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 72
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Robert H. Hamilton was born in Chester County, S. C., in 1826, and his successful and useful life reflects credit upon his early training. He gained his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and in 1851 was married to Miss Lucy 1., daugh- ter of Moses and Lucy ( Henderson ) Thompson, who were early pioneers of this county but were born in South Carolina. Moses Thompson followed the occupations of a blacksmith and farmer and suc- ceeded fairly well in worldly affairs. He was a son of Archibald and Mary ( McBride) Thompson, who, like him, were born in South Carolina, of Irish par- ents, and came to linois in the early part of the nineteenth century.
Immediately after his marriage, our subject lo- cated upon his present farm and now occupies the front rank among the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Marissa Township. By his union with Miss Thompson have been born seven chil- dren, viz .: Sarah J., the wife of Robert MeCright;
Lucy E., the wife of James White; John T .; Mary 11., Mrs. John Church; Robert S., Martin M. and Anna Myrtle. Mr. Hamilton is deeply interested in the welfare of his children and is therefore ready to bear a part in all those movements which will enhance the material, educational and the moral prosperity of the nation. They have all been given the best advantages for obtaining an education, several of them being graduates of some of the best colleges in the State. His political affiliation is with the Prohibition party and in re- ligious affairs he is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church.
h ENRY C. WILLIAMS. The leading liv- eryman of Belleville is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born here March 25, 1814. his father, Volney L. Will- iams, having come to Belleville in 1837. The lat- ter was born in Smyrna, Del., in 1811, and was engaged there as a carriage manufacturer. Ile es- tablished a manufactory at the corner of Race and Main Streets, Belleville, and continued there for thirty-five years, or until his death, at which time the business had grown to very extensive propor- tions.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Martha Penn, and is a sister of Joseph Penn, of whom zee biography. She resides at Lincoln, Logan County, INI. Of her eight children, only two are now living, our subject and Lewis Mar- shall, of this city.
Henry C. was educated in Belleville, and there learned the trade of a carriage-maker with his father, and followed that occupation for some time. When twenty-one years old, he started out for himself, and soon afterward built a block two stories high, 80x100 feet. One-half of the building is used as . a carriage manufactory, while the other is utilized as a livery, the latter having been added in 1870. He continued in the carriage business until 1890 when he sold to the Belleville Carriage Works, and now gives his whole attention to the livery.
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lIe has fine accommodations for feeding a great many horses, and keeps a hack line and many horses and carriages for hire. January 19, 1892, a stoek company was formed with a capital stock of 85,000, of which our subject is President and general manager.
February 14. 1865, Henry C. Williams was united in marriage with Mrs. Fannie Stookey, who was born August 14, 1847. Their five living chil- dren are: Nellie, born February 14, 1866; Lillie Gladys. September 24, 1869; Laura M., November 10, 1871; Henry James. August 9, 1874; and Elsie Moore, January 25, 1881. The one deceased was born October 29, 1878, and died in childhood. The home of the family is one of the finest residences of Belleville, and is located on East A Street. The residence was purchased by Mr. Williams in 1890, and has been finely furnished and equipped throughout. Surrounding it is a beautiful lawn, consisting of seven lots, all neatly laid out.
Mr. Williams may justly be proud of the sue- cess which has rewarded his efforts, for it is the re- sult of his unaided exertions and has been brought about by keen business discrimination and un- flagging energy. In addition to the business above mentioned, he has a second hvery stable which he rents, and also has a branch livery stable at Lebanon, Ill., where a hack line is kept and a full equipment of carriages and horses. Socially. Mr. Williams is identified with the Knights of Pythias as one of its most prominent members.
b ENRY B. & JOHN B. STEINERT. The rich- est heritage of American youth is the exam- ple of their country's brain and brawn wrought into lives of perfect harmony, splendid fealty and tireless industry. The annals of sueh lives are briefly told in the history of Henry B. and John B. Steinert. They are classed among the prominent newspaper men of St. Clair County, and are editors and proprietors of the East St. Louis Ga- cette and the Inland Farmer, bright. newsy and instructive papers with a wide circulation and ex-
tended influence. Their erisp and trenchant edi- torials are always read with interest and are influ- ential in moulding the public opinion on subjeets of importance.
John Steinert, the father of our subjeets, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and there learned the trade of a baker. In his early manhood, he crossed the ocean to America, locating first at St. An- thony's Falls, Minn., where he was shortly afterward married to Miss Elizabeth Bowman, a native of Nordheim, Germany. After their marriage, he and his wife removed to Belleville, Ill., where he fol- lowed his trade and also engaged in the real-estate business in connection with his brother-in-law, John B. Bowman, at one time Mayor of the city. lle continued in the real-estate business until his death, which occurred in 1870. Religiously, he was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a kind and benevolent man, highly esteemed wherever known. llis wife died in 1871, leaving five chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Amelia Maurer, a resident of Belleville; Mrs. Addie ITallows, of East St. Louis; Henry B. and John B., our subjects; and Ed F., whose home is in Kansas City.
Ilenry B. Steinert was born in East St. Louis on the 12th of July, 1864, and remained in this city until six years of age, when his father died and he went to New Athens, where his unele, Nicholas Steinert, a prominent farmer, was residing. Ile re- mained on this farm until fifteen years of age, and then entered Warrenton College, Missouri, where he remained three years. After this, he studied telegraphy at St. Louis and became an operator with the Western Union Company. He located in that city, but later went to Minnesota, and after a short residence there returned to East St. Louis. lle subsequently ceased operating and went to Kan- sas, but returned to St. Clair County and was en- gaged in farming until 1886, when he went to Ar- kansas and was in the employ of a seed and agri- cultural house.
In the fall of 1886, Mr. Steinert embarked in the real-estate business with Frank B. Bowman, and continued in this until 1869, when he became man- ager of the East St. Louis Gazette for one year. After this he was in the real-estate business again and was thus engaged until January, 1892, when he
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formed a partnership and purchased the Gazette. The Gazette was edited in 1865 by John B. Bowman, is the oldest paper now in existence in the county, and the official organ of the county. It is a six- column quarto, Democratie in its tone and devoted to the best interests of the county. In May, 1892, Mr. Steinert purchased the Inland Farmer from A. B. Ogle and edits it. This paper was started in 1876 and is devoted to the interests of the farm- ing community. It receives contributions from the ablest men and is a five-column quarto, pub- lished semi-monthly. The press is supplied with all the newest and latest improvements and he has a large job patronage. Mr. Steinert owns consid- erable real estate and is one of the foremost men of St. Clair County. He evineed his preference for secret organizations by becoming a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Golden Rule.
John B. Steinert was born in East St. Louis, on the 10th of October. 1866, and was reared by his unele, Jonathan Leo, from the age of four until twelve, after which he attended the Central Wes- leyan College, at Warrenton for two years. Later he attended the Manual Training School in St. Louis for two years and after graduating there was employed in the Missouri & Pacific Railroad ma- chine shop for one year. In 1887, he went to Omaha, Neb., as instruetor of mechanics in the deaf and dumb schools for two years. In the year 1889, he went to Elgin, Ill., and taught manual training, drawing, etc , in Elgin Academy, and in 1890 went to New York City, where he at- tended a college for the training of teachers for nearly two years. In January, 1892, the partner- ship was formed on the Gazette.
G EORGE W. GUTHRIE, a history of whose life is herewith presented to our readers, has passed from the scenes of earthly joys and sorrows to his final resting place. Ile was a pro- gressive farmer in Marissa Township and rose to a
position in agricultural affairs which many might envy. He was respected by all who knew him and such was his integrity that his promise was as good as his bond. His valuable estate of two hundred and fifty-five acres, which is located on section 32, is carried on by his widow, who manages affairs on a paying basis.
Our subject was born January 15, 1841, in this county, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Boyd) Guthrie, of Irish and German descent. His father, also a native of Illinois, was born in Ran- dolph County and made his advent into this section in 1835. His wife, who was born in Ireland, was brought to America in 1828 by her parents, who located in South Carolina, where they remained for a time and then came to Randolph County, this State. Joseph Guthrie followed the combined oceupations of shoe-maker, school-teacher and far- mer and departed this life in 1848, while his good wife, who survived him a number of years, died in 1866.
The original of this sketch was one of a family of five children, only two of whom are living. Ile was the recipient of a common-sehool education, and when turning his attention to farming, mani- fested snel a lively interest in agricultural affairs and so much industry and integrity of purpose that he could not help meet with success. He was married, March 2, 1864, to Miss Adelia Johnson, and to them was born a son, John, who is a resident of St. Louis, Mo.
The lady whom our subjeet chose as his second wife was Miss Rebecca MeClintock, who was born in County Antrim. Ireland, in 1846. She was the daughter of David and Anna (Grear) MeClintock, also natives of the above county in Ireland, where they were married. The mother of Mrs. Guthrie was the daughter of James and Mary ( Wilson) Grear. By her marriage with Mr. MeClintock she reared a family of two children: Robert and Mrs. Guthrie. When but four years of age. the lat- ter was brought to America by her parents, who located in Randolph County, this State, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and were respected throughout the sur- rounding country,
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Mr. Guthrie of this sketch was always greatly interested in school affairs, and his children one and all received excellent instruction, David being an attendant of the State Normal of Illinois. The other members of the family bore the respective names of Joseph, who died when two years of age; Elizabeth. the wife of John K. White, and George W. David was married. November 27, 1890, to Miss Katie. daughter of Daniel and Jane MeCurdy. and to them has been born one son, Daniel M. Mr. Guthrie in social matters was a member in high standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at all times and in all places showed himself to be a loyal citizen and was well regarded by his fellow-townsmen, and in his death, which occurred February 12, 1888, the county lost one of its most honored residents.
P ATRICK FLANNERY, a valued member of the Board of Election Commissioners, and since 1865 one of the able, energetic and leading citizens of East St. Louis, has been prominently connected with various important enterprises of this portion of the State, and is widely known as a public-spirited and very progressive man. Our subject was born in County Mayo, on the 17th of March. 1849. His paternal grandfather, Ilazell Flannery, was a man of sub- stance and was a native of the Emerald Isle, where James Flannery, the father of our subject, was born. James Flannery was the agent and collector for a large land-owner in Ireland, and was a suc- cessful real-estate man, dying in the home that had been his through life when our subjeet was a little babe.
The mother of our subject was Margaret ( Roach) Flannery, born in Ireland, and there died in the vear 1889, leaving five children to mourn her loss: Mary, Mrs. Nebol, died in East St. Louis in 1891; Martin resides in East St. Louis; John is a farmer in Ireland; Patrick,our subject; and .James cultivates the soil of "Old Erin." Mr. Patrick Flannery was raised upon a farm, and received the benefit of a
good common-school education. In June, 1865, when about seventeen years of age, our subject left Liverpool on the steamer "Arion," and after an eight days' voyage. landed in New York. Tarrying but a brief time in the Empire City, Mr. Flannery came to East St. Louis, and immediately received employment in the rolling mills of Allen & Filley, working as a puddler, manufacturing iron rails, and continuing there for ten years.
In time he was promoted to be foreman of a fur- nace. In 1871 and 1872, he worked in St. Louis and South St. Louis, where he assisted in the manufacture of steel rails, and in 1875 engaged in the management of a sample room in old Illinois Town. and continued in this occupation until 1890. For several years past, Mr. Flannery has been en- gaged in the real-estate business, and owns one of the handsomest residences in the city, at the eor- ner of Market and Sixth Streets, opposite the City Park. IJe has erected houses in different parts of the city, and has completed a row of twelve houses in Illinois City, Seventh Ward.
Mr. Flannery was married in East St. Louis, in 1876, to Miss Mary Wright, a native of Tennessee. The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Flannery has been blessed with the birth of five promising sons and daughters: James is the eldest born, then fol- low William, Abby, Vincent and Mary. In 1886, our subject was appointed by Judge Hay as a member of the first Board of Election Commis- sioners, an evidence of the appreciation of his public course and confidence in his integrity, and has been twice re-appointed since, now serving his third term. Under the administration of the Board, of which he has been a continnous member, the election law has been faithfully and impar- tially enforced, and the publie satisfaction has been unbounded, much credit having been justly awarded Mr. Flannery. whose excellent judgment and executive ability are well known.
Our subject is a valued member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and is ever ready to assist in all worthy social and benevolent enterprises, without regard to sect or nationality. Politically, Mr. Flannery is a consistent Democrat, and being an untiring worker, has a large following and influ- ence. lle has been a delegate to numerous State
yours Truly A. F. Wright
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and county conventions, and is a member of the County Democratie Committee. Financially sue- cessful in his business, our subject has been an important factor in the upbuilding and regenera- tion of East St. Louis, and has won honorable rank in the community where he makes his home, and is esteemed by all who know him as a true representative American eitizen.
UGH L. PUGH, agent for the East St. Louis & Carondelet Railroad at East Carondelet, is one of the prominent citizens of St. Clair County. llis years of service with one corporation testify as to his ability and the esteem in which he is held by his employers, while the record of his life proves better than any words of the biographer can do the probity and upright- ness which have characterized his every action.
Some mention, although brief, is due the father of our subject, Peter Pugh. He was born in Fair- view, Hancock County, Va., in September, 1828, and traced his ancestry to Germany and Scotland, where his forefathers were people of influence and high standing. He married Miss Susanna Scott, who was born in llancock County, Va., July 4, 1828. I'nto them were born six children, five of whom are still living: Louisa, Mrs. Albert Nance, resides in Denver, C'olo., and during the late campaign (1892) was the candidate of the People's party of Colorado for the office of State Treasurer; Lulu is the wife of Louis Perrin, and makes her home in East St. Louis; Seely Edsall and Ermon reside in East Carondelet, and are both engaged as en- gineers.
In 1859, Peter Pugh came to Illinois and located in Bardolph, MeDonough County, where he en- gaged in the milling business for a few years. Thenee he removed to Fulton County, Ill., in 1863, and followed the same occupation in that county for seven years. He came to East Carondelet in 1870, with the intention of taking charge of a mill; but circumstances compelled him to change his plans, and he became watchman of an iron furnace, which
position he held until the time of his death, a period of about eight years. He passed from earth in September, 1891; his wife survives him and oc- cupies a comfortable home in East Carondelet. Peter Pugh was one of those men who live in the memory of others long after they have been called from the scenes of time, and his connection with the Presbyterian Church was of such a helpful na- ture that his name will be preserved in its annals.
Born in Fairview, Hancock County, Va., Jan- uary 24, 1854, our subject was a child of about five years when he accompanied his parents to Illi- mois. He received his education in the common schools, principally those of Bardolphi, and after his school days were ended he spent four years in learning the trade of a machinist and engineer at Bardolph. Later, he entered a railroad office at Table Grove, IH., where he was taught the details of the business. Since 1872 he has followed this occupation exclusively, with the exception of the years included between 1878 and 1882, when he was engineer of the furnace at East Carondelet.
April 16, 1882, Mr. Pugh married Miss Anna, daughter of George Walsh, a resident of East St. Louis, who came to this county from England in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Pugh are the parents of three children living: Pearl, who is nine years old; Edna, aged eight; and Irene F., who is five months old. Hazel died at the age of thirteen months. Socially, Mr. Pugh is identified with the N. D. Morse Lodge No. 346, F. & A. M., at Concord, Il. In politics, he gives his ballot and influence to the support of the Democratic party, and has been called upon to occupy several important positions. He is now serving as Justice of the Peaee, School Director, member of the Board of Education, and Drainage and Levee Commissioner for Prairie du Point Dis- trict, and as President of the Board of Trustees of the village of East Carondelet.
6 HEODORE HUMMERT, a prosperous and energetic agriculturist, and well-known and highly respected citizen, cultivates a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, near Fayetteville, St. Clair County, Ill., where he has
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been located for more than two-score years. Our subject was born in the year 1827. in Hanover, Germany, and is the son of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Lamppe) lummert. This worthy father and mother led a peaceful and uneventful life in the home of their childhood, where they were born, raised, educated and married. Primitive in their manners and methods, they were sincere Christian people, and trained up their children to habits of thrift and daily industry, and thus well fitted them to make their own way in life.
The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade, but rented land and profitably engaged in the pursuit of general agrienlture. In 1854, the father and mother emigrated to the United States, and a few years later died in their new home, far from the friends and associations of early years. They were the parents of three children, all now surviving. Theodore Hummert had preceded his family to America, crossing the broad Atlantic in 1848. Ile landed on our hospitable shore poor in pocket but rich in youth, hope and energy, and from very small beginnings has built up a substan- tial success, and gained a comfortable competence. When our subject first reached America, he jour- neyed at once to St. Louis, where he located and was obliged to work by the day for several months.
After a time he came to St. Clair County, Ill., and in Fayetteville found an excellent farm which he could rent upon reasonable terms, and, loeating thereon, devoted himself for the succeeding four years steadily to the duties of agriculture. At length, able to buy land, Mr. Hummert purchased quite a large acreage near the farm which he had previously rented. To his new position he gave the benefit of his years of practical experience in planting, sowing and reaping, and as the months have passed in the patient enltivation of the soil, he has been annually rewarded by a bounteous har- vest. Our subjeet has been twice married. Ile first married Miss Mary Gudiwin, in Fayetteville, who died early in life. Some time after the death of this estimable lady, Mr. Hummert again married, in April, 1888, his present wife being Miss Ger- trude Wennemann, daughter of Ignatz and Eliza- beth ( Peterswerth) Wenneman.
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Hummert has been brightened by the birth and presence of three bright and promising little ones, a son and two daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Antoine. Our subject and his good wife are active members of the Catholic Church, of St. Libory, and are ever ready to aid others less fortunate than themselves. Mr. Hummert is a Democrat, and while never an office-seeker is interested in the outcome of local and National issues. An honest, hard-working and upright citizen, our subject is highly respected by the entire community among whom he has so long resided.
P ETER GODIN, SR., of Prairie du Point, Sugar Loaf Township, St. Clair County, Ill., was born in the village where he now lives, and is the son of Peter Godin, born in the same village in abont the year 1791, the grandfather of our subject having been one of the very first resi- dlents of that county. The latter was probably born also in Prairie du Point. Peter Godin, the father of our subject, married Jeanette S. Chartrany, of French extraction, and removed soon after his marriage to Cahokia, where he conducted a farm until his death in 1845. Six children were born to this latter couple, three of whom are still liv- ing, namely: Teresa, the wife of Mr. Perch, of Cahokia; Mary, the wife of a prominent citizen of Cahokia, and our subject.
Our subject was born November 13, 1835, at Prairie du Point, was five years old when his par- ents removed to Cahokia, and lived there until 1867, following the occupation of a farmer. Ile was married there to Philesta Palmier, daughter of E. Palmier, of the same place. Returning to Prairie du Point, where his wife died, he was again married. this time to Virginia Allary, daughter of .I. B. Allary, an old settler of the village. This has been the home of our subject ever since the date named, and to him have come eight children, five of whom are still living, namely: Mary, the wife of Constant Chatilan, of Prairie du Point; Veta,
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living at Falling Springs; Edmund, employed in a grocery at St. Louis; Isaac, living at home, and Jenny, who is also at home. The three who are dead passed away in infancy.
The business in which our subject is at present engaged is the retail liquor business, in addition to which he has a farm of one hundred acres on the bottoms of Sugar Loaf Township, which is con- dneted by his son-in-law. Ile has two saloons, one located at Prairie du Point and the other at Ful- ler's Springs, and owns likewise a beautiful place located on the side of the bluffs in Sugar Loaf Township. The place of business at Prairie du Point he conducts himself, while his son has charge of the one at Fuller's Springs. The religious training of Mr. Godin was received in the Roman Catholic Church, with which body he retains his membership. Our subject manifests much interest in politics, taking an active part in all elections, his influence being directed to the success of the Democratic ticket. His fellow-citi- zens have elected him Highway Commissioner of the township, a position he yet retains, and he holds the office of Treasurer of the Village Board, and has also been Constable of the county. While residing in Cahokia, he was made a Trustee of the Catholic Church of that village, his interest in which causes him still to retain it.
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