The next meeting of the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society will be Tuesday, July 8th at 7 PM.  Author Greg Laun will discuss his new book “Road to Fort Clark,” which is volume one of a series on the historic Springfield to Peoria road.  Meetings are free and open to the public.

German Businessmen Talented Musicians
All history is local until it is woven together with other stories to become part of the National fabric and there is no aspect of National history that doesn’t touch Tazewell County, including tobacconists and musicians, including our own Turn Verein group. 

Carl Michael Knigge
Carl was born in Pekin to Herman Henry Knigge (1845-1908) and Elizabeth Wehrle (1844-1935).  Henry was born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S.A., arriving at the Port of Baltimore on 16 July 1870.  He made his way to Pekin where he was married 19 June 1871 to Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Anna Elisabeth Wehrle, of Groveland.  In 1877 he signed his Declaration of Intent to become a citizen and he received his final certificate 1 April 1879.  

They had four children: Minnie (Charles) Ball (1873-1965), Carl (1878-1954), Elizabeth (Wm) Boeck (1880-1970) and Lena (1885-1981).

Both Henry and Carl worked as cigar makers.  The 1887 Pekin City Directory lists them working for Louis Toel at 303 S. 2nd St., but later the 1934 Pekin City Directory listed Carl as a cigar manufacturer with a business at 16 N. 3rd St., and his residence at 315 State St., where his mother and sister resided too.

Although he and his sister Lena never married, they were survived by eight nieces and nephews.

Louis Conrad Toel
Toel was born in Pekin 15 April 1867 to German immigrants, John Frederick Toel (Saloonkeeper) and Johanna Jansen.  He married Fatima M. Wagenseller (1867-1937) 22 May 1890.  She was a daughter of Wm. Henry and Ophelia Leighton Wagenseller and a granddaughter of old Joshua Wagenseller.

Louis and Fatima had 8 children: Henry, Anna Fisher, John, Ludwig, Ophelia Graber, Fannie Leitner, Fatima Rinaldo, and George.

Toel was a cigarmaker all of his life.  His shop was located on Court St., and his home was at 330 St. Mary.

In addition to the cigar store, he was a very accomplished musician.  He had been a member of Gehrig’s band and its successor organizations for almost 40 years. He was a music instructor and had assisted in the Union Mission orchestra.  

He was a member of the Presbyterian church, Knights of Pythias, Musician’s Union and the T.P.A. as well as a justice of the peace.  He passed away 9 April 1929 in Pekin.

[The May 1884 Weekly Pantagraph advised that four Pekin Saloonkeepers had retired and closed their doors recently: Albert Weiss, John Wietlespach, J. Fred Toel and Berry & Donahue.]

Herman O. Stein
Herman was another one of the many tobacconists in Pekin.  He was born in Prussia 5 February 1828 and was married to Emma Amelia Stein who was born 20 February 1835 in Solingen, Germany.  Herman first appears in Pekin in the 1860 census and the 1861 City Directory:

Herman continued to be listed in all the census and city directories until his death 21 July 1899 in Pekin.  Emma died 20 February 1907.  Both are buried in Lakeside Cemetery.

The couple had one son, Eugene A. Stein, who was an accomplished musician.  Eugene was born 26 May 1864 in Pekin.  He lived with his parents most of the time, although he traveled a lot as part of his job.   After their passing, he married Eleanor Erler (1879-1946) and relocated to Peoria where he passed 1 February 1922.  He’s buried in Springdale. 

Eugene was “one of the most versatile musicians that ever brought fame to the Pekin-Peoria terrain.” He was able to play nearly every instrument but won fame on the piano.  He performed with local orchestras, was once a member of the old Seventh Regiment band (Gehrig’s) and Spencer’s Military band.  He was the leader of the Capitol theatre orchestra.  He was a member of the Knights of Pythias.

TURNER FESTIVITIES
A Great Gala Day at Pekin – Unlimited Drinking, Dancing, etc., by Central Illinois Turners—Grand Procession, Contests, Speeches and Music—Five Thousand People Present.

PEKIN, Ill., June 15.—The various Turn vereins’ societies from Central Illinois were in Pekin Sunday morning, ready for the contest for prizes, accompanied by many friends from Central Illinois.  Societies are here from Moline, Rock Island, Bloomington, Decatur, Springfield, Jacksonville, and Peoria.  The arrangements were so carried out by the committees of the Pekin Turners that no hitches occurred.

Sunday morning excursion trains from all directions arrived in Pekin, with boat load after boat load from Peoria to take on the: CENTRAL ILLINOIS TURN BEZIRK

Court street was trimmed with green boughs and flags were everywhere in sight; more decoration than ever seen in Pekin before.  It was a great day for the Turners, and from talking with those who have attended former affairs of the kind, they claim it by far the most successful one and the most handsome city that they have attended for several years, and they are proud of their reception.  

SUNDAY MORNING PROCESSION

moved from Turner hall in the following order:

Committee of arrangements,

Gehrig’s 7th Regiment band, of Pekin.

Jacksonville Turn verein.

Springfield Turn verein

Seibel’s band of Bloomington

Bloomington Turn verein

Light guard band of Moline.

Moline Turn verein.

Rock Island Turn verein.

Goodman’s band of Decatur.

Decatur Turn verein.

Pekin Turn verein.

Many carriages

The sidewalks were filled with citizens and strangers, who followed the procession to Mineral springs park, where the prize turning commenced by the many contestants.

Jacob Lucas of the Pekin Turn verein welcomed the visitors by a short address in German, when the prize turning, etc., was recommenced.

At 4 o’clock it was estimated that at least 5,000 people were on the grounds.  Refreshments of all kinds were served at the park, and the national German beverage, fine, fresh beer was drank in endless quantities, but nothing occurred to interrupt the pleasure of those present.

At evening the Turners again assembled at Turner hall, where music and mirth making was the order of the evening.  Bloomington was largely represented.  A large ball will be given at Empire this (Monday) evening.

– 16 June 1884 Pantagraph

1887 Pekin City Directory
The Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society is an award-winning 501c3, all volunteer organization that has been in continuous service to our members and the public for 47 years.  TCGHS operates an archive, library, and research facility at 719 N. 11th St., Pekin.  Visit our website at www.tcghs.org to learn more about us.   If you have any point of interest that you would like to know more about, stop in at TCGHS or drop us a line.