History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws online

Mr. P. is one of Pekin's oldest grocers, having been engaged in that
business since 1851.

Hon. Benj. S. Prettyman is the son of Lewis and Harriet (Mason)
Prettyman. He was born in Kent Co., Del., Nov. 21, 1819, and
came to Pekin with his parents in 1831, and since has been promi-
nently identified with the interests of the county. He is an able,
shrewd, and well-known lawyer of the Pekin Bar, and practiced in
an early day, along with some of the best legal talent our State
ever boasted of. He was married in April, 1845, to Miss Sarah A.,
daughter of Wm. Haines, an early settler of this county. He
reared a large family, the members of which are well esteemed.
His son, Wm. L., is States Attorney for this county at the present
time.

Ahan Bryant Redlon, printer, was born in Buxton, York Co.,
Maine, Jan. 25, 1830, obtaining the rudiments of an education in
common schools of his native county. His parents were Jonathan
and Mary (Bryant) Redlon, both natives of Maine. His mother
died when he was ten years old. In the 15th year of his age he
left his father's house to make his own living, and the following
year he entered the office of Zion's Advocate, published at Portland,
Maine, as an apprentice. Afterwards he was employed at Boston
and Cambridge, Mass., and in Phode Island and Connecticut, and
came to Detroit, Mich., in July, 1857. The following year he went
to Wisconsin, and in Nov., 1859, he came to Pekin and obtained
employment in the office of the Tazewell Register, on which paper,
and the Times, its successor, he worked the greater part of the time
for nineteen years. On July 11, 1861, he was married to Mrs.
JSmelinc Bridgewater. He was a member of Division, No. 74,
Sons of Temperance, which flourished here some years ago, and
served one term as R. S., and one term as W. P., of that Division.
For about two years he was proof-reader in the Times office.

Nicholas ReuUng. Adam and Elizabeth Reiding, the parents of
Nicholas, were natives of Germany, and he was also born in the
Fatherland. Coming to this county in the year 1854, he engaged,
not many years after, in the dry-goods trade, in which business he
has been eminently successful, having, by his ability and integrity
of character, rose to be one of the leading men in the trade in Taze-
well county. In Dec, 1858, Mr. Reuling was united in marriage
to Mary Herget, the fruits of the marriage being four children, all
now living. Perhaps no man in the county has a larger personal
acquaintance, and certainly none who stand higher in the estimation
of the people. He is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church.



606 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

George C. Rider, City Attorney of Pekin, is one of Tazewell
county's promising young lawyers. He has filled the office of City
Attorney for three terms with satisfaction to the people and credit
to himself He is the son of Jonathan and Mary (Kirk) Rider, of
New York, and was born at Rider's Mills, Columbia Co., N. Y.,
May 29, 1850. He received a collegiate education at Schenectady,
N. Y., and settled in Pekin in 1870, ariving here in Dec. 11. He
won the heart and hand of one of Pekin's most accomplished young
ladies, Miss Elizabeth Prettyman, to whom he was wedded Oct. 7,
'74, and two bright little girls, Sarah Grace and Mary Kirk, cheer
their home.

Coesar A. Roberts, son of William and Elizabeth (Forquer) Rob-
erts, was born in Jeiferson Co., Mo., June 24, 1825, and came to
this county in the summer of 1850. His school days and early
manhood was spent at Patosi, Mo.; was married in June, 1850, to
Sarah G. Clark, and five children have blessed the union, four of
whom are now living. Mr. Roberts chose the law for a profession
and time has proven .that he chose well, success having attended his
efforts ; his politics is radically Democratic ; was chosen a member
of the Constitutional Convention at Denver, Colorado, in 1859, and
held the office of States Attorney from 1864 to '68, also served in
the General Assembly at Springfield as member from Tazewell Co.
1871 and '72.

John Rods, one of the pioneer merchants, came to Tazewell Co.
in May 1853. He came here from Rockenhausen, Germany, April
20, 1838. Philip and Elizabeth (Hoffinan) Roos, his parents, were
frugal industrious people, and following their example, he has met
that success in life, which always results from a life of honest effi)rt
and strict business integrity. He lives in the Episcopal faith, and
was married to Elizabeth Harmus, March 13, 1863 ; their three chil-
dren, Julia, Louisa and Annie, are the living spring of their joy.
Mr. R. has held the office of Alderman of Pekin, and is now en-
gaged in a lucrative boot and shoe business.

Ccesar A. Roberts was born in Pekin 111. April 9, 1855, and has.
since lived in the city of his nativity, where, in the common schools
and by private tuition he has obtained his education. He is now
just beginning what promises to be a very successful law practice,
for, though young in years, his studious habits and fine mental poise
insure success, and the future will doubtless find him occupying a
high place in the Bar of Illinois. Mr. Roberts has been connected
with the Pekin Times about two years, also the Daily Bulletin dur-
ing, 75 and '76. Is a Democrat in politics. We wish to take this
opportunity of publicly thanking Mr. R. (as we are sure all our
readers will feel grateful to him,) for the very full and interesting
chapter on "The Bar of Tazewell Co.," to be found in this volume.
William Rundle was born at Cornwall, England, 19th of May,
1832, and came to America in Feb., 1858. William's^ parents,
Joseph and Mary (Wyatt) Rundle, were of the same nativity. He



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 607

was educated in England. Was married to Elizabeth Ann Hocken,
May 10, '54, and their two children, both of whom are living, were
born, Joseph, Feb. 18, '56, and Mary Ann, May 10, 1868. Mr.
Rundle has held the office of Mine Inspector, and is, at present,
Alderman from the 4th Ward. He has long been at the head of
the coal-mining interests of this county, having, for twenty years,
been actively engaged in that enterprise, during which time he has
done as much, perhaps, as any individual, toward the development
of the coal-mining interests of Tazewell county, and from his re-
search in the science of mining, many others have gained valuable
knowledge and realized large profits, Mr. Rundle is now opera-
ting, with good success, the Victoria mine, under the firm name of
Rundle & Goad. This shaft was sunk to the depth of 132 feet,
about six years since. Its location is one and a quarter mile south-
east of Pekin court-house, on the north side of Tremont road. Mr.
Rundle has ever felt a deep interest in the advancement of the edu-
cational and religious interests of the county, and is a member of
the Methodist Church at Pekin. In one of our Pekin groups will
be found a })ortrait of Mr. Rundle, and we feel sure that hundreds
of admiring friends, especially those who have worked shoulder to
shoulder with him, in the cause of temperance, will retain it as a
souvenir of his noble devotion to this sacred cause.

Frank E. Rupert is the son of Gideon and Eliza (Kownslor)
Rupert, who were among the first to settle in Pekin, and Gideon
Rupert will be remembered by the pioneers of this county as being
one of the first to engage in the mercantile business, far away back
in 1835. Forty-four years ago he kept store on Court street, on the
spot where now stands Rupert's block. Frank E. Rupert was born
at Pekin on Feb. 9, 1840, and having lived here for thirty-nine
years, is closely identified with its development and prosperity. On
Dec. 1, 1864, obeying the scriptural injunction, he took unto him-
self a wife, and was united in the holy bonds of wedlock, to Miss
Ellen Hornish, and the union has been blessed with three children.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Pekin.

James J. Sake was born in Indiana, July 7th, 1831, and is the
son of James and Mary (Hornback) Salee, the former of Va., the
latter of Pa. Mr. Salee, as he often remarks, was blown into
Pekin. He was a passenger on the ill-fated Prairie Stare steamer,
which blew up a the levee at foot of Court street, April 16, 1853.
He was badly scalded and lay for weeks between life and death, and
to this day wears terrible scars from the injuries received. He was
on his way from Bureau county to Texas, but being cast ashore
here in a helpless condition, gave up his Southern trip, and has re-
mained in Pekin since. He is engaged at his trade, that of plas-
tering. He enlisted in Co. B, 108th 111. Inf., and served under
Capt. Henry during the Rebellion. He was united in marriage
with Catherine E. Sipes, April 16, 1857. This union has been
blessed with five children, three of whom are living — James W.,



608 HISTORY OP TAZEWELL COUNTY.

born July 27, '58 ; Charles L., Dec. 10, '60; Foster S., Oct. 18,
'62; Lewis F., Dec. 6, '64; Ida Bell, Feb. 10, '67; Charles and
Foster are dead. Mr. S. united with the Christian Church, Oct.
16, 1876.

James Sanford, a native of Albany Co., New York ; was born
May 16, 1849, and settled in Tazewell county in 1878.^ His pa-
rents, James and Amanda (Bush) Sanford, were both natives of the
Empire State. James, Jr., was sent to the district school ; one year
after which, was placed in the Episcopal school at Rennsalearsville,
N, Y., where he finished his education. Dec. 24, 1878, he was mar-
ried to Sarah Stillman. In politics Mr. Sanford pins his faith on
the Greenback party, believing that the only road to national wealth
and individual happiness lies along the verdant banks of our dear
old currency inspired by the immortal Chase.

Abial B. Sawyer. Ex-Mayor of the city of Pekin and leading
real estate Lawyer of Tazewell Co., is perhaps as closely identified
with the development of the various interests of this county, as any
man within its borders. Far back, in the primitive days of the
Prairie State, Josiah and Harriett (Bates) Sawyer, his parents, who
were both natives of New Hampshire, guided by the "Star of Em-
pire" Westward, settled in Tremont this Co., where, with the pro-
verbial thrift of native New Englanders, they set about carving for
themselves, and posterity a home, and where on the 3rd day of
May, 1838, Abial was born. At the proper age he was placed in
Lombard University, in Knox Co., 111., where he received a liberal
education. His political views are Democratic, and his party have
honored him with the positions of City Attorney and Alderman in
addition to that of Mayor. His marriage with Miss Rebecca A.
Baily, occurred on the 26th of March, 1863. Their four children,
Myro, Gussie, Josiah and Abial B. Jr. have been protected by a
kind Providence and all give promise of lives of usefulness.

Henry Hayr was born in Lewis county N. Y., March 22, 1819,
and coming West settled in Whiteside county, 111., 1844, and five
years later, fall of '49, came to Pekin, where he has since lived. A
carpenter and builder by trade ; he has done much to develop the
county in the erection of its business buildings and dwellings. He
was married Jan. 27, '53, to Miss Angeline D. Upson. One child, a
daughter, born in Aug., '54, being the issue of the union. He has
for many years been an active Christian worker and is one of the
charter members of the Universalist Church of Pekin.

Fredrick Schaefer, hook dealer, and stationer. Court St. ; came to
Tazewell county' from Germany in 1854. He was born Sept. 27,
1831. His father, F. W. Schaefer and his mother, Mina (Dreier)
Schaefer, were of the same nativity. Two years after his arrival
here he was married to Mrs. Zimmerman, seven children being the
fruits of the union. Mr. S. established his present business in '75,
which has steadily grown and now is the largest of the kind in the
county. He grew up in the faith of the Lutheran Church in the



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 609

old country and now worships with the German M. E. Church of
Pekin.

Gottshalt Schradzki, native of Koenig Province, Posen, Germany,
and came to Tazewell county in 1866. He is a son of Harris and
Hannah Schradzki, who gave him a good education in the schools of
his native place. He is a member of the Jewish Church ; was
married in 1859 to Miss Lena Stone, who has borne liim seven chil-
dren, all but one of whom have been calkxl to tlieir home above.
Joseph, born May 3, '63, died April 21, '78; Jacob, born July 1,
'68, died May, '76 ; Aaron, born June 15, '71, died May '76 ; Annie,
born '65, died July, '67 ; and Jennie, born Aug. 27, '64. Mr.
Schradzki is one of the representative clothing merchants of Pekin,
and came here by solicitation of his brother then living in Peoria.

Ernest Schurman. — Conrad and Emely Schurman, the parents of
Ernest, were of German birth, where he, too, was born, at Buer,
Hanover, June 25, 1843, where he received a fine German educa-
tion, at Norden, Ostfriestland. In 1864, while just ready to sail for
America, he met at Norden, Mr. Teis Smith, who was then in Europe
on a visit, and who oifered him a situation as book-keeper, which
he excepted, and sailed at once for xVmerica, arriving at Pekin, Aug.
25, 1864. He was married to Onnoline Looschen, by Rev. Julius
Seidel, Sept. 29, 1867, this being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
wedding of his parents, who were then celebrating their silver
wedding in the fatherland. Mr. S. has been called by his fellow
townsmen to fill many offices of trust, among which was Alderman
of Pekin, during which time he was made chairman of the Finance
Committee ; Supervisor of Pekin township, also Supervisor of city
of Pekin, etc. The family of Mr. and Mrs. S, consist of five
children.

C. H. L. Schnrman, a son of C. H. and Emily (Voigt) Schur-
man, was born in Buer, near Osnabruck Province, Hanover, Ger-
many, Feb. 20, 1848, where he grew to manhood and received a
good education, and graduated at the Gymnasium in Norden, Ost-
friesland. Coming to Pekin in 1864, he engaged as book-keeper
with Smith, Hippen & Co. He was married to Miss Hermine
Hippen, a native of Aurich, Ostfricsland, Germany, from which
union were born four children — Carl, May 27, '71 ; William, July
28, '73; Minnie, Nov. 20, '75; Henry, Aug. 14, '78. He was
elected by his fellow^ citizens to fill the office of City Treasurer,
serving with satisfaction.

Louis Stapper, piano tuner and music teacher.

Peter Steinrnetz was born at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Septem-
ber, 1839. His parents were Adam and Barbara (Schantz) Stein-
metz, natives of Germany. He came to this country in 1S57,
entirely penniless, and by frugality of habit, personal integrity, and
business ability, has accumulated a fine property, and established
himself in a large and growing dry goods and clothing trade. He
was married in the fall of 1 862, to Fredrica Ross, and they have



610 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

seven children, born as follows: Peter, March 23, '63; George,
Sept. 30, '64; Lena, May 23, '66; Henry, June 12, '69; Louisa,
Sept. 30, '71 ; and Emma, April 6, '78. Mr. Stein metz has held
the offices of Supervisor, School Director, and Inspector of Pekin,
the latter office he now holds, and has filled it acceptably for many
terms. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, of Pekin.

WilUam T. Thompson, whose parents, John C. and Celia J. (Col-
lins) Thompson, were natives, the former of New York and the
latter of Kentucky, was himself born in Peoria 111., where he spent
his early life and received his education. Mr. T. spent many years
in frontier life engaged in the live stock trade throughout the wilds
of the far West, which at times was full of thrilling adventures so
often met with in a life beyond the borders of civilization. Desir-
ing a more quiet occupation Mr. Thompson returned to Peoria
and engaged in the mercantile business, and has since settled in
Pekin, where he now is engaged in like pursuits. He has been
a member, since its organization, of Co. G, I. N. G., of Pekin.

William A. Tinney was born in Petersburg, Va., March 31, 1806.
His parents were Nathaniel and Caroline (Marshall) Tinney.
Nathaniel served in the Revolutionary war and participated in
many hard fought battles. William A. learned the saddler's trade,
which trade he followed for some fifteen years. He was united in
marriage April 6, 1830, to Miss Sarah Jane Yager, a native of Ky.
Mr. T. arrived in Tazewell Co. in Nov., 1832. He was Second
Lieutenant of Co. G, 4th Regt. 111. Vol. during the Mexican war,
and participated in the battles of Vera Cruz and Cero Gordo. He
was by the side of Gen. Shields when he was wounded at the latter
battle. He caught the falling Gen. in his arms and bore him out
of danger. In 1848, he settled permanently in Pekin, where he
still resides, respected by all. Mr. T. has been honored by his fel-
low citizens with various elective offices, which he has always filled
with honor. He was appointed to take the United States cencus in
1840 and 1860. He is at present Police Magistrate for the dty of
Pekin. In politics is Democratic to the core, having cast his first
vote for Jackson.

Oen. Charles Turner, the son of Rev. Charles A. and Mary
(Bailey) Turner, who lived in Connecticut, where the General was
born in the county of New London, March 15, 1825. He inherited
a determination to make a mark in the world and chose the law for
his field of conflict with the great problem of life, in which he has
shown himself the equal of any in the Bar of Tazewell county, and
where he attained the eminence of Judge. He was married on the
20th of Oct., 1853, to Miss Sarah E. Henry, the cultured and
accomplished daughter of R. I. Henry, of Ohio. In the war for
the Union Gen. Turner took rank among the bravest and ablest,
whose names have been written on the scroll of imperishable fame,
from the great State of Illinois.

Joshua Wagenseller is in the truest sense, one of Tazewell county's



HISTORY OF TAZEAYELL COUNTY. 611

pioneers, having arrived here as far back as Jan. 3, 1837. He
points with pride to the Key-stone State as the hind of his birth.
He first saw the light July 5, 1813, in Norris county. Pa. Peter
and Susanna (Longacre) Wagenseller, his parents, were honest in-
dustrious people. Three years after he came here he was married
to Miss Mary Rupert, five children being the issue of the union.
Mr. W. is now engaged in the mercantile business, which is far the
oldest established house in Central Illinois, having been opened 42
years ago and continued without intermission during all these years.
Although not a politician, Mr. Wagenseller has numbered among
his personal friends some of the greatest statesmen of our time, and
among the number was Abraham Lincoln, who, previous to his
election to the Presidency, frequently visited him at his home here.
Lincoln was, in former years, Mr. Wagenseller's attorney and after
his elevation to the high position of President, he did not forget his
friend of former years, but offered him an appointment to a Federal
office, which Mr. Wagenseller chose to decline and time has proven
that he chose wisely, for no country has a greater honor to bestow
on any man than that of a successful, honest private citizen.

William Weisfi, whose name heads this sketch, has been a resident
of Pekin since 1855, where, by his native ability and personal in-
tegrity, he has built up one of the largest trades in the sale of lum-
ber and manufacture of sash and blinds, in the central part of
Illinois. His jnirents, Daniel and Christiana (Henkel) Weiss, were
natives of Germany, where William was born Sept. 9, 1829. Per-
haps no man in Tazewell county is better or more favorably known
in business circles than Mr. Weiss, He has been elected Alderman
of his ward, and filled the office of Chief of Fire Department at the
age of twenty-eight. When he had been two years in Pekin he
wedded Miss Eva Lahnes. Providence has dealt kindly with them,
for their eight children, Elizabeth,born Sept. 5, '57; John, Jan. 10,
'59 ; William, Sept. 25, 'G3 ; Gretchen, Aug. 27, '08 ; Emma, Sept.
5, '68; Anna, May 19, '71 ; Louisa, May 19, '71 ; and Ida, March
23, '75, have all been spared, and all give promise of living lives of
usefulness.

H. P. Wcsterman was born, Aug. 25, 1836, in St. Louis, Mo., and
is the son of Conrad and Margaretha (Lang) Westerman. His
father and his family came to Pekin in 1 846, and old Father West-
erman died here in 1873. H. P. attended the common schools of
Pekin, and then entered Bell's Commercial College, from where he
graduated. In 1848 he embarked in the dry goods business as
clerk, and from that time his active business career began. He was
united in marriage with Mary L. Gregg, Oct. 13, 1856. Three
children were born to them, two of whom are living.

3Iary L. WeMennan, daughter of John Gregg and Susan Leslie,
was born in Wayne Co., Mich., but at an early age removed to 111.
Her father is a direct descendant of the McGregor clan. Her
mother was a woman of fine natural abilities, to which were added



612 HISTORY f'F TAZEWELL, COUNTY.

the gifts of a forcible and observing writer. Mrs. W. received a
thorough English education. Her natural abilities are superior and
are carefully cultured by study and extensive travel. She is a
woman of great energy and a firmness of purpose that has assured
success in all undertakings. On the 13th of October, 1856, she was
married to Henry P. Westerman, Esq., at the old Reformed Church,
being the' first marriage ever solemnized there. Their union was
blest with three children, the eldest of whom died some years since.
At the breaking out of the Civil war, although young in years, Mrs.
W. proved a woman of great foresight and executive ability, being
a leader of what may well be denominated the "home guards," that
noble army of women of whom history is silent, but from whose
courage and generous aid the soldiers drew much of the inspiration
which brought success to their arms. She was connected with the
Soldier's Aid Society four years, two as president and two as secre-
tary. The Sanitary Fair was held in this city in the fall of 1863.
Mrs. W. was appointed to solicit subscriptions from Eastern mer-
chants, and to visit hospitals to learn the most urgent needs of the
soldiers. Her cflForts were unusually successful, receiving, among
other things, six autographic photographs from President Lincoln.
The Fair netted the Aid Society $3,163. A dispute arose as to the
proper disposition of the funds, Mrs. W. and several of the Demo-
cratic ladies of the committee desiring that it might go for clothing,
medicine, and the comforts so necessary to the sick room. An
equaF strong faction voted the entire sum, by a majority of one, to
Tyng & Reynolds, of Peoria, to be used to buy tracts and Testa-
mf .s, thinking, in their way, that the presentation of a tract defin-
ing the status of the doctrine of eternal punisment would be more
consoling to the dying soldiers than a soft bed and healing medicine.
Mrs. W., having a practical experience as to the needs of our boys,
feeling their woes with a woman's tenderness and sympathy, plead
as only a woman can that it might not be devoted from its proper
object", but backed by feelings as barren of practical results as the
doctrines that bred them, the money was voted away. The meet-
ing took place late Saturday night. Before breakfast Monday Mrs.
W. and Mrs. James Wilson sought legal advice of Hon. B. S. Pret-
ty man, and got out an injunction restraining the payment to Tyng
& Reynolds, and the latter, hearing of the dispute, came to Pekin
and insisted on the money being spent for hospital comforts and
necessaries. The papers denounced Mrs. W. "ibr striking hands
with the Copperheads." But knowing the righteousness of her
cause she persevered with that true courage which rises superior to
taunts and scoffs, and the end was her complete vindication, and the
following letter exhibits the feeling engendered by work of the Aid
Society :

Bird's Point, Missouri, January 1st, 1862.
To Mrs. H. P. Westerman and Mrs. F. L. Bhoads :

Your kind note of December 21st, informing us that to the ladies of
Pekin we are indebted for the splendid Christmas gift, in the shape of "bed



HISTOEY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 613

comforts," as also the comforts themselves, were duly receivetl. You ma}' be
assured tliat we are all deeply touched bj' this evidence of your kin<hiess and
good will towards us, and that we are grateful to and proud of the fair donors.
Accept from us all our heartfelt th:inks and best wishes for your future peace
and prosperity; and may the land of the free long be the home of such gen-