Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Herschbach, Thomas ************************************************ 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 September 5, 2007, 2:12 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Company THOMAS HERSCHBACH, who is a dealer in hardware, tinware, pumps, windmills, etc., at Frankfort Station, was born in Joliet in 1844. His father, Henry Herschbach, a native of Prussia, came to the United States in 1841, and after a short sojourn in Chicago settled in Joliet. During the construction of the canal he was employed on it. In 1868 he removed to Minnesota and settled at St. Cloud, where he followed the carpenter's trade and the furniture business. For some years he was connected with his son, Henry, in business in that town. He died there when eighty-two years of age. Personally he was a man of quiet disposition, reserved and retiring, yet at the same time he possessed energy, good judgment and determination of character. During the early days of Joliet he was a resident of the famous "bloody" second ward and he also did considerable building in this city, being a contractor and builder. He married Susan Assenmacher, of Prussia, who died in St. Cloud at the age of eighty-two. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living, namely: Henry, of St. Cloud; Mary, widow of Mathias Dresding; Elizabeth, Mrs. Limprich; Thomas; and Barbara, wife of John Schirer. When twelve years of age our subject left school. The education he subsequently received was the result of his exercise of the powers of observation and experience. From contact with the world he acquired a broad knowledge of men and things. For five and one-half years he worked in the New York dry-goods store, meantime working his way up from a humble position to a remunerative one. Afterward he learned the tinner's trade with W. F. Barrett, father of J. O. Barrett, and served his full time, three years. In 1868 he came to Frankfort Station, which was then a small hamlet, whose streets during the spring months were almost impassable on account of mud. Here he opened a tinshop. At first he had but a small stock. In time he added to it and now carries a full line of hardware, tinware, stoves, etc. A few years ago he bought a building which he remodeled and enlarged, and which gives him a floor space of 100x26 feet, besides his large storerooms. He also owns a farm in Hamilton County, Iowa, which he rents. His success is worthy of commendation, for he started out with only $100 and has attained, through his unaided efforts, his present high position in business circles. By his marriage, in 1870, to Alvina Mane, Mr. Herschbach has four children, viz.: Charles, now in Chicago; Otto, at home; Emma and Mabel. In politics our subject has always been a Republican, believing firmly in the principles of his party. He is interested in a number of fraternal organizations, his preference being for Masonry. He is past master of Mount Joliet Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Joliet Chapter, R. A. M.; Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T.; and Oriental Consistory of Chicago, taking his thirty-second degree in 1877. 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/herschba892gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb