Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 48

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

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he pursued successfully about fifteen years. His residence during this time was in Copenhagen, and in 1856 he was married in that city to Miss Emma Bloch, who was born in Copenhagen. She is the youngest child in a family of two sons and three daughters, and received a liberal edu- cation in the schools of her native city. Her father, Carl Bloch, was a sailor and ship owner.

In1 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Thorsen crossed the Atlantic with their family and journeyed at once to Chicago, where Mrs. Thorsen opened a milli- nery store, at No. 155 Milwaukee Avenue. She continued this business successfully eight years, accumulating during that time considerable prop-

329

J. A. HANSEN.

erty. Mr. Thorsen secured a position in a book store, which he retained for some time. He was a man of quiet, unassuming habits, but won the love and respect of all with whom he became ac- quainted. He was an influential member of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, and his absence is greatly felt by all his fellow-members. He passed away November 3, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years, and his remains were buried in the beautiful cemetery at Graceland.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thorsen were born five chil- dren, all but the youngest of whom, Mitchell, are still living. Mary is traveling agent for a whole- sale millinery firm of Chicago; James B., formerly of the bicycle firm of Thorsen & Cassaday, Chi- cago, is president of the Thorsen Company,

dealing in bicycle material ; John is clerk in a retail boot and shoe store; and Peter is agent for a bicycle firm. Mrs. Thorsen is prominent among the Danish ladies of Chicago, and is fore- most in charitable work. She was the leader in the movement to organize the Danish Old People's Home Association, to build a home for the aged Danish-born citizens of Chicago, and it was at her house that the first meeting of the society was held, March 12, 1891. She was its first presi- dent and has been its treasurer seven years, and was recently elected an honorary member of the association by acclamation. The society is now getting ready to build a home, having, after years of patient effort, secured sufficient funds for the purpose.

JOHN A. HANSEN.

OHN AUGUST HANSEN, who has been a resident of Chicago since 1853, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Septem- ber 13, 1841, and is a son of Capt. Hans Han- sen, who was a seafaring man and sailed his own ship for a great many years. John A. Hansen is one of the old and respected citizens of the city, and conducts a first class catering estab- lishment and resort at No. 1311 North Western Avenue.

He attended the parish school in his native place until he reached the age of twelve years and then went sailing with his father, remaining with him three years. He sailed out of Ham- burg ten years, in different vessels, and on one trip he went to Buenos Ayres and was on the coast of South America three years, trading in sun-dried beef. After this he shipped in another vessel and visited Australia and California. He has been in nearly all the principal seaports of the world. He was twice in Saint Petersburg

and, before locating permanently in America, made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean with passengers, his first trip being in 1851. In 1853 he located permanently in the United States, and made two trips later out of New York to Pensa- cola.

Mr. Hansen subsequently traveled to Chicago, and made two trips as a sailor on the lakes, be- ing then promoted to second mate, and as such made five trips. He became first mate, and sailed on the schooner "Richard Mott" in that ca- pacity seven years. In all he sailed out of Chi- cago eleven years. He then started his present business, on Desplaines street, between Harrison and Polk Streets. He did a profitable business in that location eleven years and then removed to the corner of Milwaukee and North Avenues and started a grocery and saloon, remaining at this location five years. From there he moved to his present place of business. He continued in a similar line, and was one of the first mer-

FERDINAND LOTT.

chants to locate in this portion of the city, when ocratic party, attended its conventions and on it was but sparsely settled. At that time the different occasions declined offered nominations for local offices, but for ten years served as cap- tain of his voting precinct. streets were lighted with gasoline lamps and Mr. Hansen had the first one placed on that part of North Western Avenue. In his various busi- ness ventures he has been successful, and he erected his present large and handsome building in 1895. The ground floor is used for business purposes, and in the upper stories are four res- idence flats.

Since the time Mr. Hansen became a citizen of the United States he has taken an active inter- est in politics, but has never sought political pre- ferment. He has given his support to the Dem-

Mr. Hansen is a member of the Turners' So- ciety and of the Sons of Herman. March 7, 1873, he married Miss Louise Hansen, daughter of Claus Hansen, and who was born in the same part of Germany as her husband. They have a family of three interesting daughters, Lillian, Minnie and Ellen, all of whom are receiving good educational advantages. The family is connect- ed with the Evangelical Church and is one of eminent respectability.

FERDINAND LOTT.

ERDINAND LOTT is one of the pioneer German-American settlers now living on the North Side. He was born in the Hart- ney Mountains, in Prussia, January 24, 1836, a son of Godfried and Marie (Kerckner) Lott. Godfried Lott kept a tavern in the Fatherland, and was prominent among the countrymen near him. Soon after the outbreak of the revolution in 1848, he decided to leave the country of his nativity, because of the suspicion under which he was held by the government, and cast his lot in the New World. Putting this resolution into effect, he left Germany in September, embarking at Bremen in a sailing-vessel bound for New Orleans, where he had a schoolmate with whom he had been in correspondence.

After an ocean voyage of some weeks he arrived at his destination. He remained there but a short time and then went to St. Louis, Missouri. In that city he worked a short time at his trade (that of blacksmith), and then came to Chicago in 1849. His first work here was for a Mr. Schuttler, by whom he was employed a

short time and subsequently went into the service of Frank Bush, who operated a wagon-making business on Washington Street, between Fifth Avenue and Franklin Street. In 1851 he wrote to his family to sell his property and come to the United States, or he would return home and take the consequences of his suspected complicity in the revolution.

His wife disposed of their property and came with their five children to America. They landed in New York and came directly to Chi- cago, arriving at Rush Street bridge November 11, 1851. A few years later Mr. Lott established a shop on the corner of Halsted and Randolph Streets, where he carried on the manufacture of wagons for several years. He was induced to embark in the manufacture of grain drills, which proved a failure and ruined him financially. His wife died in Chicago in 1866, and in 1869 Mr. Lott left the city and never returned. Of their five children all are deceased except Ferdinand, of this sketch, and Adolph, who resides in Mem- phis, Tennessee.

331

MICHAEL LEONARD.

Ferdinand Lott was sixteen years old when he came to Chicago. After leaving school, at the age of fourteen years, he worked at the occupa- tion of blacksmith with his uncle until he left for the United States. In May of the year fol- lowing his arrival in Chicago, he engaged with A. C. Ellithorp and served an apprenticeship of four years, learning the trade of carriagemaker.' He worked at his trade as a journeyman thirty- two years, for different manufacturers. As he was a first-class mechanic and wheelmaker, he was never out of employment, and during the last fifteen years of this period he was employed by Hugh McFarland, a manufacturer of express wagons.

Too much hard work broke his constitution and forced him to abandon labor, and he retired in 1883. He commanded the highest salaries at all times, and was careful of his earnings. As a result of their judicious investment he is able to live at his ease in his declining years, though he lost heavily in the fire of 1871. He has always

been a loyal citizen and takes an intelligent inter- est in public affairs.

He cast his first presidential vote in favor of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has since sup- ported the Republican party. He never sought office nor held any, except that of judge of elec- tions, which he occupied several years. He was for several years a member of the Chicago Turn- gemeinde, and now belongs to the Pioneers' Society. May 4, 1863, he was married to Miss Caroline, only daughter of Louis Malzacher, mention of whom is made on another page of this work. She is a native of Chicago. They became the parents of two children: Louis F., who died in the year 1893; and Edwin, who is a musician.

Mr. Lott was confirmed in the Lutheran Church and still gives his support to that denom- ination, although not a member of any church. He has always borne a good reputation for his industry and integrity, and has used his influence for the best interests of society.

MICHAEL LEONARD.

M' ICHAEL LEONARD, who comes of very old German stock, is one of our many prominent citizens and business men who were born in the Fatherland but have adopted America as their country, and came here to better their financial standing. He was born May 7, 1841, in Bavaria, Germany, in the village of Schmitzhausen. His parents were Michael and Mary (Gabriel) Leonard. Michael Leonard, senior, died in 1845. He conducted a general store in his native land.

His wife and three children emigrated from their native land in 1851, arriving in New York, where Michael attended school two years. He then obtained employment in a match factory and

began the battle of life in earnest. After five months he entered a hat factory, remaining one year. He spent eighteen months subsequently in a candle factory, and at the age of eighteen years began an apprenticeship in the lithographing business with Ferdinand Meyer & Company, at No. 96 Fulton Street. He served one year over his time, and during that time was variously em- ployed.

In 1866 Mr. Leonard located in Chicago and entered the service of the Western Bank Note Engraving Company, located at the southwest corner of La Salle and Randolph Streets, where he remained one year as lithographer. He re- turned to New York and for three years worked

332

FREDERICK DIERCKS.

in various lithographing establishments. He made his home in Morrisania, which is one of New York's suburbs. At this time he was a member of the Monitor Engine Company, No. 2, Volunteer Fire Department.

In 1869 Mr. Leonard again took up his resi- dence in Chicago, and entered the employ of the Charles Shober Lithographing Company, located at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake Streets. He next spent a short time with Louis Nelke, at No. 42 Clark Street, and then again en- tered the employ of the Western Bank Note En- graving Company, and was with it until the Chicago fire in 1871, when this establishment was burned. It later started business in the Grain Manufacturers' Building on South Jeffer- son Street. Mr. Leonard spent a short time with Edward Mandel, at Twenty-second and State Streets, and two years in the employ of Ezra A. Cook, though not occupied all of that time. Mr. Cook was located on Wabash Avenue near South Water Street. Still later, having been one year with Mr. Sherwood, on Arcade Court, he entered the employ of Culver, Page & Hoyne, at No. 140 Monroe Street, who were succeeded by the John Morris Company. This house was in turn suc- ceeded by P. F. Pettibone & Company. Mr. Leonard has been engaged in the interests of this concern the past sixteen years, and is a valued, honored and trusted employe. Michael Leonard has a brother, Jacob, who is engaged in the same business as his brother, and is living with his wife and son in Chicago.

July 16, 1871, Mr. Leonard was married to Elizabeth Hilcher, a daughter of Charles and Louisa (Hoppa) Hilcher. Charles Hilcher was born in Breslau, Germany, and emigrated to Philadelphia. His daughter, Elizabeth, was born in that city, and Mr. Hilcher removed his family to Chicago in 1858. His children were named: Louisa, Charles, and Jennie (twins), Elizabeth, Edward and Lillian. The children of Mr. and Mrs. M. Leonard were six in number, three of whom are deceased; they are respectively : Henry, died at the age of seven months; Lily, at the age of eight months; and Joseph, who died at the age of three years. Of the living, Edward Michael, aged twenty-six years, is employed by H. H. Kohlsaat & Company at Nos. 331-335 Dearborn Street, asmanager. He married Rye B. Combs, who is head assistant principal of the Auburn Park school, and lives at No. 6503 Stew- art Avenue. George Arthur, aged twenty-four years, married Ollie Hagert, and resides at No. 895 North Halsted Street. The youngest child, Jennie, at the time of this writing, resides at home.

Michael Leonard is a Democrat in politics, and was reared a Roman Catholic, following the teachings of his father. Mrs. Leonard comes of Protestant people. He is a man of quiet and peaceable demeanor, but an interesting conversa- tionalist. He is skilled in his art and well known among lithographing concerns in the city. He is an example of thriving German stock and has not neglected his opportunities.

FREDERICK DIERCKS.

REDERICK DIERCKS, a worthy pioneer, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 17, 1818. He is a son of Frederick and Katharine Diercks, who were of a very old and

highly respected family. Frederick Diercks, senior, was the father of six children, two of whom died in the Fatherland. The remaining four came to America. Frederick, of this men-

333

ADOLPH BURGER.

tion, is the eldest. Henry enlisted in the Union Army, during the War of the Rebellion, and was taken prisoner by the Confederates. He met the terrible fate of many of our brave men, and died in the prison at Andersonville. Mary, who be- came Mrs. Meinheit, is deceased; and Christian 'is a tiller of the soil in Iowa. Both the parents died in Chicago.

Frederick and Mary came to America in 1842, arriving in Chicago October 21. The next year Henry came, and two years later Frederick sent money to his parents to enable them to join their family in this, to them, new country. Frederick learned the trade of a carpenter in his native land, and worked many years at this occupation after his arrival in Chicago. He was a trusted and valued employe in the car shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company for

nearly twenty-one years, proving his ability and strength of character by this long period of ser- vice with one employer.

Although far advanced in age, he has been oc- cupied more or less at his trade up to the past two years. He has never aspired to political honors, but has steadily supported the Republican party since its organization. In December, 1849, he married Dorothy Beckman, who has proven a helpmate in every sense of the word. To them were born nine children, six of whom are now living: Henry, of Colorado; Anna, Sophia; Louise, wife of John O. Ander- son; Dora, now Mrs. J. B. Page; and Emma, wife of W. J. Mortimer. The family is con- nected with St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and each one is devout and recognized as wielding an influence for the promotion of good.

ADOLPH BURGER.

DOLPH BURGER is a native of picturesque Switzerland-a country whose people have more freedom than the people of any other country of continental Europe. We find this life of freedom stamped on the Switzer wherever he may be. Mr. Burger was born June 18, 1845, in the village of Menziken, in the canton of Argau, Switzerland, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (Sager) Burger, and is a true type of the Switzer. That he has succeeded is evident from the fact that he now occupies a position of trust in the service of the great Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company.

His paternal grandfather had three sons: Jacob, John and Gottleib, and one daughter. Jacob Burger, father of the man whose name heads this article, was born June 18, 1800, in Switzerland, in the village of Burg. He was the owner and conductor of a blacksmith business, and his son

Adolph learned the same trade from him. Jacob Burger died when seventy-one years of age, in 1871. He was twice married, and by his first wife his children were: Henry, Jacob, Gottleib, Rudolph and Marianna. By his second wife his children were: Lena, Herman and Adolph. The mother of the last mentioned three was born about 1815, and died in 1892. Henry Burger came to America in 1852, and located in Michi- gan.

Adolph Burger was the next of the family to emigrate, and landed in America August 8, 1868. He remained two months in the United States before going to London, Canada. He followed the trade of blacksmith in Canada, but remained there only until 1876, when he removed to Chi- cago, arriving in the fall. He was employed by John Cindinger, at No. 82 Sherman Street, until 1884, when he went into the employ of the Chi-

334

FREDERICK KNOP.

cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, as depot passenger agent, and has retained the position since that time. He has resided at No. 6809 Lafayette Avenue eleven years, and is well known and highly respected in the neighborhood.

Mr. Burger was married October 19, 1880, to Magdalena, daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Baker) Kammerer. Mrs. Burger was born March 11, 1855, in Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1879. Jacob Kammerer was born July 8, 1819, and followed the trade of carpenter. His wife was born March 11, 1825, and her chil- dren were named: Jacob, Carl, Mary, Magdalena, Herman and William. Mrs. Kammerer's father was William Baker.

Mr. and Mrs. Burger became the parents of five children, who are as follows: Herman Adolph, born August 9, 1881, died June 30, 1885; Will-

iam Jacob, born August 13, 1883, died July 10, 1885; Lillie Bertha, born September 26, 1885; Adolph Lewis, August 31, 1887; and Freda Al- bertina, September 13, 1895. Mr. Burger is a Royal Arch Mason of St. Paul Chapter No. 105, of London, Canada. He is connected with Syra- cuse Lodge No. 500, Knights of Pythias, and Garden City Council No. 59, National Union. He is a follower of the creed of the Presbyterian, and uses his influence at all times for the good of mankind in general.

Mr. Burger's home is pleasantly situated on one of the fashionable thoroughfares of Engle- wood, Lafayette Avenue. He is surrounded by an interesting family, and the eldest, a child of twelve years, shows much talent for the art of drawing, which needs only cultivation to develop a rare skill.

FREDERICK KNOP.

REDERICK KNOP was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, July 1, 1830, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm. Both his parents died in the Fatherland, and their youngest son still owns the old homestead. Of their seven children, three came to the United States. Mary came in 1852 with her husband, and now lives in Atlantic City, Iowa. Frederick and Louis came in 1854.

On coming to Chicago Frederick Knop was first employed by Mr. Hesing, in a brick yard in Jef- ferson. He worked as laborer and farm hand for ten years, and then bought a team and wagon and began teaming for members of the Board of Trade, hauling grain and other produce. He followed this occupation fifteen years and, with his savings, purchased a lot on May Street, where he has resided since 1867. He has lived a quiet, industrious life, and has done his share towards improving and developing the, city, and as a

pioneer deserves honorable mention in this work. He cast the first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and has supported the candidates of the Republican party since.

Mr. Knop is a member of the order of Chosen Friends. October 12, 1863, he married Frances Tomisesco, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living. They are : Clara, now the wife of Charles Bors; Anna and Bertha, the latter being the wife of Charles Kondar, all residing in Chicago. Mrs. Knop died in 1871, and in 1872 Mr. Knop married Arsoba Aggus, a native of Holstein, Germany. Of this union, there is one child living, Louise, who is a dress-maker. They have lost three children. Since 1875 Mr. Knop has lived retired, enjoying the thought that he has done his part and lived an economical and useful life. The family is connected with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, where each mem- ber is valued and honored as a power for good.

335

T. F. WITHROW.

THOMAS F. WITHROW.

HOMAS FOSTER WITHROW was born in Kanawha County, Virginia (now West Virginia), March 6, 1832. His father, who was a physician, was bound his son should be a medical practitioner, but the son had an early bent for the law, which brooked no opposition; on this account, as his father would not furnish necessary funds, his early years were mainly self-educated. When sufficiently advanced, he taught district schools, thereby earning the means wherewith to attend the Western Reserve College, situated at Delaware, Ohio. By reason of his father's death during his youth, he was obliged to drop his books, leave college, and forthwith pro- ceed to business life in order to support his wid- owed mother and his sister.

Adopting for a season the journalistic field, that he might lay up inoney to prosecute ultimate legal aims, at the age of twenty-one he was ap- pointed local editor upon the Republican, pub- lished at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, removing in 1855 to Zanesville, in the same State, to assume editor- ship in chief of the Free Press. Although excep- tionally brilliant in this sphere of occupation (a fact amply vouched for by his rapid rise therein), he felt that his powers were not called upon to their fullest extent, and that he would be alto- gether unable in any field, save the law, to find a theme whose ringing echoes should sound the melody of his life.

Upon the death of his dearly beloved mother in the fall of 1856, he commenced the study of law in the offices of Miller & Beck, of Fort Madi- son, Iowa. The following year witnessed his admission to the practice of the local bar of his newly acquired home in Des Moines, Iowa, where he first opened his office. Directly his unusual abilities became voiced, he was sought for private secretary by Governor Ralph P. Lowe (the first

Republican to assume the gubernatorial functions in that State), as also by his successor in office, Governor Sannuel J. Kirkwood. Fancy can read- ily picture what flames were added to his aspira- tions by such distinguished environment at the inception of his young career. Prosperity, how- ever, far from spoiling him, amplified both his talents and his tact; wherefore, recognizing his fitness for so exacting a function, the proper au- thorities selected our modestly-laureled subject to act as Official Reporter of the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa; the well-digested results of his long incumbency of such office being embodied in some fourteen volumes of Iowa State Reports, containing decisions upou all branches of law as issues were made on appeals, and which, as the decrees of the court of dernier resort, are prece- dents in that State for future adjudication.

In 1863 the deserts of his exceedingly enthusi- astic political services were formally acknowledged in his elevation to the highly responsible position of Chairman of the Iowa State Republican Com- mittee. During this period his alert faculties were so impressed by the necessities calling for better means for effectual campaign work, that he originated a new code of methods, thereupon proven to be so superior in conception that they have been very largely followed and patterned after ever since. The unusual needs of these "war times" so enthused his impressionable mind that he foresaw and spoke as a party prophet or law- giver. None has left a brighter, more wholesome memory in the political annals of that State, so long his honored and honoring home.

In 1866 he was made local Division Attorney for the Rock Island & Pacific Railway, his ser- vices manifesting such activity and success that in 1873 he was rewarded by an advancement to the chief post of his department. under the title

$36

T. F. WITHROW.

of General Solicitor, whereupon removal of resi- dence was made to the situs of the general offices of that road at Chicago. Litigation increased in bulk to such a degree, that in after years they found it would be expedient to select two such solicitors, at which juncture Mr. Withrow was installed in the newly created office of General Counsel for the entire system, having a general supervision over a corps of able legal subordi- nates, in person only going into the highest courts upon questions of weightier import. These duties he continued with conscientious energy to administer until the time of his decease, Febru- ary 3, 1893, since which time the Rock Island Railway has withheld from elevating any suc- cessor to his so peculiarly honored seat.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 48

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