THE GRIMM-HERBST FAMILY
OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Martin Herbst was born February 2, 1850 in Bavaria, Germany, and was three years of age when his parents came to this country and settled in the Blackjack Community in Illinois. His father died in 1861 leaving the mother with a large family of children. He began working as a blacksmith at 11 years of age. In 1875 he married Miss Elizabeth Grimm who was born October 4, 1855 in Lebanon, Ill . In 1877 he purchased the blacksmith shop with his brother. To Martin and Elizabeth were born 11 children. One son died in infancy, and another, Andrew, at the age of 19. The other children were:  Clara Anna , William, Jacob, Edward, Mary, Katherine, Elsie, Bertha, Emma, and Fred. His two brothers were Leonard Herbst of Belleville, Ill and Charles Herbst of Collinsville.

Besides being a devoted father, he was an active member of the Evangelical Church of Blackjack. He served as director of the Blackjack school for a number of years and was also a highway commissioner for several terms. As a man and a citizen, his dealings with his fellow men were with the strictest integrity, and he was highly esteemed. His home life was that of a devoted husband and father, with a legion of friends.

Martin was a resident of the Blackjack community for 69 years and widely known throughout the section. He was a member of the St. Clair Lodge No.119, I.O.O.F. for 49 years.

On a Monday morning, November 6, 1922, he died suddenly of a heart attack at his country home five miles south of Troy, Ill. His age was 72 years, 9 months and 4 days.

News of the death of Mr. Herbst was a shock to his relatives and friends.

As was his custom for many years, he was in Troy last Saturday afternoon and in the evening attended the opening of the new bank of O'Fallon. Sunday found him in his accustomed place at St. John's Evangelical church in Blackjack and there was no thought that in twenty four hours his earthly career would be ended.

The health of Mr. Herbst, however had been breaking for some time, but he was never confined to his bed and was able to resume work at his trade as blacksmith. He retired Sunday being in his usual health and spirit, and slept soundly until shortly before 4 o'clock when he awakened his wife and complained of a severe pain in his left side. Mrs. Herbst summoned Dr. C. E Molden of this city , but when the latter arrived Mr. Herbst was dead. His mother, father and several relatives are said to have died in the same manner.

Deputy Coroner Wittenfeld held an inquest Monday, and the evidence of the case was in accordance with the facts already stated. The jury rendered a verdict declaring death as to natural causes.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, November 9, from the family residence to the St. John's church, and were very largely attended. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. E.L. Eggen, who was assisted by Rev. H.J. Bredehoeft of Collinsville. S. Edwards and Mesdames M. Autwarter and C. E. Molden of this city also sang Interment was the Blackjack

Evangelical cemetery under auspices of the St. Clair Lodge No. 119, I.O.O.F.

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Mrs. Elizabeth (Grimm) Herbst was born October 4, 1855 in Lebanon, Ill. In 1875, she moved to Blackjack, Illinois after marrying Martin Herbst the town blacksmith. Martin and Elizabeth were married for 65 years. To Martin and Elizabeth were born 11 children. One son died in infancy, and another, Andrew, at the age of 19. The other children were: Clara Anna (my grandmother), William, Jacob, Edward, Mary, Katherine, Elsie, Bertha, Emma, and Fred. His two brothers were Leonard Herbst of Belleville, Ill and Charles Herbst of Collinsville. After Martin's death, she moved to Collinsville, Illinois and for 17 years made her home with her daughter Mrs. Elsie Jobusch at 900 Vandalia Street.

Mrs. Herbst expired Sunday morning in the St. Joseph's hospital at Highland where she had been a patient for the past six weeks with a fractured hip as the result of a fall. Her age was 85 years, 1 month and 19 days.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock in the Schroeppel funeral home in Collinsville, Rev. C. Kuhlmann, pastor of St John's Evangelical church of that city officiated, after which interment was made in the Blackjack Evangelical cemetery.

She was survived by eight children - William Herbst, Mrs. Mary Ward, Mrs Kate Paul, Mrs. Elsie Jobush of Collinsville; Mrs. Bertha Tiedmann and Jacob Herbst of O'Fallen; Edward Herbst of Breese; and Mrs. Clara Geschwend (my grandmother) of Detroit.

Old Black Jack Church

Located between Collinsville and Troy, IL

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