First Generation

1. Joseph L Speiser^1,2,3,4,5 was born on 4 Dec 1831 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.^2,3,5,6,7,8 His birth date is listed as 1831 and 1832 in the same source. 1832 adds up with his age at death. His death certificate states 1831. The 1900 census appears to show 1832. We don't know which is correct. Birth could also be at Aschaffenburg.
He immigrated on 31 Jul 1833 to.^2,5,7,9 He was on the ship Howard, from Hamburg to New York.

He lived in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. He lived in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Clinton County, Illinois.^6,7 Note that this age is listed as 59 but that is probably a transcription error. An age of 29 would be appropriate.

Joseph and Barbara appear as "Spicer" in Carlyle Post Office, Clinton County. He was naturalized in 1899.⁵ He died from rheumatism and senile disability on 8 Mar 1913 in Shattuc, Clinton County, Illinois.^2,3,5,10,11 He died at his home. According to Orrell's book, his cause of death was a fall.

After All These Years: A History of Meridian Township from Territorial Days, compiled by William Orrell, M.A., 1996, Evansville Bindery, Evansville, IN, 1997: "Just three months after his 80th birthday, Joseph Speiser died at his home north of Shattuc. He was 80-3-4. He slipped on the doorstep and that is what caused his death, after two months of suffering. He was born near Munich in Bavaria on December 4, 1832. He came here with his parents in 1833, landed at New York, lived in Dayton, Ohio, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Mascoutah before settling in Meridian. He married Miss Barbara Heinzmann at Mascoutah, Illinois, on September 14, 1854. He leaves his wife and seven children: Mrs. George Koch, Mrs. Louis Noller, Miss Flora Speiser, Edward Speiser, Clemence Speiser, Valentine Speiser and Mrs. Dena Stein. Mrs. Joseph Speiser died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Louis Noller, who lives south east of Shattuc. Funeral was held at the Sandoval Catholic Church. Burial in the Sandoval cemetery."
He was buried on 10 Mar 1913 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, New Section, Row 3.^{5,11,12,13,14,15} Funeral: on 11 Mar 1913 in St. Lawrence Church, Sandoval, Illinois.^5,12 He was Veterinarian; farmer.^3,5,11 An article in the September 23, 1904, Carlyle Union Banner, which concerns Joseph and Barbara’s golden wedding anniversary, indicates Joseph was born near Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, and came to the U.S. (New York) in 1833 with his parents. He came to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained for only a few years, and then to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he stayed for seven years. Then he located near Mascoutah, Illinois. According to Joseph’s grandson, William Speiser, the family had friends in the Looking Glass Prairie area which brought them to Illinois.

First stanza of a poem written by Professor W. J. McGee, Director of the Missouri Public Museum, commemorating his search for the native American mound builders near Mascoutah:

MASCOUTAH HILL

By the trail of old Mascoutah
Where the prairie gleams and glistens
“Looking-glass,” the settlers style it,
While the stranger looks and listens
There the Red Man found a hillock
Rising far above the greensward,
Crowned with oak and elm and maple
Breaking through the prairie greensward.

W. J. McGee

Obituary, unknown newspaper, n.d., Early Settler Goes to the Other Shore. Joe Speiser died at his home near Shattuc last Saturday, at the ripe age of 81 years, 3 months and 4 days. His death had been expected since the first of January when he fell ill, sustaining internal injuries. Mr. Speiser was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 4, 1831 and came to America with his parents just two years later. The family landed at New York, but soon removed to Dayton, Ohio; then to Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained for seven years, when he located Mascoutah. On September 14, 1854, he was married to Miss Barbara Heinzmann of Trenton. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Speiser took possession of a farm near Shattuc where thay have since resided. Seven children, all of whom survive, were born to this union, viz: Mrs. Stephen Stein of Kansas; Miss Flora Speiser of Chicago; Mesdames Louis Noller and Goerge Koch of this vicinity; Edward Speiser of St. Louis, Mo.; Valentine Speiser of Boulder; Clemence Speiser of this city. Mr. Speiser made his first trip through this country in the fifties when it was wild and unsettled. Up until a short time ago he has always taken an especial delight in relating his various experiences of these early days. He was a typical representative of the German (text not readable) made quite a success at farming, at which he was naturally adapted. On September 14, 1904, Mr. and Mrs. Speiser celebrated their golden anniversary, and upon the same date Miss Olive Noller, a granddaughter, and Mr. Edward Ahlf, were married. This occasion represented one of the happiest times in Mr. Speiser's life and the memory of it remained with him until the last. Funeral services were held from St. Lawrnece Church, Sandoval, Monday morning, conducted by Rev. J. A. Munier. It seemed that the entire country for miles around were present at the rites, as there were over one hundred vehicles in the procession. Interment in city cemetery.

Joseph L Speiser and Barbara L Heinzmann were married on 14 Sep 1854 in Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois.^{2,5,7,10,16,17} According to Barbara's obituary, she was married in Belleville, Illinois but Orrell's book lists Mascoutah. Wayne Leidwanger believes Joseph and Barbara were married in Belleville, IL, not Mascoutah. He has a copy of Marriage License No. 4205, granted on 14 September 1854 in Belleville. However, he cannot rule out Mascoutah because the certification of marriage by the minister signed on the same day does not state the actual location of the marriage.

According to the St. Clair County, Illinois marriage records, Mr. Joseph Speiser and Miss Barbara Heinsemann, 14 September 1854, License No. 4205. "Joseph Speiser, being duly sworn, says on his oath, that the parents of the above named Barbara Heinsmann, have no objections against her marriage. Sworn to and subscribed before me on September 14, 1854." /s/Joseph C. Spiser/s/ and /s/John Schul/s/

Carlyle Union Banner, 16 September 1904: SHATTUC. Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Speiser, two of our old residents, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home, one mile north of here. At the same time their granddaughter, Miss Olive Noller, was united in marriage to Mr. Edward Ahif, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Meyer, of Irvington. The young couple were attended by their grandparents. Over 150 guests were present. Next week we will give an elaborate account of the happy event.

Carlyle Union Banner, 23 September 1904: Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebrated. An Enjoyable Event at the House of Two of the Pioneer Citizens of Clinton County. Special Correspondent. SHATTUC, ILL., Sept 20, 1904. - September 14, 50 years ago, a matrimonial event occurred in Belleville. The central figures were Mr. Joseph Speiser, a young man of 22 years, living near Mascoutah, and Miss Barbara Heinsmann, a member of a pioneer family of Lookingglass township. The event was appropriately celebrated last Wednesday at the home of the aged couple, one mile north of this place, and over 150 were in attendance. At the same time Miss Olive Noller, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Noller, and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Speiser, was united in marriage to Mr. Edward Ahif, at present a resident of Danville. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Meyer, pastor of the Lutheran Church in Irvington. The wedding march was beautifully rendered by Miss Nellie Berry of Odin. The young couple were attended by the grandparents of the bride. After the ceremony Rev. Meyer made a very interesting talk reviewing the past lives of Mr. and Mrs. Speiser relating many little incidents illustrative of the trials and vicissitudes of the early settlers of this county. After this a sumptuous wedding dinner was served, and the festivities continued until late in the evening. The closing feature of the affair was a dance given in Merten's hall for the young folks. The residence was prettily decorated for the occasion, especially the parlor. The old as well as the young couple were the recipients of many useful presents. Mr. Speiser received a gold headed cane and his wife a gold headed umbrella, the gifts of their children. Among the many guests were their 7 children, 30 grandchildren and one great grandchild. The guests present from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. A. Harpatrite, of Decatur, the former having been one of the attendants at the wedding a half century ago in Belleville; Mr. and Mrs. John Roettler, Mr. and Mrs. Balsar Roettler, Thomas Graesser and wife, all of Trenton; V. Heinzmann, Henry Peters and wife, Henry Wanger of New Baden; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Speiser, of St. Louis, Mrs. M. Zick, of Dayton, O. Mr. and Mrs. Speiser are natives of Germany. He will be 73 years of age on the 4th day of next December. He was born near Aschafenburg, Bavaria, came to America with his parents in 1833, landed in New York, then came to Dayton, O., where he remained only a few years. In Terre Haute, Ind., he remained seven years, then located near Mascoutah. His marriage to Miss Barbara Heinzmann occurred September 14th, 1854. She was born in Germany, March 26, 1838, came to this country with her mother and brothers in 1851, and located near Trenton. In 1865 they removed to the farm north of here, which is yet their home. Mr. Speiser made his first trip through this county in the fifties when it was wild and unsettled. He takes pleasure in telling of this trip to this day. His companion was Pete Raef, of near Mascoutah. They heard the richness of the land along the old Vincennes and St. Louis state road, so they started out on a tour of exploration. Owing to the condition of the roads, scarcity of food for horses, etc., they preferred to walk the entire distance. The house of Mr. Meyer, just a half mile north of Huey, was one of the few in this part of the country. Walking naturally gave them a good appetite. At one house the people refused them food for the reason that they had none for themselves. At night they were wandering about trying to find a place to sleep when a light was noticed through the dense timber. Mr. Speiser went forward despite the protestations of his companion, knocked at the door and inquired if they could get food and lodging. The reply was in the affirmative. Their supper consisted of cold fat meat, corn bread and black coffee and this tasted awfully good to them. At night they were aroused from their slumbers by someone pulling at the covers. Both expected to have an encounter with robbers. A voice from the dark house said, "We are just putting a quilt over your bed to keep the snow from covering you up. It is snowing outside and it comes in through the roof." The tired explorers then slept on, and the next morning continued their journey to Olney. This was Mr. Speiser's introduction to this country. He has witnessed a wonderful development since then, such as the building of railroads, towns, telegraph and telephone lines, etc. He and his wife have lived a life which has won for them the highest esteem and implicit confidence of all who know them. Regardless of their advanced years both are hale and hearty and look many years younger than they really are. They are the parents of eleven children of whom seven are yet living. They are Clemens J. Speiser, of Sandoval, Valentine Speiser, of Boulder, Mrs. Geo. Koch, Mrs. Louis Noller, misses Flora and Dena Speiser, of Meridian township, and Edward Speiser, of St. Louis. The young married couple are two of our most popular young people. The groom is a son of Klaus Ahif, one of our well-known farmers, and is a most exemplary man. The bride enjoys the highest esteem of all, and possesses those attributes necessary to make a model wife. They will make their home in Danville. We join the many friends of both couples in extending them congratulations. (Includes photos of Joseph and Barbara Speiser.)

They lived in Mascoutah, St. Clair County, Illinois. They appeared in the census in 1870 in Clinton County, Illinois.⁷ Joseph and Barbara appear as "Spicer" in Carlyle Post Office, Clinton County. They appeared in the census in Jun 1880 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.¹⁸ They appeared in the census in 1900 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.⁸ They appeared in the census in 1910 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.¹⁹ Barbara L Heinzmann^3,5 (daughter of Johann Valentin Heinzmann and Maria Franziska "Frances" Rödler) was born on 23 Mar 1838 in Östringen, Baden, Germany.^{2,3,5,6,10,20,21} It would appear she was named after her sister that died in infancy. She was baptized on 24 Mar 1838 in St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, Ostringen, Germany.^5,22,23 She immigrated on 26 May 1851 to New Orleans, Louisianna.^{5,9,10,23,24,25} The ship was named Leondis and it sailed from Havre, France. She lived in New Baden, Clinton County, Illinois between 1854 and 1865.¹⁰ She lived in Shattuc, Clinton County, Illinois between 1865 and 1913.¹⁰ She was buried in Sep 1917 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, New Section, Row 3.^2,5,13,15 She died on 22 Sep 1917 in Shattuc, Clinton County, Illinois.^2,5,10,20 Joseph L Speiser and Barbara L Heinzmann had the following children:

+2	i.	Clemens Julius Speiser.
+3	ii.	Valentine W Speiser.
+4	iii.	Frances "Fannie" Speiser.
+5	iv.	Elizabeth Katharine Olive "Lizzie" Speiser.
6	v.	Joseph Speiser3,5,7 was born on 18 Feb 1864 in Illinois.3,5,26 He died Pneumonia on 23 Feb 1872.3,5,13 He was buried in Feb 1872 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, Old Section, Row 17.5,13
7	vi.	Mary Anna Speiser3,5,27 was born on 12 Feb 1866 in Illinois.3,5,26 She was baptized on 16 Apr 1866 in Saint Paul Catholic Church, Highland, Madison County, Illinois.27 She died on 5 Feb 1872.7,13,28 She was buried in Sep 1872 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, Old Section, Row 17.5,13
8	vii.	Ferdinand Speiser5,7,13 was born in Oct 1868 in Illinois.3,5,26 He was buried in Mar 1873 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, Old Section, Row 17.5,13 He died on 25 Mar 1873.5,7,13,27,28 He was buried in Sandoval Cemetery, Marion County, Sandoval, Illinois.7 Ferdinand's baptism and funeral were the first of each at St. Lawrence Church in Sandoval, Illinois.
+9	viii.	Edward R Speiser.
+10	ix.	Flora Alvina Speiser.
+11	x.	Dena Matilda Speiser.
12	xi.	Lena Elizabeth Speiser2,3,5 was born on 10 Jul 1874.3,5,7 She died as a child from burns when her father was burning brush in 1877.3,7,13,28 She was buried in 1877 in Sandoval City Cemetery, Sandoval, Illinois, Old Section, Row 17.5,13 She was born on 13 Dec 1882 in Meridian Township, Clinton County, Illinois.29 Genealogical Notes: The Marion County Cemetery Inscriptions With Genealogical Notes, Book #4, Sandoval, Odin and Racoon Townships, Excluding Hillcrest Cemetery, shows her name as "Vina."