Mathais Gollobicht

GOLLOBICHT, GOLLOBIT, MAIERLY, PENTER

Posted By: John Schulte (email)
Date: 12/9/2023 at 11:55:24

Mathias Gollobicht. The subject of this biography, who is a merchant at Riggs’ Station was born in Austria January 5th, 1848. His father, Steven Gollobicht, was also a native of Austria, who owned a small farm, and was a weaver by trade. He followed his trade until the date of his demise, in 1885. Mathias was the eldest of nine children, and assisted on the farm, attending school at intervals until he was 16 years of age. He learned his father's trade and followed it until 1866, when he set sail from Bremen to New York, landing on the 24th day of November.
He went directly to Chicago, but being without money and finding nothing to do there, went to Grand Haven, Michigan and took a situation at wood chopping. He worked for this at this for five weeks, and after paying his room his board had only eighty-five cents and his axes left. He then sold the latter and part of his clothing and raised money to pay his way to Milwaukee. He was again unfortunate, failing to find a situation. Subsequently, however, he received assistance from an uncle at Lyons, who sent him $35. With this he paid his board and went on to Lyons intending to work at that place. By some mismanagement or mistake of the railroad agent, the ticket sent him to Dunleith, where he landed without money and had to walk from there to Scales Mound, where he wrote to his uncle. He worked at Scales Mound for ten days, then took the cars back to Galena and from there went on foot to Bellevue, Iowa, from which place he went to Sugar Grove, in Waterford Township, and obtained work for a year on a farm with Henry Arkenberg. He then started on foot as a pack peddler, carrying notions. In about a year and half he was enabled to buy a horse and wagon, after which he added dry goods to his original stock, but in about six months his wagon caught fire and his goods were destroyed. He then sold out and made a trip to Kansas and Nebraska, returning in two months. He next rented a farm where he was employed until 1873, when he came to Riggs’ Station and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was also appointed postmaster there in 1874, and has held that office ever since.
He was married, in 1870, to Mary Maierly. She was born in Austria and came to America when quite young. She came to Clinton County in girlhood, and was reared in this section; she died January 19, 1882. She was the mother of four children now living—Annie, Mathia, May and Johnnie. Katie died in infancy. Mr. Gollibicht was again married, January 16, 1883, the lady of his choice being May A. Pinter. She was born in Berlin Township, Clinton County, of German parentage, and has one child--Rose S. Our subject and wife are members of the Deep Creek Church. He is Democratic and politics, and is highly in esteemed and respected as a good neighbor and a worthy citizen.

Gollobits in Sugar Creek
 

Clinton Biographies maintained by John Schulte.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen