John Dick (1827 - 1889)

Born 9 Oct 1827 in Bavaria, Germany

Husband of Louisa (Steigmeyer) Dick — married 1854 in Belleville, Illinois

Died 30 Oct 1889 at age 62 in Bavaria, Germany

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Biography

John Dick was born in Ruppertsberg, Rheinpfaltz, then part of Bavaria, on 9 October 1827. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1851. He married Miss Louisa Steigmeyer in Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, on 7 May 1854. They moved to Quincy, Illinois in 1857.

John Dick was in the milling and brewing business with his brothers. He was also a cattle buyer. Shortly before his death, he bought some quality cattle in England.

He then continued his trip to visit his boyhood home. He was visiting his Bavarian birthplace at the time of his death; he died there on 30 October 1889. His daughter, Emma, was his travel companion and with him at the time of death. His body was shipped to his family in Quincy for burial in the family plot.

Portrait and biographical record of Adams County, Illinois, 1892

John Dick, All people of true sensibility and a just regard for the memory of those who have departed this life cherish the details of the history of those whose careers have been marked by uprightness and truth and whose lives have been filled up with activity and industry It is therefore with gratification that we present to our readers a sketch of Mr Dick who was for many years identified with the history and progress of Adams County. He was a man whose sterling worth of character was recognized by all and his death which occurred on the 30th of October 1890 was the occasion of universal sorrow for all felt the loss to be sustained by the departure of such a man.

A native of the land of the Rhine, Mr Dick was born in Bavaria on the 9th of October 1837 and is a son of John and Katherine Dick natives of Germany where they passed their entire lives engaged in active pursuits. The youthful days of our subject were passed amid the scenes of his native country and like nearly all native born Germans he received good educational advantages. After leaving the school room he was apprenticed to learn the baker's trade and became very proficient in the culinary art. Many of his nationality had emigrated to the States with a view to bettering their condition financially and he decided that America was the land of promise for him In 1852 when but twenty one years of age he took passage for America and landed at New Orleans where he remained but a short time. Thence he went to Belleville III where he remained four years and thence çame direct to Quincy. In 1860 with his two brothers Jacob and Matthew under the firm name of Dick Bros he erected one of the largest brewing establishments in the West and was engaged in that business until his death.

In choosing a wife Mr Dick selected Miss Louisa Steigmeier, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa on the 4th of August 1837. Her ancestors were among the early settlers of the Keystone State where they were very prominent people. Her parents, Joseph and Wandburg Steigmeier, were natives of Pennsylvania where they passed their entire lives. Of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Dick seven children were born who were in the order of their births as follows:

• Annie, wife of August Darkenwald of Germany
• Bertha, who married August Glasner
• Emma, at home
• Frank
• Matilda, wife of Ed Menke of Quincy
• Edith, Mrs Franklin Lampel of St Louis
• John

Mr Dick had a very pleasant home in Quincy at No 310 State Street and was surrounded by everything that made life enjoyable domestic happiness prosperity and abundant means but he was helpless before the grim reaper Death During the many years in which he resided in Quincy he was to the people all that is required in good citizenship public enterprise and sympathetic friendship In the love of his estimable wife he found his cares lightened and in the esteem of his fellow citizens received the reward of his faithfulness.^[1]

Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, 1905

John Dick, deceased, who for years was one of the prominent and well-to-do business men of Quincy and had a wide acquaintance throughout the middle Mississippi valley, established his home in this city in 1856, and from that time on until his death was closely associated with its manufacturing and commercial interests. A native of Germany, he was born on the 9th of October, 1827, his parents being John and Anna M. Dick, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father was engaged in the wine business in that country throughout his entire life, and both he and his wife died there.

John Dick acquired his education in the public schools of Germany, and, when a young man, hoping to benefit by the better business opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first in Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois, where he conducted a saloon and also engaged in the bakery business. He remained a resident at Belleville until 1856, when he disposed of his interests there and came to Quiney. Here he joined his brothers in the conduct of a brewing business, they becoming owners of what was known as Dick Brothers Brewery. They began operations on a small scale, but their trade steadily increased and they enlarged their plant to meet the growing patron- age until the brewery is to-day one of the largest in the state. It is still operated under the name of Dick & Brothers Quincy Brewing Company, and is the most extensive plant of the kind be- tween Chicago and St. Louis. After placing their brewing business upon a paying basis the brothers turned their attention to the milling and grain trade and built a large mill at the corner of Front and Delaware streets. They also erected a large elevator at No. 235 South Seventh street and were engaged in the grain and milling business, this enterprise being still conducted under the name of Dick Brothers Milling Company. Mr. Dick of this review was connected with the various lines of activity mentioned up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 30th of October. 1891, and his enterprise, sound judgment and business discernment proved important factors in the successful conduct of his varied commercial and manufacturing interests. It was while living in Belleville, Illinois, that Mr. Dick was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Steigmeyer, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of August, 1838, a daughter of Saffield and Nutberger (Steigmeyer) Steigmeyer, both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they first settled in Philadelphia. Mr. Steigmeyer was a shoemaker by trade, and afterward removed to Lisville, Ohio, where lie engaged in the shoe business for several years. His wife died there and he later removed to Belleville, Illinois, where his death soon occurred.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dick were born nine children :

• Anna is the wife of August Dorkenwald, of Quincy, the president and manager of the Dick & Brothers Quincy Brewing Company, and a very prominent and influential man here.
• Bertha is the wife of August Glassner, a resident of Quiney.
• Frank, the treasurer and superintendent of the brewing company, married Miss Rosa Ertel, their home being in Quincy.
• Matilda became the wife of Edward H. Menke, of this city, and is now deceased.
• Emma resides with her mother.
• Ida is the wife of Franklin Lunifel, a resident of St. Louis. Missouri.
• John E. is a partner in the firm of Bergstrosser & Dick, proprietors of the Phoenix sample room in Quincy, and he married Miss Nannie Tate.
• Louisa and
• Katie are both deceased.

Mr. Dick gave his political allegiance to the democracy, but was never an officeseeker. He belonged to the Turner Society here and had a wide acquaintance, being especially prominent in German-American circles. Coming to the United States with limited capital, yet desirous of winning success, he gradually advanced by reason of his close application and unfaltering energy until he stood among the leading representatives of trade interests in Quincy. having gained a reputation for straightforward business dealing, while at the same time he won a handsome competency. His widow is still interested in both the brewing and milling business and owns a large and beautiful residence at No. 310 State street, where .she has resided for many years.

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and biographical record of Adams County, Illinois, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, 1892

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/172013310/john-dick