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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Grundy County, Illinois
Chicago: O. L. Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers
Lakeside Building,
1881
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Greenfield Twp. -
JACOB C. LUTZ, general merchant and banker,
Gardner. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in
this history, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Feb. 13, 1844.
He was the son of Jacob B. and Katharina (Kern) Lutz, the
former a native of Germany, born Jan. 27, 1812, the latter born in
1814. To them were born three children - Christina,
wife of John Weber, of Kansas; Jacob C., subject;
Carrie, wife of Henry Fey, of Morris. The
family moved to this country in the summer of 1855, stopping in
Cleveland, Ohio, six months, and in Chicago one year, when they
moved to Minooka, this county. The father was a carpenter by
occupation; limited in means; died in Morris in 1879; the mother is
still living. Our lad Jacob was put to herding cattle
for R. Gardner, an extensive farmer and merchant of Minooka.
The second year he hired to the same party to do chores for $70; was
employed a part of the time in the store, where he soon became very
efficient. So competent and faithful did he prove that his
employer retained him as clerk for seven years. When
twenty-one, he had accumulated $500, and with a partner opened a
flour and feet store in Chicago. This proved unprofitable, and
in six months he returned to Minooka with only $200. He took
his old place in Gardner's store for a little time, when he
went to Morris and clerked in a store for J. J. Irwin.
In March, 1867, with $475 of his own and $1,000 borrowed money, he,
in company with Charles Foote, opened a "general store" in
Gardner. The first year's receipts were $32,000, and Lutz
paid his borrowed money in ten months. After four years, he
was able to buy out his partner's interest, and, notwithstanding the
increased competition, his first year's sales reached $62,000.
Four years since he took Eli Eldred as a partner, and with a
stock of $20,000 the firm is commanding a profitable business.
A few years since, in company with C. K. Snyder and others,
he went to the grain and lumber trade, and is now, in company with
Louis Germain, buying and shipping grain. The
business has been well conducted, and has been of considerable
profit. With the means he had saved in his business, about
five years ago he began buying real estate, adding from time to
time, until, at this writing, he has 2, 180 acres. His lands
are in Greenfield and Braceville, and comprise some productive
farms, which are being handsomely improved. Two years since,
Mr. Lutz started the Bank of Gardner, making W. V. D.
Bishop Cashier. The enterprise yet young, but of goodly
promise. J. C. Lutz was married to Annie Bowers
at Minooka Apr. 8, 1868, Leander Smith, Justice of the
Peace, making the nuptial tie. She was born at Clifton
Springs, N. Y., Feb. 5, 1846; was the daughter of William and
Martha (Weston) Bowers, of English nativity. He died near
Vicksburg, while in the service of his country. She is still
living at Minooka. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz have six children,
all born in Gardner - Carrie Louisa, born Jan. 27, 1869;
Annie Katharina, Jan. 10, 1871; Bernhardt Otto, Nov. 23,
1872; Jacob Charles, Aug. 12, 1874; Robert G. Ingersoll,
Mar. 18, 1879; Carl Henry, Mar. 12, 1881. Owing to the
financial condition of his parents, Mr. Lutz had early in
life to depend upon his own labor for support, and consequently his
chances for education were quite limited. Nature gave him a
mind to think and a memory to retain. With these endowments,
coupled with industrious habits, using his leisure moments for
reading, he has gained a very thorough knowledge of business, and in
the general news of the day he is well versed. Financially, he
has been successful in an eminent degree. Beginning his career
with nothing save a determination to win, he has, while yet but
middle-aged, made an ample fortune. While desirous of adding
to his estate, he is hospitably inclined many a poor unfortunate
receiving aid and comfort at his hands. In politics, he is a
Republican, in religion, a Liberal. In his home, he is
cheerful and affectionate, in health generously providing for every
want of wife and children, and in sickness caring for them with
devoted tenderness. Mrs. Lutz is a woman of pleasing
address and good judgment, caring but little for society, but
attached to husband and children by the strongest ties. The
will of the father and the little ones is the mother's pleasure, and
to sacrifice for their good is no discomfort. Her every-day
life and record prove her worthy of the husband she has chosen and
the children she has borne.
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois - Chicago: O. L.
Baskin & Co., Historical Publishers, Lakeside Bldg., Publ. 1881 -
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