The little republic of Switzerland has contributed many of its sons to
America, who have carved out fortunes for themselves under the favoring
conditions of the United States and are now living at ease in homes which
they provided through their thrift and perseverance. Baltisar Regli belongs
to this class. He was born June 3, 1834, a son of Michael and Lena Regli.
The parents were both natives of Switzerland and spent their entire lives in
that country, the father being a farmer. In their family were three sons and
two daughters. Two of the sons are now living in California and the daughter
still makes her home in the old country.
Mr. Regli of this sketch
was educated in the schools of his native land and under his father was made
acquainted with the duties pertaining to farming. He remained at home until
twenty-three years of age and then, in 1857, went aboard a ship at Havre and
crossed the ocean to New Orleans, the voyage requiring many weeks. He came
up the Mississippi river to St. Louis in a steamboat and for about four
years was employed on a large dairy farm near that city. At the beginning of
the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army at Jefferson Barracks in Company
D, First Missouri Cavalry, and served faithfully for over three years. He
participated in many battles and skirmishes and passed through the war
without serious personal injury. He continued in St. Louis for one year
after leaving the army and then came to Macoupin county, Illinois, and
purchased land upon which he has since made his home. As opportunity offered
he acquired additional property and became the owner of one of the valuable
places in Polk township, where he owns one hundred acres. He occupies a
comfortable and well furnished residence and has made many improvements on
his place, everything about the farm indicating the application of energy
and good management. He is now seventy-seven years of age, but retains in a
large measure his physical and mental strength and superintends the
operation of the farm.
On the 18th of August, 1867, Mr. Regli was
married, at St. Louis, to Miss Magdalene Shaffer, who was born at St. Louis.
Her parents were both born in Germany and came to this country, settling at
St. Louis, where the mother died from cholera. Mr. and Mrs. Regli became the
parents of four children, all of whom are now living. Dena, the eldest, is
the wife of Joseph Rhodes, of North Dakota, and they have six children,
Charles, Clara, Theresa, Marie, Julia, and William. Mary married Charles
Kaup, of Jerseyville, Illinois. They have two children, Anna and Lena.
Francisco is the wife of William Edwards, of Polk township, and they have
one child, Lena M. Philip was married to Miss Anna Ebel, of Macoupin county,
and they have one child, Alberta Marie. Mr. Regli was deprived by death of
his wife October 31, 1910, after they had traveled life’s journey for more
than forty years.
He proved his allegiance to his adopted country by
offering his life for the Union at the time of the great Rebellion. It is
men of this character who uphold free institutions and reflect credit upon
the race. His record is one to which descendants may always point with
pride. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is a valued member of St.
Joseph’s church of Carlinville. In politics he is an earnest adherent of the
republican party.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 140-141.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022