Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 98

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 98

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THOMAS BOYLE.

HOMAS BOYLE. Among Chicago's self- made men who have been very successful in business is Thomas Boyle. He was born in Dundalk, Ireland, January 6, 1842, and was the son of Patrick and Mary (Megham) Boyle, who were natives of that place. He is descended from sturdy Scotch ancestry, and as far back as it has been traced the family were of the better class of citizens, who were worthy the honor and respect they received. His grandfather, Daniel Boyle, was a farmer, and lived to the unusual age of one hundred and eight years. Patrick Boyle was a volunteer in the British army, and fought in the battle of Waterloo. After the war was over he left the profession of arms to engage in farming. He was married at this time, and became the father of nine children. He lived to be sixty-six and his wife to be eighty-eight. One son, William Boyle, is a government gauger.

Thomas had an opportunity to attend school but a few years, but by making the most of his time, and by dint of hard study by himself in the evenings after his day's work was over, he had a fair education before he came to America. For many years after coming to this country he con- tinued his habit of study, and he is therefore practically a self-educated man. He came to the United States in 1866, landing in Chicago on Fri-

day, February 13, with thirteen dollars in his pock- et, but with perseverance and integrity, honesty and rugged health in his possession, which were worth thousands of dollars. So, as time proved, he was fully equipped for the struggle with for- tune in the New World. He was always very conscientious in all his business relations, and is regarded as one of the most careful as well as suc- cessful business men of Clicago, who owes his success to his own unaided efforts.

He had learned the carpenter's trade in Ireland, and his first employment in Chicago was in the exercise of this trade. The hours were long in those days, but even though lie worked sixteen hours a day he took time in the evening to pur- sue his studies, in order that he might be better prepared to fight the battle of life. In 1868 he established himself in the grocery and ice bus- iness at the corner of White and Franklin Streets, where he was burned out by the Great Fire. He owned a lot at the corner of Halsted Street and Garfield Avenue, and here he built a frame build- ing only a week after the fire, with an ice-house in the rear. Here he conducted his business for nearly three years, when he built ice-houses on Montana and Perry Streets in Lake View, and devoted his whole attention to the ice business.

He commenced this venture in a small way,

686

J. A. FAIR.

and for five years had but one wagon, which he drove himself. From year to year he increased the business, having a partner who started in the business with him and continued with him till called away by death. With his partner, P. J. Maginis by name, he started the Lincoln Ice Company, which at the present time is doing a thriving business, often employing as many as one thousand inen in winter, and in summer four hundred men, and eighty-two teams. For five years they had ice-houses at Sturgeon Bay, ship- ping by vessel to Chicago. Finally they built ice-houses at Silver Spring, three miles north of Milwaukee, and eventually sold them for twenty- five thousand dollars, thus making a clear profit of seventeen thousand dollars. Then they bought land in Burlington, Wisconsin, on Rockland and Brown's Lakes, where they erected new buildings, which are connected with the Wisconsin Central Railway. In 1886 they established ice-houses at Camp Lake, Wisconsin, and in 1890 at Madison,

in the same State. Their business has steadily grown and requires close attention, but the ad- mirable way in which every detail is arranged by Mr. Boyle makes it comparatively easy to con- trol. The company steadily employs harness- makers and blacksmiths, and raises its own horses. Many of the men in Mr. Boyle's em- ploy have been with him nearly a quarter of a century, and the policy of the company is to keep with it as many of the good men as possible.

Mr. Boyle was married to Miss Mary Maginis, a sister of his partner, and they have four chil- dren now living: John P., who was formerly assistant prosecuting attorney under Hempstead . J. Washburne; James T .; and two daughters, Mary Alice and Irene.

Mr. Boyle is. a citizen of whom our city may well be proud. In his politics he is a stanch Republican. He will compare well with many men who have had a liberal education given them and also a start in business and wealth.

JOHN A. FAIR.

OHN ADAM FAIR, an honest and reliable citizen of South Chicago, was born June 28, 1859, in Wyandotte, Michigan, and is a son of John Adam and Margaret (Ruede) Fair. An account of the life of his father may be found elsewhere within these pages. He received his education in the common schools, and when old enough began work in a mill. He was satisfac- tory to his employers, and has ever since been occupied with this kind of labor, for which he had ability and liking.

In 1882 he removed to South Chicago and en- tered the service of the Illinois Steel Company in the rolling mills, spending three years at work connected with the furnace, and since that time has been engaged on the rolls. He is energetic and faithful to duty, and the fact that he has been

fifteen years in the employ of one establishment attests his capability.

December 15, 1892, Mr. Fair married Miss Bertha Zoerner, daughter of Ernst and Louise (Debus) Zoerner, of Chicago. She was born on the West Side of the city of Chicago, December 23, 1866. They have no children of their own, but have adopted a girl, Edna Louise Zoerner, born June 4, 1891, and she enjoys the privileges and affection which would be hers if one of the family by birth.

In his relations with his fellow-men Mr. Fair is upright and honorable, and his many friends can depend upon his interest in their welfare. He is informed upon the most important subjects of the day, and is a public-spirited and highly respected citizen.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HERMANN RENDTORFF

(From Photo, by W. J. ROOT)

687

HERMANN RENDTORFF.

ERMANN RENDTORFF, an enterprising German-American citizen, has been identi- fied with Chicago for over thirty years. He was born August 6, 1843, in Sauk City, Sauk County, Wisconsin, being a son of Edmund and Henrietta (Graepel) Rendtorff, both of whom were natives of Hamburg, Germany.

Edmund Rendtorff came to the United States in 1838. He was highly educated in his native tongue, as well as in three other languages, and was employed as correspondent and general office man. On coming to this country he worked on a farm in Illinois for a short time, and then went to Wisconsin. He was among the first settlers of Sauk City, and for some time was employed as clerk on a steamboat on the Wisconsin River. He made a pre-emption claim to Government land in Sauk County, and was able to buy eighty acres of it when it came into market. His education and ability fitted him for activity in the management of public affairs, and he soon became prominent in the county, being its first treasurer.

He had been engaged to Miss Graepel before leaving Germany. In 1842 she came to America, and upon her arrival in New York they were married and settled upon his land, where he con- tinned farming for five years. In1 1847 he went to St. Louis as bookkeeper for Childs & Com- pany, wholesale grocery dealers in that city. At the end of six years he returned to Sank City and conducted a general store there for a period of twenty-five years. Mrs. Rendtorff died in 1889, at the age of seventy years, and her husband sur- vived until 1892, reaching the good age of sev- enty-six years. All of their six children grew to maturity, the eldest being he whose name heads this article. The second, J. Christian Rendtorff, resides on North Avenue, in Chicago. Susanna is the wife of F. . A. Oswald, of the same city.

Johanna is the next in order of birth. Emma, Mrs. Theodore Krueger, is also a resident of Chicago; and Richard O. is deceased.

Hermann Rendtorff had but limited opportuni- ties for education. He was reared on the farm and attended school only during the winter months. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, and might have continued longer but for the outbreak of hos- tilities between the North and the South in 1861. He was filled with patriotic love for the land of his birth, and on the 14th of September, 1861, having just completed the eighteenth year of his age, he enlisted as a soldier in Company D, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He bore an active part in åll the engagements in which his regiment participated, and was wounded in the right thigh by a bullet at the battle of Newtonia, Missouri, September 30, 1862. He spent three months in hospitals at Fort Scott and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and still carries in his flesh the bullet which caused his injury. On his recovery he rejoined his regiment, with which he continued until honorably discharged at the close of his period of enlistment, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 4, 1864.

He returned to his native place and remained until February 20, 1865, on which date he became a resident of Chicago. He entered the employ of Ressing, Inderrieden & Company, wholesale and retail grocers, with whom he remained two years. At the end of this time he entered into partner- ship with G. E. Roscher, in a retail grocery store at No. 206 North Clark Street, and two years later sold out to his partner.

He now entered the hardware establishment of his brother-in-law, Mr. Oswald, at Nos. 139 and 141 Milwaukee Avenne, and rapidly mastered the business. At the end of one year he

688

JOHN SCHIRRA.

fornied a partnership with Mr. Oswald, and they opened a store on the corner of Lake and Halsted Streets, under the firm name of Rendtorff & Oswald. This connection lasted only a few years, and Mr. Rendtorff removed to the North Side and established an independent business on North Avenue. Two years later he purchased property on the corner of North Avenue and Mohawk Street, consisting of four lots and build- ings, whither he removed his stock and contin- ued business. In 1880 he added the manufacture of stove-boards, which he carried on in connec- tion with his hardware store. In the year 1883 he formed a partnership with his brother, J. Christian Rendtorff, and they opened two stores, one being at No. 154 North Avenue, and the other at No. 700 Lincoln Avenue. Their brother, Richard Otto, had charge of the former, and after his death they sold the Lincoln Avenue store.

In 1883 Mr. Rendtorff felt that he had earned a vacation, and sailed for Europe in that year, spending thirteen months in visiting England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Italy and Germany. On his return he opened a jobbing house in stoves, at No. 16 Lake Street, which he conducted until 1896, and then sold out. In 1894, when Mr. Rendtorff began building the present block at the corner of North Avenue and Mohawk Street, the stock was re- moved to No, 154 North Avenue, now conducted

by his brother, J. Christian, who owns it, the partnership having been dissolved by mutual con- sent in 1896.

Mr. Rendtorff has continued the manufacture of stove-boards since he first established it, and is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of a patent milk-pail with a detachable strainer, and a patent split-lock stove-pipe elbow. At present he is giving all his attention to his manufacturing interests, which are rapidly growing under his prudent and energetic management. Thirty-five men are employed in this business, and the products are shipped to nearly every state in the Union. His long business career in Chicago has made him a wide acquaintance, and firmly estab- lished his reputation as an upright and fair-deal- ing business ınan.

September 8, 1875, Mr. Rendtorff was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Ida Stuetze, a native of that city. Though not connected with any religious organization, Mr. Rendtorff is a supporter of all good works, and feels a 'keen in- terest in the moral, social and material welfare of the community in which he resides. His first pres- idential vote was cast in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1864, for Abraham Lincoln, and he has since supported the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of Hancock Post, No. 560, Grand Army of the Republic, and is highly esteemed by all classes of citizens because of his genial manner and manly worth.

JOHN SCHIRRA.

OHN SCHIRRA, a retired merchant of Chi- cago, was born January 18, 1822, in Dam- floss, Trier, Germany. His education was received in the schools of his native country, and he was reared to farm life. He was ambitious of better chances for advancement than were offered

by his native land, and in 1850 he came to the United States, settling in Cook County, Illinois, where he found employment at various occupa- tions. First he worked at farm labor, next at getting out railroad ties, and then at burning char- coal. Later he moved to the rapidly growing

689

CHRISTIAN MADARY.

city of Chicago and opened the first grocery store located north of Chicago avenue, at the corner of Siegel and Wells streets, in the old stone house.

In October, 1857, Mr. Schirra married Miss Barbara Scheidt, and soon after opened the store above referred to. For nine years he did a large and profitable business, and then moved to the sharp corner of Wells and Clark streets and Lin- coln avenue, where he conducted a saloon two years. While at this location he bought the property he now owns, at No. 606 Sedgwick street, and moved a building onto it, where he en- gaged in the grocery and saloon business, which he conducted with good success until the fire of 1871 carried away all his property but the very land.

After the fire Mr. Schirra rebuilt and resumed business, carrying it on until 1880, when he re- tired with a competence. After the fire he bought

two lots adjoining his business place and built on them, and now occupies the house at No. 602. Mr. Schirra's energies were always devoted to his private interests and he spent little time in politics, never having held an office. He is, how- ever, interested in the affairs of the nation, and is a supporter of the Democratic party. His suc- cess in business is due to his industry and good judgment in his investments and his careful and frugal habits.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Schirra has been blessed with twelve children, only six of whom are now living. Matilda is the wife of Mr. Jacob Becker. George has been a member of the Chi- cago Fire Department for many years. John fol- lows the trade of plumber. The others are: Jo- seph, Teresa, and Martha. All are communi- cants of Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church, and are worthy members of its large congregation.

CHRISTIAN MADARY.

D HRISTIAN MADARY, who, after a long life of honest toil is enjoying a period of comfort and rest in this city, has lived here many years, and is well known among the older residents of the city. He was born November 29, 1817, in Canton Basel, Switzerland, and re- ceived his education in his native country. When he was old enough to choose a trade, he wished to learn silk manufacture, and was occupied in this for many years in Switzerland.

He was married in March, 1844, to Miss Eva Elizabeth Meyer, and soon after resolved to try his fortunes in the New World. In 1845, accom- panied by his wife and her parents, he embarked at Havre, France, on a sailing-ship and, after forty-five days on the water, reached New York. They proceeded on their way to Chicago by water, sailing up the Hudson River to Albany,

whence they traveled by canal to Buffalo, and stopped six weeks at Detroit. Upon arriving in Chicago Mr. Madary was compelled to work at any honest labor he was able to procure for sev- eral years, but he was industrious and reliable, and rapidly succeeded in bettering his condi- tion.

In 1849 he rented a piece of land on North Clark street, and in a modest way, suited to his means, began gardening. This venture was so successful that, in 1852, he was able to purchase a lot sixty-one by two hundred fourteen feet, on North Avenue, where his home is now located, and was able to build a house in 1855. For many years Mr. Madary carried on gardening, and is still in a small way interested in it.

Of the ten children who have blessed the honie of Mr. and Mrs. Madary, seven are living.

690

JOHN BRUSZER.

Elizabeth is the wife of Fred Becker, of No. 78 Wells street. Next in order of birth are: Mary, William, Charles, Carrie, Albert, and Sophie, the last-named being the wife of Mr. William Beenner. Mrs. Madary passed away April 9, 1886. Mr. Madary's first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and since that time he has sup-

ported the Republican party in national issues. He and his family are members of the Reformed Church or the Evangelical Association, and are known as citizens of loyalty and patriotism to their adopted country, and have the respect of the community for their honest and upright lives and good works.

JOHN BRUSZER.

OHN BRUSZER, a prosperous and influen- tial citizen of Chicago, was born November 9, 1839, in Wadstena, Oster Gotland, Swe- den, and is a son of Jonas and Catarina Larson, his name being changed by him shortly after coming to America. His education and training for the business of life were received in the land of his birth, where he spent all his earlier life. At the age of eight years he entered the marine service as cabin boy on a passenger steamer ply- ing between Guttenberg and Stockholm. In 1851, at the age of thirteen years, he shipped as cabin boy on the sailing-ship Eugenia, a govern- ment vessel fitted out for scientific research and exploration purposes, sailing in the northern waters in search of the North Pole. He remained on this boat till 1853. After this he became a sailor in the summer and learned the machinist's trade in the winter months. He followed this for many years. About 1865 he bought a vessel, the Freda Nord, and sailed it on Lake Wetter until 1868, when he sold it, and the next year came to America.

One brother, Andrew, came to America in 1868, and this roused the ambition of John Brus- zer to follow him and try his fortunes in the land across the water. He followed his brother the following year, arriving in New York April 29, and proceeded westward to the State of Illinois. He remained one year engaged in farm labor

near Rockford, and then spent some time in trav- eling, going to Whitehall, Michigan; to St. Louis, to New Orleans, to the State of Arkansas, to St. Louis again, to St. Paul, and then worked along the Mississippi River, which often brought him to St. Louis, a city that he greatly liked.

In 1872 Mr. Bruszer established himself in Chicago, and found employment on the city dredges and tug-boats. He was willing to spend his time and energy in any honest labor, and during this time was rapidly mastering the Eng- lish language. Mr. Bruszer removed to South Chicago in May, 1873, and entered the employ of the Calumet & Chicago Canal & Dock Com- pany, on tug-boats. He remained at this work about one year, and then secured a position with the Chicago Forge & Bolt Company, where lie remained nine years. At the end of this period of time he found employment in the coal yard of E. L. Hedstrom, and since then he has continued in this employ, now acting as engineer. His poor health causes the loss of inuch time, but through his reliability and faithfulness he is invaluable to his employer. In 1894 he took a well-earned vacation, and visited the scenes of his childhood and also other parts of Europe, remaining from September, 1894, to April of the next year.

Mr. Bruszer built a house in 1874, on Green Bay Avenue, between Eighty-ninth and Ninetieth Streets, on the east side of the avenue, and re-

69.1

MRS. E. E. THILO.

sided there until 1880, when he built a house on a vacant lot adjoining the one where his present home is situated. In 1891 he built a dwelling on the site where he now resides, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1893. To meet his immediate need he built a house on the rear of his lot, which is still standing, and in 1894 built an elegant apartment house of four stories, which is his present home. He has been most successful in his business transactions, and prosperity has crowned his efforts.

Mr. Bruszer was married December 25, 1873, to Miss Matilda Krantz, of his old home in Swe- den. Their union has been blessed with five children. They are Oscar Conrad, Carl Wol- ford, Remer, Chester and Elsie. All are living, with the exception of Remer, who died when two and a-half years old. Mr. Bruszer is active in social and political circles in his community, and has many friends. He was reared in the Luth- eran faith, to which he still adheres. In politics he is a Republican.

MRS. EVA. E. THILO.

M RS. EVA ELIZABETH THILO, an old and respected pioneer of Chicago, was born in Langensaltz, Saxony, Germany, Sep- tember 25, 1836. She is a daughter of Fred- erick Christian and Christina (Ackerman) Sper- ber, and came with her parents to Chicago in 1847. Christian and Christina Sperber were the parents of five children, three of whom died in Germany, and when they came to Chicago they brought with them besides Elizabeth one other daughter, Christine. Mr. Sperber died about 1869, and the mother survived him until August, 1893, when she also passed away, at the age of more than ninety years.

Eva E. Sperber was married March 10, 1851, to Charles Henry Nibbe, who was born December 6, 1828, near Hamburg, Germany. He left his home at the tender age of twelve years and fol- lowed a sailor's life, becoming a captain when still a young man, and at one time became the owner of a number of boats on the Great Lakes. In 1848 he came to the United States, and until about 1857 was a captain on the Lakes. At this time he engaged in the grocer's business on Larrabee Street, and continued this until the fire of 1871, when he lost everything in the confla-

gration. He did not lose his courage, however, and rebuilt and again engaged in business, being successful. He was diligent and prudent and was able to accumulate a competence. He was an ardent Republican, and in the success of his party he took an active interest, and contributed largely to it. For two years he was custom- house surveyor in Chicago, during which tinie he was associated with the brother-in-law of President Grant, Willianı Dent.

Mr. Nibbe was a member of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church. He and his wife were blessed with seventeen children, of whom only the fol- lowing are now living: Charles H., a printer; Peter; Elizabeth, now widow of John Whitty; Minnie, wife of Dr. W. H. Dodge; Emma, wife of Reese Steffy; Paul; and Paulina. Mr. Nibbe died January 19, 1881.

July 12, 1885, Mrs. Nibbe became the wife of G. Wilhelm Thilo, who was born December 31, 1829, in Dering, Saxony, Germany. He re- ceived his education in his native country, and learned the trade of inason, which he followed for many years. His ambition led him to leave his home for the New World, where he determined to seek his fortune, which, however, he knew

692

GEORGE ERNST.

could come to him only through his own efforts. In 1855 he left Germany, and upon his arrival in the United States he came direct to Chicago. For six years he was employed as a mason, and then he engaged in gardening on Halsted Street. He was married in Prussia to Miss Susanna Hausen, a native of the same place as himself, in 1853, and by that marriage lie had five children, only two of whom lived to maturity-Minnie, now Mrs. Hammerstrom, and William, deceased. The mother died in 1883.

Mr. Thilo continned the conduct of his garden until he was able to retire, about twenty years ago, having acquired a comfortable fortune. He

is now interested in a factory for making linseed oil, belonging to the Crescent Linseed Oil Com- pany. He has been interested in this industry for fifteen years, during most of which period he has served as vice-president of the company - his present position. Mr. Thilo has been for many years a member of the German Mutual Fire In1- surance Company of North Chicago, and served as its treasurer several years. He is also promi- nently connected with various social and benefit societies. In political sentiment he adheres to the principles maintained by the Republican par- ty. He and his family are connected with the Lutheran Church.

CAPT. GEORGE ERNST.

e APTAIN GEORGE ERNST, who was pioneers of the town, by whom he was honored many years connected with the Fire Depart- ment of Chicago, was born in Baden Baden, Germany. He was a son of Joseph Ernst, who came to Buffalo, New York, when George was but eight years of age. He died during the epidemic of cholera in that city, where his widow after- ward made her residence until her death. Their children were: Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, George (of whom this article is written), and Charles. The last three were residents of Chicago. Joseph never married, and was a soldier in the Civil War. He is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Na- tional Home, at Milwaukee.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 98

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