Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 99

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 99

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689

C. H. NÜRNBERGER.

and in 1882 removed to Chicago and hired out as a blacksmith in the shops of George M. Pullman. Ten months later he engaged as an engineer in the Graham Soap Works, then located in Clinton Street, but was thrown out of employment two months after by the destruction of the plant by fire. His next work was in the chair factory of H. Herhold & Company at the corner of Erie and Carpenter Streets, where he remained over two years.

Mr. Petersen possessed that economical spirit which has been the foundation of so many for- tunes and had saved from his earnings sufficient capital to start in business on a small scale. He therefore resolved to apply his energy to the bet- terment of his own fortune, and as he had had some experience in the care of live stock, con- cluded to buy and feed cattle, selling them at wholesale to packers. This business proved quite

lucrative and was continued until 1893. In that year he opened an establishment at No. 154 North Western Avenue, where he is still located. Since that time he has carried on a steadily increasing trade in hay and grain, supplying a large number of people with these articles. He is well known in his section of the city as a reliable business man.

The subject of this notice was married in Chi- cago, in 1889, to Miss Nancy Lusser, who is also a native of Denmark. They are the parents of two daughters, Engra and Edith. The family is connected with St. Angar's Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Mr. Petersen is connected with other important business enterprises, aside from his hay and grain establishment, and is a member of the Board of Trade. In political views he is a Republican, and is well known for his honesty in supporting what he believes to be right.

CHRISTIAN H. NÜRNBERGER.

C HRISTIAN HENRY NÜRNBERGER, who is one of the pioneer musicians of Chicago, comes of a very old German family, which can be traced back nearly three centuries, and is a fine representative of his race. Born August 3, 1836, in Saxony, Germany, he is a son of John Henry and Johanna (Pitzler) Nürnberger. The family has lived for centuries in Saxony. One Michael Nürnberger built in that province, in- 1682, a house to replace one burned by the Swedes in the "Thirty Years' War." This house is still standing and in good condition.

The Nürnbergers were interested in the express and carrying business for several generations. John Henry Nürnberger, grandfather of the man whose name heads this article, reached the high- est degree of success attained by any of the name; he did a very large business and was located in

Waltersdorf. His wife was also possessed of considerable means in her own right, and came of a very old German family. John H. Nürn- berger died at the age of sixty-eight years. Be- side three others who are not accounted for, his children were: Christiana, Johann Henry, George, Caroline and Michael.

John Henry Nürnberger, junior, father of the subject of this sketch, died March 12, 1860, at the age of fifty-two years. He succeeded to the express business which had been established at some remote period by an ancestor, and followed it successfully until he came to America. Not possessing a rugged constitution he did not enter into active business after coming to America, but lived practically retired. With his wife and two children, Frank and Wilhelmina, he came to America six months after his son, Christian H.

690

C. H. NÜRNBERGER.

Nürnberger. Gottlieb Schubert and family were on the vessel which brought the remainder of the family over, and after a very exciting voyage, being shipwrecked twice, they landed at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, and shortly after came to Chicago. After three years Mr. Nürnberger died at his home, at the corner of Polk Street and Pacific Avenue, where a freight depot has since been erected.

The mother of Christian H. Nürnberger was born December 25, 1816, and died December 27, 1896, her remains being interred in Graceland Cemetery. Her children were four in number: Henry, the eldest, was born November 10, 1834, and died December 8, 1892, leaving a widow to mourn his loss, having married Amelia Hausler. Christian Henry was the next in order of birth. Franz, born August 8, 1842, died] August 21, 1897; he married Mary Reis, sister of Nicholas Reis. Wilhelmina was born December 15, 1846, and married John L. Hoerber, president of the John L. Hoerber Brewing Association, Chicago. After the death of the father the mother spent the remainder of her days with her children, and reached a good old age.

In 1836, in company with his brother Henry, Christian H. Nürnberger came to America, set- ting sail in May and reaching Chicago in August. He had given much time to the study of music and had become proficient in execution. The instruments in the use of which he became most skilled were the clarinet and oboe. When he reached Chicago there was not much demand for his services, and he did not hesitate to follow any occupation which fell to his lot; hence for several months he was employed in a lumber yard and planing mill. It was not for long, however, that his talents were to be obscured, as the demand for skilled musicians became greater.

Mr. Nürnberger was one of the members of the Light Guard Band, which later united with the Great Western Band, the names being combined in one, The Great Western and Light Guard Band. He was identified with this organization as long as it was in existence, in all about twelve years, and was connected with the first orchestra that ever furnished music for McVicker's The-

atre, continuing there throughout the Sharp man- agement, and until the present lessee, Jacob Litt, took charge in 1898. Mr. Nürnberger has made a specialty of the oboe and has played that in- strument many years, but has devoted much time also to the clarinet.

Mr. Nurnberger was married, August 27, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Conrad and Kath- arine (Husse) Lippert. Mrs. Nurnberger was born in Bavaria, December 1, 1843, and came to America in 1860. Her brother, Lothar Lippert, came over in 1859, participating in the late Civil War, in the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Regi- ment, and died in the hospital at Little Rock, Arkansas. He held the rank of major at the time of his death, and was one of the bravest who suffered many horrors during the struggle.

Conrad Lippert, father of Mrs. Nurnberger, died January 20, 1860, at the age of fifty-six years. He was an instructor in the schools of Germany and was a man of fine education. His children were named: Lothar, Rosa, Theodore, Paulina, Max, Heinrich, Conrad and Othelia. All of this family are deceased except Rosa, The- odore, Paulina, Conrad and Elizabeth. Theodore follows the profession of his father in his native land; Max was a baker; and Conrad a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Nurnberger's mother died when seventy-one years of age, June 24, 1878. She remained her entire life in her native land.

Brief mention is made of each of the nine chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Nurnberger: Marie Magdalena, born June 28, 1862, is spoken of in the biography of Herman Braun, junior. Johan- na Rosina, born November 10, 1865, married Percy Cummings, May 5, 1887; she lives at No. 121 Cullom Avenue, and is the mother of Percy, George and Ruth Cummings. Henry Frank, born September 25, 1868, married Helena Will- iams November 25, 1893; their children are: Beatrice and Helen. H. F. Nurnberger, born September 25, 1869, is skilled in playing the violin and is connected with the Thomas orches- tra. Lothar Louis, born March 6, 1872, is also with the Thomas orchestra and resides at the home of his father. Rudolph, who is a musician

691

C. F. LANGE.

of some note, is with an orchestra at Hot Springs, Arkansas; he was born March 15, 1874. Othe- lia, born November 26, 1875, married Louis Ederer July 11, 1894; they reside at No. 1640 Briar Place, and have one son, Clarence. Pauline Marie, born March 12, 1879; Hattie Marie, De- cember 5, 1883; and Wilhelmina Rosa, February 23, 1886, are still at the parental home.

Mr. Nurnberger bought property at No. 518 Wells Street, in 1868, and built his present abode in 1872. He lost everything in the great fire of October, 1871. He carried plenty of insur- ance, but succeeded in collecting only nine dol- lars. He is a member of the Sons of Herman, the

Musicians' Union and of several benefit societics. He was reared a Protestant and his wife's people were adherents of the Catholic faith. He casts his vote in favor of the Republican party.

One of the pioneer musicians of Chicago and an expert in his line, although he has never at- tained great wealth, he has a competence and is a representative of the great middle class, which is the principal element in the body politic. He is a quiet, unassuming gentleman, and abhors noto- riety, detesting anything that produces unde- served popularity. He has true artistic instincts and is held in highest esteem by members of his profession.

CHRISTIAN F. LANGE.

e HRISTIAN FREDERICK LANGE, who is the proprietor of the well-known pleasure resort known as the Tivoli Garden, located at the corner of North and Western Avenues, was born in the province of Holstein, Germany, November 12, 1849. He is the third of a family of eight children, and was but nine years old when the family removed from the Fatherland to Illi- nois, locating first at Galena. A year later they removed to Freeport, where the parents died about five years afterward.

The son, Christian, received such educational advantages as his parents were able to secure, but as they had a large family to support, he was obliged at an early age to assist in earning his bread. Left an orphan at the age of fifteen years, he at once set about getting employment which would further fit him for the battle of life. For three years he worked in the grocery of L. F. Burell, of Freeport, his continuation in one place showing that he had proved worthy of trust. He then secured a position in a hotel in Freeport, and found this occupation more to his liking.

During the two years which followed he learned much about the entertainment of the traveling public and about catering in general.

In 1872 he removed to Chicago, where he ex- pected to find wider scope for the exercise of his enterprise and energy. He at once found work as a bar-tender in an establishment on Madison Street, where he remained two years. He then engaged with Myer & Kailler in their place at the corner of Clark and Washington Streets. Two years later he went to Bemis & McAvoy's Tivoli Garden, in Clark Street, in which he was head bar-keeper for three years.

During his years of work for others he had ex- ercised those frugal habits which have been the foundation of many a fortune, and for which the people of the Fatherland are especially noted, and was now able to engage in a business of his own. In company with a Mr. Noe, he opened a place of business at No. 226 North Clark Street, which was conducted with success two years. The part- nership was then dissolved and Mr. Lange started what was known as Lange's Pavilion, on Mil-

692

JULIUS MEYER.

waukee Avenue. This resort became famous in that part of the city and proved a profitable veil- ture to the proprietor. He continued this estab- lishment twelve years and, one year before dis- posing of it, started a similar place at the corner of North and Western Avenues, which he named Tivoli Garden, and to which he has given his at- tention since. Connected with it is a handsomely decorated amusement hall, having a seating ca- pacity of about three hundred, and containing all conveniences. The whole is conducted in a business-like manner, which shows that the owner has profited by his long years spent in entertain- ing the public. Mr. Lange also owns a building

at No. 524 Winchester Avenue, part of which is his family residence, the remainder being occu- pied by two stores.

In 1886 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mary Keene, who was born in America of German parents. The only child of this mar- riage, Charles F., died at the age of three months. Mr. Lange is a member of the Knights of Pythias and has been honored by all the offices in his local lodge. He belongs to the uniform rank, and held the office of captain three years. He is also connected with the Schiller Lederstafel singing society, of which he has been treasurer a period of six years.

JULIUS MEYER.

ULIUS MEYER was born in Hansühn Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, October 9, 1830, a son of Fritz and Marguerita Meyer. Fritz Meyer was by trade a blacksmith and he and his worthy wife lived in the Fatherland their entire lives. They both came of old and well- respected families and belonged, truly, to the most sturdy and persevering of nations.

Julius Meyer, whose name heads this article, became possessed of a common-school education and later learned the trade of carpenter. He worked a year in Hamburg, Germany, and at the age of twenty years entered the standing army of his country. He served from July 20, 1850, to February, 1851, in a war with the Danes. He subsequently resumed his chosen occupation and continued at it until his emigration from the land of his birth. He left Hamburg in October, 1856, on the sailing ship "Deutschland" on the last trip this vessel ever made, as she was wrecked and sunk on her return trip.

The ship landed in New York November 10, and Mr. Meyer came direct to Chicago. The first winter he spent in cutting cord wood in Calumet, Indiana, at seventy-five cents per cord, and in the spring he had twenty dollars, with which he returned to Chicago. His next employment was at Bulls Head, with a man named Allen, for whom he built a house. After working at his trade as a journeyman some years, he began con- tracting in a small way, doing all the work him- self. Later he widened his operations and em- ployed a number of hands to assist in filling his contracts.

For a period of two years he was in partner- ship with Henry Geils and for ten years was senior partner in the firm of Meyer & Jeckel. They did a large business, and at times employed as many as forty men. He was actively engaged in building operations until 1894, when he re- tired from active life in the business world. Mr. Meyer never sought public favor in the form of

693

WILLIAM HANSEN.

office, but has always supported those measures that he thought best for the welfare of the city and country. He has supported the Republican party since he became a voter.

Mr. Meyer is a member of .Goethe Lodge No. 329, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an honorary member of Schleswig-Holstein Saen- gerbund. He was married February 20, 1864, to Miss Johanna Rathsaack, daughter of Christian Rathsaack. She was born in Price Prummen, Germany, and is the mother of six daughters and two sons, the latter being deceased. Those liv- ing are: Emilie; Helen, wife of J. Edward Maas;

Emma, Ida, Anna and Clara. The family is connected with St. Peter's Evangelical Luth- eran Church and is well and favorably known among its influential upholders.

By untiring industry and unswerving integrity Mr. Meyer has achieved success. He is a self- made man in the truest sense of that often mis- uscd term, as he began life in Chicago a poor young man, and without the aid of wealthy or influential friends, has steadily worked his way up to his present high standing in the financial world, which enables him to spend his old age in comfortable retirement.

WILLIAM HANSEN.

ILLIAM HANSEN, who has a cigar and of twelve years. He visited China and other confectionery establishment at No. 405 parts of Asia, the West Indies and the coast of South America. Having saved a considerable sum of money, he returned to Denmark in 1872 and purchased a vessel. He then sailed as mas- ter of his own ship five years. Division Street, Chicago, is one of the oldest business men in that street. He was born February 7, 1846, in Flensburg (then in Den- mark, now a part of Germany), and is the youngest of the seven sons of Hans and Anna Hansen. Hans Hansen was a native of Denmark and died in Flensburg December 1, 1898, at the extreme age of ninety years. His wife, also a native of Denmark, passed away at Hamburg in 1870, at the age of seventy years.

William Hansen was the only one of his family to leave his native land. He attended the public schools of the town in which he was born until he reached the age of sixteen years, thus receiv- ing better educational advantages than many of his fellows. He then commenced an apprentice- ship with a ship carpenter, which continued for a period of three years. Having become skillful at his chosen trade, he secured a position as ship's carpenter on a vessel sailing from Denmark, and followed the sea in this capacity during a period

In 1878 he resolved to seek his fortune in America, and accordingly once more crossed the Atlantic, proceeding at once to Chicago, the lode- stone which has attracted to itself the people of every nation. With that determination to win which has made so maty of his countrymen suc- cessful, he did not wait for opportunities in the line of industry in which he had spent so many years, but at once took work in a box and barrel factory operated by the Oconto Company. He remained in this establishment three years and then took a position as shipbuilder in the yards of Miller Brothers. In 1884 he concluded to enter the field of business on his own account, and opened a confectionery and tobacco store at No. 278 West Division Street, which he carried on with profit three years. In 1887 he removed

694

JOHN ANDERSEN.

his stock to his present location, where he has built up a good business in his line. His long residence in the city has given him a wide acquaintance, and he is well known as a man of stability and sterling character. Though he brought very little wealth to America with him, he has, by economy and careful business meth- ods, acquired a competence.

In 1873 Mr. Hansen was married in Denmark to Miss Anna Larsen, who was born in Neustadt, Loland, Denmark, October 22, 1844, and spent her youth in that city. They have no children.

The subject of this sketch was six months a pri- vate in the Danish army, and was subsequently a member of the Danish veterans eighteen years, taking active part in the proceedings of that order. He is a member of Covenant Lodge No. 526, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Wicker Park Lodge No. 281, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the offices; and of Victory Encampment No. 108, of the same order. In political matters he is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party.

JOHN ANDERSEN.

OHN ANDERSEN, one of the prominent and respected Danish-American citizens of Chicago, was born February 11, 1851, and is the youngest of the four sons of Andreas Jorgen Hansen and Mette Catherine Petersen. The former passed away in 1890, but the latter is still living in her native land. Their three elder sons, Hans Jorgen, Gens and Peter, the two last- named being twins, are also residing in Denmark.

John Andersen spent his boyhood on the farm occupied by his father and became proficient in the arts of agriculture. At the age of twenty he was a strong, ambitious young man, and resolved to follow the path taken by many of the young and vigorous men of his day, and emigrate to America. In 1871 he severed home ties and a few weeks later arrived in Lee County, Illinois, where he soon found employment as a farm laborer. His knowledge of such work was of great value to him, but he was obliged to learn the language of his adopted country before he could carry on business successfully for himself. In 1878 he rented land, and for one year carried on farming on his own account.

Subsequently Mr. Andersen concluded to re-

move to Chicago, where he hoped to advance his fortune more rapidly. He took up the occupa- tion of house-moving and put forth every effort to become proficient in his line of work. His first place of business was in Noble Street, later he was located in Milwaukee Avenue, and in 1887 bought property at No. 898 Rockwell Street, which has been his home since that time. By strict attention to business he has built up a good trade, and is known in his neighborhood for sterling honesty and integrity.

February 13, 1878, the subject of this article was married in the village of Lee, Lee County, Illinois, to Miss Caroline Madsen, who is also a native of Denmark. Four daughters have been born of this marriage, named as follows: Ella, Jennie, Stella and Mamie, the last two being twins. All the children were born in Chicago, and all give promise of a bright future.

Mr. Andersen possesses pleasant social qualities and wins the kindly regard of all who come in contact with his genial nature. Among his social connections might be mentioned the Knights of Honor, of which he is a worthy member. He takes an active interest in all matters connected

695

G. B. HAVILL.

with the welfare of his fellow-countrymen, and was one of the organizers of the Danish Brother- hood in Chicago, becoming a member of Chicago Lodge No. 18. He is a man who takes his greatest pleasure in the company of his family

and in the enjoyment of home life. In 1894, accompanied by two of his daughters, he visited the land of his birth, spending several months in going over the scenes of his youth and other places of interest.

GEORGE B. HAVILL.

G EORGE BUTTERFIELD HAVILL, who is very prominent in the social as well as business makeup of the great city of Chi- cago, is thoroughly versed in the ways of the world, in this nineteenth century. He partici- pates at times in the pleasures of the world in which he moves, and is found to be a genial, pleasant gentleman, one easy of approach.

He was born September 23, 1839, and at the time of his birth his parents, William and Mary Ann (Gibbons) Havill, resided in Paris, Canada. George B. Havill attended school in his native town, but was taken from public school when still young and placed in a private institution. In 1854 he went to Detroit and remained there two years, after which he located and remained in Hamilton, Ontario, until 1858. He was one of the unhappy victims of the Des Jordan Canal catas- trophe March 12, 1857. At that time fifty-six people were killed, and Mr. Havill was perma- nently injured

He ventured in the grocery business in To- ronto, remaining until March 9, 1862, when he removed to Chicago. He was employed by Berry & Cushing, house and sign painters, but after two years established a saloon at No. 203 East Adams Street, with Charles Perry as part- ner. He continued it alone after two years, and was burned out in the fire of 1871. He was at the time conducting another catering establishment at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Polk Street, which escaped until 1874, when it also burned.

He then built at No. 166 Fourth Avenue, and continued in the same line of business two years, subsequent to which time he removed north of Harrison Street.

He was next located on State Street, next door to the old Park Theater. He later removed across the street, and from there to the corner of Dearborn and Harrison Streets. In 1885 he built at the corner of Cottage Grove Avenue and Sixty-fifth Street, and conducted business from 1886 to 1888, when he established another busi- ness of like nature and after two years rented both places. He still owns these properties. In 1888 he erected a building at No. 752 East Sixty- third Street, and has since carried on business at this location, where he also resides.

Mr. Havill is the owner of the Eagle Hotel, at the corner of Fourth Avenue and One Hundred Eleventh Street, in the vicinity of the Roby race tracks. He built store property at Nos. 752-54-56-58 Sixty-third Street and also residence property on Evans Avenue. He is possessed of one hundred sixty acres in Harlem County, Ne- braska, four miles from the town of Alma, and owns one hundred feet front on Hoxie Avenue, South Chicago. He controls a great deal of land, and his importance is thus greater to the city of Chicago than that of the average citizen.

Conducive to the happiness of a man is a genial life partner. Mr. Havill married a very charm- ing lady, Miss Alice, daughter of Hugh Craig, of the State of Vermont. Their marriage was

696

ANDREW SAUER.

celebrated March 9, 1857. Their only child was named May. She married Henry Karl and is at present one of the most prominent and popular of theatrical stars, travelling and appearing un- der the nom de plume of May Howard. She is at the head of her own organization, and controls even their costumes. Her company is one of the best known and most sought after among man- agers in the country. May Howard made her debut in the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, when taking a part in the drama, Night Owls. That town was then in the fever of the gold excite- ment. Her progress has been very rapid and flat- tering financially, as well as from the standpoint of the severe critics on acting. Her husband also controls his own theatrical company, and travels under the stage pseudonym of Harry Morris. His troupe is known as the Twentieth Century Company.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 99

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