Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Schwiesow, Henry ************************************************ 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, 2:48 am Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907 Henry Schwiesow is numbered among the early settlers of Will county, having come to this section of the state during the period of its pioneer development. He owns a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 2, Peotone township, where he has made his home for almost four decades. He was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, January 7, 1837, a son of Carl Schwiesow, who was a laborer, and in 1864 emigrated to America but his death occurred one year later at the home of a daughter in Mokena, Illinois. His wife, Mrs. Sophia Schwiesow, died in the fatherland previous to the emigration of the father to this country. Henry Schwiesow is one of five children born of his fathers family, and is the only one now living. One brother, Adolphus, died in Will county, while two sisters, Louisa and Dora, passed away in Cook county. In order to avoid service in the Germany army, Mr. Schwiesow emigrated to the United States when a youth of eighteen years. The trip from Hamburg to New York city was made in an old-time sailing vessel, which was thirty-two days in making the voyage, but that was considered good time at that date. From New York he made his way at once to Mokena, where lived his brother, Adolphus. His first work in this country was on the Michigan Central Railroad, which was then being built to Joliet, and he was so employed for two months, receiving for his services one dollar per day. He was afterward employed at farm labor, receiving one hundred and thirty-two dollars per year. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself he then operated rented land near Mokena, during which time he carefully husbanded his resources, and in 1867 came to Peotone township and purchased forty acres of land, this constituting a part of his present home farm. His home was a little shanty, in which the family lived in true pioneer style for eighteen years, but twenty-three years ago the pioneer dwelling was replaced by a large and commodious frame residence. There was also on the place a small stable which was covered with a thatch roof, but this, too, has been replaced by a large frame barn and there are many other outbuildings on the place, so that the farm in all of its equipments constitutes one of the valuable properties of this part of the state. For his first forty-acre tract Mr. Schwiesow paid twenty-eight dollars per acre, incurring an indebtedness on the property. He, however, prospered in his undertakings so that in course of time he was able to liquidate his obligations and add another forty-acre tract, to which he has since added until he now has two hundred and eighty acres of land, and at one time owned an additional one hundred and sixty acre farm, which he sold to his son. He has always been a hard working and industrious man, and through the careful management of his business interests is now in possession of a good farm and a comfortable competence. Mr. Schwiesow was married in 1865, to Miss Mary Schlemann, who was born in Germany, August 31, 1844, a daughter of John and Mary (Orntz) Schlemann, who emigrated to America in 1865 and settled in Mokena, where the father worked for many years as a laborer. His death occurred eight years ago, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-four years. The mother is still living at an advanced age, and makes her home in Joliet. She has great-great grandchildren, and Mr. and Mrs. Schwiesow now have in their possession a picture showing the five generations. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, all of whom survive, namely: Emma, the wife of Henry Waltje, a farmer of Green Garden township; Henry C., a farmer of Peotone township; John, a business man of Monee; Charles, at home; August who is engaged in business with his brother John; Alvina, the wife of Theodore Knickrehm, a resident farmer of Green Garden township; Amanda, who resides with her parents; and George M.. who is operating his fathers farm. Mr. Schwiesow cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln but now gives his support to the democratic party. He has served as school director for three years. He was one of the organizers of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church and acted as one of its trustees for six years. He and his estimable wife are numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of Will county. When they settled here the town of Peotone contained but one little shanty and a railroad station, while the prairie grass stood as high as a mans head. The early settlers endured many hardships and privations but they also enjoyed many pleasures which are unknown at the present time. Money was scarce and clothing high. Mrs. Schwiesow can well remember when she paid as high as fifty cents per yard for calico and other articles sold in proportion. This worthy couple are hospitable people and are ever willing to lend aid to the unfortunate ones who call upon them for assistance. They are highly esteemed in the community where they have so long made their home and are numbered among Will county's best citizens. 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/schwieso2401nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb