Biography - Francis X. Gress
FRANCIS X. GRESS, who is the proprietor of the furniture and undertaking
establishment in Stewardson, is one of the most substantial business men of
the town, having represented the business there in the abovenamed branch
since 1876, and as the town was founded in 1875, he is one of its pioneers.
Mr. Gress was born Bavaria, Germany, February 5, 1836. His father lived and
died in Germany. His mother came to the United States about 1874, and passed
from this life to the better world, while making her home in Prairie
Township. Our subject's mother had one brother, after whom our subject is
named. He also, was a settler in the State and died in Shelby County,
leaving a wife and three children. She also had a sister who was unmarried,
and died at St. Louis, Mo.
At the age of fifteen years, our subject was apprenticed to learn the trade
of a cabinet maker. He served his apprenticeship for three years and then
went to work at his trade near the place of his birth where he remained
until 1857, when he lefl the Fatherland, taking a vessel at Bremen and after
a voyage of fifty-two days, be landed in Baltimore and at once went to
Chicago, the journey at that time between the two cities, occupying eight
days. For a time after coming hither he was engaged as a cooper in a brewery
near Chicago; there being no opportunity to work at his trade he gave his
time in this way in order to pay his board
In January, 1858, Mr. Gress came to Shelbyville, having previously been
promised work at that place. He remained there for about two weeks, but as
his funds grew scarce, and work seemed remote, he went to Sullivan where he
found an opportunity to employ himself at his trade. In the Spring of 1863
he went to Chicago, where he was engaged as a cabinet maker. He staid there
for some months and in August, 1864, he went to Nashville, Tenn., and worked
as a carpenter in Government employ. In February, 1865, he returned to
Sullivan, but only remained a few months, when he again went to Chicago, and
in July, 1865, he married Mrs. Josephine Weisbrick, nee Altman. Her first
husband was a soldier in the Civil War and was killed. In 1868, our subject
removed to Shelby County, and settled on a farm in Prairie Township,
occupying himself with tilling the soil, until he removed to Stewardson.
Our subject and his wife, who have always been prudent, energetic people,
are now the owners of four good building lots in the place where they
reside. One child has been given them to grace their home and be the comfort
of their declining years, a daughter whose name is Mary. The family are in
their religious views devout Catholics, and are generous supporters of that
body. Politically Mr. Gress is a Democrat. He has held several local
offices.
Formerly Mr. Gress was associated with Joseph Steidle, under the firm name
of Steidle & Gress. They were owners and proprietors of a packing house at
Stewardson, which was built by the gentleman of whom we are writing.
Extracted 17 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 563-564.
