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Belgian Civil War soldiers in Illinois

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Biography :

Not a lot of information found concerning Bruno Hoste. He stated having emigrated in 1856, arrival on April 11.  I've been unable to trace it at such date or at any other date.  First trace is in the censuses in 1870 at Macon, Bureau County, Illinois, living with John Sneck, a farmer also born Belgium. Bruno Hoste was a married man. He maried a Rosalie Rammelaere on November 17, 1867 in Henry County, she was also born Belgium about 1848 and they had two children in the 1870 census: Andrew 2 y.o. and John born in April 1870. A Joseph Hoste, 10 y.o. is also listed ! no other trace of that Joseph at any time. Maybe a third child, Frank, born in 1873. In the 1880 census, an Henry and a Frank Hoste are listed with their uncle: Henry Rumler(De Rommelaere)  family at Atkinson, Henry County, Illinois. Surely the children of Bruno and Rosalie. No other trace before Bruno Henry Hoste entry at the Soldiers' Home on November 6, 1899. In the 1900 census, at the Soldiers' Home, he stated being born in February 1839 and being a "single". The last trace is in the 1910 census. Not at the Soldiers' Home but a boarder living with Leo Decoster family, also a man born Belgium, at Annawan township, Henry County, Illinois and stating being a widower 77 y.o.  No further trace of him, date and place of burial not found.

More is know of his wife family as a biographical sketche of Henry Rumler was published in 1910 in the "History of Henry County, Illinois" by Henry L. Kiner. Here a large excerpt of that biography: Henry Rumler, a well known citizen of Atkinson, who is engaged in the hardware business and in selling farm implements, was born in Belgium, April 14, 1854. His parents, Francis and Amelia (Bonne) Rumler, who were also natives of that country, came to America in 1857, settling in Moline, Rock Island county, Illinois. The next year, however, they came to Atkinson, where the father obtained work as a section boss, though in the land of his birth he had been a farmer. He was not long permitted to enjoy the advantages of this country for after only a little more than twelve years' residence here he departed this life in 1869. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Atkinson, in which his widow was also laid to rest. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are living: Henry, of this sketch; August, of Atkinson; Mary, the wife of Jacob Broghamer, of Cambridge, Illinois; John, of Atkinson; Wilhelme, the wife of John S. Iman, who lives in Montana; and Amelia, the wife of John Catour, of Atkinson.

Henry Rumler attended the district schools of Atkinson township and assisted his father with the work on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he rented a part of the farm and in connection with its operation ran a corn sheller and threshing machine...

On the 15th of November, 1877, Mr. Rumler wedded Miss Wilhelme Bonwhuis, a daughter of Anthony and Theresa (Van Landschoot) Bonwhuis, both natives of Holland. The father was born in the city of Heerenveen, in 1820, and came to America in 1846, in one of the old sailing vessels, it requiring forty days to cross the ocean. He settled first in Wisconsin, which was then just beginning to be colonized by white people, who were greatly outnumbered by the red men. In fact Mr. Bonwhuis used to say that it was no infrequent occurrence for him to have his Sunday dinner in the company of these children of the forest. Leaving Wisconsin, Mr. Bonwhuis went to Rock Island, Illinois, and in 1865 came to Atkinson, where he opened a general store on State street, where his daughter Mrs. Goldberg, is now engaged in business. He retired from active life a few years before his death, which occurred in July, 1907. His first wife was Miss Theresa Van Landschoot also a native of Holland, whom he wedded in Rock Island in 1855. She passed away in 1863, and two years later, in St. Louis, Mr. Bonwhuis married Miss Demphinne Hendricks, who died February 18, 1907. There were three children by the first marriage: Christine, the wife of Peter Goldberg, of Atkinson; Wilhelme, now Mrs. Rumler; and Mary, the wife of August Rumler.

Mr. and Mrs. Rumler have had seventeen children: Frank, the eldest, died at the age of two years; William H., born January 13, 1880, is in Dallas, South Dakota, where he is interested in automobiles; Annie is the wife of Peter De Reu, of Atkinson township, and they have four children, William, Edna, Alma and Roy; Edward married Miss Elizabeth Egert, of Atkinson, and they have two children, Blanche and Carl Joseph ; Elizabeth is in Nauvoo, Illinois ; Albert is at home, as are the remaining children who are alive, Charles, John, Henry, Alfred, Jennie, Amandus Calvin, Mary, Irene and Frances ; Agnes, the eleventh child is deceased ; and the fifteenth died in infancy…

In his political views Mr. Rumler does not confine himself to any one party but casts his vote for the man he believes best suited for office. While not an office seeker, he has rendered the community valuable services as highway commissioner and as a member of the school board, in both of which capacities he served for ten years. A man of strong principles and fine character, progressive and enterprising, he is well known throughout Henry and adjoining counties and is highly respected. His success is the result of his own efforts and might be envied were it not so well deserved.

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