Saxony Germany

Biography of Richard M. Franks

Richard M. Franks. One of the representative citizens of Philo, Illinois, is Richard M. Franks, who not only is managing important business interests but is also one of the trustworthy public officials of township and village. Mr. Franks was born in Saxony, Germany, February 7, 1868, to which province his people have belonged for generations. His parents were Frederick and Julia (Wiedeman) Franks. They came from Germany to the United States in 1881 and located at Philo in Champaign County, Illinois. There the father died in 1897, the mother passing away at a later date in the city of Dubuque, … Read more

Descendants of Charles Keith of Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Rev. James Keith

For the ancestry of Charles Keith, please see Descendants of Rev. James Keith of Bridgewater, Massachusetts (VI) Charles Keith, son of Benjamin, was born Aug. 8, 1794, and married Dec. 8, 1817, Mehitable Perkins, born March 23, 1795, daughter of Josiah and Anna (Reynolds) Perkins, of North Bridgewater, both of whom were descendants of historic old New England families. To this union were born children as follows: Damaris Williams Keith, born Oct. 8, 1818, married Vinal Lyon, of North Bridgewater, where she died Charles Perkins Keith, born June 20, 1820, is mentioned below Anna Reynolds Keith, born Nov. 11, 1822, … Read more

Biography of Frank Petchner

Frank Petchner is one of Riverside’s pioneer settlers. He arrived in Riverside in December 1870 and has ever since been identified with her interests and enterprises. Mr. Petchner had spent many years in frontier life in the Territories, and had been engaged in mercantile and mining enterprises, and had made and lost fortunes; but when he located at Riverside he was without means, and dependent for the support of his family upon such labor as could be obtained. He was a blacksmith and opened a blacksmith shop on the corner of Sixth and Main streets; he also bought a block … Read more

Biography of Frederick Winkler

Frederick Winkler. The name Winkler has long been prominent in the annals of Riley County and especially in the northern part where, on Francy Creek, the first permanent grist-mill in the county was built by August Winkler, a brother of the late Frederick Winkler. The former came to Riley County in 1857, and the latter in 1860. The Winkler brothers became joint proprietors of Winkler’s Mill, which was a landmark, and operated it for many years together. Frederick Winkler continued to operate the mill until within five or six years of his death. Constructed of native stone, the old mill … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis Smithnight

Smithnight, Louis; retired; born, Saxony, Germany, Dec. 16, 1834; son of Frederick and Auralia (Woolford) Smithnight; public school education in Germany; came to the United States at 15; married, 1866, Nettie Kingsley of Cleveland; surviving issue, one daughter; after a brief period in Columbus, O., came to Cleveland for A. J. Wenham, dry goods, for seven years; in 1858, went to Pike’s Peak, Col., to search for gold; being unsuccessful, returned to Cleveland, and opened a drug store, which conducted business until 1892; still own store at 2511 E. 9th St.; enlisted in 1861 as a private in the Cleveland … Read more