Jersey County Biographies
Continued

Stephen H. Bowman, president of the State Bank of Jerseyville,Ill., and for many years honorable identified with public affairs in Jersey County, belongs to one of the pioneer families of this section. He was born in the eastern part of Jersey County, in December, 1847, and is a son of Charles H. and Mary(Hooper) Bowman.

Charles H. Bowman was born in Vermont abd was a son of Elisha and Eunice (Condor) Bowman, natives of Vermont. The family came to Jersey County, Ill., in 1835, and entered land from the government. Here Charles H. Bowman was married to Mary Hooper who was born in England and was brought to the United States and to Jersey County by her father, Joseph Hooper, in 1835. After their marriage, Charles H. Bowman and wife settled on a farm in the eastern part of Jersey County. He carried on farming here until 1862, when he moved to Jerseyville, where he lived during the rest of his life, his death occuring in 1873. His widow survived until 1893. Charles H. Bowman was a man of sterling character. He was an important factor in the Jersey County Democracy and in 1860 was elected sheriff and served in this office for three terms (six years) during a very critical period of the state's history. After retiring to Jerseyville he conducted the National Hotel here for several years.

Stephen H. Bowman attended the public schools in Jerseyville, later the college at Jacksonville and still later at Eastman's Business College at Puoghkeepsie, N.Y. When he returned to Jerseyville, he became a clerk in the bank of Williams, Shephard & Company, with which concern he continued for four years. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Jersey County and served most efficiently in this office for two terms and then returned to business life and after entering into a partnership with G.W. Ware, bought out the bank interests of Shephard & Sons and conducted the same as Bowman & Ware, until 1890. At that time a consolidation of interests resulted in the establishment of the State Bank of Jerseyville,Mr. Bowman becoming president, an office he has filled ever since. The other officers at that time were: John A. Shephard, vice president, and H.A. Shephard, cashier. The present bank officers are: Stephen H. Bowman, president; J.P. Fleming, vice president; George W. Campbell, cashier. This bank is one of the sound, stable financial institutions of the county, ably financed and conservatively conducted. It works with a capital of $50,000.

Mr. Bowman was married in December, 1871, to Miss Harriet B. Cockrell, who was born in Jersey County, a daughter of Moses and Katie (Utt) Cockrell,natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have three daughters: Frances E., who is a resident of St.Louis,Mo.; and Nellie G., and Harriet C., who reside at home. Mr.Bowman and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a trustee.

Mr. Bowman has led a busy and useful life. Aside from public service as county sheriff as above mentioned, he has served the city in important capacities, for several terms as alderman of his ward, many terms as a member of the school board and one term as mayor, ever displaying a conscientious recognition of duty. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Elk and the Odd Fellows.

Charles Brainerd who was a veteran of the Civil War, and an honored resident of Grafton, was born in Rome, N.Y.,September 10, 1839. He resided with his parents, Jeremiah Burr and Laura (Gates) Brainerd until his fifteenth year, when he went to Saratogo County, N.Y., where he remained until the Civil War broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fiftieth New York Engineers, and served three years, participating in the Peninsular Campaign, in the engagements of Manassas and Fredericksburg. He was with the Army of the Potomac, acting as chief clerk of the commissary department of the Engineers Brigade. After the termination of the war, he came to Grafton, where he soon obtained a clerical position with the Grafton Quarry Company, of which he became superintendent, occupying this position for thirty years. He served several terms as mayor of Grafton.

In 1870, Charles Brainerd was married to Hattie A. Benner of Waldoboro, Maine, who died in 1886. To this union were born nine children. The four surviving are: Josephine L. Ripley, who resides at Grafton; George C., who is a farmer residing near Grafton; Carl E., who is an electrician living at Christopher, Ill., and Harold W., who is a merchant of Grafton. In 1887, Mr. Brainerd was married to Mrs. Victorine Slaten, who survives him. She had a daughter, Gertrude, by her first marriage. This daughter was married in 1912, to a Mr. Jenner and now lives at St. Louis, Mo.

Charles Brainerd was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic; of Full Moon Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and Belvidere Commandery, K.T., of Alton, Ill. He was baptized and united with the Grafton Methodist Church in August 1917. Mr. Brainerd departed this life April 6, 1918, at his home in Grafton, aged seventy-eight years, six months, and twenty-six days.

His father,Jeremiah Brainerd, came to Illinois and passed his last years with his son, Charles at Grafton, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. The mother died in the fifties. Their children were: Samuel, who is deceased; Charles; Mrs. Sara Phillips, who resides in Massachusetts; and David, who is deceased.

George C. Brainerd a prosperous farmer and stockraiser in the vicinity of Grafton, is one of the substantial men of Jersey County, and comes from a old family that is highly respected in this locality. An extended sketch of this family is given elsewhere in this work. The birth of George C. Brainerd occured at Grafton, November 18, 1875.

After attending the schools of Grafton, Mr. Brainerd entered the Jerseyville High School and was graduated therefrom in 1896, and then took the collegiate course at Ann Harbor,Mich., from which he was graduated in 1899. For some years thereafter, Mr. Brainerd was employed as a bookkeeper and stenographer for a St.Louis (Mo) firm, and on returning to Grafton, he engaged in farming and stockraising and has met with very gratifying success. In addition to his farming, Mr. Brainerd has found time to devote some attention to literature. He is much interested in the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy.

Mr. Brainerd was married June 7, 1906, to Miss Nona Morgan, who was born at Grafton, June 18, 1888. Her parents were born in Illinois. Mr. Morgan now deceased. Her mother, Mrs. Charles Davidson, resides in Peoria, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd have three children, namely; Ruth, who was born December 22, 1907; Charles B., who was born October 7, 1909; and George E., who was born April 29, 1913. In politics Mr. Brainerd is an independent Republican, and has served as a school director.

Harold Webster Brainerd, member of the well known mercantile firm of Brainerd, Marshall & Miller, of Grafton, is one of the most progressive and influential men of Jersey County. He was born at Grafton, Ill., July 1, 1883. He attended the village schools until he was nineteen years old, having attended the Ann Harbor ( Mich), high school for two years. Going to St.Louis, Mo., he was in the employ of the Sumner Hardware Company, leaving this concern in the spring of 1903 to engage in business for himself, under the firm name of Amburg & Brainerd. This firm conducted a general merchandise establishment, and built up a large trade, the association continuing until it was served by the death of Mr. Amburg. His interest was then bought by J.S. Marshall and the firm of Brainerd & Marshall was formed. The style continued as above until July, 1915, when H. C. Miller bought an interest and it was changed to the present form of Brainerd, Marshall & Miller. The business has grown from one of $3,000 to $12,000, and the territory covered is a wide one, customers coming in from a long distance. The partners are all sound and experienced business men and their connections are such that they are able to offer a fine and varied stock at prices as low as is consistent with the quality of their goods.

On September 29, 1909, Mr. Brainerd, Mr. Brainerd was married to Miss Bertha Elizabeth Voorhees, a daughter of George R. Voorhees, born at Jerseyville. Mr. and Mrs. Brainerd have the following children: Stattira Lucile, who was born November 27, 1910; Webster Lee, who was born July 12, 1911;Virginia, who was born June 7, 1915, and Benner Voorhees, born December 3, 1917. He is a Republican and was the first city treasurer of Grafton. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership. The record Mr. Brainerd has made is one worthy of emulation, and his success has come through close applications, strict integrity and natural ability.

Nicholas Francis Bray, M.D.,one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Jerseyville, and a man widely and favorably known throughout the county, was born in Otter Creek Township May 23, 1887, a son of John and Mary (Fitzgerald) Bray, natives respectively of Columbus, Ohio, and Otter Creek Township, Jersey County,Ill. In 1872 John Bray came to Jersey County and engaged in farming and is now living on the farm formerly owned by his father-in-law.

Nicholas Francis Bray attended the grammar and a high school in his native county, and for the subsequent seven years taught school in Jersey County. Having then prepared himself, he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, St.Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated in 1908. He then spent a year as interne in Jefferson Hospital, St.Louis, after which he came to Jerseyville where he has since been engaged in an active practice. While he was in St.Louis, at the Young Men's Christian Association, he took special courses in literary work at night.

On August 17, 1904, Dr. Bray was married to Nellie Theresa Kelly, born at St.Louis,Mo., a daughter of Archibald and Helen (Tracy) Kelly, natives of Scotland and St.Louis, Mo., respectively. Dr. and Mrs. Bray have two children; Mary V. and Archibald John. Dr. Bray is a Catholic. In politics he is a Democrat and was elected coroner of Jersey County, holding that office for four years. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Western Catholic Union, the Knights of Columbus, and the Order of Owls; while professionally he holds membership in the Jersey County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. A man of scholarly attainments, he has been eminently successful in his practice and is a valued citizen of his county and state.

Peter Breitweiser, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Piasa Township, residing on section 18, is one of the representative agriculturists of Jersey County. He was born at Trenton, N.J., November 27, 1852, a son of Peter and Catherine (Youngblood) Breitweiser, natives of Germany, who came to the United States when they were young. In 1853, the parents moved to Jersey County, and after making several changes, they bought forty acres of land that was covered with timber that had to be cleared off before crops could be planted. Both parents died on this farm. Their children were as follows: Anna, who is the widow of William Goodman, of Nebraska, Peter, who lives at Delhi, Ill., Charles, who lives at Shipman,Ill.; William, who lives at Montgomery County, Ill.; John, who lives at Mississippi Township; Frank who lives in Piasa Township; Fred, who lives in Mississippi Township; and Herman, who lives at Jerseyville.

Peter Breitweiser began working for others as soon as he was old enough, so had few educational advantages, although he attended the Pembroke district school for a little while. In 1880, he began renting land, and continued to do so until 1903, when he bought 160 acres of his present farm, all of which was improved, to which he has added until he now has 210 acres, and he has given fifty acres of land to his son, Orville. He has always carried on general farming and stockraising.

On April 8, 1880, Mr. Breitweiser was married to Sophia Corns, born in Piasa Township, October 22, 1858, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline (Brown) Corns, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Breitweiser have two children, namely; Harry who was born February 1, 1882, ownes 103 acres located near his father's homestead, and he was married to Clementine Mundle; and Orville, who was born March 1, 1887, is now serving in the National Army, during the World War. Mr. and Mrs. Breitweiser belong to the United Brethern Church. He served on the school board and as a highway commissioner, being an honest and efficient official. In politics, he is independent. Fraternally he belongs to Lincoln Camp No. 1902, M.W.A.

Bert Marion Brewster M.D.,one of the reliable physicians and surgeons of Jersey County, is engaged in a general practice at Fielden, Ill. He was born at Rolla, Mo., March 5, 1882, a son of Thomas Marion Brewster, a native of Kentucky, who went to Missouri when about twenty-five years old, and locating on a farm near Rolla, he has since lived there. During the Civil War, he served a soldier. His children were as follows: George W., who is deceased; James C., who resides in Oklahoma; James M., who resides in Missouri; Charles D., who lives at Rolla, Mo.; Artelia Mary, who is deceased; and Bert Marion.

Until he was sixteen years old, Dr. Brewster attended the neighborhood schools, and then entered the Steelville Normal School, from which he graduated. He then matriculated in the medical department of Washington University at St.Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated with the degree of M.D., in 1905. During 1905 and 1906, he was assistant physician in the St.Louis City Hospital, and he then located at Fieldon,Ill., where he has built up a very valuable practice.

Dr.Brewster was married to Leila M. Chambers of Godfrey, Ill. Her parents were also born in Illinois. Dr. and Mrs.Brewster have one child, Bertrand Marion, who was born November 22, 1912. He is a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, while professionally he belongs to the Jersey County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Herman F. Brockman, one of the reliable business men in Jersey County, is conducting a first class bakery at Jerseyville. He was born at St.Louis, Mo., Janruary 3, 1860, a son of William F., and Minnie Brockman, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to the United States, locating first at St.Louis, Mo., and in the spring of 1861, came up the river to Jerseyville, where the father worked as a cabinet maker. Here he died in 1863. The mother survived him for many years, dying in 1905. Their children were as follows:William F., who lives at Jerseyville, is a cigar manufacturer; Henry H., who lives at St.Louis, Mo.;Anna, who is deceased; Katherine, who lives at Granite City, Ill.; and Herman F.

Herman F. Brockman attended the Jerseyville schools, until he was thirteen years old,and then began working on a farm. When he was nineteen years of age, he began learning the bakery trade,and in 1887, he established his present business, which he has built up to fine proportions,and he has excellent patronage.

On July 5, 1883, Herman F. Brockman was married to Miss Emma Lareschle, who was born in Jerseyville, December 10, 1858. Her parents came here from Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman have had the following children: Mabel, who is the wife of Lee R. Tunehorst; Paul who is deceased; Cornelius, who is an architect; Fred H., who is in the United States Army; and Adelia C., who is attending the Jerseyville High School. Mr. Brockman is a Christian Scientist. While in national matters, he is a Democrat, he has always taken a strong stand on temperance, and locally supports the candidates of the Prohibition party. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Court of Honor.

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