Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 86

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 86

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The marriage of Mr. Kress occurred at New Berlin, Ill., Jannary 25, 18SS, being solemnized by the Rev. Father Mohr to Mary E. Gorey, danghter of Patrick and Margaret Gorey, the former born in 1838 and the latter March 23, 1843. They were natives of Ireland who came to Springfield in the fifties. Mr. Gorey died February 26, 1898, but the mother survives, re- siding at Chatham, Ill., aged sixty-seven years. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kress, William Charles.

Mr. Kress is a member of the order of Owls, No. 1191, of Springfield, and is interested in Its work. The Roman Catholic Church holds his membership, and he Is connected with Immacu- late Conceptlon Parish, of Springfield. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, belng elected School Di- rector in 1901, and serving six years In his town- ship. He was also elected Collector of Wood- side Townshlp in 1907, serving in that office for one term. As a public official Mr. Kress proved himself conscientlous and conservative, look- ing towards the interests of his townshlp and dolng all he conld to conserve the affairs of his constitntents In a public-spirited manner. He has been eminently successful, but has risen through his own unaided efforts to be one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county.

KRESTHNER, Conrad .- It is remarkable how well the Germans succeed when they come to this country, for it is but seldom a native of the Fatherland is found who has not accummu-

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lated a good competency. They receive an ex- ceilent training in their yonth that teaches them to work and save, and when they reach this country, with its better chauces, they are not slow to take advantage of the opportunities offered them. Sangamon County has received many of these honest, hard-working men, and has always extended thein a warm welcome, ap- preciating what good citizens they make. One of the Germau-Americans of this locality is Conrad Kresthner, of Springfield Township, one of the connty's most successful farmers.

Mr. Kresthner was born February 17, 1830, in Germany, being a son of Ernest and Matilda (Brisco) Kresthner, the former born in 1794, and both natives of Germany. The father was a soldier during the Napoleonic wars, and after- wards served in the Prussian army for five or six years. Later in life he was a mail car- rier. His death occurred in 1850, but his wife passed away when Conrad Kresthuer was born.

After being educated in the public schools of Germany Mr. Kresthuer began working in a flour mill, remaining at it for three years, and at the age of seventeen years, went to Cassel (in Germany) to learn gardening. After five years in that city, he decided to try his fortune in the New World, so set sail from Bremen and was sixty-two days on the water. Landing in New York, May 22, 1855, he went to Lancaster, Pa., first obtaining employment at a summer re- sort, but a year later went on a farm in that locality. Later he was employed by a govern- ment contractor to care for horses and mnles, and was thns engaged for three years, but left Pennsylvania in 1862, to come to Sangamon County. Reaching Springfield in March, 1862, he worked on a farm that is now included in the corporate limits of the present city, for fonr years, when he had saved enough money to buy his present farm of ten acres and later bought enough to make eighty acres, in Springfield Township. Since then he has made many im- provements, now having one of the most pro- ductive pieces of property in the county.

The marriage of Mr. Kresthner occurred in Lancaster, Pa., October 1S, 1861, to Prisco Mante, born in 1832, in Germany. Her par- ents died in Germany, she coming to this conn- try alone. Mrs. Kresthner died Jniy 31, 1909, and her remains were tenderly interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery, where a beautiful stone marks her iast resting place. Fonr children were born of this marriage: Lizzie, wife of William Propst of Chicago, one daughter Anna ; Anna, at home, keeping house for her father; Amelia married to William Sobarter, two sons, Julius and Conrad; and Ernest, at home. There are three grandchildren in the family, of whom Mr. Kresthner is very proud. For many years he has been one of the stalwart members of the Entheran Church, of Springfield, and takes mnch comfort in his religion. The Democratic party secures his support, and he votes for its princi- ples and candidates. Although advanced in years, Mr. Kresthner takes a lively interest in his farm, ably conducted by his son, as weil

as in public matters, keeping himself well in- formed on current events. His recollections of Springfield of fifty years ago are very vivid and interesting. As he talks the listener sees a city of entirely different aspect from that of today, and realizes how much work has been accom- plished by the men who have made these im- provements possible, and not only built up a beautiful capital, but established a firm and reliable government upon a stable foundation.

KRIMMEL, Charles F., who has been a resident of Springfield, Il., nearly fifty years, worked there for many years at his trade of carpenter, bnt has now retired fromn active life. He was born at Williamsburg, N. Y., December 2, 1839, son of Lndwig and Rosina (Hahr) Krimmel, both natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. Ludwig Krimmel and his wife came to the United States in 1839, spending about a year in Wil- liamsbnrg, N. Y., where he worked at his trade of watch-maker, then moved to Belleville, Ill., where he opened a general store and conducted it many years. He subsequently opened a fac- tory for the manufacture of all kinds of woolen goods and continued in this occupation nntil his death, which occurred in 1S4S, when he ac- cidentally drowned in a creek near Belleville. The widow of Mr. Krimmel conducted the fac- tory abont one ycar, after which it was sold.

The education of Charles F. Krimmel was ac- quired in Belleville, and in his yonth he worked at the trade of painter, but later learned the trade of carpenter. He worked on a farm for a short time and during the Civil War enlisted in Company B, Ninth Illinois Infantry, for three months. At the expiration of his term of en- listment he re-enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Missonri Infantry, serving three years. He par- ticipated in the Battle of Vicksburg and many other important engagements, serving nnder Col. Osterhaus and under Gen. John A. Logan and Gen. Sherman. While they were going throngh Georgia he was Chief Wagon Master for the First Division Army Corps, and also served as Forage Master and Sergeant of Com- pany A in the Twelfth Missouri Regiment, which was mnstered out at St. Lonis, Angust 12, 1864. Mr. Krimmel is a member of Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. R., of Springfield.

At the close of the war Mr. Krimmel located in Springfield, working several years at his trade, then embarked in business on his own account and for nine years conducted a ren- dering plant there. He worked for a short time as stationary engineer in the employ of Franz Brothers, of Springfield, and then resumed work at his trade, continuing this occupation nutil his retirement a few years since. He was a good workman and was successful in a finan- cial way, having acquired several pieces of property in Springfield, besides a comfortable residence at 115 West Mason Street all of which he has since sold. Mr. Krimmel is a Demo- crat and is actively interested in the welfare and progress of his community. He is well

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

known In the city, where he has won many friends.

Mr. Krimmel was married, in Belleville, Ill., May 16, 1866, to Mary Whiteuer, born in Mas- coutah, Ill., June 14, 1850, daughter of Nicholas Whitener. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Virginla. Seveu children blessed the union of Mr. Krimmel and his wife, five sons and two daughters, and six of them are now living, namely: Josephine, wife of William Peterson, of Bloomington, Ill .; George, a baker, living in Springfield; Edward, a butch- er and meat cutter, of Springfield; Mrs. David Black, whose husband is head clerk in the Illi- nois Hotel in Springfield; Walter and Charles F., employed by a firm deallng in ice. Mr. Krimmel has six grandchildren living.

KRUGER, Nick, an enterprising and successful farmer of Sangamon County, is a native of the couuty, born near Glenarm, August 17, 1862, son of John A. and Barbara (Hargus) Kruger, both born in Germany, in 1832. The father was a farmer and he and his wife came to San- gamon County at an early date, locating near Chatham. When thelr son Nick was three years of age, they located in Rochester Town- ship, where they lived seventeen years. Nick Kruger was educated in the public schools and lived on his father's farm until he began learn- ing the trade of carpenter and wagon-maker. He also learned blacksmithing, and for three years worked as carpenter for depots and tanks for the Wabash Railroad Company. Later he took up the occupation of farmer and gardener, and has found this occupation profitable. He has always been industrious and active and has been successful through well-directed efforts. He has llved at his present place, where he owns forty acres of land, for the last eleven years.

Mr. Kruger was married, in Springfield, Jan- nary 7, 1888, to Mary C. Mohr, born March 7, 1863, daughter of William A. and Mary A. Mohr, natives of Germany, who came to Amer- ica in an early day. Eight sons and one daugh- ter were born to Mr. Kruger and his wife: Louis, John H., Bernhart S., Joseph C., Henry W., William A., Caroline, Charles, died at the age of three years aud George, born in 1908. Mr. Kruger is a good frlend and nelghbor and has the good-will of all who know him. He has a fine family of children, of whom he is reason- ably prond. He belongs to the Catholic church and to the Western Catholic Union; In politics he is a Democrat, and he takes a great pride and interest In the affairs of his community. He is the friend of progress and is much in- terested in the cause of the church and school. He is a reliable and useful citizen and has a good standing in the community.

KUHN, August .- Germany is the land which has glven more desirable citizens to the United States than any other, and the German-Ameri- cans of our land stand high in public esteem. One of this class reslding in Sangamon County,

is Angust Kuhn, now living retired at Dawson. He was born in Prussia, April 5, 1833, a son of Gottlieb and Sophia (Flsher) Kuhn, both na- tives of Germany. The father was a farmer, and neither he nor hls wife ever came to America, rounding out their useful lives in their native land. They had four sons and three daughters, but of these August and Michael, the latter a farmer in Clear Lake Township, are the only survivors.

August Kuhu received a good German edu- cation until he was fourteen years of age, and during his boyhood worked on the homestead. As is usual in German familles, he was ap- prenticed, and learned thoroughly the trade of blacksmithing. In 1859 he came to the United States, sailing from Hamburg and landing in New York City a month later. Coming west, he located in Springfield, where he worked with a brother chopping wood, until he obtained em- ployment at his trade, with Henry Van Horn, of Springfield. After a year in this position he worked for other blacksmiths for twenty-three years. Like many of his countrymen, he served during the Civil War, enlisting in the Four- teenth Illinols Volunteer Infantry and serving under General Palmer. After serving three months he was honorably discharged on account of disability with rank of Sergeant. In 1896 Mr. Kuhn moved to Buffalo, Ill., working there for J. H. Dawson, a wagon-maker, for several years, but in 1900 settled at Dawson, which is now his permanent home. Until a recent date he conducted his own blacksmith shop there but, owing to his years, his family induced him to retlre.

In September, 1863. Mr. Kuhn was married in Springfield to Sophia Brusz, born in Prussia, Germany, August 29, 1842, a daughter of Gott- iieb Brusz, who, with his wife, died in Germany some years ago. He was a skilled machluist in his native land. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn, but they have interested themselves in the young people of their rela- tlves and are beloved by a wide circle. They belong to the German Lutheran Church, which receives their generous support. In politics Mr. Kuhn is a Republican, but his busy life has left him no time for public office. He possesses many characteristic traits of the German and has bonght hls home in Dawson out of his earnings.

KUHN, Michael, who owns an excellent farm of 114 acres in Clear Lake Township, Sangamon County. has lived on his present farm since 1883. and has met with very fair success in car- rying it on. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in March. 1828, sou of Charles and Lonise (Fisher) Kuhn, natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. The parents resided on a farm and were useful and respected members of thir community. Michal Kuhn attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and later worked on his father's farm. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has followed them the greater part of his life.

In 1854 Michael Kuhn foliowed his desire

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for a new field of eudeavor, and sailed frou Bremen for New York. He came west to Chl- cago, thence to Springfield, where he lived twenty years, and for ten years was employed in the yard of the Miller Brick Company. He has made several Improvements on his

present farm, and

has a very comfort- able home. He has now retired from active life. His land Is in a high state of cultivation and he has been an industrious, energetic farmer. He has established himself in the good-will and cs- teem of his comuunity and has many warm per- sonal friends. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and is interested in many worthy ohjects.

Mr. Kuhn was married In Germany, iu 1853, to Minnie Lueck, also a native of that country, whose parents were early settlers of Spring- field, where her father now resides, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years. He spent his entire active life at his trade of tailor. Elght children were horu to Mr. Kuhn and his wife, of whom seveu survive: William, a farmer liv- ing near Loami; Bertha married Jacoh Rook, and they live on a farm near Springfield ; Henry, a farmer of Clear Lake Township; Minule mar- ried Henry Leder, a blacksmith by trade, and they live In Omaha, Neb .; Fred, a member of the city police force of Springfield; Tena, wife of Herman Williams, of Springfield; Heriuan, a farmer living near Curran. There are twenty- five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren in the family.

KUPISCH, August .- The German-American ele- ment In a community iusures a solidity and sub- stantiality not often produced by any other people. The Germans are a thrifty, reliable, industrious people, and when they come to the United States they do uot leave these charac- teristics hehind, hut develop them to their own advantage, as well as that of the locality in which they locate. One of the excellent Ger- man-Americans of whom Sangamon County is justly proud, is August Kupisch, of No. 1050 Ohio Avenue, Springfield. He was horn in Germany, November 16, 1866, a son of William Kupisch, horn in Germany in 1841, and Char- lotte Fuch, horn In Germany in 1844. The father was a shoemaker, who is still living in Germany, but the mother died In March, 1910, aged sixty-five years. Two children were born to the parents : William and August.

August Kupisch was educated in the public schools of Germany and taught to farm, thus continuing until 1903, when he came to Spring- field, locating in the city and bullding his pres- ent residence, which he owns. In April, 1892, he married Whilhelmina Allrech, born in Ger- many, August 19, 1873, daughter of John and Minnie Allrecb. There were four children in the Allrech family : Charlotte, Hohn, Fritz and Mrs. Kupisch. Mr. and Mrs. Kupisch were parents of nine children, three of whom were born in Germany and six in America :- Martha, born May 10, 1896; Johanua, born in March, 1898; Mary B., born in December, 1900; Anna

and Ernest (twins), born November 16, 1903; Leida, born November 18, 1909; Henry B., Au- gust, and William. Mr. Kupisch is a member of the Lutheran Church and gives it hls liberal support. In politics he is a Republican. IIe Is in comfortable circumstances and stands high aulong his neighbors.

KUSSMAUL, William F., who has for the past forty years been successfully engaged in mer- cantlle business in Springfield, Ill., has been a resident of the city siuce 1854. He was born at Wurtemburg, Germany, March 1, 1832. sou of John G. and Johannah ( Shafer) Kussmaul, both of whom spent their entire Ilves in Ger- many. The father was a linen weaver by trade and died in 1870, and the mother died iu 1865. They had three children and one son died young. The father served through the Prus- sian-Austrian War of 1812.

The education of William F. Kussmaul was received in the public schools of Germany, aud he worked with his father until fifteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of locksmith. He spent three years in learuing his trade and worked at it four years afterwards. He worked nine months in the capital of Baden, then sailed for America, June 3, 1854. He proceeded at once to Springfield, which has since been his home. He became em- ployed as helper in a blacksmith shop and worked at the trade three years, then entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, where he remained thirteen years. Ile then embarked in husiness on his own account, in the line of retail groceries. He is an enterpris- ing and progressive merchant and has estah- lished a good trade, having won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has had deal- ings. He is well kuown in the city and has won a large number of warm personal friends there. He was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, for whom he voted In 1860, this being the first vote he cast. '

Mr. Kussmaul was married, In Springfield, Ill., November 29, 1854, to Christina Yost, who was born February 16, 1833, daughter of David and Catherine (Plumer) Yost. The parents of Mrs. Kussmaul came to America In 1854 and located in Springfield. Both died in Sangamon County, he in 1870 and she in 1884. Four chil- dreu were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kussmaul, namely : Henry, who has for the last twenty- four years been employed in the Springfield post-office ; Julius, for the past twelve years employed as machinist for the Wabash Rail- road; Lizzie, married Archie Euewet, who has been employed for twenty-six years by the Bab- cock Boller Company ; Emma, living at home. Willlam F. Kussmaul has two grandchildren- Thomas and Wilhelmina Kussmaul.

Mr. Kussmaul owns a handsome residence at 931 South Eleventh Street, where he has elghty feet front, and he also owus five other houses in the city. He is interested in the progress of the community and in politics Is a Republican.

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He belongs to the German Lutherau Church aud fraternally is conuected with Lodge No. 39, United Workmeu. He is of the highest type of citizen aud is most public-spirited aud patriotic in his sentimeuts towards his adopted couutry. By his industry and arubitiou he has established a paying husiuess aud has attained a place of standing aud positiou amoug his fellows.

KUTSCHER, Henry (deceased) .- Efficient and faithful service in any line of endeavor wins approval and respect, aud the late Henry Kutscher, during his loug association with the Wabash Railroad Company, as carpenter and coutractor, established himself as one of its most trusted and valued employes. He was one of the prosperous German Americans who lo- cated in Springfield, where his widow now resides. Mr. Kutscher was born in Prussia, January 22, 1829, a son of John and Hannah Kutscher. John Kutscher was a school-teacher in Germany, and thus able to give his son Henry more thau ordinary educational priv- ileges.

In 1854 Henry Kutscher left his native land, sailing for New York City, where he remained a short time and then coming to Springfield, which continued to be his home for fifty years. For thirty-five years he was connected with the Wabash Railroad shops and the company never had a better man working for them. He was of quiet habits, never seeking public notice. Outside his home and business his only interests were centered in the German Lutheran Church, of Springfield, to which he gave an earnest, hearty aud loyal support, and he died firm in its faith, December 6, 1907, his remains being buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

On February 14, 1858, Mr. Kutscher was united in marriage in Springfield, to Minnie Martin, born in Prussia, July 16, 1839, daughter of George Martiu and wife, who never left their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Kutscher had chil- dren as follows: Julia Kerst, born July 16, 1858, and Minnie, born February 16, 1866, mar- ried and residing in Springfield.

Mrs Kutscher owns her residence at No. 1516 South Eleventh Street, which has been her home for forty years. She is a most estimable lady, a true Christian and an active worker in the German Lutheran Church. She is an excellent housekeeper and has brought up her daughters to be good wives and mothers. The family stands high in the community, and although Mr. Kutscher has passed away, he is tenderly re- membered for his muost excellent traits of character.

LADAGE, Fred William .- The farmers of sev- eral decades ago were willing to carry on their operations in just one way, ekeing what they might from their property and only gaining as a general rule. fair results from their long hours of laborious toll, never thinking what the years and science would bring towards less- ening their labors and improving the results.

Modern farming is as much different from the aucieut, as one could readily imagine. The powerful uew machinery has takeu the place of the time-worn handplow, rotation of crops, formerly unheard of, has become a regular in- stitutiou, tiliing and gradiug are recognized as necessities and the agricultural colleges are yeariy turning out young meu who have revo- lutionized the business of farming, and have brought it up from a mere occupation to some- thing akin to a profession. One of the best- known scientific farmers in Saugamon County if not iu Illinois is Fred Wiliiam Ladage, geu- eral manager of the Ridgley Farm, on Section 25, Auburn Township. He was born in Wood- side Township, Sangamon County, Ill., April 15, 1875, a sou of Henry G. and Louisa (Oster- meier) Ladage, both natives of Hesse, Germany.

The pareuts of Mr. Ladage came from the Fatherlaud about the same time, in 1853, first locatiug near Greeuville, Darke County, Ohio, where Henry G. Ladage worked for a short time in a brickyard, later rented a farm on the es- tate where he had previously been overseer, aud after the death of the owuer, he rented the eutire estate, which he controlled for six years. Iu 1868, he came to Saugauion County, Ill., lo- cating uear Springfield, where he rented 240 acres of land from Judge Hay, took charge of one of the Judge's properties aud introduced rotation of crops and other uew ideas, which stamped him as an advanced and far-seeing agriculturist. He coutinued in control of the farm until his death, April 12, 1896, while his widow still survives him. makiug her home on the farm of her youngest son and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Ladage were the parents of the following children : Caroline, at home; Henry, a fariner iu Auburn Township; William, carry- ing on operations iu Woodside Township; Eiuma, the wife of Isaac Fremd, a farmer in Woodside Township; Louise, the wife of Wil- bur Stimky, of Truman, Minn .; Charles, who has charge of the farm on which his father located in 1868; and Fred William.

Fred William Ladage was rearcd on the home farm and attended the district schools, and he- ing a hright and ambitious lad also attended night school. His father died just before his twenty-first birthday, and in 1898, he decided to secure a broader education, subsequently eu- tering the commercial department of the Val- paraiso (Ind.) Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1899, and in the fail of the same year he entered the State University iu the College of Agriculture on a two-year schol- arship which had been presented to him by the Farmers Institution of Saugamon County. He left in December, 1903, in his junior year, hav- ing worked his way while in college and thus is not only a self-made but also a self-educated man. Ou his return home he rented a farm of 170 acres in Woodside Township, where he be- gau to put his practical knowledge to the test in botil farming and stockraising, and he was soon demonstrating the value of an education

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along these lines. On February 22, 1905, Mr. Ladage was united iu marriage with Anna C. Riehmaun, who was born at St. Charles, Ill., May 14, 1878. In 1906 Mr. Ladage was given charge of the Ridgley Lands, in South Sanga- mon County, which include 1,830 acres, and which at that time, through bad management, had become run down and were much depreci- ated in value. He at once started crop rotation, and the results obtained by him have beeu al- mnost beyond belief. The yield has increased phenomenally, and in every manner Mr. Ladage has shown that the practicability he inherited from his father, when liuked with the scientific methods he learned during his course of educa- tion, have made him one of the foremost sci- entific farmers and stockraisers in Illinois. Various agricultural pamphlets written by him, have beeu spread broadcast, people come from far and wide to converse with him and learn his methods, and he is cheerfully doing all in his power to assist agriculturists the country over to recognize the fact that scientific tilling of the soil, is the only proper way for the farmer to work.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 86

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