Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 63

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 63

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).

Mrs. Huntington was also of distinguished descent, being granddaughter of Gideon Olin, one of the founders of Vermont and a member of Congress (1803-7); a niece of the late Abraham Olin, a member of the Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh United States Congresses, and Judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, and a lineal descendant of the Quaker- ess, Mary Dyer, who suffered religious martyr- dom on Boston Common in 1660. She was a sis- tor of Dr. Charles V. Dyer, the celebrated wit and humorist of the early days of Chicago, whose engaging qualities she shared and transmitted to her children, of whom two survive their parents: Frances, Mrs. Benjamin M. Wilson, and Henry Alonzo, late Brevet Major in the United States army, a brave soldier in the Union War, and still distinguished in literary and social life.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

FRANK DIESEL.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).

431

FRANK DIESEL.

RANK DIESEL, president and treasurer of the Frank Diesel Can Company, is a fine type of the progressive and successful Ger- man-American citizens, among those who have contributed an important portion of Chicago's population. He was born April 9, 1838, in Rhenish Bavaria, being the second in a family of five children born to Michael and Theresa (Deris) Diesel. The parents were natives of Buechel- berg, on the border of Alsace. They came to America in 1842 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.

many years, and died in Chicago, at the home of her son Frank, in April, 1895, in the eighty- second year of her age.

Frank Diesel, the only surviving member of the family, was instructed in the common branches of learning in St. John's Parish School at Cin- cinnati, in addition to which he attended night school one winter. At the age of twelve years he was bound out for a period of five years to learn the barber's trade, but he was not satisfied with the business, nor contented to remain away from home, and was soon released. He was then em- ployed in a tin and hardware store for a year. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the tinsmith's trade, and by working in different places he followed the trade nearly three years in Cincinnati.

Michael Diesel was a poor man, and came to the United States in the hope of bettering his financial condition and to rear his family where they could have greater opportunities for ad- vancement and broader fields of usefulness. On his arrival in Cincinnati his cash capital consisted of three five-franc pieces. He bought an axe Soon after his arrival in Chicago he entered the employ of Michael Greenebaum, as a journey- man, and remained with him until 1860. He was then induced by a friend to go to Memphis, Tennessee, and remained in that city about six months. He was urged to enlist in the Con- federate service after the Civil War began, but this was not to his liking. On the 26th of April, 1861, he took passage for Cincinnati on the last passenger steamer which came North before the realities of war were inaugurated. He arrived in Cincinnati on the first day of May, and spent a few days there in visiting his old home and re- newing the acquaintances of his youthful days. He found that most of his old associates had and spent the first winter in chopping wood, after which he worked for a time in a packing house. Two years later he engaged in digging wells, and soon began taking contracts for this line of work on his own account, meeting with gratify- ing success. This avocation he industriously pur- sued until his death, in 1854. The following year his widow sold her effects and brought her fam- ily to Chicago, where she had relatives. The first two children, Frank and Peter, were born in Germany, and the latter died in Cincinnati about 1867. Charles, the third, was born upon the ocean and died at the age of ten years. Eliza- beth and Mary, who were born in Cincinnati, are deceased. The mother survived her husband joined the Union army, and he immediately came

432

FRANK DIESEL.

to Chicago and again entered the employ of Mr. Greenebaum.

August 26, 1862, he enlisted for three years in the Union army, and became a member of Com- pany K, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infan -. try, entering at once upon active duty. On the last day of that year he was wounded at the bat- tle of Stone River, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was sent to the hospital at Nashville, go- ing from there to Louisville, and thence to Quincy, Illinois. He was discharged at the last- named point on account of disability, April 10, 1863. He now returned to Chicago, and was soon established with his old employer, with whom he continued until June 1, 1864. He then accepted a position with Cross & Dane, manu- facturers of tinware, at No. 50 State Street, and for some time was employed in cutting out piece work for their men. He was promoted to fore- man in the pressing and stamping department, and remained with this establishment during various changes of ownership. He became su- perintendent for the Dane, Westlake & Covert Company, under Mr. Westlake, who was general manager. After the great fire this concern was consolidated with Crerar & Adams, and Adams & Westlake Manufacturing Company was estab- lished, with whom Mr. Diesel continued to fill the position of superintendent until March, 1877.

About this time he formed a partnership with Conrad Folz, who was at that time county jailer, under the firm name of Diesel & Folz, and in a small way they began business at No. 425 Larra- bee Street. Most of their capital was borrowed, but they did a successful business, and this con- nection lasted six years, at the end of which time Mr. Diesel bought out his partner's interest and continued the business alone. In 1885 he bought two lots on North Halsted Street, on which he built a large factory, which he later enlarged to meet the growing demands of his trade. In 1887 he bought additional ground and erected his present commodious residence, at No. 701 North Halsted Street. Under Mr. Diesel's able manage- ment the business continued to grow, and as- sumed such proportions that the capacity of the plant had to be enlarged, and in order to enjoy

better shipping facilities, in 1894, at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars, Mr. Diesel pur- chased lots on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Fortieth Street, on which he erected the present large factory, and it was occupied in October of that year. In the previous year the present cor- poration, known as the Frank Diesel Can Com- pany, was formed, the stock being held by Mr. Diesel and his sons. They bought out the can de- partment of the Chicago Stamping Company, which was added to their already large plant. This is the most important industry of its kind in the West, if not in the United States. In it is carried on the manufacture of fruit, meat and oyster cans, sheet-metal specialties and decorative ware. In connection is maintained a lithographing depart- ment. An average of five hundred people are employed, and the goods are marketed in various parts of the United States, the annual output amounting to nearly one million dollars.

Mr. Diesel is an earnest supporter of Repub- lican principles in politics, but has no time for office seeking, and has declined the urgent request of friends to become a candidate for alderman in his ward. He is a member of American Post No. 708, Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1864 he was married to Miss Barbara Roos, a native of Rhenish Bavaria, and daughter of Louis Roos, who came to Chicago in 1851. His family includes five sons and two daughters, namely: Louis, Conrad, John A., Lambert, Rosa, Charles and Lena. Two daughters and one son besides these died in childhood. All are com- municants of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Diesel is essentially a self-made man. Without wealth or influential friends to start him in life, by his own industry and the care of his earnings he was enabled to begin business in a small way. He did not relinquish his industry and thrift, but continued to give close attention to his business and was thus enabled to enlarge and extend it until it became one of the greatest industries of Chicago. To such men the city owes its commercial supremacy, and the example afforded by the story of his life is earnestly com- mended to the emulation of our youth.

433

WILLIAM BRANDT.

ILLIAM BRANDT, who is among the for a partner. After one month Mr. Brandt pur- most substantial and esteemed citizens of chased his partner's interest, and continued the business alone three years at this location. He then removed north to a location near Twenty- sixth Street, remaining on Cottage Grove Ave- nue. In May, 1889, he removed to No. 309 Sixty-third Street. His factory is No. 92, and wherever Mr. Brandt was his business has been carried on under this factory number. Chicago, is an immigrant from the Father- land, from whence come so many of the most loyal citizens of America. He is one of the vast army who seek fortune and standing in bountiful America, where all men are free and equal, with the same chance of developing their tastes and abilities. Born April 13, 1843, William Brandt is a son of John and Christina (Rahm) Brandt, who resided in Elmenhorst, Holstein, Germany, at the time of his birth.

He was still a very young man when he arrived in New York, August 8, 1866, having sailed in an English vessel. He left Germany June 17, 1866, and spent two weeks in England, before embarking for America. Subsequent to his ar- rival in the United States he visited Philadelphia, later traveling to Pittsburgh, where he remained one year, working at his trade, that of cigar- maker. After spending three months in Balti- more he was a short time in Philadelphia, and during the subsequent time, until May 2, 1868, remained in New York. At the last-mentioned date he entered the employ of Robert H. Gardi- ner, at the corner of Sixteenth and State Streets, in Chicago. After one year he went to Aurora, where he stayed five months.

Until September, 1871, Mr. Brandt occupied himself with his trade and at that date opened a business of his own on Cottage Grove Avenue, near Twenty-seventh Street, with John Shettel

January 4, 1872, Mr. Brandt was married to Miss Emily Amelia Louisa, daughter of Ernst Franz Diedrich and Caroline Henrietta Wendt. Mrs. Brandt was born June 25, 1847, in the vil- lage of Fehrbellin, near Berlin, Germany. Her grandfather was Diedrich Wendt, a miller of Mecklenburg, Germany, and a well-known man and possessor of much property. Her maternal grandfather bore the name of Warbick, and mar- ried Henrietta Barsekow. Their children were: Caroline, Amalie, Matilda, Wilhelm and Henry. Mr. Warbick was an inn-keeper, butcher and stockdealer.

Mrs. Brandt's father died in 1868. He was born July 30, 1796, in Mecklenburg, and went to Prussia. He was a miller, conducting his own mill. Mrs. Wendt was born January 30, 1804, and died in 1866. She was born in Fehrbellin, and her children are accounted for as follows: Ernst died at the age of thirty years; Wilhelm died in Texas; Caroline came to America in 1892, and died here in 1894; Henry has resided at the corner of Polk and Jefferson Streets, Chicago, for

434

J. J. OVRESAT.

the past forty-five years; Otto is living in the old country; Paulina died when two years of age; Herman resides in Chicago, at No. 1940 Fuller- ton Avenue; Rudolph inherited his father's resi- dence, and died in 1894; Anna still resides in her native land; Amelia and Matilda died when young; Mrs. Brandt is the youngest of her father's family.

Mr. and Mrs. Brandt are an admirable and harmonious couple, each being a helpmate to the other. Mr. Brandt has very domestic tastes, ap- preciating Mrs. Brandt's efforts to make the home as pleasant and enjoyable as it is in her power to do. All who visit them say her efforts are re- warded, and that the home circle is everything that could be desired by the most fastidious.

Mr. and Mrs. Brandt have been blessed with a family of children that have proved a credit to

them and their rearing. William Rudolph, the eldest, was born October 24, 1872, and married Jennie Fritschel, November 28, 1896. Martha Emily was born September 3, 1874; Robert was born August 5, 1876; Edward Alfred, August 4, 1878; Henry Arthur, August 2, 1880, and Clara Louise, May 6, 1882.

Being naturally of an economical and thrifty nature, Mr. Brandt has been enabled to build a residence for his family at No. 6745 Lafayette Avenue. He has filled all chairs in Douglass Lodge No. 232, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is connected with Parkside Lodge No. 492, Knights of Pythias. He was reared a Protestant and remains true to the teachings of his fathers. Altogether a worthy and respected gentleman, he enjoys the confidence of all people of his acquaintance.

JACOB J. OVRESAT.

ACOB JOHNSON OVRESAT, who is promi- nent in business and social circles in the northwestern part of Chicago, was born April 17, 1857, in Norway, where he received his edu- cation and spent his boyhood and youth. At the age of twenty he resolved to try his fortune on the western continent, where opportunities of advancement were more numerous, and accord- ingly emigrated to Crawford County, Wisconsin, where for about four years he engaged in farm- ing.

In 1881 he concluded to remove to Chicago, where he was employed for one year in the freiglit depot of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. For the next seven months he worked at house moving for Harris, Abrahamsen & Com- pany. By this time lie had acquired consider- able knowledge of the English language and of American business customs and secured a posi-

tion as conductor on the cars of the West Chi- cago Street Railway Company. In this work he became very efficient and was so well liked by both officers and patrons that he continued in the service for over ten and one-half years.

Having followed a temperate and economical mode of life he had during hislong term of steady work acquired a sufficient sum of money to enter business for himself and resolved to apply his energy in a way that would bring greater remuneration to himself. After due considera- tion he opened an undertaking establishment at No. 1654 Milwaukee Avenue and also took up the study of embalming. In May, 1894. he re- ceived a certificate of graduation from Clark's School of Embalming. This venture proved a most fortunate one for Mr. Ovresat and he has continued at the same location ever since. The proprietor is favorably known in his line of busi-

435

C. C. ARNHOLD.

ness and also conducts a livery which is a suc- cessful enterprise.

In 1886 Mr. Ovresat was united in marriage with Miss Marie Negaard, who is also a native of Norway. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, Magdalene, Carrie, Jennie, Jens and Jacob Raymond. The family is con- nected with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which the father is one of the most valued and influential members.

The subject of this sketch possesses a genial, companionable nature and his society is enjoyed by a wide circle of friends. It is natural then that he should become connected with various fraternal orders. He is a member of Ben Hur Lodge No. 818, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma-

sons; is past commander of Godiva Lodge No. 512, Knights of Pythias; is Sir Knight Con- mander of Maplewood Tent 126, Knights of the Maccabees; and is a member of Maplewood Court No. 71, Independent Order of Foresters. He is past Drot in the Norwegian Order Knights of the White Cross and is connected with the follow ing other Norwegian societies: Bjorgvin, the Nor- wegian Glee Club, the Kjeeralf Singing Society, and the Amphion Singing Society. He has taken a deep interest in the building up of his section of the city and is vice president of the Maplewood Loan, Building and Homestead Association. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. He enjoys the distinction of being the only man of his name in Chicago.

CHARLES C. ARNHOLD.

C HARLES CHRISTIAN ARNHOLD is not only a member of an old German family, but is a veteran of the Civil War. He was born November 6, 1845, in the village of Gross Bernden, province of Saxony, Germany, and is the eldest son of Henry Christian and Justina Arn- hold, mention of whom is inade in the biography of Christoph Beck, in this volume.

C. C. Arnhold came to America with his par- ents in 1853, and was educated, first in a Ger- man, and later in the public schools of the city. After leaving school he worked for a time at the butcher's trade in the employ of Christoph Beck and Nelson Morris. October 1, 1861, when a mere lad not yet sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the Union army for the term of three years or during the war. He was assigned to Company E, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and par- ticipated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. At the last-named place he was wounded in the side, and was sent home for a short time. After

he recovered he re-enlisted and was attached to the Sixteenth Cavalry and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged from the cavalry June 5, 1865, and during all that time he was in active service, and was never in the hospital at any time.

After the war closed he returned to Chicago. He entered the employ of Stanley, Smale & Com- pany, butchers, and remained with this concern one year, when he became one of the employes of J. V. Farwell & Company, his length of serv- ice with these two firms being four years in all. April 19, 1869, he entered the employ of the United States Express Company, as porter, and a year later was promoted to weigher, which po- sition he filled seven years. He was then ap- pointed a dispatcher and has continuously filled that position since, being a trusted and valued employe of the company, as his length of service would indicate.

He is a stanch supporter of the Republican

436

JOHN DAHM.

party and cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1864. He has never aspired to any public official posi- tion, preferring to devote his attention to more substantial affairs. Mr. Arnhold is a member of the Expressmen's Mutual Benefit Association, in which he is well known and respected.

July 19, 1866, he married Miss Mary McCann, who bore him seven children, only four of whom are living, namely: Allie, wife of George Consor;

Augusta, now Mrs. Samuel Jones; Charles Chris- tian and Edna. The mother died August 3, 1881.

June 5, 1882, Mr. Arnhold was united to Miss Helen Leist, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of John J. and Susan (Schoefer) Leist, who are natives of Germany and old settlers in Cook County. By this union Mr. Arnhold has three children, Mary, Rosa and George. The family circle is harmonious and its fireside is a peaceful and happy spot.

JOHN DAHM.

( OHN DAHM. Among the chief character- istics of the German nation, is that of perse- verance. The people of Germany are a sturdy, healthy folk, and have energy and strength of purpose possessed by few other na- tionalities. They are the ones who strive to reach the summit of wealth and position, and are successful where many others fail. John Dahm was born January 1, 1844, in Prussia, Germany, a son of Michael and Anna (Meyer) Dahm. He has been the trusted and valued employe of the same concern for a period of more than thirty years, which fact proves that he is a true repre- sentative of his country.

His paternal grandfather was a tiller of the soil and, in this and also in the fact of his having four children, he resembled the maternal grand- father. Michael Dahm was born in 1799, and died in March, 1868. He was a tailor. His wife, born in 1805, died in1 1884. Their children were: John and Baptiste, who reside in Chicago at the present time; Angeline, who is mentioned below; Henry, who died at the age of forty- one years; and five others who died when quite young.

Angeline came to America, being the first of her father's family to emigrate from her native

land, in 1862. She married John Hemmer and died in 1878, at the age of thirty-eight years. John, whose name heads this article, was the next to emigrate to America, arriving in Chicago April 26, 1868. He had learned his trade in his native land, starting at it when fifteen years of age and practicing it for a time before emigrating. He has been a finisher of iron since that time, and has become skillful and proficient in his line. Shortly after coming to America he entered the employ of Schillo & Cossman, in their foundry, at the corner of Polk and Canal Streets.

Nothing is more conducive to the success and well-being of a man than a helpful, congenial life companion, such as Mrs. Dahm has proved. John Dahm was married January 13, 1872, to Miss Marion Wolf, daughter of Theodore and Eva (Gillen) Wolf. She was born October 26, 1848, in Prussia, and came to America in 1870, with her brother, Michael Wolf. The latter married Johanna Becker, and followed the occu- pation of brewer. He died when forty years of age.

Theodore Wolf is still living, in the land of his birth, and owns and conducts a farm. He was born in 1820. His wife, who was born in November, 1822, died in 1887. Her children

437

WILLIAM BARTELT.

were as follows: Michael, of whom mention is made above; Marion, wife of John Dahm; Peter, who came to America and died here one year later; Matthew, who came to America and re- mained but four years; Margaret; Elizabeth, who spent two years in America; John and Nicholas. Mrs. Dahm's paternal grandfather died very young and left no record of his ancestry. Her maternal grandfather, Michael Gillen, had the following children: Clemens, Elizabeth, Theo- dore, Margarette, Katharine, Marion, Nicholas, Eva and Michael.

John Dahm and his wife became the parents of eight children, of whom brief mention is here made: Angeline Clare, born March 14, 1873, married Benjamin Voorhees, September 28, 1895, and resides at No. 408 Mecca Flats, corner Thirty- fourth and State Streets. Mr. Voorhees is a

bookkeeper. His one child, Estella Irene, was born September 14, 1896. The other children of John Dahm are: Matthew John, born Sep- tember 19, 1874; Eva Marie Agnes, April 10, 1876; Marie Alouise, March 4, 1878; Rosa Elnore, Jannary 29, 1881; Clara Theresa Dorothy, De- cember 19, 1883; Lena Lulu, born February 20, 1885, died January 16 of the next year; John Nicholas George, born on the 12th of February, 1887.

Mr. Dahm is a staunch and faithful member of St. Martin's German Catholic Church, to which he lends his aid at all times. He votes in favor of the Republican party. He has a large and in- teresting family, all of whom do credit to their rearing and name. His home is pleasantly lo- cated at No. 5552 Dearborn Street, near Garfield Boulevard.

WILLIAM BARTELT.

ILLIAM BARTELT, a retired business man, is a prominent representative of the German-American element which has con- tributed so much toward the upbuilding of Chicago. He was born in Prussia, November 15, 1843, son of John and Charlotte Bartelt. Of this family three sons came to America.

William Bartelt was educated in the schools of his native village, after which he learned the brewer's art. At the age of twenty years he en- tered the standing army of Germany, and served four years. In 1867 he came to America, ac- companied by his wife and daughter, and located in Chicago. He at once interested himself in machinery and entered the machine shop of the Vulcan Iron Works, conducted by Atkinson & Burgess, and learned the trade of machinist. He remained in their employ nine years and became proficient in the line he had chosen.

Mr. Bartelt subsequently started a boarding house and general catering establishment at No. 54 West Kinzie Street, later moving to No. 63 same street. In 1884 he removed to No. 768 Diana Avenue, 110w called Artesian Avenue, and established a grocery business, with a saloon in connection. He carried on a successful trade until 1894, when he retired from the cares of an active business life.

Since the time he became a citizen of the United States Mr. Bartelt has taken an active in- terest in the political affairs of his adopted country and has ever acted independently, sup- porting the man he thought best fitted to fill a11 office. He never sought public position for him- self, but served as judge of election for a period of two years.

He was for some time a member of Court An- rora No. 58, Independent Order of Foresters, and

J. M. PETTERSEN.

was treasurer of the lodge while a member of it. He was also for a time a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Red Men, and hield the office of treasurer. He is a member of the German Orpheus Maennerchor, with which he has been connected nineteen years, and had charge of all the music of the order. Among other musical societies he is connected with the Schiller Lieder- tafel. He was one of the founders and stock- holders of the Schiller Building, on Randolph Street.

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 63

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