Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Kolstedt, John ************************************************ 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 http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:48 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 JOHN KOLSTEDT. No history of the business and financial development of Monee would be complete without mention of John Kolstedt, president of the Eastern Will County State Bank and a dealer in lumber and coal. He was born in Hesse- Cassel, Germany, May 22, 1836. His father, Henry Kolstedt, was also a native of that locality. He came to the United States with his wife and five sons, the boys locating at Bloomingdale, Du Page county, and the parents making their home with their sons, who followed the occupation of farming. The death of the father occurred when he had reached the age of eighty-four years. His family numbered five sons: George W.. who is now a retired farmer of Cook county, Illinois; Charles, a retired farmer of Monee; John; Henry, of Monee township; and William, who lives near Storm Lake in Buena Yista county, Iowa. John Kolstedt was one who came with his parents to the United States and lived in Du Page county until 1869, when he and his brothers removed to Monee township, Will county, bringing their parents with them. They purchased land of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and Mr. Kolstedt of this review continued to engage actively in farming until 1874, when he came to Monee. For four years thereafter he continued to engage in farming but in 1874 withdrew entirely from agricultural life and established a lumber and coal business, in which he is still engaged. From the beginning this enterprise has proved profitable and the patronage is now extensive. In 1903, in connection with others, Mr. Kolstedt organized the Eastern Will County State Bank and from the beginning has been its president. It was capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars and now has a surplus of five thousand dollars. It has proven a valuable institution in the commercial circles of Monee and Mr. Kolstedt is recognized as one of the leading business men here. In 1861 occurred the marriage of John Kolstedt and Miss Helen Ress, who was born in Germany in 1840 and came to the United States in 1856 with her sister, locating at Bloomingdale, where she was married. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kolstedt have been born ten children. The parents are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and for many years Mr. Kolstedt has taken a very active part in the work of the church and was one of the organizers of St. Paul's church in Monee. He has contributed most liberally to its support and done all in his power for its growth and development. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He is a charter member of the local organization of the latter at Monee and has filled all the chairs in both fraternities. In politics he is a republican, recognized as one of the strong and stalwart leaders of the party in Will county. He was with the exception of one or two brief periods, supervisor of Monee township for sixteen years, was school director for many years and has been a member of the lower house of the state legislature for two terms. While in the general assembly he gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement hearing upon the welfare of the state at large or his constituents and in his legislative career manifested a spirit of devotion to the public good most commendable. When he came to the county he had but little capital. Today he is one of the most prosperous and wealthy residents of Monee township and, moreover, is held in the highest esteem because his life has ever been characterized by sterling principles of manhood, by business activity and integrity and by public-spirited citizenship. 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/kolstedt2464nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb