USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 39
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Capt. John P. Mikesell was for many years a member of the firm Adams & Sawyer, who condueted an extensive pork packing business. That he was very popular among his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he, although a republican, was elected as alderman to repre-
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sent the strong democratic Sixth Ward in the city council of Quincy for three terms. In 1878 he was appointed as superintendent of the board of public works. And in 1892 he was elected mayor of the City of Quincy, being re-elected in 1893 and in 1894, serving for three suc- cessive terms. It was he who started the waterworks fund, by devoting the balance of approximately $10,000, left in the treasury at the expira- tion of his term in 1895, to that purpose. John A. Steinbach, who became the successor of John P. Mikesell as mayor of Quincy, being re-elected again and again, saved all he could in the different depart- ments of the city government, adding substantial amounts at the end of each municipal year, so that, when the franchise of the Water Works Company had expired, the Citizens Water Works Company could be organized, which took over the plant from the Water Works Company, for and in the interest of the City of Quiney. Then John P. Mikesell was selected as one of the directors of the company, in recognition of the fact that he had started the waterworks fund. No- vember 30, 1915, he departed this life at the high old age of over eighty years.
SETTLERS OF 1842
John Steinagel, born June 22, 1818, in the Grandduchy of Hessen, came to Quincy early in the '40s of last century, and on April 11, 1842, married Margaret Mohn in this city ; she was born May 17, 1821, in Lengefeld, Grandduchy of Hessen. John Steinagel became prom- inent in public life, and in 1862 was elected as sheriff of Adams County. He died March 18, 1872, his wife followed him in death De- cember 24, 1879. The parents of John Steinagel also came to this county, besides two brothers, Carl, who started overland to California in 1849, and died during his journey, and Christian, who also went west, and died in 1878 in Deadwood, South Dakota.
John Christian Reinecker was born October 15, 1792, in Muehl- hausen, Thuringia, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He married Marie Mehrstaetten, born in the same town in 1788. In 1842 the family came to America and located in Quincy, where Reinecker for many years worked at his trade. His wife died in 1852, while John C. Reinecker departed this life October 29, 1871. Frederick J. Reinecker, a son of John Christian and Marie (Mehr- staetten) Reinecker, for many years was prominent in Quiney as contractor and builder; years ago he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he died in 1889. Daughters of John Christian and Marie (Mehr- staetten) Reinecker were: Mrs. Johanna Sonntag, Mrs. Lonisa Bracht, Mrs. Amelia Breitwieser, and Mrs. Friedericke Koch, all of them mar- ried to old German pioneers.
Casper Uebner, born July 8, 1818, in Steinberg. Grandduchy of Hessen, emigrated in 1842 and came to Quiney. Ile was a cooper by
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trade, but in 1843 went to farming in the neighborhood of Mill Creek. In 1847 he married Elizabeth Schnellbacher, the eldest daughter of Wendel and Anna Maria ( Riedel) Schnellbacher, born in Wersan, Grandduchy of Hessen. Casper Uebner died September 20, 1887; his wife followed him in death in 1904. Two sons live in Fall Creek Township, Andrew Cebner, a farmer, and Adam Uebner, a merchant at Fall Creek Station. Daughters were: Katherine, first wife of Henry Bornmaun, died March 20, 1881; Mary, wife of Nicholas King, died in 1912; Elizabeth, wife of William Kaltenbach in Fall Creek; Sophia, wife of Charles Schmidt, in Freeport, Kansas; Ama Uebner; Emma, wife of William Watson; and Mathilde, wife of Heury Heithold, all in Fall Creek Township.
Heury Politsch, born October 30, 1809, in Wersau, Grandduchy of Hessen, in 1836 married Christina Ruehl, born October 16, 1816. In 1840 they came to America, locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but in 1842 eame to Adans County, where they settled on a farm in Fall Creek Township. Both departed this life many years ago. Their children were : Charles Politseh, who married Mary Wilson, their chil- dren being, James, in Hannibal, Missouri; Emma, wife of Andrew Uebner in Fall Creek Township; Mrs. Anna Stollberg, who died years ago; Mrs. Amalie Wilson, in New Canton, Illinois. Other chil- dren of Heury and Christine (Ruehl) Politsch were: William and Thomas, twins; William died about nineteen years ago; his children are : Charles, hardware merchant in Quincy : John and Louis, farmers; Mrs. Elizabeth Neuer and Mrs. Amalie Kappner.
Herman G. Einhaus was born in Friesoythe, Oldenburg, February 14, 1812, while his wife, Wilhelmina, nee Tapphorn, was born in 1819 near Essen, Westphalia. Herman G. Einhaus was a shoemaker by profession and a master of his trade, for he was foreman in a shoe factory in Elberfeld, where he had fifteen journeymen under his supervision. In 1837 he emigrated to America, landing in Baltimore. Later he came to St. Louis and in 1842 to Quiney. His earnings were so great, that he was possessed of considerable means when he located in this city. Here he followed his calling until 1846, when he retired from active business life, having accumulated quite a competency. Later he took several trips to Europe, visiting his old home. His wife died in 1870. while Mr. Einhaus departed this life March 8, 1902. One son. William Einhaus, settled in Melrose Town- ship, while three daughters, Mrs. Wilhelmina Heintz, Mrs. Elizabeth Terwisehe, and Mrs. Katherine Metzger remained in Quincy.
John Gerhard Henry Bredeweg, born August 24, 1819. in Satrup, Hanover, in 1836 went to Holland, where he engaged in dairy farm- ing. June 9, 1842, he came to Quiney, and in 1843 went into the dairy business with Albert G. Pearson. Three years later he engaged in business for himself and was very successful, in the course of time
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becoming one of the most extensive dealers in milk and dairy products in this county, acquiring between 800 and 900 acres of land near the bay north of the city. John G. H. Bredeweg was married twice, his first wife, Maria Adelheid Horstmann, born in Hanover, died early, and he married Hannah W. Stieghorst in 1851. While Mr. Bredeweg departed this life many years ago, his second wife lived until January 5, 1902, when she died in Los Angeles, California. Children living are: Frank Bredeweg, retired; Edward Bredeweg, grocer; Carrie, wife of Herman Wichmann, the painter; Amelia Earel ; Anna Schulte, St. Louis; and Lena Henhoff, Riverside Township.
Frank Roth, born 1812 in Alsace, emigrated in the '30s of last cen- tury and came to Cincinnati, where he married Rosalie Lambur, born in Brneckenwald, Alsace. In 1842 they came to Quincy with one daughter, Marie. Frank Roth was a wagonmaker and for many years conducted his business in this city, where Adam Steinbach, the smith, also born in Alsace who came to Quincy in 1848, did the iron work on the wagons built by Frank Roth; the latter died in April, 1864. Anton Roth, born in Quincy July 27, 1845, was a son of Frank and Rosalie (Lambnr) Roth, enlisted in the Third Missouri Cavalry Regiment, which was raised in Quincy. After the Civil war he en- tered the service of the Rock Island Railroad Company as fireman. Marie Roth, the daughter of Frank and Rosalie (Lambur) Roth, born in Cincinnati, was married to Louis Wellenreuter, the wagonmaker, born in Oberbergen, Baden, who came to Quincy with his parents in 1856. One of their sons, Louis Wellenreuter, studied medicine and located in Perry, Pike County, Ilinois, where he conducted a drug store and practiced as physician.
Early in the '40s of last century, Michael Keis, born February 1, 1813, and Jacob Keis, born February 1, 1815, came to this country from Weilheim, Wuerttemberg, and located in Quincy. From the old family Bible. still in existence, it is apparent that the name originally was written Kenss. Both brothers for many years were in business in this city, conducting a general store. Later they dissolved their partnership, Jacob continuing the business, while Michael conducted a distillery. Michael Keis married Elizabeth Weiss in Quincy. He died March 5, 1856, while his wife survived for several years. Chil- dren living are: Mrs. Caroline Miller, the Misses Emma and Marie Keis, and Louis Keis. The optician, Louis Keis, in this city is a grandson of Michael Keis. Jacob Keis, the brother of Michael Keis, in 1849 married Mary Anna Peter, born in Riegel, Baden. During the gold fever Jacob Keis crossed the plains to California, but soon returned to Quincy. He died October 4, 1865; his wife survived him for many years. One daughter became the wife of John Noth and moved to Davenport, Iowa, many years ago.
Felix Beisel was born in Pennsylvania in 1782, where he grew up to manhood and later married Elizabeth Schultz, born in Kentucky
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in 1802. In 1842 they came to Quincy, and in 1841 located in Ursa Township, where Felix Beisel opened a grocery store one mile south of Hartford. Later he retired from active life and returned to Quincy, where he spent his remaining days in retirement from further labor until his death in 1850. Ilis widow became the wife of Lynch MeKinney in 1854. They then removed to Lima Township, where she lived until the death of her second husband in 1858. She after- ward made her home with her son, Webster, until 1896, when she was called from this life. Webster Bisell, the son of Felix and Eliza- beth (Selinltz) Beisel, was born in MareeHline, Adams County, Sep- tember 4. 1846 (his name in the course of time being changed to con- form with the pronunciation in English). He was obliged to earn his own living at an early age, and worked on a farm for some time. During the Civil war, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, serving one year. After the war he returned to Adams County where he rented land and engaged in farming, later purchasing a farm of his own. In 1885 he retired from active life and rented his farm to his son, William. Webster Bisell served as school director for more than twenty-five years, was deputy sheriff for four years and road commissioner for more than fifteen years. In May, 1867, he married Mathilde Gerard of Dayton, Ohio. They have two sons, William E. and Samuel Felix Bisell, both living in this county.
Charles Michels was born 1803 in Minden, Prussia, learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1829 he married Arnoldine Koetters. In 1842 the family came to America; landing in Baltimore, they con- tinned their journey overland to Pittsburgh, then by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, where they re- mained for several months and finally came to Quiney. Here Charles Michels eondneted a smithshop for six months, and in 1843 went to farming. Six years later he returned to the city and in 1849, with three other men went to California. With four yoke of oxen and one wagon they started on their trip overland. When they arrived at their destination, they had one ox and a two-wheeled cart left. After spending three years in the gold fields, they returned to Quiney in 1852, where Charles Michels resumed his business. June 14, 1861, he died, his wife departing this life August 1, 1886. Arnold Michels, horn January 23, 1838, in Westland, Westphalia, was the eldest son of Charles and Arnoldine (Koetters) Michels, and came to Quiney with his parents, learning the earpenter's trade. In 1859 he went over- land to the gold fields near Pike's Peak, from where he returned to St. Louis, working at his trade for two years in that city, when he came back to Quiney. November 6, 1862, he married Eliza Heller- mann, born in Muehlhansen, Thuringia. From 1862 to 1873 Arnold Michels was busy as carpenter and contractor; then he conducted a brickyard until 1877, when he went to farming for four years; in 1892 he opened a wagonmaker's shop at Columbus in this county, and
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in 1896 returned to Quiney, where he resided until his death, October 14, 1910. His widow still survives. Children living are: Louis, a painter, in Colorado; William, dealer in automobiles, in Camp Point ; Albert, a farmer in Colorado; George, a barber in Quiney; Walter, a farmer in Colorado. One daughter, Amelie, is the wife of Dr. Christ Haxel, in Coatsburg, Adams County.
IIerman Dieker, born 1790 in Koesfeld, Prussia, grew up in his home town, where he married Margaret Maas, born in the same town. In the fall of 1842 they came to America by way of New Orleans, locating in Quiney. Herman Dieker was a weaver by occupation, but there being no opportunity for weavers to work at their trade in those days, he did such other work as he was able to find. Mrs. Dieker died in 1849, during a cholera epidemie, while her husband departed this life in 1863. G. Henry Dieker, the eldest son of Her- man and Margaret (Maas) Dieker, was born in Koesfeld, Prussia, April 22, 1842, and was brought to Quiney by his parents when six months old. He spent his youth on a farm where the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home now is situated, and at fourteen started learning the carpenter's trade with Johannes & Staats, contractors and builders. Business being dull in Quincy, carpenters working for 50 cents a day, he quit his trade and went to work on a farm for Henry Meyer, out on the Columbus Prairie, for $14 per month. Later he took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in this city. Then he went to work for Hauworth & Baughman, contractors and builders in this city. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Forty-third Illinois Infantry, serving to the end of that war. After his return home he re-entered the employment of Hauworth & Baughman, a few years later he went into business with his brother-in-law, Bernard Johannes. Dissolving the partnership, he continued the business alone, which is at this writing conducted under the firm name G. H. Dieker & Son. G. Henry Dieker was a member of the volunteer fire depart- ment for nineteen years, in the course of time becoming foreman of Liberty No. 3. While occupying this position, he was presented a silver trumpet by the ladies of Quiney with the inscription, "Liberty Fire Company No. 3," which he prizes very highly. November 7, 1867, G. Henry Dieker and Caroline Mary Kroner were married, and cele- brated their golden wedding November 7. 1917. Mrs. Dieker was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Kroner, and was born in Mel- rose Township, January 9, 1848. Children living are: William J. Dieker, in business with his father, John B. Dieker, Mrs. Emma Schwarte, Mrs. Rose Niehaus, and the Misses Anna and Edith.
SETTLERS OF 1843
John William Diekhut, born November 10, 1796, in Muehlhausen, Thuringia, married Anna Elizabeth Moehrstedt, born in the same town January 1, 1797. In 1843 the family, consisting of father, mother
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and three daughters, came to America and located in Quincy. In the spring of 1844 the family went to the country, where John William Diekhut died in 1845, his wife living for thirty-three years more, de- parting this life in 1878. Amalie, the eldest of the daughters, was married to Jost Schmidt, born in the Grandduchy of Ilessen, while Marie became the wife of Gottfried Schmidt, a brother of Jost Schmidt, both couples in 1852 moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Johanna, the youngest of the daughters, was married to John Christoph Diekhut. also born in Muehlhausen, who located in Quiney in 1854. John William and Anna Elizabeth (Moehrstedt) Diekhut had seven sons. August, Carl, Christoph, Adolph, Gottlob, Frederick, and William ; all of them remained in this eounty, with the exception of William, who went to Nebraska. A large number of descendants are among the living.
John George Neumann, born 1783 in Dieburg, Grandduchy of Hessen, with his wife Katherine, nee Loebich, born in 1790 in the same town, came to America in 1831 on board of a sailing vessel. landing in Baltimore. From there they went to Wheeling, West Virginia. Then they came down the Ohio in a flatboat, landing at Cincinnati, where they remained during the winter. In the spring of 1832 they went to Trenton, Ohio, where Neumann worked at his trade, he being a shoemaker. The couple had the following sons: John, Frank, Adam, Xavier, Jacob, and George, all of them working for farmers in Ohio. In 1843 the family came to Illinois and located near Mill Creek in this county, where they followed agriculture. John, the eldest of the sons, remained in Ohio, where he followed farming until his death in 1844; the father, John George Neumann, died in the same year, while the mother, Katherine Neumann, departed this life in 1855. Adam Neumann, born in the fatherland in 1820, followed farming near Mill Creek for sixteen years, when he retired and moved to the city in 1857, where he lived for fifty-eight years. his death occurring December 16, 1915. George Neumann, Jr .. born in Ohio in 1833, died in Quincy in 1904.
Philip J. Reyland, born December 30, 1796, in Landau. Bavarian Palatinate, prepared himself for the ministerial calling, and later married Margaret Bouze, born July 1, 1801, also in Landau. The family came to America and located in Quincy in 1543, where Rev- erend Reyland was active as a preacher for some time. Later he was engaged in several business ventures. Mrs. Reyland died September 3. 1850, while her husband lived for a quarter of a century after that, departing this life in 1876. One son, Eugene Reyland, many years ago located in Marble, Colorado. The eldest daughter, Caro- line, became the wife of Jacob Pfrang, a tailor, born in Bavaria, who came to America and located in Quincy in 1-44, the young couple after their marriage went south and settled in New Orleans, where they lived for many years until their death. Adolph and Lonis Budde,
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wholesale grocers, married two of the Reyland daughters, while Elenore, another daughter, became the wife of Fred W. Meyer, for many years prominent in business and financial circles of this city ; one daughter of Philip J. and Margaret (Bouze) Reyland many years ago located in the city of Mexico, and the youngest daughter became the wife of Alexander Uehdemann, bookkeeper with the firm Warfield & Meyer, later locating in Jacksonville, Florida.
John Spies, born July 3, 1810, in Mariahilf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia in 1838, where he remained three years, following his trade as blacksmith. Then he went to Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and two years later, in 1843, came to Quincy with his wife, Barbara, nee Ness, whom he married in Pennsylvania in 1842, she being born December 2, 1817, in Brod- shelden, on the River Main, Germany. In 1848 John Spies crossed the plains to California, the wagons being drawn by oxen the trip required nine months. After an absence of three years he returned to Quincy where he followed his trade for many years. February 13, 1880, he died, his wife following him in death July 13, 1894. Sons of John and Barbara (Ness) Spies were: John, who during the Civil war served in the Union army, and after the war located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he followed his trade as smith until his death many years ago; Fred and Joseph in Creston, Iowa; William lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Charles died four years ago. Daughters of John and Barbara (Ness) Spies were : Mathilde Hilgenbrink, who died a num- her of years ago; Sophie, widow of Leonidas Hascall, the printer, who lives in Topeka, Kansas; and Mary, the widow of John Weiler, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to Quincy many years ago, being a member of the firm Koenig & Weiler, carriage and wagon makers. He died February 24, 1904. Sons of John and Mary (Spies) Weiler are : John Weiler, Jr., fine woodworker in a large factory in Columbus, Ohio, where they build passenger coaches; Joseph and Charles Weiler, jewelers and dealers in musical instruments in Quincy. Daughters are: Isabel, a nurse, and Rose, bookkeeper in the business of her brothers.
John Aloysius Blomer, born 1793 in Marbeck, Westphalia, married Christina Brueckmann, born 1803 in Erle, Westphalia. In 1843 the family came to America and located in Quiney, where Mr. Blomer for many years worked in brickyards. In 1872 he departed this life, while his wife lived ten years longer, her death occurring 1882. Henry Blomer, son of John Aloysius and Christina (Brueckmann) Blomer, born in 1833, in his younger days assisted his father in the brick- yard, was apprenticed to the firm Henry Deters and George Borstadt, brickmasons, contractors, and builders. After serving his apprentice- ship. he worked for the firm for four years as a journeyman. Then lie entered the service of Robert McComb, contractor and builder, for whom he worked three years, and then, together with Philip
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Steinbach, entered into partnership with Robert MeComb, under the firm name MeComb & Company, said firm existing for seven years, when Mr. MeComb withdrew and started a lumberyard, while Henry Blomer and Philip Steinbach continued in business for several years. John Bernard Blomer, a brother of Henry Blomer, born in 1835, who became a member of the firm, later located in Waeo, Texas, owing to failing health. Later still he returned to Quiney, where he died February 1, 1910. In 1866 Henry Blomer went into the pork packing business, in which he continued for many years. He married Anna Klatt, born in Oldenburg, who at an early day with her parents came to Cineinnati, and in 1852 located in Quiney. Henry Blomer died in April, 1906; his wife departed this life in 1911. John Blomer, eldest son of Henry and Anna (Klatt) Blomer, was born in Quincy June 26, 1870, was educated in the parochial school, then entered St. Francis College in Quiney and gradnated in 1888. Entering the packing house of Blomer, Wolf & Michael, he became vice president when Fred Wolf retired from the firm. In 1900 the company was reorganized and John Blomer became secretary and treasurer. After the death of Henry Blomer in 1906, Joseph Michael became president and the firm continued until February, 1913, when their large pack- ing establishment was destroyed by fire. Since that time John Blomer has retired from active business. Dr. Joseph Henry Blomer, born July 30, 1877, as a son of Henry and Anna (Klatt) Blomer, attended the parochial school, then entered St. Francis College, where he took a business and shorthand course, then a classical and philosophieal course. After taking a seientifie and medical course in Chicago Uni- versity. he graduated in 1906. Then he became an interne at St. Anthony's Hospital, Chicago. Finally he took a post-graduate course in New York City, after which he returned to Quiney in the fall of 1908 and has been a practicing physician here ever since. In Novem- ber, 1915, he married Idelle Martin MeDavitt.
William Sehipple was born November 2, 1839, in Berndorf, Prin- cipality of Waldeek. And here we have another example how names were changed. His father, MI. Sehipple, died in the fatherland, and in 1843 his mother, Anna Elizabeth, nee Hanke, born February 4. 1813, in Berndorf, emigrated, coming to America, where she located in Quiney. Ten years later, March 27, 1853, the widow Sehipple was married to Henry Mangold, a farmer of Adams County. Her son, William, was adopted by Orville HI. Browning, the well known attor- ney, who had erected his mansion at Seventh and Hampshire streets. Mr. and Mrs. Browning, having no children of their own. prompted by a philanthropie spirit, eared for a number of orphaned children in the same manner, raising them and looking after their welfare. And there it was where the name Schipple was changed to Shipley. William Shipley grew up to manhood, and in 1861, when the War of the Rebellion had broken out, rallied to the defense of the Union when President Lincoln ealled 75,000 men to the colors for three months.
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He was among the first volunteers who enlisted April 21, 1861, in Company A, Tenth Illinois Infantry, captain, John Tillson. Being mustered out July 25, 1861, he, after his return home, immediately aided in recruiting men for the three years service, following the call of President Lincoln for 500,000 men. An entirely German com- pany was formed and mustered into service, as Company A, Twenty- seventh Illinois Infantry, organized August 10, 1861. William A. Schmitt, who had also been in the three months service, was elected as captain, and William Shipley as first lieutenant of the company. After the organization of the regiment in Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, it was assigned to the brigade of Gen. John A. MeClernand, and September 1, 1861, ordered to Cairo. It was at the first engage- ment of the regiment, the Battle of Belmont, Missouri, November 7, 1861, where William Shipley gave his life that his country might live. The body was brought to Quincy and laid to rest in Woodland cemetery. Mrs. Anna Elizabeth (Schipple) Mangold, whose maiden name was Hanke, died November 17, 1899, at the high old age of eighty-six years, nine months and thirteen days. How Lieut. Wil- liam Shipley (Schipple) lost his life, was related to the writer of this narrative eight years ago by Henry Boschulte, a member of Company A, Twenty-seventh Regiment, as follows: "It was in the evening after the battle, at twilight; the Union troops had destroyed the camp of the rebels, and the latter were retreating down the river on flatboats to Island No. 10, situated in the Mississippi river. Lieut. William Shipley waded out into a small lake to fill his canteen with water. While he was about eight feet from shore, bending over, in the act of filling his canteen, a shot was fired by an enemy hidden in the brush beyond the lake; the bullet lodged in the body of Lieutenant Shipley, below the chest, and he sank over into the water. I immediately rushed in and carried him to shore, but life was extinct. William Shipley was dead, and he died as a brave man."
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