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 71
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A few years after landing in America, John Knobeloch. Jr., married Elizabeth Hardy, and to them were born four children: John, our subject; Mary, the wife of Louis Parrottet; Harmon, now de- ceased; and Elizabeth, who died in her eighteenth year. The fatlier was reared a Protestant and was a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he was a Republican.
Our subject passed his boyhood on his father's farm, engaged in the usual pursuits of a farmer lad, and received such limited education as could be ob- tained in the early district schools. In 1869, he married Mary Freiser, daughter of Christopher and Mary Freiser, who were both born in Ger- many. Mrs. Knobeloch was a native of St. Clair County, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children, only three of whom are living: Edith, Caroline and Louisa. After his wife's death, our subject was again married, this time to Mary Vollmer, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Vollmer, and by this union has been born one child, John L.
After his marriage, our subject carried on a farm for two years in company with his brother-in-law. lle then settled on his present farm, which he re- ceived from his father and which now comprises one hundred and seventy-eight acres. lle has a comfortable home and commodious farm buildings and his property bespeaks the care and attention which the owner bestows upon it. He is a most successful farmer, and has all the latest improve- ments and machinery necessary to the tilling of a model farm. He is a respected and highly es- teemed citizen of this county, where he has lived for over half a century and where he was among the early residents. He has taken an active part
in everything which has developed and improved this section of the State, and in consequence is widely and favorably known. Like his father, he casts his vote for the nommees of the Republican party. Ilis comfortable and hospitable home is ever open to his many friends, among whom he is very popular as a man of wide reading and general research.
RED HELMS. Among the prosperous far- mers on the lands which are called coal lands in St. Clair County, may be named the subject of our sketch, who lives on survey 382. claim 350, Smithton Township. He was the son of Henry Helms, who was a native of Germany. where he was married to Dorothea Bruns, the daughter of Conrad Bruns, a farmer and distiller of Germany. Henry Helms, the father of our sub- ject, came to this country with considerable money and settled at Turkey Hill in this county, where he bought land in March, 1853. Ile died five years later and left a family of five children, four of whom are living now. They are Mary, Au- gusta, our subject and Nancy. The mother of our subject is still living at the old homestead in this county, at the age of eighty-three years.
Mr. Helms of this notice was born in 1843, in Hanover, Germany, and he was ten years old when he came to this country. Ile attended both the public and private schools in Illinois and made his home with his mother until he desired to make a home for himself. The lady of his choice was Miss Melissa Shook and she was the daughter of Samuel Shook, a farmer of this county. After his marriage, he took his wife to the old home, remain- ing there until 1866, when he moved to the farm, where he now lives. He has grown to be quite a land- owner, having about four hundred and forty acres of land here and one hundred and twenty in Free- burg Township. Ile has a beautiful home on his place, which he built in 1877, and the large and commodious barn was built in 1876. Ile engages in
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general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Ilelms has had eight children, of whom seven are now living, and they are George H., who is on his father's farm; Edward S., Herman L., Mary Ann, Maggie, Walter and JJulius are at the home with their fa- ther.
Our subjeet is a very active member of the Grange and has held several prominent offices in it. lle was one of the charter members of Turkey Hill Grange No. 1370. He lost his be- loved wife October 16, 1888, and her memory is very precious to the family. Politically, Mr. Helms is a Demoerat and upholds the principles of his party on every necessary occasion. He has been School Director of his district and takes great in- terest in school matters, and enjoys the confidence and regard not only of his own large family, but of the whole neighborhood. Much of the land of his farm is valuable coal land, but he has never operated it himself, preferring to lease it.
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M RS. AMANDA MCFARLAND. One of the best-known residents of St. Clair Township is the lady whose name opens this sketch. She was born September 14, 1820, and has long been an honored resident here, and there are sorrowful events in her life which have made her more prominent in the neighbor- hood than are many of her age and acquaintance. It is a pleasure to the biographer to be permitted to give an outline of her hfe, as in time of afflic- tion it may be an incentive to others to bravely bear and suffer with Christian resignation.
The Rev. David McFarland, husband of our sub- ject, was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and came to Illinois and settled in St. Clair County before the Civil War. Mrs. MeFarland is the daughter of Sarah and Samuel Beedle, who were natives of Ohio. She was born in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, where her marriage was solemnized at her father's residence in 1836, and about five years later her lius- band felt the call to declare the Gospel and began preaching. Ilis work was principally in those
days and in that section a labor of love, and he continued farming as an occupation.
When the call eame for troops after the fall of Ft. Sumter, Capt. MeFarland, for such he became, left his church, and as he considered it a patriot's duty, went into the army for the defense of his country. He enlisted in Company I, of the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, and left his home May 4, 1862. Ill health compelled him to return home on a furlough, and perhaps if he could have been less patriotic, the following sad memoir might not have been written. Ile re- turned to his regiment only to succumb, and his valued life ended in Alexandria, La., at the age of fifty-two years. He was lamented by all, and many were the expressions of condolence which his widow received to assnage her grief. After the first shock, she rallied and set an example of patriotie self-sacrifice, which we can only regard as heroic. With the death of her husband, our sub- ject's cup of sorrow had not yet been filled to the brim. ller bright, brave, first-horn, Albert, who was born February 16, 1844, left his mother, and, too young for a soldier, went into his father's company as a drummer. His young life was sacrificed also, as he died from disease contracted in the hard life and exposure, in April, 1864.
Mrs. MeFarland's second son, James, was born in 1846, and married Miss Caroline Hauser. Ile lives in Kansas City, where he is a merchant, and has a family of six children. Charles was born in 1855, and married Lucy Bigole. Ile is an electrician and resides in Warrensburg, Mo., and has an interesting family of four children. Sam- uel was born in 1857, and lives at LaCynge, Kan., where he is a farmer. He married Sarah Bouler, and is the father of two children. Mary Flor- enee, who was born October 9, 1853, is the widow of Edwin Moore, and resides in Warrensburg. Carrie was born December 12, 1860. She became the wife of John Adams, who is employed on the railroad, and is the mother of one child; their home is in Pueblo, Colo. David and Wallace, twins, were born April 10, 1862.
Mr. MeFarland politically was a Republican, and his loyalty was so intense that he could not restrain himself from trying to defend his coun-
Yours Sincerely Charles R.Sake, M ..
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try. His sorrowing widow sympathized with him and even now feels that the sacrifices that she has made were right. and that only by sacrifices was the I'nion preserved. She is one of the large land-owners of this section, having two hundred and forty aeres on seetion 1, and one of the largest and most comfortable residenees in the county. She moved into this home in 1860, and here dis- penses hospitality to her family and friends; in the latter she ean count the whole neighbor- hood.
HARLES R. DAKE, M. D. The city of Belleville is not behind other places of similar size in the number of skillful phy- sicians who there reside, and among those who have become well and favorably known may be mentioned the gentleman whose name intro- duees this sketeh. Ile is a representative of the homeopathic school and has a large and lucrative practice in the community. It may be said of him as something worthy of note, that his pa- ternal ancestors for four generations have been members of the medieal profession, and in every generation sinee all the male members of the family in direct line have been physicians. By inheritance, therefore, as well as by natural ability, he is adapted to his chosen profession.
The father of our subject, Dr. D. M. Dake, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in 1814. He was graduated from Castleton University, in Vermont, then the leading medical school of the East, and commenced the practice of his profession in New York State, where he continued for ten years. In 1845, he became a convert to homeopathy, which he afterward practiced with great skill and success. In 1847, he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., and there continued until he retired from active practice. Ile was widely known as a man of ver- satility of talents and professional knowledge, and was offered a professorship in a Philadelphia col- lege, but was unable to accept. Religiously, he was a member of the Baptist Church, For many
years he was identified with the Masonie frater- nity, of which he was an influential member.
In 1835 occurred the marriage of Dr. D. M. Dake and Miss Mary Manuel, who was born in England. They became the parents of five ehil- dren, as follows: Theresa A., who is the wife of Dr. F. W. Skiles, a retired physician, formerly of Brook- lyn, N. Y., but now of Suffolk, Va .; Julia E., the wife of E. P. Casterline, who is a resident of San Francisco and an extensive miner of California; Mary E., who married Frank Eaton, a merchant of De Funiak Springs, Fla .; Grace, who died in San Franeiseo in 1887; our subject, who is the only son in the family. The father passed from earth Feb- rmary 17, 1891. Ilis wife still survives him and finds a congenial home with her daughter in Flor- ida. All of Dr. D. M. Dake's brothers, three in number, were physicians; but only one now sur- vives, Dr. . I. P. Dake, of Nashville, Tenn., who is at the head of the homeopathie school in the United States.
The subject of this notice was born in Pitts- burgh, Pa., December 22, 1849. Ilis education was commeneed under a private tutor at home and was afterward carried on at the Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. After his return from college, in 1868, he began the study of medicine under the direction of his father and Dr. Skiles, his brother-in-law. Later, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York City, from which he was graduated in 1873. After spending some months in visiting hospitals, ete., he came to Belleville in December, 1873, and opened an office for the practice of his profession. lle was honored by a call to fill the Chair of Chemistry in the Homeopathic College at St. Louis, but his practice had already assumed dimensions that seemed to him to preelude acceptance.
In his medieal views, Dr. Dake is very liberal and does not feel bound down to any school, either in theory or practice, although he is con- sidered a homeopathist. From the nature of the climate and the prevalence of diseases of the lungs and throat, as well as of the ear, and eatarrhal diseases in general, he has devoted considerable attention to their study and has established a very large practice along those lines. Twice he studied
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in the hospitals of New York under specialists in these branches, and he has all the latest appliances for the treatment of these dangerous maladies. His services are often called into requisition as a writer for current medical publications, and he takes a deep interest in literary matters in gen- eral. Ilis office is in his residence on the corner of Iligh and Fifth Streets.
The home life of Dr. Dake affords a pleasant relaxation from his professional duties. The lady whom he married September 12. 1872, was Miss Eugenia Swyer, born in Belleville October 2, 1855. Iler father, David Swyer, was one of the older residents of this city, where he died in 1884. The Doctor and his wife have two children, May T. and Eugenia Grace. In national affairs, Dr. Dake has been a Republican, but is not a strict partisan and has never songht an office. At all times and on all occasions it is his aim to do what he con- siders his duty as a citizen.
1 ACOB FRIES, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 31 Engelman Township, was born on the 22d of September. 1853, about three miles west of Mascoutah. Ilis father, lohn Fries, one of the early settlers of the county, is now a resident of Mas- coutah. Of the family three sons are living: our sub- ject; Dr. William A., a practicing physician of St. Louis; and Dr. John .A., a dentist of the same city. When our subject was about ten years of age his parents removed to the farm where he now resides. There he was reared to manhood, spending his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. Ile was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended during the winter season, while in the summer months he worked in the fields. He remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 21st of February, 1879, Miss Elizabeth Freivogel becom- ing his wife. Her father, Christian Frievogel, was one of the pioneer settlers of St. Clair County,
and now resides in Engelman Township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fries have been born six children, two of whom are yet living, but the sons are all deceased, Julius, Walter, Oscar and Edmund; Hilda and Emma are still with their parents.
After his marriage, Mr. Fries located upon his farm in Freeburg Township, where he resided for a period of eight years. lle then removed to the farm which is now his home, and has resided thereon continuously since. Ile owns one hundred and forty-six acres of valuable land in Freeburg and Engleman Townships all well im- proved and under a high state of cultivation. Ile raises wheat, corn and potatoes and is also en- gaged in stock-raising. He is an enterprising and industrious farmer, who has steadily worked his way upward by his own efforts and won a well- deserved success as the result of his industrious labors.
Mr. Fries holds membership with the Indepen- dent Order of Mutual Aid of Mascontah. In pol- ities he is a Republican but is not strictly partisan, holding himself free to support the man whom he thinks best qualified to fill the offices. lle has been School Trustee of the township and also School Director. He faithfully discharges every duty devolving upon him and is a public-spirited and progressive eitizen, who manifests a commen- dable interest in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community. Ilis life has been well and worthily passed and the community in which he has long made his home holds him in high esteem.
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F6 ERDINAND WILDGRUBE, a prosperous and energetic agriculturist of St. Clair County, Ill., for the past twenty-four years and widely known as an excellent citizen, indus- trious and upright in character, now resides upon a valuable farm located upon section 9, Marissa Township. Our subject was born in Prussia, in 1837. His parents, Godfrey and Elizabeth ( Kean ) Wildgrube, were also natives of Prussia, and al-
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thongh in moderate circumstances, gave to their children all the advantages they could afford, and wisely trained them in the habits of industry, which later became their capital in life.
Beginning the struggle of existence in boyhood, Mr. Wildgrube grew up self-reliant, manly and energetic, and was well fitted to make his own way in the world. In 1868. he finally deter- mined to emigrate to America, where he firmly be- lieved there were greater opportunities for the ad- vancement of a young and resolute man. Cross- ing the broad ocean, he was safely landed upon our shores, and journeying to Illinois, was soon at home in St. Clair County, arriving in this portion of the country July 26, 1868. Separated from his parents and the associations of his youthful days, he entered into the marriage relation, founding for himself a home and family in his adopted land. HIis highly-esteemed wife was Miss Wilhelmina Bashman, a native of Prussia, Germany, who came to the United States many years ago.
Possessing no capital to invest in property or business, the first few years of our subject's resi- dence in America, he was obliged to work out by the day, week, month or year. Giving ever faith- ful and conscientious service to his employers, he was never idle, and frugally laid aside a small amount, which in time gave him a start in life. Ilis excellent wife has proved a helpmate indeed, and together they have accumulated some good property, and now own a fine farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres, all under a high state of improvement. Patiently cultivating the soil of the homestead year after year, Mr. Wildgrube annually reaps a harvest, whose abundant returns is the reward of intelligent and persistent effort. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Wildgrube has been blessed by the presence of five bright and intelligent children, who are enjoying the ex- cellent educational advantages of their neigh- borhood, and who will receive from their parents the training which will make of them useful and law-abiding citizens, worthy of all respect and honor.
Mr. and Mrs. Wildgrube are members of the Lutheran Church, and are ever ready to assist in the support and good work of this religious organ-
ization. Our subject is in political affiliation, a strong Democrat, and firmly believes in the princi- ples of the party which receives his vote. Never a politician in the nsual aceeptation of the term, Mr. Wildgrube takes an active interest in the local and National management of affairs, and al- ways may be found upon the side of right and justice. Honorable and upright in all his business dealings, a true friend and kind neighbor, our sub- ject has a large cirele of warm friends,
1 AVID (. MARSII, a prominent and success- ful business man and enterprising Alder- man from the Second Ward of the city of East St. Louis, is one of the most ener- getic and progressive citizens of St. Clair County, Ill., and is widely known and highly esteemed for his excellent qualities of head and heart. Our subject was born in Fallston, Beaver County, Pa., May 2, 1828. Ilis father, David C. Marsh, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1797, and, as a mechanic, followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a manufacturer of scythes and other farming implements. The paternal grand- father, a brave and resolute man, served with courage and fidelity in the War of the Revolution.
David F. Marsh variously engaged in different enterprises, and at one time owned a grist and saw mill. lle was a man of ability, and early in life started for the Far West with his family and a two-horse wagon, but circumstances induced him to return to Pittsburgh. The mother of our sub- jeet was C'alispa Carpenter, who was born in Mass- achusetts in 1797, and was of German descent. ller father also served in the Revolutionary War, and was honored by all who knew him. Mrs. Calispa (Carpenter) Marsh was a well-educated lady and taught school when young. She died in McKeesport, near Pittsburgh, in April, 1883, hav- ing survived her husband. who died in 1866, sev- enteen years. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church, and a lady of culture and refinement. David C, Marsh was one of a family of seven
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children, four sons and three daughters, six of whom lived to adult age. John died in MeKees- port, and had served in the army as Drum Major, remaining in the First Artillery of Pennsylvania until the close of the war. Laura J. is Mrs. Mil- ler, of Mckeesport, l'a .; Mary A. Ilaas is a wealthy widow and extensive rauch-owner, living in Tu- lare County, Cal .; tieorge died when young; Eliza, Mrs. Maj. Barelay, resides in Johnstown; Theo- dore is located upon a ranch in Tulare County, ('al. The latter served in the late Civil War, en- listing in the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, and was under the command of Gen. Black. Con- stantly exposed to danger, he was finally wonnded in the right thigh, in a close engagement with the enemy, and was afterward captured and held a prisoner in Andersonville.
Our subject was reared mostly in Pittsburgh, and attended the public schools, having the advantage of six years of study in this eity and in Peters' Creek. where his parents resided for a time. Be- ginning the active labor of life, Mr. Marsh worked in the Kingston Iron Works, and remained in this business for some years, afterward engaging in flat-boating on the Ohio, floating coal down to New Orleans and returning by a steamer. Ile made five or six trips in the spring, working in the mills at other times. In 1853, he came to St. Louis and worked in the Schoate. Homson & Valley Rolling Mills, and was there ocenpying the posi- tion of foreman until 1878. when he started in the business of manufacturing patent albums. In 1880, he was engaged by Mr. Meyseirberg, who came after him, to work in the Tudor Iron Works, in East St. Louis, and he has been steadily employed here ever since. having full charge of a set of rolls. Mr. Marsh is the oldest iron worker in the mills, and is a highly-valued employe. Our sub- jeet was married in Crawford County, Mo., in 1857. to Miss Fannie Cavenah, who was born in Hermann, Mo. Her parents were early settlers of that State and highly respected. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of three living children: David S. is the City Oil Inspector; James T. died at the age of twenty-four years; John is a book- keeper at the stock yards, and William A. is em- ployed in the Tudor Mills.
While in St. Louis, Mr. Marsh served six years on the Mulanphy Board of Philanthrophy. In 1887, our subject was elected Alderman from the First Ward, now the Second. Twice re-elected, Mr. Marsh is serving with intelligent ability his third term of office, and, being upon various im- portant committees, has signally distinguished him- self by the efficient manner in which he has han- died numerous difficulties and disposed of matters of interest to the general publie. Earnest, ener- getic and public-spirited. he has been a leading factor in the npbuilding and local improvements of East St. Louis, and has won the esteem and confidence of all his constituents and co-workers. Our subject is a stockholder in the Second Loan Association, and is one of the Appraising Commit- tee. He is. fraternally, a member of Mt. Mona Lodge, A. F. & A. M., St. Louis, Past Master of Belle- fontaine Chapter, R. A. M., St. Louis; ex-Excellent King of Tanered Commandery No. 50, K. T., Belle- ville; and is also a member of Olive Branch Lodge, K. of II., St. Louis. In political affiliations, Mr. Marsh is an active Democrat, deeply interested in both National and local affairs, and, as a true American citizen, gives his best efforts in behalf of progress and reform.
R OBERT H. HAMILTON. In all the broad expanse of the Prairie State there is no county which affords sustenance to a greater number of agriculturists than this, whose productive soit, commercial facilities and advanced development make it pre-eminently the farmer's home. One of its comfortable and attrac- tive abodes is that of the subject of this notice. who occupies a good estate, comprising one hun- dred and eighty-three acres pleasantly located on section 28, Marissa Township.
John and Sarah ( Elder) Hamilton. the parents of our subject, were natives of $ th Carolina, where also the grandparents. Robert and Margaret (Ross) Hamilton, were born, and were of Scotch-
yours 8 Truly H & Williams
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Irish descent. As the means for obtaining an edu- cation were very limited in an early day in North Carolina, the father of our subject attended sneh schools as the locality afforded, which were very poo1. He was reared to farm pursuits, and when starting out in life for himself was married in his native State, and in 1831 came to Sparta, Randolph County, this State, where he made his home for two years and then became identified with the in- terests of St. Clair County. Ile came to this State with just enough money to make the journey, and entering two hundred acres of land from the Gov- ernment added to it from time to time until at his death he owned nearly four hundred broad and valuable acres, which he developed and supplied with substantial improvements, making it one of the most desirable estates in the county. To the occupation of a farmer he added that of a stock- raiser and had on his place many head of fine animals. Ile departed this life in 1876, having been preceded to the better land by his wife, who died in 1870. In politics, he was a stanch Demo- crat for many years but attached himself to the Republican party some years prior to his death. His principles were above reproach, and in him the United Presbyterian Church found one of its most sincere and upright members.
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