Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Schoenstedt, Christoph January 30, 1837 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 4, 2007, 3:53 pm

Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890

CHRISTOPH SCHOENSTEDT, who is one of the foremost business men of Monee, has 
been a conspicuous figure in its upbuilding and is prominent in the management 
of its public affairs. Our subject is of German origin, born January 30, 1837, 
in the village of Urbach Thueringen, near Erfurt, Germany. His parents, Fred 
and Fredericke (Wilke) Schoeustedt, were natives of the same village as 
himself. They had five children, namely: Charles or Karl, Henry, Christoph, 
Frederick and Dorothea. 

Frederick came to the United  States about 1862 or 1863, remained with our 
subject two years, and is now a resident of Livermore, Cal.; the rest of the 
family are still living in Germany. The subject of this sketch came to this 
country in 1854, landing in New York June 28, and the following August found 
him in Chicago. The cholera was then prevalent here, and fearing an attack of 
that dreaded illness, he took himself to New Bremen. He had no capital with 
which to start in business, having, in fact, left New York $13 in debt, having 
borrowed that sum of some one to pay his passage. He, therefore, sought any 
employment by which he could make an honest living, and for two months he was 
engaged in mowing, at $10 a month. After the haying season was over he worked 
six months for $5 a month. At the expiration of that time he went to Blue 
Island to learn the trade of a wagon-maker, receiving for payment $50 the 
first year, $75 the second year, and $110 the third year. He had considerable 
talent for music which had been carefully cultivated in Germany, and here he 
was enabled to earn quite a sum of money playing on a clarionet. After he had 
acquired a thorough knowledge of his trade he went to work on his own account, 
coming to Monee in March, 1859, and opening a shop here, engaged in the 
manufacture of  wagons the ensuing fifteen years. He then established himself, 
in April, in the implement business, which he carried on until February 1, 
1890, meeting with more than ordinary success, and deriving a handsome income 
from the profits. Coming to this country without means, his stalwart, vigorous 
manhood, clear brain and skillful hand being his only capital, he has secured 
wealth, and is one of the richest men in this part of the county. He is the 
owner of four hundred and sixty-eight acres of land, three business buildings 
and good residence property in this city, besides owning valuable realty in 
Chicago. To the lady who presides over his attractive home he was united in 
marriage March 5, 1859. Her maiden name was Louise Gantz, and she was born in 
the Province of Saxony, Germany, May 17, 1839. She was a daughter of Lawrence 
and Sophie Gantz. In 1853 they came to the United States and first settled at 
New Bremen, near Chicago, where he bought a farm, on which they resided the 
rest of their days, his death occurring in 1880, and his wife's in 1882. They 
had four daughters—Mary, Louise, Caroline and Rafine, all of whom are married 
and have families. Our subject and his wife have seven children, namely: Fred; 
Anna, wife of Louis Bischmann; Rudolph, who died at the age of six months; 
Leopold; August; Louise, who died at the age of twelve years; and Otto. 
Although not one of the earliest settlers, Mr. Schoenstedt may justly be 
regarded as one of the pioneers of this county, which owes much to his 
untiring labor. His name will always be indissolubly linked with that of 
Monee, as partly by his influence it has attained its present position as one 
of the  leading towns in this section of the State; he has ever been active in 
extending its commercial and business interests, has contributed generously to 
all schemes that would enhance its material prosperity, and he has its 
educational, religious and social interests at heart. A man of such vigorous 
mind, such unerring sagacity and keen vision cannot well avoid accepting 
public office at the call of his fellow-men, when it seems his imperative duty 
as a loyal citizen to do so, and hence, while having the care of an extensive 
business and a large property, Mr. Schoenstedt has found time to take a part 
in the administration of of local affairs, and has served as Village Trustee 
eight years. In politics his views coincide with the principles promulgated by 
the Republican party. Religiously, our subject and his estimable wife are 
members in high standing of the United Presbyterian Church, actively assisting 
in the good work carried on by their pastor and fellow-members.

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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