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 66
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E RASTUS ALLEN THOMAS, the widely known and successful car-tracer for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, is one of the highly valued employes of this line of rail- road, and a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of East St. Louis, residing at No. 1600 St. Louis Avenue. Our subject was born December 7, 1843, in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His pa- ternal grandfather,Gen. Isaac Thomas, fought brave ly in the War of the Revolution and made a record of which his descendants may well be proud. Lewis
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Thomas, the son of the Revolutionary hero and the father of Erastus Allen Thomas, was a native of Pennsylvania, and served in the War of 1812 as a captam. He was stationed at Morristown and fought in the battle of the Windmill.
Our subject has a pair of horse-pistols and holders used in the struggles of 1776 and in the War of 1812. These valuable relies have also been used in hunting moose and elk. Lewis Thomas mar- ried in Pennsylvania at eighteen years of age. Ile went to St. Lawrence County and took up land on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Clearing the land himself. he built him a house, and, full of ambition and energy, became one of the most pros- perous of the pioneer farmers of those early days. A Presbyterian in faith and a Republican in poli- ties, Lewis Thomas commanded the esteem and confidence of all who knew him, regardless of the religion or politics of his friends and acquaint- ances; and when he passed away in 1875 he was mourned as a public-spirited citizen and a man of sterling integrity of character.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Rachael Sampson; she was a native of Penn- sylvania and the mother of ten children, nine of whom were sons. She died before her husband, after sharing his pioneer experience in the | days of their youth. Following the example of his courageous ancestors, Lewis Thomas, a brother of our subject, named in honor of his father, enlisted in the year 1860, in the New York Vol- unteer Infantry, and as a dauntless color-bearer, was killed at Gettysburgh. Erastus Allen, raised upon the banks of the St. Lawrence, attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and was never from home until he went into the army at nineteen years of age, when, running away, he en- listed in the United States Regulars. His parents both had a horror of the regular army life, and his father brought him home again, promising that he might enlist in the New York Volunteers, which he did, joining the One Hundred and Sixth New York Regiment, Company B. He was mustered in at Ogdensburg in August, 1862, and sent Sonth. camping at Martinsburgh, where the regiment re- mained until the spring of 1863, about the time his brother was killed at Gettysburgh.
Our subject participated in the battles of Fair- mount, and Wade Hampton, and although suffering privations and in constant peril, also had amusing experiences. After a time the regiment returned to Martinsburgh, and, a battle taking place, were forced to retreat to Harper's Ferry, where they joined the Army of the Potomac. Next came the siege of Petersburgh and the battle at Brady's Station, about which time Mr. Thomas was put on the signal corps, and there remained until the close of the war. At Culpeper Court House, he was in charge of a squad corps, and was wounded by the eut of a sabre across the face, but being near the handle it only stunned him. Our subject participated in the Grand Review of the troops in Washington, and believes both parties were heartily glad that the long and bitter fight was over. Mr. Thomas was mustered out at Alexandria, Va., in July, 1865, and although he was rejoiced that the horrors of civil war were ended, he left the active service in behalf of his country with regret. Re- turning to the home of his parents, he remained with them one year, and February 23, 1866, was united in marriage with Miss Dettie E. Whit- ney, a native of Hammond, St. Lawrence County. This estimable lady was the daughter of Samuel Whitney, born in Massachusetts in 1790, and a successful farmer and early settler of St. Lawrence County. His wife, Elizabeth White Whitney, was a native of Southern New York.
After the marriage of our subject he operated a farm one year, and then came to Detroit, and en- gaged in a bakery and ran it successfully seven years. In 1874, Mr. Thomas removed to Chicago, and there found employment as a photographic artist for three years. In 1877, he returned to Morristown and settled upon the old homestead, where he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits for five years and bought the old home and made it a dairy farm. In the year 1882, our subject located in East St. Louis and was employed as as- sistant ticket agent in the railway depot until 1885; he then became clerk for the Louisville & Nash- ville local freight depot, and soon received the position of car-tracer for the Short Line. holding this work for four years, when the Louisville & Nashville Railroad brought him back here, where
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he has remained ever since. His business terri- tory is the terminals of St. Louis and he has eigh- teen separate lines to take care of. The business of a ear-tracer is often complicated and requires judgment, energy and natural ability in the hand- ling of its work.
Mr. Thomas has been prospered and has made excellent investments, owning valuable property and having built several houses in East St. Louis, the last one erected upon the corner of St. Louis Avenue and Twelfth Street, costing $10,000. Our subject is a member of Pride of the Valley Lodge No. 435, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past Noble, and of National Union No. 563. Mrs. Thomas is a Daugli- ter of Rebekah, and is a member of the Presbyter- ian Church and active in all good work. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of one child, a dangh- ter, Mabel F. Politically, our subject is a strong Republican and an ardent defender of the prinei- ples of the good old party, and is always interested in the local and National issues of the day.
G USTAVU'S F. HILGARD. civil engineer and surveyor. Among the accomplished and representative civil engineers of the State of Illinois may he mentioned Gustavus F. Ililgard, whose place of business is at No. 305 South Jackson Street, Belleville, III. He has had a long and valuable experience in his profes- sion, and is well qualified for all the duties pertain- ing thereto. He makes examinations and furnishes reports, attends to municipal engineering, and is over ready to offer his services in consultations on works of any magnitude. He has made an evin- able record as a practical. skillful and experienced engineer, and has filled some very responsible positions in a very able manner.
Ile was born on a farm three and a-half miles east of Belleville, June 17, 1835, a son of Theodore Hilgard, Jr .. and Emma ( leimberger) Ililgard, who settled on a farm in St. Clair County in July, 1832. The former was born near the Rhine River in Germany, and after coming to America resided
on a farm the remainder of his life. He became the father of four sons and four daughters. all of whom reside in Belleville: Anna, wife of E. Abend ; Emma ; Charles, in the insurance husi- ness ; Theodore, who is in a store with his young- est brother ; Emily ; Ernst, a merchant ; Eliza, wife of Mr. Roemiser. the popular clothier of Belle- ville, and Gustavus F.
The latter assisted his father on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he began studying surveying with G. F. Graner, father of the present County Surveyor; soon after which, in 1854, he took a position in the City Engineer's office in St. Louis, under HI. Keiser. During the two years that he remained in this po- sition he continued to pursue his studies with mueh diligence, after which he entered the Missis- ippi State University at Oxford, where he took a mathematical and civil engineering course, and graduated in the Class of '58. The instructors at that time were men of eminence and acknowl- edged intellect, and Mr. Hilgard made the most of his opportunities and thoroughly fitted himself for his profession. I'pon his return to Belleville he became Deputy County Surveyor under S. Tindale, and in 1860 was elected to the position of County Surveyor over .his old instructor, G. F. Graner, and filled the office with marked ability until 1876 (with the exception of two terms), making twelve years of actual service for his county. During his service a levee three and a-half miles long was built, also sixteen miles of drainage. but after the dis- triet had expended $120.000 on it, it was aban- doned.
He is a well-known eoal-mine surveyor, and no personal career among the many honorable records of the county can be pointed out with greater pride than his. On the 16th of October, 1862. he was united in marriage to Miss Alvina Gleaser, and by her he is the father of the following children : Eugene F., who was born August 3, 1863. has been in the railroad service since he was sixteen years old, and is now head clerk in the freight and passenger depot of the St. Louis Short Line; Edgar E., who was born October 30, 1865, died August 11, 1867 : Walter was born June 7, 1868, and died July 8, 1885. Mrs. Hilgard is a daughter of Fred-
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eriek and Matilda (Gratch) Gleaser, who came to America from Germany about 1835. The father was a farmer, and died in 1890 in his seventieth year, his wife having been called from life in 1885. They were the parents of the following-named children : Marie, wife of Otto Schott, a farmer residing near Shiloh ; Alvina, Mrs. Ililgard ; Charles, m the clothing business ; Emma, wife of William Mangelin, of Webb City, Mo .; Adolph, who is the proprietor of a cutlery store at Bruns- wiek, Mo .; and Fannie, wife of William Fisher, a dry-goods merchant of Belleville.
ILLIAM II. GRUPE, the popular ex-Alder- man from the Fifth Ward, a successful and extensive grocer and dealer in produce and feed, has been an energetic and prosperous citizen of East St. Louis, Ill., for the past score of years, and is widely known as a progressive and enter- prising man. Born in the Province of Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, May 2, 1856, our subject is the descendant of an excellent German family, who had been distinguished for bravery, and as citizens were intelligent, honest and industrious. Ilis paternal grandfather, Herman Grupe, served with fidelity in the German army in the celebrated march to Russia. Herman II. Grupe, the father, was the owner of a small farm in the Fatherland and patiently cultivated the soil; he also served with ability as an official of the town, and held the various responsible positions of School Director, Church Trustee, and President of the Dis- trict Assembly, there being in Hanover seven Pro- vincial Assemblies which have the right of partici- pating in the provincial legislation.
The mother of our subject was Mary Siedhoff, the daughter of a German soldier, who was killed during a campaign. Mrs. Mary (Siedhoff) Grupe was the mother of ten children, of whom William Il. is the fourth of the family of brothers and sis- ters now living. He was raised upon his father's farm, and attended both private and common
schools in his native land, and at sixteen years of age entered the gymnasium near his home and studied the classics, pursuing the course in an ex- cellent Government institution for one year, when he decided to emigrate to America. In the fall of 1873, Mr Grupe, bidding adieu to his friends and early home, boarded the steamer, "Phoenix" at Bremen, and after a safe voyage was landed in New York, and from the Empire City came direct to St. Louis, where he received from a brother immediate employment in a grocery house. At the expiration of one year, our subject entered the Jones Commercial College, and having, after the required preparation, graduated from this excel- lent institution, soon became book-keeper in the Capitol Bank, of St. Louis, and remained with this financial institution until its failure in 1876.
During the fall of this latter year, Mr Grupe came to East St. Louis, and was engaged by F. Ilinze, a grocer, and remained in his employ until 1882, when the services of our subject were se- cured by the German American Bank, of St. Louis, with which banking establishment he was eon- nected as book-keeper until 1884, when he re- turned to East St. Louis and bought an interest with Mr. Hinze in the grocery business, the firm then being Grupe & Hlinze. One year later, our subjeet became by purchase the sole proprietor of the business, which was one of the oldest regular grocery establishments in East St. Louis, and which, under the skillful management of Mr Grupe, who also handled extensively feed and flour, soon as- sumed larger proportions, and is now one of the most prosperous in the city. Our subject was married in 1884 to Miss Annie Hlinze, a most es- timable lady, widely known and highly respected in East St. Louis, which is her birthplace.
Mr. and Mrs. Grupe have been blessed with the birth of a son, Arthur, a promising lad, intelligent and manly. Mr. Grupe is a stockholder in the St. Clair Building and Loan Association, and was an organizer and Vice-president of the same. Our subject is a stalwart Republican, and in 1890, was elected one of the City Fathers, and as the repre- sentative Alderman from the Fifth Ward, exe- cuted the wishes of his constituents efficiently and in the discharge of his various official duties rendered
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excellent service to the City Government. and dis- played a marked ability on important committees. Mr Grupe is a Knight of Pythias and is a member of the Modern Woodmen National Union. Ile is a valued member of the Lutheran Church in St. Louis, and is ever ready to aid in worthy social, benevolent or religious enterprises. In both pri- vate and business life our subject is esteemed as a man of honor and integrity, and commands the confidence of a host of friends.
C. JOHNSON, freight and passenger agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Belleville, Ill., to which position he was appointed May 1, 1880, was born in Shelby County, Ind., near Shelbyville. He is a son of Nathan and Sarah (Angleton) Johnson, and the grandson of Benjamin Johnson, the latter being of German de- scent and a native of Pennsylvania. Benjamin was a pioneer of Indiana, where he married Miss Anna Freneh, and made their home in Shelby County until 1865, when they removed to Richland and resided there up to the time of their death.
The mother of our subject was of Scotch-Irish descent, her ancestors coming over to America from Scotland. She was born in Crittenden County. Ky., April 28, 1838, and died in Richland in the year 1873. Ilis father, Nathan, was born January 22. 1834, and was married in 1853. Removing to Richland County in 1859. he engaged in farming and worked at his trade as a carpenter. He is still living in Richland County, where he has filled the oflives of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor of the Highways and School Director. He holds a membership in the Christian Church. llis wife bore him four children, as follows: (. ( .. our sub- ject; John S .: Ella, wife of James .Jeffries, of Ilous- tonville, Ky., and an infant which died soon after its mother.
Our subject received his scholastic training in country school and at the Olney High School, after which he went into the St. Louis & South- eastern (now the Louisville & Nashville) Railroad
office at Opdyke, where he learned the entire busi- ness, including telegraphy. While there, he was also Adams Express Agent and Deputy Postmaster. After remaining at Opdyke three years, he was transferred, in December, 1877. to Morton's Gap, Ky., and in April, 1878, to Belleville as operator and clerk. Shortly afterward. he was removed to the Belleville agency in Jefferson County, then soon to the ageney at MeLeansboro, Hamilton County; followed in 1880 by the transfer to the agency at Belleville. This occurred May 1. since which time he has filled the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the patrons of the rail- road. A heavy freight business is done here, Mr. Johnson having nine men under him, and it re- quires his entire time to execute the work of his agency.
The first wife of Mr. Johnson bore the maiden name of Ema Felts. They were married at Opdyke. where she resided, and where she died in 1880. His second wife was Miss Matilda O. Hurd, of Belleville, born in Louisville, Ky., and a daugh- ter of B. Ilurd, one of the older citizens of Belle- ville. The marriage took place .January 24, 1881, three children being the fruit of this union, namely : Leah B., Allan W .. and Helen Martha. Our sub- jeet is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being at this time Master of the Belle- ville lodge. In the Presbyterian Church, he is an active member being an Elder and a Trustee in that body.
n ICHOLAS BOISMENUE, of East Caronde- let. Sugar Loaf Township, St. Clair County. Ill., son of Joseph Boismenne, was born January 10, 1841, at Prairie du Point, where he was reared. He attended the public schools of Cahokia, after which he worked the farm for his mother. The father of our subject was born at Cahokia, St. Clair County, and died at Prairie du Point in October. 1844. The mother, who died in 1866, bore her husband six children, only two of whom are living, our subject, and Margaret, Mrs. Touranjo, who lives at St. Louis,
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The ancestors of our subject were French-C'ana- dians, while those of his wife were French. HIe was married in 1867 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Cimony, born in Lorraine, this province at that time being a part of France but now be- longing to Germany. Mr. Cimony left Lorraine to make a home in this country. To Mr. and Mrs. Boismenue have been born six children, as follows: Julia Mary, who is at home; Jesse, Laurie, Eli Am- brose, Agnes Annie, and Elizabeth.
Settling at Prairie du Point immediately after his marriage, our subject carried on farming for thirteen years, then removed to East Carondelet, in 1880, where for eight years lie engaged in the retail liquor trade. At the expiration of this time, in 1888, he opened a general grocery store, which he has conducted up to the present time. Although he takes no pronounced part in educational mat- ters, Mr. Boismenue feels a keen interest in schools and has manifested that interest by giving his chil- dren a good common-school training. He is de- cidedly of the opinion that that parent is remiss in his duty who fails in this particular. Mr. Boismenue was elected Collector of his township, and so satis- factorily did he discharge the duties of that posi- tion that he was re-elected again and again, hold- ing the office for four continuous years. Keeping to the faith of his fathers our subject has his mem- bership in the Roman Catholic Church.
OSEPHI P. SMITHI. The subject of the present sketch is a prosperous farmer and dairyman, living on section 19, Freeburg Township. The grandfather of our subject, John Smith, was a native of Lincoln County, Me., and brought his family to Ohio in 1816, and in 1818 or 1819 he moved to this county and settled near Georgetown. The land here was unimproved, but he cultivated the soil and developed a fine farm. He died here in 1821, while in the act of carrying water, during a great sparcity of that necessity. He was the first adult who died in what was then Richland Preeinet but is now Smithon Township.
The marriage of John Smith took place in the State of his birth, and at his death he left five sons and four daughters. Benjamin J., the last survivor among the sons, died September 13, 1891, at the age of ninety years. The only surviving daughter is Sarah, the wife of W. W. Johnson, who lives in Monroe County. The father of our sub- ject was born in Lincoln County, Me., November 27, 1814, and when four years old was brought to this county, where he grew to manhood. January 16, 1840, he married Miss Mary MeCulley, who was born in St. Clair County October 22, 1820, and died August 7, 1878. Her parents were na- tives of Virginia and were among the early settlers of the State. Her father, John McCulley, was a prominent man in St. Clair County, which he rep- resented in the State Legislature. Six children were born to the parents of our subject: John .J., who died December 26, 1874; Russell B., whose death occurred October 16, 1889: Sarah, the wife of George R. Tate, whose biography will be found on another page of this volume; Clarinda J., wife of T. O. Holcomb, of Piatt County, and Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Crawford, of Indianapo- lis, Ind.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the children and was born near Georgetown, March 3, 1841. Ile was reared on the old homestead, and his education, which was commenced in the public schools, was completed in MeKendree College, at Lebanon, Ill. At an carly age he engaged in the profession of teaching, and taught for nine succes- sive winters. By that time his health, which had heen delicate, was materially improved and he con- sidered himself robust enough for farming. He looked about for a suitable location and finally settled upon a farm near Freeburg and in 1869 be- gan the life of an agriculturist. He was success- fu! in his work and in 1873 purchased the farm where he has remained ever since. The soil of his land is good, the grazing fine, and the markets are conveniently located.
On the 9th of September, 1869, Mr. Smith married Miss Ellen E. Adams, who was born near Freeburg, and died there November 1, 1873. They had one son, Edwin, who preceded his mother in death. On the 4th of January, 1876, Mr. Smith married
27
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Miss Ruth M. Chesney, an amiable young lady, the daughter of a resident of St. Clair County, where she was born October 1, 1856. By this marriage five children were added to the family. but death took the eldest, Delphia Eloise, when less than a year old. Glenn Rollin was born April 8, 1878; Vinta Blanche, April 12, 1880; Robert .J., May 27. 1882, and Lee Russell, June 22, 1891.
Mr. Smith is a very important member of the Turkey Hill Grange No. 1370, of which he was a charter member. Ile has held the offices of Master and Secretary, and is at present Overseer. He is also a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- tion, and is Secretary of the county organization at the present time. Politically, he is a Democrat, believing that the principles of that party will best advance the interests of the nation. He is a member of the Democratic Central Committee and has long been an active worker.
The farm belonging to Mr. Smith is well im- proved, and he has found it profitable to connect the dairy business with that of agriculture. He breeds Jersey cattle and has one of the finest-bred herds in Illinois. Ile manufactures a grade of delicious butter that brings thirty cents a pound all the year round. Ilis wife is interested in the business and has the reputation of being a famous butter maker as well as a capable housekeeper. She has taken the first premiums at the State Dairy Association of Southern Illinois and also for St. Clair County. In addition to his dairy business, Mr. Smith is suc- cessfully engaged in raising Bronze turkeys and Plymouth Rock fowls. Socially, Mr. Smith and his wife are esteemed for their hospitality, and the pleasant farm where they reside is the home of peace and plenty.
A
born on the 12th of October, 1861, on the farm which is now his home. His father. George A. Knobeloch, was a native of Darmstadt, Germany, who was born m 1814, and with his parents, John W. and Mary ( May) Knobeloch, came to the United States in 1832. Ilis education was acquired in the common schools of his native country. Ilis par- ents were well-to-do farmers, and he remained un- der the parental roof until his marriage in May, 1860. llis wife bore the maiden name of Cathe- rine llaege. Mr. Knobeloch from the time of his marriage lived with his brother Thomas, who owned the farm on which our subject now resides. Ile was a highly respected citizen, and his death, which occurred in 1872, was deeply regretted by many friends. His widow is yet living and makes her home in Belleville. Of their family of five children, Adolph is the eldest. He was followed by George W .; Anna, wife of John E. Thomas; Emma, wife of W. A. Davis, and Walter T.
After the death of his father, which occurred when our subject was a lad of eleven summers. he lived with his uncle, Thomas Knobeloch, and by him was reared. The uncle was also a na- tive of Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America with the parents of our subject. In 1846, he was united in marriage with Anna M. Ilaege, danghter of Philip H. and Susan Haege. They had no chil- dren of their own, but gave to their nephew a home as pleasant and as comfortable as though he were their own son. Thomas Knobeloch met his death by accident, being thrown from his buggy November 19, 1889. His wife yet survives him.
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