Biography - Charles Whitehouse
CHARLES
WHITEHOUSE, who resides on section 7, Walshville Township, is one of the
most extensive land-owners of Montgomery County, and is widely known
throughout this part of the State. He well deserves representation in this
volume, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life.
He was born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany, December 14, 1833, and is
the youngest in a family of five sons and one daughter born unto William and
Margaretta (Elsbein) Whitehouse. In the Fatherland the name was spelled
Whitehaus. Our subject was reared to manhood upon the farm and was educated
in accordance with the laws of his native land.
In 1853, when at the age of twenty years, Charles Whitehouse determined to seek his fortune in the New World, whither four of his brothers had preceded him. The family name was changed by William for his neighbors began calling him Whitehouse, and he soon found it necessary to assume that name, which the other brothers also took. The name of Whitehouse is now known for miles in all directions, for the members of the family have mounted far up the ladder of fame and fortune. William, who died many years ago, left a vast estate of nearly three thousand acres of as fine land as can be found in Illinois, and to this his heirs are constantly adding.
After coming to this country, our subject worked as a farm hand for about four years and then purchased eighty acres of land in Macoupin County. Five years later he purchased the farm on which he now resides. As his financial resources have increased, he has made other purchases, until at this writing his landed possessions aggregate nine hundred and twenty acres. He has not only been a successful farmer, but has also won prosperity as a land speculator and coal operator.
In 1856, Mr. Whitehouse was married to Miss Fuge Arkabauer. She died in 1887, leaving five children, namely: Martha, wife of Fred Neimann, Jr., a wealthy young farmer; Annie, at home; and Harmon and Charles, who manage the father's farm. Hannah is deceased. Mr. Whitehouse was a second time married, in 1888, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Annie (Johnson) Arkebauer, a native of Hanover, Germany. They are prominent and highly respected people, who hold an enviable position in social circles.
In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Whitehouse has been connected with the opening up of various coal mines in this locality. He is a man of superior business ability and, with a fertile mind directing industrious hands, he has achieved success. In politics, he is a Republican. He served for one term as Town Supervisor, and was again nominated, but the election proved a tie and in casting lots Mr. Whitehouse was the loser. He has never been an office-seeker, for he prefers to devote his entire attention to his large property, which he personally oversees, although he takes no active part in the work. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and for many years was one of its officers.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 346-347.
