Alexander Ohnemus

Alexander OHNEMUS. For more than three quarters of a century the name of OHNEMUS has been vitally identifed with the business welfare and upbuilding of Quincy. Mr. Alexander OHNEMUS, of the second generation of this family in Quincy, is now retired from business, but in his time played a large and constructive part in affairs.

The OHNEMUS family originated in Baden, Germany, where they lived for many generations. Andrew OHNEMUS, father of Alexander, was born in Baden in 1820. When about twenty years of age he came to the United States by sailing vessel, and from New York came west to Quincy about 1840. By trade he was a harness maker. He and his brother Mathias established a business of this kind at 325 Hampshire Street. At that location they erected two three-story brick buildings, which are still owned by Alexander OHNEMUS and have been in the family possession for over seventy years and have never been without tenants. In 1860 Mathias OHNEMUS sold out his share of the business to his brother. Andrew OHNEMUS lived in a fine home at 14th and Vermont streets until his death on July 22, 1868. His old home at 14th and Vermont was erected when that portion of the city was practically in the country, and it stood as a landmark and pioneer home in the district until building progress caught up and enveloped it.

At Quincy, Andrew OHNEMUS married Agnes METZ. She was born in Germany about 1830 and came to the United States with her parents at the age of eight or ten years. Her parents also located in Quincy, and were farmers in Riverside Township, where they died within a month of each other, her father at the age of eighty-eight and her mother at eighty-two. The METZ and OHNEMUS families were all early members of St. Boniface Catholic church at Quincy. Agnes OHNEMUS died at her home at 14th and Vermont streets in 1903 in advanced years. She and her husband were married in St. Boniface Church, but later transferred their membership to St. Francis parish. In their family were three sons and three daughters. Three are still living: Anton, a well known Quincy business man, secretary and treasurer of the Excelsior Stove Works, and the father of three children; Margaret, who lives at St. Louis, widow of George PUSTER and the mother of a son Alvin; and Alexander.

Alexander OHNEMUS was born at the old home of his father at 325 Hampshire Street May 15, 1854. As a boy he attended St. Francis parochial school and learned the tinner's trade by a practical apprenticeship. In 1879 he went into business for himself in one of his father's buildings at 327 Hampshire Street, setting up a stove, hardware and tinware business. He successfully conducted that until 1900, when he sold out and then became associated with Mr. W.F. BERGHOFER for eight years in the sheet metal industry on Jersey Street. Ten years ago Mr. OHNEMUS retired and is now looking after his private affairs and interests. He lives in a fine two-story frame house at 317 Chestnut Street. This residence he built in 1885, more than thirty years ago. In politics, Mr. OHNEMUS is a democrat, a member of the Eagles and one of the early members of the Firemen's Benevolent Association.

In Quincy Mr. OHNEMUS married Miss Ella M. CLARK. She was born in East St. Louis October 10, 1859. When she was two years old she lost her mother and she and her brother Amadeus were sent to Adams county to be reared by their maternal grandparents, Darius and Agnes WERTZ, of Melrose Township. Mrs. OHNEMUS grew up on the Wertz farm and at the death of her grandparents received a generous endowment from them. Mr. and Mrs. OHNEMUS had one son, Albert N., whose vigorous manhood and manly character are recalled with extreme regret by his many friends. He was born November 10, 1881, and died in the prime of his usefulness August 30, 1915, at the age of thirty-four. He was educated in the parochial and city schools and the Gem City Business College, and also completed a course of Illinois State University. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. OHNEMUS is a member of the Catholic church, while Mrs. OHNEMUS is a Lutheran.

QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY HISTORY AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN Vol. 2, by David Wilcox, Lewis Publishing, 1919 pp 748-749

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 9 2018, 12:34:47 UTC