USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 95
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A man of Mr. Haller's calibre, steady habits,and intelligent mind, is useful in any community and this township was fortunate in securing him as a citizen. He has been one of its most valuable civic officials, has acted as Road Commissioner for six years, was Supervisor for two years and held the position of Assessor of the township six years. He is very prominent in Democratic circles, and has attended county and State conventions.
P ETER A. BERGNER. Probably no young man in Peoria has a more promising business career opening before him than has the gen- tleman above named, who, with his partner, is obtaining a fair share of public patronage as a dealer in dry goods. The establishment of Bergner & Potter is now located at No. 119 South Adams Street, and in the orderliness of its arrangements, the neatness which pervades it, and its elegant stock of well-selected goods, is one of the most noticeable stores in Central Illinois. The young men richily deserve success for the judgment they have displayed in the selection and the business tact in the disposal of their goods, and the honorable, courteous treatment which they accord to their cus- tomers; and there is no doubt but that they will achieve the merited reward.
Mr. Bergner was born in Leer, East Friesland, Germany, December 1, 1862, being a son of Charles W. E. and Hilke (Bonk) Bergner, natives of the same town as himself. In 1870 the family emi- grated to America, locating in Freeport, III., where the father opened a dye house. He is now living in Baileyville, engaged in the sale of general mer- chandise. His industrious habits and thrifty ways were an excellent example to his son, who inherits a fair share of the same traits, and has also had to assist him, good advice from worthy parents.
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The subject of our sketch began to work on a farm when twelve years old, and at the age of twenty became a clerk for William Walton, in Free- port, with whom he remained seven years. Ile tben spent one year with Shippen & Block, at Pekin, after which experience he opened a business for himself, September 15, 1889, at No. 1327, South Adams Street. The business was removed to its present quarters May 15, 1890.
Mr. Bergner was married at Pekin, October 13, 1886, to Miss Emma Velde, an intelligent and most estimable young lady, well fitted to make a happy home. The marriage has been blest by the birth of two children-Aaron H. and Clarence. Mr. Bergner is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife is an equally consistent believer in the principles of Methodism and is identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Both are endeavoring to carry their faith into their daily walk and conversation, and therefore gain the respect of all who know their lives, while their social qualities win many friends.
C JIARLES J. OFF, only member of the firm of C. J. Off & Co., is one of the largest and most prominent wholesale grocery deal- ers in Peoria, also engaged as a manufacturer of baking powder and grinder of spices, etc., and is conveniently located at Nos. 116-118-120 Liberty Street, where he does a large and satisfactory busi- ness. The success which has attended the firm since its establishment under the present manage- ment, January 1, 1878, is a rare compliment to the business capacity and efficiency of its projector. In addition to his city salesmen Mr. Off employs seven or eight men on the road.
A native of the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, Mr. Off was born October 24, 1843, and when a boy of eleven years came with his parents to America. They located in Peoria, being among its early settlers. Charles J. had begun a practi- cal education in the German tongue in his native country and completed his studies in the city schools of Peoria, He entered upon his business
career at the age of sixteen years as a clerk in a retail grocery store in this city. IIe was in Chi- cago one year during the war, in the grocery busi- ness, and had charge of the Commissary Department at Camp Douglas, which was furnished with sup- plies by Mr. Solomon, his employer, under Col. De. land, now of Jackson, Mich.
In the fall of 1863, Mr. Off returned to Peoria. and entered the employ of the grocery firm of Ul- rich & Rappelius, remaining with them until Jan- uary 1, 1873. Ile then formed a partnership with Messrs. Henry, Oakford and Fahnestock, which continued for five years with profitable results. Mr. Off then erected his present store building and established his present business which has increased yearly to magnificent proportions.
On Jannary 1, 1890, Mr. Off enlarged his facili- ties for doing business by the addition of twenty- four feet front so that he now has a building of seventy-two fect front, and four stories and base- ment in height, all of which is devoted to his busi- ness. It is situated in the center of the wholesale district. The spice and coffee mills were added two years from the establishment of the main business, Mr. Off purchasing of Dr. B. F. Miles the Peoria Chemical Works. The accumulations of Mr. Off have been the result of his own industry as he started out in life dependent upon his own re- sources, and he furnishes a fine illustration of the results of energy and perseverance.
In politics Mr. Off affiliates with the Republican party. He was for one year a member of the Board of Supervisors and a member of the Finance Committee of that body. With this exception he has given his entire attention to his business af- fairs. He has been for many years identified with tle Masonic fraternity, having attained to the Knight Templar and Thirty-Second degrees. He is an Episcopalian in religion and with his estima- ble wife belongs to St. Paul's Church in Peoria.
The subject of this notice was joined in wedlock with Miss Maggie Fey, October 28, 1879, at the bride's home in this city. Mrs. Off was born in 1855, in Kentucky, and is a daughter of the well- known David Fey, the leading jeweler of Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Off are proud in the possession of four bright boys, namely : Charles David, Robert,
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Walter and Clifford. The family residence is lo- cated in the northern part of the city and forms one of its most attractive homes.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Off on another page claims the attention of the reader, among other valuable features of this volume.
ANFORD R. PERKINS, M. D. The ex- tended and favorable reputation of Dr. Perkins is not based alone upon his suc- cessful work as a physician and surgeon, but upon his meritorious record as a Union soldier, and his agreeable personal traits of character. From the beginning of his professional labors he has been successful, and in less than a decade has built up the largest practice in Princeville Town- ship and vicinity. He began his work with a thor- ough theoretical knowledge of all that pertains to his profession, and has increased his information from year to year as further developments have been made in medical science, and as his own keen observation has given him advanced views.
Some brief notes regarding the parental history will lead to a better understanding of the life and character of our subject. Ilis father, Josiah S. Perkins, was reared on a farm in Medina County, Ohio, where his birth had taken place. He was a soldier during the War of 1812. In 1848 he re- moved to Jefferson County, Wis., entered timber land near Watertown, and undertook the arduous labor of clearing and improving a farm. Seven years later, during the cholera season of 1855, he and another man seeing that people were not buried on account of the dread of the disease, themselves undertook to dispose of the corpses. Mr. Perkins finally was stricken with the dire disease and he and his second wife died at the same time. IIe was a Justice of the Peace for many years. In politics lie was a Jackson Democrat, and in religious belief a Universalist. He had a well-informed mind and during his early days had been a teacher.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Conklin. She was a native of the Empire State. Her death took place
when our subject was an infant, and the father subsequently married a Miss Brown. He of whom we write was the third child of his mother, his brothers having borne the names of Marion and Avery. The former was drowned when a child in Ohio, and the latter gave his life to his country during the Civil War. He had enlisted under the first call for troops in 1861, being enrolled in Com- pany D, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry. At the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862, he re- ceived a wound, but picking up the colors which he had dropped, being Color Sergeant, he moved for- ward until a second ball entered his head, cansing death.
The second union of the father of our subject re- sulted in the birth of four children : Andrew E., killed in the army ; Mrs. Cyrena M. Denton, of Waukesha County. Wis .; Eliphalet N., who was killed by the kick of a horse, and Mrs. Adelaide Colwell, now of Jefferson County, Wis. Andrew enlisted in 1863, when about sixteen years old, in the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry, which became a part of Han- cock's corps. Ile took part in all the battles from the Rapidan to the James River, and at the first assault on Petersburg was fatally wounded.
Dr. Perkins was born in Medina Township and county, Ohio, February 9, 1845. He was taken to Wisconsin when eighteen months old and lived on the farm until nine years of age, at which time he was left an orphan. Ile began working out at $4 a month, his labors being gradually better paid until he could carn $9 a month. He managed to attend school during the winter seasons, working for his board in various districts, and clothing himself with the proceeds of his summer labors, still making his home in Jefferson County. In Au - gust, 1862, while yet in his teens, he was enrolled in Company G, Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry. un- der Capt. Miller.
Young Perkins was mustered into the service at Madison as a private and sent at once to Benton Barracks, Mo. He took part with his comrades in various skirmishes leading up to the battle of Prai- rie Grove December 7, 1862. The boys then had a foreed march to Van Buren, Ark., and after the battle there returned to Prairie Grove and thence through to Raleigh, N. C., where they embarked
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for Vicksburg. There they took part in the siege and battles until their regiment and the Nineteenth Iowa were placed in charge of the prisoners. When the captives were paroled the Union soldiers were sent down the river to take part in the attack on Port Hudson.
Following this came the contest at Lake Provi- dence, the removal to New Orleans and the expe- dition up the Red River under Gen. Banks. The Twentieth took part in the flank movement, landing at Brazos Santiago, and marching to Brownsville, where they rebuilt the forts. The expedition prov- ing disastrous, they returned to the river and par- ticipated in battles at Fts. Morgan and Spanish and after the taking of Mobile went to Galveston, Tex. There our subject was mustered out of service and being sent to Madison, Wis., received his discharge in September, 1865, being not yet twenty one years of age. Ile was one of the fortunate number who escaped wounds during the many months in which he was exposed to danger and death.
Returning to Jefferson County, Wis., Mr. Per- kins took the money that he had saved while in the army and entering the preparatory department of Milton College, pursued the studies of a scientific course two years. Ilis health failing, he was ad- vised to abandon close mental work and he engaged in teaching in Jefferson aud Wankesha Counties. Fle carried on pedagogical work in Delafield seven and a half years, and in Palmyra five years, holding the position of Principal. During the last five years he studied medicine, his preceptors being Drs. Peardon & Sherman. Anatomy had been his hobby for years, and during all his army life he had carried a text book on physiology and anatomy with him.
In 1881 our subject entered the Medical Depart- ment of Butler University, at Indianapolis, Ind., and having taken two courses of lectures was grad- uated in the spring of 1883, with a standing of ninety-five and a half per cent., the third highest in the class. He selected Monica, Ill., as a field of labor and has all that he desires to do, his practice extending over a radius of thirty-five or forty miles. He reached Monica with a capital of pro- fessional knowledge and fifty cents in money, to- gether with his natural abilities. He now owns two
farms, one in Bureau County and one in Prince- villle Township, this county, the whole comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He also has some fine horses.
Dr. Perkins was fortunate in winning for his companion a lady of refinement and most estimable character, this being Miss Mary J. Lowerre,a native of Milwaukee, Wis. Her father, Robert S. Lowerre, has been engaged in mereantile pursuits in Dela- field, Wis., for years and there the marriage was celebrated .July 24, 1867. Doctor and Mrs. Per- kins have two sons, the younger of whom, Edward A., is at home. The elder, Robert S., is attending the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he expects to be graduated in 1891.
While in Indiana Dr. Perkins was President of the Sydenham Medical Society. He united with the Masonic lodge at l'almyra, Wis., when twenty- one years old, and later was identified with Lodge No. 33, R. A. M., in Juneau County, and a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dela- field. He is a member of the Democratic party. Ilis manners are affable and agreeable, his conver- sational powers excellent and his character honor- able and upright.
B ENJAMIN WARREN, JR. The enterprise exhibited by this gentleman in the conduct of his business affairs has been such as to entitle him to the respect of other dealers and give him a prominent place in the commercial circles of Peoria. lle was born in Lallarpe, Han- cock County, July 22, 1852, passed his boyhood days in his native place, and after obtaining a good practical education, embarked in the grain business when twenty years old. Four years later, in 1876, he came to Peoria, continuing the busi- ness in which he had previously been engaged and in which he has become an adept. He is connected with the Board of Trade, of which he was Presi- dent in 1885.
Mr. Warren is President of the Americus Club, and a highly-respected member of the Knights of Pythias. He has been a Director of the Peoria lin-
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provement Association since its organization was effected, and is now President of that body. He has never been an aspirant for political honors, but is a "wheel horse" in helping friends who do desire political preferment. He no doubt inherits much of his taet in trade, as his father has been engaged in general merchandising for years. He located in LaHarpe about 1845, coming thence from his na- tive State of Maine. In the Illinois town he met, wooed and married Miss Portia A. Nutt, an Ohio lady of estimable character. To his worthy par- ents our subjeet owes much for their counsel and watchful guidance during his early years.
An important step in the life of our subject was consummated February 12, 1879, it being no less than his marriage to Miss Bertha, daughter of A. II. and Catherine ( Baker) Day, her father form- erly a merchant of Joliet, but both now deceased. Mrs. Warren is a well-bred and well-educated lady, who surrounds her husband and children with the joys of a happy home life, and hospitably entertains the friends who gather beneath her roof. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have three children -- Ella, Charles D. and Frank M.
ICAJANI C. MACY. Manly courage and energy are exemplified in the career of this gentleman, whose days are given to in- dustrious and well-directed labors on a farm in Elmwood Township. The estate consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, in one body, forty acres of timber, and the balance im- proved and devoted to mixed farming. A visitor will find thereon an attractive residence, commodi- ous barns and other needful structures, together with all which goes to make up a well-regulated farm property. The dwelling was erected in 1886, and the new barn in 1887, at a joint cost of $2,800. A view of his elegant residence will be found else- where in this work.
Mr. Macy was born in Indiana, October 14, 1840, and came to Illinois in 1853. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Petty) Maey, were natives of North Carolina and resided in that State until
1828 when they took up their abode in Indiana. Upon coming to Illinois some years later they set- tled in Fulton County, but in 1856, removed to Elmwood Township, Peoria County. The father, who was a shoemaker and farmer, lived until 1874, but his wife died in 1863. They had eight children, five of whom are now living.
The subject of this brief review received a com- mon-school education only, having his own way to make from his fifteenth year. At that time he took charge of the family, continuing at its head until he was twenty-six years old. In August, 1862, bc enlisted in Company I, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry, and after serving five monthis was dis- charged on account of illness. Ile then returned to the farm, to the cultivation of which he has de- voted himself with unflagging perseverance. This is the more creditable as in 1864, he lost the thumb on his right hand while oiling a threshing machine and in 1874, he was crippled by the loss of his left hand in almost the same manner. While oiling a threshing machine which was in motion his left hand was caught in the gearing and so badly mashed that it was necessary to amputate it above the wrist. Since that time Mr. Macy has used a hook in place of the missing member.
The efficient companion of Mr. Maey, who has shared in his joys and sorrows since February 28, 1867, was formerly Miss Rachel Runyon. Her par- ents, James C. and Nancy (Smith) Runyon, na- tives of the Buckeye State, came to Illinois in 1848, settling in Adams County. There Mrs. Macy, who is the eldest of five children, four now living, was boru December 14, 1848. The following year her parents removed to Brimfiekl Township, Peoria County, where she acquired a common-school edu- cation, together with much useful knowledge not included in the curriculum of the schools. Her mother died in 1884, but her father survives at the age of sixty-four years.
Mr. and Mrs. Maey are the parents of five chil- dren, three now living and named respectively, Mattie I., Ilarry A. and Clyde C. They form an intelligent and interesting group, all baving at- tended the common school and having been care- fully reared by their good parents. Miss Mattie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
RESIDENCE OF GODFREY FRITZ , SEC. 1. PRINCEVILLE TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.
RESIDENCE OF M. C. MACY, SEC. 1. ELMWOOD TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.
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is a devoted attendant at the Sunday-school. Mr. Macy has always taken an interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket. He has served as Township Collector two terms and is at present Director of School District No. 1. He is classed among the best citizens, not alone for his industri- ous pursuit of his chosen vocation, but on account of his fine character and interest in the welfare of those about him.
G ODFREY FRITZ is a fine representative of the early settlers of Princeville Township, who are still identified with its interests. He has been engaged in farming here for many years, and has acquired a handsome property and among many well improved productive farms.none are more valuable than his, which comprises the north half of section 1.
Our subjeet is of German birth and antecedents. Ilis father Gotleib Frederick Fritz, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, was a skillful turner in wood and owned a shop in which he carried on his calling and was besides the proprietor of some land which he cultivated. IIe was a man of consider- able importance in his community, and for the last fifteen years of his life was a Constable. In his religious views he was a Lutheran, and was a con- sistent member of his church. He died at the age of fifty-five years in 1834. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Magdalene Gogel and was also a native of Wurtemburg. Her death at the age of sixty-seven years, occurred in 1856. There were eight children born of her marriage, of whom the following is recorded : Margaret, Mrs. Kneer, died at Kewanee, Ill.,in January, 1890; Got- leib died in 1834 near Philadelphia, Pa .; Freder- iek died in Germany in 1857; Fredericka, Mrs. Saltzer, died in Kewanee in April, 1890: Jacob.re- 'sides in Germany ; Johannes, died in Germany in 1858; Christian who is in St. Louis, and Godfrey.
The latter, who forms the subject of this bio- graphical review, was born in Reichenberg, Wur- temburg, Germany, April 17, 1824, his birthplace being near the Neckar River. He received excel-
lent common school advantages in bis native vil- lage, being in school from the age of six until fourteen years old. Ile was brought up in the re- ligious faith of his fathers and was early confirmed in the church. In his youth he was apprenticed to a mason for three years, learning the trade of his brother. He then did journey work in his na- tive province and pursued his calling there until he was twenty-four years oldl. He was doing well at his trade, but was ambitious to see more of life, and to try his fortunes in America, the Mecea of so many of his countrymen, and on the 5th of May. 1848, he left Heilbrunne for Rotterdam, where he embarked on a vessel bound for this country.
After a long and tedious voyage of fifty-three days Mr. Fritz landed in New York City, July 3, and from there made his way to Philadelphia, l'a. Thence he went to Chester County in the same State, and was employed on a farm for three months. At the expiration of that time he went to St. Louis, going by rail to Chambersburg, and from there by stage over the mountains to Pitts- burg, and thence by boat, on the Ohio and Missis- sippi Rivers to his destination, taking eighteen days for the journey. In that city, he worked in a har- ness shop until the spring of 1849, when he re- sumed his trade as a mason, which he carried on until the following July. Cholera then being so prevalent in that city he came to this State and from Kingston in this county, went to Farmington, where he worked as a mason. He made his home in Trivoli Township, although he worked for a contractor in Farmington. Anxious to acquire a better knowledge of the English language, he went to school two winters in Trivoli Township, at- tending five months in all and by diligent study became quite proficient in the language. In the spring of 1853 he located in this township, rent- ing a farm and giving his attention to agriculture. In 1854, he removed to Stark County and farmed on rented land there for one year. After that he bought forty acres in Akron Township, paying $10 an acre for the land; the latter was improved by a log house in which he dwelt.
Mr. Fritz lived some ten years on his Akron farm busily engaged in its cultivation, and at the expiration of that time sold it very advantage-
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ously. In 1858 he bought this seetion in partner- ship with G. Scheible, the latter making his home here. In 1863 our subject bought him out and in 1864 moved on the place. He has developed a fine farm from the raw prairie, making valuable im- provements until it has become one of the most desirable estates in this part of the county. In 1882 he bought one hundred and sixty acres ad- joining his homestead for 88,250, and now has three hundred and twenty acres of tillable land all under the best of cultivation and has five acres in timber, and besides this property he owns some lots in Princeville. His farm is well watered by Mud Run, and is hedged, most of which was done by himself. He built an addition to the house and has fitted it up into a commodious and con- veniently arranged dwelling, and has substantial barns and other outbuildings on the place. A view of this pleasant homestead is presented on another page. Beautiful groves and an orchard adorn the place, and everything about it is well ordered. Hle raises abundant harvests of corn and oats in his fertile fields, and gives much attention to raising and feeding cattle, shipping a car-load each year, anct has a fine lot of hogs, and eighteen head of horses, using five teams to operate his farm.
April 7, 1852, was the date of our subject's marriage to Miss Louisa Wieland, the ceremony being performed in Trivoli Township. She was a native of the same town as himself and came from Germany to America in 1849. She was in Chester County, Pa., for three years, and then came to this State. Her death occurred here September 21, 1884, and was a severe blow to her family and many friends. She was a good and true woman and left behind her the memory of a life well spent.
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