WILLIAM KOENIG, dealer in and manufacturer of fine furniture, has been established in business at Freeport since the spring of 1876. He is noted for his enterprise and energy, and possesses a worthy ambition to excel, and judging from the position which he holds in the community and the extent of his business transactions, it would appear that he has met with more than ordinary success. In addition to household furniture of every description, he also conducts a large undertaking business, and keeps constantly on hand a splendid assortment of everything pertaining thereto. His well-known integrity and his popularity as a business man and a citizen, are proverbial, and few men in Freeport occupy a more prominent or enviable position.

Our subject is a native of Erie, Pa., where his birth took place May 12, 1853. He is consequently in the prime of life - on the sunny side of forty - and in the midst of a career which promises greater things for the future. His parents removed from Pennsylvania soon after his birth, and coming to this county, remained until the following spring, when they went to Ogle County, remained two years and in 1856 located in Freeport, where the father is still living. The latter, Joseph Koenig, was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed until 1880, then retired from active business and is now spending his declining years in ease and comfort. The parental household included seven children, six now living, and of whom William of our sketch was the eldest. He was educated in the city schools of Freeport and commenced his apprenticeship at the cabinet trade when sixteen years old, in the factory of Darius Kuehner, of Freeport, with whom he remained three years and four months. He was next employed by J. B. Snyder, now deceased, with whom he remained five years. Upon starting for himself young Koenig formed a partnership which, however, was of short duration, as he soon purchased the entire business and has since controlled it. He commenced in a small way with limited means, and subsequently took in Mr. David Kent. They operated together until 1880, when Mr. Koenig again purchased the interest of his partner, and has since continued alone. He carries a large and well-selected stock, which occupies a building 20x116 feet in area, and in height four stories with basement. He likewise occupies two upper floors of the adjoining building. Aside from this business he is also interested in the manufacture of buggy and spring-wagon bodies, in company with Peter Bixler, under the firm name of Koenig & Bixler. These are shipped to Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana. In his furniture and undertaking business he gives employment to six hands, and in the other manufactory from six to fifteen.

Mr. Koenig was married in Lena, April 6, 1882, to Miss Carrie Metz, a native of Wisconsin. They have a son, Robert Franklin, born April 16, 1884, and a daughter, Cora May, born July 26, 1887. They occupy a snug home on Stephenson street, and enjoy the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. Both our subject and his estimable lady are members of the Evangelical Church. Socially, Mr. Koenig belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and the I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs in the latter order.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 371