It requires considerable personal courage and strong resolution to sever
the ties which bind one to home, friends, kindred and native land and seek a
home in a foreign country, where the language is unknown, where manners and
customs are strange and where the future is uncertain, but John C. Brockman
took the risk incident to such a course, nor has he been disappointed in the
hope which led him to 'eave Germany and come to the United States, a young
man of eighteen years at the time of his arrival, possessing no capital save
a willingness to work and a strong determination to succeed, which he has
admirably done, as we shall see by the study of the following paragraphs,
which will show the ease with which thrifty Germans come to this country,
achieving such financial success that it is astonishing to most Americans.
It need not, however, be wondered at. The German is more industrious and
less extravagant than the average American, for he realizes the value of
money and hoards his earnings. He knows its power and ability to earn other
money for him in the way of interest. The average American is much more a
success at spending money than he is at getting or saving it. The record of
Mr. Brockman is not only one of industry but also of honor.
John C.
Brockman, now living in retirement at Olney, Richland county, Illinois, was
born in Hanover, Germany, January 31, 1830, the son of Peter and Anna
(Gieschen) Brockman, also natives of Germany, where they died; the former
was a carpenter and farmer. Our subject remained in his native country until
he reached maturity and received a common school education. He came to the
United States in 1848, believing that better opportunities existed here than
in the Fatherland for a man of his ambition. He first located in St. Louis,
Missouri, where he secured work in a drug store, remaining in the same for a
few years and giving his employer entire satisfaction. He was without money
when he landed there, but soon got a start through his industry and economy.
Later he managed a confectionery store for a time. In January, 1857, he
located in Newton. Jasper county. Illinois, and in 1861, in company with
Walter Patrick, raised a company for the Union army, our subject being loyal
to the stars and stripes and espousing the national cause, giving vent to
his patriotism in a most laudable manner. This company became Company K, of
the Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he and Patrick became
partners as sutlers of the regiment. Later the subject sold his interest and
returned home. Then he joined David Scott in the sutler business of two
companies in the Hitchcock Battery, also at a later date had the sutlership
of the Eighth Kansas Regiment in which he continued until the close of the
war. In the meantime a friend of John C. Brockman had taken charge of the
treasurer's office and was later elected to succeed him. The friend made a
settlement at the expiration of the term of the subject while he was in the
army and everything proved satisfactory.
After the war Mr. Brockman
and his partner came to Olney in 1866, where the firm name of D. Scott &
Company, jobbers and retail grocers, produce, etc., was formed. They also
established a small stock of dry goods. They had a large business in a short
time which extended to remote parts of this locality. They shipped the first
carload of dressed poultry from Olney or Southern Illinois. Just after the
war was a time of high prices, and while they did a big business for a few
years it was usually on a falling market and not always successful, but it
brought much trade to Olney and helped immeasurably to build up the town.
The partnership of this firm was dissolved in 1887, and the business closed
out. The subject then operated a cafe and eating house which he successfully
conducted for a number of years. His restaurant was popular and he fed large
numbers continuously.
Mr. Brockman owns a fine business property on
Main street and also a beautiful residence property, having retired from
active business a few years ago, being one of the oldest business men in
town.
Our subject's domestic life began in 1854, when he was united
in matrimony with Mrs. Johanna Greninger, widow of John Greninger, and who
had two children, Mary and William. She is a native of Switzerland, who came
to the United States with her parents in 1845, locating in St. Louis,
Missouri. Mrs. Brockman has been a faithful helpmeet. Five children have
blessed their home, namely: Anna, Caroline, Louisa, Agnes, John F. They have
received educations and all give promise of happy futures.
Mr. and
Mrs. Brockman and their children are adherents to the Catholic faith, and
faithful attendants of this church.
Mr. Brockman very ably and
creditably served as County Supervisor for one term, during the time when
the county was sued for two hundred thousand dollars in railroad bonds.
The splendid success our subject has won in life is due entirely to his
own efforts. There are few men who begun in a humble way as he did when
coming to this country, who can show as much for their time and talents as
he can. It is all attributable to the splendid qualities of head and heart
of which he is the possessor and which he has so judiciously exercised.
Extracted 21 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 498-500.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
