Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 70

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

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed. > Part 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1893 it sang at Festival Hall at the World's Fair, with decided success. Mr. Sorensen was also an active member of the Society Dania and still re- tains his membership in the organization.

In 1893 he removed to Chicago, where he was prominent in the founding of the Hejmdal Socie- ty of that city, and was for several years its treas- urer. His first employment here was as driver of a bakery wagon. Later he became the mana- ger of the Danish paper, "Chicago Posten," discharging the duties of the position with great success. July 1, 1894, he opened a store for the sale of confectionery, cigars, tobacco, fancy goods and toys, at No. 4648 Wentworth Avenue, which he still conducts. In 1898 he was made cashier of the Danish People's Association "Fremad," and still holds that post.

Mr. Sorensen is essentially a self-made man. He has never owned a dollar which he has not earned through the labor of either his brain or his hands. He is intelligent, forceful and genial, and these qualities, together with his sterling honesty, have won him the unstinted esteem of his many friends.

WILLIAM M. MILLER.

ILLIAM MOORE MILLER was born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland, April 12, 1832, and is a son of David and Ann (Forbis) Miller. After the death of the fa- ther, in 1804, the mother, with eleven children, came to the United States, crossing the ocean from Londonderry, on the old sailing bark "Lon- donderry." The voyage consumed six weeks' time. The family resided two years at Oswego, New York, and following that two years at Cleveland, Ohio, and then came to Chicago. The mother died here in 1860. Of the eleven chil-

dren, nine sons and two daughters, only five are now living, namely: James, William M., Thomas E., Brice A. and Nancy, widow of William Liton. All reside in Chicago. Andrew, the eldest of the family, was a partner of Edward M. Doolittle, ship builder. They built the first floating docks in the city. After Mr. Doolittle's retirement, the subject of this sketch being a stockholder, the business was incorporated under the title of Mil- ler Brothers, which it still remains.

William M. Miller received his primary educa- tion in Ireland, and after his arrival in the United

476

F. W. VASSMER.

States he attended school in Oswego and Cleve- land. After leaving school he learned the trade of ship carpenter, at which he worked until 1893, when he retired from active life. Previous to the Civil War he. went South and lived at Mobile, spending fifteen years in the South. During the Civil War he was captain of the fire company in Mobile, which rendered him exempt from mili- tary service. He returned to Chicago in 1866, and was foreman of the ship yard and dry docks of Miller Brothers twenty-six years. He has voted with the Republican party since it was organized.

Subsequent to his return from the South in 1866 he bought property on the West Side, at No. 270 West Huron Street and built the first house in the block at a time when it was sur- rounded by prairie.

He is a charter member of Covenant Lodge, No. 526, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, Royal Arch Masons, and St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, Knights Templar, in all of which he is a life member. For

many years he was a member of Union Lodge, No. 9, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1853 he married Miss Avis E. Enholm, a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Capt. Samuel Enholm, a native of the same city. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: Ann, wife of Alexander S. Gairns; Louise B., now Mrs. T. W. Watson; Fanny S .; Avis; Will iam G., of Trenton, Missouri; and May.

This family holds membership in Bethany Congregational Church. Mrs. Miller died Jan- uary 6, 1887, and her remains rest in the cemetery of Rosehill. She was a lady possessed of many virtues, a true, clean spirit, and mourned by a large circle of friends, as well as relatives.

The lessons on fraternity, the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, which Mr. Miller has learned in the religious and fraternal organizations of which he is a member, have borne fruit, as is evident from his practical works. The record of his life shows that industry and economy are not without their reward.

FREDERICK W. VASSMER.

REDERICK WILLIAM VASSMER was born April 23, 1868, at Gehlan, Apenrade, in Schleswig-Holstein, now a part of Ger- many, but formerly belonging to Denmark. His father (also named Frederick William) was a car- penter and contractor, and a native of the same province. The elder Vassmer, however, was born while Schleswig-Holstein was still a Danish possession, and was a soldier in the Danish army in the war of 1864. He died in Gelilau in 1889, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Vassmer's mother was eight years her husband's junior. She also was born in the same place, but died (likewise at the age of fifty-nine) at Chicago, in 1897. To this

couple were born nine children, eight of whom are yet living. F. William Vassmer was the sixth in order of birth.

The first twenty years of his life were passed in and around his birthplace, in attending school and working in various ways, and in 1888 he came to Chicago. His first employment liere was on a farm in Michigan, for which his experience at home had in a measure fitted him. After eight months of this life he returned to this city, to enter the service of the Domestic Sewing Ma- chine Company, becoming in time a salesman. Leaving that concern he became an employe of Siegel, Cooper & Company, with which firm he

477

JOHN CHRISTENSEN.

remained three years, going from there to A. M. Rothschild & Company, where he remained the same length of time. His next venture was to purchase the business of J. C. Hansen, dealer in wines and liquors, at No. 3700 State Street, which he has since conducted.

June 21, 1895, he was married to Miss Marie De Lory, a native of Schleswig-Holstein, like himself, who accompanied her parents to this

country when but two years old. They have two children, a boy named for his father, and a girl, Olivia.

Mr. Vassmer has been for five years secretary of a Danish benevolent society known as Wal- halla, and is treasurer of the Walhalla Hall As- sociation. He is also a member of the Danish Brotherhood. In politics he is independent of partisan affiliation.

JOHN CHRISTENSEN.

? OHN CHRISTENSEN. This well-known Danish gentleman, whom his countrymen esteem and delight to honor, was born May 16, 1860, in Schleswig-Holstein, while that province was still an integral part of the kingdom of Denmark. His father, now dead, was a man of note in the community in which he lived. His name was Johann Christensen, and he was a na- tive of Jutland. He was a maker of willow ware, but also conducted a store for the sale of general merchandise. He was, moreover, an old soldier, having served in the war of 1849-51, and in the struggle between Denmark and Ger- many. Mr. Christensen's mother, whose name was Bodil Skow, is still living in Denmark, at the age of seventy-six years. Of the three sons and one daughter born to this couple all are liv- ing, but only the daughter, Bothildo, remains with her mother in the land which gave them all birth. The boys sought their fortunes in the new world. Perhaps, after all, there may be some truth in the old Scotch couplet "A son's a son till he gets a wife, but a daughter's a daughter a' the days o' her life."

Both of Mr. Christensen's brothers live in Chi- cago. He himself, at the age of seven, went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until he was twenty years old, attending school until

he was fifteen, his educational development al- ternating with work on the farm. For five years after quitting school he continued at farm work, and then determined to emigrate. Others of his countrymen had succeeded in America, why should not he ?

It was in 1881 that he reached Chicago. His first employment was about buildings in the course of erection. Two summers he labored as a farm hand in Minnesota, and, returning to Chi- cago, turned his hand to the first honest toil that presented itself. At the age of twenty-four years he began brick-laying, and his natural aptitude aided him. He worked as a journeyman and foreman until 1893, when he began taking con- tracts in his own name. This line of business he has since continuously followed, his integrity, skill and executive capacity having insured him success. Among other buildings which he has erected may be mentioned his own one and one- half story and basement residence, with pressed brick front, at No. 845 East Sixty-ninth Street.

In 1890 he married Jensinia M. Jensen, by whom he is the father of three daughters, Laura B., Clara M. and Alice C. Mrs. Christensen was born in Jutland, but came to America in 1887, going first to Detroit and settling at Chi- cago in 1889.

478

J. C. HANSEN.

Mr. Christensen takes a deep interest in all that makes for the welfare of the Danish colony in Chicago, and is held in proportionately high re- spect. For the past eight years he has been treasurer of the Walhalla Society, of which he is a charter member, having previously held the post of secretary, besides holding minor offices in'the order. With the exception of one term he has been a director in the Walhalla Hall Associa-

tion ever since its organization. He is also a member and was once president of the South Side Central Committee of the Danish Societies of Chicago. He is also a member of the Masons and Builders' Association.

In the winter of 1887-88 Mr. Christensen paid a visit of some four months to his native land, to see once more his aged mother, his sister and the friends and scenes of his youth.

JES C. HANSEN.

J' ES CHRISTIAN HANSEN has been a dealer in wines and liquors at the corner of resident of Chicago' since the year of the great fire, when he immigrated to this coun- try from Schleswig, where he was born July 2, 1848. At that time Schleswig formed a part of the kingdom of Denmark, and Mr. Hansen rightly considers himself by birtlı a Dane, al- though proud of his American citizenship and his identification with Chicago.

His father, Hans N. Hansen, also a native of Schleswig, died at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving three sons and a daughter. Of these Jes Christian Hansen is the youngest son. His brothers, Hans and Clirist, both reside in the old country, as does also his sister, Cecilie C., who is the wife of Jens Jensen.

After leaving school, at the age of sixteen years, he followed the life of a farmer until, in 1871, he set sail for a land of which he then knew but little, but where he was destined to attain success. The ashes of the conflagration of Oc- tober had been covered by the frosts of December when he reached Chicago and began his life here as a laborer. Bricklayers were in request then, and with his natural aptitude he soon acquired skill at the craft, working at it until 1881. In that year, having accumulated sufficient capital to embark in business for himself, he began as a

Armour Avenue and Thirty-seventh Street, where he carried on a prosperous trade two years. He then removed to the corner of State and Thirty- seventh Streets, and there remained five and one- half years, going from there to No. 226 Clark Street. Six years later he removed to No. 249, in the same thoroughfare, and after two years at that point to the corner of Thirty-seventh and State Streets (his old stand), where he stayed until May 27, 1899. On that date he removed to his present handsome quarters, at the corner of Irving Park Boulevard and Sixty-fourth Ave- nue. Here, in addition to his saloon business, he furnished both warm and cold meals to the visitors to the county institutions at Dunning.

Besides being a member of Court Logan, No. 117, Independent Order of Foresters and Atlas Lodge, No. 26, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mr. Hansen is a director and officer of Walhalla, a Danish benevolent order, a prominent member of the Danish Brotherhood and a member of the Heimdahl singing society. In national politics he is a Republican, but in local issues non-partisan.

He was married May 3, 1873, to Miss Annie M. Jefsen, by whom he has a daughter, Ida K., who lives at home, and a son, Charles, a grad- uate of the Northwestern School of Pharmacy.

LIBRARY OF THE NIVERSITY OF ILLIN

COL. E. D. SWAIN

479

E. D. SWAIN.

EDGAR DENMAN SWAIN, D. D. S.

DGAR DENMAN SWAIN, D. D. S., is en- became Captain of Company I, Forty-second Illi- gaged in the practice of dentistry at the corner of Randolph and State Streets, Chi- cago, and is prominent in both professional and military circles. He was born in Westford, Vt., in August, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Marcus and Charlotte (Woodbury) Swain. On the paternal side he is of Scotch lineage, and on the maternal side is of English descent. The father became a resident of Oshkosh, Wis., in 1857, and during the war he was appointed Surgeon of the Wis- consin Penitentiary at Waupun. About 1878, he removed to Englewood, Ill., and thence to Glen- coe, where his death occurred at the age of sev- enty-nine. His wife died in Waupun, Wis. In their family were four sons and two daughters: Edgar D. of this sketch; Dr. Oliver D., a resi- dent of Chicago; Marcus W., who was killed in a railroad accident in 1862; George A., who died of typhoid fever in the army in the summer of 1863; and Alice M. and Charlotte, both living.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age, and then left home, going to Wor- cester, Mass., where he worked in a machine- shop. He afterward removed to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where, in 1855, he began the study of den- tistry. Two years later he became a resident of Wisconsin and began practice in Oshkosh. Sub- sequently he was engaged in the prosecution of his profession in Aurora, Ill., and in Batavia, Il1.

Mr. Swain watched with interest the progress of events which preceded the Civil War, and after the South had attacked Ft. Sumter, he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. He raised a company, and on the 22d of July, 1861,

nois Infantry. He was afterward promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in October, 1863, and in 1865 was placed in command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps. He served until the close of the war, and took part in many important engagements, including the Fremont campaign in Missouri. His was the first regiment to enter Columbus, Ky., and with his company he took part in the siege of Island No. 10, being largely instrumental in its capture. Under the command of Gen. Polk, he then went to Hamburg, Tenn., and aided in the capture of Corinth. The following summer he was employed in guarding railroads, and in the fall was ordered to report to Gen. Buell, of Nashville, remaining with the command of Gen. Negley in possession of that city during Bragg and Buell's Kentucky campaign. After the cessation of hostilities his regiment was ordered to Texas for duty. Dr. Swain was finally mustered out in Springfield, Il1., on the 12th of January, 1866. He was wounded in the left knee at New Hope Church, Ga., and for three months his injury would not permit him to engage in active service, but he saw nearly all of the important campaigns of the war west of the Alleghany Mountains, and was in twenty-seven engagements.

Dr. Swain's connection with military affairs has since continued, and in army circles he is a leader. In 1877, he became Major of the First Regiment Illinois National Guards, and took part in suppressing the railroad riots of that year. In August he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in December, 1877, was promoted to the rank of Colonel, in which capacity he served for four years,

480

WILLIAM HAHNE.

when he resigned. He has long been a promi- nent member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, served for three years as Commander of George H. Thomas Post, and for two years was Commander of the Department of Illinois. He has also served as Senior Vice-Commander in Chief of the National Encampment, and is a mem- ber of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

After the war, Dr. Swain began the practice of dentistry in Chicago, and for a time was associated with Dr. Cushing, and afterward with-Dr. Noble. Since 1870 he has been alone in practice, and now finds little time for other pursuits. He is an accomplished microscopist and has given much time to the investigation of histology. He was

President of the Chicago Dental Society in 1874. and of the Illinois State Dental Society in 1875. He was also Secretary of the latter for two terms, and was Secretary of the Chicago Octontological Society. At present he is Dean of the dental department in the Northwestern University. The degree of D. D. S. was conferred upon him by the Ohio Dental College in March, 1883.

Dr. Swain was married in 1869 to Miss Clara Smith, who was born in Kane County, Ill., and is a daughter of Benjamin Smith, one of the pio- neers of Chicago. The Doctor is a close observer and careful student, thorough and industrious in all undertakings, and has steadily risen in his profession until he is numbered among the lead- ing dentists of the city.

WILLIAM HAHNE.

ILLIAM HAHNE, a well-known citizen and dealer in agricultural implements in Mattison, Cook County, was born in Han- over, Germany, February 2, 1834, and is one of six children, namely: Emma, Henry, Mary, Frederick Diedrich, William and Louis. Their parents, Diedrich and Marie (Biermann) Hahne, were also natives of Germany. The father died when our subject was about seven years of age, leaving quite an estate to the eldest son, Henry, who was to care for and educate the other mem- bers of the family. With his younger brothers and sisters, therefore, he left his native land and set sail for the New World, landing in Chicago on the 2d of October, 1850.

William Haline acquired his education in the public schools of Germany. At the age of six- teen he was apprenticed for three years to Will- iam Wayman, a wagon and carriage maker of Chicago. After learning his trade, he worked for John Borman and Mr. Whitbeck, both of

Chicago. In 1858 he embarked in business for himself in Elk Grove, Cook County, where he carried on operations as a wagon and carriage- maker until 1862. In that year he came to Mat- tison and continued in the same business, to which in a short time he added a complete line of agri- cultural implements and farm machinery. About the year 1882, on account of failing health, he abandoned wagon and carriage making, but still carries on the other lines, and is now enjoying a prosperous trade, which is the sure reward of un- tiring energy and straightforward business prin- ciples.

Mr. Hahne was married in the summer of 1858 to Sophia L. Shumacher, daughter of John Shu- macher, a native of Germany. She was born in the same country in 1836. Their children are: John Frederick Henry, who was born in Elk Grove, Cook County, Ill., June 11, 1859, and died January 23, 1865; Dora Maria Berthe, who was born in Elk Grove, Cook County, Il1., Septem-

481

NORMAN REXFORD.

ber 21, 1860, and is now the wife of William H. Depke, a grocer of Danville, Ill .; Henrietta D. Marie Emma, boru in Elk Grove April 18, 1862, the wife of Fred Utermark, proprietor of the Mat- tison House, of Mattison, Cook County, Ill .; Marie Caroline, who was born in Mattison, and is the wife of Henry Tueachman, a cigar manu- facturer of Chicago Heights; Willemine Dorethea Mathilda, who was born in Mattison, March 11, 1866, and is the wife of Frank Kort, a baker of Dalton, Ill .; Diedrich William F., who was born in Mattison, November 12, 1867, and is a grocer of Danville, Ill .; Henry Carl George, who was born January 18, 1870, and died October 12, 1880; H. Gus Louis, who was born January 23, 1873, and died December 18, 1874; Caroline Marie Sophia, born in Mattison, February 3, 1874; Anna Sophia Dorthe, born October 23, 1876; and Amanda Marie W. C., born in Matti- son, January 12, 1883. The last three are at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Hahne are members of the Ger- man Lutheran Church, and have educated their children in that faith, and have also given them a thorough English education. Mr. Hahne has ever been a liberal contributor to the support of the church. His education was acquired in the schools of the Fatherland when quite young, but

although he never attended the public schools after coming to America, by observation and close application, he has acquired a good knowledge of English. He is an ardent supporter of our pub- lic-school system, and his influence has been thrown into every educational movement. To him more than to any other citizen of Mattison is the public indebted for ten months school in each year, not only in the public, but also in the paro- chial schools. As Director or Township Treas- urer, he has served almost continuously since his arrival in Rich Township.

On the 22d of October, 1856, Mr. Hahne re- ceived his naturalization papers, and in the fol- lowing November he cast his first vote. He has always been a stanch Republican, holding firmly to the principles upon which the organization of this party was based. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the long period of twenty- five years, that of Notary Public for twelve years, and President of the Village Board of Trustees for four years. To the performance of his duties he has brought an intelligent mind and the right idea of the practicability of a movement. He is true to every trust, and his public and private life are alike above reproach. Happy in a promis- ing family, he has become the possessor of a rep- utation for unsullied integrity of character.

NORMAN REXFORD.

ORMAN REXFORD, deceased, the first permanent settler of Blue Island, and for many years one of its most prominent citi- zens, will be long remembered among the pioneers of northern Illinois for his hospitality and kindly manner. Mr. Rexford was born in Charlotte, Vt., June 4, 1802, and died at Blue Island, March 28, 1883. He was a son of Benajah and Zeruia (Squire) Rexford, who had six children: Ste-

phen, Norman, Isabel (Mrs. Fayette Dickson), Heber S., Elsie Ann (Mrs. Cooley) and Ruth, who died in childhood. Benajah Rexford was born in Wallingford, Conn., June 23, 1780, and died at Westfield, N. Y., March 25, 1862. His second wife, Roxana Ayer, of Stanstead, Conn., bore him six children: Wilder A., Betsy L. (Mrs. Daniel Morse), Olive H. (Mrs. Isaac Relf), Louisa A. (Mrs. Thaddeus Ayer), So-

NORMAN REXFORD.

phronia H. (Mrs. L. Harmon) and Thomas Ayer.

Benajah Rexford represented the fifth genera- tion of his family in America, being descended from Arthur Rexford, an English ship-master, who was married at New Haven, Conn., Septem- ber 3, 1702, to Elizabeth Stevens. Their eldest son was also named Arthur, and his first wife, Jemima, bore him eight children, one of whom, named Benjamin, served in the Continental army. He married Esther Hall, and they had eleven children, the eldest, Benjamin, being also a Rev- olutionary soldier. The latter married Catherine Rice, and Benajah was the eldest of their six children.

Norman Rexford removed while a young man to Ripley, Chantauqua County, N. Y., where he was married, January 10, 1828, to Julia Wattles, daughter of Chandler and Diana (Murray) Wat- tles. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Rexford re- moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., and thence, in 1835, he drove by team to Chicago, arriving on the 5th day of June. He first located at Bachelor's Grove, Cook County, where his brother Stephen had preceded him in 1833. A few months later, Norman Rexford located at Long Wood, near the north end of "the island," where he kept tavern in a log cabin of four rooms. In November, 1836, he removed to the present village of Blue Island. A small log cabin had been erected the previous year by a man named Courtney. This was a rude structure, only 12x15 feet, without floor, and was the only building within the present limits of the village. Mr. Rexford proceeded to build a hewed frame building for a hotel. This was sided with boards drawn by team from Pine Creek, Ind., over one hundred miles distant, the lumber cost- ing $40 per thousand. The building stood on the east side of Western Avenue, at the top of the bluff, on or near the site of the present post-office. As the country was rapidly filling up with emigrants, this hotel was well patronized. It was after- wards enlarged, and continued to be a landmark until 1858, when it was destroyed by fire. It was known as the Blue Island House. Many a social gathering was held therein, and many of the pio- neers of Chicago and other points twenty or thirty

miles distant often drove thither to trip "the light fantastic" upon its floor. The fun was frequently continued until morning, many of the guests re- maining to breakfast before departing for their homes. In the spring of the year the prairie roads were often almost impassable. It was cus- tomary with Mr. Rexford to hang beacon lights in the upper windows of the house on dark nights, as a guide to all belated travelers who might be struggling through the mire or the severe storms of winter.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 70

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