Germany

Biography of August Renz

August Renz, of Leavenworth, is a rather remarkable man. He is now eighty-three years of age, and while his material means would justify such a course, he refuses to be considered in the retired class. He is still working every day, and goes about with erect form and with a decision of purpose such as many younger men might envy. He had put in fifty-eight years of business activity at Leavenworth. So far as can be ascertained he is the oldest active business man of the city in point of continuous service. Mr. Renz is a native of Wuertemberg, Germany, … Read more

Lippert, Elmer Eugene – Obituary

Elmer Eugene Lippert, 83, of Prairie City, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 28, 2005, at his home. His funeral was Dec. 31 at Driskill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Denny Diezel of the John Day United Methodist Church officiated. Elmer was born on July 8, 1922, at Baker City to Eugene H. and Mandy Richardson Lippert. He attended school at Granite, Ukiah, and at Ritter, where he spent most of his childhood. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1944 during World War II. He was in Berlin during the fall of Germany and also spent time in … Read more

Biography of George Jordan

George Jordan, proprietor of the largest jewelry house in San Bernardino County, has been in the business in California twenty-three years. Born in Germany forty-eight years ago, he immigrated to the United States when a youth of fifteen, and after stopping for a time in New York, went south into Georgia, where he remained during the late civil war. After the close of the conflict he returned to his native land and spent two years in business in Europe. Re-crossing the Atlantic, he came directly to the Pacific coast and opened a jewelry store in San Francisco, where he carried … Read more

Michels, Martin – Obituary

Martin Michels, Sr., aged 80 years and a pioneer citizen of Ellensburg, died yesterday [February 14, 1917] at his home north of the city after an illness of several years. Pending the arrival of a son, J. J. Michels, from the east, funeral arrangements will not be announced until Friday. Mr. Michels was born May 2, 1837, in Germany, and came to the United States in 1855. He was married at Aurora, Ill, September, 1859, to Miss Margaret Lenhartz, and later with his family removed to St. James, Minnesota, in 1871. In 1882 Mr. Michels came to the Kittitas Valley, … Read more

Biography of Judge Charles F. Molden

Young shoulders that bend beneath unnatural responsibilities which may not be laid aside become strong shoulders, and young brains that must plan and direct the work of bread-winning become active and practical, and the boy who makes success from ruin, as many a boy has done, is pretty apt to develop into a successful man of affairs. Such a boy was Charles F. Molden, and such a man is this boy grown to maturity, who is the present judge of probate of Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho. Judge Molden was born in Germany, March 4, 1862, a son of Fredrick and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. C. Dall

H. C. Dall lived in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa and was a resident since 1881. He was born in that portion of Denmark which became a part of Germany in 1864. The date of his birth was July 31, 1845. He was the son of C. H. and Elizabeth (Iverson) Dall. He was raised in Denmark, attending school from the time he was seven until he was fourteen. In 1872, at the age of 27 years, he left his native land and came to America and settled in Lee County, Illinois. He engaged in farming on rented land. In … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Herman E. Retzlaff

Herman E. Retzlaff was born in Germany, August 28, 1857. He is the son of Michael Retzlaff, who came to this country in 1861. His father was in business in Akron, Ohio, eleven years; came to Daviess County in 1874, and died here in 1878. Herman received his education at Akron, and after his parents came to Daviess County remained with them until he attained his majority, when he turned his attention to farming. He now resides on a farm in Sheridan Township, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Biography of John V. Cortelyou

John V. Cortelyou, who took the chair of German at the Kansas State Agricultural College in 1904, was at that time only recently returned from Germany. Professor Cortelyou holds his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Heidelberg University, though he is an American by birth and training, and represents a long and interesting lineage of some of the old Dutch families of New Jersey. He was born on a farm near Harlingen in Somerset County, New Jersey, September 19, 1874. He is a son of John G. and Mary (Van Zandt) Cortelyou, both natives of New Jersey and in both lines … Read more

Biography of George Alfred Sanders

George Alfred Sanders is a Kansas educator of wide experience and exceptional qualifications for hosts of responsibilities, and is now superintendent of the Roseland schools. On May 14, 1917, he will become County Superintendent of Cherokee County for a term of two years. He represents a family that were pioneers in Kansas, and in the different generations the people of the Sanders name have closely followed the westward movement of civilization in America. His original ancestors came out of Germany, first settling in Pennsylvania. From there they went west and shared in the early developments of the States of Indiana … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Suverkrup

John Suverkrup, senior partner of the firm of Suverkrup & Hook, manufacturers of and dealers in lumber at San Bernardino, has been sixteen years on the Pacific coast and twelve years in San Bernardino County. Prior to locating here he was engaged in the grocery business in Sacramento; and after settling in San Bernardino he for a time devoted his attention to farming. In 1887 he and his partner, John Hook, built the mill known as the Saverkrup & Hook Mill, on the mountains north of the city, which has a cutting capacity of 20,000 feet of lumber per day, … Read more

Biography of Frederick Ruder

Frederick Ruder was a pioneer in Kansas Territory in the year 1857. His home was in Leavenworth, but he was closely identified with those activities which spread out from Leavenworth over the plains to the Far West. Leavenworth sixty years ago was one of the most important cities of the Middle West. It was a river town, was thriving and bustling with trade, and to the great territory to the west, now divided among a dozen or more states, Leavenworth occupied relatively a more prominent position than Kansas City does today. Frederick Ruder was for a number of years connected … Read more

Biography of Joel H. Rickel

Joel H. Rickel. Among the citizens of Chanute, one who had had a most interesting career is Joel H. Rickel, a resident of this city since 1896, and now the owner of a carriage and repair shop and the owner of a valuable farm. Mr. Rickel is a veteran of the Civil war, and had been a prominent figure in Grand Army circles, being a past commander of several posts in Kansas and a past department commander of the State of Kansas. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, December 8, 1844, and is a son of John S. and … Read more

Petrucci, Lawrence “Buzz” – Obituary

Baker City, Oregon Lawrence “Buzz” Petrucci, 56, of Baker City died June 5, 2002, at his home after an illness. There will be a celebration of his life at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil will officiate. There will be a time of fellowship and sharing after the service at 440 Third Street. “Buzz” was born on Jan. 7, 1946, at Bridgeport, Conn. He was a son of Larry and Bertha Alice Sherwood Petrucci. He was raised at Southbury, Conn., and received his education there. He entered the U.S. Army on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peter Becker

Peter Becker was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1841. His father, George Becker, was born in Prussia and came to the United States about 1846, locating at Mansfield, Ohio, where he was a merchant. He had served his term in the regular army of Germany. Peter Becker was five years of age when brought to the United States, and he grew up at Mansfield, Ohio. From that point he enlisted and served as a Union soldier, and after his period of gallant and faithful service he returned to Mansfield, was married there, and in 1868 brought his family to Atchison, Kansas. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Jacob Bever

Bever, John Jacob; iron business; born, Germany, Aug. 6, 1862; son of John Jacob and Christine Krause Bever; educated, Cleveland public schools and private tutorage; married, Cleveland, Sept. 6, 1885, Annie M. Dunn; issue, Herbert J. Bever, born April 24, 1887, Clarence A., born June 30, 1891, Howard S., born April 30, 1898, Florence M., born May 5, 1889, Helen E., born June 28, 1900; with The Walker Mfg. Co. for 12 years, in various positions; with Westinghouse Co. 15 years, since 1898; with the Otis Steel Co. since 1910; mgr. the foundry department of the Otis Steel Cu.; member … Read more

Biography of George M. Hoffman

George M. Hoffman, president of the Citizens State Bank of Little River, came to Kansas in territorial times and is one of the oldest residents of the state. His life had been as varied in its activities and experiences as it had been long, and perhaps no individual had contributed more to the real advancement and upbuilding of the Town of Little River than Mr. Hoffman. His birth occurred in Franklin County, Indiana, February 7, 1843, and he is of German ancestry in the paternal line and his paternal grandfather was a German soldier in the magnificent army of Napoleon … Read more

Biography of John M. Winter

John M. Winter. Among the respected citizens of Manhattan, Kansas, no one stands higher than John Winter, a reliable business man and since May, 1914, postmaster of this city. He was born at Volkartshain Province Oberhessen, Grosherzogtum Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, February 27, 1854, and is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Greb) Winter. His father belonged to the working class and, although industrious, had accumulated little means, so that, when John had completed his public school training, his future lay almost entirely in his own hands. As soon as possible he began to learn the carpenter trade, in the meanwhile … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Carl Halle

Halle, Carl; manufacturer; born, Germany, April 8, 1863; son of G. Halle, mother’s maiden name Stem; educated in Germany; married, Cleveland, Oct. 20, 1895, Jennie Hoffman; issue, three children; served in German army; twelve years with Halle, Schwarz & Skall; eight years in wholesale liquor business; firm Halle & Abel; since 1910, sec ‘y and treas. of The Brown Auto & Carriage Co.; director Hebrew Relief Ass’n; member Elks, K. of P., and United Commercial Travelers.

Biography of Paul F. Mohr

PAUL F. MOHR. – Perhaps to no man is Spokane Falls under so deep a debt of gratitude for the early completion of the diverging lines of railroad, tapping the richest parts of the surrounding territory, as she is to Mr. Paul F. Mohr. To this gentleman’s persistent efforts, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his undertaking, is directly attributable the completion, in the year 1886, of the Spokane & Palouse and the Spokane & Idaho Railways, both of which roads will exert a powerful influence on the future of the city. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 28, 1849, Mr. … Read more

Biography of Vincent Fines

Vincent Fines, of Germany, settled first in Pennsylvania, from whence he removed to Tennessee, where he was killed by the Indians. His children were Thomas, William, Abraham, Isaac, Phoebe, and Sally. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Fines married Rueben Bedford, by whom she had three children. Thomas married Mary Nave, of Tennessee, by whom he had Levi, Abraham, Sally, Delila and Amy. Mr. Fines was killed by an accidental discharge of his gun, and in 1817 his widow and “children came to Missouri. Abraham married Cynthia Harper, in 1819. The nearest Justice of the Peace was James Duncan, … Read more