Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 97

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

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is a teacher in the William Penn Nixon school; and Ida, who is a bookkeeper.

Mr. Mortensen is allied with the following societies: The Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Society Dania. He is a good example of the energy and business ability which are marked characteristics of the natives of Denmark. In his power to rise above circumstance lies the secret of Mr. Mortensen's success.

JOHN KUHL.

OHN KUHL. Few of the German-Ameri- can citizens of Chicago can better substanti- ate their claim to the title of old settler than can Mr. Kuhl. Born at Hanen, Prussia, in 1832, he came to Chicago at the age of thirteen years, and since 1845 this city has continuously been his home.

His father's Christian name was the same as his own-John; his mother was christened Maria. The elder Kuhl was a small tenant-farmer in Prussia, eking out the slender return from the land by occasional trips to Holland, where he certified to contracts and did whatever else came to hand. To himself and his wife were born five children, of whom two were sons. Mrs. Kuhl, Senior, died in Prussia, and her husband deter- mined to emigrate from the land which had yielded him but little and where his home was full of painful memories.

On reaching Chicago he found employment on the Illinois & Michigan canal, and, when his sav- ings would allow, bought from the canal trustees a tract of ten acres, situated along what is now West Chicago Avenue. The land lay near the intersection of Ashland Avenue, and Mr. Kuhl's house was the first built in that locality at a time when no one supposed that the little town would

ever expand into a city which would embrace his modest purchase. However, Mr. Kuhl spent some money by way of improvement, selling occasionally, here and there, until his death, which occurred in 1889. , He was a man re- spected alike for his judgment and his probity, and always ready to aid immigrants by his count- sel and from his purse. Among the old settlers he was held in high repute, and among all classes his genial nature, his kindly disposition, and his unfailing, unostentatious charity won him many friends.

It was, as has been said, in 1845, that John Kuhl, the subject of this notice, came to Chicago, brought hither by his uncle. He had attended school in Prussia, and for a short time sought to improve his education here. But his early lot was to work and to work hard; and at the age of eighteen he might have been found toiling in the blacksmith shop of Henry Weber, on Lake Street. There he served an apprenticeship of three years, and for the four years following worked as a journeyman. Avoiding self-indulgence and care- fully guarding his slender savings, he then found himself able to open a shop of his own at the corner of Desplaines Street and 'Carroll Avenue, in company with Jacob Press. The firm of Kuhl

670

G. W. WELFELT.

& Press continued from 1860 to 1866, moving meanwhile from its first location to No. 23 (now 145) Milwaukee Avenue. In 1866 the co-part- nership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Kuhl retaining the business, which he has since conducted.

It may be readily perceived that, while his life has been comparatively uneventful, it has been ennobled by that toil and earnestness which con- stitute the true patent of nobility.

In 1861 he married Miss Mary Press, a sister of his former partner, who was born in Germany. She died two years after her marriage, both her children having preceded her. Two years after her demise he married her sister, Julia, who has

borne him nine children, of whom eight are still living. Their oldest son, John, met his death by drowning while attending a picnic at Kankakee. The names of those living are: Mary, Emma, Henry, Edward, Katharine, Julia, Lillie and Harry.

Mr. Kuhl is a member of no church, but his integrity in the business, domestic and social rela- tions of life has endeared him to all who are stifficiently fortunate to call him friend. In poli- tics, as in religious views, he is broad and liberal. While inclining toward the Democratic party, he is in no sense a partisan. Of only one political creed does he really boast-he is an American, through and through.

GEORGE W. WELFELT.

EORGE WHITE WELFELT, who is one of Chicago's well-known and honored citi- zens, comes of a very old and prominent family of ambitious and energetic men. He was born May 8, 1853, in Monroe County, Pennsyl- vania, where his parents, Adam Overfield and Sophia (Fish) Welfelt, resided.

December 16, 1880, Mr. Welfelt was married to Miss Olive Rosena McDole, who has assisted in the management of his home and helped to make his life a happy one. The father of Mrs. Welfelt, Mr. McDole, was born June 14, 1827, on a farın near Poppenneauville, Canada, and died April 14, 1898, mourned by many friends and relatives. March 17, 1852, he married Miss Catherine Emmy, who was born on the Rhine River, Germany, and died March 24, 1862. Her remains were buried at Maine City, Michigan. Four children blessed the union of Mr. McDole and his first wife, and they are accounted for as fol- lows: Charles Edward, born January 12, 1853, is an engineer in Chicago; an extended notice of

Alexander, the second, appears elsewhere in this work; Olive Rosena was born August 30, 1858; Clara, born March 29, 1861, resides at No. 1396 Thirty-fourth Street, Chicago.

Three years after the death of his first wife, February 1, 1865, Mr. McDole contracted a sec- ond marriage, the bride being Miss Mary Donald- son. She died July 10, 1882, and her remains were interred in Oakwoods Cemetery. Her only daughter, Mary Ida, was born April 16, 1870, and married Thomas Cartwright.

George W. Welfelt was born on a farm, and was deprived of his right arm. He entered into life in the city of Chicago May 28, 1884, and has for a long period been night watchman in the employ of George A. Severns. His children are: Emma Clair, born January 3, 1882, and Clara Viola, born November 18, 1883.

Mr. Welfelt has never sought public favor in the form of office, and is a stanch and true Demo- crat. His influence is ever used for the right and he is recognized as a conscientious gentleman.

671

THOMAS BROWN.

APT. THOMAS BROWN was born in four hundred acres in all, at government prices. Crail, Fifeshire, Scotland, October 28, 1823, For a year or two after his settlement in Niles, they had a camp of Indians for near neighbors, ) who were very annoying on account of their largely developed thieving propensities. They were only dangerous when drunk, at which times they would become quarrelsome and murderous. Mr. Brown was a man who possessed the material which makes successful pioneers. He was hardy and courageous. No hardship daunted him. a son of Alexander Brown. The latter was born in Crail in 1796, and was reared in his native place, and educated in such schools as were then in vogue. He married Margaret Brown (no relative) in 1820, and April 6, 1834, they, with their family, took passage on the "Roger Stewart," a sailing-vessel, from Greenock, Scot- land, for the United States. The good ship was five weeks and two days in plowing her way through the waters of the Atlantic to New York, where she arrived on the 2d of May.

Chicago was the objective point and thither they traveled, by boat up the Hudson to Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, where passage was taken on a boat to Detroit. From that place they traveled by ox-team and wagon across Michigan to St. Joseph, where they again took boat, which landed them in Chicago June 8, 1834. Mr. Brown had been reared to farm pursuits. He was am- bitious for the future welfare of his children, and not wishing to change his vocation, soon after arriving he made a selection of a quarter-section of land in Niles Township, paying one hundred sixty dollars for a claim upon it held by an- other. There was a log house on this land, and though small and somewhat uncomfortable, it was made to answer the purpose of the family domicile for two years. He was a hard-working and in- dustrious man, and with such assistance as his wife and young children could render, he soon had a part of his land under cultivation and was on the way to prosperity.

When the land came into market he bought

He served as justice of the peace a great many years, and was universally respected by all who knew him. He and his wife were Presbyterians and among the strictest of their faith. Mr. Brown took an active and leading part in erecting the first church in the township. It was a sort of a union affair, as all evangelical denominations used it. He took a keen interest in political affairs, and was an adherent of the Democratic party.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of eight children (five of whom were born in Scotland), namely: Andrew, Thomas, Alexander, William, Isabella, Grace, James and John. The last two were born in Niles Township, and Grace was born on the ocean. Mr. Brown died November 30, 1854, and Mrs. Brown passed to her final re- ward in April, 1849, aged fifty-one years.

Thomas Brown was a little more than ten years of age when he came to Chicago. He had learned to read and write in his native land. There were no schools here when the family arrived. Such education as he received in his youth was ob- tained in the "Land of the heather."

In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I,

672

RASMUS RASMUSSEN.

Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Soon after, he with his regiment was transferred to the seat of war iu Kentucky, and October 8 following, participated in the battle of Perryville. From this time on his command wasin the thick of the fray, and fought at Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. It then went to the relief of Knoxville and the release of East Tennessee from threatened rebel dominion. Subsequently, when the Atlanta campaign opened, the Eighty-eighth Regiment took an active and aggressive part, sus- taining in many a severe conflict its well-known and deserved reputation for the fighting qualities of its men. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment took part in the campaign against the rebel gen- eral, Hood, acting in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, which so disastrously resulted in the annihilation of Hood's army. At Spring Hill Mr. Brown received a slight wound, which, however, did not deter him from accompanying his regiment in pursuit of Hood's flying remnant, in which large stores were cap- tured. Subsequently the regiment went to Hunts- ville, Alabama, where it enjoyed for two months a well-deserved rest, then went to East Tennes- see, and after Pittsburg fell, proceeded to Nash- ville, where it was mustered out of service June 24, 1864.

Mr. Brown enlisted and was mustered in as a

private, and soon after was made company drill master; later, third sergeant. After Stone River was fought he was advanced to first sergeant, and after the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he received a first lieutenant's commission. A little later he was promoted to a captaincy and assumed com- mand of his company. His rise in rank was due entirely to the soldierly qualities of the man. Brave to a fault, clear of sight, decisive of action, qualities indispensable to a good soldier, he wou the confidence of his superiors and the respect and esteem of his subordinate followers, whom he so gallantly led on many hard-fought fields.

When the war was over Captain Brown re- turned to Niles Township, and in the following spring settled in Chicago, where he has since re- sided. He was married June 30, 1849, to Miss Josephine Schroeder, who was born on Long Island, New York, in 1833. To them a child was born, Margaret Isabella, now Mrs. A. Caldwell Anderson, of Chicago. Mrs. Brown came to Chicago with her mother, Sarepta Schroeder, in 1838.

Aside from having held the office of justice of the peace for several years, Captain Brown has not been identified with public affairs. His first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, but since the formation of the Republican party he has been a stanch supporter of its principles.

RASMUS RASMUSSEN.

ASMUS RASMUSSEN is by birth a Dane, and both his parents were natives of that little kingdom which has sent so many of her sons and daughters across the ocean to be- come loyal and valued citizens of the great republic.

His father, Rasmus Christensen, was a sailor and himself a vessel owner. He died at the age

of fifty-five years. His mother still lives, a resi- dent of Chicago, where the rush and whirl of every-day life afford a striking contrast to the peaceful days of her girlhood.

Rasmus Rasmussen was the sixth in order of birth of nine children. He was born March 14, 1859, at Stryno, Denmark, and remained in his native country until, at the age of eighteen, he

673

AUGUST SENGER.

determined to seek for better fortunes in what is commonly (although erroneously) termed the "new world." Before emigrating to America, however, he had received a common school education and learned the trade of a shoemaker. In 1877 he landed on these shores, and acquired his first knowledge of American customs at Portland, Maine, where he worked at his trade for a year. The year following he came to Chicago. Here he first obtained employment with the firm of C. M. Henderson & Company, at the corner of Adams and Market Streets, and has been in the employ of that concern since, although in

1891 he opened a shoe store for himself at No. 275 West Erie Street. This he still conducts, doing a prosperous business while still continu- ing his connection with the above-mentioned wholesale firm.

In 1882 he was married to Miss Jessie Jensen, his country-woman, by birth, but who came to . Chicago with her parents when only two years old. Her father, William Jensen, resides at No. 271 Cornell Street. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen have no children. He is a member of the National Union, of the Society Dania, and of the Danish Singing Society Harmonica.

AUGUST SENGER.

A UGUST SENGER, who is a true represen- tative of the citizens of Chicago to-day who have assisted in the promotion of matters for the good of the people, is a middle-aged man, of all the sterling qualities of his race. He was born August 30, 1852, in Jankendorf, province of Posen, Germany, and is a son of Ludwig Senger, a farmer of that place.

August Senger followed the example of many of his countrymen in coming to the United States, believing he would find better facilities for making fame and fortune in the comparatively new and progressive land. He arrived in Chicago in August, 1879, and immediately found employ- ment with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company. He continued thus occupied, a valued and respected employe, until February, 1885, when he met with a serious accident, which impaired his health permanently. He is now in the service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as section man.

Conducive to the success and general welfare of a man, is a pleasant and helpful life compani- ion, such as Mrs. Senger has proved to be. Jan-

uary 5, 1883, Mr. Senger was married to Miss Paulina Maddhes, who was born June 14, 1864, in Sangjanglof, Saxen-Altenburg, Germany. Mrs. Senger came to Chicago August 13, 1880. Her parents, Theodore and Caroline (Batzu) Maddhes, came to America at that time, bring- ing with them their nine children, who were named: Franz, Louis (deceased), Wilhelmina, , Herman, Paulina, Minnie, Henrietta, Theresa, Julius and Anna (deceased).

Mr. Maddhies died November 22, 1891, at the age of sixty-three years. He survived the mother, who died in March, 1882, she being forty-six years of age at the time of her decease. In 1890 Mr. Senger raised the house at No. 216 West Forty-sixth Place, having purchased the property and made the building what it now is, a very pleasant and desirable residence. He is a well- known and respected citizen in the vicinity where he resides and is a man of pleasant, genial man- ners. He and his wife have been ten years identified with the Evangelical Amalisch Geme- inde, a Lutheran Church Society, worshipping at Forty-sixth and Dearborn Streets.

674

M. L. JONES.

MAURICE L. JONES.

M AURICE LEWIS JONES, who is one of After the death of her first husband she married Chicago's well-known retired citizens, is her cousin, Jacob Abrahams, and her children were: Barney and Sarah. living in peaceful comfort, enjoying the fruits of his former labor. He was born October The children of Lewis Jones were named as follows: Maurice Lewis, John and Esther. The daughter married Michael Harris, and resides in London, England. John married Sarah Voss, and lives in Liverpool. 1, 1843, on Duke Street, Old Gate, London, Eng- land. His parents were Lewis and Deborah (Abrahams) Jones, and were very worthy and honored people.

Lewis Jones died July 28, 1860, at the age of forty-two years, at his home in Joliet, Illinois. He was born in London, England, and was a manufacturer of gimp and cap peaks in his native land. He located in New York on his arrival in America, but removed to Chicago after two years, in 1850. He served as deputy sheriff, under Sheriff Wilson, during John Wentworth's administration as mayor of Chicago. He con- ducted a hotel at Summit for some time, and subsequently went to Joliet, where he owned and operated the Atlantic House, a first-class hotel. He was located there at the time of his death.

Mrs. Lewis Jones was a suitable helpmate and worthy of the office assigned her by her marriage to Mr. Jones. She was born in 1826, on Free- man Street, Tenterground, Spitalfields, London, England, and passed away in that city October 31, 1897. She came to America in 1860, and spent two years in the United States. Her re- mains were interred in New Cemetery, London.

Maurice L. Jones reached New York in April, 1857, and was employed by W. H. Watts, in a tobacco factory for eighteen months, in New York. In May, 1860, he located in Chicago, and was nine months in the service of Solomon & Oppenheimer, cigar manufacturers. He then established a business for himself at No. 132 North Halsted Street. He subsequently opened a store on Archer Avenue, near Halsted Street, and was manufacturing there, also. In January, 1875, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and remained one year. On his return to Chicago he opened a store in the City Hotel building, on Sixteenth Street, between State Street and Wabash Aventie. He continued successfully eight years, and then moved across the street, to remain until March, 1894, when he retired from active business life.

September 14, 1870, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Rosie Hass, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Loeb) Hass. Mrs. Jones was born December 20, 1848, in the city of Trier, Germany, and

675

F. M. KUMMEROW.

came to America in 1865. Her children are as follows: Emma, born September 5, 1871; Lewis Maurice, August 26, 1873; Harry Moses, August 31, 1875, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Bella, Sep- tember 23, 1877; Alfred, January 24, 1880; Lillian, July 28, 1882; Hattie Gertrude, April 11, 1885, and Walter Cerf, February 16, 1889.

Mr. Jones is a member of Maurice Mayer

Lodge No. 105, Independent Order of Bnai Brith, in which he has held the office of outside guardian. He is a Free Mason, and is connected with Abraham Lincoln Lodge No. 49, Free Sons of Israel. Though never a seeker after public office, he votes in favor of the Republican party, and is ever found on the side of right, in all questions.

FRED M. KUMMEROW.

RED MARTIN KUMMEROW is one of the best known and most highly esteemed men- bers of a profession which mitigates the hor- rors of death, ministers to the sorrowing hearts of the afflicted and performs the last sad rites for those who have entered upon the sleep that knows no waking. He is a member of the tin- dertaking firm of Kummerow Brothers, wliose well-equipped establishment is located at No. 532 West Chicago Avenue.

He was born at Breesen, Mecklenburg-Schwe- rin, Germany, January 3, 1855. His parents, Frederick and Frederica Kummerow, were the heads of a family of eleven children, all of whom ultimately became residents of Chicago. The eldest (Sophia) married Christ Dreyving and with her husband settled here in 1863. Three years later she died here, of cholera. Her sister, Minnie, came with her. She married Henry Rossow, but is now deceased. The third sister, Frederica, married Christoph Kuehn, in Ger- many, came to Chicago in 1865, and died the fol- lowing year.

Brief as was their life in the new land in which they had found homes, these noble women did not fail to remember the dear ones whom they had left behind. Money was remitted, and in 1866, the parents crossed the ocean, bringing

with them the eight other members of the brood with which God had blessed them.

Frederick Kummerow began his life in Amer- ica as a laborer. While he received but a small stipend for his daily toil, his industry and thrift went far toward compensating him for a mean remuneration. Gradual savings resulted in rich accumulation, and finally he was able to start in business for himself. To-day, at the age of eighty- five years, he enjoys the rest earned by the con- joint labor of his hands and brain. Yet he lacks the kindly tendance of the wife of his youth, who died in 1885.

Seven of his children are still living (1899): Mary, now Mrs. John Mueller, living on West Chicago Avenue, Chicago; Charles; Anna, the wife of August Harloff; Dorothy, now Mrs. Peters, of No. 400 Noble Street; Christian and Fred, twins; and Christina, now Mrs. Herman Borck.

Fred M. Kummerow received his early educa- tion at the parish school of St. John's in the city of Chicago. This training was supplemented by attendance upon a night school, and in due course he was apprenticed to a trade. His choice dic- tated that of hardwood polishing, and at this lie attained remarkable proficiency. It was not until 1877, after he had been for many years a

676

V. A. DANIELSEN.

resident of Chicago, that he started in business for himself. His partner was Fred H. Drake, and the firm conducted a general undertaking and livery business for nearly a year. Then Mr. Kummerow began to perceive that undertaking was a profession, rather than a pursuit. For two years he studied its scientific aspects, re- ceiving a diploma at the end of each examina- tion which lie was required to undergo.

In January, 1886, he received into partnership his brother, Charles, the business having been since conducted under the firm name of Kummerow Brothers. The present extensive building oc- cupied by them was erected in 1895. In con- nection with their business as funeral directors, the brothers also carry on a flourishing livery business.

In politics Mr. Kummerow is an ardent Re- publican. In 1891 he was his party's candidate for alderman in the Thirteenth Ward, although not successful. He is a stockholder and director in the Home Building, Loan & Savings Associa- tion.

The story of his life would be imperfect, how- ever, without the recital of the tale of his mar- riage. June 4, 1876, he married Miss Fred- erica Louise Kleinfeld. Mrs. Kummerow was born in Germany. She bore her husband five children. Of these four are yet living, Minnie, Louis, Ella and George.

The family is highly esteemed in the section of the city where it resides. Earnest efforts and patient industry, when joined to unassailable in- tegrity, always command respect.

VIGGO A. DANIELSEN.

IGGO ALEXIUS DANIELSEN, supreme secretary of the Danish Brotherhood of America and a well-known citizen of Clii- cago, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 12, 1846. He is the youngest of the nine chil- dren of Daniel P. and Hennenge (Hede) Daniel- sen. The former represented an important fam- ily in Copenhagen, where he was born. He learned the trade of shoemaker and had a place of business in his native city for many years, dy- ing at the age of forty-eight years. His wife was born at Nyhjobing, Mors, Denmark, and died in Copenhagen, at the age of forty-four years.

Of their nine children only two are living, Viggo and a daughter, Mrs. Thora Hansen, now a resident of Slagelse, Denmark. Viggo A. Danielsen attended the schools of his native city

until he reached the age of fifteen years. He then acquired a good elementary education and entered a store as clerk. He showed marked aptitude for the work and soon became book- keeper for a large mercantile firm.

I11 1864 Viggo A. Danielsen had his patriotism stirred by rumors of the war between his own country and Germany and he entered the Danish army. As he had been well educated in music he became a musician. He served faithfully three and one-half years and after six months at home re-enlisted. He served in all about fourteen years. At first he played the cornet in the regimental band. This was succeeded by the trombone, but he was able to play any instrument. At the end of his military career, Mr. Danielsen again took up bookkeeping, which occupation he followed until 1882.

- 677

GEORGE LARSEN.

Believing he would find a greater field of ac- tivity in America he crossed the Atlantic ocean and proceeded to Moline, Illinois, where he was engaged by the Moline Plow Company for six- teen months. In 1883 he came to Chicago and entered the factory of David Bradley Plow Con1- pany as painter. He served this concern until 1892, when he was elected supreme secretary of the Danish Brotherhood. Since that time tlie duties of that office liave occupied a large part of his time and so successful has been his execution of the duties of his office that he has been re- peatedly re-elected, his present term expiring in 1902.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 97

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