Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Engels, Nicholas 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 12:02 am

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

NICHOLAS ENGELS. The industrial life of Wilmington finds a worthy 
representative in Nicholas Engels, who since 1880 has conducted a carriage and 
wagon manufactory, in addition to which he carries on a blacksmith shop. He is 
a native son of Will county, his birth having occurred in Lockport, April 5, 
1853. His parents, Nicholas and Marie (Wirsehem) Engels, were both natives of 
Germany, where they were married and lived until after the birth of three of 
their children, subsequent to which time the father emigrated with his family 
to the new world, making the voyage on an old-time sailing vessel. Arriving in 
New York city in 1844, the family at once made their way to Chicago, Illinois, 
and after a year or two spent in the western metropolis, removed to Lockport, 
where the father made his home for about three years. He then located on a 
farm in Joliet township and after a few years spent on rented land in that and 
Lockport townships he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Homer 
township, where he followed farming and stock-raising until the time of his 
death in 1870, when he had reached the age of sixty-four years. He was long 
survived by his widow, who passed away in 1899, having reached the age of 
seventy-eight. Their union was blessed with twelve children, while eight of 
the number are still living: Teresa, the wife of Jacob Felker, a resident of 
Joliet; Margaret, the widow of J. G. Neausbaum, and a resident of Joliet; 
Henry, who wedded Ellen Raphael and lives at Essex, Illinois; Anthony, who is 
married and makes his home in Joliet: John, a resident of Texas; Michel, who 
wedded Annie Quering and makes his home at Chicago Heights, and Annie, the 
wife of Joseph Munch, a resident farmer of Custer township, Will county. The 
father was independent in his political views and affiliations and was a 
communicant of the German Roman Catholic church at Lockport. Nicholas Engels, 
the other member of his father's family, was reared under the parental roof to 
the age of eighteen years, when he left home and learned the blacksmith's 
trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship under J. G. Neausbaum, after 
which he was employed by Moore & Munroe, at Wilmington, for four years. He 
applied himself diligently to his work and became an expert blacksmith. In 
1880, having saved some capital from his earnings, he established a shop of 
his own and soon won a good patronage in all kinds of blacksmithing and repair 
work. He makes a specialty of horseshoing and is likewise engaged in the 
manufacture of all kinds of carriages and wagons and his patronage in this 
line is extensive, for the products of his factory are of a high grade, his 
prices reasonable and his dealing fair and honest. In 1882 Mr. Engels chose as 
a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Annie Purcell, their marriage 
being celebrated on the 25th of April of that year. She was born in this city, 
November 1, 1857, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Baskerville) Purcell, both 
of whom were natives of Ireland, and each emigrated to this country at an 
early day. The father crossed the Atlantic to New York in 1846, and was 
married in that state, whence he came with his bride to Illinois, establishing 
his home in Wilmington, where he resided until 1878, when he purchased a farm 
in Clifton township, Iroquois county. He there removed with his family and was 
engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He 
gave his political support to the democratic party, and was a communicant of 
the Catholic church. His death occurred in 1892, when he had reached the age 
of seventy years, while he is still survived by his widow, who now makes her 
home at Chicago Heights, Illinois. Of the five children born of this marriage 
four are now living: Phillip, a resident of Chicago Heights; Benjamin, who 
wedded Kate Oderwald; Mrs. Engels: George, twin brother of Mrs. Engels; and 
Rachel who married James Legget and died leaving four children. Mr. Legget now 
resides at Clifton, Illinois. Mrs. Engels supplemented her early education by 
a course of study at St. Francis Academy, in Joliet, being graduated at the 
age of eighteen years. By her marriage she has become the mother of four 
children. Mary R. was born February 17, 1883, and supplemented her early 
education, acquired in the public schools, by a course of study in St. Mary's 
Academy, at Joliet, where she took a special course in music and was engaged 
in teaching that art in Wilmington for about four years. She is now the wife 
of Walter Beland and resides at Braidwood. Richard J., who was born February 
27, 1884, pursued a business course at Putand's Business college, in Joliet, 
and is now an employe of the International Harvesting Company in Chicago. 
George P., who was born September 29, 1886, and Nicholas, Jr., who was born 
December 21, 1891, complete the family. Mr. Engels has always taken an active 
part in local political affairs, giving his support to the democratic party. 
In 1886 he was elected alderman, being re-elected to the position in 1888, 
while in 1889 he served as township collector. In 1890 he was elected 
supervisor of Wilmington township, and has since held the office through re-
election. In the fall of 1906 he was the candidate for sheriff on the 
democratic ticket but was defeated, as this is a strong republican county. He 
and his family are communicants of the Catholic church, while he is identified 
through membership relations with Modern Woodmen camp, No. 124, at Wilmington, 
and the Knights of Columbus, and he also affiliates with Star of the East 
lodge at Wilmington and with the Western Catholic Union. Mr. Engels is 
prominent in both business and political circles and through his close 
application and good business judgment he has acquired a competence that now 
enables him to provide himself and family with a good living and secure for 
his children good educational advantages. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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