Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 91

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 91

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Being naturally very economical and indus- trious, he was enabled to erect a home for him- self and family and has since lived in the same. He built the residence in 1872, on St. Lawrence Avenue, near Sixty-fifth Street. He was ınar-

629

MICHAEL BIEHN.

ried September 11, 1870, to Miss Sophia, daugh- ter of Henry and Dora Bolte. Mrs. Schutt was born February 13, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Schutt are the parents of one daughter, Mary. She was born January 23, 1873, and married Otto Lange, January 16, 1892, and her children are accounted for as follows: Frank, born October 28, 1892;

Ida, April 6, 1894, and Frederick, December 3, 1895. Otto Lange was born in Germany April 22, 1866, and came to America in 1882. He is a grocer and a very highly respected and worthy husband and father. John Schutt's father was a shoemaker and his maternal grandfather was Frank Kruse, who was a farmer and landowner.

MICHAEL BIEHN.

ICHAEL BIEHN. Among the most enter- prising and ambitions citizens of Chicago, many are of foreign birth and have emi- grated from their native lands and adopted the free United States as their ideal country, for the purpose of obtaining a name for themselves and gaining a livelihood for themselves and family. The people of this class are, as a rule, industrious and thrifty to a great degree, and are .bent on securing the benefits of a residence in a free land, and often inspire their associates to take up with the manners and customs of the country and profit by the same. Michael Biehn was born September 27, 1848, in Alsace, France, and is a son of John and Theresa (Berringer) Biehn.

With his parents and sister, Mary, he took pas- sage on a ship bound for America. His sister died on the voyage and was buried in the sea. The family arrived in Chicago in 1850 and pur- chased fifty acres of land at Chicago Heights. John Biehn lived at this location until the time of his death, tilling the soil. He died in 1857, not quite forty years of age, and his widow still lives on the old homestead. She was born1 Feb- ruary 14, 1818. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Biehn were: Michael; Mary, who died at the age of six months; Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth married Nicholas Berg and resides in Lowell, Indiana. Mr. Berg is a blacksmith, and their

children are: Mary, Theresa, George, Frank, Ed- ward and Ida. Mary married Mathias Boos and lives in Hammond, Indiana. Her children are: Margaret, Ina, Theresa, Annie, Lily, Hattie, Gertrude, Ida, Mollie, Rosa and Clara. Mrs. John Biehn married for her second husband George Link, and their only child is named George.

Michael Biehn attended school until he reached the age of sixteen years, and then, at Dyer, Indi- ana, entered the service of John Berg. He learned the trade of wagon-maker, which occupied him five years, and then went to Crown Point and was employed one year by Charles Schroeder. He came to Chicago and after working two months for the interests of Jacob Link, started for himself at No. 131 Blue Island Avenue. In 1886 he began to work at the trade of a carpenter and has since been thus occupied. He worked five years for the Chicago City Railway and for five years has been with the Illinois Central Rail- road Company in its shops at Burnside. He has lived in the last-named vicinity for the past three years.

September 1, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Paul and Barbara (Long) Bol- heimer, who was born March 21, 1855, in Liver- pool, Ohio. Mrs. Biehn has lived in Chicago twenty-five years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bielin were as follows: Joseph, born May 5, 1875,

630

CHARLES LEONARD.

died an infant; Olive Theresa, born June 3, 1876, died at the age of seven years and six months; Lily Mary, born November 25, 1878; Edward John, August 29, 1881; Alfreda Wilhelmina, July 17, 1888, died at the age of thirteen months; and Viola Barbara, August 8, 1890.

Mr. Biehn is connected with Court Garfield No. 2, Independent Order of Foresters. The family is connected with the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. Though never seeking public office, Mr. Biehn is a strict upholder of the prin- ciples of the Republican party.

CHARLES LEONARD.

HARLES LEONARD, who is among the most successful and ambitious of the honored · citizens of Chicago, was born June 17, 1839. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Malloy) Leon- ard, resided at No. 10 Hatters Lane, in Man- chester, England, at the time of his birth. His paternal grandfather visited America, but re- turned to his home in Manchester. He was born in Dublin, Ireland.

Thomas Leonard was twice married and by his first wife became the father of the following children: John, Philip, James and Susan. He died in 1859, aged sixty-three years. He was a contractor in packing dry goods in Manchester and emigrated in 1848, with his second wife, and the following children: Charles, David, Joseph, Mary Ann and Margaret. He settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and was engaged in the crockery business for a period of five years. He then went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and purchased farm land at Bay Settlement, twelve miles from the city of Green Bay. He cultivated this property six years, and was in this as in all other occupa- tions which he followed, scrupulously honest. He died at this location two years before his worthy helpmate.

Mrs. Thomas Leonard died in 1861, aged fifty- two years, in the city of Boston. Her children are accounted for as follows: Charles is the sub- ject of this article; David is residing with his family, at Falls Church, Virginia, having set-

tled down to farm life, after fighting during the Civil War in the Twentieth Massachusetts Regi- ment; Joseph resides in Chicago at No. 491 West Madison Street; Peter, a bookbinder in Boston, settled in that city with his family, having served with Mulligan's Brigade during the late Civil War; Mary Ann never married and is now de- ceased; Margaret fell through the hatchway of the ship while coming to America, and died one week after landing.

Charles Leonard arrived in Chicago in 1859 and was occupied with the position of waiter at the Briggs House eighteen months, and spent the same length of time in the restaurant of S. H. Thompson. He drove a coach for Edward E. Lee one year, being employed in the same capac- ity for James C. Fargo, one year. March 12, 1863, he began to drive a wagon for the Amer- ican Express Company and has continued with this concern since. After twenty-two years in the service he was made collector and receiver, which position he still occupies. He is a valued and honored employe and his long period of service in the interest of the company proves the stamina with which the man is endowed and the strength of character which must be brought to bear upon his life, in consequence of which he has been able to remain employed for so long a time and given perfect satisfaction. Such men are as much, if not more, to be honored as those who are fortunate enough to secure a way to make

631

ANDREW SODERGREN.

more money by risking a great deal at the same time, as it requires much patience and stability to remain at one calling year after year, and to see no other pathway but the one that has been traveled the year before.

March 17, 1890, Mr. Leonard started to build the house at No. 7001 State Street, where he now resides. In 1869 he built a house at No. 2936 Wentworth Avenne. February 9, 1862, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Cornelius and Honora (Tuney) Crowley. Her father was born in Cork, Ireland, coming to America after his marriage. He landed in Que- bec and went to Buffalo, New York, after a short time. From there he removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He died in November, 1846, his wife surviving him until 1851. She was still a young woman at the time of her death, and was the mother of three sons and one daughter. All tlie sons died when infants, and Mrs. Leonard was the youngest, having been born August 15, 1843.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard are the parents of eight children. Mary, the oldest, was born November 29, 1862. She was married September 11, 1889, to John W. Doolady, of Saratoga, New York.

They reside at No. 5731 Atlantic Street, Chicago, and are the parents of the following children: Mary Frances, born January 29, 1891, and Eleanor, June 3, 1894. Joseph was born Jan- uary 18, 1865, and died December 18, 1879. Charles Thomas, born March 4, 1867, was mar- ried July 22, 1888, to Miss Barbara Reiter. He is a driver for Phalan & Wagner and resides with his family at No. 957 Fifty-first Street. His only child, Joseph, was born November 23, 1889. William was born June 25, 1871, and died De- cember 30, 1871. Margaret Agnes, born April 25, 1874, lives at home. David Joseph, born October 2, 1876, and Veronica, born December 7, 1881, are at home. Frances, born April 2, 1883, died November 7, 1884.

Mr. Leonard was made a Mason in William B. Warren Lodge No. 209. He is a Democrat, but has never sought public preference in the form of office. He was reared a Roman Catholic, his parents having been of that faith and their fa- thers and forefathers before them. Mr. Leonard is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed employes in the service of the American Ex- press Company.

ANDREW SODERGREN.

A NDREW SODERGREN. Many of the gren. He was a gardener in his native land, but foreigners who come to America in search of wealth and a place in the ranks of the free and equal are endowed with will power to succeed, even beyond their hopes, and become prominent citizens. One of those who accepted the citizen- ship of the United Statesand is now counted as a successful and highly respected member of the business as well as social circles of Chicago, is Andrew Sodergren.

He was born April 10, 1846, in southern Swe- den, and is a son of Ola and Cecelia (Wass) Soder-

never followed this occupation after reaching America. His first employment after his arrival in Chicago was in Lincoln Park, where he worked two years. After some time spent in the employ of Nelson & Benson Company, he entered the services of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, first in a subordinate capacity, but was later made machinist, later still being given the management of the department of repairing machinery. He was in the employ of this con- pany six years in all, and subsequently worked

632

JOHN LONG.

as machinist helper at the factory of the Crane Elevator Company. He was injured almost fatally while in this factory and was unable to en- gage in active service for a period of nine months. He was assistant engineer in the Metropolitan block, and subsequently filled the position of engineer. It may be said to his credit that he served eight years with Carry, Ogden & Parker, being recognized as a valuable and trustworthy employe. Subsequent to this length of time spent in the employ of the last-mentioned firm, Mr. Sodergren was employed as engineer by the Grand Crossing Building Supply Company, which position he now holds.

March 20, 1878, Mr. Sodergren was married to Miss Asarena Parson, a daughter of Par and

Helena (Nelson) Parson. Mrs. Sodergren was born April 17, 1854, in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Sodergren are the parents of the following chil- dren: Wallace, Alphonso, Florence, Lily and Oliver.

Mr. Sodergren is a member of First Swedish Lodge No. 479, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Though never active in politics he up- holds the principles of the Republican party, and does not let a favorable opportunity pass to assert his views in regard to the same. He is a man of integrity and strength of purpose that is admirable. His duty is apparent to him, and he never fails in doing it to the best of his ability. He is a genial gentleman, and is beloved by a large circle of friends.

JOHN LONG.

OHN LONG, who is among the most ener- getic and ambitious citizens of Chicago, was born in Genesee County, New York, July 18, 1836, and is a son of Richard and Sarah Ann (Lyons) Long. Richard Long owned two boats and used them on the Erie Canal. He was born in Pennsylvania, removed to the state of New York, and died at the age of fifty-two years, in 1851. His widow, the mother of John Long, died in Kansas City in 1886, at the age of seventy- three years.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Long were: William, Roxana, Lovina, Oliver, Sarah Ann, John and Heury. The subject of this sketch was the only one of the family of Richard Long to move west. John Long was educated in Buffalo, New York, and became apprenticed to a carpenter at the age of sixteen years. He came west with William Longhurst in 1856, and went to Dubuque, Iowa, from Chicago, driving a horse

and wagon. He stayed there but ten weeks, when he returned to Chicago and has since re- sided here.

He worked three years in the interest of Milton P. Reynolds and six years for U. P. Smith, and for nine years conducted a business in his own name. He was married in 1861 to Clara Balsley, in Chicago, and their only child was named Clara. For his second wife Mr. Long was united to Mary Schonfeld, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Ersman) Schonfeld. Mrs. Long was born December 4, 1855, in Bremen, Germany, and immigrated to America in 1871. She came with her mother and brother William, and her sisters, Kate and Anna. Her father died June 26, 1877, aged sixty-one years, and her mother March 17, 1886, aged seventy-one years.

Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of one son, Frank Long, who lives at home with his parents. The family is connected with the church known

633

M. H. REISSENWEBER.

as the Christian Catholic, presided over by Dr. Dowie. The members are well known in the vicinity where they reside and are respected as law-abiding citizens and beloved for their neigh-

borly ways. Though never seeking public office, Mr. Long is an upholder of the principles of the Republican party and a mover for all tendencies toward the right.

MICHAEL H. REISSENWEBER.

M ICHAEL HENRY REISSENWEBER. Many of the citizens of the foremost rank in the great cities of America are indebted to Germany for their birthplace, and though they so often become among the most law-abiding of our people and loyal to our Land of the Free and its interests, they never forget nor cease to love that beautiful land of mountains, of the River Rhine, and the many ruins of castles which help to make the valley of the most beautiful of rivers. They revisit their native land, if possible, and though they admire our form of government more, they honor and respect the hospitable na- ture of their own people. They remember with pleasure the country that gave them birth and revere the name of the Fatherland.

Michael Henry Reissenweber stands as an ex- ample of a prosperous citizen of Chicago, and holds the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. He was born November 7, 1834, in the village of Sonnefeld, Saxe-Coburg, Germany, and his parents were Martin and Barbara (Hummel) Reissenweber. His grandfather, Michael Henry Reissenweber, was a shoemaker by occupation. He was twice married and his first wife was Miss Bauersachs, and was the mother of Martin Reissenweber, father of the man whose name heads this article. The second wife of M. H. Reissenweber was Miss Barth and his children in all numbered eleven. Some of them, those of whom record is obtainable, are: Philip, who was a shoemaker and died in New York in 1883;

Joliann Paul, John Adams, Eva Barbara, Martin, Anna Marguerita, Michael, Gottfried, Christian and Margaret.

The maternal grandfather, George Henry Hum- mel, was twice married and the mother of our sub- ject was the child of his first marriage. His first wife was Miss Knauer. His children are account- ed for as follows: Jacob, Barbara and Anna Mar- guerita. The last-named married Henry Bauer, of Blue Island. The family of Hummel was in- terested in a pottery which was conducted by its members and the work is still carried on by Carl Hummel. The work turned out is of the best and is noted for its quality.

Martin Reissenweber was born May 27, 1808, and died January 27, 1881. He was buried in the village of Sonnefeld, where his son, Michael Henry, was born. He followed the occupation of a shoemaker and also was interested in a gro- cery. His wife was born June 3, 1811. She died May 18, 1876. Her children were: Michael Henry, Anna Marguerita, Jacob Adolph, Dor- othea, Christiana, Henry, Wilhelmina, and six others who died. Anna M. married John Gru- ber, a building contractor. She was born March 31, 1837, and died February 5, 1897. She was residing in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the time of her decease, and her remains were interred in Iowa City. Her husband had preceded her to the better world. The children of John and Anna M. Gruber were named as follows: Henry, Clara, George, John, James and Minnie. Jacob

634

N. J. SWANSON.

Adolph was born June 3, 1839, and has never to Julianna Kich, a daughter of Peter Kich and emigrated from the land of his nativity. Doro- thea was born December 10, 1840, and Christiana June 3, 1843. Henry was born May 17, 1848, and Wilhelmina is the youngest.

Michael Henry Reissenweber was the first of his father's family to immigrate to America and reached New York January 15, 1854. He learned the trade of a shoemaker in that city and the last year spent there he conducted a business in his own interests. February 12, 1860, he left New York and visited Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He also traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, and reached Chicago March 20, 1861. He was first employed by John Wolf, located at No. 529 Clark Street. He served in the inter- ests of Mr. Wolf until May, 1863, when he estab- lished a business of his own at No. 557 Clark Street. August 1, 1863, he removed to the south- east corner of Fourteenth and Clark Streets and the next May, in 1864, he moved to No. 702 State Street. He leased a lot at No. 780 and built on it, the land now being at No. 1516 State Street. August, 1881, he decided to change his line of business and subsequently conducted a catering establishment at No. 1555 State Street. May, 1884, he removed to No. 2702 Wentworth Avenue and has since this time lived retired from active business life.

Mr. Reissenweber was married March 3, 1863,

a native of Burgen, Rhenish Prussia, Germany. She was born June 21, 1842, and died July 22, 1865. Her parents came to America at the same time and they were married in Chicago. Her children are accounted for as follows: Henry Conrad died at the age of thirty-two years; Charles John resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Julianna died at the age of five weeks. Mr. Reissenweber was married the second time, Au- gust 3, 1866, to Henrietta Ellfeldt, daughter of Charles Ellfeldt. She was born in Germany August 7, 1842. Her children were named as follows: William Christian, born December 15, 1867; Ottilie, born September 19, 1869; Henri- etta Amelia, born July 24, 1871; Louisa, born February 5, 1873; Clara Sophia, born December 5, 1874; Otto, born January 22, 1877, and Dora Gresenda, born August 22, 1882.

Mr. Reissenweber is a member of the German Order of Harugari, having filled all the offices up to the Gross Barde. The members of his family are connected with the Presbyterian Church and are honored and respected by the others of the congregation. Mr. Reissenweber is not an agi- tator in political affairs and not bound to any particular party. He votes for the man who, in his estimation, is liable to do the most for the welfare of the people, and work to their advan- tage.

NELS J. SWANSON.

ELS JOHN SWANSON. How many have remarked on the sturdy character and quali- ties of the people of Scandinavian birtlı. Those men who are emigrants from their native land and come to America in their youth, are of the mind which is bound to guide the person to suc- cess. A man born in Sweden, especially, has the

intention of becoming either rich or famous and may become both. They make our best and most law-abiding citizens and in nine cases out of ten do more for the uplifting of the minds and inter- ests of our people than we ever realize or take note of. Among the most expert brick-makers and firemen of the city of Chicago is Nels John

635

WILLIAM METZGER.

Swanson. He was born September 28, 1856, in Sweden, and came to America in 1881, arriving in Chicago May 12 of that year.

He was immediately employed by the Knicker- bocker Ice Company, one of the largest ice con- cerns in the city. After one month thus occupied he was with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company four months, and was subse- quently employed at the Bridgeport Rolling Mills until they were closed. He worked for Ander- son A. Freeman one year and was later for a short time with Shipman's White Lead Com- pany. He had not yet found his proper bent in life, but after six weeks in Brown's Mill at Iron- dale, he spent four and one-half years in Pull- man making brick, and became an expert at the trade. He was employed six successive sum- mers by J. S. Saxon, working at the ice business in winter. A year and one-half subsequently he was fireman at the Bridgeport Rolling Mill and after two months more spent with P. G. Saxon, he became fireman for Swift & Company, at the

Stock Yards. He still holds this position and is honored and respected by his employers and his services are valued as is due his efforts.

Mr. Swanson was married December 15, 1885, to Miss Christina, daughter of Nels and Mary (Nelson) Nelson. Mrs. Swanson was born Aug- ust 14, 1862. She arrived in Chicago April 9, 1882, and this city has since been her home. Their children are as follows: Nels Harry Will- iam, born November 20, 1887; George Hildur Edvin, January 24, 1891, and Swan Herbert Louis, January 17, 1895.

Mr. Swanson sympathizes with the Republican party and at all opportunities expresses his views on the subject, voting at all times in favor of the candidates of the party. He erected a residence in August, 1896, at No. 3646 Seeley Avenue. He has since resided at this location and pos- sesses a pleasant home, wherein dwell peace and harmony at all times. He and his family are genial and hospitable and are considerate and kind to the stranger who is within their gates.

WILLIAM METZGER.

ILLIAM METZGER, who is one of the He was born in the town of Elms-Hansen, most energetic and prosperous citizens of the city of Chicago, was born September 2, 1846, in New York City. His parents were John Peter and Dorothea Margaret (Sieger) Metzger and his maternal grandfather was Wil- helm Sieger, who was a tiller of the soil and wine grower. John P. Metzger was born in a house that is about two hundred years old, liaving been resided in by members of the family of Metzger since it was built. They are a long-lived family, all of the members reaching a very old age.

J. P. Metzger died February 21, 1890, aged eighty-four years, six months and twenty-eight days, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery.

Hessen-Darmsdat, Germany. He was a land- owner and tiller of the soil in his native land, and had an extensive vineyard. He served as burgomaster in the town of Zell, for a number of years. He was a member of the German- Lutheran Church. In the year 1846 the family, consisting of parents and children-Peter, Dora, Susan, Ludwig, Philip, Margaret and Frederick- emigrated from their native land and located in America. There were fourteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Metzer, but those not herein mentioned are deceased.

Mr. Metzger reached New York City and was employed as a laborer for a short time, later

636

WILLIAM METZGER.

starting in the milk business on Forty-second Street, near Second Avenue, in that city. In the spring of the year 1856 he preceded his family to Chicago and entered the service of Rickert & Bierline, lumber merchants, located at the corner of Sixteenth Street and Wentworth Avenue. Later he was with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, in its repair shops until 1869. He sold his property to the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railroad Company and purchased a cottage at the corner of Twenty-fourth Street and Wentworth Avenue. He again traded this for a farm at Pevely, Missouri, gaining in the deal, as he obtained eighty acres of valuable land. He later added eighty acres more to his posses- sions. The farm was bought in partnership with his sons, Philip and William, and daughter, Susan. They lived on the farm about two years and later removed to Booneville, where Mr. Metzger re- mained one year before returning to Chicago. He retired not long after, and lived thus until his death.

Mrs. J. P. Metzger, mother of the man whose name heads this article, was fifty-nine years of age when she was taken with smallpox and died in Marclı, 1865. She was married to Mr. Metzger about 1832. Her father was Wilhelmn Sieger.

William Metzger was an attendant of the Mosely School until 1860, when he secured a situation as office boy with G. L. Dickinson, re- maining in his employ, at a location on South Water Street, from August, 1861, to 1862. Prior to this time he had been with his father in a flour mill six months. In August, 1862, Mr. Metzger eulisted as a drummer in Company E, Seventy- second Illinois, known as the First Board of Trade Regiment. He remained with this regi- ment until March 18, 1864. At Vicksburg, in December, 1862, he was wounded and confined in a hospital six weeks. In1 1863 he was attacked with measles, which he did not recover from for four weeks.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 91

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