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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Joseph KRISCHKE 

Pages 296-297, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: JOHNSON, KRISCHKE, MOYER] 

    
JOSEPH KRISCHKE, proprietor of a meat market in Canton, is one of the prosperous business men of the city, and is prominent in its public life. He was born in Austria, January 20, 1828, in the village of Gropolbusdorf. He was second in a family of three children of Ignatz and Regina Krischke. In 1833, by the death of his father, Joseph was left an orphan. He lived among strangers eleven years, and from the age of six years until he was eleven years old he attended the village school. At that time he began working out for a butcher, serving with him an apprenticeship of three years. After that he traveled as a journeyman from 1846 to 1854, working in various places. In the month of September, the latter year, he ambitiously resolved to try his fortunes in a foreign country, and coming to the United States, landed in New York City, and from there made his way to Chicago, where he spent two weeks. When he landed in this country he was quite ignorant of the English language, but he finally acquired a substantial knowledge of it and uses it with fluency. From Chicago he went to LaSalle, where he spent two years, and then we hear of him at Ft. Madison, Iowa, where nine months of his life were passed. In the month of October, 1857, he retraced his steps eastward as far as Canton, and here he entered the employ of Frank Moyer, the proprietor of a meat market. He was with him ten months, and acquired the knack of handling meat to the best advantage and a thorough knowedge of the trade in all its details. 
    
Thus well equipped, Mr. Krischke embarked in the butchering business on his own account, October 15, 1858, in a shop on the west side of the square. He subsequently built his large brick store, and occupies the rear of it, and has here a neat and well fitted up establishment, and carries an extensive line of good meats of all kinds. He is well patronized by the citizens of Canton, and has built up a lucrative business. His building is two stories in height, fronting south, and he rents all that part which he does not occupy. It is in a good location, and his market is one of the principal ones of the place. 
    Mr. Krischke was married in July, 1858, to Miss Mary Johnson, of Canton. She is a native of Kentucky, born in Lewis County. Her father, Shepherd Johnson, was an early settler of Fulton County, coming here in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Krischke have eight children living, three boys and five girls, whom they have named Frank, Charley, Edward, Alice, May, Elizabeth, Stella and Maude. 
    
Our subject's business capacity, energy and sound sense have been duly recognized by his fellow-citizens as valuable traits in a civic official, and they have often called him to offices of trust and responsibility. In 1887 he was elected Mayor of Canton, and while in that office he guarded the interests of the city with vigilance. He served as Alderman several terms, and is a member of the present City Council, representing the Third Ward. He belongs to Morning Star Lodge, No. 734, A. F. & A. M., also to Canton Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M., and to Canton Council, No. 23. In politics, he is rather conservative as to National and State matters, giving his support, however, to the Democratic party, and he has often served as delgate to county conventions. He began life with limited means, but by industry, thrift and tact has acquired a handsome property. His residence at No. 208, Lewistown Street, is one of the pleasant homes of Canton.