USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume II > Part 30
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MICHAEL THEN.
Michael Then, owning and operating two hundred and thirteen acres of highly improved and valuable land in Virgil township, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 13, 1857. his parents being Alonis and Mar- garet (Geis) Then, both natives of Germany, the former born June 11. 1824, and the latter June 28, 1828. Their marriage was celebrated in No- vember, 1852, and on the Ist of June, 1873, they landed in the United States, settling in DuPage county, Illinois, north of Wheaton, where the father resided until October 1, 1874. On that date he came to Kane county. settling in Virgil township, and has since continued to reside here. His wife passed away on the ioth of June, 1888, in Virgil township, her remains being interred in St. Peter's cemetery in Virgil. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alonis Then were born four children. Catherine, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1854, became the wife of Nick Welter in June, 1874, and now resides in Virgil township. John M., born in Germany, March 6, 1856, married Miss Margaret Schomer, whose birth occurred in DuPage county, Illinois, in 1860. He is a farmer by occupation and resides in Virgil. Michael, of this review, was the next in order of birth. Margaret, who was born in Germany April 11, 1861, became the wife of Frank Halbmaier in February. 1882. He is a native of West Brooklyn, Lee county, Illinois, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Michael Then accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world in 1873, and worked at the tailor's trade for four years. On the expiration of that period he began farming in connection with his father, thus continuing until 1887, when he started out in agricultural lines on his own account, operating a rented tract of land for four years. He then
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purchased one hundred and thirty acres from his father and has placed many improvements thereon, including a commodious and attractive residence and a good barn. By an additional purchase of eighty-three acres he has extended the boundaries of his farm and now owns two hundred and thirteen acres of rich and productive land, to the cultivation of which he devotes his time and energies. He has put in twenty-six thousand feet of tile, so that the land is well drained and under a high state of development, and he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He likewise conducts an extensive dairy, owning thirty-three cows and shipping milk to Chicago. He also has full blooded Plymouth Rock poultry and fifty or more head of full blooded Duroc Jersey swine. He is now numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the county and has, moreover, gained an enviable reputation as a man of unfaltering integrity and reliability in all the relations of life.
On the 21st of April, 1888, Mr. Then was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Lanan, who was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1856. She is a graduate of the Sycamore high school and engaged in teaching school for a number of years prior to her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Then were born five children, three of whom are deceased. Catherine M., born in Virgil, November 15, 1892, attended the public and parochial schools here. Mary M., whose birth occurred in Virgil, February 6, 1896, also attends school here.
In his political views Mr. Then is a stalwart democrat, and is a member of St. Peter's Catholic church in Virgil. Germany has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the Fath- erland to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Michael Then. He found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing country, and in the wise utilization of every advantage which has presented itself he has gained a degree of success that makes him a credit alike to the land of his birth and that of his adoption.
BENT OLSON.
Bent Olson, who successfully carries on agricultural pursuits in Virgil township, was born in Sweden, January 6, 1851, his parents being Ola and Beatta ( Anderson) Olson, also natives of that country. The father served in the Swedish army, and passed away in his native land in 1873, while his wife's death had occurred in Sweden in 1863. Their family numbered five children : John, born in Sweden in 1849, now makes his home in this coun- try ; Bent, of this review, was the next in order of birth; Andrew, whose birth occurred in Sweden in 1853, is married and follows farming in South Dakota; Peter, born in Sweden in 1855, is married and is a shoemaker re- siding in his native land; Mattelda, who was born in Sweden in 1860, came
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to the United States in 1883 and subsequently gave her hand in marriage to John Johnson. She made her home at Rockford, Illinois, until she was called to her final rest in 1904.
Bent Olson attended the schools of his native country until sixteen years of age, and in 1883 crossed the Atlantic to the new world. For two or three years he was engaged in ditching, but for the last twenty years has carried on farming on his own account. He has farmed on his present place of one hundred and twenty acres, known as the Norcen farm and situated four miles north of Maple Park, for the last three years. In addition to the work of the fields he is largely interested in the dairy business, owning twenty cows and shipping forty gallons of milk daily from Richardson to Chicago on the Chicago & Great Western Railroad. He likewise has two hundred chickens and is engaged in the raising of poultry. In the various branches of his business he has been successful, owing to his unremitting industry, untiring perseverance and capable management, and throughout the com- munity he is recognized as a most enterprising and progressive citizen.
On the 15th of November, 1884, Mr. Olson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Cramer, whose birth occurred in Denmark. October 1, 1861, and who received her education in that country. She came to America when twenty years of age, and by her marriage has become the mother of the following children : John Ola, born November 10, 1886, who died in infancy at Maple Park; Bena, born in De Kalb county, Illinois, January 29, 1889, who is the wife of Christ Larson, a farmer residing at Maple Park; Carl Oscar, whose birth occurred in De Kalb county, Illinois, August 5, 1892; Axel William, born in De Kalb county, Illinois, April 26, 1895, and Helen Mary, whose birth occurred in Kane county, Illinois, April 5, 1902.
In his political views Mr. Olson is independent, voting for the man whom he believes best qualified for office, without regard to party affiliation. Fraternallv he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious faith he is a Lutheran. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized, for through the careful utilization of the broader business opportunities afforded in the United States he has gained a measure of success that entitles him to repre- sentation as a substantial resident of his community.
JACOB DICKES.
Jacob Dickes is conducting a prosperous business as a dealer in coal and wood and throughout his life has recognized the fact that close application. energy and unfaltering determination constitute the strong elements in suc- cess. He was born in the village of Hempstahl in Luxemburg, Germany, June 19, 1835, and his parents, John P. and Josephine (Kergen) Dickes. were also natives of that country. The father was a miller and served as a soldier of the Belgian army. In 1857 he came to America with his wife and several of their children and settled at Aurora, where he followed various
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pursuits. He died in this city in 1876 at the age of seventy years, while his wife survived him and passed away in 1896 at the age of eighty-seven years. They were both consistent members of the German Catholic church. Their family numbered nine children, seven of whom reached adult age, while six are yet living : Catharine (called Kate), living in Aurora : Jacob, of this review : Peter, who likewise resides in this city ; Mary, the wife of Chris Abel, of Aurora ; Catharine, and Maggie, the wife of Andrew Klees, of Chicago.
Jacob Dickes, whose name introduces this record, was reared and edu- cated in Germany. He worked on the home farm in his youth and in 1854 came to America, settling in Aurora, where various business interests claimed his time and attention. He spent one year in Michigan City, Indiana, in the grocery business and then returned to this city in 1867. In the succeed- ing autumn he established a coal yard and has since conducted business in this line, being now the oldest coal merchant of Aurora. He has, throughout the years, enjoyed an excellent trade, many of his patrons remaining with him throughout the entire time and the volume of his business now insures him a gratifying annual income.
Mr. Dickes was married in October, 1868, to Miss Mary Ann Lies, a daughter of John Lies, and they had one son, John L., who is a broker of Aurora of the firm of Battles & Dickes. The wife and mother died in 1870 and in 1887 Mr. Dickes wedded Mrs. Theressa Miner, the widow of P. M. Miner and a daughter of William and Catharine ( Kohling) Kramer. There are two children of this second marriage, Cecelia and Loretta. Mr. and Mrs. Dickes are members of St. Nicholas Catholic church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He was a member of the city council for two terms, representing the fifth ward, and he has also served as school trustee and assistant supervisor. He is likewise a stockholder in the German- American National Bank and is known as a representative citizen and busi- ness man, whose cooperation in many measures of public good has consti- tuted a strong element in the city's growth and progress.
EDWIN G. SABIN.
Edwin G. Sabin, deceased, was throughout his active business life con- nected with agricultural pursuits, but his last days were spent in ease and retirement in Elgin, where he passed away on the 4th of May, 1889. He was a native of Ohio, born in Geauga county, October 8, 1832, and was a son of Sylvester R. and Phoebe C. (Clapp) Sabin. The father also made farming his life occupation. An at early day he removed from Ohio to this state and was a resident of Barrington, Illinois, at the time of his death. He was born in the Buckeye state, October 7, 1797, and died Sep- tember 30, 1875, while his wife was born on the 23d of July, 1803, and died November 21, 1860.
It was during his boyhood that Edwin G. Sabin accompanied his parents on their removal to this state, and his education, begun in the district schools
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of Ohio, was completed here. Under his father's supervision he early became familiar with the work of the farm, and on leaving the parental roof he engaged in farming on his own account, meeting with success in his chosen work. At different times he was the owner of several farms but finally bought the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Barrington township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his ener- gies for a number of years. Having accumulated a comfortable competence, he finally laid aside all business cares and moved to Elgin in 1886 where he lived retired until his death, enjoying a well-carned rest. While engaged in farming he made a specialty of the dairy business, which he found quite profitable.
On the 3d of July. 1859. Mr. Sabin married Miss Anna M. Covey, a native of Greene county, New York, and a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Bush) Covey, of Palatine, Illinois. Three children were born of this union. Willis E., now a resident of Elgin, married Pearlie Gallaway and they have two children, Edwin E. and Hazel Ruth. Addie A., born Febru- ary 2, 1863, died on the 22d of the following June. Eugene E., born May 10, 1864, married Ida V. Monger and to them were born five children : Eva May: Eugene S .; Lester, who was born October 26, 1898, and died January 19. 1899; Grant C. : and Paul M.
Mr. Sabin was a stanch republican in politics and was deeply interested in public affairs, as every true American citizen should be. He was a member of the Episcopal church and was a man respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was always found true to any trust reposed in him and he well merited the high regard in which he was uniformly held. His widow, who is a most estimable lady, holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Elgin, in which city she resides.
GUSTAVUS AUCUTT.
Gustavus Aucutt, a member of the firm of Gus Aucutt's Sons, coal dealers of Aurora, was born in Oneida, New York, July 20, 1839. He is entitled to representation in this volume not only because of the fact that he is a successful and enterprising man, but also owing to the fact that he was a loyal soklier of the Civil war and is a progressive citizen whose cooperation can always be counted upon to further movements for the public good. His paternal grandfather was William Aucutt, a native of England and a resident of London, where he worked at the rope-maker's trade. When a young man, however, he sought a home and fortune in the new world and settled in New York city, where he engaged in rope manufacturing. He died in Oneida county, New York, when almost ninety years of age, while his wife, Mrs. Mary Ann (Jaycocks) Aucutt, has also passed away. The maternal grandfather of Gustavus Aucutt was a native of New York and spent most of his life in Oneida county, where both he and his wife passed away. His parents were Francis and Sarah Ann (Jaycocks) Aucutt, both of whom were
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natives of the Empire state. The father was a carpenter and joiner through much of his business career but in early life followed the occupation of farming. He died of cholera in Peoria, Illinois, in the year 1842 and his wife passed away the year previous. Both were Methodists in religious faith and were people of the highest respectability. They had a family of six children : Francis, deceased; Lucinda, the widow of Charles Curtis and a resident of Nebraska; Mary Ann, who became the wife of William Williams but is now deceased; Gustavus, whose name introduces this re- view; Sarah, the wife of Peter Patten, a resident of Aurora, and Olive, the wife of Nathaniel Wallace.
Gustavus Aucutt resided in Oneida county, New York, to the age of fifteen years, spending his youth upon the home farm and early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools and in 1856 came to the west, settling in Aurora. For a year he was employed in a store and was afterward on a farm until 1862, when, with patriotic ardor, he responded to the country's call and joined the Union army as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served for nearly three years and was with Grant on the campaign around Holly Springs and was also at the siege of Vicksburg. He was the third man to go over the fort into Vicksburg, being at that time a member of the cornet band that led Grant's army into the siege. He was also in the Atlanta campaign and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. His military service included participation in some hotly contested battles as well as in long, hard marches and the dreary waiting in winter camps, but he never faltered in the performance of duty, remaining ever a loyal defender of the old flag and the cause it represented.
After the war Mr. Aucutt returned to Aurora and resumed agricultural pursuits. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in Aurora township and sixty acres in Sugar Grove township and lived upon that farm for several years. On the expiration of that period he bought one hundred and seventy acres just west of Montgomery in the township of Aurora and lived thereon for fifteen years. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, added many substantial improvements and had a farm property which was very productive and valuable. In 1896 he removed to the city, selling his farm to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. In 1896 he engaged in the coal business, continuing active in its management until 1904, when he turned over the business to his sons. While he has largely left the active business affairs to others, Mr. Aucutt is still financially in- terested in various enterprises. When he came to Aurora he built a number of fine residences which he still owns and from which he derives a good an- nual income. He likewise owns his beautiful home at 84 North Lake street and he is interested in various commercial and industrial concerns, including the Streator (Ill.) Independent Telephone & Telegraph Company, of which he is the vice president ; the Leavenworth (Kas.) Telephone & Telegraph Company, of which he is a director, and the old Second National Bank of Aurora, in which he is a stockholder. He is likewise a director in the new
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Joliet rolling mills. His cooperation with various concerns has constituted an element in the business development of the various localities where they are located.
On the 7th of November. 1865, Mr. Aucutt was married to Miss Joseph- ine Dennison, a daughter of Gilbert P. and Betsey (Andrews) Dennison. Mrs. Aucutt was born in Wayne county. New York, and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Francis, who follows farming in Sugar Grove township and who wedded Elizabeth Myers, by whom he has a daughter. Sarah: Cora M .. the wife of S. N. Cooper, of Aurora, by whom he has a daughter, Josephine; Gustavus, who is engaged in the grain and feed business in Aurora ; Ruth, who died at the age of eight years; Charles M .. who is engaged in the coal business in Aurora, and who wedded Mamie Keck, by whom he has two children, Florence and Lucille; Pearl E., the wife of Cyrus Stevens, a resi- dent of Aurora; Harry S., who is engaged in the coal business in Aurora and who wedded Bertha Cromer: and Alta, who is with her parents.
In 1906 Mr. Aucutt, his wife and daughter Alta, were in San Francisco at the time of the great earthquake and fire, but all escaped uninjured, al- though forty-seven people were killed in the hotel in which they were guests. The parents are members of the People's church and Mr. Aucutt belongs to Aurora Post, No. 20, G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades, with whom he delights to recall the events which occurred upon the tented fields of the South. He is also connected with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Politically he has always been a republican and before leaving the farm he served as highway commissioner and assessor of Sugar Grove township. He has ever been loyal and progres- sive in citizenship and in business has made a creditable record. He is rec- ognized as a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination, who, in his business affairs, carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. His methods, too, are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and altogether the life record of Gustavus Aucutt is one which com- mends him to the confidence and regard of his fellowmen and well entitles him to mention in this volume as a representative citizen of Aurora.
ALBERT BIELENBERG.
Albert Bielenberg has for a quarter of a century lived retired in Elgin. He was formerly identified with the barbering business here for a long period and few men of the city have a wider acquaintance or have more comprehen- sive knowledge of the lines of development and growth here. He was born in Holstein, Germany, July 29, 1832. His parents were Albert and Margaret (Thieman ) Bielenberg, who spent their entire lives in Germany, where the father engaged in business as a shoemaker. There were three sons in the family, but Adolph and John are both deceased.
ALBERT BIELENBERG
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Albert Bielenberg is the only one that ever came to America. In his native land he learned the barber's trade, which he followed there until he came to the new world in 1853 at the age of twenty-one years. He was induced to take this step by reason of the favorable reports which he heard concerning business opportunities in America. He worked in New York city for one year and then went to New Orleans and afterward to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There one winter was passed and he made trips up the river to St. Louis. Later, however, he returned to New York and in the year 1856 he journeyed westward to Chicago, where he worked for a short time. In November of that year he came to Elgin, where he owned and conducted a barber shop, carrying on the business until 1865, when he sold out and again went to Chicago. He was then proprietor of a barber shop in the Tremont House and on one morning he shaved four different governors. His business brought him into contact with many people of eminence and he relates interesting incidents of a number of them.
In 1866, however, he again came to Elgin, where he has since resided. He continued in business at this place until he was succeeded by his eldest son, who is now proprietor of a barber shop in the Elgin National Bank building. Mr. Bielenberg retired about twenty-five years ago with a comfort- able competence that he had acquired through his well directed and earnest labor. He has been a great hunter, winning a reputation that has made him known all over this part of the country. He has hunted in Illinois and Wis- consin extensively, killing many deer and has many fine mounts. He has killed every animal native of this section and has many fine specimens of his prowess. He has hunted through the timber on the present site of Elgin and knew this section of the country when it was largely a wild and unimproved district. He is the owner of a good store on Fountain square and in 1859 he purchased a lot and built a shop and dwelling on the square, which is now the center of the city. At that time Elgin contained only about fifteen hun- dred population. Later Mr. Bielenberg purchased an adjoining lot and built the present store at No. 12 Fountain square in 1868. The building is twenty by one hundred feet and is a two-story brick structure with basement. Thus from his realty investments he is deriving a good income. He is also the owner of a pleasant home which he erected at No. 616 Brook street.
In 1857 Mr. Bielenberg was married to Miss Julia Schmidt, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in the year of her marriage. They traveled life's journey together for a half century and were separated by the death of Mrs. Bielenberg on the 27th of October, 1907, when she was in her seventy-fifth year. Their children were eight in number: Adolph, who died at the age of eight years; Louise, the wife of Albert Brookman, of Elgin ; Fred, a barber of this city; Albert, who is with his father; Helena, who died in early girlhood; Herman, who died at the age of seventeen years; Annie, who died when but three years of age; and Paul, at home.
Few men have more intimate knowledge of this city and its history than has Albert Bielenberg, who has witnessed almost its entire growth and devel- opment. In 1858 he assisted in organizing the first German singing society here. While he is widely known in the city, he says that he has more acquaint-
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ances in the cemetery today than he has downtown, for year by year the ranks of those with whom he was connected during his active business career are being decimated. However, he yet numbers many warm friends here and is widely known. He has crossed the Atlantic ocean thirteen different times, making the first voyage from Hamburg on a sailing ship which was six weeks in reaching New York. He has also made the trip from New York to New Orleans on a sailing ship and has traveled extensively. not only in America but over most of Europe. He is familiar with different parts of the old world and in his travels has gained that broad knowledge and culture which can be acquired in no other way. His mind is stored with many interesting remin- iscences, not only of his journeys and his voyages but of events of an active business career. He has long lived in honorable retirement here, enjoying the rest which has come to him as the reward of earnest labor.
LAWRENCE ABRAHAM ROY OLESEN.
Lawrence Abraham Roy Olesen, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land in Kaneville township, was born in Denmark, May 8, 1883. His father. John Olesen, likewise a native of Denmark, served his country in the regular army for thirty-five years. He and his wife emigrated to America when our subject was a young lad of seven years, the family home being established near Kaneville, Kane county. They still reside in this county, and are devoted and faithful members of the Lutheran church. The brothers and sisters of Lawrence A. R. Olesen are as follows: Carrie, the wife of Thomas Thompson, who fol- lows farming near Lily Lake; Ole, who also carries on agricultural pursuits near Lily Lake: Chris, deceased: Mary, the wife of Chris Nelson, a farmer residing near Lily Lake; Thorwald, who is engaged in farming near Elburn : Christina. also residing near Elburn, and Nelse, who has passed away.
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