USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 35
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Pfoff was educated in the public schools of Goodenow and is a graduate of Illinois State Normal School. Before her marriage she was a teacher in the schools of McLean County.
Mr. Pfoff is a member of the Methodist Church and is affiliated with A. F. and A. M. No. 911, Bellflower, Ill. He is a Republican.
During the World war Mr. Pfoff volunteered for service and was stationed at Camp Grant, Ill. He is a member of the American Legion.
John C. Diersen, who lives retired at Crete, is among the substantial and representative citizens of Will County. He was born at Crete, Dec. 25, 1862, the son of J. W. and Ingle (Dennis) Diersen.
J. W. Diersen, deceased, was the son of John H. Diersen, a pioneer settler of Chicago, and Crete Township. John H. Diersen died in 1886 and his son died in 1898. Both were farmers and spent the greater part of their lives on the Diersen homestead, which consisted of 240 acres in Crete Township. Engle (Dennis) Diersen was a native of Germany and died in 1900. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Diersen: John C. P. G., the subject of this sketch; William H., lives in Crete Township; Louise, married Philip Piepenbrink, lives at Crete; Henry, Herman, August, and Gotlieb, all live at Crete; Amelia, died in 1926, was the wife of Robert Schlemmer, of Crete; Emma, married Chris Koelling, lives in Crete Township; Anna, married Her- man Piepenbrink, lives in Crete Township; Otto, lives at Kansas City, Mo .; and Walter lives in Chicago.
John Conrad Philip Gustav Diersen spent his boyhood on his father's farm and for three years served an apprenticeship at the tinsmith trade, for which he received wages of $50 per year. He then went to Nebraska, where he disposed of a lumber claim in exchange for the corner hard- ware store at Crete. Mr. Diersen conducted this business continuously from 1886 until 1923, at which time he retired. The store is now oper- ated by his son, John A. Diersen. This pioneer business was founded in 1838, and is one of the oldest business houses of Will County.
On Nov. 21, 1888, Mr. Diersen was united in marriage with Miss Sophie Piepenbrink, of Crete, the daughter of Otto Piepenbrink. To them were born six children: Linda, married Henry Lorenzen, lives at Crete, and they have three children, Ruth, Vernon, and Walter; John A., lives at Crete, married Miss Alvina Koelling, and they have a son, John Roberts; Martin, lives in Chicago, married Miss Ingeron Samuel-
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son ; Anna, married Elmer Duensing, lives at Crete; Amelia and Esther, both at home.
Mr. Diersen is identified with the Democratic party in national poli- tics. He and his family are members of the German Evangelical Luth- eran Church.
W. F. Mussman, deceased, was a funeral director and well known business man of Crete. He was born at St. John's, Indiana, July 11, 1861, the son of W. L. and Sophia (Bume) Mussman.
W. L. Mussman was born in Germany and was among the early set- tlers of Crete Township, Will County. For a short time he lived in Indiana, where he followed general farming and stock raising. He died at Grant Park, Ill., in 1904, and his wife, also a native of Germany, died Nov. 13, 1922. To Mr. and Mrs. Mussman the following children were born: W. F., the subject of this sketch; George, farmer, lives at Wel- come, Minn .; Minnie, married Charles Stadt, lives in Chicago; Herman lives on the old homestead at Grant Park, Kankakee County, Ill .; Sophia, deceased, was the wife of August Planske; Henry, died in September, 1926; Amelia, deceased, was the wife of Henry Homeyer; Lizzie, de- ceased, was the wife of Herman Kurth; and two children died in infancy.
W. F. Mussman was five years old when his parents removed to Crete Township. He attended the district schools and in 1889 became interested in the furniture and undertaking business here. For several years he specialized in undertaking with his son, the business being known as W. F. Mussman & Son.
On April 22, 1890, Mr. Mussman was married to Miss Ella Koester, a native of Germany. One child was born to this union, George W., born Nov. 15, 1891. He was educated in the public schools of Crete and in 1914 was graduated from the Barnes School of Embalming. He now conducts the undertaking business established by his father. He married June 10, 1914, Miss Helen Luecke, of Crete, the daughter of John and Sophia Leucke. They have two children, Gerald, born Jan. 27, 1920; and Robert, born Aug. 10, 1926.
Mr. Mussman was a member of the Evangelical Church of Chicago Heights, and belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. He served as chief of the local fire department from 1909 until 1924. He died Aug. 15, 1928.
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Arthur C. Kieper, who is manager of the Farmers Grain Company, of Goodenow, is among the enterprising young business men of Will County. He was born at Chicago Heights, Ill., Nov. 8, 1895, the son of Albert and Bertha (Mach) Kieper.
Albert Kieper was born in Germany in 1852. He came to the United States about 1877 and settled at Goodenow, in Will County. He later lived in Chicago Heights, but returned to Goodenow, where he died in 1912. He is buried in Beecher Cemetery. Mr. Kieper was well known for many years as a successful farmer of Crete Township. His widow resides at Goodenow. To Mr. and Mrs. Kieper the following children were born: Paul, lives at Crete; Clara, married Henry Ohlerking, lives at Madison, Ill .; Ella, deceased, was the wife of Wilbur Hough, of Chicago Heights; Mary, married Emil Aberstich, lives at Roselle, Ill .; Arthur C., the subject of this sketch; Henry and Harry, who lives at home.
Arthur C. Kieper received his education in the public schools of Goodenow. He began his business career as a bookkeeper for the Gage Hat Company, of Chicago, and six months later went with the Austin Savings Bank, Chicago, in whose employ he remained for eight years. Since 1919 he has held his present position as manager of the Farmers Grain Company of Goodenow.
Mr. Kieper is a Republican, a member of the Beecher Evangelical Church, and belongs to A. F. and A. M. No. 763, Crete. He is unmarried.
The officers of the Farmers Grain Company are as follows: Fred Kuhlman, president; Edward Wassman, vice president; and George W. Baker, secretary and treasurer. Directors are: Gus Schrewe, Harry S. Graham, Fred Kuhlman, Edward Wassman, and George W. Baker. All are residents of Crete Township.
D. J. Steevens, owner and editor of the Beecher Herald, is among prominent newspaper men of Will County. He was born at LaCrosse, Wis., May 17, 1871.
Mr. Steevens was eleven years of age when his family removed to Winona. They later lived in the then Dakota territory and Huron, South Dakota. After completing his schooling Mr. Steevens learned the print- er's trade at LaCrosse, Wis., having returned to his birthplace when a young man. He later went to Livingston, Mont., and from there to Helena, Mont., where he was connected with the newspaper of Russel B. Harrison, son of President Harrison. He later returned to LaCrosse,
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where he was employed on a daily newspaper. In 1897 he purchased a newspaper at Arcadia, Wis., which he owned for nine years. In 1907 he came to Beecher and on September 6th of that year published the first issue of the Beecher Herald. It is a weekly publication and has a widespread circulation of 900 subscribers. Mr. Stevens has been highly successful in this undertaking and attributes his success to his ideal of service at all times. The newspaper plant represents an investment of approximately $18,000.00.
Mr. Steevens was married in 1895 to Miss Margaret Gleason, of Arcadia, Wis. They have two children: 1. Charles A., a veteran of the World War, is identified with the First National Bank of Chicago Heights, and lives at Steger. He married Miss Mary Newquist, of Steger, and they have a son, Jack. 2. Mae, who married Walter New- quist, of Steger, and they have one son, David Steevens.
Mr. Stevens has always been a Republican. He held the office of village clerk for three terms. He won the first election by one vote, the second by 37 votes, and was elected the third term without opposi- tion. He is a member of the Catholic Church of Steger and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, and Catholic Order of Foresters.
George A. Batterman, of Beecher, is one of the successful and well known business men of Will County. He was born in Lake County, Ind., Dec. 12, 1887, the son of Albert and Leona (Ostermeyer) Batterman.
Albert Batterman was born in Crete Township in 1859, the son of Fred Batterman, a native of Germany. The Batterman family settled in Will County during the early days and were well known farmers of this section. Albert Batterman died in 1897, and his widow, a native of Washington Township, resides at Beecher. She was the daughter of Conrad Ostermeyer, a pioneer of Washington Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Batterman were born two children: George A., the subject of this sketch; and Ella, married William C. Selk, lives at Beecher.
At the age of ten years George A. Batterman was brought to Beecher with his family. After completing his schooling he was em- ployed in the general store of Stade Brothers, for two years, and in 1907 formed a partnership with William F. Ruge. Mr. Batterman became owner of the entire business in 1920. He is the only dry goods merchant at Beecher and has a well established trade. He is a director
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of the Farmers State Bank and is active in the promotion of the new Community Building of Beecher which was built at a cost of $50,000.
On Feb. 18, 1912, Mr. Batterman married Miss Josephine Apking of Beecher. Their only child, Clifford, was born Jan. 18, 1914, and died May 20, 1916.
Politically Mr. Batterman is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of St. Luke's Church, Beecher, and is affiliated with A. F. and A. M. No. 1087, and Modern Woodmen of America. He has held the office of village clerk of Beecher since 1919.
James M. Thompson, who has served as supervisor of music in the Joliet Public Schools for the past 35 years, is prominent in musical circles throughout Illinois. He was born in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada, April 23, 1866, the son of Henry and Ursula (Sinclair) Thompson.
The early education of James M. Thompson was secured in the schools of Canada. He spent two years in Woodstock College in Canada and five years at Hillsdale College in Michigan, from which he was graduated in June, 1891. He spent the following two years in extension work at Detroit, Mich., and in the fall of 1892 began teaching music at Joliet. After a period of 16 years of service with the local schools Mr. Thompson studied abroad, taking graduate work in London, England, and also in Scotland. He conceived the idea of organizing a boys' band in Joliet, and this organization has done much to make the city widely known throughout the country.
Emphasizing a high standard of leadership among boys he started a grade school band with 24 boys from 12 schools, asking the regular teachers cooperation to select on a merit basis. In this the require- ment called for the highest standard in all subjects and musically inclined. This has been known for nearly a score of years as a perpetual plan which has passed boys of the highest rank in prize winning to the national champion high school band. Mr. Thompson has gone on record as having laid the foundation for state and national champion bands in Joliet.
Mr. Thompson was married on Jan. 27, 1892, to Miss Anna M. Clouse, of the Province of Ontario, Canada. She is a talented pianist and organist and is well known in the city. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born six children, as follows: 1. Cyril C., a graduate of Beloit College, Wisconsin, and the University of Nebraska, served throughout the
JAMES M. THOMPSON
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World War, married Miss Vivian Ditto, and they have three children: Dawn, Betty, and Rachael. They live in Boise, Idaho, where Mr. Thomp- son is chief deputy auditor for the State of Idaho. 2. Milo M., a graduate of Joliet Township High School, and Harvard University, served throughout the World War as a lieutenant in the air service, married Miss Florence Weston, of Joliet, and they have two children: Elsworth and Lois. He is editor of the Idaho Statesman and is a prominent jour- nalist of the West. 3. Harold H., a graduate of Joliet Township High School and Hillsdale College, served during the World War, and died at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., February 11, 1920. 4. Marie Houser, lives at Altoona, Pa. She is a graduate of Joliet Township High School and the Columbia College of Expression in Chicago, married Harry Houser and they have two children, Robert and Gretchen. 5. Vera D., a graduate of Joliet Township High School and the Pestalozzi Frobel Kindergarten College, Chicago, a teacher in the public schools of Evanston, Ill., also of Northwestern University. 6. William L., a graduate of Joliet Town- ship High School, Northwestern University, now a student of jour- nalism in Columbia University, New York City.
An estate known as Hillsdale Place, consisting of ten acres, has been the home of Mr. Thompson for more than a quarter of a century. It is located at 2000 to 2010 on East Washington Street, bounded on the east by Oakview Ave., which street was laid out and named by Mr. Thompson. The west boundry is a beautiful ravine drive with attractive homes known as Hillsdale Road which is constantly being improved and with the rapid growth to the east the Thompson homestead will continue to grow attractive.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and a member of the Official Board of the Richards Street Methodist Episcopal Church. For the past twenty years he has been Choir master of the Illinois State Prison in Joliet. He is a charter member of the Joliet Kiwanis Club and is widely known as a song leader.
Henry C. Piepenbrink, progressive farmer and stockman of Crete Township, is a member of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Will County. He was born where he now lives, March 8, 1885, the son of Conrad and Sophia Engelking Piepenbrink.
Conrad Piepenbrink was born on the old Piepenbrink homestead in Crete Township in 1852, the son of John Otto Piepenbrink, a well known 28-VOL. 2
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pioneer of Crete Township. Conrad Piepenbrink became one of the lead- ing farmers of Crete Township and was the owner of 243 acres of well improved land. He specialized in dairy farming and was also an extens- ive raiser of grain. At the time of his death in 1914 he was living retired at Chicago Heights. Besides his farming interests he was iden- tified with the Crete Mutual Insurance Association. He was a Republi- can, a member of the Lutheran Church, and active in the work of the Will County Farm Bureau. His widow, who lives at Chicago Heights, was born in Washington Township, Will County. To Mr. and Mrs. Piepenbrink were born eight children, as follows: Anna, unmarried, lives at home; Otto, lives at Harvey, Ill .; Sophia, married Herman Redeker, lives at Milford, Ill .; Henry C., the subject of this sketch; Helen, married Louis Koelling, lives at Chicago Heights; Edward, lives at Beaver Dam, Wis .; Bertha, married Alfred Koevert, lives at Mil- waukee, Wis .; and Martin, lives in Chicago.
Henry C. Piepenbrink has always lived in Crete Township. He was educated in the Lutheran School at Crete, and since the death of his father in 1914 has operated the farm. He is interested in dairy farming.
On Sept. 3, 1911, Mr. Piepenbrink was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Redeker, a native of Iroquois County, Ill. They have five chil- dren: Leona, born July 28, 1916; Edwill, born Feb. 5, 1918; Norman, born Sept. 26, 1922; Helen and Irene, twins, born April 1, 1926.
Mr. Piepenbrink is an elder of the Trinity Lutheran Church. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. He belongs to the Will County Farm Bureau.
H. E. Ehlers .- One of the well known men of Beecher is H. E. Ehlers, who is cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Beecher. He was born in Washington Township, Will County, the son of Herman and Louise (Meyer) Ehlers.
Herman Ehlers came to the United States from Germany where he was born, in 1854, and settled west of Chicago. About 1870 he removed to Washington Township, Will County, where he owned and operated a mill until 1888. He then located on a farm east of Grant Park. For a time he resided at Beecher, but later lived retired in Chicago, where he died in 1913. His wife was born at Madison, Ill. She is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers are buried in Forest Home Ceme-
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
tery, Chicago. They were the parents of nine children, of whom H. E., the subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth.
H. E. Ehlers is a graduate of the public schools of Washington Township and later attended Valparaiso College. For 20 years he was associated in business at Grant Park in partnership with his brother, Fred Ehlers. In 1905 he became sole owner of the business which he continued until 1915. He has been connected with the Farmers State Bank of Beecher since 1916 and has held the office of cashier for the past five years.
In 1903 Mr. Ehlers married Miss Emma Korthauer, of Beecher, the daughter of John and Louisa Korthauer, both deceased. Mr. Korthauer was a veteran of the Civil War and an early settler of Beecher. To Mr. and Mrs. Ehler were born four children: Viola, a graduate of Bloom Township High School, employed in the Farmers State Bank as book- keeper; Herman, Vernon and Garnita.
Mr. Ehlers is a Republican and a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the Grant Park Country Club. Mr. Ehlers takes an active interest in the civic affairs of Washington Town- ship, and is now serving as supervisor.
The Farmers State Bank of Beecher, which was organized in Novem- ber, 1916, by E. C. Curtis, H. E. Ehlers, and H. B. Ruge, was the suc- cessor of the First National Bank of Beecher, which was established in 1906, and which was liquidated upon the organization of the former institution. The First National Bank was the outgrowth of the Bank of Beecher, which was established in the nineties and operated by Arthur Struve until 1906. The Farmers State Bank occupies the bank- ing house which was erected by the institution in 1906.
The Farmers State Bank of Beecher was organized with a capital stock of $25,000, and opened for business on the 18th day of Novem- ber, 1916, under the direction of the following officers: Frederick Wehmhoefer, H. W. Bockelman, Fred Erieson, Fred Hauseman, president ; and H. B. Ruge, cashier. Mr. Ruge died June 11, 1923, and was succeeded as cashier by Mr. Ehlers. At the same time W. F. Ruge was elected assistant cashier and director. The original board of directors was composed of Frederick Wehrmann, H. B. Ruge, V. S. Curtis, Frank Hunte, R. G. Salzmann, Carl Ehrhardt, Henry Wehmroefer, H. W. Bockelman, Fred Erieson, Fred Hauseman,
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
D. D. VanVoorhis, H. E. Ehlers, and Thomas Clark. The members of the present board of directors are as follows: H. E. Ehlers, Henry Wehmhoefer, president; D. D. Van Voorhis, vice president; W. F. Ruge, Geo. A. Batterman and Emil Klein.
This institution has accumulated a surplus of $16,000.00, and has reserve funds amounting to $17,500.00, and undivided profits of $10,000.00. Since its organization it has paid regular dividends of 10 per cent with an occasional 2 per cent additional. Total dividends have amounted to $27,500.00. Deposits, which amounted to $19,276.36 on the bank's first day of business, have increased to $450,000.00.
Michael R. Miley, M. D., of Beecher, is a representative member of the medical profession of Will County and a leading citizen of the com- munity in which he lives. He was born in Wisconsin, Nov. 28, 1858, the son of Theodore and Anna Maria (Ritter) Miley.
Both Theodore Miley and his wife were natives of Switzerland. Their marriage took place at Madison, Wis., where they had both located early in life. Mr. Miley was a successful farmer until the time of his death, which occurred about 1886. His wife died in 1880. Both are buried at Alma, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Miley were the parents of seven children, two of whom survive: Michael R., the subject of this sketch ; and Julia Blum, who lives at West Palm Beach, Florida.
Michael R. Miley spent his boyhood in Wisconsin and was educated in the public schools there. He later attended Valparaiso University and in 1896 was graduated from Rush Medical College. He spent a year in private practice in Chicago, and then located at Beecher, in August, 1897.
On Oct. 14, 1899, Dr. Miley was united in marriage with Miss Emily Manz, a native of Wisconsin. They have had the following children: Alice, Bernice, and Olive, all at home; and Milton, who died in infancy.
Dr. Miley is a Republican and has served as mayor of Beecher for two terms. He has been a member of the school board for 27 years. He is identified with the Will County Medical Society, and Illinois State Medical Society. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is affili- ated with A. F. and A. M. No. 1087, Beecher, and Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Miley is widely known in Beecher and takes an active interest in the social and civic life.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Henry Hack .- Numbered among the solid and responsible business men of Will County, Henry Hack has long been connected with the business life of Beecher. He was born in Germany, July 29, 1855, the son of John and Sophia (Luth) Hack.
John Hack, deceased, was a pioneer settler of Will County. He came to this country early in life and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Will County. Later, he became interested in the meat business at Beecher and also conducted a general mercantile business. He was well known as a dependable merchant in this community. He died in 1908 at the age of 71 years. His wife died in 1918. Both are buried at Beecher. The business, established by Mr. Hack, is now carried on successfully by his grandson, Arthur Hack, and is one of the oldest business houses in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hack were born the following children: Herman, died in 1926; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Carl, retired, lives at Hammond, Ind .; Frank, deceased; and Emma, married Sher- man Lyte, lives at Peotone, Ill.
The boyhood of Henry Hack was spent in Washington Township and he attended the district schools. He was associated with his father's business at Beecher until about 1885, at which time he estab- lished his present undertaking business at Beecher. He also opened his hotel at that time and to the present time has ranked among the reliable hotel owners of Will County. A livery business, organized by Mr. Hack, was discontinued about 1910. In its place the garage of Hack & Son was organized and they are local dealers for the Chevrolet auto- mobile. A first class repair shop is conducted in connection with the sales service and a complete line of automobile accessories is handled by the firm.
On May 1, 1883, Mr. Hack was united in marriage with Miss Mary Bielfeldt, of Beecher, the daughter of Henning and Catherine (Dateleaf) Bielfeldt, both deceased. To them were born two children: Edmund C., born Jan. 13, 1888, a graduate of Chicago Heights High School and Loyola Medical College, Chicago, now a physician and surgeon at Ham- mond, Ind., married on Nov. 21, 1912, to Miss Margaret Schwartz, of Chicago, and they have three sons. Theodore, Robert, and LeRoy; and Albert B., born April 24, 1892, a graduate of Beecher High School, now associated with his father's business interests at Beecher, mar- ried on Dec. 29, 1912, to Miss Marie Deneke, of Beecher, and they have a daughter, Betty Jene, born Oct. 2, 1928.
Mr. Hack has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Evangelical Church of Beecher, and is affiliated with A. F. and A. M.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
No. 1087, Beecher, and Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as village trustee and has been constable of Beecher for a period of 30 years, as well as deputy sheriff of Will County.
Mary (Bielfeldt) Hack died Nov. 10, 1924, at the age of 69 years, and is buried in the Beecher Mausoleum.
William Ostermeyer, highway commissioner of Washington Town- ship, is a representative citizen of Will County, where he has spent his entire life. He was born on the Ostermeyer homestead in Washington Township, Nov. 17, 1866, and remained there until 1908, at which time he located at Beecher. He obtained his schooling in the district schools of Washington Township and until his retirement ranked among the highly successful farmers of the township. He has held the office of highway commissioner since 1922.
Mr. Ostermeyer was married in 1896 to Miss Mina Ruge, who was born in Washington Township. She died in December, 1907, at the age of 36 years, and is buried in St. John's Evangelical Cemetery, Beecher. To Mr. and Mrs. Ostermeyer were born five children, as follows: Edwin, lives at Beecher; Edna, married Lester Williamson, lives in Beecher, and to them were born three children: Lester, Jr., deceased; Phyllis Jean; and James Lee; William, Jr., lives at Beecher; Emma, married Doctor Theodore Schwarz, Chicago, and they have two children, Edmund William, and William Rheinhold; and Mina, married George Buttell, Jr., lives at Steger, and they have a son, George Joseph.
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