Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 296-297; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Joseph Krischke, proprietor of a meat market in Canton, is one
of the prosperous business men of the city, and is prominent in its
public life. He was born in Austria, January 20, 1828, in the village
of Gropolbusdorf. He was second in a family of three children of Ignatz
and Regina Krischke. In 1833, by the death of his father, Joseph was
left an orphan. He lived among strangers eleven years, and from the age
of six years until he was eleven years old he attended the village
school. At that time he began working out for a butcher, serving with
him an apprenticeship of three years. After that he traveled as a
journeyman from 1846 to 1854, working in various places. In the month
of September, the latter year, he ambitiously resolved to try his
fortunes in a foreign country, and coming to the United States, landed
in New York City, and from there made his way to Chicago, where he
spent two weeks. When he landed in this country he was quite ignorant
of the English language, but he finally acquired a substantial
knowledge of it and uses it with fluency. From Chicago he went to
LaSalle, where he spent two years, and then we hear of him at Ft.
Madison, Iowa, where nine months of his life were passed. In the month
of October, 1857, he retraced his steps eastward as far as Canton, and
here he entered the employ of Frank Moyer, the proprietor of a meat
market. He was with him ten months, and acquired the knack of handling
meat to the best advantage and a thorough knowledge of the trade in all
its details.
Thus well equipped, Mr. Krischke embarked in the butchering
business on his own account, October 15, 1858, in a shop on the west
side of the square. He subsequently built his large brick store, and
occupies the rear of it, and has here a neat and well fitted up
establishment, and carries an extensive line of good meats of all
kinds. He is well patronized by the citizens of Canton, and has built
up a lucrative business. His building is two stories in height,
fronting south, and he rents all that part which he does not occupy. It
is in a good location, and his market is one of the principal ones of
the place.
Mr. Krischke was married in July, 1858, to Miss Mary Johnson, of
Canton. She is a native of Kentucky, born in Lewis County. Her father,
Shepherd Johnson, was an early settler of Fulton County, coming here in
1854. Mr. and Mrs. Krischke have eight children living, three boys and
five girls, whom they have named Frank, Charley, Edward, Alice, May,
Elizabeth, Stella and Maude.
Our subject's business capacity, energy and sound sense have
been duly recognized by his fellow-citizens as valuable traits in a
civic official, and they have often called him to offices of trust and
responsibility. In 1887 he was elected Mayor of Canton, and while in
that office he guarded the interests of the city with vigilance. He
served as Alderman several terms, and is a member of the present City
Council, representing the Third Ward. He belongs to Morning Star Lodge,
No.734, A. F. & A. M., also to Canton Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M.,
and to Canton Council, No. 23. In politics, he is rather conservative
as to National and State matters, giving his support, however, to the
Democratic party, and he has often served as delegate to county
conventions. He began life with limited means, but by industry, thrift
and tact has acquired a handsome property. His residence at No. 208,
Lewistown Street, is one of the pleasant homes of Canton.
