Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 104

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

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After leaving school he began working on a

farm, which occupation he followed until 1891, when he bade adieu to the scenes and associa- tions of his youth, to seek better fortune in a foreign land and among people of a strange tongue. Immediately upon landing on American shores he turned his face toward the west and set out for Chicago, which has ever since been his home. Before emigrating, however, in 1890, he married Margaretta Christiansen, a damsel of his own native village, whom he had known since childhood. Three children have blessed their union-Mattie, Niels and Marie. The two younger were born in Chicago. Since his arrival here Mr. Holdt has been a member of the Wal- halla Society, in which he takes a lively interest. His home is at No. 3013 Prairie Avenue, and he is engaged in expressing and janitor work.

MATTHEW FLEMING.

M ATTHEW FLEMING was born in the Parish of Latin, County Tipperary, Ire- land, September 4, 1829, and is the son of James and Honora (Nash) Fleming, both of

whom sprang from old and respected families, and lived and died in Ireland. Matthew Fleming has a good education, which he received in a private school and in the high schools which he

726

OLE RASMUSSEN.

attended until eighteen years of age. He came to America in 1850, making the ocean voyage from Liverpool to New York in thirty days. In the latter city he spent a period of two years, part of the time as an employe in a chair fac- tory.

In September, 1852, he came to Chicago, and was employed as a laborer for five years. He was elected constable in 1857, and served con- tinuously twenty-seven years. He always took a lively interest in public affairs and was active in support of the Democratic party. He was at one time a candidate for alderman of the Seventh Ward, but was not seated, though he and his friends think that he would have been if the votes had been fairly counted.

Mr. Fleming invested his savings in real estate and has become wealthy. He has occasionally dealt in real estate as a speculation and is still doing a little business in that line. He was an

early settler on the West Side, having located 011 Liberty Street in 1854. In 1898 he erected the building on Twelfth Street, near Homan Avenue, in which he now resides.

In December, 1849, Mr. Fleming married Miss Bridget O'Brien, a native of the same town as himself. They have six children as follows: Clarence, a brick mason; Norah, wife of John Duffy, a baker of Chicago; Mary ; James, a mem- ber of the Board of Assessors; John, a member of one of the city fire companies; and Thomas, who is engaged in the dry goods business. The fam- ily is connected with St. Agatha's Roman Catholic Church.

Industry has its reward, and as continual drop- ping wears away a stone, so continued saving produces a fortune. Mr. Fleming is one of those industrious pioneers of the West Side who from small beginning have built it up to its present condition of wealth and prosperity.

OLE RASMUSSEN.

LE RASMUSSEN first saw the light on was with W. R. Martin, a dealer in flour, feed July 8, 1853, in Jutland, Denmark. His father was Rasmus Rasmussen, and his mother Annie Christensen. The elder Rasmus- sen was a laborer. He was born in 1814, served during the war of 1848, and died at the age of sixty-five years. He and his wife were the par- ents of two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living and married.

Ole was the firstborn. During his early man- hood he was a farmer in his native country, and at the age of twenty-eight years left Denmark to seek his fortune in America. He landed in 1881, and at once set out for the West. After a stop of a fortnight at Fowler, Indiana, he proceeded to Chicago. For the first year lie worked as a laborer on a railroad, and his next employment

and coal, whose place of business was on Thirty- fifth Street. He remained with Mr. Martin five years, when he bought the necessary equipment and began business on his own account as a teamster. At first he had but one team, but from this modest beginning his business has steadily grown, its development being the result of his unwearied industry, his tireless energy, his pru- dence and his integrity. He now has several teams in almost constant use, and in 1898 he added to his business the sale of coal and wood. At this time he opened his present office at No. 342 Root Street.

The same year in which he left Denmark (1881) he married Mary Larsen, who had been reared in the same neighborhood with himself.

727

C. E. KIRCHHOFF .- H. H. BOESENBERG.

Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen have had three chil- dren: The first died in infancy, and those living are named Emma and Christina. All were born in Chicago.

Mr. Rasmussen has been a member of the Walhalla Society twelve years, and has many

friends among the Danish colony in Chicago, as well as among business men generally. He is regarded as a man to be trusted in all the rela- tions of life, and his patient, yet successful, up- building of his own success is proof positive of his native strength and perseverance.

CARL E. KIRCHHOFF.

) ARL EDWARD KIRCHHOFF. Although a young man of scarcely more than twenty- one years, Mr. Kirchhoff is wide-awake and progressive, and has already displayed, in an eminent degree, those traits of moral character, as well as the qualities of mind, which are the salient characteristics of the successful man.

He was born March 30, 1878, in Leyden Township, this county, and in the memoir of his father, Henry Kirchhoff, may be found an ac- count of his family antecedents and relations. After obtaining a good foundation of general ed- ucation in the grammar schools he pursued his studies for two years at the Metropolitan Busi- ness College, where he became thoroughly grounded in those branches of knowledge whiclı are pre-eminently necessary to a business man.

Among these was stenography, and for the first eight months after leaving the Metropolitan he was employed as stenographer for the Monthly Bulletin of the National Wool Growers' Associa- tion, whose headquarters were at No. 4166 South Halsted Street. From the office of the "Bulletin," he went into the employ of Lemley & Schultz, manufacturers of machinery and special tools, at Nos. 31-33 Indiana Street, where he yet remains.

He was christened in the faith of the German Evangelical Church, and united with Saint John's Church, of that denomination at Addison, Du Page County, and is still connected with that body. He is also an active member of the Cen- tral Branch of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation of Chicago, and of Franklin Park Council No. 107, Royal League.

HENRY H. BOESENBERG.

ENRY HERMAN BOESENBERG, the son of George A. and Dorothy (Seimann) Boesenberg, was born at Chicago, January 24, 1853. (A biographical sketch of Mr. Boesen- berg,Senior, may be found on another page.) His

early education was of a character well calculated to fit him for the career of a practical business man, while at the same time inculcating the prin- ciples of a sound and enlightened morality. It was obtained at the parish school of St. Peter's

728

RASMUSS JENSEN.

Lutheran Church and at the Washington public school, being completed by a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. His first business experience was as a grocer's clerk, a position which he filled for seven years. At the end of that time he opened a grocery of his own at No. 279 West Chicago Avenue, which he sold in two years, to engage in the real estate and insurance business. He opened an office at the corner of North Ashland Avenue and Toll Place, where he is still located. He has, however, discon- tinued dealing in real estate, and devotes his en- tire attention to insurance. He has been a mem- ber and director of the Home Mutual Loan As- sociation since its organization, in 1884, and its second president, having filled the last named position from 1890 to 1892. On the expiration of his term as president he was chosen secretary, and has filled that office since. It is not too much to say that the success of the association is largely due to Mr. Boesenberg's capable and busi- ness-like administration of its affairs.

He cast his first vote for the Republican ticket, and has been a stanch member of that party ever since. He takes a keen interest, not only in pub- lic affairs, but in party politics as well, and has been an active and influential worker in his party's ranks. He is a member of Covenant Lodge, No. 526, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons; of Goethe Lodge, No. 329, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the Royal League, and of the North American Union.

He was married November 5, 1876, to Miss Dorothy Behrens, who was born in Germany. The issue of this marriage has been five children, Henry, Walter, Louise, Oscar and Emma.

Mr. Boesenberg is not a member of any church, but is a man of sterling integrity, with a high moral standard. He is clear sighted and shrewd, yet generous and just. His temperament is genial, his manners courteous and frank, and liis disposition kindly. He easily wins friends through his presence and address; he retains them through his capability and worth.

RASMUSS JENSEN.

ASMUSS JENSEN. As his name indicates Mr. Jensen is a Dane. He is the son of Torkild and Elizabeth (Larsen) Jensen, and was born on a farm about twelve Danish miles from Copenhagen. His father was a farmer, and both his parents are still living (1899) in Denmark. Hc is the third of a family of nine children, all of whom reached adult age, and only one of whom has passed away.

Rasmuss Jensen, as did the other boys of the neighborhood in which he was reared, received his early education at the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he began life's battle for himself, and when he was twenty-two years old he turned his back upon birthplace and kin-

dred and set his face toward the western world. He came at once to Chicago, after reaching this country, and here he turned his hand readily to any work that presented itself. It is unnecessary to add that his labor was not usually of the easiest description, hod carrying and coal shovel- ing being among his first occupations. In 1887 he began to learn the business of a stationary engineer, and being apt, sober and industrious, soon qualified himself. He still follows this pur- suit, having been for the past five years employed as an engineer by Armour & Company.

He married Miss Christina Jorgensen in 1891. She is a countrywoman of his, but was a resident of Chicago at the time of her marriage. The

729

ALBERT NIELSEN .- GUSTAVE OLSON.

issue of the marriage has been three children, Elizabeth, Ida and Rosa.

Mr. Jensen is a member of Lodge No. 35, of the Danish Brotherhood, and was at one time presid- ing officer of D'Orlen Lodge No. 35, of which

organization he is one of the organizers and char- ter members. He is of a social disposition, affable, courteous and liberal. Among his fellow- countrymen in Chicago lie is at once esteemed and popular.

ALBERT NIELSEN.

T LBERT NIELSEN is the son of Niels Jor- gensen and Maren Johnson, of Fyen, Den- mark, where he himself was born March 14, 1863. Niels Jorgensen is a musician of consider- able local celebrity, and served in the army in that capacity during the war of 1864. In 1893 he crossed the water to visit the World's Fair at Chicago, where he played in an orchestra. He returned to his native land in 1895, and is yet living, having been the leader of a band at Odense. Mrs. Jorgensen died in 1890. She bore her husband twelve children, all of whom reached mature years, and eight are yet living (1899). Peter is a miner in Australia. John is in the employ of Armour & Company, of Chi- cago. Carl is a composer of music for the King's Opera Company, at Copenhagen. Andrew is a painter and decorator at No. 34 University Place, Chicago. Louisa and Julia are also residents of Chicago, the former being the wife of Mr. Peter-

sen, of No. 196 West Chicago Avenue, a foreman in the repair department of the Lyon & Healy Company. Torwald lives with Mr. Nielsen.

Mr. Albert Nielsen is the third child born to his parents. At the age of fourteen years he was taken from school and sent to learn the trade of a painter but was permitted to attend school in the evenings. While yet very young he devel- oped a surprising fondness and capacity for art, and for a time was a student at the Art School at Copenhagen. For nine months he did duty as a soldier, and in 1884 came to the United States, settling in Chicago. For six years he worked as a house decorator, and at the end of that time began business as a portrait painter, which pro- fession he has followed ever since, with marked success. He not only conducts business on his own account, but his recognized artistic skill brings him many orders from other Chicago firms.

GUSTAVE OLSON.

G USTAVE OLSON, who was born in Skane, Sweden, December 7, 1869, is the son of Olof Person, a native of the same county, by occupation a farmer. Olof Person is a well-

known citizen of his country, and though some- what advanced in years is still engaged in tilling the soil. The name of the mother of the subject of this sketch was Aserine Steudecker before her

730

H. S. PETERSEN.

marriage. She is still living in her native land. Mr. and Mrs. Person are the parents of nine children, of whom Gustave is the fourth. Five of these children are living.

Mr. Olson grew to manhood in his native country and attended the public schools until thirteen years of age. He assisted his father on the farm until he was eighteen years old, when lie was apprenticed to a blacksmith, with whom he served three years: In the year 1891, at the age of twenty-one years, he settled in Chicago, where he worked as a journeyman smith until the spring of 1899. He then formed a partner- ship with Peder Erickson, and opened a horse- shoeing shop at No. 370 Twenty-fourth Street. On September 1, following, Mr. Olson purchased his partner's interest, and is now sole proprietor of the establishment.

Mr. Olson has a deep interest in fraternal

societies and lias devoted a large part of his time to the acquirement of the mysteries of the secret society, in several of which he has become a prominent and leading member. He became a member of John Erickson Lodge No. 361, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Illinois, in 1892. He has filled all the chairs in the subor- dinate lodge, and was representative to the Grand Lodge in 1895. He was captain of the degree staff for three years, from which he re- signed in 1899 on account of the demands of his business. In 1896 he became a member of tlie Knights of Pythias and takes an active interest in that order. He also holds membership in the Odd Fellows Encampment and Rebekah degree, where he is prominent. He is independent in politics, preferring to vote for the men he has confidence in rather than to follow the lead of any party.

HANS S. PETERSEN.

ANS SMITH PETERSEN has been a resi- dent of Chicago since 1887, when he emi- grated to this country from Denmark, where he was born August 1, 1865, having entered the world in Jutland. His father, Rasmen Petersen, was a tailor and is still engaged in that trade in his native land, where he enjoys the un- alloyed respect due to his advanced age and the reputation which he has gained through a long life of unquestionable honesty. Mr. Petersen's mother is also yet living. Her maiden name was Caroline Smith. All the five sons and two daughters born to this couple (whose well run race is now, in the ordinary course of nature, nearing its goal) are yet living. Hans S. is the oldest son and second child. His next youngest brother, Hallen, who is a baker by trade, works for him at his place at No. 3638 State Street.

Another brother, Skor, is a laundryman. A sis- ter, Katherine, is the wife of Thomas Kniner, of Denmark. The remaining children live at home.

The first twenty-two years of Mr. Petersen's life were passed in Demark. He left school at the age of sixteen years, and for five years worked for a grocer, receiving but slender compensation, being virtually an apprentice. For eight months he served in the army and for nine months was a grocer's clerk. Then at the age of twenty-two he came to America, reaching Chicago in 1887, with but nine dollars in his pocket. For a period of nine months after his arrival he worked on a farın in Blue Island, for ten dollars per month. After coming back to Chicago his experience was decidedly varied; he was by turns a dish-washer in a restaurant, an assistant bridge-tender at Clark

731

CHRISTIAN THORSMARK .- L. H. HOLDT.

Street, an employe of Andrew Olsen in the coal and wood business and the driver of a laundry wagon for George Falkenberg. He was engaged in the pursuit last named for some six years, and in 1896 entered the employ of A. Burkhard, with whom he still remains.

In 1894 he purchased the bakery business then being conducted at No. 3630 State Street, and began to do his own baking. In 1899 lie changed his location to his present quarters, at No. 3638

State Street, where he also carries on a confec- tionery business. He gives the establishment his personal attention only during the evening, as has been said, being employed during the day.

Seven years ago (in 1892), he married Chris- tine Nansen, choosing for his wife, a lady from his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen have three children, Christina, Walter and Lillie. He has been a member of the Walhalla Society since 1889, and also belongs to a singing society.

CHRISTIAN THORSMARK.

C HRISTIAN THORSMARK, the youngest of the four children of Peter and Maria (Langelund) Thorsmark, was born in Bau- lund, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, May 24, 1866. His father was a farmer, and died at the age of sixty-three years. His mother attained the age of fifty-six years.

Christian Thorsmark attended school until he was fourteen years of age. In 1889, being then twenty-three years of age, he emigrated to Amer- ica and settled in Chicago, where he was first em- ployed on the streets, about Prairie Avenue. Fol- lowing this he was a coachman for three years, working for Andrew Skau, in the livery business, for a time. In 1897 he engaged in the milk and cream business, on Vernon Avenue, where he remained two years. He then removed to No. 128 Twenty-ninth Street, where he is now located.

In 1896 Mr. Thorsmark married Clara Thomp-

son, a daughter of David and Sarah (Saunders) Thompson, who was born in Fountain, Indiana, June 10, 1871. At the age of three years she removed west, with her parents, and has been a resident of Chicago since 1890. Mr. Thorsmark has been a member of the Walhalla Danish So- ciety since 1890.

The population of all American cities is made up largely of citizens who were raised in the country, many of them being of foreign birth and speaking a strange language. Mr. Thors- mark is one of these. Born and raised on a farm where the hours are long and toilsome, he early learned the value of time and money, and that a penny saved is a penny earned. He made a practical use of his knowledge. Starting in pov- erty, with nothing but a strong will and sturdy arms, he has slowly worked his way upward . to the point where success seems assured.

LARS H. HOLDT.

ARS H. HOLDT. This well-known and highly respected young business man of the south division of the city is a brother of John P. and Jacob H. Holdt, biographical

sketches of whom appear elsewhere in this volume.

Lars H. Holdt was born in Schleswig-Holstein on October 7, 1867. He was the second son and

732

H. P. CLAUSEN.

fiftlı child of his parents. For a more detailed account of his family relations the reader is re- ferred to the narrative history of his brothers, above mentioned. He left school at the age of fourteen years, and worked on a farm until he was twenty-three years old, when he resolved to emigrate to America. He crossed the ocean in 1891, and came from the sea coast directly to Chicago.

His first situation was that of a coachman and he continued in that walk of life until 1894, when he engaged in the milk business on his own ac-

count. His first venture in this line was under- taken at No. 3013 Prairie Avenue. From that location he moved to No. 2914 Vernon Avenue, and from thence to No. 3816 Aldine Place, and later to his present place of business, at No. 3619 Indiana Avenue. He is unmarried. En- ergy, perseverance and frugality have been the cornerstones of his success, and his outlook for the future is bright. For eight years he has been a member of the Walhalla Society, and was at one time connected with the Knights of the Maccabees.

HENRY P. CLAUSEN.

ENRY PETER CLAUSEN. The gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this brief sketch was born in Sonderbule, Schlasvig, Jutland, January 1, 1867. His fa- ther, Henry Clausen, was a native of the same place; by trade a painter, but engaged in busi- ness for himself, and is still actively and pros- perously engaged in the sameline of work in the land of his birth. He is a man of prominence and repute, and has a distinguished military . record, having served in the wars of 1866 and 1871. Mr. Clausen's mother, whose maiden name was Louisa Nissen, was also born in Jut- land, but passed away in 1868, while scarcely more than thirty-two years of age. Mr. Clausen is the youngest of their four children, the others being Harman, who died in Jutland; and Louisa and Wilhelmina, who are still living in the old country.

Mr. Clausen's mother died when he was but eight years old, but his boyhood was well cared for. Until he reached the age of fifteen years he attended school, but then necessity compelled him to seek some employment through which he might later battle with the world. For four

years he was a butcher's apprentice, and, after reaching the prescribed age for military service, entered the army as a private soldier, serving three years.

In 1890 he came to America, where so many of his countrymen, through industry, thrift and perseverance, had bettered their fortunes. Im- mediately upon landing he took transportation for Chicago, which city has ever since been his home. He began his career in the humble capa- city of a hostler. With the toil and compensa- tion he was content for four years. By economy and patience he saved money, and in 1894 he was able to open a boarding and livery stable of his own. His beginning was made on the site of his present establishment, Nos. 3133-39 South Park Avenue, but it has steadily grown, and lie has materially added, year by year, not only to the capacity of the stable, but also to his own in- come. He owes his surprising success to pluck and perseverance, integrity and industry.

In March, 1891, he became the husband of a Danish maiden, named Christina Nielsen. Three children have been born to them, Louisa, Claus and Anna. Mr. Clausen is an active and promi-

733

JENS NIELSEN .- ANDREW SKAU.

nent member of Walhalla, of tlie Verein Deuts- chen, Waffauhassael of Chicago, and takes an especial interest in the society last named. He

is affable, sociable and generous, widely known and highly esteemed among his fellow-citizens, of both native and foreign descent.

JENS NIELSEN.

ENS NIELSEN is a native of Denmark, having been born in the town of Als, Jut- land, July 12, 1867. While he has barely completed his thirty-second year, he has already achieved success, besides winning for himself an enviable reputation in the city which he has chosen for his home.

Both his parents sleep in the quiet churchyard of the little village of Als, where they were born and battled with the world, and where they died, his father at the age of fifty and his mother in her fifty-seventh year. His father, Niels C. Nielsen, was a laborer; his mother's name before marriage was Carrie Jensen. Jens was one of four children born to this couple, only two of whom are living.

The first twenty-two years of his life were spent in his native country. Until lie reached the age of fourteen years he attended school, and after that he worked upon the farm, under condi- tions which American laborers would regard as,

to say the least, decidedly disadvantageous. In 1889 he determined to learn the best or the worst which a strange country might have in store for him. He came to America and directed his steps straight from the seaboard to Chicago. On reach- ing this city he found life far from being a para- dise. His first employment was as a hod carrier; but he was afraid of no honest toil and cheerfully carried bricks up the narrow planks to the skilled artisan who laid them in their course. Yet he persevered and since 1893 he has continued in business as a coal dealer at his original location, No. 3852 Armour Avenue, his trade gradually in- creasing and his prosperity growing, year after year. He has never married.

He is an active member of the Danish Brother- hood and prominent in its councils, having been vice-president of Lodge No. 35 for some two years. He is also a member of the Young Peo- ple's Society of Pleasure.

ANDREW SKAU.

A NDREW SKAU is one of the best known and most highly respected Danish-Ameri- cans of Chicago, where he has lived for eighteen years. He is the second child of Christ Fritz Skau and his wife, Anna B. Andersen, and was born in Bedsted, Schleswig, Denmark, Jan-

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 104

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