Professor Aegidius Joseph Lenzen is the well known music dealer and able
instructor in vocal and instrumental music, located at No. 1917 Fourth
street, Peru, LaSalle county, Illinois. He is a native of the beautiful
Rhine country, having first seen the light of day in Linz, Germany, May 31,
1846. He was one of seven children, four of whom are living, born to John C.
and Anna Barbara (Nelles) Lenzen. These children are; Aegidius Joseph, our
subject; Theressa, wife of Robert Mossbach; Aloysius C. and Henry. The
'father was a cooper by vocation and plied his trade in his native country,
having learned it of his father, Henry Lenzen, who was also a cooper and
died in Linz in 1802, leaving four sons and one daughter. He was married to
Anna B. Nelles, whose father was born on the opposite side of the Rhine, in
France, and fought in the battle of Waterloo and was a private under the
great Napoleon. Although he resided in the town of Koenigsfeldt, he owned
considerable land and was well off. In 1857, John C. Lenzen came with his
family to America and located in Peru, where he worked at his trade. In 1888
the wife and mother died, aged about sixty-two years. The following year he
returned to the fatherland, where he died in 1895, at the age of seventy-one
years. Both were members of the Catholic church and esteemed by every one
who knew them.
Professor Lenzen was a lad of eleven years when the
family sought a home in this country. His primary education was received in
the schools of Germany, noted for their excellence. After coming here he
attended the public schools of Peru and later took private instructions
under Professor Rheinhart. He first learned the cooper's trade, working at
it until he was twenty-one. In 1869 he went with his parents on a farm and
followed the life of an agriculturist for eight years more. This work,
however, was not congenial to his taste and he returned to town and turned
his attention to music, for which he was peculiarly adapted. He taught voice
culture and also gave instruction on the cornet and all kinds of
instruments, making a specialty of bands. He also furnishes musical supplies
and instruments to those wishing to purchase, and carries a nice line of
these goods.
He was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Kilduff, who
has borne him six children — four sons and two daughters. These are Anna
Lucile, Liszt Joseph, Verdi, Kent Anthony, Helen Teresa and Aloysius. The
professor and his wife are members of the Catholic church, and he is a
Republican politically. He has lived in Peru since 1857, or in the vicinity,
and has made many friends here. Three years ago he purchased the pleasant
home which he now occupies and where the casual visitor is sure of spending
a delightful hour.
Extracted 18 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 517-518.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
