Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1206:
ERMANN, Anton - No man who spends his days working in the mines can stay in active life as long as one whose energies are better conserved. Laboring beneath the earth's surface, these sturdy miners give to their work the best of their beings and finally retire to spend the rest of their years in the comfort they have so faithfully earned. One of those who is an excellent example of the best class of mining people, is Anton Ermann, of No. 1734 East Carpenter Street, Springfield. He was born in Gratz, Austria, January 17, 1852, a son of Joseph and Anna Ermann, both of Austria. The father was a farmer, who operated a big estate in Austria, and there he and his wife lived until their respective deaths. There were six children in the family, represented in Springfield by Anton and Joseph, the latter being still engaged in mining.
Anton Ermann was educated in Austria, and during his boyhood he learned the trade of a baker, following this until he came to America. He was in the Austrian Army for twelve years, being a member of the Hunters' Regiment, which had charge of the preservation of the forests. He was also engaged in bridge building, but never abandoned his trade. On April 4, 1891, he set sail for America, from Bremen, arriving in New York City, from whence he came to Chicago, but after a short stay, went to Green Bay, Wis. There he worked as a forester, but soon went into the iron mines in northern Michigan. He traveled through sixteen different States, engaging in mining, before coming to Pana, Ill., where he arrived in 1902. After sixteen months there he came to Springfield, and mined until December 1, 1905, when he retired.
On February 10, 1883, he was married in Hungary, to Mary Retter, born in that country, July 10, 1863, a daughter of Frank and Josephine (Leinstein) Retter, both of Hungary. The grandfather was a German, but went to Hungary as a teamster. Later he moved to the portion of Hungary in which Mrs. Ermann was born, making the trip with oxen, a distance of 800 miles. These parents never came to America. They had a remarkable family, there being fifteen children among whom were four pairs of twins, and four survive: Mrs. Ermann; Stephen of Sigimund, Hungary; Mrs. Christina Soupuch of Lugash, Hungary, and Mrs. Agnes Babiak of Berlin, Germany.
Six children have been born to Mr. And Mrs. Ermann, four of whom are now living: Amelia, wife of Albert Babiak of Milwaukee, a machinist; Josephine, John and Paul, at home. In 1904, Mrs. Ermann attended the Chicago College of Midwifery, from which she was graduated July 18, 1904. For eighteen years, prior to coming to America, she practiced her profession in Europe, and since coming to Springfield, she has built up a large practice. Since locating in this city she has been called upon in 530 cases of child birth, and has never lost a patient, a most remarkable record. Mr. Ermann is a Roman Catholic, belonging to SS. Peter and Paul Church, and to the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is a Democrat in political faith. The pleasant home at No. 1734 East Carpenter, is owned by Mr. Ermann, in addition to other property, for he is in comfortable circumstances.