Frederick W. A. Bock, one of the well known and most
highly respected retired German citizens of Girard, was born in Germany on
November 20, 1830, and is a son of Daniel Bock and a brother of the late
Henry Bock, of Girard, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume.
Mr. Bock was reared to manhood and educated in the schools and trained
in the trade of a carpenter before he came to the United States. He had also
worked at coopering and butchering and was apt enough to turn his hand to
almost anything. In 1856 he left his home with the intention of settling in
Illinois. The vessel on which he sailed landed him in Texas, whence he made
his way to New Orleans, where he found opportunity to work for his passage
to Cincinnati. From that city he worked his way until he reached Girard and
soon found employment here, doing general work in the grist mill of Howard &
Bride. Although the mill changed hands, Mr. Bock made himself too useful to
have his services dispensed with and he remained until the chance came for
him to rent the mill for $25 a month. By 1867 he had accumulated enough
capital to buy the mill, and he operated it successfully until it was
destroyed by fire. This disaster visited him three times, each time the mill
being rebuilt, and then Mr. Bock admitted Harris Bridges to partnership. For
the fourth time fire destroyed the mill and Mr. Bock again rebuilt and
conducted it until he finally sold the property. He has always lived a very
busy life and, in addition to other lines of business, has spent about 30
years working, at various times, in the coal mines. Wherever he has been, he
has shown the same tenacity of purpose and persevering industry, which has
resulted in making him one of the city's moneyed men.
Mr. Bock
married Catherine Morris, who died February 22, 1896. They had a family of
13 children, of whom 10 are now living, namely: Henry W., born October 22,
1863; Augusta, born December 16, 1864; Charles, born April 10, 1866; Anna
M., born June 28, 1868; Birdie K., born January 11, 1871; Lena, born July
24, 1872; Nora A., born April 1, 1876; Clara A., born April 1, 1877; Minnie
S., born December 12, 1878, and Fred W. A., Jr., born July 12, 1880. Those
deceased are: Oscar A., who died September 8, 1882; Sophia, who died July
27, 1869; and Amelia, who died May 8, 1874. The surviving children all
reside at home, a happy, united household.
In politics, Mr. Bock has
affiliated with the Democratic party ever since he was naturalized. He has
been called upon on numerous occasions to serve in public office at Girard,
and for a number of years was a city alderman. For four years he served most
efficiently as street inspector and his administration is remembered with
satisfaction by the tax-payers and those most interested. He has been
connected with the Masonic fraternity for a long period and belongs to the
Girard lodge. Like his late brother, he is a representative German-American
of the northeastern section of Macoupin County, and is held in very high
regard by the citizens of Girard.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 549-550.
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