Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 56

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 56

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On March 30, 1874, Mr. Franks was united in marriage with Kate Smith, who was born in Jacksonville, Ill., whose father is deceased and whose mother is living in Springfield. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Franks : Melborn, who is Deputy Sheriff; Nellie, the wife of Patrick Ganhan, of Springfield; Leo, the wife of G. C. Watson, of Chicago; Lillle, the wife of Patrick Rourke, of Springfield ; Grace, the wife of Albert Murry, connected with the Chicago & Alton Rallroad; Ida, the wife of Arthur Burk, of Springfieid; and John Pal- mer, who is in business with his father In Springfield.

FREEMAN, Norman L. (deceased), a prominent lawyer and for more than thirty years, Supreme Conrt Reporter of the State of Illinois, spent a large part of his life in Springfield. He was born in Caledonia. Livingston County, N. Y., May 9, 1823, the son of Truman and Hannah (Dow) Freeman, hoth natives of New Hamp- shire and residents of Concord in that State for many years. His maternal grandmother was a member of the Greeley family and his mother a cousin of Horace Greeley. Truman Freeman became a leather merchant at Albany, N. Y., where he died in 1824.

Norman L. was member of a family of eight children who reached maturity and of whom he was the last survivor. In 1831, his widowed mother, accompanied by her family, moved from New York to Ann Arbor, Mich., where they re- inained six years, when they removed to Detroit. After spending some three years as an employe in the store of David Cooper, a merchant of Detroit, in 1840 Norman L. went to Cleveland, Ohlo, where he clerked for a few months in the store of an older hrother. He then entered the University at Atliens, Ohio, but on his retire- ment from that Institutlon in 1843, engaged in teaching for a time in western Kentucky, while thus employed devoting his leisure time to read- ing law. In 1845, he went to Waterford, N. Y., where he prosecuted hls preparatory law studies in the office of Kirtland & Seymour for a year, when in 1846 he returned to Kentucky, and at Morganfield, Union County, that State, was ad- mitted to the bar. On December 20, 1849, he

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

was there married to Miss Tranquilla Richeson, a daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Dabney (Williamson) Richeson, of that county. Mrs. Freeman was a native of Lynchburg, Va. and her father became an extensive land owner in Kentucky, while an uncle, William Richeson, was a wealthy merchant of Shawneetown, Ill.

In 1851, Mr. Freeman removed to Shawnee- town, then a place of considerable importance, and the home of a number of promineut lawyers, was there admitted to the bar and for a time enjoyed a lucrative practice in the Local and Supreme Courts of Southern Illinois. For a part of this time he devoted his attention to authorship on legal topics, in 1856 issuing a "Digest of the Illinois Reports" in two large volumes. It was, no doubt, his success in this line which hrought him to the attention of the Supreme Court, resulting in his appointment by that body as Supreme Court Reporter in April, 1863, on the retirement of his predecessor, Judge Ebenezer Peck, of Chicago. In the meantime he had spent some three years (1859-1862) seek- ing recuperation of his health on a farm in Marion County, Mo., returning iu the latter year to Shawneetown. During this period the State was divided for judicial purposes into three Grand Divisions, the Supreme Court holding its sessions successiveiy at Ottawa, Springfield and Mt. Veruon. Mr. Freeman, with his head- quarters at Springfield, was accustomed to at- tend each session, issuing reports of proceed- ings for thirty-one years (1863-1894), amounting to 120 volumes. His death occurred after a pro- tracted iilness at his home in Springfield on the morning of August 23, 1894, the ohsequies in his honor being of a specially impressive character. Tie deecase of Mrs. Freeman took place at Springfield in 1905, and both are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were the parents of three daughters and one son, namely : Mary D. married Join A. S. Miiler, a fruit dealer of Spokane, Wash .; Elizabeth H. umarried Joseph P. Doyle, and tiley are residing in Chicago; Williamu R. and Georgia L .- the latter, the wife of John H. Brinkerhoff, a real-estate deaier of Springfield, and they have two children, George Norman and John William. (See also Vol. I, p. 176.)

FREIDINGER, Henry (deceased), formerly an enterprising German-American citizen of Spring- field, who died January 11, 1911, was a resident of that city for nearly half a century. He was born in Bavaria, August 18, 1822, son of George and Mary ( Bloomenauer) Freidinger, the former a well-to-do farmer of Germany. The family came to the United States in 1832, landing in New York City. They spent one year at Fred- erick, Md., moved thence to Funkstown, same State, and soon after located in Hagerstown. where both parents dled. George Freidinger was a laborer and for some time he and his sons worked on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Children as follows were born to him and his

wife: George, Charles, Katy, Henry, and John, all of whom are now deceased.

Untli he was ten years of age Henry Freid- inger lived in Bavaria, where he attended school as soon as he was old enough. He also attended the public schools of Hagerstown, Md., for a time. The first work he did was on the old Bruethett farm, near Hagerstown, where he re- ceived $3 per month and board for his services. He then worked for a time for a butcher near his home, and worked with his father and broth- ers for a time on the canal. He then found em- ployment in a brick yard, where he remained for a time, learning the trade of brick-making. He worked for some time at various kinds of work, and theu moved to Pennsylvania, where he worked for some time in his brother George's brickyard. He began husiness on his own ac- count in Hagerstown, manufacturing brick for the farmers in the surrounding country, and after moving to Springfield, Ill., in 1864, engaged in the same business there.

Mr. Freidinger was married (first) about 1852, to Miss Mary Esterday, who died one year later, and he married (second) Miss Frances Kuhn or Koon.

Upon locating in Springfield Mr. Freidinger bought property on Fifth Street, but soon after- wards traded this for a forty-acre farm in Cotton Hill. Owing to varlous complications, he disposed of this farm and returned to town. During the first year he spent in Springfield ile made two kilns of brick, and upon returning to the city he formed a partnership with a Mr. Baker, aud they began moving houses, which they continued several years. For four sum- uers Mr. Freidinger worked on the State House, worked four years in the rolling mills, then worked ten years in the watch factory, after which time he was retired. He worked hard for many years aud weil earned the rest he later enjoyed. He was a man of good prin- ciples and habits and had the respect and good will of all who have had dealings with hlm.

Mr. Freidinger was reared in the faith of the German Reformed Church, was a stanch Dem- ocrat in political views, and took an active interest in public affairs. His second wife died in July, 190S. Mr. Freidinger had children as follows : Henry died in Muncie, Ind .; William, of Springfield; Katy, Mrs. Nicholas Trainor, of Springfield ; John, of Colorado; Charies and Benjamin, deceased; and Frank, of Springfield.

FREISCHLAG, Joseph .- The men who displayed their faith in the future of Springfield realty have been richly rewarded, for land values have reached an astounding figure and those fortunate enough to own land, eitber in the city or Its vicinity find their possessions ma- terially Increasing in value. One of the men thus fortunate is Joseph Freischlag, of No. 2101 Rochester Road, whose five acres are valued at $1,000 per acre. He was born in Southern

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Germany, ,November 9, 1848, a son of George and Eva (Voth) Freischlag, both of Germany, farming people, who never left their native land. Of their two sons and one daughter, Joseph is the only survivor.

Mr. Freischlag was educated in Germany, at- tending public school eight years and drawing school two years. He worked on the farm for his father until fifteen years old, then be- gan learuing the stone-cutter's trade. In 1880 he came to America, sailing from Antwerp to Liverpool, and thence to New York City, where he remained a week, then came on west to Chicago. From there he went to Ottuiuwa, Iowa, where he spent a year, working at his trade. His next location was at Gladstone, Henderson County, Ill., but after four years there, he went to Kausas City, Mo. After four years more there, he went to Ogden, Utah, where he spent 1890 and 1891, and then went to Burlington, Iowa. He then spent a short time in Alabama, finally coming to Springfield, where he worked at his trade until he retired, a short time since, after a long period of hard work.

On January 13, 1883, he was married at Glad- stone, Ill., to Augusta Gade, born in Germany, June 17, 1858. Her parents also died iu Ger- many when she was quite young, she being a daughter of Christian Gade. Mrs. Freisch- lag had two brothers and a sister, Mrs. Anna Morris, of Gladstone, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Freischlag have had elght children: two are deceased ; Herman, a boiler maker in the Wabash shops; William, also in the Wabash shops; Os- car, clerk for Anton Elshoff, grocer ; Gertrude, employed by the Herndon Dry Goods Company ; Helen, with the John Bressmer Company ; Joseph. Herman has two children,-Theresa and William A. Mr. Freischlag is a Roman Catholle and belongs to the Sacred Heart parish. He is a solid, reliable man and one whose word Is as good as his bond.

FREITAG, Charles H .- Springfield has its full share of veterans of the. Civil War, and is proud of them and of the fact that they have selected thelr Capital City as a place of resi- dence during their declining years, as well as during those of their business activity. One of the men who have been of importance in peace as well as war, is Charles H. Freitag, now retired from active life, but who for years con- ducted a thriving transfer and coal business, being prepared to do the heaviest kind of mov- ing. He was born in Prussia, Germany, near Berlin, April 26, 1837, a son of Fred and Fred- ericka (Yeates) Freitag. The mother died In her native land but the father came to the United States in 1850, bringing with him hls four children. They came to New York, from Hamburg, on a sailing vessel named the "Caro- lina," and spent seven weeks on the ocean. From New York, they went to Newark, N. J., spending a year there together but at the close

of that time Charles H. Freitag, upon the ad- vice of a friend who had two sons in what Is now the city of Champaign, Ill., came west. When he reached Chicago, Mr. Freitag found no one who seemed to know auything about a place called Urbana, as Champaign was then named. After many inquirles, however, he found that there was such a spot. on which a town was to be built. This location was the terminus of the division of the Illinois Central Railroad, and at that time two tents and two sheds constituted the town. The first building in the place was a warehouse, and in the point of its roof was a hotel dining room, so low that the waiters had to stoop in serving the guests.

The first house at Urbana was erected by Adolph Maker and Mr. Freitag assisted In Its construction, boarding there when the famlly moved in. Upon the completion of this house the German citizens there proposed celebrating the event, and as they thought they could not do this properly without beer, Mr. Freitag was delegated to go to Chicago and get a barrel of this liquor. Three dances were then given, the music being supplied by an accordion, and al- though the temperance people of the place trled to break up the jolllfication, the participants drove them off aud completed their celebration.

As soon as the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany had work at Urbana, Mr. Freitag entered its employ there, as assistant to a blacksmith, and saving his earnings with German frugality, he was soon able to take advantage of the op- portunity to buy cheap land, purchasing eighty acres from the Illinois Central Railroad Comu- pany. Although he knew nothing about farm- ing. this young German was not daunted, but assuming that he understood the work, hired out, and being quick to learn, was soon able to break prairie land with auyone. The work was done with an ox team. However, as he was not an agriculturist, Mr. Freltag sold his farm, going to Galveston, Texas. While he was work- ing there, the yellow fever broke out in his vicinity and he decided that he did not care to remain in a place where such an epidemic was Imminent at auy time. For some time he lived in the country, then returned to Galveston, where he learned that a manager was wanted for a hotel at Columbus, Colorado County, Texas, and immediately upon hearing of this fact Mr. Freitag went there, secured the posi- tion and filled it satisfactorily until the out- break of the war. He then enlisted in Com- pauy I, Twenty-fourth Texas Rangers, and was taken prisoner and confined at Fort Hiueman, being later taken to Camp Butler. He tells some entertaining stories of prison life. as well as of the privatlons endured by the soldiers of the Confederacy. At one time their only food was cornmeal, and the whole grain parched served as coffee. Quinine was in demand to help break the fever that wasted them, and cream of tartar was also valued to raise their bread. Mr. Freitag remembers the dire conse-

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quences of mixing the two and trying to quake light bread with the entire supply of quinine.

After coming to Camp Butler, Mr. Freltag became acquainted with Springfield, and liked the city so well that it has been bis home for forty-eight years. He worked as teamster for Dennis & Beam, architects, and theu for five years was custodian at Reservoir Park, beiug the first to hold that position. He was next chosen as driver of the Jefferson Street fire engine. Following this, he formed a partuer- ship with Godley & Reevely, wbo secured a co- operative coal shaft. . Later, Mr. Freitag bought a team and sold coal all over the city, and this was the beginning of his business suc- cess. Little by little, he increased his business, adding team after team, and taking up moving and transfer business, until he had the best equipped line in the city. In January, 1910, he retired fromu active life, being well satisfied with what he bad accomplished.

In 1864 Mr. Freitag was married. in Spring- field, to Margaret Beierlein, a daughter of Michael and Katherine (Keil) Beierlein. Five children were born to them, of whom the two now surviving are Henry, of Springfield, and Lizzie, Mrs. Johu McGavin, also of Springfield. Mr. Freitag is a Republican. Genial kind- hearted, fond of his fellowmen, Mr. Freitag has a host of friends, and is welcome wherever he goes. In his life he demonstrates what a man can accomplish if be be ambitious and willing to work.

FRENCH, Augustus C. (Vol. I, pp. 176-177.)

FRESE, Adolf G .- The United States has no better citizens today than those who are of German birth. The Germans, as a rule, are Intensely loyal and patriotic, striving to ad- vance the interests of their country and contrib- ute to the support of its institutions. When they come here, they bring with them these patrio- tic impulses and seek to carry these ideas into effect. They are also industrious and thrifty, and are bound to succeed in whatever they un- dertake. Springfield is the home of some of these good men, and among them none stands higher than Adolf G. Frese, born in Elber- feld, Germany, June 9, 1874, a son of Louis and Helene (Wulling) Frese, the former a native of Waldeck and the latter of Elberfeld, Germany, where in his native country the father was a baker and horse-dealer.

Adolf G. Frese was educated in the K. K. Real Gymnasium, where he fitted himself to be a school teacher. He lost his parents early in life, and his struggle was a difficult one, so he finally decided to come to America. Having learned the butcher's trade, upon coming to Springfield, Ill., he found employment in that line and is justly regarded as one of the sub- stantial men of the city. He has been an im- portant factor in organizing German and American benefit associations, and Is at present

the deputy organizer of the National 'Protective Legion of Sangamon and Logan counties.

On July 1, 1906, Mr. Frese was married to Sarah Stewart, whose famlly are engaged in business in New York City. There is no Issue of this marriage. Mr. Frese belongs to the Netberland Reformed Church. Starting out as a common laborer upon his arrival in the United States, he has sought to do hls part in promoting the Interests of his adopted country and make it tbe most prosperous nation in the world. No matter how small his wages, he managed to save money, and to advance him- self. He is a great advocate of the rights of humanity, and believes in giving to his fellow beings and his adopted country, the benefit of bis experience and good will.

FREY, John (deceased), was a large landowner in Sangamon and Christian counties, and fol- lowed farming most of his life. He was born in Germany, January 9, 1829, a son of Law- rence and Mary (Rodemeier) Frey, both natives of Germany, the former born in Derkhein and tbe latter at Sieboff. They lived on a farm in Germany, where the mother died, and the fa- ther came to the United States in 1862, locating in Louisville, Ky., where his death occurred in 1866. Very little is known about the grand- parents, who were residents of Germany. John Frey received his educatiou in his native coun- try and passed his childhood ou a farm. After leaving school, he worked at farming, and left Germany May 20, 1850, for the United States, landiug July 13, in New York, with but one dollar in his possession.

After coming to the United States Mr. Frey first worked iu a saw-mill until he had enough money to go to Louisville, Ky., and reached that city August 10, 1850. He remained a short time with a brother in Louisville, then went to Pike County, O., where he remained until 1888, working at farming, first, but from 1861 until 1888, was engaged in a mercantile business in Waverly. Iu 1888, he sold out his business and purchased 440 acres of land iu Illinois, going to Buffalo. He was able to converse in five languages : German, French, Italian, Hebrew and English.

Mr. Frey fought with the "Patriots" in Ger. many for nineteen montbs, but his comrades were so greatly outnumbered that they were forced to surrender. He was wounded in the head while near the French lines, and at the close of his services was exiled, so came to the United States. Though he had espoused a los- iug cause, he had risked bis life for what he believed to be right. He was a member of the Christian Church at Buffalo, and a Democrat in political belief, taking an active interest in the public welfare and in the improvement of the community.

Mr. Frey was married in Pike County, O., in 1853, to Miss Mary Hildebrant, born in Ger- many, November 9, 1833, daughter of William Hildebrant, also a uative of Germany. Mr.

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Hildebrant and his wife were natives of Ger- many. They were there married, coming to America in 1848, iocating in Pike County, O., but later moved to Kausas, where she died, but he died iu the northern part of Ohio. There were three girls and one son iu the family. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frey, . three sons and six daughters, Namely : Maud, born in Pike County, O., wife of Frank Thompson, lives in Sangamon County, and has five children; Jacob is married and lives on the home farm; Lizzy, wife of George Armstrong lives in Mechanicsburg; Emma, wife of John Rowe lives in Springfield, 110 · issue; Lena, wife of George Kiser lives in Ohio ; William is married and lives in the west ; Louisa, wife of Jacob Bycriine lives in Sanga- mon County, oue child; John is married and lives on his father's farm in Sangamon County ; and Tillie, wife of Harve Mosentetter, iives iu Springfield and has four children.

Mr. Frey owned 420 acres of land in Sanga- mon County and also 220 acres in Christian County, Kas., hesides two business biocks in Waverly, O. He had a handsome resideuce in Buffalo. Having been very industrious and thrifty, lie was able to accumulate a com- peteney. Mr. Frey was much respected in his community and made many friends during his residence there.

FRY, Dominick, a veteran of the Civil War, who has lived in Springfield since 1872, was born in Baden, Germany, August 4, 1836, son of Frank and Mary (Leifer) Fry, both of whom spent thelr entire lives in Germany, as did the grandparents. Dominick Fry was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1850 emigrated to America, landing In New York. He worked first at gardening aud iater moved to Pennsylvania, where he was employed dig- ging in an ore hank,

In October, 1861, Dominick Fry enlisted in Company H, Third Maryiand Infantry, served two years and was discharged at Alexandria, from the hospital camp. In 1864, he re-eniisted in Company H, Two Hundredtil Pennsylvania Infantry, and served to the ciose of the war. He was wounded at Antietam, and aiso partici- pated in batties at Cedar Mountain, Culpeper, Bull Run, Fort Stedman, Fort Heid, Petersburg, and many others. He endured mauy hardships, and feels reasonably proud of his record as a soidier. He was later transferred to the Fifty- first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. During his first enlistment he served as Corporai. He was discharged in June, 1865.

Mr. Fry was married in Springfield, in 1870, to Miss Annie Wieties, who was born in Men- ard County, Ill., March 8, 1859, daughter of Uffie Wieties, who was born in Germany and died in Springfield as did his wife, Minuie. Four children were born to Mr. Fry and his wife, namely : Minnie, born In Springfield, March 16, 1878, married Wiillam Reitz, of Springfield, and they have three children; Mary born in

Springfield, July 12, 1SS3, married Russeli Reaveiy, and they live in Springfield; John, boru iu Springfield May 4, 1885, Is unmarried and iives with his parents; Uffie, born in Springfield November 19, 1SS7, is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Fry and his family have lived in the home which he owns, at No. 1928 North Eighth Street, for thirty years. He has three grandchildren-Grace, Blossom aud Lee Wright. Mr. Fry is a member of the Lu- tieran Church, and in politles is a Republieau. He served as a member of the Village Board of Ridgely, and was the first police officer of that village. He worked in the rolling milis from the time he located in Springfield untii 1899, since which tique he has been employed as jani- tor of the Ridgely School. Honest aud upright in ali his dealings, he has many warm friends.

FUDGE, Adam Thomas, retired carpenter and builder, and one of the men who are responsible for much of the good work ou Springfield res- ideuces and public buildings, is living at his comfortable home at No. 413 West Canedy Street. He was born on a farm in Washing- ton County, West Va., August 20, 1835, a son of Samuel aud Elizabeth ( McReynolds) Fudge, both uatives of the same county as their son. The grandfather, Adam Fudge, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served in defense of Baitinuore. Locating in Washington County, Va., he died there. Both he aud his wife were natives of Germany, and they had three chii- dren.

Samuel Fudge spent his youth on his father's farm, and when he had attaiued to his ma- jority, bought a farm one mile from the fam- ily homestead. This he later sold, eowing to Illinois with his family in 1840, settling on the Okaw River in what is now Shelby County, becoming the owner of 120 acres of iand, forty of which was government iand, and ail in a somewhat wild conditiou. Iu 1847, he uioved to Springfield, dying here in 1900, aged uinety- one years. His wife passed away when she was eighty-seven years old. There were seven children in their family : James weut to Oregon when twenty-two years old, served as a pilot on the Columbia River and was killed iu an explosion ; Samuel H. died at the age of thir- teen years; Adam Thomas; Eliza Jane inarried Harry Smith and died In 1901; Mary E., is uow Mrs. Mary E. Raymond of Aurora ; George W. of Decatur; Lucinda, now Mrs. James Vas- coucelles of Springfieid.

Adam Thomas Fudge attended school held in a log house, while living in Shelby County, and when he came to Springfield continued his studies, being then ouiy twelve years old. A year later he became what is called "off boy" in a brick yard, following which he drove a team for his father until he was nineteen. At that time he began learning the carpenter trade with Morris & Phillips, remalning with them for four years, after which he engaged in con- tractiug and building for himself. In time he

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 56

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774