USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 22
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which Paul Kreutzer has since added until he now has 311 acres, his last purchase of twenty-two acres costing him $225 per acre, which same land was offered to him forty years ago at $75. Mr. Kreutzer has built a new set of buildings and made many other improvements, having one of the best rural properties in his neighborhood. This farm lies mainly in Kane County, just across the county line. Mr. Kreutzer has always carried on dairying, milking from sixty-five to seventy cows, but is now having a smaller herd as he has rented a portion of his property. In addition to his barns, he has two silos, and does all of his work according to modern methods. At one time he was associated in the operation of a local creamery. While he is a Democrat, Mr. Kreutzer is not an office seeker.
When he was twenty-seven years old, he was married to Kunigunda Sporlein, at Buffalo Grove, Ill., where she was born, a daughter of Christ Sporlein, whose father had secured land from the government during the early forties, and this farm is still owned by George Sporlein, a brother of Mrs. Kreutzer. Mr. and Mrs. Kreutzer became the parents of the following children: Walburgo, who married a Mr. Daniel Crim- mins, and died six months later at the age of twenty-four years; Charley, who is at home; and Joseph, who is also at home. Joseph Kreutzer registered for service under the first draft and was expecting to be called into the service when the Armistice was signed. Mr. Kreutzer is an honest man and looks it. The soul of sincerity, he lives up to his word and expects others to be as honest as he. Strong in his con- victions, he does not laek the courage of them, nor does he fear to give expression to his opinions. Powerful in physique, he has always been able and willing to do two men's work, and his industry and energy have resulted in a much-deserved prosperity. During the late war Mr. Kreutzer was one of the men of German birth who proved their loyalty to the United States in countless ways, and is justly numbered among the very desirable citizens of the county. His methods of farming are such as to win approval from his associates, and many of them are adopted by those who appreciate their value and desire to bring about similar results to the ones attained by him. He is a member of the Catholic church at Huntley.
JOHN P. KROEGER.
John P. Kroeger, a director of the United State Bank of Crystal Lake and proprietor of the garage at Crystal Lake that bears his name,
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is also agent for the Ford cars. He was born in Germany, July 24, 1862, a son of Joseph and Mary (Roggensack) Kroeger, who had nine children, three of whom survive. Joseph Kroeger was born in Germany. He died in this country in 1893, having been a farmer all his life.
John P. Kroeger was reared on his father's farm, and attended the public schools of his native land. In 1883, he came to the United States and located at Crystal Lake, and worked at various trades. In 1893 he was appointed postmaster at Crystal Lake, and at same time embarked in a mereantile business which he recently sold. In February, 1914, he branched out, becoming agent for the Ford cars, and in 1918 completed his present modern garage at a cost of $18,000, since which time he has conducted a large service station. He has a partner in the automobile business, operating under the name of Kroeger & Rauhut, the firm having been established in 1917. Since its re-organization, Mr. Kroeger has been a director of the United State Bank of Crystal Lake.
In 1887, Mr. Kroeger was united in marriage with Miss Rika Berg, a daughter of John Berg, who was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kroeger became the parents of five children, namely: William E .; Mary, who died September 9, 1916; Paul F .; and Hulda and Edith (twins) who are at home. The family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Kroeger is a Republican. He is one of the best business men at Crystal Lake, and is held in high respect by all who know him.
CHARLES KRUSE.
Charles Kruse, one of the prominent business men of Richmond, owns and operates one of the most prosperous hardware stores in Me- Henry County. He was born at West Chicago, Ill., December 21, 1872, one of the nine children of John and Sophia (Hilgendorf) Kruse. For many years John Kruse was section foreman for the Northwestern Railroad, and he is still living, but his wife died November 6, 1919.
Charles Kruse attended the public schools of his locality and learned the tinner's trade, following it for some time, and he still has a well- equipped tinning and plumbing shop in connection with his present busi- ness. For some years he continued to be a resident of West Chicago, but in 1898 moved to Richmond, and erected his present store building in 1905, at a cost of $12,000. In normal times he carries a stoek ranging
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from $15,000 to $20,000. IIe usually has four people in his employ. In January, 1920, he incorporated his business as the Kruse Hardware Company, under which name he is now operating. In addition to his business interests at Richmond, Mr. Kruse owns 115 acres of land in Richmond Township, that is very valuable, a 125-acre farm in Randall Township, Kenosha County, Wis., and considerable realty at Richmond, he being one of the wealthiest men of his community.
In 1898 Mr. Kruse was married to Miss Anna Mordhorst, a daughter of John Mordhorst, a prominent farmer of Kane County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Kruse have had the following children: Helen S., who is the wife of Richard G. Richardson; Charles E., who is attending the Uni- versity of Illinois; Anna Bernice, who died April 1, 1920; and John Wallace, who is at home.
In politics Mr. Kruse is a Republican. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church, but attend the Methodist Episcopal church to which he contributes. His many and varied interests keep him fully occupied, but he does not neglect his civic duties, and can always be relied upon to give an instant and effective support to all measures which he believes will bring about an improvement in existing con- ditions. He is vice-president of the State Bank of Richmond, a director of the Community High School of Richmond and Burton Townships, and president of the Business Men's Association.
EDWARD FRED KUECKER.
Edward Fred Kuecker, supervisor of Seneca Township, and one of the representative men of MeHenry County, is successfully engaged in farming, four miles northeast of Marengo, and eight miles southwest of Woodstock. He was born in Du Page County, Ill., February 28, 18SO, a son of Richard and Charlotte (Winkelman) Kuecker, both of whom were born in Hanover, Germany, where they were married. Soon after their marriage, in 1869, they came to the United States to join two of his sisters who had located in Du Page County, Ill. In 1910, he retired, and moved to Marengo where he is now living, taking life easily. Richard Kuecker owns one of the very valuable farms of McHenry County, having come to it in 1885. It is located in Coral Township, one mile south of the village of Coral. It was an undeveloped tract of land when he bought it, and much hard work was required to bring
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it into its present fine state, but that he was able to perform, and few men of the vicinity deserve greater credit for their labor than he. In 1916 his property was visited by a devastating fire, and all of the build- ings were utterly destroyed, not a gate being left untouched. He immediately went to work and rebuilt them all, making them thor- oughly modern and much better than they were originally. In addition to having the best of buildings, fencing and equipment, Mr. Kueeker has thoroughly drained his land, and holds it at a high figure. His children are as follows: Henry, who is in the employ of the Borden Company at Marengo; William, who is a farmer of Riley Township; Edward F., whose name heads this review; Fred, who is a farmer of Coral Township; Richard, who lives on the old homestead, suffered the loss of several horses, grain, hay, tools, etc., at the time of the fire; George, who lives at Marengo; Sophia, who is Mrs. August Kloszeski of Coral Township; Emma, who is Mrs. Albert Winakelmann of Elgin, Ill .; Dorothy, who is Mrs. Monte Standiford of Belvidere, Ill .; Alvina, who lives at Warsaw, Ind .; and Matilda, who is the wife of Frank Miller, an auctioneer of Marengo.
Edward F. Kuecker assisted his father to clear off the homestead, and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred November 19, 1902, when he was twenty-two years old, at which time he was united with Sophia Mueller, a daughter of J. D. Mueller, now deceased, but late of Seneca Township, his old farm now being conducted by his two sons, Rudolph and William. Mrs. Kuecker was born at St. Louis, Mo., and was only four years old when she was brought to Seneca Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Kuecker have five children, namely: Alvin, Edwin, Wilhelmira and Ellen, living, and Lydia, deceased.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kuecker rented land in Marengo Township for four years, and then bought eighty acres. On it Mr. Kuecker has erected a silo and outbuildings, and has added twenty-four aeres to his original purchase, for which he paid $100 per aere. Forty aeres adjacent to a ereek, formerly very low land, have been drained, and the whole farm today is in a high state of cultivation. Starting in a small way, Mr. Kuecker has branched out into a breeder of fine Holstein cattle, of which he has a magnificent herd, all pure bred, and he has also a widespread reputation as a successful breeder of White Leghorn chickens.
A stalwart Republican, Mr. Kuecker was highway commissioner
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for four years prior to 1915, and in that year was elected supervisor, and has since been re-elected. He is a member of the local school board and one of the three directors comprising the MeHenry County High School Board, of which he is president, becoming a member of the board which came into existence under the new law, which provides the privilege of high school students attending the school most con- venient to their place of residence, regardless of townships or district lines, the county bearing the tuition expense. Mr. Kuecker belongs to Zion Lutheran church at Marengo, and has long been very active as a member of its choir, and he is also president of the Marengo Band Association, which he helped to organize. A born musician, Mr. Kuecker has worked hard to cultivate an appreciation of good music, and his efforts are bearing fruit.
CLAUDE C. LACE.
Claude C. Lace, junior member of the firm of Lace & Reimer, pro- prietors of the Algonquin Garage, is one of the leading young business men of Algonquin. He was born at New Milford, IH., January 21, 1890, the only child of Thomas and Hattie (Cipperly) Lace. Thomas Lace was formerly one of the prosperous farmers near Rockford, Ill., but is now residing at Rockford.
Claude C. Lace was reared at Rockford, and attended its common and high schools. For a time he was engaged in assisting his father on the farm, after he had completed his studies, and then he began learning the trade of a machinist. Completing his apprenticeship at this trade, he put it to practical use, and December 9, 1914, formed his present association. The firm carries a stock valued at $7,000, and in addition to operating a general garage and machine shop, they conduct a Goodyear service station, and do a very large business in all lines.
In 1916 Mr. Lace was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Werneke, a daughter of William Werneke, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Algonquin. She died December 31, 1918, leaving one child, Ruth M. Lace.
In politics, Mr. Lace is a Republican. He is one of the alert young men of the county, and deserves the prosperity which is attending him, for he has worked hard and intelligently to bring it about.
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JAMES C. LADD.
James C. Ladd, one of the retired farmers and business men of Ringwood, has been active in affairs of MeHenry County, and Clark County, Iowa. He was born one mile north of Ringwood, August 12, 1847, a son of Wesley Ladd, who died March 25, 1897. His first wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Colburn, died October 1st, 1853, having borne him two children, namely: James C. and Frederica. The daughter remained with her father, and died unmarried, September 4, 1906, in the family home at Ringwood, to which her father moved in 1882, and which he had owned for fifty years. By his second marriage with Phebe Haley, Wesley Ladd had the following children: Amelia, who is Mrs. E. II. Carter, of Jefferson, Iowa; Nellie C., who is Mrs. C'harles M. Prickett, of Elizabeth, Colo., was a teacher until her marriage; Carrie, who is Mrs. Willard E. Smith, of Ringwood; Elma, who died in 1881; and Mary A., who married Oliver Southwick, a merchant of Williams Bay, Wis. Wesley Ladd owned 570 acres of land near Ring- wood, at one time being one of the most extensive farmers of this region. In addition to farming, he dealt in grain and pork upon a large scale, especially during the Civil War, and was one of the leading men of MeHenry County.
James C. Ladd remained with his father until his marriage, which occurred February 7, 1877, when he was united to Elizabeth Harrison, a daughter of Francis and Catherine (Ward) Harrison of Nunda Town- ship, to which locality they had come from New York state in 1846, and there spent the remainder of their lives. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and she in Oneida County, N. Y. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harrison moved to Clinton County, N. Y., and lived there until their migration to Illinois. Mr. Harrison died in 1878, aged sixty-eight years; and she died in 1902, aged eighty-five years, having survived her husband for twenty-four years. Mrs. Ladd was born in Nunda Township, February 14, 1854.
At the time of his marriage, Mr. Ladd rented a farm in MelIenry County and remained on it for a few years, and then went to Clark County, Iowa, where in 1886, he bought 280 acres of land, for which he paid $3,500. At the death of his father, he returned to MeHenry County as he was named as one of the executors of the estate, although he had become very prominent in Clark County, being one of the three county commissioners, who in 1893, creeted the courthouse at a cost of $50,000, one of the finest ones in the state. It stands in the public
G. B. A with M. D.
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square, and his name, among others, appears on the cornerstone. As he realized it would take some time to settle his father's extensive affairs, he finally sold his Iowa farm. As a portion of his share of the estate, Mr. Ladd received the family residence at Ringwood, where he has lived for some years. He has been engaged in stock shipping, and owns a 140-acre farm near Ringwood, on which he has made many repairs and put in improvements so that it is now a valuable property. For two terms Mr. Ladd served as supervisor of McHenry Township. A Republican, he cast his first presidential vote for General Grant while he was attending the State University at Urbana, III. Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have no children. Since 1885 Mr. Ladd has been a member of MeHenry Lodge No. 158, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Ladd is a member of the Eastern Star. He is a Universalist and the local society of that belief, having no house of worship, holds its meetings at the homes of those belonging to it. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ladd are held in the highest esteem and have many warm friends both in MeHenry and Clark counties.
JOHN CARL LADWIG.
It has long been a recognized fact that the agriculturalist occupies a very important place in the economic plan of any country, and recent events have proven how independent the farmer of the United States is of outside influences. If he owns his land he has not only a home assured him, but ample food supply, while from the majority of rural properties enough fuel can be gathered to provide heat. He can easily exchange his produce for clothing, or at a pinch can, as did his ancestors, raise cotton and wool. Because of the realization of the fact that the farmer is fundamentally back of all industry has brought about a greater appreciation of the value of his efforts in the past. One of the men who was closely connected with the agricultural development of MeHenry County was the late John Carl Ladwig, who for years was a farmer of Greenwood Township.
John Carl Ladwig was born in Wentsbangendorf, Pommern, Ger- many, March 27, 1847. In 1872 he came to the United States and settled at Crystal Lake and for a time was occupied with farming for others and then, in 1874, he rented the James Smith farm in Algonquin Township. It was not long, however, before he bought a farm of his own, comprising 120 acres of land in Greenwood Township, which he
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operated for nine years, or until his death, which occurred on May 25, 1903. His family sold the farm and moved to Woodstock, where they own a comfortable home.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Marie Sehlottmann and they became the parents of Louis, Robert, Emma and Augusta. Mrs. Ladwig died in 1885. In 1886 Mr. Ladwig was married to Mrs. Zimmerman, and they became the parents of the following children: John, who died in 1907; Carl; Alexander, and Clara. Mr. Ladwig was a hard-working, thrifty man, he stood very high in public esteem and was recognized as one of the solid men of his community, and one upon whom implicit reliance could be placed. His widow and children share in the general approbation he won, and are members of a congenial social cirele at Woodstock.
JAMES LAKE.
James Lake, one of the very influential men of Harvard, who is interested in some of the most important affairs of the city and county, was born in Walworth County, Wis., eight miles north of Harvard, and one mile north of the state line, September 23, 1850, a son of Beardsley Lake. The latter was born in New York, a son of Rev. Philip Waldo Lake, a minister of the Free Will Baptist church, who came west in 1839, settling on Big Foot Prairie, where he secured 640 acres of land. The next spring, Beardsley Lake's wife and two children joined him. Her maiden name was Mary K. Welsh, and she was born in the same neighborhood as he. They settled on 320 acres of the land above mentioned.
James Lake was two years old when his mother brought him to this farm, and he lived on it until 1876 when he came to Harvard, and two years later he bought an interest in the business of Mr. Clark, and maintained that connection for three years. He then bought the busi- ness owned by A. D. Crum of Walworth, Wis., conducting it for three years, when Mr. Crum became his partner. Once more Mr. Lake bought Mr. C'rum's interest and continued alone for eight years. At the expira- tion of that period he took into partnership, his son-in-law. This busi- ness was originally founded by James Lake's unele, Levi Lake, and has been continuously in the Lake family ever since, with the exception of the time it was owned by Mr. Crum. Lumber, coal, feed and similar commodities are handled, and since 1876 the firm has handled stock,
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buying, selling and shipping upon an extensive scale. In connection with the stock end of the business, Mr. Lake has owned several farms at different times. He is a staunch Republican, and for ten years served as supervisor of Chemung Township. The Congregational church holds his membership. Mr. Lake is a Knight-Templar Mason. Few men are held in higher esteem in McHenry and Walworth counties than he, and he deserves a place in a work of this high character.
JOSEPH I. LANG.
Joseph I. Lang, now deceased, was one of the distinguished members of the MeHenry County bar, and at the time of his demise, was residing at Richmond. He was born in Ypsilanti, Mich., January 30, 1877, one of the six children of Cornelius C. and Jennie (Gunn) Lang, the former of whom was engaged in the hardware business for a number of years.
Joseph I. Lang attended the common and high schools of his native city, and the law department of the Northwestern University, from which he was graduated June 16, 1904. Immediately thereafter he opened an office at Richmond, and was engaged in an active practice, when his brilliant career was terminated by an automobile accident November 20, 1916, when he and Dr. W. H. Streng were killed.
On October 9, 1901, Mr. Lang was married to Miss Ella L. Knight, born January 17, 1880, a daughter of George O. Knight of Providence, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Lang became the parents of one child, Frances M., born June 3, 1914, who, with her mother survive Mr. Lang. Mr. Lang was a Republican. He belonged to the Catholic Church, while his wife is a Baptist. Professionally Mr. Lang belonged to the MeHenry County Bar Association which he served as secretary and treasurer. Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus, and Mrs. Lang belongs to the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Lang left behind him an unblemished reputation and a name which stands for the highest conception of the ethics of his learned profession.
GEORGE WILLIAM LEMMERS.
George William Lemmers, abstractor of titles and insurance agent, residing at No. 232 North Tryon street, Woodstock, is one of the repre-
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sentative men of MeHenry County. He was born at Woodstock, March 15, 1871, a son of Cornelius Florentius and Lois Delina (Wheeler) Lemmers, the former of whom was born at Rotterdam, Holland, Septem- ber 4, 1816, and the latter, at Courtland, N. Y., September 18, 1833. He was a carpenter and joiner and settled with his wife at Woodstock, in 1851, building the following year, a house on the lot now occupied by the residence of his son, George William Lemmers. This house stood until 1915, when it was moved to make room for the new residence of Mr. Lemmers. Prior to coming to the United States, Cornelius F. Lemmers lived at Paris, France, for ten years, and he spoke five languages very fluently. His wife was brought to MeHenry County five years prior to her marriage, by her father, who bought 100 acres of land near Ridgeland, but died soon thereafter from sunstroke.
George William Lemmers attended the public schools of Woodstock, and in 18SS, when he was seventeen years old, he was graduated from the Woodstock High School. He began working in a meat market when only nine years old, and continued to spend all of his spare time there until he completed his school courses. Mr. Lemmers then began working on a farm during the summer, and in the winter worked in the office of the MeHenry County Democrat, where he remained until March 4, 1889, when he became associated with the abstract office of Richards & Jewett, located where the restroom in the courthouse is now placed. During the summer of 1889, Richards & Jewett erected the brick building at No. 130 Cass Street, and here Mr. Lemmers has worked continuously ever since, not having missed a day's pay during all that time. On September 1, 1889, the Richards, Jewett & Wright Abstract Company was incorporated, and Mr. Lemmers was made treasurer and manager, and still holds these positions.
Mr. Lemmers served for four years in Company G, Illinois National Guard, spending six weeks of that time at Chicago during the great . railroad strike in 1894, helping to guard railroad property. He was elected city clerk of Woodstock in 1896, and served for eight years, and in 1913, was elected alderman from the Third Ward, serving two years, and served for three years as a member of the board of education, to which he was elected in 1912. Although he cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland in 1892, since then he has voted with the Republican party. Mr. Lemmers belongs to the Odd Fellows, and was noble grand for two years, and secretary for ten years, of Guardian Lodge No. 60; was exalted ruler in 1911 and 1918 of Woodstock Lodge No. 1043, B. P. O. E., and also served it as secretary; and he belongs to St. Mark's Lodge No.
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63, A. F. & A. M .; Woodstock Chapter No. 36, R. A. M .; Calvary Commandery No. 25, K. T., of which he was commander from 1913 to 1915; and Tebela Temple, Mystic Shrine of Rockford.
On August 14, 1894, Mr. Lemmers was married to Stella May Jones, born at Woodstock, III., November 9, 1873, a daughter of Valorous Elwayne and Mary (Gardner) Jones, the former of whom was born in New York, but moved west when very young, and the latter, born at Batavia, Ill., October 3, 1840, died May 19, 1916. Her 'ather was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and came to America, settling in Cook County, Ill., in 1833, naming the town of Dundee in Kane County. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmers have two children, namely: Dorothy Geraldine, born August 20, 1895; and Mary Evelyn, born October 23, 1905.
LOUIS M. LILLIBRIDGE.
Louis M. Lillibridge, one of the retired farmers of Harvard, has been a director of the First State Bank of Harvard since it was organized, and was formerly extensively engaged in farming in Dunham Township. He was born in Durham Township, April 14, 1846, one of the two children of Oliver P. and Matilda (Smith) Lillibridge. Oliver P. Lilli- bridge was born in Pennsylvania, and came to MeHenry County in 1842, settling in Marengo Township. He died in 1898, in Dunham Township, having been a farmer all his active life.
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