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 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Politically, Mr. Reichert has always been a Dem- ocrat and active in the ranks of his party. This party, recognizing his worth and desiring his services, have twice nominated him as Representa-
tive. Hosts of friends gather about him, and the general verdict is that he has made a success of his life because of his promptness and energy in every emergency. His church is the Roman Catholic and to that church he looks for consolation in his hours of need. The family is one of the most prominent in this part of the county.
REDERICK TRAUTMANN. who owns a large farm on section 9, Caseyville Town- ship, is a native of our sister Republic, France. He was born in 1838. in Alsace, and is a son of Philip and Caroline (IIneckel) Trautmann. The parents of our subject were both born in the same province. The father was reared in a village and when in his youth he went to Paris, he en- tered the service of a gentleman and worked for some time as his servant. After his marriage, he carried on a store until his death, which occurred in 1840. His wife survived him about ten years. Their family consisted of two sons: Philip, who died at the age of seventeen, and Frederick, the subject of this sketch.
For two years after his mother's death, Frederick made his home with an aunt and then went to the city to learn the trade of a saddler and harness- maker. After mastering that trade, he followed the same occupation in his native country, and for two years after his arrival in the United States. In 1858, bidding adieu to his friends and the scenes of his youth, he set his face Westward and came by ship to America. He first located in St. Louis, where he engaged in harness-making for some time. In 1862, he purchased his present home where he has since resided. Ile now owns a well-cultivated farm of two hundred and forty aeres in Illinois, and a tract of one hundred and twenty acres situ- ated in Missouri.
In St. Clair County, Mr. Trautmann was united in matrimony to Dorothe Deck, daughter of Philip and Dorothe (Koehloeffer) Deck. The ceremony was performed in 1859. By this marriage, six
I. Nimes
541
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
children were born who are still living and two who died in infancy. Those who survive are: Fred, who married Louisa Baldus; Emma, who is the wife of Henry Stolberg; Louisa, who is the wife of John Stolberg; Philip, Caroline and Willian. These children have all had the advantage of a good education.
In religious faith, Mr. Trautmann's family are Protestants, Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party and takes an active interest in 1 its welfare. He served as Supervisor of Roads in his township for one year, to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. Ilis large farms are models of thrift and bespeak the care and industry of their owner. Ile has a pleasant home which is surrounded by substantial farm buildings. He has always been a faithful and industrious agriculturist, and has devoted his time almost exclusively to his business affairs. By a simple and unassuming life, he has won many friends who esteem him highly for his sterling character and worth.
OIIN NIEMES. Men who live in our daily sight and from an humble position work out 1 a truly noble character, are the most valuable 1
teachers. The life of Mr. Niemes is full of lessons of self-help and self-respect, and shows the efficacy of these characteristics in gaining for a man an honorable competence and solid reputation. He is a member of the firm of Niemes & Reimann, contractors and builders, of East St. Louis, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the city.
The father of our subject, Henry Neimes, was a native of Germany, and in that country carried on business as a contractor and builder. Upon emigrating to America he located in Tivoli, Duteli- ess County, N. Y., and there engaged in the same employment. Ile was accidentally killed by fall- ing from a building. In religions matters, he was a member of the Lutheran Church, which he assisted in every way within his power. The principles of the Democratic party always received
his active support. The mother of our subject, Barbara Ledig, was born in Germany, whence she came to America, living to the advanced age of seventy years. Of the four children born to this worthy couple, only two remain: .John, the subject of this notice; and William, a brave soldier in the Civil War, who now resides in Turner's Falls, Mass. '
John Niemes was born in Bavaria, near Kircheim, Germany, June 15, 1838. Ilis childhood was spent in his native country until he was eleven years of age, when he accompanied his parents to America. No doubt the voyage was a great ex- perience for both parents and children, but all were glad when the good sailing ship, the "Rhine," anchored at New York, after a passage of thirty- eight days. The boys attended the public schools of Tivoli, and so quick and intelligent was John that in six months he could speak the English language. His father was a practical man, and, when John was sixteen years old, he took the boy under an apprenticeship to himself, and taught him brick-laying.
In the summer of 1857, our subject came West to Chicago, and worked at his trade there until he went to Watertown, Wis., where he remained until the spring of 1858. From that place he removed to St. Louis, where he was married January 31, 1861, to Miss Theresa Heacker, who was born in Germany and reared in Louisville, Ky. In 1862, he located permanently in East St. Louis, and began building and contracting, and working in stone and brick. Hle erected the Heims Brewery the Franklin and Webster Schools, and the Beatty and Adelle Blocks, the largest in the city. He also built the East St. Louis Water Works, and the retaining wall on Broadway and Collinsville Avenne. At times he has employed as many as one hundred and fifty men.
In 1883, Mr. Niemes formed a partnership with Peter Reimann, and in 1884 opened the Falling Springs Stone Quarry, with railroad connections. Ile is the owner of some real estate in the city, and was a stockholder in the first loan association in the Workingmen's Bank. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens by being called upon to act as Alderman for three terms, and has served ac-
542
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ceptably on many different committees. He is a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar, and is identified with the Knights of Honor. In his political faith, Mr. Niemes is a stanch Republican, and has been a delegate to the State and county conventions. He has a very fine residence at No. 327 North Seventh Street, which is one of the most attractive homes of the city. Ile and his wife are the parents of five children : Frank J., who is in business with his father: John Il .. George, Theresa A. and Minnie B. Mr. Niemes is a liberal, public-spirited man, and a representative of the successful business men of East St. Louis.
BRAHAM GRIFFEN owns a farm on sec- tion 15, Shiloh Valley Township. He was born in Albany County, N. Y., on the 1st of May, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Jane A. (Peers) Griffen. llis father was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1805, and his wife was also born in the Empire State, on the 4th of June, 1810. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jacob Griffen. The father was the youngest of four sons, Joseph, Abraham, Isaac and .Jacob, who all received good, common-school educations. Jacob came to Illinois in 1843 with his family and settled near the place where our subject now lives. Previous to coming West he had married in New York State Jane A. Peers, daughter of Henry Peers. He first carried on a farm of forty acres, which he received from his brother Joseph. Ile operated that land quite successfully, but for many years previous to his death, in 1850, was in very poor health. The death of his wife occurred in 1889. In their family were eight children: Peers; Joseph; Emeline, who married Edwin Alexander and has four children: Cora A., Jane and Lucy (twins), and George E .; George, deccased; Jacob, who makes his home in Randolph County, Mo .; Mary, who married Nathaniel Cox and has a family of five children, of whom two, Isaac and Frank, are living: Isaac, deceased: and Abraham, the subject of this sketch. who completes the family. Isaac
enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Seven- teenth Illinois Infantry, and died during the war of lung trouble.
Abraham Griffen, who was the youngest of his father's family, lived with his mother upon the home farm until her death. Since that time he has been in partnership with his brother Joseph, and has engaged quite extensively in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. They carry on the old homestead place and have added to that tract one hundred and twenty acres, making one hundred and sixty acies. The farm is highly cultivated and shows on every hand the attention and thrifti- ness of its owners. On the place is a substantial residence, barns and other necessary farm build- ings. By the careful management of Mr. Griffen, it has steadily increased in value, and is now con- sidered one of the best farms of the township.
Our subject's father was a Whig in politics, and Ins son is a stanch supporter of the Republican principles and party. Mr. Griffen takes a leading part in local affairs and his influence is devoted to the advance of the best interests of the community' m which he resides. He has made many friends during his long residence in this county, who es- teem him highly for his worth and upright char- aeter.
7 UGEST TIEMANN is one of the old and honored residents of the city of Belleville, for here he has resided since 1850. Ile en- joys the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive citizen. but a thor- oughly posted man in all public affairs. He has always been noted for honorable, upright dealing. and his example of industry and his earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life are well worthy of imitation by the rising generation. Ile was born in Minden, Prussia, in 1833, and, when a boy of fifteen years, came directly from that place to America, bringing a brother and two sisters younger than himself, whose support fell upon his slender and youthful shoulders at the death of their mother. He was not afraid of work and showed
543
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
much judgment in looking after his sisters and brother and in securing employment that would bring him the means of livelihood.
Our subject learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked for four years, but upon erip- pling his arm he had to seek other employment, when he embarked in the hotel and saloon business. Ile built the Tiemann House in 1860 at the corner of Main and Maseontah Streets, a large three-story briek building, in which he is still conducting a successful business. Ilis establishment is noted for home-like appointments, its excellent table service and its reasonable prices. Mr. Tiemann makes an admirable host, for he is not only anxious to supply every want of his guests, but he is very courteous, genial and accommodating. Hle has always been alive to his own interests, has grasped all opportunities for making money, but has ever been the soul of honor in his business transactions and has the unbounded satisfaction of knowing that he has never wronged anyone or taken what was not rightfully his.
: Mr. Tiemann is a prominent member of the Sucker State Drill Works, is one of its largest stock- holders, and for some time was President of the same. Although he has filled the position of Al- derman and has always manifested considerable interest in politieal matters, both local and na- tional, he has never been an aspirant for publie favor, and what honors he has received in this way have come to him unsought.
Our subjeet was united in marriage to Miss Au- gusta Henschel, of Belleville, but who was born in Auswalde, near Berlin, Germany, and came to America in her youth. Her union with Mr. Tie- mann resulted in the birth of eight children: Bertha, the wife of William B. Huff. of Belleville; Lizzie, wife of John Brosious; Augusta, wife of Fred Sattler; Ida, wife of C. II. Lennig; Pauline, wife of Adolph Knobeloch; Emily, Lena, and Louis E., who is the third of this family in order of birth.
Louis E. Tiemann was born in Highland, III., November 12, 1859, and was fortunate enough to receive the greater part of his scholastic educa- tion in the Morgan Park Military Academy, of Chicago, Ill., after which he obtained a practical
education through hard experience in the every- day affairs of life. Following his school days, he was in the wholesale grocery business in St. Louis until his father was disabled, when he returned to Belleville, in 1882, and at the present time is the efficient and successful manager of the Park Theater and Garden, also of a saloon opposite the Air Line. lle is the city bill poster and the agent for the An- heuser-Busch Brewery of St. Louis. He is a wide- awake young man, prompt and energetic, honorable and courteous, and the establishments over which he has control are quiet, yet very popular, places of resort and are patronized by the elite of the city.
Mr. Tiemann, Jr., is a stockholder of the Williams' Livery Stable, which is a well-patronized establish- ment, owing to the fact that it is supplied with excellent vehicles of all description, and good horses that are properly cared for and are always ready for use. He is Vice-president of the State Bill Posters' Association, and has in various other ways shown that he is a man of progressive and independent ideas. September 20, 1882, he was married to Miss Laura Wilding, by whom he has three sons: Leon, Clarence and Norman,
P HILIP M. GUNDLACHI. Among the man- ufacturing corporations of Belleville whose capital, energy and enterprise have been and are the most important factors in the development of the resources and expansion of the trade in the city, may be mentioned the fac- tory established and carried on by Mr. Gundlach for the manufacture of grain drills. Although small in its inception, it has rapidly expanded to its present dimensions, and now occupies a posi- tion among the largest houses of the State. Its success is entirely due to the push and persever- anee of the owner, and it will therefore be of in- terest to note a few facts with reference to his life and work.
July 13, 1831, Mr. Gundlach was born in the Dukedom of Nassau, the village of Niederhaeg-
541
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
stadt, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, Prussia. Ilis parents were Philip and Susie (Schitz) Gundlach, natives of the same place as himself. The father, whose occupation was that of a farmer, was in Gen. Blucher's army at the famous battle of Waterloo. To him is due the credit for the intro- duction of the process of burning bricks by coal.
On coming to America in 1842, Mr. Gundlach, Sr., located three miles east of Belleville, where he purchased a half-section of land and made his home until death terminated his career in 1862. at the age of seventy-one. His widow survived him some years, passing away at the age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of five children, of whom Philip M. was the youngest, the others being: Jolm and Jacob, who reside upon the old homestead; Mary, the widow of Ily- cinta Germain; and Kate, whose husband was the late John Biebel. They all reside in or near the city of Belleville, and are highly respected in the community.
When a child of about eleven years, our subject accompanied his parents to America, and with them came to Belleville, where he grew to a vig- orous manhood upon his father's farm. His edn- cation, which was meagre, was obtained in the schools of the vicinity, but his time was princi- pally devoted to agricultural pursuits. His mar- riage occurred May 17, 1855, when he was about twenty-three, and he was then united with Miss Eleanor Boehning, whose native home was in Germany. Their children are: Susie, who mar- ried S. Poirot and resides in Missouri; John. Philip A., Alois and Joseph, who are employed in the factory and are sturdy, self-reliant young men.
In 1858, Mr. Gundlach began to manufacture grain drills, on which he secured letters patent. The commencement of the enterprise was small, and during the first year of its existence the manufactory turned out only twenty-five ma- chines. It has increased to such an extent that they now have an immense plant, making about two thousand grain drills per year and furnish- ing steady work to one hundred employes. The demand for the goods is proved by the fact that the sales each year usually average $80,000. The
establishment, in fact, is one which reflects eredit upon the enterprise and acumen of its founder. The family residence is an elegant and commodi- ous honse, surrounded by sixty acres of fine land north of the city limits, where the plant is lo- cated.
AMES DI'NN, who for nearly three-score years has lived in this county, owns a farm on section 15, Stookey Township. Ile was born on the same farm where he now lives, in 1833, and was a son of Peter and Susan Dunn. llis father was born in the city of New York in 1808, but his wife was of a very old pioneer family of Illinois, and was born in St. Clair County a few years later than her husband. The father lost his parents when he was very young, and from that time on he was thrown among strangers. The first family with which he made his home treated him so unkindly that he ran away from them.
Believing in the great possibilities for a young man possessed of determination and enterprise, Peter Dunn came to Illinois, and was soon after- ward married in this county to Miss Susan, a daugh- ter of ,John and Ersilla Teeter. They had a family of four children, as follows: Adeline, wife of John Boul; Mary A., wife of Walter Gown; Maria, now deceased, formerly the wife of Matthew Stookey; and James, our subjeet. After coming to Illinois, Mr. Dunn entered a tract of Government land, the same on which his son now resides. When he first located in this county, he had no means, but bor- rowed the money to enter this piece of property. By his industry and economy he made a good home, and before his death had accumulated about eight hundred acres of fine, arable land. The grand- father of our subject. James Dunn, was a native of Ireland, and came to this country in the early part of the present century.
Mr. Dunn, whose name heads this sketch, was united in marriage in 1857 with Martha Pulse, who is a daughter of Louis and Jane Pulse. To our worthy subject and his wife were born eight
RESIDENCE OF JAMES DUNN, SECS. 10 & 15., STOOKEY TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
547
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
children, four of whom died in infancy. Those sur- viving are Maria, the wife of Edward Gump: Jane; Susan. wife of Fred Murker; and Madison. The mother of these children departed this life in 1876, mourned by a large circle of friends.
Like his father before him, Mr. Dunn is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist Church, to which he gives his loyal support. His duties of citizenship are always faithfully performed, and as is indicated by his success and prosperity in life, he has always attended strictly and exclusively to his large farm and business interests. Ilis life work was begun by renting his father's farm, and after the death of his father he came into possess- ion of a large portion of the estate, and by toil and perseverance has added to the original tract until he now possesses three hundred and eighty-one acres of as fine land as can be found in the county? During his long years' residence in this locality, he has won the respect and esteem of many friends and acquaintances.
C HARLES HAT'SS. A leading and popular house identified with the trade in hardware specialties, stoves and house-furnishing goods, is that of which Mr. Hauss is the proprietor, located at the corner of Collins and Missouri Ave- nues. Mr. Hauss was born in Germany, at Baden on the Rhine, in which section his father, Charles Hauss, was also born. When the Revolution of 1848 opened, he left that country with his wife and two sons and came to America, settling at Louisville, Ky.
Charles Hauss was the eldest of this family and was reared in Louisville, in the public schools of which city he acquired a practical education. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to a tinsmith, and at the end of three years began working as a journeyman. In December, 1862, he began working at his trade in St. Louis, but in April of the following year he came to East St. Louis, and for three years was in the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company. In
1866, he opened a tin and hardware store, under the firm name of Schaub & Hauss, but in 1868 he sold out to Mr. Schaub, and embarked in the same business on Missouri Avenue. In 1885, he built his present business block, which is 50x140 feet, made of pressed brick, two stories and a basement in height. Hle occupies one of the stores himself, and the other is used as the Postoffice. He is a stockholder and Director in the Building and Loan Association, and in 1890 formed a stock company known as the Hauss Stove & Hardware Co., of which he became President, C. F. Hauss, Vice-pres- ident, and William II. Hauss, Secretary. The cap- ital stock is $15,000.
Tin ware of an excellent quality is manufactured. and a large stock of all articles in his line of trade is kept constantly on hand. Mr. Ilauss was mar- ried here in 1865 to Miss Anna C. Hecker, who was born in Washtenaw County, Mich., and died in 1889, having become the mother of three children: C. F. and William I1., who are associates in busi- ness, and Ed A., who resides in Detroit. Mr. Hauss' second marriage was to Miss Louise Zin- graff, who was born in the Buckeye State. Ile has always been a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and from 1890 to 1892 was an Alderman from the Fourth Ward. Ilis establishment ranks A l in extent of trade and excellence of reputa- tion, and in his dealings with the public Mr. Hauss is prompt, reliable and energetic, and is very popu- lar in the community.
C HARLES KARCHI, a well-to-do and ener- getic farmer residing on section 31. Engel- man Township, was born on the 2d of June, 1843, on what is now the Stoph farm, in Freeburg Township, St. Clair County. The family numbered five children. The parents were Ernest and Catherine (Seip) Karch, the former a native of Saxony, Germany, and the latter of Hesse-Darm- stadt. In 1833, Ernest Karch emigrated to Amer- ica, locating first on Dutch Hill, and after his
548
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
marriage he took up his residence near Mascoutah, in what is now Freeburg Township. However, he lived there but a short time when, in 1850, he re- moved to a farm on section 31, Engelman Town- ship, the same upon which our subject now re- sides. There he made his home until 1854. when he removed to Fayetteville, where he resided until 1858. His death occurred on the 30th of January of that year. His wife still survives him and has now reached an advanced age. Only two of their children are now living: Charles of this sketch, and Gustave E., who is engaged in mercantile business in Colorado.
Our subjeet was educated in the publie schools, and was early inured to the labors of the farm, be- ginning work in the fields as soon as he was old enough to handle a plow. To agricultural pursuits he has devoted his time and attention throughout his entire life, and he now owns a fine and valua- ble farm, comprising two hundred and seventy-six acres of land, of which two hundred and thirty-six acres are under a high state of cultivation. yielding a ready return for the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner. Wheat is his principal crop. Ile has made all the improvements upon the place and the farm is complete in all its appointments, supplied with all modern convenienees and every- thing pertaining to a model farm of the nineteenth century.
On the 17th of October, 1867, Mr. Karch was married to Miss Mary Heberer, daughter of George Henry Ileberer, one of the early settlers of Free- burg Township. They began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their home, and their union has been blessed with a family of three chil- dren: Gustave, who is now twenty-four years of age; Laura, a young lady of twenty-one sum- mers, and Charles, a youth of seventeen, who is now a student in the State Normal University of Normal, III.
Socially, Mr. Karch is a member of the Knights of Honor of Mascoutah, and in his political affili- ations is a stalwart Republican, warmly advocating the principles of that party. He has held the office of School Treasurer continuously since 1880, a fact indieating his personal popularity and the con- fidence reposed in him. He was also Supervisor of
the township for one term and has been School Director in his district. His entire life has been spent in this county, with the exception of a short period passed in Colorado on a visit to his brother. Ilis honorable, upright career has won him many friends and he has the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contaet.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.