USA > Illinois > Madison County > Madison > Anniversary: City Of Madison, Illinois 1891-1966, 75th > Part 8
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In September 1947, Leo married Esther Scher- berg of St. Louis. Avery married Betty Ann Sadler of Madison in August 1948. In October 1953 Stanley married Edith Bender of St. Louis.
Avery left the business to teach at St. Louis University from 1948 until 1951. During the Korean War, he worked as business consultant for the government in the Office of Economic Stabilization. In October 1952, he re-entered the grocery business, and the three brothers estab- lished the store policy of low prices and personal service which has proved so successful at Schermer Super Market.
In 1954, increased customer volume required physical expansion into the space previously occupied by the Perdue Furniture Company.
The store building was again completely de- stroyed by fire in April 1955. It was rebuilt and back in operation within five months.
In the fall of 1955, Mrs. Helen Schermer died.
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SCHERMER BROS
By 1959, continued growth forced the grocery to expand again, and it took over the space which had been occupied by the Garden Shop.
Between 1952 and 1964, Schermer Super Market established three "firsts." It was the first to inaugurate night shopping hours in Madison, first to provide change-maker cash registers, and first to install automatic coin dispensers.
The two daughters of Herman and Helen Schermer-Mrs. Sarah Poe of St. Louis, and Mrs. Etta Blum of San Francisco-are not active in the family business.
The colonial style Garden Shop was erected in 1965 on the site of Herman Schermer's orig- inal grocery store.
In August 1965, Stanley Schermer died sud- denly while on vacation.
Over the years many well-known residents of this area were employed at Schermer's and were helpful in establishing it as a successful business venture. Among the ex-employees in this cate- gory are the following:
Mr. Emil Ulanski Mr. Adolph Bernard Mr. Sam Hieken Mr. E. A. Friedman
Miss Katherine Durer (who married Dr. John E. Lee, Sr., former mayor of Venice, and became the mother of Dr. John E. Lee, Jr., the present mayor of Venice)
Miss Ella Durer
Mrs. Dora Ashley, her husband, Tony, and son, Chester
Mrs. Bernice Gushleff Mrs. Josephine Gushleff Mr. Charles Bridick Mr. John Bridick Mrs. Josephine Yurko
At this commemorative time, it is fitting that this history conclude with a tribute to the founder of the family enterprise.
A successful merchant, Herman Schermer was also a civic leader. His achievements were many. He served as a Trustee on the Village Board of the Village of Madison. He was founder and first president of the Madison Savings and Loan Association. He assisted in the organization and was a charter member of the Madison Rotary Club. His wife, Helen, helped organize the Madi- son Public Library, and one of its early homes was in quarters donated rent-free by Herman Schermer on the second floor of the building he owned at 5th and Madison Avenue, where E. A. Friedman's Furniture and Hardware Company is now located.
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MCKINLEY TOLL BRIDGE
The Mckinley Toll Bridge, formerly known as Mc- Kinley Bridge, was the third of the great bridges con- structed over the Mississippi River at St. Louis. Prior to its construction, only the Eads Bridge, completed in 1874, and the Merchants Bridge, completed in 1890, spanned the river at this City.
The bridge bears the name of the president of the St. Louis Electric Bridge Company, the Hon. William B. Mckinley of Illinois, which built the bridge. This company was incorporated under the laws of Illinois early in this century for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating a railroad wa gon, and foot- passenger bridge at St. Louis, Missouri, which purpose was approved by act of Congress on February 15, 1907. In St. Louis, the franchise authori zing the St. Louis Electric Terminal Railroad Company "to construct, op- erate and maintain a single or double track electric railway for the carriage of passengers, mail and ex- press matter, over, along and across certain desig- nated streets in the City of St. Louis" was approved on April 6, 1907 after delays apparently caused by op- position to permitting competition with terminals and railways already serving St. Louis, even though this railway was to be electric and not steam as were the others.
Construction of the bridge was begun on Novem- ber 15, 1907, and the bridge was officially opened to passenger traffic on November 10, 1910.
Dedication ceremonies were held at the exact center of the bridge at 3 minutes to 3 P.M. on November 10, 1910. Participating in the ceremonies were Governor Hadley of Missouri, Governor Deneen of Illinois, Mr. Mckinley and other officials. The bridge was blessed by Archbishop Glennon. A parade in which 500 people from Illinois marched, was later held in St. Louis.
In the evening there was an elaborate pyrotechnics display on a barge in the center of the River, said to
have been witnessed by fully 100,000 people. There were bonfires along the shores on both sides of the river. Later that evening, a banquet was held in the Planters Hotel.
The main river bridge is approximately 2,515 ft. long, and consists of 3 through truss spans 521 ft. and 253 ft. long, and 5 deck truss spans 150 to 250 ft. in length. The Venice approach consists of a steel trestle about 600 ft. long and earth embankment. The St. Louis approach consists of a steel trestle about 2,500 ft. long and a short earth embankment which con- tains the toll plaza. The main river bridge rests on 5 piers carried to rock, and 4 piers supported on wooden piles. The approach pedestals are supported on pi les and spread footings.
The bridge was acquired after 1923 by the Illinois Power and Light Corporation, which had been in cor- porated for the purpose of acquiring and unifying properties formerly owned by the Illinois Traction Company and the Southern Illinois Light and Power Company. In 1956 the Bridge was acquired by the Illinois Terminal Railroad Company who in 1958 in turn sold it to the City of Venice. The City undertook the work of repairing and improving the bridge, fi- nancing the cost of purchase and improvements by the sale of Bridge Revenue Bonds.
The cost of improvements to the Bridge under the original contracts was approximately $1,751,000.00, and there has been a continuing program of improve- ments since. Money in the amount of $80,000 each year is set aside for future improvements.
The Bridge, within a two year period should have connections to the new Federal Aid Route 151 (The Great River Road) and with the completion of the underpass at Broadway and Main Streets, the people of this area should have a clear direct route to St. Louis.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF MADISON ON THEIR 75th ANNIVERSARY
DISTRIBUTORS FOR
MONDAY'S MAID
COIN LAUNDRIES, Inc.
1689 - 2nd Street
Madison, Illinois
TRiangle 7-8439
ARTHUR (Bud) NIEDHARDT President
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MADISON ON THEIR 75th ANNIVERSARY
LET JAN-MAFRAS
Frank J. Fijan
Stephen Maeras
FIJAN - MAERAS AGENCY REAL ESTATE & INSURANCE
419 Madison Avenue
Madison, Illinois
Telephones: TR 7-1121 . GL 2-1127
On October 15, 1944, Frank J. Fijan and Stephen Maeras, bought out the Bruce Champion Agency at 419 Madison Avenue in Madison, Illinois and have since successfully operated the insurance and real estate business under the partnership of the Fijan-Maeras Agency. The partners later bought out the John L. Fechte Agency in Venice, Illinois and also the Henry Connole Agency in Madison and the Franklin Agency also of Madison.
At the time the partnership was formed, the office consisted of only one office employee, Jean Rossman who is still with the firm. From 1947 to 1952 Betty Gudac assisted with the
office work, replaced by Elsie Turski for about six years, but returned in 1959 and is presently a member of the office force.
Stephen Maeras, a partner in the firm has also been Mayor of the City of Madison for 24 years and prominent in political and civic affairs most of his life.
Frank J. Fijan, the other half of the partner- ship, has been associated with the banks in this area for many years and for the past 32 years has been associated with the First National Bank in Madison, Illinois in an official capacity.
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JOHNS - MANVILLE MADISON, ILLINOIS PLANT
The Madison Illinois Plant was acquired by Johns-Manville on May 1, 1961.
The plant produces Asphalt Roll Roofing, Asphalt Shingles and RTD Fiber Glass Shingles. The plant also warehouses Fiber Glass Insulation, Asbestos Sid- ing and Roofing Shingles, Asbestos Cement Board and Black Line products.
Shipments from the Madison Plant are made by trucks and rail cars to cus- tomers in the states of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Kansas.
The local plant is situated on 23.7 acres of land with approximately 250,000 square feet under roof.
During the year 1961, Johns-Manville added approximately 50,000 square feet of warehouse space to facilitate warehousing of the company's wide variety of building products and handling of a greater volume of customer orders.
The plant is equipped with steam generating boilers, stills for producing as- phalt and several asphalt storage tanks.
The Madison Plant currently employs 71 hourly and 17 salaried employees.
The local plant has an annual payroll of approximately $625,000 and makes annual expenditures of approximately $100,000 for telephone, gas, electricity and water.
In addition to the Madison Plant, there are 52 other Johns-Manville Plants in the United States, Canada and overseas. These plants produce a wide variety of industrial products in addition to building materials. In all, J-M manufactures and sells more than 100 major product lines.
Sales offices are maintained in principal cities of the United States, Canada and other parts of the world.
The company operates five mines-two asbestos mines in Canada, an asbes- tos mine at Coalinga, California, a major diatomite deposit at Lompoc, Cali- fornia and a perlite deposit at No Agua, New Mexico.
Johns-Manville Corporation headquarters are at New York. The company employs some 21,000 persons.
Johns-Manville has a Research and Development Center in Manville, New Jersey, the largest of its kind, where research is going on constantly to im- prove the present product line, as well as develop new products.
99.
HISTORY WAGNER SEVEN-UP BOTTLING CO.
204 State Street . Madison, Illinois
Mr. J. Fred Wagner started a soft drink business in Venice, Illinois in 1901 on lower Main Street. Bottles were washed in wooden tubs and the products bottled were a lemon, sarsaparilla and strawberry. Deliveries were made by horse drawn wagons. The territory served was the Quad-City area with a popu- lation of 15,000 people.
In 1903, the plant was moved to Granite City. In 1910 two more soft drinks were added-"Iron Brew" and "Orange Julep." Another horse drawn wagon was added.
The plant was moved to Sixth and Madison Avenue, Madison, Illinois in February 1915. The first delivery truck was purchased for deliveries to St. Louis, Missouri. A grape flavor drink was added to the line. At this time the Company was known as "Gay Ola Bottling Company."
In 1921, the plant was moved to its present location at 204 State Street and was known as the "Star Brewery Depot." "Chero Cola" replaced the Gay Ola drink. The first auto- matic filler was purchased.
In 1923, an orange drink known as "Howdy" replaced the other orange drink previously sold. A warehouse was opened in Edwards- ville to serve the towns of Hamel, Collinsville and Maryville.
"Nehi" products were bottled in 9 oz. bottles in 1926. These products sold for 75¢ a case plus a 50¢ a case deposit. The com- pany name was changed to Wagner Bottling Works.
The first complete automatic bottling line was installed in 1928.
In 1930 Seven-Up was added to the Nehi line of flavors.
A new building was added to the plant for bottling purposes in 1937. At this time Royal Crown Cola was added to the Nehi and Seven- Up line.
In 1938, the founder Mr. J. Fred Wagner passed away and left the responsibility to his only son, E. F. Wagner.
A building at 8th and Madison Avenue was purchased and remodeled for a bottling plant in 1941. In 1942 the 8th Street plant was used to bottle Seven-Up only, while the 2nd Street plant was used to bottle Royal Crown
Cola and Nehi flavors.
In 1946 the Nehi and Royal Crown Cola franchise was discontinued by the Wagner Bottling Works. The only soft drink bottled now was "Seven-Up." The Belleville territory was purchased in 1947 and then in 1948 addi- tional territory known as Centralia was pur- chased and consisted of five and one-half counties. With the purchase of this territory the Seven-Up franchise now covers a popu- lated area of 528,000 people.
In January 1962, the Wagner Bottling Works was incorporated as Wagner Seven-Up Bottling Co. At this time Seven-Up was the only product produced, with the only change being in bottle sizes that had been added.
On March 15, 1962 Mr. E. F. Wagner passed away. The management of the corpora- tion was passed on to his step-son, William L. Harris.
Although Seven-Up is the major product sold in 7 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz. and 28 oz. sizes. A dietetic product by the Seven-Up Com- pany-LIKE-was added to the line in Sep- tember 1964. Also the product is sold in Fountain Syrup and Pre-mix.
1901
Production rated at 15 cases per hour. Two to three employees.
Delivery equipment two horses and one wagon.
Sales about 12,000 cases.
Sales about 12,000 cases.
Territory-Venice, Madison, Granite City, Nameoki, Mitchell and Horseshoe Lake.
Population, 15,000 people.
1966
Production rated at 385 cases of 7 oz. Seven-Up per hour.
60 employees.
Delivery equipment-20 trucks.
Sales about 500,000 cases.
Territory-Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Cal- houn, Fayette, Bond, Marion, Clinton, Wash- ington and parts of Green, Macoupin and Montgomery counties.
Population 680,656 people.
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LYBARGER MATERIAL CO.
Granite City, III.
CHARLES A. LYBARGER
PLANT NO. 1 MAIN OFFICE 23rd & Monroe PLANT NO. 2 19th & Adams
The LYBARGER MATERIAL CO., headed by Chas. A. Lybarger has a most impressive and energetic developed background. The develop- ment of the company today is the result of the continuous efforts of the founder, Chas. A. Lybarger.
Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger was born in Chester, Illinois 1892 the son of Ella Henson Lybarger and Alexander Lybarger who with their family moved to North Venice, Illinois in 1898 and moved to Madison, Illinois in 1909. The Alex- ander Lybarger family consisted of three boys and two girls, Chas. A. Lybarger, Geo. H. Ly- barger, Woodrow W. Lybarger, Mrs. Jack (Clova) Taylor and Mrs. Wm. (Lena) Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Lybarger, Mrs. Wm. Douglas and Woodrow W. Lybarger are deceased.
After having been employed by the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger decided to go into business for himself and started in the General Contracting Business in 1919 in Madison, Illinois and from home build- ing he developed the Paving Business and had numerous jobs in St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Monroe, Williamson and Macoupin Counties and included the Paving of Second Street, Madison, Illinois in 1929 (picture on opposite page). After much success in the Paving Business, Chas. A. Lybarger viewing the trend in material supply,
etc., and having the road paving equipment decided to develop a ready-mixed concrete busi- ness which would be very helpful to the paving business and he began the ready-mixed concrete business in June 1936 opening one plant at 23rd & Monroe and established the general office at this location. With the coming of the threat of World War II, the United States Government be- gan the renovation of their various bases and installations and Chas. A. Lybarger, still oper- ating as an individual established a second ready-mixed concrete plant at the Scott Field Air Base and the operations were conducted from the Hanger Switch (now the present loca- tion of their Radio School) and furnished thous- ands of yards of concrete for the buildings and pavement on the Base. Mr. Lybarger's operation at Scott Field Air Base as an individual operation on a U. S. Government installation was the first of this type of operation permitted by the Gov- ernment. The success of the Lybarger Material Co. has been and can be contributed to the knowledge of construction and the integrity that Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger has established and as is recognized by those persons who know him and have been customers of his company.
After the expansion of the early program at Scott Field Air Base was completed, operations of the plant located on the Air Base were trans- ferred back to Granite City, Illinois and re-com- bined with the ready-mixed concrete plant estab- lished at 23rd & Monroe in June 1937. Since that time various large quantity and specially design- ed installations have been supplied by Lybarger Material Co., including the Locks No. 27, Mis-
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CERTIFICATE of RECOGNITION
The Board of Directors of the Associated Retailers and Civic Association and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, jointly desiring fo honor all firms in the area which have been in business for 25 or more years, present this certificate to
Lyburger Material Companyhas
for its for years of devoted service to the public. for its invaluable contribution to the economic ad- vancement of the community, and for its help in making possible the tremendous cultural and spir- itunl development of Venice, Madison and Granite City, illinois.
This certificate is a token of appreciation for your firm's part in the development of this area from a small river settlement info an industrial and residential giant of everincreasing stofure.
Dated May 4th, 1960.
sissippi River, Granite City, Illinois and the oper- ations for the Canal Bridge on Route No. 66 on which thousands of yards of ready-mixed con- crete and miscellaneous building materials were furnished. After the opening of the ready-mixed concrete plants, Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger was joined in his work by his five sons when they succeeded to a workable age and graduated from Madison High School. The sons are Courtiand W., Leonard W. (Johnny), Jimmie, Charles R. (Bud) and Ronald and at the present time Leon- ard W. Lybarger is engaged in the Lybarger Material Co. corporation (formed in 1941) and is superintendent of the Ready-mixed Concrete Plant at 19th & Adams Street, Granite City, Illinois and the other four sons are engaged in the General Contracting Co. a corporation indi- vidually formed and are engaged in Heavy Con- struction, Sewer and Paving Work.
In 1955 Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger had another thought toward the future and the coming changes to the building industry and on July 18, 1955 he established the First Pre-fab Home In- dustry in the Tri-Cities and developed the Briar- cliff Subdivision, Granite City, Illinois in which the pre-fab homes are located and in developing the pre-fab plant, the Lybarger Material Co. entered the field of lumber, hardware and var- ious building materials and as this date has de- veloped a considerable volumn of sales along these lines.
National recognition was given the Lybarger Material Co. in 1955 by the American Lumber- men's Association of the Pre-Fab Plant and in 1953 National Recognition was given Lybarger Materials Co. in the Construction Industry for the Ready-mixed Concrete Plant operation and
for the services rendered in connection with the construction of Lock No. 27, Mississippi River, Granite City, Illinois. The Chamber of Commerce of the Tri-Cities extended recognition to Chas. A. Lybarger (copy of same on opposite page) and his sons for the success of the Lybarger Material Co. operations.
At the present time Chas. A. Lybarger directs the activities of the various phases of the busi- ness from the general offices located at 23rd & Monroe, Granite City, Illinois. The success of the company has been based on the leadership established by Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger and the continued efforts of all employees (employees including his sons and himself and the office personnel lists 250 years of service) to render service, quality and a pride in the workings of the company and the entire community.
While preparing this information for the Book- let Mr. Chas. A. Lybarger reviewed the years that have passed and stated, life has been so very good to him and his family and that he con- siders himself most fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop his business as it has been developed and to have played a small portion toward the success of the Tri-Cities Community. This report has been prepared for the Booklet by Grace W. Costello, Secretary with 34 years of service with the Lybarger Company operations.
THE CHILDREN OF CHARLES LYBARGER Ruth-Mrs. Demos Nicholas Shirley-Mrs. Andrew Rapoff Clovia Mae-Mrs. William Howard Janice-Mrs. Lloyd Rice Charline-Mrs. Lawrence Burns
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When quality concrete is a matter of reputation . . . you can't take a chance on a 'cure all'!
Construction men throughout southwestern Illinois will tell you about Charley Lybarger. How he built an outstanding ready-mixed and block concrete business on reputation . . . and how his five sons are today continuing the Lybarger tradition.
Charley Lybarger discovered many years ago that air entrained in concrete makes it more workable, more versatile, and more durable. But he also knows that no air entraining cement can be counted on to produce quality concrete every time . .. that only by adding the required amount of air entraining agent at the mixer, can he produce concrete that's right for every job!
That's why the Lybarger Material Company of Granite City, Illinois, never takes chances on "cure alls" . .. when it's safe, simple and sure to follow the "prescription" technique.
JAEGER
LYBARGER MATERIAL CO. 23d & MONROE TR 6-3970 -3971 .
LYBARGER MATERIAL CO.
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METHODIST CHURCH 1914
Madison, Illinois
R. EWERS, Pastor
On May 17, 1908 the present building was purchased from the American Telegraph & Telephone Company of Illinois at a cost of $1,600 and the building was remodeled into a church.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
Madison, Illinois
The octagonal perimeter of the building with the circular church interior surmounted by what is probably the eleventh largest actual dome in the world. Completed in 1954. (Seating capacity of 780). Interior is of Pomona tile. Architect: Harry Ihmsen Hellmuth.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MADISON ON THEIR 75th ANNIVERSARY
ROZYCKI REALTY CO.
2216 Madison Ave.
Granite City,
TRAVELERS INSURANCE CO.'S REPRESENTATIVE
BUY . TRADE . SELL
Walter Rozycki, President
- Salesmen -
Leo Pelek
Dave Smith
Pete Ferro
John Krekovich
Andy Rapoff
Reginia Piechocinski, Secretary
Mary Bilbrey, Bookkeeper
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GRAND CLEANERS
APPROVED SANITONE SERVICE
ONE DAY SERVICE . DELIVERY
SHIRTS LAUNDERED
2267 Grand . TR 6-2804
2930 Nameoki Rd. · TR 7-1971
CHRIS KAYE
PLASTICS MFG. CO.
(INJECTION MOTORS)
1200 Madison Ave.
Madison, Illinois
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Watching rehearsal at Madison High School - "The Madison Story."
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Rehearsal "Madison Story."
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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR
75th ANNIVERSARY
FORD
THUNDERBIRD
B. E. HOHLT, Inc.
TRiangle 6-0300 Glenview 2-2160
1837 Madison Ave.
Granite City, Illinois
LAHEY FUNERAL HOME
Established 1906
OPEN ALL NIGHT
J.J.LAHEY. UNDERTAKEL
BELI TRI-CITY KİNLOON
222
LICENSED PERSONNEL
Francis J. Lahey Mary C. Lahey Lucy M. Lucido
CENTRALLY LOCATED IN TRI-CITY AREA
501 Madison Avenue
TRiangle 6-6222
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