BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
ALBUM of GENEALOGY
and
BIOGRAPHY, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Chicago - LaSalle Book Company successor to Calumet
Book & Engraving Co.
1899
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JOHN SIMON BIELFELDT,
who comes of a very old and respected family, is the most prominent
citizen of Thornton, Illinois, which town is insignificant until the
family of Bielfeldt located there, and the name Thornton
is associated with the large breweries owned by the man whose name
heads this article. He was born Jan. 26, 1834, in the town of
Hemme, Holstein, Germany, and is a type of the popular
German-American citizen who has adopted this country for his home.
His parents were Simon and Katharine (Paulson) Bielfeldt, and
his father possesses many of the energetic and sterling qualities
which he inherits.
The great-grandfather of John Simon Bielfeldt, Henry
Bielfeldt, was a tiller of the soil and lived to the age of
ninety-three years. He had two sons, Henry and Simon,
and three daughters. The maternal great-grandfather was
John Peters, who lived to the advanced age of ninety years.
He had four children: John, Cornelius, Katharine and
one other whose name is not recorded. J. S. Bielfeldt's
maternal grandfather was a carpenter and joiner and died in 1826, at
the age of fifty years. His wife died in 1851, aged
eighty-eight years. Her children by Mr. Paulson were:
Hermann, Simon, Henry, Katharine and Elizabeth. He
was twice married, this being his second wife.
Simon Bielfeldt, father of the subject, was born
May 1, 1810, a son of Simon and Katrina (Peters) Bielfeldt,
in the province of Schleswig, Germany. He learned several
trades, but followed that of carpenter and wagon-maker after
locating in America. He was married in October, 1831, to
Miss Katharine Paulson daughter of John Paulson.
Mrs. Bielfeldt was born in 1803 and her children were:
John Simon, Frederick, Katharine, Elizabeth, and three others.
With their children, Mr. and Mrs. Bielfeldt emigrated from
their native land in 1851, and located in Blue Island, where they
remained one year. They subsequently removed to Homewood,
where they conducted a hotel two years.
In 1857 John Simon Bielfeldt, the son of
Simon Bielfeldt, and the oldest of his father's children,
located in Thornton and erected a brewery, and started in business
in 1858, with a ten barrel kettle. In 1876 he built the
building which is on the site at the present time and began a twenty
barrel business. In 1895 he was enabled to place a fifty
barrel kettle, and in 1896 put up an ice plant, having increased the
size of the brewery the previous year. He is doing a thriving
business, the market being in the surrounding towns, mostly in Blue
Island, Lansing, Hegewisch, Thornton and other towns.
In 1876 he erected a residence, and also owns property
on Bowen Avenue. He also possesses residence property on South
Chicago Avenue, near One Hundred and Second Street, and in Chicago
Heights. January 26, 1858, Mr. Bielfeldt was married to
Miss Cresentia, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Ladoux.
She was born Sept. 13, 1835, in Canton Berne, Switzerland.
Her death occurred Aug. 14, 1895.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bielfeldt.
Elizabeth was born Feb. 18, 1859, and resides with her
husband, Henry Templin, in Thornton. Of William
Simon further mention appears elsewhere in this volume,
Frederick Joseph, born May 22, 1863, married Minnie Miller
and resides at Homewood. Emma died at the age of nine
months, and Tena was born Nov. 27, 1866. John
Bernhardt, born Oct. 13, 1868, resides at home with his parents.
Edward died at the age of three years. Dorothea
Charlotte, born Jan. 12, 1873, married Rudolph Schreiber,
a machinist, and lives at Roseland. Amelia Mary was
born May 15, 1876, and Francis, Aug. 19, 1878.
Mr. Bielfeldt is a Republican, and was honored
one term with a seat in the Legislature, but finding it took too
much of his time, he declined to serve another term. This was
in 1877, and he was on Committees on Roads, Bridges and License.
His ancestors were German Lutheran. The town of Thornton was
settled in 1834, and as has been stated, amounted to next to nothing
until the family of Bielfeldt settled there. The
brewery has increased the business of the section and the most of
its growth has been during the past two years.
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WILLIAM SIMON BIELFELDT,
who is one of the most enterprising young citizens of the city of
Chicago at the present time, is a progressive, business-like man,
and holds a responsible and honorable position as cashier in the
county treasurer's office. He was born Nov. 17, 1860, at
Thornton, Illinois, and is a son of John Simon and Criscentia (Ladou)
Bielfeldt, of whom further mention is found in this volume.
Mr. Bielfeldt received an education by going through
the public school of Thornton and attending business college.
After taking a business course at the latter school he entered the
county treasurer's office under W. T. Johnston, as cash boy.
He was promoted to the position of collector, which he occupied two
years before being made cashier, which position he occupies at the
present time, having held it seven years.
June 30, 1886, Mr. Bielfeldt was married to
Miss Catherine daughter of Claus and Catherine (Schmidt)
Jurgensen. They became the parents of John, Robert,
Walter Claus and Catherine (Schmidt) Jurgensen. They
became the parents of John, Robert, Walter Claus, and an
infant son, of which the two first named are dead. Mr.
Bielfeldt is a Royal Arch Mason, having taken the degrees in
May, 1898, in Normal Park Lodge No. 797, and Normal Park Chapter No.
210. He has never sought publicity in political matters, but
votes in favor of the Republican candidates at all times.
Mr. Bielfeldt is one of the rising young men and
his ability, steadfastness of purpose and good qualities are
demonstrated by the fact of his long continued service in the county
treasurer's office. He is a cultured, refined gentleman, and
comes of very good families. His home is one of peace and
harmony, and he is very domestic in his tastes, which is to the
credit of any man.
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HERMAN
BRAUN, JUNIOR. The most skilful and noted musicians
have been Germans, or descended from this sturdy and cultured race,
and the following article on the life of one of the finest musicians
Chicago boasts, proves the rule. Herman Braun, junior,
is the son of a well-known musician and has for many yeas been
connected with the Thomas Orchestra. He was born Apr. 3,
1863, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of Herman and Dorothea Braun.
For further mention of his ancestry, refer to article on Herman
Braun, senior*, on another page of this volume.
The subject of this sketch attended the Kinzie School
until he was fifteen years of age, and began the study of music at
twelve years of age. His first lessons were given William
Fehl, now leading violinist of the orchestra at McVicker's
theater, all his study being on the violin. After a short time
under the instruction of Adolph Rosenbecker, he took lessons
of Samuel Jacobson, professor of the Chicago Musical College.
He studied music six yeas, making a specialty of the violin, under
instructors, and has never ceased to keep his attention on the
progress of the World of Music. For fifteen years he has been
with the Chicago Orchestra, his first work being at McVicker's
Theater, when he was but fourteen years of age. He
gives lessons to pupils at their homes or his own residence,
and is pronounced a proficient and altogether profitable instructor.
Since 1893 Mr. Braun has possessed the house
which he occupies, at No. 5614 Dearborn Street, a comfortable and
desirable home. Nothing is more conducive to the success and
happiness of a man, no matter what is vocation, than a pleasant,
helpful life companion, such as Mr. Braun was able to obtain.
He was married April 5, 1885, to Mary Magdalena, daughter of
Christian and Elizabeth (Lippert) Nürnberger.
Mrs. Braun was born June 28, 1862, at the corner of Clark and
Ontario Streets. For further mention of her ancestry refer to
biography of Christian
Henry Nürnberger, on
another page of this work.
Herman Braun is connected with Lincoln Council
No. 9, Royal League. He is a member of the Chicago Musical
Society and Chicago Aschenbrodel-Verein. He is independent in
political views, voting in favor of the man, who, in his opinion, is
best fitted to fill public office. Mr. Braun's talents
cannot be overrated, adn by patient application he has attained a
degree of skill in violin-playing that is seldom equaled and
surpassed by but few in Chicago. The above mentioned fact is
proved by his long service with the Chicago Orchestra, the famous
Thomas organization.
(also see bios of
Christian Henry Nürnberger)
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