Contractor and Builder of the Newton Jail

Charles Guthneck was born in 1814. (On his son, Rev Father Michael Guthneck’s death certificate, his father’s birthplace was listed as Alsace, France with his mother’s birthplace given as in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.) Charles immigrated to America in 1837 when he was 21+ years of age with a French colony, who made their headquarters at Vincennes, Indiana. He became a stone and brick contractor and built many bridges for the Baltimore & Ohio and Southwestern railroads. After he moved to Jasper County, Illinois sometime before 1860, he was the contractor and builder of the Newton Jail in 1872.

How does he relate to Lawrence County history? On December 9, 1840, he married Annie McManus in Lawrence County Illinois, and they were living here when the 1850 census was taken.  Some of their children were born here as well. 

To this marriage eight children were born, of whom five reached adulthood. Three of these became priests and nuns, Rev. Father Michael Guthneck and Sister Mary and Sister Emma, both Sisters of Providence.