America can boast of no better or more patriotic citizens than those
which Germany has furnished her, and in every community throughout the
length and breadth of this great land the sons of the fatherland are aiding
materially in the working out of the problems of our nation and are
contributing loyally to her prosperity. One of the leading German-American
citizens of Peru, LaSalle county, is the gentleman whose name introduces
this sketch.
Born in Prussia, Germany, not far from the city of
Jastrof, on the 17th of May, 1854, Leopold C. Janz is a son of Charles and
Charlotte (Stark) Janz. Both were natives of the same locality as our
subject, and it was not until 1892 that they came to the United States, here
to pass their declining years. The father was a carpenter by trade and
followed that occupation until he was well along in years, and now is living
retired, having amassed a competence. He came from a representative family,
and his brother Martin held the responsible position of mayor of the town of
Osofge. Both of the grandfathers of our subject lived and died in Germany.
In his boyhood Leopold C. Janz obtained an excellent education in
the public schools of his native land. When he was about fifteen years of
age he began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he has followed ever
since. In 1873, when in his twentieth year, he sailed westward to found a
home and to dwell among the people of this great republic. Coming to Peru,
he found employment at his trade, and worked for others until 1882, when he
embarked in business on his own account, and has since carried on a
flourishing trade, as a boot and shoe merchant. He uses his ballot in behalf
of the Republican party and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
On the 22d of January, 1888, the marriage of Mr. Janz and Miss Josephine
Schubeker, a daughter of Joseph Schubeker, of Peru, was solemnized. They
have three children — Charley, Joseph and Clara. Their comfortable home,
which is situated on St. Louis street, is owned by the estimable couple. In
religious belief Mr. Janz is a Lutheran, while his wife is a Catholic.
Extracted 18 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 519-520.
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