Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Walz, John Jacob ************************************************ 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 7, 2008, 12:26 am Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907 John Jacob Walz is residing in a nice home in Joliet, having retired from business life, and he is now merely giving supervision to his invested interests. He is a large landowner of Will county, the rental of his property supplying himself and family with all the comforts of life, so that he can spend the evening of his life in honorable retirement. Mr. Walz was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1836, a son of Daniel and Margaret (Calmbach) Walz. The father was born in Waldorf, Wurtemberg, January 12, 1812, and his death occurred in 1884. He was a weaver by trade, manufacturing all kinds of cloth with a hand loom. He owned a small tract of land, on which he raised enough grain to provide a living for himself and family. Mrs. Walz was born in Wurtemberg in 1813, and her death occurred in 1867. They were devoted members of the German Lutheran church, and their family numbered three children: John Jacob, of this review; George Daniel, a brewer by trade, who also came to America and passed away in New Jersey; and John George, who resides on the old family homestead in Germany and is now mayor of his home town. John J. Walz was educated in the schools of his native country and there remained until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when, having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities which were offered to young men of ambition in the new world, he decided to try his fortune in America, and accordingly in 1854, he crossed the Atlantic on an old-time sailing vessel. Reaching New York, he there remained for nine months, after which he went to Connecticut, where he secured employment on a farm, receiving for his services the meager sum of eight dollars per month. He later, however, secured one hundred and fifteen dollars per year for his services and worked in the east until 1856, when on the 9th of December, 1856, he made his way to Chicago, Illinois, where he lived for a brief period. In company with a friend he then came to Will county and took a contract to chop wood near New Lenox. He was engaged at farm labor for the various farmers of the community for several years, when, in the spring of 1863, in company with Nelson Smith he made his way to the Pacific coast, working on a fruit farm in the Sacramento valley for two summers and spent about a year in Nevada. Returning to Illinois in 1866, he once more made his way to Will county, where he had invested in eighty acres of land purchased in 1861, his farm having been rented during his sojourn in the west. He then took up his abode on his place, and as he prospered in his undertakings added to his original holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and seven acres in this county. He was here engaged in the development and cultivation of his land through a long period, making it one of the valuable farms of this portion of the state. He made many improvements, including the erection of a fine home and substantial outbuildings necessary on a farm. In addition to this he likewise owns a quarter interest in one hundred acres situated near Joliet, and his farm property now brings him a good annual rental. He formerly owned considerable farm land in Kansas but has disposed of this so that his possessions are now confined to Will county. In 1895 he retired from farm labor and in the spring of 1896 purchased his present fine home in Joliet, to which he then removed, making it his home continuously since that time. In addition to the home place he also owns other property in the city, including eleven houses which he erected near his home and which he rents, and also some vacant property. In 1868 occurred the marriage of Mr. Walz and Miss Henrietta Stricher, a resident of New Lenox. She was likewise born in the fatherland, her natal year being 1846. Her parents, Frederick and Sophia (Freier) Stricher, were both natives of the duchy of Mecklenburg, where they made their home until the early '50s, when they emigrated to the new world. On their arrival in Illinois the family first located in Green Garden township, Will county, but later removed to New Lenox township, where they lived until the father was called to his final rest in 1880. Mrs. Stricher died at the home of one of her daughters. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children: Adaline L. is the wife of Edward Francis, who resides on the old John Francis farm. George Albert, who is now operating his father's old homestead farm on section 27, New Lenox township, wedded Jessie Cooper, a daughter of N. P. Cooper. Florence Elizabeth pursued a course of study at Dennison College, in Ohio, and is now at home with her parents. Estella Henrietta is a graduate of the Joliet high school. Frank H., Sadie A. and Arthur L. are all deceased. Mr. Walz has filled a number of public offices, having served as highway commissioner, supervisor and assessor, while for a long period he acted as school director and also trustee, the cause of education finding in him a warm and helpful friend. Mr. Walz is fond of travel and has spent two winters in Florida. He and his family are highly esteemed people, well known in Joliet, where they occupy a nice home at No. 607 Brown avenue. 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/walz2603nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb