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 65
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R. PADFIELD is a representative of one of the old families of the State, for to this region his father came in 1811 with Gen. Hopkins, and with him participated in the Indian wars of this section. W. R. Padfield was born at I'mion Grove, within two and a-half miles of his present residence, September 30, 1821, a son of Thomas and Temperance (Ilill) Padfield. whose union was celebrated on the 10th of August, 1820. The father was born in the State of Mary- land, in 1775, but when he was about two years of age his parents removed to the vicinity of Hop- kinsville, Ky., where he was educated and grew to manhood. In 1815, he and his father came to St. Clair County and located on a farm near I'nion Grove, where the grandfather operated a flour and corn mill. He was a substantial, enterprising and intelligent man of business, and died at the age of seventy-five years. After his death, Thomas Pad- field conducted the mill, which was one of the first in this section of the country, and was patronized by the settlers for many miles around. He always enjoyed excellent health and lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years, dying in 1873. His wife was called from life February 20, 1863, at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of four children, of whom W. R. Padfield, the subject
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of this sketch, was the eldest. The other members were Isaae, who died at the age of nineteen years. James, who died May 21, 1890. when about sixty- one years of age, having been an honest and pros- perous farmer of Crawford County, Kan. He was married to Miss Adeline Moore, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Abernathy) Moore. The youngest member of the paternal family is Julia, the widow of Dr. E. P. Bland, formerly of Mas- contah, Ill., who is now residing in Monmouth, ('rawford County, Kan.
W. R. Padfield, whose name heads this sketch, resided on a farm in the vicinity of Union Grove until he was fifty-eight years of age, during which time he received the benefits of the common schools near his rural home, after which he became a resident of his present plaec of abode. He is a man who possesses the instinets and training of a true gentleman, which he manifests in his daily walk through life, and these attributes, in connec- tion with his generous and kindly disposition, have won him a host of friends, to whom he is loyal and true. He was first married in June, 1853. but his married life only continued until March, 1854, at which time his wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Alexander, was called from hfe. She was a daughter of John and Margaret Alexander, who were born in Maryland and Virginia, respec- tively. In the year 1862, he took for his second wife Miss Eva Kline, their marriage being cele- brated on the 22d of November, but this wife also left him a widower, her death occurring April 18, 1874. Mareh 18, 1875, his third marriage was eel- ebrated, Miss Elizabeth Kline becoming his wife. Ile is the father of three children: Damon, born December 25, 1875; Sideros, October 22. 1880, and Siloros, November 14, 1885.
Mr. Padfield is an honest " son of the soil " and in the conduct of his affairs has shown himself to be thrifty, practical and intelligent. His occupa- tion is a healthful and independent one and he seems to be well fitted for the business. He has served in the capacity of Highway Commissioner and for the past twelve years has held the office of Justice of the Peace and has adjusted his neigh- bors' difficulties with the utmost fairness. He has been a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted
Masons for the past forty years and belongs to Summerfield Lodge No. 342. in which he has held all the offices except Worthy Master. Although a Republican in national polities, he is independent in local affairs.
h ENRY HOFF. It may well be the pride of our subject that he has reclaimed a fruitful tract of land from its natural condition, transforming it into a finely- improved and highly-cultivated farm, one of the best in Fayetteville Township, and in so doing has materially aided in perfecting the development of the rich agricultural resources of St. Clair County. By persistent labor he wrought a wondrous change in the land, until that which was once a wilderness became one of the best-tilled farms in the neighbor- hood. Having accumulated a competency, Mr. Iloff retired from active labor, and now makes his home in the village of Fayetteville, where he is passing his deelining years quietly and retired from active life.
The father of our subject, George Menkie, was born in Germany and there reared to the oeeupa- tion of a farmer, which he followed throughout his entire life. Upon his marriage to Miss Adeline Hoff, who was the owner of considerable landed property in Germany, he dropped his own name and took that of his wife, a common occurrenee in that country where the possession of valuable property is involved. During the latter part of his life, the father of our subject crossed the Atlantic to the United States, where he died in the home of his daughter.
The parental family comprised the following seven children: Henry, our subject, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1828; Clemans, deceased; Mary, who is married; Barney, deceased; G. Henry, a resident of Washington County, Ill .; Caroline, wife of Barney Laike, and Christena, who heeame the wife of Theodore Ambers. In the common schools of Germany, Henry Hoff gained a good | education, and upon the removal of the family
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to the United States in the year 1853, accompanied them hither and settled in St. Clair County near the village of Fayetteville. Farming had engaged his attention in the Fatherland, and upon locating here he purchased about one thousand acres of land in Fayetteville Township, to the cultivation of which he gave his entire time during the years that followed. Ile has prospered so well that he has not only been enabled to aid his children financially by giving them large tracts of land, but he still has sufficient to enable him to live in com- fort.
When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Anna, daughter of Theodore and Adeline (Britmann) Dieker. Six children have been born of the union, as follows: Barney, Frank, August, Herman, John G. and Anna, the last-named being the wife of John Meuse. The children have received excellent edu- cational advantages and are well informed and cultured. Frank fitted himself for the profession of a teacher, which he follows in Randolph County, this State. In his religious connections, Mr. Hoff isidentified with the Catholic Church. Politically, he is firm in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party.
ILLIAM PREDIGER, St. Clair County is justly proud of her native-born citizens, who are honorably bearing their share in sustaining her interests and extending her wealth. Among these is the subject of this biographical re- view, who is engaged in farming on section 7, Lenzburg Township, and is one of its most pro- pressive and enlightened farmers. Ilis estate, which comprises two hundred and thirty broad aeres, is placed under substantial improvement, the fields are well tilled, and a neat set of farm buildings adorns the place.
The original of our sketch was born in this county in 1853, on the farm where he is at present residing. Ilis parents, Peter and Nancy (Mc- Kahey) Prediger, were natives of Germany, the
father born in 1807 and the mother in 1826. Peter Prediger spent the first six years of his life in his native land, and, on accompanying his parents to the I'nited States in 1823, located with them in St. Louis, Mo., where they made their home for a short time. Afterward the parents came to Dutch Ilill Prairie, where they purchased Government land, and resided until their decease.
The father of our subject received only a lim- ited education, but added to the knowledge gained in the common schools by a thorough and systematic course of reading. and kept himself well posted with regard to what was going on in the world. Ile was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of nine years, and, when old enough to choose a life work, became a farmer, and at his death left an estate of seven hundred acres, When at- taining his twenty-first year, he was married to Nancy. a daughter of James and Margaret Me- Kahey, who bore him a family of eleven children, eight of whom are yet living. The elder Mr. Prediger was a Democrat in politics, and, as aº good citizen should be, was earnestly interested in all that pertained to his township and county. ITis career was begun as a poor boy, but by energy and perseverance, united with economy and good business qualifications, he became wealthy, and the records show him to have been one of the heav- iest tax-payers in his township. He died in 1890. Ilis wife, the mother of our subject, has attained the age of sixty-five years, and now makes her home in Marissa.
William Prediger, of this sketch, obtained a good education in the public schools, was well trained by his father and mother in all that goes to make an honorable man, and was thoroughly drilled in farm work while yet young, so that he came to his vocation well fitted to perform its duties. In 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna, daughter of Francis and Margaret Eisfelder, and to them has been born a family of nine children: Anna, Lizzie, William, Mary, Lena (deceased), Jennie, Jessie, Louisa and Viola (de- ceased). Our subject began life for himself by working on a portion of his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage. Ile is a man who has so conducted himself in all the affairs of life
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM PREDIGER, SEC. 7 , LENZBURG TP. ,ST. CLAIR CO., ILL.
RESIDENCE OF FRED RHEIN, SEC 4 , SMITHTON TP., ST. CLAIR CO., ILL .
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as to win the confidence of his fellow-citizens. His political convietions are identical with the principles promulgated by the Democratic party, to which he gives hearty support.
RED RHEIN. As his name indicates, this gentleman is of German deseent, and the success that his family has attained is only another example of what industry and persever- ance ean accomplish upon American soil. He is a prosperous farmer of Smithton Township, and his estate is among the finest in the county.
Our subject's father bore the same name as him- self and was born m Bavaria, Germany. When a small child he came to this country with his par- ents, who made their first settlement in St. Louis, but being dissatisfied with that city they removed from there to St. Clair County. There they set- tled and there the grandparents of our subjeet died.
Fred Rhein, Sr., took unto himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Charlotte Neneninger, also a na- tive of the Fatherland. An enterprising and sue- eessful farmer, he owned at the time of his death a large amount of property, amounting to two hundred and thirty aeres of land. He and his es- timable wife had seven children, six of whom still remain to cheer the last days of their mother. The one deceased is Louis, and those living are: Adam and Maggie (twins); Phobe, Anna, George and our subject. The father was a consistent Christian, and his death was mourned not only by his family, but by those with whom he had been connected. both religiously and socially. The mother still resides on the old homestead with her son, our subject, and is highly esteemed by all who know her.
Fred Rhein, Jr., is a native of this township and county, having been born in the year 1870 on the old homestead. lle operates the farm of two hundred and thirty aeres left by his father. This is one of the best-improved estates in the county, and its fine appearance reflects great credit
on the youthful manager, who despite his being only twenty-two years old, could instruet many an older farmer in the art of cultivating the soul to the best advantage. Mr. Rhein follows general farming on his place and is one of the most enter- prising young men of the township.
T. CLARK, a well-known citizen of St. Clair County, is the present manager of the store owned by 1). Rentchler, of Renteller Village. His life record is as follows: lle was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1847, and is a son of Dr. Philo and Augusta ( Palmer) Clark, the former a native of Hampshire County, Mass., born in 1807, and the latter born in Cayuga County. N. Y., in 1815. The boyhood days of the father were spent among the hills of his native county, and his education for his profession was acquired in the Geneva Medieal Institute, of New York. Ile had previously removed to Cayuga County, N. Y .. and had served as guard in the Auburn State Prison for a few years. After being graduated in medieine, he began practice in the village of King's Ferry, N. Y., where he prosecuted his profession for over half a century. Having then reached an advanced age, and the arduous duties of a practitioner resting heavily upon Inm. he entered a drug-store and is still engaged in that business. llis wife was a daughter of Wynes and Annie (Lyons) Palmer, both of whom were natives of Connecticut but were of English descent. The Clark family traces its ancestry back to three brothers who came from England to this country in Colonial days and were noted men in resisting the perseeutions of the English Government.
When but fifteen years of age, our subject began life for himself by teaching school in his native State. The following year, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Union service as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Eleventh New York Infantry under Gen. Miles. He participated in several important battles, in-
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cluding the engagements at Colfax, Culpeper, Peach Orchard and llarper's Ferry. At the last- named place he was captured, and after being pa- roled.returned to his home.
Mr. Clark then engaged in teaching school, which profession he followed for a short time, when he took up the study of medicine with his father. Ile afterward attended the same medieal school in which his father was a student, but did not gradu- ate. It was in 1871 that he came West, making his first location in Iowa City, lowa, where he en- gaged in practice for two years, when, his health failing him, he changed his occupation and in 1873 went upon the road as a traveling salesman, being thus employed for a year. About this time, in 1874, he was married, in Alton, Ill., to Miss Adelia, daughter of L. W. and Eliza Moore. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, Ambrose D.
After his marriage, Mr. Clark engaged in busi- ness with his father-in-law for one year as proprie- tor of the St. Charles Hotel, of Alton, HI. Ile then removed to Belleville and resumed his old profes- sion of teaching, being thus employed for three years in St. Clair County. In 1879, he became manager of the store of Mr. Rentchler, and has since had charge of the same. Faithful to the in- terests of his employer, he has his entire confidence. In 1884, Mr. Clark was chosen Justice of the Peace and re-elected in 1888. In 1892, he was appointed Township Treasurer, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, which have won him the commendation of all concerned. In political sen- timent, he is a stanch Republican, and by those who know him, he is held in high regard.
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G EORGE SCHAUB. In few branches of trade has the march of progress wrought such a veritable revolution as in the stove and agricultural implement business. What with invention, improvement. and the development of skill, something closely akin to perfection has been reached in these departments of industrial activity. A popular and prosperous establishment
in these lines is that of George Schaub, which has been in successful operation for many years. Mr. Schaub was born in Germany, fifteen miles from Ilesse-C'assel, March 4, 1832. to Wilhelm and Sa- billa (Steidz) Schaub, who were also natives of that place, where they spent their lives. The father was a tanner and currier by trade, which occupa- tion he followed in early life, but he later hecame a tiller of the soil and the owner of considerable land. lle was a Protestant, and died at the age of eighty-three years.
George Schaub was one of a family of seven children, three of whom eame to America and are the only ones now living. He was reared in the land of his birth, learning the rudiments of farm- ing, and obtained a common-school education, but at the age of fourteen years he was apprentieed to a coppersmith for three years and at the end of his term of service he entered the employ of his pre- ceptor, and was afterward a journeyman through Prussia. Upon examination. he was freed from military service, and in 1853 he left Bremen in a sailing-vessel and June 29, 1853, landed in New Orleans. lle came up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, where he began working at his trade, and from 1855 to 1857 was an employe in the sugar factory in St. Louis. In the spring of the latter year he came to East St. Louis, which was then a village known as Illinois Town, and in the vi- cinity began gardening, making a trip to St. Louis every day for the purpose of selling his produce. This occupation received his attention for about a year, when the high water drowned him out and he spent the following year in St. Louis.
In the spring of 1859 he returned to East St. Louis and worked as a coppersmith on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad for seven years, having charge of this department. At the end of this time, in partnership with Charles Hauss, he opened a small tin-shop on Broadway, but at the end of two years Mr. Schaub became sole proprietor of the establishment and began gradually to add hard- ware to his stock. In the spring of 1873, he built a substantial briek busmess house, and has since carried a large and select stock of hardware, tin- ware and agricultural implements. In 1877, he built a store adjoining his brick establishment and now
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bas a double store 50x100 feet with basement, and two or three stories high. He owns some real es- tate in the city and has built a number of houses. He beeame a member of the first and second build- ing and loan associations of the eity, and is a stoek- holder in the Workingmen's Bank. He helped to ineorporate the city in 1865.
Socially, Mr. Schaub is a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Belleville; the Knights of Honor, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and in his political views is a stanch ad- herent of the Republican party. lle and his fam- ily worship in the Lutheran Church. He was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Milt, born near Columbia, Ill., by whom he has four children: Emma, Mrs. Jordan, of East St. Louis; Bertha, Mrs. George Schroader, of East St. Louis; Anna and Lillie at home. Mr. Sehanb is a gentleman of push and enterprise, thoroughly eonversant with the wants of the trade, and popular alike with his patrons and trade competitors.
DAM GINTZ. Humanity has always de- manded stimulants, and it is fairly ar- gued that those engaged in offering a mild, wholesome form, to take the place of the fiery exhilarants of positive injury, should be encouraged and regarded as public benefactors. As a forcible illustration of this conelusion, they point to the Germans, a people among whom the consumption of lager beer to the exclusion of other beverages is as common as tea-drinking in other nations; yet there are no steadier, more in- dustrious or more order-loving citizens to be found than are embraced in our Teutonie population. One of the most important industries that eenter in Belleville is the manufacture of lager beer, em- ploying, as it does, a large amount of capital, and giving employment, direetly and indireetly, to more people than is done by any other one in- terest.
Adam Gintz, who is the proprietor of the Western Brewery, is engaged in one of the most important
industries in the flourishing city of Belleville, and is one of the most energetie, enterprising and successful business men of the place. lle was born at Rheinpfalz, Germany, on the 10th of July, 1850. and was there educated until sixteen years of age. In 1866 he came to the United States and made his way directly to Belleville, where he entered the employ of a brewing company there, the firm being New & Gintz. the latter no relative of his. He learned all departments of the business, and soon became a practical brewer. In 1873 the above mentioned firm sold out to four men, Adam Gintz, John Kloes, William Brandenberger and Valentine Steeg, and Mr. Gintz was placed in charge of the business, condueting the same and being backed by the other gentlemen until 1881.
Having made a financial success of the venture, Mr. Gintz purchased the entire plant, and has since conducted it most successfully. He has made a great many improvements in the plant, erected new buildings at an immense cost, and has given employment to a large number of men and boys. Mr. Gintz takes a foremost place among the brewers of the county, and this leadership is not only in the proportions upon which the manufac- ture is carried on, but also in the quality of the product, and the large territory covered by the sales. The demand for this beer is wonderful and this is not only for local consumption, but also for shipment. Car-loads are shipped daily to all points of the compass. The beer is a healthy and nutritive family beverage, made from the ehoieest materials and free from salicylic aeid or other deleterious preservatives. The di- mensions of the establishment are marvelous, and the plant is located in West Belleville. Our sub- ject's large brick residence stands in close proximity.
Mr. Gintz is one of the substantial men of the county, and has made all his property by his in- dustry and excellent business acumen. lle ownsa great amount of real estate, and is a public-spirited citizen, being prominently identified with every important enterprise for the advancement and de- velopment of the city. He inherits all the thrift and energy of his German ancestors, and has sur- ceeded where others would have failed. In poli- tics he is a strong supporter of Demoeratie princi-
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ples. On the 9th of November, 1871, he was mar- ried to Miss Rosa Gintz. danghter of Peter Gintz, who had formerly operated the brewery. Her parents are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gintz are the parents of three children: Walter, Fred- erick and Katie.
HIILIP H. SOPP. The subject of the pres- ent too brief sketch holds the prominent and responsible position of Principal of the school of East Carondelet, Sugar Loaf Township, St. Clair County. Our subject was born in Waterloo, Monroe County, Ill., October23, 1860, was reared in that pleasant little village and was sent to the schools of that place. Always devoted to books, he was not satisfied with the educational advantages of those places of instruction, but went to St. Louis and there took a course in the Ames School, where he completed certain branches according to the curriculum, but Mr. Sopp is too good and experienced an educator to consider an education as ever really finished.
After being graduated from this place, our sub- ject took charge of the Deer Hill School, which is located five miles west of Waterloo, and was so pleased with the position and gave such great satisfaction to his patrons, that his residence there stretched out over a space of four years. He was then offered his present position of Principal of the East Carondelet Schools, which he accepted, and has remained here ever since, devoting himself to the work. His ability is recognized and his pro- gressive ideas find acceptance among the intelli- gent people of East Carondelet, while his manage- ment has had the very best results. The tenth term is now fairly under way, and Mr. Sopp bids fair to remain with this community for ten years to come.
An interesting event in the life of our sub- ject, which made the year 1883 memorable, was his marriage to the danghter of Henry Tebbenhoff, who was one of the oldest settlers of New Han-
over Township. Annie E. Tebbenhoff was the name of the lady who became his bride and who has proved a sympathetic and congenial compan- ion. Three children came to bless their home, Lulu, Robert and Harry.
The gentleman of whom we write is a highly valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has done much to advance the order. In his political preferences, he is an ardent and active Democrat, believing that the principles which were announced by Jefferson and which were in vogue under the Jacksonian administra- tion are the ones best fitted for securing the pros- perity of our country. Mr. Sopp keeps himself well posted on current affairs and is a fine conver- sationalist.
Our subject has been honored by his township with the office of Collector and is a very active worker in all that tends to advance the interests of the place in which he finds a home. Ile has been Postmaster of the village, but other duties now claim his time. A professional school teacher, many doors of preferment stand open to him, and it may be only a question of years before Mr. Sopp takes one of the foremost places in the edu- cational departments of the county. llis present school contains eighty pupils and is managed in two rooms. The religious denomination to which Mr. Sopp and his excellent wife belong is the Evangelical Lutheran, and there they hold places of esteem and respect.
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