Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Piepenbrink, John O 1826 - ************************************************ 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 May 9, 2007, 10:45 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 JOHN O. PIEPENBRINK. A high place among the farmers, stock-raisers, and dairy- men of the county must be accorded the gentleman above named, who has made a fortune by hard labor, prudent economy and business shrewdness. He has experienced all that is known to a poor man who makes a settlement in a new county, among the disadvantages under which he labored being that of having to pay thirty-six per cent, per annum for the money which he borrowed. He always managed to meet his payments when due, and his ability to make money has been clearly demonstrated. He came to Crete Township in 1849, taking up his abode in a small log house, which had not sufficient cover on it to keep the snow and chilly blasts of winter from entering. From this small beginning has grown a landed estate of more than seven hundred acres, a part of which is now owned by the sons. A good part of the wealth of Mr. Piepenbrink was made by cheese and butter making, from which he has now somewhat withdrawn. He has in former times kept more than one hundred cows, and made all the milk into cheese and butter, which went to the city of Chicago. The homestead, situated on section 11, has been occupied by our subject for the last twenty years, and is a well- improved farm, occupying a prominent place in the list of Will County's rural homes. That part of the Kingdom of Prussia which is known as Hesse-Cassel, has furnished to this county a number of her best citizens and most enterprising farmers. To it we are indebted for the subject of this sketch, who was born in that far-away land April 24, 1826. His father, H. H. Piepenbrink, was also born in Prussia, and was of pure German ancestry. His occupation was that of a farmer. He married Miss Lottie Meier, who was born and reared in the same German State as himself. They spent their entire lives in their native country, the husband dying when fifty-five and the wife when forty-five years of age. They were numbered among the most worthy citizens of the section, both being active members of the Lutheran Church and earnest in their discharge of every duty. Their family consisted of three sons and a daughter, he of whom we write being the second son and child. He is the only member of the family who came to America, and with the exception of his sister, the only survivor. J. O. Piepenbrink grew to manhood under the parental roof, receiving an excellent education, his advantages being more favorable than those of many of his countrymen. His father was wealthy, and able to bestow upon his children all the learning they desired, although the property at his death fell to his eldest son. After he became of age our subject received an appointment in the army, but was induced by his father to let the latter pay the tax for his release and return to his home. He married a lady of his own village, Miss Sophia Wille, with whom he set sail from Bremerhaven April 3, 1849, landing in New York City on the 1st of May following. They came by rail and water to Chicago, and thence to their new home in this county, where they have since made such a splendid record and where they have many friends, particularly among the natives of their own country. Mrs. Piepenbrink is a daughter of Conrad and Sophia (Oldrag) Wille, who were reared and married near Hesse- Cassel, Germany, and began life after the style of the well-to-do Germans. They spent their lives in comfort on a large farm—for that country—dying shortly before reaching the age of fifty years. They were prominent members of their community, and active in the work of the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of seven children, most of whom came to the United States and are yet living. The wife of our subject is the fourth of the family, and was born January 2, 1826. She was well reared and received a good German education, and the knowledge of domestic affairs which has been useful to her as a helpmate and mother. Eight children make up the family circle of our subject and his wife, all being residents of Crete Township. J. Otto and Henry F. are the subjects of biographical sketches which appear in this volume. J. Otto married Miss Dora Orkenberg; Henry F. was married to Miss Maggie Sehring; Conrad married Sophia Engelking; William married Sophia Meier; John married Louisa Domier; Phillip married Louisa Diersen. All these are farmers. Ellen married Henry Sporleder, also a farmer; Sophia is the wife of John Diersen, a hardware merchant in Crete Village. Mr. Piepenbrink is not an office-seeker, but is a sound and reliable Republican. He and his wife take an active part in the work of the Lutheran Church, to the support of which they contribute liberally; they are charter members of the organization in this county. 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/piepenbr560gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb