August Quante

Transcribed by Debbie Woolard
Taken from "The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties"
Published in 1893 by Chicago Biographical Publishing Co.

August Quante, Mayor of the city of Metropolis, Massac County, and one of the leading business men of the place, is a son of Frederick Quante, a native of Germany. The latter was a very successful man in his native country, and a man of considerable property and influence. As his boys were attaining majority, he sent the eldest ones to the United States, because he did not want them to serve in the army. They sent home such glowing accounts of the opportunities furnished by this country to men who desired to make something of life, that the rest of the family concluded to emigrate from their native land. While he was himself well enough off in the Old Country, yet on account of his children, he made the movement just mentioned. He took passage with the rest of his family in 1846, on a sailing-vessel, and after a long and tedious voyage of six months, during which they experienced all kinds of storms and calms, being driven back by the one and delayed by the other, they arrived in New Orleans. They remained there about four years, and then came to Illinois, settling in Massac County, on what is known as the Ledbetter farm. At that time, this farm was unimproved, with the exception of three acres of clearing. He made of it a good farm, and lived upon it about seven years, when he sold it and removed to Princeton, Ind., where he lived three years. He then removed to Metropolis in 1859, built a residence there, and resided until his death, which occured November 16, 1860. He was married in Germany to Sophia Wedking, a native of that country. She was a loving helpful and cheerful companion, and survived him until October 3, 1877. To their marriage there were seven children, William, Fred and William, all deceased; Jestina, wife of Henry Schutte of Metropolis; John, deceased; and Hiram and August, partners in business at Metropolis.

Our subject, the youngest of the family, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 29, 1841, and was thus five years old when brought by his parents to this country. He obtained a fair education in the schools in Princeton, Ind., and at the early age of thirteen began life on his own account, and made a living for himself. He possessed what was better than money, a level head and willing hands. His first place was in an hotel at Metropolis, at $6 per month, and here he remained two years. He then took a position on a steamboat as cabin boy, lamp trimmer, etc. His desire was then to become a pilot on the rivers, and he would in all probability have succeeded in this, but for the opposition of his mother, who was opposed to his following steamboating in any capacity. So after four years spent on the boat, during which time he faithfully performed his duties, he left the river and engaged in a store with Morris Cann, a general merchant at Metropolis, and for his services received $200 per year. He remained thus engaged until 1859, learning the business thoroughly, and the knowledge thus obtained has been of inestimable value to him in his after career. During all the years that were thus spent, he saved his money, and in March 1860, in company with his brother Hiram, opened a grocery at Metropolis.

Commencing in a small way and with but little capital, the two brothers have since continued in business in Metropolis, and are now the oldest firm in business here. In addition to their other business, they own and run the Riverside Flouring Mill, and have stock in the National Bank, and also in a number of the manufacturing enterprises of the town. Mr. Quante is thus one of the most successful business men of the place, and has attained to his present position and property by his own unaided efforts. He was married in 1864 to Hannah Foreman, a native of Europe, whose mother is dead, but whose father lives in Massac County. Mr. and Mrs. Quante have had three children, viz: Addie, wife of Walter McCalley, a miller of Metropolis; Millie and Hiram H., both at home. Politically Mr. Quante is a Republican; fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, and religiously a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a man of strong will and of superior business qualifications, and has always been successful. He is one of the prominent men of this part of the State, and is well known and popular with all who know him.

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