Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 94

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 94

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In 1861 Mr. Steiner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Knapwurst, also of German birth. Their family consisted of: August, junior, who died May 15, 1894, at the age of twenty-eight, Carl, Henry, Eliza and Minnie. Reared in the church of his fathers, the German Lutheran, Mr. Steiner has ever taken a warm and active interest in it, as well as in all those elements of social and religious development that tend to advancement of individual and public progress.

CHARLES M. BOBERG.

D HARLES MAGNUS BOBERG, who is among the retired business men and the most prominent of his race in the city of Chicago, was born April 22, 1831, in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a son of Hendrich and Anna Louise (Ponsbach) Boberg.

Hendrich Boberg died in 1835, at the age of thirty-six years. His worthy wife and helpmate died June 14, 1878, having been born October 18, 1807. Her children were named: Hilda Louise, Emma Johanna Theresa, Chiarles Magnus, Anna Marie and Edward Henry. The last-named of tliese came to America during the Civil War. He enlisted and was killed in battle, figliting for the country in which he had lived such a short time, and of which he knew comparatively nothing. How many men of the present day would be will- ing to do as much?

Charles M. Boberg reached New York January 4, 1870, and began to work at his trades, those of carpenter and painter. In May, 1880, he re- moved to Chicago, subsequently again removing to northern Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1886 he returned to Chi- cago and since that time has been practically retired. In 1887 he erected his present residence, at No. 1145 Sixty-sixth Street, living quietly and at peace with the world.

Mr. Boberg was married February 24, 1886, to Miss Anna Nelson, daughter of Nels and Anna (Hansen) Anderson. Mrs. Boberg was born November 22, 1841, in Skona, Sweden. She makes an admirable helpmate and is beloved by her worthy husband, who is one of the most highly honored of the citizens of that portion of the city and is a man with whom anyone may be

643

COL. C. E. SHELHAMER.

proud to be connected. He is a Republican as to his political views and is valuable to the party, as liis influence is great among those who know him, being a man of stability and strength of

principle. He cherishes the faith of the Lutheran Church, as does his wife, and he is a supporter of Swedish societies of that sect in the city of Chicago.

COL. CHARLES E. SHELHAMER.

OL. CHARLES EDMUND SHELHAMER is a highly respected citizen and a well-known and active worker in Grand Army circles. He had the blood that made a soldier during the perilous days of our Civil War. When a lad in years and with beardless face he volunteered his services in response to the country's call, and with the bravery of a man of mature years went forth in defense of his flag, to help uphold the honor of his land. He is a native of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and was born June 30, 1848. He passed his boyhood there, and at the age of seven years, in 1855, his parents removed to Chicago, which city was then a small prairie town with only a few thousand people. In the public schools he was instructed in the element- ary branches, which was all the education he was ever able to acquire. He was patriotic to a large degree and his boyish dream and ambition was to be a soldier.

In January, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was taken to Camp Yates, where for six weeks he acted as assistant hospital steward and then joined his regiment in the field, then attached to the Second Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, and was subsequently transferred to the Fourth Army Corps, which was commanded by General Thomas, the "Rock of Chickamauga." Although entering the war at a comparatively late period, he participated in as many engagements as many others who saw three or more years of service. In all he participated in sixteen engagements,

and at Island No. 10 received his baptismal fire. At the time of the occurrence he was on a boat en route for the location of his regiment. Among other engagements in which he took part may be mentioned Jackson, Mississippi; Corinth, Jeff Davis Plantation, Columbia, Spring Hill, and Franklin, Tennessee. In the last-named en- gagement he received a wound in the head and was reported missing, but turned up after thirty- six hours, in time to share in the decisive and bloody battle of Nashville. His regiment was subsequently sent to New Orleans and in the campaigning that followed he fought at Smith's Point, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile, and the many sharp encounters that were fought between the last-mentioned place and Mont- gomery, Alabama. His regiment was at the close of the war sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it was mustered out of service. His ambi- tion to be a soldier had been thoroughly grati- fied and he had proven faithful at all times.

Upon his return to civil life he settled in Chicago, where for a number of years he car- ried on a grocery and market business. He has also been active in other lines of employ- ment. Mr. Shelhamer is a charter member of Gen. Silas Casey Post No. 555, Grand Army of the Republic, in the organization of which lie took an active part. In the offices of the post he has creditably filled the positions of senior vice commander, adjutant and quartermaster. He is active in all Grand Army work, being a potent factor in pushing any enterprise calculated

644

F. J. O. TURN.

to bring the organization to the highest state of efficiency. In 1898 he was appointed colonel on the staff of State Commander General Shimpff.

He is a member in good standing in Myrtle Lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias. He is a stanchi Republican and takes an active part in local af- fairs. He was married in Chicago in 1871 to Miss Elizabeth Milligan, who is the mother of two children, Helen and Agnes, two charming young ladies of culture and pleasant personalities. Mrs. Shelhamer vies with her husband in further- ing the usefulness of the Grand Army organiza- tions. She is president of the Silas Casey Relief Corps, being one of its active charter members. Altogether she has served as president of this lodge four years and has also filled many minor offices of the corps, which now boasts sixty-seven mem- bers in good standing. The corps is among the best in the city, having made for itself under the administration of its cheerful workers a reputa- tion more than local. In this connection it may with appropriateness be stated that to Mrs. Adam Hutchinson belongs much of the honor of bringing of the corps to its present state of perfection. Her husband was a gallant soldier in the Civil War and is one of the seventeen men who tunneled beneath the walls of Libby Prison and escaped.

Mr. Shelhamer is a son of Abraham W. and Margaret (Eyre) Shelhamer, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of French and the latter of English descent. His father was a member of the same regiment and company as himself, and they enlisted at the same time. His father be- came hospital steward at Camp Yates and later was sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he died in one of the hospitals of that town, an hour or two after hearing of his son's wound, received at Franklin. He was a flouring mill operator at Kankakee, Illinois, and during much of the war period supplied flour on contract. Mrs. Shel- hamer is a daughter of Edward and Helen (McCullough) Milligan, natives of Scotland and eminently worthy and respectable people. Upon coming to America they first settled in Geneva, New York, and in 1855 came to Chicago, where both died, she in 1856, while he survived his wife until 1892. Mr. Milligan had reached the age of eighty-three years at the tinie of his death. He was a man typical of the "Land of the This- tle," stanchi in character, of rugged honesty and unyielding spirit.

Mrs. Shelhamer partakes of her father's char- acteristics. She is a pleasant and entertaining conversationalist, well informed and a model mis- tress in lier honie.

FREDERICK J. O. TURN.

REDERICK JONAS OLOF TURN. Many of the most sturdy and influential of our younger citizens to-day boast either Scandin- avian birth or parentage. The Swedish-born of the citizens of Chicago help to make up the strongholds and do much for the promotion of the best interests of our people and the nation. They are a race who are dauntless and never-failing, and give up to nothing which can be conquered

by man. Quiet and firm, as a rule they create little whirl, but are decisive in their actions to the end. Frederick J. O. Turi was born May 3, 1873, in the city of Westervik, Sweden, and his parents were John and Christina Josephina (San) Turn.

Mr. Turn reached Chicago in April, 1893, and has followed the occupation of stone-cutter, being very competent at his chosen trade. He

645

M. A. ARNOLD.

was married in the year 1897, to Maria Johan- na Swenson. Mrs. Turn is a daughter of Olof and Johannah (Helsing) Swenson, and was born August 6, 1873, on a farm near the city of Kris- tinehamn, Sweden. Her father was a tiller of the soil, as was his father before him. Mr. and Mrs. Turn have one child, born June 10, 1898, and named Edna Holda Johanna.

Mr. Turn is still a young man and has not

resided in Chicago many years, but is fast becon- ing accustomed to the ways of our people and moves among them in such a manner that none could ascertain his nationality without the neces- sary information from his own lips. He promises to become one of the prominent and influential movers among our citizens, as he shows a remark- able interest in the welfare of all those about him.

MOSES A. ARNOLD.

M OSES ANTHONY ARNOLD, who is lic school eight months and studied under an among the prominent citizens of the officer's wife, later attending night school in Chicago. portion of Chicago in which he resides, is also well known among Free Masons. He was born June 23, 1849, in Bedford County, Tennes- see, and is a son of John and Marie (Blackwell) Arnold.

He was born in slavery and was owned first by Smith Arnold, and later was transferred to Wil- son Arnold. After four years with the last-men- tioned, he was taken by George Cunningham two years, later by James Sowell one year and then was owned by William McClain. After one year with Mr. McClain, the Civil War being in progress, he ran away and entered the Union lines at Duck River Station, Tennessee. He met a Union officer, Samuel Adams, who was first lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went with him to Nashville, as body servant. This was in the fall of the year 1862, and in the fall of the next year he went with his brother in business at Nashville. His brother, John Quincy Adams Arnold, had engaged in business before that time, and Moses A. Arnold was with him until 1865. It was here that he received his first wages and education. In 1864 he attended pub-

In 1865 Mr. Arnold removed to Chicago and after a few days in this city went to Huntley, Illinois, where he worked for Sam Adams as a shepherd. He returned to Chicago and was em- ployed by John Adams, who had a market on Lake Street, corner of Clinton Street, from Octo- ber, 1865, until March, 1866. March 26, 1866, he went into the Sherman House as waiter and remained thus occupied until 1870. He then went back to Tennessee to look for his parents and, after finding them, placed them in a home and returned to Chicago. He was again em- ployed at the Sherman House and remained until the Grand Pacific Hotel was opened, May I, 1873, continuing there until May 1, 1895. He was laundryman twenty-two years at the Grand Pacific and for nine years carver. He is 110W special police and watchman at the colored peo- ple's Baptist Church, which is at the corner of Twenty-seventh and Dearborn Streets.

In 1887 Mr. Arnold built a residence at No. 6730 Champlain Avenue, where he has since lived. He was married May 24, 1874, to Miss Mary Lane. She was born at Kamy Springs,

646

AUGUST GUSTAFSON.

Marshall County, Tennessee, and her children are as follows: Marie Dehlah, who died at the age of thirteen years and five months; Emily; John and Eler Frank. The last-named died young. Mrs. Mary (Lane) Arnold had one child by her first marriage, which was to Harry G. Hudson (for further mention of whom see biography of Harry G. Hudson). Mrs. Arnold died June 20, 1893.

Mr. Arnold was married the second time, June 10, 1894, to Mary Payne, who was born in March, 1859, in Nashville, Tennessee. Moses A. Ar- nold was made a Master Mason in Mt. Hebron Lodge No. 29, and is connected with St. Luke's Chapter No. 5. He has taken the thirty-third degree in Masonry, and is connected with St. George Commandery No. 4, and the Arabic Mystic Shrine. In masonry he served as tyler eighteen months in the lodge of which he is a charter member and filled all the offices of the chapter. He was senior warden one year, treas- urer the same length of time, and master two years. In the commandery he has served in all offices except Generalissimo and Captain Gen- eral. In Scottish Rite masonry he was Hos- pitater in second and fourteenth degree.

Mr. Arnold has been a niember of the colored Baptist Church since 1866 and has been deacon since 1874. He was chairman of the board ten years and trustee one year, being treasurer for

the same length of time. He is interested in the affairs of the Republican party, and uses his influ- ence in behalf of the same, but never seeks pub- lic favor in the form of any office. Mr. Arnold's father came to live with him and died here in April, 1894, at the age of eighty-three years. His mother died in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in 1875, at the age of about seventy-five years.

The maternal grandfather of Mr. Arnold was Andrew Fogaman, who was born in Maryland, a free man. He served as teamster in the War of 1812 and in the Mexican War, and died at the age of one hundred eight years, his remains being interred at Bellbuckle, Tennessee. His wife, Han- nah Fogaman, was also born a free woman, but was kidnapped and taken South into slavery. Her husband followed her and remained with hier until her death, and her body was interred at Sinking Creek, Tennessee.

The father of Mr. Arnold was born in Virginia and his ten children were as follows: Hannalı, Caroline, Renna, Harriet, Andrew, Jacob, Moses and three others. Mr. Arnold, of this sketch, was the youngest of his father's family. He is well known among his friends and acquaintances as an honorable and upright man, a follower in the path of right and one who will win respect and recognition to the end of his days. He is beloved by his brethren in the church and in his family his word is law and his name shown deference.

AUGUST GUSTAFSON.

A UGUST GUSTAFSON, who is one of Chi- cago's worthy and prominent citizens, was born July 4, 1860, in the village of Sjokumla, Osterjutland, Sweden. He is one of that nation of hardy constitutions, stanch minds and sterling characters, which make the man fitted for the moral and pliysical battles of life. His parents

were Gustav and Gustava (Anderson) Anderson, and the children of the family of Gustav Ander- son's parents were named: Pryts, Oak, Brodd and Gustav.

Gustav Anderson was born October 25, 1827, in Sweden. He was a carpenter contractor. Mrs. Anderson was born October 11, 1825, and died

CHARLES KOTZENBERG.

647

CHARLES KOTZENBERG.

July 1, 1897. Her children are named: Carl John, Matilda, Edla, August, David (who died at the age of three years), David (who resides in Chicago), Joseph, who died at the age of three months; and Edla, who married Carl Magnuson and lives in Kansas City.

August Gustafson came to Chicago April 25, 1880, having learned the trade of carpenter in his native land. He was employed at his trade in the Rodling Stock Repair Shops, and remained but two months. He then became occupied a short time at house building for Mr. Magnuson, but subsequently entered the shops of the Garden City Type Company, serving two years. After spending a short time with a contractor, he re- turned to the employ of the last-mentioned com- pany, being occupied in this capacity for five years. He is at the present time with R. & S. Sollitt, located at the corner of Dearborn and

Madison Streets. Having been very successful and thrifty, he was able, in 1896, to erect a resi- dence at No. 6608 Langley Avenue.

Mr. Gustafson was married August 23, 1883, to Louise, daughter of Andrew and Annie Louise (Swanson) Boberg. Mrs. Gustafson was born May 30, 1862, in Sweden, and came to America in 1882. Her children are as follows: Esther Louisa, born November 25, 1884; Elsie Matilda, May 1, 1886; and August Robert, July 25, 1887.

Mr. Gustafson joined Apollo Court No. 96, Independent Order of Foresters, in 1889. He is not a party man, in political questions, but votes for the man rather than to be prejudiced by party tenets. He is a man of high principles and strength of character, honored and respected by all who become acquainted with his straightfor- ward manner.

CHARLES KOTZENBERG.

HARLES KOTZENBERG was for several years a conspicuous figure in the vicinity of the Union Stock Yards of Chicago and prominent among business men of that locality. He was born January 29, 1845, at Essen Amt Wittlage, near Osnabrueck, Prussia. He was a son of William Henry and Katharine Kotzen- berg, both members of very old and prominent families. William H. Kotzenberg was a mer- chant, and both he and his wife died in the vil- lage where Charles was born. Of their family only Rudolph and Charles came to America, the former dying two years after his arrival, in 1885. Charles received a good education in his native place and studied pharmacy, graduating from the University of Osnabrueck.

In the spring of 1864 he came to the United States and remained a short time in New York,

before going west. Later he went to Arcadia, Missouri, where he was employed in the high school as teacher of languages and music for about a year. He drifted to New Orleans, and being out of employment and money, he enlisted in the United States army. After the fire of 1871 he came to Chicago November 1, with the Eighth United States Infantry, as hospital steward. April 29, 1872, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Oswald, very old pioneers of Chicago.

Accompanied by his young wife he started west, after his marriage, with the regiment, con- tinuing to Utah. After spending a couple of months there they went to Fort Bridger, Wyom- ing Territory. His time of service expired May 8, 1874, and returning to Chicago, Mr. Kotzen- berg established a small drug store at the Union

648

BASTIAN STEENBERGEN.

Stock Yards. Being a very enterprising and ambitious man, he succeeded in the business which he started, and soon became enabled to begin the manufacture of paints and oils and carried on a wholesale as well as retail trade. By strict attention to all the details of his busi- ness and fair and courteous treatment of his cus- tomers he accumulated a valuable property. In politics he was a Democrat and prominent in the party organization. In 1884 he was candidate for county commissioner, but suffered defeat with the rest of the party. He was three times elected assessor of the Town of Lake and faithfully dis- charged the duties of that office. He acquired the distinction of being the "people's assessor" and his work in that office was highly appreciated, as was attested by his re-election by large ma- jorities. He was a generous wholesouled man, who had as many friends as acquaintances. In social and fraternal societies he took a lively in- terest. He was a charter member of Mizpalı

Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a inember of Chicago Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Apollo Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Mystic Shrine, the Rising Star and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In 1890 he built the beautiful residence on the corner of Garfield Boulevard and Peoria Street, now occupied by his widow and family. He was a great lover of his home and family and in his domestic life was exceedingly happy. He died October 8, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Kotzenberg were born nine children, three of whom died in childhood. Those living are: William Joseph, a pharmacist, now a member of the First Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Katharine, wife of Walter C. Sanger, of Milwaukee; Mary H., wife of Tracy Holmes, of Chicago; Bertha, Charles G. and Thomas. Mrs. Kotzenberg and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Visit- ation, and are held in high esteem by those in the community in which they live.

BASTIAN STEENBERGEN.

ASTIAN STEENBERGEN has been among the most active of citizens of the United States since the time he adopted it for his country. He was born in 1843, in the city of Dort, Holland, and his parents were John Arie and Mary (Van Ripe) Steenbergen. Arie Steen- bergen, brother of the man whose name heads this article, was the first of his father's family to emigrate from his native land, and he located in Roseland, Illinois, and now lives at Harvey. In

1855 the remainder of the family, including the parents and four children, followed. The children were as follows: Jolın, Nellie, Bastian and Peter. The last-named is constable at Kensington, and John also resides in that locality.

Bastian Steenbergen concluded, at the age of

sixteen years, to strike out for himself, and he left the Steenbergen farm, near Riverdale, which was known as the Pullman Dairy Farm, at that age. He then started to follow the life of a sailor on the schooner "George F. Foster" under Cap- tain Smith. He was second officer for some time on the schooner "Drayton, " and the bark "Sam- uel B. Ward." In 1871 he left the lakes and began the occupation of butcher, at the Union Stock Yards, being employed successively by several firms. He is at present with Nelson Morris, having been with him since 1891.

Mr. Steenbergen built a residence at No. 6720 Cottage Grove Avenue in 1890, and has since resided at this location. He was married Novem- ber 18, 1871, to Zwaana Vogel. Mrs. Steenber-

649

T. A. DILLON.

gen is a daughter of William and Petronella (Blokland) Vogel, and was born October 20, 1848, in Nodlos, Holland. She came to America in 1852. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Steen- bergen are as follows: Mary, born July 28, 1872;

Nellie May, May 21, 1874; Jolin Arthur, July 28, 1880; and Grace, November 14, 1883. Mr. Steenbergen and his family are members of the Dutch Reformed Church, and he is a Republican in politics.

THOMAS A. DILLON.

HOMAS ANDREW DILLON, one of the most successful and popular business men of Chicago, was taken from the midst of his family, friends and business associates by accidental drowning October 9, 1897. He was born January 28, 1853, in the city of Joliet, and was among the native sons of the city who have contributed much to her commercial and moral development. His father, John Dillon, was among the pioneers of Illinois, and was mayor of Joliet early in the history of that city.

The subject of this sketch received his higher education at Notre Dame University, graduating from that institution at the early age of nineteen years. He early developed a talent for business, and began his career, after graduation, as book- keeper for the Chicago firm of Durand & Com- pany. On leaving this employment he acquired an interest in a distilling firm, which was then known as Kavanaugh, Oliver & Dillon. This connection continued until 1880, when Mr. Dillon withdrew to become associated with Andrew Riley, of Omaha, Nebraska, in the operation of an extensive distillery in that city. In 1891 he sold out this interest and returned to Chicago. Resuming an interest in his former business in this city, he was elected president of the firm of Kavanaugh & Company, which position he held at the time of his untimely demise.

Mr. Dillon was married in Omaha, November 26, 1884, to Miss Sadie A. Riley, daughter of Thomas J. Riley, of the wholesale distilling firm

of Riley Brothers, of that city. Besides his widow, Mr. Dillon left two children-Mary Liguori and Thomas Andrew Dillon-to inourn an irreparable loss. These children are being carefully reared and educated by an intelligent and capable mother and will, no doubt, prove a credit to the name they bear.

Mr. Dillon suffered from ill health some time before his death and had visited the mineral springs at West Baden, Indiana, in hope of re- covery through their medicinal virtues. Two days after his return, while walking alone on the breakwater at the foot of Ontario Street, during a high gale, he was accidentally swept from his footing and perished many hours before the fact became known. He was an exemplary gentleman, of large benevolence and wide popu- larity. His place in the circles which he graced and honored can never be filled. As a neighbor, associate, husband and father, he was deeply lamented, and his memory will ever be fondly cherished. He was a conspicuous member of tlie Notre Dame Alumni, the Chicago Athletic Club and of Holy Name Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church, in all of which organizations his absence is deeply felt.

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Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 94

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co Number of Pages: 916

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co
Number of Pages: 916