Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 8

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 8

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J. G. WILLIAMSON.

took part in a number of engagements, notably that of Koenig Kratz, but was never wounded. After leaving the army he resumed work at his trade until he emigrated.

October 4, 1867, Mr. Koch married Miss Marie Gauchaw, a native of the same place as himself, and born April 16, 1848. October 19, 1867, Mr. and Mrs. Koch took passage on the steamer "Cimbria," at Hamburg, bound for America, and fourteen days later landed at New York. They came directly to Chicago, where Mr. Koch had two brothers.

Mr. and Mrs. Koch have three sons and one daughter, namely: Herman, a mason by trade; Alma, wife of Max Schultz; Robert, a druggist, who graduated from the Northwestern University

as a pharmacist; and August, a cutter of cloaks in the employ of Seigel Brothers, a wholesale concern. The family is not affiliated with any church, but the parents were reared in the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church which Mr. Koch's family attend and assist in supporting.

Mr. Koch was a poor man when he arrived in America, having only his trade to sustain him, but he possessed industry, the characteristic of the German-American citizen, and by patience and perseverance, assisted by his estimable wife, steadily made his way upward to his present po- sition of affluence. He is a loyal citizen and al- ways uses his influence for the advancement of every worthy cause, and feels a just pride in the country of his adoption.

JOSEPH G. WILLIAMSON.

J OSEPH GOLDEN WILLIAMSON, a promi- nent physician of La Grange, was born March 7, 1839, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a son of John N. A. Williamson, and is a descendant in the seventh generation of William Williamson, who sailed from Amsterdam, Hol- land, in the ship "Concord," in 1657, and set- tled in Gravesend, Long Island, where his name is found on the assessor's roll of 1683. His wife was Mayke Peterse Wycoff.

Nicholas Williamson, the great-grandfather of Joseph G. Williamson, was born October 8, 1762, and died August 8, 1856. He was a son of Garrett and Charity (Bennett) Williamson. He was a tiller of the soil and a store-keeper at Neshanic, New Jersey, and a minute-man during the Revolutionary War. He was under fire from the British ships at Raritan Bay. His wife was Alche Ditmars. Garrett Williamson was born at Gravesend, Long Island, March 15, 1728, and died at Neshanic, New Jersey, January 17, 1790.

He was a son of Nicholas and Lucresy (Voorhees) Williamson. Nicholas Williamson was born in Gravesend, New York, in 1680, a son of William Williamson, the first ancestor in America, and was an agriculturist.

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this article, Douw Ditmars Williamson, was born at Neshanic, New Jersey, January 4, 1789. He was a militiaman in the war of 1812, and was stationed at what is now Jersey City. He was comptroller of New York City under several ad- ministrations, and for many years, until near the time of his death, president of the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company of New York City. He was also an elder of the Collegiate Refornied Dutch Church, and died in Brooklyn, New York, August 4, 1869. His wife, Mary Ann, was the daughter of Capt. David and Jane (Hassert) Abeel.

John N. A. Williamson, father of J. G. Williamson, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 13, 1814. He began his busi-

J. L. FEDDERSEN.

ness career as a stationer in New York City, in which he continued until burned out by the great fire of 1836, when he removed West. He was subsequently farmer, pharmacist and assistant railroad receiver, and died at Lafayette, Indiana, August 21, 1887. His maternal grandfather, Capt. David Abeel, born January 13, 1763, died October 1, 1840. He was of the fifth generation from Christopher Janse Abeel, born in Amster- dam, Holland, in 1621, who settled in Beaver- wick (now Albany), New York, in 1657. Capt. David was a son of Col. James Abeel, a quarter-master on General Washington's staff, and his wife was Gertrude Neilson. Col. James Abeel was born in Albany, New York, May 12, 1733, and died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, April 25, 1825. He was a son of David and Mary (Duyckink) Abeel. The founder of the family in America, Johann Abeel, was a mer- chant and mayor of Albany, 1684-85, and a mein- ber of assembly from 1701 to 1709.

Joseph G. Williamson was reared in Bound Brook, New Jersey, remaining there until sixteen years of age, when he removed to Illinois with his parents. He was educated in the common schools and under private tutors and began the study of medicine in 1861, at New Albany, I11- diana, and during the Civil War assisted his pre- ceptor in the Military Hospital practice at that place. For many years he was engaged in rail- roading and for a number of years was a ticket

agent for the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad Company at New Albany, and receiver at that point, later spending two years in rail- road service in Minnesota.

In 1871 he located in Chicago and engaged in real estate business, more or less, until 1879, when he entered the Bennett College of Medicine and Surgery, and was graduated in 1882. He was a resident of Hyde Park from 1871 to 1878, and for many years lived at Hinsdale, where he was actively engaged in his profession, with office also in Chicago. Since 1894 he has resided in La Grange. Dr. Williamson was married April 15, 1865, to Charity A., daughter of John Nor- man, of Caldwell, New York, who bore him ten children: Katharine T., Ida R., Mary, Minnie (deceased), Jessie, Dow D. (deceased), Nor- man E., Joseph G. (deceased), Bertha B. and Jennie J.

The laboratory of Dr. Williamson is an in- teresting one. A maze of static and galvanic electrical apparatus, and an X-Ray machine of the latest type, are supplemented by a most com- plete collection of surgical devices and a fully equipped and extensive pharmacy. With the aid of an immense library he keeps abreast of the advance in medicine and surgical methods. He is a prominent Knight Templar and has taken the thirty-second degree of Free Masonry. He is a true independent in politics, not favoring either party, but voting upon principle at all times.

JOHN L. FEDDERSEN.

OHN LUDOLPH FEDDERSEN, one of Feddersen, who died when his son was but five Chicago's self-made business men, affords a years of age. The latter remained in his native town until he reached the age of fifteen years, getting his education in the schools of Aventoft. notable example of what pluck and persever- ance will accomplish in all the affairs of life. He was born November 25, 1853, in the kingdom of Denmark, and is the third child of Andrew L.

Having inherited that love of the sea which inade his Norse forefathers rulers of the deep, he

P. C. B. PETERSEN.

secured a position as cabin boy on a sea-going vessel at the age of fifteen years. His first trip was from Hamburg to the West Indies; the jour- ney occupying six months. The next trip was to Rio Janeiro, which also consumed six months. He then started for China and, six months later, after arriving at Hong Kong, he was made a full sailor. He remained there three years trading on the coast of China. Subsequently he was pro- moted to second mate of a Norwegian ship, and in that position followed the sea about three years. His last cruise was from Hamburg to Philadelphia, and he landed in the latter city in 1875. He worked on a farm in Pennsylvania two months, receiving twenty-five dollars per month, and then started for Chicago, which was the goal towards which many of the emigrants journeyed. He arrived in that city in July, 1875, and, taking whatever work was offered, was em- ployed about two months in a brick yard. He then worked for the same employer on a farm, and in the winter returned to the city, where he found work of various kinds in the Union Stock Yards. He then went to Lake View and hired himself to a gardener, with whom he remained a year.

In 1877 he married and, during the hard times incident to that year, found it hard to make both

ends meet, but he persevered, establishing in that year a wholesale fish business. This was the first effort at doing business on his own account, and though at first he had many discouragements, his trade gradually increased, and in the course of two years his reputation as an honest dealer drew to him a lucrative patronage. Three years after his opening the fish market he added oysters to his stock, and has built up a large trade in bothı lines. He has been ruled throughout his busi- ness career by the same careful methods whichi made it possible for him to build up a successful business, and has acquired a comfortable property. Besides the house at No. 22 Potomac Avenue, where he lives, he also owns a two-story flat build- ing at No. 14 Mormon Street, which is rented.

Mrs. Feddersen, whose maiden name was Anna Christensen, was born in Denmark and came to America at the age of twenty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Feddersen have been born five children, namely: Lonis, who is married and in business in Chicago; Christina, living at home; Andrew, who assists his father; and Jens and Ludolph, both residing at home. The subject of this notice is a member of Wicker Park Lodge No. 281, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has re- ceived all the honors which the subordinate lodge can confer. Politically he is a Republican.

P. CHR. B. PETERSEN.

CHR. BRÖNNUM PETERSEN, L. D. S., has become, entirely through his own efforts, one of the prominent and respected business men of the portion of Chicago where lie is located, and has obtained success in many ways. He has made a name for himself among the residents of the Northwest Side and has se- cured the confidence of his patrons. He comes of a foreign country, having been born in Copen-

hagen, Denmark, May 13, 1865. He was the oldest of a family of two sons and one daughter and was educated in Kristensen's Borger og Realskole. He was graduated at tlie age of four- teen years and was then apprenticed to H. P. E. Nilsen, Colonialvare Forretning.

After serving as apprentice two years with Mr. Nilsen, who was located at the corner of Gl. Kongevej and Bianco Lunos Allee, he changed to

CARL JOERNDT.

the employ of Carl Dehnfeldt, in the same busi- ness as Mr. Nilsen. He finished his apprentice- ship in three years at the location of the corner of Lille Kongensgade and Halmstræde. He subse- quently entered the service of C. W. Obel, whole- sale tobacco dealer, at Udsalg in Frederiksberg- gade, and was occupied one year as shipping clerk.

November 5, 1885, he left Copenhagen for Liverpool, England, and two days later embarked for America on the ship "British King" of the American line, arriving in Philadelphia a short time after, on November 23. He proceeded to Chicago, reaching his destination November 25. Three weeks later he began as clerk in the ser- vice of Christian Rasmussen, editor of a Danish paper. In 1891 he decided to study dentistry and entered the Northwestern College of Dental Surgery, and two years later passed an examina- tion of the State Board. He opened an office for business at No. 1751 Milwaukee Avenue, then corner Hoffman Avenue, now Rockwell, and is now at No. 1730 on the same corner, where he has been located five years. He has been very successful and has realized many of the hopes and

ambitions which prompted him to establish him- self in the business world of the metropolis of the West.

Mr. Petersen is also connected with the social world of the country of his adoption and is a member of Denmark Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, besides which he is identified with the Rathbone Sisters and is connected with Fullerton Council, Knights and Ladies of Security. He belongs to Ivanhoe Company, Uniform Rank, in the Knights of Pythias, of which he is treasurer.

He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and deserves credit for the fact that he showed the courage to enter a new, and to him, wholly unknown country, without much knowl- edge of its people or characteristics, and without friends. He has a fine practice that has been steadily increasing. He took out his naturaliza- tion paper in the Superior Court in December, 1893, and while he honors his mother country he is loyal to his adopted country, never forgetting that we owe our first allegiance to the country in which we make our home.

CARL JOERNDT.

ARL JOERNDT, who was born in Mecklen- burg-Schwerin, Germany, December 24, 1826, is a son of Christian and Marie (Lemno) Joerndt. His parents had a family of six sons and two daughters, namely : Mary, who mar- ried William Koen, and died many years ago; Carl is the next in order of birth; William, of California; Theodore, deceased; August, of Pon- tiac, Illinois; George, a resident of Seattle, Wash- ington; Frederick, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and a daughter that died in infancy. The family came to America in 1853, and located in Chicago, where both parents died.

Carl Joerndt learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked two years after coming to Chicago. He then engaged in carpenter work and labored as journeyman a few years. In 1865 he embarked in business for himself, and formed a co-partnership with William Gastfield. They built a planing mill at the corner of Curtis and May Streets, and carried on the manufacture of sash, blinds and doors fifteen years, when Mr. Joerndt sold his interest in the factory and turned his attention to contracting and building. He continued in this business until 1894, since which time he has retired from active business.

C. H. DUENSING.

For forty years he has resided on Chicago Ave- living are: Emma, wife of Andrew Gagel, of nue, and is still located at the same house. He Rogers Park; Ida, now Mrs. George Ertz; Will- iam, Albert, Hulda and Etta. Mr. and Mrs. Joerndt are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and are influential for the cause of right. has led an industrious and honest life, as a citi- zen of the city of Chicago, and has achieved suc- cess through honest methods. He has supported the Republican party ever since he became a citi- zen of the United States, but never craved public office of any kind. He is a member of Goethe Lodge No. 239, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.

Just previous to his emigration from the Father- land, in 1853, he married Miss Henrietta Brun- graver, who was born in Schwerin. They have had ten children, but four died in childhood. The

William Joerndt married Mrs. Mary Pottel, widow of Harry Pottel, and is employed in the Chronicle office, having charge of the lineotype machines. They have three children: Harriet, Wilbur and an unnamed infant, and Mrs. Joerndt has a son by her first marriage, named Harry Pottel. Albert Joerndt married Miss Katherine Le Feber and is a letter carrier. They have two children: Meryl and Gladys.

CHARLES H. DUENSING.

HARLES HENRY DUENSING. The ele- ments essential to make men of mark in the world are as varied as the individuals who make up the sum total of humanity. An im- mortal poet has said, "Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." It is men of the second class, as spoken of by the most renowned of bards, who fill the greatest needs in the affairs of life.

Charles H. Duensing, with whom this sketch has to do, was of humble birth, and of poor but respectable parentage. His birth occurred in the village of Mariensee, province of Hanover, Germany, September 5, 1829. His parents were Henry and Caroline Duensing, both of whom died in Germany. Of their five children who grew to maturity, three became residents of the United States, namely: Charles H., Henry and Henrietta.

The boyhood of Charles H. Duensing was passed in his native land, the common schools affording him the means whereby to obtain a practical elementary education. As a boy he was sturdy, practical and resolute, possessing

many of those dominant characteristics of the German race which have won success wherever the forces of German mind and heart have, with fixedness of purpose, taken hold of the affairs of life.

He learned the trade of wood turner with his father and at the age of twenty years developed into man's estate. Realizing the narrowness of opportunities surrounding him in his native land, and longing for a field of wider environment, he decided to seek his fortune in America. In April, 1848, he carried into effect his resolution, took passage in a sailing vessel at Bremen Harbor, and after a long and uneventful voyage of forty- five days landed in New York.

He came directly to Chicago, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and the steamer "Empire" up the lakes, arriving in June. For two years after his arrival in Cook County he worked on a farm in Barrington Town- ship for Philip N. Gould. He then became clerk in the hardware store of Thomas George, remaining one year, after which he worked a year in a mill in Kane County. Ambitious to

WILLIAM DUXSON.

succeed and desirous of improving his financial condition, he went to Will County and engaged in retailing merchandise. He also kept a toll gate on Milwaukee Avenue three years. His next business venture was keeping a hotel on Milwaukee Avenue, near Carpenter Street, and after two years he engaged in the commission business for a few years.

In 1868 he began doing an insurance business, to which he has given his attention, practically, for the past thirty years, combining with it real estate and loans. Previous to the last mentioned date he invested a part of his savings in real estate, on the corner of West Chicago Avenue and Noble Street, where he built and made his home until 1892, when he removed to River Forest.

Mr. Duensing has won success in his long and varied career, and accumulated a valuable prop- erty. He has ever beeu mindful of his duties as a citizen, and has found time to aid in pro- moting the best interests of his home city and

his adopted country. Since casting his vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, he has supported the men and measures of the Republican party. In 1865 he was elected supervisor of his ward and filled the office creditably one term, but has never sought nor cared for political honors.

January 13, 1853, Mr. Duensing was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Ohlendorf, whose family history will be found in the article on the life of William Ohlendorf, on another page of this work. To this worthy couple have been born ten chil- dren, namely: Mary, wife of Henry Linnemeyer, of Chicago; Edwin H., who is with Mandel Brothers; Malinda, deceased; Elmer C., who is in- terested with his father; Lorina, now Mrs. Hugo Meyers, of Chicago; Alwina; Henrietta, wife of William C. Nelson; Anna, wife of William C. Noland; Ottilie, Mrs. George H. Puchner, of Oak Park; and Elsa. Mr. Duensing and family be- long to the Evangelical Lutheran Church and enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM DUXSON.

ILLIAM DUXSON, who comes of the well-known family of the neighborhood where he resides, has lived in Chicago since he was a mere boy, and resides in the home built by his father when there were but few other houses in the vicinity. For ancestry refer to biography of Ben Duxson.

Born January 10, 1866, in Cambridgeshire, England, he is a son of James and Jane (West) Duxson. William Duxson was occupied with his father in the teaming business until he had reached the age of twenty years, at which time he entered the service of the Brownell Improvement Company; and has been with this concern, in various capacities, since that time. He married a very worthy and refined lady, Mary Duggan, sister of the woman who became the wife of his brother, Ben. Mrs. Duxson is a daughter of

Thomas and Catherine Elizabeth (Calan) Duggan, and was born March 1, 1868, at the same house where her sister first opened her eyes to the world, situated at the corner of Sixty-fifth and State Streets.

Mr. and Mrs. Duxson became the parents of one son, William Arthur, who was born June 9, 1891. Mr. Duxson is a member of the Sons of St. George, Lodge No. 410. He comes of a Protestant family and, like Ben Duxson, is loyal to the Democratic party. He possesses a help- mate who aids in making the home pleasant, and a harmony exists which cannot be rivalled. Mr. and Mrs. Duxson take pride in the correct rearing of their only son, who will prove a blessing to them and an honor to the worthy name he bears. The family has always been respected and its representatives are citizens of the best quality.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

JACOB GROSS.

(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).

JACOB GROSS.

? ACOB GROSS, who lives in retirement, in his pleasant and luxurious home at No. 1730 Deming Place, has resided in Chicago since 1855. He was at one time connected with one of the largest banking and real-estate firms in the city of Chicago, and in the faithful per- formance of all duties or trusts imposed upon him and the life of industry which he has led, has justly earned all his honors. Whether as a brave soldier or an able, ambitious, public servant, he has ever shown himself a gentleman and that fact has thor- oughly established him in the hearts of the people.

Jacob Gross was born February 11, 1840, in Jacobsweiler, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Henry and Barbara (Lotz) Gross. Henry Gross was a tiller of the soil, and died when Jacob was but thirteen years old. He and his good wife had four children, namely: Kath- arine (now deceased); Gertrude, now Mrs. Adam Miller, Henry and Jacob, of this article. The mother died in Richton, Cook County, Illinois, in 1860. In May, 1855, Mrs. Gross with her fonr children sailed from Havre, in the sailing ship "Elizabeth," and twenty-eight days later landed in New York. They came directly to Chicago, arriving July 1.

Jacob Gross was well educated in the parish school of his native place and after coming to Chicago attended Brown's School, on the West Side, and passed a credible examination for the high school, but did not enter. He learned the trade of tin-smith, at which he served a reg- ular apprenticeship, and afterwards worked six

months as journeyman. He then went to Rich- land and was clerk in the store of his brother-in- law until the Civil War broke out. In August, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union Army, joining Company B, Eighty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He served continuously, partici- pating in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, until May 25, 1864, when he was severely wounded, at the battle of New Hope Church, Georgia, by a rifle ball, which so shat- tered the bones of his right leg that amputation became necessary. He lay in a hospital in Chat- tanooga until February, 1865, when he was honorably discharged in Chicago, February 14, 1865. In 1866 he was appointed deputy police clerk and served two years, and was elected West Town collector for three terms. He was then elected in 1872 clerk of the circuit court, and was twice re-elected and served until 1884, when he was elected state treasurer and served one term of two years. He has always been a Republican and has attended state conventions and other gatherings since he became a citizen.

In 1883 he became a member of the banking firm of Felsenthal, Gross & Miller, which was made a state bank in 1891. After serving as state treasurer he became actively engaged in the bank and was vice-president until 1896, when, owing to failing health, he resigned and has since lived in retirement. Mr. Gross is a mem- ber of Lessig Lodge No. 557, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also Columbia Post No. 708, Grand Army of the Republic.

SARGENT FIELD.

October 20, 1870, he married Miss Emma Schade, a native of New York, but of German parentage. They became the parents of three children, namely: Mamie, now Mrs. William

Falk, William H. and Flora. The family is con- nected with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, among the congregation of which each one is highly honored.

SARGENT FIELD.

ARGENT FIELD. Among the foremost of the citizens of our United States are those men who can relate a history reaching back to the time that their ancestors were among the early settlers of the colonies. They inherit stur- diness, ambition and love of country in almost every case. In removing westward in the early days of the western part of the country, they fur- ther proved their interest in the welfare and growth of the nation. Sargent Field could boast a lineage of which any man might be proud. From the fact that his father was born in the town of Sur- rey, New Hampshire, in 1765, is shown that his people were among the early pioneers of the col- onies.

Sargent Field was born June 25, 1802, in Peacham, Vermont, a son of Nathan and Hepzi- bah Field. His father removed to Peacham in 1788, and in 1794 became an active and valuable member of the Congregational Church in that section, with which body he was connected until his death. Nathan Field was a sincere Christian and endeavored to rear his children in the paths of right. His children were: Sargent; Ann Eliza, who married Milo Lodgett; Charles and Nathan, who lived in Neponset, Illinois. His wife died August 16, 1857, aged eighty years, and was buried in Hardwick. November 10, 1859, his own death followed, after he had reached the remark- able age of ninety-four years and three months.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 8

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