USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 91
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John M. Mayer, the man whose nanie heads this article, obtained a common-school education
in the town of his nativity, after which time he was occupied for a time at the butcher's trade with his father. In 1852 he emigrated from his native land, sailing from Havre in the ship "Hemisphere." After thirty-five days on the water they landed in New York and went at once to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked at the trade of a butcher two years. He subse- quently came to Chicago and for a year worked for wages. In the year 1859 he established a business on Sedgwick Street and a year or two afterward removed to what is now No. 451. In the great fire of 1871 he lost all liis belongings except the clothes he was wearing at the tinie.
Mr. Mayer rebuilt his sliop after the excite- ment of the fire was over and resumed business
620
CHRISTIAN KUSSEL.
until he retired from active life in 1892. He was very successful and accumulated a nice compe- tence and no man envies him his gains, and all that know him honor and respect him. He has never been a public man in the sense of holding office, but has taken an interest in public affairs. He cast his first presidential vote for Abrahani Lincoln and has since that time supported the Republican party. July 8, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Hannah Kleinod, daughter of Fred-
erick Kleinod, who died in Prussia when Mrs. Mayer was a small child. Her mother subse- quently married Andrew Jonske and came to America in 1852.
Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have three children, John Martin, Carl Frederick and Amelia Christina. The members of the family are connected with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which congregation all are valued and counted among the first.
CHRISTIAN KUSSEL.
HRISTIAN KUSSEL, who was prominently engaged in the wholesale grocery business in the city of Chicago a period of thirty years, is a valuable and well-known citizen, of the German-American type. He was born near Bingen on the Rhine, Hessen-Darmsdat, January 2, 1831, and is a son of John and Sophia (Schmuck) Kussel.
Christian Kussel was educated in the public school of the village in which he was born and was reared to the occupation of a tiller of the soil. His father's home was in one of the most beauti- ful parts of Germany and he cherishes happy memories of the region where he spent his boy- hood. His rearing was intended to fit him for a life of hardships and he was well prepared to cope with all difficulties with which he might come in contact. November 3, 1853, he left his father's home and went down the Rhine River to Mainz and Rotterdam, and crossed to London, sailing from that city in the schooner "Southampton." He made the whole trip front Mainz to New York in twenty-eight days. An older brother, Philip Kussel, had come to America in 1848, and was clerking in the city of Buffalo, New York. He removed west to Chicago in the year 1854, after having secured a position for Christian in Buffalo.
In February, 1855, Christian Kussel also came
to Chicago. He brought enough money with him from Germany to pay his return passage and had a passport good for three years. Philip Kussel suggested that Christian go into partner- ship with him in the grocery business in Chicago, and having gained the latter's consent, they started a retail grocery under the name of Kussel Brothers on West Madison Street, and two years later they opened another store, at the corner of Randolph and Clinton Streets, and conducted the two stores one year. They then rented a store at No. 236 East Randolph Street, and began a jobbing trade, Philip having charge of this business, while Christian ran the store on Clinton Street. The rapid growth of the business made a change necessary, and two years later they moved to No. 208 East Randolph Street, when they carried a stock of about sixty thousand dollars. The next year they moved to No. 191 South Water Street and confined their operations to the wholesale trade. On the 9th of June, 1866, they were burned out, suffering a total loss. The next autumn they bought out Bennett & Gregory, wholesale grocers, at No. 53 South Water Street, and a year later bought out Boynton & Peak, at the corner of South Water Street and Michigan Avenue. In May, 1871, they moved to No. 97 South Water Street, where they were burned out in the fire of that year.
621
C. F. K. WICK.
Immediately after the fire, and liardly before the ground had lad time to cool, they began the erection of their new building. They had a frame structure put up for them at Nos. 284 and 286 Canal Street and there continued their former business for a time. Having bought the lot, they built the present structure at Nos. 135 and 137 South Water Street, moved into it in October, 1872, and did a successful business at this location until May, 1887, when they disposed of their goods and retired from business. The property was all in the name of Kussel Brothers, but at the time of retirement it was necessary to divide the valuable property real estate and otherwise, which they accordingly did.
Christian Kussel has never sought public office or notoriety of any kind, but has always felt an interest in public affairs and has done all in his power for the furthering of the best interests of the city. In national affairs he has supported the Republican party and in local affairs votes for the man who is best adapted to fill the office. Mr. Kussel married Miss Margaret Pfirrmann, a native of Bavaria. They have no children of their own, but have reared a niece in their pleas- ant home. Mr. and Mrs. Kussel are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they are regular attendants and valued among the congregation for their influence, as well as more substantial aid.
CHRIST F. K. WICK.
HRIST FREDERICK KARL WICK, who is among the number of people who have adopted America for their home and site of loyalty, finding our laws more to their mind than those in their native land, has been very well sat- isfied with his success as a business man and has proven worthy of any position which has been offered him. Born October 16, 1836, in the vil- lage of Unterrodachı, Bavaria, Germany, he is a son of Peter and Kunigunda (Goetz) Wick.
Simon was the first of the family of Peter Wick to emigrate from his native land and settled in America in 1849. He located in Pittsburg, where he still resides, and was manager of a lumber yard for a long time. He is now employed by the city. Simon Wick married Katharine Harmon, and their children are: Samuel, George, Sophia and Paulina.
Henry Wick, another brother of the man whose name heads this article, was the next to emigrate and came to America in 1860. He joined the
army and was last heard of five years ago. C. F. K. Wick was the next of his father's family to emigrate, and Frederick came to America in 1878. He located in Wisconsin, where he culti- vated the soil, and died there in June, 1893, at the age of seventy years. He married Margaretlia Metz and their children were: Frederick; Kath- arine, who married Mr. Spindler; Marguerita, who married Mr. Heinitz; and Marie.
Christ F. K. Wick located in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, upon arriving in America November 2, 1875. He was employed on the river a short time, after which he entered the service of tlie Pan Handle Railroad Company. Later he was with the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad Com- pany, in a freight house. In March, 1878, he removed to Wisconsin and helped his brother cultivate the land. In March, 1879, he located in Chicago and was six years in the slaughter-house of Tobey & Boot. He was subsequently three years in the slaughter-house of Mr. Dupee and
622
ADAM YOCHEM.
later spent the same length of time in an Engle- wood lumber yard. Since that time he has been in the freight house of the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railway Company.
Mr. Wick was married August 15, 1865, to Miss Sophia Wich Schwartz, daughter of Johann and Margarita (Rupp) Schwartz. Mrs. Wick was born January 17, 1838. Her father was born June 6, 1813, and died January 22, 1876. Her mother was born October 6, 1814, and died Octo- ber 6, 1861. Their children were: Mrs. Wick, Henry (deceased), Louisa, Ulrich, Matilda, George Moses, Johanna and Anna Kunigunda. Four other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz died young.
Mrs. Wick's paternal grandfather was John Wich Schwartz and her maternal grandfather was Johan Rupp. Mr. Wick's paternal grand- father was John Wick, while his maternal grand-
father was John Goetz. His father was born in 1812, and died August 5, 1856. His mother was born in 1810, and died in August of the year 1873.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wick are ac- counted for as follows: Louisa Matilda, born Jan- uary 3, 1866; John, born March 15, 1868, died at the age of eleven months; and George Lewis, born December 21, 1869, is at home with his parents. Other children died in infancy.
The family is of very old lineage, and is one of honorable and upright men and worthy women, and the name of Wick is one which will long be known and respected. The present generation does credit to its ancestors, and with the sturdy characters and hardy personalities of the race still predominating, it is not likely that any of the generations to come will tarnish the memory of those gone before.
ADAM YOCHEM.
A DAM YOCHEM, who was born in 1846, is a member of the family whose German lineage does not make them any less devoted to the interests of the United States than if they were born on American soil and never heard other than the English language. Adam Yochem was born in Germany, and emigrated from his native land at the same time as his father and his father's family. For ancestry, refer to the biography of Peter Yochem, in this work.
was located at No. 3303 State Street three years. He was in business at different places for a short length of time, until July, 1894, when he located on Cottage Grove Avenue, at No. 6602, and is to be found at this place at the present writing.
June 30, 1878, Mr. Yochem married Miss Wil- helmina, daughter of Ferdinand and Fredericka (Winkle) Schultz. Mrs. Yochem was born Sep- tember 29, 1859, in the city of Vito, Germany.
Adam Yochem came to Chicago in 1865 and _ She came to America in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. for some time was employed on a farm. He then Yochem have become the parents of six children: Emma Catharine Ida, born February 20, 1879, died at the age of six years; Elizabeth Antoinette Amelia, born February 10, 1881; Edward Her- man John, November 11, 1882; Lily Annie Fred- ericka, December 31, 1883; Minnie Dora Freda, March 26, 1886; and Frank, born November 26, 1888, died at the age of six months. entered the service of his brother-in-law and re- mained with him six years. He was with his brother Peter subsequently one year and returned again to serve the interest of his brother-in-law for a time. He entered into business for himself at No. 308 Wells Street, which he conducted three years. After a short time in Lake View he
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PETER STORMS.
623
PETER STORMS.
PETER STORMS.
ETER STORMS. It is a feature of United States that our people are made up of men from all foreign countries of the globe, and it is not always the natives of the land of the free that succeed the best financially. Among those who are now counted as citizens of the metropolis of the west, and who can be said to have adopted this country as a residing place, is the man whose name heads this article, Peter Storms. He comes of a very old family of sturdy Scotch- men and was himself born January 25, 1832, in Urghart, Murrayshire, Scotland. His parents were James and Margaret (Brown) Storms (for further ancestry of Peter Storms, see biography of James Storms).
John L. Storms was the first of his father's family to emigrate from his native land. He died June 2, 1898, at No. 5213 Jefferson Avenue, Chicago. Peter Storms was the next to settle in America, and arrived at Chicago in September, 1856. He sailed from Liverpool June 1, 1856, and landed in New York July 14, having been six weeks on the voyage. He had learned the trades of stone-cutter, mason and brick-layer, and his first work in this country was for Singer & Talcott, at Lemont, Illinois. He subsequently began contracting for his own interests and has been occupied in this way for the past ten years. He had been journeyman for some time and after taking up contracting was very successful. He has been employed by the city at many different
times, and laid the foundation for the water works pumping station at Sixty-eighth Street. He had charge of the men who did the work, there being quite a number employed at the time. He has cut stone for the jail and many other prominent buildings.
Mr. Storms, his father, James Storms, senior, his brother, John L. Storms, and brother-in-law, Edwin A. Johnson, at one time purchased, at one hundred dollars per acre, the land bounded by Cottage Grove and Langley Avenues and Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Streets.
Peter Storms was married July 18, 1862, to Catherine Milne, who was born November 4, 1827, in the city of Elgin, Scotland. Mrs. Storms passed away June 6, 1892. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Storms were three in number: James Brown, Jessie Monroe and Catherine. James B. Storms, who resides with his father, was married March 15, 1888, to Miss Janet Louise, daughter of Ira and Fidelia (Clemens) Proseus. J. B. Storms follows the occupation of paperlanger and painter. Jessie Monroe Storms married John Decker, and Catherine died at the age of thirteen years.
Peter Storms is the organizer of the Grand Crossing Division No. 133, Sons of Temperance, and is a strong and valuable worker for the order. Thirty years ago he was made elder in the Brookline Presbyterian Church, of which society he is one of the founders, and has ever been one
624
F. P. STAFFORD.
of the prominent and highly respected of that body of worshippers. His first presidential vote was cast in favor of Abraham Lincoln, and he is now a stanch supporter of the Prohibitionist party. He has been a candidate for the office of assessor for Hyde Park and also trustee for that section on the Prohibition ticket.
Mr. Storms built in 1864 a small residence on the rear of his lot, at the corner of Cottage Grove Avenue and Seventy-fourth Street, to which he subsequently added. In the fall of 1891 he re- mnoved it to No. 7320 Evans Avenue, where he has since resided. He now has a very comfort- able and imposing residence.
FRANK P. STAFFORD.
RANK PERRY STAFFORD, who is among the active teaming and grading contractors in Chicago, was born November 17, 1847, at Elizabethtown, Essex County, New York. His parents were Thomas and Keziah (Knox) Stafford.
Thomas Stafford lived all his life in Essex and died there at the age of seventy-seven years, in the summer of 1871. He was a tiller of the soil and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He received a fair education and was a very wide-awake and energetic man. He was rather prominent in politics, at one time holding the position of deputy sheriff, besides other town offices. He used his influence in favor of Demo- cratic candidates at all times. He was in early life a follower of the Baptist faith, but later his views changed to those of a Methodist. His wife, Keziah Stafford, died in February, 1881, at the age of seventy -six years, in Essex County. Her children were: James, Norman, an infant daughter, Harmon, Mary, Cyrus, Lucy, Cordelia, Arriette, Almon and Frank Perry.
James Stafford died in 1893, in Brooklyn, New York, leaving a widow and two children to mourn his loss. Norman died in 1892, at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He left two children. Harmon is still residing in Essex County, New York. Mary died at the age of twenty-two years and Cyrus is a carpenter, residing in Fort Dodge,
Iowa. Lucy married H. Reynolds, who is owner and manager of a hotel at Adair, Iowa, where they live. Cordelia married Jonathan Merriam and lives in Essex County, New York. Arriette lives in Glenn Falls and married James Fish, who is a dealer in sewing machines. Almon resides at No. 6733 Green Street, Chicago, and is in the teaming business. The family of Stafford is of old English descent and some of its members were the first to settle in New York City. They came from Staffordshire, England. The family of Mrs. Stafford, Knox, was of Dutch and Eng- lish mixture. The father of Mrs. Stafford was Archibald Knox and he was twice married, she being a daughter by his first wife. The other children by this marriage were Eliza and Paulina.
Frank Perry Stafford attended school in Essex County until he reached the age of sixteen years. He was then occupied on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-two years, also being employed by others during this time. He reached Chicago March 20, 1870, and remained here a short time, going subsequently to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was employed by Socra- tes Stevens three months. He then opened a meat market with W. Reynolds, which he con- tinued in five months. He then secured a position in a hotel and was thus occupied two years. He returned to Boone County, Illinois, and conducted a farm for A. J. Burbank two years;
625
G. H. LARSIN.
he later returned to the region of his nativity, Essex County, New York, and engaged in team- ing in that section eighteen months. Coming back to Chicago he was employed by Mr. Bur- bank three months, and then entered the employ of the South Side City Railway Company as driver of a car. After eighteen months he took a two-weeks vacation and was made conductor, continuing in this position for a period of two years and one-half.
Mr. Stafford then started an express business in Grand Crossing with A. Van Horn as partner. After three months Mr. Van Horn sold his share to Philip Drake and the latter sold his interest to Mr. Stafford after three months. After eighteen months he consolidated with his brother, Almon Stafford, in the same line, the firm name becoming Stafford Brothers. He was with his brother one year, when he sold his interest to his brother and eighteen months was a traveling salesman. Re- turning to his former occupation, teaming, for a short time, he then established a meat market at the corner of Seventy-third Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. After a short time he sold out the market and bought out an express business. Two years later he sold this to his brother and began to contract for heavy teaming and grading. He has been thus occupied since that time, using forty teams and seventy men, at times. His busi- ness has been with the Calumet Railway Com- pany, grading at Hegewisch, Hammond, Park Manor and other important points.
October 9, 1879, Mr. Stafford was married to
Florence Arnold, daughter of Gilbert and Sarah (Quackenbush) Arnold. Mrs. Stafford was born May 26, 1858, at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Hubbard Court. Her father died in Janu- ary, 1858, at the age of forty years. His re- mains were interred at Rosehill Cemetery. He was probably born at Peach Bottom, Pennsylva- nia, and Mrs. Stafford was the only child. Her mother married for her first husband, C. W. Robe and her children were: Charles W., who lives at the corner of Fifty-eighth and Indiana Avenue, and Henrietta. Mrs. Arnold was born at Can- astota, New York, and came west at an early day. She died January 18, 1889.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stafford are ac- counted for as follows: Edwin Everett, born June 21, 1880, and died May 12, 1881; Edith Evelyn, born August 14, 1881; Harry Adelbert, born January 23, 1883, and died December 31, 1891; Elsie Grace, born April 20, 1884, and died June 30, 1884; Percy Burbank, born April 24, 1886; Arnold Earl, born September 8, 1889, and died August 19, 1896; Henrietta Isabella, born April 4, 1891; James Thomas, born June 23, 1893; Warren Lee, born August 31, 1894; and Jessie Louise, born August 28, 1896.
Mr. Stafford was made a Mason in Iroquois Lodge No. 715, in Essex County, New York, in 1876. He was connected with Flora Lodge, Patrons of Husbandry, for many years, and was also prominently identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars and later Knights of Honor.
GUSTAV H. LARSIN.
G USTAV HELGO LARSIN, who is among the deservedly popular and public-spirited citizens of Chicago, was born November 3, 1861, in Berkebo-Kalmar, Sweden. His parents were Andrew and Christina (Larsen) Larsin.
Gustav H. Larsin was the first of his father's family to immigrate to America, and reached Chi- cago June 1, 1881. His first work here was for the Chicago City Railway Company, where he was employed two months. For one year he was
626
FREDERICK DELSING.
employed by the McBean Brothers, street paving contractors. He then secured a position with the Knickerbocker Ice Company in Englewood and Chicago, being thus employed seven years. He was employed two years in Park Manor by a coal dealer, John Cowman. He subsequently spent five years in the service of the Washington Ice Company, but returned to John Cowman's employ, where he occupies a position at the present writing.
December 6, 1885, Mr. Larsin married Miss Annie Louis, daughter of Andrew and Annie (Andersen) Andersen. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Larsin are: Gustav Wilhelm, born January 30, 1888; Anders Julius, December 26, 1889;
Albert Louise, March 22, 1891; Thure Walfred, December 4, 1892; and Emma Lydia, April 6, 1895.
In September, 1888, Mr. Larsin erected a com- fortable residence at No. 7004 St. Lawrence Avenue. He has since resided at this location, with the exception of two years. He is recog- nized as a man of high integrity and inoral prin- ciples and is honored by his many acquaintances, whether in business or in social connection. He is beloved by all who come in contact with his genial person and has always proven a loving husband and a kind father. His presence is a blessing to the home fireside and his children have all respect for him that is due a father.
FREDERICK DELSING.
REDERICK DELSING, the present fore- man of the Live Poultry Transportation Company, and one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of Chicago, was born April 11, 1856, in Baltimore, Maryland. For ancestry note the article headed by the name of John S. Delsing, on another page of this volume.
Frederick Delsing attended school until he was thirteen years of age, receiving this brief educa- tion at the Skinner, Scammon and Foster schools. He was employed by a doctor for a short time, after which he entered the brush manufactory of Gertz, Lombard & Company. He subsequently found occupation in packing houses at Bridge- port until 1885, being employed most of this time by P. D. Armour. He then entered the service of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail- road and was laborer one month. He was later made assistant foreman and filled this position two years. He was subsequently employed as foreman for the Merchants' Dispatch Transporta- tion Company in Park Manor, and after six
years obtained the position which he now fills, as foreman of the Live Poultry Transportation Com- pany, located at the corner of Forty-fifth and Peoria Streets.
Mr. Delsing was married September 20, 1879, to Miss Annie Lubke, daughter of Charles and Charlotta (Lubke) Lubke. Mrs. Delsing was born March 13, 1861, in Gruenwald, near Stettin, Germany, and immigrated to America in 1875. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Delsing are as follows: John, who died in infancy; Charles Her- mann, born July 15, 1881; Frederick Hermann, May 16, 1883; Rosie Josephine, born June 21, 1885, died at the age of nineteen months; Ed- ward Charles, December 19, 1886; Gertrude Louise, September 24, 1888, and Frank James, June 24, 1890.
Mr. Delsing is connected with the Knights of Maccabees and is a valued and honored member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, and his influence is ever devoted to the cause of the riglit. He never seeks public favor, in the form
627
PETER YOCHEM.
of office, but at all favorable opportunities casts a vote in the interest of the Republican party. He erected a house at No. 6715 State Street, in Au- gust, 1886, and has resided at that number since that time. Mr. Delsing is the father of a promis
ing family and has much to be thankful for in the manner in which he has been able to rear his children. Each one does credit to the family name, and all help to make up a happy, united family.
PETER YOCHEM.
G ETER YOCHEM, who has for many years been a resident of Chicago, has at the same time been interested in its business growth since the early part of the busy life he has led. He was born December 24, 1842, near Meinz, Hessen-Darmsdat, Germany. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Yochem and were descend- ants of good old German families.
Jacob Yochem emigrated to America in 1846 and reached Wisconsin in May of the same year. His children were Katharine, Jacob, Adam, George and Peter. Jacob Yochem purchased forty acres of land in Wisconsin, but died the same summier that he arrived. Mrs. J. Yochem retained the farm until 1865, and then made her home with her daughter in Chicago until the time of her death.
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