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 74
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With genuine German thrift and prudence, Mr. Juenger began to save, and he furnished a fair ex- ample of what a man may become by adhering to the rules of economy and industry. Com- meneing life as a poor man, he has by his own will and determination to accumulate amassed a goodly share of property, made a good home at all times for the family who was dependent upon him, and is to-day the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of choice St. Clair County land, as well as other possessions, all of which are the achievement of his own personal efforts.
Politically, Mr. Juenger is a Democrat, and up- holds his party as a stanch, faithful and loyal ad- herent. Both he and his estimable wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, to which organization he has always contributed liberally. He is a pub- lic-spirited man and in favor of everything that will improve the county and elevate society. His fidelity to the stanch principles of his German ancestors, and his well-spent life as a citizen have contributed to the high regard in which he is held in his community.
D AVID MURPHY is a progressive, wide-awake and intelligent tiller of the soil of Lebanon Township, St. Clair County, Il., where he owns a magnificent farin of three hundred and ten acres, of which he has been the owner since
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1868. What he has accumulated is the result of hard work, untiring industry and good manage- ment, and he deserves much credit for the admir- able way in which he has surmounted the many difficulties that have strewn his pathway through life. He began the battle of life for himself as a renter, but in 1861 bought one hundred and fifty- two acres north of his present farm, exchanging it for the latter seven years later and paying a differ- ence of $10,000 in cash. He was born in Connty Cork, Ireland, March 22, 1833, a son of Thomas and Abbie (Leahy) Murphy, with whom he came to America in 1849, landing at New Orleans. From that place they came to St. Louis, and there the mother died the following June of cholera, her husband's death of the same dread disease occurring in September following. Their family consisted of five children: Ann, who died in 1860, became the wife of Mr. Foley, who is also de- ceased; David, the subject of this sketch; Dennis became a soldier in the Union army, and is sup- posed to have been killed at Pittsburgh Landing, although no authentic news of his death was ever received; Ellen is a resident of St. Louis; and Mary died in girlhood in St. Louis,
David Murphy was a resident of Shiloh Valley Township of this county prior to the Civil War, and, although his finances were at avery low ebb, he set energetically to work to better his condition, but found it uphill work for a number of years. lle removed to Lebanon Township in 1861 and bought the land adjoining his present farm, but, as above stated, became the owner of his present farm in 1868, lle has a beautiful, commodious and substantial residence, and every nook and eranny of his farm is exceptionally neat and well kept, showing that a man of intelligent and enlight- ened views is at the helm. On the 20th of March, 1859, he was married to Miss Martha Verlinda Moore, a daughter of Rev. William and Margaret (Alexander) Moore, and in due course of time the following children gathered about their hearth- stone: Margaret, who became the wife of John Midgley, who is an employe of the St. Louis Bridge Company, is the mother of one child, Ethel, an infant; Edith is at home with her parents; Al- bert died in infancy; Ellen and William are at
home. Mr. Murphy has always been interested in school and educational matters, and his children have received the advantages of the common schools in the vicinity of their home.
Mr. Murphy is a well-informed gentleman on all topies of general interest, and believes in keeping in constant touch with the current issues of the day. Ile is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and is very popular both in his immediate neighbor- hood and wherever he is known. lle has served in the capacity of Highway Commissioner and School Director, and politically is in sympathy with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Method- ist Church, as is also his wife, but is liberal in his support of other denominations also. His wife is a sister of Risdon A. Moore, of Shiloh Valley Town- ship, and her parents were among the very early settlers of St. Clair County, having become resi- dents of Shiloh Valley Township in 1810. A genealogy of her family has recently been prepared, which covers nearly one hundred pages.
ILLIAM L. JONES, editor and proprietor of the Lebanon Journal, belongs to one of the representative and honored pioneer families of St. Clair County, where his entire life has been passed. Ile was here born June 7. 1859, and received his education in the common schools of Lebanon and at Mckendree College, from which institution he was graduated in 1879. Two years later his father, Oliver P. Jones, purchased the plant of the Lebanon Journal, at which time our subjeet embarked in the printing business, and soon became a practical printer as well as success- ful manager of a country newspaper.
In 1882, Mr. Jones became a member of the Southern Illinois Press Association, in which he soon attained such prominence as would be ex- peeted from a man of his unquestioned ability and talent. In 1887, he joined the Illinois Press As- soeiation, and has since attended all the meetings of that organization, serving as delegate to the convention of the National Editorial Association
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at Detroit in 1889; Boston, 1890; St. Paul, 1891; and San Francisco in 1892. His service as Presi- dent of the Southern Illinois Press Association, to which position he was elected in 1891, has re- sulted in the advancement of the interests of that society to a marked extent.
For more than eleven years Mr. Jones lias been the capable and efficient editor of the Leb- anon Journal, one of the wide-awake papers of the county, and of great value to the community. During 1890, he was a member of the party of Illinois editors who went to the city of Mexico, and has also traveled extensively elsewhere. He is correspondent of the Illinois State Natural His- tory Society, and holds other positions of respon- sibility and honor.
R ICHARD W. ROPIEQUET, an attorney-at- law, of Belleville, Ill., born in that city March 23, 1866, is a son of Frederick K. and Auna (Wangelin) Ropiequet, the latter a sister of Richard Wangelin. The father of our subject was born on the Rhine, Bavaria, December 16, 1835, his father being an attorney of ample means, who died in 1847. Frederick K. Ropiequet received a classical education in the German lan- guage, and was educated as an engineer. Ile emi- grated to the United States in 1852, landing at New York and proceeding to Belleville, where lie found employment as clerk in a general merehan- dise store. In the following year, he was ap- pointed assistant engineer, and aided in the con- struction of the Alton, Terre Haute & St. Louis Railroad. Study of law next engrossed his atten- tion. but when George C. Ilart was elected Sheriff he was made a Deputy under that officer, and in 1864 was himself elected Sheriff. After his term of office expired, he engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements until 1876. The books of abstracts of St. Clair County were completed by him in 1877. Two years later, in 1879, he was elected City Treasurer and re-elected Sheriff in 1880, Ju the year 1868, he was elected Mayor of
the city of Belleville. His time is now devoted to the abstracting of titles.
The subject of this sketchi received his educa- tion in the schools of Belleville and at Smith Academy of Washington University, St. Louis, after which he read law with Charles W. Thomas, and was admitted to practice by examination in August, 1886. receiving his license when but twenty-one years old. Taking an office in Belle- ville at once and applying himself diligently, he has built up a good practice. Exclusive attention to his profession and faithful regard for the in- terests of clients have resulted in the establishing of himself thus early in his career in the confidence of friends and the public. He has his office in the Academy of Music building. Our subject was married to Miss Mamie W. Crouch, daughter of William T. Crouch, the photographer, April 14, 1890, by whom he has had one child, Wilfred C. His religious belief is pronounced, he being a Steward and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also Superintendent of its Sunday- school. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ropiequet is on South Jackson Street.
1 R. C. F. WILHELMJ, a talented and suc- cessful physician and surgeon of East St. Louis, Ill., is a native of the State and was born on Elkhorn Prairie, near Nash- ville, Washington County. llis father, Dr. Charles Wilhelmj, was well known throughout Southern Illinois, and ranked high in his profession. He was born in the duchy of Nassau, in Germany, of which duchy his father, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was Governor. Dr. Charles Wil- helmj was a graduate of the University of Heidel- berg, and attended the I'niversity of Munich. Ile passed peacefully away at the age of seventy-six years, a man universally respected and honored. A wife and five children and a host of friends mourned his death. At the time of the Revolu- tion of 1848 in Germany, he had taken an active
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part and was obliged afterward to seek refuge in America. Ile spent his first year in this country in Cincinnati, finally locating in Maeystown, where he remained in the active duties of his pro- fession until his death, a brief time ago.
The mother of our subject was Sophia Ballot. a daughter of Dr. Fred Ballot, of Waterloo. Dr. Ballot was a native of Germany, and a graduate of Heidelberg, and early emigrating to the United States, settled in Waterloo, being the pioneer doctor of that flourishing town. Our subject was an only child, and after the death of his mother in 1860, was sent to St. Louis, where he attended the public school, and later went to an aunt in St. Joe, there receiving the benefit of a High School
course. In 1877. he returned to Washington County, and studied medicine under his father. In the fall of the same year, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, and graduated from the medieal department with the degree of M. D. in 1880. For the five succeeding years, Dr. C. F. Wilhelmj practiced medicine with his father, and at the expiration of this time removed to East St. Louis, where he enjoys one of the most extended and lucrative fields of practice in the city. Ilis office, No. 13 North Main Street, is conveniently located and aside from his professional round of visits affords Dr. Wilhelmj an excellent income.
Our subject was for one term the County Hospital Physician for East St. Louis. Ile is the local examiner of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also the Medical Examiner of the American Legion of Honor, and also of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Dr. Wilhelmnj is a member of the Illinois Medical Association, and is Vice-president of the St. Clair County Medical As- soeiation. Our subject is likewise a member of the Monroe County Medical Association. Dr. Wilhelmj is in political affiliations a stalwart Republican, and has held the responsible position of County Com- missioner, discharging the duties of the office with honor and ability. Ile is deeply interested in the management of both local and national affairs and ever ready to assist in all progressive movements and enterprises of merit, and is widely known as an earnest and public-spirited citizen. Upright in character and devoted to the relief of suffering
humanity, our subject brings to the daily exercise of his profession skillful knowledge, excellent judgment, and a courteous bearing which have de- servedly won the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends and well-wishers.
P IIILIP II. POSTEL, a practical and sue- cessful miller, has acquired his knowledge of the business by the most studions and searching habits, and has grown gray in solving the problem of how to excel in making flour. A German by birth, he inherits many of the most commendable qualities of that race, among which may be mentioned honesty of purpose, industry and thrift. Ilis birth occurred on the 11th of July, 1818, at Hassloch, Rheinpfalz, to George and Maria Kathrina (Gramlich) Postel, who were born, reared and >pent their lives in Germany.
In his youth Philip II. Postel was possessed of a laudable ambition to make fame and fortune for himself, and with this end in view he came to America in 1811, embarking for this country at a French seaport, Havre, on the 9th of May, and landing at New York City on the 22d of June. After a short residence in the metropolis of this country, he went to Philadelphia on the first rail- road that was built in America. from which city he went by canal to Pittsburgh, and then by river to St. Louis, Mo., the journey occupying three weeks. Ile came to Mascoutah as a visitor to the Eisenmayer family, and only expected to spend a few years in this country, but by the 20th of November. 1841, he became identified in business with Conrad and Philip II. Eisenmayer, who were at that time operating a grist and saw mill. Mascoutah comprised only eleven houses at that time, and the mill of which these gentle- men were the proprietors was the first one ever erected in Mascoutal Township.
A short time after their connection was formed, the firm purchased a watermill in Monroe County, about four miles from Red Bnd, a project which unfortunately proved a failure, and the mill was
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sold in 1846. Mr. Postel has been associated with five partners, two of them at two different times, but at the present time has no associates excepting his three sons. Their plant consists of three fine mills, and the business was incorpor- ated in 1886 with Philip Il. Postel, Sr., as Presi- dent; P. II. Postel, Jr., Vice-president; George Postel, Treasurer; and Julius Postel, Secretary.
Among the brands of flour manufactured are the "Elegant," "Patent," "Extra," "A," "Mas- coutah Star," and others. The mills have a ca- pacity of one thousand barrels per day, and the constant bustle of receipt and shipment makes it one of the busiest corners of the place. They are fitted up with every device known to milling science, are up with, and even ahead of. the times, and have a large local trade, of which the home con- sumption is the strongest endorsement the flour could have. The wonderful success to which Mr. Postel has attained may be attributed to the fact that he makes the finest flour in the market, sus- tains the uniformity of his brands, and offers cus- tomers the best terms, by reason of his large capi- tal and by treating everyone with whom he has business relations in a courteous manner.
In the land of his birth Mr. Postet received, as was customary in his country, only a common- school edneation, but in a compulsory public school. As his instructors were intelligent and thoroughly understood their duties, he made fair progress in his studies. In this country, after working eighteen hours a day, he found time to attend night school one hour of the remaining six, where he took lessons in English in order to master to a certain degree the intricacies of this language. lle was one of four children. Eva Catherine and Andrew both died of cholera; and Anna Margaret, who died in the parental home at Germania at the age of seventy-four years.
On the 4th of September, 1842, Philip II. Postel was united in marriage with Miss Anna Maria Eisenmayer, a daughter of Philip II. and Anna Elizabeth(Haas) Eisenmayer, of Has loch, Germany, and sister of Conrad Eisenmayer, his partner. She was born in Germany and came to America with her brother Conrad in 1840. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Postel two died in infancy 1
and seven are now living, viz: Elizabeth, who is still at home; Maria E., wife of Carl Schwalb, who is residing in Denver, Colo .; Philip Il .. Jr., also at home; George, who married Miss Dora Jansen, of Quincy; Anna, wife of John Fackt, of Mas- contah; Louisa, wife of Boyd Cornick, M. D., of Knickerbocker, Green County, Tex .; and Julius, who married Amalia, daughter of John P. Postel. The above-named children have enriched their father with seventeen grandchildren.
Mr. Postel is a man of intelligent, practical and progressive views, and while serving as a member of the State Legislature during the session of 1881-82, he was a thoughtful, painstaking, con- scientious and industrious member of that body. He was elected to this honorable position on the Republican ticket, the principles of which polit- icai order he has always supported, and his con- stituents had every reason to be pleased with him as their representative. Ile was also appointed one of the Board to subdivide St. Clair County into townships. All measures of morality _find in him a staneh supporter, and he is an especially earnest patron of education and has served in the capacity of Trustee of the Illinois State University when said office was still an appointive one. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has "kept the faith" since 1841, being at present Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which office he has held for over'thirty years.
R EV. HENRY EDGAR FULLER has been following a calling that is the noblest to which a man can devote his life, and in the O.capacity of the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Belleville, he has had a fruitful field in which to sow the seed of Christianity. His work has required patience, persistence and grace, but he is possessed of all these commendable qualities, and during the six years that he has been a resi- dent of Belleville his work has been truly noble and he has laid his foundations carefully and well. Ile is an eloquent pulpit orator, his sermons show
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much painstaking thought, and his illustrations are always happy and to the point. His power is largely in his capacity for training his people, especially the young, and the boys and girls who are now in his hands will become men and women of might. Ile was born at Lake Geneva, Wis., March 12, 1852, a son of L. W. and Iluldah Ann (Ingham) Fuller, both of whom were born in the Empire State. By occupation the father is a tiller of the soil, having his home in Lake Geneva, Wis. He is of English descent and traces his aneestry back in direct line to the sixteenth century.
In the town of his birth Rev. Henry E. Fuller received his education and for some time was an attendant at Lake Geneva Seminary, and the Whitewater Normal College, a State institution, finishing his literary education in the University of Chicago, which he entered in 1874 and from which he graduated in 1878 with the degree of B. A. Succeeding this, he began his theological stud- ies in the Baptist Theological University of Mor- gan Park, Ill., and graduated in the Class of '84. In 1879 he preached the Gospel at East Dela- van, Wis., and also for a short time supplied a pulpit at Lake Geneva. after which he was pastor of a church at Walnut, Ill., for two years. Ile was ordained on the 6th of December, 1881, by a council composed of eighteen members, represent- ing eleven churches. While taking his theological course, he preached for seven months at Amboy, 1 11.
After graduating, the first charge of Rev. Mr. Fuller was at Marion, Iowa, where he remained from 1884 to 1887, during which time thirty-seven accessions were made to the church. From Marion he came to Belleville, Ill., in response to an urgent call, and here his services in the vineyard of his Master have been attended with flattering success. Since locating here a parsonage has been erected at a cost of $3,200. sixty-one accessions have been made to the church. and a Normal Class of twenty- five members has been in existence for the past four year-, the members of which, in this manner. lit themselves for church work. A Young Peo- ple's Society of Christian Endeavor has been or- ganized with twenty-five active and forty asso-
ciate members, and a elass of fifty of "Willing Workers" has been organized, which is composed of both boys and girls. The Sunday-sehool at- tendants number one hundred and fifty and the school is presided over by M. W. Weir, who, be- sides being one of the very best lawyers in the city, finds time to be a most excellent Church Clerk and Treasurer.
Rev. Mr. Fuller attends National, State and Dis- triet Associations, Ministers' Institutes, etc. He is active in the Alton District Association, and was very earnest and active in organizing the Baptist Young People's Society of the Alton District Association. Ile is very conscientious and pains- taking in Ins work, and as a natural result he has brought many to the feet of Christ. At the Alumni Association of the Morgan Park Theolog- ical Association in 1890 he read a beautiful orig- inal poem. which we take the liberty of inserting:
SADRA.
|An unagimary scene intended to represent a seeker for the truth. who, after meeting the representatives of various faiths, finally recognizes the Christian faith as superior to all others.
O welcome muse, come down from starry height, Awake the power that sleeps, and bid the light To stream thro' clouds that gather, energize Some dormant gift. and may the spirit rise To sing in lofty and exultant strain Of Ilim who doth excel! Far, far away, Where many charming isles are seen to lay Like gems upon the bosom of the deep, Is one whose verdure green and mountain steep And ever quiet shores attract the eye. The sails of many ships are drawing nigh- There seems to disembark a mighty throng. Of which the varied people do belong To every race beneath the sun. Ere long The beauteous isle is peopled, and among Its sloping hills and through its valleys fair Are many sacred spires and domes, that vie With one another for supremacy.
By Mount Eringel, nigh its southern base, Amid ambrosial fragrance. is a place
Delightsome. There, behold a maiden fan Did wander to a spot sequestered, where Gushed forth from rocky bed a limpid stream, And there in shady bower reelined to dream Of life, and all its unsolved mysteries Of sorrow, pain and grief, and remedies For all the ills of life, if such there be. Of what from guilt has power to set me free.
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These questions rising in her mind left naught But sadness, and in tears she vainly sought To find some higher power to satisfy The soul's demand, when, lo, before her eye Approaching near, in lovely robe arrayed, A form most radiant 'inid the forest shade; ller beauty thrilled, but mild with grace she bade All fear be gone, and said, "Why art thou so sad? A messenger I come, and now invoke Your earnest soul." In tender words she spoke. " Beneath proud Himalaya's snowy erest There is a land by sacred story blest. Of him who lived to dissipate the night
Of ignorance, and give all Asia light.
'Tis good siddartha, who has struggled on And mounted higher and higher and has won The great Nirvana. Come and follow me, For him we worship. Happy you shall be." Beyond the sloping hill was Buddha's shrine, And thither did they wend their way. Where vine Enwreathed the sturdy tree, and verdure green And bowers fair and varied flowers were seen, The temple stood. The priests drew near and throngs
Of humble worshippers with sacred songs Upon their lips, and while they gathered round To worship, Sadra heard the solemn sound Of tinkling bells, and now before the shrine Of Buddha monks and abbots fall in line. And popes and bishops solemn homage pay To him who brought to Asia light-the way To virtue and to happiness; and all The ardent worshippers of Buddha fall Upon their knees, and now pervades the air The voice of supplication and of prayer. But soon the sound of many voices die Away, and eagerly they list, with eye l'pon the priest, who tells them how to live And be like good Siddartha, and to give Their lives to deeds of charity, and gam By deeds of merit freedom from all pain And consciousness, or else a blessed state Oblivious, or absorption in the great Nirvana. But the service fails to wear Away the look of sadness and of care Among the eager listeners. No word, No song, no prayer, no language they have heard Has shown how guilt and sin are washed away. This life is dreary, no eternal day
Shines bright before them. Doubting more and more.
The humble Sadra, pondering o'er and o'er The message, strayed again. Where lifted high The giant trees their lofty branches, nigh A running brooklet in the welcome shade. 'Mid nature in its loveliest form arrayed. She sat oblivious of the passing day,
And thought of nature's God, who could array With myriad graceful forms and colors clear This world of life and beauty. Drawing near. The darkness stole upon her. Then she stood And shuddered, conseious of the solitude
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