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 60
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was quite well-to-do, and purchased three hundred and seventy-five acres of land. As he had no ex- perience in agriculture and was forced to depend on hired labor. he was not very successful. In polities, he was a Democrat, and his personal pop- ularity is shown by the fact that in a Republican township he was elected Treasurer of the schools for many years. He was always a great worker and died with his pen in his hand, while making ont his report of office for the schools. He was also Secretary of the Agricultural Society of St. Clair County, and served as its President one year.
This worthy gentleman was called to his final rest April 4, 1870, and his wife died on the 20th of June, 1850. Their children were Charles R., who was born in Germany; Otto F .; Anna, wife of Jacob Speis; and Adolphus. The father was the originator and one of the founders of the first library in the county, which was founded about 1836 and for a number of years was located in his residence, whence it was removed to Belleville.
We now take up the personal history of our sub- ject, who has spent his entire life in this county and is well known to its citizens as an honorable, upright man. His education was acquired in the common schools and his time was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads. He assisted his father until 1865. when was celebrated his mar- riage to Miss Mary, daughter of Frederick and Matilda (Skratsch) Claser. Their union has been blessed with three children, two of whom are vet living. Matilda and Vina, both yet under the pa- rental roof. The family is one of prominence in the community and its members rank high in social circles.
Throughout his entire life, Mr. Schott has fol- lowed farming and now owns and operates sixty- two acres of highly improved land. one of the valuable farms of the community. Enterprise and industry are numbered among his chief character- istics, and have won him the snecess which is to- day his. In political sentiment, Mr. Schott is a Democrat, and is now the efficient Supervisor of his township, having been elected to the office in 1892. For about twenty years he has served as School Director, and the cause of education finds
RESIDENCE OF ERNST DRESSEL, SEC. 14 , LENZBURG TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF O. F. SCHOTT , SEC. 4, SHILOH VALLEY TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
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in him a warm friend. He takes an active inter- est in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- munity where his entire life has been passed. Ils straightforward and upright dealings have won him universal confidence, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life.
E RNEST DRESSEL, That portion of St. Clair County familiarly known as " Dutch Ilill Prairie " contains among other enter- prising residents the gentleman whose name is above given and who is one of its early settlers. Although not a native of America, he is loyal to the country of his adoption, and unswervingly de- voted to the interests of Lenzburg Township, where he has resided for many years. In character unimpeachable, in generosity and benevolence un- tiring, he is well worthy the prominent position he occupies among the people.
The many friends of Mr. Dressel will be inter- ested in learning something concerning his parent- age and history. Ile was born in the Province of Saxony, Germany, July 26, 1826, and is the son of Sebastian and Margaret (Dressel) Dressel. Like himself, his parents were natives of Saxony, his father having been born in 1789, and his mother in 1795. Sebastian Dressel was reared in a village, and received a good education in the common schools. In his boyhood, he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for a livelihood in his native country, but after emigrating to the United States he turned his attention to agricul- ture.
l'pon coming to America, Mr. Dressel, Sr., landed at New Orleans, whence he proceeded to Illinois and located in St. Clair County. Here he entered eighty acres of Government land on Dutch Hill Prairie, the land being a portion of the estate now owned by our subject. The father followed farm- ing pursuits, clearing the land and improving it, until at his death he left one of the finest estates in the county. He was a man of enterprise, ,
strength of character and firmness of purpose, and by industry and economy surrounded his family with all the comforts of life. Ile chied in 1842, and his wife in 1868. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of six children, two of whom now sur- vive.
Prior to emigrating to this country, our subject gained a good education in the schools of Ger- many. He accompanied his father to St. Clair County and remained with him until his decease, when he took charge of the farm. llis marriage. which occurred in April, 1845, united him with Miss Dora Ilagaman, who was born in June, 1825. and died November 25, 1879, Six children were born to this union, one of whom died in infancy. Carolina and Mary (twins), born February 3, 1851, died when young: Paulina was born September 14, 1853, and died March 6, 1881; Henry and Emma (twins) were born June 11, 1855.
Mr. Dressel is a man of much strength of char- acter, and of a kind and loving disposition, who, although he has seen much trouble in his life, has always borne it cheerfully, and is never disposed to make others help him bear his burdens, or to sad- den them. Ile gives liberally of his means to all good ohjects, and his fellow-men have ever found him sympathetic and generous where charity was needed, and in his family he has always been a de- voted husband and indulgent father. In his poli- tical belief, he is a Republican, and takes great in- terest in local and national affairs.
G EORGE SEMMELROTH, the proprietor and able publisher of the Belleviller Post, both daily and weekly, is a man of intelli- gence, push and enterprise, eminently fitted to discharge the duties incumbent upon his present position. In a community where those of German birth and German parentage are not only influen- tial on account of numbers, but from the fact that they are among the wealthiest and most intelligent of our people, the newspaper published in their in- terests must of necessity be a strong one. The
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Belleviller Post is one of the most sensible of the press productions of the West, and its circu- lation extends over a large territory. Mr. Sem- melroth was born in Kurhessen, Germany, March 24. 1840, and in the public. schools of his native land he obtained a practical education. At the age of sixteen years he came to America, and at once located in Belleville, and here, in 1856, he began his journalistie career as a printer's "devil." lle followed the calling of a type-setter until he enlisted in the Union army, January 27, 1865. serving until the war closed in Company II, One llundred and Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in the State of Georgia. When his term of enlistment expired, at the end of one year, he returned home, and soon after resumed his position of foreman of the Belleviller Zeitung, but during the same year he purchased a one-half interest in a paper called the Sterns des Westens (English translation, Star of the West), in 1866, but after a short time purchased the entire plant and published the paper as a daily until 1872. when he sold out, but re- tained the position of business manager for two years.
In 1874, he bought a one-half interest in the Belleviller Zeitung, and with this paper he was connected until 1886, when he sold his inter- est and bought a one-half interest in his present paper, and has since been its able manager. Ilis partner is Gen. William C. Kueffner, and their busi- ness connection has continued very harmoniously and profitably to both. Mr. Semmelroth is a gen- tleman of influence in the community, and is a man of erudition and force, eminently fitted to publish such a journal as the Belleviller Post, a paper that has wielded much influence in political, eduea- tional and moral matters. The editorial policy of the paper is ably managed, and the articles han- dle intelligently topics of public import, and in its manner of keeping thoroughly abreast with the times, and as an advertising medium is appre- ciated and known throughout Southern Illinois. The progressive ideas of the proprietors are re- flected in every part of the paper and its man- agement, and in every way it is a credit to the town.
. Socially, Mr. Semmelroth is a member of St.
Clair Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 338. 1. O. O. F .; Lodge No. 138, A. O. U. W .; the Druids; the Liederkranz Singing Society; the Kronthal Liedertafel. and the Ger- mania Liederkranz Turnverein. Mr. Semmelroth was married to Miss Minnie Decke, of Belleville, who was born in Germany July 26, 1845, their union taking place September 15, 1866. Their children are as follows: Anna, Dora, Lulu, Iler- man, Emma, August, Clara and Frieda. Jost Heinrich Semmelroth, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to America in 1858, and here re- sided until his death in 1883, his wife having passed from life in Germany before his removal from that country. He was a very estimable gen- tleman, was honest and upright in character, and, like all Germans, industrious and thrifty. Two of his sons, Henry and William, died in Belleville. The home of Mr. Semmelroth is at No. 415 Kretschmer Avenue.
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OHN N. HACKER, a prominent and highly respected citizen, is a son of Alexander and Christena Hacker, both natives of Germany, the former born February 22, 1823, near lleldenburgen, Grose Dasem, Darmstadt. He was a carpenter by trade, which vocation he followed in his native country. After landing on American shores, in 1847, however, the great possibilities to be developed in farming attracted his atten- tion, and he entered into agriculture, which pur- suit absorbed most of his active years. He set- tled in St. Clair County immediately after his ar- rival in this country, being then nineteen years old, and his worldly effects consisting of a good education and practical trade. Ou the 17th of April, 1849, he married Miss Anna Christina Weilmenster, a daughter of Martin Weilmenster. She was born on the 4th of February, 1829, in the same province as her husband, and died Jan- uary 28, 1874. The father died September 8, 1875. To them were born eleven children, as follows: Alexander, born December 14, 1849; John G.,
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August 22, 1851 ; Henry II., January 1, 1853; Mar- garet, October 3, 1857: John N., February 12. 1861: Rosina R .. July 1, 1863; Mary, September 8. 1868; and lohn F., March 18, 1871. Coonrod, born November 27, 1855: Adam, March 11, 1865, and Anna C., January 25, 1874, are deceased.
Industry and economy, coupled with native abil- ity and thrift, developed Alexander Hacker into the possessor of three farms in Marissa Township, his first purchase being a tract of eighty acres. Both he and his wife were active members of the Lutheran Church of Darmstadt, which body mourned an esteemed member when Mrs. Hacker passed away in 1871, at the age of fifty-one years. Mr. Hacker was a strong exponent of Republican principles, and elung closely to the party he emu- lated until the time of his death, which occurred in 1875.
John N. Ilacker, the subject of our sketch, was born in St. Clair County in 1861. Ile received his education at the Belleville lligh School. The cir- cumstances surrounding him were such that at the death of his father the stern requirements of ex- istence threw him upon his own resources and compelled him, at the early age of lifteen years, to enter the combat of life, develop his own abilities and become the founder of his own career.
Upon reaching his majority, Mr. Hlacker mar- ried Miss Mary Sander, July 25, 1882. She was the daughter of Ilenry and Catherine ( Masmann) Sander, and was born December 31, 1860. She bore him three children, respectively: Mary Emma, born April 5, 1883; Jolin N., November 23, 1884; and Anna C. L., January 25, 1888. The mother of these children died September 27, 1888.
Three years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Hlacker married Miss Elizabeth Knervice, daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth (Harman) Knervice. She was born March 19, 1861. Two children were the result of this second marriage; Theodore P., born February 12, 1891; and Dorothea M., May 6, 1892. Although trained in a Republican element, upon deciding the question of the political party for himself, Mr. Hacker espoused the cause of Democ- racy, and in this, as in all things, is stanch to his principles and convictions. He followed in the footsteps of his parents, with regard to religious
beliefs, and has always adhered to the precepts and teachings of the Lutheran Church, and holds mem- bership at Marissa.
The sketch would be imperfect did we not refer to the kindly feeling for his fellow-men displayed by Mr. Hacker as a member of a German secret order which benefits the sick, and as an esteemed member of the same Mr. Hacker is held in high regard by all who know him.
*
ERE I. LINEHAN, Manager of the Western I'nion Telegraph Company. National Stoek Yards, East St. Louis, was born in Mobile, Ala., January 14, 1859. His father, who was born near Queenstown, Ireland, emigrated to this country when quite young, and in 1856 was mar- ried at Mobile to Miss Kathleen Alexander, who had left the "banks and braes of bonnie Scotland" only a few years previous. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Linehan purchased the then cele- brated Moss Rose Tavern and oyster grounds, lo- cated about half-way out on the famous elam- shell road that skirts the western coast of Mobile Bay.
Fortune smiled broadly and kindly upon Mr. Linehan, Sr., in his undertaking, and he was do- ing an extensive and profitable business when the Civil War broke out. While he regarded war as an instrument of horror and uselessness, vet he responded to the initial call for volunteers, became a member and afterward First Lieutenant of the Battle Guards, a company organized and equipped by Mrs. Battle and a few other wealthy and chiv- alrous ladies of Mobile. This company was com- posed of men of prominence, mettle and valor, and was organized at the breaking ont of hostilities.
After participating in nearly all the important engagements of the war, the father of our subject was killed by a shell during the bombardment of Ft. Gaines, which is in Mobile Bay, August 7. 1864. As he was the first man killed in what was then termed the defense of Mobile, the surviving women
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who had organized the Battle Guards early in the war caused to be erected over his grave in Spring Hill Cemetery, at Mobile, a handsome monument, suitably mscribed. After the war, like thousands of others in the Southland, the widow and mother found that her commercial possessions had so greatly deteriorated in value as to be almost worthless. This, together with the fact that her home and the homes of her friends were filled with desolation, distress and death, influenced her to remove to East St. Louis, where she had relatives who had escaped the awful results of the war. During the summer of 1866 she came to this city accompanied by Jere I. and two younger chil- dren, and here she afterward made her home.
At the age of ten years our subject, through the influence of friends, secured the position of office boy to Superintendent MeComas, of the Eads Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River at East St. Louis, and which was in course of construction at that time. He worked in that capacity until the spring of 1871, when he procured the position of "water boy" to a portion of the workmen under the supervision of Thomas II. White, one of the several superintendents engaged in the building of the National Stock Yards at East St. Louis. He remained in that position until the stock yards were finished and formally opened for business in the autumn of 1872, when he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company at the stock yards as messenger, under the management of 11. F. Parry, under whose personal and able guidance he became an expert telegraph operator. After working with Mr. Parry as operator for about one year, he accepted a position in the prin- cipal office of the Western Union Company at St. Louis, and afterward worked as telegraph opera- tor in all the large cities of the West until 1881. when he returned to his old home.
During the year above mentioned. Mr. Linchan was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Walsh, of East St. Louis, whom he had known from childhood. Three cluldren have been born to them, two of whom they have lost by death, Lester dying at the age of two years, and Bessie when seven years old. The surviving child, Viola, is a handsome, bright and interesting girl of six years. Shortly after
his marriage, Mr. Linehan accepted the position of assistant chief operator with the Mutual Union Telegraph Company of St. Louis, and was thus engaged until February 1, 1886, at which time Mr. Parry resigned the position of manager of the Western Union Company at the National Yards. The company wished a man with the requisite qualifications to succeed, and Mr. Parry chose our subject.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Linehan became ar- tively identified with the East St. Louis Lyceum, a local dramatie organization. He displayed notice- able and unquestionable ability as a comedian while a member, and received offers to go on the road from several well-known dramatic companies at the time the telegraph company offered him the position of manager, but friends and acquaintances persuaded him to accept the position he now holds. As his connection with the National Stock Yards dates back to the time of their erection, he is nat- urally considered an "old-timer" in that vicinity, and his acquaintance with people engaged in the live-stock business is extensive. Being courteous and efficient, he is deservedly popular with the commission men who do business at the stock yards, and, in fact, with all who know him, "his ac- quaintances are his friends."
In his religious belief, Mr. Linehan is a Roman Catholic. Ile is identified with several social and mutual benefit societies. In politics, he is Demo- cratie in National and State questions, and votes for the man whom he considers best qualified in county and municipal affairs. Ile has held one or two minor public offices, and has been tendered the nomination of several positions of public trust, but invariably declines, and it is said of him that he makes efforts to further the interests of other good men in political affairs, rather than to advance his own. He is a warm supporter of the present reform municipal government, and takes a pride in the development and advancement of East St. Louis, and St. Clair County.
Circumstances having made it absolutely neces- sary for Mr. Linehan to begin working at the early age of ten, his educational advantages were very eircumseribed and limited, and he attended about one year altogether during his career, that
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being between the ages of eight and ten. What knowledge he possesses is practical, and was ac- quired by self-study and contact with his mental superiors, the association with which class he has always eagerly sought. Ile is a man of ability and broad knowledge, and has done some reportorial work on the East St. Louis Daily Journal and other local papers. Ilis impressions of the world and appreciation of prosperity have come from the hard school of experience and adversity. He is comfortably and pleasantly located in his own home at No. 806 Baugh Avenue, where he is sur- rounded with all the comforts of life. Sanguine in temperament, refined in nature, merry in dis- position and reserved in manners, he is deservedly popular, and the prominent position which he oc- eupies has been reached by the force of his ability, integrity and industry.
LBERT L. KEECILER. No reference to East St. Louis of a statistical nature, even of the most infinitesimal character, would be complete without passing reference at least to the National Stoek Yards, and the part they play in the world's economy. Among those prominently identified with this vast enterprise is Albert L. Keeehler, who is one of the most popu- lar young men at the vards. He is one of the largest and most extensive handlers of Texas eattle in the I'nited States, is a very successful salesman, and commands the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact in a business way. Ile is thor- ough-going, wide-awake and enterprising. Not only is he prominent in business circles, but as a citizen he is recognized as one of the foremost men. Although young in years, he has held a number of responsible positions, being at present a member of the School Board at East St. Louis, and also a member of the Library Board.
Mr. Keechler was born in the Buckeye State, in Columbus, on the 13th of March, 1858, and comes of sturdy German stock, his father,
Louis Keeehler, being a native of the Father- land. When a young man. the elder Mr. Keechler came with his parents to America, and later was married in Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Maria McCa- mish, a native of Kentucky, but who was reared in Ohno. After this, Mr. Keechler was engaged in the restaurant business, and was thus employed dur- ing the war. Later, he kept an hotel on the Island of East St. Louis, but subsequently went to Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he resides at the present time, engaged in keeping a restaurant and eating-house. In politics, he is a Democrat. Ilis wife died in 1870; they were the parents of three children, two of whom are living at the present time.
Albert L. Keechler, the eldest of these children, attained his growth partly in East St. Louis, and partly in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hle attended the city schools of the latter place, and in June, 1873, he started out for himself. He came to East St. Louis with little else save a pair of strong arms and a determination to succeed, and was employed in the stock yards as water boy while the yards were building. In 1874, he began working in the hog department, was thus engaged for two years, and then became foreman of the hog department, where he remained for two years. Later, he be- eame yard-master of the cattle department, and continued as such until 1881, when he went to work for Irons, Cassidy, Scruggs & Cassidy as yard- man in the cattle department. After this he was made cattle salesman. and on the Ist of April, 1890, be was taken in as partner, under the firm name of Cassidy Bros. & Co., and has been cattle salesman sinee. He has charge of the sale of Texas cattle, and does an immense business. there having been one hundred and sixty-six thousand cattle sold by them last year.
Mr. Keechler owns considerable real estate in the city. and is a member of the First Mutual Build- ing and Loan Association. Hle was married in this city on the 4th of October, 1881, to Miss Emma Ilake, a native of Bloomington, Ill., and the daughter of ex-Mayor S. S. Hake, who was a con- tractor and painter, and a large property owner. Ile is now deceased, but his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Hake, still resides in East St. Louis. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are liv-
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ing. Mrs. Keechler was educated in East St. Louis. and is a lady of superior attainments. In 1888. our subject was elected School Director, and in such a capable manner did he fill that position, that he was re-elected in 1891 without opposition. Ile takes a deep interest in educational matters, was active for the reform city government, and was a member of the Board when the Franklin and Webster school buildings were erected at a cost of 840,000 each. A full system was established in the school. Mr. Keeehler is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and is Past Master of the East St. Louis lodge. Ile is also a member of the Owls, St. Louis lodge. Ile assisted in the ceremony of lay- ing the corner-stone of Summit Avenne Metho- dist Episcopal Church, laid by the Masons. Mrs. Keechler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities, our subjeet is a worthy Dem- ocrat, and has been a delegate to county conven- tions. In the spring of 1891, he was appointed by Mayor Stephens as Director of the Library Board.
ق راع
UGH W. HARRISON. In the year 1848, two mechanics, John Cox and Cyrus Rob- erts, located in Belleville, Ill., and with in- telligence and industry and a perception of the wants of the wheat-raisers in the matter of a machine to save their grain, the farmers at that time trampling out their wheat with horses. they commenced building a machine of the vibrator class. They secured a number of pat- ents on their machine, which was then called the C'ox & Roberts Thresher, but later changed to the Belleville Vibrator. Mr. F. M. Middlecroff, a farmer and practical mechanic, and our sub- ject, Mr. Harrison, after being in the employ of Cox and Roberts several years, purchased Mr. Cox's interest in the business in 1855. At this time the business had grown from eight to ten machines built the first year to over one hundred. Mr. Roberts sold his interest to Mr. Buchanan in 1857, and since then Mr. Harrison and Mr. Buchanan have been together, perfecting and im-
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