Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 89

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 89

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few short years ago. The many years that Mr. Wendt has occupied his present position attest the faithfulness with which he has performed its du- ties. He also has charge of the Masonic build- ings at Ravenswood.

He is connected with many societies, is a prom- inent Mason, having passed the Royal Arch degrees, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, National Union, Royal League, Royal Ar- canum, Columbian Knights and the Engineers and Janitors' Association of Chicago.

Mr. Wendt is well known socially, and has ever possessed the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

ANDREW P. GLINES.

A NDREW PERRY GLINES, a retired gar- dener living on Bowmanville Road, is one of the pioneers of this part of the city (formerly Lake View). He was born in Grafton County, New Hampshire, January 31, 1822, and is the son of Isaac and Hannah (Kimball) Glines, botlı of whom were natives of that State.

The subject of this sketch received such edu- cational training as the public schools of the time and region afforded, and at the age of twenty years began learning the stone-cutter's trade. He served a regular apprenticeship, and worked as a journeyman several years at Quincy, Massachn- setts. About 1846 he went to Jackson, Vinton County, Ohio, where he remained three years, working at his trade, and subsequently spent a like period in Missouri, in the employ of the Iron Mountain Railroad, as stone-cutter.

In 1852 he came to Chicago, and has been a resident of Cook County ever since, with the ex- ception of two years spent in Louisiana, before the war. In 1863 he enlisted in the service of the Union, as a carpenter, and served six months.

For four months, in 1861, he worked at his trade at Rosehill, and, with the above exceptions, has followed market-gardening up to the time of his retirement. At first he tilled leased land, and later came into possession of land which he cared for until 1890, and then retired from active busi- ness. His success is due to the patient exercise of diligence, coupled with prudent management.

August 18, 1865, Mr. Glines was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, widow of John Moore. She is the daughter of Robert and Maria Dixon, both of whom were born in England and died in Ireland. Mrs. Glines was born March 14, 1832, in the North of Ireland, and came to Canada when about ten years old. She lived in Montreal until 1854, and then came to Cook County, where, in 1859, she married Mr. Moore. The latter died in 1862, leaving two children, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Moore was possessed of the prop- erty where Mr. and Mrs. Glines reside, and here Mr. Glines resumed gardening immediately after marriage. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Glines, of whom four are now liv-

614

PETER MUNO.

ing, namely: Minnie, wife of Louis Magrath; Ellsworth, of Lake View; Beatrice (Mrs. Louis Higgins), and Walter, at home.

Mr. Glines acted with the Democratic party in early life, but is now independent of party affilia- tions, being unwilling to endorse wholly the policy of any party. Though not a communicant

of any church, Mrs. Glines is a firm adherent of the faith of the Congregational Church, and her influence over her family has always been elevat- ing and progressive. All the children have been given excellent educational advantages, and the family occupies a good position in the society with which it mingles.

PETER MUNO.

2 ETER MUNO, a retired farmer and early settler of Cook County, was born in Damflos, near Trier, Prussia, September 16, 1816, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth Katharine (Detample) Muno, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of Henry Muno, in this volume.

Peter Muno was educated in his native land, and at the age of fifteen years went to learn the trade of shoe-nail-making, which he followed un- til he emigrated to America. In February, 1842, he was married to Miss Anna Pink, who was born and reared in the same locality as himself.

In 1857, in company with his wife and four children, his brother, Henry, and sister, Mary, he came to America. The year after his arrival he and his brother bought land about thirty miles south of Chicago, near the Indiana line, which they ultimately lost. After remaining there a few years, he removed to High Ridge, Cook County, and for the first five years rented land from Michael Weber, and engaged in market- gardening, meeting with good success. He then purchased forty acres of land on section 24, Evanston Township, where he now resides. This land was in its raw state, but he cleared and developed a farm, engaged in its cultivation, and carried on farming and gardening until about 1886, when he retired.

Mr. and Mrs. Muno had born to them ten chil-

dren, but one of these, Henry, died in the old country when a child. Nine are now living, namely: Mary, wife of Adolph Arndt, a gardener at Evanston; John, of No. 194 North Avenue, Chicago; Carl, of Rogers Park, a gardener on Touhy Avenue; Maggie, wife of Peter Kloss, a "coal merchant of Fullerton Avenue; Barbara, wife of Lorenz Bugner; Katharine, now Mrs. Au- gust Richard, of Indiana; Lena, Mrs. Lawrence Marthaler, of Chicago Heights; Caroline, wife of Michael Wiltgen; and Mary, wife of Christian Michials, of No. 735 Larrabee Street, Chicago.

Mrs. Muno died January 28, 1897, at the age of seventy-six years and nine months, after a married life of fifty-four years. Mr. Muno is a member of Saint Nicholas' Roman Catholic Church of South Evanston, and acts with the Democratic party in political matters.

Michael Wiltgen was born in Luxemburg, Germany, December 14, 1862, and is a son of Mathias and Anna Wiltgen, who came to Amer- ica in 1873, settling in Evanston. The wife died in 1889, and Mr. Wiltgen in 1895, leaving four sons, Michael being the eldest; the others are, Martin, Felix and Eugene. Michael married Caroline Muno November 17, 1886. They have two children, Anna and Joseph. Mr. Wiltgen supports the Democratic party, and is a member of Saint Nicholas' Church.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HERMAN A. SCHMEDTGEN

MRS. H. A. SCHMEDTGEN

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

615

H. A. SCHMEDTGEN.

HERMAN A. SCHMEDTGEN.

ERMAN AUGUST SCHMEDTGEN, for many years one of the most enterprising citi- zens of Chicago, who is now retired from active labor, occupying a pleasant home on North Western Avenue, Chicago, is a native of Butt- staedt, Saxe-Weimar, Germany, born August 26, 1834. Both his parents, Frederick and Sophia (Werner) Schmedtgen, were born in the same locality. They followed the son to Amer- ica, coming two years after him, and died soon after-the father at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1856, and the mother in Buffalo, New York, in 1859.

The subject of this sketch learned the trade of shoemaker in his native land, and there received the excellent common-school education for which Germany is famous. He is of ingenious mind, and could readily take up almost any kind of mechanical work. In 1852 he came to this coun- try, and worked for nine months after arrival at his trade in Buffalo, New York. He then took up cabinet-work and painting, and was found to be a handy man with tools of any kind. He re- mained in Buffalo three years, and then went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where for three years he was engaged in cabinet-making.

In April, 1858, he came to Chicago, and for two years was employed in a dairy, and a like period in a wholesale grocery house on South Water Street. His next undertaking was an independ- ent one. Having saved his earnings, he pur- chased a horse and wagon and for two years did an express business. He then secured a coll- tract for sprinkling streets on the North Side,

and, beginning with one wagon, soon increased the number to six. For about twenty-two years he continued this occupation. At the time of the Great Fire of 1871, he was able to haul away a portion of his furniture and saved his teams and wagons, but his home and stables were left smok- ing ruins. He still had the lot, however, and possessed the confidence of the business men, so that he could readily borrow money with which to resume business and replace his buildings.

In 1885 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now lives, and carried on agriculture four years. He planted all the beau- tiful shade trees which surround his home, and otherwise improved and beautified his property. The next year after his purchase he built the sub- stantial brick mansion in which he lives, and also large farm buildings. He has sold twenty-five acres of his land, and lias retired from active business.

· Mr. Schmedtgen has always supported the Re- publican ticket in political contests, though he is independent of party lines in selecting local of- ficials. He entertains liberal religious views, and has, for that reason, refrained from associating himself with any sect. His upright character and straightforward manners have won and held the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens, and lie is considered a valuable member of society.

October 31, 1856, he was married to Miss Bertie Bischoff, who was born in the same place in Germany as her husband, and came to Chi- cago in 1848. They had six children, namely: Anna, wife of Frederick Capel, a butcher of Chi-

616

J. A. GORGES.

cago; William, an artist in the employ of the Chi- cago Record; Bertha, Mrs. Henry Capitain, resid- ing in Chicago; Herman, also of Chicago, and Emma and Matilda, at home. Mrs. Schmedtgen died March 21, 1894, in San Diego, California, while visiting that country.

Mr. Schmedtgen is a progressive and enterpris- ing citizen, and is entitled to great credit for his

success in life. When he arrived in the United States he was in debt for his passage, and is now in affluent circumstances. This is due to his energy and unflagging diligence, and the prac- tice of economy and good judgment in business. His habits have always been regular and exemplary, and he is now enjoying the fruit of his industry and upright life.

JOHN A. GORGES.

OHN ADAM GORGES, who is now retired from active business and lives in a pleasant home at No. 4645 North Western Avenue (Rogers Park), Chicago, is one of the honored pioneers of this locality. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born about eighteen miles from Trier, September 8, 1820. He came to America in 1845, landing in New York in the autunın of that year. He went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and remained in that State until the following spring, when he came to Cook County. In his native land he was reared to farming, and received the usual liberal education provided to every subject of the German Em- peror.

For the first three years after his arrival here he worked by the month, to earn means with which to begin life for himself. He then en- gaged in farming, and continued until he retired 1 in 1886. When he came to this part of the coun- ty it was sparsely settled, and he has borne no in- considerable part in developing and improving the land, and in promoting the moral and ina- terial welfare of the community.

In the early years of liis citizenship Mr. Gorges supported the Democratic party, but he could not agree with its policy in regard to slavery, and when the Republican party was organized he gave it his allegiance and has ever since sup-

ported its men and measures, but never sought any official position for himself. He is a faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and zealous in every good work. He is still in hale and hearty enjoyment of the blessings of life, and has accumulated a competence by the prac- tice of diligence, and upright dealings.

November 19, 1849, he was married to Miss Susan Rohrer, who was born near Indianapolis, in Marion County, Indiana, in 1832, and is a daughter of Samuel Rohrer, a native of Mary- . land. Further mention of Mr. Rohrer will be found on anotlier page of this article. One daughter, Susie Birdie, completes the family of Mr. Gorges.

Samuel Rohrer, the father of Mrs. Gorges, came of an old Maryland family, of German de- scent. He came to Cook County in 1835 and bought a large tract of Government land in what was afterwards called Ridgeville (now in the town of Evanston). He was the first actual set- tler in this immediate vicinity, at a time when Chicago contained but a few small shanties. He followed farming here for several years and then moved to Niles Center, where lie continued in the same pursuit until about 1860. At this time lie removed to Blackhawk County, Iowa, settling on a farm at what is now Hudson, where he remained until his death, nearly twenty years

617

OTTO RISTOW.

later. He was three times married. By the first wife he had seven children, three of whom are living, namely: Rebecca; Jacob, a resident of Chilton, Wisconsin; and Samuel, now in Hud- son, Iowa. His second marriage resulted in nine children, Mrs. Gorges being the eldest of these. Two others are now living: Jane, wife of Chester Cory, of Hudson, Iowa; and Sarah, Mrs. Charles Currier, residing in Omaha, Nebraska. The mother of these children died at Niles Center, Illinois.

Mrs. Gorges established, in 1879, a retreat for

the protection of unfortunate women at her home near Rogers Park, and has done a noble and im- portant work. The large mansion and adjacent cottages afford accommodations for a large num- ber of patients, and hundreds have been treated here. In all these, not a patient has been lost, a phenomenal record, and many children have been provided with good homes. Mrs. Gorges is by na- ture designed for a nurse. She is exceptionally kind and sympathetic, a true Christian woman, with an acute sense of her responsibility to her God and society.

OTTO RISTOW.

TTO RISTOW, who is a successful florist of Chicago, with greenhouses on North Western Avenue, was born July 22, 1850, in Ger- many. His parents, Erdman and Katherine Ristow, were born in the same locality, where they resided most of their lives. They passed away in Chicago, whither they had followed their children after their own retirement from active life.

Otto Ristow received the excellent education provided in German laws for all the tatives of that happy Empire, and was reared to the busi- ness of a florist, so that he was prepared to enter at once upon a successful career upon his arrival in this country. He left his native home at the early age of seventeen years, and came to the United States, being the first of his family to be- come a citizen of this country. The next year he was followed by his brother, Julius, and two · years later the parents and three sisters came. All the sisters are now residents of Chicago. After landing at New York, young Ristow proceeded to Milwaukee and continued two years in Wis- consin, where he was employed as a farm hand and gardener.

He came to Cook County in 1870, and has ever since continued to reside here. For a year or two he worked in the service of other florists, and about 1872 he and his brother began business for themselves, as florists. They leased land and conducted business under the title of Ristow Brothers, and this connection continued several years. · The partnership was dissolved by mutual consent and each purchased a small tract of ground where they now live. Owing to his lim- ited means, Mr. Ristow was compelled to begin business on a small scale, first building two green- houses. . As he was prospered he built additional roofs of glass, and now has about an acre of space thus covered. At this time he produces nothing but roses for the cut-flower trade, and markets them through a commission house in the city.

The example of Mr. Ristow is commended to all ambitions youths, who may, if they will, learn from it the secret of success. By diligent attention to one line of labor, he was enabled to earn some money, and his careful habits made it possible to save some of the money earned. An investment of this money gave him land on which to produce that which found ready sale, and the same indus-

618

J. C. SCHIESSWOHL.

try and prudent management which has charac- terized all liis life extended his operations, until now he owns and operates ten large greenhouses. Although he is now in an independent position, he continues his careful attention to business, and thus preserves the accumulations of industry and prudence. He is a good citizen, and does his part in the support of all worthy public enter- prises. He is independent in political action, using his best efforts to ensure the selection of competent and faithful men for the administration of public trusts. He is a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, as are his wife and children, and is among the most liberal contributors to its support.

Mr. Ristow has been twice married. In1 1871 Miss Fredericka Haas became his wife. Slie was born in Germany and came to this country in 1867. She bore her husband eleven children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Ernest, William, Louis, Lena, Lily, Arthur and Frede- rick. The eldest married Miss Tina Haker Sep- tember 24, 1896, and is established in business as a florist, while the others still reside with their father. The mother of this family died in March, 1892, and September 29 of that year Mr. Ristow married Miss Louise Konka, who was born in Chicago, and is a daughter of Peter and Johanna Konka, both of whom were born in Germany and are now residents of St. Louis, Missouri.

JACOB C. SCHIESSWOHL.

ACOB CHRISTOPHER SCHIESSWOHL, who is living in retirement at his beautiful home, No. 3957 Ridge Avenue, Chicago, has been actively identified with the business inter- ests of Chicago and Cook County forty-four years. He is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born November 29, 1835, a son of John and Christina (Ried) Schiesswolil, both of whom were born in the same locality.

In his native land, Jacob C. Schiesswohl en- joyed the advantages of the splendid school sys- tem in vogue there, and at an early age became proficient in the elementary branches, in the mean time having learned the butcher's trade. In 1852, when he was seventeen years of age, with his parents and only sister, Albertina, he set out for the United States. At Havre, France, the port from which they were to embark, they found immediate passage could not be obtained, owing to the vast throng of emigrants from the continental countries of Europe who were crowd-

ing to the guards every outgoing vessel. After waiting three weeks, they joined a party of two hundred people, mostly Germans, who chartered the sailing brig "Excelsior," commanded by Capt. George Smith. During the voyage, a long and tedious one, young Jacob was selected to appor- tion the ship's supply of water to the passengers, each receiving a certain daily allowance. As supplementary to this duty, he was charged with the duty of looking after the sanitary condition of the vessel, by the enforcement of its rules.

After disembarking at Castle Garden, New York, the family started for the West, traveling by rail to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat, and to Chicago by rail. The father was possessed of but limited means, and he and Jacob worked at any employment offered, the first work of tlie latter being in unloading lumber from lake ves- sels. Both were industrious, and by frugal liv- ing, they were enabled to save something. I11 1856 they established themselves in a meat market

619

J. C. SCHIESSWOHL.

on Fifth Avenue, between Harrison and Polk Streets. Shortly afterward Jacob left the busi- ness to the sole care of the father and accepted employment in a packing house.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, the elder Mr. Schiesswohl laid aside his business and enrolled himself as a member of Company E, Eighteenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry. He nobly did his duty, and for three years and four months he maintained the proud record of his country- men as being among the best soldiers in the world. He participated in many of the hottest engagements of the war, and marched with Gen- eral Banks in the famous Red River Expedition and other exploits somewhat similar, in Arkansas. The war over, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in Chicago and resumed business. This he continued until 1872, in which year both he and his good wife expired, their deaths occurring within two weeks. Sub- sequent to his death, the colonel of his regiment in the army, without consulting the son, ordered a headstone to be erected at his grave. His gal- lant conduct in the ranks had endeared him to his commanding officer, and this graceful act was a tribute of remembrance of a soldier's duty well done.

Jacob C. Schiesswohl began business on his own responsibility in 1860, when he opened a small meat market at Ohio and North Clark Streets, which he conducted successfully three years. He then entered into a co-partnership and acquired an interest in a pleasure garden known as Huck's Garden, and in a brewery. Six years later he disposed of these interests and purchased property on the corner of Sheffield and Fletcher Avennes, and engaged in general team- ing. This property, which has greatly enhanced in value, he still owns. Two years later he re- snmed the butcher business, which he conducted in different places, uninterruptedly, for nineteen consecutive years, and with profit to himself and satisfaction to his patrons.

By judicious investments of his savings in real property, he accumulated a valuable estate. He bought lots 41 and 43, on Evanston Avenue, while a member of the firm of Schiesswohl &

Peterson, and in 1873 he acquired land at the corner of Lincoln and Wrightwood Avenues, op- posite the car barns, which proved a profitable venture. He also owns other valuable properties, among which are eleven stores. In all his various enterprises he has been ably assisted by his de- voted wife, who has done much to make his career successful. They builded sure at the bot- tom, and as their business expanded, it took on healthful growth under their joint management, and developed into a handsome fortune.

At his twenty-first birthday he was a qualified voter, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. John C. Fremont, since which time he has con- tinuously voted with the Republican party, hav- ing always taken an active interest and leading part in public affairs. In 1863 he became a resi- dent of Lake View, and in 1866 he was elected police justice for four years, and at the end of the term was re-elected, creditably serving in this capacity eight years. Before the expiration of the second term he was elected to a place on the Board of Trustees of Lake View, in which he acted three years, and upon the incorporation of Lake View as a city he was honored with a seat in the Council as alderman, and re-elected the follow- ing year without opposition. So acceptably did he discharge the duties incumbent upon him, that at the beginning of the second term as alderman he was petitioned by a large number of leading citizens, irrespective of party, to allow his name to be presented as a citizens' candidate for Mayor, which honor, however, he declined.

He is an acceptable member of the Turner's Society, which he joined soon after arriving in Chicago, and he is now one of the oldest living who belonged to it at that time. He is a charter member of Mythra Lodge No. 410, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and was as well a charter member of Wright's Grove Lodge No. 779, of the same order, and a charter member of Lincoln Park Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.

Mr. Schiesswohl was united in marriage No- vember 27, 1860, with Miss Maria Phillip, daugh- ter of Jacob and Katherine Phillip, early settlers in Rogers Park. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Schiesswohl, as follows:

620

HENRY KEMPER.

Anna, who died in her eighteenth year; Philip, a butcher and grocer of Chicago; Elizabeth, the wife of Albert U. Peterson; Jolin A., grocer and meat dealer at Argyle Park; Albertina, residing - with her parents; Jacob, who carries on a fruit ranch in Colorado; Ottillie and May, at home. While not members of any church, both Mr. and Mrs. Schiesswohl are Christians in their lives and character, and take an active interest in and sup- port all enterprises that subserve the public good.

Mr. Schiesswohl retired from active business March 1, 1889, at which time he turned the busi- ness over to his son and daughter. Since then

he has lived in the quiet retirement of his well- appointed home. When he arrived in Chicago, the city's population scarcely exceeded fifty thou- sand souls. Boundless prairies extended to the south and west, while on the north, adjacent to the lake shore, was a dense growth of dwarfish timber. During the forty-four years he has resided here, the wonderful transformation has been ac- complished, by which the prairies and chaparral have disappeared-covered now by mammoth business blocks and stately mansions of brick and stone, and the population has been increased more than thirty-fold.

HENRY KEMPER.

ENRY KEMPER, of the firm of Kemper Brothers, dealers in flour and feed at Nos. 663 and 665 North Halsted Street, is a rep- resentative of the progressive element of Chicago. He was born February 17, 1845, in Westphalia, Prussia, a son of Frank and Elizabeth Kemper, both natives of that place.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 89

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