Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 2

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 2

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).

At this time Mr. Santa was unable to speak either English or German, though he wrote and spoke fluently three other languages. He was on this account unfitted to take up work for which he was otherwise well qualified, and farm

HANS LARSEN.

labor seemed his most available opportunity. After a short time spent in this work in Du Page County he returned to Cook County and entered the employ of the Crosby Distilling Company, where he soon rose to the position of second fore- man, remaining with the company seven years. He then learned the trade of cooper, at which he worked about eight years. His next venture was in the grocery business, his store being lo- cated in what is now Milton Avenue. Subse- quently he bought property in Larrabee Street, where he erected a store and carried on his busi- ness successfully until the great fire of 1871. This terrible conflagration destroyed most of his savings of a period of twenty years, all that was left him being his real estate.

Having won the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens he was appointed by Timothy Bradley, sheriff of Cook County, to the office of deputy sheriff, and served under Judge Porter until the latter's death, in 1873. He was then selected by Judge Gary as bailiff, and served in that capacity until July 8, 1890. Since that time he was not engaged actively in business, the care of his property and his social duties occupying much of his time, until December, 1898, when he was again selected by Judge Gary as his personal bailiff.

Mr. Santa has ever taken a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow-men, and especially in that of his fellow-countrymen. He is a promi- nent member of the Sons of Herman and has filled all the important offices in that society, in- cluding that of national president. He has held the same position in the German order of the Harugari. He is a member of St. Paul's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, and has taken consider- able part in the effective work of that organiza- tion, being at present connected with Uhlich Or- phan Asylum. In politics Mr. Santa has followed the fortunes of the Republican party, having joined it upon its organization. Since learning the German and English languages he has be- come quite proficient in their use and has con- tinued his studies along literary lines. He has contributed numerous articles to the German press of the city and also to a number of society papers throughout the country.

July 19, 1853, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Jane Urquhart, who remained his helpmeet until her death in November, 1876. Of the children of this marriage, three are living, namely: William, Edward and Catherine, the last-named being now Mrs. Frank Holst. All are residents of Chicago. Mr. Santa was married a second time, in 1877, to Mrs. Louise Weise.

HANS LARSEN.

ANS LARSEN, one of the successful busi- ness men and respected citizens of the por- tion of Chicago where he is located, was born in Denmark, March 20, 1858, and possesses all the perseverance, energy and ambition of the natives of the country where he was born and spent the first part of his varied career. He was reared on a farm until twenty-one years of age, and received the advantages of the schools of his

birthplace for seven years. The most of his knowledge has been obtained in the vast school of experience, and he has profited by the advan- tages that have fallen to his lot.

He has never been above honest labor, and for a long time after his arrival in Chicago, was em- ployed by the day by other men. He arrived in America in 1880, and traveled directly to Chi- cago. His first service was in a lumber yard,

FRANK SPAMER.

where he received a dollar and one-half per day as compensation during the first year, and one dol- lar and seventy-five cents during the second year. He subsequently began work at the trade of car- penter, which he followed two years, receiving two dollars per day during the second year.

Mr. Larsen then decided to change his mode of work, and was employed four years by J. S. Kirk & Company, soap manufacturers. He was in the soda department the last two years. De- ciding to embark in the grocery business, he lo- cated at No. 428 Grand Avenue, then West Indiana Street, and was thus occupied six years. When Mayor Washburne was elected he was ap- pointed on the police force and served until Oc- tober 26, 1897. He was first at Sheffield Ave- nue, in the Forty-first Precinct, remaining there five years. He was for the same length of time at Atwell Street, Thirty-fifth Precinct, and after retiring from the police force, established his pres-

ent business, dealing in flour and feed. He has built up a profitable trade and his success is en- tirely due to his own energetic efforts and busi- ness ability.

Mr. Larsen was fortunate in the selection of a very suitable and helpful life companion, in the person of Annie Carlsland, who has aided in making his home harmonious and pleasant. They were married in Chicago, May 15, 1886. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Larsen, but three are living, Gerhard, Hazel and Esther. Mr. Larsen is a member of the Policemen's Benevolent Association, and is also connected with the Royal League. He is a stanch and thorough Republi- can, and his influence in favor of his party is made manifest at all favorable opportunities. He is a self-made man, having started in a strange land, with no financial capital, and has made his own way since establishing himself in the great business world.

FRANK SPAMER.

RANK SPAMER, JUNIOR, who is one of the most enterprising and successful busi- ness men in Chicago, is an old and ex- perienced hand at his business and holds an enviable position among men in his line. He was born May 8, 1859, in Beverly, Massachusetts, and is a son of Franz and Elizabeth Margaret Spamer, of whom meution is made in another article. He received a fairly good education, and being naturally apt, acquired a knowledge of books, as well as the ways of the great business world.

Frank Spamer attended the Newberry and Franklin Schools and took commercial law, bookkeeping and rhetoric at the Athenæum, at- tending one winter. He was, later, at public night school and one year in the Metropolitan

Business College. At the age of fifteen years he left school and began to seek employment. He accepted a position in the employ of Fred Kaemp- fer, a bird fancier, and after one year, entered the service of Edward Buchler, who kept a foreign book store at No. 235 State Street, with whom he remained two years. He then became an em- ploye of Adams & Westlake, hardware specialty manufacturers. He started in as an apprentice and remained three years, after which he ob- tained a position with Leahy Brothers, wholesale dry goods dealers. He served three years, and was six subsequent months in the capacity of salesman employed by C. W. M. Friedlander. He traveled three years for the Cincinnati house of Enneking, Hartkemeyer & Company, manu- facturers of tailors' trimmings, visiting cities

JOHN BARTELL.

through Iowa, Illinois, Northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Mr. Spamer was occupied one year with the same duties, traveling through his old territory, for the New York house of Richard Adams & Company, dealers in tailors' trim- mings.

Subsequently, with W. G. Sheridan, he opened a tailor shop at No. 125 Dearborn Street, Chi- cago, the firm name becoming Sheridan & Spamer. The partnership was dissolved is less than one year and Mr. Spamer entered into a like enterprise with Peter Steinmetz, the name being Steinmetz & Spamer, located at No. 183 North Avenue. This continued four years and Mr. Spamer continued business alone at No. 41 Ran- dolph Street, three and one-half years. His last

move was to enter into partnership with Peter F. Jensen, a corporation being formed in September, 1895, and continuing to the present date, under the title of Spamer & Jensen Company.

Mr. Spamer was married May 8, 1883, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Blackburn, daughter of Adam Blackburn, who is mentioned at length on an- other page of this work. Their only child is Frank Blackburn, who was born July 23, 1884. Mr. Spamer has a pleasant home at No. 303 Sheffield Avenue. He is a member of Lincoln Park Lodge No. 611, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He was reared in the Presbyterian Church, and adheres to the faith of his fathers.

JOHN BARTELL.

OHN BARTELL, a prominent carpenter and builder in the city of Chicago, was born in Hessen-Cassel, Germany, June 2, 1828, and is a son of John and Margaret Bartell, both of whom died in the Fatherland. Of their eight children, four came to America, namely: Chris- toph, Katharine, Louise and John. Christoph and John came to America in 1846, sailing from Bremen. After a voyage of eleven weeks on the sailing vessel ."Rob Roy," they landed in the United States and located in Baltimore, Mary- land.

In this city they worked at their trade for some years. Christoph remained there and be- came a very prominent citizen. He served in the state legislature during the Civil war and died in Baltimore in 1885. John became occupied at his trade in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and other cities and made his home in Baltimore until 1856. He visited his native land in 1852. In 1856 he came to Chicago and was employed by

other men until shortly before the fire of 1871, when he began building and contracting on his own account. He confined his operations mostly to the building of private residences. For thirty years he has been located at No. 189 Washington Street, or in that neighborhood.

He has supported the Republican party since its organization, but has never sought public office of any kind. He is a member of the Foresters' Order. December 5, 1852, he married Miss Eliza Rise, a native of Bavaria. She came to the United States in 1844, with her parents, Steplien and Dorothy Rise, who settled in Baltimore, where both died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- tell have lost one child by death and have seven children living, namely: Henry, Emma, Oscar, Richard, William, Amanda and Hattie. He is a man of excellent character, morally, though not a member of any religious organization. He is well known as a gentleman, in the best sense of the word, and has many true friends.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

JAMES JOHNSON.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).

MRS. JAMES JOHNSON.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

JAMES JOHNSON.

9 AMES JOHNSON, who is now living re- tired, is a worthy old settler of Chicago and one of the wealthy and substantial citizens of the portion of the city which was once Englewood. His marvelous success is altogether due to his own efforts. He was born in New York City, January 14, 1832, and is a son of James and Eleanor (Wilson) Johnson, the former of Scotch- Irish and the latter of English parentage.

James Johnson was educated in the public schools of the city in which he was born and his father dying when James was a small boy, he was early forced to look after his own interests and begin the battle of life. He was for a short time employed in a brick yard. In 1847 he came west to Illinois and located in Du Page County. The following year his mother came to Illinois and brought with her her two daughters. His mother died in Englewood in the year 1866 and her remains were interred in Downer's Grove.

Mr. Johnson lived in the region of Downer's Grove until the gold fever broke out in 1849, when he went to California, traveling from New York by boat. He remained four years and was blessed with very good success. In 1853 he re- turned east, and in Fayette County, Iowa, pur- chased a farm and lived there nearly ten years. In 1863 he entered the service of the government and was in the quartermaster's department one year. He then located in Englewood, which was then called Rock Island Junction, and contained only about a dozen houses.

He subsequently became occupied at making hay in the summer months and teaming and general contracting in the winter. He took the contract for drawing the rock for the Transit Honse at the stock yards. He has since resided in this locality, having purchased property when the town was still young and growing fast. His land increased in value, enabling him to live in retirement since 1885. When the place was known as the Town of Lake, he was in charge of the fire station three years.

Mr. Johnson has been a Republican since the party was organized and his first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont. He has never held public office but was always a promi- nent worker and influential in the promotion of good for his party. He has for many years been a member of the Masonic order, being a charter member of Englewood Lodge No. 690, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

In 1860 he married Miss Hattie Boydston, who was the mother of his only son, Elmer, who now resides in Nebraska. November 26, 1879, he married Mrs. Louise, widow of Henry Nie- meyer. Mrs. Johnson was born October 18, 1839, in Hanover, Germany. (See biography of Henry Niemeyer on another page of this work. ) Mrs. James Johnson was for some years a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hoff- nung Rebekah Lodge, and was one of the first lady members initiated. She is at present and has been for many years a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of Uliclı Orphan Asylum. Mr.

HENRY KELLER.

Jolinson was reared in the faith of the Methodist Church, while his wife is a Lutheran. They have a pleasant home and enjoy the respect and coll- fidence of a large circle of friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson possess pleasant, genial natures, full of hospitality and good will toward their fellows. Mr. Johnson has a sterling character, a strong sense of the right, and his

views on all matters are tempered with justice, liberality and moderation. He is upright in all his dealings, and his influence is always given to those enterprises that promote the public good. He is a high type of the self-made man, who has won success by his untiring industry and un- swerving integrity, and his example is worthy of emulation by this rising generation.

HENRY KELLER.

ENRY KELLER, who is now living re- tired, is one of the wealthiest and most in- fluential of Chicago's citizens. He is one of the worthy pioneers of the city, having resided within its limits since the year 1852. He was born August 12, 1831, in Hochhausen on Neckar, near Mosbach, Baden, Germany, and is a son of Philip and Regina (Fry) Keller. His grandfather was also named Philip, and both the father and grandfather were residents of the city of Chicago.

The family, consisting of the grandfather, Philip Keller, his son Philip and six other chil- dren, left Germany in March, 1853. They embarked at Rotterdam in a sailing ship bound for New York, and though they had a stormy passage, reached their destined harbor in thirty- five days. The entire family came directly to Chicago, arriving here about the middle of May. The Keller family was a very old and respected one in the land of its origin, and was founded in Germany by a very remote ancestor, who went there from Alsace-Lorraine. For many genera- tions the members of the family were shepherds. Philip Keller, senior, grandfather of Henry, died in the same year the family settled in America, at the age of seventy-three years.

Philip Keller, junior, was a shepherd until 1842, and then became a tiller of the soil, following

the occupation until the year of his emigration. He was possessed of one thousand dollars in gold at that time, and assisted his son until the time of his death, in 1863, aged sixty-two years. His wife survived him ten years, dying at seventy- two years of age. Of the family born to this worthy couple but four are living. Johanna, who is the widow of Joseph Karl, became the mother of one son, Henry. Elizabeth, the widow of William Gunther, has two children. Henry is the next in order of birth, and Katharine is the wife of Adam Grimer, of Chicago.

Henry Keller attended school until he reached the age of fourteen years, after which time he attended night school. He was reared to the occupation of a shepherd. During the first two years of his life in Chicago he was employed as a butcher in the North and South Markets. In1 1854 he opened a market of his own at the corner of South Wells (now Fifth Avenue) and Harrison Streets, and carried on business one year, and then moved to No. 48 Rees Street, 011 the North Side, and conducted a market at this location several years.

In 1858 he purchased a lot at the corner of Larrabee Street and Clybourn Avenue, and at this place continued to carry on business until the fire of 1871, when lie lost all of his property, with the exception of his real estate, obtaining

HENRY KELLER.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

CAPT. FREDERICK GUND.

but meager insurance. His loss was several thousand dollars. He moved to Lake View sub- sequent to the fire, and located on the corner of Lincoln and Fullerton Avenues, beginning busi- ness three days after the fire. He continued to conduct a market at this location, and at the same time he was keeping a market at the corner of Larrabee Street and Clybourn Avenue, in a building which he erected for the purpose. He continued in business until the year 1894, when he retired from active life. Mr. Keller has always been of a vigorous constitution, enjoying the best of health at all times.

He has taken little interest in politics beyond following out the duty of every American citizen, that of voting, and upholds the Re- publican party. He is a valued and respected member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran

Church. He is connected with the South Side Sharpshooters' Club and since 1885 has been one of the directors of the Ulich Orphan Asylum.

In 1855 he was married to Miss Caroline Gunther, who was born in Milverstadt, Prussia, Germany. She came to Chicago with her mother in 1852, her father having died on the ocean, while on his way with them to America The mother died in Blue Island in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have three daughters and one son living. Philip H. resides at the corner of Seminary Avenue and Wellington Street. Eliza- beth is the wife of William Lester, Julia of Albert Baldwin and Emma is now Mrs. W. C. Jacob. The family is highly respected wherever its members are known, and the name is, and will always continue to be, among the first and most prominent in the city of Chicago.

CAPT. FREDERICK GUND.

APT. FREDERICK GUND, who is a retired city official, has been identified with Chicago since 1847, and has resided on the Northi Side this entire length of time. He was born December 1, 1823, in Baden, Germany, and his . parents were Anton and Anna Eva Gund. They died in Germany, the father in 1829 and the mother in 1868. They were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, but only Frederick and his brother, John A. Gund, came to America and the latter died in Chicago in the year 1868, having been in this country a period of twenty years.

Frederick Gund was reared on a farm and edu- cated in a public school. He assisted in the duties of farming until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he enlisted in the standing army of Germany. He served five years, enter-

ing as a private and being promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant. Early in the spring of 1847 he sailed from Bremen in a small two-masted ship. After a voyage of fifty-two days he was landed in New York, and spent about two months with a friend in Troy, New York, where he was employed in a brush factory. He then came west to Chicago, and having brought a little money with him from his native land he soon began business and engaged a num- ber of hands at making cigars. He continued this business, with his brother for a partner, with good success until 1862. He then turned the entire business over to his brother and receiving an appointment from the mayor as policeman in 1854, he followed this occupation eight months, when he resigned. After Mayor Dyer's election in 1856, he was again put on the force and was

E. M. JOHNSON.

made lieutenant. He served as such until 1867, when Mayor Wentworth was elected and he was promoted to the position of captain and served in that capacity until the board of commissioners was appointed by the governor. A Mr. Nelson was appointed to fill his position, but after six months they sent for Captain Gund. As he was then working for the board of public works he would not accept the position until the board would employ the man of his choice as his succes- sor. They agreed to this and he resumed his posi- tion as captain. Upon the expiration . of Mr. Country's term as commissioner Captain Gund was elected police commissioner and served the six-year term, which expired in December, 1871. In the fire of that year he was burned out, losing about thirty thousand dollars. He received prac- tically no insurance but still had his two lots at No. 521 North Clark Street, and after the fire he built a small shanty to live in. In the spring of 1872 tlie police commissioner again appointed him as captain, and he served until August 1, 1879, when failing health caused him to retire from service. He had served about twenty-two years in all in the police department. He has . since lived retired, looking after his property in-

terests, and lias always been active in promoting the best interests of the city and country.

Captain Gund acted with the Democratic party previous to the organization of the Republican party, and assisted in the organization of the lat- ter in Chicago. He voted for Fremont and has supported the candidates of that party ever since. He was married in Chicago February 9, 1849, in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, to Miss Adelheid, daughter of Henry Wistheim. She was born in Nassau, Germany, and came to Chi- cago in 1847. They have had seven children, but four died in childhood. The following are living: Frederick William, an electrician in the fire department; Frank A., traveling salesman for Durand & Kasper; and Mary, wife of P. J. Kasper, of the firm of Durand & Kasper, whole- sale grocers.

Captain Gund is still active and strong, and although seventy-five years of age, is as much interested as ever in the affairs of the world. He is a bright character, with an interesting manner, and is thoroughly a gentleman of the old school. He is honored by all who know him and respected by all who have heard the story of his useful and industrious life.

ERNEST M. JOHNSON.

RNEST MORTIMER JOHNSON was for some time an employe in the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company's office. He was born March 23, 1866, and at- tended school until he reached the age of sixteen years, being an attendant of the high school and Cook County Normal School for three years.

He was employed by the Wilson Sewing Ma- chine Company after leaving school, and was in the enameling department of that concern two years. He was then made clerk under his father's

supervision, at the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company's freight office. He remained in this position until February 1, 1898, when he decided to take a vacation.

E. M. Johnson was married September 24, 1885, to Miss Millie, daughter of Andrew St. Jolın, a native of New York state. Mr. Johnson built a residence at No. 6911 Wabaslı Avenue, this being one of the first houses in the vicinity. He is connected with Mystic Star Lodge No. 758, of the Masonic order, and is a stanch np-

WILLIAM TEMPEL.

holder of the principles of the Republican party, voting in its favor at every opportunity. He lias never cared to fill any public office, as there are enough men who are more than anxious for an

opportunity. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson make an admirable couple, botlı being genial and liospita- ble people, and ready at all times to assist those in distress or need.

WILLIAM TEMPEL.

ILLIAM TEMPEL is the senior member of the firm of William Tempel & Company. They do a real-estate and mortgage-loan business and succeeded the firm of Knauer Broth- ers, who established the business in 1855, on the corner of Clark and Kinzie Streets. Mr. Tempel was born in Steinheim, Province of Westphalia, Prussia, July 1, 1833, and is a son of Frantz Tempel, further mention of whom is made in the biography of Anton Tempel, on another page of this volume.

William Tempel is the second son of his father. He attended school in the land of his nativity until he had reached the age of fourteen years. In the fall of 1853 he embarked at Bremen Har- bor on a sailing ship and after a voyage of eighty- five days landed in New York. He remained in that city two months and continued his journey to Chicago, arriving in this city in March, 1854. Mr. Tempel opened a restaurant soon after his arrival at the corner of Van Buren and Sherman Streets, where he continued in business two years. He then left Chicago, going directly to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in business for a few months. From there he went to New Orleans, and there kept a market in St. Mary's Market Place. On the breaking out of the Civil War he was ordered to enlist in the Confederate Army or leave the country. Choosing the latter, he did not take time to close out his stock, but left on the last north-bound boat but one that left the south in safety, in the night. At Baton Rouge the boat was fired on, but without any serious results.

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 2

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