Fred B. Bock, the leading retail grocer of Girard, Illinois,
and one of the city's progressive and public-spirited business men, was born
in Girard, November 16, 1869, and is one of a family of four children born
to Henry and Bertha (Bajohr) Bock.
The late Henry Bock, father of
our subject, came to Illinois from Germany, when about 14 years of age. He
had his own way to make in the world, and the success which he attained and
the honor, and respect with which he was long regarded, are facts well known
in the city where he so long made his home. In addition to taking a very
prominent part in civic life, being again and again elected to public
office, he was honored as a survivor of the great Civil War, in which he
spent more than four years. He participated in a number of the most notable
battles of the war, suffered at Andersonville, and was spared to share the
triumphs of the grand review at Washington City. Until his death, Mr. Bock
was an interested member of Luke Mayfield Post, No. 516, G. A. R., where he
was valued and beloved. An extended sketch, including his military career,
will be found in another part of this volume.
Fred B. Bock was
educated in the common schools of Girard, and at the age of 12 years learned
the trade of cooper from his father. He worked 12 years as a coal miner and
spent two years with the Eureka Mercantile Company, and was connected for
one year with the firm of Dodson & Sheppard. Mr. Bock had then accumulated,
by his own efforts, a sufficient knowledge of the mercantile business to
enable him to embark in a grocery business, and he entered into a
partnership with Mr. Lindner, the firm name becoming Lindner & Bock. This
was succeeded by Bock & Gill, which continued until 1903. On January 1,
1904, Mr. Bock opened up a fine store in his own name, his goods including a
complete line of first-class groceries and table delicacies, and, in
addition, queensware and mining supplies. The value of his stock comes not
much under $3,500. His upright business methods and obliging manner,
combined with the superior quality of his goods, have brought him very
satisfying returns.
In 1893 Mr. Bock married Sophia Holland, who is
a daughter of Frank Holland, and they have two children, viz.: Cecil H.,
born in October, 1894, and Crystal, born in October, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Bock
are members of the Christian Church.
In politics, Mr. Bock is a
Democrat, and has served as town clerk, and for several years was town
collector. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Lodge No. 192, of
Girard, and he is also connected with its auxiliary, the Rebekah lodge. The
family has long been a prominent one in Girard.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, page 191.
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