Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 53

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

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361

JOHN COLBY.

whom he remained several years, during which time he learned the trade of plasterer. By 1869 he had accumulated enough capital and formed a sufficiently wide circle of acquaintances to fully justify his bidding on contracts in his own name. His success equalled his hope, and for several years he was, extensively engaged in building operations, besides being for sixteen years inter- ested in the manufacture of brick. He still takes contracts, although putting forth no especial effort to receive them.

Mr. Toll was for twenty-one years a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and was at one time an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also connected

with the Harugari Turner and Singing Societies. While not a member of any church, he is a Christian in his life, regulating his conduct by the principle inculcated in that wisest and most far-reaching of all maxims, the Golden Rule- "Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you." In both business and social rela- tions he is just, generous, affable and true; loved by his family and friends, and commanding the respect even of those who do not call themselves his friends.

October 24, 1868, he married Augusta Schultze, a German maiden, and a daughter of Mr. Joachim ·Schultze. Mr. and Mrs. Toll have one daughter, Agnes, a teacher in the public schools.

JOHN COLBY.

OHN COLBY, one of Chicago's enterprising and successful business men, is a member of the firm of Colby Brothers, proprietors of a grocery and meat market at No. 1200 Fifty-ninth street, with a branch establishment at No. 6757 South Halsted Street. His partner is his brother, Martin Colby. Both are young, energetic and prosperous; both were born at Aalborg, Den- mark; and both have climbed the ladder of suc- cess by unwearied effort and patient toil. A biographical sketch of Martin Colby may be found on another page of this volume. John Colby first opened his eyes on March 23, in the year 1865.

His father, Christian Kjolbe, was a farmer and a patriot, having served as a sergeant in the strug- gle between his country and Germany in 1848-50. He died, deeply mourned, in his native land, after reaching the age of about seventy-two years. He was a man who enjoyed the heartfelt respect of his fellow-citizens, which they mani- fested by electing him to the important office of

alderman, a post which, in Denmark, is free from the scandals which too frequently attach to it in American cities. His wife was Maren Jen- sen, whose father was also active in public affairs. She was born in 1831, and is still living. Four children were born to them: John; Martin; Paul, a clerk for his brothers; and Maria, who married Jens Hansen, of Aalborg, where she and her husband are yet living.

John Colby left Denmark at the age of twenty- four years and, on reaching this country, pro- ceeded at once to Chicago. He had attended the public schools until he was fifteen years old, had worked as a farm hand four years, and had done four years' service in the King's Life Guard, in which body he rose from the ranks to hold the position of sergeant.

It was in 1889 that he crossed the Atlantic, and his first work was upon a farm in Boone County, Illinois. After ten months of this em- ployment he returned to Chicago, and for four years was a coachinan, being successively em-

362

L. D. HANN.

ployed by Albert B. Strong, J. A. Till and Milton R. Wood. In 1894 he opened a grocery and meat market at No. 1201 Fifty-ninth Street, and two years later removed to his present loca- tion, across the street. His brother, Martin, as has been already said, is his partner. Their trade grew steadily, and in 1897 they opened their Halsted Street branch store.

In 1893, while the World's Fair was monopo-

lizing the thoughts of thousands, John Colby quietly returned to Denmark to marry the maiden to whom his troth had been pledged, Anna An- dersen. Two children have been born to them, Artlıur and Eaton. Mr. Colby is a member of the Danish Brotherhood, No. 35, and is well known among the Danish-Americans of Chicago, by whom he is held in high esteem for his ster- ling qualities of mind and heart.

LUDWIG D. HANN.

UDWIG DIEDRICH HANN, one of the widest known and most successful farmers of Cook County, was born in the village of Landensburg, in the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, April 23, 1823. His parents were Fred- erick and Dorothea (Koenemann) Hann. The former was a son of Frederick, who served in the German army and afterward bought a farm of forty acres which passed to the son. His wife was Dorothea Sieling and their children were named in order of birth: Henrietta, Frederick, Henry Ernst and Louisa. All but the eldest son remained in the Fatherland.

Frederick Hann, Junior, also served three years in the German army and then took posses- sion of the home farm. His wife, Dorothea, was a daughter of Ernst and Susannah (Hillman) Koenemann, who were neighboring farmers, and had the following children: Sophie, Diedrich, Henry, Dorothea, Elizabeth, Frederick and Min- nie. Frederick and Dorothea Hann had two children, the subject of this notice and a daugh- ter, Minnie, born in 1824, who died in 1842.

The family immigrated to America in 1844, the son having spent some time there previously. The latter had looked over various sections in the hope of finding suitable agricultural land. Frederick Hann was favorably impressed with

the land in Leyden Township, and there settled on section 31, remaining there until his death, in 1872, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife followed in 1873, aged eighty-three years. He was a very active, vigorous man, though he weighed but one hundred and thirty pounds. He was a very active member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Ludwig D. Hann, whose name heads this notice, possessed the energetic temperament com- mon to the family, and when but eighteen years of age, started out alone to see the wonders of the New World. He left Germany in the ship "Paulina," Captain Schilling in command, and arrived in New York August 17, 1841, having been forty-six days on the water. On the same ship was Henry Boesenberg, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Hann proceeded to Chicago and for a time worked for a distilling company. In 1843 he went to Germany and returned the following year with his parents. He was best suited with the land in the Town of Leyden and purchased at once one hundred and sixty acres in section 31, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Later he secured an adjoining quarter in section 32. He subsequently sold part of his holdings and now owns two hundred acres. The original farm required a vast amount of work to

363

WILLIAM VOELKER.

bring it to a high state of productiveness, but it was eventually improved and the remaining tract is a most valuable piece of property. At first there was no dwelling and a small farm house was the first necessity. In 1873 Mr. Hann erected a fine residence at an expense of seven thousand dol- lars, but it was destroyed by fire four years later and he rebuilt it at once. Besides carrying on general farming he conducted a large milk route in Chicago for several years. As a farmer he was very successful and secured excellent financial results. His honesty and integrity are well known and he is held in great respect by all his fellow-men. His trust in the honesty of his business associates led to his only unfortunate business venture. He entered a brewery business with one Louis Rhodemeier and was swindled out of forty thousand dollars. In the year 1893 he retired from active farming and resides in the village of Harlem, where he owns houses at Nos. 29, 31 and 33 Ferdinand Avenue. He has also five lots and a house at the corner of Lake Street and Twentieth Avenue, Melrose Park, and twenty acres of woodland adjoining Division Street, in River Forest.

August 24, 1845, Mr. Hann was married to Wilhelmina Dorothea Kothe, daughter of Died- rich and Elizabeth (Dierks) Kothe, who was born April 22, 1830, in Seppenhausen, kingdom of Hanover, Germany. She came to America the year of her marriage. Their children were

as follows: Sophia Wilhelmina Louisa, born Au- gust 1, 1848, died September 26, 1893. She was the wife of Herman Knauer, the piano manu- facturer of Chicago, who died November 24, 1897.

August Henry Diedrich Frederick, born De- · cember 24, 1849, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Matilda, born March 8, 1852, married Charles H. Boesenberg, of whom there is a biog- raphy in this volume. Emily Minnie Dorothea Jane Marie, born December 9, 1853, and died March 4, 1864. Ernst Ludwig Christian, bap- tized May 13, 1855, died April 3, 1864. Theodore Edward Adam Werner, born August 15, 1860, died April 6, 1862. Rosa Johannah Wilhelmina, born January 8, 1857, married John Gaden, of whom a sketch will be found on another page. Ludwig was born October 27, 1858. Johann Henry William, born July 7, 1862, died at the age of one year. Lena Elizabeth Wilhelmina Louisa, born August 25, 1864, died April 6, 1865. Frederick Henry John Philip is mentioned else- where in this book. Clara Dorothea Carolina, born November 15, 1867, was baptized April 13, 1868. She married Preston Lewis and died May 2, 1895. Edmund Henry Charles is the subject of a notice in this volume, as is also the youngest son, Herman Henry Diedrich.

Mr. and Mrs. Hann are spending their declin- ing years in comfort well earned by a long period of activity. They are a genial, hospitable couple and have a host of loving friends.

WILLIAM VOELKER.

ILLIAM VOELKER is one of the oldest upholsterers in Chicago, of which city he has been a resident forty-six years. In- deed it is doubtful whether any workman in the trade has worked thereat for so many years, con- secutively, as he. He was born March 10, 1840,

in Rockwitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, his parents being Ernst and Hannah Voelker, who emigrated from Germany to America with four children in 1853. Nine weeks were con- sumed in the passage from Hamburg to New York, from which point the father, mother,

364

SMITH PETERSEN.

daughter and three sons at once set forth for Chicago, where they arrived in the month of November.

The elder Voelker was a laborer and died of cholera during the epidemic of 1854. Some years later his widow also died, and their daugh- ter, Carrie, has also passed away. The three sons, Ernst, William and Christoph, are the sole survivors of the little family. Ernst resides at No. 4107 South Artesian Avenue, and a brief biographical sketch of Christoph may be found on another page. All are substantial, upright, public-spirited citizens and men held in high repute.

Mr. Voelker received his education at the par- ish school of his native village, and attended pub- lic school at Chicago during one winter. These were but meager advantages, yet through mak- ing the best possible use of the opportunities af- forded him, he was able to lay a good foundation which stood him in good stead in after life. When he had reached the age of fourteen years he began his apprenticeship of three years at the

upholstery trade with C. Morgan, and since the end of that period of service has worked at his trade constantly as a journeyman. During these four decades he has lived in the West Division, with the exception of five years, and through his industrious, temperate, economical habits he has become an owner of valuable real estate in that section of the city.

Mr. Voelker is a Republican, although he has never been an aspirant for any office. He was for some time a member of the Knights of Honor, and has been for many years a member of the Order of Druids. He is now associated with the United States Legion. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, and although not himself a mem- ber of any church, his family attends Saint Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

February 18, 1860, he married Ernestine Schelke, who like himself had emigrated from Germany. They have eight children: William E .; Rose, wife of Oscar Goebel; Henry; Louis; Edwin; Emma, Mrs. John Schiffman; Frank and Lillie.

SMITH PETERSEN.

MITH PETERSEN. Born in Jutland, Aug- ust 29, 1861, Mr. Petersen became a resi- dent of Chicago in 1882, and during the past seventeen years has been a respected citizen of the western metropolis. Carl Petersen, his father, was a carpenter. He died in 1864, at the age of forty-two, while still engaged in the active following of his trade. Mrs. Petersen, Senior, was Margaret Andersen. She died in Denmark at the same age as her husband. They were the parents of ten children, but of these only four are yet living, Smith having been the fourth in order of birth.

The common schools of his native village af- forded him all the education which he received until he was fourteen years of age. After quit- ting school he served an apprenticeship of four years at the tinner's trade, and on becoming a journeyman he started out to see more of the world than was bounded by the horizon of Den- mark. For two and one-half years he traveled, working at his trade at Cassel, Leipsic and Brunswick.

In 1882, partly through love of adventure and partly in hope of bettering his fortunes, he set sail for the United States. The first six months

365

JOHN WEST.

of his residence in this country were spent in La Salle, Illinois, and then he came to Chicago. He readily found employment here at his trade, as a journeyman, and for a period of five years he was content to labor for a daily stipend, saving little by little, with his eye steadily fixed upon the future.

Certainly in this case there resulted no loss from waiting, since at the end of this period lie was able to open a place of his own at No. 3958 Dearborn Street, where he has conducted business ever since.

Through industry, integrity and sound judg- ment, his business· has steadily grown, until he

has become one of the most successful business men in this section of the city. To his business as a tinner he has added the sale of stoves, ranges and hardware, and his establishment has become a recognized feature among his neighbors within a mile's radius.

In 1885 he married Miss Kate Hebner, a native of Germany. They have no children. Mr. Petersen has been prominently identified with the Walhalla Society for more than eight years. He is also a member of Waldeck Lodge No. 674, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Gar- den City Lodge No. 389, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN WEST.

OHN WEST is a successful merchant at No. 241 Thirty-first Street, at which location he conducts an establishment for the sale of feed. He was born near Wester Marie, on the island of Bornholm, in the kingdom of Denmark, November 19, 1850. His baptismal name was Hans, but since his becoming a resident of Amier- ica this has been transformed into John. His parents were Johan and Anna (Nielsen) West. His father was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen in the locality in which he lived; a farmer by occupation, and a lieutenant in that corps in the standing army stationed in the island of Bornholm. He died at the age of fifty-eight years, at the home of his ancestors, being able to trace his lineage, in an unbroken line, to the year 1400. Mr. West's mother, a native of the same place, is still (1899) living, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years.

. To this couple were born eleven children, seven of whom reached maturity. Hans, or John, is the ninth in order of birth. In his boy- hood he attended the public schools, becoming

well grounded in those branches which lie at the basis of a practical education. For a period of four years after leaving school he worked on a farm, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon a1 apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, but two years later resolved to seek his fortune in the New World.

In 1872 he emigrated to America, coming at once to Chicago. On reaching this city be found that his mechanical skill stood him in good stead, and for two and one-half years he found employ- ment as a carpenter. At the end of that time he secured a position as coachman, which he re- tained until 1889. By that time he had, through industry, sobriety and thrift, accumulated enough means to enable him to embark in a business venture on his own1 account. He formed a partnership with Mr. M. H. Madsen, and the firm opened a feed store on the same premises which he now occupies. In the year 1899 Mr. West purchased his partner's inter- est, and has since then conducted the business alone.

366

H. C. PAULSEN.

In 1888, at Chicago, he married Carrie Eber- hard, who was born in Cleveland, and is of Ger- man descent. The issue of this union has been three children-John, Carl W. and Grace Mar- garet, the latter born in 1896. All were born at Chicago. Mr. West is a member of Logan

Lodge, No. 113, Independent Order of Foresters. He has been a successful business man, and his success is attributable solely to those qualities of mind, no less than that energy of will and per- severance in purpose, which have ever been his chief characteristics.

HANS C. PAULSEN.

ANS CHRISTIAN PAULSEN is now in his seventy-third year, and for more than a quarter of a century he has been a resident of Chicago, having taken up his residence here the year following the great fire. His career since coming here affords a striking illustration of what may be accomplished by industry and thrift, when joined to perseverance and integrity. The story of his life is full of interest.

He was born March 24, 1827, in Karllum, Schleswig-Holstein, then a part of Denmark, the eldest of the three sons born to Sonder Paulsen, a laborer. After leaving school at the age of fif- teen years he went to work as a farm laborer, and remained in the country of his birth until he was a mau of forty-five years, when he grew dis- satisfied with his conditions and prospects and determined to brave all the uncertainties attend- ing a life in an untried land.

Before leaving Denmark, however, he was twice married. His first wife was Marie Knud- sen, who bore him three sons and two daughters -Johanna, Hans, Anna, Hans and Cenke. The first Hans died when two years old. After the death of the mother he married Celia Kalmar. His second union was blessed with seven children -Anna, Katie, Jennie, Christian and Charles (twins), Minnie and Alice.

As has been already said, Mr. Paulsen came to Chicago in 1872. He began his American life in the humble walk of a hod carrier. He also

worked as a common laborer in factories and at the Stock Yards. Yet he was hard-working and prudent and little by little saved money. He de- termined to engage in business for himself, and his first venture was in keeping a saloon at the corner of State and Thirty-seventh Streets. He did not find this occupation congenial, and in four months sold out his place and opened a meat market. This he conducted three years, when he disposed of it and began business afresh as a dealer in milk at No. 4036 Armour Avenue. He continued in this line of trade for a number of years, when advancing age, considered in con- nection with the fact that he had already secured a competence, induced him to retire. He still lives at his "old stand" in Armour Avenue, es- teemed by his neighbors and best liked by those who knew him best.

While not wealthy, he has through his own ef- forts achieved a handsome independence. In ad- dition to some unimproved property at the cor- ner of Ashland Avenue and Sixty-fourth Street,. he also owns three desirably situated, two-story frame buildings, which afford an income.

In religious faith Mr. Paulsen and family ad- here to the teachings of the Lutheran Church. In politics he supports the Democratic party.

All his surviving children have their residence in Chicago and in his declining years he is solaced alike by their affection and by the memories of a well-spent life.

367

A. H. DARROW.

ALEXANDER H. DARROW.

LEXANDER HAMILTON DARROW is one of those gallant men, now residing in Chicago, who cheerfully gave their time and services in defense of the Union when treason threatened its destruction. Though he spent about three years with the Federal army, and was exposed to constant dangers, he has never applied for a pension nor received aught for his services except the regular pay of all volunteers.

His progenitors for more than a century past had been conspicuous for their patriotism and disinterested public spirit. The Darrow family is of English origin, and was one of the earliest to locate in Rochester, New York. John Dar- row, grandfather of Alexander, who was a black- smith by trade, while a young man helped to forge an immense chain which was stretched across the Hudson River to impede the passage up that stream of British war vessels. James, the son of John Darrow, settled on a farm in Orleans Coun- ty, New York, which he cleared of the primitive forest. About 1856 he removed thence to Clar- endon, Calhoun County, Michigan, where his death occurred in 1884, when nearly eighty-four years of age. His wife, Mary Milliken, died there in 1880, at the age of seventy-five years. She was born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, and represented one of the earliest families of that commonwealth. Her grandfather participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Milliken, who is well remembered by the subject of this sketch, lived to the age of ninety- seven years, her death occurring in Clarendon, New York. Alexander Milliken, a son of this couple and the father of Mrs. Darrow, became an

influential farmer in western New York. His wife, Sally Nay, was a daughter of a Continental soldier who also fought at Bunker Hill. Mr. and Mrs. James Darrow were devout Presbyterians, and were distinguished for their devotion to prin- ciple. Their children were: Elizabeth, Mrs. A. C. Hopkins, of Homer, Michigan; Charles E., now a business man of Chicago; Russell; Alvira, Mrs. I. L. Winn, also of Chicago; Alexander H .; Sally Ann, Mrs. L. A. Harris, of Marshall, Michigan; James Henry; and John H. The last two are engaged in mercantile business at Homer, Michigan. All the members of this fam- ily are still living except Russell T., who enlisted in 1861 in Company M, Second Michigan Caval- ry, and for his gallantry was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. The three years' term for which he enlisted had expired, and he was offered a Major's commission as an inducement to re-enlist. This he declined, but volunteered to remain with his company for a few days, and dur- ing this time he was killed at the battle of Frank- lin, Tennessee. James Darrow had been a con- servative Whig, as opposed to the Abolition wing of his party, but upon the outbreak of hostilities between the South and the North became a stanch supporter of the Government, and three of his sons, Russell T., Alexander H. and James H., became soldiers in its defense.

Alexander H. Darrow was born at Clarendon, Orlearns County, New York, November 20, 1841, and was educated at an academy at Holley, New York, and another at Homer, Michigan. In August, 1862, he enlisted and was assigned to Company M, of General Sheridan's old regiment,

368

A. H. DARROW.

the Second Michigan cavalry. This regiment was employed on the skirmish line at Rienzi, Mississippi, when he joined it as a recruit, and for the next year aud a-half he was almost con- stantly engaged in that line of duty. At the end of that period he was detailed as military book- keeper under Gen. Sooy Smith, Chief of Cavalry on General Grant's staff, with headquarters at Nashville, Tennessee. When General Sherman succeeded to the command of this army, he con- tinued in the same capacity, but, having been granted a furlough at the time of the memorable march to the sea, he did not accompany that ex- pedition. Upon his return from furlough he was stationed at Louisville until the close of the war.

During the first part of his service, Mr. Darrow helped to form a detail of two hundred and fifty cavalrymen which escorted a wagon train loaded with supplies for the army from Gallatin, Ten- nessee, to Cave City, Kentucky. Upon arriving at Glasgow, toward evening, he and his comrades who composed the advance guard were surprised to find the town occupied by General Morgan with about six thousand Confederate cavalry. After a hurried consultation, the little band of Federals determined to charge the enemy, and attempt to run their wagons through the town, a design which was quickly and successfully car- ried out. They had no more than passed the out- skirts of the city, however, before the enemy recovered from their surprise and confusion, and, discovering the weakness of the wagon escort, fiercely pursued the train along the road to Cave City, to which point it escaped under cover of a re- lief party sent to its rescue, though about fifty Federals were captured. Mr. Darrow had his clothes riddled with bullets during the first charge, but escaped without wounds. He became sepa- rated from his command, and his horse, which was lame, stumbled and fell, throwing him heav- ily to the ground. This accident caused a tem- porary lameness, which prevented his escaping on foot, and he was captured and marched back to Glasgow. During the excitement and confusion of the evening, he managed to elude his guards and, under cover of the darkness, he made his way out of town and reached a farmhouse, where

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 53

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