Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 76

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

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John Esch is the youngest of the family. He received the benefit of the educational advantages afforded by his native village and at the early age

517

A. C. RICHELSEN.

of fifteen years resolved to emigrate to America, where his elder brother had already established himself. The latter, being without children, desired his younger brother to join him in his American home. In company with a friend, Frederick Frei, John Esch left Germany in March, 1852, and finished a long ocean voyage at New Orleans May 15 following. Proceeding direct to Leyden he made his home with his brother until 1859, when he married and settled on a farm of forty acres. From 1857 to 1870 he operated a threshing machine, with considerable profit. By gradual purchases he acquired a valuable farming property, comprising ninety acres in section 35, twenty-four acres in section 36 and sixty acres at Manheim, all in the town of Leyden. He built a house on section 35 in 1854, the work being done by Christoph Weiss. This was repaired and enlarged from time to time, and in 1885 a new residence was erected. · Mr. Esch carried on extensive farming opera- tions until 1895, when he gave the responsibilities and labors into younger hands and purchased a handsome residence at No. 215 Chicago Ave- nue, Oak Park, where he has since resided. He has ever been a valued member of the Evangelical Church, and has always enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He has taken a deep interest in education, and was school trustee for a period of nine years. In political questions he adheres to the principles promulgated by the Republican party.

March 9, 1859, Mr. Esch was married to Miss Loretta Ernestine Weiss, who was born Novem-

ber 4, 1840, in Goldlauder, Germany, and died February 21, 1876, in Leyden. Her body was first buried at Elgin, but was later removed to Forest Home Cemetery. She was a daughter of Christoph and Mary Weiss, who emigrated to America about 1853.

To John and Loretta Eschi were born the fol- lowing children: February 29, 1860, Amelia, now Mrs. Frank Robinson, residing at the corner of Chicago and Sixty-fourth Avenues, Oak Park; September 8, 1861, Henry Samuel, who died Oc. tober 9, 1879; November 17, 1863, John William, who married Emily Bessler and resides on the family homestead in Leyden; March 16, 1866, George Frederick, who died March 17, 1895; July 6, 1868, Louis Franklin, now a farmer in Clay County, Nebraska, who married Ida May Newmann and has a son, Forest C. Esch; Octo- ber 19, 1872, Heinrich Herman, now residing with his brother on the old farm; August 4, 1875, Loretta Marie, who died October 2, 1876.

Mr. Esch was wedded a second time August 15, 1876, to Mary Rech, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Schlierbach) Rech. Mrs. Esch was born October 4, 1854, in the village of Bie- ber, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. She came to America in 1864, with her parents, who now're- side in Elgin, Illinois. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Esch, as follows: Hattie Lillian, September 21, 1877; Edna Winona, Jan- uary 19, 1879; Bertha Elizabeth Amelia, No- vember 12, 1880; Willis Carl, August 13, 1882; Frank Rech, November 23, 1883; and Emil Ed- ward, June 6, 1887.

ANTON C. RICHELSEN.

A NTON CARL RICHELSEN is one of those yet in the flush of early manhood, who have blazed their own path through the woods with the axe whetted by industry, integrity and

perseverance. He was born April 19, 1868, at Jyndevadt, in the Province of Schleswig, Ger- many, where the language, antecedents and character of the people are still essentially Dan-

518

E. C. BUNCK.

ish. His parents-Peter and Johanna M. (Jo- hansen) Richelsen-are still living, the father being engaged in farming and also doing a mer- cantile business.

A. C. Richelsen is the second in a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. He remained at home until he was eleven years of age, and then continued to work for neighboring farmers until he attained his majority. He re- ceived instruction in a parochial school until six- teen years old, and entered the army, in accord- ance with German usage, November 7, 1890. He was called to Altona, Hamburg, to join the Third Company, First Thyringschen Infantry Regiment, No. 31, in which he served two years.

During the second year of his service a cholera epidemic raged at Hamburg, and the troops were sent to the barracks at Lokstadtlaga. Here they were drilled two weeks, when they were ov- ertaken by the epidemic, which swept away one and one-half regiments. They were then moved to Mecklenburg, where they remained seven weeks. Soon after this time Mr. Richelsen, with twenty-one others, was discharged from the service with honor, having reduced their term from three to two years by good behavior. Mr. Richelsen beat the company snare drum during

his term, receiving the distinctions belonging to that function. He left the army September 15, 1892, and remained at home with his parents about three months, meantime working on the farm.

In the early part of January, 1893, he bade adieu to home and friends and set out for Chi- cago. Here he worked about two years at vari- ous occupations and then went to Grundy Coun- ty, Illinois, where he continued two years in the service of a farmer named Frank Holroyd. Re- turning to Chicago about the first of December, 1896, he was married here on the fifteenth day of that month to Miss Sorine M. Jensen, a Danislı lady by birth, who has since performed the part of a faithful wife and helpmeet. In the following spring he went to work as a teamster and contin- ued four months, at the end of which time he purchased a team and began business on his own account. Two years later he added another teanı and wagon, and is doing a successful and grow- ing teaming business, with headquarters at lis residence, No. 2623 Shields Avenue.

Mr. Richelsen has been a member of the Wal- halla Society since coming to this city. He has a wide circle of acquaintances and is esteemed as a faithful friend, an honest man and an upright citizen.

EDWARD C. BUNCK.

DWARD CHRISTIAN BUNCK first op- ened his eyes in the northern part of Den- mark, at a place called Thisted, May 18, 1871. Ifis father was a keeper of a restaurant and was widely known and highly respected. He had served in the war with Germany in 1864, and the veterans of that memorable struggle were held in reverence. Mr. Bunck's mother was, be- fore marriage, Helene Petersen. She died in

1876. He has a sister older and a brother younger than himself, and these three comprise the family.

At the age of sixteen years Edward C. Bunck had completed the course of training prescribed in the Danish common schools, and was appren- ticed to learn the trade of a painter. The three years of his service having been completed, he at once emigrated to the United States, coming di-

519

G. W. HANNIS.

rectly to Chicago. He reached this city June 5, 1891. His trade, his industry, his ambition and his grit constituted by far the greater part of his available capital. He also had seven dollars in cash. He immediately sought and obtained work as a journeyman.

Four years were enough for him to acquire sufficient acquaintance with the language, cus- toms and business methods of the people of a strange land to enable him to go into business with a slender capital, which temperance and thrift had enabled him to slightly augment. In 1895 he struck out on his own account and has since then been constantly prosperous, each year seeing his efforts rewarded by fresh success. In busy seasons he employs about ten men.

He opened his first shop at No. 449 Monticello Avenue. Some eighteen months later he re-

moved to the corner of Forty-seventh Street and Calumet Avenue. There he remained until 1899, when he established himself at his present location, No. 4648 Calumet Avenue.

Mr. Bunck is an active and prominent member of the Danish Brotherhood, having held, at vari- ous times, the offices of recording secretary, fi- nancial secretary, vice-president and president. In politics he is a socialist, having been president of the Danish Section No. I, for a year. He was also, for a time, manager of the "Arbejderen," a journal published in the interest of the socialist- labor party, and is now one of the directors of the company publishing it.

His tastes are refined, his disposition genial, and his nature candid. He is a musician of no mean skill, and his company is always in request among his very wide circle of friends.

GEORGE W. HANNIS.

EORGE WASHINGTON HANNIS, an last named struggle the latter also liad a son, early resident of Chicago and one of the old- Alonzo Hannis, who was a member of Company F C, First Ohio Cavalry. est firemen in its service, is a native of Bridgeton, New Jersey, where he was born May 30, 1832, being a son of Thomas W. and Mary Ann (Stow) Hannis. His ancestors lo- cated in Pennsylvania early in the seventeenth century, and engaged in farming on the present site of the city of Philadelphia. One of the most interesting objects to be observed in that city during the Centennial Exposition was the old brick farmhouse erected by the Hannis family before the city was built. This family has fur- nished many prominent in the military affairs of the nation.

Andrew Hannis, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served in the war for independence and Thomas W. Hannis was a soldier in the Mexican, Blackhawk and Civil wars. In the

Thomas W. Hannis was a tanner and currier by trade. In 1840 he moved from New Jersey to Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he came, in 1854, with the son whose name heads this sketch, to Chi- cago, where some other members of the family had previously located. The next spring G. W. Hannis returned to Cincinnati and brought his mother. The father, born in 1801, died here in 1881, and the mother survived him several years, passing away August 18, 1898, at the ripe old age of ninety-one years and seven months. They had a family of eight children, only three of whom are living at this writing-George W., Martha (Mrs. William Hunt) and Alonzo-all of Chicago.

George W. Hannis received his education in the

520

H. W. MARTENS.

city schools of Cincinnati, and learned the ma- chinist's trade with Abel Shock. He assisted in making the first steam fire engine built in the United States, and was a member of a fire com- pany in Cincinnati. On his arrival in Chicago he established a machine repairing shop, and readily secured the city work. He did all the repairing of fire engines and built all the trucks and hose carts used before the great fire of 1871. After that disaster he started anew and later sold out his business. For a period of ten years he was general superintendent and manager for E. B. Preston, manufacturer of fire apparatus. He then formed a partnership with Eaton & Prince and re-opened his old shop on Michigan Street, where they continued in business one year. At the end of this time Mr. Hannis entered the em- ploy of the city, in its repair shops, where he is still engaged. In 1855 he became a member of the old volunteer fire department and continued with it until the establishment of a paid depart- ment. He is a member of the Volunteer Fire- men's Benevolent Association, in which he has been a trustee many years. Beside being a mem-

ber of the Masonic Order, being affiliated with Waubansia Lodge No. 160, he is a member of Union Lodge No. 9, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias. He is a consistent Republican in political matters, but has never been an eager as- pirant for political position. At one time he served the city two years as deputy sealer.

October 11, 1863, Mr. Hannis was married to Miss Delarah Chessman, a native of Bridgeton, New Jersey, where she was born October 10, 1845. Four children came to bless his home, two of whom are now deceased. Frank Hannis, the eldest of the living, is a jeweler located at York, York County, Nebraska; and the other, Pearl, is the wife of T. F. Lawrence, of Nebraska City, in the same state.

Mr. Hannis has always taken an intelligent in- terest in public affairs, and has cheerfully done his share in promoting the interests of his home city. A pleasant conversationalist and a genial gentleman, he has endeared himself alike to fam- ily and friends, and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

HENRY W. MARTENS.

ENRY WILLIAM MARTENS was born in a rude log house standing on section 27 of Leyden Township, October 18, 1854. His father was Charles Martens, a brief sketch of whose life may be found on another page, where Henry's parentage and ancestry are more fully set forth.

He received his education at the common and parochial schools, and worked upon a farm until he reached the age of thirty-six years. Then for two years he was in the employ of his brother, John, as clerk in the latter's store and in the postoffice, which the latter was the head of. He

also learned the trade of watch repairing, for which he had a natural inclination, from an old German watch-maker named Wechendorf, but never carried it on as a means of earning a liveli- hood. Of late years he has devoted his attention wholly to house painting and decorating, doing business as a contractor, and having in connec- tion with his cousin, Henry G. Martens, built up a large and profitable trade. Mr. Martens owns a two-story and basement brick dwelling house at No. 560 Wells Street, Chicago, but resides with his father at River Grove.

He was married to Miss Meta Katerbau, Sep-

521

MARTIN LOYCE.

tember 12, 1893. She was born in the west division of Chicago, September 3, 1872, and is the daughter of Karl Katerbaut and Frederika Schultz. Mr. and Mrs. Martens have been blessed with one child, Harold Henry, who came into the world June 14, 1895.

In politics Mr. Martens is a Republican, and

has served for two years as school director in Franklin Park. He was in the German Lutheran faith, but is at present a member of the First Presbyterian Church of River Park. He was a charter member of Franklin Park Lodge of the Royal League, and also belongs to the German Benevolent Association of River Grove.

MARTIN LOYCE.

M ARTIN LOYCE. More than half a cen- tury has passed away since Martin Loyce first set foot in Chicago, a young German emigrant, without acquaintances to lend him aid; but with a firm determination to do for himself. He has witnessed wondrous changes, and has seen the city grow from the unimportant place which it was in the fourth decade of the nine- teenth century, to the stately metropolis of nine- teen hundred, and in all these stupendous trans- formations he has borne the part of a patriotic citizen.

He was born in June, 1830, in Schweikof, in the upper part of Baden, Germany, where he was educated, and worked at farming until he ac- companied his mother and step-father, G. Laiger, in their emigration from Germany in 1847. The family at first took up a residence in Buffalo, where they remained until 1849. With the opening of navigation in the spring of that year they came to Chicago, taking the first boat that passed through thelakes. In the autumn of 1849 young Loyce was apprenticed to one James Ward, to learn the trade of harness-making. He served a term of three years, and then began working as a journeyman.

For some months he was employed in a shop in Aurora, but with this brief exception he has resided in Chicago continuously since his arrival from Buffalo. After several years spent in work-

ing at his trade he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, in 1857. Such was his capability and fidelity to duty that he remained in the service of that company thirty-five years. During the last fifteen years of this time he was station policeman. In his early youth he joined the old Volunteer Fire Company, and continued in the service until the inauguration of the new system. He is still, however, a member of the Firemen's Benevolent Association.

In 1891, having passed the age of three score years, and having, through his own efforts, his patient industry and judicious investments of his earnings, acquired a competence for his de- clining years, Mr. Loyce retired from active work and is at present enjoying a serene old age. His physical and mental powers remain unimpaired, and he is keenly alive to the events and interests of the day as when, fifty years ago, he first walked the muddy highways of Chicago in 1849.

He is not a strong partisan in politics, though he has usually supported the Democratic ticket. May 26, 1860, he was married to Miss Margaret Smith, a daughter of Nicholas Smith, whose biography appears upon another page. Mrs. Loyce's family is an old and prominent one in Germany. She herself was born in that country but came to America with her parents in 1842. The voyage from Antwerp to New York occupied

522

CARL STAADE.

forty-two days, and from thence the journey to Chicago was made by canal boat through the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from that point by the steamer " Great Western." Mrs. Loyce's father was a scholarly man, and by profession a surveyor. On reaching Chicago hie opened a private school, and had for a pupil at one time Mr. Van Horn, who had just been elected county surveyor and who, being entirely ignorant of surveying, came to Professor Smith to be instructed in its arts and mysteries. Mr. Smith continued to conduct his school with marked success until about fifteen years before his death, when he retired to enjoy a well-earned rest. He died in the autumn of 1870, his wife,

Margaret, having passed away seventeen years before. He was the father of seven children, only two of whom survive-Mrs. Loyce and her brother, Peter, who is at the head of the firm of Peter Smith & Company, manufacturers of wagons.

To Mr. and Mrs. Loyce have been born seven sons: Martin, residing on Twenty-seventh Street; Fred, motorman on the Chicago City Railway; Edward, a railroad .man; Robert, a decorator; John, an engineer on the Illinois Central Rail- road; William, a painter; and George, residing with his parents. The family is Catholic and attends the Church of the Holy Angels on Oak- wood Boulevard.

CARL STAADE.

ARL STAADE, who is a well-known busi- ness man of Turner Park, was born Febru- ary 2, 1835, in Raeritz, Mecklenburg, Ger- many, a son of Carl and Dorothea. (Consoer) Staade. Carl Staade, Senior, was a workingman and son of another Carl. The last named was father of the following children: Carl, Christian, Joachim, Francis and Sophia. The name was originally Stade. Carl Staade, the second, mar- ried an only child. Their children were: Sophia, Fredericka, Carl, John, Mary, Christopher, Caro- line, and two who died young. The mother died at the age of thirty years, and the father in 1840, aged forty-eight.

Thus the son was left an orphan at an early age, with several younger brothers and sisters. He was obliged to earn his daily bread and assist in' caring for others, thus developing traits of self-dependence. He remained in the Father- land until he reached the age of thirty-one years, when he resolved to better himself by going to America, the land of opportunity. With his

wife and one child he took passage on the ship "John Bertram " and landed in New York after' a voyage lasting thirty-three days. He continued his journey to Chicago, and entered the employ of Henry Hochmeister, a farmer. He continued as a laborer one year, and then rented a farm of Frederick Brooks, in the town of Maine. This arrangement was so satisfactory that it was con- tinued thirteen years. In 1880 Mr. Staade re- moved to Turner Park, where he bought property of his brother, John Staade, and opened a saloon, which he conducted successfully up to this time.

October 20, 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Staade to Sophie Raemer, daughter of Joa- chim and Sophie (Tage) Raemer, who was born June 1, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Raemer were the parents of the following children: Frederick, Sophie, Johann, Fredricka, Carl, Mina, Ida and Hannalı. To Mr. and Mrs. Staade have been born four children.

Louisa, the first of these, born February 25, 1859, married Charles Foss and lives in Niles,

523

L. A. KELLER.

Illinois. Their children are: Ida, Charles, Ed- ward, Emil and Albert, the last two being twins, Hannah and Gottfried (twins), Theodore, Eliza- beth, Katy and Minnie. Annie, the second of the children of Carl Staade, was born May 29, 1867, married Mathias Schaefer, and also resides in Niles. Their children are, Philip, Charles, Frank and Annie. Bertha, born September 29,

1868, married Frank Wiemerslage, October 17, 1888, and resides in River Park. Their children are: Arnold, born November 5, 1891, died Octo- ber 20, 1895; Frank, born November 28, 1893; William, January 25, 1896; and Clarence, April 18, 1898. Johanna, born August 26, 1871, is the wife of William Boesenberg, of whom suitable mention is made in another place in this book.

LOUIS A. KELLER.

- OUIS ALEXANDER KELLER has nearly reached the limit of four score years which was allotted by the Psalmist as attainable, only by reason of strength. Conscious of a well spent life, and serenely awaiting life's sunset, in the sublime hope which Christianity affords, he lives in quiet ease at his home, No. 432 Wells Street. He was born November 12, 1821, near the classic village of "Bingen on the Rhine," which name has become a household word throughout the United States, through the charm- ing poem which bears that title.

Leaving school when fourteen years old, he was apprenticed for three years to the hard, yet manly trade of a ropemaker. After becoming a journeyman he followed the customs of his coun- try, traveling from city to city, working at his trade here and there and acquiring a broader knowledge of the world. A considerable part of his life during this migratory period was passed in Switzerland; and it was in that country of skilled artisans, with its lofty mountain peaks and perpetual snows, the very cradle of enlight- ened democracy, that he married, in 1848, Mar- garet Moench, who was born at Wurtemberg, Germany. Immediately after their union the newly wedded pair set sail for America, coming directly to Chicago. Having a little capital they decided to invest it in a site where Mr. Keller

might open a shop for the conduct of his trade. The location settled on was on Wells Street. (It had been previously occupied by one Fitzgerald as a trunk factory, in a small way.

Here Mr. Keller started the manufacture of rope and the constantly growing commerce through the lakes greatly favored him. Nor was he less benefited by his own mechanical skill and his sound business sense. He gradually in- creased the number of his workmen, and the world was looking bright when the sweeping, devastating, death-dealing flames of 1871 con- sumed ten thousand dollars worth of his accumu- lations. He did not attempt to resume business in the general confusion which followed the holo- caust, but, disposing of his shop, bought proper- ty at No. 432 Wells Street, where he erected the residence which he still occupies. Since then he has not been engaged in active business.

Mr. Keller has been twice married. His first union has been already noticed. Its fruit was three daughters: Mary, Mrs. Frank Senger; Katherine, widow of John Low, residing on Wol- fram Street; and Anna, Mrs. Hermann Marquerdt.

The first Mrs. Keller died in 1879, and March 24, 1881, he married his present wife, whose maiden name was Julia L. Holtzmann, and who was born at Kempen, Province of Posen, and reared by an aunt in Berlin, Germany. She is a

524

W. H. DRECHSLER.

lady of rare intelligence, broad experience and high education. Her father was a barrister and at one time a member of the celebrated regiment of Black Hussars. Her nephew is mayor of the city of Zinten and is a man of fortune. Her uncle was one of the founders of an institution at Ber- lin for the care of aged merchants and their widows. Nearly thirty years of her life was spent in England as an instructor in German and as nursery governess, alternating these pursuits with the vocation of chaperon and traveling com- panion to many prominent people, among whom may be mentioned Lady Young, Lady Astley, Lady Ashburton and Ambassador Mohrenheim,

of Russia, visiting Saint Petersburg with his lished a work entitled "The Lost Rib," which family.

While living in the household of Major Riley, as nursery governess, she almost daily visited Windsor Castle, and was personally known to

every member of the royal family, not excluding Her Majesty, the Queen. She cherishes many relics, curios and articles of virtu gathered dur- ing her travels through Great Britain and the continent of Europe, most of which were the gifts of distinguished members of the aristocracies.

In 1885 Mr. and Mrs. Keller went abroad, traveling extensively on the continent. Lady Young, learning that Mrs. Keller was at Meisen- heim, Germany, telegraphed her to come to Lon- don, at the same time sending her money to de- fray the expense of the journey, and requesting her to take charge of her town house.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 76

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