Peru has been extremely fortunate in possessing citizens of high
patriotism and fine business ability, and among those whom she has honored
by electing to positions of public trust and responsibility none have been
better or more favorably known than the worthy German-American whose name
appears at the beginning of this sketch of his career.
Born near the
village of Eitorf, Prussia, Germany, December 18, 1819, Anton Birkenbeuel
was one of the thirteen children of Peter William and Sophia (Heimann)
Birkenbeuel. His father was a mason and contractor in his native land, and
died on the ocean while on his way to the United States, in 1854, when about
fifty-six years of age. He was a man of good education, and, being a fine
penman, his services were in great demand in various local offices where a
recorder's work was necessary. His father, who bore the Christian name of
Matthias, was a farmer, and lived and died in Germany, his age at the time
of his death being sixty-six years. Peter William and Sophia Birkenbeuel
were connected with the Catholic church. She died in 1848, when in the
fiftieth year of her age. Her father, Anton Heimann, a farmer and a man of
influence in his own community, died in Germany when he had reached the age
of three-score and ten years. One brother and three sisters of our subject
are still living, namely: Frederick, of Peru; Mary, widow of Andrew Traeger,
of this place; Elizabeth, widow of August Tuxhorn, of Inman, Kansas; and
Louisa, wife of Joseph Kuss, of Peoria. Another sister, Mrs. Anton
Kellenbach, recently died at her home in Peru.
Reared to hard and
honest toil, Anton Birkenbeuel aided his father as a mason when he was a
youth, and, with his brother Peter, served the required time in the army. In
1847 he determined to seek his fortune in America. He came direct to Peru,
where he lived all his after life save three years spent on a farm near
Wenona, Illinois. For years Mr. Birkenbeuel was a successful contractor.
He early allied himself with the Republican party, to whose wise policy
he attributed much of the prosperity which this country has enjoyed since
the civil war. More than twenty years ago he was honored with the offices of
township and city assessor, in which capacity he served faithfully until his
death. For two terms he officiated as township and city collector, and at
one time was a member of the city council. A man of broad information and
extended reading, he had no narrow view of life, its responsibilities and
meaning, and in his earnest search for truth he cast aside the dogmas and
theories with which his mind was formerly enthralled. He was a member of a
German reading society, and found much pleasure in the companionship of men
who read and thought for themselves. Fraternally he was identified with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years.
On the 5th of June,
1849, was consummated the marriage of Anton Birkenbeuel and Mary Katherine
Hoss. This worthy couple, who trod the highway of life together for almost
half a century, were among the oldest citizens of Peru, and few had more
sincere friends. Four children blessed their home, but two of their little
sons soon passed away, Frank dying when but three months old, and Arthur
when in his fifth year. Mary, who is unmarried, resides on the old homestead
in Peru and cared for her parents in their declining years. William E. is
engaged in the jewelry business in LaSalle and is prominent in business and
political affairs.
The parents of Mrs. Anton Birkenbeuel were Peter
and Margaret (Kurenbach) Hoss. The former died in Germany, in 1830, when he
was eighty years old, his life having been devoted to agriculture. His widow
came to America, with her son Theodore and daughter Mary Katherina, in 1846,
and joined her two sons, William and Adolph, who had preceded them. She
lived in the country, near Peru, for three years, and after her removal into
the town, in 1849, she received the summons of the death angel, she then
being in her sixty-ninth year. One of her daughters, Christina, died in
Germany, and another, Elizabeth, widow of John Bellinghausen, has long
resided in Peru. The brothers of Mrs. Birkenbeuel have passed away, one by
one, the last to go being William, who died at Troy Grove, this county,
January 24, 1899, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Birkenbeuel died February 6,
1899, and Mr. Birkenbeuel lived not long thereafter, his death occurring
October 26, 1899.
The lives of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Birkenbeuel were
quiet and comparatively uneventful, but they endeavored to perform their
duties faithfully, and in so doing they were free from regret and won the
approval of their own consciences as well as the esteem of their associates.
They left an honored and unsullied name to their posterity, and tender
memories in the hearts of innumerable friends.
Extracted 22 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 528-530.
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