USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 38
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bold in Chicago, and Clara, wife of James R. Shean in Los Angeles, California. John A. Sohm, third son of Pantaleon and Rosina (Specht) Sohm, was born in Quincy August 11. 1854. He is the well known painter and decorator, an art which he with unusual talent acquired and practiced for many years, after working for one year with Martin Stadler, who also was an artist in his calling. June 19. 1877. John A. Sohm married Ilelena Weltin. They have one son. George, who was bookkeeper with the Standard Oil Company in this eity, and at present is serving in the army of the United States; and one daughter, member of the Order of Notre Dame, at Washington, Missouri. Mrs. John A. Sohm has in her possession quite an inter- esting relie, the old seissors which Michael Mast. the first German settler in Quiney, brought from the fatherland when he came to Amer- iea in 1816. He being a tailor, used these scissors in his business in Germany more than 100 years ago, and then in America until he retired from active business, when he presented it to his niece, Mrs. Rosina (Specht) Sohm, who finally gave it to her daughter-in-law. Mrs. John A. Sohm.
SETTLERS OF 1840
Gerhard Kroner, born March 9, 1816, in Grossendohren, Hanover, emigrated to America in 1840. eame by way of New Orleans, and located in Quiney, where he, in 1841, married Marie Starmann, also born in Hanover. ITis wife died in 1851, and May 25, 1852. Gerhard Kroner married for the second time, his choice being Marie Hoeding- hans. She was born June 5, 1834, near Paderborn, Westphalia, and came to Quiney in 1851. The family lived immediately south of the city in Melrose Township, where they for many years raised all kinds of garden prodnets. May 25, 1901. the couple celebrated their golden wedding. Both have sinee died. Children living are: Frank Kroner. dairyman ; Josephine, wife of Frank Wiskirchen, and Cecelia, wife of John Wiskirchen, all in Melrose.
Jacob Wolf was born June 16, 1784. in Buehsweiler. Alsace. Napoleon I wanted him to take part in the campaign of 1812 against Russia, but Jacob Wolf had no inclination to do so, and joined the Prussian army. Later he married Sophia Rogge, born in Prussia in 1787. In 1830 the couple came to America, locating in Kentucky, and in the early '40s they came to AAdams County, locating near Mill Creek. where Jacob Wolf for many years followed agricultural pursuits until his death, October 10, 1866, his wife following him in death November 2. 1870. Anna Sophia, a daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Rogge) Wolf became the wife of Blasius Mueller, born in Staettin, Sigmar- ingen. who was among the carly settlers in Quincy, where he For many years followed his calling as carpenter and builder ; another daughter, Anna Louisa, became the wife of Henry Dover, a tailor. born in Alsace, who was among the early pioneers of Adams County. Many descendants of both families reside in this county.
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John Wendel Schnellbacher, born August 22, 1807, in Wersau, Grandduchy of Hessen, married Anna Marie Riedel, also born in Wersan, May 2, 1807. In the fall of 1839 the family emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans January 1, 1840, the trip aeross the ocean requiring seventy-five days; coming up the Mississippi, they arrived in Quincy February 22, 1840. After a short stay in the city, they moved to the country, where they located near Mill Creek and went to farming. One son, Jacob Schnellbacher, also became a farmer, and died many years ago. Daughters were: Elizabeth, wife of the farmer Caspar Uebner; Margaret, wife of George Schardon, boiler maker; Kate, wife of the farmer lIenry Bangert; Catherine, wife of August Tansmann; and Dorothea, wife of Andrew Keller. Only the three last mentioned daughters are among the living.
Gottfried Ehrgott was born January 23, 1819, in Obersimten, near Pirmasens, Rhenish Bavaria. He emigrated in 1837 and came to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he learned the baker's trade. In 1840 he eame to Quiney, where he remained for a short time, then he went to Keokuk, Iowa, from there to Warsaw, Illinois, but soon re- turned to Quincy, settling here for life. He established a bakery in this eity and gained quite a reputation with his business. During the Mormon troubles he served in Capt. John Bernard Schwindeler's company, the Quiney German Guards. When the war with Mexico broke out, Gottfried Ehrgott furnished the necessary bread for a regiment of soldiers enroute to Mexico, which camped in the woods at Watson's Springs, the present South Park. In 1842 he married Margaret Waldhaus, a daughter of George Jacob Waldhans, who had come to Quiney with her parents in 1838. Mrs. Ehrgott died in February, 1896, her husband died in 1911. One son, George, an upholsterer, survives; also one daughter, Mrs. Barbara Dix, formerly police matron, widow of Capt. Henry A. Dix, now having her home in New Orleans.
George Joseph Laage, born in Hopsten, Westphalia, November 26, 1819, eame to this country by way of Baltimore in 1837. From there, he, with other immigrants, went overland to Pittsburgh, and then by boat to Louisville, where he remained for a short time. German workmen being in demand in an earthenware factory in Troy, In- diana, he went there to work. Later he went to Cineinnati where he learned the hatter's trade. In the course of time he became business manager of the hat works. Visiting Quiney on one of his trips, he decided to locate here, and settled in this city in 1840, buying a lot on Hampshire, between Fourth and Fifth streets. Later he opened a factory at the Quiney Bay, where he made felt hats : besides he made silk hats, eaps and fur goods. Thus he became the pioneer hatter and furrier of Quiney. In 1844 George J. Laage took a trip to Cincin- nati, where he married Elizabeth Kessing. After her death he in 1846 married Anna Katherine Heine. For more than fifty years he
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was engaged in business, finally retiring. March 4, 1904, he departed this life, his wife having preceded him in death years before. One son, George J. Laage, Jr., located in St. Louis many years ago. There were two daughters, Mary, who remained single, and Clara, wife of Rudolph Hutmacher, Jr., both residing in Galesburg, Illinois.
Michael Loos was born September 24, 1815, in Krumbach, Grand- duchy of lessen, and emigrated to America, leaving his home Oe- tober 22, 1839. Crossing the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel, the party landed in New Orleans December 31st of the same year. Michael Loos located in Quiney, where he remained for four years, working in John Kurk's brickyard during the summer time, and for Joel Rice, the pork paeker. in the winter time. April 4, 1844, he married Marie M. Waldhaus, a daughter of Konrad Henry Waldhaus, who had come from Klein-Biberau. Grandduchy of Hessen, in 1835. The young couple then moved to the country and located on a farm near Mill ('reek, where Michael Loos followed agriculture until his death March 19. 1873; the widow survived for many years. departing this life April 19, 1911. Sons of Michael and Marie M. (Waldhaus) Loos were : Frederick, who followed agricultural pursuits for many years, but now lives in the city : his sons are, William Charles, Frank, Arthur, Albert. Walter, and Herbert, all farmers excepting Charles, who is a member of the firm of Pape & Loos, millers in Quiney. Daughters of Frederick Loos are: Laura, Selma and Clara. Philip Loos, second son of Michael and Marie M. ( Waldhans) Loos, resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. William Loos, third son, retired farmer, lives in Quincy; his sons are, Thomas, David, Matthew, Ernst in Camp Dodge, Joseph, and John. Daughters are: Anna, wife of Charles Politseh, Mary, Emma, Lily, and Pauline. Lonis Loos, the youngest son of Michael and Marie M. (Waldhaus) Loos, resides on the farm in Melrose Town- ship.
Joseph Broekschmidt, born March 29, 1811, in Bohmte, Hanover, was a watchmaker and eame to New York in 1837. Then he went to Boston and six months later to Cincinnati, immediately sceuring a position in a clock factory. His health failing, he and his wife left by river for St. Louis and soon eame to Quiney, arriving here Mareh 29. 1840. For three years Joseph Brockschmidt spent most of his time hunting and leading an outdoor life. Then he opened a small shop in a log cabin on Hampshire, between Fifth and Sixth streets, paying $2 per month rent and living in a room in the rear of his shop. ITe made locks and keys, repaired firearms, and made elocks entirely ont of wood. Later he confined himself to the repairing of clocks, later still adding jewelry to his business of watehmaking. condneting the first jewelry store in Quiney. His trade grew steadily. hut during one night in the summer of 1843 burglars entered the shop and carried away his whole stock of goods, with the exception of a clock in a trunk under his bed. All of his tools were stolen, this
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being the greatest loss, as it was impossible to replace tools which he had brought from Germany. Joseph Brockschmidt had learned his trade in Osnabrueck, Germany, and made as masterpiece a clock with its complete works in the pendulum. This elock for fifty-seven years was exhibited in the show-window of his shop. For thirty years he had the care of the first city clock in the tower of St. Boniface Church, never asking nor accepting any compensation for his trou- ble. He was one of the founders of St. Aloysius Orphan Society, and for more than fifty-seven years a member of St. Boniface Church. In February, 1840, Joseph Brockschmidt and Marie Busch were married in St. Paul's Church, Cincinnati. He died December 17, 1897, his wife having preceded him in death January 6, 1876. Joseph J. Brockschmidt, a son, died February 20, 1904. Daughters were: Louise, wife of H. B. Menke, died February 29, 1916; Frances Broek- schmidt ; Agnes Broekschmidt, died February, 1917; Mary, wife of Frank Hoeckelmann. One daughter, Ida, member of the Order of Notre Dame, died in 1868.
John Speckhardt, born June 14, 1910, in Krumbach, Grandduchy of Hessen, married Elizabeth Vornoff, born 1815 in Keinsbach, the same state. They emigrated in the fall of 1839, coming by way of New Orleans, arriving in Quincy in 1840, but soon settled in Fall Creek Township. Although wheat had to be cradled in those days, and at times brought only 35 cents per bushel, yet farmers were successful. Jolin Speckhardt in the course of time became one of the most ex- tensive land owners in the township. He died in 1894, his wife pre- ceding him in death ten years before. Children were: Frederick, born May 24, 1847, successful as a farmer. He was married three times, his first wife being Lena Schaefer, and their children were. John, Fred and George. After the death of his first wife he married Anna Frederick, and they also had three children, Henry, Frank, and Hannah, wife of Philip Appel. The third wife was Lena Harms. In 1895 Frederick Speckhardt left his farm and moved to Riverside Township. John Speckhardt, Jr., second son of John and Elizabeth (Vornoff) Speckhardt, born July 4, 1848, chose farming and married Hannah Schaefer. Sons were: John, Jr., who married Anna West- holt ; William, who married Lena Albsmeyer; and Charles, who mar- ried Lily Uebner. Daughters were: Elizabeth, wife of John Echtern- kamp : Margaret, wife of John Hoelscher; and Ella, wife of George Speneer. Adam Speekhardt, third son of John and Elizabeth (Vorn- off) Speekhardt, born October 1, 1849, engaged in farming and mar- ried Mary E. Bock. Sons were: Frederick and Karl; daughters : Katie, wife of Wm. F. Albsmeyer; Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas Kalten- bach ; Anna, wife of Fred Schnellbacher, and Minnie, wife of Christ Kaiser. William Speckhardt, youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Vornoff) Speckhardt, also follows farming. He married Margaret Reich, and they have two sons, William and John, and two danghters, Mrs. William Loos and Mrs. Fred W. Hoelscher. Of the five dangh-
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ters of John and Elizabeth (Vornotr) Speckhardt only one, Lena, survives, and lives with her brother, Adam Speckhardt, on the old home farm.
THE RICKER FAMILY
Among the many immigrants of German blood, who came to Qniney since the first settlement was established here, the life, career and success of Henry Franeis Joseph Ricker certainly is one of the most remarkable, deserving 'special mention in the annals of history of the German element in this community. Born August 31, 1822, in Lotten, Hanover, he with his parents emigrated to America in 1839. Ilis father, Joseph Ricker, was born 1790, in Lotten, Hanover, while his mother, Euphemia Adelheid, nee Peters, was born 1795 in Bawinkel, Ilanover. October 1, 1839, they started on their voyage in a sailing vessel across the Atlantic ocean, arriving in New Orleans December 10th of the same year. Coming up the Mississippi on board of a steamboat, they celebrated Christmas in Cairo. Then they con- tinned their trip to St. Louis, where they remained for two months, when they went aboard of the steamboat Aerial, bound for Quiney, where they arrived on March 4, 1840, after a trip of three days.
When the Rieker family arrived here there still was considerable timber in the town, trunks of trees were lying in many places, just as they had fallen, either felled by the woodman's axe, or during a destructive storm. At that time only one street, Hampshire, was open to the river, and the newcomers were compelled to walk in the middle of the street, when they came up from the river, there being no sidewalks. Joseph Rieker rented a room from John Bernard Schwindeler, Eleventh and Broadway, upstairs. During the first four years father and son worked for John Wood, the "Father of Quiney." Henry Franeis Joseph Rieker, in relating the history of his life to the writer of this narrative, sixteen years ago, gave special prominence to those days, when he with his father, began life in this community with hard work. While working before the old Quiney House one day, where the father was sawing cordwood, and the son did the splitting and piling up, T. S. F. Hunt, proprietor of a grocery store, eame ont from the store and asked Mr. Ricker to allow the son to work in his store, he needing a young man who was not afraid of work. The father consented, and this was the begin- ning of the career of Henry Francis Joseph Ricker in the mercantile business. Then he became a clerk in Charles Holmes' dry goods store, and went to St. Louis with Holmes when the latter removed his business to that city. But in accordance with the wish of his parents, ho soon returned to Quincy and entered the employ of Sylvester Thayer, dealer in dry goods, and in 1846 he accepted a position with Albert Dannecke. proprietor of a general store, with whom he remained for three years. In 1849 Henry Franeis Joseph Ricker and Leopold Arntzen formed a copartnership, opening a gen- Vol 1-23
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eral store, which business they conducted until 1857, being very suc- cessful. In 1858 Mr. Ricker was elected as police magistrate, a posi- tion which he held for four years, being re-elected in 1860. In the latter year he began to sell passenger tickets for European steamer lines, and from this developed a banking and exchange business. In 1864 he bought out the banking house of John Wood & Company, on Fifth and Maine streets, and from 1865 to 1876 conducted a bank- ing business at 508 Hampshire Street.
It here may not be amiss to refer to the crude manner in which the business was conducted in those days. There being no vault, no safe place to keep money in the building over night, the boys in the employ of Henry F. J. Ricker in the evening after banking hours would carry the money in baskets to the home of the proprietor, where he had a safe in which the funds were kept more secure. But this primitive manner of doing a banking business was soon changed. when a safety vault had been built in the bank. After ten years of a steady growing, successful business, Henry F. J. Rieker erected a modern bank building at 413 Hampshire Street, where he opened his private bank in October, 1876. Five years later, April 4, 1881, the business was converted into the Rieker National Bank, Mr. Ricker retaining the greatest portion of the stock. The bank was capitalized at $200,- 000. and the success was such, that in the course of time it became one of the greatest banking institutions of the West, its capital, sur- plus, and undivided profits being nearly $1,000.000. The bank build- ing, some years ago, was enlarged to double its former size, occupying 413 and 415 Hampshire Street. A man of Henry F. J. Ricker's financial ability and reputation for carefulness in his business, was noticed and recognized far beyond the confines of Quincy, conse- quently in 1884 he was the unanimous choice of the democratic party for state treasurer, a compliment which came to him entirely unso- licited ; the party being in the minority, he was not elected. Henry Francis Joseph Ricker was one of the organizers of the German Insurance and Savings Institution of Quincy, alternately filling the office of secretary, treasurer, and president of the company; he was one of the leading stockholders of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railway, a director in the Quincy Gas and Electric Light Company, and treasurer of the Menke & Grimm Planing Mill Company. He also was a leader in public improvements, in the course of time be- coming the most extensive owner of real estate in the city, and gaining the reputation of keeping his many houses always in a first class condition.
In 1852 Henry Francis Joseph Ricker married Maria Gertrude Tenk, who was born December 3, 1833, in Suedlohn, Hanover, and came to Quincy with her parents in 1844. Mr. Ricker died March 4, 1904. Mrs. Ricker followed her husband in death July 12. 1907.
Sons of Henry Francis Joseph and Maria Gertrude (Tenk) Ricker, that live at present, are : H. Frank J. Ricker, born in Quincy January 29, 1856, grew up in this city and in the course of time, having received
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the proper education, became interested in the banking business with his father. occupying different positions until he became the cashier of the Rieker National Bank, a position which he holds at present. Jannary, 1883, H. Frank J. Rieker married Miss Katie C. Redmond, daughter of the old pioneer, Thomas Redmond, who was mayor of Quincy for three terms during the early '60. They have one daughter, the wife of George B. Helmle. Springfield, Illinois, first lieutenant in the aviation corps of the United States Army. George E. Ricker. another son of Henry F. J. and Maria Gertrude (Tenk) Ricker, was born in Quiney October 30. 1867. After completing his education. he in 1887 entered the Rieker National Bank in the bookkeeping de- partment. After a number of years of service. finally as cashier. he resigned his position and now is in Kansas City, Missouri, member of the firm Smith & Ricker, stock exchange business, also vice president of the Commonwealth National Bank. In 1892 he married Josephine Wahl, eldest daughter of Frederick Wahl, and they have two sons, George E., Jr., and Charles Ricker, both married : and one daughter, Helen, who is single. Daughters of Henry F. J. and Marie Gertrude (Tenk) Ricker were : Enphemia Adelheid, the eldest daughter, became the wife of George Fischer. for many years at the head of the Fischer Iron and Steel Company, until his death, February 26, 1916; the widow survives with two sons. George Joseph Fischer, manager of the Modern Iron Works, and Joseph J. Fischer. assistant cashier of the Rieker National Bank. and one daughter. Mrs. Joseph H. Vanden- Boom. Jr .. her husband being a member of the Moller & Vanden Boom Lumber Company. Another daughter of Henry F. J. and Maria Gertrude (Tenk) Rieker, is Josephine Doerr, widow of Henry Doerr. And the youngest daughter. Frances, is the wife of Herman N. Heintz, they having two sons and two daughters, the husband being a member of the firm N. Heintz & Sons. dealers in shoes. Other children of Joseph and Euphemia Adelheid (Peters) Rieker were: Maria Anna. born 1825. who came to Quiney with her parents and later was married to Herman Henry Schulte: the latter was born 1815 in Ober- bergen. Ilanover, and located in Quincy in 1542. where he was an assistant of B. I. Chatten. the civil engineer. his death occurring in 1855. Their children were : Mrs. Euphemia Doerr, widow of Andrew Doerr. founder of Doerr's Department Store, and Mrs. Marie Kireher. wife of Charles A. Kircher. In 1857 the widow Schulte was married to John Albert Arning, who was born in Prussia and came to Quines in 1852, being a stoneeutter by trade. He served in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry during the Civil war and died the latter part of 1865 at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their children were : Mrs. Josephine Duker in Quiney, and Mrs. Helena Shea in Los Angeles, California. The widow Arning died in 1900. Herman Engelbert Rieker. another son of Joseph and Enphemia Adelheid (Peters) Ricker, born in 1827, came to Quincy with his parents, and later moved to Mount Vernon. Jefferson County, Illinois, where he followed agriculture for many years; a son. John Bernard Ricker.
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lives in Quincy where he for many years has been employed by his uncle to look after his many houses and to keep them in repair. John Bernard Ricker, born 1838, was the youngest son of Joseph and Euphemia Adelheid (Peters) Rieker, and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the three months' service. Then he re-enlisted for three years in the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, and in the course of time became a sergeant in Company H of his regiment. During an engagement at Champion Hill he was killed, giving his life that his country might live.
SETTLERS OF 1841
Henry Noll was born April 20, 1818, in Dodenau, Grandduchy of Hessen, where he learned the cooper's trade. In 1841 he emigrated and came to America, locating in Quincy, where he conducted a cooper shop for many years, employing a number of hands. Here he married Wilhelmine Buesching, born in Hanover in 1826. She died in 1853, and later Henry Noll married Sophia Buesehing, a sister of his first wife. Henry Noll died in the spring of 1902, his second wife depart- ing this life in 1907. William Noll, eldest son of Henry Noll, many years ago, went west, where he engaged in the wholesale lumber busi- ness and was very successful. He has retired from active business and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Augustus T. Noll, second son of Henry Noll, many years ago was engaged in business in Quiney, and departed this life in April, 1898. John Noll, the third son of Henry Noll, is eity salesman with the Noll-Hauworth Company. W. Guy Noll, the eldest son of Augustus T. Noll, is president and treas- urer of the Noll-IIauworth Company, Inc., manufacturers of work clothing, and wholesalers. The factory is established in a substantial building, and is doing an encouraging business, with good prospects for the future. W. Guy Noll married Mary Prince, daughter of Col. Edward Prince, a graduate of the University of Heidelberg, who during the Civil war was colonel of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry Regiment, and after the war became an enterprising citizen of Quiney. While he owned the waterworks, he had a large reservoir built out on Alstyne's Prairie, which he named the "Heidelberger Fass," as a reminder of his sojourn as a student in Heidelberg. Leroy Noll, second son of Angustus T. Noll, is secretary of the Noll-Hanworth Company.
William Schwebel, born 1815 in Oberhausen, Grandduchy of Hes- sen, married Dorothea Loos, born in Buedingen, Grandduchy of Hessen. In 1841 the couple came to America, locating in Quincy. Henry Loos and wife, the parents of Mrs. Schwebel, also came to this city. William Schwebel was for many years engaged in Quincy as a teamster, and both he and his wife departed this life many years ago. One son, George Schwebel, who became a stove molder in this city, went west years ago, where he located in San Francisco, Cali-
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fornia. One daughter, Elizabeth, became the wife of Frank Freund, the building contractor, another daughter, Mary, became the wife of Iliram Blivens, a farmer in Burton Township.
Comparatively few people in Quincy were aware that ex-Mayor John P. Mikesell was of German lineage. But it nevertheless was true. A number of years ago John P. Mikesell assured the writer of this narrative, that his ancestors were German; that his father spoke German fluently, and had German books in his library, which he read. His father was John Mikesell, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Van Dyke, of Hollandish extraction, also belonging to the German race. They lived in Morgan, West Virginia, where John P. Mikesell was born July 19, 1834. In 1839 the family came to Warren. Ohio, and in 1841 to Quiney, where they settled for life. In 1849, during the "Gold Fever." John P. Mikesell, being only fifteen years of age, went to California, where he for two years worked in the mines. Then he went to Australia and later to South America. Finally he returned to the United States, and in 1861, when the Civil war broke out, enlisted in the Eighteenth Missouri Infantry (Union troops), and was elected as captain of Company I of said regiment. Taking part in the various battles in which his regiment became en- gaged. he was taken prisoner during the Battle of Shiloh, being interned for eight months in Libby and other Southern prisons, when he was exchanged and returned to his regiment, serving for three years. After the war John P. Mikesell returned to Quincy and mar- ried Eliza Payne, a daughter of the old pioneer, Thomas Payne. (It may here be stated, that Thomas Payne was born October 4, 1814, in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and came to this county in 1834. After the death of his first wife, Thomas Payne married Roseltha Heberling, born in Pennsylvania. As the name indicates, she also was of German extraction, and was the mother of Eliza Payne, who became the wife of John P'. Mikesell.) The writer of this history, although not doubting that Mayor Mikesell's assurance about his Ger- man extraction was correct, yet was of the opinion that the name in German must have been different. And so he ealled on Mrs. Rachel Ann Miller, a sister of John P. Mikesell, and widow of David W. Miller, for many years proprietor of the Quiney Honse, the eele- brated old hotel. And her daughter, Mrs. Isabella Miller, widow of Nathaniel Miller, solved the question when she stated that the name of the family originally was Maxwell, and had been changed to Mikesell, why this was done she was unable to explain. Nathaniel Miller. the husband of Mrs. Isabella Miller, was a son of Judge Andrew Miller, born in Switzerland, whose name originally was written Mueller. The name Maxwell occurs in Germany and Holland.
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