USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 14
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nine years: his widow is still living, making her home with her children and is now nearly eighty-four years of age.
Otto Kieselbach lived in his native land until he was nearly seventeen years old, and received in his youth the advantage of a college education. Emigrating to America in June, 1871, he first located at Winona, Minnesota. In March, 1877, he came to Mendota, Illinois, and accepted a position as teacher of German in the city schools, which place he filled until 1881. In the meantime he took up the study of law, subsequently pursued his studies for a while at the Union College of Law, and in 1883 was admitted to the bar. The same year he formed a partnership with L. S. Seaman, both in law and the publishing business. This association lasted until November. 1887, when Mr. Seaman left Mendota. Mr. Kieselbach has since conducted the Reporter and the German Post alone. also engag- ing to a certain extent in the practice of law. He has been a Democrat since 1872. Always interested in educational matters and using his influ- ence to promote the growth and prosperity of the schools of his town, he is an important factor on the school board, of which he has served as a member for the past nine years.
Mr. Kieselbach belongs to Alemannia Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and he is also identified with Mendota Camp. Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Germania Society.
He was married to Ottilie Volk at Mendota. January 8. 1885. Her untimely death occurred July 17, 1891, and he was left with two children- Oswald and .Clara. July 4. 1895, at Koenigsberg. Prussia, he wedded Elise Henschel. his present companion.
ADAM SCHMITT.
Adam Schmitt, of the clothing firm of Schmitt & Eickoff. of Peru, Illinois, was born in that city, March 13, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Apallonia (Jacobs) Schmitt, natives of Germany, where the grandparents of our subject died. Joseph Schmitt came to this country with his family in 1861, and at first worked at whatever came to hand, and at length located in Peru and accepted position as a clerk in a grocery store, remain- ing with the firm for seventeen years. This line of business appealing strongly to him, he opened a store of his own on Fourth street, which he still conducts, most successfully. In religion he is a Catholic. as is his wife.
Adamı Schmitt is, essentially, a product of Peru, having lived all his life here and received his education in her public and parochial schools. He
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was enterprising and ambitious as a youth, and at the age of fifteen he entered commercial life by securing a clerkship in a dry-goods store. This was afterward changed for a situation in a clothing store, where his engag- ing manner and polite attention assured his success. In 1887 he opened a clothing business, and has had the satisfaction of seeing it prosper year by year under his skillful management, until to-day its prosperity and stabil- ity is second to none. In October, 1899, E. G. Eickoff bought an interest in the store and the style of the firm became Schmitt & Eickoff. He is a fine example of what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance, honesty and integrity. He was married October 28, 1890, to Miss Josepli- ine Hebel, daughter of AAndrew and Caroline (Repp) Hebel. In anticipation of this event he had built a snug home on the corner of Fifth and Pike streets, to which he took his bride and where they still make their resi- dence. Their family circle has been increased by the birth of two children, Joseph and Apallonia. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church, and he also is a member of the Catholic Order of For- esters and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. He is independent in politics, preferring to give his vote to the best man.
PATRICK HANLEY.
Patrick Hanley, for many years justice of the peace of LaSalle, is Irish by birth and American from long residence and adoption. He was born in the county of Roscommon. Ireland. December 20, 1844, to Martin and Ellen (Igo) Hanley, and with them came to this country when a child of three years. He is one of a family of thirteen children, of whom three are living. The family settled in LaSalle in January, 1848, and Mr. Hanley has since considered that city his home, although for a few years his business called him away. It was here he received his education, attending the parochial and public schools, and learned the trade of tinsmith and plumber. At the age of fifteen he began to work for himself, engaged in a grocery store previous to learning his trade. He plied his craft many years, ten of them in St. Louis and other southern points. In 1873 he returned to this city and followed the business here until 1885, conducting a store of his own. He has also been engaged in the feed and grain business. and at one time had a clothing store.
Mr. Hanley was married in 1877. to Miss Eliza Hoar, of this city. Ten children have blessed their home and are being reared in accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, of which the parents are devout members. Mr. Hanley has always been an advocate of Demo-
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cratic principles and gives that party his earnest support. He was fire marshal of LaSalle for two years, and in 1885 was elected to the office of justice of the peace. So well has he discharged the duties imposed upon him that he has been continued in that position ever since. It has always been his aim to temper justice with mercy to the end that the offender might be induced to forsake his evil ways and become an honorable citizen. In addition to his other duties, he is now deputy clerk of the county, and in this, as in his office of justice, receives only commendation.
FRANZ MEISENBACH.
Franz Meisenbach was born on the Rhine, near Cologne, Germany, February 19, 1826. His parents never emigrated to this country. His father, also named Franz, was a tanner by trade, which art was learned also by him. At the age of twenty-three years our subject emigrated to the United States. He spent the first two years in St. Louis, Missouri, engaged in the trade of tanner and currier. In 1851 he came to Peru, followed his trade there two years, then came to Mendota, just as this place was starting into existence, on the completion of the two great railroads to this point. He was therefore a pioneer here and one of the fathers of the city.
The previous year. 1852, in Peru, he married Miss Helen Reck, who was born in Germany and died in Mendota in 1876, aged forty-two years. She was brought to America by her parents when she was about eleven years of age. On his arrival here in Mendota Mr. Meisenbach opened a hotel on what is now Main street and boarded the railroad men employed in the construction of the tracks. Later he entered mercantile business, in the lines of groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, dry goods, etc., and for a short time also conducted a tannery, and in all was successful. He had meanwhile great ambition for the growth of the new town, and did much to enhance the value of property here. For the last twenty years of his life he was retired from active business. He established the first German newspaper in Mendota, or in LaSalle county-a paper by the name of the Mendota Democrat, in the columns of which the doctrines of the great statesman Stephen A. Douglas were ably advocated. He continued to edit this paper to the time of his death, which occurred February 16, 1889. He was a very charitable man, a zealous friend of the church, though not a member, contributed to the erection of church buildings and was an exemplary citi- zen in all respects. His religious predilections were in favor of the German Lutheran church. He was not an aspirant for office, though he served for
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three years as alderman in Mendota. Being a great reader, he was a well informed man.
He had eleven children, namely: Helen, the first child born in Men- dota, who is probably the oldest continuous resident of the city: Frank and Charles, twins, the former of whom died at the age of twenty-eight years and the latter at the age of thirty-eight; Laura, deceased: Emma, the wife of John Schmitz; Bertha: Emil, a resident of Mendota: Mathilda. the widow of R. S. Knouer: Louise. the wife of Robert Wylie: and Otto and Henrietta, both of whom died in infancy. Frank married Minnie Grancow and died leaving three children: and Charles was never married.
ANTON BIRKENBEUEL.
Peru has been extremely fortunate in possessing citizens of high patriotism and fine business ability, and among those whom she has hon- ored by electing to positions of public trust and responsibility none have been better or more favorably known than the worthy German-American whose name appears at the beginning of this sketch of his career.
Born near the village of Eitorf. Prussia, Germany, December 18, 1819. Anton Birkenbeuel was one of the thirteen children of Peter William and Sophia (Heimann) Birkenbeuel. His father was a mason and contractor in his native land, and died on the ocean while on his way to the United States, in 1854. when about fifty-six years of age. He was a man of good education. and. being a fine penman, his services were in great demand in various local offices where a recorder's work was necessary. His father. who bore the Christian name of Matthias, was a farmer. and lived and died in Germany, his age at the time of his death being sixty-six years. Peter William and Sophia Birkenbeuel were connected with the Catholic church. She died in 1848, when in the fiftieth year of her age. Her father. Anton Heimann, a farmer and a man of influence in his own community, died in Germany when he had reached the age of three-score and ten years. One brother and three sisters of our subject are still living, namely: Fred- erick. of Peru: Mary, widow of Andrew Traeger. of this place: Elizabeth. widow of August Tuxhorn, of Inman, Kansas: and Louisa, wife of Joseph Kuss, of Peoria. Another sister. Mrs. Anton Kellenbach, recently died at her home in Peru.
Reared to hard and honest toil. Anton Birkenbeuel aided his father as a mason when he was a youth, and, with his brother Peter, served the re- quired time in the army. In 1847 he determined to seek his fortune in America. He came direct to Peru, where he lived all his after life save
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three years spent on a farm near Wenona, Illinois. For years Mr. Birken- beuel was a successful contractor.
He early allied himself with the Republican party, to whose wise policy he attributed much of the prosperity which this country has enjoyed since the civil war. More than twenty years ago he was honored with the offices of township and city assessor, in which capacity he served faithfully until his death. For two terms he officiated as township and city collector, and at one time was a member of the city council. A man of broad infor- mation and extended reading, he had no narrow view of life, its responsi- bilities and meaning, and in his earnest search for truth he cast aside the dogmas and theories with which his mind was formerly enthralled. He was a member of a German reading society, and found much pleasure in the companionship of men who read and thought for themselves. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years.
On the 5th of June, 1849, was consummated the marriage of Anton Birkenbeuel and Mary Katherine Hoss. This worthy couple, who trod the highway of life together for almost half a century, were among the oldest citizens of Peru, and few had more sincere friends. Four children blessed their home, but two of their little sons soon passed away, Frank dying when but three months old, and Arthur when in his fifth year. Mary, who is unmarried, resides on the old homestead in Peru and cared for her parents in their declining years. William E. is engaged in the jewelry business in LaSalle and is prominent in business and political affairs.
The parents of Mrs. Anton Birkenbeuel were Peter and Margaret (Kurenbach) Hoss. The former died in Germany, in 1830, when he was eighty years old, his life having been devoted to agriculture. His widow came to America, with her son Theodore and daughter Mary Katherina. in 1846, and joined her two sons. William and Adolph, who had preceded them. She lived in the country, near Peru, for three years, and after her removal into the town, in 1849, she received the summons of the death angel, she then being in her sixty-ninth year. One of her daughters, Christina, died in Germany, and another, Elizabeth, widow of John Bellinghausen, has long resided in Peru. The brothers of Mrs. Birkenbevel have passed away, one by one, the last to go being William, who died at Troy Grove, this county, January 24, 1899, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Birkenbeuel died February 6, 1899, and Mr. Birkenbeuel lived not long thereafter, his death occurring October 26, 1899.
The lives of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Birkenbeuel were quiet and com- paratively uneventful, but they endeavored to perform their duties faithfully. and in so doing they were free from regret and won the approval of their
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own consciences as well as the esteem of their associates. They left an honored and unsullied name to their posterity, and tender memories in the hearts of innumerable friends.
GOTTLOB GMELICH.
Gottlob Gmelich, late treasurer of LaSalle county and a man well known and universally respected, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, February 13, 1843, and when nine years of age accompanied his parents on their emigration to this country. They landed in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1852, and from that time until his death, April 21, 1898, he made his home in Peru. His parents were Jacob and Barbara (Walter) Gmnelich, and in their family were four daughters and two sons.
Mr. Gmelich had but limited advantages for obtaining an education, the most of his schooling being before his tenth year. At fourteen he became an apprentice to a tinsmith, and thus was at work in the shop when he should have been in school. However, the broad school of experi- ence was open to him and in it he obtained a large fund of useful informa- tion as the years went by. being quick to observe and possessing a good memory, and he never failed to put his knowledge to the best use in his business life. Books and papers were a never failing source of interest to him. He worked at his trade until the outbreak of civil war, when he tendered his services in support of the Union. He enrolled his name on the volunteer list August 1, 1861; rendezvoused at Camp Ellsworth, Chi- cago, Illinois, and was mustered into Company A, Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, August 13, 1861, and went to the front. To give a detailed account of his army life would be to write a history of much of the civil war. Suffice it to say in this connection that he followed the for- tunes of his command, participating in the various actions in which it was engaged, until the battle of Resaca, where he was wounded in the knee by a rebel bullet. He was then placed in hospital at Jefferson and later at Quincy, Illinois, and altogether was in hospital about three months. Dur- ing this time his three-years term of enlistment expired and he was honor- ably discharged, being mustered out September 15, 1864. He entered the army as a private and came out with the rank of corporal.
Immediately after leaving the army, Mr. Gmelich returned to Peru and resumed work at his trade, which he continued until 1866. That year he engaged in business on his own account, dealing in tinware and stoves. He conducted a successful business for a number of years, until he was elected to the office of county treasurer in 1894. when he sold out in order
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HInelich
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to give his whole time and attention to the duties of his office. It was while he was the incumbent of the treasurer's office that he died.
Mr. Gmelich was a stanch Republican, active and interested in the success of his party and in the general welfare of his community. He filled other important official positions besides that of county treasurer. For six years he represented his ward as city alderman. In 1890 and again in 1891 he was elected mayor of Peru, a position which for two terms he filled most acceptably. He was prominently identified with a number of fraternal organizations. He was a member of the G. A. R. and was the commander of his post; in the I. O. O. F. he filled all the chairs, and on several occasions as delegate represented his lodge in the state conventions of that order; was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America; and served as presi- dent of the Peru Turnverein.
Mr. Gmelich was married, in Peru, in 1867, to Miss Josephine Schmidt, a daughter of Albin and Caroline (Conrod) Schmidt, natives of Germany. Mr. Schmidt was a baker and confectioner. Mrs. Gmelich was a child when she came with her parents to this country, their first location being at Louisville, Kentucky, and from there in 1853 they came to Peru, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Gmelich were born four children,-Lula, Jacob, Robert and Fred. Lula is the wife of Charles Penning, a clothier of Peru; Jacob, the eldest son, is with an uncle engaged in the confectionery business in Detroit, Michigan; and Robert is holding a clerical position in Peru. Mr. Gmelich, the father, was formerly a member of the German Lutheran Evangelical church, and Mrs. Gmnelich was reared in the Catholic faith. Their children are members of the Congregational church.
THOMAS W. WATTS.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Edward L. Watts, a native of England, who, coming to the United States in 1850, purchased a farm of about twenty-five acres in LaSalle county. There his wife died, many years ago, and in 1877 he removed to Peru, where he built a house and continued to reside until his death, in 1879, when he was in his eightieth year.
One of the three children of this worthy couple was Edward W., born in London, England, in 1833. He learned the carpenter's trade and ob- tained a fair education in his youth. and was but seventeen when he sailed for America. Coming to this state, he worked in the town of Lamoille, Bureau county, for some time. after which he was employed upon a farm. Next he rented land for six or seven years, and by economy and well applied
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energy was enabled to buy a homestead of one hundred and ninety acres in Dimmick township, LaSalle county. To this he later added twenty-five acres, but ultimately sold ten acres to the LaSalle & Bureau County Belt Line Railroad. He is still living upon his place, keeps everything in fine condition, and is considered one of the most enterprising farmers of his community. He is interested in the cause of education, being a mem- ber of the district school board, and in political matters is an unflinching Republican.
Edward W. Watts married Ann Raycraft, whose birth had occurred in Ireland, January 22, 1838. Her father, John Raycraft, came to this country from the Emerald Isle about 1856, and, after residing for a period in Wis- consin, lived with his children in Bureau, Lee and LaSalle counties, Illinois. Both he and his wife lived to advanced years, and their numerous children are to be found in widely separated states of this Union. Of the six sons and six daughters born to Edward W. and Ann Watts three are deceased; Edward, who died from the effect of severe burns, when a child; and two other boys, who died in infancy. Martha is the widow of John Thompson, of LaSalle: Thomas W. is the subject of this sketch; Anna is the wife of John Bangert, of Chicago; Lida is the wife of Gus. Jackley, of Penoea, Iowa: Frances married Walter Spanswick, of Ottawa, Illinois; George, Al- fred, Nellie and Mabel are still living at home.
The birth of Thomas W. Watts took place near the present town of Ladd, Bureau county, Illinois, March 1, 1861. When he was six years old he was taken by his parents to their new home in Dimmick township, La- Salle county. He received a district-school education, and after he had reached man's estate he had charge of the old homestead for about two years. Later he rented a farm in the vicinity. though he continued to live at home, and was prospering when all of his ambitious plans were over- turned. He was run over by a team and so seriously injured that he was practically an invalid for the next two years. When able to engage in active life again he became the agent for wire fencing, and in December, 1894, came to Peru, where he purchased the livery business of George Snyder, on Water street. He built up a paying business, and in May. 1898, erected a new livery stable on Fifth street. This he equipped with various kinds of vehicles, carriages, broughams and light road-carts, and is doing a good business.
On the 22d of January, 1896, Mr. Watts married Rebecca M., daughter of Fred and Mona (Cox) Daft. The young couple have an attractive home on Fifth street near his livery, and two little ones-Cecil E. and Rebecca- brighten their home with their presence. In political matters Mr. Watts is a Republican, and before he left the township in which he was reared he
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served for three terms as a school director. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, and the Mystic Workers of the World. Upright and just in all his dealings, he commands the respect and sincere regard of all with whom he is associated.
EMERSON L. WHITNEY.
Mr. Whitney is the manager in charge of the publication known as "Our Hope and Life in Christ," issued by the Western Advent Christian Publication Association, of Mendota. This periodical was brought from Minneapolis to Mendota in 1892, and Mr. Whitney has held his present position in connection with the concern ever since August, 1894.
Mr. Whitney was born at Vanorin, Bureau county, this state, March 18. 1862. His parents, Lysander and Roxanna (Viner) Whitney, were natives of Massachusetts, of Berkshire county, and both were of old New England families from old England. After marriage they came west, about 1854, locating upon a farm in Bureau county, where Mrs. Whitney died in 1882, aged sixty-two years, and Mr. Whitney died in Mendota, in 1897, at the age of seventy-six years. Both were Advent Christians, and in politics he was a Republican.
Emerson L. Whitney was reared to farm life and given a fair education in the country schools and at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chi- cago. In local office he has served for several years as a member of the educational board of Mendota College. In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Moore, of Brodhead, Wisconsin, and they have two inter- esting children.
ADOLPH HOSS.
Adolph Hoss, who for the past eight years has been connected with the Peru State Bank and is now serving in the responsible position of cashier of that well and favorably known institution of LaSalle county, is one of the native sons of Peru, his birth having occurred October 17, 1861.
His parents, Adolph and Margaret (Wunder) Hoss, were natives of Bonn, Prussia, and the kingdom of Bavaria, respectively, and their marriage took place in the United States. The paternal grandfather of our subject died in Germany, at an advanced age, and the maternal grandfather. Michael Wunder, who followed the trade of shoemaker in his native land, came to this country in 1840. Locating in LaSalle county at first, he later bought land in Bureau county, Illinois, and there was successfully occupied in
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agricultural pursuits for a long time. He reached the extreme age of ninety- one years. Mrs. Margaret Hoss, who was one of the three children of this patriarch, was married. in her early womanhood, to a Mr. Teichmann, and they became the parents of three children, all of whom have passed away. Adolph Hoss, Sr., born in the year 1818, was one of five children, and spent his early years in Prussia, whence he sailed for the United States in 1845. The succeeding year found him located in Peru, where he worked at his trade as a tailor, and for a period carried on a boarding-house and saloon. At the time of the great excitement over the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, he walked the entire distance across the plains, and after passing a couple of years in the west returned home. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Forty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Murfreesboro and many other important engagements. At the end of al- most two years of gallant service on behalf of his adopted country, he was honorably discharged, owing to physical disability, his papers being dated in April, 1863. He died in 1882, and his widow in 1885 married John Weber, of Leonore, Illinois, where her death occurred in 1892, in her seventy-first year.
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