FREDOLIN EGGER (1827 1901)
Missouri Biography Dictionary:
Fredolin Egger, Appleton City
Fredolin Egger was born June 5, 1827 in the canton of Glarus Switzerland. He is the oldest of five children born to John B. Egger and his wife, Anna Elmer. During the persecution of the followers of Martin Luther in 1530, the Egger family emigrated from Austria to Switzerland, where for many years they organized a prominent position in the history of that country. Fredolin Egger, grandfather of Fredolin, was a leading citizen of the canton of Glarus, one of the first manufacturers of Switzerland and very prominent in the state, until his accidental death in 1817, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His son, John Balthasar Egger was born June 5, 1794 in the canton of Glarus where he was engaged until his death in the manufacture of paper. Confining himself to business, he took no part in politics. He died in 1870, aged seventy-six years. The maternal great grandfather of Fredolin Egger was John Henry Elmer, a prominent politician of Switzerland, at one time Ambassador to Sardinia, and representative of his canton in the Swiss Congress. His son, Jacob Elmer, also represented the canton of Glarus in Counsel until his accidental death about the year 1818.
Fredolin Egger attended the high school of his canton until sixteen years old, when he was sent to the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. On leaving college he traveled for one year through France. Returning home, he became salesman and traveling agent for his father, and was thus engaged until 1850. In that year he came to America, traveled through the Mississippi Valley and located in the Swiss colony of New Glarus, Wisconsin. At that place he was engaged in merchandising until 1853, when he returned to Switzerland. The colony in Wisconsin was founded by the Emigration Society of the canton whose name it bears.
In the spring of 1854, having been appointed agent for the colony, he returned to Wisconsin and for 2 years performed acceptable work as such agent, collecting debts, settling accounts and discharging other duties. He received high commendation from his employers in the form of a written certificate as follows:
The undersigned Emigrant Committee certify by these presents that Messrs. Fredolin Egger and Fred Streiff, of New Glarus, Wisconsin appointed by power of attorney dated 1854, as our representatives, have as such, effected a complete liquidation of the interests of our society in the colony of New Glarus, to our entire satisfaction, and that we have found their accounts with us in perfect conformity, as well as duly received the ultimate balance in favor of this society.
The undersigned regard it further as their duty to testify their sincere thanks to said Messrs. Egger and Streiff, for the intelligent and energetic manner in which they have conducted our affairs in the colony, relieving them herewith of all and every responsibility in this manner.
At the same time, and in conclusion, the undersigned cannot help expressing their deep regret at the ungrateful behavior of part of our former countrymen who have enjoyed our protection, have blamed themselves by the continual vexation of ourselves and of our said representatives.
Done in Schwanden, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland,
The President of the Emigration Committee.
Seal Peter Jenan,
Counselor and Member of Government.
He acted as agent for the colony for two years, and at the end of that time, engaged in mercantile and private banking business. He also served as postmaster and justice of the peace until 1874, when not liking the condition of the country and wishing to change his business, he settled in Appleton City, St. Clair County, Missouri, engaging in the banking business with a capitol of $5,000. He increased his capitol to $15,000 and by judicious investments acquired considerable property in St. Clair County as well as in the state of Wisconsin. He dealt extensively in real estate also.
In politics he is independent, affiliating with the Republican party. He took an active part in Wisconsin politics. He is a member of the Swiss Reformed Church. Also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
He was married April 22, 1854 to Miss Anna Streiff, daughter of Thomas Streiff and Anna Elmer, of the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, by whom he had eleven children, only six of which are living. She died December 21, 1865. He was married June 10, 1866 to his second wife, Mrs. Catharine (Zweifel) Walcher. She has borne no children.
Mr. Egger is a business man who commands the respect of the community, and is known for his activity, honesty and fair dealing.
Appleton City Journal, 18 January 1894:
Jno. B. Egger and John Gilbreath, of Appleton City, were in town Monday.
Pursuant to notice county court met last Monday morning, all judges present. Following business was transacted on that day: Revoked order of May last making St. Clair County Bank, the county depository. Ordered that clerk give notice for the selection of new county depository. Ordered that Collector and Treasurer each give new bond to county. Asylum warrants to amount of $500 sold to A.E. Ross at 91 cents on the dollar and $509.95 of same to John B. Egger at 92 cents. Account of W.W. Lawton, $532.70, allowed.
Appleton City Journal, 26 July 1894:
Fred Egger, Jr., assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Appleton City, MO., visited his father, F. Egger, Sr., at this place Sunday. On Monday he shipped two carloads of fat cattle to Kansas City from Kenoma. - Barton County Republican.
Wisconsin Census 1820-90 Record:
Name Fredolin Egger
State WI
County Green
Township New Glarus
Year 1855
Database WI 1855 State Census Index
1860 Green Co., WI Census Town of New Glarus:
New Glarus Post office, 16 August, Line 35
1388/1334 Fredolin Egger, age 31, male, merchant, $3500 real estate, $5000 personal estate, born Switzerland, attended school 2 months within the year
Anna, age 33, female, born Switzerland
Baltzen, age 5, male, born WI
Ann, age 4, female, born WI
Catherine, age 2, female, born WI
Thomas, age 1, male, born WI
Fredolin, age 1/12, male, white, born WI
Catherine Smith, age 20, female, white, born Switzerland
1880 St. Clair Co., MO Census Appleton City:
Dist. 6, ED 224, Page 41, 27 June
338/370 Egger, Frelein, white male, age 56, married, banker, born Germany, both parents born Germany
Catherine, white female, age 53, wife, married, keeping house, born Germany, both parents born Germany
Katie, white female, age 22, daughter, single, born WI, parents born Germany
Thomas, white male, age 21, son, single, born WI, parents born Germany
Frederick, white male, age 17, son, single, at school, attended school within the year, born WI, parents born Germany
Fannie, white female, age 16, daughter, single, at school, attended school within the year, born WI, parents born Germany
St. Clair Co., MO Cemetery Records:
Appleton City Cemetery
Egger, Dorothy (Robinson), 8 November 1855 19 October 1974
Egger, Florence, 10 May 1858 7 February 1922
Egger, Fred Glover, Jr., 19 January 1886 14 March 1948
Egger, Fred Glover, Sr., 25 December 1864 18 January 1898
Egger, Fredolin, 5 June 1829 29 November 1901
Egger, John B., 13 March 1855 15 August 1910
