Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 36

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed. > Part 36

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HENRY C. HANSEN.

ENRY CHRISTIAN HANSEN, a promi- nent business man of Oak Park and Chi- cago, was born at Waygaard, near Tondern, Schleswig-Holstein, October 8, 1840. As far as known, nearly all his progenitors have been noted for longevity and physical vigor. His grandfa- ther, Daniel Hansen, was born at Leck, in the same State, March 19, 1766. He was engaged in mercantile business at Waygaard during the greater part of his life. In this enterprise he was succeeded by his only son, Hans Johann Diedrich, who became the father of Henry C. Hansen. Hạns J. D. Hansen was born at Waygaard, Oc- tober 8, 1802, and died in the same place in 1851, at the age of forty-nine years, one month and three weeks. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Sonnichsen, died there in 1893, having at- tained the age of ninety-two years. She was born at Nord Waygaard and was the eldest in a family of eleven children.

Henry C. Hansen is the youngest of six chil- dren born to his parents, and the only represen- tative of the family in the United States. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and at the age of sixteen years entered a

mercantile establishment at Niebull, where he spent five years in learning the details of that business, serving four years of this time without wages. He was afterward employed in other cities, and spent one year in a large wholesale and retail dry-goods house at Hamburg.

After the close of the War of 1866 he came to America and spent the next year in a grocery and market at Wheeling, West Virginia. He then came to Chicago, where he was first employed in a retail grocery store on Chicago Avenne. He was afterwards connected with dry-goods houses in that city, and in 1873 removed to Oak Park, where he purchased a stock of general merchandise and carried on that line of trade for the next fourteen years. Since that time he has devoted most of his attention to the real-estate and loan business, maintaining an office for that purpose in Chicago. Having acquired considerable property in the city and suburbs, its care 110w oc- cupies most of his time. He has always taken. an active interest in movements calculated to promote the development of Oak Park and ad- jacent suburbs. He was one of the first men in- terested in the construction of the Cicero & Pro-

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SIVERT HOLLESEN.

viso Electric Railroad, and was for a time a mem- ber of the board of directors of that corporation. This organization built the first line of electric road in Cook County, and has since constructed a number of other lines, connecting the city with most of the West Side suburbs. He was also one of the prime movers in the organization of the Ogden Street Railway Company, which was formed for a similar purpose. In 1892 he became one of the incorporators of the Oak Park State Bank, and has ever since been vice-president of that thriving institution. He has several times served the town of Cicero in official capacities, having filled the office of collector for one year, and that of trustee four years. In political action he has always been unbiased by party prejudice, and supports such men and measures as he be- lieves to be in the best interests of the country. In 1872 he was a warm supporter of Horace Greeley for the presidency, and for a number of years thereafter sustained the national Democratic ticket. In 1896 he was a delegate to the con- vention at Indianapolis which nominated John M. Palmer for the presidency, but, becoming con- vinced that the business interests of the country

could be best served in that manner, he cast his ballot for . William Mckinley. Though reared in the Lutheran faith, he has never affiliated with any religious or social organization since coming to the United States.

He was married in March, 1874, to Catharine Gangler, daughter of Moritz Gaugler, of whom further notice appears on another page of this book. Mrs. Hansen was born in Chicago, and has developed unusual skill in painting and wood- carving. Among many other things, she has designed and executed a fire screen of combined carved and embroidery work which has attracted considerable attention as a remarkable amateur production. She is a member of the Gesellschaft Erholung, a charitable organization in Chicago, and pieces of carving contributed by her have realized good prices for the benefit of that society. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have two sons, Moris and Edward, botlı of whom are graduates of the Oak Park High School, and the latter of Bryant and Stratton's Business College. The elder son is an amateur painter of ability, and no guest of this family can fail to be impressed by the skill dis- played in the handiwork of its members.

SIVERT HOLLESEN.

IVERT HOLLESEN, an industrious, pro- gressive and successful citizen of North Chicago, was born August 10, 1849, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (theni a part of Denmark). His parents, John and Mary Chris- tina Hollesen, were natives of that place, where they passed their entire lives. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1892.

Sivert Hollesen grew to manhood in his native land and received a fair education, which is as- sured to every citizen of that country. He was early accustomed to the duties of farm life; but

has always spent his leisure time in reading and studying, and is thoroughly well informed on the topics which engage the attention of the people of the present day. He writes and reads rapidly in the Danish, Norwegian and English languages, and speaks the German tongue fluently.

In 1871 he came to the United States, by way of Leith and Glasgow, Scotland, and first touched American soil at Quebec, proceeding thence to Chicago, by way of the Grand Trunk Railroad. On his arrival here he possessed twenty dollars in gold, with which he began life. He was first em-

246

CELESTIAL KELLER.

ployed as a laborer, and very soon found employ- ment at gardening, at which he served twelve years for one employer, Mr. R. J. Lewis, a well-known gardener and florist. During most of this time he occupied the position of foreman.

In 1886 he began business for himself, on rent- ed ground, at the corner of Fullerton and Racine Avenues, and has achieved remarkable business success. In 1887 he purchased fifteen acres of land, at the corner of Devon Avenue and Perry Street, on which he has placed all of the improve- ments, including a good residence and out- buildings.

He is now doing a large and profitable business in producing vegetables for the city markets. He employs four men all the time, and this force is, of course, largely increased during the summer months. In 1892 he bought twenty-three acres in North Evanston; the following year he pur- chased ten acres in Niles Township. These are considered by good judges to be shrewd invest- ments. Mr. Hollesen has never been ambitious

to manage the affairs of his neighbors or of the public generally, but is a steadfast Republican, and does not fail to perform his duties as a private citizen, as he understands them.

June 17, 1882, he was married to Miss Frances Schoenbeck, who is a daughter of Peter and Anna Schoenbeck, natives of West Prussia, in which country Mrs. Hollesen was born May 13, 1859. In 1880 she came to America, with her parents, who are now residents of Rogers Park. Mr. and Mrs. Hollesen have seven daughters-Anna, Mary, Fallie, Martha, Sophia, Clara and Frances. They lost a son at the age of three months. All are identified with Saint Henry's Roman Cath- olic Church.

Mr. Hollesen is deserving of credit not only for the material success which he has attained, but for the cultivation of his mind and talents, in the midst of a most laborious life, and he is now respected as one of the most intelligent and pro- gressive citizens of the community in which lie resides.

CELESTIAL KELLER.

ELESTIAL KELLER, who is engaged in farming on North Clark Street, Chicago, has been a resident of Cook County since 1857. He was born September 22, 1830, in Argon, Switzerland, and is a son of Frank Lorenz and Mary (Stagmeyer) Keller. He was educated in the beneficent public schools of Switzerland, and became master of the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in connection with farming.

He came to the United States in the year before named, disembarking at New York and proceed- ing directly to Chicago, where he secured employ- ment at his trade until the Great Fire of 1871.

After this he took up farming at his present loca- tion, and has continued that occupation since.

Mr. Keller does not take an active part in the management of public affairs, leaving these cares to more ambitious souls. He is a faithful adhe- rent of the Roman Catholic faith, while the re- maining members of his family are connected with the Presbyterian Church.

November 25, 1867, Mr. Keller was married to Katharine Klein, daughter of Christopher and Anna (Young) Klein. Mrs. Keller's family came to America in 1866, and arrived February 2 of that year in Chicago. A month later they bought

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HENRY O. LOVETT

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H. O. LOVETT.

land on Clark Street, and continued farming there for many years. The mother was killed by an accident September 9, 1876, and the father died April 14, 1886. They were adherents of the Presbyterian religions faitlı. They were from the Rhine Province of Prussia, Germany, where both were born, as were their children, who came with

them, namely: Katharine (Mrs. Keller); Anna, wife of Jacob Meelbeier; Michael, now deceased; Christopher, a resident of Chicago; Barbara, wife of Henry Rumstick; Sybla (Mrs. Frederick Meyer); and Elizabeth, wife of Michael Boscheit. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have lost three children, and have two living, namely: Albert and Bertha.

HENRY O. LOVETT ..

ENRY ORISON LOVETT was born in Bath, Steuben County, New York, in 1826, and was the son of Joseph and Lydia (Crouch) Lovett, the latter being a native of Connecticut, in which State she was married to Mr. Lovett. About 1835 the family came to Cook County, locating on Grand Avenue (then known as the Elgin Road), in the present village of Galewood. His father died here, and his mother died in Palmyra, New York, at the home of her son, Joseph Lovett.

When grown to manhood, Henry O. Lovett settled in the town of Leyden, where the remainder of his life was spent. He became the owner of six hundred acres of prairie and timber land, and was one of the most extent- sive farmers of that township. Much of his prop- erty has been sub divided, the present village of Ellsworth having been laid out thereon.

Mr. Lovett was one of the leading members of the Norwood Baptist Church at Norwood Park. He took an active interest in establishing a good system of public schools in the town of Leyden, and aided in many other progressive movements. He filled many local offices, and discharged every public duty in a most acceptable and conscientious manner. He was a Republican in principle, but

could hardly be called a politician, and never sought to advance his private interests at public expense.

He was married December 3, 1848, to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Polly Van Natta, of whom further notice is given elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Lovett was born in Mina, Chau- tauqua County, New York. They were the par- ents of seven children, namely: John J., of Mont- clare; Mary H., who died September 23, 1860, at the age of nine years; Ella A., the wife of Rev. John L. Jackson, pastor of a Baptist Church in Hyde Park; Charles Edwin, who died August 5, 1883, at the age of thirty years; Stanley Ernest, who died at the age of eighteen months; Emery Orison, a Baptist minister at Fort Scott, Kansas; and Iona Esther, wife of William C. Brown, who resides at Oak Park.

Mr. Lovett died January 4, 1873, at Ellsworth, Cook County, Illinois, at the age of forty-seven years. Since 1891 Mrs. Lovett has made her home at Oak Park. She relates many interesting incidents and reminiscences of early life in Chi- cago and Cook County, and anyone who is inter- ested in the history of this locality and its pioneers will find it a treat to listen to her, as one can learn much from her on this topic.

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MORITZ GAUGLER.

M ORITZ GAUGLER, one of the worthy pioneers of Cook County, was born June 12, 1808, at Undercept, Elsass (at that time a part of France), and his death occurred at Oak Park, October 3, 1879. His father, Nicholas Gaugler, was a professional cook.and was em- ployed for many years in the family of a French nobleman. His wife died when the son, Moritz, was but three years old. The latter learned the trade of cabinet-maker in his native land, and in 1830 emigrated to the United States. He located at Watertown, New York, where he followed his trade, though he found that much of the skill which he had acquired was of but little use in this country. He was married there, and in 1836 came to Chicago, spending six weeks in the journey, which was made by the way of Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. A short time after his arrival he went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where a number of Chicago people were inter- ested in the construction of a sawmill. He was employed about two years at that place, then in the midst of the wilderness. During this time he made several trips to Chicago with an ox- team, sometimes being several weeks upon the way, owing to the almost impassable condition of the roads. He subsequently took up his resi- dence in Chicago, where he worked at the car -. penter trade and such other employment as of- fered opportunity to gain a livelihood. He some- times eked out his income by picking strawberries for market, as that fruit grew very abundantly

in the vicinity of Wright's Grove, on the North Side. After a time he began taking building contracts, but in this enterprise was not very successful.

Soon after coming to Chicago he made the ac- quaintance of William B. Ogden, and an intimate friendship always existed between them. He was often advised by Mr. Ogden to invest his savings in real estate, but hesitated for several years about accepting this advice. Among the tracts which he had been urged to purchase was one of about two acres, on the west side of Clark Street, between Schiller Street and North Ave- nue, which was offered to him for six hundred dollars. A few years later, having become con- vinced of the advantage of such investments, he paid ten thousand dollars for the same piece. He made his home there for several years, in the mean time subdividing and selling portions of it, which yielded him a handsome profit on the in- vestment.

About 1865 he removed to Oak Park, which was then a small straggling village. He bought considerable property at that place, much of which he subdivided and improved from time to time. He built two houses on Chicago Avenue, among the first erected on that thoroughfare in Oak Park. He was always interested in public affairs, and served several terms as a member of the board of trustees of the town of Cicero, dur- ing which time some noteworthy public improve- ments were made. He was a natural musician,

249

JULIUS RISTOW.

and all of his descendants have inherited more or less of his talent in that direction.

Mr. Gaugler was married in 1835, to Catharine Young, who survives him and is now living at Oak Park, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. She was born at Winterburg, France, and came to the United States about 1830, in company with her brother, who left his native land in common with many of his countrymen, to evade the onerous military duty imposed there. Pre- vious to her marriage, Mrs. Gaugler was em- ployed as head cook in a hotel at Watertown, New York. Her father, Nicholas Young, oper- ated a line of teams engaged in transporting salt

from Germany into Elsass. About 1835 he came to the United States, and lived at Watertown, New York, until his death, at the age of seventy- five years. His wife reached the age of ninety- eight years. Her brother, Nicholas Wehrung, was an officer in the army of Napoleon I, as was also a Mr. Marzloff, who married a sister of Mrs. Gaugler. Of five daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaugler, three grew to womanhood, name- ly: Josephine, Mrs. Frederick Cronemeyer, of Omaha, Nebraska; Emaline, deceased wife of George Timme, of the same place; and Catharine, now the wife of Henry C. Hansen, of Oak Park.

JULIUS RISTOW.

ULIUS RISTOW is one of the industrious and progressive citizens which Germany lias furnished to Cook County. He is the eldest son of the late Erdman and Katherine Ristow, of whom further mention is made in the biography of Otto Ristow, in this work. The subject of this sketch was born October 13, 1845, in Germany, where he grew to manhood, receiving a thorough training in the profession of florist. . At the same time lie received the liberal education which is guaranteed to every German subject by the munif- icent educational system of the Empire.

In 1858 he married Miss Amelia Hager, and ten days after this interesting event in his life he set sail, accompanied by his loving bride, to make a home and fortune in free America. It is easy to imagine with what conflicting emotions this young pair severed their connection with home, friends and native land, while buoyed up with youthful hopes and confidence in each other, to begin life amid strange surroundings, in a country whose language was strange and t111- musical to them. They had been bred to habits

of thrift and industry, and felt sure that they would never want while health and strength were spared them.

For a few years after his arrival in Cook Coun- ty, Mr. Ristow worked in the service of others, until he could save something from his wages. He did not falter in his determination to make a home, and in this he was cheered and aided by his faithful wife. In 1872 helocated in what was then called Bowmanville, and with his brother, Otto Ristow, began business as a florist, upon leased land. This arrangement continued seven years, and in 1884 he bought an acre of land on Western Avenue, where he now lives. After- ward he purchased an additional half-acre, and the greater portion of his ground is now covered by greenhouses, devoted to the production of roses for the cut-flower trade. As Mr. Ristow thoroughly understood every detail of this im- portant industry, he has made a success of the business. Although he began a poor man, he is now in comfortable circumstances, but he does not relax his careful attention to business or his

250

SIMON SIMON.

accustomed diligence in its prosecution, and every youth anxious to succeed in life is advised to study the plan of his operations.

While he has usually supported the Democratic party in political contests, Mr. Ristow is not strongly partisan, and does not believe that any party or set of men embodies all the patriotisın or true philosophy of government, and is disposed to ignore party lines, especially in local matters. He has never desired or sought public honors, preferring to devote his time to his own business and the best interests of his family. He is a

member of the Lutheran Church, and has ever borne his share in its maintenance.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ristow includes nine children, all born in Chicago and all living at this writing. Clara, the eldest, is the wife of Herman A. Banske, and the mother of three children, Otto August, Herman William Albert and Elsie Amelia, besides one who died in in- fancy. The second daughter, Anna, is the wife of Albert Kuno, a gardener of Bowmanville. The other children are: Mollie, Ida, Leo, George, John, Richard and Edward.

SIMON SIMON.

IMON SIMON, of Ravenswood, Chicago, is a pioneer settler of that locality. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born May 19, 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Gertrude Simon, natives of the same place, where the father learned and followed the trade of shoe-nail smith. In 1847, with his family of nine children, he set out for America, and arrived in Chicago on the 7th of July in that year. Having exhausted his means in the journey, he was obliged to accept any employment that offered, and set bravely about making a home and a name for himself and children in the land which they has sacrificed so much to reach. He took up his residence on Dearborn Avenue, between Elin and Division Streets, where Mrs. Simon died in the fall of 1865. After the Great Fire of 1871, the fatlier lived with his son, Michael Simon, where he died in 1885. Both he and his good wife were born in the year 1795. Their children were: Mathias; Mary, widow of Peter Moulton; Jacob, deceased; Anna, wife of Jacob Weber; Peter; Johanna, widow of Mathias Cossman; John, Nich-

olas and Michael, deceased; William; and Simon, the youngest. Besides tliese, one died in infancy in the old country. When the parents celebrated their golden wedding in 1865, seventy-three chil- dren and grandchildren were present to con- gratulate them.

Simon Simon, the subject of this notice, was educated in the Franklin School, at the corner of Sedgwick and Division Streets. At the age of sixteen years he went to learn the trade of moulder, in the study and practice of which his time was occupied for several years, until failing health compelled him to abandon it. For about twelve years he was a member of the Chicago police force, and for a period of eight years he kept a restaurant. He is now in the service of the county, as an attache of Sheriff Pease's office, and lias acted as turnkey a number of years, un- der two preceding sheriffs.

In 1860 Mr. Simon was married to Miss Anna Elizabeth Myer, a native of Prussia, who came to Chicago when a small child. She was a foster daughter of Jacob Myer, who was the second

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CAPT. ANDREW TORKILSON.

husband of her mother. Mrs. Simon passed from life September 3, 1892, leaving a family of three sons-the second of whom is recorder of Cook County-and two daughters, namely: George, Louise, Robert M., Henry and Katharine. The eldest son is an artist of well-known skill.

Mr. Simon became a resident of Lake View (now part of Chicago) in 1875. Since becoming

a citizen of the United States he has given his earnest support to the principles advocated by the Republican party. To all of his children he is devoted, and he has given to each the best educa- tional opportunities. These have been appreciated, and the family is known as a united and highly cultivated one, enjoying the respect of the com- munity in which it resides.

CAPT. ANDREW TORKILSON.

APT. ANDREW TORKILSON was an early settler of Chicago, and one of the city's representative Scandinavian citizens. He was born on the western coast of Norway in 1825. His advantages for obtaining 'an education in the primary branches were good. His parents were ambitious for him to have a bright future, and, after completing an elementary course in the com- mon schools, he had his choice of what his career should be, though they themselves were inclined to see him enter the ministry. This was not young Andrew's choice, however, and as he had a predisposition to military life, he chose that, and at once entered the National Military School of his country, at Christiania, where he was care- fully taught in the manual of arms and the ab- stract principles of war. He graduated after six years of close application. Afterwards he entered the Government service, having been commis- sioned lieutenant, and served a year, when he re- signed to come to America. He could 110t leave without a permit from the Government officials, which he had difficulty in securing.

In 1854 he emigrated to America in a sailing- vessel, which was seventy-two days en route, landing at New York. From there he came to Chicago by the water route, and upon settling here he learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- lowed for some years. He had a shop of his own,

and at times employed as many as thirty men. In this business he was very successful, accumu- lating considerable property. Previous to the outbreak of the Civil War he was appointed to the police force of the city, proving himself a brave and efficient officer. In 1856 he made a Euro- pean trip, visiting England, Ireland, many points of the continent, and his own home in Norway, being gone a year.

Early in 1861 came the opportunity to distill- guish himself in the profession of arms, for which he had been carefully fitted. He recruited one hundred twelve men in the city, tendering them, with himself, to Governor Yates, but the State quota being then full, the Governor was compelled to refuse acceptance. In this dilemma he com- municated with the Executive of Wisconsin, ten- dering himself and all the men he liad recruited, and was accepted. Out of his own pocket he paid the fare of these men to Madison, Wisconsin. Beside this he had clothed and lodged the men for sixty days previous, in order to keep them to- gether. They were a magnificent body of men, not one of whom measured less than six feet in height.

Upon arriving in Madison they were organized as Company A, Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and Mr. Torkilson was appointed captain. The regi- ment was at once sent to the seat of war, and was

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 36

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 930