Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 908

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HENRY J. P. GEBERT.

ENRY JOHN PETER GEBERT, who was at one time one of the prominent and valued citizens of the community where he resided, was born October 3, 1834, in Germany. His parents were George and Dorothea (Rohlke) Gebert, and he passed away, peacefully, April 2, 1895, mourned by his family and friends, and all who were acquainted with his generous, manly nature.

Mr. Gebert came to America in 1857, and having learned the trade of a carpenter, was em- ployed in this capacity by the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was married June 18, 1865, to Miss Fredericka Carolina Lozette, dangh- ter of John and Lena (Tilke) Steinberg. He continued in the interests of the same concern thirty years, proving the stability and persever- ance of his character and the fine opinion of those who employed him. For a period of one year he conducted a grocery store at No. 4735 State Street, in 1875. He then returned to his former position, with the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, until 1893. He was enabled, in 1865, to

erect a residence at No. 2952 South Park Avenne, and for ten years he lived at No. 4735 State Street, where he built a house in 1875.

John Steinberg died in 1870, at the age of eighty-five years, never emigrating from his na- tive land. His wife died in 1894, aged eighty- six years. She came to America after the death of her husband, in 1874. Mr. Steinberg was mar- ried twice, and by his first wife became the father of the following children: Mary, Sophia, Dora, Louisa and John. The second Mrs. Steinberg was the mother of the following children: a son who died in infancy; Louisa, Minnie, Lena, Elizabeth, Joseph, Frederick, Fredericka, Peter, Mary, Seek and Lizetta.

Mr. and Mrs. Gebert were blessed with eight children. Frank Charles Frederick, born Jan- uary 9, 1866, is mentioned further on another page of this work; Ida Mary Sophie, born August 14, 1867, married Henry Crone, March 6, 1889, and their only child, Earl Henty, was born Jan- uary 5, 1891. Henry George Frederick, born October 2, 1869, is married and resides at No.

709

F. C. F. GEBERT .- V. F. ROFINOT.

1531 Wabash Avenue. William Charles Fred- erick, born December 18, 1871, is a fireman and resides at home. Clara Mary Augusta, born March 20, 1873, is employed at Marshall Field & Company's store and resides at home. Anna Augusta, born February 27, 1875, is a book- keeper with Smith Brothers. Matie M. Fred- ericka, born February 22, 1877, is a dressmaker.

Edward George Frederick, born November 22, 1880, resides with his widowed mother.

Mr. Gebert was a Republican, and a member of the Sons of Hermann. He was connected with the German Evangelical Church and was ever to be found on the side of right. He was beloved and honored, and his memory will not fail to live in the hearts of men.

FRANK C. F. GEBERT.

RANK CHARLES FREDERICK GEBERT, who is one of Chicago's representative citi- zens, comes of a well-known and honored family. He was born January 9, 1866, in Chi- cago, and is a son of Henry and Fredericka (Steinberg) Gebert, who are mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. He attended school at the corner of Dearborn and Forty-seventh Streets, until he reached the age of twelve years.

He was subsequently employed by the Wilson Sewing Machine Company one year, after which he was in the service of the Illinois Central Rail- road Company, at the Twenty-sixth Street shops, four years. He was at the shops of the same company at Sixteenth Street two years, and then spent two years with the Chicago, Rock Island

and Pacific Railroad Company. Since 1889 he has been a conductor on the Chicago City Rail- way, and his services are highly valued by his employers.

Mr. Gebert was married, November 12, 1891, to Miss Mary Theresa, daughter of William and Mary (Hasemeyer) Schultz. Mrs. Gebert was born at Monee, Illinois, May 17, 1866, and came to Chicago about the year 1884. Her two chil- 1 dren are Margure Josephine, born January 19, 1894, and Fern Hermann, born April 19, 1899. Mr. Gebert is independent in political views, pre- ferring to vote for the man best fitted for office, rather than for party. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his influ- ence is ever used in favor of the right.

VICTOR F. ROFINOT.

ICTOR FRANCIS ROFINOT, who comes of an old and highly respected family, is in the employ of the fire department of the city of Chicago. He was born August 28, 1848, on Clark Street, between Washington and Madi-

son Streets, near Board of Trade Alley. For biographical mention of his father's family, please refer to the sketch of Peter F. Rofinot in this volume.

Mr. Rofinot was born and bred in the city of

710

MATTHIAS BISCHLER.

Chicago, and is a true and loyal citizen. He at- tended the Jones school and later the Mosler school. At the end of his school life he entered the sash, door and blind factory of Herman Hand, located on Clinton Street, near Randolph Street. Two years afterward he was employed by F. W. Harvey, at his mill on Beach Street, eighteen months. For two years he was at Frazee's mill, at the corner of Fisk and Twenty-second Streets; the same length of time with Palmer & Fuller, corner of Union and Twenty-second Streets; and three years under his father, who was con- tractor for building pavements. He went to Hayes City, Kansas, and spent six months with Rogers & Jenjins Colonizing Company.

On his return to Chicago he drove a team for Owen W. Guthrie one year, and June 2, 1876, he became a fireman in the service of the city. He was first given charge of Engine No. 10, but after little less than a week was placed on No. 17, in which capacity he remained one year. He was given No. 1, which he held five years, and No. 4 he had one year less. He left the fire department to again interest himself in his father's

business, and was in his father's paint store, at No. 2215 Archer Avenue, two years. He pur- chased the business and conducted it successfully five years. He returned to the fire department November 28, 1893, and was given charge of Engine No. 73, which he retained until July 25, 1896. He has since that time been in charge of No. 63.

Next to a man's common sense and strength of character, which establish his moral state, is the influence of a good woman for a life partner. Mr. Rofinot was married, November 28, 1870, to Miss Emma Frances Bennett, a daughter of Ben- jamin and Susan Marinda (Luce) Bennett. Mrs. Rofinot was born November 28, 1851, in Ver- mont. Her mother resides in the city at No. 6354 Langley Avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Rofinot have been blessed with three children: Emma Marinda, born June 30, 1872; Eugene Gertrude, February 14, 1874, who died February 5, 1896; and Victor Elwin, born July 14, 1876. Mr. Rofinot was reared a Roman Catholic, but his family adhere to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MATTHIAS BISCHLER.

M ATTHIAS BISCHLER, a well-known builder in the vicinity where he resides, was born July 12, 1846, in Trier, Ger- many. His parents were Theodore and Mar- garet (Olk) Bischler, and they immigrated to America with their family of nine children, ar- riving in Chicago June 2, 1864.

Mr. Bischler learned the trade of a carpenter, but for a short time was employed in a tannery and for a period of eighteen months worked in a wagon factory. He then resumed his trade and was in the service of Peter Dester seven years. He contracted under the management of Theo-

dore Weber, subsequently being in the employ of Adamı Boss six years. He was eight years with Michael Bender and two years with John Round- prentice. He is at the present time occupied in the interest of Herbert Trimiller. He acted as foreman with nearly all his employers, and is re- garded as a very competent man to have in authority.

December 7, 1875, Mr. Bischler was married to Margaret Kotz, who was born July 16, 1858. Her father was Bartholomew Kotz, who died Au- gust 8, 1879, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife was born October 2, 1827, and they were

711

ALFRED RASMUSSEN .- C. R. RASMUSSEN.

married August 8, 1852. Their children were five in number. Margaret, born September 3, 1853, married Matthew Scheets, and her children were named: Maggie, Matthew and Joseph. Of Bern- hard, the next in order of birth, extended men- tion is made elsewhere in this volume. Michael, born October 6, 1856, died July 5, 1876. Mar- garet is the wife of the man whose name heads this article. Cecelia died at the age of three

years. Mrs. Kotz married for her second husband Christian Baer, in June, 1881. He died August 28, 1889.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bischler are as follows: Annie Mary Josephine, born March 8, 1877; William Henry, May 23, 1878; John Bertram, March 28, 1880; Joseph, who died at the age of four weeks; Theodore, born March 23, 1884.

ALFRED RASMUSSEN.

A LFRED RASMUSSEN. Born in Lolland, Denmark, October 20, 1869, Mr. Rasmussen is one of his many compatriots who have won success in Chicago through industry, hon- esty and grit. His father, Rasmus Hansen, was a workman, and still lives in his native land, en- joying a hale, serene old age. His mother, whose maiden name was Maria Niel, is also liv- ing, to minister to the husband of her youth. Nine children were born to them, all of whom are still living. Alfred was the fifth in order of birth.

Mr. Rasmussen attended the Danish common schools until he was fourteen and after leaving school began life on a farm. At twenty years he tired of the routine life, as full of toil as it was

destitute of excitement, and determined to try life in Chicago, where numbers of his country- men had already succeeded. He reached this city in 1889, and for eight years worked patiently and faithfully at any honest labor that presented itself to him. In 1897, a favorable opportunity offering, he embarked in the retail wine and liquor business, at No. 2802 Milwaukee Avenue, and there he has since remained, conducting a prosperous establishment.

He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, Maplewood Lodge No. 71, and of the Danish Sharpshooters, a club which meets on West North Avenue. His neighbors hold him in regard, and his prospects of advancement are bright.

CHRISTIAN R. RASMUSSEN.

HRISTIAN REINERT RASMUSSEN. The late C. R. Rasmussen was a native of Nor- way, having been born near Flekkefjord, April 5, 1840. He was naturally fond of study

and early determined to become an instructor. Having passed through the grammar and higher grades required in his native country, he was authorized to teach when he reached the age of

712

W. C. F. PETERSEN.

seventeen years, and followed this calling until lie immigrated to America, in 1864. His objec- tive point, on reaching this country, was Chicago, but he did not long remain here, being attracted by the copper mines in the Lake Superior region. He did not remain long, however, in that section, soon returning to Chicago, where he began busi- ness as a builder and contractor.

He erected many buildings in various parts of the city, among them being four for Martin Olsen, at the corner of Potomac and Oakley Avenues.

Mr. Rasmussen had an extensive acquaintance, not only in Chicago, but also throughout the Northwest, and numbered many prominent men among his friends. Few men were more highly esteemed by those who knew him. Honesty and fidelity were among his chief characteristics and his word was known to be as good as his bond.

He was a member of the Norwegian Old Set- tlers' Society, in which he cherished a deep interest, and in whose work he took an active

part, having served as one of its directors and as president. In politics he was a strong Repub- lican, and was always an earnest worker for the success of his party.

In 1886 Mr. Rasmussen revisited the land of his birth, inspired by a filial desire to behold once more the face of his aged mother, who, he be- lieved, would be soon called home. She was then seventy-six years of age, yet to-day that old mother, now ninety years of age, mourns the loss of her son, whom she still survives. Mr. Ras- mussen's trip was a stormy one, and during the pitching of the vessel his hip was fractured, although he finally recovered from this injury. He died January 19, 1898, and his remains were buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

His widow and six children survive him. Mrs. Rasmussen's maiden name was Caroline C. Gun- derson, and she was born in Norway, not far from the birthplace of her husband, on Decem- ber 20, 1841.

WILLIAM C. F. PETERSEN.

ILLIAM CHARLES FREDERICK PETERSEN is well known among the residents of the northwestern portion of Chicago as the proprietor of the establishment at No. 231 North Ashland Avenue. Although scarcely more than twenty-eight years of age, he has already built up a prosperous business and gained an enviable reputation.

He was born at Lolland, Denmark, January 31, 1871, both of his parents being of Danish birth. His father, Betel Petersen, was a hat maker, and died in the village where he was born, at the age of fifty-eight years. His mother, whose maiden name Mary Petersdatter, still sur- vives and is yet a resident of the Fatherland. The subject of this article was the youngest of

seven children, all but one of whom attained maturity.

At the age of fourteen years young Petersen left school; and after two years spent in farming, he came to the United States, settling in Chicago. For a time he found life hard; but success usually comes to the man who patiently waits, refusing to be disheartened by temporary disappointment, and who is determined to "know no such word as fail." He learned the trade of a barber, and followed it for eight years, during seven years managing his own shop at No. 226 North Ash- land Avenue.

In 1897 he resolved to embark in another line of business. Accordingly, he added to his barber establishment by buying a confectionery at No.

713

E. MEILSTRUP .- C. A. NIELSEN.

363 Erie Street, which he operated in connection with the barber shop. In July, 1898, he sold out and the following month bought his present busi- ness, at No. 231 North Ashland Avenue.

In March, 1896, Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Handrichsen, whose birthplace was in Denmark, but who became a resident of Chicago in 1892. One son has been born to them, and named Leo Quincy.

Mr. Petersen is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of Denmark Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias. It is such resolute perseverance as his that has brought his countrymen into so enviable a place among the foreign-born citizens of the great northwest. Coming to Chicago a penniless" boy, he has been the architect of his own fortunes, which he has reared upon an en- during basis.

EMIL MEILSTRUP.

MEILSTRUP is well known and highly esteemed among the younger members of the Danish colony in Chicago. He is yet in the prime and vigor of his early manhood, having been born at Copenhagen, September 5, 1869. His parents were Henry Meilstrup and Henrietta Andersen, both native Danes, and the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this brief sketch is the seventh in order of birth and the fourth son. His father was a prominent carpenter and contractor at Copenhagen, where he conducted an extensive and prosperous busi- ness until he reached the age of sixty, when his labors were ended by death. His widow sur- vived him and is still living at Copenhagen.

Mr. Meilstrup left school at the age of fifteen, and for five years thereafter served an apprentice- ship at the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. For some two years he worked as a journeyman in his native country, and came to the United States in 1891, settling at Chicago. For a skil- ful workman, such as he was, there was little difficulty in finding employment at his chosen trade, and he has followed it, in this city, ever since. For the past year (1898-99) he has been connected with the Western Electric Company.

Mr. Meilstrup is a member of Denmark Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias, in which he holds office, and of the Knights of Honor and the Western Benevolent Association.

C. A. NIELSEN.

ARL AUGUST NIELSEN, whose popular- ity among his fellow-citizens of Danish birth and descent has led to his election to the presidency of the Society Dania, resides at No.

1022 North Forty-first Court. His birthplace is Copenhagen, his parents being Peter Nielsen and Anna Adrian. His father, who died at the age of fifty-eight years, was a contractor on the little

714

CLEMEN MOLBO.

island of Fyen, off the Danish coast. The elder Mrs. Nielsen is still living in the old country, her hair silvered by the touch of seventy-six winters. Of their six children two attained years of maturity, Carl Nielsen and his sister Lydia, the wife of Charles L. Wilde, of No. 1098 North Forty-second Avenue. Mr. Wilde is a brick layer and the business agent of the Bricklayers' Union and president of the Pleasure Club, Haabel.

Carl A. Nielsen was born October 6, 1864, and spent the first twenty-five years of his life in Denmark. Leaving school at the age of fourteen years, he first served an apprenticeship of four years at the book binding trade, and next a termn

of one year in the Danish army. After his dis- charge from military service he worked as a journeyman until 1889. In that year he came to Chicago, where he has ever since resided, work- ing at his trade, and is now a valued employe of Rand, McNally & Company.

He was married shortly before leaving his na- tive country to Miss Martine Sorensen, who was also born and educated at Copenhagen. They have one son, Harold, born in Chicago in 1893.

Mr. Nielsen was chosen president of the So- ciety Dania in the year 1898, after having served a period two years as secretary of the organiza- tion. He is also a member of the Bookbinders' Union.

CLEMEN MOLBO.

LEMEN MOLBO has been a resident of Chicago since August, 1880, and by industry and thrift has achieved substantial success. He was born June 21, 1859, at Semso, Denmark, and is the youngest of the four children of Jergen Molbo, a bricklayer and stonecutter, who died at the age of eighty-one years.

As a boy Clemen attended the common schools of the country where he lived, and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to learn the horse shoe- ing trade. He faithfully served his term of five years, as required by the Danish usage, and at its completion received a certificate of competence from the anthorities, having been required to undergo a theoretical and practical examination as to his capability. At the age of twenty-one years he came to this country, alone and with no capital beyond his trade, his strength, his healthı and his manly courage. Ashas been said above, he reached this city in August, 1880.

The first work that he secured here was in assisting in running an elevator in the James S.

Kirk soap factory. After two months he went to Pullman, where he was employed as a laborer, but before long secured work at his trade, with the Deering Harvesting Company, with which concern he remained some eighteen months. Later he was employed in other shops at horse- shoeing, and in 1886 he made a trip to the Pacific coast, visiting Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and San Francisco. Returning by way of Kansas City to Chicago, he deter- mined to revisit his native country. After spend- ing some seven months among the scenes and friends of his youth, he again gravitated back to Chicago and resumed work at his trade as a journeyman until 1889.

In that year he started in business for himself at No. 219 North Sangamon Street. He sub- sequently purchased ground and built a shop and residence at No. 226, same thoroughfare, where has prospered and still conducts a profit- able business.

In 1888 he married Miss Anne M. Kramer, a

715

C. L. HANSEN .- J. A. JENSEN.

native of Denmark, but a resident of Chicago. Two children have been born to them, Mandel B. J. and Rosa G. K.

Mr. Molbo is a member of the following so- cieties, in all of which he has taken an active

interest, and in several of which he has held office: Society Dania, Danish Brotherhood, Court Elite, No. 258, Independent Order of Foresters, the Boss Horseshoers' Association and the Danish Singing Society "Harmonien."

CHARLES L. HANSEN.

D HARLES L. HANSEN. The subject of this article was born in Trondhjem, Norway, July 18, 1856. His father, Hans E. Schoyen, was a stone mason, and a man of rugged con- stitution, dying at the age of seventy-nine, in the village where he was born.

The first sixteen years of Charles L. Hansen's life were spent at home. Until fourteen years of age he attended school, and afterward served as errand boy in a general store for about two and one-half years. In 1874 he left Norway for America. After landing in this country he came at once to Chicago. For a year he lived with his brother, and after that found employment as a cook on a lake vessel plying between this city and the lumber regions and the northwest. For

seven seasons he held the same position, finding work in the restaurants during the months that navigation was closed. In 1884 he entered the employ of his brother, Hans A. Hansen, as bar- keeper in the latter's saloon at No. 324 Milwau- kee Avenue. In 1890 he started in business at his present location, No. 324 Milwaukee Avenue.

He married, at Chicago, in 1881, Miss Con- stance Olsen, who, like himself, claims Norway as her birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have five children, all of whom yet live at home, with their parents. They are named: Frank, Blanche, Grace, Florence and Ethel.

Mr. Hansen has been a Knight of Honor for sixteen years, and is a member and trustee of the Norwegian Singing Society.

JENS A. JENSEN.

ENS ANDERS JENSEN. The gentleman whose name is given above was born at For- boy, Denmark, December 10, 1840, being the son of Andres and Annslein Jensen, both na- tives of Denmark. His father was by occupa- tion a tinsmith and glazier, and died at the age

of fifty-three years. His mother passed the eighty-sixth milestone in her life's path before she was laid to rest, by the husband of her youth, in the soil of their native land.

Andres Jensen was the father of five children, of whom two are yet living. The subject of this

716

J. P. ANDERSEN.

article was the second in order of birth. After attending school until his fourteenth year he en- tered upon a five years' apprenticeship to the cabinet-making trade. After serving his term he began work as a journeyman, but at the age of twenty-two years was drafted into the military service, where he was employed for nineteen months. He received his discharge in 1864, and thereupon went to Germany, where he worked at his trade about two years.

In July, 1866, he came to America, settling in Chicago. He therefore takes pride in calling himself one of the early Danish settlers of the western metropolis. Without other resources than a hardy constitution, a willing disposition and skilled hands, he cast about to earn a liveli- hood in a strange land. He soon secured em- ployment at his trade, and for twenty-two years he worked at manufacturing furniture for others.

By the end of these long years of waiting he had accumulated enough, through industry and thrift, to embark in business for himself. His venture proved unsuccessful, and after two years he once more went back to the bench for a daily wage. In 1898 he again tried the experiment of estab- lishing himself in his own place. He opened a shop at No. 340 Chicago Avenue, his business prospering from the outset and steadily growing.

Mr. Jensen has been twice married. He was united to his first wife, Miss Minnie Christian- sen, a Danish lady, in 1866, and by her was the father of one daughter, Ella. The first Mrs. Jensen died in 1872. His second wife was Miss Mary Bems, who was born in Germany. They have one son, Otto, who lives at home. Ella, the daughter of the first Mrs. Jensen, is the wife of Herman Schultz, a jeweler, and resides at No. 934 Milwaukee Avenue.

JOHN P. ANDERSEN.

OHN PETER ANDERSEN is a manufac- turer of clothing at No. 893 North Campbell Avenue, and has resided in Chicago for seventeen years. His birthplace is Fyen, Den- mark, where he opened his eyes upon the world May 16, 1851. He is the fourth in a family of five children born to Anders Jergensen, a ship carpenter, who emigrated from Denmark and set- tled in Dakota, coming to Chicago in 1890. He still lives in this city.

John P. Andersen attended school at his native town until he was fourteen years old, when he went to work upon a farm on a stipend to be paid half yearly. In 1871 he tired of farm life and entered upon the acquiring of the ship car- penter's trade. For four years he served as an apprentice, and afterward supplemented his train- ing by learning the craft of a house carpenter as

well. He remained in Denmark, working as a carpenter, until 1882, when he determined to emigrate to the United States.

Six years before that he had married Hansene Jensen, his schoolmate in boyhood, and he brought his family with him to the new world. At that time he was the father of four children.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co. Number of Pages: 908

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 908