Although he arrived in America from a foreign land with only a few
dollars in his pocket, Frederick W. Hartke, of Cahokia township, is now
one of the wealthy men of Macoupin county. This great change was wrought
through his faith in himself, his indomitable perseverance and an energy
that has never flagged. His example has inspired many others to
persevere in the face of great difficulties and his record is one to
which his descendants may always point with pride. He is a native of
Prussia, Germany, born April 15, 1843, a son of William and Minnie
(Fronneman) Hartke, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old
country. The father was a farmer and died after reaching the age of
sixty years.
The son, Frederick W., was reared at home and
attended the public schools in his boyhood. In the fall of 1863, being
then a stalwart young man of twenty, he started for America and landed
at the port of New York, traveling directly from that place to St.
Louis, in the vicinity of which was living a married sister. When he
arrived in the United States the great Civil war was in progress, and
although one of his principal reasons for leaving Germany was to avoid
military duty, he was anxious to enlist in support of his chosen
country. His sister and brother-in-law, however, insisted that he should
not do so and paid for a substitute to take his place in the ranks. He
lived for a year at the home of his sister and during this time took
advantage of the opportunity to attend night school in order to become
thoroughly acquainted with the English language. Nearly all the
able-bodied men of the neighborhood had gone to the front and Mr. Hartke
and an old man who was obliged to stay at home did the butchering for
the neighborhood. In 1864 and 1865 he drove a dray on the levee at St.
Louis and saw thousands of Confederate prisoners landed from the river
steamers under charge of Union soldiers. In 1866 he came to Macoupin
county to assist a brother-in-law upon a farm near Mount Olive, who had
been injured in a runaway accident, and he continued with him for about
five years. The Wabash Railway was then being built through this part of
the state and he secured employment on the construction gang. Later he
engaged for a year in a mercantile establishment at Mount Olive and then
returned to St. Louis and for four years was identified with the grocery
business in that city. Believing that conditions were more favorable in
Macoupin county, he once more took up his residence in this section and
from that time his fortune was assured. He observed that the Mount Olive
Coal Company was sinking a shaft and having faith in the success of the
enterprise, he purchased a town lot in a cornfield and erected a
building which is now occupied by the Keiser-Nemeyer Mercantile Company
and carried forward a mercantile business in his own name for six or
eight years. In 1883, having acquired the necessary capital, he
purchased the old Andy Cook farm of two hundred and ninety acres, in
Cahokia township, upon which he took up his permanent residence.
Subsequently he purchased more land and became the owner of more than a
section in the county, but during recent years has given a portion of
the land to his children, retaining three hundred and seventy-five acres
for his own use. He is also an extensive land owner in the “Panhandle”
of Texas.
In 1876 Mr. Hartke was married to Miss Minnie Kruse,
of Mount Olive township, and they are the parents of eleven children,
nine of whom survive, namely: William H., Henry J. and Louis G., all of
whom are engaged in farming in Cahokia township; and August, Charles,
Sophia, Emma, Minnie and Hulda, all of whom are at home.
Politically Mr. Hartke is in thorough sympathy with the republican party
and has been a prominent factor in its behalf in this county. He served
for several years as a member of the central committee and also as
secretary of the school board. He and his family are actively identified
with the Evangelical Lutheran church to which he is a liberal
contributor. Since arriving in Macoupin county he has witnessed many
improvements and has performed his share in bringing about the important
changes which have made this section one of the most desirable places of
residence in the state. He has shown rare judgment in his affairs and by
his promptness and efficiency has won the honor and esteem of all
classes of people.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 342-343.
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