Biography - Frederick J. Stock, Jr.
FREDERICK J. STOCK, Jr., was born in Philadelphia on the 20th of November, 1810. His father, Frederick Stock, Sr., was a native of the same city. He was a college-bred man, and was registered on the list of voters as "gentleman." When quite young he was married to Miss Mary Bastian, daughter of George Bastian, Esq., a well-to-do farmer residing near Philadelphia. Seven children were the result of this marriage, of whom our subject was the fourth in point of age. He was born in Philadelphia as above stated. His advantages for education were excellent, as the schools of the city fitted the pupil for any and all professions. He remained at home till seventeen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to Wm. M. Greene, a carpenter and joiner. He studied the trade in all its details, and when, on arriving at age, and Mr. G. handed him his indentures, he was pronounced an adept. He remained with Mr. G. about eighteen months, and then removed to Michigan, working at his trade in Detroit and vicinity. After three years sojourn in that state he returned to Philadelphia. He was married to Miss Christiana Kahler, daughter of Anthony Kahler, a gentleman of means and an old resident of the "Quaker City." He then engaged in business for himself, and soon met with plenty of contracts that proved very lucrative. For two years he acted as city carpenter, and had charge of all the building and repairs of the immense Girard estate. In 1857 he removed to Alton, Ill., where his skill soon became known. In 1859 he removed to Greenfield, and since that date has built many elegant residences and business blocks. As a faithful contractor, he has gained a reputation second to none in this section. Mr. Stocks' three sons have learned the same trade that their father did, and under his own immediate supervision. They are associated with him under the style of F. J. Stock & Sons. Mr. Stocks intends abandoning all outside labor and contracting, but he still advises his sons and partners and aids in arranging plans, specifications, etc. He is now in his sixty-second year, but is yet able to attend to business as well as ever. Naturally energetic his mind ever recurs to business, and he is busy most of the time in attending to the contracting portion of the trade.
Extracted 07 Sep 2018 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 46.
