USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 11
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Mayor Sehring was born at Joliet, Feb. 21, 1872, and is a son of Frederick and Eloise (Bez) Sehring, natives of Germany, the father being born in the Province of Hesse-Darmstadt. The parents were married in their native land and shortly thereafter emigrated to the United States, and took up their residence at Mokena, Ill. Mr. Sehring became prominent in his community and served for a time as county recorder of Will County. After moving to Joliet he was a candidate for state senator. Having learned the art of brewing in his native land, he followed that calling in this country and finally purchased the Columbia Brewery, which he conducted successfully until his death in 1892. His widow survived him until 1911. They were the parents of the following children: Susan, lives at San Francisco, Calif .; Louis J., lives at Joliet; Margaret, married Henry F. Prepiepenbenk, lives at Joliet; Henry, died in 1926; Herman, deceased; Anna, married Dr. Poehner, lives at San Francisco; and George F., the subject of this sketch.
George F. Sehring attended the public schools of Joliet and after graduating from the high school as a member of the class of 1891 he took a business course at the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago.
HON. GEORGE F. SEHRING
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He secured his first employment as collector for the Will County National Bank, where he rose to receiving teller and then to paying teller, but in 1904 resigned his position to become cashier and collector of the Fred Sehring Brewing Company. In 1922, because of national prohibition, the brewing company ceased business, and since then Mr. Sehring has cen- tered his energies in looking after his large interests of a business and financial character and in attending to his official duties. In 1905 he was elected city treasurer, a position in which he served during 1905 and 1906, and in the spring of 1923 he was elected Mayor of Joliet.
Mr. Sehring is a Lutheran in religious faith and has a number of fraternal and civic connections.
On Nov. 4, 1896, Mr. Sehring was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Kramer of Joliet, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Weber) Kramer, natives of Germany. Mrs. Sehring died July 25, 1925. She was a member of the Catholic Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Sehring the following children were born: Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Smith ; Gertrude, married Joseph F. Lennon, lives at Joliet; Fred, who is engaged in the candy business in Joliet, married Edna May French of Joliet; George H., who is a medical student at the University of Michigan; and Louise, married on June 14, 1926, to John Cassidy of Joliet. He is associated in business with his father, Charles Cassidy, who conducts the J. O. Gorman Company, one of the pioneer wholesale and retail fruit businesses in Joliet.
Mayor Sehring married, July 28, 1928, Miss Josephine Barrett, born in Joliet March 14, 1893, a daughter of Patrick Barrett, retired, resides in Joliet, Ill. Mrs. Sehring is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, Joliet, III., and was employed by the E. J & E. R. R. offices for 11 years, previous to her marriage.
Charles R. French, D. D. S .- The dental profession has an able exponent at Joliet in Dr. French, a skilled practitioner, with offices in the Auditorium Building. He was born in this city, Aug. 3, 1892, a son of Edward and Ella (Haney) French.
Edward French was born at Odell, Ill., March 26, 1858, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Robinson) French. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph French were natives of Bennington, Vt., and pioneer settlers of Illinois, where Mr. French was a prosperous farmer. He was the owner of the first
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steel plow used in this State. Edward French spent his boyhood on his father's farm and in early youth entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad at Odell. He has been in the service of this company for 47 years and is now a passenger conductor. Mr. French is a Repub- lican and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His wife, who was born at Joliet, was the daughter of John and Bridget Haney, both natives of Ireland. Mr. French's mother was a second cousin of Admiral Dewey of the U. S. Navy, and also a relative of the first governor of Vermont. She taught school at her residence in Odell, Ill. To Edward and Ella (Haney) French were born four children: Fred C., lives at Joliet; Harry E., died Sept. 16, 1914; Charles R., the subject of this sketch; and Ella, a graduate of St. Francis Academy, married George Bartz, lives at Joliet.
Following his attendance at Joliet Township High School for a term of two years, Charles R. French entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad in their general offices at Chicago. Subsequently he entered the Chicago Dental College from which he was graduated in 1912. He then came to Joliet, where he has established an excellent practice.
In 1915 Dr. French was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Evans, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Donley) Evans, of Joliet. Mr. Evans is deceased and his widow lives in this city. Dr. and Mrs. French have one child, Laverne, born June 2, 1917.
Politically Dr. French is a Republican. He holds membership in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Psi Omega fraternity, and Holy Name Society. He also belongs to the Will and Grundy County Dental Society, Illinois State Dental Society, and American Dental Association.
Richard Hensel .- Active and progressive in business, Richard Hen- sel is prominent in Mokena, where he is a druggist. He was born in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 18, 1868, the son of Richard and Fredericka (Mast) Hensel.
Richard Hensel, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was the son of Peter von Henseldorf, who was a member of the German Reichs- tag. Mr. Hensel was a cigar maker by trade and after his arrival in the United States in 1861 engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Chicago. His factory and business were completely destroyed in the
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Chicago fire. Mr. Hensel is deceased and is buried in New York. His wife is buried at Mokena. There were three sons in the Hensel family ; Richard, the subject of this sketch; Arthur, died March 8, 1928, in Chicago, Ill .; and Otto, wholesale candy manufacturer, Los Angeles, Calif.
The boyhood of Richard Hensel was spent in Mokena, where he attended the public schools. He clerked in the grocery store of a Mr. Ducker. He later was employed in the Frank Baumgartner dairy, and then became interested in the drug business in the store of Dr. F. W. Searles. Mr. Hensel went to Chicago to study pharmacy in the store of Edward Merz, now owner of Sergeant's Drug Store in Chicago. Mr. Hensel later went as drug buyer for Sol Klein and finally established a business of his own at 48th and Lake streets, Chicago. In 1923 he disposed of this store and came to Mokena, where he established his present business.
In 1892 Mr. Hensel was united in marriage with Miss Emma Kappel, the daughter of Fred and Carrie (Schweser) Kappel, natives of Ger- many and early settlers of Will County. They are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hensel were born five children: Violet, married Henry Heran, lives in Chicago, and they have a son, Richard; Ethel, employed in the Federal Reserve Bank, Chicago; Ruth, married Leonard Grosse, lives in Chicago; Richard, deceased; and Carrie Louise, lives in Chicago.
Mr. Hensel is a Republican and is serving his second term as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.
Harry F. Mall, manager of the Frank Mall Lumber Company, is a representative business man of Mokena. He was born in Aurora, Ill., July 15, 1883, a son of Frank and Sarah (Schank) Mall.
Frank Mall, deceased, was born March 25, 1889, at Spelinngen, Ger- many. In 1886 he came to the United States and settled on a farm near Oswego, Ill. In 1868 he removed to Aurora, Ill., where he engaged in the building contract work until 1898. In that year he embarked in the lumber business and had a large lumber yard. Today it is one of the largest in Aurora. In 1909 Mr. Mall purchased a lumber yard in Mokena from George J. Hacker, which was a small yard at that time.
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Mr. Mall died Jan. 12, 1912, and is buried at Aurora, Ill. He was a Re- publican and a member of the Evangelical Church. His widow, a native of Oswego, Ill., now lives at Aurora. To this union five children were born: Albert, president, Frank Mall Lumber Company, Aurora; Robert, manager, Frank Mall Lumber Company, Aurora; Margaret, married Joseph Lord, lives at Aurora; Harry T., the subject of this sketch ; and Franklin, deceased.
Harry F. Mall graduated from Aurora High School in 1900, after which he took a course in Allen's Metropolitan Business College. After leaving school he went to Michigan and Wisconsin where he followed the lumber business. Later he was in business for himself at Seattle, Wash., also in real estate. In 1909 he returned East and located in Mokena, where he assumed the management of the Frank Mall Lum- ber Company. The plant is one of the largest of its kind in this section. The company also handles farm implements, coal, and builders supplies.
In 1919 Mr. Mall was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Hirsch, a daughter of Frank Hirsch, a retired cafe owner of Mokena.
Mr. Mall is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church, in which Mrs. Mall is an active worker.
Emil D. Cappel .- One of the representative and substantial men of Will County, is Emil D. Cappel, who is serving as Highway Commis- sioner for Frankfort Township. He was born at Mokena, Jan. 29, 1884, a son of John and Elizabeth (Werner) Cappel.
John Cappel, deceased, was born in Frankfort, Will County, May 26, 1846, and died in 1896. He was a prominent stockman of the county, and the owner of a large farm known as the Brummond farm, at Mokena. He was greatly interested in all township and county affairs, and served as deputy sheriff for four years. He was township collector one year, and township clerk for six years, and a member of St. John's Evangelical Church. His widow, also a native of Will County now resides at Mokena. To Mr. and Mrs. Cappel 11 children were born: Julia, deceased; Emma, deceased, was the wife of William Bechstein; John, a stock dealer, Mattoon, Ill .; Willie, deceased; George, deceased; Andrew, Mokena; Emil D., the subject of this sketch; Alma, married
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August Hauck, Mokena; Fred, Mokena; Ida, married Peter Manche, Mokena; and Albert, Mokena.
John Cappel was a son of Frederick Cappel, who was born in Ger- many, and an early settler of Will County. Frankfort township, Will County, was named by him, in honor of Frankfort on the Main, where he was born. He was an agriculturist, and is buried at Mokena.
Emil D. Cappel attended the public schools of Mokena. He then engaged in farming and after the World War purchased 116 acres of land, all under cultivation, which was known as the John Scheweser farm. Mr. Cappel does winter stock feeding. He was elected highway commissioner on the People's ticket in 1924 and in 1928 was reelected by one of the largest majorities ever given a candidate in the town- ship. He served as tax collector for two years and filled this office capably.
In 1903 Mr. Cappel was united in marriage with Miss Emma Martie, a daughter of John and Louisa (Sass) Martie, natives of Germany, and later residents of Mokena. Both are deceased and buried in St. John's Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Cappel have three children: Myrtle, Elmer, and Mildred, all at home. Mr. Cappel's home is located on the Tinley Park Road, one and one-quarter miles east of Mokena.
Mr. Cappel is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the family hold membership in St. John's Evangelical Church.
Fred Cappel, senior member of the firm of Cappel Brothers, dealers in grain, feed, coal, salt, and tile, at Mokena, is one of the live, progress- ive men of that city. He was born in Mokena, Sept. 27, 1887, a son of John and Elizabeth (Werner) Cappel, a complete sketch of whom appears in Emil D. Cappel sketch.
Fred Cappel attended the public schools and worked on his father's farm until he was 21 years of age. In 1908 he entered the employ of the Joliet and Eastern Electric Railway as a conductor, running between Aurora, Ill., and Chicago Heights. In 1916 he resigned this position in order to operate his mother's farm. On Aug. 7, 1926, in partnership with his brother, Albert Cappel, he purchased the business of William Bechstein, which they have since successfully conducted under the name of Cappel Brothers.
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In 1913 Mr. Cappel was married to Miss Luella May Karch, a daugh- ter of Jacob Karch. Mr. Karch, who was a dealer in farm implements at Frankfort, Ill., is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cappel have a daugh- ter, Helen Katherine, a student.
Mr. Cappel is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and is secretary, treasurer and a trustee of St. John's Cemetery Association. He is also a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
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Albert C. Cappel, junior member of the firm of Cappel Brothers, is one of the prominent young business men of Mokena. He was born here on Jan. 12, 1891, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Werner) Cappel.
A sketch of John Cappel appears in the biography of Emil D. Cappel.
Albert C. Cappel was reared on his mother's farm and attended the public schools of Mokena. He followed farming all his life until 1927, when he engaged in business with his brother. He had a farm of 129 acres, all of which was under cultivation except 25 acres. He was also interested in the dairy business, which he sold in 1928. On Aug. 7, 1926, he became a member of the firm of Cappel Brothers.
In 1915 Mr. Cappel was married to Miss Clara A. Yunker, a daugh- ter of Chris and Earnestine (Parchert) Yunker. Mr. Yunker, who was an agriculturist, is deceased, and his widow resides in Mokena. To Mr. and Mrs. Cappel three children were born; Wesley E., Harold, and Marvin, all students. Mrs. Cappel died April 9, 1925, and is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena.
Mr. Cappel is a Republican, a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and Matte- son Lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 175.
George J. Hacker .- Among the prominent men in the banking and business life of Mokena and New Lenox is George J. Hacker, who bears the name of an honored pioneer family of Will County. He was born in Mokena, June 22, 1874, a son of Charles and Maria (Mau) Hacker.
When mere children Charles and Marie Hacker came to this country from Germany with their parents, who located in Mokena, and where
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they were reared and were married. Charles Hacker was a trusted employe of the Rock Island Railroad where he served 45 years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded while in service in North Carolina, and was honorably discharged. He died in 1916 and his wife in 1927. They are both buried in St. John's Cemetery, Mokena. He was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, a member of the Village Board of trustees, and the G. A. R. In politics he was a Republican. There were five children in the Hacker family: Louisa, married Herman Wilde, lives in Joliet ; Charles J., Mokena; George J., the subject of this sketch ; Minnie, married John Hauck, Joliet; and Philip, a contractor builder, lives at Mokena.
George J. Hacker attended the public schools of Mokena, and then learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for four years. He then engaged in building until 1900, in which year he started a lumber yard. He conducted this with success and in 1909 sold his business to the Frank Mall Lumber Company.
In 1909 he engaged in the real estate business, specializing in the erection and selling of houses. He was one of the original stockholders of the Mokena State Bank, and in 1921 was made its cashier. He re- signed this position in 1927. He is one of the directors of the bank. In 1919 Mr. Hacker assisted in organizing the Orland State Bank, of Orland, Ill., and served as a member of the auditing committee of the bank. In 1927 he was one of the organizers of the New Lenox State Bank, at New Lenox, and is a director. Mr. Hacker also opened and developed Brookwood Park, a subdivision of New Lenox. On April 1, 1928, with two business associates, he organized the New Lenox Lum- ber and Hardware Company, at New Lenox, Ill.
In 1900 Mr. Hacker was married to Miss Fannie Barnes, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Rix) Barnes, natives of England, where they were married. They located in Frankfort Township, Will County, where Mr. Barnes was engaged in farming. They are now deceased and are buried in Marshall Cemetery, Mokena. Mr. and Mrs. Hacker have four chil- dren: Eunice, married Frank Valy, lives at New Lenox, and they have two sons, George and Glen; Myrtle, married Ceward W. Batson, New Lenox; Muriel, and Evelyn, at home. Myrtle and Muriel are twins.
Mr. Hacker is a Republican. He has served as supervisor of Frank- fort Township, and has been chairman of the board of trustees of
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Mokena for years. The family are members of St. John's Evangelical Church.
Fred M. Chamberlin .- A prominent investment banker in Joliet is Fred M. Chamberlin, who is vice president of the Woodruff Securities Company, with offices in the First National Bank Building. He was born in this city, Aug. 30, 1877, a son of George N. and Ella E. (Munger) Chamberlin.
George N. Chamberlin was born in Lockport, Ill., Dec. 20, 1851. He was educated in and graduated from the high school in Lockport, after which he learned telegraphy on the old Caton lines of the Illinois and Mississippi Telegraph Company, which operated and controlled the first telegraph lines in this State. He remained with this company for three years when he entered the employ of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad being located in the telegraphic department at Engle- wood, Ill., as night operator. He was later transferred to the city offices under the Sherman House in the general freight department, his uncle, Charles M. Gray being assistant general freight agent at that time. He later returned to Lockport and was with Norton & Company in the milling and commission business for four years. In the meantime his father's business had grown so extensive that in 1875 he joined him and remained until his son, Fred M. Chamberlin took over the business. He now resides at Daytona Beach, Florida. His wife died Sept. 3, 1908 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Chamberlin was a member of Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175. On Dec. 5, 1876 he was married to Miss Ella E. Munger, a daughter of Charles E. Munger, an old and highly esteemed resident of Joliet. To this union two children were born: Fred M., the subject of this sketch; and Jessie F. Chamberlin.
George N. Chamberlin was the son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (Gray) Chamberlin. Samuel S. Chamberlin was born in Henrietta, Monroe County, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1817. His father, Luther Chamberlin, was pro- prietor of the old fashioned tavern known as the Henrietta House, located near Rochester, N. Y. At an early age Samuel S. Chamberlin entered the Monroe Academy where he acquired his education. At the age of 16 years he left New York with his father and brother Lewis L. Cham- berlin, for Illinois. They started in January, 1833, and Mr. Chamberlin rode the entire distance on an Indian pony. They reached Chicago,
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GEORGE N. CHAMBERLIN
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the only Indian trading station along the route, and there remained for a few days, after which they proceeded southward, making a settle- ment near Hickory Creek. It took one month to make the trip. Luther Chamberlin made a claim on government land, remaining there until 1837 when he removed to Peoria County, Ill. Samuel S. Chamberlin continued his education as a student in Jubilee College, near Peoria, and was graduated. In 1844 the family removed to Lockport, Ill.
Samuel S. Chamberlin began business as an architect and builder, contracting for warehouses and buildings. He erected the large ware- house of Norton & Company, of Lockport, Ill. In 1847 he established a furniture and undertaking business, erecting new buildings for his business. In 1854 during the cholera siege he worked day and night for a month. In 1873 he removed his business to Joliet, taking in his son George N. Chamberlin as a partner. In 1885 the furniture depart- ment was discontinued.
Samuel S. Chamberlin was married in 1839 to Elizabeth Gray, who died April 11, 1889. He died Dec. 4, 1897. They had two sons, George N., and Charles G. Chamberlin.
Fred M. Chamberlin attended the public schools of Joliet and the Joliet High School, and as a young man entered the office of the late George H. Munroe, real estate. In 1893 he came to the First National Bank as a collector. In 1899 he left the bank and took charge of the Geo. N. Chamberlin & Son undertaking establishment, in which business he still retains an interest. In 1919 Mr. Chamberlin became vice presi- dent of the Woodruff Securities Company. In 1919 Mr. Chamberlin took as a partner in his undertaking business, D. S. Sloan, and the con- cern is known as Chamberlin & Sloan.
In 1900 Mr. Chamberlin was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Reed, a daughter of Loyal W. Reed, of Springfield, Ill., the latter is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have a daughter, Frances, a grad- uate of Elmhurst School, Connersville, Ind., now at home. The family are members of Christ Episcopal Church.
Mr. Chamberlin belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, of which he served as president for two years; is a director of the First National Bank; and the Joliet Country Club. Fraternally he is affiliated with Matteson Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No. 175, of which he was master in 1904-05; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M. 27; Joliet Commandery, K. T. No. 4; and Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R.
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Henry Stellwagen, proprietor of Stellwagen's Shop, Mokena, is well known in the borough's political and fraternal circles. He was born in Orland Township, Cook County, Ill., July 7, 1865, a son of Mathias and Margaret (Stellwagen) Stellwagen.
Mathias Stellwagen was born in Heimersheim, Germany, as was also his wife. He came to the United States in 1842 and located at Wilkes Barre, Pa. In 1844 he came to Frankfort Township, Will County, Ill., and was one of its pioneer settlers. He followed farming and stock- raising. He was married to Margaret Stellwagen, on June 2, 1859, at Joliet. He died July 17, 1888, and she died April 14, 1913. They are buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Frankfort Township. There were six children in the Stellwagen family: 1. William, born April 21, 1860, died Aug. 14, 1925. 2. John, born Aug. 23, 1861, a retired farmer of Orland Township, Cook County, Ill. 3. Caroline, married Fred Marti. She is deceased and he lives at Frankfort, Ill. 4. Henry, the subject of this sketch. 5. Philip J., born April 24, 1874, a farmer, in Frankfort Town- ship. 6. George A., born Dec. 27, 1875, a farmer, Frankfort Town- ship.
Henry Stellwagen was educated in the township schools of Orland Township. He learned the harness maker's trade from Philip Knater at Frankfort, Ill., where he remained five years. In 1894 he came to Mokena where he conducted a harness shop and later a livery stable, also. He still conducts the harness business and auto livery, and stor- age garage.
In 1894 Mr. Stellwagen was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Hatch, a daughter of John A. and Nancy M. (McGovney) Hatch.
John A. Hatch was born in Frankfort Township, Will County, in 1842. He died July 17, 1920. His wife, who was born at Mokena, died July 1, 1927. Both are buried in Marshall Cemetery, New Lenox Town- ship, Will County. Mr. Hatch conducted a general store and was also in the grain elevator business. He was a veteran of the Civil War, a member of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served during the entire period of the war. He was a prominent citizen of Mokena, and a mem- ber of U. S. Grant Post, G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch were the parents of the following children: 1. Jennie, born April 28, 1867. 2. Emma, born Sept. 21, 1872, died March 14, 1889. 3. Nannie, born Aug. 11, 1874, married Samuel J. Fulton, Joliet. 4. John O., born July 10, 1877, Altadena, Calif. 5. Grace, born Feb. 16, 1880, married George E. Pitt-
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away, Auburn Park, Chicago, Ill. 6. Etta, born Oct. 22, 1882, married Herman Grassle, Coal City, Ill. 7. Elbert R., born Sept. 11, 1884, Keokuk, Iowa. 8. Lois V., born April 5, 1887, married Thomas W. Har- vey, Joliet. 9. Alfred Clinton, born Nov. 8, 1889, a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the 2nd Division, and was in the Army of Occupation, lives at Mokena.
Mr. Stellwagen is a Republican, and fraternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, Court of Honor, Royal Neighbors, and Woodmen's Accident Association. He has an excellent standing in the town and is highly esteemed.
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