Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hohenstein, Simon 1837 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 12:09 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

SIMON HOHENSTEIN occupies a pleasant farm three miles from Frankfort Station, 
the estate comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Frankfort 
Township, watered by the south branch of Hickory Creek, and joined by the 
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad. All the land is tillable except the timber, 
and is adapted for the raising of both grain and stock, in which Mr. 
Hohenstein occupies himself. He keeps a good grade of cattle and hogs, uses 
two teams on the place, and carries on a thriving agricultural business. Mr. 
Hohenstein is descended from honorable German ancestors, both lines having 
been resident in Hesse-Darmstadt. His paternal grandfather, Johannes 
Hohenstein, was a farmer, and his father, Balthasar, engaged in the same 
occupation, and that of fruit-raising. The latter came to America in 1854, and 
tilled the soil in Green Garden Township, this county, until he retired to 
live with our subject; he is now seventy-eight years old. He belongs to the 
Evangelical Church. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Ditzel, and was 
a daughter of Jacob Ditzel, also a farmer. She breathed her last in this 
county, in 1860. The parental family included three sons—Simon, Conrad, and 
George. The second son enlisted in 1861, in the Twentieth Illinois Infantry, 
and served until he lost his life at the battle of Jackson, Tenn. The youngest 
son lives with our subject. Simon Hohenstein was born in the village of 
Messel, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, September 17, 1837, and being reared on a 
farm, early acquired the rudiments of his father's occupation. He attended the 
common schools from the age of six to fourteen years, acquiring a good 
education. Three years after the completion of his studies, the family 
determined to emigrate to America. They sailed on the "Bremerhaven" in May, 
1854, and after an ocean voyage of forty-nine days, stood on shore in New York 
City. Thence they took a boat to Albany, the cars to Buffalo, a steamer to 
Detroit, and cars to Chicago, completing the journey to Green Garden Township, 
this county, by teams. A farm of eighty acres was purchased, and the new life 
was begun in a log house. This was the home until 1865, when the place was 
sold, and an improved tract on section 2, Frankfort Township, was purchased by 
our subject. There he continued his agricultural labors until 1883, when he 
rented it, and removed to the place which he now occupies, and which he 
purchased for $55 per acre. In April, 1863, Mr. Hohenstein led to the hymeneal 
altar Miss Charlotte Knapp, of Green Garden Township. This estimable lady was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America with her parents in 1850. She is 
a daughter of Carl Knapp, formerly a farmer in Green Garden Township, but who 
is now living in Frankfort. She has borne her husband ten children, named 
respectively: Simon, Charles, Daniel, Conrad, Charlotte, Peter, Christian, 
Henry, Katie, and Carrie. The oldest son is married, and living on the farm on 
section 2; Charles is clerking in Batavia. The others are at home. Mr. 
Hohenstein is one of the most influential citizens in Frankfort Township. He 
is now Assessor, and has held this office for fourteen years, being the oldest 
Assessor in the county. He was Collector of Green Garden Township one year, 
and of Frankfort Township one year, and has been a member of the School Board 
sixteen years. While living on section 2, he was School Director nine years, 
and he has held a similar position in his present district seven years. He 
belongs to the Evangelical Church in Frankfort, and is now filling the office 
of Trustee. His political adherence has always been given to the Democratic 
party. He has served on the Petit jury, and was on the Grand Jury in 1890, and 
is prominently connected with all enterprises which promise to benefit the 
community.

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 

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