Biography - Frederick Weber
Frederick WEBER, manufacturer of soda and mineral waters, Litchfield, was born in Bavaria, Germany, near the River Rhine, in that portion called Pfalz, in the town of Zeiskam, on January 1, 1838. Until fourteen year old, he attended school, and then spent two years' apprenticeship in a bakery in his native town. In 1856, he came to the United States, and located first in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted, becoming a member of the Convalescent Corps, acting as pastry cook. He served eighteen months in the Good Samaritan Hospital, at St. Louis, and, being then discharged, he joined the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, being pastry cook for them for six months, at Helena, Ark. July 9, 1863, he married Miss Elizabeth ENDERS, in St. Louis, a native of Germany, and located in Cairo, Ill., where he conducted a bakery one year. He then returned to St. Louis, Mo., and in November, 1864, visited the old county, returning in April of the following year, after which he farmed for a short time near St. Genevieve, Mo., and in the fall of 1865, discontinued it in order to establish a bakery in St. Louis. This he did, but at the end of one year sold his bakery and moved to Litchfield, Ill., where he worked for Mr. William ROTH, in a bakery, for eight months. In June, 1867, he started a factory for the manufacture of soda and seltzer waters, to which he still devotes his attention. In 1881, he manufactured during the season an average of one hundred dozen of bottles per day, and these were shipped to various points in the State. These waters have become very popular as a healthful beverage, and, in consequence, the demand has steadily increased from year to year. For the past two years, Mr. WEBER has run a steam cider press with good success. During the busy season, his business requires the services of eight active men. The following children have been born to Mr. WEBER: Lizzie, Louise, Anne, Rosa, Kate, Mary and Frederick William.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 183-184.
