USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 85
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pleted his invention as far as he could without any implements whatever. He carried the design from Andersonville, and upon his release built the completed implement, and laid the foundation of the magnificent business of today.
When the war was over, Robert Avery returned to the farm, and with the aid of his brother Cyrus M. Avery, built the perfected tool, which he called "The Avery Cultivator." This lead at once to other farm implements, a stalk-cutter and planter, both of which he named after himself, and which are to this day in extensive use. Robert and Cyrus Avery entered into partnership and con- ducted a small business in Galesburg. This proved so prosperous, that in 1882, the brothers removed their small establishment to Peoria. The following year the partnership was incorporated under the name of the Avery Planter Company, with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, with Robert H. Avery as its president, an office which he held until his death in 1892. During the ten years of his life in Peoria, Mr. Avery saw his business increase from a little plant in a one-story frame building, to a magnificent institution employing over one hundred and fifty men and with an immense output of cultivators, corn planters, stackers, threshing machines, check-rowers, etc. Even this, however, represented only the beginnings of the growth of the Avery Company. Robert Avery was not destined to see the consummation of his labors. In 1899, seven years after his death the company was reincorporated, the capital stock in- creased to six hundred thousand dollars, and the name changed to The Avery Manufacturing Company. It was reorganized in 1907 under the name of the Avery Company, and its capital stock still further increased to two million five hundred thousand dollars. Magnificent additions have been made, a whole vi !- lage has grown up around it, automobile implements have been added to the out- put, the working force has tripled, and the name of Avery Company has grown more honored with the passing years.
This magnificent success rests on the broad foundation of Robert H. Avery's character and attainments. He was a man of marked capacity and decided char- acter, and of the most undoubted integrity. He was modest and unassuming in his deportment, and retiring in his habits, but in whatever position he was placed he was emphatic and decided. He was possessed of business acumen, clear in- sight and ability to manage, control and direct. Of impressive personality, he possessed throughout his life such courage, self-assertion and mental as well as moral force as are seldom met with in any calling. He was a rare leader of men, and seldom were his judgments faulty. Frauds and pretenders of every sort he would not tolerate. He never forsook a friend and honor and honesty were his mottoes for all living. He always carried a genial humor that drew peo- ple to him. The most marked of all his characteristics was his marvelous force. The memory of his upright life remains as a blessed benediction to those who were his associates. He was one of those characters whom God has not per- mitted to live in vain and for naught. From his life may be deduced a moral of great value, and from it may be formed a model by which mothers may well strive to form the characters of their sons.
OTTO W. H. WAHLFELD.
Otto W. H. Wahlfeld, the vice president of The Wahlfeld Manufacturing Company, located at 1101 to 1125 South Washington avenue, is one of the prom- ising young business men of Peoria. He was born in this city, his natal day being the IIth of December, 1888, and his parents August and Anna Wahlfeld, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work.
The education of Otto W. H. Wahlfeld was begun in the local public schools and continued in Brown's Business College and the University of Illinois, his stu-
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(lent days being terminated at the age of sixteen years. He had been reared with the expectation of entering the business world and after laying aside his text- books he entered the plant with which he is connected. In order to qualify him- self for an executive position he began his duties in a minor capacity, advancing in orderly progression through the various departments until he had acquired the essential facts and knowledge pertaining to the industry. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of interior woodwork and fixtures, and Mr. Wahlfeld has always made it a point not only to be thoroughly familiar with conditions affect- ing this industry, but has made a careful study of business conditions generally. He is diligent and enterprising, thinks widely and has well defined ideas on com- mercial matters and industrial development.
Mr. Wahlfeld was married in this city on the 27th of September, 1909, to Miss Frieda Walliner, a daughter of Mrs. Augusta Walliner, and to them has been born one son, James August, on November 9, 1910. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wahlfeld is at 213 Barker avenue, where they erected in 1911 a comfortable. thoroughly modern residence.
They are members of St. Paul's German Lutheran church. Mr. Wahlfeld belongs to the Creve Coeur Club, one of the foremost social organizations of the city. His political support he gives to such men and measures as he deems most likely to subserve the highest interests of the majority, irrespective of party affil- iation. Mr. Wahlfeld is both capable and efficient and in the discharge of his duties manifests those qualities that give every assurance of a successful carcer.
THOMAS OSCAR TANTON.
Thomas Oscar Tanton, a real-estate dealer of Peoria, has been a lifelong resident of this state, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Cazenovia town- ship, Woodford county. His father, John Tanton, a native of Devonshire, Eng- land, was born August 15, 1803, and in the year 1832 became a resident of Can- ada. In 1834 he returned to England where he lived for a year, and in 1835 he arrived in Chicago, which was then a small village, having not yet been incor- porated as a city. After a few months, however, he took up his abode in Caze- novia township, Woodford county, settling there in March, 1836. On the 31st of March, 1842, he was married to Miss Hannah Groves, who was born in Har- rison county, Indiana, June 13, 1818, and in 1840 went to Woodford county, Illi- nois, with her parents, who were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. John Tanton lived to be nearly eighty-nine years of age, while his wife was more than eighty years of age at the time of her demise.
Thomas Oscar Tanton, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the district schools and then turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared, becoming actively interested in farming and stock- raising in March, 1870. For more than a quarter of a century he was closely associated with agricultural pursuits, owning and cultivating a rich tract of land which he transformed into one of the valuable farms of his locality. On the 18th of October, 1897, he left the farm and established his home in Peoria, at No. 1415 Perry street. He removed to 413 Illinois street on the ist of May, 1902. and since the ist of May, 1905, has made his home at No. 722 North Monroe street. During the period of his residence in this city he has engaged in real- estate dealing and has handled a number of important realty transactions.
On the 27th of February, 1873, in El Paso, Illinois, Mr. Tanton was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Gingrich, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Gingrich, who were of German birth and in 1836 became residents of Worth township, Woodford county, Illinois, settling on a farm. Mrs. Tanton died on the Ioth of May, 1888. and Mr. Tanton was married on the 16th of May, 1889, to
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Amanda Martin. Her death occurred January 8, 1896, and on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1902, Mr. Tanton wedded Miss Carrie H. Stoll.
Mr. Tanton has five children born of his first marriage, four daughters and a son, and of the second marriage there are one daughter and one son. All are now married with the exception of the eldest son. Mr. Tanton holds member- ship in the Christian church and his political faith is that of the democratic party. His high social standing and the regard entertained for him by his fellowmen are indicated by the fact that he has been admitted to membership in the Creve Coeur Club. In matters of citizenship his influence and support are given on the side of advancement and progress and he holds to high standards in man's per- sonal relations with his fellowmen.
VALENTINE JOBST & SONS.
The name of Jobst has long figured actively in connection with the building operations of Peoria and the untarnished reputation and position of the family are well sustained by Valentine Jobst, Jr., who is well known through both his social and business connections. Since taking upon himself the more active duties of life that come with entrance into the business world he has been associated with the firm of Valentine Jobst & Sons, the largest general contracting concern in Illinois outside of Chicago. His associates in the business are his father, Valentine Jobst, Sr., and his brother, George J. Jobst, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work.
He was born in Peoria, May 19, 1871, and was given the name of his father, Valentine Jobst, long one of the most prominent and honored business men of this part of the state, who is today a venerable and honored resident of the city, his life work proving what may be accomplished when determination, energy and capability lead the way.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Valentine Jobst, Jr., attended the grammar and high schools, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1899. He afterward spent two years as a member of the contracting firm of Jobst Brothers at Omaha, Nebraska, after which he returned to Peoria and entered the present firm which is carrying on the business which was estab- lished by his father in 1859. The present firm was organized in 1901 under the style of Valentine Jobst & Sons, at which time Valentine Jobst became the partner of his father and brother. He looks after the construction end of the business, while George J. Jobst is engineer and designer for the firm. Their business extends over a wide territory. They took the contract for and erected the courthouse and United States postoffice at Wichita, Kansas; at Galesburg, Illinois ; Joplin, Missouri; and at Pekin and Jacksonville, Illinois. They were the builders of the Schipper & Block department store at Peoria, Illinois ; the Cham- paign county courthouse at Urbana; the Logan county courthouse at Lincoln; the natural history building, the chemical laboratory, physics building and the agricultural college buildings, all of the University of Illinois. They were the builders of the National Home for Soldiers, at Danville, and their construction work in Peoria covers a list of many of the leading business houses in this city. They built the warehouse for Oakford & Fahnestock; the building for the Cen- tral Union Telephone Company ; the Union Depot; the W. H. Hoagland build- ing ; the store and office building of F. Welte; the Creve Coeur Club house; the entire manufacturing plant of the Colean Manufacturing Company ; and also of the Barrett Manufacturing Company. They erected the warehouse building for the Barrett Manufacturing Company ; the administration building and the factory building for the Avery Company ; and the wholesale grocery house of the Jobst- Bethard Company, in addition to the Jobst building, of which they are the own-
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
ers. They are now engaged on the construction of the new Jefferson Hotel and a factory building for Thomas & Clarke, cracker manufacturers. Their pat- ronage in other cities has led to their erection of an office building for the Central Union Telephone Company at Springfield, Illinois ; the Carnegie Library at De- catur ; the Davenport Hotel, at Davenport, Iowa; the supreme court building at Springfield, Illinois; the women's buildings of the Sailors and Soldiers Home at Quincy, Illinois ; the postoffice at Decatur ; the hospital building of the South- ern Illinois Hospital for the Insane at Anna, Illinois; the gymnasium of the Feeble-Minded Institute, at Lincoln, Illinois; the Star-Courier building and the postoffice at Kewaunee; the First National Bank building at Champaign ; and the Denkmann Memorial Library at Rock Island. All this indicates the import- ance and extent of the business which is accorded to the general contracting firm of Valentine Jobst & Sons, of which Valentine Jobst, Jr., is an active partner. In addition to his industrial interests he is known in financial circles of Peoria as a director of the Merchants National Bank.
Mr. Jobst married Miss Elizabeth Ochenga, a native of Peoria and they now have one child, Valentine Jobst IJI. The father is a Knight Templar and thirty- second degree Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Creve Coeur Club and to the Peoria Country Club and those who meet him in the club rooms or in his home find him a gentleman of cordial address, genial and hospitable. He has displayed many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry, combined with the enterprising and progressive spirit that has made America a dominant factor in the world of trade. None have ever called into question the integrity of his acts nor the sincerity of his purposes. In his business connec- tions he stands for advancement in all that pertains to building operations, utiliz- ing the most scientific principles in the erection of modern structures adequate to the needs and demands of the present age.
HARRY G. WASSON.
On the roll of county officials appears the name of Harry G. Wasson who is occupying the position of county recorder to which he was first elected in 1904 and reelected in 1908. He has been a lifelong resident of the city of Peoria, his birth having occurred here on the 17th of March, 1877. His parents were James T. and Jennie E. (Erskin) Wasson, the former having become a resident of Peoria when he was a lad of twelve years. In response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers he enrolled as a Union soldier, becoming a member of the first company of this city. He rendered valiant service to the Union and has also figured prominently in political circles but at present is living in quiet re- tirement. His wife was at one time a school teacher, having charge of a school on the old Mossville road.
Under the parental roof Harry G. Wasson spent his youthful days and sup- plemented his public-school course by study in Brown's Business College whereby he qualified for the onerous and responsible duties of the commercial world. In his youth he secured a situation in the old steel rolling mill at Avery- ville, working there for several months. He has had a varied career and his life has been one of untiring and indefatigable industry. At different periods he has followed different occupations although on occasions more than one business undertaking has claimed his attention. For a year he conducted a cigar stand in the courthouse and for four years was police patrol operator. He also served as solicitor and collector for the Peoria Star during the first year of the existence of that paper and was largely instrumental in developing its first subscription list. He also became an active factor in local political circles and was secretary
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of the republican central committee, doing all in his power to further the interest and promote the success of his party. He served for two years as secretary of the Peoria Corn Exposition & Carnival Association, and his executive ability and progressive spirit were strongly manifested in this connection. At one time he was secretary for the Central Illinois Fancy & Pet Stock Show, and for two years was proprietor of a hotel at Bartonville. He turned his attention to jour- nalism as publisher and editor of the County Official, a paper' dedicated to county officials of Illinois. He is now proprietor of a hotel at Rome, Illinois, but makes his home in Peoria, and for almost eight years has filled the position of county recorder, in which connection he is rendering valuable public service.
Mr. Wasson is well known in political circles and is a member of the grand council of the Royal Arcanum. Since 1906 he has been treasurer of the Peoria Lodge of Elks and has served as commander of the Illinois Order of Sons of Veterans-the highest office within the gift of that organization in the state. He was at one time at the head of the Peoria Lodge of the Moose and he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Redmen. His activities and his interests have been and are of a most varied character and yet in each he has worked effectively. He invariably accomplishes what he undertakes, seeming to possess a limitless amount of energy and enterprise.
WILLIAM R. EMORY.
Individual success in any line of business is inextricably connected with the growth and development of the city in which the business is located. No man can be prosperous and prominent in his endeavors without contributing his share to the general industrial progress. Prominent among men of Peoria who have pro- moted the city's interests by their individual success is William R. Emory, a partner in the firm of G. B. Todhunter & Company. He is a native of Peoria, having been born on June 2, 1883, the son of George H. and Minnie Emory. The family is of German and French origin, and has been in America for over one hundred and fifty years. The grandfather of our subject, William Zindell, fought in the Federal army during the Civil war and Mr. Emory is entitled to membership in the Sons of the Republic.
Mr. Emory left the public schools of Peoria, where his early education was received, at the age of thirteen years, and entered the employ of Thomas & Com- pany, in a minor position, which he occupied for about two years, leaving to be- come a delivery boy for the grocery firm of Gauss & Shurtleff, where he remained for three years. At the expiration of that period he entered the employ of Wil- liam Oberhauser, a druggist of this city, receiving the position on the strength of some experience in the drug business which he had gained by assisting in this line after school hours and during his vacations. Two years after, Mr. Emory entered the railroad business in the capacity of fireman, and in his leisure hours studied bookkeeping and mechanical drafting, in which branches he soon became expert. He became bookkeeper for the Wahlfeld Manufacturing Company of this city, leaving that firm to accept a similar position with Todhunter & Alfs. His services in this capacity soon became valuable, and he eventually rose to the position of secretary and treasurer of the firm. He remained in this office until Mr. Todhunter severed his connection with the concern, when he resigned to become a partner in the new enterprise of G. B. Todhunter & Company, with which he has been connected since 1911.
In 1904 Mr. Emory married, in Peoria, Miss Virginia M. Kuhn, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kuhn, a pioneer in the dairy business in this city. They have two children, a son, William R., Jr., and a daughter, Margaret. The family residence is at 1205 Frye avenue. Mr. Emory's political affiliations are
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republican, and he is a firm believer in the party policies. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and well known in the North American Union. His career is a signal instance of the power of hard work and determi- nation in the making of a successful man.
FRANK FRITZINGER.
One of the sources of Peoria's wealth and prosperity, which is too seldom recognized and too often overlooked, is the number of rich and fertile farms surrounding the city and across the river from it, which are under constant cul- tivation in the form of small truck gardens. The owners of these little spots of land are apt to grow rich quietly and unostentatiously, and their prosperity un- doubtedly results in added wealth to the city. Frank Fritzinger, now residing in Peoria at 912 Monson street, spent his life before his retirement in truck farm- ing and gardening of this kind. He comes of an old family of gardeners, who first located just across the river from Peoria on the Tazewell county side, and were known for many years for the remarkable quality of their fruits and vege- tables which they brought to the city daily in their market wagons.
Frank Fritzinger was born on Good Friday, in April, 1865. His birth oc- curred on the site of the old "Tazewell House," which was a popular hostelry fifty years ago on the Tazewell shore of the Illinois river. His parents moved into Peoria county when Frank Fritzinger was very young, and he has lived in that section practically all his life. His father was a truck and garden farmer in Tazewell and Peoria counties, and was a familiar figure in the city market for a number of years. Frank Fritzinger was educated in the public schools of Peo- ria, and upon the completion of his education, he joined with his brothers in the purchase of a number of large truck gardens near Mossville, Peoria county, a few miles from this city. In this sort of farming and gardening Mr. Fritzinger spent his entire active life. He added continually to his holdings, until at the time of his retirement, he was the owner of many acres of rich farm and garden land, and was recognized as one of the largest truck farmers in the county. He per- sonally hauled many loads of garden truck to the city daily, and the produce from his farm amounted to many wagon loads each day. These he took to Peoria and sold in the old Central City Market, which was an institution in those days in Peoria, and stood on the site of the present city hall.
Mr. Fritzinger is married and has two daughters. At the early age of forty- six, Mr. Fritzinger has acquired a competence which has enabled him to retire from active life. He is a quiet, unassuming, courteous gentleman, well content to spend the remainder of his days with his family and among his many friends.
E. J. CLAUSON.
E. J. Clauson is an enterprising young farmer of Logan township, en- gaged in the cultivation of one hundred and twenty acres of land. His entire life has been spent in the township which is yet his home, his birth having occurred in 1882. He was reared to the occupation of farming and in his youthful days divided his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and the work of the home farm, receiving practical training in the best methods of tilling the soil. He never changed his occupation and after arriving at years of maturity he began farming on his own account, and is now engaged in the cultivation of an eighty-acre tract of land belonging to his father, John Clau- son, and forty acres belonging to his brother-in-law. He has his place well stocked,
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keeping upon his farm nine head of horses, forty-five head of hogs and four head of cattle. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and his prac- tical, progressive methods bring to him substantial returns. At the present time he has thirty acres planted to corn, twenty to wheat, forty to oats and thirty to hay, and the cultivation and care of his fields from the time of early spring planting until crops are harvested in the late autumn make him a busy man, having few leisure hours. He gives his political support to the democratic party, having voted this ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, yet he has neither time nor inclination to seek nor hold public office. He prefers to con- centrate his energies upon his business interests and has made for himself a creditable position as one of the leading young farmers of this part of the county.
PETER A. JOHNSON.
The tendency of the modern times, when the attention of the American people has been called to misrule in public affairs, is to seek business men for public office, especially in the control of municipal affairs where the efficiency of the office depends upon the ability of the incumbent to carefully conduct business affairs relative thereto. It is not a matter of marvel, therefore, that Peter A. Johnson should have been chosen for the position of city treasurer which he is now filling, for he had long been known as an enterprising merchant of this city, his present connection with mercantile circles being that of vice president of the Charles Johnson Hardware Company. He was born in this city, August 24, 1866, and comes of German ancestry. His father, John H. Johnson, left his home in the northern part of Germany in the early '50s, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and, making his way into the interior of the country, settled at Peoria where he - followed the blacksmith's trade until 1867. He then removed to Farmington, Illinois, where he conducted a shop until 1886, and then returned to Peoria, where he lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest to the time of his death in 1890. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary C. Reichardt was also a native of Germany. They became the parents of eleven children of whom eight are yet living, George, Charles, Peter A., John, William, Mrs. Helena Spindler, Mary and Mrs. Matilda England.
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