USA > Illinois > Kendall County > Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 62
USA > Illinois > Will County > Genealogical and biographical record of Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois : containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
ers, with which he remained identified until its disbandment. He also aided in the organization of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers; and was the first president of Stone City Lodge No. 4 of the same, holding the office for some years; he rose to be vice-president of the fourth district, comprising Illinois, Wis- consin and some of the west. On retiring from the steel business he resigned the office, but still remains an honorary member of the order. Dur- ing the period of his membership in the associa- tion he attended every national convention that was held and took a leading part in the proceed- ings of each.
Mr. Quinn was born in Winchester, Va., April 6, 1853, a son of Bernard and Maria (Carroll) Quinn, natives respectively of County Kildare and Queens County, Ireland. His father, who graduated from the University of Dublin with the degree of C. E., followed surveying and also en- gaged in teaching school in and near Winchester. He died in West Virginia in 1862. His wife, who is still living, makes her home in Keyser, W. Va. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom attained mature years, namely: Mary, who died in Cumberland, Md .; James C., a farmer in Missouri; John F .; Bernard, who is engaged in farming in western Nebraska; Daniel, a merchant at Keyser, W. Va .; and Julia, whose home is in Chicago.
When our subject was nine years of age his father died. The war occurring at the same time, he was deprived of advantages he might otherwise have enjoyed. From West Virginia he went to Cumberland, Md., and thence to Columbus, Ohio, where he secured work at the rolls in a rolling mill. From there he removed to Sandusky, Ohio. In the spring of 1872 he came to Joliet and secured employment in the old iron mill, remaining there until an accidental in- jury to his foot by a hot rail disabled hin for work for a year. Upon his recovery, the steel mill having meantime been completed, he began to work at the rolls in it, remaining there until 1883, when he resigned in order to embark in business. Going to Aurora, he opened a livery and undertaking establishment and continued in
503
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
that city until 1890, when he returned to Joliet. Sinee then he has earried on a general undertaking business. He is connected with the Illinois State Undertakers' Association. His serviees as a funeral direetor and embalmer are in frequent demand, and he is known as a man possessing a thorough knowledge of his business and an accommodating, gentlemanly disposition.
In Joliet, Deeember 28, 1880, Mr. Quinn mar- ried Miss Mary A. Downey, who was born in Bremen Township, Cook County, Ill., a daugh- ter of Peter and Catherine (O'Sullivan) Downey, natives of Queens and Kerry Counties, Ireland. Her father, on eoming to America, settled in Ohio, thenee went to Indiana and in 1847 eame to Illinois, where he engaged in contraeting on the Roek Island Railroad. Meantime he bought a farm in Bremen Township, and afterward gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1875 he bought a farm in Channahon Township, Will County, and afterward resided there until his death, in 1892. Since then his widow has made her home with Mrs. Quinn. Of eleven children, six now living, Mrs. Quinn was the oldest daughter, and by her marriage she has two sons, Bernard J. and John Franeis. Mr. Quinn and his family are connected with St. Mary's Catholie Chureh.
EV. WILLIAM BOHLER WALKER, reetor of Christ Episcopal Church of Joliet, was born in Atlanta, Ga., February 3, 1852, a son of Matthew Talbot and Maria (Bohler) Walker, natives of Augusta, Ga. His paternal grandfather, George Mims Walker, was born in the Rappahannock distriet, Va., and married Mary Tyler Walker, a relative of George Walton, who was a signer of the deelaration of independenee. Removing to Georgia he followed the profession of a lawyer, and attained consid- erable prominenee in that state. Matthew Tal- bot Walker, who was a druggist in Georgia, afterward entered the railroad serviee, and for years before his deathi was eonneeted with the
Western Atlantic (now the Georgia, Louisville & Nashville) road. During the Civil war he was eonneeted with the government serviee. At the time Atlanta was besieged by the northern troops he and his family were in sueh danger that they were forced to flee from the eity. On their re- turn they found their residenee destroyed and their property laid waste, and they were obliged to live in a stable until a house eould be built. He continued to make Atlanta his home until his deatlı, in 1896. His wife, who was a daughter of William Boller, of Georgia, is still living in Atlanta. Of their six children who attained years of maturity all but one still survive, William Bohler being the eldest of the family. The daughter, Mrs. Henry Z. Harris, resides in Atlanta. Three sons are eomnected with the rail- road serviee, George and Matthew Talbot being employes of the Georgia, Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Atlanta, while Henry is employed with the road in Nashville.
The early years in the life of William Bohler Walker were filled with exeitement. The eoun- try was plunged in a bitter eivil strife, and the Walker family lived in one of the Confederate strongholds, against which the fire of federal guns was direeted. He assisted in making am- munition for the confederate army, but was, of eourse, too young to enter the serviee. In the spring of 1865, at the elose of the war, the family returned to Atlanta, from which they had been refugees. He prepared for college in Capt. William Bray's school in that eity. In 1869 lie entered the sophomore class, University of Georgia, from which he graduated in 1872 with the degree of A. B. Immediately afterward lie began to read law with Alexander H. Stephens, a man of national distinetion, with whom he made his home at Crawfordsville until Mr. Stephens re-entered publie life. He was admitted to the bar in Atlanta in 1874, but never praetieed the profession.
It was his mother's hope that Mr. Walker might enter the ministry. This plan lie had at first opposed, preferring the law, but afterward he began to be favorably drawn toward the mini- isterial profession, for which, indeed, he seemed
504
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
to possess marked qualifications. Impelled by the persuasions of friends and relatives, and also by his own thoughtful, matured judgment, he decided to turn his attention from the law to the ministry. January 1, 1875, he matriculated in Berkeley Divinity School, at Middletown, Conn., from which he graduated in 1877. He was or- dained by Bishop John Williams, of Connecticut, in Holy Trinity Church, Middletown, in 1877. Returning to Georgia, he became rector of the Church of the Atonement in Augusta, where he remained for nine years. Meantime he was mar- ried in Connecticut, February 6, 1878, to Miss Bessie Beecher Shew, daughter of Dr. Joel Shew, a successful physician, and step-daughter of Dr. Winthrop B. Hallock, of Connecticut. The four children born of their union are Winthrop Hal- lock, Edwin Weed, William Bohler, Jr., and Beverly.
The climate of the south not agreeing with Mr. Walker, in 1884 he resigned his pastorate in Augusta and returned to Connecticut, where for three years he was rector of Christ Church in Stratford. He then accepted the rectorship of St. John's Church, in Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained for four years. In February, 1893, he came to Joliet as rector of Christ Church, and has since attained prominence as one of the scholarly ministers of the city. The church of which he is rector was organized thirty or more years ago, and contains in its membership many of the lead- ing citizens of Joliet. Under the leadership of Mr. Walker every department of the work is in a prosperous condition, and the church attracts not only people well known in the city, but many visitors and strangers as well.
A mind so active as that of Mr. Walker cannot be confined within the bounds of strictly theolog- ical work or the usually-accepted duties of a rector; for he is a citizen, public-spirited and progressive, and nothing that is of importance to the body politic is uninteresting to him. Every movement for the advancement of Joliet finds in him a champion. Every work originated in behalf of the people enlists his sympathy and endorse- ment. His interest in the city's welfare is of that stable character which adheres with steadfast
support to principles of undoubted value. While he is a believer in the platform as adopted by the gold wing of the Democratic party, he recognizes the good in all parties, and is himself an enthu- siastic supporter of the present (McKinley) ad- ministration in the many problems brought before it for solution. His name has been brought into especial prominence through his single-handed fight with the railroad interests. In an article he made the statement that the city should elect for its officials men who would not be subsidized by railroad and street-car lines. On account of this statement the railroad took away his clergyman's permit entitling him to half fare. He fought the matter in the courts, arguing his own case, and defeated them so completely that they sent him a permit, with the request that he use it. How- ever, he returned it by the next mail, stating that he would accept no favors from them, as he had not cared for the permit, but was opposing boldly corporations that endeavored to subsidize the representatives of the people. The Interstate Commerce Commission decided in his favor, establishing the fact that the half-rate was his legal right, and not a courtesy. The case, which was carried on for almost two years, attracted a great deal of attention and started a reform move- ment along the line of passes.
BEN S. BRUCE. The business of which Mr. Bruce is the head is one of the largest of its kind in Joliet. He started it upon a very small scale, using only four cars the first year, but it increased so rapidly that he was soon obliged to devote his entire attention to its super- vision. For a time the firm name was Bruce Brothers, but on the 20th of February, 1899, the Bruce Ice Company was incorporated, with L. B. Bruce as president and E. S. Bruce secretary and treasurer. The office of the company is at No. 1510 Collins street, Joliet, and their ice-houses are in this city and at Lake Zurich, on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, fifty-two miles north
505
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Joliet, in Lake County. At the latter place they have forty aeres, supplied by natural springs that secure the finest quality of ice. The plant is in every respect modern, and is provided with the modern equipments, including the latest steam elevators. The ice-house has a capacity of twenty-one thousand tons. To such an extent has the business grown that the supply of cars will soon reach two thousand per annum.
The gentleman to whose energy and good judg- ment the growth of this enterprise is due was born at the old Bruce homestead, two and one- half miles north of Joliet, November 19, 1869. His father, James, was born in Aberdour, Scot- land, a son of George Bruce, the owner of a mill in Scotland, but during his last years a resident of the United States. When twenty-one years of age James Bruce came to America, in 1844, set- tling in Joliet. After working for a short time as foreman in the building of the Rush street bridge, Chicago, and as superintendent of the building of the locks on the Illinois and Michigan canal, he bought a tract of raw prairie land near Joliet and turned his attention to the improve- ment of a farm. In 1870 he bought the old Taylor property and opened a stone quarry, which he operated until his death, being the principal member of the firm of James Bruce & Co. He laid out the Bruce, Hopkins and Bacon subdivisions of Joliet. His death occurred in this city December 13, 1898. The lady whom he married, Jane Stephens, was also of Scotch birth. She was a daughter of E. Stevens, who came to America and settled on a farm near Millburn, Ill. She is still living at the old homestead and is now fifty-eight years of age. Of his eight chil- dren, six are living, viz .: William J., superin- tendent of the Bruce Stone Co .; E. S .; James, Jr., member of the firm of Bruce & Jameson, at Mar- seilles and Seneca, Ill .; Robert, a student in the University of Illinois; Belle, wife of George Stephens; and Margaret, Mrs. John Jameson.
The education of our subject was obtained in public schools and the Chicago Commercial Col- lege. For three years he was shipping clerk for the Barrett Hardware Company, after which he traveled, in Texas, in the interests of Lambert &
Bishop. One year later he entered the office of James Bruce & Co., of which he was placed in charge, and he still owns a one-third interest in the company, but of recent years his time has been given exclusively to the ice business. In politics his sympathies are with the Republi- can party and he votes the straight party ticket at local and general elections. Socially he is a member of the Union Club. His marriage, in Chicago, Ill., united him with Miss Luella Bur- dick, a former classmate, who was born in Lock- port, Ill., daughter of A. S. Burdick, an old . settler of this eounty. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have one son, Harold A. Bruce.
ENRY W. KOENIG, who has made his home in Joliet since 1883, is a well- known contractor and builder of this city, and has followed this occupation here since 1891. Being a man of quiekness of comprehen- sion, keen diserimination and intelligence, com- bined with a thorough practical knowledge of his occupation, he has met with constant success in his business, and has been given the contracts for scores of residences in Joliet and surrounding towns. Every contract is carried out faithfully and honestly, thus adding to his reputation and in- creasing the confidenee in which he is held by the general public. Besides residences he has had charge of the erection of a number of public buildings, including the Lineoln schoolhouse. At times he has been called to take charge of work as much as two hundred miles distant from Joliet, although the bulk of his contracts have been in or near the city. He built the residence he owns and occupies at No. 209 Cassiday avenue.
In Wackstadt, Erfurt, Prussia, Germany, the subject of this sketch was born November 13, 1850, a son of Michael and Barbara (Hartleib)) Koenig, natives of the same place. His father and grandfather spent their entire lives on the family homestead. He was next to the oldest of
506
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
four children, of whom he alone lives in America. At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade in Bischhagen, where he served for three years, and then worked in Hamburg for another three years. In 1870 he crossed the ocean from Hamburg to New York. After a short time in Chicago he went to Geneseo, Ill., thence to St. Louis, Mo., working at his trade in both places. In 1878 he was appointed foreman of buildings on the Rock Island Railroad, and this position he held until 1890, meantime having charge of the building of freight and passenger depots between Chicago and Rock Island and be- tween Chicago and Peoria. His work was most acceptable to the company and proved financially remunerative to himself, but the constant change from town to town was less pleasant than his present business connections, which enable him to enjoy more fully the pleasures of domestic life. He is a member of the Joliet Builders' Associa- tion.
In national politics Mr. Koenig gives his sup- port to the Democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His marriage was solemnized in Tamaqua, Pa., and united him with Miss Louisa Klumpp, who was born in that city, being the daughter of Adam Klumpp, a contractor and builder of break- ers in that region. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Koenig are Callie C., Etta L., Otto A. and Bertha S.
DWARD H. WERNER, D. D. S. The family represented by this well-known dentist of Joliet traces its ancestry to a long line of German forefathers. His father, William Werner, the first of the name in America, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Hesse-Darm- stadt, February 5, 1831, and emigrated to the United States when twenty years of age. After three months in Stroudsburg, Pa., in October, 1851, he settled in Frankfort, Ill., and for a year was employed as a stone mason in the building of the Rock Island Railroad. Upon removing to Joliet in 1852 he became interested in quarrying,
and afterward had the contract for building many of the most substantial stone buildings in the city. In 1856 he was elected commissioner of highways and served as such for three years. From 1861 to 1865 he was an alderman, and for seven years he served as a member of the board of supervisors. In 1863 he was appointed com- missioner in charge of the drafting of soldiers into the army. September 7, 1853, he married Barbara Goebel, a native of Prussia. Four sons were born to their union, Frederick William, Frederick Charles, George W. and Edward H. The last named was born in Joliet December 9, 1867. His education was begun in the grammar schools of the city. At an early age he deter- mined to enter the dental profession and his studies were directed with 'that end in view. The first knowledge he acquired of the science was in 1884, when he began to study under Dr. Staehle, and he continued with the same pre- ceptor until 1889. In the meantime he had en- tered the New York College of Dental Surgery, where he took the regular course of lectures, graduating in 1889, with the degree of D. D. S.
Returning to Joliet Dr. Werner at once opened an office in this city and gave his attention to the building up of a professional practice. His thorough study of the science had fitted him for successful practice, and he had many friends among the people of the city to encourage him by their influence and interest. He has con- tinued in Joliet ever since, with the exception of four years spent at Port Byron, Rock Island County, Ill. In his practice he avails him- self of the latest improvements in dentistry, and is thoroughly up-to-date in all of his work. His office is at No. 104 Chicago street. He is a mem- ber of the Alumni Association, New York Col- lege of Dental Surgery, and is connected with the Knights of the Globe. Politically he supports the principles of the Democracy. January 22, 1890, he married Miss Leonora Barber, daughter of S. J. Barber, of Joliet. She was born in Grundy County, Ill., and is a graduate of the Joliet high school. The two children born of their marriage are named Julia and Clarence Edward.
Pred, Serving
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
509
FRED SEHRING.
RED SEHRING, deceased, late president of the Fred Sehiring Brewing Company of Joli- et, was born in Langen, Dukedom of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, December 19, 1834, and received the rudiments of his education in the excellent schools of his native land. When thir- teen years of age, in 1847, he came to America with his parents, Weigand and Margaretha (Keim) Sehring. The Sehring family is one of prominence among the German-Americans of Will County. Its founders here were Weigand Seliring and his wife, who settled in Frankfort Township in 1847. Weigand was a soldier in the war of 1813 in Germany, which decided the fate of Europe. When he came to the United States he engaged in farming. In 1854 he and his family removed to Joliet and engaged in the hotel business, his son being interested with him in this enterprise.
In spite of the fact that Fred Sehring had only eight months' instruction in the schools of Amer- ica, by diligent application lie acquired a good English education and in early life laid the fouil- dation of the broad knowledge that proved so helpful to him in later years. In1 1860 he was appointed deputy clerk in the recorder's office in Joliet, a position which lie filled with such ability as to win recognition. In 1863 he was elected county treasurer. This office he filled with sucli fidelity and success that he was re-elected at tlie expiration of his term of two years, and served until 1867. Upon retiring from office lie pir- chased an interest in the brewing firm of Joseplı Braun & Co., which founded what is to-day one of the finest plants in the northwest. The total capital at first was only $6,000 and during the
first year only three men were employed, but the total output reached one thousand barrels. Two years later it had increased to eigliteen hundred barrels. Upon the death of Mr. Braun, in 1870, a change was made in the business, Mr. Sehring securing the active control, and changing the name to Columbia Brewery. The success already gained continued during the ensuing years. He put his whole soul into his business, with a de- termination that always wins success; yet, while determined, aggressive and pushing, he was up- right and honorable in every transaction and recognized no line between meanness and dishon- esty. He believed that the man who would pur- posely cheat his friend would cheat his God. His heart was kind, and full of warm responses to generous natures.
The constant increase in the business led Mr. Sehring to make a change. In January, 1883, hie incorporated the Fred Sehring Brewing Con- pany, with himself as president, his son Henry, vice-president, his son-in-law, Henry F. Piepen- brink, secretary and treasurer, and his son Louis J., superintendent. The new corporation began with a capital of $50,000. He continued to act as president until his death. At the same time lie was a director of the Will County National Bank. Fraternally lie was a prominent Odd Fellow and frequently represented his lodge in the grand lodge. He was also a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Joliet Commandery No. 4. Politically he believed in Democratic principles. In1 1874 he was elected to the city council, where he served for eight years. During the same year he was the Democratic candidate for the state senate against A. O. Marshall, Republican, and
26
510
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
C. Frazier, the Granger candidate. The returns showed Mr. Marshall elected by twelve majority. Mr. Sehring contested the election. The matter was taken into the legislature, where one hundred and forty illegal votes were proved to have been cast against him and which were placed to his credit, by the report of a majority of the committee on the contest; but the Republicans and Grangers combined against him, casting twenty-six votes for Marshall, while twenty-three were cast for him. He favored movements for the benefit of the people and the development of his home town, and proved himself a generous, public- spirited citizen. He died July 2, 1892, and is survived by his wife, who resides at the old homestead, with her unmarried children, Susan E. and Louis J. Mrs. Fred Sehring was a daughter of Jacob and Barbara Bez, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, to America in 1853 and settled in Joliet, where she was married to Mr. Sehring January 16, 1855. Besides her son and daughter who reside with her she has two daughters and two sons, viz .: Maggie, wife of Henry F. Piepenbrink; Henry, a member of the Sehring Brewing Company; Anna C., who is the wife of Dr. A. A. Poehner and resides in Sant Francisco, Cal .; and George F:, who is teller in the Will County National Bank, and was mar- ried in 1896 to Miss Louisa Kramer, of this city.
A record of the life of Fred Sehring would not be complete without mention of his wife. Though her sphere was in the home, yet from that place she aided and encouraged her husband in his struggle for success. Thus she assisted in the up- building of the business that has made the name of Sehring prominent and influential. From her home she made many errands of mercy to the homes of the poor and needy, but her deeds of devotion and self-sacrifice were always quietly done, being of the kind of which it may be said that the left hand knoweth not the benefactions of the right. Even the weight of advancing years has not lessened her activities. No one has ever left her presence discouraged, and her charitable spirit is so broad that it knows no dis- tinction of creed or nationality.
The death of Mr. Sehring did not prove fatal
to the business he had built up. This was left in safe hands, with his sons and son-in-law. The eldest of the sons, Louis J., succeeded him as president, and is still the general manager of the business. He was born in Joliet April 12, 1858, and at an early age learned the rudiments of the brewing business in his father's brewery. After- ward he served apprenticeships with Bernheimer & Schmidt, of New York City, and the Peter Schoenhofen Brewing Company, of Chicago. Returning to Joliet in October, 1877, he was at once appointed superintendent of the brewery, and has retained the position as manager up to the present time. In character he possesses many points of resemblance to his father. Like him, he is honorable in every transaction and conducts the business in a straightforward, ener- getic and honest way. Like him, too, he believes in aiding measures for the benefit of the city. From 1885 to 1887 he represented the third ward in the city council. He is a member of the Sharpshooters' Association and is rated as a crack shot. His time, however, is given to busi- ness matters rather than to politics or recreation, although he does not neglect the latter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.