon the farm and has lived upon it ever since coming to it. His marriage occurred in the fall of 1889, with Miss Annie Ileberer, who was the daughter of Henry Heberer, an early settler of this county. One beautiful little daughter, Hilda, has come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stolberg.
Our subject grows much grain, but has also raised some fine hogs and has a fine herd of Gal- loway cattle. He is now farming three hundred acres of land for his father. Politically, Mr. Stol- berg is a Democrat in his views on public ques- tions, but is very liberal and only desires to do his duty as a citizen. The father of our subject is known throughout the county as a successful agriculturist, and there is no doubt but that Mr. Stolberg, Jr., will keep up the enviable reputation of his sire.
C HARLES ECKERT, one of the men who have made a success of farming and grain- raising in this favored part of the State of Illinois, is the gentleman whose name opens this article, and who resides on section 23. Millstadt Township, in St. Clair County.
Nicholas Eckert, the father of our subject, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt in Germany, in the year 1805 and there he lived and carried on a successful trade as shoemaker. Ile was one of the early set- tlers from his country who came to America and
took part in the war with Mexico. It was in the year 1818 that he came into St. Clair County, III .. and settled on the place where our subject now lives. Here he passed his days and died in April. 1888, leaving a family of three children to mourn his decease. They were: Catherine, who now is a widow; Elizabeth, the wife of .John Kalbfleish, and the subject of these lines.
Our subject was born February 8, 1848, on the place which has been his happy home for so many years. He was reared here, attending the district schools in winter, and was early initiated into the mysteries of farm life, and no doubt became as tired of the "chores" as have many other farmer lads. His marriage took place December 25, 1870, to Miss Caroline Henneke, who was the daughter of Chris- tian Henneke, who had come to America in 1852.
After this important event, Mr. and Mrs. Eckert set up their household goods on the place where they have lived ever since, never having had occa- sion to make any of those changes which break up old friendships and old associations to a degree that those who have never been called upon to endure them cannot understand. Of the five chil- dren born to them those gone before were named Louisa and Nicholas; and those who now fill the parental hearts with pleasure are: Charles, a manly boy of eighteen; Otto who is ten and promises to be as fine a young man as his brother; and their sister Caroline, a maiden of sixteen.
The fine farm of Mr. Eckert consists of one hun- dred and ninety-nine acres of good land, and as he has adopted all of the latest methods in the culti- vation of it, the yield of grain, particularly wheat, is wonderful. He has good and substantial build- ings, a fine residence and barns, and all that he requires to be happy and contented. He has made the most of the improvements on this place himself, and takes a pride in seeing what he has accom- plished.
In his political views, our subject is a stanch Re- publican, devoted to the success of that party both in local and National affairs, and ever anxious to cast his ballot for the candidates selected by that party.
Socially, Mr. Eckert is a valued and active mem-
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ber of Millstadt Lodge No. 567 I.O. O. F., and also belongs to the Millstadt Treubund. He believes these orders do much good in various waysand his presence is always welcome among his brethren.
In his church relations our subject has long been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he has always been a liberal supporter of Gospel work. He is a good man and one whose departure from his accustomed places in public or private life would be sadly felt.
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2 ENRY KNEWITZ. We take pleasure in representing within this volume a member of one of the leading pioneer families of St. Clair County, and one who has done much to promote the interests and welfare of his community. Henry Knewitz was born on the farm where he now lives in the year 1841, the son of Gerhard, and Mary (Schneider) Knewitz, the former of whom was born in Prussia in 1811, and the latter in Bavaria in the year 1817.
Gerhard Knewitz was reared on a farm, and in compliance with the exceedingly strict laws of the Fatherland, his parents gave him all the advantages afforded by a good common-school education. After leaving school he aided his father and adopted the occupation of a farmer as his life calling, having no desire to become a tradesman. As soon as he attained an eligible age he entered the ranks of the terman army, and there studied the taeties of war for six years. After leaving the army he returned to his parents, with the idea of settling near them and pursuing the even tenor of his way as his father had done before him.
One of the truest sayings handed down to us by a most illustrious man of letters is that, " Man proposes and God disposes." Soon after his return from army life, Gerhard Knewitz found that the tide of emigration had set in very strongly near his paternal home, and, becoming imbued with the spirit of enterprise himself. he bade good-bye to the Fatherland and sailed for the I'nited States in
1838. Ile settled in Lenzburg, St. Clair County, and very soon after his arrival in this country bought a forty-acre tract of land, on which he built a house, and devoted his attention to agriculture and stock-raising. Industry, thrift, patience, per- severance, and economy all go a long way toward making the hill of fortune easy to chmb, and, being possessor of these desirable characteristics, Gerhard Knewitz carved his way along the rugged road to fortune, and with the indomitable will that ever succeeds. soon inereased his modest possession of forty acres to that of four hundred acres.
In 1839 Gerhard Knewitz married Miss Mary, danghter of Peter and Barbara Schneider, an es- timable lady and one caleulated in every way to prove the helpmate that a man in his circumstances needed. The result of this union was eight chil- dren, four of whom died in infaney, the others being: llenry, subject of our sketch; Gerhard; Barbara, who is deceased; and Mary, also deceased. Mrs. Knewitz died in 1855, leaving a wide and sincere circle of friends to mourn her loss, Mr. Knewitz married again, in 1856, his second wife being Miss Catherine Baer, who departed this life in 1861.
Gerhard Knewitz had earned a competence as one of the early settlers in this township, and to the honorable acts of his life was added the approval of his fellow-men. Ile departed this life in 1877, and is remembered as an upright citizen, a loving father, and a man whose character in every respect was worthy of emulation. He was a Republican in polities, but sought no distinction at the hands of his party. He always adhered to the religious he- hef of his early training and was a member of the Lutheran Church.
Students of human nature tell us that to learn of a man's ancestors is to learn what future years are likely to develop as the man's characteristics, The gentleman with whose name we opened this sketch had parents to be proud of. A native of St. Clair County in its early days, he enjoyed the educa- tional advantages to be obtained in the old log schoolhouse, the first institution of learning built in this district. Ile afterwards attended the com- mon schools of the vicinity. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred when
RESIDENCE OF PETER MILLER, SEC. 6 , FREEBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY KNEWITZ , SEC.IG , LENZBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
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he was twenty-three years old, his bride being Miss Wilhelmina Baer, a daughter of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Kuhlman) Baer. To this union were born four children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being Mrs. II. Williams and Josephine M. Henry Knewitz and wife are well-known members of the Lutheran Church, which body has enjoyed the support of himself, his father and grandfather. Ile is a Republican in politics, and has received from the hands of his party the position of Tax Collector of the township, in which capacity he served three successive terms. Ile has also officiated as School Treasurer several times. He is to-day the possessor of two hundred and sixty acres of land, part of which he inherited from his father, and to which he has added by his own industry and toil. He resides on the old homestead, and ranks among the citizens of this community whom the younger generation may safely adopt as examples.
P ETER MILLER. This successful farmer re- sides on section 6, Freeburg Township, where he has over two hundred acres of fer- tile land and a beautiful home, which is a model of comfort and elegance. He is the son of Michael Miller, one of the early settlers of the county, and was born on the old homestead, one and one-half miles north of Belleville. He was but a small boy when his father moved to Smithton Township. His education was commenced in the district schools of St. Clair County and was finished at the school of the Christian Brothers, in St. Louis.
In 1864 occurred the marriage of Peter Miller to Miss Barbara Poirot, who was born in Lorraine, France, and was fourteen years old when she came to this country. Her father, Xavier Poirot, fol- lowed tlfe trade of a shoemaker in the Old Country, but after emigrating to America engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and still lives, having reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. After mar- riage our subject located where he now lives, on Turkey Hill, one of the most beautiful locations in
the neighborhood. In 1887, he built the handsome residence which now adorns the place and he has added other improvements when desirable. He and. his wife are the parents of two children: Marshall, who married Miss Hermena Stiehl and lives on his father's farm, and Stella, who is at home.
The farm belonging to Mr. Miller contains two hundred and forty-eight acres, all of which is un- der a high state of cultivation. Ile carries on gen- eral farming and stock-raising, and devotes much of his time to the breeding of fine Norman horses, for which he has a wide reputation. He is an ar- dent supporter of all good enterprises, and is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. of which he is a general organizer and a very ac- tive worker. He has been a member of the Grange for eighteen years and holds the office of Master in the Subordinate Lodge and in Pomona Grange of St. Clair County. Politically, he is a strong Democrat, and an energetic supporter of party measures. He is often called upon to make speeches in the campaigns, and his eloquence, keen discern- ment and familiarity with the Democratic princi- ples are used for the advancement and to secure the success of his party.
C HARLES PROBST, of whom we write, the owner of the fine farm located on section 34 of Millstadt Township, St. Clair County, is the son of John Christian Probst, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1808, and was reared there and came to this country in 1834. Ile landed in the great city of Baltimore, Md., and came from there in wagons to the fertile lands of St. Clair County. Ill., rumors of which had reached him in his little home in Germany.
The father located in Millstadt, on land which our subject now occupies, and entered eighty acres of Government land. Ile found it covered with timber, but he went to work cheerily, clearing and making trees into fencing and building material. The old gentleman, one of the first settlers of the
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township, experienced all the trials of pioneer life. llis wife. Miss Philopena Weyngardt, was also born in Germany and had come to this coun- try with her parents at an early day. Those were the days of large families and to Mr. and Mrs. John Christian Probst were born thirteen children, five of whom are yet living, namely: William, Fred, Andrew, our subject and Charlotte. This hard-working man died about the year 1883, his wife preceding him ten years.
The birth of our subject took place September, 13, 1842, on the old homestead, his present resi- dence, a place of comfort and happiness for all its dwellers. Ile was reared here and went to school with the other children of the neighborhood, over bad roads, and sometimes through snow and storm; but all unheeded were these trials, hecanse those were the days when nothing better was known or thought of. Probably none of Mr. Probst's children can ever realize the trials of a little school boy in the years when their father and mother attended the district schools. The marriage of Mr. Probst to Miss Margaretta Kess- linger was solemnized in 1865, and by her devotion and helpfulness she has shown what a good wife can do for her husband. She is a native of this county and was the daughter of George and Eliza- beth (Cable) Kesslinger, the former an early set- tler of the county.
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