Success rarely comes to the undeserving, and when, as in the case of Edward G. Loekle, prosperity and high standing in a community have been achieved, it is always interesting and profitable to trace the successive steps taken toward this desirable goal. During the almost half a century of his residence in Peru, LaSalle county, the subject of this article has been closely associated with the commercial interests of the place, and has performed his share of the labors which devolve upon every patriotic citizen.
The ancestors of E. G. Loekle were natives of Germany, and his parents, Heinrich and Louise Loekle, lived and died in the province of Wurtemberg. They were honest, industrious people, and reared their children in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which they belonged. The father, who at one time was a member of a militia company, was a saddler and harness-maker by trade. He died when about forty-two years of age, in 1835 or 1836. and his widow survived him several years. Five sons and four daughters were born to them, and the seven who are yet living are as follows: Charley, of New York city; Paulina, wife of Henry Hartmann, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Edward G.; Emelia, wife of Lawrence Kronawitter, of Chicago; Henry, of Philadelphia; Ernest, of New York, and Ferdinand, of Stuttgart, Germany.
Edward G. Loekle was born in the city of Ludwigsburg, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 6, 1828. Until he was fourteen years of age he was a pupil in the common schools of his native land, after which he learned the butcher's trade and worked at that for several years. Being an ambitious young man, he decided that he would try his fortunes in the United States, and on the 1st of May, 1849, he arrived in New York city. Very wisely he left the crowded metropolis at once, and going to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, he worked at his trade for two weeks, and then took a position upon a farm, where he gradually mastered the English language and customs. Learning that the west was a more promising place for enterprising men, he came to Illinois, and May 1, 1850, he had his first view of Peru. He has since made his home here, and after the first year, when he worked at his trade for wages, he has been engaged in business for himself. Opening a market, he conducted it successfully for about forty years, but has been retired for the last seven years. Since the Peru State Bank was organized he has been the vice-president of the institution, which is now in a most flourishing condition. He has used his franchise in favor of the Democratic party.
The marriage of Mr. Loekle and Miss Catherine Mather, a daughter of Jacob and Kunigundy Mather, was celebrated September 10, 1851. Twelve children came to bless their home, namely: Edward, Henry, Charley, Bertha, Louise, Paulina, Emma, Frederick, Anna, Carrie, Otto and Minnie. Edward died in infancy and Bertha when fourteen years of age. Henry, who married Emma Sperber, and had one child, Eduard, died when in his thirtythird year. Charley married Carrie Wolfer, and has three children living - Richard, Florence and Frank. Paulina is the widow of Henry Peters, and is the mother of three children, - Willie, Tillie and Edward. Emma wedded Charley Danz, and has a son and daughter, Harry and Viola. Carrie is the widow of Charles Birkenbeuel, by whom she had two children, - Reuben and Clarence. Minnie is the wife of John E. Seepe and is the mother of a son, named Walter. The other children of our subject are unmarried. Otto is the assistant cashier of the Peru State Bank, and is a young man of ability and promise. The parents are members of the German Evangelical church. Their pleasant home at the corner of Putnam and Seventh streets has been occupied by them for almost forty years, and many a happy family reunion has taken place within these sheltering walls. Now in the evening of life, Mr. and Mrs. Loekle, surrounded by their dear ones, may look back with few regrets, feeling that they have ever striven to do their whole duty tow-ard God and man, and knowing that the love and sincere regard of all who know them is theirs without stint.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 264-266.
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