Our Town: O’Fallon prosperity through the eyes of an immigrant
One of the earliest accounts of what life was like in O’Fallon when it was still young comes from German immigrant Louis F. Fischer, who wrote in 1909 about what he observed as a 30-year-old when he arrived here in 1869, shortly after the Civil War.
“Then prosperity was visible everywhere. The coal-mines, considered as some of the best in this district worked overtime; all houses were filled with people. The population consisted mostly of the old Americans and of English and Irish, of whom most were miners, and of many Germans, most of them farmers and mechanics.
“All these folk, thrown together, accommodated themselves to surrounding conditions and enjoyed themselves. There was no class distinction, or disturbing political factions in our town. There were churches for the religiously inclined; but it is true, there was also an abuse of the freedom then existing.
“Many lawless acts were committed, which today would not be tolerated. Foot races, cock fights, horse races were nothing unusual on Sunday mornings.
“O’Fallon was a typical western settlement. Everybody was busy in his way; new houses were built, stores did good business and progress was observable in every vocation of life. Still there was no time yet for ornamental improvements or looking after sanitary conditions. Pools of water were standing in many places; there were no paved sidewalks, and the streets were almost impassable in early spring.
“From Depot Street (South Lincoln) where Dr. Bechtold now resides (present-day Schildknecht Funeral Home), toward the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, extending west, to Mr. Smiley’s residence (now the site of St. Clare School) there was a swampy expanse covered with hazel brush, the roosting place of wild birds. Here the boys and girls would go skating in winter time.”
Fischer was born near Hanover, Germany in 1839, the son of a botanist and grandson of a medical doctor. He was well-educated and could speak four languages. He came to St. Clair County shortly before the Civil War and joined the Union Army as part of the 9th Illinois Infantry Regiment in 1861, being honorably discharged in 1864 as a 2nd Lieutenant.
He got a job at the Planters Hotel in St. Louis and then a grocery store in Bloomfield, Missouri (between Sikeston and Poplar Bluff) where he married Laura Owen in 1867. After catching malaria there, he moved back to St. Louis to work at the Planters. He was still there in 1869 when a friend from O’Fallon, Ernst Tiedemann, convinced him to cross the river and work at his general store at the northwest corner of Oak and State.
There he stayed until 1884 when he went to work for Ernst’s brother Charles at his flour mill, just west of the store, as company secretary. He retired in 1914. Laura Fischer died in 1872 and Louis remarried the following year to Josephine Engelmann. He died in 1918 and is buried in Engelmann Cemetery in Shiloh, off of Shiloh Station Road.
75 years ago, May 6, 1948: Teams in the O’Fallon J.C. (Junior City) League are rapidly taking shape. Indications are that competition will be very keen this summer. The Indians, managed by Wilmer Anheuser, and the Cubs, managed by Russell Elliott, require a great deal of rebuilding while the Tigers and Dodgers, pennant winners in 1946 and 1947, respectively, can pretty well stand pat with their returning players.
Practice games are being played on Saturdays, this being done to get the boys ready and to determine the relative strength of the teams. League officials are interested in having a well-balanced league.
All players desiring to play Junior American Legion baseball this summer must report at Community Park at 2 p.m., Saturday for the initial practice. Laverne Anderson will manage this team and he asks every boy who has not and will not reach his 18th birthday in 1948 to report on that afternoon.
50 years ago, May 3, 1973: Outstanding O’Fallon citizens were given special recognition last Friday night at the O’Fallon Jaycees’ Distinguished Service Banquet held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Jay Joiner, son of Col. And Mrs. R. W. Joiner, was awarded the Young Citizen Award. Joiner is a member of the National Honor Society and captain of the OTHS golf team.
He is ranked first scholastically in his senior class of 285. William Donato was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. Donato, who attended OTHS, started ten softball teams and five volleyball teams for St. Clare School. He also started four softball teams for the O’Fallon Jaycees.
Thomas Fulford was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award. Fulford worked for many years in Jaycee projects and is actively involved in the Boy Scouts. He is also chairman of the concession stand at the OTHS home football games which raises money for band uniforms.
The audience was entertained by a talk from St. Louis Football Cardinal defensive end Ron Yankowski who starts his third season with the team this year.
“There aren’t many highlights to talk about from last year,” Yankowski said, “but next year, there should be plenty with our new coach.” Yankowski was referring to new Head Coach Don Coryell and speculation that the team will be much better.
Yankowski took questions from the audience pertaining to the Cardinals. The most often asked question had to do with the quarterback situation of the Cardinals. Who will start next year as quarterback?
“It looks like Jim Hart will be the starter when the season opens,” Yankowski said.
