Tag Archives: belleville illinois family tree research
Reverend Thomas Harrison
In 1803, Reverend Thomas Harrison, grandfather of Theopolis, arrived in Illinois, and unknown wilderness. Ten years later he built a cotton gin, the beginning of a very successful milling business. Harrison, who migrated from N. Carolina, was of Scot-Irish descent. He had 10 children. By 1831 the Harrisons built the first steam operated mill in the state. The mill, at the west end of Main Street on Richland Creek, burned down and was rebuilt. By 1844, Harrison Mills reported annual [...]
Share and Enjoy
Philip M Gundlach
The Gundlachs manufactured tools of their own invention. Immediately after the Civil War, Philip M. Gundlach built a new iron foundry powered with Gundlach coal. His son, Joseph, operated the railroad to transport the coal. The P.M. Gundlach Agricultural Mfg. Co. was staffed by his sons: Philip A., Gen. Mgr.; John P., Engr.; Aloys, foreman. They manufactured grain drills, cleaners, hay rakes, wheel hubs and more modern products such as “Packing for Piston Rods and the like”. The family emigrated [...]
Share and Enjoy
Simon Eimer
Simon Eimer became one of the wealthiest industrialists of his day — a biographer states: “Eimer was prominent in every activity good for a city”. He arrived in 1844. In 1848, he built a bath house, followed by an entertainment park south of the Public Square and a hall on West Main Street. He served as a member of the Board of Education. As an alderman, he was appointed to a committee to plan for a new Market Square, a [...]
Share and Enjoy
Jacob Brosius
Jacob Brosius was a mechanic and an inventor who came directly to Belleville in 1849. His products reflect the hand of man. He held at least 7 patents for agricultural equipment improvements and 3 for radiators and steam conducting pipes. His foundry and machine shop was prosperous, and his castor, linseed and pecan oil business was even more so. In 1876, he built a very pretentious, palatial style home on a hill overlooking east Belleville. He called it “Kronthal”. In [...]
Share and Enjoy
Edward Abend
Edward Abend (1822-1904). His family moved from Germany to Belleville, IL, in 1833. Abend became an Agent for German Capitalists in 1852. He served as President of Belleville Savings Bank and was a four-time Mayor of the City of Belleville. Because of his opposition to slavery, he was expelled from Democratic Party. Share and Enjoy Facebook Twitter Delicious Digg Google Buzz StumbleUpon Add to favorites Email RSS
