USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 105
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OSCAR NELSON.
SCAR NELSON, who is among the foremost contractors of his especial chosen trade in the city of Chicago, was born May 8, 1852, near Westervik, Sweden. His grandfather was Anders Anderson and for further mention of his ancestry note the biography of G. S. Nelson, on another page of this work. Oscar Nelson is a son of Nels Gabriel and Caroline (Turn) Nelson.
Mr. Nelson reached Chicago June 1, 1872, and
having been a carpenter in his native land, con- tinued at that trade after coming to this country. He was first employed by his brother, Gustav, and lived with him fifteen years. Mr. Nelson learned the trade of a plasterer and has since worked at that trade, with the exception of nine months spent in Nebraska. He has done some work as journeyman, while he has also done con- tracting to some extent. He is very ambitious
726
REV. P. T. BUTLER.
and active, and is one who is reliable and sturdy of purpose.
Mr. Nelson was married in early manhood to Hattie Anderson, daughter of Anders and Chris- tina (Hansen) Anderson. Mrs. Nelson was born March 23, 1854, in Guttenberg, Sweden, and came to America in 1874. Her father died in 1887, at the age of fifty-five years, and her mother is still living, having reached the advanced age of seventy years. Her children are accounted for as follows: Sophia died at the age of thirty years; Justina is residing in Nebraska; Albert is deputy sheriff, and resides at the corner of Atlan- tic and Fifty-second Streets, Chicago; Mrs. Nelson is next in order of birth; Herman resides in Wis- consin; Elizabeth is next in order of birth; Carl died at the age of twenty-four years.
The children of Mr. Nelson were eight in num- ber, three being deceased. Florence Elemina was born September 9, 1877; Amand, born Oc- tober 2, 1879, died at the age of sixteen months; Amanda was born October 22, 1882; Oscar, Feb- ruary 18, 1884; Elmer, born December 1, 1887, died at the age of twenty-two months; Myrtle Esther was next in order of birth; Elizabeth was born November 17, 1888; and Gerald, September 29, 1894.
Mr. Nelson has never sought public office, be- ing so much occupied with his own private affairs, but is loyal to the Republican party and at all times votes in favor of its candidates. He is a man of high honor and respectability, and endeavors to rear his family in the way that they should go. He is beloved by family and friends.
REV. PATRICK T. BUTLER.
EV. PATRICK THOMAS BUTLER, who is pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, is beloved not only by the peo- ple of his church, but is held in high esteem by all who know him. He was born in March, 1839, in Limerick, Ireland, and is a son of John and Mary Butler. His parents were people of refine- ment, and wished to give their sons the advant- ages of a good education, believing this to be the best legacy that could be left them. Like his brother, Thaddeus Butler, the subject of this sketch received his early education in Limerick. Subsequently he took a classical course at All Hallows College and then went to Rome, where he completed a theological and philosophical course.
He was a young man of studious habits, and delighted his masters with the love of learning
he manifested, and his progress. In 1864 he was ordained in Rome, and proceeded at once to America, whither his brother had preceded him. Landing at New York, he continued his journey to Chicago, and soon after his arrival he was made secretary to Bishop Duggan and was one of the priests of St. Mary's Church.
Father Butler was well loved for his many talents, and his kindness and charity. For a year he had charge of the missions in Hyde Park, Englewood and South Chicago. In 1868 Fa- ther Butler was assigned to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and his talents are still used in the interests of that church. The old church was built of wood, and the present brick building was erected after the fire of 1871, the parish residence being built four years later, in 1878. The school building was erected some
FRANK DIESEL.
( From Photo by W. J. ROOT).
727
FRANK DIESEL.
years later. The three buildings are well ar- ranged, and the people of this church are justified in feeling pride in them.
Father Butler is pleasant and genial, and his many warm friends are found both among Catholics and Protestants. He is very popular with a large number of Chicago citizens, by whom he is highly respected and honored. His
beautiful voice is highly praised, and is the de- light of all who hear it. In 1878, while assisting his brother in Rockford, he often sang with him in the church service, and the audience was al- ways enthusiastic in appreciation. Father Butler conscientiously performs every duty, and leads a life that may well be taken as an example for his people.
FRANK DIESEL.
- RANK DIESEL, president and treasurer of the Frank Diesel Can Company, is a fine type of the progressive and successful Ger- man-American citizens, among those who have contributed an important portion of Chicago's population. He was born April 9, 1838, in Rhenish Bavaria, being the second in a family of five children born to Michael and Theresa (Deris) Diesel. The parents were natives of Buechel- berg, on the border of Alsace. They came to America in 1842 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Michael Diesel was a poor man, and came to the United States in the hope of bettering his financial condition and to rear his family where they could have greater opportunities for ad- vancement and broader fields of usefulness. On his arrival in Cincinnati his cash capital consisted of three five-franc pieces. He bought an axe and spent the first winter in chopping wood, after which he worked for a time in a packing house. Two years later he engaged in digging wells, and soon began taking contracts for this line of work on his own account, meeting with gratify- ing success. This avocation he industriously pur- sued until his death, in 1854. The following year his widow sold her effects and brought her fam- ily to Chicago, where she had relatives. The
first two children, Frank and Peter, were born in Germany, and the latter died in Cincinnati about 1867. Charles, the third, was born upon the ocean and died at the age of ten years. Eliza- beth and Mary, who were born in Cincinnati, are deceased. The mother survived her husband many years, and died in Chicago, at the home of her son Frank, in April, 1895, in the eighty- second year of her age.
Frank Diesel, the only surviving member of the family, was instructed in the common branches of learning in St. John's Parish School at Cin- cinnati, in addition to which he attended night school one winter. At the age of twelve years lie was bound out for a period of five years to learn the barber's trade, but he was not satisfied with the business, nor contented to remain away from home, and was soon released. He was then em- ployed in a tin and hardware store for a year. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the tinsmith's trade, and by working in different places he followed the trade nearly three years in Cincinnati.
Soon after his arrival in Chicago he entered the employ of Michael Greenebaum, as a journey- man, and remained with him until 1860. He was then induced by a friend to go to Memphis,
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FRANK DIESEL.
Tennessee, and he remained in that city about six months. He was urged to enlist in the Con- federate service after the Civil War began, but this was not to his liking. On the 26th of April, 1861, he took passage for Cincinnati on the last passenger steamer which came north before the realities of war were inaugurated. He arrived in Cincinnati on the first day of May, and spent a few days there in visiting his old home and re- newing the acquaintances of his youthful days. He found that most of his old associates had joined the Union army, and he immediately came to Chicago and again entered the employ of Mr. Greenebaum.
August 26, 1862, he enlisted for three years in the Union army, and became a member of Com- pany K, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, entering at once upon active duty. On the last day of that year he was wounded at the bat- tle of Stone River, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was sent to the hospital at Nashville, go- ing from there to Louisville, and thence to Quincy, Illinois. He was discharged at the last- named point on account of disability, April 10, 1863. He now returned to Chicago, and was soon established with his old employer, with whom he continued until June 1, 1864. He then accepted a position with Cross & Dane, manu- facturers of tinware, at No. 50 State Street, and for some time was employed in cutting out piece work for their men. He was promoted to fore- man in the pressing and stamping department, and remained with this establishment during various changes of ownership. He became su- perintendent for the Dane, Westlake & Covert Company, under Mr. Westlake, who was general manager. After the Great Fire this concern was consolidated with Crerar & Adams, and Adams & Westlake Manufacturing Company was estab- lished, with whom Mr. Diesel continued to fill the position of superintendent until March, 1877.
About this time he formed a partnership with Conrad Folz, who was at that time county jailer, under the firm name of Diesel & Folz, and in a small way they began business at No. 425 Larra- bee Street. Most of their capital was borrowed, but they did a successful business, and this con-
nection lasted six years, at the end of which time Mr. Diesel bought out his partner's interest and continued the business alone. In 1885 he bought two lots on North Halsted Street, on which he built a large factory, which he later enlarged to meet the growing demands of histrade. In 1887 he bought additional ground and erected his present commodious residence, at No. 701 North Halsted Street. Under Mr. Diesel's able manage- ment the business continued to grow, and as- sumed such proportions that the capacity of the plant had to be enlarged, and in order to enjoy better shipping facilities, in 1894, at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars, Mr. Diesel pur- chased lots on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Fortieth Street, on which he erected the present large factory, and it was occupied in October of that year. In the previous year the present cor- poration, known as the Frank Diesel Can Com- pany, was formed, the stock being held by Mr. Diesel and his sons. They bought out the can de- partment of the Chicago Stamping Company, which was added to their already large plant. This is the most important industry of its kind in the west, if not in the United States. In it is carried on the manufacture of fruit, meat and oyster cans, sheet-metal specialties and decorative ware. In connection is maintained a lithographing depart- ment. An average of five hundred people are employed, and the goods are marketed in various parts of the United States, the annual output amounting to nearly one million dollars.
Mr. Diesel is an earnest supporter of Repub- lican principles in politics, but has no time for office seeking, and has declined the urgent request of friends to become a candidate for alderman in his ward. He is a member of American Post No. 708, Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1864 he was married to Miss Barbara Roos, a native of Rhenish Bavaria, and daughter of Louis Roos, who came to Chicago in 1851. His family includes five sons and two daughters, namely: Louis, Conrad, John A., Lambert, Rosa, Charles and Lena. Two daughters and one son besides these died in childhood. All are com- municants of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church.
729
C. O. TEN BROEKE.
Mr. Diesel is essentially a self-made man. Without wealth or influential friends to start him in life, by his own industry and the care of his earnings he was enabled to begin business in a small way. He did not relinquish his industry and thrift, but continued to give close attention
to his business and was thus enabled to enlarge and extend it until it became one of the greatest industries of Chicago. To such men the city owes its commercial supremacy, and the example afforded by the story of his life is earnestly com- mended to the emulation of our youth.
CHARLES O. TEN BROEKE.
HARLES OGDEN TEN BROEKE, who is a native of Addison County, Vermont, was born June 16, 1836. His parents were James and Mary Maria (Tappen) Ten Broeke. The genealogy of this old family dates back in Holland to the time when the Ten Broekes were among the most honored and wealthy people of that country, and were of the highly educated and refined religious class. They valued their religious convictions more highly than the associations of their childhood, and in England they maintained a very high standard as business men.
James Ten Broeke was the son of one of the wealthy but unfortunate men of London who lost their wealth in the gigantic Louisiana land speculation. A brother of James, Anthony, was an officer of the British army in India. James Ten Broeke was indebted for his good education to his uncle, William Ten Broeke, a wealthy banker of London. But such was his love for independence that at the age of fifteen, about the time of the close of the War of 1812, he emigrated to America. Here he continued his studies.
He settled in Addison County, Vermont, where he owned a large farm and conducted a private academy. Successful in both occupations, he now added to his duties those of a Baptist minister. He was a most zealous worker in the church with which he became affiliated. He married Mary Maria, daughter of Silas Tappen, and this union
was blessed with five children that reached maturity, namely: Jane A., William H., Charles Ogden, Sarah E. and Mary E. Of these five, William H. inherited the old homestead, where he resided until his decease. Sarah E. married John Mills, who is now deceased. Mary E. married Dr. Thomas W. Goodspeed, secretary of the University of Chicago.
James Ten Broeke was a close student, and many of his pupils of that time now reside in Chi- cago and will remember him as one who in his former years of teaching, did not spare the rod. In later years he changed his mode of punishment, and found as great success in his new as in the old method. He was a pastor of great value to his denomination and held pastorates at Panton, Charlotte and Bridport, Vermont, and also at Moriah, New York. He died in May, 1855.
Mrs. James Ten Broeke died February 14, 1891, in Morgan Park, Illinois, at the great age of eighty-six years. After the death of her husband, she resided with her children and was an invalid for nearly forty years. The last fourteen years of her life were spent at the home of her son, Dr. Goodspeed. She was an example of a sweet and patient Christian spirit, and, though a great sufferer, was a blessing to all around her.
Charles Ogden Ten Broeke received the prin- cipal part of his education from his father's teach- ing and was but sixteen years of age when he began alone the battle of life. He left his home
730
FRANK LINSENBARTH.
November 1, 1852, and in the following March came to Chicago, where the smallpox was then a dreaded scourge, and the following two years were remembered as the cholera years. He was bookkeeper with Hubbard & Robb for a period of six years, and subsequently embarked in the carriage business with D. W. Coan, locating at Nos. 41 and 43 Randolph Street. In 1862 they bought the factory of Welsch & Mendson, which was at the corner of Ann and West Randolph Streets. They conducted a very successful busi- ness until the year 1877, when they closed. They employed two hundred men on an average, and their business extended all over the West. Before the fire of 1871, they owned the largest business of this nature in Chicago, and second to one only in the United States. . Their work was to be relied upon, being turned out by skilled workmen. By doing this they gained and held the confidence of the people in every respect. While in the carriage business, they were given the contract for the building of the funeral car of Stephen A. Douglas, and later that of Mr. Ten Broeke's personal friend, Abraham Lincoln.
He was married January 1, 1861, to Mary C. Babcock, a daughter of John N. and Charlotte R. (Bromley) Babcock, wealthy and influential residents of New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Babcock came to Chicago in 1876, and died in the village of Morgan Park, November 23, 1891. The names of his children are as follows: George B., Frederick V., William B., Mary C., and Emeline C., the last-named being the wife of Maj.
C. E. Dutton, of the regular army, the well- known scientist and author on geological sub- jects.
In the year 1885 Mr. Ten Broeke removed from the city of Chicago to the village of Morgan Park, where he still resides in a beautiful home on the famous Blue Island Ridge. He had only been in his new home a few months when he was appointed treasurer of the village, an office which he still holds, after being reappointed under eleven successive administrations. A further proof of Mr. Ten Broeke's standing in the community and the honor in which he is held by his neighbors is given by the fact that in 1890 he was elected to the assessorship of the township of Calumet, which contains the thriving towns of Blue Island, Morgan Park, Washington Heights, Roseland and Kensington. In 1891 he was re-elected and has continued to hold said office by annual re-elec- tions from that time until the present year, when he refused to be a candidate.
Mr. Ten Broeke's political affiliations have been Republican, but he owes his political suc- cess to personal rather than party causes. This is indicated by the fact that he has been elected on Republican, Independent and Democratic tickets. His work and efforts as an official have always elicited the praise of the county officials and are held up as a model to others. Mr. Ten Broeke has had a large experience in business affairs and has held the good will and esteem of the foremost bankers and real-estate dealers, to a remarkable degree.
FRANK LINSENBARTH.
RANK LINSENBARTH, who is now liv- ing retired, is an honored pioneer of 1848, and has resided in the city of Chicago a half century. He has been much of this time con- nected with the manufacturing interests of the.
city and has been loyal to its best and most im- portant interests. He was born in the city of Buttstadt, Saxen-Weimar, Germany, February 24, 1827. His father died when the man whose name heads this article was a small child, and the
731
CAPT. J. C. BORCHERDT.
latter was educated in the parish school and served an apprenticeship of three years at cabinet- making.
In 1848 Mr. Linsenbarth sailed from Bremen and forty-nine days later landed in New York, traveling to Buffalo, New York, by way of the canal. He continued to Chicago, arriving in June of the same year. On his arrival he was in pos- session of fifty cents in money, a hardy consti- tution and all the energy of his race. He began to work for Goss & Philips, with whom he re- mained ten years. He then entered the em- ploy of C. J. L. Meyer, then of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and for a period of fifteen years man- aged his large and extensive business in this city. He had been connected with various enterprises until about 1886, when he retired, having ac- cumulated a competence. He has been a Re- publican since the organization of the party, hav- ing voted for every presidential candidate of that
party. In 1876-77 he served as alderman for the Sixteenth Ward, and was on the building com- mittee of the courthouse. He discharged his duties well and served the best interests of the people he represented to the best of his ability, never shrinking from any work set for his office. He has lived on the North Side for a period of thirty-five years and has seen the city grow from a village ..
Mr. Linsenbarth was a heavy loser in the fire of 1871, but soon regained his former position in the financial world. In 1852 he was married to Miss Henrietta Zollinger, a native of Alsace, Germany. They became the parents of five chil- dren, of whom there is but one living at the present writing-Caroline, wife of Fred O. Bau- mann. He is an honored and consistent mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is highly respected among all his acquaintances, whether in a social or business connection.
CAPT. JULIUS C. BORCHERDT.
APT. JULIUS CHARLES BORCHERDT was among the prominent soldiers of the late Civil War. He was born April 23, 1841, in Buffalo, New York, and is a son of J. C. and Marie (Schnebeley) Borcherdt, both natives of a foreign country, the father having been born in Germany and the mother in Russia. J. C. Borcherdt died in Milwaukee, in 1848, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Julius C. Borcherdt received a practical educa- tion in the public schools of Buffalo, but attended school there only until he had reached the age of thirteen years. He became a mechanical engi- neer by profession, and in 1854 came to Chicago, with his guardian, Albert Borcherdt. On arriving in Chicago, he immediately began to serve an ap- prenticeship as apothecary, which ended in three years. He then proceeded to Manitowoc, Wis- consin, and there was in attendance in a public
school two years, after which time he returned to Buffalo for a short visit. When he again lo- cated in Chicago he attended the commercial school of Bryant & Stratton a period of six months.
In 1860 he joined a small company of men who went to Cuba to buy tobacco, and was shipping clerk and bookkeeper for the company. In April, 1861, they were forced to emigrate, under orders of the Spaniards, owing to the hatred of the Cu- bans for men from the north who were opposed to slavery. Returning to New York Mr. Bor- cherdt joined the Thirteenth New York Militia, Company D, as a private. The company left New York April 21, headed for Annapolis. A mob had taken possession of the military acad- emy and General Butler was the cause of the dispersement and took command of the academy. With some assistance the two regiments built up
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CAPT. J. C. BORCHERDT.
a wrecked railroad for ten miles, and rushing in- to Baltimore, took up their position without hav- ing fired a shot. Mr. Borcherdt remained in Baltimore until his time of service had expired and participated in several raids into the en- emy's country. When his term was ended he returned to Brooklyn, and was mustered out as a corporal and traveled to Buffalo to visit his native city and to see his mother and sisters. In August, 1861, he enlisted as second sergeant, in Company D, Forty-ninth New York Infantry. He was soon transferred to Washington, District of Columbia, where he was promoted to the po- sition of hospital steward of the regiment. He was ill treated by the superior officers of the regi- ment and at one time was ordered by the captain to drink whisky from a tin cup. He refused, and escaped from the tent and got out of reach of the officer. He was soon after summoned by the colonel, who sent word that he wished to see him. Thinking that he was to receive a severe repri- mand for disobeying orders, Mr. Borcherdt answered, only to be happily disappointed by dis- covering that the colonel merely wished to test his capabilities. He was made aware that he would be given his choice of remaining in the po- sition then occupied by him, hospital steward, or he could take the position of commissary ser- geant. Mr. Borcherdt preferred retaining the position then held, which he was allowed to do. He efficiently served as such until after the battle of Malvern Hill. At this time it was the duty of an officer of his charge to accompany the regi- mental surgeon on the field of battle, in order to be where his services were most needed.
Mr. Borcherdt asked the colonel to order him back to the company he had formerly been in, as his taste ran to more active service. He stated his case to the surgeon, who told him that in six months he would make him assistant surgeon of the company, which position Mr. Borcherdt refused, as he did not deem his education in medicine sufficient to enable him to fill it to ad- vantage. He participated in the battle at Savage Station and later in the retreat to White Oak Swamp. On June 29, 1862, details of men were sent to the river to bathe and Mr. Borcherdt was
among the first detachment. While they were in the water General Jackson's troops arrived on the scene and all but Mr. Borcherdt were taken prisoners, but he went up on the opposite bank, without clothes, and escaped, only to find himself in the rebel canp. He was sent to the rear and obtained trousers and shirt, but was still without hat or shoes. A wounded rebel asked him for water and on receiving the reply from Mr. Bor- cherdt that no water was at hand he pointed to some dead rebels and said, "There are dead men over there." After giving the man a drink from a canteen he found, Mr. Borcherdt took from one of the dead men, hat, coat and shoes, and decided not to be taken to Libby Prison. He also took cartridge box and other necessities and entered among the soldiers of the Fourteenth North Caro- lina Regiment, who were then in battle. He fired a few shots, taking care that they injured none of the men with whom he was in spirit with whom circumstances prevented his being in per- son. At dark he made his way to the woods, but lost his way and stumbled on a rebel cavalry picket. The latter asked to what regiment he belonged and Mr. Borcherdt gave the name of the one with whom he had spent the day. The picket told him to be careful as the enemy's lines were not far distant and pointed to the destination which Mr. Borcherdt wished to reach, but which he could not locate. No more trouble offered itself now until he reached the northern soldiers, who could not credit his story, but after giving him a breakfast and taking his ammunition sent him to the provost marshal. He also was against the supposed delinquent and Mr. Bor- cherdt was thrown among rebel prisoners and sent to Malvern Hill. He explained his predica- ment to the sentry, who laughed at the ridicu- lous story, but on request from the unfortunate man, sent him with a guard to his regiment. The quartermaster did not recognize him, but the colonel did, and ordered him released and given proper clothing.
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