USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > Biographical and genealogical record of La Salle County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 9
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Following in the political footsteps of his respected father, he is a stanch Republican. Fraternally, he is connected with the Knights of the Globe, which lodge in Earlville was named in honor of his father, Ralph O. Dupee. He also belongs to the Phi Kappa Psi, of Beloit College. He is a member of the Congregational church, and is actively interested in all worthy religious and philanthropic enterprises.
ANTON KELLENBACH.
Anton Kellenbach, who was for many years one of Peru's influential business men, and is now living practically retired, is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Prussia, August 15, 1820. He is a son of Anton and Katherine (Schwartz) Kellenbach, and is the only survivor of the family, in which there were ten brothers and sisters. The father was a farmer by occupation, and but little is remembered of him by our
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subject, who was but four years of age at the time of the death of his senior. The wife and mother died when she was about seventy-five years of age. Both were Catholics in their religious faith.
In his youth our subject was a student in the common schools of his native land, and later he learned the stone-mason's trade. In 1854 he sailed for America, where he believed that greater opportunities for advancement awaited him, and since that year he has made his home in Peru. For a quarter of a century he was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company, engaged in the construction of bridges. Then for several years he was variously employed, and for about three years past has taken charge of the stables of the Union Star Brewing Company, of Peru. As a citizen his record has been exemplary, and he has been actively interested in the promotion of whatever he believed to be of permanent benefit to this community. In his political attitude he is a stanch Repub- lican.
The marriage of Mr. Kellenbach and Miss Margaret Birkenbeuel was solemnized February 18, 1849, in Prussia. She is a daughter of Peter William and Anna Fay (Heinmann) Birkenbeuel. Ten children were born ยท to our subject and wife-seven sons and three daughters-namely: William, Peter, Henry, Albert, William E., Henry, Lena, Emma, and two others. Only three of the number are now living,-Lena, William E. and Henry. Lena became the wife of H. M. Gallagher, who was a prominent citizen of Peru, and whose death occurred some eleven years ago. They became the parents of three children,-Kate Murray, Harry Milton and William Hamilton. William E. Kellenbach is represented in the next article. He is a leading citizen of La Salle, is married and has four children,-Eddie, Lillie, Anabelle and Willie. Henry Kellenbach also is married, and has two children,-Henrietta and Margaret.
WILLIAM E. KELLENBACH.
In any line of business, success comes to the conscientious worker and not to the undeserving: it comes as the direct reward of earnest, painstaking endeavor, of skill and well applied energy. Even in this day of sometimes suddenly acquired fortunes, it appears that the old decree in regard to winning one's bread by the "sweat of his face" is as much in force as ever, and that to the majority of men a livelihood must be earned by hard, honest toil. Thus it has been in the case of the subject of this article, who has manfully discharged his duties and thereby has won the regard of the public.
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The parents of William E. Kellenbach, Anton and Margaret (Birken- beuel) Kellenbach, are represented in the preceding article. Born in Peru, LaSalle county, September 22, 1861, our subject has passed his entire life in this section of the state. In attendance at the public schools of his native town the years sped away rapidly until he was about fifteen, when he began learning the blacksmith's trade, to which calling he has ever since devoted himself. In 1882 he opened a shop upon his own account, making a specialty of fine horse-shoeing. In 1886 he came to LaSalle, where he established himself in business, his shop being at the corner of Joliet and Second streets. This immediate region is noted for the splendid race and driving horses which are raised here, and Mr. Kellenbach has been fortu- nate in securing the business, or the major portion of it, of shoeing this fine stock. In his line he is an acknowledged expert, and by his skill in fitting the proper kind of shoes numerous defects of otherwise excellent horses are permanently overcome.
For fourteen years Mr. Kellenbach has been actively connected with the fire departments of Peru and LaSalle, seven years in each place, and for the past two years has been the fire marshal of this city. Moreover, he is the superintendent of the city electric-light plant, and in both of these responsible positions is rendering the public effective service. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. and to the Royal Arcanum, and in politics is a Democrat.
On the 7th of December, 1882. the marriage of Mr. Kellenbach and Miss Anna Broemer, a daughter of George and Dora Broemer, was sol- emnized in Peru. Two sons and two daughters have blessed their union, namely: Edwin, Lillian, William and Anabelle. The family residence is pleasantly located at the corner of Third and Joliet streets, Mr. Kellenbach having purchased the property about two years ago.
JACOB KUNEY.
One of the venerable citizens of LaSalle county is Jacob Kuney, now living retired in the pretty town of Earlville. Though now well along in years, he comes of families noted for longevity, and doubtless will live to see many years of the new century so near at hand. Both of his grand- fathers were soldiers in the war of the Revolution. and patriotism has been a notable characteristic of all of his relatives.
The Kuneys are of German descent, as the name indicates, but several generations have resided in America; and the grandfather of our subject, for whom he was named. was a Pennsylvania farmer, the father of a large
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family. Of these children, Samuel Kuney, a native of the same state, was engaged in farming in Perry county, Pennsylvania, until his death, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, Mary, daughter of Jacob Bergstresser, survived him, attaining the age of eighty-six years. She, too, was a Penn- sylvanian, though her father was a native of Germany. He was eighty- six years old at death. but his wife lived to be six months over one hun- dred years of age! For many years he served as the clerk of the county court, but the chief business of his life was agriculture. In religion the Kuneys were originally Lutherans, but later identified themselves with the Methodist church. Of the five sons and five daughters of Samuel and Mary Kuney, but three are now living, namely, our subject; Sarah, of Jackson, Minnesota, widow of John Bergstresser; and Daniel, of Baker, Kansas.
The birth of Jacob Kuney took place in Perry county, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1816, and when twenty years of age he left home and went to Niagara county, New York. At the time of the Canadian rebellion he was called into military service, but at the end of two weeks was allowed to resume his accustomed vocation. In 1838 he was married, and for a period was occupied in farming, later learning the blacksmith's trade, which he pursued about four years. In 1847 he went to Waukesha, Wis- consin, accompanied by his wife and three children. Locating near the town, he continued to reside there for twenty years, at the end of which time he sold his farm of three hundred and twenty acres and removing to Winneshiek county, Iowa, invested in one thousand acres of land. Two years later, in 1869, he divided six hundred acres of this tract among his children, and, selling the remainder, came to LaSalle county. Here he bought four hundred acres of land in Earl township. and subsequently disposing of this property he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres situated about a mile north of Earlville. This place hie still owns, though he rents it and makes his home in Earlville. in the enjoyment of well earned rest from toil.
As previously noted, Mr. Kuney was married in 1838. the lady of his choice being Miss Amanda, daughter of Joshua and Laodicea (Cotton) Slayton. Six children were born to our subject and wife. The eldest son, Cassius M. Clay, was graduated in the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege, and at seventeen years of age enlisted in the Union army, serving with distinguished bravery from the beginning to the close of the war of the Rebellion. He wedded Miss Ellen Guthrie and has five children,-Inez, Edith, Ralph. Carl and Max. The family is now living in Wasco. Oregon. Garrett Smith, the younger son, married Miss Alice Boozle, and is a resi- dent of Earlville, his occupation being that of a farmer. He has five chil-
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dren,-Perry, Cora, Harry, Mabel and Agnes. Mary, the oldest daughter of our subject, now living at White City, Kansas, is the wife of Horace Harmon, and is the mother of four living sons,-Joseph, Horace, Guy and Ernest. Emeline, the second daughter, married Joseph Gauthie, of Wauke- sha, Wisconsin. Desire married Ellis T. White, of Earlville, and their chil- dren are Eria, Archie, Laura, Sadie, Radley, Clyde and Ralph. Josephine D. wedded Henry Boozle, a farmer, now of Des Moines, Iowa, and their children are: Grace, Angie, Kittie, Myrtle, Louise, John and Harry. Alto- gether, Mr. and Mrs. Kuney have thirty-nine grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren; and it is a remarkable fact that of all their descendants only six have passed to the silent land.
For many years Mr. and Mrs. Kuney have been devoted members of the Congregational church. Politically he is a Republican, and though he has never desired public office he has served as township assessor four times, thrice in succession when he was living in Wisconsin, and once while in Earl township. In all of his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Kuney has been honorable and just, winning the respect of every one, and to his chil- dren he will leave what is better far than riches, the record of an exemplary life.
THADDEUS RUDE.
Thaddeus Rude, who for more than three decades has been one of the honored citizens of Mendota, was one of the sturdy frontiersmen who came to this state when it was a wilderness and paved the way for the civilization and prosperity of later years. Nobly did he perform his part in the develop- ment of its resources, and never for a moment has his interest in its future diminished or weakened.
Mr. Rude is a fitting example of the self-made man,-one who by the inherent force of his character has acquired an enviable name and place among the business men and capitalists of his generation. Doubtless he is indebted largely to his upright New England ancestors for much of what is finest in his nature, and certainly the influences which were brought to bear upon him in the impressible days of his childhood cannot be overestimated. He was named in honor of his grandfather, Thaddeus Rude, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in which state many generations of his family had lived and died. His death took place when he was but little past the prime of life, the event occurring in Ash- field, Massachusetts, in 1826. Of his several children four grew to maturity. His widow survived him many years, dying when nearly ninety years of age. The maternal grandfather of our subject, David Vincent, a native of Cape
Thaddeus Rua
Emily Ruke
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Cod, was a hero of the Revolutionary war, and was one of Washington's valiant band of dauntless patriots who suffered the untold hardships of that dreadful winter at Valley Forge. In his early life he was a sailor, but his last years were quietly spent at Ashfield, his death taking place when he was seventy years of age. He had three daughters and several sons, the latter becoming substantial, respected business men, and one of the num- ber. John, serving in the Massachusetts legislature for two or three terms with credit.
The parents of our subject were Thaddeus and Betsy (Vincent) Rude, both natives of the Bay state. The former was engaged in the clothing business at Haydenville, New York, in his early manhood, and later turned his attention to agriculture, carrying on a farm in Franklin county, Massa- chusetts. Death cut short his career when he was in his prime, as he was but thirty-nine years of age when he died, in 1833. His widow survived him many years, and in 1856 came to Illinois. Thenceforth she resided at the home of her daughter Mary, in Bureau county, dying in 1886, at the extreme age of ninety-three. Mr. Rude was a man of prominence in his community, and at various times was called upon to serve in local offices, among others that of selectman. Both he and his honored wife were active workers in the Congregational church, and always stood ready to support all enterprises which they deemed worthy. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom were sons. Those who survive are Thaddeus; Han- nah, wife of Rev. William McCulloch, of Red Oak, Iowa; Mary, widow of Lorenzo Whitney, of Williams Station, Illinois; David, of Mendota; and Harriet, wife of Joseph Hawks, of Williams Station.
The birth of Thaddeus Rude took place in Ashfield, Massachusetts, February 24, 1822. He was reared upon a farm, and with true Yankee spirit he mastered agriculture and kindred occupations. In 1849 he determined to seek a fortune in what then was the new west. Coming to Bureau county, Illinois, he bought eighty acres of prairie land, and within a short time disposed of that property, which was situated in Berlin township, and removed to La Moille township. There he purchased a quarter section of land for five hundred and forty dollars, and industriously set about increasing its desirability and value. The country was very wild, the deer coming and eating out of his corn cribs, and the wolves frequently howling upon the doorsteps of his house. In time, as he prospered, he added to his original homestead until it comprised four hundred acres, and in 1867 he sold the original quarter section for eleven thousand dollars. He then removed to this county, and since then has made his home in Mendota, where he is highly esteemed as a citizen of enterprise and true public spirit. For about three years he and his partner, Frederick Schroeder, were engaged in the
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grain business, and managed an elevator which they erected. Mendota was a great grain market at that time, much greater than it is to-day, and the firm did an extensive business. After selling out his interest to Mr. Schroeder, Mr. Rude turned his attention to real estate, and for years has handled fine farm lands in this and other western states, meeting with suc- cess. At one time he owned land in five or six counties in Iowa, some four thousand acres altogether, and at present he has twenty-five hundred acres in the county of Hamilton alone. Beginning his business career in this state with a capital of barely five hundred dollars, he gradually accu- mulated a fortune, by adherence to the recognized rules of legitimate trade, and is to-day a man of means and influence,-an example entirely worthy of being held up to the ambitious young man now starting out in commercial life.
When a resident of Bureau county Mr. Rude acted in the capacity of road commissioner, but aside from this he never has acted in official positions. He is an ardent Republican, and has endeavored to perform his entire duty as becomes a patriotic American, giving due attention to the great questions of the day.
On the IIth of January, 1844, the marriage of Thaddeus Rude and Keziah, daughter of Rufus and Keziah (Hall) Hall, was solemnized. She departed this life November 17, 1893, aged seventy-one years and four months. For almost half a century she had been a faithful helpmate, loyally aiding her husband in his early struggles to make a livelihood and place in the business world, and her memory is cherished by a host of her old friends. Religiously she was a Congregationalist. On the 2d of June, 1895, Mr. Rude and Mrs. Emily Fisher, widow of Clement Fisher, were united in wedlock. She is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Leatherby) Ham, natives of Somersetshire, England, and both now deceased. Mrs. Rude had four children by her first marriage,-three who died in infancy, and Carrie, wife of Charles Thelo, Jr., of Mendota, Illinois. The latter have three children,- Eda, Earl and Fred. Mrs. Rude is a member of the Church of England, and is interested in all movements calculated to uplift and benefit humanity.
JOHN OVER.
The village of Leonore, LaSalle county, Illinois, includes among its leading and prosperous citizens the subject of this sketch, John Over. a Prussian by birth and an American by adoption. It was less than ten years ago that he left his native land, and since his arrival here we find him rushing into financial independence at a remarkable speed and succeeding
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in business at an age when most men have either made their stake or have retired from the arena in despair.
John Over was born in the province of Prussia, February 28, 1858, the son of Henry Over, a farmer. Selecting the trade of carpenter, John served an apprenticeship therein and followed that branch of mechanics as a business while he remained in Prussia. Being influenced by relatives and friends who had come to this country, he decided to try his fortunes here, and accordingly, in company with Conrad Eschbach, he set sail from Bremen, Germany, in 1890, on the ill-fated steamship Elbe. Arrived in New York, he came west to Illinois, and the first two years of his residence here he spent in work at his trade. Then, with a small capital, he began business as a merchant in Leonore. October 1. 1892, was the date of his debut as a "kaufman," and the popularity of his place of business is a fact noted by all who have in any way come in contact with it.
Mr. Over is a man of family. He was married April 25, 1893, to Miss Anna Berninger, whose father, Alexander Berninger, was a Prussian emi- grant to LaSalle county. They have two children,-John and Alvis.
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GEORGE W. PITZER.
Among the early settlers of LaSalle county, Illinois, was William Pit- zer, a native of Licking county, Ohio, who was born September 23, 1809, came west in 1831 and took up his abode on the frontier. He was a son of Richard Pitzer, a major in the war of 1812 and a man noted for his bravery in battle. William Pitzer married Miss Sarah Kite, daughter of Adam Kite, a native of Ohio. She was born March 10, 1810. Their union was blessed in the birth of seven children, namely: Alva, a resident of South Dakota; George W., whose name forms the heading of this sketch; Jacob, a resident of Lyon county, Kansas; David, also of Lyon county, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of Robert Lane, of Chebanse, Illinois; Julia, wife of B. F. Fuller, of Lyon county, Kansas, and Malinda J., wife of L. J. Grove, of Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois. William Pitzer was a farmer all his life and lived to the ripe old age of seventy-four years, his death occurring January 19, 1884, on his farm. His wife's death occurred March 21, 1887. also at the age of seventy-four years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George W. Pitzer was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, July 27. 1837; was reared on his father's farm, and has always made this county his home and given his attention to agricultural pursuits. His present farm, a fine tract of two hundred acres, he purchased in 1889. This farm is one of
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the best improved and most highly cultivated in the locality, its general appearance at once giving evidence of the fact that its owner is a progres- sive, up-to-date farmer.
The grandson of a valiant soldier, George Pitzer, when the civil war came on, showed his patriotism by offering his services to his country. He enlisted in 1862 and was assigned to the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel Moore and Lieutenant Hapeman, and served three years. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and during his army life spent six months in hospital. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed farming.
Mr. Pitzer was married in 1866 to Miss Elmira Grove, daughter of Joseph Grove, deceased (see sketch of Jesse Grove), and who previous to her marriage was a teacher. They are the parents of four children: Elma, wife of James McMichael; and Harry, May and Earl, at home.
Like most veterans of the civil war, Mr. Pitzer is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he casts his vote and influence with the Democratic party.
TERRY SIMMONS.
For almost a quarter of a century Terry Simmons has been identified with the journalistic circle of LaSalle county, and in consequence is widely known. He is a gentleman of marked ability and wide information, is devoted to the best interests of the county and state, and uses his influence on behalf of good government and all that goes toward the elevation of his fellow-men.
Several generations ago the ancestors of our subject emigrated from Scotland and Ireland to the United States, and his paternal grandfather. Morris Simmons, was a native of New York state. The birth of Terry Simmons occurred in Shabbona, De Kalb county, Illinois. September 26, 1855. His parents, M. M. and Phylance (Terry) Simmons, were natives of the Empire state, and there were reared to maturity. They came to Illinois in 1835, and in 1870 removed to Marseilles.
The school days of Terry Simmons were passed in the town of his birth, Leland and Marseilles. It was his privilege to attend Jennings Semi- mary at Aurora, Illinois, for some time, and upon the completion of his studies he was employed in the post-office here under D. H. Slagle, serving for six years as deputy. In the Centennial year he founded the Marseilles Plaindealer, and eighteen years later. November 28. 1894, purchased the
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Seneca Record, both of which papers he has published ever since. They are issued weekly, on Fridays, and are extensively circulated throughout the county. Devoted first and foremost to the interests of their respective communities, county news and other information also find a place in their columns. Personally, Mr. Simmons is a Republican in national affairs, but is thoroughly independent in local elections, favoring the most suitable candidate and best principle, regardless of party lines.
June 12, 1879, the marriage of Mr. Simmons and Miss Julia Thompson was celebrated at Leland, Illinois, and their union has been blessed with four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Simmons is a daughter of Henry and Minnie Thompson, of Leland.
FRANK E. STATES.
A representative farmer of the younger class is Frank E. States, who owns and occupies the States homestead and farm on section 33, Miller township. LaSalle county, Marseilles being his post-office address. He was born in Grundy county, this state, December 31. 1863, and is descended from ancestors who were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Eman- uel States, his father, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 6. 1823, a son of Abraham and Rebecca States. The mother of our subject was before her marriage Miss Elenora Lysinger, and she was born Sep- tember 9. 1828, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Emanuel and Elenora States were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living at this writing,-six sons and three daughters. Their mother died April 9, 1876, and their father was married a second time, to Mrs. Eliza Coats, of Lewis county, New York, who died September 8, 1897, he surviving her till March 9, 1899, dying in the seventy-sixth year of his age.
Frank E. States was a child two years of age when his parents moved from Grundy county to LaSalle county, and here he was reared, on his father's farm, dividing his boyhood days between working on the farm and attending the public schools. He now owns the home farm, a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres, on section 33 of Miller township. December 24, 1889, he was married to Miss Rhoda M. Drackley, who was born in this county August 28, 1867, a daughter of William and Cornelia H. (Gaige) Drackley. William Drackley was born in England May 22, 1835, and his wife in Schenectady county, New York, January 17, 1837, and are the parents of four children,-three sons and one daughter,-all of whom are living. Mrs. States was reared on her father's farm near
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Seneca, LaSalle county, receiving a common-school education, and prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching school.
Politically Mr. States is a Republican and at present a member of the school board of his district.
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