Part 1....Family History based on found facts.
The name "TREFZGER" is one well known and exists in large numbers in Wehr, Baden, Germany. Wehr is a small town about 3 miles north of the Rhine River, the boundary line between Germany and Switzerland. It is about 18 miles from Basel, Switzerland, capital of the canton of Basel Stadt. Basel has a Population of about 181,000 persons.
In Wehr, the Trefzger and Berger families were well acquainted. The name "Trefzger" appears in the anscestry of the Bergers, now of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Simon Trefzger (the subject), son of Simon and Juliana (Grung) Trefzger and a grandson of Franz Trefzger, was born in Wehr October 16, 1831.
Katharina Scherr (his wife), the daughter of Jacob and Marianna (Agster) Scherr, was born in Wehr, April 24,1833.
Simon attended the local schools and learned the bakery trade. In those days when one had learned a trade and became proficient at it, one became a member of a Master Guild. After one became a Master he was entitled to travel and practice his trade anywhere in Germany. When a member of a Master Guild arrived in a town he would seek the head of the local Guild. If no work was available for the visitor, the head of the Guild provided room and meals for the visitor. This system prevailed in all trades in Germany. Simon, on completion of his apprenticeship, became a member of the Bakers Master Guild.
At the age of 20 1/2 years he married Katharina who was 13 days less than 19 years old. Having heard of the unusual and wonderful opportunities which lay in the new world, and knowing the Bergers who had gone to Cincinnati, Ohio, he and his wife decided to come to America. At that time Cincinnati was the “metropolis” of the new world with a high percentage or people of German descent. Simon and Katharina came to America as steerage passengers, in the spring of
1855, bringing their two daughters, Emma and Mary, with them. The trip took 30 days. In Cincinnati they lived at 71 McMicken Street, which house still stands today in a good state of preservation. With no opportunity to follow his trade and having a family to feed, Simon worked at the docks on the Ohio River. Still later he worked for his friend, John Berger, a cigar manufacturer. After living for two years in Cincinnati, Simon heard of an opening for a baker
in Oxford, Ohio. He went there to work leaving his family in Cincinnati. He traveled back and forth by stagecoach. While working in Oxford, his Wife did sewing in her home for a tailor in order to supplement their meager income. He stayed in Oxford one year.
A brother, Anton, and a sister, Marianna had come to the Un1ted States with Simon and Katharina. Anton first lived in St. Louis. Missouri, and then moved to Peoria, Illinois. Both of these cities were also known for their large number of German immigrants. According to the city directory, Anton came to Peoria two years before his brother, Simon. From his brother, Simon learned of the need for bakers in Peoria. Consequently, he went to Peoria in the early part of 1858 and took his family with him, which now included a son, Adolph, born in Cincinnati.
His sister, Marianna was married in Cincinnati and later lived in Peoria where she died.
In Peoria he worked for Frank Field who operated the "Frank Field & Company" bakers and confectioners, located at the corner of Franklin and Sixth Streets. No doubt, working in this area of the city make him familiar with the property he later acquired on Main and S. Monroe Streets. The first record of residence is in the city directory for the year 1860 where he is listed as "Simeon Triftzker" with his residence on the north side of First Street between Sanford and State Streets. The directory for 1861 gives his occupation as the same but his address then was 24 S. Monroe Street. This is the location where the Sacred Heart School Sisters now reside. The directory for 1863 (none was found for 1862) shows him as having his own bakery at 54 Fulton Street and his residence at the same place. In 1864 he purchased the property on Fulton Street. During the Civil War he baked for the Northern soldiers who were encamped in Birket’s Hollow (now Glen Oak Park). The heavy demands on him for his bread stuffs required long hours of work and constant standing on his feet. An ulcer, which did not respond to medical treatment, developed on his leg. So, after the close of the Civil War, he planned to make a visit to Europe. His physician had advised him to rest and stay off his feet. Some reports indicate that he had made enough money to retire and had planned to do so. However, this is doubted by members of the family.
In 1867 he took his family, which now consisted of his wife and children, Mary, Emna, Adolph, Charles and Louis back to Germany. They sailed on a ship called the "Great Eastern” which during the previous year was used by Cyrus W. Field to successfully lay the first trans-Atlantic cable. At that time the "Great Eastern" was the largest ship in the world. Before leaving Peoria he engaged two bakers to operate his bakery for him during his absence. After reaching Germany the Franco-Prussian War broke out which prevented his return to America as he had planned. He was not able to return until 1871. On his arrival in Peoria, as recounted by his son Charles, the family walked from the depot to the home of Uncle Anton on Brotherson Street. Each carried a piece of baggage and Charles carried the baby, little Frederick. On visiting his bakery he found the doors closed and the place deserted. Having stayed longer than he planned, no doubt the two bakers, whom he employed, gave up heart and quit the business. He resumed business at the old stand. The second floor above the bakery, became his residence.
In 1872 he purchased the property on corner Main and S. Monroe Streets. The directories for 1872-3 and 1874-5, however, show his place of business and residence on Fulton Street. It is safe to assume that after he acquired the property on Main Street, he erected a two story brick building which became both his place of business and residence. At first it was assigned the street number of 523 and beginning with 1889 it was known as 533 Main Street.
In 1880 he purchased the property on S.Monroe Street which became his residence and homestead and remained so until his death. His daughters Mary and Anna remained there. Mary died while a resident there and Anna stayed there until her health necessitated her confinement to St. Francis Hospital. The building was torn down in late fall of 1955 and a parking lot is now located there.
In l886 he took his son, Charles, in business with him and the business was known as "Trefzger and Son" and also "Simon Trefzger and Son."
In l890 he sold his business to his son, Charles, and at the same time moved his family to 108 S. Monroe Street. Charles, who had married, moved into the former home above the bakery.
In 1892 he took his wife and daughters, Anna and Nellie, to Germany. In 1910 he again returned to Europe taking his wife and daughter, Anna.
In 1902 the golden jubilee of Simon and Katharina was quietly celebrated with a dinner in their home with only the Peoria relatives present. No great celebration was held as "Grandma” did not feel well. As recounted in the Peoria Demokrat (see part III), the Diamond Jubilee was held on April 10, 1903.
In 1885 Simon Trefzger purchased the half block along Main Street with l44 feet on S. Madison Street, for $25,000. Later he sold the southwesterly 50 feet to the Ursuline Sisters, who were operating Sacred Heart School, for a convent yard. Later he sold the corner piece at Main and S. Madison Streets to Walter Spurk. The remainder of the property was sold by the heirs in 1925 to the Pere Marquette Building Corporation and a hotel by that name was erected on that site.
Although he did retire, from his bakery business in 1890, Simon Trefzger kept occupied managing his properties and enjoyed the sociability of his many friends and family. One of the greatest joys was visiting with a group of "cronies” who always sat at the same table in an Inn which was either at a place operated by August Meyer or the one owned by Dave Fauser. The latter place was on the property on Main Street owned by Simon Trefzger. They called their gathering the “Stammtisch”. Those who attended most regularly were Ferdinand Welte, Fritz Prenger, Judge John M. Niehaus and Peter J. Bourscheidt.
He was most devoted to his family. He often visited with them and enjoyed their visits to him. He took great pride on Sunday afternoon in taking "die ganze Bande" (the whole Crowd) to the band concert at one of the Peoria Parks. He enjoyed having his family home with him on holydays and holidays. He was always willing to assist his children with his advise in every way possible either on finances or business. In later years his grandchildren contributed much to his happiness.
Simon Trefzger was not unmindful of his spiritual obligation He was very active in the Catholic Church. He aided and took a prominent part in building the first Sacred Heart Church. He was appointed on a special building committee which in 1904 undertook the erection of the present Sacred Heart Church building. During the first meetings of the building committee, some wanted to build the new church away from the center of town. Simon Trefzger insisted the church remain "downtown " to serve the people who worked in the stores and the people who lived in the hotels while passing through town. He served as an officer in various church societies. He was generous with both time and money in all matters which concerned religion. This borne out by the reports of the Sacred Heart Church listing annually the amounts given by the
respective parishioners for the various projects and collections.
In the early years of the newly established Peoria Roman Catholic Diocese, with the Most Reverend John Lancaster Spalding, D. D., as its first bishop, Simon Trefzger was active in many phases of this development. He associated himself closely with his new bishop and was even called upon to bake a special bread used in some religious ceremonies. In 1900 he served as treasurer of the local arrangements committee in charge of the national convention of the Deutsches-Roemisches-Katholisches-Central-Vereln, and served on the executive committee. His picture appears in the official program as an officer of the convention.
Simon Trefzger also was a business leader, a man with great foresight and keen judgment. Old history books which show the place or origin of Peorians, show a large number of persons who came from Baden, Germany. Many of these called on their "Landsman" for advice and assistance. He provided work for many and for others obtained work for them. He was ever willing to assist anyone but seemed particularly eager to help anyone from his home area, Baden. His bakery shop became the leader in both the retail and wholesale trade. He trained his son, Charles, so well and established such a reputation for high quality merchandise,that this same bakery still flourishes today. After his son, Charles, took over the business in 1890, the same high standard of service and quality of merchandise continued until his death in 1941. After that, Charles' son, Charles Joseph continued the business on the same high plane. He too, was thoroughly indoctrinated and taught by his father as the latter had been by his father before him. On July 1, 1953, the bakery was moved to its present location, 3504 N. Prospect Road where Charles Joseph is ably assisted by two Sons, Joseph and Thomas. So we see the fourth generation carrying on what Simon started so well.
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