History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 87

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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It was upon the old homestead in the second house which was builded there that Willian Hochstatter was born and reared. His education was acquired in one of the old-time school houses such as were common upon the frontier and he worked at farm labor through the summer months, or in fact from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. On the 26th of October, 1875, he was

united in marriage to Miss Eva Sondgeroth, of Troy Grove township, a daughter of Conrad Sondgeroth. This marriage was blessed with nine children : Catharine, who became the wife of Albert Schwendeman and died at the age of twenty-three years; Christina, who married Jo- seph Hawk and lives in Benton county, Indiana ; Peter, who wedded Gertrude Suglerman and re- sides in Troy Grove township; Alma, the wife of J. P. Pitstick, whose home is in Benton county, Indiana ; Henry, Helena, Margaret, Ben- jamin T. and Eva, all at home.

William Hochstatter was given a small sum of money (five hundred dollars) by his father, with which he made the first payment on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Troy Grove township. With characteristic energy he began its cultivation and improvement and in connec- tion with farming that property he also cultivated rented land. As his income increased he added to his possessions from time to time until now he owns six hundred and forty acres in Troy Grove township, one hundred and sixty acres at Tam- pico and three hundred and twenty acres in Ben- ton county, Indiana. He has bought and sold many farms and other property and has usually realized a goodly sum for the investment. He has made all of the improvements upon his farms and was one of the first men in this part of the state to see and recognize the value of drainage and to utilize it in the improvement of the land. He made considerable money in feeding stock in past years but is not now engaged in this business. He is the highest tax payer in the township, his property holdings being extensive and valu- able. He takes an active interest in scientific farming and buys and uses all kinds of modern machinery, farm tools, etc.

About two years ago Mr. Hochstatter was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had been to him a faithful companion and help- mate on life's journey. He is now practically living retired from active business but still gives his attention to the supervision of his invested interests and is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment. In his political affiliation he is independent and has served as assessor for three terms and as school director since the age of twenty-two years. In his religious faith he is a Catholic. His life has been actuated by hon- orable principles and characterized by manly conduct and as the years have gone by his per- sistent, earnest efforts and his business integrity have been crowned with a measure of success which makes him one of the most prosperous residents of this section of the state. He de- serves much credit for what he has accomplished, for with small assistance from his father he has

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worked his way steadily upward and his life is an illustration of the fact that prosperity will come as the reward of persistency of purpose.

ANDREW P. DAHL.

Andrew P. Dahl, living on section 25, Mission township, is one of the few early settlers still residing in La Salle county and is classed with the prosperous farmers, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land which con- stitutes a good farm. He has lived in the county since 1866 and belongs to that class of repre- sentative and valued citizens that Norway has furnished to this portion of the state. He was born in Stavanger, November 10, 1841, and there spent his boyhood and youth, acquiring a good education in his native language, but in English he is self-educated. He was a young man of twenty-five years when he determined to leave his native country and make his way to the new world, taking up his abode in Pontiac, Livingston county. He worked at farm labor until the fall, when he went to Grundy county and he has since been a resident of this part of the state, identified with its agricultural interests.

Mr. Dahl was married in Norway, La Salle county, in 1867 to Miss Ellen Johnson, whose birth occurred in Rutland township, this county. Following their marriage they settled upon a farm in Grundy county, which Mr. Dahl rented for five years and his earnest and persistent labor in that time brought him capital sufficient to en- able him in 1873 to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Mission township, although the tract which came into his possession then bears little resemblance to the farm of the present day, for at the time of his purchase it was entirely destitute of im- provements. He moved onto the land, first living in a little shanty, where he remained for a year or two, when he was enabled to add better provements. He has since erected a large two- story residence, good barns, a granary and corn cribs, has dug a deep well and put in a wind pump and has all the latest improved machinery on the farm for the care of the fields and the harvesting of the crops. He has drained his land by placing many rods of tiling upon it, has fenced the fields and in fact has made this a modern farm property, lacking in none of the equipments of the model farm of the twentieth century. He is also a stockholder in the Far- mers Grain & Elevator Company at Millington.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dahl have been born six children. Their sons, Peter A. Dahl. a young

man, is upon the home farm, while Joseph P. Dahl is now a farmer of Hamilton county, Iowa, and John O. is a farmer in Miller township. The daughters are: Melinda, at home; Martha, liv- ing with her brother Joseph in Iowa for a short time; and Ida, also under the parental roof.

Politically Mr. Dahl has always been a repub- lican, stanch in support of his party and for seven years he served as road commissioner. He believes in good roads and in good schools and has been an able member of the school board, standing for progress in public education. He and his wife and daughters are members of the Fox River Lutheran church and he has served on its board of trustees. His residence in Illinois covers forty years, during which time he has watched with interest the events which have oc- curred that have been epochs in the history of La Salle county. He has been an industrious and diligent man, careful in his farm work and now has a neat and well kept place as the result of his untiring industry. He has never had oc- casion to regret his determination to establish a home in America, for the hope that led him to come to the new world has been more than realized. He has not only gained prosperity here but has won many friends as well and is thoroughly content in his present surroundings, enjoying the respect and good will of all who know him.

JOHN E. SEEPE.

John E. Seepe is connected with commercial interests in Peru as proprietor of a grocery store and is one of the native sons of this city whose business record is well known and commands for him the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen for what he has accomplished. He was born in 1869, and is a son of William Seepe, a native of Germany, who died in Peru, in 1892, when fifty-nine years of age. His wife, Mrs. Mary Seepe, is still living in Peru. In their family were eight children, of whom six are yet living, as follows: William, a resident of Davenport, Iowa: Mary, the widow of Jacob J. Croissant, of Peru; Mrs. William Hundt, of Peru: Mrs. W. A. Pannech, whose husband is mayor of La Salle and is represented elsewhere in this volume : John E. ; and Mrs. F. L. Dauber, of Peru.

John E. Seepe acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and his youth passed without incident of special importance, his time being devoted to the duties of the school-room and the pleasures of the playground. He worked in the grocery store of William

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Holly when still a youth, and afterwards was with his brother-in-law, Jacob J. Croissant. Sometime afterward he entered the employ of James Cahill, and in 1894 he began business on his own account at the corner of Fourth and Putnam streets, where he continued until 1898, when he removed to his present location at the corner of Fourth and Fulton streets. Here he has built up a good business and he carries a large and well selected line of staple and fancy groceries, which, in their attractive arrangement and reasonable prices, have won a liberal patronage.

In 1896, in Peru, Mr. Seepe was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Loekle, a daughter of Edward Loekle, of this city. They have two children, Walter E. and Marie K. Mr. Seepe is not active in politics, yet is not without a deep interest in community affairs and has co-operated in many measures for general progress here. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Mystic Workers. He is the oldest active member of the fire department, being president of the Liberty Fire Company and his aid may always be counted upon to further those interests which are a matter of civic pride or which contribute to municipal honor and progress.

FRED W. EADES.

Fred W. Eades, deceased, who was for many years a respected and honored business man of Streator, contributing in substantial measure to the improvement and upbuilding of the city through his business activity and enterprise, was born in Marcellus, New York, October 11, 1841, his parents being James and Mary (Wilson) Eades. The father was born in Ireland and when nineteen years of age came to America. The first money which he earned in this country was sent to his mother and sister that they might pay their passage to New York. After several years spent in this country James Eades was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wilson, who was born in the Empire state. She survived her marriage for only about five years and Fred W. Eades was the only child of that union. The father afterward married Miss Julia Farnham, who is yet living in Streator. His death occurred, however, in Streator when he was seventy-one years of age. For a number of years he was engaged in the coal trade but spent his last days in honorable retirement from further business cares.

Fred W. Eades spent the days of his boyhood and youth in, the state of his nativity and acquired

his education in the public schools there. He was married at Hannibal, New York, on the 25th of February, 1869, to Miss Ermie J. Dykeman, who was born in Bethel, New York, April 19, 1849, a daughter of William E. and Margaret (An- drews) Dykeman, who were likewise natives of that state, the former born in Brutus and the lat- ter in Bethel. Mr. Dykeman, whose natal day was April 19, 1823, lived to the ripe old age of almost eighty-three years, passing away in Streator, January 9, 1906. He was a farmer by occupation and remained a resident of New York until 1905, when he sold his property in the east and with his wife came to Streator to spend his last days. Fraternally he was a Mason and his political support was always given to the democ- racy. His widow, who was born April 4, 1828, is still living in Streator. In their family were two sons and a daughter, namely: Mrs. Eades ; Palmer B. and Emmett W.

For about a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Eades remained residents of New York and in 1870 came to Streator, where he established a hardware business. In 1871 he built the first brick building on Main street and therein con- ducted a hardware business up to the time of his death, covering a period of thirty years. He was thus numbered among the leading merchants of the city, his business activity proving a potent factor in the commercial progress and upbuilding of the community. He was in the coal business for twelve or thirteen years and his enterprise and careful management combined with his keen dis- cernment and industry proved strong elements in winning a gratifying measure of success.

In community affairs Mr. Eades was also ac- tively and helpfully interested and served as su- pervisor of Bruce township for sixteen years. He was also chairman of the town board for many years and he owned the lot where the new Ma- sonic Temple is now being built, Mrs. Eades hav- ing sold this to the Masons in 1905. She still owns the brick building which he erected more than a third of a century ago in which he car- ried on the hardware business for so many years. He became a Mason in Hannibal, New York, be- ing initiated into Hannibal lodge, No. 550, A. F. & A. M., and was demitted to Streator lodge, No. 607, A. F. & A. M., joining the latter on the 3d of February, 1875. He was elected worshipful master of this lodge in December, 1876, and re- elected in December, 1879. He was also a mem- ber of Streator chapter, R. A. M., of which he was chosen high priest in December, 1881, and because of his high standing in Masonry he was buried with all the honors of the craft. His po- litical allegiance was given to the democracy and

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at all times he was loyal to his honest convictions and upheld every movement or plan which he be- lieved was beneficial to the city.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eades were born five chil- dren: Mabel J., now the wife of Robert Acker- man, of Irving Park, a suburb of Chicago; Harry E., of Chicago, who married Lois Woodruff and has one child, Fred W .; Jessie M., the wife of David M. Marshall, by whom she has one son, Richard Eades Marshall ; Cora B. and Fred C., who are at home. The husband and father passed away February II, 1901, and the commu- nity lost thereby a valued citizen, the Masonic fra- ternity a loyal representative, his associates a faith- ful friend, and his family a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed in full measure the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in con- tact and his name figured prominently for many years in business circles in Streator. He was at all times thoroughly reliable and honest, so that he left to his family not only a comfortable com- petence but also the priceless heritage of an un- tarnished name. Mrs. Eades still resides in Streator with her two youngest children and is a member of the Goodwill church. She has long had many friends here and occupies an enviable position in social circles.

WILLIAM H. GOCHANOUR.

William H. Gochanour, well known in La Salle county, not only as a representative general farmer but also as a manufacturer of syrup, rais- ing sugar cane on an extensive scale and pro- ducing the manufactured product after the most modern and approved methods, has for the past four years practically lived retired owing to ill health. At the present writing he has two hun- dred and forty acres of valuable land in this county and also one hundred and twenty acres in Iowa, and his property is proof of a life of activ- ity and enterprise guided by sound judgment.

His life record began on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1840, in Licking county, Ohio, his parents being Jonathan C. and Lucy (Ritter) Gochanour, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The former is of German lineage and the father is still living at the very venerable age of ninety- two years, there being five generations living at the present time. His wife, who was the daugh- ter of a southern planter, passed away in 1895, in her sixty-third year. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom still survive as follows: William H., of this review ; Mathias, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Amanda Larry, a resident of Iowa; Angus, of Cass county, Iowa ; James, of Otter Creek town-

ship, this county; John, also of this township; Mrs. Jane Marsh, of Iowa; Mrs. Ann Johnson, of Otter Creek township; and Edward, of the same township.

William H. Gochanour is indebted to the public schools of La Salle county for the educational privileges he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical duties. He was only about four years old at the time of the removal of the parents from Ohio to Illinois, the family home being established in Otter Creek township. Here he was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist as he aided his father in the work of the fields.

On the 25th of December, 1861, Mr. Gocha- nour was united in marriage to Miss Orilla J. Brock, who was born in Otter Creek township, December 18, 1845, and is a daughter of Solo- mon and Jane (Moon) Brock, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Her father was among the earliest settlers of Otter Creek township, com- ing here in 1831 and locating in the midst of the great prairies of Illinois, his house at that time being nine miles distant from any other human habitation. The farm upon which he lived contained six hundred and forty acres, and he was one of the first farmers in this part of the state to do a profitable business in the rais- ing of cattle. In politics he gave his support to the republican party and its principles. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Moon, and she was a sister of A. B. and Reese Moon, early settlers here. The children of Solomon and Jane (Moon) Brock were as follows: Eleanor ; Evan, deceased; Reese, who was killed in the battle of Hartsville, in the war of the Rebellion ; Philander ; Sylvester; Calvin L., for four years a soldier in the Civil war; Mary M. Hopple, of Nebraska ; Orilla J., now Mrs. Gochanour ; An- geline ; and Lily D. Mr. Brock passed away De- cember 25. 1858, aged sixty-two years, and his wife died May 7, 1854, at the age of forty-four years.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Gouchanour be- gan farming on his own account, having first purchased sixty acres of land. He turned his at- tention to the raising of sugar cane and engaged that business for forty-two years, having made during this time two hundred thousand gallons of syrup. In 1870 and again in 1885 he sent to the agricultural department at Washington, D. C., a sample of his syrup and the report of this department showed that his product was the best made in the United States. He always used the Cook evaporator in making his goods and his processes were in accord with the latest improved methods. As the years have gone by he has made judicious investment in property and is now

PoloSochanous

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable farming land, which he has placed un- der a high state of cultivation and to which he has added many modern improvements. Since his retirement from active business his sons op- erate the farm. He also has an extensive apiary and has found the culture of bees to be not only profitable but pleasant as well. This work has received close attention from him and he has made a study of the subject in order to secure the best plans for handling the bees and the product of the hive. He is well known as a bee culturist and in addition to his varied interests on the farm he owns a fine business block in Letts, Louisa county, Iowa, with a plate glass front of ninety-five feet.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gochanour have been born five children, of whom four are now living : Willis Elliott, who is residing in Otter Creek township ; Ella Dell, the wife of Henry Gebo, of Montana ; Orlando Reese, who is married and resides on the home farm; and Elmer Lee, who resides in Iowa, looking after the property there.

Mr. Gochanour votes with the democracy, hav- ing always been a stalwart champion of its principles and his fellow townsmen have fre- quently called him to public office. He was as- sessor of Otter Creek township for two terms and his assessment stood without change. He accepted this office at the urgent solicitation of friends, being always averse to accepting offi- cial preferment but in citizenship he is known to be loyal and progressive. He has a wide business as well as social acquaintance and has gained favorable regard along both lines. He is now one of the most prosperous and representa- tive citizens and farmers of Otter Creek town- ship with a business which is at once a credit to his ability and an indication of a well spent and enterprising life.

REV. PAUL BRAUNS.

Rev. Paul Brauns, a gentleman of ripe scholar- ship and broad erudition, who since 1900 has been pastor of the Zion Evangelical church at Peru, was born in Hanover, Germany, January 27, 1864. His parents were the Rev. Otto and Johanna (Kleinschmidt) Brauns, natives of Hanover. The father is a pastor in the city of Hanover at the present time although he has reached the age of eighty-one years. He is a man full of vigor and strength although he has now advanced so far on life's journey and his influence is of no restricted order.

Rev. Brauns of this review acquired a liberal education in various institutions of learning in his native city and country, and was graduated from the gynasium in Goettingen, in 1881. In the same year he came to America from Bremen on the steamer Rhine of the German Lloyd Line, landing in New York after a twelve days' pas- sage. He went direct to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the Concordia Seminary, pur- suing a theological course, being graduated in 1884. On leaving college he returned to Ger- many and after visiting his parents, studied for nearly one year at Leipsic. Having received a call from St. Mattacus Evangelical Lutheran church, of Chicago, Illinois, as assistant minis- ter, he returned to the United States and entered upon his active duties in that connection in 1885. After filling the pastorate for five years he again returned to the fatherland, spending nearly a year in Europe, but in 1891 made his way again to Chicago, where he organized the Concordia Evangelical Lutheran church, and in 1893 built the large church edifice at the cor- ner of Belmont and North Washtenaw avenues, remaining in charge of the congregation there until 1895. In May of that year he severed his connection with the synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states and joined the Evangelical synod of North America. He then organized the Epipha- nias Evangelical Lutheran church at the corner of Roscoe boulevard and Claremont avenue, in Chicago, where he was successful in establish- ing a large church membership and Sunday- school. He has been very popular wherever he has lived and labored and is a gentleman of pleasing personality and ripe scholarship, a log- ical reasoner, a fluent and forceful speaker, possessing oratorical powers of a superior order. His influence is ever exerted on the side of right, justice, truth and development and every move- ment for the moral or intellectual advancement of the community in which he lives finds him a stanch supporter. He keeps well informed on the current questions and issues pertaining to the city, state and nation and being a man of independent thought and opinion ever supports the public measure or the men best qualified for official position.

On the 15th of September, 1886, Rev. Brauns was married to Miss Elsie Ruhland, a daughter of the Rev. Frederick Ruhland. She was born in Buffalo, New York, but was educated in Ger- many and by her marriage has become the mother of four children but only two are living, Paul and Walter:

In the year 1900 Rev. Brauns came to Peru and took charge of the Zion German Evangelical church, which was formerly called the First Eng-

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lish and German Evangelical Lutheran church. It was founded in 1852 and is located at the corner of Sixth and Grant streets. Since he has taken charge he has increased the mem- bership to much larger proportions and in 1905 many improvements were made on the church, which added largely to the capacity, building an extensive addition to the rear of the church, put- ting in new windows and installing new heating apparatus. A steel-metal ceiling was built and the entire structure covered with a slate roof at an expense of about ten thousand dollars, so that the congregation now has a comfortable and commodious church home. In 1902 the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Rev. Brauns now belongs to no synod, having withdrawn from the synodical relations. He labors untiringly, zealously and in consecrated manner, however, for the moral development of his fellowmen and the dissemination of religious truths and prin- ciples, and his influence has been an effective factor for righteousness.

JOHN F. BUCHNER.

John F. Buchner, who since 1904 has filled the position of recorder of deeds in La Salle county, was born upon a farm in Carroll county, Indiana, November 21, 1864, and is of German lineage. His parents were John and Catherine (Ruegemer) Buchner, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to America in 1849 and the mother in 1851 and they were married in Allen- town, Pennsylvania. Subsequently they became residents of Indiana and in 1867 removed to Peru, Illinois. Soon after they took up their abode in La Salle, where the boyhood days of John F. Buchner were passed. The German tongue was spoken in the household and he early became familiar with that language as well as with English. He has been a resident of Illinois from the age of three years and his education was acquired in the public schools of La Salle, completing the high-school course with the class of 1879.

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 87

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286