In any line of business, success comes to the conscientious worker and
not to the undeserving: it comes as the direct reward of earnest,
painstaking endeavor, of skill and well applied energy. Even in this day of
sometimes suddenly acquired fortunes, it appears that the old decree in
regard to winning one's bread by the "sweat of his face" is as much in force
as ever, and that to the majority of men a livelihood must be earned by
hard, honest toil. Thus it has been in the case of the subject of this
article, who has manfully discharged his duties and thereby has won the
regard of the public.
The parents of William E. Kellenbach, Anton and Margaret (Birkenbeuel)
Kellenbach, are represented in the preceding article. Born in Peru, LaSalle
county, September 22, 1861, our subject has passed his entire life in this
section of the state. In attendance at the public schools of his native town
the years sped away rapidly until he was about fifteen, when he began
learning the blacksmith's trade, to which calling he has ever since devoted
himself. In 1882 he opened a shop upon his own account, making a specialty
of fine horse-shoeing. In 1886 he came to LaSalle, where he established
himself in business, his shop being at the corner of Joliet and Second
streets. This immediate region is noted for the splendid race and driving
horses which are raised here, and Mr. Kellenbach has been fortunate in
securing the business, or the major portion of it, of shoeing this fine
stock. In his line he is an acknowledged expert, and by his skill in fitting
the proper kind of shoes numerous defects of otherwise excellent horses are
permanently overcome.
For fourteen years Mr. Kellenbach has been actively connected with the fire
departments of Peru and LaSalle, seven years in each place, and for the past
two years has been the fire marshal of this city. Moreover, he is the
superintendent of the city electric-light plant, and in both of these
responsible positions is rendering the public effective service. He belongs
to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Royal Arcanum, and in politics
is a Democrat.
On the 7th of December, 1882, the marriage of Mr. Kellenbach and Miss Anna
Broemer, a daughter of George and Dora Broemer, was solemnized in Peru. Two
sons and two daughters have blessed their union, namely: Edwin, Lillian,
William and Anabelle. The family residence is pleasantly located at the
corner of Third and Joliet streets, Mr. Kellenbach having purchased the
property about two years ago.
Extracted 17 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 477-478.
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