USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 33
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".I: was on a Sunday morning. when the chief and his braves were engaged in play. A number of marbles were rolled in a hollow pumpkin and then thrown out on a carpet spread on the ground, similar to throwing dice. considerable hilarity prevailing during the game. Then I summoned up suficient courage to ask Chief Keokuk for his daughter. He looked at the matter from a business stand- point. asking how many farms. horses and oxen I possessed. I pointed to the eighty acres of land my father owned. But this did not seem to appeal to the chief. for he demanded eight hundred dollars in cash. and as the whole amount of my cash consisted only of a Mexi- can guarter. I did not get the girl."
The writer of this story. inquiring about the character of the Indians in those days. John Hobrecker continued: "I being pro- Asien: as a mechanisian. having learned the trade in the fatherland, an Indian came to me ode day with the request to repair the broken main-spring of his rifle. I replaced the spring by a new one. asking She for my services. Bar the redskin shrugged his shoulders, giving me to understand that he didn't have a red cent. What should I do ! I couldn't stalp him, and so I had to let him go. Yet. there was an Honest heart beating in the bosom of that red man. for three months later Le again appeared with a fine turkey. which he gave to me for my work. Omly once I had occasion to shoot at an Indian, the cir- etinstances being as follows: We lived near the banks of the Mis- sissifri and I kad set a Asking Det in the river. The next morning early I asked my father to look after the net. Shortly after father Lad gore. I heard him loudly call for help. Grabbing a shotgun. whisk Lung on the wall. I rushed out and saw father wrestling with a big Indian, who was trying to match the silver-rimmed spectacles that father used. I raised my shotgun, looking for an opportunity to " the Indian's Lide with a load of shot without injuring father.
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Suddenly the Indian got a glimpse of me and the gun. and loss ning hi- hold on father, with one great leap disappearel in the water. div- ing under like a duck at the moment when I firel. missing hin. S me distance from shore he appeared on the surface. giving me the laigh as he swam away. . And-I can say-I was glad that I had mi- 1 him."
John Casper Hobreker died at Dallas in 1-34. aged sixty-two year . and his son John. in company with his mother, who had joined her husband and son after they had located in Hancock County. came 10 Quincy in 1535, making their home here. John Hobreeker was quite a genius in his days in different callings as an engraver. mar' le cutter, manufacturer of iron railings and iences. Later he studied chemistry, producing aluminum. but failed to get a patent-right in time to seeure his invention. He also gave considerable attention to the study of geology, making good use of his knowledge in this branch in western mines for a period of ten years. being very successful.
During the latter part of the '50s John Hobrecker edited the Illinois Courier. a German political paper published in Quincy. This was in the campaign when Isaac N. Morris and Jackson Grimshaw were rival candidates for Congress.
John Hobreeker married Marie Schrader. born in Elberfeld. Prus- sia. She died in 1890. Her husband followed her in death in 1912. One son. John Hobrecker. Jr .. for years has been engaged as a jobber in stoves. in which business he has made a fortune. being one of the most successful dealers in this country. He at present resides in Alhambra, California.
Conrad Henry Waldhaus was born in Klein-Biterau, Grand- duchy of Hessen. December 26. 1790. On June 15. 1515. he married Elizabeth Dorothea Goebel, born March 21. 1755. The couple left the fatherland May 1. 1831. for America, landing at Baltimore. pro- ceeding 10 Chambersburg. Pennsylvania. where they resided for two years: coming west. they located in St. Louis, and in 1535 came to Quincy. Later they settled down near Mill Creek, following farming. Mrs. Waldhaus died October 30. 1541. while her husband. Conrad H. Waldhaus. lived for many years, his death occurring March 19. 1-75. Marie Magdalene. a daughter of Conrad H. and Elizabeth Dorothea (Goebel ) Waldhaus, born June 1. 1527. was married to Michael Loss. one of the pioneers near Mill Creek.
Among the early German pioneers was Frederick William Jansen. born July 19. 1815. in Leichlingen. Prussia. Germany. His parents followed farming in the fatherland. where they spent their entire lives. Frederick William Jansen attended the sounds of his native country until he was fourteen years of age. when he began Warning the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for al ue six years. becoming a master workman in his losen calling. Then he came to America, where he was a resident of St. Lomis for a short period.
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after which he came to Quincy in 1835, intending to make this his home for life. In the winter of 1835 he went to Natchez, Mississippi, where he worked at his trade until the following spring, when he returned to Quiney and secured a position with George Wood, pro- prietor of a furniture business. After working several years as journeyman, he in 1838 opened a furniture factory of his own on Maine, between Sixth and Seventh streets, using horse power to run the machinery for wood turning. Ten years later, in 1848, he moved his factory to Maine, between Fourth and Fifth streets, using steam as motive power. In 1850 he again moved his furniture works to Jersey, between Sixth and Seventh streets, which he conducted with great success until his death, January 29, 1871. In the course of time Frederick William Jansen became prominent in public life, represent- ing the Second Ward in the city council in 1840, in 1858 and in 1859. He was twice married, his first wife being Emily Pauline Pfanschmidt, born November 2, 1820, daughter of the early pioneer, Gottfried Sebastian Pfanschmidt, and she died July 10, 1851; later he married Johanna Mathilde Pfanschmidt, born September 25, 1829, she being a sister of his first wife, her death occurring ten years ago. Children of Frederick William Jansen were: Frederiek G., born November 11, 1839, who married Amanda K. Elliott, and after the death of his father became president of the F. W. Jansen Furniture Company ; he died eight years ago and his wife with her son and daughter live in Deming, New Mexico. Charles C. Jansen, born September 11, 1841, also was in the furniture business; he married Mary Livingston, and they reside in Quiney. Albert W. Jansen, born in 1848, was in the furniture business, and married Mary Murphy of Dallas, Texas ; they later located in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Albert Jansen died about nine years ago, while his widow still resides there. Two daughters of Frederiek William Jansen are still among the living : namely, Amelia E., who became the wife of Christian Schultheis, a druggist, who died December 29, 1916, having retired from active business, the widow at present residing in Quincy. Madora T., the youngest daughter, was married to George Postel, proprietor of a large mill in Mascoutalı, Illinois. Mr. Postel died several years ago, the widow with two sons surviving, Philip, the eldest, together with his unele, conducting the milling business, while the other, F. William Postel, is connected with a bond investment company in St. Louis.
.Joseph Mast, Sr., and his wife Helen, nee Fendrich, both born in Forchheim, Baden, came to Quincy in 1835, accompanied by their sons John and Casper Mast. They also were the parents of Joseph Mast, who, as mentioned before in this history, had come to Quincy in 1834, and not being pleased with conditions as he found them here, wrote a long letter to his parents, advising them to stay in their old home in Germany. But as the parents had sold their possessions in Forchheim, they decided to come and take things as they were in
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the new world at that time. JJoseph Mast. Sr., died in Is5s, his wife having preceded him in death in 1851.
Casper Mast, born July 6, 1816. in Forchheim, Baden, left the fatherland September 29, 1834, accompanying his parents, Joseph and Ilelen (Fendrich) Mast. The voyage across the Atlantic must have been tedious, for they did not reach Quincy until March 13, 1835. February 22. 1841, Casper Mast married Rosina Dold, who was born in Schelingen, Baden, in 1818, and came to Quiney with her parents, Aloys Dold and wife, in 1839. For twenty-five years Casper Mast lived on a farm in Melrose Township, until 1860, when he retired from active life. his son. Christian Frederick Mast, remaining on the farm, where he was born January 15, 1850. In February, 1870, he married Mary E. Freese, daughter of William Freese of Quiney. She died a number of years ago. Christian Frederick Mast is still among the living, with the following children : William, ice cream manufacturer in Quincy ; Benjamin, Casper, Lawrence, Christian and Clarence Mast, all farmers ; and one daughter, who is married and lives in Fort Madi- son. Iowa.
Casper and Rosina (Dold) Mast had two daughters, Anna, who was horn August 4, 1843, and was married to Joseph Heckle in 1860; Victoria, born in 1854, and in 1871 became the wife of Benjamin Heckle. The wife of Casper Mast died October 22, 1878, and he later married the widow, Marie Fackler. In August, 1889. Casper Mast departed this life, and the widow later became the wife of Mayor John A. Steinbach.
Henry Grimm, born October 3, 1803, in Weiler, Alsace, married Rosina Ruff, who also was born in Weiler, Alsace, in 1808. They emigrated to America in 1834, landing in New York City, where they remained one year, when they left for the west, traveling up the Hudson River, then by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. New York. from where they crossed Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, then again by way of the Ohio Canal to the Ohio River, where they took passage on a boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers to Quincy. landing here in 1835. making this city their home. Henry Grimm was a carpenter by trade and was engaged as contractor and builder for many years. Together with the old pioneer, Anton Delabar. he built and conducted the first sawmill in Quiney at the creek on Dela- ware near Third Street. He also took part in the Mormon war as a member of the Quincy Guards, a German military company. Henry Grimm died September 3, 1593. his wife having preceded him in death several years before. Henry Grimm, Jr., born in Quincy April 19. 1836, the first son of Henry and Rosina ( Ruff Grimm, learned the boiler maker's trade and for many years conducted a boiler works in this city, which after his death was conducted by his sons. Henry J .. William T. and Louis Grimm. Other children of Henry and Rosina ( Ruff) Grimm were : Charles and Casper, sons, and Rosina and Lney, daughters.
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John Schell, born in Erbweiler, Rhenish Bavaria, 1787, learned the blacksmith's trade. Then he served under Napoleon the First for eleven years. During the latter's campaign in Spain John Schell was taken prisoner by the enemy. The Spaniards treated him in a brutal manner, only releasing him under the condition that he enlist in the British army. Although this went against the grain with John Seliell, he complied with the conditions, and the British sent him to Canada, where he served three years. Being released, he returned to his home in Bavaria. In 1817 John Schell married Bar- bara Zwick, who was born in Bruchweiler, Rhenish Bavaria, April 4, 1799. A daughter being born to them, May 2, 1819, she was named Appolonia, and in 1838 became the wife of John A. Roth in Quiney. One son, John, was born to John and Barbara (Zwick) Schell, June 25, 1821, in Dann, Rhenish Bavaria. Later John Schell, Sr., went to Havre, France, where he resided for seven years, as overseer and superintending the transfer of freight to and from the ships. During that period, in the year 1830, a son was born to them who was named Peter. In IIavre it was where John Schell, Sr., became acquainted with the great American author, Washington Irving. The latter took a fancy to the little son, John, whom he took along to New York, the father consenting. But the boy's mother became uneasy about her son and so John Schell, Sr., had to take a special trip to New York, to bring the boy back. In those days trips across the ocean required many weeks, and when John Schell arrived in New York, he learned that Washington Irving was on his return trip to Havre with the boy. John Schell, Sr., and family came to America in 1831, locating in New York City. There a daughter was born to them November 25, 1833; she was named Philippine, and later was married to John Schwietring, a molder, in Quincy; her husband died many years ago, while she is still living, with the following sons: John, Edward, George, Rome and Frederick Sweetring, the name having been changed some to conform with the English pronunciation; and two danghters, Cecelia, wife of John Worth, and Edith, widow of Charles Foster, live in this city.
In 1835 John Schell and family left New York for the west, coming by way of Buffalo, New York, then across Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, thence by canal to the Ohio River, by boat down this river and up the Mississippi to Quincy. Here another daughter was born to John and Barbara (Zwick) Schell, Marie Anna, who in the course of time became the wife of Casper Jenner, a stonecutter. And another son, George, was born in Quincy in 1839. Jolin Schell, Sr., together with Simon Glass, conducted a smith-shop at Sixth and Kentucky streets. In later years he became city weigh-master, and liad charge of the city scales at the old market house, Third and Hampshire streets. Feb- rnary 15, 1864, John Schell died, aged seventy-seven years, while his widow lived for many years, departing this life in 1891, at the high old age of ninety-two years.
John Schell, Jr., the eldest son of John and Barbara (Zwick)
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Schell, born June 25. 1821, became prominent in public life in Quincy. Hle served in the German Guards during the Mormon war, repre- seuted the Sixth Ward in the city council for three years in succession, 1857, 1858 and 1859, also served as justice of the peace. For many years he was prominent in business, conducting a distillery north of the city. Ilis wife was Cecelia Suppiger, born May 2, 1822, in Sursee. Canton Enzerne, Switzerland. John Schell, JJr., died December 25, 1875, and his wife lived until August 2, 1897, when she departed this life. Two daughters survive. Miss Cecelia Schell, for many years a musie teacher, at present in the Anna Brown Home, and Miss Emilie Sehell, for a number of years teacher in the public schools; also three sons, Edward Schell, Los Angeles, California, Irving Schell, Chicago, Illinois, and William Schell, St. Louis, Missouri.
Peter Sehell, born in Havre, France, came to Quiney with his parents. Here he married Sophia Sanders, who was born in Germany eighty-two years ago, and came to this city with her sister, Mrs. Joseph Aschemann, early in life. Peter Schell died fifty-nine years ago. The widow is still among the living, and one son, Peter Schell, member of the firm of Schell & Kroner, tinners and sheet metal workers.
George Schell, born in Quincy in 1839, grew up in this city, where he for years conducted teaming, became prominent in publie life and was elected as street commissioner. In 1860 he married Anna Marie Ertel, who was born in Neuburg on the Rhine in 1839, and had come to Quiney with her parents. George and Elizabeth (Zoller) Ertel, in 1849, when she was ten years of age. George Schell died about thirty-eight years ago, his widow surviving him. Besides Mrs. Schell the following children are among the living : George, in Kansas City, Missouri ; Frank, employed in the gas works; Edward, in the fire department ; William, teamster, and Anna Schell, all in Quiney.
William Diekhut, born April 10, 1809, in Muehlhansen, Thuringia, emigrated in 1832, coming to America, where he located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1834 he came west with the Pfanschmidt family, looking for a place to settle down, accompanying them to Quiney. Returning to Pittsburgh, he there married Catherine M. Wengert, who was born in Sperlbach, near Landau. Bavaria, May 27, 1814. Soon after their marriage in 1835 the couple came to Quincy, settling down here for life. William Diekhut was a glazier by trade, and established the first factory for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds in this town : he also opened the first lumber yard in Quincy. In later years he was one of the founders and main stockholder of a large saw- mill on the bay north of the city. September 8, 1892, William Dick- hut died, and his wife followed him in death July 21, 1893. The children of William and Catherine ( Wengert) Diekhut were: Henry E. Diekhut, who was associated in business with his father and now lives in Chicago: Edward C. Diekhut, was manager of the Quincy Lumber Co., and died three years ago; Philip L. Diekhut, who is in the real estate business in Quincy. Daughters were: Anna, wife of
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Frederick Wilms, for many years president of the Wabash Coal Co .; they now reside in Los Angeles, California ; and Miss Caroline Dickhut in Quiney.
John Kinkel, born June 7, 1796, in Dodenau, Grandduchy of Hes- sen, married Louisa Feisel, born in the same town in 1802. In Mareh, 1835, they left their old home and eame to America, arriving in Quiney August 26th of the same year. Like many immigrants in those days, John Kinkel and family settled near Mill Creek, following farming until 1860, in which year he died, his wife departing this life in 1875. John Kinkel, Jr., the oldest son of John and Louisa (Feisel) Kinkel, was born in the fatherland in 1824, and eame to Quiney with the family in 1835. He grew up on the farm and later eame to town, where he married Mary Christine Stork, born June 18, 1831, in the Grandduchy of Hessen, who came to America in early days, loeating near Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois. In 1849 she came to Quiney, where she met John Kinkel, Jr., and was married to him. John Kinkel, Jr., for many years was in business in Quiney at Fourth and Broadway, where he condueted a grocery, a tavern and wagon- yard. He died in 1895, and his wife departed this life in 1900. One daughter and one son survive. The daughter is Mrs. Emilia Stewart, wife of Nathaniel Stewart, switehman of the C., B. & Q. Railroad ; the son is Charles Alfred Kinkel, also a switchman of the C., B. & Q. Railroad. William Kinkel, also a son of John and Louisa (Feisel) Kinkel, grew up on the farm and later came to Quincy, where he was active in the sewing machine business. Ile married Elizabeth Goebel of this county, her parents being among the early pioneers who came to America from the Grandduchy of Hessen. William Kinkel afterward moved to St. Louis, where he was engaged in business until his death about twelve years ago; his wife also departed this life many years ago. Caroline Kinkel, a daughter of John and Louisa (Feisel) Kinkel, became the wife of J. Henry Fisher, and died in 1915. Sophia Kinkel, another daughter, was married to George Hoeflin, with whom she went to Kansas, where both died years ago.
George Merker, born in 1808, in Gross-Biberan, Grandduchy of IIessen, learned to be a tailor in his home town, where he married Barbara Wendel, also born in Gross-Biberan in 1809. The couple emigrated in 1830, coming to America, locating in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where George Merker conducted a tailor shop, em- ploying seven journeymen tailors. In 1835 George and Barbara (Wendel) Merker eame west with two children, John and Elizabeth, born in Pennsylvania, and located in Quiney. Owing to impaired health, George Merker gave up tailoring and went to farming, settling near Mill Creek. In 1867 he departed this life, and his wife followed him in death in 1868. Four children were born to George and Bar- bara (Wendel) Merker in this county, Catharine, Philip, Nicholas, and Anna. John Merker married Henrietta Wagner, a daughter of
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Christian Wagner, one of the pioneers, who came from the Principal- ity of Waldeck, Germany, and was among the carly residents of Adams County. John Merker followed farming in Melrose Township until his death early in the '70s. George J. Merker, a son of JJohn and Henrietta (Wagner) Merker, was born in Melrose, February 5, 1855. He grew up on the farm, helped his father, and later married Anna O. Spitze, born in Warsaw, Illinois. The family resides on the farm, in close proximity to the city, and has prospered, raising fruits and vegetables.
Philip and Nicholas Merker, sons of George and Barbara ( Wendel) Merker, both followed farming in Melrose Township, but only Nicholas is among the living, Philip having died many years ago. Nicholas Merker was born March 27, 1842, grew up to manhood, and in 1865 married Elizabeth Voth, a native of Germany. She died years ago. Two sons, Fred and Harvey Merker, conduct a general store at See- horn, and one daughter was married to Henry Griep, a farmer near Taylor, Missouri, where Nicholas Merker makes his home.
Sebastian Oesterle was born in 1808 in Wintersdorf, Baden, where he learned the tailor's trade. In 1829 he left his home town as a journeyman, working at his trade in a number of places. Finally he came to New Orleans, where he met JJustine Brodbeck, born in 1814 in Kretzingen, Baden. In 1835 they came to Quincy, where they were married in 1836. Sebastian Oesterle died in 1860, while his widow lived for many more years, departing this life in 1889. Joseph, the oldest son of Sebastian and JJustine ( Brodbeck) Oesterle, born January 6, 1837, grew up in this city and for many years was chief of the fire department. Ile died in 1891, the name having been changed to Esterly. Peter Esterly, the second son, also grew up to manhood. and during the Civil war served as musician in the Tenth Illinois Infantry. John Esterly, another son, grew up in Quincy and served as musician in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ilinois Infantry during the Civil war.
George Schultheis, born October 6, 1811, in Marjoss, Principality of Hessen, Jearned the shoemaker's trade and Jeft his home town April 18, 1833, emigrating to America, where he landed at Baltimore July 2d of the same year. September 14, 1835, he came to Quincy, where he later met and married Magdalena Wengert; she was born in Sperlbach, Bavaria, November 23, 1816, came to America in 1533. and located in Quincy April 14, 1837. George Schultheis for many years followed his trade and finally conducted a shoe store in Quincy. lle departed this life August 17, 1893, his wife preceding him in death February 11, 1583. Children of George and Magdalena ( Won- gert) Schultheis were: George, who died about ten years ago; Chris- tian, who became a druggist, in which business he was active for a number of years, he died December 29, 1916. the widow, Amelia, nce Janson, resides in Quincy: Henry lives in Los Angeles, California;
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Hattie and IIelen Schultheis, and Edward Schultheis, the latter a printer, live in Quincy. Albert Schultheis, the youngest son of George and Magdalena (Wengert) Schultheis, left Quincy many" years ago, when only thirteen years of age, and located in Independ- ence, Kansas, where he secured a position as errand boy in a bank ; by diligence and strict attention to his duties he soon gained the confidence and good will of his employers, was advanced and pro- moted from one position to the other, until today he is president of that bank. Emma Schultheis became the wife of John Notter; they moved to Chicago many years ago.
George W. Rust was born in Germany January 29, 1792, and came to America early in life, for he served in the War of 1812 against the British. After that war he located in Ohio. By his first marriage he had five children : Michael, George, Dorothy, the wife of Mr. Tix- ford; Margaret and Elizabeth. The second wife of George W. Rust was Mary McChesney, and they had two children: Charles W., born January 30, 1833, in Clermont County, Ohio, and Samuel, born Deceni- ber 31, 1835, in Adams County, Illinois, his parents coming to this county in that year and locating in Keene Township. After the death of his second wife George W. Rust married Mrs. William Forum, a widow who by her first marriage had five children. Charles W. Rust, born in Ohio, grew up in Adams County, learned blacksmithing with his father and conducted a smith shop in Loraine. There were only four houses in Keene Township when George W. Rust and family settled there. Charles W. Rust married Eliza A. Benson, born in Indiana, January 28, 1832, her parents being among the early settlers of Adams County. Five children were born to Charles W. and Eliza (Benson) Rust, three sons, John, George, and Charles, and two daughters, Sarah E., wife of Thomas Hudson, Oklahoma, and Josephine, wife of Ehner Smith, Tacoma, Washington. During the Civil war Charles W. Rust served in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry ; he died March 31, 1905, while his wife died one week prior, March 24, 1905.
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