Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 100

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899 > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

July 18, 1881, Mr. Havill was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Kinzig, of Dayton Ohio. Their only child, Cora, is at home with her parents. July 22, 1897, Mr. Havill underwent his second severe bodily injury. He boarded a car at the cor- ner of Sixty-third Street and Cottage Grove Ave- nue, which was very much crowded. He was com- pelled to hang on the side, and a car going in the opposite direction struck Mr. Havill, among several others, and he was knocked to the ground and still feels the effects of his injuries.

Mr. Havill had dabbled to a great extent in race horses, being the present owner of Algeretta, the finest two-year-old ever in Chicago. He was

the owner of- the first Cora Havill, who broke her leg at Harlem and practically grieved herself to death from the injuries. He now owns twelve blooded horses, and has been in possession of seventeen at one time. He is strictly a follower of the pleasures of the turf, and winters his horses at John W. Wilson's farm. Theresa H. is one of his fine horses, which was entered in the derby of 1898. Mr. Havill has entered horses at Windsor, Canada, St. Louis, Missouri, at the John Conlin track, at Ideal Park, Wisconsin, and at Joliet, Illinois. Algeretta won everything in which she was entered, beating every other horse in the field. He is very enthusiastic over the breed of horses which he backs, and countenances 10 tendency toward the selling platers.

Mr. Havill is a member of Gauntlet Lodge No. 4, Knights of Pythias,in which he is very popular. He votes in favor of the candidates of the Re- publican party at all times, and will always be found with them in argument. He is a man of commanding presence, but devoid of any haughti- ness of manner, which is, unfortunately, so often found in the man of force. Physically he is above the average, naturally, but the accidents which he has undergone served to reduce his strength.

His suave, courteous manners make him an easy man to approach, and his large business ex- perience makes him an interesting person to con- verse with. He is well known among real es- tate dealers, and is swift in seeing a business ad- vantage and not slow to act thereon.

ANDREW SAUER.

NDREW SAUER, one of the highly respec- ted citizens of the portion of Chicago where he resides, was born May 18, 1820, in Wur- temberg, Germany. He is a son of Andrew and Barbara (Grispis) Sauer, and is a true represen-

tative of the sturdy, energetic and ambitious Ger- man. Though loyal in every degree to his adopted country, he never forgets the land that gave him birth and treasures a fond memory for the country along the Rhine.

697

PETER BEYGEH.

Andrew Sauer was the only one of his father's family to emigrate from the land of their nativity. He arrived in Chicago May 30, 1867, when the city was still in its young days and comparatively small in area and population. He had learned the trade of baker in Germany, and conducted a bakery and general catering establishment there. On his coming to America he was at first occupied as a laborer, and later entered the service of his father-in-law, Michael Weidinger.

He was ambitious beyond this, however, and one week before the great fire of 1871 he started a bakery business on Indiana Street, near La Salle Avenue. He lost everything in the great conflagration and after that time was again em- ployed as a laborer. For the past five years he has resided at No. 121 Sigel Street.

November 11, 1856, Mr. Sauer married Eva Weidinger. Mrs. Sauer was born November 11, 1834, and died October 16, 1872. Her remains were interred in St. Boniface Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Sauer were blessed with six children: An extended notice of Ambrose, the eldest, appears elsewhere in this volume. Barbara, who resides with her father, is in the employ of Bunte Broth- ers & Spoehr, wholesale confectioners, located at Nos. 139-144 West Monroe Street. Elizabeth died at the age of twenty years. Nicholasresides in Lake View. Annie is employed in the grocery department of Siegel, Cooper & Company's store; and Paulina, the youngest, is at home. The family is a harmonious one, and though deprived of a mother, progresses and thrives as well as possible under the circumstances.

PETER BEYGEH.

ETER BEYGEH was one of the earliest German settlers of Chicago, having located here about 1838, and was many years con- nected with the business interests of the city. He was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, Febril- ary 21, 1814. Peter Beygeh received a good education in his native land, and it was his father's intention to educate him for the priest- hood.

Young Peter's inclinations did not lie in that direction. He preferred that his life should be one of business activity. Before the final arrange- ments were completed, and previous to his enter- ing upon his theological course, he left home and came to the United States. He learned the trade of butcher, after which he engaged in business for his own interests. He was several years in partnership with Rudolph Wehrle, and they kept a meat market first on LaSalle Street and later on State Street.

After doing a successful business for several years the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Beygeh believing he could better further his own inter- ests if by himself. He carried on the business alone on Market Street a few years, then moved to West Randolph Street, continuing until about 1864, when he retired, with a handsome compe- tence as a reward for his industry and business sagacity.

A few years after his arrival in Chicago he pur- chased a lot on the northeast corner of La Salle and Randolph Streets, which he sold in 1851 for six thousand dollars, little thinking the same land would attain its present value. Pre- vious to making this sale he bought five acres, which were located at what is now the corner of North Lincoln and West Division Streets, then an unbroken prairie and a long distance from the business portion of the city. In 1853 he built a nice cottage on this property for a

698

B. N. DUGAS.

country home, this being the first residence erected on West Division Street west of the river, and the only one in that locality for some years. In that early time wild game was plentiful and wolves so numerous that the older members of the family have distinct recollection of their frequent visits to the back door of the house in the day time.

Mr. Beygeh was a successful business man, and the ample fortune which he left to his widow and family came to him through the legitimate channels of trade and was in part the result of judicious investments, and none was acquired by questionable methods or by taking advantage of others. He is remembered by all who knew him well as having been exceedingly jovial, kind- hearted and generous. After his retirement from business he cultivated a part of his land, where he grew vegetables, most of which he gave away to his neighbors who were less fortunate than himself.

While Mr. Beygeh was public-spirited and progressive, and always used his influence for

the advancement of the best interests of his home city, he never sought political preferment and never held any office except that of street com- missioner, which he filled one year. November 18, 1851, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Goeller, who was born September 17, 1827, in Faltz, Germany. Her father, Frederick Goeller, died when she was a mere child, after which her mother married Christian Weissenbach. Mrs. Beygeh came to America with her mother and stepfather in 1845, and four years later came to Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Beygeh had eleven children, only seven of whom are living at this writing, namely: Robert; Elizabeth, wife of Leo Kachlein, of Tacoma, Washington; Frederick, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Emma, now Mrs. Henry Behl, of Chicago; Minnie, Julia and Rudolph. All have enjoyed good educational as well as social ad- vantages, and are useful and respected members of society. Mr. Beygeh died at his home in Chicago, December 24, 1874, and his remains were interred in Graceland Cemetery.

BENJAMIN N. DUGAS.

ENJAMIN NICHOLI DUGAS, who is an energetic and successful carpenter in Chi- cago, has seen much of the world and visited many parts of the country of his adoption. He was born September 2, 1835, on a farm near the town of Ciceban, Nova Scotia, a son of Charles and Jane (Quemoe) Dugas. His grandfather was one of the Acadians who were transported by the British government, and was the father of two children.

Charles Dugas died when Benjamin N. was five years old, having lived to be a very old man. He was a tiller of the soil, and owned sixteen hundred acres of land. He was one of the most

prominent men in his section and was twice mar- ried. He was father of sixteen children, all of whom reached maturity, and the subject of this notice is the youngest son by his second mar- riage. By his first wife he had four sons, Celes- tian, Frank, Peter and Oliver, and three daugh- ters whose names cannot now be recalled. The mother of the man whose name heads this article died about 1878, at the age of eighty years. Her children were named as follows: Eli, Charlotte, Cerier, Margaret, Joseph, Charles, Walter, John and Benjamin Nicholi.

Benjamin N. Dugas was occupied on a farm and in a ship yard when a young man, beginning

699

WILLIAM HAMEL.

the work of a ship builder at the age of seventeen years. At the age of nineteen years lie went to Paris, Indiana, in May, 1855, and from there went to Marshall, Illinois, spending the summer in the last-mentioned town. In September, 1856, he came to Chicago and remained here a short time. He then removed to Douglas County, Illinois. He subsequently went South for a time during the war, as a pioneer for the government, and then located in Kankakee, on his return to Illinois. He lived in that city eighteen years and conducted a carpenter shop. In 1887 he came to Chicago, and has resided in this city since that time. He follows his chosen occupation, and

eleven years ago erected a residence at No. 509 North Rockwell Street, where he has lived since that time. He has visited Kansas, Dakota and many other western states.

Forty years ago Mr. Dugas was married to Vitiline, daughter of Louis and Frances Proulx, and their children were eight in number, two having died. They were named: Walter, Eu- genis, Archer (who died at the age of sixteen months), Valmore, Corrinne, Eva, Agnes (who died at the age of twenty-two years) and Leah. Mr. Dugas comes of Catholic stock, and votes in favor of the principles of the Democratic party at all times.

WILLIAM HAMEL.

ILLIAM HAMEL, one of the prominent and loyal citizens of Chicago, was born November 5, 1840, in Lohne, Kur-Hessen, Germany, and is a son of John Henry and Anna Katherine (Eckhardt) Hamel. His father was born in Wabern, Kur-Hessen, and his mother in Lohne, the former April 22, 1813, and the latter March 27, 1808.

Henry Hamel was a cabinet-maker by trade. His wife had been previously married to Ludwig Eckhardt, by whom she had two sons-Louis, who died in Chicago, and Nicholas, of whom further mention is made on another page of this work. December 16, 1836, she became the wife of Henry Hamel, by whom she had five children, four of whom are now living, namely: Anna Eliz- abeth, wife of John Heimburger, of Chicago; William, of this sketch; Maria Elizabeth, 110W Mrs. Franz Thon; and Anna Elizabeth, widow of Adam Sauer.

The man whose name heads this article, Will- iam Hamel, attended the parish school of his native town until he reached the age of fourteen

years, and was confirmed in the church just be- fore leaving the land of his nativity, June 27, 1854. In this year his father's family emigrated to America, arriving in New York Christmas morning, after an ocean voyage of sixty-nine days. They went directly to Ansonia, Connecti- cut, where lived relatives of the family, and spent a few months there. The father then removed his family to New York, where he and his brother, John Hamel, started to manufacture chair frames. The venture proved disastrous, and their capital was exhausted in nine months. He then removed westward, to Chicago, and located in that city in July, 1855. He occupied himself at lıis trade until his death, which occurred Novem- ber 6, 1890, his wife having preceded him Nov- ember 29, 1884.

After coming to America William Hamel at- tended public school in New York, in order to learn the English language. His first employ- ment in Chicago was in a dry goods store as an errand boy. He was soon made a clerk, and filled that position until 1861.

700

LOUIS CHRISTENSEN.

In August of that year he enlisted in the Union Army, and was assigned to Company A, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the First Board of Trade Regiment. ] He was taken sick at Pawtucket, in October, with typhoid fever, and was unable to rejoin his regiment until November, when he went South with it. There he was stricken with swamp fever, and was for a time confined in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn- essee. On the way from Holly Springs to Meni- phis he met with an accident that caused hernia, disabling him from further duty. He was honor- ably discharged at Memphis in March, 1862.

After returning to Chicago he resumed his clerkship for a few weeks, and then embarked in the grocery business, buying out a stock in part- nership with his step-brother. He prospered for nine months, when he sold his interest to his partner. He then spent some time in the East and, in 1863, in company with Christ Eriskson, he opened a general store on the corner of Milwau- kee Avenueand Green Street, and ten months later sold out at a profit. He subsequently en- gaged in business alone, in dry goods and grocer- ies, at Milwaukee Avenue and Cornell Street, and conducted a successful trade until 1873. He then bought a property at No. 442 Chicago Ave- nue and moved to that place and continued in business until 1876, when he sold out. About this time he was appointed by the Government to

the position of United States store-keeper for the first district of Illinois, and held that post four years. He was later, for a short time, salesman for a brush factory. He then started a bottling business, which he carried on twenty years, sell- ing out in May, 1898. He is now in the employ of the Chicago branch of the Joseph Schlitz Brew- ing Company, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as col- lector.

Mr. Hamel has voted the Republican ticket since he became an American citizen. He is a member of Goethe Lodge No. 329, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Wicker Park Lodge No. 204, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is connected with the Knights of Pythias and National Union. For more than thirty years he has been a member of the Chicago Sharpshoot- ers' Association, has been identified with the Teutonic Maennerchor since 1864, and is a mem- ber of W. S. Hancock Post No. 560 Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Hamel was married August 8, 1869, to Miss Anna Katharine Schulz. They have seven children living, namely: Anna Matilda, Anna Rosina, Bertha, Henry Nicholas, Ludwig Wil- helm, Anna Louise and Carl William. Mr. Hamel is connected with St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is recognized as a man of honor and integrity, and has all the instincts of a gentleman.

LOUIS CHRISTENSEN.

OUIS CHRISTENSEN, one of those natives of Denmark who have made their homes in Chicago and by their many good moral qualities and their great business ability become a credit to that city and to their native land, was born April 15, 1858. He spent his boyhood in

the city of Slugelsa and received a common-school education in that place, learning at the same time habits of industry and temperance, which marked his future life. He is the only son in a family of four children and, as his parents were poor, he was obliged early in life to take care of himself.

701

J. W. ROGERS.

At the age of fourteen years he began a four- years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's bench and faithfully executed his share of the contract, becoming at the end of the time a skilled work- man. He worked as a carpenter until 1879, though it became evident that where workmen were so numerous the chances of advancement and fortune were not so great as in some newer country.

He therefore resolved to emigrate to America, where many of his countrymen had already found homes and business opportunities. He journeyed to Iowa, but like many others was drawn as by a magnet to Chicago. Being without capital, he was obliged to begin as a journeyman carpenter, though he resolved to save part of his earnings toward a sufficient sumn to begin as a contractor. He worked diligently in various capacities and saw his savings gradually increase until, in 1890, he concluded to launch out in business. Besides building many residences by contract, he has erected several on lots of his own, and afterwards sold at a good profit. From this time his capital increased more rapidly, and the business has been

continued with steady success ever since. In 1893 Mr. Christensen built the fine three-story residence at No. 818 North Rockwell Street, which is now occupied by his family. This build- ing is of brick, with a stone front. He also owns other real estate in the city. Though the first few years of his residence in America were a con- stant struggle, the subject of this sketch allowed no discouragement to dampen his ardor, but kept steadily on toward the goal of his ambition. The result must be a constant source of satisfaction to him, for he not only has sufficient of this world's goods to brighten his old age, but also to place his family beyond the reach of want. He has moreover lived an honest, industrious life, which cannot fail to be a source of pride and inspiration to his children.

In politics Mr. Christensen is a Democrat and uses his voice and influence in the interests of his party. He was married in Chicago in 1881 to Miss Bertha Hutchinson, who has been a faithful companion both in his years of hardship and pros- perity. They are the parents of three children, George, Cena and Clara.

JAMES W. ROGERS.

AMES WILLIAM ROGERS was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England, August 11, 1834, and is a son of James Chambers and Fanny Tryphena (Hayes) Rogers, the former a member of an old English family, and on the maternal side traces back to Wales. The family, consisting of parents and five chil- dren, came to the United States in 1852, landing in New York in June, after an ocean voyage, in a sailing vessel, of seven weeks, from Liverpool. They remained in Brooklyn a couple of years, where James C. Rogers was occupied at his

trade, that of carpenter. They came to Chicago in 1855, Mr. Rogers removing to that city a few months previous to his family.

James C. Rogers followed his trade until his death, which occurred in 1860, Mrs. Rog- ers surviving him until 1876. Their family is as follows: James W., of this article; John Bitterly; Charles A., of Chicago; Jabez, of Anderson, Indiana; May Jemime, Mrs. Marcus H. Buzzell; Priscilla, wife of Charles B. Dorr. The last mentioned was born in Brooklyn, New York.

702

C. E. MOREY.

J. W. Rogers enjoyed but limited educational advantages in the land of his nativity, but is possessed of a tactful and energetic nature and learned much from practice and the vast school of experience. He acquired the knowledge of the use of tools from his father and served a two- years' apprenticeship in Brooklyn at the trade of carpenter. He became self-supporting at an early age and at the death of his father the care of the younger members of the family devolved upon him. He was employed by others for wages un- til about the year 1875, and then took contracts for work on his own account, being actively en-

gaged at his trade until the year 1893, when he retired, having accumulated a handsome com- petency.

Mr. Rogers has been a Republican since the organization of that party, having voted for Fre- mont and every presidential candidate of the party since that time. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is recognized as influential for every move toward the uplifting of the minds and hearts of his fellow-men. He never married and has lived a quiet, unostentatious life, giving his support to all good works and for the benefit of the city and country at large.

CHARLES E. MOREY.

HARLES EDWARD MOREY. Of the de- ceased among the worthy citizens of Chi- cago, none are more mourned and missed by friends than Charles Edward Morey. He was a man of upright and energetic character, honor- able in all dealings, and showing himself the well-bred gentleman in every act and manner. He was born April 5, 1843, in Maitland, Ontario, (then Canada West), and is a sou of Reuben and Abigail (Pennock) Morey, both representatives of good families.

He obtained a public-school education and came to the city of Chicago when a very young man, aged eighteen years. He was first em- ployed in the large store of Marshall Field & Company, remaining but one year in this serv- ice. He later worked for the Knickerbocker Ice Company, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the city, and was teamster for the seed dealer, Albert Dickinson, for a long time, up to the time of Mr. Dickinson's death. He was a valued employe, and his services were recon1- pensed accordingly.

Mr. Morey was married July 4, 1867, to Miss Sophia Huguelet. For ancestry of Mrs. Morey

refer to the biography of Louis Huguelet, on an- other page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Morey became the parents of six children, four of whom lived to be a credit to their name and the rearing they received. Charles Edward, born May 11, 1868, married Harriet Riley, December 24, 1890, and resides at No. 135 Larrabee Street. They have four children: Adella, Jessie, Harriet and Charles. Lily Louise was born February 4, 1871, and was married May 5, 1893, and died Septem- ber 30, following. Adella Sophia, born August 28, 1872, married Milton Vogel, August 3, 1890, and resides with her mother, her only child being Lilian Sophia, who was born December 25, 1891. William Henry, born December 26, 1875, is at home, as is also David Reuben, born Au- gust 28, 1881. Carrie Ella, born December 17, 1880, died May 10, 1881.

Mr. Morey's people were Protestants. He was a Democrat and loyal to his party's interests, using his influence in its favor at all times. He died January 21, 1881, and his remains were in- terred in Graceland Cemetery. His widow is now residing at No. 28 Chestnut Place, in Chi- cago.

LIBRARY OF THE MONITHI 30 Alisdadi.

CHARLES SEEGERS.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).

703

CHARLES. SEEGERS.

CHARLES SEEGERS.

X D HARLES SEEGERS. The elements essen- tial to make men of mark in the world are as varied as the individuals who make up the sum total of humanity. An immortal poet lias said, "Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." It is men of the second class, as spoken of by the most renowned of bards, who fill the greatest needs in the affairs of life.

Charles Seegers, with whom this sketch has to do, is of humble birth and of poor but respectable parentage. He was born February 12, 1834, in Hanover, Germany, his parents being Henry and Augusta Seegers, natives of Hanover. The mother died in Germany. when Charles was quite young, and the father in Chicago in 1864.

The boyhood of Charles Seegers was passed in his native land, the common schools affording him the means whereby he obtained a practical elementary education. As a boy he was sturdy, practical and resolute, possessing many of those dominant characteristics of the German race which have won success wherever the forces of the German mind and heart have with fixedness of purpose taken hold of the affairs of life.

On leaving school at the age of fourteen years he entered upon a four years' apprenticeship to the cigar-maker's trade. After serving his time he spent three years working at his trade in dif- ferent cities. Having arrived at man's estate, le realized the narrowness of opportunities surround- ing him in his native land, and longing for a field

of wider environment, lie decided to seek his for- tune in America. In May, 1855, he carried into effect his resolution of emigration, and at Bremen took passage in a sailing ship, and forty-two days later landed in New York City. He came direct to Chicago, and on his arrival his cash capital consisted of one dollar. He soon found employ- ment at his trade and worked a few months for wages. In December, 1855, he began manufac- turing cigars on his own account at what is now No. 324 Milwaukee Avenue. Later he opened a cigar and tobacco store, and at one time dealt largely in leaf tobacco. Under his judicious man- agement the business grew to large proportions. He employed a number of hands and did a profit- able trade until 1876, when he sold out.

His next business venture was manufacturing linseed oil with others, under the firm name of the Northwestern Linseed Oil Company, which after- ward became the Northwestern Lead and Oil Con- pany, of which he was president. This business was successfully conducted under his manage- ment until 1887, when they sold out to the trust known as the National Linseed Oil Company. While thius engaged he bought some stock in the American Varnish Company, and in 1891 be- came actively interested in the business. He was elected president of the company and still holds that position. This important industry employs about thirty men, and the product of the factory finds a market in nearly every state in the Union.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 100

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co. Number of Pages: 910

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910