PETER HOMMELSHEIM, Superintendent of the Hanover Woolen Mills, holds a responsible post, and seems fully qualified for the duties of the position. He was born in Aachem, in the Prussian Province of Germany, Jan. 28, 1846, and is the son of Frank and Catherine (Schmidt) Hommelsheim, who were also natives of Prussia, and of pure German stock. He received his preliminary education in the common schools of his native province, and when fourteen years old entered college, where he pursued his studies a period of four years. He then began an apprenticeship in various departments of clothmaking, and served at the business four years, becoming an expert. Later he attended a weaving school one and one-half years, which enabled him to finish his work in the highest style of the art.

Mr. Hommelsheim began work as a journeyman at his trade in his native city, Aix-la-Chapelle, (Aachen, the German) and soon secured the position of designer of styles in fancy cassimeres (sic), and in due time became a director in a large manufactory, which position he held until resigning in order to cross the Atlantic. He embarked at Antwerp, in June, 1870, thence proceeded to Liverpool, and there boarded a steamer bound for the United States, landing after a voyage of ten days in New York City. His first employment in this country was in the woolen mills at Glenham, N. Y., near Fishkill Landing, where he remained about six months, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the workings of American machinery, and also to obtain a knowledge of the English language, so that he might again assume the position of superintendent of the woolen mills one and one-half years, then accepted a position with a large wholesale commission house in New York City. In due time he became connected with the cloth department, and was thus occupied three and one-half years. At the expiration of this time he repaired to Beacon Falls, Conn., and was a designer in the Home woolen mills two years. Subsequently for eight years he was Superintendent of the mills. Thence he changed the scene of his operations to Schagticoke, N. Y., where he was located until setting out for the West.

In the fall of 1886 Mr. Hommelsheim was established in his present position. The Hanover woolen mills gives employment to about 150 hands, and, besides superintending its operations, he does all the designing. He seems peculiarly adapted to this department of industry, and is an excellent judge of fine work in this line. The company has great confidence in him, and he is a general favorite among his associates.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was married April 23, 1876, was formerly Miss Wilhelmina Wiessner, and the wedding was celebrated at the bride’s home, in Beacon Falls, Conn. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, six of whom are living, namely: Fanny, Frank, Ethel, Amelia, Gertrude, and Carl. They have a pleasant home in the eastern part of town, and enjoy the society of its best people. Mr. Hommelsheim, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and socially, is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Hanover. A gentleman in all his habits and instincts Mr. Hommelsheim is one of the finest representatives of the native-born German and the naturalized American. He has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country, and is looked upon by the people of his community as one deserving of their highest regard.

Contributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889) Pg 516