USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 36
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Politically Mr. Ostermeyer is a Republican. He has always been connected with the educational system of Washington Township and is now serving as trustee. He resides at Beecher although he is still the owner of the homestead of 120 acres in Washington Township.
John Luecke is a well known resident of Crete, where he has lived for the past 35 years. He was born at Monee, Will County, July 11, 1857, the son of Henry and Gustena (Huckemeyer) Luecke.
Henry Luecke, son of Earnest Luecke, was a native of Germany and among the early settlers of Will County, having located on a tract of 80 acres near Monee during the early days. He became a successful farmer and stockman and was living retired at the time of his death in 1895. His wife died in September, 1916. Both are buried in Trinity
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Cemetery, Crete. To Mr. and Mrs. Luecke were born the following children: Henry, retired, lives at Crete; John, the subject of this sketch; Fred, deceased; William, lives in Chicago; Emma, married Henry Bruning, lives at Whiting, Ind .; Edward, lives in Chicago; and Martin, who died in 1925.
John Luecke was educated in the district schools and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, which he successfully followed for 25 years. Since 1906 he has been at Chicago Heights in the employ of the Hamilton Piano Company.
In 1884 Mr. Luecke married Miss Louise Wiebrock of Crete. She died in 1886 and is buried in Trinity Cemetery. Mr. Luecke was later married to Miss Sophia Ruhe, of Crete, and to them were born six children, as follows: Adelia, married August Pippenbrink, lives at Crete; Arthur F., city clerk of Crete, married Miss Rose Lober, of Chicago; Helen, married George Mussman, lives at Crete; Selma, mar- ried Elmer Schlemmer, lives at Crete; Walter, lives in Chicago Heights, married Miss Antonette Tieri; and Norbert, married Miss Viola Pralle, of Crete, where they now reside.
Mr. Luecke is a Republican and some years ago held the offices of road treasurer and school trustee. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
F. Herman Wilke .- One of the successful young business man of Beecher is F. Herman Wilke, who is identified with the firm of Wilke & Rehn, lumber and coal dealers. He was born in Washington Town- ship, Sept. 7, 1899, the son of H. F. and Sophia (Meyer) Wilke.
F. Herman Wilke was four years old when his parents moved to Beecher. He received his early education in the public schools, attended Orr's Business School, Chicago, and later was enrolled at the University of Illinois. He was associated with a lumber firm in Chicago until 1912, at which time he returned to Beecher and made his present connection. This business was founded in 1880 by Arthur Strive and later owned by H. F. Wilke, the father of the subject of this sketch. In 1908 Mr. Wilke formed a partnership with a Mr. Wiechen, who later sold his interest to H. B. Ruge. After a year the elder Mr. Wilke died and Mr. Ruge continued the business alone until 1910. At that time the Wilke interest in the business was sold to H. W. Bockelman, and the business was known as Ruge & Bockelman until 1912, when F. Herman Wilke bought the interest of Mr. Bockelman. Late in 1925 Mr. Wilke, in
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partnership with Mr. Rehn, purchased the interest of Mr. Ruge, and the firm has since been known as Wilke & Rehn. They are widely known dealers in lumber, coal, building supplies, and farm machinery.
On Dec. 25, 1912, Mr. Wilke was united in marriage with Miss Hilda Marie Selk of Beecher, the daughter of John and Emma Selk. Mr. and Mrs. Selk live retired at Beecher. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilke have been born two daughters: Carolyn Harriet, born in 1914; and Jane Elizabeth born in 1917.
Mr. Wilke is a Republican, a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Chicago Heights Country Club. He is an active member of the Lumberman's Club of Chicago.
Leo M. Herkert is numbered among the dependable young business men of Joliet, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He was born in this city, Sept. 5, 1895, the son of Otto and Louise (Wagner) Herkert.
Otto Herkert, deceased, was a native of Germany. In 1880 he emi- grated to this country and settled in Joliet, where he was interested in the meat business for a number of years. He died in 1915 at the age of 52 years and is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Joliet. His wife died in 1924. She was the daughter of Michael and Louise (Wayne) Wagner, pioneer settlers of Joliet. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Herkert have four sons: Raymond, Leo M., Walter, and Robert.
The boyhood of Leo M. Herkert was spent in Joliet and he received his education in the public and high schools of the city. He also is a graduate of the Balfour-Johnson School of Chicago and DePauw Uni- versity. He was associated in business until 1925 with W. K. Young, of Chicago, and in that year returned to Joliet, where he opened offices in the W. H. Clare Realty Building at Van Buren and Ottawa Street. Mr. Herkert has specialized in allotment work and opened subdivisions at Briar Gate and Westminster. Besides his local business interests he is president of the Citizens Petroleum Company, at Muskegon, Mich., and vice president of the Muskegon Oil Corporation. He is also secre- tary-treasurer of the Muskegon Development Company.
Mr. Herkert is a Republican, a member of St. John's Catholic Church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, and Chamber of Commerce and Country Club. He is also a member of the Century Club of Muskegon, Mich.
LEO M. HERKERT
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Harry L. Stade, general merchant, is among the progressive and enterprising young business men of Beecher, where he was born, Feb. 28, 1890. He is the son of Henry and Emma (Busse) Stade, both deceased.
Henry Stade was born in Cook County, Ill., and located in Washing- ton Township, Will County, about 1870. He owned and operated the home place of 160 acres for a number of years and later came to Beecher, where he established the general mercantile business, which is now owned by his son. He retired from business in 1918 and lived at Beecher until the time of his death, which occurred in 1925. He is buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Beecher. His wife, a native of Washington Township, died in 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. Stade were born four children: Harry L., the subject of this sketch; Alfred, lives in Chicago; Edna, died at the age of 15 years; and Elsie, died in infancy. Mr. Stade was vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Beecher and also vice president of the Illinois Brick Company, Beecher.
Harry L. Stade obtained his schooling in the public schools of Beecher and after completing the high school course attended Orr's Business College, Chicago. Since 1912 he has been associated with his present business and became the owner of the store in 1918. Mr. Stade carries a complete line of general merchandise and also deals in meats, groceries, and confectionery.
On June 4, 1917, Mr. Stade married Miss Caroline Hinz, of DuPage County, Ill. They have two sons: Rowland, born July 12, 1918; and Harry L., Jr., born April 24, 1926.
Politically, Mr. Stade is a Republican. He holds membership in the Zion Lutheran Church, and belongs to the Chicago Heights Country Club. He is vice president of St. Paul's Cemetery Association of Beecher. He has a wide acquaintance in the community and is well liked.
William J. Hinze, whose name is well and favorably known in busi- ness and civic circles at Beecher, was born in the Hinze homestead in Washington Township, Will County, Aug. 19, 1873, the son of John and Mary (Stade) Hinze.
John Hinze, retired, was born at Rostock, Mecklenburg, Schwerin, Germany, in 1849. He was nine years of age when his parents came to the United States and settled in Illinois. About 1860 the family removed to Washington Township, and located on the present Hinze farm.
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Throughout his active career Mr. Hinze engaged in general farming and stock raising. His wife is also a native of Germany, born June 16, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Hinze were married in Washington Township in 1872. They had the following children: William J., the subject of this sketch; George, lives at home; Meta, married George Meyer, lives at Beecher ; Ernest, lives at Beecher ; Carl, lives at Beecher; Anna, married Henry Bohnsack, lives in Monee Township; Herman, lives at Waterloo, Iowa; Henry and Bertha, both deceased.
William J. Hinze obtained his education in the public schools of Beecher and also attended a business college in Chicago. He has been identified with his present business interests since 1894, which was founded by his father in 1882. The store handles a complete line of books, stationery, and notions, and is among the reliable business houses in Will County.
On June 14, 1903, Mr. Hinze married Mary Wassmann, of Bruns- wick, Ind. They have seven children, as follows: Herbert, born in 1904, attended Bloom Township High School, and the University of Illinois, lives at Gary, Ind., was married in June, 1928, to Miss Esther Knuth, of Dolton, Ill .; Wilmer attends the University of Illinois; Mil- dred, attends Englewood Business College; Leone, graduated from Bloom Township High School in 1928; Victor, Raymond, and Marion, all students.
Mr. Hinze has always been a Democrat and held the postmaster- ship at Beecher for 11 years, during the Wilson and Harding administra- tions. He has also been village treasurer and collector. Mr. Hinze is an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Beecher, and for the past 22 years has been treasurer of the Northern Illinois District of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states.
Charles Bahlman, deceased, was a highly esteemed citizen of Beecher. He was born on a farm in Washington Township, Will County, March 5, 1872, the son of Henry and Dorothy (Horste) Bahlman.
Henry Bahlman was among the first settlers of Eagle Lake in Wash- ington Township, where he improved a farm of 300 acres, now owned by a Mr. Hibbing. There were six children in the Bahlman family, of whom Charles, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest.
Charles Bahlman grew up on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Washington Township. For a time he conducted
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a creamery business at Goodenow and later was a well contractor in Will County. He owned and operated a cafe business at Beecher for some time and in 1921 became interested in the oil and gas business at Beecher. He was thus engaged at the time of his death in 1925. The business is still carried on by the widow of Mr. Bahlman. It is the local agent for the Sinclair Oil Company and distributes to Monee, Peotone, and Chicago Heights. Three automobile trucks distribute the products of this well established business.
On July 31, 1896, Mr. Bahlman was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Schweer, of Washington Township, the daughter of Conrad and Mary (Wille) Schweer, natives of Germany. Mr. Schweer came to the United States early in life and purchased a farm of 120 acres in Wash- ington Township, Will County. He died in 1907 and his wife died n 1909. Both are buried in Eagle Lake Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Bahlman were born two children: a boy died in infancy; and Dorothy, the wife of Herbert Saller, lives at Crete, where Mr. Saller is engaged in the coal business. Mr. and Mrs. Saller were married on Dec. 17, 1925, in Chicago. They have had two children: Charlene, born Nov. 6, 1926; and a son who died in infancy in January, 1928.
Mr. Bahlman was a member of the Lutheran Church and was widely known in the community where he spent his entire life.
John P. Conrad is a leading merchant of Monee and a substantial citizen of Will County. He was born at Monee, March 20, 1866, the son of Henry and Charlotte (Schmitt) Conrad.
Henry Conrad was born in Germany in 1827. He came to the United States in 1857 and settled in DuPage County, Ill., but the following year removed to Monee. He was a shoemaker by trade but in 1878 established the hardware and implement business at Monee which is now conducted by his son. He died in 1910, and his wife, who was born in Germany in 1830, died in 1890. They are buried in St. Paul's cemetery, Monee. Mr. Conrad was a life long Republican and held the office of justice of the peace for a period of 30 years. He was also town clerk. To Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were born three children, one of whom survives, John P., the subject of this sketch.
John P. Conrad attended the public schools of Monee and was also a student at the Metropolitan Business College. Early in life he became identified with his father's business. In 1907 he became interested in
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the newspaper business as editor of the Review. It is a weekly news- paper with a subscription list of 500. Mr. Conrad has always been interested in the civic life of Monee and served as postmaster from 1897 until 1914. He has been supervisor of Monee Township since 1917.
On March 20, 1899, Mr. Conrad was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brockman, of Green Garden, Ill., the daughter of Henry and Sophia Brockman, both deceased. They have three children: Harry, who is associated with his father's business; Blanche, married Fred Homan, lives at Monee; and Esther, married Christ Holl, lives at Monee, and they have a daughter, Leona.
Mr. Conrad is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church. He is a Republican in politics and has served as committeeman from this district since 1894. He has also been a member of the local school board for the past 12 years.
Henry Wehmhoefer, president of the Farmers State Bank of Beecher, is a leading citizen and highly successful business man of Will County. He was born in Chicago, June 30, 1871, the son of William and Mary (Seegers) Wehmhoefer.
William Wehmhoefer, deceased, was a native of Germany and among the first settlers of Chicago. He removed to Beecher in 1884 and died there in 1886. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery, Beecher. His widow later married Frank Hoffman. She died in January, 1920, at the age of 71 years. To William and Mary (Seegers) Wehmhoefer were born the following children: Minnie, married H. F. Claus, lives at Beecher; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, deceased; William, lives at Beecher; Edward, deceased; Carrie, deceased; Lydia, married Leonard Cole, lives at Steger, Ill .; Matilda, deceased, was the wife of Wm. Westphal; and Mrs. Clara Peters, lives at Monee. By her second marriage Mrs. Hoffman had a daughter, Carrie. She is unmar- ried and lives at Beecher.
Henry Wehmhoefer spent his boyhood in Chicago and Beecher, hav- ing removed here with his parents. He was educated in the parochial schools and early in life was a painter and decorator by trade. He was employed in Chicago for a time and later returned to Beecher, where he has been well known as a hardware merchant for the past 33 years. He is also owner of the Dixie Highway Garage, authorized dealers for the Reo and Chandler automobiles at Beecher. He has had the agency for the Reo car since 1911 and the Chandler car since 1920. It is among
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the up-to-date garages of the county and has in its employ several first class mechanics.
Mr. Wehmhoefer was married Sept. 25, 1895, to Miss Augusta Wehling, who was born in Washington Township, Will County. To them were born four children: 1. Ethel, a graduate of Joliet Township High School, married Arthur Hacke, and they have a daughter, Ger- aldine. 2. Lawrence, associated with his father's business, lives at home. Howard, a student. 4. Harold, died at the age of four years.
In politics Mr. Wehmhoefer is independent. He is a member of St. Luke's Church, and is affiliated with A. F. & A. M. No. 1087, Beecher, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
George Sonneborn, president of the Eastern Will County State Bank at Monee since 1909, figures prominently not only in financial circles, but also as a representative and progressive citizen who has been hon- ored by his fellow townsmen by various offices of public trust and respon- sibility. He was born in Baltimore, Md., May 15, 1853. His father, George Sonneborn, was a native of Ballenberg, Germany, and was 76 years of age at the time of his death in 1892. It was in 1850 that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his residence in Baltimore, Md. He was a tailor by trade and remained in Baltimore until 1861, when he removed with his family to Monee Township, Will County, making his home for a brief period with his wife's people. He afterwards spent six years in Bloom, Cook County, Ill., where he worked at his trade and also clerked in a store. In 1867 the family returned to Monee, where the father invested in village property. In 1875 he estab- lished a clothing and men's furnishing store, being the pioneer in that line in Monee, and he developed and successfully conducted a general mercantile enterprise until his death. He was a good business man of sound judgment who prospered in his undertaking and followed methods which commended him to the confidence and trust of all. He held membership in St. Paul's Evangelical Church, of which he was one of the trustees, and while a resident of Baltimore, he joined the Improved Order of Red Men. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he filled the office of trustee in his village. He was a man held in the highest esteem, possessed a charitable, benevolent spirit, and gave generously according to his means. His wife, Catherine (Bischel) Sonneborn, was born in Schwarznau, in the Province of Westphalia,
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Germany, in 1823, and died in 1904. She came to Baltimore in 1851 from Germany and was married the same year, having known her hus- band while they were still residents of Germany. She was also a mem- ber of the German Evangelical Church. Their family numbered two sons: George, the subject of this sketch; and John B. The latter was born in Baltimore, Sept. 15, 1855, and is now a member of the firm of G. Sonneborn's Sons. He is also vice president of the Eastern Will County State Bank, and was one of the charter members at the organi- zation of this bank. He married Emma, daughter of John and Magda- lena Kolstedt, and they have one child, Leola. She was born Feb. 9, 1889, and was a teacher in the schools of Monee before her marriage to Fred H. Emde, who is assistant cashier of the Eastern Will County State Bank.
George Sonneborn attended the public schools of Monee and in 1868 entered the post office as a clerk, where he remained until 1871. At that time he was employed in a general store in Chicago, where he continued until the fall of 1877. He then returned to Monee and took charge of his father's business, admitting E. R. Freese as a partner in the grocery store. Mr. Freese remained in the firm for 12 years. John B. Sonne- born returned from Chicago, where he had been engaged in clerking for eight years, and entered the store, being still a member of the firm. Both George and John B. Sonneborn are stockholders in the Eastern Will County State Bank, and have been members of its board of directors since assisting in the organization of the institution in 1903. George Sonneborn was elected vice president in 1905, and has occupied the presidency since 1909. His name is well known in com- mercial and financial circles and the firm of Sonneborn is doing an extensive and profitable business as dealers in groceries and clothing in Monee.
On Dec. 9, 1877, Mr. Sonneborn was married to Miss Charlotte Bischel, who was born in Germany in 1860, her parents being Henry and Charlotte (Shilling) Bischell, who were early settlers of Monee Township. Mrs. Sonneborn died Aug. 7, 1921. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, three of whom survive: Lydia, born Dec. 10, 1881, married Ewalt Loehr, lives at Milwaukee, Wis., and they have two children, Ruth and Helen, twins; Rev. Henry J., born May 15, 1889, died May 15, 1926, was a minister of the gospel, at Cincinnati, Ohio; Roscoe L., who is in the service of the Illinois Bell Telephone Com- pany, Chicago, married Miss Adele Stassen, of Peotone, and they have two sons, Roscoe L., Jr., and Ralph; and Rev. George, Jr., who is pastor
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of the Evangelical Church at Dayton, Ohio. He married Miss Viola Freese, of Monee, and they have two children, George IV., and Lois Jeanette.
George Sonneborn is a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and has been secretary for many years. His political support is given to the Republican party and he has made a splendid record in public office as a member of the county board of education, as city treasurer, and as village president for various periods. During the past 20 years he has served as president of the board of school trustees. His efforts in behalf of public progress have been far reaching and beneficial.
Dr. C. O. Sullivan, of Monee, is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Will County. He was born at Ripley, Ohio, Nov. 12, 1885, the son of George and Lucinda (Brown) Sullivan.
George Sullivan, deceased, was a native of Ohio. He was born on a farm near Ripley in 1851, and spent his entire life in that section of the state, where he engaged in general farming. He died in 1918 and is buried in Hickory Ridge Cemetery, Huntington Township, Brown County, Ohio. His widow lives at Monee. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were born two sons: C. O., the subject of this sketch; and Archie, lives at Indianapolis, Ind.
After completing his early schooling in the district schools of Brown County, Ohio, C. O. Sullivan attended Valparaiso University. In 1912 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, and in January, 1913, established his private practice at Monee, where he has continued to the present time. He has also been physician and surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad since 1914 and has been a member of the Board of Health for the past ten years.
Dr. Sullivan married Miss Julia Hughes of Decatur, Ohio. They have four children: Francis, born in October, 1913; Russell, born Nov. 15, 1918; Genevieve, born in February, 1921; and Winifred, born in Feb- ruary, 1928.
In politics Dr. Sullivan is an independent. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America.
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Stephen Kodiak, who is identified with the Will County Cleaners & Dyers, located at 304 Walnut Street, is among the energetic business men of Joliet. He was born in Czecho-Slovakia, March 10, 1889, the son of John and Eva Kodiak.
John Kodiak, who died in 1899, is buried in Czecho-Slovakia, where he spent his entire life. He was a building contractor. His widow, now 74 years of age, resides on the family homestead. There were nine chil- dren in the Kodiak family, five of whom survive: Mary, married Joseph Gruce, lives in Chicago; Frances, married John Bitzer, lives in Chicago; John, building contractor, Chicago; Susie, lives with her mother; and Stephen, the subject of this sketch.
Stephen Kodiak acquired a public school education and was 18 years of age when he came to this country and settled in Joliet. Unable to find employment he went to Chicago, where he spent eight years in the dry cleaning and dyeing business. He then returned to Joliet and pur- chased his present business in 1920. Mr. Kodiak employs approximately 25 people and operates four trucks, his territory covering a large area adjacent to Joliet.
In October, 1909, Mr. Kodiak was married to Miss Kathryn Lipva, of Chicago. They have three children, Margaret, attends St. Francis High School; Helen and Frank, both students.
Mr. Kodiak and his family are members of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree, Loyal Order of Moose, Commercial Club, Chamber of Commerce and Elks Lodge. He is also active in the affairs of the National Dyers and Clean- ers Association.
Fred H. Emde, assistant cashier of the Eastern Will County State Bank, is among the representative and widely known business men of Monee. He was born at Crystal Lake, Ill., Oct. 15, 1888, the son of William and Sophia (Sonnemann) Emde.
William Emde was born in Germany, as was his wife. Shortly after their marriage they emigrated to the United States and settled at Elgin, Ill., where Mr. Emde engaged in the creamery business. Since 1893 he has been proprietor of the Monee Spring Creamery. Mr. and Mrs. Emde have one son, Fred H., the subject of this sketch.
Fred H. Emde received his education in the public schools of Monee and began his business career with the Illinois Bell Telephone Company in this city. He later was employed by the same company in Chicago
STEPHEN KODIAK
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for eight years, after which he engaged in the electrical contracting business at Geneva, Ill. He has been a resident of Monee for the past 20 years and has been connected with the Eastern Will County State Bank as assistant cashier since 1922.
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