Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Dahlem, Gerhard 1882 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 25, 2006, 11:07 pm

Author: History Grundy County 1882

Gerhard Dahlem, Postmaster and store, Minooka. The present efficient 
Postmaster of Minooka came to this township in 1855, and since that time has 
been a constant resident of the place and identified with its interests. He 
was born July 16, 1882, in Bavaria, Germany, son of John and Kate (Ruth) 
Dahlem. In 1852, Gerhard emigrated to America and spent three years in Lee 
County, Iowa, at a place called Denmark, where he worked in a cheese factory. 
In September, 1855, he came to this State and township, and engaged as a farm 
hand in the employ of R. Gardiner for one year, after which he worked on a 
railroad section one year; then was switchman two years, after which he was in 
charge of the section as foreman on the railroad for three years. August 29, 
1862, he enlisted as private in Company D, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and served 
until the close of the war; was advanced to Corporal, then to Sergeant, and 
participated in many of the stirring and thrilling engagements of the war, and 
was at times Orderly on Gens. Grant's, McPherson's and Thomas K. Smith's 
staff. After his discharge, in May, 1865, he returned to this place and 
resumed work for the railroad company, as switchman and baggageman, until the 
spring of 1867, when he engaged as clerk for Daniel Ferguson, one year after 
which he was appointed night store-keeper in the Au Sable distillery. In 1868, 
Daniel Ferguson having resigned as Postmaster, Mr. Dahlem was appointed in his 
stead and engaged in the grocery business, afterward adding dry goods. October 
9, 1870, he was burned out, but rebuilt and associated in business with his 
nephew, Adam Stauffer, under the firm name of Dahlem & Stauffer, which 
copartnership lasted three years, when, owing to ill health, he sold out his 
interest to Samuel Persells, but retained the post office, where he continued. 
In August, 1876, he engaged with William Shepley, in general merchandise 
business, which association has since been kept up, the firm name being Dahlem 
& Shepley, the post office being still kept by Mr. Dahlem; he has been twice 
married - first, in 1854, to Susan Webber, daughter of John and Mary (Ruth) 
Webber; she died August 13, 1862, leaving one child - Jacob J.; his present 
wife is Mary Stauffer, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Stauffer; they were 
married October 28, 1865, and four children have blessed this union - Adam, 
Katie, Daniel and Mary. Mr. Dahlem has a snug home, a good business and is 
well and favorably known throughout the entire county. He is a member of the 
Minooka Lodge No. 528, A., F. & A. M., and served several years as the 
Worshipful Master of that lodge; is also a member of the Chapter at Morris, 
and of the Commandery at that place. Has always been a stanch Republican.

Additional Comments:
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois. (1882) Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co. 
Historical Publishers.

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