HENRY RANG FICKENSCHER GROMETER HOFFEKER KEHM KEMERLE KING MUCHLER Henry RANG, the efficent superintendent of streets of Aurora, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 3, 1838. His father, Adam RANG, and his mother, Margaret HOFFEKER RANG, were also natives of Germany, were there married, and there the father died in 1844 when about 48 yrs of age. He was a potter by trade, and ran a pottery in Bavaria. A progressive and enterprising man, and a good and worthy citizen, he was honored with several local offices. They were the parents of 7 children. In 1852, two of the children, Fred and Minnie, came to the United States and located in Aurora. They were so favorably impressed with the country that the remainder of the family determined to come and on the 10th of March, 1853, our subject and his sister, Margaret, set sail for America. They were on the ocean 56 days and had a good time, good treatment, plenty to eat, and plenty to see of seastorms, sharks almost by the acre. While encountering some terrible storms, no accident occured. They landed in New York Saturday, May 21, 1853, and left the Monday evening following, and arrived in Aurora on Saturday. They came all the way by rail, except from Buffalo to Detroit. The same trip can now be made in 25 hours. The train ran slowly, stopped at about ever station, and from Detroit to Chicago required an entire day. In the fall of 1853, the mother and the other children came to America, and joined the others in Aurora. A few weeks after their arrival Barbara age 10 yrs, and Christina, aged 27, died from fever. This was a very sad event, and was a hard blow to the mother, coming so soon after their arrival here. Of the other children, William now resides in Aurora, Fred, who for many years was a shoe mercant in Aurora, died in 1890; Henry is the subject of this sketch; Margaret is now the wife of John GROMETER, of Aurora; Minnei married Fred KEHM, a wagon maker by trade, who removed to Chicago, where his death occured May 1894, she surviving him, dying Nov. 1895, when about 65 yrs of age. The mother died in Aurora in July, 1868, when 66 yrs of age. Henry Rang recieved his education in the schools of Bayerberg, Bavaria, where he completed a course. On his arrival in Aurora, he worked four weeks on a farm near the city, and on the 4th of July, 1853, began working for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad co., carrying water, running errands,and doing such work as a boy of 15 could do. The road at that time was in the process of construction,and he continued to be thus employed until it was finished to Mendota. In the winter of 53-4, he was umemployed on account of sickness, but in the spring began working on the railroad again, continuing until Sept. He then found employment in a dry goods store as a clerk, where he remained a year and a half. Believing it essential that he have a trade, he engaged with a carpenter and served three yrs. He them worked three yrs in the bridge department of the railroad co., and from 1866 to 1891, he was in the building dept. becoming quite proficient and a valuable man., During the yrs that had passed he mingled more or less in society, and served his city as alderman for some time, and thus familiarized himself with the needs of the city. On leaving the railroad company in 1891, he was appointed by Mayor Fisher superintendent of streets of Aurora, which position he still holds. He has rendered a very efficient service, as is evinced by the time he has thus been employed. On the 28th of June, 1858, he married Miss Margaret MUCHLER. By this union are 6 children as follows, Maggie, now the wife of W.C.FICKENSCHER, is the mother of 4 children, Metha, Paul, Arthur and Hugo, the latter being twins, and the family resides in Buffalo, NY where Mr FICHENSCHER is employed in the parochial school; Henry, who died at the age of 10 months; Carl H. married Josie KING, by whom he has one son, Carl Jr., and they reside in Rockford, Illinois; August, who died at the age of 2 1/2 yrs; Bertha and Pauline, at home. The mother died Jan. 28, 1891, at the age of 56 yrs. She was a member of the Lutheran church, a devout Christian, a good mother and did much to make a happy home. Mr. Rang's second wife was Mrs. Catherine KEMERLE, native of Germany and the widow of Christian KEMERLE. Their marriage was celebrated Nov. 5, 1896. Both Mr. and Mrs. RANG are members of the Lutheran church, in which he has held the office of trustee since 1862, with the exception of one or two yrs. He is now the treasurer of the church. Politically he is independent, giviing more attention to the man to fill the office than the party to which he belongs. He is a good citizen, true to the best interests of the community, and represents the progressive element of the German population of Aurora. The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Ill. 1898, Chicago S.J.Clarke publishing page 346 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.