USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 52
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The First State Bank of Beecher was organized in 1916 with a capital stock of $25,000. It has a surplus of $15,000 and a reserve fund amounting to $12,500. The officers are: William Werner, presi- dent; William Plagge, vice president; John C. Werner, cashier; Mrs. John C. Werner, assistant cashier. It is numbered among the sub- stantial and dependable banking institutions of Will County.
William Holl, one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Monee Township, is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Will County. He was born in Monee Township, Jan. 28, 1884, the son of Fred and Diana (Kuester) Holl.
Fred Holl, retired, is a highly esteemed resident of Will County, where he has spent his entire life. He is the son of Andrew Holl, who settled in Monee Township about 1842. He also became the owner of large tracts of land in Green Garden Township. Fred Holl has ranked among the progressive stockmen of Monee Township for many years. He retired in 1911. His wife is also a member of an early family of this section of Will County. She is a native of Green Garden Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Holl were born four sons: Fred, lives at Monee; William, the subject of this sketch; George C., lives at Monee; and Christ, lives at Monee.
William Holl was educated in District School No. 18 and remained on his father's farm until the latter's retirement, when he purchased it. He operates 160 acres and is successful as a dairy farmer and feeder of stock.
On Feb. 19, 1911, Mr. Holl was united in marriage with Miss Emma Bartels, of Richton, Cook County, Ill. They have four children: Rich- ard, Mildred, Allen, and Virgil.
Mr. Holl is a Republican in politics. He holds membership in St. Paul's Evangelical Church, and belongs to the Will County Farm Bu- reau. He is also serving as school director of Monee Township and is a well known resident of the community in which he lives. He is con- nected with the Monee State Bank as a stockholder.
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Harry D. Weinberger .- Popular among the successful young business men of Joliet may be mentioned Mr. Weinberger, who is manager of the Consumers Sanitary Coffee & Butter Stores, Inc. He was born in Chi- cago, Jan. 26, 1898, and was two years old when his family removed to St. Louis, Mo. In 1910 they returned to Chicago but soon after went to Barstow, Texas, where Harry D. Weinberger completed his schooling. The family again located in Chicago after several years, but Mr. Wein- berger went to Wisconsin, where he followed farming for seven years. He also was a rural mail carrier at Exeland, Wis.
Mr. Weinberger has been connected with the Consumers Sanitary Coffee & Butter Stores, Inc., of Chicago for the past five years and came to Joliet from Chicago for the company in 1925 as manager of the local store.
On May 4, 1921, Mr. Weinberger was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Shinn, of Exeland, Wis. They have four children: Helen, Lillian, Harry D., Jr., and Betty.
Politically, Mr. Weinberger is identified with the Republican party. He is affiliated with the Masonic lodge and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
W. G. Ward, one of Joliet's most progressive business men, is a native of Will County. He was born in this city, Oct. 6, 1888, the son of William D. and Mary (McCarthy) Ward.
William D. Ward, deceased, was a well known farmer of Lockport . Township, Will County. He was born there and spent his life in that section. He was killed in a runaway accident when only 38 years of age. His widow later married George L. Burd, and they live at Elm- hurst, South Chicago. To William D. and Mary (McCarthy) Ward were born eight children, of whom W. G., the subject of this sketch, was the second in order of birth.
W. G. Ward grew up in Joliet and received his education in the district schools. He also attended Joliet Township High School and at an early age learned the machinist's trade. He was employed by the Bates Machine Company for four years and later went with the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad for two years. His next position was with the Star-Peerless Wall Paper Company and after seven years in their employ he went with the Joliet Wall Paper Company as master mechanic. He also was employed by the Superior Wall Paper Company and in 1918
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came with the Lennon Wall Paper Company. He is now superintendent of the business and a stockholder.
On Nov. 4, 1907, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Miss Cecile Thompson, the daughter of Samuel and Regina Thompson. They have had two sons: Wilfred, who died in infancy; and William S., born in 1910.
Mr. Ward is a Republican, a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree, and Cham- ber of Commerce.
Otto Hansen, building contractor, is a progressive business man of Joliet. He was born in Denmark, April 9, 1881, the son of Peter Chris- tian and Nicolina (Rasmussen) Hansen.
Peter Christian Hansen spent his entire life in Denmark and is now deceased. He was a farmer and also engaged in the dairy business. His widow, now 84 years of age, lives in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen the following children were born: James, connected with the Hansen-Petersen Company, Joliet; Mrs. Petrilla Agneuw, lives in Chi- cago; Mrs. Matilda Scov, lives in Chicago; Mrs. Laura Toomey, lives in Chicago; Otto, the subject of this sketch; Rasmus, Aage, and Catherine, all live in Denmark; and Thorwald, died at Joliet in 1920.
Otto Hansen spent his boyhood in Denmark, where he was educated. He later spent three years in Germany but returned to his native land. However, in 1906 he came to the United States and settled in Joliet where he became interested in the building business. Since January, 1928, he has been associated with his brother, James, and the business is known as the Hansen-Petersen Company. They specialize in the building of homes.
On June 10, 1905, Mr. Hansen married Miss Meta Markusen, who was born at Esbjerg, Denmark. They have two children: Mabel Sylvia was graduated from the University of Illinois in 1928; and Christian Otto, a graduate of Joliet Township High School, employed by Swift & Company, Joliet.
Mr. Hansen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose and Eagles Lodge.
Mrs. Hansen is the owner of "Meta's Pantry," one of the popular bakeries and delicatessens of Joliet.
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Edmund P. Darby, of Crete, is well known among the successful automobile men of Will County. He was born in Ireland, June 16, 1889.
Mr. Darby spent his boyhood in his native land and at an early age became interested in the study of electrical engineering. He came to America in 1906 and settled at Quebec, Canada. He later spent two years in Toronto and in 1914 located in Chicago, where he re- mained until March, 1926. He has since been proprietor of the Star Garage at Crete. He specializes in starting, lighting, and ignition work, and is an expert in his particular line. He also carries a com- plete line of automobile accessories and conducts a service station in connection with his business.
In 1913 Mr. Darby was married to Miss Elizabeth Ryan, of Chi- cago. They have two children: Alice, born Dec. 25, 1914; and James, born Jan. 15, 1919.
Mr. Darby is a Republican, a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, Chamber of Commerce, and Lin- colnshire Country Club.
Edwin W. Bertrand, general contractor, is among the well known business men and substantial citizens of Joliet. He was born at St. Anne, Ill., Nov. 6. 1875, the son of Michael and Florence (Arpin) Bertrand.
Both Michael Bertrand and his wife were natives of Montreal, Can- ada. About 1850 they came to the United States and settled in Kan- kakee County, Ill. Mr. Bertrand was a blacksmith and spent practically his entire life at St. Anne. He died in 1900 at the age of 87 years. His wife died in 1908, at the age of 77 years. They had four children: Delphos A., lives at Glendale, Calif .; Arthemise, died at the age of 23 years; Edwin W., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Agnes Middleton, lives at Indianapolis, Ind.
At an early age Edwin W. Bertrand engaged in farming. He was educated in the district schools and in 1900 learned the carpenter trade. He has been a resident of Joliet since 1916 and has engaged in the general contracting business in this city for the past ten years. His business is located at 103 Third Avenue.
On Nov. 10, 1904, Mr. Bertrand married Miss Sarah J. Danford, of Shelbyville, Ill., the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Brant) Danford. Mr. Danford lives at Reddick, Ill. His wife died March 28, 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand have two children: Elzie W., married Miss Adeline
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
Webber, of Joliet, and they have a daughter, Jane Louise; and Edwin W., Jr. Both sons are associated in business with their father.
Mr. Bertrand and his family hold membership in the Methodist Church, and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been a Republican.
George Ball is an energetic and widely known business man of Joliet, where he is connected with the Unit Service Station System as president. He was born in England, April 27, 1881, and the year following his birth his family came to the United States and settled at Marshalltown, Iowa. Mr. Ball was educated there and for a number of years was employed in his father's general store. Later he went to Chicago, where he spent 12 years. He was interested in the theatrical business for a time and later went with the Standard Oil Company. He served as district super- intendent for the company.
In December, 1924, Mr. Ball came to Joliet, where he assumed his present connections with the Unit Service Station System. The busi- ness was incorporated during that year with Mr. Ball as president and Daniel M. Otis as secretary and treasurer. They operate six service stations in Joliet and Plainfield.
In January, 1910, Mr. Ball was united in marriage with Miss Myra Gertrude Noble, and they have four children ; Myra and Catherine, twins ; Robert J .; and Harriet Jean.
Mr. Ball is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is active in the affairs of the community in which he lives. He has no club affiliations.
Arthur J. Haldemann, enterprising and well known dairy farmer of Manhattan Township, was born in Joliet, Aug. 31, 1899, the son of John and Louise (Garber) Haldemann.
John Haldemann was born in Switzerland and was 19 years of age when he came to the United States and settled in Will County. He became one of the prosperous dairy farmers of Joliet Township. Since 1925 he has lived retired on his farm. His wife, also born in Switzerland. came to this country with her parents early in life and settled in Nebraska. Later her family removed to Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Haldemann were born five children: Lina, married Alvin Knapp, lives
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HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY
at Joliet; Hulda, married Roland Welsch, lives in Joliet Township; Arthur J., the subject of this sketch; Laura, married Thomas Redman, lives at Morris, Ill .; and Selma, lives at home. She is a graduate of Joliet Township High School and completed a course in music in 1928.
Alfred J. Haldemann was educated in the public schools of Joliet and remained on his father's farm in Joliet Township until 1924, at which time he purchased his present farm of 187 acres in Manhattan Township. He is interested in the wholesale dairy business and owns a herd of 42 pure bred Holstein and Swiss cattle. His well equipped dairy barn, 36x150 feet, is a model one in modern dairy methods.
Mr. Haldemann is a Republican and a member of the First German Lutheran Church of Joliet. He belongs to the Will County Farm Bureau, and is a member of the Milk Dealers Association of Will County, of which his father was founder and first president.
John Leppert, enterprising farmer and stockman of Wheatland Township, was born on the farm where he lives, Aug. 4, 1866, the son of John and Elizabeth (Luther) Leppert.
John Leppert, deceased, was a native of Germany. He came to this country when he was 19 years old and settled on the present Leppert homestead in Wheatland Township. He was the owner of 240 acres and was a successful stockman. He died in 1913 at the age of 67 years and is buried in the Lutheran Church Cemetery in Wheat- land Township.
John Leppert, the subject of this sketch, has always lived on the same farm in Wheatland Township. He was educated in the district schools and besides his farming interests he also is a plumber by trade. He now has the greater part of his farm of 80 acres rented to tenants.
On Oct. 5, 1895, Mr. Leppert was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Steifbolt, who was born in DuPage Township, Will County. They have the following children: William, lives at Galesburg, Ill., is a fire- man on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, married Miss Frances Pine; Henry, road commissioner of Wheatland Township, lives at home; James, lives at home; Vera, a nurse, Aurora (Ill.) Hospital; and Mar- garet, lives at home.
Mr. Leppert is a Republican in politics. He and his family are widely known in the community where they have spent so many years.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.325M44H C001 HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. TOPEKA
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