Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 5

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

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Mrs. Telling was born in Milwaukee June 11, 1846. She attended the Convent of Notre Dame, of that city, and finished her education at the private school of Professor Roache, from which she graduated at the remarkably early age of four- teen years. She is a woman of rare intelligence and discrimination, and was the appreciated com- panion of her husband through the happy years of their wedded life. Five of their seven children are now living. Eleanor Aliban, the eldest, is the wife of Mark L. Simpson, a son of E. B. Simpson, of Milwaukee, their wedding having occurred January 16, 1889. Daisy Everton, the second, died September 30, 1895. She was the idol of her family, and her demise, in the flower of her youth, followed in a few weeks by the death of her father, was a severe and trying shock to the devoted wife and mother and the other members of the family. Marion Emily, the sixth child, died in infancy. The others are: John Edward, Henry Irving, Grace Elsie and Bessie Irma.

The funeral of Mr. Telling was held at St.

PHILIP APFEL.

James' Church, in Milwaukee, and he was buried in Forest Home Cemetery of that city, with Ma- sonic honors. He was a thoroughly self-made man, and the example of his perseverance, in-

dustry and integrity is commended to the youth of the land as worthy of their emulation and certain to bring prosperity, friends and a peaceful life.

PHILIP APFEL.

HILIP APFEL is an honored pioneer of Chicago who has resided in the city for more than half a century. He has witnessed its changes and marvelous growth from a population of about twelve thousand to the second city in size and importance on the continent. He was born in Sulz, Alsace, then a part of France, Au- gust 19, 1830. His parents were Henry and Eva (Streng) Apfel, both natives of Alsace. The father belonged to an old French family and was a nailsmith by trade. In 1842 he immigrated to the United States, leaving his family in the old world until he could see the country before decid- ing to bring them and locate permanently in America. After arriving at New York he soon found employment at his trade and was so well pleased with the outlook that the following year he sent for his family.

In the summer of 1843 Mrs. Apfel and her two sons sailed from Havre in the good ship "Arago" and after a voyage lasting twenty-eight days joined the head of the family in New York. They remained in that city and Syracuse about a year, and then removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where they spent another year, all of which time Mr. Apfel worked at his trade. In 1845 they came to Chi- cago and located permanently. Here Mr. Apfel engaged in the retail grocery business, and suc- ceeded in accumulating a valuable property.

To the union of Henry Apfel and Eva Streng were born four children. The eldest died in the old country at the age of eight years; Philip, of this sketch; Henry, of Shellrock, Iowa; and

George, who was born in Chicago and still resides here. Mrs. Apfel died April 26, 1854. In 1856 Mr. Apfel married Miss Anna Hoffmann, by whom he had two children, but both are deceased. Mr. Apfel died in 1878, aged seventy-five years. His widow is still living and resides at No. 74 Ham- mond Street, Chicago.

Philip Apfel, whose name heads this article, received a good common-school education in his native town, and after coming to Chicago attended a night school one winter, but the most impor- tant and practical part of his education was ac- quired in the hard school of experience. He is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word and has been self-supporting since he came to the United States, at the age of thirteen years.

While the family lived in Syracuse, New York, he worked at packing salt, and in Cleveland, Ohio, at heading barrels in a flouring mill. He began his business career in the year of his arri- val in Chicago as a peddler, and after accumula- ting a little money in that way, started a fruit stand at the corner of South Water and Clark Streets. After successfully continuing that busi- ness a couple of years he opened a fruit and notion store at No. 21 North Clark Street, where he carried on a profitable trade five years. Sub- sequently he engaged in the commission business at No. 175 East Kinzie Street for two years. He was a member of the Board of Trade, but after three years sold his membership.

In 1868 Mr. Apfel started a boot and shoe store at the corner of Division and Clark Streets,

WILLIAM NIEMEYER.

where he bought a lot and erected a frame build- ing, which answered the double purpose of store and dwelling house. He was located there until the fire of 1871 destroyed his property, losing twenty thousand dollars. He rebuilt immediately after the fire, and six weeks afterward resumed business and continued at the same location until 1888, when he sold his stock and has since lived retired, taking care of his property interests. In his many and varied business ventures he has met with success. He has always taken a con- mendable interest in the affairs of the city and nation and for two years previous to the great fire faithfully and acceptably filled the office of supervisor of the North Town. When the Re- publican party was organized he joined its ranks,

and for many years supported its principles and candidates, but of late years acts independent of party, giving his support to the man he regards as best qualified to fill the office. August 19, 1852, he married Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Hess) Mahler, natives of Baden, Germany, where Mrs. Apfel was born.

Mr. and Mrs. Apfel have three sons and two daughters, namely: William G., Arthur H .; Emma E., wife of Herman Devermann; Clara Eliz- abetli, now Mrs. Charles G. Boening; and Philip F. One child died in infancy. The members of the family are connected with St. Paul's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church. At all times Mr. Apfel has done all in his power to advance the best interests of the city.

WILLIAM NIEMEYER.

ILLIAM NIEMEYER was one of the in- dustrious and successful German-American citizens which the Fatherland contributed to this country. For nearly half a century he was identified with the city of Chicago, and dur- ing his long and varied business career was active in promoting the best interests of the place. Mr. Niemeyer was born August 18, 1828, in Han- over, Germany, and was a son of Deidrich Nie- meyer.

The latter and his wife had three children, who became residents of Chicago, namely : Henry and William, both deceased, and Dorothy, now widow of Christian Klinge, who is still living in the city. The mother died in Germany, and the father passed away in Chicago in 1861. After acquiring a good education in the parish school of his native place, William Niemeyer learned the tailor's trade with his father.

In 1847, accompanied by his father, brother

and sister, he came to the United States and with them located in Chicago. Here for two years he worked at his trade. I11 1849 he formed a part- nership with William Vollmer and embarked in the retail grocery business on the corner of Lake and Clark Streets, and later moved to Fifth Ave- nue, between Washington and Madison Streets. November 9, 1850, he married Sophia Budde. Soon after his marriage Mr. Niemeyer sold his in- terest in the grocery business to his partner, and started a boarding house on the corner of Kinzie and Clark Streets, subsequently moving to Wash- ington Street near Fifth Avenue, and there did a prosperous business for several years.

His next venture was keeping the Farmers' Hotel, on Franklin Street between Randolph and Lake Streets, and in connection a livery and boarding stable. A few years later he sold out, and for a time kept a saloon on Randolph Street, opposite the present courthouse. In 1867 he

WILLIAM NIEMEYER.

established an undertaking business at No. 117 South Clark Street and the following year moved to the Nortli Side and opened an undertaking house at Nos. 626 and 628 Wells Street, and suc- cessfully operated both houses until they were destroyed by the great fire of 1871. Although he sustained a very heavy loss, he was not in the least discouraged, for two days after the fire he established temporary quarters on Halsted Street, at the corner of Canalport Avenue and rebuilt on Wells Street and resumed his old business at that location. He also opened a store at No. 112 North Clark Street and another on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Market Street, and contin- ued the three stores until 1880, when he discon- tinued the last two and carried on the Wells Street business, having in connection a carriage livery. There he did an increasing and profitable trade until his death, July 3, 1896.

The engrossment of his various undertakings left little time to engage in other employment. He gave his thought and attention to his busi- ness and left public affairs and the conduct of financial concern to those whose tastes or leisure better fitted them for such a task. He, however, found time to indulge in social intercourse and charitable work of the Odd Fellows' Order, with which he was identified for many years. He was a member of Robert Blum Lodge and a member of Encampment No. 165, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belonged to the Ancient Order of Druids and to the German-American Association, and was one of the first members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the success of which he always felt interested.

Mrs. Niemeyer is a worthy pioneer of Chicago. She was born in Hessen-Darmsdat, Germany, November 26, 1829, and came to Chicago with her parents, Christian and Dorothy Budde, in 1846. Her father was a farmer and a man of considerable means and he lived in retirement after coming to Chicago. He died in 1853, and his good wife survived him twenty years, dying in 1873. They had but two children, Sophia and William, of Mankato, Minnesota. Mrs. Nie- meyer received a good rudimentary education in the Fatherland, which has been supplemented by

reading and the practical affairs of a busy life. She possesses unusual intelligence and business capabilities and is one of the most prominent women in Chicago of German birth, and is well known in fraternal organizations throughout the state. In church and benevolent work she takes a lively interest. For seventeen years she has been president of the Ladies' Aid Society of Ulich Orphan Asylum. For six years she has been on the board of directors of the Odd Fellows' Home of Lincoln, Illinois, having been on the board since it was started, and is the only Ger- man woman who has occupied that position.

Mrs. Niemeyer organized a Rebekah Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is the present chairman of the Odd Fellows' Old Folks Home Advisory Board. She is a member of the Ladies Society of St. Paul's Evangelical Luth- eran Church and a member of the German Hos- pital, also of the Ladies' Society in connection with that institution, and of the Ladies' Chicago Turners Society and devotes much of her time and ample means in advancing the interests of these worthy institutions. . Mrs. Niemeyer, with the assistance of her son, Henry W., still carries on the undertaking business which was founded by her husband thirty years ago. Her life has been one of busy usefulness and the cares of nearly sixty-nine years, fifty-two of which were spent in Chicago, have set lightly upon her, as she still enjoys good health and the use of all her faculties.

Of the thirteen children born to this worthy couple, seven died in childhood, the six following grew to maturity and four are living at this writ- ing. The first-born, William H., was born Octo- ber 22, 1851, and March 19, 1876, married Miss Clara Schuberth, and died May 11, 1886, leaving a widow and two sons, William and Henry. Henry William, who is associated in business with his mother, was born March 22, 1856. With the exception of a couple of years spent in Denver, Colorado, he has always lived in Chicago. He was educated in the public schools and Dyren- furth College. He assisted his father in business until he arrived at man's estate. While in Den- ver he learned the art of embalming, under Prof.

JOHN FEHN,

Albert Brown. On his return from the West in 1879, he joined his father in the business, and introduced the art of embalming in the city, being the first person who practiced the art in Chicago. He is an enterprising, progressive and successful business man.

Like his mother, he takes a lively interest in social orders, and is a member of Olympia Lodge No. 477, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Koerner Lodge No. 54, Order of Mutual Protec- tion. In politics he is independent. July 5, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary Peters, a native of Germany and daughter of Johanna Peters. They have one child, Adeline. Minnie, born August 20, 1859, is the wife of Frederick Buscher. Charles H., born July 14, 1861, on April 11,

1885, married Emma Heisterkamp and has two children, Henry and Florence. He is also an undertaker and assisted his father for many years, and is still connected with the business in assist- ing his mother and brother, Henry W.

He is a member of Court Vorwaerts No. 25, Independent Order of Foresters. Anna Chris- tina Louise Augusta, the ninth in order of birth, was born May 9, 1863, and became the wife of Charles L. Schrimer and died December 21, 1891, leaving an infant child that died six weeks later. Barbara, the youngest, was born January 29, 1867, is the wife of Edward Koehler, and has two children, Edna and Hazel. All are residents of Chicago and are useful and respected members of society.

JOHN FEHN.

JOHN FEHN is a representative German- American citizen who ranks among the old settlers of 1857 and has been connected with the business interests of the city forty years. He was born November 24, 1835, in the village of Steinbach, Province of Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of John and Margaret (Neubauer) Fehn, natives of Bavaria. He is descended from some very prominent and ancient German families and has a lineage of which he may well be proud. His paternal grandfather was a man of education and was for some years a very successful instruc- tor. He also filled the office of burgomaster in his native city.

John Fehn, father of the man whose name heads this article, was a farmer and also fol- lowed the occupation of a brewer and distiller. He purchased property in Windheim, and there resided with his family until his death, in 1849. Mr. Fehn, the subject of this sketch, attended public school until he reached the age of twelve

years and for two years received private instruc- tion under the tutelage of the parish priest, pre- paratory to a higher course, it having been the intention of his father to educate him for the priesthood. The death of his father when John was fourteen years old entirely changed his plans, and it became necessary for him to assist his wid- owed mother in the care and cultivation of the farmı. September 27, 1853, he sailed from Bremen Harbor on the sailing ship "Ocean" and after an uneventful sea voyage, landed at New Orleans December 8. He was destitute of capital on his arrival in that city, as the last two dollars which he possessed he generously gave to a passenger on board the ship who, he thought, needed it worse than he did.

Though poor in purse, he was rich in the ele- ments of health and industry which, with well- directed effort, always insures success. He at once found employment in the St. Charles Hotel, first as waiter, then as bell boy, and later as clerk

FREDERICK NUSSER.

in the cigar store of tlie hotel. He remained in the St. Charles about two and one-half years. He then secured a position as bar tender in the Boston Club and while there became personally acquainted with Generals Pemberton and Taylor, and Mr. Benjamin, who afterward became secre- tary of state of the Confederacy. In 1857 he left New Orleans for the North and after spending a couple of months in Shelbyville, Indiana, came on to Chicago.

Soon after his arrival he accepted a position as bar tender for Charles Best, on East Ran- dolph Street and with the exception of a few short intervals, remained in his employ three years. In 1860 he purchased the business of Mr. Best and did a successful trade until 1864, when he sold out. He then bought a saloon business at No. 121-123 North Clark Street, aud so well did he prosper that it 1867 he purchased the corner lot. The fire of 1871 swept away his building and business. Before the ground had grown cold he began to rebuild, and before the frame structure was complete it caught fire from the

smouldering debris, but the flame was easily ex- tinguished. In1 1872 he purchased the adjoining lot and the next year built his present handsome business block.

Mr. Fehn enjoys the distinction of being the oldest saloon keeper in the city. He has always been a peaceable, law-abiding citizen and con- ducted his establishment in a quiet, orderly man- ner. Being himself a sober, temperate man, he has not encouraged dissipation in others. He has never dabbled in politics but has acted inde- pendently, exercising his franchise in favor of the' man of his choice, not being bound by any po- litical party or leader.

November 25, 1860, he married Miss Margaret Sauermann, a native of Bavaria. Ten children were born of this marriage, four of whom are de- ceased. Those living are: Paulina, wife of Ernest Fischer; Oscar E .; Clara, wife of Thomas Sauer- mann; Tillie, now Mrs. William Curtis; Eleanore and Arthur. The mother, who had been her hus- band's faithful companion so many years, died February 17, 1898.

FREDERICK NUSSER.

REDERICK NUSSER, now living retired, is a prominent representative of the suc- cessful German-American pioneer of Chi- cago. He was born December 12, 1824, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a son of Frederick and Caroline Nusser, both natives of Wurtem- berg. They were the parents of five children, of whom three emigrated to America, namely: Charles, of Carlinville, Macoupin County, Illi- nois, Frederick and Christian, the last of whom died in Chicago.

Frederick Nusser was reared on a farm and, after attending public school until he reached the age of fourteen years, attended a private school,

later serving a three years' apprenticeship to learn the trade of rope-maker. He then returned home and assisted in the cultivation of the home farm. March 28, 1850, he left home and went down the River Rhine to Rotterdam, and thence to Liverpool, England. From there he took passage in a sailing vessel bound for New York. With favorable weather and fair winds they made the trip in twenty-eight days. Mr. Nusser spent one day in New York and went to Norwich, Connecticut, where he worked four months in a brick yard. He returned to New York and came to Chicago, arriving September 28, 1850. He was employed in a rope walk six months and

J. S. DELSING.

subsequently went to Louisville, Kentucky. He benefit of the population. He voted for Fremont worked in the brick yards in that city and also in St. Joseph and Vicksburg.

In the spring of 1856 he returned to Chicago and worked in a brick yard for wages about six years, when he entered into a business venture, starting a brick yard for himself, in the portion of the city known as Goose Island. Five years later he removed to the junction of Elston Avenue and the Chicago & North-Western Rail- road tracks. At this location he conducted a successful business seventeen years, when he was able to retire with an ample fortune to bless his latter days.

Mr. Nusser has always been a public-spirited and enterprising citizen since coming to America, loyal to the interests of the country and doing all in his power to promote all ventures for the

in 1856, and has voted for every Republican presidential candidate since that time. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1872. December 13, 1860, Mr. Nusser was married to Miss Caroline Binzow, who was born February 24, 1844, in Gianzow, Prov- ince of Pommern, Prussia. She is a daughter of Frederick Binzow, who came to Chicago with his family in 1853 and died of cholera in 1854.

Mr. and Mrs. Nusser are the parents of three children: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Reich; Augusta, now Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald; and Frederick, who is married and in the employ of the Deering Company. Mr. Nusser and his family are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they are highly honored by all others of the congregation.

JOHN S. DELSING.

OHN SERVATIUS DELSING, one of the retired of Chicago's once active business men, was born May 13, 1832, in the village of Dingden, Westphalia, Germany. His parents were Hermann and Gertrude ( Bargrafer) Delsing, and the family name was for many genera- tions Barking, the name being a very old one. Hermann Delsing was born in 1804, and died December 26, 1858, at the age of fifty-four years. He kept a family resort and hotel at Dingden and the mother of John S., his first wife, died in 1839, when about thirty years old. Her children were: John S., Bernhardt and Ignatius. Hermann Delsing married for his second wife Christina Terhart, who died November 14, 1866. She was born January 18, 1803, and became the mother of three daughters.

John S. Delsing reached Baltimore, Maryland, in 1852. He was a brush-maker by trade and spent some time at this occupation in that city.

In 1856 he came to Chicago and did some house painting, because there was not much business being done in the making of brushes. In 1858, however, he was employed by Gertz & Lombard, brush manufacturers, and was superintendent of their factory ten years.

He then established a hardware business at No. 282 West Twelfth Street, remaining oc- cupied thus five years. He then went into the bristle business with Gertz & Lombard, on Archer Avenne, near Sanger Street. He was with this firm two years, later being nine years in the bristle business with Armour & Company. He subsequently established a saloon at the south- east corner of Root Street and Wentworth Avenue, which he conducted four years. Since that time he has lived retired. In 1889 he erected a residence at No. 6710 Wabash Avenue, and has since resided at that location.

Mr. Delsing was married in Baltimore August

J. L. STORMS.

30, 1854, to Rosa Unkelbach, daughter of Matthew and Margaret (Unkelbaclı) Unkelbach. Mrs. Delsing was born April 28, 1831, in Bavaria. Her parents, with ten children, emigrated from their native land in 1842, and located in Baltimore, Maryland, and remained there. Her father was a musician and was master of the violin.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Delsing are ac- counted for as follows: Frederick, born April 11, 1856; Charles, August 23, 1858; Mary, February 2, 1861; Katharine, February 19, 1863; Rosa, March 13, 1865; Louise, March 10, 1867; Anna,

Marclı 4, 1869; Minnie, March 3, 1871; Winifred, August 31, 1873; John H., born June 23, 1876, who died at the age of six days; and Harry Leonard, born April 11, 1878.

The Delsings are connected with St. Bernhard's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Delsing is inde- pendent in politics, voting for the men who, in his estimation, are best fitted to fill offices for the interest of the public at large. He is a very con- scientious and high-minded man, and is honored by all who know him, whether in a business or social manner.

JOHN L. STORMS.

OHN LOW STORMS was among the enter- prising and ambitious citizens of Chicago, who, by their own efforts and ideas gained a name and competence worthy of emulation. The name was originally Storm, without the final "s" but the persistency of the people in spelling it as it is now induced the bearers to add the final let- ter in all cases. John Low Storms was christened without the middle name, but to prevent furtlier confusion in getting his mail matter he adopted this for the initial it gave. He was born Febru- ary 25, 1830, in Urquhart, Murrayshire, Scot- land, and was a son of James and Margaret (Brown) Storms. For further ancestry see biog- raphy of James Storms in this work.

J. L. Storms emigrated from his native land after receiving a good education and becoming efficient in the trade of a painter and decorator. He landed in Quebec in May, 1854, and was occu- pied at his trade in that city four months. In the fall he removed to Medinah, Ohio, and in a short time went to Cleveland. He arrived in Chicago in November of the same year and immediately entered the service of Thompson & Alston, re- maining in their employ a year and one-half.

He subsequently took up residence in Lock- port, Illinois, and since this time has been occu- pied by his own interests. He removed his family to that town, but in the spring of 1865 moved back to Cook County and purchased a quarter interest in a tract of ten acres of land in what is now Grand Crossing. He built a residence at the corner of Cottage Grove Avenue and Seventy- third Street, and this house was afterward moved to Langley Avenue, where it still stands.

Mr. Storms opened a decorating establishment at the present location of the Fifty-third Street Station of the Illinois Central Railroad. At this time there were only seven houses in sight of the station (then known as Hyde Park) and those who occupied six of them were Messrs. Bogue, Hibbard, Cornell, Noble, Merrill and Mrs. Waite, who conducted a female seminary. The other building was the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Storms drove to and from his place of busi- ness, which was about three miles from his home, and later took up his residence on Jefferson Ave- nue between Fifty-second and Fifty-third Streets, where he died June 2, 1898. From the fall of the year 1871 to 1875 Mr. Storms kept an establish-

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 5

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