Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hinrichs, C D 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 5:12 am

Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907

C. D. Hinrichs, whose life has been characterized by enterprise, thrift and 
indusfay, is now numbered among the substantial German-American, citizens of 
Peotone, where he owns a blacksmith shop and is also engaged in the dairy 
business on quite an extensive scale. He was born in Holstein, Germany, April 
10, 1850. His parents were John and Christina Hinrichs, who lived and died in 
the fatherland. The father was a carpenter by trade and died when our subject 
was but ten years of age. The mother was married a second time and her death 
occurred six years ago. Mr. Hinrichs, is the only member of the family who 
ever came to this country, his sisters Anna and Wipke, both being widows, make 
their home in their native country, while the brother, John, resides on the 
old homestead farm there. C. D. Hinrichs is the second in order of birth, and 
received a good education in the common schools of Germany. At the age of 
fifteen he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1871, when, 
believing that he might enjoy better business advantages in the new country, 
bade adieu to home and friends, and taking passage on a sailing vessel bound 
for the United States, arrived in New York after a voyage of four weeks on the 
water. He made his way direct to Momence, Illinois. His cash capital consisted 
of fifty dollars and he set to work to find employment but he could not speak 
a word of English and when he applied for work in the different blacksmith 
shops he was refused employment. He eventually secured employment on a farm, 
where he drove an ox team to the breaking plow. He also worked for a short 
time for the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroad Company, doing construction 
work. In 1872 he arrived in Peotone, where he was employed at his trade. He 
was industrious and economical and at length saved the capital which enabled 
him to engage in business on his own account. He then purchased the blacksmith 
business of Peter Schlauder, and worked at his trade until 1890, and he still 
owns the shop, which is now being conducted by hired help. In the latter year 
Mr. Hinrichs engaged in the dairy business. For a few years he shipped the 
products of his dairy to the Chicago markets, but he now has a milk route in 
Peotone, delivering milk and cream to the residents throughout the village, 
keeping sixteen cows for this purpose. His business has now reached extensive 
and profitable proportions and returns to him a very gratifying income. He is 
likewise engaged in farming, having seventy acres of land within the 
corporation limits of Peotone, and in addition to operating this tract he also 
leases one hundred and sixty acres, employing four men to assist him in the 
conduct of his varied business interests. Mr. Hinrichs is a very busy man 
often working twenty hours a day, and through his well directed efforts he has 
acquired a comfortable competence and a good property. Mr. Hinrichs has been 
twice married. His first union was with Miss Minnie Schroeder, their marriage 
being celebrated in 1873. She was a daughter of Fred Schroeder, a resident of 
Mattison, Illinois, and her death occurred in 1878. There were two children of 
that marriage but both are now deceased. For his second wife Mr. Hinrichs 
chose Ida Berthling, a daughter of Henry Berthling, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Hinrichs gives his political support to the 
republican party and for two terms served on the village board. He is a member 
of the German Lutheran church, while his fraternal relations are with Modern 
Woodmen camp, No. 1405, at Peotone. Mr. Hinrichs has never regretted his 
emigration to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he 
sought, and, having utilized the means at hand, has gradually worked his way 
upward from a humble financial position until he is now numbered among the 
influential and enterprising business men of Peotone.

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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