Anton Kellenbach, who was for many years one of Peru's influential
business men, and is now living practically retired, is a native of Germany,
his birth having occurred in Prussia, August 15, 1820. He is a son of Anton
and Katherine (Schwartz) Kellenbach, and is the only survivor of the family,
in which there were ten brothers and sisters. The father was a farmer by
occupation, and but little is remembered of him by our subject, who was but
four years of age at the time of the death of his senior. The wife and
mother died when she was about seventy-five years of age. Both were
Catholics in their religious faith.
In his youth our subject was a student in the common schools of his native
land, and later he learned the stone-mason's trade. In 1854 he sailed for
America, where he believed that greater opportunities for advancement
awaited him, and since that year he has made his home in Peru. For a quarter
of a century he was in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company,
engaged in the construction of bridges. Then for several years he was
variously employed, and for about three years past has taken charge of the
stables of the Union Star Brewing Company, of Peru. As a citizen his record
has been exemplary, and he has been actively interested in the promotion of
whatever he believed to be of permanent benefit to this community. In his
political attitude he is a stanch Republican.
The marriage of Mr. Kellenbach and Miss Margaret Birkenbeuel was solemnized
February 18, 1849, in Prussia. She is a daughter of Peter William and Anna
Fay (Heinmann) Birkenbeuel. Ten children were born to our subject and wife —
seven sons and three daughters — namely: William, Peter, Henry, Albert,
William E., Henry, Lena, Emma, and two others. Only three of the number are
now living, — Lena, William E. and Henry. Lena became the wife of H. M.
Gallagher, who was a prominent citizen of Peru, and whose death occurred
some eleven years ago. They became the parents of three children, — Kate
Murray, Harry Milton and William Hamilton. William E. Kellenbach is
represented in the next article. He is a leading citizen of La Salle, is
married and has four children, — Eddie, Lillie, Anabelle and Willie. Henry
Kellenbach also is married, and has two children, — Henrietta and Margaret.
Extracted 17 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 476-477.
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