Among those who have literally, as well as figuratively, assisted in the building of Peru, the Schweickerts, father and sons, have played a very important part. Their work is noted for thoroughness, reliability and durability, and throughout all this section of LaSalle county examples of their handiwork may be seen.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Peru, his birth having occurred April 3, 1866. The history of his parents, Vincent and Maria Schweickert, esteemed citizens of this place, appears elsewhere in this volume. The boyhood days of our subject passed uneventfully, his time being divided between attending the public or parochial schools and the accustomed recreations in which lads delight. When he was in his fifteenth year he entered the employ of a farmer, and continued to give his attention to agriculture for four or five years.
Having no special taste for farming, young Schweickert next began learning the stone-mason's trade, which his father had followed before him, and within a short period he became regularly engaged in business with his brothers Charles and Henry and his father. At present he is associated with Charles A., Henry E., Francis Xavier, and Bertram Schweickert, and his brother-in-law, Frank Ellerbrock, under the firm name of Schweickert Brothers & Company. They execute contracts for foundations for buildings and bridges, stone and brick work in general, plastering and for other work in similar lines.
In the various fraternities, our subject is identified with the International Bricklayers & Masons' Union, of America, and with the Coal Miners' Union; is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. In his political belief he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party.
September 24, 1889, in Springfield, Illinois, Mr. Schweickert married Miss Mary Magdalene, daughter of Peter and Christina (Schmidt) Morhauser, all natives of Germany, but since 1883 residents of the United States. For some years past the parents have owned and carried on a farm in the vicinity of Springfield. Of the five children born to our subject and his amiable wife, one, the youngest, Jacob, died when but eight months old, and those who survive are named respectively Magdalene, Bertram, Frank and Margaret. The family reside in a pretty, modern brick house, built by Mr. Schweickert the year of his marriage. It is situated in one of the best residence sections of the city, at the corner of Pike and Ninth streets. In their religious creed, both our subject and wife are Catholics, as were their fathers before them.
Extracted 26 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 2, pages 462-463.
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