Wessel, Fred William MAGA © 2000-2014
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1915

Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.

Page 979

WESSEL, FRED WILLIAM. - Among the young business men of Beardstown, Ill., to whose enterprise, skill and energy much of the prosperity of Cass County is attributable, one of the most meritorious is the above named gentleman, who is at the head of the well known firm of Wessel & Sons, contractors and builders.

Fred William Wessel is a native of Beardstown, where his birth took place June 10, 1882. He is a son of Fred and Angeline (Ivemayer) Wessel. His parents, both natives of Hanover, Germany, were joined in wedlock there on July 18, 1871, coming at once to the United States and settling at Beardstown, Ill. Their children were: Fed W.; John; Henry, who died in infancy; Herman; Frank; Elizabeth (Mrs. H. H. Krems), of Beardstown; and Ella (Mrs. Otto Gebig), of the same place.

In the old country the elder Wessel had learned the trade of cabinet-maker, at which he began to work on his arrival in America, entering the employ of Henry William Wohlman. One year later, he was employed by Huge Bros., with whom he continued for seventeen years. At the end of this period, together with his cousin, Herman Wessel, he entered into the contracting business, which they followed for a few years, when Herman Wessel's interests were purchased by Clamor Reller. For the next four years, the new firm conducted the business, and then Fred H. Wessel bought Mr. Reller out, and continued in the partnership until the death of the elder Wessel on June 2, 1905. His son, Fred William Wessel, was then taken in as partner, and the latter's two brothers, Frank and Herman, became members of the firm in 1908. Of these, Frank was born June 28, 1889; and Herman, August 24, 1879. The business of the Wessel concern is done under the firm name of Wessel & Sons, and covers all kinds of building contracts. They are among the leading contractors in Beardstown, and operate a mill for their own direct purposes, and procure and finish any material necessary in their line of work. All the members of this concern are considered honorable and reliable business men, and stand high as citizens, being respected by all who know them.

The marriage of Fred William Wessel took place November 29, 1906, on which date he was wedded to Ella Guelker, a daughter of Charles and Anna (Boester) Guelker, natives of Germany. Mrs. Wessel was born in Beardstown. She has borne her husband the following children: Carl, born September 5, 1908; Mildred, born June 27, 1911; and Wilbur, born February 9, 1912.

The Wessel family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Fred William Wessel is a chapter Mason and belongs also to the M.W.A. and the K.O.T.M.


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