My Genealogy Hound

LEWIS TREFFTZS, formerly a prominent citizen of township 5, range 3, departed this life July 31, 1893. He was a man well and favorably known throughout Perry County, and as every life has a history of its own, although in appearance it may seem to possess little to distinguish it from others, the reader will be interested in learning the details of the business career and private life of our subject.

Mr. Trefftzs was born in the province of Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1832, and was a lad of six years when he accompanied his parents, Gabriel and Mary Trefftzs, on their emigration to the United States. Landing in New York, the family made their way immediately to Ohio and located in Gallia County, where they resided for about fourteen years. During that time they did not purchase land, but were renters until coming to Illinois in 1854. Upon locating in the Prairie State, they selected as their future home a tract of land about five miles southwest of Pinckneyville.

Our subject learned the trade of a wagon-maker in Ohio, and after coming to Illinois was thus employed for ten years in Pinckneyville. During that period he accumulated a little property, consisting of a wagon shop and a house, surrounded by three acres of land. In 1871 he traded his town property for two hundred acres of land lying north of the above place. At his death he left his widow only one hundred and twenty acres, having given his son Robert the remaining eighty.

Of the sisters and brothers of our subject, we note the following: Caroline married Wilson McWaid, and after his death became the wife of James Montague; Gabriel died January 14, 1894; Jacob resides in Ohio; Gottleib died in Germany; Mathias is a resident of this county; Rebecca, Mrs. John Tyler, makes her home in Kansas, while W. Frank is a resident of this county. The lady whom our subject married in 1859 was Miss Philena C., daughter of Thomas and Jane (Packingham) Sterling. Her parents were married November 25, 1830, and were old settlers of this county, having come hither from Lancaster, Pa., in 1854. The mother passed away in April, 1857; the father survived her for several years, his death occurring March 21, 1868. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Trefftzs resulted in the birth of four sons and three daughters, namely: Frank, Belle, Robert, Zoe, Maude, Ethel and John. Mr. Trefftzs was a devoted member of the Methodist Church, and socially was a charter member of the Pinckneyville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Trefftzs is also a Methodist in religion.

In 1862 our subject enlisted in Company C, Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, and served in the Union army until the close of the war. He was wounded and captured in the battle of Champion Hills, Miss., just prior to the siege of Vicksburg. Three weeks later, however, he was released from captivity on account of the Confederates having no means of keeping their prisoners. He was so seriously wounded that his recovery was not thought possible. On regaining the Union line, however, he was well taken care of, and although afterward incapacitated for active service, did efficient work as a member of the Veteran Reserve Corps.

Politically a Republican, Mr. Trefftzs always took a leading part in local matters and was thoroughly posted in the issues of the hour. He held the office of County Commissioner for three years and was Trustee of the School Board for some time. The death of our subject occurred July 31, 1893. His residence, located on the top of a short rise in the ground, was one of the most pleasant in this section, and was the abode of hospitality and the center of attractions to numerous friends. He was well known to the citizens of the county, and his correct mode of living gained for him a popularity which was merited in every respect.