Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Battermann, Christof 1822 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:07 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 CHRISTOF BATTERMANN. Those who believe that comfort is not to be found in country life, have but to visit the home of the above-named gentleman, to see conclusive evidence to the contrary, and to learn that a farmer's family may be surrounded with evidences of taste equal to those found in the majority of city homes. The estate to which we allude is located on section 19, Crete Township, and comprises two hundred and thirty-eight acres of well developed land. It is well stocked with domestic animals and farm implements and machinery of the best models, the evidences of progressive agriculturism being everywhere manifest. The buildings which adorn the place are commodious and well designed, and include every convenience for household and farm work. The subject of this notice is a native of the kingdom of Hanover, having been born near the city of the same name, April 22, 1822. He is the son of Henry Battermann, a native of the same kingdom, who was reared when cloth-weaving was the predominant industry there, and who was thoroughly skilled in that trade. While following it in the capital city, he married Miss Dorothea Battmann, who was born just beyond the limits of the kingdom, but grew to womanhood within it, her parents having settled there when she was quite young. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Battermann remained in the city, working hard, and rearing a family of three sons and one daughter, our subject being the youngest son. When he had reached a proper age to learn a trade, our subject served an apprenticeship of three years as a weaver, after which he worked as a journeyman for a short time. The accounts which had reached his ears of the country beyond the sea, convinced him that a broader field for life's labors was to be found in the United States, and he determined to come hither and make himself a home. Accordingly, on March 14, 1847, he took passage at Bremerhaven on a sailer, and after a tedious voyage of several weeks landed in New York City, anchorage being made June 6. After making arrangements for coming West, he went to Albany, and there took passage on a canal boat, but tiring of the trip, he disembarked, and began work as a laborer, earning money with which to reach Chicago. When he arrived in this country, he was in debt $19, but he has since made a comfortable little fortune, doing it all by his own persistent efforts. The comfortable home which he possesses is not only a pleasant abiding place for his own later years, but he looks forward to its being the home of his children after he is gone. It became his home in 1852, for three years prior to which date he had lived in Cook County, although he did not purchase land until after he had come here, previously working as a farm laborer. After he had been in this country some years, his parents came to America with an older son, finally reaching this county, where both died when about seventy years of age. They were life-long and active members of the Lutheran Church, and worthy people, who left to their descendants an honored name. The wife of C. Battermann was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, on Christmas day, 1833. She is the third child and second daughter of Herman and Johanna (Steffen) Doescher, and one of a family of six children. A fuller account of her family is to be found in the biography of Herman N. Doescher, on another page in this volume. She was ten years of age when her parents came to the United States, their settlement being made in Lake County, Ind., where she grew to womanhood, acquiring useful habits and an estimable character. Her marriage to our subject was celebrated in this county, October 10, 1852, and has been blessed by the birth of nine children. The daughter—Johanna—died in infancy. The record of the surviving children is as follows: Herman married Anna Barger, and is farming near Brunswick, Lake County, Ind.; Henry, who is a harness-maker in Dyer, Ind., married Lena Richard; Edward, a blacksmith at Hobart, Ind., married Carrie Richard; Charles is at home, operating the farm; Albert married Lena Olstermier, and their home is on a farm in Lake County, Ind.; Henrietta is the wife of Charles Berger, a harness-maker in Hobart, Ind.; Matilda is still living under the parental roof; August is an engineer and blacksmith, living in Hobart, Ind. In politics Mr. Battermann is a sound Republican, and his six sons are equally stanch in their support of that party. He and his wife are active members of the Lutheran Church. The financial prosperity of Mr. Battermann is due to those qualities which win respect from one's associates, and his moral character and intelligence add to the reputation in which he is held. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/batterma1486nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb