Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Pape, John 
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Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

John Pape, one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Monee township, 
where he owns three hundred and forty-three acres of land, divided into three 
well improved farms, from which he derives a good annual rental, is now living 
retired in a comfortable home in the village of Monee. He was born in 
Oldenburg, Germany, January 13, 1837. His father, Henry Pape, a blacksmith by 
trade, emigrated with his family to America in 1846, taking passage at Bremen, 
and after a voyage of sixty-three days on the ocean landed at New Orleans, 
from which city they made their way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, 
thence up the Illinois river as far as Meredosia, whence they made their way 
to Springfield, where they lived for one year. In 1847 he made his way by 
wagon to Du Page county, locating at Addison, the trip covering a distance of 
two hundred miles. He worked at his trade of blacksmithing in that town for 
three years, subsequent to which time, in 1850, he removed to a farm in Monee 
township, Will county, the township at that time being called Carey. In the 
meantime he had purchased Mexican war land grants for three hundred and twenty 
acres, which was all wild and unimproved. Taking up his abode thereon, he 
erected a little log shanty, in which the family lived in true pioneer style 
for many years. This pioneer home was later replaced by a more substantial 
frame residence and here the father lived until he put aside his business 
cares, when he went to Mattison, where his last days were passed, his death 
occurring at the home of a daughter in 1892. when he had reached the very 
venerable age of eighty-four years. His wife, Mrs. Rica Pape, was likewise 
born in Germany and her death occurred in Monee township, at the age of fifty 
years. Both the parents were identified with the Reformed Lutheran church, and 
the father was one of the organizers and the builders of the church of that 
denomination in Monee. They were worthy pioneer people, highly respected in 
the community where they so long made their home. Their family numbered eight 
children, namely: Barney, who at the age of seventy-nine years makes his home 
in East Portland, Oregon; Henry, whose death occurred in Portland, Oregon; 
Rica, deceased; Frederick, who died in 1861; John, of this review; Ernest, who 
lives in Iowa; Mrs. Henry Gross, a resident of Mattison, Illinois; and Mrs. 
George Van Horst, who lives in British Columbia. John Pape, the fifth in order 
of birth in his fathers family, was a youth of nine years when he accompanied 
his parents on their emigration from Germany to the new world, and he has 
vivid recollection of many incidents during the long and tedious trip across 
the ocean. He was given good educational advantages in his native country but 
after coming to America only attended school for about three months, having to 
walk about four miles, for at that early period the schoolhouses were widely 
scattered. He was reared to the duties of farm life, assisting his father in 
the operation of the home place until 1862, when he purchased a farm of one 
hundred and twenty acres and started out upon an independent business venture. 
This farm was situated in Monee township and was wild prairie when it came 
into his possession. He developed the fields and in course of time had a good 
tract of land, from which he annually harvested good crops as the result of 
the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. All of the improvements 
which are here seen at the present time have been placed by Mr. Pape, who in 
his farm work was ever progressive and practical. He made his home thereon for 
many years, or until two years ago when he rented the land and removed to the 
village of Monee, where he owns a comfortable residence. He likewise owns two 
other well improved farms, having altogether three hundred and forty-three 
acres of land in Monee township, and this supplies him with all the comforts 
of life, so that he is now able to spend the evening of his days in honorable 
retirement. The year in which he purchased his farm, 1862, Mr. Pape was also 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sophia Bartels, the date of their 
marriage being January 13. Mrs. Pape was born in Hanover, Germany, March 28, 
1842, a daughter of Fred Bartels, who, upon his emigration to America, settled 
in Du Page county, where he engaged in farming. He met his death in a runaway 
accident when on his way home from Chicago. His widow survived and died in 
1900, at the home of a son in Cook county, when she had reached the venerable 
age of ninety years. Eight children also survived the father's death. Of the 
twelve children born unto our subject and his wife, six are living, namely: 
Emma, the wife of Fred Buchmeier, a resident of Joliet; Lena, the wife of 
Henry Buchmeier, who operates her father's farm; Dena, a young lady at home; 
Mary, the wife of William Paulding, a resident farmer of Green Garden 
township; Anna, the wife of Fred Godervest, who operates one of the father's 
farms; and Amelia, who is engaged in teaching in Monee township. Mr. Pape and 
his family are members of the Reformed Lutheran church, of which he has been a 
trustee for the past ten years. He has always given his political allegiance 
to the democratic party, and for one term served as justice of the peace. Mr. 
Pape is one of the oldest residents of Monee township. When he came to Will 
county much of the land was still unclaimed, the homes of the settlers were 
widely scattered, the nearest mill was at Joliet, and one could go for a long 
distance without coming to a habitation. Wolves were still numerous in this 
section of the state and worked great havoc among the sheep. Many of the farm 
products were marketed in Chicago and Mr. Pape and his wife have frequently 
started to that city at nine o'clock at night with a load of potatoes. Few men 
of Will county are more familiar with its early history than is Mr. Pape, for 
he has spent the greater part of his life within its borders, covering a 
period of six decades, and during the years which have since come and gone he 
has seen many wonderful changes as the work of progress and advancement has 
been carried forward along various lines, and in this work he has not only 
been an interested witness but has been an active participant, so that he 
deserves prominent mention in a history of this character. 

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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