Many of the most successful and progressive citizens of Macoupin
county are of German parentage. Endowed with those sterling traits of
industry, economy and will power which are distinguishing
characteristics of the Teutonic race, they have resolutely persevered in
the struggle for financial independence and it is a pleasure to note
that their efforts have in a number of instances met with deserved
reward. Among the fortunate ones is Herman Weise, a cigar manufacturer
of Carlinville. Born in Hanover, Germany, May 9, 1851, he is a son of
Henry and Mina Weise, both of whom were natives of Germany. In their
family were four children: Mina, who is now a widow and was twice
married, her husbands having been William Wagner and William Piertner;
Herman, of this review; Charles, who died at the age of eleven years;
and Henry, who died when he was four years old.
Henry Weise, the
father of our subject, was a laborer in Germany. He came to America with
his family in 1852 and engaged in farm work in Macoupin county,
Illinois. Before the close of his first year in this country he located
at Carlinville, where he followed various pursuits. He died about 1876,
at the age of fifty years, but was survived many years by his wife, who
died in 1908, aged eighty-three years. They were both members of the
Lutheran church. Mr. Weise showed his love for his adopted country by
enlisting in the Union army at the time of the Civil war. He went to the
field, but was honorably discharged without seeing active service.
Arriving in America in his infancy, Herman Weise has practically
spent his entire life at Carlinville. He attended the common schools and
also the German parochial school, where he gained the foundation of a
good education. In his boyhood he worked at anything he could find to do
and at the age of fifteen began learning the cigarmaker’s trade, with
which he has ever since been identified. He has engaged in business on
his own account at Carlinville for thirty-seven years and by upright
dealing and close study of the wants of patrons became well established
in his business many years ago. He owns a good home on West First North
street and his shop on the east side of the public square. He
manufactures special brands of cigars, such as the Lord Chancellor, the
La Rosa, the Perfecto and others, and gives steady employment to several
persons.
Mr. Weise was married to Mrs. Mildred (Perrin) Mason, a
daughter of Samuel Perrin. Her former husband was William Mason and to
their union three children were born: Clara, who married William Rowe;
Lint E., who is now living in Carlinville; and Sue, who became the wife
of George Schoenher. While Mr. Weise has never had any children of his
own, he has reared two children in addition to those of his wife and
given all of them excellent advantages of education. The names of the
two were Mildred Rowe and Herman Rowe. Mrs. Weise was born in Kentucky
and came to Illinois with her parents in her childhood. Her father was a
slaveholder in the south, but liberated his slaves before the Civil war.
He lived in Rockbridge and other towns in Greene county, Illinois, but
now makes his home at Medora, Illinois. His wife is deceased.
Politically Mr. Weise is an adherent of the democratic party, whose
principles and candidates he heartily espouses. He is a member of the
Lutheran church, while Mrs. Weise belonged to the Christian church. He
is a true admirer and supporter of the republic and is known as a man of
kindly and benevolent principles, who aims at all times to perform his
part in promoting the general welfare. He has a very extensive
acquaintance throughout this section and is held in high esteem by all
who know him.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 332-333.
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