MARTIN DRENDEL FAMILY

Martin Drendel, the eldest son of Xavier II and Elizabeth Drendel, was born May 30, 1857. At the age of 29, Martin married Louisa Bapst (daughter of Anton and Caroline Bapst) on June 1, 1886 at SS Peter and Paul Church, Naperville. They first lived on North Aurora Road, west of Route 59 on the Simpson farm, for six years where children Myron (1887-1890), Laura (1888-1977), and Oscar (1890-1941) were born. The next farm was on Chicago Avenue this acreage was Sleight Street to the East Side of the present Naperville Country Club and the Burlington railroad tracks to Chicago Avenue. The house at 721 E. Chicago Avenue is still standing. The family lived here for eleven years and during this time four more children were born. These being: Ralph, Leo, Julian, and Paul.

In 1903 the family moved to Knickerbocker farm on Washington Street, across the street from the present Edward Hospital. Martin bought the 140 acres in 1906 for $21,000. He had dairy cows from which the mil was sold to customers in town from a two-horse drawn wagon, driven by sons Ralph and Paul. On January 2, 1917 Martin died and his widow moved to the house she purchased at 118 N. Washington Street in town. Ralph worked the farm while his four brothers were in the Army. The farm was sold in 1920 to Fred Meisinger.
Oscar was an electrician and died in February 1941, and mother Louisa passed away on July 12 the same year.

Laura married Paul Meier of North Dakota on January 14, 1938 and they lived in Naperville until 1946 when they moved to a small farm in Green Forest, Arkansas. Paul died and is buries in Berry ville, Arkansas. Laura died August 28, 1977 and is laid to rest beside her husband.

The Ralph Drendel family history is recorded separately. Leo married Frances Earnest of Chicago in 1924 they lived in that city until 1946 when they moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His trade was carpentry until his death July 12, 1969 with burial in Florida. His widow Earnie moved back to Chicago in 1981. There were no children from Laura or Leo’s marriages.

Julian is 87 and resides in Naperville. After his stint in the army, he worked for a time at Kroehler’s Manufacturing Co. In 1928 he went to New York where he was caddie master and starter for five golf courses until 1936. At that time he returned to Naperville and was again employed at Kroehlers, retiring after 26 years.

They were blessed with five children: Mary lives in Naperville. Dolores is married to James Ebbesen of DeKalb and they live in that city. They had five children. Their son Michael and his wife Shirley of Worner Rovvins, Georgia have two sons, Chris and Thomas, and reside in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Daughter Kim died on June 24, 1966. Laurie and Vic Koeing live in Seattle, Washington. Mary and Jim Davis are residents of Wheaten. Jeff lives in DeKalb. Ruth and Wilbert Hageman live in Naperville and have four children. Their history is included with the Hageman family. Marjorie died suddenly on November 25, 1948 at the age of 18 John and wife Martha have three children: Renee, Denise and John, and they are residents of Naperville.

 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z