Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Frederick, John 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 9:31 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

JOHN FREDRICK, who has been connected with the E. Porter Brewing Company as 
chief engineer since July 18, 1S93, was born December 2, 1857, under the stars 
and stripes aboard an American sailer on the Atlantic ocean between Havre and 
New York. He was the third in a family consisting of four daughters and three 
sons, all of whom are still living. His father, Joseph, was born in Bavaria, 
and studied the trade of wood engraver and dyer under his father, who bore the 
same name as himself. During the year 1852 he came alone to America and 
settled in Troy, N. Y., where he was employed for three years. Being favorably 
impressed with this country he determined to settle here permanently, and 
accordingly, in 1856, returned to Germany for his family. In the latter part 
of 1857 they made the journey across the ocean and settled with him in Troy. 
Later the family removed to Albany, the same state, thence went to St. Louis, 
Mo. In the latter city he engaged in the oilcloth business until obliged to 
close out on account of the war. In 1865 he was one of the first settlers in 
Wausau, Wis., where he became interested in the sawmill business. Afterward he 
moved to Milwaukee and again engaged in the oilcloth business, but failed in 
that. He then operated a machine shop, in which were manufactured some 
inventions of his own. Finally he retired from business cares, and now, at 
eighty-two years of age, he makes his home in St. Paul, Minn. During the Civil 
war he enlisted in the Union army, serving in Company B, Second Missouri 
Infantry, under the gallant "Phil" Sheridan. His wife was Magdalina Richter, 
who was born in Weisensultz, Bohemia, and died in Milwaukee, Wis. When the 
family moved from Wausau to Milwaukee the subject of this sketch was nine 
years of age. He soon began to work in his father's machine shop, where he 
learned the machinist's trade. At thirteen he became an apprentice to the 
trade in Johnson's machine shop, where he served for four years. In order to 
meet the requirements of the government when his apprenticeship was ended he 
secured employment on a schooner, where he remained for one year, after which 
for a similar period he was fireman on the "City Burge," out from Milwaukee. 
He then successfully passed an examination as chief engineer. Following this, 
he was for one year each employed as engineer on the barge "Hickcock," 
the "Josephine" and the "Norman." For a time, during the winter months, he 
engaged as engineer on the "St. Paul," between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien. 
In 1887 he became engineer for the P. H. Best Brewing Company, and later was 
made their chief pump man. On the formation of the Pabst Brewing Company he 
took a position in their brewery and continued there until he resigned. Since 
July, 1893, he has been with the E. Porter Brewing Company; and under his 
supervision a number of improvements have been made in the plant, a new 
electric light having been introduced and one new boiler put in of one hundred 
and fifty horse power. The plant has two ice machines and all the modern 
improvements. In politics Mr. Fredrick is independent. Fraternally he is 
connected with the Court of Honor. His home is at No. 114 South Broadway. He 
was united in marriage in Milwaukee to Miss Annie Schwrien, who was born in 
Mechlenburg, Germany, and came to America with her father, August Schwrien, 
who was a blacksmith in Milwaukee. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick 
are Lillian and Mamie.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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