USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed. > Part 96
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In 1877 she re-built Saint Joseph's Cottage, which has accumulated many new treasures, and holds a valuable collection of manuscripts and works of art. Miss Starr is better known to the public as an authoress than as an artist, though her talents and work in the latter direction are well known to connoisseurs. Since 1877 she has given annual courses of lectures to the ladies of Chicago on the "Literature of Christian Art," beginning with the Catacombs and ending with the artists of the present century. She possesses a fine voice for the rostrumn, and has been very successful as a lecturer throughout the United States. In 1896 she gave a course before the Winter School at New Orleans, and at the Sum- mer School at Madison, Wisconsin. In her home
666
W. H. MEYERS.
is an auditorium capable of seating two hundred persons, and here she gives a course of ten lect- ures upon art and literature each year. She was the first woman to receive the Laetare Medal, which was conferred upon her in 1885 by the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. This is a medal of gold annually given to some one distinguished for contributions to the welfare of mankind. It is now granted to a woman every third year.
On her arrival in Boston, in June, 1845, Miss Starr heard a sermon by the famous Dr. Theodore
Parker, which awakened in her mind doubts as to the correctness of Puritan teachings. In 1848 she went to Philadelphia, where she met mnany re- fined and talented Catholics, among them Arch- bishop Kenrick. After nine years of mental struggle, she adopted the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, and has been ever since one of the most faithful workers and teachers of that organization. Many of her writings have been inspired by her enthusiastic devotion to her re- ligion, and she is held in the highest regard by both the priesthood and laity.
WILLIAM H. MEYERS.
ILLIAM HENRY MEYERS, a member of the firm of W. H. Meyers & Company, leading hardware dealers of South Chicago, was born October 10, 1854, in Westphalia, Ger- many. He is the son of Charles and Katharine (Heidenrich) Meyers, natives of Germany. His parents were attracted to this free land, and in 1865 the family emigrated to Amer- ica, and located at Burlington, Iowa, where Charles Meyers became engaged in farming. Both he and his wife lived on their farin near Burlington until their death. They were the parents of three children: Frederick, who lives on the old home farm; Mrs Mary Fellows, who lives near there; and William H., the subject of this notice.
William H. Meyers spent his youth, from the time he was eleven years of age until he was twenty-four, at his father's farm. In 1878 he left home and began for himself, by going to Kansas City and working as clerk for the Hall & Willis Hardware Company. Later he was employed in the establishment of Richardson &
Conover, of the same city, and dealers in the same goods.
In 1885 he came to Chicago and was six montlis a conductor on a street car line. In March, 1886, he went to South Chicago and be- gan working for C. Carr & Sons, at No. 275 Ninety-second Street, where he himself is now located. In the fall of 1892 he opened a hard- ware store for himself at the northeast corner of South Chicago and Commercial Avenues, in the Eigenman Block. Later he took as a partner in the business Mr. S. M. Arnold, and the firm for the term of one year was Meyers & Arnold. In 1893 W. J. Lightburn took an interest, and the next year Mr. Meyers bought him out and took in his present partner, Christian Feldman, of Burlington, Iowa. The firm then became W. H. Meyers & Company, which it has ever since remained. Under its present management the business has prospered, and the trade at present is lucrative. Mr. Meyers is a shrewd, careful and thrifty business man.
In February, 1886, Mr. Meyers married Miss
667
C. W. PETRIE.
Katy, daughter of Anthony Oxford, of LaFayette, Indiana. They are the parents of one daughter, Antoinette, who was born January 24, 1890. Mr. Meyers is a sociable man, and is a member of South Chicago Lodge No. 696, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias, being identified with
Bowen Lodge No. 213. He is also a member of Calumet Lodge of South Chicago Gesang-Verein. Mr. Meyers' parents were Lutherans and he was reared in their faith, though he is not now con- nected with any church. In political opinion, he is a stanch Republican. He has many friends, and is popular with a large class of people, being universally respected.
CHARLES W. PETRIE.
HARLES WILLIAM PETRIE was born April 7, 1862, in Michigan City, Indiana, and is the son of Alexander and Elathyne (Poor) Petrie. Alexander Petrie's father was a native of Paris, France. He moved to Canada and there married a Canadian lady. He was a lumberman and engaged extensively in contracting. His children were: William, Susan, James (now de- ceased), and Alexander. The last-named is a farmer and lives with his wife at Watseka, Illi- nois. He was born October 19, 1822, in Canada, and his wife was born in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. She is seventy-three years of age, and is the daughter of David Poor, who was born in Maine, and was a lumberman in very comfortable circumstances, owning mills and other property. He lived to be seventy-five years of age. His children are: Joshua and Elathyne (now Mrs. Petrie). Joshua Poor lives at Walkerton, Indi- ana, and is retired from active business. David Poor was descended from an old New England family, and was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Charles W. Petrie went to Ontario, Canada, with his parents in 1866. After living there two years, they went to North Liberty, Indiana, and in the latter place Charles attended school. Then his family removed to Walkerton, and he there
attended school two years, which finished his ed- ucation by books. In March, 1879, he came to Chicago and had a home with his uncle, H. A. Lewis, a contractor for filter and artesian wells, who lived on Ninety-second Street, between Com- mercial and Houston Avenues. Young Petrie worked for Wilder & Parker, grocers, located on Ninety-second Street, near Commercial Avenue, for about three years.
Then he engaged with William Farnsworth, a grocer at Ninetieth Street and Superior Avenue, and continued with him as a clerk five years. For eighteen months he was employed in the rolling . mills as tonnage timekeeper and superintendent's clerk, and then for a year he was made a steel charger. Since that time he has been a crane man on tonnage, and has been continuously with the Illinois Steel Company since he first entered its service.
He was married December 30, 1886, to Miss Minnie Cameron, a native of Syracuse, New York, and a daughter of Hugh and Euretta ( McElroy) Cameron. Her father has been dead since she was two years of age, and her mother subsequent- ly married James Maher. Mr. and Mrs. Petrie have no children of their own, but they have an adopted son, Harry Cecil Petrie.
668
C. D. L. NEWTON.
Mr. Petrie is a charter member of Nonpareil Lodge No. 361, Knights of Pythias, and also of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and is one of South Chicago's most reliable citi-
zens. While he is working in the mill, his indus- trious wife conducts a store at No. 9100 Superior Avenue, which is a profitable venture. Both Mr. and Mrs. Petrie are useful members of society, and have the respect of the whole community.
CHAUNCEY D. L. NEWTON.
D HAUNCEY DE LOS NEWTON, a direct descendant of the illustrious Sir Isaac New- ton, was born September 17, 1841, in Genesee County, New York. He is the son of Alanson and Eunice (Palmer) Newton. Alanson Newton and his family moved to Chi- cago in 1846, and after staying here a week, went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where they remained two years. In 1878 they moved to Rockton, Illinois, where they were engaged in farming.
Alanson Newton was born August 1, 1795, at Windsor, Vermont, and died July 4, 1877. His wife was born August 10, 1807, and died in Rock- ton, Illinois, April 29, 1877. They were the par- ents of four children, three of whom are living, namely: Charles A., Hiram P. and Chauncey D. Newton; the latter lived at home and worked on
In the spring of 1877 he returned to Rockton, Illinois, being induced to take this step by the ill- health of his parents. He remained with them till their death, after which he removed to Michi- gan, and after twelve years returned to Illinois and located in South Chicago.
February 27, 1867, Mr. Newton married Miss Mary Eliza, daughter of Darius Stephen and Paulina (Miller) Towne. Their children are: Hattie Eunice, who married William Owen, and is living in the city; Jennie Paulina and Lily Lu- cindy. Hubert Harry, the second child, died when an infant.
Mr. Newton is a member of Rockton Lodge No. 74, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He has served as secretary of this lodge, and in May, 1867, he was made Master Mason. In 1870 he his father's farm until he was thirty-five years of - was made a Royal Arch Mason, at Beloit, Wiscon- age. He was an expert penman, and tauglit the Spencerian system of penmanship successfully for thirty-three years, from 1857 to 1890; from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean; in twenty states, two territories, and also in Canada; devoting the winter months principally to this occupation, and then came to Chicago, arriving May 5, 1890. sin, in Beloit Chapter No. 9. He has also been an active member for nine years of Belding Lodge No. 32, Ancient Order of United Workmen. In political opinions Mr. Newton is a Republican, though he is not in any sense an office-seeker. He is an honest, hardworking citizen, and a social, genial gentleman, having the respect and regard In 1875 he went to California, followed the next year by his family. He was in that State two years and was very successful in his profession. of his associates. For the last two years he has been in the employ of the city of Chicago, at the Hyde Park water works.
669
CAPT. J. McDONALD.
CAPT. JAMES McDONALD.
APT. JAMES McDONALD was one of the first lake captains to sail a steamboat out of Chicago. He was born in Waterford, Ire- land, and was of Scotch descent, and was reared in the Emerald Isle, and there learned the baker's trade. He was a wide awake youth, and came to America when a mere lad. He came direct to Chicago and at once engaged in the lake marine service, where he was promoted by rapid stages to captain, and at the time of his untimely death owned the ill-fated brig "Welland," which was lost November 5, 1857, during a terrible storm. With him perished fourteen sailors and passen- gers, including his brother-in-law, Capt. William White, whose vessel was at that time in dry dock.
Captain McDonald was one of the forty-niners that crossed the continent in search of gold. He traveled by way of Saint Louis and Saint Joseph, and after a successful career of four years as a miner, returned to Chicago, with the intention of again visiting California. His wife induced him to remain in Chicago, and he bought the "Wel- land," in which he found his grave.
He was married in Chicago, in November, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Cummings, daughter of Capt. M. Cummings, of Picton, Nova Scotia, British America, who came to Chicago in 1844, with his wife and six children, of whom only Mrs. Mc- Donald survives. Her brother, Hon. Michael Cummings, was the first city marshal of Saint Paul, one of the first members of the Legisla- ture of Minnesota, and a prominent man in Saint
Paul, having filled almost every office of any im- portance in that city. Mrs. McDonald was born December 28, 1825, in Picton, Nova Scotia. She was the mother of four children, Mary, Michael, James P. and Alice M. All are now deceased except the last, who resides at home. Michael W. attended the Ogden School, and worked for the Illinois Central and Chicago & Northwestern Railroads as check clerk, and from there entered the service of Franklin MacVeagh, wholesale grocer, where he was entry clerk fourteen years. His services were valued by the latter employer, and he earned the sobriquet of "Old Reliable," through his punctuality and attention to busi- ness. He had a great political influence and a wide acquaintance. He died October 19, 1893.
James P. McDonald was also educated in Chi- cago, where he is remembered by pioneers through all his life of boyhood and sturdy manhood. He was, like his father, charitable, and helped many a man who was in distress and trouble. He was a fine specimen of manhood, being nearly six feet in height, very strong, and was known as one of the best horse-shoers in the city, and had a host of friends.
He was a dutiful son, and as soon as he was old enough he helped support the family. It is ow- ing to the efforts of himself and brother that the family enjoys its present easy circumstances and was enabled to keep the property left by the fatlier. The children were born in a little frame, one- story white cottage at No. 177 Dearborn Avenue,
670
GUSTAVE LUEDTKE.
which was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1871. This was replaced by a two-story frame house, which was in turn succeeded by a handsome four- story Bedford stone front flat building. The family worships at the Cathedral of the Holy Name.
. Much credit is due Mrs. McDonald for her courage and perseverance in rearing her family amid the adversity and vicissitudes she had to contend with. When left a widow her youngest
child was but three months old, but she never lost courage, doing her life-work faithfully, and, although afflicted by the loss of her eyesight, is kind, cheerful, and a worthy example to others. Captain McDonald was one of the best known and most highly esteemed lake captains in the early history of the lake marine service. He was pop- ular and beloved by all whose pleasure it was to know him. He was charitable to a fault, and loved his home and family.
GUSTAVE LUEDTKE.
G USTAVE LUEDTKE was born January 1, 1838, in Darsow, Pommern, Germany, near the town of Lauenburg, and is a son of John and Caroline (Drisius) Luedtke. He received a liberal education in his native land and then worked at the trade of carpenter and millwright . until he came to America. His brother Richard was the first to emigrate. In 1864, in company with his sister, Augusta, and her husband, Charles Bjeck, he came through to Chicago. The father, mother and their children, Minnie, Adolph and Albert, were the next to come over, arriving in 1868, and coming direct to Chicago, where they made their home.
The subject of this sketch landed in New York the last of April, 1872, coming thence to Chicago. He secured work as carpenter and millwright with his brother, with whom he remained a year and a-half, then began contracting, which busi- ness he continued until 1894. When unable to secure contracting work, he was employed at piece work. He built many private residences in different parts of the city, also erected the John L. Marsh school building. In the spring of 1894 he opened a grocery in the Misch block, Erie Ave- nue, remaining about two months, when he came to his present location, No. 9112 Superior Avenue.
November 22, 1863, he was married to Fred- ricka Konetke, daughter of Carl and Henrietta (Krift) Konefke, in the town of Carthaus, Ger- many. Mrs. Luedtke was born June 25, 1838, in Germany, and is the third of seven children, four of whom died. The other two came to America. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Luedtke are as fol- lows: Emil, born June 27, 1865, in the town of Carthaus, Germany, now living at No. 948 Bel- mont Avenue, is a machinist by occupation; Reinhold Hermann, born March 22, 1866, was married November 14, 1889, to Elvira Heimke, daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Behn) Heimke; Gustav, born March 11, 1873; Richard, March 17, 1875; Agnes Emily Evelina, March 17, 1882.
In 1890 Mr. Luedtke erected a three-story frame building at No. 132 Ninety-first Street, which was destroyed by fire August 2, 1893. This loss financially embarrassed Mr. Luedtke, but he now owns property on Superior and Ontario Avenues.
He is a member of the Old Settlers' Society, also a member of the German Lutheran Church, being one of its organizers. He is a Republican in prin- ciple, but has never sought any part in the man- agement of party affairs, having refused all honors that might have been conferred upon him.
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Nikolay Kranz
NICHOLAS KRANSZ.
671
NICHOLAS KRANSZ.
12 ICHOLAS KRANSZ (deceased), of whom it is a pleasure to write, was for many years an important factor in the business and social affairs of Chicago and Cook County. He was a native of the Fatherland, born in Bus- chrodt, Province of Luxemburg, August 16,1816.
His boyhood was passed under the parental roof and in a manner common to German lads of that period. When old enough he was sent to school. Being of a studious nature, he closely ap- plied himself to study and soon became proficient in the elementary branches of learning. Upon leaving school he accepted a position in a dry- goods manufacturing establishment in his native town, where he remained for a number of years, acquiring a practical knowledge of the business in all its details. Subsequently he engaged in the same line of business on his own account for several years and was successful.
Early in life he realized the narrowness of op- portunities surrounding him in his native land, and longing for a field of wider environment, he decided to seek his fortune in America. Conse- quently he set sail, in 1845, and after an unevent- ful, though tedious, voyage on a sailing-vessel he landed in New York, whence he came direct to Chicago. At that time the city had a population of less than fifteen thousand, while Cook County could boast of having only about twenty thousand. Upon his arrival he obtained work as a laborer for one year. The following year he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Lake View, near Rosehill, where his family now reside. At that date only a few families were living in that part of Cook County.
Prairie abounded to the south, west and north. The surface of the country was low, wet, and in places covered with a scraggy growth of timber. But these conditions, hard as they were, did not dismay Mr. Kransz. He resolutely set to work to put his land in condition to be cultivated, and ere long, under his intelligent efforts, his raw and apparently non-productive acres soon began to pay tribute as a reward to labor well performed.
Mr. "Kransz, immediately upon settling in Lake View, took an active part in local public affairs. His townsmen soon recognized his fit- ness for. office, and he was elected to all the offices of the township excepting that of supervis- or. He possessed good executive ability, was us- ually accurate in his judgment, and candor and absolute fairness characterized every move of his life. He was public spirited too, and gave liber- ally to any enterprise which in his judgment would be a benefit to the public. His success in the accumulation of means was steady from the beginning of his business career in America. He became interested by large investment in the American Insurance Company, to the affairs of which for many years he gave his personal atten- tion, only ceasing his efforts when the demands of advancing years demanded a laying aside of the burdens and cares of business which he had so long borne. Mr. Kransz was generous and charitable. December 1, 1886, he endowed a school in his native village with one thousand five hundred dollars, for the education of poor children. This fund was so invested that the in- come from it supports and pays tuition for one pupil each year.
672
WILLIAM BOENING.
He was, perhaps, as well informed upon busi- ness and economic questions as any other man in Cook County. He was a close student, the range of his reading covering nearly the whole field of literature, and his deductions were invariably drawn from correct premises, which made him nearly always right in his conclusions. It was while sitting in his favorite chair, reading a morn- ing paper, that he suddenly expired, February 12, :896.
He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Faber, February 7, 1849. She is a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and a daughter of John and Mary Faber, who came to the United States . in 1845. John Faber, the father of Mrs. Kransz, was twice married, first to Mary Grent, by whom he had two children, Andrew and Katherine. After the death of his first wife he married Mary Ockolau, who bore him three children: Margaret
(Mrs. Kransz), Mary Ann and John, the last now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Faber died in Cook County, the former May 1, 1864, and the latter in 1873.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kransz were born nine chil- dren, four of whom died in infancy, and five are living at this date, as follows: Nicholas H., Peter P., both well-known and successful insurance men of Chicago; Mary A., wife of N. J. Schrup, of Dubuque, Iowa; Henry P., in the real-estate and loan business; and Anna M., wife of B. F. Weber, of Ravenswood, whose biography appears in this work.
Mr. Kransz was a Republican from the organ- ization of that party, and at the polls usually sup- ported its men and measures. He and his es- timable wife were communicants of Saint Henry's Catholic Church and were among its most liberal supporters.
WILLIAM BOENING.
ILLIAM BOENING, one of the pioneers who have contributed to the city's growth and development, is now living in com- parative ease and retirement. He was born De- cember 5, 1837, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Boening, who were also natives of that place.
George Boening followed the trade of mason and brick-layer, and worked at it until fifteen years before his death. In 1852 he emigrated with his family to Chicago, where he spent his remaining days. He continued at his trade in this city, one piece of work done by him being the first Kettle Brewery in Chicago. He died in 1890, about ten years subsequent to the demise of his wife. They had two sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom are living. They are: Mary, now the wife of William Nicolai, of Kensington;
Eliza, Mrs. John Schmidt, of Chicago; William, whose name heads this article; Katharine, widow of John Hoop; and Herman, who resides on Cly- bourn Avenue.
William Boening received his early education in his native country, and continued in school after coming to Chicago, first attending the old Franklin School, and later a night school. He learned his father's trade, and has followed it most of his life. Through his thrift and industry he is now able to enjoy a competency. For two years he engaged in building on his own respon- sibility as a contractor.
Mr. Boening supports the principles and candi- dates of the Republican party. His first presi- dential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He has never been an office-seeker, preferring rather to spend his time and energy in the care of his
673
JOHN HUFMEYER.
private interests. In the fire of 1871 he lost all his property, but by careful management he soon recovered from the loss.
October 9, 1859, Mr. Boening was married to Miss Christina Egenhafer, who was born in Ger- many and came to Chicago in 1852. They have
eight children living, namely: William, Herman, George, Elizabeth, Henry, Frances, May and Lena. Mrs. Boening and the other members of the family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. They are people of high intelligence, and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.
JOHN HUFMEYER.
OHN HUFMEYER, of the real-estate and general brokerage firm of Sickels & Huf- meyer, No. 695 Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, is a native of Cook County, and a member of a prominent pioneer family. He was born July 10, 1845, in Niles Township, and is a son of Adam and Gertrude (Gang) Hufmeyer, both natives of Hanover, Germany. This couple emigrated to America in 1834, first locating at Syracuse, New York, and two years later removing to Cook .County, Illinois, where they settled on a home- stead, in what afterward became Niles Township. They were among the first settlers in that part of the county, and for a time their only neighbors were the Indians. They cleared the farm to which they had laid claim, and there made their home until 1853, when they removed to Chicago, in order to give their children better educational advantages.
Mr. Adam Hufmeyer filled many public offices, the most important of which was that of county commissioner. He was an excellent example of the better class of German emigrants, and died August 7, 1854, mourned by a large circle of friends among the early settlers of the county. His wife survived until 1860. Of the nine chil- dren born to them, two died in Germany. The others, all of whom reached maturity, were as
follows: Eliza, Mrs. F. Eiterman; Augusta C. D., widow of John Naper; Mary, Mrs. Jonas Huehn; William, deceased; Ellen, Mrs. Richard Aspin- wall; John and Theodore. All those living are residents of Chicago.
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