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 69
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then accepted the position of head roller in the steel works in Belleville. In 1864, our subject re- turned once more to the Tudor Works, and has remained here as head roller ever since. For twenty years he has held the position of head roller, and stands at the top round of his profes- sion, and, combining with his native ability a long and practical experience, is unrivaled in the knowledge and expert handling of his work.
Years of well-paid employment have rewarded our subject with a substantial competence, and he owns valuable property on Bond Avenue, on which he has erected two very handsome houses, Nos, 612 and 614. Mr. Malinee and his family reside in No. 612. Samuel B. Malinee and Miss Sarah Houpt were married in New Albany, Ind., in 1874. Mrs. Malinee is a native of Alleghany County, Pa., and is a daughter of John Houpt, born in Somerset. Pa., a saddler by trade, and afterward a foreman in Pennsylvania, who after retiring from active business removed to Indiana, where he died. Ilis wife, Sarah (Johnson ) Houpt, was also a native of the Quaker State, and was the youngest in a family of ten children. She also died in her Indiana home. Mrs. Malinee was raised in her native State until she had reached the age of twelve years, when she came with her parents to New Albany, and completed her edu- cation here. The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Malinee has been blessed with the presence of three children: Flora E., who died at the age of seven years; John C. and Minnie M. both at home.
dependent, giving his vote to the man he thinks best adapted to suitably discharge the duties of public office with energetic efficiency, and as a true American citizen is himself ever foremost in the promotion of local progress and reform.
b ENRY W. VOELKER, a valued and influ- ential member of the Board of School Trus- tees of East St. Louis and the popular and able representative of the widely known and reliable .I. S. Merrill Drug Company, of St. Louis, has spent his entire life among the associa- tions of childhood, having been born May 1, 1859, on the old homestead upon the Belleville Turn- pike, now a part of East St. Louis. His father. Michael Voelker, was a German sailor, and engag- ing as a eook aboard a vessel plying between the Fatherland and America, finally decided to make his home in the United States and located in St. Louis. He first went into business in French- town, but before 1844 settled in Popstown and opened the Drover's Retreat. or West Brighton House.
After keeping an hotel for some time. Michael Voelker engaged in the drug business. and in 1871 died much regretted by all who knew him. the was an excellent business man and an upright and worthy citizen. In political affiliations he was a Republican, and was a member of the Luth- eran Church. His wife, Veronika Kaiser, was born in Switzerland, Canton Aargau, and came to St. Louis with her parents when very young. She survived her husband twelve years, passing peace- fully away in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Voelker were the parents of five children, four of whom are yet living; Anna, Mrs. Benson, resides in San Francisco: Theodore is engaged on the Van- dalia Railroad and lives in Terre Haute; Edward was killed in an accident on the Vandalia Rail- road; and Lizzie, Mrs. Galloway, is in Kansas.
In 1890, our subjeet was elected a member of the School Board of the city. and, an ardent advo- cate of educational advancement, has by his intel- ligent ability amply demonstrated his special fit- ness for the responsible position which he now holds. Hle is also connected by membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also affiliates with the Pride of the Valley Lodge, Grand Eneampment, 1. O. O. F. Mr. Malinee is an of- ficial of the Amalgamation of Iron and Steel Workers' Association, and is widely known and highly respected in this extensive membership. Mrs. Malinee is a member of the Daughters of Re- Our subject was educated in the pubhe schools of East St. Louis, and at thirteen years of age hekah, and is also connected with enterprises social and benevolent. Our subject is in politics an In- j began clerking in a grocery store, remaining
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seven years with Richard Roe. In the year 1879, Mr. Voelker started a grocery house on St. Clair Avenue, near the stock yards. Ile ran the store about one year in partnership, the firm being Voelker & Poller; the partnership was then dis- solved, our subject afterward engaging in the same business with his brother Theodore, the firm of II. W. & T. Voelker running for two years at the corner of Pennsylvania and Collinsville Streets. For a brief time Mr. Voelker was in the cigar business, but since 1886 has been with the long-established and enterprising drug honse, where lis untiring and efficient service is appreciated. the patronage coming from St. Louis, East St. Louis and Belleville.
In 1889. Mr. Voelker built a fine residence on the site of the old homestead, an attractive location, No. 816 Ninth Street. Ile is now erecting an ele- gant residence on Tenth Avenue, and also owns other valuable real estate. In the year 1878 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Dora Daniel, a native of Sturgeon, Mo., and a daughter of John H. Daniel, born and reared in Kentucky. ller paternal grandfather, Willis Daniel, was a native of Virginia. John 11. Daniel was a farmer and stock-raiser of Boone County, Mo., and served bravely in the Confederate army. In 1872, he entered into the stock business in St. Louis, and afterward engaged successfully in the same busi- ness in East St. Louis, but finally returned to Stur- geon. and resides there among a host of old-time friends and acquaintances. His wife, Mrs. Ollie (Ilulett) Daniel, was born in Boone County and was the daughter of Harrison Hulett, born in Ken- tucky, but an old settler in Missouri. Mrs. Voelker is the eldest in a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. The happy home of Mr. Voelker and his estimable wife has been bright- ened by the presence of their daughter, Fannie Fern.
In 1892. our subject was elected to the position of School Trustee, and has with efficient ability discharged the duties of the office, his excellent judgment and interest in educational advance- ment aiding materially in the wise disposition of numerous Important matters connected with the instruction of the young. Fraternally, Mr. Voelker
is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight of Honor. and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a valued Trustee of the Chris- tian Church of East St. Louis, and is ever ae- tive in its good work and enterprises. Our sub- ject is a stanch Republican and an ardent sup- porter of the party. Known as a citizen of upright character, energetic and able in all the duties of life, our subject is highly respected and commands the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
h ENRY MOESER. The subject of this short sketch resides in the village of Smithton, St. Clair County, where he holds the im- portant office of Constable. He was the son of Henry Moeser, and was born one and one-half miles west of Smithton, in the year 1845, on the old home place in that township. He grew to manhood there, and was educated in the public schools of this county. Ile was twenty years of age when his father died, and all of the respon- sibility of the family devolved upon him. Ile remained on the old place until he was married, which event took place March 2, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Becker, who was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Becker, who lived west of Belleville, in this county.
After his marriage. Mr. Moeser first located on the old home, where he continued for eight years. Ihis wife died on the 1st of January, 1881, and he then sold out and traveled through the West, finally buying a place three miles south west of Belle- ville, in this township. He moved to this place, and in 1883 he was married to Miss Lizzie Kilian. on the 15th of March. She was the daughter of Conrad Kilian, of this township. Mr. Moeser con- tinued to live there until the fall of 1883, when he sold his farm and moved to the place which is now his home. He was the father of two children by his first wife, but neither of them is now liv- ing. Ile has had one child by this marriage, Ma- mnie Frances, who is now seven years old,
yours truly айлвив Их
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Mr. Moeser has forty aeres of land near Smith- ton, and does some farming. Ile buys and sells horses, and does a great deal of successful trading. The family are members of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, and to this denomination Mr. Moe- ser gives of his means, and in it his family is highly regarded. Ile is a member of the Treu- bund here in Smithton, and he has been the Treas- urer of his lodge. In his political views, Mr. Moe- ser is an ardent Demoerat, and he has been very prominent in all local matters. He has filled the office of Constable so acceptably that he has kept his place for four years. Mr. Mocser has a beauti- ful home, and his family and self are among the prominent social people of the pleasant little vil- lage of Smithton.
DOLPH M. SCHEEL, M. D., A. B .. a sue- cessful and leading physician of Belleville, was born in thus city January 18, 1851, and is the son of John and Elizabeth ( En- gelmann) Scheel, natives of Rhenish Bavaria, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of John Scheel, presented elsewhere in this volume. In their native country they were highly respected as industrious and energetic people, and these traits of character aided them in their efforts to establish a home in the United States.
The literary education of our subjeet was com- menced in the public schools of Belleville and was completed at Washington University, at St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated in the ('lass of '72, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His education finished, he went to Europe and en- tered the German Medical University, in which he received his degree after a course of four years' study, graduating in 1876. During his absence abroad he had the advantage of being in the large hospitals at Munich and Berlin, where his profes- sional knowledge was greatly broadened and his skill increased by practice in intricate cases.
Returning to the United States, Dr. Scheel opened an office at Belleville for the practice of
his profession, and at once established a large prac- tice in the city as well as the surrounding country. His ability as a practitioner is everywhere con- ceded, and his skill in the diagnosis of difficult cases has won for him the confidence of all with whom he has come in professional contact. Ile is a member of the St. Clair County Medical Society; the Belleville Medical Society, of which he is Pres- ident; Fellow of the American Academy of Medi- eine; and a member of the Southern Illinois Medical Society, although he has been prevented from attending the meetings of this organization of late years, owing to the pressure of other duties.
October 11, 1877, Dr. Scheel was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Theo. Voelker, one of the earliest German settlers of Belle- ville. Two children have been born of the union, Fred and Minnie. The Doctor now resides in the beautiful brick residence, formerly the property of his father. It is located at No. 208 South Illi- nois Street, and is in the midst of spacious grounds. Although his attention is engrossed by his profes- sional labors, Dr. Seheel finds time to be helpful to the community in which he resides. IIe is a stock- holder in various corporations, among which is the Belleville Savings Bank. In the prime of his life, his usefulness is at its fullest, and as a promi- nent and successful man, he is respected wherever known.
UTHIER BROWN. In the twilight of his honored and useful existence, Mr. Brown is living quietly, surrounded by all the comforts of life, at his pleasant home in Lebanon Township. He has now almost reached his four- score years, having been born January 21, 1814. Ilis father, Luther Brown, Sr., traced his ancestry to Holland and was born in New Hampshire about 1771. His mother was of Scotch descent and bore the maiden name of Annie Burke.
In 1816, the parents of our subject removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where the father followed his trade of carpenter and house-joiner, and also
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managed a small farm. In his political sym- pathies. he was a Whig and religiously was in later life identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in New York State when he had attained the advanced age of eighty- six years. The wife and mother passed away when forty-six years old. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and the education which he received in the common schools was supplemented by a course of study at the academy in Gaines, Orleans County, N. Y., where he was a student for three months.
The first wife of our subject, with whom he was umted in marriage in November, 1836, was Miss Antoinette, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Com- mings) Moore. She died February 18, 1856, leav- ing three children, Sarah, Mary and Alice. Sarah married Marcus Moore, of Portland, Ore., and they have three sons; Mary, who is unmarried, lives with her sister in Portland; Alice married Jacob Hoff- man, a farmer in Colorado, and they have two daughters.
March 18, 1857, Mr. Brown married Caroline Baldwin, a lady whose devotion blesses his declin- ing years. Her parents were Jera and Mary Bald- win, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Dutchess County, N. Y. Of the chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. we note the following: George, who lives in Arkansas City, Kan., is engaged in the real-estate and loan bnsi- ness at that place. He married Ivy Wise, of Leb- anon, and they have four children. Carrie is the widow of Dr. J. W. Hoyt, formerly a successful physician of Kansas City, Mo., and they have one child. a daughter. Charles, a lawyer by profession, is a member of a legal firm in Winfield, Kan., and is in partnership with his brother George at Ar- kansas City.
Mr. Brown arrived in Lebanon, IH .. June 10, 1840, and located at Trenton, Clinton County, where he bought land and engaged in farming for fourteen years. He then removed to his present home, where he lives retired from active business. For the past twenty years, he has rented his place. Ile has always been deeply interested in educa- tional affairs and has aided in promoting the wel- fare of Mckendree College in many ways. For
thirty-five years, he has served as one of its Trus- tee for about twelve years, has been Treasurer of the college fund, and Trustee of the endowment fund and a member of the college executive com- mittee. Politically, he was in former years a strong Republican, but now casts his ballot for Prohibi- tion. While residing in New York, he united with the Methodist Church, of which he has been a member for fifty-seven years, and he has served as ('lass-leader and in other positions in that denom- ination.
D ANIEL C. IFEELY, M. D., who is a native of Belleville and has been a practicing phy- sician since 1868, was born December 29. 1845, the son of Nathaniel and Rebecca ( Randle- man) lleely. ITis father, who was born in Maine about 1816, followed the occupation of a plasterer, also that of contractor and builder, and came to Belleville before 1840. The lady whom he mar- ried was four years his junior and was born seven miles southwest of Belleville, her parents being of German descent.
The family of which our subject is a member comprises five children, four of whom lived to ma- turity, namely: Theodore T., William C., and Jo- seph A., who died respectively in 1887, 1859 and 1863; and Daniel ('., of this sketch. The last-named received a common-school education in the sehools of the neighborhood, and in his early manhood enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company B, Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, which was ineor- porated in the Sixteenth Corps, Division of the Gulf. Our subject took an active part in the bat- tles of Ft. Blakely and Spanish Fort, and was present at the surrender of Mobile, where he was wounded by a shell at the explosion of a magazine. Ile was conveyed to the marine hospital at Mobile, thence to the marine hospital at New Orleans, and later to Jefferson Barracks and Benton Barracks.
After being honorably discharged from the army, our subject returned home and commenced to read medicine under Dr. Perryman, Later, he went
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into the office of Dr. B. A. Barrett. of St. Louis, with whom he remained for three years. He also took two courses of lectures in the St. Louis Med- ical College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1869. Ile opened an office for the practice of his profession at Germantown, Ill., where he re- mained for five years, and afterward practiced at Trenton for seven years. Returning thenee to Belleville. he followed his profession here for four years, and afterward resided in Germantown for the same length of time. Since 1889 he has prac- ticed his profession continuously in Belleville, where he is well and favorably known.
Dr. Heely served as Coroner for Clinton County twelve years. and now holds the position of Physi- vian for St. Clair County, which includes the treat- ment of the poor at the county hospital, the county farm and those in Belleville and vicinity. This, together with his regular practice. occupies his entire attention and affords him little leisure time. Politically, he is a Democrat. Among the organizations with which he is identified are the St. Clair County Medical Society; Illinois Medical Society; St. Clair Lodge No. 24. F. & A. M., Chapter No. 106, Belleville Council; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Honor, in some of which he is Examiner.
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The marriage of Dr. Heely, January 2, 1870, uni- ted him with Miss Sue L. Quick, of ligh Prairie, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Oliver J., Minnie M .. Susan, Bird, Lewis and Edwin.
R OBERT LAW. October 3, 1854, is the day on which this gentleman first saw the light. His birth occurred in Washington County. Ill., about three miles from his present abode. Ilis parents were JJohn and Jennie (Craig) Law. The grandfather of Robert Law was Joshua Law, and his grandmother was Margaret (Barber) Law, both natives of Scotland. The father of Joshua Law was the Rev, John Law, of Scotland,
a man well remembered in the Scottish kirk of which he was pastor.
John Law, the father of our subject, was born in Landon Parish, Scotland, in the year 1824. His mother died when he was very young, thus making his knowledge of her maternal care limited. Ihis father gave him a good education in the common schools of his native country, and he was blessed with the ability and inclination to turn his knowledge to good account. Ilis father thought there were better prospects for him and his son in the Western Hemisphere, and therefore emigrated with his boy to this country. Poverty was one of the first obstacles they encountered in their new home, and the only resource for the son was to hire out by the month. He had located in Washington County, which at that time was an unbroken prairie.
After working by the month for a few years, John Law entered eighty acres of Government land, and by his economy and industry made a good home for his family and accumulated much personal property beside. Washington County has been blessed with representative men, those who, thrown upon their own resources early in life, have displayed the metal that was in them; and to such sterling characters this country is in- debted for its phenomenal growth and prosperity. Among this class of America's adopted sons we rank John Law, a man of sterling worth and one who during the whole course of his career de- manded the respect of his fellow-men. He was strictly a farmer and always one of the most in- dustrious of his class. In 1851 he married, and the fruits of this marriage were five children, two of whom died when very young; Joshua and James grew to manhood, but Robert, the subject of this sketch, is the only one now living.
John Law was a man of recognized ability not only in the accumulation of property, but in more public capacities, and as a prominent man in his neighborhood was called upon to serve his fellow-men in several ways. He held many local offices creditably to himself and satisfactorily to those who honored him with a public trust. In addition to his business and social qualities, which won the esteem of his fellow-men, Mr. Law was a
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useful and strong supporter of the United Pres- byterian Church. He was strong in his political opinions and always gave his hearty support to the Republican party, in whom he placed the con- fidence of his honest convictions.
Robert Law, the subject of this biographical sketch, has every reason to be proud of huis sturdy Scotch ancestry. Being the only surviving child of a family of five, he remained with his parents until his marriage, which event took place when he was twenty-three years old. Ilis bride was Miss Sarah C. Robinson, daughter of John Robin- son, and the result of their union was seven chil- dren: Minnie E., John R., Nettie, Annie, Della, Beartie and William. Inheriting the good name of an exceptional father, Robert Law represents, as a native of Washington County, one of its pioneer and ever to be respected families, and he has tlie satisfaction of knowing that his family has performed no unimportant part in the growth and development of this section of the State. 1Ie is possessed of an abundance of this world's goods, and as the result of his patrimony and his native ability to accumulate, has sufficient to de- fend himself and his family against want in his declining years.
C APT. MIKE WALSH, the energetic and pop- ular Chief of Police and Fire Department. in East St. Louis, has been a citizen of the I'nited States for more than two-score years, but was born in Ireland in 1840. llis father, Edward Walsh, was an Irish farmer, who in 1845 emi- grated with his family to America, at first making his home in New Orleans, where he remained a few years, and afterward removed to St. Louis, in wluch city his excellent wife, Ellen (Holden) Walsh died. This estimable lady, a native of Ire- land, was the mother of three sons and three daughters, two of whom, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Richardson, reside in East St. Louis. Our subject came with his parents to America when but five years old, and was educated in St. Louis,
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he bravely enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, and participated in many of the prominent battles and skirmishes and was constantly on duty until he was, after faithful service, mustered out withi the rank of Sergeant. Returning to St. Louis, Capt. Walsh entered into various employments, and held the offices of Constable and Marshal. In 1887, our subject received his appointment as Chief of Police of East St. Louis, and immediately re-organized the Police Department, and has brought it up to the high standard of excellent service which enables it to rank with the force of any city. Capt. Walsh also organized the effective Fire Department, and after two years of hard work had the satisfaction of knowing that in two of the important branches of the city's administra- tion he had wrought a much needed reform. Un- dler his wise management, a number of fine engine houses have been erected and the llolly system put into general use, and through his intelligent energy the danger of a general conflagration has been materially lessened.
In 1865, Capt. Walsh was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Homey, a native of Ireland, but an carly settler of St. Louis. The following children have blessed the pleasant home with their presence: Thomas E., the eldest child, was educated in the excellent home schools, but completed a course of instruction in the Commercial College of St. Louis. Ile was Assistant Cashier for the Ohio & Missi -- sippi Railroad Company, but is now in business in East St. Louis. Jessie, who is now Mrs. McCready, resides in East St. Louis; Celia is at home; Rhoda, who is now Mrs. Daniels, lives in East St. Louis; Stella and Mike, Jr., complete the list of the sons and daughters, who are all occupying positions of respect and influence. The commodious and at- tractive home of our subject and his family is lo- cated upon Second Street, in one of the most de- sirable portions of the city. Capt. Walsh has made excellent investments in real estate, and owns some fine property here and in St. Louis. Ile and his family are well known and enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. Our sub- ject is a strong Democrat, and is always deeply interested in both local and national affairs. 1
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