USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 81
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 81
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CHRISTIAN KLAAS was born in Germany February 7, 1833, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Klaas ; he came to America with
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his parents in 1850, his father having entered the land he now owns and redeemed from the prairie a farm and a home. Henry Klaas died in 1881, aged eighty-two years, and his widow survives him, aged sixty - seven years. In 1856, Christian Klaas was married to Miss Wilhelmina Brancker, born in Germany in 1837, daughter of Christian and Armenia Brancker, natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1853, locat- ing in West Creek Township, Lake County, Ind. By this union, Mr. and Mrs. Klaas are parents of eleven children-Henry, Louisa, Anna, Armenia, Caroline, August, Mary, Christian, Elizabeth, Sophia and Emma. Mr. Klaas remained with his father until he was twenty-five years old, when he began farming the home farm on shares, which, by diligence and economy, he has been enabled to purchase, and now owns 300 acres, besides giving to each son ninety acres and assisting two daughters to a home ; he is now worth $15,000, even more, and is raising thoroughbred cattle and Poland-China hogs, being the leading stock- grower in his township, as he is also one of its leading citizens. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
FREDERICK C. MEYER was born in Hanover, Germany, Sep- tember 2, 1820, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Matta) Meyer, both natives of Germany. He received a good education, and when fifteen years of age, removed to Bremen, where he remained until 1840, when he emigrated to America, locating in Charleston, S. C., where he acted as grocer's clerk one year ; he then purchased the store and continued the business four years. He visited his native country, purchased five acres and farmed until 1853. In 1846, he was married to Martha G. Maygatta, born in Germany in 1815, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Frazer) Maygatta, natives of Germany. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are parents of five children-Frederick, Annie, Sophia, Harry and Lucy, all married. In 1853, Mr. Meyer returned to America, came West and located in this township, where he purchased 120 acres, little im- proved. His only market was Chicago, and his transport an ox team. Mr. Meyer has a home of 163 acres with improvements, valued at $45 per acre-the reward of hard labor. He experienced the many vicissi- tudes of a pioneer, and recalls how abundant game once was in this same county, of which he had his share. Mr. Meyer is a Republican, and was elected Treasurer of this township, but did not qualify ; his first vote was given for James K. Polk ; his son, Frederick, enlisted in 1861, in Com- pany F, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and in 1864 re-enlisted as a veteran, serving until the close of the war, and receiving but a flesh wound.
JOHN H. MEYER was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, March 22, 1837, and is one of the six children of Herman and Maggie
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Meyer, both natives of Germany. John H. Meyer came to America with his Uncle Frederick in 1853, locating in New York, where he clerked in a grocery for two years, after which he came to this county, where he worked on a farm by the month until June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and was honorably discharged in 1864, after having fought at Gettysburg, where he received a slight wound, the Wilderness and in other en- gagements. On returning home, he clerked in the general store of H. C. Beckmann for three years. In February, 1867, he married Miss Mag- gie Dittmer, born in Savannah, Ga., in 1845, daughter of Henry and Sarah Dittmer, natives of Germany. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became parents of four children-Le Grand, Howard, Horace G. and Jennie. In the fall of 1867, Mr. Meyer purchased a stock of groceries and crockery in company with Leonard Berlen, locating at Crown Point, where he remained eleven years and did an extensive business. In 1878, he sold this, and purchased a half-interest in the farm of eighty acres on which he now resides, his wife owning the other half. This farin is one of the most valuable in the county. While living at Crown Point he was Town Trustee, and is an active politician of the Democratic school. Mr. Meyer and one brother are the only ones of the family who came to America. John H. Meyer, in company with John Lehman, of Crown Point, printed the first issue of the Free Fress in 1876 ; the partnership continued eighteen months, when Mr. Meyer retired ; he is a member of Lodge No. 57, A., F. & A. M., of Crown Point.
JOHN N. SCHUBERT was born in Saxony, Germany, September 9, 1819, and is the only son of George and Anna M. Schubert. John N. Schubert attended school until he was fourteen years of age, when he be- came an apprentice to the stone-mason trade, after which he began work for himself at said trade, continuing until 1846, when he came to America. Here he abandoned his business and became a farmer. On reaching Chicago, he was without a copper, but worked on a farm west of that city for a few months, then came to Crown Point and hired to Henry Wells, for whom he worked four years, during which he saved $400; he there- with purchased twenty acres of his present farm, in 1850; to this, he has since added, until now he owns 203 acres of well-improved land worth $50 per acre-the outcome of industry and economy ; he has built large, commodious buildings, making his property one of the best in the town- ship. In 1849, he was married to Miss Rosanna Fisher, a native of Ger- many, born in 1823, and to this union have been born eight children- Elizabeth, Hammond, Hannah, Louise, Rosanna, Mary, Emma and John. Mrs. Schubert died in 1873, aged fifty years ; she was a member of the Lutheran sect, as is also Mr. Schubert. Mr. Schubert recollects how
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abundant were Indians and game in this section in pioneer days ; but he never found time for hunting. His first market was Chicago, all prod- uce being hauled thither. Oats were 13 to 14 cents per bushel ; butter, 4 to 5 cents per pound.
JOSEPH SCHMAL was born in the Province of the Rhine, Ger- many, November 8, 1817. and is one of the seven children of Joseph and Catherine Schmal, both natives of Germany. In 1838, they emi- grated to America, came via New York, Buffalo and Chicago, and thence to Lake County by team. They located in St. Johns Township, where Mr. Schmal pre-empted land and built a log cabin. They were the second German family in the county, where they lived, reared a family, made a good home and died in 1859, aged seventy-six and seventy-four years. Joseph Schmal, our subject, received a fair German education. When he came, he engaged to work on the Illinois & Michigan Canal at $24 per month for two and one-half years, and in the winter chopped wood and did carpentering. On May 8, 1841, at Joliet, Ill., he was married to Miss Barbara Keiffer, born in Germany, June 10, 1819, and the only living of the six children of John J. and Eve Keiffer, natives of Ger- many. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Schmal were parents of thirteen children, ten now living-Catherine E., Mary, Joseph G., Barbara, Adam, Jacob, Frank, Lewis, Aurele and Alfred. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Schmal located in St. Johns Township, where he purchased forty acres, which afterward was made 120 acres, where he lived until 1853, when he sold it for $1,600, and located in this township. Here he has erected a large frame house, with outbuildings and wind-engine ; he has now 132 acres, well improved. During the first twelve years of his experience, Mr. Schmal hauled his products to Chicago by ox team. Hay was cut with a scythe, and wheat and oats cradled. Mr. Schmal well remembers the abundance of Indians and game, having sent his dog to chase the deer from his fields, while he was tilling the soil. He has been an active poli- tician of the Republican school, and an active and enterprising farmer and citizen, taking a particular interest in schools.
VALENTINE SHUTZ was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1822, and is a son of Frank and Christina Shiitz, both natives of Germany. Valentine Shiitz received a common school education, and was reared a farmer. When twenty-four years of age, he began to work for himself, at which time he was married to Miss Barbara Kettish. This union was blessed with ten children, five of whom are living-Susan, Barbara, John, Frank and Valentine. Mrs. Shiitz died in 1866, and Mr. Shiitz's second marriage, in 1868. was to Lizzie Leistmeyiser, a na- tive of Germany, born in 1837. To this union were born five children, four of whom survive-Lizzie, Mary, Annie and Rosa. In 1864, Mr.
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Shutz emigrated to America, and located in this township, where he pur- chased 200 acres, having a round-log cabin and being covered with a small growth of timber. This land he has long since improved, now having large commodious buildings. His farm borders on the lake, and is one of the best and most valuable in the township.
HENRY V. VON HOLLEN, deceased, was born in Hanover, Ger- many, December 23, 1804. In 1836, he emigrated to America and locat- ed near Ann Arbor, Mich., where he worked two years as a farm laborer. On August 13, 1838, he was married to Miss Louisa Schubert, a native of Saxony, born October 9, 1816. To this union were born two chil- dren-Louisa (deceased, aged twenty years) and an infant. Mrs. Von Hollen came to America with some friends in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Von Hollen, in company with Mr. Henry Sasse, removed from Michigan to this township in September, 1838. Not having means to purchase land without selling his team, Mr. Von Hollen, in the following spring, went to Joliet and worked on the Illinois & Michigan Canal for two years, and in 1841, returned to this township, and purchased eighty acres, which he improved, and to which he added until he owned 374 acres. Mr. Von Hollen was one of the first Trustees of the township, and one of those who gave it its name. He was a stanch Republican, and one of the best and most influential citizens. During his early life, he had been a soldier in Germany, and his age alone prevented him from taking ac- tive part in the late civil war. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, as is likewise Mrs. Von Hollen, who is now the oldest living in- habitant of Hanover Township, having resided herein for forty-one years. She, with her sister, lives on the homestead farm, from which she has not been absent more than two weeks during her long residence.
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP.
JOHN AUSTGEN was born in Prussia in the year 1841, and was brought to America by his parents in 1852; they located in this town- ship, where John spent his youthful days. In 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, in which he was an active soldier and bushwhacker. After his discharge in 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran, and served until the war closed ; he had many escapes, having had two horses shot beneath him while riding; in all the war he received but a flesh wound ; he was honorably discharged in 1866, at Selma, Ala., and had $350, which he spent in pleasure, after which he worked for the P., C. & St. L. Railroad, which he continued until September, 1867. In that year, he was married to Miss Catherine Spanier, a native of this
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township. Mrs. Austgen died in 1877, leaving four small children. A few months later, Mr. Austgen was married to Mary Shoemaker, daughter of Peter and Anna M. Reeder, both natives of Prussia, by which union they became parents of two children. In 1867, Mr. Austgen opened a saloon in St. Johns, which he continued until May, 1870, when he sold the same and moved to Schererville, where he has since been engaged in the same business ; he was for six years Constable of the township, and has also been School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Austgen are members of the Catholic Church.
HENRY BATTERMAN was born in Will County, Ill., October 10, 1855, and is the second of nine children born to Christian and Hannah (Desher) Batterman, both natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Batter- man were successful in making a good home for their family, and were esteemed residents of their community. Henry Batterman received a good common school education, and was reared a farmer. When nineteen years of age, he began to learn the saddlery and harness business with Mr. Charles Mowler, of Crown Point, and sixteen months later worked for Mr. Shilling, of Dyer, for one year. After working in another shop a short time, he went to Chicago and worked nine months. On February 17, 1830, he returned and purchased from F. Gensberger a stock of goods and tools, and has since then turned out good work and done a thriving business. On March 20, 1881, he was married to Miss Mary Reichert, a native of Cook County, Ill., born in 1859, who died on the following 12th day of December, leaving one child-Joseph. Mr. Batterman's second marriage was to Lena Young, born in 1858, in Cook County, Ill., daughter of Michael and Margaret Young, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Batterman are members of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN BEIRIGER was born in Prussia November 7, 1839, and is a son of Matthias and Mary (Keifer) Beiriger, both natives of Prussia, who emigrated to America in 1840, and located in this township, where they laid claim to land and began farming, enduring the many hardships of early settlers, and hauling their produce to Chicago without roads or bridges ; notwithstanding these impediments, they acquired a home of 190 acres, well improved, where Matthias Beiriger died in 1860, aged sixty years. His widow afterward removed to Dyer, where she died in 1874, aged sixty-two years. John Beiriger received a common school education and was reared a farmer ; he remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age, when he worked on the farm by the month for two years. In 1865, he served two years to learn cabinet-making, after which he became a partner with his brother Jacob, and they began the first planing-mill in Lake County. On October 4, 1867, he married Miss Mary Gusenberger, a native of Prussia, and daughter of John and Susan (Kerner) Gusen-
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berger. By this union were born eight children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Beiriger died April 28, 1882. In 1869, the furniture store of the Messrs. Beiriger was burned, entailing a loss of $5,000; they soon re- built, however, and one year later dissolved their partnership, John Bei- riger continuing the business in connection with undertaking, which amounted to $6,000 per annum. Mr. Beiriger has been fairly success- ful, being worth about $4,000.
JOHN BOOS, JR., was born in Germany in 1842, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Boos, both natives of Germany. John Boos, Jr., was brought to the United States by his parents in 1848, who located near Dyer, Lake Co., Ind., where our subject was reared, and for a few years attended school four miles distant. Being the eldest son, he was needed at home to assist his father on the farm, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years old, when he began life for himself, work- ing on the farm by the month until 1864. In this year, he was married to Miss Mary Dubois, born in Germany in 1846. To this union were born six children-John, Anna, Lizzie, Mary, Matilda and Matthias. Shortly after his marriage, he was drafted, and was obliged to procure a substitute at a cost of $800. In 1865. he removed to Chicago, where he worked in a sugar refinery one year, after which he returned to Lake County and farmed on rented land for seven years. when he sold his stock, etc., and removed to Dyer, purchased property and opened a farm- ers' hotel and saloon ; here he has since done business and been success- ful, having acquired a good property, besides a farm of eighty acres, and is now worth probably $9,000-the result of industry and economy. Mr. and Mrs. Boos are members of the Catholic Church.
GEORGE F. DAVIS was born in England October 20, 1839, and and is the youngest of five children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Pea- cock) Davis, both natives of England. Henry Davis was a minister in early life, but afterward followed farming. George F. Davis was reared a farmer. When fifteen years old, he was apprenticed to a miller for two years, and afterward took charge of his father's mill for three years, when he became a partner with his father in the milling branch for seven years, during which period he gave attention to breeding Berkshire swine and Short-Horn cattle. In 1867, he emigrated to America, locating at Chi- cago for eighteen months, following his trade, and in 1869, removed to Dyer, Lake Co., Ind., and took charge of the grist-mill owned by Mr. Du Breuil. After remaining eighteen months, Mr. Davis bought one- quarter interest in the mill, which continued until Mr. Du Breuil's death in 1876, when Mr. Davis purchased another quarter interest, the balance being sold to A. Scheidt, and they have conducted the business since that time. They are grinding from four to five car-loads of wheat per month,
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besides private orders and a feed-mill. On August 25, 1867, he was married to Miss Louisa H. Bright, of Devonshire, England, born in 1858, and daughter of James and Jane (Peacock) Bright. To their union were born ten children, five of whom are living-Elizabeth L., Henry, George F., James W. and Louise J. Mrs. Davis died October 16, 1880; she was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Davis is an enthu- siastic stock-raiser, and by crossing various breeds has produced a new one called the Victoria. The first specimen was exhibited at the Fat-Stock Show at Chicago in 1878, and each year he has taken the first premium wherever exhibited, having won more sweepstake prizes than any other breed. In 1881, he took a special premium of $125 for the best five hogs at the Chicago Fat-Stock Show. Mr. Davis began withcut means, but is now worth $12,000; he is a successful business man and an enter- prising citizen.
REV. JOSEPH FLACH was born in Southern Germany June 9, 1852, and is one of three children of Sebastin and Mary (Kienzle) Flach, both natives of Germany. Joseph Flach, after attending the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, attended the high school at Freiburg ten years, and three years more at the university, in prepara- tion for the priesthood. In 1876, he visited the American Centennial Exposition, from which he formed a favorable opinion of America, and located at Avilla, Noble Co., Ind., where he was Superior of the Sisters, Order S. F., and where he remained until the spring of 1878, when he was sent by the Bishop to Dyer, to take charge of the church in the village. Father Flach is an erudite and congenial man, whereby he is enabled to enlist his parishoners and others in his ministry and increase his congregation ; he has charge of St. Joseph's, having a membership of 175 families. On July 25, 1876, he was ordained at St. Peter's by Luther von Kuebel, D. D.
GEORGE F. GERLACH (Keilmann & Gerlach) was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, in 1841; he came to America with his parents, who located at Harper's Ferry, Va., whence they removed in 1858, to Lake County, Ind., where George passed the remainder of his boyhood ; he attended the common schools until 1856 or 1857, and after- ward an academy at Pittsburgh, Penn., and thereby, being of a studious inclination, obtained a liberal education. In 1858, he commenced teach- ing, being employed five years in a district school, and teaching a yearly school in St. Johns three years ; having saved $1,000 during this time, he used the money in forming a copartnership in February, 1868, with F. P. Keilmann, having had some experience of mercantile life from being a clerk in his store during vacations. In February, 1867, he was mar- ried to Margaret Keilmann, a native of St. Johns, born April 7, 1849,
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and a daughter of Henry Keilmann. To this union were born eight children, of whom five are living-Catherine, Frank, Joseph, Maggie and Mary E. Mr. Gerlach is a most enterprising and worthy business man, having property valued at $25,000. Mr. Gerlach and wife are members of the Catholic Church ; he has been Justice of the Peace three terms, and for six years a Notary Public.
JOHN W. JOHNS, M. D., was born in Lake County, Ind., in 1845, and is a son of Joshua V. and Caroline M. (Demmons) Johns, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Vermont. Dr. Johns was a com- mon school scholar until he was eight years of age, when his parents died and he went to live with Dr. Henry D. Palmer, of Merrillville, by whom he was reared to manhood; he attended school at Merrillville until he was seventeen years old, and afterward one term at the Crown Point High School. After teaching district school two years, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Palmer, and one year later went to the Chica- go Medical College, which he attended three terms. In March, 1868, he received his diploma, and soon after located in Dyer, at that time being the only physician in the town. In a short time, he established a large practice, having a ride from six to twelve miles every way from town. In 1873, he was married to Miss Caroline Young, a native of Cook County, Ill., born January 29, 1854, daughter of Bernard and Catherine Young, both natives of France. Mr. and Mrs. Johns are par- ents of one daughter, Kate. Mrs. Johns is a member of the Lutheran Church. Dr. Johns is an enterprising and industrious citizen.
HENRY KEILMANN was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, September 13, 1821, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Keilmann, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in 1840, locating in Portage County, Ohio, and in the same year Mrs. Keilmann died, leaving seven children. Henry Keilmann attended school until he was fourteen years old, when he engaged in farming, but soon became incap- able of so hard work, and therefore learned the trade of a tailor, serving three years' apprenticeship. Coming to America with his parents, he was called to support the family by farm work, as he could find no other. Afterward he worked at carpentering for six months, then going to Cleve- land, where he found work at his trade, and remained one year at $1 per day. After this, he opened a tailorshop in Randolph, Ohio, for one year, which he left to go to Chicago, arriving there with 50 cents ; he opened a shop with a credit stock of $160, and by January 1, 1844, had cleared $300; he then started for home, but stopped in La Porte, Ind., and worked one month. On March 7, 1844, he was married to Susanna Palm, born in Prussia in 1826, and came to America in 1840 with her parents, John and Catherine Palm. Soon after his marriage, he opened a
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shop, but times being dull, he engaged in a hat and cap store, to cut buf- falo overcoats. After working ten hours at this, he worked for himself overtime, so continuing three years, when, being overworked, removed to St. Johns, his present location, where, in a log cabin, in the spring of 1847, he put in a stock of goods, being the first merchant tailor in the vicinity; he worked on his farm in fair, and at his trade in foul weather, leaving the store to his wife's father; he soon began buying and pastur- ing young cattle, thereby increasing his goods, and, during the last of his merchant life, did a business of $50,000 per year, and owning 1,700 acres of land ; he gave to three of his children 160 acres ; he had property in Chicago worth $50,000, and $40,000 worth in this county ; he lost by the Chicago fire of 1871, $20,000 ; he was Supervisor of Roads seven years, without a penny fee ; his first wife died, leaving six young children, when he married Catherine Smith, who died in 1878 ; he was a third time mar- ried, in February, 1879, to Mary Loehmer, of Cook County, Ill., born 1857, to which union were born two children. Mr. Keilmann and family are members of the Catholic Church.
FRANCIS P. KEILMANN (Keilmann & Gerlach), was born in Germany November 25, 1831, and when nine years old came to America with his parents, who located in Portage County, Ohio, where he lived until 1844, when he went to Chicago to his brother Henry, where he lived two years; he then removed with his father to what is now known as St. Johns, and kept house for and assisted him in a small store for two years; he then clerked in a hatand cap store in Chicago for two years, where he attended school three months each winter. After this, he returned home, and was soon at school in South Bend, Ind. The spring following, he clerked for his brother at St. Johns, so continuing until 1855, when he purchased one-half interest from his brother, the firm being H. & F. P. Keilmann. In 1867, the firm dissolved, with a division of stock. Mr. F. P. Keilmann now took a partner named George Gerlach ; they pur- chased a stock of goods from Mr. Leowenberg, and, in July following, bought Henry Keilmann's stock. and since, have had the only store in town. They have obtained and conducted an extensive business in dry goods, groceries, hardware and furniture, besides a large grain-house and lumber yard. Their business aggregates upward of $75,000 per year, Mr. Keilmann having accumulated a personal property of nearly $50,000. In 1867, he was married to Miss Margaret Schefer, born in Germany in 1837, by which union they have had born to them nine children-Susan, Frances P., John, William, Elizabeth, Margaret, George, Lana and Peter. Mr. Keilmann and family are members of the Catholic Church ; he was appointed Postmaster at St. John's in 1855, a position he still holds.
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