USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 90
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cliaracter and is withal a pleasant, genial gentle- man of the highest refinement. All inen respect him, whether dealing with him in business or meeting him socially, where men prove their true selves, in their hospitality and treatment of their various friends and enemies.
THOMAS NICHOLS.
HOMAS NICHOLS, who comes from a very old and distinguished English family, has spent a great deal of his life in attention to the enterprise of making shoes, but in later years has dealt to some extent in real estate in the city of Chicago. He was born July 3, 1847, in Kettring, Northampton County, England, and is a son of James and Maria (Padgett) Nichols. Thomas Nichols, grandfather of the man whose name heads this article, was born in Middleton, and was a blacksmith by occupation. He lived in the same vicinity in which he was born during his entire existence. His wife was Mary Ann Nichols, who lived to the age of seventy-five years, and they were the parents of two sons and three daughters. James Nichols, father of Thomas, is still living, and is seventy-seven years of age. He was born at Middleton, England, and moved to Kettring when thirty-seven years of age, and lias since resided in that locality. He dealt in rope and twine, which his brother manu- factured. Mrs. Nichols died April 21, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years. Her children were: Thomas, Mary Ann, Jane and Emma. Mary Alın was married to George Enger, a coal dealer, and is the mother of six children. Joseph, the next, died at the age of six months. Jane married Thomas Foster; they have three children, and live in Kettring, England. He has a shoe manufactory. Emma married Edward Smith and they never emigrated from their native land,
but still reside in Kettring. He also deals in shoes, and has two children. Mrs. Nichols' fanı- ily, the Padgetts, were from Loughborough, Eng- land, and were well-known manufacturers of hosiery.
Thomas Nichols was the only one of his father's family to emigrate from their native land, and he reached the city of Chicago June 21, 1871. Having learned the trade of shoe- maker in his native land, he immediately be- came employed by J. T. Jewett, at the corner of Dearborn and Monroe Streets, and was with him until Mr. Jewett's death, which occurred in the spring of the year 1885. He remained with Mr. Jewett's successor, Richard Melcher, until 1888, when he changed to the service of Rasmussen Brothers. He was with the last-mentioned con- cern until 1890, when the practically retired from active business life. He began to deal in real estate about 1880, and in 1882 purchased seventy- five feet of property on Garfield Boulevard, be- tween Wright and Stewart Avenues. He erected three two-story houses and is still in possession of this property. In 1894 he purchased fifty feet on Wabash Avenue, between Sixty-ninth and Seventieth Streets. He built a two-story house on the last-mentioned ground and has realized much profit from these investments.
Mr. Nichols was married July 14, 1876, to Mrs. Julia Thompson, widow of James Thomp- son and daughter of Timothy and Mary (Hogan)
613
P. H. KELLER.
McCarthy. Mrs. Nichols was born Marclı 15, 1846, in the city of Cork, Ireland, and came to America in 1862. She came over with her brother, Daniel, and spent three months in New York. She then removed to Chicago, hier mother coming over a year later and dying July 8, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. Timo- thy McCarthy died in 1848, at the age of forty years. His children were: Margaret, Cornelius, Mary Ann, Ellen, Daniel, John, Julia and Timo- thy. All of this family of children are deceased except Ellen, Daniel and Julia. Mary Ann came to America about 1853. She married James Oliver Ferris and lived in Stamford, Con- necticut. They came to Chicago and made their home here many years, then bought a farm near Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Ferris passed away at Decatur August 20, 1867, aged thirty-five years. Her children were: Lena, William, Oliver, John. The last-named is now an Episcopal clergyman in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. J. O. Ferris was a carpenter and survived his wife ten years, dying at the age of fifty-five years, in Stamford. Ellen, another of the family of Timothy McCarthy, and sister of Mrs. Nichols, came to America in 1855, and married David Thompson, a moulder in Chicago. They reside at Monticello, Indiana, and their children were
named as follows: Emily (deceased), Janet (deceased), William (deceased), George and Robert. Daniel McCarthy, son of Timothy McCarthy, married Kate Norris, in Ireland, and came over in 1863. They lived in Chicago twelve years and then removed to Oakland, California. Their children are: Daniel, William, Margaret (deceased), James, Mary, Emily and George. Mr. McCarthy is a ship carpenter. John McCarthy, a brother of Mrs. Nichols, was drowned in Bom- bay, India, while in the merchant marine.
Mrs. Nichols' children, by her first husband, were: Mary Jane, who makes her home with Mr. Nichols, and John R. Mary Jane married D. S. Cronin and John R. married Sadie Broderick, and lives at No. 543 Garfield Boulevard. His only child is John Albert.
Mr. Nichols is interested in the success of the Republican party, at all times, though never seeking public office of any kind. He has served, however, as assistant road master of the Town of Lake, and is a very competent and able man. His views are of the highest order, and his sympathies are for the right and his in- fluence used for good. He exerts himself for the benefit of his fellow-men and their interests are his. A pleasant, genial gentleman, he is admired and respected by all.
PHILIP H. KELLER.
HILIP HENRY KELLER, who keeps a gelical Lutheran Church, he received his ed- meat market at No. 1258 Wellington Street, ucation, and on attaining the proper age, was confirmed in the church. is an enterprising and successful business inan, and a member of an old and highly re- spected pioneer family. He was born March 6, 1858, in Chicago, the second child and eldest son of Henry Keller, whose biography appears on another page of this work. In the old Newberry School and the parishi school of St. Paul's Evan-
He learned the butcher's trade in his father's shop on Reis Street and assisted his father until he was twenty-six years of age. He then began business on his own account. One of his first business ventures was buying cattle at Aurora and shipping them to Chicago, which he carried
614
CHRISTIAN HEUSER.
on successfully a few months. In 1881 he went to Colorado to try the fascinating but uncertain pursuit of mining. He spent about a year in that state and still retains interests there. With the exception of the time spent in Aurora, Illi- nois, and in Colorado, he has lived in Chicago his entire life. For some years he conducted a meat market on Reis Street, and established his present business in 1894.
Mr. Keller is a Republican in political views and is influential in the councils of that party, but though he has attended its conventions he lias never sought public office. July 20, 1882,
he married Miss Louise, daugliter of Jacob Reich, an old settler of the city. She is also a native of Chicago. They have three children, namely: Henry, Robert and Philora. Mr. Keller is a social, genial gentleman, and is prominent in fraternal societies. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, and is also con- nected with the German Order of Harugari and the North End Gun Club. The members of the family belong to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and are valued and esteemed by tlie congregation.
CHRISTIAN HEUSER.
D HRISTIAN HEUSER. Education has not always been as easy to obtain, even by will- ing students, as it is at the present time, and to those who have struggled with financial dis- advantages of the times and with various ob- stacles they encountered, and have still made a success of life, much credit is due. These men have proven to the coming generations that suc- cess is to be had and is for those who strive the hardest to secure it. Among those who have overcome all difficulties by their own efforts and have lived to exalt the name they bear, as well as enjoy in the evening of life the fruits of well- directed labor, is the man whose name heads this notice. One of the pioneers of the great city, he is prominent in business, as well as social circles at the present day.
He has for many years been a manufacturer of vehicles of all kinds at No. 129 Clybourn Ave- nue. He was born May 11, 1831, in Nassau, Prussia, and has been a resident of Chicago since 1856. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Heu- ser, natives of his own birthplace. Of their ten children only four came to America, namely:
Peter, who died in Ohio; William, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky; Christian, of this sketch; and Anton, of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Christian Heuser was educated in the public schools, which he attended until he reached the age of fourteen years. On leaving school he entered on an apprenticeship at the trade of car- riage-maker with his brother, with whom he worked six years. He then worked for a time in West Baden. In March, 1853, he left his native land and went to England. He embarked from London in a sailing ship bound for America and arrived in New York forty-four days later. He went to Sandusky City, Ohio, and worked for a Mr. Bemis upon a farm. Three months later lie removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and there worked at his trade until 1856, when he came to Chicago. He was very fortunate in find- ing immediate employment with Mr. Thein, at the northwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Clark Street. In 1862 he purchased property at the corner of Rees Street and Clybourn Avenue, which had upon it an old shop building. At this location he embarked in business, but in 1871 was
615
FRANK WILKE.
burned out and lost everything. Subsequent to the fire he began again and at the same number has since conducted a successful business.
Mr. Heuser has at all times been independent in politics, though at no time being a political agitator. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was for many years a member of the Druids. In July, 1859, he married Miss Louise Schloeder, who is a native of Germany. They had ten children, nine of
whom are living, namely: Leonard; Anna, who married F. W. Wagner, and resides on North Avenue, Chicago; William; Elizabeth, wife of George Becker; Katharine, now Mrs. John Ja- cobs; Lena, Mrs. Frederick Steinke; Anton, Bertha and Edward. The three last named are residing at home with their parents.
The family is one of good standing wherever the members are known and all are connected with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
FRANK WILKE.
RANK WILKE, a contractor and builder of Chicago, has been a resident of the city since 1867. He was born December 8, 1843, in Prussia, the oldest son of William and Amelia (Kruse) Wilke, natives of Prussia. William Wilke was a tailor by trade, at which he worked in his native land. He and his wife, Amelia, had eight children, as follows: Frank, of this sketch; Louis; Johanna, widow of Edward Hie- land; Gustav; Hulda, wife of Henry Hick; Emil; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Narmes, all of Chica- go; and Mary, who died at the age of eight years. Louis and Johanna came to America in the win- ter of 1869 and the other members of the family came three years later. The father died on the 2d of April, 1894, and the mother is still liv- ing.
Frank Wilke attended school until fourteen years of age, and then served an apprenticeship at the stone mason's trade, at which he worked until he emigrated. December 9, 1866, he sailed from Hamburg in the steamer "Sexonia," bound for New York, stopping three days at South- ampton, and arrived in New York January 2, 1867. Two days later he started west, intending to go to Milwaukee, but having limited ineans, decided to go no farther than Chicago. He at
once obtained employment on a farm at six dol- lars per month. In the spring he was enabled to find work at his trade, and in 1869 he formed a partnership with F. F. Haussen, under the firm name of Haussen & Company. This connection continued until 1891, when Mr. Haussen retired and his son continued the business, the firm name becoming Haussen & Wilke.
In 1876 Mr. Wilke purchased five acres of land in Jefferson Township, where he now lives. He has never taken much interest in politics, being in- dependent, and supporting the man of his choice, rather than affiliating with any party strictly, when he does vote. He is a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
May 1, 1870, Mr. Wilke was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Antoinette (Thompson) Miller, natives of Holstein, Ger- many, where Mrs. Wilke was also born, October 9, 1848. In 1868 she came to America with her sister, Margaret, who is now deceased, her par- ents remaining in the old country. Later her brother, now residing on Twenty-first Place, and sister, Fredericka, now Mrs. Herman Luciwig, of Blue Island, came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Wilke have eight children, namely: Anna, wife
616
WILLIAM CLETTENBERG.
of Edward Repsold; Amelia, Oscar, Emma, Frank, George, Alma and Elsie. The members of the family are connected with the St. Nicholas Lutheran Church and are well known and highly respected by the other members of the congre- gation. Mr. Wilke is a valuable and influential member, and his efforts are recognized by all.
He is charitable to the opinions of others, but cherishes very strong ideas of his own of the duties of citizens of this country, respecting the rights of others and reserving and profiting by his own rights. He is a kind father and loving hus- band, and is nowliere beloved more than in the family circle.
WILLIAM CLETTENBERG.
ILLIAM CLETTENBERG, now retired, has been identified with the business inter- ests of Chicago since 1854. He was born January 25, 1839, in Cologne, on the River Rhine, Germany, and is a son of Bernhard and Mary (Moll) Clettenberg, who were natives of the same city. Bernhard Clettenberg was for many years a soldier, his father having contracted with the French Government to supply the army with grain and hay. The family was prominent, and the last-named member became very wealthy and well known throughout the region in which he resided. The name was originally Von Klet- tenberg, the prefix, von, indicating that the fam- ily was of noble blood. This was dropped by the subject of this sketch and his brother on coming to this country, the first letter also undergoing a change, which left the name Clettenberg.
Bernhard Clettenberg was the father of five chil- dren who grew to maturity: Frank M., of Chica- go; William; Katherine, wife of Frank Gruman; Mary, who became Mrs. Gabriel Kopp; and Elizabeth, wife of Mathias Getka. The last- named was born in Chicago. The family sailed from Antwerp, Belgium, on the "Curetuck of Norfolk." The voyage was forty-eight days in length, the family landing in New York at the end of this time. Mr. Clettenberg immediately removed with his wife and children to Chicago, though he remained bit a short time in this
vicinity. He was possessed of some capital on his arrival in America and soon removed to Galena, where he became engineer in the Cole- man & Graham Furniture Factory, but after a short time in this location he returned with his family to Chicago. He subsequently sold ice for H. Joy, remaining in his employ for several years. He died at the age of eighty-two years, November 27, 1882. His worthy helpmate sur- vived him until October 19, 1897, and died in Chicago.
William Clettenberg, who name heads this article, was educated in the primary schools of the town of his nativity and after his arrival in America attended the old Mechanics' Institute and at the same time industriously pursued studies in a night school. The latter school was conducted by Anton Hesing. At the age of sixteen years he entered an apprenticeship of three years with Douglass & Reed, for the pur- pose of learning the trade of a sign painter. In the year 1859 he was enabled to purchase the in- terest of Mr. Reed, and afterward conducted the business with the aid of his brother. In this manner they continued until 1872, since which time Mr. Clettenberg has lived a quiet, peaceful life. In 1863 he removed liis residence to the West Side, locating on West Indiana Street (now Grand Avenue), from which place he changed his abode to the house he now occupies. Not
617
MATTHEW TURNER.
desiring to lose sight altogether of the active life of the world, he has dealt somewhat in real estate, and has taken a lively interest in political affairs. He has always fulfilled his duties as a citizen, lending his interest and vote for the pro- motion of the principles of the Republican party.
January 22, 1862, Mr. Clettenberg was mar- ried to Miss Eva, daughter of Nicholas Molter, who came to Chicago in 1853. She was born in Trier, Germany, and is the mother of six chil- dren, namely: William; Bernhard, who is a clo- thier at the corner of North Avenue and Division Street; Mary, Mrs. Augustus Rohrbacher; Katha-
rine, wife of H. J. Urbin; Edward N., who is teller of Foreman Brothers' Banking Company; William, a bookkeeper; and Theodore Sylvester, a student. The third of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Clettenberg was Frank, who died January 17, 1897, and one child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Clettenberg and their family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church, and their efforts in behalf of this institution are appreciated by the others of the congregation. The family of Clettenberg is a very old one, and the present generation does credit to the time-honored name it bears.
MATTHEW TURNER.
M ATTHEW TURNER. Among the mem- bers of the ancient family by this name who have emigrated to America seeking financial success and who have proved themselves loyal to their adopted country, is Matthew Turner. He was born July 22, 1843, in Hastings, Sussex Coun- ty, England. His parents were John and Mary (Martin) Turner. For further mention of his an- cestors see biography of Mark Turner, in this work.
He left his native land and located in Ford County, Illinois, in 1871, the year of the great fire in Chicago. He was proficient in the trade of a mason, having learned it in England and contracted in that country on a small scale. In 1872 he removed from Ford County to Chicago, locating at the corner of Fiftieth Street and Cot- tage Grove Avenue, in Hyde Park. During five years he was in the employ of Boghardt & Bryan, and subsequently, with his brother, helped to form the firm of Turner Brothers, contractors. Their work lay chiefly in Grand Crossing and he followed this occupation in that capacity seven
years. He then returned to journeyman work and up to the present time has been with Williams & Stacey, of Hyde Park.
In 1868 Mr. Turner was married to Margaret Upton, of Hastings, England. Their children were born and named as follows: George Mat- thew, born April 12, 1870; James, December 19, 1872,died March 2, 1873; Alice, March 19, 1875, died February 24, 1897; Frederick, June 7, 1877; Emma, December 8, 1878; Joseph, January 17, 1881; Frank, January 7, 1883; Grace, September 24, 1885; May Louise, February 7, 1889; and Florence, May 10, 1893. Mr. Turner built a residence at No. 7441 Champlain Avenue about the year 1887. He also built a residence at the corner of Fifty-seventh Street and Kimbark Avenue. He is connected with the Brick- layers' Union. Independent in his political views, Mr. Turner votes for the man who, in his opinion, is best fitted to serve the in- terests of the people, being very conscientious concerning these matters.
618
W. H. GERMAN, M. D.
WILLIAM H. GERMAN, M. D.
ILLIAM HENRY GERMAN, M. D., who was born April 18, 1855, is a native of Brockville, Ontario, Canada, which town is situated very beautifully on the St. Lawrence River. The genealogy of the family dates to French origin, members having at one time lived in Bavarian Palatine in the time of Louis XIV., in whose reign the infamous Edict of Nantes was issued. The family was voluntarily exiled three times, the first time removing to England and afterwards settling on the western coast of Ireland, near Limerick. Being en- croached upon by Catholics, the family changed its location and emigrated from Europe to settle in New York State, on the Hudson River, near Albany. The time of the last-mentioned emigra- tion was in the early part of the last century. Just after the War of the Revolution they, with forty thousand loyalists, settled in Ontario, Can- ada, on the Bay of Quinte, where they were pio- neers. Kingston was the nearest settlement.
The old ancestors were of the gentry, but the emigrants of the name from the continent of Europe were tillers of the soil. They did not, however, lose the superiority always maintained by members of the family in whatever sphere they lived. It was the great-grandfather of the present generation that removed with his family, together with two brothers, to Canada. Other members of the family settled near the present site of Springfield, Illinois. Peter German, the son of Christopher, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and was a man of great fervor and com- inanding presence. He died after reaching the
venerable age of fourscore years, and his worthy helpmate survived him only a short time. Her name was Sarah Outwater and she was born near Albany, New York, and was of Dutch descent. She aided in the rearing of twelve children, who were educated in Prince Edwards County, Can- ada.
Of this family, John W. German was born March 8, 1827. Though he received only a com- mon-school education in his native country, he was enabled to enter the ministry at the age of twenty-three years. He still resides in Berlin, Canada, and follows his holy vocation. He mar- ried Sarah J. Purdy, who was a granddaughter of Commodore Purdy of the British Navy. The crest is marked "Stuns Rege Gum." The fam- ily received a large tract of land from the crown for the loyalty of its members. His son, Capt. Samuel D. Purdy, commanded a company of American militia during the War of 1812. Dr. C. W. Purdy is a member of this family, as is also W. G. Purdy, first vice-president of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Mrs. John W. German died March 11, 1886, at the age of fifty-five years. She was a woman of more than ordinary ability and devoted her entire time to her large family. Her children were: William Henry, the subject of this sketch; Emma, who is the wife of H. A. Allen; Edgar, of Santa Anna, California; F. George, an architect, of Duluth, Minnesota; Charles W., of Kansas City, Mis- souri; and Mabel L., of Belleville, Ontario.
William Henry German received his primary education in the Canadian High School. At the
619
J. M. MAYER.
age of fifteen years he set out to secure a highier education and, being the oldest member of his fatlier's family, was forced to work his way through school. His first attempt at serving others was at the age of fourteen years, when he entered the employ of a hardware dealer in Tren- ton, Ontario, and here he remained occupied seven years. The first year from home he boarded with his uncle, Dr. H. W. Day, who is now the registrar of Hastings County, Ontario. This inan was the surgeon for the Gilmore Mill, of fame as the largest saw-mill in America, where sixteen hundred men are employed.
While with his uncle he conceived a desire to study medicine, and realized his cherished hope fourteen years later, after patient and protracted waiting. In 1883 he became an attendant of the Michigan College of Medicine at Detroit, which is now known as the Detroit College of Medi- cine. After graduation he remained one year in
Detroit, giving his time to the study of the throat and lungs. He located at Morgan Park, Illi- nois, February 6, 1884, and has since been the leading physician in that locality.
Dr. German married, December 26, 1877, Miss Anna M., daughter of Jacob D. Fretz, and their children are: Clara, Levinia and Maud Merton. The former is attending the University of Chica- go, and the latter is at school at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. German is a member of the Physicians' Club of Chicago and of the Chicago Medical Society. He is connected with the Illi- nois State Medical Society, the American Medi- cal Society and also of the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons. He is connected with other orders, as an examiner, those of Morgan Park being the Royal League, Royal Arcanum and National Union. He is a prominent man among physicians and is withal a genial, pleasant gen- tleman, beloved alike by family and friends.
JOHN M. MAYER.
C
OHN MARTIN MAYER, now retired, is a prominent German-American pioneer of Chicago, having been identified with the in- terests of the city since 1854. He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Febru- ary 17, 1838, and comes from a very old and highly respected family. His parents were John M. and Margaret (Fuchs) Mayer, both natives of Wurtemberg, where they passed their entire lives. They had a family of five sons and one daughter, but only two of the number came to America. George, the third of the children of John M. Mayer, senior, immigrated and settled in Chicago in 1853. He died here in 1880, leav- ing a wife and six children.
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