Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 75

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

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Jerome Beecher was born in the town of Rem- sen, Oneida County, New York, January 4, 1818. His first implement for self-help was the intellect-

ual training afforded by the village school, and he was early made familiar with the occupation of his father, mastering all that pertained to the manufacture of leather and its uses. His natural sagacity and shrewdness, with these helps, en- abled him to conduct the large business which he built up in later years, and to manage intricate financial trusts which were placed in his care.

The year 1838 found him in Chicago, whither his father sent him to look after a stock of leather, boots, shoes and findings which had been entrusted to an incompetent or unfaithful agent. He managed this undertaking with such success and found such glowing prospects in the young city that he decided to remain here and engage in business permanently. At that time the center of business clustered about the corner of Lake and LaSalle streets, and his pioneer store was among those forming the group. He shortly set up a tannery, which was destroyed by fire about 1858. During these years, he had grown in wealth with the rapid growth of the city and surrounding country, his industry and integrity bringing him a large trade, which he retained until he de- cided to retire and give attention to his invest-

510

JEROME BEECHER.

ments. His accumulations had been invested in land and improved real estate. With other care- ful investments, these had grown in value beyond his fondest anticipations, and he found himself while yet in vigorous middle life a man of in- dependent means, and at the time of his demise, after more than half a century's residence here, his estate had become very valuable.

He became interested in the gas business as early as 1850, and was made a director in the Chi- cago Gas Liglit & Coke Company. He was in- terested in the Merchants' Savings, Loan & Trust Company, and was one of the purchasers of the Chicago West Division Railroad, of which he was many years a director, in 1863. A recent writer says: "Among the enterprises of his earlier years, for which he should be remembered with grateful regard by those who survive, was his connection as trustee and treasurer with the Graceland Cemetery Improvement Company, ill whose peaceful grounds so many once active in the brisk life of Chicago have found their last resting place."

Mr. Beecher had in his youth attended the worship of the Unitarian society near his home in New York, and he adhered to the faith which he there imbibed throughout his long and useful life. The First Unitarian Society of Chicago was a feeble band, in the third year of its exist- ence, when he came to Chicago, and to liis zealous aid much of its subsequent strengtlı is due. At his decease, after completing more than the allotted years of the scripture, the church pre- pared and had engraved a most beautiful and touching memorial, which was presented to his widow. He was a member of the Calumet Club, whose meetings of old settlers in annual reunion gave him great pleasure. The Old Settlers' As- sociation embraced most of his business and social companions, and he was prominent in its con- duct. Mr. Beecher always endeavored to fulfill the duties of citizenship, but was conspicious in politics only once in his life. This was in the memorable campaign of 1840, when thie Demno- cratic party was overthrown and William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate, elected to the Presidency. Mr. Beecher was a delegate in the

convention which nominated Harrison, and took part in the political meetings held in a log cabin on the north side, near Rush Street bridge.

In his business relations, Mr. Beecher was a man of unspotted integrity, careful and quiet in action, and reticent in speaking of himself or his affairs. One of his favorite methods of benevolent action was the assistance of some worthy man in starting in business, realizing that the truest way to help others is to teach and aid them to help themselves. He loved to gather children and young people about him, and a number were taken into his family and educated. He was es- pecially fond of music, and to his own family con- nections and friends lie was ever generous. His style of living was unostentatious, and his hab- its were simple and domestic. In bearing, he was affable and considerate, and lie always spoke charitably of men, making it a rule never to speak ill of any person.

Four years after his arrival in Chicago, Mr. Beecher took a helpmeet in the person of Miss Mary Warren, daughter of Daniel Warren, whose biography will be found on another page of this book, and she proved in every way a companion to him. Mrs. Beecher's twin sister married Silas B. Cobb, another pioneer leather merchant (see skeech in this work). The sisters so closely resembled each other as to be often mistaken, one for the other.

The first housekeeping experience of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher was in a modest rented house at the corner of Lake Street and Michigan Avenue, and they afterwards built a home on Michigan Ave- nue. The advance of business drove them to several removals until the family homestead at No. 241 Michigan Avenue was constructed. This is one of two or three which escaped the flames in the great fire of 1871, and is almost the sole repre- sentative on the lake front of "old Chicago." Here they dwelt for more than thirty years, and here Mrs. Beecher continues to reside. She is greatly in- terested in benevolent work, and lias been active in promoting several of the most important charities of the city, regarding a fortune as a blessing only in the proportion it is devoted to doing good.

LIBRARY

. OF THE NIVERSITY OF ILL!"

WILLIAM METZGER

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT.)

WILLIAM METZGER.

5II

WILLIAM METZGER.

ILLIAM METZGER .. For more than half a century this worthy pioneer has resided in Chicago, and in that long interval he has drawn to himself many true friends. He was born May 30, 1825, in Langau, near Frank- fort-on-the-Main, Province of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Both his parents, Henry and Margaret Metzger, were natives of the same place and were members of old and highly-respected German families. Henry Metzger kept a meat market and also conducted an inn. The parents died when William was yet a mere boy, leaving a large family, five of whose members became residents of the United States.

The subject of this sketch was the enterprising one who first left his native land and settled in America. The next year he was followed by his sisters, Mary and Katharine, both of whom are now deceased. Hermann arrived in 1850, settled in Burlington, Iowa, and died there many years ago. Adolph resides in Chicago, whither he came in 1853.

William Metzger attended the parish school until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he was obliged to become self-supporting, as the large family was not well provided for, on ac- count of the premature death of the parents. Immediately on leaving school he was appren- ticed to a butcher to learn the trade, and served three and one-half years, after which he con- tinued to work at his trade in Frankfort until 1847.

In May of that year he left home and kindred behind him to seek a fortune in a new and strange land. The native American can realize little of the sorrow and loneliness that beset the foreigner when he first sets foot in a country whose language and customs are nearly altogether new and uncongenial to him. Proceeding down the River Rhine, young Metzger went to Lon- don, England, where he took passage on a sail- ing vessel bound for New York, and spent six tedious weeks on the ocean. The prospect might well dauut a stout heart, but he was determined to make his way, and went first to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he might hear a familiar word and become somewhat accustomed to the ways and language of the country. He arrived there in time to witness the celebration of the nation's birthday; which took place the next day. In October he went to Buffalo, New York, and was employed at his trade there until September of the following year, when he carried out his pur- pose to cast his lot with the growing city of Chicago.

Here he toiled two years in the service of Ellis & Clybourn, the well-known early meat dealers, and then set up a market of his own, on West Randolph Street, having a partner in the person of Frederick Steigele. A short time later, in 1852, they bought out Peter Beygeh, on Market Street, and continued there two years. Mr. Metzger then purchased ground on Canal Street, between Polk and Mather Streets, where he es-

512

A. B. KIRCHHOFF.

tablished himself alone as soon as he could erect a building for the purpose. Here he conducted · a profitable business until 1860, when he re- moved to the corner of Fifteenth and Canal Streets and continued there eight years. This property he rented and established himself in a small packing house on Lumber Street, near Halsted. This he carried on until 1876. In that year he moved his residence to the corner of Lumber and Halsted Streets, where he continued to reside until 1883. At this time he built a house at the corner of Fifty-sixth Street and Kimbark Avenue, and lived in retirement from business six years.

In 1889 he was active in organizing the Chi- cago Brewing Company, and was one of the di- rectors and its president and treasurer five years. At the end of this period he sold his stock in the concern. In 1893 the Valentine Mueller Pack- ing Company was organized at Nos. 502 and 504 Larrabee Street, and Mr. Metzger has been a stockholder in that concern ever since.

He has ever been a shrewd'and energetic busi- ness man, and success has amply rewarded his efforts. Though never a politician in the sense of seeking office, he has frequently made his in- fluence felt in political contests. He is a Re-

publican from principle, and supports a partisan ticket in national affairs, but is independent of any organization in local contests. He is a charter member of Herder Lodge, No. 669, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and was several years its treasurer.

September 22, 1852, at Buffalo, New York, he was married to Miss Katharine Teutsch, a native of Bavaria, having been born February 26, 1836, at Sieferstadt, in the Rhein-Pfalz. Six of their children are living, namely: Mary, wife of Valen- tine Mueller; Anna, now Mrs. W. H. Wallace; Augusta, wife of John W. Popp; Margaret, Mrs. Frederick Handtmann; Charles W. and Emma, still residing with their parents. The family is identified with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mr. Metzger is a thorough American in prin- ciple and has always done his full duty in promot- ing the best interests of the city and state. His business cares have not dulled his nature, and he is still hale and hearty. A man of large stature, of kind heart and genial manners, with well- preserved body and mind, he still holds the friendship of a long and busy business life, and enjoys the respect and kind wishes of all who have been privileged to know him ..

AUGUST B. KIRCHHOFF.

UGUST BERNARD KIRCHHOFF is the son of Henry Kirchhoff, whose biography appears on another page of this volume, and to which the reader is referred for informa- tion.

He has born May 13, 1863; and passed the first twenty-two years of his life at his father's home. He then started out to make his own way in life, bringing to bear the same energy and industry that have marked his subsequent career. His first employment was as a station agent for

the Chicago, Milwaukee & Saint Paul Railway Company at Pingree Grove, Illinois. For five years he discharged the duties of this responsible post with scrupulous fidelity, and for three and one-half years thereafter was at Franklin Park. His next business undertaking was the operation of a printing office on Peoria Street, in partner- ship with D. L. Gill, the firm name being Kirch- hoff & Gill. This venture he abandoned after a year, to accept a clerical position with Morgan & Wright. For twelve months he remained with

513

JOHN HARLEV.

this firm, at the expiration of which period he entered the office of the auditor of the Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Company as clerk, and has continued in the service of that corporation ever since.

He was married January 24, 1887, to Elizabeth Ellen Scoffern, a daughter of Richard Scoffern, of Allen, Michigan. She is a native of England, where she was born March 26, 1866.

Mr. Kirchhoff became a member of the Modern Woodmen of America in 1888, and is also a member of Franklin Park Council, No. 107, Royal League, of Franklin Park. He is scribe of that body, and has held the office ever since its institution.

In politics he is a Republican, and has been treasurer of Franklin Park ever since the organ- ization of that village.

JOHN HARLEV.

OHN HARLEV. "The profession of dent- istry," as Oliver Wendell Holmes has beau- tifully and truthfully said, "has established and prolonged the reign of beauty; it has added to the charms of social intercourse and lent per- fection to the accents of eloquence; it has taken from old age its most unwelcome feature, and lengthened human life far beyond the limits of the years when the toothless and purblind patri- arch might well exclaim, 'I have no pleasure in them.' "

It is of this noble profession that Dr. John Harlev is a distinguished member. He is de- scended from a prominent family of Denmark, in which country he was born June 14, 1858. His grandfather, Jens Harlev, was a teacher and dea -. con and director of church music, and was the father of six sons, of whom five were dragoons and one a musician.

Dr. Harlev's father, Niels Henning Harlev, served as a soldier in three wars-those of 1848, 1851 and 1864. By occupation he was a building contractor, and he erected many mills, as well as numerous churches. He still lives (1900) in the land which he has served so well, in retirement upon a farm; and although eighty years old he yet retains every physical and mental power.

Mrs. Harlev, Senior, whose maiden name was Marie Raven, is also living, in hale and hearty form, at the age of sixty-eight years.

The doctor's boyhood and youth were passed in his native country. Until he reached the age of fourteen years he attended the common schools, and for three years afterward he worked upon a farm. The military blood of his ances- tors, however, coursed through his veins, and he abandoned the plowshare for the accoutrements of a soldier. For two years he was a corporal, and then, trying the examination for promotion to a lieutenancy, he failed to pass. It was this circumstance that led to his voluntary withdrawal from the service, and ultimately to the dental profession gaining an honored member and the United States a valued citizen.

On quitting the army he went to Copenhagen, where for six years he was connected with the police force, and during half that time held a high position in the service. One of his most valued possessions is the written testimonial given him by the department on the occasion of his retirement.

It was at Copenhagen that he studied his pro- fession; attending a dental school there two years, and subsequently practicing in that city

514

PETER HORSLEV.

one year. · In 1890 he came to America, and has since been a resident of Chicago. His first loca- tion here was at the corner of Wallace and Thir- ty-fifth Streets, but after remaining there one year he removed to his present suite of offices at the corner of Halsted and Thirty-fifth Streets.

Since coming to this city he has supplemented his studies in Denmark by eighteen months' at- tendance at lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and by obtaining a degree from the Northwestern Dental College.

Before crossing the ocean he had taken to him- self a wife in the person of Miss Anna Benson, who was born in Norway, and to whom he was married in 1883. Four children have been born to them, only one of whom-Odette-is still living.

Dr. Harlev was formerly a member of "Walhalla," but has severed his connection with that body. He is, however, a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the American Fra- ternal League, Danish Brotherhood and Sister -. hood in America and Royal Arcanum.

PETER HORSLEV.

ETER HORSLEV, a resident of Chicago for fifteen years, was born in Jutland, Den- mark, June 4, 1858. His father, Jens Hors- lev, was a native of Germany, but removed to Denmark at the time of the Revolution. There he married a Danish lady, Marie Petersen, and . reared a family of six children, of whom the sub- ject of this brief sketch is the youngest. The paternal Horslev was by trade a butcher, and died in 1867, in the land of his adoption. His widow survived him thirty years, passing away in 1897.

At the age of fourteen years Peter Horslev left school to enter upon a three years' apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade; and on becoming a journeyman, resolved to see the world. He started out when but a youth of seventeen and traveled over Germany, Austria, Servia, Bulgaria and Roumania, visiting also Silesia and Sweden. His journeyings extended over a period of five and® one-half years, he working at his trade in the many lands through which he passed. Returning to his native country, he remained two years, still working at the bench, and in 1883 he led to the altar his countrywoman, Miss Minnie Ras- mussen. The following year he concluded to try

his fortunes in the Western Hemisphere, and in 1884 sailed for America. He left his wife and infant child behind, and sent for them the next year.

He first went to Detroit, where he worked as a journeyman for some four months; but, not feel- ing satisfied, he came to Chicago. For six years he was an employe, but in 1890 he started in business for himself as a contractor. Seven years later he gave up this pursuit to engage in the sale of tea and coffee, which he still conducts.

Reference has been made to Mr. Horslev's mar- riage in Denmark. His wife bore him five chil- dren, of whom one died in infancy. The names of those living are: Astria, Sorena, Olga and Alma. After twelve years of happy wedded life the mother passed away, and for four years Mr. Horslev remained a widower. In 1899 he took a second wife in the person of Mrs. Emma Bjorn, whose husband, Charles Bjorn, had died eight years before. The second Mrs. Horsley was the mother of four children, Jennie, Amy, Celia and Alvin Bjorn, all of whom live with their mother and step-father.

Mr. Horslev is an active member of the Wal- halla Society, in which he takes an ardent inter-

515

W. S. SCHROEDER.

est. He is at present serving his third term as president of the order, having previously been vice-president. He has also been prominently identified with organized labor in Chicago since the first inovement to secure an eight-hour day, in 1886. For three years he was an officer in Carpenters' Union No. 23, for a year and one-

half a delegate to the Carpenters' Council, and a delegate to the Trade and Labor Assembly for about twelve months. In politics he is affiliated with the Socialist-Labor party, and is president of the company publishing the Arbejderen, a Dan- ish weekly paper published at Chicago in the in- terests of the working people.

WILLIAM S. SCHROEDER.

ILLIAM STEENBERG SCHROEDER, foreman in the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Shops, was born in Middeferry, Denmark, September 23, 1842, and is the son of Frederick William and Elizabeth Schroeder, both of whom died recently in Denmark. Frederick W. Schroeder died in 1894, aged seventy-six years, and his wife in 1898, at the age of eighty- seven years. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters. The sons all came to America. Noble, who reached America in 1866, is a druggist at No. 229 Jackson Park Terrace; William came to America in 1868, and J. C., who came several years later, died in Chicago in 1886.

William S. Schroeder was educated in the schools of his native place. He learned the trade of ship carpenter and made voyages for thirteen years, a part of that time as ship's carpenter, and the remainder as mate, having passed an exami- nation and secured his license for that purpose. His voyages took in nearly all of the world. He sailed three times around Cape of Good Hope, visited the Indies, Mediterranean Sea, California, . Iceland and many other places and was once ship-wrecked off the coast of Finland. In 1868 he shipped at Liverpool, England, as mate in an American sailing vessel, and after landing in New York decided to come to Chicago, where one of his brothers resided.

After sailing on the lakes one summer he en- tered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company in the shops at Chicago. In a few years he was promoted to be assistant fore- man, and later was made foreman in the car- building department, which position he has held about twenty-five years. His long term of serv- ice is the best evidence of his skill as a mechanic and his fidelity to duty.

Mr. Schroeder has a reputation as an inventor, and has patented a number of useful devices. One of the most important is the Chicago car- coupler, patented in 1889, and which is in use all over the Chicago & Northwestern system, as well as on several other roads. Another invention of his is the grain car door, now used on the Chi- cago & Northwestern system, and on other roads.

Mr. Schroeder is interested in fraternity and the teachings of secret societies, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the National Union, and also of the Mutual Aid Association of the company in whose employ he is at the present time. In 1874 he married Annie Melkild, a na- tive of Norway, who came to the United States while yet a child. Of this union two children, Elenor and Charles, have been born. Mrs. Schroeder passed from this life in 1883, sincerely mourned by a host of friends and relatives.

While not taking an active part in politics, Mr. Schroeder has always been sufficiently interested

516

JOHN ESCH.

in public affairs to exercise his franchise in the interest of good government, and though oc- casionally voting for a man of the opposite party, he has generally supported the Republican ticket. He is not a member of any church, but is a man of exemplary habits and exerts is influence in the interests of morality.

His life has been spent during the past quarter

of a century, largely, in devising ways and means by which the life and limbs of his fellow-men might be preserved, and their usefulness aug- mented through the use of his inventions. Truly, of one whose efforts have been crowned with such a measure of success it may be said that he has not lived in vain, and that the world is happier through him.

JOHN ESCH.

OHN ESCH, who has played an important part in developing the agricultural resources of Cook County, but is now retired, was born September 11, 1836, in the village of Schale, province of Westphalia, Germany. His parents were Gerhardt Lambert and Marie (Von Haar) Esch. The father was a prominent citi- zen of the village of Schale, his native place, and carried on an extensive business as a building contractor in that and the neighboring villages. He also owned a fart of forty acres. Of tall stature, weighing about one hundred and eighty pounds, he possessed considerable education and was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He died in the spring of 1845, at the age of sixty-five years, and his body lies buried in his native village.' He had one brother, John Esch, who was also a carpenter. Mrs. Marie Esch was a native of Schale, where she died in 1839, aged about sixty years. Following is the record of her children: 1

Gerhardt Lambert Esclı, born February 14, 1814, died in Leyden, Illinois, December 18, 1891. He was a wagon maker in Germany, re- moved to Illinois in 1842 and settled at Bensen- ville, where he built one of the first wagons made there. He bought eighty acres of land on sec- tion 16, in Leyden Township, for which he paid the Government price of one and one-fourth dol-

lars per acre. Here he built a house, which is still standing. He subsequently purchased twenty acres in section 10, and continued farming until 1889, after which he lived with his brother, John Esch. He was married about the time he pur- chased his first land to Mrs. Mary Lageschulte, who was born in Germany and died in Leyden in 1877.

Annie Esch, born about 1816, married a man named Meier and became the mother of seven daughters. She afterward came to America and died about 1889, being then the wife of Mr. Kluender. Mary Esch also came to this coun- try, married John Kirk, had two children, and lived at Quincy, Illinois, where she died about the beginning of the Civil War. Elsebine Esch remained in Germany, where she married Henry Kuhlenbusch and had three children. Gerhardt Esch learned the carpenter's trade and left home for America at the age of twenty-one years, after which his relatives never heard of him. Katharine emigrated to Quincy, Illinois, where she married and had two children. Both she and her hus- band are dead. Henry Francis Esch died at the age of twenty years, and one other child of his parents died in infancy.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 75

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