Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 85

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 85

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Henry Klintworth spent his hoyhood on a farm and was educated in Hanover. He left school at the age of fourteen years and in 1853 came to America with a brother, landing in New York City. He went to Philadelphla and soon afterward found employment on a railroad, where he spent a short time, then worked a few months in a sugar refinery, after which he and his brother Peter went to Chi- cago, remained there nine days, then went to Milwaukee and thence to Madison, Wis., where he worked two months in a brick yard for $22 a month and his board. He then went on to Minnesota, where be found a German settle- ment. where he was welcomed and warmly in- vited to remain. He worked two months for a Norwegian manufacturer in a lime kiln, re- ceiving $80 per month for his services. then went to St. Louis for a time, and there changed his gold money for paper, receiving $1.75 in paper for each gold dollar he traded. In 1857 Mr. Klintworth came to Springfield, where he worked in a brick yard about four years.

In 1861, when President Lincoln issued his

first call for troops, to the number of 75,000, Mr. Klintworth enlisted for three months, in Company A, Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, at St. Louis, and at the end of his term en- listed for three years aud served under General Sigel Osterbaus. He participated In many ini- portant battles and many skirmisbes. Among tbem were those at Camp Jackson, Booneville, Springfield, (Mo.), Pea Ridge and Little Rock, (Ark.). He went to the State of Louisiana, on July 4, 1863, crossed the Mississippi River to Vicksburg, and took part in the siege against that city; served on pilot duty on a transport to Cairo, III .; thence proceeded up the Ohio River to Cumberland, thence up the Tennes- see River a short distance, and then returned the same way to Vicksburg. He was discharged from service at the close of the war, at St. Louis, Mo., and went from there to Spring- field, Ill., where he located permanently. He was a brave and falthful soldier, whose record speaks for itself.

After the war Mr. Klintworth purchased a sinall piece of land in Sangamon County, where he carried on gardening until be retired from active life, purchasing the home he still oc- cupies.

Mr. Klintworth was married, in 1871, to Mary (Bose) Klintwortb, daughter of Frederick and Mary Bose, and widow of John Klint- worth, who was a brother of Henry Klint- worth. She was first married in London, and after her husband was killed in the sugar re- finery there, brought her son Fred with her to America. She had five children by her first marriage, of whom Peter died in South Caro- lina, July 18, 1899; Henry, died in infancy ;

Frederick, of Pawnee, Ill .; Dieterich, died in London, at the age of three years; Catherine, horn in London, was brought to America by Peter Klintworth and his wife, and grew to womanhood in Springfield, where she was mar- ried, in 1881, to Frank Richards, an employe of the Standard Oil Company at Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Richards live with Mr. Klint- worth and have six children: Eda, Ellzabeth, Frank, William, Marguerite and Wilbur. Mr. Klintworth and the members of his family are devout members of the German Lutheran Church. He is much interested in public af- fairs and in politics is a Republican. He is well known in the community and genuinely respected.

KOCH, Casper .- Those who served their coun- try as brave and gailant soldiers during the Civil War are regarded with special veneration by the people who are now enjoying the fruits of their endeavors. The Government does all it can to express its gratitude, although it is insufficient, and whenever possible confers gov- ernment positions upon its veterans. A man now residing in Springfield who bas proven his bravery In both war and peace, is Casper Kocb, one of the German-Americans of the city. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 5, 1834, being a son of Casper and Barbara (Pope)

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Koch, both horn in Bavaria, he In 1807 and she in 1809. The father was a shoemaker hy trade, as is his son, and came to America July 4, 1849, his wife joining him in September, 1854. They came to Springfield, where they resided until the father enlisted in the Union Army, and met his death on the hattle field of Bull Run. The mother continued to reside here until her death in 1883.

Casper Koch, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Germany, and learned his trade from his father, working at it until 1865, with the ex- ception of the time he served in the war. In that year he was made Chief of Police in Springfield, and for two years very efficiently discharged the offices of that position. Follow- ing this he worked again at his trade until 1869, when he was appointed to the capital police force at Washington, D. C., serving on it until 1881. He then came hack to Springfield, which has since heen his home. Here he has continued working as a shoemaker, and has a large and reliable trade. Mr. Koch enlisted in 1862, un- der Colonel Camphell and General Balsch, and was made watchman of the government stores at Springfield. He was also policeman at the State House, then was made first door janitor, and still later was appointed to oversee the heating plant. For forty years Mr. Koch has been a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 5, Knights of Pythias, which he joined in 1870, while residing in Washington. A strong Repnh- llcan, Mr. Koch takes pride in the fact that his first vote was cast for John C. Fremont.

On January 26, 1856, Mr. Koch was married in Springfield to Barbara Will, born in Ger- many in 1833. After the death of his first wife he married, on April 1. 1872, Laura Groes, of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Koch has children as follows: William, Frank J., Adeline, Kath- erine, are living; Edward; Ellis; Sofie, de- ceased, and one died in infancy. His wife died In childhirth with twins. William lives in Washington, D. C., where he conducts a plnmh- ing and gas fitting business: Frank J. is a brick mason of Springfield; Adeline (or Mary), married Walter Murray, a clerk in a grocery store, and Kate married Richard Donglas, a moulder by trade. Mr. Koch owns his home at No. 129 West Carpenter Street, which he bonght In 1855, as well as other city realty, and is in comfortable circumstances. His prosperity is due to the fact that he had always tried to do lis full dnty, to give every man a square deal and to live up to the obligations placed upon hlm.

KOERNER, Gustavus. (Vol. I, pp. 321-322.)

KOHL, John, a prosperous farmer of Spring- field Township, Sangamon County, Ill .. was born in Germany, son of John and Julianna Kohl. both natives of Germany, the father born March 19, 1820. and the mother November 4, 1825. The father was for many years a suc- cessful farmer and stockman in Sangamon County. He and his wife hronght their fam-

ily to the United States in 1863, and settled at Old Berlin, Sangamon County, where they lived for a time, then purchased a farm north of Springfield, and lived there until 1892, when they moved to Bissell, Ill., and later located at 1048 North Seventh Street, Springfield, the present family home. They were parents of nine children, of whom the following survive: William, a farmer living ten miles west of Springfield; Godfrey, a miner; Mary, wife of John Feulner, a bartender; Julia, wife of John Stremsterfer, dled twenty-six years ago.

John Kohl, subject of this sketch, attended Sand Hill School when a hoy and lived on his father's farm until nineteen years of age, then worked in the rolling mills in Springfield a short time, worked two years in a brick yard, and for nineteen and one-half years worked for Springfield Water Works as fireman and en- gineer. In 1889 he purchased his father's homestead, where he has lived ever since.

Mr. Kohl takes an active interest in public affairs and movements of progress and im- provement. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of Grace Lutheran Church. In 1907 he was elected School Director and served two years. He is well known in the com- munity where he resides, and is considered a representative, useful citizen. He is an en- ergetic farmer and has been accordingly suc- cessful.

Septemher 8, 1880, Mr. Kohl was married, in Sangamon county, to Miss Amelia Hahn, who was born Novemher 9, 1860, daughter of Abraham and Wilhelmina Hahn. Mr. Hahn was horn Octoher 18, 1833, and his wife May 5, 1832. hoth in Germany. She came to America in 1847 and he came about the same time. They had seven sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Kohl has two brothers living in Sangamon County, one hrother in Dundee, Ill., and a sister in Chi- cago Eight children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Kohl, namely: Herbert J., married Anna M. Younker, live on father's farm in Christian County and have three children living : Mildred A., Margaret I. and Harlan O .; Reuhen E., at home on his father's farm; Walter G., married Anna B. Klor and has one child, Alma V, and he is employed at the United Zinc & Chemical Works. in Springfield; John W., on a farm, near Lanesville, Ill., as is Chester J .; Amelia J., married Oscar O. Churchill and lives in Sangamon County, and Marie L., married Robert S. Curry and lives east of the home farm; and one died in infancy. Mr. Kohl has a farm of ahout eighty seven acres, devoted principally to general farming, fruits and truck farming. He also owns 140 acres in Christian County, Ill., near Edinhurg. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association and North Western Life Insurance Company.

KORNACK, August, a prominent and successful farmer of Capital Township, Sangamon County, Ill., is a public-spirited and useful German- American citizen and has the respect and good- will of all who have had dealings with him, in

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business or social life. He was born in Prns- sia, November 16, 1852, son of Andrew and Lena Kornack, both natlves of Germany. They were farmers and came to America in 1881, lo- cating in Riverton, Sangamon County, Ill., where their son Angust lived with them for some time. Both parents died on this farm, the father in 1890 and the mother in 1SSS. They had three danghters and one of these, Lena, inarried Mr. Hartwick, of Farmingdale, Ill. One son, Anton, lives in Springfield.

August Kornack received his education in the schools of his native conntry, which he at- tended until he was fourteen years of age, then worked on a farmi and at fishing until he came to America. He landed in New York after spending fourteen days ou the trip and came direct to Riverton, Sangamon County, where he remained one year, then for four years worked for the Wabash Railroad Company. He returned to the farin, where he spent four years, then purchased 100 acres of his present farm. Both he and his father had served In the German Army before coming to the United States.

Mr. Kornack was inarried in Prussia, in Feb- ruary, 1879, to Adellne Blnm, a native of Ger- many, who came to the United States with her husband and died in 1SS1. IIer parents emi- grated to the United States and settled In Wis- consin, where they spent their remalning days. Two children were born of this union: Charles A., a farmer of the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, and one child deceased. Mr. Kornack was married (second) In 1883, to Wilhelmina Gosh, a native of Germany, whose parents died in that country, and eight children were born of this union: Fritz, Otto, Henry, Albert, George; Emma, wife of Franz Clayton, lives in Peorla, Ill .; Bertha, wife of Ed Wells, lives near Springfield; Lizzie and Basil. There are three grandchildren in the family.

Mr. Kornack has 120 acres of excellent land in Capital Township and is accounted one of the representative and prosperous farmers of his community. He is actively interested in public affairs and is a Democrat in politics. He belongs to the Intherau Church. He and hls wife have lived many years on their present farm and have many friends in the nelglibor- hood.

KRAMER, Jacob .- When a man has spent his life In well-directed effort, he owes himself a rest, both of body and mlud, and some of the most responsible residents of Springfield have thus earned the retirement they are now en- joying. One whose name must appear in a record of this description, in order that it be truly representative, is Jacob Kramer, of No. 729 Southı Twelfth Street. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 4, 1856, a son of Mathias aud Mary A. (Doam) Kramer, both of Germany. Mathias Kramer was a tobacco raiser, who came to America in 1848, at the time of war In his own land. and settled In Mercer County, where he was engaged in farm-

ing for. fourteen years. He theu came to Spring- field and became gardener for Governor Yates, Sr., working for him during his incumbency of the gubernatorlal office. Mr. Kramer later re- tired aud lived in Springfield until his death. There were eleveu children in the family, six of whom survive: Matthew, of the city fire de- partment; John; Barney; Mrs. Mary Burch; Mrs. Eve Holtman, and Jacob.

Jacob Kramer attended school in Springfield and learned the trade of boller-maker under William Drake. After several years with Mr. Drake he engaged with the Wabash Railroad Company, being boiler-maker in their shops. He followed this occupation all his active life, and is still interested iu everything pertaining to his trade, although he retired several years ago.

In 1881 Mr. Kramer was married, In Spring- field, to Josephine Redden, boru in Ireland. Her parents never left that iand, and are now deceased. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, five of whom are now liv- ing : William, a baker of Springfield; Charles ; Edward, Carrie and Eva, all at home. There Is one grandchild in the family, the pet of all. Mr. Kramer owns his home, aud has comfort- able means. In religious falth he is a Roman Catholic, while politically his sympathles are with the Democratic party. He is a man who, through hard work and thrifty hablts, has been able to rear his family and provide comfortably for his old age. It is such men who constitute the back-bone of the nation.

KRAMER, John E .- The older farmers of San- gamon County realize the remarkable advance that has been made in farming conditions dnr- ing the past haif century. They know the difficulties under which the agriculturist of former days was forced to labor, as he strng- gled to support hls family from the scanty yleld of his poorly cuitlvated acres. Now the farmer can earn more from a few acres of highly developed land than he conld in the old days from half a section, and this has bronght abont a considerable change in meth- ods. One of the prosperous farmers of Sanga- mon County who has been devoting himself to the cultivation of a small farm, Is John E. Kramer. He was born In Montgomery County, Pa., November 29, 1839, a son of John and Mary (Davis) Kramer, natives of Pennsylvania, the latter born in the city of Philadelphia. The parents - came to Illinois in 1849, locating on a farm in Macoupin Connty, where they resIded until 1858, when they came to Sangamon County and settled In Chatham Township. There the father was engaged in farming for many years, llving until March 22, 1877, while his widow survived him until September 20. 1887. Mr. Kramer traces back to an honorable ancestry. his grandfather having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The Kramer famliy orig- inated in Germany, while the Davis famlly Is of English origin. John E. Kramer had two

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

brothers, but Thomas D. of Nevada, Mo., is the only one now surviving.

While residing in Pennsylvania and Macoupin County, Ill., John E. Kramer attended school, but after arrivai in Sangamon County he was called upon to do a man's work on the farm. Eventually he engaged in farming for himself, and for some years has resided on his present farm of thirteen acres. Iu addition to this he owns other property.

The marriage of Mr. Kramer occurred in Chatham Township, August 15, 1861, to Eliza Beam, born in Ohio, October 28, 1840, her par- ents being natives of New Jersey, who settled in Ohio in 1838, being farming people. They had three sons and two daughters, but Mrs. Kramer and a son alone survive. Mr. and Mrs. Beam came to Illinois in 1845, locating in Chatham Township, Sangamon County, where the father died Juue 6, 1859, and the mother, March 2, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer became the parents of three sons and one daughter : Isaac T. is a farmer of Christian County, Ill .; Mary E., wife of William Eilison, a farmer of the same county; Thomas and Charles are farmers of Sangamon County. There are fif- teen grandchildren and three great-grandchil- dren iu this family.

Mr. Kramer has been quite prominent politic- aily, having been houored by the Democratic party by election to the office of Constable for . three successive terms, from 1894 to 1897. He also served as School Director for three years. Since youug manhood he has been a member of the Baptist Church, aud has supported it liber- aliy. He is a solid, practicai man, whose ideas about farming are worth while, as his success proves. He has hrought up a nice family, lived to see them happily settled, and enjoys their prosperity and the affection of his grandchii- dren. Although he has worked for many years, he is stiii so active that he continues his farmn- ing operations, taking pride in the fact that he can still teach young men how to take care of his farm. Always interested in public matters, he is weli posted on current matters, and can discuss them intelligently and sensibly.

KREIDER, George N., A. M., M. D., than whom there is no more prominent figure in medicai circies in Iiiinois, has attained distinction of an international nature as a physician, surgeon, iecturer and writer on subjects of a medicai nature, and has been chosen to represent his State and country in a number of the largest and most prominent gatherings of medicai men the worid has known. Dr. Kreider is a native of Lancaster, Ohio, born October 10, 1856, a son of Edmund Cicero and Mary (Gates) Kreider. Colonel F. C. Kreider was serving as Postmaster of Jacksonville, Iii., at the time of his death, September 8, 1905.

Dr. Kreider's grandfather, Dr. Michaei Zim- mermann Kreider, was a leading physician of Ohio during the middle of the nineteenth cen- tury, practicing in Lancaster from 1825 untii his death in 1855. He was Secretary of the

first medicai convention held in Ohio, in 1835, and was a prominent Mason, being the first to hold the office of Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Ohio, elected to that posi- tion iu 1843, and serving three years. Ile aiso served as Grand Master of Ohio Masons iu 1847-49.

The education of Dr. George N. Kreider was commenced in the public schools of Ohio, and he later attended Washington High School, of Jacksonville, Ill., and the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Delaware, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After attending a course of iectures at the Miami Medicai Coliege, Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduating from the Medicai Department of the University of the City of New York, in 1880 he began the practice of his profession in Spring- field. In 1885 and 1886 he studied under med- ical professors of London, Paris, Beriin and Vienna, and agaiu in 1890 he went to Europe and continued his studies at the University of Jena, completing his medical education in 1897 at the University of Gottingen, Strassburg, in 1903 and Heidelberg in 1908.

Dr. Kreider was in 1894 elected President of the Capitai District Medical Society; in 1895 was President of the District Medical Society of Central Ilinois; since 1891 has been an of- ficer of the Iilinois State Medicai Society, Presi- dent, 1901, Treasurer, 1891-1900, and Editor of the Iiiinois Medical Journal, 1899-1912; a mem- ber of the American Medical Association; from 1884 until 1887 a member of the Iiiinois State Board of Health, Assistant Surgeon Generai Illinois National Guard 1896-1901, and other offices too numerous to mention. He attended the Ninth International Medical Congress at Washington, the Tenth at Beriin, the Eleventh at Rome and the Twelfth in Moscow. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Tyrian Lodge No. 333, A. F. & A. M .; Springfield Chap- ter No. 1, R. A. M .; Springfield Council No. 4, R. & S. M. and Eiwood Commandery No. 6 K. T. of which he has been Eminent Commander three times.

On February 18, 1894, Dr. Kreider was nnited in marriage with Miss Emma Pasfieid, daugh- ter of Dr. George and Hathaway (Pickreil) Pasfieid, of Springfield, Ill. Five children havo been born to this union, as follows: George Pasfield, April 10, 1895; Mary, April 28, 1896; Paul Gates, February 21, 1898; Emma Jane January 27, 1900, and Saiome Carpenter, June 11, 1907.

KREIGH, Eiie M., Jr. (deceased) .- The mer- chants of Springfield have from earliest times profited from existing conditions. The cou- stantiy growing population has created a de- mand for household supplies, which they have bought from local merchants. The business of the city has more than kept pace with its growth in other directions, and this is largely due to the efforts of those who have had matters of this kind in charge. One of the best known stove and hardware merchants there was the

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

iate E. M. Krelgh, Jr., born in Hagerstown, Md., January 22, 1843, a son of E. M. Krelgh, Sr., and Mary Ann Kreigh, natives of Hagers- town. The father bronght his family to Spring- field, April 12, 1855, and lived in Saugamon County the rest of his life. At his death he was survived by a widow and two children, a son and danghter.

The education of E. M. Kreigh was seenred in the Springfield schools, aud when he left school he went into his father's stove and till- ware business, becoming so well versed in it, that when the latter died he was able to assume full charge. He continued in the same line until his own demise, branching out and in- creasing the volume of his sales. A keen, shrewd business man, he was able to meet and overcome every obstacle, and when he died he was one of the largest operators in his line in this part of the State. In the very prime of life, which was so filled with good things for him, Mr. Kreigh was called away Angust 12, 1906, and his remains were laid to rest In beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery, where they are marked by an imposing monminent. He be- longed to Capital Lodge No. 14, K. of P., of Springfield. The Christian Church had in him an earnest, steadfast member. Aithough . a stanch Democrat and active iu his party, he did not care for office of any kind.

Mr. Kreigh was married in Jacksonville, Ill., October 4, 1864, to Helen Pyatt, born there, July 17, 1845 daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ann Pyatt, the former born in Pittsburg, Pa., May 18, 1821, and the latter In Paris, Ky., Jan- uary 2, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Kreigh had the following children : Charies B., born Novem- ber 6, 1867; Mary Catherine, born September 15, 1876, married Dr. Moulton, and has two children. Mrs. Kreigh owns her pleasant home at No. 207 South Walnut street, as well as other city realty. Her husband left her ex- ceedIngly well provided for, and It is a pleasure to her to recall how anxions he was to secure her comfort through hard work and untiring de- votion to business.

KREKENBERG, Carl. (Vol. II, p. 875.)

KRESS, Philip .- Few men are more independent than the farmer of Illinois, for the fertile soll of the Pralrie State responds readily to their care, and the land has so Increased in value that those who are fortunate enough to own any of It are reaping abundant profits. A representa- tive of this class in Sangamon County is Philip Kress, residing on Section 32, Woodside Town- ship. Mr. Kress was born near New Berlin, Ill., June 26, 1860, a son of Arnold and Rebecca (Williams) Kress. The former was born In Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1832, while his wife was a native of West Virginla. Arnold Kress came to America in November, 1854, landing in New York City. He came direct to New Berlin, Ill., where his brother, John Kress, had already settled, and the father of these two also came there. William Kress died

in Old Berlin, after the close of the war, and his widow died in 1876. Arnold Kress died Feb- ruary 2, 1911, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

Philip Kress received a good common-school education in his native place, and at the same time helped his father on the farm, remaining at home until he was eighteen years old. He has spent his life In farming and understands it thoroughly. In 1896, he began farming for himself on his present farm, which consists of 260 acres of as rich land as can be found in this country. Prior to that he had some experience working a farm for Emll Walner and another for J. H. Drennan, and has always been suc- cessfni, for he Is industrious and earnest in all he undertakes.

Mr. Kress engages in generai farming, as weil as stock raising, specializing on cattle and hogs. His premises show the result of his care and attention. For years he has been interested in securing the most improved farm machinery, and his methods are followed by a number of his nelghbors. The Kress family has been actively identified with agricultural interests in Sangamon County for many years. Two nncles of Mr. Kress, John and Philip Kress, were among the early settlers there, while two of his brothers are also farmers, they being Joseph A. and Alfred. These two brothers, with Mr. Kress and two sisters, Mary E. Morrisey, wife of Patrick Morrisey, of Bates, Ill., and Rebecca J. Morrisey, wife of John Morrisey, are ali that remain of the nine children born to their parents.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 85

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