1886 Portraits Biogrphical History of Clinton County
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.
Record supplied by Central Community Historical Society in Dewitt.