Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 97

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 97

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665

CHRISTOPH MILLER.

family to emigrate from his native land, and ar- rived in the United States in October of the year 1870. He was an efficient brick and stone mason and worked at his trade in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.

He erected his first residence in Chicago, a substantial brick building, near the corner of Thirty-seventh and Dearborn Streets, in 1881. His next residence was near Eighty-fourth and Halsted Streets, built in 1891. His present resi- dence is at No. 7235 Rhodes Avenue, and he still owns the three.

He was married December 31, 1878, to Anna Johnson, daughter of Ely and Anna Matilda (Nelson) Johnson. Mrs. Christensen was born May 2, 1849, in Kloen, Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark (now Germany).

Her children are as follows: Annie Agnes Elizabeth, born November 25, 1880; Katharine Elenora, June 28, 1883; Christian Andrew, No- vember 30, 1884; and Esther May, April 6, 1890.

Mr. Christensen has never taken any active part in public life, and has always found better occupation for his time. He upholds the prin- ciples of the Republican party at all times, and is ever ready to argue in its favor. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, of true Danish type, and is hon - ored and respected by all, possessing the regard and friendship of a large circle. The family is connected with the Danish Lutheran Church, whose house of worship is located on Armour Avenue, between Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Streets.

CHRISTOPH MILLER.

HRISTOPH MILLER. Among the stanch and highly respected citizens of the town of Thornton is the gentleman under consider- ation. No man has done more toward the im- provement and permanent building of the com- munity than he, and none stands higher in the public estimation, being best loved by those who have known him best. A native of Hanover, Germany, he was born April 17, 1827, and has accordingly passed the threescore and ten years allotted by the prophet.

· As a lad he was bound to serve a regular apprenticeship at the carpenters' and joiners' trade and devoted his youthful years most assiduously to the acquisition of the technical knowledge that has been his stay and dependence through many years of energetic and successful life as a contractor and builder. After completing the five years devoted to learning the trade, he con- tinued to work as a journeyman carpenter until

he decided to cast his fortunes in the New World, where many of his early companions had already gone and reported great opportunity for the young man.

Accordingly, in 1854, lie crossed the ocean, coming direct to Homewood, then Thornton sta- tion, a village in its early infancy, having been start- ed the preceding year upon the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad. He entered upon his career in this country as a builder upon his own responsibility, and for upwards of forty years has devoted himself to the one chosen line of work and in it has reached high standing. With limited means in those early years, he found it necessary to adapt himself to the conditions of the day and suffered those pioneer privations and hardships incident to a new country, but by at- tending closely to the business in hand and being economical and free from bad habits (that he saw were loadstones to some of his friends), before

666

H. H. HIRSCHFIELD.

long he could realize a progress in financial and business standing. The principles of honesty, frugality and attention to business, adopted and followed in those early years, have been constantly adhered to throughout life and as a result his closing years are passing with a gratification in the way of temporal blessings and a consciousness of the highest esteem of his fellow-men.

Mr. Miller found the companion of his life in the new land, in the person of Miss Mary Peters, a lady of Prussian birth, who as a child came to America with her stepfather, Christian Corsten, who resided at Homewood until his death somne ten years since. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller consist of: Louis, who is engaged in busi- ness in Homewood; Louisa, wife of John Kruse, residing at Homewood; Minnie, wife of Fred

Bierfeld, of Thornton; Linnie, at home; Alvina, wife of John Bierfeld, also of Thornton; Bertha, at home; August and William, carpenters.

Not a partisan, Mr. Miller has chosen to cast his suffrage for men rather than for party. His choice, however, has been witli the winning party during presidential elections from Lincoln to McKinley. Reared in the faith of his fathers, Mr. Miller has ever been a consistent meniber of the German Evangelical Church and has at- tempted to do his share in support of the gospel, and by profession of principle and practical example has sustained and honored the faith he professes. Possessed of the finer qualities that endear men to each other, he stands to-day, a beloved husband, honored father and respected citizen.

HERMAN H. HIRSCHFIELD.

ERMAN HENRY HIRSCHFIELD, who resides at No. 260 Fremont Street, Chicago, was born in the town of Bleicherode, Province of Saxony, Prussia, July 25, 1830. He is a son of George and Dorotha Hirschfield, natives of the same place as himself. George Hirschfield belonged to an old and prominent Prussian family and was first lieutenant a number of years in the Napoleonic wars. Afterwards he was many years engaged in the milling business in his native town and became wealthy.

Herman H. Hirschfield received a good educa- tion in the Luthieran parish school of his native city, and at the age of fourteen was confirmed in that church. He then became his father's assis- tant, until he emigrated from his native land, locating in the United States. In September, 1847, he took passage on the vessel "Isenstein and Welker," from Bremen Harbor bound for New Orleans, at which city he arrived after

seventy-four days. Remaining in that city a short time he then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and secured a situation as clerk in a shoe store in that city. In the fall of 1849 he returned to New Orleans and spent a few months there, but went back to Cincinnati, where he continued as a clerk until 1855, when the firm he was employed by established a business house in Chicago and sent him here as salesman in the store. After two years in that service he was employed by the city. July 8, 1861, he entered the Chicago postoffice as clerk and so efficiently did he dis- charge his duties that he was retained until June 1, 1886, when he resigned and engaged in the real- estate business, which he continued up to Janu- ary, 1898, when failing health caused him to re- tire from active business. He is naturally a very active and ambitious man and his nature revolts from the quiet of retirement from the business world. Though he may not still be with the

667

J. C. PLAGGE.

working men of the vast metropolis of the west, his heart is for them and his interest does not lag.

Mr. Hirschfield espoused the cause of the old Abolition party and in 1852 voted for John C. Hale. He was one of the organizers of the Re- publican party in Chicago and since voting for John C. Fremont has supported the candidates of that party.

March 22, 1855, he married Miss Teresa Wollen- haupt, who was born in Germany, in 1836 and came to the United States in girlhood. They

have five children, all born in Chicago, and are living, namely: Louise, wife of John Ezbel, a commission merchant of South Water Street; Charles; Tracey, wife of Edward Nelson; Mamie, now Mrs. Alexander Schlick; and Herman H., junior, employed in the postoffice.

The members of the family of Mr. Hirschfield are connected with Dr. John's St. Paul's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church and are highly re- spected by all who come in contact with any of the number.

JOHN C. PLAGGE.

OHN C. PLAGGE, general merchant at Bar- rington, Illinois, is a native of Cook County, born November 26, 1855. His parents were George and Elsebein Plagge, the former being a native of Hanover and the latter of Prussia. George Plagge was a shoemaker and settled in Chicago in 1837, his old business stand being at the present corner of Michigan and North State Streets. In 1852 he removed to a farm in North- field, where he married, and died December 28, 1872, at the age of sixty-six years. His widow survived him twenty years, living until March, 1893.

John C. Plagge worked on his father's farm as a boy, and in his youth for other farmers. He attended the Northwestern University of Naper- ville, and in 1876 came to Barrington, where two years later he, in company with G. H. Landwher, began a most successful business career. In five years he became sole owner and has continued to the present time. Starting with limited capital, the attention to details of the business was such that, coupled with a genial and accommodating personality, warm and lasting friends were made and at no time has the business been in any but most prosperous condition.

A full line of general merchandise is carried and the annual business shows from twelve to fifteen hundred dollars profit. Mr. Plagge has not con- fined his attentions to the store, but other enter- prises have found in him a warm supporter and in- vestor. When he has had capital further than his mercantile business demanded, he has kept it in use in his own town and it has doubled, not only to his own profit but to the employment of labor and general advantage. He has been connected with the Barrington Bank of Standman & Company since its organization, either as cashier or as vice president, filling the duties of the latter position at present. He is also a member of the firm of Plagge & Company, dealers in lumber, feed, flour and coal, operating an elevator since 1892, and doing an extensive business in that line. Naeller & Plagge are manufacturers of cheese boxes and dealers in butter tubs and the like. Mr. Plagge also does an extensive fire insurance business, his books showing a fine line of companies, with a choice selection of risks.

Mr. Plagge has been honored many times by the citizens by some position of trust. He suc- cessively and successfully filled the offices of vil- lage clerk, township clerk, trustee, postmaster

668

J. J. WELKER.

under President Harrison, supervisor, village trus- tee, and is again elected as supervisor. In what- ever position he has been called upon to occupy, he has given the details that attention that in- sures mastery of the subject and thus the best interests of his constituents have been conserved. An active Republican, he is not an offensive par- tisan, although he is ever found at the post of duty, whether it be as delegate to party conven- tions or in its councils as committeeman, or wherever duty as a loyal citizen calls. Known to be soundly honest, he has the fullest con- fidence of all men, regardless of party lines. No man stands higher as a citizen or business man than does John C. Plagge.

He was married November 18, 1880, to Miss Sophia Nordmeier, of Palatine, Cook County. Their children were: Reuben G., Luella M., Her-

bert J., Nora A., Olive L., Clarence F., Homer Henry, Warren William and Willis Charles, the last-named dying in early childhood.

An earnest, active member of the United Evan- gelical Church, he is serving as a trustee and is superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is also deeply interested in popular education and has served upon the board of education three years, being its present president. Few men, not past middle age, can review life with greater satisfac- tion when viewed from the financial and business standpoint, or if looked at as a representative citizen in public life, or from the political, social or religious view. Of strong personality, he is deeply imbued with the vigor and spirit of Ameri- can institutions and no man has been more alive to the true interests of the community in which he lives.

JACOB J. WELKER.

ACOB JAMES WELKER. I Not many people, except those who have had practical experience in the intricacies of the govern- ment of a railroad yard, can realize the amount of forethought and responsibility which have been required in securing the safety of the very train they may be riding in on the way to their suburban homes or in taking a trip to another city. Few stop to consider how many men are employed to make the one trip or how much precaution has been taken that this particular train may arrive at its destination safely. A flaw in the work of one man may cause the wreckage of a whole train and much disaster. The engine wiper may fail to report a worn sec- tion and the part may break, causing the engine to get beyond the control of its driver. Any man employed by a railroad company shares in the responsibility for the safety of passengers,

and should each and every employe take care that his work is finished properly the conse- quences will never be disastrous.

Among the trusted and honored employes of railroads in the city of Chicago who have proven their value and responsible strength of character is Jacob James Welker. He was born September 12, 1858, at No.402 West Madison Street, the house facing Elizabeth Street. His parents were Jacob and Katherine (Haster) Welker. He attended the Skinner, Brown and Hayes Schools, leaving school at the age of fifteen years. He early showed a taste for railroad work, and began as switchman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1880 he was promoted to yardmaster at the company's yards on Western Avenue.

In 1890 he went to work for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, withi

669

S. E. LEAMON.

which he remained one year. He subsequently entered the employ of the Illinois Central Rail- road Company as switchman, and in 1892 was made yardmaster at Fordham Yard, which posi- tion lie still holds.

Mr. Welker was married December 27, 1883, Delia Crowley, daughter of William and Bridget (McGraw) Crowley. Mrs. Welker was born in Chicago, at the corner of Desplaines and Harrison Streets, January 29, 1860. Her father was born at No. 48 Norton Street.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Welker are:

John, born February 22, 1887, and Frederick William, born October 31, 1889. Mr. Welker is connected with Court Oakland No. 107, Inde- pendent Order of Foresters, and is in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party. He has never sought public favor in the form of an official position, but regards the duty of voting sacred and never fails to perform that duty, which is in itself a privilege. He approves of all that is for the benefit of those about him, and is a mover in all things tending to uplift and elevate mankind.

SIDNEY E. LEAMON.

IDNEY ERWIN LEAMON. In the midst of the beautiful mountains and peaceful lakes to be found in the state of Wisconsin are born many men who chafe in the quiet and uneventful existence to be found in that region. It is natu- ral, then, that they seek new adventures and financial success in the great cities. Many are deceived and enter the gates of the city with vis- ions of wealth, only to find that all is not gold that glitters, and that money does not come with- out labor of some kind in return. Others strive valiantly and perhaps obtain complete satisfac- tion, or have their expectations more than ful- filled. Much that is learned in the young days of the fortune-seekers is remembered to their ad- vantage, and their latter days may be influenced for the best by these memories.

Sidney Erwin Leamon belongs to the success- ful class. He was born July 13, 1861, in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, ten miles west of Wau- pun. He was educated in the beautiful little town of Oakfield, but his home was on the farm of his father until he reached the age of eleven years. At the age of twenty-two years he came

to Chicago, and was at once employed as assist- ant electrician in McVicker's Theater. The elec- trician at that time was Frank Gannon, and Mr. Leamon was in his service five years. He was then salesman for William F. Law, wholesale grocer, where he remained two years. Previous to being occupied in the theater building he learned tlie trade of paper-hanger. After leav- ing the employ of W. F. Law he was manager for Botsford Manufacturing Company, dealers in pickles and kindred articles. In the spring of 1893 he began contracting at his trade of paper- hanger, in his own interest. At the present writ- ing he has fifteen men employed, and his business lies in all parts of the city, though his customers are principally in the section of Maplewood. He has a shop and residence at No. 1361 Maplewood Avenue.

Mr. Leamon was married July 15, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Turner (further mention of the ancestry of Mrs. Leamon will be found in the biography of Mark Turner, in this work). Mrs. Leamon was born June 10, 1863, in Hastings, England, and her children are: Walter Erwin,

670

R. W. RUSH.

aged nine years, and Earl Carson, aged four years. Mr. Leamon is connected with Jefferson Council No. 508, National Union. He and his family are attendants of the Reformed Episcopal

Church, in the choir of which his eldest son sings. He is a Republican in his views on gen- eral politics, though he did not support the ticket in the last presidential campaign.

ROBERT W. RUSH.

OBERT WARREN RUSH, an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, was born May 12, 1846, at Williamsburg, Vir- ginia. He is valued and esteemed by his su- periors and his energy and ambition to please are appreciated. He attended school in Michigan but one year, which shows that a person of this day and generation can, with patience and long study, obtain an education without the aid of regular teachers, leaving the observant eye to note passing events and benefit thereby. In 1862 he left Virginia, two days after the battle of Williamsburg, as waiter to Lieut. Thomas John- son. This worthy man was killed in the battle of Charles City in the seven days' fighting before Richmond.

Mr. Rush then entered the service of Capt. J. S. Farroar, of Company B, Fifth Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry. Captain Farroar was made an invalid and Mr. Rush accompanied him to his home. He later joined the Twenty-sixth Michi- gan Volunteer Infantry, as colonel, and was sent to New York, where Mr. Rush left his service, going to Lawville, New York, with John O'Don- nell, brother of a major in the same regiment. After eighteen months he went to Jackson, Mich- igan, and was there until May 27, 1867.

He then removed to Chicago and was given charge of the linen department of the old Rich- mond House, remaining four years thus occupied. He was bell boy subsequently in the old Palmer House, corner of State and Quincy Streets, until

that building was burned in the fire of 1871. He was four months in Wood's Hotel, when he was taken sick and was forced to travel in the south. On his return he held a position in the old Sher- man House, which is now the Gault House, one year, after which period he assisted in placing the furniture in the Grand Pacific Hotel, before it was opened. He was private doorman at this building one year, and six years in the private passenger elevator.

It speaks very well for the honesty and in- tegrity of Mr. Rush that he served seventeen and one-half years as train porter for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, which position he 110w occupies with the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany. His run is to Dubuque, Iowa. May 23, 1878, Mr. Rush was married to Mrs. Adelia T., widow of Louis A. Cromwell and a daughter of Matthias T. and Frances (Cooke) Teakle. Mrs. Rush was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1852. Her daughter by her first husband is Alberta Louise.

Mr. Rush is a member of Mount Hebron Lodge No. 29, which he joined in 1874, and is connected with St. Luke's Chapter. He is a consistent member of Olivet Baptist Church. Though never seeking public office, he is loyal to the principles of the Republican party. Being very successful and economical, Mr. Rush was enabled, in the year 1890, to erect a very comfortable residence at No. 1281 Sixty-seventh Street, where he has lived since.

JOHN W. STOTZ.

671

J. W. STOTZ.

JOHN W. STOTZ.

OHN WILLIAM STOTZ, a retired manu- facturer now living at No. 52 Janssan Ave- nue Chicago, Illinois, is a prominent rep- resentative of the successful German business man of to-day. He was born February 4, 1834, in the village of Niederneisen, Dukedom of Nassau, Germany, and is a son of William and Margaret (Lanz) Stotz, of that place. William Stotz was a contractor and passed his entire life in his native land, and died when nearly seventy- eight years of age; his wife preceded him to the other shore, dying when about sixty years old.

John William Stotz received a good education in the schools of his native village, which he attended until the age of fourteen years. After leaving school he entered upon a three years' apprenticeship at cabinet-making, which he learned in his native town. On the expiration of his apprenticeship he started traveling, visiting different cities and working at this trade, per- fecting himself in his craft. He went down the Rhine River to Coblentz, on to Cologne, then to Rotterdam, and finally to London, England, having spent a little over a year in the different places. He had arrived at the age when he must return to his native home and enter the army or leave the continent, and he sought a home in America. March 29, 1852, he took passage on the old sailing ship "Yorktown," which carried nine hundred emigrants bound for New York. They sailed through fair winds and a calm sea and made the trip in the remarkably short time of nineteen days.

Mr. Stotz spent a little over two years in New York, working at his trade, and then came to

Chicago, arriving September 4, 1854. He worked three weeks for Jacob Strehl, at No. 47 Franklin Street, and then returned to New York for the implements of his trade. On his return to Chicago Mr. Stotz engaged with Wier & Nickerson, on Lake Street, setting up furniture and taking charge of the furniture department. In 1857 he transferred his services to Marslı Brothers, No. 114 Randolph Street, and remained with this firm until the dissolution of the same, which occurred in 1861, after which time he worked for Charles Tobey. In that year (1861) he started a business under his own name, on the old Nugent property, at the corner of Waslı- ington and Market Streets, in a small way. He had few hands and his first work was making tables for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He carried on the above business, which kept increasing, until the spring of 1863, when he admitted into partnership John Woltz and the firm name became Stotz & Woltz. The establish- ment was located at No. 96 Indiana Street until 1867, when Mr. Stotz purchased property on Illi- nois Street and erected a large factory at Nos. 57 to 63, where was carried on the manufacture of furniture, with interior finish and office furniture, doing a large and profitable business and employ- ing from eighty to one hundred men. The fire of 1871 entailed upon the firmn a loss of seventy- five thousand dollars, the entire factory having been wiped out.

Before the smoke of the fire had entirely cleared away these energetic characters had started to build a factory fifty by one hundred feet in ground dimensions, one-half the size of the

672

EHREGOTT KAESEBERG.

one burned, and the machinery was started January 4, 1872, and two years later the other part was added, making the building as large as was the one in which the business was first estab- lished. The partnership was continued until 1893, when Mr. Stotz bought the share in the bus- iness of Mr. Woltz, and the following year disposed of the entire plant, himself retiring to the life of a care-free man.

Mr. Stotz was naturalized in Chicago in 1857, has taken a lively interest in public affairs, and usually supports the interests of the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has been influential in the councils of his party and was once delegate to the state convention. On the organization of Lake View as a city he was one of the first aldermen elected to represent the Second Ward,

and acceptably served two years. Mr. Stotz is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Orpheus' Maennerchor. He is also connected with the Chicago Sharpshooters' Society and Senefelder Liederkrantz Society. He is affiliated with the German Protestant Church.

Mr. Stotz was married in 1854 to Miss Caroline Kahl, a native of Hessen, Germany. He las achieved success through honest business methods and is a true example of the self-made man, having come to America a poor young man, and he deserves much credit for the same. In all things pertaining to the advancement of the city's interests he has lent his support. After being many years in business life, he has retired, in the enjoyment of the confidence and respect of his many friends and business associates and acquaintances.

EHREGOTT KAESEBERG.

HREGOTT KAESEBERG was many years engaged in the manufacturing industry in Chicago. He was born in Saxony, Ger- many, August 9, 1828, and is a son of Adam and Rosamunde Kaeseberg.

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Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 97

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