Full text of "Breese centennial celebration, 1856-1956 ... June 29, 30 and July 1 ... Souvenir program and history of Breese .."

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BREESE CENTENNIAL
1856-1956

BREESE, ILL.

ILLIW0I8 HTftTOHTCAL SVBTVT

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MRS. HARRY E. PRATT
1821 S. Seventh St.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL.

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BREESE

CE]\TENi:VIi%L CELEBRATIOIV

tS56 - 1956

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

June 29#^ 30 and July 1

Parades - Rides - Entertainment

1856 - 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS -1956

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\}ootb.rinii on ths. i.andi oj- tuns..

LO PARAPHRASE the words of Henry
Wadsworth I.on.urfellow from his immortal "Psalm
of Life" we dedicate this history of P.reese ; its be-
ginning and growth to the early pioneer families
who sacrificed so much to give us the better way
of life we enjoy today.

- ^T

REMOTE STORAGE
Historical Committee

TilK HISTORICAL LOMMJ i i LL ^lcU lu ng:htj : AJrs. F. J. Messig. Miss Gretchen Hofsommer, Mrs.
Charles T. Casey, Mrs. John Niebruegge, Mrs. Lloyd Worley, Mrs. Louis Heyer and Mrs. E. J. Mahlandt.

HE HISTORY OF BREESE as you will read in the pages follo.wing is far from being complete.
No committee, however efficient, could record within a limited time, and in so short a space, a complete
account of the progress of Breese over a century. We have tried to check the material very carefully, but
it is almost impossible to present the book without a few errors and some omissions.

The reader of this book can understand and appreciate the problems that faced the committee
in compiling the facts contained herein. This was made possible only by many strenuous hours that the
Historical Committee devoted to its compilation, and by the cooperatioji of many Breese citizens who helped
supply the required material. We thank all of you, sincerely.

MRS. CHAS. T. CASEY, C-airman.

MRS. LLOYD A. WORLEY, Asst. Chairman.

MRS. JOHN NIEBRUEGGE. Secretary.

MISS GRETCHEN HOFSOMMER.

MRS. FELIX MESSIG.

MRS. LOUIS HEYER.

MRS. E. J. MAHLANDT.

AUGUST J. HOFSOMMER.

JOHN H. MAUE.

E. J. MAHLANDT.

A. C. KOCH (Deceased).

Chief Justice Sidney Breese

Biography of Chief Justice Sidney Breese

The township, vilhigc and nmv city of Breese was named after Sidney
Breese, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. This was done in
recognition of his standing in the county and state and because at that
time he was an attorney for the Mississippi and ( Jhio Railroad.

He was born in central New York July 15, 1800. On the 24th of
December, the day before Christmas, in 1818, Sidney Breese, a youth of
18 years, arrived in Kaskaskia, then the capital of the state. He was ad-
mitted to the bar. not vet of age, in 1820 and started the practice of law
in Jackson Count}'.

In Decemljer. 1820, Assistant Secretary of State Sidney Breese re-
moved the archives of the Secretary of State to \'andalia, the new seat
of government, in a small road wagon having to cut a way through the
timber land at several points.

At the next session of the General Assembly in 1821, he was allowed
the sum of $25 for the removal of the books, papers and contents of the
office.

He was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Morrison, daughter of
William Morrison of Kaskaskia, in 1823. They removed to Carlyle in 1835
and located on the l\Iound Farm north of Carlyle. In 1845 the}- removed
to Carlvle to the family home, the two story colonial style house on West
Franklin Street.

Sidne)^ Breese had a record of high honors which is outstanding in
Clinton County and the state. He served as United States Senator, member
of the Illinois Genera! Assembly, was speaker of the House, and later Chief
Justice as stated above. As a volunteer in the Black Hawk War, in 1832.
he rose from the ranks to he Lieutenant Colonel. In 1831, the volume of
Breese's Re])orts (tre first volume of law re])orts ever compiled in this
state), was the first book ever printed in Illinois.

An outstanding achiexement in the career of Judge Breese was his
promotion of the Imilding of the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1850 he
made this request: "When my last resting place shall lie marked by cold
marble, which gratitude or affection may erect, I desire for it no other
inscription than this. That he who sleeps beneath it projected the Illinois
Central Railroad." This appears on the granite monument in the cemetery-
center of the family lot.

Judge Breese died the evening of June 27, 1878, at the family home
in Carlyle. His body lav in state in the court house in Carlyle, and the
services were held there. The Rev. J. P. T. Ingram, rector of St. John's
Episcopal Church officiated. Those in attendance included Governor Collum
and other men of prominence in the state. The cortege to the Carlyle
cemeter}' was led by the Brass Band. Grave side services were conducted
with Masonic honors. Grand Master Robbins, of Chicago conducting the
ceremonies.

A part of the old Mound Farm, having been appropriated to the
Carlyle Cemetery, his remains were returned to mingle with their con-
natural dust, in full view of a quiet place near the old home, around which
clustered so many precious memories-

^tt 1R.ct%a^^ct

"Not without thy wondrous story,

Illinois, Illinois.

Could be writ the nation's glory,

Illinois, Illinois."

Three flags have flown over Illinois Territory, what
is now the great state of Illinois.

Recorded history tells that the French dominated
Illinois Country in 1673. The British wi-ested the terri-
tory from them in 1765 and the Americans followed in 1778.

Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit priest, and Louis
Joliet, a French fur trader, with a few white men and
three Indian guides were the first to set foot on Illinois soil.

Fleating down the Mississippi, Father Marquette
discovered human footprints in the mud. Calling out in
the Algonquin tongue, "Who are you?" he was given
the reply, 'We are the lUini," the Indian word meaning
"real men." The French explorers added the adjective
ending "ois", hence the name — Illinois.

In 1678, the king of France commissioned Henri
Tonti, Robert LaSalle, and Father Hennapin to explore
and colonize the territory. Following the same course
as the explorers before them, they built forts and founded
settlements, among which today are Chicago, Peoria,
Kaskaskia, Prairie du Rocher, Cahokia, and Fort Chartres.

In 1765, Capt. Sterling, with a hundred Highlanders
of the 42nd Regiment left Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, and
descending the Ohio, appeared at Fort Chartres, taking
possession of the fort. On that day the ensign of France
came down on the flag standard and the Union Jack of
Great Britain was unfurled.

During the trying time of the Revolutionary War
in 1778, George Rogers Clark pondered on the bold pro-
ject of taking Illinois Country for America. Patrick
Henry, then governor of Virginia, reacted favorably f.o
the idea, and commissioned Clark a Lieutenant Colonel
with orders to organize seven companies of fifty men each
and prepare to capture the British post at Kaskaskia.
After a perilous journey and six days march, they cap-
tured Kaskaskia. Thus Illinois Territory was claimed
for America and the Stars and Stripes was hoisted above
the land.

On April 8, 1818, Congress passed what was known
as the Enabling Act. This law provided and established
the boundaries of Illinois. It meant also that there were
40,000 inhabitants in the territory and the people were
authorized to form a state constitution. Nathaniel Pope
was our territorial delegate to Congress. On December
4, 1818, Illinois became a State and President Monroe
signed the bill. Shadrach Bond was the first governor
and served from 1818 to 1822.

Kaskaskia became the first capital. In 1819 the
capital was moved to Vandalia, and in 1839, Abraham
Lincoln advocated moving the capital to Springfield.

Of the immortal Lincoln, history relates: "When
an assassin's bullet struck down the beloved Lincoln,
the nation and the world at large, and particularly soi--
rowing Illinois, knew that a great oak had fallen — an
oak whose roots were deeply secured in pure Americanism
whose branches reached high above the dim forests into
the clear skies of heaven itself. Another of the great lUini

had come and gone, like the great trees which had once
felt the keen edge of the rail-splitting ax."

"Lest We Forget" ,

The quarter of a century immediately preceding, and
for some time following the admission of Illinois as a
state (1818) can properly be termed "Pioneer Days." The
spirit of adventure lured many pioneers to the vast
expanse of this area, which in olden times was often
called "Shoal Creek Prairie." The abundance of wild
game, the fishing streams, and the rolling prairie en-
abled the early pioneers, with the help of Divine Provi-
dence, to supply their needs. The complete story of how
they braved the wilderness and their hardships will never
be written. Recorded history relates that the first two
land entries w ere in 181 6. In April of that year, George
Green entered the southwest quarter of section 13, and
Joseph Johnson the northeast quarter of section 13.

When the Englishmen, the Frenchmen, and the Irish-
men left the "old country" and journeyed to this area,
their modes of travel were in keeping with the time.
Some arrived in covered wagons drawn by oxen, some
by horse-drawn wagons, others by horseback, and a few
on foot. Southern Illinois for the most part w'as settled
by those w' o came from the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennes-
see and Kentucky.

The Germans began to settle in this area in 1835.
According to the record Frank Haukap, in 1835, purchased
the Steele farm in the south part of the township. Ger-
hart Henry Otke located on the Bankson place in 1839.
What is now known as the State Road was the old St.
Louis-Vincennes Road. This was the stage coach route.
Many of the German people were given employment
on this road; thus more of them began to settle here.

Here in this area the pioneers were surrounded by
the Indians, subtle and wary. These prairies had been
their hunting grounds from time immemorial. Here the
redmen hunted, fished, and dreamed. Here under their
chosen chiefs, in bands and in tribes, the Kaskaskias,
the Cahokias and the Shawnees came to hunt game.

During this time forts were established among fron-
tier settlements, and used for protection against the
Indians. In 1811 a fort was built on the site about six
blocks east of the court house square in Carlyle, near
the Kaskaskia River. It was a block house made of logs
about sixteen feet square. Another, iust a short distance
northwest of Aviston, was built in 1812. Companies of men
were organized at these two forts, known as "rangers."
When settlers were molested a call for help v;as answered
and t' e attackers quelled. Tradition delineates that only
one person, the wife of Jesse i3ayles, was killed by the
Indians in this area.

The ruthlessness and atrocities committed by the
Indians on the white settlers will remain unwritten
chapters of pioneer life.

"Alas for them, their days are o'er,
Their fires are out from shore to shore;
No more for them the wild deer bounds
The plow is on their hunting grounds."

Thus we, of the present generation owe a debt of
gratitude to our pioneers for the hardships they en-
dured to gi\ e us a better way of life.

Early History of Breese Township and of the City of Breese

BREESE TOWNSHIP In 1818, the Maxey brothers came from Kentucky.

BREESE TOWNSHIP

Breese Township was named in honor of Judge Sid
ney Breese, Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois.
The township comprises thirty-six sections, all of which
is prairie except about nine sections east of Shoal Creek.
Some of the writings of bygone days refer to our area
as Shoal Creek Prairie. Over one hundred forty-five years
ago in 1811, white people termed "Squatters" settled
here, but during the war of 1812 they left. There is ref-
erence in the Eaynolds history of a wagon road in 1808
known as the "Goshen Road," built by the people of
that settlement. This road passed through the north
part of the township.

Recorded history states that the first two land
entries were those of George Green (April 30, 1816)
in the southwest quarter of section 13, and that of
Joseph Johnson (October of the same year). That entry
was in the northeast quarter of the same section.

An interesting and outstanding character was found
in the person of Andrew Bankson. He settled in the
southern part of the township in 1816. On January 13,
1817, he entered a quarter of land in section 34. He
served as captain of a company of men from this county
in the Black Hawk War. Also as a colonel of the mil-
itia and represented the county in the State Senate.
Records relate ". . . in 1820 the question of removing
the capital of the state from Kaskaskia," Bankson as
a member of the committee cast the wanting vote that
lost Carlyle the location for the State Capital by one
vote to Vandalia.

Names such as Thompson in 1816, with a man named
Fulton, built a toll bridge over Shoal Creek in 1820.

In 1817, Elijah Bale, and Caleb and David Pierce
arrived. The Pierces built a water mill in section 11.
Caleb was drowned trying to dislodge drift wood.

Daniel Swearingen came in 1816 and erected a water
mill west of Shoal Creek in section 11. This was a saw
mill and a grist mill.

In 1820 two free Negro families (Pendergrass and
Curtiss) settled in the northeast part of the township.
Seemingly these two families were people of some means.
Curtiss bought the toll bridge but experienced consider-
able trouble more than once, when pioneers from Tenn-
essee, Kentucky and Virginia objected to paying a negro.

The Old Toll Bridge On The State Road Near Frogtown

In 1818, the Maxey brothers came from Kentucky.
Albert, Emmit, Nathan, Perry and Peter. The first
thi-ee named built and opened a store at the toll bridge
in 1828. They also established a post office here and it
was called Shoal Creek Post Office.

Then there came the English and the Quakers,
William Speechly, James Carr, and Matthew Barker.
In 1835 a Baptist congregation was organized, and a
frame church was built on the west side of Shoal Creek
near the toll bridge. This was the first church house
built in the township. After the death of Rev. Taylor,
a new church replaced the old one. Names such as Taylor,
Casey, Garrison, Huey, Maxey, and Ford, were associ-
ated with this church. There was a church built at Lake
Branch in the western part of the township. These
churches were united wath the surrounding districts
and eventually moved away.

The Germans came to this area in 1835. Recorded
are: Frank Haukap, 1835; Gerhart Henry Otke, 1839;
Theodore Vornhalt, 1836; Theodore Huelsman, 1838, the
first blacksmith. Also Henry Altepeter settled in the
south part of the township with Theodore Heideman,
Tobias Brueggeman, Joe and Henry Niemann, H. Henry
Schulte, Benedict Haar, J. Henry Budde, Henry Holt-
house, and Frank Morhenners. The building of the
State Road gave employment to many of these Germans
and was responsible for more of them coming to the
community.

Time passes all too swiftly. The old gives way to
the new. Scattered over the township in a few places
are the grim reminders of the old burial grounds of the
early settlers, many of them now almost forgotten. Many
pioneers of this township and the northern and western
part of the county are resting in the Lake Branch ceme-
tery, located on the State Road in section 18. Here amid
almost a thicket, blooms a few old-fashioned perennial
flowers, cedar trees and the grave stones that have
weathered the elements. Here, a church once stood, all
evidence of a devoted group of people. Data taken from
records reveal many of our soldiers are buried in these
old burying grounds. Included are Revolutionary soldiers
whose graves are unmarked in the county. From treasured
clippings we learned John King of the South Carolina
regiment came here in 1817 and is said to have settled
in Shoal Creek precinct.

The first German settlement in the county was the
incidental work of two German adventurers, Ferdinand
Boehne and Friederich Hemann, who were strolling
through Illinois on a hunting expedition. Their intention,
however, was to explore the West for a home. They
came to Clinton County and located permanently in the
vicinity of Germantown and went to farming in earnest.

There were no better farmers than the North Ger-
man peasants, but the prairie land chosen was flat and
badly drained, which was a continuous cause of malarial
diseases. Presumably, this was one cause of the cholera
epidemic which took many lives in 1849-50.

In memory of this occasion, a stone cross was erected
by the Altepeter family, living in the southeastern part
of the township (which was the cholera district). A vow
had been made by t' e Altepeters to Almighty God to erect
a cross and have it maintained forever, if He, in His

mercy, would spare the Altepeter family from the dread-
ful plague.

There are other crosses erected in the township, but
these are customs of the fatherland.

The naturalization of Germans in this vicinity began
in 1841 with Ferdinand Boehne. In 1842 he was elected
a member of the county commissioner's court after hav-
ing served as assessor of the "Dutch" district where
his friend, Hemann, was officiating as Justice of the
Peace.

The largest portion of the German immigrants se-
lected the Boehne settlement for their home. They were
the Huelsmann, Altepeter, Niemann, Gramann, Haar,
and Heidemann families.

The North German was an energetic, though con-
servative man; his endurance and perseverance had be-
come proverbial and whatever he couldn't accomplish
others would not try.

Simultaneously with building habitations for them-
selves, they set to work to erect a church and school
house.

Immigration assumed larger proportions in 1850 to
1862.

While the overwhelming numbers of German pio-
neers were drawn from the peasantry and the trades
there was also among them teachers, clergjmen, some
merchants, skillful mechanics, and wealthy agricultur-
ists. They came from the Rhine and were also protestants.
The teacher and preacher took care to remain in cor-
respondence with their people in the fatherland, and to
perpetuate its language on this side of the ocean.

Until World War I, German was the prevailing lan-
guage spoken in this community.

It is important to remember that while a majority
of the settlers were poor, that poverty carried with it
no crushing sense of degradation like that felt by the
very poor of our age. They lived in cabins, it is true,
but they were their very own and had been reared
by their hands.

While the pioneer families had many hardships, they
also had their recreations in the form of log-rolling.
When the men gathered for these occasions, the women
would bring their spinning wheels and the hum was
music to their ears.

The women manufactured nearly all the clothing
worn by the family. The men and boys wore pantaloons
made of the dressed skin of the deer. The young man who
desired to look captivating to the eye of a maiden he
loved had his bucks fringed.

Meal sacks were also made of buck skins. Caps were
made of the skin of the wolf, fox, wildcat and muskrat
tanned with the fur on; the tail of the fox or wolf often
hung down the top of the cap. Moccasins or wooden
clods were a substitute for shoes. There were no shoe
makers and each family made its own shoes.

Wild meat was plentiful; small patches of Indian
corn were raised which, in the earliest days of the settle-
ment was beaten in a mortar.

The bread used was johnny or journey cakes, baked
before an open fire.

Coffee and tea were used sparingly as t' e hardy
pioneer thought they would not stick to the ribs and were

only good for the women and children.

Maple sugar was used and honey was only five
cents a pound, butter was the same price, while eggs
were three cents. All neighbors shared in the products
of hog killing. Chickens were to be seen in great numbers
around every doorway; the gobble of the turkey and
the quack of the duck were heard all over the land.
Wild grapes and plums were to be found in their season,
along the streams.

There are many interesting tales to relate, but time
would not permit us to do so.

The object of this history has been to perpetuate
the heroic deeds of the men who, for over a century, have
reclaimed the country with all the blessings of civilized
life, from a wilderness infested with wild beasts and hos-
tile savages.

Palatial residences have taken the place of the pio-
neer cabins; spacious school buildings with all their con-
venient equipment, beautiful church edifices have super-
ceded the rude structures of the early days; the self
binding reaper has laid to rest the ancient cradle; the
threshing machine has destroyed the demand for the
old-fashioned flail; ingenious machinery has driven from
the field the crude implements of our forefathers.

Prior to the completion of the Mississippi and Ohio
Railroad in 1855, progress was slow. This marked the
beginning of a new and better era for Clinton County.

However, the prairie grass was still high as far as
Lebanon; the deer and wolves roamed through the coun-
try.

Transportation by the railroad, instead of stage
coach or wagon, appealed to the pioneers and they began
to think of doing business under the laws of the State
of Illinois.

Sanger, Camp & Co. from Chicago bought lands along
the M. & O. Railroad as far as Flora. Their trustee,
John Brown, bought 80 acres from Herman Henry Reil-
mann, and laid out the town of Breese. Feb. 3, 1855.

There has been some controversy on this date but as
a matter of record, February 3, 1855 is correct.

The original town consisted of twenty-four blocks,
north and south of the M. & O. (now the B. & O.)
Railroad.

C. H. Kaune, Koch and Marks, C. F. Stark and Bene-
dict Haar afterwards laid out additions.

The first house was built by Robert S. Donne, who
was the first railroad agent, first merchant and first
postmaster.

The Shoal Creek Post Office was moved into his
house, but retained that name until 1881, when it became
Breese Post Office.

However, in 1871 Breese was incorporated as a
town and in 1876 as a village.

Frank Morhenners built the second house, in which
he kept a hotel. After this, the town improved rapidly.

The Breese Flour Mill, called the Eagle Star, was
built in 1865 by C. H. Kaune. In 1866 Bernard Sommers,
Robert Donne and Bernard Buehne built the "White Mill"
in Haar's addition.

The Catholic church, built of limestone in gothic
architecture, was completed in 1867. The clock in the
tower is an ingenious work of a St. Louis boy. The lime-

stone used was quarried from the Timmermann farm
noith of Breese.

The Evangelical church, built of red brick, was com-
pleted in 1871 but the parish was organized prior to this
date. There were two parish schools and one public
school; six general stores: B. Hagen and Co., Mrs. Frank
Marks, Fritz Burmann, William Hofsommer, Fred Goell-
ner and Frank Bentler.

Drug Store, Charles E. Gissy.
Hotels: Henry Kruep and Theodore Kollme.
Lumber Yards: Theodore Klutho and George Peek.
Blacksmith Shops: H. Winke, H. Freund and Henry
Dorries.

Wagon Maker: Conrad Ruemenschneider and Joseph
Schmidt.

Saddler and Harness: Abraham Zimmermann.

Our forefathers, then in 1871, were organized and
determined to succeed. Almighty God has been bene-
ficient in His blessings to the people of this community.

TOWN OF BREESE

The town of Breese was incorporated on the 11th
day of April, 1871, at the house of Joseph Klutho, with
Bernard Dumstorff as president and L. M. Reynolds, clerk.

A meeting was held April 19th, 1871, for the purpose
of electing five trustees of said town of Breese. Fred
Lipps was nominated clerk and Frank Marks and D.
Morhenners the judges.

There were 29 legal voters present — 22 for incor-
porating and 7 against. The following trustees were
elected: Frank Marks, president; R. Dumstorff, Theo.
Klutho, John Koch and Fritz Dorries.

Following are the names of some of the early voters:
L. Green, W. Burhorn. C. Schroeder, L. Lepper, Chas.
Kaune, C. Helwig, G. Peek, G. Schwarz, F. Goelner, C.
Dorries, Louis Meissner, John Schroeder, Henry Freund,
T. Lanwehr, H. Speekmann, R. Meyer, J. Klier, Henry
Winker, Henry Lantwerth, Fred Schmith, C. Ball, R.
Albers, G. Bentler, G. Feldmnn, R. Spieler, B. Dieker,
L. Pluyra, Joseph Klutho, C. Vorholt.

The first treasurer was B. Buehne; the first notary
public, Gerhart Rebel, and first constable of the town,
Henry Miller. Fritz Dorries was the sheriff of Clinton
County from 1870 to 1872.

To these early settlers of Breese we owe a debt of
gratitude for their foresight into the future to establish
a better way of life.

They were united in faith as well as effort and Divine
Providence has blessed this community a thousand-fold.

In short, the enjoyments now realized by this gener-
ation, the well-to-do farmer, the merchant, the lawyer,
the doctor, the banker, and the tradesman of every craft,
reflect the efforts of the pioneers whether of country
or community.

Fi-om 1872 to 1876 the following officials represented
the town: Frank Marks, president; Theodore Klutho,
treasurer, P. Kauling, first street commissioner, Henry
Kruep, constable.

Probably the most important agency in the business
development and prosperity of any city is its railroad
communication.

The Mississippi and Ohio Railroad, now the B. & 0.,
was completed through the town in 1855. This resulted
in the transportation of more people to this area and
better facilities for shipping their products to the East-
ern and Western localities.

In 1857 the M. & O. Railroad was extended from
St. Louis, Mo., to Cincinnati, Ohio.

After this Breese progressed more rapidly, because
of the railroad's convenience, both to the east and west.

From 1855 to 1876 two churches with their respec-
tive schools had been erected. Also two mills, the Eagle
Star Mill and the White Mill. There were lumber yards,
drug store, general stores, hotels, blacksmith shops, sad-
dlers and harness makers.

We do not wish to lose sight of the early picture
for the prairie grass was still high in many places;
there were wooden sidewalks and a few kerosene lamps
at the street corners.

Horses, sheep, hogs, goats, geese and chickens had
full sway over the country side and curfew time was un-
heard of.

The ambitions of our forefathers grew stronger
and they decreed to have a more abiding place to live in,
according to the laws of the State of Illinois.

Prior to this time, meetings were held in the home
of Joseph Klutho, after which the meeting place or
so-called "office" was moved to the house of Fred Lipps,
at the corner of Hanover and Brown Sts., now North
Third and Walnut Streets.

VILLAGE OF BREESE

The Village of Breese was incorporated on the 23rd
day of September, 1876.

Elected to the board of trustees were: B. Hagen,
president; Henry Freund, Louis Meissner, William Bur-
horn, Frank Funke, William G. Kaune, treasurer, and
Fred Lipps, clerk.

The object of these early meetings was to form
ordinances under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Specifications for the laying of the wooden side-
walks was done in great detail. The trustees were honest
and economy-minded, which made for success.

Mr. Bernard Hugenberg was street commissioner
for 27 years and well he tended the kerosene lamps, and
constructing the wooden plank walks of the village.

Familiar names of people in the period 1876-1880 who,
besides the officers, took an active part in the village af-
fairs were: Theo. Klutho, Jos. Klutho, G. Schwartz, Hy.
Freund, F. Koch, John Schaffner, Ferd Goellner, Frank
Bentler, H. J. Fasnacht, C. Helwig, Theo. Bruegge, Fred
Burhorn, B. Albers, Carl Dorries, Joseph Niemann, Jr.
and Chas. E. Eulberg.

In 1880 Frank Funke was elected president and H. G.
Fasnacht, clerk. In 1884 Carl Dorries was elected presi-
dent and Frank Funke again in 1885.

In 1885 the village hall was erected at a cost of $3,000.

It is a substantial red brick, two-story structure, with an
auditorium on the second floor. Prior to this time the
meeting place had been transferred from the home of
Fred Lipps to the so-called office. This office became a
small frame school building in which most of the early
settlers had learned their 3 R's.

The school had been situated in district 3, section 32,
Breese Township, and after serving its purpose it was
brought into town on the ground where the City Hall now
stands.

From 1886 to 1888 Chas. E. Eulberg served as clerk
and the first night watchman was appointed at $20.00 a
month. Bernard Meyer held the clerkship 1891 to 1893.

In 1888 a new board of trustees was elected : Wm. G.
Kaune, president; A. J. Klutho, Frank Funke, Theodore
Bruegge, and Fred Burhorn. H. G. Fasnacht was clerk,
J. H. Donne, police magistrate and Fred Schoenfeld, eon-
stable. During these years the first ordinances were made.

Under Ordinance No. XI it was considered a nuisance
to let hogs, geese or ducks run at large, and a fine of 50c
was assessed. Ordinance No. V required a license to carry
about the street a hand organ or other musical instru-
ments for the purpose of performing thereon, either on
any street, alley or in any home for gain. The cost of a
license was $1.00 per day.

Like ghosts of yesteryears, this paints a picture of
the past when the old melodies brought a smile or tear,
such as " Ben Bolt," "In The Gloaming", "Listen to the
Mocking Bird," "Darling Nellie Gray," and "When You
and I Were Young Maggie."

Another picture at this time of the 19th century was
the scissors grinder man, faithfully trudging block after
block, bell in hand, grinder on back, for a small recom-
pense.

At this time, 1892, the Breese Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment was organized.

In 1894 the ordinances were revised with Hy. Hum-
mert as president, B. H. Donne, treasurer and G. A. Hoff-
mann, clerk. Members of the board were: G. A. Hoff-
mann, B. H. Donne, Ben Ess, Sr., Henry Werth, August
J. Klutho, Louis Meissner, Henry Pille, Fritz Dorries, Sr.

In 1895 a Committee on Improvements was formed
as follows: Hy. Werth, Fritz Dorries, Sr., August J.
Klutho. Trustees were Theo. Bruegge, Aug. J. Klutho
and George Hagen. As a result Bi-eese claimed its fii-st
water works system, a 39,000-gallon tank with a 63-foot
iron column tower. The water tower was purchased
July 1, 1895, at an initial cost of $1,054.00. The Hooker
Patent Duplex Plunge Pump cost $610.00 After the cost
of erecting, by W. E. Caldwell of Louisville, Ky., freight
charges and painting, the total amount was $2,239.00. This
water tower was erected southeast of the village hall.

Money to pay for same was loaned from Mrs. Anna
Peek and Gerhard Timmermann at 5'', interest. August
J. Klutho furnished the lumber and Anton Deutsch did
the painting of the water tower.

In 1895 a new board of trustees was appointed, name-
ly, Henry Hummert, president, Theo. Bruegge, August J.
Klutho, Geo. Hagen, B. H. Donne, treasui-er, and G. A.
Hoffmann, clerk. The Committee on Improvements was
Hy. Werth, Fritz Dorries, Sr., Aug. J. Klutho. Henry

Scheer served as constable from 1892 to 1898. The first
watchman was appointed in 1896 at $20.00 a month.

In 1897 the hall was rented to the Philharmonic Band
at $2.50 per month and to the U. M. W. A. at $14 a year.

At this time the foUoviing highway commissioners
were appointed: Anton Voss, Gerh. Holtgrave and Hy.
Kruep, Jr.

Record is made of $6.49 paid to Dr. W. G. Bechtold
for blood hounds. That incident, no doubt, created some
excitement in an othei-wise peaceful village.

In 1898 a franchise was granted to the Clinton County
Telephone Co., called the Union Telephone Co. The board
of trustees were: Fritz Dorries, president, Fred Burhorn,
John Hagen, Ben Ess, Sr., John Kleier, treasurer, Aug.
Fangmeyer, clerk, Aug. Grunz, police magistrate, and
Hy. Scheer, marshall.

The year 1900 marked the adoption of an ordinance
for the levy and assessment of taxes, and a contract was
made for the laying of stone sidewalks, property owners
to pay one-third of total cost. At this time Daniel Need-
ham was elected president of the board of trustees; other
members were Anton Deutsch, Hy. Werth, Fritz Burhorn,
Ben Ess, Sr., John Hagen, Hy. Bruening and August
Fangmeyer, clerk.

In 1902 a Water Improvement Co. was organized for
the purpose of constructing a water works plant. Im-
provements were made in the water works system and an
agreement entered into with the B. & O. Railroad for fur-
nishing water at $40.00 a month. The first water meters
were installed July, 1903.

Old Water Tower and Fire Engine Station

Trustees in 1903 were Fred Schmidt, Ferd Krebs,
John Kleier, Jr., Fritz Schmidt and Jos. Cross.

Under Ordinance No. 98, taxes were to be levied, as-
sessed and collected upon the real and personal property
of Breese.

CITY OFFICIALS

THE CITY OFFICIALS OF BREESE^Seated (left to right): James H. Donnewald. City Attorney;
Henry C. Hummert, Treasurer; A. J. Appel, Mayor; Ferd H. Foppe, Clerk; Louis B. Heyer, Fire Chief;
Frank A. Kuhl, Superintendent of Utilities.

Standing (left to right): Herman Warnecke, Night Police Officer; Alfred Von Alst, Commissioner of
Streets and Alleys; Vincent Niemann, Alderman Ward 1; Raymond Kuper, Alderman Ward 1; Henry
Pollmann, Alderman Ward 2; Emmet Hostmeyer, Alderman Ward 3; Raymond Schlueter, Alderman Ward
3; Anton Voss, Alderman \^'ard 2; A, S. Holtgrave, Chief of Police.

City of Breese

The City of Breese was incorporated under the laws
of the State of Illinois January 19, 1S)05. The City Coun-
cil was organized April 20, 1905. At a special meeting
June 19th the ordinances of the Village of Breese were
adopted and later revised.

The first mayor of the new administration was Henry
Hummert, with John Kleier, Jr. as treasurer and Chas. E.
Eulberg, clerk; the fire chief was Aug. W. Grunz; mar-
shall, Ben Deien; police magistrate, Aug. Grunz and the
street superintendent, B. Hugenberg. Hugh V. Murray
was corporation counsel at a salary of $60.00 a year.

The first aldermen to be elected were: Hy. Knies,
Fred Schmidt, Alois Funke, Hy. Werth, Hy. Koch and
Ferd Krebs.

A franchise was granted October 14, 1905 to J. Otto
Koch, August J. Klutho and their successors, the right of
installing and operating an electric light and power plant
in the said city of Breese. They were authorized to pur-
chase the water works system from the Breese Water &
Improvement Co. of the Village of Breese.

Bids were accepted Nov. 14, 1905, to erect the build-
ing for a sum of $21,365; Victor J. Klutho of St. Louis
was the architect. Hy. Schroeder of Breese, constructed
the building.

On the Board of Health were: Fred Schmidt, Alois
F. Funke, Theo. Rieke.

At that time August J. Klutho was supervisor, and
William H. Mahlandt was assessor of Breese township.
Mr. Mahlandt served in that ofl"ice 31 consecutive years,
and until his death in 1933.

The electric light plant was completed in 1906, and
Chas. Williams was appointed electrician at a salary of
$75.00 a month. The light rate was 9c per kilowatt hour,
lowered in 1908 to 5c per kilowatt. In that year George
Carr became superintendent of the plant at $50.00 a month.

In 1907 H. W. Koch was elected mayor. Chas. Eulberg
was city clerk and Aug. Grunz, police magistrate. In
January, 1909 Frank Wieter was appointed chief of police.

The Breese Ice and Cold Storage plant was built and
a contract drawn up for power with the Breese Light &
Power Co. July 6, 1909. The Breese Driving & Fair Asso-
ciation was in progress as the city furnished water to the
fair grounds for fire protection. In 1909 the city annexed
the new addition of Clem Niebur, and in that same year
the old pumping station was wrecked, and the following
year a new station was erected at a cost of $489.35. ,

The salary of Geo. Carr was increased to $75.00 with
appointments of first and second assistants — Edw. Schmidt
and Geo. Abeln. In 1912 Ben H. Frank was appointed
third assistant at $25.00 a month. Happy to say the
salaries grew with the years.

Tungsten street lamps were still being used. Cement
sidewalks were being considered, also improvements in
the water works system.

In 1911 Daniel Needhani was elected mayor; Mr.
Needham and Mr. Eulberg served the community many
years. A. Plack Carr replaced Hugh V. Murray as
counsellor for the city.

In the short absence of George Carr, Ed. W. Schmidt
was appointed the superintendent of the Power & Light

Co. Wm. J. Schroeder, Louis B. Fritz, B. H. Frank and
Hy. Wehlage were assistants for many years.

The city continued to furnish water to the Breese
Coal Mining Co. for $150.00 a year.

In 1911 the Hy. Lappe Heirs Third Addition was
annexed to the city.

The city streets were first sprinkled with road oil in
1911, and the Power & Light Co. was given a monthly in-
stallment of $195.00 for operating purposes.

In 1912 the City Council voted for improvement and
extension of the water works with the installation of a
clarifying system of water works, for repairs and im-
provements therein.

In 1913 the following annexations were in order: Al-
bert Strakes 2nd and 3rd Additions to the Village, Ber-
nard J. Strake's 1st and 2nd Subdivisions to the Village,
Catherine Haar's Addition, Wieter's Addition and a I'ec-
tangular parcel of land in Section 22.

The City was making improvement slowly but truly.
The old road grader was sold for $75.00 as macadamizing
the streets seemed to be the next point in progress.

It may be interesting to many people to recall some
of the names of those active in our community affairs in
the preceding years; most are gone, but not forgotten:
Aug. Vogelsang, Theo. Bruegge, Hy. Burhorn, Hy. Dicker,
P. H. Habich, A. H. Timmermann. Leo A. Krebs, Fred
Schmidt, Eugene Gissy, Geo. Vander Fluym, Anton Knies,
J. C. Coers, Geo. Abeln, Ben J. Schwarz, Hy. Werth, John
Holtkamp, Frank Voss, Ferd Flader, Geo. Hagen, B. H.
Kellermann, Ben Kruep, Geo. Buehler, Wm. Fischer, Wm.
Gerfen, B. C. Meyer, Gust Foppe, Fred Geissert, Louis
Boehm, Aloys F. Funke.

In August, 1913, a franchise was granted to the Citi-
zen's Telephone Co.

There was a scarlet fever epidemic In March, 1914.
All schools and nickleodeons were closed.. In that year a
new oil sprinkler was purchased, and a heating system
was installed in the city hall and fire station.

In 1915 a macadam road was made to the City Ceme-
tery. The City paid $200.00 toward the cost. Cleanup
days began in 1915. Six blocks of water mains were
extended in 1915. Again in May, 1915, all schools were
closed, due to an epidemic of diphtheria. Children under
15 years were not allowed to attend religious services.

At this time Aloys B. Lager was appointed Corpora-
tion Counsel for the City. Rates were made for the elec-
tric cooking stoves in 1916.

In 1918, during World War I, the flu epidemic left
sad memories of several untimely deaths. The hospital
was closed and no county nurses available. It was a de-
plorable situation.

Daniel Needham, mayor, continued in office until 1922,
a period of eleven years of faithful performance to duty.

The treasurer in 1917 was Frank Ahrens and tTie
aldermen were Anton Voss, Jos. F. Cross, Wm. Fischer,
with active council members, Wm. Fischer and Hy. Stuever.

Band concerts were held on the city hall lawn and the
City donated $25.00 toward the cost. Forty years ago

money had a greater value than today.

Salaries of all city officials and employees at the
Lig' t & Power Co. were increased. Police Magistrate
Frank Wieter received $80.00 per month.

For a short time in 1920, electric current was fur-
nished to A\^ston.

In 1922, Wm. Fischer was elected mayor, Alfred J.
Appel, treasurer, John Strubhart, clerk, and Aug. Grunz,
police magistrate. Aldermen and active council members
were Fred Schmidt, Sr., Geo. Buehler, Chas. Harter, Herm.
Feltrop, Anton Voss, Wm. J. Lager, Jos. Berndsen, Hy.
Holtkanip, Hy. Stuever, Louis Meissner, Conrad Wieter,
Jos. Winter, Carl Gerfen and Harry Glaub.

In 1924 the City purchased workmen's compensation
and employer's liability and public liability insurance.

In October, 1924, street lights were extended to the
outskirts of the city, and the City also purchased a one-
man Wehr grader. During this time improvements were
made at the water and light plant at a cost of $.3,26.5.00.

In 1925 Herman Deien was chief of police and Fred
Hostmeyer was street commissioner. A tractor and oil
wagon were purchased to oil the streets. A flag and pole
were purchased for the Fire Department, as well as a
chemical truck.

The Bell Telephone Co. received a franchise from the
aldermen at this time, namely, Frank Nordmann, Gus
Meissner, Julius Dorries, Hy. Reilmann, Hy. Freund, and
Ferd Hundmann. Other names in community service
were Louis Dieker, Wm. Kueneke, Jos. Winter, B. Coller,
Paul Schaffner and Anton Weh.

In 1927 a resolution was adopted to assist at fires
outside the city limits. Among the aldermen then were
Fred A. Schoeneberg, Leo Krebs and Ray Perkes.

In April, 1927, Chief of Police Frank Wieter, met an
untimely death when he was murdered near the city hall.
Fred Parker was then appointed chief of police.

George Carr resigned as superintendent of the water
and light plant June 7, 1927, and Frank Kuhl was appoint-
ed in his place, who continues in the position today.

The motor vehicle tax was passed in 1924. Andrew
O. Niehoff was appointed City Attorney.

In 1929 William Fischer was elected mayor, with A.
B. Fangmeyer, treasurer, and John Strubhart, clerk. The
aldermen elected were Fred Schoeneberg, Edward Foppe
and Charles Casey.

Rock was purchased for street improvements and the
iron horse racks removed in 1929.

In 1930 Maurice B. Johnston was corporation counsel
for the city. An ordinance was made for licensing of
motor vehicles.

In 1931 a Board of Local Improvements was formed
with A. J. Appel as mayor; aldermen were Fred Schoene-
berg, Anton Knies, Hy. Hagen, Louis Meissner, Edward
Foppe and Charles Casey. E. J. Venhaus was city clerk
and Fred Parker, chief of police.

An improvement in 1931 made at the power plant was
the installation of an electric generating unit consisting of
a Corliss engine, at a cost of $15,336.00.

In 1932 the City expended $25,000 to furnish the
Mexican American Hat Co. with sufficient power, and in
anticipation of any future industry. With expenditures in
1931 and 1932, the Light & Water Co. became a munici-

pally-owned company by the City of Breese.

Electric refrigerators were placed on a heat rate.
Streets were graded and filled in with crushed rock.

In 1933 the City created a sinking fund in which
would be deposited 5'', of the monthly income from all
electricity and water used in said city, the same fund to be
permitted to accumulate and be used for replacements,
repairs and improvements to the power plant and water
works system, and for no other purposes.

In May, 1934, under ordinance No. 173, a new Board
of Local Improvements was formed in view of a sewer
project; members were A. J. Appel, chairman; Ben J.
Schwarz, secretary and Anton Knies, member.

In November, 1934, application was made to the U. S.
Government for a federal grant in financing the con-
struction of a sanitary sewer system. A direct grant of
$46,000.00 was received for same. Bonds of the city were
issued in the amount of $83,600.00.

In April, 1935, August W. Grunz, was elected mayor;
the aldermen were, Chas. Harter, Edw. Wade, J. Huels-
kamp, Frank Nordmann, Jos. Winter and F. Schoeneberg.

A motor vehicle tax ordinance was passed in 1934.

In 1935 a curfew ordinance was passed, and in the
same year, under the motor fuel tax law, $3,978.00 was
appropriated for improvements of streets; this allotment
was used in giving the streets an asphalt surface.

A new pump was purchased for the Water & Light
Co. at a cost of $484.00.

The Municipal Council of Breese is a member of the
Illinois Municipal League since 1935.

At this time the Board of Local Improvements con-
sisted of Frank Nordman, Fred Schoeneberg and Floyd
Keel. The Chief of Police was Fred Parker; James
Perkea was fourth assistant at the power plant.

Special assessments were established in April, 1935,
to meet the requisition of the Light & Water Co. In April,
1936, the city purchased the generating unit of the capaci-
ty of 300 K. W. at a cost of $14,583.00, and two stokers
for $4,820.00.

For the city streets a new tractor and scarifier was
purchased at a cost of $1,395.00.

The wheel tax was made in 1936 and a fire alarm sys-
tem installed, with streets first illuminated during the
holiday season of 1936. In July of that year the sewer
project was completed and approved by the Federal Emer-
gency Administi-ation of Public Works.

Around this time Frank Polony was chief of police
with William Broeckling as special police.

In 1936, $7,500.00 was allotted for improvements under
the motor fuel tax law, which was used on the regular
stieets and arterial streets of the south side of Breese.
The job was done by W. P. A. labor.

In 1937 the charge for electric power was 7c per
kilowatt hour; the domestic rate 30c per kw. h., with a
minimum charge of 85c per month.

In April, 1937, the City Council was re-organized,
with A. J. Appel as mayor, and the aldermen were Frank
Nordmann, Louis Vander Pluym, Jos. Winter, Edw. H.
V/ade, Fred Schoenebeig and J. Huelskamp. E. J. Ven-
haus was flerk, Arnold Koch, treasurer, Louis Heyer,
fire chief; A. S. Holtgrave, chief of police; Andrew O.
Niehoff, city attorney; Frank A. Kuhl, supt. of water and

light, and Aug. Von Bokel, police magistrate.

Sylvester Schwarz was appointed Collector of As-
sessments for the sewer project.

In 1937 wheel tax stickers were issued. An ordinance
•was made for regulating traffic. A Breese Building Cor-
poration was formed with the appointment of John Strub-
hart, T. H. Werth, Hy. Hagen, A. J. Schmidt, A. C. Koch.

In 1937 a tax of one mill was levied on all taxable
property for the purpose of a municipal band, revenue
from same to be expended for musical purposes. Joseph
Varel was appointed band master.

In 1938 electric service was extended to Kruep's Ad-
dition.

Ordinances were revised in March, 1938, and a com-
bination of curb and gutter construction project was begun
at the same time.

A resolution was adopted in July, 1938, for improve-
ments to the presently owned water works system, includ-
ing additions to the purification plant, roof on clear-well,
elevated tank and meters — cost of improvements $83,833.97.

A grant of $46,125.00 was received from the Federal
Government in financing the construction and extensions
to the existing waterworks system. The construction was
by the Public Works Administration. A water purification
plant with elevated storage tank was included.

In 1939 a transformer station was added to the elec-
tric power plant, in conjunction with the filtration plant
for $1,075.00.

In 1940 fire hydrants and water mains were extended
at an estimated cost of $50,000.00, paid from a grant of
the P. W. Administration and water revenue bonds; also
an extension of pavements with curbing and construction
of "The White Way" on North Fourth Street, at a cost
of $76,000.00.

Further improvements in 1940 to the water and light
plant were two 250 H. P. horizontal return tubular boilers
at a cost of $6,143.00, one forced draft chain grate or
spreader-type stoker, $2,729.00, and a cost of boiler setting,
$1,878.00.

In 1942 the City Council consisted of A. J. Appel as
mayor; Arnold Koch, treasurer; Melvin Reilmann, clerk,
and the aldermen were J. Huelskamp, A. Lager, J. Voss,
F. Schoeneberg, EMw. Wade and L. Vander Pluym. Louis
Heyer was fire chief and A. S. Holtgrave, chief of police.

In 1943 an agreement was made with neighboring
communities to assist one another at fires. A sum of $50
was donated to St. Dominic parish for maintenance of
the tower clock.

In 1944 George H. Barton directed the municipal
band, after a brief appointment with L. C. Schuster in
1943. A new fire alarm system was inaugurated. Cal-
cium chloride was added to the water works system. A.
B. Niebur was appointed treasurer in 1944.

In 1945 salaries were increased for the following em-
ployees at the power plant: B. H. Frank, Hy. Wehlage,
Hy. G. Marcus, Louis Fritz, Leo Heyer and Leo Goewert.

At this time the Breese Ice and Cold Storage plant
•was disbanded. Electric refrigerators were taking the
place of the old ice boxes.

In March, 1946, the City Council organized a Park
Board to operate the city park. Certain real estate, for-
merly the fair grounds, was donated by the Chamber of

Commerce to the city for its maintenance thereafter.

In 1946 improvements at the power plant consisted
of a 750 K. W. steam turbine generator unit, surface con-
denser and a cooling tower. Power was provided the
Tuberculosis X-ray Mobile Unit. A resolution was pre-
sented to adopt daylight saving time. The city pur-
chased an 8-foot self-feeding material spreader at a cost
of $337.50 and fire equipment for $2,826.56. Melvin
Reilmann was elected city clerk and retained the office
until 1953.

In 1947 Erwin C. Hostmeyer became night police
officer at a salary of $100.00 per month. Frank Ribbing
was maintenance man at the park.

A resolution was passed by the City Council that
$20,000.00 be transferred from the electric operating
fund to the electric construction fund of February, 1948.

The original estimate of the new equipment at the
power plant was placed at $75,000.00, of which $42,000
was provided by the sale of electric revenue bonds.

In 1948 A. B. Niebur was acting treasurer and Edw.
Heidel was added to the list of aldermen. The following
item might be interesting. A representative from the
B. & O. Railroad reported to the city council that the rail-
road had spent approximately $700,000.00 in Breese dur-
ing the past five years and paid out a payroll of $68,-
000.00 during 1947 to people residing in Breese working
for the Railroad Co.

A new IH-4 Tractor for $2,025.87 was bought by the
city. In 1948 the city completed installation of a 750 KVA
Turbine Unit said cost of construction, $67,793.54,

The city furnished free transportation for boys and
girls to attend a free ball game at Sportsman's Park in
St. Louis. This treat sponsored by the city is repeated
every year since 1948.

In December 1948 an agreement was made between
the Breese Fire Department and the Breese Rural Fire
District to unite their efforts to assist at fires in the
Rural district.

Breese Water and Light purchased a new truck for
$2,451.00 with $250.00 allowed on the old truck. In 1949
an appropriation of $5,000.00 was made for arterial street
maintenance. Also in 1949 a franchise was granted to
the Bell Telephone Co. Francis B. Fields was elected al-
derman; Joseph Knies, Police Magistrate; Joseph Hitpas,
Street Commissioner.

In 1950 bids were let for a Water Softener. Mrs.
Eagan's salary as municipal teen-age band leader was
increased to $50.00 per month. In November 1950 par-
allel parking was installed. The Fire Department pur-
chased a new hose for $425.00 in 1950 and a Chevrolet
Panel truck with extras for $1,903.00. In 1949 the city
purchased a new Ford truck from Breese Motor Sales for
$1,627.56.

Free electric current was given city patrons for out-
door decorative Christmas lighting, also free lights furn-
ished for the soft-ball courts in the city park. Mr. Fred
Deutsch was Fire Chief at this time. Koch's 1st Sub-
Division was incorporated into the city of Breese in 1951.
Ordinance 102-A provided for the immediate construc-
tion of sanitary sewers for Koch's sub-division.. The
cost of painting the city's steel water tank was $1,690.00.
The tank holds 200,000 gallons of water. In 1951, through
the efforts of the Breese Lions Club, warning flash sig-

rials were provided by the State of Illinois on Route 50,
for the protection of the school children. The city appro-
priated $6,500.00 from the Motor Fuel Tax funds for ar-
terial street maintenance. A new smoke stack was con-
structed at the water and light plant for $3,155.00. The
alderman for 1951 were F. B. Fields, Vincent Fonke, Em-
mett Hostmeyer, Leo Venhaus, Jerome Lager and Alvin
Elling. The city entered into an agreement this year
with the Breese Rural Fire District for the rental of
emergency fire equipment.

In 1952, $12,000 Motor Fuel Tax funds were appropri-
ated for the construction of concrete curb and gutters.
$6,500.00 was also appropriated for maintenance of the
arterial streets in 1952. The White-Way was also pro-
moted in 1952. Improvements in the Municipal Electric
Plant to meet the need of additional current required for
the White-Way were made at a cost of $250,000.00—
$200,000.0(1 in bonds accepted and payable in 1972.

In January 195", the Mercury street light system

Counsel September 6, 1955, following the death of Andrew
O. Niehoff, previous city attorney. Charles Bedard was
appointed city band master. In 1955 the city also ap-
proved a system permitting the fluoridation of the public
water system in the early part of 1956.

Aldermen elected in 1955 were: Henry Pollmann,
Raymond Kuper, Anton Voss and Emmet Hostmeyer; the
other two members are Raymond Schlueter and Vincent
Niemann, who, with Mayor A. J. Appel, make up the
City Council of Breese in the Centennial year.

Parallel parking of cars in certain areas of the com-
munity was required, replacing the habit of angle parking.

A motor-driven siren was installed for the fire de-
partment. The Fire Department consists of 29 volun-
teer members.

A sum of $6500.00 was appropriated for maintenance
of arterial streets in 1956.

The City of Breese, a member of the Illinois Municipal
Utilities Association, has a population of 2200 according

The City Hall at Nortli Clinton
was installed. Improvements were made at the Water and
Light plant at a cost of $54,350.00. A. O. Niehoff, city
counsellor and Ferd H. Nordmann was clerk. Aldermen
for 1953 were Alvin Elling, V. Niemann, V. Fonke, E.
Hostmeyer, R. Schlueter and Chas. Thomas. Alfred Von
Alst was street maintenance man. At a special meeting
in June, 1953. Ferd H. Foppe was appointed city clerk.

In February, 1954, additional improvements were
made to No. 2 boiler at the power plant at a cost of
$29,998.00. A sum of $650.00 was spent for having the
old concrete chimney dropped at the power plant.

In 1955 Erwin Koch's second subdivision was annexed
to the Ctiy. A request was made by A. C. Koch that a
subdivision, northeast of Breese, be annexed.

James Donnewald was appointed City Corporation

an<l Third Streets, Built in 1885.

to the 1952 census.

To date the electric light patrons number approxi-
mately 900 and water patrons 750.

The present mayor, A. J. Appel, has held this office
in an efficient manner for 23 years; he also served the
city as treasurer for five years, prior to 1931.

The present chief of police, A. S. Holtgrave, served
from 1933 to 1935 and again from 1937 to the present time.

Owing to the lack of time for compilation, these rec-
ords are incomplete. However, they may give the aver-
age public citizen a better idea of what it takes, let's say.
to make a city "tick".

It is up to the next generation to tell it's future, in
this age of nuclear weapons, super-sonic jet planes and
proposals of inner space travel.

Electric service for the citizens of Breese, Illinois
is supplied by a municipally owned utility which was
orig-inally built in 1906 and consisted of three 100 horse
power horizontal return tubular boilers which were hand
fired, and two Russell steam engines, each direct con-
nected to an alternating current generator having a
rated capacity of lOO K. V. A. This equipment together
with switchboard and auxiliaries was housed in a one-
story brick building having a general dimenson of 44
feet by 54 feet. The electric plant is located on the east
side of North Chestnut Street, just north of the B. & O.
Railroad.

To this electric plant of 50 years ago, numerous
additions, extensions and improvements have been made.
Presently the plant equipment consists of the following
major items:

One 19 inch by 24 inch Chuse non-releasing Corliss
steam engine, non-condensing, direct connected to a 312
K. V. A. generator. This machine was installed in 19.31.

One 20 inch by 28 inch Elliott Company "Ridgeway"
non-releasing Corliss steam engine, non-condensing, dir-
ect connected to a 375 K. V. A. generator. This machine
was installed in 1936.

One Westinghouse Corporation condensing steam tur-
bine-generator, having a rated capacity of 937 K. V. A.
This machine was installed in 1948, and is the main
operating unit of the plant.

One 13 inch by 16 inch eight cylinder Cooper-
Bessemer Corporation Type J. S. turbocharged diesel
engine, direct connected to a 1125 K. V. A. Elliott Company
generator. This machine was installed in 1953 and is
presently used for peaking and stand-by service.

The major equipment of the boiler plant serving
the above steam prime movers consists of the following:

One Henry Vogt Machine Company 84 inch by 20
feet, 250 horsepower horizontal return tubular boiler,
equipped with a two-unit forced draft spreader type stoker.
This unit was installed in 1940.

One E. Keeler Company 2-pass type C. P. water
tube boiler, with superheater designed to operate at a
pressure of 300 pounds per square inch, 735 degrees F.
steam temperature, when generating 17,500 pounds
of steam per hour. This boiler is equipped with a Laclede
chair grate stoker, forced draft fan, induced draft fan,
combustion control equipment, and recording instruments.
This unit was placed in operation in March, 1955.

One switchboard, made up of seven steel panels,
four of which are generator panels, two distribution
panels and one panel for the plant auxiliaries.

One cooling tower for cooling the circulating water
for the condenser of the turbogenerator. The cooling tower
is equipped with a 12 foot diameter six-blade aluminum
fan driven by a two-speed 20 horsepower motor.

Breese Water Supply System

The City of Breese, Illinois, owns and operates its
public water supply system, getting its raw water from
Shoal Creek, which is an excellent water supply and is
located about one and one-half mi'es east of the city.
Shoal Creek has proven an adeiiuate source of water sup-
ply for almost 60 years. The water supply facilities con-
sist of a low lift pumping station, treatment and filtration
plant, storage reservoir, elevated water tower and dis-
ti'ibution system.

The low lift pumping station is located on the west
bank of the creek and north of U. S. Highway 50, con-
sisting of a circular concrete pump pit and bui'ding in
which are installed two electric motor driven centrifugal
pumps, with capacities of 350 and 430 gallons per minute.

From this low lift station the water is pumped through
9000 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe to the filtration plant,
which is located at North First and Elm Streets.

To produce a potable, safe water, for the citizens
of Breese, the following method of purification is em-
ployed: Coagulation, using aluminum sulphate as a co-
agulant. The addition of hydrated lime to maintain proper
chemical balance of the water. Thorough mixing of the
water and chemicals to obtain proper chemical action,
and coagulation, followed by prolonged gentle agitation,
for good flow formation. Sedimentation, employing two
sedimentation basins, having a retention period of about
six hours. Filtration, through two open, gravity type,
rapid sand filters. Sterilization, using liquid chlorine and
hydrous ammonia. Fluoridation, by the addition of sodium
silico fluoride.

The present capacity of the water system is 6CO,{100
gallons per day. Finished water storage capacity is
450,000 gallons, of which 50,000 gallons are stored in
the clear well, 200,CO0 gallons in the concrete storage
reservoir and 2O0,OCO ga'lons in the elevated steel tank.
Water treated is 225,000 gallons per day average.

The equipment located in the filter plant consists
of the following: One alum feeder, one lime feeder, one
carbon feeder, one fluorine feeder, two chlorinators, one
ammoniator, two 5C0,C00-ga'lons-per-day filters, two
operating tables, switchboard and control panel, one trans-
fer pump and two high service pumps.

The water distribution system consists of 5,300 feet
of 8 inch pipe, 10,000 feet of 6 inch pipe and 48,000 feet
of 4 inch pipe, with 101 gate valves and 69 fire hydrants.

The water system is also equipped with a laboratory,
where daily bacteriological and chemical analyses of the
water are made to comply with the requirements of the
State of Illino's, Department of Public Health, Division
of Sanitary Engineering. And a'so that the public may be
assured of a safe sanitary water supply.

Breese Sewer System

The City of Breese, Illinois has a complete sanitary
sewer system together with an activated sludge sewage
disposal plant, which serves the entire area of the city.
This sewer plant was put into operation in 1935.

The sewage treatment plant is located approximately
three-eighths miles south and east of the city limits.

The following is a summary of the sewage treat-
ment faci ities located at the plant. Bar screen, 3 raw
sewage pumps with capacities of 212, 234, and 800 gallons
per minute; 1 sludge pump, 75 gallons per minute; 2 re-
turn sludge pumps, 40 gallons per minute each. One cir-
cular 20 foot diameter primary settling tank, having
a settling volume of 15,300 gallons. Two 24 foot square
aeration tanks, each having a capacity of 46,0CO gallons.
These tanks were origina'ly equipped with mechanical
aerators, but now have been modified by the installation
of diffused air equipment. Both mechanical and diffused
air can be used simultaneously. Each aeration tank is
equipped with 22 two-inch I. D. by three-inch O. D. by
24 inch long carborundum diffuser tubes. Air for the
diffused air system is supplied by a 326 cubic foot per
minute blower driven by a 25 horsepower motor.

One circular 20-foot diameter secondary settling tank,
with a settling volume of 24,800 gallons. One sludge
digestion tank, 24 foot diameter, capacity of 56,000 gal-
lons. This d'gester has a fixed concrete cover and has
a gas collection system. The gas from the digester is
burned in a Crane Company hot water boiler which is
used for heating the contents of the digester and also
the service building.

Two sludge drying beds, 27 feet by 36 feet.

One brick service building, 20 feet by 22 feet, with
composition roof, for housng boiler, pumps, switchboard,
and laboratory on the first floor, and also has a dry
well and a wet wel'.

The final effluent of the sewage disposal plant is
discharged into a ditch, which is a tributary to Shoal
Creek.

Employed by the City of Breese for the operation
of the threa utility systems are the following: B. H.
Frank, Arnold Koch, Edward Dust and Frank Kellermann
as plant operators. Leo Heyer, Victor Voss, Me'vin Von
Alst and Albert J. Willi as maintenance and distribution
men. F. A. Kuhl is superintendent.

Breese City Park

In 1945 Eugene Wade, President of the Breese Cham-
ber of Commerce and Harry C. Wieter, Vice-president,
took an option on fifteen acres of land which was then
the Clinton County Fair grounds.

Mrs. Georgina Koch owned the land. Mr. Wade
called a meeting of the said Chamber of Commerce and
suggested they purchase this land and convert it into
a city park.

The group of men present decided to accept Mr.
Wade's and Mr. Wieter's suggestion. By a majority vote
it was agreed to purchase the fifteen acres and donate
it to the city of Breese, providing the city council would
incorporate it into the City of Breese.

This the city council agreed to do. On January 24,
1946, the fifteen acres was deeded to the City of Breese,
by the Chamber of Commerce, to be used as a city park.

On April 26, 1948, the city park was annexed to the
City of Breese, under Ordinance No. 79. On October 4,
of the same year a tax of .1 of I'/r of full cash market
value of all taxable property in the city of Breese, was
levied by vote of the people for maintenance of the city
park.

The Breese Park Board was organized on March 11,
1946, with the following members: Fred Schoenebei'g,
Melvin Reilmann, Geo. A. Weisenfeld, Harry Wieter, Leo
Venhaus, Joseph Voss, Nelson Brockman, Edward Wade,
Louis Meissner, Ben Schwarz and Arthur Lager. Harry
Wieter was chosen President with Melvin Reilman, Sec-
retary of the Board.

During the recent years the park grounds have been
improved with trees and shrubs; equipment for private
picnics; swings and slides for children; bandstand and
lighted baseball diamonds.

Concerts by the Municipal Childrens Band are held
here during the summer months. The Black & White
show is also held here. All other civic projects and pa-
rades originate and terminate at the city park.

The 1956 Centennial celebration is being held at the
park which is situated directly north of the city.

Breese Bands

In the 1890's there were no movies, radio or televis-
ion, so it was necessary for the people to furnish their
music and entertainment. This was provided in the
homes or with the cooperation of the various town bands
at picnics and public dances.

The Boehm family, particularly, were music lovers
and all of the members played some instrument. They
furnished the violins, piccolo and cello in connection with
the first Philharmonic band in 1898.

The first Philharmonic band was under the leader-
ship of Charles Wagner, with the first concerts being
given from the roof of the village hall, now the city hall,
and later on the concerts were held on the lawn.

Successive bands were the Breese Brass Band, with
Charles Wagner as leader; The Dorries Band, Fritz Dor-
ries, leader; and the St. Dominic's Silver Cornet band,
with B. Molitor as leader.

About this time the circus music came to town, and
although the music sounded 'tinny' as the band went pass-
ing by, the drums and horns created a great spectacle.

With the advent of steam music, the Calliope, and
the mechanical player-piano around 1917, music lost
much appeal for individual effort and band members
lost some of their zest too.

The Boehm Family Band

Radio and Television as of today have done much to
revise the spirit of good music in the home and schools.

The Breese Band continued to furnish music for any
and all public occasions until the organization of the
Municipal band in September 1937, with Joseph Varel,
as director. Mr. Varel directed the Juvenile band from
1937 to 1943. Mr. L. C. Schuster's appointment in 1943
was brief owing to a sudden death. In 1944 Mr. George
H. Barton was the director of the Breese Municipal Band.
Some service was given in 1946 by Robert O'Brien. Then
in 1947 Mrs. Dessie Eagan conducted a Teen-age band.
Services were also given by Richard Hummert.

In 1949 band instruments were introduced into the
Public scTiool curriculum under the leadership of Hari-y
G. Schmidt. In 1951 Richard Krajcovic organized the
Breese Public School Band. In 1954 Mr. Joseph Varel
was again the Municipal Bandmaster.

At present, March 1956, Charles Bedard is the di-
rector of the Juvenile Municipal Band.

Farmer Business Places of Breese

BAKERIES: F. C. Dorries, Niemann, Louis Lager,
Gus Schmidt, Ben J. Lappe, Schmidt Brothers, Deimker,
Schriers, Bolks, George Freiberg, George Horner, W. L.
Wanura, Wm. Wanura, Stubenhofer.

BLACKSMITHS: Henry Schuette, Henry Freund,
Henry Winke, Henry Dorries. August Maibaum, Ted
Schlarmann, Christ Xiebur, John Schroeder.

BRICK YARDS : Otto Koch.

CIGAR MAKERS: Frank Funke, Ed Geist, Frank
Schwarz, George Dumbeck, Louis Boehm, Ben Schwarz,
Harry Barth, Rudy Wagner.

WAGON MAKERS: Joseph Schmidt, Con. Riemen-
schneider, Conrad Schroeder.

I>RUG STORES: Dr. Af holder. Dr. Charles Gissy,
Aloys Funke, Eugene Gissy.

DENTISTS: Dr. Robert Offil, Dr. Raymond Kyle.

DOCTORS: Dr. Af holder. Dr. Charles Gissv, Dr.
Charles Ball, Dr. William Bechthold, Dr. Pace, Dr." A. H.
Flader, Dr. J. J. Morony, Dr. W. D. Drake, Dr. John
Klutho, Dr. E. 0. Schreiner, Dr. Fuller, Dr. Kuhl, Dr.
Archibald.

DRESSMAKERS: Theresa Voss, Mary Voss, Millie
Lips, Hugenberg Sisters, Meissner Sisters, Mrs. Lips-
comb, Lottie Seel.

FURNITURE DEALERS: Theodore Bruegge, Chris
Burhorn, Buchholz & Reusing, Henry Bruegge.

GENERAL STORES: Henry Buirgier, Phillip Bear-
hus, Frank Marks, Fred Burmann, Dillmann Brothers,

B. Hagan & Co., Mrs. Theresa Marks, Fred Goellner,
Frank Bentler, Hofsommer & Company, William J. Hof-
sommer, Fred Koch, Ben H. Donne, G. A. Hoff-
mann & A. J. Helwig, William Burhorn, Coller &
Immethun, A. R. C. Jasper, Dorries & Anton Schmidt,

C. J. Schlarmann, Dave Tober, R. Blumenstein. E. J.
Schroeder, Fred Ratemann, Cantwell Variety Store, Fried-
mann & Hockmann, Henry Werth & Sons, B. J. Koppers,
Henry Bernsden.

HARDWARE STORES: John Schroeder, Fred Schaef-
fner, Louis Vander Plujin, Sr.,

JEWELRY STORES: Gerhart Berbers, William
Schulte, P. W. Welsch, Eugene Wick, H. B. Robben, Frank
Eschmann.

HOTELS: Frank Morhenners, Henry Kruep, Theodore
Kolme, Charles Balsiger, Mrs. W. Sneddon, Mrs. James
Doyle, Charles Rickher and August Vogelsang.

LIVERY ST.\BLES: C. C. Hofsommer, Immethun
& Voss. August Buehne, LawTence Schroeder, Frank
Grave, Henry Heithaus, Pete H. Habich, Joseph Niemeyer,
Conrad Korte, Theodore Timmermann, Ben Kruep &
Henry Immethun, Ben Kruep.

LUMBER YARDS: Frank Marks, Theodore Klut'o.
August J. Klutho, George Peek, Henry W. Schaoeder
& Emil Hofsommer, Joseph Petermeyer, Henry W.
Schroeder, John Hagen.

MEAT MARKETS: John Koch, Theodore Deeben,
Clem Coers, J. C. Coers, Deeben & Schwierjohn, Dressier,
Ferd Seger, Charles Huber, Ben Strake, Strake & Kuhl,
Emil Fritz, Dominic Coers, George Musenbrock, Jack
Kohrs, Leo Meier.

MILLINERY: Catherine Goellner, Funke Sisters,
Rose Zinschlag, Hilda Dorries, Annie Scheer, Mary En-
dres & Lottie Seel, Rose Timmermann, Mrs. Arthur Lager.

SADDLERY AND HARNESS SHOPS: Abraham
Zimmermann, R. Blumenstein, Herman Dorries, Herman
Schroeder, H. Haury.

SHOE STORES: William Burhorn, William G. Kaune,
A. H. Timmermann, Henry Balke, Meissner.

SODA MANUFACTURERS: Henry Buierger, Karl
Dorries, Charles Dorries.

STONE .MASONS AND PLASTERERS: John Schae-
fer, Fred Burhorn, Henry Burhorn, Hinkamp & Huels-
kamp.

STONE, MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS: Christ
Eulberg, Eulberg & Dicker, Henry Dicker, Brown, Arthur
Lager.

TAILORS: Ben H. Dicker, Louis Schroeder, Ernest
Hebener, Frank Huelskamp, Joseph Wirsching.

TIN SHOPS: H. D. Koop, John Schaeffner, John
Schwartz.

CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDERS: William Brink,
.August Klutho, Ben C. Meyer, B. H. Kellermann H^nry
Schroeder, B. H. Hallermann, Hagen Brothers, Frank
Hagen, George Kues, August Rocklage.

Breese Volunteer Fire Department

The Breese Volunteer Fire Department was organized
January 12, 1892 with M. J. Myers as President and E.
N. Barkman as Secretary.

On January 13th a meeting was called by Mr. Henry
Hummert, for the purpose of organizing a fire depart-
ment for the village of Breese. The following officers
were elected; Charles Emery, president; Henry Scheer,
Vice-president; James E. Newton, secretary and John
Schroeder, treasurer.

The first to sign for volunteer firemen were the fol-
lowing: James Ward, Hy. Holtmann, Hy. Scheer, W.
Brinkmann, Fritz Dorries, Jr., Wm. Geers, Lawrence
Deien, Daniel Needham, John Schwartz, Adolph Hoffman,
Herman Deien, John Schroeder, Fritz Breitenbach, Henry
Dieker, George Deien, Wm. Perkes and George Kapp.

The fire department held a warm spot, like Charity,
in the hearts of the people and in active participation the
names of two are foremost, namely, Mr. Henry E.
Schmidt, serving as secretary for twenty-five years and
Mr. E. J. Gissy, secretary for fourteen years.

The very first fire equipment was a cart with pump,
both manually operated; then a hose-cart, pulled by
hand; later, horses and a wagon were used to haul the
hose-cart. August Schmittel, who owned a Livery Stable
about this time, was given the order to have two horses
ready to pull the hose-cart, at the tap of the fire-bell.
One time Mr. Schmittel did not hear the bell, but the
horses did; they left the stable alone and stood ready at
the Engine House.

The first Engine House was a frame building with
a tower and bell, built west of the first water tower.

All meetings were held r.t the village hall and any
member absent from the meeting was fined 10c; absent
from drill, 25c; from call of fire, 25c. In this way there
was a good attendance or money in the treasury. The
fire department was financed by the village board and
by picnics and dances given at the Concordia Hall.

The first Decoration Day exercises were held May
30, 1892 and the first firemen's picnic and dance was held
in the Concordia Hall, July 4, 1892.

It was customary for the neighboring fire depart-
ments to join in the Fourth of July celebrations. The
Masquerade Ball and Dance was an event of the year for
the members and their families. We feel it is no more
than fitting we mention the names of the active volunteer
firemen to 1894; they were the people who lived here
then and took an interest in the community: 1892 — Geo.
Dumbeck, Arthur Heldt, Wm. Ahrens, John Perkes, Jr.,
John E. Lear, Wm. Engelhard, Louis Dieker, Conrad
Schussel, Henry Diekmann, J. H. Groto, Wm. Perkes, Ben
Schlueter, Henry W. Yeager, Henry W. Koch, Ben H.
Donne, Theo. Deehen, Wm. Dumbeck, Frank Funke,
Charles Dorries, F. Haberberger and Charles Kunze.
1893 — Henry Felderwert, Felix Smith, George Hagen,
Henry Deien, Clem Kohrs, Theo. Timmermann, John
Schroeder. Joseph W. Voland, Ed. Geist, Ben Buehne, Jr.,
Theo. Klutho, Sr., August J. Helwig, Robert Flader,
Charles Eulberg and Joseph BuUer. 1894 — Henry W.
Yeager was president and Henry E. Schmidt secretary.

From 1895 to 1899, Edward Geist and Wm. Geers
respectively were presidents of the village board. The

Fire Chief in 1896 was Daniel Needham and his assistants
were Herman Niemann and F. W. Breitenbach.

A memorable event of March 17, 1899 was the spec-
tacular fire of the Breese Mill and Grain Company's Roll-
er Mill, formerly Eagle Star Mill. Lightning struck the
building which was a four-story frame building. The
fire spread so rapidly from t' e combustion of the flour
dust that it was impossible to save the mill. Another
fire eventful in the early days w^as the coal chutes fire
of 1901. In appreciation of the firemen's efforts the
Breese Coal Co. sent a check of $75.00. The presidents
from 1900 to 1902 were Wm. Geers and George Deien;
Treasurers, Daniel Needham and Adolph Holtmann.
Three hundred feet of new hose was purchased in 1915
and in 1918 the fire department re-imbursed the city
council for $1500.00 toward a Republic truck, purchased
at that time.

During the intervening years the city council had
been organized and new ordinances were made for the
department. Eugene J. Gissy was appointed secretary
and continued in service until 1931.

The Volunteer Fireman is always 'On Call', day or
night to serve his community. We would like to honor
our faithful servants to duty with mention of the names
of those active members and presidents from the years
1911 to 1946: Henry Freund, J. Crause, T. Partington,
F. Schoeneberg, A. Weh, F. Deutsch, G. Mueller, L. Heyer,
F. Kuhl, Ollie Coers, Hy. Knies, Paul Schaffner, Ferd
Flader, Geo. Hagen, B. C. Meyer, Gust. Foppe, Geo.
Poelker, B. H. Feldmann, E. J. Gissy, F. Breidenbach, H.
Hoffmann, Gus Glancy, John Perks, Wm. Gerfen, Geo.
Buehler, Anton Knies, Geo. Feldmann, F. Wehlage, Hy.
Schmidt, F. Boenhoff, J. Strubhardt, Urban Schwarz and
B. H. Kellermann. The presidents were Jake Herbst, Fred
Deutsch, Louis Heyer, Gus Meissner, Anton Weh, Rich-
ard Meissner and Paul Schmidt.

The w'riter was unable to make a complete record
of the fire chiefs as time was limited to complete the
Centennial book; suffice it to say. we of the community
appreciate your efforts in the protection of our homes
and business places. Special tribute is given to the mem-
ory of Hy. E. Schmidt, who was a volunteer fireman for
fifty-four years and secretai-y for thirty-four years.

The code of all fire-fighters is "Semper Paratus".

The present fire department brick building was con-
structed in 1941. In this same year rural fire equipment
was purchased and an agreement made between the city

and the township for aid, with the understanding that the
rural fire district maintain all expenses of its fires.

In 1946, the city purchased an International Truck
with a 500-gal. per min. capacity and carrying 1500-ft.
of hose. Prior to this equipment the fire truck was a
light Chevrolet type with a BOO-gal. capacity.

From 1947 to 1950 Ralph Kruse served as President;
Fred Schoeneberg, Treasurer; and Fred Deutsch, Fire
Chief. Active members at this time were: Tom Parting-
ton, Wm. Deien, Joseph Snyder, Henry C. Hummert, Her-
bert Knies, Wallace Fonke, Andrew Weh, John McGee,
Paul J. Richter and Robert Hummert. Secretary of the
Rural Fire District is Joseph F. Ratermann.

In 1951 Edward Berndsen was appointed President.
The fire chief is now appointed by the city council. At

the present time, March 1956, Louis Heyer is Fire Chief
with George Mueller as assistant chief. Jerome C. Lager
has succeeded Hy. E. Schmidt as secretary.

On December 15, 1952 twelve members of the Vol-
unteer Fire Department offered their services in the
Breese Post Ground Observation Corps, with Melvin
Reilman as Chief Observer.

Since 1953 a Memorial Wreath has taken the place
of crepe in the death of a member.

The city as of now, March 1956, owns the following
fire department equipment: 1 International Truck, with
a 500-gal. per min. pumping capacity and carrying ap-
proximately 1000-ft. of hose, 1 Emergency truck with
a 75-gal. per min. capacity and an aerial ladder truck
with a 35-ft. mounted ladder.

First Fire Department in Breese

It is said the above group formed the first Fire Department in Breese.
Taken in 1895, the photo shows the firemen after receivingf new uniforms.
The building- in the background was the old fire engine house, and stood
where the present fire station is located.

According to The Breese Journal that carried the picture in its issue of
July 28, 1955, only one of the group is still living, namely, John Perkes, who
is seated in the front row. second from right. The man (without uniform) to
the extreme left is Henry E. Schmidt who died in 1954 at the age of 94 years.

Among the others who appear in the picture are, George Deien, Charles
Kuntz, Lawrence Deien, Wm. Engelhardt, Wm. Perkes, August Grunz,
James Ward, Dan Needham, George Dumbeck. Adolph Holtraann, Frank
Hackelberger and "Butch" Coers.

The Eagle Star Mill Built in 1865

£agl£ star mills th€ property or KAUNE BRQs Breesh Clinton CoJll.

The Eagle Star Mill was built by Charles H. Kaune
in 1865, the same year in which he made an addition
to Breese.

He operated a store in Jamestown, 111. before
coming to Breese.

In 1876 he transferred the milling business to
his three sons, William G. Kaune, Henry S. Kaune and
Charles Kaune.

Henry S. Kaune moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Charles died at an early age, leaving the entire business
to the oldest brother, William.

Wm. G. Kaune was born at Jamestown, 111., in 1851
and came to Breese in 1865.

He obtained his education at McKendree College,
Lebanon, 111., and at Teutopolis, 111., and Christian Bros.,
St. Louis, Mo.

At various times he served as president of the vil-
lage board, making the first ordinances of the Village of
Breese. He also served in offices of clerk and treasurer
of Breese, was supervisor of the township, and was State
Treasurer of the Catholic Knights of Illinois.

In 1887 he was elected to the House of Representa-
tives, serving in the 35th General Assembly of the State
of Illinois, at Springfield.

In 1891 he sold the mill to Koch Brothers. Mr.
Kaune died July 4, 1906.

The B. H. Donne Mercantile Company

The B. H. Donne Mercantile Co. was for 36 years,
the leading grocery and dry goods store in Breese. It
is now owned by George and Henry Niebur, formerly
owned by Christ Niebur.

B. H. Donne was the first baby born in Breese in
18.58, and was christened in Germantown, before the
Catholic Church here was completed.

ROBERT S. M. DONNE

His father, Robert S. M. Donne emigrated from
Plymouth, England, landing in St. Louis in 1830. He en-
gaged in the traffic of merchandise on the river, and
located in Breese in 1855.

Robert Donne was the first merchant, first railroad
agent, first postmaster, sheriff and justice of the peace. He
was public spirited and progressive in all measures. He
died in 1869, leaving his wife, Gertrude, with seven
children.

She liked to relate two particular incidents: one,
her first trip to Breese with the engineer in the cab
on the M. & O. train that only went as far as Shoal
Creek; the other, Prince Edward, later King of England,
as guest in the Donne home.

Prince Edward visited Clinton County on a hunting
expedition and upon his departure, left his rifle, which
Mrs. Donne always treasured as a souvenir of the dis-
tinguished guest.

The O. & M. Railroad, Now the B. & O.

The railroad, of course, was an important link in the
development of Breese. What is now the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad, was originally the Ohio & Mississippi.

Robert S. M. Donne was the first station agent in
Breese. The present agent is Felix Messig, having been

assigned this office January 26, 1955. He succeeded
Alfred J. Appel, who had served since 1917, retiring in
January, 1955. The late E. G. Castle had also served as
railroad agent here a number of years.

The Ohio & Mississippi Railroad was planned to ex-
tend westward from Cincinnati to a point on the great
river directly opposite St. Louis, with a branch from
North Vernon, Ind. to Louisville, Ky. Although a railroad
between the then two most important cities of the West
was dimly projected as early as 1832, the railroad was
not chartered until February 14, 1848, in Indiana; March
15, 1849, in Ohio, and February 12, 1851, in Illinois. Pre-
liminary surveys were commenced on November 1, 1848,
but actual construction on the west end was not started
until February, 1852. By terms of the charter granted
by the legislature of Indiana, the company was author-
ized to locate and survey a railroad on "the most direct
and practical route between Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio
River, and Vincennes, on the Wabash River."

The organization of the Ohio and Indiana portions
of the new line was completed in 1850, and Abner T.
Ellis, of Vincennes, was elected president. A number of
substantial citizens of Vincennes and Cincinnati and the
intermediate towns between were chosen as directors.
The contract was let in January, 1851, for the building
of the road between the Ohio and the Wabash. Actual
construction was started in April, 1852.

The charter of the State of Illinois provided that
the building of the western division should be begun
before February 12, 1852, and the actual construction
was started on February 7. The western division was the
first to be completed and the City of Vincennes had to
wait nearly two years for the eastern division to be
completed. But on April 15, 1857, the city of Vincennes
witnessed the joining of the rails which completed a
railroad all the way from Cincinnati to St. Louis. By
connection at Cincinnati with the Marietta and Cincinnati
Railroad, which, in turn, connected at Parkersburg, Va.,
with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, this completed a rail
route that ran all the way from the eastern seaboard
to the Mississippi River.

The Ohio and Mississippi was originally built as a
six-foot guage line. This made interchange with standard
guage railroads a bit difficult, as through ears had to
be jacked up and the trucks changed. To overcome this,
it was decided to change the entire railroad to standard
guage in one day. This was done on Sunday, July 13, 1871.
At daylight, three gangs of men began work on each
section of about three miles in length, the first gang
drawing spikes and throwing rails, the second gang
spiking and the third gang setting rails to guage and
lining up the track. The change on the entire 340 miles
of track was made in about eight hours. Changing engines
and cars had begun about eight months previously and
there was no interruption to business.

The 0. & M. was formally taken into the Baltimore
& Ohio family on November 1, 1893, and merged with the
M. & C. to form the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern
Railway Co. and is one of the wholly-owned subsidi-
aries of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

B. & 0. Locomotive Built In the Year 1856

^Jnouqkh of ^y/diUxdau

Way back in the gay old nineties Those

horse and bugg^y days Times were all so

different In many, many ways

Children all wore high-top shoes .... Stockings

o\er their knees One sure thing in those

days ..... They did not let us freeze The

ladies' skirts were extra long They

reached down to their toes The men folks

wore derby hats . • . . . Their bow ties were a
flash .... What they were extra proud of ... .

\\ as the little black mustache The old

cedar water bucket • . . . . ^^'ith rims of solid

brass The corner pump with dipper and

chain Had often quenched our thirst.

Horses and mules wore straw hats A

wet sponge under the crown To keep

them from keeling over ^\llen summer

sun shone down. .... W'ay back in the gay

old nineties Old Dobbin pulled the shay.

Years rolled on and times have changed

Horses are gone . • . . . With motor cars to sub-
stitute \\'ith lamp lights burning low —

Our memories like to linger With

the days of long ago.

The "horse and buggy" days are gone,
Considered by the world too slow.
And millions now are speeding on,
Ji-st where, nobody seems to know.

«^^'** >*i^

EaxLij ^EttUzi of JBt££1£

The early history of Breese has been given to

you in the preceding- pages more of it is to follow in

subsequent pages .... pages containing some interest-
ing facts relating to the early settlers of Breese, and of
their families.

In the brief sketches of various early settlers,
there is much learned of the hardships and the sacrifices

and the pleasures, too, of these pioneers. They are

the people whom we honor and glorify in this observance
of the one-hundredth anniversary of Breese.

It is deeply and sincerely regretted, that more
families could not be included. The Historical Com-
mittee obtained some material on a few of the families

who settled here they would like to have told more

of those who were hnked with the founding and develop-
ment of Breese.

After considerable effort, the Historical Com-
mittee has compiled a collection of data to give you a
history of some of Breese' early settlers, and proudly,
and conscious of their contributions to our city, we pre-
sent "The Early Settlers of Breese."

First Families of Breese

Frank Marks Family

Among the early inhabitants of Breese of Grcrmanic
origin is found the family of Frank Marks. At the present
time, several of his descendants reside in Breese.

Frank Marks, the son of Stephan and Mary Marks,
was born in Prussia on February 2, 1821. He was edu-
cated in that country. As a youth in his late teens, he
emigrated to the United States. He disembarked at New
Orleans, after a voyage of thirteen weeks in crossing
the Atlantic on a sailing vessel. Departing from New
Orleans, Frank Marks journeyed up the Mississippi to
his destination, St. Louis, Mo. He obtained employment
in this locale at Schottens Coffee Company. While re-
siding in St. Louis, he met and married Maiia Theresa
Knuewe. As a young woman. Miss Knuewe also came
to this country. She was born and educated in Westen-
holz, Westphalia, Germany.

On two occasions, previous to their final settlement,
Frank Marks and his wife located in the vicinity of
Breese. Once, they established a home near Aviston and
subsequently, they located in Little Prairie. A few years
prior to the Civil War, Mr. Marks purchased land in
Breese and made a permanent settlement here. He built
a home west of the present St. Dominic's Church. In this
location, he established a general store, and operated
a lumber yard on the present site of the church. In
addition, he cultivated land in the vicinity of Breese.

Frank Marks and Maria Theresa Marks were blessed
with fourteen children. However, only four of these
children lived to become adults, Mary, Catherine, Francis
and Henry.

Mary Marks married Theodore Klutho. She died in
1S64 with the birth of her first child.

Catherine Marks became the wife of Frank Funke
in 1870. They were the parents of nine children. Cath-
erine Marks Funke died August 2, 1905.

Francis Marks was ordained to the priesthood May
20, 1 883. He became the first boy from Breese to become
a priest. Rev. Francis Marks celebrated his Golden
Jubilee in the priesthood in May, 1933 and died in July
of the same year.

Henry Marks became a physician and surgeon. He
practiced medicine in St. Louis until his death in 189:-!.
Dr. Henry Marks was married to Catherine Klutho, the
daughter of Joseph and Josephine Klutho.

Mr. Frank Marks took an active interest in Breese
and its development. In 1867, Mr. Marks was made
supervisor of Road District No. 10. He served as presi-
dent of the village of Breese in 1871. Mr. Marks laid
out lots known as the Koch and Marks addition to Breese.
He was a member of St. Dominic's Church, and actively
participated in the construction of that edifice. Until
his death, Mr. Marks was engaged in the operation of
his store and the cultivation of farm land. He died October
10, 1874.

Following the death of Frank Marks, his widow,
Mrs. Theresa Marks maintained an ardent interest in
this community. She laid out additional lots to Breese,
known as the Marks addition. Mrs. Marks assumed the
oireration of the general store until her death. She re-
sided with her daughter, Catherine Marks Funke. Maria

Theresa Marks died February 24, 1902 at the age of 82.

Frank Phillip Funke, the son-in-law of Frank Marks,
was born in Delbruck, Germany February 2, 1846. Frank
Funke was the son of Stephan and Mary Funke. The
Funke family left Germany when Frank was a young
lad. His father died aboard ship enroute to the United
States. Mrs. Mary Funke and her young sons settled
in St. Louis, Mo. Frank Funke received his education
at St. Joseph's School in St. Louis.

In the 1860's, Frank Funke settled in Breese. He
operated a cigar shop in the Marks building. Mr. Funke
was a cigar maker by trade. He was engaged in this
business for a number of years. On November 24, 1870,
Frank Funke married Catherine Marks. They were the
parents of nine children, namely; Frank, Alois, Joseph,
Theresa (Mrs. Ben Buehne), Cecilia, Gertrude (Mrs.
Herman Pottmeier), Catherine, Elizabeth, and Rev. Henry
J. Funke. Today, there are two of these children living —
Misses Catherine and Elizabeth Funke. They reside in
the original building built by Mr. Marks.

Upon the death of Mr. Marks, Frank Funke helped
in the management of the Marks store. In addition, Mr.
Funke was an insurance agent. For many years Frank
Funke served as Justice of the Peace. He was a mem-
ber of the school board in 1902, when the present public
school was erected. Until his death, Mr. Funke took an
active interest in his church and community. He died
January 4, 1922 at the age of 76.

John Koch

John Koch was born at Westheim, Rhein Pfalz, Ger-
many, September 12, 1835. His parents were John Koch
and Margareta Zuber. He was the youngest of three
children; was raised in Westheim, and had ordinary
advantages for obtaining an education. After leaving
school, he worked on a farm two years, and then learned
the trade of a butcher. In August 1853, then not quite
eighteen years of age, he left his native country to make
his home in America. He made the voyage across the
Atlantic by himself, and reached New York in September.
From New York he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and from
there to Portsmouth, Ohio, where for a time he worked
at anything he could do, and then at the butcher busi-
ness. In 1855, he and anot' er young man bought out their
employer, and began business on their own account, and
the same year Mr. Koch moved to St. Louis. He remained
in St. Louis, working at his trade, until 1858. That year
he went back to the old country, having promised his
parents that he would visit them at the expiration of
five years. He returned to St. Louis in the fall of 1858.
On the 26th of March, 1859, he married Fredericka Gies-
elmann. daughter of Bernard Giesclmann. She was born
in Westphalia, and came to America in 1853.

In the spring of 1859, they came to Breese, which
was then a town of small size and importance. He began
business as a butcher, and also dealt in stock and grain.
He followed trading in cattle and was very successful in
that business. In 1863 he established the Koch Grain
Company, which became one of the largest grain com-
panies in the county. In the spring of 1881, he engaged
in the brick business in Breese. He also had an interest
in the Breese Mining Company, which was sold to the

Consolidated Coal Company in 1886.

Mr. and Mrs. John Koch had ten children, five
having died in infancy. Fred, who married Catherine Hof-
sommer, had a general merchandise store in Breese. He
passed away January 23, 1901. They had four children,
Walter J. Koch, who died December 25, 1925; Alvin C.
Koch, who recently passed away, Hulda (Mrs. John C.
Reeves) of Denver Colo., and Alma (Mrs. A. A. Gamble)
of Denver, Colo.

J. Otto Koch, who married Georgina Hofsonimer,
managed the Koch Grain Co. from 1888 until his death,
November 9, 1917. He was elected to the State Senate
in 1900, and served four years. He made an excellent
record. Previous to this he was county treasurer and
served in that capacity four years. They had two children,
Almeda (Mrs. Arthur Bush) of Denver, Colo., and Fa-win,
of St. Louis, Mo.

Bertha, who married Gus Schoenberg, left Breese
and lived in St. Louis. They had one son, Eugene, who
was engaged in the Schoenberg Screening Co. with his
father, until his death a few years ago.

Anna, who married Dr. Robert Flader, lived in St.
Louis. They had one daughter, Alvera.

Henry married Bertha Lappe. He was in business
with his father and also was greatly interested in civic
affairs. He was mayor of Breese at the time of his death.

Hugenberg Family

Bernard Hugenberg came to this country from Ger-
many in 1873.

The family first settled on a farm, then moved to
town.

Bernard Hugenberg was street commissioner for the
village of Breese for 27 years.

The Misses Catherine, Margaret, and Helen have
been residents of Breese for 83 years and at their trade
as seamstresses for 72 years.

Two older sisters, Minnie and Mary married a Rater-
mann and Kellermann respectively. Miss Bernadine died
earlier.

All six sisters were seamstresses.

Conrad Schroeder

Conrad Schroeder came to this country with his
parents in 1852, landing at New York, where he remained
a little over a year. He then came to Breese, where he
resided until his death.

He was born at Leiterote, Kurhessen, Germany, July
15, 1835. In 1860 he married Christina Wiese. While
assisting in delivering the smokestacks to Sommer's
Mill, he met with an accident which was almost fatal,
and which crippled him for the balance of his life. He
learned the trade of wagon maker in Breese, located
where the former E. J. Schroeder residence now stands.
He was engaged in that occupation and in the implement
business at the time of his death August 12, 1902.
His daughter relates that the first well dug in Breese
was on his property and that the O. & M. Railroad would
stop their trains and get water from this well.

Of their eight children, four sons and four daughters,
three died in infancy. Henry W. Schroeder (now deceased)
married Lillie Hofsommer. At first he operated a lumber

yard with his brother-in-law, Emil G. Hofsommer, where
the present REA building now stands, and later went
in the business for himself, just north of the Breese
Power and Light plant. They had four children. Melva
passed away December 29, 1943; Erma lives in St. Louis;
Margaret (Mrs. Peter Quader) lives in Fenton, Mo., and
Carl lives in Breese.

Emil J. Schroeder married Nellie Dorries and lives
in Springfield, 111. They have one daughter, Cornelia
(Mrs. Bob Hodges) of Springfield, 111; one son, Wesley
Schroeder of Denver, Colo., and another son, Wallace
who died while in the service during World War II.

Carrie, who for many years worked in the E. J.
Schroeder Store in Breese, passed away April 30, 1948.

Louisa married Emil G. Hofsommer (now deceased)
and she is still living in Breese. They have two sons,
Dr. Armin Hofsommer, M. D. of Webster Groves, Mo., and
Theodore W. Hofsommer, a lawyer living in Chicago, 111.

Lydia married August J. Hofsommer and they are
living in Breese. They have one daughter, Valentina
(Mrs. Ed Weiland) of Decatur, 111.

Frederick Dorries

Frederick Dorries was born in Brunswick, Germany,
and when (|uite young he came to America with his
parents. He married Sophia Wulze, March 19, 1868. Mrs.
Dorries was born in Hanover, Germany, June 20, 1848,
coming to America with her parents when 5 years of age.

They had ten children: Ida, Fritz, Julius, Bertha,
August, Bernard, Pauline, Rosa, Harry, and Louis. They
all made Breese and vicinity their residence. Bertha, Mrs.
Walter Sehaffner, now of St. Louis, Mo., and Bernard
(Ben) Dorries, Breese, III., are the only living children.

At first they lived on the old Biggie farm northeast
of Breese and after four years of farming, they moved
to Breese on North Second and Walnut Streets, where
Mrs. Joe Tewes lives at the present time.

Mr. Dorries was a grain dealer for a number of years,
served one term as sheriff of Clinton County, and was
a member of the village council a number of years. He
served as president (now mayor) of the \illage council
for two years. He was postmaster of Breese for about
seven years, or until his death December 25, 1910. His
son, Bernard, completed the second term and served
as postmaster of Breese for many years. Rlrs. Dorries
died May 1, 1924. They were among the early members
of St. John's Evangelical & Reformed Church and con-
tributed much to the welfare and growth of Breese.

William and Fritz Burhorn

In the year of 1858 the Burhorn brothers, William
and Fritz, of Borghalzhausen, Germany, emigrated to
America. They came by sail boat to New Orleans and
up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Fritz Burhorn
had forty cents in money and not knowing the language
of the country, they slept in straw stacks for a few
nights, seeking employment by day.

In Germany they had served as apprentices to trades-
men. Fritz, a stone mason and cooper and William, a
shoe maker. However, when arriving in this country, they
accepted the first jobs available, those of farm hands.
They settled near Washington, Mo. Having served three

and one-half years with Co. E, Fii-st Regiment, Missouri
State Militia Infantry, Fritz located in Breese as did
his brother, William.

William was married and built a home on the cor-
ner of North Main and Fourth Streets. Here he conducted
his shoe store and reared a family. Several children
died in infancy. The two surviving were the late Mrs.
Anton Koch and Fred, of Denver, who passed away
several years ago.

Fritz Burhorn married Willamine Freise. He built
a home at 628 North Fifth Street, now occupied by Mrs.
Ina Schmidt. Here he followed the trade of a stone
mason and cooper and reared the family. Ten children
were born to this union. Some of them passed away
when quite young, but the late C. J. Burhorn, Mrs.
Emma Rogalla, Fred Burhorn, Jr., and Henry Burhorn,
passed away as the years went by. One daughter re-
mains, Mrs. Otto Von Gerichten of Carlyle, HI.

Both of these brothers were active in the early
village and city government. Their names appear on
the roster of the first membership of St. John's Church
of Breese. Their burial plots are side by side in St. John's
cemetery.

Theodore Bruegge

Theodore Bruegge was one of the pioneer business
men of Breese. He was born in the year 1842, in West-
phalia, Germany, and came to the United States early
in life. He first settled in Germantown, where he was
united in marriage to Louise Barth of St. Rose Town-
ship in 1865, who was the daughter of Peter Barth,
one of the first settlers of that township. To this union
three children were born, two sons and a daughter.
Only the daughter is living today. She is Mrs. Jule
Schmidt, formerly of Breese, but is presently living in
Kansas City.

A short time after their marriage they moved to
Breese and Mr. Bruegge, being a cabinet maker by trade,
started a furniture stoi'e and undertaking establishment
here as early as 1874. He manufactured nearly all of
the furniture that he sold in those days. This establish-
ment was located on the corner of North First and Cherry
Streets. The family lived in the small home adjoining
the store.

Henry, the oldest son, was born March 28, 1882. He
received his education in St. Dominic Parochial School
Early in life he began work at the East Mine and also
assisted his father in the store in the evenings. He at-
tended Embalmers College in Quincy, 111., in 1902 and
received his certificate as a licensed embalmer. In 1912
he became a partner in business with his father and the
firm was known as Theodore Bruegge and Son.

On June 21, 1904, he was married to Josephine Goell-
ner, who with her mother, Mrs. Ferd Goellner, operated
a millinery store in Breese for many years. To this
union five children were born, three daughters and two
sons. Henry Bruegge continued to serve the people of
Breese until his death in 1954. The business is still in
oreration, being bought in 1952 by Ferd Bruegge, the
youngest son of Henry Bruegge and Louis Heyer, his
son-in-law. It is now known as Bruegge and Co. and the
store is located at 560 North Second Street. The Funreal
Home is located at 620 North Second Street.

Henry B. Hummert

The coal mining industry had a major part in the
development of Breese, and a man who promoted that
industry was Henry B. Hummert. He was born in Breese
in 1859, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hummert, who had
lived here but a short time previous to his birth.

Henry B. Hummert began his mining career in 1881
with the Consolidated Coal Co., which operated the West
Mine here. He later became associated with the Breese
Mining Company as foreman, advancing to superintendent
in 1892. A consolidation brought about the Breese-Tren-
ton Mining Co., and he became general manager and vice-
president of this company, serving as same until his
death March 28, 1937.

He was the principal organizer of the State Bank of
Breese, in 1910, and was president of that banking insti-
tution until his death. He had also served as mayor of
the city of Breese for several terms as well as treasurer
for the local school district and assessor for the township.

He was married to Miss Mary Klutho in 1882. Six
children were born to them, one preceding the parents in
death in infancy. A daughter. Sister Ruth, died in the
year 1944, and a son, August, died in 1954. A daughter,
Sister M. Mechtildes, survives, living at New Orleans,
Louisiana, and two sons surviving are Victor of Breese,
and Robert of Dayton, Ohio.

William G. Kaune

The Kaune family originated in Jamestown, Illinois.
William G. was born there in 1851, the son of Charles H.
and Ernestine Kaune. His father was a native of Hanover,
Germany and came to this country in 1844. He first set-
tled in Greenville, 111., later in Jamestown. There he
married Ernestine Weidner of Highland, Illinois. At that
time, emigrants from Switzerland had settled in the
Highland district and the Weidners were a family of them.

Charles H. Kaune conducted a general store in James-
town until 1865 when he located in Breese and built
the Eagle Star Flour Mill; also two brick homesteads,
which are landmarks here of 91 years ago.

On locating in Breese, Charles H. Kaune laid out
an addition to the town of Breese, called the Kaune
addition.

In 1876 Charles H. Kaune retired from the milling
business, transferring same to his three sons: William G.,
Henry Spencer, and Charles A. Henry Spencer left the
partnership and went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for his
health; he died at the age of 72 years. Charles A. died
early in life.

William G. was left sole proprietor of the mill; until
1891 when he retired, upon selling the mill to Koch
Bros. In 1874 he had married Sarah A. Donne, a daughter
of Robert and Gertrude Donne, pioneers of Breese.

Old settlers will remember other members of the
Donne family besides Sarah A., namely; Robert, Benjamin
H., Henry, Mary (Mrs. Koch), Elizabeth (Mrs. Hesse),
and Miss Katie, who died in 1951 at the age of 84 years.

After 1891, William G. Kaune was connected with
the Kerens & Donnewald Coal Co. at Edwardsville, 111.
He died, after a short illness, July 4, 1906, at the age

of 52 years. During his lifetime, he held a number of
responsible positions. He was President of the Board of
Trustees of the Village of Breese, Treasurer, Clerk, and
Supervisor of the Township; State Treasurer of the
Catholic Knights of Illinois, member of the Catholic
Knights of America and the Merchants Exchange of
St. Louis. In 1887 he was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives, 35th General Assembly, at Springfield, 111.
William G. Kaune attended McKendree College at Leb-
anon, 111., St. Joseph's at Teutopolis, 111., and Christian
Brothers College at St. Louis.

At his death, he left his wife, Sarah A. (nee Donne)
and four children: W. C, Robert, Cecilia (Sister Cecilia
Marie) and Olivia (Mrs. Charles Casey). Mrs. Sarah A.
Kaune died in 1924; W. C. Kaune died in 1935 at Glendale,
California, and Robert Kaune died in 1952 at Carmel,
California. Sister Cecilia Marie entered the Loretto Or-
der at Nerinx, Kentucky, in 1900. She is a resident at
the Loretto Academy, Englewood (suburb of Denver),
Colorado. Mrs. Casey resides in t' e old Kaune homestead
at North Third and Chestnut Streets, with her husband,
Charles Casey. They have three daughters, Mary Vir-
ginia, Cecilia (Mrs. John Hebenstreit) and Kathryn,
and a son, Charles B. Casey.

Andreas John Vander Pluym

Andreas John Vander Pluym came to this country
from Holland in 1852. He settled in Breese, where he
built his home and earned his living as a shoemaker.
Shoes in those days were hand-made, held together by
square wood pegs and hand stitching. He often told of
the deer and prairie chickens which were seen quite often
in what is now Breese proper.

His home, built in 1853, was the third home built
in what is now the City of Breese and is still occupied.
This home is the first house located east of the William
Zinschlag tavern.

Andreas John Vander Pluym had five children: Mary,
Louis, Lizzie, John and Cornelius. Since Breese had no
Catholic church at that time, they attended church serv-
ices in Germantown, getting there by box wagon drawn
by horses or oxen.

One son, Louis, later opened a hardware store in
Breese. After some years he built a new building (1899)
for business. This building is now occupied by the P. M. A.
offices. Louis had six children; they were Louis Jr.,
Alphonse, Gertrude, Olivia, Florence and George.

Louis Jr., a lifelong resident of Breese until a few
years ago, had eleven children: Richard and Robert are
the only members of the Vander Pluym family still
living in Breese. Both are sons of Louis Vander Pluym Jr.

George Schwarz

George Schwarz was bom in 1836 in Altenberg,
Germany, and came to Breese in 1859. He was united
in marriage to Christina Wolf, born in 1841 in Alsace Lor-
raine, Germany. Their first home here was in one room
of the Old Hotel on North Broadway in Breese. Living
quarters were very scarce at that time.

A few years later they moved to a large frame
building on the corner of North Chestnut and Broadway
until the year, 1870, when they moved into their new

home at 841 North Second Street.

Mr. Schwarz was engaged in the painting business,
his work keeping him busy only in the summer; in the
winter months he would work in the coal mine and do
some work in the timber, cutting wood for lumber.

To them seven children were born, George, Cather-
ine, Ben J., Carolina Thien, all deceased, and Catherine
Vander Pluym, living at Aviston, Elizabeth Hallermann,
of St. Louis, and Frank Schwarz, living at East St.
Louis.

The faf-er died in January, 1907, and his wife died
in December, 1909.

The son, Ben Schwarz, who died in 1953, continued
in the painting business here until his death. His sons,
Sylvester and Frank, also continue with the business.

Mr. Schwarz's wife, the former Miss Catherine Ben-
hoff, is still living, occupying the Schwarz homestead.

Theodore Niemann

The family of Theodore Niemann, consisting of two
sons, Henry and Joseph, and a daughter, Mary, lived at
Koppeln Kloppenburg in Oldenburg, Germany. The
mother died at an early age.

When the time came for Joseph to serve in the army,
he, together with three other young men, left for Ameri-
ca; t' e other boys were Henry Lampen, Henry Holthaus
and Wenceslaus Hagen. They landed in New York in
May, 1835. Joseph went to Pennsylvania and worked on
farms there.

In the fall of 1836, the father, Theodore Niemann,
and the other two children, immigrated to this country,
and came to St. Louis by way of New Orleans. In the
meantime Joseph had hired out on a steamboat, on the
Ohio River, bound for Cairo, 111., and from there he
worked his way on a boat to St. Louis, where he joined
his father, brother and sister.

In the spring of 1837 the family came to Clinton
County. 111., and bought 40 acres of land in section 27,
town 2, range 4w.

One of the boys, Henry, worked for Bohne & Heman
who had the contract to build bridges across Shoal and
Beaver Creeks, along t' e Old State Road. The father
and Joseph worked on the farm and Mary kept house
for the family. In the fall of 1837 they all became ill
with typhoid fever, and it was during this time that the
father died. He is buried in the Germantown Ceme-
tery.

Joseph and Mary never married and continued to
work on the farm until t' e spring of 1855 when they
sold the farm to Fritz Huelsmann. Mary went to St.
Louis and shortly after entered the Ursaline Convent and
was sent to New York. She died in the fall of 1872 in
East Morrison, N. Y. at age 56. Joseph worked among
the farmers. He died in 1892 at the age of 78.

The other son, Henry, married Mary Schroer in
1842 and lived a half mile south of Breese until 1849
when he sold this farm and bought the present Niemann
farm a half mile west of Breese. They had three chil-
dren, Joseph, Mary and Anna. The mother died in 1851
at age 38. The two girls died of typhoid fever in 1854.

In 1853 the father married Mary Beckermann; they had
three boys and a girl. The father died in 1863 at age 52.
The son, Joseph, stayed with his step mother until 1864
and then worked two years for Theodore Huelsmann. In
the fall of 1866 he purchased his stepmother's interest
in the fann. His stepmother, with her children, later
moved to Piqua, Kansas, where she died in 1892.

Joseph Niemann, who has since died, the last of the
Henry Niemann family, was born in 1843 on the farm a
half mile south of Breese. He often told the story that
his parents bought their first stove and their first clock
about the time he made his first communion. He was
married to Miss Anna Schroer in 1869. To this union
eig' t children were born. The living are: Mrs. Martin
Altepeter, Frank Niemann, Mrs. Henry Knies and Miss
Catherine Niemann.

The father died in 1935 at the age of 92, and the
mother passed away in 1938 at age 87.

Dr. Charles E. Gissy

Dr. Charles E. Gissy, father of Eugene J. Gissy
of Breese, was perhaps the first doctor in Breese. He
came to the city in 1875, and after practicing his pro-
fession here a few years, purchased a drug store from
Louis Hobie.

Dr. Gissy was born in Alsace Lorraine, Germany and
came to America when a young man. He studied for
the profession of medical doctor in Philadelphia, Penn.,
and came to this area, as his father, Dr. Chas. E. V.
Gis.sy was located in Germantown. He was married to
Miss Christina Albers in Breese. Five children were
born to them. Eugene resides in Breese, and Miss Ro-
salie lives in St. Louis; three other children are deceased;
they are. Sister Regina, Adolph and Alphonse. His
first wife died in 1889.

In 1891 he was married to Miss Clara Schlarmann,
and they became the parents of a daughter, Eulalia,
the late wife of V. J. Hummert, and Dr. Carl Gissy, re-
siding in St. Louis.

Dr. Gissy passed away in 1901, and his wife died in
193.5.

After his death, his son, Eugene, was the local drug-
gist; he sold the business to Richard Hummert in 1948;
in the early part of 1956, Mr. Kummei't sold the business,
known as the Gissy Rexal! Drug Store, to Dan Krech-
nyak, of Staunton, 111.

Caspar Hofsommer

Caspar Hofsommer, Sr. was born in Kirchhosbach,
Kurhessen, Germany, June 21, 1820, and was orphaned
by his father's death when a boy of twelve. He served
in the German army for five years. He came to America
June 10, 1847, and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he
drove a wagon for the William Lemp Brewery Company.
Afterward, he engaged in driving a produce and supply
wagon between St. Louis and Carlyle, but changed his
occupation ag^'in in 1854, when he settled in Beaver
Prairie, near Frogtown.

On June 10, 1854, he married Catherine Dunkel.
Mrs. Hofsommer was born June 4, 1836, in Allmutshausen,

Kreis, Hamburg, Hesen Nassau, Germany. When only
seventeen years of age, in company with friends, she
bravely set out for America on a small wooden sailing
vessel, and after a weary, tempestuous voyage of several
months duration, she landed safely at the port of New
Orleans in 1853. From this point she sailed up the Mis-
sissippi to St. Louis, where old friends greeted her and
took her to Illinois, there to live with her uncle, Jacob
Lappe, on a farm near Breese.

Mr. and Mrs. Caspar Hofsommer, Sr. made their
home on a farm near Frogtown. Their home was a pioneer
log cabin and the land was unimproved. They lived a
simple life and endured the privations of the early pio-
neer. In 1858, they moved to Breese Township, a mile
north of Breese, where they lived for over thirty years.
The land was all wild prairie and neighbors were com-
paratively few. Mr. Hofsommer, however, was very ener-
getic and persevering, and soon succeeded in placing the
land under excellent cultivation.

In 1888 he opened a general store on North Second
and North Main Streets, the former site of the T. H.
Partington store. Later his son, William, operated the
store and he did farming and stock raising.

In 1892, they moved to Breese on North Main and
North Seventh Streets, where their son, August J. Hof-
sommer is living at the present time. Mr. Hofsommer
passed away July 1, 1897 and Mrs. Hofsommer died
August 22, 1917.

Eleven children were born to them, seven boys and
four girls, four of which died in infancy. The other seven
children grew to adulthood in Breese and have been
closely associated with its history.

William J. Hofsommer (now deceased) married Fred-
ericka Helwig. He was a successful farmer and dairyman
in Breese Township, building up a large farm on the
western outskirts of Breese. He will be remembered as
one of the first milkmen (Clover Leaf Dairy) in Breese,
delivering from house to house with a horse and wagon,
ringing a bell to let the people know when he was in
their neighborhood. The people would then go to the
wagon to get the milk. They had five children, two
dying in infancy, and Olga (Mrs. August Glancy) passed
away in 1936. Lillie (Mrs. Henry W. Schroeder) lives in
Breese and Charles, who lives in Pasadena, California.

Catherine (now deceased) married Fred Koch, a for-
mer merchant of Ereese.They had two sons and two
daughters. Walter J. Koch, who died December 25, 1925;
Alvin C. Koch, who died March 15, 1956; Hulda (Mrs.
John C. Reeves of Denver Colo., and Alma (Mrs. A. A.
Gamble) of Denver, Colo.

Georgine (now deceased) married John Otto Koch,
who was manager of the Koch Grain Co., treasurer of
Clinton County from 1894^1898, and who was elected
State Senator from this district in 1900. Their daughter,
Almeda (Mrs. Arthur Bush) lives in Denver, Colo., and
a son, Erwin, lives in St. Louis, Mo.

Caspar C. (now deceased) married Catherine Eilts,
of Minonk, Illinois. He was a successful farmer, dairy-
man, and fruit grower. He also was the founder of Pi'airie
View Dairy. He was active in civic affairs and an en-
thusiastic worker in anything and everything that was
for the good and advancement of the city of Bi-eese, the
farrer, "nd Clinton County. They had eight children, two
dying in infancy and Caspar Jr. passing away November

7, 1918. Annette, Gretchen, Harry C, and Hugo W. live
in Breese and Catherine lives in Glendale, California.

Emil G. (now deceased) married Louisa Schroeder,
and she is still living in Breese. Mr. Hofsommer was
in the lumber business -with his brother-in-law, Henry W.
Schroeder, for many years, and also was a prosperous
farmer. They have two sons, Dr. Armin Hofsommer, M. D.,
of Webster Groves, Mo., and Theodore W. Hofsommer,
a lawyer in Chicago, 111.

August J. married Lydia Schroeder and they are
living in Breese. He was a successful farmer, engaged
in raising livestock and large crops of grain, until his
retirement a number of years ago. They have one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Ed Weiland, who lives in Decatur, 111.

Reinhardt married Trienchen Gintz. He operated
a lumber yard in Belleville, 111., and passed away January
25, 1917. They have one daughter, Mrs. Rosalie Owens,
of St. Louis.

The Hofsommers have all been members of St. John's
Evangelical and Reformed Church and have taken an ac-
tive part in church affairs. They have contributed much to
the welfare and gro^A'th of Breese, and many of the
descendants still live in and near Breese.

Henry E. Schmidt

Henry E. Schmidt was born in Breese Januarj' 19,
1861, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Schmidt. He
was bom in the building at North Main and Second Sts.,
which is now occupied as a shoe repair shop, and at
that time by Emest Heberer, a tailor. Mr. Schmidt re-
ceived his education in the Breese Public School located
in a log building east of the present fire station. In the
summer he attended St. Dominic's School, as school was
in session almost t' e year round. He also attended St.
John's Parochial School for two years. His mother passed
away in 1877, and six weeks after her death his father
passed away, leaving Mr. Schmidt an orphan.

At the age of seventeen he started working for
Carl Dorries, who was in the soda, beer, and ice busi-
ness, remaining with him until he was 21 years of age.
He then entered Southern Illinois University at Carbon-
dale, taking a course in teaching there for two years.
His books and tuition were paid by the school with the
pledge that he would teach for a period of 25 years.

In October, 1884, he started teaching in the one-room
public school in Breese and had an enrollment of 70
pupils. He taught seven years, resigning November 23,
1891. He then accepted an offer at the mill here, working
there as a clerk from 1891 to 1899. The mill burned down
and he found employment at Hoffman and Helwig, general
merchants of Breese. In September, 1909, he returned to
teaching, retiring May 30, 1930, at the age of 70 years.

In public offices, Mr. Schmidt held three different
positions, ser\-ing two years as township collector, was
elected township clerk for two years, and served as city
treasurer, following the first city treasurer, John Kliec.

He was a member of the Breese Volunteer Fire De-
partment for almost 60 years, serving as its secretary
for more than 35 years. He also was secretary of the
Concordia Saengerchor for over 55 years and a member
of the organization for 74 years.

He married Emelia Gerdes in 1886. Ten children were
born to this union, two dying in infancy and Harold and
Alfred dying in early manhood.

Conrad Helwig

Conrad Helwig was born in Relbehausen, Bez. Kassel,
Germany, November 8, 1835. He and his sister came to
America and settled in St. Louis, leaving one brother in
Germany. He married Wilhelmina Gieselmann, daughter
of Bernard Gieselmann. She was born Mach 14, 1837, in
Westphalia, Germany.

They came to Breese after they were married and
built a home west of the office of Drs. Ketterer and Ket-
terer. where Mr. Helwig also carried on his business, in
another building, as a cooper, making barrels. He was
one of the first citizens mentioned in the town of Breese,
and took an active part in the village during the period
of 1876 to 1880.

Twelve children were bom to them, six boys dying in
infancy. One son survived to be a progressive and active
business man in Breese, being .August J. Helwig, who
died in 1930. There were five daughters, namely, Mrs.
Wm. Hofsommer, Mrs. Herman Fasnacht, Mrs. Fred Bus-
ley, Mrs. Wm. Dorries and Mrs. Charles Dorries, the lat-
ter being the only one who survives.

Theodore Klutho

Theodore was a native of Prussia, and was born at
Stormede, in Westphalia, on the 12th of February, 1830.
His father was Henry Klutho and his mother's name
befoie marriage was Theresia Butz. Theodore was the
youngest of four children. He was raised in his native
town. He went to school from the time he was seven
till fourteen, and then worked on a farm until his 21st
year, when he went into the Prussian army. He served
three years in the 1st Prussian regiment, which had the
honor to be the special bodyguard to the king. He was
stationed at Potsdam and Berlin. After the e.xpiration
of his term of service in the army, he emigrated to Amer-
ica. He landed at New Orleans on the 21st of December,
1854. From New Orleans he went to Louisville, Ky., and
thence to Frankfort, in the same state, where he learned
the trade of carpenter.

In September, 1856, he came to St. Louis, and was
working at his trade in that city until the latter part
of the summer of 1858, when he came to Breese, where
he resided the remainder of his life.

When he settled in Breese t' e town was composed
of only four or five buildings. He formed a partnership
with Henry Dillmann and Fritz Schulte, and the firm
carried on the carpentering and building business for
several years. Most of the houses in the town of Breese
were built by this firm. In 1862, Mr. Klutho went into
the lumber business. He married in October, 1863, to
Maria Marks, who was born in Sugar Creek Township,
Clinton County. She died in December, 1864. His second
marriage took place in January, 1866, to Anna Molitor,
who was born in Germantown Township, Clinton County.
He had four children by his last marriage, whose names
were Henry, John, August and Regina. Esquire Klutho
was one of the oldest business men in Breese. He came
to the place when it was in its infancy, and was closely
associated with its growth and prosperity. He filled the
office of postmaster at Breese from 1863 to 1865. He was
elected justice of the peace in 1872. He also represented
Breese Township on the Board of Supervisors from the
spring of 1879 to the spring of 1880.

OLD BREESE SETTLERS FROM 1838 TO 1868 WHO STILL HAVE
RELATIVES LIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY:

Theodore Huelsmann 1838

Benedict Haar 1838

Henry Altepeter 1838

Henry Budde 1838

Gerhard H. Otke 1838

Clemens Maue 1841

Anna M. Molitor 1842

John B. Albers. 1843

Christian Schroeder 184.^

Bernard Voss 1845

H. C. Schroeder 1846

G. Henry Peters 1846

Theodore Timmermann 1846

Clemens Foppe 1847

Henry Hagen 1 847

Gerhard Richter . 1847

William Timmermann 1847

Henry J. Usselmann .1849

Henry Holtgrave 1850

J. Herman Korte 1850

Charles E. Gissy 1851

Theodore H. Lager 1852

Henrv Dorries 1852

William l>:ichter 1855

Eliza Schoenefeld . 1856

Gerhard J. Immethun 1856

Fritz Dorries 1857

Theodore Khitho, Sr 1857

Jdhn W. Schaffner 1857

Anna Kriiep 1857

Henry Freund 1859

Jodocns Petermeier 1861

Gerhard Huelskamp . 1861

Louis Meissner . 1862

Mary Niemeier 1862

Anna P.oenhoff 1862

Henry Richter 1866

Theo. Deehen 1868

SOURCE OF AUTHORITIES
• Golden Jubilee Book of St. Dominic's.

• Early History of Illinois,
By Sidney Breese.

• History of Marion and Clinton Counties,
By Brink, McDonough and Co.

• The Illinois Citizen,

By Brown and Pearson.

• Records of City of Breese, Illinois.

• Commercial History of Clinton County,
By East St. Louis Gazette. (1913).

• Ideals Magazine,

By Ideals Publishing Co.

• Waller's Brief History of Illinois,
By Elbert Waller.

• Records of H. C. Norcross, Carlyle, 111.

Postal Service in Breese

The postal service in Breese has "come a long way",
like many other services that are enjoyed in Breese today.

First there was the general delivery, then call and
lock boxes — then delivery service came, and up to a few
years ago all patrons had two deliveries each day. Now
two deliveries are limited to business places, which is the
practice throughout the nation. This curtailment became
effective a few years ago in a move towards economy.

The photo above shows the post office when it was
located at North Main and Second Streets. The men in
front are Postmaster Fritz Dorries (left) and Frank
Burmeister. The picture was taken in 1909. The post
office was located there as early as 1893. In 1914 it
was moved to the building, what is now the warehouse
of Niebur Hardware Store. Then it was moved, in 1922,
to what is now the Kozy Korner. and in 1929 was moved
to the present location.

Postmasters who served in Breese, and the dates of
their appointments are as follows:

Robert S. M. Donne October 30, 1857

James L. Hoffman - June 12, 1862

Emile Bandelier - - March 12, 1864

Theodore Klutho February 7, 1865

Gottlieb Blattner - February 20, 1867

Frederich Lipps -._ - - November 17, 1870

Lewis Hobie _ - August 14, 1877

Henry Freund - ■- August 5, 1881

Berniiard Hagen — - October 26, 1885

Henry Freund -... - April 29, 1889

Herman Niemann.._ _ May 17, 1893

Fritz Dorries _ - - July 21, 1897

Ben A. Dorries _... December 26, 1910

John 0. Koch _ January 27, 1911

Henry Wertk... September 1, 1913

Bernard A. Dorries March 31, 1922

John H. Knies June 18, 1934

Frwin J. Mahlandt _ - July 27, 1937

Robert A. Hummert August 31, 1953

Robert Hummert is serving as postmaster at the
present time. The post office of Preese is of first class
with annual receipts of over $50,000.00.

The post office is present' y operated in a building on
North Second Street, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Henry B.
Robben, which was built in the early thirties by F. C.

Niemeyer for post office quarters. In 1938 the Federal
Government purchased a site at North Clinton and Second
Streets from E. J. Gissy for a federal building. However,
World War II brought about a deferrment of such con-
struction; when the government had made a supplemental
allocation in 1949, and consideration was again given to
proceed with the new post office building in Breese, the
Korean conflict developed, and postponement was again
ordered. At this time no definite date has been announced
as to when work will begin on the new building.

The records of the Post Office Department now in the
National Archives, show that the post office in Breese
was established as Shoal Creek Station on October 30,
1857. Its name was changed to Breese on January 21,
1881.

Telephone Service in Breese

When the first telephone came to Breese, HI., it
came, like another historic event, from the east, and
a small exchange was placed in the retail shop of Schmidt
Bros. Bakery. The approximate year was 1898. A Clinton
County Company was formed with headquarters in Carlyle
111. Lines were built to the esat and west of that city, and
the first manager was a certain Mr. Knapp.

Dr. William Bechtold and Ben Donne were some of
the local people financially interested in the company
and were among the very few who had telephones in
their homes. Public acceptance of this new gadget was
extremely slow and so was the company's income. There
seemed to be a lot of magic in this new contrivance
which folks mistrusted. And it made you feel foolish to
talk to a box.

In the beginning the principal duties of an exchange
operator was receiving or sending one or two calls a day.
A messenger had to be sent out to bring in the party
wanted. Communication between people in Breese who had
phones was, indeed, a rare occurrence.

With the advent of time and growth of the town
the telephone became a more important feature.

In 1913 a Citizens Telephone Company came into the
picture — and in 1925, the Bell Telephone Company. One
company, connected to the Kinloch Telephone Company in
St. Louis, presumably the Citizens, and the Bell Co.
connected with its line in St. Louis. In 1938 an agreement
was made between the city and the telephone company.

In 1949 the Bell Telephone Company received a 50-
year franchise to operate in the City of Breese. Since
1955 the dial system has been introduced. With t' e in-
stallation of the dial system, the crank type bell boxes
were eliminated, and a revolutionary change made in
the telephone service. The telephone office on North
Main Street was discontinued, and the operators relieved
of their duties.

There were 826 telephones in use in Breese as of
January 31, 1956. This is quite an increase from 1924,
when there were only 223 telephones in the community.
In 193C there were only 219 and in 1935, 211; the increase
was very small up to 1940, as in that year only 254 tele-
phones were in operation here. Figures of 1955 show a
tremendous increase, as 822 were in service then.

The Churches of Breese

In the history of the churches of Breese there are
rcany things doubtless intensely interesting that we
should like to record. However, to give all the related
incidents and events would require a good size volume
of itself. We shall therefore have to be content with giv-
ing- a brief sketch of the churches in Breese.

St. Dominic's Church

This sketch is based on information gained from a
German Souvenir book of the Golden Jubilee celebration
in the parish in 1908 and supplemented by a typewritten
history of the parish presumably written about 193.5 by
an unknown writer but v.'hich is in great part a trans-
lation of the German souvenir book and was among
church records. The writer also has recollection of many

events in the parish and of narrations by gr.nuipaients,
parents and elderly people. Tnform"tion on the more re-
cent activities and events v.-ere gi' en by Rev. Father
Aydt, present pastor of St. Dominic parish.

The histor/ of St. Dominic parish strictlv sneahin.a:
begins only with the erection of the first church in 1858,

the parish records begin in that year. But the circum-
stances and developments that led to its foundation date
back farther and these belong to the history of its begin-
ning. These earlier facts and conditions must be known
to appreciate the significance of the founding and growth
of the parish under the circumstances which prevailed.
However these are recorded in the history of Breese and
it will suffice to mention here that when St. Dominic par-
ish was founded s.n the site of what is now known as
Breese. there was not then a populous town wherein a
new parish was to be established but instead wild prairie.
It remained wild prairie land for many years after the
arrival of the settlers.

It was first broken for cultivation by Henry Alte-
peter. Herman Henry Reilmann bought this land and
sold eighty acres of it to Sanger Camp & Co. of Chicago,
who laid out the first twenty-four blocks of Breese. The
plat thereof w^as recorded February 1855. The first build-
ing erected thereon was the residence and store of Robert
S. M. Donne, northwest of the railroad depot.

The lots included in the original plat lay partly
north and partly south of the track of the Ohio and Miss-
issippi R. R., which had just been constructed through
this territory the year previous. This settlement of
Breese, was according to a narrative by Father Reineke,
first incorporated in 1871, officially designated as a vill-
age in 1876 and finally chartered as a city in 1905.

Shortly after the platting of this townsite in 1855
some forty of the catholic settlers residing in the north-
ern part of the entire Shoal Creek settlement (which
was the area from where the Old State Road crosses
Shoal Creek, 2^2 miles northeast of Breese and in a gen-
eral wav the entire area along the creek as far south as
Germantown) after having attended Sunday afternoon
ser ices in Hanover (Germantown), met in Breese for the
purpose of considering the erection of a church of their
own. The meeting was held in the open, on the founda-
tion of the Donne building, which was in the course of
construction at the time. This building still stands and is
now owned by Edward Meier.

The building- of a church in Breese was then decided
upon and arrangements immediately made for raising
the needed funds. Robert Donne pledged one-thousand
dollars thereto. The committee placed in charge of the
arrangements were: Robei-t Donne, Frank Morhenners,
Henry Holthaus. Joseph Ostermann, Fred Ratermann and
F. Willi«m Richter, duly placed the matter before Bishop
Van deVelde of Chicago, to whose diocese this territory
then belonged, for the purpose of obtaining the Bishop's
approval. The Bishop, however, requested the people of
Preese to wait two years, so that the completion of the
new church at Germantown could be assured. This re-
quest was complied with and the Breese peoole who were
niembers of the Germantown parish faithfully supported
that parish until that time.

Sanger Camp & Co. of Chicago, who had acquired own-
ership of and plntted the original portion of Breese, do-
nated a half-block to the proijosed new Catholic parish,
the company h^d also donated building sites to a few
other denominations, on the condition that the construc-
tion of a church thereon be begun pi-omptly. This is the
ha'f-Mock which is now occupied by the present St. Dom-
inic hall, school and convent. The site occupied by the
present new church and rectory was acquired later.

Preparations for the building of a church were then
promptly made. At this time the lower part of Illinois
was separated from the Diocese of Chicago and made a
diocese of its own, with the seat at Alton. Bishop Henry
Damian Juncl-er, first Bi?hop of Alton (now Springfield)
Diocese confirmed in Germantown in 1857 shortly after
his consecration. Having mside preparations for a visit
to Rome, the BishoD appointed Father Fortmann, then
at Germantov.n, to lay the cornerstone in his stead. Ac-
cordingly Father Fortmann came to Breese on August

2 1857 and laid the cornerstone of the first St. Dommic
church. The church which was of Roman style and
measured 40x60 feet, was completed early m October
1858 and was blessed on October 18th by Bishop Juncker
of Alton. The Bishop was accompanied on that oc-
casion by Rev. Father August Reineke, whom he had
brought from Germany as a student, whom he had
ordained and who had arrived at Germantowm a few days
previous with the appointment to be the first pastor at
Breese. The primitiveness of conditions at the time of
the completion of the church are apparent from remarks
of Father Reineke in his narrative in the Golden Jubilee
souvenir book. These remarks are to the effect that a
bare altar stood in the church, that the Bishop tore up
pieces of linen for altar cloths, that a plain bucket was
used for the holy water and a bundle of weeds for the
sprinkler and that there was no choir.

A small two-room frame building, with one room
annexed to it, owmed by Herman Kruep and located where
the present school play-grounds are, served as a tempo-
raiT rectory. The pastor first took his meals with
Gerhard Taphorn, who lived where the city hall now
stands— until the following spring when his sister ar-
rived and thenceforth kept house for him. In the fall
of 1859 a new four room brick rectory was completed
on the site of the present St. Dominic school; after the
completion of the present rectory, it was used as a teach-
er's residence for years.

Provisions for a cemetery were also soon made. Two
acres of land northwest of Breese, were donated by Theo-
dore H. Niemann, for that purpose. Some burials had been
made there previously, at the time when the cholera pre-
vailed in Germantown. James Croak, native of Ireland,
and great-great grandfather of the WTiter, was accord-
ing to narratives of relatives, the first one to be buried
there, his grave is at the southeast corner of the cemetery
with the old tombstone still standing.

The rapid growth of the settlement around Breese
and of the parish itself will be seen from that shortly
after the completion of the church, there were seven
Catholic families living in Breese proper, namely those of
Robert Donne, Frank Morhenners, Gerhard Taphorn,
Peter Werner, Thomas Brown and John Vander Pluym;
and nearly seventy other families belonging to the new
parish resided on newly acquired and broken farm tracts
in the surrounding prairie. These latter were those of,
Joseph Ostermann, Conrad Vornholt, Frederick Huels-
niann, Theodore Huelsmann, Henry Kruep, Stephen Bax,
Bernard Buchholt, Wenceslous Hagen, Gerhard Niemey-
er, Joseph Niemann, Bernard Rausch, Herman Kruep,
Henrv Kruep Jr., Gerhard Otke, Henry Reilmann, Casper
Schavisdick, John Voss, the widow Altepeter, Bernard
Somniers, Gerhard Heidemann, Bernard Kauling, Michael
Goldschmidt, Clemens Niebur, Herman Schulte, Theodore
Heidemann, Gerhard Holtgrave, Henry Altepeter, Bern-
ard Voss. Bernard Schoenefeld, Henry Alberternst, Ger-
hard Geers, Wilhelm Richter, Bernard Richter, Gerhard
Richter, Clemens Richter, John Wieberg, the widow Tell-
kamp, Theodore Lager, John B. Lager, Gerhard Voss-
holler, Theodore Overbeck, Patrick Archer, Owen Mulli-
gan, Frederick Ratermann, Bernard Diesel, S. N. Buehne,
Bernard Middeke, Joseph Dierkes, Henry Gerbersniann,
Herman Heitmann, Henry Wilke, Henry Schurmann, Hen-
ry Fiedler, Henry Buehne, Frederick Eckelmann, Ger-
hard Fouke, Bernard Hummert, Henry Pelzering, Joseph
Nadermann and Ernst Niebur. Frederick Ratermann and
Gerhard Richter served as the first church trustees. The
above names were the first Catholic families of Breese.

The parish was coming to be quite well established.
Missions to be attended to from Breese by Father Reineke
at that time were: Trenton, Summerfield, Lebanon, O'-
Fallon and also Carlyle at first, until it became a sep-
arate parish in 1859. It is recorded in the O'Fallon Cen-
tennial book that the first Holy Mass in O'Fallon was
said in 1858 by Father Reineke of Breese, in the residence
of Thomas Mackin.

At the time of the first Holy Mission conducted by
Franciscan Fathers in the fall of 1S58. Parish societies

were founded as follows; Men's Society, Altar Society foi
Women, Young Men's and a Young Women's Society.

The matter of education of the children was not
neglected. In the first years after the founding of the
parish, the children attended public schools or pri\ai;e
schools conducted by individual teachers. In 1861 the
parish built its first parochial school, a two-story brick
building measuring 25x40-ft., having school rooms on the
lower floor and living rooms or a convent for the sisters
above. At first no Sisters being available a Miss Mary
Mueller taught in the school; in 1865 Notre Dame Sisters
arrived and have continued in charge of the school evei
since. For ninety-one years Notre Dame Sisters have
been teaching in Breese. All of the more essential par-
ish buildings were now scarcely completed, a church, a
rectory, school and convent. When the constant and rapid
increase in parishioners, largely through immigratior
from Germany, soon made it apparent that the church
was too small. Plans were therefore considered of en-
larging the church, but in 1864 before these plans were
completed, Aviston was separated from Breese and built
a church of their own; thus temporarily the church at
Breese was amply large. However, the influx of immi-
grants continued and in 1866 the need of a larger church
again appeared. A meeting was held under the chair-
manship of Most Rev. Bishop Juncker, to consider the
advisability of constructing a new church. The church
was erected on newly acquired land; a lumber yard stood
there previously. The ground was donated by Frank
Marks. The new church is of Gothic design, it was com-
pleted about December 1869. The cost of same at that
time was about $65,000. Upon completion of the new
church, (the present St. Dominic Church), the old church
was converted into a school building and the other build-
ing which had until then served as both school and con-
vent and which stood just south of the present convent,
was reserved exclusively for a convent.

In 1870 St. Rose (formerly called Blue Mound) was
separated from Breese and became a parish of its own.
The village of Breese at that time had a population of
489. About twelve years after the completion of the new
church, the construction of the present rectory was begun
in 1881 and completed in 1882. Joseph Petermeyer Sr.,
was the contractor. Soon thereafter the old church build-
ing became too small as a school. Four large rooms were
therefore built in 1889, in front of and adjoining the
old church building, which, later, was converted, in
1892 into a parish hall thus combining school and hall into
one building. August Klutho was the contractor.

About this time the parish became part of the newl"
established Diocese of Belleville. In 1890 Mrs. Elizabeth
Speckmann died and in her will bequeathed to the parish
nine lots to be used for the purpose of building a hospital.
The building of St. Joseph's Hospital began 1898 and
completed in 1899. Only a few years after the hospital
was completed, a still larger school had to be built, name-
ly the present St. Dominic school. Construction of this
8-room structure was begun in 1901 and completed in
1902 at a cost of $25,000. The building which included
the first church school and hall was then remodeled and
the entire building made into a parish hall. The stage was
enlarged and also a gallery. A history could be written
about all the fine celebrations, socials meetings etc., held
therein.

Two years after completion of the new school, con-
struction of the present Sister's convent was begun in
1904, and it was completed in 1905. Henry Werth Sr.
was a teacher and the organist in the parish for many
years. There were two or three successors to Mr. Werth
"as teacher and organist. Mr. George Hentschel cme to
St. Doninic's in 1923 as organist and teacher of the 7th
and 8th grade boys in the school. Mr. Hentschel retired
from teaching in 1952. He is still organist and choir
director.

In 1905 Beckemeyer, (formerly called Buxton) was
separated from Breese and made a separate parish. Tn
the same year a severe hailrtorm did prreat danrG;e to
windows in the several buildings of St. Dominic parish.

The celebration of a Triple Golden Jubilee namely
that of the founding of the parish, that of Father Rein-
cKe's ordination and that of his pastorate was an out-
standing event in the history of the parish. The celebra-
tion proper was held on October 15, 1908. Father Rein-
€ke lived but a little more than a year after the great
Jubilee celebration. His death occurred November 26,
1909. The beloved pastor was laid to rest in St. Dominic
cemetery.

In the Golden Jubilee book which is largely a nar-
ration by Father Reineke but which contains other in-
formation and illustrations there is a summary of parish
statistics and it reveals that the parish had in spite of
the separation of the Aviston, St. Rose and Beckemeyer
parishes increased from the original 75 to 425 families
in those fifty years.

Rev. Father John F. Meifuss was appointed to suc-
ceed Father Reineke as pastor by the Most Rev. Bishop
J. J. Janssen. Father Meifuss assumed charge of St.
Dominic's early in 1910. The continued growth of the
parish which had characterized the more than 50 years
pastorate of Father Reineke, extended into the pastorate
of Father Meifuss.

In 1911 the organ loft in the church was enlarged in-
to a gallery for the school children and a new organ loft
was constructed above it for the choir. Thereby the seat-
ing capacity of the church was increased from 676 to
976, making it amply large for the needs of the parish.

Within a year or so thereafter, followed what will
be regarded as a development of great importance in the
history of the parish. After some preparation and agi-
tation in its behalf the southern portion of the parish was
formed into a separate parish, namely, St. Augustine's.
The Bishop approved of the proposal and the boundaries
of St. Dominic's were then restricted to the B. & 0. tracks
on the south, Shoal Creek on the east, the township
line between Breese and St. Rose township on the north
and the second mile road on the west.

In the fall of 1922 a high school was organized in
St. Dominic school \\-ith about fifteen students. In the
same year a central heating plant was built.

Father Meifuss, who remained pastor until his death
in 1926 was laid to rest in the cemgtery of the Fathers
of the Divine Word at Techny, 111. His obsequies took
place in St. Dominic church on March 9, 1926. Rt. Rev.
Msgr. Joseph Kaup, Vicar General of Belleville Diocese,
was then appointed pastor of St. Dominic's by Rt. Rev.
Bishop Henry Althoff.

In 1926 two acres of land were purchased as an ad-
dition to the cemetery. A concrete drive was built on
the cemetery in 1927 and on the addition in 1928. The
cemetery is used by the two Catholic parishes of Breese.
In 1931 a lot was purchased_ north of the school for ad-
ditional playgrounds for the school.

The year 1933 marked the 75th anniversary of the
founding: of St. Dominic's parish. On account of the'
unusually hard times the Rev. Kaup considered it an in-
opportune time to celebi'ate the anniversary. Therefore
he made arrangements for a two-week Holy Mission,
which was held from October 20th to November 13th and
was conducted by two Franciscan Fathers, Rev. Hon-
oratus Bon7elet O. F. M. and Rev. Mark Schludecker,
0. F. M. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Kaup died November 10, 1941.
Solemn funeral services were held in St. Dominic church
and then he was laid to rest in St. Mary's cemetery at Re-
nault, Illinois.

Rev. Father Henry H. Aydt was appointed by Rt.
Rev. Bishop Althoff to succeed as pastor of St. Dominic's
parish. Father Aydt was solemnly installed as pastor in
the church on January 15, 1942.

Many very important improvements were made in
the parish during Father Aydt's pastorate. One of the
first of these was in the church, namely, the lowering of
the Communion rail and the old pulpit was removed and
a new microphone and stand installed. Next a new floor
in the church and then the Tower clock was electrified and

bells made automatic. In 1953 the entire church was re-
decorated and altars etc. remodeled. A fine new Wick or-
gan was also built in. Necessary tuck-pointing of the rec-
tory was done and some redecoration and remodeling was
alto necessary therein. The Sister's convent also needed
many repairs and improvements and refurnishing.

In 1955 the school was tuck-pointed and new floors
laid in same, also entire interior redecorated. A new boil-
er for the central heating system also was installed.
The parish bought the Joseph Petermeyer house and six
lots next to the highway between Clinton and Cherry
streets and two lots fiom Antoinette Bernsden at North
Third and Cherry streets. These properties were bought
for the purpose of building thereon any necessary parish
buildings and also partly for school playgrounds. The
parish hall was also improved. The St. Dominic Cemetery
Corp. had a new Crucifixion group erected on the ceme-
tery. Marble statues replaced the old ones which were
of Terra Cotta.

Father Aydt was instrumental in the purchasing of
forty acres of land for the purpose of building thereon
the proposed Mater Dei High School. It is expected that
work of erecting same will begin in the near future.
Another noteworthy achievement by Father Aydt was the
institution of the Knights of Columbus Council in 1942
and of the Daughters of Isabella Circle in 1945. He has
been Chaplain of both of these organizations since they
were established here. The Fatima Club was also or-
ganized in St. Dominic's for the purpose of assistance
ai.d co-operation of parents, teachers and students. A
joyous occasion was the Silver Jubilee celebration of Or-
dination to the priesthood of Rev. Father Aydt, which
took place June 13, 1945.

Other very memorable joyous events were the first
Solemn Holy Mass celebrations of Priests-Sons of the
parish namely: Rev. Francis Marl:s in 1883, Rev. Henry
FunKe in 1924, Rev. Victor Feltrop in 1927, Rev. Leonard
Goewert in 1945, Rev. Cletus Hentschel in 1951 and Rev.
Robert Foppe in 1954. There were also vocations to
Brotherhoods in the parish namely: Brother Hyacinth
Bentler O. F. M.; Brother Francis Heidemann in 1912;
anl Brother Henry Heidemann in 1916, Brothers of Mary
and Brother Thomas Ratermann O. M. I. 1955. There
are also some candidates for the Holy Priesthood from
the parish namely, Edward Hustedde and Jerome Rater-
mann, who are nearing the time of ordination.

There were numerous vocations also to Sisterhoods
as follows with years of reception or profession given,
Mary Buchholt (died as a Novice); Sister M. Herman
Voss, 1875; Sister M. Thareisia Weingartner, 1883; Sister
M. Pieta Scharffenburger; Sister M. Ludgeria Ostermann
1877; Sister M. Aloysia Ostermann; Sister M. Villanova
Meirink, 1901; Sister M. Euphrasia Gissy, 1901; Sister
M. Aegidia Budde, 1904; Sister M. Lucina Heidemann,
1917, Sister M. Ruth Hummert, 1919; Sister M. Vanora
Vander Pluym, 1930; Sister M. George Anne Hentschel,
1954; Sister M. Bernard Clara Horstmann, 1954; and
Sister M. Marie Raymond Loddeke, 1954. All the above
mentioned are Sisters of the Order of School Sisters of
Notre Dame. Sister M. Caecilia Kaune, Sisters of Loretto,
1900; Sister M. Hilaria Bentler, Sisters of St. Francis;
Sister M. Salesia Holtmann, 1901; Sister M. Tharcilla
Thien, 1895; Sister M. Facunda Weber, 1900; Sister M.
Hidulph'i Hinkamp, 1905; Sister M. Prosperia Holtgrave,
1905. These Sisters are of the Order of Poor Handmaids
of Jesus Christ. Sister M. Seraphine Kaulig, 1916, Sis-
ters of Mercy; Sister M. Mechtildis Hummert, 1930, Sis-
ters of the Blessed Sacrament: Sister Frances Marie
Ratermann, 1954, Sister of the Most Precious Blood.

Rev. Father Aydt, present pastor of St. Dominic
parish has been very instrumental and interested in the
proposed new Mater Dei High School building and also
very interested in the betterment of St. Dominic school
ever since he assumed administration of the parish.

This abridged history gives evidence that the fore-
fathers had deep faith and made great sacrifices there-
for, also that there was co-operation by nriests and peo-
ple thru the years and God has bestowed His blessings.

St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church

St. John's congregation was organized during the
beginning of 1858. In May 1858 the M. & O. Railroad,
now the B. & O. Railroad, deeded the lots, which make up
the present church property on the corner of North Sec-
ond and North Main streets, to the first trustees. The
names on the deed are: J. Lappe, F. Wente, and J. Schroe-
der. The first church building, a frame structure, was
erected during the summer of 1S58, with all the work done
by the members. Although no charter membership list
can Ije found, the following are some of the early mem-
bers: Jacob Lappe, George Lappe, Fritz Wente, Louis
Bigge, Johann Schroeder, Gottlieb Blattner, August Moel-
ler, Jacob Riemenschneider, H. H. Koop, Rudolph Strot-
heide, William Strotheide, Conrad Barnhard, Henry Jas-
per, William Burhorn, Fritz Burhorn, Henry Dorries,
Ernst Hoeppner, Louis Meissner, and Ernest Maibaum.

Many of these have descendants who are members of St.
John's at the present time.

The church was first served by various pastors from
neighboring churches. Rev. S. Spiess, the founder and
first pastor of St. John's Evangelical church, Mascou-
tah, Illinois. Rev. J. Will, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical
church, St. Louis, Mo., and the pastor from Highland, 111.,
took turns coming here to conduct services and to perform

other pastorate work. A pastor came at least once a
month and sometimes oftener. Some twenty-five fam-
ilies composed the church in 1859.

More people came to Breese and in the spring of ]8"i'^
the congregation secured Rev. C. F. Starck, as the first
resident pastor; he was 25 years old, unmarried and had
completed his theological studies at the Basel Mission
Institute, Switzerland. Rev. Starck made his home in the
second story of Robert Donne's Store building, which was
the first building erected in Breese. In 1861 the first
parsonage, a four room frame building was built. Rev.
Starck also preached in Trenton, 111., Carlyle, 111., Central
City, 111., and other places, riding horses bare-back like
many other pioneer preachers. Rev. Starck accepted a
call to become pastor of St. Peter's church near Nor-
mandy, Missouri in 1865, and Rev. George Maul of Okaw-
ville, Illinois, who was a member of the first graduating
class of Eden Theological Seminary, which was then lo-
cated at Marthasville, Missouri, came to St. John's. Dur-
ing his pastorate in 1867 the church bell was dedicated.
This bell remains in use in the present church. In 1871
the present church building was erected at a cost of
$6000.00. From June 4th to 8th, 1874 the annual dis-
trict conference was held in Breese with 125 delegates
present. For the size of the congregation this was a
great undertaking, but it was gladly done.

In 1898 the church tower was rebuilt and made 20-
feet higher. In 1905 the frame parsonage was sold to
William Winker, who moved it to the northeastern part
of the city. He later sold it to William Bloemker, the
present owner, and it is still used as a residence at this
time. The new brick parsonage was erected during Rev.
Theo. Haas' pastorate, at a cost of $6500.00.

Up to this time St. John's had a very small organ.
In 1907 a small pipe organ, that was pumped by hand,
was installed in the balcony of the church. This was a
great improvement and contributed immeasurably to the
worship services.

On October 11, 1908 the Golden Jubilee of the
church was celebrated. Three services were held and all
the former pastors were present, except Rev. George
Maul. He was no longer among the living then. The
services were very impressive and inspiring and two
charter members, J. Riemenschneider and R. Strotheide
were still living. The remaining debt of $1700.00 on the
parsonage was paid.

The St. John's Congregation conducted a parochial
school from 1871 to 1918. The first frame church build-
ing was moved back and used for the parochial school.
V. Streckelsen, Mr. Stiegel, Mr. Weber, Fred Karbach
and the pastors were the first teachers. The school was
in session nine months of the year with the German lang-
uage used in the morning session and the English lang-
uage used in the afternoon. After the enrollment in-
creased the church employed teachers who taught school
and also were organists in the church. Beginning with
September 1902 the following teachers served at various
times until 1918: H. Wicht, D. Schlundt, D. Koenig, A.
C. Roth, H. Fesenfelt, Christian Mohr, and Theo. Hosto.
The average attendance was about 45 pupils, including
boys and girls. When the present brick school building
was built, the old building was sold to Ben Schleper.
Henry Heithaus moved it to a lot west of the hospital,
and it is still owned by Mr. Schleper's daughters, Mrs.
Mary Grawe and Mrs. Rosie Ribbing. The new building
was started in 1899 at a cost of ?3000.00, and on Janu-
ary 1, 1900 it was dedicated. In 1918 the parochial school
was discontinued.

The Sunday school, an intricate part of St. John's
Congregation, was organized in 1859. At first thev had
Sunday school at 1 :30 in the afternoon in the church
auditorium. In 1917 this was changed to nine o'clock in
the morning, or one hour before church services. During
the pastorate of Rev. C. Krickhahn of Waterleit, Michi-
gan the Sunday school was rorganized into sixteen graded
cbsses, which was held in the tvo story brick Fchool
building. The instruction now was in the English instead

of the German language.

During Rev. Krickhahn's pastorate in 1916 English
evening services were introduced. Although morning
services were still held in tl.e German language, they
gradually changed to English. During 1918 an addilion
was built to the church building, and an all-electric two-
manual Wicks pipe organ was installed. Beautiful memor-
ial art-glass windows and a steam heating plant for the
church and the school building were also installed. Tne
whole interior of the church building was redecorated
and a new choir loft was built. A new pulpit and altar
wei'e installed and a beautiful christening fountain was
given as a memorial. The total cost of these improve-
ments was $17,000.00, besides $1,500.00 received from the
Carnegie Fund for the organ.

During the next few years large sums were raised
for debt reduction and Duplex envelopes were introduced.
On October 14, 1928 the 70th anniversary of the congre-
gation was appropriately celebrated. The church was
beautifully redecorated for this occasion.

In 1929 the kitchen was built on the school hall and
many necessary minor improvements were made on the
church property. During the pastorate of Rev. A. J.
Engelbrecht in 1933, the Diamond Jubilee was observed,
and the same year during May the congregation enter-
tained the 44th conference of the South Illinois District.
There were 150 delegates and visitors present and rooms
for all were arranged at the homes of the church mem-
bers.

In 1940 The Evangelical and The Reformed churches
united. Thus in June 1942 the county clerk was asked
to change the name of The St. John's Evangelical
Church to The St. John's Evangelical and Reformed
Church of Breese, Illinois. Then in July 1942 a new con-
stitution was adopted.

In 1947 the Women's Guild made major improvements
in the parish hall kitchen. Cabinets and two new stoves
were installed and the entire kitchen was redecorated. In
October 1948 the building connecting the school hall with
the church property was completed. Rest rooms with
modern facilities were installed. The church was redec-
orated, floors refinished, new carpeting placed in front
and down the center aisle, indirect lighting installed in
the choir loft, and an outside entrance made to the boil-
er room.

Then on November 21, 1948 St. John's celebrated the
90th anniversary with divine worship in the morning, a
musical program at 7:00 p. m., and divine worship at
8:00 P. M. Rev. E. J. Westerbeck, executive secretary
of the Churchmen's Brotherhood of St. Louis, Mo., de-
livered the morning address and Rev. Elmer Hoefer, of
St. Peter's church, St. Louis, Mo., a son of Rev. John
Hoefer, who served St. John's parish from 1919-1924, de-
livered the evening address. "The Ladies Guild served a
noon-day meal and also an evening meal which were
largely attended.

In December in time for Christmas the Aeolian
Company of St. Louis, Mo., representatives of the Mass
Electronic Carillon Co., of Los Angeles, California, in-
stalled the Maas amplified cathedral chimes system^ in
St. John's church, which works automatically with a time
clock. On Sunday, January 16, 1949 special dedication
services were held. The chimes were given as a memorial
by two of the church families and have added beauty to
the worship services and an inspiration to the commun-
ity.

Rev. T. E. Beier accepted a call to St. Andrew's
church, St. Louis, Mo., in August 1949 and St. John's
was served by students from Eden Theological Seminary,
Webster Groves, Mo. In December 1949 a call was ex-
tended to Rev. J. J. Kalkbi'enner of Penntown, Ind. He
has ser ed St. John's since February 14, 1950 and is pas-
tor at the present time.

In April 1950 the monthly "News Letter" was started
bringing the church news into the home of every mem-
ber of St. John's. Mrs. Evelyn Koch donated her serv-

ices and worked faithfully until January 1955, when Mrs.
Glennis Zurick took over.

In the annual meeting, January 1951, the repair of
the organ was thoroughly discussed and on February 27,
1951 a committee of seven were selected to study the
condition of the old organ and cost of repairs, and the
cost of a new organ. They met with a number of organ
representatives and repairmen at various times during
the year. On December 14 a contract was let with
Edward B. Sieckmann, St. Louis, Mo., for repairs of the
present organ at a cost of $3285.00 During the repair
job St. John's had the Hammond Electric Organ, made
a\ ailable through the generosity of Mr. Louis Heyer.
His consideration proved a great help to the church. On
November 2.'i, 1952 the repaired organ was dedicated at
the regular ten o'clock Sunday morning services. Then
on December 14th St. John's had an organ recital fol-
lowing a pot-luck supper. Mr. Edward Sieckmann, Mr.
Elmer Schuette, and Dr. Moreland Emerson took part in
the program. The congregation was well pleased and en-
joyed the outstanding music produced by the repah-ed
and rebuilt organ.

On November 25, 1953 St. John's observed its 95th
anniversary.

On September 19, 1954 a severe hail storm damaged
all of the church properties in excess of $6000.00. The
greatest damage being inflicted to the church roof and
the art-glass windows. Through the foresight of the
church members, this was covered by insurance and all
damage was repaired in time.

At a special meeting, July 10, 1955 the members of
St. John's were privileged to help Rev. and Mrs. J. J.
Kalkbrenner celebrate the pastors 25 years of service
in the ministry. May God bless them and strengthen
them so they can continue to serve many more years.

Besides the beautiful church property, debt free, the
church has a fine cemetery near the city. The original
piece of land was bought from Theodore Niebur, Novem-
ber 19, 1881. In 1929 an addition was added from
Charles Hofsommer and the cemetery was greatly im-
proved through voluntary labor and donations amounting
to nearly $1000.00. On December 29, 1945 Mr. Ed.
Bloemker deeded an additional piece of land just south
of the original plot of ground. This has been improved
and a road built, connecting the old part with the new
section, and a new entrance was made to the new sec-
tion. In 1955 it was landscaped and in the fall trees and
shrubbery were planted.

But St. John's history is not complete without men-
tioning the present organist. Mr. Elmer Schuette has
been organist of St. John's for quite a number of years.
At first he helped the parochial teachers, who were also
organists of the church. Then in 1914 he joined the
choir and helped the organist with cantatas, and soon
after became the organist and choir director. He has
been a faithful organist since then, with exception of a
short time while in the service of his country. At pres-
ent he directs three choirs. The Junior-Junior Choir, The
Junior Choir, and The Senior Choir. For the past year,
Dr. Moreland Emerson has served as assistant organist.

The organizations besides the previously mentioned
ones, are the Women's Guild, organized March 31, 1895
(Frauen Verein).; The Brotherhood, organized October
1930; The Youth Fellowship, organized February _ 26,
1888 (Yungling and Yungfrauen Verein); and the A'dult
Bible class, organized April 16, 1955. The first choir
was organized in March 1864, Joseph Navei-mann being
the first director.

Plans are in progress for the 100th anniversary to
be celebrated in 1958, with Mr. Lloyd Worley as gen-
eral chairman. Committees are already at work to
make it an outstanding event in the history of the church.

Pastors who have served St. John's are as follows:
Rev. Christopher Frederick Starck, spring 1859 to March
1S65; Rev. George Maul, March 1865 to June 1869; Rev.
E. Jacob Hosto, July 1869 to September 1871; Rev. C. H.

Viehe, October 1871 to January 1876; Rev. H. Wulfmamt
February 1876 to April 1886; Rev. E. H. Eilts, May 18S6
to October 1894; Rev. C. F. Knicker, March 1895 to De-
cember 1899; Rev. Theo. L. Haas, December 1899 to No-
vember 1916; Rev. C. Krickhahn, November 1916 to April
1919; Rev. John Hoefer, July 1919 to October 1924; Rev.
J. E. Schneider, October 1924 to October 1929; Rev. A. J.
Engelbrecht, January 1930 to June 1934; Rev. T. E.
Beier, October 1934 to August 1949; Rev. J. J. Kalkbren-
ner, Februaiy 1950 to present time.

St. Augustine Church

Prior to July 1, 1912 St. Augustine Congregation
formed part of St. Dominic's. Therefore the early history
of St. Dominic's is also part of the history of St. August-
ine's. Breese as a town had developed steadily. St. Domi-
nic Parish resulted in a constant and rapid increase.
Although spacious buildings had been erected, and were

already enlarged and improved, they were by 1910
considered inadequate for the 425 families of the con-
gregation. Confronted with this problem, the idea of
forming another parish was conceived. After much
deliberation His Excellency, The Rt. Rev. J. J. Janssen,
Bishop of Belleville, decided in 1912 to establish another
parish in Breese. There were 168 Catholic families living

south of the B. & O. Railroad. It was decided, therefore',,
that the railroad would be the logical dividing line.

Rev. Father Vincent Hartung was appointed as
pastor, and arrived in Breese July 1, 1912. He resided
with Henry Knies family for a short time, until the
congregation rented the George Lampe house on South
Main and Fifth St. as a temporary rectory. The first
meeting of the congregation was held on July 5, 1912
in St. Dominic Hall. St. Augustine was chosen as patron
of the new parish, in memory of Rev. August Reineke,
first pastor of St. Dominie Church.

The first trustees of St. Augustine's parish were:
Bernard Voss and Henry Knies. Other committees werer
Building Committee: Joseph Niebur, Herman Ahlers,
William B. Richter, and Chas. J. Schlarmann. Finance
Committee: Henry Knies, Bernard Voss, Henry Werth Sr.
and Bernard Huelsmann.

The Men's Sodality was established July 16, 1912..
Other parish societies were soon organized, namely:
Ladies Altar Sodality, Young Men's and Young Ladies
Sodalities. The Men's Choir was organized in 1912, with
Henry Werth Sr. as the organist and director.

A temporary frame church was built in 1912, at the
southeast corner of Main and South Third St. The pfans
for this building were drawn by Bernard Meyer, con-
tractor and builder, and he also directed and worked
with the many men of the parish, who constructed the
building with much effort and zeal. This work was all
done gratis. The first Mass in that building was cele-
brated on the Feast of St. Augustine, August 28, 1912.

This temporary church also served as a parochial
school until a brick building was erected in 1913, at the
northeast corner of South Main and Third St. The second
floor of the new school building was made the residence
for the Sisters teaching in the school. Much of the
work of constructing the school building was done by
the men of the congregation. It was amazing how they
labored, after their regular day's work, far into the
night.

During the time of erection of the school and Sisters
convent, three Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus
Christ, lived in the William Fischer home one block
east of the church. They taught under great difficulties
and hardships, in the rear section of the temporary
church. The 155 pupils also experienced unpleasant con-
ditions in attending school.

After completion of the school building, the members
of St. Augustine parish did not rest long. Already in
September 1913, they began building a fine brick rectory.

Rev. Father Hartung remained as pastor until 1916,
when he was appointed pastor of St. Luke's parish in
Belleville by the Most Rev. Bishop Henry Althoff, and
Rev. Father Albert Kaercher was appointed pastor of
St. Augustine's.

The congregation resolved to erect an appropriate
church, as soon as possible. In 1925, their dream became
a reality, and the cornerstone was laid for the new
building.

The beautiful brick edifice, St. Augustine's Church,
at the northwest corner of South Main and Third St.,
was completed in 1926, and the dedication of the church
was held on April 5, 1926. (Easter Monday).

The temporary church was thereafter used as a
parish hall. Many fine parish picnic suppers were pre-
pared and served by the women of the parish who worked
tirelessly for every such affair. Many card parties and
bingo games were held there throughout the years. After
a stage was built in the hall, many fine dramatic plays
were presented by the young people of the parish.

In 1927, the Venerable Sisters of the Poor Handmaids
of Jesus Christ, who had served the parish since ^ its
establishment, were compelled to give up their mission,
because of circumstances beyond their control, or of
the parish.

In August 1927, five School Sisters of Notre Dame
took charge of this mission, with Sister Rose de Lima as
Superior and Principal of the school. Sisters of this
Order have taught in the school since that time.

A very sad occurrence was the sudden death of
Father Kaercher, on July 10, 1928. It was the Feast
of Corpus Christi, and also First Holy Communion Day.
During the Exposition Mass on Sunday, Father addressed
his parishioners for the last time. He looked very pale
and sick during the entire Mass, but being accustomed
to his ghost-like and worn appearance, we all thought
he would pull through as usual. But our pastor's final
hour was approaching. After Mass he intoned the "Pange
T.ingua" in a clear loud voice. The procession started
and Father with the Blessed Sacrament descended the
last step of the communion railing, and fell, face for-
ward, stretching out into the aisle, his right hand firmly
gripping the ostensorium. Mr. Hilmes removed the
ostensorium from Father's hand and placed it on the
altar. Then several other men carried him very gently
to the rectory. Meanwhile, others were hastening with
their cars to "get Msgr. Kaup from St. Dominic's, and
also Dr. Warren. Shortly after Msgr. Kaup announced
to the weeping parishioners, the death of their pastor.
Father Kaercher went to his eternal reward June 10,
1928. He was laid to rest in St. Dominic's cemetery
in Breese, after solemn funeral services.

By appointment of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henry
Althoff, the Rev. Father Aloys Eckert arrived on July 5,
1928, as pastor. He found the parish in good condition,
both materially and spiritually, taking much interest
in parish affairs, and making great efforts to reduce
the parish debts. Working together harmoniously and
fervently, the pastor and the people accomplished amaz-
ing results. Necessary improvements and repairs followed.
New floor covering in the aisles of the church and a
new Wick organ were installed. Church walls were
re-decorated.

A very happy occasion in the parish was when
Rev. Father Joseph Immethun read his First Solemn
Mass on Ascension Thursday, May 29, 1930. He was the
son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Immethun.

Mr. Henry Werth Sr., who was organist and choir
director, died Feb. 15, 1934. Had he lived four months
longer, he could have celebrated his golden jubilee as
church organist in Breese. He was organist at St.
Dominic's before St. Augustine's was founded. After
the death of Mr. Werth, Miss Henrietta Von Hatten
(now Mrs. John Ozella) of St. Rose, 111., was the
organist until a few years ago. Since then Miss Shirley
Furtwengler and Miss Margaret Hummert act as alter-
nating organists. Sister Margaret Mary S. S. N. D. is
organist on week days, and directs the school children
in singing.

Another very joyous event in St. Augustine's Church
was the First Holy Mass Celebration of Rev. Cyril
Foppe 0. M. I., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Foppe Sr.
of the parish. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood
June 7, 1949, and read his First Solemn Mass June 12
of the same year.

There were also other vocations from the parish,
namely: Order of the Most Precious Blood: Sister M.
Bernice and Sister M. Coletta, daughters of Mr. and
Mrs. Theodore Weltering. Missionary Sisters of Our
Lady of Victory: Sister Mary Anne, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry B. Richter. Sister M. Regina, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Foppe. School Sisters of Notre
Dame: Sister M. Roselma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
August Huelsmann Sr.; Sister M. Margaret, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meirink Sr. (deceased); Sister
M. Villanova, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meirink
Sr.; Sister M. Myles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben
Woltering, and Sister Monica Marie, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Edward Eil"rs. Poor Handmaids of Jesus
Christ: Sister M. Erwin, Sister M. Lawrence, Sister
M. David and Sister M. Lorine, daughters of Mr. and
Mrs. Herman Huelskamp; Sister M. Eleanora and Sis-
ter M. Josepha, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Huels-
kamp. Religious of the Cenacle: Sister Mary Lalande,

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Niemann Sr.

At the present time there are five students in St.
Henry's Preparatory Seminary, Belleville, 111.; one Postu-
lant and one Aspirant at Ancilla Domini Convent, Don-
aldson, Ind., and one Aspirant at Notre Dame Aspiran-
ture, St. Louis, Mo.

Another very happy occasion occurred in June 19.53,
when Father Eckert celebrated his Golden Sacerdotal
Jubilee, and Silver Anniversary as pastor of St. August-
ine congregation. The congregation showed their great
esteem and admiration for him at this time in a very
appropriate manner. Because of his advanced age, Father
Eckert resigned as pastor in September 1955, and now
resides at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese.

By invitation of His Excellency, Most Rev. Albert
R. Zuroweste, Bishop of Belleville, the care of St.
Augustine parish was then entrusted to the Franciscan
Fathers of the Sacred Heart Province, St. Louis, Mo.
Rev. Father Humilus Soland 0. F. M. was appointed
and solemnly installed as pastor in St. Augustine's
Church Sept. 15, 1955.

A Sisters' Chapel was completed in the living quar-
ters of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Holy Mass
was offered there for the first time in December, 1955.

The Holy Name Society was canonically erected
in the parish, and its members include both young and
married men.

A Holy Mission was preached Feb. 12 to 19, 1956,
by Rev. Manfred Jochem, O. F. M.

Many untold facts and stories are written solely
in the annals of eternity. These few facts prove in
time — past, present and future — the eagerness of St.
Augustine's people for greater progress in the service
of God and Country.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

In 1901 a group of Methodists united and organized
a church in the Henry Dorries building located at North
Fourth and Walnut streets. Rev. Farmer of Trenton,
111., was the installing officer. The first pastor, was Rev.
C. N. Duncan, a student pastor, who was attending Mc-
Kendree college at Lebanon, Illinois.

Although no charter membership can be found, the
following are some of the early members: Mr. and Mrs.
John Partington, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bridgewater, Mr.
and Mrs. Earl Vincent, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Helms, Mr.
and Mrs. Abe Smith, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Castle, Mrs.
Frank Guy, Mrs. Sarah Sterner, Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Knapp, Mrs. Len Sellers, Mr. and Mrs. John Patton, Mr.
and Mrs. John Walker, Mrs. Fronie Seegraves and Mr.
and Mrs. George Low.

A Sunday school, a bible class. Junior and Epworth
League, Ladies Aid and a weekly prayer meeting were
also organized. In 1904 the congregation decided to have
a church of their own. A committee of Abe Smith,
Charles Bridgewater, and Marion Helms were appointed
and purchased two lots from Mr. and Mrs. Otto Rumpf
at the corner of North Sixth and Walnut streets. The
Lake Branch church was purchased and moved to Breese
and a belfry was added to the church building. A bell
was donated by Fred Schaffner, who then was a dealer
in hardware and had a tin shop. The church was dedi-
cated by Rev. Philip R. Clodfelty, now retired and
living in Lebanon, Illinois. The first communion set was
donated by May Paul and Mary Olive, evangelistic workers.

The first trustees were Charles Bridgewater, John
Partington and E. G. Castle. Some of the pastors who
served the congregation were: Reverends C. N. Duncan,
P. R. Glodfelty, Buchanan, Brom, Mr. Knight, Harper,
Maxey, Hollis, Myers, Harlan, Watson, Warren, Crawly,
Calvert, Hanbaum", Willis, and Sister Hanon.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Breese belonged
to the Lebanon district at first, but later was changed
to the East St. Louis district. The church was active and
served the community until 1932. In 1936 the conference
sold the building and lots and the congregation was dis-
banded.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH Shortly after it was built in 1871 at cost of $6,iXXt.OO.
Tower was made twenty feet higher in 1898.

ST. DOMINIC'S HALL, Built in 1858, used as

first place of worship of St. Dominic's parish. An

addition was built to the front in 1899.

ST. JOHN'S HALL Built in 1899 for $3,000, was

first used as school, now only as Sunday School,

and as a hall for meetings and banquets.

St. Joseph's Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital owes its inception, more than
three score years ago, to Mrs. Elizabeth Specknian, who
willed nine acres of land together v>-ith the sum of
$1,500 to be used for a hospital to be built in Breese.
This was in 1890. The people of St. Dominic's parish
accepted the challenge and immediately began to raise
funds sufficient to build the hospital. It was, however,
not until eight years later and after continued efforts,
that their hopes were realized. The original building,
erected at a cost of $18,000, was completed in 1898 and
dedicated in honor of St. Joseph by the Most Rev. John
Janssen, first bishop of the Diocese of Belleville.

Operation of the new hospital was in the hands of
the Sisters, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ until the
year 1917. During this period, St. Joseph's cared for
1,409 patients, approximately 70 per year. Then, for
about three years, the hospital was closed.

In the fall of 1918, during the Flu epidemic, the
hospital was opened by the Breese branch of the Clinton
County chapter of the American Red Cross. The following
Red Cross members of the Breese branch, with the
help of two nurses from East St. Louis, opened the
hospital at that time and cared for the patients: Mrs.
Dan Needham, Mrs. August Helwig, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Freund, Mrs. Mary Eusley, I\Ir. Mike Eisel and ^liss
Gretchen Hofsommer. The nurses were discharged and
then several of the St. Dominic school Sisters of Notre
Dame helped take cars of the patients.

In the spring of 1921 and at the invitation of Rev.
F. Meifuss, pastor of St. Dominic's, the Sisters of Mercy
of the Holy Cross arrived in Breese to make pr-^para-
tions for the reopening of St. Joseph's Hospital. 'The first
to arrive were Sister Adeodata as Superior, Sister Wen-
ceslaus. Sister Leopoldina, and Miss Theresia Nagel from
North Dakota, now Sister Clare. Sister Theodorine
cam? about a week later. A warm welcome awaited
the Sisters upon their arrival. The entire hospital had
been cleaned by the women of Breese v\ho also took home
the linen in smrill bundles for laundering. Jlen-.bers of
the various sodalities and orgi.nirations had given a

goodly amount of food while the Notre Dame Sisters
from St. Dominic's parish had prepared the first meal
for the newly-arrived Sisters.

St. Joseph's Hospital, in the minds of the Sisters,
should be a general hospital prepared for medical, sur-
gical, and obstetrical cases. However, many improve-
ments would have to be made before this dream would
be realized. Hospital beds would have to replace the
low iron beds; the meagerly-equipped operating room
would need improvements; a separate sterilizing unit
should be installed. There were no x-ray and laboratory
facilities, so these, too, would have to come. There was
a lavatory on each floor, each with a septic tank as
there were no sewers. Running water was piped into
the building, but all drinking water had to be carried
from the pump which stood in front of the hospital.
The south end of the basement housed the boiler and
coal bin. Nearby, in a separate building were the laun-
dry and morgue. (At this time, there was neither ambul-
ance nor mortuary services in Breese.)

At this time the hospital consisted of a basement,
first and second floors, and a high gabled roof which
was later built up to a complete third floor. The wooden
flooring, darkened as a result of repeated oilings, was
in places somewhat airy, even permitting a glimpse of
the machinery below.

Externally, too, the appearance differed somewhat
from that of the mid-twentieth century hospital. In
addition to a vineyard and ample garden space, there were
also a chicken house and a barn for the hospital cow!

A big task faced the Sisters — the initial steps to-
ward modernizing St. Joseph's Hospital. But they were
not alone in their work. The people of Clinton County
rallied to their assistance and contributed about $10,000.
This amount, supplemented by the timely generosity
of their many friends in Breese. helped the Sisters to
proceed with essential improvements. Among the fore-
most was the renovation of the operating room and the
installation of new equipment. Shortly after followed

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH Shortly after it was built in 1871 at cost of $6,000.00.
Tower was made twenty feet higher in 1898.

ST. DOMINIC'S HALL, Built in 1858. used as

first place of worship of St. Dominic's parish. An

addition was built to the front in 1899.

ST. JOHN'S HALL Built in 1899 for $3,000, was

first used as school, now only as Sunday School,

and as a hall for meetings and banquets.

St. Joseph's Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital owes its inception, more than
three score years ago, to Mrs. Elizabeth Speckman, who
willed nine acres of land together with the sum of
$1,500 to be used for a hospital to be built in Breese.
This was in 1890. The people of St. Dominic's parish
accepted the challenge and immediately began to raise
funds sufficient to build the hospital. It was, however,
not until eight years later and after continued efforts,
that their hopes were realized. The original building,
erected at a cost of $18,000, was completed in 1898 and
dedicated in honor of St. Joseph by the Most Rev. John
Janssen, first bishop of the Diocese of Belleville.

Operation of the new hospital was in the hands of
the Sisters, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ until the
year 1917. During this period, St. Joseph's cared for
1,409 patients, approximately 70 per yeai-. Then, for
about three years, the hospital was closed.

In the fall of 1918, during the Flu epidemic, the
hospital was opened by the Breese branch of the Clinton
County chapter of the American Red Cross. The following
Red Cross members of the Breese branch, with the
help of two nurses from East St. Louis, opened the
hospital at that time and cared for the patients: Mrs.
Dan Needham, Mrs. August Helwig, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Freund, Mrs. Mary Eusley, Mr. Mike Eisel and Jliss
Gretchen Hofsommer. The nurses were discharged and
then several of the St. Dominic school Sisters of Notre
Dame helped take car? of the patients.

In the spring of 1921 and at the invitation of Rev.
F. Meifuss, pastor of St. Dominic's, the Sisters of Mercy
of the Holy Cross arrived in Breese to make pr?para-
tions for the reopening of St. Joseph's Hospital. 'The first
to arrive were Sister Adeodata as Superior, Sister Wen-
ceslaus. Sister Leoi:oldinn, and Miss Theresia Nagel from
North Dakota, now Sister Clare. Sister Theodorine
came about a week later. A warm welcome awaited
the Sisters upon their arrival. The entire hospital had
been cleaned by the women of Breese who also took home
the linen in sm.M bundles for laundering. J.Iembers of
the various sodalities and organisations had given a

goodly amount of food while the Notre Dame Sisters
from St. Dominic's parish had prepared the first meal
for the newly-arrived Sisters.

A big task faced the Sisters — the initial steps to-
ward modernizing St. Joseph's Hospital. But they were
not alone in their work. The people of Clinton County
rallied to their assistance and contributed about $10,000.
This amount, supplemented by the timely generosity
of their many friends in Breese, helped the Sisters to
proceed with essential improvements. Among the fore-
most was the renovation of the operating room and the
installation of new equipment. Shortly after followed

October, 1846, Section 16, comprising 640 acres, was sold
at an auction for $400.80. This was divided into three
districts. Later another district was organized at Frog-
town. The first school house for District 2 was built
in Section 7 in 1848. Then in 1851, in District 1, a log
school house with a clapboard roof was built in Hickory
Ridge, NE, SE, Section 27, and in 1853, District 3 built
a school house in Section 32. Also in 1853 the school house
for District 1 was moved from Section 27 to the south-
west corner of Section 22, and in 1859 it was moved
to Breese, east of the fire station and water tower on
Lot 82, Block 8. This lot was sold in 1869 and a new frame
school building was built on lots 10,11, and 12, Block 5,
Koch and Marks addition. At a meeting in 1865, Fred
Huelsman, John W. Schroeder and C. H. Kaune were
elected to the board of directors and served three years.
Each board member would make periodic visits to the
school during the year. On March 9, 1867, an election
was held to vote on a new school building, but it was
voted down, 49 votes against and 31 for the new school
building. It was not until 1869 that the new school was
built, Tom Theodore Klutho receiving the contract. In
1878 they needed more room and they built an addition
to this building.

After the school was moved to Breese in 1859, Joseph
Nadermann was the first teacher. He had about 25
pupils. Some of the earlier teachers were: Miss S. B.
Tuttle, Jennie Schuermann, D. H. Logan, Jess R. Ford, Jr.
Miss Anne Beattie, Miss Sarah E. Beattie, M. R. Rey-
nolds, Joseph Stark, F. M. Entrekin, and Joseph Hotz.
In 1881, Joseph Hotz taught one month and then went
to St. Dominic's School to teach and John A. Rose
took his place. At Vns time it was also necessary to
hire an additional teacher because of the increase in
enrollment, and Miss Libbie A. Murray was hired for
the latter part of the term. W. F. Miller followed Mr.
Rose and in October, 1884, Henry E. Schmidt was hired.
After teaching six years, he resigned on Nevember 23,
1891.

In the early days the school term was from October
1 to March 31, or six months. Many children helped on
farms to put in crops in the spring and harvest them
in the fall. In 1880 they lengthened the term to seven
months; in 1902 it was changed to eight months, and it
was not until September, 1909, that the school term was
changed to nine months. On January 25, 1902 an election
was held for the purpose of building a new grade school
building on the old site, the cost of t' e building not to
exceed $6,000. Mr. V. J. Klutho was asked to draw up
the plans according to specifications. This was approved
by the voters. Then on March 31, 1902, the township
board of trustees was ordered to have the old building
removed. Mr. George Kues, Jr. received the contract for
the new brick school, which was completed and accepted
November 10, 1902. Bertha Ackermann and Anna Deutsch
were t' e first teachers in the new four room brick build-
in. In 1903 another room was equipped and three teachers
were hired. A steam heating system was instaPed in the
building in the summer of 1907 by Fred Schaffner. At
first the principal, Edwin Berry, had to take care of the
furnace because the janitor did not know how to operate
it. But before the end of the school term they were able
to hire George Hustedde to take care of the furnace.
In September, 1909, Henry E. Sc' midt again became
principal of the Breese Grade School. He taught until
May, 1930, when he retired at the age of 70. completing
27 years of teaching service. He spent his life in educa-
tional work in this community, taking an active part
in all educational and civic affairs up to the time of bis
death on September 18, 1954, reaching the age of 93 years.

Another familiar teac'er was Miss Anna Deutsch.
She started teaching in 1897, teaching at the Taylor
School and at Lake Branch before teaching in Room I
at the Breese Grade School in Sentember, 1900. She
always taught grades 1 and 2 until May, 1919, when she
i-etired, after completing- 22 years of teaching service.

As the enrollment increased another room was equip-
ped and in September, 1909, four teachers were liired.
Extensive repairs took place in the next few years and
in 1913 the basement rooms were improved by the con-
tractor, John Schmuck, at a cost of approximately $350.
Up to this time pupils going to high school paid their
own tuition, but after September, 1913, the school dis-
trict paid it, as there was no High School in the district.

The Clinton County Fair was held in Breese at the
Fairgrounds Park in September of eac'\ year and the
school board would proclaim Friday afternoon on Chil-
dren's Day a holiday, so the children could attend the
Fair. This was educational and also a treat.

On July 18, 1921, lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 5, Koch and
Marks addition to the city of Breese, were added to the
school property at a cost of $1,750. This was an old
orchard at that time, later a playground for the children,
and now the gymnasium, industrial arts and music addi-
tion are built on it.

On August 14, 1924, a special meeting was called to
discuss a three-year l.igh school. A high school was
adopted and the second floor of the building belonging
to Mrs. Annie Fischer was leased for a two-year period,
with the option to renew the lease for another term of
two years. Julian Neil was the first principal and Evelyn
He'.wig and Maurice Pyat were the teachers. Mr. Pyat
taught two months and then Paul S. Reed took his place.
Other teachers who taught in the Fisc' er building were:
A. L. Dinges, Lorraine Pierron, Harry J. Dearworth,
Clifford Roberts, Elsie Von Gerichten, Mervin Noe, Or-
ville Geiger, Edwin Garlich, Adele Von Gerichten, Mary
Sartory, Elver Schroeder, H. A. Hoffman, Gladys Brad-
ford, Richard Gerfen, and Gretchen Hofsommer.

On September 27, 1937, a petition was filed for an
addition to the public school on North Main and Sixth
Streets, to be used for a four year high school. A special
election was held May 7, 193S, for tl e purpose of issuing
bonds for the amount of $30,000, which was approved
by the voters. The architects were Knoebel and Pabst
of East St. Louis, 111. On October 19, 1938, the bid of
E. A. Crippen of Chester, 111. for $28,600 was accepted.
The board members were: Fred Schoenberg, president;
William Fischer, secretary; Edward Wade, Fred Schmidt
Sr., Henry H. Pollmann, Anton Voss, and Sylvester W.
Schwarz. The new addition was completed in time for
the 1939-40 school term. The first teachers in t'-e four-
year high school were: Dr. A. A. Vail, superintendent;
W. J. Ksycki, coach; Gladys Bradford and Gretchen
Hofsommer, teachers. The first class to graduate from
the four-year high school in May, 1940, were Burkett War-
ren, Ennis McGee, George Laubner, Betty Zoe Rogers,
Marcella Barth, Rufina Mueller, Dorothy Schroeder and
Colette Sherwood.

On April 15, 1940, the sc' ool board acted on a peti-
tion calling for a special election April 27, 1940, for the
purpose of issuing bonds to the amount of $25,000 for
a gymnasium. The architect was Kai-1 Odenwald. On
August 2, 1940, the bid of August Bacialli, St. Louis, for
$23,744 was accepted. The first game played in the
new gymnasium was in January, 1941, against St. Paul
of Highland. In 1942, Mr. W. J. Ksycki joined the U. S.
Air Force during World War II and was gone until March,
1946, when he resumed coaching and teaching. In 1944,
the lunchroom service was inaugurated in the basement
of the Breese school. T' e ladies of the PTA helped furn-
ish the kitchen utensils and dishes by giving a kitchen
shower. They also helped prepare the hot lunches.

In September, 1947, Mr. W. J. Ksycki replaced L. P.
Babcock as superintendent. Up to this time Breese
schools were in District 24. In August of 1948 a special
e'ection was held to organize Clinton County Community
Unit District No. 2, which was carried by a majority
in each school district. T! is included 80 square miles

of territory, including Breese, Beckenieyer, Little Prairie,
Jamestown, Jenne, Upper and Lower Ford, Hull, Miller
and Frogtown schools. After reorganizing, Unit II in-
cluded Breese High School, Breese Grade, Beckemeyer,
Jamestown, Upper Ford and Jenne. Bus transportation was
instituted and all high school pupils were brought to
Breese, besides t" e grade school children from Little
Prairie, Frogtown and Miller schools.

In July and August of 1949, the high school basement
was completely remodeled. Glazed tile and glass blocks
were used to build walls to divide the basement into
three rooms and a hallway. There was a cafeteria, home
economics room and vocational agriculture room. Two
complete kitchens were equipped in t' e new home econ-
omics department. In September, 1940, new courses were
offered for the first time — vocational home economics
and vocational agriculture. Miss Velma Greer was the
first home economics teacher and Mr. Frank Hinton was
vocational agriculture teacher. Adult agriculture classes
were conducted for veterans under the government pro-
gram. The cafeteria was equipped with tables, counters and
cupboards, and modern equipment was installed. Mrs.
Stella Gerfen was put in charge of the cafeteria with
volunteer students to help with the serving. They serve
from 75 to 110 a day. State and federal aid has helped
to bring hot lunches within the reach of all the pupils.

In the summer of 1951 more territory was added
to the district as Lake Branch school district was dis-
solved and part of that ten-itory was added to Community
Unit District No. 2. In August, 1951, Breese and Becke-
meyer schoo's were redecorated and painted in the in-
terior, and in the summer of 1952 the Breese High School
building was completely painted in light pastel colors
in the interior for the first time. More territory was
added to the district in the summer of 1953 when the
Linden Grove school district was dissolved and part of
it was added to Community District No. II. In Sep-
tember 1953, Jamestown Grade School was closed and the
children were transported to Breese Grade School. In
March and again in September of 1954, there was ex-
tensive hail damage to all school buildings in Breese,
especially roofs and windows.

In September. 1954, Miss Gretchen Hofsommer retired
from teaching in the high school after 18 years of superior
service to the community as a teacher.

In May, 1954, a bond issue for $40,000 for a new
Ford School building and §35,000 for a band room and
industrial arts shop in Breese was approved by the voters.

In September, 1954, industrial arts was added to the
curriculum in the Breese Community High School. Tem-
porary headquarters were established in the basement
o* the high school building. In July, 1954, the old Upper
Ford building was torn down and construction of the
new Ford School building started. In September, the
7th and 8th grades from Ford School were transferred
to Beckemeyer, grades 1 to 3 in Jenne School and grades
4 to 6 in temporary ouarters in St. Felicitas Church
school building. In April, '955, grades 1 to 6 moved to
the New Ford School building even though not entirely
completed.

In May, 1955, construction was started on the new
addition in Breese, and in December, 1955, this addition
was completed and accepted by the board. The band and
industrial arts department moved into the new quarters,
which also included a drafting room, shower room, and
rest rooms. In the summer of 1955 the Beckemeyer and
Breese Grade Schools were completely redecorated. During
the summer the Jamestown and Jenne school buildings
were sold. In the spring of 1956, the Industrial Arts Shop
was equipped with excellent power tools and the Home
Economics department was given additional classroom.
The cafeteria received a new look — a beautiful paint
job. In September, 1955, an additional classroom
was provided in Beckemeyer Grade School and another
teacher added. There now are four teachers, each having
two grades to a room. In September, 1954, vocational
home economics and industrial arts were provided for
seventh and eighth grades for the first time.

The Music Department of B. C. H. S. was first organ-
ized in September, 1949. The school board hired Mr. Harry
G. Schmidt to set up a complete music program in the
entire unit. With a bachelor of music education degree
and a state teacher's certificate, Mr. Schmidt was well
qualified to start the music program at Breese. The
school board purchased the necessary equipment for
a beginning band and a program was set up. The students
themselves purchased band jackets and hats with funds
that had been earned at the Hoo Doo. Mr. Sc' midt taught
tonette in the 3rd and 4th grades, instrumental classes
in the 5th and 6th grades, grade school band in the 7th and
8th grades, junior band for the first 2 years of high school,
and senior band for the last two years of high school.
Along with this, community song books were used for
singing to fill out the program. Mr. Sc' midt divided his
time between Jamestown, Beckemeyer, Ford, Breese, and
Jenne. The music department had taken the first big step
forward. After a year and a half of steady progress, Mr.
Schmidt was forced to leave the music department to
serve with the Armed Forces. He had been reactivated
with a reserve band and served for a period in Texas.
Mr. Schmidt was officer in charge of the band. On Feb-
ruary 19, 1951, Mr. Clarence Massey was hired to finish
the school year.

The following school term, September, 1951, a new
graduate of Ludwig College of Music was ' ired to continue
the music program. The new instructor, Mr. Richard
Krajcovic, had been a fellow student at Ludwig with
Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Kraicovic had been working as a private
teacher for Ludwig after his graduation and also held
a position as music director for St. Lucias Evange'ical
Lutheran Church in St. Louis. In this capacity he directed
the choir and played organ and arranged music for the
general church service. Along wit'' these two positions,
Mr. Krajcovic also played professionally in St. Louis
and surrounding area. Although only 23 years old, Mr.
Krajcovic had completed his military duty, finished col-
lege, picked up professional experience, earned a bache-
lor's degree in music education and held an Illinois state
teacher's certificate. Realizing the efficiency of the pro-
gram set up by Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Krajcovic made few
changes in the basic structure of the music program.
After a few months t' e senior band began to make
public appearances. First at basketball games, then teach-
ers meetings and parades. As a result of the public ao-
pearances at DuQuoin, Centralia, Springfield, Carlyle,
Germantown and Breese, the band became known and was
accepted as an available group for centennials, parades
and concerts. Invitations came in from music festivals
in Carbondale, c'inics in Champaign, state fairs in Du-
Quoin and Springfield, and parades all over southern
Tllinois. As a result, the community showed its confidence
and backed the band in various ways. The students them-
selves bought band trousers with magazine money that
thev had earned. The PTA elected Mrs. Rautenstrauch
as chairman of the newly-organ'zed PTA Band Committee
and from time to time the PTA donated money and
sponsored bake sales for the band fund. The school board

bought more instruments and more music orchestrations.
Students became active in advertising the growing abil-
ity of the individual music student by making personal
appearances in trios, duets and solos at PTA's Women's
Cubs, Lions Clubs, American Legion Auxiliary, and other
meetings.

Stories started to come in from weary-eyed parents
who complained that they couldn't watch television with
Junior tooting his horn all night. Students t emselves
solved the problem by practicing in the garage, in the
park, in the family car, even in the bathroom. Where
there was a will there was a way. Parents shovved their
appreciation by constantly voicing their gratitude to
the new band director. Some proud fathers even helped
the music department by making equipment for band use
and helping with minor repairs.

The music program was well under way. It became
apparent that the gym stage was no longer big enough
for the music department and in 1954, a bond issue
was passed by the community to build an addition to
the gym. Part of the new addition was for a new band
room. In the winter of 1955 the music department moved
into its new quarters. The new quarters contained a large
main rehearsal room, band instrument room, and 2 private
practice rooms. The PTA, with assistance of Band Chair-
man Mrs. Orville Troutt, continued with donations and
bake sales and a band school flag for parade use was
ordered. Meanwhile the music program became more
intense, especially for the senior band. In 1954 the music
department entered the band in t' e District Music Con-
test. In 1955 several soloists entered t' e District Solo
Contests. In 1956 several ensembles entered the District
Ensemble Contest. In 1954 a summer program was in-
itiated so that the band now functions continually through-
out the year. A typical year includes about 6 parades,
6 concerts, 6 basketball games, solo contests, ensemble
contests, band contests, festivals, teacher meetings, PTA's
and community functions. Projects now under way are
the addition of instruments to the band to bring it up
to full instrumentation, the addition of baton twirlers,
the addition of a flag carrier, and imnrovements in the
course of study materials, equipment, and the music room
itself. Mr. Krajeovic will have completed his fifth year
with the music department by t' e tivne this story is in
print.

Breese has been fortunate to have a number of home
teachers to serve the community in educational work.
Besides Henry E. Schmidt and Anna Deutsch mentioned
ear'ier. Miss Rosa Russell will be remembered by many
as she has taught in Breese 32 years. She started teach-
ing at the Russell School in 1911 and taught there two
years. Her next school was at Frogtown, where she
taught from 1913 to 1916 and again from 1933 to 1941.
For almost a half century, she taught in the schools of
Breese and vicinity and still is active in school work in
Community District No. 2. She has made a wonderful
contribution to the youth of Breese by whom she is
much loved.

Miss Viola Pitt is a familiar teacher in Room I and
has taught the beginners since February, 1930. Miss Pitt
started teaching at Lake Branch in September, 1922,
teaching there two years and then teaching at Frogtown
until 1929. She started teaching in Breese when she took
her sister Elsie's place as primary teacher. She is one
of the best loved teachers in Breese and already has
made a valuable contribution to the community and is
still active in school work in Community District No. 2.

Miss Sylvia Meyer has taught in Breese since 1948,
although she has been teaching in the vicinity of Breese
for 27 years. In fact she has been teaching in what is
now Community Unit District No. 2 all this time. She
graduated from Breese Grade School in 1924, attended
Breese and Carlvle High Schools and graduated in 1928.
She attended McKendree Colleere, Lebanon. 111., and South-
ern Illinois University at Carbondale. She started teach-

ing at the Jenne School in 1929 and taught there three
years; taught Lower Ford three years; Miller School three
years; Little Prairie four years; Becl;emeyer Grade
School six years, and Breese Grade School eight years.
Miss Meyer has contributed greatly to the education of
the youth of Breese and is loved by all. She is still
active in school work in Community Unit District No. 2.

Miss Gretchen Hofsommer started teaching in 19ia
at the Joliff School near Centralia, where she taught
5ne year. She then taught grades 3 and 4 in Breese for
one year, one year at the Volmer School near New Baden,
and one year in New Baden City schools. During the
summer months she attended summer school at Illinois
Normal University, Normal, 111., and Southern Illinois
University, Carbondale. From 1919 to 1922 she taught
grade 5 at the Bunsen School in Belleville. Getting a
year's leave of absence, she attended the University of
Illinois for a year and then decided to get an A. B. de-
gree, graduating from the University of Illinois in 1925.
She then taught mathematics in Junior High at Naper-
ville, 111., for five years. After her mother's death she
was out of the teaching profession for seven years. Dur-
ing this time she worked as a case aid worker for the
Illinois Emergency Relief Commission in Clinton County
for over two years. In September, 1937, she accepted a
position as rnathematics and science teacher in the
Breese High School and taught here seventeen years
until her retirement in 1954.

St. Augustine's School

Classes of St. Augustine's School were first held in
the frame building at South Third and Main Streets, what
is now St. Augustine's Hall. This building was erected in
1912, to serve as a temporary church. A new brick build-
ing was erected in 1913 at the northeast corner of South
Main and Third Streets for a parochial school. The second
floor of the new building was made into living quarters
for the nuns teaching in the school.

While the school building was being erected, three
Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, lived in the
William Fischer home a block east of the church. They
taught under great difficulties in the rear section of the
temporary church, with an enrollment of 155 students.

In 1927 the School Sisters of Notre Dame took charge
with Sister Rose de Lima as teacher of the 7th and 8th
grades and principal of the school. Sister Dolorita was
teacher of the fifth and sixth grades. Sister Antonia the
first and second grades and Candidate Odilia Belker, the
third and fourth grades. Sisters M. Marca took charge of
the household. The enrollment then was 167.

At the end of this first year, there were seven boys
and six girls in the graduating class, but on account of
the sudden death of the pastor, the graduation was post-
poned and Msgr. Kaup distributed the certificates.

The enrollment continued to increase and in 1930
there were 165 children. That same year Miss Josephine
Huelsmann and Miss Josephine Meirink entered the Notre
Dame Convent.

In September, 1933, the enrollment reached 175 but

since then it has been on a decline.

Sister Antonia, who was a member of the first group
who went to St. Augustine's, was suddenly thrown into
th" rvfsence of re'lentleFS death July 17, 104S, vhen she
was found in her shroud, as it were, for fully dressed, her
soul had already gone to God. She had labored untiringly
in her work for sixteen years.

The children of St. Augustines' have always been
mission minded. Among the Mission Activities which they
sponsored annually are the dues for the Holy Childhood,
the Christmas Seals and the Ransom of Heathen Babies
and Bishop's Relief Fund. Another mission activity was
a Valentine Party, the proceeds going for missions.

Another major affair the children sponsor is the May
Festival. The proceeds have been used for improvements
to the school. The last amount was used to help black-
top the school yard.

In 1946 the Breese Council Knights of Columbus con-
ducted their first annual Spelling Bee. That year St.
Augustine School won the travelling trophy. So far they
were fortunate enough to win three times.

Present teachers are: 7th and 8th grades. Sister Su-
perior Mary Bernadette; 5th and (5th grades. Sister Mary
Annuneiata; ord and 4th grades. Sister Margaret Mary,
and 1st and 2nd grades. Sister Robert Marie. The en-
rollment in 1956 is 116. The household work is largely
done by Sister Mary Rosamund.

Sports In Breese Public High School

Breese High School sports centered around basket-
ball since the three year high school opened in the fall
of 1924 in the Fischer building on North Second St.,
although they played baseball, softball, and tennis and
actively engaged in track. The enrollment was small at
first and the girls basketball team often practiced with
the boys in oraer to give the boys a workout. They prac-
ticed in Concordia Hall, South Side Hall, and in St. At'
thony's Hall at Beckemeyer. Each player had to pay 10
cents a week in order to play, so they could pay the hall
rent. They also bought their own suits; how different
from the present time when everything is furnished.
Home games were played in the Carlyle gym and St.
Anthony's Hall at Beckemeyer. Concordia Hall was not on-
ly small but many a player remembers f e "branding iron"
— a large pot-bellied heating stove too near the foul line.

Paul S. Reed was the first high school coach and the
boys on the 1924 squad were: Wilson Dorries (captain),
Emanuel Payne, Ray Schlueter, Leonard Burborn, Gene
Wehrmann, Milton Von Gerichten, Harrison Hoffman, Jr.,
Orville Pitt, Walter Brockmann, and Elver Schroeder.
They played teams from neighboring schools, some of
which were: Carlyle, Beckemeyer, Trenton, Troy, Odin,
Sandoval, Patoka, and DuQuoin. One game in particular
will be remembered, when Breese shut out Beckemeyer in
the Carlyle gym in 1929, winning by a score of 37 to 0.
■They took part in district tournaments at Centralia and
had to go prepared to stay for the entire tournament
because of poor train connections between Breese and
Centralia. Some of the coaches besides Paul Reed were:

A. L. Dinges, Harry J. Dearworth, Clifford Roberts,
Mervin Noe, Orville Geiger, Edwin Garlich and H. A.
Hoffmann. In September, 1939, when the high school
became a four-year high, Walter J. Ksycki became the
coach. Concordia Hall was rented and basketball prac-
tice and games were played there. In the season of 1940-
41 and in the following seasons Breese High School sched-
uled games with the "A" teams of other foui-year high
schools such as Nashville, Sandoval, Carlyle and Odin.

James Bonney captained and led the outstanding
Breese High team of the 1940-41 season to a 19 won
and 6 loss season and into the State Regional Tourna-
ment at Madison. Other outstanding players of that team
were Joe Peppenhorst and Alex Morrison of Beckemeyer
and Maurice Grider, Raymond Lete and Bobby Schmidt
of Breese. The 1940-41 athletic squad also excelled in
track meets, played softball, baseball and tennis.

A $25,000 bond issue was approved in the summer
of 1940 and the new gymnasium was built that fall. The
first game was played in the new gym in January of 1941
against St. Paul of Highland.

In 1942 W. J. Ksycki joined the U. S. Air Force and
Breese High School was without a regular coach for
the next four seasons, as the superintendents, Dr. A. A.
Vail and later L. P. Babcock filled the additional duty
of coach when time permitted.

In March of 1946, Mr. Ksycki resumed the coaching
duties at Breese High School. The 1947-48 basketball
team gained a tremendous amount of publicity for the
school and for the city of Breese by going through the
season with a perfect record of 28 victories, finally losing
in the State Tournament semi-finals of the Regional to
Centralia. The starting five played in every game of the
season. The regular starting five was composed of Jack
Castillo at center, Lloyd Pulver and Cyril "Mickev"
Becker at the forwards, and Gerald Gerfen and Julio
Perez at the guards. The team averaged 5 ft. 10 in. in
height, but each and every member possessed tremendous
competitive spirit; each was fast, dependable and an ac-
curate shooter. Dale Wade and Virgil Grawe proved invalu-
able as "firemen" substitutes.

The following season, led by one of the greatest
athletes in Breese High School history, Jack "Cos" Cas-
tillo, the team again won the District Tournament and
lost to the vaunted Centralia team by a score of 32-31,
after having a lead of 31-30 with 30 seconds remaining
in the game. Other players of the team were Mick
Becker, Dale Wade, Charles Lane, Virgil Grawe, Bob
Wetzel and Bob Foehner.

The 1949-50 team again won the District Tournament
— for the third successive year. The team was composed
of Bernell Warnecke, Bob Foehner, Mickey Becker, Bob
Wetzel, and Charles Lane.

The 1951-52 team was led by another outstanding
athlete — Sophomore Lloyd Castillo. A tremendous upset
was scored as the team won the District Tournament by
defeating a highly favored Patoka team in the District
finals. The only other loss suffered by Patoka during
the season was to powerful Pinckneyville. The team ad-
vanced to the semi-finals of the Regional played in the
new Salem gym and lost to Salem in a thriller. Other
players on the team were mighty Gerald "Boo" Siefker,
Joe PIcGee, Joe Perez, Harry Lane, and Martin Herbst.
The teams of the following three years compiled winning
records and won many Clinton Conference and Tri-
County Conference trophies. Some of the outstanding
players of the past four vears, in addition to those men-
tioned earlier were: Alfred Hostmeyer, Bob Frazier,
James Timmermann, Bob Schlufter, Marvin Holzhauer,
and Leonard Gross.

Mr. Ksycki has given a great deal of his time and
ability toward sports in Breese High School and has
built up a wonderful record as coach the past 14 years.
He has won the respect of all the pupils and teachers
who have worked with him as coach and superintendont
of Breese High School. He has been highly praised for
the splendid work he has performed in t' e community.

CONFERENCE

CHAMPIONS

1948

B. C. H. S.

Front row (left to right) :
Charles Lane, Marvin Von
Gerichten, Milford Schulte,
Robert Wetzel, Virgil Grawe
and Dale Wade. Back row:
W'. J. Ksycki, coach, Julio
Perez, Lloyd Pulver, Jack
Castillo, Mickey Becker and
Gerald Gerfen.

WINNERS OF

DISTRICT

TOURNAMENT

1951 - 1952

B. C. H. S.

Front row (left to right):
Robert Schlueter, David Jar-
gon, Martin Herbst, Donald
Hardekopf, Leonard Gross.
Back row: W. J. Ksycki,
coach, Gerald "Boo" Siefker,
Jos. Perez, Lloyd Castillo,
Charles Lane, Jos. McGee,
Kenneth Knopp, assistant
coach.

MATER DEI VARSITY TEAM

fl RF.RSK will probably
in this, its Centennial
year, see the breaking of
ground for the new Mater
Dei High School, which
will be the largest Catho-
lic high school in Clinton
County. At the present,
and in the future, it does
and will receive for educa-
tion, students from Car-
lyle, Beckenieyer, Trenton
and Breese.

As witnesses of this,
the basketball squads of
Mater Dei number ten boys
from Breese, four from
Beckemeyer and ten from
Carlyle on the Junior Var-
sity squad. On the Var-
sity squad, four are from
Breese, five are from Car-
lyle and one from Becke-
meyer — altogether making
up the basketball team of
Mater Dei Catholic High
School.

In 1956 Mater Dei won
second place in Carlyle
Christmas Tournament.

Standing (left to right) are: Richard Almassy, the manager, then Pat Sautman
(Wake up, Pat), Jim Lampen, Tom Timmerman. Jerry Jansen, Rich Lampe. Down front
are Stan Niebur, Bill Vandeloo, Jim Peters Bill Kolmer and Leroy Seiffert.

MATER DEI JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM

Back row (left to right): Mike Farrell, Dan Lampe, John Gehrs, Jerry Hodapp, Marvin Neumann,
Burnell Laux, Tom Kuhl, Jerry Abernathy, Jerry Peppenhorst, Dick Frerker, Richard Jansen. In
kneeling position (left to right), are Jim Hollenkamp, Howard Boeckmann, Jerry Lampen, Jack
Christ, Jim Etter, Rob Berndsen, Jack Luebbers, Tony Westerman. Tom Markus, Henry Garcia, Ronny
Beiss, Jerry Holzinger.

First Basketball

Team of

Breese High School

1924 - 1925

F>ont row (left to right);
Walter Brockman and Elver

Schroeder.
Second row : Emanuel Payne^
Milton Von Gerichten, Wil-
son Dorries (captain, Ray
Schlneter, Leonard Burhorn.
Back row (left to right) :
Orville Pitt (General Chair-
man of Breese C'entennial)^
(lene Wehrmann, Harrison
Hoffmann. Jr. and Paul Reid.
ooach^

One of Fii-st Baseball Teams of Breese

ONE OF THE BREESE BASEBALL TEAMS OF MANY YEARS AGO— Top row (left to right):
Henry Bub, Charles Patton, James Patton, Wm. Glover, Wm. Wallis, Bert Wallis and Mr. Moog.
Bottom row: Bob Wallis, .Mr. Henrichs, August W. Grunz, Henry Rentier and John AppeL

Business and Industry of Breese

Citizen's Coal Company

In the year 1886 a group of Breese Citizens organized
the Bieese Future Coal & Mining Co., and sank the shaft
of the East Mine at Breese, 111. Operations began dur-
ing the year 1887 and continued as the Breese Future
Coal & Mining Co., until 1892, when other outside inter-
ests and capital joined the original group and formed
the Breese Coal & Mining Co. This outside interest was
composed chiefly of men who had an interest in the Bal-
timore & Ohio R. R. Co., and after forming the new com-
pany entered into a contract with the B. & 0. R. R.. Co
to erect coal chutes at the Mine and to supply coal to
all of their locomotives there. It was at this time that
the late Henry B. Hummert, took over as General Man-
ager and Superintendent and under his guidance this mine
b'-came and continued for many years the principle in-
dustry and mainstay of the City of Breese.

At the turn of the century this group purchased the
mine at Beckemeyer, 111., and also the mine at Trenton,
111., and re-organized and incorporated under the name
of Breese-Trenton Mining Co., and continued to operate
the East Mine until April, 1930, when due to economic,
and market conditions, as well as the mechanization of
the North Mine, the East Mine was closed for an indef-
inite period.

Early in June of 1932, during the heart of the de-
pression, at the invitation and encouragement of the
late Henry B. Hummert, a group of twenty-eight former
employees of the Breese-Trenton Mining Co., banded to-
gether and leased the East Mine from the Breese-Trenton
Mining Co., and began operations under the name of
Citizens Coal Co., on July 1, 1932. Through the close
co-operation of these men and the men later becoming
associated with them this operation has continued to the
present time. The fortunes of this company rose and
fell with the times throughout this period and is reflected
in the number of men employed at various times which
vary from the original twenty-eight to a high of 130; at
the present time ninety men are employed. Of the orig-
inal twenty-eight men only seven are still employed at
the present time.

During the past twenty-four years this company has
produced more than two million tons of coal, and have
a payroll of nearly six million dollars.

This mine is at present the second oldest mine in the
State of Illinois in operation, and has produced nearly
11 million tons of coal in its 70 years of operation.

A major disaster in the mining history of Breese, oc-
curred December 22, 1906, in the East Mine. On that date
six men plunged to their death, when the cage fell a dis-
tance of 300 feet, as they were entering the mine to begin
the day's work. The nan-ies of the victims were: Walter
Schaffner, Herman Holtmann, Herman Schleper, Frank
Zehier, August Foppe and Henry Iiiiddeke.

Consolidated Coal Company
Prior to 1860, the first settlers of the township often

thought of some treasure that might be hidden under-
ground. They tried to find this treasure but with no
results.

It was not until 1860 when the actual venture was
made.

Bernard Sommers, owner of Sommer's Mill, hired
two shaft diggers, Martin Martin and John Schulz from
St. Clair County, to dig a shaft near his mill.

On reaching 350 feet below surface, they found the
vein of coal too thin so the project was abandoned.

In 1881 a group of men organized The Breese Mining
Company with a capital of $12,000.00 and an option on
200 acres of land, at $10.00 an acre. Shares at $100.00
each were sold to the people of the tow^nship.

Members of the committee were: Henry Dorries,
Gerhard Peek, Bernard Hagen, Theo. Klutho, John Koch,
John B. Albers and Fritz Dorries.

In 1886 the mine was sold to the Consolidated Coal
Co., of St. Louis for $36,000.00. This mine was the first
in Breese and was known as the "West Mine." It gave
employment to a large number of men. but with a declin-
ing market for coal, fewer men were employed, and
eventually it discontinued operation.

Breese Coal Company

The Breese Coal Company operates, v.'hat is generally
known as the North Mine, formerly known as "Koch's
Mine", once the Co-operative Coal and Mining Co. It
was organized December 31, 1904, and the charter was
received March 9, 1905, with a capital investment of
$100,000.00. An underground acreage of 1600 acres was
purchased and the mine was begun in 1906. Included in
the company were Otto J. Koch as superintendent, Scottie
Smith as mine manager, August W. Grunz as assistant
mine manager, A. C. Koch as clerk, and Otto Koch as as-
sistant clerk. In 1909 Schroeder Brothers of St. Louis
purchased the mine and it was then known as the North
Breese Coal and Mining Co., with Jack Taylor as super-
intendent, Harry Taylor as mine manager and A. C. Koch
as clerk. In 1911 Frank Lewin was the superintendent,
with Ed Eubanks as mine manager and Wm. Meyer, too
boss. At this time the mine produced from 2700 to 3000
tons a day.

^"""^IP'

Around 1915, Wm. Dawkins and John Burke were su-
perintendents for short periods. In 1916 Frank Terry be-
came superintendent with Jim Brown as mine manager.
Wm. Zager v.as assistant mine manager and Walter Zager
was the clerk. Charles Casey was the electrician from
1912 to 1949.

In 1920 the Breese-Trenton Mining Co. purchased the
North Mine and discharged all but Jim Brown. The mine
was mechanized in 1928, but closed in 19."2. A short time
later it was re-opened under a lease to a Mr. Horner, and
later to Bob White. The mine was sold in 1949 to a group
of men who formed The Breese Coal Company, whose
president now is Kenneth Beckemeyer. George Gouy is
the mine manager.

."51

Clinton County Electric Coop., Inc.

Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Inc., was or-
ganized on April 1, 1939 as a cooperative corporation
under the laws of the State of Illinois.

The purpose of the organization was to borrow funds
from the Rural Electrification Administration with which
to construct rural electric distribution lines together with
all the necessarv equipment to furnish electric service to
t' e rural residents of Clinton and neighboring counties.
On June 20, 1939 a request was made to the Rural Elec-
trification Administration for funds to construct Imes to
serve approximatelv 630 signed consumers. July 11, 1J39
the request for funds was allocated and the construction
of lines began in October, 1939. On March 16, 1940
electric service was made available to eight rural resi-
dences. SLx hundred sixty three (663) members were re-

ceiving service on June 1, 1940. The cooperative has been
progressing steadily so that on January 1, 1956, 2137
consumers were receiving service on 745.26 miles of line.

In August, 1951 the organization constructed a mod-
ern office and warehouse building at 475 North Main,
Breese, Illinois.

The organization has total assets in excess of a million
dollars and has helped to make farming and dairying
more -efficient and farm living more attractive to rural
residents of Clinton and parts of the surrounding coun-
ties.

The Cooperative has ten full time employees to main-
tain the electric service to the members. Two way rad-
io communications between the office and trucks help
maintain continuity of good electric service.

The farm homes today are as modern as the home
in the city. Electricity made this possible and increased
the standard of living on the farm to an all time high.

Southern Illinois Breeding Assn.

The Southern Illinois Breeding .\ssociation was in-
corporated in June 1945 under the Illinois Agricultural
Cooperative Act. In the beginning, Holstein service was
the only breed available with service being rendered only
in Clinton, Madison, Washington, Bond and St. Clair
Counties. The first cow was inseminated on September
23, 1945.

The incorporating board consisted of John B. Hei-
man, Trenton; August F. Cieckmann, Lebanon; Clarence
Smith, Mulberry Grove; Kermit Landolt, Highland; Oli-
ver Spitze, Edwardsville; Alfred L. Stein, Shattuc; and
Martin H. Schaeffer, Hoyleton. This group with County
Farm Advisers, University of Illinois Dairy Extension
and Manager, F. G. Stevenson did most of the early or-
ganizational work.

The Association is a farmer owned, operated and con-
trolled cooperative. No stock was sold. In order to have
operating funds in the beginning, 290 members furnished
an advance payment of one half of their breeding fees.

Litchfield, the first branch unit was added January
4, 1946. Today the southern sixty counties in Illinois re-
ceive services from the Central plant at Breese. Besides
Holstein service, Guernsey, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn,
Blown Swiss and Angus are available.

The Association is presently managed by W. K. Boyd.

Clinton County Service Co.

This corporation established as an association was
founded on August 21, 1946, by the Board of Directors
of the Clinton County Farm Bureau. It was founded to
serve the Farm Bureau Members and the general public.

The association is a non-profit organization with
capital stock, under the provisions of "The .Agricultural
Cooperative Act," enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of Illinois in 1923.

The purpose of the association for which it was founded
is to engage in any cooperative activity for the mutual
benefit of it's members and patrons in connection wth
the purchasing of distribution of farm supplies useful in
farming operations.

Pi-ior to the establishment of the Clinton County
Service Company the Farm Bureau carried on coopera-
tive distribution" of petroleum products under various
means. The most commonly known was the local coun-
tv's affiliation with the St. Clair County Service Com-
pany. In these early days Mr. Louis Vander Pluym, and
Tony Gebke were petroleum tank wagon salesmen. Lat-
er on Arnold Richter, Gus Meyer and Clifford Wiedle.

As stated before in 1946 the Clinton County farm
people established their own company with it's office in
the present day Farm Bureau Building and its petroleum
fuel storage tanks and warehouse on North Broadway
between Walnut and Main Street along the B. & O. Rail-
road tracks.

The first officers of the association were Albert E.
Debatin, President; Ben Heiman, Vice-President; Frank
Korte. Treasurer; Edw. A. Netemeyer. Secretary, Will-
iam Hermsmever, Lewis Wiedle, and William Pigg mem-
bers of the Board of Directors and John Niebruegge,
company manager.

The employees of the association at the time of es-
tablishment were petroleum tank wagon salesmen, An-
thony "Tonv" Gebke, August "Gus" Me-er, Clifford Wie-
dle, "Virgil "Richter. In the office besides the company
manager, John Niebruegge, were Ruth Wolf and Mrs.
Bernadette Filing (nee Foppe).

The present officers and directors are Albert E.
Debatin, President; Lewis Keister. Vice President; Ger-
hard Timniermann, Treasurer; Edw. A. Netemeyer, Sec-
retary; and John Diekemper, Edward Korte and Erwin
Kalmer members of the Board.

The association throughout the t°n years of estab-
lishment has made continuous progress and has expanded
to the extent that in 1955 the total sales volume was
$675,000 or more. The firm is distributor of petroleum
products, feed, fertilizer, plant food elements, seed, fenc-
ing, wire, metal roofing, baler twine, paint, tires, poulu-y
equipment, feeder equipment, agricukur d chemicals, and
many other items useful in farming operation.

Perkes-Knies Printing

In May of 1948 the firm of Perkes <?' Knies Printing
began operation in a newL-erected building on t! e Charles
Perkes premises at 455 N. Gerdes Street. New and mod-
ern equipment was purchased. Mr. Perkes had previously
been emi:loyed in Olwein, lov.a. The Freese Journal, and
at Buxton C: Skinner Stationery Co., in St. Louis. He is
presently employed three days a week at the Collinsville
Herald, "Collinsville, 111., besides keeping up with his v^'ork
in the local shop.

Breese Motor Sales

Will Jasper and Louis Vander Pluym started the
original Ford and Mercury dealership in this city. It
originated in the building across from the present agri-
culture office and is presently used to store vehicles of
Uruegge & Co. The business was begun in 1913, and in
the following year the present location along Route 50 was
ac(.|uired, and a contract with the Ford Motor Co. was
signed, to sell and service Ford cars; Mr. Jasper became
the sole owner of same. He continued to operate this
dealership until January 1, 1936, at which time two of his
employees purchased the business from him, namely El-
mer Furtwengler and Lewis Dorries. It was then oper-
ated under the name of Breese Motor Sales. Mr. Dorries
became the sole owner, following the death of Mr. Furt-
wengler in 1951. This auto agency is one of the oldest in
the area and has handled the same make of cars at the
present location for over forty years, and in the past year
has also added Mercury to its present Ford line.

Lager Monument Works

The Lager Monument Works was established in the
year of 1914, by Arthur J. Lager. The business was owned
and operated by him until the year of 1950. I» that year
his son, Jerome C. Lager bought the business from his
father. Jerome started in the employ of his father
in the year 1940. The first location of the Lager Monu-
ment Works was in a buflding located east of the A. A.
Holtgrave Implement Co. The business was moved to
its present location on route 50 in the year of 1923. Mr.
Lager died March 28, 1951.

John Lampen Clothiers

On June 5, 1948, John Lampen opened his clothing
store in the present new building along Main Street. The
building was erected at that time by Orley Fritz, who is
the present owner.

Haag Hatchery

The Haag Hatchery, owned and operated by Edwin
R. Haag, was started in 1942, with four Buckeye incuba-
tors, and a capacity of 48,000 eggs. In 1946 the
capacity was increased to 98,000 eggs, hatching every
week of the year instead of the early spring months. ^ In
October, 1955, Mr. Haag remodeled the entire building,
making it larger and adding new modern incubators that
are automatically controlled. These new incubators make
the present capacity of 175,000 eggs, every three weeks,
producing 1,000,000 baby chicks per year. Emil Garcia,
son-in-law of Mr. Haag, is manager of the hatchery.

Haag Dressing Plant

This plant is owned and operated by E. Robert Haag,
Jr., since 1946. This is a modern dressing plant and Mr.
Haag sells dressed chickens to local stores and customers,
surrounding towns and as far as East St. Louis, and
Selleville, HI.

Partington's Store

Partington's Store was started by William Hofsommer
who later took Adolph Hoffmann in as a partner. In 1888
Mr. Hofsommer sold his interest to August J. Helwig and
from then on the store was called Hoffmann & Helwig.
It was located in a large frame building at the corner of
North Main and Second Streets. They sold groceries, dry
goods, hardware and general merchandise. They con-
tinued in business for 38 years, until 1926, when, after
the death of Mr. Hoffmann, his son. Harrison W. Hoff-
mann, took over his father's interest, and Thomas H.
Partington, who worked in the store for 25 years, bought
Mr. Helwig's half interest. The store was then known
by the name of Hoffmann & Partington. In June, 1937,
Mr. Partington became sole ov.-ner. The building, owned
by the heirs of William Hofsommer, was razed in 1950,
and Mr. Partington is now operating the store in a new
building that he had erected next to the Avon Theatre.

Niebur Hardware Store

Christ Niebur started business in 1895 as a black-
smith on the present site of the Weisenfeld Blacksmith
& Implement Co. In 1896 the sale of implements was
added, and in 1903 hardware was included. In 1919 Mr.
Niebur purchased the general merchandise store and
building of Ben Donne, and along with his three sons,
opened the new store, selling hardware, implements, gro-
ceries, geneial merchandise and later household appliances.
In March, 1953, he turned the business over to his two
sons, Henry and George, the present owners and operators.

Balke & Stuever

In 1867 Henry Balke began the shoe and repair busi-
ness on the corner of Fourth and Clinton Streets. He
formed a partnership with Henry Stuever in 1910. After
Mr. Stuever's death in 1927, his widow continued the firm
with Mr. Balke. He passed away November 29, 1931, and
since then Mrs. Stuever has conducted the business as
sole owner, at the same location.

George A. Weisenfeld

George Weisenfeld came to Breese in 1922, and worked
for his brother, who at that time opened the blacksmith
shop formerly owned and operated by Christ Niebur. In
1924 he bought his brother's interest and in 1933 he also
went into the farm implement business, selling John Deere,
New Idea and Papec machines. In 1947 he built a new
modern building and moved into same, adding electrical
appliances.

Schmidt's Store
A. J. Schmidt started in the retail business in Breese,
111. forty-four years ago. On March 18, 1912, he and Louis
Dorries, brothers-in-law, bought the stock of merchandise
and fixtures of a general store owned by A. C. R. Jasper,
located at North Fourth and Walnut St. and formed the
partnership of Dorries and Schmidt. Louis Dorries died
in 1914, and from that year until 1948 the business was
conducted by Mr. Schmidt. For many years Mrs. Louis
Dorries retained her interest in the store, but in 1927
sold her share to her partner. In 1948, after thirty-six
years of operation as a general store, the stock and
fixtures were sold and the store closed. The same year,
1948, Mr. Schmidt built a brick store building on Main
St. where he and Orville Pitt, his son-in-law, as partners,
opened a Dry Goods and Ready-To-Wear Retail I?usiness.
In 1953 he sold his interest in the business to Orville Pitt.

Fiedler Implement Store

Henry Fiedler came to Breese in 1946, and began the
farm implement business at the present location, along
Route 50. He is agent for Minneapolis and Moline farm
equipment.

Wade Sales and Service

The Wade Sales & Service was established May 1,
1954. It was formerly a division of the Clinton County
Oil Co. Mrs. Florence Wade is sole owner, and the firm
is operated by her son, Shirlee S. Wade, and brother,
David M. Vice. They are dealers in appliances, furniture,
cupboards, hardware and distributors of L. P. gas.

Sara's Beauty Shoppe
Mrs. Emmet Hostmeyer (Sara Yaap) began operation
of Sara's Beauty Shoppe January 22, 1936. She con-
tinued imtil July 1, 1955, when she leased the business to
Mrs. Sally Roberts of Centralia, who is operating it at the
present tune.

Hofsommer Confectionery

William Hofsommer purchased the confectionery, after
the death of his aunt, Mrs. August Glancy, in 1936. Mr.
and Mrs. Glancy bought the business from Miss .Annette
Hofsommer and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schwarz in 1930.
They had purchased it two years pre^ iously from Mr. and
Mrs! W. L. Wanura who had a bakery and confectionery
there for a number of years.

Breese Bakery

The Breese Bakery is owned and operated by Mrs.
Ruth Work, and was established in the Wendel Imming
building on North Third Street May 25, 19o4 She has
a complete line of bakery goods and operates d/li^-ep' *■"-
vice of bakery goods. Her husband began the door-to-dooi
bakery service in 1952, and after his death she continued
the route, also opening the store in 1954.

Funke General Merchandise Stcyre

A general store, next to St. Dominic's Church, the
business was started in the present location by Frank
Marks several years before the Civil War. He opeiated
it until 1904 and then it was sold to various other nier-
chants. The Funke Grocery was started in 193^. Ihe
Millinery Store, under the name of C. Funke, began in
1895, and continues to the present time.

K Kleaners

The K Kleaners is owned and operated by Elmer
Sellers. It was begun by Dr. Walter Ketterer, who sold
the business to Mr. Sellers in January, 1954.

Theising Garage

The Theising Garage, located on North Third Street,
in the east part of the city, is owned and operated by Ben
Theising. He erected the building in 1940.

Maurice Schurmann Painting

Mr Schurmann has been in the painting and decorat-
ing business in Breese since 1940, except for a few years
dming World War H when he worked in Granite City,
returning to his trade in 1945.

Mike Maszal Tailoring

Mr. Maszal has operated a tailor shop in Breese since
1953, when he was located in the Kyle building. On Jul
4, 1954, he moved into a new building which he built on
North Ninth Street.

Jos. Becker Masonry Construction

Joseph Becker started a business of his own in 1952
after doing construction work for a number of years. He
has a considerable number of men employed, doing mason-
ry work over an extensive area in this region.

Molitor Motor and Equipment

In 1931 Boniface Molitor and his son, Julius, started
a blacksmithing business. In 1936 Julius bought his fath-
er's half interest, and began selling Massey-Harris farm
machinery in 1941. In 1947 he built and moved into his
new modern building and took a contract with Buick Mo-
tors division of General Motors Corporation to sell their
cars, starting in November, 1951.

Strubhart Barber Shop

The Strubhart Barber Shop is among the oldest es-
tablishments in Breese. John Strubhart has operated it
since 1906, purchasing the same from Henry Freund.
The building first stood on the lot where the State Bank
of Breese stands, and when Mr. Strubhart purchased the
business, he had the building moved to the present lo-
cation, where it has remained since.

Cathedral Art Glass

The Cathedral Art Glass Company was estabilshed
by Paul and Robert Krebs in 1937. The company spe-
cializes in church painting, decorating and the manufae-
ure and repair of stained glass. Their area of business
has been throughout the midwest. Presently from four
to sixteen men are employed and operate trucks. Since
the untimely death of Paul in 1954, the company is super
vised by Robert Krebs.

Mueller's Cash Feed Store

This firm is owned and operated by George H. Muel-
ler. It was started as an ice business in 1911. In order
to have employment during the winter, Mr. Mueller start-
ed to haul coal and sell feed, using his home at 354 S.
Broadway for his office. As business increased, he rented
a building at 147 N. Clinton Street, and in 1922 bought
the Pete Habich Livery Stable at 156 N. Main Street.
The business continued in operation there until in 1946
when it was moved to the present location at 154 North
Clinton Street.

Moss Funeral Home

Leander (Ben) Moss purchased the large home from
Mr. and Mrs. August J. Hummert on North Fifth Street.
He remodeled it into a funeral home, and held open
house February 14, 1953.

B. J. Defend Chevrolet Co.

B. J. Defend started business in Breese November 17,
1945, and built an addition to the garage in 1950, pro-
viding living quarters on a second f'oor. He bought the
business from Paul Schroeder, who had operated it since
the death of his father, Arthur Schroeder. The City
Garage, as it was formerly known, was begun in 1921,
under a partnership of A. A. McAllister and ArtHur.
Schroeder.

Better Living Appliances

Van Zurick and Vincent Niemann began a new busi-
ness on North Main Street, October 6, 1955, selling ap-
pliances and other household items. It is located in a
new building along Main Street, which was built by Orley
Fritz.

Niemeyer's Meats and Groceries

Al A. Niemeyer has operated his meat market and
grocery store in the present building since 1930. In 1920
he purchased the grocery business, then in the Fonke sis-
ters' building, from George Sinclair.

Grawe Groceries and Meats

Henry Grawe began business in the present building
in 1919, on South Fourth Street. The building is owned
by Theo. Goestenkors at the present time.

S. & S. Body & Radiator Shop

In 1948 Ed Steinmann and Ralph Strotheide began the
repair of automobiles and other machinery. In 1949 Mr.
Steinmann went in business for himself, and operates an
automobile body repair shop in a new building near his
residence in the west part of the city.

Jos. M. Altepeter Plumbing & Heating

The Altepeter business, providing a plumbing and
heating service, is owned and operated by Joseph i.l.
Altepeter. The business began March 25, 1946, and is
located on North Clinton Street.

R. & N. Variety Store

This modern store is owned and operated by Law-
rence Robben, who assumed the business in 1939. Previous
pronrietors of the store were Robert Robben and Charles
Niemeyer, who began the business in 1936. Owner of the
building is B. Henry Robben.

Bob's Barber Sho.p

Robert Appel, having attended Southern Illinois Bar-
ber Institute in East St. Louis, Illinois and complied with
requirements began his trade in January of 1948. Serv-
ing as an apprentice he was employed in the John Strub-
hart Shop for se\en and one-half years.

He is presently located in the Robben building on
Noith Main Street, having purchased the shop equip-
ment in October, 1955.

Clinton County Oil Company

The Clinton County Oil Company was founded in
1923 by the late Fred E. Wade. In 1923, he and his
family moved from their farm home between Posey and
Hoffman, Illinois, and came to Breese to start out in
the oil and gas distributing business. With the savings
that came from the sale of his farm equipment, he bought
a Model T Ford tank truck, and the storage tanks neces-
sary to start operation. He made his first delivery of
gas" and oil to the former August S. Holtgrave garage
on July 4, 1923. Since paved highways were almost un-
heard "of at that time, and it was impossible to travel
with a tank truck on the muddy roads, some deliveries
were made in barrels on horse-drawn wagons, or sent
by train to other towns in the county. In those days,
gas or oil was bucketed off of the tank truck, and into
the customer's container by hand, and gas sold for 11
cents per gallon and was tax free! As the three sons of
Fred and Pearl Wade, namely, Ed, Gene, and Dwight,
became old enough they helped their father with the
liusiness and then the three brothers took over the
business from him in January, 19;;7. About six months
later, Fred E. Wade died. The three brothers operated
the business together with the good counsel of their
mother, Mrs. Pearl E. Wade, until July, 1950, when death
took Dwight out of the business. The two remaining
brothers, Ed and Gene, operated the company together
until the death of Gene in April, 19.51. The remaining
brother, Ed, with Gene's widow, Florence, continued in
business as a partnership until April 30, 1954, at which
time the partnership was terminated and Ed took his
only son. Dale, into the company with him.

They have four full-time employees, namely. Otto
H. Kuhii, who has been with the company for the past
nineteen years; Alfred O. Guttersohn, and Norbert H.
Timmermann. who have both been with the company
for the past fourteen years, and Estelle Krebs, who his
been wit" them for seven years. The Clinton County
Oil Company was the first, and now the oldest and
last independent oil distributing company in Clinton
County, as well as one of the oldest in the state of
Illinois. They have had the Firestone franchise for the
area since 1932, and have been the Shell distributors
for this eountv since June 16, 1950. They are located
in the original' building built by Fred E. Wade in 1929,
at 100 North Fourth Street, along U. S. Highway 50.

S. M. Woods Insurance Agency

The S. M. Woods Insurance Agency was established
April 21, 1937, and located at 155 North Main Street.
The first application for insurance was written on this
date. In 1939 the business was moved to the William
Dorries building on North Third Street. As business
expanded, a new modern building was erected at the
present location, 440 North Main Street, and takes care
of all the insurance needs of its customers. During the
tenure of this agency the personnel has increased to
a secretary, a filing clerk and two real estate solicitors.

Melbourne Pitt

Mr. Pitt establised his own contracting and carpentry
business in 1950. A nun ber of new homes in the com-
munity ha e been erected by him. He employs one helper,
Mr. Ralph Hetzel.

Fred Schoenberg

Mr. Fred Schoeneberg came to Lireese from St. Louis
in April 1908. He was employed by Anton Deutseh for
a number of years and J. M. Crause. In 1917 he estab-
lished his own business as a decorator and contractor.
He maintains a paint shop at his residence for retail sale
of wallpaper and paints. Leo Kues is employed by him.
Some -ears ago along with his contracting business Mr.
Schoeneberg conducted the Nev,-s Agency for the St.
Louis papers for twenty years.

South Side Garage

In 1923, Al Toennies built the building known as
the South Side Garage, and began operating an auto-
mobile repair shop and sales agency for Oldsmobile
cars. After several years he sold both the building and
the business to Henry A. Jansen. Mr. Jansen contracted
for the sale of Durant and Gray autos as well as con-
tinuing to operate the auto repair shop. Some time later
he sold the business to Herman Schleper who conducted
the repair shop for a short time, and later sold out
to William Hilmes. Mr. Hilmes operated the repair shop
until October, 1934, when a partnership was formed by
Henry Jansen and Louis Koerkenmeier and they began
operating the i-epair shop and contracted to sell Chrysler
and Plymouth cars. In 1936 Mi-. Jansen found other em-
ployment and sold his share of the business as well
as the building to Mr. Koerkenmeier, who continues these
operations. In 1939, Mr. Koerkenmeier decided to make
a change in the make of cars he handled, and negotiated
a contract with General Motors for the sale of Olds-
mobiles. During the past few years Mr. Koerkenmeier
has made many improvments. He has installed the latest
equipment for testing and repair of cars, and has always
maintained a crew of well trained mechanics. He also
enlarged and modernized the building and has plans
for further improvements. At present he has three em-
ployees in the repair and sales force.

Prairie View Dairy

In the early summer of 1911 Casper C. Hofsommer
started in the ice cream business in the basement of his
home. The ice cream was made in an ice and salt tub
freezer. At that time it was packed in ice and salt in
w'ooden tubs for shipment on the B. & 0. Railroad to
neighboring communities. The next year, 1912, the con-
crete block building was built on the lot west of the
C. C. Hofsommer residence. In 1921 an addition was
built on the east side of the main building, and the ice
and salt method of freezing was changed to mechanical
refrigeration. In 1922 Mr. Hofsommer's oldest son, Harry,
took o\er the business at which time the trade name
of "D-Lish-O" ice cream was adopted. In 1929 Harry
Hofsommer started to manufacture "Five-0," a chocolate
milk drink, in connection with the ice cream business. This
manufacturing process required a boiler and sterilizer,
and a frame building was added to the south of the main
building to house this equipment. The frame addition
was replaced in 1945 with a concrete block building.
Today the "Five-0" product is being distributed by
jobbeis in some of the counties of southern Illinois.

Excel Battling Company

Excel Bottling Company was started in April, 1937.
Mr. Edward Meier, owner of the plant, purchased the front
part of the building from Mrs. Adeline Immethun, which
is attached to a residential building (C-oellner home-
stead) over 100 years old, which Mr. Meier had com-
pletely remodeled inside, and where Mr. and Mrs. Meier
and their two sons reside. After being in business a
number of years, Mr. Meier deemed it necessary to buy
out O. K. Bottling Company of New Baden and also
Smile Company of Aviston in order to operate a modern
plant. After having completed transactions, Mr. Meier
built an addition to the building and completely modern-
ized the entire building with white glazed tile. Also a
modern conveyor system. After having completed build-
ing, Mr. Meier purchased all new etiuipment which is
completely automatic. Mr. i^Ieier started out with the
original Excel bottle in which a variety of flavors is
manufactured in 7 ounce, 12 ounce and 32 ounce sizes.
He also has a number of franchised drinks after acquir-
ing the contracts, which are manufactured at the plant.
They include the following: Frostie Root Beer, Rummy,
Syaikling Life, Lucky Club Cola, and Million Dollar
Giape.

Breese Grain Company

On April 22, 1920, a number of citizens of the Breese
community, including Gerhard Holtgrave, John H. Huels-
mann, Ben Richter, Jr., Caspar Richter, C. C. Hofsommer,
Charles W. Hofsommer, 0. G. Rumpf and A. C. Koch,
met to discuss the advisability of reorganizing the Koch
Grain Co., at that time owned and operated by 0. G.
Rumpf, Walter J. Koch, A. Koch and Mrs. J. O. Koch,
with the view of making Breese a grain and feed market
to serve the area adjacent to Breese. As a result of this
meeting the Breese Grain Company was organized, and
was incorporated as an Illinois corporation with A. C.
Koch, president and O. G. Rumpf, secretary. The charter
was applied for on January 6, 1921, and was issued on
January, 12, 1921, by Louis L. Emmerson, Secretary
of State of Illinois. One of the first steps taken by the
new company was to contract for the construction of a
reinforced concrete elevator, with 30,000 bu. capacity,
equipped with wheat cleaning machinery, scales, man
lift, and other necessary appliances. This elevator was
completed in November, 1920, and was the first concrete
elevator constructed on this division of the B. & O.
Railroad. Since then the original warehouse has been
remodeled, and approximately 30,000 bushels additional
grain storage was added. Feed grinding and mixing
equipment was installed. In 1948 construction of a two-

story steel and tile warehouse was completed, which
added materially to the storage facilities for various
items of feedstuffs, fertilizer, salt and other items of
supplies and equipment. In January of 1951 it was de-
cided to construct a handling plant for bulk raw rock
phosphate, to serve the increasing local demand for
this product. This portion of the plant was completed
in January, 1952; and in August of 1952 a second tank,
constructed of vitrified tile, was added to provide for
additional storage capacity for bulk phosphate. In May,
1953, due to the growing demand for custom grinding,
it was decided to modernize the grinding facilities, and
arrangements were made for the installation of a Gruen-
dler Crusher with a 60 horsepower, direct connected
motor. The program also included the installation of a
truck hoist, a concrete pit for receiving the farmer's
grain, and a conveyor to move the grain from the pit
to the grinder. The installation of this equipment elim-
inated the manual handling of the grain.

The Company also operates the Mississippi Valley
Hatchery, producers of Wonder-Lay chicks. This opeia-
tion is located at 290 North Main St. in Breese. The
hatching eggs are supplied by flockowners in this area.

The president, A. C. Koch, died March 15, 1956.

Werth's Gro.cery Store

This is one of the original general stores in Breese.
It was established in 1912, at North Second and Cherry
Streets. In 1916, T. _H. Werth purchased the business
from his father, Henry Werth. The store had previously
been known as the C. J. Schlarmann store. Leo Venhaus,
an employee at the store for many years, assumed owner-
ship in May, 1956.

Breese Gulf Station

Breese Station is one of the principal pump stations
on Gulf Refining Company's Eastern Trunk Pipe L
which transports oil from Texas, Oklahoma, and Illinois,
to refineries in Ohio. The pipe line, with its pumping
stations situated 50 to 75 miles apart, was put in opera-
tion in 1930.

Since the beginning of opei-ations in 1930, Bi'eese
Station has had four Chief Engineers: G. H. Crawford,
O. O. Forbes, B. B. Lane, and the preesnt supervisor, R.
E. Lawson, Chief Station Engineer. Mr. Lawson has been
in the oil business since 1918, and began his career with
Gulf in 1933.

Gulf's Station, 2^/2 miles east and one and one-half
miles south of town, has been a part of Breese commun-
ity for all of the quarter-century of its existence. The
employees at the station consider themselves loyal citi-
zens of t' e community and are so accepted among their
friends and neighbors, the merchants, and townspeople of
Breese.

Since the pump station began operation in 1930, it
has pumped nearly 400,000,000 barrels of oil on its way
to eastern refineries and terminals. Gulf expects to con-
tinue the operation of Breese, and its companion stations
for the foreseeable future.

Breese Beauty Shop

On Octobr 21, 1933, the Breese Beauty Shop was
opened by Leone King and Alice Zirkel. They beg^n in
the present location on North Main Street. In 1933 a
);ermanent wa-. e could be obtained for $1.95 to $5.00.
Shampoo and set 50c, Marcel Wave 50c, set and dry was
35c. The first customer was Mrs. Melbourne Pitt, and
she received a sh^impoo and set. The first peimanent
wave was given to Mrs. Wm. Sauer. This was a Spiral, one
of the first styles of permanent waves.

Hagen Lumber Company

The Hagen Lumber Company was formed as Hagen
Brothers. Henry Hagen, the present owner entered the
bu.^iness in 1911. The lumber yard, now operating at 450
North First Street, is where they began. This business
has served the community for almost fifty years. In the
earlier days they moved a number of buildings in this
area. Also many homes have been built by them. Gen-
eral contracting and building along with the sale of
building materials is their specialty. Theo. Hagen, a
brother of the owner, has been employed by this firm for
many years.

Hustedde & Son

This firm was organized a half century ago by Henrv
Dieker, Charles Eulberg and John Beckemeyer. In 1908
this firm was purchased by Henry Schroeder, Henry Bur-
horn and Henry Hustedde. This concern was the only
one of its kind in the city. They manufactured cement
blocks, posts, vases, fences, walls, in fact almost any-
thing in the cement line. Sidewalks were laid and prac-
tically all the bridges, culverts and silos in the township
were built by them. The officers and directors were:
President, Henry Burhorn; Secretary, Henry Schroeder;
and Treasurer, Henry Hustedde. The company incor-
corpated for $6,000. Eventually Mr. Schroeder sold his
interest to the two remaining directors. In 1937 Mr.
Burhorn sold his half interest to Mr. Hustedde. Forming
a new partnership with his son, Frank, the business is
conducted as Hustedde & Son. New machinery and mod-
ern methods have replaced those of more than fift-'
years ago. The place of business is located in the west
edge of town on South Broadway.

Breese Blacksmith & Welding Shop

George Heldorfer and Edward Berndsen bought this
business in June, 1948, from Julius J. Molitor, and have
been servicing the nublic since that time. The building
belongs to Mr. Molitor.

Hawley Hotel

The beginning of hotel business goes back to an
early date in this community. Frank Morhenners built
the second house in towTi, in which he kept a hotel. In
those early days, hotels, due to the mode of transporta-
tion, were not over night stops. But in the true sense of
the word, a lodging house. Such names as Morhenners,
KoUme, Krupp, Bentler. Shepherd, Balsiger, Rickher,
Vogelsang, Sneddon and others have been associated
with hotel keeping in Breese. In 1919 Mr. and Mrs. Clyde
Hawley reopened the hotel in its present location. After
their deaths, their daughter, Miss Evelyn, has continued
its operation. During the governorship of the late Henry
Horner this hotel was selected to serve the dinner at
the time of his visit to our city. For this event there
was a temporary broadcasting system installed in the
dining room and his address went out over the airways.

Beaver Prairie Game Preserve

The Beaver Prairie Game Preserve, owned and op-
erated by Carl F. Koch of Breese, was organized during
1955. The Preserve consists of 1000 aci-es of land leased
from various land owners northeast of Breese. During
the spring of 1955 a pheasant pen, 150-feet square, and
other buildings were constructed or renovated.

The Preserve released appro.ximately 1000 pheasants
for the 400 hunters who visited the area the first season.
Hunters of all ages enjoyed the sport afield — the young-
est being eleven and the oldest eighty-six years. The
greatest number of birds killed in one day's hunting was
fifty-seven.

Future plans call for controlled shooting of ducks,
also Chukor or Hungarian Partridge in addition to pheas-
ants.

Rowekamp's A. G. Market

Rowekamp's A. G. Market, a member of the Associ-
ated Grocers Company of St. Louis, Mo., (an Independent
Grocers Association) is a home owned and operated gro-
cery and meat market. Located on North Main Street
in the building formerly occupied by the Kroger Com-
pany. The store was opened in August of 1954 by Philip
W. Rowekamp.

Piggly Wiggly Super Market

Opened for business as a food market in the year
1935, then known as the SSS Market and was located on
the west side of Main street where the A. J. Schmidt
Clothing Store is presently located. The SSS Market
was then owned and operated by Frank Schuette and Sons.

In the year 1945, a fire started in a store building
adjoining the SSS Market to the north, and before the
progress of the fire was stopped, the adjoining store
building and the SSS Market were completely burned and
destroyed. A short time thereafter, in the year 1945, the
SSS Market again opened for business, in the building
now occupied by the Club DeMarco tavern.

Mr. Frank Schuette, who founded the group of stores
known as the SSS Markets died in the year 1945. TVie
business was continued by his two sons, and in the year
1948, the Breese SSS Market moved into a new larger,
store building, erected by the Schwarz Bros, of Breese,
111. The market continues to do business today in this
location under the name of Piggly Wiggly Market. The
change in store names from SSS Market to Piggly
Wiggly Market was made in November, 1955, but there
occurred no change in ownership, the same being by Pete
Schuette and Francis Schuette.

Stubenhofer Bakery

Max Stubenhofer opened a bakery here May 1, 1929,
and operated a successful business for 2?, years. Mr. and
Mrs. Stubenhofer came to this country from Cologne,
Germany in 1923. He was employed at Belleville five
years prior to coming to Breese.

Schwarz-Krebs Studio

Schwarz-Krebs Studio, one of this city's older busi-
ness establishments, was founded on May 1, 1920 by
George B. Schwarz who has continuously operated this
studio of photography since that time. In April of 1953
Donald J. Krebs entered the business as a partner, and
the studio is currently operated by these two men. The
studio is located at North Main and Third Streets, in a
jjuilding owned by Mr. Schwarz. Mr. Schwarz had done
interior decorating prior to his entering the occupation
of photography. He attended the Illinois College of
Photography at Effingham, 111., in 1919 and 1920. Mr.
Krebs also took a course in photography with the New
York Institute of Photography.

Mac's Barber Shop

Elmer McAllister Jr., attended the Southern IllinQis
Barber Institute in East St. Louis, Illinois. Upon com-
pletion of the course, he served his apprenticeship in
Highland, Illinois for five years. In December of 1951,
he located at Breese in the Forrest Becker building on
North Main Street. In February of 1955 he established
his present business in the newly built Fritz building.

Schwarz Radio & Paint Store

In 1860 George Schwarz, father of Ben J. Schwarz,
settled in Breese, coming from Hanover, Germany. He
operated a painting business until his death in 1906, when
his son, Ben J. Schwarz, took over the business in a small
shop near his residence. In 1917 he opened a shop in the
downtown area on North Second Street. In 1926 the store
expanded and it was moved in the Strake building at l7y
N. Main St. In 1933 Sylvester Schwarz entered into part-
nership with his father. In January, 1946, Ben J. Schwarz
sold his interest to his son, Frank, who had been pre-
viously engaged in the painting and decorating business.
In the fall of 1947 ground was broken for a new building
on Main Street, completed in May, 1948, which now houses
the Schwarz Radio & Paint Store and Piggly Wiggly Mar-
ket. The father served with his sons until his death in 1953.

Friendly Motel

The Friendly Motel and Cafe, just east of Breese, on
Route 50, was begun by the late William Wienker. The
place was later owned and operated by Mrs. Clara (Rich-
ter) McCain, who, in 1955, sold same to Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Elwood, present operators of the place.

Avon Theatre

The history of motion pictures in Breese, HI. began
in the early years of this century. The Walker Brothers
opened a Nickelodeon \\'ith moving pictures and a weekly
amateur night in a store building one block west of
St. Dominic's Church. Later, after the Walker Brothers
closed, a Mr. John Gross operated a picture show in a
former saloon building on Main Street, where the build-
ing now occupied by the Piggly Wiggly Food Market
is located. In 1914 Herman Schmidt built the Grand
Theatre (now Avon) which, when completed, was the
largest and most modern theatre along the B. & O.
Railroad from East St. Louis to Salem, 111. It was man-
aged by his sons, Wilbert and Julius. For twenty years
silent films were shown. Then with the advent of talking
pictures the business and theatre building was sold to
Victor Urbane, who purchased and installed new picture
machines to show talking pictures. Victor Urbane sold
his entire interest to Bernard Temborius, the present
owner, who after an extensive and modern renovation,
began operation of the Avon in 1939. It was air condition-
ed with refrigeration in 1948. It was the first theatre in
this territory to install 3-D in March, 1953, and it was the
first theatre in this territory to install CinemaScope and
wide screen in July, 1954. The Avon Di'ive-In was opened
in April, 1953. It is located along Route 50 at the St.
Rose road intersection, and is modern in every respect
with CinemaScope and wide screen installed in 1955.

Breese Food Lockers

In June of 1935 Arthur J. Hellige purchased the meat
market belonging to Mrs. George Musenbrock located on
North Second Street. Forseeing the growing need of a
"Food Locker Plant" in our community it was decided to
expand and install this t>-pe of system. In August of
1942 Mr. Hellige moved to the present location on the
corner of N. First and Clinton Streets. Here was opened a
complete food locker service, grocery and meat market.
In 1947 the building was purchased and he has continued
to expand. Additions were made in 1945, 1947 and in
1950 a store room. Last year a complete over-all change
was made and it is now known as "Hellige's Super Mar-
ket". A brother, Mr. Ben Hellige assists in the market.

Bokel Truck Service

This service began in 1931 with the hauling of live-
stock and poultrv to the stock yards. A year later, the
owner, August A. Von Bokel, bought O'Dell's Trucking
Service, and entered the general hauling business, to and
from St. Louis. Mr. Von Bokel built a garage and termi-
nal at 466 North Fifth Street, in 1946.

J. M. Crause Paint Store

Mr. J. M. Crause, a native of Carlyle came to Breese
•when a very young man. His first place of business was the
Dorries building. In 1907 he built his own store, where
wallpaper and paints were sold along with the decorating
and contracting business. Later the building was moved
to its present location on North Fourth Street along
Route 50. Mr. Crause passed away in 1949. Since then
the store has been conducted by his wife, Mrs. Rieka
Crause.

American Arts & Crafts

Harry Geissert, owner and operator of this firm,
started working as a steeple jack in 1935 for the Com-
mercial Arts and Crafts of Chicago, 111. After working
for this company for three years, in 1938 he decided to
go in business for himself. At the present time he em-
ployes from five to twelve men. They have worked on
some of the largest churches, banks and school buildings
in the State of Illinois. Mr. Geissert and his men special-
ize in steeple repairing and tuck-pointing.

Breese News Agency

This business is now under the ownership of Sebas-
tian J. Grimmer. He purchased it from Shelby M. Woods
in 1945. It had previously been owned and operated by
Fred Schoeneberg.

Hi-Way Cafe

Back in the 1920's, what is now the Hi-Way CaTe,
was once a shoe store, facing west, and operated by Henry
and August Timmermann, brothers. Later it was moved
to face Route 50 and converted into a restaurant and bar,
under the name of the Hi-Way Cafe. In July of 1947, the
Hi-Way Cafe was purchased from Sylvester Timmermann
by Henry H. Fonke and sons. At the present time it is
owned and operated by Clarence B. Fonke, since 1954.
It has been the Greyhound ticket office since the days of
the Midland Trail.

E. J. Raeber Company

The E. J. Raeber Company was started by Erwin J.
Raeber in March, 1935. The first place of business was in
a location known as the George Fechtel building at the
corner of Clinton and South Broadway. Operations were
continued at that location until November, 1938, when
the E. A. East Sheet Metal Shop was purchased and con-
solidated into the Company, and the present location was
occupied. In February, 1946, the Company was taken
over by L. H. Raeber, the present manager.

Vic's Shoe Repair Shop

Locating on Route 50, Victor Von Gerichten opened
his shoe store where he engages in the repair and sale
of shoes. His place of business is across the street from
the Hi-Way Cafe.

Becker Jewelers

Upon graduation from Polytechnic Institute of Brad-
ley University in Peoria, Illinois, Forrest C. Becker be-
came established in Breese, purchasing the jewelry busi-
ness from Frank Eschmann in May of 1949. Mr. Eschmanii
was the founder of the business operating it a number of
years before he and his family moved to Topeka, Kansas.
The store was located on the west side of The Journal
building, until in July of 1955, Mr. Becker moved to a new
location on North Main Street, where he erected a mod-
ern, air-conditioned place of business.

Bruegge & Company

The Bruegge i- Company Furniture Store and Funeral
Home was started in Breese in the year 1874, by Theodore
Bruegge and Fritz Brandt. In 1875 Mr. Brandt sold his
share of the business to Theodore Bruegge, who was a
cabinet maker by trade, and at that time manufactured his
own furniture and coffins. His son, Henry Bruegge, was
employed in the East Mine and helped in the store after
quitting time. In 1901 Henry Bruegge obtained his em-
balmer's license and entered in partnership with his
father. This partnership continued until the death of
the elder member in 1918, after which Henry Bruegge
became the sole owner. He operated the business unti'
1952, when, due to ill health, he sold the business to his
son. Ferd Bruegge, and son-in-law, T.ouis B. Heyer. who
present,;;,- operate the firm on a partnership basis.

Wally's Malt Shop

Walter Knue owns and operates Wally's Malt Shop,
located on Route 50. Purchased in 1951 from Warren II-
ges, it has served the community and many visitors pass-
ing through. He is assisted by his sister. Miss Rosemary
Knue.

Western Auto Associate Store

The Western Auto Associate Store on Main Street
was originally opened by Norbert Wieter. He sold out
to Alvin E. Thomas August 3, 1953, who is the present
owner and operator of the store.

Railway Express Agency

Harry C. Wieter is agent for the Railway E.xpress
Agency, Inc., appointed February 15, 1939. He started in
the draying business in 1923. He operated a wholesale
beer distributing agency from 1935 to 1951.

The Fashion House

The Fashion House on North Second Street is owned
and operated by Mrs. Ruth Garlich, who opened the busi-
ness in the former Gissy Drug Store, February 21, 1947.
The present Icoation of her store is in a building joining
the first location, which had been remodeled, moving into
same July 27, 1952.

Robben & Niemeyer

The firm of Robben & Niemeyer is among the older
stores of Breese, giving the community a service of sales
in wearing apparel and dry goods for 39 years. In the
year 1917, B. Henry Robben and Ferd C. Niemeyer pur-
chased the Jack Dubinsky Store, known as "The Model
Clothing Store", which had operated here ten or more
years. Mr. Niemeyer had been an employee of The Model
Store and Mr. Robben had been in the jewelry business
next door. Together they formed a partnership, naming;
it Robben & Niemeyer, staying in the same place of busi-
ness for ten years. In the year 1927 they bought out the
August Vogelsang stock. Consolidating the two stores,
they moved into their present location on Main Street.

Clinton County Farm Bureau

In 1917, after several fann bureaus had been organ-
ized in Illinois, Clinton County farmers became interested
in starting- a bureau in Clinton County and securing the
services of a farm adviser for the county. Part of the
salary of the farm adviser would be paid by the state
but before a county could qualify, a sponsoring organiza-
tion of at least 400 persons had to be formed in the
county. On October 6, 1917, the first meeting was held
to discuss wavs and means of starting a bureau. Some
of the first persons attending this first meeting were
Hugh Murray, Carlyle; George and Fred Dillman, Avis-
ton; Jos. H.' Niebur, Breese; Anton Jenne and Robert
Burnside, Wheatfield, and Tony Harpstrite, New Baden.
Mr. Harpstrite was appointed temporary chairman. Short-
ly after some 1.50 persons attended the second meeting
in which a definite decision was made to organize, and
plans were discussed for a membership drive to secure
the necessary number of members. In only 35 days,
410 Clinton County farmers signed farm bureau member-
ship agreements, and the actual organizational meeting
was held November 24, 1917. The first officers to be
elected were Gerhard Holtgrave, president; Tony Harp-
strite, vice president, and Paul Hubert, secretary.
Shortly after each of the members was given an oppor-
tunity" to vote on the office location, and as a result of
this election it was determined on January 25, 1918, that
the farm bureau office would be located in Breese.
On March 1, 1918, Charles E. Rehling began work as
Clinton County's first farm adviser, and in a few years
many new farming practices were started in the county.
The " use of sweet clover and liming became a more
common practice, although some limestone had been ap-
plied as early as 1912 when records show Herman Hei-
mann of Albers purchased SO tons of limestone from the
Southern Illinois Penitentiary on April 22, 1912.

Mr. Rehling continued to work in Clinton County
until 1927 when W. A. Cope was employed as adviser
to succeed Mr. Rehling, who had resigned. Mr. Cope was
in turn replaced by Charles E. Twigg in 1935. Mr. Twigg
resigned after ten years and in 1945 Floyd M. Smith
was employed until 1952 when Bert Sinclair, the present
farm adviser, accepted the responsibility of this work
in Clinton County. During this time, after a good begin-
ning in 1918 when there were more than 900 members,
membership declined to some 275 members in 1923, but
then graduallv increased to the present all-time high of
1650 members. In 1935 the first person to have charge
of membership was employed as county organization di-
rector. This person was Herman H. Bruns, who continued
in this work until his death in 194(3, when he was suc-
ceeded by James Lager, the present county organization
director." Also during the years subsidiary insurance
organizations were set up and general agents thi-ough
the years were: W. G. Ackmann, R. J. Foehner, E. G.
Kirchhoefer, and Lloyd C. Smith, the present general
agent. From the time of the first president, Gerhard
Holtgrave, A. Wringe, C. C. Hofsommer, Henry Renschen,
A. A. Krausz, George W. Koch, Jos. M. Mueller, and
AV. G. Ackmann have served as president until the present
time when Lewis Wiedle of Shattuc is president. Mr.
Wiedle has served on the farm bureau board since May 3,
1934, and has been president since November 30, 1942.
Other officers at present are John Rehhemper, vice
president; Edgar Allison, secretary; and John Bernard
Korte, treasurer. Other members of the board are A. B.
Fangmeyer, Ralph Litteken, Henr'- Schmitt, Chas. Boeker,
Wm. Varel, J. Ogle Hughes, Albert Debatin, Abe Ed-
wards and Alphonse Langhauser.

Breese Farmers Milk Cojnpany

The Breese Farmers Milk Company was incorporated
in Se;!tember A. D., 1920, by William J. Sehroeder, John
C. Peek, Casper C. Hofsommer, A. J. Schmidt and Aug-
ust J. Helwig. They were the incorporators and served
as the first board of directors of the company. The stock
of fSO.OO par value was subscribed to by 86 farmers and

business men. The plant has been, and still is, a great
help to the dairy farmers, and has been in continuous
operation since its establishment, and in recent months
handled over one million pounds of milk. Its equipment
is modern and up to the standards of the St. Louis Milk
ordinance. All the milk goes direct to the St. Louis Dairy-
Co. after it is properly cooled.

The present officers and directors are: John H.
Markus, president; George J. Ratermann, vice-president;
V. J. Hummert, secretary; Raymond B. Sehroeder, treas-
urer and Henry G. Wessel, director.

Agricultural Stabilizatioji
And Conservation Program

The Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Pro-
gram is a farm program designed primarily to assist
farmers with needed conservation work and other ac-
tivities regarding- farm problems. It is responsible for
administering programs relating to many aspects of the
nation's agriculture. These programs inc'ude conservation,
production adjustments, price support and stabilization
and many other activities which affect the farmer.

The farm program was started in the early 1930's
and was known at that time as the Corn-Hog Program.
As the years passed, additional activities and responsibil-
ities were added to the farm program and c?!anged the
name to the .Agricultural Adjustment .Agency and then
to Agricultural Conservation Association and then to
the Production and Marketing Administration and then
to the present time as the Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Program.

To administer its variety of programs, the ASC uses
several types of field offices. At the county level the
office uses elected farmers to administer all ASC pro-
gi-ams dealing directly with the farmer under a system
of office management and trained office personnel. With-
in the area of their responsibilities each county and
community committee adapts ASC farm programs to
local needs, administers the program, keeps the farmers
and ot" ers informed of program objectives, provisions
and progress. It also conducts meetings, holds committee
elections and carries on other activities which make ASC
programs work. Besides the Agricultural Conservation
Program, the office administers loan and purchase agree-
ment operations, acreage allotment and quota programs,
and other activities so directed to them under the direc-
tion and supervision of state committees.

The present County Committee elected for the 1956
term consists of Thomas Quick of Boulder as chairman;
Edward A. Netemeyer of Car'yle as vice chairman, and
August Litteken of" Aviston as regular member. Joseph
V. Hustedde is serving in the capacity of office manager
in the Clinton County office, whic' has five local girls,
trained in ASC operations, in its employment at the
present time.

The county program deals with approximately 2,000
fai-ms affecting between 2 and 3 thousand producers.
The office at the present time is located in the old REA
building in Breese, at North First and Cherry Streets.

V. & H. Recreation

The V. & H. Building, owned by V. J. Hummert, was
commenced in June, 1940. and leased to Thomas A. Hum-
mert and Orville Von Alst. They equipped the building
with six new bowling alleys, and modern bar fixtures.
It was in readiness for the bowling season that began in
September, 1940. Ben Temborius became a later owner,
who placed it under the management of a sister-in-law.
Miss Julie Lorenz. He later sold the business to Robert
Hummert, and September 1, 1952, the present owner,
Fremont Wobbe purchased f e alleys and fixtures, and
is now in his fourth season as manager and owner.

Joseph Zehrer, Florist

The construction of the Greenhouse began in Septem-
ber 1952 and was completed in February of the following
year. Open House was held on ,\larch 13th and 14th. The
general public was invited and was given the opportunity
to view the plants, flowers, planters and the operation
of the floral shop on an overall picture.

On September 19. 19.54 they suffered a severe loss of
about 90^. of all glass in the Greenhouse, also the flo%y-
ers were destroyed by the teiTific hail storm. In six
weeks they were" restored to normal business. The florist
shop is op'erated by Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Zehrer.

Mexican-American Hat Company

The Mexican American Hat Company, with offices in
the Silk Exchange Building, St. Louis, Mo., operates a
hat factorv in Breese. Situated in a large, modern, spa-
cious factorv building, joining the eastern city limits of
Breese, along Route 50, the industry manufactures har-
vest straw hats and caps, and semi-dress hats.

Thf .Mtxiiaii American Hat Co. produced hats in St.
Louis for a number of years before moving their factory
to Breese. This came about as a result of activity by
the Breese Chamber of Commerce, from which the Breese
Building Corporation was born, the latter in turn, erecting
the factory building.

Among a few families that became established in
Breese, accompanying the industry, was the Springmeyer
family, also the Nic Lete and Jack Castillo families, and
Mrs. Allejandro Dalgatto, moving to Breese in 1932, fol-
lowing the arrival of the factory equipment here in
January of that year.

Mr. Springmeyer had been employed in a supervisory
position, and in June, 1944, was named plant manager,
under which position he now serves there. Prior to that
time. Glen E. Holmes was manager, but upon his election
to the vice-presidency of the firm, he gave his full time
in the St. Louis office. Frank 0. Ostolaza is president
of the company and L. F. Hoffman, secretary.

Meissner Brothers

Meissner Brothers, a partnership, was organized in
1932, being first located in the Simon Kocher building on
North Main Street. It was first operated as a feed store,
but in 1937 hardware was added. The partnership con-
sists of Richard A. Meissner as general manager, and Rob-
ert A. Meissner, as manager in charge of sales and ser-
vice. As this business progressed, a need arose for much
larger facilities, and a new building, 288 feet long and two
stories high, was erected; it is located on South Broadway,
between Clinton and Cherry Streets. It has a railroad
siding to conveniently handle carload merchandise. In
1950 the firm started the first Federal-State Egg Grading
Plant in Southern Illinois. Present employees include,
Earl Guttersohn, Surge dairy equipment specialist; Stan-
ley Feldman, Surge service and field man; Wayne Boeker,
Surge service and sales; Wilbert Haar. building foreman
and distribution; Leo Schmidt, St. Louis egg distributor;
Walter Zobrist, federal egg inspector and Gertrude Wurms,

Marjorie Coers, Marie Loddeke and Adele Pitt, federal-
state egg candlers and packers.

Wieter Truck Service

The Wieter Truck Service has been owned and oper-
ated by Conrad Wieter since 1923. At that time he be-
gan doing general hauling with a wagon and team of
horses. In 1925 he purchased a truck and has added more
from time to time. In 1931 he also contracted to do ail
the hauling for Mexican-American Hat Co., for which firm
he continues to be of service.

Maue Market

George Maue acquired the Maue Meat Market and
Grocery business on February 24, 1953 from Orley and
Gene Fritz. Located at 110 Norf Main Street, he is
assisted by his wife, Mrs. Carolyn Maue in the operation
of their efficient store.

King's Beauty Shop

Miss Leone King came to Breese June 9, 1933, and
was employed eight years in the Breese Beauty Shoppe.
In October, 1941, she entered business for herself in the
Kyle Building, under the name of King's Beauty Shop.
She moved to the Gissy building in September, 1952.

A. A. Holtgrave Implement Co.

The A. A. Holtgrave Implement Co. is owned and
operated by .Alvin A. Holtgrave. It was begun in 1925
in a building where the present Mo'itor Motor & Equip-
ment Co. is now located. In 1938 Mr. Holtgrave moved
his business to North Fourth Street, along Route 50, where
he is still located. Previous to Mr. Holtgrave locating
there, George B. Schwarz operated a bowling alley on the
west side of the building and Joseph Winter had a garage
on the east side. In 1946 Mr. Holtgrave took over the
Plymouth and DeSoto agency, which he added to his sales
of International Harvester Implements.

The Breese Journal

Seeing the need for a newspaper to contribute to the
deve'opment of a community, and realizing its importance
and necessity to chronicle the events that take place, the
Chamber of Commerce of Breese became active towards
this end in 1920 .... The Breese Journal was the result.

The Chamber of Commerce, local business men, and
other progressive citizens, pledging their support to a
newspaper. The Breese Journal had its birth in 1921, the
first issue appearing in February of that year. Guy C.
Stearns, well educated and trained in the newspaper field,
agreed to set up a publication in Breese. He had neces-
sary equipment installed in the bui'.ding where The
Journal is presently located, and publi?' ed a six-column
newspaper that was well accepted in the community.

His stay was of short duration. In 1923 the paper
was taken over by Frank Dexter and Ross Harle, who
came from Missouri. The partnership lasted only a few
months, Mr. Harle taking over Dexter's interests.

During this time, Erwin J. Mahlandt, a young man
of Breese, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Mahlandt, was
employed by Harle. Mahlandt purchased the business in
May, 1925, and continues as publisher. His son, Jerry,
entered the newspaper field with his father, following his
completion of a course in journalism at Missouri Univer-
sity, Columbia, Mo., in 1950. Jerry is a partner in the
establishment w;th his father, and together they are active
in publishing The Journal where it was begun 35 years ago.

Taverns of Breese

Service Stations of Breese

At the time this book was prepared, records of the
City of Breese show liquor licenses issued to the following
p'aees in the city:

V. & H. Recreation 732 N. Fourth Street

Fremont M. Wobbe, Proprietor

William A. Zinschlag 50 N. Main Street

Wm. A. Zinschlag, Proprietor

Filer's Tavern - 150 N. Clinton Street

Norbert Filers and Leona Filers, Proprietors

Esther's Place 501 S. Broadway

Esther Von Gerichten, Proprietor

Club De Marco - 348 N. Main Street

Henry G. Marcus, Proprietor

South Side Tavern 501 S. Fourth Street

August Benhoff, Proprietor

Friendly Tavern 345 N. Walnut Street

Myrtle Lochridge, Proprietor

Zirkel's Sales Co — - 259 N. Main Street

R. A. Zirkel, Proprietor

Don's Place 390 N. Main Street

Donald Hemann, Proprietor

Red's Tavern 610 S. Broadway

William and Dorothy Lynn, Proprietors

Dick's Tavern ,- 120 N. First Street

Theo. Goestenkors, Proprietor

Kozy Korner .- 189 N. Main Street

F. Virgil Buller, Proprietor

Hi-Way Cafe 619 N. Fourth Street

Clarence Fonke, Proprietor

Vee-Bee Lounge 466 N. Fifth Street

A. A. Von Bokel, Proprietor

Breese Cafe

The Breese Cafe, located along Route 50, is operated
by Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Schierschwitz, who purchased
the business from Orville Von Alst and Glenrow Zinsch-
lag April 1, 1947. It had previously been operated for
many years by Mrs. Jack Furtwengler. The building is
owned by Mrs. Charles Dorries.

Route 50, running east and west through Breese, is a
busy thoroughfare, and t! ere are a number of gasoline ser-
vice stations along the route in Breese. In the year 1956
the names of the stations and their operators are as
follows :

Foppe's Standard Service Station Edward Foppe

Pollmann Shell Service Station Alvin PoUmann

Ray's Mobil Service Station Raymond Haselhorst

Ray's & Chuck's Texaco Service

Raymond Schlueter
and Charles Bedard

Seller's "66" Service Station _ Ralph Sellers

Tony's Cities Service Station Anthony Schulte

Deep Rock Service Station Kreider Bros.

Dairy Products Service

Dairy products are supi lied by the following Breese
men, who make daily routes throughout the city:

Richard Vander Pluym Qua'.ity Dairy

Wilbert Voss Prairie Farms

Theodore Warnecke Quality Dairy

Dairy King

The Dairy King is a frozen custard center, built in
the early pan of i9o5, at the corner of North Walnut and
Route 50, which was the location of the old soda factory
that had been operated years ago by Charles Dorries. A
modern drive-in Daii->' King building was built there by
Mr. and Mrs. Orville Von Alst, who opened the place for
business April 15, 1955.

Handicraft for the Handicapped

A place where hand-made jewelry may be purchased
is the new enterprise begun here March 24, 1956. It is
known as "Handicraft for the Handicapped", owned by
Gene Jantzen of Bartelso, who helps handicapped persons
at his resort in Bartelso. Miss Valeria Markus of Breese
operates the store that carries a small stock of jewelry
made by handicapped persons of this area. Other items,
such as dolls and crocheted material may be obtained at
the store which is located on Route 50, next to the A. A.
Holtgrave Implement Store.

Reviewing Business and Industry

A directory of the business places of Breese was first considered to be
printed in the Centennial book, Riving the names of the establishments only.
It was felt, however, that a brief statement of each would add more value to
the book, and therefore a few details were included with the naming of the
many business places and industries located here. We hope we have not
omitted anyone— if we have failed to include any Breese firm, it was not
intentional. We would like to have gone into more detail on each of the
more than one hundred places listed, but time and space did not permit.

State Bank of Breese

The State Bank of Breese was organized by Henry
B. Hummert, J. O. Koch, B. H. Donne, August J. Helwig
Christ Niebur, L. Vander Pluym on October 16, 1910 A
state charter was issued under date of January 10, 1»11,
with capital stock of $25,000.00.

The institution officially opened for business Febru-
ary 1, 1911, in the G. Donne building. Officers were: H.
B. Hummert, President; J. O. Koch, Vice-President; Henry
Werth, Sr., Cashier and B. H. Donne, Secretary. The
bank was moved to the new and present location in 1912.

Henry B. Hummert served as president from its or-
ganization until his death March 28, 1937. Henry Werth
was cashier from February 1, 1911 to February 5. 1912.
J O Koch served as vice-president from 1911 until his
death November 9, 1917. V. J. Hummert serve4 as
cashier from July 5, 1911 to April 22, 1937, on which date
he was made president to succeed his father, the late
Henry B. Hummert.

E. T. Rickher was made Assistant Cashier June 17,
1912, and served in this capacity until April 1, 1937, when
he was elected Cashier, which he held until his retirement
January 18, 1950. E. G. Hustedde was named Assistant
Cashier April 1, 1921, and was elected Cashier Januasj'
18, 1960, and is serving in this capacity at present. H. C.
Hummert was named Assistant Cashier August 15, 1933,
and is serving in this capacity at present.

August J. Helwig was elected Vice-President January
18, 1918, and served as Vice-President until his death
in October of 1930. Christ Niebur was elected Vipe-
President January 18, 1931, to fill the vacancy following
the death of Mr. Helwig, and is serving as such at the
present time.

B. H. Donne served as secretary from its organiza-
tion until January 18, 1919, and was succeeded by E. J.
Gissy until January 18, 1955, at which time E. J. Mahlandt
was elected secretary, and he is serving as such at the
present time.

The bank's present capital is $50,000.00, with surplus
and undivided profits reaching a sum of $134,000.00.

First National Bank

The First National Bank of Breese was a prominent
banking institution in the history of Breese, ajid operated
until the bank moratorium in 1933. It was organized by
Schlafly Brothers of St. Louis in 1910. Before its organi-
zation as a National bank, it was a private institution
.since 1892.

It was one of the first modem buildings in the city,

and is now ovraed and occupied by the Clinton County
Farm Bureau. Among the early officers were Fred
Schlafly, president August ScMafly, vice-president; Ferd
Krebs, cashier and Leo A. Krebs, assistant cashier; in-
cluded with the above, August Klutho was a director.

The building, located at the corner of North Clinton
and Main Streets, was built in 1898 at a cost of $10,000.

A Few Street Scenes of the Business Section of Breese

LOOKING SOUTHWARD, one has a fine view of the
wide paved Main Street of Breese, showing- the modern
office of Dr. Walter Ketterer and Dr. F. H. Ketterer, to
the right. The church you see is St. John's, the congre-
gation of which will observe its Centennial in 1958.

LOOKING WESTWARD from the corner of North Second
and Main Streets, a busy business block is seen, being
North Second Street, between Main and Clinton. The
church in center is St. Dominic's, a congregation almost
100 years old, whose members will celebrate the 100th
anniversary of its organization in 1958.

NOUTH SECOND STREET AGAIN looking eastward.
The frame building to the left is the former Gissy Drug
Store and residence, the lower part now occupied by Leone
King as a beauty parlor, f<nd another part by Mrs. Ruth
Garlich with the Fashion House.

THE BRICK BUILDING seen in center is the modern
Gissy Rexall Drug Store and to the right of it is Breese'
only theatre, the Avon. On other side of theatre is the
T. H. Partington store.

MAIN STREET AGAIN, looking northward, from North
First Street. George Maue's store is shown at right, then
Lampen's. The other signs seen on both sides of street
are directional guides for free parking lots of the Piggly
Wiggy store, which is only two doors north of Lampen's.

NOT A 1956 PICTURE, but perhaps one taken 50 or 60
years ago. This frame building, razed in 1950, stood at
North Second and Main Streets, next to Robben & Nie-
meyer's store. It was one of the leading stores of gener-
al merchandise, operated in Breese by August J. Helwig
rnd Adclph Hoffman. Mrs. Helwig is shown in picture,
her husband to the right and Mr. Hoffman to the left.
The boy in front of them is the late Dr. Sylvester Helwig.

Organizations of Breese

American Legion Post 252

The Timmei-mann-Benhoff Post 252 of the American
Legion was foimed in 1918. It is named after two local
young men who served in World War I, and who paid
the supreme sacrifice. Dr. H. B. Warren was the first
commander. The Post struggled along for a while after
which it was disbanded.

In the meantime, a number of local veterans attended
meetings of the American Legion with the Germantown
Post. .After some time it was decided to again form
a local post. .A. committee of three veterans of World
War I consisting of Dr. R. A. Kyle, Otto F. Markus, and
George B. Schwarz called a meeting at the City Hall
in Breese for the purpose of reorganizing Timmermann-
Benhoff Post 252. Dr. R. A. Kyle was appointed tem-
porary commander and George B. Schwarz adjutant
and treasurer. Meetings were held in a room in the City
Hall and Memorial services also were held there.

After some time meetings were then held in the
rooms above the Odd Fellows Hall — now the Hi-Way
Cafe. The hospitality of the local Legionnaires was en-
joyed by a number of service men of World War II
home on leave. It was about this time that it was de-
cided to move into more convenient and larger quarters,
and a purchasing committee was appointed. On October

7, 1943, it was announced that Concordia Hall had
been purchased from the Saengerchor and would be the
new American Legion Home. After the end of World
War II the local post soon outgrew the Home and it
was decided new and better facilities were needed.

A building committee was appointed by Commander
Orville Pitt July 18, 1948, consisting of Leroy Masching,
Raymond Ribbing, Dr. F. H. Ketterer, Ray Richter, and
Alvin Schmidt, to formulate and study plans for a new
American Legion Home. This new present Home was
dedicated in May, 1949.

The Post began to grow in membership and activity.
It was in 1949 that the Post 252 band was formed and
made its first public apearance at the new American
Legion Home in November of 1949. Since then many
improvements have been made. The band on numerous
occasions has more requests for engagements than it can
take care of. The memorial adjacent to the front of the
home was designed by Jerome Lager and dedicated by
the Rev. Glennon Sims, then assistant pastor of St.
Dominic's Church, Breese, on Sunday, June 4, 1950. The
loemorial is dedicated to all who have given their live;;
in the wars that mankind may hope for a better world
in which to live.

The Timmermann-Benhoff Post 252 has. on several
occasions, won state and national recognition for its
outstanding community service. It is one of the few
Legion Posts that has twice, of its own accord, increased
its poppy quota. The total membership is 361 and the

present officers are: Fremont Wobbe, Commander; Rudy
Richter, Senior Vice Commander; Vince Richter, Junior
Vice Commander; Art Lohman, Chaplain; Gene Herbst,
Adjutant: Robert Appel, Finance Officer, and Alvin
Schmidt, Historian.

It might be of interest as far as history is concerned
to note that past Commanders of the Timmermann-Ben-
hoff Post 252 live long and useful lives. Of those who
have served the post as commanders, all are living ex-
cept one.

At the present time as throughout the past years,
post meetings are held the first Thursday of each month
at the new and beautiful home, which is also used by
a number of other recognized organizations, such as
girl scouts and others.

The activities and programs of the local post are
many and varied, including Premier Boys State, annual
Easter egg hunt, Bloodmobile unit (Red Cross), disabled
veterans, poppy program, annual Christmas party for
children of the community, which this year reached a
new high with an attendance of 900 children receiving
candy, etc. from Santa Claus, and many others.

The charter members of Post 252 are: Ben A. Nie-
meyer, Roland A. Zirkel, John F. Scwartz, Ben H. Frank,
Aloys A. Niemeyer, Edwin R. Haag, Michael Thien, Aloys
Graser, George Kluemke, R. A. Kyle. D. D. S., Joseph
G. Lampe, Julian NeiU, Gene Bechtold, John H. Hilmes,
George Musenbroek, George B. Schwartz, George Todd,
John Benhoff. Victor T. Klutho., Frank Hallermann,
Fred H. Pollmann, Otto Markus, Robert Enkelmann, and
Paul Bucheim.

American Legion Auxilary

The American Legion Au.xiliary Unit No. 252,
Breese, Illinois was organized on May 6, 1943 by Mrs.
Rosena Niehaus of Salem, Illinois, 23rd District Director
of the Women's Auxiliary of the Legion. Mrs. G. R. Mc-
Nary of Salem, 23rd District Secretary, addressed the
meeting. .After selecting Mrs. Edna Hirt as temporary
chairman and Mrs. Louise Heimann as temporary secre-
tary, applications for membership were taken. Thirty-
three ladies signified their desire to become members.
Election of permanent officers took place with the fol-
lowing selected as the first officers of the organization:
Mrs. Frances Markus, President; Mrs. Lora Raeb?r, First
Vice-President; Mrs. Theresa Weh, Second Vice-Presi-
dent; Mrs. Ina Schmidt, Secretary; Mrs. Harriet Enkel-
mann, Treasurer; Mrs. Lucille Peltes, Historian; and
Miss Luella Reilmann, Sgt-at-Arms. The charter mem-
bers were as follows:

Mrs. Kate Wolf, Mrs. Edna Hirt, Mrs. Mary Schrage,
Mrs. Sarah Schwarz. Mrs. Celia McAllister, Mrs. Anna
Deiters, Mrs. Lillie Dorries, Mrs. Cecelia Reilmann, Mrs.
Lillie Moss, Mrs. Lillie Schwartz, Mrs. Minnie Musen-
broek, Mrs. Leodis Heaver, Mrs. Theresa Weh, Mrs. Lora
Raeber, Mrs. Ina Schmidt, Mrs. Harriet Enkelmann, Mrs.
Lucille Peltes. Mrs. Louise Heimann, Mrs. Frances Mar-
kus, Mrs. Olivia Hofsommer, Mrs. Wilhelrnine Haag,
Mrs. Margaret Strubhart, Mrs. Anna E. Woltering, Mrs.
Opal Woods, Mrs. Marie Timmermann, Mrs. JIargaret
Thein, Mrs. Theresa Liening, Mrs. Mathilda Liening,
I^'rs. Irene Niebur, Mrs. Kate Niemeyer, Mrs. Evelyn
Mahlandt, Miss Luella Reilmann and Miss Georgina
Moss.

In 1950, the new American Legion Hall was ded-
icated and the Auxiliary served a luncheon to a large
number of Legionnaires.

The Spring 23rd District Convention was held in the
Legion home on June 8, 1953. Mrs. Theresa Weh was
President of th^ Breese Unit on this occasion, and Mrs.
Evelyn Mahlandt was general convention chairman. Mrs.

Dollie Reese, District Director, and Mrs. Bette Sullivan,
Department President, were present at this convention
meeting.

In 1955, the women of Unit No. 252 quilted fifty-one
quilts which were used at the Legion picnic June 26, 1955.

The Ladies Auxiliary has donated to the nine-point
program in the sum of $225.00 each year.

On August 11, 1955 Mrs. Ruth McMackin, Depart-
ment President of Illinois, honored Unit No. 252 by in-
stalling the present officers: Mrs. Marie A. Appel, Presi-
dent; Mrs. Lorraine Maue, First Vice-President; Mrs.
Sara Hostmeyer, Second Vice-President; Mrs. Dorothy
Thole, Secretary; Mrs. Marie A. Krebs, Treasurer; Mrs,
Henrietta Hilmes, Chaplain; Mrs. Loretta Kuper, Histor-
ian; Mrs. Agnes Hoerchler, Sgt.-at-Arms; Mrs. Viola
Young, Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms.

The Unit at present is organizing a Hospital Auxiliary
in Breese.

Breese Business & Professional Assn.

The Breese Business and Professional Association
was organized January 27, 1953 and incorporated under
the laws of the State of Illinois, February 13, 1953, for
professional and business men of Breese. The first offi-
cers of the organization were: President, Sylvester
Schwarz; Vice-President, Charles Niemeyer; Secretary-
Treasurer, Carl Koch; Directors, Lawrence Robben, Louis
Heyer, Ruth Garlich and Richard Meissner.

The purposes for which the Business and Professional
Association was organized were: To promote, foster, and
develop in its membership a spirit of friendliness and co-
operation. To set up and practice the highest type of
sales and merchandising methods and exercise a high
standard of business ethics. To strive to make Breese
the principal trading center of our county. To induce in-
dustry to locate in our community. To aid and assist in
all activities that may result in the common good of our
membership and community.

This organization meets four times a year, holding its
annual meeting in January. In 1955 an amendment to
the by-laws was passed, and meetings are now held once
each month.

The present officers of the Business and Profession-
al Association are: President, Lawrence Ratermann; Vice-;
President, George Schwarz; Secretary-Treasurer, Syl-
vester Schwarz; Directors, John Lampen, Henry Hum-
mert, Orville Pitt, and Arthur Hellige.

The Business and Professional Association has corn-
pleted many worthwhile activities and many are still in
progress to help the future of Breese.

Lions Club

The International Association of Lions Clubs granted
Breese, Illinois Lions Club their charter on September
25, 1936. The officers of this newly organized club were:
Dr. Francis H. Ketterer, President; Nelson F. Brockmann,
Secretary; and Lewis Dorries, Treasurer. The charter
members were: A. J. Appel, Rev. T. E. Beier, Nelson F.
Brockmann, Lewis Dorries, Lamar Greene, Richard C.
Gerfen, Glen E. Holmes, Dr. Francis Ketterer, Frank
Kuhl, Dr. R. A. Kyle, Erwin J. Mahlandt, Robert A. Meiss-
ner, William Payne, E. J. Raeber, Maurice Schurmann,
Sylvester Schwarz, Charles Touchette, August A. Von
Bokel, Edward Wade, Harry C. Wieter and Shelby M.
Woods.

The objects of the Lions Club are as follows: To
create and foster a spirit of "generous considei-ation"
among the peoples of the world through a study of the
problems of international relationships. To promote the
theory and practices of the principles of good government
and good citizenship. To take an active interest in the
civic, commercial, social, and moral welfare of the com-
munity. To unite the members in the bonds of friend-
ship, good fellowship, and mutual understanding. To pro-

vide a forum for the full and free discussion of all mat-
ters of public interest. To encourage efficiency and pro-
mote high ethical standards in business and professions.

The Lions have held picnics annually; the proceeds
from these picnics were used for civic projects as well as
donations to worthy causes in the county, state, and na-
tional level. Donations have been made by the club to
the Red Cross, the Hadley School for the Blind, the
Leader Dog program, the polio funds, and the Clinton
County Baseball League. The Lions have sponsored the
lighting of the Soft Ball Park, the flouridation of city
water, the Kaskaskia River flood and conservation con-
trol, and floats in numerous parades. The club has also
sponsored dinners for high school basketball teams. Boy
Scout troop No. 66, the little Boys baseball league, and
the Christmas parties for children. The Lions promoted
the city street markers during the year 1955. Many
worthy projects have been undertaken and accomplished
by the Lions during the past years.

The Breese Lions Club meets on the first and third
Thursday of each month at St. John's Hall, where dinner
is served to all members. The dinner is followed by a
business meeting. The Lions meetings have an average
attendance of .72 per cent of enrollment. Each year dele-
gates are sent to the State and International Convention
of Lions Clubs. ,

The membership in the Breese club for 1956 is forty
four members. The present officers are: Philip Rowe-
kamp. President; A. J. Appel, Secretary; and Henry C.
Hummert, Treasurer.

Parent-Teacher Association

The Breese Parent-Teacher Association was organized
at the Breese High School on November 20, 1934. At
that meeting, the following officers were elected: Mrs.
Kathryn Schildroth, President; Elver Schroeder, Vice-
President; Miss Mary Magdalin Appel, Secretary; and
Mrs. E. J. Schroeder, Treasurer.

The objects of the Parent-Teacher Association are:
To promote the welfare of children and youth in home,
school, church, and community. To raise the standards
of home life. To secure adequate laws for the care and
protection of children and youth. To bring into closer
relation the home and the school, that parents and teach-
ers may cooperate intelligently in the training of the
child. To develop between education and the general pub-
lic such united efforts as will secure for every child the
highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spirit-
ual education.

The Parent-Teacher Association has grown and now
includes all the schools in Community Unit School Dis-
trict Number Two. The members of the P. T. A. are very
active and endeavor to carry out the principles of the
Association.

The present officei's are: Mrs. Cecil Raymond, Pres-
ident; Mrs. Ray Schlueter, Vice-President; Mrs. Leo
Landolt, Secretary; and Mrs. Albert Willi, Treasurer.
The past presidents of the Breese P. T. A. are: Mrs.
Kathryn Schildroth, Mrs. Edward Schmidt, Mrs. Lloyd
Worley, Mrs. Dorothy Mullican, Mrs. Annette Von Ger-
ichten, Mrs. Edna Hofsommer, Mrs. John McGee, Mrs.
Opal Woods, Mrs. Oliver Forbes, Miss Gretchen Hofsom-
mer, Mrs. Anna Lane, Mrs. Vaneta Touchette, Mrs.
Gertrude Brockmann, Mrs. George Eck, Mrs. Jane John-
son, Mrs. Harriet Stevenson, Mrs. Carl Koch and Mrs.
Viola Young.

Breese Rod & Gun Club

In the winter of 1950, a group of out-of-door loving
men got together and planned for a place to go. Their
objective was a place to relax and also to do a little
fishing.

After due consideration they agreed on a certain spot
located two and one half miles northeast of Breese, off
the newly improved Breese-Jamestovm Road — it was a

hilly, wooded area, with just enough valley between the
hills to make a lake.

One day soon thereafter, Mr. Alfred "Pickles" Von-
Alst, at that time County Conservation Officer, acting
as a self-appointed one man committee, approached the
owner, Mr. Jos. F. Ratermann, who agreed to consider the
matter, and after a few days consented to lease this
piece of ground to the Club.

It was only a short time later that the Breese Rod
and Gun Club was organized with Marcellus "Bud" Rolf-
ingsmeier elected as their first president.

On the day before Easter of that spring, the pro-
posed lake was surveyed and staked out by Mark J. Rat-
ermann, then a student at the University of Illinois. No
time was lost — the trees were cut and removed from the
future lake site, stumps were blasted, and many willing
and able hands made the job of cleaning the site easy
work. The Dam was built in the summer of 1951.

The road that led to the site from the main road,
was such, that at cei-tain times of the year it v,-as pass-
able only on foot or horseback. With the co-oporation of
the Township Road Commissioner and the owners of the
land adjacent to the road, it was widened, graded and
covered with rock and is now fit for modern travel at all
times.

A clubhouse that had been on the site before the or-
ganization of the Club, was purchased by the Club, and
provides living quarters for the caretaker.

In the summer of 1952, the Clinton County Electric
Co-op. extended their electric lines to the Club Grounds,
making it possible to light the park area when so desired
at night.

There are barbet|ue pits for the use of the members
and also swings to keep the kiddies occupied, while Mom
and Dad catch the fish. The Officers and Directors of
tl.is Club have always tried, inasmuch as possible, to
make this a place of true relaxation and enjoyment.

They have also always tried to stock the lake with a
supply of fish and have used every known m?thod of pro-
moting the growth of fish — and some very nice fish have
been pulled from the lake. One objective, the Club has
always maintained, is, to keep the membership dues at
a figure that every one can afford.

There are no private clubhouses on the club grounds,
but, since the lake was made, several have been built, on
adjoining grounds. We know that in the past many have
spent an enjoyable hour or day out at the Lake and it is
our wish and sincere hope that even more will make use
of this opportunity to spend a peaceful and relaxing hour
or day in our park in the future.

4-H Club

The first 4-H Club was organized in 1927. and it was
knowTi as the "Boys Agricultural Club." This organiza-
tion was under the leadership of W. A. Cope, Clinton
County Farm Adviser. The first projects included dairy,
beef, and the ton litter hog project. In 192S, the girls
clothing club work was started, and it also was under the
leadership of W. A. Cope.

The progress of the 4-H Club has been very rapid
in Clinton County as the membership has increased every
year since the beginning in 1927. Many projects and ac-
tivities have been added through the years. Today, 4-H
members enrolled in agriculture can take many projects
pertaining to the farm. Such projects include farm con-
crete, farm electricity, tractor maintenance, garden, crops,
forestry, soil improvement, v.ildlife conservation, ento-
mology, and dairy, beef, and hogs. The girls 4-H Club
projects have been expanded to include foods and room
improvement along with clothing.

Camping has become a vital part of the 4-H pro-
gram. This program was started in 1948 under the lead-
ership of Floyd Smith, Clinton County Farm Adviser. To-
day more than 450 boys and girls from Clinton County
are taking part in the 4-H program. All programs are
geared to teach citizenship, and leadership.

The 4-H Club motto is "To make the best better."
The pledge expresses the purposes and aims of the 4-H
program in these words: "I pledge my head to clearer
thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, niy hands to larger
service, and my health to better living, for my club, my
community, and my country.

Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois
Council No. 7

The Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois was orig-
inated in Carlyle, Illinois on February 9, 1884. At that
tirne the society was known as the Catholic Knights of
Illinois. Council No. 7 at Breese, was one of the original
councils in the society and on July 17, 1913, St. Augustine
Council No. 82 was formed from "Council No. 7. The fol-
lowing officers of Council No. 7 were elected on that date:
Mr. Henry Hummert, president; Mr. Frank Kuhl, vice-
president; Mr. John Kleier, recording secretary; Mr. B.
C. Meyer, financial-secretary and Mrs. Theo. Ahrens,
treasurer. In the year 1920, the name of the society was
changed to Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois. 'After
the death of Mr. Hy. Hummert, the society elected Mr.
Ben Schwarz as president. Following his death, Mr. Jos-
eph Berndsen was elected. Today, Mr. John Nienan
serves as president, and Mr. Frank Hustedde as financial
secretary and treasurer. The Council has approximate-
ly one hundred and twenty-five members.

Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois
(St. Augustine Branch No. 82)

Through the efforts of organizer Frank Ritzheimer
of Trenton, 111., a charter was issued to the St. Augustine
Branch of the Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois, a
fraternal insurance society. This charter was issued
July 17, 1913. The first officers of the St. Augustine
Branch of the Catholic Knights and Ladies were August
Knies, President and Emil Kauling, Secretary. The char-
ter members of this society were: Rev. \ incent Hartung,
Emil H. Kaulig, Paul Foppe, Edward Foppe, August
Knies, George H. Lampe, Louisa C. Wieter, John Peters,
Josephine Peters, Henry A. Eschniann, Charles Almassy,
George Petermeyer, Henry Petermeyer. Carl J. Schlar-
mann, William D. Drake, Catherine Huelskamp, George
H. Schulte, Henry Holtmann, Elizabeth Holtmann, and
Henry Benhoff.

The membership of St. Augustine Branch No. 82 to-
day numbers 150. The present officers are: Frank B.
Niemann, President; Leo Venhaus, Vice-President and
Treasurer; Philip Maue. Financial and Recording Sec-
retary; and Louis Hagen, Ben Ahlers, and Eugene RoLf-
ingsmeyer. Trustees.

Council No. 32 of the Catholic Knights and Ladies of
Illinois will have the honor of being host to the Quad-
rennial Supreme Convention to be held in October of this
year.

To.wnsend Club

An organization that created considerable interest in
the coinmunity in the "thirties" was the Breese Towsend
Club. It vas organized in 1933, and functioned here for
several years.

The Townsend Plan was a non-profit organization for
National Insurance. The plan was offered as a substitute
for the Social Security Act. The first ofi'icers were Chas.
T. Casey, president; A. W. Grunz, secre;ary, and Henr ■
Holtkamp, treasurer. Meetings were held" in the City
Hall.

Boy Scout Troop 67

Boy Scout Troop No. 67 was chartered October 1, 1948.
The sponsors were the Knights of Columbus Council No.
2869 with Joseph Huelskamp signed as Grand Knight.
The first chairman was Mr. A. J. Appel, with Ferd Foppe
as Scoutmaster and Stanley L. Niebur and Virgil H. Nie-
bur as assistant scoutmasters. The following were mem-
bers of the first troop comittee: Francis B. Fields, Wall-
ace H. Fonke, H. C. Hummert, Emil A. Garcia and Henry
Pohlman. The troop met at the Sportsmen's Club in
Breese.

Scout activities included scrap drives during the war,
bringing Christmas gifts to the school and hospital sis-
ters, carolling at the hospital, paper drives, and partici-
pation in parades etc., in Breese and surrounding com-
munities. Outdoor activities consisted of Regional first-
aid meets, district camporees, and attending Camp Joy
every summer. Some scouts are members of the Order
of the Arrow. Scout Jerome Foppe attended the National
Boy Scout Jamboree which was held in California in 1954.

Vincent Richter is now serving as scoutmaster with
Clarence G. Maue and Raymond Maue, as assistant scout-
masters. E.xplorer Advisor is John F. Schulte and Troop
committee members are, George Maue, Louis B. Heyer,
Julius Molitor, H. C. Hummert and Leo Venhaus. At
present the troop meetings are held in the Knights of
Columbus Hall in Breese.

Girl Scouts

The first Girl Scout organization was a Lone Troop
organized by Mrs. Connie (Schnyder) Von Bokel and Miss
Alice Tschudy of Trenton, Hlinois on November 9, 1934.
The Breese Woman's Club sponsored the scouts. They
were registered with Girl Scouts, Inc., National Headquar-
ters, 570 Lexington Ave., New York, N. Y., as Girl Scout
Troop No. 1 of Breese, 111., in the spring of 1935. Mrs.
Annie (Renschen) Kuhl was the first captain and Miss
Gretchen Hofsommer as lieutenant. The following were
charter members of Troop No. 1 of Breese in November
1934, namely, Adelaide Schlueter. .A.da Koch, Arlene Ger-
fen, Cornelia Schroeder, Edna Heyer, Florence Schniers,
Georgine Mueller, Rufina Mueller, Wilma Bonney, Ger-
aldine Deien, June Ruth Hoffman, Juanita Zinschlag,
Sarah Alice McCracken, Louise Rowekanip, Vernell Mc-
Allister, Eleanor Bohn, Eldina Burress, and Maxine Bur-
ress. The first troop committee members (mothers of
girl scouts) were, Mrs. Anne Mueller, Mrs. Olinda Bonney,
and Mrs. Nellie Schroeder.

From November 1934 to January 1937 the scouts held
their weekly meetings in the Funke building on North
Second and Cherry streets, which is occupied by Dr. Piatt
as an office at the present time. Each girl brought a
chair and helped furnish the hall. In February 1937 the
scouts moved to North Second and Main streets in the
upstairs rooms of INIrs. Georgina Koch's building where
they did not have to pay rent. Then in October 19;19 the
scouts had to eive up the scout hall because the building
was leased. The scouts t' en met at the captain's home
until the fall of 1941 when they met in the high school
bpsement until 1945. At their v.-eekly meetings the scouts
v.-oi-ked for their badges, and did handicrnft. At Christmas
time thev went caroling and every Saturday morning
when the weather permitted they took hikes and cooked
their breakfast outdoors.

From November 1934 to October 1935 Mrs. Anne
(Renschen) Kuhl was captain and from October 1935 un-
til the spring of 1945 Miss Gretchen Hofsommer was cap-
tain. During these years the following were Lieutenants:
^■iss Gretchen Hofsommer, Jliss Arlene Gei-fen, Mrs. Con-
nie Bokel, Miss Gladvs Bradford, Miss Irene Dorries, Miss
Eleanor Purhorn, Miss Alice Lautebur, Miss Sylvia Mey-
re, Miss Viola Pitt and Miss Wilamine Dorries.

During the ye^rs 1937, 19?8, 1940, 1941 and 1942 the
scouts camped at Club Lake, Carlyle, 111., for a week dur-

ing the summer. Then in 1939, the week of July 23 to
30 they had an opportunity to go to Camp Onatoga, Graf-
ton, Illinois, which was operated by the East St. Louis
Girl Scout Council. Also in 1944 the week of July 2 to
9 four girls(senior scouts) had the opportunity to go to
Camp Widjiwagon. which was operated by the Spring-
field Council of Girl Scouts, Springfield, Illinois. After
1943 Club Lake was not available to the Scouts as it was
used by members only.

As Breese had a Lone Troop and did not belong to a
council the organization appreciated the above privileges
and enjoyed hiking and cooking out of doors. At (jlub
Lake, Carlyle, Illinois, they did all their own cooking and
baking and looked foi-ward to camping days the next
year.

In 1951 the Bi'ownies were organized. The first lead-
ers were: Mrs. Ann Mueller and Miss Henrietta Coers. It
was in that year also that the Seniors were organized.
The first leaders were: Miss Rose Russell and Mrs. Fern
Wobbe. At the present time the girl scouts are still a
lone troop. The membership is composed of thirty
brownies, twenty-eight intermediates and twelve senior
.scouts.

Indoor activities: Brownies - singing, dancing, games
and crafts. Intermediates - badge work, dancing, singing
and crafts. Seniors - singing, dancing and crafts.

Badges worked on in the last several years include:
garden, flower, bird, hostess, weaving, first aid, camp-
craft, folk dancing, cooking, nutrition, sewing, house-
keeper. Junior citizen, farm safety, clothing, good groom-
ing. Outdoor activities: Hikes, cook-outs and blazing
trails. Community activities: Trick or treat in reverse,
holiday favors for hospital, Christmas caroling at hos-
pital. Old Folks Home at Carlyle and Aviston, help Legion
Auxiliary with poppy sale, sell Easter lillies for Crippled
Children's Fund, help Legion with Easter Egg Hunt and
participate in parades and enter floats.

The Breese Woman's Club still sponsors the Scouts
and a collection is taken up at every club meeting for the
scout fund. They also are financed by cookie sales and
Black & White and Labor Day concession stands.

The present leaders are: Brownies: Mrs. Agnes Nie-
meyer and f'Trs. Dorothv Sellers. Intermediates: Miss
Wilamine Dorries and Miss Viola Pitt, assisted by Mrs.
Ruth Ketterer and Mrs. Viola Young. Seniors: Mrs.
Ruth Ratermann and Mrs. Florence Dorries.

Boy Scout Troop 66

Scouting for boys, and the teaching of its purposes,
had its origin in Breese with the organization of "The
Lone Scouts", in 1917. Casper Hofsommer, Jr.. took an
active lead in this work, and the boys showed much in-
terest, getting complete uniforms, and carrying on with
the principles of what The Lone Scouts meant.

AtfiIi;ition with the Boy Scouts of America first be-
came effective in June, 1939, when a charter was issued
for Troop No. 66, in Breese; this Boy Scout Troop was
sponsored by the Breese Lions Club, with Joseph Varel
as Scoutrraster and Nelson Brockmann as his assistant,
a year later the latter becoming Scoutmaster when Mr.
Varel moved away.

The troop started with twelve boys, all of whom took
much interest and made progress. They were hosts to a
(i'ouncil Camporee at the Breese Fair Grounds in 1940.
The group attended many camporees, merit badge shows
and summer camp at Camp Wangelin, near Waterloo.
Scout interest grew very high and the troop attained its
mayimum membership in 1943 with forty scouts. Troop
66 won manv medals, ribbons and honors in District com-
petition. Many scouts became first class with two at-
taining the rank of Star, one of Life and one of Eagle.
Interest was lost along in 1946 and the troop became in-
active for several years.

The Troop Committee consisted of Edward Wade, S.
M. Woods, Harry Wieter, E. J. Mahlandt and A. J. AppeL

Reorganized in 1950, Edward Knies became Scout-
master with Vincent Fonke as assistant. The year's ac-
tivities included a trip to Crab Orchard Lake at Carbon-
dale for an over-nig-ht camp-out. Mr. Knies served as
Scoutmaster for about one year, but when he moved a-
way Mr. Fonke assumed the leader's duties and remained
in "charge for several years. During this time Forrest
Mann conducted a rifle practice program which was very
beneficial to the boys. Mr. Fonke, after serving some
time as Soutmaster, "moved away from Breese. and Albei-t
Willi accepted the Scoutmaster position in 1954, and Carl
Koch was named his assistant.

The Troop has had as many as 20 Scouts, and at the
present time the roster consists of seven boys: Richard
Sellers, Gerald Vander Pluym, Dennis Hetzel, Stanley
Smith, Edwin Landolt, Leroy Hellman and Walter Koch.
The boys meet twice each month at the 66 Den, located
at North Broadway and Main Streets. This home for the
troop was furnished by the Breese Lions Club, which or-
ganization has been the continuous sponsor for this boys'
project.

Sportsmen's League

The Breese Illinois Sportsmen's League purchased
the pi-opertv of the Consolidated Coal Company (known
as the West" Mine) on October 19, 1936.

The Sportsmen League was formed for all who are
interested in hunting and fishing, also for the protec-
tion and conser\ation of all wild-life. The present mem-
bership is twenty-five.

Concordia Saengerchor

The Concordia Saengerchor was organized January 29,
1862. In planning the early days, the Society was formed
principally for the purpose of planning better things for
the City of Breese. The purpose was accompanied with
exceptionally good singing and a great deal of dancing.
The Society was also interested in matters of a re-
ligious manner and sang religious songs. Meetings and
choir rehearsals were held in the homes of members under
the leadership of Professor Resold.

A charter was issued to the Concordia Saengerchor
on March 16, 1881, which made it a legally organized
corporation. The records do not indicate who the officers
were in the early days. However, after the Society re-
ceived a c' arter in 1881 the following men served as
officers: The year 1882: Herman Fasnacht, president; Hen-
ry Schmidt, secretary; in 1883, Henry Freund, president;
Fritz Koch, secretary; in 1884, Louis Meissner, president;
Anton Deutsc'\ secretary; in 1887, Louis Meissner, presi-
dent; Henry Schmidt, secretary; in 1888, Fritz Burhorn,
president; Henry Schmidt, secretary.

The Concordia Saengerchor is a non-profit organ-
ization registered under the laws of the State of Illinois.
The Society holds its annual meeting each year on the
last Sunday of the calendar year. 'The purpose of this
annual meeting is principa'ly to arrange for the annual
banquet wHch is always held on the Saturday nearest
the 29th of January. The annual banquets are greatly
appreciated by the members because it enables them to
renew old friendships and make new friends. The meet-
ings and banquets are held in the American Legion Hall.
This arrangement was made when the American Legion
purchased the old Concordia Hall and the land from the
society.

The membership as of January 29, 1956, was as
follows: Honorary members, 36; widows. 13; paying mem-
bers, 82. The total members' ip is 131 members. The
oldest living member in age of membership is Fred
Schmidt. The youngest member in age of membership
is Thomas Osborne.

Some of the past presidents who have served the
society are: Otto Rumpf, William Mahlandt, Louis Boehm,
Fred Busley, John Strubhart, Nelson Brockman, and

Fred Schoeneberg. The officers for the year 1956 are:
Fred Schoeneberg, president; and A. J. Appel, secretary.
The Concordia Saengerc" or is one of the oldest
organizations in Breese. The Society has assisted in many
projects in the promotion and advancement of our city
since its organization in 1862.

Breese Driving and Fair Association

The Breese Driving and Fair Association was or-
ganized in 1902, by about seventy-five of the most prom-
inent citizens of Breese and \ icinity. A thirty-acre tract
of land, located north of the city, was leased and turned
into a park and race track.

On December 30, 1903, the company was reorganized
and incorporated under the state laws with a capital of
$7000.00 fully paid. The park v/as then purchased at a
cost of $9000.00. About 1,500 trees were planted, which
made it one of the finest places in Southern Illinois. A
large dance and exhibition hall, a number of good stables,
and a large grand stand were built for the accommodation
of the public. By 1908 the association had spent over
$40,000.00 for improvements. The first board of direc-
tors were: J. O. Koch, President; August Grunz, Secre-
tary; C. C. Hofsommer, Treasurer, Frank Funke, L. C.
Schroeder, H. Pollmann, and W. G. Bechtold.

In 1912 the capital stock of the association was
$12,000.00.

In the early years of the Fair, races were held in con-
nection with the fair. They had Buggy Races, Three min-
ute trot or pace. Pony race, Mule race and Free for all
trot or pace, paying from $15.00 to $100.00 for first place-
In later years wonderful free acts took place every after-
noon and evening during the fair, which perhaps was the
greatest attraction of the fair. During the spring and
summer, auto races were held on Sunday, and large
crov ds came from far and near to watch the speeding
racers.

Later the name was changed to "Clinton County Ag-
ricultural Fair Association". Fairs were held every year
sometimes in the latter part of August, but mostly dur-
ing the first two weeks in September.

The business people of Breese and surrounding terr-
itory exhibited their merchandise in large tents and in
later years in a large building covered with metal siding,
which is still in the city park at the present time.

In 1913, F. A. Toennies of Albers, relates they dis-
played a "front wheel drive" tractor; farm tools were at-
tached to rear frame of tractor, while a long shaft from
tractor to seat of farm tool was the steering wheel; the
steering shaft was adjustable for distance to seat of dif-
ferent farm tools, includi-'g the self-binder. Perhaps more
remember the torrential rains thj.t fell during fair week,
when you would have to run for shelter.

Exhibits increased from year to year and during the
later >ears new barns were added for the live stock, with
additional space in large tents put up for the overflow.
C. C. Hofsommer was Superintendent of registered beef
and dairy cattle, grade dairy cattle, horses, jacks, jennets,
mules, sheep and swine. Ben J. Schv.-arz was Superinten-
dent of poultry, ducks, geese and turkeys; John Maue
was Superintendent of agriculture products; A. J. Hof-
sommer was Superintendent of horticultui'e; Irene Dor-
ries was Superintendent of fine arts, educational and mis-
cellaneous; Mrs. A. W. Grunz and Mrs. Mary Busley were
Superintendents of domestic arts; Mrs.Lydia Rumpf, was
Superintendent of dairy, apiary, culinary and cakes; and
Chas. E. Twigg, then Farm Adviser of Clinton County,
in charge of 4-H Department.

In 1938 the last fair was held in Breese.

Breese Building Corporation

The Breese Building Corporation is an organization
that was formed in 1931 as a result of activity of the
Breese Chamber of Commerce. The latter organization
was interested in providing employment for the citizens
of Breese. The principal business in the City of Breese,

up to 1931, was coal mining, but due to a general depres-
sion in the business world, and particularly in the coal
industry, two of the Breese mines were shut down and an-
other was operated only part time. As a result many of
the miners were unemployed.

The Breese Chamber of Commerce, with a view of re-
lieving the situation, determined to induce other indus-
tries to locate in Breese and to that end, in the summer of
1931, they began to circulate subscription lists with which
to purchase sites, which could be furnished free to manu-
facturers or any other businesses that would give employ-
ment to Breese residents. It was understood that title of
land would be held by the Breese Chamber of Commerce
until such time that it could be used to advantage for any
purpose in the interest of the City of Breese and its in-
habitants. The citizens of Breese responded promptly and
in a short time a sufficient amount was donated by 178
progressive citizens, to make possible the purchase of si.x
acres of ground from the Gerdes Estate, upon which a
factory building was later erected.

In the latter part of July, 1931, the Chamber of Com-
merce entered into an agreement with the Mexican Amer-
ican Hat Co. of St. Louis, Mo., to erect a factory building
at an approximate cost of $25,000.00, same to be leased
by the company. To carry out such a plan, the Breese
Building Corporation was formed. Stock subscrintion
lists were prepared and in a short time there were 254
subscribers for over $25,000.00 worth of capital stock in
the proposed company, each share being valued at $50.00.

The first meeting of the stockholders was held Jul-
24, 1931, at which time the following directors were
elected: August J. Hummert, A. C. Koch, A. J. Schmidt,
E. T. Rickher, John Strubhart, A. W. Glunz and August
Glancy.

Daughters of Isabella

The history of Breese Precious Blood Circle No. 718,
Daughters of Isabella, began June 10, 1945, when Mrs.
Betty Feltrop, now past Regent of the Circle, with her
husband, attended a Knights of Columbus banquet at
Trenton, 111. While in conversation with several K. of C.
and D. of I. members from Highland, 111., she received
information about the society and became very interested.
On June 18, 1945, several of the officers of Sacred Heart
Circle, C of I. of Highland, came to Breese to meet
with Mrs. Feltrop and several other interested Breese
women, for the purpose of explaining the origin and
purpose of the National Circle, Daughters of Isabella.
A short time later they met with Father Aydt, pastor
of St. Dominic parish, who graciously agreed to hav."
a circle instituted in Breese.

On July 16,1945, an organization meeting was held
in St. Dominic Hall. Thirty-two ladies signed applications
for membership at this meeting, but by August 10, 1945,
applications were signed by 107 applicants from Breese
and the surrounding cities. Institution and initiation was
held in the Breese High School gymnasium on August 12,
1945. Mrs. Mayme McGloon, at that time State Regent
of Illinois and the degree team of the Sacred Heart
Circle of Highland exemplified the ritualistic degrees
to the 107 charter members. Mrs. Betty Feltrop was in-
stalled as first Regent of Precious Blood Circle and
Father Aydt was appointed by His Excellency Bishop
Albert R. Zuroweste of Belleville to serve as the Circle's
first chaplain. Father Aydt has guided the Circle spirit-
ually through the years and is still serving as chaplain
at the present time.

The National Circle, Daughters of Isabella was in-
stituted as an auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus.
T' e main object of its inception is to unite within the
bonds of a great fraternal beneficient society all Catholic
women of proper age and standing so that they may
become better acquainted, widen their circle of friends,
combine their resources and energies for mutual assist-
ance, promote the social and religious upbuilding of
their sex, aid their intellectual growth, and thus become
a united force for the advancement of good in the world.
Their motto is "Unity, Friendship, and Charity."

Through the years Precious Blood Circle has en-
deavored to carry out these principles, especially that
of charity. Among the various charitable activities are
included: Sending large quantities of clothing to the
needy, in our own country and also to foreign countries.
To Catholic Charities in the Belleville Diocese, to St.
John's Orphanage, etc. Money and toys are sent to the
Indian missions each year at Christmas. A party or
wiener roast is given for the children at St. John's Or-
phanage eac'i year, usually at Easter time. Cash dona-
tions have been sent to the Sacred Heart program. Little
Flower Crusade, to Rev. William Jenks project for aid
in teaching the blind and partially blind children, to
the Classical Students Aid Fund for the Priesthood, to
the Most Rev. Bishop Fulton Sheen for World Missions.

They have helped to complete the furnishing of
the new baby house at St. John's Orphanage, which was
the Diocesan project assigned by the Bishop, and are
now contributing toward the new project also assigned
by the Bishop, which is furnishing of the interior of the
new chapel that will be built soon at St. John's Orphanage.
A particularly worthy project has been undertaken re-
cently, which is the education of a missionary priest to be
paid solely by Precious Blood Circle.

Spiritually they sponsor retreats at Kings House,
Pilgrimages, Days of Recollection, Annual Corporate
Communions and perpetual prayer on the first Saturday
of every month, in St. Dominic's C urch, in honor of Our
Lady of Fatima. The Circle has a rhythm band made up
of se\ eral members of the Circle and directed by Mrs.
Katherine Niemeyer, chairman of the entertainment com-
mittee.

The Circle also has shown interest in civic affairs
by having floats in parades, sponsoring Easter Seal col-
lection for the Crippled Childrens Fund, assisting with
the March of Dimes, Red Cross, and polio drives, etc.
The Circle is also affiliated with the National Council
of Catholic Women, the Catholic Women's Union of
Illinois, the National Catholic Welfare Council, The Lea-
gue of Our Lady of Snows, the Miraculous Medal Associa-
tion, and promotes the Purity Crusade of Mary Immacu-
late of Bartelso, III.

In October, 1952, the Circle was host to a joint in-
stallation of officers of the various Circles from the
Belleville and Springfield Dioceses. The present member-
ship totals 350 members.

Mrs. Nora Meissner is the Regent at the present
time. Past Regents of the Circle are: Mrs. Betty Feltrop,
1945-48; Mrs. Marie Heyer, 1948-52; Mrs. Frances Im-
ming, Aviston, 1952-53; Mrs. Lucille Krebs, 1953-55.
Two of the members of the Circle have held offices in
the Illinois State Circle. Mrs. Betty Feltrop was State
First Guide from 1947 to 1949. Mrs. Marie Heyer was
State Second Guide in 1949, State Vice Regent from 1951
to 1955, and is at present the Regent of the Illinois State
Circle. There are many more members who have done
outstanding work and much more could be written, but
space does not permit.

The meetings of the Circle are held every first and
third Wednesday of each month in the Knights of Colum-
bus Home in Breese.

The Home Bureau

The Home Bureau in the Breese community had its
beginning as early as 1936, when Mr. Charles E. Twigg,
who was Farm Adviser at that time in the Breese district,
attended the St. Clair County Home Bureau meetings.
Mrs. Ed. Netemeyer, Mrs. Frank Warnecke, Mrs. John
Voss, Mrs. John Huelsmann, and other interested home
makers in the Breese area also attended the meetmgs.
The Breese unit was affiliated with the St. Clair County
Home Bureau until 1945, when the Clinton County Home
Bureau was organized.

The organization meeting of the Clinton County
Home Bureau was held on May 17, 1945, at 8:30 p. m.
in St. Mary's Hall, Carlyle, 111. Mrs. Frank Warnecke
was the organizational chairman and Mrs. Frances Von

Bokel was acting secretary. Some of the first Honi"
Bureau members from Breese were: Mrs. Raymond
B. Schroeder, Mrs. Ed Netemeyer, Mrs. Charles Twigg,
and Mrs. F. J. Warnecke. The first Home Adviser em-
ployed by the Clinton County Home Bureau was Miss
Harriett Meyer of Urbana, 111.

The Clinton County Home Bureau is associated with
the Illinois Home Bureau Federation, American Farm
Women of America and the Associated Country Women
of the World.

The object of the Home Bureau is to promote the
development of home making, to the end that every
home may be economically sound, mechanically convenient,
morally wholesome, mentally stimulating, artistically sat-
isfying, physically healthful, socially responsible, spirit-
ually inspiring, founded upon mutual affection and re-
spect.

On July 12, 1945, a meeting of the Breese Home
Bureau was held in St. Augustine's Hall. At this meet-
ing the organization was divided into three separate
units, namely; East Breese, Breese Neighborhood, and
South Breese.

The Home Bureau has a program of adult education,
such as the study of legal matters. It keeps informed
on current events. It covers the cultural side, literature,
art and music. Also the practical side, which deals with
foods, clothing, handicraft, etc. The Home Bureau works
to the advantage of both town and rural women.

In February, 1948, Mrs. Frank Warnecke a member
of the Neighborhood Unit, was honored by being named
director of Home Bureau in the southwest district of Illi-
nois.This position on the state board gave Mrs. War-
necke jurisdiction of 14 southern Illinois counties.

Miss Margaret Jones is the present Clinton County
Home Adviser. The president of the East Breese unit is
Mrs Hazel Zinschlag. The president of Neighborhood
Breese is Mrs. Cora Warnecke and the president of South
Breese is Miss Rosina Markus.

Meetings of the Breese Home Bureau units are held
in the homes of the members.

Breese Women's Club

On Wednesday evening, November 7, 1934, a group
of women met in the Pocahontas Lodge Hall, which at
that time was located in the Koch building on North
Main St., in the city of Breese, for the purpose of or-
ganizing a Womans' Club. Mrs. Cora B. Kohl of Cen-
tralia, at that time district vice president, was present
at this meeting to explain the purpose and ideals of Feder-
ated Womans Clubs. She spoke of the club as a civic
organization and of the good it could accomplish in that
capacity. American Home Department Chairman Mrs.
J. Paul Carter of Nashville, Mrs. McFarland, Centralia,
garden chairman, and Mrs. Roy Jordan, at that time
president of Marion County Womans Club, were present
at that first meeting.

Mrs. Irene Poos of Trenton, chairman of Clinton
County Federation of Women's Clubs, presided as the
official organization officer at this meeting. Mrs. Amanda
McAllister, was elected the first president of the club;
Mrs. Evelyn Mahlandt, vice president; Miss Viola Pitt,
recording secretary. Miss Rose Russell, corresponding
secretary and Mrs. Henrietta Musenbrock, treasui'er. A
committee consisting of Mrs. Harry Emerson, Mrs. Leona
Frank, and Mrs. Betty Koppers w'ere named to draw up
the constitution and by-laws. There were 32 charter
members. They were as follows: Mrs. Betty Koppers,
Miss Gretchen Hofsommer, Miss Annette Hofsommer,
Mrs. Eugenia Appel, Mrs. William Jasper, Mrs. Ada Koch,
Mrs. Amanda McAllister, Mrs. Florence Springmeyer,
Mrs. Mildred Schlueter, Mrs. Harrison Hoffman, Sr.,
Mrs. Henrietta Musenbrock, Mrs. Dorothy Mullican, Miss
Mary Werth, Mrs. Felix Messig, Miss "Wilma Schmidt,
Miss Evelyn Buehler, Miss Mary Magdalen Appel, Mrs.
Wilhelmina Haag, Miss Lou Warren, Mrs. Ann Kohrs,
Miss Sylvia Meyer, Miss Alma Meyer, Mrs. Laura Beier,
Mrs. Olivia Casey, Mrs. Elizabeth Knies, Mrs. Grace

Hoffman, Mrs. Harry Emerson, Miss Rose Russell, Miss
Virginia Munie, Miss Clementine Foppe, Mrs. Georgina
Koch, Miss Viola Pitt and Mrs. Evelyn Mahlandt. The ob-
ject of the club is intellectual and civic improvement,
social enjoyment, and united effort for the welfare of the
community.

The Breese Womans Club is a member of the General
Federation of Women's Clubs, the Illinois State Federa-
tion, the 23rd District and the Clinton County Federation
of Women's Clubs.

Since September 4, 1935, the club has sponsored the
Breese Girl Scouts. On that date a Girl Scout committee
was appointed by the club president. The members ap-
pointed were: Mrs. George Mueller, Mrs. Olinda Bonney,
and Mrs. Bertha Hoffman. Miss Gretchen Hofsommer
was the first leader of the scouts. In 1935 they purchased
a flag and standard for the scouts and have also made
contributions toward the Girl Scout Camp Fund.

Some of the activities of the club include the decor-
ating of a rest booth at the county fair when it was
held here in Breese, bake sales, presenting gifts to the
Soldiers Hospital at Scott Field during the war, quilting
bees at which members donated hours of their time
quilting for the hospital picnics that were held for the
benefit of St. Joseph's Hospital, assisting the Red Cross
with inoculation programs, assisting with the Chest
X-ray Mobile Unit, help solicit in Red Cross, polio, and
cancer drives, sponsoring health, dental and art poster
contests for students, and many more too numerous to
mention.

On April 25, 1935, many will recall the garden party
and flower festival, sponsored by the club and the musical
talent amateur night sponsored by the music department,
the book reviews by the literature department and the
food and cooking demonstrations and fashion shows by
the Ameiican home department. On December 5, 1934,
the American home department was organized with Mrs.
Lucy Cain as first president. At that same meeting the
literature department was organized with Mrs. Evelyn
Emerson as chairman. This department still meets every
second Friday of the month in the homes of the members.
The music department was organized January 2, 1935.
Mrs. Olivia Casey was the first chairman of that de-
partment.

Among the civic projects are: planting of shrubbery
on the lawn of the City Hall and in front of the public
school, erection of a flag pole at the City Park, donation
to the Breese Lions Club for street markers, entering
floats in parades, donations to the Breese Lions Club
to aid with the Christmas lighting contest, etc.

In addition to the many services rendered in its
own community, the club has contributed to nearly all
projects suggested by the general and State Federations.

Meetings of the club are held the second Wednesday
of each month at 7:30 p. m. in St. John's Hall. The pres-
ent officers are: President, Mrs. Ida Zinschlag; vice
president, Mrs. Henrietta Venhaus; recording secretary.
Miss Gretchen Hofsommer; corresponding secretary. Fay
Raymond, and treasurer, Marie Heyer. Department chair-
men are as follows: American citizenship, Mrs. Olivia
Worley; American home, Mrs. Frances Wade; Education,
Miss Rose Russell; Finance, Mrs. Opal Woods; Gardens
and Conservation, Mrs. Emma Garlich; Girl Scouts, Miss
Wilamine Dorries; Health, Mrs. Ina Schmidt; Literature
and Art, Mrs. Lydia Knaus; Music, Olivia Casey; Press
and Publicity, Mrs. Ruth Ratermann, and Program, Mrs.
Clara Schmeder.

Breese Council, Knights of CoJumbus

Breese Council No. 2869 of the Knights of Columbus
was instituted on April 4, 1943. The institution of the
council was first spoken about by Rev. H. H. Aydt, pastor
of St. Dommic's parish, and a group of men consisting
of A. J. Appel, Edward H. Feltrop, and Robert Meissner.
These men, after conferring with Father Aydt, called a
meeting in February, 1943, inviting men of St. Dominic's
and St. Augustine's parishes. At this meeting, enough

■men signed applications for membership to assure those
in charge to proceed with necessary arrangements for the
institution of the council.

On Sunday, April 4, 1943, the first and second de-
gree was exemplified by the staff of Carlyle Council,
and the third degree by the staff of Dr. John T. Murphy
of East St. Louis, then serving in the office of district
deputy. The charter class consisted of 50 insurance can-
didates and 50 associate candidates. Robert Meissner,
now serving as Master of the Fourth Degree of Southern
Illinois District, was elected the first Grand Knight.

Since its institution, the council has carried out pro-
grams for Catholic Action, always bearing in mind work-
ing for the honor and glory of God and for the good of
our country. It has cooperated in various civic activities.
One of its first activities was during World War II; it was
the first group of any organization that made a mass
•donation of blood to the Red Cross blood bank in St.
Louis on July 3, 1943, at which time 80 men of the
council motored to St. Louis to give blood. It sponsored
the first blood mobile bank in Breese.

The council participated in War Bond drives, co-
operated in fund drives for the Boy Scouts of America,
sponsored a Catholic Boy Scout Troop, cooperated with
Father Gregory Kunkel in his Indian Mission of Nebraska,
aided in the purchase of new equipment for St. Joseph's
Hospital in Breese and many other activities too numerous
to mention. The council formed its own First and Second
Degree staff and conferred the degrees not only on its
own new members but visited other councils and conferred
the degrees on their new members. The council was
honored to have its chaplain. Father Aydt, chosen to
he a delegate to the Supreme Convention held in Canada
in the early years of the council's existence. The council
holds its own commemorative services annually for its
departed brothers and each Memorial Day, their graves
are marked with a white cross. They sponsor a spelling
bee for grade school pupils of the schools in the district,

and give Christmas rememhrances to the good Sisters
in the schools and hospitals each year.

In 1945 plans were begun for raising funds for a
building. It was the hope of the council to own their own
building and this ambition began to be realized when in

1950 the Columbian Association of Breese was chartered
by the State of Illinois.

Harry Schumacher, who was heading the Knights
of Columbus of Breese, as Deputy Grand Knight, due to
the illness of Grand Knight Henry Fonke, made arrange-
ments for the purchasing of lots from William Jasper, for
location of the building. Ground was broken in August,
1952 and the construction of the building was begun.
Today the council is proud of its home, which is located
on the southeast corner of North Walnut and North Fifth
Streets. The building, besides being a meeting place for
the Knights, is used by the Daughters of Isabella and by
various civic groups from time to time. The building was
opened April 12, 1953, and dedicated by Bishop Zuro-
weste November 29, 1953.

The first Grand Knight of the council, Robert Meis-
sner, served the council as Grand Knight from 1943 to
1947; Albert J. Niemann served from 1947 to 1948; Joseph
Huelskamp from 1948 to 1949; Henry Fonke from 1949
to 1950; A. J. Appel served from July 1950 until his
resignation in September, 1950; Victor L. Henrichs served
from September, 1950 to 1951; Edward Feltrop from

1951 to 1953; August Huelsman from 1953 to 1955; and
the present Grand Knight is Ferd Foppe. Other officers
of the council at the present time are Chaplain, Rev.
H. H. Aydt; Deputy Grand Knight. Leander Moss; Chan-
cellor, Robert Vander Pluym; Warden, Leo Venhaus; Fin-
ancial Secretary, Cornelius Kniepmann; Recorder, Joseph
B. Kuper; Treasurer, Donald Krebs; Lecturer, A. J.
Appel; Advocate, Edwin J. Venhaus; Trustees, Maurice
Schurmann, Paul Schurmann, and August Huelsman;
Inside Guards, Edward Foppe and Edwin Tebbe; Outside
Guard, Bernard Nordmann.

By giving the members a diversified program the
Breese Council has shown a steady growth, having at
present 384 members. The program is planned by the
Six Point Program committee, at the present time con-
sisting of General Program Chairman A. J. Appel; Cath-
olic Activity, Cornelius Warnecke; Council Activity, Theo-
dore Warnecke; Fraternal Activity, Leander Moss; Mem-
bership Insurance, E. J. Venhaus; Publicity, Donald J.
Krebs; Youth Activity, Edward H. Feltrop.

A large number of the members have availed them-
selves of the insurance feature of the order. The meetings
are well attended and the members are receiving both
spiritual and temporal good out of their membership.
As the years roll on, this organization, with the help of
God, will be one that will help make Breese a better place
in which to live.

!> _-.

A View of the K. of C. Hall. Looking Northeast.

Breese Bands of Days Gone By

ST. DOMINICS BAND IN 1915. These men gave much of their time to provide a well-organized
band for the parish and community. In the front row (left to right) are: Anton Voss, Louis Boehm,.
Boniface MoHtor, John Knies, Henry Reilman, Henry Schlueter, Charles Boehm and George Daniels.
In the back row (left to right) are: Jack Buehne, Rudy Wagner, Hy. Knies, Jos. Meyer, Geo. Reilman.

A GROUP OK HKKKSK Ml Sl( lANS many years ago. The .xact time i> not known, hut the.\ were
very popular in their days, playing at numerous occasions. We were able to get all the names but one-
In the first row (left to right) are: Aug. Helwig, Herman Schroeder, Fritz Dorries and Chas. Wagner.
Back row (left to right) shows Gus Dorries, Fred Dorries, Hy. Dorries, Wm. Dorries, Harry Lappe.
Jule Dorries, Wm. Freund, Wnu Nollenkcmper^ (next unknowa), George Buehler and Herman, Dorcies,

Representative Edwin R. Haag

Edwin R. Haag, a reresentative in the General As-
sembly of the State of Illinois, was born at Carlyle, July
5, 1895, where he received his elementary education, and
graduated from Carlyle Township High School in 1914.
He taught in the elementay and high schools of Clinton
County for nine years. He served in World War 1, and
is Past Commander of the American Legion Post, No. 252,
at Breese.

He married the former Miss Wilamine Spaeth of Car-
lyle; they have two children, Mrs. Emil Garcia and E. Rob-
ert Haag, both of Breese.

Representative Haag served eight years as chief in-
spector of the Division of Poultry Husbandry in Illinois.
He is a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Colum-
bus, Breese Lions Club, Breese Business Men's Associa-
tion, Order of Elks, Moose Lodge, and Clinton County
Farm Bureau. He operates a baby chick hatchery and
a poultry processing plant, and is active in civic affairs.

He has served three terms in the Illinois State Legis-
lature, and in the recent primary election, was nominated
on the Democratic ticket for the general election to be
held November 6, 1956.

The Old Swinging Bridge
There aren't many in existence any more, but Breese
Township still has a swinging bridge — quite a relic and
an antique too large to cart off. The bridge crosses Shoal
Creek two miles northeast of Breese, and is maintained by
the farmers who use it. It is still in use in a very limited
way, serving only as a means for farmers to gain access
to farm gi-ound that they wish to till.

A. B. Niebur

A. B. Niebur, a life- time resident of Breese, is a
representative of the Prudential Insurance Company of
America, giving his full time to the agency. He began
his career 31 years ago, serving Breese and Breese Town-
ship. He succeeded Joseph Klutho, who had the agency
in this community for about a year; he was preceded by
Louis Dieker, who held the position about 16 years, hav-
ing started in 1908.

Edward C. Maue

Edward C. Maue, residing on South Fourth Street, a
life-time resident of Breese, gives his full time to the
sale of stocks and bonds, and writes various forms of
insurance also, which work h"^ has been doing the past
eight years. Prior to that time he had been employed
by the Mexican American Hat Co.

First House in Breese

Per'.aps there were houses built in Breese before the
one you see above, but this is the only one remaining. It
is said to be the first house in Breese, and is no doubt
the oldest. Of brick structure, it has been well preserved
and extensive improvements have been made to it since
its ownership by Edward J. Meier. He purchased the
residence eight years ago, and has had a cement glass
coating put on it. The home is tenanted by Mr. and
Mrs. James Poelker, residing downstaii-s, and by Mr. and
Mrs. William Bohn in the upstairs rooms. The house
has nine rooms with bath room facilities on both floors.

Paul Berns, D. C.

Paul Berns, D. C, began his chiropractic service in
Breese in January, 1950. His first location was in the
former Otto Rumpf residence at North Main and Third
Streets. In May, 1953, he moved into a new home and
office that he built on North Plum Street, where he is
presently serving his patients.

Bus Transportation Through Breese

With the advent of paved roads, and a general im-
provement of roads throughout the nation, there came
the bus lines. This service was a welcomed means of
transportation, and Breese was among the first commun-
ities to be given this service.

In 1918, the Wanura Bakery, then established in the
Hofsommer Building on North Main Street, operated the
first bus station.

The Community Bus was the first to be put in oper-
ation through Breese, followed by the Purple Swan. In
1936 the Greyhound Co. instituted a service between St.
Louis and Cincinnati, which is the present line running
through Breese. This bus line affords the people of Breese
and surrounding communities convenient highway trans-
portation.

The present bus station is at the Hi-Way Cafe, where
several busses stop daily, going in both directions — east or
west on Route 50.

There are also special school busses going in and out
of Breese, used for school children only. A city cab is
also operated in Breese daily by Robert Clark and Mrs.
lone Clark.

TOP CREW OF EAST MINE in 1920 when company had the Frisco contract. Seated in front is Charles
"Tossy" Perkes. First row (seated, left to right), Anton Voss, August Middeke, Wm. Davis, Frank
Nieman, Anton Niemeyer, Hugo Schlueter, John Wehlage, August Ratermann and Phillip Maue. Second
row (standing), John Wehrmann, Hy. Boeckmann, George Kues, Joseph Tewes, Dan Needham, Boniface
Molitor, Joseph Schmidt, Herman Brandt, Alphonse Hinkamp, and Ben Ahlers. Third row, Henry
Hagen, Frank Winter, Alvin Lager and Arthur Schroeder.

FIRST SCOUT TROOP IN BREESE, Known as "Lone Scouts" was active forty years ago. Pictured
above are: First row (left to right), Robert Bechtold, George Deien, E. J. Mahlandt, Leo Kellermann,
Wm. Sneddon, Wilford Freund, (rso. Hartmann, Earl McAllister, Harry Geissert, Harry Lappe. Second
row, Charles Bub, Lester Watkins, Ellsworth Lewis, Ben Lappe, Louis Meissner, Herman Chesney, Theo-
phil Hofsomm*r, Ed Geissert, Geo. Hagen. Back row, Harold Dorries, James Cox, August Lappe, Wal-
ter Herrin, Alvin Schlueter, Henry Rhode, Alfred Schmidt. Mascot in front is Ralph Sellers.

Drs. Ketterer and Ketterer
Francis H. Ketterer, M. D.

Francis H. Ketterer, M. D., was born August 28,
1908, in Jewett, Texas'. He was reared at Springfield,
111., where he received his primary education. He entered
St. Louis University, at St. Louis, Mo., in 1926, and re-
ceived his M. D. Degree in 1932. He spent his internship
at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis from 1932 to 1934.

In August, 1934, Dr. Ketterer opened an office in
the Kvle building in Breese, at N. Fourth and Main
Streets. His brother, Dr. Walter R. Ketterer, joined him
in partnership in 1940, at w' ich time Dr. Francis built the
present modern doctor's office at North Third and Main
Streets.

Dr. Ketterer entered military service with the U. S.
Air Force in 1942 and served two years (1944 and 1945)
with the 9th Air Force in the E. T. 0.

He married Miss Marguerite M. Warrell of Greens-
boro, N. C. in 1944. They have three children, Joan, 9,
Bobby, 7, and Barbara, 5.

Walter R. Ketterer, M. D.

Dr. Walter R. Ketterer was born at Springfield, 111.
February 21, 1905. He took a premedical course at
Georgetown, University, Washington, D. C. in the years
1923 to 1925, and received his M. D. Degree from St. Louis
University in 1931. He interned at Lutheran Hospital in
St. Louis" 1931-1932, after which he spent two years as a
medical officer for the U. S. Army on duty with C. C. C.'s
in upper Michigan.

He located at Greenville, Illinois in 1935, following
the death of Dr. Louis Cordonnier. In August of 1940,
he formed a partnership in Breese, with his brother,
Francis, but had to "solo" again when the latter sei-ved
in the Air Force four years during World War II.

Dr. Ketterer was niamed to Miss Ruth Carter of
Freeburg, Illinois September 16, 1933. They have three
children: Mary, 20, Charles, 18, and Nancy, 13.

Dr. William H. Sauer

Dr. Wm. H. Sauer was born in Dusseldorf, Germany
in 1890. Upon graduating from college there he studied
medicine at Bonn University along the Rhine.

During World War I, his studies were interrupted
and for two years he was held in English captivity. After
the war he resumed his studies at Bonn University, and
upon graduating there, he interned at the University
clinics, Dusseldorf City Hospital and Deaconess Hospital,
the latter a special ear, nose and throat clinic, where he
received certificates both for surgery and E. N. T. work.

He received his M. D. Degree on the work of uric acid
diathesis and special work in dermatology and ophthal-
mology.

After coming to America he practiced for throe years
in Waterloo, 111., and in 1927 located in Breese where he
continues active in his profession.

Dr. Sauer married Marie Jacobs, a registered nurse
from Dusseldorf, Germany. They have three children,
Ernst, Walter and Mary Louise.

Dr. H. B. Warren

Halleck Burkett Warren, M. D., physician and surgeon,
was born in Orchardville, Illinois, a son of John and Mary
Warren. He secured his elementary education in the
schools of Orchardville. Upon graduation from high scTiool
In Fairfield, he entered Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale for pre-medical preparatory.

Having completed this course he taught school in fhe
public schools of Wayne County for four years. In l9l0
he enrolled in St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., for one
ye'r of academic work. In 1911 he was admitted to the
School of Medicine at St. Louis U. and graduated in 1915
with the degree of M. D- After graduation. Dr. Warren

spent one year as an interne at City Hospital, in St. Louis.

In 1916 he became associated with Dr. W. D. DraKe
in Breese and has since practiced his profession here.

March 16, 1916, he was married to Miss Lola Kuehne
of St. Louis. Two sons were born to this uinon, Halleck
Burkett, Jr. and William. When the boys were quite
young, Mrs. Warren passed away, being in 1928. The
doctor reared his boys in a christian and unpretentious
manner with principles of good discipline. Halleck, with
a Ph. D. Degree, is a bacteriologist, living at Waukegan,
m., and William is practicing law at Carlyle, also con-
ducting an abstract of title service there.

Dr. Warren is a member of the staff of St. Joseph's
Hospital, Breese, the Clinton County Medical Association,
the Illinois Medical Association and the American Medical
Association. He is presently located in his residence at
North Main and Fourth Streets, recently remodeled.

Drs. Emerson and Emerson

Dr. Harry Emerson, the elder partner, was reared in
Southern Illinois, near Carmi. He received his early edu-
cation from a country school and after teaching school for
three terms, he entered Marion Sims School of Dentistry
in 1901. He was married June 7, 1899 to Miss Evelyn
Moreland, who was reared in the same community. They
moved to St. Louis and lived there during the time that
he spent in school.

He received his D. D. S. Degree April 26, 1904, and
located in Enfield. He practiced there and at Norris City
for ten years, after which he and his wife moved to Cairo,
111., where he spent two years in partnership with his
brother-in-law. Dr. Howard A. Moreland. In October of
1915, t' ey came to Breese, having bought the office of
Dr. Robert Offil.

At this time. Dr. Moreland Emerson, their son, reach-
ed the age of 3 years. He received his early education at
the public schools of Breese and Carlyle, and entered
Washington University in the autumn of 1928. He received
his D. D. S. Degree in June, 1934.

After graduation, he worked one year in Detroit, em-
ployed by the Cousins Fund, which pi-ovided dental care
for school children. He also practiced a short time in
Greenville, 111. He then entered Illinois Public Health
Service, mostly working in the northern part of the state.

He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in May, 1944, and was
stationed at the destroyer base at San Diego, Cal. for the
duration of the war. After separation from the Navy, he
entered general practice in partnership with his father
until October, 1950, when he again entered the Nav>',
spending most of his time aboard the Jason in Korean
waters. Relepsed in March, 1952, he resumed his prac-
tice with his father in Breese.

James H. Donnewald

James H. Donnewald, Attorney at Law, was bom in
Carlyle, 111. January 29, 1925. He attended St. Mary's
parochial school at Carlyle until the sixth grade, and then
transferred to St. John's School at Joliet, 111. The first
three years of his high school studies were spent at the
Joliet Bovs Catholic High School, Joliet, 111., and the last
year at St. Mary's Central Catholic High School, Carlyle,
graduating in May of 1942.

Mr. Donnewald entered St. Louis University in Sep-
tember of 1942 and in the fall of 1944 transferred to Lin-
coln College of Law at Springfield, Illinois, where he com-
pleted his legal education, taking place in January of 1949.

He entered the armed sei-vices of the United States
in 1050 and was discharged in 1951. He began practicing
law in November of 1952 in the Kyle building in Breese,
later moving his ofTice to rooms on the second floor of
the State Bank building.

The young attorney married Miss Ruth Holtgrave of
Breese, June 24, 1953. They have one child.

Friday, June 29, 1956

7:00 P. M. Procession from Down Town to City Park.

7:30 P. M. Pontifical Field Mass. Most Rev. Albert R. Zuroweste, D. D.,
Bishop of Belleville, presiding.

7:45 P. M. Centennial Church Service, at the St. John's E. and R. Church.
Rev. J. J. Kalkbrenner, Pastor. Centennial Dress Welcome.

9:00 P. M. Exhibition Square Dancing.

10:30 P. M. Crowning of Centennial Queen.

11 :00 P. M. Judging of Beards and Mustaches.

Saturday, June 30, 1956

7:00 P. M. Colossal Parade. Theme: "Then and Now." Floats, Bands,
Flags, Bugle Corps, Antique Cars. Fun for Everyone.

8:30 P. M. Square Dancing. Hoedown.

Sunday, July 1, 1956

5:30 A. M. Low Mass at St. Dominic's Church. Rev. H. H. Aydt, Pastor.

7:30 A. M. Low Mass at St. Dominic's Church.

8:00 A. M. Low Mass, St. Augustine's Church. Rev.Humilus Soland, Pastor.

9:30 A. M. High Mass at St. Dominic's Church.

10:00 A. M. High Mass at St. Augustine's Church.

Centennial Church Service at the St. John's E. and R. Church.
Rev. J. J. Kalkbrenner, Pastor. Centennial Dress Welcome.

7:00 P. M. Super Colossal Parade. New Bands, Drill Teams, Bugle and
Drum Corps, Floats, Clowns, etc. Everything for a Bigger and
Better Parade.

9:00 P. M. Public Dancing. Music by "The Modernnaires."

11 :30 P. M. Drawing for Raif le Prizes.

(Above Schedule is According to Central Daylight Saving Time)
78

Centennial Executive Committee

Fremont Wobbe
ADVISORY

K. J. Mahlandt
ADVISORY

(^e^te*uU€il (^(^^mittec ^^[^%vKC(t

Committee for Sale of Centennial Books

. Mrs. \\"m. A. Zinschla.s;

r.ar Committee W'm. A. Zinschlas

Committee on Rides Fremont Wobbe

Publicity Committee Jerry A. Mahlandt

Committee on Parades Harry C. Wieter

Mustache and Beard Committee. .. .Ed Berndsen

Belle and Bonnet Committee Mrs. Geo. ^Mueller

Policing-. Lighting and Parking Committee..

Anton \'oss, \'incent Xiemann. Emmet
Hostmeyer and A. J. Appel.

Car Rafifle Committee Marcellus Tewes

Hope Chest Committee Mrs. Cecil Raymond,

Mrs. Albert Willi, Mrs. Robert .\ppel.
Mrs. Edw. \\'ade and Mrs. Ed Berndsen

Historical Committee.. Mrs. Charles Casey

Grounds Committee Maurice Schurmann and

Ralph Kruse

St. John's Food Committee Mrs. Harold Bonney

and Mrs. Ada Koch

First Aid Committee Mrs. F. H. Ketterer

St. .Vugustine's Food Committee. . Mrs. Paul Foppe

and Mrs. Edw. C. Maue

St. Dominic's Food Committee . . •

Mrs. Ben .~\. Xiemeyer, Mrs. Harriet Enkelman

Field Mass Committee Robert .\. Meissner

Fish Stand Committee Lawrence Raterman

Cash P>ingo Committee .Mrs. .\nton Weh

Peddler's License Committee. .. Fred Schoeneberg

Concessions Stands Committee .Arthur Hellige

Dance Committee Harry Xiemann

Queen Contest Committee Charles Xiemeyer

Coal Raffle Committee George Mueller

Ice Cream Stands Cunimittee. Girl Scouts

Centennial Plates ?ilrs. Richard Meissner

Wooden Xickles Ferd H. Foppe

Soda Stands Boy Scouts

Auiliting Committee Syhester W. Schwarz

Ponv Raffle Committee Conrad Wieter

Clean-Up Committee Harry Buller

Contributions Committee A. J. Appel

^fianfz ^Ijoui

XN UMEROUS COMMITTEES must be appointed and function with

harmony and cooperation, to successfully arrange and carry out a Centennial

Celebration, such as will be held in Breese June 29, 30 and July 1. 1956.

The spirit of willingness and interest that has been demonstrated by
the many committee chairmen and members, is exemplary c.f the community

pride citizens of Breese possess and this spirit serves as a tribute of

recognition and appreciation to those whose names are recorded in the pre-
ceding pages of this book .... those who have contributed to the development
and progress of Breese over a centrry.

To. all of you who have helped towards the Centennial Celebration, a
glowing tribute must be paid. The chairmen and members of committees,
and all who have helped, and who will help in any way, are deserving of
much praise and thanks. We regret that all the names could not be included
on this page ; efforts were made to obtain the names, but a complete list was
not available, and therefo.re only the names of chairmen could be given.

A hearty invitation is extended to everyone to be present at the Cen-
tennial Celebration in Breese. In expressing thanks to those who have
made a celebration po.ssible, let words of appreciation and gratitude also be
passed on to you folks who will help make the Centennial Celebration a
grand success by your attendance.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

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WOODEN NICKELS A NOVELTY AT CENTENNIAL

\\'OODE\ XICKELS are quite a novelty and create much interest in the Centennial
Celebration. Members of the Breese Council of the Kniphts of Columbus took a lead in
the distribution and sale of the "nickels." The picture above shows a group of members
of the Knights of Columbus at work in the office of City Clerk Ferd Foppe. preparing the
"nickels" in rolls. Left to right are: Edward Feltrop, Theo. F. Warnecke, Albert Nie-
mann, Grand Knight Ferd Foppe, Charles Warnecke. Gerald Huelskamp and Ray Deiters.

• Lettering on Cover Drawn by Orville C. Pitt, Breese, 111.

• Photo .Above, and Numerous Others in Book, Taken by Schwarz-Krebs Studio, Breese.

��� Illustrations on Cover Arranged by Breese Journal From Special Centennial Service.

Printed by Breese Journal, Breese, 111.

<5, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA

• 9773875B74B COIll

BREESE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1856-1956

3 0112 025399285