Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 69

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 69

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Charles Rosenthal was born October 7, 1857, in the village of Riede, Kur-Hessen, Germany. He is a son of John Daniel and Annie Marie (Rittberg) Rosenthal. His grandfather was John Rosenthal, and his children were: John Daniel and John and Elizabeth. John came to Amer- ica soon after the first half of the century. He located in Flint, Michigan, where he still resides and is a tiller of the soil in that section. The maternal grandfather, Bolver Rittberg, was a game warden in Germany, this position having passed down through the family for many gen- erations. He worked for the family of Butler. One of the members of the family was a Hessian

soldier among those sent to America at the time of the Revolutionary war and remained in this country after the close of the struggle for in- dependence, settling in Pennsylvania. Charles Rosenthal, whose name heads this article, has a large German meerschaum pipe that came to him from this ancestor and it has been in the family for one hundred and fifty years. The family of Rosenthal was composed of farmers whose land passed down since the fifteenth century.

John Daniel Rosenthal and his children, Henry, Charles, William and Dittman, came to Chicago in July, 1862. He died April 26, 1896, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his remains were in- terred in Waldheim Cemetery. His wife died March 16, 1897, aged sixty-seven years, and her remains were interred with her husband. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rosenthal were: Henry, Charles, John, Dittman, John Philip and Mary. Henry was born April 4, 1854, and died April 6, 1891. He married Carolina Schill, October 12, 1882, and his widow resides at No. 2805 Fifth Avenue. The children are: Carrie, Mary, George, the latter being a carriage-painter. John died at the age of a year and one-half. Dittman, born July 27, 1860, was married May 24, 1886, to

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A. B. STEVENS.

Mary Nickel (see biography of Daniel Nickel). Mrs. Dittman Rosenthal was born September 30, 1863, and their children are: Emma Jacopina, Charles Daniel, Henry Dittman and Amanda. John Philip was born June 23, 1865, and is a stone-cutter. He is not married. Mary, born September 1, 1870, lives at the old home, No. 211I Purple Street.

J. D. Rosenthal was a shoemaker and at his house at No. 2111 Purple Street conducted a shop, later retiring from active business in 1875. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and an upholder of the principles of the Republican party.

Charles Rosenthal attended the Wentworth School and was taught German in private school. At the age of thirteen years he was employed in the paint shop of E. Nifnecker, located at No.

186 West Harrison Street. He learned carriage painting and was interested in the service of this man twelve years. He traveled two years through St. Louis, Little Rock, Cairo and Springfield. June 26, 1886, he started a shop of his own and remained at No. 97 Washington Street one year. He was then occupied in journeyman work for E. G. Seitz, located at No. 266 Bowen Avenue and has since that time been in the service of Mr. Seitz.

Mr. Rosenthal was married November 5, 1882, to Christina Nickel, daughter of Daniel Nickel, of whom further mention is made in another biography of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rosenthal have no children. He does not strict- ly adhere in political interest to one party, but votes for the man who in his estimation is best fitted for the office.

ALEXANDER B. STEVENS.

A LEXANDER BEEBE STEVENS, an en- terprising business man of Washington Heights and a representative citizen, comes of a family whose genealogy dates back to an origin in Wales, where three brothers resided, who came together to America. They settled in Philadelphia, in which section they reared their families. One branch settled in the central part of New York, and the members of this branch were the pioneers of the region.

The great-grandfather, Jabez Stevens, was the father of Ezra, both of whom were tillers of the soil. Ezra settled on the site of the city of Rochester, which place was then a wilderness, and which he left in despair. He took up his abode on the banks of the lake afterwards called Skaneateles, in the town of the same name. Here lie reared a family of eight children, four having died in infancy. He was one of the pioneers,

having settled in the region when civilization was youthful and game in the forests primeval reigned supreme. He followed fast in the foot- steps of the Redmen, a few remaining ones visiting his log cabin at intervals. He tilled the soil and hunted the game of the surrounding forests. He fought bravely in the War of 1812 and was among the many who' found it difficult to protect their homes from the British allies, the Indian marauders. His children were hardy and healthy in every way, having been reared in the frontier life, on food of the plainest kind and following the simplest customs. They were de- scendants of a race of phenomenal strength physicially. It was recorded that the three brothers who founded in America the family of Stevens, were possessed of sets of double teeth, which fact denoted their vigorous natural condi- tion. Many of the descendants have inherited

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A. B. STEVENS.

this remarkably great physique. The growth of the mind and soul was not neglected by these men of the family of Stevens, as many of their descendants were men of culture and refinement.

Ezra Stevens was eighty-five years of age at the time of his death and was a man of fine ap- pearance. He affiliated with the people of the Baptist faith and the pastor of the church of his creed could ever find a haven of rest in his home. He married Miss Lucy Foote, a relative of Commodore Foote of the United States Navy. She was a woman of fine and commanding pres- ence, of a dignified carriage, having great ability both physically and mentally. She was reared in New York and was descended from the pio- neers of New England, and at her death was seventy-five years of age. She was the mother of twelve children, named as follows: Alexander, Mary and Henry, who died in infancy ; Lucy, Harriet, Minerva, Morgan, Timothy, Daniel, Isaac, Leonard and Lyman. Morgan was a doctor in Huron County, Ohio, to which county the family removed in 1837. Lyman was a Swedenborgian minister, and was formerly a mayor of Syracuse. Daniel was a dry-goods mer- chant, as was also Timothy, and the remaining members of this family all married and reared children with the exception of Minerva.

Isaac Stevens was reared in Skaneateles and was educated in that village. He was a farmer, tanner, carpenter and blacksmith, respectively, at different intervals of his life. Having been born in Duanesburg, New York, February 6, 1809, he was killed June 18, 1874, by the ex- plosion of a boiler while manufacturing sleighs, wheelbarrows and similar articles in the city of Coldwater, Michigan. He removed to the last- named city about the year 1862, and was there a highly respected and honored citizen. He was a fine appearing man, of perfect physique, and · was justly popular among his associates, for his strength of character, and a manner which was at once gentle and kind. A man of pleasant im- pulses, beloved by all his friends and relatives, he was strictly honest and fond of all athletic sport especially swimming, in which he was all expert. He was a true type of the old stock

from which he sprang, and a credit to the race and to the family of Stevens. Isaac Stevens was in his early life affiliated with the Baptist Church, but later united with the congregation of the Christian or "Campbellite" belief. His wife, Sarah Ann Wright, was a daughter of William Wright.

The family of Wright was of the early settlers in New York and the mother of Mrs. Isaac Stevens was of German descent, the father being of Scotch. Mrs. Stevens was born May 7, 1812, in New Paltz, New York, which town is situated on the Hudson River, among the rich scenery with which that region abounds. She died May 15, 1892, at the age of eighty years. She was a woman of strong characteristics and sterling qualities of head and heart. She came to Chi- cago about 1887, and died in Englewood, shortly previous to the time she was to have been re- moved to the home of her son. She was an act- ive member of the Christian Church and the mother of seven children, as follows: Katharine, Janette, Alexander Beebe, William Henry, Ezra Clinton, Lyman and Douglas Milton. Alexander Beebe and Douglas Milton now reside in Chi- cago. Ezra Clinton established the first grocery store in the town of Englewood.

Alexander Beebe Stevens was educated in New York and Huron County, Ohio, to which locality last named the family had removed in 1837, and remained in that section until 1857. In his early life Mr. Stevens lived on a farm and attended school until he reached the age of thirteen years. He had opportunity to attend only in the winter months and had little chance to obtain a modern education, whose advantages are now al- most unlimited. He was on his father's farm until he reached the age of fourteen years and was then employed by the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad Company, at Galion, Ohio, supplying wood to the engines on that road. After two years in this service he was promoted to the position of baggage-master at the station at Galion. When he had reached the age of seventeen years he was made ticket and express agent for the two railroads, which at that time terminated in the last-mentioned town. These

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A. B. STEVENS.

roads were the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis and the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati, and lie was also agent for the American and United States Express Companies. While holding these positions of trust in Galion, he purchased eighty acres of land in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and had forty acres fenced and cleared from heavy timber, including an old Indian sugar camp which contained hundreds of maple trees.

In the year 1855 Mr. Stevens went to Muncie, Indiana, and was there assistant agent of the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis Railroad Company, where he was practically the agent, and was one of the twenty Democrats of the region who as- sisted in the election of Buchanan for President of the United States. After one year in the last- mentioned position he was assistant agent at the terminus of the Jeffersonville Railroad, which city is opposite Louisville. After six months in this capacity he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he was two years assistant agent for the United States and American Express Companies. In 1858 he removed to Redbluffs, California, and was six months bookkeeper for one of the rich men in the county. On his return to the state of Ohio he was for a short time express messenger be- tween the cities of Columbus, Ohio, and Union City, Indiana, after which time he was two years in the employ of the American Express Com- pany, as chief clerk and cashier in the station at Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Stevens gave up a good position to enlist in the army in 1862, when he became connected with the Nineteenth Ohio Battery, and served until the close of the Civil War. He was among the number of loyalists who pursued Morgan through Ohio when that guerrilla was making himself obnoxious at the time in that region. Mr. Stevens was in the siege of Knoxville, Tennes- see, and served on detached duty at the head- quarters of Gen. John M. Palmer, of Illinois, at Louisville, Kentucky. He also served as clerk at the headquarters of General Scofield at Knox- ville, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, June 26, 1865.

After the war he returned to Cleveland, Ohio, and to the cmploy of the American Express Com-

pany, as clerk and cashier, the said company having given him half pay during his entire service in the war. After a short time in this capacity he secured the position of auditor for the Union Line Express Company and was soon promoted to the position of chief clerk for the Merchants' Union Express Company of Auburn, New York, and organized fifteen hundred miles of the road for the last-named concern. His of- ficial position was that of chief clerk in the gen- eral office with a salary of two thousand dollars per year.

After a year and one-half in the position last mentioned he removed to Coldwater, Michigan, where his brother, William Henry Stevens, was engaged in the manufacture of wheelbarrows and children's sleighs. After one year the factory was burned and A. B. Stevens settled in Engle- wood in April, 1869. He secured the position of ticket agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company, and was freight bill clerk at Englewood. After a short time he removed his place of residence to Washington Heights, where he was for eight years the agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads. He then engaged in dealing in coal and lumber, in which business he was eminently successful.

In Louisville, Kentucky, October 6, 1864, Mr. Stevens married Miss Melville Miller, a dauglı- ter of Francis Miller, who was educated in a private school in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The children of this worthy couple were named as follows: Janette Moore, Alexander Beebe, Mary, Henry Albert, Frank, Jessie and Sarah. Janette M. and Jessie are the only children living. With their children Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are mem- bers of the Christian Scientists' First Church of Christ of Chicago. They are valuable and earnest members of the congregation and are highly re- spected by all who know them. Mr. Stevens is a public-spirited and thoroughly worthy citizen, though he affiliates with no especial party, be- lieving in the election of any capable and honest mnan to hold office, regardless of political associa- tion. He is a member of George H. Thomas

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REV. HENRY WUNDER.

Post No. 5, Grand Army of the Republic, of the Masonic fraternity and of many other organiza- tions.

In 1887 Mr. Stevens underwent a great change mentally, which naturally affected his physical organization. He was forced to seek rest and travel in the interest of his health and consulted many eminent and reliable physicians, but with- out avail. Only through the care of his beloved wife and the spiritual guidance which he secured through his enforced rest from business care,

was his valuable life spared to the finishing of his prospected work. Since that time a marked spiritual growth has manifested itself in the character and habits of Mr. Stevens, who was always more or less inclined to think seriously of the side of life which presented itself most forcibly to him. His overpowering influence is felt by all people with whom he comes in con- tact. Surely the Creator teaches His lessons of life to those who are ready and willing to listen to His voice.

REV. HENRY WUNDER.

EV. HENRY WUNDER, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, has occupied that position continuously since 1851. He was born March 12, 1830, in Bavaria, Germany, and was the eldest of nine children born to Conrad and Barbara (Mueller) Wunder, natives of Bavaria. Conrad Wunder was a miller by trade and passed his entire life in his native land, dying in 1839, at the age of fifty-two years. His widow survived him several years.

The subject of this sketch is the only member of the family who became a resident of the United States. He received his rudimentary education in the public school of his native place, which he attended until the age of fourteen years. On quitting the public school he entered college at Neuendettelsau, an institution for preparing young men for ministerial work in America, and remained there until 1846. He was then sent to America, sailing from Bremen in the ship "Caro- line." Sixty-three days later he was landed in New York, September 3, 1846. He traveled directly to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there at- tended the seminary, which it was called at that time, the school now being called the Fort Wayne Gymnasium. He remained liere until 1848,

when he removed to Altenburg, Missouri, and there entered the German Lutheran Seminary. This institution was founded in 1839, occupying at first a log building eighteen by twenty-four feet. It was later moved to St. Louis, and is now known as Concordia Seminary. He was gradu- ated from this institution in November, 1849, and ordained by Reverend Walther, D.D., De- cember 16 of the same year.

Reverend Wunder was then called to Mill- stadt, Illinois, and had charge of the Lutheran Church there until he came to Chicago. He ar- rived here September 18, 1857, having been called here by the congregation to succeed Rev. A. Selle, who came to Chicago in 1846, and founded the church. Mr. Wunder has had charge of it continuously since.

His first church building in Chicago was 011 Indiana Street, between Wells and Franklin Streets. In the year 1864 the church was moved to the present location, corner of Superior and Franklin Streets. Mr. Wunder has always been a student and has a fine library. In 1863 his residence on Franklin Street was burned, and again in 1871. In1 1866 he visited Germany, and spent six weeks in the land of his nativity.

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CHARLES BRUST.

St. Paul's is the oldest church of the denomi- nation in the city and from it have been founded the other churches here. Reverend Wunder has devoted his life to pastoral work and has been heard in other pulpits besides his own. For the past sixteen years he has been president of the Illinois district of the synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states. He has an assistant in the per- son of John Baumgaertner, a faithful worker, who has been associated with him nearly two years.

Reverend Wunder has been three times mar- ried. In January, 1852, he was united to Albertina

Hiretz, by whom he had six children, only one of whom is now living-Renata Wunder. Her mother died in May, 1861. In 1862 Mr. Wunder was married to Wilhelmina Siegmann. This couple became the parents of two children, one of whom is now living-Louise, wife of Rev. Karl Schmidt, pastor of St. James' Church. Her mother died in March, 1865. The third wife of Mr. Wunder was Emily Rotermund, the mar- riage being celebrated in October, 1866. She died August 27, 1897, leaving three children, namely: Paulina, who is the wife of Charles Fiene, of Chicago; Julius and Dora.

CHARLES BRUST.

HARLES BRUST, who is among the most energetic of the citizens of Chicago and in- terested in the promotion of the business in- terests of the great city, was born October 1, 1855, on Calumet Avenue, near Twenty-fifth Street, Chicago. For further mention of his ancestors, see biography of Peter Brust in this volume.

Charles Brust obtained the rudiments of his education in the Haven School, which he at- tended until he reached the age of thirteen years. He then commenced to learn the trade of printer and entered the office of Mr. Wells, who printed the daily market sheet. He remained in this employ as printer's apprentice for a period of three years. He sold daily papers at the same time, and was very active and industrious in . employed for the past year.

whatever line it was possible to earn money. He subsequently worked one year in the lead works of D. B. Shipman, and for four years after this term had charge of the mailing division of the Fireside Friend. He returned to the service of Mr. Shipman, where he remained but six months, when he was made shipping clerk for Einstien, Lang, Gini & Company. He served in the in-

terests of this firm eleven years, and was a valu- able and ambitious employe. He was for five years with Julius Stein & Company, one year with Siegel Brothers, and then entered the serv- ice of the city, being two months in the South Town assessor's office under J. E. Richards, a short time in the county treasurer's office, under Henry Wolff, after which time he returned to the South Town assessor's office, under S. George Miller. He filled different political positions dur- ing a period of four years, and then entered the employ of A. Ellinger & Company, dealers in cloaks, as shipping clerk. This firm is located at No. 177 Monroe Street, and is now the Bad- ger Manufacturing Company. He has been here

Charles Brust was married November 2, 1879, to Miss Nellie O'Neill, daughter of David O'Neill. She was born in Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, and her children are: Harry Charles, aged seventeen years; William Charles fifteen years; Nellie Marie, fourteen years, and Irene Lillian, twelve years. Mr. Brust is a stanch upholder of the principles of the Democratic party.

LIBRARY OF THE SNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

COL. E. D. SWAIN.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT.)

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E. D. SWAIN.

EDGAR DENMAN SWAIN, D. D. S.

DGAR DENMAN SWAIN, D. D. S., is en- gaged in the practice of dentistry at the corner of Randolph and State Streets, Chi- cago, and is prominent in both professional and military circles. He was born in Westford, Vt., in August, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Marcus and Charlotte (Woodbury) Swain. On the paternal side he is of Scotch lineage, and on the maternal side is of English descent. The father became a resident of Oshkosh, Wis., in 1857, and during the war he was appointed Surgeon of the Wis- consin Penitentiary at Waupun. About 1878, he removed to Englewood, I11., and thence to Glen- coe, where his death occurred at the age of sev- enty-nine. His wife died in Waupun, Wis. In their family were four sons and two daughters: Edgar D. of this sketch; Dr. Oliver D., a resi- dent of Chicago; Marcus W., who was killed in a railroad accident in 1862; George A., who died of typhoid fever in the army in the summer of 1863; and Alice M. and Charlotte, both living.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch remained under the parental roof until seventeen years of age, and then left home, going to Wor- cester, Mass., where he worked in a machine- shop. He afterward removed to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where, in 1855, he began the study of den- tistry. Two years later he became a resident of Wisconsin and began practice in Oshkosh. Sub- sequently he was engaged in the prosecution of his profession in Aurora, Il1., and in Batavia, Il1.

Mr. Swain watched with interest the progress of events which preceded the Civil War, and after the South had attacked Ft. Sumter, he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. He raised a company, and on the 22d of July, 1861,

became Captain of Company I, Forty-second Illi- nois Infantry. He was afterward promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in October, 1863, and in 1865 was placed in command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps. He served until the close of the war, and took part in many important engagements, including the Fremont campaign in Missouri. His was the first regiment to enter Columbus, Ky., and with his company he took part in the siege of Island No. 10, being largely instrumental in its capture. Under the command of Gen. Polk, he then went to Hamburg, Tenn., and aided in the capture of Corinth. The following summer he was employed in guarding railroads, and in the fall was ordered to report to Gen. Buell, of Nashville, remaining with the command of Gen. Negley in possession of that city during Bragg and Bnell's Kentucky campaign. After the cessation of hostilities his regiment was ordered to Texas for duty. Dr. Swain was finally mustered out in Springfield, Ill., on the 12th of January, 1866. He was wounded in the left knee at New Hope Church, Ga., and for three months his injury would not permit him to engage in active service, but he saw nearly all of the important campaigns of the war west of the Alleghany Mountains, and was in twenty-seven engagements.

Dr. Swain's connection with military affairs has since continued, and in army circles he is a leader. In 1877, he became Major of the First Regiment Illinois National Guards, and took part in suppressing the railroad riots of that year. In1 August he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in December, 1877, was promoted to the rank of Colonel, in which capacity he served for four years,

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WILLIAM HAHNE.

when he resigned. He has long been a promi- nent member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, served for three years as Commander of George H. Thomas Post, and for two years was Commander of the Department of Illinois. He has also served as Senior Vice-Commander in Chief of the National Encampment, and is a mem- ber of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

After the war, Dr. Swain began the practice of dentistry in Chicago, and for a time was associated with Dr. Cushing, and afterward with Dr. Noble. Since 1870 he has been alone in practice, and now finds little time for other pursuits. He is an accomplished microscopist and has given much time to the investigation of histology. He was

President of the Chicago Dental Society in 1874 and of the Illinois State Dental Society in 1875. He was also Secretary of the latter for two terms, and was Secretary of the Chicago Octontological Society. At present he is Dean of the dental department in the Northwestern University. The degree of D. D. S. was conferred upon him by the Ohio Dental College in March, 1883.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 69

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